6. A Ball At The Assembly Rooms
SCENE #50 – INT – HARINGTON’S HOTEL – DAY, AFTERNOON – NOVEMBER 1797
Later that same afternoon, in Harington’s Hotel on Queen Street, a number of well-earned travellers enter all flustered and tired out. They have come in to stop after a long journey. They sit at a table and are served by a waiter who takes their orders. The travellers laugh heartily, discussing matters of conversation to one another. Whilst this goes on, one of the waiters, who happens to be Billy, cleans some tables and polishes its surfaces. A colleague of his comes to place some new tea mats and drinking glasses on the tables.
HENRY
(enquiringly) “How are you finding the conditions of working under this roof, sir? They are nothing compared to what goes on in the Assembly Rooms. I long to be a servant in one of those grand places.”
BILLY
“Yeah, don’t we all?”
HENRY
“I do not believe I have met you working in these lodgings before? Are you new to this service, sir?”
BILLY
“Yes. I started about a week ago.”
HENRY
“Extraordinary. Must have been while I’ve been off sick and tended my mother that I have not met you before.”
BILLY
(apprehensive) “Yes! Yes, that might have been the reason then.”
HENRY
“No matter. For I am glad to be in your presence.”
BILLY
“Same here too.”
HENRY
“I’m Henry. Henry Clay. And you are?”
BILLY
“I’m Billy. My name’s Billy Walker.”
HENRY
“Blessed I am to meet you, Billy Walker.”
BILLY
“Thank you.”
Both shake hands as they greet one another.
HENRY
“So, you started a week ago here then. What possessed you to come to Bath?”
BILLY
“I have some friends here. I’m hoping to meet up with them some time later on. At the moment, I’m just biding my time and working here until I hear something from my friends.”
HENRY
“Well I’ve been working at Harington all my life. And all these people that come in here are the same, same, same dull group we get in here from dawn to dusk. I mean they pay their bills to eat and lodge here. But I’m afraid listening to conversations from them is duller!”
BILLY
“Oh I don’t know. I find conversations of an upper class society quite fascinating in this time. My friends come from that social hierarchy.”
HENRY
“And are they anything like these people we get in here?”
Billy listens to the conversations echoed by the people in the room.
BILLY
(chuckles) “No. Definitely not.”
HENRY
“You must have good taste, sir.”
Moment of silence.
BILLY
“So you live with your mother then?”
HENRY
“And my sister. Both of them I had to look after and take care of since our father died. He left us with a good fortune, but one shouldn’t underestimate one’s fortune as it easily dies out.” (Pause) “You are paid well?”
BILLY
“Yes, I’m paid well. But it’s nothing like what I had when I was a photo….in another professional capacity.”
HENRY
“Ah, so you’ve worked before coming here. And why did you choose this place to work?”
Just then, Mr. Knightly approaches and addresses Henry and Billy.
MR. KNIGHTLY
“Mr. Walker?! Mr. Clay?!” (Pause) “Do I pay you to work or to have secret conversations behind my back?”
BILLY
(apologetic) “Sorry, sir. We were just talking…”
MR. KNIGHTLY
“Well next time know where you are, Mr. Walker. For we have guests currently present. And I am not one for careless behaviour. And we are to be busily employed tonight for we shall attend to passers-by attending the ball at the Assembly Rooms. So I want all my staff to be at the ready when we receive such fine people.”
HENRY
“We will be in attendance, Mr. Knightly.”
MR. KNIGHTLY
“I should hope so! Otherwise I shall lower your wages. And your sickness from last week won’t be an excuse.”
A carriage approaches from outside, distracting Mr. Knightly.
MR. KNIGHTLY
“Hark! I hear the sound of a carriage. I must go out to greet them.” (to Henry; Billy) “You two watch and make sure those chairs and tables are spick and span. Not one speck of dust shall be found on them, see?”
Mr. Knightly walks out, as Henry and Billy continue their work.
BILLY
“He’s really snooty, isn’t he?”
HENRY
“Mr. Knightly will not go about in his business without showing higher regard for the lords and ladies. And I believe he thinks less of us when it comes to our work.”
BILLY
“At least he’s keeping us on our toes.”
HENRY
“That maybe so. But I wish for once that he would be caught off guard. For I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the centre of attention in some street.”
Loud screaming echoes from outside. It causes everybody to stir and murmur, puzzled and apprehensive. Henry and Billy become concerned, as they move away from the tables.
HENRY
(protests) “I never said a word! What’s causing that screaming so?”
The screaming goes on and everybody stands up from their chairs.
