Far from the Madding Crowd Page #11

What’s the use of it? Sometimes I’d

be glad as a bird to leave this

place, for don’t suppose I’m

content to stay a nobody all my

life. One day I will leave you, you

can be sure of that. But for now I

care for you too much to see you go

to ruin. So if you don’t mind, I’ll

stay by your side.

BATHSHEBA smiles, GABRIEL too. But now another a figure

approaches.

TROY. He stops and waits a little way off.

One moment’s hesitation, and she walks towards TROY.

Without looking back, GABRIEL walks away.

88 INT. STUDY, EVERDENE FARM - DAY 88

Next day. BATHSHEBA writes a letter, seals an envelope To ‘Mr

Boldwood, Lower Farm, Weatherbury.’ No turning back now.

89 INT. BEDROOM, EVERDENE FARM - NIGHT 89

Decisive, BATHSHEBA goes to her wardrobe and begins to pack -

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90

EXT. FARMYARD, EVERDENE FARM - NIGHT 90

She hurls her bag into her fastest gig, heads off into the

night.

91

EXT. BATH - DAWN 91

And as the sun rises, the city of Bath appears in the

distance. A weary BATHSHEBA urges the horse on.

92

EXT. STREET CORNER, BATH - DAY 92

At the appointed time and place, TROY waits.

Through the crowds, he sees her; BATHSHEBA, breathless with

anticipation. She watches for a moment and approaches.

They stand in the street, tantalisingly close.

BATHSHEBA:

I wasn’t sure if you’d be here.

Frank...

TROY:

Of course.

Beneath her cloak, she reaches out one hand. Just their

fingertips entwine.

93

INT. DINING ROOM, BOLDWOOD’S MANSION - DAY 93

BOLDWOOD sits alone at a large dining table, taking his

solitary breakfast, reading his mail just as he had on

Valentine’s Day.

A LETTER. He recognises the handwriting now. A rattling

sound. He notices that his hand is shaking. Carefully, he

puts his tea-cup down.

BOLDWOOD opens the letter.

94

EXT. COUNTRY LANE, WEATHERBURY - NIGHT 94

The coach from Bath makes its lonely way towards Weatherbury.

BOLDWOOD watches the coach approach, his hand tightening on

the silver-headed cane.

The coach stops at the top of the lane that leads to the

Everdene farm. A figure descends;

TROY starts to walk towards the farm.

BOLDWOOD falls into step behind, cane in hand.

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95 EXT. COUNTRY LANE, EVERDENE FARM - NIGHT 95

On the approach to BATHSHEBA’s house now.

BOLDWOOD:

Going to see her I suppose?

TROY walks on without turning.

BOLDWOOD (CONT’D)

Did you hear me?

TROY:

Should I know you?

BOLDWOOD:

My name is William Boldwood.

TROY:

Never heard of you.

BOLDWOOD:

Nevertheless, I wish to have a

conversation. I don’t wish to enter

into questions of right or wrong,

you wouldn’t understand. I’m a

businessman, and I intend a

business transaction with you.

TROY:

Go on.

BOLDWOOD:

I was engaged to be married to Miss

Everdene until you came along.

TROY:

Not quite engaged...

BOLDWOOD:

You have heard of me then.

TROY:

She told me some foolish old man

was in love with her. You, I

presume.

BOLDWOOD:

(he lets this go)

Miss Everdene will never marry you.

You’re not even an officer. She’s

playing with you, you’re too poor,

too low-down. A nobody.

(TROY laughs this off -)

TROY:

What is your proposal?

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BOLDWOOD:

Marry the other girl. Leave Miss

Everdene alone. I’ll make it worth

your while.

But this is like a slap for TROY. He considers Boldwood,

taking him seriously now.

TROY:

How?

BOLDWOOD:

Leave tonight and I’ll give you

fifty pounds. The girl shall have

money too, and after the wedding

I’ll settle a certain amount of

money on the both of you, paid

annually. You can resign your

commission, leave this place, start

a new life. And leave us be.

TROY considers the deal.

TROY:

Fifty pounds you say?

BOLDWOOD:

I have the money here.

And he produces the money.

TROY:

You seem very confident I’ll

accept.

BOLDWOOD:

I know what you’re worth.

TROY lets this pass. He takes the money, weighs it in his

hand, then opens the gate and heads towards BATHSHEBA’s

house. BOLDWOOD follows on, alarmed

BOLDWOOD (CONT’D)

Where are you going? You must go

tonight, that’s the agreement

TROY:

I can’t just leave without saying

goodbye. It’ll break her heart.

I’ll tell her I’m not good enough

then go straight away. How’s that?

BOLDWOOD:

No word of me or our arrangement.

And never see her again, you must

swear...

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TROY:

I give my solemn vow as a soldier,

that I will...

(Almost at the door, he

suddenly stops.)

But wait a moment....

BOLDWOOD:

What is it?

TROY:

There’s a problem.

BOLDWOOD:

Tell me!

TROY:

We’re already married. You see?

TROY holds his hand up to BOLDWOOD’s face.

A gold band on his finger.

BOLDWOOD is broken.

TROY (CONT’D)

We married first thing this

morning. Lovely service in Bath,

very quiet, the two of us.

Tonight’s our wedding night. So,

you see, it seems I am good enough

for her after all.

BOLDWOOD lunges, but TROY intercepts the blow. BOLDWOOD’s

hand goes to TROY’s throat.

BOLDWOOD:

I’ll kill you, d’you hear me! I’ll

break your wretched neck!

But TROY swiftly turns the table, shrugging off BOLDWOOD’s

grip and hurling him to the ground. Three sharp blows to the

face - swift and effective.

TROY:

(whispering in his ear)

Best kill yourself, old man. Don’t

you think?

(pushing him to the

ground)

Now - pick up your money and go.

You’re trespassing.

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96 INT. EVERDENE FARM - NIGHT 96

TROY surveys his home for the first time. He fingers a

porcelain figure, a book. He picks out notes on the piano,

pours a glass of wine. His hand is still shaking.

This is all his property now. For all its comforts, suddenly

it seems bourgeois, dowdy, dull. A twinge of doubt. There is,

he realises, the potential for this all to go horribly wrong.

A noise, a voice from above. TROY walks towards the stairs.

97 INT. BEDROOM, EVERDENE FARM - NIGHT 97

They make love for the first time. In contrast to the bravado

and swagger of their past encounters, there’s something

tender, tentative about it.

98 INT. BEDROOM, EVERDENE FARM - MORNING 98

BATHSHEBA sleeps soundly in the tangled sheets.

Sounds from the yard wake TROY. Wearing breeches and his

scarlet jacket, he sits on the edge of the crumpled bed and

lights a cheroot.

From outside, the sound of hammering -

99 EXT/INT. YARD, BEDROOM, EVERDENE FARM - CONTINUOUS 99

GABRIEL, POORGRASS and JAN COGGAN are in the yard, well into

the working day.

TROY:

Good morning, comrades!

JAN COGGAN:

Morning sir!

(hissed to GABRIEL-)

Answer the man!

TROY:

Fine old house. Needs a lick of

paint, don’t you think?

(nothing from the MEN)

You, Sir (-

GABRIEL)

What’s your name?

For a while it seems as if he might not answer.

GABRIEL:

Oak.

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TROY:

Can’t hear you!

GABRIEL:

My name is Gabriel Oak.

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