Scene Summary: Plumbing the Depths

Plumbing the Depths
Chronicle	DC Chronicle
Game Date	December 8, 2015
Real Date	May 7-15, 2016
Characters	Ginevra Bianchi Jacque Beaumont Sean Fallon
Locations	Ginevra's Studio Apartment
Previous Scene	Warm Thoughts (Ginevra) Phone Call: Jean Claude to Angelique (Jacque) In Want Of (Sean)
Next Scene	Loose Lips (Ginevra) Heed the Spark or Dread the Fire (Jacque) Lost and Found (Sean)
Content Warnings	Ableism, Death, Mental Illness, Misogyny
Original Scene	Plumbing the Depths

Plumbing the Depths is a scene from the DC Chronicle featuring Ginevra Bianchi, Jacque Beaumont, and Sean Fallon. It depicts Jacque visiting Ginevra and helping her with maintenance.

Scene Summary

Ginevra cleans up her apartment and gets ready as she waits for Jacque to arrive, wishing she could see him under better circumstances, She adjusts her appearance, but is interrupted when a pipe bursts under her sink and the bathroom begins to flood. She calls the superintendant for help and uses her towels to block up the plumbing while she waits to hear from him. Elsewhere, Jacque smokes as he drives to Thomas Circle Apartments, worrying about their recent embarrassment and how uncomfortable she might be, which bothers him because he enjoys spending time with her so much.

When Jacque arrives, Ginevra lets him in and serves them both coffee as she apologizes for calling him for help. Jacque reassures her, internally sure that she wants to discuss their relationship and surprised when she instead asks him about what happened between Jean Claude Danut and Maeve Glaistig in Paris. Jacque is shocked that Maeve has not told Ginevra anything and explains that Jean Claude followed Maeve to Paris while she was searching for her sire Octavius Sage only to kill him in front of her while he was in torpor, causing Maeve to collapse into torpor herself, at which point Jean Claude left her in a crypt and returned to Milan. Ginevra is shocked and horrified, asking why he would do such a thing, and Jacque guesses that he wanted to avoid harming Maeve while kiling her sire, although he does not know his true motives.

Ginevra is angry and upset by this news, but tries not to show it as she asks whether this is common knowledge, causing Jacque to confirm that everyone knows that Jean Claude killed Octavius but that the rumors that they dueled while Octavius was awake are a lie. He suggests Ginevra ask Maeve instead, but Ginevra explains that Maeve has amnesia about the incident and that they are struggling to piece together events after the fact. Jacque is saddened to think of Maeve's distress and suggests that Maeve could talk to Jean Claude, since she is the most likely to hear the truth from him, a suggestion that Ginevra privately thinks would be too traumatizing.

Ginevra thanks Jacque for his help but is distracted when the bathroom begins leaking again. Jacque follows her and offers to help as Ginevra explains the problem and complains that the superintendant will not respond to her calls. Jacque crawls under the sink to help, eventually succeeding but soaking his clothes, causing Ginevra to offer to wash his shirt along with her own wet clothes. Jacque agrees and gives Ginevra his shirt, making both of them slightly uncomfortable but also increasing the romantic tension, but while she is preparing to leave to do the laundry, Sean arrives.

Sean is hoping to spend time with Maeve but is amused to barge into Ginevra's apartment and find Jacque there, and immediately begins teasing Ginevra, implying that she doesn't work very hard because she is too busy having sexual assignations. Jacque hides in the bathroom as Ginevra angrily chases Sean back out, telling him that Maeve is not home and ordering him to call ahead next time. Sean leaves, though not before making fun of Ginevra some more, causing Jacque to agonize in the bathroom over how badly he must have damaged her reputation. Once Sean leaves, Ginevra goes downstairs to do the laundry, leaving Jacque to make coffee.

