Original subtitles

It may seemed to have happened ages and ages ago.

But it was really only a few years back

that our story of the adventures of Robert

and Cathy Wilson started.

To be exact, on a gloomy spring day in London

in the year 1940.

Look at them as they start the most wonderful chapter

of their lives on this very exciting morning.

I better come back in the taxi tonight

and keep it waiting.

'Yes, dear, I'll have everything packed and ready.'

I don't need that.

You know it helps you when you're upset.

I'm not upset, I'm perfectly confident.

Perfectly.

Don't, dear. You'll catch my cold.

- Good morning, Mrs. Hemmings. - Good morning, Mr. Wilson.

Off you go.

'Good morning, Mr. Staines.'

'Good morning, Mr. Staines.'

Good morning, Mr. Staines.

'Good morning, Mr. Staines.'

Mr. Staines, could you tell me

when Mr. Hargrove will see me?

Mr. Hargrove will see you, Mr. Wilson

in his own good time.

Yes, Mr. Staines.

'Wilson?'

Yes, Mr. Staines.

'Mr. Hargrove will see you now.'

Thank you, sir.

Now, this is what you have to say to him.

Mr. Hargrove, I've served the firm for five years.

Oh, but eight weeks, Mr. Hargrove.

And I think Mr. Staines would answer for me

that I had served it loyally and devotedly.

I'm only eight weeks short of the five years, Mr. Hargrove

and so I hope to make an exception in my favor

as regards making up the salary.

If you could overlook the eight weeks.

Thank you, Mr. Hargrove. Thank you.

I appreciate it very much, Mr. Hargrove.

'Come in.'

You're late, Mr. Wilson.

I'm sorry, I...

Mr. Hargrove is waiting for you. Go ahead, please.

'Sit down, gentlemen. Sit down.'

Oh, the three musketeers, eh?

So, you're off, are you?

Good lads.

Nineteenth December, the last war.

Joined up at once.

Yes, two years in the trenches

and then a nice comfortable blighty.

'And I wish the same for you.'

And, uh, I'm happy to say that anybody who's been

with us five years will have the difference between

his salary and his army pay made up by, uh, by the firm.

- 'Thank you very much.' - 'Thank you, sir.'

Not at all. It's only right and the firm is happy to do it.

Well, good luck and the sooner you all get back

the better pleased we should be.

Thank you very much, sir. It's very generous. We appreciate it.

- 'Goodbye, sir.' - Appreciate it very much, sir.

Oh, yes, of course, Wilson, I'm sorry about it.

Just eight weeks short, but a rule, you know.

A rule is a rule, and if I were to make

an exception in your case, it would mean that somebody

who'd been with us four years shorter two months

would think he had it claimed.

You see what I mean?

Oh, yes, sir, and then if-if someone who've only been

with you three years would...

Exactly and the firm simply couldn't afford it.

Oh, no, sir. It would work out.

It, uh...

Let me see now, what would it work out?

Yes. You got a head on your shoulders

and I can tell you this...

...we're extremely sorry to lose you.

But with your sane point of view

you're bound to get on even in the army.

The navy, sir.

Now, the principle is the same.

And remember, that your job will be waiting for you

if you come back, eh, when you come back.

Goodbye, Wilson.

You don't want to fight, but by jingo if you do, right?

Come and see us when you're on leaves.

♪ An airline ticket to romantic places ♪

Come on, hurry up. She won't eat you.

Poor little Cathy thinks everything you say

and do is wonderful.

All you've got to do is to go in and give her

a great hug and say, look old lady or sweetheart

or what have you.

Look, dear, it's bad news, but it isn't gonna get us down.

We've got to look at the silver lining.

It's always darkest before the dawn.

And there's ninety seven pounds still in the savings bank.

Well, I'm going into the navy tonight.

So, this is what we do, my girl. You put on your bonnets.

And out we go and we blew the odd seven pounds

Ten on a farewell dinner and a bottle of champagne.

Cathy, I didn't get it. He wouldn't...

But you've been there nearly five years.

Yes, nearly, but not quite.

Oh, Robert, how mean.

You see, a rule's a rule.

I am sorry.

Oh, well, never mind.

We've got nearly a hundred pounds

and anyway the war can't last forever.

Oh, no. It will be over by Christmas.

Anyway, we better hurry. I've only got to lock the bag.

What's that?

It's a sponge bag for shaving things and things.

Cathy, it's lovely.

I don't expect many of the other sailors

will have one.

No, I don't expect they will.

Anyway, the worst comes to the worst

I can always get a job.

No. Cathy, now that's the last thing I'd want you to do.

You know how strongly I feel about that?

Just as you say, Robert.

Oh, the curtains.

I just thought I'd take it.

Oh-ho-ho.

Oh-ho-ho, very silly.

I've put some sandwiches in your case.

Top, left hand corner.

Thank you.

You don't have to change, do you?

No, I don't think so.

The insurance policy is in the top drawer of the desk.

The key's under the clock.

I think you better wind it every day.

Well, there's your seat.

- That's alright, mate. - Oh. Oh, thank you very much.

Oh, Cathy, your present. I nearly forgot.

Oh, thank you, Robert.

Sign on there, please.

- Goodbye. - 'Goodbye.'

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Robert.

I'm joining the navy too. Going to Rockhampton.

HMS Benbow.

Oh.

'Any of you for Benbow? Anyone for Benbow?'

- 'Anderson?' - 'Yes, sir.'

- 'Albert?' - 'Yes.'

- 'Jeremy?' - 'Yes.'

- 'Gracely?' - 'Yes.'

- 'Dunham?' - 'Yeah.'

- 'Floyd?' - 'Yes.'

- 'Henderson?' - 'Yes.'

- 'Gen Vin?' - 'Yes, captain.'

- 'Jackson?' - 'Here.'

- 'James?' - 'Here.'

- 'Steve?' - 'Yes.'

- 'Coby?' - 'Yes.'

- 'Mendez?' - 'Yes.'

- Nucome? - 'Yes.'

- Scott? - 'Yes.'

- Smithson? - 'Yes.'

- Taylor? - 'Yes, sir.'

- Walton? - 'Here.'

- Wilson? - Here.

That's all. Follow me.

When was your last new entries?

Colonel, the turn ins.

Choose your cots.

Haven't much time before flag down.

Not such a bad-looking lot this time, eh?

No such a good looking lot, either.

Oh, come off it.

Bill, you always was a pessimist.

I've seen worse.

Nothing much worst about the name, anyway.

Couple of weeks in your loving care and you won't know him.

Couple of weeks. No one want to know him.

- Good evening. - Good evening, mate.

Is this bed engaged?

No. That's not a bed. It's a bunk.

Bunk?

- You're in the navy now. - Oh, I see.

Oh, yes, of course.

When do we actually get on the ship?

What ship?

HMS Benbow.

This is it.

You're in his majesty ship Benbow, right now.

This? The Benbow? But it's just a hut.

This is what they call a shore establishment.

And all shore establishments run like ships.

Alright.

See, how do you know so much about it?

Oh, it's nothing much they can tell me about the navy.

I used to be a sea scout.

Oh.

'Out lights. Pipe down.'

'Out lights. Pipe down.'

'Wakey, wakey, wake up.'

'Wakey, wakey, wake up.'

'Rise and shine.'

Show your head.

Come on, turn out there.

Wakey-wakey-wakey.

Rise and shine. Come on, turn out there.

'Wake up.'

'Come on. Get up, you.'

'Swingin' them out. Come on, get up.'

There. Ain't that a bit more spring like?

Next, please.

He must look so funny without his moustache.

He'll look younger anyhow.

No, he didn't want to look younger.

That's why he grew it in the first place.

He thought it would be more dignified for the office.

Oh, I wonder how he'll stand it.

He's got such a delicate stomach.

Hello, mate. Anything to report?

Ah, what? Hurry up. Lovely grub. Pork and beans.

Anything to get you, mate?

Nothing startling.

'Won't you gonna eat your lovely grub?'

You must know that letter by heart, Bob.

What you keep reading it for?

It's Cathy. She's joined the Reds.

'You've got my bunk.'

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I thought the chief said any bed in the hut.

She said nothing of the kind.

But I assure you she did.

She didn't say any bed in the hut.

She said any bunk in the cabin.

Oh, yes, I mean that.

Any bunk in the cabin.

Take that bunk. You better store your kit.

- Can I leave it on the floor? - Deck, girl, deck.

Don't forget you're in the navy now.

This is not the floor. It's the deck.

That's the deck head. This is the cabin.

The kitchen is the ready galley.

And if you don't remember that, you're in trouble.

Yes, I do know.

It's just that I get flustered and I forget.

What's your name?

Wilson. Mrs. Wilson.

And what have you done with him?

- Who? - The fortunate Mr. Wilson?

Oh, he's at sea.

That'll teach him.

- This him? - Yes.

'This looks like before.'

Where's after?

Well, after? What do you mean?

Not very bright. Are you?

But at least I'm not rude.

You've got a cold. Go straight to sister.

A senior rating in this cabin

I won't have anyone scattering germs.

I can't help having a cold.

Of course you can. Proper diet, fresh air.

I think you're being extremely impertinent.

It's hard being new, isn't it?

You'll quite like it in a week or two.

'We're not so bad.'

What's your name?

Clayton. Dizzy Clayton.

Have a cigarette.

Oh, no, thank you. My husband doesn't like me to.

Do you think there's somewhere I could post this?

Of course, I'll come with you if you like.

We'll just have time before the supper.

Oh, thank you.

Wait for me. I'll tell the chief we're going to the post.

You can't come out looking like that.

Try some lipstick.

Oh, no, I never use lipstick. My husband doesn't like me to.

Oh, well, then you must never use it.

Never.

♪ An airline ticket ♪

♪ to romantic places ♪

- Hello, mate. Still alive? - And kicking.

- See anything? - Yes.

- What? - Lot of sea.

See the convoy's still out there.

Yeah, there's nothing in sight.

Trouble with the Greek over there.

Seems to go off on her own.

Captain gave her a devil of a talking just now.

What's the grub?

An early original dish, known as corn beef hash.

Good. I was hungry as a horse.

Hold it.

Here. Not too deep.

Who's the pin-up?

My missus. I'm writing to her.

- Didn't know you was married. - I didn't know myself.

Last leave it was. Only had one day for honeymoon.

What's the matter? Wasn't it enough?

- Funny things, honeymoons. - 'Mine was lovely.'

I've had four.

Three regular and one in America.

And what I say is, you can't judge a wife by the honeymoon.

And my last, she didn't want to wear a trousseau.

She wanted to save it for the neighbors.

What happened to the other, Strupey?

My first was light hearted if you get what I mean.

We had a grand five days.

Never out of a pub till we was pushed.

'What happened to her?'

- We lost touch. - 'Oh.'

How about your honeymoon, Bob?

As a matter of fact, my wife and I went

to Clacton-on-sea in August on-on a tendor.

♪ Daisy, Daisy ♪

♪ Give me your answer do ♪

♪ I'm half crazy ♪

♪ All for the love of you ♪

Well, now. Would you believe me?

Well, you've been lucky. Only a few windows broken.

Couple of telegrams for you, Mrs. Hemmings.

Sent through just now on the phone.

"Please tell my wife all leaves cancelled, Wilson."

That's one and the other is

"If Mr. Wilson arrives explain all leave cancelled.

Will he please contact me at new number, Catherine Wilson."

Poor, dear, you know the Wilsons.

They do have bad luck with their leaves.

She hasn't seen them since he was called up.

- She's a Red. - He's in the navy, isn't he?

Oh, well, they take all sorts these days.

Noise a little loud, aren't they?

