- 13 hours ago
Seeking Persephone
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I love you.
00:37Will you put that up, Artemis?
00:38I don't know why we have to do this.
00:41Because we like to eat.
00:43But we only pay pennies.
00:45Pennies that keep our family from dire straits.
00:47I do not enjoy washing the neighbourhood's laundry any more than you do,
00:50but being upset about it won't change our situation.
01:08Open the door, sweetheart.
01:09I have had an atrocious day. Now I have to open the door.
01:13I'm sorry you've suffered so much.
01:16I fear you'll simply have to continue in your wretched state a bit longer.
01:19I will open the door, but do not be surprised if I lie in the front and die.
01:24I will be many things if that happens, my sweet little Artemis,
01:27but above all, I will not be surprised.
01:32She has died for far less than this in the past.
02:03Was Father wandering again?
02:15Daphne.
02:16What was Daphne? You're home.
02:19Was Father wandering again?
02:21Until a letter came.
02:22Then he went back up to his study.
02:24Did he say whom the letter was from?
02:26You know Father doesn't usually talk to me.
02:29Well, once I cleared the clatter he spread,
02:32sorted the laundry and started our meal,
02:34then I very much wish to talk with you about whatever you've learned today.
02:37It's ever so interesting and terribly useful.
02:41Cannot wait.
02:42Thank you, Persephone.
02:44Of course, Daphne.
02:55You did say this might happen.
02:57Yes, I did.
02:58And what has brought you to such a horrible end this time?
03:01My suffering is too great.
03:03No words can possibly describe it.
03:05Is this because I could not buy you a sweet from the confectionery shop?
03:08That was tragic.
03:09But not the reason you're expiring on the floor.
03:11I didn't see my friend.
03:13I watched for him.
03:15And he didn't come.
03:16He hasn't ever so long and it's deeply devastating.
03:20Is this the friend I can't see?
03:21The friend you don't see.
03:23Ah.
03:25Do you think your friend would visit you again if we had bread pudding tonight?
03:30Bread pudding?
03:30I have a bit of stale bread and Mrs. Sanford gave me some cream.
03:35I think we should have bread pudding tonight.
03:37It's not even my birthday.
03:38Bread pudding is quite possibly my favourite thing in all the world.
03:43Of course.
03:44If you are dead on the floor, you won't be able to have any.
03:47I'm all better.
03:49It is a miracle.
03:51Thank you, thank you, thank you.
03:54You're very welcome, my darling little otteress.
04:01How do you like the latest fashions?
04:04These are not the latest.
04:05Mrs. Upton gave me these because she received the most recent version.
04:08But they are very nearly the latest.
04:13That is gorgeous.
04:14Isn't it?
04:15I've added it to my list of dreams.
04:17That must be quite the list by now.
04:19Isn't that what dreaming is for?
04:20Or believing in those things you feel you'll never have,
04:23but want to continue hoping are possible.
04:25Like having money enough and happiness, falling in love.
04:31I want you to have all of those things, Athena.
04:34You must have dreams too.
04:35Certainly, I do.
04:38Artemis' spirits not being dampened by the heaviness of life.
04:42Daphne finding a friend who helps to feel seen and cared about.
04:46Evander and Linus returning home to us whole.
04:50It's far from guarantee for two midshipmen in the Navy during all time.
04:54I should have done more to keep them home and safe.
04:56There's nothing more you could have done.
04:58I could have taken in more laundry or reduced my portions at mealtimes.
05:01I could have gone without fires in my room.
05:02And it likely still would not have been enough.
05:06I suppose that is my version of hoping for impossible things.
05:12None of the hopes that you've mentioned have been of dreams for yourself.
05:16Seeing this family happy is dream enough for me.
05:21Fetch Daphne and Artemis and take them to the kitchen.
05:24I do not know how frustrating he might be this time.
05:31Have you received a letter?
05:37We have a very significant problem.
05:41What has happened, Papa?
05:43Evander? Linus?
05:45Oh, no, I haven't heard anything about your brothers.
05:48Oh.
05:52I have, however, received the most befuddling letter.
06:02You, my dear, have received an offer of marriage.
06:06A what?
06:07An offer from an incredibly wealthy gentleman with an old and prestigious title.
06:24Good heavens.
06:26Yeah.
06:29What I cannot fathom is why the Duke is settled on you.
06:35They cannot even be remotely acquainted with our family.
06:39The Duke?
06:39Of course, dear.
06:41The Duke of Kilda.
06:43The Duke of Kilda has asked for my hand in marriage.
06:47Quite specifically.
06:51I do not believe a word of it.
06:53After all, I do not know his grace.
06:56Or any grace, for that matter.
07:07Mr. Lancaster.
07:09I am requesting the hand of your eldest daughter in marriage.
07:13I am prepared to settle upon your three remaining daughters,
07:1720,000 each for their dowries,
07:19and 50,000 upon yourself for the sake of your sons.
07:24The ceremony will take place October the 1st at the Fulston Chapel.
07:27Or please reply as to your intentions.
07:31Yours.
07:33Et cetera.
07:35Kilda.
07:38It is certainly not the most romantic nor flattering of proposals, to be sure.
07:43The ceremony will take place.
07:45There is not the slightest acknowledgement that the unforeseen offer might be declined.
07:51This offer amounts to more than 100,000 pounds.
08:05What is the Duke of Kilda like?
08:08Like?
08:11Well,
08:12I couldn't say.
08:13I have not met the current Duke.
08:15What was his father like?
08:18Hmm?
08:20Dull as dish water.
08:25But his mother is an active soul.
08:45100,000 pounds?
08:47I can hardly comprehend such a sum.
08:51It is more than 500 years worth, our current income.
08:55It is more than five times the income of the Duke of Sussex, and he is son of the king.
09:00Good heavens.
09:01We would have food enough to eat.
09:03We would not need to wash laundry for pennies.
09:07The boys could soon leave the Navy and return home.
09:11All of your impossible dreams would suddenly be entirely possible.
09:14Well, this would not merely save our family, it would save generations of our family.
09:20Duke of Kilda, you might be prone to anger or unkindness.
09:25What if he mistreats you?
09:26What if being married to him makes you miserable for the rest of your life?
09:29It is also possible he will be kind and considerate.
09:33You don't know anything about him?
09:36Only that he clearly has a tremendous amount of money and wishes to marry me.
09:40He gave no indication why.
09:42You needn't simply accept this offer.
09:44One may yet come from someone that you at least know won't treat you abominably.
09:48There will be no other offers.
09:50If I do not accept this one, our family will sink further.
09:54Even the simple hopes we currently have will be out of reach.
09:58Then all of your hopes will be snatched away.
10:00This family's happiness is worth every sacrifice.
10:03Isn't your happiness worth something as well?
10:04Well, Artemis has always told the tale of Hades and Persephone quite accurately.
10:10Persephone doesn't get to be happy.
10:13And you mean to accept the Duke's offer?
10:37Who invited all of these people?
10:40I did.
10:41It is not every day my poor boy takes a bride.
10:45This was supposed to be a quiet ceremony.
10:49I do not believe Miss Lancaster has invited anyone beyond her own immediate family.
10:53I did not intend to cause awkwardness, Adam.
10:57I only wish to celebrate.
11:00I do not intend to cause awkwardness, Adam.
11:25What the devil is she?
11:28Another five minutes and I'll go retrieve her myself.
11:45When is this going to stop? I'm hungry.
11:59It's sad to come after all.
12:42Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together in the sight of God
12:47and the face of this congregation to join together this man and this woman
12:52in holy matrimony, an honourable estate instituted of God
12:58in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us
13:01the mystical union betwixt Christ and his Church.
13:05Therefore, if any man can show any just cause
13:09why they should not lawfully be joined together, let him speak,
13:14or else hereafter forever hold his peace.
13:24Go on.
13:28Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?
13:42Apparently I giveth myself.
13:48Take her right hand in yours.
13:57I, Adam Richard Boyce, Duke of Kilda, Marquess of Fauston,
14:00Earl of Fauston, Vicampinus, Baron Fauston, Baron Whiteley,
14:03take thee to be my wedded wife,
14:04to have and to hold from this day forward,
14:06for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,
14:08in sickness and in health,
14:09to love and to cherish till death do us part
14:11according to God's holy ordinance,
14:12and thereto I plight thee my troth.
14:21I, Persephone, I...
14:23Ridiculous.
14:28Lancaster,
14:31do...
14:36Do take thee to be my wedded husband,
14:40to have and to hold from this day forward,
14:43for better, for worse,
14:45for richer, for poorer,
14:46in sickness and health,
14:48to love and to cherish,
14:51till death do us part
14:53according to God's holy ordinance,
14:55and thereto I give thee my troth.
14:59He had everything?
15:00Not usually.
15:01Can it be?
15:03I suppose all the truly essential bits
15:05have been seen to.
15:08Those whom God hath joined together,
15:10let no man put asunder.
15:14To the castle, then.
16:09Is your name really Persephone?
16:13It is.
16:15Did you not think to ask?
16:18What were your parents thinking, choosing a name like that?
16:23My father is a scholar.
16:25He's particularly fond of Greek mythology.
16:28Entirely too fond, if you don't seem.
16:30Are the rest of your siblings similarly afflicted?
16:33In what way afflicted?
16:35What absurd names did your parents assign the other members of your family?
16:40Athena is just younger than I.
16:42Vandrum is 14, Linus 13.
16:44Daphne will be 12 toward the end of the year.
16:47The youngest is Artemis.
16:49Fate save us from short-sighted scholars.
16:52Do you have a middle name?
16:54I do.
16:55I suppose it is entirely too much to hope that it is something common.
17:01Iphigenia.
17:04Persephone Iphigenia.
17:06Did no one ever call you anything else?
17:09Only Miss Lancaster.
17:11I cannot call you that.
17:13I suppose I will have to consign myself to Persephone.
17:16It would seem so.
17:21You, of course, will call me Kilda.
17:23I will not call you Kilda.
17:25Everyone calls me Kilda.
17:26Kilda?
17:27It sounds as I am accusing you of a crime.
17:32You would no doubt prefer Agamemnon.
17:35Or Apollo.
17:36Or something along that vein.
17:38My papa certainly would.
17:40What do you propose to call me then?
17:43Adam?
17:43No one calls me Adam.
17:45No one.
17:47Certainly your family and closest friends would.
17:51Harry does.
17:53Who is Harry?
17:54A friend.
17:56One who allows himself far too much freedom.
18:16Get out of my body.
18:18He's with him.
18:26One day.
18:42He's at the heart.
18:43I'm so sorry for the end of the day.
19:05Calling me Adam
19:06will be fine
19:09Persephone
19:23Mrs. Barton, the butler
19:26Mrs. Smithson, the housekeeper
19:30Duchess of Kilda
19:52Mrs. Smithson will see to
19:53whatever you need
20:17I'm likely meant to be shown all of the castle
20:20but I would very much like to rest
20:23Perhaps you could simply point out the rooms I need to know today
20:26and save the rest for tomorrow
20:27Of course, Your Grace
20:36The Drawn Room
20:39A favourite of Queen Elizabeth
20:41when she stayed at Falston Castle in 1580
20:47Do members of the Royal Family still visit Falston?
20:51Heavens no, they wouldn't dare
20:56This is the Grand Banquet Hall
20:59which has hosted feasts for some of the most significant and influential people in the Kingdom
21:05over the past 500 years
21:08I believe your family will be dining in here this evening
21:14Is that a gibbet?
21:18Unstocks
21:19Was there no room in the dark foreboding dungeon?
21:22There's ample room, Your Grace
21:24but the Duke says displayin' weapons makes them more effective
21:35All of the family bedchambers are on this floor
21:39This is your bedchamber, Your Grace
21:43Is there anything else you wish for me to do, Your Grace?
21:46Not at the moment
21:47The bell pull is beside the fireplace
21:49should you require anything
21:51Thank you
22:42This is never going to work.
23:02I just saw your man of business leaving the castle.
23:06What did you do to him?
23:08I fired him.
23:10Again.
23:12How many times have you fired the poor man?
23:14Six.
23:16Seven.
23:16But every time he sulks away like a lily-livered coward.
23:24You didn't pull your pistol on him this time, did you?
23:26I have never pulled a pistol on Josiah Jones.
23:30I may have held an epee to his throat once or twice, but he's never in any real danger.
23:36Well, perhaps his fear has something to do with your less than pristine reputation, Adam.
23:40Rumor has it you've run through a few men in your time.
23:43Rumor has it I've done quite a few things.
23:47And you wonder why Jones thinks the worst whenever you're angry with him?
23:51I always reinstate his employment and he never makes the same mistake twice.
24:02So, what was his transgression this time?
24:05Hm? No, no, don't tell me.
24:08Smiled too much while discussing the estate investments.
24:12No.
24:14Did not include enough threats in the business correspondence he sent on your behalf.
24:18He recommended a means of preventing my distant cousin from one day inheriting Fauston.
24:24Ah.
24:26Jones was the one who suggested you marry.
24:29He knew of a penniless family in Shropshire with an eldest daughter of the appropriate age who had no other
24:36prospects.
24:37His enthusiastic recommendation has proven intolerably stupid.
24:43As stupid as sitting in one's book room with one's friend on one's wedding night.
24:48Because that, Adam, is a level of idiocy far and above ordinary stupidity.
24:54I stood through the wedding and just spent an interminable dinner with my flock of new sisters-in-law.
25:02Did they stare at you?
25:06It would have been understandable, you know, having not been warned.
25:08I ought to have written then.
25:10Hm?
25:11Perhaps I could have included a postscript with the proposal.
25:14By the way, I have a mutilated face you'll be forced to look at day in and day out for
25:20the rest of your life.
25:22Hope that's not a problem.
25:26Hm.
25:27Perhaps not those precise words.
25:30She wasn't exactly forthcoming either.
25:32I will have you know.
25:34I forgot to mention something important.
25:36Another husband, perhaps.
25:39Extraneous limb.
25:41Her name is Persephone.
25:45A man ought to know a thing like that about his future wife.
25:49Persephone Iphigenia.
25:52What an inexcusably ridiculous thing to call a child.
26:05I had the chance to speak briefly with your new bride, Adam.
26:10She was...
26:12delightful.
26:16Perhaps a little quiet, but that is to be expected considering the upheaval in her life.
26:21I'll confess, I had expected someone rather long in the tooth.
26:27Rather long in the face.
26:31In all honesty.
26:32So had I.
26:34But she's a fetching thing.
26:36Young and...
26:39quite pretty.
26:44Oh.
26:48You expected someone desperate.
26:52And ugly.
26:54And undesirable.
26:57Instead, your bride turned out to be a vast deal more than possible.
27:03Not quite what you'd bargain for, I guess.
27:07A lady who was too intolerable to have any other options would be...
27:10content with...
27:11a curmudgeon in a draughty castle in the wilds of Northumberland.
27:16And now...
27:17because she is young...
27:18and fine-looking...
27:20seems to be good-natured and potentially enjoyable company...
27:25The poor girl is upstairs.
27:28Alone.
27:29Probably wondering what she's done wrong.
27:32While you...
27:33are down here brooding.
27:36Adam.
27:38You are completely bacon-brained.
27:41I should call you out for that.
27:43Do.
27:45But not tonight.
27:46I'm tired.
27:47I'm tired.
27:52Call me out tomorrow, would you?
27:53I ought to lock you in the dungeon.
27:55You should.
27:57No point having a dungeon if no one's ever consigned to suffer in it.
28:01Goodnight, Adam.
28:03Goodnight.
28:04Your presumption is allowed.
28:09And Adam.
28:10What?
28:12Give the poor girl a chance.
28:14It's...
28:15It's not her fault you've ended up with every man's idea of a perfect wife.
28:20Ha ha!
28:29Oh.
28:47Are you going to be lonely?
28:47No.
28:47No.
28:47No.
28:50No.
28:51No.
29:12Are you going to be lonely without us, Persephone?
29:15I will miss you terribly.
29:19But you will have each other.
29:22So you are unlikely to be lonely.
29:25I do not know that anyone will remember to talk to me when you're not here.
29:30I'm certain everything will be fine.
29:33You don't need to worry about us.
29:37Write and tell me about all the things you're reading.
29:48I love you.
29:49Me too.
29:52Me too.
29:53Me too.
29:54Me too.
29:54Me too.
29:55Me too.
29:55Me too.
29:56Me too.
29:57Me too.
29:57I'll stay in love with her.
29:58No."
30:03Oh my dear girl you're crying.
30:06He cannot make you stay here.
30:08No one is making me stay here dearest.
30:11Bolson castle is my home now.
30:13I will send you letters.
30:15Perhaps with a guinea under the seal.
30:18You could come here.
30:19We could explore the castle together.
30:22He won't let me.
30:23Of course you will. We will have grand adventures. Perhaps there is a tower room where we can imagine all
30:32sorts of wonderful stories, the way we always did at home.
30:36Do you promise?
30:37I promise.
30:39Who will take care of me when you're gone?
30:43The Pa will engage a governess, for both you and Daphne. A companion for Athena when you're all in town.
30:51Will you visit us there?
30:53Of course.
30:54Stephanie?
30:55Yes, my dear?
30:57We will take care of you. We will be happy even though we're gone.
31:07I will win.
31:11When have you known me to be unhappy?
31:14Then I will be happy too, but if I don't leave now, I will cry again and I do not
31:18want to cry anymore.
31:20Then let us promise each other not to cry.
31:24Yes.
31:26Good. I will see you soon.
31:28Be good for Papa.
31:30I will.
31:31I love you, dearest.
31:33I love you too, Persephone. You're the best mama I've ever had.
31:37I will.
31:40I will.
31:49I love you, dearest.
32:14I thought you weren't supposed to cry.
32:19Artemis is crying as well, I'm certain of it.
32:22Then why make the promise?
32:25To lessen her pain.
32:28If my sister knew I was crying, it would break her heart.
32:33But you know she is crying.
32:38I know her better than she knows me.
