Lady Macbeth

1

Praise to the Lord

Who o'er all things

so wondrously reigneth

Shelters he under his wings

Yet so gently sustaineth

Hast thou not seen

How thy desires ever have been

Granted in what he ordaineth

(Humming the hymn)

Are you cold?

No.

Are you nervous?

No.

(Door opening)

(Footsteps)

Are you comfortable?

Yes. Yes, sir. Thank you.

- You're not cold?

- No.

- This house gets very cold.

- I'm thick-skinned.

You'll find that there can be a draught.

Won't be like what you're used to.

You ought to keep to the house.

But I don't mind the fresh air.

You'll be more comfortable

in the house.

I like the fresh air.

- I like being outside...

- Take it off.

Your nightdress, take it off.

(Wind howling)

(Wincing)

(Wincing)

(Men laughing and chatting)

(Clock chiming)

So you'll not go to London, then?

What?

My son will stay here with his wife

and play master or something.

(Laughter)

Excuse me.

Good night.

(Father-in-law) You're very tired

lately, Katherine.

You will wait up for your husband.

I am perhaps a little overtired, sir.

You will wait up, Katherine.

I will try, sir.

Sit with Mrs Lester,

see that she doesn't fall asleep.

I'm awake.

Stop staring, Anna.

- But Mr Lester said...

- I know what Mr Lester said

but I'm awake

so there's no need to stare at me.

(Footsteps)

(Door opening)

Stand up.

Stand!

Leave.

Stop smiling.

Take your nightdress off.

Face the wall.

(Unbuttoning his fly)

Face the wall!

(Husband masturbating)

(Moaning)

(sighing)

'Where has my husband gone?'

Away.

- Away?

- That's what I said.

- To do what?

- Nothing for you to concern yourself with.

But I do concern myself.

There's been an explosion,

at the colliery at Amble.

An explosion?

- How did that happen?

- Yes, Katherine. An explosion.

I leave for London this morning.

You'll be on your own for a while.

Perhaps you will find

that your energy is restored

after a little of your own company,

and when your husband returns

you can resume your duties

with more rigour,

madam.

(Door closing)

(Carriage departing)

(Opens windows)

(Wind blowing)

(Wind howling)

(Clock chiming)

(Footsteps)

(Man shouting)

(Raised voices)

(Shouting and laughing)

(All fall silent)

- Just taking a break, ma'am.

- On my husband's time?

We'll get straight back to it.

(Choked sobbing)

We're weighing a pig, ma'am.

Weighing a sow, to be precise.

A sow?

- As you see.

- (Anna squeals)

Take her down.

I said, take her down!

Face the wall.

And stop smiling.

(Chains rattling)

May we turn around yet, ma'am?

How much would I weigh?

Would you like me to check?

Guess.

You have wasted quite enough of

my husband's good time and money.

I shall be keeping an eye

on you gentlemen.

Anna?

- Ma'am, if I can explain...

- What was his name?

The one that called you a pig,

what was his name?

- Sebastian, ma'am.

- Is he new?

Yes, ma'am.

He's the new groomsman.

Is there something else, Anna?

No, ma'am.

(Sobbing)

My boots, Anna.

- It's still cold out there.

- It's warm enough.

- Mr Lester said that you weren't to...

- Yes?

- It's going to rain today, ma'am.

- Good.

(Dog barking)

Are you lost?

House is in the other direction.

Mrs Lester!

(Thunder rumbling)

- Anna, it's too hot.

- Your skin's too cold.

Ow!

It only feels too hot

because the cold's got into your bones.

If it feels too hot,

then it is too hot.

Anna, you're hurting me.

Anna!

Anna, stop it!

What's wrong with you?

- Sorry, I...

- You've made my skin all red.

- You'll catch a fever, ma'am.

- It's just a bit of fresh air, Anna.

And there's no need for you

to stare at me currently, is there?

It's unnerving.

(Footsteps)

(Knock at door)

I'm terribly bored, Mrs Lester.

You should dedicate more time

to your work.

- Aren't you bored, Katherine?

- You can't call me that.

Get out. Get out!

What do you want?

No! No!

Shh, shh.

(Door opening)

(Sniggering)

(Laughing)

(Katherine moaning)

You must be anticipating the return

of your father-in-law, Mrs Lester.

- And your husband.

- I must.

It is not good to be

without company for too long.

- The decline in your health...

- My health?

Your absence from church, madam.

No doubt brought on by their absence.

No doubt.

Perhaps a little more time

spent indoors, Mrs Lester.

I understand

you've been taking the air.

Perhaps a little more solitude

and reflection will do.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

(Dog barking)

It's early for you, Anna.

I said, it's early for you, Anna.

And for you, sir.

Ah, she speaks!

Not so.

Got to give dogs a run-around.

A b*tch gets restless

if she's tied up too long.

She was, sir.

Was what?

Tied up too long.

Mr Lester wouldn't be happy if he knew

what was happening in his absence.

What's been happening

in his absence, Anna?

The dogs, sir.

Thank you, Anna.

I'll look into that.

It's good of you to keep

such a close eye on things.

(Katherine laughing)

Mr Lester has returned.

- My husband?

- No, ma'am.

- Where is he?

- He's gone up to the fields.

He said not to expect him till dinner.

(Gasping)

(Footsteps)

Katherine.

Welcome home, sir.

- Have you kept well?

- I have. Thank you, sir.

You haven't been running the house

in my absence.

I have.

That wasn't a question.

- Where's your husband?

- Wherever you put him.

(Sniggers)

I'm so sorry.

- You've heard nothing from him?

- Not a word.

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