[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[CAR ENGINE REVVING]
[SOFT MUSIC CONCLUDES][CAR ENGINE RUMBLING]
[DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE]
[CLOCK TOLLING IN DISTANCE]
[CRANE ENGINE RUMBLING]
[METAL CLANGING][TRAIN ENGINE RUMBLING]
[CAR ENGINE RUMBLING]
Well...
Cheers.
[SIGHS]
How are you?I'm fine.
Just like old times.Mm.
It's been a long time.Yes.
I thought of you the other day.
Good God. Why?[CHUCKLES]
Why?
Well, it's nice sometimes
to think back. Isn't it?
Absolutely.
Do you know how long it is
since we last met?
Well, I came
to that private view
at the gallery, when was it?
No, I don't mean that.JERRY: Oh, you mean alone?
Yes.
[SMACKS LIPS] Uh...Two years.
Yes, I thought it must be.
Mm.Long time.
Yes, it is.
How's Robert?
When did you last see him?
Haven't seen him for months.
Don't know why. Why?
Why what?
Why did you ask
when I last saw him?
I just wondered.
How's Sam?
You mean Judith.EMMA: Do I?
You remember the form.
I ask about your husband,
you ask about my wife.
Yes, of course.
How is your wife?
All right.
Sam must be tall.He is tall.
Quite tall.
Does a lot of running.
He's a long-distance runner.
And Sarah?She's ten.
God. I suppose she must be.
Yes... she must be.
Ned's five, isn't he?You remember.
You're all right, though?Oh... yeah, sure.
Ever think of me?
I don't need to think of you.
Oh?
I don't need to think of you.
Anyway, I'm all right.
How are you?
Fine... really.
All right.
JERRY: You're looking
very pretty.
Really?
Thank you.
I'm glad to see you.
So am I.
I mean, to see you.
You think of me sometimes?
I think of you sometimes.
She didn't mention it.
She didn't see me,
in the street.
But you haven't seen her
for years.
I recognized her.
How could you?
How could you know?
I did.
What did she look like?
You.
No, what did you think
of her, really?
I thought she was lovely.
Yes. She's very...
She's smashing. She's 13.
Do you remember that time...
Oh, God. It was...
when you picked her up,
and threw her up,
and caught her?[CHUCKLES] She was very light.
She remembers that, you know?Really?
Mm. Being thrown up.
What a memory.
She doesn't know...
about us, does she?
Of course, not.
She just remembers you
as an old friend.
That's right.
Yes, everyone was there
that day, standing around,
your husband, my wife,
all the kids, I remember.
What day?
When I threw her up.
It was in your kitchen.
It was in your kitchen.
Darling.
Don't say that.
It all...Seems... such a long time ago.
Does it?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
I thought of you the other day.
I was driving through Kilburn.
Suddenly, I saw where I was.
I just stopped,
and then I turned
down Kinsale Drive,
and drove into Wessex Grove.
I drove past the house,
and then stopped
about 50 yards further on
like we used to do,
do you remember?
JERRY: Yes.
People were coming out
of the house.
They walked up the road.JERRY: What sort of people?
Oh, young people.
Then I got out of the car,
and went up the steps
and looked at the bells,
you know, the names
on the bells.
I looked for our name.Green.
[CHUCKLES] Couldn't see it, eh?EMMA: No.
That's 'cause we're not there
anymore.
We haven't been there for years.
No, we haven't.
I hear you're seeing
a bit of Casey.
What?Casey.
I just... heard you were seeing
a bit of him.
Where did you hear that from?Oh, people talking.
Christ.
[SCOFFS] The funny thing
was the only thing
I really felt was irritation.
I mean, irritation
that nobody gossiped about us
like that in the old days.
I nearly said, "Now, look...
she may
be having the occasional drink
with Casey,
but she and I had an affair
for seven years,
and none of you bastards
had the faintest idea
it was happening."
I wonder.
I wonder if everyone knew
all the time.
JERRY: Don't be silly.
We were brilliant.
Nobody knew.
Whoever went to Kilburn
in those days? Just you and me.
Anyway...
what's all this
about you and Casey?
What do you mean?
What's going on?We have the occasional drink.
I thought you didn't admire
his work.
I've changed.
Or his work has changed.
Are you jealous?JERRY: Of what?
[SCOFFS] I couldn't be jealous
of Casey. I'm his agent.
I advised him on his divorce.
I read all his first drafts.
I... persuaded your husband
to publish his first novel.
I escort him to Oxford
to speak at the Union.
He's my... he's my boy.
I discovered him
when he was a poet,
and that's a bloody
long time ago now.
He's even taken me down
to Southampton
to meet his mom and dad.
I couldn't be jealous of Casey.
Anyway, it's not
as if we're having an affair
now, is it? We haven't seen
each other for years.
[INHALES] Really,
I'm very happy if you're happy.
[GLASS THUDDING]What about Robert?
Well...
I think we're going to separate.
Oh?
We had a long talk last night.
Last night?
You know what I found out
last night?
He's betrayed me for years.
He's had other women
for years.
No.
Good Lord.
[SCOFFS] But we betrayed him
for years.
And he betrayed me for years.
[SIGHS] What a funny thing.
We were such close friends,
weren't we?
Robert and me,
even though I haven't seen him
for a few months,
but through all those years,
all the drinks,
all the lunches...
we had together,
I never even gleaned.
I never suspected...
there was anyone else...
in his life but you. Never.
For example,
when you're with a fellow
in a pub, or a restaurant,
for example. From time to time,
he pops out for a piss, you see.
Who doesn't? But what I mean is,
if he's making
a crafty telephone call,
you can sort of sense it,
you see?
You can sense the pip-pip-pips.
Well, I never did that
with Robert.
[SCOFFS] He never made
any pip-pip telephone calls
in any pub I was with him in.
The funny thing is...
that it was me
that made the pip-pip calls...
to you...
when I left him boozing
at the bar.
[CHUCKLES][JERRY CHUCKLING]
That's the funny thing.
When did he tell you this?
Last night.
I think we were up all night.
You talked all night?EMMA: Yes.
Oh, yes.
[EXHALES]
I didn't come into it, did I?
What?
I just--I just phoned you this morning,
you know, that's all,
because I...
because we're old friends.
I've been up all night,
the whole thing's finished.
I suddenly felt
I wanted to see you.
Well, look,
I'm happy to see you. I am.
I'm sorry... about...
Do you remember?
I mean, you do remember?
I remember.
You didn't tell Robert about me
last night, did you?
I had to.
He told me everything.
I told him everything.
We were up all night.
At one point, Ned came down.
I had to take him up to bed,
had to put him back to bed.
Then I went down again.
I think it was the voices
woke him up, you know?
You told him everything?I had to.
JERRY: You told him everything
about us?
I had to.
But he's my oldest friend.
I mean, I picked
his own daughter up
in my own arms,
and threw her up,
and caught her
in my own kitchen.
And he watched me do it.It doesn't matter.
It's all gone.Is it? What has?
It's all, all over.
[CAR HORN HONKING IN DISTANCE]
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOORBELL BUZZING]
Sam... turn that record down.
Hello.
Come in.
[DOOR CLOSING]
In here.
Are you going to sit down?Well, I might, yes, in a minute.
Judith's at the hospital...
on night duty.
Hmm.[DRINK POURING]
I must speak to you.
It's important.
Speak.
Yes.
You look quite rough.
What's the trouble?
It's not about you and Emma,
is it?
I know all about that.Yes. So I've been told.
Ah.
Well, it's not very important,
is it?
Been over for years, hasn't it?It is important.
Really?
Why?
Well, I thought
I was gonna go mad.
ROBERT: When?
This evening. Just now.
Wondering whether to phone you.
Well, I had to phone you.
It took me two hours
to phone you.
And then you were with the kids,
I thought I wasn't gonna
be able to see you.
I thought I'd go mad.
[SIGHS] I'm very grateful
to you for coming.
Oh, for God's sake!
Look, what exactly
do you want to say?
I don't know why she told you.
I don't know
how she could tell you.
I just don't understand.
Listen, I know you've got...
Look, I saw her today.
We had a drink.
I haven't seen her for...
And she told me
that you're in trouble,
both of you...
and so on.
I know that.
I mean, I'm sorry.Don't be sorry.
Why not?
The fact is I can't understand
why she thought it necessary
after all these years
to tell you so suddenly
last night.
Last night?JERRY: Without consulting me.
Without even warning me.
After all, you and me...
She didn't tell me last night.
What do you mean?
I know about last night.
She told me.
You were up all night,
weren't you?
ROBERT: That's correct.
And she told you last night
about her and me. Did she not?
No, she didn't.
She didn't tell me
about you and her last night.
She told me about you and her
four years ago.
So, she didn't have to tell me
again last night.
Because I knew.
And she knew I knew
because she told me herself
four years ago.
What?I think I will sit down.
I thought you knew.
Knew what?[CHUCKLES] That I knew.
That I've known for years.
I thought you knew that.
But we've seen each other...
a great deal...
over the past four years.
We've had lunch.
Never played squash, though.
I was your best friend.Well, yes, sure.
[UPBEAT SONG PLAYING]
ROBERT: Oh, don't get upset.
There's no point.
JERRY: Sam!
Sam!
I told you to turn
that record down.
SAM: I did.Well, it's still too loud.
It's not the same record.Well, turn this one down.
SAM: All right, all right.
[SONG CONCLUDES]
Why didn't she tell me?Well, I'm not her, old boy.
Why didn't you tell me?I thought you might know.
JERRY: But you didn't know
for certain, did you?
You didn't know!
No.Then why didn't you tell me?
Tell you what?That you knew. You bastard.
Oh, don't call me
a bastard, Jerry.
What are we gonna do?
You and I
are not gonna do anything.
My marriage is finished.
I've just got to make
proper arrangements, that's all.
About the children.
You hadn't thought
of telling Judith?
Telling Judith what?
Oh, about you and Emma.
You mean she never knew?
Are you quite sure?
No, I hadn't thought
of telling Judith actually.
You don't seem to understand.
You don't seem to understand
that I don't give a sh*t
about any of this.
It's true I've hit Emma
once or twice.
But that wasn't to defend
a principle.
Well, I wasn't inspired to do it
from any kind
of moral standpoint.
I just felt like giving her
a good bashing.
The old itch... you understand.
But you betrayed her for years,
didn't you?
Oh, yes.
JERRY: And she never knew
about it. Did she?
Didn't she?
I didn't.
No, you didn't know very much
about anything really, did you?
[SCOFFS] No.Yes, you did.
Yes, I did. I lived with her.Yes. In the afternoons.
Sometimes very long ones.
For seven years.
Yes, you certainly knew
all there was to know
about that.
About the seven years
of afternoons.
I don't know anything
about that.
I hope she looked after you
all right.
We used to like each other.
We still do.
I bumped into old Casey
the other day.
I believe he's having an affair
with my wife.
We haven't played squash
for years, Casey and me.
[BOTTLE THUDDING]
We used
to have a damn good game.
He's put on weight.Yes, I thought that.
He's over the hill.Is he?
Don't you think so?In what respect?
His work. His books.Oh, his books. His art.
Yes, his art does seem
to be falling away, doesn't it?
Still sells.Oh, sells very well.
