INT. THORNFIELD HALL - ENTRYWAY - NIGHT
Antoinette runs to where the bell hangs by the door. She rings it fervently with fear in her eyes.
INT. INN - PUB - NIGHT
The authorities are standing to leave.
AUTHORITY 1
We will take your information into account. There are many variables to be considered, miss.
JANE (appalled)
I cannot believe this. Have you no sense of justice?
AUTHORITY2
It is late. A young lady like you should be in bed at this hour.
INT. THORNFIELD HALL - NIGHT
Mrs. Fairfax, John, and other miscellaneous servants run about, attempting to control the fire. They throw buckets of water, but the foundation has caught.
INT. INN - PUB - NIGHT
The authorities are leaving when the sound of hooves sound from outside. A TOWNSMAN enters the pub urgently.
TOWNSMAN
Gentlemen! Thornfield Hall is aflame!
Jane turns around and gasps at the news. The innkeeper and authorities rush to the exit.
JANE Take me with you!
EXT. THORNFIELD HALL - FRONT ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Jane exits a carriage, staring at the inflamed house in horror. A group of CIVILIANS stands watching. Jane runs to Mrs. Fairfax, who looks on with tearful eyes, holding her hand to her mouth.
(urgently)JANE Where are they?
Mrs. Fairfax looks to Jane and shakes her head. Jane searches the face of the house to the corner tower in panic. She paces around to the side of the house.
EXT. THORNFIELD HALL - GARDEN - NIGHT
Jane finds a side door open and approaches it. Antoinette crouches in the doorway, hugging her knees to her chest, looking at the ground outside. She is in no immediate danger. Jane beckons to her urgently.
Antoinette!JANE
Antoinette does not react to her call. She keeps her eyes on the ground, appearing intimidated.
JANE Come, Antoinette!
Jane observes her then walks to her. She leans into the
doorframe and grabs hold of Antoinette’s arm. They meet each other’s eyes. Antoinette stands at Jane’s encouragement.
She begins to take a step outside. Her bare foot hovers over the ground. She steps her foot into the earth.
Simultaneously, a breeze blows the hair from her face. She closes her eyes in a moment of bliss and steps the other foot out onto the ground.
Jane clasps her arm and pulls her along.
JANE We must go!
EXT. THORNFIELD HALL - FRONT ENTRANCE - NIGHT
They flee to the front of the house. They stop at the sound of glass breaking from above. The women and civilians look up to see Rochester’s body, aflame, bursting from
Antoinette’s attic window at the top of the corner tower.
Antoinette watches in dread.
Rochester’s arms and legs flail as he falls the length of the corner tower. His body hits the third story
embattlements. Half of his still body hangs off. Jane looks away and covers her mouth, horrified. Antoinette watches in anguish. Tears stream down her face. The wind blows at her hair and the fire glows on her skin.
INT. CARRIAGE - DAY
Jane, dressed elegantly, takes in London’s skyline in the distance. She looks down to her lap, where a letter she is composing sits.
JANE (v.o.)
My dear Adele, I trust you are in good spirits, despite the
conditions in which you may find yourself. I am sure that by now you have heard of the untimely death of your friend and benefactor, Mr.
Rochester. A tragic accident, as they ruled it, for there had been other cases like it. Thankfully, everyone else escaped the fire unharmed.
INT. PARIS GIRL’S SCHOOL - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Adele sits in a room full of beds. Girls bustle about. Her eyes come alive as she reads the letter.
JANE (CONT’D) (v.o.)
In life, there are many terrible losses, but you must always find the strength to keep on. You are a very extraordinary girl, Adele. I will forever regret leaving
Thornfield without saying goodbye to you. Much has happened since we last met, and I have much to fill you in on.
EXT. SHIP DECK - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Antoinette watches the sea. She looks out on the horizon, feeling the sun and wind on her face. She wears a
light-fitting, yellow dress and appears healthy and fresh.
JANE (CONT’D) (V.O.)
Antoinette, the woman that was married to Mr. Rochester, is
leaving England. Mr. Rochester left a considerable sum for her care in the event of his death. Antoinette and I worked together to hire an assistant to help keep her.
Together, they return to Jamaica, Antoinette’s home. As for me, INT. CARRIAGE - LONDON - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Jane’s carriage comes to a stop in front of a large but modest house in the city of London. A sign outside reads:
’London Charity School for Orphan Girls’
JANE (CONT’D) (V.O.)
I have acquired a large fortune, the inheritance of my late uncle.
It is more than I could ever need, so I invested in something very dear to me. I am the new
headmistress and property owner of a girl’s school in London. It is little and unimpressive for now, but, perhaps, you would like to come visit?
INT. PARIS GIRL’S SCHOOL - DAY - CONTINUOUS Adele cries tears of joy.
JANE (CONT’D) (V.O.)
Or, perhaps, you might like to come live here with me. I am very happy among you, Adele, and should like to prolong our friendship.
INT. LONDON SCHOOL - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Jane enters the old house carrying her bags. It has high ceilings and bright walls. She sits her bags down and walks to a curtained window. She opens the curtain, letting
sunshine stream in. She looks around happily.
JANE (CONT’D) (V.O.)
I hope you will say yes. We may both finally find ourselves a home.
Signed lovingly, Jane.
EXT. SHIPYARD - DUSK
Antoinette moves slowly along a line exiting the ship. She is assisted by a black, female ASSISTANT, British accent, of her thirties. She stands behind Antoinette.
The harbor reflects a colorful sunset and meets the lush, green hills of Jamaica. Tears stream down Antoinette’s cheeks as she takes in the beauty.
The line leads to an OFFICIAL, black man, creole accent, who checks the travelers’ documents. When Antoinette and her assistant reach him, the assistant hands over a set of documents. The official studies the papers then looks at them. He turns to Antoinette.
OFFICIAL Your name, miss?
Antoinette looks at him with a strong expression.
ANTOINETTE Antoinette.
FADE OUT.
The End.