Not as bad as last night.

My husband says in six months we'll give them twice as much.

'Who's on watch?'

- Wilson, sir. - Here, sir.

Signal has to be taken to Octopus immediately.

Yes, sir.

If they don't know, tell what's happened

to the road and say we can't get through by telephone.

Aye-aye, sir.

A Red with an urgent signal from Commander Baker.

- Send her in. - Come in, miss.

An urgent signal for you from Commander Baker, sir.

The telephone's broken down and nobody can get through by road.

- Williams? - 'Sir.'

See if the captain's in the building.

Aye-aye, sir.

- Did you come alone? - Yes, sir, on a skimmer.

- Have any trouble? - No, sir. It's a bit noisy.

- Frightened? - Yes, sir.

I don't blame you. So am I.

When I was your age, I should be the down side more frightened.

- 'Like a cup of tea?' - Yes, sir.

'Get yourself a cup before you go.'

Thank you, sir.

You'll have something to tell your children when you marry.

I am married, sir.

Oh! Where's your husband? At sea, I hope.

Yes, sir.

- 'When did you see him last?' - Was about 18 months, sir.

- A long time, 18 months. - Yes, sir. It's a long time.

'How do you spell nostalgia?'

N-O-S-T-A-L-G-I-A.

Nostalgia! What is it?

It's what I feel when I'm away from my wife.

I've gotta say somethin', don't I?

'Not easy writing home when you haven't seen her for two years.'

As I see, some wives you can write to easy

and some you can't.

And Strupey's had experience.

In my place all goes right, I can over see it in my mind.

'But my woman. It was alright when I was with her'

'but I'm flapping away for a long time.'

'I find myself forgetting what she looked like.'

Couldn't you even remember her face?

'Yeah, that's right. She was a good wife in many ways.'

But when we was apart, she sort of... faded out.

'You know, went kind off misty.'

- Sort of out of focused. - 'Yes, that's right.'

'Can you see your wife, Bob?'

Hmm? Of course I can.

'Is she a blonde?'

Yes, I suppose you would call her a blonde.

'Good looking.'

Well, she's just a normal girl. She's... simple and complicated

quiet, dependable sorta person.

Yes that's the strong point about Catherine.

She's-she's thoroughly dependable.

- Have you got her picture? - Yes.

- Here she is. - Hmm.

Oh, yes.

You're right there, Bob.

Nice quiet little number I should say.

Not the flighty sort.

'You know where you are with her when you get surely.'

No need to knock at the front door and run around the back.

'They're always the best in the long run. Quite ones.'

'Even if they ain't much fun.'

- Gentlemen. - Yes.

Make a signal to play. Tell them to attack with torpedoes.

I'm closing to attack with torpedoes. Aye, aye sir.

Girls! I know it was a wonderful party

but in five minutes it's lights out.

Oh, I can't finish my letter.

You're not writing to Robert at this hour?

Sort of thought I ought to.

Didn't you have a good time?

Oh, yes, and it's because I had a good time.

Doesn't seem fair to Robert somehow.

Why is he so mad about dancing?

Oh, he hates it.

And you see, while I was dancing with your cousin, I realized

how he hates it, see what I mean?

I'd rather like to meet your Robert.

Oh, I don't think you'll get on.

He's not done anything or gone anywhere exciting

like your cousin.

Why don't you call him Richard?

Yes, he asked me to.

Oh, he has had a wonderful life.

Robert's in the city, isn't he?

Um, book keeper.

Richard told me about the docks at Hong Kong.

Why, he practically built them, didn't he?

Well, he did repair work on them, I believe.

'How old is Robert?'

Oh, about Richard's age.

- Imagine he's learning Chinese. - 'Who? Robert?'

Robert? Chinese? Don't be silly. Richard.

- Cathy. - Um?

'Had he charm when you met him?'

- Who, Richard? - 'Robert.'

Oh.

Well, he was always very kind.

Sorry, girls. Time.

Do you know, Dizzy, I've never danced

since I've married Robert.

Huh?

It's a wonderful sensation to dance with the right man.

With whom?

Oh, the right man.

'Cut on the head is nothing.'

'One can't tell about the hands yet.'

'Just keep him quiet.'

- How is he, sister? - He'll be alright.

They tell me he rode for five days with hands half roasted.

'Oh, what a wonderful view.'

'Guarded by ships, and all our sea our own.'

Who said that?

'A poet, 300 years ago in another old fight for freedom.'

Oh, I do envy you.

You've read everything and travelled everywhere.

I do read, but I've never travelled.

- Why don't you, after the war? - You don't know my husband.

'Hmm, don't I?'

Your husband, I should say, he's about 5'8.

- 6 foot when he stands up. - Hmm, weedy.

Oh, no, he's always been delicate.

- Mm-hmm. Stoops a little. - Of course...

Winds the clock before leaving to office.

Leaves on the stroke of eight and comes home at 6:30

exactly year in and year out.

Grumbles a little, has a yellow finger from cigarettes.

Doesn't drink.

Likes bicycling and kept white mice when he was a small boy.

Oh, I think you're being perfectly hateful.

'Keep still.'

My husband is devoted to me and I am to him.

He's never looked at anybody else.

He can't talk intellectually and spitefully like...

'Me.'

And I'm not saying he's Clark Gable.

- But he is dependable. - I have it merely.

Don't know what you're talking about.

You might have kept it for another moment.

No, it's not bad. You can look now if you like.

- It's not me. - Who else?

It's very lovely, but it's not a bit like me.

It's exactly like you.

I didn't know you could draw.

Huh, nobody ever thinks a naval architect can.

Can I have it?

I want to send it out to Robert.

Oh, but I wanted it for my husband.

You didn't know who it was, why should he?

Anyone else you want it written to?

I won't bother you, I'll write myself soon.

Rather hard on her, whoever she is, to be kept waiting.

Even a day or two.

- It's only my wife. - Oh, your wife.

