Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 (27 page)

BATES: All on your own?

MRS PATMORE: And isn't it a blessed relief.

BATES: I was just wondering if anyone had taken Anna up some supper.

MRS PATMORE: Well, if they haven't, she'll have to starve. I cannot put any more weight on these sad and aching feet tonight.

Anna's reading in bed, when she hears knocking. She puts down her book, grabs a dressing gown, and goes out.

She looks down the empty passage towards a closed door.

BATES (V.O.): Anna? Are you there?

She can hardly believe her ears. She hurries to the door.

ANNA: Mr Bates?

BATES (V.O.): Can you open the door?

ANNA: I daren't. No one can open that door, except Mrs Hughes.

BATES (V.O.): Just for a moment. I've brought you something.

Anna hesitates. Then, nervously, she unlocks the door. Bates is standing there with a tray. It has covered dishes, a jug of milk, and a small vase with a flower.

ANNA: I don't know what she'd say.

BATES: I do. But she's out for the evening, and the others are down at the fair.

ANNA: You should have gone with them.

BATES: I was worried you'd be hungry.

ANNA: I thought I'd been forgotten.

BATES: You'd never be forgotten by me.

He says it almost without thinking, and then they both realise the import of his words. She takes the tray.

ANNA: It's so pretty.

BATES: An eye for detail, that's what I'm known for.

Will they kiss? There's a noise on the stairs. Anna starts.

ANNA: You'd better go. But thank you.

BATES: Thank
you
.

Which doesn't really make sense, but it does to him. She closes the door and locks it then hurries back to her room.
*

Violet comes out with Robert. She is furious.

VIOLET: What I cannot understand in all this is you! You seem positively glad to see Mary disinherited!

ROBERT: You speak as if we had a choice—

VIOLET: Thank you, Branson.

She has brought matters to an end. The chauffeur closes the door and starts the car as Robert retreats to the house.

ROBERT: I'm worn out. Tell Lady Mary and Mr Crawley I've gone to bed.

CARSON: Shall I tell them now, m'lord?

Robert thinks for a moment.

ROBERT: No. Wait until they ring.
*

Joe and Mrs Hughes emerge from the pub into the fair.

MRS HUGHES: I ought to start back. This is very late for me.

JOE: Ah, not yet. It's a long time since I had a girl to show off for, at a fair.

He gives the man a penny and takes up the rings to throw.

JOE (CONT'D): So I take it you never get lonely?

MRS HUGHES: Well, that's working in a big house. There are times when you yearn for a bit of solitude.

He makes his final throw and wins a scarecrow doll.

JOE: Well, something to remind you of me.

MRS HUGHES: I don't need help to remember you.

She chuckles pleasantly, as they stroll on.

JOE: But what … what happens when you retire?

MRS HUGHES: I should think I'll stay here. They'll look after me.

JOE: Suppose they sell the estate?

MRS HUGHES: Suppose there's a tidal wave? Suppose we all die of the plague? Suppose there's a war?
*

The other servants watch her laugh, from across the Green, then duck back behind a tent, so she does not see them.

THOMAS: What did I tell you? She's found her Romeo.

GWEN: It might be her brother.

THOMAS: She hasn't got a brother or we'd know it by now. Just a sister in Lytham St Anne's.

DAISY: You know everything, don't you?

He blesses her with a look. William snorts.

WILLIAM: Everything, my foot. You're hiding behind him, but he's not what you think he is.

DAISY: Oh, go home William, if you're going to be such a spoil sport.

WILLIAM: All right. I will.

He turns and marches away, when Gwen calls out.

GWEN: Come back! She didn't mean it! William! Wait for me!

She hurries after him, as Thomas smirks at Daisy. On the other side of the fair, Mrs Hughes is still with Joe.

MRS HUGHES: I must go. But it's been lovely to see you again, Joe. Really.

JOE: And you know what I'm asking?

MRS HUGHES: You haven't asked anything yet.

JOE: But you know what it is, when I do.

The truth is, she undoubtedly does.

JOE (CONT'D): I'm going to stop here at the pub, ‘til I hear from you. Oh, and take your time. I'd rather wait a week for the right answer than get a wrong one in a hurry. Think about it, carefully.

MRS HUGHES: I will. I promise you that.

Mary pulls the bell rope. Matthew is still there.

MARY: To break the entail, we'd need a private bill in Parliament?

This seems very ridiculous to her.

MATTHEW: Even then, it would only be passed if the estate was in danger which it's not.

MARY: And I mean nothing in all this.

MATTHEW: On the contrary, you mean a great deal. A very great deal.

He looks at her, but the door opens and Carson appears.

CARSON: You rang, m'lady?

MARY: Yes Carson. Mr Crawley was just leaving. After that you can lock up. Do you know where his lordship is?

CARSON: Gone to bed, m'lady. He felt tired after he put Lady Grantham into the car.

MARY: I bet he did. Thank you, Carson.

The butler goes to fetch Matthew's coat.

MATTHEW: Sorry, I wish I could think of something to say that would help.

MARY: There's nothing. But you mustn't let it trouble you.

MATTHEW: It does trouble me. It troubles me very much.

MARY: Then that will be my consolation prize. Goodnight, Cousin Matthew.

She holds out her hand. He takes it and holds it tightly, so wanting to find the right words. But he can't.

MATTHEW: Goodnight.

His intensity is disconcerting. She pulls her hand back.

Carson holds a coat open for Matthew.

MATTHEW: I hope I haven't kept you up too late. I'm afraid we've interfered with your dinner.

CARSON: It's been rather a chop-and-change evening downstairs.

MATTHEW: Lady Grantham got off all right?

CARSON: ‘All right' is an optimistic assessment, sir.

MATTHEW: It's very difficult, Carson. For her, for Lady Mary, for everyone.

CARSON: It is, Mr Crawley. But I appreciate your saying so.

This is the nicest thing Carson has ever said to Matthew.
*

Anna has just climbed into bed, when Gwen arrives, with bread and cheese on a plate, and a glass of water.

ANNA: Are you back? How was it?

GWEN: Fine. I came back with William, after Daisy broke his heart … I brought these up for you, but I see you're taken care of.

ANNA: I am. Very well taken care of.

And she snuggles down, lifting the lids off the dishes.

Mrs Hughes returns from the fair and walks along the passage. O'Brien can be seen in the servants' hall sewing.

O'BRIEN: Well, that's Her Greatness done and dusted for the night.

She bites the thread savagely. There is a sound in the passage. It's Mrs Hughes. Bates enters. William's slumped in a corner.

BATES: William, did you have a good time?

WILLIAM: I'm off to bed.

He stands and walks off. Bates follows him to the stairs.

BATES: Wait. What happened?

WILLIAM: Nothing. It doesn't matter.

Bates would say more but Gwen comes downstairs at that moment, and walks with Bates back to the servants' hall.

BATES: How was your evening, Mrs Hughes?

MRS HUGHES: Very enjoyable, thank you. The others are just behind me, so you can lock up in a minute … Well, I'll say goodnight.

She is about to go as Thomas, Daisy, the maids and the hall boys come in, just in time to see her. She waves goodnight to them as she walks away. Thomas turns to O'Brien.

THOMAS: I was right when I said she was looking sparkly-eyed.

CARSON: I
beg
your pardon, Thomas.

He has crept up on them. Now he waits, to let his disapproval register, then leaves.
*

THOMAS: He can disapprove all he likes. Mrs Hughes has got a fancy man.

He laughs with a sneer, and Daisy laughs with him.

BATES: Don't be nasty, Daisy. It doesn't suit you. And Mrs Hughes is entitled to her privacy.

O'BRIEN: You would say that, wouldn't you?

THOMAS: I reckon there's a job vacancy coming up. Miss O'Brien, do you fancy a promotion?

O'BRIEN: Very droll. If she's got a boyfriend, I'm a giraffe.

Cora's in bed. Robert is in his dressing gown.

CORA: How was she when she left?

ROBERT: You know my mother. She's not keen on conceding defeat.

CORA: And Mary?

ROBERT: Well, she listened to Matthew, but whether she's accepted it remains to be seen.

Cora nods. Robert sits on the bed, taking his wife's hand.

ROBERT (CONT'D): The question is, have
you
accepted it?

CORA: I think so.

ROBERT: But I don't want you to feel angry towards Matthew.

CORA: I won't. I like Matthew.

ROBERT: Don't think he's cheated Mary. He hasn't.

CORA: To be honest, Robert, Mary isn't the person you—

She stops. She very nearly gave away Mary's secret.

ROBERT: Mary isn't the person I what?

CORA: Never mind.

He takes off his gown and climbs into bed.

ROBERT: It's a shame she won't take Matthew. I think even Carson could put up with ‘Mr Crawley' if Mary was his wife.

CORA: We don't know he'd take
her
, now.

This really is an odd thing for Robert to hear.

ROBERT: Why on earth do you say that?

CORA: I'm not convinced they're suited.

ROBERT: Have it your own way.
We're
suited. So let's give thanks for that.

He kisses her and settles down. But Cora lies awake.

Bates, in his vest, carrying a towel, knocks at a door.

BATES: William?

He opens the door but a sad voice speaks out of the dark.