[door bell rings] - Yes?
- Mrs. Tringsby. Yes? Yes? Oh yes. Do come in.
Do come in. Mrs. Tringsby. I'm Francis Morris. Dear. Yes yes. Please will
you come into the dining room? Is my wife in there? No. Oh dear no. - She likes to be cozy in her room.
- She expects me I trust. Shhh. Other people. I told her of course that you were coming. But whether she remembers... She loves her wool. This is such a quiet house you see.
a true home of rest. Our task is to protect and reassure. She loves her wool. She's so quiet and content and you
haven't of course seen her. [glass clanks] [he cries out. she gasps] DRIVER: Mr. Morris? - What Who?
- Mr. Morris. I've come to pick
him up for the 6 o'clock train. No no. I'm Dr. Tringsby. I brought him here a
couple of hours ago. - Yes yes but he's gone away. He's not here.
- He told me to come back and pick him up. Yes but my then bob. He still owes me 10 bob. He's taken it with him! Oh!!! [organ music] [footsteps] - Mrs. Rodney?
- Yes. My name is Blythe. I
am, I was mr. Morris's lawyer. - Your son wasn't able to come.
- He's in the army. Yes quite. When we
get to the hotel I would be obliged if you could spare me a few minutes of your
time for a private word. Yes. Have you any idea who that man is? - No.
- Nobody knows him. [footsteps] [street sounds] [horse snorts] [toilet flushes] Are you a relation to Mr. Morris? - He was my husband's cousin.
- He dropped dead in my house. Can you believe it? We had hardly been
introduced. I mean he'd only been in the ... house five minutes.
Can you imagine? Oh these are two of my oldest houseguests. I brought them out for a little treat.
Are you having a nice little treat? Mrs. Rodney. May I have that word? I thought you should know
straightaway that in his will Mr. Morris left all his estate
to your son Roderick. There is a trust for his widow
of course but apart from that his house, land,
capital all go to your son. - Good gracious.
- Here's a copy of the will. As he is still under 21 you are
of course his guardian. It can't be. They never met. ... Why do you think...
- He knew no other young person. I believe he wished leave his estate
to a young person in the hope that he may care in his own way
to carry on the old tradition. [indistinct chatter] May I get you a cup of tea? - Oh Blythe.
- Excuse me. Can I get you some food? They do have port here or at least
they call it port. No thank you. - There's a bar downstairs.
- Don't let me stop you. My name is Harrison. You're
Mrs. Rodney. Am I right? Yes. I'm sorry but how do you
know my name is Rodney? There's no one else here who could be you so... I've heard your praises sung
a good deal you see. - Who by?
- Your cousin Frankie. - Oh you knew him.
- Oh yes very well. I used to good to see him in Ireland.
Great old his house. You remember it? I haven't been there for many years. On your honeymoon was it? It's to go to your son I think. - Yes. I...
- Yes he told me all about you. That you're a widow, had a boy, everything. He was very very fond of you. - Used to talk about you a lot.
- Did he? If I'd known that. If I'd known he remembered
me I'd have gone to see him. - Taken my son. I didn't know you see.
- Yes a pity. One so often thinks of things too late. Excuse me. [sound of train] First smoker? - I'm traveling third.
- Oh come on, let's blow the expense. In honor of Frank. It's on the house anyway. [steam blowing, train and crowd sounds] It's not every day one runs into someone
one's been wanting to meet for so long. ... It's quite an event.
- What do you do? - What do I do?
- Yes. Government work. [running steps] - Yes I'd like to meet your son.
- Really? Why? Well somehow he seems
all that's left of old Frankie. I'd like to get to know your both
as a matter of fact... as a family. I'm sorry I don't understand... [door opens] [breathing heavily] I don't understand your interest in us. I could explain it. I could explain one aspect of it
if you like. I tell you what...
when we get to town why don't I take you home in a taxi
and we could have a chat. [match strike] [whistle] I'll stop at a rank and grab a taxi.
I'll see you there. [crowd noises] [photo snap sound] [train whistle] [suspenseful music] [telephone rings] MRS. RODNEY: Wellbyd 1 4 2 8 yes [muffled voice] MRS. RODNEY: Yes. MRS. RODNEY: I can't hear you. Speak up. It's Harrison. I hope you got home safe. The other day. MRS. RODNEY: Yes thank you. I would like to come to talk to you. There is something... really quite important to talk about. MRS. RODNEY: What do you mean?
What do you mean important? Well, it's just quite important. Seven o'clock on Sunday.
[phone disconnects] [band music] [fist smacks hard] [applause] Was that number seven they just
played or number eight? Can you tell from the program? ... Would you like to see my program?
- No thanks. Sorry I spoke. Have we met? - How do you mean met?
- We don't know each other. - I've never seen you before in my life.
- Then that settles that then doesn't it. Why? Are you someone special? I'll know you from now on anyway.
I never forget a face. I could easily. [music starts] [church bells ringing] [band music] [indecipherable] - I'm going home.
- Good idea. - Are you?
- Am I what?
- Going home. Now listen. You'll get into trouble one
of these days tacking on like this. There are some funny people
about don't you know that? I told you, I'm going home. - Which way do you live?
- I could go any way really. - Right. I go that way. You go that way.
- Yes, that's right. Wait a minute. - What?
- I don't know your name. No you don't. [clock ticking] [footsteps on stairs] [clock ticking] [footsteps on stairs] [clock ticking] [door opening] - Good evening.
- Good evening. I found the downstairs door
on the latch. That in order? - I left it open for you.
- I shut it. ... That in order too?
- Why don't you shut this one. [faint music] How did you get my telephone number? Oh I think I met a man who knew you. Look are you sure this
is a convenient time? It's not in the least convenient.
