The Spanish Prisoner and the Winslow Boy

by David Mamet

  GRACE shows her out the front door.

  RONNIE: What’s she talking about?

  ARTHUR: The case, I imagine.

  RONNIE: Oh, the case. Father, do you know the train had fourteen coaches?

  ARTHUR: Did it indeed?

  RONNIE: Yes. All corridor.

  ARTHUR: Remarkable.

  RONNIE: Of course, it was one of the very biggest expresses. I walked all the way down it from one end to the other.

  ARTHUR: I had your half-term report, Ronnie.

  RONNIE: (Suddenly silenced by perturbation) Oh, yes?

  ARTHUR: On the whole it was pretty fair.

  RONNIE: Oh, good.

  ARTHUR: I’m glad you seem to be settling down so well.

  RONNIE: Yes, thank you, Father. I say, do you know how long the train took? One hundred and twenty-three miles in two hours and fifty-two minutes. That’s an average of forty-six point seventy-three miles an hour. I worked it out.

  ARTHUR: Worked it out well. Hadn’t you better change for the photo——

  RONNIE: Oh, yes. Violet! Violet. I’m back!

  ARTHUR: (Calling after him) … she’s out.

  RONNIE: Will you tell her I’m back?

  ARTHUR: You need to go and change.

  RONNIE disappears upstairs.

  CAMERA brings CATHERINE from the backstairs. She is carrying books. She goes to the study. ARTHUR follows.

  33. INT. WINSLOW STUDY/HALLWAY. DAY.

  CATHERINE: I take it Ronnie’s back, judging by the noise … I found a new citation in the Law Library.

  She leaves her coat draped over the back banister. Camera takes her into the main hall, into the dining room, which is now strewn with law books, and into the hall, where she looks in the mirror.

  ARTHUR: New frock?

  CATHERINE: Bless you. I’ve turned the cuffs.

  Pause.

  ARTHUR: (To himself)… turned the cuffs …

  CATHERINE: … what?

  ARTHUR: I said, I like your frock.

  CATHERINE moves into the study carrying a book she picked up in the dining room.

  CATHERINE: Like it, it?

  ARTHUR: Yes.

  CATHERINE: Like it, eh? Hope John likes it. (She glances at her watch.)

  ANGLE. CATHERINE AND ARTHUR.

  CATHERINE has moved into the study. RONNIE runs down the stairs in cricket clothes. CATHERINE looks at him and then down again to her book.

  ARTHUR: Kate. Are we both mad? You and I?

  She takes out a book and opens it. On the desk we see a piece of sheet music, a picture of RONNIE, in an admiral’s hat, on a ship, sword fighting with a group of admirals on another toy ship, and holding them off. The title is “How, Still, We See Thee Lie, or The Naughty Cadet.”

  CATHERINE: (Sitting near him)… tell me.

  ARTHUR: Dress him in Cricket Clothes. To say both Youth and England. A Father’s Fight for His Little Boy’s Honor. Special Appeal to All Women. Photo Inset of Mrs. Winslow’s Curtains. (Pause) Shall we drop the whole thing, Kate?

  CATHERINE: I didn’t hear you.

  ARTHUR: Shall we drop the whole thing?

  CATHERINE: I don’t consider that a serious question.

  ANGLE.

  CATHERINE walks out of the study toward the dining room. ARTHUR follows and stands in the hallway.

  34. INT. WINSLOW DINING ROOM/HALLWAY. DAY.

  CATHERINE takes a book off the dining room table. She leafs through it, making notes.

  ANGLE, INS. THE BOOK.

  We read: Admiralty Law, vol. 2.

  ARTHUR: … you realize that your marriage settlement must go …?

  CATHERINE: (Lightly) Oh, yes. I gave that up for lost weeks ago.

  ARTHUR: Things are all right between you and John, aren’t they?

  CATHERINE: Oh, yes, Father, of course. Everything’s perfect.

  ARTHUR: I mean—it won’t make any difference to you, will it?

  CATHERINE: Good heavens, no!

  ARTHUR: Very well, then, Let us pin our faith on the appearance of a champion.

  CATHERINE is silent. ARTHUR looks at her as if he had expected an answer, then nods.

  CATHERINE: (Lightly) You know what I think of Sir Robert Morton, Father. Don’t let’s go into it again, now.

