Beecham House

LAURA LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece."

DANIEL: What in God's name was that for?

LINNEY: Previously, on "Beecham House"... You are to be a father.

MAYA: She was complaining of pain in her stomach all day.

PRINCE AKBAR: I would like you to sell it for us.

This must have been in your family... 250 years.

CASTILLON: Lieutenant Beecham is a thief and a traitor!

EMPEROR: I must know how he acquired the Star of Agra!

CASTILLON: When I have the information I need, he's all yours.

LINNEY: "Beecham House," right now on "Masterpiece."

(woman vocalizing) PRINCE AKBAR: Mother, I think we are making a grave mistake.

We asked him to sell the diamond to fund our army against the British.

But Beecham should be seen as our greatest ally.

He could have exposed me to Father, but he has not.

Because he knows my cause is just.

Is it possible that an Englishman could value India's future above his own?

John Beecham does.

He does not deserve to be punished.

Sometimes, a pawn has to be sacrificed to protect a king.

You must agree to let me speak to Father, whatever the consequences.

When your father finds out you've betrayed him, you will be banished.

As the empress, and your mother, I forbid it.

(footsteps retreating) MURAD BEG: Miss Osborne, I am in no position to take sides against the emperor.

But John is innocent.

Prince Akbar instructed him sell that diamond, he did not steal it.

That is an incendiary accusation.

Why does John not speak up against him?

Because he is a good man, and he knows it will compromise the prince.

(bird chirping) I want to help, but I cannot jeopardize my relationship with my family.

I'm sorry to have troubled you.

I will take my leave.

(door opens) (birds chirping) HENRIETTA: Violet!

(Henrietta groaning, tray and glasses rattling) (Henrietta struggling) Violet!

Please.

I-I need her.

I need Miss Woodhouse.

She is not in the house, Mrs. Beecham-sahiba.

(stammering): But I...

I need her.

I know what you need.

(weeping) (catching breath, sobbing) No, no.

Breathe.

(gasps) Mrs. Beecham-sahiba... (screams): Don't touch!

Breathe.

I don't like... (loud sigh) (sobs) (Henrietta continues sobbing) (voice breaking): I just want... want my son to come home.

(sobbing) (murmuring prayer) (Henrietta catching breath) Breathe.

(breathing heavily) (continues breathing heavily) (bracelets rattle) Thank you.

Thank you, Bindu, for your kindness.

(birds chirping) (breathing heavily) MURAD BEG: You asked me to spy on John Beecham.

I believe he is an innocent man.

However it is my duty to inform you, his family do not believe the same of Prince Akbar.

If that is the sole purpose of your visit here today, our meeting is at an end.

MARGARET: I must go to the palace and speak with the empress.

What of Captain Parker?

Have you any idea of his whereabouts this morning?

There's been no sign of him in the house.

But those letters reveal a desperate man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

God willing, the empress will listen to reason.

Surely she cannot stand to see an innocent man treated this way.

Good luck, Miss Osborne.

She is indeed John's last hope to expose Prince Akbar as the real traitor.

Chalo!

Chalo.

Hukam.

MARGARET: I must speak with you about your prisoner, John Beecham.

Why is Lieutenant Beecham the name on everyone's lips?

MARGARET: Because he is a good man, because he has a baby son, but mostly because he is innocent.

That's not what the evidence suggests.

I realize that, but there may be an explanation closer to home that I believe would exonerate him.

(horse nickering outside) They say he was planning to sell the diamond to raise money for the Company.

That is impossible.

His hatred for the Company is well known.

You care for him deeply?

I respect him.

He is honest and moral.

And you are in love with him?

Yes.

You have no difficulty accepting that he has a child by another woman?

All children are gifts from God, are they not?

Certainly.

So why come to me?

Because you have influence.

And I think that John Beecham will be useful to you here.

He is a man of great character.

He would give his life for his son, for his family, for a cause he believes is worth fighting for.

Surely, as a mother, you can understand that.

John is innocent.

He does not deserve to be hanged for protecting another.

Thank you, Your Highness.

(jewelry rattling) Summon Prince Akbar.

(soldiers chanting) (footsteps approaching, keys jingling (lock turns, door creaks open) Are you ready to talk?

I've been thinking, General.

How did you know I had the diamond?

Or where it was, exactly?

Or the details of the delivery of the automaton?

I am not aware what is considered protocol in England, Lieutenant.

But in France, the prisoner rarely interrogates the jailor.

I have permitted you a visitor.

Miss Osborne?

Sadly not.

There has been no sign of her.

Bring in the visitor.

(footsteps approaching) CASTILLON: Captain Parker.

How is your face recovering?

A braver man would not strike another in such a way.

Anytime you'd like a fair fight, I'd enjoy it.

You have five minutes with the prisoner.

(door creaking shut, lock turns) (keys jingling) How is everyone in home?

They are chanting blessings for you round the clock, John.

We will leave no avenue unexplored.

Thank you, Samuel.

I believe...

I may be able to negotiate your release with Castillon.

You can never make a deal with that man.

There could be one way.

But it would not be to your liking.

I believe I can convince Castillon to release you to my custody, to take you to England with a signed promise that you will never return to India.

You must accept the seriousness of your situation.

Unless you come with me, Castillon will never release you.

You'll die in this prison.

Samuel, there is nothing for me in England.

But there is, John.

There is a chance to see justice done.

(paper rustling) (chain rattling) Opposition MPs have gathered new evidence.

This time they are confident of success.

They could put Hastings on trial a hundred times, and it wouldn't matter a whit, because the government is just as corrupt as the Company.

Hang it, man, the government practically is the Company.

Change will come to the way England conducts itself in India, but only if you testify.

Tell the court of the Company's atrocities.

That will seal the Company's fate.

They will pay us handsomely to give evidence.

John... this is my chance to restore my reputation, my name.

And your chance to see justice done to the East India Company.

You know it's the right thing to do.

(chain rattles, John grunts) Try to make your deal with Castillon.

If he agrees...

I will give you my answer.

This will end well, John.

And there will be a fortune for us both.

Guard.

(keys jingle) Take me to General Castillon.

(lock turns, door creaks) (footsteps retreating) (door closes, lock turning) (singing Hindu prayer) (singing continues) (singing stops abruptly) (birds chirping) We are praying for John-sahib.

Baadal, get a stool.

Please, remove your shoes.

Come.

(birds chirping) (singing resumes) (singing fades) (August cooing) Agastya is feeling very hot.

He is not sleeping well.

Are you surprised, with everything happening in this house?

He hasn't slept well since Chanchal left.

Well then, we must get her back.

(footsteps retreating) Don't touch me!

(August wailing) Daniel-sahib, we have to bring Chanchal back.

August is suffering, and her responsibility is to him first.

Well, if I knew where she was... Baadal knows but will not tell.

(August wailing) Why, Baadal?

You know why, sahib.

(August coughing, crying) Whatever is wrong between us, August is in great need of her.

Please tell, for baby's sake.

She must return to her duties.

Tell us where she is, and I will bring her back.

(August crying) Sahib, we must follow him.

Baadal!

(horse nickers, cow mooing) Ma?

Chanchal?

Ma?

(horse nickers) Chanchal?

Chanchal?

They're coming to take you back.

You must hide if you do not want to go.

(goat bleating) (goat bleating) (horse whinnying) (horse whinnying) (elephant trumpets) VIJAY: His Royal Highness the Emperor Shah Alam the second, King of Kings... ROSHANARA: Miss Osborne, look, it is His Highness, the emperor.

This must be a very important visitor.

...welcomes with great joy and fellowship His Highness the Maharaj of Kalyan.

MARGARET: Chandrika?

Chandrika!

Chandrika.

(spears rattle) (birds chirping) John is in great danger.

I'm aware, Miss Osborne.

Why do you think I have returned with my father?

He has some influence, but John was caught with the evidence, so I'm not sure what he can do.

You must tell your father that John is protecting someone who asked him to sell the diamond.

It's in order to raise money to fund an army.

What is the meaning of this intrusion?

Your Highness.

Miss Osborne, this is a royal occasion.

You have no place here.

You must leave now.

Your Highness, please.

Your Highness.

Who, Margaret?

Be sure to see how handsome Prince Akbar has become.

(insects and birds chirping) (humming) HENRIETTA: Violet.

I was looking for you earlier.

Where have you been?

I-I was just buying some gifts.

For whom?

Uh... Presents for family.

(exhales) Is it true you are leaving us?

Samuel has asked me to be discreet, but yes, he has promised that I may join him in London.

We plan to make a life there together.

(angrily): What is wrong?

I understand you are dreadfully worried about John, but surely you can be happy for me after all we've been through.

Violet, I do not know how to say this, but Daniel and Miss Osborne are concerned that Captain Parker might not be the man we thought him to be.

(sighs): Daniel has always been jealous of him.

I will not hear an unkind word spoken of Samuel.

He loves me for who I am.

That is all I ask.

(birds chirping) EMPEROR: What is your interest in Lieutenant Beecham?

Some years ago he saved my life, and those of my daughters, when we were attacked by bandits sent by my brother, Devji Rao.

In return, I have come to humbly ask for his life.

Hmm.

It is my understanding that Lieutenant Beecham has forged a relationship with a certain young man within this palace.

You are speaking of my son Prince Akbar?

Yes.

What if... the prince, out of patriotism... took that diamond himself?

It is possible.

What if he gave it to Beecham to sell, intending to use the money to raise an army of his own to defend Kannauj?

The prince knows the state of your finances.

Many of us are in the same state, caught as we are in fighting royal houses and greedy invaders.

Perhaps you and I are simply presiding over the end of a civilization, and soon, nothing will be left of us but the story told by the victors.

Well, if that is true, let them at least say that we died with our swords in our hands.

Your words speak to me in a way no other's could.

I pray that my son is not the last Mughal emperor of India.

KALYAN: Then you must help him.

EMPEROR: Today, for the first time, this emperor's turban feels heavy on my head.

Then, Your Highness, lay your burden down.

Your Highness.

Forgive me, Father.

God bless you, my son.

(soldiers chanting and marching) (soldiers chanting distantly) (footsteps approaching) (keys jingling, lock turning) (door creaking) (chain jingles) General Castillon has agreed.

What were the odds?

Long against.

And you may thank me my salesmanship.

Yes indeed.

Though not quite salesman enough.

What do you mean?

Samuel.

(chain rattling) I know it was you that told Castillon about the diamond.

How could you, even for a moment... And you also told him about the automaton.

Never, John.

Samuel.

You know there are innumerable candidates.

I have arrived at one simple question: who had the most to gain?

I realize now, you did not meet my mother by chance at the docks in Calcutta.

You were there by design.

(chain rattles) You knew exactly where she was going and when she would leave.

You'd probably been monitoring her for months.

Two years.

(scoffs, chain rattling) (exhales) (footsteps approaching) (chain rattling) Captain Parker, the prisoner will not be joining you.

What are you talking about, General?

Prince Akbar has declared Lieutenant Beecham innocent and given the order to set him free.

It appears I have misjudged you, sir.

In fact, we have been fighting on the same side all along.

There is a first time for everything, General.

No, no, no.

This cannot be.

Please, Captain Parker.

Events have betrayed the betrayer.

Accept it with dignity and admire its poetry.

(chain rattling) CASTILLON: I shall deal with you later.

(chain rattling, knife scraping scabbard) (chain rattling, Samuel grunts) (stabbing, chains fall) (pushes knife deeper, grunts) JOHN: Samuel!

Samuel.

(Samuel grunts, John shouts) My God, what have you done?

(Samuel breathing rapidly) Samuel!

(cocks pistol) Samuel!

Please!

Unlock it.

(chains rattling) All right.

(lock turning, chain falls) Come now, friend.

Do not make this any more difficult than it need be.

We're due to set sail for England in a matter hours.

(groans) Your journey will be eased by the knowledge there will be a great fortune waiting for you.

Money?

My friend, how little you know me.

Enough.

(breathing deeply) So tell me, how exactly were you planning on forcing me to testify?

If you don't testify, you'll never see your family again.

Now, move.

(both grunting) JOHN: Guards!

Guards!

(guards speaking French) (Samuel and John grunting) The prisoner is trying to escape!

Seize him!

(soldiers shouting in French) (soldiers punch, struggle with John) GUARD: Against the wall!

JOHN: No, look, he stabbed the general.

Stop him!

You're making a mist... Samuel!

(guards shouting, John struggling) Samuel!

(cow moos, goat bleating) (birds chirping) (cow bell rattles) (utensil scraping) (birds chirping) (Henrietta sighs) BINDU: Oh.

Please, sit.

No, no.

(basket creaks) (soft chuckle) The baby will be a girl.

I am sure.

How can you tell?

BINDU: When a mother-to-be craves this combination, it can only mean one thing, hmm?

A little Beecham-sahiba in this house.

Hmm?

When John-sahib returns, I shall ask his permission to leave this house.

BAADAL: You cannot.

Where will you go?

Back home to Kalyan, to my mother and to my... You think that your mother will be pleased to see her daughter like this?

Chi-chi, think of the shame.

An unmarried girl is like malaria-- unwanted and impossible to live with.

I may be cursed, I may be unwanted, but what I did was for love.

Why am I the only one that suffers, why not him?

You are right, Chanchal.

Daniel will suffer if he does not do the honorable thing by you.

But do not leave.

The child you carry is a Beecham, and our home is this house.

(spoon knocking on pot) I shall leave you.

(pot rattling) Chanchal, you are not cursed.

I am here.

(inhales): Baadal, you have been a very good friend, but I... Not friend.

If only you would think of me as a husband.

You do not have to suffer alone.

Congratulations on your freedom, Lieutenant Beecham.

Thank you, Your Royal Highness.

How fares General Castillon?

He will live, thanks to you.

He is now in the capable hands of the royal hakims.

I am pleased to hear it.

EMPEROR: Lieutenant Beecham, your loyalty is appreciated.

My son must be my eyes now to see the future, if we are to have one.

Your Royal Highness, may your integrity help your family to retain its position for generations to come.

PRINCE AKBAR: For that, sir, we have much work to do.

Today, a new age dawns, in which India throws off the yoke of its oppressors.

The fight shall not be swift, but one day it will end in victory.

If you are still willing, Lieutenant Beecham, I hope you will join us in that fight.

(woman vocalizing) The royal house seeks to make good use of your license, John Beecham, and secure great funds to bolster our armies in that fight.

Your Royal Highness, it would be an honor.

My son has gained a loyal friend and a lieutenant for the future.

We shall have to see if the Englishman's heart beats for Hindustan.

I fear his compatriots grow closer to Delhi each day.

(door creaking open) Sahib?

(speaking Hindustani) Sahib?

(horse nickers) (speaking Hindustani) (servant speaking Hindustani, horse nickers) (servants shouting) (shouting continues, horse whinnying) (horse nickers) (shouting continues) It is good to see you.

Ram Lal.

John!

Oh, thank God you are returned.

Mother, it is good to see you again.

But you have grown so thin.

Mother, it's only been a few days.

DANIEL: Brother.

Daniel.

It is good to have you back.

It is good to be home.

VIOLET: John.

(Violet exhales) Violet.

Where is Captain Parker?

Is he still at the Red Fort?

BINDU: Mr. Beecham-sahib!

We've been praying for you.

Agastya missed you, Mr. Beecham-sahib.

It is good to see you both, all of you.

