Arrival In India

EXT.  LIVERPOOL DOCKS - MORNING
The SS CALIFORNIA is about to set sail.  The expedition team are all standing on the deck, lined up on the rail.  It is a bright breezy day.  Photographers are on the dockside, taking final pictures as the team waves to the crowd.  SANDY and GEORGE are not initially standing together.  SANDY waves to his MOTHER and family.  His MOTHER is excited and happy but is wiping a tear from her eye.
FARRAR and YOUNGHUSBAND are standing apart from the crowd on the dockside.
YOUNGHUSBAND
Well, there they go.  Third time lucky, eh?
He smiles wryly.
FARRAR
Let the Good Lord decide.
YOUNGHUSBAND claps FARRAR on the shoulder.
YOUNGHUSBAND
I suggest that we drink a toast to that.
FARRAR
Yes, we shall.
They slip away together, in conversation.
EXT.  ON THE DECK OF THE SS CALIFORNIA - CONTINUOUS
RUTH departs with the dwindling dockside crowd.  GEORGE, having experienced all this twice before, is standing to one side, watching everything quietly.  He is not waving, and has his hands in his pockets.
GEORGE moves to SANDY's side.
GEORGE
Well, now! Here we are.  No turning back now, the gangway is raised!
He is joking and smiling.
GEORGE
Is it everything you expected?
SANDY
(excitedly)
I say! This is a real send-off.
He waves at his MOTHER again.
GEORGE
Your family must be very proud, for them all to be here.
SANDY
Yes.  We're all very close.  Father had a business arrangement, or he'd be here as well.
GEORGE
Ruth and I agreed she should not wait until the very last.  It's quite hard on her, all these uncertain partings.
SANDY looks at GEORGE for a brief moment.
SANDY
I'm sorry.
GEORGE
So am I.  But she is very brave.
EXT.  HERSCHEL HOUSE - THE DAY BEFORE - FLASHBACK
GEORGE is saying goodbye to his children.
EXT.  ON THE DECK OF THE SS CALIFORNIA - CONTINUOUS
GEORGE changes his tone.
GEORGE
Come, wave to your mother one last time.  One can only say goodbye so many times, you know! I have something to ask you...
SANDY gives a big wave.  The ship sounds its horn, as the heavy mooring ropes are cast off to the dockhands below.  The ship very slowly begins to move away.
SANDY and GEORGE walk into the ship's lounge.  SANDY looks over his shoulder, and waves again.
SANDY
Can't see her now.  Never mind! My arm's dropping off by now, anyway.  Never waved so much in my life!
GEORGE sits SANDY down in the lounge.  A WAITER approaches them.
WAITER
Sirs?
GEORGE
A brandy, please.  And my friend here will have...
SANDY
Thanks.  A gin fizz, if you please.
GEORGE raises an eyebrow and lights a cigarette.
GEORGE
You know they're talking about you as the team's experiment.  Did you know that?
SANDY smiles.
SANDY
I'd heard the word!
GEORGE
It's not meant in any derogatory way.  You're well liked.  Old Farrar was very sceptical, but Bruce always has his way.  My friend Younghusband is always keen to try new ideas, and he was instrumental in turning Farrar round.
(beat)
How does it feel to be a new idea? You're the chap who HAS new ideas.  You're not used to BEING one!
SANDY laughs.
SANDY
I only hope I'm a bright idea!  It doesn't matter whether ideas are new or not, as long as they're good ones.
(beat)
Mallory, I would like to thank you for your support.  I know that you helped Bruce reach his decision.  I can see he's a jolly fine man, but I can also see that he's not a climber.
GEORGE
He may look now like he could hardly climb on to a horse, but he was a fine mountaineer in his day. 
GEORGE
Everything he does he does with passion and commitment.  He loves the mountains and loves Everest - but in a way that a military man may love and respect his enemy.  It gives him a game to play, a battle to fight, without which his mettle is lost.  If we climb the mountain this year...
GEORGE pauses, considering.
GEORGE
... WHEN we climb the mountain: he will have to find another enemy to
make him feel alive when he wakes up in the morning...
The WAITER arrives with the drinks.
WAITER
(to GEORGE)
That'll be three and thruppence, sir.
SANDY
Please! Let me pay.  It'd be an honour.
As SANDY pays, GEORGE is considering his previous words about BRUCE.
GEORGE
(to himself)
... And so shall I.
NORTON enters the lounge from the deck.  He is wearing a large-brimmed hat.
NORTON
(cheerily)
Well, gentlemen, what's this? Planning your summit attempt so soon?
He sits down to join them and takes off his hat.
NORTON
May I? I assume I'm not being rude.
GEORGE AND SANDY
Please.
GEORGE
No, we weren't: we were talking whether young Irvine was a bright idea or not.
NORTON looks a little puzzled.
GEORGE
About being the team's experiment.
NORTON gets the reference.
NORTON
Ah yes! Most certainly a bright idea.
He beams at SANDY in a kindly way.
NORTON
We may need more than bright ideas to get to the top of this mountain.  We shall need luck, and good planning, and good weather, and the hardest work it is possible for a man to do.
(beat)
But I think we can do it.  Or else I wouldn't be here.  I'd be on the dock down there waving you off and thanking the Lord that I wasn't going to be risking my life for King and Country in a lost cause.
The WAITER appears again.
WAITER
(to Norton)
Sir?
NORTON
Scotch.  Thank you.
The WAITER nods and departs.
SANDY
Were you really risking your life?
NORTON
You've read the books?
SANDY
Every word.
NORTON
The problem lies in that one's spirit may take one very high, but one also has to return.  When one drives forward, as in battle, one does not think of retreat.  But even if one were near to the summit, one must withdraw rather than take the risk of being overtaken by darkness on descent.  Yes, we're willing to risk our lives, but not throw them away.
The WAITER brings NORTON his drink.
NORTON
Thank you.
(beat)
It's hard for men to make decisions together at such heights.  One cannot converse as we are now.  It's very hard to speak even one word in such circumstances.  Two men must work together as one, reading one another's minds.
(beat)
So there's the risk that two men may advance together into danger, without the benefit of each other's counsel that may enable wisdom to prevail.
(beat)
And we've experienced the danger of avalanches below the North Col.
GEORGE moves to speak.  NORTON lays a hand on his arm and continues.
NORTON
You will have read that my very good friend here experienced a tragedy last year.  Some porters were killed in an avalanche when George was trying to get them to safety.  It was not his fault.
GEORGE shakes his head, looking distressed.
NORTON
No, George, it was no-one's fault.  I'll not hear of it.  These things happen, as in war.  We all do our best.  It is unquestioned.  But we are in a dangerous place.
(beat)
There's a game that the Russians play, with a loaded gun.  A deadly game, you know it?
GEORGE is silent.
SANDY
Russian Roulette, they call it.
NORTON
Yes, Russian Roulette.  The penalty for losing the gamble is death.  The reward for winning the gamble is having played the game and survived. 
NORTON
The battle won is in some ways to return home.  In other ways, it is of course to reach the summit.
(beat)
I must say, I would quite like to survive to tell the tale of the battle won to my children.
NORTON raises his glass.
NORTON
To the battle won!
SANDY
To the battle won!
GEORGE says nothing, but raises his glass with the other two men.
INT.  THE SHIP'S DINING ROOM - EVENING
The team are having their dinner.  It is a jolly time.  There is wine on the table, and the soup is served.  One chair is empty.  GEORGE is missing.
INT.  GEORGE'S CABIN - CONTINUOUS
GEORGE is busy with plans.  His small desk is piled with paper.  He is oblivious of the time.  There is a knock on the door.
GEORGE
Mmm.  Yes? Come in!
The door opens and SOMERVELL enters.  He is a muscular man with a serious expression.
SOMERVELL
George! You shall miss your dinner.  Bruce has ordered that you eat.
(beat)
If I were you I wouldn't disobey him!
(beat)
Come on, old man.  We have weeks to go.  You're doing yourself no good, going over this again and again.
GEORGE
(flustered)
I say, Somervell, you don't understand how important this is.  I dream of this mountain.  Sometimes I dream of standing on the top. 
GEORGE
And when I am there, I try to remember how we got there.  I keep a notebook by my bed, so that I can recall the details.
(beat)
I had another dream last night.  I was standing on the summit, and I was having my picture taken, but I'm not sure who it was standing by me.  My companion looked like you, but I kept calling you Irvine.  Then he turned into Odell, then into Norton. 
And I called him Irvine again.  It was very peculiar.
He laughs.
GEORGE
Maybe I need some dinner.  Am I missing anything decent?
SOMERVELL is relieved at the change of tone.
SOMERVELL
Yes, it's pheasant soup, with gammon to follow.  The men are hungry.  If you don't come now there'll be nothing left.  Come, man: you must eat!
GEORGE closes his fountain pen and stands, stretching his arms.
GEORGE
Yes, I must eat.  Pheasant soup, eh?
He follows SOMERVELL out into the corridor.  They head towards the dining room, engaged in conversation.
MONTAGE
1) GEORGE sits at the table.  The others tease him.  GEORGE laughs with them.
2) The team play or watch badminton on the deck.  GEORGE and SANDY trounce the opposing pair with gymnastic athleticism.  BRUCE gives it his all, but he is past his prime and looks as if he may suffer a heart attack.  Red-faced and gasping, he refuses to give up.  Eventually, to mock protests, he is gently sat down to watch while others take his place.
3) GEORGE and SANDY are on deck, their hair blown by the wind, in earnest conversation.
4) GEORGE is in his cabin.  There is a knock on the door.  It is ODELL.  The clock shows that he is late for dinner.
5) The ship's captain announces over the loudspeaker that the land visible on the horizon is Ceylon, and that they will be docking in Calcutta in six more days.  A cheer goes up from the team.
EXT.  THE HOOGHLY RIVER, CALCUTTA - MORNING
The SS CALIFORNIA is steaming up the Hooghly River to dock in Calcutta.  The team are on the deck.  Although it is only 8 a.m.  and the sun is still low in the sky, it is extremely hot.  There is not a breath of wind.
SANDY is surveying the shore through a pair of field glasses.  He is standing with ODELL.
SANDY
Look.  Over there.  Do you see the load that man is carrying?
He hands ODELL his glasses.  ODELL takes them but doesn't use them.
ODELL
You know, that's not a man, it's a woman.
ODELL hands SANDY back the glasses.
ODELL
Take a look.  Do you see that little red mark on the forehead? It's a woman.  I'd say she's about - let me see - about 20.  A slip of a girl!
SANDY, peering through the glasses, realises that ODELL is seeing all this with his naked eye.  He turns round and stares at ODELL.
ODELL
And she has a most attractive pair of turquoise earrings.  That's quite unusual for these parts, so I understand.  She may be of wealthy stock.  But I wonder what she's doing with such a load?
SANDY is still staring at ODELL.
SANDY
I say, can you see all that? I mean, can you see that without the glasses?
ODELL
Yes.  But I claim no credit for it: I was born with good eyesight and I still have it. 
ODELL
My parents never wore spectacles even in their old age.  I have them to thank.
(beat)
And now, look, there's a large bird that's landed on the basket she's carrying.  It's after something in there.
SANDY raises the glasses to his eyes and focuses them carefully.
SANDY
Good Lord.  You're right.  It's a great crow, or something.  A big black bird.  You can see that too?
(mischievously)
Can you see whether it's male or female?
ODELL playfully cuffs him.
ODELL
It's male, of course!
SANDY
It is not! You can't see that.
(beat)
Can you?
(beat)
You're jesting.  You are!
SANDY looks up to see ODELL looking poker-faced.  ODELL then breaks into a grin.
ODELL
But she IS wearing turquoise earrings.
SANDY and ODELL wrestle playfully.  GEORGE comes to investigate.
GEORGE
Gentlemen, please, Queensbury Rules.  No clinching.
SANDY has ODELL in a headlock.  ODELL is laughing.
ODELL
It was male! And it had a bruised left wing.  It did!
SANDY gives ODELL's head a tweak, but is gentle with his friend.
SANDY
Give in! You're making all this up.
ODELL
No, I'm not.  Ow! All right, yes I am.  Not all of it.  Really!
GEORGE takes the glasses.
GEORGE
Well, the bird is gone.  But she definitely has turquoise earrings.
The ship sounds its horn.  There is an announcement over the loudspeaker.
CAPTAIN
Ladies and Gentlemen, we shall be docking at Calcutta in ten minutes.  We shall be docking in Calcutta in ten minutes.  Thank you.
SANDY
The best man won.
ODELL
But she did have turquoise earrings.
SANDY gives chase to ODELL, but ODELL is nimble, and dances out of the way.
EXT.  CALCUTTA DOCKS - TEN MINUTES LATER
The ship slowly approaches the dock.  There is a seething mass of humanity on the dockside, mostly dressed in simple white tunics.  It is chaotic.
SANDY
Ye Gods! Look at all those people!
GEORGE
There is the human condition.
SANDY
What?
GEORGE
My boy, this is India.  This is how things are.  Brace yourself a little.  There'll be more to come.
SANDY
Look, there's a poor man down there with no legs.  Good Heavens!
A beggar is pulling himself along on a small wooden cart with his hands.  He has rags round his palms.  He looks pitiful.
SANDY
(shocked)
Ye Gods.
GEORGE
That poor chap may have bad karma.  Or that's what the Hindus believe.  He's suffering because of his past actions.  And now he is paying the price.
SANDY
(still shocked)
You believe this?
GEORGE pauses.
GEORGE
Who are we to know what is so?
NORTON approaches the pair.  SANDY is still staring at the beggar.
NORTON
(to GEORGE)
Well, old friend, here we are again.
GEORGE
Here we are again.
He shakes NORTON's hand firmly.  SANDY is still looking at the crowd.
EXT.  IN CALCUTTA - MORNING
GEORGE and SOMERVELL are travelling in a rickshaw through chaotic, crowded streets, pulled by a skinny RICKSHAWMAN in a loincloth who is trotting briskly along in bare feet.  They are following SANDY and NOEL.  NORTON and BRUCE are behind them, then ODELL and BEETHAM, and SHEBBEARE and GEOFFREY BRUCE are at the tail of the procession.
After a couple of miles, they encounter some cows lying in the road, and all come to a halt as the traffic jostles to negotiate the bottleneck from both directions.
GEORGE calls to SANDY, now a few feet in front.
GEORGE
Sandy! Here's another thing you won't see in Oxford.
SANDY calls out over his shoulder, laughing.
SANDY
Or even in Birkenhead!
SHEBBEARE shouts from the back of the queue.
SHEBBEARE
They should eat them for dinner.  Why don't they farm these animals?
SHEBBEARE has never been to India either.
GEOFFREY BRUCE speaks up.
GEOFFREY BRUCE
Bad karma! Isn't that right, George?
GEORGE doesn't rise to the bait.
GEORGE
Bad indigestion, more likely.  Do you see how skinny they are?
BEETHAM pipes up from behind.
BEETHAM
Who owns them?
BRUCE AND NOEL
No-one.
BEETHAM, ODELL AND SHEBBEARE
No-one??
All the men break into laughter.  The front RICKSHAWMAN gently prods the cows into reluctant motion.  The cows wander off down a street to the left, and the five rickshaws resume their progress.
