Barry Lindon Read online

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

  Roderick, and the Countess and mother, at a silent dinner.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  It was not possible to recover the name for whom the note was intended, but it was clear that, to add to all my perplexities, three years after my poor child's death, my wife, whose vagaries of temper and wayward follies I had borne with for twelve years, wanted to leave me. I decided it best not to reveal to her ladyship our discovery, that we might still intercept and uncover further schemes with might be afoot.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - VARIOUS - DAY AND NIGHT

  A few cuts showing Mother keeping an eye on the Countess.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Yet I was bound to be on my guard that she should not give me the slip. Had she left me, I was ruined the next day. I set my mother to keep sharp watch over the moods of her ladyship, and you may be sure that her assistance and surveillance were invaluable to me. If I had paid twenty spies to watch her lady, I should not have been half so well served as by the disinterested care and watchfulness of my excellent mother.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - GARDENS - DAY

  Roderick walking with the Countess.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  My Lady Cosgrove's relationship with me was a singular one. Her life was passed in a series of crack-brained sort of alternation between love and hatred for me. We would quarrel for a fortnight, then we should be friends for a month together sometimes. One day, I was joking her, and asking her whether she would take the water again, whether she had found another lover, and so forth. She suddenly burst out into tears, and, after a while, said to me:

  COUNTESS

  Roderick, you know well enough that I have never loved but you! Was I ever so wretched that a kind word from you did not make me happy? Ever so angry, but the least offer of good-will on your part did not bring me to your side? Did I not give a sufficient proof of my affection for you in bestowing one of the finest fortunes of England upon you? Have I repined or rebuked you for the way you have wasted it? No, I loved you too much and too fondly; I have always loved you. From the first moment I saw you, I saw your bad qualities, and trembled at your violence; but I could not help loving you. I married you, though I knew I was sealing my own fate in doing so, and in spite of reason and duty. What sacrifice do you want from me? I am ready to make any, so you will but love me, or, if not, that at least, you will gently us me.

  Roderick kisses her.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I was in a particularly good humor that day, and we had a sort of reconciliation.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - NIGHT

  Roderick and his mother.

  MOTHER

  Depend on it, artful hussy has some other scheme in her head now.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  The old lady was right, and I swallowed the bait which her ladyship had prepared to entrap me as simply as any gudgeon takes a hook.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Arrival of Mr. Newcombe, the money-broker.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I had hired a money-broker especially to find some means of my making a loan. After several months without success, it was with some considerable interest that I received his visit.

  INT. RODERICK'S STUDY - DAY

  Roderick and the money-broker, Mr. Newcombe.

  NEWCOMBE

  I have good news for you, Mr. Cosgrove. The firm of Bracegirdle and Chatwick, in the city of London, are prepared to lend you 20,000 pounds, pledged against your interest in the Edric mines. They will redeem the encumbrances against the property, which amount to some 10,000 pounds, and take a twenty-year working lease on the mines. They will lend you the 20,000 pounds against the lease income, which they will apply to the loan as it comes in, and they will make a charge of 18% per annum interest on the outstanding loan balance.

  RODERICK

  Mr. Newcombe, I have made some difficult loans during the past few years, at very onerous terms, but 18% a year interest seems very stiff indeed.

  NEWCOMBE

  Considering your financial circumstances, Mr. Cosgrove, it has been impossible to find anyone at all prepared to do any business with you. I think you may count yourself lucky to have this opportunity. But, obviously, if you would reject this offer, I shall keep trying to find a better one.

  RODERICK

  (after a pause)

  I am prepared to accept the terms, Mr. Newcombe.

  NEWCOMBE

  There are a few other points we should discuss. The loan agreement can only be executed by her ladyship's signature, and provided that Bracegirdle and Chatwick can be assured of her ladyship's freewill in giving her signature.

  RODERICK

  Provided that they can be assured of her ladyship's freewill? Are you serious?

  NEWCOMBE

  May I be quite frank with you?

  RODERICK

  Yes, of course.

  NEWCOMBE

  Mister Bracegirdle said to me that he had heard her ladyship lives in some fear of her life, and meditated a separation, in which case, she might later repudiate any documents signed by herself while in durance, and subject them, at any rate, to a doubtful and expensive litigation. They were quite insistent on this point, and said they must have absolute assurance of her ladyship's perfect freewill in the transaction before they would advance a shilling of their capital.

  RODERICK

  I see.

  NEWCOMBE

  When I asked them in what form they would accept her ladyship's assurances, they said that they were only prepared to accept them if her ladyship confirms her written consent by word of mouth, in their presence, at their counting-house in Birchin Lane, London. I requested they come here, and save her ladyship and yourself the inconvenience of the trip to London, but they declined, saying that they did not wish to incur the risk of a visit to Castle Hackton to negotiate, as they were aware of how other respectable parties, such as Messrs. Sharp and Salomon had been treated here.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Roderick and his mother.

