THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
Written by
Ol Parker
Based on the book THESE FOOLISH THINGS by Deborah Moggach
10/01/11
1 OVER BLACK 1
Muffled music; soothing, generic.
AUTOMATED VOICE
Thank you for your patience.
Your call is important to us. We
will be with you shortly.
2 INT. MANSION FLAT, LONDON - DAY 2
A neat, well-appointed flat, tastefully decorated. Framed
against a large window which looks out over the city, an
elegant woman in her 70's: EVELYN GREENSLADE. She's on the
phone, on hold.
On the desk in front of her is a brand new laptop computer;
the screen reads 'Getting Started ...'
AUTOMATED VOICE
(ON PHONE)
Thank you for your patience.
Your call is important to us. We
will be with you shortly.
Evelyn's patience is strained nonetheless. She taps her
fingers on the desk.
AUTOMATED VOICE (cont'd)
(ON PHONE)
Thank you for your patience.
Your call is -
A slightly-accented voice finally interrupts.
FEMALE VOICE
Mrs Greenslade, thank you for
WAITING -
EVELYN
(OVERLAPPING)
Yes, now if you could stay on the
phone for a moment and talk to
me, just talk to me. I'm not
even clear, I don't actually
understand what it is I'm trying
to order. Is wireless the same
as wi-fi? And what do either of
them have to do with broadband?
FEMALE VOICE
Mrs Greenslade, since the account
is not in your name, before we
can make any changes we need to
speak to the account holder. Can
I please talk to the account
holder?
EVELYN
What?
FEMALE VOICE
I'm asking if I can speak to the
account holder. Before we can
make any changes -
EVELYN
You can't talk to him, no.
(BEAT)
He's dead. He died. There's
only me.
3 INT. CORRIDOR/JUDGES CHAMBERS. INNS OF COURT - NIGHT 3
GILES, a judge in full wig and robes, moves quickly down a
corridor. He passes other judges, going the opposite way.
He arrives at the office of GRAHAM DASHWOOD, goes in.
GRAHAM is at his desk. His robes are on a hanger, his wig
is on a stand beside him.
GILES
We're late.
4 INT. CORRIDOR. INNS OF COURT - NIGHT 4
Moments later. Graham and Giles walk down the corridor.
GRAHAM
Bloody retirement parties. Hard
cheese, soft wine, and endless
speeches. Why do people do that?
No one ever said about any kind
of party: it was a wonderful
occasion, just a shame that the
speeches were so short.
GILES
it'll be you one day.
GRAHAM
One day very soon.
GILES
You've been saying that for
years.
They walk into a large room, full of lawyers.
4A INT. HALL. INNS OF COURT - CONTINUOUS 4A
At one end of the hall, a very old JUDGE is giving a very
dull speech.
3.
JUDGE
An occasion such as this leads
one to cast ones mind back to the
days when I first entered my
pupillage. I had the very good
fortune of serving as a junior to
Mr Justice Stancombe
Graham's not listening any more. He's looking around the
room. At the old, tired faces.
JUDGE (CONT'D)
. the unwelcome news that I
would transfer Chambers, bringing
to mind the old adage a fronte
praecipitium, a tergo 1upi
Everything seems to slow down, the judge's mouth moving
more and more sluggishly, though his voice remains the
same. The effect is strange .. then the sound of laughter.
GRAHAM
This is the day.
Everyone looks round at him. He's almost as surprised as
they are that he's spoken out loud.
GILES
Graham?
GRAHAM
This is the day.
He turns and walks out.
5 INT. HOSPITAL - DAY 5
Staff bustle around a busy A & E ward. MURIEL lies on a
bed in the corridor.
The Head Nurse, KAREN, rushes past.
MURIEL
Listen, young lady. I want a cup
of tea, and I want it now.
KAREN
The trolley will be along
shortly.
MURIEL
How hard d'you have to fall down
before you get some proper
attention? Hours I've been lying
here, and not a single doctor has
come to see me.
3A.
KAREN
Now that's not quite true, is it
Mrs Donnelly?
(MORE)
4.
KAREN (CONT'D)
A doctor did try and examine you,
and you sent him away.
MURIEL
That one?
She looks up to the far end of the ward, where a doctor is
washing his hands. He's black.
MURIEL
He can wash all he likes, that
colour's not coming out. I want
an English doctor.
KAREN
An English doctor? Why didn't
you say so? I'll get one right
away.
She goes away, comes back moments later with a tall,
handsome doctor. The bad news for Muriel is
KAREN (CONT'D)
This is Dr Ghujarapartidar. And
this is Mrs Donnelly.
5A EXT. NEW HOUSING ESTATE - DAY 5A
A crescent of identical bungalows, part of a brand new
retirement facility.
A mobility scooter carrying an elderly resident trundles
down the road.
ESTATE AGENT (O.S.)
.. with an unlimited range of
leisure opportunities just a
stone's throw away...
6 INT. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - DAY 6
A young estate agent, EVAN, is showing DOUGLAS and JEAN
around a very small, and very beige bungalow.
EVAN
So as I say, what you're looking
at here is very competitively
priced, you can't get better
value for your grey pound.
Another little feature, not
necessary right now, but give it
a couple of years
(POINTS)
. rails on the walls to help
you get around, and down here, a
panic button in case of a sudden
fall, brings the Warden running.
4A.
JEAN
What if we fell somewhere else?
EVAN
Sorry?
JEAN
It's just that we might not
manage to plan our sudden fall in
the exact corner where the button
is.
EVAN
Yeah. As I say -
5.
JEAN
And would it be possible to get
the rail to go through the middle
of the room as well?
DOUGLAS
DARLING
JEAN
To help us get across, not just
around?
DOUGLAS
(TO EVAN)
Could we have a moment, please?
Thanks. Thanks so much.
Evan goes.
JEAN
Thirty years in the Civil Service
and this is all we can afford?
DOUGLAS
Would it help if I apologized
again?
JEAN
No. But try it anyway.
7 INT. BAR - NIGHT 7
JUDITH (40ish) is sitting opposite someone. We don't see
whom.
JUDITH
And then after that I worked as a
systems analyst for a few years
but I just found it so dull, what
I really wanted was to do
something that was more creative,
that matched my ...
(BEAT)
I'm sorry. On the form they
asked for our age bracket, and
the age we wanted to meet . and
in both cases I ticked 35-45.
Now we see the man she's talking to. It's NORMAN. He's
dapper, nice looking. And at least 70.
NORMAN
That's right, yes. So did I.
They're at a speed dating evening. Numbered tables, etc.
NORMAN (CONT'D)
Anyway, don't stop. Something
MORE CREATIVE
6.
JUDITH
How old are you?
NORMAN
Early 40's.
JUDITH
D'you mean you were born in the
early 40's?
NORMAN
Judy, I know what you're asking -
JUDITH
It's Judith.
NORMAN
Judith. And trust me, I've still
got it.
The bell goes; the signal for the women to get up and move
along to the next table. Judith leaves without looking
back.
NORMAN (CONT'D)
I just can't find anyone that
wants it.
Another hopeful candidate arrives opposite Norman. And
looks crestfallen at what's on offer.
8 INT/EXT. BEDROOM/STAIRS/HALL. FAMILY HOUSE - DAY 8
MADGE is in her bedroom. She's arguing with her son-in-law
CRAIG. Madge's suitcases are by the door.
CRAIG
This is crazy. You're crazy.
You can't just up and leave like
this.
MADGE
And yet if you watch me, that's
exactly what you'll see happen.
She picks up her suitcases, heads out of the room. Madge's
daughter JESSICA is on the landing.
JESSICA
What's going on?
CRAIG
Your mother's lost it.
JESSICA
My mother never had it.
7.
CRAIG
Talk to her. She doesn't listen
to me.
MADGE
Nobody listens to you.
She heads down the stairs. Craig and Jessica follow.
MADGE (CONT'D)
(TO JESSICA)
It's one of the great mysteries
of life that someone so vibrant
and fascinating as my daughter
should choose to spend her life
with this fraction of a man.
JESSICA
I still don't understand what's
going on.
CRAIG
I just asked her to babysit. And
now she says she's leaving.
They're at the bottom of the stairs. Jessica's children,
LIAM and KATIE, are watching.
JESSICA
But you love babysitting.
MADGE
I loved it last night.
LIAM
We had pizza and stayed up late.
MADGE
And the night before.
KATIE
We had Chinese and stayed up
late.
LIAM
If you don't go, tonight we could
do a curry.
MADGE
It's tempting, my darlings, but
you know why I must leave.
LIAM
We know.
KATIE
(to her parents)
Being here is stopping her
finding a husband.
8.
CRAIG
Another one?
LIAM AND KATIE
Bye Granny.
MADGE
Don't let the buggers get you
down.
Madge turns to go.
CRAIG
How many husbands have you had,
anyway?
She turns back, smiles.
MADGE
Including my own?
Then she's out of the front door, and heading for the taxi.
JESSICA
Mother? Mother!
9 INT/EXT. TAXI - DAY 9
Moments later. Madge climbs into the back of the cab.
TAXI DRIVER
Name the place, darling. Where
are you going?
Madge smiles.
MADGE
I have absolutely no idea.
10 INT. MANSION FLAT - DAY 10
Evelyn, whom we saw earlier on the phone, is in the living
room. Her son CHRISTOPHER is there. And her lawyer
HAROLD.
CHRISTOPHER
There's no other way There
just isn't. Harold told us this
three months ago.
HAROLD
And I'm afraid matters have only
got worse.
8A.
CHRISTOPHER
We can't wait any longer. We
need to put this flat on the
market, and at least make a start
at paying off Dad's debts.
9.
Christopher turns to Harold.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I've talked it through with Polly
and the boys, and of course we
all agreed. Ma will move in with
us.
HAROLD
I think that's best, Evelyn.
It's what Hugh would've wanted.
They wait for confirmation from Evelyn. None comes.
CHRISTOPHER
Good. Settled. End of
discussion.
EVELYN
That's what your father used to
say.
CHRISTOPHER
MA -
EVELYN
When there'd never really been
any discussion at all.
CHRISTOPHER
I want to look after things for
you.
EVELYN
Like he did for forty years
CHRISTOPHER
Yes.
EVELYN
And look how that turned out.
She turns to Harold
EVELYN (CONT'D)
How can any of us know what Hugh
would've wanted? And would he
have seen fit to tell us anyway?
(BEST)
Obviously the flat has to be
sold.
(Best, then to Christopher)
And you're very kind. And dear
Polly. But no, I won't be coming
to live with you.
9A.
11 INT. HOSPITAL - DAY 11
Muriel has now been transferred to a ward. She is
listening to DR GHUJARAPARTIDAR.
DR GHUJARAPARTIDAR
You need a new hip, Mrs Donnelly.
It's not a difficult operation.
MURIEL
Easy for you to say, you're not
having it.
DR GHUJARAPARTIDAR
Regardless. You do need a new
hip.
MURIEL
I'm not getting it from you.
2nd Green Revisions I0/01/11 10.
DR GHUJARAPARTIDAR
Not me personally, no.
MURIEL
Not any of your lot.
DR GHUJARAPARTIDAR
I see.
MURIEL
So when do I have the operation?
DR GHUJARAPARTIDAR
I'm afraid you'll be on a waiting
list for at least six months.
MURIEL
At my age, I can't plan that far
ahead. I don't even buy green
bananas.
DR GHUJARAPARTIDAR
There is another way. Our
hospital trust is funding a new
pilot scheme, that will enable us
to out-source you to another
hospital, where they can perform
the procedure almost immediately,
and at a fraction of the cost.
MURIEL
Is it local?
DR GHUJARAPARTIDAR
That depends how you define
local.
12 INT. EVELYN'S FLAT/CHRISTOPHER'S OFFICE - NIGHT 12
Evelyn is on the phone to her son Christopher. They're
both sitting at computers. Evelyn's new-found dexterity is
impressive.
Around Evelyn's room are packing boxes, some already full.
CHRISTOPHER
(ON PHONE)
When did you get a computer?
EVELYN
How far along is the progress
bar? The strip at the bottom
that tells you -
CHRISTOPHER
I know what it is. What are you
showing me anyway?
11.
The webpage has come up. It's a picture of a beautiful old
building. And underneath is written 'THE BEST EXOTIC
MARIGOLD HOTEL'.
As Christopher gapes in horror, he hears a mellifluous
Indian voice.
INDIAN VOICE
'Come and spend your autumn years
in an Indian palace with the
sophistication of an English
country manor. Steeped in the
tradition of the Raj, tucked away
on the outskirts of Jaipur .'
13 INT. INTERNET CAFE - DAY 13
The mellifluous tones continue. Madge mouths the words to
herself as she scans the same web-page.
INDIAN VOICE
it exudes historical
ambience and is graced with
breathtaking surroundings .'
14 INT. SALON - DAY 14
Jean whom we earlier saw looking at the bungalow, is at
the hairdressers. Her stylist ABI listens to her reading a
computer printout for the same hotel. Which looks classy,
elegant, and welcoming.
Madge's voice bleeds into Jean's.
JEAN
(READING)
'Lofty terraces, open courtyards,
domes, arches and canopied
balconies transport one back in
time.'
ABI
I wouldn't mind going there
myself.
15 EXT. GOLF COURSE - DAY 15
In the background, a train rumbles along the Piccadilly
Line towards Heathrow.
Douglas, Jean's husband, is on the green with his friend
SIMON. Douglas is lining up a tricky putt.
SIMON
There won't be any golf courses.
12.
DOUGLAS
Just as well. I can't afford the
green fees.
SIMON
But a retirement home?
Douglas misses his putt.
DOUGLAS
It's a luxury development, where
all the residents are in their
golden years.
SIMON
Like the Costa Brava.
DOUGLAS
Yes. But with more elephants.
Simon holes out.
16 INT. JUDGES CHAMBERS - DAY 16
Graham, the judge, is in his office. It's nearly empty;
his entire life is being packed away.
His friend Giles watches him put more things in boxes.
GILES
How long have we known each
other? And you've never once
talked about India.
GRAHAM
D'you want these books?
GILES
You might need them again.
Graham smiles at him, calls out.
GRAHAM
Mrs Megson!
His cleaner, MRS MEGSON, comes in.
MRS MEGSON
Sir?
Graham takes a beautiful vase off the shelf, gives it to
her.
GRAHAM
I want you to have this.
MRS MEGSON
Are you sure?
13.
GRAHAM
Absolutely. There's a slight
crack on the bottom. But I think
you might know something about
that already.
Mrs Megson goes.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
I used to live there. A long
time ago.
17 INT. BASEMENT BEDSIT. EARLS COURT - DAY 17
A bedsit. Slightly down at heel, and sparsely furnished.
Norman, whom we met speed dating, is talking to someone.
We don't see who.
Quietly, in the background, Radio 2 music from an old
battery radio.
NORMAN
I have to go. I do. And I could
say I wish you'd come, but I've
never lied to you. We both know
I need more than you can offer.
We know that. Don't we?
We see who's sitting in front of him. An ancient
dachshund.
NORMAN (CONT'D)
(to the dog)
Don't make that face at me.
Norman's Polish landlady, MRS JELLINEK, is at the door.
MRS JELLINEK
(to her dog)
You. Upstairs.
The dog hops off the chair, and leaves. Norman watches him
go.
MRS JELLINEK (cont'd)
Any warm clothes you have use for
no more, I take them. And not
forget to leave keys when you go.
She leaves. Norman is left alone.
NORMAN
I'll miss you too.
14.
18 EXT. HOUSING ESTATE - DAY 18
The district ambulance driver, JACKSON, is pushing Muriel
in a wheelchair across a housing estate.
MURIEL
You know who'll be there, don't
you? Indians. Loads of them, A
sea of brown faces and black
hearts, all greasy haired and
reeking of spices. Never see one
on their own, do you? No,
becuase they hunt in packs. All
the better to rob me blind and -
JACKSON
You know what? You can take it
from here.
MURIEL
You're supposed to see me into my
flat. That's what they said.
JACKSON
My wife is from Mumbai.
He heads off. Muriel shouts after him.
MURIEL
No good moaning to me, mate. You
married her!
But he's gone.
Muriel wheels herself on over the bumpy ground.
19 EXT. PASSENGER DROP-OFF. STANSTED AIRPORT - EVENING 19
A reluctant Christopher is pushing a trolley carrying
Evelyn's cases to the terminal.
CHRISTOPHER
You're sure your tickets are in
order?
EVELYN
They should be. The hotel paid
for them. I'm sure they'd
rather have us there than not.
And its fantastically cheap for
the first three months.
CHRISTOPHER
I wonder why.
They walk on in silence.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
How will we know you're alright?
15.
EVELYN
I'll call. They do have phones
there, you know. Or you can
just read my blog.
CHRISTOPHER
Your what?
EVELYN
On the interweb. You can log in
whenever you like, read my news.
CHRISTOPHER
I just hope the first item will
be announcing your return. I
don't suppose they'll be paying
for the journey back...?
Evelyn stops. They've reached the terminal.
EVELYN
Could you please, before I go,
say one thing that is supportive?
Because I've never done anything
like this before.
CHRISTOPHER
Without Dad, you never did
anything at all. And i don't
think you'll be able to cope.
EVELYN
Well. I suppose we'll find out,
won't we?
They head into the building.
