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01x09 - Episode 9

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "To Serve Them All My Days". Aired: 17 October 1980 – 16 January 1981.*
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David Powlett-Jones, a coal miner's son from South Wales, has risen from the ranks and been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the First World w*r.

01x09 - Episode 9

Post by 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

MAN: Trent.

BOY: Catch it,
you fool.

MAN: Come on, Trent.

BOY: Oh, sorry,
Wetherby.

Well hurled.

ALCOCK: "It has not
escaped my notice

"that there a number
of older boys in the school

"who may be seen publicly
consorting,

"for want of a better word,
with younger boys.

"I regard these relationships
with disquiet,

"and I intend to put
a speedy stop to them

"before the reputation of my
school is damaged beyond repair.

"I therefore request that
housemasters furnish me

"with a list of all those boys
whom they suspect to be

"indulging in these
unhealthy friendships

"so that they may be
interrogated

and, if necessary,
dealt with."

Afternoon, Wetherby.

Hello, sir.

How's your protege
coming along?

Well, not at all
badly, sir.

I'm gonna put him
in the house team

for the last game
of the season.

Are you now?
Think you're up to it?

Hope so, sir.

He might get a few
if he remembers

to keep his head
down.

Well, mind you do,
then.

It's time Havelock's
got that cup back.

My uncle's
taking us to Lords

if we win the house
match, sir.

Mmm, lucky for you.

Won't you be there,
then, sir?

Uh, no,
I'm afraid not.

I've got to go
down to Wales.

Look, I'd better
push off now.

Remember, I'm hoping
for great things.

Well, nip up
and get my gear, then.

ALCOCK: Boy.

Come here.

You, too, boy.

Yes, sir?

What is your name,
boy?

Wetherby, sir.

What is your age?



House?

Havelock's, sir.

Havelock's. I see.

I'm captain
of cricket, sir.

And you imply I should
know you already.

I cannot know every boy.

However, I know you now,
Wetherby.

Your name?

Vesey, sir.

And how old are you?





House?

Havelock's, sir.

It's Mr. Powlett-Jones'
house, sir.

I'm aware of that, boy.

I am also aware that
this is a games afternoon.

Why are you not on
the games field?

We were just going
on our way, sir.

The games field lies in
that direction, I think.

Sir, I was just
going up to fetch

Wetherby's bat
and pads.

I see.

Was there something
you wanted

to talk to us about,
Mr. Alcock?

No, not at present.

You may go.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Now, then, David,
what about you?

We're simply longing
for news, you know.

How's the book?

Well--

How are the boys?

And how are all
your colleagues?

Well, how are you?

Ha ha! Well, I'm fine,
I suppose.

The book, David.
Now, what about the book?

Well, it's
nearly finished.

Oh, splendid.

I don't really know
what to do with it.

I think it's served
its purpose.

I think I'll just
put it in a drawer

and forget about it.

My dear old chap,
you must publish it.

Oh, I can't imagine
too many people

wanting to read
David Powlett-Jones--thank you--

David Powlett-Jones
on Margaret of Anjou.

Well, I can--
thousands of people.

Thank you, dear.

Well,
we certainly do.

Now, there you are.

You just get it
bundled up

and send it off
to the publisher.

Now, what about the
laborers in the vineyard?

How are they facing up
to the new regime?

Well, not...
not too well, I'm afraid.

Hmm?

Irving's looking
for a school

that takes games as
seriously as he does,

and Carter's leaving
as soon as he can

to buy a prep school.

Well, what about
you?

Well, Carter's made me
an offer of partnership,

as a matter of fact.

Thank you.
Carter?

Yes. I was surprised
as well.

Well, you're not
going to take it?

I don't know.
It's very tempting,

the way things are
at the moment.

Aha. Alcock, eh?

Do you know
what he's done now?

He's started a...
a sort of purge on friendships.

He can't see two boys
walking around the school

without--without thinking
they're, well...

well, perverted.

He's got a mind
like a sewer.

Now, strong words,
David.

That kind of thing can be
a very difficult problem

for a head, you know.

It's not a problem
at all at Bamfylde.

You remember when you
first came here?

You had a very wary
look about you.

I wouldn't mind betting
you expected to find

all kinds of
unnatural practices

in an English
public school, eh?

I soon changed my mind--
about Bamfylde, at any rate.

Well, you won't put
a stop to affection

by making a few rules,
in my humble opinion.

The poor little toads
are simply bursting with

finer feelings and emotions,
and good luck to them.

Let the little chaps have
their gods and heroes,

and let the heroes have
their little proteges.

It's when things
get bottled up

that it all leads
to trouble.

Exactly.

Mind you, there have been
one or two cases

when things got a little,
uh...overheated.