When Ginevra returns, Jacque apologizes to her for causing her so much trouble, wondering privately if he should break off their relationship to spare her any more embarrassment. Ginevra tries to brush his concerns off, but he goes on to tell her that he is worried that his vampiric enemies might target her now that everyone knows they are involved. Ginevra is annoyed by what sounds like another attempt to convince her to break up for her own good and tells him that he sounds like Maeve, listing reasons that vampires are dangerous to ghouls. Jacque points out that dating him will cause Ginevra to be even more in danger than she would have been for Maeve alone, but she is unimpressed and tells him that as long as he tells her what's going on, she can make her own decisions, a plan he agrees to.

Jacque mentions in passing that he is especially worried about Jean Claude targeting her, explaining that his feud with his sire has grown since his recent theft of some of Jean Claude's property. Ginevra tries to reassure him by telling him that she had already had dealings with Jean Claude before this, making it her fault that Jean Claude might remember her, but Jacque is frightened by the idea and wants to know how this came about. Ginevra explains that she contacted Jean Claude when Maeve was missing but that he was no help in finding her, causing Jacque to apologize again, this time because he feels responsible for not being available to help her.

Ginevra offers to help Jacque with his troubles with Jean Claude, which he appreciates but does not want to accept, still worrying about her safety, and considers returning Jean Claude's property instead. Ginevra is annoyed but also finds his concern touching, and when Jacque starts his circulation in order to have warm hands for her to hold, she kisses him. They affirm that they are glad to spend time together, and then Ginevra's phone rings to signal the laundry being finished and she goes downstairs to retrieve it. Jacque gets dressed and kisses Ginevra's cheek as he tells her to call him soon before leaving for the night.

Script Summary

The script summary for this scene pares it down to only dialogue and action directions, allowing for a quicker and easier read through what was actually said and done by the characters. Click on the "Expand" tag to the right to view the entire script summary for this scene.

Plumbing the Depths Script Summary

Ginevra cleans her apartment and gets dressed. She does her hair but stops as a pipe bursts and causes the sink to begin leaking. She stuffs towels underneath the pipe and then closes the bathroom door with a sigh. Outside, Jacque smokes as he drives to Thomas Circle Apartments, where he gets out and climbs the stairs. He knocks on Ginevra's door. Ginevra checks her hair in the mirror inside and then opens the door for him.

GINEVRA: Hey, come on in. Go ahead and get comfortable.

She steps aside and Jacque enters, closing the door behind him. Ginevra goes to the coffee pot and pours two cups of coffee, which she brings back to the table. Jacque takes off his coat and sits down across from her.

GINEVRA: Here we are. And before you say anything, look, I'm sorry. I know I'm always calling you and I know you have other things to do.

She shakes her head.

GINEVRA: But in this case... well, I mean, it kind of had to be you. It's not like talking about it to someone else would be any help.

JACQUE: Do not apologize. It is quite embarrassing to admit how very few things I have to do these nights. Certainly nothing better.

He drinks from the coffee.

GINEVRA: You might not have anything better to do, but I'm sure you have things more pressing, so I appreciate it, anyway.

JACQUE: What would you like to talk about?

Ginevra drinks from her coffee.

GINEVRA: Um... Well, I know it's kind of a sensitive subjcect, but after the past couple of nights, it's gotten pretty clear that we need to do something about it, so I thought maybe, if I could ask you some things?

JACQUE: Of course. You may ask me whatever you like. Always. And I will tell you the truth.

GINEVRA: Well, good, because I have no idea who else I could ask.

She puts her cup down.

GINEVRA: I need to know what happened to Maeve in Paris. I mean, besides that somebody died, I got that far, but other than that. I know, it's not really any of my business, but people keep turning up and asking about it, she keeps getting letters and calls and god knows what else, and if she's not going to handle it then somebody has to. I know you weren't actually there, but you're the only person I could think of who might know who was... well, you know, safe to ask.

JACQUE: I only know what Jean Claude told me. He could have been lying, but... I believe what he told me more than I believe what he has told others.

He drinks from his coffee.

JACQUE: Jean Claude followed Maeve to Paris. She was searching for her sire, Octavius Sage, and she found him. Jean Claude killed Octavius Sage while he slept. Maeve witnessed it and collapsed. The boy left her there in torpor.

