The Ploughman's Lunch Page #24

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James suddenly notices Susan down on the lower floor. She

passes through the doors and is gone. James gets to his

feet.

THATCHER:

But it would be no bad thing if

the feeling that swept over the

country then were to continue to

inspire us. But if there was any

doubt about the determination of

the British people...

Jeremy and Susan come through the doors onto the Press

balcony. James stops. They have not seen him. He watches

as they stand together. Clearly a new intimacy has been

established.

THATCHER:

... it was removed by men and women

who a few months ago brought a

renewed sense of pride and self-

respect to our country.

Jeremy kisses the nape of Susan's neck. They are not

interested in staying for the speech. James watches stonily

as they leave.

THATCHER:

They were for the most part young.

Let all of us here, and in the

wider audience outside, pause and

reflect...

Numbed, James returns to his seat.

THATCHER:

...on what we who stayed at home

owe to those who sailed and fought

and lived and died and won. If

this is tomorrow's generation,

then Britain has little to fear in

the years to come!

Mix to the last sentence of the Prime Minister's speech.

THATCHER:

We will tell the people the truth,

and the people will be our judge!

James sits through the standing ovation. The delegates

cheer, Land of Hope and Glory' is sung. James chews his

nails.

INT. CONFERENCE CENTRE - DAY

Hours later. WORKMEN are dismantling the platforms, taking

away props, taking down the Conference backdrop and slogans.

In LONG-SHOT we SEE Jeremy making his way between the rows

of chairs. James pursues him enraged, shouting. The ad

libbed obscenity can barely be heard.

EXT. BRIGHTON SEA FRONT - DUSK

James and Jeremy.

James's rage is spent. It has collapsed into bitterness.

The two men stop under a street lamp.

JEREMY:

Susan and I are very old friends,

James.

JAMES:

F*** off.

JEREMY:

And you were obviously getting

nowhere with her. I was waiting

for the right moment to tell you

that.

JAMES:

My God. You even cooked up that

Norfolk trip.

JEREMY:

It might have worked. Really. I

would have been delighted for you

if it had. But she wasn't

interested. Not my fault.

JAMES:

You're a piece of sh*t

JEREMY:

I've known Susan for more than

fifteen years. James, we're old

allies.

At this last word, James looks up. Jeremy walks away.

INT. JAMES'S FLAT - DAY

A few weeks later. We don't see James. We SEE and HEAR

words pounding onto the PAGE. A fury in the typing. The

page is pulled clear. SILENCE. We STAY ON the TYPEWRITER.

INT. BBC NEWSROOM - DAY

James is leaving in a hurry. He pulls on a thick overcoat,

gathers up some papers, ignores someone who calls after

him as he leaves.

EXT. LANGHAM PLACE - DAY

James leaves Broadcasting House and walks towards Oxford

Circus.

INT. GOLD'S OFFICE - DAY

Gold stands by his desk as James comes in, pouring two

glasses of wine.

GOLD:

James... I can't begin to tell you

how pleased we all are.

(he hands James a

glass)

Congratulations, and I really mean

it.

JAMES:

Thank you.

GOLD:

It's everything we wanted. A very

good read. A terrific piece of

work. So, here's to you and Suez.

JAMES:

And to history.

CLOSE IN, the glasses touch.

EXT. CEMETARY - DAY

A group of mourners round a grave. A grey day. A priest

reads from the Book of Common Prayer, but his voice is

virtually lost to us. We find James's father, hunched in

his overcoat, face immobile with grief. Next to him, James,

expressionless.

James glances at his watch.

FREEZE FRAME. OPTICAL ZOOM.

THE END:

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