Gandhi Page #19

GANDHI:

I'm hardly that, Mr. Patel.

PATEL:

Oh, yes, you are. It's been two

hundred years since an Indian has

cocked a snoot at the British Empire

and got away with it. And stop calling

me Mr. Patel, you're not a junior

clerk anymore.

GANDHI:

(a beat; still hesitant)

No.

They have come to a main thoroughfare. A crowd still lines

the streets but it is thin and around and between we see

groups of desperate poor, parked on the pavement, staring

with blank curiosity at the passing car, but too listless

and too out of touch to move from their little squatters'

patches.

Patel looks at Gandhi's clothes rather disapprovingly.

PATEL:

The new Military Governor of the

North West Province was on that ship.

Too bad you came back Third Class --

he might have been impressed by a

successful barrister who had

outmaneuvered General Smuts.

Gandhi is staring at the street. From his point of view we

hold on a gaunt young, aged woman holding a baby wrapped in

rags as threadbare as her sari. Another hollow-faced child

leans against her.

GANDHI:

(leadenly)

Yes... I'm sure...

PATEL'S GARDEN - EXTERIOR - DAY

A splendid peacock, its tail fanned in brilliant display,

lords it on a velvet lawn. A woman in a sumptuous silk sari

is trying to feed it crumbs. Behind her, Gandhi's reception

is in full spate -- silver trays, tables covered in fine

linen, Indian servants, a swimming pool, a small fountain,

the grounds filled with Indian millionaires and dignitaries

gathered with their wives to meet the new hero from South

Africa.

A beautiful and beautifully dressed woman (Mrs. Nehru) stands

next to her distinguished husband (Motilal Nehru).

MRS. NEHRU

(wittily)

No, I leave practical matters to my

husband and revolution to my son...

She nods lightly toward Nehru.

Featuring Nehru who is introducing Gandhi to two men, one

tall, slender, ascetic looking, but dressed impeccably

(Jinnah). The other with a haunting face -- beard, flowing

dark hair, the air of a poet or a ruthlessly dedicated radical

(Prakash -- whom we recognize from the opening sequence in

Delhi at Gandhi's assassination).

NEHRU:

Mr. Jinnah, our joint host, member

of Congress, and the leader of the

Muslim League and Mr. Prakash, who I

fear is awaiting trial for sedition

and inducement to murder.

Gandhi has bowed to Jinnah, now he looks a little startled

at Prakash. Prakash grins and makes the pranam to Gandhi.

PRAKASH:

I have not actually pulled a trigger,

Mr. Gandhi, I have simply written

that if an Englishman kills an Indian

for disobeying his law, then it is

an Indian's duty to kill an Englishman

for enforcing his law in a land that

is not his.

Gandhi nods...

GANDHI:

It is a clever argument; I am not

sure it will produce the end you

desire.

He meets Prakash's gaze firmly, the first moment we have

seen any sign of the Gandhi of South Africa.

JINNAH:

(testingly)

We hope you intend to join us in the

struggle for Home Rule, Mr. Gandhi.

GANDHI:

(a pause)

I --

Charlie Andrews touches Gandhi's arm, excusing himself to

the others.

CHARLIE:

May I? Mohan -- I would like you to

meet someone.

Gandhi bows to the others and is led off to an Indian bishop

in full clerical robes. Behind him we see Patel regaling a

small group with some story of court or society.

As Gandhi leaves, Jinnah, Nehru and Prakash watch him

clinically. Except for the servants, Gandhi is the only Indian

male not in European clothes.

NEHRU:

He told the press he would support

the British in the war.

PRAKASH:

(acidly)

That's non-violence for you.

JINNAH:

Is he a fool?

Nehru grins slowly, thoughtfully.

NEHRU:

I'm not certain... But I wouldn't be

surprised.

We get a shot of Ba in a gathering of Indian women. She stands

listening, seemingly tongue-tied in the sophisticated patter.

And we cut to Charlie introducing Gandhi to a man in obvious

ill health, but well dressed, looking like the professor,

philosopher and elder statesman he is (Gokhale).

CHARLIE:

I lied to you, Mohan, when I told

you I decided to come to South Africa

to meet you. Professor Gokhale sent

me.

Gokhale is pleased, Gandhi amused. He bows very respectfully.

GOKHALE:

We're trying to make a nation, Gandhi --

and the British keep trying to break

us up into religions and

principalities and "provinces." What

you were writing in South Africa --

that's what we need here.

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