The Avengers Page #12

Emma keeps staring at Mother, fingers her diamond ring.

MOTHER:

... I want you to remember. Did

Peter give you anything on-that

day?

176 CLOSEUP - EMMA

touches her ring.

177 BACK TO SCENE

Emma looks up at Mother. A barefaced lie.

EMMA:

No.

Steed notices Emma touch her ring nervously.

DR. DARLING

He said if it vanished, he'd know

it was ... you who betrayed him.

He took a huge risk. The ultimate

test.

EMMA:

So I'm still ...

MOTHER:

Under suspicion. Everyone died in

the explosion, Mrs. Peel. You were

the only survivor ...

Mother waits. Emma turns round. Looks fiercely at him. Mother shifts uneasily as

Emma walks past him to the airlock.

MOTHER:

This is an official matter, Mrs.

Peel. No need to take it

personally. Where are you going?

EMMA:

To find out who killed my husband.

MOTHER:

The doors and walls are monitored,

Mrs. Peel. This is a very secure

establishment.

EMMA:

So am I.

Emma pushes open the doors. Walks out. Down a corridor. Dr. Darling grabs

Mother, as he exits with Steed --

DR. DARLING

She must remain here. She's

highly dangerous.

178 IN HALL - CONTINUOUS ACTION

Mother exits with Steed; they watch Emma going ...

MOTHER:

Pity. I was growing fond of Mrs.

Peel. Unfortunately --

STEED:

Guilty until proven innocent?

MOTHER:

Mother and Father know best.

Mother wheels himself off. Then stops; over his shoulder:

MOTHER:

Something quick. Nothing too ...

messy.

ON Steed. CAR ROAR over as --

179 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE CLINIC - DAY

Emma drives a hot-wired Morris Minor out the open gates of the manor house, past a

sign which reads:

"WINSLOW HOME FOR RETIRED LEPIDOPTORISTS" (Butterfly logo)

In the b.g., a couple of old-timers race around with butterfly nets as Steed's jag pulls

past them in hot pursuit.

180 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

Emma speeds down lanes ...

Followed at a safe distance by Steed in his SS100.

181 INT. STEED'S JAG - DAY

Steed looks:
a bleep on his radar screen tracks the --

182 CLOSEUP - CONCEALED MICRO-BUG - INTERCUT

on Emma's shoulder as she drives ...

183 EXT. LANES - DAY

The cars whiz past ...

184 INT. STEED'S JAG - DAY

Keeping an eye on his radar and the road, Steed switches on the radio. The weather

forecast:

RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

(filtered)

'... Sunny intervals leading to

sudden storms and gale warnings

for all areas.

(as he frowns)

... Outbursts of rain, scattered

hailstorms and freezing fog

greeted the World Council of

Ministers as they arrived in

London for their conference ...'

Emma drives into a churchyard. Steed follows her ...

185 INT. COUNTRY CHURCH - DAY

A medieval country church. Sunlight streams through stained glass, illumining Emma

as Steed watches her lay --

A red rose by an altar tomb: an ornate mausoleum two hands clasped in a pose of

eternal sleep:
Peter Peel.

Emma pauses, as in the b.g., choirboys sing hymn practice. Steed watches Emma move

away, toward the door. He drops a hymn book. Emma swivels round -- sees Steed.

EMMA:

You followed me.

STEED:

Orders.

EMMA:

To kill me?

STEED:

(fractional pause)

Nothing personal.

Emma smiles. Then turns, and --

Runs! Steed follows Emma through a door to --

186 INT. CHURCH BELL TOWER - DAY

Steed enters, glimpses --

Emma above. He follows her. Hears her footsteps. Trip- trapping up the spiral

staircase. Steed listens, follows.

187 UP BELLTOWER

From below, Steed hears a BELL RING. A FLUTTER of BIRDS. As debris falls

down -- Steed runs up stairs, reaches --

188 EXT. BELLTOWER TOP - DAY

BELL still RINGING. At the top, a sheer drop. Steed edges closer to the ledge.

Looks. A long way down.

From behind --

EMMA:

A long way down.

Steed swivels. Sees Emma blocking his path. Cool menace. Steed steps away from

the edge, Emma circles him.

STEED:

Careful. You might fall.

Emma steps to the edge. Steed freezes. Emma locks down. Feet resting on the ledge.

Rocking to and fro ...

EMMA:

I could save you the trouble.

STEED:

No trouble.

EMMA:

Because you always obey orders ...

STEED:

Always.

(pause)

Except ...

Steed nears her. Emma pushes herself right to the edge.

EMMA:

Yes ... ?

STEED:

... when I don't. It comes down to one

thing, Mrs. Peel. Trust.

Steed reaches out for her. Holds out his hand.

EMMA:

And do you trust me?

STEED:

I could be convinced, if ... I knew who

poisoned me in the maze. That kiss ...

EMMA:

It wasn't me; you have my word.

Steed snatches her from the edge, holds her in his arms.

STEED:

I need proof.

Emma thinks. Looks at him. Deadly serious. Their eyes lock. She hesitates, then

pecks him on the cheek.

STEED:

It was longer. On the lips.

Emma hesitates. Then a kiss on the lips. Longer. But not much. Steed grabs her

hand, pulls her back.

STEED:

Much longer. Approximately ...

fifteen seconds.

Emma harumphs, exasperated. Moves closer to him.

EMMA:

... Ready?

Steed nods. Emma leans forward. A full kiss. At first reticent ... Emma looks at her

watch. Counts seconds ...

EMMA:

... Four ... seven ... ni-...

Then ... forgets. Warmer, more relenting. Edging towards passionate. They stay

embracing for fifteen seconds ...

EMMA:

(aroused)

Mmm ... what are you doing?

STEED:

Keeping a stiff upper lip?

EMMA:

Is that all?

The kiss continues couple of seconds longer. Before Emma withdraws. With an effort,

she regains her composure. A long silence.

EMMA:

So I'm in the clear?

Steed savors the kiss. No reply. His smile says it all.

EMMA:

But you did suspect me.

STEED:

Not for a moment.

EMMA:

You're playing games.

STEED:

Aren't we all, Mrs. Peel?

EMMA:

I thought you played by the rules.

STEED:

I thought you didn't.

EMMA:

I'm playing to win.

STEED:

Winning isn't everything.

EMMA:

Please don't tell me it's how you

play the game.

STEED:

(smiles; stands

aside)

After you -- Mrs. Peel ...

Steed motions down the stairs. It's close to the edge.

EMMA:

No, after you.

STEED:

(back to square

one)

You don't trust me?

EMMA:

As far as you trust me.

Emma motions. Steed goes down, passes close to the edge, and swivels round

nervously. Emma reads his thoughts.

EMMA:

When it happens, Steed, you'll be

the first to know ...

With this comforting thought, Steed descends first.

189 EXT. CHURCH TOWER - DAY

As Steed and Emma exit from the tower, they see --

A tranquil village scene. Choirboys walk out from the church. Nearby in the deserted

village street. A red PHONE BOX. Which ...

RING-RING ... Starts to RING.

EMMA:

Who could that be?

A ROLL of THUNDER. Steed looks up: a clear sky. He's puzzled. Suddenly

suspicious. As Emma moves to the phone.

STEED:

No -- don't answer it ...

He pulls her back. Emma looks at him.

STEED:

That's it. The phones trigger

the explosions --

RING-RING ... Another ROLL of THUNDER. Steed connects the two as -- an

angelic CHOIRBOY walks towards the phone ...

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