The Love Letter (1998) - full transcript

Perfect.
Want to take a look? Yeah.

Folks, I'm Jacob Campbell. Hi.

She's a beauty, isn't she?
Can I try it on?

I'm afraid it's not for sale...

Belonged to my grandmother...

Good way to get folks
into the shop, though

especially pretty young ladies,
dragging in their fellows.

Very clever.
There's more gowns over here.

Great.

Are you a Civil War buff?
A bit, yes.

You mind if I take a look back here?



No. Help yourself.

I'm a bit of a restorer myself.

I got these in just the other day.

They're very nice.
They're very old.

Yes, they are, aren't they?

Beautiful.

That desk belonged to a Union general.

Really?

Deb, come take a look at this.

Great? I don't know.
It's kind of

falling apart. I need a desk.

How much will you take for it?

Well, I was planning
on restoring it myself

but, if you really want it... 800?



Too much. Let's go.
Will you take 600?

This desk is 19th century.

800's the best I can do.

I can't pay 800.

This is the first time

I've ever seen you do an impulse buy.

I thought you wanted me
to be more spontaneous.

Next time, be spontaneous over

something a little less... heavy.

You know, you're pretty strong for a girl.

Must be from throwing all those
manuscripts on the reject pile.

It must be. Look at that...
Wait till you see

when I get a little
wax and polish on this...

A little polish and...

That means I should go.
Get out. All right...

I'm going.

Sweet dreams. You, too.

Dearest, it is after
midnight and I am at last

free to speak to you.

Mother, father and Flossy
have grown accustomed

to my late-night scribbling

and have bid me good night.

In my 29 years,
I have been called upon

by several gentlemen

but you are the one
who occupies my thoughts.

Even though you are not real,
you are more dear to me

than the man who has asked just this night

for my hand in marriage.
I do not love him.

To please father, I have tried

and sadly, I know I have a duty to obey

and must soon accept
but I ache for a love

that burns like fire and moonlight.

I speak with you in my mind and heart.

If you only existed outside of them.

Good night, sweetheart.
Dream of me.

Dear... lady...
I've just read...

The letter...

In the secret compartment of your desk...

And... wish...

I know you feel an
obligation to your father

but you have to obey your heart.

It's a mistake to marry
someone you don't love.

Don't despair.
The man of your dreams

may be out there in the mist right now...

Just a heartbeat away.

Who knows?
Perhaps I'm the one you seek

but unfortunately, my dear

I've already given my heart
to Scarlett O'Hara.

Yours always, Rhett Butler.

And 'C, ' when are you going to finish?

Stop worrying, Lester.
It's almost done.

The sigmagame is going
to kill us at Christmas time.

What kind of attitude
is that? It'll be ready.

It better be.

Meanwhile,
we'll kill them in the bike race.

Or not. You're hovering.
Stop hovering.

Information. Boston.
Let's see now...

Yeah... yeah. Here it is.

Picked it up in Willoughby.
Where's that?

Half an hour north of here,
up near Salem.

Number three, Mill Plain Road.

Big old place outside of town.

6.52. Won't do it, troops.
Won't do.

Sigma Tech has a 6.50 flat.

I'm happy for them.

We're happy for them, aren't we?
Come on.

No way. I've had it. No, no, no.

Come on, we have
less than six weeks

till everlasting glory.

Coach says one more time.

This is private property.
You're trespassin'.

I'm sorry.
I-I don't mean to intrude.

Off of my property. Now!

I'm interested in someone
who used to live here.

I know exactly what you're interested in

and we're not interested.

Miss Clarice's not going to no nursin' home

and you can tell that

to the whole blasted cousin group!

But... ma'am? Ma'am?

Lesson number two.

Please. Per favore.
Per favore. Thank you...

Grazie.

Grazie. Well, you
have outdone yourself

this time, mom...
Mamma Mia. Before a trip

one should immerse
oneself in the culture.

Well, you have certainly done that.

And it's no more "Beatrice."

I've got everyone calling me "Beatrice"!

Beatri...? May I stick with "mom," please?

Come ti chiami?

You know, with all the money
going into your wedding

you and Debra could take
a trip around the world.

I don't want to take a
trip around the world.

See, that's your problem.

You get too stuck, Scotty.

Trapped in your own little universe.

Really? Actually,
you are talking to a man

who just answered
a 134-year-old love letter.

Scusi?