EXT.  OUTSIDE THE BRITISH CONSULATE, CALCUTTA - A LITTLE LATER
The five rickshaws draw up.  The men gingerly jump down.  They look a bit shaken up; the rickshaws have rigid cartwheels, and no springs.
BEETHAM
Very Difficult, I'd say.
GEOFFREY BRUCE
More like Severe!
NORTON is paying the RICKSHAWMEN.  BRUCE, who looks rather red-faced but characteristically jolly, climbs the steps to the large wooden door.  A DOORMAN greets him, a bearded Sikh in a turban and a uniform that looks impossibly smart.  He stands to attention.
DOORMAN
SIR!
BRUCE salutes him.
BRUCE
At ease, man.  Is the Consul at home?
DOORMAN
Yes, sir.  Please, sir.  This way.
INT.  THE FOYER OF THE BRITISH CONSULATE - CONTINUOUS
The DOORMAN opens a large double door, bowing stiffly.  The men enter a large, cool hallway.  Large fans are rotating in the ceiling.  The floors are pale grey marble.  An ASSISTANT greets them with some iced water on a tray.  The men accept the glasses with gratitude.  It is a welcome oasis after the hot chaos of the morning's travel through the city.
The CONSUL comes down a large spiral staircase to greet them.
CONSUL
General Bruce?
BRUCE
At your service, sir!
The CONSUL extends his hand in greeting.
CONSUL
It's a pleasure to welcome you to Calcutta.  My predecessor told me all about you.  It is I who am your service.  What do your men need?
BRUCE surveys his team.
BRUCE
They need baths and a good meal, by the look of things.  And maybe a stiff drink.  Apart from that...
BRUCE turns to his men.
BRUCE
... Boys, what do you need?
There is general assent.
SANDY speaks up.
SANDY
Sir, I'd like to make arrangements to see the oxygen apparatus.  Has it arrived here safely?
BRUCE looks surprised.
BRUCE
Young Irvine here is an engineer.  Our engineer.  He's the man who will get us to the top of this mountain if we have to climb inside those bottles and be carried up by the porters.  Isn't that right, Irvine?
SANDY has no opportunity to reply.
BRUCE
Well, it's a jolly good idea.  Do you not need a bath and a meal?
SANDY
I'm fine, sir.
BRUCE quite likes being called 'Sir', and doesn't discourage it.
BRUCE
Very good.  Maybe you could see that my man can inspect the crates.
ASSISTANT
They're in the garden, sir.  Please follow me.
The ASSISTANT leads the way as BRUCE and the CONSUL walk down the main corridor together.  A SECOND ASSISTANT appears and escorts the rest of the team down a side corridor.  SANDY, at first unsure which way to go, hesitates and then follows BRUCE and the CONSUL, who are making small talk together.
EXT.  BRITISH CONSULATE GARDEN - CONTINUOUS
The ASSISTANT opens some glass double doors into a large, immaculately kept, walled garden.  There are a dozen large, heavy wooden crates neatly arrayed on the grass.
BRUCE turns to SANDY, who is behind the others.
BRUCE
Well, boy, here you are.  But for goodness sake, let the man bring you a drink.
BRUCE doesn't wait for SANDY to respond.  He nods at the ASSISTANT.
BRUCE
Fetch my man a long drink of anything he wants.
ASSISTANT
Very good, sir.
ASSISTANT
(to SANDY)
Sir?
SANDY
Oh... um, I'll have a large jug of iced water, please.  With lemon, if I may.
ASSISTANT
Sir!
The ASSISTANT departs.  SANDY approaches the CONSUL.
SANDY
Sir, I'm going to need a crowbar, a pair of pliers, and a clawhammer.  And some four-inch nails to reassemble the crates afterwards.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT.  BRITISH CONSULATE GARDEN - NOON
SANDY is surrounded by oxygen bottles and pieces of extraneous apparatus.  The tidy lawn has bits of packing case strewn across it.  The midday sun is baking, and it is totally still in the walled garden.  SANDY, now wearing a sun hat, is looking extremely hot and at the end of his tether.
