Screenplay

Screenplay by
FRANCES WALSH AND PETER JACKSON

PROLOGUE:
Newsreel footage of Christchurch circa 1954.

EXT. VICTORIA PARK/BUSHY TRACK – LATE AFTERNOON CAMERA CRASHES out of bush and races up a dark bushy track.
CLOSE ON . . . two pairs of feet running up the track, slipping in the mud . . . desperate.
WIDE SHOT . . . reveals TWO GIRLS running up the track, distraught.
JULIET HULME: nearly 16 – tall, blond and willowy, and  PAULINE RIEPER: 16 – dark-haired, shorter and stockier than Juliet.
It is 1954. Both girls are dressed in overcoats on a chilly winter day. They slip and stumble on the dirt track that winds up the steep Victoria Park hillside. Thick vegetation and overhanging trees give the path a tunnel-like feeling.

CUT TO:
EXT. OCEANLINER’S DECK – DAY
BLACK & WHITE . . .
Pauline and Juliet running . . . this time they are happy, in holiday clothing, weaving around OTHER PASSENGERS as they race along the deck of an oceanliner.

INTERCUT BETWEEN:  

EXT. VICTORIA PARK/BUSHY TRACK – LATE AFTERNOON Pauline and Juliet desperately scrambling up the track.
AND
EXT. OCEANLINER S DECK – DAY

BLACK & WHITE . . .
Pauline and Juliet happily bounding along the ships deck.
They push past a group of PASSENGERS. Juliet waves and calls out.

JULIET: Mummy!

The PACE of the INTERCUTTING between TRACK and SHIP, COLOUR and BLACK & WHITE, increases in rhythm.
Pauline and Juliet run up toward a MAN and WOMAN (HENRY and HILDA) on the deck.

JULIET: Mummy!  

PAULINE: Mummy!

CAMERA RUSHES toward Hilda and Henry (not seen clearly) as they turn to greet the two girls: 

CRASH CUT:

EXT. VICTORIA PARK/TEAROOMS – DAY
AGNES RITCHIE, proprietor of the tearooms at the top of Victoria Park, comes rushing down the steps toward CAMERA . . . her face alarmed.

PAULINE: (O.S.) (Panicked) It’s Mummy!

Pauline and Juliet rush into CLOSE-UP . . . panting heavily. For the first time we realise their clothes, and Pauline’s face, are splattered with blood.

PAULINE (Panicked) She’s terribly hurt . . .  

JULIET (Hysterical) Somebody’s got to help us! 

CUT TO:
SUPERTITLES ON BLACK:
"During 1953 and 1954 Pauline Yvonne Parker kept diaries recording her friendship with Juliet Marion Hulme. This is their story. All diary entries are in Pauline’s own words."

INT. CHRISTCHURCH GIRLS’ HIGH – FOYER – MORNING MUSIC: "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," sung by a HUNDRED SCHOOLGIRLS.
The school crest "Sapienta et Veritas" embossed in the lino just inside the entrance.
Lisle-stockinged schoolgirl legs carefully walk around the crest . . . TRACK along with the schoolgirl legs.

CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL BUILDING/CRANMER SQUARE – MORNING HYMN CONTINUES OVER:
TRACKING . . . with a row of schoolgirl legs, marching in a crocodile line across Cranmer Square.
CRANE UP . . . to reveal CHRISTCHURCH GIRLS’ HIGH.
SUPER: "Christchurch Girls’ High, 1952" 
CREDITS BEGIN . . . GROUPS OF GIRLS, in heavy, pleated, over-the-knee school uniforms, wearing hats, gloves and blazers, flock through the school grounds.
MISS STEWART, the headmistress, stands by the rear entrance, scanning girls’ uniforms as they enter.  

EXT. RIEPERS’ HOUSE/BACK GARDEN – MORNING
CLOSE ON . . . Pauline Rieper’s legs as she tries to hitch up her baggy stockings. She hops over a fence and hurries toward the school, which backs onto the Riepers’ garden.
She carries a boy’s-style school bag on her shoulder and walks with a slight limp.
  

EXT. CHRISTCHURCH STREETS – MORNING
TRACKING . . . LOW ANGLE with the Hulme car coming toward CAMERA.

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR – MORNING
TRACKING . . . with Pauline's striding feet down a crowded school corridor. CRANE UP . . . as she walks toward CAMERA. In contrast to the other girls, she is introspective and gruffly acknowledges her classmates.

CUT TO
INT. SCHOOL ASSEMBLY HALL – MORNING
The ornate wooden ceiling of the assembly hall. TILT DOWN . . . to a sea of schoolgirls singing the last verse of the hymn. Miss Stewart and the STAFF are standing on the stage, singing.
LONG LENS into the crowd . . . Pauline is not participating in the hymn. Her eyes look about uninterestedly.
ZOOM IN . . . on Miss Stewart glaring straight at CAMERA.
Pauline mouths the last couple of words.
The hymn finishes.

MISS STEWART Sit!

Everybody sits.

EXT. CHRISTCHURCH GIRLS' HIGH/CRANMER SQUARE – MORNING
The Hulmes' car pulls up outside the school.
CREDITS END
WIDE SHOT . . . Juliet Hulme gets out of the car, followed by her father, HENRY. They walk into the school.

CUT TO INT.
SCHOOL FRENCH CLASS – MORNING
Class 3A are in the midst of a French lesson. All the class have name cards hanging around their necks denoting their chosen "French name." MISS WALLER gestures at a screed of subjugated verbs scrawled on the blackboard.

MISS WALLER: The imperfect subjunctive, like the imperfect indicative, indicates action in the past. "II voulait qu'elle lui donnat de l'argent." Translate, somebody . . . quickly!

A SCHOOLGIRL – LAURA – blurts out from the front of the class.

LAURA "He wanted her to give him some money."

MISS WALLER (Angry) Put your hand up! I will not have girls talking out of turn in my class!

The door opens and Miss Stewart brings Juliet into the room.
The presence of the headmistress causes the class to stand up.

MISS STEWART Good morning, gels.

CLASS (In Unison) Good morning, Miss Stewart.

The class sit.

MISS STEWART Miss Waller . . . class . . . this is Juliet Hulme. Juliet is joining us from St. Margaret's, and prior to that she spent some time at Queenswood in the Hawkes Bay.

Juliet looks at Miss Stewart haughtily.

JULIET: I am actually from England, Miss Stewart. 

MISS STEWART :Of course . . . Juliet's father is Dr. Hulme, the Rector of the University.

Miss Waller looks impressed. Pauline is quietly drawing horses at the back of the class.

MISS STEWART :Juliet's travelled all over the world, and I'm sure she’ll be very eager to share her impressions of exotic lands across the seas with the gels of 3A. I'll leave you to it, Miss Waller. Juliet.

Miss Stewart leaves. Miss Waller smiles at Juliet.

MISS WALLER: You can sit over here, Juliet.

Miss Waller gestures to a desk at the front. She gives Juliet a cardboard name card.

MISS WALLER We use French names in this class. You can choose your own. 

Miss Waller returns to the blackboard and starts writing.

MISS WALLER Now, irregular verbs in the present subjunctive. . . "qu'il vienne". . .  

JULIET Excuse me, Miss Waller . . . you've made a mistake.

Miss Waller turns to Juliet—who now has the name "Antoinette" hanging around her neck.

JULIET "Je doutais qu'il vienne" is in fact the spoken subjunctive.  

MISS WALLER It is customary to stand when addressing a teacher . . . "Antoinette." 

Juliet stands.

JULIET You should have written "vint."

Miss Waller frowns, glances at the board, and hastily rubs out the offending word.

MISS WALLER (Embarrassed mumble) Oh! I must have copied it incorrectly from my notes.

Juliet stands again.

JULIET You don't have to apologise, Miss Waller. I found it frightfully difficult myself . . . until I got the hang of it.

Miss Waller turns to Juliet, her face clouded with anger. The class looks terrified.

MISS WALLER (Icily) Thank you, Juliet. Open your text-book to page 17. 

Pauline is smirking.

CUT TO: 
INT. SCHOOL ART CLASS – DAY 
The teacher, MRS. COLLINS, comes in, carrying a pile of paper and a box of paints. She starts to distribute them around the tables.

MRS. COLLINS: Right, I thought we'd do some life drawing today. Pair off into twos and decide who wants to model and who wants to draw.

The girls around Juliet turn to each other, seemingly eager not to be partnered with her. They pair off and Juliet is left alone.

MRS. COLLINS: Oh, Juliet. . . you haven't got a partner.

JULIET That s all right, Mrs. Collins. I'm sure I can manage without one.

Mrs. Collins scans the class.

MRS. COLLINS: Pauline . . . are you with anybody?

Pauline shakes her head.

MRS. COLLINS; Good! You can come here and pair up with Juliet.

Pauline reluctantly comes up to Juliet’s table.

SERIES of SHOTS showing VARIOUS GIRLS sketching their partners. Most of the posing girls are seated in contrived positions with rigid grins on their faces. Mrs. Collins patrols the class, commenting to different girls.

MRS. COLLINS: You might want to change the colour— make it a bit darker . . . that's very nice, Joan.

PULL BACK. . . to reveal Pauline's "pose" . . . slumped in the chair, arms crossed, a sullen look on her face. She stares intently at Juliet, who is drawing furiously . . . but doesn't refer to Pauline at all.

MRS. COLLINS: Good heavens, Juliet! What on earth is this???

Mrs. Collins picks up Juliet's drawing. It features an armoured knight on horseback, fighting a dragon.

JULIET St. George and the Dragon.

Mrs. Collins studies the detail in the drawing.

MRS. COLLINS Where's Pauline?

JULIET Oh, I haven't gotten around to drawing her yet. I was going to pop her on a rock, but I seem to have run out room.

Juliet glances at Pauline.

JULIET Sorry! I don't know if you've noticed, Mrs. Collin but I've actually drawn St. George in the likeness of world's greatest tenor—Mario Lanza!

MRS. COLLINS Yes, I know it's very clever, Juliet, but when I set you a topic, I expect you to follow it. Now put that down and start again!

Mrs. Collins moves on. Juliet looks up at Pauline rather grumpily. Pauline leans forward, an intense look on her face . . . 

PAULINE (Whispers) I think your drawing's fantastic!

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/KITCHEN – EVENING
CLOSE-UP . . . a newspaper is unwrapped, revealing couple of fresh fish.
HONORA RIEPER is standing at her sink bench. She is 43 years old. Dark hair, going gray. A middle-aged woman with a kind face.
Her husband, HERBERT, has just arrived home and is taking off his coat, looking at the mail, etc. He is nearly 60 . . . 15 years older than Honora.
The Riepers' house is clean and tidy. They are a low middle-class family on a modest income.

HONORA Oh! . . . Mackerel. We'll have them for lunch tomorrow.

Herbert comes up behind Honora, gives her a peck on cheek and puts his hand on her bum.

HERBERT Let's have 'em now, while they're fresh, eh, Nora?

Honora playfully shoves his hand away.

HONORA I'll think you'll find our Mr. Bayliss is not keen on seafood. I've got lamb chops in the 'frigerator.

Herbert sighs as Honora puts the frying pan on the stove.
Young student boarder, STEVE BAYLISS, appears in doorway, nervously clutching a record.

STEVE Excuse me . . . would you mind if I put my long-playing record on?  

HERBERT You're partial to a nice bit of mackerel, aren't you, Steve?  

STEVE Well . . . actually, I'm not much of a fish man, Mr. Rieper. 

Honora glances at his album.

HONORA You have been splashing out!  

STEVE Oh! . . . I've got my board money . . . 

Steve starts fishing in his pockets.
At this moment . . . Pauline comes into the kitchen, through back door. She strides past Honora, Herbert and Steve.

PAULINE (Brightly) Hello!  

HONORA Well? Tell us! How'd it go?

Pauline disappears into the lounge.

PAULINE (O.S.) (Calling) Got an A, Mum!

Honora glows with pride. Steve is emptying his pockets on the bench. Honora pats Steve's hand.

HONORA Don't worry about it now. We'll sort it out after dinner. You go put your record on.

HERBERT Doris Day!

STEVE I think she's very talented!

INT. RIEPERS'HOUSE/LOUNGE – EVENING 
CLOSE-UP. . . gramophone needle drops onto a record.
FAST PULL-BACK . . . from the speaker as the opening notes of "Be My Love" by Mario Lanza burst out. Records from the cabinet lie scattered on the floor. Pauline is clutching a Mario Lanza album. 
Steve backs toward the hallway door, holding his Doris Day album forlornly. 
Herbert chuckles at him through the kitchen doorway.HERBERT (Laughing) Ya gotta be quick in this house, mate!
Pauline stares misty-eyed at the album cover. Herbert calls out.

HERBERT (O.S.) (Tongue in cheek) Hey! Isn't it that Irish singer . . . Murray O' Lanza?  

PAULINE (annoyed) He's Italian, Dad! The world's greatest tenor!

Mario Lanza starts singing . . . Herbert comes into the lounge, miming the song with a limp fish. Hw gesticulates a grand operatic fashion.

PAULINE Stop it! You're spoiling it! Go away!

She pushes Herbert out of the room, into the kitchen.

CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL GROUNDS – DAY
It is the Phys Ed period and the 31 other girls of 3A are lying on their backs in the quad doing leg stretches to tinny music. MRS. ZWARTZ, the teacher, is patrolling the rows of flexing bodies.

MRS. ZWARTZ Left, right . . . Ieft, right . . . one and two and one and . . . 

Pauline and Juliet are sidelined on a bench. Pauline is writing in a textbook. She notices Juliet glancing at her leg. Juliet moves closer.

JULIET Can I have another look?

Pauline purses her lips and quickly pushes her left stocking down . . . She has a large ugly scar running up her left shin, from ankle to knee.

JULIET That's so impressive!

Pauline does not look convinced.

JULIET (Conspiratorial) I've got scars . . . they're on my lungs.

Pauline looks surprised.

JULIET I was in bed for months during the war, ravaged by respiratory illness.

CUT TO: 
INSERT:
INT. ENGLISH HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT 
Little 5-YEAR-OLD JULIET, alone in her hospital bed, coughing and looking miserable.


JULIET (V.0.) Mummy and Daddy sent me to the Bahamas to recuperate. I didn't see them for five years—but we're together now and Mummy's promised they'll never leave me again. 

INSERT:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT 
PULL BACK from little 5-YEAR-OLD PAULINE. She is lying in bed with a younger HERBERT and HONORA standing over her, looking very concerned.

PAULINE (V.0.) I spent ages in hospital, too . . . with my leg. I had to have all these operations.

EXT. SCHOOL GROUNDS – DAY   

PAULINE Osteomyelitus turns your bones to chalk. It took them two years to drain all the muck out. 

Pauline looks despondently at her leg.

JULIET Cheer up! All the best people have bad chests and bone diseases! It's all frightfully romantic!

CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD – DAY 
Pauline is furiously pedalling her bicycle along a country road. 

EXT. ILAM/DRIVEWAY – DAY 
LOW ANGLE . . . a tree-lined driveway.
Pauline rides her bicycle up the drive. She pauses, wide-eyed.
PAN TO . . . ILAM – a large stately house, set amongst beautiful gardens . . .
Pauline puts her bike on its stand. She pulls the Mario Lanza album out of her bicycle bag.
Pauline is about to approach the house when she glances across the garden, and is transfixed by an enchanting sight:
Juliet on a sunlit bridge that spans the Ilam stream. She is wearing a shredded chiffon dress, with a Christmas tinsel crown and a necklace made from tinfoil.  Sunlight filters through the trees, lending Juliet a magical quality. She's casting flowers onto the water. Pauline stands transfixed. Juliet sees her and smiles.
 

JULIET Hi, Paul!

SUDDENLY! . . . an 8-year-old boy – JONATHON HULME – comes charging out of the bushes and lays into Juliet with a wooden sword. He is dressed in a "prince's" costume.

JULIET 0www!

Jonathon runs away. Juliet gives chase, yelling to Pauline.
  

JULIET The evil Prince Runnymeade is escaping! Get him, Paul! 

Pauline joins in the chase after Jonathon, careening through garden and bushes.
Juliet and Pauline lose sight of Jonathon. They pause in a clearing, catching their breath.

JULIET The blighter's gone to ground!  

JONATHON Yaaaa! 

Jonathon drops from a tree, onto Pauline, sending, her sprawling. He whacks her on the bottom with his wooden sword. 

JULIET God! Jonty! Jonty—stop it! Go away! We're not playing anymore . . . go on, bugger off!
  

Jonathon pokes his tongue at Juliet, turns and runs away.
Juliet offers her hand and pulls Pauline up. She pauses, a look of shock on her face . . .
The Mario Lanza record lies broken on the ground. Pauline looks distraught.
  

JULIET 0h, God . . . I'm so sorry!  

PAULINE (Upset) It doesn't matter.  

JULIET Of course it matters! It's Mario! 

I NT. ILAM/LOUNGE – DAY 
CLOSE ON . . . HENRY HULME – a 44-year-old bespectacled academic. He is sniffing, with a disdainful look on his face. He pulls a packet of mouldy sandwiches  his jacket pocket.  

HENRY What on earth are these?

HILDA HULME, elegant, 36 years old, is setting down a tray of tea on a small table.

HILDA They're egg and salmon sandwiches . . . I gave them to you several days ago.  

HENRY I thought I could smell sulphur.  

HILDA God, Henry! You're hopeless! You can't be trusted with something as simple as lunch.  

JULIET (O.S.) Mother!
  

Hilda looks up as Juliet bursts into the room from the garden, followed by Pauline. Hilda smiles at Pauline.
  

HILDA Hello . . .     

JULIET Jonty broke Paul's record!  

HILDA Oh, dear!  

JULIET We must buy her another one!
  

Juliet drops to the floor, hauling records out of the radiogram cabinet.
Pauline looks around, taking in the sumptuousness of her surroundings: ornate fireplace, paintings, antique furniture.
  

HILDA Would you like a cup of tea . . . Paul?  

PAULINE No, thank you.  

HILDA Well, Juliet's told us all about you. I hear you're fond of opera.
  

Before Pauline can reply, Juliet fans Mario Lanza albums across the floor.
  

JULIET Which one shall we play?
  

Pauline shrugs awkwardly. Henry looks up from his papers, rather annoyed at this intrusion. Pauline notices a row of beautifully sculpted Plasticine horses adorning the mantelpiece.
Juliet puts a record on the turntable.
  

HILDA Juliet . . . your father's trying to study.  

JULIET Daddy can study while we're playing records!  

HENRY Why don't you go back outside, mmm? I'll be finished soon.
  

The record drops on the turntable. The arm swings across.
Henry and Hilda glance at each other. Henry silently gathers up his papers and leaves the room.
The needle drops and Mario Lanza’s rendition of "The Donkey Serenade" booms into the room.
SWIRLING CAMERA as Juliet takes Pauline's hand and whirls her around, leading her into . . .

INT. ILAM HALLWAY – DAY 
. . . the hallway, laughing and singing. Pauline stares wide-eyed as the wood paneling, carved sideboard and curved staircase flash past her eyes.
"The Donkey Serenade" continues over a MUSICAL SEQUENCE:

EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND – DAY 
CAMERA RUSHES around a netball court as the class run about in the middle of a game.
FAST TRACK IN toward Pauline and Juliet sitting on the sidelines, reading. Juliet laughs as Pauline reads to her from a Biggles book.
  

EXT. ILAM/GROUNDS – DAY
Pauline and Juliet cavorting around bushes and shrubs, arms outstretched, acting like dogfighting aeroplanes.

INT. ILAM/DINING ROOM – NIGHT 
CAMERA MOVES around Hilda, Henry, Jonathon, Pauline and Juliet at the table, having an evening meal. They are all sipping soup. Silver glistens, crystal 
sparkles.
  

Pauline watches Hilda out of the corner of her eye. She cocks her little finger in the same fashion as Hilda, and she spoons her soup up.

INT. ILAM/JULIET'S BEDROOM – DAY
Pauline and Juliet kneading and shaping Plasticine with their fingers . . .
PULL BACK to reveal sculpted horses, knights and dragons on the table top.
  

EXT. ILAM GARDENS – DAY
Henry is showing TWO DISTINGUISHED GUESTS (a MAN and WOMAN) around the Ilam gardens, when Pauline and Juliet come bursting out of the bushes and run between them, dressed in medieval clothing. They vanish into the bushes again.

EXT. CINEMA/STREET – DAY
Pauline and Juliet rush out of the cinema in a state of high excitement . . .
. . . FAST TRACK as they bound down the street, pirouetting and dancing as they pass bewildered PEDESTRIANS.

CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD – DAY 
FAST TRACK – CLOSE-UP . . . bicycle wheel spinning.
Pauline and Juliet are pedalling their bicycles like mad down a narrow, tree-lined lane.
The "Donkey Serenade" continues . . .They have a near-miss with an angrily tooting car.
Pauline wobbles out of control! . . . She goes flying into a bush.
"The Donkey Serenade" finishes abruptly in mid-verse.Pauline is lying on her back.
Pauline's POV . . . looking straight up into treetops and blue sky. Juliet's face looms over, looking concerned.
  

JULIET (Worried) Paul? Oh, God! Paul . . . are you all right?
  

Pauline’s eyes are shut. She speaks with great effort.

PAULINE (Gasping) I think I'm dying . . .  

JULIET (Upset) Don't . . . please! Please, don't!
  

Dying breath escapes from Pauline's mouth . . . she goes limp.
  

Juliet shrieks!
  

JULIET (Crying) Paul!!!
  

Juliet collapses over Pauline’s body, crying.
Pauline’s eyes flick open! She sniffs and pulls a face.
  

PAULINE Urrrgh! You've been eating onions.

Before Juliet has time to react, Pauline pushes her off, giggling maniacally. She leaps to her feet and attempts to run. Juliet grabs Pauline’s cardigan, pulling her  backwards.
  

JULIET You toad!

Pauline sheds the cardigan and runs through the bushes, with Juliet in hot pursuit! 
RRRRIP! . . . Juliet tugs at Pauline’s blouse and the buttons pop off. Pauline is laughing too hard to run anymore. She pulls off her skirt and waves it around her head as she dances around the bushes, singing "The Donkey Serenade." 
  

PAULINE (Singing) "There's a light in her eye, Though she may try to hide it, She cannot deny, There's a light in her eye."
  

Now Juliet is cracking up at the sight of Pauline spinning around in her underwear, shoes and socks.
Pauline circles around and around Juliet, singing. Juliet hurriedly starts undressing down to her underwear.
Juliet giggles and starts jumping up and down.
Pauline suddenly breaks into a run and races through the bushes. Juliet follows.
Both girls are screaming and hooting loudly. Pauline and Juliet burst out of the bushes and . . .

PAULINE & JULIET (Singing) "Her face is a dream, like an angel I saw . . . 
  

. . . into a field. They find themselves face to face with a FARMER, mending a fence.  

without missing a beat, they continue singing . . .

PAULINE & JULIET (Singing) "But all that my darling can scream . . ."
  

. . . then break down into convulsive laughter. They turn and flee back into the bushes.
ON THE SOUNDTRACK . . . Mario Lanza picks up "The Donkey Serenade" at the point that Pauline and Juliet stopped. The song builds to a rousing final chorus as . . . 
Pauline and Juliet collapse on the ground, rolling and tumbling in an embrace.
As Mario sings the last exhilarating notes . . . 
CAMERA RISES UP VERTICALLY . . . up through the foliage . . . past the branches of a tree which abruptly BLOCK CAMERA.

