The Night Manager

Episode 2

THE INK FACTORY:

Developed in association with BBC/AMC

1

INT. MALLORCA. ROPER’S VILLA. BATHROOM. DAY. 1

A beautiful mirrored bathroom.

A young woman is in the bubble-strewn, gold-tapped bath,

casually shaving her legs in the hot water.

She climbs fast out of the bath.

She chucks on a bath-robe, walks into the cabin bedroom.

She sits at a make-up table and chucks on her make-up.

She removes the bath-robe.

She quickly moisturises her skin.

She chooses her underwear for the night.

White so as not to show?

Or black so as to?

She chooses white.

Her mobile phone rings, buzzes on the side table. It says M

on her phone.

She stares at it.

She stares at herself in the mirror.

She is JED.

Deep breath.

She answers.

JED:

Mum?

2

INT. JED’S MOTHER’S HOUSE. KITCHEN. DAY. 2

INTERCUT WITH THIS SCENE: A middle-aged woman sits in a chair

in a messy and poor kitchen somewhere in smalltown America.

It’s raining outside. We only see her half-blurred. JED’s

MOTHER.

JED’S MOTHER

I didn’t think you’d pick up.

Night Manager ep 2 final

3 INT. MALLORCA. ROPER’S VILLA. BATHROOM. DAY. 3

JED:

Mum you know the deal. I call you.

You don’t call me.

You ashamed to talk to me?

JED (CONT’D)

Of course not. Listen I can’t talk

now. We’re going out.

JED’S MOTHER (ON PHONE)

Where are you going?

JED:

Just some place on the island.

JED’S MOTHER

I bet the weather’s just fine.

JED stares out the window. The weather is stunning.

JED:

How’s Billy?

JED’S MOTHER

As if you care.

Beat.

JED’S MOTHER (CONT’D)

They say he doesn’t even ask about

you any more.

MOTHER’s breath is heavy, slightly slurred but no less deadly

for that.

JED:

I don’t want to talk to you when

you’re like this. OK? There’ll be

more money coming end of the month.

That’s why you called, right?

JED’S MOTHER

Just remember one thing honey.

You’re nothing but a dirty whore.

And whores are like eggs. There’s a

time comes when they start to

stink...

JED hangs up the phone. Switches it off.

Makes a sudden grab for a bottle of pills in a bottom drawer.

But the bottle is empty.

JED:

Sh*t.

Night Manager ep 2 final

Stares at herself in the mirror.

Gathers herself. Her eye make-up is slightly smudged. She

corrects it carefully. Steady hand.

Suddenly on impulse removes the white underwear, replaces it

with black.

A knock at the door. She quickly checks - no sign of tears.

JED (CONT’D)

Is that you darling? Come in.

The door opens. It’s a seven year old boy. DANIEL. He blushes

to see her in her underwear.

JED (CONT’D)

Danny I’m sorry I thought it was

your father.

DANIEL:

Dad says we need to go.

JED:

I know, I’m just coming.

She slips on her summer dress, grabs some shoes, checks

herself in the mirror. Yes the underwear shows through just a

little. Turns. That smile.

JED (CONT’D)

How do I look?

4 EXT. MALLORCA. ROPER’S VILLA. TERRACE. DAY. 4

RICHARD ROPER is dressed in an impeccable linen suit. He

stands on the verandah, accompanied by several guests, all

ready for the night’s dinner.

ROPER is talking to SANDY LANGBOURNE while Sandy’s wife and

young NANNY wait with the kids and a group of other guests

including CORKORAN, FRISKY and TABBY.

ROPER:

So, I ended up losing 15 mil, all

because Corky hates Italians.

Some laughter, and a rueful smile from CORKORAN.

CORKORAN:

That is one version, Chief.

ROPER:

It’s the version.

JED appears with DANIEL, still holding his hand. She looks

ravishing.

Night Manager ep 2 final

ROPER (CONT’D)

Ah there you are. I thought you’d

drowned in that bath.

JED:

I’m afraid I’ve got something to

tell you darling. I’ve a new date

for tonight. He’s young and he’s

seriously hot.

She holds DANIEL’S hand. DANIEL blushes. Loves it but then

steps back, slightly scared of his father’s reaction.

ROPER:

Well I wouldn’t put it past him.

Now come on I’m bloody starving.

5 EXT. MALLORCA. PATH THROUGH OLIVE GROVE. DAY. 5

They walk the pine strewn path down to two boats waiting by

the water. The cicadas chirrup in the afternoon heat.

ROPER and DANIEL lead the way. Father and son.

CORKORAN and JED behind. She snuggles up to him, breasts

against his side, as you only can do to a gay man.

JED:

Corky. You couldn’t get me some

more of those pills could you?

CORKORAN:

Mother’s little helper?

JED:

Be a love.

CORKORAN:

You don’t want love, you want a

walking pharmacy. Are you all right

chicken?

JED:

Just can’t sleep. It’s the heat.

He smiles. Trusty man. No further questions asked.

JED (CONT’D)

I might get drunk tonight. Would

Roper mind?

CORKORAN:

I think he’d love it darling.

Night Manager ep 2 final

6 EXT. MALLORCA. BAY. DAY. 6

Two motor boats speed across the bay towards the waiting

shoreline. Remote, but with one remarkable restaurant

awaiting them on the cliff above the sand.

ROPER drives one boat himself. SANDY LANGBOURNE drives the

other boat, that speeds alongside, they mimic a kind of race,

ROPER loving the competition. CORKY in his boat along with

the two SUITS. SANDY’s wife and kids and their NANNY in the

other boat plus five other FRIENDS.

The sun is sinking over the horizon as JED lets her hair fly

behind her in the breeze and DANIEL smiles as the boat rides

the crests of the waves.

ROPER looks at JED’s body. She notices, bends her body in the

wind, loves his look, needs it right now. It makes her know

she exists.

7 EXT. MALLORCA. CLIFF-TOP RESTAURANT. DAY. 7

And in they come. Greeted by waiters and waitresses, the

place surprisingly informal, open air to the sea, a tree

growing in the middle of the restaurant providing shade,

modernism and Hellenism combined. And costing the earth.

Other DINERS are already eating but the Roper table is the

main event. It is fourteen-strong, one giant white tablecloth

with the main view of the bay.

Champagne is already waiting in buckets. A babble of chat and

welcome as they arrive, seat themselves.

HEAD WAITER:

Mr Roper sir.

ROPER:

My dear Jorge it’s been far too

long. How is everyone?

HEAD WAITER:

You heard about Mrs Cortes of

course?

ROPER:

Yes, very sad, you got my flowers?

HEAD WAITER:

It was much appreciated.

ROPER:

You still do the shellfish soup I

hope?

HEAD WAITER:

Of course sir. The recipe lives on.

Night Manager ep 2 final

ROPER:

Good, we will all have that to

start. And then the meat dishes and

the lobster and octopus, no need

for menus, just give us the

selection. And as much salad as you

can throw at us. Keeps us young.

Danny. You sit next to Jed since

she’s so hot for you.

CORKORAN:

Boss you want to do the honours?

ROPER:

Go ahead Corky if it gives you such

a thrill.

CORKY uncorks the first bottle of champagne. Cheers on all

sides. ROPER smiles at JED looking stunning as the sun sets

behind her.

8 EXT. MALLORCA. CLIFF TOP RESTAURANT. EVENING. 8

Later. We are in the meat course. The table is awash with

conversation. The evening coming on, mosquito candles are

out, the cicadas are going crazy, it’s still warm and

DANIEL’s eyes sparkle in the lamp-light.

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