St Anne’s Square

So this is the second piece of script writing that I did for creative writing last week. It’s got a completely different tone and genre from Cafe Papas but hopefully it’s enjoyable!

1. INT. GRAND HOUSE. LONDON. 01:00am

A grand house, London 1854. Upstairs. Outside of a huge, locked oak door ALEXANDER SMITH (22), American, boy next door, tall but homely in full household livery is crying his soul out, blonde hair pushed up against the wood. Inside MARY CONWAY (20) English, dressed for opera is curled into a ball, hands pressed to her ears.

MARY:
I did it for you!

(The crying takes some time to abate, it is ugly, it shakes his frame.)

MARY:

I had no other choice!

ALEX:
(A breath, trying to gather himself. He is a gentleman. Fingers squeeze in and out of a fist several times.)

It is quiet for an uncomfortable amount of time.


MARY:

(Starts to uncurl, perhaps he is gone?)

ALEX:
(Finally, knocks on the door.)

MARY:
(Timidly goes to the door and opens it to find ALEX still there.)

ALEX:
I was… ungentlemanly. I spent so long trying to think of what to say to you that when I finally saw you I didn’t know what to say.

MARY:
(Wary moving backward) There was only one thing I could do. I couldn’t leave you locked up in there.

ALEX:
(Follows her) I would have taken months in there, years even if it meant you hadn’t done it.

In the light it is obvious that Alex has been hit, his face is bruised. Even his clothing that would normally be immaculate is ruffled as though he had been in a fight.

ALEX (cont’d):
I’d have done anything, anything to keep you safe. You’ve given up everything for me, what sort of man could rejoice in that?

MARY:
I couldn’t just leave you there. I’m not some thing they can just pawn off to the highest bidder! I’m not a prize to be won! I’ve already been won.

ALEX:
(Softer) This wasn’t what I wanted, what we wanted. (Closes the distance between them). Your father surely hates me but he sent me here. I want to protect you.

MARY:
Did my father hurt you?

ALEX:
That doesn’t matter, he wants me to make an honest woman out of you. I have freedom now,  your father’s blessing. Let me care for you, as I have always longed to, and barely dare dreamed that I could.

MARY:
When I laid down with him you were the only thought in my mind. Those sheets, his touches, they meant nothing. There’s only you, there’s only ever been you.

ALEX:
(Hurt) Please don’t… I have some pride as a man. I don’t want to hear about you laying with another, whatever the reason.

MARY:
I did what I did for us, there was no other reason.

ALEX:
Then let that be an end to it. In the morning we’ll go to Church for confession and to have the bands read before your father has a chance to change his mind.

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