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BARRY LYNDON A Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick Based on the novel by William Makepeace ThackerayFADE IN:EXT. PARK - DAYBrief shot of duel.RODERICK (V.O.)My father, who was well-known to thebest circles in this kingdom underthe name of roaring Harry James, waskilled in a duel, when I was fifte
with rivals.
RODERICK
Very well! Now that I know it, I
will no longer love her.
COUNT
Then you yield to me.
RODERICK
On the instant. Everyone must yield
to such a nobleman as you.
COUNT
Very well; but a man who yields
takes to his legs.
RODERICK
That is a trifle strong.
COUNT
Take to your legs, low Irish dog.
Roderick smiles at him.
RODERICK
Your Excellency has wantonly
insulted me. That being so, I
conclude that you hate me,
Monseigneur, and that hence you
would be glad to remove me from the
number of the living. In this wish,
I can and will satisfy Your
Excellency.
EXT. BEAUTIFUL GARDEN - EARLY MORNING
Roderick's sword duel with the Count.
Details to be worked out.
INT. BILLIARD ROOM - NIGHT
Roderick watches the Chevalier play with a Prussian
officer, Lieutenant Dascher.
RODERICK (V.O.)
It was my unrivaled skill with
sword and pistol, and readiness to
use them, that maintained the
reputation of the firm.
Towards the end of the game, Dascher, seeing that he is
losing, makes an unfair stroke, so obvious that the marker
tells him so to his face.
Lieutenant Dascher, for whom the stroke wins the game,
takes the money which is in the stake bag, and puts it in
his pocket, paying no attention to the marker's
adjurations, or to Roderick's.
Roderick, who is without his sword, reaches for a billiard
cue and swings it at Dascher's face.
He wards off the blow with his arm, drawing his sword and
runs at Roderick, who is unarmed.
The marker, a sturdy young man, catches Dascher around the
waist and prevents murder.
DASCHER
I see that you are without your
sword, but I believe you are a man
of mettle. Will you give me
satisfaction?
RODERICK
I shall be delighted; but you have
lost and you must pay me the money
before we meet, for, after all, you
cannot pay me when you are dead.
ANOTHER OFFICER
I will undertake to pay you the 20
louis, but only tomorrow morning at
the meeting.
EXT. FIELD - DAY
On the field, there are six people waiting with Dascher,
and his seconds. Dascher takes 20 louis from his pocket
and hands them to Roderick, saying:
DASCHER
I may have been mistaken, but I mean
to make you pay deadly for your
brutality.
Roderick takes the money and puts it in his purse with the
utmost calm, making no reply to the other's boasting.
RODERICK
(privately)
It is distasteful to kill a
scoundrel -- that should be work for
a hangman.
CHEVALIER
To risk one's life against such
people is an imposition.
RODERICK
(laughs)
I risk nothing, for I am certain to
kill him.
CHEVALIER
Certain?
RODERICK
Perfectly certain, because I shall
make him tremble.
He takes his station between two trees, about four paces
apart, and draws a pair of dueling pistols.
RODERICK
You have only to pace yourself at
ten paces difference, and fire
first. The space between these two
trees is the place where I choose to
walk back and forth. You may walk
too, if you wish, when it is my turn
to fire.
No one could have explained his intentions more clearly or
spoken more calmly.
DASCHER
But we must decide who is to have
the first shot.
RODERICK
There is no need of that. I never
fire first; and, in any case, you
have that right.
Dascher places himself at the specified distance.
Roderick walks slowly back and forth between the two trees
without looking at him.
Dascher takes aim and fires, missing.
RODERICK
(with the greatest
composure)
You missed me, sir. I was sure you
would. Try again.
The others think he is mad, and had expected some kind of
discussion between the parties, but not a bit of it.
Dascher takes careful aim and fires a second shot, again
missing Roderick.
Without a word, but in a firm and confident manner,
Roderick fires his first shot into the air.