BRUCE appears, looking as cool as a cucumber, freshly showered and wearing a clean shirt.  NORTON, ODELL and SOMERVELL appear behind him, followed by GEORGE.  All look thoroughly refreshed.
BRUCE
Mad dogs and Englishmen, eh?
GEORGE
Come, boy! For goodness sake, take some shelter.  Whatever you're doing can't be THAT important.
SANDY
But it is.  This apparatus is in dreadful condition.  We have 90 cylinders.  They were all full when they left England.  15 are empty! A further 24 are leaking badly.  I broke one just now taking it out of the packing case.  Ye Gods!  At this rate we will be making our attempt without the bother of carrying this equipment at all.
SANDY looks exasperated and depressed.
SANDY
What are we to do?
NORTON
Can you secure the rest of the apparatus? Can you make it serve us well?
SANDY thinks for a moment.
SANDY
(slowly)
Yes... I do think I can, but I'm reluctant to guarantee it. 
I'll be obliged to redesign the way the cylinders are secured in the frames.  I can see ways to improve the seals.  I can shorten and strengthen the piping.
(beat)
What's important is to get these cylinders refilled.
He turns to the CONSUL, who has also appeared to join the others.
SANDY
Can we do it, sir?
EXT.  POLO FIELD NEXT TO CONSUL'S HOUSE - NEXT MORNING
The entire field is covered with crates and piles of supplies for the expedition's five months' needs: food, tents, cooking and eating equipment, mountaineering gear, scientific apparatus, film cameras.  In one corner of the field is a collection of several hundred mules to be chosen.  Indians are milling about waiting to be given orders.
GENERAL BRUCE, NORTON, GEOFFREY BRUCE, SHEBBEARE, and NOEL are standing together, surveying the scene.
BRUCE
By God, this is even more than last time! We shall be as the Israelites departing for the Promised Land.
NORTON
Well, I hope at least, sir, that you won't be asked to part the Red Sea.
BRUCE bellows with laughter.
BRUCE
But we shall have to deal with plagues of locusts, or flies at any rate.  Do you boys remember Shekar Dzong?
NORTON
Yes, sir!
BRUCE
Don't know which was worse, the flies or the villagers poking their heads into our tents every other minute.  Still, great to be here, by God!
(beat)
Well, let's get stuck in, we've got a lot of work ahead of us.  Noel, how many men do you need?
NOEL
At least a dozen I should think, General, to get everything packed up.  The film equipment appears to have been scattered all over the field, quite contrary to my wishes.
BRUCE
But you shall have the same men at least, as last time.  They'll know your gear.
NOEL
Yes, sir.
BRUCE
(to GEOFFREY)
Geoffrey, have your man round up Noel's porters and let's get on with this.  Then we can see how we need to divide all this up for the two groups.
GEOFFREY
(turning to his servant)
Done, sir.  Amitabh -
GEOFFREY talks with his servant then consults with SHEBBEARE and NOEL over a clipboard, pointing here and there on the field.
SEQUENCE OF SHOTS
1) BRUCE and NORTON stand together talking.
2) Hours later, they walk down the rows of goods.
3) More hours later, near dusk, the piles of have become orderly and are separated into two sections, labelled and tidy.  The bell sounds over the Consulate for dinner.
MONTAGE
1) The oxygen cylinders are being successfully refilled at a local engineering works.  SANDY looks on, busying himself with practicalities, taking notes.
2) NORTON supervises the purchase of food in a local market, in huge quantities.
3) The expedition boards the steam train to Siliguri.
INT.  RAILWAY CARRIAGE - MORNING
A dark coloured hand, framed by an immaculate starched white shirt cuffs and a maroon jacket sleeve, knocks repeatedly on a dark wooden door.  The STEWARD knocks again.  There is a muffled acknowledgement from within, and the hand opens the door.  The STEWARD gingerly looks in.  It is BRUCE's cabin.  It is quite dark.