BILLY
“Something’s happened to Mr. Knightly! Come on!”
Billy runs forward, heading out of the hotel.
HENRY
“Hey! Wait for me!”
Henry follows Billy; and everyone else does the same.
SCENE #51 – EXT – HARINGTON’S HOTEL – DAY, AFTERNOON – NOVEMBER 1797
Outside, women let out terrified screams as they faint to the floor. A monstrosity attacks Mr. Knightly, biting him on the neck. Mr. Knightly faints whilst the creature attacks him. Billy steps out in the open followed by Henry, the travellers and some maidservants including Fanny to witness this.
BILLY
(cries) “Hey! Get off him!”
Billy rushes forward to rescue Knightly. But Knightly is thrown off by the creature and the creature snarls at Billy angrily, hissing at him. Billy backs away startled, as the monster then runs down the street. Everyone watches as the creature frightens pedestrians out of their wits down the street.
HENRY
What was that thing?!
FANNY
It’s monstrous! It looked like some kind of vampire! It had large fangs!
HENRY
Somebody should fetch a doctor! Call the police!
As Henry considers these things, Billy kneels over Knightly’s unconscious body. He examines the poor man’s condition.
BILLY
(gloomily) Just like you said, Doctor. It’s started already.
SCENE #52 – INT – JANE’S BEDROOM – DAY, EVENING – NOVEMBER 1797
That evening at No. 1. Paragon, Jane and Cassandra are in Jane’s room getting ready for the ball. Cassandra helps Jane button up her frock, whilst Jane looks in a mirror sorting out her hair.
CASSANDRA
“I’m sure Captain Wentworth will ask you to dance with him this evening, Jane. He is a fine man of a sensible nature. And he’s in the navy. So you can exchange your knowledge of the navy that you collect from our brothers to him.”
JANE
“I just hope we’ll have the pleasure of not attending to Aunt Jane or even Lady Anne.”
CASSANDRA
“I believe Lady Anne’s interest will have too much bearing for our Aunt if that was so desired.”
JANE
“Well I sincerely hope so.” (Pause) “I wonder if Miss Gibbons will be dancing herself.”
CASSANDRA
“Depends whether she has chosen in terms of a partner.”
Jane lets out a cry of pain, as Cassandra ties her dress too tightly.
CASSANDRA
“Sorry Jane. Are you alright?”
JANE
“Just about. You do tie too tightly when it comes to an exciting evening.”
CASSANDRA
“Perhaps Mama was right. A trip to Bath has been worth lifting my spirits.” (Pause; sighs) “I do hope Mama and Papa return safely soon.”
Moment of silence.
JANE
“I hope Miss Nyssa will have a partner to dance with. She’s a sweet dear thing. Perhaps her friend Dr. Smith will entreat her.”
CASSANDRA
“You like Miss Nyssa, don’t you Jane.”
JANE
“I’ve never met such a friendly person as her. She does have an exotic name; I cannot imagine a name of a far-off country my brothers mentioned.”
CASSANDRA
“It is an unusual name I agree with you. Nyssa…Lady of Traken you said?”
JANE
“Traken? I believe that it is in Esher.” (Pause; amused) “Perhaps young Lady Nyssa will be an inspiration for one of my novels.”
CASSANDRA
“Well it’s her first visit to Bath as you told me. She may be your heroine in the new novel you’re working on.”
JANE
(giggles) “And Dr. Smith’s the hero.”
CASSANDRA
(thinks) “No. He seemed more brotherly than likely to be engaged to her. He’s older than her, but I don’t imagine she’s his suitor.”
JANE
“Then pray I wonder who else could it be?”
CASSANDRA
“It could be one of the naval officers. Or even the militia.”
JANE
(laughs) “Well I hope it’s naval and not militia. The youngest Morland girls will be occupied with attending to the army officers.”
CASSANDRA
“Or it could be some unlikely hero.”
JANE
“Now that is a consolation. For what sort of person could that be?” (Pause) “Certainly not a demented creature.”
Jane and Cassandra laugh. Jane continues tidying her hair and pretties her face whilst Cassandra is about to do the same.
SCENE #53 – INT – HALLWAY – DAY, EVENING – NOVEMBER 1797
Later on at No.1 Paragon, Jane runs downstairs to the main hallway, excited and eager.
JANE
(calls) “Cassie! The carriage is here! I hear it coming to the door.”
Jane reaches the foot of stairs and her Aunt Jane enters.
AUNT JANE
(angrily) “Jane, dear?! You’ve been smuggling buns from Bath in your room!”
JANE
(anxiously; puzzled) “Why do you say that, Aunt?”
AUNT JANE
I happen to have found a left-over bun whilst I was in your bedroom the other day.
JANE
You went into my bedroom without my consent!
AUNT JANE
(angrily) I have a right to know if you’ve have taken advantage of Bath bakeries by smuggling food to satisfy you and your sister for midnight feasts! A bun was in your room, for I definitely saw it.
JANE
You keep us short of food, madam! Surely there’d be no reason as there to be any truth.
AUNT JANE
So, you admit you smuggled food from Bath into this house.
JANE
That is what your good lady supposed it to be.
AUNT JANE
“You dare to contradict me?!”
JANE
“Indeed, I do not.”
AUNT JANE
“Then be assured that I will keep my eyes on you when you next visit Bath. You have three weeks left. But don’t suppose that would give you and your sister the advantage.”
Eventually, Cassandra comes down the stairs.
CASSANDRA
“I’m ready! Did you say Jane our carriage is here?”
Uncle James enters.
UNCLE JAMES
(satisfied) “Ah! I see that we are all ready. Let’s make for the carriage.”
AUNT JANE
“Yes! And let’s make for the Assembly Rooms soon. For I am eager to invite Lady Anne Musgrove to the card room, as well as her ward…”
As Aunt Jane speaks to Uncle James, Jane whispers to Cassandra.
JANE
(whispers) “Cassandra? Our aunt knows of our dealings with bun smuggling in the night.”
CASSANDRA
(whispers) “Does she suspect much on how we do it?”
JANE
(whispers) “I do not know. But it is best to keep our eyes open.”
Jane and Cassandra follow their Aunt and Uncle out of the house.
SCENE #54 – EXT – 1 PARAGON BUILDING – DAY, EVENING – NOVEMBER 1797
Outside No. 1 Paragon, the carriage waits for Uncle James, Aunt Jane, Jane and Cassandra. Uncle James and Aunt Jane are about to board, whilst Jane and Cassandra look up at the night sky.
CASSANDRA
“Fresh evening, isn’t it Jane?!”
JANE
“Yes. It most certainly is.”
Jane then starts to feel giddy, as she learns forward uneasily. Cassandra catches hold of Jane.
CASSANDRA
(concerned) “Jane dear?!”
As Jane is held by Cassandra, she suddenly experiences some shuddering and shimmering before her. Certain images appear.
JANE
“Do you not see them, Cassandra?”
CASSANDRA
“See what?”
JANE
“Images. Of people. Walking on the streets. In strange attire.” (Pause) “And carriages. Not like ones we usually travel in. But carriages with…no horses. And made of metal and are mechanical.”
What Jane sees before her are cars and carriages; and people of her own time and people of another mixed in together. The shimmering soon stops as Aunt Jane calls out…
AUNT JANE
(calls) “Come along, you two! We’re going to be late!”
Jane is shaken and dizzy as she stands there puzzled.
CASSANDRA
“Jane dear?”
JANE
(gathers herself) “I’ll be alright, Cassandra. Let’s go.”
Both Jane and Cassandra make their way forward, as they enter into the carriage with their aunt and uncle. The carriage soon drives off, as they head for the Assembly Rooms.
SCENE #55 – EXT – ASSEMBLY ROOMS – DAY, EVENING – NOVEMBER 1797
The carriage with the Leigh Perrots and the Austen girls arrives at the entrance to the Assembly Rooms. Whilst other guests make their way into the Assembly Rooms, Jane and Cassandra are helped out by their uncle onto the muddy pavement as it has been raining.
UNCLE JAMES
“Are you both alright ladies after that trip?”
CASSANDRA
“Yes we are well thank you, Uncle.”
UNCLE JAMES
“Good.” (Pause) “Well here we are! At Bennett Street outside the Assembly Rooms!”
JANE
(astonished) “Bennett Street! Bennett! The surname I gave to Lizzie and her family when I wrote ‘First Impressions’!”
CASSANDRA
“And a fine piece of work you made Jane for future generations to read. Let’s hope tonight you will get some inspiration.”
AUNT JANE
“Well I will certainly not enjoy this evening. For I’d hoped I could have arranged my own evening rather than have other people arrange it for me.”
UNCLE JAMES
“It wouldn’t make any difference, Jenny my dear, if I were to tell you to enjoy yourself and not be difficult in front of others.”
AUNT JANE
(astounded) “Oh Mr. Leigh Perrot, I will not have you tell me any such thing. For one thing I will be content in the card room with Lady Anne if she has a fancy to come. It’s just that young people are hard to understand when they use up all their energy in dancing.”
Aunt Jane walks on as she enters the Assembly Rooms with Uncle James. Jane and Cassandra walk a fair distance from their aunt and uncle as they enter.
JANE
“I cannot work out as to whether Aunt Jane is mad or just plain unfeeling.”
CASSANDRA
“Jane! Don’t speak so loudly for she may hear you!”
JANE
“Oh I do wish she would listen to me more than hear me! I tire at her complaints and difficult manners.”
CASSANDRA
“We shall concern ourselves on our own enjoyment, Jane. We shall be – Jane and Lizzie Bennett attending Netherfield to dance with Bingley and Darcy. Or Elinor and Marianne to dance with Edward Ferras and Colonel Brandon.”
JANE
(laughs) “To be sure, a fine man will catch your beauty when you dance tonight, dear Cassandra.”
CASSANDRA
“Now, Jane. Do not jest for I was thinking of you!”
Both girls giggle as they enter the Assembly Rooms.
SCENE #56 – INT – ASSEMBLY ROOMS – DAY, EVENING – NOVEMBER 1797
In the Great Octagon, Uncle James and Aunt Jane stand around and looking terribly out of place. Jane and Cassandra are then met by the four Morland sisters. The two youngest Margaret and Susan are giggly and excited when they meet the Austen girls.
SUSAN
(excitedly) Miss Cassandra; Miss Jane! We are so glad you have been able to come. The room is full of young men!
MARGARET
(giggles) All of them fine dancers! Even Captain Elliot and Lieutenant Fitzwilliam are here! We’ve danced twice and still we have energy left!
CATHERINE
Susan; Margaret! Contain yourselves, you two.
SUSAN
You are only jealous, Catherine! For you and Isabella have not been asked by one partner, for you two are not handsomer to attract any such man.
MARGARET
Why, Susan! I believe I hear music playing again! Our next dance with the boys commences!
SUSAN
I hear it too! Come! Back to the Ball Room!
Both Susan and Margaret, giddily excited, run back into the Ball room to rejoin the dances. Catherine and Isabella curtsey as they remain with Jane and Cassandra.
CATHERINE
“We are so glad to make your acquaintance again this evening, Miss Cassandra; Miss Jane. Do please excuse our youngest sisters. For they are silly and do not share good manners!”
ISABELLA
“Balls are tiresome, are they not? For they only enlighten the body and not the mind!”
CASSANDRA
“Oh I dare say in my experience dances and balls enlighten both.”
JANE
“I’m sure you and your sister Miss Catherine will find a suitor worthy of your needs.”
CATHERINE
“We appreciate your kind sentiments, Miss Jane.”
ISABELLA
“But we do not seek partners. For we do not desire them.”
Moment of silence.
CASSANDRA
“Are your mother and father nearby, Miss Catherine; Miss Isabella?”
CATHERINE
“Mother and father are both in the tearoom.” (Pause) “Has your mother and father returned to join you, Miss Cassandra; Miss Jane?”
JANE
“They have not returned. But we’re here with our Aunt and Uncle who I’m certain will be in the card room, if Aunt has her way.”
They are then interrupted, as Captain Wentworth joins them.
WENTWORTH
“Ah. Ladies. How good to see you all!”
Captain Wentworth bows whilst the Austen girls and the eldest Morland girls curtsey.
WENTWORTH
“I hope you are all enjoying yourselves this evening and have had many dances.”
ISABELLA
“Our sisters have been dancing, but Catherine and I are in no need of any partner.”
WENTWORTH
“Oh.” (Pause) “And Miss Cassandra and Miss Jane? Are you enjoying yourselves?”
CASSANDRA
“We’ve only just arrived, Captain.”
JANE
“But we are looking forward to attending the ball room.”
WENTWORTH
“Excellent! Capital!” (Pause) “Well. I hope that you ladies will do me the honour of dancing with me this evening?” (to Catherine) “Miss Catherine? You shall be my first partner for the evening.”
CATHERINE
“I am honoured, sir.”
WENTWORTH
“And you, Miss Isabella. For you shall be my…”
ISABELLA
(interrupts) “I’d ask you not to consider myself as your partner, Captain. For I am not keen on dancing.”
WENTWORTH
“Very well.” (to Cassandra) “Miss Cassandra. You shall be my second partner for the evening.”
CASSANDRA
“Thank you, sir.”
WENTWORTH
“And now…last but not least…Miss Jane…”
JANE
“I beg your pardon sir, if you’ll excuse me…”
CASSANDRA
“What is it Jane, my dear?”
