Episode Five: The Winter Ball (part five)

34. INT. UNDER THE DOME NIGHT

MATT, BEHIND THE BAR, GIVES INSTRUCTIONS TO MAGGIE AND ROSIE, WHO ARE WAITRESSING.

MATT
Always say please and thank you. Never leave a glass empty. Keep your eyes peeled for guests arriving and welcome them in. You’ve got that?

MAGGIE AND ROSIE NOD.

MATT
Good. Now go to your positions.

MAGGIE AND ROSIE WALK AWAY.

MATT
And serve the youngsters lemonade. We don’t want any trouble.

CLARE ENTERS DRESSED IN HER BEST OUTFIT. SHE SURVEYS THE ARIA AND LOOKS IN AMAZEMENT AT HER FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS. THEY HAVE GOLD AND SILVER DECORATIONS ON THEM AND THEY LOOK FABULOUS. PUZZLED SHE WALKS TO THE BAR AND TAKES HER PLACE BY THE FOOD COUNTER.

MATT
Well?

CLARE
Well what?

MATT
Your flower arrangements!

CLARE
You did this?

MATT
Someone hung peanuts in their shells out for the birds. As if they would know what that’s for … Anyway, I put my thinking cap on. What do you think?

CLARE
I don’t know what to say! They are looking absolutely great!

CUT TO MAGGIE AND ROSIE. ROSIE POINTS AT THE GOLD AND SILVER DECORATIONS ON THE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS.

ROSIE
Those are your peanuts!

MAGGIE
Don’t be daft. They can’t be!

GUESTS BEGIN TO ARRIVE AND MAGGIE AND ROSIE HURRY TOWARDS THEM AND WELCOME THEM IN. THE SCHOOL BAND BEGINS TO PLAY.

CUT TO MATT AND CLARE.

MATT
I took the peanuts out, painted the shells silver, the nuts gold and arranged the nuts and shells with the flowers.

CLARE
Goodness! You did a grand job!

MATT
Am I forgiven?

CHARLOTTE, SOPHIE AND ALEXANDRA, DRESSED IN THEIR MOST REVEALING DRESSES, ENTER.

ALEXANDRA
I don’t know what happened to the laptop. Maybe this time it was really stolen.

THE OTHER BOYS AND GIRLS BOARDING AT THE SCHOOL ENTER. CHRISTINE IS THE LAST TO ENTER. ROBIN, THE BURSAR, FOLLOWS HER IN AND MAKES HIS WAY TO THE BAR.

BURSAR
Is everything alright Matt?

MATT
It’s all in hand Mr Bragg.

BURSAR
Good, good. Wait for the sign.

PARENTS AND TEACHERS ARRIVE. MAGGIE WELCOMES THEM IN AND TAKES THEIR COATS. ROSIE GOES ROUND WITH GLASSES OF DRINKS ON A TRAY. GUESTS MINGLE.

35. EXT. OLD HOUSE NIGHT

ADAM AND LUCY, ENTWINED, MAKE THEIR WAY SLOWLY TOWARDS THE OLD HOUSE. IT BEGINS TO SNOW.

ADAM
Damn stuff!

LUCY
Don’t.

ADAM
I wont. Nothing can spoil my happiness.

LUCY
Are you ready to face them?

ADAM
Ready to face the devil if need be.

THEY STOP AND KISS TENDERLY.

36. INT. HOUSE MAIN AREA NIGHT

JOSEPHINE AND BEATRICE SIT ON THE SOFA. AMY SWITCHES THE TV ON.

AMY
Now listen. Not a peep out of you two. I will be in my apartment if you need me.

JOSEPHINE
Yes Mrs Short.

AMY WALKS TOWARDS HER APARTMENT AND ENTERS.

37. INT. HOUSE APARTMENT LOUNGE NIGHT

AMY ENTERS AND UNCORKS A BOTTLE OF WINE. SHE SITS DOWN, POURS SOME WINE IN A GLASS AND, WITH A DEEP SIGH, RELAXES.

38. INT. FLAT LOUNGE NIGHT

GLEN DRESSES FOR THE BALL. AN EMPTY BOTTLE OF BRANDY STANDS BESIDE A HALF FULL ONE. HE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HIS TIE AND IMPATIENTLY HE SWIGS FROM THE BOTTLE.

39. INT. UNDER THE DOME NIGHT

MATT WALKS TOWARDS THE PODIUM. HE TAPS THE MICROPHONE. THE GUESTS STOP WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND LOOK AT THE PODIUM. THE BURSAR STEPS FORWARD AND TAKES HIS PLACE BY THE MICROPHONE. MATT STEPS BACK.

BURSAR
Ladies and Gentlemen! In the Headmaster’s absence I wish to welcome you to the Winter Ball.

THE GUESTS APPLAUD.

BURSAR
Thank you. Thank you. It is a pleasure to see you all in such good form. Now, I should apologies for all the recent upsets. This was, of course, never my intention. An over zealous clerk misread my instructions and sent out the wrong information. There will be no increase to the school fees. I have sacked the person responsible for creating such trouble.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERS. LUCY AND ADAM GIVE EACH OTHER A LOOK.

ADAM
An over zealous clerk? My foot!

LUCY
Shhhh.

BURSAR
It is with great pleasure that I can declare this term to have been one of the best. There were no unforeseen problems, no upheavals and no unnecessary redundancies.

APPLAUSE.

SOPHIE
He seems to have forgotten about the fire drill.

CHARLOTTE
And the collapsed ceiling in our dorm.

ALEXANDRA
And that disastrous school trip on the moors.

BURSAR
… And I would like to thank Mr Baker for all his hard work in keeping the school upright …

LAUGHTER. MATT TAKES A BOW.

BURSAR
… Miss Frump for looking after reception …

CLARE BLUSHES TO APPLAUSE AND LOOKS SHYLY AWAY.

BURSAR
… And thank you students for your exemplary behaviour!

APPLAUSE. THE STUDENTS TAKE A BOW.

BURSAR
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, eat and drink and be merry. Thank you!

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE. THE BAND BEGINS TO PLAY. GUESTS EAT, DRINK AND DANCE. MATT IS BUSY BEHIND THE BAR. CLARE HELPS GUESTS SELECT FOOD. MAGGIE AND ROSIE KEEP GLASSES FILLED.

LUCY
Such a wonderful do.

ADAM
It wouldn’t be the same without you. You know that don’t you?

LUCY
Mr Parson … I love you.

ADAM
And you, Miss Brown, have made me the happiest man on earth.

ENTER GLEN, DRUNK AND IN DISARRAY.

40. INT. HOUSE APARTMENT LOUNGE NIGHT.

AMY HAS FALLEN ASLEEP. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR THAT WAKES AMY. SHE LOOKS AT HER WATCH, AS THERE IS ANOTHER KNOCK.

AMY
I’m coming!

SHE RISES FROM THE SOFA AND QUICKLY CHECKS HER APPEARANCE IN THE MIRROR. THERE IS ANOTHER, IMPATIENT, KNOCK.

AMY
Hold on!

AMY WALKS TO THE DOOR AND OPENS IT.

AMY
Will you two ever …

AMY OPENS HER EYES WIDE IN SHOCK.

RICHARD
Surprise!

AMY
Richard!!

41. INT. UNDER THE DOME NIGHT

GLEN IS CREATING HAVOC. HE SEES FLEAS EVERYWHERE. HE DESPERATELY TRIES TO FREE GUESTS OF THEIR FLEAS. HE PULLS THEM FROM PEOPLE’S HEADS, DRESSES AND SUITS. THE GUESTS ARE HORRIFIED BY HIS BEHAVIOUR. GLEN’S BEHAVIOUR APPALLS CHRISTINE.

BURSAR
Matt! Remove him!

MATT WALKS TOWARDS GLEN WHO IS MOVING TOWARDS CHRISTINE.

GLEN
What’s the matter with those people? Can’t they see that it is an infestation?

CHRISTINE
Stop making a fool of yourself!

GLEN
Fool? Me? They are the fools!

MATT
Come with me Mr Miller.

GLEN TURNS AND SCREAMS.

GLEN
You are full of the sodden things!!

CHRISTINE
Come on Glen … Back to your flat.

GLEN
Are you coming with me?

CHRISTINE
Of course I am. Come on.

MATT
Come with me Mr Miller. Slowly goes.

MATT AND CHRISTINE TAKE GLEN AWAY. ADAM LIGHTS HIS PIPE.

ADAM
This had to happen. Damn fool spoils everything. Let’s retire to my place.

LUCY
I quickly need to use the loo first.

ADAM
I shall get our coats. We can leave at the back, what?

LUCY
Meet you there.

42. EXT THE OLD HOUSE NIGHT

MATT AND CHRISTINE ESCORT GLEN OUTSIDE.

CHRISTINE
I can handle it from here Mr Baker.

MATT
I’m sure that you can.

CHRISTINE WAITS FOR MATT TO RETURN INSIDE.

GLEN
Come with me my darling. I’ve had enough.

