Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

JOHN REED (V.O.)

Jane Eyre! Where are you?

Jane, panicked, looking for somewhere to hide, passes out.

INT. DAY. GATESHEAD - A GRAND RECEPTION ROOM.

Rain hammers against the windows. Jane aged ten, looking

hunted, runs in looking for somewhere to hide.

She springs behind a curtain. John Reed enters; a fourteen

year old, his stomach bursting out of his fancy clothes. He

is holding a riding crop as if it is a sword.

JOHN REED

Come out, rat. I know you are in

here. Come out now and I won't

punish you.

Jane watches him pass by her. He practises a perfect lunge.