Sells very well indeed.
Very good for us.
For you and me.
Yes.
Have you read any good books
lately?
I've been reading Yeats.
Ah. Yeats. Yes.
You read Yeats on Torcello once.
On Torcello?
Don't you remember?
Years ago, you went over
to Torcello in the dawn alone.
And read Yeats.
So I did.
I told you that, yes.
Yeah.
[SIGHS]
Where are you going this summer,
you and the family?
The Lake District.
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[SOMBER MUSIC CONCLUDES]
What do you want to do then?
I don't quite know
what we're doing any more,
that's all.Mm.
I mean, this flat...
Yes.
Can you actually remember
when we were last here?
In the summer, was it?Well, was it?
I know it seems--It was the beginning
of September.
Well, that's the summer,
isn't it?
It was actually extremely cold.
It was early autumn.
It's pretty cold now.
We were going to get
another electric fire.
Yes, I never got that.
Not much point in getting it
if we're never here.
We're here now.
Not really.
JERRY:
Well, things have changed.
You've been so busy,
your... job and everything.
Well, I know.
But I mean, I like it.
It's marvelous for you.
But you're not--
If you're running a gallery,
you've got to run it,
you've got to be there.
But you're not free
in the afternoons. Are you?
No.So, how can we meet?
But look at the times
you're out of the country.
You're never here.
But when I am here,
you're not free
in the afternoons.
So we can never meet.
We can meet for lunch.We can meet for lunch,
but we can't come
all the way out here
for a quick lunch.
I'm too old for that.
I didn't suggest that.
You see, in the past,
we were inventive,
we were determined, it was...
it seemed impossible to meet...
impossible, and yet we did.
We met here, we took this flat,
and we met in this flat
because we wanted to.
It would not matter
how much we wanted to
if you're not free
in the afternoons
and I'm in America.
Nights have always been
out of the question,
and you know it.
I have a family.
I have a family, too.I know that perfectly well.
I might remind you
that your husband
is my oldest friend.What do you mean by that?
JERRY: I don't mean
anything by it.
But what are you trying to say
by saying that?
Jesus. I'm not trying
to say anything.
I've said precisely
what I wanted to say.
I see.
The fact
is that in the old days,
we used our imagination,
and we'd take a night,
and make an arrangement,
and go to a hotel.
Yes. We did.
But that was, in the main
before we got this flat.
We haven't spent many nights
in this flat.
No.
Not many nights anywhere really.
Can you afford to keep it going
month after month?
Oh...EMMA: It's a waste.
Nobody comes here.
I just can't bear
to think about it actually.
Just... empty.
All day and night.
Day after day
and night after night.
I mean, the crockery,
and the curtains,
and the bedspread,
and everything.
And the tablecloth
I brought from Venice. [LAUGHS]
It's ridiculous.
It's just... an empty home.
It's not a home.
I know. I know
what you wanted...
but it could never actually...
be a home.
You have a home.
I have a home.
With... [SIGHS] ...curtains,
et cetera... and children.
Two children... in two homes.
There are no children here,
so it's not the same...
kind of home.
It was never intended
to be the same kind of home.
Was it?
You didn't ever see it
as a home,
in any sense, did you?
No, I saw it as a flat,
you know?
Well, there's not much
of that left, is there?
I don't think
we don't love each other.
Ah, well...
What will you do
about all the furniture?
What?The contents.
[CHILDREN SHOUTING IN DISTANCE]
You know, we can... [INHALES]
...do something very simple...
[EXHALES]
...if we want to do it.
You mean sell it to Mrs. Banks
for a small sum, and...
and she can let it
as a furnished flat?
That's right.
Wasn't the bed here?
EMMA: What?
Wasn't it?
We bought the bed.
We bought everything.
We bought the bed together.
JERRY: Ah.
Yes.
You'll make
all the arrangements then...
with Mrs. Banks?
I don't want anything.
Nowhere I can put it, you see.
I have a home, with tablecloths
and all the rest of it.
I'll go into it with Mrs. Banks.
There'll be a few quid,
you know, so...
No, I don't want any cash,
thank you very much.
I'm going now.
Oh, here's my key.
[KEYS JANGLING]
Oh, Christ.
You take it off.
Can you just do it, please?
I'm picking up Charlotte
from school.
I'm taking her shopping.
Do you realize
this is an afternoon?
It's the gallery's
afternoon off.
That's why I'm here.
We close
every Thursday afternoon.
Can I have my keyring?
Thanks.
Listen... I think we've made
absolutely the right decision.
[DOOR CLOSING][SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[CRIES]
[CAR ENGINE REVS]
[SOMBER MUSIC CONCLUDES]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[EMMA LAUGHING]
You're gonna soak me.[GIGGLES]
EMMA: Come on. Come on, boy.
Up you get.
[NED GIGGLES][WATER SPLASHING]
Fetch me his pajamas, Makayla.
[WATER SPLASHING]Hey, stop it.
[DOORBELL BUZZING]
Come on, sunshine...
out you come.
[CHEERS] That's it. That's it.
NED: Mama, Mama.EMMA: Yes! Yes!
JERRY: How's Emma?
ROBERT: She's just
putting Ned to bed.
I should think
he'll be off in a minute.
JERRY: Off where?Dreamland.
Ah.
Yes, how is your sleep
these days?
What?
JERRY: Do you still
have bad nights?
With Ned, I mean.ROBERT: Oh, I see. Well, no.
No, it's getting better.
But you know what they say?JERRY: What?
They say boys are worse
than girls.
Worse?ROBERT: Babies.
They say boy babies cry
more than girl babies.
Do they?ROBERT: You didn't find
that to be the case?
Uh... yes, I think we did.
Did you?
Yes. What do you make of it?
