FADE IN:

1 EXT. LONDON - 1855 - NIGHT 1

Warm light shines from the study of the gracious Kingsley

home. A man, silhouetted in the window, speaks with ardor.

2 INT. THE STUDY - NIGHT - CONT. 2

CHARLES KINGSLEY has just described his new venture to his

friends, including LORD ASCOT.

LORD ASCOT:

Charles, you have finally lost your

senses.

A COLLEAGUE:

This venture is impossible.

CHARLES KINGSLEY

For some. Gentlemen, the only way to

achieve the impossible is to believe

it is possible.

A COLLEAGUE:

That kind of thinking could ruin you.

CHARLES KINGSLEY

I’m willing to take that chance.

Imagine trading posts in Rangoon,

Bangkok, Jakarta...

He stops. His nine year-old daughter ALICE stands at the

door in her nightgown, clearly frightened. He goes to her.

CHARLES KINGSLEY (CONT’D)

The nightmare again?

She nods. He takes her hand and turns to his guests.

CHARLES KINGSLEY (CONT’D)

I won’t be long.

3 INT. YOUNG ALICE’S BEDROOM - LATER 3

He sits on her bed, listening with utmost seriousness.

ALICE:

I’m falling down a dark hole, then I

see strange creatures...

CHARLES KINGSLEY

What kind of creatures?

(CONTINUED)

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3 CONTINUED:
3

ALICE:

Well, there’s a dodo bird, a rabbit in

a waistcoat, a smiling cat...

CHARLES KINGSLEY

I didn’t know cats could smile.

ALICE:

Neither did I. Oh, and there’s a blue

caterpillar.

CHARLES KINGSLEY

Blue caterpillar. Hmm.

ALICE:

Do you think I’ve gone round the bend?

He feels her forehead as if for a fever.

CHARLES KINGSLEY

I’m afraid so. You’re mad. Bonkers.

Off your head. But I’ll tell you a

secret...all the best people are.

She smiles and leans against him.

CHARLES KINGSLEY (CONT’D)

It’s only a dream, Alice. Nothing can

harm you there. But if you get too

frightened, you can always wake up.

Like this.

He pinches her. She screams and pinches him back.

CUT TO:

4 EXT. THE OUTSKIRTS OF LONDON - TEN YEARS LATER 4

A horse-drawn carriage careens down the road at a full

gallop.

5 INT. THE CARRIAGE - DAY - CONT. 5

ALICE KINGSLEY is on the verge of womanhood, beautiful, but

slightly off-kilter. She sees the world with different eyes

than other people her age. Presently, she’s tired and grumpy

as her mother fusses with her wild mane of blonde hair.

ALICE:

Must we go? I doubt they’ll notice if

we never arrive.

(CONTINUED)

10/28/08 Blue Revised Pages 3.

5 CONTINUED:
5

HELEN KINGSLEY:

They will notice.

She re-ties her waist sash, feeling for her corset.

HELEN KINGSLEY (CONT’D)

Where’s your corset?

She pulls back her dress to see bare legs.

HELEN KINGSLEY (CONT’D)

And no stockings!

ALICE:

I’m against them.

HELEN KINGSLEY:

But you’re not properly dressed.

ALICE:

Who’s to say what is proper? What if

it was agreed that “proper” was

wearing a codfish on your head? Would

you wear it?

HELEN KINGSLEY:

Alice.

ALICE:

To me a corset is like a codfish.

HELEN KINGSLEY:

Please. Not today.

Frustrated, Alice looks out the window and mutters.

ALICE:

Father would have laughed.

She sees the hurt on her mother’s face and instantly regrets

her words.

ALICE (CONT’D)

I’m sorry. I’m tired. I didn’t sleep

well last night.

Her mother pats her hand in a forgiving gesture.

HELEN KINGSLEY:

Did you have bad dreams again?

(CONTINUED)

10/28/08 Blue Revised Pages 4.

5 CONTINUED:
(2) 5

ALICE:

Only one. It’s always the same ever

since I can remember. Do you think

that’s normal? Don’t most people have

different dreams?

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