32:48Best mama she ever had.
33:07Step One.
33:10Step It.
33:12Step One.
33:22Step One.
33:24Step One.
33:26Step One.
33:27Oh, my God.
34:00Twenty-four hours into this ill-conceived marriage, and my wife is already in the back of a garden sobbing.
34:19How long into your marriage did Mother start crying?
34:29And when did that stop making you feel like a monster?
34:37Mother.
35:26Your Grace.
35:32Good evening.
35:34Are you feeling well, child?
35:37I...
35:38I'm excessively tired.
35:41Do not fret yourself over dinner, dear.
35:44I'll have a tray sent to your room.
35:46You rest.
35:49Hey.
35:55Hey.
36:04Hey!
36:09Hey!
36:11Hey!
36:12Hey!
36:15Hey!
36:36you told me you'd call me out today never did I've decided to shoot you first thing in the
36:44morning go to sleep so I can load my pistols in peace your mother said the new Duchess was
36:51indisposed this evening any idea what you meant by that as mother said she was indisposed she wouldn't
36:59be the first person to hide from you she you mean Persephone well I certainly don't mean your mother
37:05you could shoot a man dead in the drawing room if she'd just smile indulgently and say my poor boy
37:09yes and the woman will still be calling me that when I'm 80 when you're 80 she'll be dead oh
37:14shut
37:14up Harry is there any chance Persephone is locked in the dungeon I am not a monster and she chose
37:25to
37:25accept me ah yes but without the benefit of the rather ingenious postscript you composed last night
37:31I don't think she realized you think I've made her miserable already
37:35she took this morning's farewells particularly hard you ought to have insisted her family stay
37:41longer so I am the villain am I I wouldn't be surprised if you never saw the poor woman again
37:48as long as you lived in a place as enormous as this pile of rock she could avoid you for
37:54years
37:59where are you going my wife is indisposed I'm going to see for myself that she is well
38:08Adam I am not going to hurt the blasted woman you know me better than that
38:30I am not going to hurt the falls but it can just it can beå½¢ why I tell you how
38:34you
38:34areeminification mankind it is saying that wealth canadia will hurt me and any problems
38:36I want her for her how you are believed in her husband we're well
38:36were born in her father and she made a joy inunuz in the society she went to her
38:37who should beushi in her husband and for her husband she delivered please
39:39Are you attempting to find the breakfast room? Please tell me you know how to reach it from here.
39:45I got lost a few times when I first started working here. Fauston Castle is quite a big place. Enormous.
39:52New arrivals really ought to be provided with a map.
39:56This way, your grace, and I'll not tell anyone you were lost. Thank you.
40:01Mother, explain to Harry that you're not leaving Fauston Castle because I forced you to do so.
40:05He seems to think that I drive every person who ever comes here away with a scythe in one hand
40:10and a flaming torch in the other.
40:12A regular one-person bloodthirsty mob. That's what you are. You really ought to think about employing pitchforks when you...
40:22Persephone. Come. Break your fast, dear. Kidneys? Eggs? Yes, please. Harry, will you please?
40:32I will prepare a plate for her mother. You needn't inconvenience yourself.
40:37Please.
41:05Should I sit somewhere else?
41:06No. You can stay where you are.
41:10Will you be coming to town at Christmas time?
41:13I never go to town until absolutely necessary.
41:16You must convince my poor boy of the delights of London.
41:20I have never been to London.
41:22Well, then you absolutely must come as soon as possible.
41:27I should positively love taking you around town and introducing you to just everyone.
41:34I'm certain you can pack quickly, Adam, and I could delay my departure by a day or so and we
41:39could all...
41:40I shall be forced to take her in the spring as it is.
41:43Forced? The season is such fun. How can you say forced?
41:49I despise London. But the Queen will be vexed if Persephone is not presented and there is one bother I
41:55could do without. Thus I shall be forced to town.
41:59Do not let him burden you with even the tiniest amount of guilt, Your Grace.
42:03By spring, he will have gone months without insulting members of the Cabinet or any of the Royal Family and
42:09will be itching for the opportunity.
42:13That is good to know.
42:14I suppose, as a good friend of the family, I ought to remain here indefinitely and offer my insights into
42:20your grumbly husband.
42:21That is simply the sort of selfless person I am.
42:26Even selfless people can be thrown from the south parapet.
42:33I am beginning to suspect, Adam, that you do not like me very much.
42:37I will simply have to ponder the sorrow of this realisation.
42:42Your Grace.
42:45Your Grace.
42:50Your Grace.
42:54This could get confusing.
42:57We really ought to think of names for the three of you.
43:27Now, get out.
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