(music) [Woman Vocalizing]
[Horse Whinnies]
- Hyah! Hyah! - (music) [Vocalizing Continues]
[Horse Whinnying]
[Woman's Voice] Dearest Belinda
Your father and I were glad to hear you're off on your journey west
though I must confess we can't help but worry about you
I know how difficult your life has been since Drew's death last year
and I wish there was more we could do to help
I hope the new start in Missouri will be just the change you're looking for
Just remember that no matter how far away you go
you will always be welcome back in Anderson Corner
Your journeys can always bring you back home
And know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers
Please write to let us know when you have safely arrived
and give our regards to Annie
Thank her for being able to stay with you for a few weeks
before she goes to her own practice
Love, Mama
Can't sleep again?
Thinking about Drew?
Yeah
I'm worried about the children in Sikeston
You're an amazing doctor
And you can take care of anyone
You and I both know that's not true
I couldn't save Drew
(music) [Vocalizing Continues]
[Horse Whinnies]
- [Bell Tolling] - [Chattering]
(music) [Continues]
[Horse Whinnies]
- [Horse Whinnies] - [Chattering]
- Ho! Ho! - [Horse Whinnies]
Morning, folks
- Welcome to Sikeston Ma'am - [Rooster Crows]
- Here - Thank you
- [Man] I'm gonna talk to her about it, see what she says - [Woman] That's a good idea
Why, it's lovely
- What is? - Sikeston
There's nothing here
Annie, what were you expecting, an opera house?
I don't know what I pictured exactly
I certainly didn't think it would be this
primitive
[Chuckles]
[Footsteps Approaching]
[Chattering]
Thank you, ma'am Thank you
I don't know who we're supposed to speak to, but...
Mayor Evans, I can't believe you'd put the interests
of those no-account orphans over the good of this town
I am doing no such thing, Ray Thank you, Cyrus
I am trying to be fair to everyone
There's no reason to believe those children are a danger to anybody
You tell that to my brother
The entire town is sorry about what happened to Carl
but you can't blame his death on the orphans
l-It could all be some terrible coincidence
Ah, you might be, uh, looking for me Please, come on in
I am Maxwell Evans, town mayor
- Belinda Simpson, the new doctor - Welcome
Well, thank you, Cyrus Uh, you can go, please Thank you
I trust you were told I was a woman
Oh, absolutely Yes Uh, but I was expecting one woman and not two
Oh This is my friend, Dr Annie Nelson
She'll be taking over as the circuit doctor for the Kansas Territory
but the position doesn't open until next month
- She'll be staying with me until then - Oh
It's a pleasure meeting you, Mayor
It's a beautiful hotel
Thank you very much Welcome to Sikeston
If you'll permit me, I'll escort you over to the clinic
and we can, uh, get you all settled in to your new home
Thank you And then I'd like to see the sick children as soon as possible
Uh, yes Of course
Right up here
Well, here we are
- This is my clinic? - Uh, yes
We have made plans to expand it
but something always seems to come up that needs tending to
You understand Uh, you're gonna want to take those inside
The living quarters are through the clinic and up the stairs
Come right over here
[Door Hinges Creak]
When was the last time you had a full-time doctor here?
Well, Doc Ross died six months ago
We've been pretty much on our own since then
Under these conditions?
Yes For 30 years
And I don't ever recall him complaining, as a matter of fact
We'll fix this place up in no time
Well, given the nature of the illness at the orphanage
I would guess that house calls might be a necessity
The children... the sick ones... have all taken to their bed
But it's not just the orphans anymore
In town, Carl Russell died two days ago
And John and Meredith Pine have come down with it as well
The sickness is spreading, Doctor, and the town is getting a little edgy
And quite frankly, so am I
Y-Your quarters are at the top of the stairs
[Horse Whinnies]
[Annie] Well, it isn't that bad
At least there's a balcony
- (music) [Woman Vocalizing] - [Chattering]
[Exhales Deeply] Do you think all frontier towns are like this?
A lot of them, yes
I knew it would be a change leaving Boston
The two of us went through three years of medical training
at Boston University without so much as a lick of help from the men
And without a woman in sight
You're gonna be fine And so am I
[Exhales]
(music) [Continues]
- Hello, Lee - Mayor
That's, uh, Lee Owens He's been the smithy here for years Here Step over here
[Birds Chirping]
Well, here we are
[Scoffs]
You aren't coming inside?
No I, uh... I have some appointments this afternoon
Um, but I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon
So if there's anything that I could do to make your stay here
in Sikeston more comfortable, you, uh...
you just let me know, all right?
Until then, good day
[Groans]
I'm sorry We're not accepting any visitors at this time
I'm not here to visit, Miss Clarence
My name is Belinda Simpson I was sent here to tend to the children
I was told we'd have a doctor
but-but I'll take a nurse
- I am a doctor - Sorry?
I'm not a nurse I'm the new doctor in Sikeston
Please come in
Follow me
[Sighs]
Pardon me Where are the children?
Oh I try to keep the healthy children outside in...
in the... the fresh air as much as possible
Ah
Ma'am
All I'm saying is something's gotta be done
Evans thinks we're just gonna stand by
and let our families suffer for the deeds of these orphans Well, we need to show him
- We need to show him who's really in charge here - Ray
You're driving away all my customers
Not my fault if these people don't want to listen to reason
Apologies, ma'am
[Birds Chirping]
We lost one just this week
Lost?
I'm not sure what this illness is called
Dr Simpson
but, uh
it's unlike any kind of influenza I've ever seen
[Exhales] On any day, this orphanage
is home to about 30 kids
When the sickness started
it hit five of my charges in the first week
- [Child Groaning] - And at the end of the month...
