Gandhi Page #55

GANDHI:

(at first disconcerted,

but then flowing)

Jinnah has -- has cooperated with

the British. It has given him power

and the freedom to speak, and he has

filled the Muslims with fears of

what will happen to them in a country

that is predominantly Hindu.

(He stops, lowering

his head gravely.)

That I find hard to bear -- even in

prison.

She clicks.

WALLED GARDEN IN THE PALACE - EXTERIOR - DAY

A spinning wheel works rapidly. The camera lifts. Gandhi is

at the wheel and he is smiling off at Bourke-White, who is

trying ineptly to imitate him on another spinning wheel. The

garden they are in has gone to seed a bit, but with latticed

fretwork in the walls dappling sunlight on the grass and

shrubs it is still beautiful.

BOURKE-WHITE

(archly, but

emphatically of the

spinning)

I do not see it as the solution of

the twentieth century's problems!

She's grinning at her own frustration and she keeps trying,

but there's no doubt she means it. Gandhi's smile broadens.

Wryly he lifts his own "product" -- a tiny roll of thread.

GANDHI:

I have a friend who keeps telling me

how much it costs him to keep me in

poverty.

And they both laugh... a guard on the wall distantly looks

at them wonderingly.

GANDHI:

(a bit more seriously)

But I know happiness does not come

with things -- even twentieth century

things. It can come from work, and

pride in what you do.

(He looks at her

steadily.)

It will not necessarily be "progress"

for India if she simply imports the

unhappiness of the West.

And she responds to the sophistication of that observation.

He pivots around, moving beside her, and slowly demonstrates

the process, taking her hands, guiding her. Bourke-White

watches him as much as the wheel.

BOURKE-WHITE

But do you really believe you could

use non-violence against someone

like Hitler?

GANDHI:

(a thoughtful pause)

Not without defeats -- and great

pain.

(He looks at her.)

But are there no defeats in this war --

no pain?

(For a moment the

thought hangs, and

then Gandhi takes

their hands back to

the spinning.)

What you cannot do is accept

injustice. From Hitler -- or anyone.

You must make the injustice visible --

be prepared to die like a soldier to

do so.

And he smiles a little wisely at her.

BOURKE-WHITE

Is my finger supposed to be wrapped

around that?

GANDHI:

(laughs)

No. That is what you get for

distracting me.

BOURKE-WHITE

What do you expect when you talk

like that?

GANDHI:

(trying to unravel

the mess)

I expect you to show as much patience

as I am now.

His tone is not altogether patient. She looks at him in

surprise and he sighs tolerantly. Then reflectively

GANDHI:

Every enemy is a human being -- even

the worst of them. And he believes

he is right and you are a beast.

(And now a little

smile.)

And if you beat him over the head

you will only convince him. But you

suffer, to show him that he is wrong,

your sacrifice creates an atmosphere

of understanding -- if not with him,

then in the hearts of the rest of

the community on whom he depends.

Bourke-White looks at him and there is enough sense in this

argument to give her pause.

GANDHI:

If you are right, you will win --

after much pain.

(He looks at her,

then smiles in his

own ironic way.)

If you are wrong, well, then, only

you will suffer the blows.

She stares at him, and we know she thinks him much more

profound than she had thought initially.

BA AND MIRABEHN'S ROOM - AGA KHAN'S PALACE - INTERIOR -

NIGHT:

Ba, Mirabehn and Bourke-White sit on straw mats around the

room, an oil lamp is the only light. It is women's talk, but

Ba is defending her husband, speaking simply, but with total

conviction.

BA:

...not at all. Bapu has always said

there were two kinds of slavery in

India -- one for women, one for the

untouchables -- and he has always

fought against both.

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