Season 3 épisode 9
The doldrums
Written by
Shannon Goss
FADE IN:
1EXT. AYR HARBOUR, SCOTLAND - DAY (D)1
The frigid wind whips through what is normally a bustling harbor -- if it weren’t the middle of winter. Ships are settled with one exception. The Artemis.
FIND CLAIRE staring out to sea. The stress of Young Ian’s kidnapping and her rocky homecoming is visible on her face.
She turns -- and JAMIE is next to her, strung taut as a bow.
A beat later Jamie’s cousin, JARED FRASER, approaches.
JARED
It’s all arranged, then. You’ll act as supercargo in charge of the freight. Master Raines is glad not to have the responsibility (re: the Artemis) She’s no much but --
JAMIE
She’ll do.
JARED
The weather is beginning to turn. Even a brig of this size will be bobbin’ like a cork. At least ye’ll have a physician at hand when ye begin retching yer innards.
JAMIE
I’ll manage. All that matters now is Young Ian.
JARED
Yes... well, the harbor master had record of only one three-masted frigate sailing under a Portuguese flag. The Bruja. Her home port is Jamaica.
JAMIE
She was riding verra low in the water, hold musta been laden.
JARED
Then they would most likely be on their way home.
Jared clocks Claire and Jamie’s worried looks.
JARED (cont’d)
A healthy male can be sold for upward of thirty pounds in Jamaica. If he doesn’t make trouble, Ian will be fine.
CLAIRE
Then the West Indies is our only chance.
JAMIE
I thank ye, Jared. Ye’ve been a great help.
JARED
Ye’re aiding me as well. My importer in Jamaica, Kenneth
MacIver, will meet you in Kingston Harbor in two months’ time. Bon voyage. God be with you and thelad.
Jared heads off. A beat as the gravity -- and potential
impossibility -- of this journey sinks in. Then --
JAMIE
‘Twas ill luck to use the treasure to pay Laoghaire, so I could be wi’ you. Maybe I’m being punished for wanting too much.
CLAIRE
No god worth his salt would take your nephew away from you because you wanted to be happy.
LESLEY and HAYES approach from the direction of the ship.
LESLEY
Captain Raines wants to cast off. If we don’t, we’ll no catch the tide.
The idea seems to agree with Hayes, who casts an anxious glance back at the ship.
HAYES
Mebbe we should leave tomorrow. On a fresh tide.
LESLEY
“Fresh tide.” They’re all the same, ye numbskull. (to Jamie and Claire)He’s full of nerves.
HAYES
It’s no “nerves.”(more to Claire)Twice I’ve been on a ship -- once
when they took me from Scotland as an indentured slave and the other
when I returned home. And if it wasna for MacDubh, I wouldn’t be
setting foot on that bucket of shite.
CLAIRE
Thank you, Hayes. We’re glad to have your help. If it’s any consolation -- I’m not much for sea voyages myself.
Hayes forces a polite but wretched smile.
JAMIE
Has Willoughby arrived? (they nod) Then inform Captain Raines that we have sufficient crew aboard. We’re just waiting for Fergus.
HAYES
The wee frog’s already on board, MacDubh. Fergus and --
LESLEY
-- and the baggage from Lallybroch. The lad’s brought ye some clothes and supplies. Let’s go.
Lesley shoots Hayes a look. Clearly they are covering something. It’s lost on Jamie and Claire as Lesley drags Hayes away. Claire looks at Jamie, concerned --
CLAIRE
Since Jenny and Ian still think we’re going to France --
JAMIE
They’ll no yet be worried. But I’ve sent them a letter explaining everything... Best we’re at sea before they read of Young Ian’s kidnapping.
Claire nods. They move toward the Artemis.
2EXT. ARTEMIS - DECK - DAY (D1)2
Claire and Jamie face aft as the shoreline fades. The ship is not at a tilt; not yet under full sail. Still, it rises and FALLS. Seeing this is enough to make one hurl. Claire notices the effect it’s having on Jamie.
CLAIRE
Try looking at the horizon. It might help alleviate your nausea.
JAMIE
I havena noticed my stomach yet, Sassenach. Watching Scotland fall away is causing pain enough. (then) I willna set foot on her shores again wi’out Ian.
CLAIRE
We will find him.
Claire can’t know that, but for now they’re willing to hang onto her optimism. A sailor, MANZETTI, 30s, passes by.
JAMIE
Aye. If this fair wind holds...
MANZETTI
(to Jamie) Good day.
JAMIE (cont'd)
...we should gain on the Bruja.
Jamie nods to Manzetti, who casually touches an IRON HORSESHOE nailed to a large wooden post behind the main mast. Another sailor, HOGAN, 30s, passes, touching the horseshoe.
HOGAN
(nods to Jamie) Morning.
Jamie nods at Hogan. Another sailor touches the horseshoe, then another and another. Claire cocks a brow. She’s dealt with all sorts of superstitions of the period, and this is just another one.
CLAIRE
Let’s get settled in.
Claire moves past the horseshoe without touching it.
JAMIE
Ye should touch the horseshoe, Sassenach. ‘Tis bad luck no to do it.
CLAIRE
If it will make you happy.
She knows it’s nonsense, but resigned to dealing with these beliefs, touches the horseshoe anyway. For Ian. Jamie touches it too. As they move on...
ANGLE ON: the QUARTERDECK, where CAPTAIN RAINES (aka Master Raines), 50s, watches over the proceedings with an eagle eye. With him is Second Mate BAXLEY. Raines is intently sussing out Jamie and Claire -- landlubbers in his eyes.
BACK WITH Jamie and Claire as FIRST MATE WARREN, 40s, passes,
speaking only to Jamie --
WARREN
Day to you.
JAMIE
And you.
CLAIRE
I seem to be invisible.
JAMIE
Women bring bad luck on ships... Redheads as well.
CLAIRE
You’re bad luck?
JAMIE
Aye. That’s why they’re addressing me before I speak to ‘em. It’s the only way to prevent misfortune.
CLAIRE
How has Scotland survived all these centuries?
JAMIE
It’s no just the Scots, Sassenach. The English, Spanish, Dutch – all have seafaring superstitions. Ye dinna want to be caught with a banana on a French frigate.
Claire laughs good-naturedly. Jamie likes that laugh.
FERGUS (O.C.)
Milord!
Claire and Jamie turn to see a nervous FERGUS. With him is MARSALI MACKIMMIE. And something about Marsali’s green cloak catches Claire’s attention. Jamie is surprised, confused.
JAMIE
Marsali? What are ye doing here, lass? Is yer mother about?
MARSALI
No. (proudly takes Fergus’ good hand in hers) Fergus and I are married.
Married? Claire and Jamie are stunned.
JAMIE
What in the name of holy God d’ye mean? Ye hardly know each other.
Fergus does his best to appear confident in the face of what he knew would be a shocking revelation.
FERGUS
We have been courting since last August. And we were handfast this morning.
CLAIRE
Handfast?
JAMIE
‘Tis a custom that allows two people to be married if they clasp hands before witnesses and declare themselves wed (an idea) But not if -- (to Fergus) Have ye bedded her?
FERGUS
Uh... not yet, Milord.
JAMIE
Then it’s no yet binding. Captain! We need to make for shore!
CAPTAIN RAINES
If you have need of something, we’ll be putting in at St. Ives for final provisions.
JAMIE
Fine. Marsali will disembark there. I’ll send someone to see her home. This voyage is too dangerous for a lass.