20 INT. CHECK-IN AREA. AIRPORT - EVENING 20
Madge is at the First Class Check-In desk.
MADGE
And the connecting flight to
Jaipur is first class too?
The check-in girl nods, hands Madge back her passport.
MADGE (CONT'D)
I tell you, it's tough to get
upgraded nowadays. I had to
flirt so hard with the travel
agent, it was practically phone
sex.
21 INT. SECURITY AREA. AIRPORT - EVENING 21
The light is fading.
15A.
Norman appears to be relishing a detailed search from a
female Security Guard.
NORMAN
Come on. Thorough as you like
Muriel is waiting to collect her bag from the belt.
SECURITY GUARD
We'd like to take a look in this
bag, Madam, if you don't mind.
He lifts the bag onto a table. It's heavier than he
thought.
16.
SECURITY GUARD (cont'd)
What you got in here anyway?
He opens the bag, stares in astonishment.
MURIEL
PG Tips. Brown sauce. Ten jars
of Marmite. Thirty one packets
of Chocolate Hobnobs. Pickled
onions. Pickled eggs. And
pickle.
SECURITY GUARD
No liquids on the plane.
MURIEL
What does that mean?
SECURITY GUARD
It means you can't take the
pickled onions. Or the pickled
eggs.
(BEAT)
The pickle's fine.
22 INT. BOARDING GATE. AIRPORT - EVENING/NIGHT 22
The passengers from Flight 1045 to Delhi are seated at the
gate, waiting to board.
Muriel is wheeled up by an attendant and parked at the end
of the only remaining row of empty chairs. Douglas and
Jean are already sitting there.
Jean smiles politely as Graham sits down a couple of seats
away.
Norman arrives, carrying his battery radio, sees an empty
place between Jean and Madge, who is sitting at the end.
He smiles knowingly at Madge as he sits.
Finally Evelyn takes the only available space, between
Graham and Douglas.
And there the seven passengers wait patiently, unaware of
their common fate.
The sound of a jet engine, quiet at first, finally engulfs
them.
23 EXT. RUNWAY. INDIA - DAWN 23
The plane cruises down through a stunning sunset, and lands
at Delhi Airport.
17.
24 INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL, DELHI - DAY 24
Evelyn, Douglas, Jean and Graham are descending on an
escalator. Madge is a few steps up.
JEAN
Obviously one's read one's
Kipling, but we view this as an
opportunity to explore another
culture, as well as making new
friends. And a retired judge is
just the class of guest one was
hoping for, isn't it Douglas?
DOUGLAS
I'm sorry?
GRAHAM
(TO EVELYN)
And is this your first time in
India?
JEAN
You don't seem like an
experienced traveller.
EVELYN
I'm not. Although one has read
one's guidebooks.
Jean blinks. Evelyn and Graham share a smile. Douglas
hides his. And Madge sees it all.
As they head towards the baggage carousel, they're met by
Muriel and Norman, emerging from the elevator. Norman is
pushing Muriel's wheelchair.
NORMAN
Norman Cousins.
MADGE
Madge Hardcastle. A pleasure.
NORMAN
Play your cards right, it could
be.
Madge stares at him. A voice comes over the tannoy.
AIRPORT ANNOUNCER
Ladies and gentlemen, we regret
to inform you that owing to bad
weather, Flight 105 to Jaipur has
been cancelled. The airline is
happy to arrange
CUT TO:
18.
25 INT. AIRPORT. DELHI - DAY 25
Hours later. The airport is deserted, except for the
Marigold Hotel party, who sit slumped and exhausted on
another row of seats, with Muriel's wheelchair at the other
end.
After a moment, Graham says
GRAHAM
Alright. Plan B.
26 INT. DELHI AIRPORT - DAY 26
Moments later. They're all moving briskly through the hi-
tech, ultra-modern, beautifully air-conditioned building.
JEAN
Of course it's a good idea. Who
can you trust if not a High Court
Judge?
DOUGLAS
And this way we see more of the
country.
Norman is pushing Muriel's wheelchair.
NORMAN
(leaning down, to
MURIEL)
If anyone asks, say you're my
mother. I don't want people to
think we're together.
MURIEL
In your dirty dreams.
JEAN
Douglas, these are not words that
often pass my lips, but you may
actually be right. The country
seems to be rather more civilised
than one originally thought.
27 EXT. DELHI BUS STATION - EVENING 27
Moments later. Our heroes are in the middle of an
extraordinary scene. Stifling heat, deafening noise; the
chaos, the bustle, the grime, the crowds, the life.
They're surrounded by taxi drivers, baggage
handlers,beggars etc. All clamouring for their attention.
Evelyn looks a little shocked. Jean is traumatized, a
handkerchief to her face.
19.
Graham, at the ticket booth, triumphantly holds up a
fistful of tickets.
GRAHAM
(shouting over the din)
The bus will drop us in the
centre of town. We can take tuk-
tuks the rest of the way!
They follow him through the hordes. And see their bus.
It's absolutely rammed. People are practically hanging out
of the windows.
MADGE
There's not enough room.
GRAHAM
It's time to prove the first and
only rule of India: there's
always room.
He starts to fight his way to the door. Evelyn's at the
back. She stops, for a moment, looks around her.
EVELYN
What larks, Pip.
Douglas is just ahead of her. He turns, smiles.
DOUGLAS
Let's hope so.
28 EXT. HIGHWAY - EVENING 28
Muriel's wheelchair is strapped to the back of the bus,
which is screaming down the six-lane highway. A huge tower
of luggage is piled precariously on the roof.
The road appears to be complete chaos; cars, buses, even
cows overtaking each other.
The bus pulls into the outside lane to follow a truck which
is overtaking some slower vehicles. As the truck pulls back
into the inside lane, it reveals a huge truck barrelling
towards them on the wrong carriageway.
Norman, sitting at the front, screams his last scream...
NORMAN
NOOOOOOO... . U
At the last minute, the bus pulls back into the inside
lane. The Indians on the bus take absolutely no notice.
29 INT. BUS - EVENING 29
Norman is grinning from ear to ear.
20.
NORMAN
I'm loving this!
Evelyn is sitting next to Madge.
EVELYN
A few months ago I was organising
the church flowers.
MADGE
Are you struggling with the
feeling you're not in control of
your circumstances?
EVELYN
A little.
MADGE
You know what the shortest prayer
in the world is?
EVELYN
No.
MADGE
Fuck it.
Evelyn laughs.
MADGE (CONT'D)
You're not doing the church
flowers any more. May as well
enjoy the ride.
Douglas is watching a nice Indian family. They're having a
picnic. The father notices Douglas looking, offers him
some food.
Douglas makes the namaste gesture, takes some happily.
JEAN
Are you insane? "Avoid all food
not from a reputable vendor, it
will have been washed with impure
water."
Douglas keeps eating, with great enjoyment.
DOUGLAS
It's just a sandwich.
JEAN
Marvellous. Then I'll have the
ham, cheese, and streptococcus,
please. Or perhaps the bacteria,
lettuce and tomato.
Douglas turns to Muriel.
21.
DOUGLAS
Would you like some of this? I
believe it's aloo ka paratha.
MURIEL
If I can't pronounce it, I'm not
eating it.
The cacophony of horns continues. Jean screams, as another
collision looms.
30 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DUSK 30
The last of the light. The bus moves on through a beautiful
landscape.
31 INT. BUS - NIGHT 31
Everyone is asleep, or trying to sleep.
Except Muriel. She reaches into her bag, and carefully
removes a biscuit. She surreptitiously lifts it to her
mouth, and starts to chew.
Madge has fallen asleep on Evelyn's shoulder. But Evelyn
is still awake, as is Graham.
EVELYN
How long since you were here?
GRAHAM
Forty years.
EVELYN
As long as I was married.
(BEAT)
He died recently. My husband.
GRAHAM
I'm sorry.
EVELYN
D'you think we're going to be
alright?
GRAHAM
God, don't ask me. I'm more
scared than you are.
They both smile, sit in silence for a bit.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
Yes. I think it's going to be
extraordinary.
22.
32 EXT. BUS - DAWN 32
The sun rises. A beautiful, pearly dawn.
The bus drives through the great gates of Jaipur. Below,
the city shimmers in the heat. It's a magnificent sight.
EVELYN (O.S.)
What exactly is a tuk-tuk?
33 EXT. JAIPUR STREET - DAWN 33
Our heroes are squashed into a pair of them, facing
forwards and backwards, attempting not to swallow too much
dust as they wheel crazily through the teeming morning
streets of the city. They stare in amazement at the world
racing past them.
A scooter overtakes. A young man is driving, his
girlfriend riding side-saddle on the back. Her sari
billows out behind her. Douglas and Evelyn both watch her,
struck by this image of beauty, youth and vitality.
34 EXT. STREET/GARDEN PATH. MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 34
The tuk-tuks have pulled up, and our travellers emerge,
exhausted and dirty, staring through some garden gates at
the Marigold Hotel. Once a beautiful building, once
possibly even luxurious, it is clearly in the process of
being given at least half the face-lift it badly needs.
Parts of the building are freshly painted, some of the
ornate balconies are crumbling, and one wall is clad with
crazily skewed bamboo scaffolding. A huge old tree towers
over an untended garden, its branches poking into the
windows of the building.
34A EXT. ROOFTOP. MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 34A
A young man leans out from an upper balcony to see the
arrival below: SONNY KAPOOR (early 20's).
He deposits a paint pot and brush on a parapet, and races
off across the rooftop.
34B EXT. GARDEN PATH/COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 34B
Dazed and horrified, the travellers wander up the pathway.
A cow standing in front of them is pushed into the garden
by a couple of young houseboys who then run to the tuk-tuks
to collect their luggage.
23.
34C EXT. STAIRWAY/COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 34C
Sonny clatters down the steep steps, and comes tearing out
onto a verandah, as the travellers arrive in the courtyard
below. He spreads his arms wide.
SONNY
Welcome to India!!!
They stare up at him.
35 EXT/INT. COURTYARD/HALLWAY.BEDROOM. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 35
The courtyard is not without charm, although somewhat
delapidated. A fountain at the centre does not look as if
it has seen water in years, and faded awnings are strung up
haphazardly.
Sonny is leading Madge into the darkness of the building,
towards her room.
SONNY
This is a building of the utmost
character, which means that
perhaps not everything will
function in the way you expect it
to. But as the manager and chief
executive supervising officer of
the Marigold Hotel, I can tell
you with great pride that the
building has stood for centuries,
and will stand for many more, in
100% shipshape condition. Please
follow me, carefully avoiding
that naughty stone there
round this corner, leading us
most successfully all the way to
. your bedroom!
The room is very small, comfortable, and tastefully
decorated. But there's no door.
MADGE
Where?
SONNY
Here. In here.
MADGE
My dear man. Rooms have doors.
What you're showing me here is an
alcove.
SONNY
The door is coming soon, most
definitely.
MADGE
How soon?
24.
SONNY
Let us not concern ourselves with
details, Mrs Hardcastle. Rather
than speaking of doors, we should
instead take pleasure in the
freedom to roam.
MADGE
Does your room have a door?
SONNY
Oh yes.
MADGE
Then that's where I'll be
staying.
36 EXT. UPPER COURTYARD, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 36
Douglas and Jean arrive at their room. Douglas goes in
through the arched doorway, promptly comes back out again.
DOUGLAS
Bird in the room! Bird in the
room!
Jean pushes him aside, goes on in. Several pigeons are
flying around in some panic.
37 EXT/INT. VERANDAH/BEDROOM. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 37
Evelyn arrives at her room, goes on in.
The room is light and airy. And rather nice. But all the
furniture is covered in sheets.
As Evelyn stands there, Sonny comes rushing in, yanks all
the sheets off, and runs out again.
38 EXT/INT. BEDROOMS/TERRACE. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 38
Muriel wheels herself towards her room. Standing inside is
a male nurse, AJIT.
Muriel swivels her chair around. Graham is just going into
his room.
MURIEL
There's an Indian in there!
Graham smiles, goes on into his room. Which is dusty, but
comfortable and pleasant.
He looks around with satisfaction.
25.
39 EXT. STAIRWAY, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 39
Norman is laboriously climbing the stairs to his room. He
stops, catches his breath.
40 EXT. TERRACE, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 40
Ajit is attempting to explain himself to Muriel.
MURIEL
My what?
AJIT
Your physiotherapist. To help
with your recovery after the
operation.
MURIEL
You're not touching me.
AJIT
Traditionally that is how
physiotherapy is practised.
41 EXT. ROOF, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 41
Norman comes out onto the roof of the hotel. His room is
right in front of him, a kind of penthouse cabin. A bed,
but not much else. The trees poke in through the open
window.
He walks through the room, hangs his battery radio on a
hook and leans out of the balcony, surveying the view.
NORMAN
This'll do.
42 INT. RECEPTION - DAY 42
Jean is confronting Sonny.
JEAN
I want to stay at the other
hotel, the one in the brochure.
SONNY
Mrs Ainslie, prepare to be
amazed. This is that very
building!
JEAN
You've Photoshopped it!
SONNY
I have offered a vision of the
future.
(MORE)
26.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Of course I had hoped that by now
it would be the present. But in
India we have a saying:
everything will be alright in the
end. So if it is not alright,
then it is not yet the end.
JEAN
What will start to make this
alright is for you to give us a
refund.
SONNY
Of course if that is what you
desire, you must have it.
Absolutely no problem, I will
refund you completely.
JEAN
You will? Straight away?
SONNY
Without question, Mrs Ainslie, I
most definitely will. Straight
away in three months.
43 INT. GRAHAM'S ROOM. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 43
Graham is taking some things out of his bag: an old map of
Jaipur, sepia-tinted photographs of a British family during
the Raj, official documents yellowing with age.
He picks up a photograph, looks at it.
From outside, we can hear Ajit, the physiotherapist
AJIT (O.S.)
a stay of five days and it is
done under general anaesthesia.
A hip replacement usually takes
only two hours
44 EXT. TERRACE. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 44
Ajit's explanation continues. Muriel is trying not to
panic.
AJIT
Your surgeon will remove the top
end of the thigh bone, and insert
an artificial bone instead. A
most routine procedure.
MURIEL
Have you got a marker pen on you?
AJIT
Why?
27.
MURIEL
I want to mark it. So you don't
take the wrong hip.
45 EXT. UPPER VERANDAH. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 45
Douglas is on his way down the stairs.
Evelyn comes out of her bedroom.
EVELYN
Oh, hello.
DOUGLAS
Is everything alright?
EVELYN
I was just going to find the
manager.
DOUGLAS
I'm afraid he's dealing with my
wife. Or vice versa.
EVELYN
I promised I'd call my son, to
tell him I'd arrived, and -
DOUGLAS
And the phone in your room
doesn't work. May I?
45A INT. EVELYN'S ROOM. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 45A
Douglas picks up the very old-style phone. Evelyn is
watching.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
Now, did you try jiggling it a
bit?
EVELYN
Yes, did that.
DOUGLAS
Did you kind of bang it lightly
on the desk a few times?
EVELYN
That too.
DOUGLAS
Hmm.
He twists off the mouthpiece of the receiver, lifts the
receiver carefully. And blows on it.
28.
EVELYN
How did you come to be here? In
India.
DOUGLAS
I invested our - well, my -
retirement money in our
daughter's internet company. She
assured me that as soon as the
start-up actually started up, and
the conversion from virtual to
actual proved sufficiently
viable, then she would be able to
pay it all back.
EVELYN
I'm not sure I understand what
most of those words mean.
DOUGLAS
It turns out neither did she.
Douglas has put the mouthpiece back on, holds the receiver
to his ear.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
There you are. Good as new.
EVELYN
Really?
DOUGLAS
No, of course not. I've got no
idea what I'm doing.
Evelyn bursts out laughing.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
Now, would you like me to not fix
that chair? Because I can do
that too.
45B EXT. STAIRWAY. MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 45B
The houseboys are struggling with the unequal task of
pulling Muriel's wheelchair, with Muriel in it, up the
narrow steps.
SONNY (O.S.)
In honour of your arrival, a
special welcome British roast for
you all!
46 EXT. UPPER COURTYARD - NIGHT 46
A group of mismatched table and chairs, that constitute the
dining area of the hotel.
29.
Sonny is serving up a meal. His guests, wearing garlands
of marigolds, listen politely.
SONNY
.Cooked lovingly by myself and
my most loyalist factotum and
helper, Young Wasim ...
He points to YOUNG WASIM. Who is about 80, and is sitting
in the corner, fast asleep.
MADGE
Roast what?
SONNY
A wonderful taste of Blighty.
MADGE
Roast what?
SONNY
Roast goat curry.
DOUGLAS
Yes please.
JEAN
So the upshot is that he's spent
all our money getting us here,
and we can't leave till he's made
some more.
Muriel has arrived at her table.
SONNY
Gentle friends, you have found
your way to this place,
bequeathed to me by my beloved
father, that I have raised from
the ruins of his broken dreams,
and renamed The Best Exotic
Marigold Hotel For The Elderly
And Beautiful. Yes, I use the
words most deliberately...
Norman is not looking very well at all. Sonny doesn't
notice, keeps on going.
SONNY (CONT'D)
.You have all heard the chimes
at midnight, and long in tooth
have youbecome. Who knowshow
many daysyou have left?But we
are mosthonoured that youhave
chosen tospend that time with
us.
