The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) s01e01 Episode Script
Episode 1
Ned! Have another, dearie.
Won't do you no harm.
Smoke another pipe.
Never make out a word them saying.
Foreigners English Makes no odds.
Nonsense.
It's just nonsense.
We all talk nonsense, dearie, when the dream's upon us.
When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed and doeth that which is lawful and right he shall save his soul alive.
I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Something to keep an eye on.
Mr Crisparkle! Thank you, Reverend.
Thank you for your forbearance.
Not ill, Mr Jasper? Only that sleep is hard to find.
My mother will be thrilled to offer you her famous medicine chest once again.
Previously she only had me to experiment on.
The lady's very kind.
But I expect my nephew today.
I'm very glad to hear it! Edwin will do you more good than a dozen medicine chests.
If he does not come soon I will die of longing! Rosa has no idea how lucky she is.
For heaven's sake, you know nothing about it.
There he is! Look at his lovely hair! Will you please be quiet?! It's so romantic I could faint.
Mr Edwin Drood to see Miss Rosa Bud.
It is just so absurd.
What is so absurd, Rosie? The whole thing.
Girls and servants scuttling about giggling, when it's only you come to call.
That's a nice way to welcome your fiance! Miss Twinkleton.
How do you do, Mr Drood? Very glad indeed to have the pleasure once more.
Pray excuse me.
Tweezers.
Shall I just go? No.
No, not so soon, the girls will only want to know why.
So, how are you? I'd like to reply much the better for seeing you, Rosie.
Jack? Jack? Jack, you monster! Ned! Put me down! Ned! Ned, at last.
Are you wet? Cold? Hungry? Not wet, not cold.
Hungry, yes, hungry as a horse.
Don't mollycoddle me, Jack, there's a good fellow.
Let me look at you.
You're late.
I looked in on Rosa first.
That's a dreadful old picture, Jack.
I've more skill now.
I'd draw you another one tomorrow, but I can't be sure she'll ever show me that smile again.
To a young bride, nervously awaiting her nuptial day.
Nervous! Miss Rosa is all thorns and no petals.
Ned! But the girl provokes me so! Miss Pert.
Miss Scornful.
Nothing I say ever pleases her.
That young lady is too good for you, boy.
God, if only I could choose, Jack.
The loveliest girl in the world is yours, and you should thank God as well as your father for it.
You can say so, it's all very well for you.
Your life's not mapped out for you, your work and your marriage, all to scale and lined and dotted out like some infernal surveyor's plan.
You can choose for yourself.
Ha! Jack, you look ghastly.
What is it? You're frightening me! Now, don't you mollycoddly me.
My medicine's at my bed.
My Jack's an opium eater! You disapprove? No, no, no.
If laudanum helps to ease the pain To forget.
To forget the pain.
To forget this place.
You can't be unhappy here, Jack.
Not when you've so exactly found your niche in life? You're so deeply respected in this queer old place.
And you've your heavenly music.
I hate it, Ned.
I hate the grinding monotony of it.
What is a man's life, where his only choice is which hymn number to select today? See how even a poor choirmaster may suffer the itch of ambition, but these are private thoughts and this is a confidence between us.
Of course.
It shall be sacredly preserved.
Take it as a warning, then.
My dear fellow, you need never fear that I will give in to the same despair.
Look at me, I'm smiling! For in a few months, I shall carry Rosa away from school as Mrs Edwin Drood, and she shall set sail with me for our new life in the east.
And we shall be happy, because we shall have made up our minds to be.
You won't be warned, then? Dear Jack! Hah! Surrender, wicked mirror! Your money or your life.
While you're waiting for the poor item to decide, I have a job for you.
That's far too many.
Our poor guest will boil.
On the contrary, Sept, our climate will be a freezing torment to a tropical soul.
What? What if the bellringers disturb his sleep? I'll move the cathedral, shall I? Come on, then.
What we got today, Mr Durdles? Who's this "we" when he's at home? This is Durdles' dinner entirely, what he is sharing with a workhouse ragamuffin out of the goodness of his heart.
Cheese! Yeah.
Blooming racket's enough to put an honest man off his lunch.
Stop, stop, stop, stop! I know there are a lot of low notes, but when did you hear me say you're allowed to growl like a pack of Bengal tigers? Keep it bright, keep that smile in your mouths.
The key note is IS G, but it is an odd form of G minor, so don't root down in mud and boots, think upwards, think of heaven.
And this time prove to me you can sing sharp as well as flat.
Ethelinda, reverential wife of Mr Thomas Sapsea.
Mayor, estate agent, auctioneer, etc, etc, etc, of this very city, whose knowledge of the world, though somewhat extensive, never brought him acquainted with a spirit more capable of looking up to him.
That spirit being your late wife? Stranger, pause, and ask thyself the question.
Canst thou do likewise? If not, with a blush, retire.
A fine tribute.
I do not reproach myself, sir.
A little long, perhaps? But there have been times when I have asked myself the question, what if her husband had not been so very superior to her? If she had not had to look up so high, what might have been the stimulating effect upon her liver? Durdles, what say you as to length? Hold it up for us.
It'll fit within an eighth of an inch.
Give us the key.
Surely this fine inscription is not to be hidden from public view inside the crypt? When Durdles goes back to put a touch or a finish on his work, Durdles likes to check the whole job.
Inside and outside.
Key, Mr Mayor, if you please.
Why, Durdles, you're overloaded with ironmongery.
Weighed down by life, is Durdles.
And I'm sure the mayor's key is the heaviest of all.
Indeed, sir, it shall be.
May I? Most impressive.
You may retain the key, Durdles, for I have another, and how the cold is creeping into my bones.
Good day to you both.
Good day, Mr Sapsea.
Yours is a curious existence.
Yours is another.
In as much as we both inhabit the same old earthy, chilly, never-changing place.
But there's more mystery and interest in your work.
Nobody knows this place like Durdles.
Every corner of it has Durdles' handiwork upon it.
Find his way round it blindfold.
Day or night.
You shall show me.
Durdles got better things to do.
Excuse me, boys.
