Original subtitles

I think I can hear it.

I don't believe in a stupid sea monster.

It crawled out of the sea, into the lighthouse.

It was bigger than a cart horse, with tentacles and big red eyes.

And each tentacle had a snake's head at its end.

Davey, you're not fooling me.

If you don't believe anything's in there, then why don't you go in?

Why don't you?

I dare you, dear.

Who does the monster come in here anyway?

Cuz.

It's hungry.

That doesn't make a bit of sense.

Darn, I'd forgotten how many steps there were.

But the view was well worth it.

What on earth is the matter with you children?

You look as if you've seen a ghost.

It's not easy now. It's still a bit wet.

There we go.

There we go.

Very nice indeed.

Where is Madam Secretary?

This bit of authority has made you lately bugle even more puffed up than

Something I'd not have thought possible.

Well, organizing the entire fall fair can't be an easy job. Nonsense. I

volunteered as secretary eight years running.

Really, that woman drives me to distraction.

Well, here I am.

Afternoon, all.

Well, there you are. We were beginning to wonder.

Am I late? To tell you the truth, I don't know whether I'm coming or going.

Well, I see I'm not the last.

We can't start without the president.

Mr. Tremaine will be along shortly. He's bringing along a guest to the meeting.

Oh? And these gentlemen here refuse to disclose who the guest is or

why he's coming. It's most aggravating.

The gentleman in question approached the Knights of Pea Island with a certain

proposition.

And Mr. Tremaine wanted to bring this to you himself.

Well, I guess the excitement is too much for Rachel.

I hear she's out picking daisies. No, she's very well these days. She's fully

recovered, isn't she, Hattie?

Oh, Rachel's fine.

Not entirely her old self, perhaps, but...

Shall we proceed?

I thought

you'd grown out of all those silly pranks.

Sorry, Dora.

But she started to believe there were real monster things underneath the sea.

Oh, and you don't. No.

No, that's baby stuff.

Well, maybe it isn't.

Think of all the strange sea creatures we already know exist.

Oysters and starfish.

Sharks and whales.

Jellyfish. Crabs walking sideways.

Lobsters. Is there anything odder than a lobster?

Think of seahorses and selkies and mermaids.

No, you're not through with surprises till you're dead. You surely aren't.

Ah!

Teddy's going to give me gip for missing that fair board meeting today.

Too bad.

Too nice a day to stay indoors.

That's why I came out here in the first place.

And in conclusion, as all the proceeds are going to the Avonlea Poundling home,

let's make the Avonlea Fair of 1911 the best fair ever. Oh, yes.

Now, I say that that's... All of us.

Madame Decretory.

It's about time.

And we, the knights of Prince Edward Island, that is, have come up with an

that I'm sure will give our orphans a reason to cheer.

In short, we have decided to add to the attractions of our fair

a travelling midway.

What? Ladies, please, now hear me out. Don't remain.

Never. Not. Not once in all our days have we... I know it's novel.

Novel?

Deplorable is more like it. Are you right in amusements?

I mean, let's face it, the fattest pig in the county is not exactly the draw it

used to be.

Midway, those roustabouts attract a certain element.

Hubbledy -ho is a bedless stripe.

Using cuss words and spitting. Oh, and drink.

And gaming, I hear.

And... Women.

Of relaxed morals.

The less there on that subject, the better.

No, to put it simply, no, it won't do.

You can't think I'd encourage that sort of midway, Hetty King.

Is there any other sort?

Indeed there is, ma 'am.

Indeed there is.

Allow me to introduce Mr. Lemuel Snib, owner and proprietor of Snib

Travelling Midway.

And privileged to be your guest.

I pride myself that I offer innocent and wholesome diversion for all ages.

What young heart is not thrilled at the sight of a ferris wheel?

And as for sideshows, nothing that could bring a blush to the most maidenly

cheek. Mr. Stibb has offered to donate the midway proceeds to us, taking a mere

10 % profit beyond his own cost.

Very affecting, Mr.

Stibb.

But I'm afraid we decline.

No, no, thank you.

You'll wait for that.

I've already signed the agreement, which, as fair board president, I have

right to do.

So, that's the end of it.

Simon's remain has lost his mind.

Rachel, here is the piece de resistance.

Simon Tremayne has given the man a deposit of $100.

And, you see, there's nothing we can do about it.

Well, then we'll just have to make the best of it.

The best of it?

Who knows? Maybe it's just what we need to shake us up a bit.

That's not the point.

Rachel, Rachel.

What's gotten into you of the late?

There you are, off wandering about half the day.

I saw you yesterday sitting on Doris' swing.

What?

You had a dizzy spell, did you? No, not a bit of it.

What were you doing?

I just felt like a swing.

A swing?

You don't need to worry about me.

Now, Rachel, I spent a good deal of time and energy nursing and... You

brought me back to health. There aren't words to say how grateful I am. I will

not have that wasted.

If you keep carrying on like this, well, the Lord knows where it'll lead.

I know. I've been a burden.

No, no, no, you haven't. Oh, no, dear.

Not at all.

If you could just try to...

Keep yourself on an even keel.

I'll be more careful.

Dora, look! Everyone!

Everyone! We're coming!

We're coming!

My dear friends, I present Snib's world -renowned traveling

midway and exposition of mysteries and curiosities of nature.

In tandem with your own fare, join us tomorrow.

We offer you feats of still and daring giants, monsters, mermaids.

Mermaids, mister?

You've got mermaids?

Would I deceive you, my fine lad? No, because you won't get the opportunity,

mister snib. These children won't be attending your tawdry spectacle.

And if I have my way, neither will any other child in Avonlea.

Inside, both of you. Oh, come on, lady, have a heart.

Don't you speak to me, you flossy flirt.

Well, if that don't beat the Dutchman. I have to see a mermaid. I have to.

Edward, drive on.

Oh, pile them there.

Charlotte, here.

Thank you, Hattie.

Excuse me, dear. That's good.

You know, I would have thought Davy would have pestered you to perdition

the Midway.

No. I was mentioned at once.

Well, it goes to prove my point that properly brought up children don't just

rule and succumb to frivolous impulses.

I want to come with you.

We'll get in awful trouble if we're caught, you know.

All right.

I'll tell you when.

Now, got a boy.

Hold it up. Watch those gladiolus. They don't get in your eyes.

Yes, ma 'am. Oh, what a good boy. Thank you. Yes, put it right there. That's

perfect. There you are, ma 'am. Thank you, son.

Well, Eulalie.

Looks as if you're going to take first prize again this year.

I'm amazed I found the time.

Oh, I just threw it together.

It turned out rather well, though, didn't it?

Well, Rachel, are you going to enter your cabbages again this year?

No, no.

This year I thought I might try my hand at something a bit artistic.

I've put a floral display in myself.

Oh, Rachel, and you never gave two tweaks for anything artistic.

I guess I'm feeling sort of differently these days.

Eddie, move. You're blocking mine.

Ah!

Oh!

What's this?

Grass and so on. Oh, and a sunflower, Rachel?

They're such big old homey old things.

That's why I like them.

They are what they are.

Honest, hopeful.

Oh, quite.

The sunflower is a perfectly respectable flower. I wish you the best of luck.

Can I go look around now?

Go, go, go on.

Walk up, young heroes.

Ten pennies to put your strength against the lash.

If you're about two minutes, you'll be five dollars.

Throw me!

Ten dollars!

Ah, come on!

Step up, people.

Step right up.

Those bold enough to gaze upon the beast earn the reward of beauty.

Melusina the mermaid. How much, sir? Just one thin dime.

You want to see the wolf man?

I'd be scared, Donnie. Come if you'll hold on to me.

Just a stupid costume.

I thought you stamped one aloud in the Midwest.

You stay close to me.

Step right up, good sir, and jump.

Sir, I've got six pennies, but I only want to see my Lucina.

I have to.

Too soft -hearted, that's my trouble.

He's only seeing half the show, mister.

That's five pennies.

Off you go.

Why are you so sad, Maria Fina?

Do you understand English?

I'd do anything for you.

Anything.

Take her for a nice fish supper, but keep her clear of the cannery.

You shut up!

Davey, I got your scent back.

They're laughing at her.

Oh, Davey, you're not so pretty.

Oh, don't get in the lather, Davey. There's all kinds of trickery here. You

gotta keep your wits about you. Is that young Davey I see?

This is rich.

Hetty King so high and mighty, and I catch you sneaking in.

Well done, madam.

And the first prize is taken by Miss Jasper Dale.

Oh, you haven't had a pie.

Well, well, well, well, Hetty King.

Who should I find wandering around the Midway happy as a lamb and clover but

this young rascal?

Much obliged, Archie Gillis.

You needn't trouble yourself more. Go on.

Well, Davy Keith, what do you have to say to yourself?

I have to go back. Go back?

There's a mermaid there. I have to help her. Mermaid?

Davy, Davy.

When will you grow sensible?

Now, the only place you are going, young man, is home, where you will stay till

I return you here, at which time we will discuss your punishment.

Go on. Go.

Hattie!

I'll come with you. I'm not going home.

You're going to see that mermaid.

So what if I am?

It's my business.

See if I care.

Well, Hattie boy. Boys will be boys.

More is the pity that... Oh, I'm mortified.

How could he?

Just when I thought he'd taken one step forward, he takes two.

Well, the midway is tempting.

Oh, Rachel's entry?

Yes, evidently.

Well, it's different.

Oh, I don't like it.

It is Rachel, anyway. She's supposed to be here.

Wandering about, no doubt.

She's as bad as Daisy.

And the

runner

-up, Mrs.

Bugle.

And the first prize is awarded to this truly lovely and original work of Mrs.

Rachel Vint.

What?

I'll take it on Rachel's behalf.

I'm sure Rachel would wish me to express her gratitude for this great and

unexpected honour.

Foul. Grievance. I am filing an official grievance. On what grounds?

The competition is for floral displays. This thing is grass and weeds and

sunflowers. I like sunflowers. There's nothing in the Agricultural Society

handbook that specifically forbids the use of wildflowers. The rules say that

the flowers must be grown by the entrance.

Now, did Rachel grow those weeds?

They grew on our property. There's a big difference.

Rule, bender.

Here's better.

Your Honor, you must rule.

Now look here.

I said that those are we.

Mrs.

Lind. Mr. Tremaine.

Do you need any help?

Do I look as if I need help?

No, no. Not at all. Thanks all the same.

What have you got there?

Oh, my.

That's tasty.

I need to get myself some of that.

With my compliments?

Well, thank you.

Who's between these two hens?

Hens? I thought you were judging the flowers, not the poultry.

Never mind, Donnie. I don't care about some dumb

floozy doll.

It's a rook, I'm telling you.

The little scrapper wins a prize.

I'll be jiggered. That silver mirror, please, mister.

Back to see if your sweetheart's got a fishy tale to tell.

for shame.

Oh, here's a strapping young buck.

What do they call you, handsome?

Donnie. I can tell a fellow's quality with just one look.

Now let me see.

I can tell that you ain't the sort to turn tail on a challenge. Are you a

Donnie? By golly, I'll do it, too.

Then give him the ten dollars my Donnie's won.

Come on, I'll give you your prize.

In private. In private?

You minx!

Donnie, I want to go home. There's no call for that.

Hold your horses. Donnie! I didn't mean to cause a brawl between you and your

girl, Donnie. She's not really my girl.

What's all this?

I came to see the mermaid.

The mermaid?

There's a mermaid here.

Remember Mrs. Wentz? You told me about them.

And she's got a big fishy tail.

And she's beautiful.

And I just had to see her again. Again?

I got sent home once already.

What shall we do with this?

I'll have to own up to it.

And I'll take my look.

But could we just see...

Well,

I must admit, I'm curious.

I shouldn't be saying this, Donnie, but the moment I clapped my eyes on you, my

poor little heart just turned right over.

It was... It was the same for me, Trissy.

You have to go away now, please.

Why?

Trissie?

We're moving on tomorrow.

I won't ever see you again.

Unless... What?

Tell me!

Goliath. He's a beastly, ugly -tempered brute.

Mr. Snib would dearly like to be shot at Goliath. Every midway needs a strong

man, and we've never found one to suit.

Until now.

Well, you mean me?

Well, why not?

There's nothing to keep me in Avonlea.

Donnie, it's the only life.

And then maybe we'd stand at sand.

We could get to know each other.

Trissy, I'm your man.

Oh, but there is the matter of your steak.

At the Midway, it's all for one. We all buy a share, and then we split. the

profits even, Stephen. You make your money back in no time.

I got money set by from working at the store. Oh, Donnie, that is so fine.

I'll tell Mr. Snib you bring it by tonight after we close up.

Count on me, Drizzy.

You've got me such a tizzy.

I forgot all about the time.

She's very, very lovely.

Hello.

I was here before.

She doesn't understand English.

Oh.

I got you a present.

Yeah, for you.

I won it.

She's yelping.

How would you like it if I pulled her out of a pond?

Well, if you did, I'd hope you'd throw her back.

Look at her.

Hey, come on in. There's something fishy going on in here.

She's terribly unhappy there.

Oh, do you think so?

I wish I could help her.

Back again, Davy. I thought you'd been sent home on disgrace.

Davy is with me, Archie Gillis. Oh, uh, Mrs. Linda.

I, uh... I didn't expect you'd be... I mean, I didn't see you there.

I didn't know I was so easy to miss.

Oh, no, no, no, not at all.

It's good to see you looking so well.

No need to give him satisfaction.

I guess I'd better get it over with.

Seeds are weeds.

Rachel did not cultivate them. They just sprung up.

But then she didn't dig them out, did she?

Ergo, she allowed them to grow.

Ergo, they were cultivated.

Hopelessly deadlocked. Hopeless is the very word I'd use.

Rachel, Rachel, at last you're here.

Go on, speak up for yourself.

Mrs. Lynde here. Victory is in contest.

Yes, because, of course, Eulalie claims that this first -prize ribbon is

rightfully hers.

Gracious.

Well, if it means that much to her. You have it, Eulalie. I entered for the

pleasure of it, not for the ribbon. Oh, this will end with draws. The conflict

is resolved.

Rachel, how could you?

And after all the aggravation I've endured on your behalf.

Sorry, Hetty, but...

I didn't ask you to.

Well,

young man, Davy Keith.

And what are you doing back here?

Face the music, young Davy.

Well...

Laurie got caught.

I guess we shouldn't have gone.

I don't care.

I'm going back again tonight.

Daisy! I have to. She's leaving tomorrow.

It was a fine day all around.

I think the school display turned out real well.

Seems as if the Midway was quite the success after all.

You obviously enjoyed yourself there. Oh, I did. It was very colorful.

Have you ever in your life eaten cotton candy?

It's like air, only tastier.

Is it?

Well, it's thanks to those blessed Midway concessions with their airy

confections that the domestic science booth ended up selling next to nothing.

The Presbyterian church women take great pride in preparing good, wholesome food

for that booth.

Well, this was something different.

Indigestible, you mean.

You didn't even try it.

Would you eat something called a hot dog?

I did.

I can't believe we're really arguing over food.

Well, I can't believe...

You, you of all people, would encourage that boy to disobey me.

You knew he was forbidden to go there.

Sooner forbid the tide to go out.

If there'd been a midway in town when I was Davy's age, I'd have risked hanging

to go, and so would you, Hetty King.

Becky, what are you doing here?

I'm coming with you, and that's that.

All right.

I mean, I can't stop you.

Now, where would they keep her?

Could be anywhere.

No. No, she'd need to have water.

Mermaids, indeed.

Of course, Jack Badale's to blame.

Filling his head with fanciful notions such as flying machines.

Oh, Lord knows what else.

Betty, where's the harm?

Harm is his mind.

It's all over the place.

Busting with adult foolishness such as this.

Mermaid business.

And then to top it off, you take his part going behind my back.

I am trying to raise the lad properly and everyone's against me, it seems.

Hattie.

I never meant to support Davy against you.

But I admit I went to see his mermaid.

Some vulgar bit of trickery, no doubt. Oh, yes.

But Davy saw something mysterious and magical.

Oh, I wish he could have seen the light in his eyes.

Wouldn't it be terrible if he lost the imagination that made him want a mermaid

to be real?

Oh, stop it, Rachel.

I don't understand you. You've changed.

You have changed since... Since I almost died.

We can say that now.

That stroke took me to a dark place, Hedy.

Everything I had and everything I knew was snatched away from me. There was no

time.

Nothing.

Then there was a little bit of light.

Home.

And you were here. And you helped me.

You led me out of that place.

Life is a wonder, Hetty. That's what I'd forgot, and I promised myself never to

forget it again.

And that's what I saw in Davy's eyes when he looked at that silly girl with

fishtail.

Wonder.

Oh, Hetty, you aren't gonna bawl, are you?

I don't know why I'm...

Such a rush for them to grow up anyway.

They just grow away from their children.

Hattie, Davy needs you more than ever.

But you don't, dear Rachel.

Not anymore.

Never need my dearest friend in all the world.

Hattie King, for a smart woman, you can be blessed daft.

Don't lose it, or I'll skin you.

You got the plans, right?

Get out of here before dawn.

Meet you in Charlottetown Monday.

I know to the penny how much is in that bag, so don't try anything on.

I just wish I could be here in the morning when the hayseeds come for their

cash.

You tell them some scoundrel stole it in the night. They can search the whole

camp. They won't find a red cent.

We've got to tell them.

And then we'll let Melusina free.

Speaking of hayseeds, don't I spy your new bone, Trissie?

They don't come any more dull -witted than that, Yoko.

Come on, Mickey.

You go.

Thornton can take care of himself.

No, he can't.

Mr.

Snips is pleased as punch about you joining up with us. I got my steak.

I'll take it to him. Then, we're on our way.

Oh, you look at that.

Oh, didn't you know?

Oh, you're a caution, Trissy.

Some young man gave this to me today.

Don't worry.

Just some half -wit kid who got stuck on me.

Cheap trash, anyway.

Hey!

What are you doing with my girl?

She ain't your girl. Who says?

She does.

And so do I.

And don't make any trouble about it.

I whipped you once, by golly.

You hate to see me.

You want another beating, eh?

year before we can get a miserable neck.

All right, I'll go.

As soon as I get my money back.

Oh, for the lack of my dear, I don't know what he's talking about. She's got

money. Yeah?

So where is it then, huh?

It's in her... Her dress. It's in her dress.

If I ever said I'd done you again.

That'll fix the little rat.

Hey, you gotta let me down from here!

Go get Lemuel.

Take your time. He ain't going nowhere.

Help!

Let me down!

What

is

it, child?

I'm telling you, the little rat knows the whole plan.

Well, that is a quandary. You'll have to take him off with you.

That lad's going to join the Midway willy -nilly till I know what to do with

him. Please, help!

Return that boy to me, this instant.

Did you hear me? Do you think we're feared of a couple of women?

You'd want to be.

I got you.

Dunbeck has told us.

Now, now, my friends, how can you credit such a tale?

We couldn't tell truth from fiction. Yes, well, I believe every word of it.

You never fooled me, Mr.

Lemuel Snib, unlike some.

That hussy duped Donnie out of his life savings.

Oh, Tristie. Yes, well, you all have a good deal to answer for.

Now, get that boy down, now.

Where's the money?

Here it is.

I've got it.

I've got it.

I've got it.

Give me my money.

Move along. Move along.

Come on. You.

You bully.

Come on. Come on.

So sorry.

I must be the biggest dump there is.

No, not quite. Not the biggest.

I'm sorry I did wrong.

I'll take any punishment there is.

Well, I think we should take a walk.

A walk?

This time of night?

Why not, since we're up.

Besides, it's a wild and beautiful night.

Two, I know just where I'd like to go, so come on.

We'll get caught in the rain if we don't watch him. Oh, no, we'll see.

Oh, the storm's still a long way off at the end.

Look at that baby.

Isn't it a marvel, this island of ours?

Who needs a shadow of Midway, anyway?

Or a girl in a silly fishtail?

I wanted mermaids to be real.

And who says they're not?

Do you think they are?

I'm yet to be convinced, frankly, one way or another.

You know something?

This morning I told Janet King that I'd thought you'd come a long way recently.

I guess you don't think so now.

I have had my doubts during the course of this day, but when you're growing up,

Davy, there are hard lessons to be learned, of course, but that doesn't

mean letting go of the wonder of it all, does it?

Oh, no, we must never do that.

Whee!

Oh, yeah!