Well, I mean, whether she get a letter a day or two

sooner or later, she wouldn't mind.

Is she pretty?

Nice looking rather than pretty.

At least when I first met her.

- Where was it? - At the polytechnic.

As a kid I wanted to be an engineer.

You know, bridges, roads, India.

'And the sort of dreams, you know.'

I went to the polytechnic evening classes.

It was there that I met Cathy.

She was studying shorthand or something.

We fell in love, married and... that was the end of that.

I see.

I seem to be pouring out the entire story of my life.

People always unburden to their nurses

when they're getting better.

That's what we're here for.

Well, I can't see much of unburdening the matron.

- Hello, Scotty. - How are you?

I'm fine. I'm the cut-leg bushka. How's yourself?

Oh, I'm fine too.

Well, what do you think of Tunis? I like it myself.

But it's not to be compared with good Old Glasgow.

Give me the chills every time.

- Sister. - Yes?

Don't go, I want to ask you something.

Before I go, would you...

Could we have a sort of evening, sort of final evening.

- I'd love to. - Would you?

Of course.

- Elena. - Yes, Robert.

I've never met anyone like you before.

I could say the same of you.

Oh, it wouldn't be true. Mine's a true opinion.

- So are mine. - No, not in my world.

- What's exactly your world? - I'd tell you if you like.

8:00 to 7:00, Men of Scardens.

Top Flanks from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Jones and Hargroves from 9:00 a.m. till 6:00.

Along this, with Mr. Smith on my right and Mr. Jones opposite.

Mr. Scott in charge of the room, Morgan over there put the door.

Kid the office boy up and down all day, dragging his feet.

Hawkins' the door man whistling to himself in the corridor.

That's my world.

Oh, except for a fortnight once a year at Clacton-on-sea.

Poor Clacton-on-sea. What's wrong with it?

'Oh, there's nothing wrong with the place.'

Just us.

When you move a roller off a patched grass

you know how yellow and flat the grass looks?

Well, that's just how we look lying on the beach

getting our fortnight sunshine for the year.

We?

Yes, we, me and Jones and Smith and Scott and Kip the office boy

and Hawkins, the door man and...

Oh, no, not Morgan.

Oh, no, Morgan always went biking, on a tandem

with Mrs. Morgan.

Yes, we all got tanned in the summer... but it wore off

by the end of September, just as everything else wore off.

When you do the same job every day, every year

it's easy to slack off taking exercise, slack off reading.

Grooves comfortable. Serves a grave, they say.

The war got me out of it for now.

But that's what I've got to get back to.

Oh, I see it. Do I sound sorry for myself?

You do.

You want to be proud of yourself and of the millions above us

like you and those who had to stay behind

in their London offices, they haven't done so badly

those people who stay behind in their London offices.

Grass under the roller?

My husband used to say the grass is the toughest thing

in the universe.

I didn't know you were married.

You're not very observant, are you?

My husband used to say that the hymn, the city of London

was the most romantic spot on earth.

I expect you've heard of him. Allingham, the explorer.

Yes, of course, I know him.

I mean, he's...

Well, everyone knows him.

He was once a London office boy.

And you know what started him off?

The names of the city streets.

He used to say, it took him travelling across the world

with Capitan Columbus.

But most of all it was the names of his fellow clerks.

He'd have said, "Joe/Jill, a Hawkins fought the Armada.

"A Smith, Captain Smith married the Princess Pocahontas

"and founded Virginia.

"Scott reached the south pole.

A Paul Jones was the American Admiral who.."

Well, let's face it.

Got the better of us.

But our problem's entirely different.

We're the ordinary Smiths and Jones'. We are the crowd.

My husband was always one of the crowd.

That's why one listened to him.

He was wonderful.

He knew all about people who lived hundreds of years ago.

How they thought and how they felt.

He knew how I thought and felt.

'Where is he now?'

He was killed in Burma, six months ago.

♪ I'll never do those lovely things ♪

♪ That lovers do ♪

♪ I'll never get my heart in bed ♪

♪ No, no, never ♪

♪ I don't want to be hurt again ♪

He was wonderful. He had a mind like a lamp.

And then the war comes.

Out.

I'm glad we've known each other.

♪ Souvenirs of old romances ♪

♪ The roses, the perfume, the glows... ♪

I must go.

Please don't come.

Goodbye, Robert.

♪ Some sentimental sweet repaid ♪

♪ No, no, never ♪

♪ I don't want to be hurt ♪

♪ Again ♪

♪ The chapter is ended ♪

♪ The last word is spoken ♪

♪ The letter's returned ♪

♪ Just the ties are all broken ♪

♪ The world will romance for I'm finished and through ♪

♪ The first and the last of my lives ♪

♪ Shall be... ♪

Ah, it will be 50 francs, monsieur.

I forgot something, mademoiselle.

- Could you add one word? - Oui.

Love, just before the signature.

Love. Expect me anytime.

Love, Robert.

That would be another five francs.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Love?

Wilson, telegram for you.

Oh, thanks.

'Bad news?'

Oh, no, not at all.

Thanks a lot.

- Two letters for you, Maggie. - Thanks.

One for you, Gini.

Thank you.

- Dizzy. - Thanks.

What do you think? My sister's getting married.

Really?

She's going to be married in white.

I think it's silly.

I don't. You only have it once.

What was your wedding dress, Cathy?

Oh, oyster satin.

Heard from Robert?

Yes, he cabled. He's coming home on leave.

'Oh, how lovely for you.'

Yes, isn't it?

Let go forward. Let go aft

Veer off forward. Veer off aft.

I love you, you've known that for sometime.

No, Richard, you're fond of me just as I'm fond of you.

But you're not in love with me.

You told me yourself, you never meant to fall in love again.

I didn't mean to, but I have.

I suddenly realized I'm two persons and I used to be one.

I'm two persons and I don't like either of them.

I don't like the one you like.

- Oh, listen, Cathy... - Richard, Robert's home.

