Miss Potter

There's something delicious about

writing the first words of a story.

You can never quite tell

where they'll take you.

Mine took me here.

Looking back, the city and I

never much liked each other.

An unmarried woman, after all,

was expected to behave in

very particular ways.

Which did not include traipsing

from publisher to publisher

with a gaggle of friends.

Now, listen to me,

you must not be afraid.

And don't talk too much.

Friends who, sadly, others were

not so keen to meet.

I've been selling my drawings

for greeting cards, place cards,

etcetera for seven years.

Bunnies in jackets

with brass buttons.

How ever do you imagine

such things?

I don't imagine them.

They're quite real.

They're my friends.

Are you based the animal

characters on your friends?

No, the animals are my friends.

Before Peter Rabbit there was

Benjamin Bunny,

and then Sir Isaac the Newt.

I have their drawings as well,

if you'd like to see them.

That won't be necessary.

Unfortunately, Miss Potter.

It is 'Miss' Potter, is it not?

Yes. Of course. Silly of me.

Unfortunately, the market for

children's books...

Yes, of course.

I completely understand.

It was silly of me,

with no experience of these...

F. Warne and Company would like to

publish your little book, Miss Potter.

But best not to get overly hopeful.

I know publishing your book will

not sell a great number of copies,

but I think we can turn

a small profit.

My dear Mr Warne, well,

I'm pleased. Very pleased indeed.

I shall do everything possible to

ensure that you've not made a mistake.

Miss Wiggin, I believe we can go.

Thank you very much indeed.

Messrs Warne, for your time.

Our pleasure. My brother always

knows what he's doing.

Oh, I'm quite particular about

book size and price,

and I'd like to avoid that

dreadful Gothic typeface

your children's books usually have.

I'm sure everything will be

to your satisfaction.

Miss Potter.

Your...

Of course.

My portfolio.

Come along, Peter.

- Sir Isaac, the newt!

- You can't be serious, Fruing.

- That book won't sell ten copies.

- Of course not!

- However, the thought did occur to me...

- Norman!

We promised our little brother

a project.

If he makes a muck of it,

what will it matter?

I think Miss Potter may turn out

to be a Godsend.

Home, Miss Potter?

No, Saunders.

Drive me through the park.

Through all the parks.

- I beg your pardon, Miss Potter?

- Drive!

Walk on.

We did it!

Did you hear my heart?

It was a kettle drum.

You see? We cannot stay

home all our lives.

We must present ourselves

to the world.

And we must look upon it

as an adventure.

Faster, Saunders!

- Faster, Saunders, if you please!

- No, Miss Beatrix. No!

- Fast as you can, old boy.

- Go on!

Oh, I say!

Saunders.

Beatrix, where have you been?

It's after four o'clock.

I'm not a child. I can do things

without my mother's permission.

I was hoping to use the carriage

myself this afternoon.

Where were you?

I took a drive.

With my friends.

You don't have any friends.

Yes, I do, Mother.

Every time I draw.

Some of your paintings are

quite pretty, Beatrix,

but I'm not going to deceive you

as your father does

and call them great art.

Well, my friend,

when I am a published author

then we shall see.

Beatrix, Bertram,

time for good nights.

- I haven't finished yet.

- Come on, hurry up.

- Bertram.

- There! I got him.

- Bertram, you're barbaric.

- Come on, you two.

Hurry up. Down you go.

Slowly!

Hurry, Rupert! It won't do t

be late to the 'Hydes'.

Doesn't Mama look beautiful,

Beatrix?

Being in a temper puts such

a rose into her cheeks.

When you grow up, Beatrix,

and have to run a household,

plan parties, keep a social calendar

and put up with a man

who's never been introduced to a clock,

your cheeks will glow too.

Look at this ribbon.

That's unsightly.

Change her into something decent.

And give this nightdress away.

Oh, this will never do.

I'm just all fingers and thumbs!

You're impossible, Rupert!

We are so late.

What have you drawn today, Beatrix?

Benjamin Bunny having a rest.

His ears are getting

better and better.

This shading here is very good,

Beatrix.

Say your good nights now, children.

- Good night, Mother.

- Good night, Beatrix.

- Good night, Father.

- Good night, Beatrix.

- Good night, Mother.

- Good night, Bertram.

Good night, Father.

Now, hurry upstairs.

- Come on, mustn't make Mama and Papa.

- Later than they are.

- Oh, children.

- What now?

On my way home, I happened to

walke down Piccadilly.

And what do you think

jumped into my pockets?

Something very special for

the young entomologist.

And something very suitable for

the young lady

who's very soon to grow up

to run a fine home,

just like her mother.

- We'll open them upstairs. Come on.

- Thank you, Father.

- Thank you, Father.

- Come on.

- Late, late late!

- We are not late.

We will never be invited

to the Hydes' again.

Heaven's sake, Helen,

it's polite to be a little late.

Now get in the carriage.

This isn't polite late,

this is late, late.

Right, wee ones,

one story and then bed.

I want Beatrix to tell a story.

Hers are funny.

Indeed they are, and I know exactly

what it'll be about.

Tom Thumb and Hunker Munker.

Precisely. Tom, Hunker,

are you ready to play in a story?

Oh, yes. We're excellent actors.

Well, we shall see about that.

This will be your test.

Over there.

Once upon a time, those two excellent

housekeepers, Lucinda and Jane,

bought some shiny new porcelain

food which they set out

on their perfectly appointed

dining room table.

Then, they decided to go for a walk.

Suddenly, there came a scuffling

noise from the kitchen.

Tom Thumb and Hunker Munker crept out.

The two mice saw that

the dining table was set for dinner.

Tom Thumb leapt up and

took a big bite

from the first plate

and broke his tooth.

Who we expecting someone?

That's my publishers.

It's not a social call.

In fact, I'm rather dreading it.

I wish you wouldn't invite

trades people in to the house.

They carry dust.

Well, next time,

I shall go to their office.

Mr Norman Warne.

Miss Potter.

I hope you will forgive my intrusion

into your daily routine.

I was expecting one of the...

Ah, yes,

I am Harold and Fruing's brother.

I've recently joined the firm

and they have done me

the great honour of assigning

your book to me.

Thank you. It was most gracious

of you to invite me to...

- Tea.

- Yes, I would love some.

Yes, thank you.

Lemon.

Thank you.

Extraordinary!

Funny!

Delightful and magical and

so beautifully drawn.

I am utterly, utterly speechless.

Perhaps we should discuss

our business, Mr Warne.

I put your drawings aside with

the greatest reluctance.

Your brother's letter makes

two proposals

which I find quite unacceptable.

First, they'd like the drawings

to be in colour.

I'm adamant they be

in black and white.

But Peter Rabbit's blue jacket

and the red radishes,

Rate this script:3.2 / 5 votes