Belle Page #14

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EXT. KENTISH TOWN. BACK ALLEYS. DAY.188686*

A NEW DAY...bustling, behind the canal. DIDO and JOHN stroll.

JOHNWere you a curious child?

DIDOCompletely. Elizabeth, always

asked the questions for me...

then took blame for

the impropriety when

in fact she was protecting

me! Dear, dear Bette.

Laughter...

POV:
a pamphlet lies on the ground. It reads: LORD

MANSFIELD, THE ZONG AND THE DEATH OF ENGLAND’S TRADE.

JOHN watches as DIDO takes in the headline...

EXT. KENTISH TOWN. CANAL DAY.198787*

ANOTHER DAY....ON JOHN and DIDO as they meander.

DIDO...I find myself unable to

sleep. Papaa is to finally speak in

a few days and...well...

JOHNIt is quite extraordinary ...but I

fear...I fear despite persuasive

argument...your Papaa has not been

moved.

(despondent)

I am not certain he is ready togo against the traders - they aresome of the most powerful inthese Isles - theirs are the

finances that hold up England,

after all. The enemies of any man

who stood against the trade would

be vicious.

DIDO stops, turns JOHN to face her. She is intense...

DIDOAnd yet if he does...stand

up...IF he speaks the words andcondemns the trade...The LordChief Justice of England...it maybe impossible for the slave lawsof England and its colonies to

remain absolute. Is that correct?

78.

JOHNThat...that is a fact.

A tear spills. As JOHN’S hand come up to wipe it away...

CUT TOINT. BLOOMSBURY SQ. ENTRANCE HALL. DAY.198888*

DIDO steps into the house, hooded, tip-toeing to the stairs.

LORD MANSFIELD steps from the shadows, watches quietly, as

she creeps up the stairs, silently.

He thinks a moment - then hears the horses neighing out

front. He moves to the front door.

EXT. BLOOMSBURY SQ. MANSFIELD HOUSE. CONTINUOUS DAY.198989*

POV - HARRY disembarks, alarmed as he sees LORD MANSFIELD’s

gaze on him. An ominous beat.

INT. BLOOMSBURY SQ. DRAWING ROOM - DAY.209090*

ELIZABETH at the pianoforte, raising a sweet sound.

DIDO appears in the doorway, listens a moment, then moves

to join ELIZABETH, using only the one hand to play. A

harmony emerges, continuing to its natural end.

ELIZABETHI have heard nothing from him,

since Vauxhall, Dido. I was

certain an announcement wasto be made any day...that he

meant it this time!

DIDOThen he is not a man of his word.

ELIZABETH stares at the piano keys. DIDO is pained for her.

DIDO (CONT’D)

I will help you find the kindest

most wonderful of husbands.

(off Bette’s sadness)

And I shall ask Papaa to use a

portion of my inheritance for your

dowry.

ELIZABETHYou would do that? For me?

DIDOBette, anything for you!

79.

ELIZABETH’S eyes brim.

ELIZABETHDido...

She hugs DIDO tight.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)

I have been of the mind these

last few days...that it is my

little means that has delayed

James in making his approach.

DIDO regards her, sadly - tentative as she ventures...

DIDOI think you may be right.

ELIZABETHThen I cannot thank you enough.

DIDOBette...?

ELIZABETH stands, brighter, smoothing her clothes.

ELIZABETHI will ask Papaa to write

immediately to Lady Ashford.

DIDONo!

ELIZABETHNo?

DIDO gets up too, now.

DIDOJames Ashford is not kind. He is

not a man to give your life or

dowry to.

ELIZABETHThen your gift comes with conditions.

DIDONo!

ELIZABETHWhat then?

DIDOI am trying...trying to make you

see. He is not... appropriate!

80.

ELIZABETHAppropriate? The brother of the

man you are to marry is not

‘appropriate’ for me?

DIDOHe does not desire you, Bette!

At least, even if he does, you

would regret such a mistake.

