Parnell Page #5

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Frederick.

Frederick!

How funny

my voice sounds.

Frederick.

I wonder if he could be

further down the street.

I'll go and see. Will you

wait here or go inside?

No, Ill come

with you.

You haven't

much time.

I'm sorry it's such

a dreadful night.

Why? It's not

your fault, is it?

Ha ha.

Frederick.

Frederick.

He isn't here.

There'll probably be

a cab at Charing cross,

If there's

one anywhere.

Do you think

we could walk there?

We might try.

Which way is it?

It's to the right.

No, that's across

the river.

No, no. The river's

this side of us.

No, where are we now?

Whitehall's that way.

No, that's

Tothill street.

No, wait a minute. Where's

the house of commons?

Gone.

I wish it had.

Do you? It's there

behind us, isn't it?

No, no, we've been walking

to the left. It's over there-

I think.

We're lost.

Yes, I believe

we are.

Not 10 steps from what is

practically your own front door.

Do you think if

we shouted?

Shouted what?

I don't know,

just shouted.

What does one shout?

"Help! Lost!

Mr. Parnell is lost!"

Something like that.

Well, that depends on

who heard you.

If it were the conservatives,

they'd leave me here.

What are you

going to do?

I don't know,

But I don't imagine Im

going to get to Ireland.

Oh, but you must. It's

important, isn't it?

I thought it was, a

quarter of an hour ago.

Please don't worry about

me. I'm enjoying this.

It's funny...

But I am, too.

What's that?

What?

That red glow

over there.

It's a man with

a hot potato barrel.

Baked potatoes,

governor?

All piping hot.

A penny each.

Keep your hands warm if

you don't want to eat them.

But I want to

eat them.

You do? Oh, Im so glad.

So do I. I'm hungry.

Quite right, lady.

There's nothing

like a hot tater

On a foggy night

like this.

A bit of

salt, lady?

Please.

2, governor?

Yes, thanks.

By the way, have you

any idea where we are?

Well, governor,

That was the Vauxhall

bridge road over there

Last time I saw it.

'Course, that was

several hours ago.

Where was you wanting' to get

to, if I might make so bold?

Charing cross or Euston.

We don't care,

do we?

Oh, I see.

Just walking.

Well, it's a fine

night for a walk,

For them whose

likes it.

I like to be getting back to

my missus and a bit of steak.

But when you're courting, I suppose it's

You and me together, love, and

never mind the weather, love.

Good night, sir.

Good night, lady.

Good night.

Dear, I wish he hadn't mentioned steak.

We'll find some.

Where?

Oh, knock on a friendly door and say,

"The lady wants

some steak."

Yes, but a puzzle

finding the friendly door.

You know,

this is too absurd.

What is?

Charles Stewart

Parnell,

The uncrowned

king of Ireland,

And Katie Oshea

of Eltham,

Walking around

eating hot potatoes.

I know now, it's what

Ive always wanted to do-

Eat hot potatoes

with you.

It's strange,

here in the fog.

Lost, out of

the world,

It's as if there

weren't any world,

As if they'd

taken it away.

I wish they had.

Just cleared it all away

like a stage set...

Or moved it

somewhere else,

Where it could

go on without us.

I wish we could go on

walking in the fog like this

Until we walked

right out of it

And left it all

behind forever.

Katie...

You know, Ive never

called you that before.

I know.

Katie, you know that

Im in love with you.

You know that,

don't you?

You mustn't be.

I am.

I have been, from the moment I saw you.

Oh, my darling.

This is madness.

No.

It's how Ive always

thought of us. Alone.

You and I, right out of the world.

But we can't be.

The world's still there behind the fog,

Waiting for us.

Oh, but Katie.

Listen.

What?

Is that a cab?

You would

hear that.

Hi, cabby.

Hi, cabby.

Whoa, Archibald.

Are you a cab?

I ain't quite

sure, lady,

But I think I am.

Supposing you are

as reason see.

Do you think you could

drive us to Euston station?

I'll try, sir. I don't

promise where we'll get to,

But Ill try.

Come on, Archibald.

Come on.

How long will you

be in Ireland?

Only until Tuesday.

I shall be back

just in time

To change

and come to Eltham.

To Eltham?

Yes, for that dinner

I missed last night,

If you'll repeat it.

No.

No?

We can't go on

with this.

Why not?

Where can it lead?

To happiness.

This evening

has been something

That I shall

never forget.

Yes.

But it mustn't

happen again.

You mean Im not to see

you anymore? You can't.

It's all so impossible.

This evening has been something

I shall never forget, either,

But we mustn't

see each other again.

Whoa.

We're here.

You must go.

Not unless

you promise to

See me once again,

at least.

Let me come

on Tuesday.

Let me talk to you.

If you still think that

we shouldn't meet again,

You can tell me.

But let me

come on Tuesday.

I shouldn't.

But you will.

Thank you.

There it is before you

in black and white!

Parnell stands accused!

I tell you,

Parnell has failed!

They'll throw him in an

English prison till he rots,

And what good will

that do Ireland?

The time has come

to throw aside

This policy of

argument and waiting!

And what are we

going to do now?

I tell you what

we're going to do.

On a windy night,

500 fires lighted by

500 loyal Irishmen,

In the city

of London,

And English tyranny

will be broken!

Quiet! Quiet!

And what do you think

The English constabulary

would be doing,

Taking a holiday

to watch the bonfires?

No.

Destroy London, will you?

Send thousands of innocent

women and children

To a horrible death.

What better way could you

choose to show that

You're unfitted

to govern yourselves?

Wasn't the bloodshed

at phoenix park

Enough of a disgrace?

I've promised you a parliament.

You'll get it.

But not if you heed the babblings

of a crackpot like this fellow.

All he'll get you is the

soldier here to wipe you out,

And you'll deserve it.

Please. Please.

Why is it that the minute 2 Irishmen

meet, they will start fighting?

Go to your homes now,

And don't let me

hear of any fires

Until the bonfires are lighted

to celebrate home rule.

The 3 goes on the 4.

I'm aware of that.

The 8 goes on

the 9.

Ow!

The knave goes on

the queen,

And the 6 goes up.

Clara!

Do you mind

not interfering?

I know Im decrepit, but I

can play patience by myself.

I'm sorry.

You look very

grand, Katie,

For an informal dinner

of 3 women and one man.

I think she looks

very nice.

What's the betting on

who's turning up tonight?

No betting.

He'll turn up.

What makes you

so sure?

I just think he will.

Um, Clara, my dear.

Would you mind fetching me

my black lace shawl?

It's in the wardrobe

in my room.

Of course, aunt Ben.

Well?

Well?

If you'd like me to,

I'll have what Clara calls

"twinge" after dinner,

And get her

to put me to bed.

Why should I

do that?

Katie, you don't have

to pretend with me.

I have eyes

in my head.

Old as they may be,

they were good enough

To see how yours were shining

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