A Passage To India - Complete Script of the Movie



	[scene: London - in the P&O passenger office]

P&O Manager	First time in India, Miss Quested?
Miss Quested	First time out of England.
P&O Manager	I envy you. New horizons. Those are the Marabar Caves, about 20 miles from you at Chandrapore.
Miss Quested	I see.
P&O Manager	Mrs Moore returns on the Rawalpindi on May 12th and your return is open. That is correct?
Miss Quested	I'll be staying on... probably.
P&O Manager	If you decide to return with Mrs Moore, let us know as soon as possible.
Miss Quested	I will.
P&O Manager	Now, labels, stickers, your ticket, Mrs Moore's ticket. You should have an interesting voyage. The viceroy's on board. Tends to liven things up.



	[scene: Bombay waterfront, and Gateway of India]

	(? military band plays) (cheering)


	[scene: Outside Ballard Pier, with tongas. Passengers leave the ship]

Mrs Turton	Ugh.
Mrs Moore	I do think it's too bad of Ronny not to be here to meet us.
Miss Quested	It is nearly a thousand miles.
Mrs Moore	We've come five thousand miles to meet him. No more than two annas each. (to porters) Thank you. Thank you. (to tonga driver) Victoria Station.


	[scene: Inside compartment of 1st class railway coach]

	(knocking on compartment door)
Mrs Moore	Oh, dear.
Miss Quested	Don't worry.
Mrs Turton	Mrs Moore?
Mrs Moore	Yes.
Mrs Turton	I'm Mrs Turton. My husband's the collector.
Mrs Moore	Oh... We gave our tickets to the Indian gentleman.
Mrs Turton	The chief administrator of Chandrapore. Ronny's Burra Sahib. You must be Adela.
Miss Quested	Yes.
Mrs Moore	Please forgive us, Mrs Turton. We've had a very trying day.
Mrs Turton	We just wanted to welcome you to the fold and to say... We're off. We must have a drink or something later, when you've recovered. Goodbye.


	[scene: In dining car of Imperial Indian Mail]

Mrs Turton	I believe you and Ronny met in the Lake District, Miss Quested?
Miss Quested	Yes, we did.
Mrs Turton	You must forgive me. We have very few secrets in Chandrapore. Now I'm an incurable romantic.
Mrs Moore	Miss Quested was with her aunt, and I was with Ronny.
Mr Turton	Of course you know, Mrs Moore, Ronny's doing splendidly. You'll be proud of him.
Mrs Turton	I'll second that. He's become a proper sahib. Just the type we want, if I might say so.
	(train rumbles over a bridge)
Mrs Moore	You know, Mr Turton, when we get settled in, we look forward to meeting some of the Indians you come across socially, as friends.
Mr Turton	Well, as a matter of fact, we don't come across them socially. They're full of all the virtues, no doubt, but er, we don't.
Mrs Turton	East is East, Mrs Moore. It's a question of culture.


	[scene: Inside 1st class sleeping carriage]

Miss Quested	Could Ronny really have become a sahib?
Mrs Moore	He could. But that's why you've come here. You'll find out soon enough.
Miss Quested	She's a dreadful woman.
Mrs Moore	Yes. We'd better go to sleep, my dear.


	[scene: Under railway bridge - many Indians trying to sleep]

	(coughing)


	[scene: On Chandrapore railway station platform]

	(? band plays)
Heaslop	Hello, Mother! Where's Adela?
Miss Quested	Here.
Heaslop	I can't believe it. Anthony! (speaks Urdu) Anthony will see to the baggage. Forgive me, but I'm part of the reception committee.
Officer	Guards! Attention!
Heaslop	Sorry to desert you, but we had to welcome the great man back.
Mrs Moore	I'd no idea he was so important.
Heaslop	You hadn't?


	[scene: Driving through the bazaar]

	(car horn)
	(car horn)
	(hoots repeatedIy)
Mr Turton	Look out!
	(car horn)
Mahmoud Ali	That was Turton.
Dr Aziz	Turton?
	(car horn)
Mahmoud Ali	McBryde. When he first came out, Hamidullah said he was quite a good fellow.
Dr Aziz	But they all become exactly the same. I give any Englishman two years.
Mahmoud Ali	The women are worse.
Dr Aziz	I give them six months.


	[scene: Heaslop drives tonga through bazaar]

Miss Quested	Ronny, is that a body?
Heaslop	Yes. I'm sorry. We'll soon be out of this.


	[scene: The tonga reaches the Civil Lines]



	[scene: At Dr Aziz's house]

	(Aziz shouts for his servant in Urdu)
Dr Aziz	Why do we spend so much time discussing the English?
Mahmoud Ali	Because we admire them, Doctor Sahib.
Dr Aziz	That is the trouble. (he asks for water from his servant in Urdu)
Mahmoud Ali	Tomorrow then!
Dr Aziz	Tomorrow night! English!


	[scene: arrival at Heaslop's bungalow]

Heaslop	Here we are, then.
Mrs Moore	Very nice, dear.
Miss Quested	Are those the Marabar Hills?
Heaslop	That's right.
Miss Quested	With the caves?
Heaslop	I suppose so. Look, you've got a very busy day tomorrow. Then we have a show at the club. Come on. let's have tea.
Miss Quested	Yes.
Heaslop	Good night, Mother. (knocking on Adela's door)
Miss Quested	Yes? (expectantly)
Heaslop	Good night, dear.
Miss Quested	Good night. (disappointedly)


	[scene: Inside Chandrapore court room]

	(gavel sounds)
Heaslop	Having listened to the evidence, I find you guilty of cheating under Section 415 of the Indian Penal Code and sentence you to two month's hard labour. You may take the prisoner down.
Heaslop	Well, how did it all go?
Miss Quested	We must have seen everything.
Mrs Moore	Yes, the church, the hospital, the war memorial, the barracks. Mr Hadley was most thorough.
Heaslop	Splendid. And now you're off to the club.


	[scene: Afternoon tea in grounds of Club]

	(? orchestra plays quietly in the background)
Miss Quested	Cucumber.
Mrs Moore	My dear, life rarely gives us what we want at the moment we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually.


	[scene: in Begum Hamidullah's bedroom]

Begum Hamidullah	Doctor Sahib, when are we going to get you married?
Dr Aziz	I have enough responsibilities, Auntie.
Hamidullah	We ask the poor fellow to dinner, we avail ourselves of his professional skills,and you always bring up this question.
Dr Aziz	It is the least I can do. This should put a stop to the trouble. And, Begum Sahiba..
Begum Hamidullah	Ha ji?
Dr Aziz	I beg you once more not to drink water out of a tap. Please to boil it, boil it, boil it!
Hamidullah	And now we can eat. Selim!
Hamidullah	(he calls in Urdu to his servant to serve the food)
Hamidullah	(privately, to Begum Hamidullah) Why must you always bring up this question of marriage? He sends the children nearly all his salary and lives like a low-grade clerk. What more do you require of him?


	[scene: In Hamidullah's dining area]

Mahmoud Ali	This chitty has just arrived for you from Major Callendar.
Dr Aziz	I am to report to his bungalow post-haste. And my bicycle has a puncture.


	[scene: Outside Major Callendar's house. Aziz arrives in a tonga]

Butler	The major sahib left half an hour ago.
Dr Aziz	And left no message?
Butler	No message.
Mrs Callendar	Mrs Lesley, it is a tonga. Come!
Mrs Lesley	Oh, how splendid. I suppose this is all right?
Mrs Callendar	My dear, never look a gift-horse in the mouth, particularly in this country. Club! Club, tonga wallah! Club! Why doesn't the fool move?
Dr Aziz	(to tonga driver) I pay you tomorrow.
	(women giggle)
Dr Aziz	(to Butler) Will you please...


	[scene: Evening - in mosque, near the Club]

	(night sounds. dogs bark)
	(leaves rustling)
Dr Aziz	Madam, this is a mosque. You have no right here. You should have taken off your shoes.
Mrs Moore	But I have taken off my shoes. I left them outside.
Dr Aziz	Then I... I ask your pardon.
Mrs Moore	Let me go.
Dr Aziz	Madam.
Mrs Moore	I am right, am I not? If I remove my shoes, I am allowed?
Dr Aziz	Of course. But so few ladies take the trouble. Especially if thinking no one is here to see.
Mrs Moore	God is here.
Dr Aziz	God is here. That is very fine. May I know your name?
Mrs Moore	Mrs Moore.
Dr Aziz	Oh.
Mrs Moore	I came from the club. They're doing a rather tiresome musical play I'd seen in London. It was very hot.
Dr Aziz	I think you ought not to walk alone, Mrs Moore. There are bad characters about, and leopards may come from the Marabar hills. Snakes also.
Mrs Moore	But you walk alone.
Dr Aziz	I come here quite often. I'm used to it.
Mrs Moore	Used to snakes?
Dr Aziz	I'm a doctor, you see. Snakes don't dare bite me. Please. Mrs Moore, I think you are newly arrived in India?
Mrs Moore	Yes. How did you know?
Dr Aziz	By the way you address me. (points at river) Look. Sometimes I have seen a dead body float past, from Benares. But not very often. There are crocodiles.
Mrs Moore	Crocodiles? How terrible. Oh, what a terrible river. What a wonderful river.
Dr Aziz	Please may I ask you a question now? Why do you come to India?
Mrs Moore	I come to visit my son. He's the city magistrate.
Dr Aziz	Oh, no. Excuse me. Our city magistrate is Mr Heaslop.
Mrs Moore	He is my son all the same. I was married twice.
Dr Aziz	And your first husband died?
Mrs Moore	He did. And so did my second.
Dr Aziz	Then we are in the same box. And is the city magistrate the entire of your family now?
Mrs Moore	No. I have a daughter in England by my second husband. Stella. She's an artist.
Dr Aziz	Ah. Mrs Moore, like yourself, I have also a son and a daughter. Is not this the same box with a vengeance?
Mrs Moore	But not called Ronny and Stella, surely?
Dr Aziz	No indeed. Akbar and Jamlla. They live with my wife's mother.
Mrs Moore	And your wife?
Dr Aziz	In giving me a son, she died. You have the most kind face of any English lady I have met.
Mrs Moore	I think I'd better go back now.


	[scene: On stage, at the Club]

cast	? I've got this strange feellng
	? I've fallen in love
	? She's fallen in love?
	? While I was freewheeling
	? I knew it was love
Heaslop	And...
cast	? Hooray, hooray, hooray
	? It's a wonderful day today
	? But I know that at this juncture
	? I can't afford a puncture
	? And here is my Michael...


	[scene: Outside the Club]

Mrs Moore	I wish I were a member. I could have asked you in.
Dr Aziz	Indians are not allowed.
Mrs Moore	Oh. Good night.


	[scene: Inside the Club]

Miss Quested	There you are. What have you been up to?
Mrs Moore	I'll tell you about it later. I had a small adventure, and saw the moon in the Ganges.
Miss Quested	Ah.
Mr Turton	Ah, Mrs Moore, Miss Quested, have a drink. Have two drinks.
Mrs Moore	Very kind.
Mr Turton	My wife's on stage, and Ronny's still holding the fort for Major Callendar, who's off on an appendix.
Mrs Callendar	His wretched Indian assistant didn't turn up in time, but I got my own back.
Mr Turton	I'm sorry about the show. But what else can we do for you ladies?
Miss Quested	Mr Turton, I'm longing to see something of the real India.
Mr Turton	Fielding, how is one to see the real India?
Mr Fielding	Try seeing Indians.
Miss Quested	Who was that?
Mr Turton	Our schoolmaster. Government College.
Mrs Callendar	As if one could avoid seeing them.
Miss Quested	Well, I've scarcely spoken to an Indian since we landed.
Mrs Callendar	Lucky you!
Mr Turton	I tell you what. If you really want to meet some of our Aryan brothers, how about a bridge party?
Mrs Callendar	Not the game.
Miss Quested	Oh...
Mr Turton	No. A party to bridge the gulf between East and West. We can produce almost any type you like: Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, even a Parsee.
	(drum roll. all stand)
all	? God save our gracious king ? Long live our noble king ? God save the king. ? Send him victorious ? Happy and glorious ? Long to reign over us ? God save the king.


	[scene: Daytime, on the Club terrace]

	(? band plays 'Tea for Two')
Fielding	(to Indians) ..and have enough of English tea!
Mr Turton	To work, Molly. To work.
Mrs Turton	I never thought so many would turn up. They hate it as much as we do.
Mr Turton	Ronny.
Mrs Turton	(speaks very bad Urdu. Indian ladies giggle.)
Mr Turton	Very nice of you to come.
Mrs Moore	Would you please tell these ladies I wish we could speak their language?
Indian lady #1	Perhaps we speak yours a little.
Mrs Turton	Why, fancy, she understands!
Indian lady #2	Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner.
Mrs Turton	Yes, indeed.
Indian lady #3	Rotten Row.
Indian lady #4	Marble Arch.
Indian lady #1	She knows Paris also.
Mrs Turton	They pass Paris on the way, no doubt.
	(? band plays 'Roses of Picardy')
Mrs Moore	Uh! My only consolation is that Mrs Turton will soon be retired to a villa in Tunbrldge Wells.
Mrs Moore	Who is that man talking to Adela?
Heaslop	Oh, that's Fielding. Runs Government College.
Miss Quested	I don't understand people inviting guests and not treating them properly. You and Mr Turton are the only people who've made any attempt to be friendly. It makes me quite ashamed.
Fielding	It's awkward, I agree, here at the Club.
Miss Quested	I envy you being with Indians.
Fielding	Well - I tell you what. If you and Mrs Moore would care to meet one or two, it's easily arranged.
Miss Quested	I'd love to. I'm sure she would too.
Fielding	We've an old Hindu professor who'll tell you all about reincarnation and destiny. He might even be persuaded to sing.
Miss Quested	I'd like that. Tell me, do you know a Dr Aziz?
Fielding	I know of him. I've never actually met.
Miss Quested	Mrs Moore says he's charming.
Fielding	Good. We'll invite him too.
Miss Quested	Good.
Fielding	Oh, dear. This is for Mrs Turton.
	(? band plays 'In a Monastery Garden')
Mrs Moore	This is one of the most unnatural affairs I have ever attended.
Heaslop	Of course it's unnatural. Now you see.
Mrs Moore	I do not see why you all behave so unpleasantly to these people.
Heaslop	We're not out here to be pleasant.
Mrs Moore	Ronny, what do you mean?
Heaslop	India isn't a drawing room. We're out here to do justice and to keep the peace. I'm not a missionary or a sentimental socialist. I'm just a member of the civil service.
Mrs Moore	Hmm. As simple as that.
Heaslop	What do you and Adela want me to do? Sacrifice my career? Lose the power I have for doing good in this benighted country?
Mrs Moore	Good? you're speaking about power. The whole of this entertainment is an exercise in power, and the subtle pleasures of personal superiority.
	(? band plays 'God Save the King'. all stand)
Mrs Moore	God has put us on earth to love and help our fellow men.
Heaslop	Yes, Mother.


	[scene: Inside Mr Fielding's house]

Dr Aziz	Mr Fielding?
	(water running)
Dr Aziz	Mr Fielding.
Fielding	Oh, hello. Is that Dr Aziz?
Dr Aziz	Yes. I'm afraid I am early.
Fielding	That's fine. I won't be a jiffy. Please make yourself at home.
Dr Aziz	May I really, Mr Fielding? It's very good of you. Mr Fielding?
Fielding	Yes?
Dr Aziz	I have long been wanting to meet you. I have heard many times about your kind heart and your sociabllity.
Fielding	My dear fellow!
Dr Aziz	And I have seen you in the bazaar.
Fielding	Ah.
	(Fielding hums then sings) ? The sun, whose rays are all ablaze ? with ever-living glory ? Does not deny his majesty, ? he scorns to tell a story...
Dr Aziz	I say, Mr Fielding.
Fielding	Yes?
Dr Aziz	Before you come out, guess what I look like.
Fielding	Well, let's see. You're about 5ft 9in tall.
Dr Aziz	Jolly good!
Fielding	I can see that much through the glass. Blast!
Dr Aziz	Anything wrong?
Fielding	I've just broken my back collar stud.
Dr Aziz	Oh. Take mine.
Fielding	Have you a spare one?
Dr Aziz	Yes. Yes, one minute.
Fielding	Not if you're wearing it.
Dr Aziz	No, no. Here in my pocket.
Fielding	But nobody carries a spare stud in his pocket.
Dr Aziz	I always, in case of emergency. Here it is.
Fielding	Many thanks. Oh, and how do you do? Come and sit down while I finish dressing, if you don't mind the unconventionality.
Dr Aziz	No not at all. I always thought Englishmen kept their rooms so tidy. Everything arranged coldly on shelves is what I thought.
Fielding	There are two English ladies coming to tea to meet you.
Dr Aziz	Oh.
Fielding	Oh, I think you know one of them.
Dr Aziz	I know no English ladies.
Fielding	Not Mrs Moore?
Dr Aziz	Mrs Moore?
Fielding	And Miss Quested, her companion.
Dr Aziz	Oh. Is she an old lady?
Fielding	She's a young lady, and she wants to see India.
	(Fielding's servant tells him in Urdu about the ladies coming. He replies in Urdu 'OK')
Fielding	They're here, or will be in a few seconds. I've also asked our professor of philosophy, Narayan Godbole.
Dr Aziz	Oh, the inscrutable Brahmin.
Fielding	I hope to goodness his food'll be all right. He's orthodox, you know.


	[scene: outside, in Mr Fielding's garden]

