Original subtitles

Thank you.

You're late.

Sorry, it was unavoidable.

Train's on Sunday.

You know what they're like.

Unavoidable? I don't believe it. I've eaten all the food.

You've eaten all the food?

Now that's serious.

This is all there is?

Told you.

What are all these candles for anyway? It's spooky.

Is this what you used to get up to with him every night?

I just like it, that's all.

You've got to stop it.

It looks like you're grieving.

Grieving for a relationship.

Must make it ten times worse.

Thank you, Richard.

I've been waiting here for the last six hours just to hear you say that. It is

all I need.

It is what you need. Come on.

I'm going to get you out of here. This place is bad for you. No, there's

nowhere to go around here on a Sunday.

Oh, no, she can't even leave the house. Come on, Natalie. There's no need to

overdo it.

Wait. Wait. Just wait.

What's that for?

I can't even go down the street without one. Well, I was giving up.

Get up.

Stop it.

I don't like seeing you unhappy.

Well, I am unhappy.

I'm incredibly unhappy.

I mean, you buy a flat with your lover and then he leaves you within two

months.

Six and a half weeks, actually. There's not many worse things.

No.

My mum and dad are both gone.

You're the only person I can tell.

Which is terrible.

I haven't seen you for ages.

I'm sorry.

I've been really busy.

Students aren't busy.

It's a good course.

Planning pretend cities.

I'm very happy.

As I bet you are.

Raving it up in London.

Stop playing the roles. What are you doing?

You should always look in these wherever you're going. You can judge a town by

what's in its tartars.

Stop it. That's disgusting.

Bloody hell, it's a tooth.

Nat, come on.

You're out of condition. Come on.

Come on.

Take this coat off.

Take your coat off.

Too much smoking. Look at you. Come on.

Jesus.

Oh, Richard, make it better.

I wish I could wake up and be happy.

Just one morning it would be gone, this feeling, and never come back.

You could make that happen.

Get out of town.

Start all over again.

A new career.

I'm too old to start again.

You're not too old. Don't be stupid.

That job was never what you wanted. A buyer for that bloody awful store. You

wanted to be artistic.

I'm not artistic.

No, but you want to be.

Kiss me.

I'm sorry.

I just needed something to hug.

Even you, even my little brother.

Go back to sleep.

And you haven't made me feel better, so don't look so smug.

What's the matter?

I've left my wallet in your flat. So go and fetch it.

I haven't got a key.

Please. I don't want to miss the train.

I don't believe this.

You appear out of nowhere, use my flat as a hotel, I hardly see you and... Just

this time.

Please.

You have to get permission. You have to ask my 14-year-old boss.

There. The things I do for you, I can't believe it.

How's the job?

Now he asks.

It's horrible there. I've become a secretary.

My boss is terrified and I'm going backwards.

You know, I look somewhat creative to it and trendy and see what happens. I feel

like I'm 150 and 60 years old. Stop it.

Okay, okay. I can do anything you told me, so it must be true.

You're not listening.

Oh, no, I am. Look, it's just the train.

Look, we need to talk to you now. Try and do it here.

Mr Stupid, go on, then.

Go. Go.

I'm sorry, I missed the train.

You'd better write or I'll kill you. You ring too. Scotland's not that far away.

I may be busy.

No, you won't. Building a new town, that's nothing. You'll have plenty of

time.

Come on, where are you?

Oh, Richard, be there.

Hello? Richard.

Natalie, it's you.

It's only my sister.

Only?

My,

uh, my secretary.

We're, um, we're all alone here.

I suppose you're in the middle of scrying her.

As it happens, yes.

But this is not a regular occurrence.

Jesus, you're incorrigible. It's four o'clock in the afternoon.

We're celebrating our last few days of freedom.

We've finally got the office finished.

This place is like out of a horror movie.

Maybe it's time to move on again.

You always make it sound so easy.

Well, I've got a new job.

A milk one?

Yeah, this one's on the continent, if I get it. What? You mean you'll be going

abroad? Maybe, yeah.

Listen, Natalie, I've got to put some clothes on, so...

Yes, it might be an idea to get dressed walking about naked in the middle of

your office. That's ridiculous.

I don't like this conversation.

Ouch!

Frankly, I'm amazed to see someone like you here.

The cut you'd be taking in salary is immense.

I mean, all these jobs you've done, pan-European, Brussels... Oh, I take no

notice of that.

Well, it was just luck, and I wasn't happy doing them.

So you think you're going to get this job, do you?

Not at the moment, no.

You mean you only get the terrific jobs and this isn't one of them?

No, I mean, this interview's going rather badly, so... Well, don't smoke.

We'll just play with them.

I've changed.

I saw there was more to life than planning new roads.

I discovered the environment a bit late, mate. I'm not putting this well.

I've seen so much incompetence among developers. Bad planning. I want to do

something about that.

You realise we have no money to speak of?

There are no planning controls in this part of the town. All we can do is hand.

You mean a sort of urban greenpeace?

I'll let you know. I'll call you.

Tell me now.

I prefer to cut the bullshit, and I imagine you do too.

Hello, oven alert.

Okay, hang on.

Richard.

Richard, phone call for you. I can't take it. To your sister.

Oh, shit, yeah, I was meant to... I suppose I'd better take it.

Hiya. You've been back six weeks. You haven't called.

I did call.

I left a message on your machine.