Why do you think that is?
I suppose boys are more anxious.
ROBERT: Boy babies?Yes.
What the hell
are they anxious about...
at their age, do you think?JERRY: Well...
facing the world... I suppose.
Leaving the womb, all that.
But what about girl babies?
They leave the womb too.
JERRY: That's true.
It's also true they don't make
such a fuss about it.
That's true.
Why do you think that is?I have no answer.
Do you think
it might have something to do
with the difference
between the sexes?
Good God, you're right.
That must be it.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING]
What a surprise.I was having tea with Casey.
Where?Around the corner.
I thought he lived in Hampstead
or somewhere.
You're out of date.Am I?
JERRY: He's left Susannah.
He's living alone
round the corner.
Oh.
Writing a novel
about a man
who leaves his wife
and three children,
and goes to live alone
on the other side of London
to write a novel about a man
who leaves his wife
and three children.
EMMA: I hope it's better
than the last one.
The last one? Ah, the last one.
Wasn't that the one
about the man
who lived in a big house
in Hampstead
with his wife
and three children,
and is writing a novel...
[CHUCKLES] ...about them?
JERRY: Why didn't you like it?
I've told you actually.
I think it's the best thing
he's written.
It may be the best thing
he's written,
but it's still bloody dishonest.
JERRY: Dishonest?
In what way dishonest?
I've told you actually.
Have you?ROBERT: Yes, she has.
Once when we were all
having dinner, I remember,
you, me, Emma, and Judith,
where was it?
Emma gave a dissertation
over the pudding
about dishonesty in Casey
with reference
to his last novel.
Drying Out.
It was most stimulating.
Judith had to leave
unfortunately
in the middle of it
for her night shift
at the hospital.
How is Judith by the way?
[LAUGHS] Very well.
When are we going
to play squash?
You're too good.
ROBERT: Not at all.
I'm not good at all.
I'm just fitter than you.JERRY: But why?
Why are you fitter than me?Because I play squash.
JERRY: Oh, you're playing?
Regularly?
Mm.
JERRY: With whom?Casey actually.
JERRY: Casey?[CHUCKLES]
JERRY: Good Lord.
What's he like?
He's a brutally honest
squash player.
No, really,
we haven't played for years.
We must play.
You were rather good.
Yes, I was quite good.
I'll give you a ring.ROBERT: Why don't you?
We'll make a date.Right.
JERRY: Yes. We must do that.
I'll take you to lunch.The man who wins buys the lunch.
EMMA: Can I watch?
What?
Why can't I watch,
and then take you both to lunch?
Well, to be brutally honest,
we wouldn't actually
want a woman around,
would we, Jerry?
I mean, a game of squash
isn't simply a game of squash.
It's rather more than that.
You see,
first, there's the game.
And then there's the shower.
And then there's the pint.
And then there's lunch.
After all, you've been at it.
You've had your battle.
What you want is your pint
and your lunch.
You really don't want a woman
buying you lunch.
You don't actually want a woman
within a mile of the place,
any of the places really.
You don't want her
in the squash court,
you don't want her
in the shower...
or the pub, or the restaurant.
You see, at lunch,
you want to talk about squash,
or cricket, or books,
or even women with your friend,
and be able to warm
to your theme
without fear
of improper interruption.
That's what it's all about.
What do you think, Jerry?
I haven't played squash
for years.
ROBERT:
Well, let's play next week.
I can't next week.
I'm in New York.
Are you?JERRY: Yes, I'm going over
with one of my more celebrated
writers actually.
EMMA: Who?Casey.
Someone wants to film
that novel of his
you didn't like.
We're going over to discuss it.
It was a question of them
coming over here
or us going over there.
And Casey felt
he deserved the trip.
EMMA: What about you?
What?Do you deserve the trip?
Judith going?
No. He can't go alone.
We'll have that game of squash
when I get back.
A week, or at the most,
ten days.Lovely.
Bye.
Thanks for the drink.Bye.
[DOOR CLOSING]
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[SOMBER MUSIC CONCLUDES]
[UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING]
[BELL TOLLING IN DISTANCE][UPLIFTING MUSIC CONCLUDES]
Can I read?Just a little.
But you have to rest.
You don't want to be sleepy
over dinner, do you?
No, I don't.[CHUCKLES]
I love Venice.
Where are we going tomorrow?
We're going to Torcello.
[BOAT ENGINE WHIRRING]
[SHIP HORN BLARING]
It's Torcello tomorrow,
isn't it?
What?
We're going to Torcello
tomorrow, aren't we?
Yes. That's right.That'll be lovely.
Mm.I can't wait.
Book good?EMMA: Mm. Yes.
What is it?
EMMA: This new book.
This man, Spinks.
Oh, that,
Jerry was telling me about it.
Jerry? Was he?
ROBERT: He was telling me
about it at lunch last week.
Really? Does he like it?
Spinks is his boy.
He discovered him.
Oh, I didn't know that.Unsolicited manuscript.
You think it's good, do you?
Yes, I do. I'm enjoying it.
Jerry thinks it's good too.
You should have lunch
with us one day
and chat about it.
Is that absolutely necessary?
It's not as good as all that.
Do you mean it's not good enough
for you to have lunch
with Jerry and me
and chat about it?
What the hell
are you talking about?
I must read it again myself,
now it's in hardcovers.
EMMA: Again?
Jerry wanted us to publish it.
Oh, really?ROBERT: Well, naturally.
Anyway, I turned it down.Why?
Oh. [EXHALES] Not much more
to say on that subject
really, is there?
EMMA: What do you consider
the subject to be?
Betrayal.
No, it isn't.
[CHUCKLES] Isn't it?
Well, what is it then?
I haven't finished it yet.
