Chapter 5 - The Gems
Meanwhile, Pearl stands by the temple door, Pearl is consumed by a deep sense of sadness for Steven. and regrets not having been able to have a conversation about his granddaughter with him before he entered Rose's room. She goes and tells the Gems, who are just outside the temple on the beach, that Steven had just arrived when she was going to check up on him and Catalina.
EXT. BEACH TEMPLE - DAY
PEARL
(somber)
Catalina has passed away, and I'm worried about Steven.
Amethyst, taken aback, tries to rationalize the situation with an insensitive comment.
AMETHYST
(dismissive)
Well, she was already dying, and she was like a gazillion years old for a human. It's not like it's a surprise.
Pearl looks angry at Amethyst's response, her voice stern.
PEARL
(annoyed)
That's not appropriate, Amethyst! Show some compassion.
Garnet chimes in, disapproving of Amethyst's attitude and reiterating the need for empathy.
GARNET
(Stern)
That's a callous attitude toward our departed friend, Amethyst. We should be supporting Steven in his time of grief.
AMETHYST
(defensive)
Hey, I'm just being honest.
Pearl, still concerned, brings the focus back to Steven and the impact of the recent losses on him.
PEARL
(worried)
I'm really concerned for Steven. Another funeral to attend, And this time for Catalina, his granddaughter who was the spitting image of Connie in every way. And this comes so soon after he lost his adopted Direct male great-great-grandchild.
Amethyst questions Pearl's choice of words, trying to understand the emphasis on family relations.
AMETHYST
(curious)
Why are you mentioning Little Steven's degree of relatedness to Steven?
PEARL
(slightly annoyed)
I'm just being thorough, Amethyst. It's important to acknowledge the deep connections Steven has with his family.
Pearl then shares her regret with the others, concerned about the emotional toll on Steven.
PEARL
(regretful)
I can't help but feel guilty for letting Steven build that mausoleum for his family so close to his home. It's a constant reminder of his losses, and I worry that it's making his grief even more difficult to bear.
Pearl continues to reflect on the extensive losses Steven has experienced, with his father, his wife Connie, their four children – Lars, Rose, Tera, and little Greg Universe all in that mausoleum – and now all 12 grandchildren, as well as their spouses, buried in the surrounding graveyard.
PEARL
(sadly)
Having all of them in that mausoleum and their spouses and grandchildren buried nearby... I don't think that having that monument of death so close to his home was such a good idea anymore. It must be a constant reminder of the pain and loss he's experienced.
AMETHYST
(sympathetic)
Yeah, Pearl, you're right. It must be tough for Steven.
Garnet, thoughtful and understanding, adds her perspective.
GARNET
(serious)
It's true that having the mausoleum close to his home might be difficult for Steven. But at the time, it seemed like a way for him to feel close to Greg. We couldn't have predicted the emotional toll it would take on him in the long run.
PEARL
(sighs)
You're right, Garnet. We made the best decision we could with the information we had at the time.
Pearl Then asks Garnet about her future vision, hoping for some insight into Steven's situation.
PEARL
(pleading)
Garnet, did you see any of this happening this way?
Garnet responds with a stern expression, her eyes focused and serious.
GARNET
(firmly)
No,
Pearl's anxiety grows, prompting her to inquire further.
PEARL
(anxious)
Can you at least see anything in the short term right now? What is he doing in Rose's room?
Garnet shakes her head, her voice tinged with resignation.
GARNET
(resigned)
No, Pearl, I can't see anything right now. Steven has become quite unpredictable since he was a teen. It's been next to impossible to predict his far future, even the short term, and besides, I like it that way.
Pearl sighs and decides to take action, setting aside her worries for the moment to focus on the tasks at hand.
PEARL
(determined)
Well, I need to call Catalina's nurse, then start arranging her funeral, call her relatives, and so on. While I take care of these arrangements when I'm away, you two need to stay in the temple and wait for Steven when he leaves the room.
She warns them not to try to enter Rose's room through the basement, emphasizing the importance of respecting Steven's space.
PEARL
(stern)
Don't try to go in there through the basement. Steven clearly doesn't want our company right now, and there's no predicting what the room would conjure to keep any of us away. We must respect his privacy during this difficult time.
Amethyst and Garnet nod in understanding, acknowledging that they need to be patient and supportive while Steven grieves in his own way.