Dragonwyk Page #4

---

to farm my lands...

and enjoy the privileges I allow you

without making any return?

Your lands?

Did you hear that? His lands!

For 200 years, the Bleeckers

have worked the Hill Farm.

And for longer than that,

it has belonged to the Van Ryns.

We've paid the worth of it many times over,

and you know it.

- Well, here's the finish.

- I'm sorry to hear it.

But since you feel that way, I order you

to leave my land by tomorrow noon.

If you are not gone, I shall have

the proper authorities put you off.

- Have the next man step forward.

- Otto Gebhard.

Won't you reconsider your decision,

Mr. Van Ryn?

Klaas Bleecker, his wife and children

have no home other than his farm.

- Where will he take them?

- I see you've come empty-handed, Otto.

It's his birthright

as a free citizen of a free country.

These men are not alone. The anti-rent

movement has swept New York State.

Take your head out of the sand

and help solve this problem peacefully...

because it's got to be solved,

peacefully or not.

Speak up, Otto.

I'll bring the stuff tomorrow, sir,

if that will suit.

Will the rest of you men step forward,

please?

I have something to say.

I'm tired of listenin'

and talkin' and listenin'!

Klaas just lost his head.

That's all.

He doesn't mean violence any more

than the rest of us. I hope you'll overlook this.

I suppose I must regard what you did

as an effort to save my life, Dr. Turner...

and whether or not I regard you as a meddling

trespasser, I suppose I must thank you.

You've got the facts wrong.

The way I see it, you're the trespasser.

Also, saving your life

wasn't what I had in mind.

If Klaas had killed you,

it would have done these men...

infinitely more harm

than you could ever do alive.

So don't thank me, Mr. Van Ryn.

I shall say a few words about what has

just happened, and they will be my last.

Dr. Turner's efforts to incite

anti-rent rebellion in our local district...

have been well-known to me

for many months now.

just what is it he wants you

to want so passionately?

It has an assortment

of highly romantic names...

the rights of man, life, liberty,

the pursuit of happiness and such...

and all those will be yours

with the titles to a few acres of soil.

Believe me, my welfare

does not depend upon you.

Rather, you depend upon it.

But my rents and tributes

and my responsibilities are hereditary...

the symbols of a way of life

to which I have been born...

and in which I shall continue to live.

I shall never relinquish my position.

I beg your pardon, mademoiselle...

but are you not Miss Wells,

the companion to little Katrine?

- Yes, I am.

- I have not had the honor.

Will you permit me to present myself?

Henri! Henri!

I imagine many parties are

being planned for you and dear Harmon.

Oh, yes. The Dewents

are giving a soiree for us next month.

Everyone will be there.

Simply every... one.

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

May I sit with you?

- We'd be charmed.

- My name is Miranda Wells.

I am Cornelia Van Borden.

My sister, Elizabeth Van Borden.

- Miss Helena Van der Hyde.

- How do you do?

We were just discussing dear Cornelia's

wedding to Harmon Van Brock.

Do you know Mynheer Van Brock,

Miss Van...

Wells. No, I'm afraid I don't.

I don't know anyone here.

Really? Where are you from?

- Connecticut.

- Connecticut? That's in the West, isn't it?

Why, no.

It's right next to New York State.

- My sister means that it's across the river.

- Which river?

The Hudson, of course.

You see, Miss Van Wells...

just Wells.

There are other rivers, you know.

Do you know a city in Connecticut

called Greenwich?

Oh, yes. Very well. I live there.

It's also called Horseneck.

Horseneck? What an incredible name!

It seems ever so much more polite

to say Greenwich.

Well, it's mostly the farmers

that keep calling it Horseneck.

- Tell me, Miss Van Wells...

- Just plain Wells.

How is dear Victoria Schermerhorn?

Victoria Schermerhorn?

You know Victoria Schermerhorn,

of course.

I know of Victoria Schermerhorn, but I'm

afraid I've never met Victoria Schermerhorn.

But you live in Greenwich.

Well, you see, I don't live in Greenwich.

My father owns a little farm just outside.

- Your father is a...

- Is a farmer.

Who is his patron?

There aren't any patrons in Connecticut.

- Why not?

- Because there just aren't any.

- I think that's very odd.

- I don't.

I think my father would rather own

half an acre of barren rock in his own name...

than work the richest land in the world

for somebody else.

You're raising your voice, Miss Van Wells.

It's just plain Wells,

and I'll raise my voice if I like!

What makes you think

you're so much better than I am?

We never said we were. The thought

seems to have originated with you.

And what's more, I never even heard

of Victoria Schermerhorn!

Miss Wells, is there anything

I can do for you?

No, thank you, Magda.

Of course it's only my humble opinion...

but I think you're

the most beautiful lady at the ball.

That's very kind of you, Magda.

All of the servants think so.

I can't understand why

you haven't danced every dance.

But then I suppose most

of the gentlemen are spoken for.

Miranda.

- Good evening.

- Are you enjoying the kermis of the upper classes?

Very interesting to watch...

as if I were visiting a different world.

And I suppose everyone has commented

on your gown and how beautiful you look.

Not everyone.

Do you like it, Nicholas?

- Very much.

- And do you think I'm beautiful?

- The most beautiful lady at the ball?

- Yes, I do.

Thank you. I'm very grateful.

You haven't answered my question.

Are you enjoying the ball?

- I said it was very interesting to watch.

- That's not an answer.

- Well, then no.

- Why not?

You know that answer as well as I.

Because my name is just plain Wells,

and I'm off a farm, and I don't belong.

- That's nonsense. Of course you do.

- I'm as good as any of them.

- Better.

- But it's the wrong river.

I'm not from the top of the Hudson.

I'm from the Connecticut River bottom.

Oh, I've made such a fool of myself.

- Dance with me, Miranda.

- I can't go back in.

It'll be all over the place by now.

They'll laugh at me.

- I doubt that very much.

- But you don't know...

I know that you'll be with me

and that if anyone laughs, we'll laugh.

- Dance with me.

- I'm afraid.

You must never be afraid

of anything with me, Miranda.

Are you enjoying the ball, Miranda?

Well, aren't you going

to answer my question?

I can only think of one thing to say,

and you won't like it.

- Say it anyway.

- Golly Moses!

There's no thunder in the world

like the thunder of the Catskills.

The lightning seems to set

the mountains on fire, and they roar back.

That's all very romantic, I'm sure,

but it doesn't help my cold.

It's never been this bad.

It seems no different

from your usual winter attack.

But we've always closed the manor

in the winter and gone to New York.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes