Barry Lindon Page 2

  MAID

  The Englishman's still there, Master Roderick. He's there in the parlor. Go in, and don't let 'im browbeat you, Master Roderick.

  INT. DUGAN MANOR HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY

  Roderick enters and takes his place at the bottom of the big table; the butler speedily brings him a cover.

  UNCLE

  Hello, Roddy, my boy! Up and well? That's right.

  AUNT

  He'd better be home with his mother.

  UNCLE

  Don't mind her. It's the cold goose she ate for breakfast -- didn't agree with her. Take a glass of spirits, Mrs. Dugan, to Roderick's health.

  It is evident that his uncle doesn't know of what happened, but Michael, who is at dinner too, and Harry, and almost all the girls, look exceedingly black and the captain foolish; and Miss Dorothy, who is again by his side, ready to cry. Captain Grogan sits smiling, and Roderick looks on as cold as stone.

  His uncle is in high good-humor.

  UNCLE

  Dorothy, divide that merry thought with the captain! See who'll be married first. Jack Best, my dear boy, never mind a clean glass for the claret, we're short of crystal at Castle Dugan; take Dorothy's and the wine will taste none the worse. Mrs. Dugan and ladies, if you please; this is a sort of toast that is drunk a great deal too seldom in my family, and you'll please to receive it with all the honors. Here's to Captain and Mrs. John Best, and long life to them. Kiss her, Jack, you rogue; for faith, you've got a treasure.

  RODERICK

  (spring up)

  His already?!

  HARRY

  Hold your tongue, you fool -- hold your tongue!

  RODERICK

  (shouting)

  He has already been slapped in the face this morning, Captain John Best; he's already been called a coward, Captain John Best; and this is the way I'll drink his health. Here's your health, Captain John Best.

  Roderick flings a glass of claret into his face. The next moment, he is under the table, tripped up by Harry, who hits him a violent cuff on the head; as he goes down, he hardly has time to hear the general screaming and scurrying that is taking place above him, being so fully occupied with kicks, and thumps and curses, with which Harry is belaboring him.

  HARRY

  You fool! You great blundering marplot -- you silly beggarly brat (a thump at each) Hold your tongue!

  When Roderick gets up from under the table, the ladies are all gone; but he has the satisfaction of seeing the captain's nose is bleeding, as his is -- Best is cut across the bridge, and his beauty spoiled forever.

  UNCLE

  In Heaven's name, what does all the row mean? Is the boy in fever again?

  HARRY

  (turning to his father)

  The fact is, sir, that the young monkey has fallen in love with Dorothy, and finding her and the captain mighty sweet in the garden today, he was for murdering Jack Best.

  CAPTAIN BEST

  (bristling up)

  And, I'll tell you what, Mr. Dugan, I've been insulted grossly in this house. I ain't at all satisfied with these here ways of going on. I'm an Englishman, I am, and a man of property; and I -- I -

  ­HARRY

  If you're insulted, and not satisfied, remember there's two of us, Best.

  On which, the captain falls to washing his nose in water, and answering never a word.

  RODERICK

  (in dignified tone)

  Mr. Best may also have satisfaction any time he pleases, by calling on Roderick James, Esquire, of Jamesville.

  His uncle bursts out laughing, and in this laugh, Captain Grogan joins.

  RODERICK

  Captain Grogan, I beg you to understand that, for my cousin Harry, who has been my best friend through life, I could put up with rough treatment from him; yet, even that sort of treatment I will bear from him no longer; and any other person who ventures on the like will not like the cost. Mr. Best knows that fact very well; and, if he's man, he'll know where to find me.

  UNCLE

  It is getting late, and your mother will be anxious about you. One of you had better go home with him.

  (turning to his sons)

  Or the lad may be playing more pranks.

  HARRY

  Both of us ride home with Best here.

  CAPTAIN BEST

  I'm not afraid of highwaymen. My man is armed, and so am I.

  HARRY

  You know the use of arms very well, Best, and no one can doubt your courage; but Michael and I will see you home for all that.

  UNCLE

  Why, you'll not be home till morning, boys. Kilwangan's a good ten miles from here.

  HARRY

  We'll sleep in Best's quarters. We're going to stop a week there. And, in another week, my boy.

  And here, Harry whispers something in the Captain's ear.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  I'll go home with the boy.

  EXT. ROAD - LATE DAY

  Grogan walks with Roderick.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  A pretty day's work of it you have made, Master Roderick. Knowing your uncle to be distressed for money, and try and break off a match which will bring fifteen hundred a-year into the family? Best has promised to pay off the four thousand pounds which is bothering your uncle so. He takes a girl without a penny -- a girl that has been flinging herself at the head of every man in these parts these ten years past, and missing them all, and a boy who ought to be attached to your uncle as to your father.

  RODERICK

  And so I am.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  And this is the return you make for his kindness! Didn't he harbor you in his house when your father died, and hasn't he given you and your mother, rent-free, your fine house of Jamesville yonder?