Yeah, I found it
in this antique desk I bought.

"I dream of you."

You speak only in my mind and heart.

"If only you existed."
You memorized it.

Yeah, there was something
so... sad about it.

So I just... I answered it.

And did you mail it?
Yes, I did, but you know

I don't trust the post office

so I sent it Pony Express.
Don't get smart.

H.G. Wells believed in time travel

and Einstein thought that time
was just another dimension.

You know, some people believe

that souls can travel through time.

Can we travel to silence, please?

Do you have an address?

No, see? No, I knew it.

I shouldn't have told you.

You're going to get carried away.

Opening my mail now? Your mail?

This is dated 1863.

Took a little time to get here.

Where did you get this?
In the desk.

Secret compartment.
You're kidding me. Where?

Deb, I just walked in.

I don't feel like taking the desk apart.

Just asked.
Okay, come here. Here.

Drawer...

And a little switch back here, and...

That is so cool. Yeah.

Poor thing... pouring
her heart out to nobody...

Some fantasy guy...

And then she's stuck
having to marry some loser

her father picked out for her.

Maybe she didn't marry him.

We're talking about the 1860s.

She married him.

I'm going to go check on dinner.

First-class postage from Boston
to Willoughby in 1863

was one cent.

Be careful with that...
It wasn't cheap.

A bottle of ink.
I got the waterman people

to duplicate the formula
they used back then.

Hold it, hold it.

Got to be perfect or we don't have a prayer

of crossing the barrier.

Mother, stop... stop.

Let's just say I
bought into this madness

for a few milliseconds,
which, of course, I don't.

Where would you suggest that I mail

this painstakingly authentic letter?

Manhasset Postal Substation
on the north side

built 1857.

It's the only pre-Civil War
post office in existence.

It's open 24 hours for deposit.
Go at night.

I'm not sure why, but it
seems more appropriate.

Halt. I-I really need to know something.

Do you think this is going to work?

Wouldn't it be awesome if it did?

Even though you are not real,
you are more dear to me

than the man who has asked just this night

for my hand in marriage.
I do not love him.

To please father, I have tried

and sadly, I know I have a duty to obey

and must soon accept

but I ache for a love that
burns like fire and moonlight.

I speak with you in my mind and heart.

If you only existed outside of them.

Good night, sweetheart.
Dream of me.

Dear lady, I've just read the letter

in the secret compartment of your desk...

Your dreams may be out there
in the mist right now

just a heartbeat away.

Who knows?
Perhaps I am the one you seek.

Funny farm, here I come.

Good day to you, Mr. Potts.

And to you, Maggie.

Elizabeth? Elizabeth?

Flossy?
Have you seen your sister?

She's in the garden, papa.

Miss Whitcomb? Mr. Reagle.

I found myself in the vicinity.

Thought I'd take the
liberty of stopping by.

How nice.

She's quite lovely, isn't she?

She's very lovely.

Come midnight,
she'll be in full bloom

and then, come morning, she'll be gone.

I'm trying to write a poem about her.

I do hope you'll read it to me

once it's completed.

I find your verses most...
Charming.

Thank you.

This ought to be
a lovely evening.

Brings the poems to me.

I-I have had
some training in this.

I, I was wondering,
Miss Whitcomb...

Lizzie...? Yes, Mr. Reagle?

I was wondering
if you'd had an opportunity

to consider the...

The suggestion I made to you

during our previous visit.
Yes, well, I'm...

I'm still considering it.

Well... glad to hear that.

Buh-bup! Buh-bup!

My, I feel one of my headaches coming on

so I'm going to say good night.

Father. Mother. Floss.

Lizzie? I forgot.
There's a letter for you.

Thank you, mother.
Do feel better, dear.

Lizzie? Yes, father?

Your mother and I wonder if there's

anything you wish to tell us.
No, father.

I spoke at some length
earlier with Everett Reagle.

He's given me to believe

that the two of you
have come to an understanding.

I have only agreed
to what you might call

a prelude to an understanding.
I see.

And might this "prelude"

lead eventually to an
actual understanding?

And an engagement?
And to a marriage?

Father... I don't love him.

You're 29 years old, Lizzie.

Father, I know you want

what you think is best for me

and I know what's expected of me.

It's not merely
our expectations.

It's common sense.

A woman of your years,
however comfortable

her situation, may scarcely afford

to be reluctant

when a suitable match presents itself.

Lizzie?

Your headache? Yes, father.

Is there anything I can do?
No, I just...

I think I just need some sleep.

Who are you?

Who are you? In and out, no!

Rebound out to...

Still working on flick on the sidelines.

He passes to Decker

who brings it out in the front once again.

Evert stole the ball!

Breaks down court, no one home, slam dunk!

I don't think so!
Nice air by adler.

He had a clear Lane to the hole,
no one stopping him.

All right, ball in to Neal,
who gets it to Wayne outside

dribbles along the baseline,
draws a crowd under the basket

throws it up and in! And a foul!

Three-point play here if he can convert.

And it's good, and the west are up by five.

Two minutes, ten seconds
remaining in the quarter

and there's time-out after the foul shot.

I received your astonishing letter today

and am amazed by your audacity.

Who are you, and how could you know

there was something in my secret place

to be stolen?

I wonder as I place this second letter

in the same place as the first

am I in the toils of some feverish dream?

Will you violate my privacy again?

In mystification, Elizabeth Whitcomb.

All right. All right.

Dear Elizabeth: I'm
sure you'll find this

as impossible to believe as I do.

My name is Scott Corrigan.
I live in Boston

but not the Boston you know.
The Boston...

As I write these words at my desk

or rather, your desk...

Because I now own the desk
that sits in your bedroom...

I try to imagine how all
of this could have happened.

The only explanation I can come up with

is that for some reason

the connection between us is so strong

that we're able to talk to each other

across the chasm of time.

If I haven't utterly terrified you

please sit at our desk
and write again soon.

Yours, Scott Corrigan. Lizzie?

Good heavens, what's the matter?
Nothing.

You startled me.
I was some... where else.

Because of something in the letter?

What letter?

The letter that you're
trying to hide from me.

That letter. No.
No, no, no. I'm...

It's just another
rejection from a publisher.

Lizzie, I'm sorry.

Your verses are...
Transcendental.

If only Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson

of the New England Literary Journal

felt the same way.

I still don't understand why...

You won't submit them to Mr. Reagle

for his magazine.

I have submitted them to Mr. Reagle.

I'm still awaiting a response.

I'm sure someone will print your verses.

You just have to be patient.

Dear Mr. Corrigan:

I have decided to accept
that the laws of nature

as they apply to you and me

have been, for whatever reason,
temporarily suspended.

Okay. That was easy.
How about flatware?

Yes, yes, flatware.

You have the advantage over me

in that you know my deepest secrets

while I know none of yours.

Tell me who you are

and how you live in your time
so many years in the future.

How about this?
That's, too... sci-fi.

Most important of all

tell me whether
this conjunction between us

which I confess
I feel as strongly as you

means that you, too, yearn
for a deep and passionate love.

How about this?

Or is there already someone you love?

Write soon, before the laws of nature

reassert themselves.

Maybe we should just eat with our hands.

No, no. No. Sorry. Dear Lizzie:

You have asked some crucial questions.

Have I? Have I added the nutmeg?

Nutmeg? In a pound cake?

What a peculiar recipe.

Cinnamon. I meant,
have I added the cinnamon?

Do I yearn for love?
Yes, of course.

Am I in love now?
I'm engaged to be married

and... yes, I believe I'm in love.
"Believe?"

What, ma'am?

I believe this is going
to be a delicious cake

don't you, Maggie?

If you'll excuse me, ma'am,
I'll see to the dusting now.

A friend once said
that when you're in love

you light up like a Christmas tree

when your lover enters the room.

I don't think I've ever felt that way...

At least, not until last night

when I found your second letter.

And how many does this make?
Three.

Counting the first one.

And you're sure nobody is...?

Playing some kind of bizarre joke?

Impossible. No.
This is impossible.

Mother, you're the one
who talked me into this

in the first place.
But I never dreamed...

What in the world

does Debra think about all this?

I didn't tell her.
You didn't tell her?!

It's incredible, isn't it?

I'll tell you what's incredible.

My son, who is engaged to be married

is having an affair with
a woman who's been dead

for over a hundred years.

Mom, we write letters.

Love letters that you keep
secret from your fiancee.

And what about Elizabeth Whitcomb?

Scotty, you don't have the right
to get mixed up

in a life
that's already been lived.

If she doesn't love the guy,
she shouldn't marry him.

We should go. Rome awaits you.

I can't believe we're
having this conversation!

