The Beach Club

S. B. T. writes to Bill, telling him that he knows of Cecily’s departure and Mack’s potential move. He urges Bill once more to sell the hotel. Bill is experiencing chest pains from missing Cecily and worrying about his hotel. He forgoes reading poetry and starts watching TV. Learning that Hurricane Freida may hit Nantucket, Mack wants to know the hotel’s plan to protect the property, but Bill says that he won’t do anything, angrily suggesting that Mack hopes the hotel will be obliterated and ordering Mack out of his office. A few days later, the fire chief warns Bill of the hurricane’s danger, but Bill refuses to act.

Ignoring Bill, Mack prepares for the storm. He thinks Therese will see reason, but she just chides him for not marrying Cecily. Maribel and Mack fight when Mack insists on leaving her at home and going to stay at the hotel during the crisis. Maribel’s anger boils over, and she hits and scratches Mack, declaring that their relationship is all wrong. Mack returns to the hotel to find Lacey crying over pictures of her dead husband; she feels she is nearing death. Mack asks to stay at her cottage, and she tells Mack that she loves him and considers him family.