Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1

by Julian Fellowes

  But the rest of his speech is lost in the tumult which has turned violent and ugly. We recognise the faces of the trouble-makers as they break windows and smash chairs outside a pub. Matthew fights his way through the chaos.

  43 EXT. ANOTHER ENTRANCE TO THE SQUARE. RIPON. EVE.

  A truck full of heavies pulls over. A big man shouts.

  THUG: Out you get, lads!

  They start to climb down. They are pretty frightening.

  THUG (CONT’D): We’ll wipe the smile off their bloody Tory faces.

  They set off towards the crowd.

  * * *

  MATTHEW: Sybil! Branson!

  BRANSON: Mr Crawley!

  * * *

  Branson has his arm round Sybil and he is trying to pull her clear. At which point, Matthew reaches them.

  MATTHEW: What on earth are you doing here?

  SYBIL: I couldn’t miss this!

  MATTHEW: Couldn’t you? I could.

  He’s taken her arm, as the thug from the truck steps out.

  BRANSON: Look, I’m on your side. Don’t cause any trouble. You have to believe me!

  But the thug pushes him away, and squares up to Matthew.

  THUG: What’s your problem, Mr la-di-da?

  MATTHEW: My problem is you.

  The thug lunges at him. Matthew hits him back and they are brawling. Sybil runs forward as Matthew punches the man.

  * * *

  SYBIL: Stop it! This moment!

  * * *

  As the thug falls, he catches her jaw. She goes down, gashing her temple on the edge of a table.

  BRANSON: Oh, no. Oh, please God, no!

  He takes her up in his arms, as tenderly as a father with his child. All of which is seen by Matthew.

  MATTHEW: This way.

  He clears a path through the seething crush, with Branson following in his wake, carrying the unconscious girl.

  * * *

  MATTHEW (CONT’D): Where’s the car?

  BRANSON: Over there! By the bank!

  They push through the crowds. At last they get her into the vehicle. With Matthew tending to her, Branson drives away.

  44 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Robert, Cora, Mary and Edith are together after dinner. Pharaoh is by the fire.

  CORA: She ought to be back by now.

  ROBERT: Those meetings can go on forever.

  EDITH: What do you think I should wear next Friday? I thought about the green with the brown trimming, but it might be a bit wintery.

  MARY: Are we really going to spend a week discussing your clothes?

  CORA: You look very nice in the green.

  EDITH: Then I wondered about the pink, but is it too grand for York?

  During this, Mary is distracted by William, who is removing a cup and saucer from a side table. As he is doing so, he catches her eye and nods towards the door. She looks over. Gwen is waiting there. She signs for Mary to come.

  MARY: I think I might go up.

  CORA: It’s very early.

  MARY: I really can’t spend the evening reviewing Edith’s wardrobe.

  She kisses her parents and walks out of the room.

  * * *

  45 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Mary is coming from the drawing room where she finds Gwen. Gwen leads her away from the drawing room door.

  GWEN: I’ve fetched a coat.

  MARY: Why? What do I need a coat for?

  Gwen just holds the garment open, as Branson steps forward. Mary hadn’t noticed him. He speaks in a low voice.

  BRANSON: I’ve come to fetch you, m’lady. We’ve taken Lady Sybil to Crawley House. In the village.

  This strikes panic in Mary’s heart although she, too, whispers.

  MARY: What’s happened?

  BRANSON: I took her to Ripon for the count. She got caught in a fight.

  Mary raises her hand to her mouth in horror.

  MARY: Take me there at once.

  Without another word, she hurries out of the front door.

  46 INT. DRAWING ROOM. CRAWLEY HOUSE. NIGHT.

  Mary enters and approaches the sofa where Sybil lies, a gash at her temple and blood down the side of her face, which Isobel, in a dressing gown, is just beginning to wash away with hot water. There’s a bottle of iodine on a tray. Matthew is there. He glances up at Mary as she sees the invalid.

  MARY: My God! Oh, my darling …

  MATTHEW: I didn’t know what to do, so I had Branson bring her here.