CHRISTINE TURNS FURIOUS TO HIM.

CHRISTINE
You’ve had enough!! You blithering idiot! Do you think for one moment that I care!! The way you humiliated me in public!! I never want to see you again!! You hear!! Never!!

GLEN
But darling!

CHRISTINE
No buts Glen!! You are a drunk and you stink! You can go to hell!!

CHRISTINE ANGRLILY STOMPS AWAY, LEAVING GLEN DUMBFOUNDED. HE DRUNKENLY STAGGERS AFTER HER.

GLEN
Chrissie! Eh Chrissie!!!

HE SLIPS ON THE SNOW AND COLLAPSES IN A HEAP.

43. INT. UNDER THE DOME NIGHT

MATT RETURNS BEHIND THE BAR.

CLARE
He made a total fool of himself. He should be sacked immediately.

MATT
Yes. Yes. Clare?

CLARE
Yes?

MATT PUTS ONE KNEE ON THE FLOOR.

MATT
Will you marry me?

CLARE IS ASTONISHED. SHE LOOKS AROUND TO SEE IF PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.

CLARE
Get up silly. This is not getting you back in my good books either.

MATT
But …

CLARE
For now, the answer is no. Besides I have plans for the holiday and marriage is not one of them.

MATT
But Clare, please!

CLARE
You may try again next year.

ADAM MAKES HIS WAY TO THE TOILET AREA WITH TWO COATS HANGING OVER HIS ARMS WHEN THE BURSAR STOPS HIM.

BURSAR
Ah, Adam. A word.

44. INT. LADIES TOILETS NIGHT

LUCY IS REPAIRING HER MAKE-UP IN FRONT OF A MIRROR WHEN SHE HEARS THE DOOR OPEN.

LUCY
Don’t be so impatient. A woman needs time to prepare herself for her man.

WITH A SMILE, LUCY TURNS AROUND.

45. INT. UNDER THE DOME NIGHT

THE BAND PLAYS. GUESTS EAT, DRINK AND ARE MERRY. MATT, HUMBLED BY REJECTION, SERVES DRINKS BEHIND THE BAR. CLARE HELPS GUESTS WITH THEIR CHOICES FOR FOOD. MAGGIE AND ROSIE KEEP GLASSES FILLED. THE STUDENTS ARE HAVING FUN. SOPHIE IS DANCING WITH COSMO.

ALEXANDRA
Her bum does look big in that dress.

CHARLOTTE
She stuffed her knickers with tissue.

ADAM TAKES HIS LEAVE FROM THE BURSAR.

ADAM
I’m glad this is sorted Robin.

BURSAR
All the best Adam. Have a great holiday.

ADAM
It’s never too late to find true love, what?

BURSAR
I expect an invitation to the wedding soon.

ADAM SMILES AND GIVES THE BURSAR A WAVE WHILST MAKING HIS WAY TO THE LADIES TOILETS.

46. INT. CORRIDOR NIGHT

ADAM WALKS WITH A BIG SMILE TOWARDS THE LADIES TOILETS. A SECURITY GUARD MAKES HIS WAY TOWARDS HIM.

ADAM
A good show, what?

THE SECURITY GUARD SMILES AT ADAM AND PASSES. ADAM REACHES THE LADIES TOILET AND KNOCKS AT THE DOOR. HE WAITS AND KNOCKS AGAIN.

ADAM
Lucy? … Lucy, are you decent? … May I come in?

ADAM LISTENS AND HESITANTLY OPENS THE DOOR.

47. INT. LADIES TOILET NIGHT

ADAM HESITANTLY ENTERS. LUCY LIES ON THE FLOOR. SHE HAS BEEN SHOT. ADAM KNEELS IN SHOCK BESIDE HER AND LIFTS HER IN A SITTING POSITION. LUCY’S EYES OPEN AND SHE REACHES OUT FOR HIM.

ADAM
Somebody!!! Call an ambulance!!!!!

WITH A DEEP SIGH, LUCY DIES AND A PHOTOGRAPH SLIPS FROM HER HAND.

WITH A LOW, ANIMAL LIKE MOAN, ADAM CRADLES LUCY IN HIS ARMS.


END OF EPISODE FIVE


END OF THE AUTUMN TERM


THE SCHOOL IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AND EPISODE SIX IS THE OPENING EPISODE OF ‘THE WINTER TERM’.

WE WILL MEET GEORGIA, WHO REPLACES ANTOINETTE AND WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT RICHARD, AMY’S HUSBAND, AND COSMO, GEORGIA’S BROTHER.