This woman doesn't exist!

Then who wrote this?

In this world...

In the world you and I live in...

She does not exist.
Then why do I feel...

The way I feel?
And what way is that?

My dear Lizzie:

I can't begin to tell you
how wonderful I feel

as I read your letters.

I only wish I could hold you in my arms.

Mr. Potts.
Could you look once more, please?

Yes, Miss Lizzie.

I'm sorry, there's...
There's nothing.

Dearest, another week gone by

and still no letter.

Are you worried that since
you told me of your engagement

I will think you a scoundrel

for professing tender feelings for me?

I'm worried about those tender feelings

in the first place.

I'm not so innocent as you
might think, Mr. Corrigan.

I have danced the waltz with many men

and I'm an avid reader
of the modern novel.

So I am au courant

on the subject of forbidden passion.

I'm afraid this waltz

is going to have to be mine
and Debra's, Miss Whitcomb.

The hard truth is, we
are doomed to be chaste...

To never touch each other...

Hear each other...
See each other.

So what harm can there be
to write to each other?

If you are still there, write to me quickly

and tell me what it means

to light up like a Christmas tree.

Morning. You again.

I'm really sorry to bother you.

I'm just trying to find
out about the Whitcombs.

Why? Well, I bought a desk

that used to belong to one of them.

I just became interested in the family.

I thought I'd write a book about them.

A book? They just regular folk.

You know who they were?

Clarice's grandma was a Whitcomb.
Clarice?

The lady I take care of.

You mean there's a Whitcomb
living in here right now?

That's right.
I've had 50 years of her temper

and, believe me, it's worse than mine.

I would really love to talk to her.

Would that be possible?
She's sleep.

I know this is an intrusion.
Would...

Would you mind if I
just took a peek inside?

Just...
Now, why would I let you do that?

I'll paint the house.
This side, anyway.

If you turn out to be one
of them no-good lawyers

for Clarice's no-good cousins

I'll take a rolling pin to you.
Come...

Yes, ma'am.

Okay,
mister you've had your peek.

Just a minute, please.

Mae, who is that you're
talking to down there?

Now you've done it.

Clarice?

Who are you?
This fella's writing a book.

About the Whitcombs.
He wanted to meet you.

How you do, ma'am?
My name is Scott.

You're a fool, Mae.
He's a lawyer.

No, ma'am, I'm not a lawyer.

I told the whole lot of you
I am not leaving this house...

Till the good lord takes me.

I'm just trying to find out
about Elizabeth Whitcomb.

Bunch of liars, all of you.
Get out!

I warned you.

How do you know about Lizzie?

I found a letter that she wrote...

In an old desk.
Probably from here.

Grandma Flossy told me stories...

About my aunt Elizabeth.

She was very beautiful.
I never knew her.

Can you tell me if she was ever married?

I need to sleep now.

I need to know
if she was ever married.

Ma'am?

You coming?

Yes.

Dear Lizzie...

Ben Franklin named it electricity

and we now use it to power machines

light our homes, and our Christmas trees.

Good morning, Miss Lizzie.

Thank you.
To light up like a Christmas tree

means to glow with pleasure

and I am glowing... Right now.

I went to your house on Mill Plain Road.

Yes, it's still there.
A very old woman...

Your sister Flossy's granddaughter...

Lives in it.

And I actually stood in your bedroom.

But what I will never forget

is how I suddenly felt your
presence on the stairs...

Almost as if you touched my cheek.

It's crazy but I felt
as if I could touch you, too.

Lizzie, to ignore what's happened

would be to deny a miracle.

Forgive my silence.
It won't happen again.

I promise. All my love, Scotty.

Darling Scotty...

I beg you, please, keep your promise.

Never stop writing again

or I fear I shall stop breathing.

As my breath stops now

at the thought of you in my house...

In this very room.

Amazing as it seems I felt it, too

in the very same place, on the stairs...

A touch like a sweet promise.

I know that we are tempting fate

and in reality, there is
your time, and my time.

But we shall live...
And love... across time.

Deal.

I dream of you.
But I can't see your face.

Please, send me a picture.

Remember, you have to be still.
Don't move.

I want you to look as if you are about

to walk into my arms.

Hello. Hey. Hey.
How are you? Good.

How are you?
Good, good, good, good.

You look so happy.
What happened?

You're here. You're here.
Good answer.

What's that?
That is Elizabeth Whitcomb.

