Subj: Questions Pt 2
Date: 4/2/99 8:20:03 PM Central Standard Time
From: QuentinsLady

Jonique I was smarter than his nephew.

Sarah That's too bad. (She gets an excited gleam) I have an idea.

Jonique What?

Sarah Gabriel is looking for a bookkeeper

Jonique He'll probably hire a man.

Sarah It wouldn't hurt to ask him.

Jonique I don't even know him.

Sarah Come on. I'll take you over there and introduce you. (They stand and exit.)

Act 1 Scene 5

( The office. Enter Quentin. Gabriel looks up and they smile.)

Gabriel Is everything arranged?

Quentin Yes. In three weeks Maggie will be my wife. (Enter Sarah and Jonique. Jonique stares at Quentin. Sarah looks at her)

Sarah What?

Jonique Who is he?

Sarah That's Quentin. (She smiles) He's not available. He's engaged.

Jonique When's the wedding?

Sarah Sometime after Gerard gets back. (They walk over. Gabriel smiles at them.)Gabriel Collins, this is Jonique Bouchard. Jonique, this is my husband Gabriel Collins. (Jonique holds out her hand and he kisses it.)

Gabriel It's a pleasure to meet you. This absentminded fellow is my brother Quentin Collins.

Jonique How do you do? (He takes her hand and brushes his lips across it.)

Quentin It's nice to meet you. Jonique is it?

Jonique Yes.

Gabriel What can we do for you ladies?

Sarah Are you still looking for a bookkeeper?

Quentin Yes. Why do you ask Sarah?

Jonique I would like the job if you have no problems with my being a woman.

Gabriel Well...It could cause tongues to wag.

Sarah How so?

Quentin Miss Bouchard is single and I'm engaged. People might get the wrong idea.

Sarah Quentin Collins! People most certainly didn't get the wrong idea when I moved into Collinwood.

Quentin You got us there. OK. Miss Bouchard you may try the job.

Jonique Thank you. You won't regret this. I promise. (She's smiling.)

Act 2 Scene 1

(Three days later at the office. Quentin and Jonique are there. They are going over the books. She looks up at Quentin and smiles. He smiles at her.)

Act 2 Scene 2

(The dress shop. Enter Maggie. Angelique comes from the back. She sees Maggie and smiles.)

Angelique Maggie! Are you here for your fitting?

Maggie Yes. We're getting married in three weeks.

Angelique Then he has heard from him.

Maggie Yes. Gerard will be here next week.

Angelique Let's go in the back. (They exit.)

Act 2 Scene 3

(Two hours later at the shop. Enter Maggie and Angelique) Your dress will be ready in plenty of time for the wedding.

Maggie That's wonderful! (They hug)

Angelique You didn't tell me that Quentin and Gabriel were so liberal.

Maggie What are you talking about?

Angelique They hired a young woman as their new bookkeeper.

Maggie Well it is the nineties. (They smile)I'd better get home. (She exits.)

Angelique I wonder...No. (She exits.)

Act 2 Scene 4

(Two days later at the office. Jonique walks to Quentin's desk. He looks up and she hands him a cup of hot liquid. He takes a sip. He frowns and looks at her)

Quentin What is this?

Jonique It's my own special blend of tea. Do you like it?

Quentin It's unusual. (He takes another drink) It's good. (She smiles and walks away.)

Act 2 Scene 5

(The docks. Enter Gabriel. He looks around and sees Gerard. He walks over to him.)

Gabriel You're earlier than we thought.

Gerard I had good luck. The wind was at my back. (They smile) So how are things here since my last visit?

Gabriel Well I know that Quentin and Maggie were getting impatient waiting for you.

Gerard Oh? (Gabriel smiles) How is Hodges?

Gabriel Very strange.

Gerard What has happened?

Gabriel He quit our firm last week. No warning or anything. He just didn't show up for work. Quentin and I went to talk to him. We found out that he'd left town and us a note stating he quit.

Gerard That is strange. So who is doing your books? Sarah?

Gabriel Heavens no! She's my wife and I won't have her working. What would people say?

Gerard That the Collins's were smart. (He smiles) So who is doing your books?

Gabriel Sarah recommended a young woman. (Gerard arches an eyebrow) She lost her last position by being smarter than her employer's nephew.

Gerard Is she pretty?

Gabriel Yes. She has dark hair and dark eyes.

Gerard Oh. Maybe I'll meet her while I'm here. What's her name?

Gabriel Jonique Bouchard. (Gerard goes pale) What's the matter? Are you ill?

Gerard How long has she been here?

Gabriel About a week. Why?

Gerard Nothing. I guess I just haven't got my land legs yet.

(He smiles and they exit.)

Act 3 Scene 1

(The office. Enter Gerard and Gabriel. Quentin looks up and smiles. He stands and walks over to Gerard. He gives him a hug.)

Quentin How was the trip? Profitable?

Gerard Very. So when are you and Maggie getting married?

Quentin The beginning of next month. We wanted to wait until you could be there.

Gerard Why?

Quentin I'd like you to be my best man.

Gerard I'm flattered but shouldn't it be Gabriel?

Gabriel I'm walking Maggie down the aisle.(Gerard looks suspicious) Now I know that look.

Quentin We didn't think it would be proper for an old married man to escort a single young woman.

Gerard I'm glad she has you to do that for her. I know that she has been alone ever since her father passed.

Gabriel I need to get home. We'll see you there?

Gerard I wouldn't miss it. (Gabriel smiles and exits.) So tell me about this new bookkeeper.

Quentin She's very knowledgeable. She has found errors that Hodges made.

Gerard What kind of errors?

Quentin Well apparently on your last trip we made more than he said.

Gerard Oh. Do you think he was stealing?

Quentin No. I think he was just preoccupied.

Gerard Ok. I'm going to go get cleaned up and I will see you at the house.

Quentin Yes. (Gerard exits. Quentin pulls the shades and turns out the lights. He exits. He enters outside and locks the door. He walks off.)

Act 3 Scene 2

(Two hours later at Collinwood. Maggie, Gerard, Gabriel and Sarah are in the library.)

Sarah This is not like Quentin. He's always here on time for dinner. If he's not going to be he will usually send word.

Maggie I hope he's alright. (She looks at them.) You don't think he's been hurt and laying in an alley do you? Or maybe worse?

Gerard No. I think Quentin probably got tied up at the office and lost track of time.

Gabriel Gerard's right. (He looks at Sarah) You remember I did the same thing.

Sarah Yes. I was so mad at you! (She smiles and touches his hand. They kiss) Gerard, would you escort Maggie home?

To be Continued

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.