Far from the Madding Crowd Page #3

GABRIEL:

Tell me your name. I still don’t

know your name.

BATHSHEBA:

Then find it out. My hand, Mr Oak?

Somewhat reluctantly, he lets go of her hand. She walks out

into the night.

GABRIEL sits on the steps and watches her go.

11 EXT. GABRIEL’S CARAVAN, NORCOMBE HILL - DAY 11

Next morning. GABRIEL is working his sheep, but his mind is

elsewhere. He stops working, his mind wandering.

12 INT. GABRIEL’S CARAVAN, NORCOMBE HILL - DAY 12

GABRIEL polishes his boots, puts away his working clothes. A

decision has been made.

13 EXT. GABRIEL’S CARAVAN, NORCOMBE HILL - DAY 13

GABRIEL walks through his flock and finds a lamb. It has come

weeks early, and is the only one. He scoops the tiny thing

up.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

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14 EXT. MRS HURST’S COTTAGE - DAY 14

Accompanied by OLD GEORGE, carrying the lamb, GABRIEL marches

towards MRS HURST’s, a man with a mission.

Middle-aged, wry and weather-worn, MRS HURST joins her niece

in clearing brambles from the cottage garden. Tough work,

BATHSHEBA scratched and muddy.

MRS HURST stretches out her back and notices GABRIEL

approaching.

MRS HURST:

Goodness. Mr Oak.

BATHSHEBA:

What does he want?

15 INT. KITCHEN, MRS HURST’S COTTAGE - DAY 15

BATHSHEBA washes the mud from her hands, wipes it from her

face, checks her reflection in the small mirror. It will have

to do.

16 INT. PARLOUR, MRS HURST’S COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS 16

GABRIEL and MRS HURST sit in the parlour, a little awkward.

BATHSHEBA enters, and he stands abruptly.

GABRIEL:

Miss Everdene. Bathsheba. I’ve

brought you a lamb.

BATHSHEBA:

(delighted)

Thank you, Farmer Oak! Such a dear

thing, that’s very sweet of you.

GABRIEL:

He’s come too soon and won’t last

the winter. I thought you’d like to

rear it instead.

BATHSHEBA:

Thank you. That’s very kind.

MRS HURST takes the lamb out with her.

MRS HURST:

I’ll make some tea.

And she makes her exit. Silence.

GABRIEL:

The lamb is not why I came.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

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BATHSHEBA:

Go on.

GABRIEL:

Well...I wanted to ask, Miss

Everdene, if you’d marry me.

A long moment.

BATHSHEBA:

Oh -

This is not the response he wanted

GABRIEL:

I’ve never asked anyone before.

BATHSHEBA:

No, I -

And impulsively he stands.

GABRIEL:

Well. I’ll leave you now.

BATHSHEBA:

Mr Oak (

he turns, waits)

There are things to consider.

GABRIEL:

Someone waiting for you?

BATHSHEBA:

No, there’s no-one else but that

doesn’t mean I’ll marry you.

GABRIEL:

Good day to you then.

17 EXT. MRS HURST’S COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS 17

BATHSHEBA follows him out.

BATHSHEBA:

Mr Oak, stop! I didn’t say I

wouldn’t marry you either!

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