I daresay you've had to do
a little gentle discouraging

on 2 or 3 occasions, eh?

Keep it all in the house?
Not a word to Algy?

Am I right?

Well, I suppose so,
but...

Well, aren't you
furious about this?

Can't you see
he's going to poison

the whole atmosphere
with his informers

and his
interrogations?

Our Mr. Alcock has
made a rod

for his own back,
I fear.

Oh, it's a
terribly lonely life

for a headmaster,
you know.

Nobody understands him.

Skulking alone there
in his silent study,

wondering what the staff
are saying about him,

wondering what new
revolution's being plotted.

He longs to have someone
to pour his soul out to,

but who can he trust?

You know, David,
when a school's

going through
a difficult patch,

it's very easy to lose
your sense of proportion.

Now, things could be
a lot worse, eh?

Well, the boy's
sound in mind,

and that's rare enough
these days.

Oh, Wetherby ran
rings around him

in the debate.

Look here,
who's borrowed

my squash
racquet?

Not me,
old boy.

Oh, come on,
isn't anybody

going to admit
to it?

Have they brought
the second post up yet?

Not yet.

Let me know
when they do.

I'm expecting
something.

Look who's
coming.

I wonder
what he wants.

It's damn
bad form.

Algy Herries
never came in here.

Perhaps he wants to
make friends.

He won't find
any here.

Carter. Look, Carter,

have you had
my squash racquet?

No, I haven't.
Don't play. Gammy knee.

Yes. Well,
look here, some--

Well, look here,
somebody's got it.

Gentlemen.

I say again,

has anyone seen
my squash racquet?

I was supposed to be
over at the courts

coaching 5 minutes ago.

Mr. Irvine,
if you'd be so good.

Ahem!

I realize, gentlemen,

I'm interrupting
your morning break,

but I want to speak to you
about an important matter.

A few days ago I sent
the housemasters a note

on the subject of unsuitable
and unhealthy friendships.

It has so far
produced no response.

I should like to know why.

I should also make it clear
it is the duty

of every member of staff
to take note of these

sentimental friendships
between senior and junior boys.

And can I ask what we're
supposed to do about it?

Simply report it to me,
Irvine.

I will relieve you of
the task of

interrogating the boys
if you find it

too much for you.

Headmaster?

Mr. Barnaby.

There's nothing
of that kind

in my house,
I can assure you.

Friendships, yes,
but harmless ones.

I didn't want to
trouble you with

a blank report.

Harmless friendships between
senior and junior boys?

What makes you so sure
of that?

I am sure about the boys
in my house.

I don't speak for
anyone else.

I see.

Then, gentlemen,
what I should like from you

is a list of these
innocent friendships.

I hope
I make myself clear.

By Monday, please.
Thank you, gentlemen.

DAVID: Headmaster?

Yes?

I shan't be sending
a list.

I'm also sure about
the boys in my house,

and I will not be a
party to treating them

like criminals.

I see.

Thank you, Powlett-Jones,
for being so frank.

Good for you,
old man.

I wish I'd thought
to say it.

He'll get no list
from me, either.

[Slam]

It's intolerable!

Who'd believe one man
could spread so much misery?

Oh, come now, isn't that
putting it a bit strong?

No, it isn't.

Little Stevenson
in my house

was in tears
last night.

He'd had 20 minutes
with Alcock.

Not the faintest idea
what the man

was getting at, except
it was very serious,

he must have done
something terrible,

and Alcock was
threatening to write

to his father.

Poor little beggar.

My senior dorm seems
to have tumbled it.

They leap away from
each other like jack rabbits

every time I set foot
in the place.

Um...Barnaby.

Hmm?

Don't you think we're
running rather a risk?

What do you mean?

Well, up here alone together
without a chaperone?

If Alcock sees us, we'll be
on the carpet tomorrow.

I'm afraid I can't
find it funny.

Never imagined myself
moving from this place,

but if there's much more
of this sort of thing,

I'll be applying
for other jobs,

like Carter and Irvine.

Seriously?

Seriously.

Haven't you
considered it?

For the odd
fleeting moment.

But who would
have us, Barnaby?

Who would have us?

Jacklin. Yes.

Not a bad little essay,
but what a map.

I've never seen anything
quite so messy.

Did you hold the pen
in your toes?

[Laughter]

Pendleton kept
jogging my elbow, sir.

All right, do it again.
Take out a new page.

And this time I want to be
amazed by your neatness.

Vesey. Scrappy.

Where's Vesey?

He's not here, is he?

He had go and see
the headmaster,

Mr. Powlett-Jones.

And Wetherby.

It'll be your turn
next, Pendleton.

[Laughter]

All right! Be quiet.

Alston.
Yes, sir.

Cloudsley.

Trent Minor.

Hamilton.
Trent Major.

All right, listen.

I want you to
take out a new page

and trace the map
on page 74.

Don't fill in
the place names.

I want that completed
in 20 minutes.

Any questions?

Good. Carry on.

I see, so you go to
his study, make tea for him,

and he coaches you
in batting.

Anything else?

Well, we sometimes
go for a walk.

What for?

Just to walk, sir.

And we talk.
That's all.

And on these occasions,
does he touch you?

What do you mean, sir?

The question's clear enough.
Yes or no?

Yes, sir.

In what way?

Well...I don't know.

You're bound to touch,
aren't you, sir?

Like, if he's correcting
my stance in the nets.

Nothing else?

No, sir.

I do not believe
you, boy.

It's true, sir.

Vesey, I shall ask you
once again.

Has he on any occasion
interfered with your person?

No, sir, there's
nothing like that.

There's nothing filthy
about it.

But you do know boys
who do indulge in

that sort of thing?

No, sir.

Then why did you use
the word "filthy" just then?

You must have
something in mind.

No, sir, honestly,
I didn't.

Vesey, you must understand,
I don't regard you

as the major culprit,
being much the younger boy.

Now, if you cooperate and
answer my questions fully,

I propose to deal with you
more leniently

than perhaps you deserve.

Now, I shall ask you
once again.

What were you
referring to just then?

[Knock on door]

Mr. Powlett-Jones,
this is most inconvenient.

You can see
that I'm engaged.

Please wait outside
or make an appointment.

It's very important,
Headmaster.

I have something
that relates to this boy.

It's been on my conscience,
and I felt

you ought to know it
straightaway.

I see. I'm glad
you reconsidered.

What is it?

Don't you think
it would be better

if Vesey were
to wait outside?

I see no reason for this.
Please say what you have to say.

As you wish.

It's a letter from
Vesey's father.

This is
the relevant paragraph.

Uh, "The boy's bound
to feel a bit low,

"seeing that the regiment's
likely to stay in India

"for the next two years.

"But Captain Wetherby
happened to mention

"that his younger boy
is still with you.

"Could you put in a word
with young Wetherby

"on the boy's behalf?

"I don't want him coddled,

"but it was a great relief
to his mother

"to learn that a friend
of the family

would be keeping
an eye on him."

Wait outside, Vesey.

I expected no cooperation
from you, Powlett-Jones.

What I did not expect
was that you would

deliberately sabotage
my work

when I am on the verge
of uncovering a network

of unnatural practices
in this school

and furthermore,
that you would seek

to make a fool of me
in front of one of the boys.

It was you that asked him
to stay, not me,

and this network of yours
is all in your imagination.

Can't you see
the harm you're doing?

Get out of my study.

You're going to regret this
very bitterly.

P.J., glad I caught you.
Off to the valleys?

Yes, I couldn't wait
to get away.

Look, what's the matter?
I've got to get a train.

I won't keep you long.
It's all settled.

The prep school?
Yeah.

I had a phone call
from the agents yesterday.

Handed in my resignation
this morning.

He didn't like it,

but I don't need
his references.

It's a marvelous
feeling.

Yes, I can see it is.

Well, how about you, then?
The offer still stands.

Equal partners.
What do you say?

Thanks very much,
but no.

Why ever not?

It's a hell of a
generous offer--

Look, don't say no.
Catch a later train.

Let's talk about it.

I'll come down to Wales
with you if I have to.

Look, I have
thought about it,

and, well, someone's
got to hang on.

Someone's got to hang on
for the sake of the boys.

You're a damn fool.

Well, maybe I am,
but I'm staying.

Look, I hope that
doesn't leave you

strapped for the money.

Oh, never mind
about the money.

I can raise
the lot myself.

Damn it, man, it's you
I wanted, not the money.

All right. Fair enough.

Look, you'll manage
well enough without me.

You know that.

Yes, I will.
You can be sure of that.

And if you ever manage
to get rid of the swine,

I'll send my lads
on to Bamfylde.

Look, sorry, I must go.

Well, cheerio, P.J.
Have a good holiday.

I've enjoyed
working with you.

Thanks, and good luck.

WOMAN: And the thing
that I find exciting

going from one part
of the country to another

is that working people
are coming together

more than ever before.

The men in the Manchester mills,
and the women,

know about your struggles
in the mines,

and they're supporting
your struggles,

and they are counting on
your support for them.

And their employers are
shaking in their shoes,

because they know
they're going to get it.

Time for one more
question, boys.

I can see the ladies
are ready with the tea.

We can't keep
the ladies waiting.

I've got a question
for Miss Forster.

MAN: Come on, then,
Emrys.

Well, now,
I've been sitting here

listening patiently,
and from what I've heard,

you wouldn't
think we had

a socialist government
in this country.

I mean, tell me
if I'm wrong, like,

but I read in the papers
that the prime minister's

called Ramsay MacDonald,
and he's a socialist.

Well, what I want
to know is,

if he's a socialist,
and if he's the prime minister,

why don't he bring down
unemployment

and nationalize the whole
bloody mining industry?

I've talked to Mr. Powlett-Jones
before about this,

and I know his views
very well.

I know you're impatient,
but just remember,

Labor won the election
against every forecast

and with pitifully small
election funds.

And we're hanging on to
a tiny majority in Parliament

with a world depression
threatening from outside.

If we don't support
this government,

we'll be fragmenting
and destroying

the whole labor movement.

We can't afford to fight
an election now,

and if we
force the pace,

we'll be handing over
to the Tories.

You don't want that, do you,
Mr. Powlett-Jones?

Ramsay and Snowden
and Jimmy Thomas,

they're good men.

We've got to trust
our leaders

and consolidate our gains

so that when we go
to the country again,

we'll have such a mandate
from the people

that even
Emrys Powlett-Jones

can have all
the nationalization he wants.

Thank you,
and it is time for tea.

You didn't tell me
you knew her.

Oh, aye.

She's been down here
a couple of times

looking for a
constituency, see?

Wants to be in
Parliament.

Funny-looking
little thing, isn't she?

More like a whippet
than a woman.

I'd like to meet her.

Well, I could do that
for you, Davy.

Glad to. You won't
like her, though.

She's too tough
for you, boy.

She'll have you
in tatters.

Hmm.

Well said,
Emrys, boy.

Nice to see you
home, Davy.

It ought to be
well said by now.

He asks the same question
at every meeting.

Still waiting for
the answer, too.

Miss Forster, this
is my brother Davy--

home for the
holidays.

He wanted to be
introduced.

Glad to
meet you.

Lads are all
here, Di.

Lead me to it,
then, boy.

Emancipation hasn't gone
very far in the valleys,

has it?

They don't quite know
what to do with

a woman politician.

They'd be much happier
if I'd stay in the kitchen,

brewing up tea
with the lady members.

Oh, they gave you
a hearing.

Worth listening,
too, if I may say.

Oh, they'll give me
a hearing,

but I can whistle
for a constituency.

I'll have to fight
a couple of no-hopers

before I have any chance
of a working-class seat.

It's fair enough,
I suppose.

Tea?

Thank you.

You don't look like
a miner.

No, I'm not.
Youngest son, you see.

It happens a lot
around here.

My mother wouldn't
let them take me

down the pit.

I couldn't begin to guess
what you do now.

Oh, I'm a teacher.

Yes, of course,
what else?

In London?

No, in Devon.
It's a boarding school.

It's a public school?

Yes.

So that's
your contribution

to the class struggle,
is it--get on and get out?

What?

Well, really,

what's a miner's son
and a socialist--

You are a socialist,
aren't you?

Yes, I am.

What on earth are you
doing in a place like that?

I'm earning my living
doing what I can do best.

But you must see that...

Oh, all right, I'm sorry.
It's not important.

I may as well ask you

what you think you're
doing on your hind legs

in a miner's
social club?

A bit of
genteel slumming?

I wouldn't have thought

that your family was
short of a bob or two.

That's not fair.

I can't help being
my parents' child.

No, of course you can't.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't
have said that.

Look, Mr. Powlett-Jones,

it's been very
interesting to meet you,

but it's been a long day,
and I'm very tired.

I think I'd better
get back to my digs

and have
a night's rest.

But look here--

I'm sorry if I've
embarrassed or upset you.

It's quite unimportant
what one person

chooses to do with
his life, after all.

If you could say
good-bye and thanks

to Di Evans for me,
I'd be very grateful.

I don't feel like intruding
on his little clique again.

Look, wait a moment,
please, uh...

Well, let me walk you
back, at least.

Are the streets here
so dangerous, then?

I'd rather you didn't.
Good night.

No, look, wait a moment,
please...

I can't leave it
like this.

I'm afraid you're
going to have to.

You're staying at
Mrs. Edwards', are you?

Yes. How did you know?

Well, there's not
a lot of choice.

Don't have the
shepherd's pie, though.

They say she puts
minced moan in it.

That could well be true.
I had it for tea.

Look, Mr. Powlett-Jones,

I'm sure you're a very
charming young man,

but you're wasting
your time. Now--

You're very patronizing,
aren't you?

I often wondered
what these

upper-class socialists
were like.

I'm not being
patronizing.

I'm simply trying to
extricate myself

as politely as I can

in order that I may
get back to my digs

and have a night's rest.

All right,
I would find you

a lot more interesting
if you'd come back

to teach here,
where you're needed.

I haven't sold my soul
to the devil, you know.

I may well come back
and teach here.

But if you knew anything
at all about public schools,

you'll know that they're in
much more need of enlightenment.

People here know
what the world's like.

It's at places
like Bamfylde

that they need someone
to tell them.

Bamfylde?

Yes. Do you know it?

My cousin went there.

Small world.

Yes, small and insular
and privileged.

You can't change
the rich

through education,
you know.

Somebody managed
to change you.

All right,
Mr. Powlett-Jones.

You've made your point.

Could you just possibly
go away

and leave me alone now?

With pleasure.
Good night, Miss Forster.

It's Mrs.,
in point of fact.

Good night.

This is absurd.

I beg your pardon?

I suppose we're both
catching

the Cardiff train.

I suppose so, yes.

We might as well be
civilized about it,

don't you think?

We didn't manage
too well last night.

All right,
that was my fault.

I was pretty bloody
to you. Sorry.

There's no need
to apologize.

Well, it's done now.

Is your brother on
the early shift?

Yes. Since 6:00.

It's hard to
imagine them--

the men I was
talking to last night

miles underneath
the ground.

Have you ever been
down there, then?

They wouldn't let
a woman down there.

I know what it's like,
though.

Rowley used to talk
a lot about

the dignity of labor.

It's hard to see where
the dignity is

when you're crawling on
your hands and knees

in an inch of water
up a half-mile tunnel.

Rowley's a miner,
is he?

God, no, he's never done
a day's manual labor

in his life.

Rowley was my husband.

Still is
in the eyes of God.

He's Roman Catholic.

Rowley at the coal face.

That's something
I'd love to see.

What does he do, then?

He's a university
lecturer.

In Canada at the moment,
I'm happy to say.

He's one of the
privileged, like you.

If you knew anything
about Bamfylde,

you'd realize
that you are mistaken.

I do know something
about it.

I told you,
I've been there.

You can't have taken
very much in, then.

Quite enough, thank you.

Anyway, l...I might not
be there much longer.

Really?
You've seen the light?

No, the headmaster's
trying to get me dismissed.

He sees me as a
disruptive influence.

And are you?

Yes.

Well, well,
there's more to you

than meets the eye.

I think
it's stopped raining.

Yes, there you are.

You don't have to
talk to me anymore.

Rowley was
my moral tutor

at Durham University.

In this capacity,
he introduced me

to socialism...

then to his bed...

then married me,

much to the disgust
of his grand family.

And he quarreled
with me.

Finally, he left me.

Nothing stuck
except the socialism.

See? No scars.

[Bell ringing]

How long ago was this?

We parted two years ago.

No wonder you're still
bitter about it.

I didn't say I was
bitter about it.

You didn't have to.

My wife was k*lled
in a car crash 9 years ago.

Ah, so we're a couple of
emotional cripples.

Politics is full of
people who can't

cope with
their own lives.

I worry about that
a lot,

as a matter of fact.

I shouldn't.

If you're doing
something worthwhile,

that's good in itself,
isn't it?

Yes, you're right.
To hell with psychology.

Will we see each other
again, do you think?

I don't know.

I won't be in Wales
again this year.

Oh.

I'm trying to avoid
any sort of

emotional entanglement.

Sorry if that sounds
presumptuous.

I don't know
what you have in mind.

Neither do I.

All right, look,
there is just a chance

I might get adopted
as Labor Candidate

for Bilhampton.

If I do, I could do with
some support

at the adoption meeting.

I'll speak for you,
if you like.

Do you think you're
good enough?

Well, if last night
was a sample of your style,

you'll be lucky
to have me.

All right, then.

You'd better be good
after that.

If I am, will you
promise me something?

What?

Come and spend a day
at Bamfylde.

You obviously haven't
the faintest idea

what it's really like.

I know exactly what it's
like, thank you very much.

All right, I'll come,

but don't expect me to
change my mind about it.

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, uh, who's going to
write to the contractors,

you or me?

Oh, leave that to me.
I'll sort it out.

Good.
Thank you.

Excuse me, Sir Rufus,
could I have

a private word?

Yes, of course,
yes.

Well, I'll be moving
along, then.

Right.

What's it about, hmm?

I would rather we
weren't overheard.

I'll walk over
later, Herries.

Don't wait for me.

Oh, right.
Well, I'll trot along

and get my tea, then.

Good afternoon to you,
Mr. Alcock.

Good afternoon.

Can I depend upon
this conversation

as being completely
confidential?

Well, I can't say till
I know what it's about.

My job is being made
increasingly impossible

by the attitude of
some of my senior staff.

I found feel bound to
ask for your support.

Ah, well, I'm sorry
to hear that, Alcock.

I thought things
were settling down

rather well.

It's one man
in particular--

Powlett-Jones.

Powlett-Jones?

Always thought
quite highly of him.

He's consistently refused
to support me

in the exercise
of discipline.

He has gone
out of his way to

stir up dissent amongst
the other masters.

I think you'll have
to be specific.

I'm quite prepared
to be.

Last term I uncovered
a number of, um...

unhealthy friendships

between senior
and junior boys.

What?

The school was rife with--

No, no.
Wait a minute, please.

This is
a serious matter.

I'd be happier

if you brought it
before the board.

I duly intend to, Sir Rufus,
when my investigations

are complete,
and complete them I will,

with or without the
cooperation of my staff.

Uh...

Now, I'd like you to
listen to me for a moment.

Of course, now, we've had
a few upheavals of late--

staff changes
and so on.

Lost Carter and Irvine
last term, both senior men.

Good men, too.

Carter's attitude was as
bad as Powlett-Jones'

and for the same reason.

I hope that you're not
implying that--

I am not implying
anything, man,

but what we require now
is a period of stability.

I do what I think
to be right.

Yes, of course, you do,

and I've no doubt that
Powlett-Jones does the same.

I've given him
every opportunity

to cooperate with me.
He refuses.

I demand the support of
the Governors.

Well, very well.

If you insist on
going ahead,

it'll have to be brought
before the next

Governors' meeting with
formal notice of a hearing

so that Powlett-Jones
can have time to get himself

legally represented.

That surely isn't
necessary.

It's how I'd advise him
professionally.

This could mean
the ruin of his career.

I think you'd do as well
to consider it, too.

Well, if that's
what I have to do.

No. Take my advice, man.

Think of some other way,
for all our sakes.

Good morning.

BOTH: Good morning.

Ah, David,

glad you decided
to martyr yourself

for another term.

Frankly, these new men
don't promise to be

very scintillating.

One of them asked me,
"Do you play golf?"

I replied,
"Occasionally,

but I prefer
to play by myself."

I think you're
very malicious.

In the course of time,
I'll unbend to the man.

So you turned Carter's
offer down, hmm?

Yes, I did, in the end.

Felt a bit bad about it,
but he let me off the hook.

Seems he managed to find
all the money himself.

Indeed he has.

I, uh, loaned him 3,000

at a very gentle rate
of interest.

You did?

Seemed a good way of
k*lling two birds

with one stone,
dear boy--

hasten the departure of
my esteemed colleague

and remove his need to
take you with him.

That's worth spending


Oh, I don't doubt
I'll get it back.

Carter will be
a roaring success

as a prep school head...

in every sense.

It's a long-term
investment

in another way, too.

Oh? What's that?

In my state of
decrepitude,

intelligent conversation

is one of the few
pleasures left to me.

I should miss you
very much

if you left, you know.

I don't want to spend
my declining years

talking about golf.

Now, I'd like to turn away
from the present for a moment.

You all know
that I'm a teacher.

Well, history's my subject
and my passion,

and I'm proud to
be speaking

here in Bilhampton
tonight,

where men have
been ready to die

for their resistance to
injustice.

It's very moving for me
to know that I am

speaking to people
whose ancestors were hanged

in Judge Jeffries'
bloody assizes.

It's men like those
ancestors of yours

that won us
the right to vote,

to speak freely,

to decide how we're taxed
and how we're governed.

And you know
better than anyone else

how important it is
not to let up,

but to carry on
the fight

wherever your rights
are threatened.

And I can assure you,

you couldn't have chosen
a better candidate.

She's got ability,
and she's got guts,

and I know that you're
gonna help her

win this seat
from the Tories.

So, you could see it was
quite a problem

for Henry, wasn't it?

He quite liked the look
of Katherine,

and Katherine quite liked
the look of him,

and it would solve
a number of problems

for both countries
if they could get together,

but there was one snag.

He couldn't
speak a word of French,

and she couldn't speak
a word of English.

Well, how do you
make love to a woman

when you don't even
talk the same language?

Yes, we know, Jacklin,
but you can't

take liberties
with princesses.

They're not
used to it.

Yes, Vesey.

Sign language, sir?

Yes. Let's see,
how would that work?

Come on out front.
You're Henry V.

Jacklin, you're
the French princess.

[Laughter
and indistinct chatter]

All right,
off you go.

All right, just hold it
there a minute, Vesey.

I'm sorry, Barnaby.
Are we disturbing you?

No, no, no, no.

The noble Alcock's
compliments,

and would you step
across to his study?

What, now?

I'm afraid so, yes.

You wouldn't mind taking over
for the moment, would you?

With pleasure.

Now then, this is
the Lower Fourth, is it not?

ALL: Yes, sir.

I am delighted to make
your acquaintance.

And your name is...

Jacklin, sir.

Well, then, Jacklin,
perhaps you would

explain to me
the stage you have

reached in the lesson.

Uh...yes, sir.

Well, I'm a
French princess.

[Laughter]

[Knock on door]

ALCOCK: Come in.

You did ask
to see me, Headmaster.

Please sit down.

Would you read this
newspaper report, please,

and tell me
whether there has been

any unfortunate confusion
of identity?

No. I did speak
at this meeting, and...

that's a pretty fair
report of what I said.

I see. Can I have
the cutting back, please?

Thank you.

Yes, thank you,
Powlett-Jones.

That will be all.

No. Look, what's
all this about?

I don't wish to
discuss it further.

You have a class now,
I believe.

You sent for me
in the middle of class

to ask me about
a meeting I spoke at

during the holidays.

I have every right to
know what it's about.

Very well, I simply
wish to ascertain

whether you had chosen
to continue your vendetta

against me to the extent
of bringing my school

into public disrepute.

It's got nothing
to do with you

or the school.

Damn it, a man's
political opinions

are his own business.

I don't wish to
argue with you,

still less exchange
profanities.

You're not at one of your
street corner meetings now,

but I would have thought that
even you would have recognized

that a schoolmaster's public
conduct reflects on the school,

and that you have brought
Bamfylde into disrepute.

Perhaps I should not
be surprised.

It follows a pattern.

Do you mind telling me
what else

you've got
in that file?

I do. I regard the request
as impertinent.

Well, that's that, then,
isn't it?

Wait a moment, David.

Please sit down again.

I have no wish
to harm you personally.

It must be clear
to you by now, though,

that I'm not going to
change my ways to suit you,

despite your attempts to
undermine my position here.

On the contrary, because of
your unprofessional conduct,

it is your career
that's in jeopardy.

The facts
are indisputable.

I don't want your career
destroyed, Powlett-Jones.

At another school you might
make a valuable contribution.

Your colleague Carter
chose to resign.

I think you should consider
following his example.

There would be
no urgency.

I would take your word
as a gentleman

that you were
seeking other posts,

and you need not
concern yourself

about my references.

They would contain no comment
on your opposition to me.

Oh, no.

You want to
get rid of me,

you're gonna have to
get me dismissed

if you think that
the evidence

in that little
file of yours

is strong enough
to doit.

I'll go back to
my class now,

with your permission,
Headmaster.

I'm sorry.
The taxi was late.

Well, I came at last.

Did you think
I never would?

Well, I didn't
think you would.

I keep hearing rumors
about snap elections.

Oh, Bilhampton can get on
without me for one day.

I think the agent will
be glad to get rid of me.

He says none of the other
candidates he's known

has given him
such a bad time.

Is he any good?

He would be if he thought
I had a chance.

"Leave it to me,
Mrs. Forster," he says.

"I am a local man, I know
how to handle local people."

What he means is
he's superior

biologically,
geographically, and...

Oh, let's forget
about him.

Lead on, David.

Let's go and imbibe some
of those age-old values.

Sorry.

It's good
to see you.

Look at that--

generation after generation
of little upper-class vandals.

Don't you give them


for defiling the chapel?

No, it's tolerated.

One of our age-old
traditions, do you see?

Yes, I do.

You institutionalize
rebellious tendencies;

give them a set place
in your scheme of things,

and that way you
render them harmless.

It's what
the ruling class

has always done
in this country.

Hey, I'm not a public
meeting, you know.

Oh, I'm just whistling
in the dark, really.

This place still
gives me the shivers.

I keep forgetting
you've been here before.

I was just a little girl,

and my cousin Harry
was being confirmed.

I think it was
the Bishop of Exeter.

I remember a lot of
big boys

looking down
their noses at me

and Harry being so
embarrassed to see me here

in his man's world.

When we were little, we used
to climb trees together.

Then every time he came home
for the holidays,

he was further
away from me--

more and more like a
stuffy English gentleman.

I hated Bamfylde
for that.

He's planting tea in
Malaya now, I think.

I'll bet he doesn't
climb trees there.

I'd hate to think that
that's what we do

to the boys here.

I spend all my time
trying

to open their minds,
not close them.

David, there's
only one of you.

What can you hope to
achieve against all this?

You should get out
before it sucks you down.

Well, I might not have
any choice about that.

What do you mean?

Well, I--

Oh, can't we go out
into the air now?

I can't breathe
in here.

DAVID: Good afternoon,
Headmaster.

May I introduce
Mrs. Christine Forster?

How do you do?

Mrs. Forster's
the Labor candidate

for Bilhampton.

I see.

Excuse me,
Powlett-Jones.

You really are
in a fight, aren't you?

He looks like
a bad enemy.

He's got most of
the big g*ns, too.

David, if you
have to resign,

it could be the best thing
that happened to you.

Experience unemployment
at first hand,

do you mean?

No, you could go
into politics.

They'd soon find you
a seat.

What would I do
till I won it?

I've got to have a job.

I haven't got a rich
family like you,

and this is
the only job I can do.

God, I'm a fool
sometimes.

I'm supposed to be
a socialist, and here I am

having the basic realities
of life explained to me

in a public school,
of all places.

Look, um, do you really
have to be

in Bilhampton tonight?

I was hoping
we could have dinner.

I could easily book you
a room in Challacombe,

and, well,
you could travel back

in the morning.

I'd like that, I think,
but I promised.

I've got a meeting
first thing in the morning.

Oh.

Look, I was going to
ask you this,

but I didn't know
how to put it

so you'd understand.

The family's got a little
cottage in Windermere

that I use sometimes.

I was thinking of
going up there next weekend

while I've still
got the chance.

If you can get away,
would you like to come, too?

Oh, I don't think I can.

Yes, I will.
I'll manage it somehow.

There's just one thing,
David.

I don't mean...

Oh, this is ridiculous.

The thing is, we wouldn't
be sleeping together.

I don't want to get
involved in that way.

I haven't got time for it,
and I couldn't cope with it.

I thought I ought
to tell you that.

Do you still
want to come?

Yes.

Ha ha! Come on.

[Thunder]

Here.

[Rain falling]

You sure
you'll be all right?

Oh, I'm fine.

I'm better off
than you down here.

I've got the fire.

Oh, I'll be cozy enough.

Sorry about
the weather, David.

It isn't always
like this.

Yes,
you slipped up there.

I've had a marvelous day,
Chris.

Good. So have I.

Well, I think
I'll go up.

Good night, then.

Do you know how to turn
the oil lamp down?

Yes, I think I might
be able to manage.

Then I'll say
good night, then.

If you need anything,
just give me a call.

Good night, Chris.

[Chris screaming]

Chris?
Are you all right?

[Chris screaming]

No, don't.
Don't. No.

Chris?

No, don't, no.

Wake up.
Chris, wake up.

Don't!
Don't, please!

Wake up.
It's me. It's David.

You're dreaming.

Chris, wake up, it's me.
It's all right.

You're dreaming.
It's over now.

Oh, God.
Oh, God, I'm sorry.

Oh, it's Rowley,
you see.

I keep dreaming
he's come back,

and he's hitting me.

It's such
a terrible dream.

It's all over.

Oh, it's so
humiliating.

It's nearly 3 years now
and thousands of miles,

but I can't stop
dreaming he's come back.

I'm still
frightened of him.

He didn't really
hit you, did he?

Yes, he did.

Beat me up quite badly
sometimes.

Oh, I don't think
he could help it.

He did love me, but...

Oh, I was very innocent,
you see.

It took me
a long time to work out

that was the only way
he could get himself...

worked up.

Oh, God.

So, when I get
bad dreams now,

that's what
I dream about.

It's over now.
I'll be all right now.

Thank you for coming up.

MacDonald sold out.

He's going to form
a national government!

What?

MacDonald.
He's sold us all out.

Where have you been?

Been up for hours.

Didn't you hear
what I said?

MacDonald's going to get
a national government.

I never thought
he'd do that.

He sold us all out--

him and Snowden
and Jimmy Thomas.

God, it makes you sick.

What are you doing?

I'm getting an 11:00 train
back this morning.

What?

I must have even less chance
now than I had before,

but we've got to
get out against him.

I'll try to phone
and book a hall for tonight.

Did you say you were
going back this morning?

Yes, of course, that's
what I came to tell you.

You mustn't come.
You stay here.

Take your time, and, uh,
lock up when you go.

I'm sorry, David,
but it's not my fault.

Ramsay MacDonald's got
that to answer for, too.

Not content with
betraying the whole

labor movement, he's got
to ruin our weekend.

Now, I think there's
enough bacon

for your breakfast.

But you can't just
rush off like that.

But I've got to.
You must see that.

If I don't go now,

I'm going to miss
the train.

Then miss it!

Look, we've got to
have time to talk.

Last night--

I can't talk about that.
That was just...

something that happened.

We'll have to leave it
like that.

Don't look at me
like that, David.

I'll try and find time
to write to you.

Take care of yourself.

Good luck
with your feud

with old
what's-his-name.