STEWARD
Good morning, Sahib!
BRUCE answers in a booming voice, full of cheer, out of the darkness.
BRUCE
GOOD MORNING!
(beat)
Well, come on in, then! I hope you've got my tea.
BRUCE comes to the door.  He is totally naked, and seems oblivious to the fact.
The STEWARD, ever professional, tries not to look, but there's a lot of BRUCE's body to fill his vision.
BRUCE
Come, man! Never seen an Englishman's body before? Same as yours.  It just needs some breakfast.
(beat)
And it's very hot.  Is that shower working now?
The STEWARD does not seem to think that BRUCE's body is the same as his.
STEWARD
Y-Yes, Sahib.
The STEWARD composes himself.
STEWARD
I have your tea, Sahib.
BRUCE turns back to fetch his pyjamas, which are folded neatly on the table.
BRUCE
Very good.
(beat)
How far are we from Siliguri?
STEWARD
Just over an hour, Sahib.  We are on time.
BRUCE
(good-naturedly)
Well, thank the Lord for that.
(beat)
Well, don't just stand there, man!
BRUCE hops about on one leg, donning his pyjama trousers.
STEWARD
No, Sahib.
He does not move.
STEWARD
I have a message, Sahib.  From Colonel Irvine.
BRUCE
MISTER Irvine, if you please.  Oh, Never mind.
(He realises the STEWARD cannot know this.  He makes a mental note to make a great joke of it later.)
BRUCE
Well?
STEWARD
He says to you, Sahib, that he wishes to check the oxygen app... app...
He consults a small, dirty piece of paper.
... aparratiss...
He pockets the piece of paper, looking pleased with himself.
STEWARD
... at Siliguri.
The STEWARD looks worried.
STEWARD
But Sahib, I think this is not possible.
BRUCE stands to attention in his pyjamas.
BRUCE
Not possible? Why not? Jolly good idea of his.
STEWARD
Sahib, you know the Toy Train.
BRUCE
The Toy Train, yes?
STEWARD
Sahib, it leaves for Darjeeling in twenty minutes from when we arrive.  The next train is tomorrow.  Sahib, there is not time.
He looks forlorn.
BRUCE
Very well, that is that, then.  Please tell MISTER Irvine...
He emphasises the word, but smiles as he does so.
BRUCE
... that it's impossible, because we have to catch the little train, straight away.  Or we shall be stuck in Siliguri all day.
STEWARD
Sahib, I have already done so.  He understands this.
BRUCE is caught off his guard.
BRUCE
Then why did you ask me?
The STEWARD is perfectly serious.
STEWARD
Because he asked me to, Sahib.  It was his question for you, before I told him.  So I asked YOU.
BRUCE
You asked me.  Well, thank you for asking me.  So please go back and tell Mr. Irvine what you've already told him.
(beat)
And stop looking so worried about it all.
BRUCE
(beat)
Whoever does your washing does a jolly fine job.  I must say.  Jolly good cuffs.  Good show.
The STEWARD looks delighted.
STEWARD
THANK YOU, Sahib.
BRUCE
Good show.
BRUCE again requests his tea and a hearty breakfast, which the STEWARD scurries to provide.
FADE OUT:
EXT.  SILIGURI STATION - MORNING
The train screeches to a slow stop, amid clouds of steam.  There is the usual chaos on the platform.  The team piles out of the carriages.  BRUCE is looking immaculate.  He is in his shorts and is wearing a tie.  The others are dressed more casually. 
They assemble on the platform.  NORTON is quietly giving instructions to two EARNEST YOUNG MEN, who move off swiftly and purposefully.
ALL
I say, did you sleep well, old boy?
Good breakfast!
Nice to be here.  It's a little cooler!
Dashed busy place at this hour!