The one who wrote the letter?
Yeah.

Well, where did you get it?

Actually, I got it from someone

who lives in her old house.

You went to her house?
Yeah. Why?

Just curious.
How'd you even find it?

I got some info from that antique guy.

I stopped by on my way from practice.

It's in Willoughby. Yeah.

Well... I guess I should
be grateful that...

The other woman's the dead one.

This parcel of land is for sale.

I know you love nature, Lizzie

and that is uppermost in my mind

as I surveyed the region

for a possible future home together.

I appreciate that.

I was wondering, Mr. Reagle...

If you'd had a chance to peruse the verses

I gave you a month ago.

Y-yes, yes.
I've read them, yes. Well?

They're very interesting, very passionate.

Perhaps not quite as attentive
as they might be

to the mechanics of the art.

The odd meters, broken rhymes...

You have aptitude.
You need guidance.

I hope that in future

you will allow me to provide it...

In all things.

I have decided to cease writing poetry.

I know his Reagle highness
is too conventional

to take me seriously

until my work has been validated by others

but the truth is, my darling,
there are no others.

I sing, but nobody listens...
Except you

so I offer you the last poem
I shall ever write.

So, you and Deb
doing the marriage thing?

Yeah. Yes, we're doing the marriage thing.

It's a great book. Thanks.

Listen, Daniel, can I ask you a favor?

Do you mind? Sure.
Would you mind...

Sorry, would you mind
taking a look at a poem

and telling me what you think of it?

You want me
to evaluate your poem

right here? Right now?

It's not mine.
It's, it's a friend.

It's short. Do you mind?
All right.

Thank you. It's, this.

"Stranger, not on this
earth shall we meet."

Thou surely I have lived a life with you

"I would wed eterni..."

Tell him not to give up his day job.

What's the matter with it?

Besides being old-fashioned,
sentimental and derivative?

As opposed to the pretentious
drivel published these days?

What is your problem?

I didn't have one ten seconds ago.

Really, and what would that be?

Excuse me for one second.
What's going on?

I insulted, his friend's poetry.

What-what's he talking about?
What friend?

Nothing. Nobody.
Well, it had to be somebody

if you almost came to blows over it.

It's, Elizabeth Whitcomb's.

I-I found it in the desk.

I just thought it might have
some historical significance.

Well, it has significance, all right.

Debra...
What's going on, Scotty?

Nothing. Nothing's going on.

First, you don't tell me about...
Finding her letter.

And then you go tracking down

Elizabeth Whitcomb's house

and then you don't tell me
about finding her poem.

Honey, you're blowing this
out of proportion.

You're putting more energy into Elizabeth

than you are into our wedding plans.

Are you that freaked out
about getting married?

'Cause if you don't
want to do this, Scotty

you just say the word.
Be honest and tell me

because we'll call it off.
No, I don't want

to call it off, okay?
I'm sorry, okay?

It's my fault.
It means nothing, okay?

Dear Lizzie

please don't stop writing your poetry.

First of all, this Reagle guy

sounds like he wouldn't know a good poem

if it smacked him in the face.

You say you sing,
but nobody listens?

Maybe that's true for now

but what about in ten years?
In a hundred years?

You once said we were doomed
never to touch each other

but you did touch me with your words.

Keep singing, my love.

I will always be here to listen.

Floss, there's nothing to worry about.

Then wh...?

Why do you have to go
all the way to Boston?

The doctor thinks

my headaches may have
something to do with my eyes

and there's a specialist there.

I'm coming with you.

Cousin Delia has plenty of room.
No, floss.

I need you here.

I'm going to tell you something
that may sound rather strange...

Even a little mad...
But I assure you it's true.

Now I need you to promise me

not to interrupt until I'm finished.

Riders, ready.

Five, four, three, two, one, go!

So, I take the letters
that you send to me here

from Mr. Corrigan

put them in that compartment,
close it, and they...?

And you must promise
to send his letters to me

care of cousin Delia in Boston.

Hey, are you okay? Scotty?
Is he conscious?

Is he going to be okay?

The E.E.G.
does indicate some brain swelling

but fortunately,
his vital signs are stable.

Well, when will he come out of this?

Right now, it's just impossible to know.

Morning to you.
Watch your step there.

It's a wee bit slippery this morning.

Okay, ma'am. Hyup.

"Lee's troops on the move!

Northern cities alerted!"

"Lee's troops on the move!"

Elizabeth Whitcomb to see Dr. Reed.

Please take a seat, Miss Whitcomb.
Thank you.

We'll have an examination room

for you shortly, Miss Whitcomb.

Colonel Denby?

Till Friday, colonel.
Yes. Thank you, doctor.

Miss Whitcomb? Follow me.

I'm so sorry. Miss Whitcomb.
I-I didn't...

Colonel Denby.
What a coincidence.

Yes. Forgive my clumsiness.
It's all right.

You seemed, in a hurry. Yes.

Well, don't let me keep you.

Might I accompany you, Miss Whitcomb?

Well, I wouldn't want to interfere

with your plans.
No, you're not. I have none.

I-I mean...

Where is your destination?

Actually, I'm not quite sure.

Perhaps you'd allow me
to buy you a cup of tea

and we can decide
where we're going?

All right.

Have you long been a patient of Dr. Reed's?

No. This was my first visit.

Do you... Are you at present...

Forgive me... Feeling poorly?

No, at present I feel quite well.

F-forgive my boldness...

May I ask you a strange question?

Yes?

How is it that I have the total conviction

that I know you? I don't know.

I feel the same.

My dearest Scotty

this afternoon I met
a gentleman named Caleb Denby

presently a colonel commanding
the 19th Massachusetts.

Scotty, the moment I saw him,
I was powerfully drawn to him

and he, it appears, seems
to feel an attraction as well.

Please do not fear, my darling

that I am in any way
moving away from you

for I feel, strange as it may seem

that being with Caleb
brings me closer to you.

I have the uncanny feeling

that what is happening
was meant to happen.

You promised to read to me.
No, please...?

Please. All right, let me see.

No laughing. "Stranger..."

Not on this earth shall we meet

though surely I have lived a life with you

dreamed of you.

"I would wait eternity to touch you."

It's okay. It's okay.

Dearest Scotty, I despair of
ever hearing from you again.

Flossy assures me that my letters to you

continue to miraculously vanish
from the secret compartment

so I pray that you
are still connected to me

reading this by one
of your electrical lights

and understanding.

Gracious ladies and fine gentlemen

thank you for coming.

Allow me to introduce the guest speaker

who will tell you

what your attendance
and your generous contributions

mean to the wounded soldiers
of our great state.

This brave officer

was grievously injured at Chancellorsville

but he is returning
to his regiment this very week.

Let's all give a warm welcome
to colonel Caleb Denby

of the 19th Massachusetts infantry.

You didn't tell me
you were coming here tonight.

Well, I thought I'd surprise you.

Well, you have.

You're not seriously going back, are you?

I have to. How long do we have?

I leave day after tomorrow.

Lizzie, I need to see you alone.

Will you meet me tonight on the common?

I can't.
My cousin Delia... What?

She's practically asleep now.

Lizzie?

Kind of... Organized it for you.

Great. Thank you so much.

So, maybe you
should go up and lie down.

No, I'm fine.
I'm fine, I'm fine.

Look, see? I'm fine.
I'm nimble and well.

Are you all right?
I'm canceling my meeting.

I'm fine. Debra, I'm fine.

I'm just a little dizzy.

The doctor said that's normal.

Normal dizziness.
Okay? All right?

My mother's coming over,
she'll cook Italian...

I have to get back to living
sooner or later, right?

Okay. Promise you'll call me if you...

I promise. All right.

Scott...

When you... when you woke up
in the hospital, you...

Yeah?

Nothing. I'm just...
I'm glad you're back.

Me, too.

I am powerfully drawn to him

and he, it appears, seems
to feel an attraction as well.

Very soon he will be returning
to his regiment.

He says there are rumors

of a decisive battle somewhere
in Southern Pennsylvania.

Darling, I am so frightened.

Southern Pennsylvania.

Southern Pennsylvania, 1863.

Southern Pennsylvania...
Gettysburg.

Gettysburg... Gettysburg...

19th... 19th Massachusetts...
"19th mass..."

"19th mass..." "50%."

"Darlington...
Deford, Delaney... Denby."

"colonel Caleb killed
in action, July 3."

"June 28th."

Dearest Lizzie

do not let colonel Denby
return to his regiment.

Where are you going?
Post office.

You just got out of the hospital.

I have to get this to Elizabeth.

Scotty, you cannot drive there.
Yes, I can.

All right, I'll drive.

