Original subtitles

and some strong language.

LAUGHTER AND PARTY CHEER

Sorry. It's gone midnight. I'm sorry.

I've eaten. I had to drive His Lordship to London for the celebrations.

You should have seen the crowds. I heard you park half an hour ago.

I stopped off at the barn just to show me face. Then Miss Julie said, "Partner me." I couldn't say no.

She's making a right exhibition of herself. She's barking mad, that one.

Don't be rotten. She's lovesick, poor thing. The reluctant officer?

I was there when he give her the elbow. They were horsing around at the stables.

She was mucking about with this whip, getting him to jump over it like a dog. He goes nuts.

Lashing out, his ring cuts her.

Then he breaks the whip, her heart an' all. Something smells good.

Your favourite - kidneys on toast. You can't beat a kidney. Especially the black market variety!

You might have warmed the plate. You're worse than His Lordship!

Don't confuse my appetites. You're rough. My razor's broke. Buy us a new one? Yes.

You can have a leg. Don't be rude.

We're supposed to be celebrating. THIS is the stuff.

His lordship's best burgundy.

Wine glass. Heaven help the poor woman who marries you! Easy! You're talking to a gentleman.

YOUR gentleman, perhaps?

Like Winston Churchill - robust, full-bodied...

..and finished! Poor Winston.

Hardly poor!

< LOUD CHEERING FROM THE PARTY

THE BAND PLAYS ON

I remember buying crates of this stuff with His Lordship before the war.

What's the stench?

A magic potion.

Miss Julie wants it for Diana.

You're cooking for her mutt?! You're supposed to have the night off.

It's a scandal.

The poor dog's up the duff. Miss Julie's livid. So what's with the brew?

No! Miss Julie says the dog's betrayed her. She's off her rocker. The aristocracy adore animals.

That's why they hunt them.

We kill what we love.

< CHEERING FROM PARTY

The lady of the house! You should have seen her in the barn. Even the stable lads got their turn.

And the chauffeur. That's different. If the rich try and act common, they become common.

She's a good dancer, I'll give her that. It's not all you'll give her. Respect for your betters, girl!

She's a fine-looking filly. You'd be surprised. Claire dresses her... The jealousy of women.

MUSIC ENDS, CROWD APPLAUDS

Will you dance with me

when I finish this?

Yes. Promise? I said I would.

DOOR OPENS >

ANOTHER DANCE NUMBER STARTS UP

Good evening, John. Again. Miss Julie.

Is it ready, Christine? Nearly, miss.

Pour it into a bottle. Yes, miss. Are you both overcome with excitement?

The election! Oh, yes, miss.

You both voted for my father, for Labour? Yes, miss.

And you, John? Secret ballot, miss. I can't reveal.

Impertinence! Violet? Sense of smell and rhythm! Where does his talent end?

Shall we dance? No offence, Miss Julie, but I promised this one with Christine. TO Christine.

She can dance with you any time. I command you to lend me this man. I'll finish this. Go on, John.

Is it proper for you to dance twice in one night with me? People will talk.

What people? What talk?

I'm not sure you should favour one member of staff over another. YOU'RE doing ME the favour.

I can dance with who I like... Or is it whom?

..Whomever I like, as often as I like, whenever I like.

We're a free country now, John.

I know, you're a secret Tory, aren't you?

Everyone in their place for ever. No, Miss Julie. Stop calling me miss. Just for tonight?

Go back to the Dark Ages tomorrow, if you prefer. Dance with me. I like the way you lead.

All the other men are club-footed.

As you wish. I'm at your service. It's not an order. It's an invitation.

Erase that face of feudal anxiety.

Come and dance.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE FROM THE PARTY

ANOTHER SONG STARTS UP

MUSIC IS LOUD AND LIVELY

MUSIC CONTINUES

MUSIC ENDS, CROWD CHEERS

You all right? Mm.

She's mad all right. Everyone was laughing at her behind her back.

Cavorting like a woman possessed! Maybe she's a witch.

Maybe she's got the curse.

MUSIC STARTS UP AGAIN

This one's mine.

You're not angry with me for going off? I know my place.

I think you do, too.

You're going to make a very...

..good...wife.

Please! Carry on.

The medicine's there for Diana, miss.

So I see.

You're a charming partner, running away from your lady like that!

On the contrary, I've run TO her. Hold on tight to him, Christine. He's slippery.

Take your uniform off. You're not working. I haven't had time to change, miss. I drove your father...

I know.

Is this your suit? Yes. Put it on. It's nice.

Put it on, John. Will you excuse me, my lady? I'll cover my eyes.

May I go next door, miss? As you wish.

Here you are, miss.

Would you like one? No, thank you, miss.

Don't mind me if you have work to do. Thank you, miss.

Is John your fiance? You seem quite intimate.

Well, we were going to marry but then the war came.

We're not engaged officially.

Officially? Well, I don't have a ring. You know how it is, miss.

I HAD a ring. Yes, miss.

Sorry, Christine. Am I boring you?

I'm sorry, miss. I'm tired.

Go to bed. John promised he'd dance with me. I'll... Men like to keep their women, not their promises.

Yes, Miss Julie. Ladies.

Tres gentil, Monsieur Jean. Vous voulez plaisanter, mademoiselle.

Where did you learn that? I picked it up during the war, in France.

I hope that's all you picked up in France!

You look quite the gentleman in that suit. Charmant.

Flatter me. Flatter you? My position forbids me to believe you'd pay me an authentic compliment.

I must assume you are flattering me.

What language! Are you a patron of the theatre?

I accompanied your father, and on his travels abroad.

I bet you grew up here. My father was a labourer on the estate. Our family's worked here for centuries.

I remember you as a child, in fact. Really? What do you remember?

Oh, she's asleep. Do you think she snores?

No, she talks.

And how do YOU know?

Pillow talk.

BAND CONTINUES TO PLAY >

Smoke? No, thank you.

Do you have a light?

Merci, monsieur.

Why don't you smoke?

I thought all soldiers smoked.

I'm not a soldier any more.

You have a weak chest. Yes, my father told me.

You were demobbed two months early for your weak chest. Yes.

Why don't you sit down? I wouldn't take such a liberty in your presence.

But if I ordered you? Then I'd obey. Then, sit!

No, wait. Have you got anything to drink? Only beer. Only? I like beer.

I'm just a simple country girl.

What was the war like? Like nothing. Did you kill lots of men? Hundreds.

Not thousands? Hundreds of thousands. Will you keep me company?

I'm not a beer drinker, but if your ladyship commands... Courtesy commands.

Do you think I'm a dreadful lush?

No, milady.

I think I'm a dreadful lush.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE FROM PARTY >

Now a toast. To me!

MUSIC STARTS UP AGAIN

To you. To you. To me. To socialism. To socialism. To peace. To peace!

What else? To love. To love.

To the workers. The workers! Bravo.

Now kiss my shoe.

As a sign of respect.

Very good.

Too quick for me, Monsieur Jean.

We'd better drink up. Someone might see us. Close the shutters.

Everyone was talking. What were they saying?

They were being suggestive. If they saw you in here alone...

We're not alone. Your wife-to-be is with us. Asleep. I'll wake her.

Christine! Christine! Dead to the world.

Christine, wake up. Protect us from gossip. Leave her alone!

What?

She's been working all day. She's tired.

A noble thought.

It does you credit.

Come outside and pick some lilacs for me. I can't. You think...? Not me, them.

THEY think I could want a servant?

They know no better.

You speak like an aristocrat.

Or a snob.

And if you are an aristocrat, I wouldn't be slumming it if I picked lilacs with you.

I have a higher opinion of people than you. Come!

You're welcome to your opinions, but I know these people. They see what's in their heads.

Well, let's find out. Come.

You're strange. No stranger than you, stranger.

Everything's strange.

Life, people...

Everything's a scum that drifts across the water till it sinks.

Come with me.

