Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 Read Free Page A

always made up, but unslept in. Thomas closes a wardrobe door.
    THOMAS: There’s some cedar-lined cupboards in the attic, for things that aren’t often worn. Travelling clothes and such. Mr Watson used it to rotate the summer and winter stuff. I’ll show you later.
    BATES: What about studs and links? Do I choose them? Or does he?
    THOMAS: Lay them out unless he asks for something in particular. These are for a ball, these for an ordinary dinner, these only in London …
    BATES: I’ll get the hang of it.
    THOMAS: Yeah, you’ll have to.
    Bates has wandered over to a vitrine beneath the window.
    THOMAS (CONT’D): Snuff boxes. He collects them.
----
    BATES: Beautiful. It’s lucky Mr Watson didn’t help himself.
    THOMAS: He knew they wouldn’t let it go if he had. He was canny like that.
----
    Bates stares down at the glittering geejaws.
    BATES: Funny, our job, isn’t it?
    THOMAS: What d’you mean?
    BATES: The way we live with all this. A pirate’s hoard within our reach. But none of it’s ours, is it?
    THOMAS: No. None of it’s ours.
32 INT. UPSTAIRS PASSAGE. DAY.
    Thomas meets O’Brien, who is carrying some linen.
    O’BRIEN: Well?
    THOMAS: I can’t believe I’ve been passed over for Long John Silver.
    O’BRIEN: You should have spoken up when you had the chance. Don’t make the same mistake next time.
    THOMAS: Who says there’ll be a next time?
    But Mrs Hughes is in the passage now.
    MRS HUGHES: Is this a public holiday no one’s told me of?
    They go about their business, but O’Brien winks at Thomas.
33 EXT. GARDENS. DOWNTON ABBEY. DAY.
    Cora and Robert are walking the dog.
----
    CORA: I think she’s quite right.
    He does not comment.
    CORA (CONT’D): It was a family understanding, that’s all. There’s no need to present her as second hand goods because of a private arrangement.
    ROBERT: If you say so. She was certainly reluctant to go into mourning.
----
    He raises his brows to signify his disapproval.
    CORA: Well, she’ll have to. We all will. O’Brien’s sorting out my black now and I’ve told Anna to see what the girls have, that still fits.
    But mourning is not what she has been thinking about.
    CORA (CONT’D): Of course this alters everything.
    She has spoken with real finality, but he says nothing.
    CORA (CONT’D): You won’t try to deny it? You’ll challenge the entail now? Surely? *
    ROBERT: Can’t we at least wait until we know they’re dead before we discuss it?
    CORA: Don’t talk as if I’m not brokenhearted, because I am.
    But she still has something to get off her chest.
    CORA (CONT’D): Of course I’ve never understood why this estate has to go to whomever inherits your title—
    ROBERT: My dear, I don’t make the law.
----
    CORA: But even if I did, why on earth was my money made part of it?
    ROBERT: I cannot go over this again. My father was anxious to secure Downton’s future and—
    CORA: Your father was anxious to secure my cash! He didn’t wait a month before he made me sign it over!
    ROBERT: If we’d had a son, you’d never have noticed.
    CORA: Don’t be unkind.
    ROBERT: I’m not. I’m just stating a—
    CORA: It was bad enough that Patrick would get everything, but at least he was going to marry Mary—
----
    The sight of Carson walking towards them calms her down.
    ROBERT: What is it?
    CARSON: The Dowager Countess is in the drawing room.
    ROBERT: I’ll come now.
    CARSON: She asked for Lady Grantham.
    This is a surprise to both husband and wife.
    CORA: I wonder what I’ve done wrong this time.
    She doesn’t bother to exclude the butler.
    CARSON: Oh, and the new valet has arrived, m’lord.
    ROBERT: Has he? Thank you, Carson.
    Carson hesitates.
    ROBERT (CONT’D): What is it?
    CARSON: I am not entirely sure he will prove equal to the task but your lordship will be the judge of