MARSALI
You’re taking her!
Marsali stares daggers at Claire.
JAMIE
Claire is none of yer concern --
MARSALI
Ye left my mother for this English whore, making her a laughingstock, and ye say it’s no my concern? The hellish nerve ye ha’ telling me what I shall do.
FERGUS
Marsali, ma chère, you must not speak about Milady in such a way.
JAMIE
Does yer mother ken?
MARSALI
I left her a letter.
This puts Jamie between a rock and a hard place.
JAMIE
Och. She’ll have me killed. I’m sendin’ ye home.
MARSALI
I’ll tell everyone Fergus has bedded me. He hasna, but I’ll say it anyway. So ye see... I shall either be married, or ruined.
An even harder rock. An even harder hard place.
JAMIE
Fine. Ye can sail to Jamaica, then ’m takin’ you home. But Fergus doesna touch ye. We have two cabins:Fergus’ll be wi’ me; Marsali, ye’ll be wi’ Claire.
MARSALI
What?!
CLAIRE
What?
Claire shoots Jamie a look, equally appalled by the idea.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
Let’s go below. You’re going to be sick.
JAMIE
I feel fine.
CLAIRE
No. You don’t.
Claire ushers Jamie to the companionway, as Marsali looks to Fergus. OFF Fergus -- well, that didn’t go as planned.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
(privately to Jamie) We’ve been apart for twenty years and you want me to sleep with her?
JAMIE
Marsali is in my care, like it or no. I’m obliged to safeguard her virtue.
CLAIRE
And mine, it would seem.
JAMIE
(realizes the implications for his sex life) Now I’m going to be sick.
3INT. ARTEMIS - GALLEY - LATER - DAY (D1)3
Claire sways with the rolling ship as she enters with her apothecary kit. The galley, unlike the rest of the ship, is immaculate. A pleasant surprise she can barely absorb --
MURPHY (O.C.)
OUT!
The source of the shouting: ALOYSIUS MURPHY, 50s, the Irish cook. MR. WILLOUGHBY sits nearby. Claire smiles.
CLAIRE
Yi Tien Cho. I’m pleased to see you.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
Honorable Mistress Fraser. He bows, pleased to see her as well.
CLAIRE
(to Murphy) Good morning. I’m Claire Fraser, the ship’s surgeon for this voyage --
Murphy gesticulates toward the door -- get out. Claire obliges, continuing the conversation from the passageway.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
My husband is the supercargo and he’s terribly seasick. I need to prepare a remedy.
MURPHY
I do not allow women in my galley. (barters with Willoughby) For your three “ling-zhi” mushrooms, I can give you one egg.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
Two. My mushrooms... they are delicious.
MURPHY
Fine. Two.
Claire watches as Murphy hands two eggs to Willoughby who happily slips them into a small satchel before exiting.
Murphy busies himself with a cleaver and a joint of mutton, silently willing her to leave. But she doesn’t. A lesser woman would, but this is Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser.
CLAIRE
Cardamom. Nutmeg, whole. Fresh extract of anise. Saffron. Ginger root -- two large ones --
Murphy stops chopping. For a cook with limited resources, this is tantamount to foreplay. With lust in his eyes --
MURPHY
Saffron?
CLAIRE
I can spare a quarter of an ounce in exchange for a spot in your immaculate kitchen.
Murphy gazes down at the plain meat before him. Well, shit.
MURPHY
Ye’ll find a mat nearby should ye care to wipe yer boots and come in. But make sure no one sees you.
OFF Claire, victorious –
4EXT. ARTEMIS - ESTABLISHING - LATER - DAY (D1)4
The ship cruises, heeling in a fair wind. No land is in sight, but sea birds still accompany them.
5INT. ARTEMIS - JAMIE AND FERGUS’ CABIN - DAY (D1)5
Claire enters with ginger tea to find Jamie green around the gills and crammed into a small box-berth.
CLAIRE
You can’t possibly be comfortable in there. Try a hammock.
JAMIE
The swinging’s no helpful. (re: the smell) What in God’s name are ye forcing me to drink?
CLAIRE
Ginger tea.
Jamie takes a sip. He reacts. Strong, indeed.
JAMIE
I canna believe Fergus lied to me about Marsali. Courting since August...
CLAIRE
I’m not sure they’ve thought through what spending a lifetime together means. But then again neither did we when we were first married.
JAMIE
Because our marriage was arranged.
Claire sees a trunk (or crate or portmanteau) in the corner.
CLAIRE
What’s this?
JAMIE
The “happy couple” brought some of our things from Lallybroch.
She goes to the crate and opens it, revealing packed and folded CLOTHES -- which she recognizes instantly.
CLAIRE
Are those -- our clothes from when we were in France? You kept them? Why didn’t you sell them or --
JAMIE
Sell my memories of ye? Never.
Thrilled, she removes an outfit of clothes (BLUE TOP, PLAID SKIRT) -- not her most ornate, but still beautiful and memorable. Then, suddenly, realizing --
CLAIRE
That green cloak Marsali’s wearing I knew I recognized it.
JAMIE
I couldna sell yer garments... but after I thought I’d never see ye again... Well, seemed fine if Marsali made use of them. I hope ye dinna mind.
CLAIRE
No.
(but then) Has she altered them all?
JAMIE
Not all.
Jamie nods to the crate, then grimaces as nausea takes hold.
CLAIRE
Here. Drink more tea. With hope it will be calmer by tomorrow.
JAMIE
I’ll be dead by then. See to it I’m buried at Lallybroch.
Lesley KNOCKS and enters.
LESLEY
Mistress Claire! Ye’re needed.
As Claire reacts –
6INT. ARTEMIS - BELOW DECK - A FEW MOMENTS LATER - DAY (D1)6
Apothecary box in hand, Claire steps up with Lesley to where sailors have laid out Manzetti, a bloody cut in his hairline.
HOGAN
We were above, near the main mast. One of the lines snapped and a deadeye hit him on the head.
Manzetti moans. Claire kneels beside him.
CLAIRE
What’s your name?
MANZETTI
Manzetti.
Claire scans the crew -- THEY NOD -- confirming it.
CLAIRE
Do you know where you are?
MANZETTI
On the deck.
CLAIRE
Where are you going?
MANZETTI
The West Indies. Same as you, no?
Another correct answer.
CLAIRE
Very good. You don’t appear to have a concussion.
MANZETTI
A what?
Claire realizes she’s used a modern term and moves past it.
CLAIRE
The cut’s not deep. Though you might have a scar, and a splitting headache. I have some peppermint oil that may help with that.
Captain Raines arrives with Warren.
CAPTAIN RAINES
How did this happen?
MANZETTI
I don’t know. The main tops’l sheet was suddenly upon me.
WARREN
Did you not touch the horseshoe?
MANZETTI
I did, Mr. Warren. We all did.
WARREN
Someone didn’t. A mishap as such whilst still in sight of land is an ill omen. You know it as well as I.
Claire can’t help but roll her eyes. Raines clocks it.
CAPTAIN RAINES
You disagree, Mistress Fraser?
CLAIRE
Accidents happen, Master Raines.
CAPTAIN RAINES
I’m sure you believe that, madam. But when you’ve been at sea as long as I have, well... “There are more
things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are --”
CLAIRE
(overlapping him) “-- dreamt of in your philosophy.”
Raines smiles, impressed by Claire’s intellect and wit. Claire decides not to push him on this.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
Shakespeare was a very wise man.
