01x08 - Episode 8

[bunniefuu]

MAN: Rise.

[People standing]

[Organ playing]

Look ahead to a life
worth living

Full of hope, full of faith,
full of cheer

To a life that
is made for giving

Without stint,
without shame, without fear

Look ahead
to the One who leads us

To the Lord
who guides our ways

We shall follow,
follow, follow

We shall follow Him
all our days

Captioning made possible by
Acorn Media

The Governors wish me
to apologize

for taking so long,
gentlemen.

Mr. Pettigrew?

Uh...

I think he went out
for a breath of air.

Oh. Never mind.

Would you come in now,
please, Mr. Alcock?

Well, that's it,
then.

They might just
want to ask him

some supplementary
questions or something.

No, not a chance.

That's not the form.

They're offering him
the job in there.

That's our
new headmaster,

like him
or lump him.

[Clock ticking]

ALGY: Well, now,

I think this calls
for a drink.

Don't you, eh?

And when the retiring
headmaster

met the newly appointed
headmaster

in the company of two of
his distinguished

and senior housemasters,

the consequence
was what?


Carter?

Suits me,
Headmaster.

Don't have to ask P.J.
I know.

It's the moorland air,
Mr. Alcock.

We moorland men have to
have our whiskey.

You'll have to excuse me,
Mr. Herries.

I don't use it.

What, not even for
a brisk rubdown?

I beg your pardon?

Ha ha! Not at all.

It's these Governors'
meetings.

They always leave me
in a silly mood.

When you've sat through
one or two of them,

you'll know what I mean.

What about some gin,
Mr. Alcock?

No, thank you, Mr. Herries.
I don't drink spirits.

Ah. Elderberry wine?

My wife makes that
herself.

No? Or a creme de
menthe, dry sherry...

A cup of tea?

My dear fellow,
you must have something.

We want to drink
your health.

Have you any soda water?

Hmm. I think
we have somewhere.

P.J., come and help me
root it out.

Carter, will you look
out for the whiskey?

It's all in
the cupboard there.

My pleasure,
Headmaster.

Soda water?

That's the stuff
misguided chaps

put with their whiskey,
isn't it?

So I've heard,
yes.

You have a look in that
cupboard over there.

Well, it was
a close thing, David.

You very nearly got it.

After the mess I made
of the interview?

No, no, you didn't
make a mess.

You were very frank
with the Governors.

They like that.

And Carter
made a first-class

showing of himself.

But, you know,
they're not as silly

as I make them out
to be.

They knew that if
one of you two got it,

he'd have the other one
against him

right from the start,

so Sir Rufus put in
his casting vote for Alcock.

I shouldn't be telling you
this, you know, but I am.

I'll tell Carter
the same, too.

Thanks.

He's got a lot about him,
you know, Alcock.

He's shrewd, eh?

Do you like him?

I know I've got some
soda water somewhere.

You mustn't ask me
things like that, David.

Anyhow, headmasters
aren't there

to be liked, are they?

They're there to strike
fear and trembling

into the hearts of
the boys, my dear chap.

Well, in that case,

they might have got
the right man.

Oh, no, he'll mellow.

Bamfylde is a very
mellowing place,

and you must jolly him
along, David.

Make him see what
astonishing fun

the school can be.

I think that's
something he hasn't

quite grasped yet.

Oh, what have you
got there?

Oh, it's--
it's lemonade.

[Sighs]

I haven't definitely decided
to stay on, you know.

Oh, David.

Oh, you must.
You will, won't you?

I mean,
we've counted on that.

Bamfylde's
not the whole world.

No, I suppose it's not.

Has been for me.
That's the trouble.

Ah, there we are.
I knew I had some.

Come on, David.

Alcock must be longing

to start
the jollifications.

And it'd buck
my lads up no end

if they could have
some new uniforms

and a few more bugles
for the band.

I'm quite sure
it would, Mr. Carter.

I'm not sure that
my first priority

would be to strengthen
the morale of the OTC.

Ah, no, no, of course not.
No, exams first.

I'm with you all the way
on that, but...

well, I just thought I'd
mention my chaps in the corps,

because if I don't
stick up for them,

nobody else will,
don't you know?

Quite.

Yes.

Well, here we are,
gentlemen.

Mr. Alcock.

Ahem.

Oh, thank you,
Carter.

Thank you,
David.

I'm afraid I'm
going to indulge

in a few
pompous words.

