點入購買【拉子時代】

串聯每部電影和每段感情的時空背景

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點入購買《卡麥蓉的錯誤教育指南》

一部拉子成長小說的啟發,從讀者、觀眾到意外的ex-gay專題研究

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希望保持一年一書的進度

2005/03/31

Fingersmith 4

Fingersmith 4) : 三邊牽扯

Gentleman的出現帶來危機也帶來伏筆.對Sue而言,他提供一個觀察機會和刺激,她從誤以為Maud愛他,到確認她不是愛他,而是怕他;最後竟然發現是自己愛上了Maud.對Maud而言,他讓自己了解到渴望Sue的程度有多強烈,強烈到成為Gentleman手上的弱點 - 她擔心自己的暗戀被揭穿恥笑 - 意外成為Gentleman計劃的拉力.三個人在Gentleman的操控下各自演戲,各有盤算.

成果驗收
在原著,Maud送給Sue一套衣服,Sue便被另一位侍女誤認為小姐,但到了Richard來見Maud時,她已受不了,早換掉衣服了.但在電視版,早在好姊妹的那一段日子,我們就看到Maud有送衣服給Sue,所以戲裡Sue的衣著和Maud一直是典雅登對.因此當Richard進入Maud的會客室,Sue背對門口站在窗前,Richard第一眼便錯認,直到Maud稍後從旁出現,她完美的作業成果戲劇化地展現給Richard.

從Richard出現開始,他與Maud的對話一直充滿著Sue(和Mr Lilly)不解的暗語:

Richard: I hope you are proving a good girl for your new mistress.(妳不要再像Lant Street的小賊)
Sue: I hope I am too, sir
Maud: She is a very good girl, She is a very good girl, indeed. (她真的進步很多)
Richard: Of course, she could not help but be good--I should say, no girl could help but be good, Miss Lilly--with you as her example .(妳確實把Sue改造得像完美的替身)
  • Richard習慣眨眼,當他對Sue眨眼時,表面上是告訴Sue他達到某個目標(例如幫Sue寫好推薦函,得到Maud的芳心),但看在第三者,他根本是在嘲諷Sue的狀況外.

有時候你需要別人的提示來認清自己,當Gentleman出現站在Maud的身旁,Sue才恍然大悟Maud的美麗:"And I though then, for the first time, that he had been right. She was handsome, she was very fair and slight--I knew it, seeing her stand beside him with her eyes on his."(P112) 但是她對Maud的愛意仍是茫然而不自覺.

三人分梨
當Maud開始猶豫不決,Richard就像一個積極的,想要儘速達成交易的業務員,對Maud設定計劃進度,他要求繼續上三個星期的繪畫課,要求Maud要表現出愛上Richard而願意私奔.看在Sue的眼裡,Maud自從Richard出現後就沒有胃口,和Sue保持疏離,很神經質地準備繪畫用具....電視版有一場戲,三個人在戶外寫生,Richard一時興起,拿起一個梨子分給三個人共享,沒有什麼對話,大家只是默默地吃著水果.在原著,這一段本來是發生在室內,Sue內心有感而發:"We were thinking of secrets. Real secrets, and snide."(P.117)電視版的詮釋倒是恰如其分. 
  • Maud對手套沾污一直深惡痛覺,但是她對繪畫課時沾到顏料,並沒有激烈的立即反應.除了因為她對顏料或水果漬沒有原發的厭惡之外,還因為她陷在某一種更強烈的思緒中而無法自拔,例如在這一刻是想著計劃,在河邊寫生是著迷於注視熟睡的Sue.

Acting love
Maud感覺壓力沉重,一方面她不喜歡Richard的接近,另一方面她受不了Sue無時無刻注視的眼神,Maud一直在遲疑.Sue發現Maud的異樣:"At night she went fretfully to her bed, and sometimes took more sleeping-drops, and sometimes shivered in her sleep."(P.119) Richard發現了Maud的遲疑,於是提議在戶外寫生.當Sue提著東西在後面努力跟上腳步,Richard便藉靠近Maud的時刻,除了策動之外,就是語出威脅,並且要求Maud安排和Sue說話的機會,以確認Sue那一方完成使命的決心沒有改變.

Maud這時候根本無力在意Sue是來陷害她,Maud的心思完全被慾望所佔據,她只能想著如何努力地去壓抑,而且不要被Richard發現.她光是看著Sue背負畫具的凌亂,便不能自己:"She is flushed from the weight of the bags. Her cloak still bellow, her hair still whips, and I want more than anything to draw her to me, to touch and tidy her. I think I begin to, I think I half-reach for her; then I become conscious of Richard and his shrewd, considering gaze. I cross my arms before me and turn away."(P.285)

Maud一日藉機差使Sue送火給Richard點煙.讓他們交換著其實不太有營養的情報,Richard當時還不知倆人之間的情愫,指派給她的任務目標仍然是:"Watch her hard. Make her love you."(P.121)Sue發現Maud從那天起便天天貼著玻璃看著Richard抽煙漫步,只當作是Maud的發暈.其實每天Maud的內心感受著內外交迫的壓力,她日漸消瘦暗淡.

Sue覺得Maud的異樣越來越嚴重,從來沒看過戀愛中的人有這種反應:"Then at night, she would like stiff and open-eyed, or turn and murmur in her sleep."(p.123)當Sue熟睡後,百般煎熬的Maud在半夜清醒,她不敢這樣睡去,她需去碰觸,去感受具體東西的存在才能有安全感,於是她起身碰觸屋內的擺設,她還想碰觸Sue去確認她的存在:"The I come to Sue. I would like to touch her, to be sure that she is there. I dare not. But I cannot leave her. I lift my hands and move and hold them an inch, just an inch, above her--her hip, her breast, her curling hand, her hair on the pillow, her face, as she sleeps."(P.287)

其實Sue曾看過Maud半夜幾近夢遊的行為"'Are you there?' she said, wen she heard me stirring; and she came back to my side and lay and shook. Sometimes she would reach for me. When her hands came against me, though, she'd draw them away..."(P.145)在電視版的詮釋,將Maud此舉歸於她的情慾,但從原著看來,並不儘然單純,已有點接近神經質的偏執,例如她會一遍一遍的整理畫具,或是之後在新婚之夜,同樣半夜起身碰觸陌生的牆面和自己的鞋子.

