Darkest Hour Page #4

CLEMMIE indicates that SAWYERS should go and moves aroundWINSTON tucking his shirt in.

CLEMMIE:

Can I tell you something that Ifeel you ought to know?

He looks at her -

10.

CLEMMIE (CONT’D)

I’ve noticed a recent deterioration

in your manner. You’re not so kindas you used to be. You’ve becomerough, sarcastic, over-bearing andrude.

WINSTON:

Is this about the new girl?

CLEMMIE:

If the King asks you to becomePrime Minister -

WINSTON:

We don’t know that -

CLEMMIE:

I don’t want you to be disliked.

WINSTON:

More than I already am?

CLEMMIE:

Darling, you may be on the brink,

the brink--of having tremendous

power, surpassed only by the King.

With such power you really must tryto be more kind and, if possible,

calm. I want others to love and

respect you as I do.

Clemmie falls back in the bed, shortly joined by Winston-

they share a moment of fondness.

EXT. CHARTWELL - DAY

WIDE SHOT of Chartwell bathed in sunshine. ELIZABETH LAYTON,

with hat and coat now on, is attempting to make a discreetescape from the house but is stopped by a MOTORCYCLE COURIERwith a telegram to deliver. We do not hear what is said.

CLOSE-UP on the telegram turning in ELIZABETH’S hands as theCOURIER rides away. ELIZABETH looks back to the house, makesher decision and re-enters the lair.

INT. STAIRS / CHARTWELL - DAY

ELIZABETH climbs the stairs holding a telegram, braced toonce more enter the Lion’s Den. She enters -

INT. BEDROOM/ CHARTWELL - DAY

- and finds WINSTON, CLEMMIE, JOHN EVANS, SAWYERS and a MAID -

all listening with rapt attention to a RADIO BROADCAST.

11.

BBC RADIO ANNOUNCER

“This is BBC Home Service. Here is

a short news bulletin. The German

army invaded Holland and Belgium

early this morning, by land, and

land parachutes-

ELIZABETH:

There’s a telegram.

JOHN EVANS:

Sssshhh!

BBC RADIO ANNOUNCER

...”The Armies of the Low Countries

are resisting. An appeal for help

has been made to the Allied

governments and Brussels says the

Allied troops are moving to their

support...”

ELIZABETH:

It’s from the Palace.

All eyes turn to look at her, as if an elephant has enteredthe room. A silent beat in which no-one breathes.

WINSTON:

Thank you, Miss...?

ELIZABETH:

Layton.

INT. STUDY/HALLWAY, CHARTWELL - DAY

CLEMMIE hands WINSTON his watch, glasses, cigar case, matchesand a sugar cube.

CLEMMIE:

You’re shaking.

WINSTON:

So are you!

It’s true CLEMMIE is just as nervous -

CLEMMIE:

You from excitement--I from terror.

You have been wanting this your

entire adult life.

WINSTON:

No--since the nursery.

CLEMMIE laughs.

12.

WINSTON (CONT’D)

But do the public want me?

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