This is in fact the very first scene, how the whole story actually begins, with the indecent proposal. The complete story will be told in subsequent scenes. Based on the 1997 movie Firelight, by William Nicholson. Some changes have been made in the story, Elisabeth Laurier' is now named Esther Abrabanel. Scene: A dimly lit reception room, in Victorian London: Time: Sometime in the winter of 1838. Enter: the Governess, Miss Esther Abrabanel. Go-Between: "Sit down,dear. -This one is Swiss by nationality, two years employment here in London as a governess, -piano, drawing, French of course." Governess: (sits) Go-Between: "How old are you dear?" Governess: "22." Go-Between: "Are you in good health?" Governess: "Yes." Go-Between: "Are both your parents still living?" Governess: "My mother is dead." Go-Between: "What was the cause your mother's death?" Governess: "She died in childbirth." The Master: (Whispers from where he's hiding behind a screen) Ask her to stand up. Go-Between: "Stand up dear." Governess: (Stands up) Go-Between: "Turn around, -all the way." The Master: (Whispers) Ask her what the money's for. Go-Between: The father's in debt, so it seems. The Master: (Whispers) Does she have any other income, any other way of making money?" Go-Between: Sit down dear. -The Gentleman asks if you have any other way of raising the money that you need?" Governess: "Does the Gentleman have any suggestions?" Go-Between: My dear, you are very pretty, you could marry you know!" Governess: "Yes, I could sell myself for life, -the gentleman's needs as I understand it are of a shorter duration!" The Master: (whispers) Has she done this ever before? Go-Between: "The Gentleman asks..." Governess: "Can the Gentleman not ask for himself? To be continued... BACKGROUND SYNOPSIS: In 1838, lovely Swiss governess Esther Abrabanel (Played by Sophie Marceau, the French Princess of Wales in Braveheart) agrees to conceive and bear the child of an anonymous English landowner (Steven Dillane, he plays Thomas Jefferson in the John Adams TV series), in return for which he'll pay her �£500. He needs an heir to carry on his line, but who's wife has suffered a serious riding accident shortly after marriage, and can no longer bear children (she's actually in a vegetative state). Miss Laurier needs the money to pay her father's debt, and obtain his release from prison; but she's fiercely independent, and refuses to surrender to the yoke of a loveless marriage just for financial convenience and security. So their mutual need brings them together. They meet for three days in a hotel on the coast of Normandy, during that time their relationship metamorphs from cold the mechanics of commercial contract sex, to a mutual lust, to a deep and abiding love. However, in spite of this awakened feeling between them, they part ways on their return to England, ostensibly never to see each other again. At the birth of their child (a daughter),she surrenders her as agreed to the midwife to hand over to the father. However, unlike as agreed, she can neither forget her child, nor the man that she bore it to. Seven years pass, when one day she arrives at a remote Sussex estate, to be the governess of a young girl. The father of the girl, Charles Godwin, turns out to be the same anonymous landowner who met with her years before in the Normandy hotel, and the child Louisa is their daughter. So Esther has to be her own daughter's governess. I strongly urge you to read more about Firelight (1997) at IMDB, and to follow this link to watch it in 11 consecutive segments on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBJoNkFd5TA&feature=related Another link to watch this movie online is here: http://moviescollections.info/video/6698-Firelight.html One can also visit Firelight Screen Writer and Director, William Nicholson's site here: http://www.williamnicholson.com/qa/?failed#faq