GINEVRA: Why. Did he do that. Did he KNOW she was alive?

JACQUE: Yes, I imagine that he did. She was in torpor. He believed that she would not wake until she wanted to. She was in mourning. He would not do anything to hurt Maeve. He only cared for killing her sire. Jean Claude is an impulsive, spiteful child but I do not understand why he did it. I know that he was sent to the Black Rose twice. Though that is no real explanation. Jean Claude is... Jean Claude is unpredictable.

Ginevra snorts.

GINEVRA: Well, that explains some things. So is that common knowledge? At least in her family?

She takes a spoon from the drying rack near the counter and stirs her coffee, then gestures with the spoon as she talks.

GINEVRA: Like, is that what I tell people in letters from her who won't be put off after the fifth time?

JACQUE: It is common knowledge that Jean Claude killed Signore Sage, yes. The story that he has told the family is that the Black Rose was awake when he was destroyed. That they fought. I do not know what reason he is giving. It probably changes with the telling.

He sighs.

JACQUE: As to what you should tell those who ask, I do not know, Ginevra. It is something you should ask Maeve.

GINEVRA: Thanks, but that did occur to me. I wouldn't have bothered you if I could just have asked her.

She shakes her head, finishes her coffee, and pours another cup.

GINEVRA: She... well. She doesn't remember anything.

She waves her hands.

GINEVRA: The shock, or something, I don't know. She knew... she said someone was dead, it was one of the first things she said. After she started talking again, anyway. But what actually happened, she doesn't remember. So I figured, we need some idea what happened before she can pick a version.

JACQUE: I have told you what I know. There are people in the family I could ask for more information, if you would like. It may help her decide on what story to tell. If she wants to know what actually happened, she should ask Jean Claude. I think she would be the most likely to hear the truth.

GINEVRA: I don't mean to snap at you, thanks. It's more than I knew before you got here, so don't think I'm not grateful.

Her phone buzzes and she holds up a finger for a moment. She sends Andres Lund a text message and Jacque finishes his coffee. As Ginevra texts, the pipes in the bathroom hiss.

GINEVRA: Hold that thought, excuse me.

She gets up and goes to the bathroom, where she tries to plug a leaking pipe with a towel. After a moment, Jacque also gets up and follows her.

JACQUE: You did not turn off the water?

GINEVRA: What a great idea, turning off the water.

She knots the towel over the pipe, slowing the flow of water.

GINEVRA: Unfortunately, this is an apartment building, Jacque. I can't turn off the water, I have to get a super for that. It just popped a few minutes before you got here. I put in a call, but of course he hasn't called me back, probably because he always avoids answering calls late at night because he doesn't want to come out.

JACQUE: No, that is not what I meant. There is a valve underneath—

He steps inside and inspects the pipe.

JACQUE: Or there usually is. I apologize.

Ginevra huffs and kicks more wet towels under the sink, then puts her hands on her hips.

GINEVRA: Well, I'll just have to call again. Look, this is probably going to take a while. You don't have to stay while I sort it out, we can always catch up later.

JACQUE: You should dry off. I will see if I can slow the leak enough to save the floor from being damaged at least.

GINEVRA: With what, one of my towels? No, I'll just have to change into something dry.

Jacque takes off his jacket and rolls up his shirt sleeves before crawling under the sink.

GINEVRA: Okay, well, I'm going to pull the door to.

She leaves and closes the bathroom door behind her. Jacque mutters as he works on the sink and tightens a fitting by hand while being soaked with water.

JACQUE: Ginevra! Let me know when you are finished.

In the living room, Ginevra undresses and takes new clothing from her drawers. She finishes dressing and starts searching the kitchen.

GINEVRA: I'm good.

She retrieves a hand towel and returns to the bathroom.

GINEVRA: You, on the other hand... You might as well dry off your face anyway.

She offers him the towel, which he accepts. Jacque dries his face and then puts the towel in the sink. Ginevra puts her hands on her hips.

JACQUE: Ah, thank you.

GINEVRA: And get out of that wet shirt, you're soaked. I'll take it down to the laundry with mine, unless you have somewhere you need to be right now.

Jacque takes off his shirt and wrings it out before putting it in the sink.

JACQUE: How may I help?

Ginevra takes the shirt from the sink.

GINEVRA: Well, we could gather up the towels, anyway, I don't think they're helping much anymore. Might as well get everything in one trip.

She bends down to look under the sink.

GINEVRA: Hey, that looks a lot better. What, were you also a plumber's apprentice at some—

Outside, Sean walks up the stairs and knocks on Ginevra's door before opening it and walking inside.

SEAN: Man on patrol duty here, you got a—

He puts his hands in his pockets and looks her up and down.

SEAN: Girl, don't you ever WORK?

Jacque steps forward, then retreats into the bathroom and closes the door.

GINEVRA: Sean, do you understand doors? As in, you knock, and then you wait for someone else to open them? Phones are also great, because you could have called to tell me you were coming instead of being an inconsiderate jackass. What do you want?

Sean raises his hands.

SEAN: Hey, don't have to yell at me, could have just said no. Well, assuming you know that word, try it out sometime. What do I want, I'm just on business. You know, for the job I work that has a boss. I mean, I assume this is a private party and not just anybody can join, right? Just checking in on our little bird, so how about you give me directions and I'll just go catch her on my own? Since I can see you're a little too busy to go to work right now.

GINEVRA: She's not home. She's out tonight, which you could have found out and saved everyone the trouble if you'd called first.

SEAN: And missed out on seeing you, Ginny?

GINEVRA: She's on a date, "so you can take that home and tell it to your boss. Now.

SEAN: Aw, don't shove me now. Just doing my job. Some of us gotta keep a roof over our heads the old-fashioned way. Maybe next time try locking your door, if I'd been Jonathan I'd probably have dropped over dead of a heart attack.

He backs out the front door.

SEAN: Nice upgrade, though. Technically bigger than a closet, anyway.

GINEVRA: Next time, call first.

She slams the front door closed and locks it. Jacque emerges from the bathroom and sighs. He picks up the hamper and walks around the apartment, filling it with towels and clothing.

JACQUE: He was very unpleasant, wasn't he?

Ginevra groans.

GINEVRA: He's always unpleasant. If he's not unpleasant, he's drunk, and if he's not drunk, he's inappropriate. Whatever possessed Jonathan to let him come by tonight instead—

JACQUE: Is everything going to be all right?

Ginevra snorts and takes the hamper from Jacque.

GINEVRA: Thank you. Here, I'll take that. You'll still need something dry to wear. Everything will be fine. He'll go home, I'll probably get yet another phone call when he gets there and isn't of much use to anyone, and that will be that.

She sighs.

GINEVRA: Go on and get comfortable, make some more coffee if you want. I'll be back.

JACQUE: Thank you. I will, ah, be here.

Ginevra leaves the apartment and goes downstairs with the hamper. She enters the building's laundry room and puts two loads in, then leaves the basket there to go back upstairs. Jacque puts on a pot of coffee and leans against the counter. He drinks two cups of coffee and is rinsing his mug as Ginevra returns, locking the door behind her.

GINEVRA: All right, there we go, I set a timer.

She rubs her arms and fidgets with her hair.

GINEVRA: Enough for me, too?

JACQUE: Yes, of course.

He takes a mug from a cabinet and pours her a cup of coffee. He hands it to her and leans against the counter.

GINEVRA: Thanks. I'm not going to apologize for Sean because his bad behavior is not even a little bit my problem, but I am sorry you had to be here to deal with him. His employer worries about Maeve, so he checks in once in a while.

JACQUE: I understand. About his employer's concerns, at least. I am sorry that you have to deal with him at all.

GINEVRA: Oh, hand me that sugar, would you?

JACQUE: Ah, yes, here you are.

Jacque hands Ginevra sugar and cream, which she puts in her coffee as she sits down at the table.

