6
GWEN'S HOUSE
Jack pacing around on the path through Gwen's front lawn. Gwen exits the house, alone. Stands on the porch. And they stare at each other.
"You know, you can come inside the house."
He looks at the end of his rope. She walks down to him. He asks quietly "Did you see the lawyer?"
"Oh. Well..." Gwen shuffles her feet "Called him. We set an ap..."
Almost a whisper Jack sighs "Don't do this."
So vulnerable. The air comes out of her. We see how much she still cares for this man.
"You're saying, don't make the kids a football, don't put them through a war." Gwen sighs "But I'm doing this for their well-being."
"Partly. But partly, you're mad."
Staring. At each other.
"You know the kids aren't really in danger." Jack challenges "This is about Ianto, and you're right, I'm disappointed in him …a learning curve, and..."
"Slugs." Gwen snorts "They have faster learning curves. Trees, even. We both know it was the Welsh accent you fell for. Just like mine. All the world and you find another Welsh lover."
He takes a breath. Here it is "I'm afraid he's going to walk."
"And I'm supposed to care."
He reaches out. Takes her hands. Whispers softly "About me, yeh. Like I care about you."
She looks in his eyes. "Like you cared about me three years ago?"
He shrugs. Looks saddened by that. Reminds her softly "Hey. You kicked me out."
And just this once. With all that's happened. Gwen needs to Say "Maybe you should talk to your daughter, about why. She seems to have missed that part."
Now he looks ashamed. And sorry from his heart.
Gwen says softly "Forget I said that."
He has to tell her "This thing with Yan. I need this. I don't want to lose him. And I will see to it that the kids don't suffer. Help me, huh?"
"Help me." She repeats.
"I'd do it for you." Yes, he would. Despite everything, she knows that.
"One last chance, don't make me regret it" Her voice tried to be tough. But the tension showed through. "...or you will, too."
A last look. She walks slowly. Back toward the house.
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CAR POOL LINE, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The last cars are pulling away. No kids left, except the ones shooting hoops. Except. On the low brick ledge by the flag pole...Toshiko sits. Alone. Quietly freaking.
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Ianto and Andy sit on a bare floor surrounded by countless proofs of flying canaries. An assistant brings a cell phone to Ianto, who holds it in place with his shoulder, as he frantically speaks into the phone.
"...no, no, that is not possible. You must have the wrong little gir..." Stops. Speaks into phone "...because Toshiko's mother never forgets, is never late, is never imperfect. So that's some other kid sitting on the curb by the car pool li..."
Listens.
All the air comes out. He looks around, sadly, at all the work surrounding him.
Andy hisses "May I remind you that Duncan has the client arriving at exac..."
"Sure. I was just doin' my nails."
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A cavernous sterile room. A horrible METALLIC HAMMERING sound. We to see that it comes from...a white cylindrical TUBE. Bare feet protrude. An MRI is in progress. The sound stops. The body SLIDES from the tube, a woman in a hospital gown. She is Gwen.
She blinks at the light. Her eyes are drawn, a million miles away. A lot on her mind. A technician enters the room "Your pager went off during the procedure. Do you want the number?"
Gwen turns, suddenly focusing "Wait...what time is it?"
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PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
Toshiko sits glumly, refusing to eat some chips from the bag in Ianto's hand. Ianto's voice is low, soothing. Dare we say, maternal "Hey, sea salt and vinegar, I know this is your fave."
Toshiko keeps her eyes down. This is more than a sulk. She seems fairly unglued.
"C'mon, these are the Bomb, I prom..."
Toshiko suddenly says "Now could she just...forget me!"
Looks up. Eyes desperate. "I mean, that's something you would do!"
Ianto stares back. Eats a chip. Decides... says softly "Tell ya the truth? I did."
The kid blinks. A non-compute.
"Your mom had to...help a friend with this...emergency? And she called me. And we switched days. Then, I got stuck on my shoot, and..."
"MOMMY!"
