Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 (36 page)

He reaches down and strokes her cheek, which pleases her.

They are all in there when Carson walks by.

ANNA: Mr Carson?

He stops and comes to the door.

ANNA (CONT'D): We were wondering about that snuff box. Has it turned up yet?

CARSON: I'm afraid not.

Thomas and O'Brien share a smirking glance. But they do not see the look that Anna gives Bates.

BATES: Well, I think we should have a search.

THOMAS: What?

BATES: It doesn't do to leave these things too long.

ANNA: Mr Carson can search the men's rooms and Mrs Hughes the women's.

The smiles have been wiped off Thomas's and O'Brien's faces. They give a hasty glance at each other.

ANNA (CONT'D): And it should be right away, now we've talked of it. So no one has a chance to hide the box. Don't you agree, Mr Carson?

CARSON: Well … perhaps it's for best. Although I'm sure I won't find anything. I'll fetch Mrs Hughes.

He walks out of the room and the others stare at each other. Then Thomas stands, followed by O'Brien.

THOMAS: I think I'll just …

O'BRIEN: I'd better check it's tidy.

They hurry out. Leaving Bates and Anna laughing to the bewilderment of the rest of the staff.

Thomas and O'Brien race upstairs.

THOMAS: The bastard's hidden it in my room or yours.

O'BRIEN: Why did I ever listen to you in the first place?

Which seems unjust.

Mrs Hughes emerges from Gwen's and Anna's room. They stand in the doorway watching as she progresses to the next.

MRS HUGHES: Miss O'Brien?

She pushes open the door to find the room in complete chaos. O'Brien stands in the middle of a stripped bed, with boxes and drawers and clothes all over the place.

MRS HUGHES (CONT'D): My, my. You have been busy.

Matthew takes off his coat. Isobel comes out of a door.

ISOBEL: I was expecting you later than this. I'll tell Molesley to lock up.

MATTHEW: Thanks. Goodnight, Mother.

He kisses her and starts up the stairs.

ISOBEL: How was the evening? Did you enjoy yourself?

MATTHEW: Quite. The thing is, for a moment I thought—

He stops, smiling down at his mother who looks up at him.

MATTHEW (CONT'D): Never mind what I thought. I was wrong. Goodnight.

He vanishes onto the landing, leaving her to ponder this.

The show is in full swing. Villagers and the servants look at every stall, while Violet, Cora, Robert and the girls walk about. Isobel and Matthew are with them. Mary glances at Matthew but, while he nods in greeting, he says nothing.

SYBIL: How pretty. What's it for?

STALLHOLDER: It's for salt, m'lady. The wide mouth stops it getting damp.

SYBIL: Why should it get damp?

STALLHOLDER: Because a great many cottages are damp, m'lady.

SYBIL: Yes, of course. How silly of me.

The party has reached Bill Molesley's stall.

ROBERT: My word, Molesley, splendid roses as usual. Well done.

BILL MOLESLEY: Thank you, your lordship.

VIOLET: All the stalls are set out very well this year.

But Robert and Cora are impressed by Molesley's offerings.

CORA: This is enchanting. Do we grow it?

BILL MOLESLEY: I doubt you've got that one, your ladyship. I've only just found it, myself.

CORA: Is it a secret? Or could you tell Mr Brocket?

BILL MOLESLEY: I'd be glad to, m'lady.

His son, Isobel's butler, beams. They move on in a group.

CORA: He should come and see the rose garden. He could give us some ideas.

ROBERT: Old Molesley's a champion. Or he would be, in a fairer world.

He gives a meaningful smile to his mother.

VIOLET: Don't you start.

ISOBEL: I'm afraid I've been annoying Cousin Violet on that score.

VIOLET: If Mr Molesley deserves the first prize for his flowers, the judges will give it to him.

ROBERT: They wouldn't dare.

He shares this with Cora who certainly agrees with him.

VIOLET: Really, Robert. You make me so annoyed. Isn't it possible that I should win the thing on merit?

ROBERT: I think the appropriate answer to that, Mama, is ‘yes, dear'.

Violet turns away, but not before she has seen Robert give a wink to Isobel who smiles. It is all very irritating.

The servants are walking through the village. O'Brien is with Thomas.

O'BRIEN: I don't know why we're bothering. We'll have missed the speeches as it is.

THOMAS: Don't be such a grouch.

Anna is walking with Bates.

ANNA: You should have punished one of them at least.

BATES: They know that I know, and that's worth something.

They stroll on.

ANNA: What do you think will happen to Mrs Patmore?

BATES: She'll muddle through with Daisy to help her. In the long term, we'll have to wait for the doctor to give his opinion.

ANNA: I hope there's something they can do.

BATES: I hope so, too. But if there isn't, I hope they
tell
her there isn't. Nothing is harder to live with than false hope.

This is enough to make her strong.

ANNA: I wish you'd come out with it.

BATES: With what?

ANNA: Whatever it is that you're keeping secret.

BATES: I can't.

ANNA: You don't deny it, then?

BATES: No, I don't deny it. And I don't deny you've a right to ask. But I can't. I'm not a free man.

ANNA: Are you trying to tell me that you're married?

She has stopped walking and faces him.

BATES: I have been married, yes. But that isn't all of it.

She will never get a better chance to speak her mind.

ANNA: Because … Because I love you, Mr Bates. I know it's not ladylike to say it, but I'm not a lady and I don't pretend to be.

He stares at her, this innocent, good woman, and if he could only change things he would.

BATES: You are a lady to me. And I never knew a finer one.

There is the rattle of wheels. A farmer draws up in a cart, full of hay. There is room for one on the seat beside him.

FARMER: If you want a lift, I can take one of you, but no more.

BATES: One of the women.

ANNA: No, you must go. Then we can all hurry and meet you there.

He looks at her and speaks his answer for her ears, only.

BATES: Yes you're right. I mustn't slow you down. There's been too much of that already.

Before she can protest, he is up on the board and the cart moves off. Thomas sniffs as they all walk on together.

THOMAS: I might get myself a gammy leg. It seems to be the answer to every problem.

Anna is silent as they quicken their pace.

The flower show. Cora has come to find Violet.

CORA: It's time for the prize giving, Mama. Here's the list.

VIOLET: Perhaps you should do it.

CORA: You say that every year.

VIOLET: Perhaps one year you'll take me up on it.

CORA: Perhaps I will.

With a side glance at her daughter-in-law, Violet looks at the paper. At the end, next to ‘The Grantham Cup for Best Bloom' she of course finds her own name. As Violet starts reading out the winners and handing over the prizes, among the crush, Sybil sees Gwen, who seems depressed. They whisper.

SYBIL: Have you recovered from our ordeal?

Gwen half smiles, but she's obviously cast down.

GWEN: I got a letter this morning. They must have written it as soon as I left the office … They are ‘pleased to have met me', but I ‘do not quite fit their requirements'… So it was all for nothing.

Sybil takes the maid's hand and gives it a squeeze.

SYBIL: I don't agree.

GWEN: You've been kind, m'lady, and I appreciate it. But only a fool doesn't know when they've been beaten.

SYBIL: Then I'm a fool, for I'm a long way from being beaten yet.

She is absolutely determined and this does cheer Gwen up a bit. Meanwhile, the names continue, with little bursts of applause. Across the hall, Mary walks over to Matthew.

MARY: When you ran off last night, I hope you hadn't thought me rude.

MATTHEW: Certainly not. I monopolised you at dinner. I'd no right to any more of your time.

MARY: But you see, Edith and I had this sort of bet.

MATTHEW: Please don't apologise. I had a lovely evening and I'm glad we're on speaking terms. Now, I should look after my mother.

He walks through the crush to get to Isobel who is standing in front of the stage. Edith comes up.

EDITH: Why was Cousin Matthew in such a hurry to get away?

MARY: Don't be stupid.

EDITH: I suppose you didn't want him when he wanted you, and now it's the other way round. You have to admit it's quite funny.

MARY: I'll admit that if I ever wanted to attract a man I'd steer clear of those clothes and that hat.

EDITH: You think yourself so superior, don't you?

MARY: Why not? I am.

She goes to join her parents by the stage. Edith senses someone's eyes on her and she looks over to find O'Brien staring. Edith nods slightly, whispering to herself.

EDITH: Well,
I
think she who laughs last laughs longest.

As Mary arrives, Cora turns to her husband.

CORA: Did that missing box of yours ever turn up?

ROBERT: It was a fuss about nothing. They must've put it back on the wrong shelf when they were dusting. Bates found it this morning.

CORA: Next time, have a proper look before you start complaining. I'm sure the servants were frightened half to death.

ROBERT: Mea culpa.

On the stage, Violet has reached the final award.

VIOLET: And now, the Grantham Cup for the Best Bloom in the Village.

She is very confident, but there is Isobel, standing directly in front of her and boring into her with an iron gaze. Violet looks to one side and there is Bill Molesley, with his son. The younger Molesley seems stern, but the old man is just hopelessly hopeful.

VIOLET (CONT'D): The Grantham Cup is awarded to—

She takes a deep breath to steady herself.

VIOLET (CONT'D): To Mr William Molesley for his
Countess Cabarrus
rose.

There is complete silence. The village is too stunned to clap. Bill Molesley looks as if he'd been turned to stone.
*

ISOBEL: Bravo! Well done! Bravo!

As soon as she starts to clap, the audience goes mad, cheering and stamping and clapping, as Bill Molesley is pushed up onto the stage. He is crying as he reaches for the cup, which softens even Violet.