Until yesterday.

You want to come over?

Meet Sinclair?

No. Don't do that.

Sinclair, since you didn't manage to make it to the wedding.

Food. Food's up.

Hiya.

Come to lunch on Saturday.

1pm.

Yeah. Sure.

I'll try to make it.

OK. Bye.

Families.

Look, I want to get a job in the West End. Oh, yeah?

What sort of job? No, no, not that.

I mean, just a job. I'm beginning to think we've made a real mistake.

Could be.

I don't usually eat the food I deliver.

Come on, risk it.

Ah,

come in. Come in, come in, come in, come in. Sit, sit, sit down.

Miserable little man.

Delighted to see you all here.

I'm sure you will give us a clean bill of health.

Now... You know you said on August the 4th, our new block

will be an asset for the whole area we want to share it.

Exactly.

We are proud of it, and as is the regular practice in America, the public

will be allowed to see the full glories of our foyer at any time, and there will

be public tours of the building every day of the week.

But getting in here, Mr. Dewitt, is more difficult than entering Fort Knox. That

promise was crap, wasn't it?

I'm not aware of having made that statement, but it is a small matter.

Absolutely.

And talking of small matters, let us now move on to the matter of Threepenny

Street.

Well done.

Yeah, well Colin doesn't look too pleased. What do you expect applause

from him?

Shit!

I was meant to go and have lunch with my sister.

Forget it.

It's too late now.

She's married some boring guy I was meant to meet him.

Why don't you go?

You're unbelievably late.

I know.

Practically no food left.

I've eaten all the food.

What?

Don't you remember?

Nothing.

This house is extraordinary, Natalie.

I thought I'd come to the wrong place.

Do you want to come in?

Or are you going to admire it from out there?

The brother.

This, at last, must be the brother.

Yes, at last it is.

I've been eyeing that last piece of pudding, wondering if I could possibly

eat it, and now you've turned up.

Sit, sit.

Have some cold soup.

It's all your fault we've eaten so much.

I've heard so much about you.

Most of it extremely interesting.

It's lovely to meet you.

Turns out that it adds to the flavor.

This is the estate.

Very impressive.

I love it here.

I thought when we moved here that we'd stand out, eccentrics amongst all these

rich pricks, but not a bit of it. The place is full of madmen.

Dreamers.

Psychopaths, bank managers who want to be painters, deep freeze merchants who

want to be poets who are really rather boringly normal and restrained in

comparison.

So you're reading Proust.

Volume 12?

Or is that just for our benefit? If you carry that around, people automatically

think, Jesus, I feel so guilty, I've never read it. Proust.

I'm afraid, though, it's nauseating to admit it.

I have read the entire thing in French.

Stop showing off, Sinclair.

I bet she's enjoying it.

Apart from anything else, it makes me feel so ignorant.

He must see the car.

It's very predictable, I know, and very vulgar, showing it to people, but...

It's a magnificent car. I just can't help it.

I do believe I have to confess in spending money and not just hoarding it.

Of course.

And fortunately, there's a lot of money being able to tell people what's going

to happen.

Business trends, analysis. And the wonderful thing is that you can make an

awful lot.

Even if you're wrong. Most people don't realize that.

But I'm not wrong.

Not at all.

Come on, Nats. Tea time.

Oh, no, Sinclair. Not more eating. What about your diet?

The diet starts tomorrow. Tea is definitely overdue.

So, what do you think?

Oh, it's amazing.

And everything is wonderful.

And Sinclair?

Oh, he's great.

Does he ever stop talking?

Not when he's eating, as you will see.

Does he ever let you say anything?

Yes, of course.

Once a week at least.

And how did you get to speak like this?

I've always spoken like this, haven't I?

Why are you wearing this?

What do you mean, why?

You wore it that night when I visited you in your flat. You remember.

I don't think so.

A brother and sister reunion.

I intrude, I withdraw.

You'd forgotten it was her birthday, hadn't you?

That's a birthday.

Throw them out separately, one by one.

Not like that.

Go on, darling, do it.

A wish for each one.

Can we sing it yet? Shh.

Shh. I don't know when we're going to sing happy birthday.

What are you waiting for? Go on.

OK.

Do you know they made a new kind of cream dispenser?

market research showed that people really hated cream coming out of plastic

things like toothpaste so they made this cow not unlike this one except i think

you squeeze its udders come on

haven't you finished yet that took long enough anybody think you hadn't done it

before i never realized the home counters

were so beautiful

All this, only the city.

Yes, all sorts of things happened here.

This was the site of a great Victorian party. They had columns of elephants

here.

What about your new job?

Oh, it's fine.

They're very serious.

You mean they don't laugh at your jokes?

And my boss looks rather ill.

No, it's OK.

The office is decaying, which is amazing, but they're quite efficient.

Are you happy?

Oh, yes.

Yeah, but this isn't you, is it?

This house and everything.

Oh, it's me, all right. It's very much me.

Really?

Even though you never get to speak?

You do remember, don't you?

You keep saying that. I don't know what you mean.

Do I pass?

What?

Do I pass?

Do I meet with the brother's approval?

Oh, yes.

Very definitely.

It was like being inside a colour supplement.

Pretty women draped about the place. Golden-haired children. Food available

on every surface.

Were you envious?

Envious? No.

No.

Or maybe a little.

No, it would drive me mad in less than a week living like that.

Are you close, you two?

You and your sister? Not particularly, no.

Not at all. My parents separated when she was a teenager. She went to live

with Dan.

And now she's married a rich man.

Yeah, complete cop-out.

She applied for a job. He was the boss. She didn't get the job, but she got him.

Anyway, you must come and see.

Is that some kind of an invitation?

Yeah, maybe. Oh, thanks. How can I resist when it's put like that?

I don't know what you two are up to. Chat, chat, chat. Always at it.

I want those figures at the end of the day. Do you understand?

Jesus.

I don't know what you're doing here. We were just passing on the way to a

wedding in Greenwich.

Just couldn't resist dropping by, having a peek.

Sinclair's here.

Can you come in?

Sinclair?

Over here.

She feels a little overdressed for this place because of the wedding.

Forgive this intrusion, Richard. I feel ludicrously incongruous for a place like

this. It's fine. Don't worry.

Nats were so keen to have a nose around.

So this is what you wanted?

Yes, so it appears.

What plans are these?

Oh.

This is very interesting. I know about this, as it happens. I feel there may be

a solution which nobody has mentioned because they're all so obsessed with a

river frontage.

Shouldn't that phone be answered?

Yeah, probably.

Sinclair, we've got to go.

Yeah, it's just one moment. This is extremely interesting.

You don't belong here. This isn't you.

Oh, yes, it is. Very definitely.

I need to see you properly. Talk about something.

I'll make an appointment. Can you fit me in?

Sure. Why not?

Yeah.

Good.

Seems there.

Do I keep this?

No, I believe we need that.

You are four hours late. Sorry.

I had to go shopping for Sinclair. Is this Deliveroo?

I've been stuck in here for hours. I couldn't go out. You were late for

lunch, even later than this. So it is Deliveroo.

What's the matter with you, Richard?

At least I might have been able to watch the cricket, but it's been raining in

Manchester for fuck's sake. It's only just started.

Relax, for Christ's sake. You're wearing that again.

Is that on purpose too?

Maybe this time, yes.

Anyway, this isn't much of a greeting.

You haven't even shaved.

I'm sorry.

I don't know what that was for.

Can I have a glass of water?

Is it through here? Yeah.

So this was what was for lunch, was it?

Come on.

This is... This is... OK.

It just happened.

We won't mention it again.

I knew you'd say that. I don't know why it happened, but it stopped.

it's over.

let me look at your flat.

oh it's a bed.

don't want to go up there.

how many girls have been up there recently?

hardly any. I've been very celibate. really?

this is nice.

I spent my savings on this place.

No, this is not a good idea.

Please, Richard, I shouldn't have started this. We don't mention it. Just

go and sit over there. Is that an order?

Just sit.

So, is it convenient?

Convenient?

This flat for buses.

For buses?

Yes, buses.

Yeah. I should probably think there are some buses.

What number buses?

I don't know.

Um, small buses. You know those ones that beetle about?

Hoppers.

Hoppers?

You've got some crumbs.

You're gonna stop me, aren't you?

You're gonna stop me.

I don't know.

Come on, stop me.

I'm just lying here. I'm not doing anything. I'm not touching.

I'm not doing anything.

Okay.

Okay what?

Are you clean? Are you clean everywhere?

Yeah, of course.

I don't believe it. Maybe you are.

Please.

Please.

Stop, please.

Please.

I knew you would.

I'm just putting a tape on.

It's driving you mad.

No, I like it.

I don't know why.

And to think we never even really liked each other as kids.

Okay, that's the last bit.

What do you mean, last bit? It just happened.

And we don't mention it?

what got into us, etc.

Precisely. It's never going to happen again.

Anyway, it's your fault for being away so long. It's always my fault.

Of course.

I'm going to make the carrots with lots of butter.

They'll be the best I've ever tasted, I'm sure.

I tried to stop it happening, and it's... Finished.

Oh, by the way, Sinclair wants to have lunch with you.

Sinclair? Jesus, you mention that now.

Sure, it's no problem, miss.

Here you are.

Good. I've just got to drop something off. Come with me.

These lifts are interesting.

Are they?

Yeah.

They've become such a common feature that people hate them. They much prefer

the old claustrophobia. Now they all have to pretend that they don't suffer

from vertigo.

And they feel so exposed.

Everybody can see them.

Imagine coming out of a truly terrible meeting and seeing straight down there.

It's frightening.

But nobody admits it.

Last delivery, I promise.

See, these ashtrays are interesting, aren't they? Ridiculously large. People

proclaim their importance in such a crass fashion.

What will a historian make of these ashtrays? You're interested in

everything, Sinclair.

Oh, yes, lifts, ashtrays.

This secretary here, you... You stay there. He's expecting me.

All done. Simple.

So many people pretend they're busy, don't they?

Meetings about meetings. Most of it's bullshit. It's just a way of protecting

themselves. I like to get to know people.

Of course.

I like to find out about my clients. I like to poke around in their personal

lives and I can tell you...

There's some pretty interesting things going on. There's so much cocaine being

taken. Drink, too.

Sudden hysterical temper tantrums flaring up.

We're having one of our great picnics soon.

They're not to be missed. You must be there.

Natalie didn't want you to come for some reason.

What's the matter with you?

What's happened? What's going on? It's about Colin. He sent a memo. Yours

should be somewhere.

