INT. BREAKFAST ROOM - LONGBOURN - DAY.
The Clows eat in silence. Lelouch yawns. Mrs Clow moans she is hungover. Mr Hideki comes in in a state of agitation. They look at him. He sits, hesitates, then asks:
MR HIDEKI
Mrs Clow - I was hoping, if it would not trouble you, that I might solicit a private audience with Mr Kimihiro in the course of the morning.
Kimihiro is open mouthed.
MRS CLOW
Oh! Yes. Certainly - Kimmy would be very happy indeed. Please - go ahead. No time like the present. Everyone. Out. Mr Hideki would like a private audience with your brother.
Everyone looks in amazement.
KIMIHIRO
Wait. I beg you. Mr Hideki can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear.
MRS CLOW
No. Nonsense, Kimmy. I desire you will stay where you are. Everyone else, to the drawing room. Mr Clow.
MR CLOW
But...
MRS CLOW
Now!
Mrs Clow makes sure everyone leaves, winks at Mr Hideki then shuts the door before Kimihiro has time to do anything. Kimihiro looks at Mr Hideki who looks at him in earnest. There is a horrible pause of intense embarrassment.
MR HIDEKI
Dear Mr Kimihiro, you can hardly doubt the purpose of my discourse. My attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life.
Kimihiro stares at him, astonished.
MR HIDEKI (CONT'D)
But before I am run away with my feelings perhaps I may state my reasons for marrying. First, that it is the duty of a clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness, and, thirdly, that it is at the urging of my esteemed patroness Lady Marianne that I select a wife.
We hear a kick and Yuui screech from behing the door.
MRS CLOW (V.O.)
Sshhh.
MR HIDEKI
My object in coming to Longbourn was to choose such a one from amongst Mr Clow's sons, for as you know I am next in the entail of the estate and such an alliance will surely make amends for this. (drops to his knee) And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affections.
KIMIHIRO
Mr Hideki -
MR HIDEKI
And that no reproach on the subject of fortune will cross my lips once we are married.
KIMIHIRO
You are too hasty, sir! You forget that I have made no answer.
MR HIDEKI
(unperturbed)
I must add, that Lady Marianne will thoroughly approve, when I speak to her of your modest, economy and other amiable qualities.
KIMIHIRO
Sir, I am honored by your proposal ,but I regret I must decline it.
MR HIDEKI
(momentarily taken aback, but recovering)
I know people have their pretty little ways, and don't seek to seem too eager -
KIMIHIRO
(in some desperation)
Mr Hideki, I am perfectly serious. You could not make me happy and I'm convinced I'm the last person in the world who could make you happy.
MR HIDEKI
(pause)
I flatter myself, cousin, that your refusal is merely a natural delicacy. Besides, you should take into account that despite your manifold attraction it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you -
KIMIHIRO
(rising, deeply affronted)
Mr Hideki -
MR HIDEKI
So I must conclude that your simply seek to increase my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant disposition.
KIMIHIRO
Sir! I am not the sort of person to torment a respectable man. Please understand me - I cannot accept you!
Kimihiro storms out of the room and out of the house. Mrs Clow crashes through another door, hot on the tail of Kimihiro.
MRS CLOW
Declined indeed! The headstrong, foolish child -
HIDEKI
Thank you, but...head strong?
MRS CLOW
- we shall have this little hiccup dealt with immediately, Mr Hideki.
Mrs Clow goes to chase after Kimihiro. Mr Hideki watches through a window as Kimihiro is chased by his mother.
INT. LIBRARY - LONGBOURN - THE SAME.
Mrs Clow marches into the library. Mr Clow looks up in shock.
MRS CLOW
Oh Mr Clow. We are all in an uproar. You must come and make Kimmy marry Mr Hideki, for he vows he will not have him.
Mr Clow stares at Mrs Clow blankly.
MRS CLOW
Mr Hideki, Mr Hideki has proposed to Kimmy. But Kimmy declares he will not have him, and now the danger is Mr Hideki may not have Kimmy.
MR CLOW
And what am I to do?
Mrs Clow drags Mr Clow to his feet.
MRS CLOW
Speak to Kimmy.
They march to find Kimihiro.
INT. HALLWAY - LONGBOURN - THE SAME.
Mr Clow and Mrs Clow confront Kimihiro, who has been waiting in the hallway. Perhaps the other girls form an audience from the stair, Mr Hideki looks on sheepishly from the breakfast room.
MRS CLOW
Tell him that you insist upon them marrying.
KIMMY
Papa, please - !
MRS CLOW
You will have this house! -
KIMMY
I can't marry him!
MRS CLOW
You'll save your brothers from destitution.
KIMMY
I can't! -
MRS CLOW
Go back now and say you've changed your mind!
KIMMY
No!
MRS CLOW
Think of your family! Mr Clow say something!
MR CLOW
(To Kimmy)
So, your mother insists on you marrying Mr Hideki -
MRS CLOW
Yes, or I shall never see him again!
MR CLOW
Well, Kimmy. From this day on you must be a stranger to one of your parents -
MRS CLOW
(To Kimmy)
- who will maintain you when your father is dead?
MR CLOW
Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr Hideki, and I will never see you again if you do.
MRS CLOW
Mr Clow!
KIMIHIRO
Thank you, papa.
Kimihiro turns around and walks into the drawing room.
INT. DRAWING ROOM - LONGBOURN - THE SAME.
Kimihiro enters the drawing room. In the drawing room, Mokona is trying to read, through the family din. Lelouch sits very still. His face is white. There's a letter in his hand. Mrs Clow charges in, Fai and Yuui in tow, and speaks to anyone who will listen.
MRS CLOW
Oh, ungrateful child! I shall never speak to him again! Not that I have much pleasure in talking to anybody. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer...
She jabbers on but her voice fades. We're with Lelouch, re-reading the letter.
KIMIHIRO
What's wrong, Lelouch?
Close in on Lelouch's pale face. He's staring at the letter.
MRS CLOW
(distant)
But it is alway so. those who complain are never pitied...