A Passage To India - Complete Script of the Movie
    
    
  [scene: London - in the P&O passenger office] 
    
P&O Manager First time in India, Miss Quested? 
Miss Quested First time out of England. 
P&O Manager I envy you. New horizons. Those are the Marabar Caves, about 20 miles from you at Chandrapore. 
Miss Quested I see. 
P&O Manager Mrs Moore returns on the Rawalpindi on May 12th and your return is open. That is correct? 
Miss Quested I'll be staying on... probably. 
P&O Manager If you decide to return with Mrs Moore, let us know as soon as possible. 
Miss Quested I will. 
P&O Manager Now, labels, stickers, your ticket, Mrs Moore's ticket. You should have an interesting voyage. The viceroy's on board. Tends to liven things up. 
    
    
    
  [scene: Bombay waterfront, and Gateway of India] 
    
  (? military band plays) (cheering) 
    
    
  [scene: Outside Ballard Pier, with tongas. Passengers leave the ship] 
    
Mrs Turton Ugh. 
Mrs Moore I do think it's too bad of Ronny not to be here to meet us. 
Miss Quested It is nearly a thousand miles.  
Mrs Moore We've come five thousand miles to meet him. No more than two annas each. (to porters) Thank you. Thank you. (to tonga driver) Victoria Station. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside compartment of 1st class railway coach] 
    
  (knocking on compartment door) 
Mrs Moore Oh, dear. 
Miss Quested Don't worry. 
Mrs Turton Mrs Moore? 
Mrs Moore Yes. 
Mrs Turton I'm Mrs Turton. My husband's the collector. 
Mrs Moore Oh... We gave our tickets to the Indian gentleman. 
Mrs Turton The chief administrator of Chandrapore. Ronny's Burra Sahib. You must be Adela. 
Miss Quested Yes. 
Mrs Moore Please forgive us, Mrs Turton. We've had a very trying day. 
Mrs Turton We just wanted to welcome you to the fold and to say... We're off. We must have a drink or something later, when you've recovered. Goodbye. 
    
    
  [scene: In dining car of Imperial Indian Mail] 
    
Mrs Turton I believe you and Ronny met in the Lake District, Miss Quested? 
Miss Quested Yes, we did. 
Mrs Turton You must forgive me. We have very few secrets in Chandrapore. Now I'm an incurable romantic. 
Mrs Moore Miss Quested was with her aunt, and I was with Ronny. 
Mr Turton Of course you know, Mrs Moore, Ronny's doing splendidly. You'll be proud of him. 
Mrs Turton I'll second that. He's become a proper sahib. Just the type we want, if I might say so. 
  (train rumbles over a bridge) 
Mrs Moore You know, Mr Turton, when we get settled in, we look forward to meeting some of the Indians you come across socially, as friends. 
Mr Turton Well, as a matter of fact, we don't come across them socially. They're full of all the virtues, no doubt, but er, we don't. 
Mrs Turton East is East, Mrs Moore. It's a question of culture. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside 1st class sleeping carriage] 
    
Miss Quested Could Ronny really have become a sahib? 
Mrs Moore He could. But that's why you've come here. You'll find out soon enough. 
Miss Quested She's a dreadful woman. 
Mrs Moore Yes. We'd better go to sleep, my dear. 
    
    
  [scene: Under railway bridge - many Indians trying to sleep] 
    
  (coughing) 
    
    
  [scene: On Chandrapore railway station platform] 
    
  (? band plays) 
Heaslop Hello, Mother! Where's Adela? 
Miss Quested Here. 
Heaslop I can't believe it. Anthony! (speaks Urdu) Anthony will see to the baggage. Forgive me, but I'm part of the reception committee. 
Officer Guards! Attention! 
Heaslop Sorry to desert you, but we had to welcome the great man back. 
Mrs Moore I'd no idea he was so important. 
Heaslop You hadn't? 
    
    
  [scene: Driving through the bazaar] 
    
  (car horn) 
  (car horn) 
  (hoots repeatedIy) 
Mr Turton Look out! 
  (car horn) 
Mahmoud Ali That was Turton. 
Dr Aziz Turton? 
  (car horn) 
Mahmoud Ali McBryde. When he first came out, Hamidullah said he was quite a good fellow. 
Dr Aziz But they all become exactly the same. I give any Englishman two years. 
Mahmoud Ali The women are worse. 
Dr Aziz I give them six months. 
    
    
  [scene: Heaslop drives tonga through bazaar] 
    
Miss Quested Ronny, is that a body? 
Heaslop Yes. I'm sorry. We'll soon be out of this. 
    
    
  [scene: The tonga reaches the Civil Lines] 
    
    
    
  [scene: At Dr Aziz's house] 
    
  (Aziz shouts for his servant in Urdu) 
Dr Aziz Why do we spend so much time discussing the English? 
Mahmoud Ali Because we admire them, Doctor Sahib. 
Dr Aziz That is the trouble. (he asks for water from his servant in Urdu) 
Mahmoud Ali Tomorrow then! 
Dr Aziz Tomorrow night! English! 
    
    
  [scene: arrival at Heaslop's bungalow] 
    
Heaslop Here we are, then. 
Mrs Moore Very nice, dear. 
Miss Quested Are those the Marabar Hills? 
Heaslop That's right. 
Miss Quested With the caves? 
Heaslop I suppose so. Look, you've got a very busy day tomorrow. Then we have a show at the club. Come on. let's have tea. 
Miss Quested Yes. 
Heaslop Good night, Mother. (knocking on Adela's door) 
Miss Quested Yes? (expectantly) 
Heaslop Good night, dear. 
Miss Quested Good night. (disappointedly) 
    
    
  [scene: Inside Chandrapore court room] 
    
  (gavel sounds) 
Heaslop Having listened to the evidence, I find you guilty of cheating under Section 415 of the Indian Penal Code and sentence you to two month's hard labour. You may take the prisoner down. 
Heaslop Well, how did it all go? 
Miss Quested We must have seen everything. 
Mrs Moore Yes, the church, the hospital, the war memorial, the barracks. Mr Hadley was most thorough. 
Heaslop Splendid. And now you're off to the club. 
    
    
  [scene: Afternoon tea in grounds of Club] 
    
  (? orchestra plays quietly in the background) 
Miss Quested Cucumber. 
Mrs Moore My dear, life rarely gives us what we want at the moment we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually. 
    
    
  [scene: in Begum Hamidullah's bedroom] 
    
Begum Hamidullah Doctor Sahib, when are we going to get you married? 
Dr Aziz I have enough responsibilities, Auntie. 
Hamidullah We ask the poor fellow to dinner, we avail ourselves of his professional skills,and you always bring up this question. 
Dr Aziz It is the least I can do. This should put a stop to the trouble. And, Begum Sahiba.. 
Begum Hamidullah Ha ji? 
Dr Aziz I beg you once more not to drink water out of a tap. Please to boil it, boil it, boil it! 
Hamidullah And now we can eat. Selim! 
Hamidullah (he calls in Urdu to his servant to serve the food) 
Hamidullah (privately, to Begum Hamidullah) Why must you always bring up this question of marriage? He sends the children nearly all his salary and lives like a low-grade clerk. What more do you require of him? 
    
    
  [scene: In Hamidullah's dining area] 
    
Mahmoud Ali This chitty has just arrived for you from Major Callendar. 
Dr Aziz I am to report to his bungalow post-haste. And my bicycle has a puncture. 
    
    
  [scene: Outside Major Callendar's house. Aziz arrives in a tonga] 
    
Butler  The major sahib left half an hour ago. 
Dr Aziz And left no message? 
Butler No message. 
Mrs Callendar Mrs Lesley, it is a tonga. Come! 
Mrs Lesley Oh, how splendid. I suppose this is all right? 
Mrs Callendar My dear, never look a gift-horse in the mouth, particularly in this country. Club! Club, tonga wallah! Club! Why doesn't the fool move? 
Dr Aziz (to tonga driver) I pay you tomorrow. 
  (women giggle) 
Dr Aziz (to Butler) Will you please... 
    
    
  [scene: Evening - in mosque, near the Club] 
    
  (night sounds. dogs bark) 
  (leaves rustling) 
Dr Aziz Madam, this is a mosque. You have no right here. You should have taken off your shoes. 
Mrs Moore But I have taken off my shoes. I left them outside. 
Dr Aziz Then I... I ask your pardon. 
Mrs Moore Let me go. 
Dr Aziz Madam. 
Mrs Moore I am right, am I not? If I remove my shoes, I am allowed? 
Dr Aziz Of course. But so few ladies take the trouble. Especially if thinking no one is here to see. 
Mrs Moore God is here. 
Dr Aziz God is here. That is very fine. May I know your name? 
Mrs Moore Mrs Moore. 
Dr Aziz Oh. 
Mrs Moore  I came from the club. They're doing a rather tiresome musical play I'd seen in London. It was very hot. 
Dr Aziz I think you ought not to walk alone, Mrs Moore. There are bad characters about, and leopards may come from the Marabar hills. Snakes also. 
Mrs Moore But you walk alone. 
Dr Aziz I come here quite often. I'm used to it. 
Mrs Moore Used to snakes? 
Dr Aziz I'm a doctor, you see. Snakes don't dare bite me. Please. Mrs Moore, I think you are newly arrived in India? 
Mrs Moore Yes. How did you know? 
Dr Aziz By the way you address me. (points at river) Look. Sometimes I have seen a dead body float past, from Benares. But not very often. There are crocodiles. 
Mrs Moore Crocodiles? How terrible. Oh, what a terrible river. What a wonderful river. 
Dr Aziz Please may I ask you a question now? Why do you come to India? 
Mrs Moore I come to visit my son. He's the city magistrate. 
Dr Aziz Oh, no. Excuse me. Our city magistrate is Mr Heaslop. 
Mrs Moore He is my son all the same. I was married twice. 
Dr Aziz And your first husband died? 
Mrs Moore He did. And so did my second. 
Dr Aziz Then we are in the same box. And is the city magistrate the entire of your family now? 
Mrs Moore No. I have a daughter in England by my second husband. Stella. She's an artist. 
Dr Aziz Ah. Mrs Moore, like yourself, I have also a son and a daughter. Is not this the same box with a vengeance? 
Mrs Moore But not called Ronny and Stella, surely? 
Dr Aziz No indeed. Akbar and Jamlla. They live with my wife's mother. 
Mrs Moore And your wife? 
Dr Aziz In giving me a son, she died. You have the most kind face of any English lady I have met. 
Mrs Moore I think I'd better go back now. 
    