Miss Landless? Welcome to Cloisterham.
I'm Reverend Septimus Crisparkle.
How do you do? How do you do, sir? And this must be My brother, Neville.
Splendid.
My dear children, such a dreadfully long voyage, but you're home now.
100 miles south of Jaffna, I believe? Yes, sir.
Dutch, and then French, till we British got hold of it.
The harbour, you see.
Very fine.
Trincomalee! What a tongue-twister.
It means Lord of the Sacred Hill in our mother's language.
Yes, your mother Was a Christian lady.
Of course.
The letter from the mission school related to us the sad news of the death of your stepfather.
To be orphaned twice We have each other.
"Trincomalee! What a tongue-twister?" It's like talking to a pair of brick walls.
Perhaps in the company of other young people Round some up, Sept.
Quick as you can! Boilers again.
Boilers and pyramids and canals.
How can you not take an interest in the triumphs of engineering that'll change an undeveloped country? Who cares about Egypt?! Talk about something else.
Next, you'll say you don't want to come.
You're being ridiculous.
Mr Neville Landless, Miss Helena Landless, may I present to you Miss Rosa Bud and Mr Edwin Drood? How do you do? I see I disappoint you.
An unusual name, sir, but familiar to us, as a Mr Drood was among the kindly benefactors of our mission school.
Not I, Miss Landless, I have not yet set foot in the tropics, nor my father either, who is dead these nine years.
I am more than sorry to hear that.
Miss Twinkleton, your new pupil.
And you sir, to the piano if you please.
And Rosa! Yes, yes, come along, now.
Some songs before tea, the rule on our alternate musical Wednesdays.
Yes, sing for our suppers, Rosie, it's the least you can do.
Miss Helena If you care to sit here.
Charming, my dear.
Most mellifluous.
Please, that's enough.
Rosie, what's the fuss? There'll be tears next, Jack, and for nothing, as usual.
If a young lady wishes to stop, what gentleman would force her on? There are no gentlemen here, sir.
Only a fiance and a music master.
Shall she take orders from both of them? Orders? Never.
But what if I beg? Rosie Posie, be a dear Stop it.
Stop it! Come away, come away.
There, Jack, Miss Landless agrees with me! You are a monster and she's afraid of you, too.
Never.
Well, I think it's time for a drink My guests are very young, my dear Mr Jasper, and very tired I take no offence, madam, truly, it's only one of my sudden headaches, forgive me.
I had already put this aside for you.
You are most kind.
Thank you.
Do that again and I'll kill you.
You lie! Get off me! Get off me! Get off! I could turn you off like a tap.
I am sure Miss Bud will make you very comfortable, Miss Landless.
Good night! This is my bed, and that shall be yours.
It's beautiful.
I hope you shall not hate sharing it with me.
The other girls are such geese! Come, let me take down your hair.
I imagine we shan't be here together for very long.
No, indeed.
For come the summer, I shall be married and away.
Married to a man who makes you cry in company.
That's just Eddy's way! He doesn't mean it.
You do love him, Rosa? What a question! I have been engaged to Eddy for ever.
Of course I love him.
You are so very young.
Sometimes I wonder how can I be sure this is what love feels like? I only know what I HOPE it feels like.
The other gentleman Don't speak of him.
You do know he loves you? Don't say that out loud.
Good sir! Our agreement.
Who's died? You were to conduct me on a tour.
The mysterious world of Durdles.
Not tonight.
Durdles is going home for his supper.
I have all the nourishment we need.
Watch your step, Mr Jasper.
As fine a choirmaster as you might be up there, down here is Durdles the presiding spirit.
There's people hidden away in every corner down here, Mr Jasper.
Old 'uns that's walled up and forgotten for ever by everyone excepting Durdles.
You spoke of nourishment? Not frightened of ghosts, then? What rational man fears the dead? That's true, the dead can't hurt ya.
Give you a fright, though.
You're not going to claim you've seen a ghost, Durdles? You'll disappoint me if you do.
Not seen one, no.
Heard one, though.
I was enjoying my 40 winks one night, though the nourishment was nowhere near as good as this is, Mr Jasper, thanking you kindly.
When what should wake me? The ghost of a cry, that's what.
The ghost of one terrific shriek with an echo like a long, dismal, woeful howl, such as a dog gives when a person's dead.
You speak of long ago.
No more than a year.
It was just when we buried poor Mrs Sapsea.
Not ashamed to confess I thought it was her.
The lady mayoress, crying for release from her own fresh grave.
Not ashamed to confess I ran all the way home and never came back to lock up until the morning.
The ghost of one terrific shriek.
He terrifies me.
When he corrects me, and strikes a note, or a chord, his voice is in the music whispering that he pursues me as a lover.
What words does he use, little one? I could argue with words.
But he has made a slave of me with his music.
He has forced me to understand him without his saying a word and he has forced me to keep silent without his uttering a threat.
Is that why you don't tell Edwin? Eddy is devoted to him! John Jasper is more than an uncle to him, he is a guardian and protector.
You must never breathe a word! Promise me, on your life.
Of course.
Good night, little one.
I'm here now.
There's no need to be scared.
I'm sorry about your father.
No need to feel sorry for me, Mr Neville.
I hardly knew my father, he lived so much abroad.
He died in action? No! A mining accident in Upper Egypt.
He died making money.
Don't look so puzzled.
He was an officer in the Royal Engineers, and no man got rich on army pay.
Set up a pretty little construction business, which is left to me when I'm 21.
I congratulate you.
And on your other good fortune.
Miss Rosa? You ask a good too many questions already, Mr Neville, and this matter is none of your business.
The young lady is under one roof with my sister.
Not for long, thank God.
Your discourtesy does not become you.
What an odd little thing you are.
Ned! Ned! Ned, dear boy! You are the host in this town and must respect the sacred rules of hospitality! Ned will be off soon, Mr Neville, sailing away with his lady love to a life of freedom and adventures.
Look at him lounging there like a lord.
The world is all before him.
Where to choose? Isn't that right, Mr Neville? Whereas we lesser mortals To Ned, my dearest fellow.