That's my reward for


I'd like us
to drink a toast

to your success,
Mr. Alcock.

Either one
of these two

would have made
a splendid headmaster,

and you've beaten them
fair and square,

so they know
you must be

a pretty astonishing
sort of fellow.

You've got a first-class
staff, Mr. Alcock,

and a few hundred
delightful boys.

I wouldn't mind starting
all over again.

My very best wishes
to you.

Best of luck.

Hear, hear.

Thank you, gentlemen.

I'm sure we shall work
very well together.

[Singing indistinctly]

The headmaster wishes to see
all the house captains

for a short meeting
immediately after prayers.

Well, I don't
like it at all.

That's something, then.
Man can't be all bad.

No, seriously, Howarth,
he won't do.

What's the matter,
then, Carter?

Has he made some
slanderous remark

about the corps?

Has he impugned
the brightness

of the brass
buttons?

The point is, How--

The point is, Howarth,
that he hasn't

consulted any of us
about anything.

He has been here
for 4 weeks now.

He sees the prefects
every day,

but he doesn't seem to want
our opinions about anything,

and it's damned insulting.

I tried to get us
a half holiday

for the Shenstone
match next week,

and the man
looked at me

as if I was touched
in the head.

No interest in sport
whatsoever.

Well, that raises him
a notch or two

in my estimation,
Irvine.

It's men like you, Howarth,
that'll lose us our empire.

Oh, dear, I am sorry.

Really, doesn't it
bother you at all

that he doesn't even seem
to acknowledge our existence?

Why should it? I don't
want to talk to him.

Well, maybe
you won't have to

now he's moved
the head's study

up to the tower.

He's biding his time.

That's what all new
headmasters do.

They bide their time.

And then with a terrible
swiftness, they strike.

Or, on the other hand,
they don't.

When I was
at Shottenbury,

we had a man
like that--

Bradnam.
Came from the north.

Very big, very grim,
very silent.

"Biding his time,"
we all said.

Well, after he'd been
biding his time

in his study
for 3 years,

we began to wonder.

After 5 years,
he became so bored,

he eloped with his
secretary and started

an office cleaning
business in Leeds.

Always admired that man.

Maybe that's what Alcock
is going to be like.

I don't believe that
for a moment,

and neither do you.

Don't I?

Well, perhaps not.

I expect he's saving up

all his true warmth
and jollity

to release upon us at
Algy's farewell supper.

Howarth!

At least he
electrified us.

But there isn't
any tea in it.

[Laughter]

Well, well, well, well,
I--I'm overwhelmed,

particularly in view
of something

I overheard
the other day.

I happened to be spending
half an hour

seated on Mount Olympus...

otherwise known as
Spyglass Hill.

That's his private
Bog, you know.

I was quietly
minding my own business

when I heard a voice
I knew very well.

No names in this story,
but he'll recognize himself.

"lI managed to screw 10 bob
out of the pater

"for old Algy's
farewell present.

"I kept 5 shillings for myself,
and gave 5 into Grierson,

who said I was a very generous
chap and gave me a toffee."

So, if the owner of that voice
cares to come over

to the old rectory
any Sunday afternoon,

I shall give him a cup of tea
out of this splendid teapot,

and he can give me
the 5 bob he owes me.

Well, you know,

we've had our share of
brilliant men at Bamfylde.

I can't claim any credit
for them.

They'd have got on
wherever they were.

But I do like to think that
the school has been able

to do something for the average
thick-skulled bungler,

which is what most of us are
at bottom, eh, Mr. Alcock?

[Laughter]

Well, I'm just going to
tell you about two chaps

who were called
Petherbridge and Rodgers.

Goodness knows
why they've popped into my head

after 20 years,
but there they are.

They'll do
as well as anyone.

Now, Petherbridge was
one of our skyrockets.

He went on
to become president

of an insurance company
or something.

He got the OBE or the DBF--

or whatever it is
these chaps get--

and Chuff Rodgers
never got anything.

Except once, when some kindly
soul put him down

for the Lower Fourth
effort prize,

because he'd pulled up from
bottom to 27th or something.

So, Speech Day came along,
and I could see Chuff Rodgers

down there fairly bursting
with excitement

as his turn came along.

He had a woman with a baby
sitting next to him,

and this baby seemed to take
a special fancy to Chuff.

He kept grasping at his finger
and making goo-goo noises

and all that
sort of thing.

And then, just as Chuff's
big moment was coming along,

this baby gave the most
beautiful smile

and was dramatically sick
all over his best suit...

and over himself
and over the mother.

Oh, she, poor woman,
was beside herself with shame.

I thought Chuff would be, too,
but not Chuff.

He pulled out the
strangest-looking handkerchief

I have ever seen;

wiped the mother down,
wiped the baby down,

tried to wipe himself down,
and then, only then,

when he'd settled everything
to his own satisfaction,

he went up for his one
and only prize.

First things first,
you see,

and that is what I call
a Bamfylde success.

And that is why I'll never
forget Chuff Rodgers,

but I've completely
forgotten Petherbridge.

[Chuckling]

[Applause]

The latrines?

He wants a staff meeting
in the Bog?

His express
instructions, gentlemen.

Senior staff to meet
the headmaster at 10 a.m.

in the old
school latrines.

HOWARTH: Poor fellow's
lost his senses.

Go back and tell him
we're schoolmasters,

not plumbers.

He did seem
perfectly serious.

Well, it's original.
You must give him that.

A lot of water's
been passed

since my last
visit there.

[Groans]

What can the man
want?

Well, whatever it is,

it must be something
pretty fundamental.

Carter, you're
making jokes again.

I don't like

the way things
are going at all.

Gentlemen, the reason
why I took the somewhat

unusual step of asking
you to meet me here

was that
I could not believe

that any members
of my staff

were aware of the state
of these latrines.

It is my belief

that the moral tone
of the school

is often most
clearly reflected

in its sanitary
institutions,

and what I've seen here
today has shocked

and disgusted me
more than I can say.

I await your comments.

With the greatest
respect, Headmaster,

don't you think you're
exaggerating a bit?

I mean, well, they're not really
so dreadful, are they?

I should imagine that
most schools are much the same.

I sincerely hope
you don't mean that.

I have no idea what sort
of schools you've been

associated with,
but no school of mine

is going to tolerate
such filth.

I believe it's a little
homely tradition, Headmaster--

one place in the school

where even the most lowly
can make his mark.

If they can immortalize
themselves here,

they'll leave the rest
of the walls alone.

Then it is your view

that the English
public school boy

has a deeply felt need
to scribble on walls

like a common
guttersnipe?

Exactly, Headmaster,
and very well you put it.

I see.

I notice that many of the names
are inscribed in pairs.

Has anyone any
explanation for this?

Well, uh, they'd be
friends, of course.

Friends. I see.

And what about this?

"Carruthers is the fastest
thing in school house."

[Clearing throats]

I want to know
who Carruthers is

and what this
message means.

I think I can help you,
Headmaster.

I remember Carruthers
from 1913.

He was k*lled
in the w*r.

Then perhaps you could
enlighten me

as to the meaning of
the remark.

With pleasure,
Headmaster.

Carruthers, as far
as I remember,

opened the bowling
for the First 11.

I see.
Very well, gentlemen.

Tomorrow this building
will be completely

redecorated
from top to bottom.

It will be spotless
and will remain so.

I will not tolerate
filth in this school

in any shape or form.

That will be all.

HOWARTH: Curious man.

Well, now do you suppose
we'll be allowed

to get on
with our work?

P.J.?

Hmm?

Hmm.

Seems a shame,
now, doesn't it?

[Door opens, then closes]

Julia.

What on earth
are you doing here?

Came to see you,
of course.

I did mean to
write you a letter,

but then I thought,
"No, why don't I just

come down and
pay him a visit?"

How did you find it?

Well, David, I used to
work here, remember?

All I had to do was ask
for Mr. Powlett-Jones' house.

Who did you ask?

Some boy.

I expect he thought I was
somebody's mother.

You don't look
in the least

like anyone's
mother.

Oh, dear, should we
come away from the window?

Has this all been
a dreadful mistake?

No, I'm sorry, I...

It's really lovely
to see you again, Julia.

Oh, dear, I have never
been terribly good

at knowing what's
the done thing.

What do you mean?

I'll tell you later.

Um...would you like to
dine in hall tonight?

It could easily
be arranged.

I just have to
send someone.

Uh, I'm afraid
all I can offer you

is whiskey
and cream crackers.

Oh, well, that's fine.

That's absolutely
splendid.

Well, come on, then.

Oh...

It's really good
to see you again, Julia.

I've been
beginning to think

I'm living
in a madhouse.

I always thought it was.
Worse now, is it?

Oh, it's this man
Alcock.

He's a really cold fish.

I think
he winds himself up

with a key
every morning.

Oh, he's efficient,
all right, but...

well, all he seems to be
concerned about

is economy
and sanitation.

Ooh, what a nasty
combination.

Lovely.

David, are you--
are you on duty tonight?

A housemaster's
on duty 24 hours a--

Oh, I know that.
You know what I mean.

I think I could
arrange for us

not to be disturbed.

No...fires?
No late night crises?

I hope not.

Good.

Is this...
where you sleep?

Uh, yes.

Goodness, what
a very narrow bed.

It's been there
years.

I found I got a bit
lost in the big bed.

You did rather go to the
other extreme, didn't you?

Well, I was quite wrong.

There's plenty
of room here.

What would you do
if Mr. Alcock

suddenly arrived for
a late-night consultation?

Oh, I'd tell him
that you were the parent

of a prospective pupil,
and that you'd come

to look the place over
to see if it matched up

to your exacting
standards.

Mmm...
It does, Mr. Alcock.

It is all entirely
satisfactory.

Silly man.

You know, you haven't
told me a thing

about how
you're getting on--

not a word about the job
or the American trip.

Haven't 1?

You know you haven't.

Well...here goes.

I'm going to America
again...

for good this time.

I--I tried to
write you a letter,

but I couldn't
seem to find

the right things
to say.

And sol got in
my little car,

and I came
to see you.

I'm glad you did.

I haven't finished yet.

I'm going to get
married...

to Hiram.

Your boss.

Day after tomorrow.

He's really very nice.

I know that I'm doing
the right thing,

and I think that
we can be really happy.

And you don't really
need me, David.

Say you don't.

Why did you wait
till now to tell me?

Well...

at first,
I was nervous,

and...

then I realized I
wanted to go to bed

with you
one last time.

And you are such a
gentleman, David, I...

I knew you wouldn't let
me if I told you first.

Wish me luck, David.

Wish me luck.

[Engine starting]

[Car driving away]

I think it's
a damn shame.

He's hardly been here
a year yet,

and already he's
well on the way

to turning the school
into a police state.

Concentration camps--

don't they call them that
in South Africa?

Dear, dear, I couldn't
be hearing the voice

of frustrated ambition,
could 1?

Well, it's possible.

I think we flatter
ourselves about

the effect we have
on the school.

It's minimal.

Longer I stay here,
the more convinced I am

we don't make a damn
bit of difference.

Huh. Look at old
Stoker Monk there--

off for his
afternoon pipe.

A man with but
one thought in his mind.

Well,
there you are, P.J.

Poor Carter's jawed him,
beaten him,

finished up
pleading with him

to give up
the filthy weed.

No effect.

Do you think
Monk cares

whether Alcock
or Herries

or anyone's
in the driving seat?

He'll have
his daily pipe.

That's all that
matters to him.

You're a cynic.

Ah, it's the classics

that have done that
to me, my boy.

History ought to do
the same for you.

Isn't the great
lesson of history

that nothing
ever changes?

BARNABY: One thing

that I don't understand
about Alcock

is why the boys keep on
calling him noble.

I can think of
many epithets for him,

but "noble" hardly
leaps to mind.

[indistinct chatter]

He does love writing
notices, doesn't he?

Oh, well, there's your
explanation, Barnaby--

"no ball" Alcock.

Very witty.

It's very pleasing.

I say, P.J.,
what are you doing?

Oh, the lesser of
two evils, I think.

You're not going
to show it to him?

Good God, no.

I think
I'll have it framed

for my private
collection.

Noble sentiment.

ALCOCK:
Yesterday, I had cause

to mention a missing notice.

I'm sorry to have to say that
notice has not been returned.

I have, therefore, to take steps
that will involve the innocent.

Unless that notice reaches me
by lights out tonight...

Saturday's half-term holiday
will be canceled.

MAN: School.

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Do take a seat,
Powlett-Jones.

I won't keep you
a moment.

It's about the litter
notice, Headmaster.

Um, there's no need
to cancel the holiday.

You've identified
the culprit. Good.

Well, in a sense,
I have.

I'm afraid
it was me.

You moved my notice?

I had a good reason.

Of course.

What was it?

Someone had scrawled
on it, Headmaster.

You mean you caught someone
defacing it?

No, there was no one
about when I found it.

You're quite sure?

