Barry Lindon Read online

  Bursting into tears, Lady Cosgrove leaves the room. Roderick loses control, and rushes at Brookside, knocking down Lords, Dukes and Generals, left and right, who try to interfere.

  The company is scandalizes by the entire incident.

  INT. LONDON CLUB - NIGHT

  Action as per voice over. Roderick is shunned.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  If I had murdered my lord, I could scarcely have been received with more shameful obloquy and slander than now followed me in town and country. My friends fell away from me, and a legend arose of my cruelty to my stepson.

  INT. ST. JAMES - DAY

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  My reception at court was scarcely more cordial. On paying my respects to my sovereign at St. James, His Majesty pointedly asked me when I had news of Lord Brookside. On which I replied, with no ordinary presence of mind:

  RODERICK

  Sire, my Lord Brookside has set sail to fight the rebels against Your Majesty's crown in America. Does Your Majesty desire that I should send another company to aid him?

  The King stares at Roderick, turns on his heel and quickly leaves the presence-chamber.

  Roderick is approached by the Duke of Rutland, who takes him aside into an alcove.

  DUKE OF RUTLAND

  (speaking very quietly)

  Let me tell you, sir, that your conduct has been very odiously represented to the King, and has formed the subject of royal comment. The King has said, influenced by these representations, that you are the most disreputable man in the three kingdoms, and a dishonor to your name and country.

  Roderick begins to sputter.

  DUKE OF RUTLAND

  Hear me out, please. It has been intimated to His Majesty that you had raised the American Company for the sole purpose of getting the young Viscount to command it, and so get rid of him. And, further, that you had paid the very man in the company, who was ordered to dispatch him in the first general action.

  RODERICK

  Thus it is that my loyalty is rewarded, and my sacrifices in favor of my country viewed!

  DUKE OF RUTLAND

  As for your ambitious hopes regarding the Irish peerages, His Majesty has also let it be known that you have been led astray by that Lord Crabs, who likes to take money, but who has no more influence to get a coronet than to procure a Pope's tiara. And, if you have it in mind to call upon Lord Crabs, you will be disappointed. He left for the continent on Tuesday, and may be away for several months.

  INT. LORD WEST'S OFFICE - DAY

  Roderick and Lord West.

  RODERICK

  I insist upon being allowed to appear before His Majesty and clear myself of the imputations against me, to point out my services to the government, and to ask when the reward, that had been promised me, the title held by my ancestors, is again to be revived in my person.

  There is a sleepy coolness in the fat Lord West. He hears Roderick with half-shut eyes. When he finishes his violent speech, which he has made striding about the room, Lord West opens one eye, smiles, and says:

  LORD WEST

  (gently)

  Have you done, Mr. Cosgrove?

  RODERICK

  Yes!

  LORD WEST

  Well, Mr. Cosgrove, I'll answer you point by point. The King is exceedingly averse to make peers, as you know. Your claim, as you call them, have been laid before him, and His Majesty's gracious reply was, that you were the most impudent man in his dominions, and merited a halter, rather than a coronet. As for withdrawing your support from us, you are perfectly welcome to carry yourself whithersoever you please. And, now, as I have a great deal of occupation, perhaps you will do me the favor to retire, or tell me if there is anything else in the world in which I can oblige you.

  So saying, Lord West raises his hand lazily to the bell, and bows Roderick out.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - RODERICK'S STUDY - DAY

  Roderick and his accountant going over the bills which he has heaped on the table.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  The news of His Majesty's disregard were not long in getting around, and, in a very short time, all the bills came down upon me together -­all the bills I had been contracting for the years of my marriage. I won't cite their amount; it was frightful. I was bound up in an inextricable toil of bills and debts, or mortgages and insurances, and all the horrible evils attendant upon them.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - GROUNDS - DAY

  Roderick walking alone.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Was it my own want of style, or my want of a fortune? I know not. Now I was arrived at the height of my ambition, but both my skill and my luck seemed to be deserting me. Everything I touched, crumbled in my hands; every speculation I had, failed; every agent I trusted, deceived me. My income was saddled with hundreds of annuities, and thousands of lawyers' charges, and I felt the net drawing closer and closer around me, and no means to extricate myself from its toils. All my schemes had turned out failures.

  INT. LONDON GAMING CLUB - NIGHT

  Roderick at the gaming table.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  My wife's moody despondency made my house and home not over-pleasant; hence, I was driven a good deal abroad, where as play was the fashion in every club, tavern, and assembly, I, of course, was obliged to resume my old habit, and to commence as an amateur those games at which I was once unrivaled in Europe.

  Roderick loses a large amount of money.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I had a run of ill-luck at play, and was forced to meet my losses by the most shameful sacrifices to the money-lenders, and was compelled to borrow largely upon my wife's annuities, ensuring her ladyship's life, which was the condition for every loan against her property.

  INT. LONDON OFFICE - INSURANCE BROKER - DAY

  Roderick and the broker.

