The Scapegoat Page #4

Synopsis: As England is preparing for the coronation of Elizabeth II, schoolmaster John Standing comes face to face with Johnny Spence, his exact double in appearance. After a night of drinking, Standing awakes to find Spence has stolen his identity. Unsuccessful at explaining the unusual situation, Standing settles into the vacancy left by Johnny Spence. Yet with his new life comes numerous problems, including trying to juggle a wife and two mistresses and family secrets that could prove deadly...
Genre: Drama
Director(s): Charles Sturridge
Production: ITV-Island Pictures
  1 nomination.
 
IMDB:
7.2
Year:
2012
108 min
210 Views


- Congratulations, sir.

- Oh, thank you.

Arthur, can you make sure

everyone gets back to work?

Sorry about last night.

I had a bit of a spat with Nina.

I wasn't quite myself.

Jolly well done.

I really mean that.

Just the sort of thing your father

would have pulled off,

if you don't mind me saying so, sir.

I felt, well, that sometimes,

you didn't understand

the lives of the men and women here.

I'm happy to admit I was wrong.

It's a terrible thing

for a man to have no work.

Yes, I know.

We will need some funds by next week

to cover the wages.

The accounts are all here, sir.

Mr Paul and I went through everything

ourselves yesterday.

And again, congratulations, sir.

Thank you.

Don't worry, I'll get him.

Darling, you haven't even changed,

and it's half past seven!

Everyone's about to go in.

- I'm not very hungry.

- What are you doing?

Trying to understand these reports

about the glassworks.

- I thought that was Paul's job.

- I'd like to understand them myself.

- You still have to eat.

- Sandwich, maybe? Glass of water?

You are in an odd mood.

- I'm sorry.

- Don't be.

It's rather nice to have to

look after you for a change.

We could take a picnic upstairs.

Just us.

I'll tell them I'm not feeling well.

They're used to that.

I used to have to stop boys having midnight feasts.

Here I am eating one.

- I didn't know you were a prefect.

- I wasn't.

I mean, I was. I just wasn't a...

very good one.

If Charlotte finds out about all this,

I'm dead.

So is Annie. She caught me in the larder,

but I managed to persuade her that my cause was just.

She's very excited at

the news about the foundry.

You're so clever to have

managed that.

The trouble is I haven't.

- Oh.

- That's why I was reading all those papers.

Did you know there was a report before the war,

commissioned by my sister from a chap called A Farr?

- Alice Farr.

- Actually, it's rather good as a matter of fact.

Why don't you go back to your papers

while I get this cleared up?

- Let me help.

- No. Thank you. I'd rather do it myself.

- No, please.

- I mean it!

- What are these doing here?

- I was reading them last night.

It's a bit late, isn't it?

Look, I'm sorry about yesterday.

I didn't know what I was doing.

Really! I think you knew exactly

what you were doing.

What would you have done?

What would I have done?

I probably wouldn't have seduced

my sister-in-law for a start.

About the Leverton contract.

Whatwould you have done if

they had refused to accept our terms?

- What does it matter? They've signed.

- But if they hadn't, what then?

I would have done anything to keep

the furnaces burning. You know that.

It's madness to rely on a single contract.

You should never have allowed us to be in this position.

I read that report last night.

I didn't fully understand it,

but he seemed to take it seriously.

He did until you told him not to.

Are these Alice's designs?

You complete sh*t!

Crockett wants to know about

the shoot on Sunday.

He's suggesting starting at Begley End this year

and driving up towards Moorcroft.

They walked it yesterday,

and they say the ground's solid.

He'll be here at 11:00

to go over it with you.

Sounds good. I have to go into town at ten,

so maybe you could take care of it?

Well, of course,

if that's what you want.

And I have a hair appointment.

We can go in together.

I'll just go and get ready.

I'll see to Crockett, then.

Do you have to go in?

I have some things to sort out

in the bank.

Well, you'll find them much more amenable.

They were very pleased about the contract.

Good.

Ah, yes. Mayfair 242.

I'd like to speak to Sir Matthew Leverton.

It's Mr Spence from Century Glass.

Well, you'll have to interrupt the meeting.

He'll want to hear this personally.

- Can I come into town with you?

- I'm going on business.

Please? It's really important.

On second thought, that's a very good idea.

Of course you can come.

Sorry we're late.

Mary Lou is coming with us.

Very important mission, apparently.

Nothing I could do.

- We need to talk.

- Yes, of course.

- Alone.

- Right.

- Can I sit in the front?

- Yes.

- Where are you going?

- Argyle Street. That junk shop.

- Look after her.

- Yes.

This is the last one.

That's everything we have.

- You sure?

- Yes, I'm sure.

But I think it would be better to discuss

any queries you may have with Mr Thornton

when he returns.

There's definitely nothing else?

No other account?

No, sir. That's everything.

What's this? There seems to be something

in this account, quite a lot.

In fact, 1 million.

I'm sorry, sir. This account is in the wrong file.

I shouldn't have brought it out.

It says Spence at the top.

Um... that's because

it's your wife's trust fund.

Are you saying

that's gone as well?

No, sir. The principle sum

has not been paid out

- because of the terms of the marriage settlement.

- What terms?

- Perhaps I can make an appointment...

- Do you know who I am?

Of course, Mr Spence.

There can hardly be anything irregular about

discussing my own marriage settlement, can there?

No, sir. I suppose not.

- Well?

- Well...

I'm not completely familiar

with the document,

but my understanding is that

the money is only to be paid out

in the event of your wife

conceiving a male heir,

unless, of course,

she should predecease you.

A male heir?

Sir Alfred was most insistent.

So a granddaughter

wasn't good enough for him.

It would appear not, sir.

Thank you, Mr Myerson.

My coat.

There is one other thing.

There's a painting up at the house.

I'd like it valued.

- Yes, sir. I'm sure that can be arranged.

- You've been most helpful.

Sorry, excuse me.

Do you know where Argyle Street is?

I'm looking for a little girl,

my daughter.

Upstairs?

Thank you.

What are you doing here?

Um... I'm looking for a little girl.

The gentleman downstairs indicated...

You should never send a child here.

It shows lack of respect for

your family.

- I've missed you.

- Where is she?

The child? She left half an hour ago

with the chauffeur.

So, did your wife like our

petit cadeau?

Did she think I painted

a good likeness of you?

Er...yes. Yes. She... She um...

- She loved it as a matter of fact.

- So she's happy?

And what about me?

Did you find Bela's little present?

- The perfume?

- Yes. Did you find it?

- I gave it to my sister.

- What? Does she still hate you? Why?

- It was a mistake.

- That must have been a surprise for her.

Yes, it was.

- Did it make her happy?

- No, it didn't.

- Then we are both unhappy.

- Oh!

What are you going to do about this?

- Where's your father?

- Still in the bank.

Well, we're not waiting.

George can come back for him.

Get in, and take that out of your mouth.

- That little girl of yours is adorable.

- Yes, she is.

- Why was she here?

- She wants me to mend something for her.

A plate from your regiment.

She thinks you will be angry

it is broken.

Oh, so that's the big secret.

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Daphne Du Maurier

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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