Three died I've got 10 sick
Hello, sweetie Dropped your doll Here you go
- Huh? - [Girl] Thank you, Miss Clarence
I've enlisted the healthy children to run the place
but... [Sighs]
I'm worried that l... I'm endangering them too
[Exhales] Lillian's the only one who will work in the ward
May I?
Oh, please
It's very nice of you to help the other children
I don't need help It's an important job
And nobody does it as good as me
I had no intention of taking your job away from you, Lillian
Good, 'cause we don't trust strangers around here
Kids need someone they know looking after them
[Child Groans]
- Quite the handful - [Chuckles]
Ah, she's something She's tenacious
but an immense help to me
Stick your tongue out for me
And what did you say the average recovery time was?
Well, there isn't one Nobody's gotten any better
[Horse Whinnies]
- You shouldn't be helping them orphans - Sorry?
I know who you are
You're here to help us, not those no-accounts spreading plague to half this town
I take it you're Ray Russell Miss Clarence warned me about you
It's me who should be warning you, Miss Simpson
- You have no idea what you're getting involved in - It's Dr Simpson
Thank you for your concern, but I can take care of myself And just so you know
I'm here to take care of everyone in this town
We're the ones pay your salary, the good God-fearing folks
who don't deserve this plight visited upon us
No one deserves to suffer, Mr. Russell
Not you, and certainly not a bunch of innocent children
Those children ain't innocents They come from beggars, liars and thieves
You cannot blame children for the misdeeds of their parents or your own
What are you talking about? I ain't done nothing wrong
You want to send children out on the prairie to die
- If you don't think that's wrong... - He causing you a problem, ma'am?
I'll ask you to stay out of this matter, Lee This ain't none of your concern
Ray, you got no business bothering the doctor
She's just trying to do her job, just like other folks
Let God help the unfortunates You're here to help us
- [Man] Howdy, Jasper - Hey How are you?
That's not very Christian of you, is it, Ray?
You have quite the welcoming committee in Sikeston
Please, don't judge the rest of us on Ray Russell
Oh Where's my manners? Lee Owens Blacksmith
Belinda Simpson But I have a feeling you already know that
Well, it's a small town News travels fast...
especially when the mayor hires a woman doctor
- You got quite the temper, ma'am - I think it's unfair to attack children
You don't need to convince me I don't hold much with the witch hunt myself
Do you think you could point me in the right direction to the Pines' residence, please?
Well, it's a little late in the day
and I get the feeling you haven't had a chance to settle in yet
Why don't you turn in? I'll take you there first thing in the mornin'
Very well then First thing tomorrow I'll be over at the clinic
I know the way
- Evenin', Doc - Thank you, Mr. Owens You as well
Hard first day?
I'm sorry I hope you haven't been waiting for me this whole time
I went down to the general store to get supplies
From what I heard people saying, I figured it'd be a while
And I thought you might be hungry, so I saved you a plate from supper
Thank you
So, what'd you hear?
Plague of God
Some sort of influenza
Annie, I think I know what it is
When I was little in the tenements of New York
it would burn through the houses every summer
and by July, someone in each family was sick
More died than survived
I think it might be cholera
We'll get through this together
You know
the old Belinda would have said
that it was divine providence that I was here to help her
That was before I knew the truth
We can pray all we want, but no one's listening
No God saved Drew as he lay dying in bed
All we have in this world are ourselves
[Chattering]
Start talking to the townspeople
We need to figure out where this thing started and how it got spread
Where are you headed?
I'm gonna go and give the mayor my diagnosis
and then I've gotta go see John and Meredith Pine
[No Audible Dialogue]
- Good luck - You too We'll both need it
I'm sorry to interrupt, Mayor, but I was told I could find you here
Well, I'm in the middle of my breakfast
If you'd like to meet me in my office in a while, we can have a chat
I have a very busy day ahead of me, sir
and I was hoping I could speak to you now
All right, Doctor What's on your mind?
It's about the sickness at the orphanage
I don't believe it's influenza, sir I think it's cholera
[Whispers] Keep your voice down Besides, that's not possible
I have read about this
and this disease is a disease of poverty and the unclean
And here in town we are very proud of our civic improvements
No one is exactly sure how the disease is spread
That's one of the difficulties in fighting it
Well, what about a vaccine?
I've also read that they're making strides against smallpox using vaccines
Unless we know what causes the disease, we can't invent a vaccine
- Then how do you cure it? - There isn't a cure
Then I suggest you find one, Doctor
"Cholera is a disease of the unclean"
I wasn't aware you attended medical school, Mayor Evans
Seems like I was right about your temper, Doc
I'm just so frustrated, and these people...
Watch yourself now These people are also my people
Except you don't support making poor, defenseless orphans homeless as well
True But it wouldn't hurt to understand why they might want to do something like that
I don't care how frightened I was I would never endanger the lives of children
Maybe so But if you understand why they're afraid
well, that might help you get your point across
You're probably right
- Are you here to take me to see the Pines, Mr. Owens? - Yes, ma'am
Well, thank you for your kindness, Mr. Owens I'm finding it's a rarity in this town
Aw, give us a chance, Doc
You might find that Sikeston can be a very welcoming town
Mrs. Pine This is Dr Belinda Simpson She's here to help
Thank you for coming
- Give my best to John, will ya? - Will do Thank you, Mr. Owens
Have a good day, ladies
- Are you feeling better? - I'm sorry?
I was told that you and your husband came down with the same sickness as the children
- I'm actually quite relieved someone's recovering - I'm not sick at all, ma'am
It's my husband and daughter They fell ill almost a week ago
Ella, you said the doctor was coming
Who's this?
I am the doctor, Mr. Pine I'm here to take care of you
I already got a woman to take care of me I need... I need a real doctor
Please, John just let Dr Simpson take a look at you
He's been like this for days
He can't even stand for a few minutes at a time
Neither one of them can keep anything down
Is it the same sickness as those orphans?
I think so I believe it's cholera
- Cholera? - Please Keep it down
- I don't want to upset your husband or Meredith - Oh, my Lord
John and Meredith are all I have in this world
Are they gonna die?
I'm gonna do everything I can
I need you to keep cold compresses on their foreheads
to get the fever down, and keep them resting
And give them as much water as you can
I'll be back to check on them tomorrow
Thank you, Doctor
[Sighs]
[Chattering]
I don't understand Are you the doctor, or aren't ya?
I'm a doctor, but I'm here to help Dr Simpson
You and your friend need to stop asking so many questions...
especially around the hotel
Sikeston's a town on the grow We can't afford talk like this
No What you can't afford is to ignore the problem
Things like this orphan sickness...
I've seen them turn boomtowns into ghost towns in a matter of months
We know what the problems is Now, if you'll excuse me, miss
[Exhales Sharply]
[Children Laughing In Distance]
- [Girl] Stop it We're gonna get caught - Okay
[Knife Thuds]
Looks like you could use some more help
Seems like you've got a big enough job on your own
Don't be needing to take on other chores
Besides, making a stew for 30 kids
is a lot harder than baking a cake for a husband
I've done my fair share of kitchen duty
Watching your servants do the work ain't the same thing as doing it yourself
I can tell rich folks when I see 'em
Educated doesn't necessarily mean rich
Actually, you and I have a lot in common
- I grew up in an orphanage too - Right
It's true
Too many kids, not nearly enough food
They pay for your fancy schoolin'?
I never heard of an orphan becoming a doctor before
That's because I was lucky enough
to be adopted by a wonderful family when I was 14
But I wouldn't be who I was today if I hadn't grown up the way I did
We all have our sorrows
[Sighs]
If you want to make yourself useful, I could use some more water for the pot
The pump's in the yard
Lillian's got me doing manual labor
[Laughs]
- Spirited girl - [Chuckles]
What made her so wounded?
Her father was killed on the railroad
Lillian was five years old
when her mother couldn't take care of her anymore
She told Lillian that her father had gotten the job just to support her...
that she was the reason for the misery in the family
Just what a child needs to hear
She doesn't talk much about it
If you press hard, she lashes back
She's been known to have... [Chuckles]
A couple of pretty good tantrums now and then
- And you condone that behavior? - No Certainly not
But try as you might to cage the lioness, she will find a way to roar
[Chuckles] And, uh, speaking of which
I heard about your little run-in with Ray Russell
It was out of line
I had no right to speak to him that way
And I'd do it again
I know the town is afraid
I'm just as scared as anybody else
But l... I don't understand how they can
- use God to justify what they want to do - I do
When science can't explain something, people turn to superstition
to... to comfort them, give order to their lives
Surely you don't believe
God is a superstition
- I believe what I can see - But you're in the field of medicine
They've just now discovered germs We know the children are sick
We know a germ caused it
but we all agree that we can't see it
but we know it's there
Just as we... we
can't see God, but we can see the effect of him in the world
It's hardly the same thing
And with microscopes, you can see bacteria
Perhaps you haven't had the opportunity to know God
If you read the Bible...
I've read the Bible, Miss Clarence
and my family was very religious
My views were formed by my own experiences, and they are not up for discussion
You're entitled to your beliefs, Doctor
as are the rest of us
[Belinda's Voice] Dear Mama, I've been in Sikeston for a little more than a day
and I already wonder if I've done the right thing in coming here
I knew the town needed me, but things are much worse than I feared
I think the disease they believed to be influenza is actually cholera
It's a terrible situation for everyone
The disease seems to be coming from the local orphanage
and all the townspeople want to do is send these poor children out on the street
They're selfish They don't care about what happens to the kids
And everyone looks to me as if I'm supposed to make it all better
The illness is bigger than me, and I'm afraid they've put too much faith in me
I'm afraid I'll let them down
Especially this one little girl Lillian
who reminds me so much of me at that age...
the person I was before you took me in
I want to help Lillian find her own way, but I can't even find my own path
I wish I could talk to you and Grandma
I wish I had your strength
Miss Clarence, this is my good friend Annie She's a doctor as well
Good Come on, come on, come on
- That's a good trick, Lillian Where'd you learn it? - I don't know
People get sick around here a lot, and nobody wants to help Miss Clarence
Just makes sense
You need to get their heads up, else the water just runs right back out
Or they choke
There you go, Katie
Very brave, helping the sick
Weren't brave, miss I just like helping people
Well, see? We have a lot in common That's why I became a doctor... to help people
- Lillian, wait - What?
You're not using the same cup with all the children, are you?
There's just me and Miss Clarence in the infirmary rooms
and the rest of the kids is busy cooking and cleaning
- You can't do that, Lillian - We ain't got time to wash dishes
- Do you know what a germ is? - No
It's what makes people sick
And if you let everyone drink out of the same cup, it spreads it around
Give me that
I've gotta find Miss Clarence
You and Belinda seem very close
Well, we've been best friends since the first day of medical school
- Oh - We kind of had to be
It was two more years before we saw another woman
- [Footsteps Approaching] - Hi
[Miss Clarence] Oh Hello
Lillian said you're using the same few dishes with all the sick children
Yes Well, there are so few healthy children
they... they can barely handle the dishes we do use
That isn't acceptable, Miss Clarence
Every child must be fed with their own dish
and those dishes need to be cleaned every single night
And certainly not handled by the healthy children, if you can help it
The children in the infirmary are already sick
I didn't think it would make any difference
By Lillian using the same cup, she's spreading the same germs to all those children
They can't be expected to get better when you continuously feed them the disease
l-l... I'm doing the best I can, Belinda
I'm not a doctor, so
tell me what you want me to do, and l... I'm happy to do it
We need to rewash every dish we can find
in the hottest water we can stand
I'll boil some water
Oh!
You needn't yell at her, Belinda
And Mrs. Clarence didn't go to medical school She doesn't know these things
- That's why we're here - I'll apologize to her later
Well, we have a restaurant's worth of dishes to do
[Carriage Approaching]
Need some help with that pail?
I've done my fair share of chores I think I can manage on my own
I'm sure you can
But just because you can manage doesn't mean you ought to
You only have yourself to rely on, Mr. Owens Best not to forget that
I thought I was the only one who made house calls
Miss Clarence is having some trouble with her gutters
Thought I'd stop by and take a look
You know, I'll just be up there for another half hour
After that, I'd love your company for lunch, if you're free
[Chuckles] Uh, I don't even know you
Well, lunch could go a long way to remedy that
Mr. Owens
I thank you for your invitation
but I'm afraid I'm much too busy
I'll be using my lunch break to do research at the clinic
Well, seems like the children are in good hands
Another time then?
[Groans]
[Lillian Sighs]
Sorry I made you sick, Katie
I swear I didn't mean it
I promise Doc Belinda's doing everything she can to make you better
I'll be right here to help her
I'll be okay, Lillian
- He's gettin' worse, isn't he? - He's fighting, Mrs. Pine
[Exhales]
- [Horse Whinnies] - [Exhales Deeply]
[Chattering]
Even the busy need to eat
You are a very persistent man, Mr. Owens
Uh, I thought I'd help you with your research
Oh, I can read So...
As you wish
Just, uh, tell me what you're looking for
Oh
Thank you
Why can't it be the food?
Because it doesn't make sense
The orphanage doesn't grow their own food It comes from the farmers
The farmers sell it to the general store
The whole town buys from Gus
And they don't have a garden?
Well, you've seen what Miss Clarence has to contend with
She doesn't have time for a garden
[Lee Clears Throat]
I should get back to the shop
Oh Thank you for your help... and lunch
Oh, you're welcome
You know, those children are lucky to have you They could use a few more defenders
Well, I grew up in an orphanage, just like them
I know what it's like to feel like you're nobody's child
I'm sorry N-Nobody deserves that
No one does
Well...
[Door Opens, Closes]
[Chattering]
[Man] What's Hattie Clarence doing in town?
- [Man #2] Make her tell us the truth, Mayor - Hattie Clarence
has the same rights as anyone else in this town
- [Woman Shouts] - [Evans] She came to me like a responsible citizen
[Man] You're supposed to be protecting this town!
- [Miss Clarence] Please try to understand We need your help - What do you think is going on?
- [All Shouting] - [Man] We gotta get some answers!
[Man #2] Take Florence Nightingale and her children back where they came from!
People, quiet down Yelling doesn't solve anything
I will address your concerns one at a time
The Malloys caught the sickness last night
The Malloys and now Betsy Donovan
And this plague is spreading, folks
Please! My children can't be responsible
I haven't let them come near town since this thing started
They haven't been anywhere near you people!
"You people"? Our taxes pay for that place, Hattie Don't you forget it
This town hasn't put 10 cents into that orphanage!
You people built it with the best of intentions
and then just left it there to rot!
All right Now don't make it personal, Hattie
This is as personal as it gets, Mayor That woman is playing with our lives
Ray, you can't blame Miss Clarence or those children for what's happening here
We don't even know what this disease is yet
We do know
Doc Simpson says it's cholera
[All Gasping]
[Chattering]
Ray
- You knew about this, and you didn't warn us? - She's doing the best she can
Well, her best doesn't seem very good, now, does it?
We need a real doctor, not some uppity spinster who wants to play pretend
Everyone, calm down
We need to give Dr Simpson enough time to do her job She needs a chance
Our families are sick, Mayor How long are we supposed to wait?
Those orphans need to be run out of town
All right Now that's it That is enough
We will have a town meeting, tomorrow night, right here, 5:00
And we will decide the fate and future of the orphanage
You heard it The mayor said it On your way then
[Crowd Chattering]
Oh, Belinda
I know how much you miss Drew
- [Rooster Crows] - [Clanging]
- [Dog Barking] - [Chattering]
What is it?
I know why the sick aren't getting any better
Cholera doesn't directly kill the body It drains it of all its fluid
and so the patient dies from dehydration, right?
[Annie] Well, that's why you've been giving them so much water
- Except for the fact that most of it keeps coming back up - Exactly So
we need to find a way to give the children so much water that their bodies retain some of it
I don't understand
The hospital at Johns Hopkins is doing an experiment...
a method called intravenous therapy
Works just like taking blood, only in reverse
You drip a fluid... usually a medication... into the body through the veins
So by injecting it directly into the bloodstream it's harder for the body to reject
We have no idea how to build something like this
I'll go to the post office and telegraph johns Hopkins
Wait Belinda, where are you going? The post office doesn't open for two hours
[Chattering]
- [Girl] You got the hang of it - [Girl #2] Yeah, I did
- Oh, do you want to learn ones that I know? - Okay
I truly think this could work
Dr William Halsted of Johns Hopkins agrees
it could be the most effective way to treat the sick
We don't have anything like this in our infirmary
Well, no one does Not yet at least
Um, it's still fairly experimental
We'd have to build each one of them on our own
Sounds expensive
Belinda, l...
We hardly make ends meet here
You're right
I'll pay for it
What? I can't ask you to do that
You're not asking me
And my father loves his causes
He'd be more than happy to give us anything that we needed
So let's make the list, and let me worry about paying for it
Well, the most important element is the rubber tubing We can start there
[Exhales] If you want more tubing, I'll have to order it from St Louis
Would you? Oh, and I need as many bottles as I can find Soda bottles would be best
[Exhales] "Sody" bottles
- Is this all right? - Perfect
Hey, Doc I'd offer to help, but I think I know what you're gonna say
You're a fast learner, Mr. Owens
[Whispers] She's spending too much time here
[Whispers] Would you mind if I took her to the clinic with me?
But if the disease is passing person to person
should she really be out there with the townspeople?
She's not sick, and neither are we
[Chattering]
[Lillian Sighs]
You sure do have a lot of books
Books are very important to me
- There's nothing useful in books - That's not true at all
I found the idea for the intravenous therapy in this very book
Besides, my mama taught me that the really good ones
can take you places you might never see otherwise
Like China or Africa or France
I thought you said you were an orphan like me
And I told you that I was very lucky to be adopted by my mama
- So she's not really your mother - Yes, she is
Family's just what you make of it
Miss Clarence is a part of your family, just like Annie is a part of mine
C... Can I be a part of your family?
- [Door Closes] - Do you ladies have the supplies ready?
We should start working on the intravenous devices
Yes, we should [Clears Throat]
[Crowd Chattering]
Oh Thank you, Cyrus Thank you very much
All right, everybody
Now, I want you to all understand that I hear your concerns
I don't think you do, Mayor We're talking about our lives here
What if sending the children away doesn't stop the disease?
It can very well spread even after the kids are gone
And then the death of innocent children will be on your hands
All right The bottom line is this
Dr Simpson is working on a new treatment
She just needs a little time to put it into place
There's plenty here who believe the time to put 'em out is long overdue
[Murmuring Assent]
All right, then We'll put it to a vote
All those in favor of giving Doc Simpson one week
to implement her new plan, say aye
And those who want to shut down the orphanage permanently
will say nay
- All those in favor? - Aye!
- All those opposed?
- Nay! - All right The ayes have it Dr Simpson
you have one week to show some improvement in those children
And we will reconvene then and take another vote
Until then, this meeting is dismissed Go on Thank you
[Sheriff] No loitering here Move along now
[Chattering]
[Crow Cawing]
- How's it comin'? - Turns out I'm not much of an inventor
Ah
Let me see what you got there
I need to fill the bottle with liquid and then
have it drip slowly through the tube
But I can't figure out how to get the opening narrow enough
Well, even if you manage to get the tube attached
how are you gonna get the liquid in once it's sealed?
I hadn't even thought of that
Hmm
I may have an idea
That'll do it
It's still a little hot Take a minute to cool down
- [Sizzles] - How did you do that?
Well, it's more involved than I'm used to... I'll give you that... but not that hard
See, now you can just
pop the cap on the bottle like this
and then refill it as you need to
And I thought I was so clever
I never would have gotten that to work
I think you're also gonna need a stand to hold the bottle up like this
I'll see if I can work something out this afternoon
That is so kind of you
You know, you're the only one that calls them "children" instead of "orphans"
I think you're the only one in this town that's on their side
No, that's not true
They've got you, don't they?
Besides, everyone needs someone to fight for them
No child should have to manage on their own
I don't think this town realized that until you got here
I'm sorry
I need to go
Um, just bring the rest of your supplies down
and, uh, I'll have these finished up by tomorrow
If you ever need some
help, l... I know of someone
- You? - Lillian
I think she could use the company just as much as you could use the help
Sure I'll, uh, drop by the orphanage and pick her up this afternoon
Oh, she'll like that
[Lillian] Belinda's pretty smart, isn't she?
She sure is I couldn't have come up with something like this
I would have...
you know, if I had her kind of book smarts
[Chuckles]
Doc Belinda says I'm clever
Well, I think she's right [Inhales Deeply]
All right [Exhales] Let's get started on the next set of tops
- I'll just go get some water - I'm a good worker
Doc Belinda says I'm the only one she trusts
So, just point me in the direction of your bucket, and I'll take it from there
You'll take it from there? Are you sure you can handle that?
Of course I'm sure
All right The bucket's right there
[Horse Whinnies]
People are silly
This bucket is so small
It'll take three trips to get enough water
[Water Pouring]
I don't need any help I'm just fine on my own, thank you
- Ain't you from the orphanage? - Yes My name's Lillian
Yeah? What are you doing outside, child?
I'm getting water for Mr. Owens
We've got lots of work to do for Doc Belinda
Is that right?
- Dr Simpson let you come out here? - Yes It was her idea Why?
Howdy, Ray
- You all right, Lill? - Yes, Mr. Owens
I didn't touch a hair on that child's head, Lee
She shouldn't be out here, and you know that
You aren't gonna go near any of these children
or Dr Simpson ever again
Come on, Lill Let's get back to work
You sure you want to be touching that vermin, Lee? She might infect you too
For God's sake
Ray, they're children
[Exhales Sharply] Come on
- Let's get back to work - [Horses Whinnying]
You know, I just remembered we're out of eggs
And we certainly can't make breakfast tomorrow without them
Well, let's go to the general store before it closes
I can take care of that
Why don't you go check on Lee's progress with the intravenous devices?