  BROKER

  Your wife's life is as well known among the insurance societies in London, as any woman in Christendom, and, I'm sorry to say there is not one of them willing to place another policy against her ladyship's life. One of them even had the impudence to suggest that your treatment of the Countess did not render her life worth a year's purchase.

  EXT. STUD FARM - DAY

  Roderick buying a horse.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  In the midst of my difficulties, I promised to buy a little horse for my dear little Patrick, which was to be a present for his eighth birthday, that was now coming on. I may have had my faults, but no man shall dare to say of me that I was not a good and tender father.

  Roderick admires the horse.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  It was a beautiful little animal, and stood me in a good sum. I never regarded money for that dear child.

  EXT. ROAD - DAY

  The horse kicks off one of the horse-boys who tries to ride him.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  But the horse was a bit wild, and he kicked off one of the horse-boys who rode him at first, and broke the lad's leg.

  EXT. ROAD - DAY

  Roderick riding the horse. The horse-boy lies in the back of a wagon.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  But he was a beautiful animal and would make a fine horse for Patrick after he had a bit of breaking-in.

  EXT. ROAD - NEAR CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Roderick dismounts and gives the horse to one of the horse-boys.

  RODERICK

  Timmy, take the injured lad to see the doctor, and then bring the horse to Doolan's farm, and tell him to break him in thoroughly. Tell him it's for little Patrick, and that I'll be over to see him next week.

  HORSE-BOY

  Yes, sir.

  RODERICK

  One more thing, and listen well, I don't want little Patrick to know where the horse is being kept. It's going to be surprise for his birthday.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Patrick rushes out to greet his father.

  PATRICK

  Hello, papa!

  Roderick picks him up in his arms, and kis
ses him.

  PATRICK

  Did you buy the horse, papa?

  RODERICK

  Now, just have a little patience, my boy. Your birthday isn't until next week.

  PATRICK

  But I will have it on my birthday, won't I?

  RODERICK

  Well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?

  He walks up the steps holding Patrick, who hugs and kisses him.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  My son, little Patrick Cosgrove, was a prince; his breeding and manners, even at his early age, showed him to be worthy of the two noble families from whom he was descended, and I don't know what high hopes I had for the boy, and indulged in a thousand fond anticipations as to his future success and figure in the world, but stern Fate had determined that I should leave none of my race behind me.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

  Roderick is drunk. Patrick is brought in by his governor, Hunt, to say good night. His kisses his mother first, then approaches Roderick.

  PATRICK

  (kissing him)

  Good night, papa.

  RODERICK

  Good night, my little darling.

  PATRICK

  Papa?

  RODERICK

  Yes?

  PATRICK

  One of the boys in the stable told Nelly that you've already bought my horse, and that it's at Doolan's farm, where Mick the groom is breaking it in. Is that true, papa?

  RODERICK

  (angered)

  What the devil? What kind of fools do we have here? Pottle, who told the lad this story?

  HUNT

  I don't know, sir.

  PATRICK

  Then it's true! It's true! Oh, thank you, papa! Thank you!

  He hugs his father.

  COUNTESS

  Promise me, Patrick, that you will not ride the horse except in the company of your father.

  PATRICK

  (unconvincingly)

  I promise, mama.

  RODERICK

  I promise your lordship a good flogging if you even so much as go to Doolan's farm to see him.

  PATRICK

  Yes, papa.

  INT. RODERICK'S BEDROOM - DAY

  Roderick is awakened by his valet and Hunt, the governor.

  RODERICK

  "Yes»»»?

  VALET

  I'm sorry to disturb you, sir, but Mr. Hunt has something important to tell you.

  RODERICK

  Yes?

  HUNT

  I think Master Patrick has disobeyed your orders and stolen off to Doolan's farm. When I went to the lad's room this morning, his bed was empty. One of the cooks said she saw him go away before daybreak. He must have slipped through my room while I was asleep.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - STABLES - DAY

  Roderick, in a rage, taking a great horse-whip, gallops off after the child.

  EXT. ROAD - CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Roderick comes upon a sad procession of farmers, moaning and howling, the black horse led by the hand, and, on a door that some of them carry, little Patrick. He lies in his little boots and spurs, and his little coat of scarlet and gold. His face is quite white, and he smiles as he holds a hand out to Roderick and says painfully:

  PATRICK

  You won't whip me, will you, papa? Roderick bursts out into tears in reply.

  INT. PATRICK'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

  Some doctors around the bed, Roderick and the Countess anxiously waiting upon them.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  The doctors were called, but what does a doctor avail in a contest with the grim, invincible enemy? Such as came could only confirm our despair by their account of the poor child's case. His spine was injured, the lower half of him was dead when they laid him in bed at home. The rest did not last long, God help me! He remained yet for two days with us, and a sad comfort it was to think he was in no pain.

  INT. PATRICK'S BEDROOM - DAY

  Roderick, Countess and Patrick.

  PARTICK

  (weakly)

  Papa, I beg you and mama to pardon me for any acts of disobedience I have been guilty of towards you.