    
  [scene: On stage, at the Club] 
    
cast ? I've got this strange feellng 
  ? I've fallen in love 
  ? She's fallen in love? 
  ? While I was freewheeling 
  ? I knew it was love 
Heaslop And... 
cast ? Hooray, hooray, hooray 
  ? It's a wonderful day today 
  ? But I know that at this juncture 
  ? I can't afford a puncture 
  ? And here is my Michael... 
    
    
  [scene: Outside the Club] 
    
Mrs Moore I wish I were a member. I could have asked you in. 
Dr Aziz Indians are not allowed. 
Mrs Moore Oh. Good night. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside the Club] 
    
Miss Quested There you are. What have you been up to? 
Mrs Moore I'll tell you about it later. I had a small adventure, and saw the moon in the Ganges. 
Miss Quested Ah. 
Mr Turton Ah, Mrs Moore, Miss Quested, have a drink. Have two drinks. 
Mrs Moore Very kind. 
Mr Turton My wife's on stage, and Ronny's still holding the fort for Major Callendar, who's off on an appendix. 
Mrs Callendar His wretched Indian assistant didn't turn up in time, but I got my own back. 
Mr Turton I'm sorry about the show. But what else can we do for you ladies? 
Miss Quested Mr Turton, I'm longing to see something of the real India. 
Mr Turton Fielding, how is one to see the real India? 
Mr Fielding Try seeing Indians. 
Miss Quested Who was that? 
Mr Turton Our schoolmaster. Government College. 
Mrs Callendar As if one could avoid seeing them. 
Miss Quested Well, I've scarcely spoken to an Indian since we landed. 
Mrs Callendar Lucky you! 
Mr Turton I tell you what. If you really want to meet some of our Aryan brothers, how about a bridge party? 
Mrs Callendar Not the game. 
Miss Quested Oh... 
Mr Turton No. A party to bridge the gulf between East and West. We can produce almost any type you like: Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, even a Parsee. 
  (drum roll. all stand) 
all ? God save our gracious king
? Long live our noble king
? God save the king.
? Send him victorious
? Happy and glorious
? Long to reign over us
? God save the king. 
    
    
  [scene: Daytime, on the Club terrace] 
    
  (? band plays 'Tea for Two') 
Fielding (to Indians) ..and have enough of English tea! 
Mr Turton To work, Molly. To work. 
Mrs Turton I never thought so many would turn up. They hate it as much as we do. 
Mr Turton Ronny. 
Mrs Turton (speaks very bad Urdu. Indian ladies giggle.) 
Mr Turton Very nice of you to come. 
Mrs Moore Would you please tell these ladies I wish we could speak their language? 
Indian lady #1 Perhaps we speak yours a little. 
Mrs Turton Why, fancy, she understands! 
Indian lady #2 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner. 
Mrs Turton Yes, indeed. 
Indian lady #3 Rotten Row. 
Indian lady #4 Marble Arch. 
Indian lady #1 She knows Paris also. 
Mrs Turton They pass Paris on the way, no doubt. 
  (? band plays 'Roses of Picardy') 
Mrs Moore Uh! My only consolation is that Mrs Turton will soon be retired to a villa in Tunbrldge Wells. 
Mrs Moore Who is that man talking to Adela? 
Heaslop Oh, that's Fielding. Runs Government College. 
Miss Quested I don't understand people inviting guests and not treating them properly. You and Mr Turton are the only people who've made any attempt to be friendly. It makes me quite ashamed. 
Fielding It's awkward, I agree, here at the Club. 
Miss Quested I envy you being with Indians. 
Fielding Well - I tell you what. If you and Mrs Moore would care to meet one or two, it's easily arranged. 
Miss Quested I'd love to. I'm sure she would too. 
Fielding We've an old Hindu professor who'll tell you all about reincarnation and destiny. He might even be persuaded to sing. 
Miss Quested I'd like that. Tell me, do you know a Dr Aziz? 
Fielding I know of him. I've never actually met. 
Miss Quested Mrs Moore says he's charming. 
Fielding Good. We'll invite him too. 
Miss Quested Good. 
Fielding Oh, dear. This is for Mrs Turton. 
  (? band plays 'In a Monastery Garden') 
Mrs Moore This is one of the most unnatural affairs I have ever attended. 
Heaslop Of course it's unnatural. Now you see. 
Mrs Moore I do not see why you all behave so unpleasantly to these people. 
Heaslop We're not out here to be pleasant. 
Mrs Moore Ronny, what do you mean? 
Heaslop India isn't a drawing room. We're out here to do justice and to keep the peace. I'm not a missionary or a sentimental socialist. I'm just a member of the civil service. 
Mrs Moore Hmm. As simple as that. 
Heaslop What do you and Adela want me to do? Sacrifice my career? Lose the power I have for doing good in this benighted country? 
Mrs Moore Good? you're speaking about power. The whole of this entertainment is an exercise in power, and the subtle pleasures of personal superiority. 
  (? band plays 'God Save the King'. all stand) 
Mrs Moore God has put us on earth to love and help our fellow men. 
Heaslop Yes, Mother. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside Mr Fielding's house] 
    
Dr Aziz Mr Fielding? 
  (water running) 
Dr Aziz Mr Fielding. 
Fielding Oh, hello. Is that Dr Aziz? 
Dr Aziz Yes. I'm afraid I am early. 
Fielding That's fine. I won't be a jiffy. Please make yourself at home. 
Dr Aziz May I really, Mr Fielding? It's very good of you. Mr Fielding? 
Fielding Yes? 
Dr Aziz I have long been wanting to meet you. I have heard many times about your kind heart and your sociabllity. 
Fielding My dear fellow! 
Dr Aziz And I have seen you in the bazaar. 
Fielding Ah. 
  (Fielding hums then sings)
? The sun, whose rays are all ablaze
? with ever-living glory
? Does not deny his majesty,
? he scorns to tell a story... 
Dr Aziz I say, Mr Fielding. 
Fielding Yes? 
Dr Aziz Before you come out, guess what I look like. 
Fielding Well, let's see. You're about 5ft 9in tall. 
Dr Aziz Jolly good! 
Fielding I can see that much through the glass. Blast! 
Dr Aziz Anything wrong? 
Fielding I've just broken my back collar stud. 
Dr Aziz Oh. Take mine. 
Fielding Have you a spare one? 
Dr Aziz Yes. Yes, one minute. 
Fielding Not if you're wearing it. 
Dr Aziz No, no. Here in my pocket. 
Fielding But nobody carries a spare stud in his pocket. 
Dr Aziz I always, in case of emergency. Here it is. 
Fielding Many thanks. Oh, and how do you do? Come and sit down while I finish dressing, if you don't mind the unconventionality. 
Dr Aziz No not at all. I always thought Englishmen kept their rooms so tidy. Everything arranged coldly on shelves is what I thought. 
Fielding There are two English ladies coming to tea to meet you. 
Dr Aziz Oh. 
Fielding Oh, I think you know one of them. 
Dr Aziz I know no English ladies. 
Fielding Not Mrs Moore? 
Dr Aziz Mrs Moore? 
Fielding And Miss Quested, her companion. 
Dr Aziz Oh. Is she an old lady? 
Fielding She's a young lady, and she wants to see India. 
  (Fielding's servant tells him in Urdu about the ladies coming. He replies in Urdu 'OK') 
Fielding They're here, or will be in a few seconds. I've also asked our professor of philosophy, Narayan Godbole. 
Dr Aziz Oh, the inscrutable Brahmin. 
Fielding I hope to goodness his food'll be all right. He's orthodox, you know. 
    
    
  [scene: outside, in Mr Fielding's garden] 
    
Fielding Good afternoon to you. Welcome. 
Mrs Moore How kind of you to ask us. 
Miss Quested Nice to meet you. 
Mrs Moore Oh. 
Fielding It must have been a small audience hall in the old days. 
Dr Aziz Mrs Moore, do you remember the tank in our mosque? 
Mrs Moore I do indeed. 
Dr Aziz Please come and see. By a skilful arrangement of our emperors, the same water comes and fills this tank. My ancestors loved water. We came out of the desert. We came over the Himalayas from Persia and Afghanistan, and wherever we went, we created fountains and gardens and... 
Fielding Ah, Godbole! you know Dr Aziz, and here are our new visitors. Mrs Moore, Miss Quested, Professor Godbole. We didn't realise you were here. 
Godbole The sun will soon be driving us all into the shade. And I was enjoying the water. 
Fielding Now, Mrs Moore, would you like to have our tea served inside or out? 
Miss Quested Dr Aziz, I wonder if you could explain a disappointment we had this morning. 
Mrs Moore Ah, yes. I'm afraid we may have given some offence. 
Dr Aziz That is impossible. May I know the facts? 
Miss Quested Yes. An Indian lady and gentleman, whom we met at the club party the other day, were to collect us in their carriage this morning at nine. We waited and waited. They never came. They even put off going to Delhi to entertain us. 
Fielding I wouldn't worry about it, anyway. 
Miss Quested Well, it is very worrying. 
Godbole I think perhaps, young lady, they grew ashamed of their house and that is why they did not send. 
Fielding That's very possible. 
Miss Quested I do so hate mysteries. 
Fielding We English do. 
Mrs Moore I rather like mysteries, but I do dislike muddles. 
Fielding You know, I think a mystery is only a high-sounding term for a muddle. The professor, Aziz and I know that India's a muddle. 
Godbole Agreed, I'm sorry to say. 
Dr Aziz There will be no muddle when you come to visit me at my house. 
Mrs Moore Oh, that would be very nice. Yes, Adela? 
Miss Quested Yes, indeed. Do please give me your address, Doctor Aziz. Yes? 
Dr Aziz One moment. I have a better idea. Let me invite you all to a picnic at the Marabar Caves. Ladies, this will be a most magnificent outing. One is transported by mountain railway two thousand feet above the plain. And the caves, Mrs Moore, are a wonder of India. Yes, Professor? 
Godbole They have a reputation. 
Miss Quested Doctor, how many caves are there? 
Dr Aziz I'm not exactly sure. Unfortunately, I've never been there myself. 
Fielding My dear chap! 
Miss Quested Professor Godbole, have you seen the caves? 
Godbole Oh, yes. 
Miss Quested Well, could you tell us something about them? 
Godbole With pleasure. Only a few have been opened. Perhaps seven or eight. 
Miss Quested And? 
Godbole There is an entrance which you enter, and through this entrance, manmade, there is a circular chamber. 
Miss Quested Big? 
Godbole Not big. 
Dr Aziz Immensely holy, no doubt? 
Godbole Oh, no, no. 
Fielding Ornamented in some way? 
Godbole They are all the same. Empty and dark. 
Miss Quested Well, there must be something to account for their reputation. 
Godbole Indeed. 
Mrs Moore Well, well. Mr Fielding, I should like to see something of the college. Don't you come, Adela. I know you hate institutions. 
Dr Aziz You know, Miss Quested, when I first saw Mrs Moore it was in the moonlight. I thought she was a ghost. 
Godbole A very old soul. 
Miss Quested An old soul? 
Dr Aziz Professor Godbole is using the expression in its Hindu sense. Someone who has been here many times before. 
Miss Quested Mrs Moore - a reincarnation? 
Godbole Quite so. 
Miss Quested Please go on, Professor. 
Godbole Ah, yes. It is philosophy of some complication. 
Miss Quested But in simple terms... 
Godbole In simple terms, Miss Quested, life is a wheel with many spokes. A continuous cycle of life: birth, death and rebirth until we attain nirvana. I have contrived a dance based on this phllosophy. 
Miss Quested Do you dance, Professor? 
Godbole Oh yes. 
    
    
  [scene: Ronny Heaslop arrives, annoyed] 
    
Heaslop Adela. 
Miss Quested Oh, Ronny, you're early. Let me introduce to you. Professor Godbole and this... and that... 
Heaslop What's happened to Fielding? Where's my Mother? And what on earth are you doing? 
Miss Quested Well they're seeing the college and we're eating water chestnuts. Have one. 
Heaslop No, thank you. We're leaving at once. 
Miss Quested But we can't leave like this. 
Heaslop It's perfectly all right. Bearer! Bearer! 
    
    
  [scene: In Heaslop's tonga, waiting at railway crossing] 
    
  (train whistle) 
Heaslop You can take it from me that picnic will never come off. Just like that fiasco this morning. He'll forget he ever invited you.  
Miss Quested I think you're wrong. Mr Fielding... 
Heaslop Notice the collar climbing up the back of his neck? 
Mrs Moore I like Dr Aziz. 
  (train whistle) 
Heaslop Aziz was dressed in his Sunday best from head to foot, but he'd forgotten his back collar stud. And there you have the Indian all over. I'll wager he's even forgotten the caves are miles from the station. 
Miss Quested Have you been to them? 
Heaslop I know all about them, naturally. 
Miss Quested Naturally. 
Mrs Moore I really cannot have this quarrelling and tiresomeness. 
Miss Quested Sorry. 
Heaslop I don't know why I get so het up. Actually, I was taking us all to see a game of polo. Should be good. 
Mrs Moore Not for me, dear. I'm going to rest. You and Adela can watch polo. 
    
    
  [scene: At the polo ground. a game is in progress] 
    
Miss Quested Ronny. 
Heaslop Yes? 
Miss Quested I want to say something. 
Heaslop Yes? 
Miss Quested Something important. Ronny... I've finally decided... We're not going to be marrled. 
Heaslop You never said we would be married. But you were quite right to come out. It was a good idea. 
Miss Quested We're being awfully English about this, aren't we? I suppose that's all right. 
Heaslop As we are English, yes, I suppose it is. Let's go for a little drive. 
Miss Quested Oughtn't we get back to the bungalow? 
Heaslop Why? 
Miss Quested I think we should tell your mother, talk about what we're going to do. 
Heaslop If you don't mind, let's leave it a day or two. I don't want to upset her any more than I have. And besides, you're going on that expedition. 
Miss Quested Yes. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside Hamidullah's house] 
    
Hamidullah And why did you undertake such an extravagance? 
Dr Aziz To avoid asking them to my house. 
Mahmoud Ali Which you had already done. 
Hamidullah Now we must all put our shoulders to the wheel. My wife will supply plates, knives and forks. 
Mahmoud Ali And then there is the question of alcohol. Whisky-sodas for Mr Fielding, ports for the ladies. 
Dr Aziz And food. The English are big eaters. 
Hamidullah And Professor Godbole? 
Dr Aziz He eats more than the English. And nothing but vegetables, fruits and rice. 
Mahmoud Ali And only if cooked by a Brahmin. And if there is a slice of beef in the vicinity, he will certainly throw up. 
Hamidullah The English can eat mutton. 
Mahmoud Ali Even ham. 
Dr Aziz Ham? Are you suggesting I offer ham? 
Hamidullah Enough, enough. Now English ladies cannot sit upon the ground. Not even on a Persian carpet. 
Mahmoud Ali You must take chairs and tables. 
Hamidullah So you will need servants. Then there is also the question of transport after the train journey. The caves are a considerable distance from the station. 
Dr Aziz I've just been to the station. The train leaves before dawn. 
Hamidullah Then you must take precaution against lack of punctuality. Better spend the night there. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside Heaslop's dining room. It is a windy night, and the windows bang] 
    
Miss Quested What was that? 
Heaslop Nothing. It always happens before the hot weather, generally with dust and thunder. Coffee? 
Mrs Moore No, thank you. I'm off to bed. 
Heaslop Mother - I know I made myself rather ridiculous this afternoon. But the truth is, I wasn't quite sure of myself, and I'm sorry. 
Mrs Moore Very nicely said. Thank you, dear. 
Heaslop Of course, I have no earthly right to tell either of you what you can or cannot do. See India if you like and as you like. 
Mrs Moore Sometimes I think too much fuss is made about marriage. Century after century of carnal embracement, and we're still no nearer understanding one another. Good night. 
    
    
  [scene: Adela cycles to abandoned temples and explores them. She is chased by monkeys, and returns to the bungalow] 
    
  (dog barks. bicycle bell) 
Heaslop Adela, are you all right? 
Miss Quested Yes, of course. 
Heaslop Well, what happened? 
Miss Quested Nothing. I want to take back what I said at the polo. Oh, Ronny... I'm such a fool. 
    
    
  [scene: At the Club] 
    
  (orchestra plays 'Oh, lady Be Good') 
Miss Quested It's a funny thing, but I don't feel a bit excited. Well, nothing's really changed, has it? I feel perfectly ordinary. 
Mrs Moore It's much the best feeling to have. 
Miss Quested I suppose so. I'm sorry to have been so difficult. 
Mrs Moore Oh, I shouldn't worry. It's partly to do with this country and the odd surroundings. 
Miss Quested Do you mean that my, my bothers are to do with India? 
Mrs Moore India forces one to come face to face with oneself. It can be rather disturbing. Odd. It must be very cold in England. Now we must go back and you must dance with Ronny. Apart from anything else, it will serve as a notice of intent. 
  (orchestra plays 'Oh, lady Be Good') 
Heslop Hello. 
    
    
  [scene: Adela's bedroom - she thinks of statues] 
    
  (rumble of thunder) 
  (creaks and groans) 
    
    
  [scene: At Dr Aziz's house] 
    
Dr Aziz Hassan. (he speaks Urdu to Hassan, and sends him for a doctor) 
    
    
  [scene: In Heaslop's tonga, arriving at church] 
    
Heaslop It's going to be hot. 
Miss Quested Your famous hot weather. 
Heaslop Mother? 
Mrs Moore You two go ahead. 
Mr Turton Ah! Congratulations, Heaslop. We've just heard the good news. Allow me to shake your hand. 
Heaslop Well thank you very much. Thank you. 
Mrs Turton We're really happy... 
    
    
  [scene: Outside Dr Aziz's house] 
    
Fielding (instructs Hassan in Urdu to take his horse) 
Dr Lal Mr Fielding, I'm Dr Lal. 
Fielding Ah, yes. How do you do? 
Dr Lal Just making check on doctor sahib. Major Callendar's orders. 
Fielding And? 
Dr Lal A slight fever, perhaps. Change of season. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside Dr Aziz's house] 
    
Hamidullah You must get well quickly. 
Haq Yes. There is talk of cholera in the city. 
Hamidullah There is always talk of cholera in the city. 
Fielding Hello! Can I come in? 
Dr Aziz Mr Fielding. Yes, please come in. 
Fielding Ah. Hamidullah. 
Hamidullah Mr Fielding, how nice of you to come. 
Fielding And how's the patient? 
Haq It is very good of Mr Fielding to condescend to visit our friend. We're all deeply touched. 
Dr Aziz Don't talk to him like that. He does not want it. And he does not need three chairs. He's not three Englishmen! 
Fielding Well, are you ill or aren't you? 
Dr Aziz No doubt Major Callendar told you I'm shamming. 
Fielding Well, are you? 
  (general laughter) 
Dr Aziz The hot weather is coming. I have a fever. Sit down, sit down. Sit down, all of you! 
Mahmoud Ali Mr Fielding, excuse. A question, please. 
Fielding Carry on. 
Mahmoud Ali Nothing personal. Personally, we're all delighted that you should be here. But how is England justified in holding India? 
Dr Aziz Unfair polltical question. 
Fielding No, no. Personally I'm out here because I need a job. 
Mahmoud Ali Qualified Indians also need a job. 
Fielding I got in first. (general laughter) And I'm delighted to be here. That's my answer and that's my only excuse. 
Hamidullah And those who are not delighted? 
Fielding Chuck 'em out. 
Mahmoud Ali Indians are also saying that. 
Fielding (speaks Urdu to Hassan) 
Dr Aziz Mr Fielding... 
Fielding What are you doing out here? 
Dr Aziz Please come back. 
Fielding Of course. 
Dr Aziz Here you see the celebrated hospitality of the East. Look... Look at the mess. Look at the flies. Look at the plaster coming off the wall. 
Fielding Oh, please. 
Dr Aziz Here is my home, where you come to be insulted by my friends. 
Fielding That was fair enough. And you'd better get back into bed. 
Dr Aziz And then you'll have to be off. 
Fielding You should rest. 
Dr Aziz I can rest all day thanks to Dr Lal. Major Callendar's spy. I suppose you know that. 
Fielding Major Callendar doesn't trust anyone, English or Indian. That's his character. I wish you weren't under him. But you are, and that's that. There we are. Try sleeping for a bit. 
Dr Aziz Before you go... 
Fielding Yes? 
Dr Aziz Will you please open that drawer under the clock? There's a grey cardboard folder. That's right. Open it. She was my wife. You are the first Englishman she has ever come before. Now put her away. 
Fielding I don't know why you pay me this great compliment, but I do appreclate it. 
Dr Aziz Oh, it is nothing. She was not a highly educated woman, or even beautiful. But I loved her. Now put her away. You would have seen her anyhow. 
Fielding Would you have allowed me to see her? 
Dr Aziz Why not? I believe in the purdah, but I would have told her you were my brother. 
Fielding Would she have believed you? 
Dr Aziz Of course not. Put her away. She is dead. I showed her to you because I have nothing else to show. Mr Fielding, why are you not married? 
Fielding The lady I liked wouldn't marry me. That's the main point. That was a long time ago. Before the war. 
Dr Aziz You haven't any children? 
Fielding None. 
Dr Aziz Excuse the following question. Have you any illegitimate children? 
Fielding No. 
Dr Aziz Then your name will die entirely out? 
Fielding Right. 
Dr Aziz This is what an Oriental will never understand. 
Fielding There are far too many children anyway. 
Dr Aziz Why don't you marry Miss Quested? 
Fielding Good Lord! 
Dr Aziz But she's very nice. 
Fielding I can't marry her even if I wanted to. She's just become engaged to the city magistrate. 
Dr Aziz Oh. So no Miss Quested for Mr Fielding. However, she is not beautiful, and she has practically no breasts. 
Fielding Aziz! 
Dr Aziz For a magistrate they may be sufficient, but for you I will arrange a lady with breasts like Bombay mangoes! 
Fielding No, you won't. 
Dr Aziz You must not tell Callendar, but last year I took sick leave and I went to Calcutta. There are girls there with breasts... 
Fielding I shall tell Major Callendar you've made a remarkable recovery. 
Dr Aziz I have, I have. 
Fielding Please tell your chap to bring my horse. He doesn't seem to understand my Urdu. 
Dr Aziz I told him not to. But now I will release you. Hassan! (Aziz speaks in Urdu to Hassan) 
Fielding By the way, about this Marabar expedition. It's going to cost an awful lot. Would you like me to help you call it off? 
Dr Aziz No, no. Arrangements are almost complete. I shall know exact date tomorrow. 
Fielding Well, good. Don't leave it too long. Phew. 
    
    
  [scene: early morning, on railway platform] 
    
  (the train-arrival bell rings) 
Dr Aziz Hassan?  
  (they both speak Urdu) 
  (train whistle) 
Dr Aziz you've come after all! I was afraid... How kind, how very kind! 
Mrs Moore I'm sorry, Dr Aziz, but I've never been at my best at this time of the morning. 
Miss Quested We're here anyway. 
Dr Aziz Yes. Excuse me. Please come. (speaks Urdu) 
Miss Quested This isn't all for us? 
Dr Aziz Oh for this great occasion I've had help from all my friends. I think you will not need your servant? 
Miss Quested No, indeed. 
Dr Aziz Then we shall all be Muslims together. 
Miss Quested Anthony... I don't like him at all. Anthony, you can go now. We won't need you any more. 
Anthony Master told me to stay. 
Miss Quested Mistress tells you to go. 
Anthony Master says 'Keep near ladies all morning.' 
Miss Quested Please go. What's that for? 
Dr Aziz A surprise. you will see. Come, come, come. Please, come. You are travelling purdah. You will like that? 
Mrs Moore It will certainly be a new experlence. 
Dr Aziz Yes. 
Miss Quested Where's Mr Fielding? 
Dr Aziz He'll be here. Englishmen never miss a train. 
    
    
  [scene: train departs. Fielding and Godbole just miss it] 
    
Dr Aziz Mr Fielding! Mr Fielding! 
Fielding I'm most awfully sorry, Aziz. 
Dr Aziz Oh, Mr Fielding, you, you have destroyed me. 
Fielding It was Godbole's prayers. They went on for ever. 
Dr Aziz Jump on! Jump! 
Mrs Moore No, no. 
Dr Aziz I must have you. 
Fielding I'm sorry, Aziz, but it really is no good. We'll join you, somehow. 
Dr Aziz Mrs Moore, our expedition is a ruin. 
Mrs Moore Nonsense. We shall now all be Muslims together. 
Dr Aziz Dear, dear Mrs Moore. 
Mrs Moore Go back to you carrlage, Dr Aziz. You make me quite giddy. 
    
    
  [scene: At the railway crossing] 
    
Fielding Poor Aziz. We must try and get hold of a car. Can you think of anyone? Is anything the matter? 
Godbole You saw the gates shut against us? 
Fielding Yes. 
Godbole Today is Tuesday. 
Fielding Go on. 
Godbole Not a wise day to undertake such a journey. Extremely inauspicious, Mr Fielding. 
Fielding Godbole. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside the railway carriage] 
    
Miss Quested I wouldn't have missed this for anything. 
Selim Memsahib. 
Miss Quested Oh, thank you. 
Selim Tea coming. 
Miss Quested Yes. What a relief after Anthony. 
Mrs Moore Rather a strange place to do the cooking. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside Mr Fielding's house] 
    
Fielding I always feel rather embarrassed when people I dislike are good to me. And I really don't care for Mrs Callendar. But she's visiting a clinic, she says the road goes up to just below the caves. We'd better leave in half an hour. Would you care for a coffee? 
    
    
  [scene: Outside Mr Fielding's house. Godbole hurries away] 
    
    
    
  [scene: On the railway train. Aziz walks outside the carriage] 
    
Dr Aziz Miss Quested! 
Miss Quested Oh, no. 
Dr Aziz Is Mrs Moore awake? 
Miss Quested Yes. But please... go in! 
Dr Aziz Don't worry, Miss Quested. Look, I am Douglas Fairbanks. 
Mrs Moore Tell me, dear. What's going on out there? 
  Mrs Moore, we're almost there. I will now explain to you about the ladder. It is to be your big surprise. 
    
    
  [scene: At the Marabar Hills, on an elephant] 
    
  (villagers cheering. music plays. much excitement) 
Dr Aziz You cannot imagine how you honour me. I feel that I am journeying back into my past, and that I'm a Mogul emperor. 
  (elephant bells) 
Dr Aziz Sometimes I shut my eyes and dream... I have splendid clothes again. And that I'm riding into battle behind Alamgir. He too rode an elephant. 
  (a kite calls. they arrive at the lower cave) 
Mrs Moore Horrid, stuffy place, really. Everything is very well arranged. 
Dr Aziz And here, ladies, is your port. The best caves are higher up, under the Kawa Dol. But we start in this one. The guide says, everyone to go in quietly. All sounds make an echo, and many sounds create inharmonious effect. 
Mrs Moore I do hope I shall be all right. In my early days with Ronny's father, I made rather a fool of myself in the chamber of horrors. 
Dr Aziz Horrors? What horrors? 
Mrs Moore The waxwork museum. He was a very conventionaI young man, which made it all rather worse. 
Dr Aziz This was not Stella's father? 
Mrs Moore No, no. He was very unconventional. My goodness me... 
Guide Sahib, sahib. (speaks Urdu to Aziz) 
Dr Aziz Hassan! Selim! 
    
    
  [scene: Inside the lower Marabar cave] 
    
  (baby crles) 
  (echo) 
Guide Shh. Shh. 
  (echo dies away) 
  (intensifying rumble) 
Guide Kawa Dol. 
  (echo) 
  (rumble and echo) (Guide invites Aziz to try the echo) 
Dr Aziz Mrs Moore! 
  (echo) 
Mrs Moore Please, please. 
  (rumble) 
  (voices) 
Miss Quested Are you all rlght? 
Mrs Moore Yes, yes. 
Miss Quested Are you sure? 
Mrs Moore Yes. Godbole never mentioned the echo. 
Miss Quested No. And far too many people. Would you like something to drink? 
Mrs Moore Oh, thank you. 
Mrs Moore I suppose, like many old people, I sometimes think we are merely passing figures in a godless universe. Get me some water. Oh. 
Miss Quested There you are. 
Mrs Moore Thank you, my dear. I didn't know you'd gone. Now, now. 
Dr Aziz We should be thinking of moving on before the sun gets too high. 
Mrs Moore Do forgive me, Dr Aziz. I'm rather tired, so I think I'll stay here. I've never been a good walker, and you two will get on much better without me. 
Dr Aziz Dear Mrs Moore, nothing to forgive. You're right. It is quite a big climb. And I'm glad you're not coming, because you're treating me with true frankness, as a friend. 
Mrs Moore I am your friend. So may I make a suggestion? 
Dr Aziz Of course. 
Mrs Moore Don't take quite so many people with you this time. I think you'll find it more convenient. It does get rather crowded. 
Dr Aziz Exactly, exactly. We shall take just the guide. Right? 
Mrs Moore Quite right. And enjoy yourselves. Ah! 
    
