Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 (8 page)

CARSON: I'm glad.

ROBERT: Is Bates all right?

CARSON: I think so, m'lord.

CORA: It must be so difficult for you, all the same.

Carson silently acknowledges this, bows and goes.

ROBERT: Don't stir.

Mary and Crowborough are giggling as they explore.

MARY: Do you realise this is the first time we've ever been alone?
*

CROWBOROUGH: Then you've forgotten when I pulled you into the conservatory at the Northbrooks'. How sad.
†

MARY: No, I haven't. But it's not quite the same with twenty chaperones hiding behind every fern.

CROWBOROUGH: And are you glad to be alone with me, m'lady?

MARY: Oh dear. If I answer truthfully, you'll think me very forward …

She looks up, expecting a kiss, but he keeps opening doors.

MARY (CONT'D): I don't think we should pry. It feels rather disrespectful.

CROWBOROUGH: Oh, nonsense. It's your father's house, isn't it? You've a right to know what goes on in it.

He has come to a door at the end of the passage.

CROWBOROUGH (CONT'D): Where does this lead?

MARY: To the men's quarters. With the lock on the women's side. Only Mrs Hughes is allowed to turn it.

CROWBOROUGH: Mrs Hughes and you.

He turns the key and goes through. He opens another door.

CROWBOROUGH (CONT'D): And this?

MARY: A footman, I imagine.

He glances at the name card on the door: ‘William'. He loses interest and looks at the next: ‘Thomas'. He goes inside and starts opening the drawers of a modest chest, rummaging, looking under the clothes inside.

MARY (CONT'D): Should you do that?

CROWBOROUGH: I'm … I'm making a study of the genus ‘footman.' I seek to know the creature's ways.

She laughs. There is a noise.

MARY: Someone's coming.

CROWBOROUGH (V.O.): There's nothing to be afraid of.

But instead of coming out, he shuts the door, leaving her stranded. Round the corner walks Bates. He approaches her.

BATES: Can I help you, m'lady?

MARY: We were just exploring …

She feels foolish. The door opens and Crowborough appears.

BATES: Were you looking for Thomas, Your Grace?

CROWBOROUGH: No. As Lady Mary says, we've just been exploring.

MARY: I don't know when I was last up here …

Bates opens the door by which they are standing.

BATES: Would you care to explore my room, m'lady?

Mary is hideously embarrassed. She is entirely in the wrong and she knows it. This is grossly improper of her.

MARY: Of course not, Bates. I'm sorry to have bothered you. We're just going down.

Watched by Bates, they walk away together.

CROWBOROUGH: Why did you apologise to that man? It's not his business what we do.

MARY: I always apologise when I'm in the wrong. It's a habit of mine.

Robert is standing with Carson in front of him.

ROBERT: Who's complained? Thomas?

But Carson doesn't want to give anyone away.

CARSON: The plain fact is Mr Bates, through no fault of his own, is not able to fulfil the extra duties expected of him. He can't lift, he can't serve at table, he's dropping things all over the place. On a night like tonight he should act as a third footman. As it is, m'lord, we may have to have a
maid
in the dining room.

Robert cannot help smiling at Carson's stricken face.

ROBERT: Cheer up, Carson. There are worse things happening in the world.

CARSON: Not worse than a maid serving a duke.

Robert wishes this was a joke but it isn't.

ROBERT: So you're quite determined?

CARSON: It is a hard decision, your lordship. A very hard decision, but the honour of Downton is at stake.

ROBERT: Don't worry, Carson. I know all about hard decisions, when it comes to the honour of Downton.

He kneels down and strokes Pharaoh.

William puts the cases on to a rack.
*

MRS HUGHES: You mustn't let Thomas take advantage. He's only a footman, same as you.

WILLIAM: It's all right, Mrs Hughes. I like to keep busy. Takes your mind off things.

MRS HUGHES: What things have you got to take your mind off?

He doesn't volunteer the answer. But she knows.

MRS HUGHES (CONT'D): If you're feeling homesick, there's no shame in it.

WILLIAM: No.

MRS HUGHES: It means you come from a happy home. There's plenty of people here who'd envy that.

WILLIAM: Yes, Mrs Hughes.

He goes. She walks out and shuts the door behind her.

Robert is dressed. Bates is tidying.

BATES: Will that be all, m'lord?

ROBERT: Yes … that is, not exactly.

Bates hovers, puzzled. Robert doesn't know how to begin.

ROBERT (CONT'D): Have you recovered from your fall this afternoon?

BATES: I'm very sorry about that. I don't know what happened.

ROBERT: The thing is, Bates …

He hesitates. Bates knows what's coming and is silent.

ROBERT (CONT'D): I said I would give you a trial and I have.

Bates waits, which makes Robert more awkward.