GINEVRA: Yeah, well, so am I, but at least it's not often. Usually they send Jonathan up instead, and he knows how to knock on a damn door.

JACQUE: I am much more sorry for my part in all of this. I do not believe that my presence has made things any easier for you. Attention is the last thing that you need. I am very sorry.

Ginevra blows on her coffee.

GINEVRA: Don't worry about it. I mean, yeah, I'm probably going to hear about it for a while, but whatever. They'll probably forget about it soon enough.

JACQUE: It is good to know that this is not a regular occurrence, at least. They will remember as long as it is in their interest to remember.

He shakes his head.

JACQUE: But I am not only concerned with your reputation, Ginevra. I am afraid that being connected to me will be harmful to you. I have made few friends in my new life and my enemies... There are those who would hurt you, for no other reason than my caring for you.

Ginevra sips her coffee, sighs, and puts her mug down.

GINEVRA: This sounds suspiciously similar to a speech Maeve gives me, oh, about every two weeks?

She holds up a hand and counts on her fingers.

GINEVRA: Let's see... other vampires might want to hurt or kill me because it might upset you, nobody takes ghouls seriously so I could get hurt totally by accident or carelessness and nobody would even notice if you weren't around, at some point someone is probably going to do some kind of hypnosis on me and I might not even remember it later, oh, and also even if you're very very careful you might freak out and bite me because that sometimes happens. Also, politics are much more dangerous than I think they are. Did I forget any you wanted to bring up?

JACQUE: No, I think that covers it well enough.

Ginevra spreads her hands.

GINEVRA: Jacque, I am not stupid.

Jacque crosses to lean against the table.

JACQUE: I do not think you are stupid. I am worried, that is all. You know the dangers, yes. I am saying that they will double now. Risking yourself for your mistress is something very different from what I would be asking from you."

GINEVRA: Yes, I CAN count to two. All right, then, what ARE you asking from me here, Jacque? Did I miss something? Did you get... somehow more not alive since you showed up at the Pit?

Jacque sighs and sits down across from Ginevra.

JACQUE: I have done something very foolish. I took something that belongs to Jean Claude. After my attack, I was angry and I was not thinking clearly. He called me while I was at Limbo the last time and he threatened me. The very last thing I should have done was to be seen anywhere near you. I am not worried for myself. But the idea of him even knowing your name now... It scares me.

GINEVRA: Uh, well, if it helps, he definitely already knew my name before that. Which is not your fault at all.

JACQUE: What happened?

Ginevra fidgets.

GINEVRA: Nothing much really happened. It was in Paris. She was missing and I'd tried everybody else and I couldn't get a hold of you, and, well, he was the last person to see her, so I ended up having to ask him for help. We corresponded for a little while. He was unhelpful. And that's really all, other than he knows I work for Maeve.

JACQUE: I am sorry that you had to do that. He can be impossible when he is in a bad mood. As I am sure you know now. This is more than a bad mood, I am afraid.

Ginevra grunts and drinks her coffee.

GINEVRA: Okay, so you're worried you're really in trouble this time. And I guess you can't fix it, since if you could you would've just done it already? Well, if you're in trouble, you should have help. You needed help when you got mugged the other night. Which is understandable, anybody would. What are you going to do next time, NOT call me?

JACQUE: I am sure that I do need help. It is a different matter, whether or not you should help me, though. As to what I could do... I could return what I took from him. He was already attacking me, but that may keep him from whatever he is planning now. I do not know. I did not tell you this for your advice. I need—

He takes Ginevra's mug and sets it aside, then takes Ginevra's hands.

JACQUE: You are one of the most capable people I have ever met. I trust you to make your own decisions. I am not trying to tell you anything because I think I know better. It is only that I sometimes know more. I want... I want to make sure that you have all the information that you need, that there is nothing you are unaware of when you decide.

He sighs.

JACQUE: I know I am not very good at this, I am sorry. I want you to be happy and safe, that is all. Whatever that means.

