PEAKY BLINDERS II Page #10

Word of unease has spread from the suspicious doorman and we

see it reaching a good looking guy in his thirties behind the

bar (MARIO) who we will learn runs the Eden Club on behalf of

organized criminals we will meet in time.

Through smoke we see him getting a whispered message as

Tommy, John and Arthur take in the place for a moment and

then walk down the steps to the dining tables.

Arthur is terrified of the noise coming from the jazz band

and clutches Tommy’s arm....

ARTHUR:

What the bloody hell is that row?

Tommy is heading for an empty table.

TOMMY:

It’s what they call music these

days.

As Tommy makes his way toward the table, we see people

recognizing him and the brothers and reacting instantly.

Arthur and John are unsure but also appear to be recognizing

faces all around. Tommy sits and gestures to a waiter and

calls out loudly...

TOMMY (CONT’D)

Irish whisky. Bottle.

It is plain (not least to Arthur and John) that they are now

getting evil looks from many sources around the room, all of

them hard men. Word is going round fast beneath the drum of

the jazz.

Tommy appears oblivious (he’s not) and his loud order of

drinks causes more reaction. Their bottle arrives. John and

Arthur look around as Tommy pours...

JOHN:

F***, half the Titanic are in here.

ARTHUR:

That’s Darby Sabini’s cousins.

(CONT'D)

PBII - Ep 1 - Steven Knight - SHOOTING SCRIPT - 20/02/14 p.42

38 CONT'D:
38

JOHN:

Jesus Tommy, everybody in here is

somebody...

TOMMY:

Just the lieutenants. Not the

officers....

In the background we see Mario and a big bouncer pushing

through the crowds toward Tommy and Arthur, being given angry

messages as they walk. Arthur has understood what is going on

before us. Tommy swigs down his whisky and prepares.

Mario and the bouncer arrive at the table...

MARIO:

Gentlemen, there has been a

mistake. I am afraid you will have

to leave.

JOHN:

We just bought a f***ing bottle...

MARIO:

Some of the men here say they

recognize you. From the racetracks

in the north.

Tommy drinks his drink in one...

MARIO (CONT’D)

They say you have no business

coming south of the line without

prior agreement...

TOMMY:

And what line would that be?

A pause. Mario looks around in fear...

MARIO:

They say this is provocation.

TOMMY:

Tell them we’re on holiday.

Mario hesitates then comes close to Tommy’s ear...

MARIO:

They say you are breaking the

rules.

A pause. Tommy and Arthur lock eyes, knowing it is all about

to kick off. Mario hisses...

MARIO (CONT’D)

They say you are the Peaky

Blinders...

(CONT'D)

PBII - Ep 1 - Steven Knight - SHOOTING SCRIPT - 20/02/14 p.43

38 CONT'D:
38

As the words ‘Peaky Blinders’ are spoken, a full red wine

bottle comes spinning toward Tommy’s head (in slow motion).

He ducks out of the way and there is chaos.

Arthur is on his feet and Tommy and John join him. They have

been searched but their caps weren’t taken so they are the

only men in the place with weapons (as Tommy knew they would

be).

Hard men come for Tommy and Arthur with bottles and glasses,

but Arthur accesses an incredible strength and power which he

has worked up over the past couple of years.

Tommy and John hold their own but Arthur puts on a display of

snarling fighting fury which clears a space and scatters the

jazz band.

Before the fight can continue, Mario has pulled a gun and

fires a single shot. Everyone freezes.

MARIO (CONT’D)

Stop! Step back.

Tommy, John and Arthur are in a clear space beside the dance

floor. The mob of hard men are staring murder. There is blood

and two men have been cut.

Mario points his gun at Tommy.

MARIO (CONT’D)

Get out.

Tommy snatches the bottle he bought and swigs from it. Then

he, John and Arthur walk toward the door as people make way.

There is furious silence and gestures of revenge. Tommy

stops at the top of the stairs and calls out...

TOMMY:

We came down here not to make

enemies but to make new friends.

He looks around the room...

TOMMY (CONT’D)

Those of you who are last will soon

be first. Those who are

downtrodden will rise up. You know

where to find us.

As Tommy and the boys leave there are looks across the

scattered tables...

39 EXT. GAS LIT BACK STREET, LONDON WEST END - NIGHT 2 39

In a dark alley we see long shadows from a gas light then

Tommy, John and Arthur turn a corner. Arthur doubles up and

splutters out some blood...

(CONT'D)

PBII - Ep 1 - Steven Knight - SHOOTING SCRIPT - 20/02/14 p.44

39 CONT'D:
39

ARTHUR:

I’ve lost another tooth Tommy. I’m

going to have none left.

He grabs the bottle of whisky to wash out his mouth...

ARTHUR (CONT’D)

Some f***ing holiday this is.

John hoots with laughter and Tommy finally laughs too. The

three brothers lean against a wall under the gas light. Tommy

slaps Arthur on the shoulders and he stands to attention.

TOMMY:

So. Are you alright without your

f***ing medicine Arthur?

Arthur grins and nods firmly.

TOMMY (CONT’D)

John? You alright? Or should I be

asking that question to your wife?

Arthur hoots and grabs John. John laughs...

TOMMY (CONT’D)

No more talk of keeping chickens,

alright?

John and Arthur laugh and Tommy walks away. He calls back...

TOMMY (CONT’D)

I’ve got fifty quid here.

Tommy walks...

TOMMY (CONT’D)

Let’s go and paint the town.

Tommy walks away into the gas light. Arthur straightens his

hat on his head. John straightens his collar and whoops as

the brothers become silhouettes disappearing into the

night...

40 EXT. TERRACED HOUSE - NIGHT 2 40

A different silhouette walks under different gas lamps

through swirling mist.

We are in front of a line of terraced houses. The figure is a

woman in a broad brimmed hat. She approaches a sickly yellow

light which burns behind a net curtain. The woman in the

broad brimmed hat approaches the front door. We sense this is

a place she doesn’t want to be seen.

PBII - Ep 1 - Steven Knight - SHOOTING SCRIPT - 20/02/14 p.45

41 INT. TERRACED HOUSE, LIVING ROOM/SEANCE - NIGHT 2 41

The room has been set up for a Seance.

There is a round table with hand-written letters spread

around it in alphabetical order and there is an upturned

glass. In the center of the table a paraffin lamp burns.

There are statues and paintings of Christ all around and

candles drip.

A woman in her fifties (the MEDIUM) presides. The clients are

mostly women in their early thirties (widows of soldiers),

all dressed in black, with one man in his fifties in a smart

suit and tie among them.

The woman in the broad brimmed hat sits and removes the hat.

We see it is Aunt Polly.

She perches half in and half out of the circle, not sure she

should have even come here at all.

MEDIUM:

Let’s begin. Hands on the table.

Everyone places both hands palm down on the table. Aunt

Polly watches and follows suit. The medium peers through the

lamp light...

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