    
  [scene: Aziz and Quested stop halfway to upper caves] 
    
Miss Quested It's almost a mirage. Dr Aziz, may I ask you something rather personal? You were married, weren't you? 
Dr Aziz Yes, indeed. 
Miss Quested Did you love your wife when you married her? 
Dr Aziz We never set eyes on each other until the day we were married. It was all arranged by our families. I only saw her face in a photograph. 
Miss Quested What about love? 
Dr Aziz We were a man and a woman. And we were young. 
Miss Quested Dr Aziz, did you have more than one wife? 
Dr Aziz One. One, in my case. 
    
    
  [scene: At the upper Marabar caves] 
    
Dr Aziz I'll be back in a moment. (Aziz goes for cigarette) 
  (Aziz talks to guide in Urdu - where is Miss Quested?) 
Dr Aziz Miss Quested! 
  (echo) 
  (rumble) 
  Miss Quested! 
  Miss Quested? 
  Miss Quested? 
  (rumble) 
    
    
  [scene: back at the lower cave] 
    
Mrs Moore What's happened? 
Selim Elephant taking bath, memsahib. 
Mrs Moore Something else. 
    
    
  [scene: Miss Quested runs down hill] 
    
  (sobs) 
    
    
  [scene: At the upper cave] 
    
Dr Aziz Miss Quested! Miss Quested! Miss Quested! 
  Miss Quested? 
  (Aziz hits guide) Fool! 
  (car horn below. Miss Quested gets in car) 
    
    
  [scene: At the lower cave. Fielding arrives] 
    
Fielding Morning, Mrs Moore. 
Mrs Moore Mr Fielding. 
Fielding So sorry about this morning. Everything going well? 
Mrs Moore Have you seen Miss Quested and Dr Aziz? 
Fielding No. I've just walked up from the road. I'm dying for a drink. Be with you in a moment. 
Fielding Good lord! (asks for water in Urdu) 
Mrs Moore Oh, Mr Fielding, I'm so glad you're here. 
Fielding Oh, I was coming over to you. Nothing wrong? 
Mrs Moore Not exactly. But they went off with the guide an hour ago More, in fact, and somehow... 
Fielding I don't know this place, but I'm sure they'll be back soon. Not to worry. 
Dr Aziz Fielding! Fielding! (he runs) 
Dr Aziz Fielding. Fielding, I've so wanted you. 
Mrs Moore Where is Miss Quested? 
Fielding What is it? 
Dr Aziz She went down the road. I think she met Mrs Callendar. It looked like her car. 
Fielding Well of course it was her car. She drove me here. 
Dr Aziz Oh. 
Fielding Why did Miss Quested go off with Mrs Callendar? 
Dr Aziz I don't know. 
Mrs Moore But, Dr Aziz, where did you part with her? I don't understand. 
Dr Aziz Nor do I. I went round the corner to have a cigarette... 
Fielding And? 
Dr Aziz And when I came back, the guide couldn't remember which cave she'd gone into. So I looked in all the caves, and when I came out of... I think it was the third cave, I... I saw these. And then I think it was then I heard the car. So I ran over to the edge and I saw Miss Quested getting in. And... and then she drove away with Mrs Callendar. That's all. And these. 
Mrs Moore I think we'd all better go back. 
Dr Aziz Oh, Mrs Moore... Our great day is in tatters. I will never forgive myself. Hassan! Selim! (he speaks to them in Urdu) 
Fielding Aziz is an innocent.Something else must have happened. 
Mrs Moore Of course something else happened. This is a dangerous place for new arrivals. 
    
    
  [scene: At Major Callendar's bungalow] 
    
Miss Quested (sobbing) 
Mrs Callendar Now lie back, dear. Do your best to relax. 
Miss Quested I can't get rid of them. I can't... 
Mr Callendar You'll be better very soon now. 
    
    
  [scene: In railway carriage, returning to Chandrapore] 
    
Fielding After we've seen off Mrs Moore, like it or not I'm going to take you back for a good stiff drink. Here we are. Good lord, quite a crowd. 
    
    
  [scene: Train arrives at Chanderapore] 
    
Haq Dr Aziz, it is my painful duty to arrest you. 
Fielding What on earth are you talking about? 
Haq Sir, I am instructed not to say. 
Fielding Don't answer me like that. Produce your warrant. 
Haq Sir, excuse me. No warrant is required under these particular circumstances. Please refer to Superintendent McBryde. 
Fielding We certainly will. Come along, old chap. Some ridiculous mistake. 
Haq Dr Aziz, will you please come? A closed conveyance is in the yard. 
    
    
  [scene: Aziz tries to escape through the rear door] 
    
Fielding For God's sake! Never, never act the criminal. McBryde's a decent fellow. We'll see him together. 
Dr Aziz But my children, my name... 
Fielding Nothing of the sort. We're coming, Mr Haq. 
    
    
  [scene: On the platform] 
    
Mrs Moore What is it? 
Heaslop Come. I've got a car waiting outside. 
Mrs Moore Just a minute. That's Mr Fielding's and Dr Aziz's compartment. 
Heaslop I'll explain outside. 
Mrs Moore I can't possibly leave without speaking to them. 
Heaslop Please come along, Mother. I know what I'm doing. Make way, please! Make way, please! 
Fielding Come on. Take my arm. I'll see you through. 
Mr Turton Fielding! Fielding, I want a word with you. 
Dr Aziz Please... Please don't leave me. 
Fielding I have to go. I'll be with you as soon as I possibly can. 
Heaslop Please, Mother, come along. 
Mrs Moore I will not! Something very terrible is happening. 
    
    
  [scene: Turton takes Fielding inside station-masters office] 
    
Fielding Absolutely impossible. Grotesque. 
Mr Turton I'm afraid not. 
Fielding But who brings this infamous charge? 
Mr Turton Mrs Callendar, who witnessed the poor girl's flight down the ravine..., and the victim herself. 
Fielding Miss Quested accuses Dr Aziz of attempted rape? 
Mr Turton Yes. 
Fielding Then she's mad. 
Mr Turton I cannot pass that remark. 
Fielding I'm sorry, sir. But the charge must rest on some dreadful misunderstanding. Five minutes will clear it up. 
Mr Turton It does indeed rest on a misunderstanding. I've had 25 year's experience in this country, and I have never known anything but disaster result when English and Indians attempt to be intimate. 
Fielding And do you know who transcribed this script? 
Mr Turton Yes. It was T i m from m-a-p-a-b-i-l-i-t-y dot c-o-m 
    
    
  [scene: Inside Chandrapore Police Station] 
    
  (door slams) 
    
    
  [scene: Outside Chandrapore Police Station. Fielding arrives by tonga] 
    
McBryde Oh, I hate these damned festivals. I'll be glad when it's over. Always have a feeling they might go over the top. 
Callendar You have a visitor. I think I'll be off. See you tonight. 
    
    
  [scene: In McBryde's office] 
    
McBryde She hit him with these. That's how she escaped. 
Fielding If he had assaulted her, he'd scarcely bring the evidence back with him. 
McBryde Doesn't surprlse me. 
Fielding I don't follow. 
McBryde When you think of crime, you think of English crime. The psychology's different here. And particularly in regard to women. I've been going through his wallet. Here's a letter from a friend who apparently keeps a brothel. 
Fielding I don't want to hear his private letters. 
McBryde It'll have to be quoted in court as bearing on his morals. Our respectable young doctor was fixing up to see tarts in Calcutta. 
Fielding Oh, come on. You may have the right to throw stones at a young man for that sort of thing, but I haven't.  
  (policeman enters with note) 
McBryde Tell them to wait. 
Policeman Sir. 
McBryde Aye, it starts already. Vakil Hamidullah and Mahmoud Ali, legal advisors to the prisoner. 
Fielding Where is Miss Quested now? 
McBryde Staying with the Callendars until she's out of danger. 
Fielding What danger? 
McBryde She has a fever. But much worse, literally hundreds of cactus spines are embedded in her arms and legs. Until they're removed, there's a danger of them entering the bloodstream. 
Fielding Yes. 
McBryde Her scramble down that ravine, it was so precipitate it started a small avalanche of stones which stopped Mrs Callendar's car. She hooted, thinking work was going on above, and then she saw her. She had got among some cactuses and was beginning to panic. 
Fielding I suppose there's no possibility of my seeing Miss Quested? 
McBryde She's in no state to see anyone. Callendar's placed her under heavy sedation and proposes to keep her like that for several days. He's worried about shock. 
Fielding I see. But afterwards? 
McBryde Why on earth do you want to see her? 
Fielding I want to ask her if she's certain, dead certain, that it was Aziz. 
McBryde Callendar could ask her that. 
Fielding I want someone who believes in him to ask her. 
McBryde What difference would that make? 
Fielding She is surrounded by people who don't trust Indians. 
McBryde Look, I don't want to be an alarmist, but, in my opinion, the situation is going to become very nasty in the next few weeks. 
Fielding I would think so. May I see Aziz? 
McBryde Only on a magistrate's order. 
Fielding To whom do I apply? 
McBryde The city magistrate. 
Haq Nothing else excepting clothes, sir. But *these* were under the bed. 
McBryde Very useful, Haq. 
Haq Thank you, sir. And there is also that. 
Fielding That's his wife. 
McBryde How do you know that? 
Fielding He showed me that photograph. She's dead. 
McBryde I see. Well, I must press on with the report. I hope to see you at the club on Saturday. I believe Turton wants us all there. 
    
    
  [scene: Outside McBryde's office] 
    
Hamidullah You are very good to greet us in this public fashion, Mr Fielding. 
Fielding For goodness sake. 
Hamidullah Did Mr McBryde say anything when my card came in? 
Fielding No. 
Hamidullah I'm wanting ball. Do you think my application annoyed him? 
Fielding He wasn't annoyed. And if he was, what does it matter? 
Hamidullah I might prejudice him against Aziz. 
Fielding Nonsense. This is no way to be thinking. Aziz is innocent, and everything we do must be based on that. 
Hamidullah Mr Fielding, are you on our side against your own people? 
Fielding It would seem so. I think we'd better go somewhere else. 
    
    
  [scene: A tea-shop, in the bazaar] 
    
Hamidullah (orders 3 teas in Urdu) We've been thinking about who should be counsel for defence? 
Fielding You, surely. 
Hamidullah We need someone from a distance, someone who cannot be intimidated. Have you heard of Amritrao? 
Fielding Amritrao? The Calcutta man? 
Hamidullah A high reputation. 
Mahmoud Ali Notoriously anti-British. Freedom Movement. 
Fielding That worries me. 
Mahmoud Ali Why? 
Fielding Amritrao would be regarded as a political challenge. 
Hamidullah When I saw my friend's private papers carried in just now, in the arms of that police inspector, I said to myself 'Amritrao is the man to clear this up.' 
Fielding Let's not go too fast. We're bound to win. There's nothing else we can do. She'll never be able to substantiate the charges. 
    
    
  [scene: Adela's bedroom in Major Calendar's bungalow] 
    
Mrs Callendar (whispers) She's been complaining about an echo in her head. 
Mrs Moore What about the echo? 
Mrs Callendar She can't get rid of it. 
Mrs Moore Huh. I don't suppose she ever will. 
Mrs Callendar Back in a moment. 
Heaslop Mother, that was unkind. 
Mrs Moore Unkind? Unkind? What about poor Dr Aziz and those terrible police? 
Heaslop Mother, quiet, please. 
Mrs Moore I won't be quiet. Aziz is certainly innocent. 
Heaslop You don't know that. 
Mrs Moore I know about people's characters, as you call them. It's not the sort of thing he would do. 
Heaslop Whatever you think, the case has got to come before a magistrate now. It really must. The machinery has started. 
Mrs Moore Yes. She has started the machinery. It will work to its end. 
    
    
  [scene: At Mr Fielding's house] 
    
Fielding (speaks Urdu to tonga driver) Ah, Godbole. 
Godbole I see you are in a hurry. 
Fielding Yes, I've got to get out of these things and go back into town. 
Godbole May I speak to you just for a moment? 
Fielding Er, yes. Come in, if you don't mind me changing. 
Godbole I wanted to apologise for this morning. 
Fielding Oh, it's all right. 
Godbole I hope the expedition was successful. 
Fielding The news hasn't reached you then? 
Godbole Oh, yes. 
Fielding No. A dreadful thing has happened. Aziz has been arrested. 
Godbole Oh, yes. That is all round the college. 
Fielding An expedition where that occurs can hardly be called successful. 
Godbole I cannot say. I was not there. 
Fielding No. 
Godbole I must not detain you, but I have a prlvate difficulty on which I require your help. I'm leaving your service shortly, as you know. I'm returning to the place of my childhood to take charge of education there. I want to start a school that will be as much like this as possible. 
Fielding Well? 
Godbole The point on which I desire advice is, what name should be given to the school? 
Fielding A name for the school? 
Godbole A suitable title. 
Fielding Godbole, have you grasped that Aziz is in prison? 
Godbole Yes, yes. I only meant that when you're less worried you might think the matter over. I had thought, with your permission, of the Richard Fielding High School. But, failing that, the King Emperor George V. 
Fielding Godbole, let me ask you something. I was under the impression that you liked Aziz. 
Godbole Most certainly. 
Fielding Then how can you be so indifferent? Don't you care what happens to him? 
Godbole Yes, yes, but it is of no consequence if I care or do not care. The outcome is already decided. 
Fielding Destiny, karma. 
Godbole Just so. Mr Fielding, we are all part of a pattern we cannot perceive. 
Fielding No doubt. 
Godbole Why did Mrs Moore bring Miss Quested to Chandrapore? 
Fielding To marry the city magistrate. 
Godbole Yes... Or to go to the Marabar with Dr Aziz. Or perhaps to meet you. 
Fielding Very beguiling. But at this moment my only interest is to do something for Aziz. 
Godbole Excuse me, but nothing you do will change the outcome. 
Fielding So do nothing. Is that your phllosophy? 
Godbole My philosophy is you can do what you like, but the outcome will be the same. 
    
    
  [scene: in the Chandrapore police cells] 
    
  (door opens) 
Dr Aziz Did you get bail? 
Hamidullah They're afraid your presence might incite further trouble. 
Mahmoud Ali Even riots. 
Hamidullah (whispers) We've received a telegram from Calcutta. 
Dr Aziz From Calcutta? 
Hamidullah Amritrao is going to defend you. 
Dr Aziz Amritrao? 
Hamidullah Read, read. 
Dr Aziz What is 'disbursement'? 
Hamidullah Fee. He will not accept a fee. 
    
    
  [scene: In the Club, all the Europeans together] 
    
Mr Turton Good evening. 
all Good evening. 
  (crowd shouting) 
Mr Turton There's not the least cause for alarm. I want everything to go on precisely as usual. So don't start carrying arms about. Ladies, don't go out any more than you can help, and don't talk before your servants. Remember, one isolated Indian has attempted... has been charged with an attempted crlme. And he will be brought to trial. 
Mrs Turton Harry - Those drums are merely the festival, of course? 
Mr Turton Yes, indeed. And no doubt they'll be banging away throughout the night. 
Calendar Apologies, Collector Sahib, everyone. Heaslop's just behind me and I want to say a word before he comes in, if I may.  
Mr Turton Of course. 
Calendar He needs all our support. Fact is, he blames himself for allowing such an expedition, as indeed do I for giving the wretch leave. And then there's his mother. It's been a most unsettling experience for an old lady. Now the good news is that the victim is greatly improved and... 
Mr Turton Ah, Heaslop, come along in. Good to have you with us. 
Heaslop For goodness sake, do sit down, please. 
Mr Turton Up here, Ronny. Come and join us up here. 
Heaslop Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Please, do sit down. 
man Some of us never got up. 
Mr Turton We were delighted to hear the major's report on Miss Quested. 
Heaslop Thank you, sir. I didn't mean to interrupt the meeting in this way. 
Mr Turton Not at all. I was saying before you arrived that you'd refused bail. I was about to add that there's a certain member here present who's known to be in contact with the prisoner's defence. I'd like to say one can't run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. At least, not in this country. 
Fielding I would like to say something, sir. 
Mr Turton Please do. 
Fielding I believe Dr Aziz is innocent. I shall await the verdict of the court. If he is found guilty, I shall resign from the college and leave India. I resign from the club now. 
    
    
  [scene: Evening, outside Heaslop's bungalow] 
    
Callendar She's old. You mustn't forget that. Old people never take things as one expects. They can cause a great deal of trouble. 
    
    
  [scene: In Mrs Moore's bedroom] 
    
  (knocking) 
Heaslop Are you all right, Mother? 
Mrs Moore Just... just having a little rest. It's very hot. 
Heaslop Yes, it is. And I do wish I could persuade you not to undertake such a journey at this time of year. At least stay until the monsoon. It's very close now. 
Mrs Moore So much to do, so little time to do it. 
Heaslop To do what, Mother? 
Mrs Moore Settle things up. See Stella. Get away from all this muddle and fuss into some cave of my own, some shelf. 
Heaslop Quite so. But meanwhile the trial is coming on. 
Mrs Moore I told you before I don't want to have anything to do with it. 
Heaslop But the fact remains that you are an important witness. You dropped off after the first cave and let Adela go on with him alone. And no one blames you, Mother. He stage-managed the whole thing by cramming in all those villagers and frightening you with that echo. Mumbo jumbo, but very effective. 
Mrs Moore You will never understand the nature of that place, nor will anyone else in that ridiculous court of yours. I don't wish to discuss it further. 
Heaslop Very well, Mother. Will you at least stay for our marriage? 
Mrs Moore You are getting married? 
Heaslop Of course. Why do you ask? 
Mrs Moore I wondered. All this rubbish about love. Love in a church, love in a cave, as if there were the least difference. And I held up from my business over such trifles. 
Heaslop I don't understand you. I've never understood you any more than you've understood me. But what of Adela? 
Mrs Moore I like Adela. She has character. 
Heaslop Then don't you want to help her? 
Mrs Moore Nothing I can say or do will make the least difference. 
Heaslop If that is really how you feel, Mother, then you must go. 
    
    
  [scene: Night - at Chandrapore station. Mrs Moore leaves] 
    
Heaslop Goodbye. 
    
    
  [scene: In the official car, on the way to the trial] 
    
Mr Turton You mustn't upset yourself, my dear. The verdict's a foregone conclusion. 
Miss Quested It isn't that. Ermm I'm all right really. 
Mr Turton Of course you know you almost certainly won't be called untill tomorrow. McBryde will take up most of the morning. Then there's Amritrao, who'll be up to all his tricks and playing to the Indian gallery. 
  (agitated crowd shouting) 
  (smashed car of window) 
Mrs Turton Come along, dear. We're there. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside the courtroom] 
    
Mrs Turton What are you doing here? 
Heaslop I'm an interested party, Mrs Turton. I've handed over to my deputy. 
Mrs Turton And who is your deputy? 
  (the Indian judge, Das, comes in) 
  (gavel) 
Heaslop Das is a good man, Mrs Turton. 
McBryde Thank you, sir. On April 3rd of this year, Miss Quested and her friend, Mrs Moore, were invited to a tea party at the house of the principal of Government College. It was here that prisoner first met Miss Quested, a young girl fresh from England. Until this unfortunate party, the prisoner had never before been in such close proximity to an English girl. In consideration of the ladies present, I will merely allude to the fact that prisoner is a widower, now living alone. And in the course of our evidence, I'll be providing ample proof of his state of mind. Now, before taking you through the history of this crime, I want to state what I believe to be a universal truth. The darker races are attracted to the fairer. But not vice versa. 
Amritras Even when the lady is less attractive than the gentleman? 
  (laughter) 
Das Order! Order! Order! Order! 
    
