Dorian Gray Page #2

- I am poking him!

Check his pockets!

Oi!

Yes?

- Wet your pizzle, sir?

- Hello, handsome.

Boy!

Have a box, my lord? Just a bob.

You've only missed a little.

This young lady...

Miss Sibyl Vane, my lord,

in the role of Ophelia.

.. see that noble

and most sovereign reason

like sweet bells jangled,

out of tune and harsh.

That unmatch'd form

and feature of blown youth

blasted with ecstasy.

Oh, woe is me.

May I present

the Theatre Royale's

Miss Sibyl Vane, my lord?

Im not really a lord.

I don't know why he keeps saying that.

We don't get many gentlemen

in this theatre.

Really?

Well, then, I shall recommend it...

.. to them.

May I ask what brings you

to my dressing room?

Well, I...

I just happened

to be passing the theatre and...

- Well, you see, I was in the gin shop...

- I know.

You remember?

Well, a friend took me there

for the first time.

Well, I say the first time.

Of course, I have...

Well, I wanted to... wanted to say hello,

but then you left with...

- With Jim.

- Yes.

Quite.

Jim.

My brother.

Brother?

- Mm.

- Well, that's splendid!

Sorry. It was wrong of me to...

Please forgive my intrusion,

Miss Vane.

Wait! There's something

you haven't told me.

Yes, of course.

I do beg your pardon.

Ophelia is a most challenging role

and your performance this evening

was... impeccable.

In fact, extraordinary.

In fact...

.. you are extraordinary.

And when I saw you on the stage,

and even more so,

now I stand before you,

I am awestruck and humbled

by your radiance.

I meant your name.

You didn't tell me your name.

So, how many other girls do you bring here?

Hundreds.

Thousands.

- You must be courting dozens at least.

- No.

You can tell me the truth.

There's only you.

There's only you.

Tell me, what are your actual relations

with this young thing?

- A fraction of respect, man.

- Its not like that. Sibyl's sacred.

Its only the scared things

that are worth touching.

People nowadays fear their passions.

- Well, I don't.

- Of course you do.

We're taught terror from the nursery.

Terror of God,

or, even worse, of scandal.

We're taught to spend our entire lives

cowering in self-denial.

The truth, Mr. Gray, is that every

impulse we strangle only poisons us.

You'll make him wish

he'd never mentioned the girl.

Voil, monsieur.

There's something missing.

Thank you, Harry.

I took the liberty of filling

it with my blend.

Oh, Dorian.

Its beautiful.

I just thought it would suit you.

I should be going. Jim will worry.

Of course.

Or we could...

I mean...

You could...

.. stay...

.. here...

.. with me.

We shouldn't be afraid of our feelings, Sib.

Its just...

Ive seen other girls

who give themselves, and then

Ive seen what becomes of them.

I love you.

Forgive me. I didn't mean...

You're all I ever want in the world.

Boy!

You might have a little scar there.

Well, it won't be a first.

My back.

What?

You're perfect.

- Engaged?

- Its wonderful, isn't it?

I wanted you all to be the first to know.

- Congratulations, Dorian.

- Thank you.

May I ask how you came

to propose marriage?

I suppose I didn't really make

a formal proposal.

I told her I loved her. She said it was

her dream come true to be my wife.

Women are wonderfully practical.

Will you all come

and see her perform tonight?

Im afraid I have an engagement.

And we're due at the Burdons.

Tell Burdon Ill see him tomorrow.

Why don't you hail us a hansom?

- I love acting.

- Goodbye, ladies.

So much more real than life.

I hope you're pleased with yourself.

Every experience is of value.

And marriage is certainly an experience.

Nobody is amused this time, Henry.

Ill talk to him.

I got the sense the others

don't quite approve. Especially Basil.

Perhaps Basil should be a little more

fearless with his own feelings.

I thought we might make a little stop

en route to the theatre.

I too have news.

It seems my wife is with child.

Oh, congratulations.

Don't be absurd.

Its the beginning of the end.

So, indulge me.

- Ah, Harry.

- Alan.

Firkytoodling at last, I see.

- Come along, ladies.

- Its good to see you.

How delightful.

Hello.

Drink up.

It won't be long before

you're anchored to the perambulator.

I don't think so.

Our friend is to marry.

Ah, but we haven't had a chance

to win your heart.

Oh, well.

Farewell to youth.

No.

Watch your step.

Does Victoria know you come here?

My dear boy, marriage makes a life

of deception absolutely necessary.

Well, perhaps I have

a stronger conscience.

Conscience is just

a polite term for cowardice.

No civilized man regrets a pleasure.

You see?

The only way to get rid of a temptation

is to yield to it.

Be searching always

for new sensations, Dorian.

Come.

Come upstairs.

Forbid yourself nothing.

Come.

- Nobody at all need know.

- Come with me.

The pleasure is all mine.

- Ive heard so much about you.

- And I you.

Did you enjoy the show?

I couldn't see you in the audience.

Im afraid we ran a little late.

Oh, where were you?

At the club.

The truth is, my dear,

we were celebrating your wonderful news.

Very many congratulations.

And Harry is to be a father.

How wonderful.

- Indeed.

- In one.

Im sure you're eager to

start a family, too?

Very much.

Well, not quite yet.

- Good night.

- Good night, Charlie.

'Night.

We're a little young, don't you think?

Are we?

Perhaps I should take my leave.

- Good night.

- Er...

See you tomorrow, Harry.

Im sure.

I don't think we need to rush, that's all.

You sound different.

Not at all.

Were you at the club all night?

Yes.

He's a better liar than you.

What?

I was just saying everything is so soon.

- I gave myself to you. I thought you loved me.

- And I do!

Then make me your wife,

not one of your whores!

I think perhaps I ought to go.

Don't let him do this, Dorian.

- This has nothing to do with Harry.

- You said you loved me!

And I do! I do!

Dorian, please!

Please, Dorian! Please, I love you!

Oh, Henry! Dorian!

Tell me, how was last night's performance?

Im sorry.

Have a drink.

I can introduce you to the

artist later, if you like.

Never marry, Mr. Gray.

Its the only way to keep

all one's illusions.

Chin up, dear boy.

You've a face like a slapped nancy.

You'll love again.

And again.

Do you have your cigarettes?

Of course.

Don't fear it, Dorian.

The world is yours.

For a season.

Hello, Victor.

Could you fetch us a bottle of the...?

Anything!

- What's the matter?

- You've a visitor, sir.

A Mr. Vane. He seems disturbed.

We'll wait in the library.

Victor, how about that bottle?

To what do I owe the pleasure, Jim?

Can I er...

Can I get you something to drink?

I don't want this in my house.

What happened with Sibyl

was very unfortunate.

But this was a gift

and she really should keep...

Its filthy.

She was wearing it

when they pulled her from the river.

Why on earth was she...?

She... she can't...

She can't...

I wanted you to know... she loved you.

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