Amanda is upset by the lack of Mac.
Mac is stuck in a traffic jam. In his impatience he got out and began to run.
Jake asked if the man could very sweetly lower his gun as it made him nervous. The man grew more threatening. He and Jake don't get along.
Rachel sent Amanda on. Miss Ridgeway introduced the play. Amanda made a little speech. Enter Mac. The play began.
Jake explained himself. Good ol' Rancy* Sterling calmed down and produced his card. Everyone was civil. Mr. Sterling is with NEW RESOURCES CORPORATION [a conglomerate] real estate. They buy up places before the bank forecloses. If it's a farm they auction off small sections of it until a profit can be turned. Then [when it's small enough] they let the farmer come back to work the land in exchange for half of the crop. Jake hates it. Marley asked where the Garrisons had gone. She's trying to keep the peace. Jake is not. His father suffered at the hands of the lakes of Rancy Sterling. Rancy told them Eugene Garrison had family in town as owned a hardware store. Jake was prevented from attacking Rancy and they left. Marley's certain they're very close.
Britt's box of ornaments arrived at the cabin with a note. "dear Catlin. Inside this box are the Christmas tree ornaments we used during our first Christmas with Evan. I thought you might want them. Love Britt." He thought about sleeping with her in the Cory stables and her telling him how wonderful he was. He snatched up his jacket saying "Brittany" and made for the door, where he found Larry about to knock.
The Corys praised Amanda ceaselessly. Mac promised to publish a limited edition of the play. She rushed off to tell her friend Lisa. He told Rachel about his last minute jog. "Oh, I love you... But you could be more prompt in your theatre-going." Nancy arrived backstage. Rachel invited her to the cast party back at the house. Chris appeared and presented Amanda with a bucket of roses. He said hello to Nancy. Everybody went away. Nancy and Chris argued. She's still mad. Amanda invited him to the cast party.
Britt is setting the table for a splendiferous dinner for two. She has to follow a book to get the cutlery and napkins straight. She put a record on and let her imagination run away with her. [Catlin: if you're trying to talk me into going back into the bedroom, you're succeeding. Britt: I love you so much. Catlin: I love you. I finally realized I can't fight it. Not any more. Britt: I have something to tell you. Catlin: don't talk. Britt: no, I have to, this is serious. Catlin: so is this. Britt: wait. I'm going to have our child [the record burst into "hallelujahs"] Catlin: a baby? Britt: I hope you're pleased. Catlin: I don't believe it. Britt: please don't be angry. Catlin: Brittany I'm glad you SOMETHING UNINTELLIGIBLE for me. This is the happiest day of my life. Oh baby. We'll get married as soon as possible. Britt: yes yes. Catlin: then everything's going to be the way it should have been.] Britt was snapped out of it by Daniel's knock. She stopped the record player. She told him she needed his help.
Jake figures the reason everyone was so nasty to them when they said they were looking for the Garrisons was because they thought they were with New Resources. They hit the hardware store and conversed in nervous undertones for a bit. He cautioned her not to get her hopes up because they could have the wrong Garrisons. Marley insisted they were the right ones. He turned around and there was a set of little blonde twins.
Larry picked up his Christmas presents which Catlin had been hiding for him and expressed a good deal of brotherly concern. Catlin is on the wagon because even when drunk he attracts Brittany like flies and then can't remember anything. [the bad memory.] Larry assured him if he couldn't remember it hadn't happened. Catlin is nonetheless determined to stay away from her because he doesn't want to hurt any chance he may have with wifepreferable. Larry invited him over for Christmas Day. Catlin applauds Larry's choice of wife. She bakes.
Marley introduced herself to the woman behind the counter. She proved to be Elly Garrison, Michael's brother's son's widow. She introduced her to Aunt Bertha who told her she looked like Eugene's sister. Marley produced a photo of Michael. Aunt Bertha pronounced him their Michael who looked very like Eugene.
Everyone's back at the Cory madhouse. Ada escaped from the din only to find herself alone with Nancy [who has changed her mind about having five children]. Ada thinks she's punishing her for being forbidden to live with Chris by moving out. Nancy wants only to be happy. Ada wants only for Nancy to be happy. Trouble is they perceive this happiness differently. Nancy said she wouldn't be living with Chris. Ada asked her to come home for Christmas. Rachel and Chris swooped in. Rachel swooped out with Ada. Nancy and Chris argued. He asked for a holiday ceasefire. She refused. He called her selfish. She started crying. He said he loved her. She said she could take care of herself. He said he loved her and wanted her as Ada came in. Nancy left. Ada blamed him for everything. Chris told her Nancy had a problem which she should investigate before blaming him.
Marley was thrilled. She introduced Jake. Aunt Bertha said Michael was dead. Marley was brought up short in her happiness and drifted away to weep. Jake found out from Elly that Michael wasn't exactly dead but they hadn't heard from him in years. Aunt Bertha insists he's dead. She used to get postcards from around the globe but they stopped. Elly reassured Marley. Marley asked to see Eugene. Elly said "oh, that's right... you haven't heard."
Larry invited Catlin to dinner tonight. Catlin declined. He's going to do work to keep his mind off Sally. Larry left. Catlin sat down to work and thought about Brittany in the stables.
Rachel told Nancy Chris loved her. She advised her to set aside her pride. Nancy fled as Mac came in. Rachel told him Neil the nephew had called to say he'd be there for Christmas. Mac doesn't seem to like Neil. He held mistletoe over her head and kissed her.
Eugene has fled for parts unknown. To the South for a new life. It may be months before he calls. Marley suggested she pay the back taxes or something and save the farm. She intends to call New Resources. They were unable to get in touch with any bigwigs. They are all on holiday. [I have a horrible suspicion that Michael is a bigwig.] Elly wished Marley and Jake every happiness and returned to work. Marley won't give up concerning her father or the farm. Jake says if they ever decide to have children they're probably going to have to buy two of everything. The twins played ball.
Mr. Ardesly is impressed with Mac's priorities. So is Mac. Isn't Christmas swell? Mac thinks Nancy should invite Chris over for Christmas.
Chris is telling the hospital he's available to work on Christmas Day. He stared at the phone.
Nancy stared at the phone.
Chris reached for the phone "call her, dummy."
Nancy reached for the phone.
* In the future I will grasp that his name is not Rancy but Ramsay.↩