David Copperfield Page #5

Poor little fellow.

Hah! Phoebus! How does the world go?

Come, sit. Here. How did you sleep?

Were you comfortable?

Don't mention this to anyone,

but... it's a mad world -

as mad as Bedlam!

What are you writing, Mr Dick?

It's my life story, my memorial!

The problem is King Charles I keeps

on trying to make his way in there!

It's very unreasonable!

Do you recollect the date

he had his head cut off?

I believe it was 1649, sir.

So the books say,

but I don't see how it can.

If it was so long ago,

how could the people

have put some of the trouble

out of his head

after it had been taken off

and into... mine?

How long has Mr Dick

been writing his memorial?

Ten years or more, but that don't

signify. It keeps him employed.

Well... what do you think of him?

Your sister Betsey Trotwood wouldn't

hesitate. Be as like her as you can.

Is he...

Is he at all out of his mind?

Not a morsel If there's one thing

Mr Dick is not, it is mad.

He's been called mad by his family,

who would've shut him in an asylum.

'Mr Dick is the most friendly,

amenable creature in existence.

'I rely on his judgement

in all important matters.'

Well done!

Before long, Mr Murdstone

replied to my aunt's letter,

saying that he was coming to speak

to her himself the following day.

(DONKEY BRAYS)

Janet! Janet! Donkeys!

Janet, donkeys! Donkeys!

Go along with you!

How dare you trespass,

you bold-faced thing!

- It is Miss Murdstone.

- I will not be trespassed upon!

Lead him off, Janet!! Go along

with you! Lead him off, Janet!

Go away!

I don't allow anybody to ride over

this turf. I make no exceptions.

Your regulation

is rather awkward to strangers.

This boy, you should know,

has a rebellious spirit - a violent

temper and intractable disposition.

Of all the boys in the world,

this is the worst boy.

- Strong, Miss Murdstone.

- Not too strong for the situation.

Indeed? Well, sir?

I placed him in a respectable

business. He ran away.

The facts, I propose,

speak for themselves.

This business - a blacking factory.

If he had been your own boy,

you would've put him to it?

I have my own opinions as to the best

mode of raising this particular boy.

- I say no more about them.

- I see.

- What else do you have to say?

- I have come to take him back.

I will dispose of him

as I think proper.

If you seek to impede me in any way,

if you step between us now,

you do so for ever.

What does the boy say?

Are you ready to go?

Don't make me leave you!

They made Mama unhappy!

They never cared for me!

I want to stay here!

Mr Dick...

what shall I do with this child?

I'd have him measured

for a suit of clothes directly!

Mr Dick, give me your hand,

for your common sense is invaluable!

I'll take my chance with the boy.

If he is all you say he is, I can do

as much for him as you have done.

But I don't believe a word of it!

- If you were a gentleman...

- Stuff and nonsense!

How exquisitely polite(!)

Overpowering(!)

I know the life you led his mother!

It was a woeful day when you came -

making great eyes at her!

- You wouldn't say boo to a goose!

- Elegant(!)

When you'd made sure of her,

you began to train her

like a caged bird,

teaching her to sing YOUR notes!

It's insanity or intoxication!

You broke her heart, then punished

the boy because of your own guilt!

There's the truth! And you and your

instrument may make the most of it!

Who are you referring to?!

Good day, sir, and goodbye!

Good day to you, too, madam.

If you ride a donkey over my green

again, I'll knock your bonnet off

and tread upon it!

Oh, Mr Dick, you'll consider yourself

joint guardian with me of this boy?

- I'd be delighted!

- He should take the name Trotwood.

- Trotwood Copperfield, eh?

- Trotwood Copperfield!

Trotwood Copperfield!

- Why not?

- Trotwood Copperfield! Hurrah!

(MR DICK) Hooray! Hooray!

Flying high!

High in the sky! Look at it go!

My aunt proposed I should resume

my education. I happily agreed.

You'll be the smartest boy

in the school

He will

My new school was in Canterbury

and it was a somewhat more amiable,

scholarly place than Mr Creakle's.

I was to board in the house

of my aunt's lawyer and agent,

her old and trusted friend

Mr Wickfield.

Is Mr Wickfield at home, Uriah Heep?

He is expecting you, Miss Trotwood,

if you'll please to walk in.

(BETSEY) Trot.

I am most grateful to you, Wickfield.

I'm sure my nephew

will be very happy here.

Now, Trot, I must go

if I'm to be home before dark.

Never be mean in anything.

Never be false. Never be cruel

Avoid those three vices

and I can always be hopeful of you.

It's just a little dust in my eye.

It's nothing.

Come and meet

my little housekeeper, Trotwood.

Trotwood... this is Agnes,

my daughter.

She looks after me in every way.

She will show you to your room.

(WICKFIELD) You see we lead

a pretty quiet life here.

Quiet and dull, I'm afraid.

- Not more dull for me than Agnes.

- Than Agnes?

- Is it dull for you, Agnes?

- Of course not, Papa.

She must stay

where I can keep her safe.

I lost her mother.

I lost her too young.

- You are tired, Papa.

- Yes... yes.

I should go to bed now.

You are company

for us both, Trotwood.

It is wholesome to have you here.

See to the candles, Agnes.

- I hope you are settling in well

- Yes, thank you, Mr Heep.

I should be honoured

if you would call me Uriah.

I suppose you are a great lawyer.

Me, Master Copperfield? Oh, no.

I'm merely a clerk at present.

I'm well aware that

I am the 'umblest person going.

My mother is likewise

a very 'umble person

and my father's former calling was

'umble - he was a grave-digger.

What is he now?

He is partaking of glory at present.

But still,

I have much to be grateful for

in Mr Wickfield's offer of articles

otherwise not within my means.

Perhaps you'll be a partner

one day, Uriah.

Oh, no, Master Copperfield.

Ambition ain't for me.

A person like myself

had better not... aspire.

If he is to get on in life...

he must get on 'umbly.

I must go home.

Mother will be getting uneasy.

For though we are so very 'umble...

we are much attached to one another.

I suppose you'll be

stopping here some time?

As long as I'm at school

Indeed. Then I should think that YOU

would come into the business at last.

I should most like

to write stories one day.

A most worthy ambition.

I bid you good evening,

Master Copperfield.

My new school

was an excellent place,

as different from Mr Creakle's

as good from evil

The blacking factory life

became so strange to me

that I began to believe

it had never happened.

Time steals on unobserved.

The years glide by silently

and I move from childhood to youth.

The boy I was

seems no part of me now.

I remember him as something

left behind upon the road of life.

I must go and pack.

I leave at first light.

Trotwood...

I have already done it for you.

Thank you.

Mr Wickfield, there is a matter

that demands your attention.

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