As the music nears its final crescendo, the evening's many fantastical characters dance uproariously around the pool. On an elaborate flotilla in the center of it all Jordan and Nick are kicking a wild Charleston. The number finally peaks!
"I didn't expect all this..." Nick says, nearly out of breath.
"What did you expect?" Jordan asked.
"I don't know..."
"Disappointed?" Jordan asked dryly.
"Not in the slightest..." Jordan and Nick look as if they might just kiss...
"Penny-less pantywaist!" Teddy leers between them and pulls Jordan away. "I'm stealing her away Carraway!" Over the wild applause, the orchestra leader announces...
"Ladies and gentlemen, please make your way to the grand terrazzo; for the premiere of Mr. Vladimir Tostoff's "A Jazz History of the World", and accompanying fireworks!" Nick follow Jordan, but Teddy cuts him off.
"Look around you! Rich girls don't marry poor boys-" On cue, a drinks tray comes in between the men. There is a flurry of movement... Teddy rudely snatches a couple of martinis... Nick, disoriented and empty-handed, begins up the stairs, and as he does so, hears the voice of the man holding the tray...
"Your face is familiar. Weren't you in the Third Division during the war?" The man asked, recognizing Nick.
"Yes; The Ninth Battalion." The man is tanned and handsome; just past thirty.
"I was in the Seventh. I knew I'd seen you somewhere before... Having a good time, old sport?"
"The whole thing's incredible - I live next door..." Nick says, voice slightly slurred, and brandishing his now crumpled invitation. "He even sent me an invitation, but I still haven't met Mr. Gatsby, no one's met him; they say he's third cousin to the Kaiser and second cousin to the devil!" At the landing, half way up the steps, the man takes a drink from a waiter's tray and hands it to Nick.
"I'm afraid I'm not a very good host, old sport... I'm Gatsby." Nick's face drops.
"Oh.. I'm very sorry- I... I've had so much to drink..." Nick says, muttering apologies. The delirious opening chords of Tostoff's "History" coincide with a gorgeous explosion of fireworks in the night sky! "
I thought you knew, old sport." Gatsby says apologetically, then smiles a dazzling smile, while the sounds around them fades to a serene hum. All at once the bubble bursts, a silver-haired, fifty-ish man in an immaculate tail-suit, leans into Gatsby.
"Excuse me sir; Chicago on the wire." the silver haired man says. Gatsby nods, but before he departs he smiles at Nick.
"I'm trying out my new hydroplane in the morning. Want to go with me, old sport?" Nick shakes himself from his reverie.
"What time?" Nick asked.
"Any time that suits you." Gatsby turns, and catches for the first time, Jordan. "Lovely to see you Miss Baker." He kisses her lightly on the hand. "If you need anything, just ask for it, old sport. I will rejoin you later... Excuse me." As Nick watches Gatsby walk away, he whispers with amazement.
"I expected him to be..." Nick says, astounded.
"Old and fat?" Jordan asked.
"Well, yes; young men don't just drift coolly out of nowhere and buy a palace on Long Island."
Meanwhile Jesse was having a time of his life. He had never been to a party this lively, not since that party on the Titanic in the third class galley, and he wasn't the one shuffling things around for people to frolic in. He'd wish Marion would join him here, sharing their dances, eating some food, but he knew how she felt about being in large parties like these. Across from where Jesse was standing, Rose thought she saw Jesse, mingling with another gangster. Tears came to her eyes, and soon, Jack turned to see what Rose was looking at. As soon the gangster was done talking to Jesse, Rose bolted, and Jack followed, tears in his eyes as well. It had been an agonizing four years since he last saw Jesse alive at that ugly battlefield. But here he was, at his cousin's party, mingling with other people he never met. Jesse soon turned, and before he knew something was going on, he was slammed by Rose, squeezing every life out of Jesse, her body wracked with sobs. Jesse hugged and swung Rose; he himself was crying as well. Jack stood by, tears running down his face, while he watched the reunion with his long lost friend, while a few bystanders watched.
"I'm so happy you're alive!" Rose sniffed. Jesse gave her a warm hug around her shoulder again, then rubbed his eyes. Jack also got to hug Jesse at last.
"Its great to be alive." Jesse choked, while Jordan rolled her eyes at the Titanic survivors. She soon got a double take at Jack...
"Let's get a spot at the bar, and I'll tell you all what has happened..." Jesse says, still hugging Rose. Jack was still rubbing his eyes as he brought up the rear.
"Where's Marion?" Rose asked, still clutching on to Jesse.
"She's at my sister's. She's not very festive for places like this..."
...
"...and that's how I ended up at a hospital in Switzerland." Jesse says, laughing, then rubbed his leg, where the shrapnel was lodged.