JANE
“I see my friend, Miss Nyssa. She is with her friend Dr. Smith. I must greet them.”
WENTWORTH
“You will accept me for the third dance, will you not Miss Jane?”
JANE
“Yes, Captain, I will.”
WENTWORTH
“Then I am grateful and will excuse you.”
Wentworth bows and Jane curtsies, as she goes over to greet the Doctor and Nyssa.
JANE
“Miss Nyssa, I’m so pleased to see you!”
NYSSA
(bewildered) “Thank you, Miss Austen. I’m pleased to see you too!”
JANE
“And you, Dr. Smith. I’m glad you’re here.”
DOCTOR
“Oh please. Just call me Doctor.”
JANE
“Very well…Doctor.” (laughs) “My dear man, you are still in your cricketing outfit.”
DOCTOR
“Yes. Can’t seem to get out of it. Got here in a hurry I’m afraid.”
JANE
(to Nyssa) “You look well, Miss Nyssa. That’s a fine dress you’re wearing.”
NYSSA
“Thank you. I chose it especially for the occasion. I hope it’s appropriate.”
JANE
“I don’t see how it could not be. This is a dress ball after all and you look splendid!”
DOCTOR
(intrigued) “You really are pleased to see us, Miss Austen.”
JANE
(laughs) “I prefer any new company to what I am used to. It’s part of my inspiration-seeking strategy when I attend events such as these to put them in my works of literature.”
DOCTOR
“Oh! You write novels then!”
JANE
“I do indeed. Do you disapprove?”
DOCTOR
“No, no. Not at all. I commend it! Most definitely!”
NYSSA
“How long have you been here, Miss Austen?”
JANE
“Not long. Only a short while. My sister Cassandra and I have not long arrived.”
DOCTOR
“And you haven’t experienced anything unusual during the time we last met you in the Pump Room?”
JANE
“I do not think so, I…”
Jane then becomes deep in thought.
JANE
(ponders) “Today…today…”
DOCTOR
“Yes, Miss Austen?”
NYSSA
“What is it?”
JANE
(thinks) “I cannot…understand it myself but…I’ve been experiencing strange visions. Of people and places. Things…that don’t belong here. I don’t know how it is I’ve been experiencing them but…I am troubled by strange hallucinations.”
DOCTOR
“And you’ve experienced these things today and not before.”
JANE
(realises) “Why yes indeed, sir. It is only this day I’ve been having these nightmares that…” (Pause) “But why am I telling you this? For I tell you and you are not my family. For I hardly know you and yet I trust you.”
NYSSA
“Perhaps it’s because my friend’s a doctor. And you feel yourself obliged to trust in him.”
Moment of silence.
JANE
(realises) “Yes! Yes that must be it!” (Pause) “You are a doctor, Dr. Smith.”
DOCTOR
(interrupts) “Just Doctor, please.”
JANE
(cheeringly) “You are a doctor, Doctor. And I am your patient. Pray, tell me. What is your remedy for my apparent sickness that I’m suffering?”
DOCTOR
“Well…err…”
NYSSA
“A dance!”
DOCTOR
(baffled) “What, Nyssa?”
NYSSA
“A dance will help Miss Austen’s health. To keep her spirits well and her mind alight.”
DOCTOR
(confused) “Err…yes. Yes of course.” (to Jane) “Miss Austen? Will you accompany me in having this next dance? If you’re not busy of course.”
JANE
(pleased) “I am not engaged at all, Doctor. And would like to dance with you.”
DOCTOR
“Oh. Would you? Well…” (clears throat) “…that’s good. Splendid. Thank you.”
JANE
(concerned) “But what about dear Miss Nyssa. For she has no partner.”
Just then, Thorpe-Willoughby approaches.
THORPE-WILLOUGHBY
(to Nyssa) “Excuse me, dear lady. I am Thorpe-Willoughby. I am a respectable citizen and would very much like to have the next dance with you?”
A moment of tension ensues.
NYSSA
(uneasily) “Yes. Yes, Mr. Thorpe-Willoughby. I accept your kind offer.”
DOCTOR
(warningly) “Nyssa? Are you sure…”
NYSSA
“Doctor, please! Mr. Thorpe-Willoughby’s just invited me to dance with him. I cannot refuse.”
THORPE-WILLOUGHBY
“Splendid! Well. Shall we all go into the ballroom then?” (to Nyssa) “Do take my hand, Miss Nyssa.”
Thorpe-Willoughby offers Nyssa his hand, to which Nyssa seemingly reluctantly takes. They both head for the ballroom, whilst the Doctor and Jane follow on behind at a distance.
