Gandhi Page #16

The grand staircase. The tall civil servant turns and starts

up the staircase. Gandhi is even more exposed to everyone's

surveillance on the wide, white expanse of the stairway. He

hesitates, looking around in discomfort, then follows the

tall civil servant on toward the large, white doors at the

top of the staircase.

SMUTS'S ANTEROOM - INTERIOR - DAY

The tall white doors open, the tall civil servant indicates

that Gandhi enter. Gandhi passes two male secretaries, and

the tall civil servant scoots decorously around him to knock

once on the inner doors. Then he pushes them open and gestures

Gandhi in.

SMUTS'S OFFICE - INTERIOR - DAY

We have seen it before when Walker spoke to Smuts, but now

we see its full breadth -- and the imposing figure Smuts

makes as he stands behind the grand desk.

SMUTS:

Ah, Mr. Gandhi. I thought we might

have a little talk.

He nods to the tall civil servant, who bows and closes the

door. Smuts crosses the room toward a small cabinet.

SMUTS:

Will you have a glass of sherry?

GANDHI:

Thank you. No.

Smuts looks at Gandhi, a little surprised at the frigid tone

of that refusal.

SMUTS:

Perhaps some tea?

GANDHI:

(a shake of the head)

I dined at the prison.

SMUTS:

Ahh.

He appraises Gandhi, measuring the irony of his words, his

determination. Then with a little sigh at the lost opportunity

he replaces the stopper on the sherry, turns and gestures

Gandhi on into the room.

SMUTS:

Please -- please do come and sit

down. It's prison I wanted to talk

to you about.

He has indicated a chair near his desk, but as Gandhi goes

forward he pauses by a spread of papers from England on a

long table near the middle of the room. We see one headline

in close shot:
"Thousands Imprisoned in South Africa/Mines

Close. Crops Unharvested," a subhead, "Gandhi Leads Non-

Violent Campaign." He looks at Smuts. Smuts smiles, a passing

nod at the papers.

SMUTS:

Mr. Gandhi, I've more or less decided

to ask the House to repeal the Act

that you have taken such "exception"

to.

GANDHI:

(a beat)

Well, if you ask, General Smuts, I'm

sure it will be done.

Smuts smiles.

SMUTS:

Hm. Of course it is not quite that

simple.

GANDHI:

Somehow I expected not.

A wry smile, and he sits on the edge of the chair Smuts has

directed him to. Smuts measures him again, not absolutely

certain how to deal with him. A pause, and he affects to

take Gandhi's irony at face value.

SMUTS:

I'm glad to hear you say that...

very glad. You see if we repeal the

Act under pressure

(a nod at the papers

again)

under this kind of pressure it will

create a great deal of resentment.

Can you understand that?

GANDHI:

Very well.

And Gandhi does understand it -- as a guiding principle.

Never humiliate your enemy. And his tone conveys it.

SMUTS:

(a bit surprised)

Good. Good.

(The bland politician:

the compromise.)

I have thought of calling for a Royal

Commission to "investigate" the new

legislation.

(He gestures, implying

they'll do what

they're told.)

I think I could guarantee they would

recommend the Act be repealed.

GANDHI:

(waiting for the catch)

I congratulate them.

Smuts does a slight double take, a smile, then the "tough"

politician.

SMUTS:

But they might also recommend that

future Indian immigration be severely

restricted -- even stopped.

He measures Gandhi challengingly, obviously expecting some

contest. Gandhi mulls it, then

GANDHI:

Immigration was not an issue on which

we fought. It would be wrong of us

to make it one now that we -- we are

in a position of advantage.

Smuts stares at him... a moment, then

SMUTS:

You're an extraordinary man.

GANDHI:

(his grin; he brushes

at his prison garb)

I assure you I feel a very ordinary

man at this moment.

And now Smuts smiles with him. He bends suddenly and signs a

group of documents.

SMUTS:

I'm ordering the release of all

prisoners within the next twenty-

four hours. You yourself are free

from this moment.

Gandhi stands, a little uncertain about the sudden change in

his status. Smuts signs the last document, then sees Gandhi's

doubt -- and misreads it.

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