The Invisible Woman Page #5

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CATHERINE (CONT’D)

You are an admirer of my

husband’s work, Miss Ternan?

NELLY:

(nods)

Yes of course. At the moment I am

lost in Little Dorrit. It has a

darker heart perhaps. Though I am

gripped between laughter and

heartbreak.

(MORE)

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 22.

NELLY (CONT'D)

Until now I thought Bleak House was

the novel that would stay with me

the most. It has this alarming

spirit of unease. Lady Deadlock

haunted by her past..I am drawn

back to those pages again and

again. And yet there is so much

that also makes me smile.

CATHERINE:

It is a fiction designed to

entertain.

NELLY:

No..no..surely it’s more than that.

It makes us think. It changes us.

CATHERINE considers NELLY, with thoughtful gaze then looks

back at DICKENS, a sudden heavy sadness overwhelming her

which she deflects witha smile-

CATHERINE:

He will be up all night and

cross all day.

CATHERINE moves off, clearly heading to bed.

CATHERINE (CONT’D)

Good night, Miss Ternan.

NELLY:

Good night.

SILENCE:

A DISTANT DOOR CLOSES-

NELLY looks back at DICKENS, MISS SABINE now hypnotised

and dancing a jig or the like, the party in uproar,

DICKENS at the helm.

16 INT. DRAWING ROOM.HOTEL. MANCHESTER. 1857. DAWN. 16

It is nearly dawn, the fire is low and the gas lamps now

out.

DICKENS sunk amongst the company of ACTORS; some dozing,

some listening enwrapped, some searching the wine bottles

for the last dregs of wine. MRS TERNAN wide eyed is now

being mesmerised by DICKENS.

MRS TERNAN:

There are too many cats..too many

cats and not enough birds.. I need

wings.

(MORE)

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 23.

MRS TERNAN (CONT'D)

Hold the baby..hold the

baby..No..No..She has gone...With

no wings..Where is she?..Where is

she?..Is she safe?...Please tell me

she is safe.

MRS TERNAN transfixed, her face etched with shock and terror,

the whole room held, watching her. DICKENS smiles, a little

uneasy.

DICKENS:

Ah-

DICKENS smiles, unsure, then he squeezes MRS TERNAN’s

hands, releasing her back to reality.

DICKENS (CONT’D)

And now you are back with us, Mrs

Ternan.

MRS TERNAN coming to, exhales.

MRS TERNAN:

I am back where?

MARIA grips her hands, close to her.

MARIA:

Mother..Mother..I think you

remembered Fanny. On the boat.

MRS TERNAN:

What did I say?

NELLY:

(close to)

You were trying to save her,

mother.

MRS TERNAN:

I am sorry Mr Dickens. I think I

have strayed into some family

history.

DICKENS:

Indeed?

The whole COMPANY leaning forward, listening, unsure where

this is leading-

MRS TERNAN:

My eldest daughter Fanny was thrown

from her cot when my husband and I

were touring in America some years

ago.

(MORE)

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 24.

MRS TERNAN (CONT'D)

We were on a paddle steamer which

was rammed by another boat. She was

saved, miraculously between two

mattresses.

DICKENS:

The angels were watching.

NELLY:

They were.

DICKENS moved by the closeness of these women, together,

smiling at MRS TERNAN. She relaxes.

MRS TERNAN:

I am done Mr Dickens.

MRS TERNAN slightly thrown, gathering herself to stand.

COLLINS:

As am I. An extraordinary story.

COLLINS finishes up the last of the wine, steering himself

wearily to bed, picking up his shoes and jacket on route-

COLLINS (CONT’D)

Tomorrow and tomorrow and

tomorrow.

COLLINS pats DICKENS back affectionately in passing-

COLLINS (CONT’D)

Good night.

The ACTORS stagger off to bed, a sense of good nights all

round.

MR EGG:

Five o’clock. Bed.

NELLY lingers at the window. She pulls back the shutter,

a thin shaft of dawn light searing through-

ALL:

Good night-

NELLY, MARIA and MRS TERNAN the last to leave.

DICKENS:

You were quite wonderful

tonight, Maria.

(to all/ ie MARIA)

I did try to console her in

hushed aside but all she could

whisper is ‘O! So sad. O! It is

so sad!’Such a good pale little

face.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 25.

DICKENS cups MARIA’s face, kissing her gently on the

forehead, a little drunk and heady from too much wine.

MARIA:

I am afraid I couldn’t stop the

tears. You were too good.

MRS TERNAN:

You will not find a better

Clara.

MARIA smiles, following MRS TERNAN out-

MARIA:

Thank you Mama.

MRS TERNAN:

Now I must take these angels to

bed.

(almost to self/ looking

at girls)

So precious.

MRS TERNAN and MARIA go to exit.

NELLY:

(as goes)

I could stay up all night. I am too

awake to sleep.

NELLY walks towards the window.

NELLY (CONT’D)

There is daylight.

From beyond-

MRS TERNAN:

(calling back)

Nelly dearest, we all need sleep.

NELLY makes to go, DICKENS, one finger pulling back the

curtain peering out.

DICKENS:

This is my favourite time. When

the day is creeping up on us-

NELLY hesitates, caught between staying and going. She

crosses the room, stands by the window opposite him,

following his gaze.

DICKENS (CONT’D)

..and we must put in order the

chaos of the night. Stand guard

once more, ready for life.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 26.

Outside STREET URCHINS jostle for meat scraps, as the

MEAT PACKERS unload carcasses from a cart, ready for

market. A PROSTITUTE heads home, clearly a little worse

the wear from the night before. A COUPLE embrace in the

shadows.

DICKENS (CONT’D)

A wonderful fact to reflect

upon, that every human creature

is a profound secret and

mystery to every other.

NELLY:

Until that secret is given to

another to look after. Then

perhaps two human creatures may

know each other.

(beat)

Do you not think so?

NELLY’s directness suddenly piercing DICKENS but he deflects.

DICKENS:

Has Mrs Dickens gone to bed?

NELLY:

Some time ago.

He finishes up his drink, lost deep within himself.

DICKENS:

She has such terrible headaches.

(beat)

Sleep.

17 INT.BEDROOM. SCHOOLHOUSE. MARGATE. NIGHT. 1885. 17

The glow of an oil lamp

NELLY’s reflection refracted in a dressing table mirror as

she dresses for dinner. The fall of an earring, a wrist

dabbed with perfume, lightly pressed against her neck.

GEORGE hovers close by grappling with his shirt cuff and

cufflink-

NELLY:

Pull it taut-

NELLY goes to help him, pulling the cuff taut, and

threading it neatly through-

NELLY (CONT’D)

Upright like a brigadier and

then..

GEORGE watches her, clearly a familiar act, his breath warm

on hers.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 27.

GEORGE:

Thank you.

NELLY nods, resumes dressing, GEORGE watching her-

GEORGE (CONT’D)

Were you on the beach again

today? Miss Brooke thought she

saw you.

GEORGE sinks on the bed, leaning forward to lace his shoe.

NELLY:

Yes.

GEORGE waits for more. NELLY already slipping away from

him, remote once more.

He hesitates, looks down at NELLY’s shoes close by. He

picks one up, tips it a little, a pool of sand just

visible, grazing the insole. GEORGE considers, with quiet

concern.

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