  ARTHUR: I want the best—

  CATHERINE: The best in this case is not Morton.

  ARTHUR: Then why does everyone say he is?

  CATHERINE: If one happens to be a large monopoly attacking a Trade Union, he’s your lad. But it utterly defeats me how you or anyone else could expect a man of his record to have the compassion …

  VIOLET passes the door with several packages.

  CATHERINE: (Cont’d.)… did Mr. Watherstone call, Violet?

  VIOLET: I’m sorry, miss, I just stepped out, but to the best of my knowledge nobody has c——

  CATHERINE: Thank you.

  ARTHUR: Well, I imagine, if his heart isn’t in it, he won’t accept the brief.

  CATHERINE: He might still. It depends what there is in it for him. Luckily there isn’t much—

  ARTHUR: There is a fairly substantial cheque—

  CATHERINE: He doesn’t want money. He must be a very rich man.

  ARTHUR: What does he want, then?

  CATHERINE: That which advances his interests.

  ARTHUR: (Shrugs his shoulders) I believe you are prejudiced because he spoke against woman’s suffrage.

  CATHERINE: I am. I’m prejudiced because he is always speaking against what is right and just.

  At the sound of the telephone CATHERINE starts up but composes herself as we see VIOLET, in the BG, go to the phone in the hall.

  VIOLET: (Into the phone) The Winslow residence …

  CATHERINE rises and starts toward the phone.

  VIOLET: (Cont’d. To phone) Yes, sir … (She hands the phone to CATHERINE.) It’s Mr. Curry, miss …

  CATHERINE: … Mr. Curry …? (She takes the phone.) Hello. Hello, Desmond. Yes? (Pause) What? We … what? Violet … did we receive a letter from Mr. Curry …?

  She looks around and sees the cream-colored envelope on the hall stand. She picks it up and reads, as she listens to DESMOND.

  CATHERINE: (Cont’d.) Yes, I just … now? Yes. Yes. We’ll … yes, of course. Thank you. (She hangs up the telephone.)

  ANGLE, INS. THE NOTE.

  We read: “… has graciously agreed …”

  ANGLE. CATHERINE AS SHE RACES UPSTAIRS.

  CATHERINE: (Cont’d.) Violet. Please ring up a cab.

  VIOLET: For when, miss?

  CATHERINE: For right now. (Calling hack over her shoulder) Two cabs. Please …

  VIOLET starts calling for the cabs. CATHERINE reappears down the stairs.

  CATHERINE: (Cont’d. To her father, as she hands him the piece of paper) Desmond’s got us an appointment with …

  He looks at the piece of paper, looks at his watch. He gets up and grabs his cane. VIOLET is on the phone to the cab company. CATHERINE helps her father to his hat.

  ARTHUR: We will go on ahead. (To Violet) You tell the second cab to wait, go find Mrs. Winslow and Ronnie in the Park, he is to change, and they are to meet us at the chambers of Sir Robert Morton immediately … (He takes the letter from CATHERINE.) Here is the … (He glances at her.)

  CATHERINE: I have the address.

  ARTHUR: Immediately… The Chambers of Sir Robert Morton …

  CATHERINE opens the door.

  35. EXT. THE TEMPLE. DAY.

  DESMOND CURRY standing, impatiently, on a street corner, looking at his watch.

  A Caticab pulls up, CATHERINE exits, and she and DESMOND help out ARTHUR.

  DESMOND: We only have …

  CATHERINE: I’m sorry that we didn’t get your note …

  DESMOND: He has an important, a most important dinner engagement … (He looks around.)

  ARTHUR: He’s coming separately. He’ll be here momentarily, with his mmm——

  DESMOND begins to move them into the buildin
g. He looks at his watch and frowns.

  DESMOND: I’m afraid he can only spare us a very few moments of his most valuable time, I …

  CATHERINE: I assure you, we’re most conscious of it …

  They move ahead, at the pace of ARTHUR, walking with his stick.

  CATHERINE: (Cont’d.) I’ll go ahead …

  She glances at the note, hurries forward.

  36. ANGLE. INT. THE TEMPLE. DAY.

  CATHERINE hurrying up a flight of stairs. She glances at the note, then hurries down a corridor and up another flight of stairs. A group of PEOPLE emerge from a lawyer’s office, talking. She pushes through them.