Dascher looks amazed. Then, aiming at Dascher with his
second pistol, he hits him in the center of the forehead
and stretches him out dead on the ground.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Roderick and Chevalier traveling in their coach.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Thus is will be seen that our life,
for all its splendor was one of
extreme difficulty and danger,
requiring high talents and courage
for success, and sudden and
unexpected departures.
They meet a four-wheel carriage, drawn by two horses,
carrying a master and a servant.
The driver of the four-wheel carriage wants Roderick's
driver to make way for him.
Roderick's driver protests that if he does, he will upset
his master in the ditch, but the other insists.
Roderick addresses the master, a handsome young man, and
asks him to order his driver to make way for him.
RODERICK
I am posting, monsieur, and
furthermore I am a foreigner.
STRANGER
Monsieur, here in Saxony, the post
has no special right, and if you are
a foreigner, you must admit that you
have no greater claim than mine,
since I am in my own country.
At that, Roderick gets out and holding his drawn-sword
tells the stranger to get out, or to make way for him.
The stranger replies, with a smile, that he has no sword
and that, in any case, he will not fight for such a silly
reason.
He tells Roderick to get back in his chaise, and he makes
way for him.
INT. GAMING ROOM - NIGHT
Roderick and the Chevalier running a faro bank when an
important lady suffers a huge loss.
RODERICK (V.O.)
The ladies were passionately fond of
play, and hence would often arise no
small trouble to us; for the truth
most be told, that the ladies loved
to play, but not to pay. The point
of honor is not understood by the
charming sex; and it was with the
greatest difficulty that we could
keep them from the table, could get
their money if they lost or, if they
paid, prevent them from using the
most furious and extraordinary means
of revenge.
EXT. ROAD - DAWN
RODERICK (V.O.)
On this evening, the lady of high
rank, after I had won a considerable
sum in diamonds and pearls from her,
sent her lover with a band of cut-
throats to waylay me.
Roderick and the Chevalier are sound asleep in their
carriage when they are awakened by a violent jolt, upon
which the carriage overturns in the middle of the road.
The Chevalier is underneath, and screams from the pain in
his right arm, which he thinks is broken.
Their servant forces the door open to help them out,
telling them that the two postilions have fled.
Roderick easily gets out of the carriage through the door,
which is above him, but the Chevalier, unable to move
because of his disabled arm, has to be pulled out.
His piercing shrieks make Roderick laugh, because of the
strange oaths with which he interlards his prayers.
From the carriage, Roderick takes his dueling pistols,
and sword.
Roderick tells his servant to mount and to looking for
armed peasants in the vicinity; money in hand, he leaves.
The Chevalier has lain down on the hard ground, groaning
and in no condition to resist robbers.
Roderick makes his own preparations to sell his fortune
and his life at the highest price.
His carriage is close to the ditch, and he unhitches the
horses, tieing them to the wheels and the pole in a
circle, and stations himself behind them with weapons.
In this predicament, Roderick cannot help laughing at the
poor Chevalier, who is writhing like a dying dolphin on a
seashore, and uttering the most pitiful execrations, when
a mare, whose back was turned to him, take it into her
empty head to empty her bladder on him. There is nothing
to be done; he has to put up with the whole stinking rain,
and to forgive Roderick's laughter, which he has not the
strength to hold in.
The chill wind and the silence are suddenly broken by an
attack, which is half-hearted and uncertain, by the lady's
lover, and his hesitant band of six cut-throats.
Some falter and run away as soon as Roderick fires his
pistol.
The leader and two heartier followers engage Roderick.
During the fight, they mortally wound the helpless
Chevalier and two of them are killed.
After they flee, Roderick kneels by the Chevalier, who
utters some appropriate last words, then dies.
His servant finally arrives at full gallop, shouting at
the top of his voice, and followed by a band of peasants,
each with his lantern, come to his rescue. There are ten
or twelve of them, all armed with muskets, and all ready
to obey his orders.
EXT. SPA - HOTEL - DAY
Roderick's carriage arrives.
RODERICK (V.O.)