He regards her for a second. Then --
CAPTAIN RAINES
Madam, I wonder if you and your husband would care to dine with me this evening.
Claire senses a bit of a scolding awaits her, but --
CLAIRE
Of course, though I think my husband may find the thought of food a bit off-putting at the moment.
7INT. ARTEMIS - JAMIE AND FERGUS’ CABIN - DAY (D1)7
Fergus watches as Jamie, still horribly sick, braces himself against the HULL/BULKHEAD of the rocking cabin.
JAMIE
Ye hardly know her.
They’ve been at this a while.
FERGUS
You didn’t know Milady long at all before you were married.
JAMIE
That was different. I was forced to marry her.
FERGUS
Milord, you forget, I know your story.
If you were forced to marry Milady, then I am forced to breathe; my heart, it is forced to beat. You yourself have told me -- you didn’t need time. Nor do I.
Jamie knows Fergus has his number, but doesn’t budge.
FERGUS (cont’d)
I thought you’d be happy for me. At least I hoped as much, once you had overcome your surprise.
JAMIE
Then why did ye lie to me all this time?
FERGUS
The same reason you didn’t tell Milady about Laoghaire: I was a coward.
Jamie doesn’t like that label, especially when applied to him.
JAMIE
That was different. Do you lie to Marsali too?
FERGUS
No. Marsali and I do not have secrets.
JAMIE
Oh, aye? So she kens about yer past, does she?
FERGUS
That I grew up in a brothel? Yes. And that I was a pickpocket.
JAMIE
What about yer other lassies?
Fergus balks.
FERGUS
No -- but --
JAMIE
In the spring it was Aileen, then in the summer it was... Rhona, was it? After her, you bedded Cairstine. And then --
FERGUS
I understand, Milord. But I have not lain with Marsali -- nor with any other woman since we began our courtship. I have waited. Does that not mean something?
JAMIE
No if ye canna be honest wi’ her.
OFF Fergus, unsure of his next move...
8EXT. OPEN OCEAN - ESTABLISHING - DAY (D1)8
MAGIC HOUR. The sun sets on the distant horizon.
9INT. ARTEMIS - CAPTAIN’S CABIN - NIGHT (N1)9
The cabin has been transformed from sleeping quarters to dining room. Claire sits with Master Raines at a candle-lit table. Raines takes a bite, chews.
CAPTAIN RAINES
Murphy has outdone himself. The saffron is a lovely touch.
CLAIRE
Yes, he’s quite the barterer.
CAPTAIN RAINES
I’m sorry your husband is too unwell to join us.
CLAIRE
(savvy) But it’s me you wanted at your table, isn’t it? I questioned your authority earlier, with regard to the, ah... horseshoe.
CAPTAIN RAINES
(sincere) I simply wish to help you, Mistress Fraser... To understand the rigors of life at sea and gain the crew’s respect as ship’s surgeon, you must put yourself in their shoes. After all, on this ship, your very presence is ill luck.
CLAIRE
So my husband has informed me.
CAPTAIN RAINES
By rights, you and Mistress MacKimmie should be at this moment bare-breasted.
CLAIRE
What?
CAPTAIN RAINES
A woman’s bare breasts calm an angry sea. But the figurehead at the bow -- she bares her breasts for you and prevents us from being subject to any curses.
CLAIRE
How kind of her.
Raines smiles. It’s clear he agrees with her that this is ridiculous, but...
CAPTAIN RAINES
The horseshoe is more complicated. There is no alternative.
CLAIRE
But surely you don’t believe that touching a piece of iron will bring us better luck.
CAPTAIN RAINES
I’ve been on many a ship, madam, and the sailors on each one have their superstitions. Anything that provides a sense of assurance is to be encouraged in my view.
CLAIRE
The disadvantage being that the men can also lose faith -- when the portents signify disaster.
CAPTAIN RAINES
Even then, I would rather have them create their own luck, than give up all hope. It matters not whether I believe touching a piece of iron will bring good luck; the men believe it. And they believe someone has not.
CLAIRE
Well, believing something doesn’t actually make it real.
CAPTAIN RAINES
On this ship it does. “There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
Hamlet again.
CLAIRE
You really like that play, don’t you?
CAPTAIN RAINES
A captain must take the measure of his crew and gain their trust, in order that he may keep their discipline.
CLAIRE
Then perhaps we should convince the crew that everyone has touched the damned thing and be done with it.
CAPTAIN RAINES
Yes. Perhaps we should.
That’s not a threat. But perhaps a warning.
CAPTAIN RAINES (cont’d)
More wine?
As he pours her a fresh glass of wine, OFF Claire...
10INT. ARTEMIS - CLAIRE AND MARSALI’S CABIN - NIGHT (N1)10
Claire and Marsali stare at the two small berths in their small room, lanterns in hand. Marsali smiles.
MARSALI
This one is bigger. Ye won’t hit yer head gettin’ out.
CLAIRE
You don’t have to try to get into my good graces just so I’ll put in a kind word with Jamie about your marriage -- it’s not my business.
A beat. And then Marsali lets loose.
MARSALI
Ye drop out of the clear blue sky, stickin’ yer nose where it doesna belong and ruining my family, but now ye’re minding yer own business? Well. Daddy may think you’re a wisewoman, but I still think ye are a whore.
CLAIRE
(unfazed) Well, the whore should have the bigger bed, don’t you think?
Claire is in her berth. Marsali is in hers, combing her hair, and pointedly not talking to Claire. Claire watches Marsali and, despite herself, can’t help worrying regarding Captain Raines’s “warning.”
CLAIRE (cont’d)
Marsali. Did you touch that horseshoe today? The one for luck?
MARSALI
(”what do you care?”)
Aye.
CLAIRE
And Fergus?
MARSALI
(annoyed) Aye. First thing. Why should you care?
CLAIRE
No reason.
But she’s glad for the answer. OFF Claire...
11EXT. ARTEMIS - FORECASTLE - DAY (D2)11
Claire stares out in the direction of the NAKED LADY FIGUREHEAD. She shakes her head: ridiculous superstitions. She turns -- and bumps her head on some rigging. Bad luck? Couldn’t be. She casts a look back at the figurehead. As she rubs her head, we hear -- RETCH!
12INT. ARTEMIS - JAMIE AND FERGUS’ CABIN - SAME TIME - DAY (D2)12
FIND Jamie vomiting violently into a bucket.
MR. WILLOUGHBY (O.C.)
How long will you continue this farce?
Jamie turns to see Willoughby in the door.
JAMIE
I must allow time for my wife’s tea to do its work.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
This retching... it can eat your stomach, tear the muscles. And your testicles... they can get twisted. Most painful.
Jamie viscerally glances south, imagining the twisting.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
(cont’d) The only cure is removal. (makes snipping gesture) But if you want to wait, that is your choice.
OFF Jamie, horrified and perhaps having a change of heart –
13INT. ARTEMIS - BELOW DECK - MESS - LATER - DAY (D2)13
Claire descends the stairs to find Jamie eating a hearty breakfast with two French sailors, Dumez and Girard (nonspeaking). Jamie looks up -- mouth full.
JAMIE
A verra pleasant day, is it no?
CLAIRE
It is... you certainly are feeling better.
Jamie smiles. Claire is surprised by this quick turnaround, but glad to see him back on his feet. Fergus and Marsali approach, all smiles. Jamie can see what’s coming.
MARSALI
Fergus told me everything. I’m no so naive as to think he hasna been wi’ lassies. And now... we only want to be wi’ each other.