河邊寫生
這是一個重要的關鍵,讓Richard拿到不敗的保證.原本只是河邊的寫生,Sue因為天氣太熱,倦怠了守護之眼而睡著了.一夢之間,劇情直轉急下.Richard本來在旁邊發牢騷,Maud拿著筆,竟一動也不動地注視著Sue.電視版的鏡頭凝視著Sue的胸部,Sue的雙手.Maud空舉的畫筆滴落紅色顏料(原著是ink),垂涎在畫紙上,和她的圍裙.突然,Richard完全看透她的心思 "Oh, Maud," he says. That is all he says, But in his face I see, at last, how much I want her."(P.289)

  • Ink常常與性慾相關.書房中異色的圖書都是黑色打印的文字;舅父愛書甚至衍生到口慾;Maud形容與Sue初次的悸動:"I am wet, I am running, like water, like ink.";在結尾,Maud寫情色小說,額頭手上都是黑印(P.298)電視版則偏愛紅色的視覺效果,落在Maud圍裙上的紅印,與新婚之夜時,Richard故意割傷的血滴,同樣都在渲染情慾.

Richard把Maud拉到遠處,先是確認他了解她的性傾向,但同時也暗示自己不同的驅動力:"...the sports to which gentlemen's appetites are said to be pricked, by matters like this. Thank heavens I'm not a gentleman so much as a rogue: we go by different codes."(P.290)
  • 這裡是第一次明顯地線索顯示Gentleman是gay.多數人一直到Charles哭哭啼啼尋求Richard時才恍然大悟.其實在一開頭,Sue就曾經淡淡地提到:"Nancy or not, he(Gentleman) could certainly make a lady blush."(P.22)Nancy指的是娘娘腔的男子

除了嘲諷Maud看了太多不切實際的女女情事,Richard再三提醒她對Sue的敵我意識:"Have you forgotten what she has come to you for? Do you think she has forgotten? Do you suppose yourself anything to her, but that?You have been too long among your uncle's books. Girls love easily, there. That is the point of them. If they loved so in life, the books would not have to be written."(P.291)最致命的威脅是要把Maud的暗戀告知Sue.電視版的Maud回頭聽見Sue的呼叫,因為自尊,Maud拱手就範.Richard得了便宜還賣乖,表演情人熱戀之餘,還揶揄她 "Imagine my mouth hers."(P.292)

為了戲劇效果,通常電視版會有詮釋過火的傾向,但是這一段倒是壓抑地恰到好處,在Maud的版本,雖然是白天景致,但配樂宛如半夜惡靈出現.在原著,Sue看到的畫面幾近猥褻"Her skirt rose even higher, and showed the tops of her stockings, the white of her thigh."(P.125)Sue認為這原本是她該期待的結果,卻陌名地令她五味雜陳.

雷雨中墓園說婚事
同一件事情的不同觀點,通常電視版是用不同的影像時間來表現,例如在河邊寫生,第一集只見Sue醒來看見Maud和Richard的相偎,第二集才看見Sue熟睡時發生的掙扎妥協.這一段雷雨中墓園說婚事,用全知觀點來拍攝,全部放在則一集中,二個人不同的心情寫照,單以演員及鏡頭走位來處理,劇本緊密(雖然和原著頗有差異)和演技精湛,許多網友都公認這是電視改編比原著傑出的段落.
(一開始雷聲響起,Maud一時驚嚇,抱住了Sue)
Maud:(放開Sue) Mr River has asked me to marry him
Sue: Oh, miss (轉身背對Maud)
Maud: Are you not pleased? Sue?
(Sue在前景,臉色難看;Maud在後,看不到Sue的表情)
Maud: What is it? (Sue轉回面向Maud)

Sue: Surprise (Sue表情勉強)
(Maud一臉等待)
Sue: Please, I'm gladder than anything in the world.
(Sue勉強擠出笑容)

Maud: I'm not happy because I haven't said yes yet (Maud表情轉冷,轉身背對Sue)
Sue: oh....(Sue變得尷尬)
Maud: How can I? My uncle would never agree (Maud在前景,臉色難看;Sue在後,看不到Maud的表情)
(短暫沈默)Maud: Mr River said we may go at the night. (Maud轉回面向Sue,故作輕鬆)Marry in the small church near here.
(Sue拉著Maud的手)
(又一聲雷響,Maud再度驚嚇,抱住了Sue.Maud緊握著Sue的肩頭,嘆了一口氣,閉緊雙眼;Sue則是輕撫著Maud的背.)



別無選擇
在原著中,以上的對話並未告一段落,倆個人一直談論到究竟愛不愛Richard.在原著中,Maud表示疑惑,所以Sue才為戀愛下了診斷:"Don't know? How can you not know a thing like that? Doesn't your blood beat hard when you see him coming? Doesn't his voice thrill in your ear, and his touch set you shaking? Don't you dream of him, at night?" 旁觀者當然了解Maud想得夢得全是Sue,倒是Sue終於發現Maud拼命想擦掉手心被吻的動作,第一次察覺到Maud可能不愛他,而是怕他.Sue當下居然向Maud提議不要同意私奔"You might say no".可是Maud接著說了一堆光冕堂皇的理由"Watching him leave? I should wonder over and over again what sort of life I might have." Sue又想起家鄉的期望,搞得Sue只能順著她的意,順著原來的計劃,鼓勵她嫁給Richard.

但在電視版,Maud是直接搖頭表示不愛Richard,但她駁回Sue的提議後,卻又再期待著Sue能有其他回應.感覺上,Maud一直在期待著Sue有更明確的表態,但始終沒有發生.Sue唯一的間接表態"You might say no",根本不在Maud的自述中.倆個人表達感情的方式,只是彼此往相反的方向,越來越遠.

電視版把這一段改放在聯手趕走Richard,和Richard威脅Sue的段落之後,電視版用二個人最後萬念俱灰,決定下嫁Richard的結論,來接續中間的最高潮:Sue的新婚釋疑.

短暫的團結
Richard知道Maud的秘密後,不再以低姿態的追求者出現,對Maud完全予取予求.他甚至會當著Maud的面,故意對著Sue佯說:"...perhaps there's someone else you care for?"(P.138).Maud對他的百依百順,看在Sue的眼裡,真是情何以堪.一日在Maud的畫室,Richard居然打賞Sue要她退隱到別處,但是一句:"Do you never have a sweetheart of your own?" 惹惱了她,決定堅持不退.在電視版,Sue本來舉手要取 Richard的錢幣,但是她手上正帶著頂針,她看了一眼決定拒絕離開.

這時Maud聯手再讓Richard碰了軟釘子,倖倖然而去.在原著,Sue可能覺得這是一件了不起的功德,所以她記得Maud:"...she moved, in short, across the whole of the room, until she reached my side. She leaned to look at my work and her hair, in its net of velvet, brushed my own."(P.136),多麼動人的交會--可惜在Maud的自述中根本不記得這一段.倆個人對彼此的期待不同,註定沒有溝通的交集,所以再也不會出現像這次聯手趕走Richard的場面,只等著他來挑撥離間,各個擊破.一直等到最後,三個女人意外地同仇敵愾,才除去了Gentleman...

Richard不滿被趕走的挫敗,找機會教訓Sue:"I know her people. I'm one of them. Don't talk to me as if she keeps you at Briar for kindness' sake--nor as if you came out of sweetness of temper! Your heart--as you call it--and hers are alike, after all: they are like mine, like everyone's"(P.140)但真正踩到Sue的痛處,是Richard威脅如果不從,便要讓她提早退出,無顏見江東父老.

瀕臨崩潰邊緣
倆個女孩掙扎著要放棄自己的感情來傷害對方,但越想就是越做不到,出現相同的內心糾葛:

    Sue:"The more I tried to give up thinking of her, the more I said to myself, 'She's nothing to you', the harder I tried to pluck the idea of her out of my heart, the more she stayed there."(P.144)
    Maud:"But the more I think it, the more I want her, the more my desire rises and swells."(P.295)

相較於Maud在河邊寫生時被赤裸裸地將暗戀攤在Richard的眼前,一路在整個計劃中被朦騙的Sue,幸運地把自己的感情隱藏在懵懂中逃過Richard的凌遲.Sue終於自己偷偷意識到感情的宣洩,強烈到穿牆透壁而來:"...and all night I lay with my back turned to her, the blanket over my ears to keep out her sighs. But in the hours in between, when she went to her uncle, I felt her--I felt her, through the walls of the house, like some blind crooks are said to be able to feel gold. It was as if there had come between us, without my knowing, a kind of thread. It pulled me to her, wherever she was. It was like--It's like you love her, I though."(P.144)

Maud最為可憐,她承受更直接的衝擊:"Even my uncle's books are changed to me; and this is worse, this is worst of all. I have supposed them dead. Now the words--like the figures in the walls--start up, are filled with meaning."(P.295)更慘的是,她還要在舅父和Richard之前朗讀,Richard若有似無的嘲笑對她簡直是莫大的折磨.
  • The Walls:雖然Sue表示出現穿牆透壁的牽掛,但並不表示她們的溝通是心有靈犀,因為牆壁一直是她們之間的障礙,Sue初到Briar,Maud就在一牆之外;新婚之夜,倆個人都聽不到對方真實的聲音;等到精神病大夫分別會診,Sue根本聽不清Maud與Gentleman的謊言.但對Maud而言,牆上的東西另有特別的含義,通常可以藉此去感覺「存在」.

新婚釋疑
電視版一開始,Maud在床上看書,瞄向正在更衣的Sue,蘊釀山雨欲來的氣氛.在原著,Sue的體熱循著被單一寸寸漫向Maud,啟動了風浪:"The warmth of her limbs comes inching, inching through the fibres of the bed."(P.296) Maud藉故提問On her wedding night,what must a wife do? 意圖引導Sue一步一步按著小說的內容推進.不同於原著,意圖裝睡的Sue和天真又惱怒的Maud把這一段開場詮釋較為拙趣,倆人對白已成經典:
Maud:I know something from book
Sue:How can you know it from books?
Maud:You're right,I know nothing,nothing,nothing
在原著,還有一段很經典的對話:"...I(Maud)don't think that kisses can start me off. Mr River's kisses never have. Perhaps--perhaps my mouth lacks a certain necesary muscle or nerve--? I(Sue)said, 'For God's sake Miss. Are you a girl, or a surgeon?'"(P.149)

終於,Sue掉落陷阱,決定要對Maud開示(where are your lips),Maud便閉眼微啟雙唇傻等著.但是經驗有限的Sue,自己都很訝異對真正初吻的反應,電視版的Maud主動傾身延續了Sue本要結束的吻,Sue還挑起了「不可思議」的眉毛:Do you feel it?.Maud 的反應更有趣,理性地開始了感想分析:"It's...a curious, wanting thing"

接著,Sue「不得不」取得主導權,假Gentleman之名遂行自己的慾望...原著是在完全漆黑的環境下進行,一直小心翼翼的Sue,可以放開壓抑,全然的反射動作.所以一旦早晨的陽光揭露昨夜的恣意:鬆開的衣襟、吻痕、大腿上的漬痕,所有的瞻前顧後一齊湧現對比,所以她退縮的反彈就越大.在電視版並沒有那份大反差,倆人是在相當清楚理智的情況下開始,Sue在火光下她看著Maud舉起了手,示意褪去手套...原著的肌膚之親有著擦槍走火的意味,電視版則是很明白地呈現倆倩相悅.有時我會感嘆,既然都已改編成這麼直率,為什麼不乾脆讓她們彼此開誠佈公?

Maud是暗地的發動者,她或許對細節半知半解,但肯定預期到最後結果,所以她是欣喜地期待與Sue之間的轉變.她想著只要與Sue逃離Briar就好了(沒有考慮去那裡,怎麼生活),她想著願意為Sue成為一個真正的好女孩.但Sue考慮一旦遠走高飛,就只能倆手空空回Lant Street,而Maud在身旁只會引來嘲笑.她沒有辦法為Maud放棄任務.

    在磨牙時,Maud曾嚐過Sue手指的味道,嚐到的是Maud自己的慾望.Sue嚐到手指上Maud的味道"I put the tip of one finger to my tongue. It taste sharp--like vinegar, like blood. Like money."(P.151),Sue嚐到的是自己的使命.原本這埸性與金錢的騙局本是Gentleman的主場,可是Sue跳進了最前線,變成一個自己都不能原諒的壞人,更羞於向Maud坦白.Sue最後選擇沉默與逃避.

在原著,Maud更衣時看著Sue不斷迴避眼神,決定間接地試探Sue的意願;電視版,Maud還在床上縴戀著幸福感覺:
Maud:No drop (*在原著,其實Maud睡前服了藥)
Sue:No dream (Sue很不自在,一直在迴避眼神)
Maud:Only one. I think you were in in, Sue (Maud輕輕地觸摸Sue的髮梢)
Sue:Me? You'll marry Mr River tonight... I don't think so. (Sue起身離去,自傲的Maud怎麼受得了這種傷害?所有的觀眾都心如刀割.)

電視版,Maud的旁白情緒轉折驚人,"Everything I said to myself was change, she has touched the life of me, the quick of me. But she is shame " 還是柔情似水,到了"She didn't love me. Her feeling was false. " 在最短的時間跌落冰谷.

表面上沒有任何事情被改變,一切仍照計劃進行,該背叛的,該陷害的,完全無法避免.但經過這一夜,有些變數悄然地潛浮在心底,等待時機的攪動.