Fielding	Good afternoon to you. Welcome.
Mrs Moore	How kind of you to ask us.
Miss Quested	Nice to meet you.
Mrs Moore	Oh.
Fielding	It must have been a small audience hall in the old days.
Dr Aziz	Mrs Moore, do you remember the tank in our mosque?
Mrs Moore	I do indeed.
Dr Aziz	Please come and see. By a skilful arrangement of our emperors, the same water comes and fills this tank. My ancestors loved water. We came out of the desert. We came over the Himalayas from Persia and Afghanistan, and wherever we went, we created fountains and gardens and...
Fielding	Ah, Godbole! you know Dr Aziz, and here are our new visitors. Mrs Moore, Miss Quested, Professor Godbole. We didn't realise you were here.
Godbole	The sun will soon be driving us all into the shade. And I was enjoying the water.
Fielding	Now, Mrs Moore, would you like to have our tea served inside or out?
Miss Quested	Dr Aziz, I wonder if you could explain a disappointment we had this morning.
Mrs Moore	Ah, yes. I'm afraid we may have given some offence.
Dr Aziz	That is impossible. May I know the facts?
Miss Quested	Yes. An Indian lady and gentleman, whom we met at the club party the other day, were to collect us in their carriage this morning at nine. We waited and waited. They never came. They even put off going to Delhi to entertain us.
Fielding	I wouldn't worry about it, anyway.
Miss Quested	Well, it is very worrying.
Godbole	I think perhaps, young lady, they grew ashamed of their house and that is why they did not send.
Fielding	That's very possible.
Miss Quested	I do so hate mysteries.
Fielding	We English do.
Mrs Moore	I rather like mysteries, but I do dislike muddles.
Fielding	You know, I think a mystery is only a high-sounding term for a muddle. The professor, Aziz and I know that India's a muddle.
Godbole	Agreed, I'm sorry to say.
Dr Aziz	There will be no muddle when you come to visit me at my house.
Mrs Moore	Oh, that would be very nice. Yes, Adela?
Miss Quested	Yes, indeed. Do please give me your address, Doctor Aziz. Yes?
Dr Aziz	One moment. I have a better idea. Let me invite you all to a picnic at the Marabar Caves. Ladies, this will be a most magnificent outing. One is transported by mountain railway two thousand feet above the plain. And the caves, Mrs Moore, are a wonder of India. Yes, Professor?
Godbole	They have a reputation.
Miss Quested	Doctor, how many caves are there?
Dr Aziz	I'm not exactly sure. Unfortunately, I've never been there myself.
Fielding	My dear chap!
Miss Quested	Professor Godbole, have you seen the caves?
Godbole	Oh, yes.
Miss Quested	Well, could you tell us something about them?
Godbole	With pleasure. Only a few have been opened. Perhaps seven or eight.
Miss Quested	And?
Godbole	There is an entrance which you enter, and through this entrance, manmade, there is a circular chamber.
Miss Quested	Big?
Godbole	Not big.
Dr Aziz	Immensely holy, no doubt?
Godbole	Oh, no, no.
Fielding	Ornamented in some way?
Godbole	They are all the same. Empty and dark.
Miss Quested	Well, there must be something to account for their reputation.
Godbole	Indeed.
Mrs Moore	Well, well. Mr Fielding, I should like to see something of the college. Don't you come, Adela. I know you hate institutions.
Dr Aziz	You know, Miss Quested, when I first saw Mrs Moore it was in the moonlight. I thought she was a ghost.
Godbole	A very old soul.
Miss Quested	An old soul?
Dr Aziz	Professor Godbole is using the expression in its Hindu sense. Someone who has been here many times before.
Miss Quested	Mrs Moore - a reincarnation?
Godbole	Quite so.
Miss Quested	Please go on, Professor.
Godbole	Ah, yes. It is philosophy of some complication.
Miss Quested	But in simple terms...
Godbole	In simple terms, Miss Quested, life is a wheel with many spokes. A continuous cycle of life: birth, death and rebirth until we attain nirvana. I have contrived a dance based on this phllosophy.
Miss Quested	Do you dance, Professor?
Godbole	Oh yes.


	[scene: Ronny Heaslop arrives, annoyed]

Heaslop	Adela.
Miss Quested	Oh, Ronny, you're early. Let me introduce to you. Professor Godbole and this... and that...
Heaslop	What's happened to Fielding? Where's my Mother? And what on earth are you doing?
Miss Quested	Well they're seeing the college and we're eating water chestnuts. Have one.
Heaslop	No, thank you. We're leaving at once.
Miss Quested	But we can't leave like this.
Heaslop	It's perfectly all right. Bearer! Bearer!


	[scene: In Heaslop's tonga, waiting at railway crossing]

	(train whistle)
Heaslop	You can take it from me that picnic will never come off. Just like that fiasco this morning. He'll forget he ever invited you.
Miss Quested	I think you're wrong. Mr Fielding...
Heaslop	Notice the collar climbing up the back of his neck?
Mrs Moore	I like Dr Aziz.
	(train whistle)
Heaslop	Aziz was dressed in his Sunday best from head to foot, but he'd forgotten his back collar stud. And there you have the Indian all over. I'll wager he's even forgotten the caves are miles from the station.
Miss Quested	Have you been to them?
Heaslop	I know all about them, naturally.
Miss Quested	Naturally.
Mrs Moore	I really cannot have this quarrelling and tiresomeness.
Miss Quested	Sorry.
Heaslop	I don't know why I get so het up. Actually, I was taking us all to see a game of polo. Should be good.
Mrs Moore	Not for me, dear. I'm going to rest. You and Adela can watch polo.


	[scene: At the polo ground. a game is in progress]

Miss Quested	Ronny.
Heaslop	Yes?
Miss Quested	I want to say something.
Heaslop	Yes?
Miss Quested	Something important. Ronny... I've finally decided... We're not going to be marrled.
Heaslop	You never said we would be married. But you were quite right to come out. It was a good idea.
Miss Quested	We're being awfully English about this, aren't we? I suppose that's all right.
Heaslop	As we are English, yes, I suppose it is. Let's go for a little drive.
Miss Quested	Oughtn't we get back to the bungalow?
Heaslop	Why?
Miss Quested	I think we should tell your mother, talk about what we're going to do.
Heaslop	If you don't mind, let's leave it a day or two. I don't want to upset her any more than I have. And besides, you're going on that expedition.
Miss Quested	Yes.


	[scene: Inside Hamidullah's house]

Hamidullah	And why did you undertake such an extravagance?
Dr Aziz	To avoid asking them to my house.
Mahmoud Ali	Which you had already done.
Hamidullah	Now we must all put our shoulders to the wheel. My wife will supply plates, knives and forks.
Mahmoud Ali	And then there is the question of alcohol. Whisky-sodas for Mr Fielding, ports for the ladies.
Dr Aziz	And food. The English are big eaters.
Hamidullah	And Professor Godbole?
Dr Aziz	He eats more than the English. And nothing but vegetables, fruits and rice.
Mahmoud Ali	And only if cooked by a Brahmin. And if there is a slice of beef in the vicinity, he will certainly throw up.
Hamidullah	The English can eat mutton.
Mahmoud Ali	Even ham.
Dr Aziz	Ham? Are you suggesting I offer ham?
Hamidullah	Enough, enough. Now English ladies cannot sit upon the ground. Not even on a Persian carpet.
Mahmoud Ali	You must take chairs and tables.
Hamidullah	So you will need servants. Then there is also the question of transport after the train journey. The caves are a considerable distance from the station.
Dr Aziz	I've just been to the station. The train leaves before dawn.
Hamidullah	Then you must take precaution against lack of punctuality. Better spend the night there.


	[scene: Inside Heaslop's dining room. It is a windy night, and the windows bang]

Miss Quested	What was that?
Heaslop	Nothing. It always happens before the hot weather, generally with dust and thunder. Coffee?
Mrs Moore	No, thank you. I'm off to bed.
Heaslop	Mother - I know I made myself rather ridiculous this afternoon. But the truth is, I wasn't quite sure of myself, and I'm sorry.
Mrs Moore	Very nicely said. Thank you, dear.
Heaslop	Of course, I have no earthly right to tell either of you what you can or cannot do. See India if you like and as you like.
Mrs Moore	Sometimes I think too much fuss is made about marriage. Century after century of carnal embracement, and we're still no nearer understanding one another. Good night.


	[scene: Adela cycles to abandoned temples and explores them. She is chased by monkeys, and returns to the bungalow]

	(dog barks. bicycle bell)
Heaslop	Adela, are you all right?
Miss Quested	Yes, of course.
Heaslop	Well, what happened?
Miss Quested	Nothing. I want to take back what I said at the polo. Oh, Ronny... I'm such a fool.


	[scene: At the Club]

	(orchestra plays 'Oh, lady Be Good')
Miss Quested	It's a funny thing, but I don't feel a bit excited. Well, nothing's really changed, has it? I feel perfectly ordinary.
Mrs Moore	It's much the best feeling to have.
Miss Quested	I suppose so. I'm sorry to have been so difficult.
Mrs Moore	Oh, I shouldn't worry. It's partly to do with this country and the odd surroundings.
Miss Quested	Do you mean that my, my bothers are to do with India?
Mrs Moore	India forces one to come face to face with oneself. It can be rather disturbing. Odd. It must be very cold in England. Now we must go back and you must dance with Ronny. Apart from anything else, it will serve as a notice of intent.
	(orchestra plays 'Oh, lady Be Good')
Heslop	Hello.


	[scene: Adela's bedroom - she thinks of statues]

	(rumble of thunder)
	(creaks and groans)


	[scene: At Dr Aziz's house]

Dr Aziz	Hassan. (he speaks Urdu to Hassan, and sends him for a doctor)


	[scene: In Heaslop's tonga, arriving at church]

Heaslop	It's going to be hot.
Miss Quested	Your famous hot weather.
Heaslop	Mother?
Mrs Moore	You two go ahead.
Mr Turton	Ah! Congratulations, Heaslop. We've just heard the good news. Allow me to shake your hand.
Heaslop	Well thank you very much. Thank you.
Mrs Turton	We're really happy...


	[scene: Outside Dr Aziz's house]

Fielding	(instructs Hassan in Urdu to take his horse)
Dr Lal	Mr Fielding, I'm Dr Lal.
Fielding	Ah, yes. How do you do?
Dr Lal	Just making check on doctor sahib. Major Callendar's orders.
Fielding	And?
Dr Lal	A slight fever, perhaps. Change of season.


	[scene: Inside Dr Aziz's house]

Hamidullah	You must get well quickly.
Haq	Yes. There is talk of cholera in the city.
Hamidullah	There is always talk of cholera in the city.
Fielding	Hello! Can I come in?
Dr Aziz	Mr Fielding. Yes, please come in.
Fielding	Ah. Hamidullah.
Hamidullah	Mr Fielding, how nice of you to come.
Fielding	And how's the patient?
Haq	It is very good of Mr Fielding to condescend to visit our friend. We're all deeply touched.
Dr Aziz	Don't talk to him like that. He does not want it. And he does not need three chairs. He's not three Englishmen!
Fielding	Well, are you ill or aren't you?
Dr Aziz	No doubt Major Callendar told you I'm shamming.
Fielding	Well, are you?
	(general laughter)
Dr Aziz	The hot weather is coming. I have a fever. Sit down, sit down. Sit down, all of you!
Mahmoud Ali	Mr Fielding, excuse. A question, please.
Fielding	Carry on.
Mahmoud Ali	Nothing personal. Personally, we're all delighted that you should be here. But how is England justified in holding India?
Dr Aziz	Unfair polltical question.
Fielding	No, no. Personally I'm out here because I need a job.
Mahmoud Ali	Qualified Indians also need a job.
Fielding	I got in first. (general laughter) And I'm delighted to be here. That's my answer and that's my only excuse.
Hamidullah	And those who are not delighted?
Fielding	Chuck 'em out.
Mahmoud Ali	Indians are also saying that.
Fielding	(speaks Urdu to Hassan)
Dr Aziz	Mr Fielding...
Fielding	What are you doing out here?
Dr Aziz	Please come back.
Fielding	Of course.
Dr Aziz	Here you see the celebrated hospitality of the East. Look... Look at the mess. Look at the flies. Look at the plaster coming off the wall.
Fielding	Oh, please.
Dr Aziz	Here is my home, where you come to be insulted by my friends.
Fielding	That was fair enough. And you'd better get back into bed.
Dr Aziz	And then you'll have to be off.
Fielding	You should rest.
Dr Aziz	I can rest all day thanks to Dr Lal. Major Callendar's spy. I suppose you know that.
Fielding	Major Callendar doesn't trust anyone, English or Indian. That's his character. I wish you weren't under him. But you are, and that's that. There we are. Try sleeping for a bit.
Dr Aziz	Before you go...
Fielding	Yes?
Dr Aziz	Will you please open that drawer under the clock? There's a grey cardboard folder. That's right. Open it. She was my wife. You are the first Englishman she has ever come before. Now put her away.
Fielding	I don't know why you pay me this great compliment, but I do appreclate it.
Dr Aziz	Oh, it is nothing. She was not a highly educated woman, or even beautiful. But I loved her. Now put her away. You would have seen her anyhow.
Fielding	Would you have allowed me to see her?
Dr Aziz	Why not? I believe in the purdah, but I would have told her you were my brother.
Fielding	Would she have believed you?
Dr Aziz	Of course not. Put her away. She is dead. I showed her to you because I have nothing else to show. Mr Fielding, why are you not married?
Fielding	The lady I liked wouldn't marry me. That's the main point. That was a long time ago. Before the war.
Dr Aziz	You haven't any children?
Fielding	None.
Dr Aziz	Excuse the following question. Have you any illegitimate children?
Fielding	No.
Dr Aziz	Then your name will die entirely out?
Fielding	Right.
Dr Aziz	This is what an Oriental will never understand.
Fielding	There are far too many children anyway.
Dr Aziz	Why don't you marry Miss Quested?
Fielding	Good Lord!
Dr Aziz	But she's very nice.
Fielding	I can't marry her even if I wanted to. She's just become engaged to the city magistrate.
Dr Aziz	Oh. So no Miss Quested for Mr Fielding. However, she is not beautiful, and she has practically no breasts.
Fielding	Aziz!
Dr Aziz	For a magistrate they may be sufficient, but for you I will arrange a lady with breasts like Bombay mangoes!
Fielding	No, you won't.
Dr Aziz	You must not tell Callendar, but last year I took sick leave and I went to Calcutta. There are girls there with breasts...
Fielding	I shall tell Major Callendar you've made a remarkable recovery.
Dr Aziz	I have, I have.
Fielding	Please tell your chap to bring my horse. He doesn't seem to understand my Urdu.
Dr Aziz	I told him not to. But now I will release you. Hassan! (Aziz speaks in Urdu to Hassan)
Fielding	By the way, about this Marabar expedition. It's going to cost an awful lot. Would you like me to help you call it off?
Dr Aziz	No, no. Arrangements are almost complete. I shall know exact date tomorrow.
Fielding	Well, good. Don't leave it too long. Phew.


	[scene: early morning, on railway platform]

	(the train-arrival bell rings)
Dr Aziz	Hassan?
	(they both speak Urdu)
	(train whistle)
Dr Aziz	you've come after all! I was afraid... How kind, how very kind!
Mrs Moore	I'm sorry, Dr Aziz, but I've never been at my best at this time of the morning.
Miss Quested	We're here anyway.
Dr Aziz	Yes. Excuse me. Please come. (speaks Urdu)
Miss Quested	This isn't all for us?
Dr Aziz	Oh for this great occasion I've had help from all my friends. I think you will not need your servant?
Miss Quested	No, indeed.
Dr Aziz	Then we shall all be Muslims together.
Miss Quested	Anthony... I don't like him at all. Anthony, you can go now. We won't need you any more.
Anthony	Master told me to stay.
Miss Quested	Mistress tells you to go.
Anthony	Master says 'Keep near ladies all morning.'
Miss Quested	Please go. What's that for?
Dr Aziz	A surprise. you will see. Come, come, come. Please, come. You are travelling purdah. You will like that?
Mrs Moore	It will certainly be a new experlence.
Dr Aziz	Yes.
Miss Quested	Where's Mr Fielding?
Dr Aziz	He'll be here. Englishmen never miss a train.


	[scene: train departs. Fielding and Godbole just miss it]

Dr Aziz	Mr Fielding! Mr Fielding!
Fielding	I'm most awfully sorry, Aziz.
Dr Aziz	Oh, Mr Fielding, you, you have destroyed me.
Fielding	It was Godbole's prayers. They went on for ever.
Dr Aziz	Jump on! Jump!
Mrs Moore	No, no.
Dr Aziz	I must have you.
Fielding	I'm sorry, Aziz, but it really is no good. We'll join you, somehow.
Dr Aziz	Mrs Moore, our expedition is a ruin.
Mrs Moore	Nonsense. We shall now all be Muslims together.
Dr Aziz	Dear, dear Mrs Moore.
Mrs Moore	Go back to you carrlage, Dr Aziz. You make me quite giddy.


	[scene: At the railway crossing]

Fielding	Poor Aziz. We must try and get hold of a car. Can you think of anyone? Is anything the matter?
Godbole	You saw the gates shut against us?
Fielding	Yes.
Godbole	Today is Tuesday.
Fielding	Go on.
Godbole	Not a wise day to undertake such a journey. Extremely inauspicious, Mr Fielding.
Fielding	Godbole.


	[scene: Inside the railway carriage]

Miss Quested	I wouldn't have missed this for anything.
Selim	Memsahib.
Miss Quested	Oh, thank you.
Selim	Tea coming.
Miss Quested	Yes. What a relief after Anthony.
Mrs Moore	Rather a strange place to do the cooking.


	[scene: Inside Mr Fielding's house]

Fielding	I always feel rather embarrassed when people I dislike are good to me. And I really don't care for Mrs Callendar. But she's visiting a clinic, she says the road goes up to just below the caves. We'd better leave in half an hour. Would you care for a coffee?


	[scene: Outside Mr Fielding's house. Godbole hurries away]



	[scene: On the railway train. Aziz walks outside the carriage]

Dr Aziz	Miss Quested!
Miss Quested	Oh, no.
Dr Aziz	Is Mrs Moore awake?
Miss Quested	Yes. But please... go in!
Dr Aziz	Don't worry, Miss Quested. Look, I am Douglas Fairbanks.
Mrs Moore	Tell me, dear. What's going on out there?
	Mrs Moore, we're almost there. I will now explain to you about the ladder. It is to be your big surprise.


	[scene: At the Marabar Hills, on an elephant]

	(villagers cheering. music plays. much excitement)
Dr Aziz	You cannot imagine how you honour me. I feel that I am journeying back into my past, and that I'm a Mogul emperor.
	(elephant bells)
Dr Aziz	Sometimes I shut my eyes and dream... I have splendid clothes again. And that I'm riding into battle behind Alamgir. He too rode an elephant.
	(a kite calls. they arrive at the lower cave)
Mrs Moore	Horrid, stuffy place, really. Everything is very well arranged.
Dr Aziz	And here, ladies, is your port. The best caves are higher up, under the Kawa Dol. But we start in this one. The guide says, everyone to go in quietly. All sounds make an echo, and many sounds create inharmonious effect.
Mrs Moore	I do hope I shall be all right. In my early days with Ronny's father, I made rather a fool of myself in the chamber of horrors.
Dr Aziz	Horrors? What horrors?
Mrs Moore	The waxwork museum. He was a very conventionaI young man, which made it all rather worse.
Dr Aziz	This was not Stella's father?
Mrs Moore	No, no. He was very unconventional. My goodness me...
Guide	Sahib, sahib. (speaks Urdu to Aziz)
Dr Aziz	Hassan! Selim!


	[scene: Inside the lower Marabar cave]

	(baby crles)
	(echo)
Guide	Shh. Shh.
	(echo dies away)
	(intensifying rumble)
Guide	Kawa Dol.
	(echo)
	(rumble and echo) (Guide invites Aziz to try the echo)
Dr Aziz	Mrs Moore!
	(echo)
Mrs Moore	Please, please.
	(rumble)
	(voices)
Miss Quested	Are you all rlght?
Mrs Moore	Yes, yes.
Miss Quested	Are you sure?
Mrs Moore	Yes. Godbole never mentioned the echo.
Miss Quested	No. And far too many people. Would you like something to drink?
Mrs Moore	Oh, thank you.
Mrs Moore	I suppose, like many old people, I sometimes think we are merely passing figures in a godless universe. Get me some water. Oh.
Miss Quested	There you are.
Mrs Moore	Thank you, my dear. I didn't know you'd gone. Now, now.
Dr Aziz	We should be thinking of moving on before the sun gets too high.
Mrs Moore	Do forgive me, Dr Aziz. I'm rather tired, so I think I'll stay here. I've never been a good walker, and you two will get on much better without me.
Dr Aziz	Dear Mrs Moore, nothing to forgive. You're right. It is quite a big climb. And I'm glad you're not coming, because you're treating me with true frankness, as a friend.
Mrs Moore	I am your friend. So may I make a suggestion?
Dr Aziz	Of course.
Mrs Moore	Don't take quite so many people with you this time. I think you'll find it more convenient. It does get rather crowded.
Dr Aziz	Exactly, exactly. We shall take just the guide. Right?
Mrs Moore	Quite right. And enjoy yourselves. Ah!


	[scene: Aziz and Quested stop halfway to upper caves]

Miss Quested	It's almost a mirage. Dr Aziz, may I ask you something rather personal? You were married, weren't you?
Dr Aziz	Yes, indeed.
Miss Quested	Did you love your wife when you married her?
Dr Aziz	We never set eyes on each other until the day we were married. It was all arranged by our families. I only saw her face in a photograph.
Miss Quested	What about love?
Dr Aziz	We were a man and a woman. And we were young.
Miss Quested	Dr Aziz, did you have more than one wife?
Dr Aziz	One. One, in my case.


	[scene: At the upper Marabar caves]

Dr Aziz	I'll be back in a moment. (Aziz goes for cigarette)
	(Aziz talks to guide in Urdu - where is Miss Quested?)
Dr Aziz	Miss Quested!
	(echo)
	(rumble)
	Miss Quested!
	Miss Quested?
	Miss Quested?
	(rumble)


	[scene: back at the lower cave]

Mrs Moore	What's happened?
Selim	Elephant taking bath, memsahib.
Mrs Moore	Something else.


	[scene: Miss Quested runs down hill]

	(sobs)


	[scene: At the upper cave]

Dr Aziz	Miss Quested! Miss Quested! Miss Quested!
	Miss Quested?
	(Aziz hits guide) Fool!
	(car horn below. Miss Quested gets in car)


	[scene: At the lower cave. Fielding arrives]

Fielding	Morning, Mrs Moore.
Mrs Moore	Mr Fielding.
Fielding	So sorry about this morning. Everything going well?
Mrs Moore	Have you seen Miss Quested and Dr Aziz?
Fielding	No. I've just walked up from the road. I'm dying for a drink. Be with you in a moment.
Fielding	Good lord! (asks for water in Urdu)
Mrs Moore	Oh, Mr Fielding, I'm so glad you're here.
Fielding	Oh, I was coming over to you. Nothing wrong?
Mrs Moore	Not exactly. But they went off with the guide an hour ago More, in fact, and somehow...
Fielding	I don't know this place, but I'm sure they'll be back soon. Not to worry.
Dr Aziz	Fielding! Fielding! (he runs)
Dr Aziz	Fielding. Fielding, I've so wanted you.
Mrs Moore	Where is Miss Quested?
Fielding	What is it?
Dr Aziz	She went down the road. I think she met Mrs Callendar. It looked like her car.
Fielding	Well of course it was her car. She drove me here.
Dr Aziz	Oh.
Fielding	Why did Miss Quested go off with Mrs Callendar?
Dr Aziz	I don't know.
Mrs Moore	But, Dr Aziz, where did you part with her? I don't understand.
Dr Aziz	Nor do I. I went round the corner to have a cigarette...
Fielding	And?
Dr Aziz	And when I came back, the guide couldn't remember which cave she'd gone into. So I looked in all the caves, and when I came out of... I think it was the third cave, I... I saw these. And then I think it was then I heard the car. So I ran over to the edge and I saw Miss Quested getting in. And... and then she drove away with Mrs Callendar. That's all. And these.
Mrs Moore	I think we'd all better go back.
Dr Aziz	Oh, Mrs Moore... Our great day is in tatters. I will never forgive myself. Hassan! Selim! (he speaks to them in Urdu)
Fielding	Aziz is an innocent.Something else must have happened.
Mrs Moore	Of course something else happened. This is a dangerous place for new arrivals.


	[scene: At Major Callendar's bungalow]

Miss Quested	(sobbing)
Mrs Callendar	Now lie back, dear. Do your best to relax.
Miss Quested	I can't get rid of them. I can't...
Mr Callendar	You'll be better very soon now.


	[scene: In railway carriage, returning to Chandrapore]

Fielding	After we've seen off Mrs Moore, like it or not I'm going to take you back for a good stiff drink. Here we are. Good lord, quite a crowd.


	[scene: Train arrives at Chanderapore]

Haq	Dr Aziz, it is my painful duty to arrest you.
Fielding	What on earth are you talking about?
Haq	Sir, I am instructed not to say.
Fielding	Don't answer me like that. Produce your warrant.
Haq	Sir, excuse me. No warrant is required under these particular circumstances. Please refer to Superintendent McBryde.
Fielding	We certainly will. Come along, old chap. Some ridiculous mistake.
Haq	Dr Aziz, will you please come? A closed conveyance is in the yard.


	[scene: Aziz tries to escape through the rear door]

Fielding	For God's sake! Never, never act the criminal. McBryde's a decent fellow. We'll see him together.
Dr Aziz	But my children, my name...
Fielding	Nothing of the sort. We're coming, Mr Haq.


	[scene: On the platform]

Mrs Moore	What is it?
Heaslop	Come. I've got a car waiting outside.
Mrs Moore	Just a minute. That's Mr Fielding's and Dr Aziz's compartment.
Heaslop	I'll explain outside.
Mrs Moore	I can't possibly leave without speaking to them.
Heaslop	Please come along, Mother. I know what I'm doing. Make way, please! Make way, please!
Fielding	Come on. Take my arm. I'll see you through.
Mr Turton	Fielding! Fielding, I want a word with you.
Dr Aziz	Please... Please don't leave me.
Fielding	I have to go. I'll be with you as soon as I possibly can.
Heaslop	Please, Mother, come along.
Mrs Moore	I will not! Something very terrible is happening.


	[scene: Turton takes Fielding inside station-masters office]

Fielding	Absolutely impossible. Grotesque.
Mr Turton	I'm afraid not.
Fielding	But who brings this infamous charge?
Mr Turton	Mrs Callendar, who witnessed the poor girl's flight down the ravine..., and the victim herself.
Fielding	Miss Quested accuses Dr Aziz of attempted rape?
Mr Turton	Yes.
Fielding	Then she's mad.
Mr Turton	I cannot pass that remark.
Fielding	I'm sorry, sir. But the charge must rest on some dreadful misunderstanding. Five minutes will clear it up.
Mr Turton	It does indeed rest on a misunderstanding. I've had 25 year's experience in this country, and I have never known anything but disaster result when English and Indians attempt to be intimate.
Fielding	And do you know who transcribed this script?
Mr Turton	Yes. It was T i m from m-a-p-a-b-i-l-i-t-y dot c-o-m


	[scene: Inside Chandrapore Police Station]

	(door slams)


	[scene: Outside Chandrapore Police Station. Fielding arrives by tonga]

McBryde	Oh, I hate these damned festivals. I'll be glad when it's over. Always have a feeling they might go over the top.
Callendar	You have a visitor. I think I'll be off. See you tonight.


	[scene: In McBryde's office]

McBryde	She hit him with these. That's how she escaped.
Fielding	If he had assaulted her, he'd scarcely bring the evidence back with him.
McBryde	Doesn't surprlse me.
Fielding	I don't follow.
McBryde	When you think of crime, you think of English crime. The psychology's different here. And particularly in regard to women. I've been going through his wallet. Here's a letter from a friend who apparently keeps a brothel.
Fielding	I don't want to hear his private letters.
McBryde	It'll have to be quoted in court as bearing on his morals. Our respectable young doctor was fixing up to see tarts in Calcutta.
Fielding	Oh, come on. You may have the right to throw stones at a young man for that sort of thing, but I haven't.
	(policeman enters with note)
McBryde	Tell them to wait.
Policeman	Sir.
McBryde	Aye, it starts already. Vakil Hamidullah and Mahmoud Ali, legal advisors to the prisoner.
Fielding	Where is Miss Quested now?
McBryde	Staying with the Callendars until she's out of danger.
Fielding	What danger?
McBryde	She has a fever. But much worse, literally hundreds of cactus spines are embedded in her arms and legs. Until they're removed, there's a danger of them entering the bloodstream.
Fielding	Yes.
McBryde	Her scramble down that ravine, it was so precipitate it started a small avalanche of stones which stopped Mrs Callendar's car. She hooted, thinking work was going on above, and then she saw her. She had got among some cactuses and was beginning to panic.
Fielding	I suppose there's no possibility of my seeing Miss Quested?
McBryde	She's in no state to see anyone. Callendar's placed her under heavy sedation and proposes to keep her like that for several days. He's worried about shock.
Fielding	I see. But afterwards?
McBryde	Why on earth do you want to see her?
Fielding	I want to ask her if she's certain, dead certain, that it was Aziz.
McBryde	Callendar could ask her that.
Fielding	I want someone who believes in him to ask her.
McBryde	What difference would that make?
Fielding	She is surrounded by people who don't trust Indians.
McBryde	Look, I don't want to be an alarmist, but, in my opinion, the situation is going to become very nasty in the next few weeks.
Fielding	I would think so. May I see Aziz?
McBryde	Only on a magistrate's order.
Fielding	To whom do I apply?
McBryde	The city magistrate.
Haq	Nothing else excepting clothes, sir. But these were under the bed.
McBryde	Very useful, Haq.
Haq	Thank you, sir. And there is also that.
Fielding	That's his wife.
McBryde	How do you know that?
Fielding	He showed me that photograph. She's dead.
McBryde	I see. Well, I must press on with the report. I hope to see you at the club on Saturday. I believe Turton wants us all there.


