The Ploughman's Lunch Page #22

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MATTHEW:

No, no, let me go on before you

get the wrong idea. Ann and I

have kept to our separate bedrooms

for the last three years. And I

can't imagine that Susan hasn't

hinted at the kind of life I lead

in London. I'm not telling you

how to run your affairs. I'm just

saying ... I don't mind. I'm giving

you permission.

We are CLOSE IN on James's reaction.

INT. JAMES'S CAR - EARLY MORNING

James drives towards Susan's flat. Jeremy sprawls in the

back seat, slowly peeling the foil from a champagne bottle.

Both are well-dressed. As they draw up outside Susan's

flat, Jeremy leans forward and murmurs in James's ear.

JEREMY:

Still in love?

JAMES:

I'm not sure.

He presses the horn and gets out. Jeremy gets out too.

Susan comes down the steps. She is also smartly dressed.

She kisses James. He takes her small suitcase and puts it

in the boot. She kisses Jeremy.

JEREMY:

Darling Susan. You look like an

angel. But where's your hat?

SUSAN:

Oh no!

JEREMY:

They won't let you in without one.

James hands Susan into the front seat.

JEREMY:

Brighton, James!

EXT. LONDON STREET - DAY

The car slips through the London traffic.

INT. JAMES'S CAR - DAY

In the car, a few minutes later. Much hilarity. Susan is

holding a glass ready as Jeremy eases out the cork.

SUSAN:

Don't point it at James!

JEREMY:

Voila!

The cork flies. The champagne is poured. Susan hands a

glass to James.

JEREMY:

To the ninety-ninth conference of

the National Union of Conservative

and Unionist Associations!

All repeat the toast with various stumbling inaccuracies.

INT. CAR PARK, BRIGHTON - DAY

James drives into a multi-storey car park. Jeremy gets

out of the car and goes to look at the view which is of

modern office developments.

JEREMY:

Hah - the seaside! Isn't it

heavenly!

Susan joins Jeremy.

SUSAN:

Gorgeous.

Jeremy is taking out his Press Pass and pinning it to his

lapel.

SUSAN:

What have you got there?

JEREMY:

You'd look naked without one.

SUSAN:

Oh, yes! Where's mine? I want to

look like you.

James joins them. There follows a little charade of mock

sympathy.

SUSAN:

What about James?

Jeremy and Susan chorus a sympathetic moan.

JEREMY:

We'll see what we can do.

SUSAN:

Promise?

JEREMY:

Promise.

EXT. BRIGHTON PROMENADE - DAY

James, Jeremy and Susan walk along the promenade and cross

the road towards the Grand Hotel. The Conference Centre

is visible and so too are the POLICE and DEMONSTRATORS.

Jeremy has linked arms with Susan. James lags behind a

little. Jeremy tells a joke, barely audible above the

SOUND of TRAFFIC and the CHANTS of the PROTESTORS. Susan

giggles as she and Jeremy skip forward to dodge the traffic.

INT. LOBBY, GRAND HOTEL - DAY

The lobby is crowded with DELEGATES, MPs, PRESS and TV

PEOPLE.

JEREMY:

There goes my deep throat. Excuse

me.

Jeremy darts away. Susan is looking about her.

JAMES:

Shall we have a drink or something?

SUSAN:

Oh ... excuse me. There's Nicholas.

James is left.

EXT. HOTEL BALCONY - AFTERNOON

DELEGATES and MPs, and MEDIA PEOPLE, are taking tea on the

long balcony of the Grand Hotel. Jeremy is interviewing

an MP. James and Susan sit at the same table listening.

JEREMY:

Then, the theory goes, you'll be

back in favour. In line for a

real job. Is that right?

MP:

Well, it's a theory ... interesting.

Oh, excuse me, there's Willy.

The MP makes off.

JEREMY:

I want to see him too.

Jeremy leaves. James comes and sits closer to Susan.

JAMES:

We don't seem to get much time to

talk.

SUSAN:

I know. I'm sorry.

An announcement comes through on the hotel's P.A.

ANNOUNCER'S VOICE (O.S.)

Miss Susan Barrington, Miss Susan

Barrington. A phone call for you.

Susan makes a half-hearted apologetic gesture and leaves.

As she goes she passes Jeremy who holds a Press Pass for

James. He kneels by James's chair and pins the card to

his lapel.

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