Scene thirteen

(It was almost midnight, but no one made a move to leave or go to bed, probably because they were so sleepy. Bea, who felt the others lacked common sense, had retired to one of the Gracey's guest bedrooms and was now sleeping soundly. Dustin was drifting off in his chair, letting a glass of wine and the warmth of the fire dull his senses. Phineas kept drifting off, too, but he seemed to be exhausted with sickness. Over the past couple of days, he had become pale and had even lost weight. Amelia came back into the foyer from checking on Bea. Leaning over the love seat, she wrapped her plump arms around Phineas's neck and hugged him. Smiling up at her, he patted her hand and she took a seat on the arm of his chair. The only noise came from a tall, thin man who was a lot less skeletal looking than he would later be in his ghostly form. Ezra tweaked with the dial on the radio.)

Ezra- Ain't never anything good on at this time, he griped. No one plays new music this late.

Lilly- Probably because they've got enough sense to go to sleep.

( She sat on a sofa next to George.)

George- Well, I know someone who isn't tired. You're not going to let me sleep either, are you?"

Lilly-(She shook her head.) Nope.

Ezra- "Bah!" (he gave up on the radio and took a seat at the far end of the couch.) Nothing good on.

Phineas-( looked up wearily. )Did you try the oldies station?

Ezra- I hate old music.

Phineas-I like old music!

Ezra- New!

Phineas-Old!

(Lily rubbed the bridge of her nose in annoyance. The brothers always quarreled. Remembering her days as a young girl in the church choir, she got an idea. Softly, she began to sing)

Lilly's Lullabye

Rest your weary head, my dear,

Close your weary eyes.

Though the day is long, my dear,

Soon you'll realize...

(Phineas and Ezra stopped their bickering and listened. George listened. Dustin let his head fall back and he shut his eyes. Amelia was oddly alert.)

Lily continued, raising her voice.

Sleep now is calling to you,

To wrap you in sweet bliss.

And soon it will claim me, too,

So take my night's last kiss.

The heart may fear the darkness,

But please don't be afraid.

Your soul shines bright through night's mists,

And guides us to the day.

So rest your weary head, my love,

And close your weary eyes.

The silver moon hangs high above,

In starless, darkened skies...

(Phineas and Ezra stopped their bickering and listened. George sat up strait and started sing too. Dustin let his head fall back and he shut his eyes. Amelia was oddly alert.)

(Exhausted, she tucked her head under George's chin. That melodious voice with that Georgia twang he loved so much, had nearly lulled him to sleep. He saw Amelia get up before his eyes shut. As slumber took him, he heard his aunt say, "Dustin, psst! Wake up! We need to talk. Come with me to the kitchen, now. You know Lily's due any day now…")

Lilly-I called a taxi to take us to the orphanage.

(Lily shivered and tucked her baby's blanket tighter around her newborn. The rain was pouring down in thick sheets. Lily Gracey, Victoria Boufont, and Amelia Audley stood shivering on the front porch of Gracey Manor. The dampness in the late October night air chilled the two women down to their bones...Lily Gracey hugged the day old infant close. Tears filled her hazel eyes and streamed down her flushed cheeks)

Lilly-I can't stand the thought of her being in the same house as Leota. You've heard the threats she's made. If--"

Amelia- Shh! We can't chance her hearing us.

Victoria- So, what are we going to tell George? He was looking forward to coming home to his new child. He loves her every bit as much as you do. And- and if this whole thing with Dobbins hadn't come up--"

Lilly-I know he would have been here." Lily's shoulders trembled with sobs. Amelia hugged her tightly.

Amelia- One day, when we finally leave this place, we'll find her. We'll get out of that house, you, me, Vicky, the others, and George, and we'll get a quaint home out in the countryside. And we'll leave 'you-know-who' far behind." She smiled, despite her tears.

(A taxi slowed to a stop in front of them.)

(Ezra was worried. When he was worried he was agitated by the littlest things. Tonight, the radio was getting on his nerves.)

(Ain't never anything good on at this time," he griped. "No one plays new music this late." After flopping down on the couch, he'd gotten into an argument with Phineas over what kind of music was better. Lily had calmed them all down by singing. Right after the song, she and George had nodded off. Amelia and Dustin went to the kitchen to discuss something in private.)