CUT TO:
EXT. STREETS – NIGHT 
The final "OLE!" from "The Donkey Serenade" resounds over a SHOT of Pauline cycling furiously through dark Christchurch streets.

EXT. ILAM – NIGHT
TRACKING . . . down the drive as the dark shape of the Ilam house looms ahead.
  

EXT. ILAM/SHRINE – NIGHT
A corner of the garden . . . Moonlight glistens off the slow-moving stream.
Three candles illuminate a little shrine, nestled flower bed in a remote corner of the Ilam garden.
Bricks have been stacked to form a miniature temple, decorated with flowers and tinsel.
Pauline and Juliet are kneeling on the ground, clipping pictures from film magazines. Clipped-out photos lie scattered about.
Pauline holds James Mason's photo.
  

PAULINE (Enraptured) I wish James would do a religious picture . . . he'd be perfect as Jesus!  

JULIET Daddy says the Bible's a load of bunkum!

Pauline reacts with a degree of shock.
  

PAULINE But, we're all going to Heaven!  

JULIET I'm not! I'm going to the Fourth World! It's like Heaven, only better because there aren't any Christians.
  

Pauline giggles.
  

JULIET It's an absolute Paradise of music, art and enjoyment.
  

Pauline is entranced. Juliet plucks up some photos.
  

JULIET James will be there . . . and Mario! Only they’ll be saints.
  

PAULINE (Giggling) Saint Mario!
  

Juliet places Mario Lanza's photo in the shrine.
  

JULIET To be known as He!  

PAULINE He . . .

Juliet places James Mason's photo in the shrine.
  

JULIET Him.  

PAULINE Him . . .
  

Juliet picks up a photo of Mel Ferrer and places it in the shrine.
  

JULIET This.   

PAULINE This . . .
  

Juliet places Jussi Bjoerling's photo in the shrine.
  

JULIET That.  

PAULINE That . . .
  

Pauline places the last photo in the shrine . . . Orson Welles.

PAULINE It.
  

Juliet screws her face up and throws the photo into the stream.
  

JULIET Absolutely not! Orson Welles! The most hideous man alive!

Juliet dramatically sweeps her hand over the photos in the shrine and bows her head.
  

JULIET We give praise to . . . the saints!
  

Candlelight flickers on Pauline s enraptured face.
The crumpled photo of Orson Welles floats down the stream. With a sudden violent burst of sound, it is sucked into the weir.

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/LOUNGE - CHRISTMAS DAY, 1952
CLOSE-UP . . . a Christmas present is torn open . . . followed by several more, in QUICK CUTS. Typical 1952 presents.
A Christmas tree adorns the Riepers' lounge. Some simple streamers and ornaments decorate the room.
SUPER: "Christmas, 1952"
Honora, Herbert, WENDY and Pauline are sitting on the floor, amid presents and discarded wrapping paper, GRANDMA PARKER is sitting in a chair.
Pauline unwraps her present . . . a diary. Her eyes light up. Herbert leans over.
  

HERBERT Hope it's all right. It's from Whitcomb and Tombs . . .
  

Pauline opens the diary . . .

  

CUT TO IN1: RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S BEDROOM – DAY 
CLOSE-UP of the Jan. 1st page. Pauline's pen starts to write . . . 
 

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I decided that my New Year's resolution is to be more lenient with others.
  

CUT TO:
INT: RIEPERS' HOUSE/DINING ROOM – DAY
The table is laid with plates of sausage rolls and sandwiches. Pauline is laying napkins out. Steve Bayliss wanders in.

STEVE Pikelets! Yum!  

PAULINE (Appalled) Aren't you going out?  

STEVE Not till two-thirty . . .
  

He reaches for a pikelet—Pauline pushes him away from the table.
  

PAULINE This is a private function! Go away!

Steve retreats, hurt and confused. Honora brings in a plate of scones.
The doorbell rings.
  

HONORA Come on! Sausage rolls.

HERBERT (O.S.) Come on through.

Honora and Pauline hurriedly work together, setting out plates and cutlery.
  

HERBERT Look who I've found!
  

Honora whips off her pinny as Herbert leads Juliet into the dining room.
  

HONORA Hello, Juliet.  

JULIET Hello, Mrs. Rieper . . . it's so nice to meet you.

Juliet shakes hands with Honora.

CUT TO:
LATER IN THE LUNCH:
Herbert, Honora, Pauline and Juliet are sitting at the table, in the middle of lunch.
  

JULIET And so, in a blazing fury, Charles runs Lancelot Trelawney through with his sword . . . leaving Deborah free to accept Charles's proposal of marriage!
  

Honora and Herbert exchange a glance. Honora smiles at Juliet.
  

HONORA I've heard your mother on 3YA. The Woman's Session has lots of lively debate.  

JULIET Well, actually, Mummy's left that programme now . . she's far too busy with The Marriage Guidance Council.  

HERBERT They sound like a queer mob!  

PAULINE Dad!  

HONORA I wouldn't want my private business being discussed with a complete stranger!  

JULIET Oh, no . . . Mummy's awfully good at it.

INSERT SCENE
INT. MARRIAGE GUIDANCE – DAY
SEVERAL QUICK SHOTS . . . of Hilda chatting to UNHAPPY COUPLES as Juliet's V.O. continues . . .
  

JULIET (V.O.) She has deep discussions with unhappy couples and persuades them to have another go at it. In two years, she's only had four divorces. She should really be working for the U.N.!
  

WALTER PERRY is now sitting across the table from Hilda. He is ruggedly handsome, in his mid-40s
  

WALTER My wife's blaming me . . . says it's all my fault.  

HILDA And how do you feel about that, Mr. Perry?  

WALTER Please . . . call me Bill. I don't know what went wrong. My wife feels . . .  

HILDA No . . . no . . . let's talk about your feelings . . . Bill.
  

The air is crackling with subtext.
  

JULIET (V.O.) Mummy has a special technique called "Deep Therapy."

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/DINING ROOM – DAY (CONT.)
  

HERBERT What's that?  

JULIET I'm not sure . . . but it's proving to be very popular!
  

Honora and Herbert exchange a glance.
DING DONG! . . . doorbell rings. Honora gets up.
  

HONORA Eat up, Yvonne.
  

She leaves the room. Juliet raises her eyebrows at Pauline, who looks embarrassed.
  

PAULINE (Quietly) It's my middle name.
  

Herbert smiles at Juliet.
  

HERBERT Yvonne tells us you're good at making models.  

JULIET I adore anything to do with the arts.  

HERBERT We're pretty handy with model making, too, eh?

Pauline looks down, cheeks burning.

HERBERT I've never cottoned on to Plasticine like you girls, but I enjoy making things out of wood.  

JULIET Are you a carpenter, Mr. Rieper? Herbert shakes his head.  

HERBERT I work at Dennis Brothers Fish Supply.
  

Muffled voices from the hallway.
  

PAULINE He's the manager!
  

Honora leads a young man—JOHN—into the dining room.
  

HONORA (O.S.) This is the dining room . . . 
  

She smiles at Juliet.
  

HONORA Do excuse us.
  

She leads John into the hallway.
  

HONORA (O.S.) Breakfast is between seven and nine . . . the bedroom's small, but it's very clean and comfortable.
  

Pauline scowls.
  

HERBERT This story of yours—maybe the school newspaper will print it when it's finished.  

JULIET Actually, Mr. Rieper . . . it's a novel, and we’ll be sending it to New York. That's where all the big publishing houses are based.  

HERBERT (Laughs) Is that a fact! You'd better put me name down for an advance copy!
  

Herbert chuckles. Pauline and Juliet look at each with knowing smiles.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) We have decided how sad it is for other people that they cannot appreciate our genius .

CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD – DAY
TRACKING ALONG . . . past trees – with sunlight streaming through the branches.
Pauline's V.O. continues . . .
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) . . . but we hope the book will help them to do so a little, though no one could fully appreciate us.
  

The Hulmes' car is driving along a narrow, winding road on the way to Port Levy.

  

EXT. WHARF – DAY
SUPER: "Port Levy, Easter 1953"
Juliet, in her swimming costume, runs to the end of the jetty and teeters nervously on the edge. Pauline fearlessly barrels past her and jumps in.
SERIES of BLACK & WHITE "HOLIDAY SNAPS":
Girls splashing in the water; Jonathon with ice cream smeared over his face; Henry paddling with trousers and rolled up; Hilda on deck chair.

EXT. PORT LEVY BEACH – DAY
Pauline and Juliet are in the middle of building an elaborate sand castle. Juliet is working on a tower.  

LOW ANGLE . . . TRACKING IN TOWARD the castle gateway.

JULIET Charles clutches his wounded shoulder as he gallops into the courtyard. 

ANGLE . . . from inside tower as Pauline looks in through the window.
  

PAULINE Deborah awaits his return in their private boudoir at the very top of the tower.
  

TRACKING from sand castle courtyard, up steps into tower.
  

JULIET He smells her scent from 50 paces and urges his steed onward!
  

CAMERA rushes into . . . tower bedroom . . . PANS from Pauline's to Juliet's face, peering in through windows.
  

PAULINE He flings open the door and launches himself at the bed, ravishing her!  

JULIET God, yes!
  

Juliet starts to giggle at a private thought.
  

JULIET (Giggling) I bet she gets up the duff on their first night together!
  

Pauline guffaws with delight. Jonathon is sitting nearby, digging a hole in the sand.

JONATHON What's "up the duff"?  

JULIET Something you wouldn't understand.
  

Jonathon launches himself at Juliet, and they roll on the sand, grappling.
  

JONATHON Tell me! I'm almost 10!  

JULIET You're eight and a half and incredibly stupid!
  

Pauline is laughing happily.

EXT. COTTAGE – DAY
Hilda sits on a deck chair in front of the cottage, brushing Pauline's hair. Henry is seated at a table, writing a letter.
Juliet is lying on a towel, making notes in an exercise book.
  

JULIET Mummy . . . Pauline and I have decided the Charles and Deborah are going to have a baby. An heir to the throne of Borovnia.  

HILDA What a splendid idea!  

JULIET We're calling him Diello.  

HILDA That's a good, dramatic name!  

JULIET Paul thought it up.
  

Pauline beams.
  

HILDA Aren't you clever! There, all done.
  

Pauline stands. Juliet touches Pauline’s hair. Hilda laughs.
Henry is rifling through his briefcase.

HENRY Hilda! I can't find that letter from the High Commission. They want our passport numbers.  

JULIET (Surprised) Are you going abroad, Daddy?
  

Hilda scowls at Henry.
  

HILDA Your father's attending a university conference in England, darling.  

HENRY We'll only be away for a few weeks.
  

Juliet looks at Hilda, a trace of panic across her face.
  

JULIET (Worried) You're not going, are you, Mummy?

Hilda hesitates.
  

HILDA Well . . . I thought I might. It's a long time for your father and I to be apart.

JULIET But I should go, too!  

HILDA Darling, you've got school. You've only just settled in.  

JULIET But—
  

Hilda suddenly stands.
  

HILDA Who's coming to the shops? I need some cigarettes.
  

Jonathon barrels out of the cottage.
  

JONATHON Me! I'm coming.  

HILDA (O.S.) Put on your shoes, Jonathon!  

CAMERA MOVES IN . . . to Juliet's distraught face.

  

EXT. PORT LEVY HILLSIDE – EARLY EVENING
Clouds swirling about the sky.
A grassy hillside overlooking Port Levy bay. An island sits in the bay, bathed in the last rays of sunlight.
Juliet is a tiny figure against the vast landscape. She runs blindly toward the edge of the hill.
Pauline appears over the brow . . . the hillside is empty! She panics, running, calling out.

