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A weekend house party. Drinks at teatime. Five or six friends dance to a gramophone. A couple are already drunk. At the epicenter, David, the very picture of insouciance, and WALLIS, clinging to his arm, dripping in jewelry. Wallis’ most attractive physical feature is her back, displayed fully by her choice of dress. Surrounded by their entourage, they are the apex of chic.
A FOOTMAN announces:
FOOTMAN
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and
Duchess of York.
Elizabeth freezes as Wallis sweeps forward to greet them.
WALLIS
How lovely to see you both. Welcome
to our little country shack.
Elizabeth stares at her, incredulous, then sails past, announcing to no one in particular:
ELIZABETH
I came at the invitation of the
King.
Wallis is wrongfooted. Elizabeth and Bertie reach David. Elizabeth curtsies to David, and Bertie gives David a nod.
BERTIE
Hello David.
DAVID
Hello Bertie. Hello Elizabeth.
David kisses Elizabeth on both cheeks.
BERTIE
I see you’re making some changes to
the garden.
DAVID
I am. I am not quite finished.
David’s eyes are drawn by Wallis.
WALLIS
David!
She taps her champagne glass.
A footman goes into action, but Wallis waves him off. David leaves instead.
DAVID
(calling to Wallis)
Just be a sec, darling!
Bertie pursues him.
One of the guests - WINSTON CHURCHILL - nursing a glass of champagne moves up to Elizabeth.