The Four Feathers Page #2

INT. another area/ durbar court/ india office - night.

WILLOUGHBY has found a place amongst a group of SENIOR OFFICERS. He stands next to COLONEL HAMILTON, the Commander of their regiment.

COLONEL HAMILTON

...If I had a choice we'd be on our way to the Sudan. Deal with this Dervish uprising once and for all.

2nd colonel

You prefer a tour in the Sudan to India Willoughby?

wILLOUGHBY

I don't know about that Sir, but I agree with Colonel Hamilton, we're going to have to fight the Mahdi sooner or later.

WILLOUGHBY trails off, leaving COLONEL HAMILTON to continue.

INT. bar area/ the durbar court/ india office - night.

DURRANCE downs another whisky. He looks less sure of himself in this social whirl than he did in the barracks. A few WOMEN cast admiring glances in his direction but he doesn't notice them. His eyes keep searching the crowd for Ethne.

INT. seating area/ durbar court/ india office - night.

HARRY gazes through the crowd at DURRANCE. DURRANCE catches him staring and raises a glass. The two friends smile at each other.

INT. STAIRWAY/ india office - night.

A group of late arrivals hurry up the stairs towards the party. ETHNE EUSTACE, is several steps ahead of her father DERMOD, and her friend, CAROLINE ADAIR, a young widow in her 30's.

INT. ENTRANCE/ durbar court/ india office - night.

ETHNE's eyes search the crowd as soon as she walks through. She stops as she sees DURRANCE at the bar. Her eyes stay on him a moment, but it's only to see if Harry's nearby. When she realises he isn't she looks away. Finally she sees him, standing with GENERAL FEVERSHAM and COLONEL SUTCH. She takes her father DERMOD's hand, and leads him in their direction.

INT. bar area/ the durbar court/ india office - night.

CASTELTON and TRENCH are back at the bar, arguing.

CASTELTON:

Your sole purpose in life is to annoy me.

trench

She couldn't see me.

CASTELTON:

I could see you. I can see you everywhere I look. Pulling those stupid faces at me.

willoughby

Now Ladies.

DURRANCE joins in the laughter but he seems distracted. He takes another gulp of whisky and looks around the crowd. His eyes stop as he sees ETHNE. A smile lights up his face, but it's short lived.

Across the courtyard HARRY appears, greeting ETHNE. Their hands touch briefly.

The noise fades in DURRANCE's head. He stares in silence.

HARRY shakes DERMOD's hand warmly. DERMOD slaps him on the back, as if he's congratulating him.

DURRANCE's eyes take in the smallest details now. Even though he can't hear a word, the scene before him reveals itself more and more clearly.

COLONEL SUTCH raises his glass. GENERAL FEVERSHAM, DERMOD, and CAROLINE ADAIR respond. HARRY and ETHNE move closer, a little coyly, as if the toast is for them.

DURRANCE looks pale. We feel the disappointment in his eyes as he realises what's happened. HARRY's arm moves around Ethne's waist, a libery that can only mean they're engaged.

INT. fountain area/ durbar court/ india office - night.

HARRY and ETHNE glance at each other tenderly.

ETHNE:

Did you tell them?

harry

I was waiting for you.

ETHNE:

Not even Jack?

harry

Not even Jack.

The two of them look towards DURRANCE for the first time.

INT. bar area/ the durbar court/ india office - night.

DURRANCE looks up as ETHNE and HARRY make their way through the crowd. He gathers himself, and walks towards them, concealing his feelings:

DURRANCE:

Congratulations.

harry

How did you know?

DURRANCE:

Nothing escapes me Harry...

(Kissing ETHNE on both cheeks)

I'm delighted for you both.

ETHNE:

Harry wanted to tell you before anyone else. It's my fault. I asked him to wait.

DURRANCE:

I'll still blame him.

hARRY

(Relieved that his friend's taking it so well)

You were the one who introduced us.

DURRANCE:

Did I? I'll be more careful next time.

DURRANCE takes HARRY in his arms, slapping him on the back. WILLOUGHBY, TRENCH, and CASTLETON appear behind them, realising something's up. DURRANCE turns to them, beaming:

DURRANCE:

Three guesses for Trench, one for everyone else.

The friends let out a cheer as they realise what's happened. They crowd HARRY and ETHNE, congratulating them.

INT. DANCE area/ the durbar court/ india office - night.

TRENCH sweeps HARRY and ETHNE towards the dancefloor.

trench

(As if they have to dance in public as a punishment)

...Over there. Where we can see you. And remember you're not married yet.

HARRY takes ETHNE in his arms.

harry

(Smiling ironically)

Alone at last.

TRENCH claps loudly as they dance. CASTLETON looks embarrassed by his friend. Behind them WILLOUGHBY congratulates DERMOD and GENERAL FEVERSHAM.

INT. bar area/ the durbar court/ india office - night.

DURRANCE watches the celebrations from the bar. He's smiling to himself, but it's the glazed smile of someone who's forcing himself to be happy. A quiet voice interrupts him:

CAROLINE o/s

Wonderful news isn't it?

DURRANCE turns around to see CAROLINE, Ethne's friend, gazing at him.

DURRANCE:

(Smiling automatically)

Yes it is.

CAROLINE:

Had Harry told you?

DURRANCE:

I knew it was just a matter of time.

(Changing the conversation)

What can I get you to drink?

CAROLINE:

Nothing thank you.

DURRANCE:

(Nervous under her gaze)

I'd ask you to dance, only I'm not sure how steady I am on my feet.

CAROLINE:

(With the quiet confidence of an older woman)

I'd love to dance.

DURRANCE grins sheepishly, at a loss, as he is with most women.

INT. DANCE area/ the durbar court/ india office - night.

The waltz is in full swing. All the friends are out on the dance floor. TRENCH spins his GIRL around energetically, exchanging glances with other women as they pass. CASTELTON stares into his partner's eyes, already in love. WILLOUGHBY dances with an elderly WOMAN, probably some General's wife. DURRANCE waltzes with CAROLINE, avoiding her meaningful glances, looking over her shoulder for Harry and Ethne.

EXT. PARTY/ india office building/ london - night.

The rain pours in torrents. HARRY and ETHNE stand in the shadows of the building. Harry tries to kiss her and hold an umbrella over her at the same time.

ETHNE:

What if I hold the umbrella?

harry

I'd have to kneel.

ETHNE:

Nothing wrong with that.

HARRY hands her the umbrella, bending under it.

ETHNE:

(With irony as he kisses her more and more passionately)

You're very distant tonight.

harrY

I'm locked in a barracks room all day.

ETHNE:

What are you going to do in India?

harrY

Take you with me.

ETHNE:

A Hindu wedding?

harry

Why not.

ETHNE:

Not on your life.

She walks away with the umbrella, leaving him exposed in the rain.

ETHNE:

I want the full works. The Church near my home. A long speech from you. An entire regiment crossing swords.

harry

(Drenched)

Done.

ETHNE:

I don't believe you.

HARRY makes a rush and grabs her, eneveloping her in his arms.

ETHNE:

You're soaking wet.

HARRY:

Whose fault is that.

ETHNE squirms but loses herself in his embrace. As they start to kiss they're suddenly interrupted by TRENCH's braying voice in the distance.

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