JANE
“Will you escort me, Doctor?”
DOCTOR
(pre-occupied) “Hmm? Err…yes. Yes of course.”
The Doctor takes Jane’s hand, as they go into the ballroom.
JANE
“You look troubled, Doctor. Pre-occupied. Do you disapprove of Miss Nyssa’s partner?”
DOCTOR
“Don’t you find anything suspicious about Mr. Thorpe-Willoughby, Miss Austen?”
JANE
“Not at all, dear Doctor. I find him a fitting match for Lady Nyssa. You do not think he’s a fine match?”
DOCTOR
“No. No, Miss Austen I’m afraid I don’t. I’m concerned that Nyssa may well be in trouble.”
JANE
“Trouble. Trouble from what?”
DOCTOR
“From him, Miss Austen! Mr. Thorpe-Willoughby!”
As they walk into the ballroom, followed by Captain Wentworth and Catherine Morland; the other conspirators Lady Anne, Lucy Gibbons and Salvador watch as Thorpe-Willoughby takes Nyssa and the Doctor takes Jane.
LADY ANNE
(coldly) “Thorpe-Willoughby already has a partner, Mr. Salvador.”
SALVADOR
“It should not be allowed! He shouldn’t do that!”
LUCY
“And he said he wanted to dance with me.” (tutts) “He doesn’t look on me with favouritism. Men! They’re all swines!”
LADY ANNE
(coldly) “Miss Gibbons, do not refer to Mr. Thorpe-Willoughby as that breed of animal. Learn your manners.”
SALVADOR
(quietly; angrily) “I shall have a lot to say to Mr. Thorpe-Willoughby. He should know better than to ignore my words. I told him he will not have his desire until his job is done. And he has not yielded! Even now he causes suspicion!”
They watch as the first dance begins and the music is played in the ballroom. Just then, Aunt Jane and Uncle James turn up to meet Lady Anne with Lucy Gibbons and Salvador.
AUNT JANE
“Why Lady Anne! How glad I am to see you here!”
LADY ANNE
(coldly) “Likewise. I hope you had a safe journey, Mrs. Leigh Perrot.”
AUNT JANE
“Indeed we did. Though Mr. Leigh Perrot is not the best in good conversation I found the trip a little tedious.”
UNCLE JAMES
“I say, my dear…”
AUNT JANE
(interrupts) “Oh do be quiet, Mr. Leigh Perrot.” (to Lady Anne) “Would you care to join me in the card room? There we can continue our conversation.”
LADY ANNE
(coldly) “Nothing would be please me better, Mrs. Leigh Perrot.”
AUNT JANE
“Splendid. Do bring your ward Miss Gibbons. And…your new friend as well.”
Salvador doesn’t speak, obviously angry.
LADY ANNE
(coldly) “Thank you, Mrs. Leigh Perrot. But Mr. Salvador has business to talk to with a certain gentleman. Miss Gibbons and I however are much obliged.”
Jane and James Leigh Perrot, Lady Anne and Miss Gibbons make for the card room whilst Salvador looks on in anger at Thorpe-Willoughby dancing with Nyssa.
SCENE #57 – INT – HARINGTON’S HOTEL – DAY, AFTERNOON – NOVEMBER 1797
At Harington’s Hotel, unearthly roars echo and banging from inside Knightly’s room is made. Maidservants are terrified out of their wits as the growling and gurgling persists.
FANNY
“How long must this nightmare endure?!”
Footsteps echo as Billy and Henry Clay run up the stairs to meet the servants and one of the lordly men, Sir Thomas Crawford.
HENRY
(anxious) “What’s been going on? What’s happened?”
BILLY
“Go on, Fanny dear! Tell us what happened?”
FANNY
“Oh Mr. Clay and Mr. Walker! We unbolted the door of this room to see Mr. Knightly’s condition and he leapt at us like a wild animal!”
BILLY
“What?! I told you not to open those doors when we put him in there! It could have been fatal!”
FANNY
“I was following orders, Mr. Walker.”
BILLY
“And whose orders were they?”
SIR THOMAS
“They were mine, my good man.”
BILLY
“And who might you be, sir?”
SIR THOMAS
“Sir Thomas Crawford of Winchester. I was merely concerned for the landlord’s state of health and I don’t see what right it is for you to take charge when a gentleman such as I should be in control…”
BILLY
(angrily) “I said that man was to be locked up and you didn’t listen to me, Sir Thomas! I’ve encountered these creatures before and so have my two friends! Now he’s banging on the door frightening the girls to death! I know what Mr. Knightly has become and you chose not to listen to me!”
