Satisfaction

1792. Autumn. In the gardens of a stately home, Lady Belinda Allendale awaits her rival with a box of dueling pistols. Her nervous friend and 'second' Ms. Olivia Kettwood begs her to forget her grievance but Belinda is determined to have satisfaction. The insulter Mrs. Verity Elphinstone finally arrives, accompanied by her second and amateur doctor Ms.Ann Scoley, a practical Welsh woman. As their seconds load the pistols, Verity and Belinda trade insults. Verity refuses to apologise and further offends by revealing her late arrival was due to buying herself a fancy new hat. They take their loaded pistols, aim and fire. Miraculously both are unharmed. These Georgian pistols aren’t very reliable. Verity is relieved but Belinda has not yet received satisfaction. In the second round, Verity is shot in the arm. Blood is drawn but Belinda is still not satisfied. As they aim for a third round, Verity snaps, drops her pistol and apologises desperately. She reveals the disagreement was over her malicious claim that Belinda was 35, not her true age, 28. She begs forgiveness but Belinda raises her weapon and shoots. Verity opens her eyes to discover she is alive, but her hat now sports a smoldering musket hole. Belinda is satisfied.