Scene 3 and 4
Nov 21, 2015 2:22:21 GMT
Post by joannem on Nov 21, 2015 2:22:21 GMT
SCENE 3 – CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM SOUP
Fade in
(FX: A LADLE SERVES SOUP. A CLOCK TICKS.
RACHEL
Harriet, my dear will you please say grace?
HARRIET
But of course; Thank you Lord for the fellowship around this table, for the good friends, for the hearts of love that manifested themselves through hands that prepared this wonderful meal. Bless us as we eat and bless us as we fellowship. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
CHARLES AND RACHEL
Amen.
RACHEL
Do tuck in while it is hot.
(FX: SOUND OF SPOONS ON BOWLS AND SOUNDS OF APPRECIATION)
CHARLES
Delightful. A hint of rosemary and... wild mushrooms?
RACHEL
Indeed, I forage for my own. Even at this time of year the woods have their secrets. This Blusher is a favourite of mine.
CHARLES
I thought as much and simmered to perfection.
RACHEL
You are too kind. Brandy? Not from the cook's cupboard this
(FX: BRANDY BEING POURED)
CHARLES
A little more? I'm sorry; I have not forgotten the reason for our gathering.
HARRIET
Indeed. Where is Earl?
RACHEL
He rests in the library. The stoutest table...
HARRIET
May I...?
RACHEL
I'm afraid we were told the lid should remain closed.
HARRIET
The paper was vague. What befell my cousin?
RACHEL
The hour grows late, and you must be weary. Would the barest of facts now suffice?
HARRIET
As you wish.
RACHEL
Five years we were wed but misfortune followed... In the shape of my twin sister Rebecca.
HARRIET
She was once sweet on Earl - don't try to deny it.
RACHEL
She married a soldier. She was happy enough.
CHARLES
Captain Wilfred Holmes. Chap I knew at Eton. Fine sort of cove, if a little cut and dried in his opinions.
RACHEL
Rebecca... Rebecca used him terribly, feigning love and entrapping him in matrimony. She ploughed through his estate in little more than a year and it's said he fled to India a broken man. She arrived here at the door of my beloved great aunt in near destitution but Sir Malcolm sent her packing with a flea in her ear.
HARRIET
How awful.
RACHEL
She then begged Earl and I for a little something to tide her over - we live the other side of the moor - but my husband would have none of it either.
Rachel begins to cry.
RACHEL
I bade her stay with us but she fled in tears... I waited an hour for her return, then followed her back up over the morr, she had no horse, no man, no means of transportation... But for all I walked there was no sign. That evening we waited in vain. Earl supposed she had made for town but I knew better The next morning first I, then Earl then ten men or more went over the moor to search for her...Three days we tramped that blasted heath.... Calling her name in vain.
HARRIET
But surely... Surely you found her?
RACHEL
Not till three weeks had past... The blacksmith's old bloodhound worried at the fringes of the mire... A lad spotted a streamer from her bonnet on a thorn.... The black depths were dredged with a grappling iron and.... What was left of her reclaimed. She had slipped, Doctor Carmody supposed.... Slipped and hit her head and drowned while we sipped tea and condemned her.
HARRIET
My dear! In all of Earl's letters while we were overseas, there was not a word of this affair.
RACHEL
He felt the guilt no less keenly than I.
HARRIET
A double tragedy then, when Earl's accident befell him.
RACHEL
That was no accident I fear.
CHARLES
But, though the papers were coy, surely there is no suspicion...
RACHEL
Some matters are best not dwelt on too deeply. I fear he took matters into his own hands. I trust you will keep this between us? He is still to be interred on consecrated ground.
CHARLES
But of course. And so... The reading of the will?
RACHEL
After we return from the service and committal.
HARRIET
Charles! How can you speak of such tawdry details. Earl will have left her everything!
RACHEL
I cannot be sure of that. You may benefit too. If he blamed me for what happened, perhaps he sought to leave me destitute too. He left me alone after all.
HARRIET
Rachel!
RACHEL
You said she was sweet on him. Perhaps he was sweet on her too. Perhaps he married me in her stead and when she died could not bear it. Who knows a man's mind? They are such emotional creatures. Charles. I believe you are named executor, the solicitor will have you confirm his reading, I know little of such matters and care less for them now.
CHARLES
I... I think it best we all retire. Things look different in the morning. Christmas morning most of all.
Fade out
SCENE 4 – MIDNIGHT CHIMES
Fade in
(FX:THE TWELVE CHIMES OF MIDNIGHT. WIND, HAIL AND SNOW. FOOTSTEPS ON THE LANDING AND A KNOCK AT A DOOR)
CHARLES (whispers loudly)
Harriet, darling, are you awake?
HARRIET
Charles? Charles! What brings you to my door at such an hour? What will people think?
CHARLES
The floor is deserted and this is not the first time -
HARRIET
I will thank you to keep your voice down!
(F/X SHE OPENS THE DOOR)
HARRIET
Are you feeling quite well?