SIR THOMAS
“How dare you speak to me in a tone of that nature, young man?! You are merely a waiter!”
BILLY
“A waiter who knows far more than you, Sir Thomas!”
HENRY
“What is the condition of Mr. Knightly, Fanny? How did he look to you?!”
FANNY
(terrified) “He looked horrible and ghastly! I’ve never seen such a face as his. He’s turned into something like the dead. A walking dead man! And he has water dripping from his mouth!”
HENRY
(puzzled) “Water? Dripping from his mouth!”
BILLY
“Just as before. Like the Doctor said.”
HENRY
“Doctor? What Doctor, sir?”
FANNY
(enquiringly) “Did you send for a doctor, Henry?”
HENRY
“I did yes, Fanny. He will be here shortly!”
FANNY
“Good!”
The banging still goes on, much louder now, as Mr. Knightly groans terribly.
FANNY
“We can’t leave him in there! He’s terribly ill! Can’t we just open the door and…?”
BILLY
“Believe me it’s safer to leave him in there!”
The banging keeps on until it soon stops and there’s grunting from inside the room.
SIR THOMAS
“The man must surely eat. He cannot live without food and drink.”
HENRY
“Yes, Billy! We must fetch the man some food.”
Billy thinks about this whilst the grunting goes on.
BILLY
“Have we still got any of that venison left over from last night, Fanny?”
FANNY
(puzzled) “Yes Mr. Walker.”
BILLY
“Good. Fetch it and bring it up here, will you?”
Puzzled by Billy’s request, Fanny heads off downstairs to fetch the venison. Billy turns to address the guests.
BILLY
“Now listen to me very carefully, everyone!”
SIR THOMAS
“What are you on hoping to do, sir?”
BILLY
“When Fanny comes back up here with the venison; Henry I want you to open the door very slightly.”
HENRY
“But Billy, Mr. Knightly will…”
BILLY
“We only need to open it for a few seconds. So keep hold of that door and don’t let Mr. Knightly out, whatever you do.”
SIR THOMAS
“And what will you do, young man?”
BILLY
“I’ll have the venison to throw it into the room for Mr. Knightly to have. Then we shall be able to keep him distracted whilst Henry shuts the door.”
HENRY
“But what if he’s too strong? What if I can’t keep that door shut to stop him from getting out?”
Billy ponders on this, whilst Mr. Knightly keeps on grunting from inside.
BILLY
(realises) “Sir Thomas. That rifle behind you.”
Sir Thomas looks to see what the rifle behind him.
SIR THOMAS
“What you mean this?”
BILLY
“Yes. Do you know how to use it?”
SIR THOMAS
“Of course.”
BILLY
“Then use it when he comes out if he does.”
SIR THOMAS
“I don’t…”
BILLY
(abruptly) “Just do as I say!”
Sir Thomas is taken back by Billy, before Fanny returns upstairs with the vension.
FANNY
“I have the venison, sir.”
BILLY
“Good! Give it to me!”
Fanny hands the meat over to Billy to which he takes. Both Billy and Henry stand by the door.
BILLY
“Right, Henry. When I say now…open the door slightly. But keep holding it fast if he tries to get out.”
HENRY
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
BILLY
“So do I!” (Pause) “Are you ready?”
Henry nods acknowledging as he stands by to open the door.
BILLY
“Sir Thomas, are you ready?”
Sir Thomas nervously loads his gun, clicking the trigger.
BILLY
“Fanny, stand with the others. I don’t want you to get yourself hurt.”
FANNY
“Yes, sir.”
Fanny goes to stand with the other maidservants, nervous and terrified.
BILLY
“Sir Thomas? Don’t use that rifle unless absolutely necessary? Do you understand?”
Sir Thomas nods acknowledging.
BILLY
“Good.” (to Henry) “Henry?”
HENRY
“Let’s get on with it!”
Billy agrees as he prepares himself to throw the meat with Knightly inside whilst he grunts ferociously.
BILLY
“Ready…now!”
Henry opens the door and Knightly the monster immediately runs up as he tries to get out. Henry struggles to keep the door shut, as the creature attempts to break out.
HENRY
“The meat! Billy, the meat!”
SIR THOMAS
“Yes, man! Throw the meat in!”
BILLY
“Right!”
Billy throws the meat into the room, distracting the monster immediately. The monster eats the venison ravenously from inside the room. Henry shuts the door and everybody sighs with relief.