PAULINE (Worried) Julie! Julie!  

Pauline finds Juliet curled up in a little ball. She is motionless. Pauline gently takes Juliet in her arms. Juliet is breathing heavily . . . she squeezes her eyes shut, concentrating hard—a look of desperation on her face.
  

JULIET Look, Paul!
  

Pauline looks about, but can see nothing but a scrubby hillside. She looks mystified. 

PAULINE What?  

JULIET It's so beautiful!  

PAULINE What???
  

Golden light streams on Pauline and Juliet. Pauline look up as the clouds above them open. Juliet stands as if in trance. She offers her hand to Pauline.

JULIET Come with me.

Juliet pulls Pauline up and hugs her as they walk forward. The barren landscape around Pauline and Juliet morphs into a beautiful garden . . . the Fourth World!

EXT. FOURTH WORLD – DAY
Pauline and Juliet are amazed! . . . They stand, holding each other's hand tightly. The world around them take on a new form.
The grass beneath their feet has become a well-kept lawn. They are surrounded by fountains and waterfalls. Unicorns graze on the hillside . . . gigantic butterflies hover in the air.
Pauline and Juliet walk about in wonderment.

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Today Juliet and I discovered the key to the Fourth World. We have had it in our possession for about six months, but we only realised it on the day of the Death of Christ. We saw a gateway through the clouds. Everything was full of peace and bliss. We then realised we had the key . . . 

CUT TO:
INT. HULMES' CAR/COUNTRYSIDE – DAY
As Pauline's V.O. continues . . . CAMERA TRACKS IN SLOWLY, past Henry and Hilda, to a SHOT of Pauline and Juliet sitting quietly, staring ahead, blissfully.

PAULINE (Diary V0.) We have an extra part of our brain which can appreciate the Fourth World. Only about 10 people have it. On two days every year we may use 
the key and look into that beautiful world which we have been lucky enough to be allowed to know of . . . 

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – DAY 
WIDE SHOT . . . the Hulmes' car, a small speck at the BOTTOM OF FRAME, winding over the hills.
Above . . . billowing cumulus clouds fill the sky.

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) . . . on this Day of Finding the Key to the Way through the Clouds.
  

CUT TO:
INT. ILAM/JULIET'S BEDROOM – DAY
CLOSE-UP . . .Juliet's face twisted with pain. She gasps as if in labour. Short, harsh panting. Pauline look panic-stricken.
  

PAULINE Push! . . . Breathe! . . . It's coming! . . . Oh, God!

PULL OUT . . . to reveal Juliet lying on her bed, in childbirth pose. Her pregnant stomach is pushing at the seams of her school dress.
Juliet wails . . . Pauline pulls out a pillow from between Juliet's legs, her face a mixture of surprise and elation.
  

PAULINE It's a boy! Deborah . . . we've got a son and heir!
  

Pauline hands Juliet the pillow. She cradles it in her arms.
  

JULIET I shall call him Diello.  

PAULINE You're such an incredible woman.  

JULIET I couldn't have done it without you, Charles.

INT. SCHOOL/ENGLISH CLASS – DAY
"THE ROLE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY TODAY" – written on the blackboard. Mrs. Stevens is presiding over Form 4A.
Juliet is standing at the front of the class, reading from an essay.
  

JULIET . . . the Empress Deborah has the difficulty fending off her husband, who tries his way with her morning, noon and night . . .
  

The class titters . . . they clearly want to Iaugh Stevens's glare deters them.
Pauline sits at the back, smirking.
  

MRS. STEVENS (Icy) Thank you, Juliet!  

JULIET . . . However, the Queen's biggest problem is her renegade child, Diello. He has proven to be an uncontrollable little brighter, who slaughters his nannies whenever the fancy takes him . . .  

MRS. STEVENS That's enough, Juliet!
  

Juliet stops and stands quietly. Mrs. Stevens rips the essay out of her hand and waves it under her nose. 

MRS. STEVENS I suppose this is your idea of a joke? 

JULIET No, Mrs. Stevens.  

MRS. STEVENS I suppose you think it's witty and clever to mock the Royal Family . . . to poke fun a the Empire, with this . . . rubbish!
  

Pauline leaps to her feet.
  

PAULINE It's not rubbish!  

MRS. STEVENS Sit down, Pauline!  

JULIET I really don't understand why you are upset, Mrs. Steven. I merely wrote an essay on the Royal Family as requested.
  

Pauline points at the blackboard.
  

PAULINE It doesn't say it has to be the Windsors!  

MRS. STEVENS (Yelling) Sit down!
  

Pauline sits down, looking victorious.
  

MRS. STEVENS (To Juliet) A girl like you should be setting an example! To your seat!
  

Juliet starts coughing. Mrs. Stevens’s face darkens.
  

MRS. STEVENS Stop it, Juliet!
  

Juliet continues coughing. She sits heavily. Pauline snorts, trying not to laugh.
Juliet slumps over her desk, coughing . . . globules of blood splatter her exercise book.
Pauline’s smile vanishes.

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS’ HOUSE/HALLWAY – NIGHT
Pauline is standing in the hallway, holding the phone to her ear. She slowly lowers it, her face shocked.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Mrs. Hulme told me they had found out today that Juliet has tuberculosis on one lung. Poor Julietta. I nearly fainted when I heard. I had a terrible job not to cry.

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S SLEEPOUT – MORNING
Pauline is lying in her bed looking depressed. She writes her diary.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I spent a wretched night. It would be wonderful if I could get tuberculosis, too.
  

Honora comes in with a breakfast tray: bacon and eggs, tea and toast.
  

HONORA Come on, sit up.  

PAULINE I'm not hungry.  

HONORA You've got to eat, Yvonne. You hardly touched our dinner. I'm not having you falling ill.  

PAULINE I just want to be on my own for a while.

Honora starts to cut up a slice of bacon and offers it to Pauline.
  

HONORA You may have forgotten that you were once a very sick little girl, but I haven't!

Honora holds up a loaded fork. Pauline reluctantly takes it.
  

PAULINE Do you think Juliet could stay here while her parents are away?  

HONORA Juliet's infectious . . . she'll be going to hospital.  

PAULINE But she'll have no one to look after her!  

HONORA Her parents won't be going overseas now . . . they’ll have to cancel their trip. Don't worry about Juliet.

MATCH CUT TO:
INT. CASHMERE SANATORIUM/JULIET'S ROOM – DAY
The back of Hilda's head rises through SHOT, revealing Juliet lying in a hospital bed, looking weak. Hilda has just kissed her on the forehead. Juliet is upset.

HILDA It's not too late to cancel our travel arrangements . . . if that's what you want?
  

Juliet tearfully shakes her head. Henry is standing at the foot of the bed, hands behind his back.
  

HENRY I'm sure you'll like it here . . . it's very tranquil.  

HILDA I've spoken to the Matron, and she promises to take special care of you.  

HENRY And you can carry on with your studies while you convalesce.
  

Hilda touches Juliet’s hand, and leans forward . . . a concerned look on her face.
  

HILDA It's for the good of your health, darling.
  

Juliet looks at her mother, eyes filling with tears. Henry pats her feet.
  

HENRY Cheer up, old thing . . . four months will fly by in no time.

CUT TO:
INT. SANATORIUM/CORRIDOR – DAY
Henry and Hilda walk up the corridor past sick patients in wheelchairs. 

EXT. SANATORIUM – DAY
Juliet's POV through the window . . . as her parents' car disappears down the road.

INT. SANATORIUM/)ULIET'S ROOM – DAY
Juliet watches them drive away, tears streaming down her face.
  

HONORA (V.O.) Juliet won't be allowed visitors for at least a couple of months. 

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Pauline is unenthusiastically picking at her dinner.  

HONORA I've booked you in for a chest X-ray . . . just to be on the safe side.

Honora pops a couple more potatoes on Pauline's plate. Herbert glances at Pauline.
  

HERBERT Thought I'd have a go at building the birdhouse on Saturday . . . anyone want to give me a hand?
  

Pauline remains silent.
  

HONORA You used to love making things with Dad, Yvonne.
  

MOVE IN . . . on Pauline, who has not been listening. 

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) This evening I had a brainwave: that Juliet and I should write to each other as Charles and Deborah.

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S SLEEPOUT – NIGHT 
Pauline is lying on her bed, furiously writing a letter.

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I wrote a six-page letter as Charles and a two-page letter as Paul. 

INT. SANATORIUM – DAY
Juliet lies on her bed, writing to Pauline.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) She has entered into the spirit of the thing greatly!
  

As we listen to Juliet's V.O., we see SCENES of TB hospital life . . . the meals brought around . . . the dayroom . . . the DOCTORS.

JULIET (Letter V.O.) My dear Charles, I miss you and adore you in equal amounts and long for the day we will be reunited, but as I languish here, in this house of disease and decrepitude, my mind turns—with increasing frequency— to the problem of our son . . .

INT. SANATORIUM/JULIET'S ROOM – DAY
Juliet sits at a desk. sculpting and painting a Plasticine figure of Diello.
As her V.O. continues . . . TRACK INTO a CLOSE-UP of Diello's fierce little face . . .

JULIET (Letter V.O.) Although only 10, Diello has thus far killed 57 people and shows no desire to stop . . . it worries me, Charles. 

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/KITCHEN, LOUNGE – DAY
CLOSE-UP of Pauline's hand, writing a letter to Juliet.
  

PAULINE (Letter V.O.) My dearest darling Deborah. Affairs of state continue to occupy my time.
  

Pauline washes a pile of dishes in the kitchen.
  

PAULINE (Letter V.O.) I have to report that the lower classes are terrifically dull.
  

Pauline is sitting in the lounge, looking very boring during a game of Lexicon with Herbert, John and a ROSS. Pauline is waiting for her turn, unaware that John is studying her from across the table. Her word PUTRID spelled out.
  

PAULINE (Letter V.O.) Only yesterday I was compelled to execute several peasants just to alleviate the boredom . . .

CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL/ART CLASS – DAY
Pauline is hunched over a painting in the art class, daubing great strokes of red paint onto a violent medieval carnage. 

PAULINE (Letter V.O.) . . . Diello insisted on coming along . . . in fact, he made such a fuss that I had to let him yield the ax himself. Heads did roll! Not just the prisoners, but the royal guard, my valet and several unfortunate copped it as well . . .
  

IMAGES of Pauline's painting: people being run through with swords, heads coming off, etc. 

CUT TO:
INT. SANATORIUM/DAYROOM – DAY 
Juliet is sitting, writing in the sunny dayroom.
  

JULIET (Letter V.O.) Oh, Charles . . . I am despair enough to put Diello in the hands of the Cardinal, in hope that a good dose of religion will set the young chap on the right path.  

REVEREND NORRIS Hello again . . .
  

Juliet peers up at a DOG-COLLARED VICAR. She eyes him coldly.
  

REVEREND NORRIS How are you getting along? It must be awfully hard being away from your school chums . . . I’ve got something here you might just like to have a look at.
  

He hands Juliet a leaflet featuring a thin, withered figure in a great deal of pain. "JESUS LOVES YOU" is printed across the top.
Juliet’s face hardens.
  

REVEREND NORRIS Unfortunately, modern medicine can only go so far in combatting an illness like TB. And that’s why I'm here . . . because with the power of God, miracles can happen. The Lord has said that those who have faith will be saved! Reach out, Juliet! Reach out for Jesus!
  

During Reverend Norris's speech . . . CAMERA closes in to BIG CLOSE-UP of Juliet's face. Reverend Norris's voice fades away. . .
SUDDENLY!!!
A silhouetted figure rises up behind Reverend Norris . . . a lumpy hand closes around his throat!
  

REVEREND NORRIS Aaaaarghhh!!!
  

