Scene from THE KING S SPEECH Written by David Seidler

Transcription

1 Scene from THE KING S SPEECH Written by David Seidler Here's the "Denial of the Call" scene from THE KING'S SPEECH. As you read it, pay close attention to four things: - The reluctant hero - Conflict between these two characters - Hope / Fear - How the call is denied. It is a simple scene that has conflict throughout it. Enjoy! Hal Denial of the Call Scene for THE KING S SPEECH INT. LOGUE'S CONSULTATION ROOM - DAY A different universe from the Spartan waiting area. A world of books - piles of them spilling everywhere. Two slightly shabby, but comfortable armchairs. Well-worn Turkish rug. Hotplate and two chipped mugs. Recording apparatus. Model airplanes. Bertie sits uneasily on an armchair. Lionel goes to sit at a distance. I was told not to sit too close. Bertie remains silent. FEAR: Lionel may offend the Duke HOPE: This signals the possibility that Lionel can lead the discussion and help the Duke make the change he needs. I was also told, speaking with a Royal, one waits for the Royal to choose the topic. Waiting for me to commence a conversation one can wait a rather long wait.

2 Silence. Know any jokes? Timing isn't my strong suit. Silence. They stare at each other. Cuppa tea? No thank you. I think I'll have one. Turns on the hot plate. Aren't you going to start treating me Dr Logue? Only if you're interested in being treated. Please, call me Lionel. I prefer Doctor. I prefer Lionel. What'll I call you? Your Royal Highness, then Sir after that. A bit formal for here. What about your name? Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George? How about Bertie? CONFLICT: Notice that Lionel is pushing the Duke. He is forcing him to cross boundaries. Maybe he s doing it to set up a therapeutic change or maybe he is just a jerk. It is too early in the movie to tell which. (flushes) Only my family uses that. Perfect. In here, it's better if we're equals.

3 CONFLICT: This is a major boundary that Lionel is equal to the Duke, to a Royal. It is a source of conflict throughout the movie all the way up to the last scene. If we were equal I wouldn't be here. I'd be at home with my wife and noone would give a damn. Bertie starts to light a cigarette from a silver case. Don't do that. Bertie gives him an astonished look. I'm sorry? Sucking smoke into your lungs will kill you. My physicians say it relaxes the throat. They're idiots. They've all been knighted. CONFLICT: Now, Lionel is saying that the Royal physicians are idiots and questioning the Knighting system. Also, he is pushing the My castle, my rules position that he needs to succeed here. RELUCTANCE: Turns out that the Duke came to a therapist to NOT discuss anything that could change him. Interesting. Makes it official then. My 'castle', my rules. What was your earliest memory? What an earth do you mean? First recollection. (stammer growing in intensity) I'm not here to discuss personal matters. Why're you here then? CONFLICT: Now, the Duke is exploding in anger. Why? Because he s being challenged. Not a normal situation for a Royal. (exploding - stammer free) Because I bloody well stammer! HOPE: The Duke just spoke without a stammer. FEAR: The Duke doesn t like Lionel and this may end badly.

4 Temper. One of my many faults. When did the defect start? I've always been this way! (quietly) I doubt that. Don't tell me! It's my defect! NOTE: Lionel continues to assert himself as the professional here, and the Duke continues to present the Don t speak to me as an equal stance. How far is this going to go? (calmly) It's my field. I assure you, no infant starts to speak with a stammer. When did it start? (annoyed) Four or five. That's typical. So I've been told. (quickly adds) I can't remember not doing it. That I believe. Do you hesitate when you think? HOPE: If he doesn t hesitate when he thinks, then maybe there is a chance here that Lionel can help him. Don't be ridiculous. One of my many faults. How about when you talk to yourself? Bertie is silent. Everyone natters occasionally, Bertie. Stop calling me that!

5 CONFLICT: Notice how these two are constantly sparring. Lionel is not going to let the Duke get away with anything. And the Duke is acting more and more like a child. I'm not going to call you anything else. Then we shan't speak! Silence. The kettle whistles. Lionel makes himself a cup of tea. Are you charging for this, Doctor? A fortune. So, Bertie...when you talk to yourself, do you stammer? FEAR: If the Duke refuses to speak, how can they work. HOPE: He doesn t stammer when he talks to himself, this proving the impediment isn t a permanent part of him. FEAR: Once again, the Duke has stated that it can t be fixed. He s pretty committed to that position. Of course not! Thus proving your impediment isn't a permanent part of you. What do you think was the cause? I don't know! I don't care! I stammer. And no one can fix it. Bet you, Bertie, you can read flawlessly, right here, right now. Bertie snorts dismissively. And if I win, I get to ask questions. And if I win? You don't have to answer. One usually wagers money. A bob each to sweeten it? See your shilling. I don't carry cash.

6 I had a funny feeling you mightn't. Logue fishes two coins from his pocket and puts them on the table. Stake you. Pay me back next time. If there is a next time. CONFLICT / RELUCTANCE: Every time the Duke shows reluctance, Lionel counter-punches. This is another way that Lionel is building his we re equals relationship. (nods) I haven't agreed to take you on. Logue has uncovered a piece of apparatus, a recording device with earphones. He sets a blank disc onto the turntable and positions a microphone, then hands Bertie an open book. Bertie glares at it defiantly. I can't possibly read this. Then you owe me a shilling for not trying. Furious, Bertie opens the book and reads, stammers badly and gets worse. "To be or not to be, That is the question. Whether it is wiser..." There! He hands the book back to Lionel. NOTE: Again, the Duke has proven his case. He can t read without stammering. I can't read! I haven't finished yet. Lionel returns the book to Bertie and turns to some recording apparatus on a nearby table. I'm going to record your voice and then play it back to you on the same machine. This is brilliant. It's the latest thing from America: a Silvertone. He hands Bertie a pair of heavily padded earphones. Bertie

7 doesn't want to take them. There's a bob in this, mate. You can go home rich! Bertie reluctantly puts them on. Logue turns a dial. LOUD MUSIC is heard. Bertie takes off the earphones. The music stops. You're playing music. I know. How can I hear what I'm saying?! Surely a Prince's brain knows what it s mouth is doing? You're not well acquainted with Royal Princes, are you? Bertie replaces the earphones. Again, the LOUD MUSIC. His mouth moves as he reads, but all that can be heard is the music. Finished, Bertie takes off the earphones and the music ceases. Bertie reaches for the coins, but Logue snatches them. Hopeless. Hopeless! FEAR: Again, the Duke has declared failure. Will this ever work with someone this committed? You were sublime. Would I lie to a prince of the realm to win twelvepence? I've no idea what an Australian might do for that sort of money. HOPE: Really? He did it, and was sublime? Shall I play it? No. If you prefer, we'll just get on to the questions.

8 Thank you Doctor, I don't feel this is for me. He heads for the door. Logue puts the record in a brown paper dust jacket and hands it to Bertie. HOPE: That something on the record will make a difference. Sir? The recording is free. Please keep it as a souvenir? Lionel opens the door for Bertie and closes it behind him INT. LOGUE'S WAITING ROOM - DAY Elizabeth looks up at Bertie hopefully. No Elizabeth nods and rises. They walk towards the door together. NOTE: There it is, the complete denial of the call to adventure. Bertie is completely unwilling to even consider the therapy that can solve his problem. Ah well. ELIZABETH