I've got leave. I'm going up on the night train with Dizzy.

Ever since we docked you've been a sour week old milk.

- Shut up. - What's the matter with you?

- Aren't you going on leave? - Shut up.

You needn't look as though you're going to a funeral.

- I'm so stiff. - More of it?

This time tomorrow night you'll be with your Robert.

Yes, I know that.

A whole weeks leave with your husband after three years

you should be jumping about with joy.

Yeah, I must get up.

Out with it, Cathy, what's the matter?

- Three years. - What do you mean?

It's just what you said. I have not seen Robert in three years.

Three years away is a lifetime.

I see what you mean.

Mind you, we were fond of each other.

But the thing we had in common, our home, it was pre war.

- You don't want to go back? - I do not but she will.

You see, I'm her whole life, poor little Cathy.

Scotty, take my advice.

When you get married have it clear.

- No clinging. - No clinging?

My wife's not stood on her feet yet.

And what she's doing in a rend setup is beyond me.

A lounge, Cathy with one of her colds in a lounge.

Cathy's colds.

Scotty, there were times when I'd say to myself

if she gets one more cold, only one more, I'll emigrate.

And there were times when I think to myself

if I hear the click of his latch key just once more

on time, always on time, I'll set fire to the house.

Oh, Dizzy, I can't go back and live that life again.

I just can't take it.

I don't want to have anything I shouldn't have

but I can't go and live in that guinea pig hatch with Robert.

- Could you with Richard? - Dick?

Why? What's Dick got to do with it?

He's in love with you, isn't he?

Yes, I suppose so.

And you? How do you feel about him?

Well, I feel... Whatever I feel, I must go back to Robert.

Because you're married to him?

No, because he can't do without me.

Oh, Dizzy, he's such a poor dear little man.

If I weren't there to wind him and start him off

to the office every morning, he'd run down

like a clock work mouse.

- But why don't you leave her? - Leave Cathy?

Leave that helpless kitten? That's what she is, you know.

Just a blind little kitten. How could she manage without me?

I think for her, I plan for her, she lives on my virility.

Without me Cathy is like a, like a color without any starch.

I could never do that. Never.

Well, here's the situation, Robert will never realize

what utter strangers we are to each other unless I tell him.

The point is, ought I to?

What I can't understand is, why you feel he's a stranger?

I haven't seen John since Singapore but...

John?

- You aren't married. - Engaged.

He's alright, I heard through somebody who got out.

You might have told me.

Made me feel so small.

You talk about three years dimming things.

Why, Cathy, I can see him as clearly

'I want him as badly as if he'd been gone for three days.'

What's the good of talking? He'll be back sometime.

- I can wait. - I do envy you.

You've got everything coming to you still...

I've been married for years and nothing's left to come.

- Who is the barnacle? - Don't be nice, it's me.

Funny how photographs let you down.

You know, this was good of me that time.

- 'Who is the lady?' - Cathy.

No color photographs in those days.

'Pity, how we see color helps a face.'

Those days? This snap's taken the year before the war.

If a man can change so much in four years, what's the answer?

'Would like to say...'

Clear out, the only thing to do.

I mean, it's for her good. What's the use?

She's a stranger to me, I'm a stranger to her.

When I look at that snap, I say.

"I don't know you, you don't know me.

We've never met."

- Here, see that in the bicycle? - Ah-ha.

That's me too.

What's it matter? Nobody will ever know.

Nobody? What about her?

She married that great ass. Not me.

I don't want to be that. Or that, or that.

I wanna be myself.

They blitz enough of London why couldn't they blitz this too?

Alright, that's tempted providence, Bob.

That poor devil's home on his first leave

he's longing to see you.

It's a bit hard on him, isn't it?

I mean, he thinks everything is the same.

Yes, I know. And he'd expect me to...

What I mean, he's very fond of me.

What I mean is that I think it's downright immoral

to treat a husband as a husband

when you haven't seen him for three years.

Robert and I are perfect strangers.

I can't just resume married life without any preliminaries.

I can't just... Oh, I can't explain.

Don't fuss, I know what you mean.

Yes, but will Robert?

- I'm not going in. - Don't be a fool.

My knees, they're like cotton wool.

Go on.

Look, will you wait for me at the pub?

The Coach and Horse is just at the corner.

I'll meet you there in an hour.

- Fare to you? - Yes, that's fine.

- Promise? - Go on you coward.

Is always covered in freckles in the summer.

Poor little Cathy. It'll break her heart.

Silly of me, for a minute I thought it was Cathy.

It's not her step. Nothing like...

Oh, well, she'll be here soon and make us tea.

Dizzy, Dizzy, wait for me.

- Dizzy. - What is it?

- I simply couldn't do it. - You are a coward.

- Yes. And I'm so ashamed. - So you ought to be.

The least you can do is to telephone him.

Oh, yes, yes, I can do that.

Oh, no, I haven't got any coppers.

- Here are your coppers. - Thank you.

Hello.

Hmm?

Cathy?

Was that you just now?

What?

What?

What?

I wondered if you could manage to meet me somewhere.

Anywhere, the bus stop would do.

As you've got someone there.

Yes, I could hear you talking.

Yes, I've got something important I want to tell you.

Something private.

Oh, no, I don't want to come back to the flat.

I'm sorry, Robert.

I'm most awfully sorry, but I don't want to come back at all.

- She's out of her mind. - 'Who's out...'

It's Cathy, she's crazy. She wants to meet at the bus stop.

She says she's not coming back to me.

Oh, congratulations. Heh heh heh.

If you think I'll let my wife walk out on me, think again.

I'll meet you at the pub when I'm through.

- Coach and Horses. - 'Okay, I'll be there.'

Cathy?

Is that you?

- Yes. Is that you, Robert? - Yeah.

- Hello. - Hello.

So, what's all this about?

Well, I thought we'd better have a talk somewhere.

On neutral ground.

Yes, alright.

- Well, we can't talk here. - No.

Let's go over there.

Couldn't we sit here and talk?

Well, just as you like, but why not come back to the flat?

- Why not come home? - Well, that's just it.

You see, it isn't a home to me, anymore.

I'm sorry, Robert, I'm awfully sorry, but I told you.

I don't want to come back to you at all.

I see.

I've had time to do a lot of thinking and...

What about?

Oh, about you and me and the life we lead before the war.

What else?

And about the life I intend to lead after the war.

And just exactly what sort of life do you intend to lead?

Is there someone else?

You needn't worry. I'm still a respectable married woman.

Oh, I'm absolutely sure about that, Cathy.

Oh, you needn't be so sure as all that.

The trouble is my conscience. I know how much nursing you need.

I lie awake at night wondering whether it's fair

to leave you to shift helplessly.

Please make up your mind once and for all

that I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself.

Oh, I had to wait on you hand and foot.

You used to lean on me for everything.

Lean on you?

When I had the entire responsibility

but the entire responsibility of our two lives

on my wretched shoulders.

I used to feel like a race horse dragging a milk cart.

Race horse, you.

A milk cart, am I?

Oh, really, it's ridiculous to go on like this.

I knew you wouldn't understand.

- Robert, I want a divorce. - Alright, have one.

- You mean you agree? - Certainly.

- You're sure? - Positive.

As a matter of fact, Cathy by some remarkable coincidence

it was exactly I wanted too.

Oh, you did, did you?

Well, I'm very much relieved. Surprised, but relieved.

Well, that's that.

What are we better do next?

Oh, I suppose one gets a lawyer.

No, I mean, now. There's still a lot to talk over.

Would you like a cup of coffee or lemonade or something?

- Yes, I would rather. - We better go in somewhere.

- Coach and Horses? - Yes.

Still troubled with that cold?

Cold? Nonsense, I haven't had a cold since you went away.

You were sniffing like a mad thing down the phone.

- I was crying. - Why?

Well, you don't say goodbye to your husband every day.

You don't say hello to him every day, either.

Do you realize I haven't seen you for three years?

Not that I can see now.

Oh.

- I'm terribly sorry. - It's quite alright.

I'll get you another.

Would you make it a gin, too, please, Robert, not lemonade?

- Gin, yeah. - Yes, pink gin.

Pink gin.

Pink gin.

Pink gin? You?

Thanks. I need it.

Aren't you going to drink yours too?

- Well, where were we... - Well, now what were we...

What were we talking about?

- Our divorce. - Oh, yes, the divorce.

- Will it be difficult to get? - Don't worry about anything.

You sue me, I'll give you cause.

Oh, no, no, we'll stick to the truth, I've deserted you.

No, I take a very strong view of that.

- It's a bit of a slur. - I don't mind, can't be helped.

Slur on me, I mean.

Oh, let's see, is there anything else we ought to discuss?

- Well, there's the furniture... - Blast the furniture, sell it.

Give it to Mrs. Hemming. I hated the flat anyway.

You?

But you used to call it your castle.

You used to say that there was no place like home.

'You used to say...'

I seem to have lingered in your memory as a broken record.

Tell me, Cathy, was I so awful?

Hmm?

Oh, what does it matter now?

Not a bit. Was I?

I don't remember.

Come on, out with it.

Well, you were a bit of an old maid.

Old maid?

Yes, you know, cut and dried

and then at the least excitement, you dithered.

Oh, no, I did not dither.

Cut and dried, I may have been on the surface.

After all, I spent half my life in an extremely stuffy office

and the other half in an extremely stuffy flat.

Where the windows were always kept tight shut

because my wife had a perpetual cold in the nose.

- Oh, I... - A perpetual cold in the nose.

I got no fresh air and no exercise

except a fortnight once a year, at Clacton-on-sea.

My job was boring, and my health was poor.

Possibly, I was, in consequence, just a little...

...lacking in star quality.

Just a little. All that I faintly admit.

But I was not an old maid and I did not dither.

Alright, alright.

I withdraw dither.

Anyway, I don't suppose I was exactly a pin-up girl myself.

Pin-up girl?

Oh, no, not exactly.

But Robert, how could I help it?

- A woman's place may be home... - Oh, I'm not so sure, it is.

- No, it isn't. - Yes, it is. It always will be.

Only, not our sort of home.

Oh, Robert, I got so bored.

Bored?

- You, too? - Yes.

You remember that high wall that shut out our view?

Yes.

It was so...

So flattening, Robert.

Oh, how I envied you going down to the city every day.

Envy me?

Yes, there's something romantic about the city.

Ah, I've heard all this before.

No, I mean it's-it's exciting. It's like the centre of a web.

That's it. You get caught in it.

Oh, no, no, quite the opposite.

The threads run out to the ends of the earth.

Oh, I never thought about that.

I always wanted to travel.

- Do you know what I did once? - No... tell me.

Well, I...

- No, you'll laugh. - I shan't laugh, Cathy.

I shan't laugh.

You remember the travel bureau in Victoria Street?

Yeah.

- I went in once. - What ever for?

I told them, my husband and I had come into money

and that we were planning a world tour.

- They were very polite. - Cathy.

I came out with my arms full of folders.

A lovely week in Lucerne. A luxury trip up the Amazon.

The smile on the sphinx.

And whenever that wall got on my nerves...

...I used to go for a good travel. I've been everywhere.

It's like the hymn on mission Sunday.

From Greenland's icy mountains to India's coral strands...

I always wondered if it was red coral or white.

White. Says so in the folder. Those folders were wonderful.

They were as good as a pink gin.

- I never caught you reading. - Of course not.

- Hid 'em in my stocking drawer. - Why?

I don't know.

I suppose I was afraid of being sneered at.

Cathy, I never sneered at you. Never.

No. But you would have been so hurt.

You'd have thought it a slur on your old Clacton-on-sea.

"My" Clacton-on-sea?

I detested Clacton-on-sea.

But you always used to insist upon going there.

Only because you liked it. It did your cold good.

Yes, but what else could I say?

We spent our honeymoon there, didn't we?

Do you remember the lodgings?

I do.

Do you remember the smell of curry?

Look.

Ladies and gentlemen, silence please.

Come on, wall and sundry, drinks on the house.

Ah!

Do you know what the day is, ladies and gentlemen?

No.

It's our golden wedding day.

Yes, I married my missus when I was a lad at 19.

Invalated home from Bailey.

- I'm 69 and she's 67. - Yeah, really?

What? Oh, yes, you are.

We've been married for 50 years and never had a quarrel.

- 'They'll never believe you.' - Calling me a liar, do you?

Five boys and two girls.

And never a cross word from start to finish.

So, me and my old woman, give you our love.

And invite you to have a glass of beer on the house

and a bit of dance.

Come on, let's have a drink.

Nobody here, they're all dancing.

- How long is your leave? - Ten days.

- How long is yours? - Ten days.

♪ An airline ticket to romantic places ♪

Where did you learn to dance?

Round and about. One picks it up, you know.

Here, where did you learn?

Round and about. One picks it up, you know.

Well, blow me down.

- Hello. - Quick work.

'What have you done with the other one?'

What other one?

The nitwit, the old man of the sea. The husband, your Robert.

Quiet. That is Robert.

- Don't be funny. - Shut up.

Hello.

- This is Robert, my husband. - This is Dizzy Clayton.

How are you? Should we have a drink?

- What will you have? - Dizzy always has gin and lime.

- Gin and lime. - Same again, Cathy?

- Please. - Alright.

That is not the husband you're going to get a divorce from.

That is the husband I'm getting a divorce from.

Then all I can say is, you must be insane.

- Just a poor crazed lunatic. - I don't know what you mean.

Now, look here, you told me that...

I don't want to hear what I told you. Come on.

- There you are. Sorry I'm late. - Hello, Scotty. Give a hand.

- Who are they for? - For the girls.

The girls? Where?

Oh boy, oh boy.

- Are they a couple of smashers? - Give me a double whisky.

How'd you get rid of the wife? Beat her to death or something?

- I'll take the one on right. - That is my wife.

Your wife?

- Are you kiddin'? - That's my wife.

And th-that's a friend of hers.

I never was able to understand an Englishman's sense of humor.

Your wife, indeed. Oh-ho!

Cathy, this is my friend Scotty.

Chief Petty Officer, McAllister. Scotty, this is my wife.

How do you do? This is my friend, Clayton.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

- Shall we dance? - I'd love to.

'You're not Robert's wife, are you?'

Why? What makes you think I'm not?

After all... look at you.

- I'm looking. What's wrong? - Oh, there's nothing wrong.

You're just wonderful, that's all.

Why did Robert say there was anything wrong?

Robert? Oh, no, no, you misunderstand me.

Robert couldn't say enough about you.

But somehow or another I...

I didn't get the impression that you were a pin-up girl.

Am I really?

You're my idea of one.

But of course, husbands don't think of wives as pin-up girls.

Oh, no. He always said how dependable you were.

'That you didn't waste your money on clothes'

'and make up and those sort of things.'

'About you being so delicate, and always having colds.'

'So, you see..'

'Well, I was rather scared of meeting you.'

Oh, yes, I do see.

I couldn't imagine you being so young.

Oh, couldn't you?

That was lovely.

- Cathy, another dance? - No, thanks.

- Won't you? - I said, no, thank you.

- How about you? - Yes, sure, thanks.

What is the matter? Cathy, what's happened?

You're quite different.

- What has Scotty been saying? - Nothing.

He's only explained to me just what a dim, dowdy

irritating, frumpable woman he was expecting to meet.

Clumsy, muddle headed fool.

I thought him very clear and very interesting.

I do absolutely understand now, Robert

why you were so keen on getting a divorce.

I? I want a divorce?

Who asked for divorce first?

Who started the whole thing? Who telephoned who?

- I did, very naturally. - And I agreed, very naturally.

Yes, but I am not going to be divorced on the grounds

that I'm older than you. Dull, dowdy, sickly...

I never never said anything of that sort. I never...

'You said I didn't waste money on make up.'

You'll say next that I don't brush my teeth.

If you think I'll stand such abuse, your very much mistaken.

- If I'm called an old maid... - So you are an old maid.

Cathy, if you say that once more I'll wring your neck.

Wring my neck.

What a silly, stupid, hackneyed phrase.

My dear, Robert, I'm not a meek child wife.

'I've run myself for the last three years'

'with complete efficiency.'

I've worked with just as good brains as yours

and held my own, had nothing but respect and courtesy everywhere.

Let me tell you this, you were a fairly pleasant person once

and I was doubtful if I was doing the right thing by you.

I was actually afraid of hurting your feelings.

Your feelings, as if you had any

that weren't exclusively concerned with your own

swollen, overbearing, impossible ego.

- I'm going. - Alright.

Goodnight.

- Dizzy, I'm going. - We're all going, aren't we?

♪ Should auld acquaintance be forgot ♪

♪ And never brought to mind ♪

♪ Should auld acquaintance be forgot ♪

♪ And days o' lang syne ♪

- Taxi! - Taxi! Taxi! Taxi!

- You've far to go? - Streatham.

Cathy's staying with me.

- Taxi! - You won't get a taxi now.

- Taxi! - There's a taxi!

- Taxi! Taxi! Taxi! - Taxi!

If we can't get a taxi, we must go to an hotel.

You two girls can go to the flat. Taxi!

- Says we can go to the flat. - I wouldn't dream of it.

She wouldn't dream of going there.

- Don't be a fool. - Don't be a fool.

Tell him to mind his own business.

- You heard that, I suppose. - She's still my business.

I won't allow my wife to wander around the streets. Taxi!