Fergus smiles sincerely.
FERGUS
We are hoping that you will bless our union.
JAMIE
Dumez, Girard... (in French) A moment please.
Dumez and Girard get up and excuse themselves. Jamie looks to Claire for support, but instead:
CLAIRE
Perhaps if you gave them a chance.
Marsali is almost as shocked as Jamie that Claire has taken their side. Claire pulls him aside.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
I’m actually trying to help you. If you let them continue with this infatuation, it may simply... fizzle out.
JAMIE
I dinna ken what a “fizzle” is, but I ken yer meaning well enough. And “fizzling out” is exactly what I am afraid of.
He steps back over to Fergus and Marsali.
JAMIE (cont’d)
(conflicted) I’m sorry. I canna approve.
But he is truly regretful. He leaves. Claire furrows a brow, knowing there’s more to this than Jamie is admitting. As Marsali steams...
14EXT. ARTEMIS - DECK - DAY (D3)14
MAGIC HOUR. Willoughby brandishes a paint brush, wet with water. He “paints” CHINESE CHARACTERS on the deck.
As fast as one is written... another one dries in the breeze and disappears. It’s beautifully meditative, although it gets some sidelong glances from the crew. Claire watches nearby. She notices papers inside his satchel.
CLAIRE
What do you keep in your satchel?
Willoughby takes a beat before pulling out inked parchments.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
I’ve been scribing the story of my life in China so it is not forgotten. A story told... is a life lived.
CLAIRE
Would you tell me?
MR. WILLOUGHBY
Not yet. Once I tell it, I have to let it go.
Willoughby smiles and goes back to painting on the deck. Claire looks out to sea.
CLAIRE (V.O.)
The days started blending together.
15INT. ARTEMIS - SURGEON’S CABIN - DAY (D4)15
A glorified broom closet, set up as an 18th century mobile trauma room. Claire stitches a sailor’s forearm as another sailor (with a toothache) waits his turn. She reaches into a nearby drawer to get more thread, and we notice her LEATHER
ROLL and CASE where she keeps her scalpels and penicillin respectively and realize that she has stored them there.
CLAIRE (V.O.)
For me this meant tending to minor injuries...
16INT. ARTEMIS - GALLEY - DAY (D5)16
Claire pounds herbs in the corner.
CLAIRE (V.O.)
...making medicines...
Claire sings to herself, song TBD.
MURPHY
No singing.
Claire stops, smiles. Then starts HUMMING. She’s used to the old curmudgeon.
CLAIRE (V.O.)
...irritating Murphy...
A17EXT. ARTEMIS - DAY (D6)A17
Yard arms creak as sails tighten in a good wind. Men in the rigging. Another day at sea.
CLAIRE (V.O.)
Being on the ship, at sea, with endless horizons appealed to me...
17 OMITTED(MOVED TO SCENE 14)17
18INT. ARTEMIS - BELOW DECK - DAY (D7)18
A sailor plays the FIDDLE, another a WHISTLE, as men drink grog and sing a bawdy song. Their spirits are high. Claire observes, pleased. (Note: Her hair has returned to its natural color, with streaks of grey showing.)
CLAIRE (V.O.)
And reminded me of a simpler time.
19INT. ARTEMIS - JAMIE AND FERGUS’ CABIN - DAY (D7)19
Claire enters. Jamie is there with Willoughby. Both look up like deer in the headlights.
CLAIRE
Jamie, you should join us, you won’t believe the song I --
She stops dead in her tracks as she sees: Jamie with slender gold needles protruding from his face and head. Two needles protrude from the back of his neck and one from each hand, between thumb and forefinger. But before Jamie can say anything, Willoughby speaks up.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
My apologies! He didn’t want to, but I insisted --
CLAIRE
He didn’t want to what?
MR. WILLOUGHBY
Zam Gau for the vomiting.
CLAIRE
Acupuncture?
MR. WILLOUGHBY
It’s my fault. I should not have --
JAMIE
It’s all right, Willoughby. You can go.
Willoughby reluctantly steps out.
CLAIRE
So this is what cured your seasickness. Not the tea I’ve been making you twice a day for the past three weeks?
(disappointed) Why didn’t you just tell me?
JAMIE
I didna wish to hurt yer feelings.
CLAIRE
You honestly think I’d want you to suffer just to spare my pride?
JAMIE
Ye ha’ been a wee sensitive lately.
CLAIRE
Sensitive?
As early as the 18th century, this was a sure-fire way to start a fight. Jamie backpedals.
JAMIE
We aren’t on the most stable ground now, are we? I didna want ye to see it as more proof ye don’t belong here.
CLAIRE
Jamie -- my return has been confusing and frustrating, but it’s never been a question of whether I love you.
JAMIE
I should have told ye outright.
They hold a look for a beat. Then, Claire gives him a half- forgiving smile.
CLAIRE
You look like a pincushion.
JAMIE
I feel like a damned pincushion, but I havena vomited for weeks.
Then Jamie notices something. Or rather the lack of something.
CLAIRE
What is it?
JAMIE
We’re no moving.
Alarmed, Jamie hurries upstairs without removing the needles.
A20EXT. ARTEMIS - ESTABLISHING - DAY (D7)A20
The ship sits in becalmed water.
20EXT. ARTEMIS - DECK - BEHIND THE WHEEL - DAY (D7)20
CLOSE ON an OCTANT (navigational device). Brawny First Mate Warren takes a read on the sun and horizon. Nervously pacing nearby is Baxley as Master Raines oversees the operation. Most of the ship’s company has already gathered as Jamie approaches. There is a noticeable lack of wind.
JAMIE
What’s wrong?
All eyes turn to see Jamie -- the human pincushion arriving with Claire and Willoughby on his heels. The crew is stunned, having seen nothing like this before.
CAPTAIN RAINES
We have lost the wind, Mr. Fraser.
(then)
What have you on your face?
MR. WILLOUGHBY
It is Chinese treatment for sea- sickness. Very healthy.
Willoughby starts to remove the needles as...
JAMIE
Is it common to lose the wind in these latitudes?
WARREN
No. It’s bad luck. Someone’s brought this on us by their neglect.
Claire locks eyes with Raines. This is what she was afraid of: If you live by superstition, you die by superstition.
CAPTAIN RAINES
(reassuring the crew) It is a bit unusual for the season, but there’s no cause for concern.
As Warren eyeballs Willoughby --
WARREN
I say it’s the Chinaman.
Willoughby looks up from removing the acupuncture needles. Uh-oh. But Baxley shakes his head “no.”
BAXLEY
It’s not him. I saw the Chinee touch the horseshoe.
Relieved, Willoughby exits with his needles. The men begin to grumble and we notice Hayes cast a worried look around at the others. Claire decides to play along (sincerely) with the superstition.
CLAIRE
Why don’t we all line up and touch the horseshoe now? That way we’ll be sure everyone has complied withthe rules of the ship.
HAYES
Aye! -- good idea.
BAXLEY
It’s too late for that. It must be done at the beginning of a voyage.
CAPTAIN RAINES
Fear not. The wind will return. And we must endeavor to be ready when it does.
OFF Jamie, wanting to believe that --
21EXT. ARTEMIS - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT (N7)21
The ship stands stock still in placid water. A bright FULL MOON sits low on the horizon.
22EXT. ARTEMIS - FORECASTLE - NIGHT (N7)22
Claire joins Jamie at the gunwale in a rare moment alone on the crowded ship. The moon looms large.
