Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1

by Julian Fellowes

  Mary says nothing. She stops as her mother speaks again.

  CORA (CONT’D): And Mary, try to look surprised.

  64 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DAY.

  Carson is addressing his team, who seem tidy and prepared.

  CARSON: Are you all ready? Very well. We will go out to greet them.

  DAISY: And me, Mr Carson?

  CARSON: No, Daisy. Not you. Can you manage, Mr Bates? Or would you rather wait here?

  Bates is walking out with the others. He stops patiently.

  BATES: I want to go, Mr Carson.

  CARSON: There is no obligation for the whole staff to be present.

  BATES: I’d like to be there.

  CARSON: Well, it’s certainly a great day for Downton, to welcome a duke under our roof.

  At this, O’Brien rolls her eyes at Thomas. But he is taken up. He mutters to his underling, William.

  THOMAS: Remember to help me with the luggage. Don’t go running off.

  BATES: I’ll give you a hand.

  THOMAS: Oh, I couldn’t ask that, Mr Bates, not in your condition.

  This sentence poses as care but it is of course an insult. Bates moves off. Thomas turns to Carson.

  THOMAS (CONT’D): How long do we have to put up with this, Mr Carson? Just so I know.

  65 EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY. DAY.

  The servants file out of the kitchen court to the entrance where they form a line as the car arrives. Mrs Patmore and her staff spy from behind a screen of bushes. Cora emerges with the girls, followed by Pharaoh, who greets Robert as he gets out of the car. He’s with a most superior-looking fellow, Philip, Duke of Crowborough.

  ROBERT: Welcome to Downton.

  CROWBOROUGH: This is so kind of you, Lady Grantham.

  CORA: Not at all, Duke. I’m delighted you could spare the time. You know my daughter Mary, of course.

  CROWBOROUGH: Of course. Lady Mary.

  He gives a secret smile to Mary, who is thrilled.

  CORA: And Edith. But I don’t believe you’ve met my youngest, Sybil.

  CROWBOROUGH: Lady Sybil.

  SYBIL: How do you do.

  He has taken the girl’s hand with a slight bow and she blushes. She is really charming. And Mary intervenes.

  MARY: Come on in. You must be worn out.

  Then he remembers something and turns back to her mother.

  CROWBOROUGH: Lady Grantham, I’ve a confession to make which I hope won’t cause too much bother … My man was taken ill just as I was leaving—

  ROBERT: Oh well, that won’t be a problem, will it Carson?

  CARSON: Certainly not. I shall look after His Grace, myself.

  CROWBOROUGH: I wouldn’t dream of being such a nuisance. Surely, a footman—

  He stops and looks at Thomas.

  CROWBOROUGH (CONT’D): I remember this man. Didn’t you serve me when I dined with Lady Grantham in London?

  THOMAS: I did, Your Grace.

  Crowborough looks back smiling at Robert and Carson.

  CROWBOROUGH: There we are. We will do very well together, won’t we …?

  THOMAS: Uh, Thomas, Your Grace.

  CROWBOROUGH: Thomas.

  He turns back to Mary. The servants bow and curtsey as the guest passes them. Until O’Brien hooks Bates’s stick with her foot and he, taken unawares, falls. He knows who did it, but when he glances at her, she looks away.

  ROBERT: Bates? Are you all right?

  BATES: Perfectly, m’lord. I apologise.

  With the help of Anna and William, he gets to his feet. The incident is over. O’Brien is already on her way back to the house. The footmen take the luggage in. The car drives off.

  * * *

  ANNA: Hold still.

  * * *

  She starts to brush the dust off Bates’s coat.

  ANNA: That’s better.

  She smiles, but now her warmth has the wrong effect.

  BATES: Please don’t feel sorry for me.

  But of course she does.

  END OF ACT FOUR

  ACT FIVE

  66 INT. GALLERY. DAY.

  The Duke is in the door of a bedroom where Thomas unpacks.

  * * *

  CROWBOROUGH: Is it all straightforward?

  THOMAS: Yes, thank you, Your Grace.

  * * *

  Now we see that Mary is also watching from the gallery.

  MARY: What shall we do? What would you like to do?

  He pretends to ponder this as he walks away from the room.

  CROWBOROUGH: I’d rather like to go exploring.

  MARY: Certainly. Gardens or house?

  CROWBOROUGH: Oh, the house I think. Gardens are all the same to me.

  MARY: Very well. We can begin in the hall which is one of the oldest—

  She is walking towards the staircase but this is not it.

  CROWBOROUGH: No. Not all those drawing rooms and libraries …

  * * *

  MARY: I’m not certain I understand.

  CROWBOROUGH: What about the parts of the house which no one sees?

  MARY: The kitchens, you mean?

  CROWBOROUGH: Even the kitchens must be full of people at this time of day.

  * * *

  MARY: Well, what then?

  CROWBOROUGH: I don’t know … the secret passages and the attics …

  She’s puzzled by his approach. But after a second she nods.

  MARY: It seems a bit odd, but why not? I’ll just tell Mama—

  CROWBOROUGH: No, don’t tell your Mama.

  MARY: But there’s nothing wrong in it.

  CROWBOROUGH: No, indeed. I’m only worried the others might want to join us.

  This is very bold. And naturally she is delighted.

  67 INT. ATTICS. DAY.

  William comes up the stairs, carrying the Duke’s cases. He is observed by Mrs Hughes, on her rounds.

  MRS HUGHES: Thomas should have done that. If he’s so keen to be a valet.

  WILLIAM: I don’t mind.

  He stops before a door but both his hands are full.

  MRS HUGHES: I’ll do it.

  She opens the door of a luggage room, where cases are neatly stacked on both sides. She watches from the door.

  68 INT. MORNING ROOM. DAY.

  Cora is alone with Robert, who strokes Pharaoh, idly.

  CORA: Mary’s settling him in.

  ROBERT: Cora, don’t let Mary make a fool of herself.

  This is rather worrying for the anxious mother.

  ROBERT (CONT’D): By the way I’m going up to London next week.

  CORA: Do you want to open the house?

  ROBERT: No, no. I’ll take Bates and stay at the club. I won’t be more than a day or two.

  Naturally, she is interested.

  CORA: I see. Are things progressing?

  ROBERT: What ‘things’?

  He looks at her, knowing what she wants him to say.

  ROBERT (CONT’D): It’s just a regimental dinner.

  Which is frustrating and makes her angry.

  CORA: It’s a pity Bates spoilt the arrival this afternoon.

  ROBERT: He didn’t spoil anything. He fell over.

  CORA: It was so undignified. Carson hates that kind of thing.

  ROBERT: I don’t care what Carson thinks.

  Robert is wrong-footed when the door opens on Carson.

  CARSON: A message from the Dowager Countess, m’lady. She says she won’t come to tea but she’ll join you for dinner.

  Cora and Robert exchange a glance.

  ROBERT: Carson, I hope you weren’t embarrassed this afternoon. I can assure you the Duke very much appreciated his welcome.

  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.

  69 INT. SERVANTS’ ATTICS. DAY.

  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.

  70 INT. LIBRARY. DAY.

  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.

  71 INT. LUGGAGE ROOM. DAY.

  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.

  72 INT. ROBERT’S DRESSING ROOM. NIGHT.

  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.

  73 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT.

  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 i
s 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.

  * * *

  74 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. NIGHT.

  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.