I'll let you know.
ROBERT: Well, do let me know.
Of course, I could be thinking
of the wrong book.
[SHIP HORN BLARING IN DISTANCE]
By the way, I went
into American Express yesterday.
Oh?[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS]
Yes. I went to cash
some travelers' checks.
You get a much better
rate there,
you see, than you do in a hotel.
Oh, do you?ROBERT: Oh, yes.
Anyway, there was a letter
there for you.
They asked me
if you were any relation.
And I said, "Yes."
So, they asked me
if I wanted to take it.
I mean, they gave it to me.
But I said, "No,"
I would leave it.
Did you get it?Yes.
I suppose you popped in
when you were out shopping
yesterday evening?
EMMA: That's right.Oh, well, I'm glad you got it.
To be honest, I was amazed
that they suggested I take it.
It could never happen
in England.
But these Italians,
so free and easy.
I mean, just because my name
is Downs
and your name is Downs,
it doesn't mean
that we're the Mr.
and Mrs. Downs
that they, in their laughing
Mediterranean way,
assume we are.
We could be, and in fact
are vastly more likely to be,
total strangers.
So, let's say, I,
whom they laughingly assume
to be your husband,
had taken the letter,
having declared myself
to be your husband
but in truth
being a total stranger,
and opened it, and read it,
out of nothing
more than idle curiosity,
and then thrown it in a canal,
you would never
have received it.
And would have been deprived
of your legal right
to open your own mail,
and all this
because of Venetian
je m'en foutisme.
I've a good mind to write
to the Doge of Venice about it.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
ROBERT: That's what stopped me
taking it by the way,
and bringing it to you.
The thought that I could very
easily be a total stranger.
What they, of course,
did not know,
and had no way of knowing,
was that I am your husband.
Pretty inefficient bunch.
Only in a laughing
Mediterranean way.
[SEAGULLS SQUAWKING IN DISTANCE]
It was from Jerry.
Yes, I recognized
the handwriting.
How is he?Okay.
Good. And Judith?EMMA: Fine.
What about the kids?I don't think he mentioned them.
ROBERT: They're probably
all right then.
If they were ill or something,
he'd have probably mentioned it.
Any other news?No.
Are you looking forward
to Torcello?
How many times have we been
to Torcello?
Twice.
I remember how you loved it
the first time I took you there.
You fell in love with it.
That was about ten years ago,
wasn't it? About...
six months
after we were married.
Yes.
Do you remember?
I wonder if you'll like it
as much tomorrow.
What do you think of Jerry
as a letter writer?
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
You're trembling. Are you cold?No.
He used to write to me
at one time.
Long letters
about Ford Madox Ford.
I used to write to him too,
come to think of it.
Long letters about,
ooh, W.B. Yeats, I suppose.
That was the time
when we were both editors
of poetry magazines.
Him at Cambridge, me at Oxford.
Did you know that?
We were bright young men.
And close friends.
Well, we still
are close friends.
All that was long before
I met you.
Long before he met you.
I've been trying to remember
when I introduced him to you.
I simply can't remember.
I take it I did introduce him
to you? Yes.
But when? Can you remember?
No.You can't?
No.How odd.
He wasn't best man
at our wedding, was he?
You know he was.
Ah, yes. Well, that's probably
when I introduced him to you.
Was there any message for me
in his letter?
I mean, in the line
of business...
to do with the world
of publishing...
has he discovered
any new and original talent?
He's quite talented
at uncovering talent, old Jerry.
Not even his love?
We're lovers.
Ah, yes. I thought it might
be something like that,
something along those lines.
EMMA: When?What?
When did you think?Yesterday. Only yesterday,
when I saw his handwriting
on the letter.
Before yesterday,
I was quite ignorant.
Ah.
I'm sorry.Sorry?
[SCOFFS]
Where does it... take place?
Must be a bit awkward.
I mean, we've got two kids,
he's got two kids,
not to mention a wife.
We have a flat.ROBERT: Ah, I see.
Nice? [CHUCKLES]
A flat.
It's quite
well-established then, your...
affair?EMMA: Yes.
How long?
Some time.Yes, but how long exactly?
Five years.
Five years?
Ned is one year old.
Did you hear what I said?Yes.
He's your son.
Jerry was in America...
for two months.
Did he write to you
from America?
Of course.
And I wrote to him.
ROBERT: Did you tell him
that Ned had been conceived?
Not by letter.But when you did tell him,
was he happy to know
I was to be a father?
I've always liked Jerry.
To be honest,
I've always liked him
rather more than I've liked you.
Maybe I should have
had an affair
with him myself.[SCOFFS]
Tell me,
are you looking forward
to our trip to Torcello?
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[PANTS]
Darling.
[GROANS][KISSES] Darling.
EMMA: Oh.[KISSES]
[PANTS, LAUGHS][JERRY CHUCKLES]
I must put this down.
What's in it?Lunch.
What?
Things you like.[BAG RUSTLING]
How do I look?
JERRY: Beautiful.
How was it?It was lovely.
Did you go to Torcello?No.
Why not?Oh, I don't know.
The speedboats were on strike,
or something.
JERRY: On strike?Yes.
On the day we were going.JERRY: Ah.
I got your letter.
EMMA: Good.
Get mine?Of course.
You haven't been here at all?No.
Needs hoovering.Later.
I've been dying for you.
I'm crazy about you.
God, it's been such a long time.
I couldn't bear it.
I couldn't bear it
to be without you.
Oh!
[JERRY KISSES]
I spoke to him this morning.
Who?
Robert.
Oh?
JERRY: I'm taking him to lunch
on Thursday.
Thursday? Why?[DRINK POURING]
JERRY: Well, it's my turn.