CLAIRE
Is it really just you and me?
JAMIE
You and me and the man in the moon.
CLAIRE
(re: the moon)
Do you know... when I left Boston, men had just flown to the moon.
JAMIE
I wonder what it looks like up there.
CLAIRE
I’ve seen pictures -- photographs. It’s rocky and barren, with no life at all -- but it’s beautiful – you can see the craters from here. The dark spots.
JAMIE
That’s his face, aye? It seems so close ye could speak to him.
CLAIRE
“Goodnight moon. Goodnight cow jumping over the moon. Goodnight light and the red balloon.”
(off Jamie)
It’s from a book I used to read to Brianna when she was little. Even before she could read, she could recite the whole thing. She used to say it to her favorite toy bunny... she loved rabbits.
JAMIE
Ye miss her.
CLAIRE
Terribly.
JAMIE
Will she no have need of ye awhile yet? With no husband to protect her, no one to see her safely wed...
CLAIRE
You’re worried about her being wed... but not Marsali?
JAMIE
I worry about both. But can only act on behalf of one.
Claire understands and tries to reassure him:
CLAIRE
Well... things are different in the future -- a woman doesn’t have to marry out of necessity. She can marry for love. If she wants to marry at all.
Jamie cocks a dubious brow, such an alien concept. Then...
JAMIE
I wish I could have been there for her.
A sense of helplessness falls over Jamie. Claire sees it, then takes something from his hand -- the delicate oval frame containing Willie’s painting [Episode 306]. Jamie keeps it with the photos of Brianna always.
CLAIRE
You said his mother died, but you never said where he is now.
JAMIE
His mother’s sister cares for him now. And her husband John. John Grey.
CLAIRE
I’ve seen that name. In my research to find you --
JAMIE
Aye, ye might’ve. He was the governor of Ardsmuir.
CLAIRE
(confused)
The warden cares for your son?
JAMIE
He became a friend. Later. Ye’ve actually met him before.
(off Claire) Do ye recall the English lad who tried to cut my throat near Corrieyairack just before Prestonpans?
CLAIRE
Yes, you broke his arm. (realizing) Him?
JAMIE
Aye. Perhaps it was fate brought him back into my life. He’s a good man, Sassenach. I have entrusted him with Willie’s upbringing.
He takes the tiny portrait painting back from Claire.
JAMIE (cont’d)
And now... I canna even be there for Young Ian.
CLAIRE
You will be.
JAMIE
Aye. Only if our luck improves.
He looks back out to sea...
A23EXT. ARTEMIS - DAY (D8) - SERIES OF SHOTSA23
A blazing sun sits in a cloudless sky.
CLAIRE (V.O.)
But our luck did not improve.
Sails and sheets hang slack from yard arms that slowly clunk from side to side.
CLAIRE (V.O.)
And once again, days turned into weeks.
Crewmen sweat in the relentless heat, listless and bored. Nothing to do but wait for the wind. And worry.
MURPHY (O.C.)
Damn. Blazing Hades. Filth-eating son of a pig fart.
23INT. ARTEMIS - HOLD - DAY (D8)23
A MALLET pounds the BUNG out of a WATER CASK. Grey water pours into a CUP. REVEAL: a crew of men, including Murphy, Hayes, Baxley, and Manzetti with Captain Raines in the ship’s hold. It’s dank -- bilge water ankle deep. Casks line thewalls.
MURPHY
Water’s gone bad. Every one afouland sickening.
As Murphy fits the bung back into the bunghole, Raines smells
the water and crinkles his nose. Jamie, Claire and Hogan
arrive and react to the smell.
CAPTAIN RAINES
The bilge water’s got into them.
He raises the cup to his lips, daring a small sip, when --Claire sees a DEAD RAT floating in the bilge.
CLAIRE
Don’t! It’ll be filled with disease. Cholera. Dysentery.Giardia. It may kill you.
They hear BANGING and turn to see Baxley pounding the BUNG out of a CASK OF ALE. He lets it run out into the bilge. They all smell it immediately -- putrid.
BAXLEY
It’s sullied the ale as well.
The men groan. Manzetti thinks of something:
MANZETTI
We have the casks of wine.
MURPHY
It’s not the same as drinking ale, you fool. Drink only wine and you’ll die quicker than not drinking at all.
HAYES
We can’t drink nothing.
JAMIE
We can boil the water --
CAPTAIN RAINES
Salvage what you can -- the top row may be unspoiled. Boil what remainsand go to half rations for everyman.
ON THE CREWMEN as the Captain lays out the strict rules.
This isn’t going to be fun. Again, we note Hayes’s nerves.
CAPTAIN RAINES (cont’d)
(to Baxley)
See to it that no man takes more than his share.
He sloshes to the door, turns back.
CAPTAIN RAINES (cont’d)
And pray for rain.
He exits. Jamie and Claire follow. STAY inside.
HOGAN
I’ve another suggestion. (off the others) We find the Jonah who’s brought usill luck and we throw him overboard.
OFF Hayes...
24INT. ARTEMIS - CAPTAIN’S CABIN - NIGHT (N8)24
Jamie and Claire dine with the Captain, moonlight coming in through the window. Raines looks at a cup of clean water in his hands.
CAPTAIN RAINES
Five unspoiled barrels. It won’t be enough.
(takes a sip)
Losing the wind happens, o’ course we can wait for it to return. But not without water or ale. So.Who shall we blame?
CLAIRE
Bilge water fouled the barrels. That’s no one’s fault.
CAPTAIN RAINES
I said nothing of fault, madam. I asked who we shall blame? (off them) This voyage was undertaken in haste. Only half the crew has sailed under my command. Nearly a third of the crew are landsmen. (pointedly) Your landsmen.
JAMIE
(tight) What’s yer meaning, sir?
CAPTAIN RAINES
We’ve been two weeks without wind. The men are calling for a Jonah.
CLAIRE
The biblical Jonah? In the belly of the whale? What, the crew want to throw someone overboard? And you’re going to let them?
CAPTAIN RAINES
I may not be able to stop them.
CLAIRE
That’s insanity.
CAPTAIN RAINES
I have only so much at my disposal to keep order. This is not a Royal Navy vessel, madam; I cannot flog these men if they disregard my authority. They must believe I am doing all I can on their behalf, or we will have mutiny.
Claire and Jamie eye him warily.
CAPTAIN RAINES (cont’d)
The wind will return. And it will have nothing to do with a Jonah. But when it does, I must have men to sail the vessel. I cannot lose them, and I will if they lose hope. I would think you would want the same... considering your nephew’s plight.
JAMIE
You will no be throwin’ any of my men overboard, sir.
The lines are drawn. OFF Jamie and Claire...
25EXT. ARTEMIS - ESTABLISHING - DAY (D9)25
Still no wind. An ominous sight.
A26INT. ARTEMIS - HOLD - DAY (D9)A26
Lesley and Hayes are setting up their hammocks, preparing to catch a few Zzz before their watch. Hogan and Baxley are on the opposite side, watching, feigning a chore. Because they are here to mark the Jonah -- and they have their sights set on Hayes.
HOGAN
I saw the frog’s lassie touch the horseshoe.
BAXLEY
As did I. The frog did as well. I watched all those accompanying the supercargo touch it too – save one.
Hayes can feel their eyes burning into the back of his head.
HOGAN
Jonah.
LESLEY
Leave us be.
BAXLEY
You need not worry. It’s your friend who should be afeared.
