Barry Lindon Read online

INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - DAY

  Roderick throws a knife at young Brookside. The knife digs into an expensive antique chest, just missing the young Brookside's head.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  When I flung the carving-knife at Brookside, I was drunk, as everybody present can testify, but as for having any systematic scheme against the poor lad, I can declare solemnly that, beyond merely hating him, I am guilty of no evil towards him.

  INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - DAY

  The Countess discovers Roderick making love to the child's nurse.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Do what one would to please her, my lady would never be happy or in good humor. And soon she added a mean, detestable jealousy to all her other faults, and would weep and wring her hands, and threaten to commit suicide, and I know not what.

  She screams and shouts something about suicide.

  Her son, Brookside, comes running in and consoles her.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Her death would have been no comfort to me, as I leave any person of common prudence to imagine; for that scoundrel of a young Brookside who was about to become my greatest plague and annoyance, would have inherited every penny of the property.

  INT. COSGROVE HOUSE - LONDON - RODERICK'S STUDY - DAY

  Roderick, bored and distracted, sits before a stack of bills and papers, with his accountant.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Humble people envy us great men, and fancy that our lives are all pleasure. But the troubles of poverty, the rascality of agents, the quibbles of lawyers are endless. My life at this period seemed to consist of nothing but drafts of letters and money-brokers relative to the raising of money, and the insuring of Lady Cosgrove's life, and innumerable correspondence with upholsterers, decorators, cooks, horsekeepers, bailiffs, and stewards.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - GARDENS - DAY

  Various cuts.

  Birthday fete for Patrick who is now five years old.

  Gaily colored tents, ponies, a puppet show, expensive presents.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  My own dear boy, Patrick, was now five years old, and was the most polite and engaging child ever seen; it was a pleasure to treat him with kindness and distinction; the little fellow was the pink of fashion, beauty, and good breeding. In fact, he could not have been otherwise, with the care both his parents bestowed upon him, and the attentions which were lavished upon him in every way.

  Brookside and Roderick.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Whereas, young Brookside had grown to be a very nasty and disrespectful fellow indeed. In my company, he preserved the most rigid silence, and a haughty, scornful demeanor, which was so much the more disagreeable because there was nothing in his behavior I could actually take hold of to find fault with, although his whole conduct was insolent and supercilious to the highest degree.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - LIBRARY - DAY

  Brookside sitting alone reading a book.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  In addition to this, the lad was fond of spending the chief part of his time occupied with the musty old books, which he took out of the library, and which I hate to see a young man of spirit pouring over.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Brookside and the Countess.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  The insubordination of that boy was dreadful. He used to quote passages of "Hamlet" to his mother, which made her very angry.

  Brookside quoting "Hamlet."

  The Countess begins to cry and leaves the room.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - RODERICK'S STUDY

  Roderick caning young Brookside.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  As it is best to nip vice in the bud, and for a master of a family to exercise his authority in such a manner as that there may be no question about it, I took every opportunity of coming to close quarters with Master Brookside.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

  Many guests around the table.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  He always chose the days when company, or the clergy, or gentry of the neighborhood were present, to make violent, sarcastic, and insolent speeches.

  Brookside begins to fondle and caress Patrick.

  BROOKSIDE

  Dear child, what a pity it is I am not dead for your sake! The Cosgroves would then have a worthy representative, and enjoy all the benefits of the illustrious blood of the James' of Duganstown, would they not, Mr. James Cosgrove?

  INT. RODERICK'S STUDY - NIGHT

  Roderick caning Brookside again. The boy bears the punishment without crying.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Roderick's reunion with his mother.

  Present are the Countess, Patrick, Lord Brookside and others.

  Mrs. James flings herself into her son's arms with a scream, and with transports of joy, which can only be comprehended by women who have held, in their arms, an only child, after a twelve-year absence from him.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DAY

  Roderick and mother feeding Patrick.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - GARDEN - DAY

  Roderick and mother playing with Patrick in the garden.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

  Mother at dinner with the family, in a strained atmosphere.

  INT. PATRICK'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

  Roderick and his mother talk in whispers near the bed of the sleeping Patrick.

  MOTHER

  Ah, Roderick, it's a blessing to see that my darling boy has attained a position I always knew was his due, and for which I pinched myself to educate him. Little Patrick is a darling boy, and you live in great splendor, but how long will it last? Your lady-wife knows she has a treasure she couldn't have had, had she taken a duke to marry her, but if, one day, she should tire of my wild Roderick and his old-fashioned Irish ways, or if she should die, what future would there be for my son and grandson?

  INT. RODERICK'S STUDY - CASTLE HACKTON - NIGHT

  Roderick and his mother.

  MOTHER

  You have not a penny of your own, and cannot transact any business without the Countess' signature. Upon her death, the entire estate would go to young Brookside, who bears you little affection. You could be penniless tomorrow, and darling Patrick at the mercy of his stepbrother.

  INT. MOTHER'S ROOM - CASTLE HACKTON - NIGHT

  Roderick and his mother.

  MOTHER

  I shall tell you a secret -- I shall not rest until I see you Earl of Duganstown, and my grandson, a Lord Viscount.

