Zane thinks Felicia is unlike herself. She has the feeling that something weird will happen in Bay City tonight.
Carl wants a former prison mate [a young man by the name of Terry] to do something illegal for him. Terry is wildly reluctant.
Cass has been selected as Donna's escort. Cass: well well well Donna you've outdone yourself. Donna: well thank you Cass. You've met Victoria? Cass: yes, just now. Donna: she's going to be riding to the gala with us, she's meeting her escort there. Victoria [who is decked out in the second best gown, with white lips, shiny eyes, and her hair all stuck up down the middle]: yeah, I hate blind dates. Cass: I know what you mean, kid. They are almost as bad as business dates. Donna: now Cass, don't be unkind. Victoria's escort is from a wonderful family, the Spires have been pillars of this community for YEARS. Cass: oh, my. have you ever dated a pillar before? Victoria: not one named Ronald. Donna: you two, now you hush. Let's go. Donna and Cass went on ahead while Bridget detained Vic to ask her to stay home in case Jake and Marley come back. More than that she thinks she should rush to Lassiter to straighten things out.
Marley had difficulty negotiating the window.
The Corys are preparing to go to the gala. "My goodness don't we all look swell." They are determined to keep Carl away from Nancy. Chris has been detained. Nancy wanted to wait at home but the Corys refused to allow it. Nancy gave in with bad grace.
Vicky told Bridget to go herself. Bridget was firm. She told her to tell Donna a school chum had died in Galesburg and she had to go. Vic's determined to go to the gala for Donna's sake. Victoria agreed to come home if Jake called.
Marley was forcibly detained. Jake fell.
Terry tried to reason with Carl. Carl blackmailed him into submission. Terry called him a bum. Carl called HIM a cream faced loon. [So the honours were about even THERE.] He gave him photographs of the Egyptian thingies he wanted stolen from Donna's house and Chris's bedroom. "it's what they call a piece of cake, mate." Carl whistled a happy tune.
Felicia is straightening Zane's straight tie. Apparently this is something nervous women do to their men [Felicia didn't know what to call him but finally plumped for "my old man"]. "Do you know that Cass is bringing Donna Love? Now that's a match made in purgatory." "oh now it'll be good for Cass, it'll be a growing experience." Peter's bringing Brittany. Felicia just knows everyone will have a miserable time. It's 8:00 but Felicia explained to Zane that it's gauche to arrive on time. Enter Wallingford. "Hi guys. Where is everybody?"
Raoul: her husband went to pick up his tuxedo. He took the kid with him. Daphne: maybe they'll be gone until we leave with Sally. Raoul: from your mouth to God's ear. Daphne: what? Raoul: never mind. [Enter Catlin in raving high spirits.] Oh it's you. Catlin: try to control yourself, Raoul, I know we just made your day. Kevin: what kind of name is Raoul? Catlin: Raoul? That's the kind of name you use when your real name's RALPH. [Catlin doesn't like Raoul.] Raoul: get him AWAY from here. Daphne: Mr. Ewing, I know you must feel we've invaded your house. Catlin: oh, it's alright. Daphne: but this is a big night for Sally and of course for you. Catlin: of COURSE. Where is Sally? Daphne: she's putting on her dress. Kevin: you mean the big shiny one? Daphne: yes, that's right. And then Raoul and I will take Sally and be out of your way. Catlin: wait a minute. You're going to take her? Daphne: didn't she tell you? Caitlin: no, I thought we'd go together. Daphne: well but she must rehearse her speech. Catlin: yeah, I worked on that with her. Daphne: it's still not good. And besides, our limo will keep her dress from getting crashed. Catlin: crashed? Daphne: yes. Besides, Lesoleil woman must look her best at all times. [Enter Sally.] Sally: hi. Kevin: wow, Sally, you look like a MOVIE STAR. Sally: thank you. What do you think? Catlin: you're a knockout. Raoul: if you TOUCH her I'll KILL myself. Catlin: just the incentive I needed. Sally: oof. Kissing. Daphne: REMEMBER, REMEMBER, you must stay very straight and when you're photographed just turn your head slightly to the left. I think that's your best side. Raoul could you try to emphasize her cheekbones a bit? Raoul: if she doesn't kiss everything in sight [I don't doubt he shot a malevolent glance at Catlin]. Catlin: SHE'S NOT A PRIZE HEIFER, you know. Sally: honey it's alright. Daphne: well I think we should be leaving. We'll work on the speech in the limo. Could you finish her makeup there? Raoul: it'll be a pleasure. [Sally bade Kevin goodbye and kissed him.] I can't BELIEVE what I'm seeing. Sally merely laughed and was dragged out with Daphne and Raoul, calling "goodnight sweetie" and "see you later, handsome." [Why on earth can't Catlin go in the limo?]