GINEVRA: You're really not. That's okay, I get the point. How about this: you keep me in the loop about what's going on so I can make informed decisions, and if I decide it's time to bail out, I'll tell you. Is that okay with you?

JACQUE: That is a very sensible plan. I will do what I can to, ah, keep you in the loop? And if anything changes... Yes, you have just said that.

Ginevra nods and wiggles her hands in Jacque's.

JACQUE: Oh, I am sorry. I was not thinking.

He pulls his hands away and starts his circulation. He takes Ginevra's hands again.

JACQUE: I am still learning.

GINEVRA: We'll figure it out together.

JACQUE: Even with all of the complications, I won't say that I regret anything.

He laughs.

JACQUE: Well, perhaps timing of a few things. I like being with you.

GINEVRA: Oh, good. If you didn't, I'd hope you'd have said something by now.

She kisses Jacque. Her phone buzzes.

GINEVRA: Oh, there it is. Here, let me go get that before someone takes it out and drops it on the floor. I'll be right back.

JACQUE: Okay.

Jacque stands as Ginevra gets up and leaves the apartment. He sits back down and drinks more coffee. Ginevra goes to the laundry room, where she nods at another tenant and hums as she removes the laundry from the dryer and puts it into the hamper. She puts Jacque's clothes on top and takes the hamper back upstairs to the apartment. She balances the basket against her hip and opens the door, then closes it behind her. Jacque stands. She takes Jacque's shirt and undershirt from the hamper and shakes them out, then hands them to Jacque.

GINEVRA: Well, they're not pressed, but it should do to get you home.

JACQUE: Yes, that will more than do.

He takes the shirts and puts on the undershirt, then puts on and begins to button the shirt.

JACQUE: Thank you, again. It was very considerate of you.

He puts on his tie and jacket.

JACQUE: I should not keep you. If you need anything else, please do call me. If not, you should also call me. I would like to see you again, whatever the reason.

He kisses Ginevra's cheek and leaves.

Trivia

• The majority of this scene takes place in Italian, but is translated to English for ease of reference; only the interlude involving Sean is spoken in English.
  
  
• The embarrassing incident everyone refers to was Ginevra and Jacque being caught kissing in a closet during the events of In Want Of.
  
  
• Ginevra's question about what happened in Paris refers to her domitor Maeve Glaistig disappearing for a year, alongside well-publicized rumors of her death. Jacque's domitor at the time, Jean Claude Danut, was supposedly involved in both.
  
  
• Although Jacque is correct that Jean Claude's claim of having dueled Octavius Sage is a lie, he is incorrect in believing that Jean Claude instead killed him while he was in torpor; Octavius committed suicide.
  
  
• Jacque's mention of Jean Claude being "sent" to Octavius twice refers to the Black Rose's reputation for reducating wayward young vampires; Jean Claude having gone twice suggests that he was subjected to considerable psychological and physical torture at Octavius' hands.
  
  
• Jacque's internal worry over Ginevra's reputation is due in part to his advanced age; while getting caught making out with a vampire is embarrassing for Ginevra an dmay lead to other vampires attempting to take advantage of her similarly, his image of her entire life and future being derailed are more unlikely in the modern day than they were in previous centuries.
  
  
• Sean's mentioned-in-passing employer is Pieter Van Reise.
  
  
• Jacque's sympathy for Maeve having seen her sire die echoes his own experience of Julian Augustine dying during the events of Shadow Boxers.
  
  
• Ginevra's mention of "some kind of hypnosis" probably refers to use of the Dominate or Presence disciplines.
  
  
• The item Jacque has stolen from Jean Claude is Chason Wells' cane, which he conspired with Aristide Telios to steal during Contact: Aristide Telios; Jean Claude's threats about it were seen during Phone Call: Jean Claude to Jacque and Phone Call: Jean Claude to Angelique.
  
  
• The mugging discussed by Ginevra and Jacque was seen in To Fight Another Day.
  
  
• Ginevra's previous correspondence with Jean Claude was seen in The Ginevra Files: Paris.