Sherlock Holmes Page #20

The next morning. A giant holding cell where every shade

and aspect of Victorian villainy is corralled.

Holmes wakes up on a bench after a peaceful night's

sleep. Watson sits next to him, exhausted, bloodshot

eyes. He's reading his notebook, making the odd change

here and there.

Holmes looks up and sees Watson staring at him, shaking

his head.

WATSON:

I haven't slept all night. I

deserve this... I clearly deserve

it. How could I ever be so

deluded as to believe I could meet

Mary's parents for tea once I let

myself be talked into going with

you. Now of course I'm in jail.

Holmes tries to wiggle his fingers which causes him

enough pain that he decides to bind them with Irene's

handkerchief.

HOLMES:

(theatrically

indignant)

You're not implying that I am

responsible for our current

situation are you, Watson? We

were set upon, man, it was self-

defense.

Watson shakes the notebook in Holmes' face.

WATSON:

I've used the time to review my

notes on our exploits of the last

seven months... and I've come to

the conclusion that I must be

suffering from to some profound

psychological aberration.

(CONTINUED)

54.

67 CONTINUED:
67

WATSON (CONT'D)

Why else would I continually allow

myself to be led into situations

where you're deliberately

withholding your intentions from

me?

HOLMES:

You've never complained about my

methods before.

WATSON:

I'm not complaining... I never

complain... I never complain about

your violin playing at three in

the morning, your mess, your lack

of hygiene, your stealing my

clothes, your setting our home on

fire!

HOLMES:

That was an accident...

Watson challenges him with a look.

HOLMES:

The first time WAS an accident...

BIG MAN (O.S.)

Remember me, boys? Put me away

for robbery a few years back?

Holmes turns and comes face-to-face with a dangerous-

looking man who has a few conspicuous WARTS on his face.

HOLMES:

Ah, Mr. Brownlee. The fifteenth

most dangerous man in London.

Watson snaps at the man.

WATSON:

Who could forget that face? I

told you, a little nitrate of

silver and the warts will be gone

in two weeks. Now, if you'll

excuse us!

Brownlee takes a swing at Watson. Holmes checks him and

drops Brownlee without missing a beat.

(CONTINUED)

54A.

67 CONTINUED:
(2) 67

WATSON:

(to Holmes)

Nor am I complaining about the

fact that you terrorize my

patients and perform outlandish

experiments on my dog.

HOLMES:

Gladstone's my dog as well. It's

in the interest of science.

WATSON:

What I do take issue with is your

ruthless campaign to sabotage my

relationship with Mary.

HOLMES:

Watson, I completely understand

now. You're overtired and feeling

a bit sensitive.

Watson now turns away, completely irritated at Holmes'

lack of understanding.

HOLMES:

What you need is a rest. You and

I could go out to the countryside.

My brother Mycroft has a small

estate near Chichester. It has

marvelous grounds and a beautiful

folly. We could throw a lamb on

the spit.

Watson shakes his head in disbelief.

WATSON:

If I were going to the country, I

would be going with my future

wife --

HOLMES:

Certainly. We should have her

along. Let's get Gladstone out of

the house as well.

WATSON:

No, Holmes. Not you. Me and her.

You're not --

HOLMES:

Invited? Now you're not making

any sense, Watson. Why would I

not be invited to my own brother's

country home?

(CONTINUED)

54B.

67 CONTINUED:
(3) 67

WATSON:

You're not human. You don't get

it, do you? You are this...

(touches his own

head)

... without this.

He touches his own heart. They hear a BILLYCLUB hit the

bars.

PRISON GUARD:

John Watson? You made bail.

Watson steps up. Holmes looks confused. He steps

forward. But the Guard shakes his head.

PRISON GUARD:

Just Watson.

As he slides open the bars, they see... MARY emerges from

behind the Guard. Watson stands for a beat between

Holmes and Mary. He must make a decision. And he does --

-- he leaves.

Holmes watches him walk out, then locks eyes with Mary.

She gives him a polite nod, turns, heads off with Watson.

The bars slide shut.

The mob surrounds Holmes. He's never looked more alone.

68 68

INT. LONDON JAIL - CORRIDOR

Lestrade heads toward the holding room, flanked by prison

wardens.

(CONTINUED)

55.

68 CONTINUED:
68

As the door is opened, the thug blasts out backwards,

having just been battered through it by Holmes.

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