72 INT. DINING ROOM - GRAND HOTEL - SWITZERLAND. 1909. NIGHT
Seated clockwise around an oval dining-room table are
Barrie, Mary Barrie, Cannan, Peter, Jack, George, Nico,
Sylvia, and Michael - next to Barrie. Peter and Nico tuck
into their puddings while Michael still struggles with his
steak.
George and Jack look particularly stylish: George in
evening dress, Jack in his Osborne Naval Cadet uniform.
Both Michael and Barrie seem to be detached from the
general conversation; occasionally one whispers to the
other while the background chatter continues OFF CAMERA
GEORGE
But why's he banned the play?
CANNAN
Lord knows, he doesn't have to
give
a reason.
MARY BARRIE
The Lord Chamberlain only likes
NICO, comfortable plays set in
NICO comfortable homes. The
moment you write about real life,
he bans it.
CANNAN
"Anything likely to corrupt or
deprave, or otherwise cause a
breach in the preservation of
good manners"... in other words
anything likely to expose the
hypocrisy of society.
Michael yawns. Barrie winks at him.
CANNAN
(to the wine-Waiter)
Garçon, je vous prie - deux
bouteilles du Krug dix-neuf cent
deux.
BARRIE
I've already ordered.
CANNAN
I know, but this is a
celebration, and tonight it's on
me.
(to George)
You'd like champagne, wouldn't
you?
GEORGE
Oh, ra-ther!
JACK
Me too, please.
NICO
And me!
All laugh somewhat patronizingly, except Barrie and
Michael.
SYLVIA
(to Nico)
You're going to bed as soon as
you've finished. Michael, hurry
up or there'll be no time for any
pudding.
CANNAN
(to the Wine-Waiter)
Alors, garçon - deux bouteilles.
BARRIE
(to the Wine-Waiter)
Is that the best you have?
WINE WAITER
It is a very fine champagne,
monsieur.
BARRIE
That's not what I asked.
WINE WAITER
Well, naturally it is not as Le
Veuve Cliquot '92 - "The Widow" -
that is the best there is. But Le
Krug is an excellent choice.
While Barrie talks to the Wine Waiter, Sylvia again urges
Michael to finish his food.
MICHAEL
Come on, Michael - Nico's nearly
finished his pudding.
MICHAEL
But I don't want any more.
SYLVIA
Well just finish the meat then.
(to Peter)
Have you nearly finished, Peter?
Michael pulls a long face; he catches Barrie's eye and
gives him an imploring look. Barrie responds by spiriting
the steak onto his own plate, but Sylvia spots him -
SYLVIA
No, Jimmy - please don't do that.
BARRIE
But I'm paying for it.
SYLVIA
I don't care. Michael, do as
you're told and finish it up.
BARRIE
(at Michael)
Heigh-nonny.
The Wine Waiter is getting impatient.
WINE WAITER
(to Cannan)
Alors, monsieur, deux bouteilles
du Krug?
CANNAN
Oui, mais sur la chambre cent
quatorze.
WINE WAITER
Bien, monsieur.
As the Wine Waiter moves away, Barrie summons him back.
BARRIE
Waiter, change that to two
bottles of The Widow - '92 - and
charge it to my room as usual.
WINE WAITER
Very good, monsieur. Deux
bouteilles du Veuve Cliquot.
The Wine Waiter hurries off before anyone changes their
mind.
CANNAN
But Jimmy, I wanted to pay for
it.
MARY BARRIE
Let's just celebrate, shall we?
Mary Barrie touches Cannan's arm: she knows her husband too
well to risk further argument.
SYLVIA
I know I must be wrong, but I
can't believe that Mr Barker's
got much to celebrate about if
they've just banned his play.
MARY BARRIE
Oh, he's as keen as anyone to see
an end to censorship. The play's
just the means.
BARRIE
(to Mary Barrie)
Which just goes to show how
little you know about writers.
MARY BARRIE
Oh, but... I mean Gilbert
wouldn't mind -
(turning to Cannan)
Would you? If it was your play?
CANNAN
Well - I suppose not, if it
helped the cause.
Sylvia senses the atmosphere.
SYLVIA
Come on, Nico - let's leave these
revolutionaries to their schemes
and get you ready for bed.
NICO
Why's it always me? Just because
I'm the youngest.
SYLVIA
It isn't only you - Peter,
Michael, you too, time for bed.