Diello – the Plasticine figurine, now life-size – drags Reverend Norris off his feet and across the room.
Reverend Norris kicks and struggles as Diello hauls him through the doorway onto . . .

EXT. BOROVNIA CASTLE COURTYARD – DAY
. . . a scaffold in the town square of Borovnia. A medieval fantasy kingdom. NICHOLAS watches from a street corner.
Reverend Norris is grabbed by two BURLY PLASTICINE GUARDS. They hold him down, his neck on a chopping block. Diello grabs a huge ax, swings it up above 
his head, and brings it crashing down onto . . .
REVEREND NORRIS'S NECK!!!
  

CHOP TO:
INT. SANATORIUM/CORRIDOR – DAY
CRASH! . . . swing doors burst open. Pauline hurries into the hospital corridor. Honora follows behind her. Within sight of the dayroom, Pauline breaks into a run, nearly bowling a NURSE over.
  

HONORA Yvonne!
  

INT. SANATORIUM/DAY ROOM – DAY
Pauline rushes over to Juliet, who is seated by a window, knitting. They hug tightly.

JULIET I'm so happy to see you!
  

Honora hurries over.
  

HONORA It's best not to get too close. Juliet's still not a hundred percent. Hello, Juliet! We've bought you some fruit.

JULIET Thank you so much!
  

Juliet sits back in her chair. She holds Pauline's hand. Honora admires Juliet’s knitting—a red cardigan.

HONORA That's coming along well!  

JULIET (Pleased) I'm the Matron's favourite patient and she's shown me her special stitch!  

PAULINE I love the colour!
  

Juliet smiles at Pauline.
  

JULIET It's for you.
  

Pauline squeezes Juliet’s hand.

INT.JULIET'S ROOM – DAY
Honora is looking at some mail on a small table. Pauline is sitting at Juliet's bedside.
  

HONORA Goodness me! What a lot of letters. Are your parents enjoying their trip? Oh . . . there's a couple of unopened ones, dear.  

JULIET (Sarcastically) I'm saving them for a rainy day.
  

Honora gives her a sympathetic look.
  

HONORA I know it's hard for you being in here, but it is for the good of your health.  

JULIET (Bitterly) They sent me off to the Bahamas "for the good of my health." They sent me to the Bay of bloody Islands "for the good of my health." 
  

Honora looks startled at the outburst.
  

JULIET I'm sorry, Mrs. Rieper. I'm feeling quite fatigued.  

HONORA We don't want to tire you out, dear.
  

Honora stands and picks up her handbag. Pauline stands and Juliet grabs her hand.
  

JULIET Can't you stay a bit longer, Paul?
  

Pauline looks at Honora.
  

HONORA We've got a tram to catch, Yvonne.
  

Pauline hugs Juliet and reluctantly takes her leave. 

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S SLEEPOUT – EVENING
CLOSE-UP . . . Plasticine figure of Nicholas. John's hand comes into SHOT and picks the model up. Pauline looks on anxiously . . . the face of Nicholas bears more than a passing resemblance to John, but he doesn't seem to notice.
  

JOHN This is quite something . . . you're damn clever.
  

Pauline beams.
  

JOHN So . . . Deborah is married to Charles, and this chap Nicholas . . . is her tennis instructor?  

PAULINE Yes, but there's nothing between them. Deborah would never go for a commoner. Nicholas has got his eye on Gina, an amazingly beautiful gypsy.
  

She gestures to a Plasticine GINA figure that is sitting or the shelf.
  

JOHN Looks like you, Yvonne.
  

Pauline beams.
  

PAULINE Juliet made it!

John smiles.
  

JOHN This is really quite incredible. l bet you girls know the entire royal lineage for the last five centuries.  

PAULINE Oh, yes! It's all worked out!
  

John returns Nicholas to the shelf, placing him amidst whole family of beautifully sculpted Plasticine figures. Pauline self-consciously returns to her sculpting, 
aware that John is watching her keenly.

EXT. SANATORIUM/GARDEN – DAY
Pauline is sitting cross-legged at the foot of Juliet's bed.
  

PAULINE (Whispers) You'll never guess what's happened!!  

JULIET What??  

PAULINE John has fallen in love with me!  

JULIET That idiot boarder?
  

Pauline beams.
  

JULIET How do you know? Did he tell you?
  

PAULINE Well . . . no. But it's so obvious.
  

Pauline giggles. Juliet turns away.
  

JULIET (Sullen) Is that why you haven't replied to my last letter?
  

Pauline’s smile disappears.
  

PAULINE No, silly. I'm just teasing. He's only a stupid boy!

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S SLEEPOUT – NIGHT
Pauline is lying in bed asleep. Her door opens and John stands tentatively in the door way. He is wearing stripey pyjamas.
  

JOHN (Loud whisper) Yvonne!
  

Pauline sits up, groggily flicking on a bedside light.  

PAULINE Whaddya want?
  

John puts his fingers to his lips to shush her.
  

JOHN (Whispers) l can't sleep . . . can l borrow a book?
  

PAULINE (Whispers) Shut the door.


John tiptoes across to the bookshelf He pulls a book out . . . "Girls' Own Annual 1951." 
  

JOHN This looks interesting.
  

Pauline gives him a dubious look from her bed.
John stands shivering, flicking through the annual.
  

JOHN These knitting patterns look damn complicated. Have you tried the tea cosy?
  

Pauline shakes her head and looks on as John continues to thumb awkwardly through the book, his shivers increasing.
He glances at Pauline nervously.
  

JOHN It's damn cold, isn't it? Do you think I could hop into bed for a moment . . . just to warm up? My feet are like iceblocks.
  

PAULINE You should have worn your slippers.  

JOHN Come on, Yvonne, I'll catch me death!
  

Pauline rolls to one side.
  

PAULINE Just for a minute.
  

John climbs into bed beside Pauline and pulls the blankets up around his chin.  

CUT TO:
EXT. RIEPERS' HOUSE – NIGHT 
Midnight at 31 Gloucester St. All the lights are off.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) To think that so much could happen in so little time, caused by so few. A terrible tragedy has occurred . . .

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S SLEEPOUT – NIGHT 
Pauline is lying in bed. The lights are off. 
  

PAULINE (Theatrical voice) "Now, gels . . . it isn’t ooo, it’s eee," and she goes . . . "eeeeee" as if someone is jabbing a pin into her! Silly old trout!
  

PULL OUT during Pauline's V.O.... to reveal John lying in bed beside her. He cuddles up to her.  

JOHN I love you, Yvonne.
  

Pauline continues, oblivious to his attentions. 

PAULINE And then in history, we've got this senile old bat, who goes . . . (Squawky voice) "And Charles the Second met Nell Gwynn aboard a boat and he was a prince and she was a pretty young thing and these thing do happen . . ." (Normal voice) God! It's no wonder I don’t excel in history!  

JOHN Do you love me as much as I love you?  

PAULINE 0f course, my darling Nicholas.
  

John can't contain himself . . . he starts pressing himself against her body.
  

JOHN (Panting) My . . . my name's John.
  

Pauline lies on her back, not responding to his caresses.
  

PAULINE I like Nicholas much better!
  

John climbs on top of Pauline.
  

JOHN You can call me anything you like . . . 
  

John fumbles around beneath the sheets.
  

PAULINE What are you doing?  

JOHN Nothing . . .  

SUDDENLY!
The outside light flicks on. Sound of footsteps stomping down the path.
THE DOOR OPENS!
  

PAULINE Bloody hell!
  

John desperately tries to conceal himself beneath the bedcovers as . . .
The light flicks on . . . Herbert stands in the doorway. He surveys the situation with a grim expression.
John rolls out of bed and staggers toward the door fumbling with his pyjama cord.
  

HERBERT Go to the house.
  

John scuttles out of the sleepout. Pauline lies still in bed, peering at her father.
  

HERBERT (Upset) You have broken my heart, Yvonne.
  

Herbert turns and leaves the room. Pauline stares at the ceiling.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I lay there mesmerised. It was just too frightful to believe . . .

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/DINING ROOM – MORNING BREAKFAST . . .
A plate of Weetbix bangs down on the table in front of Pauline. Milk sloshes over the side of the bowl. Honora looks thunderous and stomps off.

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) When I got up I found Father had told Mother . . .
  

CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal Steve, Ross, a new boarder, LAURIE, and Herbert seated around the table. The boarders are clearly oblivious to the tense family 
vibes.
  

LAURIE Coming to Lancaster Park on Saturday, Mr. Rieper? 
  

Herbert shakes his head, sullenly.
Wendy hurries into the room, grabs a piece of toast, pulling on a coat.
  

WENDY Where's John? He said he'd walk with me.
  

Honora stands in the doorway.
  

HONORA John's no longer staying here.
  

Wendy looks surprised.

LAURIE Shot through, this morning . . . said his old Mum had taken sick.

INT. RIEPFRS' HOUSE/KITCHEN – MORNING
Pauline is washing dishes, up to her elbows in soapy water. Behind her Honora tidies up, glowering at her daughter.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I had a nasty foreboding feeling at first, but now I realise my crime was too frightful for an ordinary lecture.  

HONORA (Angry) From now on, you're sleeping in the house, where we can keep an eye on you.

Pauline bangs a dish into the rack.
  

HONORA (Angry) If you think for one minute that your father and I will tolerate this sort of behaviour, you've got another thing coming! You're only 14!!! You're a child! What on earth's the matter with you, Yvonne? You know what can happen with boys . . . Don't you have any self-respect?
  

Honora sighs.
  

PAULINE Can I go now?
  

Honora grabs Pauline by the shoulders.
  

HONORA You think you're such a clever little madam! You had your father in tears last night!
  

Pauline flinches.
  

HONORA My God, what a disgrace you are! You shame me, you shame the family. You're nothing but a cheap little tart!  

PAULINE Well, I guess I take after you then!
  

Honora whirls around and slaps Pauline on the cheek.
  

PAULINE You ran off with Dad when you were only 17!   Nana Parker told me!
  

Honora steps back.
  

HONORA (Softly) You're going to be late.
  

Pauline triumphantly walks past her mother. Honora barely reacts as Pauline hurries out.

CUT TO: EXT. RIEPERS' HOUSE – NIGHT 
Midnight at 31 Gloucester St. All lights are off.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I am terribly cut up. I miss Nicholas terrifically. Mother thinks I will have nothing more to do with him, but little she knows . . .
The front door quietly opens and Pauline sneaks out.
Pauline pedals her bicycle furiously along dark streets.

EXT. BOARDING HOUSE – NIGHT
Pauline climbs up a fire escape.
John comes out onto the balcony and hugs her.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Nicholas was pleased that I was so early.
  

John and Pauline disappear into his room . . .
WIDE SHOT of the house, as Pauline's V.O. continues . . .
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) We sat around and talked for an hour and then went to bed. I declined the invitation at first, but he became very masterful and I had no option. I discovered that I had not lost my virginity on Thursday night. However, there is no doubt whatsoever that I have now . . . 

CRASH CUT TO:
INT. BOARDING HOUSE/JOHN'S BEDROOM – NIGHT 
Pauline is lying on the bed, with John thrusting away on top of her. John grunts and groans . . . Pauline remains unmoved and uninvolved.
  

DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BOROVNIA – DAY
The noonday sun glows in the sky.
Pauline opens her eyes . . . she is lying in a field of the most amazingly colourful flowers.
She stands and looks around her with amazement. She smiles happily.
On one side are fantasy cottages with crooked chimneys and thatched roofs . . . on the other tower the walls of Borovnia Castle.
Music comes wafting out of the castle gates . . . Mario Lanza singing "Funiculi, Funicula."
Pauline walks through the gates, beneath the portcullis, and into...