Of course I'm sure.

Can I see it, please?

No. I'm afraid
I don't have it now.

I threw it away.

But it was evidence.

Yes, I suppose it was.

Look, Headmaster,

don't you think
the best thing would be

to stop worrying
about the notice

and simply replace it?

I am not worried,
Powlett-Jones.

Perhaps you are.

I beg your pardon?

You left it very late
to report this to me.

Is there any reason
for this?

Possibly you suspect some boy
from your own house?

I haven't the least idea
who it was.

What was the exact nature
of the defacement?

It was nothing
particularly obscene;

just the usual sort
of schoolboy humor.

I see.

Then you refuse to cooperate
with me any further

in the maintenance
of discipline.

I wish you wouldn't
interpret it that way,

Headmaster.

I see no other way.

Then I'm sorry.

Thank you for coming
to see me.

Your lesson
with the Upper Fifth

began 3 minutes ago,
I believe.

You have my permission
to join them.

Fortescue, terrible.
Do it again.

I want to see it
Thursday morning.

Yes, sir.

Harrington?

Yes, yes, just
on the borderline.

What you say
is sound enough,

but you don't back it up
with enough evidence.

Facts and dates, please,
for everything.

Yes, sir.

Monk. Yes. Very good.

The best you've done
for me this term.

Thank you, sir.

Um, what's
this grade, sir?

Beta-double plus/
alpha-minus query?

Yes. Hedging my bet.

I did think it leaned
rather heavily

on that book I lent you.

Trevelyan, sir?

That's not bad,
is it?

No, so long as you're
not simply parroting

what he says.

I wouldn't
do that, sir.

Think he's right,
do you?

Yes, sir.

Why?

Well, it's a nice change
to come across a book

that concentrates on the
life of ordinary people.

History oughtn't to be
about kings

and all that, ought it?

They're not
that important.

Aren't they? What do
you say, Harrington?

He's cracked, sir.

[Laughter]

As usual, Harrington,
firm opinions,

but no evidence offered.

None required
in this case.

Look at him.

Hislop--ah, yes,
that reminds me.

Where is your essay?

Ahh...
Ahh...

Yes, sir.
I was going to tell you.

It's very nearly finished,

and could I hand it in
tomorrow morning?

Would that be
all right, sir?

No.
No.

If it is very good indeed.

Oh, it will be, sir.

[Boys talking at once]

All right, all right.

How about a bit of brisk
revision for the exam?

Causes of the Civil w*r.

It won't come up
this year, sir.

I'd be very surprised
if it didn't.

I shouldn't risk ignoring it
if I were you.

Oh, it's not really
a bad risk, sir.

Would you
like Hislop

to give you
the form, sir?

The form?

Previous outing, sir.
Got it all worked out.

Please do.

HISLOP: Causes of
the Civil w*r.

Been out 3 times
in the past 5 years,

twice on its own and once
with a supplementary.

There you are, then.

The odds are 6:1
against a question

turning up 4 times in


Yes, well, I shouldn't
bank on it if I were you.

Not at 6:1, but I would
give you 11:4, though.

I might just
take you up on that.

Right you are, sir.
In pounds?

You must have
a very sketchy idea

of a schoolmaster's
pay, Hislop.

[Boys talking at once]

All right, gentlemen,
all right.

Enough time wasted.

I think you'll just
have to let me do

the question-spotting.

And if you don't feel
you can rely on my record

as a tipster,

I'm afraid that's
just too bad.

There is such a thing
as absolute power,

and in my classroom,
I've got it.

All right, Stoker Monk?

All right, sir.

Good. The causes
of the Civil w*r.

Harrington?

A pair, eh?

Come on, Stoker.

Don't rush me,
Freddy.

Never hurry a man when
he's priming his pipe.

What is that stuff?

Longshoreman's Flake,
me boy.

Lowly brand.

Asphyxiate yourself
and everyone else.

Not a bit of it.
Strengthens the heart.

I get through two ounces
a week of this stuff.

And I'll be ahead of you all
in the paper chase again,

as you well know.

Two cards, please.

Very nice ones.
Thank you.

Fortescue.

One.

Oh, dear.

Out of his depth.

[Coughs]

Hold it.
I heard something.

Pull the other one, Hizzy.
I want your--

ALCOCK: Is your name
Monk, boy?

Yes, sir,
that's right.

I thought so.

Put that disgusting
thing out

and come with me.

