ROSE: A party person? It’s like being guarded by Quasimodo and the Witch of Endor rolled into one! This is all because I went up to London to see Terence, isn’t it? How did she find out? Who gave me away?
VIOLET: I don’t know who ‘Terence’ is —
ROSE: Of course, it’s not your fault, Aunt Violet. But they promised!
VIOLET: Don’t shoot the messenger, my dear. I’m only relaying your mother’s orders. You’re to stay for the cricket match and head north the next day.
ROSE: Perhaps I’ll run away.
VIOLET: Not this time. My maid will travel with you. So you have someone to talk to on the journey.
ROSE: I won’t be held a prisoner forever.
VIOLET: No. One day you’ll be older and out of our power. But not yet.
They lock eyes. But Rose knows her mother, through Violet, has won.43
49 INT. THOMAS’S BEDROOM. ATTICS. DOWNTON. DAY.
Thomas is sitting on the bed, while Bates stands there.
THOMAS: Prison’s changed you. There was a time when nothing was too bad for me, as far as you were concerned.
BATES: Prison has changed me.
Thomas sinks back on his pillow.
THOMAS: The hell with it. I’m finished and there’s nothing to be done for me.
BATES: You do know Miss O’Brien is behind it?
THOMAS: I knew someone was. Jimmy’d never think of it for himself.
BATES: Doesn’t it bother you that she’ll get away with it?
THOMAS: Not really. To tell you the truth, I’m tired. Tired of fighting my corner, tired of being disliked. Wouldn’t it be better if I just go?
BATES: Without a reference after ten years here, you’ll never work again.
THOMAS: Not in England, but elsewhere maybe, yeah. I’ve a cousin in Bombay. I might go there. I like the sun.
BATES: But you must fight fire with fire, Mr Barrow. There must be something you know about Miss O’Brien you could use against her.
THOMAS: You’ve heard of the phrase ‘To know when you’re beaten’? Well, I’m beaten, Mr Bates. I am well and truly beaten.
BATES: Then give me the weapon and I’ll do the work. What can I say that would make her change her mind?
Thomas looks at him. He almost speaks… and then:
THOMAS: I couldn’t. She made me promise on everything I hold sacred.
BATES: I’m glad to hear there are things you hold sacred, Mr Barrow.
But he waits…44
50 INT. LIBRARY. DOWNTON. DAY.
Robert is with Branson, Cora, Matthew and Mary.
ROBERT: It is not how we do things! Many of the farmers’ families have been at Downton for as long as we have!
BRANSON: But we need to see more profits from the farms —
ROBERT: Here we go! Profit! Profit! Profit!
MATTHEW: Profit is also called income. We cannot go forward with no income.45
ROBERT: But why not tackle it gradually? Perhaps buy some time by investing your capital. I hear of schemes every day that’ll double whatever’s put into them or treble it or more.
MATTHEW: Many schemes offer high rewards; very few deliver them.
ROBERT: There’s a chap in America — what’s his name? Charles Ponzi — who offers a huge return after ninety days. Now, Harry Stoke has gone in with a bundle —46
MATTHEW: Then Harry Stoke, whoever he is, is a fool!
ROBERT: But if I could find out about —
MATTHEW: Robert, the last time you took an interest in investments you ruined the family!
He has shouted. This silences Robert, and enrages Cora.
CORA: Now, look here! Robert’s been the captain of this ship long enough to be entitled to some respect!
MARY: He didn’t mean to be disrespectful.
ROBERT: Well, he does a marvellous impression of it!
BRANSON: We are giving the farmers a choice. That’s all. If they want to sell, the larger units will let us meet the challenges of the modern world.
MARY: We need to build something that will last, Papa. Not stand by and watch it crumble into dust.
ROBERT: What about the tenants? What about the men and women, who put their trust in us? Is this fair to them? I don’t believe so.
CORA: But isn’t the most important thing, for them or us, to maintain Downton as a source of employment?
ROBERT: So you’re against me, too.
CORA: It seems to me your plan adds up to carrying on as if nothing’s changed, to spend Matthew’s money keeping up the illusion. Then when we’ve fallen into a bottomless pit of debt, we’ll sell up and go.