I'll meet you back here in a few minutes
[Horses Whinnying]
Howdy, Doc
Lillian had a lot of fun with you this afternoon
- Well, I enjoyed her company too - She couldn't stop talking about it
She speaks very highly of you too
I'm sorry I left so abruptly
Well, I know you were married, if that's what you want to tell me
I'm sorry about your husband
I'm beginning to think Annie should have just taken out an ad in the newspaper
It would have been faster than telling everyone
Well, she only told me because she knew you wouldn't
I like you a lot, Lee
I just
don't know if I'm ready
That's all right
I'm a very patient man
And you're well worth waiting for
But, uh
I don't want you to walk away from this just 'cause you're scared
I can't lose anyone
- I'm not goin' anywhere - You don't know that
Look what's going on in this town
You think Carl Russell ever even thought about cholera?
You can't go through life worried about what's around every corner
You have to let yourself have some joy
Otherwise, what's the point?
Right?
[Sighs]
[Exhales Deeply]
Well
whenever you're ready
you know where to find me
Good day, Mr. Owens
Have a good day, Doc
A letter came for you
You ready to walk home?
[Belinda] I really am gonna miss you
[Mother's Voice] My dearest Belinda
I am so sorry to hear of your struggles in Missouri
I try not to, but I can't help but worry for your safety
But I trust in God and truly believe that you have been sent to help the people of Sikeston
We all have times of fear and doubt
We all wonder why we were given such a heavy burden to carry
But know in your heart that God never gives us more than we can handle
even when it might seem that way
When I am afraid, it is prayer that carries me through to happier times
and reassures me that everything happens for a reason
You're always in our thoughts, Belinda
Stay safe, and I look forward to hearing from you soon
Love, Mama
- Will that hurt? - Not much at all
[Breathing Erratically]
Will this make them better?
I think so
[Lillian] You should have seen it, Katie Bill Dobbs got chewing gum stuck in his hair
And he tried everything to get it out
Miss Clarence put so much mayonnaise on his head, he smelled like a rotten salad
Katie
Katie, can you hear me?
[Lillian Exhales]
Katie seems worse today
[Whispering] Oh She was never a healthy child to begin with
I think that's why she and Lillian get along so well
They're my two little outcasts
I know what that feels like
I can tell I think that's why you're such a...
a strong, fine example for her
No Not a wonderful example, least of all to a 10-year-old
You're a strong woman doctor
with a good heart
The very definition of a... a fine example
Going through a tough time doesn't make you a bad person
Those things define who we become
In the best of times, everyone grows and prospers
but
when times
are at their worst
we find out what we have in us
- You're only saying that because of what Annie told you - Belinda, no
I see the loss
and the grief in everything you do and say
I've worked here in the orphanage for the last 20 years
I know the signs
[Exhales Sharply] Oh, God
[Birds Twittering]
I know Annie told you about my husband
Drew had tuberculosis
It was long and painful
and I couldn't help him
And when he died
the head nurse of the sanatorium took me to see his body
and told me that it was God's will
[Weeping] And I thought
how could any God make me a doctor
if, with all my medical training...
[Sniffling]
I still couldn't save my husband
my own husband?
I gave up trying to understand God's will
oh, long, long ago
Maybe we're just not meant to
So I'm just supposed to believe that everything will work out like it should
I think maybe that's right
Otherwise, you spend so much time worrying
that you miss all the happy times
and the people
who might have been important to you
[Horses Nickering]
- Thank you - Thank you, ma'am
Thanks
[Sighs]
You sure you're gonna be okay without me?
I'll have to be, won't I?
Thank you for everything, Annie
I couldn't have done this without you
I feel the same way
I wish I wasn't saying good-bye to you
This isn't good-bye I'll be in Kansas before you can even miss me
- I'm gonna hold you to that - You'd better
[Chuckling]
[Man] Ready, ma'am?
- Bye - Bye
- [Horse Neighing] - [Man] Giddap
- Sorry to see Annie leave - Me too
- But it was time for her to move on - Yeah
Would it be all right if I accompany you to the town meeting tonight?
Have I ever told you you're a very persistent man?
Many times, ma'am
Then I suppose your persistence has paid off I'd be honored
[Chuckles]
[Belinda's Voice] I'll miss Annie now that she's gone
but I knew she couldn't stay forever
Life changes when it wants to, and often in the most unexpected ways
I've met a wonderful man named Lee
I just don't know yet if I can let go of Drew
or how I'm even supposed to
But my heart is light in ways it hasn't been for a long while
Thank you so much for your love and support
and know that I miss you, Pa, Maddie and Jacob each day
Love, Belinda
[Bell Tolling]
Doc Simpson!
Please! You have to come quick It's john
He wouldn't wake up when I came to check on him this morning
No
[Crying] No
[Sniffles] Oh, God
[Lillian] No! No, please! Please!
- Lillian, it's all right Here - Katie can't be dead!
I took care of her myself!
- Please! Please! - Look, Lillian, dear, it'll be all right
- You took care of her - Please, Miss Clarence Please, make her better
- You'll be all right, sweetheart - When did this happen?
- Sometime during the night - It's not true!
- Lillian... - It's not true!
You'll be all right Okay?
Lillian... Lillian, I am so sorry
Sorry doesn't make it better!
[Footsteps Departing]
- [Sighs] - Miss Clarence...
- Are you okay? Okay - [Groans]
All right All right All right
Come here It's okay
I came as soon as I heard
I'm failing, Lee These people are dying, and I can't figure it out
and I don't understand why
You're not failing You're doing everything you can
You came up with that contraption to help people get back the fluid they lost
Given them all the water they can take
- [Sighs] - They haven't eaten in days
so it's not just water they're lacking
That's it I've been replacing the water but not the nutrients
You know, they used to give puppies cow's milk if the mother died
- It's not the same, right? - No, because cow's milk doesn't have the same nutrients
So they came up with a solution of water, sugar and salt
- And it worked? - Mortality rate dropped by more than half
That's what I should've been doing all along
I'm gonna go to the general store and pick up some salt and sugar
and then I'll make it at the orphanage right at the kitchen
All right
I think that about does it
- Doctor? - Mayor
I need you to postpone the town meeting Just one or two days
I think I can help these people I just need some more time
- There isn't going to be a meeting, Dr Simpson - What?
