EXT. OPEN ROADS - NIGHT - TITLE SEQUENCE
A series of traveling shots. A well-dressed, pompous-looking individual (JOHN DASHWOOD, 35) is making an urgent journey on horseback. He looks anxious.
EXT. NORLAND PARK - ENGLAND - MARCH 1800 - NIGHT
Silence. Norland Park, a large country house built in the early part of the eighteenth century, lies in the moonlit parkland.
INT. NORLAND PARK - MR DASHWOOD'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
In the dim light shed by candles we see a bed in which a MAN (MR DASHWOOD, 52) lies his skin waxy, his breathing laboured. Around him two silhouettes move and murmur, their clothing susurrating in the deathly hush. DOCTORS. A WOMAN (MRS DASHWOOD, 50) sits by his side, holding his hand, her eyes never leaving his face.
MR DASHWOOD
(urgent)
Is John not yet arrived?
MRS DASHWOOD
We expect him at any moment, dearest.
MR DASHWOOD looks anguished.
MR DASHWOOD
The girls--I have left so little.
MRS DASHWOOD
Shh, hush, Henry.
MR DASHWOOD
Elinor will try to look after you all, but make sure she finds a good husband. The men are such noodles hereabouts, little wonder none has pleased her.
They smile at each other. MRS DASHWOOD is just managing to conceal her fear and grief
MRS DASHWOOD
But Marianne is sure to find her storybook hero.
MR DASHWOOD
A romantic poet with flashing eyes and empty pockets?
MRS DASHWOOD
As long as she loves him, whoever he is.
MR DASHWOOD
Margaret will go to sea and become a pirate so we need not concern ourselves with her.
MRS DASHWOOD tries to laugh but it emerges as a sob. An older MANSERVANT (THOMAS) now enters, anxiety written on every feature.
THOMAS
Your son is arrived from London, sir.
MR DASHWOOD squeezes his wife's hand.
MR DASHWOOD
Let me speak to John alone.
She nods quickly and he smiles at her with infinite tenderness.
MR DASHWOOD
Ah, my dear. How happy you have made me.
MRS DASHWOOD makes a superhuman effort and smiles back. She allows THOMAS to help her out. She passes JOHN DASHWOOD as he enters, presses his hand, but cannot speak. JOHN takes her place by the bed.
JOHN
Father...
MR DASHWOOD summons his last ounces of energy and starts to whisper with desperate intensity.
MR DASHWOOD
John you will find out soon enough from my will that the estate of Norland was left to me in such a way as prevents me from dividing it between my families.
JOHN blinks. He cannot quite take it in.
JOHN
Calm yourself, Father. This is not good for you.
But MR DASHWOOD continues with even greater determination.
MR DASHWOOD
Norland in its entirety is therefore yours by law and I am happy for you and Fanny.
JOHN looks torn between genuine distress and unexpected delight.
MR DASHWOOD
But your stepmother my wife and daughters are left with only five hundred pounds a year, barely enough to live on and nothing for the girls' dowries. You must help them.
JOHN's face is a picture of conflicting emotions. Behind them is the ominous rustling of parchments.
JOHN
Of course
MR DASHWOOD
You must promise to do this.
A brief moment of sincerity overcomes JOHN's natural hypocrisy.
JOHN
I promise, Father, I promise.
MR DASHWOOD seems relieved. Suddenly his breathing changes. JOHN looks alarmed. He rises and we hear him going to find the DOCTOR.
JOHN
Come! Come quickly!
But it is we who share the dying man's last words.
MR DASHWOOD
Help them.