No, I meant
why are you taking him to lunch?
Because it's my turn.
Last time, he took me to lunch.
You know what I mean.JERRY: No. What?
What is the subject or point
of your lunch?
JERRY: No subject or point.
We've just been doing it
for years.
His turn, followed by my turn.
EMMA: You've misunderstood me.
Have I? How?
Well, quite simply,
you do often meet,
or have lunch, to discuss
a particular writer
or a particular book,
don't you?
So, to those meetings,
or lunches,
there is a point or a subject.Well, there isn't to this one.
You haven't discovered
any new writers
while I've been away?
No.
Sam fell off his bike.EMMA: No.
He was knocked out.
He was out for about a minute.
Were you with him?
No. Judith.
He's all right.
And then I caught a bug.
Oh, dear.
[CHUCKLES] So, I've had time
for nothing.
Everything will be better,
now I'm back.
Yes.
I bought something in Venice.
EMMA: For the house.
Do you like it?JERRY: It's lovely.
Do you think we'll ever go
to Venice together?
No. Probably not.
You don't think
I should see Robert for lunch
on Thursday...
or Friday,
for that matter?
Why do you say that?
You don't think
I should see him at all.
I didn't say that.
How can you not see him?
[CLICKS TONGUE] Don't be silly.
I had a terrible panic
when you were away.
I was sorting out a contract...
in my office with some lawyers.
And I suddenly couldn't remember
what I'd done with your letter.
I couldn't remember putting it
in the safe.
I said I had to look
for something in the safe.
I opened the safe.
It wasn't there.
I had to go on
with the damn contract.
I kept seeing it...
lying somewhere in the house...
being picked up.
Did you find it?
It was in the pocket of a jacket
in my wardrobe at home.
God.
What would you have done...
if Judith had found it?
I don't know what
I would've done.
Listen, do you remember...
When was it? Years ago.
We were all in your kitchen.
It must have been Christmas
or something, do you remember?
All the kids were running about.
[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]
And suddenly,
I picked Charlotte up...
and lifted her high up, high up,
and then down and up.
Down and up.
Do you remember how she laughed?
Everyone laughed.
JERRY: She was so light.
And there was your husband...
and my wife...
and all the kids...
all standing and laughing...
in your kitchen.
I can't get rid of it.
It was your kitchen actually.
Why shouldn't you throw her up?
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[GENTLE MUSIC CONCLUDES][NED COOING]
[LAUGHS]
[TOYS CLATTERING]
[DOOR CLOSING]
[NED MUMBLING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Hello, Robert.Hello.
I'd like a Scotch on the rocks.
Scotch? You don't usually drink
Scotch at lunchtime.
I've had a bug actually.ROBERT: Oh.
And the only thing to get rid
of this bug was Scotch
at lunchtime
as well as at night.
So, I'm still drinking Scotch
at lunchtime
in case it comes back.
Like an apple a day.JERRY: Precisely.
How was Venice?
WAITER:
Ready to order, signori?
What'll you have?
[EXHALES]
I'll have melone.
And piccata al limone
with a green salad.
WAITER: Insalate verde.
I'll have prosciutto,
and melone...
fried scampi, and spinach.
E spinaci.
And a bottle of Corvo Bianco
straight away.
WAITER:
Si, signore. Molte grazies.
Is he the one
who's always been here,
or is it his son?
You mean has his son
always been here?
No, is he his son?
I mean, is he the son
of the one
who's always been here?No, he's his father.
Ah. Is he?
ROBERT: He's the one
who speaks wonderful Italian.
Yes.
Your Italian's pretty good,
isn't it?
No. Not at all.
Yes, it is.
No, it's Emma's Italian
which is very good.
Emma's Italian is very good.
Is it?
I didn't know that.WAITER: Corvo Bianco, signore.
Thank you.
JERRY: How was it anyway?
Venice.WAITER: Venice, signore,
is the most beautiful place
of Italy.
ROBERT:
When were you last there?
Oh, years.
How's Judith?What? Oh... you know, okay.
Busy.
So, how was it?ROBERT: It was good.
I went for a trip to Torcello.
Oh, really? Lovely place.ROBERT: Incredible day.
I got up very early, and...
[IMITATES ENGINE RUMBLING]
...right across the lagoon.
Not a soul stirring.
What's the...
[IMITATES ENGINE RUMBLING]
Speedboat.
JERRY: Ah. I thought...
ROBERT: What?
It's so long ago,
I'm obviously wrong.
I thought one went to Torcello
by gondola.
It would take hours.
No, no.
[IMITATES ENGINE RUMBLING]
Across the lagoon in the dawn.
Sounds good.
ROBERT: I was quite alone.
Where was Emma?
I think asleep.JERRY: Ah.
ROBERT: I was alone for hours,
as a matter of fact,
on the island.
Highpoint actually
of the whole trip.
Was it?
Well, it sounds marvelous.
Yes.
I sat on the grass
and read Yeats.
Yeats on Torcello?
They went well together.
One melone.
One prosciutto e melone.
Prosciutto for me.
WAITER: Buon appetito.
Emma read that novel
of that chum of yours,
what's his name?
I don't know. What?
ROBERT: Spinks.Oh, Spinks.
Yes.
The one you didn't like.
The one I wouldn't publish.JERRY: I remember.
Did Emma like it?
ROBERT: She seemed
to be madly in love with it.
Good.
You like it yourself, do you?JERRY: I do.
And it's very successful?It is.
Tell me, do you think
that makes me a publisher
of unique critical judgement
or a foolish publisher?
A foolish publisher.ROBERT: I agree with you.
I'm a very foolish publisher.
No, you're not.
What are you talking about?
You're a good pub--
What are you talking about?