While Michael and Peter get down from the table, Jack
notices that Mary Barrie has her hand on Cannan's lap; he
whispers it to George, pointing discreetly, but Sylvia,
ever observant, spots him -
SYLVIA
(a sharp warning)
Jack.
The incident goes unnoticed by Barrie, who is more intent
on retaining Michael at the table.
BARRIE
Can't Michael stay a bit longer?
SYLVIA
No, Jimmy, it's not fair on the
others.
MICHAEL
(to Barrie, imitating
him)
"Heigh-ho". Good-night, Uncle
Jim.
BARRIE
Good-night, Michael.
(vaguely)
Night Peter, night Nico.
Michael follows Peter, Nico and Sylvia from the room.
MARY BARRIE
(to Barrie)
You know Jimmy, Sylvia's right -
you really shouldn't spoil
Michael so much. It's not good
for him.
BARRIE
And since when have you been an
authority on bringing up
children?
73 INT. CORRIDOR - GRAND HOTEL - SWITZERLAND. 1909. NIGHT
Peter, Michael and Nico coast along the corridor, followed
by Sylvia.
PETER
I wonder why Uncle Jim's in such
a bad mood.
MICHAEL
He's not in a bad mood. He's just
not in a good mood, that's all.
CAMERA remains on Sylvia as the boys walk on ahead of her.
She pauses a moment by a table, tries to steady herself,
then collapses on the floor.
PETER (O.S.)
Mother...!
Peter runs back to Sylvia.
PETER
What is it?
(calling)
Michael... help me, quick!
SYLVIA
It's alright, Peter, really.
Nico and Michael come running up.
NICO
Mother, are you drunk?
PETER
(rounding on Nico)
Don't be so stupid!
Nico promptly bursts into tears.
PETER
Oh, for heaven's sake, stop it!
Michael, quickly - go and fetch
Uncle Jim...
SYLVIA
No, Peter - I'm alright - just a
bit dizzy, that's all...
PETER
(to Michael)
Go on - quickly!
Michael runs off down the corridor.
74 INT. SUITE - GRAND HOTEL - SWITZERLAND. 1909. NIGHT
Sylvia lies on the sofa, wrapped in a rug. Barrie sits
beside her while Cannan, George and Jack remain by the
door.
SYLVIA
Don't leave me...
BARRIE
It's alright, I'm still here.
Mary Barrie enters the room in the background.
MARY BARRIE
I've put the boys to bed and
they're sound asleep.
Barrie nods, but without turning from Sylvia.
CANNAN
Come on, boys... George, Jack -
75 INT. CORRIDOR - GRAND HOTEL - SWITZERLAND. 1909. NIGHT
Cannan leads George and Jack from the suite.
JACK
I think one of us should stay
with mother.
GEORGE
She'll be alright, she's got
Uncle Jim.
JACK
I know, but still - I don't like
to leave her.
CANNAN
The doctor's given her a sleeping
draught - there's nothing more we
can do. Let's just leave her to
sleep in peace.
Jack reluctantly complies, and follows George and Cannan
down the corridor. A pause, then Mary Barrie also leaves
the suite, closing the double doors behind her.
76 INT. SUITE - GRAND HOTEL --SWITZERLAND. 1909. NIGHT
Several hours later. Barrie maintains his vigil beside
Sylvia, sitting in an arm-chair. She stirs in her sleep.
SYLVIA
(murmuring)
Don't leave me...
Barrie leans forward, about to touch her arm reassuringly.
SYLVIA
Arthur - don't leave me here
without you...
Barrie reacts, slowly subsiding back into his place.
SLOW FADE
INTO:
77 EXT. BLACK LAKE. 1909. DAY
A thin drizzle moves across Black Lake in a fine mist,
creating hazy tones of grey. Barrie ambles along the
water's edge, clad in an old raincoat. There is little here
to remind him of the idyllic days of The Boy Castaways
summer of 1901: only the bedraggled corpse of Captain
Swarthy remains, dangling from a tree by the edge of the
lake.
BARRIE (V.O.)
My dearest Sylvia,
I hear from George that you are
feeling a little better these
days, but I don't believe it, and
that saddens me more than I can
say. How I wish you were all down
here at Black Lake, which is
where you belong. I feel the boys
are all growing up without my
looking on, and I grudge every
blank day without them. I can't
picture a summer's day that does
not have Michael skipping in
front of it. That is summer to
me. All the five know me as
nobody else does, and the bland
indifference with which they
accept my moods and tantrums is
the most engaging thing in the
world to me...
