Suffragette Page #11

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SILENCE-

MAUD and VIOLET both lost in their own thoughts, letting the

silence hang until-

EDITH (CONT’D)

Good, then we can begin.

EDITH nods to MISS SAMSON and MISS WITHERS close by.

EDITH (CONT’D)

Violet, tapers please.

MAUD goes to help, watching EDITH busying herself, pulling

out a map of London from a large bag, with renewed verve.

EDITH (CONT’D)

Now. I have marked the map. The

Pillar boxes are red. The telegraph

wires are green.

EDITH lays the map out on a table, smoothing out the creases-

EDITH (CONT’D)

We shall cut into the heart of

communications. But remember, it is

vital that no life is harmed during

our activities.

The WOMEN gather around, pouring over the map.

EDITH (CONT'D)

We start early, before dawn. That

way the streets should be deserted.

MAUD’s gaze travelling over the detailed map, over the marked

pillar boxes - clearly contemplating.

EDITH (CONT’D)

Everyone take a list of locations.

On MAUD taking her list - looking at it.

EDITH (CONT’D)

Memorise them. Then burn them. We

do not want them to fall into the

wrong hands do we.

MAUD shoving the list deep into her pocket, forcing herself

on, poker faced. On EDITH catching on this, then moving on.

EXT. BACKSTREET/TENEMENT. NR MAUD’S HOUSE. BETHNAL GREEN.

1913. DAY.

CLOSE ON MAUD peering around a wall watching-

GEORGE and a ragbag of GRUBBY KIDS playing kick the can on

the street-

The door to MRS GARSTON’s house ajar - she stands gossiping

to a NEIGHBOUR-

The SQUEAL and LAUGHTER of KIDS as they run leaving a GRUBBY

GIRL hands over her eyes counting-

MAUD:

(hushed)

George. George. George-

GEORGE turns, mid run, smiling on seeing MAUD. She quickly

puts a finger over her lips, gesturing him towards her, one

eye on MRS GARSTON, still gossiping, oblivious. GEORGE runs

towards her. MAUD taking his hand as she leads him away.

EXT. STREET. BETHNAL GREEN. 1913. DAY.

GEORGE runs, squealing delightedly as MAUD chases him. She

finally catches him and swings him into a hug, laughing.

LATER -

GEORGE on MAUD’S lap, cuddling in.

MAUD:

Who dressed you this morning?

GEORGE:

Dad.

MAUD smiles, eyes on GEORGE.

MAUD:

(playful)

Dad.

On MAUD, touching his arm, his shirt is frayed, his clothes,

oddly matched.

MAUD (CONT’D)

You’ve still got your nightshirt

on.

GEORGE smiles, MAUD smiles. He turns to face her.

GEORGE:

When are you coming home?

MAUD:

I don’t know.

GEORGE:

Have you done something very bad,

Mama?

MAUD:

I don’t think so. I just can’t come

home at the moment.

GEORGE:

Is it because of your sickness?

On MAUD, quizzical.

GEORGE (CONT’D)

Dad says you’re not well in the

head.

MAUD, kicked to the guts-

MAUD:

That’s not true, George.

MAUD gives him some chips.

MAUD (CONT’D)

Come on. Here y’are.

On MAUD, her eyes quietly staring into the distance, anxious

and unsettled.

EXT. TENEMENT. MAUD’S HOUSE. BETHNAL GREEN. 1913. DAY

MAUD hurrying up the street with GEORGE, gripping his hand.

MAUD wavers on seeing the house.

MAUD:

That’s for today.

(kissing him)

That’s for tomorrow.

(kissing him again)

And that’s to save till I see you

next.

(MORE)

MAUD (CONT'D)

(gently pushing him)

Off you go -

MAUD waits as GEORGE crosses the street. He looks back, MAUD

urging him on. He knocks at the door. At once, SONNY opens

the door, pushing GEORGE inside as he steps out onto the

street. MAUD hides in the shadows, until-

SONNY:

Don’t take him again, Maud.

MAUD steps out of the shadows.

MAUD:

Let me see him. Please.

SONNY:

Trust you with him? After what you

did to Taylor?

MAUD:

What did Taylor do to me, Sonny-?

For years.

SONNY can’t hold her gaze.

MAUD (CONT’D)

George belongs with me.

SONNY:

(hardening)

The law says he’s mine, Maud.

SONNY goes to close the door on her-

SONNY (CONT’D)

(as the door shuts)

Where he belongs is up to me.

That’s the law.

MAUD hardening, her pain raw.

INT. MAUD’S ROOM.BEDSIT. BETHNAL GREEN. 1913. EVENING.

MAUD looks down at her hand with growing resolve. She reaches

for a bar of soap by the sink and rubs it hard against her

wedding finger. She loosens her ring and pulls it off.

She goes over to a small table and takes out paper and a pen,

preparing to write a letter. The pile of books, some open and

half read resting on the side.

MAUD V/O

Dear Mr Steed. I’ve thought about

your offer, and I have to say no.

EXT. WSPU OFFICE. LONDON. 1913. DAY.

The imposing office of the WSPU.

MAUD V/O

You see I find I am a suffragette

after all.

INT. WSPU OFFICE. LONDON. 1913. DAY.

MAUD moves through a busy office. Conversations amongst the

WOMEN including EDITH and the ELEGANT WOMEN.

MAUD V/O

You told me no one listens to girls

like me. Well I can’t have that

anymore. All my life I’ve been

respectful. Done what men told me.

I know better now.

MAUD feeding blank paper into a barrel printer, smiling with

delight at MISS WITHERS as the printed page of VOTES FOR

WOMEN comes through on the other side.

INT. OFFICE. POLICE STATION. BETHNAL GREEN. 1913. DAY.

STEED reading the letter, agitation growing as his business

card falls out of the envelope in his hand and onto the

floor.

MAUD V/O

I’m worth no more, no less than

you.

INT. WSPU OFFICE. LONDON. 1913. DAY.

The busy office - telephones ringing, a hive of activity.

MAUD at a desk with paperwork.

MAUD V/O

Mrs Pankhurst once said that if

it’s right for men to fight for

their freedom, then it’s right for

women to fight for theirs.

EXT. MAUD’S HOUSE. BETHNAL GREEN. 1913. EVENING.

RAIN pouring, MAUD soaked and waiting-

SUDDENLY she breaks into a smile, all is sunshine.

GEORGE pressing his nose against the window, eyes searching

the darkness smiling on seeing-

MAUD waves. GEORGE waves. MAUD smiles. GEORGE smiles. MAUD

blows him a kiss. GEORGE catches it. MAUD does a little jig,

then a little mime to amuse him, pretending to put up an

umbrella, then pretending a hand is pulling her away. MAUD

keeps coming back, as if she is refusing to leave him, but

some unknown force keeps grabbing her by the collar until-

GEORGE is suddenly gone.

SONNY (O.S.)

George back to bed.

SONNY pulls the curtain across.

MAUD V/O

If the law says I can’t see my son,

I will fight to change that law.

INT. OFFICE. POLICE STATION. BETHNAL GREEN. 1913. DAY.

STEED turns over the letter, with weary concern.

MAUD V/O

We are both foot soldiers in our

own way.

INT. WSPU OFFICE. LONDON. 1913. DAY.

VIOLET leads MAUD upwards into a dusty attic office.

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