ACT ONE
Scene One
Prime Minister CLEMENT ATLEE, sixty-four, and the Secretary of State for India LORD PETHICK-LAWRENCE, seventy-six.
CYRIL RADCLIFFE, forty-eight, has just come into the room.
ATLEE is smoking a pipe.
ATLEE. Ah, Cyril.
RADCLIFFE. Good afternoon, Prime Minister.
ATLEE. How is Mrs Radcliffe?
RADCLIFFE. She is very well, thank you.
ATLEE. Send her my greetings. And my apologies.
RADCLIFFE. Apologies? For what?
ATLEE. Weâll see.
Awkward pause. ATLEE is looking at RADCLIFFE thoughtfully.
PETHICK-LAWRENCE. ErâŠ
ATLEE. Yes, do you know Lord Pethick-Lawrence?
RADCLIFFE. Actually, Iâve not had the pleasure.
PETHICK-LAWRENCE. Mr Justice Radcliffe.
ATLEE. Fred here is Secretary of State for India.
RADCLIFFE. So I do believe.
PETHICK-LAWRENCE. For my sins.
He smiles. RADCLIFFE finds their timing impossible to read.
ATLEE. Interesting day in court, Cyril?
RADCLIFFE. A crook, trying it on.
ATLEE. Alarming number do, these days.
RADCLIFFE. There are rotten apples.
ATLEE. Itâs part of the British genius, fiddling on the side in times of austerity.
RADCLIFFE. Oh, despite what I see in my court, I think as a nation weâre better than that.
ATLEE. Do you now.
RADCLIFFE. On the whole, decency holds firm.
ATLEE. Up for something more challenging? Rather than sending down the odd, indecently rotten apple?
RADCLIFFE. Well, yes, of course, delighted to serve in any way I can. If it be in my power.
ATLEE. Mm. (Pipe puff.) Do you know it?
RADCLIFFE. Know what?
ATLEE. India.
RADCLIFFE. No, Prime MinisterâŠ
ATLEE. Never been?
RADCLIFFE. No.
ATLEE. Excellent.
RADCLIFFE. Why?
ATLEE. Fred?
PETHICK-LAWRENCE. We want you to draw a line.
RADCLIFFE (aside). And Iâve said yes. Yes. Out of the blue yonder Iâve just heard myself say: âYes. Of course, Prime Minister.â And I think I heard myself say: âItâs an honour.â
Exit ATLEE and PETHICK-LAWRENCE.
RADCLIFFE remains on stage.
Scene Two
Enter ANTONIA RADCLIFFE, forty-four.
RADCLIFFE. I just heard myself say âyesâ.
ANTONIA. On the spot?
RADCLIFFE. On the spot.
ANTONIA. On the spot in Downing Street! Itâs a great honour, Cyril.
RADCLIFFE. Yes.
ANTONIA. Tiny little problem, though. You know bugger all about India!
RADCLIFFE. Absolutely squelch!
They laugh.
Though thatâs the reason why theyâve asked me. Atlee says the Government want a fresh eye.
ANTONIA. Oh, Cyril, it will be a wonder. The beginning of an honourable end to Empire.
RADCLIFFE. It has to come. A new world.
ANTONIA. You are perfect for it.
RADCLIFFE. Well, I can try to offer a rational overview.
ANTONIA. To cut through.
RADCLIFFE. Gordian knot, yes. Iâll be briefed intensively of course, the Viceroyâs putting together a team for me.
ANTONIA. Well, thank God youâre a fast learner.
RADCLIFFE. That the law has given me.
They are looking at each other, very excited.
ANTONIA. Million and one things⊠where will you stay?
RADCLIFFE. Delhi, of course. Viceroy House.
ANTONIA. With the Mountbattens?
RADCLIFFE. Yes.
ANTONIA. Sorry, mind spinning. God. Kiss me.
They kiss.
So how longâŠ
RADCLIFFE. Five weeks.
ANTONIA. Five weeks before you go, well, that gives some time⊠order clothes for the heat andâŠ
RADCLIFFE. No, I have to do the job in five weeks.
ANTONIA. ThatâsâŠ
RADCLIFFE. Itâs a challenge. Iâll finish the case Iâm sitting tomorrow, then the next day⊠(Aeroplane gesture.) Off to Delhi!
ANTONIA. Itâs impossible. Youâll have to see something of the country, and the negotiationsâŠ
RADCLIFFE. Thatâs the timetable. Atlee wants the India Independence Act through Parliament in two weeksâ time. It will set the date for independence as August fifteenth. That means the border must be settled a week earlier. Five weeks!
ANTONIA. They canât ask this of you.
RADCLIFFE. It has to be quick and decisive. They donât want â42 all over again.
ANTONIA. â42?
RADCLIFFE. The anti-British riots.
ANTONIA. Dear God, one forgets. Itâs all so far away.
RADCLIFFE. I want you to come out with me.
ANTONIA. You try and stop me!
RADCLIFFE. Leave it a fortnight thenâŠ
ANTONIA. Yes, that would be wonderful. Staying at Viceroy House.
RADCLIFFE. Yes.
ANTONIA. Oh, Cyril, this could lead toâŠ
RADCLIFFE. Yes, I know.
ANTONIA. Iâll go and think about packing. Will you need shorts?
RADCLIFFE. God, I hope not.
ANTONIA. If Iâve two weeks, Iâll try to buy something for me.
RADCLIFEE. Youâll look wonderful.
Peck of a cheek. She exits.
(Aside.) Right. ( A pause.) Right. Steady the buffs. There is that drive, secretly, always: that you may even personally be remembered for something good, even great, or going on for great. What was it Leonardo said: âTo live on in the minds of menâ? Better not owned up...