Norman's head suddenly tips forward, and he falls from his
chair onto the floor.
30.
General panic. Everybody crowds round, but no one knows
what to do.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Let me through, please. My
brother is a doctor.
He kneels next to Norman, and checks his watch as he feels
for a pulse.
Everybody waits. And then
SONNY (CONT'D)
This man is dead.
An appalled silence.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Please, we must cover his face.
We should preserve his dignity at
this terrible moment.
Madge looks around. All there is is a napkin. She passes
it Sonny, who lays it over the face of Norman.
Who promptly coughs.
DOUGLAS
He just coughed. I heard him
cough!
EVELYN
He moved! He's alive!
MADGE
He's fainted, that's all.
Sonny shakes his watch next to his ear. It's stopped.
Norman sits up.
NORMAN
What's going on? Did I nod off?
Everyone crowds round Norman, helps lift him back up.
Except Muriel. She just stares at them all.
MURIEL
Hell. I'm in hell.
47 EXT. STREET. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAWN 47
The sun rises. A washer-man bicycles up to the hotel, a
load of clean sheets balanced on his handlebars.
Shopkeepers on the street are beginning to set out their
wares.
31.
EVELYN (V.0.)
Day Nine. Old habits die easier
than we think, and new ones form.
48 INT. EVELYN'S ROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAWN 48
Evelyn is typing - hunt and peck - at her computer. Beside
her, the classified pages of the local newspaper.
EVELYN (V.0.)
No longer do I reach out in the
morning for Radio 4. My news
comes instead from the Jaipur
HERALD
49 EXT. STREET, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 49
A sign reads: 'THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL FOR THE
ELDERLY AND BEAUTIFUL - OPEN FOR BUSINESS.'
Sonny affixes a sticker: 'NOW WITH GUESTS!'
EVELYN (V.0.)
. Soon I might even grow
accustomed to the storm of car
horns and vendors.
50 EXT. STREET, CENTRAL JAIPUR - DAY 50
The main road in Jaipur is chaotically busy. Crowds,
bikes, cows, dust, noise, and laughter.
Sonny's battered old car has broken down. Madge is in the
front seat, Douglas and Jean in the back.
Sonny is aiming a couple of kicks at the engine.
EVELYN (V.0.)
Can there be anywhere else in the
world that is such an assault on
the senses?
51 EXT/INT. PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE, JAIPUR - DAY 51
An office out of a Kafka novel; cloth bags containing files
are piled all around the room, floor to ceiling.
Graham is seated at a desk, in front of a sober official.
He is filling in a form.
EVELYN (V.0.)
Those who know the country of old
just go about their business.
But nothing can prepare the
uninitiated for this riot of
noise and colour ...
32.
51A EXT. JANTAR MANTAR OBSERVATORY. JAIPUR - DAY 51A
Norman seems less interested in the astonishing geometric
devices of the ancient observatory than in the female
tourists who have come to see them...
52 EXT. STREET, CENTRAL JAIPUR - DAY 52
The chaos and din of the street is even more mind-boggling.
Madge now has the bonnet up, and is studying the engine.
Douglas stands in the street, staring in wonderment around
him.
Inside the car, Jean looks utterly traumatized, shrinking
lower in her seat as a horde of kids swarm at the windows,
shouting, wheedling, gesticulating. Sonny does his best to
wave them away.
EVELYN (V.0.)
... for the heat, the motion, the
perpetual teeming crowds. Sonny
is conducting his own personal
assault on our senses
53 INT. UPPER COURTYARD, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 53
The guests look on with trepidation, as another meal is
laid before them.
EVELYN (V.0.)
with the flow of exotic
dishes he demands daily from the
kitchen. Mooli Moong Dal.
Baghara Baingan. Banjari Gosht.
Paneer Methi Chaman ...
As the list unfolds, the guests, one by one, enter their
bathrooms; a litany of doors closing
Until Norman.
EVELYN (V.0.) (cont'd)
Mutton Vindaloo ...
Norman lies on his bed, reading the Kama Sutra.
He spins the book round, in order to study an illustration
more intently.
54 INT. HOSPITAL, JAIPUR - DAY 54
The hospital puts the NHS to shame. It's hi-tech, bright,
and spanking clean.
33.
Sonny pushes Muriel through the doors of the lobby. The
reception area is a forest of dark skin. Muriel is rigid
with fear.
EVELYN (V.0.)
Initially you're overwhelmed.
But gradually you realise: it's
like a wave. Resist, and you'll
be knocked over ...
Sonny is in discussion with some doctors.
Then he turns to see that Muriel has vanished. Through the
window Muriel can be seen frantically wheeling herself away
down the path...
EVELYN (V.0.) (cont'd)
Dive into it, and you'll swim out
the other side.
55 EXT/INT. STREET/ROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 55
Madge is exchanging some coins with a street trader in
return for a mobile phone.
In her room, Madge scans a phone directory, and dials a
number.
EVELYN (V.0.)
This is a new and different
world.
56 INT. EVELYN'S ROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 56
Evelyn is finishing her blog. She picks up the paper,
checks something.
EVELYN (V.0.)
The challenge is to cope with it.
57 EXT. GARDEN, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 57
Evelyn is coming down the path to the gate.
EVELYN (V.0.)
And not just cope ... but thrive.
58 EXT. STREET, JAIPUR - DAY 58
Evelyn is walking down a rough street on the outskirts of
the city. Kids are everywhere, laughing, shouting, doing
tricks, begging.
Evelyn approaches them, holding up a piece of paper.
34.
EVELYN
Please, can anyone direct me to
this address?
Evelyn's piece of paper gets passed around: none of the
kids can read. An older boy finally points. Suddenly
there's lots of pointing.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
Thank you.
She goes to move, but the kids are still all around her.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, I don't . I don't
really have much ...
She gives them the contents of her pockets.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
Alright? Alright now? Goodbye.
She starts to walk, is surprised that the entire posse of
kids walks with her. In fact, the group seems to be
growing exponentially. She looks like the Pied Piper.
59 INT. DOUGLAS AND JEAN'S ROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 59
Douglas is getting ready to go out. Jean clearly isn't.
DOUGLAS
Graham was talking about this
marvellous temple. I thought you
might want to come with me.
JEAN
I'm your wife. Have we met?
DOUGLAS
You'd really rather stay here all
day?
JEAN
Given the alternative, yes.
DOUGLAS
When I walk out in the morning,
the street kids all smile at me.
JEAN
Because you give them money.
DOUGLAS
One does this trick where he
holds his hands out in front of
himself, and then swings through
his own arms. Got to be worth a
rupee or two.
(MORE)
34A.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
(BEAT)
I'll go on my own then.
35.
60 EXT. CHAND POLE STREET. JAIPUR - DAY 60
The road is absolutely rammed; with cars, bikes and
rickshaws. All honking horns, all seemingly headed in
different directions.
Evelyn has somehow made it to the central reservation. She
takes a deep breath, and plunges into the maze of traffic,
heading for the other side.
61 EXT. RICKSHAW. SUBURBAN ROAD, JAIPUR - DAY 61
Graham is in a rickshaw. The rickshaw driver, PRAVESH, is
driving it through a neighborhood in transition. Skeletal
structures of a new India rise above the houses.
61A EXT. BUILDING SITE/STREET. JAIPUR - DAY 61A
Some kids playing cricket.
The rickshaw weaves its way through them and comes to a
halt.
Graham gets out, and stands in the street, dwarfed by a
huge modern building, some months away from completion.
GRAHAM
This can't be right, surely?
PRAVESH
I am thinking so, saab.
GRAHAM
But there were houses all along
here . these were homes.
PRAVESH
I can take you some other
place..?
GRAHAM
No. That'll do for now. Thank
you.
He hands over some money, and Pravesh pedals away.
Graham turns to look at the boys playing cricket. One of
them, SANJAY, is batting.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
Excuse me. There used to be
HOUSES HERE
SANJAY
All knocked down.
GRAHAM
And the people? The families?
36.
SANJAY
They move.
Graham nods, turns to look at the giant structure that has
taken over, then turns back.
GRAHAM
Don't grip so tightly with your
right hand.
Sanjay looks puzzled.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
On the bat. The right is just a
guide. Keep your left elbow
high, play down the line of your
arm, and then you'll hit through
THE BALL
Sanjay looks at him, squinting in the sun.
62 INT. CORRIDOR. HOSPITAL - DAY 62
Ajit is wheeling Muriel through the hospital.
MURIEL
When can I go back to England?
AJIT
As soon as you can walk onto the
plane. How does the hip feel?
MURIEL
They must have got lucky.
AJIT
It's strange. I think the more
operations they perform, the
luckier they get.
He glances down at Muriel, who betrays no signof getting
Ajit's joke.
63 EXT. MARKET. BACK STREETS - DAY 63
Evelyn is still searching for the right address. She's
turned off the main road, and is heading down a narrow side
streets. The city has become denser, and the walls seem to
have closed in.
She pushes her way through the crowded market.
37.
63A EXT. PASSAGE/COURTYARD - DAY 63A
Uncertain, Evelyn turns down a narrow alley, and suddenly
finds herself in an enclosed courtyard strewn with
makeshift washing lines. The atmosphere is faintly
threatening.
As she tries to find her way out, she becomes aware that
she is being watched: the walls are full of doorways, and
people have come out to stare at her. She has stumbled
into their home.
Evelyn tries to suppress her panic, turning from one face
to another.
EVELYN
I'm so sorry. I didn't realise -
She backs into a kind of flatbed trolley, piled high with
cooking utensils, which clatter noisily to the ground. She
goes to pick them up.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry...
A man is staring at her: SURESH.
SURESH
Yes.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, I'm just trying to get
to this address.
SURESH
Yes.
EVELYN
Do you understand me? Can you
help me find this place?
SURESH
Yes.
EVELYN
Is that yes you understand, or
yes you can help me?
SURESH
Yes.
Some of the children who have gathered laugh at this, and
the tension is broken slightly.
EVELYN
Let's go with both, shall we?
38.
63B EXT. STREET. JAIPUR - DAY 63B
Suresh's flatbed trike is rolling down the street, piled
impossibly high with bundles of brightly-coloured textiles.
On the back, enthroned in the fabric, is Evelyn.
64 EXT. WASTELAND - DAY 64
Graham is playing cricket with the teenagers. He's good,
too. He whacks a ball off into the distance.
GRAHAM
(TRIUMPHANT)
YES!
A boy runs off to fetch the ball. Graham half-runs, half-
walks to the other end, then turns for a second run,
breathing heavily. Then walks back to the crease, gets
ready for the next delivery.
It's hot and he's tired, but he hasn't felt this good for
years.
SANJAY
Give me the ball. I can take
him.
He turns cheerily to Graham.
SANJAY (CONT'D)
Down is where you're going,
Uncle.
GRAHAM
Come on. Do your worst.
They're both enjoying the banter, as Sanjay heads back to
the beginning of his run-up, then turns and sprints in to
bowl.
As Graham watches Sanjay running towards him, Sanjay seems
to slow, his movements becoming sluggish, never seeming to
reach the crease. He looks at the faces of the other boys,
frozen, waiting. The ball seems to take forever to leave
Sanjay's hand.
Graham steps back, completely fails to play a stroke, and
is bowled.
SANJAY
That's what I'm talking about! I
felt the need, the need for -
Graham still hasn't moved.
SANJAY (CONT'D)
Are you alright, Uncle?
Graham finds his voice at last.
39.
GRAHAM
Yes. Yes, I'm fine.
65 EXT. STREET/CALL CENTRE BUILDING - DAY 65
Suresh brakes, stops outside a glass-clad high-rise
building.
SURESH
Yes.
Suresh helps Evelyn down off the back.
EVELYN
Thank you.
SURESH
Yes.
EVELYN
This is it?
SURESH
Yes.
EVELYN
Then thank you. You're very
kind.
SURESH
Yes.
He rides off. Evelyn looks nervously up at the building.
66 INT. OPERATIONS ROOM. CALL CENTRE - DAY 66
A brightly-lit open plan office on a high floor of the
building. The city sprawls magnificently below.
Partitions divide off the cubicles. Within them sit rows
of workers, all early 20's, all with headsets clamped to
their ears. As chaotic as the streets of Jaipur are, this
place is immaculate, controlled and efficient.
We hear snatches of what they're saying.
TELEMARKETERS
Thank you for talking to us today
We do appreciate your call
while I have you on the
phone, can I talk to you about
our special offers . your call
is important to us . now is
there anything else I can help
you with ... shouldn't take more
than five minutes . your custom
is valuable to us
(MORE)
39A.
TELEMARRETERS (CONT'D)
I'm afraid I'll have to refer
that to my supervisor just a
routine security check before we
start . Thank you for talking
to us today
Through a glass partition, Evelyn can be seen sitting at a
desk, talking to someone.
40.
67 INT. SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE. CALL CENTRE - DAY 67
JAY (late 20's) is talking to Evelyn.
JAY
You're sure I can't offer you
something? We have English
Breakfast Tea. Building Tea, as
you call it.
EVELYN
Builder's tea. It's called
builder's tea. And no, I'm fine.
Thank you.
JAY
Tell me then. How can I help
you?
Beat.
EVELYN
I don't think you can. I'm
sorry, I shouldn't have come.
She stands.
JAY
WAIT -
EVELYN
I saw your advertisement in the
local paper, and it specifically
mentioned the ability to talk to
older people. But this is not
what I imagined ...
JAY
You came for a job?
EVELYN
I've wasted your time.
JAY
Mrs Greenslade. Everyone working
here is a graduate of a good
university. This is a place for
ambitious people. Young people.
EVELYN
I see that. Good day.
JAY
Please. One second.
Evelyn stops.
JAY (CONT'D)
It is really builder's tea?
41.
EVELYN
Yes. We dunk biscuits into it.
JAY
You dunk?
EVELYN
It means lowering a biscuit into
your tea, letting it soak in
there, then trying to calculate
the exact moment just before it
dissolves to whip it up to the
mouth, and enjoy the blissful
union of biscuit and tea
combined.
(BEAT)
It's more relaxing than it
sounds.
JAY
Perhaps you can help us after
all.
68 INT. OPERATIONS ROOM. CALL CENTRE - DAY 68
A few minutes later. From the open-plan office Evelyn can
be seen talking to Jay.
One person watching is SUNAINA (20's). She's talking on
the phone.
SUNAINA
We do appreciate your custom,
which is very important to us.
And can I draw your attention to
our special -
But the person at the other end has hung up. Sunaina
starts to dial another number.
Then the clock hits 11, and a buzzer sounds. Sunaina gets
up, heads for the door.
69 EXT. FORECOURT. CALL CENTRE - DAY 69
Dozens of motorcycles are parked in front of the building.
People are hanging around chatting and smoking.
Sonny arrives on his motorcycle, a bag of marigolds
strapped to the pillion seat.
Sunaina, who is with some friends, spots him, comes over.
She smiles as he pulls her to him.
SUNAINA
I get two breaks in eight hours.
Explain to me why I would want to
waste one of them with you -
42.
He kisses her. She kisses him back.
SONNY
Leave this place. Come and work
for me.
SUNAINA
You can't afford me.
SONNY
I cannot afford anything.
SUNAINA
Still tempting. I miss you. Am
I coming round tonight?
SONNY
Let's meet somewhere else. I
will rent a hotel room.
SUNAINA
Sonny, you own a hotel. It has
many rooms.
SONNY
Some of them now occupied. With
actual real guests.
SUNAINA
Paying guests?
SONNY
Why must you nitpick? It is not
an attractive quality.
SUNAINA
It isn't?
They kiss again, start to make out a bit. Then
JAY (O.S.)
Sunaina!
They turn to see Jay who has come out of the Call Centre.
JAY (CONT'D)
(calling, to Sonny)
You can let go of my sister now.
Break's over.
SONNY
Hello Jay.
JAY
Sonny boy.
SONNY
Don't call me that.
Jay smiles, holds the door open for Sunaina.
43.
JAY
Let's go.
70 EXT. GARDEN - EVENING 70
Jean is sitting in a chair, reading. Graham comes up the
path.
JEAN
Good evening, Your Honour.
GRAHAM
Mrs Ainslie. I hope you had a
good day. What did you get up
to?
JEAN
Well, I started in my bedroom,
where I had a lovely couple of
hours giving all the cockroaches
names. Then after a lunch that
will long have a place in my
heartburn, I came out here
and stared blindly at a book
waiting for someone - anyone to
rescue me. And how glad I am it
was you.
GRAHAM
Why would you not go out?
There's so much to see.
Jean had hoped for some appreciation of her wit, and is
floored by his question. She can hardly understand, let
alone tell him, the depths of her discomfort.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
Open your eyes, Mrs Ainslie. All
life is here, I tell you.
Jean stares at him. He goes on through the archway into
the hotel. Then stops.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
I could talk to the chef, if you
like. Perhaps get you some
grilled chicken, plain rice.
JEAN
I would appreciate that very
much.
Graham goes on in. Jean just sits there. Wishing he'd
come back out again.
44.
71 EXT. TERRACE. MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 71
Muriel is back. She's in her chair, on the terrace outside
her room.
A young hotel worker, ANOKHI, brings out a tray of food to
her.