(off Bette’s silence)

He...he laid his hands on me,

Bette - in the most

un-gentlemanly fashion.

ELIZABETHWhy should you say such a thing?

DIDOHe hurt me.

ELIZABETHYou are a liar!

DIDOWhy...why would I lie to you?

ELIZABETHI don’t know - but do you not

see? Have you never been able to

see? He would never touch you...!

DIDOBette...

ELIZABETHYou are beneath him!

A long beat.

DIDOI am beneath him??

ELIZABETHYes. You...you are...

DIDOWhat! Tell me! What am I, Bette?

She dares ELIZABETH to cross their line of sisterhood.

ELIZABETH...You...you are....(courage leaves

her)...You are illegitimate!!

DIDO is winded, but relieved.

81.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)

Have you never wondered why you

are not permitted to eat with our

guests?

Dido draws breath to calm herself, then...

DIDOMy mother and father never married

- you are correct. But my father

acknowledged me as his child.

(beat)

It is yours who refuses to

legitimise your position, Bette -

that is why you are poor! And that

is why it is not me who is beneath

Mr James, Bette. It is not me!

ELIZABETH stings - she fights tears, before she disappears.

A dreadful silence. DIDO looks down at the black sapphire

on her finger. A moment, then she slips it off.

INT. BLOOMSBURY SQ. DIDO AND ELIZABETH’S BEDROOM. DAY.209191*

DIDO, alone. She studies her reflection at the dressing

table. A moment. A soft breath - something in her relaxes

the look on her face, just as soft as she regards herself.

INT. BLOOMSBURY SQ. STAIRS/GROUND FLOOR HALL. DAY.219292*

DIDO hooded and cloaked, races quickly. Suddenly...

MABEL:

(worried whisper)

Miss Lindsay. Are you out again?

DIDO turns to MABEL, presses her fingers to her lips,

appealing to her, before slipping from the houseMABEL stands frozen, a porcelain jug in each hand,

EXT. BLOOMSBURY SQ. MANSFIELD HOME. DAY.219393*

As DIDO climbs into the carriage.

EXT. LONDON STREETS. DAY.219494*

Horse hooves trotting rhythmically.

INT. MANSFIELD CARRIAGE. LONDON STREETS. DAY.219595*

DIDO sits patiently, her heart pounding.

82.

EXT. MANSFIELD CARRIAGE. LONDON STREETS. DAY.219696*

ON HARRY’S sweating cheeks as he guides the carriage.

INT./EXT MANSFIELD CARRIAGE. KENTISH TOWN. DAY.219797*

The carriage as it pulls up in front of the Coaching Inn.

DIDO takes a breath.

INT. MANSFIELD CARRIAGE. LONDON STREETS. DAY.219898*

As HARRY climbs from the driver’s seat.

EXT. MANSFIELD CARRIAGE. KENTISH TOWN. DAY.219999*

CLOSE:
HARRY’S outline, as we follow him to the Inn.

INT. MANSFIELD CARRIAGE. LONDON STREETS. DAY.21100100*

DIDO smoothing her dress.

The door of the carriage opens before she can finish.

She looks up - the happiest smile...

It falls from her lips, as quickly as it came and she

starts to tremble, at what comes towards her.

The sight of LORD MANSFIELD as he climbs into the carriage

...and sits opposite her, silent - a cold stare.

INT. COACHING INN. DAY.21101101*

JOHN follows HARRY to exit the Inn.

EXT. COACHING INN/INT. MANSFIELD CARRIAGE. DAY.21102102*

The carriage door opens - JOHN climbs in, barely taking a

moment to look where he is going, and as he looks up, he

too sets eyes on LORD MANSFIELD.

JOHN looks back to HARRY, stunned. HARRY’s gaze locks with

DIDO’S. She is hurt. He falters, closes the carriage door.

DIDO(terrified)

Papaa...?

LORD MANSFIELD is incandescent. He shakes with rage.

83.

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