He's ill.

I thought so. I knew he might be.

Hi, it's Colin.

Yeah. Yes.

Yeah, well, don't stare. Don't do that.

Sorry.

I didn't know he was gay. He isn't. He's not.

He's had it for some time. I knew, actually. He's letting the office know

because he may be spending more time in hospital.

And don't worry.

Can you hold the lift?

Can you hold the lift, please?

Thanks.

Thanks.

Hiya. I want to see those Threepenny Street plans by the end of the week, OK?

Yeah, of course. I'll make sure that happens.

Now, don't forget, I've got a full diary, so the sooner the better.

Understood.

Have a nice... Have a good weekend.

The sun is getting hotter every year.

I heard in New Zealand, people were getting burnt, and they've never been

burnt before.

Wouldn't it be interesting if, because of the greenhouse effect, people started

using parasols again?

So we ended this century using them, just as they did at the end of the last.

You could market them, Richard. Make a fortune.

Of course, there will be winds of 170 miles an hour, too. Storms like we've

never seen. They won't be much use during those.

These miniature hurricanes are going to get more and more common.

Twice a year, very possibly.

Trees are going to become quite a rarity in southern England. So you're a

disaster freak, are you?

No.

These are just facts.

I wonder if your hair will ever be its real colour again.

Did you know her before?

Before?

Before Sinclair, of course.

He's changed her completely, apparently.

I wonder if she's really clever enough for him.

I need to go for a walk.

Look for mushrooms!

But don't kill us.

You know the ones to pick.

You shouldn't be here.

Don't be silly.

Natalie.

We want to see you.

Shh.

Listen, we agreed. We agreed nothing, and you want to see me.

Can't just pretend it never happened. Can't we?

Don't you want to talk about it?

Ask why?

No.

Is it because our parents are dead? Is it because we didn't see each other for

a long time? There isn't a reason.

That's right.

I wonder what those two are talking about.

Me, I shouldn't wonder.

Sinclair's coming. He can see. I don't want him to think anything. You are just

my sister. What can he think?

Natalie!

Well, maybe we need a proper meeting to clear this up. Exactly.

I'm not coming to you again.

It's just possible... Occasionally I go out of town for work. Oh, yes, the

employment agency.

Thank you. Nearly made me change my mind.

And sometimes I go away to interview people. Maybe I can say I'm doing that.

Yeah.

Oh, don't whisper like that. I don't want us to look as if we're plotting.

But we are.

I'm just making normal arrangements with my brother, who's making fun of my job.

Tell her she doesn't need to do that job.

Pokey little agency. It's ridiculous.

I'm a partner in it now.

It makes all the difference.

Tell her she doesn't need to work for work's sake, meeting morons every day.

She won't listen to me.

We can meet in Sinclair's parents' flat.

What? Are you crazy? What are you trying to do? Don't worry.

They're away on a cruise. I've got the keys. I sometimes use it when I'm in

town.

It's being redecorated. It's a bit grotty, but it's some way to talk.

But this won't be for a fortnight, Richard, if at all.

I can't wait that long.

Oh, yes, you can.

Do you love you?

Of course you do. Do you love me?

Of course I do.

Even though... Even though it's just me?

What do you mean?

I don't know.

It's only me.

I don't mind.

You can read it. I can see you edging towards it.

Just one chapter.

It's the only thing that shuts me up, isn't it?

I may have to go away one weekend. I don't know. It's not decided.

No problem.

It may be cancelled.

Before that, I worked for Tesco's deputy store manager.

Quite a big branch, just off the M25.

And then before that, in Guildford, I was acting deputy manager at...

I need to get copies of this.

I am on time aren't I? Yes.

For once, you are.

Jesus.

It's like rose from his baby, this place.

It's enormous.

Sinclair's grandfather made a fortune out of margarine before the First World

War.

They had three flats like this once.

Margarine?

So long ago.

I never realized the money went back that far.

I love these old apartment blocks.

We're just going to talk, okay?

Two.

Okay.

Get things... Get things...

Out in the open.

Okay. Okay.

It's so warm.

Why do you think... No whys.

You don't know what I was going to say.

It's all right.

Just get under the sheets and sleep.

Where are you going?

You've forgotten something, have you? Yes.

Yes? Where's your bag?

It's for my brother.

Ah. Sleeping.

He's sleeping like a baby.

Shh. I'm up in town on business, giving myself a treat, going to the theatre.

Here,

working.

Bye-bye. Bye-bye, Selina. Shh.

Bye-bye, Selina.

Yes.

Yes.

Sometimes I feel this big with Sinclair.

No, this big.

Even this big.

Nice to be able to tell someone.

At last.

That's all that's going on here.

Understand?

Of course.

What happens if he tries to ring you?

He won't. Not tonight.

Fortunately, he's out.

Tomorrow, I have to remember.

Out? Really?

Well, I wonder what he's doing.

What he's up to.

Maybe he's cheating, too.

This isn't cheating.

Absolutely not.

Anyway, that's an American expression. Is he faithful?

Faithful.

Yes, I think he is. Well, it's never really occurred to me he wasn't.

We can see. He always goes in on Saturday mornings to work.

Even when we have people over for lunch, he insists on going in.

Nothing stops him. We can take a look at him tomorrow.

But don't they know you're here?

I don't think so, no.

I hardly ever come.

We'll see.

I wonder if you could see if Sinclair Bryant is in his office.

Mr. Bryant?

One moment.

What are you going to say if he is there? This is silly.

No reply.

What? There is no reply.

I don't know. I don't know what I feel.

Shit.

What's the matter?

What's wrong? Just be quiet.

What's wrong with you? Stop.

What the fuck's wrong?

You're meant to be underneath.

Come on.

Come on!

Do you

like

it?

This is important.

Don't distract me.

Natalie.

Great. I was just wondering when you'd ring.

How are you?

Fine, but tired. Fine.

How's the hotel?

It's a little gloomy, but the rooms are very big.

Big old provincial hotels can be very depressing.

How's the food?

Food? You would ask that.

Food.

Well, it's excellent. I'm just going out for a quick bite now, and then I'm going

straight to bed very early tonight, okay?

Okay, darling.

How are the beds?

Beds?

Beds are... I've got a single average, I'd say, quite nice.

Fine.

Okay. Bye-bye.

I'd hate to have a real affair.

Lies. Deceit.

All that.

You don't feel... No questions.

I told you they were forbidden.

You're so calm.

We're doing something illegal.

A major taboo. Could go to jail. And you just seem to find it mildly relaxing.

We're not doing anybody any harm. We're not sticking needles into our arms.

Killing ourselves with drink.

Just enjoy it. The last moment.

What if it wasn't the last moment? What do you mean?

I mean, we could go off together somewhere.

Like where?

I don't know.

Mexico?

People always go to Mexico in stories and things, don't they?

When they're fugitives. But we're not fugitives.

And how would we live?

Well, there are plenty of ways of making money.

We could write a blockbuster novel.

You know, sort you by in airports. That's easy enough.

I mean it.

Stop it.

You can't go anywhere. Don't think it. Not even as a joke.

Being single.

What about it?

It's not as simple as it used to be.

Suddenly feeling older, are you?

My little brother.

No,

no rip-offs.

Could you give me the number of the Royal George Hotel, Nuneaton, please?

Now, I want to speak to Mrs.

Natalie Bryant, please.

You are in Nuneaton, are you?

Look, could you give me the name of every hotel in Nuneaton, please?

It's urgent.

There's a flood in the kitchen.

Let's get this straight.

The hotels... Who?

The hotels.

Stop talking to yourself.

There is an explanation.

This is too much to do this

Do things logically.

This place can have hardly changed in 50 years.

It's like a time warp, isn't it?

Yes.

It'd be nice to stay here, wouldn't it?

No.

We don't need to go back yet.

Don't you see?

We really don't.

Listen, Richard.

Richard, listen to me.

Now, we don't see each other. Listen.

We don't set eyes on each other until you're going out with someone. Get

yourself a girlfriend. You're setting me tasks now. I'm not seeing you until that

happens because you're getting addicted to this. It only happened twice. That's

not addiction. You see, I fancy you.

And I love you as a brother, that's all. And you fancy me, and you're beginning

to love me as a lover, and that's going to end badly, messily.

Unless we're careful.

So maybe I've always fancied you a little, and probably I should never have

done anything. Shh.

So I find myself a girlfriend, and then what happens? Can I see you? You won't

want to, then. But if I do?

We'll see.

Strange bargain.

But simple.

Richard.

Come into the church and feel no guilt. Come on. I dare you.

I promise you.

Richard, please.

Please don't try to make it more.

I don't want it to be more.

You're in here.

So it appears.

I went on an orgy of shopping.

You had the time?

I had most of the afternoon off yesterday.

Between meetings.

I went on a spree to kill the boredom.

Wow.

Wow.

It's lovely.

Very useful.

It's not meant to be useful.

I had a disaster with the washing up machine.

It doesn't matter.

You're hopeless with anything mechanical, Sinclair.

How was the hotel?

Sorry? How was the hotel?

It was gloomy, I told you.

Huge and drafty.

What was it called?

I told you what it was called.

No, but I just wanted to avoid it in the future.

You've never been to Narnia. You're never likely to go.

What is this?

Well, it's fine. I don't need to know. I was just curious.

The Royal George.

And it is a good idea to avoid it.

I had your back.

So am I.

Thank you, not before time.

I wish we were getting somewhere.

So do I.

You haven't been to visit Colin in hospital yet, have you?

No, I will.

I will, I promise. You keep putting it off.

Is there something else?

Jessica.

What are you doing tonight?

I've been meaning to ask you for some time.

What's that twinkle for? What twinkle?

I don't believe this, Richard. The vanity. Just get out of here before I

lose my temper.

I was just asking you out.

I thought you were meant to be something of an expert. You seem decidedly rusty

to me.

Rusty? Certainly not. What's the answer? No.

No, I've never seen anyone, so obviously thinking about another... Another what?

Well, I was going to say another woman, but it's more likely to be a 15-year-old

girl, isn't it? Who is she? You're at a loose end tonight because of her?

Or are you trying to forget her?

So you remember me? Of course.

Come on, I'm here now.

Just a minute. I've forgotten something.

Terribly. I can never decide in which flavour to use.

What do you use I prefer strawberry elite you're safer with strawberry elite

Sorry

to keep you waiting Fresh air at last

fresh air This is fresh air. Oh, yeah.

When you've had people grabbing at you all day, this is wonderful.

Ah, free at last.

It's not like it used to be around here, is it?