Muriel watches her, but Anokhi is deferential, won't meet
Muriel's eyes. She puts the tray down and leaves.
Muriel just sits there, glaring balefully into the night,
the untouched tray of food by her side.
72 EXT. UPPER COURTYARD - NIGHT 72
Evelyn comes into the dining area. Graham is there, at a
table in the corner.
GRAHAM
Good evening.
EVELYN
Good evening.
Evelyn sits at her table.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
I trust you had a good day?
GRAHAM
I'd rather hear about yours.
EVELYN
I got a job. My first. Ever.
I'm going to be a sort of
cultural advisor.
GRAHAM
A role I'm sure you'll perform
with great distinction.
He's about to inquire further, when Evelyn sees Douglas and
Jean emerge from their room.
EVELYN
Perhaps if you wouldn't mind
keeping that news to yourself.
GRAHAM
I'm flattered you shared it with
me.
He turns to greet the new arrivals.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
Good evening, the Ainslies.
45.
EVELYN
Have you had a good day?
DOUGLAS
Spectacular.
(TO GRAHAM)
I went to the temple you told me
about. A place of meditation and
peace, quite stunning.
JEAN
So spiritual, I bet you hardly
noticed the smell of elephant
dung.
DOUGLAS
No elephants, sadly. Still none.
(TO GRAHAM)
I thought I might see you there.
Where did you get to instead?
JEAN
Yes, where do you get to every
day?
GRAHAM
Well, I've just finished telling
Mrs Greenslade all about it.
Evelyn registers the lie, but says nothing.
JEAN
I'm sure she wouldn't mind
hearing it again.
She waits. But Graham is as elusive as he is tactful.
GRAHAM
I talked to the chef for you. He
said it will be no problem.
JEAN
Did you hear that, Douglas?
Plain grilled food; manna from
heaven.
DOUGLAS
I don't have to have it too, do
I?
JEAN
(TO GRAHAM)
I don't know how to thank you.
DOUGLAS
(TO EVELYN)
You really should see this
temple.
46.
EVELYN
I'd like that very much.
DOUGLAS
But maybe take a clothes peg for
your nose.
73 EXT. COURTYARD/UPPER VERANDAH, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 73
Graham and Evelyn emerge through the arch heading for their
rooms.
Graham starts down the stairs.
EVELYN
Goodnight.
GRAHAM
Goodnight to you.
He seems about to say something else. She waits for a
moment, then walks on.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
Mrs Greenslade?
EVELYN
Evelyn.
GRAHAM
Can I show you something?
74 INT. GRAHAM'S ROOM - NIGHT 74
Moments later. Evelyn is sitting in front of Graham's
collage.
GRAHAM
I grew up here. Just a short
drive away. It was a big house,
and we had servants, everyone
did. We knew their wives, their
children. One boy, Manoj, became
my friend. We played a lot of
cricket together, played anything
we could. And that's how it
stayed for years. Until one
night, he became something more.
(BEAT)
We had a few months, we had that.
There was a weekend in Udaipur,
we sat by a lake and watched the
sun go down, and I remember
thinking . I will never be this
happy again. And I was right.
Because quite suddenly it was
over. We'd fallen asleep, and
they found us.
(MORE)
47.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
(BEAT)
For me it was bad enough. But I
already knew who I was, and I
think my family had guessed. For
Manoj, the disgrace was absolute;
a double taboo. His father was
fired, they were sent away, all
of them. I don't know what I
could've done, but it should've
been more than nothing. I put up
no fight. I let it happen.
(BEAT)
Soon afterwards I went to
England, to University. I always
told myself I'd come back. But I
never did.
EVELYN
Until now.
GRAHAM
And now I think .. what if I am
the last person on earth he wants
to see?
Evelyn says nothing.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
I don't think I can go through
with it.
EVELYN
Do you want to see him again?
GRAHAM
Yes. Yes. Oh yes.
EVELYN
Then you must.
75 EXT. TEMPLE/STREET. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 75
As the bell tolls, the faithful arrive at the temple for
morning prayers.
75A EXT. UPPER VERANDAH/SERVANTS COURTYARD - DAY 75A
Evelyn stands outside her room, listening to the bells,
sipping a cup of tea, pensive. She looks down into a
dilapidated part of the building, where the staff are
housed. Women in bright saris go about their business.
76 INT/EXT. MURIEL'S ROOM/VERANDAH, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 76
From her wheelchair, Muriel is re-making her bed. She
tucks in a perfect hospital corner.
48.
She looks up. Anokhi is on the verandah, replacing her
untouched supper tray with breakfast. Anokhi is about to
leave, but stops.
Then she goes to fetch Muriel's jar of pickle from the
windowsill, and places it on the table.
Muriel watches, then wheels herself outside, looks at the
tray.
From outside, Sonny's voicecan be heard.
SONNY (O.S.)
And so now that we are fully
operational, Mr Maruthi, it is
clear that with a small injection
of funds for the Phase Two
Development ...
77 EXT. GARDEN/COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 77
Brimming with confidence, Sonny is walking a wealthy
investor, MR MARUTHI, around the grounds. Some builders
are dismantling scaffolding.
SONNY
.. the Best Exotic Marigold
Hotel can rise like a phoenix to
its previous state of glory. And
when I say small injection, I
mean small in the sense of medium-
sized. Possibly larger.
MR MARUTHI
This hotel was never glorious.
SONNY
Just the phoenix part then.
MR MARUTHI
How many rooms will there be?
SONNY
Many.
MR MARUTHI
How many?
SONNY
A great amount. Plenty of rooms,
no question.
They've arrived in the courtyard.
SONNY (CONT'D)
I am not a details man, Mr
Maruthi.
49.
MR MARUTHI
Nor was your father.
They see Muriel on her verandah.
SONNY
Mr Maruthi, I present to you one
of our beloved guests. Dear Mrs
Donnelly, please describe in as
much detail as you desire your
experience of the ambience and
atmosphere of the Best Exotic
Marigold Hotel.
MURIEL
Kill me. Kill me now.
Sonny steers Mr Maruthi towards the reception, speaks
quietly.
SONNY
The wheel is spinning. But the
hamster is dead.
He stops, as he sees an elegant older woman standing in the
doorway. This is the redoubtable MRS KAPOOR.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Mummyji! What are you doing
here?
MRS KAPOOR
You called. I came.
SONNY
I couldn't have called. The
phones don't work.
MRS KAPOOR
That's why I came.
78 INT. SONNY'S OFFICE. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 78
Moments later. Sonny closes the door behind him.
His mother starts going through the contents of his desk.
MRS KAPOOR
Who was that man out there?
SONNY
The contents of this desk are
mine. Don't open the drawers. I
must insist you don't open the
drawer.
Mrs Kapoor opens the drawer.
50.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Tell me why you have come.
MRS KAPOOR
Do I need a reason to visit my
favourite son?
SONNY
No. He is in his mansion in
Delhi.
MRS KAPOOR
My second favourite.
SONNY
He went to Kerala to make his
fortune.
MRS KAPOOR
But make it, he did.
SONNY
As I will make mine. I have a
dream, Mummyji. A most brilliant
one: to out-source old age. And
not just for the British. There
are many other countries where
they don't like old people too.
MRS KAPOOR
Your brothers own a third of the
hotel each, they are entitled to
a third of the profits.
SONNY
Success does not happen
overnight, Mummyji. This is blue
sky thinking, and it requires
long-term strategy and patience.
MRS KAPOOR
How is your girlfriend?
SONNY
I look forward to you meeting
her.
MRS KAPOOR
And I look forward to you meeting
the woman you will marry. She is
from a good family in Delhi.
SONNY
I can marry as I choose, Mummyji.
I need no permission.
MRS KAPOOR
I presume it is your girlfriend
who teaches you such nonsense.
One reason not to marry her.
51.
SONNY
What if I love her?
MRS KAPOOR
An even better reason. Now send
Young Wasim to the car for my
luggage.
SONNY
He cannot carry, he has a dicky
back ... wait, your luggage? How
long are you staying?
MRS KAPOOR
As long as it takes.
79 INT. BATHROOM. DOUGLAS AND JEAN'S. MARIGOLD HOTEL - 79
DAY
Jean is looking out of her bathroom window, down into the
courtyard.
She sees Graham come out of his room. She turns back to
the mirror, looks at herself.
80 EXT. MURIEL'S TERRACE. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 80
Near to Muriel, Anokhi is sweeping the floor.
MURIEL
You won't get the dirt out like
that.
Anokhi just smiles at her radiantly.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
I worked in service for years,
looked after a lovely house. I
kept it spotless. You need a bit
more pressure on that brush.
Graham walks past, on his way out.
GRAHAM
She won't speak English. She's
what used to be called an
Untouchable. An outcast, born
below society. To a good Hindu,
even her shadow is polluted.
He greets Anokhi in Hindi, and heads for the door.
MURIEL
Where d'you go every day? Is it
a woman? Nip round there for a
curry and a bit of afters?
52.
GRAHAM
I don't think so. I'm gay.
Although nowadays more in theory
than practice. Good day.
He leaves. A moment later, Jean comes rushing out.
Immediately she realises two things; first, that Graham has
already gone. And second, that Muriel is watching her.
JEAN
Good morning.
Muriel says nothing.
JEAN (CONT'D)
Lovely day.
Still nothing from Muriel.
JEAN (CONT'D)
Lovely.
(BEAT)
Lovely.
She turns and goes back in.
Muriel thinks for a while, then turns to Anokhi.
MURIEL
Long old life, isn't it?
81 EXT. VICEROY CLUB - DAY 81
A classic colonial building, straight out of the English
Raj.
Madge is being shown around by an elderly secretary, MR
DHARUNA.
MR DRARUNA
The Viceroy Club was opened by
the great Lord Kitchener himself,
and many of the fixtures have
remained unchanged since then.
MADGE
Yes, I see that. Perhaps you
could tell me a little about the
clientele? Any maharajahs?
Wealthy widowed land-owners?
MR DHARUNA
It is not the policy of this club
to divulge details of our
members.
They go past a very handsome older Indian man. Who
radiates wealth and privilege.
53.
MR DHARUNA (cont'd)
Good morning, Your Excellency.
MADGE
Where do I sign up?
MR DHARUNA
The admission fee is 120,000
rupees, and thereafter 15,000
rupees each month.
MADGE
I wonder if I might get a little
discount. Owing to my status.
MR DHARUNA
Your status, madam?
MADGE
Yes. One was rather hoping to
fly under the radar, but one is a
member of the Royal Family.
MR DHARUNA
Which member, madam?
MADGE
I'm Princess Margaret.
MR DHARUNA
(BOWING SLIGHTLY)
It is most surely an honour to
meet you. And may I say how well
you look. Especially taking into
account that you died nine years
ago.
(BEAT)
Your real name please, madam.
And 120,000 rupees.
82 INT. PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE - DAY 82
Graham comes into the chaotic office.
The bookish official, MR CHIDAMBRAM, is behind the desk.
GRAHAM
Good morning.
MR CHIDAMBRAM
Good morning, Sir. Did I not say
that we will contact you when
there is information regarding
your inquiry?
GRAHAM
Yes, you did say that. You did.
54.
MR CHIDAMBRAM
While it is most pleasant to see
you, your presence does not
actually accelerate our
investigation.
GRAHAM
I'll try not to come in tomorrow.
MR CHIDAMBRAM
I expect I will see you then.
83 INT. CALL CENTRE - DAY 83
None of the operators are on the phone. Instead they are
sitting in a semi-circle, looking curiously at Evelyn. Who
is sitting next to Jay, a little daunted by the attention.
EVELYN
.You ring in the morning.
Let's assume the person answering
will be a woman. She will have
had her breakfast. Tea or
coffee. Semi-skimmed milk,
always. If she's under 50 she'll
be contemplating yet another
diet, over 50 she'll have more or
less given up, and be eating
toast. The radio may be playing,
or more likely daytime TV. A
chat show, or a programme with a
moderator speaking to a panel of
young women whose boyfriends have
all slept with their mothers.
The girlfriends' mothers, I mean,
not their own. Although
Anyway, then the boyfriends
usually come out, and everybody
fights.
Sunaina is in the audience. She calls out.
SUNAINA
I'm not surprised people hang up
on us.
Laughter.
EVELYN
That's the point. When the phone
rings and it's this robot
nobody wants a machine, but it's
almost worse when it's a person
behaving like one. All these
sales cliches just strung
together. 'Your call is
important to us'. Is it? Well
then sound like it.
55.
SUNAINA
'Your custom is valuable'.
EVELYN
Right. That one. Don't ever say
that.
SUNAINA
'Service is our middle name'.
EVELYN
Yes, when your middle name is
ACTUALLY
SUNAINA
Shantanu.
EVELYN
Which is beautiful. You people
are young, vibrant, real. I'm
sure the typical housewife would
enjoy talking to each and every
one of you.
SUNAINA
Her morning sounds like fun.
What are you doing here?
Beat.
EVELYN
I suppose I'm not typical
anymore.
(TO JAY)
Is that the sort of thing?
84 INT. MADGE'S ROOM - EVENING 84
Madge is at her mirror, doing her make-up with great care.
She looks beautiful.
85 EXT. VICEROY CLUB BAR - EVENING 85
Madge walks up the gravel path towards the magnificent
building. She's superbly dressed, looks great. She goes
up to the BARMAN.
MADGE
Excuse me. Would there be any
wealthy single men in tonight?
BARMAN
There is one.
Madge puts some money into his breast pocket.
56.
MADGE
Perhaps you could seat me next to
him?
BARMAN
This way, madam.
He leads her along across the terrace. Madge follows,
checking her hair, her breath, etc.
The barman reaches an ornate suite of furniture. There's
someone sitting there, his back to us, an elegant arm
draped over the side of the chair.
BARMAN (CONT'D)
His Royal Highness Prince Michael
of Kent.
The man rises from his chair and turns. And Madge is left
staring at Norman.
There's a pause. Then Madge reaches into the barman's
breast pocket, and removes her money.
MADGE
I'll have that back, thank you
very much.
86 EXT. MARIGOLD HOTEL - EVENING 86
Graham comes through the courtyard, heads for his room.
Muriel is on her verandah.
GRAHAM
Good evening.
Muriel nods at him, and he goes on into his room.
A moment later, Jean sits down next to Muriel.
JEAN
You know where he goes. I know
you know. But you won't tell me.
Muriel says nothing.
JEAN (CONT'D)
I can get Hobnobs out here, you
know. I know a way.
(BEAT)
As many as you want. Milk or
plain.
Long pause.
MURIEL
Public Records Office.
57.
JEAN
Thank you.
87 EXT. WELL - EVENING 87
A huge construction, centuries old, with a series of steps
reaching down deep into the earth, so people can climb down
to get their water.
Young couples sit on the steps in the evening heat, boys
leap into the water.
Sonny and Sunaina are watching the swimmers.
SONNY
My father used to bring me to
this well to swim. He said the
water was better, and so were the
people we would meet.
(BEAT)
He would have liked you so much.
Sunaina smiles at this.
SONNY (CONT'D)
My mother doesn't want us to be
married.
SUNAINA
She hasn't met me yet.
SONNY
She doesn't need to meet you
Sunaina absorbs this.
SONNY (CONT'D)
She knows you are not from Delhi.
That you have no family money,
and work in a call centre. You
are a part of a new India she
cannot welcome.
SUNAINA
Isn't this where you tell her
what you want?
SONNY
That conversation will be easier
when the hotel is a success.
SUNANINA
Do you love me?
58.
SONNY
I have found a new investor. I
am most optimistic that he will
enable us to move forward with
Phase Two of the Marigold Hotel
PROJECT
SUNANINA
Shouldn't you finish Phase One
first?
SONNY
In business, if you stand still,
you move backwards. No, I have
that wrong. If you stand still,
you are overtaken by people going
the other way. Wait -
SUNAINA
You didn't answer the question.
Do you love me?
SONNY
My feelings for you cannot be
reduced to a single word.
SUNAINA
It's a nice word, Sonny. And
people like hearing it.
SONNY
Sunaina, please. My mother is
wrong. It is you who are too good
for me.
SUNANINA
You say that a lot. You
shouldn't I'll start to believe
you.
They watch the boys in the water.
88 INT. VICEROY CLUB BAR - NIGHT 88
Madge and Norman are sitting together. Norman is looking
across at the bar, where an attractive older ex-pat lady is
sitting, thus far resisting Norman's attempts to catch her
eye.
NORMAN
I still think you're cramping my
style.
MADGE
Please. You have no style to
cramp.
58A.
NORMAN
That lady at the bar keeps
looking at me.
MADGE
As one would something in a
museum.
NORMAN
Why must you mock? I just want
to feel young again, to be needed
as much as I need, if only for
one night, one wonderful night.
Tell me you don't know how that
feels.
59.
Silence for a bit.
MADGE
Give me a minute. Then join us.
She gets up, heads towards the bar. Where she sits a
couple of seats away from the woman. Who is called CAROL.
She sits there a moment, then sighs, and starts to talk to
the barman.
MADGE (CONT'D)
Rejected again. Many years ago,
that man over there gave me the
most extraordinary night of my
life. He may seem coarse and
uncouth, but that only disguises
a tenderness and an exquisite
sensitivity to a woman's needs
Norman arrives at the bar.