- There's a taxi! - Taxi!

Taxi!

- Where do you wanna go? - Streatham.

Oh, no, you don't. Close that door.

Now what do we do?

Go to the flat. Here's the key.

- I have a key, Dizzy. - She has a key, Robert.

'I intend to wait here until I get a taxi.'

She intends to wait here until she gets a taxi.

Alright, we'll all wait here till she gets a taxi.

It would be better if they went back to drinking.

We are perfectly capable of looking after ourselves.

I'm going to see you both into a taxi or into the flat.

I don't give a hoot in hades, which you do

but I'll not leave two girls standing on the pavement.

Is that understood?

'Yes, Robert.'

And it's very sweet of you.

Taxi!

Taxi!

Taxi!

It's a very pleasant locality.

- It was before the blitz. - What used to be here?

'Shops.'

Very nice little shops.

There was a paper shop, where I picked my evening paper

every night as I turned the corner.

Just here.

- Next door to the butcher. - The laundry.

- The butcher. - The butcher was opposite.

The butcher was next door. Next to the green grocer.

The butcher and the green grocer were opposite.

The paper shop, the butcher, the green grocer...

...and the place where I had my suit cleaned...

...were all on the north side.

The laundry was on the north side

but the butcher and the green grocer were opposite.

Where's north?

There's north.

Then the butcher and the green grocer...

Who cares where north is. The butcher...

'Could we have a compass to convince the lady?'

Scotty, if all the compasses in the British Navy were to say

that they were on the north side then all the compasses

in the British Navy would be wrong. The butcher and...

Oh, shut up, Cathy!

Robert, please don't speak to me.

Speak to you?

My dear, Cathy, I don't want to speak to you.

Believe me, you flatter yourself, my girl.

Conceit, that's what's the matter with you.

Blinding blithering conceit.

You doll yourself up decently for the first time in your life

and about time too.

You smother yourself in lipstick, you frizz out hair

like a blonde golliwog and then you expect me to speak to you.

I wouldn't speak to you again if you and I were alone

in the Garden of Eden and apples five pence a pound.

Believe me, after tonight I'll never speak to you again

as long as I live.

Goodnight!

And goodbye!

There. You see?

That's what the war does to men. He's just a boot.

And he used to be the kindest, gentlest, courteous husband.

Quarrel? Why, he never so much as raised his voice.

Nobody knows but me what a darling he was.

I adored him, he was my whole life.

Did you hear the things he said to me?

Yes.

And now, shall we go to your flat?

We're all very tired.

Conceit?

Oh, it's not fair.

- And it's not frizzed. - Of course, it isn't, darling.

Let's go.

- Shall I see you safely home? - No, it's just down the road.

- Goodbye, Scotty. - Goodbye, Mrs. Wilson.

And thanks for an interesting and instructive evening.

I want a break of matrimony myself.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Goodnight.

Never speak to her again.

Never never never.

For once in your life you've told her exactly

what you thought of her.

Good... and good.

"Blinding blithering conceit."

Hah, she didn't expect that.

"Overbearing impossible ego."

You didn't expect that, did you?

Not that it's true, of course.

Ego? Ego?

Why, you've never had enough ego.

Always thinking of others.

Well, that's that.

Relax now.

You know exactly where you are and exactly where you're going.

Exactly.

Where are you going?

Left? No, surely not.

Don't be absurd. Not left.

Forward, that's it.

Forward into the future, alone and unafraid.

The past is dead, the future is yours

and nothing is going to stop you.

Oh!

What's the matter, Admiral? Tired of life?

♪ My little grey home in the west ♪

♪ My lit... ♪

You know that's your eighth cup of tea.

- Oh, I can't sleep. - I can, if I'm let.

Oh, I'm sorry.

But you see, meeting him like that, it reminded me

of when we met at the tea shop, outside the polytechnic.

'I was going to be a typist, doing commercial Spanish.'

I'd watched him for a long time, but we never spoke.

Then one day I was eating before the class and he came in.

There was no room at the other tables, so he came up and said

"Would you mind awfully if..", and I said "Of course not."

He knocked over my tumbler of milk and was awfully upset.

Of course, it was upset if he knocked it over.

I mean, Robert was upset.

He would order me another.

And then he said, "Haven't I seen you in the Spanish class?"

And I said "Yes" and he said

"Do you always have your supper here?"

And I said "Yes" and he said

"Do you like it at the polytechnic?"

I said "Yes".

And then he said, oh, it was much later on...

"Perhaps, we could lunch together sometime."

And I said "Yes".

Well, what are you doing?

Oh, of course.

You're going to collect your gear.

Now, remember one thing.

No climbing down, no weakening.

Just a quiet, dignified entrance.

Perhaps, a charming distant smile.

If she's there, of course.

Kindly smile.

It'll have to be better than that. Come to think of it...

It's remarkable how much a human being can change

in three and a half years.

Remember Cathy in the old days...

...what a funny looking little thing she was?

And you gave her the best years of your life.

Were they the best years?

That's the style, clatter up the stairs.

Treat the place as if it were your own.

What are you creeping about like that for?

Oh, yes, of course.

The next stair creeks.

Why don't you take off your shoes, you fool?

No! Your socks want mending. Don't be a fool.

What are you thinking of?

Cathy mend your socks?

This Cathy?

Never in a thousand years.

Besides, what do you care?

Notice anything?

You're not out of breath.

You used to be like a pocket puffing billy in the old days.

At least the war has done that for you.

Come on now. Pull yourself together.

And don't forget, if she's there, be firm

distant and determined.

Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to bother you.

'I wasn't asleep.'

I just came for my things.

Do you remember those high walls that made the room so dark?

'Yes.'

They've gone.

Look.

Well, you certainly got the view you always wanted.

Miles and miles of it.

But oh, Robert, the desolation.

Good ol' London.

Well, we just got to build it up again.

- That's all. - It'll take years and years.

Now, what does that matter?

We're young.