2005/03/30

Fingersmith 3

Fingersmith 3) : 愛恨情轉

從Sue到達莊園,與Maud開始相處,一直到Gentleman(Richard)再度出現前,這一段日子是她們很重要的感情培養期.二位女主角為何會相戀,通常我們以「日久生情」來解釋.若直言「習慣成自然」,為何Sue沒有愛上身邊其他人?為何Maud沒有愛上Agnes,甚至沒有愛上Richard?二人原來都從傷害對方的動機出發,卻漸漸產生模糊的愛意(明確的心意要到Richard出現時,才對比出來).她們都各自經歷複雜的感情轉換:Sue一直視Maud為「好女孩」,她的感情是從「善意」到「愛意」逐步滲透;Maud則一直認為Sue有著「壞心眼」,她不斷反反覆覆地辯證Sue的行為.「相由心生」最能解釋Maud對Sue的觀感.再加上書本早熟的性啟蒙,她的內心世界波濤洶湧,慾望與憤恨在二邊劇烈拉扯.

第一個夜晚:二個女孩各站在門板的另一頭
Maud像是焦急等待著郵購女侍的到來,鎮日惶惶不安.下午3點派人去接,結果火車誤點.下午5點再接,還是撲空.一直到9點,Maud早已準備要就寢,才從窗戶看到馬車微弱的燈火慢慢靠近.Sue到達時剛好聽到Briar的鐘聲.在進門的剎那,Sue看到上方的小窗,有一閃而過的燭光.那就是Maud,她看到Sue瘦小黑暗的身影.她真的來了,"...she is real. The plot is real",Maud不禁顫抖起來.(電視版是Maud早已睡著,Sue上樓時剛好聽到Maud的惡夢聲.但這種安排就太低估了Maud的心機.)

Sue先在廚房用餐,順便接受新同事的打量.接著女管家開始訓話(電視版把這一段移到次日白天),Sue儘量忍耐"Well, that's servants for you--always grubbing over their own little patch. As if I cared, about candle-end and soap!"(P.63)終於,女管家領她到三樓的房間.如果那是她的囚房,女管家便是獄卒.而隔壁的Maud已經感覺到Sue,就在一牆之外.

Sue有點餓過頭,剛吃下的晚餐讓她反胃.行李箱內並沒有屬於自已的衣物,她只能聞著Dainty針線工留下的味道,一解鄉愁.她從門孔偷看隔壁,只見微弱的光影.她貼近門板傾聽,只聽到自己的心跳(電視版把這一段移到次日白天,但與原意完全不同).不曉得什麼時間,Maud也起床貼近門板傾聽,什麼也聽不到.Sue合衣躺在冰冷的硬床上,一直到12點都不能成眠,因為在Lant Street,誰半夜前就上床睡覺,是會被嘲笑的.Maud知道Sue在另一頭,可是她看不到,這個念頭整夜折磨她,完全沒好睡,有時只好起來走動,盤算著明天要儘早接見她,否則會受不了.

第一印象:外貌不如想像,性格正如傳聞
昨夜還不知緊張的Sue,臨到要見Maud時,開始覺得緊張.其實Maud也很緊張,在意自己站的位置,自己的聲音,門開啟前還吸了口氣.Sue先看到房間的擺設,其中一項是個玻璃罐裡裝著一條死蛇,口中還含著一顆蛋.Sue第一眼覺得Maud沒有Gentleman說得那麼漂亮,不過她的雙唇與臉頰是豐潤的.而Maud幾乎覺得瘦小的Sue長得獐頭鼠目,將來怎麼成為她的替身?

  • 在原著,Sue突然插了一段話:"Her lip and her chek were very plump and smooth--she did lick me there, I will admit, for I liked to bite my own lip, and my cheeks and freckles..."(P.68) 我剛開始誤以為這是Sue的提前暗示(我將承認她舔過吻過我),後來Lang阿朗指正我,lick有beat的意思,Sue指的是Maud的唇頰比她的好看"her lips are better than mine".由此可知作者巧妙運用雙關意義,特別在重看時真令人會心一笑.(本段2006/03/09更新)

Sue想起她的訓練,趕緊行屈膝禮.在電視版,Maud的心裡正想著:「她的品行如同她的屈膝禮一樣卑劣」.在原著,由於Sue先前打量Maud的服裝,Maud接著就從服裝風格問起Sue之前的女主人,Sue倒是講了一段自己很滿意的回答:"...grand clothes meant nothing, since it was the person inside the clothes that ought to be judged."(P.71) Maud記得的版本是:"...that grand clothes weren't worth buttons; but that it was the heart inside them that counts." (P.256) Maud可能有點訝異Sue如此天真的融入自己的謊言,沈默一陣,便拉起Sue的手:"You are a good girl, Susan, I think"
  • Sue的這一段話,如果由第三者說出,是對「第一印象」這段落的反諷,可是由意圖不軌的Sue說出,作者讓反諷的段數又高一級.最絕的是Maud補上"You are a good girl",對倆個人之間的訛詐,有畫龍點睛之妙.

    Maud之後不斷地對Sue說的good girl,有不同的意義,其中一種是與Richard之間的暗號,表示Sue在Maud的改造下,成為替身的完美程度.

接著Sue拿出介紹信交給Maud.Maud邊看邊抖,因為這根本是Richard的照會:
    (電視版內容) "Dear Maud, There is the evil little fingersmith who is going to make us rich. Remember--She has to become you and you her. You have only one month until I return. Burn this letter."
Maud不太放心,於是再測試Sue是否能閱讀,Sue先是硬著頭皮亂唸,最後只好羞愧承認不識字.Maud一邊卸下疑慮,一邊對她的不識字感到訝異,因為在Briar,這種天賦可以令人免於痛苦.

Maud去書房的期間,Sue就在房間裡探險,她最驚訝的發現就是滿滿一櫃,各式各樣的手套,"More gloves than a milliner's" (P.77) 手套是非常重要的象徵,而且與Maud感情發展的模式有關,有一位網友的分析非常精采:

    「手套用於保護,但也是感受與觸覺的障礙.有五種感官可刺激人的性慾:視覺、味覺、聽覺、嗅覺、觸覺.Maud的手套在原著和電視版的象徵意義則略有差異: 電視版,Maud須戴手套以保護藏書,所以當她閱讀、書寫、朗誦時,都是戴著手套.(*也有人解釋電視版的意思,Maud無時無刻戴手套是用以自我隔離書的污穢) 在原著,戴手套是保持雙手如孩童般柔軟,避免傷害藏書.所以當她閱讀、書寫、朗誦時,是不戴手套,只有在其餘的時間戴手套. 單就原著討論,Maud所了解的性事是來自視覺(書及圖畫)和聽覺(朗誦).她未從味覺、嗅覺、觸覺去了解."Is this desire? How queer that I, of all people, should not know! .... It covers me, like skin." (P.293) 這就是作者為什麼要安排「磨鈍尖牙」和完全黑暗中的肌膚之親 "the bed was dark, like a box. I cannot see her, I can only feel her, and tasted her" 這二段都充滿觸覺、嗅覺、味覺.她必須不靠眼睛及耳朵去了解和感覺.所以對於性事,Maud did know nothing.」