EXT. BOROVNIA CASTLE COURTYARD – DAY 
. . . the courtyard. A fŽte is in progress. The courtyard is full of PLASTICINE PEOPLE, laughing and singing amidst stalls and sideshows.
Pauline pushes her way through the crowd. A Plasticine finger taps her shoulder . . . she spins around and gasps!

PAULINE Charles!
  

The PLASTICINE KING smiles.
  

CHARLES (James Mason voice) Hello, Gina . . . great to see you here!
  

He turns away. Pauline scans the crowd. She gets a fleeting glimpse of the back of a ROBED WOMAN.
  

PAULINE (Calling) Deborah!
  

Deborah does not hear, and Pauline desperately pushes between Plasticine people to try and reach her.
A blur of Plasticine faces slide past . . .  

CRASH CUT TO:
INT. BOARDING HOUSE/JOHN'S BEDROOM
CLOSE-U P . . . John's sweaty face, still grunting furiously.

CRASH CUT TO:
EXT. BOROVNIA CASTLE COURTYARD – DAY
Pauline finds herself pulled into the arms of a fierce-looking PLASTICINE KNIGHT.
  

PAULINE (Breathless) Diello!  

DIELLO (Orson Welles voice) Careful, Gina. . . we almost lost you!
  

Diello suddenly steps back, draws his sword and expertly runs a passing PEASANT through.
He sweeps his hat off and bows at Pauline.
  

DIELLO (Orson Welles voice) For you, my lady!
  

Pauline beams. Her eye is again caught by Deborah’s Plasticine figure across the crowd . . . her back is still turned.
  

PAULINE Deborah!
  

Deborah slowly turns around . . . she has a human face—Juliet!
Tears of joy trickle down Pauline’s cheeks.
Juliet is laughing and smiling, looking beautiful.
Diello gently wipes Pauline’s tears.

DIELLO (Orson Welles voice) You're crying, Gina . . . don’t be sad.
  

Another Plasticine arm tugs at Pauline's shoulder . . . she turns and looks straight at the figure of . . .
NICHOLAS!
  

NICHOLAS (John s voice) Yvonne!
  

QUICK CUTS . . .  

Nicholas's Plasticine face . . .
John's face in the bedroom . . .
Nicholas . . .
John . . .
Nicholas . . .

CRASH CUT TO:
INT. BOARDING HOUSE/JOHN'S ROOM – NIGHT 
CLOSE-UP . . . John's face looming over Pauline. 

JOHN Yvonne!
  

Pauline is lying on the bed beneath him. She looks at him with glazed eyes.
She pushes John away and sits up in bed.
  

JOHN (Worried) I didn't hurt you, did I?
  

Pauline jumps out of bed and starts to dress.
  

PAULINE I've got to go home. 

John jumps out of bed and wraps his arms around her.

JOHN I love you so much.
  

MOVE IN . . . on Pauline's emotionless face. 

CUT TO:
INT. SANATORIUM/CORRIDOR – DAY
Pauline is hurrying down the sanatorium corridor . . . she breaks into a run.
  

INT. SANATORIUM/JULIET'S ROOM – DAY
Juliet is sitting by her bed, fully clothed. Her suitcases are packed and lie on the bed.
Pauline runs into the room. Juliet stands and they embrace hugging each other tightly.
Henry enters the room and frowns at the sight of the girls hugging. Juliet reaches out for Henry and pulls him into the embrace. He looks decidedly ill at ease as Pauline's black hair nuzzles against his neck.

EXT. STREETS – DAY
TRACKING BACK . . . as the Hulmes' car drives toward CAMERA.
Pauline's V.O. starts, reading her poem "The Ones That I Worship":

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) There are living among two dutiful daughters.

INT. HULMES' CAR – DAY
Pauline and Juliet are sitting together in the back seat.
  

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) Of a man who possesses two beautiful daughters,
  

Henry adjusts the rearview mirror and catches sight of their clasped hands.
  

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) You cannot know nor yet try to guess,/The sweet soothingness of their caress,
  

Henry’s steely gaze in the rearview mirror.
The poem continues over a visual montage:

EXT. ILAM DRIVEWAY – DAY
The Hulmes' car pulls up outside Ilam.
  

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) The outstanding genius of this pair is understood by few,/They are so rare. . .
  

Hilda emerges out of the house. Juliet gives her a big hug.
  

JULIET Mummy!  

HILDA Darling! Welcome home!
  

EXT. STREET – DAY
Pauline and Juliet sitting in a tram as it crawls along slowly.
John is running alongside, waving and calling, trying to get Pauline's attention. He is clearly pleading with her, but to no avail.
  

JOHN Yvonne! Stop! I still love you!  

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) Compared with these two, every man is a fool,/The world is most honoured that they should deign to rule,/And I worship the power of these lovely two,/ With that adoring love known to so few . . .

Pauline looks knowingly at Juliet, then down to John, hurrying along the street.

MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. BOROVNIA CASTLE GATES – DAY
The Plasticine figure of Nicholas, hurrying down the passage toward the castle gates.
In an alcove beside the gate, the Plasticine figure of Diello is lurking in the shadows, dagger in hand. Beside him is the rope winch that operates the portcullis.
Footsteps approach . . .Diello presses himself back into the corner . . .
Nicholas walks briskly. As he nears the portcullis, he espies something twinkling on the ground.
LOW ANGLE . . . Nicholas stops, looks down. Directly above him are the jagged teeth of the portcullis.
He reaches down . . . for a silver ring, set with a small pink stone. It is lying on the ground, as if dropped by somebody.
SUDDENLY!
Diello slashes the rope with his dagger. Before Nicholas can react, the portcullis crashes down on him. His Plasticine body is crushed.
Nicholas's twitching fingers release the brooch. It falls to the ground and breaks. The pink stone pops out of its setting, rolls down the path and comes to rest by Pauline's and Juliet's feet.
Juliet picks up the pink stone. She holds it up and it twinkles in the sunlight.

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) 'Tis indeed a miracle, one must feel, That two such heavenly creatures are real,

DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ILAM/BATH ROOM – N IGHT
CLOSE-UP . . . Pauline's face, staring intently ahead.
  

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) Hatred burning bright in the brown eyes with enemies for fuel,

CLOSE-UP . . . Juliet's face, staring intently ahead.
  

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) Icy scorn glitters in the gray eyes, contemptuous and cruel, Why are men such fools they will not realise,
  

PULL OUT . . . to show Pauline and Juliet lying in opposite ends of a hot, steaming bath, staring at each other.
  

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) The wisdom that is hidden behind those strange eyes.

INT. ILAM/)ULIET'S BEDROOM – NIGHT 
POEM CONTINUES AS . . .
Pauline and Juliet . . . sleeping in each other's arms in bed.

PAULINE (Poem V.O.) And these wonderful people are you and I.
  

FAST TRACK IN . . . to the bedroom door.
Henry is silently observing the two sleeping girls, his face stoney.
Sound of a distant thunderclap . . .  

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS'HOUSE/HALLWAY – NIGHT 
Henry is standing on the Riepers' doorstep. Lightning flashes light up his face like something out of a gothic horror.

HENRY Mrs. Rieper . . . may I come in?

Honora is standing, holding the door open, looking rather surprised at the unexpected visitor.
  

HONORA (Surprised) Yes, of course.

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/LOUNGE – NIGHT
Henry and Honora are sitting in the lounge. Henry looking rather uncomfortable on the edge of a shabby armchair. Herbert is at a drinks cabinet unscrewing the top off a bottle.
  

HENRY Your daughter's . . . an imaginative and a spirited girl—

HONORA If she's spending too much time at your house, you only need to say. All those nights she spends over—she’s assured us that you don't mind . . .  

HENRY It's rather more complicated than that. Since Mrs. Hulme and I have returned home, Juliet has been behaving in a rather disturbed manner . . . surliness, short temper . . . general irritability—most uncharacteristic.

Herbert is pouring a drink.
  

HERBERT Sure I can't tempt you to a nice sherry, Dr. Hulme?  

HENRY No, thank you. The thing is . . .  

HONORA Yvonne hasn't been herself, either. Locking herself away in her room . . . endlessly writing.
  

Herbert sits down next to Honora, glass of sherry in hand.
  

HENRY My wife and I feel the friendship is . . . unhealthy.  

HERBERT No arguments there, Dr. Hulme! All that time inside working on those novels of theirs. They don't get fresh air or exercise!
  

Honora frowns at Henry.
  

HONORA (Concerned) I'm not sure what you mean, Dr. Hulme.
  

Henry pauses for a moment.
  

HENRY Your daughter appears to have formed a rather . . . unwholesome attachment to Juliet.  

HONORA (Worried) What's she done???  

HENRY She hasn't done anything . . . it's the intensity of the friendship that concerns me. I think we should avert trouble before it starts.
  

Henry hands a business card to Honora.

HENRY Dr. Bennett is a very good friend. He's a general physician, but has some expertise in child psychology. If Pauline is indeed developing in a rather . . . er . . . wayward fashion, Dr. Bennett is the ideal man to set her back on track. 

CUT TO:
INT. DR. BENNETT'S SURGERY – DAY
Pauline is slouched in a chair, looking very sullen.

DR. BENNETT (O.S.) What about your studies . . . are you enjoying school?

DR. BENNETT is seated behind his desk. Pauline is silent. She looks at the ceiling. Honora is sitting next to Pauline.

DR. BENNETT Are you happy at home? Pauline is silent.  

HONORA Answer Dr. Bennett, Yvonne.
  

Pauline remains silent.

HONORA (Annoyed) Yvonne!  

DR. BENNETT Mrs. Rieper . . . perhaps you wouldn't mind waiting outside.
  

Honora leaves the room.
  

DR. BENNETT Do you like your mother?
  

Pauline hesitates for a moment.
  

PAULINE No. 

DR. BENNETT And why is that?  

PAULINE She nags me.

DR. BENNETT And that's why you like to stay with the Hulmes?
  

Pauline looks wary. She doesn't answer.

DR. BENNETT Or is it because you want to be with Juliet?
  

No answer.
  

DR. BENNETT Do you . . . like girls?  

PAULINE No.  

DR. BENNETT Why not?  

PAULINE They're silly.  

DR. BENNETT But Juliet's not silly?  

PAULINE (Emphatic) No!  

DR. BENNETT Yvonne . . . there's nothing wrong with having a close friend, but sometimes things can get . . . too friendly. Such associations can lead to trouble. It isn't good to have just one friend . . . my wife and I have several friend and we enjoy seeing them on a regular basis, and it's all perfectly healthy. Perhaps you 
could think about spending time with . . . boys—
  

Dr. Bennett stops in mid-sentence, a look of surprise face. He looks down at his chest . . .
A red bloodstain is slowly spreading across his shirt. Dr. Bennett twitches slightly as the blade of a sword work its way out of his chest!
Pauline’s face lights up as . . .
Diello rises up behind Dr. Bennett.
  

DIELLO (Orson Welles voice) Bloody fool!

CRASH CUT TO:
INT. DR. BENNETT'S WAITING ROOM – DAY
The surgery door opens and Pauline steps out, looking elated.
Honora looks up from her chair.
Dr. Bennett appears in the doorway behind Pauline. He casts a wary glance in her direction.
  

DR. BENNETT Mrs. Rieper . . .
  

Honora bustles in, and Dr. Bennett closes the door. Pauline sits down, folds her arms and stares blankly at a COUPLE OF SICK PATIENTS.

INT. DR. BENNETT'S SURGERY – DAY 
CLOSE-UP . . . Dr. Bennett's mouth.
  

DR. BENNETT Homosexuality . . .
  

Honora looks horrified.
  

DR. BENNETT I agree, Mrs. Rieper, it's not a pleasant word. But let us not panic unduly. This condition is often a passing phase with girls of Yvonne's age.   

HONORA But she's always been such a normal, happy child.  

