Gandhi Page #45

COLLINS:

How does a reporter in Central America

learn that Gandhi was born in

Porbandar anyway?

WALKER:

Oh, I've been a Gandhi buff for a

long time.

Collins glances at him in surprise as he steers the car around

another procession of camels heading toward the port.

COLLINS:

He certainly makes good copy.

(A laugh.)

The other day Winston Churchill called

him "that half-naked Indian fakir."

Walker smiles too, but it soon passes.

WALKER:

I met him once.

Collins looks at him in real surprise.

COLLINS:

You mean Gandhi?

WALKER:

(nods)

Back in South Africa...

(reflectively)

long time ago.

COLLINS:

What was he like?

WALKER:

Lots of hair... and a little like a

college freshman -- trying to figure

everything out.

COLLINS:

Well, he must've found some of the

answers...

He honks as he goes around a wooden-wheeled cart.

PRANAMI TEMPLE - PROBANDER - INTERIOR - DAY

Simple. Austere. Filtered light. Featuring Gandhi -- close.

He is looking straight ahead.

Reverse angle. Across the emptiness of the temple, Ba faces

him.

BA:

(a step forward)

"In every worthy wish of yours, I

shall be your helpmate."

Another angle featuring Walker and Collins, who are sitting

alone, in the cool shadows of the temple, watching with

fascination as Gandhi and Ba repeat their marriage ceremony

for them, Walker jotting notes occasionally, but his eyes

always glued to Gandhi and Ba, who are in part lost in

memories and echoes of a significance only they can know.

GANDHI:

(a step)

"Take a fourth step, that we may be

ever full of joy."

Wide shot. Showing the two of them before the altar of the

temple, moving closer to each other.

BA:

(a step)

"I will ever live devoted to you,

speaking words of love and praying

for your happiness."

Close shot -- Gandhi.

GANDHI:

"Take a fifth step, that we may serve

the people."

BA:

"I will follow close behind you and

help to serve the people."

Featuring Walker, now too entranced by the ceremony, by the

depth of layered emotions in Gandhi and Ba's voices and eyes

to take any notes...

GANDHI:

"Take a sixth step, that we may follow

our vows in life."

BA:

"I will follow you in all our vows

and duties."

Ba and Gandhi. Near to meeting now.

GANDHI:

(a last step)

"Take the seventh step, that we may

ever live as friends."

Ba takes the last step, so that they are face to face. A

beat.

BA:

"You are my best friend... my highest

guru, and my sovereign lord."

For a moment their eyes hold -- the many dreams, and hopes

and pain -- the love of many years.

Walker watches, his own face taut with emotion.

Resume Gandhi and Ba. And Gandhi slowly lifts his hand.

GANDHI:

Then I put a sweetened wheat cake in

her mouth.

He touches Ba's lips with his extended fingers and she kisses

them gently.

BA:

And I put a sweetened wheat cake in

his mouth.

She has lifted her fingers to his mouth and he kisses them

gently.

Featuring Walker and Collins both touched, the overtly cynical

American obviously even more than the likeable Englishman.

Gandhi turns to them.

GANDHI:

And with that we were pronounced man

and wife.

(Solemnly)

We were both thirteen...

THE BAY - PORBANDAR - EXTERIOR - DAWN

A tiny, beautiful city rising steeply out of the Arabian Sea

with tall, thick-walled buildings, half-fortresses, half-

homes, their white walls tinted amber and gold now by the

early light of the sun.

Featuring Gandhi, sitting on a promontory watching the sunrise

in solemn meditation... He becomes aware of the sound of

footsteps and he turns to see Walker approaching, a little

knapsack over his shoulder. Gandhi smiles. Walker comes to

his side, looking out over the bay and city, truly impressed.

WALKER:

It's beautiful.

GANDHI:

Even as a boy I thought so.

Walker looks down at him. Gandhi scowls up in the early light.

WALKER:

Trying to keep track of you is making

me change all my sleeping habits.

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