初到書房
Sue很快就感到煩悶,巴不得早點去接Maud "For she was the only one, of all of them, to have spared me a pleasant word; and suddenly I longed for the time to pass, not for its own sake, but as it would take me back to her" (P.78) 她一點鐘不到就等在書房門口.進入書房,她覺得藏書簡直多得嚇人(就像Maud的手套).在原著,Maud在書房是不戴手套,所以在離去時就要戴上,但因為手套一直沒戴好,Sue情急想要上前幫忙,因而誤越The Finger的界線,引來Mr Lilly的咆哮.但在電視版,Maud已是戴上手套,所以編劇參考結局的情境,改編成Maud是因不小心勾落桌上的文件,Sue本能的上去撿拾而越線.在結局,Sue為了靠近Maud完全無視界線,Maud再度不小心勾落桌上的文件,不過文件內容不再是不情願的工作,而是對Sue滿滿的情意.電視版書房前後場景剛好是組對照.

接著有一段共進下午茶,Maud把三個雞蛋都推給Sue(Maud有計劃地要把Sue養得福態一點),Sue覺得Maud太挑剔,除了不愛吃蛋,連手套沾列蛋黃漬都受不了.Maud內心則是從頭到尾把Sue的吃相和動作都和小賊連想在一起.在這一刻,Sue就是面容可憎.

Maud問起倫敦的仕女如何打發下午,Sue隨口回答拜訪其他仕女.這讓群育不及格的Maud有點光火(There are no ladies like me),竟期望起Richard將來會陪伴她.(我曾懷疑過,如果Richard不是壞人,Maud會不會愛上他?)

Briar的第一天實在無聊得要把Sue逼瘋.終於到了晚上.Sue在幫Maud更衣時,非常詳細地描述Maud的身體,甚至比喻她柔軟如奶油,白淨得像是會發光,但最後話鋒一轉:"...it was a troubling kind of paleness, and I was glad to cover her up." (P.88) 這恐怕是Sue不自覺地開始迷戀Maud的身體,因為稍後Sue觸到Maud像kid-skin(這個意念不斷地出現)的手居然會顫抖,所以掩蓋不失為解決心虛的方法.

Maud的惡夢
電視版,Maud叫醒了Sue,為了怕再作惡夢,而央求Sue睡在身旁.這一段是我對電視版最不滿意的部份,在原著,Maud作惡夢的內容和原因非常重要.因為夢不被理性所控制,能顯示真我.

Maud的夢一開始時空錯亂,她害怕便本能地呼叫Agnes,Sue趕過來,聽到Maud說有一個男人:"At the door? Don't go, Agnes! I'm afraid he'll harm you!"(P.91) Sue拿走燈去了解情況,Maud仍以為那是Agnes拿走燈 "I think she must do it to punish me."(P.262) Sue開了大門沒看到人,折返床邊看到黑暗中的裙襯箍架,誤以為是Maud母親的鬼魂而尖叫,Maud跟著哭喊別離開我,她心裡想著:"For I have a sense that, if she will only stay, some calamity, some dreadful thing--I do not know it, cannot name it--will be averted; and I--or she--will be saved."(P.262) 這一段太重要了,表面上Maud曾對Agnes的遭遇陌不關心,但她真的意識到那是件邪惡的勾當,如果沒有那一步,她不會一路陷下去.

在Sue的自述,當Maud仍以為身旁是Agnes,便把頭靠在Sue的胸前發抖,Sue輕撫Maud的頭髮,之後Maud才知那是Sue;在Maud的自述,她對Sue的碰觸有特別的感受:"She touches my cheek. She smooths my hair - not like Agnes, after all, but like no-one."(P.262) Sue心裡對她充滿憐惜,而不再是輕視一個無知的女孩,想到Maud未來在瘋人院沒有人照顧,有點補償的感情在內.

Maud則是天人交戰,知道Sue對她的好只是奠基在計劃上,但是"I know it; but cannot feel it as I should"(P.263) 經過一晚好眠,所謂相由心生,Maud對Sue的觀感有了正面的變化:"I lie and remember the night. Some feeling-- shame, or panic--flutters about my heart. I put my hand to the place where she has lian, and feel it cool....She is changed with me. She is surer, kinder." (P.263)

Maud之後持續要求Sue睡在身旁,她解釋動機是:"I oughtn't to do it. I cannot help it. I am too compelled by her idea--her idea of me as a simple girl, abused by circumstance, prone to nightmare."(P.264) 她居然推到是Sue的責任,我後來越來越不相信Maud說詞表面上的意思.另一方面,Sue將這件事視為姊妹情:"We slept, quite like sisters. Quite like sisters, indeed. I always wanted a sister." (P.95) 當同一句話重覆太多次時,你就要懷疑話的真實性.

好姊妹好女孩的日子
Sue像照顧小孩似的照顧Maud,幫她把討厭的雞蛋換成清湯,還幫她修剪指甲,散步時怕她泠,還會挽著她的手.Maud其實也注意到Sue對她的善意,放手讓自己變成無邪的小孩,並且試著去接受這種親密接觸,像Sue第一次挽她的手,Maud居然感到:"It is nothing to her; but I feel the shock of it, like a slap" (P.267) Maud覺得倆人關係不太像是主僕,因為She is too frank, too loose, too free. 有一次Sue為了幫Maud暖腳,居然跪下來,幫她解開鞋子,捧在手上搓揉,末了還低頭呼暖.(可惜電視版沒有這一段.作者在Tipping The Velvet用過同樣的手法,Nan在寒冬的橋上幫Kitty暖手,接下來就是她們的初吻)

但Maud對Sue的觀感還是與內心的偏見拉扯,有一次在河邊,Maud說那是泰晤士河(上游),Sue反駁倫敦的泰晤士河不是這樣,Maud心理不痛快,那一刻,Sue就再度變成面目可憎的小賊.

有人說跳舞是一種前戲
Maud時時刻刻詢問倫敦的生活,Sue有一次提到了跳舞,倆人心血來潮便開始練習,Sue扮演領舞的男士,帶著Maud飛轉(電視版把這一段拍得像是最美的時光).在原著,Sue解釋:"Now,this. I am the gentleman, remember. Of course, it will go much better, with a real gent--"(P.100)Sue很多事情都得假gentleman之名而行,包括她後來的新婚教學,她還不知道對Maud而言,it's much better than with a real gent. 同一時間,Maud已經很明確感到內心的變化:"...and I feel, where she presses aginst me, the quickening beat of her heart - I feel it pass from her to me and become mine."(P.268)其實,Sue之後有察覺到Maud晚上在床上會若有所思,感覺到她的潮紅與發熱(原著P.101),只是Sue都當作Maud在想著Gentleman....

Maud舞罷笑著跌坐在椅上:"I shall dance in London." 這突然提醒Sue美好時光將屆,臉色一沉,一陣不自在.在電視版,倒是有人真的來提醒Maud美好時光將屆,她收到Richard的信,告之即將回來的訊息.

Maud的尖牙
Maud在某方面很像致命的生物,Sue必須要除去她身上的防衛和武器,才能解放她的身心.所以Sue脫去Maud的手套,幫她修剪指甲;Sue還要深入她的蛇吻幫她磨鈍尖牙...

Maud長了尖牙弄痛了自己,Sue便建議用頂針thimble幫Maud磨鈍尖牙.還沒開始,Maud便問Sue:"Do you know anyone who was bitten by a snake, Sue?"(P.102),Sue記得的版本只是被咬,但Maud提問的本意是被咬死:"Don't you know anyone who died from a snake-bite, Sue?"(P.269) 但開始之後,反而是Sue安慰Maud不會傷到她.確實,在這麼危險的馴服中,沒有任何一個人受到傷害.

  • 頂針thimble好像是最不可思議的定情物.小飛俠彼得潘和溫蒂,以頂針代替純純之吻;電影<英倫情人The English Patient>,男主角一時激情撕破女主角的衣服,事後笨拙地用頂針和針線幫她縫衣物,女主角到死前都戴著頂針項鍊.

Sue感覺到Maud的呼吸、吞嚥和無所迴避的眼神,書裡沒有Sue內心的自述,但在Maud的內心,卻是澎湃洶湧,一種只要再磨久一點就會讓Maud焦急的sensations.真實的感覺和書房裡虛幻的情慾在這一刻產生交集:"What I have tasted, or imagine I have tasted, is the taste of her; only that. May a lady taste the fingers of her maid? She may, in my uncle's books - The thought makes me colour." (P.270)在電視版,完全捨去旁白,純粹看演技,二個主角的四目相對把這一段詮釋盡在不言中.

在原著,緊接著有人送來Richard的信.Sue看到Maud在顫抖,之後便見她"The smile stayed on her lips all day, like paint" (P.103)然後Maud就一直站在鏡前作夢,所以Sue接下來才提議幫Maud算命.其實Richard的信中要求Muad "...Can she see your face? Look glad. Smile, simper, all of that...."(P.270)Maud不敢正視Sue,她在鏡前除了打量自己的長相,便是從鏡中反射偷看Sue的舉手投足.

電視版把這一段深入的接觸當成高潮的轉折,所以改編成Richard接著座車到來,打斷一切,Sue非常沮喪 "How happy I was and how much I hate Gentleman",Maud則是非常慌張,因為她的作業成果馬上要被驗收了...

紙牌算命
紙牌的象徵貫穿本書,電視版的紙牌算命,發生的時間點很早,不但早磨鈍尖牙之前,更早在跳舞之前,電視觀眾很早就看出Maud的心意.在這一段紙牌算命,我要引用一位網友的深入分析:
    「個算命是一個預兆.關於紙牌"Two of Hearts": 在原著,Gentleman用紙牌解釋計謀時並未提到"Two of Hearts".紙牌算命發生在磨鈍尖牙之後,她們已經知道Mr. Rivers明天即將回來...Sue顯示Maud九張牌,最重要的部份是"未來":The six of spades--A journey,Q of diamonds--Mrs. Sucksby (在第13章,當Mrs. Sucksby 戴上Maud的鑽石胸針,Maud才恍然大悟,叫她Q of diamond) Sue 的本意是要翻出"Two of Hearts"表示愛情,希望顯示Maud將會有"journey of heart",但Sue遺落這張牌.由此可知這個算命已經透露出他們未來的坎坷. 對Maud而言,此時對Sue的感情已經是無庸置疑,所以把Two of hearts其中之一視為自己的心,但是卻被腳跟劃出一道痕跡 (*我認為Maud又再氣Sue的居心,所以故意壓壞紙牌:"I place my heel upon it, imagining one of the painted red harts my own; and I grind it into the carpet"P.272),為日後的"My own poor mistress. Oh! My heart is breaking"埋下伏筆. (馬車離開瘋人院,Maud形容駛過的道路:"a winding red road, made cloudy by dust, like a thread of blood escaping from my heart." P.323) 對我而言,這部書就是"A journey of hearts",如果不經過這些試煉,他們不可能會在一起. 在電視版,Gentleman用紙牌解釋計謀時,"Two of Hearts"代表Sue的協助.紙牌算命發生在磨鈍尖牙之前,所以象徵的意義沒有書本上的強烈,只知道在Maud心中把"Two of hearts"視為Sue.把那張牌偷偷地放進皮包內.在電視第二部中,坐馬車到倫敦的途中,及第三部中,母女相認後,戴上Sue的手鐲,喊"forgive me"時皆拿出這張牌,此時注意看可以看到皮包內掉出頂針timble. 但是不管是原著還是電視版,最後都是把"Two of hearts"這張牌拿給Charles,轉交給Sue,只是Sue皆視為Maud在嘲笑她,而將它撕毀.我總認為Sue沒辦法了解Maud細膩的心,一直到最後,聽完遺囑才徹底體會.」

衣服/身份
在原著,Richard拜會Maud之前,Maud送給Sue一套漂亮的衣服,和一個胸針.Sue在鏡前滿心歡喜,Maud則是五味雜陳:"I have grown used to her, to the life, the warmth, the particularity of her; she has become, not the gullible girl of a villainous plot--not Suky Tawdry--but a girl with a history, with hates and likings....It is hard, painful, surprising: I feel it, and am afraid. Afraid of what my future may cost me."(P.273)Maud不再視Sue為卑劣的小賊,偏見的牆傾倒,對Sue的感情開始定調.

等到Richard加入,操控三個人之間的平衡,卻激發倆人更強烈的感情衝突.

2005/03/29

Fingersmith 2

Fingersmith 2) : 設定表象

有供給,不一定表示有市場需求;既有市場需求,就無論如何要提出供給.Gentleman要先找到需求.終於發現Maud的需求不是愛情而是自由(諷刺啊!這個需求居然還是被Gentleman所催化的),他提出一套非常複雜的方法來供給,檯面上的交易價格是Maud財產的一半,檯面下的代價是她的靈魂和良知,而Maud沒有考量到對方履約不成的風險.她有沒有辦法選擇其他供給方式?在那個時空背景下,選擇確實有限,但不是不可能.只是有限的年齡和閱歷讓她注定要冒險走一遭.Sue有沒有辦法選擇?她簡直是沒有選擇.她的老闆和同事都已設定方向.只是,最後所有周圍異議份子都死光了,才有快樂的結局,這樣流血革命的過程,有時想想,真令人感到難過...