What do you want to do now?

Apart from that, of course.

I'm not sure I want to do that.

Not just yet.

Can I just be with you a bit, can I?

Maybe.

You know what you're like?

You're like someone who's trying to make an alibi for himself.

Perhaps I am.

An alibi for what?

Not murder, anyway.

Something infinitely worse than that.

I promise you, Inspector, it wasn't me.

It wasn't me!

It's the one with the yellow socks. I keep telling you it's gonna be him. Stop

it. You always know what's going to happen. Don't tell me.

Hello. It's me.

Listen, we can arrange to meet. Your condition's being met.

Fulfilled.

Who is she?

Just something I know.

Slightly. Why?

Are you jealous?

Doesn't sound like a proper one to me.

Can't talk now.

I'll think about it.

That was Richard.

He's got himself a new girlfriend.

Calling with progress reports at this time of night?

He must be drunk.

Yes.

Yes, I think he is.

It's not right, is it, that you be as hot as this in England?

You worry, Paula.

Worry? What about?

Oh, you know, anything and everything.

The end of the world. Why bother?

Nothing much you can do about that.

And sex?

Not too bad.

Oh, this is nice.

Let's just do this.

No more.

You mean it's better than nothing?

No. It's too warm to do any more.

Do you think about sex a lot?

Some days I think about nothing else.

Around four o'clock, usually.

It used to seem so simple, didn't it?

Except you're probably too young to remember.

But now, there's a man at work who has AIDS.

Poor guy.

I'm sorry.

Yeah. I suppose soon almost everybody will know somebody's got it.

Yeah, but him being right there, now, in a strange way, it's almost like a sign.

From I don't know where.

But what I'm doing is right.

What are you doing?

I'm just trying to escape.

Where's it to go?

I don't know.

Where are you going?

Tell me. What do you have to do?

I've found a simple way.

It's better than any drug.

Any desert island.

Really?

So what do you need the alibi for?

Nothing very much.

I'm just in love with someone.

Alan. Yes.

Darling, it's me.

I'll be late.

No, no, I'm fine.

Look, I'm busy at the moment. I'll call you back. I'm coming home now, so be

there just after you, in case you were wondering.

I won't be a moment.

It's from our home answering machine.

We had a burglary last week night.

Just want to see if there's anything there, any... wrong numbers, anything

that doesn't sound right.

I'm going to be a little late. I'll be back by eight, maybe before.

I thought you weren't coming. I'm... I nearly... I nearly didn't.

Is this new? No, not very.

We're not going up.

If you've got anything to say to me, you can say it here.

Here? Yes. Go and sit over there.

You're always telling me where to sit.

So what do you want?

I want to touch you. I don't want you to.

I did what you said.

Your task.

I don't believe you. I don't believe anything's changed.

Why did you come here today, then, if you don't want to?

Sinclair's been asking about the hotel I stayed in. Really?

Did he believe you? I think so. I don't know.

Good.

Then this can last all summer, then, can't it?

At least... No, Richard, you see, you really need it, and I won't have that.

If this is an addiction like you say it is... Then maybe I'm prepared to...

Don't say that. Don't say what? Say the rubbish you're about to say, that you're

prepared to die for it because that's crap.

You want... You want to pretend this is all going to end tragically, something

enormously final, because you find that idea exciting.

No.

That's not true.

I need you, Richard. I really need you as a friend.

Friend? Come on, Natalie. Just give me the key and... Get off! Get off,

Richard!

We don't want somebody reporting us. No, we don't need to go to jail, do we?

Hadn't you better get back to work?

No, my boss is very ill. I told you, he's got AIDS.

Yes, I'm sorry. Have you seen him yet?

No. That's very cowardly. Why not?

You've got to go at once.

You keep setting me tasks.

Why not? I'm your sister, after all.

And if I do go?

I make no promises.

You can have one kiss, just one.

I shouldn't, but one kiss can do no harm.

Keep away from me.

Till the end of next month, then you will have proved something to me.

Say hello.

I, um... I didn't know what to bring, so... I've got a couple of books.

Great. Thanks.

There's a... There's a third one in here, but... It's got a little bit

messed up. A biro burst in my pocket.

I was wondering whether or not to give it to you, but it's the most fun out of

the three. No, give it to me.

Fine.

Sorry, it looks awful.

No problem.

You can go when you like, don't feel... Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to look...

It's like someone made you come.

The parents haven't been to see me.

Really? I'm sorry, that's... Just like them.

True to form.

Probably should have bought some fruit. I know. I'm sorry. Stop apologising all

the time. It's nauseating.

Stop wiping the book like that.

You're driving me crazy.

I'll read it with the stains.

Okay?

Right?

Right.

Listen, are you allowed out of bed out of here for an afternoon?

Yes, if I want to. It can be negotiated.

I've got a meeting with Lappenshaw Mercantile. You want to come?

I could brief you on the way.

I think those are all the important ones.

Look at it.

It's like fighting with a pea shooter, what we're trying to do.

Might get one extra zebra crossing.

Better than nothing.

You know, I can remember when they first announced what was going to happen here.

It was going to be this great new city.

The new Venice.

Modern but magical. One of the wonders of Europe.

Yeah, I can remember that, too.

And look what happened.

You're becoming an architectural reactionary, Richard.

No. No, a modernist, definitely.

Always thought I was.

Oh, yeah?

This is incredible, isn't it?

You're the one that's ill, yet you're the optimist.

That's because you're determined not to be.

Aren't you?

Aren't you?

Maybe.

We'll have to see what we can do about that, Richard.

Sir, I'm terribly sorry about this. No, no, no, it's okay, Peterson.

Go on.

Sorry to have kept you waiting, gentlemen.

Colin was able to make it after all.

How good of you to come.

We are a little pressed for time. In that case, let's not waste any more of

it. Richard?

Right.

It appears there have been some interesting developments in the last few

weeks. You made a statement saying that you had absolutely no intention of going

back on plans for providing housing on the site.

And then just a week after that, there's a secret meeting between you and two

civil servants from the Department of the Environment.

Untrue. Untrue. We have a memo to prove it, would you believe?

It says, meeting with Lapenshaw mercantile about whether they will be

held to promises.

Ladies and gentlemen, please, don't be so eager.

You'll see it all in due course when we publish in five days' time.

Now, I think you should just listen.

After all, you are getting a sneak preview of it before it becomes public.

I think that's very generous of us.

Don't you, Richard?

Definitely.

Very. Consider it.

It is curried tuna, isn't it?

Have a taste. What do you think?

Yeah, cheers.

Have a taste.

Go on.

No, thank you.

No, no, no, please don't.

I've got my sandwich, so please thank you very much. No, no, no.

Thank you.

That was great.

Yes. The sandwich was nice anyway.

I'll get you back then.

Yes.

I suppose we'd better.

It's very early, I know.

I'm sorry.

We were already out.

Is Natalie around?

Natalie's gone out already.

She's not here?

No, she's not.

Come with me.

It's very convenient, you being here, because I'm not going to work this

morning. Definitely not. Where are we going? Just a little trip. I've hired

this for myself, but it's perfect.

You should be here. Oh, no. No, I don't like boats. Don't worry.

I know absolutely nothing about boats either, but he does.

Fernando does. He comes with the boat.

You've got to come, Richard.

Johanna.

Other people's children are wonderful, aren't they?

Yes.

Do you and Natalie plan?

Oh yes, some day.

Natalie doesn't feel ready at the moment.

As I'm sure you know.

Relax, Richard.

Jesus, why is it so hot?

You know, dinosaurs roamed around here more than anywhere else in England.

There was a sort of dinosaur rush hour at certain times of the day along this

river.

Great herds of them wading along here.

So what will remain of our world, Sinclair, in a couple of hundred years?

We've spent too much time thinking about the end of the world. It isn't going to

happen.

Today.

I promise you.

Not before lunch.

I'm a professional forecaster, remember?

Come on.

I know a secluded spot.

Secluded spot?

Fernando will stay here. He prefers eating on his own.

No, I'm sure Fernando would love to... Is he going to kill me, do you think?

You can have anything but the lychees.

You didn't know I was coming.

You couldn't have.

No, of course not.

So this was all for you?

Sure, why not?

Probably full of corpses.

She's having an affair, isn't she?

If you mean Natalie.

Who else would I mean? Don't give me dumb replies, please, Richard. It

insults both of us. If you mean Natalie, then I'm sure that she isn't. She's

lying to me all the time.

People lie to you, suddenly can't think of anything else.

You've spotted little signs of it. Little signs.

Didn't need to. She's been carrying around a giant placard saying I'm

fucking somebody else.

So who is it?

You tell me.

I don't know.

I don't believe that.

Sinclair, I can promise you that she hasn't talked to me about it.

You know I'll find out.

You've got a plan now, anyway.

You have?

Oh, yes.

They must have known you were here, Richard.

They've tracked you down.

I had to be there. I had to see you.

We'd agree. I don't care what we'd agreed.

What's going on here?

We're leaving.

What do you mean leaving?

I want the house to look nice for the last weeks we spend in it. Where are you

going? America.

We're going to live there in Connecticut.

What do you mean live?

Live, you know.

Take up residence.

Change of scene. For a few years or so.

This time I have to say yes. I've had offers of work before of course but...

In my life, work can't be avoided, but this was suddenly irresistible, and we

succumbed, didn't we? It wasn't just the money, the house, timing.

Everything seemed right. We've got to talk about this.

We have to. Of course.

Nothing can change, you understand?

There may be some things for you here, Richard, if you want them, and we can't

possibly take everything.

you are. You said the other bloody hotel. I said here. We can't talk here.

This is ridiculous. Can't we? People having tea, they can't hear. Why are we

here? You're expecting me to cause trouble, aren't you? Yes.

We're going somewhere else. No, no.

Now, Sinclair's meeting me here in a little while, by the way.

What are you doing? What's this for? Look, just keep still.

You can't go in without a tie. They'll throw you out. Natalie, what the... Keep

still.

It's the hottest summer since Queen Victoria's June.

It was always like this when we were living in Camden Street.

Is it because of me? No.

Time for a change.

Sinclair wants to get out of England. The economy's going down the chute.

And working in an employment agency is not exactly the answer to my dreams.

You're running away now. No.

Sinclair's a wise man. He's a little overwhelming and maybe I thought I

couldn't cope. I love him and he's right.

If they knew about this.

Do you find that idea exciting, don't you?

Not particularly, but... If they knew, they'd be surprised.

That's true, isn't it?

You broke the rules.

There was no agreement between us, Richard. You know that, my love.