No time would be convenient. You said you had something
important to say to me. What is it? Hmm all your things are so pretty. [faint band music] This your son? Yes. And who is this? Yes this is quite a good likeness. - Do you know him?
- I know of him. Know him by sight.
We haven't actually met. - By sight?
- Yes I've seen him around you know. Around. Sometimes with you in fact. I've seen him with you a
number of times. Oh really? That's right. Now will you please tell me
what you've come to say. You should be a bit more careful
who you know. - In general?
- In particular. I am. I didn't want to know you for example. Have a cigarette. Yes... That doesn't happen very often. Must be being here with you
all on our own. What do you want? I want you to give me a break, that's all. I want you to let me come here, be here,
be in and out of here on and off all the time. I want to be in your life
as they say. In your life. Except... less of that. In fact none of that at all. No
more of that. [laughs] You're a lunatic. No no that's simply what I want you see.
That's what I want you to think about seriously. You want me to think about it seriously?
- Yes I do. Because if you don't your friend
could be in a lot of trouble. As against that if you and I could arrange things
between us... things might be arranged. For Christ's sake get to the point.
What the hell are you talking about? Your friend's been playing the fool. He IS playing the fool I should say. Because you know he's at the War Office. That's
probably all you do here but I know a little more. I'll tell you what he does. He gives
information to the enemy. The gist of the stuff he handles is
getting through to the enemy. This has been satisfactorily verified. He's working for the enemy. This is silly. I've been watching him.
I keep an eye on him. And the way things are I could
tip the scales either way. The thing could just turn on the stuff I
send up or don't send up. I'm holding quite a bit of stuff on him
I haven't turned in yet. it doesn't have to go in. They don't know it exists.
Perhaps you could help me decide. What I'm saying is this. What finally happens
to him rather depends on me . When I say rather depends on me
I mean it rather depends on you. - Do you see?
- Yes I see. - Oh you do? Good.
- Perfectly. I'm to sleep with you in order that a man
be left free to go on selling his country. That's putting it a bit crudely. Anyway none of this matters because
we're not talking about the same man. You are crazy. When did you think this up? [Harrison] You don't believe me.
- [laughs] No.
- Why not? If this story were true if
you are what you say you are would you tell me of all the people knowing I go
straight to Robert with the whole thing? What else would you expect? I'd expect someone like you
to be more intelligent. If you warn him and we know you
warned him he's no more use to us, and we pull him in you see.
That's the end of him. So I wouldn't warn him if I were you. What do you mean we'd know you
warned him? How would you know? ... I wouldn't tell you.
- It would stick out a mile. If you warned him he'll change his timetable. He'll alter his course. He'll throw a smoke screen. We'd
know it been tipped the wink ... and we'd pull him in.
- But if I warned him of that? What if I told him ... not to change his course in any way.
- That would take a lot of nerve and some tip-top acting. How much of an actor is he?
That's the question.
- Actor? What do you mean?
He's never acted with me. No, no. ... I suppose not.
- No. Well, yes. If a man were able to act being in love ... he'd be enough of an actor to get
away with anything wouldn't he? Anyway coming back to
where we were my only point is... if you warned him you'd sink him. Give me another cigarette. Your hand is still shaking. So you're a counter spy are you? A key man. What would your employers say I wonder
if they knew what you were up to. If they knew that by becoming your mistress
I can buy out a man who you say is a traitor. What view would
they take of that? Why shouldn't I report you? You would be sorry you say if I sank
Robert. How'd it be if I sank you? You could absolutely. It would sink me. It all comes back to the same old thing. If you sink me, you sink him. How dare you touch this photograph.
How dare you! [telephone rings] - Hello.
[Voice] Mother? Roderick. I thought I'd surprise you. I got a day's leave. - Where are you?
- I'm at King's Cross.
- Wonderful. - Can I stay tonight?
- Of course. It will take me 20 minutes or so. - Have you eaten? There's nothing...
- Don't worry. I'll get something. Fred knows a place. Yes as soon as you can. It was my son. ... He's on leave. He's on his way around here.
- That's nice for you. But there's no hurry about all of this.
Take a bit of time. Think it over. - You seriously expect...
- Well you might as well think it over. and if it suited you I might drop in from time to time. Who knows... I might grow on you. [music] [suspenseful music] [footsteps] [match strikes] [music playing] - Have a bath?
- Yes go on while I make coffee. - Any cake?
- Biscuits. - Are you starving?
- No no. Fred knew of a pub that had pork pies. Robert won't mind if I wear
his dressing gown will he? Of course not. Wish I had something for you to eat.
There are only three biscuits. Roderick is that a corn? - I think so.
- Does it hurt? - Absolutely excruciating.
- I've got a plaster. No. Really. I want to ask you something. In Ireland at the house, my house. There's a river? - Yes.
- Is there a boat? - A boat?
- Don't you know? I haven't been there for 20 years
but I remember the river. I can picture it. I can see it in my mind's eye. - When we go I'll row you down the river.
- If there's a boat.
- Oh there must be. - Someone been here?
- What?
- Someone's been here. Yes a man called Harrison. - Who is he?
- No one. A bore. [sneezes] - Handkerchief.
- Here's a handkerchief. - Thanks.
- Put it back. Put that piece of paper back
into the pocket. It's not yours. Just put it back. Why didn't you take it? It might fall out again. - It didn't fall out this time.
- Yes but it might next time. - You know...
- You know what? It might be important. Top secret or something. Isn't what Roberts doing important? Hey it isn't yours either! Should we have a peep? See what he says
just for fun. - No.
- Why not? - It might be a letter from another woman.
- Oh I wouldn't think so. Don't you think it would be best if
I just put it back into the pocket? After all as you said it's Robert's thing
and it's his pocket. Nothing. [paper tears] [sound of train] What did you tell them? I told them you were someone
working in a government office. And that you liked country hikes. Look at these shoes. I like them. - They're hardly shoes for a hike.
- They're fine really. Any way it hardly matters. You mean we don't have to go for a hike. No. We're free. Quite free. They're harmless. Honestly. Anyway I'll protect you
if mother tries to bite you. Will you? [birds singing] [footsteps, birds chirping] [Ernestine laughing] Hello Ernie. - What did you do with the taxi?
- We walked from the road. Oh of course you've come down
to walk haven't you. Ernestine, this is Mrs. Rodney.
[Ernestine laughs] Muttikins is in the lounge waiting
for the sound of a taxi. We were only saying this morning it took being
shot in the leg to make Robert walk. See both at tea.
[she laughs] - What was she laughing at?
- Oh just laughing. Muttikins is my mother. That's what we call her. [door opens] Robert. Muttikins. This is mrs. Rodney. Mrs. Rodney. But what became of the taxi? - We walked up the drive.
- Ernestine was listening for it.
Did she miss you? No we ran into her.
[speaks French] It IS Saturday afternoon. [knitting needles click] If I hadn't seen you walking up the drive I should
have wondered if you hadn't missed the train. Mrs. Rodney likes to
walk in the country. - It's so nice to be out of London.
- I've hardly been up to London
since the war began. I've always understood that we're asked
not to travel without a good reason. I'm quite content to sit here and knit. My grandson is in the army. Ernestine's boy. So is my son. Roderick. - What do you mean by Roderick?
- Roderick is Mrs. Rodney's son. Oh. - Breath of air?
- Tea will be coming in. Stroll before tea. [birds singing] [small laughter] [dishes clatter] Oh dear, I'm late. Has the bread been cut yet? Just in time for it. Mrs. Rodney and I forgot
to bring our own butter. I don't often eat tea actually. I suppose I could lend you some of my butter.
I don't think it would stand up in court. Look at all that jam! Do you always do that? I mean do you always use
that much jam in London? Sure.
[whispering] I get it on the black market. - You might end up in prison.
- You'll have to come and visit me in my cell. - I don't want to.
- We shall be having tears in a minute. If its not too much trouble,
Granny would like some bread. Muttikins, didn't I give you any? What do those letters
on your armlet stand for? Top secret. Did I see are you wearing your
armlet outside the gate? - We kept undercover.
- Undercover or not this is a serious war. You have to obey orders. Ask Mrs. Rodney
if she'd like some more tea. If she says yes pass her cup
and don't drop the spoon. - Would you...
- Mrs. Rodney doesn't not care for tea. Oh I do drink tea in the office. If it weren't for the children I should be
tempted to do without tea altogether. I mean drum it out of the house. Mind you it can become
extraordinarily cold here. Fuel shortage. So one does benefit from a hot beverage. My daughter doesn't feel the cold. She moves about so much she
seldom takes her hat off. Robert tells me that in London
you wouldn't notice the war. That's far from the case here
I can assure you. But I'm glad he's enjoying a
period of calm. He went through so much. So much. - Cake?
- No thanks. Why not? Do you think it'll make you fat? Mrs. Rodney's free not to eat cake
if she doesn't want it. Tthat's the difference
between England and Germany. The Nazis will force her to eat cake.
[laughs] Come and see the house. Isn't it time for your walk?
- House first. But there's nothing to see in the house.
What a waste of a fine afternoon. Mrs. Rodney is interested in
interior decoration. [Muttikins} I'm afraid we have
nothing of that sort here. Then I shall show
her my photographs. Can we come too?
No. Go outside now see you
from the window. The house is up for sale anyway.
Too big. You should warn mrs. Rodney that
the better rooms are all shut up. Because of the war. Don't think you're making a bad impression. I assure you. You're making no impression at all. Good gracious did you hang all these up? No. As you see I haven't taken them down. ... My mother and Ernie put them there.
- They really it must be very fond of you. Oh no it's not that. They expect me to be
very fond of myself. but are you? I don't think you are. Is this Susannah?
- Yes. I don't see anything wrong with her. And this. Is this your father? Yes. [dramatic music] The room feels... empty. Ah! Socks. Beautifully preserved. What was your father like? He was like Ernie's Labrador. Ernie's Labrador
died halfway through Munich. He was very sensitive.
So was my father. He let himself be buckled into his
marriage like Ernie's Labrador. Let himself be buckled into his collar. My father's death was a great relief. To me that is. And probably to him. [horn tooting outside] [children marching] Ten shun! Ten shun! Don't hold your breath too long! No one can find the half ounce weight
off the weighing machine. Granny wants to weigh the parcel
for you to post in London. She'll have to get it weighed in London. She can't weigh it because
she can't find the weight. Yes here you are. Yes indeed. I thought you've gone on your walk
until I heard the children shouting. Thank goodness I've caught you. Mutterkins has
a parcel for you to post in London. ... For Christopher.
- What's the matter with the post office here? Nothing. But it's closed on Sunday
and in London they're open. - Are they?
- Some are. - I'd love to post the parcel.
- But it can wait... until we're actually... leaving... can't it? Oh well you see A: there's
almost always a rush of the last minute and B: I may have to dash off myself soon.
but the point is... there's been a complication. Nobody can find the little half ounce
weight off the weighing machine Literally nobody. Muttikins is far from sure that
she may not have under stamped the parcel. So the plan is this: she will
leave three pennies with the parcel - just in case - on the oak chest in front of the
stairs. if you find the parcel is not - repeat not - under stamped, you can give her
back the pennies the next time you're here. Is that clear? Shall I get the
children to remind you? No. It's clear. How'd you like our gallery? - It's quite a...
- Robert has always photographed well. Crooked again! Did Robert tell you this
is our sister Annabelle? The children's mother.
Caught in India for the duration. And this is our Father. He used to
radiate such energy and fun. In some ways Robert takes after him. ... And that poor fellow was my dog.
- Yes so Robert said. He had such faith in human
nature. I often think if Hitler could have looked into that dog's eyes the
story might have been very different. [phone rings] Hark! There goes the telephone. Someone's after me. [street sounds] [footsteps] [mysterious music] Been waiting long? I thought you'd be back about now. I'd rather like a word. Nice to be here again.
I really feel at home. In that case... I shall change my shoes. I've been in the country. I expect you know. Were you making the most of the
last of fine weather? What do you mean by that? Were you making the most of the
last of the fine weather. How did it go? How did what go? Look you don't have to talk
if you don't want to. I'll be quite happy just sitting here. Why? Is this your evening off?
Is this business or pleasure? Why don't you tell me what else
I've been doing? Well I know one thing
you've been doing Stella. ... You've been thinking things over.
- Have I? Today you did exactly what
I should have done. You enter the first
place where rot could start. The home hearth. I wonder what you found. I haven't said anything to him... ... about...
- Oh I know that. He hasn't changed his habits. He''s doing the same things. The only change is you. You're not as natural on the telephone
at nights as you used to be. So that's what you do in the evenings. And how'd you get on with your
other check up... on me? I haven't got very far. The point is not that many people
know who I am. What's that? It's a parcel for posting. I should have taken it to the post
office but I was too tired. - Would you like me to post it for you?
- Would you? Oh thank you. That will be one less... Leave it to me. The first time I saw you
you were lying quite like this. At Regents Park. Your eyes were shut. when you opened your eyes
and you looked up at the sky... You didn't know I was watching every
move you made. And was that when you...
- Yes as a matter of fact. And then it got worse. I met you
at the funeral... it was even worse. - Now it's hell.
- Hell? Yes it's hell. [smacks fist] - We're getting nowhere.
- You mean I'm wasting your time? What a joke. You come round and waste
my time by telling me I'm wasting yours. What the hell do you
expect from me! Sympathy? you know I think we're getting
to know each other. ... We're not so unlike underneath.
- You're right! We're horribly alike. You've succeeded
in making a spy of me! Either come through or go back. What are you doing? It's raining. Look interesting? Have you far to go? Depends where I go. Where do you live? Oh almost two or three places
where I can turn in. Where do you keep your razor? I've got more than one razor. [breathes deeply] That air's good. I needed a breath of air. Breathe it. As long as you like. Stay with me. You breathe too. I can feel your breathing. [breathes deeply] I'm tired. Leave your parcel to me. I'll deal with it. Listen. If I wanted to find you how would
I find you? Don't worry about finding me. I'll be in touch. You don't think I want to go. I don't. In fact I dread it. It's simply business for Roderick.
It isn't a matter of feeling. Isn't dread a feeling? Someone's got to go. He can't. I must. Someone's got to look at the place.
The rooms, all that. Oh really Robert I've been through more than
enough convincing the passport office. Do I have to go through it all over again? The passport office
is not in love with you. Weeks ago you agreed I would have to go. Did I? Oh yes, I suppose I did. Has anything changed since then? Changed? No nothing's changed. [camera clicks] [suspenseful music] [footsteps in gravel] [bell rings] Good afternoon. I am mrs. Tringsby. - You're not mr. Rodney are you?
- Yes I am. Oh dear. I've had expected you to be rather older
and not quite so early. However do by all means come
into the dining room. We are not making difficulties but please
remember what happened last time. - Last time?
- Last time she had a visitor. It was such a dreadful
shock to us all. Yes I know. I'm sorry. In fact I'm sure cousin Francis
would want me to apologize. He should never have come. This room will never quite to feel
the same to me again. Oh that sort of thing doesn't happen twice. And the army could tell you
I'm as sound as a bell. Yes that's another thing. I mean
your coming down here in uniform. We are sooo careful here not to have dreadful thoughts. You've won't on any account talk to
mrs. Morris about the war, will you? Just a light chat and never
of course mention the past. She may not know who you are. - I relied on you to tell her.
- Oh I told her. [clock ticking] [gentle knock] Mrs. Tringsby: Here we are. Hello. Here I am. I was expecting Victor Rodney's son.
Has he not come? He's standing just
outside the door my dear. Why does he not come in? [clock ticking] Cousin Nettie. I shall be just downstairs. [rings bell] - Just downstairs.
- Thank you mrs. Tringsby. I expect you would never have the
patience to do this. No I expect not. But you must have patience
to come such a long journey. ... It's such a long way to here.
- Oh not so very long. Not from where I came from. I thought it was too far for
anybody to come. - Are you called Victor too?
- No Roderick I'm so glad you're not called Victor. I shall call my son,
whenever I have one, Francis. He would be so pleased. What a pity he's dead. It's because he's dead that I've come. Do you know cousin Francis
left Mount Morris to me? Mount Morris. Poor unfortunate
house. Poor thing. So there it is after all this time. And here I am. - I wanted to ask...
- No! You mustn't ask. I cannot come back. I told him again and again
and I told them and I'm telling you... ... everywhere is better without me.
