OPENING CREDITS
A hand taps out Morse code. A train whistle blows. Mr Bates sits in one of the cars. A woman takes down the telegram message.
WOMAN : Oh, my God.
MAN : That's impossible. I'll take it up there now.
WOMAN : Don't be stupid. None of them will be up for hours and what difference will it make?
(She hands him the telegram.)
WOMAN : Jimmy'll do it when he comes in.
April 1912
DOWNTON ABBEY, SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
Daisy knocks on the housemaids' bedroom door.
DAISY : Six o'clock!
HOUSEMAIDS' BEDROOM
Gwen sits up in bed.
GWEN : Thank you, Daisy. Anna.
(Anna stirs in her bed.)
ANNA : For once in my life I'd like to sleep until I woke up natural.
KITCHENS
MRS PATMORE : Is your fire still in?
DAISY : Yes, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE : Oh, my, my, will wonders never cease? Have you laid the servants' hall breakfast?
DAISY : Yes, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE : And finished blacking that stove?
DAISY : Yes, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE : What about the bedroom fires?
DAISY : All lit, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE : Right, well, take your things and get started on the fires on the ground floor.
Daisy carries a bucket of firewood through the servants' hall and up through the main rooms into the library.
HOUSEMAID 1 (to Daisy) : Now hurry up.
Daisy hurries through the library. A footman, Thomas, enters with a silver tray with two drinks. He collects two more in another room.
THOMAS : Any sign of William?
HOUSEMAID 2 : No.
Thomas enters the breakfast room where William is laying the tablecloth.
THOMAS : Where have you been?
WILLIAM : I'm not late, am I?
THOMAS : You're late when I say you're late.
DRAWING ROOM
Anna and Gwen open the windows and fluff the pillows.
ANNA : Daisy? Whatever are you doing there crouching in the dark?
DAISY : You weren't here and I didn't want to touch the curtains with my dirty hands.
GWEN : And quite right, too.
ANNA : Why didn't you put the lights on?
DAISY : I daren't.
GWEN : Well, it's electricity, not the devil's handiwork. You'll have to get used to it sooner or later.
ANNA : Skelton Park have even got it in the kitchens.
DAISY : What for?
SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
Mrs Hughes, the housekeeper, walks with the keys. William knocks on the butler's door while he's polishing the silver.
WILLIAM : Breakfast is ready, Mr Carson.
CARSON : Ah, William, any papers yet?
WILLIAM : They're late.
CARSON : They certainly are. Get the board out so you can do them as soon as they're here.
(William sets up a board used for ironing the newspaper)
DRAWING ROOM
MRS HUGHES: Is the library tidy?
ANNA: Yes, Mrs Hughes.
MRS HUGHES: Good. I want the dining room given a proper going over today. You can do it when they've finished their breakfast. Oh, heavens, girl! You're building a fire, not inventing it. How many have you done?
DAISY: This is my last till they come downstairs.
MRS HUGHES: Very well. Now, get back down to the kitchens before anyone sees you.
EXT. DOWNTON
The paperboy cycles up to Downton. Lady Mary gets out of bed and sees him ride past her window. She rings the bell.
SERVANTS' HALL
The bell for the Queen Caroline room rings as the servants are eating breakfast.
THOMAS: And they're off.
MRS HUGHES: No rest for the wicked.
(Mrs Patmore looks at the bells)
MRS PATMORE: Lady Mary. Are the tea trays ready?
Anna gets up from the table.
ANNA: All ready, Mrs Patmore, if the water's boiled. Could you give us a hand to take the other two up?
MISS O'BRIEN: I've got Her Ladyship's to carry.
GWEN: I'll help.
(Another bell rings)
MRS HUGHES: Back door.
CARSON: The papers at last. William.
EXT. BACK DOOR
The paperboy reads the newspaper as William steps out.
WILLIAM: You're late.
PAPERBOY: Yeah. I--I know, but--
WILLIAM: But what?
PAPERBOY: You'll see.
MR CARSON'S OFFICE
William irons the newspaper.
CARSON: Do The Times first. He only reads that at breakfast, and The Sketch for Her Ladyship. You can manage the others later if need be.
(William nods as Carson leaves. He starts to fold up the paper, but stops when he sees something and reads it)
SERVANTS' HALL
DAISY: Why are the papers ironed?
MRS PATMORE: What's it to you?
MISS O'BRIEN: To dry the ink, silly. We won't want His Lordship's hands as black as yours.
WILLIAM: Mr Carson, I think you ought to see this.
(William hands him the newspaper)
KITCHENS
MRS HUGHES: I can't make myself believe it.
MRS PATMORE: Me neither.
THOMAS: His Lordship's dressed.
(Mrs Patmore looks over at William who is talking to Daisy)
MRS PATMORE: William! Will you stop talking and take this kedgeree up, and mind the burners are still lit.
WILLIAM: Yes, Mrs Patmore.
(William takes the dish and heads out)
THOMAS: Is it really true?
WILLIAM: Afraid so.
MRS PATMORE: Nothing in life is sure.
BREAKFAST ROOM
Robert, Earl of Grantham, descends the stairs with his dog.
ROBERT: Morning, Carson.
CARSON: Good morning, my lord.
ROBERT: Is it true what they're saying?
CARSON: I believe so, my lord.
ROBERT: I'm afraid we'll know some people on it. I don't suppose there are any lists of survivors yet?
CARSON: I understand most of the ladies were taken off in time.
ROBERT: You mean the ladies in first class? God help the poor devils below decks.
(Robert takes his breakfast to the table and puts the napkin in his lap as he sits down)
ROBERT: On their way to a better life. What a tragedy.
Robert opens the newspaper to see a picture of the Titanic. Lady Mary and Lady Edith enter and read over his shoulder.
EDITH: When Anna told me, I thought she must've dreamt it.
MARY: Do we know anyone on board?
ROBERT: Your mother knows the Asters. At least, she knows him. We dined with Lady Rothfuss last month. There are bound to be others.
EDITH: I thought it was supposed to be unsinkable.
ROBERT: Every mountain is unclimbable until someone climbs it, so every ship is unsinkable until it sinks.
THOMAS: My lady.
Thomas hands Lady Sybil a tray with the post and she takes the letter before she enters.
SYBIL: Good morning, Papa.
ROBERT: Morning. What's that?
SYBIL: Just arrived. Telegram.
(Robert opens it while he continues to read the paper. Then he is stunned by the telegram's contents. His daughters stare at him, waiting. He gets up from the table without a word)
CORRIDOR
Robert passes Miss O'Brien as he walks down the hall.
ROBERT: Is Her Ladyship awake?
O'BRIEN: Yes, Milord. I'm just going to take in her breakfast.
ROBERT: Thank you.
Robert knocks on a door. There's a muffled reply behind the door.
ROBERT: May I come in?
(Robert enters)
INT. LADY GRANTHAM'S BEDROOM
Cora is reading the Daily Sketch.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM: Isn't this terrible? When you think how excited Lucy Rothfuss was at the prospect. It's too awful for any words. Did J.J. Aster get off? Of course, that new wife of his has bound to have been rescued.
ROBERT: I've had a telegram from George Murray. One of his partners is in New York.
CORA: Yes?
ROBERT: It seems James and Patrick were on board.
CORA: What? They can't have been. They weren't going over till may.
ROBERT: Then they changed their plans. They're definitely on the passenger list.
O'Brien brings the breakfast tray to Cora in bed.
CORA: Thank you, O'Brien, that'll be all for the moment. (to Robert) But surely there were picked up?
ROBERT: It doesn't look like it.
CORA: What? Neither of them? You must tell Mary. She can't hear about it from anyone else.
SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
A man walks with a cane and a travel bag.
LADY MARY'S BEDROOM
O'Brien holds a white cloth as she talks to Anna and Gwen as the house maids make the bed.
O'BRIEN: "Neither of them were picked up," that's what he said.
ANNA: Mr Crawley and Mr Patrick?
O'BRIEN: That's what he said. Her Ladyship was the colour of this cloth.
GWEN: Well, it's a terrible shame if it's true.
O'BRIEN: It's worse than a shame. It's a complication.
(O'Brien leaves. Gwen and Anna follow O'Brien down the servants' staircase)
GWEN: Well, what do you mean?
O'BRIEN: What do you think? Mr Crawley was His Lordship's cousin and heir to the title.
GWEN: Well, but I thought Lady Mary was the heir.
O'BRIEN: She's a girl, stupid. Girls can't inherit. But now Mr Crawley's dead, and Mr Patrick was his only son. So, what happens next?
ANNA: It's a dreadful thing.
The maids find Mr Bates standing in the servants' corridor with his cane and travel bag.
BATES: Hello. I've been waiting at the back door. I knocked, but no one came.
O'BRIEN: So you pushed in?
BATES: I'm John Bates, the new valet.
O'BRIEN: The new valet?
BATES: That's right.
(O'Brien looks down at Bates's cane)
O'BRIEN: You're early.
BATES: Came on the milk train, thought I'd use the day to get to know the place, start tonight.
ANNA: I'm Anna, the head housemaid.
BATES: How do you do?
O'BRIEN: And I'm Miss O'Brien, Her Ladyship's maid. You better come along with us.
(Anna and Bates exchange a small smile before following into the servants' hall)
INT. SERVANTS' HALL
MRS HUGHES: But how can you manage?
BATES: Don't worry about that. I can manage.
MRS PATMORE: Because we've all got our own work to do.
BATES: I can manage.
CARSON: All right, Mrs Hughes, I'll take over, thank you. Good morning, Mr Bates. Welcome. I hope your journey was satisfactory.
BATES: It was fine, thank you.
CARSON: I am the butler at Downton. My name is Carson.
BATES: How do you do, Mr Carson?
CARSON: This is Thomas, first footman. He's been looking after His Lordship since Mr Watson left. It'll be a relief to get back to normal, won't it, Thomas?
(Thomas gives a short, insincere smile. Mr Carson turns to Mrs Hughes)
CARSON: I assume that everything is ready for Mr Bates's arrival?
MRS HUGHES: I put him in Mr Watson's old room. Though he left it in quite a state, I can tell you.
MRS PATMORE: But what about all them stairs?
BATES: I keep telling you...I can manage.
ANNA: Of course you can.
(Bates and Anna exchange a friendly smile)
CARSON: Thomas, take Mr Bates to his room and show him where he'll be working.
Thomas and Bates leave.
CARSON: Thank you everyone.
O'BRIEN: Well, I can't see that lasting long.
CARSON: Thank you, Miss O'Brien.
(Carson leaves. Carson looks up at the daunting flights of stairs and Thomas smiles before ascending ahead of him)
INT. SERVANTS' BEDROOM CORRIDOR
Bates is panting as they walk down the corridor. Thomas opens the door to his room and Bates looks at the modest wardrobe, chair, washing basin, cots, nightstand, and dresser.
BATES: Oh, yes. I shall be comfortable here.
INT. LIBRARY
MARY: Does this mean I'll have to go into full mourning?
(Robert is upset)
ROBERT: My first cousin and his son are almost certainly dead. We will all be in mourning.
MARY: No. I mean, with the other thing. After all, it wasn't official.
ROBERT: If you're saying you do not wish to mourn Patrick as a fiancé, that is up to you.
MARY: Well, no one knew about it outside the family.
ROBERT: I repeat, it is up to you.
MARY: Well, that's a relief.
INT. LORD GRANTHAM'S DRESSING ROOM
Thomas shows Bates around the house.
THOMAS: There's some cedar-lined cupboards in the attics for things that aren't often worn, travelling clothes and such. Mr Watson used them to rotate the summer and winter stuff; I'll show you later.
BATES: What about studs and links? Do I choose them, or does he?
THOMAS: Lay them out unless he asks for something in particular. These for a ball, these for an ordinary dinner, these only in London.
BATES: I'll get the hang of it.
THOMAS: Yeah, you'll have to. Snuff boxes. He collects them.
BATES: Beautiful. Funny our job, isn't it?
THOMAS: What do you mean?
BATES: The way we live with all this, pirates horde within our reach. But none of it's ours, is it?
THOMAS: No, none of it's ours.
INT. CORRIDOR
Thomas stops as he passes O'Brien in the corridor.
THOMAS: I can't believe I've been passed over for Long John Silver.
O'BRIEN: You should've spoken up when you had the chance. Don't make the same mistake next time.
THOMAS: Who says there'll be a next time?
(Mrs Hughes enters the corridor)
MRS HUGHES: Is this a public holiday no one's told me of?
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, GROUNDS
Robert and Cora go on a walk with the dog.
ROBERT: She was certainly reluctant to go into mourning.
CORA: Well, she'll have to; we all will. O'Brien's sorting out my black now, and I've told Anna to see what the girls have that still fits. Of course, this alters everything. You won't try to deny it. You must challenge the entail now, surely?
ROBERT: Can't we at least wait until we know they're dead before we discuss it?
CORA: Don't talk as if I'm not broken-hearted, because I am. Of course, I've never understood why this estate must go to whomever inherits your title.
ROBERT: My dear, I don't make the law.
Mr Carson approaches them from the house.
ROBERT: What is it?
CARSON: The Dowager Countess is in the drawing room.
ROBERT: I'll come now.
CARSON: She asked for Lady Grantham.
CORA: I wonder what I've done wrong this time.
CARSON: And the new valet has arrived, My Lord.
ROBERT: Has he? Er...thank you, Carson. What is it?
CARSON: I'm not entirely sure that he'll prove equal to the task, but Your Lordship will be the judge of that.
(Carson returns to the house and Robert turns to Cora)
CORA: Better go.
ROBERT: Tell her about James and Patrick; she won't have heard.
INT. DRAWING ROOM
Violet is dressed in black.
VIOLET: Of course I've heard. Why else would I be here?
CORA: Robert didn't want you to read about it in a newspaper and be upset.
VIOLET: He flatters me. I'm tougher than I look. I'm very sorry about poor Patrick, of course. He was a nice boy.
CORA: We were all so fond of him.
VIOLET: But I never cared for James. He was too like his mother and a nastier woman never drew breath.
CORA: Will you stay for some luncheon?
VIOLET: Thank you.
CORA: I'll let Carson know.
VIOLET: I've already told him. Shall we sit down? Do you know the new heir?
CORA: Only that there is one.
VIOLET: He's Robert's third cousin, once removed. I have never, well, to my knowledge, set eyes on him.
CORA: Of course, if your late husband hadn't forced me to sign that absurd act of legal theft...
VIOLET: My dear, I didn't come here to fight. Lord Grantham wanted to protect the estate. It never occurred to him that you wouldn't have a son.
CORA: Well, I didn't.
VIOLET: No...you did not. But when Patrick had married Mary, and you grandson been hailed as master, honour would have been satisfied. Unfortunately, now...
CORA: Now a complete unknown has the right to pocket my money, along with the rest of the swag.
VIOLET: The problem is, saving your dowry would break up the estate. It would be the ruin of everything Robert's given his life to.
CORA: And he knows this?
VIOLET: Well, if he doesn't, he will.
CORA: Then there's no answer.
VIOLET: Yes, there is, and it's a simple one. The entail must be smashed in its entirety, and Mary recognized as heiress of all.
CORA: There's nothing we can do about the title.
VIOLET: No. She can't have the title. But she can have your money. And the estate. I didn't run Downton for thirty years to see it go lock, stock, and barrel to a stranger from God knows where.
CORA: Are we to be friends, then?
VIOLET: We are allies, my dear, which can be a good deal more effective.
INT. SERVANTS' HALL
Daisy carries a pitcher from the kitchens to the servants' hall where the servants are sitting down to luncheon.
CARSON: Downton is a great house, Mr Bates, and the Crawleys are a great family. We live by certain standards and those standards can at first seem daunting.
BATES: Of course.
CARSON: If you find yourself tongue-tied in the presence of His Lordship, I can only assure you that his manners and grace will soon help you to perform your duties to the best of your ability.
BATES: I know.
ROBERT: Bates!
(All of the servants stand)
ROBERT: My dear fellow. I do apologise, I should have realised you'd all be at luncheon.
CARSON: Not at all, my lord.
ROBERT: Please, sit. Sit, everyone. I just want to say a quick hello to my old comrade in arms. Bates, my dear man, welcome to Downton.
BATES: Thank you, sir.
ROBERT: I'm so sorry to have disturbed you all. Please forgive me.
(Robert leaves and the ones who seated themselves rise slightly in their chairs. The servants turn their surprised looks on Mr Bates. He shrugs)
BATES: You never asked.
INT. KITCHENS
MRS PATMORE: Thomas, take that up.
(Daisy moves to help him)
MRS PATMORE: Easy, Daisy, he's a grown man! I suppose he can lift a meat pie.
(Daisy smiles brightly at Thomas as he exits with the tray)
MRS PATMORE: Now, put that apple tart in the lower oven. Oh, and take that away. Mr Lynch shouldn't have left it there.
DAISY: What is it?
MRS PATMORE: Salt of sorrel. I asked him for some to clean the brass pots. So, put it somewhere careful; it's poison.
DAISY: Seems like a lot of food when you think they're all in mourning.
MRS PATMORE: Nothing makes you hungrier or more tired than grief. When my sister died, God rest her soul, I ate my way through four platefuls of sandwiches at one sitting and slept 'round the clock.
DAISY: Did it make you feel better?
MRS PATMORE: Not much, but it passed the time. Oh, my lord. What was this chopped egg suppose to be sprinkled on?
DAISY: Was it the chicken?
MRS PATMORE: It was. Take it upstairs now.
DAISY: I can't go in the dining room.
MRS PATMORE
I should think not! Find Thomas or William and tell them what to do. Oh, for heaven's sake, get a move on, girl, before they get back from church!
EXT. CHURCHYARD
ROBERT: Well, we've given them a memorial in London and a memorial here.
GEORGE MURRAY: I prefer memorials to funerals, they're less dispiriting.
ROBERT: We could hardly have held a funeral without the bodies.
GEORGE: I gather they're putting up a stone to mark those whose bodies were never found. In fact, I hear the Canadians are making quite a thing of the Titanic cemetery. I'm surprised at the number they found. You'd think the sea would've taken more of them.
ROBERT: So, Murray, what have you to tell me about the lucky Mr Crawley? Nothing too terrible, I hope.
GEORGE: I've only made a few inquiries, but no, there's, er, not much to alarm you. Matthew Crawley is a solicitor based in Manchester.
ROBERT: Manchester?
GEORGE: His special field is company law. His mother is alive and he lives with her, his father obviously is not; he was a doctor.
ROBERT: I know. It does seem odd that my third cousin should be a doctor.
GEORGE: There are worse professions.
ROBERT: Indeed.
INT. SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
William stops to wipe his brow and Daisy rushes up to him.
DAISY: Do me a favour, this is supposed to be sprinkled on the chicken.
WILLIAM: Isn't there more to go up?
DAISY: Oh, please, it won't take a moment!
WILLIAM: All right, give it to me.
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, GROUNDS
The mourners walk back to the house.
GEORGE: We ought to talk about the business of the entail. As you know, on your death the heir to the title inherits everything except for the sums set aside for your daughters and your widow.
ROBERT: Yes?
GEORGE: Owing to the terms of her settlement, this will include the bulk of your wife's fortune.
ROBERT: It has been our sole topic of conversation since the day the ship went down.
GEORGE: Of course, it must seem horribly unjust to Lady Grantham, but that is how the law stands.
ROBERT: Is there really no way to detach her money from the estate? Even to me it seems absurd.
GEORGE: Your father tied the knots pretty tight; I'd say it's unbreakable.
ROBERT: I see.
Further back, Edith weeps into her handkerchief.
MARY: Really, Edith, do you have to put on such an exhibition?
SYBIL: She's not.
MARY: I was supposed to be engaged to him, for heaven's sake, not you, and I can control myself.
EDITH: Then you should be ashamed.
INT. KITCHENS
MRS PATMORE: Oh, don't tell me you haven't sent up the egg yet!
(Daisy panics and rushes out with the bowl. She grabs Gwen in the corridor)
DAISY: Oh, God! Help me! Please, God, help me!
GWEN: What on earth's the matter?
DAISY: Just run upstairs to the dining room and find William, I beg you!
GWEN: I can't do that now.
DAISY: You've got to. I'll be hanged if you don't.
GWEN: What?
WILLIAM: Daisy, is that you?
(William comes down the stairs with the bowl in his hand)
WILLIAM: Is it the chicken in a sauce or the plain chicken with sliced oranges?
DAISY: Oh, thank you blessed and merciful Lord! Thank you!
(Daisy swaps the egg dish with the salt of sorrel that William's holding)
DAISY: It's the chicken in the sauce. I'll never do anything sinful again, I swear it, not till I die!
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, FRONT WALK
Cora meets the mourning party at the front door.
CORA: Mr Murray, how lovely to see you. Do come in.
GEORGE: You're very kind, Lady Grantham, but I must get back to London.
CORA: But you'll stay for luncheon?
GEORGE: Thank you, but no. I'll eat on the train. In fact, if you'd be so good as to ask for the motor to be brought 'round?
ROBERT: Mm.
CORA: But didn't you want the afternoon to talk things through?
GEORGE: I think we've said everything we have to say, haven't we, my lord?
ROBERT: Oh, for the time being, yes. Thank you, Murray. You've given me a good deal to think about.
Murray turns to leave and Mary leads her sisters towards the house.
CORA: Mary, try to get everyone into the dining room. Edith, make sure old Lord Minturn sits down.
INT. MR CARSON'S OFFICE
Someone knocks at the door as Carson decanters some wine.
CARSON: Mm-hmm?
(Mrs Hughes enters.)
HUGHES: They've all gone?
CARSON: They have, thank the Lord.
HUGHES: What about the lawyer?
CARSON: Oh, he was the first away. Didn't even stay for the luncheon.
HUGHES: I wish they'd make their minds up. Gwen's put clean sheets on the blue room bed. Now she'll just have to strip it again.
CARSON: Can't you leave it for the next guest?
HUGHES: Well, only if you don't tell. So...has it all been settled?
CARSON: I don't know if anything's been settled. There's a fellow in Manchester with claims to the title, I gather, but it's all a long way from settled.
HUGHES: You mustn't take it personally.
CARSON: Oh, I do take it personally, Mrs Hughes. I can't stand by and watch our family threatened with the loss of all they hold dear.
HUGHES: They're not our family.
CARSON: Well, they're all the family I've got.
(Mrs Hughes is surprised and humbled by his sharp sincerity)
CARSON: I beg your pardon.
HUGHES: Do you...ever wish you'd...gone another way? Worked in a shop or a factory? Had a wife and children?
CARSON: Do you?
HUGHES: I don't know. Maybe. Sometimes.
Someone knocks at the door.
GWEN: William's laid tea in the library, but Her Ladyship hasn't come down.
HUGHES: She'll be tired. Take a tray up to her bedroom.
CARSON: Is Thomas back?
GWEN: Not yet, Mr Carson.
(Mrs Hughes turns to Carson for an explanation)
CARSON: He asked if he could run down the village, I didn't see why not.
EXT. THE VILLAGE
Thomas exits a shop and walks down the street.
INT. LADY GRANTHAM'S BEDROOM
Gwen brings in a tea tray while O'Brien helps Cora dress. O'Brien waits for Gwen to leave.
O'BRIEN: It's iniquitous. They can't expect you to sit by silent as your fortune is stolen away.
CORA: Can't they?
O'BRIEN: His Lordship'd never let it happen.
CORA: How's Bates working out?
O'BRIEN: Well, I don't like to say. Only, it seems unkind to criticize a man for an affliction, milady. And even if it means he can't do his job.
INT. LIBRARY
ROBERT: How are you settling in?
BATES: Very well, I think. Unless Your Lordship feels differently.
ROBERT: No complaints?
BATES: If I had any, I should take them to Mr Carson, milord, not you.
ROBERT: You're probably right. And the house hasn't worn you out with the endless stairs and everything?
BATES: I like the house, my lord, and I like it as a place to work.
ROBERT: What happened?
BATES: Oh, it's only the old wound. After I left the army, I had a spot of bother and just when I got through that, about a year ago my knee started playing up. A bit of shrapnel got left in or something had moved, but it's fine. It's not a problem.
ROBERT: And you'd let me know if you felt it was all too much for you?
BATES: I would. But it won't be.
EXT. COURTYARD
Thomas returns while O'Brien is on her smoke break.
SERVANT: Thomas.
O'BRIEN: And where have you been?
THOMAS: In the village. Sent a telegram, if you must know.
O'BRIEN: Oh, pardon me for living.
(She offers him a cigarette)
O'BRIEN; Well, Murray didn't stay long.
THOMAS: Does Her Ladyship know how they left it?
O'BRIEN: No. They talked it all through on their way back from the church.
THOMAS: If I was still his valet, I'd get it out of him.
O'BRIEN: Bates won't say a word.
THOMAS: He will not? I bet your tanner he's a spy in the other direction. I wanted that job. We were all right together, His Lordship and me.
O'BRIEN: Then be sure to get your foot in the door when Bates is gone.
THOMAS: Can't get rid of him just 'cause he talks behind our backs.
O'BRIEN: There's more than one way to skin a cat.
INT. LADY MARY'S BEDROOM
Anna fixes Mary's hair.
ANNA: Perhaps she misunderstood.
MARY: No, it was quite plain. O'Brien told her Bates can't do the job properly. Why was he taken on?
ANNA: Oh, he was Lord Grantham's batman when he was fighting the Boers.
MARY: I know that, but even so.
SYBIL: I think it's romantic.
MARY: I don't. How can a valet do his work if he's lame?
ANNA: He's not very lame.
(Anna finishes Mary's hair.)
ANNA: There. Anything else before I go down?
MARY: No, that's it. Thank you.
Mary looks at herself in the full mirror as Anna exits.
MARY: Oh, I hate black.
SYBIL: It's not for long. Mama says we can go into half-mourning next month and back to colours by September.
MARY: It still seems a lot for a cousin.
EDITH: But not a fiancé.
MARY: He wasn't really a fiancé.
EDITH: No? I thought that was what you call a man you're going to marry.
MARY: I was only going to marry him if nothing better turned up.
SYBIL: Mary, what a horrid thing to say.
MARY: Don't worry, Edith would've taken him, wouldn't you?
EDITH: Yes, I'd have taken him. If you had given me the chance, I'd have taken him like a shot.
INT. SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
THOMAS: I just think you should know it's not working, Mr Carson.
CARSON: Do you mean Mr Bates is lazy?
THOMAS: Not lazy...exactly. But he just can't carry. He can hardly manage His Lordship's cases. You saw how it was when they went out to London for the memorial. He can't help with the guest luggage neither, and as for waiting a table, we can forget that.
CARSON: And what do you want me to do?
THOMAS: Well, it's not for me to say. But is it fair on William to have all the extra work? I don't believe you'd like to think the house was falling below the way things ought to be.
CARSON: I would not.
THOMAS: That's all I'm saying.
INT. LADY MARY'S BEDROOM
Mary stares at her reflection in the looking glass. Sybil pops her head in.
SYBIL: I'm going down. Coming?
MARY: In a moment. You go.
(Sybil enters and closes the door)
SYBIL: I know you're sad about Patrick. Whatever you say, I know it.
MARY: You're a darling. But you see, I'm not as sad as I should be. And that's what makes me sad.
INT. LORD GRANTHAM'S DRESSING ROOM
Bates brushes down Robert's tailcoat.
ROBERT: Thank you.
(Bates drops the brush)
ROBERT: I'll do that.
BATES: No. No, thank you, milord. I can do it.
(Bates picks up the brush)
ROBERT: I'm sure.
BATES: I hope so, milord. I hope you are sure.
ROBERT: Bates, we have to be sensible. I won't be doing you a favour in the long run if it's too much for you. No matter what we've been through, it's got to work.
BATES: Of course it has, sir. I mean, milord.
ROBERT: Do you miss the army, Bates?
BATES: I miss a lot of things, but you have to keep moving, don't you?
ROBERT: You do, indeed.
BATES: I'll show you, milord, I promise. I won't let you down. We've managed so far, haven't we?
ROBERT: Yes, we have. Of course we have.
INT. LADY GRANTHAM'S BEDROOM
Robert knocks and enters.
ROBERT: You look very nice.
CORA: Thank you, darling. Did Murray make matters clearer?
ROBERT: Yes, I'm afraid he did.
(Cora is disappointed, but she waits for O'Brien to leave before speaking)
CORA: By the way, O'Brien says Bates is causing a lot of awkwardness downstairs. You may have to do something about it.
ROBERT: She's always making trouble.
CORA: Is that fair? When she hasn't mentioned it before now.
ROBERT: I don't know why you listen to her.
CORA: It is quite eccentric, even for you, to have a cripple valet.
ROBERT: Please...don't use that word.
CORA: Did he tell you he couldn't walk when he made his application?
ROBERT: Don't exaggerate.
CORA: Doesn't it strike you as dishonest not to mention it?
ROBERT: I knew he'd been wounded.
CORA: You never said.
ROBERT: You know I don't care to talk about all that.
CORA: Of course, I understand what it must be like to have fought alongside someone in a war.
ROBERT: Oh, you understand that, do you?
CORA: Certainly I do. You must form the most tremendous bonds. Even with a servant.
ROBERT: Really? "Even with a servant"?
CORA: Oh, Robert, don't catch me out. I'm simply saying I fully see why you want to help him.
ROBERT: But?
CORA: But...is this the right way? To employ him for a job he can't do? Is it any wonder the others noses are put out?
ROBERT: I just want to give him a chance.
INT. DRAWING ROOM
Robert enters to find Violet looking out a window.
ROBERT: Mama, I'm sorry. No one told me you were here.
(Violet turns around and opens her decorative fan to block the light coming from the electric chandelier.)
VIOLET: Such a glare. I feel as if I were on stage at the Gaiety.
ROBERT: We're used to it. I do wish you'd let me install it in the Dower House; it's very convenient. The man who manages the generator could look after yours as well.
VIOLET: No. I couldn't have electricity in the house. I wouldn't sleep a wink. All those vapours seeping about.
ROBERT: Even Cora won't have it in the bedroom. She did wonder about the kitchens, but I couldn't see the point.
VIOLET: Well, before anyone joins us, I'm glad of this chance for a little talk. I gather Murray was here today?
ROBERT: News travels fast. Yes, I saw him, and he's not optimistic that there's anything we can do.
VIOLET: Well, I refuse to believe it.
ROBERT: Be that as it may, it's a fact.
VIOLET: But to lose Cora's fortune!
ROBERT: Really, Mama, you know as well as I do that Cora's fortune is not Cora's fortune anymore. Thanks to Papa it is now part of the estate, and the estate is entailed to my heir. That is it. That is all of it.
VIOLET: Robert, dear, I don't mean to sound harsh--
ROBERT: You may not mean to, but I bet you will.
VIOLET: Twenty-four years ago, you married Cora against my wishes for her money! Give it away now, what was the point of your peculiar marriage in the first place?
ROBERT: If I were to tell you she's made me very happy, would that stretch belief?
VIOLET: It's not why you chose her...above all those other girls who could've filled my shoes so easily.
ROBERT: If you must know, when I think of my motives for pursuing Cora, I'm ashamed. There's no need to remind me of them.
VIOLET: Don't you care about Downton?
ROBERT: What do you think? I've given my life to Downton. I was born here, and I hope to die here. I claim no career beyond the nurture of this house and the estate. It is my third parent and my fourth child. Do I care about it? Yes, I do care!
Someone enters and Violet gives him a shushing expression.
CORA: I hope I don't hear sounds of a disagreement.
VIOLET: What? Is that what they call discussion in New York?
MARY: Well, I'm glad you're fighting. I'm glad somebody's putting up a fight
SYBIL: You're not really fighting Granny, are you, Papa?
ROBERT: Your grandmother merely wishes to do the right thing. And so do I.
(Carson enters.)
CARSON: Dinner is served, my lady.
INT. KITCHENS
DAISY: Does anyone else keep dreaming about the Titanic? I can't get it out of my mind.
GWEN: Not again. Give it a rest.
ANNA: Daisy, it's time to let it go.
DAISY: But all them people freezing to death in midnight icy water.
O'BRIEN: Oh, you sound like a penny dreadful.
GWEN: I expect you saw worse things in South Africa, eh Mr Bates?
BATES: Not worse, but pretty bad.
DAISY: Did you enjoy the war?
BATES: I don't think anyone enjoys war, but there are some good memories, too.
ANNA: I'm sure there are.
GWEN: Mr Bates, could you hand me that tray?
Mr Bates gets up to grab it, but his knee twinges and he spills the whole contents on the floor as he grabs his knee. Anna gets up quickly.
ANNA: I'll do it.
CARSON: Ladies are out. We've given them coffee. His Lordship's taken his port to the library. Anna, Gwen, go up and help clear away. Er, Daisy, tell Mrs Patmore we'll eat in 15 minutes.
INT. DINING ROOM
The servants clear the table.
GWEN: I keep forgetting, does this go next door or back to the kitchen?
THOMAS: Those go back, but the dessert service and all the glasses stay in the upstairs pantry.
WILLIAM: Put it on here.
Gwen sets the dish down on the tray. O'Brien creeps up to Thomas in the antechamber.
THOMAS: What is it?
O'BRIEN: Her Ladyship's told him she thinks Mr Bates ought to go. She said to me, "If only His Lordship had been content with Thomas."
THOMAS: Did she really?
ANNA: What are you doing up here?
O'BRIEN: It's a free country.
ANNA: Well, I'm going for my dinner. You two can stay here...plotting.
INT. THE DOWER HOUSE
Violet holds a letter.
VIOLET: So, the young Duke of Crowborough is asking himself to stay.
CORA: We know why?
VIOLET: You hope you know why. That is not at all the same. You realise the duke thinks Mary's prospects have altered?
CORA: I suppose so.
VIOLET: There's no suppose about it. Of course, this is exactly the sort of opportunity that will come to Mary if we can only get things settled in her favour. Is Robert coming 'round?
CORA: Not yet. To him, the risk is we succeed in saving my money, but not the estate. He feels he'd be betraying his duty if Downton were lost because of him.
VIOLET: Well, I'm going to write to Murray.
CORA: He won't say anything different.
VIOLET: Well, we have to start somewhere. Our duty is to Mary. Well, give him a date for when Mary's out of mourning.
(Violet hands the letter back to Cora.)
VIOLET: No one wants to kiss a girl in black.
INT. LADY MARY'S BEDROOM
Sybil puts a flower in Mary's hair as they stand in front of the mirror.
EDITH: Oh, do stop admiring yourself. He's not marrying you for your looks. That's if he wants to marry you at all.
MARY: He will.
SYBIL: You look beautiful.
MARY: Thank you Sybil, darling.
CORA: We should go down. They'll be back from the station at any moment.
(The girls file out)
CORA: Let's not gild the lily, dear. And Mary, try to look surprised.
INT. SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
CARSON: You all ready?
(Carson inspects William's uniform)
CARSON: Very well. We shall go out to greet them.
DAISY: And me, Mr Carson?
CARSON: No, Daisy, no you. Can you manage, Mr Bates, or would you rather wait here?
BATES: I want to go, Mr Carson.
CARSON: There's no obligation for the whole staff to be present.
BATES: I'd like to be there.
CARSON: Well, it's certainly a great day for Downton to welcome a duke under our roof.
THOMAS (to William): Remember to help me with the luggage. Don't go running off.
BATES: I'll give you a hand.
THOMAS: Oh, I couldn't ask that, Mr Bates, not in your condition.
(The servants head upstairs and Thomas turns to Mr Carson.)
THOMAS: How long do we have to put up with this, Mr Carson, just so I know?
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, FRONT WALK
The servants line up and the family exits the house. William opens the car door for the duke and Robert.
ROBERT: Welcome to Downton.
(Mrs Hughes and the housemaids curtsy and the men bow their heads.)
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Lady Grantham, this is so kind of you.
CORA: Not at all, Duke. I'm delighted you could spare the time. You know my daughter, Mary, of course.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Of course, Lady Mary.
CORA: And Edith, but I don't believe you've met my youngest, Sybil.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Ah, Lady Sybil.
SYBIL: How do you do?
CORA: Come on in, you must be worn out.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Oh, Lady Grantham, I have a confession to make, which I hope won't cause too much bother. My man was taken ill just as I was leaving, so...
ROBERT: Oh, well, that won't be a problem, will it Carson?
CARSON: Certainly not. I shall look after His Grace myself.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Oh, no, I wouldn't dream of being such a nuisance, surely a footman...
(The duke looks at Thomas.)
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I remember this man. Didn't you serve me when I dined with Lady Grantham in London?
THOMAS: I did, Your Grace.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Ah, there we are. We shall do very well together, won't we...?
THOMAS: Er, Thomas, Your Grace.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: ...Thomas.
CORA: Good.
The family heads inside.
CORA: I hope you had a pleasant journey.
O'Brien kicks Bates's cane out from under him and he falls.
ROBERT: Bates, are you all right?
BATES: Perfectly, my lord. I apologise.
(The family continues inside and Bates looks up at O'Brien. Anna crouches down to help Bates.)
ANNA: Mr Bates.
(William closes the front door and Anna helps Bates to his feet.)
ANNA: That's better.
BATES: Please, don't feel sorry for me.
(Bates and Anna walk around to the servants' entrance behind the others.)
INT. CORRIDOR
MARY: What shall we do? What would you like to do?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I think I'd rather like to go exploring.
MARY: Certainly. Gardens or house?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Oh, house, I think. Gardens are all the same to me.
MARY: Very well. We can begin in the hall, which is one of the oldest--
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: No, not all those drawing rooms and libraries.
MARY: Well what, then?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I don't know. The...the secret passages and the attics.
MARY: It seems a bit odd, but why not? I'll just tell Mama.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: No Don't tell your mama.
MARY: But there's nothing wrong in it.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: No, indeed, I'm... I'm only worried the others will want to join us.
INT. DRAWING ROOM
Robert enters while Cora is embroidering.
CORA: Mary's settling him in.
ROBERT: Cora, don't let Mary make a fool of herself. By the way, I'll be going up to London next week.
CORA: Do you want to open the house?
ROBERT: No, no, I'll just take Bates and stay at a club. I won't be more than a day or two.
CORA: I see. Are things...progressing?
ROBERT: What "things"?
CORA: Oomph.
ROBERT: It's just a regimental dinner
CORA: It's a pity Bates spoiled the arrival this afternoon.
ROBERT: He didn't spoil anything. He fell over.
CORA: So undignified. Carson hates that kind of thing.
ROBERT: I don't care what Carson thinks.
CARSON: A message from the Dowager Countess, milady. She says she won't come to tea, but she'll join you for dinner.
ROBERT: Oh, Carson, I hope you weren't embarrassed this afternoon. I can assure you the Duke very much appreciated his welcome.
CARSON: I'm glad.
ROBERT: Is Bates all right?
CARSON: I think so, my lord.
CORA: Must be so difficult for you all the same.
(Carson looks at the floor and raises his eyebrows and leaves without a word.)
ROBERT: Don't stare.
INT. SERVANTS' BEDROOM CORRIDOR
Mary and the duke sneak through the servants' passages.
MARY: Do you realise this is the first time we've ever been alone?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Then you've forgotten when I pulled you into the conservatory at the Northbrooks. How sad.
MARY: No, I haven't. It's not quite the same with twenty chaperones hiding behind every fan.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: And are you pleased to be alone with me, my lady?
MARY: Oh dear, if I answer truthfully you'll think me rather forward.
(The duke steps forward to open the door behind Mary.)
MARY: I don't think we should pry. It feels rather...disrespectful.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Oh, nonsense. It's your father's house, isn't it? You have a right to know what goes on in it. Where does this lead?
MARY: To the men's quarters, with a lock on the women's side. Only Mrs Hughes is allowed to turn it.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Mrs Hughes...
(The duke opens the door.)
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: And you.
Mary and the duke enter the men's corridor.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: In here?
MARY: A footman, I imagine.
(Mary seems uncomfortable as the duke opens the door and then enters another room. The duke rifles through the dresser drawers.)
MARY: Should you do that?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Why not? I'm--I'm making a study on the genus footman. I seek to know the creature's ways.
(Mary laughs, then turns when she hears something.)
MARY (whisper): Someone's coming!
Mary stands awkwardly in the corridor and the duke closes the footman's bedroom door as Bates steps out of his room into the corridor.
BATES: Can I help you, milady?
MARY: We were just exploring.
(The duke steps out of the footman's room.)
BATES: Were you looking for Thomas, Your Grace?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: No, as Lady Mary said, we've just been exploring.
(Bates nods and opens his door.)
BATES: Would you care to explore my room, milady?
(Mary is embarrassed and ashamed.)
MARY: Of course not, Bates. I'm sorry to have bothered you. We were just going down.
(Mary walks stiffly back to the women's corridor and the duke follows calmly behind and she locks the door.)
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Why did you apologise to that man? It's not his business what we do.
MARY: I always apologise when I'm in the wrong. It's a habit of mine.
INT. LIBRARY
CARSON: The plain fact is Mr Bates, through no fault of his own, is not able to fulfil the extra duties expected of him. He can't lift, he can't serve at table, he's dropping things all over the place. On a night like tonight, he should act as a third footman. As it is, my lord, we may have to have a maid in the dining room.
ROBERT: Cheer up, Carson. There are worse thing happening in the world.
CARSON: Not worse than a maid serving a duke.
ROBERT: So you're quite determined?
CARSON: It's a hard decision, Your Lordship, a very hard decision, but the honor of Downton is at stake.
ROBERT: Don't worry, Carson, I know all about hard decisions when it comes to the honor of Downton. Don't I boy?
INT. LUGGAGE ROOM
William sighs with the effort as he puts down some luggage.
HUGHES: William, you mustn't let Thomas take advantage. He's only a footman, same as you.
WILLIAM: Well, that's all right, Mrs Hughes. I like to keep busy. Takes your mind off things.
HUGHES: What things have you got to take your mind off? If you're feeling homesick, there's no shame in it.
WILLIAM: No.
HUGHES: Means you come from a happy home. There's plenty of people here would envy that.
WILLIAM: Yes, Mrs Hughes.
INT. LORD GRANTHAM'S DRESSING ROOM
BATES: Will that be all, milord?
ROBERT: Yes. That is...not exactly. Have you recovered from your fall this afternoon?
BATES: I'm very sorry about that, milord. I don't know what happened.
ROBERT: The thing is, Bates, I said I'd give you a trial and I have. If it were only up to me. It's this question of a valet's extra duties.
BATES: You mean waiting a table when there's a large party.
ROBERT: That and carrying things and...you do see that Carson can't be expected to compromise the efficiency of his staff.
BATES: I do, milord, of course I do. Might I make a suggestion? That when an extra footman is required, the cost could come out of my wages.
ROBERT: Absolutely not. I couldn't possibly allow that.
BATES: Because I am very eager to stay, milord. Very eager, indeed.
ROBERT: I know you are. And I was eager that this should work.
BATES: You see...it is unlikely that I should find another position.
ROBERT: But surely in a smaller house where less is expected of you...
BATES: It's not likely.
ROBERT: I mean to help until you find something.
BATES: I couldn't take your money, milord. I can take wages for a job done, that's all. Very good, milord. I'll go at once.
ROBERT: There's no need to rush out into the night. Take the London train tomorrow; it leaves at nine. You'll have a month's wages, too. That I insist on.
(Bates begins to leave.)
ROBERT: It's a bloody business, Bates, but I can't see any way around it.
BATES: I quite understand, milord.
INT. DINING ROOM
CORA: I'm afraid we're rather a female party tonight, Duke, but you know what it's like trying to balance numbers in the country. A single man outranks the Holy Grail.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: No, I'm ter-- I'm terribly flattered to be dining en famille.
EDITH: What were you and Mary doing in the attics this afternoon?
SYBIL: I expect Mary was just showing the duke the house, weren't you?
VIOLET: Are you a student of architecture?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Mm, absolutely.
VIOLET: Then I do hope you'll come and inspect my little cottage. It was designed by Rein...
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Ah.
VIOLET: ...for the first earl's sister.
ROBERT: The attics?
EDITH: Yes. Mary took the duke up to the attics.
ROBERT: Whatever for?
CORA: Why was this, dear?
MARY: We were just looking around.
EDITH: Looking around? What is there to look at but servants' rooms? What was the real reason?
(Thomas is interested by the conversation)
VIOLET: Don't be such a chatterbox, Edith.
CORA: I think we'll go through.
EDITH: I still don't understand...
MARY: Will you hold your tongue?
INT. SERVANTS' HALL
THOMAS: How long do you think they'll be? I'm starving.
CARSON: Have you settled the ladies?
THOMAS: Yes, Mr Carson.
CARSON: Then it won't be long once they go through.
DAISY: Do you think he'll speak out? Do you think we'll have a duchess to wait on? Imagine that!
MRS PATMORE: You won't be waiting on her, whatever happens.
CARSON: There is no reason why the eldest daughter and heiress of the Earl of Grantham should not wear a duchess's coronet with honour.
HUGHES: Heiress, Mr Carson? Has it been decided?
CARSON: It will be if there's any justice in the world.
HUGHES: Well, we'll know soon enough.
Anna puts a plate down on a tray.
MRS PATMORE: What you doing, Anna?
ANNA: I thought I'd take something up to Mr Bates, him not being well enough to come down. You don't mind, do you Mrs Hughes?
HUGHES: I don't mind, not this once.
CARSON: Take him whatever he might need.
Anna leaves with the tray.
CARSON: Mr Bates is leaving without a stain on his character. I hope you all observe that in the manner of your parting.
WILLIAM: Well, I don't see why he has to go. I don't mind doing a bit of extra work.
THOMAS: It's not up to you. I'll take care of His Lordship, shall I Mr Carson?
CARSON: Not while you're looking after the duke, you won't. I'll see to His Lordship myself.
INT. SERVANTS' BEDROOM CORRIDOR
Anna takes the tray to Mr Bates's room and sees him crying through the slightly open door. She takes a step back and pauses to consider.
ANNA: Mr Bates? Are you there?
(Bates wipes his eyes with a cloth and comes to the door.)
ANNA: I brought something up in case you're hungry.
BATES: That's very kind.
ANNA: I'm ever so sorry you're going.
BATES: I'll be all right.
ANNA: Of course you will. There's always a place for a man like you.
BATES: Oh, yes. Something'll turn up.
ANNA: Tell us when you're fixed. Just...drop us a line. Else I'll worry.
BATES: Well...we can't have that.
INT. DINING ROOM
ROBERT: We must go and let the servants get in here.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I should be grateful if we could stay just a minute more. I have-- I have something to ask you. I was terribly sorry to hear about your cousins.
ROBERT: You said. Did you know them?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Not well. I--I used to see Patrick Crawley at the odd thing. I imagine it will mean some adjustments for your...to lose two heirs in one night is terrible.
ROBERT: Indeed, it was terrible.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Awful. But then again, it's an ill wind. At least Lady Mary's prospects must have rather improved.
ROBERT: Have they?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Haven't they?
ROBERT: I will not be coy and pretend I do not understand your meaning, though you seem very informed on this family's private affairs. But you ought, perhaps, to know that I do not intend to fight the entail. Not any part of it.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: You can't be serious.
ROBERT: It pains me to say it, but I am.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: You will give up your entire estate - your wife's money into the bargain - to a perfect stranger? You won't even put up a fight?
ROBERT: I hope he proves to be perfect, but I rather doubt it.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Ha. A very odd thing to joke about.
ROBERT: No odder than this conversation. So, there you have it. But Mary will still have her settlement, which you won't find ungenerous.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I'm--I'm sorry?
ROBERT: I only meant that her portion, when she marries will be more than respectable. You'll be pleased, I promise you.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Oh, heavens. I--I hope I haven't given the wrong impression.
ROBERT: You know very well the impression--
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: My dear Lord Grantham...
ROBERT: Don't "my dear Lord Grantham" me! You knew what you were doing when you came here. You encouraged Mary, all of us to thinking--
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Forgive me, but I came to express my sympathies and my friendship, nothing more. L--Lady Mary's a charming person. Whoever marries her will be a lucky man. He will not, however, be me.
ROBERT: I see. And what was it you asked me to stay behind to hear?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I forget.
INT. GREAT HALL
The duke and Robert part ways. Mary waits for the duke as he lights a candle by the stairs.
MARY: Well, aren't you coming into the drawing room?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I'm...I'm tired. I...I think I'll just slip away. Please make my excuses.
MARY: I'm afraid I've worn you out. Tomorrow we can just--
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I'm leaving in the morning. Goodnight.
(Mary is disappointed. The duke turns around.)
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Oh, you might tell that footman...
MARY: Thomas.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Thomas. You might tell him I've gone up.
The duke ascends the stairs and Mary processes her disappointment, trying not to cry. Edith approaches from behind to gloat.
EDITH: So he slipped the hook.
MARY: At least I'm not fishing with no bait.
INT. GUEST BEDROOM
Thomas joins the duke in his bedroom.
THOMAS: I don't believe that.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Well, believe what you like. He won't break the entail. The unknown cousin gets everything and Mary's inheritance will be the same as it always was.
THOMAS: Well, how was I to know when the lawyer turned up?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: You weren't to know. You did the right thing to telegraph me. It's just not gonna come off.
THOMAS: So, what now?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Well, you... you know how I'm fixed. I have to have an heiress. If it means going to New York to find one.
THOMAS: What about me?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: You...you will wish me well.
THOMAS: You said you'd find me a job if I wanted to leave.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Do you?
THOMAS: I want to be a valet. I'm sick of being a footman.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Yeah, Thomas, I don't need a valet. I--I thought you were getting rid of the new one here?
THOMAS: I'll have done it, but I'm not sure Carson's gonna let me take over.
(Thomas sits down and takes the duke's face in his hand.)
THOMAS: And I want to be with you.
(They kiss.)
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I just can't see it working, can you? We don't seem to have the basis of a servant/master relationship, do we?
THOMAS: You came here to be with me.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH
Among other reasons. And one swallow doesn't make a summer.
THOMAS: Aren't you forgetting something?
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: What? Are you threatening me? Because of a youthful dalliance? A few... a few weeks of madness in a London season? You wouldn't hold that against me, surely?
THOMAS: I would if I have to.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: And who will believe a greedy footman over the words of a duke? If you're not careful, you'll end up behind bars.
THOMAS: I've got proof.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Mm. You mean these?
(The duke pulls out a bound stack of letters. Thomas dashes for them, but the duke throws them in the fire and wrestles keeps Thomas away as they burn.)
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: You know, my mother's always telling me, "Never put anything in writing." And now, thanks to you, I never will again.
THOMAS: How did you get that? You bastard.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Don't be a bad loser, Thomas. Go to bed. Unless you want to stay.
INT. MRS HUGHES'S SITTING ROOM
Mr Carson knocks on the open door.
CARSON: I think I'll turn in.
HUGHES: No big announcement, then?
CARSON: No. Nor likely to be. He's off on the nine o'clock train.
HUGHES: He never is. And when we've had a turkey killed for tomorrow's dinner. Well, I wonder what she did wrong.
CARSON: She did nothing wrong, not from the way His Lordship was talking.
HUGHES: So His Grace turned out to be graceless. Hm.
CARSON: Goodnight, Mrs Hughes.
HUGHES: Goodnight, Mr Carson.
INT. LADY GRANTHAM'S BEDROOM
CORA: If you knew that was your decision, why put Mary through it?
ROBERT: But I didn't know it was my decision, my final decision, until tonight. But I find I cannot ruin the estate or hollow out the title for the sake of Mary, even with a better man than that.
CORA: I try to understand, I just can't.
ROBERT: Why should you? Downton is in my blood and in my bones. It's not in yours. And I can no more be the cause of its destruction than I could betray my country. Besides, how was I to know he wouldn't take her without the money?
CORA: Don't pretend to be a child because it suits you.
ROBERT: Do you think she would've been happy with a fortune hunter?
CORA: She might've been. I was.
ROBERT: Have you been happy? Really, have I made you happy?
CORA: Yes. That is, since you fell in love with me. Which, if I remember correctly, was about a year after we were married.
ROBERT: Not a year. Not as long as that. But it wouldn't have happened for Mary.
CORA: Why not?
ROBERT: Because I am so much nicer than the Duke of Crowborough.
CORA: I'll be the judge of that.
(Cora turns off the light.)
CORA: Just don't think I'm going to let it rest, Robert. I haven't given up by any means.
ROBERT: I must do what my conscience tells me.
CORA: And so must I. And I don't want you to think I'll let it rest.
INT. GREAT HALL
CARSON: My lord, would it be acceptable for Bates to ride in front with Taylor? Otherwise it means getting the other car out. He and His Grace are catching the same train.
ROBERT: Perfectly acceptable. And if His Grace doesn't, he can lump it.
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, FRONT WALK
Bates takes a last look at the house. The duke exits the house with Cora.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: You've been so kind, Lady Grantham, thank you.
CORA: Goodbye, Duke.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: You will make my farewells to your delightful daughters?
CORA: They'd have been down if they'd known you were leaving so soon.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Alas, s--something's come up which has taken me quite by surprise.
CORA: Obviously.
Robert joins them.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Well, Grantham, this has been a highly enjoyable interlude.
ROBERT: Has it? And I feared it had proved a disappointment.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: Not at all. Not at all, a short stay in your lovely house has driven away my cares.
CHAUFFEUR: We ought to go, my lord, if His Grace is to catch the train.
The duke gets in the motor. Robert approaches Bates.
ROBERT: Goodbye, Bates. And good luck.
BATES: Good luck to you, my lord.
Robert is discomfited as Bates gets in the motorcar. The chauffeur begins to drive away and Robert turns from heading inside to run after the car.
ROBERT: Wait!
Carson walks briskly towards the car as Robert takes Bates's travel bag.
ROBERT: Get out, Bates.
DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH: I--I really mustn't be late.
(Robert ignores the duke.)
ROBERT: Get back inside and we'll say no more about it.
(Bates takes his bag from Robert and heads inside. Robert closes the car door and watches Bates walk back to the house.)
ROBERT: It wasn't right, Carson. I just didn't think it was right.
INT. MANCHESTER, CRAWLEY'S HOUSE
Matthew Crawley and his mother, Isobel, are eating breakfast. A housemaid brings Isobel the post.
EMMA: First post, ma'am.
ISOBEL CRAWLEY: Thank you, Emma. One for you.
(Isobel hands a letter to Matthew.)
MATTHEW CRAWLEY: Mm. Thank you, Mother.
(Matthew opens the letter.)
MATTHEW: It's from Lord Grantham.
ISOBEL: Really? What on earth does he want?
MATTHEW: He wants to change our lives.
End of the episode.
Ecrit par Stella