Four more townspeople have fallen ill John Pine and the orphan
The town council felt it was too dangerous
to try and bring people together under close quarters
That's a very good idea, Mayor Just give me the names of the new patients
and I should be able to get to everybody tonight
- I just need to start with the orphanage - You will do no such thing
As of tomorrow morning, Sikeston will no longer have an orphanage
What? A-Are you serious?
I most certainly am
I came here to post an eviction notice
You're gonna put those sick children out on the street
Don't you understand, nobody's gonna take them in They're gonna die
Lee, I did my best! I can't protect them anymore
Just give me two more days, Mayor Please Two more days
No one but Lee or myself will be able to go in or out of the orphanage
- It's practically quarantined anyway - I'll try
I'll try again
I'm afraid this situation might already be out of my control
[Sighs]
- You sure about the ratios? - I think so
Just remember to put more sugar than salt into the mixture
And make sure it boils completely
so the crystals don't clog up the intravenous contraptions
- All right - All right I'm gonna go talk to Lillian
I hate to involve such a little girl in all of this
but I don't think we can do without her
Thanks
You feeling okay, Lillian? Do you feel sick?
No
Ain't been sick a day in my life
Katie was my only friend
Now I got nobody
I didn't know, Doc Belinda I swear
I didn't mean to hurt them
What are you talking about?
You said it was making them sick...
feeding everybody with the same cup
It's my fault
I didn't know!
- You didn't hurt anyone - I did!
You said so
I shouldn't have said that
I was upset, and I wasn't thinking
I didn't mean that you made anyone sick
That's just not true
[Sniffles, Sighs]
If it's anyone's fault, it's mine
[Sighs] But you work so hard, miss
Before you got here, nobody came to help us
You tried
Miss Clarence says sometimes that's all we can do
She's right
And Miss Clarence needs us right now
She needs us to be strong
even if we don't feel so tough
- Can you do that? - I can if you can
It's a deal
Come on
[Woman] (music) And know (music)
(music) That hope can heal (music)
(music) And life (music)
(music) Must carry on (music)
(music) In your face (music)
(music) Is my return to grace (music)
(music) And your smile (music)
(music) Is the light (music)
(music) That makes me strong (music)
(music) Like a child (music)
(music) If I touch (music)
(music) Then can I feel again (music)
(music) This hurt will find relief (music)
(music) If I love (music)
(music) Then can I heal again (music)
(music) And restore an innocent belief (music)
(music) Like a child (music)
(music) [Vocalizing]
(music) [Ends]
- [Fire Crackling] - [Horse Whinnying]
- Fire! - [Ringing]
Fire!
Oh, God Oh, God!
[Grunting]
Get some water! [Grunts]
[Grunting]
I'm gonna go get another bucket
Fire!
- [Woman Gasping] What's going on? - We need some help!
[Woman] Come on! Get down there!
[Woman Speaking, Indistinct]
Water!
Ya ought not let them orphans play with fire, Miss Simpson Somebody might get hurt
Stop, Lee I'll handle this
All right!
What in the hell were you thinking, Ray? People could've died
Yeah, a few may have died, but it's for the good of many
Does anyone hold with what this man did tonight?
- We can't abide by this, Ray! - [Townspeople Murmuring]
Well, that's just fine
You go ahead and let those no-accounts be the undoing of this town
- I'm proud of what I done - You have nothing to be proud of!
Ustes, lock this piece of trash up Get him out of here
You come along now
Don't test me, Ray
Just you wait You reap what you sow, people You hear me?
You reap what you sow
[Labored Breathing]
How could anyone believe that that's what God wanted them to do?
If you want to believe something enough
I suppose you search for justification
What Ray Russell did
has nothing to do with God
I know
Or at least I used to know
I worked for this woman once whose two children died
and she turned away from God
And I remember wondering
how could you not know
that your faith would carry you through your hardships?
And then when Drew died, I waited to be carried
For weeks, all night and day
I waited for a sign that God was there
and I heard nothing
And then one day, I just stopped listening
Just because we don't hear what we want to
doesn't mean God isn't speaking
- [Exhales] - I'm trying to listen
I just don't understand what I'm supposed to listen for
Talk to God
And then, be silent
He will answer you
Sleep well, Miss Clarence
Ah
[Exhales]
[Coughs]
[Sniffs]
God, I know it's been a long time since we've spoken
And I've tried to do right by this town
By these children
And I don't know if there's any more I can do
These children deserve to be happy
healthy and loved
[Voice Breaking] Please, let this be enough
to save them
Please, I need you
Thank you
Her fever broke just after dawn
I'm glad, Mrs. Pine She's not out of the woods yet
She'll need to continue treatment for at least two weeks
Anything you say
And I want you eating solid food as soon as you feel up to it
Thank you so much, Dr Simpson
[Belinda] I've gotten to all the townspeople
Not everyone has responded, but the worst off will probably come around in a few days
Good I'll take that batch up to the kids and bottle the rest for the town
Belinda
[Chuckles]
[Snaps Fingers]
[Clucking]
Looks like he got away from you
Uh, I know
I should be helping inside But it gets so stuffy in there
Well, no girl should be cooped up inside all day
Miss Clarence says that thing ain't run well since Buchanan was in office
And if it's rusted through again
might need Mr. Owens to fix it
Lillian, a woman is just as capable at fixing a water pump as a man
Sure, if you had a wrench
- Do you got a wrench? - No
I better go in and tell Mr. Owens about the pump
But if you need water now, the well is right through those trees
Come on I'll show you
It's just right back there
Thank you
Lillian told me about the water pump
I'll get it fixed right away You wanna stay away from the water in this well
- You knew it looked like this - The town hasn't used it in a few years
Ever since we got the water pumps up and running
How long have people been dumping into the well?