I cannot come back. I wish you could have seen him
when he was a young man. Head and shoulders above the rest of them. And there could have been a different story. There could. There wasn't. So in the end he had to go
out looking for a son. Thank you. Sandwiches for the gentleman. Will you have a sandwich? Cousin Nettie. I have decided that I want
to live at Mount Morris. I'm not asking you to come back. All I'm saying is I shall consider
the house as much yours as mine. Day after day Mount Morris was
sinking further down a well. It became too much for
me but how could I say so? I couldn't help seeing what was the matter. What he wanted me to be, was his wife. I tried this that and the other till the result was I fell into
such a terrible melancholy. I only had to think of
anything for it to go wrong. Nature hated us. Once the fields noticed me with him
the harvests began to fail. So I took to going nowhere
but up and down stairs. Till I met my own ghost. [sprightly music] Welcome. [chickens clucking] -This is Hannah.
- How do you do? And Mary. [chickens clucking] [ Mr. Morris' voice] Parachutists. In case of
parachutists landing at Mount Morris
detain if possible. Birds in chimney. Do not light fire. Locks
and hinges. my method of oiling clocks. grandfather on stairs. weekly with key
hidden under stair carpet. telegrams. my death or other bad news.
contact mr. Blythe. lawyer. [harp stum] This has been a bare sort of time for us
ma'am with no master. And it's a poor welcome for you I fear
but indeed you're welcome. - Thank you.
- We killed a little chicken for your supper. How nice. Will you see your room? Are there
candles? There are two candles above. [gentle music] Ah. They'll be here from the
surveyors in about half an hour. Oh, right. Donovan, is there a boat? My son wants to know if
there is a boat. Ah well now there was a boat
until the master sank her. He had the boys out one morning loading
rock into her until she went down. - But why did he do that?
- Mr. Robertson's advice. I think he thought the Germans might be
landing here and that they would fancy the use of a boat. Mr. Robertson? Yes, some name of that sort. He came from over. Whether he was a mister
or a captain we never made out. - What did he look like?
- A heavy sort of a man with maybe a kind of discord
between his two eyes. A soft-spoken man. [mysterious music] [bird calls] [papers rustling] Donovan: Madame! Montgomery's through! Montgomery's through! Victory! Montgomery? A terrible victory. Victory in a day.
Come up with you Ma'am. The day's famous. It's a beautiful day. In any event. [train steam blowing] [whistle] What a needle in a bundle of hay. Let's get out of here. I have a car with a driver. Ernestine. She's up for the day.
we're just dropping off with a friend. Five minutes. Do you love me? Why? Then nothing matters. Driver! [rain pouring down] - Mrs. Rodney you must be dead.
- Not quite. How was the Emerald Isle? Plenty of eggs
bacon? It was strange. They had no blackout. Do they actually know there's a war on? Yes. And they know they're not in it. [car engine] -The driver does know we're going to Earls Court.
- Of course. - You told him?
- I told him. I didn't tell you tell him. You
seemed so flustered at Euston Station. However... Oh God Have you lost something? I hope to heaven I haven't. - I thought you were asleep.
- So did I. ... What were you doing? Thinking?
- No. I'm sure I put it in my handbag this
morning. If I didn't I should be shot. Ha! Got it. Scoundrel. - Thinking what?
- What? I was asking Stella
what she was thinking. So glad you found it. Why should she tell you? I really don't know
why she's not allowed to think in peace. Ask no questions and you'll be told no
lies. Where are we? Anyone have any idea? Hey it's
Earls Court. Driver! He knows. [raining, engine sound] Thank you. Bye. Bye Ernie. What do you think she lost? - Hmmm?
- And then found in her handbag. Haven't the foggiest idea. Whatever it was, what a relief she found it. - You've never told me...
- What? You've never told me what
she was like when she was young. I'm sorry I can't just be alone
with you all at once. It was a shock seeing you at Euston. It's a
shock. I'm just thrown. I'll be all right. I know you've been all by yourself
in that house with all the same... I feel jealous. As though somehow you been with
some sort of enemy of mine. So far the best thing has
been touching your coat. I know where I am with your coat. ... It's just that...
- You have no enemy anywhere in me. Why should you have to say that? My darling who would like to feel
less welcome than her own coat. But I want to welcome you. Totally. You haven't let me. Give me a cigarette. Two months ago... nearly two months ago... Somebody came to me
with a story about you. They said you were passing
information to the enemy. [dark music] I what? They said you were passing
information to the enemy. I didn't... I didn't know what to think. What an extraordinary woman you are. Why? What would an ordinary woman have thought?
What would an ordinary woman have done? Well I don't know really. ... What did you do?
- Nothing. It's not true is it? Two months ago. Two months. There's certainly nothing like
thinking a thing over. Or did it simply happen to
slip your mind until tonight? Why didn't you just come and ask me?
What would have been wrong with that? Or was that too simple? Who was this? - A man called Harrison.
- A man called Harrison. It isn't true is it? It can't be true that you're asking me
that question. What do you want me to say? There's nothing to say. The whole thing's
so completely unreal. I can't believe it isn't as unreal to you.
- Yes it is but...
- What you're asking me isn't the point. It's immaterial. Crazy, out of a thriller.
Am I passing information to the enemy? No of course not. How could I be?
Why should I? What do you take me for? How well you've acted
with me for the last two months. How could you? I ask you again. Why didn't you come
to me two months ago and tell me then? He said it'd be a dangerous
to you to tell you. What he says then cuts
a good deal of ice. In fact you acted on the assumption
that it was true. I didn't act. I didn't know what to do. I loved you. How strange that word sounds. Oh my darling for God's sake
this is breaking my heart. Is it? Am I? Or are you just saying so? How do you expect me
to know what's true? So you've been watching me
for two months. I must be going blind. I loved you. No. it's the appearance of love
that you keep up so beautifully. No! Well I suppose I owe you an apology. Yes I suppose I do. I'm shocked too. Until I heard my own words
and heard you here I really had no idea how horrible. Forgive me? Robert? Yes I'm listening to you. Say something. You don't seem to have shown
any great patriotic fervor. [indistinct chatter] - Must have been strange... Ireland.
- Yes. It was the light as much as anything else. Dublin was a blaze of light
as the ship came in. Dazzling, frightening. At the house there were
oil lamps in the windows. Naked windows.
It was strange yes. One night I went into the drawing
room I walked up and down it and imagined Roderick's wife in it one day. Why not after all? Roderick's wife. In the library there was a picture of the
Titanic hanging crooked in a corner. - Stella.
- Yes. Talking about it... Why shouldn't we marry? - Talking of the Titanic?
- No talking about Roderick. If anyone's to marry, why not us? - You and me?
- Yes. Why not? We've got in the way of
not marrying I suppose. Yes but why not? Why not? You know it's really quite simple. The reason I want
to marry you is that I want to marry you. I made up my mind when you were in Ireland. The fact is I can't bear you out of my sight. But I hardly ever am. I'm not so sure as I used to be
about that. - You think I run into trouble.
- I think you do a bit yes. You think I need looking after. Your friend what's-his-name's thinks so. Why do you call him what's-his -name? His name
is Harrison. It's an easy name to remember. Harrison but how if I need
looking after too? Do you think that perhaps you
and I have never quite been our ages. I thought it had all been perfect. Yes it all seemed perfect. There must have been
a catch in it somewhere. There's only one solution - marry me. It's not such a new idea. It's not such a wild idea. You've made it sound wild. You're contradicting yourself. First you said you made up your mind
when I was in Ireland... ... then you said you feel forced to ask me
because of what I said in the car. That it suddenly seems necessary for you to keep me under your eye also and I understand all of this that I owe some... balm to your offended honor.
Well that's how you make it sound. That the very east I can do is
marry you to prove to you I'm convinced that anything more I may
possibly hear about you can't be true. So any reasons I may have of my own to hesitate go by the board.
Don't you see? Look I was clear enough.
Let's get this straight. The fact that I want to marry you has nothing
to do with what you said in the car. If Ernie hadn't been sitting waiting I'd have
asked you the moment I saw you on the platform. I'm not saying that what happened
later didn't have an effect on me. Of course it did. It made me more certain
it was time we married. The idea of anyone who likes coming along
and frightening you is appalling. Yes I was hurt too. How could I hide that? How could I not be? But more to the point... For the moment, the whole
of our love seemed futile. If I couldn't keep you
from that fantastic thing. It was fantastic. - But you were frightened.
- Yes. For me but also of me a little. - It was simply...
- Do you love me? You're keeping the waiter waiting. [he sighs] [indistinct chatter] Not just anybody can frighten me you know. I wish you'd find out who Harrison is. Is he anybody? [telephone rings] Welbeck 1 4 2 8. Robert: Darling it's me.
I'm sorry I can't make tonight. I have to go down to Holme Dene.
Family red alert. My mother's had offer for the house.
It's thrown them completely. I have to go. - I'll have a quiet night.
- I'll ring you tomorrow. [phone rings off] [dark music] [street sounds] [footsteps] Harrison: Here we are. This is it.
Down these steps. [light music] Here we are. - I'm thirsty. I'd love a glass of beer
- Yes absolutely, Two light ales please. What about food. See anything you like? Cold cuts and salad fish.
Wait I'll tell you what. Let's see if they can do something.
After all this is an occasion. For me anyway. Just the job. Mission accomplished. - What is it?
- A secret. - I'm not very hungry.
- Well, don't worry. It's just very nice for me to be your escort. - Cheers.
- Cheers. - I still have to scold you I'm afraid.
- Oh? Why? - You've done what I told you not to.
- What's that? You've been naughty. - Really?
- Yes really. Also rash. One of these days you'll be
getting some of us into trouble. Don't look blank. You know
very well what you've done. You tipped him off, didn't you? Come on, admit it. If I've got this wrong you can
always tell me to go to hell. Why don't you tell me to go to hell? Perhaps you're growing on me. You know, you're not as bright as I thought. - Oh?
- No. When I told you at the very beginning
that I should know if you tipped him off. you really should have believed me. You see I not only know you have,
I can tell you the when. I can tell you the very day
or rather, the very night. Two lobsters. Lovely. This was my secret. - My innocent secret
- No such thing as an innocent secret. - You like lobster I hope.
- Oh yes I like it very much. - I'm glad. Looks fresh doesn't it.
- It does look fresh. What makes you think you can tell me
the day or the night? Because from the morning after
he altered his course. He behaved exactly to the letter
the way I told you he'd behave the moment he knew there was
someone on his tracks. That's what I said he'd do,
that's what he's done. - I know you told him.
- When? The night you got back from Ireland. Well. Well. - Someone has recognized you.
- A friend of yours. - Don't be silly.
- At the bar. What you've done is this. You've put us
all on the spot you see. Thanks to you, our friend
has pretty well dished himself. The only case for leaving him loose was the chance
that he might lead us on to something bigger. Now that's out. The case for leaving him loose falls down.
That's what it's up to me to report. So will you? I got myself to think of too.
And the country. So far, who besides you knows this? Only I know. It still has to go up. And you wouldn't be telling me
this if it had gone up. Is that right? [dog whimpering] - Stop!
- It's not doing anything. - It's bothering you.
- It won't bite. I wish it would. What were we saying? - You know what we were saying.
- I know what you were about to say, yes. But at last now it
really is up to me. That I either buy out Robert
for a bit longer or... Excuse me. Just after my dog.
Come along, come on Spot. Bad boy, bothering people. Hello. I haven't seen you
in the park for ages. I'm never there. Must have been there once.
I saw you there. Fancy seeing you here. Excuse me interrupting it's on
account of Spot. Bad boy. You're not interrupting. Why do you call
your dog Spot? He hasn't got any. He's my friend's dog actually.
I was going to meet her in this cafe but I think I've come to the wrong place.
I mean the wrong cafe. You better buzz off home
and take your dog! He's taken quite a fancy to you hasn't he? ... They always say a dog knows.
- Why don't you sit down for a minute. Don't think I should really. - For one thing you were talking.
- Oh we were only deciding something. My friend's not here Wish I knew where we were? I have no idea.
Where are we? - Do tell me your name. I'm Mrs. Rodney.
- I'm Mrs. Lewis. Yes I've got a husband in India.
Well somewhere like that. To think of you remembering me. You're not old friends? Oh no. We just fell into conversation at a
band concert in the park didn't we? ... Weeks ago.
- Are you off your head? - Do you think we've got all night?
- Yes I thought we had. How can you talk to her like that? How can you go out with him? Why does he talk
to you like that? People ought to be friendly. - That's what the war's for isn't it?
- I'm sorry. You mustn't mind. You mustn't blame him. It's been my fault. He's in trouble too. This evening was to have been a celebration.
The first of many more evenings. It may still be the first of
many more evenings. What will there be worth? I don't know. Well, I'll be off. Good night. ... Say good night to him.
- Don't know his name. Harrison. You must congratulate me before you go. ... I've good news I think.
- You have? Yes. A friend is out of danger. Why I don't you two both go along together? Hear what I said? You two both better be getting along. - But...
- What? But... We don't know where we are. Turn right first left. You're in Regent Street.
- I don't understand. What has been decided? I thought we... What have you decided? ... What are you going to do?
- Pay the bill. Let's sum up. A, we don't know if we want to sell. B, if we do how much more than the
offer do we hope to get? C, again if we do sell... ... where are you both to go?
- I'm afraid it is not so simple as that. Muttikins feels there must be
something behind the offer. What's behind the offer is that
someone wants to buy the house. Who can want to buy
a house they haven't seen? How do you know they haven't seen it? - No one has been to the door.
- You can see the house from
a little way down the drive. We do not care for people
coming down the drive. Why can't they come to the
door and openly ring the bell? Creeping and spying about.
- No one is going to rush us. We did not ask these people
to buy the house. But we left the sale on the
agents books for years. Nevertheless this is our home. - In that case we turn them down.
- But it is too large. In that case we jack em up. I'm afraid it's not so simple as that. You talk as though this was
just a business transaction. It always has been too large
and too expensive. Your father made a mistake.
One of many. Could you actually be happy in
something smaller? It's not a question of happiness. It's a question of the future. It is for you and Ernestine. I have had my life.
I hope I've done my best. You must not expect me
to be with you for long. Muttikins don't say such dreadful things. [telephone rings] Yes? Yes of course
nine-thirty. Yes I'm all for it. Yes, yes all hands on deck. It has been a day. One thing after another. Ernestine has not been able
to take her hat off. - Well are we to sell or not?
[Robert] Do we want to? - Can't think only of what one wants.
- I have never thought of what I wanted. Don't forget this house is to be
left you both jointly. if you do not care for that
you had better say so. Of course we care. How can I ever forget this
is my home? And how can ? And so what is your advice? Sell. [Ernestine] Ha!
- Robert does not remember
anything about his life. There you're quite wrong. Muttikins. He talks like a man. Who's there? - Ann?
- Auntie Ernie please. Both of you ought to be sound asleep. - Peter is.
- Granny does not care for people
creeping about in the middle of the night. - I know.
- Don't say I know to Granny. Robert you encourage her. - No, she encourages me.
- Can you stay here tonight? No. Got anything to tell me?
- um I was top of mental arithmetic. You can tell uncle Robert
all about that next time. No. Really Ernie! Well then a moment.
Only a moment mind. How many moments are there? How many compared
to a minute is a moment? That depends. [telephone rings]
Ow! The telephone is never
for anybody but Ernestine. ... What is the matter Robert?
- Do answer it.
- Knocking the child over. [rings] Need we have all that ringing? ... Will someone answer it?
- I will.
- No! [rings] I'll do it. Is it for Robert? Did anyone know you're here? If it's for me say I'm on my way
back to London will you? But you're here. There you see. If it turns out to be
important I shall always blame myself. - Now Ann. To bed.
- Are you going to London? - Yes.
- You're always going away. Always. You're giving me a crick in my back. - You must grow taller.
- Just one more. If I am... If that is what I'm doing... because it has been that all the time. [Stella] Why? We shall have to try to understand
each other all over again. It's too late. Too late in the night? Too late. Why are you against this country? - Country?
- Yes. There are no countries.
Nothing but names. What sort of country do you think exists
outside this room? Exhausted shadows
dragging themselves to fight. How long can they drag the fight out? We have come out
on the far side of that. - We?
- We who are ready for the next thing. Are you against me? You're the one who's against. But not this country you say.
Then what are you against? - The racket.
- What racket?
- Freedom. Freedom to be what?
Muddled, mediocre, damned. Look at your free people. Mice let loose in the middle
of the Sahara. It's unsupportable. Tell a man he's free, you know
what that does to him? It sends him scuttling back
into the womb! Look at it! Look at your mass of free suckers.
