A Man for All Seasons Page #6

CROMWELL is innocently absorbed in papers at his table. He rises, respectfully and smiles as MORE goes through into:

33 INT. LONG GALLERY

WOLSEY’s waiting-chamber. A long gallery with recessed windows. As he comes out there is a stir among the SUITORS there. Mostly they are poor, some—women with infants—are asleep, on the windowsills or crouched against the walls. There is a sprinkling of distressed gentlefΣlkand one or two flashy looking courtiers. When they see that it is notWOLSEY they sink back, disppointed and resigned. The men-at-arms on duty are stolidly indifferent throughout. Three or four SUITORS converge on MORE. All keep their voices respectfully low. MORE is tired. He walks down the gallery fast. But a little group follows him, silent but desperate. He senses their distress and stops. A handsome, hard-faced WOMAN of the middle class pushes forward. This is AVERIL MACHIN. She proffers a fine silver goblet.

MACHIN:
Sir Thomas.

MORE:
What’s this?

MACHIN:
From some grateful poor folk in Leicester.

MORE:
(rather puzzled, takes it) Leicester?

MACHIN:
You do more good than you know, Sir Thomas.

MORE would enquire further but she has backed and curtseyed and a pathetic little OLD MAN claims his attention. Thrusts at him a paper and a basket with a cloth.

OLD MAN:
My daugher has a case sir. In the Court of Poor Men’s causes.

MORE looks at him, with sympathy, but steadily. He lifts the cloth.

OLD MAN:
Baked apples sir.

MORE:
(smiling slightly) To sweeten my judgement.

OLD MAN’s wit doesn’t travel this fast. He simply stares, anxiously.

MORE:
I’ll give your daughter the same judgement I would want for mine, A fair one, quickly.

OTHER POOR SUITORS hustle round him, whispering and susurrating. MORE takes their petitions. “Thank you, I will read it”. “Thank you.” “I understand.” Then a raffish looking COURTIER with a neatly ribboned scroll steps forward with an elegant smile, the hoipoloi dealt with, expecting preferential treatment, but before he can open his mouth MORE gently takes the petition from him, says gently.

MORE:
I’ll read it.

And goes, but COURTIER follows, drawling

COURTIER:
It’s an awkward case, Sir Thomas, I—

MORE:
(wearily, but hard) I’ll read it.

COURTIER drops back. MORE relaxes, walks on, going home.

CUT:

34 EXT. HAMPTON RIVER-STEPS NIGHT

The river steps of Hampton as before. Torches glittering. From the darkness.

MORE (on SOUND) Boat!

BOATMAN at foot of steps looking up.

BOATMAN:
Sir? Chelsea sir?

MORE descending. the cup glinting in his hand.

MORE:
(with deep satisfaction, embarking) Chelsea.

MORE sits the, cup prominent. BOATMAN, settling to his oars, sighs.

BOATMAN:
Well, I ’spect you’ll make it worth my while, sir.

Rate this script:4.5 / 22 votes