INT. BEDROOM. AFTERNOON.
Charles sits next to the bed, a book in his hands.
CHARLES
Chapter 7.
Barton Park was about half a mile from the cottage. The ladies had passed near it in their way along the valley, but it was screened from their view at home by the projection of a hill. The house was large and handsome; and the Middletons lived in a style of equal hospitality and elegance. The former was for Sir John’s gratification, the latter for that of his lady. They were scarcely ever without some friends staying with them in the house, and they kept more company of every kind than any other family in the neighbourhood. It was necessary to the happiness of both; for however dissimilar in temper and outward behaviour, they strongly resembled each other in that total want of talent and taste which confined their employments, unconnected with such as society produced, within a very narrow compass. Sir John was a sportsman, Lady Middleton a mother. He hunted and shot, and she humoured her children; and these were their only resources. Lady Middleton had the advantage of being able to spoil her children all the year round, while Sir John’s independent employments were in existence only half the time. Continual engagements at home and abroad, however, supplied all the deficiencies of nature and education; supported the good spirits of Sir John, and gave exercise to the good breeding of his wife.
Lady Middleton piqued herself upon the elegance of her table, and of all her domestic arrangements; and from this kind of vanity was her greatest enjoyment in any of their parties. But Sir John’s satisfaction in society was much more real; he delighted in collecting about him more young people than his house would hold, and the noisier they were the better was he pleased. He was a blessing to all the juvenile part of the neighbourhood, for in summer he was for ever forming parties to eat cold ham and chicken out of doors, and in winter his private balls were numerous enough for any young lady who was not suffering under the unsatiable appetite of fifteen.
A phone rings. Charles ignores it.
CHARLES
The arrival of a new family in the country was always a matter of joy to him, and in every point of view he was charmed with the inhabitants he had now procured for his cottage at Barton. The Miss Dashwoods were young, pretty, and unaffected. It was enough to secure his good opinion; for to be unaffected was all that a pretty girl could want to make her mind as captivating as her person. The friendliness of his disposition–
The phone starts ringing again.
CHARLES
(Under his breath)
Damn it.
He puts the book down and pulls the phone out of his pocket, answering it.
CHARLES
I’m at work, Mary. I’ll call you back later.
Beat.
CHARLES
Just because you think something is urgent doesn’t mean that it actually is. I really don’t need a repeat of the homecoming incident…. Come on, Mary, give me a break. I’ll give you a call later. I mean it.
The door opens behind him, and he stands, turning around.
KYRA
(O.S.)
Sorry, I didn’t know you were–
Charles puts the phone to his shoulder.
CHARLES
No, sorry. It’s, uh, my sister. I’m going to call her back.
KYRA
(O.S.)
You don’t need to–
CHARLES
She shouldn’t have been calling now–
Beat.
KYRA
Sorry.
CHARLES
Sorry.
He holds up a hand, then puts the phone to his ear.
CHARLES
I need to go, Mary. I’ll talk to you later. I promise.
He hangs up the phone and puts it in his pocket.
CHARLES
I’m really sorry about that. It was unprofessional.
KYRA
(O.S.)
Don’t worry about it. I just–it sounded like you were talking to somebody.
CHARLES
Oh, God, I’m sorry. I hope you didn’t think–
KYRA
(O.S.)
No, it’s fine. I have to get going.
CHARLES
Yeah, of course. I’m sorry again–I’ll tell my sister not to call again.
KYRA
(O.S.)
It’s okay.
She walks out of the room, closing the door behind her.
510A 