The Last of the Mohicans Page #6

HEYWARD:

My God it's good to see you.

He takes her hand in both of his and kisses it. He is open

and lit up.

CUT TO:

EXT. POLTROON'S HOUSE, BACK YARD - DAY

CORA & HEYWARD

A vegetable plot behind the Poltroon's house is a provincial

substitute for a formal garden setting. Heyward and Cora sit

on rough wooden chairs. Wind blows. In the background a

servant hangs laundry. The white sheets billow. A table holds

a tea setting. They're sitting close to each other, talking

seriously and quietly. Duncan's jacket is removed. Time's

passed. Long pause. Then:

CORA:

I'm embarrassed to be so indecisive...

after so long apart and after you've

traveled so far...

HEYWARD:

And by sea!

CORA:

You still have an aversion to the

water?

HEYWARD:

Aversion? No... "Hatred"...

"Loathing"...

Cora laughs.

HEYWARD:

But it was worth it all to end in a

garden by your side.

She looks askance at him. Then the banter drops.

CORA:

(difficult)

Dear Duncan, my affection is as

towards a closest friend. Alice and

I depend on you and respect you

immensely... I wish they did, but my

feelings don't go beyond that. Do

you see?

HEYWARD:

Isn't respect and friendship, a

reasonable basis for a man and woman

to be joined? And all else may grow

in time...?

CORA:

Some say that's the way of it.

HEYWARD:

"Some"?

CORA:

Cousin Eugenie, my father, but...

HEYWARD:

(interrupts)

Cora, in my heart, I know once we're

joined, we'll be the happiest couple

in England. Let those whom you trust,

your father, help settle what's best

for you. In view of your indecision,

why not rely on their advice and

judgment as well as mine?

Cora stares directly at Heyward. Then she looks away. She

has no answer. Something subterranean disturbs her about

delegating judgment over the fate of her life.

HEYWARD:

Will you consider that?

CORA:

(pause; smiles)

Yes. Yes, I will.

She's still unsettled.

ALICE (O.S.)

Duncan!

REVERSE:
ALICE MUNRO

eighteen years old, white-blonde hair, wide blue eyes. She's

effervescent and runs to hug him. Heyward is taken aback by

her enthusiasm and laughs.

HEYWARD:

My God, you've grown up.

ALICE:

We leave in the morning?!

HEYWARD:

(rises)

Yes, miss.

ALICE:

I won't sleep tonight. What an

adventure! I absolutely cannot wait

to return to Portman Square, having

laid eyes upon the full-blooded, red

men in the wild!

CORA:

My God, Alice.

HEYWARD:

(smiles)

It can be dangerous...

ALICE:

Nonsense. Papa wouldn't have sent

for us if it were dangerous.

Alice takes Hewyward's hand. Cora pours Heyward more tea.

The white sheets billow.

AMBROSE:

(O.S. - barks)

Atten-shun!

CUT TO:

EXT. BRITISH ARMY HQ - DAY

TWENTY BRITISH REGULARS

jolt upright as if electrified.

AMBROSE:

(entering)

Shoulder arms!

AMBROSE:

a sergeant major of forty-one is wide and deep and built

like a fullback. You do not mess with Sgt. Major Ambrose.

AMBROSE:

(barks)

Form two companies of nine... MARCH!!

THE MEN:

march in perfect drill into two groups, each three across

and three deep.

MILITARY HQ, ENTRANCE

MAJOR DUNCAN HEYWARD

Steps out. Rigid salutes.

HEYWARD:

climbs onto his white military charger. It's spirited. Cora

& Alice are in riding dresses and veils. The veil doesn't

completely cover Alice's golden hair and blue eyes and the

flush of her complexion. They're riding two sidesaddled

Narragansetts. The tight traveling dress reveals that Cora,

two or three years older than Alice, is fuller and more

mature. All three ride to the front of the column. The baggage

horses and mule are in the gap between the two companies.

MAGUA:

cradling his musket.

REAR SHOT:
THE COLUMN

down the path that leads into the wall of forest looks

impressive.

WIDER:
THE COLUMN

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