  COUNTESS

  (weeping)

  Oh, my little angel, you have done nothing for which you need pardon.

  PATRICK

  Where is Brooksy? I would like to see him.

  RODERICK

  Your bother is in America fighting the rebels.

  PATRICK

  Is he all right, papa?

  RODERICK

  Yes, he's fine.

  PATRICK

  Brooksy was better than you, papa, he used not to swear so, and he taught me many good things while you were away.

  Patrick takes a hand of his mother and of Roderick, in each of his little clammy ones.

  PATRICK

  I beg you not to quarrel so, but to love each other, so that we might meet again in heaven where Brooksy told me quarrelsome people never go.

  His mother is much affected by these admonitions, and Roderick is too.

  Patrick gives Roderick a ring from his finger, and a locket to his mother.

  He says that these gifts are so that they will not forget him.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  At last, after two days, he died. There he lay, the hope of my family, the pride of my manhood, the link which kept me and my Lady Cosgrove together.

  EXT. CHURCH - GRAVEYARD - DAY

  Funeral.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I won't tell you with what splendor we buried him, but what avail are undertakers' feathers and heralds' trumpery.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - STABLE - DAY

  Roderick enters the stable and, after a few seconds, we hear a pistol shot. He exits rapidly, the smoking pistol still in his hand.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - VARIOUS - DAY AND NIGHT

  The Countess: Praying. Waking up screaming. Fits of crying. Severely depressed.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Lady Cosgrove, always vaporish and nervous, after our blessed boy's catastrophe, became more agitated than ever, and plunged into devotion with so much fervor that you would have fancied her almost distracted at times.

  Countess sees visions.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  She imagined she saw visions. She said an angel from heaven told her that Patrick's death was a punishment to her for her neglect of her firstborn. Then she would declare that Brookside was dead.

  INT. RODERICK'S STUDY - DAY

  Roderick and his accountant. Bills, bills, bills.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  By now, my financial affairs were near to ruin. I could not get a guinea from any money-dealer in London. Our rents were in the hands of receivers by this time, and it was as much as I could do to get enough money from the rascals to pay my wine-merchants their bills. Our property was hampered, and often as I applied to my lawyers and agents for money, would come a reply demanding money of me for debts and pretended claims which the rapacious rascals said they had on me.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Mother arrives. Roderick greets her. Servants unload her bags.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  My mother was the only person who, in my misfortune, remained faithful to me -- indeed, she has always spoken of me in my true light, as a martyr to the rascality of others, and a victim of my own generous and confiding temper.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Mother supervising kitchen staff.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  She was an invaluable person to me in my house, which would have been at rack and ruin before, but for her spirit of order and management and her excellent economy in the government of my rapidly dwindling household staff.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - GARDEN - DAY

  Roderick and his mother.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  If anything could have saved me from the consequences of villainy in others, it would have been the admirable prudence of that worthy creature.

  INT
. CASTLE HACKTON - DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT

  Action as per voice over.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  She never went to bed until all the house was quiet and all the candles out; you may fancy that this was a matter of some difficulty with a man of my habits who had commonly a dozen of jovial fellows to drink with me every night, and who seldom, for my part, went to bed sober.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - RODERICK'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

  Actions as per voice over.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Many and many a night, when I was unconscious of her attention, has that good soul pulled my boots off, and seen me laid by my servants snug in bed, and carried off the candle herself...

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - RODERICK'S BEDROOM - DAY

  Action as per voice over.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  ... and been the first in the morning, too, to bring me my drink of small beer. It was my mother's pride that I could drink more than any man in the country.

  INT. RODERICK'S STUDY - NIGHT

  Roderick and his mother holding a letter before a fire, which slowly brings out the writing in lemon juice between the widely-spaced lines of directions to her milliner.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  My mother discovered that always, before my lady-wife chose to write letters to her milliner, she had need of lemons to make her drink, as she said, and this fact, being mentioned to me, kind of set me a-thinking.

  RODERICK

  (reading letter aloud)

  "This day, three years ago, my last hope and pleasure in life was taken from me, and my dear child was called to Heaven. Where is his neglected brother, whom I suffered to grow up unheeded by my side, and whom the tyranny of the monster to whom I am united drove to exile, and, perhaps to death? I pray the child is still alive and safe. Charles Brookside! Come to the aide of a wretched mother, who acknowledges her crime, her coldness towards you, and now bitterly pays for her error! What sufferings, what humiliations have I had to endure! I am a prisoner in my own halls. I should fear poison, but then I know the wretch has a sordid interest in keeping me alive, and that my death would be the signal for his ruin. But I dare not stir without my odious, hideous, vulgar gaoler, the horrid Irish woman, who purses my every step. I am locked into my chamber at night, like a felon, and only suffered to leave it when ordered into the presence of my lord, to be present at his orgies with his boon-companions, and to hear his odious converse as he lapses into the disgusting madness of intoxication."