	[scene: Outside McBryde's office]

Hamidullah	You are very good to greet us in this public fashion, Mr Fielding.
Fielding	For goodness sake.
Hamidullah	Did Mr McBryde say anything when my card came in?
Fielding	No.
Hamidullah	I'm wanting ball. Do you think my application annoyed him?
Fielding	He wasn't annoyed. And if he was, what does it matter?
Hamidullah	I might prejudice him against Aziz.
Fielding	Nonsense. This is no way to be thinking. Aziz is innocent, and everything we do must be based on that.
Hamidullah	Mr Fielding, are you on our side against your own people?
Fielding	It would seem so. I think we'd better go somewhere else.


	[scene: A tea-shop, in the bazaar]

Hamidullah	(orders 3 teas in Urdu) We've been thinking about who should be counsel for defence?
Fielding	You, surely.
Hamidullah	We need someone from a distance, someone who cannot be intimidated. Have you heard of Amritrao?
Fielding	Amritrao? The Calcutta man?
Hamidullah	A high reputation.
Mahmoud Ali	Notoriously anti-British. Freedom Movement.
Fielding	That worries me.
Mahmoud Ali	Why?
Fielding	Amritrao would be regarded as a political challenge.
Hamidullah	When I saw my friend's private papers carried in just now, in the arms of that police inspector, I said to myself 'Amritrao is the man to clear this up.'
Fielding	Let's not go too fast. We're bound to win. There's nothing else we can do. She'll never be able to substantiate the charges.


	[scene: Adela's bedroom in Major Calendar's bungalow]

Mrs Callendar	(whispers) She's been complaining about an echo in her head.
Mrs Moore	What about the echo?
Mrs Callendar	She can't get rid of it.
Mrs Moore	Huh. I don't suppose she ever will.
Mrs Callendar	Back in a moment.
Heaslop	Mother, that was unkind.
Mrs Moore	Unkind? Unkind? What about poor Dr Aziz and those terrible police?
Heaslop	Mother, quiet, please.
Mrs Moore	I won't be quiet. Aziz is certainly innocent.
Heaslop	You don't know that.
Mrs Moore	I know about people's characters, as you call them. It's not the sort of thing he would do.
Heaslop	Whatever you think, the case has got to come before a magistrate now. It really must. The machinery has started.
Mrs Moore	Yes. She has started the machinery. It will work to its end.


	[scene: At Mr Fielding's house]

Fielding	(speaks Urdu to tonga driver) Ah, Godbole.
Godbole	I see you are in a hurry.
Fielding	Yes, I've got to get out of these things and go back into town.
Godbole	May I speak to you just for a moment?
Fielding	Er, yes. Come in, if you don't mind me changing.
Godbole	I wanted to apologise for this morning.
Fielding	Oh, it's all right.
Godbole	I hope the expedition was successful.
Fielding	The news hasn't reached you then?
Godbole	Oh, yes.
Fielding	No. A dreadful thing has happened. Aziz has been arrested.
Godbole	Oh, yes. That is all round the college.
Fielding	An expedition where that occurs can hardly be called successful.
Godbole	I cannot say. I was not there.
Fielding	No.
Godbole	I must not detain you, but I have a prlvate difficulty on which I require your help. I'm leaving your service shortly, as you know. I'm returning to the place of my childhood to take charge of education there. I want to start a school that will be as much like this as possible.
Fielding	Well?
Godbole	The point on which I desire advice is, what name should be given to the school?
Fielding	A name for the school?
Godbole	A suitable title.
Fielding	Godbole, have you grasped that Aziz is in prison?
Godbole	Yes, yes. I only meant that when you're less worried you might think the matter over. I had thought, with your permission, of the Richard Fielding High School. But, failing that, the King Emperor George V.
Fielding	Godbole, let me ask you something. I was under the impression that you liked Aziz.
Godbole	Most certainly.
Fielding	Then how can you be so indifferent? Don't you care what happens to him?
Godbole	Yes, yes, but it is of no consequence if I care or do not care. The outcome is already decided.
Fielding	Destiny, karma.
Godbole	Just so. Mr Fielding, we are all part of a pattern we cannot perceive.
Fielding	No doubt.
Godbole	Why did Mrs Moore bring Miss Quested to Chandrapore?
Fielding	To marry the city magistrate.
Godbole	Yes... Or to go to the Marabar with Dr Aziz. Or perhaps to meet you.
Fielding	Very beguiling. But at this moment my only interest is to do something for Aziz.
Godbole	Excuse me, but nothing you do will change the outcome.
Fielding	So do nothing. Is that your phllosophy?
Godbole	My philosophy is you can do what you like, but the outcome will be the same.


	[scene: in the Chandrapore police cells]

	(door opens)
Dr Aziz	Did you get bail?
Hamidullah	They're afraid your presence might incite further trouble.
Mahmoud Ali	Even riots.
Hamidullah	(whispers) We've received a telegram from Calcutta.
Dr Aziz	From Calcutta?
Hamidullah	Amritrao is going to defend you.
Dr Aziz	Amritrao?
Hamidullah	Read, read.
Dr Aziz	What is 'disbursement'?
Hamidullah	Fee. He will not accept a fee.


	[scene: In the Club, all the Europeans together]

Mr Turton	Good evening.
all	Good evening.
	(crowd shouting)
Mr Turton	There's not the least cause for alarm. I want everything to go on precisely as usual. So don't start carrying arms about. Ladies, don't go out any more than you can help, and don't talk before your servants. Remember, one isolated Indian has attempted... has been charged with an attempted crlme. And he will be brought to trial.
Mrs Turton	Harry - Those drums are merely the festival, of course?
Mr Turton	Yes, indeed. And no doubt they'll be banging away throughout the night.
Calendar	Apologies, Collector Sahib, everyone. Heaslop's just behind me and I want to say a word before he comes in, if I may.
Mr Turton	Of course.
Calendar	He needs all our support. Fact is, he blames himself for allowing such an expedition, as indeed do I for giving the wretch leave. And then there's his mother. It's been a most unsettling experience for an old lady. Now the good news is that the victim is greatly improved and...
Mr Turton	Ah, Heaslop, come along in. Good to have you with us.
Heaslop	For goodness sake, do sit down, please.
Mr Turton	Up here, Ronny. Come and join us up here.
Heaslop	Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Please, do sit down.
man	Some of us never got up.
Mr Turton	We were delighted to hear the major's report on Miss Quested.
Heaslop	Thank you, sir. I didn't mean to interrupt the meeting in this way.
Mr Turton	Not at all. I was saying before you arrived that you'd refused bail. I was about to add that there's a certain member here present who's known to be in contact with the prisoner's defence. I'd like to say one can't run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. At least, not in this country.
Fielding	I would like to say something, sir.
Mr Turton	Please do.
Fielding	I believe Dr Aziz is innocent. I shall await the verdict of the court. If he is found guilty, I shall resign from the college and leave India. I resign from the club now.


	[scene: Evening, outside Heaslop's bungalow]

Callendar	She's old. You mustn't forget that. Old people never take things as one expects. They can cause a great deal of trouble.


	[scene: In Mrs Moore's bedroom]

	(knocking)
Heaslop	Are you all right, Mother?
Mrs Moore	Just... just having a little rest. It's very hot.
Heaslop	Yes, it is. And I do wish I could persuade you not to undertake such a journey at this time of year. At least stay until the monsoon. It's very close now.
Mrs Moore	So much to do, so little time to do it.
Heaslop	To do what, Mother?
Mrs Moore	Settle things up. See Stella. Get away from all this muddle and fuss into some cave of my own, some shelf.
Heaslop	Quite so. But meanwhile the trial is coming on.
Mrs Moore	I told you before I don't want to have anything to do with it.
Heaslop	But the fact remains that you are an important witness. You dropped off after the first cave and let Adela go on with him alone. And no one blames you, Mother. He stage-managed the whole thing by cramming in all those villagers and frightening you with that echo. Mumbo jumbo, but very effective.
Mrs Moore	You will never understand the nature of that place, nor will anyone else in that ridiculous court of yours. I don't wish to discuss it further.
Heaslop	Very well, Mother. Will you at least stay for our marriage?
Mrs Moore	You are getting married?
Heaslop	Of course. Why do you ask?
Mrs Moore	I wondered. All this rubbish about love. Love in a church, love in a cave, as if there were the least difference. And I held up from my business over such trifles.
Heaslop	I don't understand you. I've never understood you any more than you've understood me. But what of Adela?
Mrs Moore	I like Adela. She has character.
Heaslop	Then don't you want to help her?
Mrs Moore	Nothing I can say or do will make the least difference.
Heaslop	If that is really how you feel, Mother, then you must go.


	[scene: Night - at Chandrapore station. Mrs Moore leaves]

Heaslop	Goodbye.


	[scene: In the official car, on the way to the trial]

Mr Turton	You mustn't upset yourself, my dear. The verdict's a foregone conclusion.
Miss Quested	It isn't that. Ermm I'm all right really.
Mr Turton	Of course you know you almost certainly won't be called untill tomorrow. McBryde will take up most of the morning. Then there's Amritrao, who'll be up to all his tricks and playing to the Indian gallery.
	(agitated crowd shouting)
	(smashed car of window)
Mrs Turton	Come along, dear. We're there.