They are all silent at this assessment. Cora nods.
CORA (CONT’D): But I don’t think the tenants will thank us for that, nor the farm workers, nor the servants, nor the village, nor the county. So, yes, I believe Matthew is right.
ROBERT: I see. You seem to be agreed that there’s no place for me in all this. So obviously it’s time for me to take a back seat.
He is very, very hurt and he walks out, leaving them to it.47
51 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.
As Robert strides across the hall, behind him, in the outer hall, Edith is on the telephone. Someone has answered.
EDITH: Hello? Is that the Daily Telegraph Information Desk? I want to find out about a London editor… Michael Gregson… Of The Sketch… Just some general stuff, his education, what he’s done since then, and a little about his… private life.48
52 EXT. BACK DOOR. DOWNTON. DAY.
O’Brien comes out of the door and sets off.
53 EXT. THE BATESES’ COTTAGE. DOWNTON. DAY.
O’Brien arrives at the Bates cottage.
54 INT. THE BATESES’ COTTAGE. DOWNTON. DAY.
The little room is painted. Anna is up a ladder pinning a frilly pelmet to a board. Bates stands by the fireplace.
ANNA: But why here? I don’t like the idea of her being our first visitor.
BATES: I want to be away from the others.
ANNA: I don’t know why you’re doing this. You don’t even like Thomas.
BATES: Because I know what it is to feel powerless. To see your life slide away and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
ANNA: Quite the orator. Have you thought about standing for Parliament?
There is a knock at the door. It is O’Brien. She looks round.
O’BRIEN: Oh, yes. Very nice. It’ll be even better with a bit of money spent on it.
ANNA: Can I get you some tea?
O’BRIEN: If I’m staying long enough. I don’t know what it is Mr Bates wants to see me about.
BATES: You’ll have time for tea.
55 INT. DRAWING ROOM. CRAWLEY HOUSE. DAY.
Ethel is collecting a tray of tea things.
ETHEL: Will that be all, ma’am?
ISOBEL: There is one thing. There was a letter delivered by hand this afternoon. It’s from the Dowager.
ETHEL: Oh, yes?
ISOBEL: She wants us to call on her in the morning.
ETHEL: I don’t understand.
ISOBEL: Nor I. She wants us both to go to the Dower House at eleven.
ETHEL: But why would she want me?
ISOBEL: No doubt we’ll find out in the morning.
56 INT. THE BATESES’ COTTAGE. DOWNTON. DAY.
Bates and O’Brien are together, watched by Anna.
O’BRIEN: Well, I am surprised to find that you’re a fan of Mr Oscar Wilde.
BATES: You’ve known about Mr Barrow all along, so what’s changed now?
O’BRIEN: Perhaps I’ve come to my senses.
ANNA: You mean you’ve found a way to be even nastier than usual.
O’BRIEN: Oh. Get back in the knife box, Miss Sharp.
BATES: I want you to persuade Jimmy to let Mr Barrow have a reference, so when he leaves here he can start again.
O’BRIEN: Why would Jimmy listen to me?
Bates just looks at her.
O’BRIEN (CONT’D): I won’t do it.
BATES: I think you will. And to persuade you, I’m going to whisper three words into your ear.
O’BRIEN: It won’t make any difference.
But when Bates walks round the table and whispers something, the blood drains from her face.49 She stands.
O’BRIEN (CONT’D): I’m going.
BATES: Sort it out by this evening.
O’BRIEN: Or?
BATES: Or you’ll find your secret is no longer safe with me.
57 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
O’Brien is with Jimmy.
O’BRIEN: I’m just saying I think you’ve made your point. To let it go now would be the gentlemanly thing to do.
JIMMY: You said if I let it go they’d think I was up to the same thing. That I wasn’t a proper man.
O’BRIEN: If you’d done nothing, yes, but this way you’ll come across as merciful and not vindictive, do you see?
JIMMY: I never wanted to push it this far.
O’BRIEN: Then you’ll be glad to stop it.
JIMMY: You’re sure I won’t be made to look a fool?
O’BRIEN: Far from it. I think they’ll hold you higher in their estimation.