  RODERICK

  Mark this, come what will of it, I swear I will fight the man who pretends to the hand of Dorothy Dugan. I'll follow him if it's into the church, and meet him there. I'll have his blood, or he shall have mine. Will you take my message to him, and arrange the meeting?

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  Well, if it must be, it must. For a young fellow, you are the most bloodthirsty I ever saw. No officer, bearing His Majesty's commission, can receive a glass of wine on his nose, without resenting it -- fight you must, and Best is a huge, strong fellow.

  RODERICK

  He'll give the better mark. I am not afraid of him.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  In faith, I believe you are not; for a lad I never saw more game in my life. Give me a kiss, my dear boy. You're after my own soul. As long as Jack Grogan lives, you shall never want a friend or a second. They embrace.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Poor fellow! He was shot six months afterwards, at Minden, and I lost thereby a kind friend. But we don't know what is in store for us, and that's a blessing.

  EXT. HOUSE - LATE DAY

  Mother greeting Roderick and Captain Grogan.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  In spite of my precautions to secrecy, I half-suspected that my mother knew all from the manner in which she embraced me on my arrival, and received our guest, Captain Grogan.

  His mother looks a little anxious and flushed and, every now and then, gazes very hard into the Captain's face.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  But she would not say a word about the quarrel, for she had a noble spirit, and would as lief have seen any one of her kindred hanged as shirking from the field of honor.

  INT. MOTHER'S HOUSE - RODERICK'S BEDROOM - DAY

  Roderick waking up.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I never slept sounder in my life, though I woke a little earlier than usual, and you may be sure my first thought was of the event of the day, for which I was fully prepared.

  Roderick at table with paper and ink.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  And now I sat down and wrote a couple of letters; they might be the last, thought I, that I should ever write in my life.

  See him write: "Dearest Mother."
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  INT. MOTHER'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Then I went down to breakfast, where my mother was waiting for me, you may be sure. We did not say a single word about what was taking place.

  Roderick eats his breakfast with a good appetite; but in helping himself to salt, spills it, on which his mother starts up with a scream.

  MOTHER

  Thank God, it's fallen towards me! And then, her heart being too full, she leaves the room.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Ah! They have their faults, those mothers; but are there any other women like them?

  There is an elegant, silver-mounted sword that hangs on the mantelpiece under the picture of Roderick's late father.

  A pair of pistols hang on each side of the picture.

  Roderick takes down the sword and pistols, which are bright and well-oiled, and collects flints, balls and gunpowder.

  EXT. MOTHER'S HOUSE - DAY

  Captain Grogan and Orderly arrive.

  RODERICK

  Have you taken my message to him?

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  The meeting is arranged. Captain Best is waiting for you now.

  RODERICK

  My mare is saddled and ready; who's the captain's second?

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  Your cousins go out with him. Roderick and Grogan, and the Orderly ride off.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I didn't take leave of Mrs. James. The curtains of her bedroom-windows were down, and they didn't move as we mounted and trotted off.

  EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

  They ride their horses at a leisurely pace.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  That's a very handsome sword you have there.

  RODERICK

  It was with this sword that my late father, Harry James, God rest his soul, met Sir Huddelstone Fuddelstone, the Hampshire baronet, and was fatally run through the neck. He was quite in the wrong, having insulted Lady Fuddelstone, when in liquor, at the Brentford Assembly. But, like a gentleman, he scorned to apologize.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  And now you risk the same fate. If you are killed, your mother is all alone in the world.

  RODERICK

  I am Harry James' son, and will act as becomes my name and quality.

  EXT. FOREST CLEARING - DAY

  Harry, Michael and the Captain are already there. Best, flaming in red regimentals, a big a monster as ever led a grenadier company. The party are laughing together.

  RODERICK

  (to Captain Grogan)

  I hope to spoil this sport, and trust to see this sword of mine in that big bully's body.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  Oh, it's with pistols we fight. You are no match for Best with the sword.

  RODERICK

  I'll match any man with the sword.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  But swords are today impossible; Captain Best is -- is lame. He knocked his knee against the swinging park gate last night, as he was riding home, and can scarce move it now.

  RODERICK

  Not against Castle Dugan gate, that has been off the hinges these ten years.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  It must have been some other gate.

  They alight from their horses, and join and salute the other gentlemen.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  I have just explained to Mister James that Captain Best is lame, and that swords are impossible.

  HARRY

  Oh, yes! Dead lame.

  Harry comes up to shake Roderick by the hand, while Captain Best takes off his hat, and turns extremely red.

  HARRY

  And very lucky for you, Roderick, my boy. You were a dead man else, for he is a devil of a fellow -- isn't he, Grogan?

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  A regular Turk. I never yet knew the man who stood to Captain Best.

  HARRY

  Hang the business. I hate it. I'm ashamed of it. Say you're sorry, Roderick. You can easily say that.

  CAPTAIN BEST

  If the young feller will go to Dublin, as proposed...

  RODERICK

  I'm not sorry -- I'll not apologize -- and I'll as soon go to Dublin as to hell!