  She smooths down Roderick's hair.

  MOTHER

  This head would become a coronet.

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - GARDEN - DAY

  Roderick and Mother slowly walking and talking. Young Patrick, ahead of them sitting in a small cart, pulled by a lamb.

  MOTHER

  These things entail considerable expense, and you will need your lady's blessing, but the young boy forms the great bond of union between you and her ladyship, and there is no plan of ambition you could propose in which she would not join for the poor lad's benefit, and no expense she will not eagerly incur, if it might be any means be shown to tend to his advancement. You have important friends, and they can tell you how these things are done.

  INT. LONDON GAMING ROOM - NIGHT

  Standing away from the play tables, Roderick chats with Lord West, a fat giant of a man.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  And, to be sure, I did know someone who knew precisely how these things were done, and this was the distinguished solicitor and former Government Minister, Lord West, whose acquaintance I made, as I had so many others, at the gaming table.

  LORD WEST

  Do you happen to know Gustavus Adolphus, the thirteenth Earl of Crabs?

  RODERICK

  By name only.

  LORD WEST

  Well, sir, this nobleman is one of the gentlemen of His Majesty's closet, and one with whom our revered monarch is on terms of considerable intimacy. I should say y
ou would be wise to fix upon this nobleman your chief reliance for the advancement of your claim to the Viscounty which you propose to get.

  INT. LONDON CLUB - DAY

  Roderick having lunch with Lord West and the Earl of Crabs.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  And for a five-hundred guinea fee, paid to his City law-firm, Lord West kindly arranged a meeting with that old scamp and swindler, Gustavus Adolphus, the thirteenth Earl of Crabs.

  EARL OF CRABS

  Mr. Cosgrove, when I take up a person, he or she is safe. There is no question about them any more. My friends are the best people. I don't mean the most virtuous, or, indeed, the least virtuous, or the cleverest, or the stupidest, or the richest, or the best born, but the "best" -- in a word, people about whom there is no question. I cannot promise you how long it will take. You can appreciate it is not an easy matter. But any gentlemen with an estate, and ten-thousand a-year should have a peerage.

  INT. DRAWING ROOM - EARL OF CRABS - DAY

  Roderick being introduced to three noblemen, including the Duke of Rutland.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  The striving after this peerage, I consider to have been one of the most unlucky dealings at this period. I made unheard of sacrifices to bring it about. I can tell you bribes were administered, and in high places too -- so near the royal person of His Majesty that you would be astonished were I to mention what great personages condescended to receive our loans.

  INT. DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT

  Roderick gives a beautiful diamond to a fat princess on her birthday. He is applauded by the other guests.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I lavished money here, and diamonds there.

  EXT. FARMLAND - DAY

  Roderick and the seller, riding over a prospective property. A broker shows them a survey map of the property.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I bought lands at ten times there value.

  INT. SALON - LONDON - NIGHT

  A musical evening.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I gave repeated entertainments to those friends to my claims who, being about the royal person, were likely to advance it.

  INT. STATELY HOME - DAY

  Roderick buying pictures.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I purchased pictures and articles of vertu at ruinous prices.

  EXT. RACES - DAY

  Roderick laughing and paying a bet.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I lost many a bet to the royal dukes, His Majesty's brothers.

  EXT. FIELD - DAY

  Reviewing the company of troops.

  Roderick, the Earl of Crabs, the Countess, Patrick and Brookside, several princes and noblemen and the Duke of Rutland.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  One of the main causes of expense which this ambition of mine entailed upon me was the fitting out and arming of a company of infantry from the Hackton estates, which I offered to my gracious sovereign for the campaign against the American rebels. These troops, superbly equipped and clothed, were embarked at Portsmouth in the year 1778.

  INT. ST. JAMES - RECEPTION ROOM - DAY

  George III meeting people and stopping to talk to Roderick. Present also is the Duke of Rutland.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  And the patriotism of the gentlemen who raised them was so acceptable at court that, on being presented by my Lord Crabs, His Majesty condescended to notice me particularly and said:

  GEORGE III

  That's right, Mr. Cosgrove, raise another company, and go with them, too!

  INT. COFFEE HOUSE - NIGHT

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Crabs was really one of the most entertaining fellows in the world, and I took a sincere pleasure in his company, besides the interest and desire I had in cultivating the society of the most important personages of the realm.

  Roderick clumsily tries to engage in conversation with the famed Dr. Johnson, on the subject of a book or play, of the day, and is rebuffed for his trouble.

  JOHNSON

  If I were you, Mr. Cosgrove, I should mind my horses and tailors and not trouble myself about letters.

  Laughter, Roderick bristles.

  RODERICK

  Dr. Johnson, I think you misbehave most grossly, treating my opinions with no more respect than those of a schoolboy. You fancy, sir, you know a great deal more than me, because you quote your "Aristotle" and "Plato," but can you tell me which horse will win at Epsom Downs next week? Can you shoot the ace of spades ten times without missing? If so, talk about Aristotle and Plato with me.

  BOSWELL

  (roars)

  Do you know who you're speaking to?!