"Its so good to see you back again." Jack says, still hugging Jesse. Jack knew Jesse was a strong fighter himself, seeing how he survived the wrath of Cal, the sinking of two different ships, and the war. Soon, the silver-haired man approached the trio, and Jesse leaned forward to hear the man say something in his ear, followed by a motion. Jesse looked around, then at Jack and Rose, before he followed the silver-haired man up the stairs, and they disappeared above. Later, the silver-haired man soon makes his way through the crowds, until he met up to where Jordan and Nick were standing.
"I beg your pardon..." Both she and Nick jump to find Herzog suddenly beside them. "Miss Baker; Mr. Gatsby would like to speak to you... Alone." Herzog says.
"Me?" Jordan says with a surprising shock.
"Yes, madame." As Vladimir Tostoff's erotic, ominous chords build, Jordan crosses the now empty dance floor toward the silhouette of Gatsby in the library window... Nick, unsettled, watches her go...
...
In the library, Herzog led Jesse to a large chair in front of a large heavy oak desk, then patted it.
"Take a seat, sir." Herzog says.
"Get me Jordan as well," says Gatsby.
"Very well, sir." Herzog says, then leaves the library. Jesse sat in the large chair, while Gatsby stood in front of the window overlooking the revellers coming and going through his mansion.
"At long last we meet. I thought you looked familiar, even though you've grown out your hair. Did you serve in the war?" Gatsby asked, still looking out the window.
"Yes, sir. The Third Division." Jesse says, shifting uncomfortably in the chair, trying to make himself smaller.
"Do you know Nick? He was also in your division, I believe. My cousin Jack also served in that division, and he was sergeant."
"No. We have met just recent. We stay in that-" Jesse was interrupted.
"I saw where you were staying. You also disobeyed Jack's orders in that war, and as a result, you nearly died in France." Gatsby says, still unmoving from his position at the window. Jesse swallowed, not expecting what this man was going to do to him. Suddenly, dread overwashed him, something worse than being held captive by Cal. But soon, Gatsby's tone changed, for the better.
"That takes some real guts there, old sport. You look like you've fared better than some of your peers." Gatsby soon turned to face Jesse. "I have heard you're going to get an education, and I am here to give you an offer you can't refuse..."
...
Alarmingly drunk girls sprawl at the feet of the grand piano. Klipspringer plays, a weeping woman attempts to slur along, and as a dejected Nick passes them toward the front stairs, while he sees Jesse with those drunken girls staggering after him. Soon the library door opens, and Jordan emerges alone... Seeing Nick, she rushes to him.
"Nick! Nick! I've just heard the most shocking thing; it all makes sense..." Jordan says. Soon, Teddy and the other East Eggers accost Jordan.
"Where have you been!? The car's waiting!" Jordan is dragged out the door. Nick, on tenterhooks follows, as Jordan calls back.
"Simply amazing! It all makes sense. It all makes sense..."
The night has devolved into drunken mayhem as cars jam the driveway and intoxicated guests search for their vehicles. Nick chases Jordan down the marble stairs.
"What makes sense...?" Nick wanted to know.
"Everything... But here I am tantalizing you..." The East Eggers and Jordan pile into their limousine. Jordan soon has a mysterious smile as she leans out the window. "And I swore I wouldn't tell." Jordan says slyly.
"But..." Nick began.
"Nick. I'm sorry, I swore I wouldn't tell." Jordan puts her head back in the car. The car takes off and Nick is left staring; mystified... A voice startles him. Gatsby stood behind Nick.
"Sorry to keep her from you, old sport. Don't forget; we're going up in the hydroplane tomorrow morning. You, me, my cousin and our new acquaintance." Herzog appears behind Gatsby. "Philadelphia on the phone, sir." Herzog tells Gatsby, who soon nods, then smiles that intoxicating smile.
"Good night, old sport..."
Good night. Thank you." Nick says, with gratitude. Gatsby nods warmly, and turns inside. As Nick walks away he is confronted by a bizarre scene: a big crowd gathers around a coupe, resting on its side in a ditch. Nick is caught by a shadowy figure fighting its way through the crowds, until he sees hair flying wildly as the person fights his way.
Jesse! Nick thought, as the person makes his way to the wreck. Suddenly, Owl Eyes pops from the wreck. He leers drunkenly...His arm dangling on Jesse's shoulder, while Jesse tries to carefully lead Owl Eyes away from the wreck.
"Whazza matter!? We run outta gas!?" The beep of a horn catches Nick's attention. Jordan, leaning out of the window of her car as it sweeps away, calls to him.
"Come and see me... We'll have tea! I'm in the phone-book!" Nick waves, smiles, and cuts across the lawn. As Nick reaches the stone-pass separating his yard from Gatsby's, he stops; a familiar feeling. High up in the window, the shadowy figure of Gatsby stands, phone pressed to his ear, watching Nick. After a moment, he raises his hand in formal farewell.