Lesley turns around, fingers caressing the handle of his dirk. He’s serious as a heart attack.
LESLEY
I’m no worried and I’ll no fear the likes of you.
Baxley and Hogan head up on deck, and as they go...
HOGAN
You’re not long for this world Jonah
Once they’ve gone.
HAYES
I dinna think I touched it.
OFF Hayes’s escalating worry –
26EXT. ARTEMIS - DECK - DAY (D9)26
Claire and Jamie step up from below deck when they hear --
HAYES (O.C.)
(terrified) Get back! If I’m going to die, I’ll be doin’ it by my own hand!
They run up on deck and find everyone looking skyward where a drunk and teetering Hayes is up in the FOREMAST RIGGING. Most of he crew are laughing and heckling scornfully.
BAXLEY (O.C.)
Jump!
JAMIE
Hayes?
Lesley pulls Jamie, Claire and Willoughby to one side.
LESLEY
He’s drunk. The crew marked him as the Jonah. They say he didna touch the horseshoe and he canna remember if he did or no.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
They intend to throw him overboard.
LESLEY
He scurried up there trying to get away from the mob, but now he’s thinkin’ they might be right.
Claire is furious. She scans the ship for Raines and finds him watching coldly from the QUARTERDECK. Hayes steps perilously onto a YARD ARM. Oh, shit.
Jamie starts to climb up to retrieve him as Marsali and Fergus join the gathering crowd.
Hayes watches as Jamie makes his way up.
HAYES
Dinna waste the climb, Mac Dubh!
But Jamie keeps climbing. Meanwhile --
ON WILLOUGHBY
He looks out to sea and notices something about the sky, an ALBATROSS flying low, across the horizon. He steps to the rail, intently curious.
AT THE QUARTERDECK WITH CLAIRE AND RAINES
Head full of steam --
CLAIRE
You have to stop this!
CAPTAIN RAINES
I don’t if it staves off a mutiny.
Behind them, the men react to Hayes. Claire looks up -- he’s moved further out onto the yard arm. Damn.
UP IN THE RIGGING WITH JAMIE AND HAYES
Jamie climbs closer...
JAMIE
Ye havena cursed us, Hayes.
HAYES
Even so, we’re going to run out of water and die!
JAMIE
We won’t. I promise. Haven’t I always told ye the truth?
BAXLEY (O.C.)
Jump, Jonah!
MURPHY (O.C.)
Throw yourself overboard!
Hayes teeters. Jamie stops, hoping to appeal to Hayes.
JAMIE
Remember in Ardsmuir -- it was us against them. It’s the same now.
HOGAN (O.C.)
Let him jump!
JAMIE
Dinna listen to them. Listen to me. To throw you overboard, they’d have to throw me overboard first, and Lesley... Fergus... even Willoughby. (off Hayes’ nod) And if ye jump... well, I’d have to follow ye in. An’ if ye make me do that... ye ken, my wife will kill the both of us.
Hayes almost laughs. Jamie is close enough to extend a hand.
JAMIE (cont’d)
I’ll no let harm befall ye. Come. Ye have my word.
An anxious beat. And then... Hayes steps off the yard arm and takes Jamie’s hand. Jamie breathes a sigh of relief.
WITH WILLOUGHBY
Still looking out at the albatross flying low. What does it mean to him? We’re not sure. He then takes out his brush, dips it in a bucket of seawater (used to swab the decks) and writes a few Chinese characters on the deck as he did in the earlier scene. It does not dry or disappear. This means something too. Meanwhile --
Jamie and Hayes step down onto the deck. Sailors surround them menacingly (we note that Manzetti does not join in).
WARREN
What should we do?
HOGAN
Give him to the sea!
BAXLEY
Throw him in!
CLAIRE
You will do no such thing!
MURPHY
He’s the Jonah. Overboard with him!
A CHANT begins: “Jonah... Jonah!”
CLAIRE
There is no Jonah --
The men close in, making a circle. Jamie, Claire and Lesley make an even tighter circle around Hayes. But Jamie’s not fucking around anymore -- hard.
JAMIE
Stand aside. Or I’ll take some of ye with us.
And then -- there’s a LOUD CLANG, as Willoughby grabs the rope and RINGS THE SHIP’S BELL which marks change of watch. It gets everyone’s attention. Then:
MR. WILLOUGHBY (O.C.) I was born Yi Tien Cho in Guangzhou, the City of Rams.
WTF? Everyone turns. Willoughby’s taken out the parchment on which he has scripted his life’s story.
MR. WILLOUGHBY (cont’d) I was found early to have skill in composition, to make the images of my brush resemble the ideas that danced like cranes within my mind. I became known as the fung-wong, the bird of fire, and rose quickly in merit, so that, before my twenty- sixth birthday, my poetry came before the eyes of Wan-Mei, the Emperor’s Second Wife. She asked that I join her household in Pekin, the Imperial City.
Jamie looks up at the sky.
CLAIRE
(privately to Jamie)
Keep him talking. I don’t know what he’s up to, but --
JAMIE
I think I do.
CAPTAIN RAINES
(arriving) Mr. Willoughby! Stand down!
JAMIE
Let him speak.
And Raines backs down. Jamie eyes Willoughby -- do you know what you’re doing? Willoughby eyes him back -- yes.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
It was a great honor -- to have a house of my own, my name inscribed in the Book of Merit... but there is a condition of service. All servants of the royal wives must be eunuchs.
Some of the men GASP; others don’t know what that means (we see some of them making “cutting” gestures with their fingers to explain it). Marsali whispers to Fergus.
MARSALI
What is a eunuch?
FERGUS
I will tell you later.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
It was most dishonorable to refuse the emperor’s gift. It was... a death sentence. And yet, I had fallen in love with... woman.
CLAIRE
The Emperor’s Wife?
MR. WILLOUGHBY
Not a woman. All women. Their beauty, blooming like lotus flowers... I wrote all my poems to Woman. The taste of their breasts like apricots. The warm scent of a navel in the winter, the warmth of a mound that fills your hand like a ripe peach.
HOGAN
Very savage, but I like the sound of it!
The other sailors like it, too, and begin to picture their own women. They have forgotten Hayes for a moment.
One by one, they have moved closer to Willoughby and away from Hayes. Lesley puts an arm around his friend.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
I fled on the Night of Lanterns. As the fireworks shot from the palace roof, I left my house... and came to a place where the golden words of my poems are taken for the clucking of hens and my brushstrokes for their scratchings.
All of Mr. Willoughby’s poetry has turned to bile.
MR. WILLOUGHBY (cont’d)
For the love of Woman, I am come to a place where no woman is worthy of love. To a place where women are coarse and rank as bears, creatures of no grace, and these women disdain me as a yellow worm, so that even the lowest whores will not lie with me. (then) By not surrendering my manhood, I have lost all else -- honor, livelihood, country, love.
Claire and Jamie share a look, moved.
MR. WILLOUGHBY (cont’d)
Sometime, I think... not worth it.
The men are still. But now that his story is over, Claire isn’t sure what’s next. Willoughby moves to the gunwale and after a moment’s pause... he unexpectedly drops the parchments overboard. But rather than fall straight down...
They catch the WIND and RISE above the gunwale and sail out to sea! A beautiful sight that indicates an amazing piece of news: as if stirred by the emotion of Willoughby’s story, the wind has come back!
WARREN
We have wind!
CAPTAIN RAINES
To the sheets, lads! Away aloft!
A cheer rises up from the men.