DR. BENNETT It can strike at any time, and adolescent are particularly vulnerable.  

HONORA But what about the vomiting? She's lost a lot of weight . . . 
  

Dr. Bennett shrugs.

DR. BENNETT Physically, I can find nothing wrong. I’ve checked for TB and she's clear. I can only attribute her weight loss to her mental disorder.  

HONORA (Shocked) Oh . . .  

DR. BENNETT Look, Mrs. Rieper . . . try not to worry too much. Yvonne's young and strong, and she's got a loving family behind her. Chances are she'll grow out of it. If not . . . well, medical science is progressing in leaps and bounds. There could be a breakthrough at any time!

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/HALLWAY – NIGHT 
SLOW TRACKING . . . down the hallway corridor. As the CAMERA passes doorways, we see the Riepers' family routine . . . Honora in the kitchen. Herbert wanders by and goes through the adjoining door into the lounge. He sits down and opens the paper. Wendy is attempting to t the fire. The family are chatting to each other, but we do not hear their conversation because . . .
. . . we are listening to Pauline's V.O. 
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Mother woke me this morning and started lecturing me before I was properly awake, which I thought was somewhat unfair. She has brought up the worst possible threat now. She said that if my health did not prove I could never see the Hulmes again. The thought is too dreadful. Life would be unbearable 
without Deborah . . .

CAMERA CRANES UP . . . through the ceiling and into . . .

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
. . . Pauline's bedroom. The room is filled with the sad strains of "E Lucevan le Stelle," an aria from Puccini's Tosca that is booming out from Pauline's portable record player.
CAMERA CRANES UP past the foot of the bed to reveal Pauline lying on her back, looking very morose.
TRACK IN TO her intense face as her V.O. continues . . .
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) l wish I could die. This is not an idle or temporary impulse. I have decided over the last two or three weeks that it would be the best thing that could happen together, and the thought of death is not fearsome.

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/LOUNGE – CHRISTMAS DAY 1953 
CLOSE-UP . . . a Christmas present is torn open . . . followed by several more, in quick cuts. Typical 1953 presents.
Honora, Herbert, Wendy and Pauline are sitting on the floor, amidst presents and discarded wrapping paper. Grandma Parker is sitting in a chair.
Herbert waves a pair of new socks around. The family laughing and talking. Pauline is not participating. She is leaning back, looking morose. Honora looks at her 
with concern.
  

HONORA (Concerned) Is it hurting, dear?
  

Pauline looks blank.

HONORA Your leg . . . have you got pain?

Pauline shakes her head. She rips open a present . . . a new diary.

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT 
CLOSE-UP of the Jan. 1st page. Pauline's pen starts to write . . .

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) My New Year's resolution is a far more selfish one than last year, so there is more probability of my keeping it. It is to make my motto: "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may be dead."

Pauline looks up from her diary as the CAMERA RUSHES IN toward her face.

I NT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR – MORNING
TRACKING with Pauline as she walks down the corridor past classmates, head down, shoulders hunched.

EXT. CRANMER SQUARE/SCHOOL – DAY
A PHOTOGRAPHER is peering through his camera in Cranmer Square.
The 33 girls of 4A are posing for their class photo. They are giggling and joking. Pauline is perched in the top right corner and is sullen.

PHOTOGRAPHER Ready . . . smile!
  

Pauline bows her bead.
CLICK!

CUT TO:THE BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPH. PULL OUT from Pauline's bowed head to the full shot of the smiling class.

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S BEDROOM – DAY 
Pauline strolls into her bedroom and drops her school bag down. She plucks out an opera record to play on her radiogram.
Honora walks in, waving a letter.

HONORA This arrived today, Yvonne . . .
  

Pauline looks at her mother with distaste.
  

PAULINE My name is Gina!  

HONORA It's a letter from the school . . . from Miss Stewart.  

PAULINE What does old Stew want?  

HONORA She says the standard of your work is slipping. At this rate she doesn't think you'll get School Certificate.  

PAULINE Who cares!  

HONORA I care . . . your father cares . . . we want you to have a good education.  

PAULINE I'm educating myself!  

HONORA You're failing English . . . you used to be top of the class—  

PAULINE I'm doing my own writing!
  

Honora snatches up an exercise book from a large pile.
  

HONORA These stories are not going to get you School Certificate! You don't seriously think anyone's going to publish them?  

PAULINE (Scornful) What do you know? You wouldn't know the first thing about writing. You're the most ignorant person I've ever met!
  

Honora is very angry.
  

HONORA You're rude . . . rude and insolent! I don't see why I should keep a horrid child like you at school a minute longer.
  

PAULINE (Shouting) I don't wanna be in bloody school!  

HONORA (Shouting) All right! You go out there and get a job and you damn well pay your own way!
  

Honora storms out of the room and slams the door.  

INT. DIGBY'S TYPING SCHOOL – DAY
OPEN ON . . . SIGN ON DOOR:
"Digby's Commercial College"
Pauline sits amongst rows of young ladies, typing. MISS DIGBY patrols the aisles. Pauline looks bored and morose as she stabs dejectedly at the keys.
  

INT. ILAM BATHROOM – NIGHT
Pauline and Juliet are lying in a steaming bath – facing each other from opposite ends. Pauline is very upset. 

PAULINE I think I'm going crazy. 

JULIET No, you're not, Gina—it's everybody else who is bonkers!

PAULINE Let's go overseas . . .  

JULIET You mean travel by ourselves?  

Pauline nods.
  

JULIET Where shall we go? Not the Bahamas; it's bloody awful!
  

A few moments of silence as the girls contemplate.
  

JULIET (Excited) Of course! It's so obvious!

CUT TO:
INT. ILAM/CORRIDOR – NIGHT
Henry is walking down the corridor in his dressing gown, carrying a glass of milk.
He pauses as he overhears giggles and splashes coming from the bathroom. He puts his ear to the door . . .
  

JULIET (O.S.) I know . . . I'll lean back and put my hair on my shoulders—then I'll look just like Veronica Lake!
  

Sound of a camera clicking.
  

PAULINE (O.S.) Stay still or they'll be blurry . . .     

JULIET (O.S.) Hurry up! I'm freezing!  

PAULINE (O.S.) Just a couple more . . .  

JULIET (O.S.) I know, I'll lean forward and show more cleavage!
  

Henry frowns. Sounds of a camera clicking.

INT. ILAM/HILDA'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Hilda is preparing for bed.
Henry opens the door and enters.

HENRY Those girls are up to something in the bathroom! I think they're taking photographs of each other! 

HILDA Just leave them alone, Henry.  

HENRY I'm prepared to tolerate that Rieper girl's presence but I will not stand for any . . . hanky-panky.  

HILDA I'm sure it's all perfectly innocent.

INT. ILAM/LOUNGE – NIGHT
TRACKING ALONG . . . a mantelpiece of knickknacks. Juliet's hand grabs three pieces.
Pauline and Juliet hurry around the darkened lounge, lifting various bits of silver and china. They are dressed their nighties.
  

PAULINE (Whispers) I'm sure they'll notice things missing.  

JULIET (Whispers) They'll blame the bloody housekeeper. She nicks stuff all the times! 

INT. ILAM/JULIET'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Pauline and Juliet are lying in Juliet's bed, their booty spread around them.
  

JULIET This lot's got to be worth 50 quid!  

PAULINE I can try my father's safe. I'm sure I can get the keys to his office.  

JULIET That's great! We'll have the fare in no time!

RIEPERS' HOUSE – DAWN
Sunrise over 31 Gloucester St.
  

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/KITCHEN/DINING ROOM/LAUNDRY – MORNING
SERIES OF VERY QUICK SHOTS . . .
Pauline doing housework: sweeping floors, ironing, hanging washing, folding, dusting, cleaning bath . . .

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I rose at 5:30 this morning and did housework before 8 o'clock, including taking Wendy her breakfast in bed. I feel very pleased with myself on the whole and also the future.
  

Pauline spins around and stares straight into the CAMERA.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) We are so brilliantly clever. 

ILAM GROUNDS – DAY
WHACK! A tennis ball is hit by a racquet.
Hilda and Walter Perry are playing mixed doubles on the court laid out in the Ilam grounds, behind the house.
SUPER: "Two Weeks Later"
It’s a sunny, festive afternoon. Picnic blankets are laid out around the tennis court. Tables of food and colourful awnings have been erected around the lawn.
Henry is chatting to some friends beside the tennis courts.
Thirty cars are filling the drive in front of the house. People are wandering around, admiring the gardens.
Dr. Bennett and his wife, PEARL, are strolling along the edge of the river. SUDDENLY . . .
SPLASH!!! . . . Dr. Bennett and Pearl are drenched in a shower of water as a large rock lands in the river beside them.

CUT TO:
Pauline and Juliet in the bushes across the river from the Bennetts. Juliet is peering through the foliage. Pauline has just clearly hurled the rock.
  

JULIET Direct hit! Gave his trousers a good soaking! Everyone will think he's peed himself!

They dissolve into giggles.

CUT BACK:
To the Bennetts . . . and some other GUESTS as they hear the sound of giggling and rustling leaves.

CUT TO:
Pauline and Juliet strolling through the thick undergrowth, eating bunches of grapes and drinking straight from a sherry decanter.
  

JULIET (Mouth full) Bloody Bill's sniffing around Mummy something chronic.
  

They pause by a tree, with a clear view across the river to Hilda and Walter playing tennis.
  

PAULINE I thought he was supposed to be terribly ill.  

JULIET (Sarcastic) That was what we were led to believe . . .

INSERT SCENE:
INT. ILAM/DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Henry, Hilda, Jonathon and Juliet are having an evening meal.
  

HILDA Henry . . . I'm terribly worried about Bill Perry. He's just had a spell in hospital and has nowhere to convalesce.  

HENRY No?  

HILDA I've offered him the flat . . . he really shouldn't be left by himself . . . not in his condition.
  

Juliet is eating, quietly watching her parents.

JULIET (V.O.) I was looking forward to the ambulance arriving . . . 

CUT TO:
EXT. ILAM DRIVEWAY – DAY
An ambulance is parked outside the house, light flashing.
Walter Perry is lifted out on a stretcher, looking terribly ill . . . croaking and gasping.
  

JULIET (V.O.) There's something desperately exciting about bodies on stretchers . . . (Regretfully) But it wasn't like that at all!
  

CUT TO:
SAME SCENE – BUT:
No ambulance or stretchers . . . Walter hops out of a cab, looking fit and healthy. Hilda steps out of the house, followed by Juliet.
  

HILDA Bill! I hope the trip didn't tire you.  

WALTER Not in the least! (To Juliet) Hello! (Looks at house) What a splendid place!

INT. ILAM/WALTER'S FLAT – DAY 
Hilda and Walter stroll into the flat.
  

HILDA It used to be the servants' quarters, but it's very comfortable.  

WALTER Oh, corker!
  

Hilda and Walter wander into another room . . . Henry struggles through the front door carrying Walter’s cases. 

CUT TO: EXT. ILAM GROUNDS – DAY (SCENE CONTINUES) 
Pauline and Juliet are finishing their grapes as they watch Hilda and Walter on the tennis court.
  

JULIET Poor Mother was completely taken in.  

PAULINE Do you think Bloody Bill's trying to get into her draws?  

JULIET Too right . . . but he doesn't have a show! Nobody gets into Mother's draws except Daddy!
  

They watch as Henry scampers across the lawn after the tennis ball.
  

PAULINE (Quietly) Poor Father . . .  

JULIET (Comforting) Don't worry, Gina! Mummy and Daddy love each other.

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' MOUSE/BATHROOM NIGHT
Pauline is lying in the bath, writing in her exercise book
She turns the page and calls out.
  

PAULINE Just washing my hair now, Laurie. Won't be a moment.