After making suitable arrangements
for the Chevalier's burial, in
proper accord with his church, I
traveled to Spa, which was now in
season, alone, to continue my
profession which formerly had the
support of my friend and mentor.
INT. GAMING ROOM - NIGHT
Crowds surround Roderick.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I was by this time one of the best-
known characters in Europe; and the
fame of my exploits, my duels, my
courage at play, would bring crowds
round me in any public society where
I appeared.
INT. CASINO - NIGHT
Attractive women alone, while men are at the gaming table.
RODERICK (V.O.)
The passion for play is stronger
than the passion for gallantry; the
gamester at Spa has neither time to
stop to consider the merits of a
woman, nor the courage to make
sacrifices for her.
EXT. GARDEN IN SPA - DAY
The Countess of Cosgrove walks beside her husband, Sir
William Cosgrove, who is in a wheelchair. They are
accompanied by their young son, Lord Brookside, and two
servants.
RODERICK (V.O.)
In evoking the recollections of
these days, I have nothing but
pleasure. I would if I could say as
much of a lady who will henceforth
play a considerable part in the
drama of my life -- I mean the
Countess of Cosgrove, whose fatal
acquaintance I made at Spa, very
soon after the tragic events which
caused me to quit Germany.
Closer shot of the Countess.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Victoria, Countess of Cosgrove. A
Countess and a Viscountess in her
own right.
Closer shot of Sir William Cosgrove.
RODERICK (V.O.)
She was the wife of her cousin, the
Right Honorable Sir William Reginald
Cosgrove, Knight of the Bath, and
Minister to George II and George III
of several of the smaller courts of
Europe.
Closer shot of young Lord Brookside, walking behind them
in the care of his governor.
RODERICK (V.O.)
She was the mother to Viscount
Brookside -- a melancholy, deserted,
little boy, about whom his father
was more than indifferent, and whom
his mother never saw.
INT. GAMING ROOM - NIGHT
Shots of Sir William Cosgrove being wheeled in, and at
play with Roderick, and some other gentlemen.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I made Sir William Cosgrove's
acquaintance as usual at the play-
table. One could not but admire the
spirit and gallantry with which he
pursued his favorite pastime; for,
though worn out with gout and a
myriad of diseases, a cripple
wheeled about in a chair, and
suffering pangs of agony, yet you
would see him every morning, and
every evening at his post behind the
delightful green cloth.
SIR WILLIAM
Hang it, Mr. Roderick James, you
have no more manners than a barber,
and I think my black footman has
been better educated than you; but
you are a young fellow of
originality and pluck, and I like
you, sir. because you seem
determined to go to the devil by a
way of your own.
Laughter at the table.
RODERICK
I am obliged to observe, Sir William
Cosgrove, that since you are bound
for the next world much sooner than
I am, I will depend on you to get
comfortable quarters arranged for
me.
Laughter.
SIR WILLIAM
Indeed, you are right, sir. Look at
me. Marriage has added forty years
to my life. I am dying, a worn-out
cripple, at the age of fifty. When
I took off Lady Cosgrove, there was
no man of my years who looked so
young as myself. Fool that I was!
I had enough with my pensions,
perfect freedom, the best society in
Europe -- and I gave up all these,
and married and was miserable. Take
a warning from me, Mr. Roderick, and
stick to the trumps. Do anything,
but marry.
RODERICK
Would you have me spend my life all
alone?
SIR WILLIAM
In truth, sir, yes, but, if you must
marry, then marry a virtuous drudge.
RODERICK
(laughing)
The milkmaid's daughter?
SIR WILLIAM
Well, why not a milkmaid's daughter?
No man of sense need restrict
himself or deny himself a single
amusement for his wife's sake; on
the contrary, if he selects the
animal properly, he will choose such
a one as shall be no bar to his
pleasure, but a comfort in his hours
of annoyance. For instance, I have
got the gout; who tends me? A hired
valet who robs me whenever he has
the power. My wife never comes near
me. What friend have I? None in
the wide world. Men of the world,
as you and I are, don't make
friends, and we are fools for our
pains.
Polite laughter at the table.
SIR WILLIAM
My lady is a weak woman, but she is
my mistress. She is a fool, but she
has got the better of one of the
best heads in Christendom. She is
enormously rich, but somehow I have
never been so poor, as since I
married her. I thought to better
myself, and she has made me
miserable and killed me, and she
will do as much for my successor
when I'm gone.
There is a reflective silence at the table.
RODERICK
Has her ladyship a very large
income?
This question causes Sir William to burst out into a
yelling laugh, joined by the rest of the table, and makes
Roderick blush not a little at his gaucherie.
EXT. ORNAMENTAL GARDEN - SPA - NIGHT
A beautiful scene, lit by the flambeaux, held by a dozen
footmen. A small orchestra, playing in a Temple of Love,
some dancers, people gambling and lounging along a line of
trees.
Roderick approaches the Countess.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Despite my friend's strong warning.
I resolves to become acquainted with
his lady. Sir William Cosgrove was
dying. His widow would be a rich
prize. Why should I not win her,
and, with her, the means of making
in the world that figure which my
genius and inclination desired?
When I determine, I look upon the
thing as done.
RODERICK
Charming lady, tell me the truth and
earn my gratitude. Have you a
lover?
The countess laughs.
COUNTESS
No.
RODERICK
Have you had one?
COUNTESS
Never.
RODERICK
But, for a time... a passing fancy?
COUNTESS
Not even that.
RODERICK
How can I believe that there is not
a man who has inspired desires in
you?
COUNTESS
Not one.
RODERICK
Have you not a man whom you value?
COUNTESS
That man has, perhaps, not yet been
born.
RODERICK
What! You have not met a man worthy
of your attention?
COUNTESS
Many worthy of attention; but
valuing is something more. I could
value only someone whom I loved.
RODERICK
Then you have never loved? Your
heart is empty.
COUNTESS
Your word "empty" makes me laugh.
Is it fortunate, or unfortunate? If
it is fortunate, I congratulate
myself. If it is unfortunate, I do
not care, for I am not aware of it.
RODERICK
It is nonetheless a misfortune, and
you will know it when you love.
COUNTESS
But if, when I love, I am unhappy, I
will know that my empty heart was my
good fortune.
RODERICK
That is true, but it seems to me
impossible that you should be
unhappy in love.
COUNTESS
It is only too possible. Love
requires a mutual harmony which is
difficult, and it is even more
difficult to make it last.
RODERICK
I agree; but God put us on earth to
take that risk.
COUNTESS
A man may need to do that, and find
it amusing; but a girl is bound by
other laws.
RODERICK
I believe you, and I see I must
hasten to leave, for otherwise I
shall become the unhappiest of men.
COUNTESS
How so?
RODERICK
By loving you, with no hope of
possessing you.
She laughs.
COUNTESS
You want my heart?
RODERICK
It is my only object.
COUNTESS
To make me wretched in two weeks.
RODERICK
To love you until death. To
subscribe to all your commands.
COUNTESS
The amusing thing is that you
deceive me without knowing, if it is
true that you love me.
RODERICK
Deceiving someone without knowing it
is something new for me. If I do
not know it, I am innocent.
COUNTESS
But you deceive me nonetheless if I
believe you, for it will not be in
your power to love me when you love
me no longer.
Roderick laughs and kisses her.
COUNTESS
Be so good as to tell me with whom
you think you are?
RODERICK
With a woman who is completely
charming, be she a princess or a
woman of the lowest condition, and
who, regardless of her rank, will
show me some kindness, tonight.
She laughs.
COUNTESS
And if she does not choose to show
you some kindness?
RODERICK
Then I will respectfully take leave
of her.
COUNTESS
You will do as you please. It seems
to me that such a matter can hardly
be discussed until after people know
each other. Do you not agree?
RODERICK
Yes -- but I am afraid of being
deceived.
COUNTESS
Poor man. And, for that reason, you
want to begin where people end?
RODERICK
I ask only a payment on account
today -- after that, you will find
me undemanding, obedient and
discreet.
She laughs. He kisses her again. They exit.
EXT. ROAD - SPA - NIGHT
Coach and four moves slowly along.
INT. COACH - NIGHT
They kiss. She gently struggles as he tries to undo her
dress. He stops.
RODERICK
Will we always leave it at this?
COUNTESS
Always, my dear one, never any
further. Love is a child to be
pacified with trifles. A full diet
can only kill it.
RODERICK
I know better than you do. Love
wants a more substantial fare, and
if it is stubbornly withheld, it
withers away.
COUNTESS
Our abstinence makes our love
immortal. If I loved you a quarter
of an hour ago, now I should love
you even more. But I should love
you less if you exhausted my joy by
satisfying all my desires.
RODERICK
Let us give each other complete
happiness, and let us be sure that
as many times as we satisfy our
desires, they will each time be born
anew.
COUNTESS
My husband has convinced me of the
contrary.
RODERICK
Sir William Cosgrove is a man who is
dying, and yet I envy him more than
any man in Christendom. He enjoys a
privilege of which I am deprived.
He may take you in his arms whenever
he pleases, and no veil keeps his
senses, his eyes, his soul from
enjoying your beauty.
She silences him with her fingertips.
COUNTESS
Shall I tell you something -- I
believed what was called love came
after the union -- and I was
surprised when my husband, making me
a woman, made me know it only by
pain, unaccompanied by any pleasure.
I saw that my imaginings had stood
me in better stead. And so we
became only friends, seldom sleeping
together and arousing no curiosity
in each other, yet on good terms for
a while, as whenever he wanted me, I
was at his service, but since the
offering was not seasoned with love,
he found it tasteless, and seldom
demanded it.
RODERICK
O, my dearest love. Enough! I beg
you. Stop believing in your
experience. You have never known
love. My very soul is leaving me!
Catch it on your lips, and give me
yours!
They kiss ardently.
RODERICK (V.O.)
To make a long story short, her
ladyship and I were in love six
hours after we met; and after I once
got into her ladyship's good graces,
I found innumerable occasions to
improve my intimacy, and was
scarcely ever out of her company.
EXT. COUNTESS' HOUSE - SPA - DUSK
Action as per voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I shall never forget the
astonishment of Sir William Cosgrove
when, on one summer evening, as he
was issuing out to the play-table,
in his sedan-chair, her ladyship's
barouche and four came driving into
the courtyard of the house which
they inhabited and, in that
carriage, by her ladyship's side,
sat no other than "the vulgar Irish
adventurer," as she was pleased to
call me.
Sir William makes the most courtly of bows and grins, and
waves his hat in as graceful a manner as his multiplicity
of illness permits, and her ladyship and Roderick reply to
the salutation with the utmost politeness and elegance on
their part.
INT. RODERICK'S APARTMENT - SPA - NIGHT
Making ardent love.
COUNTESS
Without you, my dearest, I might
have died without ever knowing love.
Inexpressible love! God of nature!
Bitterness than which nothing is
sweeter, sweetness than which
nothing is more bitter. Divine
monster which can only be defined by
paradoxes.
RODERICK
Let me give a thousand kisses to
that heavenly mouth which has told
me that I am happy.
COUNTESS
As soon as I saw you loved me, I was
pleased, and I gave you every
opportunity to fall more in love
with me, being certain that, for my
part, I would never love you. But
after our first kiss, I found that I
had no power over myself. I did not
know that one kiss could matter so
much.
RODERICK (V.O.)
We then spent an hour in the most
eloquent silence except that, from
time to time, her ladyship cried
out: "Oh, my God. Is it true -- I
am not dreaming?"
INT. GAMING ROOM - NIGHT
Roderick enters and approaches a table at which Sir
William Cosgrove, who is drunk, is at play with several
other jovial fellows.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Sir William Cosgrove, with his
complication of ills, was dying
before us by inches. He was
continually tinkered up by doctors,
and, what with my usual luck, he
might be restored to health and live
I don't know how many years. If
Cosgrove would not die, where was
the use of my pursing his lady? But
my fears were to prove groundless,
for on that very night, patient
nature would claim her account.
SIR WILLIAM
Good evening, Mr. James, have you
done with my lady?
RODERICK
I beg your pardon?
SIR WILLIAM
Come, come, sir. I am a man who
would rather be known as a cuckold
than a fool.
RODERICK
I think, Sir William Cosgrove, you
have had too much drink. Your
chaplin, Mr. Hunt, has introduced me
into the company of your lady to
advise me on a religious matter, of
which she is a considerable expert.
Sir William Cosgrove greets this line with a yell of
laughter. His laugh is not jovial or agreeable, but
rather painful and sardonic, and ends in a violent fit of
coughing.
SIR WILLIAM
Gentlemen, see this amiable youth!
He has been troubled by religious
scruples, and has flown for refuge
to my chaplin, Mr. Hunt, who has
asked for advise from my wife, Lady
Cosgrove, and between them both,
they are confirming my ingenious
young friend in his faith. Did you
ever hear of such doctors and such a
disciple?
RODERICK
Faith, sir, if I want to learn good
principles, it's surely better I
should apply for them to your lady,
and your chaplin than to you?
SIR WILLIAM
(laughing, but pretty
red)
He wants to step into my shoes! He
wants to step into my shoes!
Roderick stares at him coldly.
RODERICK
Well, if my intentions are what you
think they are -- if I do wish to
step into your shoes, what then? I
have no other intentions than you
had yourself. Lady Cosgrove's
wealth may be great, but am I not of
a generous nature enough to use it
worthily? Her rank is lofty, but
not so lofty as my ambition. I will
be sworn to muster just as much
regard for my Lady Cosgrove as you
ever showed her; and if I win her,
and wear her when you are dead and
gone, corbleu, knight, do you think
that it will be the fear of your
ghost will deter me?
SIR WILLIAM
Is it not a pleasure, gentlemen, for
me, as I am drawing near the goal,
to find my home such a happy one; my
wife so fond of me, that she is even
now thinking of appointing a
successor? Isn't it a comfort to
see her; like a prudent housewife,
getting everything ready for her
husband's departure?
RODERICK
I hope that you are not thinking of
leaving us soon, knight?
SIR WILLIAM
Not so soon, my dear, as you may
fancy perhaps. Why, man, I have
been given over many times these
four years, and there was always a
candidate or two waiting to apply
for the situation. Who knows how
long I may keep you waiting.
RODERICK
Sir, let those laugh that win.
SIR WILLIAM
I am sorry for you Mr. James. I'm
grieved to keep you or any gentleman
waiting. Had you not better to
arrange with my doctor or get the
cook to flavor my omelette with
arsenic? What are the odds,
gentlemen, that I don't live to see
Mr. James hang yet?
There is laughter around the table, and Sir William starts
dealing the cards.
VOICE
Dies at Spa, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, the Right Honorable Sir
William Cosgrove, Knight of the
Bath, Member of Parliament for
Cosgrove and Devonshire and many
years His Majesty's representative
at various European courts. He hath
left behind him a name which is
endeared to all his friends for his
manifold virtues and talents, a
reputation justly acquired in the
service of His Majesty, and an
inconsolable widow to deplore his
loss.
Sir Williams keels over dead.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
The wedding of Roderick and the Countess. The service is
preformed by Reverend Hunt, her ladyship's chaplain.
RODERICK (V.O.)
A year from that day, on the
fifteenth of May, in the year 1773,
I had the honor and happiness to
lead to the altar Victoria, Countess
of Cosgrove, widow of the late Right
Honorable Sir William Cosgrove, K.B.
I had procured His Majesty's
gracious permission to add the name
of my lovely lady to my own, and,
henceforward, assumed the title of
James Cosgrove.
EXT. A GARDEN - LONDON - DAY
The Wedding reception.
Roderick and the Countess are approached by young Lord
Brookside, aged 12.
COUNTESS
My Lord Brookside, come and embrace
your papa!
Brookside walks slowly towards them, and shakes his fist
in Roderick's face.
BROOKSIDE
He, my father! I would as soon call
one of your ladyship's footmen,
papa!
Roderick laughs, as the Countess unsuccessfully tries to
get the boy to shake hands.
COUNTESS
Lord Brookside, you have offended
your father.
BROOKSIDE
Mother, you have offended my father.
RODERICK (V.O.)
It was a declaration of war to me,
as I saw at once; though I declare I
was willing enough to have lived
with him on terms of friendliness.
But as men serve me, I serve them.
Who can blame me for my after-
quarrels with this young reprobate,
or lay upon my shoulders the evils
which afterwards befell?
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Three carriages, each with four horses, proceed along the
picturesque track.
RODERICK (V.O.)
After we had received the
congratulations of our friends in
London -- I and Victoria set off to
visit our country estate, Castle
Hackton, where I had never as yet
set foot.
INT. CARRIAGE - DAY
Roderick and his Lady.
RODERICK (V.O.)
The first days of a marriage are
commonly very trying; and I have
known couples, who lived together
like turtle-doves for the rest of
their lives, peck each other's eyes
out almost during the honeymoon. I
did not escape the common lot. In
our journey westwards, my Lady
Cosgrove chose to quarrel with me
because I had pulled out a pipe of
tobacco. Lady Cosgrove was a
haughty woman, and I hate pride, and
I promise you that, in this instant,
I overcame this vice in her.
Roderick blows smoke into the Countess' face. She is
shocked into an apprehensive silence.
INT. COACH - DAY
Young Lord Brookside with his governor, glowering and
petulant. A parrot, in a cage, on his lap.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
As the carriages drive past, there is a band, floral
arches, flags, church bells ringing. The parson and the
farmers assemble in their best by the roadside, and the
school-children and the laboring people are loud in their
"hurrahs" for her ladyship.
Roderick flings pennies among the cheering tenants, from
two bags of coppers, stored in the carriage for the
occasion.
EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY
Fifty, or so, servants have turned out to greet their
mistress, and their new master. The land steward, who is
the senior servant, introduces the others -- the clerk of
the kitchen, clerk of the stables, head gardener, ladies
in waiting, butler, valet, chef, cook.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I had not arrived at the pitch of
prosperity, and having, at thirty
years of age, by my own merits and
energy, raised myself to one of the
highest social positions that any
man in England could occupy, I
determined to enjoy myself as
becomes a man of quality for the
remainder of my life.
INT. STABLES - DAY
Roderick and his beautiful horses.
EXT. A STREAM - DAY
Roderick and some companions fishing.
EXT. FIELDS - DAY
Roderick and his friends riding.
EXT. FIELDS - DAY
Roderick and friends shooting.
INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY
Roderick having his portrait painted by a miniaturist.
RODERICK (V.O.)
But it was not meant for me to
finish my life as a man of quality
and position. Indeed, I am one of
those born clever enough at gaining
a fortune, but incapable of keeping
one; for the qualities and energy,
which lead a man to accept the
first, are often the very causes of
his ruin in the latter case; indeed,
I know of no other reason for the
misfortunes which finally befell me.
INT. CASTLE HACKTON - COUNTESS' BEDROOM - DAY
RODERICK (V.O.)
At the end of the year, Lady
Cosgrove presented me with a son;
Patrick Cosgrove, I called him, in
compliment to my royal ancestry, but
what more had I to leave him than a
noble name?
EXT. COSGROVE HOUSE - LONDON - DAY
Two coaches pull up, and the Countess and Roderick exit.
Servants remove their luggage and baby Patrick.
RODERICK (V.O.)
We spent the season in London at our
house in Berkeley Square.
INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
The Countess alone and depressed.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Her ladyship and I lived, for a
while, pretty separate when in
London. She preferred quiet, or, to
say the truth, I preferred it, being
a great friend to a modest, tranquil
behavior in woman and a taste for
the domestic pleasures.
INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - LONDON - DAY
Several cuts of the Countess, caring for the infant,
Patrick.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Besides, she was a mother, and had
great comfort in the dressing,
educating, and dandling of our
little Patrick for whose sake it was
fit that she should give up the
pleasures and frivolities of the
world; so she left that part of the
duty of every family of distinction
to be performed by me.
INT. THEATER LOBBY - NIGHT
Roderick arriving with a party of friends, escorting a
beautiful woman.
INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - LONDON - DAY
Countess crying and having an argument with Roderick.
Live dialogue under voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Her ladyship's conversations with me
were characterized by a stupid
despair, or a silly blundering
attempt at forced cheerfulness,
still more disagreeable; hence, our
intercourse was but trifling, and my
temptations to carry her into the
world or to remain in her society of
necessity exceedingly small.
INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - DRAWING ROOM - LONDON - NIGHT
A drunken Roderick rudely demands his lady to entertain
their guests. She rushes from the room in tears.
Dialogue starts scene, goes under for voice over, then
ends scene.
RODERICK (V.O.)
She would try my temper, at home,
too, in a thousand ways. When
requested by me to entertain the
company with conversation, wit, and
learning, of which she was a
mistress; or music, of which she was
an accomplished performer, she
would, as often as not, begin to
cry, and leave the room. My company
from this, of course, fancied I was
a tyrant over her; whereas, I was
only a severe and careful guardian
of a silly, bad-tempered and weak-
minded lady.
EXT. PARK - DAY
Roderick strolling arm-in-arm with his Countess.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Despite the utter distaste with
which I now regarded Lady Cosgrove,
and, although I took no particular
pains to disguise my feelings in
general, yet she was of such a mean
spirit that she pursued me with her
regard, and would kindle up at the
smallest kind word I spoke to her.
INT. COSGROVE STUDY - DAY
Roderick and accountant. Her ladyship is signing various
documents, and orders for payment.
RODERICK (V.O.)
And, in these fits of love, she was
the most easy creature in the world
to be persuaded, and would have
signed away her whole property, had
it been possible. And, I must
confess, it was with very little
attention on my part that I could
bring her into good humor, and, up
to the very last day of our being
together, would be reconciled to me,
and fondle me, if I addressed her a
single kind word. Such is female
inconsistency.
INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - DAY
Roderick and the Countess fighting about her refusal to
sign some papers. Live dialogue under voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
She was luckily very fond of her
youngest son, and through him I had
a wholesome and effectual hold on
her; for if in any of her tantrums
or fits of haughtiness, she
pretended to have the upper-hand, to
assert her authority against mine,
to refuse to sign such papers as I
might think necessary for the
distribution of our large and
complicated property.
Roderick picks up baby Patrick.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I would have Master Patrick carried
off to Chiswick for a couple of
days; and I warrant me his lady-
mother could hold out no longer and
would agree to anything I proposed.
The Countess rushes to the window to see the child being
put into a carriage.
INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - DAY
Another quarrel.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Lady Cosgrove and I did not quarrel
more than fashionable people do, and,
for the first three years, I never
struck my wife but when I was in
liquor.
INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - DAY
Roderick throws a knife at young Brookside. The knife
digs into an expensive antique chest, just missing the
young Brookside's head.
RODERICK (V.O.)
When I flung the carving-knife at
Brookside, I was drunk, as
everybody present can testify, but
as for having any systematic scheme
against the poor lad, I can declare
solemnly that, beyond merely hating
him, I am guilty of no evil towards
him.
INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - DAY
The Countess discovers Roderick making love to the child's
nurse.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Do what one would to please her, my
lady would never be happy or in good
humor. And soon she added a mean,
detestable jealousy to all her other
faults, and would weep and wring her
hands, and threaten to commit
suicide, and I know not what.
She screams and shouts something about suicide.
Her son, Brookside, comes running in and consoles her.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Her death would have been no comfort
to me, as I leave any person of
