31 Plays in 31 Days, #14 - "All the More Reason"

[breakinglight11]

A major issue in Mrs. Hawking part 4 is Nathaniel finding out the Colonel was offered a knighthood that he turned down— and Mrs. Hawking never cared to learn why. Bernie and I discussed what that scene in the past must have looked like, and though it will likely never feature in any actual show, I thought it might be fun to explore for curiosity's sake.

A major thing people wonder about is what it must have been like in their home when they were married and living there together. He spent a lot of time abroad when he realized how little she wanted him around, but when he was there, things were... frosty. Quiet and stiff. We decided that due to her resentment, Mrs. Hawking developed a profound mental block when it came to all things related to him, a resistance to making any connection or taking any interest in him. And he lacked the tools to communicate directly with her enough to even try to address their issues.

Still, I could imagine him making occasional forays into getting her to talk to him about SOMETHING— in this case, what to do about this knighthood he felt so bad accepting. Here I tried to imagine what that conversation must have been like. To wit, mostly him attempting in his indirect way to solicit her thoughts, and her shutting him down at every turn without ever actually becoming aggressive or rude. At least not overtly.

Day #14 – “All the More Reason”
By Phoebe Roberts

London, England, 1876

THE COLONEL, decorated soldier Reginald Prescott Hawking
VICTORIA HAWKING, his wife
~~~

(THE COLONEL and MRS. HAWKING sit at opposite sides of the table. He handles a letter as she reads a book over her plate, not looking at him. He considers it a long time before speaking up.)

THE COLONEL: I’ve had another letter today. From the queen.

(Pause.)

THE COLONEL: I’ve been offered a knighthood.

MRS. HAWKING: Oh? Of course you have.

THE COLONEL: Did you know?

MRS. HAWKING: No. But it doesn’t surprise me.

(Pause.)

THE COLONEL: What do you think of it?

MRS. HAWKING: I suppose it was bound to happen eventually.

THE COLONEL: Was it?

MRS. HAWKING: You’ve always been a very good soldier.

(Pause.)

THE COLONEL: I’m thinking of turning it down.

MRS. HAWKING: Are you?

THE COLONEL: Yes.

MRS. HAWKING: Then you should.

THE COLONEL: Do you think so?

MRS. HAWKING: If you do.

THE COLONEL: Is it wise?

MRS. HAWKING: I’m sure you’d know better than me.

THE COLONEL: I see.

(Pause.)

THE COLONEL: I hope it doesn’t offend her majesty. And… Ambrose won’t be pleased with me. Keeping it out of the family.

MRS. HAWKING: It’s not his knighthood, is it?

THE COLONEL: He’ll give me blue murder if I do.

MRS. HAWKING: Well. All the more reason, then.

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING: If it will upset Ambrose, I mean.

(She stands and walks out with her book.)