Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 (38 page)

ROBERT: I gather you went to hear the Liberal candidate today?

SYBIL: There were several speakers, actually, he was the last.

ROBERT: Did he speak well?

SYBIL: I thought so.

ROBERT: But there was quite a brouhaha.

SYBIL: You know what these things can be like—

ROBERT: I do. Which is why I'm astonished you should not feel it necessary to ask my permission to attend.

There is a silence in the room. Robert is very angry.

ROBERT (CONT'D): I assume this was Branson's idea.

SYBIL: No, I—

ROBERT: I confess I was amused at the idea of an Irish radical for a chauffeur, but I see now I have been naive.
*

CORA: I told Branson to take Sybil.

ROBERT: What are you saying?
*

CORA: Sybil needed to get to Ripon, and I asked Branson to drive her. I thought it was sensible. In case there was trouble.

SYBIL: I want to do some canvassing. The by-election isn't far off, and—

VIOLET: Canvassing?

SYBIL: It's quite safe. You're in a group and you knock on doors—

VIOLET: Yes, I know what canvassing is.

MARY: I think that Sybil is …

VIOLET: What? Are you canvassing, too? Or would you rather take in washing?

MARY: I was only going to say that Sybil's entitled to her opinions.

VIOLET: Not until she is married. Then her husband will tell her what her opinions
are
.

MARY: Oh, Granny.

SYBIL: I knew you wouldn't approve.

ROBERT: Which is presumably why you all hid your plans from me.

Daisy is clearing away plates. Thomas is loading a tray.

THOMAS: Her ladyship'll have a smacked bottom if she isn't careful.

Daisy snorts with laughter as Carson looks in.

CARSON: Hurry up. I don't want anything else to go wrong tonight … Where's the sauce? Doesn't this have Hollandaise?

DAISY: I'll get it. I won't be a jiffy.

THOMAS: Would you do that for me?

DAISY: I'd do anything for you.

She is gone before he can respond.

As Thomas walks in, things are still sticky.

VIOLET: Does this mean you won't be presented next month?

SYBIL: Certainly not. Why should it?

VIOLET: I doubt I'd expect to curtsey to Their Majesties in June, if I'd been arrested at a riot in May. But of course I'm old. Things may be different now.
*

CORA: She hasn't been arrested and it wasn't a riot.

EDITH: But it might be next time.

ROBERT: There will not be a next time.
†

Bates and Anna are with Branson.

ANNA: Her ladyship's not best pleased at being told off in public. William said she was looking daggers.

BATES: I'm sorry I started all this.

BRANSON: Oh, it's not your fault. Anyway, he ought to be glad he's got a daughter who cares.

Thomas leans in through the door.

THOMAS: Her ladyship's ready to leave.

BRANSON: I'll bring the car round.

THOMAS: Are you pleased with yourself?

Before Bates can speak, Branson and Thomas have gone.

ANNA: Silly chump. Why must he be so unpleasant all the time?

BATES: He's nervous.

ANNA: What of?

BATES: He annoyed me, earlier on, and I said something stupid. He thinks I'm planning to tell Mr Carson about the wine.

ANNA: Well, he shouldn't have stolen it then, should he?

BATES: No. But I don't want anyone to lose their job because of me.

ANNA: Even Thomas? Even after what they tried to do to you?

BATES: Even then.

She smiles. She approves of this, really.

Robert is reading, with Pharaoh at his feet. Carson enters.

CARSON: I'm sorry to disturb you, m'lord.

Robert waits as Carson closes the door. He holds a letter.

CARSON (CONT'D): I don't know how I missed the gong. I must've been distracted.

ROBERT: Never mind. These things happen.

To Carson's dismay, Robert assumes that was why he came.

ROBERT (CONT'D): While you're here, Carson, I'm afraid I was angrier at dinner than the situation warranted. I hope the servants won't make too much of it.
*

CARSON: Well. They like a story. But they move on quick enough.

ROBERT: I don't want Branson to be upset. I got the wrong end of the stick, and I rather let rip.

CARSON: He'll get over it.

ROBERT: But what
are
we going to do if Lady Sybil turns political? I'm sorry. Was there something else?

Carson glances at the letter, but this isn't the time.

CARSON: No, m'lord. Good night.

Carson emerges, just as Cora is at the foot of the stairs.

CARSON: Your ladyship, do you have a moment?

CORA: Of course. What is it?

CARSON: Could we go in here?

He's opened the dining room door and turned on the lights.

CORA: Heavens, how mysterious.

Carson closes the door. Cora waits.