Lord Jack, this is strong stuff for our new friend.
I can take it.
And now a toast to Mr Neville, newly-arrived from far-flung? Ceylon.
Off the south coast of India.
Mr Neville, every schoolboy knows that.
Jack, you're quite right.
I understand you're orphans? Our mother died when we were 12 years old.
I am a damn fortunate fellow.
I'm sorry to hear that.
And your father? And Rosie's a damn lucky girl, if she did but know it.
Too damn good for the likes of you.
Now, do speak up, sir.
You might be worth more, Mr Drood, if you had known hardship like other people.
I find I tire very easily of the wisdom of the East.
Hospitality, Ned You talk as if you were some kind of rare and precious prize, but you're just a common boaster.
You may know a black common boaster when you see him, but you are no judge of white men.
Mr Neville, for shame! Ned, I beg you, I command you, back away! Mr Neville, I will have your weapon.
Open your hand, sir! Mr Neville! Last night, you were not sober.
Through the mercy of God I was swift and strong with him, or he would have cut Edwin down on my hearth, murder in his heart.
No, no, there's no need for such strong words.
You, my dear sir, have accepted a dangerous charge into your house.
You are our foremost man of culture, Mr Jasper.
There is no reason why you should have known that natives cannot be trusted with strong drink.
It is because I fear for your safety, dear madam, that I now raise my concerns.
I appreciate the kindness of, of your intention.
Madam.
One is forced to wonder, Mr Jasper, why the minor canon hadn't the courage to tell his mother himself? "Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae.
" "Of all of these the bravest are the Belgians.
" Not Belgians, Mr Neville.
No such thing as Belgians in 55BC.
Mr Neville has begun his studies by jumping straight into Caesar's Gallic Wars.
Means to lay waste to every tribe in Kent, does he? Translate to the end of the chapter, please, and we will meet again before luncheon to continue our discussion of your apology.
I cannot apologise to Mr Drood.
I do not present you with a choice.
Our lives have been hard, sir.
Our stepfather was a brute.
If that is the reason for the anger in your soul, Mr Neville, it will be your duty to fight it with forgiveness.
I am secretive and vengeful.
I have the manners of a heathen and a touch of the tiger in my blood.
Your stepfather speaks through you from beyond the grave.
Those were his opinions of me, yes.
It was a good thing he died when he did, or I might have killed him.
Mr Neville! Nothing can justify such violent thoughts You never saw him beat your twin sister.
Not even a beloved and beautiful sister's tears.
She never cried.
My sister would have let him rip her to pieces before she would let him believe he could make her shed a tear.
This was not idle gossip.
This was the mayor of Cloisterham talking.
Don't try to make me laugh, I'm not in the mood.
The difference between us is that I believe the two men were equally at fault.
And I do not.
But why not, Ma? Because I don't.
Though, of course, I am open to discussion.
That's exactly what you're not.
I had planned to suggest to you that we jointly hush the whole thing up to save the reputations of all concerned.
Now you've discussed it with the mayor, which is to say the entire town What do you know of Neville Landless and his sister? They are orphans in need of an education.
Jasper, they are strangers in a strange land.
Send them away before that boy does serious damage.
We cannot permit one mistake to turn into a destiny which cannot be escaped.
Such is life, surely.
Young ladies, you may set aside your sewing.
Miss Rosa, your guardian is here from London.
Come along, girls! Sir.
My visits here are like those of the angels.
Not that I compare myself to an angel.
No, Mr Grewgious, sir.
I merely refer to my visits being few and far between.
The angels having, as we see, just run away upstairs.
Do take a seat, sir.
You are my guardian angel, Mr Grewgious, always.
I refer to the guiding memorandum which I prepared earlier.
So, my dear.
"Well and happy.
" Yes, indeed, sir, thank you.
"Pounds, shillings and pence.
" A dry subject for a young lady, but I want for nothing.
"Marriage.
" I remember how you love fresh air, Mr Grewgious.
Do I? You like him, and he likes you.
I like him very much, sir.
Capital.
But what happens if we don't get married? You haven't read your father's will? The legal language.
You will remain my ward for another 4 years, until you are 21, and then come into your inheritance just the same.
You are really asking if you stand to lose your inheritance if you go against your father's wishes.
That sounds so dreadful.
Rosa.
Do you suppose that if your dear father were here today he would want you to be unhappy in any way that can be imagined? Preposterous.
My dear, two young people can only be betrothed in marriage of their own free will.
Lord, bless me! You find me rather the worse for wear, I'm afraid.
May I offer you A glass of water will suffice, thank you.
Please, be be seated.
My manners are Pictish today.
This is a certified copy of Rosa's father's will.
Thank you.
Keep it safe.
You are staying long in Cloisterham? No, no.
Back to London as soon as I can.
I am an awkward species of a man, with no experience of such delights, but I figure to myself, subject to your correction, Mr Edwin, that the true lover is ever impatient to be close to the object of his affections, seeking her company as a bird seeks its nest.
I do write to her in between visits.
Although I'm an engineer, not a poet.
You will notice from your perusal of Rosa's father's will, a kindly allusion to a little trust, confided to me in conversation, to discharge at such time as I in my discretion may think best.
This ring was removed from the dead hand of Rosa's mother, in my presence.
Your placing it on her daughter's finger will be the most solemn seal upon your love.
Take it.
If anything should be even slightly amiss between you, if you should have even the slightest suspicion that you are marrying for other than the highest reasons of true love, I charge you, Edwin Drood, by the living and the dead, to bring that ring back to me.
I give you my word.
What a fool you must think me, Jack.
What was it you said to me? "The loveliest girl in the world "is yours by will and testament, Ned.
" To think I ever entertained any doubts when it seems so real to me now.
So sacred.
I shan't wait until the summer.
I shall marry Rosa on the day that I turn 21.
Shake my hand on it.
Thank you, dearest Jack.
But if we are to stay here, even for a short while I cannot do it.
I cannot.
Now more than ever.
Can't you see? I apologise if I intrude on a restorative walk.