  MOTHER

  Depend on it, there is some artifice. When once you get into that wicked town, you are not safe. There are scores of writs out against you for debt. If you are taken in London, and thrown into prison, your case is hopeless.

  RODERICK

  Mother dear, we are now living off our own beef and mutton. We have to watch Lady Cosgrove within and the bailiffs without. There are certain situations in which people cannot dictate their own terms; and faith, we are so pressed now for money, that I would sign a bond with old Nick himself, if he would provide a good round sum. With this money, we can settle our principal debts and make a fresh start.

  MOTHER

  Roderick, you must listen to me. As soon as they have you in London, they will get the better of my poor innocent lad; and the first thing that I shall hear of you will be that you are in trouble. You will be a victim of your own generous and confiding nature.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - COUNTESS' BEDROOM

  Roderick and the Countess.

  COUNTESS

  Why go, Roderick? I am happy here, as long as you are kind to me, as you now are. We can't appear in London as we ought; the little money you will get will be spent, like all the rest has been. Let us stay here and be content.

  She takes his hand and kisses it.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Mother and Roderick.

  MOTHER

  Humph! I believe she is at the bottom of it the wicked schemer.

  EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

  Roderick's carriage moving along.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  We did not start in state, you may be sure. We did not let the country know we were going, or leave notice of adieu with our neighbors. The famous Mr. James Cosgrove and his noble wife traveled in a hack-chaise and pair.

  INT. COACH - DAY

  The Countess lays her head on Roderick's shoulder and smiles.

  RODERICK
(V.O.)

  When a man is going to the devil, how easy and pleasant a journey it is! The thought of the money quite put me in a good humor, and my wife, as she lay on my shoulder in the post-chaise, going to London, said it was the happiest ride she had taken since our marriage.

  EXT. INN - DUSK

  The carriage stops and they disembark.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  One night we stayed at Reading.

  INT. INN - NIGHT

  Roderick and his wife at dinner.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  My lady and I agreed that, with the money, we would go to France, and wait there for better times, and that night, over our supper, formed a score of plans both for pleasure and retrenchment. You would have thought it was Darby and Joan together over their supper.

  INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

  Roderick and his wife making love.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  O woman! Woman! When I recollect Lady Cosgrove's smiles and blandishments, how happy she seemed to be on that night! What an air of innocent confidence appeared in her behavior, and what affectionate names she called me! I am lost in wonder at the depth of her hypocrisy. Who can be surprised that an unsuspecting person like myself should have been a victim to such a consummate deceiver?

  EXT. GRAY'S INN OFFICE - DAY

  The coach drives up.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  We were in London at three o'clock, an half-an-hour before the time appointed.

  INT. STAIRCASE - DAY

  Roderick and the Countess looking for the office.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I easily found out Mr. Tapewell's apartment: a gloomy den it was, and in an unlucky hour, I entered it.

  They climb up dirty backstairs, lit by a feeble lamp, and the dim sky of a dismal London afternoon.

  The Countess seems agitated and faint.

  When they get to the door, she stops in front of it.

  COUNTESS

  Roderick -- don't go in. I am sure there is danger. There's time yet, let us go back -- anywhere!

  The Countess has put herself before the door in a theatrical attitude and takes Roderick's hand.

  He pushes her away to one side.

  RODERICK

  Lady Cosgrove, you are an old fool.

  COUNTESS

  Old fool!

  She jumps at the bell, which is quickly answered by a moldy-looking gentleman in an unpowered wig.

  COUNTESS

  Say Lady Cosgrove is here!

  She stalks down the passage, muttering: "Old Fool."

  INT. MR. TAPEWELL'S OFFICE - DAY

  Tapewell is in his musty room, surrounded by his parchments and tin boxes.

  He advances and bows, begs her ladyship to be seated, and points towards a chair for Roderick, which he takes, rather wondering at the lawyer's insolence.

  The lawyer retreats to a side-door, saying he will be back in a moment.

  In the next moment, he reenters, bringing with him another layer, six constables in red waist-coats, with bludgeons and pistols, and Lord Brookside.

  Lady Cosgrove flings herself into the arms of her son, crying and whimpering and calling him her savior, her preserver, her gallant knight.

  Then, turning to Roderick, she pours out a flood of invective which quite astonishes him.

  COUNTESS

  Oh fool as I am, I have outwitted the most crafty and treacherous monster under the sun. Yes, I was a fool when I married you, and gave up other and nobler hearts for your sake -- yes, I was a fool when I forgot my name and lineage to unite myself with a base-born adventurer -- a fool to bear, without repining, the most monstrous tyranny that ever woman suffered; to allow my property to be squandered; to see women as base and low-born as yourself...

  TAPEWELL

  For heaven's sake, be calm.

  Tapewell bounds back behind the constables, seeing a threatening look in Roderick's eye.

  The Countess continues in a strain of incoherent fury, screaming against Roderick, and against his mother, and always beginning and ending the sentence with the word "fool."

  RODERICK

  You didn't tell all, my lady - I said "old" fool.