CARSON: Ah, James? Upstairs, please.
JIMMY: May I have a word with you, please, Mr Carson, before we go up?
58 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
The family is at dinner. The atmosphere is strained.
CORA: But why London? You’ve only just got back.
EDITH: Something’s come up.
MARY: What?
MATTHEW: She doesn’t have to justify herself whenever she leaves the house.
EDITH: Thank you, Matthew, but I don’t mind. I’ve had some bad news, that’s all. I need to go up to London to sort it out.
MARY: What sort of bad news?
MATTHEW: Never mind. It’s not our business. How’s the cricket team coming along?
ROBERT: We’re still two short.
MARY: I wrote to Evelyn Napier, but he can’t get away on that Saturday.
MATTHEW: Why him?
MARY: Evelyn’s a whizz at cricket. He’s on some team or other.50
MATTHEW: What about the chaps at the office?
ROBERT: But it should be men who are connected to Downton in some way. Napier would be all right, as he used to stay here, but recruiting in the office seems a bit desperate.
MATTHEW: And you’re still determined not to play?
BRANSON: It’s not that I won’t play. I can’t play. I don’t know how.
CORA: Stop twisting his arm… Any news on the move, Tom? We’re going to miss you both so much.
EDITH: You told Matthew not to twist his arm, now you’re doing exactly the same thing.
CORA: I just think children are happier in families. I’m sorry, but I do.
59 INT. ROBERT’S DRESSING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Bates is getting Robert changed for bed.
ROBERT: Well, I’m glad that’s settled, but I suppose Barrow will have to go?
BATES: M’lord?
ROBERT: He’s so good at cricket. I know we were soundly beaten last year, but he did get most of our runs.
BATES: I thought we just wanted him to have a reference, so he could find work when he leaves.51
ROBERT: I know, but, now that I think about it, Carson ought to insist that he stays on. He needs to re-establish his authority over James.
BATES: Couldn’t Mr Barrow just stay till after the match, m’lord? And then go?
ROBERT: That seems rather unkind. Wouldn’t we be using him?
BATES: But what would he stay as?
ROBERT: You’re a clever fellow. You’ll think of something. Just tell him it’s conditional on his playing.
BATES: He might not want to stay, m’lord. After the unpleasantness.
ROBERT: I think he will. Then he won’t have to leave with a nasty taste in his mouth. But don’t forget the cricket.
BATES: I won’t, m’lord.
60 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Molesley is demonstrating how to bowl the ball.
MOLESLEY: You see how my grip is firm but tender. Cherish the ball, don’t crush it.
JIMMY: Do you know how to bowl a googly?
MOLESLEY: Can I bowl a googly? I should say so, although I prefer to call it a Bosie, after Bernard Bosanquet who first invented it. I saw him play once at Lord’s. I’ve tried to model my style on his.
MRS PATMORE: Have you, now? How proud he’d be.52
Jimmy is distracted by Alfred beckoning him. He leaves Molesley instructing the hall boys and goes over to him.
ALFRED: Is it true you’ve given in? And let Mr Barrow get away with it?
JIMMY: It was dragging on and on. At least this way we’ll be rid of him.
ALFRED: I heard his lordship wants him to stay for the cricket match.
JIMMY: And even if he does, it won’t be for much longer. Then he’ll get his reference and go. Good riddance.
Even so, Alfred seems really troubled by this.53
61 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. DAY.
Robert, Matthew and Branson are at breakfast.
ROBERT: Where’s Lady Edith, Carson?
CARSON: She went to the station first thing, m’lord.
MATTHEW: Her mystery mission… I’m going over to Windmill Farm, to see what we can do with the outbuildings. Would you like to come with me?
ROBERT: I’m sure you can manage on your own.
Matthew does not prolong the awkward moment. He leaves.
ROBERT (CONT’D): Aren’t you going?
BRANSON: I’ll meet him there later… He’s putting a good face on it, but you know he wants you with him on this. More than anything.
ROBERT: I should not serve him well. I don’t have the instincts for what he wants to do.
BRANSON: You mean you’re not a tradesman.
ROBERT: Your word, not mine.
BRANSON: Shall I tell how I look at it? Every man or woman who marries into this house, every child born into it, has to put their gifts at the family’s disposal. I’m a hard worker, and I’ve some knowledge of the land. Matthew knows the law and the nature of business.
ROBERT: Which I do not.
BRANSON: You understand the responsibilities we owe to the people round here, those who work for the estate and those that don’t. It seems to me if we could manage to pool all of that, if we each do what we can do, then Downton has a real chance.
Robert is both surprised and rather moved by this outburst.
ROBERT: You’re very eloquent.
BRANSON: I’m not usually.
Branson looks down, a little embarrassed.
ROBERT: You’re a good spokesman for Matthew’s vision. Better than he has been, lately.
BRANSON: So you’ll give us your backing?
ROBERT: I’ll think about it. On one condition.
Branson waits to hear.
ROBERT (CONT’D): You play cricket for the house. You said it yourself: we all have to do what we can do.
Branson knows when he is beaten.
BRANSON: For God’s sake. If it means that much to you.
Robert has his team.54
62 EXT. DOWER HOUSE. DOWNTON. DAY.
Isobel and Ethel approach the front door.
63 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DOWER HOUSE. DAY.
They are shown in, to find Violet… and Mrs Bryant.
ETHEL: Oh.
MRS BRYANT: You didn’t expect to find me here.
ISOBEL: No.
VIOLET: I thought the only person who could tell us with any accuracy the Bryants’ response to Ethel’s working nearby were the Bryants themselves.
MRS BRYANT: Lady Grantham wrote to me, explaining your wish.
ETHEL: Well, it was only that Mrs Watson had answered the advertisement…
MRS BRYANT: I know the circumstances. Just as I know that you would like to see how Charlie’s getting on.
ISOBEL: But surely Mr Bryant —
MRS B
RYANT: Mr Bryant will know nothing about it. As it happens, I’ve been uncomfortable about keeping a mother from her son. And although I would not want to confuse him, until he’s much older, if then —
ETHEL: We wouldn’t have to confuse him. I’ve already worked it out. I’m his old nanny who was employed by you when he was first born.
ISOBEL: But what about when he talks about you to Mr Bryant?
MRS BRYANT: You will please leave Mr Bryant to me. Now, Ethel, you must write to Mrs Watson today and get it settled.
ETHEL: And I’ll be able to see Charlie.
ISOBEL: It won’t be easy.
ETHEL: It’ll be easier than not seeing him. Very much easier.55
64 INT. MRS HUGHES’S SITTING ROOM. DOWNTON. DAY.
Mrs Hughes, Carson, Bates and Anna are all in there.
MRS HUGHES: His lordship is quite correct. You must re-establish your authority.
CARSON: That’s all very well. But there’s still nothing to stop James going to the police.
BATES: He won’t do that now. Miss O’Brien won’t let him.
MRS HUGHES: I wish I knew why she keeps changing direction.
ANNA: I agree. It’s funny, isn’t it?
She stares at Bates but he says nothing.
CARSON: And if Mr Barrow is to stay on… what would he be? My valet?
MRS HUGHES: You can make him under butler. Then your dinners will be grand enough for Chu Chin Chow, and he can apply to be a butler when he does leave.56
BATES: But that would make him my superior.
CARSON: Oh, I don’t know. Under butler, head valet. There’s not much in it.
MRS HUGHES: The question remains. How do we convince James?
CARSON: Well, it’s his lordship who wants Mr Barrow to stay on, so I think his lordship can bring it about.
65 EXT. CRICKET GROUND. DOWNTON ESTATE. DAY.
Branson, padded up, and Matthew are practising in the nets. Matthew is bowling. Branson misses.
BRANSON: Is this worth it? I’ve no time to learn anything. Shouldn’t I just trust to beginner’s luck?
MATTHEW: Certainly not. I want you to profit from my skills in gratitude for bringing Robert round.
BRANSON: Not completely. Not yet.
Matthew bowls again. Branson misses.
MATTHEW: Elbow up.
BRANSON: You won’t make a gentleman of me, you know. You can teach me to fish, to ride and to shoot, but I’ll still be an Irish Mick in my heart.
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