(Uncomfortable with the quietness, Ezra turned on the radio again. Instead of music he got a news broadcast.)

Radio Announcer-This just in. New Orleans police have once again resumed their search for the three escaped convicts, Gu--"

(Ezra quickly shut it off with a curse.)

--a day later--

(The next day, Ezra heard news that left him reeling.

(Phineas was dead. He'd passed away sometime during the night. Not only that, but when the coroner came by he had recognized Ezra (he'd bought a hair growth tonic last year), and had alerted the authorities.)

(Ezra's bad luck didn't end there. While he was sitting in jail awaiting his trial, an autopsy revealed poison in his fat friend's system. Now he was suspected of murder!)

(Looking out through the bars of his cell at his attorney/friend)

Ezra-I didn't do it, George!

Gracey- I know you didn't. I just have to prove it to a jury. I won't lie. It's going to be tough. Leota says she heard you two having an argument the night he died. She's going to testify for the plaintiff.

Ezra- She hated him!

Gracey- Yes, but she feels compelled the let what she heard be known.

Ezra- What's wrong?

Gracey- I think Lily's due soon. I'm worried that while I'm here, I'm going to miss my child being born. Leota was going to stay with her as long as she can, but with the trial tomorrow, she has to leave tonight.

--the next day--

(Things had spiraled from bad to worse. Asher was the prosecuting attorney. He may have butchered the English language around family and friends, but when he wanted to, he could be eloquent. Looking ‑­

at the jury, Ezra wondered if his accent made him sound smarter. Asher was smug, conniving, and confident. It was like seeing a different man when he was sober. The only similarity between that Asher and the Asher at the get-together was that cruel look in his dark eyes.)

(Past customers of Phineas's wonder cure had been called and came forward to talk about their horrible experiences. The cops had testified against Ezra in regards to the breakout. When Leota came forward, he knew he was sunk.)

(She spoke softly, still healing from the syrup. In detail, she recounted word for word the argument the brother had the night of Phineas's death. George's only real defense was pointing out that she had heard what had gone on behind a closed door.)

(Ezra was sweating bullets when the mortician took the stand. It turned out Phineas had suffered from a mild case of pneumonia, probably due to running out in the rain after finding out the police were after them, but being pushed back to the house by the storm. It had been the poison, though, that had actually killed him.)

(The jury was glaring at him now. He could see the wheels turning in their minds. Of course he would kill Phineas! They were on the lam! Phineas had wanted to stay and keep the cash for himself! Ezra wanted to sneak away while he had the chance! There were his motives. He had the means. Phineas kept all sorts of bottles and ingredients in his bag. He would have gotten the poison there!)

(But Phineas had not kept poison in his bag. He might have had a mischievous streak and a rotten sense of humor, but he would not actually hurt anyone. It was a rule they both followed.)

Judge- Would the defendant like to speak on his behalf?

(George gave a short nod. This was Ezra's chance! He just had to tell them how much he had loved Phineas and how he was not only his brother and business associate, but his closest friend. Yes, the justice system would prevail and the truth would set him free! Well, actually, the truth would get him a heavy fine and a few years in prison. But there was always time off for good behavior.)

(He sings give me the verdict)

Judge- Court is now back in session. Would the jury please read its verdict?

Man in jury-We find the defendant…

(Please God grant me some luck!)

"…guilty of all charges, including petty theft, grifting, plotting, committing a jail escape, and first degree murder."

(The judge banged his gavel.)

Ezra- NO! STOP! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I'M AN INNOCENT MAN! PLEASE!

‑­

(Tears poured down his cheeks. He was going to die! He was innocent and he was going to die! "What about Sacco and Vanzetti! They were innocent! You don't want that to happen all over again, did they!)

Ezra- I HATE YOU, YOU LIMEY TEA SUCKING, DRUNKEN BAST—

(The courtroom doors slammed behind him, cutting off the rest of his insult.)

(George stood there, numbly staring. He had failed his friend when he'd needed him most. Turning, he saw Asher walk out with Leota.)

Asher-Those are the breaks, mate. Part o' the business. Either way, we still get paid!

(He laughed, arm in arm with the medium.)

(When the rest of the room was empty, George was still standing there.)

George- I'm sorry Ezra.