The Iron Lady Page #8

NELLY:

I shall seek a good return on a

sensible investment.

NELLY smiles, teasing.

NELLY (CONT’D)

Or I shall spend it all at once!

Though I may spend half a

shilling on a copy of Household

Words to be sure the two

apprentices returned safely

from their lazy tour.

DICKENS:

They did. Though they did not

want to go home.

NELLY:

But what of their families?

DICKENS:

They were of course missed but

DICKENS eyes catch on hers, with restless fragile

intensity-

DICKENS (CONT’D)

...they did so enjoy being

away.

SUDDENLY COLLINS passes them, rounding behind DICKENS,

to hurry them on.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 39.

COLLINS:

We have been rumbled.

(beat)

You’ve been rumbled, Charles.

COLLINS grips MRS TERNAN’s arm, urging them forward.

NELLY and DICKENS hurry ahead.

RACEGOER:

Mr Dickens...Mr Dickens..How

very unexpected?

DICKENS stops, resigned mid footfall, smiling

apologetically to NELLY, as the RACEGOER and FRIENDS swarm-

RACEGOER (CONT’D)

(to anyone)

Mr Charles Dickens, ladies and

gentlemen. In Doncaster!

A gathering Crowd, several RACEGOERS craning their necks to

see-

DICKENS:

Thank you..Thank you.

NELLY looks on helpless, eyes darting to MARIA and

FANNY, giggling. DICKENS subsumed in handshakes and

delighted RACEGOERS. NELLY, looks on. DICKENS back at

NELLY, smiles apologetically. MRS TERNAN seeing this.

26 INT. LANDING/ BEDROOM. PARK COTTAGE. LONDON. 1857.DAY. 26

A peeling bedroom-

The BURST and LIFE of FANNY, NELLY and MARIA carrying cases,

newly returned home.

FANNY:

Home!

27 INT. BEDROOM. PARK COTTAGE. LONDON. 1857. DAY. 27

Later

Suitcases are dropped, hat boxes are dumped on the bed. The

slow unpacking and chaos of the nomadic life as NELLY, MARIA

and FANNY kneel shaking out dresses and pulling out shoes and

clothes from the chaos. FANNY absently sings to herself,

considering the sleeve of a dress, faded and frayed.

FANNY:

This will not stretch to another

season. I cannot mend under the

sleeve again.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 40.

MARIA looks up from unpacking, reaching a hand out.

MARIA:

The cuffs are still good and there

is lace on the collar we can still

save.

FANNY:

You think?

CLOSE UP on FINGERS, considering delicate lace.

MARIA:

(nods)

I’ll unpick it.

FANNY smiles, her thanks, MARIA taking the dress, FANNY

resumes unpacking, her song underscores.

NELLY:

Maria, also this hem..My stitching

is awful.

NELLY holds up her dress, MARIA takes it, smiles-

MARIA:

I will..again.

NELLY:

Thank you..thank you..Thank you..

MARIA’s HAND gently brushing NELLY’s cheek. The FALL of

NELLY’s hair, lost in quiet focused sorting of clothes.

MRS TERNAN:

(entering)

I am collecting washing.

NELLY holds up some dirty garments.

NELLY:

Here..

MRS TERNAN looks down, having just picked up an armful of

dresses.

MRS TERNAN:

(in passing)

Nelly-

Underneath a signed copy of David Copperfield. MRS TERNAN

picks it up, opening it.

MRS TERNAN (CONT’D)

It is signed.

NELLY hurriedly goes to take it.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 41.

NELLY:

A souvenir.

MRS TERNAN:

It is to be treasured.

MRS TERNAN holds it out, FANNY looks up curious-

FANNY:

Yes..Indeed.

FANNY smiles, NELLY nods, taking the book,pocketing it, a

little self-conscious.

28 EXT. DRIVE. GAD’S HILL.KENT. 1857. DAWN. 28

A handsome house. Light illuminating some windows.

29 INT. DRESSING ROOM. GADS HILL. KENT. 1857. DAWN. 29

A darkened dressing room-

The SOUND of DICKENS urinating into the pot. He then goes

over to a waiting basin. DICKENS hands cupping icy water,

washing his face in the bowl. He stands, drying his face,

reflection caught in the mirror, restless, half dressed-

CATHERINE OOV:

(calling out)

Charles-

On DICKENS fingers fumbling in the dark, hurriedly buttoning

up his shirt and reaching for his jacket.

30 INT. BEDROOM. GADS HILL. KENT. 1858. DAWN. 30

CATHERINE stirring from slumber, sits up peering through the

gloomy morning light-

CHARLES, a shadowy figures stands in the doorway of the

dressing room now almost dressed-

CATHERINE:

Why are you up so early?

DICKENS:

I must go to London.

CATHERINE:

Now? But there will be no train.

DICKENS:

Then I shall walk.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 42.

CATHERINE:

It will take you all day.

DICKENS:

Then it will take me all day.

DICKENS turns, his back to CATHERINE, resuming dressing.

CATHERINE eyes pricking with tears, looks away.

31 EXT. FIELD. NEAR GADS HILL. LONDON. 1857. DAWN. 31

DICKENS walking across the field in the dawn light. The mist

hovering. Dew heavy on the tall grass-

Eyes focused, heart fixed towards London.

Gads Hill left far behind.

32 INT. AUDITORIUM. HAYMARKET THEATRE. LONDON. 1857. NIGHT. 32

Darkness-

SIR PETER.

What! You rogue! Don't you ask the

girl's consent first?

DICKENS face illuminated by stage light, dark eyes lost in

quiet yet animated watching, captivated by NELLY on stage

playing the part of Maria in School for Scandal-

NELLY/MARIA.

For Shame, Charles, I protest Sir

Peter, there has not been

a word.

FROM THE BACK OF THE AUDIENCE

HECKLER:

(shouting out)

BECAUSE WE CAN’T HEAR A WORD!

LAUGHTER:

DICKENS turns, furious.

SIR OLIVER.

Well then the fewer the better, may

your love for each other never know

abatement.

CUT TO:

NELLY on stage, ill at ease, but DICKENS is enraptured,

oblivious, to the general GROANS and FIDGETING amongst the

audience.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 43.

CHARLES:

No sanctuary near but love and you.

You can indeed each anxious fear

remove, for even Scandal dies if

you approve.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS peer forward, whispering, on recognising

DICKENS, yet DICKENS watches on, eyes only for NELLY, on

stage.

CUT TO:

The final moments of the play, NELLY/MARIA, face rouged,

caught mid scene, the black of the auditorium ahead of her.

CHARLES (CONT’D)

"Bless'd were the fair like you;

her faults who stopp'd, and closed

her follies when the curtain

dropp’d!

The HANDSOME LOVER turns to NELLY/ MARIA, carefully cupping

her hand.

CHARLES (CONT’D)

No more in vice or error to engage,

Or play the fool at large on life's

great stage."

On DICKENS, listening intently-

The curtain falls.

DICKENS:

BRAVO!

DICKENS, clutches the seating rail, in standing ovation.

DICKENS (CONT’D)

BRAVO! BRAVO!

The CURTAIN RISES

NELLY’s eyes silently searching, flushing on seeing, DICKENS

lost in watching her.

33

INT. DRESSING ROOM/CORRIDOR. BACKSTAGE. THEATRE. LONDON. 33

1857. NIGHT.

DICKENS squeezed into NELLY’s tiny dressing room, raising a

toast to NELLY, surrounded by MRS TERNAN, FANNY, MARIA, and

OTHERS-

DICKENS:

One of the finest performances I

have ever seen. Sheridan would be

dancing in his grave.

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 44.

Cheers. Laughter. The EBB and FLOW of WELL-WISHERS and ACTORS

celebrating, DICKENS pressed against the wall, as he smiles,

to let a PRETTY ACTRESS pass, a bouquet of flowers in hand,

brushing his face.

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