A considerable number of young men appear from nowhere and efficiently heave the packing cases from a luggage car.  The two EARNEST YOUNG MEN bark orders with rapid fire.  It seems chaotic but everything is in a neat pile very rapidly.
One of the EARNEST YOUNG MEN approaches NORTON, who is talking with ODELL, SANDY and SHEBBEARE.
EARNEST YOUNG MAN
Sir, our train is over there.
He points towards a diminutive locomotive and half a dozen equally miniature carriages.  NORTON nods.
SANDY
Good Heavens! It's tiny!
ODELL
It's a real Toy Train!
SHEBBEARE
It certainly is!
NORTON
Small, but no toy.  It's a marvel of engineering.
SANDY's eyes light up.
NORTON
Come, we have to board straight away.
The team piles together into the first carriage.  The EARNEST YOUNG MEN shepherd the crates into the following carriages.  One crate is dropped with a sharp bump.  SANDY winces.
SANDY
Ouch!
His expression is pained.
GEORGE, next to him, is in good humour, and his eyes are sparkling.
GEORGE
Spilt milk, old boy.  Either it's broken or it's not.  If it's broken, we shall fix it.  If it's not, we won't.  Either way, the moment is perfect.
NOEL smiles to himself.  SANDY is not so amused.
SANDY
It's not perfect if we've broken another set! I'll wager there are no engineering shops this side of Moscow.
The train whistle blows, and there is a great cloud of steam which envelops the team in the semi-open carriage.  The train begins to move.  A great din comes from the engine, which  picks up steam and sounds as if it will explode.
SANDY
(shouting)
YE GODS!
GEORGE's eyes are still twinkling.  He is in a mischievous mood.
GEORGE
DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?
SANDY
I SAID WE'RE MOVING!
GEORGE
YES, WE ARE!
SANDY
WHAT?
GEORGE
I SAID WE'RE GOING TO EVEREST!
This time SANDY hears him.  He says nothing, but grins broadly.
MONTAGE
1) EXT.  The little train chugs busily and surprisingly speedily up the steep inclines, making a terrific noise.  An Indian man sits on the buffers at the front, and two others  hang on to the side of the engine, seemingly clinging on to nothing.  They are chatting and laughing.
2) INT.  The train passes a colourful array of market stalls.
3) EXT.  A dog chases the team's carriage, and BEETHAM looks nervous about it.  The others tease him, and they all laugh.
4) EXT.  The train loops the loop around itself, against the backdrop of an impressive precipice, as the whistle blows.
5) The little train approaches the busy market town of DARJEELING, chugging to a gradual halt.
EXT.  DARJEELING STATION - EIGHT HOURS LATER
The team gingerly pile out of the little carriage, and stretch, shaking themselves down.
SHEBBEARE
My Goodness!
BRUCE
My Goodness indeed!
GEORGE joins them.
GEORGE
What a wonderful journey.
BEETHAM
I swear that dog was after my leg!
BRUCE
Not enough meat on it! Now if it had been after mine...
The others tease him again.  They are all very glad to be here.
EXT.  GOVERNMENT HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON
Government House, the Governor's residence, is a large, comfortable house about the size of a large rectory, with five or six bedrooms.  It is built on a spur in the hills on the outskirts of the town and has a magnificent view of Kanchenjunga, one of the highest and most beautiful mountains in the Himalayas; it is clearly visible in the distance through the afternoon haze.  The team is out on the lawn, sitting at wooden tables under umbrellas, enjoying tea and sandwiches.  BRUCE can be seen with a whisky.  There is a cool breeze.
Sandy gazes at Kanchenjunga.
SANDY
It's breathtaking.  I never knew it would be like this.
GEORGE, sitting at the same table, follows SANDY's gaze to Kanchenjunga, but says nothing.
SHEBBEARE
It's fabulous.
ODELL
Magnificent.
BEETHAM
You could reach out and touch it.
GEORGE moves to say something.  They all look at him expectantly.
GEORGE
And it touches you too.