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.
(urgent) Is John not yet arrived?
We expect him at any moment, dearest.
MR DASHWOOD looks anguished.
The girls--I have left so little.
Shh, hush, Henry.
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
But Marianne is sure to find her
storybook hero.
A romantic poet with flashing eyes
and empty pockets?
As long as she loves him, whoever he
is.
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.
Your son is arrived from London,
sir.
MR DASHWOOD squeezes his wife's hand.
Let me speak to John alone.
She nods quickly and he smiles at her with infinite
tenderness.
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.
Father...
MR DASHWOOD summons his last ounces of energy and starts to
whisper with desperate intensity.
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.
Calm yourself, Father. This is not
good for you.
But MR DASHWOOD continues with even greater determination.
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.
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.