The Picture of Dorian Gray Page #2

It was as if he were learning

to know himself for the first time,

as if a stranger had revealed

his own most secret thoughts to him.

For the first time he became

conscious of his youth,

and conscious of the fact that one day

he would lose it.

My visit to you hasn't been wasted, Basil.

I've found a rare and

beautiful butterfly, Euvanesse antiope.

It's very unusual in England.

Don't you think it's beautiful, Mr. Gray?

-Yes, Lord Henry, very beautiful.

-You may sit down now, Dorian.

I'm glad you met Lord Henry, after all.

-Are you glad, Mr. Gray?

-I'm glad now.

-I wonder if I shall always be glad.

-Always?

That's a dreadful word.

It makes me shudder to hear it.

Women are so fond of using it.

They spoil every romance

by trying to make it last forever.

The only difference between a caprice

and a life-long passion is that

the caprice lasts a little longer.

But I believe our hostess has appeared.

You're just in time, darling,

to witness my signature

to Dorian's painting.

Could I sign it, too?

Well, I think you're entitled to.

Since you haven't missed a sitting.

Here.

"G" for Gladys.

Which do you prefer, Gladys,

Dorian Gray or his picture?

I like Dorian best.

You prefer him today, my dear,

but when you are a young lady

and are turning all the handsome heads

in London, you may prefer the portrait.

For it will look just as it does today,

but we shall all be changed.

And not for the better.

Your uncle and I and even Dorian.

Dorian won't change.

Dorian will stay just as he is

until I'm grown. Won't you, Dorian?

Of course I shall, darling.

You may say goodbye now, precious.

Nanny's waiting. Come along. Hurry.

On your way.

What about me, young lady,

has Dorian Gray

stolen you from me completely?

Goodbye, Lord Henry.

When this is known I shall be torn to

shreds in every drawing room in London.

Don't you think a gentleman

should remove his hat

in the presence of a lady, Parker?

I never take off my hat

except when I'm out of doors.

She'll be as lovely

as your sister was, Basil.

Yes. But I'm afraid Dorian has stolen

her heart from me, too.

I must congratulate you, Basil.

Look at yourself, Mr. Gray.

As I grow old,

this picture will remain always young.

lf it were only the other way.

lf it were I who was always to be young,

and the picture that was to grow old.

You would hardly care

for such an arrangement, Basil.

It would be rather hard lines on your work.

-I should object strongly, Harry.

-You oughtn't to express such a wish

in the presence of that cat, Dorian.

It's one of the seventy-three

great gods of Egypt,

and is quite capable of granting your wish.

Lord Henry is right.

I know now that when one loses

one's youth, one loses everything.

Perhaps a cup of tea

will bring you around, Dorian.

You'll have some, too, won't you, Harry?

Or do you object

to such simple pleasures?

I adore simple pleasures.

They're the last refuge of the complex.

It's more than a painting.

It's part of myself.

As soon as you're varnished and framed,

Dorian, you will be sent home.

Then you can do

whatever you like with yourself.

You better send along the Egyptian cat.

I don't think the god and the picture

should be separated.

I will, if Dorian wants it.

lf only the picture could change,

and I could be always what I am now.

For that I would give everything.

Yes, there's nothing in the whole world

I would not give.

I would give my soul for that.

Dorian began to venture alone

on warm summer evenings

into surroundings

which were strange to him.

Filled with curiosity about places and

people remote from his own experience,

he wandered to the half-world of London,

the words of Lord Henry

vibrating in his mind.

"Live! Let nothing be lost upon you.

Be afraid of nothing!"

The Two Turtles is honored

by the visit of a gentleman.

lf you please, sir.

I give you the sweetheart

of the Two Turtles.

Our own Sibyl Vane!

I'd gladly introduce you, sir,

but she's proud.

She won't meet anybody.

Come, my delightful dove.

Descend and make a pilgrimage

with me among these mortals.

She's taken with you, sir.

Say the word and I'll take you backstage.

Thank you, no.

Night after night Dorian went

to the Two Turtles to watch Sibyl Vane.

A patron of the arts, Mrs. Vane.

He's come to the Two Turtles

each evening for a fortnight.

He wants to tell you

how much he admires your daughter.

lf you will permit me,

I have a request to make.

You're very kind, sir.

Miss Vane, will you sing

The Little Yellow Bird for me now?

She will, sir, gladly.

But there's no one to play for me.

Everyone's gone.

I think I might manage

the accompaniment.

-You will, won't you, dearie?

-Yes.

On one condition.

Please.

I apologize for my daughter.

It's wonderful. Did you write it?

Frederic Chopin wrote it

for a woman he loved.

Her name was George Sand.

Someday I'll tell you about them.

I should like that.

-What did the music mean to you?

-I don't know. It is full of emotion.

-But it's not happy.

-No, it's not happy.

Why was he unhappy?

Perhaps because he felt

his youth slipping away from him.

-What an odd thing for you to say.

-Why?

You are so young.

Yes, and you also.

What is the music called? Has it a name?

A kind of name. It is called Prelude.

ls this the way

you watch over Sibyl, Mother?

You don't understand these things, James.

-Your sister...

-I wish I wasn't going to Australia at all.

I'd chuck up the whole thing

if my articles hadn't been signed.

I want Sibyl to make a brilliant marriage.

Actresses often marry

into the upper classes.

I almost did myself at one time.

Who is this young dandy?

What's his name?

Oh, I don't know his name, but he's rich.

What's his name, Sibyl?

How often has he been here?

-What are his intentions?

-I don't know his intentions.

But I do know his name. It is Sir Tristan.

You don't even know his name

and yet you permitted him to...

Your brother's right, Sibyl, you ought

not to have permitted such familiarity.

He is good. I know it.

There is no evil in him.

-Did you see his face?

-No, but I wish I had,

because if he ever does you any wrong,

I'll track him down and kill him.

Jim ! You're foolish, Jim. Utterly foolish!

You talk like one of the melodramas

Mother used to act in.

That was when acting was understood.

I received a great deal of gratifying

attention in those days.

All I say is watch over Sibyl, Mother.

Watch over her while I'm gone.

Jim.

You're going away tonight.

The ship will take you far away

over the dark waters.

Don't let me remember you

angry and troubled.

That's better. Can't you read

what people are in their faces?

You think I'm silly

when I call him Sir Tristan.

But to me he's like

one of King Arthur's knights

that we used to read about

when we were children,

who took the vow of chivalry

to battle against all evil-doers.

To defend the right and protect all women.

To be true in friendship

Rate this script:5.0 / 2 votes