The Paradine Case Page #2

---

Hold still if you want

this thing tied.

The impertinence of young people

today is appalling.

- If there's one thing I can't abide...

- I know. It's impertinence.

Tony will give another

great performance.

Riding to the rescue of beauty

in distress.

How he must relish this.

If the case is before Hawfield,

he'd better not try a performance...

or he'll be sat upon. Properly.

Gracious, we're late.

Hawfield will take it out on Sophie.

Let's not miss a word of his

Lordship's reminiscences.

If I hear once more of his times

in Deuxville with lady so-and-so...

Remarkable old girl, Lady Millicent.

We had great times together.

Deuxville, back in the twenties.

I persuaded her to go swimming at 70.

I watched her and had sad thoughts

about the impermanence of beauty.

Have you swallowed a plum stone?

No Tommy, I'm all right.

I only... I mean...

I mean, I thought perhaps...

Don't be too long you men.

This is so antiquated...

- but he likes it.

- He won't keep us away too long.

Call me, if the conversation

takes an interesting turn.

I see you haven't forgotten

my deaf ear.

Keane's too good a barrister

to have forgotten.

Sometimes I wonder how good

you really are.

- Good enough, or lucky enough.

- Come, come. No false modesty.

- There aren't many better.

- Perhaps. But I'm a legalist myself.

You have the habit using emotion

with the jury.

I must confess I don't think

it's proper.

Come, come. Keane's not

that emotional.

Don't interrupt me in the middle of

an insult. Will you have a cigar?

You understand that I'm just

concerned for you.

- Will you have a cigar?

- No, thank you.

Tommy has a great opinion

of your husband.

At least I think he has.

- Your husband is clever, isn't he?

- Yes.

- I think so.

- So's mine. I'm not sure I like it.

Shall I hurry them up?

They'll be all night...

if someone doesn't ring a bell.

I shouldn't tell you this...

but I dread it when he takes

a murder trial.

He comes home looking so...

Yes, I can well imagine.

It must be a terrible strain...

trying a capital charge.

Yes, that's very comforting.

They were retrying Charles I,

and Tony got him off.

You've been such a long time.

I've been chattering and chattering.

My dear, I'm sure Keane and Simmie

would like to see your jade.

Would they? I have some

pretty pieces.

Very much indeed.

You look very appetising tonight.

A charming complement from such

a gourmet, Lord Hawfield.

Tell me, Mrs Keane...

I don't amuse you very much,

do I?

I've always admired your wit.

You may call upon my wit

whenever you wish.

Life can be very boring

for grass widows.

What makes you think

I'm a grass widow?

Don't let's be pedantic.

Golf widows, stock-exchange widows

and law-court widows...

are the same thing.

Charming ruby.

Did your husband earn all that

whacking away at juries?

Lady Hawfield was admiring it too.

It pleased me because she has

such excellent taste...

in most things.

Keane, I'm afraid your wife

is wearying of me.

Pity.

- Are you coming to bed?

- In a little while, dear.

You'll be tired in the morning.

- Dull evening, wasn't it?

- Yes, I know.

I've a murderous day tomorrow.

I shoudn't have let Simmie talk me

into a new case.

Did you see Mrs Paradine?

What's she like?

Strangely attractive.

I'm sure you'd think so anyway.

- No, I wouldn't.

- What do you mean?

She's cost me too much.

Cost you?

What are you talking about?

If you don't remember,

I won't tell you.

The anniversary trip I promised.

We'll still make it.

Maybe before the case

comes to trial.

It's all right darling.

Your excitement will always be

the Old Bailey...

- and other musty law courts.

- Honestly, I was thinking today...

how much fun

it'd be to go to Italy.

- Italy? I thought it was Switzerland.

- I know.

But Italy seems

much more colourful.

Might go back to Venice.

Get in a gondola.

Darling.

- What's the matter? What's amusing?

- Nothing.

I can't imagine anything better than

being in a gondola again with you.

- What is it then?

- It's just that you're so...

so transparent.

And for such a devious kind of

barrister, too.

You're pretty devious yourself.

Come on, tell the jury

what's on your mind.

All right. Mrs Paradine is

"strangely attractive".

And isn't Italy colourful?

Idiotic nonsense!

I thought you might be pleased

I can be jealous.

It isn't that. How can you think

I could be interested...?

Of course you're not interested.

I hope you're not so old you can't

admire an attractive woman.

But I want you to know something.

Lots of men find me attractive too.

Is that so? Who, for instance?

- Well, there's Tommy, for instance.

- Tommy?

Tommy Hawfield.

It's getting late.

Time we were in the gondola.

That's enough for today.

Are they treating you well?

- Yes, they're very kind.

- Do you want any books?

- No, they have a good library.

- Good, good.

Soon, I'd like to talk to you

about yourself.

Before you met Colonel Paradine.

- Will that be necessary?

- It's annoying...

Prosecution try to tear down

the defendant's character.

I wouldn't like them to have

the advantage on me.

My past is no affair of anyone

but my husband and myself.

And my husband is dead.

The defendant's background

is important to the defence.

And how far back will this

inquisition go?

As much as I dislike it,

I must advise you to tell me...

anything you think might be...

embarrassing.

I must say, it's essential

I have your co-operation.

Forgive me if I'm being difficult.

I shall try. It won't shock you,

I assume...

to learn that I am a woman...

who has seen a great deal of life.

Please don't mistake my persistance

for any lack of sympathy.

When I was still at school in Naples

it began.

I was 16, or so I said.

Actually I was younger.

- Tragic.

- Yes, perhaps.

But I didn't think so then.

I ran away with a man.

Istambul, Athens, Cairo.

He was much older, of course? Rich.

He took advantage of your youth.

He was married, respected.

I took advantage of him.

Then, as suddenly as it began,

it ended.

He wearied of me, and me of him.

What difference does it make?

There were others?

Of course.

We cannot hide these things.

You said so.

Let's drag them out.

Let them hang me for the past.

No. You mustn't feel that. We won't

let them make anything of it.

Poor Dickie. He would've hated

all this.

He gave me his name, his fine name.

He depended on me to protect it.

He knew all about you?

I kept nothing from him.

He was so good. He trusted me.

He used to sit in the dark,

the eternal dark...

- and weep. The pain...

- I've tortured you enough.

We'll get you free.

Trust me.

I shall.

I do.

Why not let The Crown have to prove

its accusations?

What objection can you have

to proving suicide?

I think it's dangerous. Remember,

if Hawfield's on the bench...

You all have such an unholy fear

of Hawfield.

What's on your mind, Keane?

I don't understand you.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes