India just looks at her.

EVIE (CONT'D) At least I won't be the one embarrassing myself this time... (beat)

You don't want to come, do you?

UNCLE CHARLIE (O.S.) I'm wearing a belt but other than that, everything fits perfectly!

Evie and India turn to look at Uncle Charlie, standing in the doorway, wearing tennis whites three sizes too big.

EVIE

Oh, Charlie - you look like a little boy playing dress up!

UNCLE CHARLIE It'll be fine!

EVIE (to India) I gave him some of your father's old things to wear... No sense being wasteful...

UNCLE CHARLIE

You ready? Evie gives India a little wave.

EVIE

Good-bye, darling! See you later...

Uncle Charlie waves too. Book forgotten, India watches them walk off together across the back lawn.

WE HEAR THE DOORBELL RING

END MONTAGE

CUT TO:

INT. STOKER RESIDENCE - FOYER - DUSK

India opens the front door, revealing a silver-haired woman in a flowing caftan.

She's holding white lilies in a pot, and there's an enormous, discreetly expensive suitcase at her feet. Behind her, a taxi is just taking off down the drive.

India looks at the woman, a puzzled expression on her face.

AUNTIE GIN Indial It's me, you goose 1 Come and give your Auntie Gin a hug!

INT. STOKER RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - DUSK - CONTINUOUS

India sits on her stool at the island while GWENDOLYN "AUNTIE GIN" STOKER (60's, warm and sharp) makes herself comfortable in the kitchen, the tinkling of her gold bracelets sounding very much like old coins.

The potted lilies sit near the sink.

AUNTIE GIN (lighting a cigarette) Now - first things first. I'm very sorry about your father, dear. I'm sure this must be a dreadful time for you. He was an excellent man, you know. A good man. A gentle man. A. .. a quiet man. Even as a boy I could see that his charms were of the quiet variety. Not for show. Under the surface. Discreet. Your father may not have been particularly artistic or a wordsmith or an inspired dresser, but he was steadfast and he loved you and you were lucky to have him! I was proud to call him my nephew, no matter what you heard me say last time...

(puff, puff) Second - I'm very sorry I couldn't be here for the funeral. I wanted to be here, believe me, I wanted very much to be here but sometimes the old bones won't cooperate... Sometimes you just ache so badly in the morning you want to get up and die... One day you'll understand... If you live to be my age... If you're lucky...

(puff, puff) Third - after my last visit I wasn't sure I was ready to be in the same room with your mother, to be frank. She can be very spiteful in that bougie way of hers... ("ashamed") (MORE)

AUNTIE GIN (CONT'D) Forgive me, dear - these things should not be discussed in front of children... It's not right and it's not fair... We should be discussing you, India! You! We should be talking about school and boys and college and college boys! Now tell me everything 1

(then; remembering) But first I should really put these things in water...

(picking up the lilies) So fucking delicate...

Auntie Gin turns back to India, flowers in hand.

AUNTIE GIN (CONT'D) Now... do we have a vase, dear?

UNCLE CHARLIE (O.S.) Auntie Gin.

Auntie Gin looks toward the swing door to the dining room.

There's Uncle Charlie, in his tennis whites.

auntie gin

Charles...

The lilies slide from her fingers, pot smashing on the floor.

Dark earth spills out across the tiles.

AUNTIE GIN (CONT'D) You're back.

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