The Imitation Game · written by Graham Moore · 2014

At the engagement party Joan celebrates the unusual ring, while Cairncross warns Turing that disclosure of his homosexuality could put him in danger; the newly engaged couple dance.

Scene 78 of 130 · ≈ 3 min on screen · Act two

Joan’S Friend
Joan Clarke
Hugh Alexander
Peter Hilton
John Cairncross
Alan Turing

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:10 into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 78

At Bletchley Park, Alan Turing must persuade a skeptical team to build a machine that can break Enigma before the war is lost, while concealing the self the law condemns.

Scenes 1–12
Turing is investigated as a guarded outsider in 1951, then enters Bletchley in 1939 looking for the puzzle he can solve.
Scenes 13–30
He sees the scale of Enigma, believes a machine can solve it, and grows isolated from colleagues who make little progress.
Scenes 31–50
Churchill’s order gives Turing authority and his half-built machine advances toward sustained work.
Just before
Scene 75
Staehl reports that he followed Turing to a pub and saw him exchange an envelope with another man; Nock and Smith go to inspect the suspect.
Scene 76
Staehl says Murray confessed to robbing Turing after a paid sexual encounter; Smith orders Turing’s arrest, while Nock asks for half an hour to question him himself.
Scene 77
Joan says her parents are taking her away from Bletchley; after an argument, Turing proposes marriage with a ring he makes from wire, and she accepts.
Scene 78
This scene

78INT. BLETCHLEY PARK - BEER HUT - NIGHT

An impromptu ENGAGEMENT PARTY in the Beer Hut that night:

— A BANNER made from PUNCH CARDS reads: “CONGRATULATIONS!”

— Music plays as DANCERS TWIRL in the center of the Hut.

— Joan LAUGHS with her WREN FRIENDS in one corner, while in another Alan drinks beer with his team.

ON JOAN AND THE GIRLS: She shows off her makeshift wire engagement ring:

JOAN’S FRIEND

(trying her best)

... It’s... beautiful?

Joan LAUGHS. She understands.

JOAN CLARKE

I know it’s not an ordinary ring...

She looks over at Alan warmly.

JOAN CLARKE (CONT’D)

... But who ever loved ordinary?

ON ALAN AND THE BOYS: They’re are all a bit drunk, TELLING DIRTY STORIES:

HUGH ALEXANDER

... So she’s got it in her hands,

right, and she looks up at me and

says, “I’m to put it in my mouth?”

And I say, “yes, you know. The

French way.” So she pops it in,

closes her lips around the thing...

And then she starts humming the

bloody Marseillaise!

The men BURST INTO LAUGHTER.

Except for Alan, who looks a bit confused.

PETER HILTON

(to Alan)

What about you and Joan? Does she

do it the French way?

Alan looks away, uncomfortable.

HUGH ALEXANDER

Soon enough, you lucky bastard.

Just then, Joan comes over and throws an affectionate arm around Alan.

JOAN CLARKE

Care for a dance?

HUGH ALEXANDER

No no, your fiancé can dance with

you anytime he likes. Now it’s my

turn.

Hugh takes Joan’s hand, and leads her across the room. They