  ANGLE, CATHERINE’S POV.

  She slides past a weeping young WOMAN, being comforted by a LAWYER.

  ANGLE. CATHERINE, CONTINUING TO HURRY DOWN THE CORRIDOR.

  37. INT. MICHAEL’S OFFICE/SIR ROBERT’S CHAMBER. DAY.

  A clerk, MICHAEL, putting away some papers as he talks on the telephone. He looks up as the door opens. CATHERINE enters, meets the clerk’s gaze.

  CATHERINE: Miss Catherine Winslow. The Winslow Case …

  MICHAEL: (Glancing at his watch) Yes. We understood …

  CATHERINE: They’re coming … we didn’t hear of …

  ANGLE.

  On SIR ROBERT in his dressing area, smoking a cigar and getting into his evening wear. He comes forward into his office. CATHERINE and MICHAEL are beyond.

  ANGLE.

  On CATHERINE, as she turns to see SIR ROBERT coming out of his dressing room.

  CATHERINE: I am Catherine Winslow.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: (Retreating into his dressing area) I beg your pardon …

  Pause.

  Hold on CATHERINE and cover on SIR ROBERT, as he continues dressing and can see CATHERINE through his mirror.

  CATHERINE: I suppose you know the history of this case, do you, Sir Robert?

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: (Examining his nails) I believe I have seen most of the relevant documents.

  CATHERINE: Do you think we can bring the case into Court by a collusive action?

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: I really have no idea—

  CATHERINE: Curry and Curry seem to think that might hold …

  SIR ROBERT emerges from his dressing room fastening his cutaway coat. He goes into MICHAEL’s office.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Do they? They are a very reliable firm. (Extends his hand) Sir Robert Morton.

  CATHERINE: Catherine Winslow.

  MICHAEL hands him a cigarette case and a watch, then presents him several papers, which he signs.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: (Of cigarette) I hope you don’t …

  CATHERINE: What could be more absurd than your asking me permission to smoke in your establishment?

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Well, it is the custom.

  CATHERINE: I indulge myself.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Indeed.

  CATHERINE: Some people find that shocking.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Amazing how little it takes, to offend the world’s sensibilities.

  Pause.

  CATHERINE: My father and brother will be here momentarily. (Pause)

  MICHAEL brings SIR ROBERT a small “Order” in a sewing case. SIR ROBERT takes a moment, then takes it and affixes it to his lapel.

  CATHERINE: (Cont’d.) What time are you dining?

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Eight o’clock.

  CATHERINE: Far from here?

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Devonshire House.

  CATHERINE: Oh. Then of course you mustn’t on any account be late.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: No.

  Pause, as SIR ROBERT studies the documents MICHAEL puts in front of him.

  CATHERINE: I’m rather surprised that a case of this sort should interest you, Sir Robert.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Are you?

  CATHERINE: It seems such a very trivial affair, compared to most of your great forensic triumphs. (Pause) I was in Court during your prosecution of Len Rogers, in the Trades Union embezzlement case.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Really?

  CATHERINE: Magnificently done.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Thank you.

  CATHERINE: I suppose you heard that he committed suicide a few months ago?

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Yes, I had heard.

  CATHERINE: Many people believed him innocent, you know.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: So I understand. (Pause) As it happens, however, he was guilty.

  38. INT. SIR ROBERT MORTON’S CHAMBERS/ANTEROOM. DAY.

  ARTHUR and DESMOND are shown in. MICHAEL leads them into SIR ROBERT’s office.

  DESMOND: Sir Robert …

  ARTHUR: Sir Robert. So sorry to’ve kept you waiting. So sorry. My …

  DESMOND: Arthur Winslow …

  ARTHUR: Sir Robert … We didn’t get your note …

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: It’s perfectly alright. How do you do?

  CATHERINE: Sir Robert is dining at Devonshire House.

  The phone rings. MICHAEL goes to the phone.

  ARTHUR: Yes. Yes. I see. I know that you are pressed for time. My son will be along at any moment. I assume you will want to examine him.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Just a few questions. I fear that is all I will have time for this evening.

  ARTHUR: I am rather sorry. He has made the journey from school especially in hope of this interview, and I had hoped that by the end of it I should know definitely yes or no, if you would accept the brief.

  DESMOND: Well, perhaps Sir Robert would consent to finish his examination some other time.