WARREN
Aloft, topmen! Lay out and loose the fore tops’l! Man halliards and sheets.
The men spring into action, whooping and embracing with joy. Claire watches Willoughby. Hayes knows what Willoughby did for him and gets as complimentary as he knows how...
HAYES
Your story... it was... well, I’ve heard worse.
Willoughby nods. Claire turns to Willoughby knowingly.
CLAIRE
How did you know?
Willoughby looks out at the albatross, still skimming the water. Claire looks too.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
When seon tin jung fly high, means the air is light, dry, no rain. When he fly low...
JAMIE
...the air is heavy, rain is coming.
Willoughby smiles, nods, and turns away.
CLAIRE
Yi Tien Cho. (Willoughby turns back) Thank you.
Willoughby leaves. The sails begin to FILL WITH THE WIND as the Artemis picks up speed.
TIME CUT:
CLOSE ON: Willoughby’s Chinese water-writing, still wet on the deck, as a sprinkle of rain begins to fall. The rain blends with the writing and begins to wash it away as –
27EXT. ARTEMIS - DECK - LATER - DAY (D9)27
A light rain comes down as the sun starts to slip below the horizon. It’s not a storm -- but enough for WATER to collect in the RAIN TARP the men have fashioned to funnel fresh water into good casks.
Sailors pat Willoughby on the back -- their new good luck charm. Superstition dies hard. Captain Raines looks on. Meanwhile...
A28INT. ARTEMIS - PASSAGEWAY - SAME TIME (D9)A28
Claire and Jamie encounter one another in a cramped space, and try to move past, each going the opposite direction. The ship lurches, tossed by the new wind -- literally throwing the two together. Their bodies collide in the damp, hot space, rousing the excitement which is always there between them, and that they can never deny. They chuckle and try moving past each other again, but the ship rocks again and buffets them together. And this time...
28INT. ARTEMIS - PRIVATE NOOK - MOMENTS LATER - DAY (D9)28
Claire and Jamie hurry to make hasty love. It’s stiflingly hot and sweaty in the small cabin as they indulge their frantic need under danger of discovery, their hastiness punctuated by small warnings:
CLAIRE
Hurry, before someone comes -- God, it’s so hot, I’m melting.
JAMIE
I’m melting wi’ ye.
They GRUNT and MOAN as their bodies slip and slide over each other. The opposite of the sex in freezing cold Scotland.
CLAIRE
Hush, someone’s going to hear us!
JAMIE
Let them
TIME CUT:
Afterward, they catch their breath, spent. Jamie strokes Claire’s hair.
JAMIE (cont’d)
I like the grey... The way the light hits it. It’s like a bit of silver moonlight.
CLAIRE
How could I not love a man who says such things? If you said that in the 20th century, you’d be the king of all men.
Claire looks into his eyes. She strokes his cheek.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
When I thought about coming back here... I knew we’d have to... get used to each other again.
JAMIE
No matter what troubles happen around us, Sassenach, this... what’s between us, never changes.
He means their bodies, their chemistry, their passion.
CLAIRE
No. It doesn’t.
As they stare into each other’s eyes, the stress of needing to find Young Ian, the repercussions of their pasts and troubles they’ve encountered since she’s come back, it all falls away as they hold each other tight.
29OMITTED29
30INT. ARTEMIS - JAMIE AND FERGUS’ CABIN - NIGHT (N9)30
Jamie enters and sees Fergus.
FERGUS
Milord? Tell me what I have done to offend you. Please.
JAMIE
Fergus, I love ye as a son, ye know that. But Marsali is my daughter, and I must look out for her.
And there’s the rub: Jamie thinks of both of them as his children, but one he must protect over and above the other. It is the reality of his world, his time. This is terribly hard for Jamie to say...
JAMIE (cont’d)
I canna allow ye to marry her because eventually ye’ll leave her. Ye’ll break her heart.
FERGUS
I won’t.
JAMIE
I ken what it is to be without the one ye love. To be alone. I want her to wait for someone who’ll stay with her. Forever.
FERGUS
I will stay.
JAMIE
Not from what I’ve seen of ye, lad. Ye have an eye for the lassies and they for you. I dinna judge ye for it. But I must protect her from it. I’m sorry.
Fergus is heartbroken. Without saying another word, he gets up and leaves. OFF Jamie...
31EXT. ARTEMIS - QUARTERDECK - DAY (D10)31
EARLY MORNING. Raines looks through his telescope, Baxley and Warren behind him. We SEE a large three-masted ship in the distance. Jamie and Claire approach.
CAPTAIN RAINES
It’s a British man-o-war. Been at our stern for more than five hours.
BAXLEY
An’ closing.
ON THE LARGE SHIP: A PUFF of SMOKE followed by the SOUND of CANNON FIRE. Shit.
JAMIE
They’re firing at us.
A BEAT later a cannonball SPLASHES DOWN wide of the STARBOARD STERN.
CAPTAIN RAINES
No. Signaling. They want us to heave to. Damn. (off Jamie) They mean to board us. You can see by her rigging they’re shorthanded. They may need men.
CLAIRE
What do you mean, “need men?”
JAMIE
(explains)
By law they can press any British subjects into service.
CLAIRE
That’s over half the crew. Including you. You could tell them you’re French.
JAMIE
No. I won’t abandon Lesley and Hayes. They won’t take the captain -- ye’ll ha’ Willoughby, Marsali, Fergus and a skeleton crew. If they take me, ye must continue on to Jamaica and find Young Ian.
Claire hates the prospect that they may be separated again. But she nods bravely.
CLAIRE
You have my word.
Jamie nods to Raines. He’s ready.
CAPTAIN RAINES
Return a salute and heave to.
A beat later, we hear a gunshot from the Artemis -- a salute. As the crew begins to shorten sail, OFF Claire, worried –
32OMITTED32
A33EXT. OCEAN - ESTABLISHING - LATER - DAY (D10)A33
The huge man-o-war sits some hundred yards from the Artemis. Both ships are at rest. A small longboat is being rowed from the man-o-war to the Artemis.
33EXT. ARTEMIS - DECK - LATER - DAY (D10)33
The man-o-war sits in the middle distance. Claire, Jamie, Raines, Fergus, Marsali and the ship’s company of sailors anxiously wait to see what the navy ship wants with them.
A surprisingly young navy lieutenant makes his way up a rope ladder and climbs over the gunwale. This is THIRD LIEUTENANT THOMAS LEONARD, 19 -- but today he has become more.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
I am Captain Thomas Leonard of His Majesty’s ship the Porpoise.
CAPTAIN RAINES
You’re the captain?
CAPTAIN LEONARD
Acting Captain, formerly Third Lieutenant. For the love of God, have you a surgeon on board?
34INT. ARTEMIS - CAPTAIN’S CABIN - DAY (D10)34
Leonard sits with Raines. Warren, Jamie and Claire stand by. Leonard is young, yet commanding. He presents a confident air of authority (knowing he must), but his eyes may belie the fact that he is overwhelmed...
CAPTAIN LEONARD
We suffered an outbreak of an infectious plague. Ship’s fever.
As soon as Claire hears that, she jumps in --
CLAIRE
I’m the Artemis’s surgeon. (off Leonard’s surprise) You, sir, should stand back and make sure to touch no one. You shouldn’t have even come here.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
I had no choice, madam. The captain and the two senior
lieutenants died, as well as the surgeon and the surgeons’s mate.
Oh, shit. This is bad.
