Suffragette Page #4

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MAUD and VIOLET, walking towards a crowd gathering by the

gates.

ALICE (O/S)

It is men who have all legal rights

over our children. It is men who

control our economic existence.

(MORE)

ALICE (O/S) (CONT'D)

It is men who hold the deeds to our

property.

VIOLET:

Who’s that?

MRS ALICE HAUGHTON [early/mid 30s] standing addressing a

growing crowd of FEMALE LAUNDRY WORKERS by the gates.

MAUD:

MP’s wife, Mrs Haughton. She's here

at Christmas giving out tangerines

to the children.

Two CHARITABLE LADIES move amongst the departing LAUNDRY

WORKERS giving out flyers to the WOMEN that read - GIVE YOUR

TESTIMONY TO HELP GET WOMEN THE VOTE- smiling and filled with

well meaning. ALICE at the heart of the crowd, determinedly

ignoring the looks and laughter of the PASSING MALE LAUNDRY

WORKERS.

MAUD catching on this. A group of WOMEN start to gather as

ALICE talks-

ALICE:

- and the Prime Minister, Mr

Asquith, has agreed to a hearing of

testimonies of working women up and

down the country. We have an

opportunity to demonstrate that as

women are equal to men in their

labours, so they should be equal to

men in their right to vote.

MR CUMMINGS:

You’ve never laboured in your life.

DERISIVE LAUGHTER. MORE HECKLES. TAYLOR amongst the men.

SONNY nearby watching.

MAUD drawn closer, now listening, standing by VIOLET’s side.

LOUDER HECKLES NOW.

VIOLET darts a look of growing irritation-

ALICE perseveres, flanked by her CHARITABLE LADIES.

ALICE:

This is your moment to come forward

and speak up. I will choose one

person from this laundry to deliver

their testimony at the House of

Commons. These will be heard by the

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr

Lloyd George.

LAUGHTER -

MRS COLEMAN:

(calling)

No one cares, love.

VIOLET:

(calling back)

Some of us do, Mrs Coleman, so shut

your bleedin' cake hole.

MRS COLEMAN SCOWLS, affronted.

MAUD smiles, VIOLET’s spirit infectious. The crowd disperses.

ALICE and the CHARITABLE LADIES give out flyers as they pass.

ALICE:

(with a smile)

Thank you for your support. Votes

for women!

ALICE runs after MAUD and VIOLET, gently pushing one into

MAUD’s hand.

ALICE (CONT’D)

(close to)

Ladies, votes for women. The power

is in your hands.

MAUD and VIOLET moving on into the street-

ALICE (CONT’D)

Thank you ladies.

MRS COLEMAN:

Oh go home.

EXT. STREET. LAUNDRY. BETHNAL GREEN. LONDON. 1912. DAY.

ALICE and the two CHARITABLE LADIES moving out of the gates,

chatting to a few WOMEN.

MAUD, still holding the flyer, passes VIOLET greeting a rag

bag of GRUBBY KIDS. MAGGIE takes one of them by the hand.

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