  MICHAEL enters with several papers, which he presents to SIR ROBERT.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: It might be arranged. (Of papers) You’ll pardon me …?

  ARTHUR: Tomorrow?

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Tomorrow is impossible. I am in Court all the morning and in the House of Commons for the rest of the day.

  SIR ROBERT makes a note and hands it to MICHAEL.

  Pause.

  ARTHUR: I see. Will you forgive me if I sit down? Curry has been telling me you think it might be possible to proceed by Petition of Right.

  CATHERINE: What’s a Petition of Right?

  DESMOND: Well—granting the assumption that the Admiralty, as the Crown, can do no wrong—

  CATHERINE: I thought that was exactly the assumption we refused to grant.

  DESMOND: In law, I mean. Now, a subject can sue the Crown, nevertheless, by Petition of Right, redress being granted as a matter of grace—and the custom is for the Attorney General—on behalf of the King—to endorse the Petition, and allow the case to come to Court.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: It is interesting to note that the exact words he uses on such occasions are: Let Right be done.

  ARTHUR: Let Right be done? I like that phrase, sir.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: It has a certain ring about it, has it not? (Languidly) Let Right be done.

  39. INT. SIR ROBERT MORTON’S CHAMBERS. DAY.

  SIR ROBERT finishes with the papers. MICHAEL nods and retires a step as the door opens and GRACE and RONNIE enter. RONNIE is dressed in an Eton suit.

  ARTHUR: Grace, Sir Robert Morton, this is Mrs. Winslow, and this is my son, Ronnie. (Pause) Ronnie, Sir Robert Morton.

  RONNIE: How do you do, sir?

  ARTHUR: He is going to ask you a few questions. You must answer them all truthfully—as you always have. (He begins to struggle out of his chair.) I expect you would like us to leave—

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: No, provided, of course, that you don’t interrupt. (To CATHERINE) Miss Winslow, will you sit down, please?

  CATHERINE takes a seat.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON (Cont’d. To RONNIE) Will you stand at the table, facing me?

  RONNIE does so.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: (Cont’d.) That’s right.

  SIR ROBERT and RONNIE now face each other across the table. SIR ROBERT begins his examination very quietly.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: (Cont’d.) Now, Ronald, how old are you?

  RONNIE: Fourteen and seven months.

  SIR ROBERT
MORTON: You were, then, thirteen and ten months old when you left Osbourne: is that right?

  RONNIE: Yes, sir.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Now I would like to cast your mind back to July seventh of last year. Will you tell me in your own words exactly what happened to you on that day?

  RONNIE: All right. Well, it was a half holiday, so we didn’t have any work after dinner—

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Dinner? At one o’clock?

  RONNIE: Yes. At least, until prep at seven.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Prep at seven?

  RONNIE: Just before dinner I went to the Chief Petty Officer and asked him to let me have fifteen and six out of what I had in the school bank—

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Why did you do that?

  RONNIE: I wanted to buy an air pistol.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Which cost fifteen and six?

  RONNIE: Yes, sir.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: And how much money did you have in the school bank at the time?

  RONNIE: Two pounds, three shillings.

  ARTHUR: So you see, sir, what incentive could there possibly be for him to steal five shillings?

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: I must ask you to be good enough not to interrupt me, sir. (To RONNIE) After you had withdrawn the fifteen and six, what did you do?

  RONNIE: I had dinner.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Then what?

  RONNIE: I went to the locker room and put the fifteen and six in my locker.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Yes. Then?

  RONNIE: I went to get permission to go down to the Post Office. Then I went to the locker room, again got out my money, and went down to the Post Office.

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: I See. Go On.

  RONNIE: I bought my postal order—

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: For fifteen and six?

  RONNIE: Yes. Then I went back to College. Then I met Elliot Minor, and he said: “I say, isn’t it rot? Someone’s broken into my locker and pinched a postal order. I’ve reported it to the P.O.”

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: Those were Elliot Minor’s exact words?

  RONNIE: He might have used another word for rot—

  SIR ROBERT MORTON: I see. Continue—

  RONNIE: Well, then just before prep I was told to go along and see Commander Flower. The woman from the Post Office was there, and the Commander said, “Is this the boy?” And she said: “It might be. I can’t be sure. They all look so much alike.”

  ARTHUR: You see? She couldn’t identify him.