What is this, Richard? Come on.

I'm just asking you very simply.

Please don't go yet.

I've helped you constantly after all.

So many times.

Please do this for me.

Well, that's one way to make a wedding memorable.

Okay, you... I love what's happened. Just lost your inner confidence a little

bit, that's all.

You could do anything if you put your mind to it. Remember, you know that.

I'll ask you one more time.

I should never have let this happen.

It's a terrible mistake.

You couldn't handle it, could you?

Stop it!

Wait!

Believe you're this hot.

It's not that serious, Richard.

This is my beautiful brother here, who's funny, not afraid of anything.

Just let it go, Richard.

Let it go.

It's simple. It's easy.

It'll be gone soon.

It won't happen.

I'm not going to let you go away.

Oh, really? So how are you going to stop me? I will stop you.

I'm not safe here. You brought me here because you thought you could handle me

when you're wrong.

For God's sake.

Hello,

you two.

I didn't say Richard was going to be here as well.

English tea. I'm really going to miss these.

Cucumber sandwiches are going to be the last ones we see for quite a while.

Oh, I've just got to phone work, check on a couple of things.

We're having a great time.

Being lazy, saying goodbye to London, going to shows.

Tourist attractions we've never seen.

Keeps Natalie occupied.

These notice boards are often surprisingly interesting.

See what's going on elsewhere in the hotel.

Give it to me tomorrow.

No, I'm not.

I promise.

I'm not kidding. You cannot go. Get out of here, Richard. I told you, there's no

going back. I cannot answer for what will happen if you try and leave.

You can't, Elsa. Stop being so melodramatic. You're determined to make

something happen. Natalie, this is me.

Look, you know that I've never been desperate about anything.

I never expected this to happen either, but it has.

Look, just come with me, but... Natalie, just... Stop it!

Come with me, just a toy. Stop it, just... Come to my flat. Get rid of...

Is the lady all right?

Yes, yes.

What on earth happened? Where did you go? She just wanted some change.

I'm warning you.

Natalie!

Okay.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Silly boy.

You took vitamin pills as well.

More vitamin pills than sleeping pills, it looks like.

It's not the best way to kill yourself.

I came back for the tie, actually.

Partly for that.

It's rather a good one. You've messed it up.

You wanted to frighten me, did you?

You half managed it.

You're precious to me, Richard.

I don't want you to hurt yourself, but I'm not going to let you destroy us

both.

Do you understand?

Come on, pull yourself together.

I don't love you when you look like this all messy. Please, Natalie, whatever you

do, don't tell me to pull myself together.

OK.

OK. Now, if you behave yourself and you're brave

enough, you can come to our going-away party.

Sinclair's had some gardens.

Do you want to do that?

I'll see, Natalie.

I think you'll manage it somehow.

Stop staring at them. They'll be going soon.

It's okay.

I don't mind.

I think we should keep them here.

In memory.

You don't sound too sure.

No, I am. We should.

You'll do well running this place.

High praise.

Thank you.

Come with me tomorrow.

Please.

If there's anything that you've been longing to say to us for years but felt

you never could, now is the time. Don't hold back anything insulting, shocking,

spiteful, gross.

This is turning itself into a speech, definitely forcing itself into a speech,

so the only way to stop myself.

They're like presiding royalty saying goodbye and good riddance to all of us.

Why do you mind so much?

She's a tartan.

And what's more, you should see his table manners. They're ex-certificates.

It's frightening children of eating for days.

I love pink tees.

I want to kill you.

Fucking easy for you!

I hate you!

Used me. Used you!

To get a little excitement into your marriage. Make it take fire again. Make

you feel strong. Help you find yourself.

A little bored, were we? In your wonderful house. Just play with this,

shall we?

Now we're all refreshed again. Please, Richard!

And now we think we no longer need him. Let's just throw him away.

What about me?

What has happened to me?

I hate you!

I won't allow you to...

I'm warning you! What if you were pregnant?

The child would have an enormous hate, probably!

I didn't mean to use you.

Maybe I did use you.

Now we're even.

Are we?

I love you.

I knew you'd want this to end with one of us dying. Trust you to get both of us

nearly killed.

I'll tell you a secret.

A secret?

Is it over? It's not going to erupt again?

Not for the moment.

We're not going away. Sinclair's deal fell through.

But we still wanted to have the party.

Serves me right, doesn't it?

Thank you.

Something tells me it's the end of the party.

Do you feel okay?

Yes.

You look as if you've been in mortar fire, you two.

We have.

You know, don't you?

I know a few things.

I know that there was something extraordinary between you two.

Something that had to be purged.

I don't want to know anymore.

There is a limit beyond which I can't get.

I don't want to hear it.

It's enough that the worst is over.

You think so?

It's over.

It's getting less intense, isn't it?

You're being so calm, Sinclair.

It's amazing.

I'm amazed myself that somebody had to be calm around here.

I mean... I could start screaming.

Maybe I will.

Delayed shock, who knows?

I don't think so.

I hope not.

Told you he was wise, didn't I?

So, Sinclair, you know everything.

What's going to happen then?

To us or the human race?

Both.

I haven't a clue.

Bonfires, look.

That's autumn.

Those fires, always the typical end to summer. I certainly wouldn't call this

summer typical.

Love it.

Could be a good idea. We're not going away after all.

I might have begun to miss this.