NORMAN
Those drinks not ready yet?
Madge turns to Carol.
MADGE
They say patience is passion
tamed.
Carol smiles.
MADGE (CONT'D)
I'm Madge.
CAROL
Carol.
MADGE
And this . is Norman.
CAROL
How do you do?
NORMAN
Carol? As in Christmas?
Madge winces.
CAROL
I suppose.
NORMAN
Great.
Silence.
60.
MADGE
So what brings you to Jaipur,
Carol?
NORMAN
Yes, Carol. What brings you to
Jaipur?
CAROL
I run a small boutique travel
agency. But I've actually lived
here all my life. My father
worked in the Foreign Office.
Another silence.
NORMAN
You're very fit.
CAROL
I beg your pardon?
MADGE
Oh god.
NORMAN
I mean you look like you keep
yourself in shape. Physically.
CAROL
Well, I did join a gym last year.
It cost a fortune, and I didn't
get any fitter. Apparently you
have to actually go.
Madge laughs. Norman doesn't. Then realizes that it was a
joke, lets out a too-loud bray of laughter.
CAROL (CONT'D)
And so what do you do, Norman?
NORMAN
Me?
CAROL
Yes.
NORMAN
Oh. I'm
MADGE
Norman's in business.
CAROL
Really?
NORMAN
Yes.
61.
CAROL
What business?
NORMAN
(TO MADGE)
You tell her.
MADGE
Import-Export.
NORMAN
Although these days there's
rather more Ex- than Im-, if you
see what I mean.
CAROL
I'm afraid I don't.
Madge gets up.
MADGE
I have to splash some water on my
face. Please God I drown in it.
She heads for the bathroom.
Norman and Carol share another silence.
CAROL
Well look, it's been lovely
chatting.
NORMAN
No it hasn't.
CAROL
No. It hasn't. But I really
MUST -
NORMAN
Carol?
She was about to go, stops.
NORMAN (CONT'D)
Can we drop all this pretence?
And start again? I'm not
charming. I'm not good at
repartee. And I'm not a
plutocrat with the sexual
capacity of a rutting rhino. My
name is Norman. And I'm lonely.
CAROL
My name is Carol. So am I.
89 INT. VICEROY CLUB BAR - NIGHT 89
Minutes later. Madge comes out of the bathroom.
62.
EVELYN (V.0.)
Day 22. Like Darwin's finches,
we are slowly adapting to our
environment. And when one does
adapt, my god, the riches that
are available.
Madge looks across the bar. And is startled to see Norman
and Carol chatting up a storm, laughing together.
As she watches, Norman orders more drinks, then turns
smiling back to his new friend.
Madge walks slowly out of the bar, and into the night.
90 INT. EVELYN'S ROOM. MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 90
Evelyn is at her computer, typing.
EVELYN (V.0.)
There is no past that we can
bring back by longing for it
91 EXT. PATH/GARDEN. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 91
Ajit is pushing Muriel down to the gate for her morning
constitutional.
EVELYN
. only a present that builds
and creates itself as the past
withdraws ...
92 INT. SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE. CALL CENTRE - DAY 92
Jay is counting out cash into Evelyn's hand; her first
paycheck.
EVELYN
And India, like so many things in
life, like life itself I suppose,
is about what you bring to it.
93 EXT. JAIPUR STREET - DAY 93
Ajit is pushing Muriel through a poor neighborhood. Muriel
is looking left and right, astounded by the life she sees.
MURIEL
Where's this? Where are we?
AJIT
Janta Colony Kachi Basti.
MURIEL
What happened to my usual route?
63.
AJIT
Anokhi has invited you to her
home.
MURIEL
You didn't tell me.
AJIT
You'd have said no.
94 INT. DOUGLAS AND JEAN'S ROOM. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 94
Jean is sitting, reading a book.
JEAN
Will you check in at the bank?
Douglas emerges from the bathroom.
DOUGLAS
I checked yesterday. And the day
before. As requested.
(BEAT)
Will you be staying in again?
JEAN
Why do you ask that every
morning?
DOUGLAS
Because I hope for a different
answer. Because I think you'll
be hurt if I don't. And because
it's not healthy for you to spend
all day and every day in the
confines of the hotel.
He goes back into the bathroom. Jean changes the subject.
JEAN
I didn't sleep a wink. The tap
in there never stops dripping.
DOUGLAS (O.S.)
I talked to Young Wasim about it.
JEAN
What did he say?
DOUGLAS (O.S.)
No idea. It was in Hindi.
Douglas comes out of the bathroom, holding the tap.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
I thought I might get it fixed
myself.
63A.
64.
DOUGLAS
No time like the present.
Actually I say that, but I
enjoyed yesterday, and I'm
optimistic about tomorrow too.
JEAN
I wish I could say the same.
DOUGLAS
So do I.
He goes.
Jean sits for a while, looking utterly disconsolate and
lost. Then she gets up, goes over to the balcony.
Down below she can see Graham leaving.
95 EXT. LOWER COURTYARD - DAY 95
Madge is sitting on a chair. Norman arrives.
NORMAN
Your Madgesty.
MADGE
I gather the night went well.
NORMAN
Would you like to hear about it?
MADGE
Not in the least.
NORMAN
Good. Because you're going to.
Two drinks, some sexually charged
BANTER -
Douglas comes out, carrying a tap. And heads out of the
archway.
DOUGLAS
Morning. Lovely day.
MADGE
Good morning.
They watch him leave.
NORMAN
Two drinks, some sexually charged
banter, and we were heading back
to her place. Bidding the
rickshaw farewell, I walked her
to the door.
(MORE)
65.
NORMAN (CONT'D)
And there, my young friend, I
leaned forward, and I kissed her.
Beat.
MADGE
And?
NORMAN
And what?
MADGE
Is that all? You didn't seal the
deal?
NORMAN
We have a date next week.
MADGE
What is wrong with you?
NORMAN
I wanted to prolong the
anticipation. To spend some time
with the knowledge that soon I'm
going to eat, drink, and laugh
with someone, hold her to me,
kiss her softly. Then go back to
her place and get my end away.
96 EXT. MARKET - DAY 96
The market is buzzing with commerce. Evelyn is at a stall
selling fabrics, talking to the vendor, AKRAM.
EVELYN
(holding up a pashmina)
Bow much for this, please Kitna
PAISE
AKRAM
One thousand rupees Ek hazaar
RUPIA
EVELYN
Thank you.
She reaches for her wallet. Then Douglas speaks from
behind her.
DOUGLAS
No no, forgive me. That's not
how it works.
65A.
Evelyn turns, happy to see him.
66.
EVELYN
Good morning.
DOUGLAS
And to you. Sorry to butt in,
but you don't ask him how much he
wants, you just tell him how much
you'll pay.
(TO AKRAM)
She'll give you two hundred.
Absolutely no more, final offer.
AKRAM
One thousand rupees.
DOUGLAS
Pity.
(TO EVELYN)
Now walk away. Walk away.
EVELYN
BUT -
DOUGLAS
I know what I'm doing.
Evelyn complies, and they turn and walk away.
EVELYN
Yes. The thing is, you see, I
did actually want to buy that.
To brighten up my room.
DOUGLAS
He'll come after us.
EVELYN
Do you think so?
DOUGLAS
Absolutely. This is how the game
is played. Just keep on walking.
They push through the crowds.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
He's playing it cool, but he'll
come.
They keep walking.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
He's playing it very cool.
They keep walking. Then Douglas stops. Evelyn looks at
him.
67.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
He's not coming.
CUT TO:
Moments later. They're back at Akram's stall. Evelyn
counts out the money.
EVELYN
Eight hundred and fifty, nine
hundred, nine hundred and fifty,
one thousand.
She turns to Douglas, smiles.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
You'll get him next time.
Then she notices something.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
Why are you carrying a tap?
97 INT. MARIGOLD HOTEL, DOUGLAS AND JEAN'S ROOM - DAY 97
Jean gives up on the sentence she has already read a
hundred times, and snaps her book shut. She stands, then
sits again.
Then stands.
98 EXT. SWEEPER COLONY - DAY 98
Ajit is now pushing Muriel through a poverty-stricken slum.
The people live on the streets, or in collapsing tin
shacks. Everywhere there is struggle and deprivation.
And yet the pervasive atmosphere is nowhere near as
depressing as we would expect. The colours are bright, the
smiles on the children's faces even brighter.
Not that Muriel can recognise the joy, of course. She's
horrified by her surroundings. And acutely aware of the
stares of the slum-dwellers.
98A EXT. ANOKHI'S HUT - DAY 98A
A primitive brick and cement hut, one of the few amongst
dwellings made mostly from sticks and plastic bags.
A bunch of young kids are fascinated by Muriel's
wheelchair, pushing it around and taking turns to sit on
it.
68.
99 INT. ANOKHI'S HUT - DAY 99
Muriel sits on the only chair.
Opposite - squashed together as if posing for a photograph -
are all the generations of Anokhi's family: Anokhi herself,
her husband, mother, grandmother, and several children.
They all smile at Muriel.
A long pause. Then Muriel turns to Ajit.
MURIEL
How soon can I leave?
100 INT/EXT. HARDWARE SHOP - DAY 100
Douglas is talking to JAMSHED, who works behind the
counter. Evelyn sits outside.
DOUGLAS
You see what I think, and of
course I'm no expert, is that the
valve seat has eroded, so we'll
need the washer changed and a new
seat re-ground.
Douglas glances back at Evelyn. Who betrays not the
slightest scepticism.
Jamshed studies the tap.
JAMSHED
The gland nut has come away from
the spindle.
DOUGLAS
Well of course, it could be that
too. Can you fix it?
JAMSHED
Not cheaply. Not cheaply. Most
expensively indeed.
Jamshed takes the tap to a workstation at the back, starts
to fiddle with it. Douglas joins Evelyn.
DOUGLAS
I was in a tuk-tuk the other day,
didn't seem to be taking the
usual route back to the hotel.
It turned out that the driver had
decided to take me to another
hotel, that he was sure I would
prefer. And of course one wants
to believe that he genuinely had
my welfare at heart, and that it
wasn't run bg his brother-in-law.
(MORE)
69.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
One wants to trust, in general,
don't you think? But you never
really know, do you?
Jamshed stops fiddling with the tap. And takes a hammer to
it.
EVELYN
The day I met my husband was the
day the fair came to town. My
girlfriend and I went on the
carousel. Her horse was fine.
But when the ride began I felt
mine give a little, like it might
collapse. Then these strong arms
were around me, holding the horse
together. And a voice in my ear
said "Just trust me". And I did.
Without question. Until the day
he died.
DOUGLAS
How wonderful.
EVELYN
The sale of our flat went through
last week. I had to sell it to
pay off Hugh's debts.
(BEAT)
I've been forced to get a job out
here. Which, in fact, I love.
But even at Sonny's rates, I
still couldn't make ends meet.
After what my own husband did to
our life savings.
(BEAT)
So no. You're right. You never
know.
Jamshed holds up the tap. Which is now in several parts.
JAMSHED
No good. You must be buying
another.
101 EXT. PATHWAY/GATE/STREET, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 101
Jean walks down the path to the gate.
She stops, looks fearfully at the chaotic sea of humanity
outside. She's unable to move.
Finally, she steps out. And is of course immediately
assaulted by the assorted kids, beggars, street vendors,
etc.
As anxiety begins to engulf her, she quickens her pace,
brushing through them as best she can, until she is almost
running.
70.
102 INT. ANOKHI'S HUT - DAY 102
Muriel is still at the tea party.
Anokhi speaks. Ajit translates.
AJIT
She wants to thank you for your
kindness.
MURIEL
I haven't been kind.
AJIT
You're the only one that
acknowledges her.
Anokhi brings out a plate of food.
ANOKHI
Tarkha dhal. Chapati.
MURIEL
I'm not eating that.
AJIT
You will insult her very deeply
if you do not.
Muriel looks up. They're all still watching, waiting
smiling.
She looks at Anokhi's grandmother, as dignified as she is
old.
Muriel reaches out, takes something off the tray. And has
a bite. It's not too bad.
MURIEL
I'd still rather a Scotch Egg.
Then she sees something through the open doorway: the
children have turned her wheelchair on its side and are
spinning the wheels.
She's on her feet in a flash.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
Get off! Get off it, you dirty
thieving bastards!
Several terrified faces turn.
One little girl starts to cry.
Everyone is staring at Muriel.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
I didn't see. They were playing.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry
71.
103 EXT. STREET. JAIPUR - DAY 103
Jean is now in a tuk-tuk, lurching and weaving through the
traffic, a handkerchief clasped firmly over her mouth,
panic in her eyes.
104 INT. STAIRCASE/CORRIDORS/OFFICE. PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE.104
JAIPUR - DAY
The corridors are full of people patiently waiting their
turn to grapple with a vast bureaucracy.
Reaching the top of the staircase, Jean takes it all in.
She walks down another corridor. Then stops.
Through a doorway, she sees Graham at the desk, talking to
Mr Chidambram.
CUT TO:
In the office.
GRAHAM
But I've filled out that form.
I've given it to you. Many
times.
MR CHIDAMBRAM
There is a process. You are
making an enquiry. For each
enquiry a form must be filled in.
GRAHAM
But it's the same enquiry I make
every day.
MR CHIDAMBRAM
And therefore the same form you
must fill in.
Graham glances towards the doorway, catches sight of Jean.
Their eyes lock, then Jean pulls back out of sight,
panicked.
104A INT.CORRIDOR, PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE. JAIPUR - DAY 10414A
Jean is hurrying down a corridor. Behind her, Graham
emerges from a doorway, and calls to her
GRAHAM
Mrs Ainslie... .?
105 OMITTED 105
72.
106 INT. TEA ROOM. JAIPUR - DAY 106
Later. Jean and Graham are sitting in an elegant tea room.
Jean is still very shaken.
JEAN
I don't know how you can bear
this country. What do you see
that I don't?
GRAHAM
Unutterable beauty. Everywhere.
In the light, the colours, the
smiles, the people who see life
as a privilege not a right, and
so teach me something every day.
The waiter brings their tea.
JEAN
Is this milk pasteurized?
WAITER
Yes madam.
JEAN
But that's not true, is it?
You're just lying to me right now
GRAHAM
It'll be fine.
The waiter goes.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
It's a pleasant surprise to see
you out and about.
JEAN
Is it?
She looks at him.
GRAHAM
Yes. That's progress. Where
were you going?
73.
JEAN
To the bank. I . was going to
the bank. Not that there's any
reason to think something has
changed. But our daughter, you
see, she did promise, and one
does try to remain optimistic.
One has to. Otherwise
OTHERWISE
Graham worries she might be about to break down. He
reaches across the table, puts his hand on hers.
She leans forward, puts her other hand over his, holds on
tightly.
Graham is startled. He tries gently to pull back, but she
holds on.
GRAHAM
JEAN -
JEAN
Oh god. Is it possible you feel
the same?
She brings his hand to her mouth, kisses it.
JEAN (CONT'D)
The way you talk to me. Your
compassion, your understanding
.. the wonderful, tender
consideration, it had to be more
than just -
GRAHAM
I'm gay.
She stares at him. Beat.
JEAN
As in ... happy?
Graham says nothing. Jean lets go of his hand.
JEAN (CONT'D)
Yes. I see. Of course I see.
The ghastly inappropriateness of it all settles on them
both.
JEAN (CONT'D)
I appear to have humiliated
myself. And embarrassed you.
GRAHAM
I'm not embarrassed.
Jean smiles wanly, grateful for his lie.
74.
JEAN
Like I said. This country is
driving me mad.
(BEAT)
Shall we go?
107 EXT/INT. DOUGLAS AND JEAN'S ROOM. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY107
Evelyn is outside in the courtyard. We don't see Douglas.
EVELYN
Anything?
DOUGLAS (O.S.)
Not yet.
Evelyn waits a moment.
EVELYN
How about now?
DOUGLAS (O.S.)
One second.
Another pause.
DOUGLAS (O.S.) (cont'd)
Oh good lord.
EVELYN
What?
DOUGLAS (O.S.)
Listen.
The sound of a flowing tap.
DOUGLAS (O.S.) (cont'd)
And now ...
The tap stops.
DOUGLAS (O.S.) (cont'd)
No drip.
He appears in the doorway, triumphant.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
No drip!
He walks towards her, hand in the air.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
Hi-five !
Evelyn just looks at him. She's never hi-fived anyone in
her life.
After a moment Douglas puts his hand down.
75.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
I've never done that before. It
just seemed appropriate.
Jean has appeared at the other side of the courtyard.
Douglas senses her mood, moves towards her.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
Darling!
EVELYN
Mrs Ainslie, how are you? Did
you have a good day?
Jean doesn't answer. She's staring at Douglas. Who looks
so happy.
DOUGLAS
Let me tell you about ours. Your
husband of many a year, who has
never even known which end of a
hammer to use, has actually
managed to -
JEAN
(SUDDENLY INTERRUPTING)
We have to get out of here.
DOUGLAS
What did you say?
JEAN
I can't stay in this country a
moment longer.
DOUGLAS
Why ...?
EVELYN
Do excuse me.
She makes a tactful exit. Jean is going past Douglas into
their room.
DOUGLAS
I don't understand
JEAN
(INTERRUPTING)
Pick a reason. Pick ten. The
climate, the squalor, the poverty
She goes past him into their room.