    
  [scene: At night, on deck of ocean liner] 
    
  (heartbeat. Mrs Moore dies) 
    
    
  [scene: Chandrapore courtroom] 
    
Das I must warn members of the public and certain members of the defence that the insulting behaviour and rowdiness which marred yesterday's proceedings will not be tolerated. 
Heaslop Well said, Das. Quite right. 
Das Mr McBryde. 
McBryde Thank you. I shall begin, Sir, by reminding you of my contention that prisoner proposed the expedition to the caves with a premeditated intention of making advances to Miss Quested. I've made it my business to visit the Marabar during the last few days. It's an inaccessible, barren place, entailing, as you have heard, conslderable planning and expense to get there. The caves themselves are dark, featureless, and without interest, except for a strange echo. A curious place for such an elaborate picnic. The servants were all supplied by prisoner's Indian friends, with the one exception of the witness, Anthony. Anthony had received explicit instructions from Mr Heaslop to stay with the ladies at all times. Yet he remained behind. Yesterday you heard him admit that he had accepted money from the prisoner minutes before the departure of the train. And that brought us to Mr Fielding. We are asked to believe he was prevented from catching the train because another friend of the prisoner's, Professor Godbole, was saying his prayers. Prayers. After a most unpleasant altercation, I withdrew my hypothesis that similar persuasion had contributed towards this excess of religious zeal. 
Amritrao I object, sir. Mr McBryde is quite blatantly using this opportunity to repeat the slander. 
Das Objection sustained! 
Mahmoud Ali Ha! 
  (laughter in court) 
Das Order! Order! Order! 
McBryde Prisoner had yet to rid himself of a third impediment. The lady in question suffered from what is known in medical parlance as 'claustrophobia'. Prisoner achieved his objective by entering the first cave with Miss Quested and the guide, leaving this elderly lady in the rear, where she was crushed and crowded by servants and villagers. 
Dr Aziz Mrs Moore. He's speaking of Mrs Moore! 
Das Quiet. 
Mahmoud Ali Are you accusing my client of attempted murder as well as rape? Now who is this lady he's talking about? I don't understand. 
Dr Aziz The lady I met in the mosque. Mrs Moore. 
Mahmoud Ali Mrs Moore? you speak of Mrs Moore? 
McBryde I don't propose to call her. 
Mahmoud Ali You don't propose to call her because you can't! She was smuggled out of the country because she was on our side. She would have proved his innocence. 
Das You could have called her yourself. Neither side called her, neither may quote her as evidence. 
Mahmoud Ali But she was kept from us! This is English justice? This is your British Raj? Just give us back Mrs Moore for five minutes. 
Heaslop If the point is of any interest, my mother should be reaching Aden at noon today, their time. 
Mahmoud Ali Banished by you! 
Das Please, please. This is no way to defend your case. 
Mahmoud Ali I'm not defending a case. And you are not trying one. We are both slaves! 
Das Mr Mahmoud Ali, unless you sit down, I shall have to exercise my authority. 
Mahmoud Ali Do so! This trial is a farce! I'm going! I ruin my career! 
Dr Aziz Mrs Moore! Where are you, Mrs Moore? 
Mahmoud Ali We want Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore! 
Das Order! Order! 
Mahmoud Ali Farewell, my friend. (says in Urdu to crowd outside 'Listen') They have taken Mrs Moore! (speaks more Urdu) 
Mahmoud Ali Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore! 
crowd Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore! 
Mahmoud Ali Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore! 
  (crowd chanting) 
Miss Quested Isn't it strange? Rather wonderful. 
Heaslop I knew they'd try something like this. 
Das Quiet, please. 
Heaslop Poor old Das. 
Das Quiet! Order! 
Amritrao I apologise for my colleague. He's an intimate friend of our client, and his feelings have carried him away. 
Das Mr Mahmoud Ali will have to apologise in person. 
Amritrao Exactly, sir, he must. 
Das I must repeat that, as a witness, Mrs Moore does not exist. Neither you, Mr Amritrao, nor Mr McBryde, you, have any right to surmise what that lady would have said. She is not here and, consequently, she can say nothing. 
    
    
  [scene: On the deck of an ocean liner. Mrs Moores funeral takes place] 
    
Officer Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts. Shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer. We therefore commit her body to the deep to be turned into corruption. Looking for the resurrection of the body, when the sea shall give up her dead. I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: 'Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord.' 
    
    
  [scene: Back to the courtroom] 
    
crowd (chanting) Mrs Moore! Mrs Moore! 
McBryde I now call upon Miss Quested. 
Court Official Place your hand on the book... 
Miss Quested ...and nothing but the truth. 
Das Quiet, please. Silence! 
McBryde Now, Miss Quested... I would like to take you back to the moment when you came out of that first cave and found Mrs Moore collapsed in her chair. Are you with me? 
Miss Quested Yes. 
McBryde Did she offer any explanation? 
Miss Quested Err.. she said she was upset by the echo and that she was tired. 
McBryde And taking advantage of her distress and fatigue, prisoner instructed the villagers and servants to remain behind, and took you off alone with the guide. 
Miss Quested Yes. But it was at Mrs Moore's suggestion. 
McBryde I don't quite follow. 
Miss Quested She'd been worried by the crowd and the stuffiness. 
McBryde And was concerned that you might be subjected to the same ordeal. 
Miss Quested No. She wanted us to enjoy ourselves. She said so. She likes Dr Aziz. 
McBryde Yes, I think I understand the situation. Yesterday, Mr Fielding sald that Mrs Moore was what he described as 'charmed' by him. 
Miss Quested It was more than that. She liked him. 
McBryde Nevertheless, you'd only met him on two occasions before the day of the crime. 
Miss Quested Yes. 
McBryde So it might possibly have been a rather impetuous assessment. 
Miss Quested Possibly. She's like that. 
McBryde Miss Quested, you heard this morning the slur cast on British justice by the defence. It is most important that you tell the court the absolute truth of what took place, painful as it may be. 
Miss Quested I was brought up to tell the truth. 
McBryde Of course. 
Miss Quested I'm sorry. 
McBryde That's quite all right. Now, Miss Quested, you went off up the slope with the prisoner and the guide. 
Miss Quested Yes. 
McBryde Take your time and cast your mind back. Miss Quested? 
    
    
  [scene: She has flash-backs] 
    
McBryde Miss Quested, we were going up the slope. Is something wrong? 
Miss Quested I think it may have partly been my fault. 
McBryde Why? 
Miss Quested We'd stopped to look out over the plain. I could hardly see Chandrapore except through Mr Heaslop's binoculars. I asked Dr Aziz if he loved his wife when he married her. I shouldn't have done that. 
Das Then why did you do it? 
Miss Quested I was thinking of my own marriage. Mr Heaslop and I had only just become engaged. Seeing Chandrapore so far away, I realised I didn't love him. 
  (murmuring in court) 
Das Quiet, please. Quiet. 
McBryde Miss Quested, you and the prisoner continued up to the caves? 
Miss Quested Yes. 
McBryde Where was the gulde? 
Miss Quested He'd gone on ahead. 
McBryde Sent on ahead? 
Miss Quested No, he was waiting for us further along the ledge. 
McBryde But when you reached the caves, prisoner left you and went to speak to the guide? 
Miss Quested I don't know if he spoke to him or not. 
McBryde He left you and went off in his direction. 
Miss Quested Yes. 
McBryde And what did you do? 
Miss Quested I waited. 
Das You said just now 'I think it may have been partly my fault.' Why? 
Miss Quested I had asked him about love. 
Das And had thereby introduced a feeling of intimacy? 
Miss Quested That is what I meant. 
Das Thank you. Mr McBryde. 
McBryde Please tell the court exactly what happened. 
Miss Quested I lit a match. 
    
    
  [scene: Flashback to scene at the caves] 
    
Dr Aziz Miss Quested! Miss Quested! Miss Quested? 
McBryde And the prisoner followed you. 
  (rumble) 
McBryde Miss Quested, the prisoner followed you, didn't he? 
Miss Quested Could I please have a minute before I reply to that, Mr McBryde? 
McBryde Certainly. 
Miss Quested I'm... I'm not quite sure. 
  (murmuring) 
McBryde I beg your pardon? You are in the cave, and the prisoner followed you. What do you mean, please? 
Miss Quested No. 
Das What is that? What are you saying? 
Miss Quested I'm afraid I've made a mistake. 
Das What nature of mistake? 
Miss Quested Dr Aziz never followed me into the cave. 
  (louder murmuring) 
McBryde Now Miss Quested, let us go on. I will read you the deposition which you signed when you arrived back with Mrs Callendar. 
Das Mr McBryde, you cannot go on. I was speaking to the witness. And the public will be silent! Miss Quested, address your remarks to me. And remember - you speak on oath, Miss Quested. 
Miss Quested Dr Aziz... 
Calendar I stop these proceedings on medical grounds! 
Das Quiet! Please, sit down! You withdraw the accusation, Miss Quested? Answer me. 
Miss Quested I withdraw everything. 
Das Order! Order! The prisoner is released without one stain on his character! 
Hamidullah (rushing outside) Dr Aziz is free! 
McBryde Are you mad? 
Miss Quested No. 
  (thunder rumbles. the rains start) 
  (banging and screaming) 
  (chanting) Dr Aziz! Dr Aziz! 
    