Look at your Democracy. Kidded along from the cradle to the grave. One in a thousand may have
what it takes to be free. If so, he has what it takes to be
something better and he knows it! Who would want to be free when he could
be strong. We must be strong. ... There must be law.
- But you break the law. No. Not the real law. Not the true law. Come back. You feel I've been apart
from you in this. There's been you and me
in everything I've done. Why didn't you talk to me? I couldn't involve you.
How could I? And how was I to tell you? How? You could have just let me know. Sometimes I thought I had. There were times it seemed
impossible that you didn't know. I found myself waiting for you to speak
and when you didn't... I thought you had decided
silence was better. And I thought yes, silence is better. I didn't know that you didn't know until you asked me. [sobs loudly] Why did you? What made you have to? Such ideas to have. Why? I didn't choose them. They marked me out.
They're not mine. I'm theirs. Haven't I a right to my own side? It is enough to have been
in action once on the wrong side. You don't know the disgust of Dunkirk. An army of freedom queuing up
to be taken off by pleasure boats. It was the end of that war. What was left? I never knew you before then.
Before you were wounded. I was born wounded. My father's son. Dunkirk was waiting there. Were you never frightened
to do what you were doing? The opposite. It undid fear. It bred my father out of
me. It gave me a new heredity. I was living. I was under orders. So you're with the enemy. They're facing us with what
has got to be the conclusion. They may not last but it will. It's not just that they're the enemy
but they're... horrible. Unthinkable. Grotesque. Birth, anything is grotesque. Roderick may be killed. Roderick may be killed. I have not been in what you've done. The more I understand it
the more I hate it. I hate it! [door slams] [clock ticking] [sobs] Yes? You called me. [picture crashes] - I should never have let you come here.
- Last night at Holme Dene... I was in terror of never seeing you again. I knew I was in danger but I'd never
pictured arrest before. I suddenly did. What a place to be taken at. I wonder how they
got home onto me. I wonder what I did. What I didn't think of. I was so careful. It had become second nature. If I had slept with Harrison... ... could he have saved you?
- What... did he say so? Naturally he would. - You didn't try.
- I thought I would last night. He sent me home. You left it pretty late. I left it late yes He sounds crazy. The chance to take. What was to stop you turning him in?
It would have been the end of him. It would have been
the end of you too. You know for somebody doing something so
definite you talk so vaguely. Wildness and images. It's as though you haven't
formulated everything in your mind. - I've never talked about it before.
- Not even to your... friends? You think we meet to swap ideas? Something's missing. You are out for the enemy to win because
you think they have something. ... What?
- They have something. This war is just quibbling about
a thing that's pre-decided. Either sides winning would
stop the war. Only their side winning would
stop the quibbling I want order. I want shape.
I want discipline. I want the cattle cut. [dramatic music] I wish we could sleep. - I must get dressed.
- Going? But there may be someone
outside the door. Yes. - There has been a step.
- When? I didn't hear. If it had been his step
I should have heard it. I should have known it
before I heard it. - Don't touch the curtains!
- I want to. I want to say yes he's here. We're here together, he's with me. I love him. I could let you out the back. If there's somebody at the front
there'll be someone at the back. That could depend on whether the
somebody at the front is Harrison or not. Why? He's in love. He could be watching the house for his
own reasons. People torment themselves He's still what he is. Oh you were mad come here. I had to hold you in my arms once more. And I had to tell you. I came here to tell you. But I had to hold you in my
arms first. I had to love you first. Would we ever have spoken if you hadn't
known this was goodbye? This is goodbye. Isn't there a way out onto the roof?
- Yes. The skylight. You know it. ... There could be somebody there.
- There's one great thing about a roof... There's one short way off it. It's steep. I wish you hadn't got
your stiff knee. I wish I hadn't got my stiff knee. We've never danced, have we? I'll go by the roof. Come on. [tense music] Now get back into the flat and shut
the door. [intense music] [picture smashes] [sound of running] [camera clicks] [camera clicks] [camera clicks] [sound of airplanes, antiaircraft guns] [distant bombs] Is this convenient? Where have you been? Come in. I was just sitting listening to the guns. Yes it has been quite
some time since we met. I see you've got cat. No he belongs to next door.
They're not there. It's nervous. It's a dirty night. Animals don't care
for this sort of thing. How did you know
where to find me? Oh I heard you'd moved? What have you been doing? I've been out of the country most of the time. - You didn't lose your job then.
- Over that affair you mean. No no. No I didn't lose my job. [explosion] [distant sound of fire bells] It's been so long since we had anything
like this. I can't get used to it. You shouldn't be up here with all this heavy
stuff. You should be in a shelter. You're not sorry I came anyway.
Bit of company. I wish you'd come before. A long time ago. There was a time I had
so much to say to you. I went on talking to you in my mind. so I clearly didn't think you were dead
because you don't talk to the dead. You just listen to what they said
over and over again. Try to piece it together. I missed you. Your dropping out left me
with absolutely nothing. ... Why did you do it?
- I was switched. That was a long and short of it. I was switched.
- But when? What happened? After all you
killed Robert. Now how do you make that out? Oh you killed him. Why did you send me away that night?
That night in the cafe. it wasn't gonna work out. [explosion] But if you hadn't gone, if you hadn't
disappeared who knows? But now we can say goodbye, can't we? We're not what we were.
We're no longer two of three. We're a part. - Goodbye?
- Yes. We had to meet again to say goodbye. Don't you understand... Harrison. That's the first time you've
ever called me anything. I don't know your Christian name. You wouldn't care for it.
- Why what is it? Robert. Listen. I think it's over don't you? I think the raid's over. I'll stay till the All Clear. [siren] [siren sound dies away]