What does it matter what people say or think?

What's wrong with your eye?

Nothing. Just dust. Let me see.

Keep still. Don't flinch! I can feel you flinching.

Keep still.

It's a lash.

A long, black lash.

What's wrong?

Oh, it's nothing. Just a lash.

Let me. He's squeamish about his eyes. Let me look. It's gone.

I'm going to bed. Unless you need me for anything, miss. No, thank you, Christine.

The medicine's there for Diane, miss. Thank you, Christine.

Goodnight, miss. Goodnight.

Shall I get you up for church? Oh, yes, thank you. Goodnight, miss. Sweet dreams.

CHEERING FROM THE PARTY AND CALLS FOR "More!"

BAND STARTS UP AGAIN

Where were we?

You were telling me your theory of life. Don't be cruel.

MUSIC HOTS UP

Tell me about your visits to the theatre with my father. Nothing to tell.

I drove him to the theatre. He'd sit in the royal circle, I in the gods.

Later, he'd dine at his club, I'd wait in the car.

What would you do in the car?

Read the paper, talk to the other chauffeurs.

Any women? Women chauffeurs? Hardly. Did you talk to prostitutes? No.

Did my father talk to prostitutes? No. My mother died ten years ago. What's a man to do?

What, indeed? Do I shock you?

Not as much as you'd like to.

Would you discuss the play on the way home? Sometimes. Are those your shoes? Yes.

Do you like my father? Yes. Do you respect him? Yes.

Do you wish he was your father?

Sorry. Not a very grown-up question.

You're only young. And so innocent.

I think not.

It's true, Monsieur Jean.

I have work to do. It's way past your bedtime. I suggest you retire.

What work?

Put it down.

Put it down!

You're proud.

You're a Don Juan.

A Don John!

Have you ever been to the opera? No.

I shall take you next time I go to Covent Garden.

But, unlike my hypocrite father, you will sit with me in the circle. Would you like that?

I have to clean these shoes for the morning. It's not my job to amuse you. Please don't sulk.

Well!

Goodnight, then.

MUSIC CONTINUES

You forgot your bag.

Well, bring it to me, then.

TUNE ENDS, CROWD CHEERS >

Thank you, John.

MUSIC STARTS UP AGAIN >

Do you love Christine very much?

Of course. Are you in love with her?

There's a difference, isn't there?

I'm not sure I've ever been in love.

Have YOU ever been in love, John?

Sick with love? Only as a child. Who was she?

You know who.

Ridiculous, isn't it? No.

Tell me when you...

..first loved me.

I'd been in your father's orchard, his Garden of Eden.

I decided to steal some apples. Scrumping.

I was with my mother, weeding your onion bed, where the barn is now.

I thought the barn was always there.

Those who work the land know it better than those who own it. You're a Red! No. A cynic. Realist.

It was the summer of '27. I was 12.

I left my mother to it and thought I'd sneak in the orchard and go scrumping. I jumped down from a tree

and found myself in a garden party, uninvited, everyone in their finery. Your mother...

It was a summer evening like tonight.

I was in rags.

I was scared, so I ran away. I fell in a slurry pit.

I was covered in shit. Sorry!

I ran to the other side of the lake, facing the stables. I know.

And I saw a white dress...

with a pink ribbon.

Here.

Yeah.

And the girl in the dress was patting a black pony. Beauty.

I lay in the brambles. I couldn't move or they'd cut me.

I watched the girl stroking the animal and I could see the girl was whispering to the pony.

Whispering all her secrets.

And she looked sad and alone.

And I fell in love with you.

I wasn't sad.

I was happy.

I wanted to die. Why?

Because I was so happy.

But that's not when it started.

I was five.

I saw your mother wheeling you in your pram. I was five.

I could already feel the difference between us. My first memory is YOU.

And a feeling without the words to express it.

Now I can call it love.

Or envy.

A man of my class

can rise like bread, but not cake.

LOUD CHEERING FROM PARTY

But the world is changing. Not biology.

But there are opportunities for self-improvement.

I'm a self-made man, if that's what you mean.

Your father's been good to me, lending me books. You learn a lot by observation. Do you observe me?

What do you see? Just things. You can be quite a coarse young lady, can't you?

Maybe we're not so different, me, you, Christine, your officer friend, all of us, under the skin.

The same desires. We never slept together. No, but you wanted to.

Nonsense! He wanted to. I refused. It's not what I heard.

And saw. When?

Two weeks ago. The stables.

My, what a little peeping John you are!

I could tell my father. And I'd have to tell him what I saw.

His daughter on her knees unbuttoning the officer's breeches. Nothing happened.

I know. You scared him off. God knows why they decorated him for bravery!

He probably went to the right school. That's enough.

I'm going. Have I your permission to go to bed? With Christine(?) Who knows?

Goodnight, Miss Julie. Where are the keys to the boathouse? Over there.

Row me out to the lake. I want to see the moon. Look out the window.

You're afraid for YOUR reputation. Maybe.

If anyone suspected, I'd be dismissed without a reference, just as I'm getting on.

I also have a duty to Christine. Christine(!)

And YOU. And your father. You're playing with fire.

Luckily, I'm insured.

CROWD CHEERS AND APPLAUDS You're tired and drunk. You'd regret everything in the morning. What?

Don't play the innocent with me. I am innocent. Go to bed!

Go now. They're coming.

PARTY CROWD LAUGHING AND TALKING >

Please, Miss Julie, obey me. Go now!

ME obey YOU? Yes. And if I don't?

LOUD CAROUSING

No way out.

REVELLERS CONTINUE TO LAUGH AND SING

What are they singing? An obscene song about you and me. Do you think they respect you?

They're drunk. They laugh at you. But I'm nice to everyone.

You think you're being nice. But you're being patronising. It's in your blood.

Take me to your room. Eh? Let's make love.

RABBLE CONTINUES

ALL IS QUIET

Hello?

Where's...?

Here.

Sorry.

Are you OK?

I think there's supposed to be blood. I mean, with Christine... I know.

Are you OK? Mm-mm.

So, New York! When did you go?

Before the war. That's the place for us.

New people. New lives.

I met some GIs when we were in Normandy.

I got their addresses.

They live in the...Bronx? Maybe they could help us with the nightclub.

It'll be very English, but glamorous. They love us over there. They die for the accent.

I'll do the books, the bar. You'll be front of house. Have to hurry, though.

Christine'll be up soon and your father'll be back. What does it take to get there?

Two, three days? A week.

A week? Tell me you love me.

I love you. Come here.

We have to go, Miss Julie. How can you call me Miss Julie now? Habit.

Because we're in this house, with your father's shoes waiting to be cleaned.

That bell rings, I jump. In America it'll be different. I'll be rich.

I don't care if you're rich. Tell me you love me. I love you.

Be practical. New York, what do you think?

It sounds fine, but a business requires capital. Do you have any?

Experience, expertise, nous. That's capital of a sort. It won't buy your ticket.

So we need a backer.

John, I don't have any money.

I don't have a bean. It's all in trust.

Oh, well.

What do you mean? We stay here.

I can't stay here as your mistress.

My father. People. WE can't stay here. Surely you see that.

I don't see anything. What have I done?

Fallen briefly, but pleasurably, I trust. You hate me? No. You used me.

Vice versa. You said you loved me. You confuse love and desire. I love you. Congratulations(!)

How can you? What ARE you?

Just a man.

Stop acting the weeping debutante, Miss Julie. We had a roll in the hay.

Forget it. Have a drink. You're more fun when you're tight.

You owe me respect. That's the last thing you wanted in there. You shocked me.

You're disgusting. No, you're disgusting.

I told you it'd end in tears.

I have work to do. Isn't this where we started? Maybe you should consider last night as overtime.

What about your story? The white dress, the pony? I told you what you wanted to hear.

It's called seduction. Am I your conquest? Don't force me to be cruel. Tell me what I am!