This is a new pleasure for us, Mr Crisparkle.
We do not come from a walking country.
I'm glad to see you become so very English so very soon.
Miss Landless, may I come straight to the point? You have been not 48 hours in Cloisterham and already there is a notion abroad that Mr Neville is a dangerously passionate fellow of an uncontrollable and vicious temper.
Because we are strangers? No.
Well, yes, possibly.
Sir, he cannot help it.
His background is not an excuse.
Mr Neville, you are clenching your fist and I dislike it.
I cannot help it.
He treats that beautiful creature like a doll and I despise him for it.
You've only met Miss Rosa once.
I've seen enough to know that Edwin Drood is not worthy of her.
Who knows of this unfortunate attachment? Only we three.
Good.
I shall rely on you, Miss Landless, to keep it that way.
Miss Rosa is engaged to be married.
She's not available.
While you live under my roof, Mr Neville, you will not see her, nor contact her, nor even think about her.
I won't tell you it will be easy.
I know it won't.
But in return, I promise I will find a way to help you bury this foolish argument with Edwin Drood before it ruins your happiness in your new home.
For me.
Praise the Lord.
Miss Landless, you help your brother towards the light.
Thank you.
Tut! I'm much overpaid.
Mr Jasper! Down from London, Mr Grewgious? Something wrong? Not at all.
I thought to consult my pretty ward about her wedding plans, but I discover she has some little delicate feminine instinct that all arrangements should be made between her and Mr Edwin in private.
In other words, Jasper, she don't want us.
You mean me.
I mean us.
I understand the happy day may come sooner than we anticipated.
Really? You surprise me.
I found my ward rather Well, imagine, Jasper! The dear girl believed her marriage to Edwin to be legally inescapable.
I was glad to reassure her.
I'll wager she hinted no desire to be free of her engagement? In truth, there was a moment when I almost believed that was exactly what she does want.
Well! It's for the two young people to decide.
God bless them both.
Aye, God save them both.
Rock of ages cleft for me Rosa Eddy, let's be brave.
And kind.
Kind to one another, for once in our lives.
Starting today, and for ever.
Let's change to brother and sister.
Not get married? No.
In spite of our fathers' wishes? Yes.
If after all there is another young man There is not, I promise you.
But I love you, Rosa And I love you.
With all my heart, but not as a wife should love a husband.
As I believe she should.
As I hope This is so hard! Don't hate me! No, no.
You mistake me, my dear Rosa.
I mean your courage and your clarity of thought.
I am sorry, too.
Think, Eddy! How much better to be sorry now than later, when it will be too late? Never be angry with one another again.
How wonderful it will be! Yes, it will.
'Ere he is! My little singin' bird! A choirmaster? What are you doing here? Not so loud, dearie, I'm thinking more of a nice, quiet little chat on a matter of mutual interest.
There's a lot more I know about you! Leave me alone! Watch out, you mischief-maker! Get off me! Look, no! No! Has that child hurt you? No, dearie.
Another one.
The one I had 'opes would put coals on my fires for many a day.
Have you no home to go to? My 'ome's in London.
Give us three and six! I'll get straight back there.
Will you spend my three and six on a train ticket? Or on drink and opium? I haven't drunk in 16 year! Thank ye and bless ye as a gentleman.
What's your name, dearie? Why, will you tell my fortune? It's Edwin.
Edwin.
Does your sweetheart call you Eddy? I have no sweetheart.
Because your little rosebud's been picked by another.
Ned, innit? That's a bad name to 'ave just now, is Ned.
There's a threat to young men named Ned.
Only one man calls me Ned.
There's the man who's picked your rosebud.
Mr Neville? A fine weapon.
Now I come into a walking country, I need a walking stick.
Cudgel, more like! It's much too heavy.
Is it ironwood? Don't wave it in my direction.
If I walk all day tomorrow By tomorrow she'll be sweetness and light again.
By tomorrow she'll prob You are right, Mr Crisparkle.
This foolishness has gone on long enough.
Mr Neville, please do me the honour of dining with me and my nephew tonight, and we shall become the friends we should have been from the beginning.
There, Mr Neville! What do you think of that? Thank you, sir.
This was to be part of my trousseau.
But now it's for you.
A gift from a heart which is free at last.
What is it, dear? I am sorry, I'm just so anxious about my brother.
This supper tonight with Edwin and Mr Jasper Edwin said nothing to me about it.
You gave him too much else to think about! What's this? Ned, we are putting the past behind us and the present to rights.
And the future? The future shall be as we make it.
What else are you not telling me, Jack? Come, my bright boy, shake Mr Neville's hand and let us be friends.
That was a good deal more fun than our alternate musical Wednesday.
Whisper it! But listen to that wind.
It's a bad night to be out.
Dear heavens, I'm all done in.
Kiss me, dear.
Good night, Ma.
Sleep well.
In my country, when the monsoon comes, the rain is like a river falling from the sky.
It brings the snakes crawling out from the jungle.
Our old people believe them to be the avatars of the dead.
Superstitious nonsense.
Don't the English love a ghost story, too? Mr Jasper, thank you, but it's getting late.
I'll come with you.
Grab a breath of fresh air, chase a few ghosts.
I'll take you to the most haunted place in Cloisterham.
1,200 years old? Time enough to accumulate an army of ghosts.
A pretty poor show if not! How wonderful! Such majesty.
Such beauty frozen into stone.
See how it rises, so far above our heads, all the way to heaven.
Mr Edwin? Mr Edwin? Do you mean to jump out and frighten me? I shall resist! Edwin? To be betrayed by someone you love is a bitter thing.
All my life, I've known I would one day stand before this altar and marry Rosa.
You are more than fortunate.
Perhaps you don't know what it's like to suffer the failure of every dream and every expectation.
I am an orphan born out of wedlock.
Then at least you're used to disappointment.
It is my constant companion.
Jack! Ned! In the end, you will love me, Rosa! You have seen him with your own eyes, devouring her with his looks.
Have you absolutely no shame?! You have poisoned her mind against me! This case has a generally dark look to me.
Let the monster that killed him hear my vow I devote myself to his destruction.
Won't do you no harm.
Smoke another pipe.
Never make out a word them saying.
Foreigners English Makes no odds.
Nonsense.
It's just nonsense.
We all talk nonsense, dearie, when the dream's upon us.
When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed and doeth that which is lawful and right he shall save his soul alive.
I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Something to keep an eye on.
Mr Crisparkle! Thank you, Reverend.
Thank you for your forbearance.
Not ill, Mr Jasper? Only that sleep is hard to find.
My mother will be thrilled to offer you her famous medicine chest once again.
Previously she only had me to experiment on.
The lady's very kind.
But I expect my nephew today.
I'm very glad to hear it! Edwin will do you more good than a dozen medicine chests.
If he does not come soon I will die of longing! Rosa has no idea how lucky she is.
For heaven's sake, you know nothing about it.
There he is! Look at his lovely hair! Will you please be quiet?! It's so romantic I could faint.
Mr Edwin Drood to see Miss Rosa Bud.
It is just so absurd.
What is so absurd, Rosie? The whole thing.
Girls and servants scuttling about giggling, when it's only you come to call.
That's a nice way to welcome your fiance! Miss Twinkleton.
How do you do, Mr Drood? Very glad indeed to have the pleasure once more.
Pray excuse me.
Tweezers.
Shall I just go? No.
No, not so soon, the girls will only want to know why.
So, how are you? I'd like to reply much the better for seeing you, Rosie.
Jack? Jack? Jack, you monster! Ned! Put me down! Ned! Ned, at last.
Are you wet? Cold? Hungry? Not wet, not cold.
Hungry, yes, hungry as a horse.
Don't mollycoddle me, Jack, there's a good fellow.
Let me look at you.
You're late.
I looked in on Rosa first.
That's a dreadful old picture, Jack.
I've more skill now.
I'd draw you another one tomorrow, but I can't be sure she'll ever show me that smile again.
To a young bride, nervously awaiting her nuptial day.
Nervous! Miss Rosa is all thorns and no petals.
Ned! But the girl provokes me so! Miss Pert.
Miss Scornful.
Nothing I say ever pleases her.
That young lady is too good for you, boy.
God, if only I could choose, Jack.
The loveliest girl in the world is yours, and you should thank God as well as your father for it.
You can say so, it's all very well for you.
Your life's not mapped out for you, your work and your marriage, all to scale and lined and dotted out like some infernal surveyor's plan.
You can choose for yourself.
Ha! Jack, you look ghastly.
What is it? You're frightening me! Now, don't you mollycoddly me.
My medicine's at my bed.
My Jack's an opium eater! You disapprove? No, no, no.
If laudanum helps to ease the pain To forget.
To forget the pain.
To forget this place.
You can't be unhappy here, Jack.
Not when you've so exactly found your niche in life? You're so deeply respected in this queer old place.
And you've your heavenly music.
I hate it, Ned.
I hate the grinding monotony of it.
What is a man's life, where his only choice is which hymn number to select today? See how even a poor choirmaster may suffer the itch of ambition, but these are private thoughts and this is a confidence between us.
Of course.
It shall be sacredly preserved.
Take it as a warning, then.
My dear fellow, you need never fear that I will give in to the same despair.
Look at me, I'm smiling! For in a few months, I shall carry Rosa away from school as Mrs Edwin Drood, and she shall set sail with me for our new life in the east.
And we shall be happy, because we shall have made up our minds to be.
You won't be warned, then? Dear Jack! Hah! Surrender, wicked mirror! Your money or your life.
While you're waiting for the poor item to decide, I have a job for you.
That's far too many.
Our poor guest will boil.
On the contrary, Sept, our climate will be a freezing torment to a tropical soul.
What? What if the bellringers disturb his sleep? I'll move the cathedral, shall I? Come on, then.
What we got today, Mr Durdles? Who's this "we" when he's at home? This is Durdles' dinner entirely, what he is sharing with a workhouse ragamuffin out of the goodness of his heart.
Cheese! Yeah.
Blooming racket's enough to put an honest man off his lunch.
Stop, stop, stop, stop! I know there are a lot of low notes, but when did you hear me say you're allowed to growl like a pack of Bengal tigers? Keep it bright, keep that smile in your mouths.
The key note is IS G, but it is an odd form of G minor, so don't root down in mud and boots, think upwards, think of heaven.
And this time prove to me you can sing sharp as well as flat.
Ethelinda, reverential wife of Mr Thomas Sapsea.
Mayor, estate agent, auctioneer, etc, etc, etc, of this very city, whose knowledge of the world, though somewhat extensive, never brought him acquainted with a spirit more capable of looking up to him.
That spirit being your late wife? Stranger, pause, and ask thyself the question.
Canst thou do likewise? If not, with a blush, retire.
A fine tribute.
I do not reproach myself, sir.
A little long, perhaps? But there have been times when I have asked myself the question, what if her husband had not been so very superior to her? If she had not had to look up so high, what might have been the stimulating effect upon her liver? Durdles, what say you as to length? Hold it up for us.
It'll fit within an eighth of an inch.
Give us the key.
Surely this fine inscription is not to be hidden from public view inside the crypt? When Durdles goes back to put a touch or a finish on his work, Durdles likes to check the whole job.
Inside and outside.
Key, Mr Mayor, if you please.
Why, Durdles, you're overloaded with ironmongery.
Weighed down by life, is Durdles.
And I'm sure the mayor's key is the heaviest of all.
Indeed, sir, it shall be.
May I? Most impressive.
You may retain the key, Durdles, for I have another, and how the cold is creeping into my bones.
Good day to you both.
Good day, Mr Sapsea.
Yours is a curious existence.
Yours is another.
In as much as we both inhabit the same old earthy, chilly, never-changing place.
But there's more mystery and interest in your work.
Nobody knows this place like Durdles.
Every corner of it has Durdles' handiwork upon it.
Find his way round it blindfold.
Day or night.
You shall show me.
Durdles got better things to do.
Excuse me, boys.
Miss Landless? Welcome to Cloisterham.