Gentleman化名為Mr Richard River,他以協助其舅舅的插畫裝裱為名,進入莊園,開始對Maud展開推銷流程的四步驟:AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action)

Attention
Richard的年輕英俊確實在一開始讓Maud覺得意外,他的談吐與一班常受邀,只會講客套話的老色鬼迥然不同.不過Maud與Richard的第一場談話就讓對方碰了軟釘子:(電視版對話)
    Richard: 這本目錄完成之後,妳打算做什麼 What would you do when after the great catalogue finished?
    Maud: 目錄是永不會完成的 It would never be finished
    Richard: Miss Lily,您該不是說您一輩子都留在這裡吧?Come on, you mean you live here for ever?
    Maud: 我別無選擇I have no choice
    Richard: 您年輕,美貌.我這麼說絕非出於奉承.我是說實話,您前途無量You are young and handsome. I don't speak from gallantry now. I say only what is true. You might do anything.
    Maud: Mr. Rivers,您是男人,您可以前途無量;我是女人,只能一事無成.You are a man, you can do anything. I'm a woman, I do nothing.

在原著中,前面還有一段重要對話,提到舅舅的藏書主題,電視版很巧妙地把它們一分為二,先讓觀眾在第一集看到以上淺層的對話,在第二集Maud的自述中才出現全貌:
    Richard: 您不介意您舅舅藏書的內容嗎?you don't care for your uncle's subject
    Maud: 我只是秘書,對於內容不感興趣
    Richard: 我很好奇,一位女士能對激情煽動的內容如此的冷靜和漠然I am curious to see a lady left cool and unmoved by something is designed to stiring the motion.
    Maud: 對我而言,那些文字和繪畫裡的,女士們也大都無動於衷
    Richard: 妳很特別,Miss Lily You are very uncommon, Miss Lilly.
    Maud: 我知道,先生 So I understand

Interest
Maud一開始心如止水,所以Richard在半夜私自到Maud的房間拜訪.Maud起初以為他有非份之想,在原著中她一直猜想他是否會強吻她、抱她.在電視版,Maud開門的第一句:I know nothing from the book I read. 其實Richard只是來把需求更明確的界定.他用的是開門見山的策略:「(電視版)我原本想來勾引您,取得妳的財產,但是當我見到妳的生活造就的妳,我知道那是不會成功的.那對於您來說,是種汙辱.我想做的是,讓您自由」(原著出現於P.236).

電視版的這一場戲,在Maud不肯承認被解放而告一段落.在原著,Richard是一路說到結婚之後財產各半,各過日子,並且提到找一個女孩當替身,然後被偷天換日關到瘋人院.... Maud在當晚便初步同意他的計謀.
  • 在原著,Gentleman不斷的運用人性本惡說,來達到說服,不但把她舅舅拉下來:I am a sort of villain, and know other villains best. Your uncle is the worst kind, for he keeps to his own house, where his villain passes as an old man's quirk. (P.235)
    也把Maud拉進來,讓她喪失道德的藉口:
    Maud: You wish to make a villain of me, too?
    Richard: I do. But then, I think you are half a villain already. (P.237)

Desire
電視版把說服的過程改變得有些層次,對一般觀眾而言會更生動好看,有幾個鏡頭是完全沒有出現在原著中.像是Richard宛如白馬王子般騎馬在戶外遇見Maud,大聲對她求婚,她一臉不可思議,Richard這才提出婚後財產各半,各過日子的提議.電視版描述Maud初步同意他的計謀,是她在夜半輾轉難眠,為避免叫出聲音而咬住自己的手,由她旁白娓娓道出整個計謀,最後她認同 He is right, I will be free.
(Elaine Cassidy的面部表演一向內斂精準,在這一段的肢體表演更是到位.有時光聽她的聲音真是享受,她的念白充滿情緒轉折.)

電視版的說服過程並未到此結束,再加了二個段落,一是二人在大廳裡快走,Richard一邊大聲說話,一邊緊追,Maud認為陷害無辜女孩太過份,Richard則以時間急迫要Maud作最後決定.這一段戲劇效果有點過頭,因為不符合原著人物的個性和Briar的氣氛.不過Maud的狠勁眼神,倒是很能傳達原著Maud對執行計劃的冷酷,她對另一個女孩沒有憐憫之心:"Of the girl in London - who, in less than a month, he will persuade to her doom by a similar method; and to whom, a little later, with tears on my cheek, I will repeat his own arguments - I think nothing, nothing at all." (P.242)

另一個增加的電視鏡頭(也是有點過火),Richard衝進書房,Maud緊張地阻止,他英勇地把窗簾拉下窗戶打開,告訴Maud要爭取自由.倒是在原著中,書房窗戶上的黃漆和Maud討厭的雞蛋有些聯結的喻意.有網友這樣分析:「為什麼Maud會討厭雞蛋?剛開始Maud有點是為了反抗女管家,後來二個人就開始互相折磨,她連帶著就對書房窗戶上的黃漆心生厭惡.蛋黃成為一種厭恨的象徵.故事最後她回到Briar,便把黃漆全部除去,讓陽光照進來.」(Sue初到Briar與Maud共用下午茶,Maud用近乎鄙夷的神情看著Sue大快朵頤三個雞蛋,便聯想Sue就像吞雞蛋一樣要來吞沒Maud.)

Action
在原著,Maud有三個具體的行動逐步加入這個計謀:1)提示Richard舅父對畫作的偏好,讓他得到舅父的信任;2)讓Richard指導她作畫(舅父認為可加強Maud持書的穩定度);3)放手讓Richard趕走Agnes.

講「放手」是有點苛責Maud,我想她一開始並不了解Richard會做到什麼程度,因為他只是搪塞Don't truoble with the detail.(P.250) 在原著,趕走Agnes的段落極其黑暗,絕不是電視版如此輕鬆地樓梯間挑情(不足以顯出Richard的壞).Maud在事後,表面上很快就忘記(她還辯解是舅父已把她訓練得麻木不仁),但罪惡感和恐懼的陰影在她的潛意識深深地糾纏,所以後來Sue在Briar次日遇上Maud的惡夢,就是Maud對Agnes事件的發作,她不自主地開始懼怕Richard.只是Sue那一晚也被其他的事情嚇到:二個女孩當晚都被各自的心魔所懾.

Richard要求Maud當晚讓他進Agnes的房間,不論有什麼動靜都不要插手.Maud那晚更衣時更本不敢正視Agnes,在床上想辦法把耳朵摀住,Agnes沒有大叫出聲.次日Agnes顯示她紅腫的口腔,推說是猩紅熱.沒多久便離開莊園.整段寫來沒有明說,但我們知道Richard是對她強行口交,後來漸漸發現,其實Richard是gay.(這裡與其爭論作者為什麼要把男同志寫得那麼壞,不如研究為什麼需要這個角色是男同志?後面再說明)
  • 有個對比是後來在Maud與Richard新婚之夜,Sue同樣在床上想辦法把耳朵摀住,不想聽到Maud的叫聲.Maud曾經這樣背棄Agnes,Sue某種程度將報應回應給Maud .

Richard和Agnes離開後,Maud開始作起她的春秋大夢,想像著倫敦的街道房舍,想像著Richard行走其間找尋計劃中的替死鬼Suky Tawdry,想像Sue的髮色樣貌,甚至夢到Sue的聲音.基本上,在她的理智中,或許擔心失敗,但並沒有罪惡感,反而有犯罪的刺激感,她對Richard的感情就像鴛鴦大盜的結盟,她寫出來的信便假借愛情來呈現:"I read it (Richard's letter), fall back upon my pillow and hold the letter to my mouth. I put my lips to the paper. He might be my lover, after all-- or, she might. For I could not want her now, more than I could a lover. But I could not want a lover, more than I want freedom." (P.253)


所有的計謀從Sue出生一開始就逐漸成形,在原著開始沒多久,Sue就透露出伏筆:"You are waiting for me start my story. Perhaps I was waiting, then. But my story had already started--I was only like you, and didn't know it." (P.14)

Gentleman搭上Maud的線,就來到Lant Street和Mrs Sucksby及Mr Ibbs 合演一齣騙人大戲.原著側重於Sue對Gentleman出場的壞預感:Like the knocking on a door in a play, when the dead man's ghost comes back. Not a thie's knock, anyway: that is quick and light. You knew what sort of businss it was, when you heard that. This business, however, might be anything, anything at all. This business might be bad. (P.19)電視版描述的是Gentleman如吸血鬼般的邪惡.他壓低帽沿,矗高衣領,在黑夜飄雪的倫敦街道緩緩前進,如死神扣門,幾乎吹走屋內所有的燭光.一直到他在火爐邊,突然轉身顯現一張疲勞急欲吸血的面孔:年輕紳士惡毒的另一面.

Gentleman用撲克牌說明計謀是原著的設計,電視版改編成魔術師的手法,讓視覺花俏耀眼,充分表現Gentleman的狡詐和操控,是這個角色最經典的段落,當時第一集的預告就是採用這個片段.有網友比較出二個版本的差異:
    原著:Gentleman只拿出三張牌
    Q of hearts (Maud)
    K of diamonds (Mr. Lily)
    J of spades (Mr. Rivers)(Cavalier of spades)

    電視版:
    K of diamonds (Mr. Lily)
    3 of spades (Agnes)
    Q of hearts (Maud)
    J of spades (Mr. Rivers)
    2 of hearts (Sue) "Gentleman said ---with the help of Sue."

    稍後撲克牌主題還會再度出現,其中2 of hearts變成Maud對Sue感情的重要象徵,電視版在這一場戲較原著提前把這張2 of hearts (Sue)多帶出來,確實是高招.

Gentleman指名要Sue當臥底的女侍,協助他嬴得Maud,並願意私奔.Sue正在猶豫未決時,養母就像扮豬吃老虎一樣適時提問「為什麼要我的Sue?」,Gentleman的回答如同大帽一扣:「因為她是妳的,因為我信任她...」Sue自以為聰明去討價還價,當她加入的那一刻,Mrs Sucksby的整個計謀便大勢底定.

  • John是個有趣的配角,他是個人品外貌都猥褻不堪,有著粗暴的性格的小賊,但是他大部份講的都有幾分道理.當Gentleman還在推銷Sue去Briar當作是渡假,John已經點出如果Sue被抓到,就會變成「無限期假期」.當Dainty都誤以為Sue拐錢落跑,John則是從頭到尾都不認為Sue有這個膽.他最後一口咬定是Mrs Sucksby刺殺Gentleman,除了出於報負之外,或許懞懂中認為Mrs Sucksby理應為所有的罪行負責

Gentleman為Sue緊急惡補擔任女侍的專業知識,他用一張椅子套上衣服,當作Sue練習的對象.在電視版中,Sue好奇地問Maud成婚後會怎麼樣?Gentleman才透露會把她關到瘋人院去.Sue便抱怨「你還有什麼事情沒有告訴我?」Gentleman便拿起小姐的長襪(剛從椅子下粗魯地抽出),非常精采而且象徵意味地往Sue的脖子一套:「沒有了」.在原著,Sue抱怨是:"A detail? That was like him. Telling you half of a story and making out you had it all. But it was too late now, for a change of heart." (P.43)

Sue的結業儀式是一頓豐盛的最後晚餐,原著提到他們是吃豬頭.看在中國人的眼裡,這充滿了獻祭的意味,Sue就是一個活祭的供品.電視版,席間Gentleman高聲朗讀Maud的回信: "...If she be only a good and willing girl, then I am sure I shall love her. And she will be the dearer to me, Mr Rivers, because she will have come to me from London, That has you in it." (P.44) 嘲笑聱以畫外音連到下個鏡頭,Sue緊張地練習曲膝禮,養母拿了Gentleman寫的介紹信,要她帶去.之後,我們曉得這根本不是什麼介紹信.

在原著,描寫Gentleman當場寫這封信,還唸給Sue聽,並要Mrs Sucksby給意見:"So Mrs Sucksby waved the paper away, and Gentleman read it through a second time, then winked at me, then folded it and sealed it and put it in my trunk." (P.52)Gentleman和Mrs Sucksby真是一對高明的騙子.

Sue不像Maud的勇往直前,她擔心很多事,首先她有明確的道德恐慌,覺得把無辜女孩關進瘋人院會不會太惡毒了?養母鼓勵她:「妳的母親,會毫不考慮去做」(妳的母親其實是指Mrs Sucksby).當Sue擔心將來會不會被抓到判絞刑?養母先是安慰不會,接著說法官對女犯人會特別待遇,一定乾淨俐落.在原著,養母還意味深長地說,人如果真的要走,最好是quick and neat,不要像Mr Ibbs的姊姊一樣,長年臥病在床.

最後,養母叫Gentleman趕快把Sue帶走:"Take her quick, I don't want to see it." Mrs Sucksby當時的心情可能是難過的,不過我相信如同Maud一樣,就算沒有Mr Lilly的訓練,她很快就會平復,繼續冷酷地進行計劃.

 
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