CHARLES
I have been somewhat... a touch of... nausea... The stresses of the journey and that terrible tale.
HARRIET
I also feel a trifle light headed.
CHARLES
May I sit a moment by the fire? I will not impede your slumbers...
HARRIET
As you please.... Perhaps it is best we are not alone tonight...
(FX: A SUDDEN RATTLE OF WIND AND HAIL ON THE WINDOWS.)
HARRIET (Jumping with a start from of troubled dreams)
What? What was that? Who's there? Oh! Charles, it is you. Wake up! I felt someone… Please wake up - I’m scared.
REBECCA (Gently calling)
Harriet... Harriet...
HARRIET
Charles. Wake up. There’s someone there!
REBECCA
You shouldn't have come. Harriet...
HARRIET
What in heaven's name.... That sounds like Rebecca.
REBECCA
Run back to New England little girl
HARRIET
Leave me alone. This is a dream. You're not real.
LADY MILDRED
We are real enough to kill you.
HARRIET
Lady Mildred! Leave me alone! This is not real. This is not happening!
REBECCA
Just because we are dead doesn't mean we're not real.
LADY MILDRED
Death is the only reality my child. You too will learn that in time.
REBECCA
Wouldn’t you like to join us? We are all so very happy here.
HARRIET
Leave me alone, just leave me alone.
(FX: HARRIET'S SOBS WAKE CHARLES, HE STRIKES A MATCH TO LIGHT A CANDLE)
CHARLES
What... Harriet! My darling! What ails you?
HARRIET
The most terrible, terrible dream. Rebecca came... Outside the door. She spoke to me.
CHARLES
Impossible. You had beastly night. This is no more than a nightmare.
HARRIET
... Oh Charles, it was all so real.
CHARLES
I heard nothing my dear.
HARRIET
Half sauced with Sir Malcolm's best brandy
CHARLES
Rebecca is dead. Lady Mildred lies bedridden. Spirits do not walk beyond the covers of the more lurid... What is it?
HARRIET
It was real I tell you.
(FX: THE WIND HOWLS.)
HARRIET
You too? What? What did you see?
CHARLES
Nothing - nothing, just a flicker of the candle... in the draft of the... the....
(F/X HARRIET IS SICK OVER CHARLES)
HARRIET
Oh Charles, I'm so sorry.
CHARLES
I've half a dozen nightshirts. I've only one of you.
HARRIET
We best not sleep... Not sleep tonight.
(F/X THE WIND SHAKES THE WINDOWS AGAIN. THE HARSH RATTLE OF HAIL)
Fade out
Fade in
(FX: A LADLE SERVES SOUP. A CLOCK TICKS.
RACHEL
Harriet, my dear will you please say grace?
HARRIET
But of course; Thank you Lord for the fellowship around this table, for the good friends, for the hearts of love that manifested themselves through hands that prepared this wonderful meal. Bless us as we eat and bless us as we fellowship. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
CHARLES AND RACHEL
Amen.
RACHEL
Do tuck in while it is hot.
(FX: SOUND OF SPOONS ON BOWLS AND SOUNDS OF APPRECIATION)
CHARLES
Delightful. A hint of rosemary and... wild mushrooms?
RACHEL
Indeed, I forage for my own. Even at this time of year the woods have their secrets. This Blusher is a favourite of mine.
CHARLES
I thought as much and simmered to perfection.
RACHEL
You are too kind. Brandy? Not from the cook's cupboard this
(FX: BRANDY BEING POURED)
CHARLES
A little more? I'm sorry; I have not forgotten the reason for our gathering.
HARRIET
Indeed. Where is Earl?
RACHEL
He rests in the library. The stoutest table...
HARRIET
May I...?
RACHEL
I'm afraid we were told the lid should remain closed.
HARRIET
The paper was vague. What befell my cousin?
RACHEL
The hour grows late, and you must be weary. Would the barest of facts now suffice?
HARRIET
As you wish.
RACHEL
Five years we were wed but misfortune followed... In the shape of my twin sister Rebecca.
HARRIET
She was once sweet on Earl - don't try to deny it.
RACHEL
She married a soldier. She was happy enough.
CHARLES
Captain Wilfred Holmes. Chap I knew at Eton. Fine sort of cove, if a little cut and dried in his opinions.
RACHEL
Rebecca... Rebecca used him terribly, feigning love and entrapping him in matrimony. She ploughed through his estate in little more than a year and it's said he fled to India a broken man. She arrived here at the door of my beloved great aunt in near destitution but Sir Malcolm sent her packing with a flea in her ear.
HARRIET
How awful.
RACHEL
She then begged Earl and I for a little something to tide her over - we live the other side of the moor - but my husband would have none of it either.
Rachel begins to cry.
RACHEL
I bade her stay with us but she fled in tears... I waited an hour for her return, then followed her back up over the morr, she had no horse, no man, no means of transportation... But for all I walked there was no sign. That evening we waited in vain. Earl supposed she had made for town but I knew better The next morning first I, then Earl then ten men or more went over the moor to search for her...Three days we tramped that blasted heath.... Calling her name in vain.
