Belle Page #7

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She runs her fingers across the caricature, pained - then

moves urgently to the next pamphlet, and the next...

More MANSFIELD caricatures - a big nose, fat lips, all with

Zong headlines:
’Mansfield to Rule on “Disposable Slaves” ‘

The library door suddenly opens, jolting DIDO.

ELIZABETHThere you are!

DIDO is frozen, says nothing. ELIZABETH stares from the

doorway - why does DIDO look so strange?

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)

We are requested. You - drawing room.

I, relegated to the ladies’ Palour!

She disappears leaving DIDO bewildered.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. LADIES’ PARLOUR. DAY. 73838*

ELIZABETH stands before LADY MANSFIELD.

LADY MANSFIELDWe are to attend London for the

Season.

ELIZABETH’S eyes are wide.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM - DAY. 73939*

DIDO mirrors ELIZABETH.

DIDOWe are to finally ‘come out’??

LORD MANSFIELD stares back at her.

LORD MANSFIELD(clarifying)

Elizabeth is to come out.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. LADIES’ PARLOUR - DAY. 74040*

LADY MANSFIELDDido is not.

ELIZABETH’S face falls.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM - CONTINUOUS. DAY. 74141*

LORD MANSFIELD stares solemnly at DIDO.

36.

DIDOBut why?

LORD MANSFIELDYou understand the ways of this

world for a female, Dido.

Elizabeth has no income. When all

this is gone to her father, I

have nothing to leave her.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. LADIES PARLOUR - DAY. 74242*

LADY MANSFIELD:

You are to meet as many gentlemen as

possible, before we make the match.

ELIZABETHOh!

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM. DAY. 74343*

DIDO is speechless.

DIDOAnd me?

LORD MANSFIELDDido, you are well taken care of -

Of this, you are well aware.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. LADIES’ PARLOUR - DAY.74444*

LADY MANSFIELDA gentleman of good breeding is

unlikely to form any serious

attachment to Dido, and a man

without, will lower her position

in society.

ELIZABETHBut she is not merely my cousin,

Mamaa, she is my sister. I

cannot attend London without her!

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM - DAY.74545*

DIDO’S gaze is pained.

LORD MANSFIELDYou may attend London together to

keep Elizabeth company and save the

pain of a few weeks separation.

37.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. LADIES’ PARLOUR. DAY.74646*

LADY MANSFIELD shakes her head.

LADY MANSFIELDLord knows I will need you both

to keep each other out of trouble.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM - DAY.74747*

DIDOPapaa...

LORD MANSFIELDYou are not to be denied, Dido.

He looks down. DIDO’S eyes follow to a large bunch of keys.

DIDOPapaa, please!

LORD MANSFIELDThese are the keys to the house.

They have hung at the waist of your

aunt for the last thirty years.

DIDO(horrified)

No! I am not Lady Mary. I am not

an unwanted maid!

LORD MANSFIELD feels no choice but to go on.

LORD MANSFIELDLady Mary is too old to continue

in charge of the house.

He places the keys in her hand and closes her fingers.

LORD MANSFIELD (CONT’D)

You may assume her duties on your

return. A most respectable position

for an unmarried Mansfield Lady.

She stares at him, disbelieving, bereft...

DIDOAre...are you punishing me?

LORD MANSFIELDPunishing you!! Dido, you are

most cherished. Most loved. Why

...why would you say such a thing?

DIDOBecause...

38.

She tries to find courage to speak. LORD MANSFIELD waits.

DIDO (CONT’D)

Because ...

She swallows hard...loses courage...

LORD MANSFIELDBecause what?

A moment. He looks down, sees the bright red wax from his

seal on her fingers. ON his slow dawning. Ominous beat.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. GROUND FLOOR CORRIDORS - DAY.74848*

ELIZABETH steps from the ladies’ parlour - DIDO from the

drawing room, winded with emotion. As they fall into each

other’s arms, weeping...

ELIZABETHI am sorry, Dido. So very sorry.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. DRAWING ROOM. DAY. 74949*

LORD MANSFIELD stands alone restraining his tears.

INT. KENWOOD. LORD MANSFIELD’S STUDY. DAY. 85050*

LORD MANSFIELD’s eyes are wild. JOHN stands before him.

LORD MANSFIELDYou told her they were wantonly

drowned.

JOHNBecause they were! Those slaves

were diseased - some were already

dying - yes. But it was essential

they die ON the journey or they

would not come under insurance

consideration! Neither too, if

they had expired of their diseases

- That is why they were killed -

this we all know!

LORD MANSFIELDYou have entered my home and

utterly taken advantage of the

confidential matters afforded you.

JOHNThese ‘matters’ have been for

public consumption for months.

Miss Lindsay is no child...no..

fool!

39.

LORD MANSFIELD(incandescent)

Her precious care is in my hands

and I will decide when she is

ready for such realities. Not the

son of a vicar! A vicar who,

incidently purchased his living

from me!

JOHNI shall gather my belongings.

LORD MANSFIELDDo so!

LORD MANSFIELD turns his back on JOHN to glare at the lawns

JOHN calmly collects his books, jacket, hat. He hesitates.

JOHNYour Lordship, a question?

LORD MANSFIELD swings round ready to bite..

LORD MANSFIELDWHAT, Mr Davinier!

JOHNAs the mere son of a vicar - I

wonder whether the value you

extend to your very precious

mulatto niece - well I wonder if

it amounts to MORE...or LESS than

the thirty pounds insurance thetraders are asking for each life

they murdered?

ON LORD MANSFIELD’S cold stare. He swallows hard.

JOHN (CONT’D)

Good day, M’lord.

LORD MANSFIELDMr Davinier.

JOHN stops, turns to LORD MANSFIELD.

LORD MANSFIELD (CONT’D)

A word to the wise. Find yourself

in her vicinity again, and you will

rue the day you cast eyes on me.

JOHN hesitates a beat. Then he is gone.

INT. KENWOOD HOUSE. LADIES PARLOUR. DAY. 85151*

ELIZABETH catches sight of JOHN riding across the heath.

40.

ELIZABETHJohn Davinier is leaving very

early today!

DIDO moves to the window. Her POV: JOHN on horseback as he

disappears over the brow.

ELIZABETH, LADIES MANSFIELD and MARY watch as LORD

MANSFIELD storms past the doorway.- all is not well, they

can tell.

LORD MANSFIELD’s gaze locks with DIDO through the doorway -

he falters, moves on.

OFF DIDO’s realisation - JOHN is not coming back .

EXT. HAMPSTEAD - DAY 95252*

CLOSE ON hooves - the Mansfield carriage is on the move to

London. The familiar lush horizon provides the backdrop.

ON the luggage-laden carriage - the girls whisper.

ELIZABETH (OOV)

Do you think I may see Mr James

in town?

DIDO (O.C.)

Perhaps.

INT. MANSFIELD CARRIAGE. CONTINUOUS DAY. 95353*

ELIZABETH whispers to DIDO, completely matter of fact.

ELIZABETHI could fall in love with such a

man, Dido.

LADY MARYLove?

The two girls are startled. LADY MARY smiles to herself.

DIDO(whispers)

Bette, you could feel no such

sentiment for you should either

end poor or... broken hearted.

EXT. LONDON STREETS. DAY. 95454*

The carriage rounds a corner, weaves through the bustle of

markets, peasants, guided by HARRY, the MANSFIELD driver.

ON DIDO’s face, staring from the moving carriage.

41.

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