	[scene: Inside the courtroom]

Mrs Turton	What are you doing here?
Heaslop	I'm an interested party, Mrs Turton. I've handed over to my deputy.
Mrs Turton	And who is your deputy?
	(the Indian judge, Das, comes in)
	(gavel)
Heaslop	Das is a good man, Mrs Turton.
McBryde	Thank you, sir. On April 3rd of this year, Miss Quested and her friend, Mrs Moore, were invited to a tea party at the house of the principal of Government College. It was here that prisoner first met Miss Quested, a young girl fresh from England. Until this unfortunate party, the prisoner had never before been in such close proximity to an English girl. In consideration of the ladies present, I will merely allude to the fact that prisoner is a widower, now living alone. And in the course of our evidence, I'll be providing ample proof of his state of mind. Now, before taking you through the history of this crime, I want to state what I believe to be a universal truth. The darker races are attracted to the fairer. But not vice versa.
Amritras	Even when the lady is less attractive than the gentleman?
	(laughter)
Das	Order! Order! Order! Order!


	[scene: At night, on deck of ocean liner]

	(heartbeat. Mrs Moore dies)


	[scene: Chandrapore courtroom]

Das	I must warn members of the public and certain members of the defence that the insulting behaviour and rowdiness which marred yesterday's proceedings will not be tolerated.
Heaslop	Well said, Das. Quite right.
Das	Mr McBryde.
McBryde	Thank you. I shall begin, Sir, by reminding you of my contention that prisoner proposed the expedition to the caves with a premeditated intention of making advances to Miss Quested. I've made it my business to visit the Marabar during the last few days. It's an inaccessible, barren place, entailing, as you have heard, conslderable planning and expense to get there. The caves themselves are dark, featureless, and without interest, except for a strange echo. A curious place for such an elaborate picnic. The servants were all supplied by prisoner's Indian friends, with the one exception of the witness, Anthony. Anthony had received explicit instructions from Mr Heaslop to stay with the ladies at all times. Yet he remained behind. Yesterday you heard him admit that he had accepted money from the prisoner minutes before the departure of the train. And that brought us to Mr Fielding. We are asked to believe he was prevented from catching the train because another friend of the prisoner's, Professor Godbole, was saying his prayers. Prayers. After a most unpleasant altercation, I withdrew my hypothesis that similar persuasion had contributed towards this excess of religious zeal.
Amritrao	I object, sir. Mr McBryde is quite blatantly using this opportunity to repeat the slander.
Das	Objection sustained!
Mahmoud Ali	Ha!
	(laughter in court)
Das	Order! Order! Order!
McBryde	Prisoner had yet to rid himself of a third impediment. The lady in question suffered from what is known in medical parlance as 'claustrophobia'. Prisoner achieved his objective by entering the first cave with Miss Quested and the guide, leaving this elderly lady in the rear, where she was crushed and crowded by servants and villagers.
Dr Aziz	Mrs Moore. He's speaking of Mrs Moore!
Das	Quiet.
Mahmoud Ali	Are you accusing my client of attempted murder as well as rape? Now who is this lady he's talking about? I don't understand.
Dr Aziz	The lady I met in the mosque. Mrs Moore.
Mahmoud Ali	Mrs Moore? you speak of Mrs Moore?
McBryde	I don't propose to call her.
Mahmoud Ali	You don't propose to call her because you can't! She was smuggled out of the country because she was on our side. She would have proved his innocence.
Das	You could have called her yourself. Neither side called her, neither may quote her as evidence.
Mahmoud Ali	But she was kept from us! This is English justice? This is your British Raj? Just give us back Mrs Moore for five minutes.
Heaslop	If the point is of any interest, my mother should be reaching Aden at noon today, their time.
Mahmoud Ali	Banished by you!
Das	Please, please. This is no way to defend your case.
Mahmoud Ali	I'm not defending a case. And you are not trying one. We are both slaves!
Das	Mr Mahmoud Ali, unless you sit down, I shall have to exercise my authority.
Mahmoud Ali	Do so! This trial is a farce! I'm going! I ruin my career!
Dr Aziz	Mrs Moore! Where are you, Mrs Moore?
Mahmoud Ali	We want Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore!
Das	Order! Order!
Mahmoud Ali	Farewell, my friend. (says in Urdu to crowd outside 'Listen') They have taken Mrs Moore! (speaks more Urdu)
Mahmoud Ali	Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore!
crowd	Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore!
Mahmoud Ali	Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore!
	(crowd chanting)
Miss Quested	Isn't it strange? Rather wonderful.
Heaslop	I knew they'd try something like this.
Das	Quiet, please.
Heaslop	Poor old Das.
Das	Quiet! Order!
Amritrao	I apologise for my colleague. He's an intimate friend of our client, and his feelings have carried him away.
Das	Mr Mahmoud Ali will have to apologise in person.
Amritrao	Exactly, sir, he must.
Das	I must repeat that, as a witness, Mrs Moore does not exist. Neither you, Mr Amritrao, nor Mr McBryde, you, have any right to surmise what that lady would have said. She is not here and, consequently, she can say nothing.


	[scene: On the deck of an ocean liner. Mrs Moores funeral takes place]

Officer	Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts. Shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer. We therefore commit her body to the deep to be turned into corruption. Looking for the resurrection of the body, when the sea shall give up her dead. I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: 'Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord.'


	[scene: Back to the courtroom]

crowd	(chanting) Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore!
McBryde	I now call upon Miss Quested.
Court Official	Place your hand on the book...
Miss Quested	...and nothing but the truth.
Das	Quiet, please. Silence!
McBryde	Now, Miss Quested... I would like to take you back to the moment when you came out of that first cave and found Mrs Moore collapsed in her chair. Are you with me?
Miss Quested	Yes.
McBryde	Did she offer any explanation?
Miss Quested	Err.. she said she was upset by the echo and that she was tired.
McBryde	And taking advantage of her distress and fatigue, prisoner instructed the villagers and servants to remain behind, and took you off alone with the guide.
Miss Quested	Yes. But it was at Mrs Moore's suggestion.
McBryde	I don't quite follow.
Miss Quested	She'd been worried by the crowd and the stuffiness.
McBryde	And was concerned that you might be subjected to the same ordeal.
Miss Quested	No. She wanted us to enjoy ourselves. She said so. She likes Dr Aziz.
McBryde	Yes, I think I understand the situation. Yesterday, Mr Fielding sald that Mrs Moore was what he described as 'charmed' by him.
Miss Quested	It was more than that. She liked him.
McBryde	Nevertheless, you'd only met him on two occasions before the day of the crime.
Miss Quested	Yes.
McBryde	So it might possibly have been a rather impetuous assessment.
Miss Quested	Possibly. She's like that.
McBryde	Miss Quested, you heard this morning the slur cast on British justice by the defence. It is most important that you tell the court the absolute truth of what took place, painful as it may be.
Miss Quested	I was brought up to tell the truth.
McBryde	Of course.
Miss Quested	I'm sorry.
McBryde	That's quite all right. Now, Miss Quested, you went off up the slope with the prisoner and the guide.
Miss Quested	Yes.
McBryde	Take your time and cast your mind back. Miss Quested?


	[scene: She has flash-backs]

McBryde	Miss Quested, we were going up the slope. Is something wrong?
Miss Quested	I think it may have partly been my fault.
McBryde	Why?
Miss Quested	We'd stopped to look out over the plain. I could hardly see Chandrapore except through Mr Heaslop's binoculars. I asked Dr Aziz if he loved his wife when he married her. I shouldn't have done that.
Das	Then why did you do it?
Miss Quested	I was thinking of my own marriage. Mr Heaslop and I had only just become engaged. Seeing Chandrapore so far away, I realised I didn't love him.
	(murmuring in court)
Das	Quiet, please. Quiet.
McBryde	Miss Quested, you and the prisoner continued up to the caves?
Miss Quested	Yes.
McBryde	Where was the gulde?
Miss Quested	He'd gone on ahead.
McBryde	Sent on ahead?
Miss Quested	No, he was waiting for us further along the ledge.
McBryde	But when you reached the caves, prisoner left you and went to speak to the guide?
Miss Quested	I don't know if he spoke to him or not.
McBryde	He left you and went off in his direction.
Miss Quested	Yes.
McBryde	And what did you do?
Miss Quested	I waited.
Das	You said just now 'I think it may have been partly my fault.' Why?
Miss Quested	I had asked him about love.
Das	And had thereby introduced a feeling of intimacy?
Miss Quested	That is what I meant.
Das	Thank you. Mr McBryde.
McBryde	Please tell the court exactly what happened.
Miss Quested	I lit a match.


	[scene: Flashback to scene at the caves]

Dr Aziz	Miss Quested! Miss Quested! Miss Quested?
McBryde	And the prisoner followed you.
	(rumble)
McBryde	Miss Quested, the prisoner followed you, didn't he?
Miss Quested	Could I please have a minute before I reply to that, Mr McBryde?
McBryde	Certainly.
Miss Quested	I'm... I'm not quite sure.
	(murmuring)
McBryde	I beg your pardon? You are in the cave, and the prisoner followed you. What do you mean, please?
Miss Quested	No.
Das	What is that? What are you saying?
Miss Quested	I'm afraid I've made a mistake.
Das	What nature of mistake?
Miss Quested	Dr Aziz never followed me into the cave.
	(louder murmuring)
McBryde	Now Miss Quested, let us go on. I will read you the deposition which you signed when you arrived back with Mrs Callendar.
Das	Mr McBryde, you cannot go on. I was speaking to the witness. And the public will be silent! Miss Quested, address your remarks to me. And remember - you speak on oath, Miss Quested.
Miss Quested	Dr Aziz...
Calendar	I stop these proceedings on medical grounds!
Das	Quiet! Please, sit down! You withdraw the accusation, Miss Quested? Answer me.
Miss Quested	I withdraw everything.
Das	Order! Order! The prisoner is released without one stain on his character!
Hamidullah	(rushing outside) Dr Aziz is free!
McBryde	Are you mad?
Miss Quested	No.
	(thunder rumbles. the rains start)
	(banging and screaming)
	(chanting) Dr Aziz! Dr Aziz!


