Sep. 1974 – Boca Grande

Continuous Steadicam: late afternoon at the Women’s Clinic where Charlotte volunteers. She ushers out the last client, locks the door and heads down the hallway and into the ladies’ room. As she does something off-camera (removes her tampon), an explosion rocks the building. Dust and tiles fall from the ceiling. She drops the tampon and pulls up her underwear. The shot continues as she walks back down the hallway and into waiting room where the bomb exploded. Complete devastation. Charlotte turns and looks behind her. There is a trail of blood leading back to the ladies’ room.

CHARLOTTE (O.S.) “I had a baby last year. Right after I left Warren.”

Later that evening, in Grace’s living room, Charlotte is still covered in tear-streaked dust. She is finally ready to talk about the outcome of her pregnancy. It was Leonard’s baby, a girl. Charlotte delivered her at the Oschner Clinic in New Orleans.

Jul. 1973 – New Orleans

In her hospital bed, Charlotte holds the tiny newborn and explains to Leonard that she was born hydrocephalic, and devoid of liver function. The doctors said she would not survive the day, but it’s been three days and she’s still alive. Leonard says he’s sorry, then proceeds to say every wrong thing possible. “I told them not to let you see it.” “We should just leave it here.” Charlotte tells him to fuck off.

Jul. 1973 – Mérida, Mexico

Charlotte takes the baby shopping at a convenience store. In VO, she explains to Grace that she took the baby against medical advice. She does her best to make the baby comfortable, she promises to take her to Calcutta and to Tivoli. But soon the baby is screaming constantly. She calls Ochsner, but they are no help. She takes the baby to the hospital in a taxi. It’s not use. As she stands in a room, trying not to stare at the tiny white bundle on the metal table, the doctor fills out the death certificate: “Causa de la Muerte: Complicaciones.” Charlotte asks: “Complications of what?” He shrugs. “Complications of dying.” Then he asks for the baby’s name. “Charlotte,” she says. He nods. ”Carlota,” and writes it on the clipboard. The doctor says his brother is a mortician. “He’s very good with children.”

The mortician is proud of his work. He insists that Charlotte look at the baby, even though she doesn’t want to. Charlotte focuses on the baby’s tiny red patent-leather shoes. She looks away.

As rain pours down, Charlotte calls Leonard on a payphone and tells him the baby is dead. She tells him about the red shoes. He tells her it’s over; she never should have seen it; she needs to forget it. She hangs up and walks away.

Sep. 1974 – Boca Grande

Charlotte sighs, her story finished. Grace hugs her tightly as she collapses into tears. GRACE VO: “The explosion at the birth control clinic was loud enough for even Charlotte to hear. And feel. It stirred her to speak about her most private pain. But she still didn’t hear the harmonic tremor.”

“SMILING FACES” by THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH plays over the following:

A bank manager hands Antonio a stack of cash which goes into a manila envelope. At the Jockey Club, Gerardo and Charlotte have dinner. Antonio enters and drops the envelope on their table.

GRACE VO: “As the transition gets closer, the harmonic tremor amplifies.” Grace explains the details of the game -- the importance of money, the crucial role that the guerrillas play, and the ultimate goal: The Ministry of Defense -- as we see Gerardo and Charlotte leave the restaurant, a pickup truck driven by Bebe Chicago passes, Gerardo tosses the envelope the into the pickup’s open passenger window.

In the jungle, the pickup pulls into the rebel’s camp. The cargo bed is loaded now and covered with a tarp. The rebel leader, a Black Latina named Quintana, and her lieutenants approach the truck as Bebe Chicago removes the tarp with a flourish. The bed is loaded with weapons.

GRACE (V.O.): “The guerrillas believe that they are playing for themselves, but they are usually just a diversion, a disruptive element to make the current government look weak. A violent uprising that can then be conveniently ‘quelled’ by the new, incoming ‘stronger leadership.’” As the guerrillas grab the weapons, Bebe Chicago tries to secretly slip the envelope of cash to Quintana. She takes it, but immediately calls over her treasurer and gives it to him. Bebe is perplexed.

Later, Quintana tests an M16 by shooting up a photo of Victor. Bebe Chicago and the guerrillas cheer. She quiets them, “Victor Strasser-Mendana is a distraction. He will scuttle away like a cockroach long before our work is done. Killing him would be a waste of bullets.” Again, Bebe is confused, but the rebels nod. The Quintana holds up the M16. “Real change starts with this,” then she points to her temple, “but it also takes this,” she places a fist over her heart, “and this.” The guerillas mimic her actions -- a ritual. Bebe Chicago’s expression says this one is different.

Leonard Arrives in Boca Grande

He tells Charlotte that he’s found Marin and she’s okay. Charlotte seems disappointed. He tells her that Warren died the week before. No one came to the funeral except Porter and six FBI agents. Boca Grande has become dangerous and it’s time to leave. Charlotte responds that she’s been walking away from places all her life and she’s not walking away from here.

“You have to pick the places you don’t walk away from. This isn’t one of those places. It’s the wrong place, Charlotte.”

Leonard visits Grace at her house. He tells her to get Charlotte out. Grace says the transition could be smooth. Leonard says he knows that it won’t be. In fact, it will be a clusterfuck. Then he tells her that he knew Edgar. He says they did some business together in ’59. A chill runs down Grace’s spine. “He gave me an emerald,” Leonard says, “I held onto it for a few years, then gave it to Charlotte when I asked her to marry me.” Grace realizes what “operation” Edgar paid Leonard for in 1959. It was the assassination of Luis. Grace’s mind reels as she realizes that Edgar had his own brother assassinated, that he played the same games that Victor, Antonio and Gerardo play. She asks Leonard if he is familiar with Boca Grande estate law.

Later that night, Grace sits alone in the dark, drinking whiskey, as a message repeats on the radio, alternating in English and Spanish: “Your attention please, ladies, gentlemen of The Republic of Boca Grande. Please be aware that terrorists, spies and saboteurs are subject to the death penalty. Looters will be shot on sight. Thank you and please enjoy your day. Su atención por favor, damas, caballeros de la República de Boca Grande...”

CUT TO BLACK.

END OF EPISODE.

Photos are intended to represent approximate ages and physical types only.

No actors are involved with, or attached to this project at this time.