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/CORRIDOR NIGHT 
Laurie is seated outside the bathroom door. He is dressed in a bathrobe, and has a new change of clothes on his lap.
Honora is walking past with an armful of washing.

HONORA Is she still in there?

INT. RIEPERS’ HOUSE/BATHROOM NIGHT
There is knocking at the door . . .
  

HONORA (O.S.) Pauline . . . Come on, you've had enough time.
  

Pauline sighs.

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/CORRIDOR – NIGHT
Honora knocks harder.

PAULINE (O.S.) (Facetious) Yes, yes, yes!  

HONORA (Angry) You open up this door right now!
  

Sound of Pauline getting out of the bathwater.
  

PAULINE (O.S.) (Angry) I'm bloody dressing as fast as I can, for God's sake!  

HONORA (Angry) Open this door!
  

The door opens and Pauline strolls out, a towel around her. Honora starts berating her. However, we only hear Pauline's V.O. as Honora follows her down the corridor.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Mother gave me a fearful along the usual strain.
  

Pauline pauses by her bedroom door as Honora continues talking to her. 

CLOSE UP . . . Honora talking to Pauline, soundlessly.

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I rang Deborah immediately as I had to tell someone sympathetic how I loathed Mother.

EXT. ILAM HOUSE – NIGHT
Ilam at night. All the lights are off.

INT. ILAM/CORRIDOR NIGHT
CREEPING POV . . . down the CORRIDOR.
TILT UP to reveal . . . Juliet, listening intently to coming from behind a bedroom door.
SUPER: "23rd April 1954"
Juliet's hand reaches for the door handle.

INT. ILAM/WALTER PERRY'S BEDROOM – NIGHT 
The bedroom door flies open . . . Juliet quickly flicks on the light.
ZIP PAN AROUND TO . . . Hilda and Walter sitting bolt upright in bed! A tray of tea sits on a bedside table.
  

JULIET The balloon has gone up!  

HILDA What on Earth are you talking about? Mr. Perry is ill . . . I've brought him a cup of tea.  

WALTER Would you like one, Juliet?  

JULIET Don't try and fob me off! It's going to cost you a hundred pounds, or I'm blabbing to Daddy!
  

Hilda looks at Walter, appalled. She looks Juliet square in the eye.
  

HILDA Mr. Perry and I are in love, Juliet.
  

Juliet s eyes widen at this unexpected confession.
  

WALTER Hilda!  

HILDA Your father knows about us. Until other arrangements can be made, we've decided to live as a threesome.
  

Juliet looks confused. Tears spring to her eyes.

JULIET (Angry) I don't care what you do! Pauline and I are going to Hollywood. They're desperately keen to sign us up. We're going to be film stars!  

HILDA What are you talking about?  

JULIET (Yelling) It's all arranged . . . we don't need your bloody hundred pounds anyway, so stick it up your bottom!
  

Juliet turns and leaves, slamming the door.
Hilda puts her head in her hands.

CUT TO:
EXT. STREET – MORNING
TRACKING BACK . . . Pauline is furiously cycling through rain and wind.

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Deborah told me the stupendous news! I'm going out to Ilam as we have much to talk over.

INT. ILAM/HALLWAY – MORNING
Pauline pushes the front door open and steps inside. All is quiet in the house.
Rain is pelting down outside.

PAULINE (Calling out) Hello?

No reply . . . Pauline goes up the stairs.

INT. ILAM/JULIET'S BEDROOM – MORNING
Pauline enters the bedroom . . . Juliet is lying in bed, looking pale and upset.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Deborah was still in bed when I arrived.
  

Pauline rushes over to the bed. Juliet grabs her and hugs tightly.
WHIZ PAN AROUND and FAST TRACK IN TO . . . Henry standing in the doorway.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Dr. Hulme asked us to come into the lounge to have a talk with him. 

INT. ILAM/HALLWAY – MORNING
Juliet is wrapped in a blanket. Pauline has an arm around her shoulders as they walk toward the lounge.
Hilda walks past and Juliet glares hatefully at her. 

INT. ILAM/LOUNGE – MORNING
TRACK IN . . . to a CLOSE-UP of Henry, sitting in a big leather chair. 

HENRY Your mother and I are getting divorced.
  

Juliet is in shock. She clutches Pauline’s hand.
MOVE IN . . . to CLOSE-UP of Pauline. 

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) The shock is too great to have penetrated my mind. It is so incredible. Poor Father. Dr. Hulme was absolutely kind and understanding . . . 
  

Pauline's V.O. continues over . . .
A conversation between Henry and the two girls. The large lounge at Ilam is dark and cold. The mood is bleak.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) He said we must tell him everything about our going to America. He was both hope-giving and depressing. We talked for a long time and  Deborah and I were near tears by the time it was over. 

INT. ILAM/HALLWAY – MORN I NG
Pauline's V.O. continues over . . .
Henry ushers Pauline and Juliet out of the lounge. He walks Pauline toward the front door.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) What is to be the future now? We may all be going to Italy and dozens of other places, or not all. We none of us know where we are and a 
good deal depends on chance. 

EXT. ILAM/DRIVEWAY – MORNING
Pauline's V.O. continues over . . .
Pauline rides her bicycle down the drive in the rain.
Dr. Hulme is standing at the door, watching her go . . . a stoney expression on his face.
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Dr. Hulme is the noblest and most wonderful person I have ever known of.
 

Henry shuts the door. 

INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT 
Pauline's V.O. continues over . . .
Pauline is lying in bed, writing in her diary. 
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) One thing Deborah and I are sticking to: through everything, we sink or swim together. 

INT. ILAM/JULIET'S BEDROOM – NIGHT 
Juliet is propped up in bed, looking sick and pale. Hilda is sitting by the side of the bed. Henry stands at the foot of the bed, hands behind his back.
  

HENRY Your mother and I have talked things over and we've made some decisions . . . I am resigning from the university and will be taking up a position back in  England.
 

Juliet looks horrified. 

JULIET (Vehemently) But Daddy, you can't just leave me with Mother!

Hilda looks hurt.
  

HILDA We thought it best that you accompany your father. . .  

JULIET (Worried) Is Gina coming, too? 

HENRY (Annoyed) Of course not! 

JULIET (Angry) I'm not going to England without Gina!
  

Hilda and Henry exchange an awkward glance.
  

HILDA You're not going to England, darling. 

Juliet looks confused. 

HENRY I'm leaving you in South Africa with Auntie Ina.  

Juliet starts to tremble.

HILDA That chest of yours isn't getting any better. The warmer climate is just what you need . . . 

HENRY For the good of your health. 

Juliet opens her mouth and screams. 

CRASH CUT TO:  
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/PAULINE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Pauline is crouched on her bed, hugging her knees. She stares intensely ahead.

PAULINE (Intense) The Hulmes will look after me. They want me to live with them! 

HONORA Don't be so ridiculous. You're our daughter, you belong here with us. 

PAULINE I belong with Deborah! We're going to South Africa! 

HONORA You're not going anywhere. You're 15 years old!!  

PAULINE (Intense) You have to let me go! 

Honora stands and walks toward the door. 

HONORA We'll talk about this when you've calmed down.  

Honora pauses at the door. Pauline is slowly rocking on the bed, staring at the wall. 
CLOSE-UP . . . Pauline's face as we hear her diary V.O.: 
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I felt thoroughly depressed and even quite seriously considered committing suicide. Life seems so much not worth the living, death such an  easy way out. 

HONORA Love, you can still write to each other. 

Honora softly touches Pauline’s cheek. Pauline winces, averting her face.
MOVE IN . . . to EXTREME CLOSE-UP of Pauline's eyes. 
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) Anger against Mother boiled up inside me as it is she who is one of the main obstacle in my path. Suddenly a means of ridding myself of this 
obstacle occurred to me. If she were to die . . . 

CUT TO:
INT. UNIVERSITY HALL – DAY
CLOSE-UP . . . a cloth is whipped away revealing a portrait of Henry painted by Rudi Gopez.
Henry is on stage for the unveiling. He shakes hands with PROFESSOR 2. Hilda is sitting amongst various dignitaries on the stage. 
PROFESSOR 1 is at the podium. 
  

PROFESSOR 1 I can not begin to attempt to measure the inestimable value of Dr. Hulme's contributions to Canterbury College, both social and official. We wish both him and Mrs. Hulme all the best for the future. 

On sound of large audience clapping: 

CUT TO:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/HALLWAY – DAY  
CLOSE ON . . . black & white newspaper photo of large audience in the hall.
PULL OUT . . . to reveal newspaper story entitled "Canterbury College Bids Farewell to Rector Today."
PULL OUT FURTHER . . . as the CAMERA rises vertically above Pauline. She is slumped on the hall floor, holding the phone to her ear. The newspaper lies open beside her.
  

JULIET (O.S.) (Through phone) Everything's going to be okay, Gina. Mr. Perry's promised to give me 50 pounds for my horse . . . 

INT. ILAM/HALLWAY – DAY
Juliet is in the Ilam hallway, talking into the phone . . . Walter and Hilda are visible in the lounge beyond.

  
JULIET (Hushed) That's a hundred and twenty! It's another 30 pounds and we've got the fare! 

INTERCUT WITH:
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/HALLWAY – DAY
Pauline looks very upset. 

PAULINE (Upset) It's no bloody good . . . I went to the passport office today. They won't give me one till I'm 20. 

CUT between Pauline and Juliet . . .  

JULIET But that's not true! I've got one. 

PAULINE (Choked up) I need my sodding parents' consent.  

Tears well in Juliet’s eyes. 

JULIET (Sobbing) Don’t cry, Gina . . . We’re not going to be separated. They can't make us . . . they can't! 

Hilda quietly looms up behind Juliet. She gently takes the phone out of Juliet’s hand and puts it back on the receiver. Juliet struggles in Hilda’s arms, pushing her mother away, screaming. 
Pauline stands holding the dead phone. 

HONORA Yvonne. 

Pauline turns and faces her mother. 

HONORA Please don't be like this, love. 

Pauline gives Honora a cursory glance and walks past her, up the stairs. Honora looks after her, a hurt expression on her face. 
  

PAULINE (Diary V.O.) I did not tell Deborah of my plans for removing Mother. I have made no decision yet as the last fate I wish to meet is one in a borstal. I am trying to think of some way. 

CUT TO:
EXT. RIEPERS' BACK GARDEN – DAY
THWACK! . . . An ax chops into a log, splitting it in two.
Herbert is chopping firewood in the back garden. Honora approaches him. 

HONORA I've just had Hilda Hulme on the phone. 

HERBERT What now? 

HONORA She says Juliet's in a terrible state . . .  

CUT TO
INT. RIEPERS' HOUSE/LOUNGE – DAY
Honora and Herbert are sitting with Hilda in the lounge. 

HILDA She's uncontrollable. I've told her that Pauline is not going to South Africa, but she refuses to accept it. 

Herbert and Honora exchange a glance. 

HILDA I expect you've heard the same from your own daughter. 

Honora shakes her head. 

HONORA (Upset) Yvonne hasn't spoken to me for nearly two weeks. 

HILDA Yes . . . well, it hasn't been an easy time for any of us, Mrs. Rieper. 

HERBERT She's cut us out of her life . . . it's been causing her mother and I a lot of worry. 

HILDA What I'm suggesting is that we let the girls spend these last three weeks together. We'd like Pauline to come and stay with Juliet, until she leaves. 

HERBERT Is that a good idea? 

Herbert looks at Honora . . . tears are running down her cheeks. He stands and ushers Hilda toward the door. 

HERBERT Why don't I telephone you tonight, Mrs. Hulme?  

HILDA Yes, of course. 

Herbert accompanies Hilda into the hallway. 
Honora breaks down into heavy sobs. 

CUT TO: 
INT. ILAM/HALLWAY – DAY  
The front door sw