	[scene: outside the courtroom. Aziz carried out shoulder high. All others leave hurriedly. Miss Quested wanders in a daze]

Mrs Callendar	Bitch.
man	We won!
Fielding	What do you think you've been doing? Miss Quested! Where are you going?
Miss Quested	I don't know.
Fielding	You can't wander about like this. Who did you come with?
Miss Quested	I shall walk.
Fielding	What madness. This could turn into a riot. We'll find my carriage. It's closed.
Dr Aziz	Richard! Richard!
Fielding	I'm coming back.
Miss Quested	Stay with him, please.
Fielding	I can't leave you here. Anything could happen. There we are.
man in crowd	Congratulations, sir!
man in crowd	We were waiting for you, sir!
Fielding	Thank you. Thank you very much. Make way, please. Thank you. Thank you. Where shall he take you?
Miss Quested	I don't know.
Fielding	What do you mean? Get in.
crowd	(cheering)
man in crowd	That was Mr Fielding!
man in crowd	And Mrs Moore!
crowd	(chanting) Mrs Moore!
Fielding	Why did you make such a charge if you were going to withdraw it? I ought to feel grateful to you, I suppose.
Miss Quested	I don't expect gratitude.
Fielding	Did you do it out of pity?
Miss Quested	My echo's gone. I call the noise in my head my echo. I've had it since the cave.
Fielding	Might the whole thing have been an hallucination? I have a hunch that poor old McBryde exorcised you. He took you back, step by logical step, into that cave, and you broke down quite suddenly.
Miss Quested	I thought you meant I'd seen a ghost.
Fielding	No, no.
Miss Quested	Mrs Moore believes in ghosts.
Fielding	Well, she's an old lady.
Miss Quested	What?
Fielding	No, I only meant that it's difficult, as we get older, not to believe that the dead live again.
Miss Quested	Because the dead don't live again.
Fielding	I fear not.
Miss Quested	So do I.


	[scene: Inside Mr Fielding's house]

Fielding	Ranjit! He must have gone to the tamasha, but I can make some tea. Oh, forgive me a moment. Oh, dear. (he reads telegram, then hands it to Miss Quested)
Miss Quested	'Annie Blair, fellow passenger.' I shall never see her again.
Fielding	Ah, Godbole.
Godbole	The boys said you were back.
Fielding	Yes.
Godbole	I'm leaving for Kashmir tomorrow morning to take up my duties as minister of education. I came to say goodbye.
Fielding	Yes? Er... come in.
Godbole	Thank you. Thank you. Miss Quested. Please, I want to give you my address and extend an open invitation for you to visit me. Have you seen the Himalayas, Mr Fielding?
Fielding	No. Miss Quested has just had some bad news.
Godbole	Oh, I am sorry. Mrs Moore.
Fielding	Yes.
Godbole	Addressed to you.
Fielding	Yes.
Godbole	Why did this lady send to you?
Fielding	I don't know.
Godbole	Mr Fielding, I would venture to remark...
Fielding	Now listen, Godbole.. Under the circumstances, I don't think we should pursue the matter further. (they go outside) I'm sorry, Godbole, but Miss Quested is extremely upset.
Godbole	Of course, of course. Nevertheless I...
Fielding	It presumably came up in a casual shipboard conversation. No doubt Heaslop will be hearing from the company.
Godbole	I see.
Fielding	I shan't tell Aziz until tomorrow. Hamidullah's bound to be putting on a celebration tonight, and it'll only upset him.
Godbole	Oh, and have you heard about the damages?
Fielding	Damages?
Godbole	Amritrao is asking twenty thousand rupees damages from... (he gestures to Miss Quested)
Fielding	Twenty thousand?
Godbole	And costs. Who could have foretold that Aziz would be saved by his enemy? What now, Mr Fielding?


	[scene: Fielding goes to Dr Aziz's house]

Fielding	Shukria. (knocks) Aziz!
Dr Aziz	Come in.
Fielding	Well, what a wonderful day for you.
Dr Aziz	I am an Indian at last. Where did you take her?
Fielding	I took her back to the college.
Dr Aziz	Why?
Fielding	After this morning, she'd nowhere else to go.
Dr Aziz	No?
Fielding	Heaslop? The Turtons? She had the entire Brltish Raj behind her pushing her on. But when she saw she was wrong, she stopped and sent the whole thing to smithereens. I wouldn't have had the courage.
Dr Aziz	(shouts in Urdu to Hassan 'Go')
Fielding	Do you mind if I sit?
Dr Aziz	Please.
Fielding	What will you do now?
Dr Aziz	Hamidullah's giving me a victory party with fireworks and music.
Fielding	Good. But I meant later. Now this dreadful business is over.
Dr Aziz	I shall look for another job. Hundreds of miles from here in an Indian state out of British India. And you?
Fielding	I shall probably go to England for a long leave.
Dr Aziz	Will you and she be going back on the same boat?
Fielding	No. I couldn't possibly get away before the end of next term. Miss Quested is going as soon as she can get a passage.
Dr Aziz	I see.
Fielding	Look...
Dr Aziz	I'm looking.
Fielding	Godbole tells me that Amritrao is asking twenty thousand rupees damages.
Dr Aziz	And costs.
Fielding	I'd hate to see her getting the worst of both worlds. It'll ruin her.
Dr Aziz	And me? Prison, my private letters read out in court, my wife's photograph taken to the station to be fingered by McBryde, all because a young girl 'fresh from England' got too much sun.
Fielding	I know.
Dr Aziz	And I know what you're going to ask next. You're going to ask me to let her off paying, twenty thousand rupees, right? Then, if I agree, the English will be able to say 'Here is an Indian that almost behaved like a gentleman. But for the colour of his face, we might even let him join the club.' Is that why you came here to see me? Answer me. In the end, you English always stick together. I want to have nothing more to do with any of you. Any of you! You can go back to the college and tell her to keep the money. Tell her to use it to buy herself a husband! Tell her...
Hassan	(speaks Urdu)
	(festive music and cheering )
Dr Aziz	Are you coming with me?
Fielding	I don't think so.


	[scene: at Aziz's hospital in Srinagar]
	(knocking)
Dr Aziz	Yes?
Hassan	Godbole Sahib.
Dr Aziz	This is a great honour, Professor. Anything wrong?
Godbole	No, no. They arrive at the state guest house this afternoon.
Dr Aziz	How long have you known they were coming?
Godbole	One month, possibly two.
Dr Aziz	And why did you not tell me?
Godbole	One cannot tell anyone anything unless they are ready to hear it.
Dr Aziz	And what does that mean?
Godbole	Mr Fielding wrote you letters from London and Bombay. You tore them up.
Dr Aziz	I did.
Godbole	That is my point.
Dr Aziz	'My dear Aziz, I have some news for you. I am going to marry someone whom you know.' The end of a foolish experiment. I have made a new life for myself up here... away from the English.
Godbole	I shall be going to the guest house to greet them. But my religious duties will be claiming my full attention for the next three days. He's come all this way to find you. Can you not let bygones be bygones and show them around?
Dr Aziz	I'm sorry, Godbole, but I've had enough of showing Miss Quested India.


	[scene: The Fieldings come through the tunnel into Kashmir]

Fielding	Stop. Let's stop for a moment.


	[scene: They get out of the car and look at the mountains]

Fielding	We must be getting on.


	[scene: Dal Lake, Srinagar. Fielding takes a boat to Dr Aziz's houseboat]

Boatman	Houseboat, sahib.
Fielding	Hello! Aziz! Well, here you are at last. I've been looking for you everywhere.
Dr Aziz	Akbar! Jamila! (commands them to go in Urdu)
Fielding	Your children?
Dr Aziz	Yes. I suppose Godbole told you I was here.
Fielding	The minister of education never tells anyone anything unless he has to. His only piece of information was that the King George V high school was destined not to be. I was supposed to inspect it. Anyhow, here I am. I've been visiting schools all over the country. We called in at Chandrapore. Your bungalow's been turned into a shop. Turton's retired, Callendar's been given the push. And Hamidullah sends his salaams. It was he who told me you'd moved up here. So I wrote, care of Godbole. Why didn't you answer my letters?
Dr Aziz	You married my enemy, stole my money.
Fielding	Aziz, I'm going to surprise you.
Dr Aziz	What do you mean?
Fielding	My wife is Mrs Moore's daughter.
Dr Aziz	Stella?
Fielding	Stella. Miss Quested introduced us.
Dr Aziz	What a blunder. Where is she?
Fielding	I left her at the guest house. You'll meet her tomorrow. She mustn't do too much just now.
Dr Aziz	She is carrying your chlld?
Fielding	Yes.
Dr Aziz	So after all, your name will not die out.
Fielding	That's right.
Dr Aziz	Mrs Moore. (he goes outside and shouts:) Mrs Moore!


	[scene: Dr Aziz is writing a letter]

Dr Aziz	And Stella believes the evil of the Marabar has been wiped out, and so do I. Dear Miss Quested, tonight is the Festival of Light, and I am writing this to ask you to forgive me. It has taken all this time for me to appreciate your courage. Because of you, I am happy here with my children instead of in prison. And because of you, I want to do kind actions all round. Richard and Stella left this morning.


	[scene: The Fieldings are ready to leave in their car]

Fielding	Goodbye.


	[scene: Dr Aziz is writing a letter]

Dr Aziz	I do not think I will ever see them again.

A Passage To India - Complete Script of the Movie

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