A Tale of Two Cities Page #7

- Oh, Miss Pross...

...may I congratulate you on the dinner.

I know I express the sentiments of all

when I say that the roast tonight...

Is not up to your usual standard.

I suppose it not as good

as the taverns you are used to.

From what I hear, none of you

are strangers to taverns.

Mr. Carton, the infant has expressed

a desire to say good night to you.

The infant's desire shall be

gratified immediately, Prossie.

I suppose it's none of my business...

...but I wouldn't allow that fellow

to handle a child of mine.

As to that, you haven't got one.

And by the looks of you, you're not likely

to have one. Excuse me, gentlemen.

She wanted so badly to say

good night to you, but she fell asleep.

You're her favorite, Sydney.

And she's mine.

She accepts me without criticism.

Never asks me where I've been

or what I've been doing.

Doesn't even object to my drinking.

The perfect friend.

You know, Sydney, sometimes

it's the part of a friend to criticize too.

Well, when there's any hope of reformation,

yes. But with me it's hopeless.

I don't believe it. I refuse to believe it.

Oh, I admit that once when...

When I first knew you,

the sight of you and your home...

...stirred old shadows

that I thought had died out of me.

I had unformed ideas of striving afresh...

...beginning anew,

fighting out the abandoned fight.

A dream that ended in nothing,

but you inspired it.

Must it end in nothing?

I'm afraid so.

But for that inspiration

and for that dream...

...I shall always be grateful

to you, Lucie.

I feel in you still such possibilities.

No, they'll never be realized.

I am like one who died young.

I'll never give up my hopes

for you, Sydney. Never.

I know myself better.

But this I know too:

I would embrace any sacrifice for you...

...and for those dear to you.

Will you hold me in your mind as being

ardent and sincere in this one thing?

Think now and then that there is a man

who would give his life...

...to keep a life you love beside you.

Thank you, Sydney.

God grant it may never be necessary.

Look at the crowd rushing

to escape the storm.

Listen to the echoes.

You know...

...sometimes I've sat here

of an evening until...

Until I've made the echoes

out to be the echoes...

...of all the footsteps that are coming

by and by into my father's life and mine.

- Meat.

- Yes, meat.

- Stop it.

- Stop it.

Why do you endure it?

Why do you have to endure it?

Why?

Why?

Careful.

- Aristos.

- Children of aristos.

- Evremonde's lackey.

- Living on the blood of peasants.

It's not true.

I've always fought for the people.

I taught Charles Darnay

to love the people. Ask him.

- Then why isn't he here?

- Why isn't he here to testify for you?

Citizen Gabelle...

...we know Citizen Darnay's views,

that he's a friend of the people.

- His word could save you.

- But he's in England.

Why doesn't he return to testify for you?

Lf, as you say, you have taught him

the views he holds...

...he should be willing

to do that for you.

Write him.

His answer will be the test.

He will come.

I'm sure he will.

Pen. Paper.

Thank you, Citizen Gabelle.

Thanks for giving us an aristocrat.

His last will and testament.

I congratulate you

on your ruse, citizens...

...but I beg of you, I implore you...

...no matter what you do to me,

spare Charles Darnay.

He is your friend.

The revolution will need friends.

Remember a child that was killed

by the coach of your master...

...the Marquis Evremonde?

Why, yes.

Was that your child?

- My child.

- Oh, that was a dreadful thing, citizen.

Do you see this hand? This is the hand

that struck your master down.

- Well, you can't blame me.

- You lived with him. You're his friend.

I see.

I'll not plead for justice for myself...

...but I implore you

not to send that letter.

Charles Darnay is your friend.

He feels your sufferings.

He will feel them better and so will you.

Hurry up, you.

Come on here with that there mail.

What's been keeping you?

What's all the row, Father?

Lots of foreigners about today.

Frenchies over here to save

their heads and skins.

From what I hear, France would be a fine

place just now for a resurrectionist.

You're developing too fast, me lad.

And stay off my stool.

So we landed here without a silver...

- Letter for you, Mr. Darnay.

- Thank you, Jerry.

Where do I arrange for a loan?

Understand, I want this loan

on the house in the Rue St. Germain.

Everything will be attended to,

but it takes time.

- You can't hurry this house.

- I demand immediate action.

My dear sir, young Mr. Tellson

will see you, but you'll have to wait.

- I want to see old Mr. Tellson.

- No, no, no.

Mr. Tellson Sr. Hasn't

seen anyone in 15 years.

But here comes Mr. Tellson Jr.

Mr. Tellson, sir. Aren't you going to pay

any attention to my loan?

Indubitably.

- Good morning.

- Good morning, sir.

If you advise the bank to loan money

to these aristocrats...

...you'll ruin Tellson's.

- This is the best opportunity...

...for business in years.

These people are so anxious to get loans,

they'll put up twice the value for security.

Seems twice the value to you,

but it's no security at all.

This business in France

is a real revolution.

These people are putting up securities

they won't own.

I was thinking along

those same lines myself.

- Well, Darnay.

- Hello, Carton.

- Lucie still in the country?

- Yes, yes.

You seem upset. Is everything all right?

Yes, of course.

Mr. Stryver, you see

we are besieged for loans.

Our Mr. Lorry is in Paris

reviewing the situation.

Advices are delayed.

Shall we advance any money at all,

Mr. Stryver?

I shouldn't.

This is a real revolution in France,

Mr. Tellson...

...and these securities, in my opinion,

are no securities at all.

- Don't you think so, Carton?

- Indubitably.

Well, Mr. Carton, even though

you do agree with Mr. Stryver...

...I shall still risk his judgment.

Good day, sir.

- Jerry.

- Yes, sir?

- When does the coach leave for Dover?

- In half an hour, from

the Golden Cross Inn.

- Does it meet the packet for France?

- Yes.

- Reserve space for me

immediately, will you?

- Yes, sir.

"I know you will understand

my obligation to my old tutor.

His life is at stake

and I cannot deny his appeal. "

Isn't that just like Charles...

...to drop everything

and go to the aid of...

Father, what is it? What's the matter?

I should have told you before,

perhaps, Lucie.

- What?

- About Charles.

He is an Evremonde, nephew

of the notorious Marquis St. Evremonde.

The man who...?

Father, the same man who...?

Yes, it was Charles' uncle

who had me imprisoned in the Bastille.

Why didn't you tell me?

That is all past.

It is the present that troubles me.

- Charles' danger.

- Danger?

I heard only today that they've passed

a new law in France...

...that the lives of all aristocrats

who return to France...

...are forfeit to the revolution.

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