    
  [scene: outside the courtroom. Aziz carried out shoulder high. All others leave hurriedly. Miss Quested wanders in a daze] 
    
Mrs Callendar Bitch. 
man We won! 
Fielding What do you think you've been doing? Miss Quested! Where are you going? 
Miss Quested I don't know. 
Fielding You can't wander about like this. Who did you come with? 
Miss Quested I shall walk. 
Fielding What madness. This could turn into a riot. We'll find my carriage. It's closed. 
Dr Aziz Richard! Richard! 
Fielding I'm coming back. 
Miss Quested Stay with him, please. 
Fielding I can't leave you here. Anything could happen. There we are. 
man in crowd Congratulations, sir! 
man in crowd We were waiting for you, sir! 
Fielding Thank you. Thank you very much. Make way, please. Thank you. Thank you. Where shall he take you? 
Miss Quested I don't know. 
Fielding What do you mean? Get in. 
crowd (cheering) 
man in crowd That was Mr Fielding! 
man in crowd And Mrs Moore! 
crowd (chanting) Mrs Moore! 
Fielding Why did you make such a charge if you were going to withdraw it? I ought to feel grateful to you, I suppose. 
Miss Quested I don't expect gratitude. 
Fielding Did you do it out of pity? 
Miss Quested My echo's gone. I call the noise in my head my echo. I've had it since the cave. 
Fielding Might the whole thing have been an hallucination? I have a hunch that poor old McBryde exorcised you. He took you back, step by logical step, into that cave, and you broke down quite suddenly. 
Miss Quested I thought you meant I'd seen a ghost. 
Fielding No, no. 
Miss Quested Mrs Moore believes in ghosts. 
Fielding Well, she's an old lady. 
Miss Quested What? 
Fielding No, I only meant that it's difficult, as we get older, not to believe that the dead live again. 
Miss Quested Because the dead don't live again. 
Fielding I fear not. 
Miss Quested So do I. 
    
    
  [scene: Inside Mr Fielding's house] 
    
Fielding Ranjit! He must have gone to the tamasha, but I can make some tea. Oh, forgive me a moment. Oh, dear. (he reads telegram, then hands it to Miss Quested)  
Miss Quested 'Annie Blair, fellow passenger.' I shall never see her again. 
Fielding Ah, Godbole. 
Godbole The boys said you were back. 
Fielding Yes. 
Godbole I'm leaving for Kashmir tomorrow morning to take up my duties as minister of education. I came to say goodbye. 
Fielding Yes? Er... come in. 
Godbole Thank you. Thank you. Miss Quested. Please, I want to give you my address and extend an open invitation for you to visit me. Have you seen the Himalayas, Mr Fielding? 
Fielding No. Miss Quested has just had some bad news. 
Godbole Oh, I am sorry. Mrs Moore. 
Fielding Yes. 
Godbole Addressed to you. 
Fielding Yes. 
Godbole Why did this lady send to you? 
Fielding I don't know. 
Godbole Mr Fielding, I would venture to remark... 
Fielding Now listen, Godbole.. Under the circumstances, I don't think we should pursue the matter further. (they go outside) I'm sorry, Godbole, but Miss Quested is extremely upset. 
Godbole Of course, of course. Nevertheless I... 
Fielding It presumably came up in a casual shipboard conversation. No doubt Heaslop will be hearing from the company. 
Godbole I see. 
Fielding I shan't tell Aziz until tomorrow. Hamidullah's bound to be putting on a celebration tonight, and it'll only upset him. 
Godbole Oh, and have you heard about the damages? 
Fielding Damages? 
Godbole Amritrao is asking twenty thousand rupees damages from... (he gestures to Miss Quested) 
Fielding Twenty thousand? 
Godbole And costs. Who could have foretold that Aziz would be saved by his enemy? What now, Mr Fielding? 
    
    
  [scene: Fielding goes to Dr Aziz's house] 
    
Fielding Shukria. (knocks) Aziz! 
Dr Aziz Come in. 
Fielding Well, what a wonderful day for you. 
Dr Aziz I am an Indian at last. Where did you take her? 
Fielding I took her back to the college. 
Dr Aziz Why? 
Fielding After this morning, she'd nowhere else to go. 
Dr Aziz No? 
Fielding Heaslop? The Turtons? She had the entire Brltish Raj behind her pushing her on. But when she saw she was wrong, she stopped and sent the whole thing to smithereens. I wouldn't have had the courage. 
Dr Aziz (shouts in Urdu to Hassan 'Go') 
Fielding Do you mind if I sit? 
Dr Aziz Please. 
Fielding What will you do now? 
Dr Aziz Hamidullah's giving me a victory party with fireworks and music. 
Fielding Good. But I meant later. Now this dreadful business is over. 
Dr Aziz I shall look for another job. Hundreds of miles from here in an Indian state out of British India. And you? 
Fielding I shall probably go to England for a long leave. 
Dr Aziz Will you and she be going back on the same boat? 
Fielding No. I couldn't possibly get away before the end of next term. Miss Quested is going as soon as she can get a passage. 
Dr Aziz I see. 
Fielding Look... 
Dr Aziz I'm looking. 
Fielding Godbole tells me that Amritrao is asking twenty thousand rupees damages. 
Dr Aziz And costs. 
Fielding I'd hate to see her getting the worst of both worlds. It'll ruin her. 
Dr Aziz And me? Prison, my private letters read out in court, my wife's photograph taken to the station to be fingered by McBryde, all because a young girl 'fresh from England' got too much sun. 
Fielding I know. 
Dr Aziz And I know what you're going to ask next. You're going to ask me to let her off paying, twenty thousand rupees, right? Then, if I agree, the English will be able to say 'Here is an Indian that almost behaved like a gentleman. But for the colour of his face, we might even let him join the club.' Is that why you came here to see me? Answer me. In the end, you English always stick together. I want to have nothing more to do with any of you. Any of you! You can go back to the college and tell her to keep the money. Tell her to use it to buy herself a husband! Tell her... 
Hassan (speaks Urdu) 
  (festive music and cheering ) 
Dr Aziz Are you coming with me? 
Fielding I don't think so. 
    
    
  [scene: at Aziz's hospital in Srinagar]  
  (knocking) 
Dr Aziz Yes? 
Hassan Godbole Sahib. 
Dr Aziz This is a great honour, Professor. Anything wrong? 
Godbole No, no. They arrive at the state guest house this afternoon. 
Dr Aziz How long have you known they were coming? 
Godbole One month, possibly two. 
Dr Aziz And why did you not tell me? 
Godbole One cannot tell anyone anything unless they are ready to hear it. 
Dr Aziz And what does that mean? 
Godbole Mr Fielding wrote you letters from London and Bombay. You tore them up. 
Dr Aziz I did. 
Godbole That is my point. 
Dr Aziz 'My dear Aziz, I have some news for you. I am going to marry someone whom you know.' The end of a foolish experiment. I have made a new life for myself up here... away from the English. 
Godbole I shall be going to the guest house to greet them. But my religious duties will be claiming my full attention for the next three days. He's come all this way to find you. Can you not let bygones be bygones and show them around? 
Dr Aziz I'm sorry, Godbole, but I've had enough of showing Miss Quested India. 
    
    
  [scene: The Fieldings come through the tunnel into Kashmir] 
    
Fielding Stop. Let's stop for a moment. 
    
    
  [scene: They get out of the car and look at the mountains] 
    
Fielding We must be getting on. 
    
    
  [scene: Dal Lake, Srinagar. Fielding takes a boat to Dr Aziz's houseboat] 
    
Boatman Houseboat, sahib. 
Fielding Hello! Aziz! Well, here you are at last. I've been looking for you everywhere. 
Dr Aziz Akbar! Jamila! (commands them to go in Urdu) 
Fielding Your children? 
Dr Aziz Yes. I suppose Godbole told you I was here. 
Fielding The minister of education never tells anyone anything unless he has to. His only piece of information was that the King George V high school was destined not to be. I was supposed to inspect it. Anyhow, here I am. I've been visiting schools all over the country. We called in at Chandrapore. Your bungalow's been turned into a shop. Turton's retired, Callendar's been given the push. And Hamidullah sends his salaams. It was he who told me you'd moved up here. So I wrote, care of Godbole. Why didn't you answer my letters? 
Dr Aziz You married my enemy, stole my money. 
Fielding Aziz, I'm going to surprise you. 
Dr Aziz What do you mean? 
Fielding My wife is Mrs Moore's daughter. 
Dr Aziz Stella? 
Fielding Stella. Miss Quested introduced us. 
Dr Aziz What a blunder. Where is she? 
Fielding I left her at the guest house. You'll meet her tomorrow. She mustn't do too much just now. 
Dr Aziz She is carrying your chlld? 
Fielding Yes. 
Dr Aziz So after all, your name will not die out. 
Fielding That's right. 
Dr Aziz Mrs Moore. (he goes outside and shouts:) Mrs Moore! 
    
    
  [scene: Dr Aziz is writing a letter] 
    
Dr Aziz And Stella believes the evil of the Marabar has been wiped out, and so do I. Dear Miss Quested, tonight is the Festival of Light, and I am writing this to ask you to forgive me. It has taken all this time for me to appreciate your courage. Because of you, I am happy here with my children instead of in prison. And because of you, I want to do kind actions all round. Richard and Stella left this morning. 
    
    
  [scene: The Fieldings are ready to leave in their car] 
    
Fielding Goodbye. 
    
    
  [scene: Dr Aziz is writing a letter] 
    
Dr Aziz I do not think I will ever see them again. 

 



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Location Report 2
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Chandrapore
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Abandoned Temple
Coonoor Station
The NMR Railway
Barabar Caves 1
Barabar Caves 2
Barabar Caves 3
Barabar Caves 4
Barabar Caves 5
Barabar Caves 6
Barabar Caves 7
Barabar Caves 8
Barabar Map
Marabar Caves 1
Marabar Caves 2
Marabar Caves 3
Return from the Hills
Kashmir
Srinagar
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