The Age Of Innocence by Martin Scorsese

Dinner scene

NARRATOR

a young couple togive their first dinner, and it was not to be

undertaken lightly. There was a hired chef, two borrowed footmen,

roses from Henderson's, Roman punch and menus on gilt-edged cards.

It was considered a particular triumph that the Van der

Luydens, at May's request, stayed in the city to be present at her

farewell dinner for theCountess Olenska.
[Everyone is seated at the table. Ellen is to Archer's left]
NARRATOR

He guessed himself to have been, for months, the center of

countless silently observing eyes and patiently listening ears. He

understood that, somehow, the separation between himself and the

partner of his guilt had been achieved. And he knew that now the

whole tribe had rallied around his wife. He was a prisoner in

the center of an armed camp.
JANEY

Regina's not well at all, but that doesn't stop Beaufort from

devoting as much timeto Annie Ring. . .
[Archer turns to Ellen]
ARCHER

Was the trip from Washington very tiring?

The heat in the train was dreadful. But all travel has its

hardships.
ARCHER

Whatever they may be, they're worth it. Just to get away.

I mean to do a lot of travelling myself soon.

man sitting across from him]

Philip, what about you? A little adventure? A long trip? Are you

interested? Athens and Smyrna and maybe Constantinople. Then as

far East as we can go.

Possibly, possibly.

But not Naples, Dr. Bencomb says there's a fever.

There's India, too.

You must have three weeks to do India properly.

gathered in several groups, all smoking cigars]

Beaufort may not receive invitations anymore, but it's clear he

still maintains a certain position.
PHILIP

Horizontal, from all I've heard.

(indignant)

If things go on like this, we'll be seeing our children fighting

for invitations to swindlers' houses and marrying Beaufort's

bastards.
JACKSON

Has he got any?

Careful, there, gentlemen. Draw it mild, draw it mild.

Luyden approaches him]

Have you ever noticed? It's the people who have the worst cooks

who are always yelling about being poisoned when they dine out.

Lefferts used to be a little more adept, I thought. But then,

grace is not always required. As long as one knows the steps.
[In the drawing room at the Archer House. May is sitting on a

sofa next to Countess Olenska. May sees Archer and her eyes are

shining as she gets up. As soon as she is on her feet, Mrs. van

der Luyden beckons Ellen to join her across the room. Ellen goes

slowly toward Mrs. van der Luyden and another woman joins them.

Archer watches this ritual as if it were an elaborate rehearsal

for a firing squad]
NARRATOR

The silent organization which held this whole small world

together was determined to put itself on record. It had never for

a moment questioned the propriety of Madame Olenska's conduct. It

had never questioned Archer's fidelity. And it had never heard of,

suspected, or even conceived possible, anything at all to the

contrary. From the seamless performance of this ritual, Archer

knew that New York believed him to be Madame Olenska's lover. And

he understood, for the first time, that his wife shared the

belief.
[In the front hall. Archer is helping Ellen with her cloak]

Shall I see you to your carriage?

(casual)

Good-bye.

Good-bye. But I'll see you soon in Paris.

Oh. . . if you and May could come. . .