  MARY: Quite right. Mama would have fainted if she’d seen her like this. As for Papa …

  She rolls her eyes heavenward, as she kneels and takes her sister’s hand. Sybil is just about awake.

  ISOBEL: This will sting a bit. But it’s stopped bleeding.

  She puts iodine on the cut. She looks at Matthew.

  ISOBEL (CONT’D): Did you know she was planning this?

  MATTHEW: Of course not.

  ISOBEL: Well, what were you doing there?

  MATTHEW: I was working late. I’d forgotten it was election night or I wouldn’t have stayed.

  SYBIL: I’m so grateful you did.

  MARY: I could wring Branson’s neck.

  MATTHEW: What was he thinking? I’m afraid it’ll cost him his job.

  SYBIL: No. I told him he was taking me to a committee meeting. When he realised what it was, he wanted to come straight back.

  MARY: You’ll have to stick up for him, because Papa will skin him alive.

  Matthew crouches down to be on a level with the invalid.

  MATTHEW: Are you feeling strong enough to go home?

  SYBIL: I think so. If you’ll take me.

  As he bends to help her up, Mary looks at him, this strong man, but just as she feels herself admiring him, she notices a new look in her sister’s eyes. It is one of hero worship. Isobel has seen the look too, and unconsciously glances at Mary. They both know what is going on.

  * * *

  MARY: Pull your hair forward and here, wear my coat to cover the blood. You’ll look more normal.

  * * *

  Her tone is quite brisk. Matthew helps Sybil into the coat.

  MATTHEW: Lean on me.

  The other women stand back as they go out.

  MARY: Thank you so much for this.*

  ISOBEL: I hope your parents won’t punish her too harshly.

  MARY: Don’t worry. Papa talks a good punishment, but he seldom delivers … By the way, what happened to William’s mother?

  ISOBEL: Not good, I’m afraid. She’s at home but she’s very weak. Another attack should finish her.

  MARY: And he still doesn’t know?

  ISOBEL: She’s adamant. I’ve tried to explain how hard it’ll be on him, but she won’t have him disturbed. To hear her talk, you’d think he was a Cabinet Minister.

  MARY: He’s made her proud. There are plenty of children in grander circumstances who’d love to say the same.

  Something in her tone interests Isobel, but they go out.

  47 INT. CARSON’S PANTRY. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Carson has the vault open and he carefully places the evening’s silver inside. Mrs Hughes is in the doorway.

  MRS HUGHES: I wish you’d tell me what’s troubling you. If it’s this business with Mr Bates—

  CARSON: It’s not that. I’ll get to the bottom of that.

  MRS HUGHES: Well, I hope you’ll do it soon. If there’s one thing I hate it’s an ‘atmosphere’ and we’ve got a real atmosphere going now.

  * * *

  CARSON: I’ll see them all tonight. When the family’s gone to bed.

  MRS HUGHES: Good. It’s an unfair rumour which needs to be scotched.

  * * *

  CARSON: It’s very hard to hear the names of people you love dragged in the mud. You feel so powerless.

  Mrs Hughes is surprised at this turn of the conversation.

  MRS HUGHES: Well, I respect Mr Bates but I don’t know that I love him.

  CARSON: I wasn’t thinking of Mr Bat
es.

  DAISY (V.O.): Mr Carson, have you got a minute?

  The King and Queen of below stairs look down at this speck.

  MRS HUGHES: What is it, Daisy? Mr Carson’s a very busy man.

  DAISY: I know he is. But I think he’ll want to hear this … I’ve told you something that wasn’t true.

  CARSON: Why would you do that?

  DAISY: I did it as a favour to a friend. But I know now he was wrong to ask it of me.

  Carson and Mrs Hughes exchange a glance. She is delighted.

  48 EXT. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Matthew is helping Sybil into the house. Branson stands watching. Mary is also going in when Branson speaks.

  BRANSON: She’s not badly hurt, is she?

  MARY: I don’t think so, no.

  BRANSON: Thank God.

  The force of his words is almost startling. She smiles.

