As the O'Hara sisters walked through Atlanta for the first time since the end of the war, Ella couldn't help but notice how much had changed. It wasn't much of a surprise. Things at Tara were a lot different than when she had been growing up. Losing their parents had changed all of her sisters, but the way Scarlett had stepped up had impressed Ella.
Now that it was safe to travel back to Atlanta, Scarlett had insisted on making the trip. Ella knew that her twin had a plan to get the money they needed for Tara, but she had neglected to share that plan. Despite Scarlett's protests, Ella had refused to let her sister travel to Atlanta alone.
Whatever Scarlett was up to, it was obvious that she didn't want Ella to know. As they walked down the busy street, Ella and Mammy had trouble keeping up with her. Unfortunately, they were no match for Scarlett's stubbornness and eventually they lost sight of her.
"That child. Always causing trouble. What is she thinking running off alone?"
"Some things never change. She doesn't want us to stop her from doing whatever foolish thing she has planned."
"You think Miss Scarlett is up to no good again, Miss Ella?"
"Why else would she not want us to accompany her to Atlanta. What I can't figure out is what she could be up to. Let's continue this way and look for her."
They continued walking along the Main Street of Atlanta. It was busy as the city was being rebuilt.
"Miss Scarlett?"
Hearing her sisters name caught Ella's attention. She turned to see a familiar face.
"Mr Kennedy?"
"Oh! Miss Ella! My apologies..."
Ella gave the man a polite smile.
"It's quite alright. It's been a long time since we have seen each other. Are you well?"
"Very well, thank you. And you? How is your family?"
"My sisters and I are... making do. I'm sure Suellen will be happy to hear that you are okay."
"You think so? I would... I mean, do you think she would... could I..."
Before he could continue to whitter on, Ella managed to gently interrupt him.
"I think my younger sister would be very pleased if you would pay her a visit."
Mr Kennedy beamed in delight.
"Would you like to see my store, Miss Ella?"
-
Meanwhile, Scarlett had found where Rhett was being imprisoned by the Yankees and posing as his sister, managed to sneak in to see him. Despite being a prisoner, she noticed that Rhett was being treated rather well and didn't seem worried about his current accommodation.
"Scarlett! How good it is to see you. And look at you! It's so nice to see a woman not dressed in rags."
In her fancy dress, recently made from the curtains which hung in her mother's study, Scarlett tried not to let on what her true intentions were. Ella had been furious when she discovered what her twin had done, but it was too late. It would be worth it if she got what they needed. Besides, Rhett always did like to see her dressed up.
"Oh Rhett, when I heard you were locked up in jail, I just couldn't bear the thought! I just had to come and see you."
The initial surprise of seeing one of the O'Hara sisters started to wear off with Scarlett's unusual words. They were unusual because the Scarlett Rhett knew didn't care about anyone but herself. And she certainly wouldn't visit him out of the kindness of her heart.
"What's this? Scarlett O'Hara was worried for me. Could it be true?"
"Of course, it's true, Rhett!"
"Is that the only reason you came to see me?"
"Why of course! Why ever would you ask such a thing?"
Rhett stepped closer to Scarlett, causing her to step back until her back was against the wall.
"Because I know you well, Scarlett."
"I've changed, Rhett."
She held up her hand, trying to put a little distance between the two of them, but instead, Rhett grabbed her hand. Scarlett's hand was bare and bore the scars of the manual labour she had been doing in Tara's cotton fields.
"Then why are you lying to me?"
Scarlett's eyes flashed with panic and she tried to remove her hand from his grasp.
"I-I'm not."
"If you've been working like a slave hand, then where did you get this dress? You got all dressed up just to see me. Tell me why!"
The pair stared at each other for a moment, both too stubborn to give in, but Scarlett's desperation won in the end.
"I need money! I need money to pay the taxes on Tara."
"And you thought I would help you?"
"Oh please! You've got millions and I just need three hundred dollars. I'll pay you back."
"Pay me back? When? That's not good enough. What else can you offer me?"
"Offer you? I... I thought..."
"You thought what?"
"What about my sister? Last time we saw you, you and Ella... You won't do this for her?"
"She's not worth it."
The sound of Scarlett's following slap echoed through the stable prison.
