Ch. 6
The Final Product
I do not Higher Ground, The Great Gatsby, or anything related to them.
Italics represent the movie. I chose select scenes from the novel.
Horizon students gathered in the lodge to watch Ezra's newest production. The lights were dimmed and a hush came over the room as the film started playing.
Daisy and Nick sat at the table looking at the steady rain fall outside the cabin window. "Thank you for inviting me to tea. I'm so glad I am finally able to see your new place," Daisy said. "Are you waiting for someone? You seem distracted."
"I hear a car," Nick jumped up and walked out the door.
Gatsby ran through the rain, took his fedora off, and ran his fingers through his hair. "Is she here?" he asked nervously.
"Yes. Inside."
"I can't do it, old chap."
"Why not? She is in there. Right there. Finally."
"The dream will have ended," Gatsby said while walking into the cabin. Daisy was standing by the fireplace. Juliette was wearing one of her own dresses; light pink chiffon with three quarter length lace sleeves. She turned around and looked startled. Her cheeks were flushed from the fire.
"It's good to see you again," Daisy said softly to Gatsby.
The audience couldn't tell if Auggie was being Gatsby or himself because he broke into a large, warm smile when he saw her. "It's good to see you again too," he said in the same tone.
"I…I forgot something. I'll be back," Nick rushed out the door.
New Scene
Daisy sat on her dorm bed filing her nails. "Awfully nonchalant for someone getting married today," Jordan said in a slight southern drawl, "Anyway, a letter conveniently came for you." Daisy read the letter and then fled into the bathroom. Katherine, who was playing Daisy's mother, ran to the bathroom. Tears streamed down Daisy's face. She yanked a strand of fake pearls from her neck. Plastic beads scattered all over the floor. Jordan started picking them up, while Daisy's mother pulled Daisy up from the floor and pushed her shoulders against the wall.
"I'm not going to marry that brute. Not anymore!" Daisy sobbed.
"Yes, you will. This is how a woman's life works, even with these so called liberated women. It's a business transaction. This is your job," Katherine's voice was steady but firm.
"I'm doing more work than anyone else in this family," Daisy whined.
"I already did my job, now it's your turn…Jordan, fix the pearls."
New Scene
Gatsby stood on the edge of the dock, looking out over the lake. He looked defeated. Suddenly, David as George came rushing out of the woods. He paused a few feet from Gatsby, clinched his eyes shut, and raised an arm. Auggie did not turn around but fell face first into the lake.
Auggie leaned in and whispered to Juliette, "It really hurt my face falling like that."
Final scene
Nick walked slowly across Horizon's grassy lawn but stopped as Daisy and Tom approached arm in arm together. "Nick! Yoo hoo!" Daisy waved frantically. She left Tom and ran up to Nick.
"Oh, Nick. How are you?"
Nick told her about his whereabouts.
"It was such a dreadful summer when we last saw each other. I'm sorry I didn't contact you. I didn't want to see anyone," she said.
"Is there anything else?" Nick asked but stopped as Tom sauntered over.
"Hey, old chap. Like to join us for today's polo match?"
"No. I was about to leave. It was nice to see again, Daisy."
"Daisy, will you go to our seats? I'd like to tell Nick goodbye." Daisy squeezed Nick's hand goodbye and smiled at Tom.
Tom began, "About what happened in New York. Sometimes unfortunate things happen. It's a shame about Myrtle. I liked her. She was a little delusional if she thought I'd abandon my Daisy though, but she wanted more out of life. We all do. Anyhow, I had to look out for Daisy. It's always been me and her versus the world. It always will be. You understand, don't you?"
Nick looked at Tom with contempt. He turned around without saying anything and walked off.
The movie ended with Ezra's Nick walking into the woods.
The cliffhangers received a standing ovation. After "celebrating," everyone went back to their dorms. Scott grabbed Jules' arm before she walked out of the lodge.
"You did a great job. I want you to know I consider you like a sister. If you need anything, let me know," he told her.
"Thank you, "she said. She looped an arm through his on the way back to the dorms. "You know, you're nothing like Tom Buchanan," she beamed.
"And your nothing like Daisy," he said.
Auggie waited on the girls' dorm steps for Jules. He smiled when he saw her smiling. In confidence, Scott had told him about some of her worries.