76.
108 INT. DOUGLAS AND JEAN'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS 108
JEAN
. we should never have come.
This whole trip is a grotesque
fantasy. It's time to go home.
Jean starts to pack. Irrationally, compulsively.
DOUGLAS
Who's paying for the tickets?
JEAN
(not hearing him)
Look at us. A group of self-
deluding old fossils traipsing
around as if it's our bloody gap
year. Humiliating ourselves
DOUGLAS
Not us, we can't pay. And I
don't see you asking our friends
BACK HOME
JEAN
(OVERLAPPING)
.. We should just face up to the
truth. That we're all old, we're
all past it. That's the real
truth, the raw, unvarnished fact
of the matter. All we're good
for now is the beige bloody
bungalow with the sodding panic
button in the sodding corner ...
She stops packing, and subsides onto the bed, crying
quietly.
Nobody speaks for a while.
DOUGLAS
(GENTLY)
We just have to make the best of
it, darling. I really think
that's the best thing to do.
JEAN
Yes, well. When I want your
opinion, I'll give it to you.
109 INT. MEEHAR CLINIC - MORNING 109
An impossibly small roadside clinic.
Norman is sitting there, the only man in three rows of
brightly dressed women.
DR RAMA comes out of the consulting area.
77.
DR RAMA
Mr John Smith.
No response. The doctor looks at Norman, who has forgotten
his own alias.
DR RAMA (cont'd)
Mr John Smith?
Norman jumps up.
NORMAN
That's right! Me!
110 EXT/INT. MARKET/OPERATIONS ROOM. CALL CENTRE - DAY 110
Sonny is at the flower market, sitting on his motor bike,
waiting for the flower vendor to tie up his bundle of
marigolds. He's on his phone.
SONNY
Come on. Pick up pick up pick
up.
The phone is answered at the other end.
SONNY (CONT'D)
(INTO PHONE)
Sunaina, I must see you. I must.
If I cannot hold your body
against mine, I swear I will go
mad.
We cut to the call centre. It's not Sunaina on the phone,
but Jay, who is standing next to her.
SONNY'S VOICE
(ON PHONE)
I yearn for you, I burn for you,
I -
JAY
I think it's my sister you're
burning for there, Sonny boy.
SONNY
Thank you, Jay. Thank you.
Jay hands the phone to Sunaina.
SUNAINA
Hey.
SONNY
Private line, Sunaina. Do those
words mean nothing to you?
78.
SUNAINA
He took the phone. What could I
do?
SONNY
I miss you. I miss you every
moment. Come and see me.
Tonight.
SUNAINA
I cannot tonight. It is my
parents 25th wedding anniversary.
Tell your mother that.
SONNY
Come after. Come late
SUNANINA
You'll be asleep.
SONNY
I'll be waiting.
SUNANINA
You'll be asleep. But i can wake
you in that special way...
SONNY
You will sneak in?
SUNAINA
I'm not ashamed.
SONNY
Neither am I. Absolutely not.
There is no shame. You do not
have to sneak.
(BEAT)
All the same, if you did want to
be very quiet, and not let anyone
see you, it couldn't hurt.
111 INT. CONSULTING ROOM - DAY 111
Norman is talking to DR RAMA.
NORMAN
I'm worried there's no lead in my
pencil.
DR RAMA
OK. I don't know what that
means.
NORMAN
No snap in my celery.
DR RAMA
I'm still not quite with you.
78A.
NORMAN
I plan to party hearty tonight,
but I can't guarantee that my
love gun will fire.
DR RAMA
Mr Smith -
NORMAN
Will the lance dance, and the
trouser lion roar?
DR RAMA
What is your problem?
79.
NORMAN
I don't know if I can still have
sex.
DR RAMA
Ah.
NORMAN
I'm not a young man anymore,
doctor. And I'm a little bit
scared. Truth be told, I'm a lot
scared.
DR RAMA
How long since you've been with a
woman?
NORMAN
What's today?
DR RAMA
Monday.
NORMAN
Six years.
DR RAMA
I've got some pills that'll help.
112 EXT. SERVANTS COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 112
The back of the hotel, where Sonny envisages his Phase Two
development. Very dilapidated.
Anokhi is cleaning pots. Young Wasim sits in the corner.
Ajit has just wheeled Muriel into the courtyard.
MURIEL
(TO ANOKHI)
I wanted to tell you something...
Anokhi looks up.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
(TO AJIT)
Tell her. Tell her I was glad to
come, glad she invited me.
Ajit translates.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
Glad to meet her family. Her
grandmother. Her kids.
Ajit translates. Anokhi speaks.
80.
AJIT
She asks if you have children?
MURIEL
I looked after somebody else's.
Ajit translates.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
This one family, years I was with
them. I ran the house, looked
after the money, did it all,
cared for them like they were my
own.
Ajit starts to translate. But Muriel doesn't wait.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
That's the mistake, see. You
don't want to get like that, to
start feeling part of something.
One day they decided I needed
some help. I was grateful, I
tried to teach her. Not just the
books, but how to crisp up the
bacon like the gentleman
preferred it, the way the little
one liked to have her hair
brushed. The things you only
know if you care. But then they
said I was no longer useful to
them. Thanked me for my service.
As if that's all it was.
(BEAT)
I got a flat in the end. I'm the
only one in the building not a
foreigner. More Indians there
than here! But before I came to
this place, my biggest problem
was what to do with all the time
I had. Because that flat's so
small, I can have the whole place
spotless in half an hour. And
then what am I supposed to do for
the rest of the day?
There's silence for a bit. Then Ajit speaks.
AJIT
Did you want me translate that as
well?
Muriel smiles. It's the first time we've seen this.
Muriel stops, thrusts something into Ajit's hand.
MURIEL
Give her these.
81.
Ajit hands Anokhi what Muriel gave him: a packet of
Chocolate Hobnobs.
This time it's Muriel who cannot meet Anokhi's eye. Tries
to hide her desire to leave. Ajit turns her chair and
pushes her away.
Over this, the sound of singing
113 EXT. ROOFTOP. MARIGOLD HOTEL - EVENING 113
Norman's on his rooftop, under the primitive spout of water
that passes as his shower. Hanging from a nail in the wall,
the battery radio is pumping out a bizarre Indian cover
version of the Chic song "Le Freak".
Norman is naked, and singing along lustily.
NORMAN
Aaaaaah, freak out! Le freak,
c'est chic .. Aaaah, freak out!
Feet slapping in the soapy water, he performs a nifty disco
move.
114 INT. SONNY'S OFFICE. MARIGOLD HOTEL - EVENING 114
Sonny is in his office, going through the accounts.
There's a strange ringing somewhere nearby. He pays no
attention, then stops and thinks for a moment. Then
realises what it is.
He sweeps the pile of papers off the desk, starts
frantically looking for the telephone.
115 EXT. UPPER COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - EVENING 115
Graham and Evelyn are having drinks.
EVELYN
I've been getting out and about
as much as I can, but I feel I've
hardly scratched the surface. And
of course I'd love to see
Udaipur. The lake you talked
about.
GRAHAM
I'd love to take you. Perhaps -
He breaks off. Douglas and Jean have come in. Jean looks
rather desperate.
EVELYN AND DOUGLAS
(SIMULTANEOUSLY)
Good evening.
81A.
An awkward moment. Graham stands.
82.
GRAHAM
Good evening, Mrs Ainslie.
Please allow me.
He pulls a chair out for her. She shoots him a look of
passionate gratitude for his exquisite sensitivity.
JEAN
You're very kind. But I rather
think I'll turn in early.
Goodnight everyone.
She goes into her room.
116 EXT. COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - EVENING 116
Muriel is sitting outside her room, doing the crossword.
Madge is coming through the arch, stops dead.
Norman is standing in front of her, on his way out. He
looks transformed. And rather handsome.
MADGE
Is this it?
NORMAN
This is it.
MADGE
You're not worried about the
danger of having sex at your age?
Norman shrugs.
NORMAN
If she dies, she dies.
He leaves. Sonny sprints into the courtyard.
SONNY
Progress, Mrs Donnelly, Mrs
Hardcastle! The wheel is turning
most assuredly in our favour!
He shoots up the stairs.
117 EXT. UPPER COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - EVENING. 117
Douglas, Graham and Evelyn are looking at the menu.
Sonny bursts in.
SONNY
Mr Dashwood! Everybody! Great
news!
83.
GRAHAM
What is it, Sonny?
SONNY
They are working, they are
working!
GRAHAM
That is great news. What are
working?
SONNY
The telephones of the Marigold
Hotel.
GRAHAM
Well, congratulations.
SONNY
Thank you. I must tell
everybody. I must tell my
mother!
He runs off. Comes back.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Oh wait. You have a phone call.
118 EXT. STREET, POOR NEIGHBOURHOOD. JAIPUR - EVENING 118
Graham, Evelyn, and Douglas are walking quickly up a quiet
street.
GRAHAM
It's a false alarm. There's no
way they could find anything in
that office. They probably just
picked an address at random, just
to keep me off their backs. I'm
sure that's what happened. It's
going to be nothing. Don't you
think it's going to be nothing?
EVELYN
I think you should knock on the
door and see.
GRAHAM
Yes. Yes I should.
(BEAT)
Yes.
119 EXT. HOUSE - EVENING 119
Some men sit under a tree, playing cards.
84.
Across the street, Graham approaches a house. At a polite
distance, Evelyn and Douglas wait. Graham knocks at the
open door.
A woman, GAURIKA, appears. She stares at Graham.
GRAHAM
I'm sorry to disturb you so late.
My name is Graham Dashwood. A
long time ago I -
GAURIKA
I know who you are.
Beat.
GRAHAM
I am afraid I don't know you.
GAURIKA
I am Gaurika. The wife of Manoj.
GRAHAM
(after a fraction of a
BEAT)
I'm very pleased to meet you.
And if you could, if you would
tell him that I called around,
I'd appreciate that very much,
AND -
He breaks off. She's walked past him, looking to the other
side of the road.
He turns to look at the men playing cards. Gaurika calls in
Hindi.
A beautiful-looking man looks up. MANOJ.
He looks across at the house. Stands up slowly as Graham
walks across the street towards him.
Graham reaches him. The two men just stand there for a
moment. Then they hug very tightly.
From the steps of the house, Gaurika watches.
Evelyn looks at her, fascinated.
Across the street, Manoj and Graham are still holding each
other, unable to let go.
120 EXT. STREET - NIGHT 120
Douglas and Evelyn are walking.
DOUGLAS
(a tiny bit sloshed)
(MORE)
85.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
First time going in to London
with my dad, on his commute...
He'd always been so extraordinary
to me, so unique. But there he
was standing on the station
platform, utterly
indistinguishable from all the
other men in suits. And then of
course a few years later I was
one of them... Hated my job.
Hated it.
(BEAT)
Sorry, talking too much. Blame a
good dinner out.
EVELYN
What was she thinking?
DOUGLAS
I beg your pardon?
EVELYN
His wife. Manoj's wife. She
knew who Graham was. Had he told
her?
(BEAT)
D'you think we'll find out
tomorrow?
DOUGLAS
Not me, I'm heading up to the
Badi Mahal Palace. Very excited,
been reading all about it.
EVELYN
Tell me.
DOUGLAS
I would, if I could remember a
word.
Evelyn laughs. Then Douglas suddenly grabs her. And pulls
her out of the way of a motor bike, zooming past them.
Sunaina hasn't realised she nearly hit them, and powers on
towards the Marigold.
Douglas and Evelyn stand for a moment, startled, holding
each other. Something passes between them that embarrasses
them both. Then they part quickly, guiltily.
They're outside a small restaurant, and with exquisite
timing, a group of musicians start to play a romantic tune.
WAITER
Come, please. Nice meal,
please...
86.
DOUGLAS
(NAMASTE GESTURE)
We've eaten, thank you...
They continue on their way. Slightly further apart than
before.
121 EXT. MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 121
It's the middle of the night, and everything's quiet Or
as quiet as it can be in the middle of the usual night-time
Indian cacophony.
Sunaina parks her bike outside the hotel, goes on in.
122 INT. BEDROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 122
Sonny is sleeping peacefully.
123 EXT. COURTYARD, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 123
Sunaina moves across the courtyard.
Not sneaking, exactly. But making no sound.
124 INT. BEDROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 124
Sonny sleeps on.
125 INT. CORRIDOR, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 125
Sunaina is definitely sneaking now. She aims down the
passage towards Sonny's room.
126 INT. BEDROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 126
Sonny stirs, but doesn't wake up.
127 INT. BEDROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 127
Sunaina comith esno te bedroom.
She takes off her clothes. And climbs, naked, into bed
beside the sleeping figure.
128 INT. BEDROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 128
A loud scream.
In a different bed, in a different room, Sonny wakes up.
And remembers.
87.
129 INT. BEDROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 129
It's Sunaina that's screamed. Because she's in bed with
Madge.
Who couldn't be happier.
MADGE
A midnight booty call. How
utterly marvellous.
130 INT. CORRIDOR, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 130
Sonny hares out of his temporary bedroom, and races down
the corridor, towards Madge's room.
131 INT. BEDROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 131
Sunaina has jumped out of the bed and across the room,
grabbing one of Madge's generous scarves to cover her
nakedness.
SUNAINA
I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry . I
don't know what your name is, but
I'm incredibly sorry.
MADGE
Don't be. Most action I've had
in weeks.
SUNAINA
If you could just please not
MENTION -
Sonny bursts in.
SONNY
Do not worry, Mrs Hardcastle! I
can explain each and every thing!
Hesees Sunaina.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Oh my god you are naked.
He turns to Madge.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Mrs Hardcastle, I must apologise
with deep and profound sincerity -
SUNAINA
How could you not tell me you
weren't in your room!
88.
SONNY
Yes, Sunaina, to you too I must
apologise with equally deep and
profound sincerity. Now go. Get
out. Quickly.
SUNAINA
I'm going. Just let me get
dressed, and -
SONNY
No no, quicker than that. You
must leave, before -
MrsKapoor flings open the door.
MRS KAPOOR
What is going on here? Who
screamed?
She sees the nearly-naked Sunaina.
MRS KAPOOR (cont'd)
No no no no no. No! This is a
respectable hotel, not a brothel.
(TO SUNAINA)
You, get out.
(TO MADGE)
And Mrs Hardcastle, I expected
better of you. Actually, this is
exactly what I expected of you,
but nevertheless -
SUNAINA
Mrs Kapoor, I'm Sunaina.
MRS KAPOOR
Since I will not be paying for
your services, your name is of no
interest to me.
(BEAT)
How do you know mine?
Sunaina is shocked to realise that Mrs Kapoor doesn't know
her name. Sonny steps forward reluctantly.
SONNY
Because this . is my Sunaina.
MRS KAPOOR
The girl who my son described as
not too modern.
MADGE
This is getting interesting.
MRS KAPOOR
(TO SUNAINA)
Tell me, please.
(MORE)
89.
MRS KAPOOR (cont'd)
Is there anyone in this building
you haven't slept with?
SONNY
Mummyji, do not get the wrong
idea. Sunaina was not here to be
with Mrs Hardcastle. She was
here to have sex with me!
Mrs Kapoor turns to Sunaina. Who is speechless.
MRS KAPOOR
This is the sort of woman you
are. OK. Each to her own. But
do not ever try and tell me that
you are suitable wife for my son.
(BEAT)
Find your clothes and go. I
don't expect to see you again.
132 EXT. GARDEN/PATHWAY. MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 132
Sunaina is leaving the hotel, angry and humiliated. Evelyn
and Douglas are coming up the path.
EVELYN
Sunaina?
And now Sunaina is even more humiliated.
132A EXT. STREET. MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 132A
Sunaina roars away on her scooter.
DISSOLVE TO:
133 EXT. STREET. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAWN 133
The same street. The sun is just coming up, and traders are
setting up their stalls, spreading their wares on rugs on
the ground.
One trader is unloading some fruit. A few guava roll off
the edge of his wagon.
Someone picks them up for him. It's Graham, who smiles as
he puts them back. The trader gives him a fresh one.
Graham takes it, and walks on, munching the delicious
fruit. A contented man.
134 EXT. GARDEN. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAWN 134
Norman is sitting on a stone bench under a spreading tree.
90.
GRAHAM (O.S.)
How did it go?
Norman turns, to see Graham standing above him.
NORMAN
I have seen the top of the
mountain. And it is good.
Graham nods, sits down next to him. They gaze out at the
waking city.
GRAHAM
I saw someone yesterday, a man I
hadn't seen for many years. A
man I've loved all my life.
Norman is a bit startled by this.
NORMAN
A man... .?
GRAHAM
Yes.
NORMAN
Carry on.
GRAHAM
(smiling, unperturbed)
I didn't know how he'd been in
the meantime, didn't want to
guess. I brought disgrace upon
him and his family, and imagined
he might hate me for it.
(BEAT)
But we talked all night. He's
been happy. He's led a peaceful
life, married to a woman who
understood him and loved him
nonetheless. But he's never
forgotten me. That's what he
said.
(BEAT)
I asked his forgiveness anyway.
He said he had nothing to forgive
me for. That instead I should
forgive myself.
