Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1

by Julian Fellowes

  MATTHEW: Any more than I’m much good at building my life on shifting sands.

  There is something ominous in this, which saddens Robert.

  ROBERT: You do know I should be very proud to have you as my son-in-law, whatever your prospects.

  MATTHEW: Unfortunately, sir, your daughter is more practical than you.

  44 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  The servants are seated as the hall boys serve the soup. Mrs Bird is hovering as Molesley enters.

  CARSON: Will you join us, Mrs Bird?

  MRS BIRD: I don’t mind if I do.

  DAISY: I’m not sure Mrs Patmore would like that, Mr Carson. Cook always eats separate, that’s what she says.

  MOLESLEY: Not in our house. There’s only the four of us.

  Thomas comes in and sits next to O’Brien. They whisper.

  THOMAS: Well, you’re going any minute. She’s advertised for your replacement.

  O’BRIEN: That filthy, ungrateful cow.

  Mrs Hughes addresses Mrs Bird.

  MRS HUGHES: Let the kitchen maids have theirs on their own. You stay with us.

  CARSON: Her ladyship said to tell you that the dinner was delicious.

  DAISY: She can’t have!

  CARSON: Daisy? Does that surprise you?

  They have started to eat the soup but without enthusiasm. Now Mrs Bird takes a spoonful. And spits it out.

  MRS BIRD: What have you done with this, you little beggar? I knew you were up to summat! That’s why I said it was for upstairs. Come on. Tell us what’s in it!

  DAISY: Just water and a bit of soap.

  She is crying now. The others stop drinking the soup.

  MRS BIRD: And you’ve put something in the fish sauce as well?

  DAISY: Only mustard and aniseed.

  MRS HUGHES: Why, Daisy? Why would you do such a thing?

  DAISY: Mrs Patmore was worried that they’d prefer Mrs Bird’s cooking, and they wouldn’t want her to come back.

  CARSON: Is it likely? When they’ve taken so much trouble to get her well?

  Daisy is really sobbing now.

  DAISY: I’m sorry.

  At last, Mrs Bird takes pity.

  MRS BIRD: There, there. There are worse crimes on earth than loyalty.

  * * *

  BATES: Well said.

  * * *

  MRS BIRD: Dry your eyes, and fetch the beef stew I was making for tomorrow. You’ve not had a chance to spoil that, I suppose.

  DAISY: I was going to mix in some syrup of figs. But I’ve not done it yet

  THOMAS: Well, at least we’d all have been regular.

  He’s too vulgar for Mrs Hughes and Carson. The rest laugh.

  45 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.

  A workman is kneeling, surrounded by telephone wiring. Mr Bromidge is with him, with a notebook, when Sybil appears.

  SYBIL: Carson said you were here.

  BROMIDGE: Ah! Just checking that everything’s being done right, m’lady.

  SYBIL: Only we never heard back—that is, Miss Dawson never heard back from you. About an interview?

  BROMIDGE: Ah, yes … We got the young lady’s letter. But the trouble is, she didn’t have any experience of hard work, that I could tell, so …

  SYBIL: But she’s a very hard worker!

  BROMIDGE: Oh, I couldn’t find any proof of it. And she gave you as a reference when you don’t run a business, m’lady. Well, not that I’m aware of.

  Just then Sybil hears movement …

  SYBIL: Lily, can you find Gwen. Tell her to come to the hall, now.

  LILY: Yes, m’lady.

  The maid above hurries away. Sybil turns back to Bromidge.

  SYBIL: The reason Gwen didn’t give any more details is because she works here, as a housemaid.

  BROMIDGE: And you thought that’d put me off?

  SYBIL: But she’s taken a postal course, and has good speeds in typing and Pitman shorthand. Test her.

  BROMIDGE: I will, if I like the look of her.

  Gwen emerges from the back staircase, rather breathless.

  BROMIDGE (CONT’D): So, young lady, you thought I’d turn up my nose at a housemaid?

  GWEN: I did, sir.

  BROMIDGE: My mother was a housemaid. I’ve got nothing against housemaids. They know about hard work and long hours, that’s for sure.