I'm a bad publisher
because I hate books.
Or to be more precise, prose.
Or to be even more precise,
modern prose.
I mean, modern novels,
first novels, and second novels.
All that promise
and sensibility,
it falls upon me to judge,
to put the firm's money on,
and then to push
for the third novel,
see it done.
See the dust jacket done.
See the dinner for the national
literary editors done.
See the signing
in Hatchards done.
See the lucky author
cook himself to death.
All in the name of literature.
You know what you and Emma
have in common?
You love literature.
I mean, you love
modern prose literature.
I mean, you love the new novel
by the new Casey or Spinks.
It gives you both a thrill.
[CUTLERY CLINKING]
You must be pissed.Really?
You mean you don't think
it gives Emma a thrill?
How do I know?
She's your wife.
Yes... yes. You're quite right.
I shouldn't have to consult you.
I shouldn't have to consult
anyone.
I'd like some more wine.Yes, yes. Waiter!
Another bottle of Corvo Bianco.
And where's our lunch?
This place is going to pot.
Mind you, it's worse in Venice.
They really don't give
a sh*t there.
I'm not drunk.
You can't get drunk
on Corvo Bianco.
Corvo Bianco.
Same glass.
Where's our lunch?It comes.
ROBERT: I'll pour.
No, look, I'm sorry,
have another drink.
I'll tell you what it is.
It's just that I can't bear
being back in London.
I was happy. [CHUCKLES]
Such a rare thing.
Not in Venice.
I don't mean that.
I mean, on Torcello,
when I walked about Torcello
in the early morning alone,
I was happy.
I wanted to stay there forever.
We all...
Yes, we all...
feel that sometimes.
Oh, you do yourself, do you?
I mean, there's nothing
really wrong, you see?
I've got the family.
Emma and I
are very good together.
I think the world of her.
And I actually consider Casey
to be a first-rate writer.
Do you really?First rate.
I'm proud to publish him,
and you discovered him,
and that was very clever of you.
Thanks.
You've got a good nose,
and you care,
and I respect that in you.
So does Emma.
We often talk about it.
How is Emma?
Very well.
You must come
and have a drink sometime.
She'd love to see you.
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[SOMBER MUSIC CONCLUDES]
Vodka? At lunchtime?
EMMA: Just feel like one.Hmm.
I ran into Judith yesterday.
Did she tell you?
No, she didn't. Where?
She didn't tell you?What street?
EMMA: Kensington Church Street.
[CORK POPPING]Kensington Church Street?
What the hell was she doing
at Kensington Church Street?
Shopping, by the look of it.
She was carrying shopping bags.
Kensington Church Street
is hell of a long way
from the hospital.
Of course, it isn't.
Well, I suppose not.
EMMA: She didn't tell you?
I haven't really seen her.
I was out late last night
with Casey.
And she was out early
this morning.
Do you think she knows?
Knows?Does she know about us?
No.
Are you sure?She's busy at the hospital.
And then the kids.
She doesn't go in for...
speculation.
EMMA: But what about clues?
Isn't she interested
to follow clues?
What clues?
Well, there must be some...
available to her to pick up.
There are none...
available to her.
Oh, well... good.
She has an admirer.
Really?JERRY: Another doctor.
He takes her for drinks.
It's... irritating.
I mean, she says
that's all there is to it.
He likes her, she's fond of him,
et cetera, et cetera.
Perhaps
that's what I find irritating,
but I don't know
exactly what's going on.
Oh, why shouldn't she have
an admirer?
I have an admirer.
Who?Uh, you, I think.
Ah, yes.
I'm more than that.
[SMOOCHES]
Tell me...
have you ever thought...
of changing your life?
Changing?Mm.
It's impossible.
Do you think
she's being unfaithful to you?
No. I don't know.
When you were in America,
just now, for instance?
No.
Have you ever been unfaithful?
To whom?To me, of course.
No.
Have you... to me?
No.
If she was, what would you do?She isn't. She's busy.
She's got lots to do.
She's a very good doctor.
And she likes her life.
She loves the kids.
Ah.
JERRY: She loves me.Ah.
All that means something.
It certainly does.
I adore you. I adore you.
Yes. [KISSES]
Listen, there's something
I have to tell you.
I'm pregnant.
It was when you were in America.
[SIGHS]
It wasn't anyone else.
It was my husband.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
Yes. Yes, of course.
[SIGHS]
I'm very happy for you.
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]
[SOFT MUSIC CONCLUDES]
It's very quiet.
JERRY: The house is empty.I should hope so.
Normally, it's quite lively.
The kids... you know?
Bloody noisy. [CHUCKLES]
[TELEPHONE RINGING]It's Judith.
Well, answer it.
[TELEPHONE CONTINUES RINGING]
JERRY: Yes?
Yes, yes. No.
How are you?
And the kids?
Yeah, fine.
How's your mother?
Oh, no. Really?
Well, never mind. Tell her...
No, nothing.
No, I just have something.
Reading. Bloody awful.
Yeah, fine.
Nothing. Reading.
Oh, I'll be there by 05:00
at the art signing.
Yes.
Well, that's the whole point.
I'm avoiding the rush hour.
About 5:00.
Give my love.
[RECEIVER CLATTERING]
[SMOOCHES]
EMMA: Yeah.
What's that?Oh, it's a flag.
Mm. A flag?
What an unusual shape.
Mm. Tell me what else there is?
Hmm?That's people in the boat.
Yes.
And there's the boats
where we see the fishes.
Listen, darling. It's hot.It's lovely, toast and cheese.
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
EMMA: Hello?
ROBERT: It's me.
Robert.
ROBERT: I'm going
to be about an hour late.
That's all right.
ROBERT: How's Charlotte?Fine. She's just come in.
