Becky Sharp Page #6

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This is a gambling debt. I pay or I'm expelled.

Captain Dobbin is in charge of collecting it.

Who?

William Dobbin. He represents the club.

Dussais, that little swine. He was here last week

and he never even mentioned the debt.

He and I gambled while you played billiards.

Gambled? What did you play?

Dice. And I won.

For heaven's sake, you didn't...

The loaded dice? Oh come, come.

I promised you I never would. A promise is a promise.

I don't even know where they are.

I seem to have lost them.

Why do you look at me like that?

What do you see?

That I've become a liar, a cheat?

Oh, no, no.

But how can I help worrying, Becky?

Where is all this leading us?

Is there any end? Are we getting anywhere?

Who knows, who cares?

We live elegantly on nothing to gear.

Look at all the splendor.

It won't last.

We are paying heavily little bits of ourselves.

Well, it's worth the price.

Women who cut me last year would give their eyes

to be where I am now because they envy me.

This is what I've worked for. I won't give it up!

Don't ask me to.

Oh, darling, enjoy it with me.

But I can't get Dussais out of my mind.

I'll raise the money somehow.

I could borrow it from...

Steyne? You won't, not from him.

We have to take the money from where we can find it.

Not Steyne's money.

I won't have all London thinking that...

You don't really trust me, do you?

Is that what you wish to say?

Oh, no, darling.

I'll believe only what you tell me

and nothing that you deny.

Then believe that I'm your Becky and that I love you,

I love you and nothing else matters...

Don't worry, darling.

Dobbin can be persuaded to wait.

Mrs. Crawley, I'm a brother officer of your husband's

and I'm sincerely trying to help him.

All I can say is that the debt will have to be paid promptly,

it's a debt of honor.

But I've told you, we have no money.

Where do you propose I turn

for four hundred pounds?

I have no suggestions to make.

And I'm afraid you have to raise five hundred,

not four.

Really? A hundred pounds added for interest

or damages to Dussais' wounded feelings?

I'll try to explain as kindly as I can.

Mr. Dussais came to me privately.

He's too much the gentleman

to charge this before the club.

It seems that you played dice with him

some time last week and he lost a hundred pounds.

He did? Well, it's too hard to remember.

At your house. You used a pair of silver dice.

Loaded dice.

He managed to take them with him

after the game.

Unfortunately I've never seen them before.

Do you intend to use them?

I hope not.

Come now, aren't you rather enjoying this?

Here I am. You've always considered me

Amelia's bad angel.

You've always hated me. Now I'm in your power.

You're not in my power, I'm still trying

to help Rawdon.

Oh, of course, then this isn't a personal matter.

Then, if I appeal to your chivalry,

would you lend me the money?

No?

But perhaps you'd grant me a delay?

I don't think I could persuade Mr. Dussais.

I didn't think you would.

Sure, I came all prepared to do business with you.

I have something to sell, something I think

you'll be interested in buying.

Madam, I couldn't possibly be...

Wait until you see it, I've brought it with me.

By the way, I was brokenhearted to hear

that Amelia had rejected you again.

Mrs. Crawley!

Poor, darling Amelia...

she's still possessed with the idea

that she must be true to George.

Loyal to the dear ghost who was so true to her

when he was alive.

I have no desire to discuss...

Not to discuss how to gain the key

to her rusted little heart, Captain?

What noble self-denial.

George wrote me a letter.

Not a literary gem, but clear.

The idea was that he and I elope.

You remember the Duchess of Richmond's ball?

We were to go away that night.

It would be invaluable in your courtship.

Can you imagine the change it would bring in Amelia?

It's for sale. Five hundred pounds.

Mrs. Crawley, women like you...

How much time have I to pay?

Till tomorrow morning.

Oh, generous, generous.

You'll get the money!

I was just thinking. If I were Amelia would I respond

any more readily to your charms.

I walked up and down in front of the hotel.

And I didn't dare come in.

But how could I resist when I knew

you were in town?

Rebecca, you haven't told me anything.

What is it? What has happened? Tell me.

No, I can't, your kindness only makes it worse.

Rebecca, my dear girl, my own little sister.

Tell me, I have a right to know.

I'm the head of the family now.

Alas, you force me.

It's so humiliating to talk of money.

Oh, dear, perhaps you're right.

Your secrets are your own.

Yes, why should I tell you that I need

five hundred pounds at once or else I'll kill myself.

You shouldn't, you mustn't. Even if you did,

I couldn't afford any more money.

Oh, I know, I know.

You've always been most generous.

Besides, someone else has offered to help me.

Someone else, who?

Oh, a friend.

On second thought, you can have it, sister.

Brother!

But on a condition.

That you let me rescue you from

an unholy and imprudent connection.

I refer to the Marquess of Steyne.

Promise me that. Dear Rebecca, promise me.

My conscience is against it. My conscience.

Your conscience is kissing my hand now.

With my brotherly love.

Oh, Rebecca, do you recall

how we read sermons together?

Couldn't we read a few soon?

Isn't the Marquess of Steyne fortunate?

He has no conscience.

And as for brotherly love, not an ounce of it.

Thus each performs her part, Mamma,

the birds have found their voices,

If I'm to find five hundred pounds for you

we must discuss my part, hm?

The blowing rose a flush, Mamma,

her bonny cheek to dye...

Why do you sing, my dear?

It's such a prosaic matter.

I sing because I'm embarassed

and I sing because I hate to beg.

I'm sorry I appear to make it so difficult for you.

The money is at your disposal, of course.

What's it for this time? Pretty ribbons,

toast for your breakfast?

Or to save my name?

Or charity?

Ah, charity! There we have it.

I'm trying to help an unfortunate man

with a deserving wife.

Perhaps you know them. The Crawley's.

He got in a disagreeable mess at his club.

A gambling debt.

I'm delighted with the opportunity to serve you.

If I give you this money

will you consider the possibility of granting me

this evening

that little supper that you've promised me

for so long now?

I've been very patient, you know.

I am sorry, but Rawdon and I planned

something else for this evening.

Will he not be going to the club in a hurry to pay

that unfortunate debt?

Perhaps.

He'll have to, won't he?

Yes.

Thank you, my dear.

And now, go on with your singing.

You sing most charmingly.

And there's sunshine in my heart, Mamma,

which wakens and rejoices,

And so I sing and blush, Mamma,

and that's the reason why...

And so I sing and blush, Mamma,

No luck.

No? Did you try everybody?

Yes, everybody.

Come here.

Sit down.

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