  GWEN: I believe so, sir.

  BROMIDGE: Right. Well, is there somewhere we could talk?

  He looks at Sybil, who sees the open library door.

  SYBIL: Gwen, take Mr Bromidge to the library. I’ll see no one disturbs you.

  The two of them go into the room, as Robert enters from the hall, and heads for the library.

  SYBIL (CONT’D): Sorry, Papa, you can’t go in there.

  ROBERT: Why on earth not?

  SYBIL: Gwen’s in there with Mr Bromidge. She’s being interviewed.

  ROBERT: I cannot use my library because one of the housemaids is in there applying for another job?

  SYBIL: That’s about the size of it.*

  46 EXT. A LONDON STREET. DAY.

  Anna approaches a modest, tidy house in a row.

  47 INT. MRS BATES’S SITTING ROOM. LONDON. DAY.

  Anna is perched on a chair in her hat. Mrs Bates, a kindly woman of seventy, is facing her. A table holds tea things.

  * * *

  MRS BATES: So, you’re not trying to find John, Miss Smith?

  ANNA: No. I work with him. At Downton.

  MRS BATES: You’re not, by any chance, Anna?

  ANNA: I am, yes. Why? Has he mentioned me in his letters?

  Mrs Bates just smiles in reply, and starts to pour.

  * * *

  MRS BATES: So what is it you want to know?

  ANNA: I want to know the truth about the case against him. I want to know why the sergeant thought it was ‘odd’. I want to know what Mr Bates isn’t saying.

  MRS BATES: Because you don’t believe him to be guilty?

  ANNA: No, I don’t. I know he’s not.

  This pleases the older woman as she gives Anna a cup.

  MRS BATES: Well, you’re right of course.

  ANNA: Then, who was it? Who was the thief?

  MRS BATES: His wife. Vera.

  END OF ACT THREE

  ACT FOUR

  48 INT. CARSON’S PANTRY. DOWNTON. DAY.

  William, Daisy and Gwen are staring at the telephone.

  WILLIAM: Who do you call if no one you know has got one?

  GWEN: But they will have. You’ll see.

  CARSON (V.O.): Might I enquire why my pantry has become a common room?

  WILLIAM: Sorry, Mr Carson. But do you know how it works?

  CARSON: Of course I do.

  DAISY: Will you show us?

  CARSON: Certainly not! A telephone is not a toy, but a useful and valuable tool. Now get back to your work.

  They file out. Carson closes the door. He takes down the earpiece and squints at it, upside down and right way up, as he blows into the speaking tube. He hasn’t got a clue.

  49 INT. MRS BATES’S DRAWING ROOM. DAY

  MRS BATES: She worked at the barracks sometimes, helping at big dinners and so on. That night her opportunity came and she took it. They knew it was her. Someone even saw her with a big carry-all.

  * * *

  ANNA: The one that was in his quarters.

  MRS BATES: Sitting right there. I knew he’d put it out to take back in the morning. But he never said.

  ANNA: Why not? But why did he confess?

  * * *

  Mrs Bates sighs wearily. This is the hardest part for her.

  MRS BATES: Well, John wasn’t the same man in those days. The African war had shaken him up and made him angry. He’d been wounded, and he drank a lot, more than was good for him …*

  ANNA: Was he violent?

  * * *

  MRS BATES: No, not violent, but he could be hard at times with a tongue like a razor. He felt he’d ruined Vera’s life, Miss Smith. That she�
��d never have gone wrong but for his treatment of her.

  * * *

  ANNA: Do you agree with him?

  * * *

  MRS BATES: No. I thought she was a nasty piece of work. And her behaviour since has proved me right. But that’s why he took the blame.

  * * *

  ANNA: Surely, if everyone knew he was innocent …

  * * *

  MRS BATES: But he confessed. It wasn’t their fault. There was nothing anybody could do, once he’d confessed.

  * * *

  50 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.

  * * *

  THOMAS: I hope everything’s going well?

  * * *

  Doctor Clarkson is being seen out by Thomas. He nods.

  * * *

  CLARKSON: Oh, yes. I think so.

