The King's Speech Page #2

Lang really is a piece of work.

For ease of reading, Bertie's stutter is not indicated from this

point on in the script.

BERTIE:

No doubt you wish the Prince Of Wales was

standing before you today.

POV - a sea of dripping umbrellas. No response. This is going

to be a torment for him, and his audience.

7 INT. BBC BROADCASTING STUDIO - DAY 7

A glowing dial on the face of a studio radio. Everyone

listening intently.

TKS/Seidler/09/17/08 6.

BERTIE (ON RADIO)

(stuttering profoundly)

Be that as it may...my brother David is

attending to other duties in the furthest

parts of this vast Empire...

The radio falls silent. Eyes widen in concern.

8 EXT. WEMBLEY STADIUM - DAY 8

Bertie stands frozen, his mouth agape, jaw muscles locked. He

knows he's considered by all, especially himself, unfit for

public life.

Elizabeth is devastated.

KING GEORGE V:

Just needs more practice.

9 EXT. HARLEY STREET - NEW DAY 9

TRACKING SHOT - rain splatters on brass plaques denoting Dr This

or Dr That, specialists in various maladies. Halt at a plaque

that reads:
LIONEL LOGUE, SPEECH SPECIALIST.

10 INT. RECEPTION ROOM, LOGUE'S CHAMBERS, HARLEY STREET - DAY 10

Umbrella stand, coat rack, wooden waiting bench: that's all.

The door is flung open and Elizabeth enters, drenched, her hat

decorated with white silk roses, now limp. A veil covers her

features.

She waits. Coughs. No response. Calls imperiously:

ELIZABETH:

Are you there?

From behind a door:

LIONEL (O.S.)

In the lav.

Princess Elizabeth is not used to this sort of thing. She's

further appalled by the loud gurgling of a toilet being flushed,

and startled by the entrance of - LIONEL LOGUE. He's in his

forties, tall, with piercing eyes and charismatic features. His

demeanor is friendly, but professional. The accent, although

Australian, is not heavy, he is after all a speech therapist.

TKS/Seidler/09/17/08 7.

LIONEL (CONT'D)

"How poor are they that have not patience!

What wound did ever heal but by degrees?"

ELIZABETH:

Pardon?

LIONEL:

Iago...world's greatest villain. Just wants

to be bad. Sorry, no receptionist.

He offers to shake hands. She doesn't take it, even though

she's gloved.

ELIZABETH:

(with sang froid)

I'd be more comfortable in your office.

LIONEL:

That's for clients. Where's Mister J?

ELIZABETH:

He doesn't know I'm here.

LIONEL:

That's not a promising start.

ELIZABETH:

My husband's seen everyone. They were all

useless. He's given up hope.

LIONEL:

A bit premature.

ELIZABETH:

Because he hasn't seen you?

Lionel doesn't disgree.

ELIZABETH (CONT'D)

You're very sure of yourself.

LIONEL:

I'm sure of anyone who wants to be cured.

ELIZABETH:

Of course my husband wants to be cured! His

position requires public speaking upon

occasion. A torment. I fear the requirement

may grow more frequent.

LIONEL:

He should change jobs.

TKS/Seidler/09/17/08 8.

ELIZABETH:

He can't.

LIONEL:

Indentured servitude?

ELIZABETH:

Something of that nature.

LIONEL:

Well, have your `hubby' pop by and give his

personal history. I'll make a frank

appraisal.

ELIZABETH:

Doctor...

Logue tries to object but she over-rides.

ELIZABETH (CONT'D)

...I do not have a "hubby". We never talk

about our private lives. Nor do we `pop'.

You must come to us.

LIONEL:

Sorry, this is my game, played on my turf,

by my rules.

The lady lifts her veil.

ELIZABETH:

Perhaps you'll make an exception?

He recognizes her instantly, and is clearly impressed, yet

refuses to be intimidated.

LIONEL:

I thought the appointment was for

"Johnson"?

ELIZABETH:

A name used during the Great War, when the

Navy didn't wish the enemy to know His

Royal Highness was aboard.

LIONEL:

I'm considered the enemy?

ELIZABETH:

You will be, should you continue to be un-

obliging.

TKS/Seidler/09/17/08 9.

LIONEL:

For my method to succeed there must be

mutual trust, complete honesty, and total

equality. That process takes place in my

consultation room. No exceptions.

ELIZABETH:

In which case...

(re-lowering her veil)

I should have kept my pledge. I promised my

husband I'd stop seeking "The Great Cure."

I've wasted your time. And mine.

She exits, closing the door firmly behind her.

LIONEL:

Bloody hell, I buggered that.

WACK! The sound of something solid meeting leather.

11 EXT. SOUTH KENSINGTON STREET - LATE AFTERNOON 11

A foot kicks a ball. Lionel is returning home from work. He's a

well-known fixture locally. Some lads are playing footie. One

of them passes the ball to Lionel who, despite briefcase and

rolled brolly, dribbles skillfully before passing the ball and

entering a modest brownstone.

12 INT. LOGUE'S ENTRYWAY AND STAIRWELL - LATE AFTERNOON 12

As Lionel mounts the stairs he's set upon by three sturdy boys -

VALENTINE, IAN, and PETER - with handkerchiefs tied around the

lower portions of their faces and armed with broomstick swords.

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