I'm Reverend Septimus Crisparkle.
How do you do? How do you do, sir? And this must be My brother, Neville.
Splendid.
My dear children, such a dreadfully long voyage, but you're home now.
100 miles south of Jaffna, I believe? Yes, sir.
Dutch, and then French, till we British got hold of it.
The harbour, you see.
Very fine.
Trincomalee! What a tongue-twister.
It means Lord of the Sacred Hill in our mother's language.
Yes, your mother Was a Christian lady.
Of course.
The letter from the mission school related to us the sad news of the death of your stepfather.
To be orphaned twice We have each other.
"Trincomalee! What a tongue-twister?" It's like talking to a pair of brick walls.
Perhaps in the company of other young people Round some up, Sept.
Quick as you can! Boilers again.
Boilers and pyramids and canals.
How can you not take an interest in the triumphs of engineering that'll change an undeveloped country? Who cares about Egypt?! Talk about something else.
Next, you'll say you don't want to come.
You're being ridiculous.
Mr Neville Landless, Miss Helena Landless, may I present to you Miss Rosa Bud and Mr Edwin Drood? How do you do? I see I disappoint you.
An unusual name, sir, but familiar to us, as a Mr Drood was among the kindly benefactors of our mission school.
Not I, Miss Landless, I have not yet set foot in the tropics, nor my father either, who is dead these nine years.
I am more than sorry to hear that.
Miss Twinkleton, your new pupil.
And you sir, to the piano if you please.
And Rosa! Yes, yes, come along, now.
Some songs before tea, the rule on our alternate musical Wednesdays.
Yes, sing for our suppers, Rosie, it's the least you can do.
Miss Helena If you care to sit here.
Charming, my dear.
Most mellifluous.
Please, that's enough.
Rosie, what's the fuss? There'll be tears next, Jack, and for nothing, as usual.
If a young lady wishes to stop, what gentleman would force her on? There are no gentlemen here, sir.
Only a fiance and a music master.
Shall she take orders from both of them? Orders? Never.
But what if I beg? Rosie Posie, be a dear Stop it.
Stop it! Come away, come away.
There, Jack, Miss Landless agrees with me! You are a monster and she's afraid of you, too.
Never.
Well, I think it's time for a drink My guests are very young, my dear Mr Jasper, and very tired I take no offence, madam, truly, it's only one of my sudden headaches, forgive me.
I had already put this aside for you.
You are most kind.
Thank you.
Do that again and I'll kill you.
You lie! Get off me! Get off me! Get off! I could turn you off like a tap.
I am sure Miss Bud will make you very comfortable, Miss Landless.
Good night! This is my bed, and that shall be yours.
It's beautiful.
I hope you shall not hate sharing it with me.
The other girls are such geese! Come, let me take down your hair.
I imagine we shan't be here together for very long.
No, indeed.
For come the summer, I shall be married and away.
Married to a man who makes you cry in company.
That's just Eddy's way! He doesn't mean it.
You do love him, Rosa? What a question! I have been engaged to Eddy for ever.
Of course I love him.
You are so very young.
Sometimes I wonder how can I be sure this is what love feels like? I only know what I HOPE it feels like.
The other gentleman Don't speak of him.
You do know he loves you? Don't say that out loud.
Good sir! Our agreement.
Who's died? You were to conduct me on a tour.
The mysterious world of Durdles.
Not tonight.
Durdles is going home for his supper.
I have all the nourishment we need.
Watch your step, Mr Jasper.
As fine a choirmaster as you might be up there, down here is Durdles the presiding spirit.
There's people hidden away in every corner down here, Mr Jasper.
Old 'uns that's walled up and forgotten for ever by everyone excepting Durdles.
You spoke of nourishment? Not frightened of ghosts, then? What rational man fears the dead? That's true, the dead can't hurt ya.
Give you a fright, though.
You're not going to claim you've seen a ghost, Durdles? You'll disappoint me if you do.
Not seen one, no.
Heard one, though.
I was enjoying my 40 winks one night, though the nourishment was nowhere near as good as this is, Mr Jasper, thanking you kindly.
When what should wake me? The ghost of a cry, that's what.
The ghost of one terrific shriek with an echo like a long, dismal, woeful howl, such as a dog gives when a person's dead.
You speak of long ago.
No more than a year.
It was just when we buried poor Mrs Sapsea.
Not ashamed to confess I thought it was her.
The lady mayoress, crying for release from her own fresh grave.
Not ashamed to confess I ran all the way home and never came back to lock up until the morning.
The ghost of one terrific shriek.
He terrifies me.
When he corrects me, and strikes a note, or a chord, his voice is in the music whispering that he pursues me as a lover.
What words does he use, little one? I could argue with words.
But he has made a slave of me with his music.
He has forced me to understand him without his saying a word and he has forced me to keep silent without his uttering a threat.
Is that why you don't tell Edwin? Eddy is devoted to him! John Jasper is more than an uncle to him, he is a guardian and protector.
You must never breathe a word! Promise me, on your life.
Of course.
Good night, little one.
I'm here now.
There's no need to be scared.
I'm sorry about your father.
No need to feel sorry for me, Mr Neville.
I hardly knew my father, he lived so much abroad.
He died in action? No! A mining accident in Upper Egypt.
He died making money.
Don't look so puzzled.
He was an officer in the Royal Engineers, and no man got rich on army pay.
Set up a pretty little construction business, which is left to me when I'm 21.
I congratulate you.
And on your other good fortune.
Miss Rosa? You ask a good too many questions already, Mr Neville, and this matter is none of your business.
The young lady is under one roof with my sister.
Not for long, thank God.
Your discourtesy does not become you.
What an odd little thing you are.
Ned! Ned! Ned, dear boy! You are the host in this town and must respect the sacred rules of hospitality! Ned will be off soon, Mr Neville, sailing away with his lady love to a life of freedom and adventures.
Look at him lounging there like a lord.
The world is all before him.
Where to choose? Isn't that right, Mr Neville? Whereas we lesser mortals To Ned, my dearest fellow.
