Beyond the Mask

1

Charlotte... there are things

you couldn't have known.

It would be difficult for you to grasp

the depths to which I had fallen,

or the guilt that plagued me,

without grasping the scale of this monster

called the East India Company.

In their greed and avarice,

they had flung their empire of destruction

around the globe.

In time, there was investigation,

and finally, there was this report.

It had a lot to say about Charles Kemp

and, I'm afraid,

made mention of me as well.

Delivering this report to you the moment

you are ready to receive me again

will be my last job.

I live only to be worthy

of your respect.

Steady as she goes!

- Hold the course.

- Yes, sir.

Call the shot, Mr. Brand.

One last time.

Speed, three knots.

On my mark. Fire.

- Gentlemen of the board.

- Fire.

It's good to be back in London.

I am pleased to report that our operations

in India continue to be profitable.

And yet, I have a feeling that our

interests in the American colonies

could match or even exceed

our revenues from India.

Provided, of course...

that we can keep Parliament

from meddling in our affairs.

Even as we meet,

my team is intercepting the final report

of Parliament's investigation

of our business practices in India.

My men are replacing

the official report with an altered copy

which, I can assure you, will read

quite differently from the original.

- Oh! He's dead!

- Hey!

- Sound the alarm!

- Time to go!

Gentlemen, I assure you,

you may trust in my discretion.

Nothing, and no one

will stand in our way.

William.

In the 14 years that I have known you,

you have never let me down.

Not once.

You are a treasure to me.

- Thank you, sir.

- What is this?

Oh, yes, very fine!

Very much like my own.

Yes.

So, then, you are what?

One week back in England, and already

carrying yourself like a gentleman.

Well, in as much as I'll have the title

and lands that you've promised me,

I thought I should make a start.

I hope I'm not too eager in following

in your footsteps.

Oh, my dear boy, have I... Have I not

impressed upon you the opportunities

that could await you in the Americas?

And think of it, that vast hinterland

and those 13 squabbling colonies,

all ripe for the picking.

- Have I not done all that you've asked?

- You have.

- All that was required.

- All.

I've made my fortune...

And you have made your fortune

doing exactly what I asked you to do.

And you are the man

that I need there in the Americas.

I'm done.

I'm ready to put this

behind me, as you did.

I will triple the offer

I have made to you.

Already the Company

owes me over 10,000.

And I have your promise of a new name.

My heart is set on other things.

You mean that?

Yes.

It's set. 10-second timer

once you pull the cord.

You heard what he said.

10 seconds. Don't waste it.

And make sure he's dead

before you jump. Go.

Good luck, Will. Safe travels.

Driver! Hey! Wait!

Stop your carriage!

Driver! Hey!

Wait! Your carriage is on fire!

In that moment, I knew my guilt

had come to pay me out.

Give me your hand! Jump!

- Get back!

- Now!

On him... will fall the full burden

of the accusations.

All of the vilifications that will

have been aimed at the company.

Tomorrow, in your newspapers,

gentlemen, you will be shocked

to learn of the rogue activities

of that infamous scoundrel,

the late William Reynolds.

Sorry about that.

You would be a vicar.

I had wanted a new name.

Now, I had it.

This wasn't my idea, but...

there was a sense of divine justice,

that an assassin like me

should be forced to live

a vicar's life.

By my word.

I will avenge us both for this.

Sir?

Oh, Lord.

Brent! Wake Jeremiah!

Sir. Sir.

I do hope he hasn't contracted

any of those lake diseases.

- Indeed, Mrs. Witherspoon.

- I understand they're quite dreadful.

- Will he recover, Doctor?

- I think so, Mrs. Holloway.

Oh, I hope it's not going

to hinder his preaching.

Anything would be better though

than the last vicar.

He faithfully preached

the worst sermons I have ever heard.

- Give him rest and quiet.

- Thank you.

Reverend?

It's good to see you awake.

The newspapers are full of your story.

Apparently, you were the last victim of

a rogue who did terrible things in India.

His name was William Reynolds.

Seemed to be a very brutal man.

A miracle that you survived.

Becoming a vicar hadn't turned out

so bad after all.

You had believed my story, and...

now Reynolds was dead.

There was an untouched innocence

and a beauty about the place

that was very attractive.

- The kitchen's well stocked...

- I reasoned that my revenge could wait...

while I explored

where this path might lead.

That tattoo.

East India Company?

I've seen it before.

On slave traders, mainly.

Mrs. Holloway knows.

A friend contacted a family for me

after Mr. Holloway died.

I needed out.

And they needed me.

The whole town is talking

about your arrival.

We should hurry on over to the church

or we'll be late for your first sermon.

My sermon?

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

- Today's homily is...

Near, and... dear,

to, I am sure, many of you.

Let's all stand.

Thank you. You may be seated.

I apologize. I...

can't read my own writing sometimes.

Burn it! Burn it all!

Come on, Will.

Pull yourself together.

Reverend.

Are you well?

Yes. Why are you here?

My mother asked me

to make sure you come to supper.

She had her doubts you would.

Will you join us?

Yes. Yes, of course I will.

And so, the days stretched into weeks.

When I was with you, Charlotte,

the darkness seemed further away.

We're all very fond of you,

as I hope you know.

"We"?

Oh, yes, my mother is happy

that you're here.

Yes, I see.

And you?

Who else would be my walking companion?

So, you saved me from drowning

to be your walking companion?

Why else?

Because you're kind.

- You're compassionate, you're virtuous...

- Stop. Please, I do not deserve such talk.

Charlotte, I feel as if I...

I have a new life here.

It's a life you made possible.

Only God can give us new lives.

God did not drag me from this pond.

How can we know the ways of God?

Five minutes sooner

or five minutes later,

everything might have been different.

That is the mystery of it.

What do you feel, Mr. Walters?

I feel as if I can trust you

with my life.

I've never felt such a thing before.

If that is providence, or fate,

whatever you would call it, then...

then I will accept it.

"If"?

What am I to think of a vicar who seems

so unsure of what he believes?

Charlotte, I'm...

I'm speaking to you truthfully.

From my heart.

Oh, this is terribly confusing.

Steven, I have an uncle

who is coming at Christmas.

He's traveling to America

and he's invited me to go with him.

And you've agreed?

Well, I'm hard pressed to say no.

My mother believes it'll be

a great experience for me.

But to leave Adlesbury...

What reason do I have to stay?

Would you like me to give you a reason?

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