Miss Julie Page #3

---

beautifully

and peacefully,

without any pain.

And then I recalled

that it was deadly

to sleep

under an elder bush.

And I knew

of a big one,

in full bloom.

I picked

all of its flowers

and made a bed

in the big box

where we keep the oats.

I laid down

and pulled the lid down

over myself,

closed my eyes.

I fell asleep

on the poisonous elders

and I woke up

a very sick boy.

But I didn't die,

as you can see.

And I knew that I could

never have you.

You're everything

I can never have.

You speak like--

like what I find

in my books.

Did you ever go

to school?

Not much, no,

but I have read a lot

and gone

to the theatre

and have listened

to the conversation

of better-class people.

I even try to speak

like them.

You stand around and listen

to what we're saying?

Oh, yes.

And I have heard

a lot

when I was driving

the carriage for you,

Miss Julie,

or rowing

the boat for you--

you and your girlfriend.

What?

Tell me.

It wouldn't be easy

to repeat.

I was surprised.

I couldn't understand

where you, Miss Julie,

had learned such words.

I--

(chuckles)

Perhaps there isn't

quite as much difference

as they think

between human beings

and human beings.

May I ask permission

to go to bed?

Go to bed?

On Midsummer's Night?

You said--

Dancing with the mob

out there

has no attraction

for me.

Good night, Miss Julie.

Sleep well.

Get the boat

and take me out

on the lake.

I want to watch

the sun.

Would that be wise?

Are you afraid

of your reputation?

I don't want

to be made ridiculous.

And I don't want

to be discharged

with no recommendation.

Maybe I even owe

Kathleen something.

Oh, you're afraid

of Kathleen?

-Take my advice

and go to bed.

-Are you ordering me now?

Yes, for once,

and for your own sake.

The night is far gone.

You've been drinking.

You don't know what

you're doing.

(distant men shouting)

I hear the crowd

coming this way

to look for me.

I can't be found

here with you.

I love the people,

and they like me.

Let them come,

and you'll see.

No, Miss Julie,

they don't like you.

They--

they take your

food and your money

and spit at your back.

Why?

I never hurt them.

The mob is always

cowardly.

They are

false-hearted.

(people shouting)

In such a situation

there's nothing to do

but run away.

-Let us run away.

-Run away where?

To my room?

No, no, Miss Julie,

to mine.

We'll be safe there.

I'll look after you.

Trust me, I will.

-If they will

look for you in there?

-I'll bolt the door.

And if they try

to break it down?

I'll shoot.

Come.

Come.

-Do you promise me that--?

Promise--

-I promise.

(thunder rumbling)

(rain pattering)

(people shouting)

(shouting continues)

(thunder rumbling)

(rhythmic drumming)

(drumming and chattering

continue)

Man:

Kathleen!

Open the door, Kathleen!

-Woman:
Kathleen?

-Man:
Will you open it?

(shouting and laughter)

(rain continues

pattering)

I don't know

who I am.

I don't know

who you are.

I don't either.

You don't know

who I am?

Did you say that?

No.

No what?

Come over here.

Your hand in mine.

I did not tell you,

that time I saw you

in the garden,

I sat for hours

on the wall,

just looking at the house

until the sun set.

And then I--

you may

despise me now,

but I did what I never

had dared to do before.

I jumped down

on the other side,

hoping you'd come out again

so that I could

speak to you.

I don't know

what I was thinking.

I knew that

I didn't belong.

I was very scared,

Miss Julie.

I knew who I was--

a boy who found his brother

starved to death in the bed

beside him,

and my father

telling me

to never upset

His Lordship,

how good the baron

had been to us.

I knew I had to get out

of your garden.

It was forbidden to me

and I would upset

my father.

And then I saw

someone coming.

It was the baron.

My heart

was hammering.

I ran like mad

afterwards,

plunging through

the raspberry bushes,

thorns tearing at me.

You can't imagine

what it was like,

with the thistles

that stung my feet.

A week later

I saw you again...

walking among

the roses

in such

deep thought

and looking

so lonely,

even unhappy.

You did not see me.

Oh, I wish you had.

(both panting)

John:

Please.

I beg you.

I am sorry.

I am sorry.

You don't understand.

I am sorry.

Forgive me.

(gasps)

I cannot stay here

any longer.

Please stay in the room

until I make sure

Kathleen won't see you.

(door opens)

(door closes)

(knocks on door)

(John whispers)

Kathleen, please.

Please, Kathleen.

Please stay here

just for a little while.

Please stay in here.

There are things I--

I can't control now.

I can't control her--

Miss Julie.

Don't.

Don't talk, shh.

Wait.

I will talk.

I'll come back.

I will.

Stay in here now,

Kathleen,

for me, for us.

Try to sleep.

Please, you--

you need sleep.

(rain continues

pattering)

(footsteps)

Kathleen may have

heard us.

I think she knows.

What shall we do?

John, what are we

to do?

We?

(harrumphs)

We.

We've been doing

what everyone is doing.

It is Midsummer Night,

Miss Julie.

Between midnight and dawn

lovers are allowed

to open their hearts

and their loins.

(laughs)

Listen, we--

we could run away,

travel far away

from here.

Leave?

Far away.

To Switzerland,

the Italian lakes,

Lake Como.

I've been there.

I even told you earlier.

Life has given us an answer.

It's a miracle.

I even have a picture

over here.

Look.

That's the life--

always new faces,

never a moment to spare

for worry and nerves,

no need to wonder

what to do with yourself,

people dancing

night and day,

trains whistling,

and all the time

the jingle of gold coins.

That's the life, Julie.

Oh, eternal summer,

orange trees,

laurels.

I'll start a hotel,

everything first-class.

- I'll have first-class

customers.

- A hotel?

Yes!

That'll be our life.

You will be

the pride of the place,

what with your looks

and your style,

why, it's a sure thing.

I'm telling you,

you will never be

lonely again.

I'll take care of you.

I promise.

Freedom, no more walls

and no gardens.

And you'll sit there

like a queen.

You'll keep the slaves going

by the touch of the bell.

And the guests will file

past your throne,

timidly leaving

their offerings.

And you cannot imagine

how the people

will tremble

when they're

holding out a bill,

and you just sweeten them

with your pretty smile.

And one day

I will be as rich

as your father.

I may even

buy him out.

Tell me you love me.

Otherwise I am nothing.

Not now, not here.

And above all,

it's important--

no feelings.

Then everything

will be lost.

Cold blood, clear heads,

grown-up people.

Let us sit at the table,

you there.

And I'll sit here.

And we'll just talk

amongst ourselves

as if nothing's

happened between us,

making our plans.

Have you no feelings

at all?

I? No one is

more full of feeling

than I am.

A while ago you held me.

I-- I was in your bed.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes