Mary Shelley Page #5

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If God is everywhere,

then why must Man

erect temples to Him?

Because it is your imagination

that is the instrument

of moral good,

not these four walls.

Let's see if the Great Creator

strikes us down.

[grunts]

You shall fear

the Lord your God.

Thrones, altars...

...judgement seats,

and prisons,

they are all part of one

gigantic, despotic system...

...designed to crush

the soul of Man.

Their empty covenant

has no power over us.

I fear not of God,

or His henchmen on Earth.

Hmm.

[distant thud]

Someone's here.

[distant thud]

Percy.

Percy.

[Shelley] So the Judgement

Day is upon us already.

[Deacon]

Hello?

Is anyone there?

[laughing quietly]

[music swells ]

[music fades]

Oh, Mr. Shelley,

it is a real book.

Your name looks so good

in that gold typeface.

I'm sure it will be

more popular

than your treatise

on the virtues of atheism.

[Godwin] Ghost stories and romance

novels might sell, my dear,

but it's books that

challenge the common doctrine

and superstition

that will truly endure.

We rely on brave works

like this

to push the world out of

its misery and delusion.

Well done, sir.

I hope you like it,

Miss Godwin.

I'm sure I will.

[Shelley, whispering]

Read it when you're alone.

Oh, give it to me!

[laughs]

Give it to me.

Please, Mary.

Mary.

"The sunlight clasp the Earth

And the moonbeams

kiss the sea

What are

all these kissings worth..."

[Claire]

"If thou kiss not me?"

[Harriet]

Miss Godwin?

Yes?

[people chattering]

I am Mrs. Shelley.

Harriet Shelley.

And this is Ianthe,

our daughter.

[quiet, dramatic music ]

How can I help you,

Mrs. Shelley?

I am searching for my husband.

He's not here.

My father works alone today.

I cannot help you any further.

Miss Godwin!

Stay away from Percy.

I have not seen him in weeks

but I have heard rumors.

Surely a wife of Mr. Shelley

would be impervious to gossip?

Evidently you are a stranger

to scandal, Miss Godwin.

Did you know I ran away

with Percy when I was a girl?

Idealism and love

give us courage.

But they do not prepare you

for the sacrifice

required to love a man

like Percy.

Your husband

is my father's student.

Nothing more.

If I see Mr. Shelley,

I will let him know

you are looking for him.

Goodbye, Mrs. Shelley.

[bell on door chimes]

Claire?

[music fades]

Your wife is very pretty,

Mr. Shelley.

I didn't know you were married.

Yes.

Yes, I've been married

for five years now.

[Mrs. Godwin]

Well, well.

We look forward

to meeting Mrs. Shelley.

Perhaps she would like to

join us for dinner one evening?

[Shelley] Your offer is

most kind, Mrs. Godwin.

However, Mrs. Shelley and I

are man and wife in name...

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