  MARY: Better be prepared. I’m afraid Lord Grantham will hit the roof.

  BRANSON: I never would have taken her there. I may be a Socialist but I’m not a lunatic.

  MARY: I’m not sure Papa knows the difference.

  She smiles. The fact she is joking makes things better.

  BRANSON: You’ll let me know how she gets on? Please.

  MARY: If you wish.

  And she goes in, leaving the lovelorn chauffeur alone.*

  END OF ACT THREE

  ACT FOUR

  50 INT. SYBIL’S BEDROOM. NIGHT.

  Cora, Sybil, Mary and Edith witness Robert’s fury.

  ROBERT: How dare you? How dare you disobey me in this way?

  CORA: Robert, I’m sure—

  ROBERT: Are you so knowledgeable about the great world that my instructions are to be set as nothing?

  49 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Matthew looks up at the sound of Robert’s roar.

  50 INT. SYBIL’S BEDROOM. NIGHT.

  SYBIL: Papa, I’m sorry I disobeyed you, but I’m interested! I’m political! I have opinions!

  ROBERT: Of course, I blame Branson—

  MARY: I don’t think that’s fair—

  ROBERT: We had none of this, none of it, before he set foot in our house! I suppose I should give thanks he hasn’t burned the place down over our heads!

  SYBIL: Branson didn’t know anything about it, until we arrived there.

  ROBERT: He leaves tonight!

  SYBIL: If you punish Branson, I will never speak to you again. Never!

  Robert hesitates. This isn’t what he wants, which Mary sees.

  MARY: I don’t believe this is Branson’s fault. Truly, Papa.

  SYBIL: Blame me—

  ROBERT: I do blame you!

  CORA: Robert, can we do this in the morning? Sybil needs rest.

  SYBIL: But if I find tomorrow that Branson is missing, I’ll run away. I warn you.

  She is so definite that Robert is tempted to laugh.

  ROBERT: Oh? And where will you go?

  Sybil tries to come up with an answer …

  SYBIL: Well, I can’t think now. But I will go and you’ll be sorry!

  Robert is calm now as he looks at his anguished daughter.

  ROBERT: I should be sorry. Very sorry, indeed.

  * * *

  52 INT. BEDROOM PASSAGE. NIGHT.

  Robert, Mary and Edith shut the door. Pharaoh waits there.

  MARY: We must go down. Matthew will think we’re all dead.

  EDITH: Poor Papa. Sybil was terribly wrong to do what she did.

  As Robert walks to the stairs, Mary turns to her sister.

  MARY: Stop meddling and go to bed.

  * * *

  53 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  MATTHEW: How is she?

  * * *

  He is by the fire as they come down, followed by the dog. Robert shakes his head with exasperation, so Mary speaks.

  MARY: She’ll be perfectly fine.

  * * *

  ROBERT: I gather you’re the shining knight in all this.

  MATTHEW: Not really. But I’m glad I was there.

  ROBERT: So am I, by heaven. If it had been left to that bloody fool, Branson … You should see what he reads. It’s all Marx and Ruskin and John Stuart Mill. I ask you.

  MARY: Papa prefers the servants to read the Bible and letters from home.

  Mrs Hughes has entered the hall.

  MRS HUGHES: There are sandwiches for Mr Crawley in the dining room, Lady Mary.

  MARY: Thank you, Mrs Hughes.

  The housekeeper leaves. This is a pleasant development.

  MARY (CONT’D): We couldn’t let you starve.

  MATTHEW: You really didn’t have to.

  ROBERT: Mary, look after Matthew while I go up and revive your mother.

  The young couple head towards the dining room door. Unaware that Robert smiles hopefully at the dog as he watches them.

  54 INT. CARSON’S PANTRY. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Thomas, O’Brien, Bates and Daisy are lined up on one side, facing Carson, Mrs Hughes and Anna.

  CARSON: Do you stand by your story?

  THOMAS: I don’t have a story.

  CARSON: You saw Mr Bates in here alone, hanging up the cellar key. To me, that is a story.