CARSON: I've received a letter, m'lady. From a friend of mine. He's valet to the Marquess of Flintshire.

CORA: I don't envy him.
*

CARSON: Lord Flintshire is a minister at the Foreign Office …

CORA: As you know, Lady Flintshire is his lordship's cousin.

CARSON: Of course, of course. The point is, he has dealings with the Turkish Ambassador.

Suddenly, Cora realises what's coming. Carson ploughs on.

CARSON (CONT'D): It seems His Excellency has made him privy to a scurrilous story concerning Lady Mary and … the late Mr Pamuk.
†

CORA: May I read this letter?

He holds out the letter. She is like ice as she takes it and starts to read.

CARSON: Is there anything you'd like me to do about it?

CORA: No, thank you. Sometimes, even to deny these things is only to throw paraffin onto the flames.

CARSON: I did try to inform his lordship.

CORA: What?

CARSON: But I couldn't seem to find the right moment.

She can breathe again.

CORA: Quite right. Please leave his lordship to me.

O'BRIEN: I'm sorry. The only sure way to get rid of a servant is to have him or her suspected of stealing.

O'Brien is plotting with Thomas.

THOMAS: Aren't you forgetting we've tried that? And it didn't work.

O'BRIEN: But last time, we invented a theft. What we need is to make him a suspect when something's
really
been stolen.

THOMAS: How do we know anything's been stolen?

O'BRIEN: Because you stole it, you noodle.

THOMAS: Oh. You mean the wine.

O'BRIEN: Yes, the wine.

THOMAS: But that's the whole point. Bates knows I took it. He was threatening to tell Mr Carson.

O'BRIEN: Well, he can't, can he? Not if we get to him first.

CARSON: Are you telling me you
saw
him take the cellar key?

Carson is talking to Thomas.

THOMAS: Not exactly. But I saw him in here and I thought the key was swinging on its hook.

Carson listens to this without comment.

THOMAS (CONT'D): I just wondered if you'd noticed if any of the wine was missing?

Cora and Robert are in bed together.

ROBERT: I think I owe you an apology after the way I spoke at dinner.

CORA: Next time you want to treat me like a naughty schoolgirl, you might do it in private and not in front of the servants.

ROBERT: You're right. I'm sorry.
*

CORA: Of course, it gave your mother her best evening since Christmas.

ROBERT: Even so, we must try to keep control of Sybil.

CORA: Robert, believe me, Sybil is not your problem.

He ponders this response as she blows out her lamp.

CORA (CONT'D): We've got to support Mary this year, when we get to London.

ROBERT: But it's Sybil's first Season. We can't have Mary stealing her thunder.

CORA: Sybil'll do well enough. It's time Mary was settled. High time.

He is getting sleepy, so he just accepts this.

ROBERT: Poor old Edith. We never seem to talk about her.

CORA: I'm afraid Edith will be the one to care for us in our old age.

ROBERT: What a ghastly prospect.

For Edith or for them, he does not make clear.

A new morning. Bates leaves breakfast as Carson arrives.

CARSON: I wonder if I might have a word with you later, Mr Bates.

BATES: Of course. As soon as I've finished his lordship.

Carson nods briskly and goes. Anna has overheard this.

ANNA: What's that about?

BATES: Search me.

He leaves, but Anna turns to find O'Brien looking at her.

Mary, in a riding habit, gloves, hat and veil, walks in.

MARY: Mama? Anna said you wanted me.

CORA: Look who's paid us a visit.

She stands, making the guest stand also. He is none other than Sir Anthony Strallan. Edith is with them.

MARY: Sir Anthony. How nice. We all thought we'd driven you away with that horrible salty pudding.

STRALLAN: No, indeed. But I have been away.

EDITH: He's been in Austria and Germany.

MARY: How interesting.

STRALLAN: Interesting. And worrying.

Cora wants to move things along.

CORA: Sir Anthony is here to show you his new car.

STRALLAN: I've rather taken to driving myself and I have to keep finding destinations to justify it.

MARY: What kind of car is it?

STRALLAN: It's an open Rolls-Royce. I wondered if you might like a spin in it.

MARY: How kind. But, alas, not today. I've had Diamond saddled and he's waiting for me.

CORA: You could ride this afternoon.

MARY: It's arranged now. But thank you, Sir Anthony. Do ask me again.

EDITH: I don't suppose you'd take me.

Strallan is enough of a gentleman to know he's trapped.

STRALLAN: Of course! I should be delighted.

Cora is not best pleased.

Bates is standing before Carson.