  * * *

  THOMAS: Could I ask you something, sir? Only … I get the feeling that a war’s on the way.

  CLARKSON: I’m afraid we all do.

  THOMAS: And when it comes, I want to be really useful to my country.

  CLARKSON: How heartening!

  THOMAS: So I’ve been thinking. What could be more useful than what you do? Bringing people back to health. Back to life.

  CLARKSON: I see. Well, we are looking for volunteers to train for the Territorial Force hospitals if that’s what you mean.

  THOMAS: It’s exactly what I mean.

  CLARKSON: Will you not be missed here?

  THOMAS: Maybe. But we’ll all be going, won’t we? The younger men anyway.

  CLARKSON: As you wish. I’ll make enquiries.

  THOMAS: Thank you very much, Doctor.

  Clarkson goes. Thomas has got himself out of the trenches.

  51 INT. ROBERT’S DRESSING ROOM. DOWNTON. EVE.

  Carson is with Robert, who is in evening dress.

  CARSON: Mr Molesley walked in and there he was, bold as brass, taking my wallet out of my change coat. Mr Molesley would have no reason to make it up, m’lord. He doesn’t know Thomas. Why would he lie?*

  ROBERT: So Thomas has been caught red-handed. Well, we knew he was a thief, didn’t we?

  CARSON: And now we have unimpeachable proof. I’m afraid he has to go.

  ROBERT: I hate this sort of thing. With Lady Grantham’s condition and everything. Can we at least leave it until after the garden party?

  CARSON: Very well, your lordship. But then, I think we must act.

  52 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.

  Mrs Patmore, in dark glasses, is surrounded by the others.

  MRS HUGHES: How long will you wear them?

  MRS PATMORE: A week or so. But I can see much better already, even with them on.

  MRS HUGHES: Thank heaven. Now we need to talk about the garden party. Mrs Bird and I have made some lists and—

  MRS PATMORE: Mrs Bird? I think we can manage without any help from Mrs Bird.

  MRS BIRD: Can you? Well, if you want your garden party to be run by Blind Pugh, that’s your business.

  MRS HUGHES: Mrs Patmore, there’s a lot to be done and you’re only just up on your feet. We really cannot manage without Mrs Bird.

  MRS PATMORE: If you say so.

  MRS HUGHES: Now, I’ve been checking the stores and I think I’ve ordered what you’ll need for the baking.

  MRS BIRD: That’s very kind, Mrs Hughes. But I believe we should check the stores. When it’s convenient.

  What? This is music to Mrs Patmore’s ear.

  MRS HUGHES: Mrs Bird, at Downton Abbey, the housekeeper manages the store cupboard, but …

  MRS BIRD: I’ve never not run my own store cupboard in my life. Separate the cook from the store cupboard? Where’s the sense in that?

  MRS PATMORE: How long have I been saying this, oh Lord?

  MRS BIRD: We’re the ones who cook it. We should be the ones to order it.

  MRS PATMORE: Mrs Bird, I shall be very glad of your help with the garden party. I’m sure we can manage it easily between the two of us.

  53 INT. CARSON’S PANTRY. DOWNTON. DAY.

  Carson takes the telephone earpiece reverently, and speaks.

  CARSON: Hello. This is Downton Abbey. Carson, the butler, speaking.

  He reviews his own performance and tries again.

  CARSON (CONT’D): Hello. This is Mr Carson, the butler of Downton Abbey. To whom am I speaking?

  To his amazement there is someone at the other end.

  CARSON: What? I am not shouting! Who are you? Oh. Mrs Gaunt. No, I don’t want to place a call … I was practising my answer … Well, I dare say a lot of the things you do sound stupid to other people!

  He slams it back down. The telephone is not a friend.

  54 INT. CORA’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. EVE.

  Violet is with Cora, who lies on the daybed in a tea gown.

  VIOLET: I’ve written to your mother. She’s very anxious, naturally. She suggested coming over—

  CORA: Oh, God.

  VIOLET: Well, that’s what I thought. So I’ve put her off for now and told her to come and admire the baby.

  There is a knock and O’Brien enters, carrying some clothes.