[Tapping]

And I'll see
the rest of you

at 6:00
in my study tonight.

Follow me, boy.

[Knock on door]

The little swine
sacked him.

Oh, sorry, P.J.

I didn't think you'd
be working now.

That's all right.
What's the matter?

Alcock sacked him.

Who?

Monk.

The Stoker,
of course.

Didn't you hear?

Alcock
caught him smoking

in the boiler room.

He's been caught
often enough before.

Yes, I should know. I've
beaten him for it twice,

but Alcock
has to sack him.

He's not a rogue.

I know. I teach him.

He's one of the best
lads in my house.

He's taking matric
next month.

He doesn't deserve to
have his career ruined.

I am most fearfully
cut up about it.

I'd like to strangle
the cold-blooded swine.

Have you tried any more
conventional methods

of persuasion?

There's no need
to be sarcastic.

Yes, I've been
to see him.

It was like trying to get
blood out of a stone.

He's a previous offender.
He's well-known for it.

Alcock is determined to
make an example of him.

Yes, I suppose he will.

I don't see
what I can do about it.

Well, I got up
a sort of petition.

You're a lot more
popular than I am,

and I thought that you
might agree to sign it

and help me try to persuade
some of the senior men

to bung their names
down, too.

It might do the trick.

Let's have a look.

My God, it's a bit of
a belly crawl, isn't it?

I've never seen so many
"respectfully requests"

and "grant us the favors."

Yes, that's the whole
point, don't you see?

Look, if all
the senior men

sign an appeal
like that,

it'll be a feather
in Alcock's cap.

I don't care how much
I crawl

if it's going to save
the Stoker's bacon.

That's the whole point,
isn't it?

Yes, I suppose it is.

You're a bigger man
than me, Carter.

I couldn't have written this,
but, well, I'll sign it,

and I'll do my best
with Howarth

and Barnaby
and the others.

I daresay you'd do
the same for me.

Yes, I would.
I would, P.J.

Well, if things don't
improve around here,

you might have to.

I'm not surprised

Carter didn't bring this
around himself.

He'd have got
short shrift from me.

I promised I'd see
what I could do.

And you've got Barnaby,
Gibbs, Irvine.

I'm surprised.

What are you doing
pulling Carter's chestnuts

out of the fire?

Carter is still Carter,
isn't he?

I don't know.

Either he's changed,
or I misjudged him.

But when you see him
up against a man like Alcock,

at least you know
he's got the welfare

of the boys at heart.

Hmm.

Seems a bit of

typically disingenuous
toadying to me,

but I'll sign it.

We smokers
must stick together.

They'd soon be calling
for me in the plain van

if I couldn't have
my 40 a day.

I'm probably correct
in assuming

everyone present knows
why we are assembled.

It is to draw your attention to
a disgusting habit

practiced by the wretched boy
you see before me.

You're aware, of course,

that every school has
strict rules against smoking,

yet the boy Monk saw fit--

indeed, has seen fit
on previous occasions--

to set the rule at defiance.

It had been my intention
to expel this boy forthwith,

but I had second thoughts,

solely due
to an urgent intercession

on the part
of the boy's housemaster

and some of his colleagues,

who begged me--

begged me--

to allow the boy to stay

until he had taken
his matriculation exams.

I was moved to consent.

However, you may take it
as read,

no extenuating circumstances

will influence me
in the future.

Any boy caught smoking,

any boy in possession
of a pipe,

any boy in possession of cigars
or cigarettes

will be sent home
within the hour.

In order to impress this
upon your memory...

I shall destroy
this disgusting implement

in your presence.

Cricklade.

Carry on, Mr. Powlett-Jones.

[Murmuring]

DAVID:
All right.

Dismissed.

CARTER: Come on, Jensen,

put a bit of beef
into it, lad!

Can't bear a boy
who won't try.

If I didn't have
this knee of mine,

I'd make mincemeat
of you, lad.

You're full
of beans today.

I've got to show
the flag.

Not so easy when you get
no encouragement.

I came here because
this was a school

that took sport
seriously.

He's sabotaging all
I've done here, Carter.

The lads know he doesn't
give a damn about sport

or anything else
for that matter

except his damn purges.

Have you noticed
how many boys

are going around looking
over their shoulders?

They don't know where
he's gonna strike next.

He's been quiet enough
since the pipe smashing.

Well, that's just it.

He'll need to taste blood
again soon, won't he?

Bloody old vampire.

I say, steady on, old man.
Part of it all, you know.

I don't know how you keep
so calm and cheerful.

He's had his knife into
you since the start.

I'm cheerful because
I've made up my mind.

I think it was the Stoker
incident that decided me.

I've better things to do
than hang around

supporting a megalomaniac,

First decent opening
I get, I'm off.

Hello, Hislop.

Afternoon, sir.

Who's going to win
the mile, then?

Nokes, I reckon, sir.

Nokes! Never.

Higgins will show him
a clean pair of heels.

I've had the lads in my house
on early morning training.

It's 3:1 against Higgins,
Mr. Carter.

Is it? h* h* h*!

I might take you up
on that, lad.

Go on,
get along with you.

That'll be the day,
when you win a race yourself.


step, and jump,

I'm afraid, sir.

Cheeky beggar, that.

He knows the form,
though.

Nokes will take
the mile again.

You fancy half a crown
on it?

Done.

So you're going
to resign, eh?

Yes.

That's what I wanted
to talk to you about.

I've got one or two ideas
I'd like your advice on.

Why me?

Why not?

I'd only get sarcasm
from Barnaby or Howarth.

To tell you the truth,

I haven't got a lot of time
for those two these days.

At least I know I'll get
a straight answer from you.

Well, that's one way
of putting it.

Yes. Oh, I know.

We behaved like bloody
fools for long enough.

I suppose the least
you could say

is that we know the worst
about each other.

Damn it, you know,

I think sometimes there are
only two of us here

who care about what's
happening to this place.

The others--they moan enough
behind his back,

but you and I, well...

What did you want
my advice about?

Um, well...

I don't know whether
you've ever thought

about a preparatory school--

running one, I mean,
not just teaching in one.

No, I can't say
as I have.

Nice work
if you can get it.

I happen to have my eye
on one at the moment.

As a matter of fact, I've
just secured an option on it.

Nice good-class school, too.

It's only a hundred boys,
but, well,

I think that could be doubled
if someone was prepared

to get it by the scruff
of the neck and shake it.

And you'd be the man
to do that, would you?

I think so, yes.

I've got a bit put by--

quite a bit,
as a matter of fact.

Look, it really is
a splendid prospect.

I've looked into it from
every angle I can think of.

Well, if you're sure
you want to resign,

and you've got
the means to do it,

I can't think
of a better plan.

Best of luck.

But I can't think

why you wanted
my advice, though.

Ah, well, now,

suppose that you
were thinking

about the same
sort of thing.

How much money
could you raise?

Strict confidence,
of course.

I don't see what that's
got to do with it.

Well, it--
it's no secret.

I, uh...I've saved
nearly a thousand,

and I haven't touched
my gratuity,

but my mother's
still alive,

and I have to keep
some by for her.

Oh, yes,
of course you have.

Beth and I insured
our lives

with the children
in mind.

It seemed like a big
joke at the time.

It came to quite
a lot of money.

I didn't know what--

I left it
in the bank.

I'm most dreadfully sorry,
old chap.

I wouldn't have dreamt
of, um, painful memories.

I can't seem to help putting
my big foot into it.

No, it's all right.

No. You know,
I was thinking,

when we were both up
for the headship here,

people like you,
they don't like me.

No, don't interrupt.
I know they don't.

I don't mean to,
but I just can't help

rubbing people up
the wrong way--

you, Barnaby,
Howarth, parents.

Oh, a good few of them come
to respect me in the end,

but you're the sort of chap
they want to meet

on Speech Days
and Sports Days.

Sort of figurehead, eh?

No, you know
I didn't mean that.

I've always wished we'd been
more friendly, you know?

Don't know how things
went wrong.

Oh, dear.

There, you see?

I just can't help
saying the wrong thing.

I'd better push off.

Um, look.

If there's a chance,

I'd like you
to consider the idea.

What idea?

What do you mean?

I'm talking about
the prep school, man.

I'm offering you
a joint headmastership.

A joint headmastership?
You and me?

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Ah, come to gloat over Nokes'
victory, have you, Hislop?

Sorry to
disturb you, sir,

but could I have
a word?

It's a bit urgent.

Yes, well, I've got
to run off anyway.

We'll have that chat
some other time.

All right, Hislop,
what's it all about?

I've had some money
stolen, sir.

Are you sure you
haven't just lost it?

Yes, sir.