Daniel... have you seen Margaret?

CHANDRIKA: Miss Osborne played a brave and vital role in your release, John.

You saw her?

At the palace.

She told to me the truth about Prince Akbar and the diamond, and she interceded with the empress.

(August cooing) JOHN: August.

August, my son, I have missed you.

(August cooing) (woman singing) (August coos) (singing continues) (singing continues) (horse nickers) (singing continues) Sahib.

JOHN: Shukriya.

(soft chuckle) John?

You're safe.

JOHN: All thanks to you.

(laughs) (animals bleating) HENRIETTA: I am so sorry, Violet.

Samuel duped us all.

He turned out to be not the man we thought he was.

But you will find better in time.

In the end it was my father's business that was alluring.

(sniffles): Not I.

It's very hard to accept that fact.

(sniffles): And now, I shall have to return to England a spinster.

(crying) Miss Woodhouse, I have known you since we were not much older than August.

It is not possible that one so lovely, so full of light and laughter, could spend the rest of her days as a spinster.

I shall make it my mission to find you the right husband, one who you deserve.

(sniffles) DANIEL: Shall we?

(horse nickers) Welcome, Your Highness.

A charming bungalow.

(speaking indistinctly) Ah.

Please.

(August cooing) Your Highness, this is my brother, Daniel.

KALYAN: Pleased to meet you, my boy.

I understand you risked your life to visit your brother in jail.

Thank you for coming to his aid so quickly, Your Highness.

And may I introduce my mother, Mrs. Henrietta Beecham, and her companion, Miss Woodhouse.

KALYAN: Mrs. Beecham, you are the blessed mother of two heroic sons.

And you the father of two heroic daughters.

And we the grandparents of a very fetching little maharaja-to-be.

(all chuckling, August cooing) Just how big is August's palace, exactly?

(both laughing) (August coos) Agastya, hmm.

Ah, my boy, my boy, my Agastya.

He looks just like you, Father.

Mmm.

(cooing) If his mother was alive, she would be most pleased to see such a happy, healthy boy.

(August cooing, birds chirping) (August fusses) (chuckling) Your Highness, I would also like to introduce Miss Osborne.

KALYAN: Ah, Miss Osborne.

I have heard so much about you and your tireless efforts to secure John's release.

We are indebted to you.

Your Highness, John's release came about because we all played our part.

(birds chirping) Walk with me, my son.

You made my dear Kamlavati so very happy when she was alive.

And together, you gave me an heir.

When she was killed, although you were in despair, you found the strength to protect the child.

I wonder if you realize how grateful I am to you.

As a parent, I believe I do.

You alone have the power to ensure my family's rule.

August will be raised with a clear eye to his destiny.

Nothing is more important to me.

Then surely the best course of action would be for you and Chandrika to marry, would it not?

(August cooing, Henrietta laughing) Your Highness, I cannot do that.

I understand your fear, but I also believe that August should be raised in a home full of mutual love.

The same love he was born into this world with.

Miss Osborne.

So this is the woman you have set your heart on?

It is.

And I know that we can provide a home and the protection that August requires.

So be it.

You have my blessings, John Beecham.

(insects chirping) KALYAN: From this day on, this house will belong to Agastya.

May it keep him safe from harm.

It shall be known as Beecham House.

(jewelry clinking) Goodbye, John Beecham.

Goodbye, Chandrika.

(horse nickers) (bird hoots) I'm loathed to admit, General, but I am glad you are alive.

High praise from you, indeed.

The dashing John Beecham is indebted to you.

Should I set my army on Samuel Parker also?

I have it in hand, mon amour.

I am happy to be recovering in Your Highness's bed.

The more wicked you are, the more irresistible.

(groaning in pain) Resistance is futile.

You've proved your loyalty.

Now come get your prize.

Is John Beecham not your top prize?

Come now, General.

Jealousy doesn't become you.

(exhales) I understand you have plans to return home to Kalyan.

So I can be out of your way forever.

Chanchal, you speak as if you will punish me.

I never thought I would be one of those Indian women, happy to raise an Englishman's baby out of wedlock.

But if you do not do the honorable thing and marry me...

I will raise this child on my own.

(footsteps retreating) (birds chirping) (all chuckling, August coos) JOHN: I hope, sir, that I can look forward to your continued business in the future.

I'm sure we will be doing business.

Thank you very much.

(speaking Hindustani, laughing) Ah, Chanchal.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

Um... ah, you, you.

Take this for her.

(birds chirping) (cane tapping floor) JOHN: Ah.

General Castillon, welcome.

It is good to see you again.

And you too, Lieutenant Beecham.

Miss Osborne.

Lieutenant, may we have a word in private?

Of course, General.

Excuse us, Margaret.

Oh, I had not noticed before just how dashing General Castillon is.

Violet, he's French-- delectable and dangerous.

Miss Osborne?

Mm-hmm.

Your old friend, is he unattached, perchance?

I think you would be wise to focus your attentions elsewhere, Miss Woodhouse.

The general is... complicated.

Quelle surprise.

Is there any man that isn't?

(inhales) (wry chuckle) (winces) Firstly, I must thank you.

Were it not for your actions in the jail cell, I might not be alive today.

I appreciate your sentiments, General.

Tell me, what news of Samuel Parker?

We have eyes and ears everywhere looking out for him.

That is good.

It saddens me to think of him, once a true friend, now so desperate that all judgment eludes him.

But I hope he finds peace and fulfillment wherever he may be.

We will find him and bring him to justice.

But I came to tell you the funds from the sale of the Star of Agra have reached the treasury.

The emperor wishes to thank you.

It was my pleasure.

Goodbye, Lieutenant.

(winces) Baadal will show you out.

(birds chirping) (birds chirping) Brother, I've been thinking.

Might you still be in the market for a partner?

Nothing would make me happier.

(both chuckling) (exhales) I could get used to a life in business.

Ah.

Fewer bullets than on the battlefield.

Not always.

I wish to start tomorrow.

I want to learn everything.

Good.

Tomorrow you will take over running the business whilst I'm away.

Where are you going?

I intend to take Miss Osborne on a trip.

Without chaperone?

Wouldn't that be inappropriate?

It would be absolutely inappropriate.

(chuckling) Almost there.

Where are you taking me?

Somewhere very special that I've wanted to show you for a long time.

Here.

We're here.

MARGARET (exhales): John, it's breathtaking.

The greatest monument to the greatest thing of which human beings are capable of: love.

(exhales) (birds chirping) I always dreamed I would see the Taj Mahal.

But I never thought that... Miss Margaret Osborne... (inhaling) You are living proof of God's glory and the preciousness of existence.

(exhales) You have given me life again.

And I would be honored to share that life with you.

Isn't it supposed to be phrased as a question?

(both chuckling) Will you marry me, Margaret?

(laughs) Is there not supposed to be an answer?

Yes.

(birds chirping, horse nickers) (horse whinnying, carriage rumbling) (men speaking Hindustani) (nickers) (carriage rumbling) Why are the gates open?

(John giving order in Hindustani) (horse whinnying, Margaret gasps) (speaking Hindustani) What happened?

(speaking Hindustani) (groaning weakly) (Margaret crying) (Margaret gasps) DANIEL: Baadal!

We need fresh, clean bandages, quickly.

(servants speaking Hindustani) We need bandages!

JOHN: Daniel-- good God.

JOHN: Ram Lal.

Brother, brother!

What has happened?

We don't know.

They came dressed as servants.

(breathing with difficulty) There has been a tragedy.

Where is August?

Where is my son?

(crying) Mother!

Mother, what has happened?

The baby's gone.

JOHN: Mother, tell me, what has happened?

He has been taken.

Taken by whom?

I don't know.

Brother!

We have to find them!

DANIEL: Baadal!

(servants shouting) (crying): Be careful, be careful.

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