The Lady, the Devil & the Dealer Page #5

---

that the lonely struggle

taking place in a heavily guarded

compound in Rangoon,

is part of the much larger struggle,

worldwide, for the emancipation,

of the human spirit from political tyranny

and psychological subjection.

(speaking in Burmese)

The lessons of the past will

not be forgotten.

It is our hope for the future

that we celebrate today.

(applause)

(classical music)

(playing along with

the classical music on the radio)

Music.

(classical music continues)

(applause)

Those old generals can't cling

on for much longer after this.

- It's just a matter of time in my opinion.

- I certainly hope so.

We'll just have to wait and see.

The military move in mysterious ways.

- Your mother would be very proud of you.

- Thank you.

Well done.

Oh, yes, thank you. Yes.

No, no, no, no, no. No.

Well, why not?

Okay.

- To Suu.

- Mum.

(church bells chime)

(door closes)

Kim, take of your shoes,

and don't want any mud in the house.

Dinner is at 7:
30 tonight.

Uncle Anthony's coming around.

What's wrong?

I miss Mum.

(soft instrumental music)

(speaking Burmese)

(soft instrumental music continues)

"The art of people

is a true mirror of their minds".

A- ha. Is that a new face I spy?

What's your name?

Do you speak English?

So what's your name?

- Arun.

- Arun.

Come here, let me show you something.

It's all right. I won't bite.

'You may not think about politics,

but politics thinks about you'.

Those were my father's words.

Something for you to think about

while you stand there.

(soft instrumental music)

Your Grace, it's very kind of you

to find the time to see me, thank you.

My dear Michael, there is not a day

when I don't think of Suu.

I wonder what more we could be doing.

I'm rather hoping you bring me

good news of some kind.

Well, no, I regret to say things are

moving extremely slowly.

The fact is that the generals are

clearly indifferent to American

and European disapproval.

So without Asia coming on board,

I fail to see how we are going

to make much headway.

No time like the present! Excuse me.

My friends. Hello there.

I wish I could have your time for

a quick word. It's nice to see you again.

(traffic noises)

We carefully considered your request

to join our association.

And on a whole,

we are inclined to accept it.

I'm delighted! We should make a toast!

However, though America and Europe

are in many ways our competitors,

we are nonetheless reliant

on their good will.

The democratic process takes time.

It is not something you achieve

over night.

We understand.

That's why we think a gesture from you

will be appropriate.

What kind of gesture?

Ma Suu.

Madam. Your restricted residence

is at an end.

You are now free to come

and go as you please.

(soft instrumental music)

(indistinct chatter)

(soft instrumental music continues)

(street noises)

(phone rings)

Yes, hello. Hello?

- Mikey!

- Suu? Suu, is that you?

You may not believe this, but I'm

calling you from the British embassy.

I'm free! Tell the boys,

I'm free again.

- I can't believe what I'm hearing!

- All my colleagues have been freed.

If I get my skates on we might even be

able to be with you as early as tomorrow.

- Yes, tomorrow will be a big day.

- A wonderful day.

And I'm hoping I'll be hosting

the first reunion meeting of the NLD.

- One of the happiest days of my life.

- Hopefully, it will be tomorrow morning.

I'll call the airport. With the time

difference, it may be the day after,

- but we'll see you very soon!

- Yes! Because, Mikey, the fight goes on!

- What goes on?

- The fight goes on!

(indistinct chatter)

(soft instrumental music)

(indistinct chatter)

Suu!

Suu!

(soft instrumental music)

I don't think I have seen you looking

quite so radiant.

I'm so happy you're here.

- Hello, mum.

- Alexander.

Where's my little boy?

- It's so wonderful to see you all here.

- Daw Suu, we need to go.

I just need to finish this quickly.

All right?

You carry on. You carry on.

(soft instrumental music)

- Dad.

- Yes, yes.

(soft instrumental music)

There you are.

- I've been looking everywhere for you.

- Oh, you know me.

I'm never very far.

(sighs)

You have no idea how long I've waited

to hold you in my arms again.

Oh Mikey. I have to keep pinching myself.

I used to think about you, and

try to picture what you would be doing.

And often I talked to you.

Sometimes out loud.

You would always be reassuring.

And reminded me of your unwavering love.

Well...

I suppose you know the world is now

united in declaring you a saint?

I don't care much for that cult of

personality, as you know.

And anyway, a saint is only a sinner

who keeps on trying.

- Well, what are your sinful qualities?

- Have you forgotten?

My terrible temper for one.

My impatience for another.

- And I'm stubborn.

- I know.

Well, I've certainly read some

wonderful descriptions of you.

The Female Mandela.

The Star of Burma.

My favorite was

on the front page of The Times.

There was a beautiful picture of you,

and beneath it said, The Steel Orchid.

Is that how you see me?

Well, seeing you isn't something

I've done very much of recently.

Michael,

if you should ever wish to be free...

To start again. I want you to know

that I will understand completely.

I won't deny this prolonged separation

has been very hard.

Not just for me, for the boys, too.

But I want to make something clear.

Throughout everything,

from the very beginning,

we have always shared

a common dream for Burma.

And far from being an obstacle,

I have always considered it

to be the very thing that bound us.

(soft instrumental music)

(sighs)

You really must be the most indulgent

husband that ever lived.

(soft instrumental music)

(indistinct chatter and laughs)

Ooh!

(indistinct chatter and laughs continue)

That was the last time I saw her.

Since then it's been one refusal

after another.

I could fill in one of these bloody

forms in my sleep now.

- Oh, thank you.

- You're welcome.

Does Suu know about the diagnosis yet?

For Christ's sake.

You are going to have to tell her.

All in good time, Anthony.

All in good time.

And how exactly are you proposing

to break the news?

(soft instrumental music)

(phone rings)

Hello?

Mikey.

Suu!

How wonderful. At last.

What a tonic to hear your voice.

- How are you, darling?

- You received my letter then?

- I'm still trying to take it in.

- Yes, of course, of course.

Well, the good news is,

I fully intend to fight it all the way.

And nothing will boost me quite like

coming to see you.

And if all goes well with the visa

and I rather think this might

be the ammunition that could make them

relent once and for all.

There is every chance we might be able

to see each other in time for my birthday.

- We could celebrate together.

- All right. Yes.

So courage, Suu. Courage.

Be of good cheer.

- Hello? Are you still there?

- Yes, I'm still here.

Yes, good. An old student of mine,

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes