The Queen Page #3

8.

TONY:

(thrown)

No.

ELIZABETH:

First thing we do, I believe.

(a beat)

Then we take your passport and spend

the rest of the time sending you

around the world.

TONY:

You obviously know my job better than

I do.

ELIZABETH:

Well, you are my tenth Prime Minister,

Mr Blair. I’d like to think there

weren’t too many surprises left. My

first was Winston Churchill. He sat in

your chair, in frock coat and top hat,

and was kind enough to give a shy

y

oung girl like me quite an education.

TONY:

I can imagine.

ELIZABETH:

With time, one has hopefully added

experience to that education, and a

little wisdom - better enabling us to

execute our constitutional

responsibility.

(a pointed addition)

To advise, guide and warn the

government of the day.

TONY:

Advice which I look forward to

receiving.

ELIZABETH:

Well, we will save that for our weekly

meetings.

(a beat)

Now, if there’s nothing else, I

believe we have some business to

attend to..

TONY stares, then clicks..

TONY:

Of course..

He falls, rather extravagantly, on bended knee. The

supplicant position of deference...

9.

TONY:

Your Majesty, the country has

spoken...and I come now to ask your

permiss.

.

ELIZABETH:

(interjecting)

No, no, no. It’s usual for ME to ask

the questions.

TONY winces. Wishes the ground would swallow him up.

ELIZABETH:

Mr Blair, the people have elected you

to be their leader. And so the duty

falls on me, as your Sovereign, to ask

you to become Prime Minister, and form

a government in my name.

TONY stares. Lost for words. Then..

ELIZABETH:

Generally, this is where you say

‘yes.’

TONY:

‘Yes’.

The QUEEN extends her hand, which TONY kisses. She withdraws

it again - quite sharply, then DISCREETLY PRESSES A BUZZER by

her chair indicating the ceremony is over. The EQUERRY opens

a door, and CHERIE is invited inside.

ELIZABETH (cont’d)

How nice to see you again, Mrs Blair.

CHERIE curtseys awkwardly, reluctantly, shallowly..

ELIZABETH (cont’d)

You must be very proud.

CHERIE:

Yes.

ELIZABETH:

And exhausted, I imagine. Where will

you be spending the summer?

CHERIE:

France.

ELIZABETH:

How lovely.

TONY:

You’ll be in Balmoral, I expect.

10.

ELIZABETH:

Yes, I can hardly wait. Wonderful

place.

The QUEEN indicates a portrait of QUEEN VICTORIA..

ELIZABETH:

My great, great grandmother said of it

- “In Balmoral all seems to breathe

freedom and peace and to make one

forget the world and its sad

turmoils.”

At that moment, the doors open, and JANVRIN enters, and

whispers urgently in the QUEEN’s ear. The QUEEN’s face

changes as she listens.

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