EPISODE ONE
ACT ONE
1.ENGLAND. DOWNTON ABBEY. MORNING.
The kitchen is in it's usual early morning bustle, having just ended the setting of breakfast for the Family. The scullery maid, DAISY, is instructing PARKER on which pot of coffee is which – decaffeinated coffee has just been discovered and introduced to England and the Abbey. At the table, the lady's maid, ANNA BATES sits rather glumly, having hardly touched her toast. First footman, THOMAS is in the corner, smoking, and ANNA'S mood does not go unnoticed by him. The rest of the STAFF is seated and going about their own little tasks.
DAISY; The regular should always go to the right, it's the hand they usually lift with to pour. The decaffeinated one is to the left, and it's marked with a small letter on the handle.
PARKER: Isn't that cheating though? What's the point of having coffee if there isn't anything to it?
PATMORE: It'll tell you, its those nonsense American inventions at it again. Soon we'll be making clam free clam chowder! Now, do you plan on sending it up anytime soon, or will we be the inventors of lukewarm coffee as well?! Daisy, where are the scones?
DAISY: Here, Miss. Patmore!
PARKER exits with the tray of coffee and scones, while the camera pans over to THOMAS eyeing up ANNA, smoke roiling around him.
THOMAS: You're quite down in the mouth today. Still sausey about the new footman coming to Downton?
HUGHES: Leaver her alone, Barrow. She's got enough on her plate without you crawling under her skin.
THOMAS: I'm not allowed to be concerned for our Mrs. Bates?
HUGHES: You're allowed to concern yourself with anyone, Mr. Barrow, but not at the expense of the staff members.
PATMORE: (v.o) Thomas! Do you plan for his Lordship to spend the day in his night robes?!
ANNA: I best go up to Lady Mary.
The camera splits to BARROW, enters the sitting room where LORD ROBERT GRANTHAM and TOM BRANSON are sitting.