Mrs Brown Page #13

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BROWN:

(interrupts)

What I do, I do for my Queen.

DISRAELI:

Was there never ambition?

BROWN:

(beat)

Maybe, once.

DISRAELI:

Then I envy yo.

BROWN:

Why?

DISRAELI:

To have achieved one's ambition, or to

have reconciled oneself to its limits,

is a lifetime's work.

BROWN:

I do what I do.

DISRAELI:

For Her Majesty.

BROWN:

Aye.

DISRAELI:

But yourself?

(beat)

What about John Brown?

BROWN:

I said.

(beat)

I serve the Queen.

DISRAELI:

No other aspiration?

BROWN stares for a long moment. Finally he speaks.

BROWN:

To see her safe.

DISRAELI steps a little closer.

DISRAELI:

You will not be unaware of the threat

now posed by Republicanism.

BROWN:

Why do you think I keep her here?

DISRAELI:

Ah, but therein lies the paradox. It

is her very isolation that encourages

the malcontents. The longer she is

away, the stronger they become; and

who, honestly, can promise security

against that? However many doors you

lock, someone will always get in.

Even here.

BROWN watches him, eyes alert.

BROWN:

So...?

DISRAELI:

The truth is, the Queen would be safer

doing her duty and returning south to

her public. John Bull loves her and

John Bull is her best defense.

BROWN:

Her mind is set. She won't change

now.

DISRAELI:

She trusts you, John.

DISRAELI is right on his shoulder now, like his own voice.

BROWN:

They don't see it.

DISRAELI:

See what?

BROWN:

The threat.

(beat)

I tell them, but they don't see it.

DISRAELI:

They aren't as watchful as you.

BROWN:

Too busy looking after themselves.

DISRAELI:

The greasy pole.

BROWN:

No loyalty.

DISRAELI:

No love.

Silence. For a moment BROWN seems unaware that someone

else has said that.

BROWN:

I promised to protect her from people

like you.

DISRAELI:

For once in my life, I am not the

issue.

BROWN:

She'll never understand it.

DISRAELI:

In time, she will.

BROWN:

She'll think I betrayed her.

DISRAELI:

But others will know that you acted

for the greater good.

BROWN stares off into the distance.

EXT. LOCH MUICK - DAY

The next day.

BROWN is rowing VICTORIA across the loch. The EQUERRIES

wait on the shore.

VICTORIA trails her hand in the water, frowning at the

surface. BROWN concentrates on the oars, slipping them

carefully through the water.

VICTORIA:

I received a letter today from Mr

Disraeli. Parliament is calling for

my return to public duties.

(beat)

Why won't they let us be?

BROWN does not answer.

VICTORIA (CONT'D)

He insists that the country expects me

to preside over the opening of the new

session. I refuse to offer sustenance

to enable his weakening grip.

Besides, you know how much I should

hate it. It frightens me.

She notices that BROWN has said nothing.

VICTORIA (CONT'D)

John?

BROWN does not look at her. Finally:

BROWN:

We can't always have what we wish.

VICTORIA stares at him.

INT. BALMORAL CASTLE, QUEEN'S DRAWING ROOM - DAY

Later that day.

VICTORIA and BROWN are in the middle of a blazing row in

front of the entire Household, including PONSONBY, JENNER

and LADY ELY.

VICTORIA:

Duty?! You talk about duty?!

BROWN:

If duty and safety are served by the

same end then, aye, I do.

VICTORIA:

I cannot believe you are saying this?

You, who I have relied on all this

time --

BROWN:

(cutting in)

Have I ever let you down before--?

VICTORIA:

(as if he had not spoken)

-- You stand there and tell me it is

my duty ... after all you promised me!

BROWN:

I'm breaking no promises!

VICTORIA:

You are forcing me to do the very

thing you know I fear most!

BROWN:

For god's sake, woman, I'm just trying

to keep you safe!

VICTORIA:

I will not hear any more about my

safety!! You made me a promise and

now you have broken it!

BROWN rounds on her, deeply wounded.

BROWN:

-- When I took you out riding, come

rain or shine, because I knew it was

right for you, when I kept the bairns

off your back so you could have a bit

of peace, when I saw you safe from

home to home and you didn't even know

I was there...! All I've ever thought

about is you!

VICTORIA:

Then why send me back to them?!

BROWN:

Because I have to!

(pause

Will you no listen to me, woman?

Face turned from him, VICTORIA replies in a brittle voice.

VICTORIA:

Do not presume to talk to your Queen

in that manner.

A long silence. BROWN watches her, but she will not look

at him again. Finally, she walks very slowly across the

room. She turns in the doorway, her voice faltering

slightly.

VICTORIA (CONT'D)

Doctor Jenner, I feel unwell. I shall

retire to my chamber. Please attend

me presently.

As the door slams, we ...

FADE TO BLACK.

CAPTION:
"NOVEMBER"

FADE IN:

INT. BALMORAL CASTLE, DINING ROOM - DAY

A few weeks later.

Close on a door as it opens. The ROYAL FAMILY are eating

lunch with members of the UPPER HOUSEHOLD. VICTORIA walks

in with LADY ELY.

A great scraping of chairs as everyone drops their forks

and stands. Clearly, they were not expecting her. In

silence, VICTORIA steps up and takes her place at the head

of the table.

At last, PONSONBY leans forward deferentially.

PONSONBY:

May I say, how glad I am to see Your

Majesty so much recovered.

VICTORIA nods, then turns and looks about at the others.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA is seated at the far end of the table.

VICTORIA frowns.

VICTORIA:

Where is my son?

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

Prince Albert is at Windsor, ma'am.

VICTORIA:

Why is he not here?

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

He is sick, ma'am.

VICTORIA:

Then why are you not with him?

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

You ordered all members of the Royal

Family to attend you at Balmoral.

VICTORIA:

What is the matter with him?

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

He has typhoid fever, ma'am.

VICTORIA stares blankly at DOCTOR JENNER.

VICTORIA:

No. You are mistaken. Prince Albert,

my husband, had typhoid fever. I

asked what was wrong with my son.

JENNER:

The same, your Majesty.

VICTORIA stops. She stares down the length of the table.

A long pause.

VICTORIA:

Why was I not informed?

JENNER:

I did not consider it wise, in the

circumstances, to tax your nerves.

VICTORIA:

How ill is he?

No answer.

VICTORIA (CONT'D)

(to Alexandra)

Alex?

VICTORIA (CONT'D)

He is not well, ma'am.

A beat.

VICTORIA (CONT'D)

I must go to him.

Suddenly, VICTORIA stands. Chairs bang back as everyone

leaps to their feet.

VICTORIA (CONT'D)

We must leave at once.

Abruptly, VICTORIA turns for the door and the room erupts

into activity.

INT. BALMORAL CASTLE, CORRIDOR - DAY

BROWN stands in the corridor, a little nonplussed by the

servants and Householders hurrying about in every

direction.

EXT. BALMORAL CASTLE - DAY

Half an hour later, BROWN races up to the Queen's carriage

amid a swarm of servants, ladies' maids and Householders

rushing to be ready in time.

Suddenly the huge castle doors open and VICTORIA bustles

out with her entourage in tow. BROWN -- only just in time

- yanks open the door for VICTORIA to step past him and

take her place. She ignores him completely.

BROWN slams the doors. As he looks up, he sees his brother

ARCHIE staring at him from across the courtyard. For a

second the two brothers hold each other's gaze. It's

obvious that ARCHIE has noticed the Queen's indifference.

BROWN turns away and mounts the box as the carriage races

away under him.

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