What's that?
That is the post office.

Back behind the barricade there, sir.

Just a sec, officer.
I need to get in there.

No, please, sir. Please,
behind the barricade.

You can't go in there.

The whole thing's giving way!

Stay here.
I'm just going to... No!

Stay, wait here. No, no, Scotty!

No, come back!

Good, Mickey, you're good.

Okay. You're on it.

All aboard! All aboard!

When I come back will you marry me?
Yes.

Are you sure, Flossy?
I checked each day.

And my letters to him?
They vanished...

Just as you said.

He promised.

Lizzie, dear...
Mr. Reagle has just arrived

to welcome you home. No, mother.

I-I... I can't just now.

Your father's told him
you'll be right down.

Just freshen up a bit, dear.

I'm sure seeing him
will lift your spirits.

I do believe with general
Grant firmly in charge now

the western campaign will be going...

I anticipate a speedy
and comprehensive victory.

Well, I hope you are right, sir.

Welcome back, Miss Whitcomb.

You were missed by all.

Thank you, Mr. Reagle.

I hope you will forgive me,
but I'm rather fatigued.

It was a long journey

and I'd like to postpone this visit.

Lizzie...

I've asked Mr. Reagle to join us at dinner.

Maggie...
Is there something for me?

Yes, mum. Found like this.

Lizzie, can you not be more
considerate of our guest?

In a moment, father.

Lizzie, what is it?
Get my bag, Flossy.

Hurry!

Father, I have to go
to the station right away.

You've just this minute
come from the station.

What was in that letter?

Mr. Reagle, will you give me
a ride in your shay, please?

Dear lady, I-I would do anything
to please you

but against the wishes of your father...

Then I shall walk.

I forbid it.
I'm not a child, father.

You can't stop me.

This is what comes

of letting her go to Boston unattended.

Warren... Flossy...
what did she tell you?

Lizzie!

Lizzie!

Excuse me.

Does this train go
anywhere near Gettysburg?

No. Closest you can get, ma'am

is Harrisburg, if the
rebs ain't cut the line yet.

You'll have to take a carriage from there.

Thank you.

Aboard!

Aboard!

Hey... Hi. Hi.
You're here. Yeah.

What... Look what I got.

Lots of yesses.
People wrote back already?

The wedding's four weeks away.
God.

Don't forget you lost a month.

I know. I know. Sorry.

Honey, if you think
that we should postpone this

maybe it would be difficult,
but we could do it.

No. I don't want to do that.
Honey...

Okay, hold on. Hello.
Any word? No, not yet.

I wonder if she even got the letter.

Yeah, I was wondering that, too.

Listen, Debra's here. Sorry.

Well, send her my love

and call me if you
hear anything okay?

Okay. Bye-bye.

That was mom.
She sends her love.

Well, what was that all about?

She's just worried about me, you know.

That makes two of us.
Well, I'm fine.

Why is that so difficult to believe?
Sorry.

I'm sorry.

My head.

Okay, what do we got here?

I'm just, going through
the second stack here.

All right.

Come on, Lizzie.
It starts at dawn.

Driver... Ma'am?

Will you take me to Gettysburg?

The heaviest fighting
in the war's going on there.

Please, will you take me?

I have to get there tonight.

I'll-I'll-I'll pay you anything

that you like.
It ain't the money, ma'am.

Fine. I'll find someone else.
Driver

will you please take me to Gettysburg?

All right, ma'am.

I'll take you to Gettysburg.
Thank you, sir.

Fire at will!

Forward, boys!
Guidon to the last!

Driver, can't you go any faster?

Horses are going
as fast as they can, ma'am.

Lizzie...

Hyah! Git, there! Hyah!

Driver, will you wait for me, please?

Yes, ma'am.

Soldier...

Do you know where
the 19th Massachusetts is?

There ain't no more
19th Massachusetts, ma'am.

The rebs done them.
They got them good.

What's left's over there.

I know you're in pain.

Water. Water. Bring some water over here.

We need a stretcher here!

Caleb?

Darling?

Lizzie.

Caleb.

I promised to marry you.

I promised to marry you.

It's okay. It's all right. It's all right.

It's all right.

Say something. Tell me.
What? What, honey?

Like on the river.
Say something.

"Stranger... Not on this earth"?

"Stranger, not on this earth shall we meet"

though I have surely lived with you

dreamed of you I
would wait eternity

to touch you...
Not in this world of sighs...