(BEAT)
All that time. All that time I
believed I'd sentenced him to a
life of shame. When I was the
one in prison.
(BEAT)
But not any more.
91.
Silence for a while.
NORMAN
Top of the mountain.
GRAHAM
Yes.
Norman smiles, then stands and goes on inside.
Graham settles back into his chair, looks out at the world.
GRAHAM (CONT'D)
Not any more.
135 EXT. COURTYARD/VERANDAH, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAWN 135
Norman comes into the courtyard. Madge, sipping from a cup
of chai, calls down from her verandah.
MADGE
How was the night?
NORMAN
Rather special.
He leaves. Madge just stares after him.
136 EXT. STAIRCASE. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAWN 136
Norman on the stairs to his room.
He stops, catches his breath.
137 EXT. GARDEN. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAWN 137
Graham is watching a stunningly beautiful bird. A snow
crane; white and magnificent. It's on the grass in front
of him.
Then it opens its huge wings, takes off. And flies up into
the bright blue sky. It's an extraordinary sight.
As Graham watches the snow crane swoop and dip, it appears
suddenly to slow and stall, until it seems to hang in the
air, almost motionless.
138 EXT. ROOFTOP. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAWN 138
Norman crosses the rooftop to his bedroom. He comes
inside, sits on the bed.
139 EXT. GARDEN, MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 139
Graham is still sitting in the garden.
92.
EVELYN (O.S.)
You're back.
He doesn't turn round. Evelyn has come out to the garden.
She goes over to him.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
It's been rather an extraordinary
night all round. First tell me
your news, and then -
She breaks off.
Graham is dead.
139A EXT. COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 139A
EVELYN (V.0.)
Day 45. Of course it was
inevitable. Put enough old
people in the same place, it
won't be too long before one of
them goes...
Jean, Douglas, Madge, Norman and Muriel shocked and sobered
140 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY 140
A train is crossing the endless fields.
141 INT. TRAIN - DAY 141
Evelyn stares out of the window. Madge, Norman, Douglas
and Jean are behind her. Opposite sits Manoj. Evelyn
turns to look at him, and at Gaurika, Manoj's wife, who
sits beside him.
EVELYN (V.0.)
We all know it'll happen, but few
of us know when. Graham died of
a heart attack, evidently not his
first. So he had a better idea
than most what was coming, he
just neglected to tell us. His
prerogative.
142 EXT. LAKE - DAWN 142
Three white vehicles are driving across a narrow causeway,
which barely rises above the surface of the lake. They
seem to be floating. Clouds of dust billow behind them.
93.
EVELYN (V.0.)
There was talk of sending the
body home, but Manoj felt he
should have a Hindu burial. At
the place they had visited
together. Not a holy place.
Although for them perhaps it was.
143 EXT. FUNERAL PYRE, RUINS - DAY 143
A ruined garden, surrounded by the waters of the lake,
crumbling pillared porticoes and arches. What must once
have been a royal retreat is now long abandoned and
overgrown.
Graham's friends stand watching the pyre, transfixed by the
flames. Manoj, dressed in white, stands with Gaurika. He
recites a Hindi prayer.
EVELYN (V.0.)
A body takes a long time to be
consumed. Many hours for the
mourners to remember their dead.
The fire must be lit at dawn, and
by sunset, there must be nothing
left but ash.
144 EXT. LAKESIDE - SUNSET 144
Stripped to the waist, Manoj walks into the water, holding
a bowl.
EVELYN (V.0.)
Where do our souls go? is that
all of us that is left behind?
Perhaps the most we can ask is
that when we do shuffle off, we
do so knowing that we were loved
Manoj pours Graham onto the water. The ashes shim r and
dance, caught in the gentle currents.
145 EXT. SERVANT'S GARDEN. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 145
Muriel and Anokhi are in the servants' garden. Young Wasim
sits silently in the corner.
MURIEL
So there's a process, they call
it pickling. I have no idea what
it is, or how they do it, but
whoever invented it was a smart
man. But the real genius was the
one who introduced an onion into
the system. That I could never
have thought of.
94.
Ajit looks at her, ready to translate.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
No, forget it.
Muriel is looking out at the yard. She sees Mrs Kapoor,
talking to some surveyors. They're mapping out the
building.
Mrs Kapoor sees Muriel watching her, comes over to them.
MRS KAPOOR
Mrs Donnelly, what are you doing
here? You should not be here,
talking with this one.
MURIEL
I'm helping her clean. If these
pots get any dirtier, you'll have
to serve the food with
penicillin.
MRS KAPOOR
We have other rooms. Go to one
of them instead. While this is
still a hotel.
She turns back to the surveyors.
MURIEL
(TO AJIT)
What's her problem? What's
happening here?
Ajit can't answer. But he knows a man who can.
He points to Young Wasim.
AJIT
He can tell you.
146 EXT. ROOFTOP BAR, BHARATPUR PALACE HOTEL. UDAIPUR - 146
EVENING
A stunning view over the city. Madge is having a drink
with Norman. Douglas is sitting on the wall, but keeps
looking down towards the stairs.
MADGE
When someone dies, you think
about your own life. And in my
case, there is less of it in
front of me than behind. And I
don't want to grow older. I
don't want to be condescended to,
ignored and marginalised by
society. To become peripheral to
the action.
(MORE)
95.
MADGE (coat' d)
I don't want to be the first
person let off the plane in a
hostage crisis.
They laugh together. And don't even see Douglas go.
147 EXT. LANDING. BHARATPUR PALACE HOTEL - EVENING 147
The landing is large, and open to the sky. Evelyn has just
come up the stairs to go to her room. She's leaning against
the stone baluster.
DOUGLAS
I wondered where you'd been.
Evelyn turns. Douglas is on the stairs above her.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
We're all up top, having a drink.
EVELYN
I went to see Gaurika. Manoj's
wife. I wanted to ask her what
she knew. And the answer was
that she knew everything, that
he'd loved another man, and
always would. He told her when
the marriage was arranged.
(BEAT)
They had no secrets from each
other, none.
Suddenly she's crying. Unable to stop.
Douglas puts his arms around her, and holds her to him.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
And that's right, don't you see?
That must be right. Because what
is the point of a marriage in
which nothing is shared?
Her words hang in the air. They stand there for a moment.
Jean has come out of her room, and stands there, watching
them.
JEAN
Mrs Greenslade, might I have my
husband back now?
They spring apart.
JEAN (CONT'D)
Douglas?
She walks off back into the room. Douglas turns to Evelyn.
96.
DOUGLAS
FORGIVE ME
EVELYN
Yes, of course.
DOUGLAS
Forgive me.
Evelyn goes quickly to her room, leaving him standing
there.
148 INT. DOUGLAS AND JEAN'S ROOM - EVENING 148
Douglas closes the door.
DOUGLAS
She was upset.
JEAN
Spare me your explanations.
D'you think I'm jealous?
DOUGLAS
I don't see why else you would
have embarrassed me. And Evelyn.
JEAN
You were already doing a
perfectly good job of
embarrassing yourself. Can you
imagine how ghastly it's been for
everyone to watch you mooning
around after that simpering doe-
eyed ex-housewife, taking
advantage of her loneliness and -
DOUGLAS
God, can you hear yourself? Can
you? Do you have any idea what a
terrible person you've become?
Jean is stunned into silence.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
All you give out is this endless
negativity, a refusal to see any
kind of light and joy even when
it's right in your face, and a
desperate need to squash any sign
of happiness in me or anyone else
.. it's a wonder I don't fling
myself at the first kind word or
gesture that comes my way. But I
don't. Out of some dried-out
notion of loyalty and respect,
neither of which I ever bloody
get in return.
97.
There's a long silence.
JEAN
I checked my emails. This came.
She hands him a piece of paper.
149 EXT. ROOFTOP BAR. BHARATPUR PALACE HOTEL - EVENING 149
Evelyn comes onto the terrace, and heads for Madge and
Norman. She picks up Madge's glass.
MADGE
Are you alright?
EVELYN
I just need some water.
She drains the glass.
MADGE
That was a gin and tonic.
EVELYN
Yes. I know that now.
MADGE
What's happened?
NORMAN
Good evening, the Ainslies.
Douglas and Jean are approaching them.
MADGE
How are you both?
JEAN
We're particularly well.
Douglas, tell them our news.
She looks to him, waits. He says nothing.
So she turns, and smiles.
JEAN (CONT'D)
We're going home.
150 EXT. EVELYN'S VERANDAH/KITCHEN. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 150
Sonny is with his investor, Mr Maruthi. They emerge from
the upper courtyard onto the terrace overlooking the back
of the hotel.
98.
SONNY
And so I would ask you to loosen
the strings on your purse, Mr
Maruthi, and to do it most
rapidly. So that Phase Two
Development of the Best Exotic
Marigold Hotel can begin with
immediate effect.
Mr Maruthi looks down, sees Muriel. She's with Anokhi,
Ajit, and Young Wasim.
He calls down to her.
MR MARUTHI
Mrs Donnelly, I believe.
Sonny spots the danger, tries to lead Mr Maruthi away.
SONNY
And now if you would please be
following me to the ground floor
ROOMS
Mr Maruthi ignores him, calls down again.
MR MARUTHI
How are things at the hotel?
SONNY
Mr Maruthi -
MURIEL
(CALLING BACK)
Better. They're going better.
Sonny takes a moment to recover.
SONNY
You see? Profound satisfaction.
Such is the inevitable result of
a prolonged stay at the Marigold
Hotel.
And now Mr Maruthi has spotted something else. The
surveyors, who are still taking their measurements.
MR MARUTHI
What are those men doing?
SONNY
(Glancing back for a moment)
Working for me, Mr Maruthi. To
create a home for the elderly so
wonderful that they will simply
refuse to die! Stare death in
the face and say-
(MORE)
98A.
SONNY (CONT'D)
(follows Mr Maruthi's
GAZE)
What are those men doing?
99.
151 EXT. KITCHEN/SERVANT'S GARDEN. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 151
Moments later. Through the window, Muriel watches Sonny
confronting his mother.
SONNY
Mummyji, what is going on here?
MRS KAPOOR
I have spoken to your brothers.
They want to sell the hotel.
These men are here to value the
building.
SONNY
They are valuing the land. My
brothers do not care about the
building. They will knock it
down.
MRS KAPOOR
They could just wait a month for
it to fall down of its own
accord.
SONNY
You joke, Mummyji, but inside I
know you are not laughing. You
do not want to see this dream
destroyed. Send these people
away.
MRS KAPOOR
No, my son. It is too late.
152 INT. SONNY'S OFFICE - NIGHT 152
Mrs Kapoor is at the desk, going through the accounts.
Sonny stands opposite her.
SONNY
Mummyji, please -
MRS KAPOOR
These figures do not support your
argument.
SONNY
There is still time to turn
things around. With a small
injection of funds, we can -
MRS KAPOOR
Who is trusting you with that
money? Eh? You, who cannot run
a chai stand. Just like your
father.
100.
Beat. Then Sonny speaks quietly.
SONNY
Do I remind you of him so much?
Is that why you must be cruel to
me?
MRS KAPOOR
You think I am cruel?
SONNY
You loved my father. And he
loved this hotel.
MRS KAPOOR
(FIERCELY)
Two mistakes. There will not be
a third.
(BEAT)
Say goodbye to all this, Sonny.
And come with me to Delhi. Your
life will become easier.
SONNY
Not easier, Mummyji. Smaller.
He leaves.
Mrs Kapoor comes back to the desk, fiddling with some
paperwork, discomfited.
She turns to the doorway. Muriel is there, in her chair.
MRS KAPOOR
Mrs Donnelly. Can I help you?
MURIEL
Depends. Do you know how to use
a computer?
MRS KAPOOR
I assume you are joking.
MURIEL
Mrs Ainslie said she had an
address where I could get some
things I need. Some biscuits.
She said I could get them on the
line.
MRS KAPOOR
I wish you luck.
Mrs Kapoor smiles, and leaves.
Muriel watches her go, then turns to the computer.
Her fingers fly across the keyboard.
101.
153 INT. TRAIN - NIGHT 153
The train rattles its way through the night. Jean is
chatting away, in a better mood than we've seen her for
some time. Evelyn listens in silence.
JEAN
The whole thing is actually
tremendously exciting. Not just
getting on a plane, but getting
on a plane and turning left.
NORMAN
Turning left?
JEAN
First class. And home in time
for our 40th wedding anniversary.
We haven't yet decided how to
mark the occasion.
MADGE
Perhaps a minute's silence?
154 INT. SONNY'S OFFICE, MARIGOLD HOTEL - NIGHT 154
Ajit keeps watch, while Muriel is at the printer. Waiting
as it disgorges pages.
155 OMITTED 155
155A EXT. STREET. JAIPUR STATION - DAY 155A
The tuk-tuks are lined up.
NORMAN
(hailing a tuk-tuk)
Two should fit us all, I think.
EVELYN
I'm actually going to walk.
Apparently they're getting ready
for a festival.
DOUGLAS
Perhaps you'd like one of us to
accompany you.
MADGE
I'm happy to walk with you.
102.
EVELYN
I'll be fine.
Evelyn speaks to both Douglas and Jean.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
I'm delighted for your daughter's
success. I wish you all every
happiness.
JEAN
Thank you.
Evelyn turns, and walks away.
156 INT. TUK-TUX - DAY 156
Douglas and Jean are in the tuk-tuk with Madge and Norman.
There is a sombre atmosphere.
A motor-bike hurtles past them, going the other way.
DOUGLAS
Was that Sonny?
157 INT. CHRISTOPHER'S HOUSE, LONDON - DAY 157
A phone is ringing. Christopher is still in bed, his wife
Polly asleep next to him.
He answers.
CHRISTOPHER
YES
(can't believe his ears)
Ma?
158 EXT. PHONE BOOTH. TICKET OFFICE. JAIPUR STATION - DAY 158
Evelyn stands under the awning of the ticket office.
EVELYN
I just wanted to hear your voice.
(BEAT)
No, I'm sorry, I didn't think
about the time . How are you?
And Polly? The boys . how are
the boys?
She listens to him. She's holding back tears.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
Oh good, I'm glad you've been
reading it. Yes. Yes, I've made
some very good friends.
(BEAT)
No, I'm fine, of course I am.
103.
As much as she had wanted to speak to him, she now wants
the conversation to be over.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
I think my money is running out,
I'd better go. Goodbye for now,
darling. I'll call again later.
She hangs up. And stays there with her hand on the phone.
Out on the street, Sonny is pulling up. She looks over to
him.
SONNY
Mrs Greenslade. Where are the
others?
EVELYN
They're on their way to the
hotel.
Sonny looks around, at a loss.
EVELYN (CONT'D)
What's the matter?
SONNY
I wanted to warn you before you
see for yourself of the most
momentous changes that are
occurring, absolutely all of them
without question for the very
positive.
EVELYN
What are you talking about?
SONNY
I am delighted to announce the
closing of the Best Exotic
Marigold Hotel, and the joyful
return of all of its inhabitants
to their home country.
EVELYN
What?
159 EXT. GARDEN PATH. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 159
Norman and Madge have arrived back at the hotel.
Mrs Kapoor is breaking the news to them.
MRS KAPOOR
Please relax in the knowledge
that your journey home is being
arranged, and paid for by the
hotel.
104.
MADGE
Our journey here was arranged and
paid for by the hotel, and look
how that went. I'd rather walk
back to England.
NORMAN
I'd rather not go back at all.
A voice comes behind them. Carol has come out of the
courtyard.
CAROL
Why would you have to?
160 EXT. JAIPUR STATION - DAY 160
Sonny and Evelyn are still talking.
SONNY
And for myself the news is even
better. I shall be moving to
Delhi to live with my mother, and
furthermore I shall be wed to a
most suitable person of her
choice, whom I look forward very
much to meeting before I spend
the rest of my life with her.
EVELYN
But what about your girlfriend?
SONNY
She is no longer my girlfriend.
EVELYN
This is a disaster.
SONNY
Then we must treat it just the
same as we would treat a triumph,
is that not what your Mr Kipling
tells us? Although of course,
here we have a problem. Because
I, Sunil Indrajit Kapoor, have
never had a triumph, so of course
I do not know how to treat one.
No, all I have had is an constant
series of disasters interspersed
with the occasional catastrophe,
an unending stream of total -
EVELYN
Sonny, do you love her? Sunaina?
105.
SONNY
Most deeply.
EVELYN
Have you told her you love her?
SONNY
It is because I love her that I
must not tell her. She can do so
much better than me.
EVELYN
And you have told her that?
SONNY
Many times.
EVELYN
Good. Women love it when you say
that kind of thing. It's a
powerful aphrodisiac.
SONNY
Really?
EVELYN
No, of course not. Go and find
her right now, before you lose
her forever. Her future is hers
to choose, and so is yours. You
can have anything you want,
Sonny. You just need to stop
waiting for someone to tell you
you deserve it. Or you can just
keep failing yourself, and
hurting the ones you love -
SONNY
Mrs Greenslade, stop drilling!
You have struck oil!
He goes to his bike, climbs on, and rockets off.
161 EXT. UPPER COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 161
Madge is sitting, pensive. Carol comes in.
MADGE
Where's Norman?
106.
CAROL
Packing.
MADGE
But we don't have to leave yet.
CAROL
I asked him to come and stay with
me.