CAPTAIN LEONARD (cont’d)
Of our 400-man crew, 100 have fallen ill and 80 have departed this earth.
CLAIRE
Have you experienced any symptoms yourself?
CAPTAIN LEONARD
Thankfully, no.
JAMIE
Are you here to press men?
CAPTAIN LEONARD
The last thing I need is more mouths to feed. But if you can provide any medical assistance...
CLAIRE
Yes. Tell me, what symptoms do your men have?
CAPTAIN LEONARD
It starts with griping pains in the belly, terrible vomiting. The afflicted complain of fever.
CLAIRE
Do they also have a rash on their bellies?
CAPTAIN LEONARD
Yes. And most of them have the blazing shits. I beg your pardon, madam.
CLAIRE
I know what it might be. I’d need to examine them, to be sure.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
Might you come over then?
JAMIE
No.
CLAIRE
Yes, of course.
JAMIE
You’ll excuse us, sir?
Leonard nods as Jamie pulls Claire by the arm out toward the passageway.
35INT. ARTEMIS - PASSAGEWAY - MOMENTS LATER - DAY (D10)35
Jamie looks to Claire, stunned.
JAMIE
Are ye daft? Ye canna set foot on a ship with the plague!
CLAIRE
It’s typhoid fever.
JAMIE
Ye mean typhus?
CLAIRE
No. Well -- not what you mean by it. It’s something you don’t yet know about. And they won’t know how to stop it. I can tell them what to do. And I can’t catch it, I’ve been inoculated. Jamie, I have an obligation to help. I swore an oath when I became a doctor.
Jamie takes Claire’s hand, his fingers resting on her silver wedding ring.
JAMIE
I’ve taken an oath now and then, myself -- and none of them lightly.
(then)
There’s no way to talk ye out of it, is there, Sassenach?
CLAIRE
It seems you are both older and wiser.
JAMIE
I won’t take my eyes off that ship until you return.
36OMITTED36
37OMITTED37
AA38EXT. OCEAN - ESTABLISHING - LATER - DAY (D10)AA38
Essentially the same shot as before: the Porpoise sits some hundred yards from the Artemis. Both ships are at rest. The small longboat is now being rowed back to the Porpoise.
BA38EXT. ARTEMIS - DECK - DAY (D10) - SAME TIMEBA38
Jamie watches intently from the rail of the Artemis. [Note: can be shot with Episode 310, Scene 01.]
A38EXT. HMS PORPOISE - DECK - LATER - DAY (D10)A38
Claire climbs over the gunwale onto the main deck, her apothecary box slung over her shoulder. Crew members look askance at her a female doctor? -- until Leonard arrives behind her. Crew members salute and doff their hats. Leonard leads Claire down to the Gun Deck.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
The sick are down below.
He steps aside as Claire descends with ABLE SEAMAN FREDDIE JONES, 20s, who holds an oil lamp.
INT. HMS PORPOISE - LOWER GUN DECK - MOMENTS LATER - DAY 38 38 (D10)
Jones illuminates Claire’s way down the stairs and into the dark space. He covers his face with a kerchief in an attempt to block the throat-clogging stench of vomit and diarrhea as Claire reacts to what she sees...
Dozens of hammocks hang from the low ceiling, gently rising and falling with the ship. Every hammock, every mess table every available space -- is filled with the sick and dying. Claire lands in front of a very sick British sailor.
CLAIRE
Give me a better light.
Jones holds the lamp over the miserable sailor, whose eyes are the eyes of a man who’s been staring at death’s door. Claire presses the man’s abdomen probingly. He winces.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
May I look at your stomach?
The sailor nods weakly. Claire pulls up his shirt to reveal a RASH all over his abdomen, which Claire was expecting.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
Thank you.
She knows he’s going to die.
39INT. HMS PORPOISE - CAPTAIN’S CABIN - LATER - DAY (D10)39
Claire stands before Leonard.
CLAIRE
It’s called typhoid.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
Our surgeon said it was ship’s fever.
CLAIRE
They’re similar, but the way you contain it is different.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
And you know how to do that... how to contain it?
CLAIRE
Yes. The sick men need to be washed and laid where they can breathe fresh air. They’ll need a liquid diet. Boiled water. And you’ll need to make haste as you will likely run out of drinking water. Many of those who are sick will die. A lucky few will not. But the hope is you can stop the spread. (then) But you must be prepared... it will get worse before it gets better.
Leonard takes that in.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
If you want, I can stay for a short while to help you organize yourselves.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
I shall be eternally grateful for any assistance you can render us.
CLAIRE
I will need a dozen of your healthiest crewmen.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
(calls out) Pound! (then) You can start with Mr. Pound.
A midshipman, ELIAS POUND, 14, enters from out in the passageway. He salutes the captain professionally. Claire is stunned by his youth, but covers.
CLAIRE
Hello. I’m Claire Fraser.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
(explains)
Mistress Fraser is a surgeon. She’s acting under my personal authority. See she gets whatever she needs.
ELIAS POUND
Yes, sir.
CLAIRE
(to Pound) We need to clear the main deck so we can bring the sick men above. Can you see to it?
ELIAS POUND
Of course, madam.
Pound heads off.
CLAIRE
I shall work fast. Captain Raines will be anxious to be on our way. As will my husband.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
I will alert them that you will be a little while longer.
CLAIRE
Which way to the galley?
Leonard points the way as Claire moves off.
40INT. HMS PORPOISE - GALLEY - DAY (D10)40
Claire stands before BERNARD COSWORTH, 40s, the Porpoise’s cook. A galley hand we’ll come to know as JOE HOWARD works in the b.g.
CLAIRE
I need boiled water and lots of it.
BERNARD COSWORTH
I’m in the middle of preparing the Captain’s meal.
Not this again. But Claire doesn’t have the time to coddle.
CLAIRE
This is on the Captain’s orders.
The ship ROCKS. With expert precision Cosworth snaps a cupboard shut with one hand and grabs a loose pot with the other. An odd ballet that indicates... not his first BBQ.
CLAIRE (cont’d)
Why are we moving?
Stunned, Claire runs up to –
41EXT. HMS PORPOISE - DECK - LATER - DAY (D10)41
Claire BURSTS onto the deck to find a cloud of sails overhead and the Artemis falling rapidly behind them. What the fuck?! Claire spots Leonard. She marches over, furious.
CAPTAIN LEONARD
(calling up to the men in the rigging)
Lay aloft and loose the mainsail! Let fall! Haul aft the sheet!
Other sailors repeat the commands (O.S.) as --
CLAIRE
What are you doing?
CAPTAIN LEONARD
I am in urgent need of your services.
CLAIRE
Turn back at once!
CAPTAIN LEONARD
You said yourself we must make haste.
CLAIRE
You can’t just kidnap me like this!
CAPTAIN LEONARD
The truth is I am desperate. You may be our only chance. Both our ships are sailing to Jamaica... I’ve had a message conveyed to Captain Raines and promised him His Majesty’s navy will provide accommodation for you until you are able to rejoin the Artemis.
Leonard leaves Claire, shocked at being separated from Jamie. Pound approaches.
ELIAS POUND
Madam, we’re ready to move the men.
Right. Claire takes a breath as she watches the Artemis fall farther away and along with it the man she’s waited twenty years to find again. Despite being torn between love and duty, Dr. Claire Fraser knows she must switch into healing mode. Claire gives one last look to the barely visible Artemis. No time to dwell. There’s work to be done.
As Claire moves off to fight the good fight --
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE
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