The Paradise Page #10

Season #2 Episode #16

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EDMUND is gripped by terrible pains in his chest. They take

him down. He can’t keep his grip on the ladder and he -

Crashes to the ground -- with a mighty, terrible, crunch.

There is an awful frozen moment when everyone takes this in.

DENISE:

Uncle -- no -- no -

She rushes over and kneels beside EDMUND on the ground.

53 INT. BEDROOM. LOVETT’S DRAPERY - DAY 53

EDMUND is unconscious, with DENISE and LUCILLE beside him.

LUCILLE:

Your uncle is an ox of a man. He

will recover from this. He will

need rest. A lifetime of rest.

DENISE:

He has been like a father to me. I

have been so caught up in my own

concerns, I had no time for him.

The last time I spoke to him I was

chiding him.

LUCILLE:

Then the next time you speak to him

be sure to make him laugh.

DENISE kisses EDMUND.

DUDLEY is at the door. LUCILLE steps out to let them speak.

DENISE:

Where is John?

DUDLEY:

If he knew what had happened, I am

certain he would want to be with

you here.

54.

DENISE:

You haven’t answered my question,

Dudley. Where is he?

They look at one another, both knowing what this means.

DENISE (CONT’D)

You know where he is, don’t you.

54 EXT. WALLED GARDEN. BELVILLE HOUSE - DAY 54

MORAY is full of dread as he waits.

He sees KATHERINE coming and he braces himself.

KATHERINE:

I wanted ... Thank you for coming -

MORAY:

Katherine -

KATHERINE:

Will you allow me to speak while it

is all clear to me and I have the

resolve? I am a mother now. I have

the responsibility of a child. I

can’t bear to think that my actions

might cause fear for that dear

girl. Do you see? I must forbid

myself from seeing you alone.

She has caught MORAY out and he is catching up.

MORAY:

Yes. Yes, I see.

KATHERINE:

This must be the last time.

MORAY:

Then ... I would not want to burden

you with any more anxiety,

Katherine:
I will go.

KATHERINE:

Perhaps ... a few moments more.

When I am alone my thoughts are

governed by reason, but when I am

with you it feels different. I feel

overcome with the wish just to look

at you, to touch your hand.

MORAY:

I said that I wanted you to turn to

me in your distress ...

She is about to lose him and it makes her want him.

55.

MORAY (CONT’D)

My concern for you, Katherine, has

been entirely genuine: I want you

to know that.

KATHERINE reaches out and holds MORAY’s hand tight ...

MORAY (CONT’D)

But I came here today -

KATHERINE:

No -

She reaches in to kiss him. MORAY lets her kiss him but he

does not respond. As she stops and looks at him there is an

agony of silence.

MORAY:

I love Denise. I cannot in any way

KATHERINE:

You were always true to her.

MORAY:

In my heart, yes.

The hurt is crippling for KATHERINE. She stands up but her

legs won’t quite hold her. MORAY instinctively reaches to aid

her but she turns on him -- it is not venom, but heartbreak

that is in her face and it is ferocious.

KATHERINE:

I will stand on my own.

She walks away, leaving him there.

55 INT. BEDROOM. LOVETT’S DRAPERY - DAY 55

DENISE alone with EDMUND when MORAY comes in.

MORAY:

Denise, I’m sorry I wasn’t here

with you.

DENISE:

You were with Katherine, weren’t

you?

MORAY:

I love you.

DENISE:

Look at me.

MORAY:

I have not betrayed you.

56.

DENISE:

I want you to look at me and tell

me where you have been.

MORAY:

I have been with Katherine.

DENISE:

I wish to be with my uncle. Please

let me sit in peace with my uncle.

She lays her head onto EDMUND’s chest.

MORAY looks at her like this, then he goes.

56 EXT. THE MAZE. GARDENS. BELVILLE HOUSE - NIGHT 56

TOM is searching for KATHERINE. He looks down each lane of

the maze without success.

Then, there she is, sitting on the ground, broken hearted.

TOM:

Did Moray do this to you?

KATHERINE:

No ... Tom ...

(but she can’t deny it)

I can’t help myself ...

57 INT. BEDROOM. LOVETT’S DRAPERY - NIGHT 57

DENISE lies with her head on EDMUND. He stirs and wakes,

finds her there.

EDMUND:

I think it’s about time I retired,

isn’t it.

He has made her laugh.

DENISE:

I’m not going to chide you, if

that’s what you want.

EDMUND:

What I want is a cup of tea.

DENISE:

You always say I make the worst tea

in the world.

EDMUND:

Then I want a cup of the worst tea

in the world.

57.

He grips DENISE’s hand.

EDMUND (CONT’D)

Why is it that pain has to teach us

what is right before our eyes?

Twenty-three years I have loved

Audrey, believing it would never

be. Now she is waiting for me and I

fight it to hold onto to a bit of

pride. Well, I am done fighting

now, Denise.

58 INT. THE PARADISE - DAY 58

LUCILLE finds CLARA with BALLENTINE.

She looks to CLARA then takes hold of BALLENTINE’s hand.

BALLENTINE:

All is well?

He means with EDMUND.

LUCILLE:

All is well.

Her eyes are on CLARA: she means something more personal.

As MORAY passes through there are poppers cracking and flags

waving as the Five Year Celebrations begin. He is desolate

and alone amongst the festivities.

CLARA watches him pass -- seeing the defeat in him.

And DUDLEY sees it, too.

59 INT. LOVETT’S DRAPERY. TOLLGATE STREET - NIGHT 59

EDMUND is sleeping. DENISE sits holding his hand.

A sound. It’s DUDLEY.

DUDLEY:

Denise, I don’t want you to -- I

know this must be -- you must not

think of leaving.

DENISE:

I am not going to leave. I belong

here.

End

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