  O’BRIEN: I’ll just go and run your ladyship’s bath.

  CORA: Thank you, O’Brien.

  VIOLET: Now. Have you had any answers about the position?

  CORA: Quite a few.

  O’Brien hears this as she shuts the bathroom door, fuming.

  * * *

  VIOLET: I shouldn’t be making you do this in your condition.

  CORA: Don’t be silly. It gives me something else to think about.

  * * *

  VIOLET: So what do they sound like?

  Behind them the door opens softly. O’Brien stands there.

  CORA: There’s one I think has real possibilities. She learned to do hair in Paris, while she was working for the Ambassadress.

  O’Brien’s face is a mask of cold hatred.

  55 INT. LIBRARY. DOWNTON. EVE.

  Robert is writing when the door opens.

  ROBERT: Carson, I’ve been meaning …

  It is not Carson. It is Anna.

  ANNA: Your lordship.

  She stands before him.

  ROBERT: Oh, Anna, you’re back safely, then?

  ANNA: Yes, thank you, m’lord. And Mrs Patmore’s fighting fit again.

  ROBERT: Fighting fit’s the phrase.

  Which doesn’t explain what Anna’s doing here.

  ROBERT (CONT’D): Is something the matter?

  ANNA: I wanted to see your lordship because …

  ROBERT: Please.

  ANNA: I learned something about Mr Bates.

  ROBERT: Not bad, I hope.

  ANNA: No. Not bad at all. I’d have told Mr Carson but I thought you might like to hear it from me first.

  ROBERT: Go on.

  ANNA: You see, I went to call on Mr Bates’s mother …

  56 INT. CORA’S BATHROOM. DOWNTON. EVE.

  Cora is lying in the bath. O’Brien is arranging a towel.

  CORA: O’Brien, how long do you think it takes a lady’s maid to settle in?

  O’BRIEN: Depends on the maid, m’lady.

  CORA: Of course it does. Thank you. Oh.

  She has dropped a bar of soap. O’Brien stoops to pick it up and sees it has broken in two. Almost instinctively, she only picks up one half and leaves the other on the floor. As she stands, she nudges the wet soap so that it is no longer under the bath. She hands the broken soap back.

  O’BRIEN: The other half’s under the bath.

  CORA: Never mind. Thank you.

  O’BRIEN: I’ll just go and sort out your clothes, m’lady.

  CORA: Thank you.

  She goes, leaving the door ajar behind her.

  57 INT. CORA’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. EVE.

  O’Brien is laying out a dress when she stops. She stares at her own face in the looking glass for a moment.

  O’BRIEN: Sarah O’Brien, this is not who you are.

  She makes a decision, and turns resolutely, str
iding back towards the bathroom door. She’s clearly changed her mind.

  O’BRIEN: M’lady, if you could just wait—

  But there’s a splash and a scream and a crash and the sound of dripping water. O’Brien repented of her sin too late.*

  58 INT. DRESSING ROOM. DOWNTON. EVE.

  Robert is alone, looking out of the window. Bates comes in.

  BATES: The doctor’s gone, your lordship. But he’s coming back after dinner. Lady Mary’s with her now.

  ROBERT: Thank you.

  BATES: I don’t suppose you’ll want to change. But is there anything else I can do to be useful?

  At last, Robert turns towards him. His eyes are red.

  ROBERT: It was a boy.

  But his voice breaks and his eyes fill again. He wipes them dry with a handkerchief. Neither man moves.

  ROBERT (CONT’D): I’m sorry. I don’t mean to embarrass you.

  BATES: I’m not embarrassed. I just wish you could have been spared this.

  ROBERT: I know you do. Thank you.

  Clearly there’s nothing for Bates to do. He starts to go.*

  ROBERT (CONT’D): By the way, Anna’s told me what she learned in London.

  BATES: Has she? She’s not told me.

  ROBERT: Oh! Well, the good news is you won’t be leaving Downton. And I need some good news today.

  59 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  The household sits about in shock. Branson is there.

  MRS HUGHES: That poor wee babe.

  ANNA: How’s her ladyship doing?