Marley got hysterical. Ned sent Oz to see if McKinnon were all right "SO I CAN BUST HIM UP MYSELF." He has a score to settle with Victoria.
Edouard is being stored in a room with a special mirror for spying on the party. He was much distressed to see Zane but Michaud was encouraging. He went to mingle.
The Cory party arrived. Carl arrived. Much consternation. Ada wanted to move off. Rachel: no. We're not moving. We are not afraid of him. Ada: I am. Felicia was put out. She wants Carl thrown out. She sent Zane to get security. Carl kept on with unflagging cheerfulness but removed himself to the door to annoy Donna and Victoria. Carl has a legit invite from Daphne so he won't be bounced.
Marley kept on hysterical. Ned said she'd changed her style. She used to be trashy but now she's softer. Marley began to be Victoria. Oz came up to say Jake was gone. There is a fire. Ned tried to make away with Marley.
Victoria told Ronald the story of her life. He excused himself "hold that thought." "Hold that fire ... WHAT A JERK." Donna was shocked. She doesn't know what Daphne was thinking of. She made Victoria promise not to talk to Carl. Enter Cass. Cass: listen, nobody's dancing. Maybe we should get things started here. Donna: it would be difficult to dance with a cobra in the room. Cass: yes, carls a real party brightener, isn't he? Donna: Daphne invited him. Cass: Daphne's a real fun girl. Afterwards we are all invited over to her place to listen to some Mahler. Donna: Cass, I'm not taking this lightly. Cass: DONNA, I can't think of any other way to take it.
Ronald told Victoria he'd heard Mick and Jerry would be there. Vic: you mean you didn't see them? Ronald: what? Vic: they were here already. They left. Ronald: they LEFT? I missed them. Vic: well with the new baby and all they tried to turn in a little bit early. Ronald: Victoria — you wouldn't be putting me on, would you? Vic: now why in heaven would I do THAT, DON?
The police are on their way. Marley took fits. There were cries of "ARSON". Ned yelled a lot. Marley called for Jake. Miraculously his voice came out of the billowing smoke "MARLEY. MARLEY I CAN'T SEE YOU." A lot of coughing. They found each other. Jake has taken a leaf out of Catlin's book and created a lot of smoke. He remembered how well it worked at the Plains Motel. Marley told Jake she'd had the situation under control. "So I didn't need the cavalry running in here trying to burn down the house." "Don't you EVER do anything like that again. Do you understand me?" "Jake, I don't really see how my actions are any concern of yours. Ever."
Ronald startled Nancy. He asked about Victoria. Nancy: she's OK I guess. Ron: I don't like her either. She doesn't really listen. Nancy wants to sit with her mom. "Muffy said you were getting weird." Nancy went to Ada. Ada raved about Carl.
Donna's in a state. Victoria's soothing. Donna said if Marley weren't back by Monday she'd make Vic confess.
Nancy called Chris. He's going to be later than he thought. Ron wandered up and observed that it has not been what he termed a happy phone call. He offered her champagne and some pills. She refused. He clucked over her "pedestrian spirit."
Rachel wants to dump linguine and clam sauce on Carl.
Brittany: who is that man sitting over there all by himself? Peter: his name is CARL HUTCHINS. Brittany: wait a minute, how do you know that? You didn't even turn around to look. Peter: he's the only man sitting alone here. No one else here would be sitting with him. He explained that Carl had hurt a lot of people including his family. Britt and Peter are getting along swimmingly.
Ronald has abandoned Vic to the wolves. She's dancing with Cass but decided Donna would like it if she looked for Ron. She was waylaid by Carl.
Cass cut in on Peter and Britt. Peter called him Winnie and dispersed. Cass asked Britt about why she was in Bay City and what she'd been doing. She told him about deafness and drug busting and Cass must be the one Bay Citizen who never reads the papers because he scoffed. She then said actually she was there for a man.
Catlin stomped back up to the cabin [scaring the wits out of the babysitter] after traveling a short distance down the lane and getting a flat tire. He has to fix it and make Sally's speech.
Sally's not allowed her notes and she's upset because Catlin's not there. Michaud told her how perfectly lovely she was. Felicia was supportive. She wanted to chat to Daphne about Carl but Daphne hustled Sally off to Raoul.
Donna rescued Victoria from Carl 's clutches. She told Carl to stay away from her girls. "You're like a big sister to me too, Bella." Exit Donna. "Poor Bella. I'm always one step ahead of her."
What I take to be Terry breaking into the Loves'.
The police aren't on the way. They [Marley and Jake] happened to be across the street from the hospital and they got lucky with an ambulance siren. She's going to the police station to tell all. Jake told her he loved her.