78 INT. BLACK LAKE COTTAGE - SITTING ROOM. 1909. DAY
Barrie sits at his desk, addressing the envelope.
BARRIE
(V.O., cont'd)
To be able to help you and them
is my main reason for going on,
and my greatest pride is that you
let me do it.
(a knock at the door)
My censorship work continues as
dreary as ever now that Frohman
is back in New York, but I dare
say the end is in sight.
Ever your loving servant,
J M B.
Another knock at the door.
BARRIE
Yes, come in.
The door opens and HUNT - the Black Lake gardener - enters.
Barrie folds the letter to Sylvia, puts it in the envelope.
BARRIE
Ah, Hunt. You wanted to see me?
HUNT
Er, that's right, sir.
Barrie remains preoccupied with the letter, putting on the
stamp, sealing it down, while Hunt shuffles forward.
BARRIE
Well, what is it?
Hunt is evidently in a state of considerable agitation,
fumbling his cap between his fingers.
HUNT
Well sir, it's like this sir.
BARRIE
Why don't you sit down, Hunt.
HUNT
Thank you, sir.
(remains standing)
Well I likes to take a pride in
me job, same as how I expect you
does, sir. What I mean is, I like
to do me best, sir.
BARRIE
I'm sure you do. If I had the
same green fingers with my pen as
you have with your flowers, I'd
be a happier man.
HUNT
Oh, well that's very kind of you,
sir. But you see, it seems like
your wife - Mrs Barrie that is -
it seems she don't share your
generous sentiments, sir, seeing
how she's had cause to criticize
my work near on every time she's
down here.
BARRIE
Well I'm sure she doesn't mean...
HUNT
(pressing on)
It's all my fault, sir - that's
the way she sees it - and I gets
the blame for the Lord's mistakes
as well as me own. If it's not
the change in the weather, then
it's them moles digging up the
North Lawn, and if it's not the
moles, then it's...
BARRIE
Yes, yes - well I'll have a word
with her when she comes down at
the weekend.
HUNT
Oh. Well, er - thank you, sir.
Barrie returns to his correspondence, but Hunt continues to
hover about like some bird of ill omen.
BARRIE
Yes, Hunt - was there something
else?
HUNT
Well yes, sir, as a matter of
fact there was. You see the wife
and me have been doing a bit of
talking, and she thinks there's
one or two things been happening
in the house that you ought to
know about. Sir.
BARRIE
What sort of things?
HUNT
Well, you'll forgive me sir, but
may I speak frankly?
BARRIE
(wearily)
I'd be obliged if you would,
Hunt.
HUNT
Well, sir, it's about Mrs Barrie
and that Mr Cannan, sir. They've
been down here together.
,BARRIE
Yes, I'm well aware of that. Mr
Cannan has my full permission to
come down here and work whenever
he wants.
HUNT
Yes, I know that sir, but what
I'm trying to say is that Mrs
Barrie has been, well - shall we
say taking certain liberties with
her marital vows... if you get my
meaning, sir.
A pause. Barrie remains absolutely calm.
BARRIE
(very quietly)
Are you trying to tell me that
Mrs
Barrie and Mr Cannan have been
making love together?
HUNT
(much relieved)
Thank you, sir - that's exactly
what I've been trying to tell
you. The wife's known about it
for a good many months. I knew
she had something on her mind,
and the other evening I asked her
what it was, and she said it was
about the way that Mr Cannan had
been carrying on with Mrs Barrie.
Then she started pouring the
whole story out, how she'd gone
into Mrs Barrie's bedroom one
morning and found her and Mr
Cannan in...
BARRIE
(interrupting gently)
Yes Hunt, that's... there's no
need to say any more.
HUNT
It's the truth, sir.
BARRIE
I dare say, but I don't wish to
hear any more.
(pause)
Now if you will excuse me.
HUNT
Yes, sir, of course, sir.
Hunt backs slowly towards the door.
HUNT
I, er - I just would like to say
how very sorry we are, the wife
and me. Very sorry indeed, sir.
Barrie nods, but makes no reply. Hunt leaves the room,
closing the door behind him. A pause, then Barrie exhales a
long, weary sigh.
79 INT. LEINSTER CORNER - STUDY. 1909. DAY
Barrie stands in the doorway of the study, still wearing
his raincoat but hatless, his hair soaking. Mary Barrie
stands at the other end of the room, her back to the
fireplace.
BARRIE
(trembling)
I don't believe you.
MARY BARRIE
It's the truth.
BARRIE
(emphatically)
No!
MARY BARRIE
Yes. I am in love with Gilbert,
and he is in love with me. We
have made love together, not once
or twice, but repeatedly, over
the past two years.
Barrie looks totally bewildered. For once, Mary remains
calm but firm as the confrontation proceeds.
MARY BARRIE
I'm sorry, Jim. I mean I'm sorry
you had to find out like this. I
should have had the courage to
tell you myself long ago. But you
must have known...?
BARRIE
(incredulous)
I knew nothing... you're my wife!
MARY BARRIE
In name only. We haven't been
married for years. I've tried,
Jim. Maybe I didn't try hard
enough, I don't know.
Barrie sinks into an armchair. A long pause.
BARRIE
Alright. But the past is the
past, and if you promise never to
see Cannan again, I'll forget it
ever happened.
MARY BARRIE
But I don't want to forget it. I
want a divorce.
BARRIE
(a bemused echo)
A divorce...?
MARY BARRIE
Gilbert and I want to get
married.
BARRIE
(a derisive laugh)
But you're twice his age... it's
unthinkable!
MARY BARRIE
Not to us.
BARRIE
(yelling)
I won't hear of it!
MARY BARRIE
Why not?
BARRIE
(desperately)
Because... because you're my
wife!
MARY BARRIE
(calmly)
That's no answer. You don't love
me.
BARRIE
(outraged)
Don't tell me whether I love you
or not. I'm telling you, I love
you!
A pause.
MARY BARRIE
If you really loved me, you'd
care a little for my happiness.
BARRIE
(angrily)
Of course I care!
MARY BARRIE
Then let me go, Jim. Give me a
divorce.
BARRIE
But a... a divorce means scandal.
I mean think of Cannan if you
won't think of me.
MARY BARRIE
Gilbert and I know perfectly well
what it would mean, but we're pre-
pared to take the consequences.
Barrie hesitates a moment, visibly trembling.
BARRIE
(with finality)
Well I'm not.
Barrie turns and marches out of the room.
80 INT. LEINSTER CORNER - MARY'S WORKROOM. 1909. NIGHT
Mary Barrie sits at a desk in her workroom, typing up notes
for the Censorship Committee. There is a sheepish knock at
the door.
MARY reacts, but continues typing. A pause, then the door
opens and Barrie enters. His mood has completely changed:
no longer the autocratic husband, he is filled with remorse
and self-pity. MARY remains on the defensive, uncertain of
his motives. He clears a space on the chair beside her and
sits down.
BARRIE
(very quietly)
I've been thinking, Mary. I've
been thinking it all over. You're
right, of course - we never
should have married in the first
place. I said that at the time,
but you wouldn't believe me.
MARY BARRIE
Oh, I know it's my fault as much
as yours...
BARRIE
It's not your fault. It's my
fault. I knew I should never get
married. I've known that ever
since I was old enough to know
what marriage was all about. I
used to have nightmares about
it... I used to run in screaming
to my mother's room and tell her
I dreamt I was married. But she
liked you. It made her happy to
see us together. She thought
you'd be good for me. You thought
so too, didn't you? Thought you
could change me. But I knew you
couldn't, and I couldn't change
myself. Did try, did try.
Mary Barrie puts her arms round Barrie, like a mother
consoling her son.
MARY BARRIE
Jim... it's not your fault. It's
nobody's fault.
A pause.
BARRIE
You must marry Cannan. He's
young. He's got talent. He's a
man.
(pause)
I'm just a stopped clock, though
even a clock gets it right twice
a day. I've never got it right in
my whole life.
MARY BARRIE
Nonsense, dearest - you're the
most successful writer in
Britain...
BARRIE
The richest, that's all. Cannan's
the success, and he hasn't got a
penny to his name.
Barrie smiles at the irony, then a thought occurs to him.
BARRIE
How's he going to look after you?
MARY BARRIE
Oh, we can manage between us.
BARRIE
You must have money. I can't
stand by and see my wife go
without. I must see you provided
for.
MARY BARRIE
We wouldn't dream of it -
BARRIE
No, I insist. It's the least I
can do... the least. And you must
think of the children. There will
be children, won't there?
MARY BARRIE
We hope so.
BARRIE
(beginning to break)
Well then... I must see they have
the best... they must have the
be... the be... the best...
best...
Barrie breaks down completely, sobbing in MARY's arms.