ALICE’S MOTHER
I wish I didn’t. But it’s a
consolation knowing it will
be in your capable hands.
EXT. THE GARDEN – A QUADRILLE
Alice dances with the Ascot’s son, HANISH. He’s more like his
mother than his father, refined and immaculately dressed with
an aristocratic arrogance. Dancing has made Alice’s smile more
genuine. She looks up at a flock of geese flying overhead.
ALICE
Hamish, have you ever wondered
what it would be like to fly?
HAMI S H
I don’t waste my time wondering
about impossible things.
ALICE
My father says…
(catching herself)
…used to say…believing in the
impossible is the only way to
make it possible.
HAN I SH
Did he?
ALICE
He said he sometimes believed in
six impossible things before
breakfast.
She laughs at the memory. Hamish looks pained. The dance ends.
HAMISH
Alice, I need to speak with you
in private. Meet me at dusk
under the gazebo.
ALICE
Dusk?
HAN IS H
Exactly.
He moves off. Alice wonders aloud.
ALICE
When is dusk.. . exactly?
She is set upon by a pair of giggly females, THE CHATAWAYS.
FAITH
Alice!
FIONA
We have a secret to tell you.
ALICE
If you’re telling me, then it’s
not much of a secret.
FIONA
(to Faith)
Perhaps we shouldn’t.
FAITH
Of course we should.
FIONA
If we tell her, she won’t be
surprised.
ALICE
Tell me what?
FAITH
Will you be surprised?
ALICE
Not if you tell me.
F I ONA
Then we shouldn’t.
ALICE
But now you’ve brought it
up, you have to.
FAITH
No, we don’t.
ALICE
I wonder if your mother knows
that you two swim naked in the
Havershim’s pond?
FAITH
You wouldn’t.
ALICE
Oh, but I would.
