SCENE: Prince Edward Island seaport
GILBERT: Anne, theres Diana. Im just going to grab a paper.
ANNE: Diana!
RED CROSS WOMAN 1: Two hundred men just signed up today. Where were you?
GILBERT: I just stepped off the ferry. [she puts a white feather in his button hole]
RED CROSS WOMAN 1: You can step right back on it and defend your country if youre worth your salt.
GILBERT: Fred. Good to see you.
FRED: I see you were accosted, too. [he takes Gilberts white feather] Sign of the coward. Those dames are trying to incite fellas to enlist.
GILBERT: Where are they taking them?
FRED: The old quarantine hospital up the coast has been converted into a convalescence home for boys lucky enough to be sent back.
GILBERT: I should drive up, see if they need a hand.
DIANA: Youre not going anywhere, Gilbert Blythe. You and your bride and I have business to discuss.
FRED: Best to choose your battles with these new-fangled businesswomen, Gil.
SCENE: Green Gables
DIANA: Well, will you look at that. Mr Harrisons gone and sold the place.
ANNE: Please go.
DIANA: Arent you the least bit curious?
ANNE: No, and it is cruel of you to go on and on about it. What are you smiling at?
DIANA: You, you silly goose!
ANNE: Why?
DIANA: Gilberts gone and bought the place for you.
GILBERT: With a little help from Fred and Ben.
ANNE: That is just the most generous thing anyone has ever done for me. It makes up for every unfulfilled dream I ever contemplated. [runs up to the house] Let me go in alone, just for a moment. [she reminisces of old times with Marilla and Matthew]
DIANA: Is everything all right?
ANNE: Im home now. This is my house.
DIANA: Well be back for you in a couple of hours.
ANNE: Diana said I can stay with them until the wedding. And that way you can live here; you wont have to board in town.
GILBERT: Oh, I get to do all the work, I see.
ANNE: I didnt mean it like that. We did the right thing, didnt we?
GILBERT: Sure we did.
ANNE: What is it?
GILBERT: Nothing. I was just thinking about Dr. Powell. My leaving was an awful setback to him. We did the right thing.
ANNE: Well, we cant always take the most obvious road in life.
SCENE: Carmody
SPEAKER: Our gains have been substantial, ladies and gentlemen. For every one hundred men who stood beside our king of Flanders, over two hundred enemy have fallen. And if this trend continues, victory must soon be ours.
JOSIE PYE: Gil.
GILBERT: Moody.
MOODY SPURGEON: Good to see you.
GILBERT: Josie.
JOSIE PYE: We heard you were setting up an office at Green Gables.
MOODY SPURGEON: Yes.
GILBERT: But so far no one has showed up for so much as a toothache.
JOSIE PYE: Well, there are more crucial events abroad that need safekeeping more than Green Gables.
GILBERT: I know that, Josie.
ANNE: Moody. Josie. How lovely.
MOODY SPURGEON: Anne.
ANNE: Its nice to have a few people our age who have stayed in Avonlea.
MOODY SPURGEON: Yes, everybody seems to have left. Look at it here. Carmody here has become such a big booming city, now. But its good to see youre staying.
JOSIE PYE: Well, congratulations are in order. I hear Diana Barry is having the reception.
ANNE: Yes, I hope youll honor us with your presence.
JOSIE PYE: Will you be getting married in uniform, Gil?
ANNE: Gils setting up to serve the community here. And the papers say the war is going to be over in a few weeks.
JOSIE PYE: Well, I suppose its not your fault if the American papers never report things accurately. Its nothing less than a disaster. My three brothers have left. I mean, even pas gone as a civilian.
GILBERT: All able-bodied men feel a responsibility to protect our empire.
ANNE: Able-bodied men are needed at home, too. Look at Dr. Stuart running the convalescence home for casualties. Gils volunteering there.
JOSIE PYE: Dr. Stuarts near retirement. No one in this town will be seen by a doctor not prepared to serve his country.
ANNE: Josie. Moody. [they leave] Well, I can see her tongue has grown by a yard since weve been away. That was practically a threat.
GILBERT: Shes always been jealous of you and me.
ANNE: For heavens sake. The only men who can help left are the Dr. Stuarts. This island will need all the help it can muster.
GILBERT: I should pay Dr. Stuart a visit.
SCENE: Convalescence home
GILBERT: Whoa. I want to see how I much assistance I can be here. I wont be long.
ANNE: I have lots to keep my busy. Gil, do you think its as bad as they say overseas?
GILBERT: Im worried a war of this size isnt going to be over in weeks or months.
ANNE: Whats at the other end cant be glorious at all.
GILBERT: Ill do everything I can for now.
DR. STUART: Wed be grateful for even a few hours of your time each week.
GILBERT: My practice isnt very busy yet.
DR. STUART: Morning, Jim. Good lad.
GILBERT: Jim. Your brother Harry used to play hockey with me on the Avonlea Avengers. I lost track of him
DR. STUART: Uh, Dr. Blythe, I dont think Harry made it. Three weeks on a ship coming home with no care whatsoever. This ones lucky to be alive, if the gangrene doesnt get him. Now, lets get a look at those dressings.
GILBERT: Theres shrapnel in there that wont let it heal. We could operate right away if you have anything to knock him out with.
DR. STUART: [calling to a nurse] May, lets take Jim inside. Theres not much morphine. Any supplies that you can track down would be appreciated. They dont even patch them up before they ship them home.
GILBERT: Theyd have a better chance if someone took the time on the battlefield.
DR. STUART: Yeah.
SCENE: Wright house
DIANA: Oh, theres a ballroom in white satin.
ANNE: Well, actually, we had something a little different in mind.
DIANA: Why, its perfect. Well, what if we set up a beautiful white silk tent in the garden for the reception?
ANNE: We were thinking a simple ceremony on the lawn or in the orchard at Green Gables.
DIANA: Anne, theres so much more room here for all the guests.
MRS. BARRY: Diana, theres nothing wrong with a quiet home ceremony. It was just good enough for you and Fred before you started putting on airs.
DIANA: I do not put on airs, Mother.
MRS. BARRY: Yes, you do.
DIANA: Ah, Fred, youre finally home. Dinner wouldnt keep. I let Agnes leave.
FRED: Diana, may I speak with you for a moment?
DIANA: Im in the middle of planning.
FRED: It cant wait. We need to speak privately.
SCENE: Wright porch
DIANA: What is so blessed important that you could be so rude?
FRED: The money market has been in shambles these past few months because of the war, and the banks having to consolidate. They decided to close my branch today.
DIANA: Well, Im sure theyll transfer you somewhere nearby.
FRED: Im not taking another position.
DIANA: Were well off. Perhaps you wont even have to return to work. Now, Anne, Gil. I want to compare lists to yours.
FRED: Im not going back to work, Diana. Im enlisting.
DIANA: Your family comes before your country.
SCENE: Green Gables
GILBERT: Fred. What the devil are you doing here so early in the morning?
FRED: We need to speak. Can you give me a lift in before Anne comes over? I worked out a budget to manage the monthly expenses. All our investments are secure.
GILBERT: Fred, I dont think Diana is going to react the way you imagine. Cant you at least tell her-
FRED: Gil, Diana cant face the reality of being of service to ones country. This has been going on for months.
GILBERT: I understand. I really do. Okay.
SCENE: Carmody
FRED: Give Diana and the kids a kiss for me. Tell them Ill be back in a month, once weve cleaned up kaisers clock, aye.
GILBERT: Godspeed.
FRED: Thanks.
MAN 1: Hey, back of the line. Were the first to sign up today.
RED CROSS WOMAN 1: This is for those of you who lag behind. You dont want youre kids asking you, "So, what did you do in the war, Daddy?"
MAN 2: Are you a pacifist or are you just jellow?
MAN 3: You can recruit a man, not a jellyfish.
SCENE: Wright house
DIANA: Anne, whats taking so darn long?
ANNE: Dont get your knickers in a knot.
DIANA: Oh, Anne, youre ravishing.
MRS. BARRY: Who ever would have thought store-bought dress would satisfy, Diana? But you were right. Oh, Dianas veil looks perfect for something borrowed. Hows the dress for length? I might have to take it up a little, but its a perfect fit otherwise. [Gilbert knocks at the door]
DIANA: Gilbert Blythe what are you doing?
MRS. BARRY: It is very bad luck to see your prospective bride in her wedding dress.
ANNE: Gil, just wait on the porch, and Ill change.
MRS. BARRY: Into the kitchen, then.
GILBERT: I just dropped Fred off.
SCENE: Wright kitchen
MRS. BARRY: Hes spoiled it, thats all thats to it. Were going to have to change the entire design of the dress to disguise it.
ANNE: Dear, Mrs. Barry, Ive weathered lots of bad luck in my day.
SCENE: Wright porch
DIANA: I have to stop him!
GILBERT: Come on, Diana, hell be on the ferry to mainland by now.
DIANA: What possessed you to help him?
GILBERT: Im not condoning my involvement. Diana! Diana! He needed somebody to see him off. He couldnt confront you for fear that you wouldnt understand his reasons. He told me to say goodbye to you and the kids. The past year in New York, this war was just a headline in the paper. Here, its our duty.
DIANA: Youre getting married in a week, but whats the point if youre just going to desert your family?
MRS. BARRY: Anne, are you going back home already?
SCENE: Green Gables
GILBERT: Anne? Anne? You dont need to do this now. We need to talk. Anne, please. I have to do this. [a fire starts] Help me move this! Anne, I got it. Call for help.
ANNE: Emily. Emily, Green Gables is on fire. Send the blessed fire wagon!
GILBERT: Anne, Anne, you cant handle it.
ANNE: No, no.
SCENE: Outside Green Gables
GILBERT: I guess Providence was looking out for the old place. Were grateful, fellas. Old Jerry says that he can replace the windows, do the repairs right away. We can finish restoring when I return. Marry me now. Let me go.
ANNE: Everything Ive ever loved gets taken away.
SCENE: Church
REVEREND MORGAN: By the power invested in me, I declare you Officer and Mrs. Blythe.
SCENE: Reception
ANNE: Thank you. That was sweet of you. Thank you.
JOSIE PYE: Forgive me for what I said that day. Youve done us all very proud, Gil.
ANNE: Thank you. Shall we be friends now?
REVEREND MORGAN: Your attention, please, ladies and gentlemen. A toast, to the happy couple, who are about to sacrifice some of the happiest days of their lives to defend God and the empire.
GUESTS: Hear, hear.
REVEREND MORGAN: To the happy couple.
DIANA: Well, somebodys got to avert the gloom of Reverend Morgan. Lets get the bride and groom dancing.
GILBERT: Diana, weve waited five years for this. Dont rush.
REVEREND MORGAN: Yes, and another toast to Officer Blythe and all the God-fearing men who are off to destroy the Hun. Oh, sorry. Dont step on my notes, theyre part of my sermon. Oh, dear. Oh, my. [he knocks the tent over] Oh! Im sorry. Ive ruined the tent
SCENE: Carmody railroad station
ANNE: Goodbye. Goodbye.
SCENE: Green Gables, January 1918
GINNY ANDREWS: The postman dropped this notice off, Miss Shirley. Theres a registered package for you at the Charlottetown post office.
ANNE: Ah.
GINNY ANDREWS: Do you make lots of money writing magazine articles?
ANNE: No, not a lot, but with tutoring, its enough to get by. Ginny, you have five weeks before the exams for Redmond.
GINNY ANDREWS: Im terrified to the point of dyspepsia.
ANNE: Promise me youll brush up over the holidays. I havent had a student of mine pass with less than flying colors yet.
GINNY ANDREWS: Wont you be there, Miss Shirley?
ANNE: You dont need me to hold your hand, Ginny. Your Latin and Greek may be at the mercy of Providence, but you shall excel in all the other arts. That, I have every faith in.
SCENE: Charlottetown post office
ANNE: Hello. You have something for me. Thank you.
RACHEL LYNDE: Oh, as I live and breathe! The world thinks youre hibernating at the bottom of a well, Anne, dear. I havent seen you all winter.
ANNE: Rachel.
RACHEL LYNDE: Have you heard the news?
ANNE: No.
RACHEL LYNDE: Davy Keiths signed up.
ANNE: Has he?
RACHEL LYNDE: Trust that bright little devil to come home driving the tank. But thats not the worst, or the latest. The Wrights got word.
ANNE: No.
RACHEL LYNDE: Freds gone missing at Vimy Ridge.
ANNE: Oh, my God.
RACHEL LYNDE: They think they found six other boys from Carmody, to
MR. OWEN: Charlie Sloan, Moody Spurgeon. Apparently, several of their tags got sent to government house into Charlottetown. As it happens, Freds wasnt among them. Hes been listed, just the same.
ANNE: Oh, Ill call on Diana.
SCENE: Church
REVEREND MORGAN: To the most faithful, to our glorious dea
DIANA: Charles Sloan, Wilfred Bell, Moody Spurgeon. And to those missing in action: Fred Wright, and Alistair Covey. May their weary souls rest in God should Providence call them, too. Would you all please turn with me to hymn number 550, Abide with me, Fast falls the eventide.
DIANA: Anne? Anne.
ANNE: I cant. I cant sit in there and listen helplessly. [they hug] Come here.
DIANA: What do you hear from Gil?
ANNE: All of his letters were sent back. Im afraid somethings happened. I need to know what.
DIANA: What can you possibly do?
ANNE: Go to the last field hospital I have record of. Search from there.
DIANA: Through all of France? They wont let civilians to the front.
ANNE: I wont stay here and wait for my husbands funeral.
DIANA: No.
ANNE: I have to go.
DIANA: You can do what the rest of us only dream of doing, Anne.
ANNE: Will you be all right?
DIANA: Were moving in with mum next week.
ANNE: The houses sold then?
DIANA: Its all right. We were never happy there anyway.
ANNE: Come and live at Green Gables until I come back. Id feel better knowing you were there.
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