TEXT: [PREVIOUSLY_ON] Increase: This whore is hereby banished. Anne: I am sorry about your girl. Aah! Increase: He is rendered incapable of speech. Mercy: Tituba held a spider to her neck. She seemed to feed it. Increase: You have but to tell me a name. Tituba: [Whispers indistinctly] Increase: And she started with Mercy Lewis. Mary: Mercy? Increase: I will have her and her girls. Mary: She's not here. She went out this afternoon. She's not returned. Increase: You can imagine my shock to discover that John Alden stands behind all of Salem's horror. Selectman: I place you under arrest for witchcraft. [Rooster crows, horse neighs] Increase: There was a time I wished you my own son. John: Then you know I'm no witch. Increase: Sadly, Captain... I do not know you at all anymore. Mary: Do you truly believe him guilty? Increase: Whatever I believe of John Alden is not at issue here. This is why we have a trial. Mary: A trial of John Alden. Increase: Does this surprise you? Your own servant's accusations were firm and... and very clear. Unless... Unless, of course, perhaps your own feelings cloud your judgment? Mary: Any feelings I once had for John Alden were extinguished once I gave my heart to George. Increase: Ah. Mary: But it is not my feelings that concern me. Increase: Then whose? Mary: Salem's. John Alden is a firebrand, but he is adored by the commoners. I've already heard their whispers of dismay. Increase: Tell me... are you suggesting that I not bring Alden to trial? Mary: No. I am suggesting you do not fight this battle alone. Allow the select board to decide whether a trial is warranted. With their backing... and I assure you, you have it fully... you will quell any dissent. Increase: And are you confident that the board will vote to bring Alden to trial? Mary: As sure as I stand before you. Increase: Yes. I shall summon the board at once. Thank you. Mary:
SUMMARY:
With the help of Issac, Mary devises a plan that she hopes will rid her of both Mercy and Increase. John has been falsely accused of witchcraft and awaits trial, while Anne learns a dark truth about her heritage from her father.