Mac attempted to put out the tree with his jacket. There was a lot of screaming and needless rushing about. The womenfolk had to be forcibly removed from the building by such menfolk as were not attempting to quench the blaze.
Nancy daydreamed about Tony.
Catlin made a fool of himself with Brittany while they waited for the verdict at the courthouse with all of his talk about Montana and happily-ever-afters. They think she'll be acquitted. He called Peter a jerk to his face. Peggy assured Peter that Catlin had no reason to be so confident. The foreperson sent a slip of paper with the verdict up to the judge. Just as she was about to give it the press burst in at its most unruly. The judge demanded order.
Sara assured Nancy that this was just like the movies. Nancy elaborated on her feelings. [If Sara says "it was just like the movies" one more time I will go crazy.] They heard on the news that there was a major fire at the Northwoods Inn and people were advised to stay away. Nancy lost her head and got Sara to cover for her so she could be burned to death with her family.
Women stood outside and screamed. Rachel took charge of some woman and told her firmly her husband wouldn't die. [I thought everyone was overreacting.] Mac and Jamie and Tony and Mitch worked to save the Inn. Everyone was brought out, except Mac, who had fallen down unconscious when the hysterical woman's husband had shoved him out of the way and so did not hear Mitch when he called through the smoke to see if anyone remained. Mitch did not see him because of the smoke, natch.
Order was restored. The foreperson read the verdict: GUILTY. [I cheered.] Zack told Brittany they would appeal. Brittany looked stricken as they polled the jury. She wept and said she wanted to see her baby.
All of the hysterical women were reunited with their husbands — except Rachel. Mitch dashed inside to get Mac. Rachel was worried about Mac. (She didn't know Mitch had gone after him.) Mac came to.
Zack attempted to reassure Brittany. The judge said he was ready to pronounce sentence. He explained he could give her up to 25 years, but in view of the baby he gave her 5 years with recommendation of parole after 2 years. As Brittany left the court she spat on Peter.
Ambulances galore. Mitch helped Mac out [against Mac's will, I might add].
They locked Brittany up again, although she insisted she was innocent the while. Zack assured her he'd find some basis of appeal. Catlin promised it would be all right. He told her not to give up.
Peter and Reginald assembled at Tops for a drink. [It's not open yet, of course.] That Old Carrot told him what a jerk he was and warned him to be more careful about his women. Lo and behold, Peggy came up in the elevator as Reginald left.
Rachel was relieved to see Mac alive.
Peggy told Peter his father had invited he. He told her that he never seemed to be able to please his father. She advised him not to let it get to him. She said he wouldn't be happy if he did win his father's approval. Peter confessed he was after the money and power. She said she thought he was putting up a front to protect himself. He offered to let her get to know him. She told him she always got depressed after she won a case. She feels badly for the defendant. He assured her Brittany was guilty.
Michael was relieved to see Victoria alive. She told him Jamie had saved her life. Michael thanked him emotionally. Jamie went off with Nancy. Tony appeared just after Nancy had gone, and, recognising Michael asked if he could talk to him. Michael was abnormally short with him and told him to call his office. Michael led Victoria away. Tony spotted Nancy with Jamie a little way off and tried to get her attention but his way was barred by a brace of burly firemen and Nancy didn't hear him.
Mac went out to do something.
Michael looked after Victoria. Reginald appeared and tried to outdo him in concern. Victoria explained about the fire and, trying to make light of it, said that everyone would have to go to Tops now. Michael accused Reginald of having eliminat[ed] the competition. Victoria: Michael, Grandpa didn't do anything to burn the place down. I was THERE. [Did she expect he would have struck the first match and thrown it into the tree for all to see?] Michael explained that it was possible to rig an electrical fire. Victoria told him he had not proof. Michael said the fire marshal might find something. Reginald denied everything. Victoria believed him.
Quinn took Zack to lunch. She was nice to him about Brittany. He told her he'd prove Brittany's innocence.
Nancy told Sara her mother was all right but the Northwoods Inn was gone.
Tony looked for Nancy. The firemen told him to buzz off.
Felicia was only able to book one room for her and Mitch in the hotel. Mac arrived. He apologised to Mitch for giving him a hard time. Mitch accepted. Mac thanked him for having saved his life even in the face of great temptation to let him die. Mitch took offense and ordered him out. He went to take a shower. When he came out he was cold. Felicia bundled him into bed and he fell asleep against her.