A United Kingdom Page #3

For everything

I am asking you to sacrifice.

Can you... even imagine a life in Africa?

Yes.

We'll take it moment by moment, won't we?

Together.

(TYPEWRITERS CLACKING)

Morning, ladies.

An early tea break for you all.

I need to speak to Miss Williams.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Ruth, uh, there's a gentleman to see you.

Good morning.

MANAGER :
I'll leave you to it.

- Sir Alistair Canning.

- (DOOR CLOSES)

I am the British Government

representative in southern Africa.

And yet I find myself in London today.

Because it is my duty to inform you

that Mr Seretse Khama

has been gravely mistaken

in believing he may take you as his wife.

A marriage between you cannot take place.

A chief cannot simply come to London,

and pluck a girl out of a typing pool.

I'm not a typist.

Any union between you and Mr Khama

will have implications

for the not-insignificant neighbouring

countries of Bechuanaland.

Not least South Africa,

the prime minister of which is currently

enshrining into law the policy of...

The policy of apartheid.

Do you know this word?

(LIGHTER CLICKS)

No.

No. Well, it is this...

The black must live separately

from the white.

He must attend

his own school, hospital, church,

and he must never conjoin

with a white woman.

Your entry in Africa with him

would be seen as a flagrant disregard

for the current political climate.

It would be an act more powerful

than your limited experience

will allow you to comprehend.

We have already heard the presidents

of South Africa, southwest Africa

and the Rhodesias.

Yet all demanding that

this marriage not take place.

As a matter of diplomatic necessity.

I take it you need no more from me

to confirm that

you will not marry this man.

I will confirm nothing of the kind.

Have you no shame?

The British administration may dictate

many things in my country,

but they will not dictate who I marry.

They are trying to define us,

based on their rules,

their idea of the world,

and how they see it.

Seretse, do you hear yourself?

These men are at the very top

of government. They're powerful.

- Muriel, stop interfering.

- Stop it! Both of you!

Ruth...

Father won't talk to you.

You're called a whore in the street,

and now this.

You know how much I love Seretse.

But you don't have to do this.

Muriel, I've never wanted anything

like I want this.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Enter.

Sir.

CANNING :
Mr Khama.

Good morning.

Sir Alistair Canning.

How do you do?

I believe you've met my fiance,

Ruth Williams.

- Indeed.

- Sir.

We are told you can provide us

with some information, Sir Alistair.

Well, if I can,

then I most certainly will.

SERETSE :
Who exactly has asked you

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