A fuck.

I'm all dirty.

Stand up! Remember your position. Which one, madam? There were so many.

You're still a servant! And you're a servant's slut.

No woman of my class would've accosted me the way you did last night.

No woman of my class would've wanted what YOU wanted last night.

You'd shame a two-bit tart in Piccadilly. Do I deserve this?

What's a man to think, if you beg him to beat you? Please, no more.

I know I deserve this.

I'm bad. I'm a bad girl.

No, you're not.

I'm as much to blame.

I didn't mean what I said. I'm sorry.

Hurt me again. You mustn't say that. Things just went too far. No-one knows.

You must try and forget about it.

Did you love me in bed? Yes. Couldn't you tell? How could I? I haven't lived. You're being...

DON'T tell me what I'm being! Do I look ugly. You're not at your best.

Is this what you wanted? Me reduced? Is this your revenge? Your little class victory?

No.

I dreamt about you all my life. And now I have to wake up.

I'm not saying I couldn't love you.

Of course I could. I only have to look at you. You're gorgeous.

Get off! Get your hands off me!

What kind of man is excited by a woman's despair? Any man, I imagine.

You're right. We must be practical.

We must run away. We can't stay here. I could never live it down.

My father would kill me. He plays the Labour MP,

but he despises the lower classes. He'd sack you.

He'd make my life a misery.

You say the servants find me condescending. Patronising. Shut up!

Where does Christine keep her cigarettes? No idea. I don't regret anything. We'll run away!

Just like the pictures. Miss... Shut up!

Did I tell you about my mother? She was quite common, you know.

She had this thing about women's emancipation, swore she'd never marry.

She told my father she'd be his lover but never his wife. But then I was born.

I was a mistake, really.

You're illegitimate? Mm.

Funny, isn't it?

So they got married, and my mother brought me up as a child of nature.

She used me to demonstrate the equality of the sexes.

She used to dress me up as a boy...

..make me learn about farming.

She made me kill a fox when I was...

And then she reorganised the estate.

The women had to do the men's work, the women the men's.

We were the laughing stock of the whole county.

Finally, my father snapped and she fell in line.

Then she began to stay out all night.

She took lovers.

People talked.

She blamed my father for the failure of her brave new world.

Her infidelities were...her revenge.

They rowed constantly.

And fought.

She often had these terrible gashes and bruises.

He did, too. She was very strong when she was angry.

And then there was a rumour that my father tried to kill himself. His Lordship...? Yes.

He failed, obviously.

I didn't know whose side I was on.

Maybe I learnt all my emotions by the age of ten and never developed any more.

A child experiences the world so deeply.

Without the sophistication to protect itself.

It's not fair, really.

CHURCH BELL TOLLS

Anyway, my mother, on her deathbed,

made me swear I'd be never be a slave to any man.

And the officer? He was to be MY slave.

But he did a runner. It was more complicated.

It didn't look like it. How can YOU see?!

You hate me, too? Yes. Not when I was inside you.

I'd have you shot like a fallen horse at the National.

Only thoroughbreds run the National. They let the odd nag now and then.

You wouldn't dare! Supposing your sow squeals for a pig?

Supposing Daddy rings his bell?

The truth is we must bolt. Enjoy ourselves for a week, if we can stand each other that long.

New York sounds more attractive. YOU in the capital of the world?!

You with your grubby fingernails?! Your quick wit, but your slow, slow mind!

Your pub talk and the way you swill your wine!

You wouldn't suit New York. In your ill-fitting suit!

Your demob disaster, hacked together by some gnarled troll in the East End. YOU run a nightclub?!

At the village fair you couldn't even run the egg-and-spoon race because of your weak chest.

You haven't the heart for success. At last!

The true blue blood speaks!

The little blue-blooded bastard!

And you called me a snob! I read up on your pedigree in your father's study.

Would you like to know who your earliest ancestor was? A stupid farmer.

500 years ago, he pimped his wife to the king and, in return, all this.

Doubtless she enjoyed it, the slag!

The blood of whore runs through you for centuries.

Die with me.

A suicide pact.

Suicide's for cowards. You're not in the army any more. You can do what you want.

Come with me. There are no laws. Just us.

Suicide is a crime against God's law.

You believe in God? YOU?!

Passionately. I'm in love with the bloke. I'm bored with this. I'm going to bed.

You forgot something.

Oh, yeah. The blood money.

Here's ten bob.

Cheers, darlin'.

Not enough.

You take my virginity. You abuse me and my family's honour. There's a price.

You listen to me or, help me, God, I will scream rape.

And I will not stop screaming until you are in prison. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I hurt you.

I know you're suffering.

I'm sorry for that, truly. But this is where I belong, and so do you.

In time, you'll forget about this, until it's just a dull ache.

You'll live with it. That's life.

Pain hurts. I won't tolerate it. You have to.

Why don't you love me?

I do. No, why CAN'T you love me?

Fear.

John, tell me what to do.

Order me. I'm so tired I can't think.

My legs feel hollowed out, like I've got no blood.

Go upstairs, get dressed, get money for the journey in your father's desk. The key's on the mantelpiece.

Come with me. I can't. To my room.

I can't.

Please! Go!

Come down when you're ready. I'll drive you to the station. Be nice to me. Orders never sound nice. Go!

A TRAIN CHUGS

CHURCH BELL TOLLS

Morning. Morning.

You look tired. Nightmares, the usual. I pressed this for church. Cheers.

I won't be a minute. No-one's up. Get dressed in here.

If you want.

What's the lesson today? No idea.

Sleep well? Like a log.

Going to do this? If you want.

CHURCH BELL CONTINUES TO TOLL

Careful!

These need a wash.

What? I woke up in the night.

I opened your door.

You both had your backs to me.

I love YOU. I know.

I was wondering whether you'd tell me the truth,

seeing as we are to be married, for better or worse. Of course I'd have told you. I'm sorry.

Don't bother.

I imagine you did it with every little scrubber in France. I have low expectations.

I'm rarely disappointed.

I understand. How can you resist her beauty when you're just a man?

We're not staying here. I'm not working in a house where I can't respect my superiors.

There's more to life than that. You hypocrite! You cringe before His Lordship.

Reading his books, trying to engage him in political conversation! You bore him.

He thinks you're a crawler.

I'm surprised at her, though. I though she was above temptation.

If it had been her officer, a gentleman, I could understand it.

But you?

Who are you? It wasn't her fault. I took advantage.

Oh, defending his mistress's honour. How noble(!)

I'm sorry.

So...what was she like? Christine! No, don't tell me. I saw.

Your rash is getting worse.

Look at you. You can't believe it, can you? You're shellshocked. You're replaying it in your head.

Your dirty little film in your dirty little fleapit of a mind. You've made your point.

Shut up!

We'll hand in our notice today.

We'll go to London. We could stay with my sister till we get sorted.

You can find work as a caretaker or as a porter in some government office, somewhere steady,

with a good pension for a wife and children.

We'll be wanting to start a family as soon as we're married. Yeah.

I'd set my sights on... Screw your sights.

FOOTSTEPS OVERHEAD

Who's that? Claire, probably.

Could it be His Lordship? No.

Have you done his shoes? Nearly. I'll get his coffee. I'll do it.

You go to church. I'll catch up.

I'll serve him his coffee, have a shave and then... What's the matter?

Nothing. What? I've got things to do. Fine. I'll meet you at the gate. Gate? At the end of the drive. Fine.

Ready. Quiet. Christine's up. I know. Does she suspect? Nothing.

It's a beautiful day. The sun's up.

The vampire dies. Look, John.

My dress.

It was in the nursery.

You WEREN'T lying, were you? No.

Listen, John, come with me.

There was a fortune in Daddy's desk.

Come with me wherever you want.

Don't leave me alone.

Show me the money.

It's in my bag.

It'd take me five years to earn this.

Fine.

Let's go.

But now. I'm ready.

We have to go NOW. I'm ready.

You haven't got any shoes on. I'll get some. Wear those. Put them on.

Put them on, John.

No luggage is a giveaway. Yes. We can't take much. What's that?

My bird, Serena. I couldn't leave her. We can't take that. Let me take her.

Put the cage down. Put the cage down.

Don't order me! Sh! Your father will be back.

Let's set her free. It's a house bird.

It wouldn't survive out there. Then kill her. Are you scared?

No.

You won't hurt her, will you?

Must you die?

And leave your mistress behind?

Please?

No scenes.

It's a dumb animal.

I'm going to kill it and then we'll go.

Do you understand?

I suggest you look away. Do you understand?

Don't.

I hate you. There's blood between us.

Let's go. I curse the moment I met you.

I curse the moment I was born. Let's go.

Go? With you? Now?

You're scared of blood. Tell me! You're scared of blood.

How much would this bleed?

Would it bleed like me last night?

I could open you up like a carcass and climb inside you.

Fuck you from the inside. Roast your heart with my breath and eat it.

You think I'm weak because I wanted your spunk inside me? It's just chemicals.

You think I want to carry your brats in my body? You've got another think coming!

Come on! You think I want your child?

You think I want to take your name?

What is your surname? I've never heard it. I'd be Mrs Scum.

Is that what you want? A nice little wife, a nice girl like me.

You dog, who wears my crest upon your buttons!

You think I'd share you with my cook?!

Come on!

Aren't you having fun?

Daddy'll be home soon.

Finds his desk open, his money gone. He rings on the bell for his lackey.

That's YOU!

And then he sends for the police. And I say, "It was him, Officer.

"He's the one what did it."

And I tell them everything.

Then Daddy has a heart attack and drops down dead. End of the line.

The blood line clots. No heir. No more of us. Dead.

But what of the lackey?

Oh, HIS line is the orphanage line, third stop after the gutter. It ends in jail.

Here's the mother. Got a fag, ducks?

CHURCH BELL RINGS

I remembered at the gate.

Your razor's broke. You couldn't shave.

You can now. I borrowed this from the gatekeeper.

His dog screwed my dog. Go and shave. We're late for church.

Christine, you're my friend. We've always had our little chats. Listen...

Where were you going? New York. Not my idea. But if you listen...

Oh, you're angry. Me and John are in love with each other.

I don't want to know. We can't stay here. He's going nowhere. Be calm.

Christine's a very nice name.

So we can't stay here for various reasons too complicated to go into.

But why don't all three of us go to New York together?

We'll open a nightclub. I've got lots of money.

You mustn't tell anyone I stole it.

Me and John would run it. You'd be in charge of the kitchen. Wouldn't that be nice?

Do say yes, because then everything will be nice and not ghastly.

Oh, can I have one?

Thank you.

You'd love New York.

The Metropolitan... That's a museum.

And the Empire State Building.

When you're at the top of it, the people below look like insects.

You're not allowed to drop a coin on them, because it kills them.

And in the winter the children skate on the lake in Central Park.

When I was there with my father I skated. He made me.

I'm sure the nightclub will be a terrific success. There'll be dancing and...

We'll drink whenever we want, because we'll own the drink.

And with your looks...

I'm not flattering or patronising you. You'll meet a nice husband.

A rich American, you'll see.

They're charmed by us.

They die for the accent.

And we'll live on the upper East Side. Or West Side.

East or west? It doesn't matter really.

Or we can always come back home again.

Back here. Or somewhere else.

Don't you think?

Do you believe all this? No.

So you were going to run away!

No. Don't lie! You're as mad as her. Show respect. She's still your mistress.

This puddle?! This is what comes of moral weakness. She slept with me, so did you. Where's the difference?

Listen to him. Cock of the walk!

At least I'm not a thief. The whole war you traded on the black market!

I'm going to church. Yes, cling to your superstition! Our Saviour died on the cross for all our sins.

He takes our sins. Including backhanders to the butcher?