MADGE
Is that wise? I'm not sure he's
trained.
CAROL
You think it's too soon.
MADGE
It doesn't matter what I think.
CAROL
It is too soon. But at our age we
can't afford the luxury of taking
it slow. And it's either this or
he goes home and I don't want
him to go home.
Madge looks at her for a while. Then smiles.
MADGE
I wish you both the very best.
CAROL
You haven't met anyone?
MADGE
Single by choice. Just not my
choice.
(BEAT)
I actually think it might be
over. For me. With men. And if
that's gone, I'm not quite sure
what's left.
BEAT
CAROL
Did you know Norman brought
pills? The first night he stayed
with me?
MADGE
They obviously did the trick.
CAROL
I saw them in his pocket. I
didn't want it to be like that.
So when I had the chance I
swapped them.
(BEAT)
(MORE)
106A.
CAROL (CONT'D)
He went all night on two aspirin.
(BEAT)
It's never over.
Norman appears with his one bag and his battery radio.
NORMAN
Ready?
107.
162 EXT. STREET, CENTRAL JAIPUR - DAY 162
Sonny roars through the streets on his bike.
163 EXT. STREET. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 163
Evelyn approaches.
She sees a taxi waiting outside the hotel.
164 EXT. STAIRCASE, MARIGOLD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS 164
The houseboy is carrying Douglas and Jean's bags down to
the car.
165 EXT. COURTYARD, MARIGOLD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS 165
Evelyn comes into the courtyard. Muriel is sitting there.
The two women stare at each other.
MURIEL
Do you want him to see you?
165A EXT. STREET. JAIPUR 165A
Sonny is waiting at a junction, texting into his mobile
phone.
166 INT. DOUGLAS AND JEAN'S ROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 166
Douglas is checking they haven't left anything. Jean is at
the door. She's impatient.
JEAN
DOUGLAS
166A INT. CALL CENTRE - DAY 166A
Sunaina picks up her mobile, looks at the message.
167 EXT/INT. TAXI/STREET. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 167
Jean is sitting in the taxi, which is driven by BARUM.
Douglas climbs in.
A beat.
DOUGLAS
My wallet, I forgot my wallet.
One second.
Before Jean has a chance to say anything, he goes back in.
108.
She watches him go.
168 EXT. COURTYARD, MARIGOLD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS 168
Douglas comes back into the courtyard, heads towards the
staircase to Evelyn's room.
Then Muriel speaks from her verandah.
MURIEL
She's not back yet.
Douglas stops. Beat.
DOUGLAS
Right.
(BEAT)
Then perhaps you could tell her I
said goodbye.
He turns and walks out.
169 INT. EVELYN'S ROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS 169
Evelyn is at her window, listening. She turns to watch him
leave.
170 EXT. MARIGOLD HOTEL - CONTINUOUS 170
Douglas gets back into the taxi.
DOUGLAS
(slamming the door)
False alarm. Had it the whole
time. Let's go.
171 OMITTED 171
172 EXT. CALL CENTRE - DAY 172
Sonny roars into the forecourt, gets off his bike, and runs
into the building.
A SECURITY GUARD goes to stop him, but Sonny's already
running up the stairs.
172A INT. STAIRWELL/LANDING. CALL CENTRE - DAY 172A
Sonny keeps going up, floor after floor.
109.
SONNY
(YELLING)
Sunaina! Sunaina!
He reaches the seventh floor.
Jay appears on the landing above him.
JAY
What's going on?
Sonny is doubled over, totally out of breath. Holds up a
finger.
JAY (CONT'D)
Sonny?
SONNY
I need to see Sunaina!
JAY
Her shift's not over. And when
it is, she doesn't want to see
you.
Beat.
SONNY
Jay, you are the son my mother
wished I was; an intelligent man,
with a strong head for business.
You see things as they are, not
as you wish them to be. So fuck
off out of my way.
Jaydoesn't move.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Or you can give her a message.
Sunaina is standing against the wall, unseen by Sonny,
listening.
SONNY (CONT'D)
Tell her from me what I should
have told her the day we met.
What I will announce to anyone
who asks. And many who do not.
Sunaina speaks to Jay.
SUNAINA
Including your mother?
JAY
(TO SONNY)
Including my mother?
SUNAINA
His mother.
110.
JAY
(TO SONNY)
Your mother.
SONNY
I will tell every mother in the
land.
SUNAINA
(TO JAY)
What will you tell them?
JAY
(TO SONNY)
What will you tell them?
SONNY
The only thing that matters in
this world. That I love you.
And always will.
(BEAT)
And by you, I mean Sunaina, Jay,
not you. Although if you are to
be my brother-in-law, I hope we
can become better friends.
SUNAINA
Why is he only saying this now?
JAY
(TO SUNAINA)
You ask him.
SUNAINA
Why are you only saying this now?
SONNY
Because, Sunaina, love of my
life, no more will I believe that
I am not worthy, for only by
loving you as you deserve will I
become so.
On Sunaina's face as she hears this.
173 EXT. STREET, CENTRAL JAIPUR - DAY 173
The cacophonous sound of drumming: a small band of players
are beating out a deafening, syncopated rhythm as the
Ganeshi festival begins to unfold.
Sonny is on his bike, Sunaina riding side-saddle on the
back. They're speeding through the city.
Sonny rockets through an arch way up a side street, is
confronted by a huge traffic jam. The Ganeshi procession is
bringing everything to a standstill.
He does a U-turn, speeds off back the way they came.
111.
174 INT/EXT. TAXI/STREET - DAY 174
Douglas and Jean are sitting in the traffic jam.
DOUGLAS
It's funny. They call it rush
hour, but nothing actually moves.
(BEAT)
It's not that funny.
(BEAT)
Although I suppose it's all about
context, isn't it? I mean -
JEAN
Douglas?
DOUGLAS
Yes?
JEAN
If you say one more word, I'll
kill you with my thumbs.
174A EXT. COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 174A
Muriel sits alone in the courtyard, under her awning.
Then Carol and Norman appear from reception, followed by
Mrs Kapoor. They cross towards the arch.
MURIEL
Where d'you think you're going?
MADGE
You may well ask.
Madge is sitting under the shade of a tree..
NORMAN
We're moving in together.
MURIEL
Already?
CAROL
That point has been made.
MRS KAPOOR
The hotel is closing.
MURIEL
Doesn't have to.
Silence. Everyone stares at Muriel.
She takes out the spreadsheets.
112.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
I've been going over the
accounts.
174B EXT. STREET, CENTRAL JAIPUR - DAY 174B
If anything, the traffic is now worse. Jean and Douglas's
taxi has progressed a few yards, and is now wedged into the
arch. The Ganeshi procession is completely blocking the far
entrance to the archway.
Jean gets out, looks at the sea of unmoving traffic ahead
and behind.
JEAN
This is ridiculous. It could go
on for hours. There's no way
we're ever going to get out of
here.
DOUGLAS
Maybe there is.
A rickshaw arrives next to them, swerving through the
traffic. It is ridden by IFTI.
JEAN
You. Can you get us to the
airport?
IFTI
Sorry long way sore legs not
possible.
JEAN
I'll give you everything I have.
IFTI
Step right in mind your head
let's go.
JEAN
Come on, Douglas. Come on!
Douglas gets the suitcases out of the trunk of the cab.
IFTI
Sorry no manage people and cases.
JEAN
(grabbing her suitcases)
What?
IFTI
Not possible. Two person, no
cases; one person, and cases.
113.
JEAN
(taking off her watch)
How about if I give you something
else? My watch?
IFTI
(TAKES IT)
Sure. Thank you. Still not
possible.
DOUGLAS
We'll get another flight. We can
go back to the hotel, and leave
in the morning.
JEAN
No.
DOUGLAS
Jean, you heard what he said. He
can't do it.
JEAN
He can do one person, and cases.
DOUGLAS
Yes, but
JEAN
Could fate find a better way to
tell us what we need to hear?
DOUGLAS
Which is what?
JEAN
That it's over. It was over a
long long time ago.
DOUGLAS
This is not the time to talk
about this. Let's wait till we
GET-
JEAN
I have to go, Douglas.
DOUGLAS
I won't let you.
JEAN
No, you'll want to come after me.
Chase me to the airport and tell
me everything will be fine.
But please don't. Because the
truth is we both deserve more
than we've had. You're just too
kind and too loyal to admit it.
113A.
Beat.
JEAN (CONT'D)
I will be alright.
(SHE SMILES)
I'm turning left.
She climbs onto the rickshaw.
114.
As the drumming intensifies, Douglas stands holding his
suitcase, watching her weave through the traffic and out of
sight.
174C EXT. STREET. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 174C
Sonny and Sunaina roar towards the hotel, drive into the
gate and up the path...
175 EXT. STREET/COURTYARD. MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 175
Mrs Kapoor is studying the spreadsheets.
MRS KAPOOR
I don't know what any of these
figures mean.
Sonny and Sunaina drive into the courtyard, screech to a
halt.
They dismount.
SONNY
Mummyji? Mummyjit
MRS KAPOOR
Right here, you do not need to
shout.
SONNY
Do you remember what my father
used to say? That nothing happens
unless first we dream. Like him
I have dreamt, Mummyji, and like
him, I have failed. The Marigold
Hotel is crumbling into dust.
And it turns out I can live with
that. But the one thing I will
not do is live without this girl.
To whom I did not introduce you
properly before.
(BEAT)
This is Sunaina Shantanu Palawat.
The woman I love, and wish to
marry.
SUNAINA
I am very pleased to meet you,
Mrs Kapoor.
115.
Sunaina puts out her hand. Mrs Kapoor will not take it.
MRS KAPOOR
(shaking her head)
No. I forbid it. I forbid this
match. Utterly and completely.
Do you hear me, Sonny? This
cannot happen.
And then a low, rumbling sound comes from the corner. Like
a quiet volcano.
Young Wasim is speaking. It's a long, poetic and heartfelt
speech.
Unfortunately it's in Hindi.
MADGE
What is he saying?
MURIEL
What he said to me, I imagine.
She turns to Sunaina.
MURIEL (CON'TD)
Can you help?
SUNAINA
He is saying . he is saying
that he has been with this family
as long as he can remember.
Given them a lifetime of service.
And that he remembers another
fight, between two young people
and their parents. And he
remembers the moment where the
young man stood up to his mother
MRS KAPOOR
. and said yes, I want to marry
this woman. Yes, she is from a
different community. But she is
smart, she is beautiful, and I
love her.
Long pause.
MRS KAPOOR (cont'd)
I don't know who he's talking
about.
She offers Sunaina her hand.
MRS KAPOOR (cont'd)
Take care of my favourite son.
Sunaina shakes her hand.
116.
NORMAN
So I'm not clear now. Am I
staying or going?
MURIEL
Depends how you read the
accounts.
SONNY
The accounts?
MURIEL
Turns out the original plan is
good, it works. Just not in the
hands of an imbecile.
SONNY
I knew that plan was good!
MURIEL
What the place needs is more
money.
SONNY
Unfortunately my investor, Mr
Maruthi has decided that while he
greatly admires my endeavors, he
CANNOT -
MURIEL
He's reconsidered.
SONNY
You spoke to him?
MURIEL
So long as there is someone to
help the manager.
SONNY
The manager needs no help.
SUNAINA
Sonny...
SONNY
The manager needs a little help.
MURIEL
(TO NORMAN)
So will you stay?
Norman looks at Carol.
NORMAN
I'd like to.
117.
CAROL
In the shack on the roof?
NORMAN
I sleep in the trees.
SONNY
(TO CAROL)
We have a double room. Bathroom
ensuite. And a fully working
door.
He points to Graham's room.
SONNY (CONT'D)
A guest has recently checked out.
Madge can't believe he just said that.
CAROL
I'll think about it.
MURIEL
(TO MADGE)
Mrs Hardcastle ? You're staying.
MADGE
On my own?
MURIEL
You're off your game. Lost your
confidence, maybe. But you're a
thoroughbred. You'll be back.
Madge smiles.
MURIEL (CON'TD)
And what about you, Mrs
Greenslade?
Evelyn has come down, unnoticed by all. Except Muriel.
EVELYN
What about me, Mrs Donnelly?
MURIEL
We haven't talked much, you and
I.
EVELYN
My loss, evidently.
(BEAT)
I'm not sure what I should do.
Nothing here has quite worked out
as I hoped.
117A.
MURIEL
Most things don't. But sometimes
what happens instead is the good
stuff.
(BEAT)
(MORE)
118.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
Haven't you got work in the
morning?
Evelyn nods.
MURIEL (CONT'D)
Besides, he'll be back.
EVELYN
You don't know him. He's the
most loyal man I've ever met.
MURIEL
50,000 rupees says I'm right. At
your current salary that should
take you three months to pay off.
Muriel stands up. Everybody stares. She starts to walk
slowly but proudly across the courtyard. She reaches the
doorway, turns back.
MURIEL
If you'll excuse me, someone's
waiting to help me make mango
chutney. Why did no one tell me
about that stuff?
MRS KAPOOR
Who is the new assistant manager?
MURIEL
Why? Are you thinking of
applying for the job?
She gestures for her wheelchair.
Sonny rushes up with it. She sinks down.
MURIEL (CONT'D))
That's enough exercise for one
day.
175A EXT. AIRPORT ROAD. JAIPUR - EVENING 175A
Jean sits in the rickshaw, surrounded by her luggage,
carried by Ifti's strong legs towards her future.
EVELYN (V.0.)
Day 51. The only real failure is
the failure to try.
175B INT. EVELYN'S ROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - EVENING 175B
Evelyn is at her computer typing.
119.
EVELYN (V.0.)
And the measure of success is how
we cope with disappointment. As
we always must.
175C EXT. STREET, CENTRAL JAIPUR - NIGHT 175C
Douglas, still holding his suitcase, is surrounded by
Ganeshi drummers, silhouetted against the lights of the
city.
The sound fades as he disappears into the celebration, and
is replaced by the gentle sound of temple bells, ringing
for morning prayers.
EVELYN (V.0.)
We came here, and we tried. All
of us, in our different ways.
176 INT. EVELYN'S ROOM, MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 176
Evelyn is still sitting, fully dressed in her room. She's
been up all night.
Her alarm clock buzzes. She turns it off.
177 EXT. EVELYN'S TERRACE, MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 177
Evelyn comes out of her room, walks across the terrace.
178 EXT. COURTYARD, MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 178
EVELYN (V.0.)
Some achieved more than others.
but we did our best. Nothing
else matters.
Evelyn walks through the courtyard, and on out of the
hotel.
179 EXT. GARDEN/PATHWAY, MARIGOLD HOTEL - MORNING 179
Evelyn walks down the path towards the street.
Then Douglas comes through the gate, with his suitcase.
They stand there, looking at each other for a moment.
EVELYN
Good morning.
120.
DOUGLAS
It is, isn't it?
EVELYN
You're still here.
DOUGLAS
I missed the plane.
EVELYN
What about Jean?
DOUGLAS
She didn't.
Beat.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
(putting down his
SUITCASE)
I had quite an interesting night,
actually. I met the same taxi
driver, but this time I let him
take me to his brother's hotel.
Which turned out to be less of a
hotel, and more of a brothel,
really. They gave me this pipe,
said it was apple tobacco, but
that's not what we called it when
I was a student. So I made my
excuses and left, wanted some
time to think. This city at
night is extraordinary.
(BEAT)
Of course the apple tobacco
helped.
(BEAT)
Guess what? I finally saw an
elephant.
Silence for a bit.
EVELYN
I'm late for work.
She goes past him.
DOUGLAS
Um ...
She stops, turns.
DOUGLAS (CONT'D)
What time do you finish?
EVELYN
I get back about 5.
DOUGLAS
Tea time.
121.
EVELYN
Yes.
DOUGLAS
How do you take it?
EVELYN
With a little milk.
She turns and walks away.
She's smiling.
180 EXT. MARKET, JAIPUR - DAY 180
EVELYN (V.0.)
Perhaps it's true: we don't stop
playing because we grow old, we
grow old because we stop playing.
Douglas is haggling with a motorbike mechanic. He seems to
be having more success with the price than in earlier days.
180A EXT. ROOFTOP, MARIGOLD HOTEL - DAY 180A
Carol is lying on Norman's bed, reading a book, while he
washes his socks in a bucket.
EVELYN (V.0.) (CONT'D)
All we really know about the
future is that it will be
different.
181 EXT. VICEROY CLUB. JAIPUR - DAY 181
Madge is chatting vivaciously to someone. It's the elegant
older man we saw earlier. And he seems utterly smitten.
EVELYN (V.0.) (CONT'D)
So we must celebrate the changes.
182 EXT. STREET. JAIPUR - DAY 182
Sonny and Sunaina race through the streets on his
motorbike. Sonny raises a fist in salute.
EVELYN (V.0.)
Let them come. Bring them on.
Because as someone once said,
everything will be alright in the
end ...
Coming from the other direction, another motorbike, Douglas
at the handlebars, returning Sonny's greeting.
And on the pillion seat, riding side-saddle, her scarf
flying in the breeze, is Evelyn, on her way home from work.
EVELYN (V.0.) (cont'd)
So if it's really not alright,
then trust me: it's not yet the
end.
| Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The
Writers : Ol Parker
Genres : Comedy Drama
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