Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 Read Free Page B

that.
    He turns back to the house. Cora and Robert register this.
    CORA: I’d better go.
    ROBERT: Tell her about James and Patrick. She won’t have heard.
34 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DAY.
    Violet, Countess of Grantham, stands by the fire, dressed from head to toe in black, the first character to be so. *
    VIOLET: Of course I’ve heard! Why else would I be here?
    CORA: Robert didn’t want you to read it in a newspaper and be upset.
    VIOLET: He flatters me. I’m tougher than I look.
    Cora’s expression implies that this would be hard.
    VIOLET (CONT’D): I’m very sorry about poor Patrick of course. He was a nice boy.
    CORA: We were all so fond of him.
    VIOLET: But I never cared for James. He was too like his mother and a nastier woman never drew breath.
    Which puts paid to any worries about excessive grief.
    CORA: Will you stay for some luncheon?
    VIOLET: Thank you.
    Cora walks towards the bell-pull by the fire.
    CORA: I’ll let Carson know.
    VIOLET: I’ve already told him. Shall we sit down?
    Violet has business to discuss.
----
    VIOLET (CONT’D): You agree this changes everything.
    For once, Cora is surprised. She does agree.
    CORA: My words entirely.
----
    VIOLET: Do you know the new heir?
    CORA: Only that there is one.
    VIOLET: He’s Robert’s third cousin once removed. I have never, to my knowledge, set eyes on him.
    They both know what this conversation is about.
    CORA: Of course, if I hadn’t been forced to sign that absurd act of legal theft by your late husband!
    Violet flashes for a moment, then steadies herself.
    VIOLET: My dear, I haven’t come here for a fight.
    Cora is silent. Why has her mother-in-law come?
    VIOLET (CONT’D): Lord Grantham wanted to protect the estate. It never occurred to him that you wouldn’t have a son.
    CORA: Well, I didn’t.
    VIOLET: No. You did not .
    Obviously, this has been a source of quarrel before now.
    VIOLET (CONT’D): But when Patrick had married Mary and your grandson been hailed as master, honour would have been satisfied. Unfortunately, now—
    CORA: Now a complete unknown has the right to pocket my money along with the rest of the swag!
    VIOLET: What does Robert say?
    CORA: Nothing yet. He’s too upset.
    VIOLET: Good. Don’t let him come to a decision until we can be sure it’s the correct one.
    At this Cora starts to huff, but Violet raises her palm.
    VIOLET (CONT’D): The problem is, saving your dowry would break up the estate. It’d be the ruin of everything Robert’s given his life to.
    CORA: And he knows this?
    VIOLET: If he doesn’t, he will.
    CORA: Then there’s no answer.
    Cora is now truly fascinated. Which the other woman sees.
    VIOLET: Yes there is, and it’s a simple one. The entail must be smashed in its entirety and Mary recognised as heiress of all.
    CORA: There’s nothing we can do about the title.
    VIOLET: No, she can’t have the title. But she can have your money. And the estate. I didn’t run Downton for thirty years to see it go, lock, stock and barrel, to a stranger from God knows where.
    At last Cora speaks in a voice of wonder.
    CORA: Are we to be friends, then?
    Violet hesitates. She would not go quite that far.
    VIOLET: We are allies, my dear. Which can be a good deal more effective.
35 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DAY.
    It is lunchtime. The camera passes Mrs Patmore, Daisy and the kitchen staff eating in the kitchen, and arrives in the Servants’ Hall, where Carson addresses Bates.
    CARSON: Downton is a great house, Mr Bates, and the Crawleys are a great family. We live by certain standards and those standards can at first seem daunting.
    BATES: Of course—
    CARSON: If you find yourself tongue-tied in the presence of his lordship, I can only assure you that his manners and grace will soon help you to perform your duties to the best of your ability.
    BATES: I know—
    ROBERT (V.O.): Bates! My dear fellow!
    Robert is in the