And I'll take these in case anyone leaves before His Lordship comes home.

FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL FADE AWAY

Christ, I despise religion.

So why practise it?

Class is your religion.

Don't do that. You'll hurt yourself. I want to.

No, you don't. I do. But I can't.

Just like my father.

He should have done it, the coward.

You're tired. Shattered.

Do you want some coffee? No, thanks.

Did she leave any cigarettes? What do you think?

Your father's not a coward.

Oh, he IS.

You don't like him. Not as much as you do.

But you don't know him.

You don't know what it's like to be Daddy's special girl.

Of course, I love him.

I love him as much as I hate him.

He's inside my head all the time.

And my mother.

Who's to blame for what we are?

It's a horrible, ugly mess.

My thoughts are his.

My feelings are hers.

An endless circle. Circles are always endless.

BELL RINGS THREE TIMES

Your father's back.

This is John, sir.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Yes, sir. Three bags full, sir.

Very good, sir. Excellent party, sir. ..No, not too much drinking, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Everyone had an excellent time, sir.

No, no damage.

Yes, sir. Right away.

He wants his shoes and his coffee immediately.

Give these a once-over, will you?

Sorry. You thought I was Christine.

Yes. Forgive me. It was quite nice.

Being someone.

Sex and death. The front and back door of the world.

My father marked that line in a book he gave me.

His favourite line. He gave me the same book when I joined up, with the same passage marked.

Marked by two black verticals in the margin.

He said it was a special present.

That's what he said to me. He's probably got crates of them.

Renounce your faith in the fake!

Look at you!

Grinding away. So loyal.

John the Baptist.

And he's Herod.

He's Herod. He slaughters the first-born.

Which makes me Salome. That's why I love to dance.

You're still drunk.

Drunk as a lady!

So, if I'm Salome, you can have your revenge, John.

Give the order.

You know I can take orders.

What does killing feel like?

It feels like nothing. Tell me how it feels. Nothing. You obey the order.

Give the order, Officer.

I'm not an officer. It's not fair.

Give the order, deserter, boy, peasant.

If Daddy rang his bell and ordered you to cut your throat, you'd obey.

Because you were born to obey. Give the order, slave!

Do it yourself.

No fun on my own.

Order me.

Be the hypnotist at the village fair.

You remember the fair.

I saw you there, that last summer before the war.

Remember?

You saw me.

That's when I knew you wanted me.

You were chained to Christine.

Already buried alive, but...

..I know you saw me.

You were hypnotised. Describe my dress.

White. With a pink ribbon.

Here.

And you looked at me...

You looked at me with longing.

You looked at the one who had everything,

and you stepped aside...

..and you said, "After you, Miss Julie."

And you smiled and you said... "Thank you, John."

How did you know my name?

Because I asked my father.

Why?

Because I wanted you.

Because I'd felt your eyes upon me.

For ever.

Because you do my father's dirty work.

Because you've always been watching me.

Waiting for me.

Because you want revenge.

My father's...angel.

With your eyes upon me for ever.

The hypnotist says to his subject,

"Take this broom."

And you feel there's a broom in your hand.

And you take it!

And he says, "Sweep."

And you sweep.

And afterwards, you remember nothing.

You have to be asleep first.

I am asleep.

The room is filled with smoke.

You're an iron stove.

You're a tall man.

Dressed in black.

Your eyes glow like coals.

When the fire dies.

And your face is white as ash.

Here's the broom.

INAUDIBLE

BELL RINGS

It's only a bell.

Pray for me.

I don't believe in God.

But pray for ME.

THE BELL RINGS

It's just a bell.

My darling angel...

It's not JUST a bell.

There's someone behind it.

And a hand that sets it in motion.

And a vast, spinning universe that sets the hand in motion.

And if you stop your ears, it rings louder, until you answer.

Until the police come.

It's hell.

And there's nothing else.

Go.

THE BELL RINGS

HE CONTINUES TO RUB THE SHOE, HARDER AND HARDER

SILENCE