  JOHNSON

  Hold your tongue, Mr. Boswell, I had no right to brag of my Greek, gentlemen, and he has answered me very well.

  RODERICK

  (pleased)

  Do you know ever a rhyme for Aristotle?

  GOLDSMITH

  (laughing)

  Port, if you please.

  JOHNSON

  Waiter, bring on of Captain James' rhymes for Aristotle.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  And we had six rhymes for Aristotle before we left the coffee house that evening.

  INT. LONDON CLUB - NIGHT

  EARL OF CRABS

  Henri, this is Mr. James Cosgrove, who wishes to arrange a dinner party next week for sixty guests.

  HENRI

  I am at your service, Mr. Cosgrove. How much do you wish to spend?

  RODERICK

  As much as possible.

  HENRI

  As much as possible?

  RODERICK

  Yes, for I wish to entertain splendidly.

  HENRI

  All the same, you must name an amount.

  RODERICK

  It is entirely up to you. I want the best.

  EARL OF CRABS

  May I suggest five hundred guineas?

  RODERICK

  Will that be enough?

  HENRI

  Last month, the Duke of Suffolk spent no more.

  RODERICK

  All right, five hundred guineas.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - RODERICK'S STUDY - DAY

  Roderick is seated at a large table, stacked high with bills and letters; his accountant is seated next to him, aided by a bookkeeper. Roderick looks at each bill and his accountant explains the charge.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  The life I was leading was that of a happy man, but I was not happy.

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - LONG GALLERY - DAY

  Roderick, walking with big strides, leads Brookside by his ear. Little Patrick runs alongside, pleading for his brother.

  PATRICK

  Papa, please don't flog Brookside today. It wasn't his fault -­really is wasn't.

  Roderick ignores him.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  By now, young Brookside was of so wild, savage, and insubordinate a nature that I never had the least regard for him. As he grew up to be a man, his hatred for me assumed an intensity quite wicked to think of and which, I promise you, I returned with interest.

  He drags Brookside into his study, slamming the door behind him.

  INT. LIBRARY - DAY

  Roderick alone. Brookside enters with a pistol.

  BROOKSIDE

  (grinding his teeth)

  Look you now, Mister Roderick James, from this moment on, I will submit to no further chastisement from you! Do you understand that?

  RODERICK

  Give me that pistol.

  BROOKSIDE

  Take heed, Mister James. I will shoot you if you lay hands on me now, or ever again. Is that entirely clear to you, sir?

  Roderick stares hard at him, then he laughs and sits down.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  I decided, at once, to give up that necessary part of his education. In truth, he then became the most violent, daring, disobedient, scapegrace, that ever caused an affectionate parent pain; he was certainly the most incorrigible.

  INT. CAS
TLE HACKTON - BROOKSIDE'S ROOM - DAY

  Brookside smashing a chair over the head of his governor, Reverend Hunt.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Twice or thrice, Reverend Hunt attempted to punish my Lord Brookside; but I promise you the rogue was too strong for him, and leveled the Oxford man to the ground with a chair, greatly to the delight of little Patrick, who cried out: "Bravo, Brooksy! Thump him, thump him!"

  EXT. CASTLE HACKTON - GARDEN - DAY

  Brookside and Patrick.

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  With the child, Brookside was, strange to say, pretty tractable. He took a liking to the little fellow -- I like him the more, he said, because he was "half a Cosgrove."

  INT. CASTLE HACKTON - BALLROOM - NIGHT

  RODERICK (V.O.)

  Another day, it was Patrick's birthday, we were giving a grand ball and gala at Hackton, and it was time for my Patrick to make his appearance among us.

  There is a great crowding and tittering as the child comes in, led by his half-brother, who walks into the dancing-room in his stockinged feet, leading little Patrick by the hand, paddling about in the great shoes of the older.

  BROOKSIDE

  (very loudly)

  Don't you think he fits my shoes very well, Sir Richard Wargrave?

  Upon which, the company begins to look at each other and to titter, and his mother comes up to Lord Brookside with great dignity, seizes the child to her breast, and says:

  COUNTESS

  From the manner in which I love this child, my lord, you ought to know how I would have loved his elder brother, had he proved worthy of any mother's affection.

  Brookside is stunned by his mother's words.

  BROOKSIDE

  Madam, I have borne as long as mortal could endure the ill-treatment of the insolent Irish upstart, whom you have taken into your bed. It is not only the lowness of his birth, and the general brutality of his manners which disgusts me, but the shameful nature of his conduct towards your ladyship, his brutal and ungentlemanlike behavior, his open infidelity, his habits of extravagance, intoxication, his shameless robberies and swindling of my property and yours. It is these insults to you which shock and annoy me more than the ruffian's infamous conduct to myself. I would have stood by your ladyship, as I promised, but you seem to have taken latterly your husband's part; and, as I cannot personally chastise this low-bred ruffian, who, to our shame be it spoken, is the husband of my mother, and as I cannot bear to witness his treatment of you, and loathe his horrible society as if it were the plague, I am determined to quit my native country, at least during his detested life, or during my own.