Jacob catapults himself over the threshold of Rosemary’s tent, with Celia following close behind.
Jacob
We have to go, Rosemary. It’s for your own safety.
Jacob
I know what he does to you.
Jacob
Celia — Celia explained it to me as we were running over here.
Rosemary
Who? Jacob, no one’s doing anything to me.
Jacob
Rosemary, it’s me. You don’t have to lie.
Jacob
I know Malvolio hurts you.
Rosemary starts to laugh.
Rosemary
Malvolio would never hurt me.
Jacob
But he’s your husband and we heard that your husband —
Rosemary’s voice cracks like a whip, cutting Jacob off.
She glares at Jacob with her seeing eye,
But in the next moment, her face transforms — it softens.
Rosemary
Oh, what does it matter?
Rosemary
You already know the most shameful part, so I might as well tell you another piece of the story of my life.
Rosemary’s voice goes softer, deeper.
Rosemary
Once upon a time, when I lived outside the faire…
Jacob
Rosemary, come on — just tell me.
Rosemary’s face transforms. In a matter of fact tone, her words rush out.
Rosemary
I had a husband who hit me, okay?
Jacob
Oh. Rosemary, I’m so sorry to hear that.
And without even thinking, Jacob pulls Rosemary into his arms,
Rosemary
It’s okay. It was a long time ago.
Rosemary
Malvolio saw him being abusive — right at our town faire — so he took me back here, where I’d be safe.
Rosemary
Jacob, Malvolio’s not my husband.
Inside Jacob’s chest, the seed of hope blooms.
Rosemary
No, he isn’t. But he IS very protective of me.
Rosemary
And I think that’s why he told you he was.
Jacob
Oh, Rosemary, I’m so glad. But this means —
Rosemary
Why do you look upset?
Jacob
Well, it’s about something else. About Emily’s case.
Jacob
Look, I probably shouldn’t tell you this —
Jacob
But Officer Veil is getting a warrant for your arrest.
The soothsayer takes in the information carefully, keeping her face placid.
Rosemary
And what do you propose I do?
Jacob
Well, first of all —
Jacob
I’ve got to get you out of here.
Rosemary
You’d do that for me?
Jacob
I’d do a lot of things for you.
Rosemary
Then let me gather my things.
As Rosemary hurries into her back room, Celia grabs Jacob’s arm.
In a harsh whisper, she speaks to him urgently.
Celia
I hope you know what you’re doing, Jacob Grant.
Jacob
I care about her — about Rosemary.
Celia
Well, don’t be blinded by love.
Celia
Officer Veil’s story checks out, you know.
Celia
What if Rosemary thinks she’s doing Em some kind of weird favor by forcing her to live at the faire?
Celia
And from what we heard from Chester, we KNOW that the faire’s looking for recruits.
Celia
We have to remember that everyone’s a suspect.
Jacob
Oh yeah? Including you?
Celia
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Jacob widens his eyes to feign a look of innocence.
Jacob
That you might be a suspect.
Jacob
Look, no one’s been talking about this, but —
Jacob
You and Em were acting differently in the last few months before she disappeared.
Jacob
I heard you fighting — a lot.
Jacob
Well, not what you guys said, but I know Em was mad.
Jacob
Did it make you want to ruin her life?
Celia takes a step back, throwing her hands up.
Celia
You know what, Jacob? I can’t do this anymore.
Celia
I can’t ‘play detective’ with some stupid boy who would seriously accuse me of harming Emily.
Celia
You know, you would have BLOWN that interview with Chester today.
Celia
But I was there. I stepped up. I did what I had to do because I love —
She takes a moment to swallow her tears.
Celia
Because I love your sister.
And with those final words, Celia runs off crying.
Jacob turns to see Rosemary watching them thoughtfully.
Jacob
Should we head out?
There is a pregnant pause before Rosemary speaks.
Rosemary
Yes, I guess we must.
When they get to his house, Jacob sneaks Rosemary up the magnolia tree and into his room.
After she’s settled, he goes downstairs to get some food for them.
There, at the kitchen table, he finds his mother sobbing once again.
Jacob
Another ransom note?
Mom
No honey, we just paid the first one.
Mom
Hopefully Emily will come home soon.
Mom
It’s just…I keep remembering when she was a baby, you know?
Jacob’s mother holds up Emily’s favorite stuffed animal, Zooz.
Emily carried that thing everywhere as a toddler.
Jacob
Wait — Mom, let me see Zooz.
Reluctantly, Jacob’s mother lets go of her treasured possession.
Jacob examines it closely.
Jacob
What kind of animal is this?
Mom
It’s a giraffe, honey.
Mom
Can’t you see the spots and the little horns?
Jacob
That’s what I thought — I just had to make sure of something.
Jacob
I’ve always thought of Zooz as Zooz, but I didn’t realize…
Jacob
I mean, did you ever think it was strange that Zooz had an outfit sewn onto her?
Mom
No…I always thought it made the stuffed animal different and interesting.
Jacob
Well it’s not just interesting, Mom.
Jacob
Now I know who it is. I know for certain who took Emily.