We're falling forward...

"Never to lose you..."

Lizzie, dear are you all right?

No, mother, I'm not.

Elizabeth! Not...
not now, father.

Dearest Scotty

I received your warning,
but it was too late.

My darling, my colonel is gone

and with him went that part of you

I never thought to hold.
So write to me

for you're all of him that remains.

I'm so sorry.

I know you don't want to hear this

but it's for the best.

Mother... Caleb is dead.

Lizzie's heart is broken.

I can't even reach her.

An incredible miracle happened, Scotty

and you'll never forget
it but it's over.

It's time for you to be in the present

with the woman you're about to marry.

You do still want to marry her, don't you?

Hi. Hi.

Are... are you all right?
We need to talk.

What is it?

Read these.

Miss Lizzie.

I found this letter after you left.

Dear Lizzie, please do not stop
writing your poetry.

You once said we were doomed
never to touch each other

but you did touch me with your words.

Keep singing, my love.

I'll always be here to listen.

Of course.

What are these?

Elizabeth Whitcomb wrote them.
She's...

Been writing to me.

Her letters just appear in the desk

and then...

I write back to her.

What you're telling me...

What you're telling me is...
Crazy.

It's insane.
W-w-what, what is this?

What are you doing?
I'm trying to show...

I'm trying to tell you...
Tell me what?

I fell in love with her.

Elizabeth Whitcomb?

I know it... Sounds...

I don't know what that accident did to you

but this is really frightening...

Deb, listen to me. What?

Open it.

Dearest, Caleb is dead

and so, my future love, are you.

It must be so,
for you are one and the same.

I know that now.

But almost as if from the grave

you have returned to me something

I thought I had lost...
My voice.

Although you may never hear it

I am enclosing this song for you.

This is crazy.

No. How can this be?

I don't know, but it's true.

This isn't happening.
Listen... listen...

It is happening.
It is happening.

I don't understand it.

I'm sorry I dragged you through it

but it's real. But it is real.

The love I felt for this woman...

That I feel for her... is real.

Debra...
You deserve to be loved...

Completely.
I'm not even going to...

Try to understand what's happening here.

But I know this...

If you don't feel that way about me...

We shouldn't be together.

I will never forget
how the winds of time

blew back and forth for me

I will never forget how my heart lit up

like a glowing Christmas tree

though I wander in hell or heaven

my slate wiped clean by death

you, my love, my dream love,
I'll never ever forget.

When? Tuesday. I'm sorry.
May I come in?

So what will you do now?

Well, she left me the house

so I'll stay a while and see how it feels.

Would you mind...

Could I take one last look at her room?

Suit yourself. Thanks.

Lizzie?

You here?

Lizzie?

Scott.

I miss you so much.

You all right, mister?

Yes, ma'am.

Clarice wanted you to have this.

She found it in the attic

when she was a little girl.

It's a batch of letters

diaries, papers and poems.
Lots of poems.

It's funny.

Clarice could swear there
were no poems in there

when she was a kid. Of course

she was getting pretty
forgetful there at the end.

"Dear Miss Whitcomb,
you were my favorite teacher

at the Willoughby school for girls..."

She became a teacher.
That's great. "Miss...

Miss Whitcomb, Miss Whitcomb..."

I guess she didn't marry

his Reagle highness after all.
Who?

Nothing. It's not important.

Lizzie.

That's you!
How'd you get in there?

I'll try to explain it, but...

You're never going to believe it.

"I never forgot."

Who are you? Hey, stay.
Orbit! Orbit, come!

Come here, boy.
Go on. Hey, go on.

Here... here, boy!

Now, no jumping on strangers.
It's all right.

It's okay. So sorry. It's okay.

Don't worry about it.

He must really like you.

He doesn't usually jump on people.

Something wrong?

No. No, nothing. Sorry.
It's all right.

He's all right.
Well, again, sorry.

I didn't mean to intrude. Bye.

Come on, Orbit.

Good boy.

Excuse me. Sorry. Do you know

where I can get a good cup of
coffee, or...?

Yeah. I know a really good place, actually.

It's, like, three blocks from here.

Could you show me?
Could I buy you...

No, that's all right.

Really. It's the least we can do.

All right.
You talked me into it.

Okay, then.

So, what's his name?
Orbit. "Orbit"?

"Orbit," yes...

Scott. Hi. Beth.