Lord Jack, this is strong stuff for our new friend.
I can take it.
And now a toast to Mr Neville, newly-arrived from far-flung? Ceylon.
Off the south coast of India.
Mr Neville, every schoolboy knows that.
Jack, you're quite right.
I understand you're orphans? Our mother died when we were 12 years old.
I am a damn fortunate fellow.
I'm sorry to hear that.
And your father? And Rosie's a damn lucky girl, if she did but know it.
Too damn good for the likes of you.
Now, do speak up, sir.
You might be worth more, Mr Drood, if you had known hardship like other people.
I find I tire very easily of the wisdom of the East.
Hospitality, Ned You talk as if you were some kind of rare and precious prize, but you're just a common boaster.
You may know a black common boaster when you see him, but you are no judge of white men.
Mr Neville, for shame! Ned, I beg you, I command you, back away! Mr Neville, I will have your weapon.
Open your hand, sir! Mr Neville! Last night, you were not sober.
Through the mercy of God I was swift and strong with him, or he would have cut Edwin down on my hearth, murder in his heart.
No, no, there's no need for such strong words.
You, my dear sir, have accepted a dangerous charge into your house.
You are our foremost man of culture, Mr Jasper.
There is no reason why you should have known that natives cannot be trusted with strong drink.
It is because I fear for your safety, dear madam, that I now raise my concerns.
I appreciate the kindness of, of your intention.
Madam.
One is forced to wonder, Mr Jasper, why the minor canon hadn't the courage to tell his mother himself? "Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae.
" "Of all of these the bravest are the Belgians.
" Not Belgians, Mr Neville.
No such thing as Belgians in 55BC.
Mr Neville has begun his studies by jumping straight into Caesar's Gallic Wars.
Means to lay waste to every tribe in Kent, does he? Translate to the end of the chapter, please, and we will meet again before luncheon to continue our discussion of your apology.
I cannot apologise to Mr Drood.
I do not present you with a choice.
Our lives have been hard, sir.
Our stepfather was a brute.
If that is the reason for the anger in your soul, Mr Neville, it will be your duty to fight it with forgiveness.
I am secretive and vengeful.
I have the manners of a heathen and a touch of the tiger in my blood.
Your stepfather speaks through you from beyond the grave.
Those were his opinions of me, yes.
It was a good thing he died when he did, or I might have killed him.
Mr Neville! Nothing can justify such violent thoughts You never saw him beat your twin sister.
Not even a beloved and beautiful sister's tears.
She never cried.
My sister would have let him rip her to pieces before she would let him believe he could make her shed a tear.
This was not idle gossip.
This was the mayor of Cloisterham talking.
Don't try to make me laugh, I'm not in the mood.
The difference between us is that I believe the two men were equally at fault.
And I do not.
But why not, Ma? Because I don't.
Though, of course, I am open to discussion.
That's exactly what you're not.
I had planned to suggest to you that we jointly hush the whole thing up to save the reputations of all concerned.
Now you've discussed it with the mayor, which is to say the entire town What do you know of Neville Landless and his sister? They are orphans in need of an education.
Jasper, they are strangers in a strange land.
Send them away before that boy does serious damage.
We cannot permit one mistake to turn into a destiny which cannot be escaped.
Such is life, surely.
Young ladies, you may set aside your sewing.
Miss Rosa, your guardian is here from London.
Come along, girls! Sir.
My visits here are like those of the angels.
Not that I compare myself to an angel.
No, Mr Grewgious, sir.
I merely refer to my visits being few and far between.
The angels having, as we see, just run away upstairs.
Do take a seat, sir.
You are my guardian angel, Mr Grewgious, always.
I refer to the guiding memorandum which I prepared earlier.
So, my dear.
"Well and happy.
" Yes, indeed, sir, thank you.
"Pounds, shillings and pence.
" A dry subject for a young lady, but I want for nothing.
"Marriage.
" I remember how you love fresh air, Mr Grewgious.
Do I? You like him, and he likes you.
I like him very much, sir.
Capital.
But what happens if we don't get married? You haven't read your father's will? The legal language.
You will remain my ward for another 4 years, until you are 21, and then come into your inheritance just the same.
You are really asking if you stand to lose your inheritance if you go against your father's wishes.
That sounds so dreadful.
Rosa.
Do you suppose that if your dear father were here today he would want you to be unhappy in any way that can be imagined? Preposterous.
My dear, two young people can only be betrothed in marriage of their own free will.
Lord, bless me! You find me rather the worse for wear, I'm afraid.
May I offer you A glass of water will suffice, thank you.
Please, be be seated.
My manners are Pictish today.
This is a certified copy of Rosa's father's will.
Thank you.
Keep it safe.
You are staying long in Cloisterham? No, no.
Back to London as soon as I can.
I am an awkward species of a man, with no experience of such delights, but I figure to myself, subject to your correction, Mr Edwin, that the true lover is ever impatient to be close to the object of his affections, seeking her company as a bird seeks its nest.
I do write to her in between visits.
Although I'm an engineer, not a poet.
You will notice from your perusal of Rosa's father's will, a kindly allusion to a little trust, confided to me in conversation, to discharge at such time as I in my discretion may think best.
This ring was removed from the dead hand of Rosa's mother, in my presence.
Your placing it on her daughter's finger will be the most solemn seal upon your love.
Take it.
If anything should be even slightly amiss between you, if you should have even the slightest suspicion that you are marrying for other than the highest reasons of true love, I charge you, Edwin Drood, by the living and the dead, to bring that ring back to me.
I give you my word.
What a fool you must think me, Jack.
What was it you said to me? "The loveliest girl in the world "is yours by will and testament, Ned.
" To think I ever entertained any doubts when it seems so real to me now.
So sacred.
I shan't wait until the summer.
I shall marry Rosa on the day that I turn 21.
Shake my hand on it.
Thank you, dearest Jack.
But if we are to stay here, even for a short while I cannot do it.
I cannot.
Now more than ever.
Can't you see? I apologise if I intrude on a restorative walk.
This is a new pleasure for us, Mr Crisparkle.
We do not come from a walking country.
I'm glad to see you become so very English so very soon.
Miss Landless, may I come straight to the point? You have been not 48 hours in Cloisterham and already there is a notion abroad that Mr Neville is a dangerously passionate fellow of an uncontrollable and vicious temper.
Because we are strangers? No.
Well, yes, possibly.
Sir, he cannot help it.
His background is not an excuse.
Mr Neville, you are clenching your fist and I dislike it.
I cannot help it.
He treats that beautiful creature like a doll and I despise him for it.
You've only met Miss Rosa once.
I've seen enough to know that Edwin Drood is not worthy of her.
Who knows of this unfortunate attachment? Only we three.
Good.
I shall rely on you, Miss Landless, to keep it that way.
Miss Rosa is engaged to be married.
She's not available.
While you live under my roof, Mr Neville, you will not see her, nor contact her, nor even think about her.
I won't tell you it will be easy.
I know it won't.
But in return, I promise I will find a way to help you bury this foolish argument with Edwin Drood before it ruins your happiness in your new home.
For me.
Praise the Lord.
Miss Landless, you help your brother towards the light.
Thank you.
Tut! I'm much overpaid.
Mr Jasper! Down from London, Mr Grewgious? Something wrong? Not at all.
I thought to consult my pretty ward about her wedding plans, but I discover she has some little delicate feminine instinct that all arrangements should be made between her and Mr Edwin in private.
In other words, Jasper, she don't want us.
You mean me.
I mean us.
I understand the happy day may come sooner than we anticipated.
Really? You surprise me.
I found my ward rather Well, imagine, Jasper! The dear girl believed her marriage to Edwin to be legally inescapable.
I was glad to reassure her.
I'll wager she hinted no desire to be free of her engagement? In truth, there was a moment when I almost believed that was exactly what she does want.
Well! It's for the two young people to decide.
God bless them both.
Aye, God save them both.
Rock of ages cleft for me Rosa Eddy, let's be brave.
And kind.
Kind to one another, for once in our lives.
Starting today, and for ever.
Let's change to brother and sister.
Not get married? No.
In spite of our fathers' wishes? Yes.
If after all there is another young man There is not, I promise you.
But I love you, Rosa And I love you.
With all my heart, but not as a wife should love a husband.
As I believe she should.
As I hope This is so hard! Don't hate me! No, no.
You mistake me, my dear Rosa.
I mean your courage and your clarity of thought.
I am sorry, too.
Think, Eddy! How much better to be sorry now than later, when it will be too late? Never be angry with one another again.
How wonderful it will be! Yes, it will.
'Ere he is! My little singin' bird! A choirmaster? What are you doing here? Not so loud, dearie, I'm thinking more of a nice, quiet little chat on a matter of mutual interest.
There's a lot more I know about you! Leave me alone! Watch out, you mischief-maker! Get off me! Look, no! No! Has that child hurt you? No, dearie.
Another one.
The one I had 'opes would put coals on my fires for many a day.
Have you no home to go to? My 'ome's in London.
Give us three and six! I'll get straight back there.
Will you spend my three and six on a train ticket? Or on drink and opium? I haven't drunk in 16 year! Thank ye and bless ye as a gentleman.
What's your name, dearie? Why, will you tell my fortune? It's Edwin.
Edwin.
Does your sweetheart call you Eddy? I have no sweetheart.
Because your little rosebud's been picked by another.
Ned, innit? That's a bad name to 'ave just now, is Ned.
There's a threat to young men named Ned.
Only one man calls me Ned.
There's the man who's picked your rosebud.
Mr Neville? A fine weapon.
Now I come into a walking country, I need a walking stick.
Cudgel, more like! It's much too heavy.
Is it ironwood? Don't wave it in my direction.
If I walk all day tomorrow By tomorrow she'll be sweetness and light again.
By tomorrow she'll prob You are right, Mr Crisparkle.
This foolishness has gone on long enough.
Mr Neville, please do me the honour of dining with me and my nephew tonight, and we shall become the friends we should have been from the beginning.
There, Mr Neville! What do you think of that? Thank you, sir.
This was to be part of my trousseau.
But now it's for you.
A gift from a heart which is free at last.
What is it, dear? I am sorry, I'm just so anxious about my brother.
This supper tonight with Edwin and Mr Jasper Edwin said nothing to me about it.
You gave him too much else to think about! What's this? Ned, we are putting the past behind us and the present to rights.
And the future? The future shall be as we make it.
What else are you not telling me, Jack? Come, my bright boy, shake Mr Neville's hand and let us be friends.
That was a good deal more fun than our alternate musical Wednesday.
Whisper it! But listen to that wind.
It's a bad night to be out.
Dear heavens, I'm all done in.
Kiss me, dear.
Good night, Ma.
Sleep well.
In my country, when the monsoon comes, the rain is like a river falling from the sky.
It brings the snakes crawling out from the jungle.
Our old people believe them to be the avatars of the dead.
Superstitious nonsense.
Don't the English love a ghost story, too? Mr Jasper, thank you, but it's getting late.
I'll come with you.
Grab a breath of fresh air, chase a few ghosts.
I'll take you to the most haunted place in Cloisterham.
1,200 years old? Time enough to accumulate an army of ghosts.
A pretty poor show if not! How wonderful! Such majesty.
Such beauty frozen into stone.
See how it rises, so far above our heads, all the way to heaven.
Mr Edwin? Mr Edwin? Do you mean to jump out and frighten me? I shall resist! Edwin? To be betrayed by someone you love is a bitter thing.
All my life, I've known I would one day stand before this altar and marry Rosa.
You are more than fortunate.
Perhaps you don't know what it's like to suffer the failure of every dream and every expectation.
I am an orphan born out of wedlock.
Then at least you're used to disappointment.
It is my constant companion.
Jack! Ned! In the end, you will love me, Rosa! You have seen him with your own eyes, devouring her with his looks.
Have you absolutely no shame?! You have poisoned her mind against me! This case has a generally dark look to me.
Let the monster that killed him hear my vow I devote myself to his destruction.