"You skunk! Stay away from me and stay away from my sister. If I ever see your face again, being hanged by the Yankees will be the least of your worries!"
She stormed out of Rhett's cell, red with rage, as his mocking laugh echoed behind her.
"So, I'll tell them not to invite you to my hanging then, my sweet sister?"
-
With her original plan in tatters, Scarlett had leapt on the first promising plan she came across. Unfortunately, her twin had already unknowingly interfered. Frank Kennedy - along with his store and his potentially profitable future sawmill - talked of nothing else other than Suellen. The man was so fixated that even Scarlett couldn't divert his attention.
Once they said goodbye with promises to see Mr Kennedy in Tara soon, Ella questioned her sister.
"Where did you run off too, Scarlett? Obviously whatever plan you had to get the money failed if your attentions towards Mr Kennedy were anything to go by."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Come on, you can't fool me. I just can't think of where you thought you would get the money from."
When Scarlett still refuses to speak, Ella tries to comfort her sister, thinking she's upset that she didn't manage to get the money they need.
"Don't worry, Scarlett. When Rhett comes back, he'll help us."
"We can't rely on him, Ella. You shouldn't... I thought you hated the man."
"I never hated him, but... things change."
Ella smiles wistfully, remembering the happy moments she'd had with Rhett.
"People like him don't change."
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind."
"You know something. What aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing you need to know."
"Nothing I - Rhett. That's who you went to ask for money, isn't it?"
"Fine! Yes. I went to see Captain Rhett Butler and I asked him for the money we need to save Tara."
"And he said no? Are you sure? Did you -"
"Oh yes, I am quite sure."
"I want to see him."
"No, Ella, you can't -"
"Where is he?"
"I'm not tell-"
"Where. Is. He?"
"The Yankee's have him locked up in the stable house."
"He's in jail?!"
"If you can call it that."
"And they let you see him?"
"I said I was his sister."
"Right. Stay here. I won't be long."
Scarlett grabbed Ella's arm.
"Please don't go."
"Why? The last time I saw him... I've been waiting to see him again ever since that day. I wondered why he hadn't come to Tara, but it makes sense if he's been in jail."
The hope she saw in Ella's eyes, pained Scarlett, but she knew that if her twin sister had one thing in common with her it was her stubbornness.
"Go, but don't say I didn't warn you."
Ella ignored Scarlett's words and walked away. Luckily the guards let her in to see her 'brother' again.
"Your sister's here again, Rhett!"
"I thought you never want to see my -"
As Rhett turned around, he saw that it was not Scarlett, but Ella who had come to visit him this time. Ella rushed towards him and lay a hand on his arm as she looked him over.
"Rhett! Are you okay?"
Seeing her had taken him off guard at first, but Rhett soon managed to put his facade back on.
"Miss Ella, what a surprise. As you can see, I'm doing very well."
Something about his aura made her heart start to sink, but Ella pushed on.
"I've been wondering what had happened to you ever since we last saw each other."
"Well that very nice of you to say, my dear, but I'm guessing your visit is for the same reason as your sister's?"
"No, Rhett, I-"
"She told me you need money for Tara, but she didn't have anything for me in return. Perhaps you could offer me something?"
"Offer you something? As collateral, you mean. What do you want?"
"Nothing you have, I would think."
"Then what are you suggesting?"
"Would you like me to spell it out for you?"
"Please do."
"I pay my mistresses well."
"Your - Are you asking me..."
"To be my mistress, yes I am."
"That's what you want from me?"
"Is it so hard to believe?"
"But - You -"
Ella thought of all the things Rhett had said to her at their last meeting. Had she misunderstood him?
"I told you I'm not a marrying man. Did you think you had changed my mind?"
Her heart froze. She had let herself get involved with a man against her better judgement and this is how it ended. Never again would she be fooled this way.
"Did you think I would agree to this? If I ever give myself to a man, I would want to be his one and only. By asking me to be your mistress, rather than your wife, you are telling me that you don't want to be committed to one woman, instead, you want a woman committed to only you. Frankly, Rhett, I'm disappointed you even asked me."
As he watched her leave, the last of his resolve went with her. Rhett knew Ella wouldn't accept being his mistress, but it was his last option before he gave up, either on her or on his stance on marriage.