  BROOKSIDE

  I have no doubt that you said and did, sir, everything that a blackguard could say or do. This lady is now safe under the protection of her relations and the law, and need fear your infamous persecutions no longer.

  RODERICK

  But you are not safe, and as sure as I am a man of honor, I will have your heart's blood.

  TAPEWELL

  Take down his words, constables; swear the peace against him.

  BROOKSIDE

  I would not sully my sword with the blood of such a ruffian. If the scoundrel remains in London another day, he will be seized as a common swindler.

  RODERICK

  Where's the man who will seize me? He draws his sword, placing his back to the door.

  RODERICK

  Let the scoundrel come! You -- you cowardly braggart, come first, if you have the soul of a man!

  The Countess and the bailiffs move away.

  TAPEWELL

  We are not going to seize you! My dear sir, we don't wish to seize you; we will give you a handsome sum to leave the country, only leave her ladyship in peace.

  BROOKSIDE

  And the country will be rid of such a villain.

  As Brookside says this, he backs into the next room.

  The lawyer follows him, leaving Roderick alone in the company of the constables who are all armed to the teeth.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I was no longer the man I was at twenty, when I should have charged the ruffians, sword in hand, and sent at least one of them to his account. I was broken in spirit, regularly caught in the toils, utterly baffled and beaten by that woman. Was she relenting at the door, when she paused and begged me to turn back? Had she not a lingering love for me still? Her conduct showed it, as I came to reflect on it. It was my only chance now left in the world, so I put down my sword upon the lawyers desk.

  Roderick puts his sword down on the lawyer's desk.

  RODERICK

  Gentlemen, I shall have no violence; you may tell Mr. Tapewell I am quite ready to speak with him when he is at leisure.

  Roderick sits down and folds his arms quite peaceably.

  EXT. COFFEE HOUSE - NEAR GRAY'S INN - DAY INT. RODERICK'S ROOM IN COFFEE HOUSE - DAY

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I was instructed to take a lodging for the night in a coffee house near Gray's Inn, and anxiously expected a visit from Mr. Tapewell.

  Tapewell talking to Roderick.

  TAPEWELL

  I have been authorized by Lady Cosgrove and her advisors to pay you an annuity of 3 00 pounds a year, specifically on the condition of you remaining abroad out of the three kingdoms, and to be stopped on the instant of your return. I advise you to accept it without delay for you know, as well as I do, that your stay in London will infallibly plunge you in gaol, as there are innumerable writs taken out against you here and in the west of England, and that your credit is so blown upon that you could not hope to raise a shilling. I will leave you the night to consider this proposal, but if you refuse, the family will proceed against you in London, and have you arrested. If you accede, a quarter salary will be paid to you at any foreign port you should prefer.

  RODERICK

  Mr. Tapewell, I do not require a night to consider this proposal. What other choice has a poor, lonely and broken-hearted man? I shall take the annuity, and leave the country.

  MR. TAPEWELL

  I am very glad to hear that you have come to this decision, Mr. Cosgrove. I think you are very wise.

  There is a knock at the door and Roderick opens it. Brookside enters with four constables armed with pistols.

  The dialogue for this scene has to be written.

  Brookside has gone against the bargain, and has decided to have Roderick arrested upon one of the many writs out against him for debt.

&nbs
p; Mr. Tapewell is surprised and complains weakly that Brookside is acting in bad faith.

  Brookside brushes aside his objections.

  Roderick is defeated, and meekly sits down in a chair.

  The following lines are read over Roderick being shackled and led out of the room.

  NARRATOR

  Mr. James Cosgrove's personal narrative finishes here, for the hand of death interrupted the ingenious author soon after the period which this memoir was compiled, after he had lived nineteen years an inmate of the Fleet Prison, where the prison records state he died of delirium tremens.

  EXT. FLEET PRISON - DAY

  His mother, now very old and hobbled with arthritis, enters the prison, carrying a basket on her arm.

  NARRATOR

  His faithful old mother joined him in his lonely exile, and had a bedroom in Fleet Market over the way. She would come and stay the whole day with him in prison working.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - COUNTESS' STUDY

  Signing a payment draft, the Countess sighs and gazes out of the large window.

  NARRATOR

  The Countess was never out of love with her husband, and, as long as she lived, James enjoyed his income of 3 00 pounds per year and was, perhaps, as happy in prison, as at any period of his existence.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - STUDY - DAY

  Brookside tearing up the payment draft presented to him by his accountant.

  NARRATOR

  When her ladyship died, her son sternly cut off the annuity, devoting the sum to charities, which, he said, would make a nobler use of it than the scoundrel who had enjoyed it hitherto.

  INT. FLEET PRISON - DAY

  Roderick, now grey-haired, blacking boots.

  NARRATOR

  When the famous character lost his income, his spirit entirely failed. He was removed into the pauper's ward, where he was known to black boots for wealthier prisoners, and where he was detected in stealing a tobacco box.