Ianto WHIRLS to see Gwen filling the doorway, Toshiko flying to her mother's arms. The women's eyes meet. How much did she hear?
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GWEN'S BATHROOM
Gwen brushing out Toshiko's hair. Gwen's eyes are distant. Toshiko watching in the mirror.
"Are you worried about your friend?" Toshiko asks "With the emergency?"
Gwen's eyes come back to focus. "Hmm? Oh, I'm waiting on some news, that's all. Say. Can I ask you why you never asked me something you probably asked Daddy anyway?"
And she smiles. Real carefree. So Toshiko smiles back.
"You can try."
More brushing. Gentler, slower strokes. "Daddy was washing Ianto. In the shower. What did you think that was about?"
"Sex. Of course."
"Oh." Gwen blinks "Well, not exactly s..."
"Why does Ianto scream?"
Does he mean what Gwen thinks she means? "Scream."
"During sex."
"Oh." Again. "How would you know h..."
"I live." Toshiko says theatrically "…In the same country."
Her mother laughs. Encouraged...
"Oh God oh God Oh God oh God oh God Oh..." Toshiko imitates Ianto.
"...why do you think?" Gwen asks.
"Because it feels really incredibly good."
Gwen moves around. Leans to stare in her eyes. "So why are you asking me?"
"I like talking about it. At least, to you."
The look holds. Almost a bittersweet smile plays on Gwen's lips. She leans to kiss her daughter's head. "Same here, huh?"
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IANTO'S DARKROOM - MORNING
TOTAL DARKNESS - Slowly an image appears - Floating in a pool of water. It's a photo of a child's feet. Only the wrong shoe is on the wrong foot. Suddenly, knocking as Ianto calls out "Hold on! Don't let the light..."
Gwen enters, leaving the door wide open.
"...in."
"I'm sorry." Gwen sniffs, showing she is clearly not "Look, I'm not real comfortable being here, but..."
"I don't recall inviting you."
Silence.
"I overhead what you told Toshiko." Gwen finally breaks the silence "The lie."
Unreadable faces. What are they feeling?
"I have a snoop." Ianto sniffs.
Gwen blusters "I didn't need you to take the blame for me, I'm quite..."
Ianto says simply "I didn't do it for you. Believe me."
And Gwen finds that interesting.
He shrugs "She already hates me. You've seen to that."
Gwen bristles "You're not terribly good at taking care of h..."
"I need practice." Ianto argues back.
"Those are my children you're practicing on. They deserve first-rate care. Every minute. Of every night. And every day." More silence. "So why did y..."
"I did it for her." Ianto stares straight into her eyes. "Poor kid has to believe in someone. Even if it's only you."
Nothing friendly about it. But Gwen hasn't come seeking friendship. "I have an appointment this afternoon. I need someone to take them to the park."
"What? And have Federal agents jump out of the bushes with court orders?" Ianto snorts, folding his arms as he eyeballs her "How many years do you get in this state for giving second-rate care to minors?"
Hard looks. All around.
"However many. It's not enough." Gwen finally says.
"I'm already on thin ice. Yesterday, I actually thought my boss was going to fire me." Ianto admits.
"Fine, forget it."
But neither of them wants to. A Mexican Standoff. Until Gwen empties her huge purse on the counter. "Bandaids for cuts. Bandaids for new shoe blisters. Packet of Wash n Dri's. Kleenex. Sugar free lollipops, potty seat covers for public restrooms..."
"Why not just bring the whole toilet?" Ianto asks.
"Owen likes to be read to. Do you know Dr. Seuss...?"
"Not personally." Ianto can't help himself, an eyebrow rising as her scowl deepens.
"Do you have a word limit you need to hit every day or can I finish?" Gwen asks with syrupy sweetness.
This silences Ianto. Gwen hands him a Post It. "Here's their schedule for this afternoon. I'll meet you at the park at five. All I ask is that they're alive when I get there."
A beat.
Then Ianto gives a dry "Thank you." And scoops up the parenting paraphernalia.
Gwen gives a drier "Thank you." And walks out the door.