31 Plays in 31 Days, #25 - “Baby Swann”

[breakinglight11]

Something from probably episode 8 of the Mrs. Hawking series. This would be after Mary and Arthur return to England, which I don’t think would happen until the second episode of the third trilogy— they need to spend some time apart to make the separation initiated in part 6 real. But by that point Mary will have a baby, and Nathaniel will finally get to meet her. I picture him as a big softy who likes kids, so I thought it would make for a sweet scene.

He’s also been a dad as long as we the audience have known him. His “young dad” aspect was inspired I think by the movie Willow, where the hero becomes the hero not because he’s a bold adventurer, but because the challenge involves caring for an infant and as a young father he knows how to do that. Nathaniel’s kids are in their teens at this point, so he can reassure Mary about parenthood from experience. I think that’s a nice way to manifest their very sweet friendship, which is one of my favorite parts of the series. I really like writing them as a platonic pair who love each other intensely.



Day #25 - “Baby Swann”
From the Mrs. Hawking series
By Phoebe Roberts
~~~

MARY SWANN, a society avenger, early thirties
NATHANIEL HAWKING, Mrs. Hawking’s gentlemen nephew and assistant, mid-thirties

London, England, 1891
~~~

NATHANIEL: And now… there’s someone who’s acquaintance I’ve been dying to make.

(MARY smiles. She goes to a cradle and picks up her swaddled baby.)

NATHANIEL: Oh, Mary, my girl. She's perfect. May I?

(NATHANIEL carefully takes her into his arms.)

NATHANIEL: There she is. Pleasure to meet you, darling. I'm your Uncle Nathaniel. Oh, my dear, I do believe I'm in love.

(Pause.)

NATHANIEL: I remember when mine were this small. I was afraid I might break them. But they're tougher than they look. Aren't you, my dear? Of course you are.

MARY: I never knew how fond you are of babies.

NATHANIEL: Oh, very much so. I'd have had a houseful— if Clara hadn't rather thoroughly laid down the law on that.

(Pause.)

NATHANIEL: I confess— I was surprised at her name.

MARY: Were you really?

NATHANIEL: A bit. I can’t lie.

MARY: It felt like the right thing. A bit of my old life, I suppose, as I worked to build my new.

NATHANIEL: Has it been hard? Looking after a baby, with all you do?

MARY: Sometimes. But we've had help. There were plenty of girls in the embassy, and many of the older ladies and gentlemen like to have a little one around. But I am away a great deal.

(Pause.)

MARY: I worry it's too much.

NATHANIEL: Oh, Mary.

MARY: Some days she doesn’t see either one of us except for a few moments first thing in the morning. I think she’s sorry every time it’s me who picks her up, and not the in-between maid we have in.

NATHANIEL: My friend, there was a time when Beatrice wouldn't even look at me. And she'd cry if Clara tried to hold her. We're fairly certain she thought Madge was her mother until she was five or so.

MARY: Oh, listen to you. Of course you were all raised by nannies.

NATHANIEL: Here, now— I’ll not hear a word against Miss Stanhope. She was my first true love, I’ll have you know.

MARY: Oh, dear God. There’s a ringing endorsement.

NATHANIEL: I’d tell you Justin’s terrible joke about Englishmen and their nannies, but it’s not for the ears of such sweet ladies. Nor would it much allay your fears.

MARY: No offense intended, Nathaniel, but I don’t mean to only see my daughter an hour a day after teatime.

NATHANIEL: Yes, whether we needed that hour or not. But I’ve no worries for you, Mary. I’ve found over the years you could do anything you ever set your mind to. This will be no different.

MARY: Do you really think so?

NATHANIEL: Heroes do impossible things all the time.