Kept it stuffed in
the toe of my slipper

in my laundry basket.

How much was there?

Uh, £8, 12 shillings,
and threepence, sir.

What?

What were you doing
with that lot?

My aunt, sir.

Supposed to put it
in the post office,

but kept it for a binge.

You did, did you?

I wish I could afford
an £8 binge.

Gage has had his
fountain pen taken, sir.

Yes, I know.
He told me.

And Harper had
a postal order taken

the same day
as my money went.

Oh, dear.

So we've got a thief
in the house, eh?

Hasn't happened for years.

Well, you can be sure
we'll find him in the end,

and he'll
have to be expelled,

but it might take
some time.

I shouldn't count on seeing
too much of your money back.

It wasn't one
of the boys, sir.

I wish I shared
your confidence.

I know who took it, sir.

You what?

Cricklade--
school servant.

Just started cleaning
in the house.

You didn't see him?

Trubshawe had seen him go
up there after breakfast,

so Gage and I got Gower
to tip him

to go into the village
for some cigarettes.

When he was gone,
we went through his room.

You took a bit of a risk.

Did you find the money?



and the pen
and the postal order.

Well, you'll have to go
to the head about this.

Oh, we didn't reckon
on that.

We thought it
was house business,

and you could tackle it
on your own, sir.

No, no chance of that,
I'm afraid.

Cricklade's
school servant.

He'll have to be sacked,
and I can't sack him.

You go and see Mr. Alcock.

You've got nothing to fear,
for heaven's sake.

You've been a bit unorthodox
in your methods,

but you've done the right thing
in coming to see me.

I'm sure you'll find him
very fair.

Well, all right, sir.

I--1 should leave the bit out
about the cigarettes, though.

Yes, sir.
I'll go now, then.

Headmaster busy,
Monk?

No, sir, he's out.

Told me to wait
for him here.

Oh.

He's still down at the station
with Hislop, sir.

The police station?

No, the railway station.

Haven't you heard, sir?

Hizzy's been sacked.

You're not pulling
my leg, are you?

No, sir.

Alcock--Mr. Alcock--

found out about him making
a book on Sports Day.

That's where he got
his money, you see.

He does it every year.

And Alcock sacked him
for that?

Didn't even let him pack.

I'm supposed to be
seeing Matron

about sending his things on.

Here he comes now, sir.

Right. Come in, Monk.

Excuse me, Headmaster,
I have something

very urgent to discuss.

I'm very busy.
If you'd care to make an--

Very well, if it's
extremely urgent.

Well, what is it?

This afternoon, I sent
Hislop to see you

about some stolen money.

Quite right. Regrettably,
I had to expel the boy.

Do you mind
telling me why?

He's been engaged
in betting

and enticing
other boys to bet.

He'd made a considerable sum
of money from it.

And why wasn't I
consulted about this?

Because I saw no need
to consult you.

I can make
my own decisions.

You sent me the boy,
and I dealt with him.

When I told him
to see you,

I said that you would
treat him fairly.

Are you telling me that you
knew about this gambling?

No, I'm not.

Then you were rather careless
in your questioning

of the boy, weren't you?

He trusted me.

I told him he could
trust you.

You've simply taken
advantage of his honesty.

No doubt he lied to you
about the source of his money.

We're talking about a liar
and a gambler.

If you expel every boy
who tells a lie

or makes a bet, you'll
have no pupils left

to preach at and bully!

I note your tone.

Perhaps you should
postpone this conversation

until you can conduct
yourself rationally.

I'm sorry.

Very well.

This boy did not
make a bet.

He acted as a bookmaker

to make a profit from
the weakness of others.

His father
is a bookmaker.

There's no law
against it.

There is in my school.

Have you anything else
to say?

Yes, I have.

Just listen to this first
if you would, please.

It's quite clear to me
that you resent me,

that you have set yourself
against me more than once

and encouraged other masters
to do the same.

It occurs to me that you
find it very difficult

to accept my leadership;

that you would be happier
and more successful

at a post elsewhere.

Is that a threat?

Merely an observation

made in a friendly spirit.

I hope I never have
to make the suggestion

in a more emphatic way.

Damn it, man, I've
been at Bamfylde


than you!

Please have the goodness
not to shout at me.

Hislop is gone.
The matter is closed.

Now, it's late.

I'm very tired,

and I have a great deal
of work to complete.

When next you wish
to see me,

be good enough to make
an appointment.