I'm not sure Mayor tried to board it up a few years ago
but people would just rip the planks off and use it anyway
I've known about it for a while, but I'm not sure when it started
- Thank you - Where you headed?
I need to tell the mayor to stop the town from using the water pumps
- Why? - You want me to tell the people in town
to stop using water
Yes Or at least boil the water for two minutes
Because the well is just not safe
I know the well isn't safe
That's why we use the pumps
Except all of the water comes from the same place
People have been dumping rotted wood and rusted metal in it for months now
both of which are a breeding ground for bacteria
The germs spread through the water, and you accidentally contaminated the entire system
Which is why none of the farmers got sick
See, they're too far away from the well to be affected
It started at the orphanage and moved toward the town
But the well is separate from the pumps
Not really
All of the town's water runs together underground It's just like a pond
You only have three pumps in town, Mayor
all of which are only a quarter of a mile away
Once the well was contaminated, it was just a matter of time
before it spread to the groundwater
Mayor, if people continue to drink this water
people will continue to get sick
- But the sickness came from the orphans - No
It came from the water under the orphanage
It's just like Miss Clarence said...
We left that place to rot, and now we're paying for it
I had no idea this was going on Y-You have to understand that
There's no need to place blame
Doesn't matter how it happened, just as long as we fix it and it never happens again
[Sighs]
I will be here for as long as you need me
so there are no excuses getting out of bed
I'm not sure... Lillian... what she'll do with herself
when you're not around here so much
She's become so attached to you
Oh, we'll see each other It's an orphanage
The splinters and hay fever alone will keep me busy for years
You get some rest
Ah... Ow
Oh
Oh, thank you, dear Oh
- I'm gonna catch you! - You can't catch me! Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah
You know, I was never very good at those
- They always fell apart - I can teach you
I'd like that
[Chuckles]
I guess you gotta get back to
helping the rest of the town
You make it sound like I'm going somewhere
My office is right down the street
I know But we're only allowed out of the yard
when Miss Clarence takes us to the general store
to get a penny candy for somebody's birthday
- Then I'll just have to come visit you - Yeah
And I'll get permission for you to come work with me at the clinic
I need my best assistant after all
You don't need to do that to make me feel better, Doc Belinda
I know you don't need a kid getting in your way
Lillian, you're never in my way
That's what everybody says
but they don't mean it
You don't have to feel bad about it
Really I'm just fine here on my own
Well, there's another option
What's that?
You could come live with me
- You mean it? - I don't say things I don't mean
But you would have to focus on your schoolwork
Education is very important to me
I could do it if you help me
And this wouldn't be a temporary arrangement
I want you to be a part of my family if you want me to be a part of yours
I love you, Doc Belinda
I'll be the best daughter you could ever hope for
I love you too, Lillian
[Sighs]
It's so funny When I was adopted by my mama
she had my room set up almost the exact same way
Yeah It's nice of you to give Lillian her privacy
Every girl needs privacy
Especially when she's never had any before
Besides, this is only temporary until I can afford a larger home
About that...
I love you, Belinda Simpson
- It's not going away I don't care how long I have to wait - Lee...
I know all the reasons you have for saying no
but I want to marry you
- I would... - Now, this is all new to me
but I swear I'm gonna be a good father to Lillian
and husband to you
Lee... [Sniffles]
I would love to marry you
- [Chuckles] - And I love you too
[Woman] (music) And like a child (music)
Hmm
- Oh - (music) Who now has learned to breathe (music)
Do you, Lee Owens
take Belinda Simpson to be your lawfully wedded wife
to love, honor and obey all the days of your life?
I do
And do you, Belinda Simpson
take Lee Owens to be your lawfully wedded husband
to love, honor and obey all the days of your life?
I do
Then by the powers vested in me by the great state of Missouri
I pronounce you husband and wife
[Laughing]
- (music) This is my return to grace (music) - You may kiss her now
- [Townspeople Chuckling] - Oh
- [Applause] - [Child] Yeah, you're married
[Cheering, Applause]
- [Man] What a beautiful bride! - [Laughing]
- (music) Can I feel again (music) - [Chattering]
- [Chuckling] - (music) This hurt (music)
(music) Will find relief (music)
(music) If I love (music)
(music) Then can I heal again (music)
(music) And restore an innocent belief (music)
(music) Like a child (music)
We got a letter today
- Who's it from? - My mama, your grandma
I really have grandmas now?
You sure do You got a bargain in the family department
You got uncles and cousins
and two grandmas, and two grandmas who are crazy about you
- How can Grandma Tyler be crazy about me? - 'Cause I'm crazy about you
- [Chuckles] - What's it say?
"Dearest Belinda
"I wish we could've been there for your wedding to Lee
"And the family can't wait for your next visit
so that we can welcome our new son and granddaughter"
- (music) [Woman Vocalizing] - [Clicks Tongue]
[Belinda's Voice] I know there will be many more struggles ahead...
many more wonderful adventures as well
As the Bible says, "To everything there is a season
and a time to every purpose under heaven"
(music) [Vocalizing Continues]
(music) [Ends]
{{{the end}}}