ROBERT (CONT'D): If it were only up to me …

He pauses and then unwillingly stumbles on.

ROBERT (CONT'D): There's this question of a valet's extra duties …

BATES: You mean waiting at table when there's a large party?

ROBERT: That. And carrying things. And …

He tails off. This is agony for both men.

ROBERT (CONT'D): You do see that Carson cannot be expected to compromise the efficiency of his staff?

BATES: I do, m'lord. Of course I do.

He is a desperate man. Quite desperate.

BATES (CONT'D): Might I make a suggestion? That when an extra footman is required the cost could be taken out of my wages—

Robert cannot bear what he is doing to this fellow.

ROBERT: Absolutely not. I couldn't possibly allow that.

BATES: Because I'm very eager to stay, m'lord. Very eager, indeed.

His eyes are filling but he manages to pull back.

ROBERT: I know you are. And I was eager that it should work …

BATES: You see, it is unlikely that I'll find another position.

ROBERT: But, surely, in a smaller house, where less is expected of you?

BATES: It's not likely.

ROBERT: I mean to help until you find something.

BATES: I couldn't take your money, m'lord. I can take wages for a job done. But that's all.

But Robert says nothing to alter the situation.

BATES (CONT'D): Very good, m'lord. I'll go at once.

ROBERT: There's no need to rush out into the night. Take the London train tomorrow. It leaves at nine. You'll have a month's wages, too.

For a moment it looks as if Bates will object.

ROBERT (CONT'D): That I insist on.

Bates nods and goes to the door.

ROBERT (CONT'D): This is a bloody business, Bates, but I don't see any way round it.

BATES: I quite understand, m'lord.

He goes. And Robert hates himself.

The family, Violet and the Duke finishing dinner with a savoury, waited on by Carson, Thomas and William.

CORA: I'm afraid we're rather a female party tonight, Duke. But you know what it's like trying to balance numbers in the country. A single man outranks the Holy Grail.

CROWBOROUGH: No, I'm terribly flattered to be dining
en famille
.

EDITH: What were you and Mary doing up in the attics this afternoon?

SYBIL: I expect Mary was just showing the Duke the house. Weren't you?

Sybil has come to the rescue, which earns Mary's gratitude. But Violet also sees that Edith is making trouble.

VIOLET: Are you a student of architecture?

CROWBOROUGH: Absolutely.

VIOLET: Then I do hope you'll come and inspect my little cottage. It was designed by Wren.

CROWBOROUGH: Ah.

VIOLET: For the first Earl's sister.

ROBERT: The attics?

EDITH: Yes. Mary took the Duke up to the attics.

ROBERT: Whatever for?

CORA: Why was this, dear?

MARY: We were just looking around.

EDITH: Looking around? What is there to look at but servants' rooms? What was the real reason?

VIOLET: Don't be such a chatterbox, Edith.

CORA: I think we'll go through.

Firmly, she leads the way out. Edith starts again.

EDITH: I still don't understand—

MARY: Will you hold your tongue!

Robert and Crowborough stand as the ladies leave the room. Carson shuts the door on her harsh, hissed whisper. He brings the decanter of port over to Robert and offers both men a cigar. Then he leaves with the two footmen. Robert gestures to the Duke.

ROBERT: Move up.

Which Crowborough does. Robert passes the port to him.

ROBERT (CONT'D): Did you find anything very interesting in my attics?

CROWBOROUGH: Only your daughter, sir. And I'd taken her up there with me.

Which makes Robert smile a little.

The servants' dinner is laid. The staff sit about. Daisy lingers near Thomas. Mrs Patmore is in the doorway. Thomas and William are with them.

THOMAS: How long do you think they'll be? I'm starving.
*

CARSON: Have you settled the ladies?

THOMAS: Yes, Mr Carson.

CARSON: Then it won't be long once they go through.

DAISY: Do you think he'll speak out? Do you think we'll have a duchess to wait on? Imagine that!

MRS PATMORE:
You
won't be ‘waiting' on her, whatever happens.

CARSON: There is no reason why the eldest daughter and heiress of the Earl of Grantham should not wear a duchess's coronet with honour.

MRS HUGHES: Heiress, Mr Carson? Has it been decided then?

CARSON: It will be, if there's any justice in the world.

He looks up at the board. The dining room bell is still.

MRS HUGHES: We'll know soon enough.

MRS PATMORE: What are you doing, Anna?

Anna is bringing in a plate of hot food for a laid tray.

ANNA: I thought I'd take something up to Mr Bates, him not being well enough to come down. You don't mind, do you, Mrs Hughes?

MRS HUGHES: I don't mind. Not this once.

CARSON: Take him whatever he might need.

Carson is obviously embarrassed. He addresses the company.

CARSON (CONT'D): Mr Bates is leaving without a stain on his character. I hope you all observe that in the manner of your parting.