How It All Goes Down
Rachel and Nick — Tyersall Park
- It is announced that the flowers are about to bloom. Nick sneaks Rachel through a shortcut to the courtyard before anyone gets there.
- They kiss.
- It is said that witnessing tan huas blooming is a "once-in-a-lifetime event" (2.4.16).
- There is discussion of a family friend, Jacqueline Ling: she is beautiful, disarming, and the granddaughter of a revered philanthropist.
- According to Oliver, Shang Su Yi (Ah Ma) had wanted Jacqueline to marry Nick's dad, but he fell in love with Eleanor first.
- Oliver then warns Rachel about treading "extra carefully around Eleanor" because she "maintains a rival court" (2.4.40).
- Everything is so ominous with this family!
- Jacqueline is talking to Nick about her daughter Amanda who is also in NYC, wondering why he hasn't spent more time with her.
- He asserts that she has a boyfriend, though Jacqueline disapproves of him and wants Nick to look out for her.
- Jacqueline sees Oliver and Rachel together and tells Nick to warn Rachel about what a "vicious gossip" he is (2.4.52).
- Meanwhile, Astrid and Rachel are waiting for the flowers to bloom. Nick joins them with tea and cake.
- The flowers open.
- Nick talks to Ah Ma about Rachel. She tells him Cassandra thinks Nick will get trapped by Rachel.
- Nick and Ah Ma agree he won't get trapped and she invites them to stay at her house.
- Blessing received.
- In a dark room, Jacqueline chews out her daughter over the phone and tells her she must come back for Colin's wedding.
- Oliver lurks, overhears, and Jacqueline calls him out.
- The two trade insults about Jacqueline trying to get her daughter married into the Young family because she missed her own opportunity.
- Side note: these two are related. Oliver's mother is Jacqueline's cousin.
- As she watches the flowers bloom, Rachel feels serene and wonders if life will always be this good.
- The flowers wilt into "spent, lifeless petals" (2.4.92).
- Hm, something doesn't feel good about that last image.