BILLY
(laughs) “You didn’t have to use that rifle in the end, Sir Thomas.”
SIR THOMAS
“You hesitated, young man! I could have used it then!”
BILLY
“I know. I was finding the right moment.”
HENRY
“What are we going to do now? Will that venison content him to be quiet?”
BILLY
“I don’t know. But at least we fed him all the same.”
FANNY
“He just looked horrific. His skin so pale and blubbery. I never thought horrific characters in novels would be so ghastly.”
SIR THOMAS
“This isn’t a fiction girl! This is real!”
BILLY
“I’ve got to find the Doctor! He and Nyssa will probably be having trouble themselves with those creatures! I must help them!”
HENRY
“This ‘doctor’ you speak of. He will be here shortly to deal with the patient, Billy.”
BILLY
“No I mean my ‘Doctor’, Henry.”
HENRY
“What do you mean…your ‘doctor’?”
From inside the room, Knightly is whimpering slightly before becoming quiet. Moment of silence ensues.
FANNY
“Henry; Billy?”
HENRY
“Yes Fanny, what is it?”
FANNY
“It seems to be very quiet in Mr. Knightly’s room! I can’t seem to hear him inside!”
Moment of realisation dawns upon everyone.
HENRY
(quietly) “Shall we not open the door and see what’s become of him?”
BILLY
(cautiously) “Better not. He might be playing some trick to put us off our guard!”
HENRY
“I don’t care! I’m going to open the door!”
BILLY
(cries) “No Henry, don’t!”
But Henry has already opened the door…
SCENE #58 – INT – HARINGTON’S HOTEL – DAY, AFTERNOON – NOVEMBER 1797
…as he enters Knightley’s room followed by Sir Thomas, Fanny, Billy and the maidservants. They find a crumpled body of a dead mutated Knightly on the floor.
SIR THOMAS
“Good God! What happened here? Why is he lying on the floor?”
Billy kneels to examine Knightly’s body by checking his pulse. After a while, he looks gravely at the others.
BILLY
“Mr. Knightley’s dead!”
FANNY
“Dead?! How?!”
SIR THOMAS
(accusingly; to Billy) “You killed him, sir! And we were told to listen to you!”
HENRY
“Fanny, what was in that venison? You didn’t poison him, did you?”
FANNY
“I would do no such thing! I didn’t poison him!”
HENRY
“Well there must have been something in the meat that has caused him to die.”
BILLY
“Yes. Or it could be something in the water he was breathing.”
SIR THOMAS
“What are you saying, sir?”
Billy ponders a bit, before he stands up.
BILLY
“I must tell the Doctor and Nyssa!”
Billy leaves the room, leaving a baffled Sir Thomas, Fanny, Henry and maidservants behind.
SIR THOMAS
“Where’s that boy off to now?”
SCENE #59 – EXT – HARINGTON’S HOTEL – DAY, AFTERNOON – NOVEMBER 1797
Outside, Billy tries to make contact with the Doctor and Nyssa. But crackling interference occurs when he uses his communicator. He bangs the communicator on the wall to re-establish contact.
BILLY
“Nyssa?! Doctor? I can’t hear you! Something’s going on at this end of the line.” (Pause) “Doctor?! Nyssa?! Can you hear me?!” (Pause) “Nyssa?!”
The receiving end is hardly audible.
BILLY
“Something terrible must have happened to them! Unless….the temporal convergence. It must have started!!” (Pause) “I must tell them about this meat thing with the zombies!”
Billy gets into the rider’s compartment of a horse carriage, about to take the reins. Just then, Henry runs out of the hotel.
HENRY
(calls) “Billy? Mr. Walker, sir? Where are you going?”
BILLY
“I’m off to find my friends, Henry! I’ll find them at the Assembly Rooms!”
Billy sits in the carriage before Henry steps up to join him.
HENRY
“I’m coming with you, sir!”
Billy considers for a moment.
BILLY
“Alright. Get in!”
Henry gets into the rider’s seat to join Billy. Billy hits the reins on the horses which makes them move off in an instant. The horses charge off at top speed, driving the carriage forward. Sir Thomas, Fanny and the maidservants step out of the hotel to see them go.
SIR THOMAS
(calls) “Here, sir! That’s my carriage! Bring it back this instant!”
FANNY
(to herself) “Something terrible must be happening tonight. And Mr. Walker knows of it.”
SIR THOMAS
They have no business to take my carriage without asking. (calls) Come back, stop!
But the horses drive the carriage off into the misty night, as Billy and Henry make for the Assembly Rooms.
© Tim Bradley, 2017
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