Gandhi Page #23

Resume Gandhi and Ba. Gandhi quickly moves to free Ba's hand

from Charlie's leg and almost loses his own grip.

He grabs the window again.

GANDHI:

Let go! You'll kill him!

Ba is confused.

GANDHI:

Let go! Let go!

With one hand he pries at her grip. In the chaos of

instructions others in the coach are helping Gandhi, and Ba

senses she is doing something wrong, but is still not sure

what. She lets go.

Close shot. Charlie. A desperate sigh of relief.

Long shot. Charlie is pulled on up to the top of the coach.

Featuring Charlie as he sits, puffing and recovering from

the fright.

FIRST INDIAN:

You see -- most comfortable.

Charlie nods grimly.

Featuring Gandhi and Ba. Gandhi, smiling, goes on the tips

of his toes to get a better view. Ba grabs him desperately.

BA:

Please, God, no!

Featuring Charlie. He looks around at the rest of the

passengers on the roof, their bundles and baskets clutched

beside them. Their poverty is appalling, but they are all

smiling at him, a sense of gaiety made in part by his

Englishman's participation in their experience. They must

shout over the train.

SECOND INDIAN:

(grinning)

Are you Christian, Sahib?

CHARLIE:

(nods)

Yes, yes, I'm a Christian.

SECOND INDIAN:

(proudly)

I know a Christian.

(Charlie acknowledges

it politely.)

She drinks blood.

Charlie stares at him in surprise.

SECOND INDIAN:

(explaining -- obvious)

The blood of Christ -- every Sunday!

He is nodding, smiling, expecting Charlie's understanding.

And Charlie gives it -- somewhat bleakly. Suddenly

GANDHI'S VOICE

(alarmed)

Charlie!!

The Indians turn. Charlie turns.

TRAIN AND TUNNEL - EXTERIOR - DAY

Resume Charlie and the Indians.

FIRST INDIAN:

It's all right, Sahib! Very safe --

bend -- bend!

All the Indians are crouching. Charlie closes his eyes

ruefully -- he's had better ideas than this -- and he gets

as flat as he can.

TRAIN AND TUNNEL - EXTERIOR - DAY

The train, with passengers clinging to the sides and riding

on the top, steams into the tunnel, its whistle sounding.

THE TUNNEL:

Black. A glimmer of light, through steam, the whistle echoing.

INDIAN'S VOICE

Pray to God, Sahib! Now is when it

is best to be Hindu!

Close shot. Charlie. In a flash of steamy light, staring

wide-eyed at the Indian.

Black, and sudden silence.

AND WE DISSOLVE THROUGH TO:

CONVENTION TENT - INTERIOR - DAY

High. Coming into focus is a lighted platform, and as the

scene becomes clearer we see figures on the platform and the

banner which reads INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, and we hear the

emotional voice of Jinnah at the microphone.

JINNAH:

(gradually fading in)

We were asked for toleration. We

were asked for patience. Some gave

it and some did not. Well, their war

is over! And those of us who supported

it, and those of us who refused must

forget our differences!

The camera has been moving in; now it jumps to Jinnah in

close shot and intercuts with the impact of his fervid

delivery on the audience.

JINNAH:

And there can be no excuses from the

British now! India wants Home Rule!

India demands Home Rule!!

And the audience cheers him. Newspaper cameramen crowded

around the platform photograph him. Patel comes forward from

the back of the platform, clapping. He is chairing the

Congress. Jinnah bows, taking his notes, gesturing to the

auditorium. A man made for the spotlight, a man loving the

spotlight.

At last he moves back to his place on the platform. Nehru

clasps his hand in congratulation. Others crowd around him.

And fleetingly, just in the edge of picture, we see Gandhi --

again, the only one in an Indian tunic -- sitting at the end

of the second row on the platform. He is just watching the

flood of enthusiasm for Jinnah.

Featuring Patel approaching the microphone, stilling the

house with upraised hands.

PATEL:

And let no one question that Mr.

Jinnah speaks not just for the Muslims --

but for all India!

And again the audience cheers and applauds his little coda.

He raises his hands, stilling them again.

PATEL:

And now I'm going to introduce to

you a man whose writings we are all

becoming familiar with... a man who

stood high in the esteem of our

beloved Professor Gokhale... a man

whose accomplishment in South Africa

will always be remembered. Mr.

Mohandas Gandhi.

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