· · ·
turning to page one
turning to page one
Footsteps resonate.
Lionel enters. Ahead, he sees Cosmo Lang quietly conferring with Bertie. As Lionel approached, Cosmo Lang slips away.
LIONEL
I can’t believe I’m walking on
Chaucer and Handel and Dickens.
Everything alright? Let’s get
cracking.
Bertie, seated on a ceremonial chair, does not rise.
BERTIE
I’m not here to rehearse, Doctor
Logue.
Pause-
BERTIE (CONT’D)
True, you never called yourself
‘Doctor’. I did that for you.
BERTIE (CONT’D)
No diploma, no training, no
qualifications. Just a great deal
of nerve.
LIONEL
Ah, the star chamber inquisition,
is it?
BERTIE
You asked for trust and total
equality.
LIONEL
Bertie, I heard you at Wembley, I
was there. I heard you. My son
Laurie said “Do you think you could
help that poor man?” I replied “If
I had the chance”.
BERTIE
What, as a failed actor!?
LIONEL
It’s true, I’m not a doctor, and
yes I acted a bit, recited in pubs
and taught elocution in schools.
When the Great War came, our boys
were pouring back from the front,
shell-shocked and unable to speak
and somebody said, “Lionel, you’re
very good at all this speech stuff.
Do you think you could possibly
help these poor buggers”. I did
muscle therapy, exercise,
relaxation, but I knew I had to go
deeper. Those poor young blokes had
listening to them. My job was to
give them faith in their voice and
let them know that a friend was
listening. That must ring a few
bells with you, Bertie.
BERTIE
You give a very noble account of
yourself.
LIONEL
Make inquiries. It’s all true.
BERTIE
Inquiries have been made! You have
no idea who I have breathing down
my neck. I vouched for you and you
have no credentials.
LIONEL
But lots of success! I can’t show
you a certificate - there was no
training then. All I know I know by
experience, and that war was some
experience. May plaque says, ‘L.
Logue, Speech Defects’. No Dr., no
letters after my name.
(with mock seriousness)
Lock me in the Tower.
BERTIE
I would if I could!
LIONEL
On what charge?
BERTIE
Fraud! With war looming, you’ve
saddle this nation with a voiceless
King. Destroyed the happiness of my
family...all for the sake of
ensnaring a star patient you knew
you couldn’t possibly assist!
His desperation spills out. He pulls himself out the chair, striding past Lionel.
BERTIE (CONT’D)
It’ll be like mad King George the
Third, there’ll be Mad King George
the Stammerer, who let his people
down so badly in their hour of
need!
Lionel sits down on the chair of Edward the Confessor.
BERTIE (CONT’D)
What’re you doing? Get up! You
can’t sit there!
Overlapping-
LIONEL
Why not? It’s a chair.
BERTIE
No, it’s not, that is Saint
Edward’s Chair-
LIONEL
People have carved their initials
into it!
BERTIE
That chair is the seat on which
every King and Queen-
LIONEL
It’s held in place by a large rock!
BERTIE
That is the Stone of Scone, you are
trivialising everything-
LIONEL
I don’t care. I don’t care how many
Royal arses have sat in this chair-
Overlapping-
BERTIE
Listen to me... !
LIONEL
Listen to you?! By what right?
BERTIE
Divine right, if you must! I’m your
King!!!
LIONEL
Noooo you’re not! Told me so
yourself. Said you didn’t want it.
So why should I waste my time
listening to you?
BERTIE
Because I have a right to be heard!
LIONEL
Heard as what?!
BERTIE
A man! I HAVE A VOICE!!!
LIONEL
(quietly)
Yes you do. You have such
perseverance, Bertie, you’re the
bravest man I know. And you’ll make
a bloody good king.
Bertie stares at him.
A familiar voice is heard from the shadows.
VOICE
What on earth’s going on, Sir?
BERTIE
It’s all right, Archbishop.
The Archbishop of Canterbury.
COSMO LANG
Mr Logue, you should know that I
have found a replacement English
specialist with impeccable
credentials. Hence, your services
will no longer be required.
BERTIE
I’m sorry?
COSMO LANG
Your Majesty’s function is to
consult and be advised. You didn’t
consult, but you’ve just been
advised.
BERTIE
Now I advise you: in this personal
matter I will make my own decision.
COSMO LANG
My concern is for the head upon
which I must place the crown.
BERTIE
I appreciate that Archbishop, but
it’s my head!
COSMO LANG
Your humble servant.
Lang turns on his heel and is gone, leaving Bertie shaken, with both anger, and fear.
LIONEL
Thank you Bertie. Shall we
rehearse?
Bertie sits in the ceremonial chair once more.
LIONEL (CONT’D)
As soon as you and Elizabeth enter
the West door, you’ll be greeted
with the hymn “I Was Glad When They
Said Unto Me.” You won’t actually
be that glad, because they sing it
for a great long time. Then your
friend the Archbishop will ponce up
and say, “Sir, is Your Majesty
willing to take The Oath?” You
say..
BERTIE
“I am willing”.
LIONEL
Course you are! I’ll see what it
sounds like from the cheap seats so
even your old nanny can hear.
“Will you govern your peoples of
Great Britain, Ireland, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand according
to their lands and customs?”
BERTIE
"I solemnly promise so do so."
LIONEL
LOUDER! I can’t hear you up the
back.
BERTIE
“I SOLEMNLY PROMISE TO DO SO!”
LIONEL
Very good! "Will you to your power
cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to
be executed in all your
judgements?"
BERTIE
"I will." “I WILL!”
LIONEL
Then a long bit about upholding the
faith, rubbish, rubbish, rubbish.
To which you finally say...
BERTIE
“These things which I have
herebefore promised, I will perform
and keep. So help me God.”
LIONEL
That’s all you have to say. Four
short responses, kiss the book and
sign the oath. There you are:
you’re King. Easy.
The faint CLICKING WHIR of a film projector is heard.