  THOMAS: I only said I might have seen him. I suppose I was wrong.

  CARSON: And Miss O’Brien, were you wrong when you thought you saw Mr Bates carrying a bottle?

  ANNA: You wicked creature.

  MRS HUGHES: Anna! You are here to watch, not to participate.

  O’BRIEN: I don’t think I was wrong, no.

  CARSON: What do you say to that, Mr Bates?

  He has addressed Bates, who speaks quite calmly.

  BATES: I know this to be untrue because I have no need for it. Since I arrived at Downton, you have never seen me drink one drop of alcohol.

  * * *

  ANNA: He’s right. He never touches it.

  MRS HUGHES: I knew that. Why didn’t I think?

  * * *

  CARSON: Let us say, then, that Miss O’Brien was mistaken.

  ANNA: Mistaken, my eye.

  CARSON: And Daisy, we all know the value of your contribution.

  DAISY: Yes, Mr Carson.

  She hangs her head in shame.

  CARSON: But I must ask one thing, Mr Bates: how did you know the wine had been taken?

  Thomas hears this as the death knell of his career at Downton. He looks at Bates but Bates does not look at him.

  BATES: I’m afraid I can’t answer that.*

  55 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  On the table, Matthew sits at a place laid with sandwiches, fruit, a carafe of red wine, a jug of water and glasses for both. Mary’s with him. He lifts the carafe.

  MATTHEW: Will you have some? We can drink to Sybil’s safe return.

  MARY: Why not? I’ll ring for a glass.

  MATTHEW: Never mind that. Here.

  He pushes the wine glass over to her, pours, and then slops some into the water glass for himself.

  MARY: You’re not very fastidious about doing things properly.

  MATTHEW: Are you?

  MARY: Less than you might think.

  They raise their glasses.

  MATTHEW: Are you at all political?

  MARY: Yes. But with a hung Parliament, it’s hard to get excited about a by-election. You know nothing will change, whoever gets in …

  56 INT. CARSON’S PANTRY. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  O’Brien and Thomas and Daisy are leaving. Anna is following them, when Bates interrupts, shutting the door.

  BATES: If I might keep you for a minute more, Mr Carson?

  MRS HUGHES: If you’d like me to leave …?

  BATES: No, I’d like you to stay Mrs Hughes. And you, Anna.

  They wait for what is coming. And he is ready.

  BATES (CONT’D): You have decided to take no action over the allegations Thomas has made against me because you believe them to be untrue.

  CARSON: That is correct.

  BATES: And you are rig
ht. There’s no truth in them.

  Which, to a degree, relaxes them.

  BATES (CONT’D): But if you were to proceed with the matter, you would find them to be proven.

  This is odd. No one speaks until Bates resumes.

  BATES (CONT’D): Thomas has tried to convince you I’m a drunkard and a thief.

  ANNA: Which we never believed—

  BATES: Because you know no different. Until a couple of years ago, I was a drunkard. And I was imprisoned as a thief.

  This could not be more startling if a bomb had gone off.

  BATES (CONT’D): I have repaid your kindness very poorly. I masqueraded as a man of honour and integrity, but by any moral code, I am disgraced.

  * * *

  CARSON: Does his lordship know this?

  BATES: No. He too, like you, has been my dupe. Which neither of you has merited. And I apologise.

  His humiliation fills Mrs Hughes with pity.

  * * *

  MRS HUGHES: That can’t be the whole story.

  BATES: Perhaps not. But it’s enough of it to demand my resignation.

  Carson appears to consider this for a moment.

  CARSON: Do you want to leave, Mr Bates?

  BATES: No. But I feel I have no choice.

  CARSON: You owe me a say in the matter, surely?

  BATES: If you wish.

  CARSON: Then I will consider the case and give my decision, when I’ve discussed it with his lordship. Until then, I hope you will remain in your post.

  Bates gives a slight nod of assent.

  * * *

  CARSON (CONT’D): And now I think we should all get some rest.

  Without another word, Bates and Anna leave.