Darkest Hour Page #6

CHAMBERLAIN watches the KING.

GEORGE VI:

Why not Halifax? I favour Halifax.

CHAMBERLAIN:

I wanted Halifax. The Lords wanted

Halifax. Halifax wanted Halifax.

GEORGE VI:

Then--then why have I been forced

to send for Churchill?

CHAMBERLAIN:

Because he’s the only member of ourparty who has the support of theOpposition.

GEORGE VI:

His record is a litany ofcatastrophe. Gallipoli, 25,000dead. The India Policy. RussianCivil War. The Gold Standard. The

the the Abdication. And now this

Norway ‘adventure’. What, eighteenhundred men?

15.

CHAMBERLAIN:

One aircraft carrier, two cruisers,

seven destroyers and a submarine.

GEORGE VI:

Winston lacks judgement.

CHAMBERLAIN:

He was right about Hitler.

GEORGE VI:

Even a stopped clock is righttwice a day.

EQUERRY enters.

EQUERRY:

First Lord of the Admiralty,

Mr Winston Churchill!

GEORGE VI:

Early.

CHAMBERLAIN:

Keen.

GEORGE VI:

I accept your resignation--but I

want you to know--how--cruelly I

think you’ve been treated.

CHAMBERLAIN:

Thank you Your Majesty.

He and GEORGE shake hands.

EQUERRY:

This way, my Lord.

The KING waits - SIGHS deeply, until...

We hear footsteps approaching. WINSTON enters.

WINSTON:

Your Majesty.

GEORGE VI:

Mr Churchill.

GEORGE VI (CONT’D)

I believe you know why I--II have asked you here today.

WINSTON:

Sir, I simply can’t imagine why.

16.

GEORGE VI:

It is my duty to-to-to invite youto take up - the position of ofPrime Minister of this United

Kingdom. Will you form agovernment?

WINSTON:

I will.

GEORGE VI:

Very well.

WINSTON bows, and when the KING offers his hand, WINSTON

kisses it. WINSTON rises.

GEORGE VI (CONT’D)

That was--quite easy.

WINSTON:

Yes.

They stare at each other in uneasy silence.

WINSTON (CONT’D)

I believe we are to meet regularly.

GEORGE VI:

Once a week, I’m afraid. How are

you on--on--on Mondays?

WINSTON:

I shall endeavour to be available

on Mondays.

GEORGE VI:

Four o’clock?

WINSTON:

(resolutely)

I nap at 4.

GEORGE VI:

Is that--permissible?

WINSTON:

No. But necessary. I work late.

GEORGE VI:

Then perhaps lunch?

WINSTON:

Lunch! Mondays.

(WINSTON bows)

Your majesty.

GEORGE VI:

Prime Minister.

17.

When WINSTON backs out of the room, the KING anxiously lightsa cigarette, and broods.

EXT. 10 DOWNING STREET - DAY

WINSTON pulls up in his PRIVATE CAR, alights, (followed byEVANS) waves at the PRESS, an effortless SELF-PUBLICIST, attotal ease in the spotlight. Ever the showman - taps theNUMBER 10 on the famous front door with his walking stick forthe amusement of the PHOTOGRAPHERS -

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Prime Minister? First order of

business, sir?

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