HARRIET
But surely... Surely you found her?
RACHEL
Not till three weeks had past... The blacksmith's old bloodhound worried at the fringes of the mire... A lad spotted a streamer from her bonnet on a thorn.... The black depths were dredged with a grappling iron and.... What was left of her reclaimed. She had slipped, Doctor Carmody supposed.... Slipped and hit her head and drowned while we sipped tea and condemned her.
HARRIET
My dear! In all of Earl's letters while we were overseas, there was not a word of this affair.
RACHEL
He felt the guilt no less keenly than I.
HARRIET
A double tragedy then, when Earl's accident befell him.
RACHEL
That was no accident I fear.
CHARLES
But, though the papers were coy, surely there is no suspicion...
RACHEL
Some matters are best not dwelt on too deeply. I fear he took matters into his own hands. I trust you will keep this between us? He is still to be interred on consecrated ground.
CHARLES
But of course. And so... The reading of the will?
RACHEL
After we return from the service and committal.
HARRIET
Charles! How can you speak of such tawdry details. Earl will have left her everything!
RACHEL
I cannot be sure of that. You may benefit too. If he blamed me for what happened, perhaps he sought to leave me destitute too. He left me alone after all.
HARRIET
Rachel!
RACHEL
You said she was sweet on him. Perhaps he was sweet on her too. Perhaps he married me in her stead and when she died could not bear it. Who knows a man's mind? They are such emotional creatures. Charles. I believe you are named executor, the solicitor will have you confirm his reading, I know little of such matters and care less for them now.
CHARLES
I... I think it best we all retire. Things look different in the morning. Christmas morning most of all.
Fade out
SCENE 4 – MIDNIGHT CHIMES
Fade in
(FX:THE TWELVE CHIMES OF MIDNIGHT. WIND, HAIL AND SNOW. FOOTSTEPS ON THE LANDING AND A KNOCK AT A DOOR)
CHARLES (whispers loudly)
Harriet, darling, are you awake?
HARRIET
Charles? Charles! What brings you to my door at such an hour? What will people think?
CHARLES
The floor is deserted and this is not the first time -
HARRIET
I will thank you to keep your voice down!
(F/X SHE OPENS THE DOOR)
HARRIET
Are you feeling quite well?
CHARLES
I have been somewhat... a touch of... nausea... The stresses of the journey and that terrible tale.
HARRIET
I also feel a trifle light headed.
CHARLES
May I sit a moment by the fire? I will not impede your slumbers...
HARRIET
As you please.... Perhaps it is best we are not alone tonight...
(FX: A SUDDEN RATTLE OF WIND AND HAIL ON THE WINDOWS.)
HARRIET (Jumping with a start from of troubled dreams)
What? What was that? Who's there? Oh! Charles, it is you. Wake up! I felt someone… Please wake up - I’m scared.
REBECCA (Gently calling)
Harriet... Harriet...
HARRIET
Charles. Wake up. There’s someone there!
REBECCA
You shouldn't have come. Harriet...
HARRIET
What in heaven's name.... That sounds like Rebecca.
REBECCA
Run back to New England little girl
HARRIET
Leave me alone. This is a dream. You're not real.
LADY MILDRED
We are real enough to kill you.
HARRIET
Lady Mildred! Leave me alone! This is not real. This is not happening!
REBECCA
Just because we are dead doesn't mean we're not real.
LADY MILDRED
Death is the only reality my child. You too will learn that in time.
REBECCA
Wouldn’t you like to join us? We are all so very happy here.
HARRIET
Leave me alone, just leave me alone.
(FX: HARRIET'S SOBS WAKE CHARLES, HE STRIKES A MATCH TO LIGHT A CANDLE)
CHARLES
What... Harriet! My darling! What ails you?
HARRIET
The most terrible, terrible dream. Rebecca came... Outside the door. She spoke to me.
CHARLES
Impossible. You had beastly night. This is no more than a nightmare.
HARRIET
... Oh Charles, it was all so real.
CHARLES
I heard nothing my dear.
HARRIET
Half sauced with Sir Malcolm's best brandy
CHARLES
Rebecca is dead. Lady Mildred lies bedridden. Spirits do not walk beyond the covers of the more lurid... What is it?
HARRIET
It was real I tell you.
(FX: THE WIND HOWLS.)
HARRIET
You too? What? What did you see?
CHARLES
Nothing - nothing, just a flicker of the candle... in the draft of the... the....
(F/X HARRIET IS SICK OVER CHARLES)
HARRIET
Oh Charles, I'm so sorry.
CHARLES
I've half a dozen nightshirts. I've only one of you.
HARRIET
We best not sleep... Not sleep tonight.
(F/X THE WIND SHAKES THE WINDOWS AGAIN. THE HARSH RATTLE OF HAIL)
Fade out