Everything all right?ROBERT: Yes. And you?
Yes.
ROBERT: Fine, see you later.Bye.
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
Hello?JERRY: It's me.
Hello.
JERRY: I've been trying
to get you for days.
[SIGHS] I've been--
JERRY: I must see you.
This evening, a drink.
Impossible. I--JERRY: A quick one.
Denise is going out.
I can't.
Tomorrow.JERRY: Tomorrow when?
12:00 at the pub.JERRY: Okay.
Till then.
[RECEIVER CLATTERING]
Who's that on the telephone?
Daddy.
He sends you his love.
[TRAFFIC WHIZZING IN DISTANCE]
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
Hello?ROBERT: It's Robert.
Robert. How are you?
I'm taking the afternoon off.
What about some squash?
Squash?ROBERT: Squash.
Damn!ROBERT: What's the matter?
I can't.ROBERT: Why not?
Uh, I can't this afternoon.
Dammit.
Why? What are you doing?JERRY: Working.
I'm a working man.
I'm not a rich publisher
who can prance about
in the afternoons.
[LAUGHS]JERRY: I have an appointment.
An appointment with a beautiful
young poetess, I trust.
Yes. Casey has just finished
the novel.
ROBERT: Good God.
I hope you're not going
to send it to me.
JERRY: [LAUGHING]
Let's play next week.
It's my turn for lunch.It is. Tuesday?
Tuesday.ROBERT: Enjoy your poetess.
[DIAL TONE RINGING][RECEIVER CLATTERING]
There's no one on top of you,
that's the main thing.
No one clumping about
on top of your head.
That's the kitchen.
And this is the main room.
It's clat.
It's a nice little flat.
A bit private.
Business people, are you?Yes. We live in Leicester.
Oh, Leicester.Yes.
But we have a lot
of business appointments
in London, you see, and hotels
are so expensive.They are, I know.
You can't keep rushing back
to Leicester
between appointments, can you?
No. It's impractical.
Well, you wouldn't get
any business done, would you?
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
Mrs. Banks, would you just
let us walk about
in it by ourselves
for a few minutes?
You want to get the feel of it.EMMA: That's right.
Go on... walk about
by yourselves.
Get a feel of it.
EMMA: Thank you.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY][SIGHS]
[TRAFFIC WHIZZING IN DISTANCE]
I like it.
Do you?
I like you. [KISSES]
You will like it.
You will.
Let's take it.
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]
[SOFT MUSIC CONCLUDES]
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING][INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Have you seen writer Casey?
MALE GUEST: Yes,
I believe he's in there.
[GUESTS LAUGHING]
Hello. And what's your name?
Hello. [CHUCKLES]Hello, you.
Shouldn't you be asleep?
Come on.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[GASPS]
Good God.
I've been waiting for you.
EMMA: What do you mean?
I knew you'd come.
I've just come in
to comb my hair.
I knew you'd have to.
I knew you'd have to comb
your hair.
I knew you'd have to get away
from the party.
[LAUGHS]
[SIGHS]
Aren't you enjoying the party?
You're beautiful.
Listen... I've been watching you
all night.
I must tell you,
I want to tell you.
I have to tell you--Please.
You're incredible.
You're drunk.Nevertheless.
Jerry.I was best man at your wedding.
I saw you in white.
I watched you glide by in white.
I wasn't in white.
JERRY: Do you know
what should have happened?
What?
I should have had you
in your white
before the wedding.
I should have blackened you
in your white wedding dress.
Blackened you
in your bridal dress
before ushering you
into your wedding
as your best man.
My husband's best man.
[COMB CLATTERING]I must get back.
You're lovely.
I'm crazy about you.
All these words I'm saying,
don't you see,
they've never been said before.
Can't you see?
I'm crazy about you.
It's a whirlwind.
Have you ever been
to the Sahara Desert?
Listen to me.
It's true. Listen.
You overwhelm me.
You're so lovely.
I'm not.
You're so beautiful.
Look at the way you look at me.
I'm not... looking at you.
Look at the way
you're looking at me.
I can't wait for you.
I'm bowled over.
I'm totally knocked out,
you dazzle me,
you jewel, my jewel.
I can't ever sleep again.
No, listen, it's the truth.
I won't walk. I'll be a cr*pple.
I'll descend, I'll diminish
into... total paralysis.
My life is in your hands.
That's what you're banishing me
to a state of catatonia.
Do you know the state
of catatonia? Do you?
A state of...
where the reigning prince
is the prince of emptiness,
the prince of absence,
the prince of desolation.
I love you.
My husband is at the other side
of that door.
I adore you.
I'm madly in love with you.
I can't believe that what anyone
is at this moment
saying has ever happened
has ever happened.
Nothing has ever happened.
Nothing.
This is the only thing
that has ever happened.
[CHUCKLES]
Your eyes k*ll me.
I'm lost.
You're wonderful.
No.
Yes.
[SMOOCHES]
[ROBERT LAUGHING]
People are leaving.
Your best friend is drunk.[LAUGHS]
As you are my best
and oldest friend,
and in the present instance,
my host...
I decided to take
this opportunity
to tell your wife... [INHALES]
...how beautiful she was.
Quite right.
It is quite right to...
to face off to the fact,
and to offer a token
without blush...
a token of one's...
unalloyed appreciation,
no holds barred.ROBERT: Absolutely.
JERRY: And how wonderful for you
that this is so,
that this is the case...
that her beauty is the case.
Quite right.
I speak as your oldest friend.Hmm.
Your best man.
You are actually.
[CHUCKLES]
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]
[SOFT MUSIC CONCLUDES]
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING]
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CONCLUDES]
Betrayal (1983)
Moderator: Maskath3