  Grogan takes him aside.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  Look here, Roderick, my boy; this is silly business. The girl will marry Best, mark my words; and as sure as she does, you'll forget her. You are but a boy. Best is willing to consider you as such. Dublin's a fine place, and if you have a mind to take a ride thither and see the town for a month, here are twenty guineas at your service. Make Best an apology, and be off.

  RODERICK

  A man of honor dies, but never apologizes. I'll see the captain hanged before I apologize.

  HARRY

  (with a laugh to Grogan)

  There's nothing else for it. Take your ground, Grogan -- twelve paces, I suppose?

  CAPTAIN BEST

  (in a big voice)

  Ten, sir, and make them short ones, do you hear, Captain Grogan?

  HARRY

  Don't bully, Mr. Best. Here are the pistols.

  (with some emotion to Roderick)

  God bless you, my boy; and when I count three, fire.

  RODERICK

  This is not one of my pistols.

  HARRY

  They are all right, never fear. It's one of mine. Yours will serve, if they are needed, for the next round.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  Roderick, fire at his neck -- hit him there under the gorget; see how the fool shows himself open.

  Michael, who has not spoken a word, Harry, and the Captain retire to one side, and Harry gives the signal.

  It is slowly given, and Roderick has the leisure to cover his man well.

  Captain Best changes color and trembles as the numbers are given.

  At "three" both pistols go off. Best gives a most horrible groan, staggers backwards and falls.

  THE SECONDS

  (crying out)

  He's down! He's down!

  Running towards him, Harry lifts him up Michael takes his head.

  MICHAEL

  He's hit here, in the neck.

  Laying open his coat, blood is seen gurgling from under his gorget.

  HARRY

  How is it with you?

  The unfortunate man does not answer, but when the support of Harry's arm is withdrawn from his back, groans once more and falls backwards.

  MICHAEL

  (with a scowl)

  The young fellow has begun well. You had better ride off, young sir, before the police are up. They had wind of the business before we left Kilwangan.

  RODERICK

  Is he quite dead?

  MICHAEL

  Quite dead.

  CAPTAIN GROGAN

  Then the world's rid of a coward. It's all over with him, Roddy -- he doesn't stir.

  He gives the huge prostrate body a scornful kick with his foot.

  HARRY

  We are not cowards, Grogan, whatever he was! Let's get the boy off as quick as we may. Your man shall go for a cart, and take away the body of this unhappy gentleman. This has been a sad day's work for our family, Roderick James, and you have robbed us of fifteen-hundred a-year.

  RODERICK

  It was Dorothy did it.

  Roderick takes the ribbons she gave him out of his waistcoat, and the letter, and flings them down on the body of Captain Best.

  RODERICK

  There! Take her those ribbons. She'll know what they mean; that's all that's left of her of two lovers she had and ruined.

  MICHAEL

  And now, in Heaven's name, get the youngster out of the way.

  HARRY

  I'll go with you. They mount up and gallop off.

  EXT. MOTHER'S HOUSE - DAY

  Upon seeing Roderick and Harry ride up, his mother, who has been waiting outside, rushes to her son with wild screams of joy. He dismounts, and she kisses and embraces him.

  RODERICK (V.O.)


  I need not tell you how great was my mother's pride and exultation when she heard from Harry's lips the account of my behavior at the duel.

  INT. MOTHER'S HOUSE - PARLOR - DAY

  Still much excitement and hustle and bustle.

  HARRY

  The boy must go into hiding, for a short time anyway. Dublin is the best place for him to go, and there wait until matters are blown over.

  MOTHER

  Dublin? But the poor lad has never been away from home. He will be as safe here as in Dublin.

  HARRY

  I wish that were true, Auntie dear, but I'm afraid the bailiffs may already be on their way from Kilwangan.

  INT. RODERICK'S BEDROOM - DAY

  His mother is rushing about and packing a valise. Harry sits on the bed.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Harry persisted in the necessity of instant departure, in which argument, as I was anxious to see the world, I must confess, I sided with him; and my mother was brought to see that, in our small house, in the midst of a village, escape would be impossible, and capture would be impossible to avoid.

  INT. MOTHER'S BEDROOM - DAY

  His mother takes out a stocking from her escritoire, and gives Roderick twenty golden guineas.

  MOTHER

  (gravely)

  Roderick, my darling, my wild boy, I have forebodings that our separation is to be a long one. I spent most of all night consulting the cards regarding your fate in the duel, and all signs betoke a separation. Here is twenty guineas -- all that I have in the world and I want you to keep your father's sword and pistols, which you have known to use so like a man.

  EXT. MOTHER'S HOUSE - DAY

  Roderick's departure.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  She hurried my departure now, though her heart, I know, was full, and almost in half-an-hour from my arrival at home, I was once more on the road again, with the wide world, as it were, before me.

  Roderick waves. His mother cries.

  EXT. HIGH ROAD TO DUBLIN - DAY

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  No lad of seventeen is very sad who has liberty for the first time, and twenty guineas in his pocket; and I rode away, thinking, I confess, not so much of the kind of mother left alone, and of the home behind me, as of tomorrow, and all the wonders it would bring.

  Roderick happily riding down the road.

  RODERICK (V.O.)