Original subtitles

He came here late in the year.

He traveled light, but he intended to stay.

It was an anxious time, a time of change, a time to lie low.

Good morning.

Lovely day.

Thank you, sir.

Morning, sir.

Would there be a taxi?

Ah, yes, I should think you would find one just round to the left there, sir.

Okay? Very kind. Good morning, sir.

Here, he would be safe.

For a while, at least.

Good morning.

Could you take Mr. Bickley, please?

Fisherman's cart.

Yes, sir.

It's all right.

This beautiful place had always been part of his master plan ever since he

first saw it over 15 years ago

This, then, is the beginning.

A fresh start.

That's fine. Thank you very much.

The pressure is off.

The man that was is gone.

Now there is a new man, a new life ahead.

Ah, how pleasant to relax.

Alone.

Unnoticed.

Confident in the protection of his new appearance.

Confident that they'll never think of looking for him here.

Attractive girl.

She's very conscious of herself.

Aware of her charms.

But she's a child.

How easy it would be to deceive her.

He could be a film producer on the lookout for a new talent.

So easy.

So very easy.

But no profit.

That's more like it.

He looks confident, assured, though he dresses for acceptability.

Banking? Stocks?

Interest rates?

Obviously well acquainted with money.

Greed would make him vulnerable.

Lonely lady.

Recently widowed, perhaps.

Afraid. Uncertain in a new world.

Grimly determined to bury grief.

Rich and alone.

The easiest prey of all.

Too late, she has a friend.

Nice suit.

The trappings of worldly success hang well on him.

Pride would be his weakness.

Dear me, he must stop this.

It's habit.

Human frailties are his speciality.

Deceit is living.

But there's no more need for him to play the game.

No need to speculate and plan. He's won.

Success has brought him all he'll need for a long time to come.

He's always made a reasonable living from confidence tricks.

Then some weeks ago in the Midlands, the big one.

the one he'd always dreamed of.

Of course, he'll miss the excitement and the artistry, the creativity.

He'll miss his friends, the few who knew and understood the thrill.

Every artist needs recognition, some note of approval.

So much money.

So many notes of approval.

So much applause.

He's always yearned for a quiet country life.

Now he has it.

All he has to do now is

learn to stay in the background, keep out of trouble.

He's not used to doing either.

Good evening.

Good evening. I'll have the usual, Miller, please.

Please.

How are you, then, today?

Oh, fine, thanks.

How's your shoulder?

Well, you know, it doesn't get no better.

I've been into the doctor. He says I shall have to live with it.

Funny how people have such faith in doctors.

Like children who believe that a kiss will make it better.

That doesn't do any good either.

He can't resist it.

I don't think I'll ever be able to work again. It's terrible.

I don't know what I want. I'm terribly sorry.

Excuse me, do you think I could possibly have another cup and tonic? Thank you

very much.

Good evening.

Good evening.

I'm sorry, I hope you won't think this is impersonate, but I couldn't help

hearing your conversation about your shoulder.

Now, I think I could possibly help you.

With my shoulder?

Well, I'd like to try, if you don't mind.

Oh. Good.

Well, if I could just take your hand... Well, you might feel a little twinge.

Is that all right so far?

Yeah.

Good. Now, if you could go up with me, slowly.

How's that?

All right so far.

That's very good.

And there we are.

I'm now going to take my hand away.

And you're on your own.

Faith healer.

Amazing what the mind will do.

Now, if you'd like to bring your hand slowly down, that's it.

And then try it again on your own.

That's very good.

Yeah, that's fine.

Good.

It's really better.

Yeah. Good.

It hasn't been like that for months.

Thank you very much. Would you put this on room 21? No, no, my young man. Let me

buy you a drink.

Here, I'll pay for this.

Here, thank you very much.

That was marvelous.

There was a sort of tingle all up my arm. Practice has taught him when to

retreat. The golden rule, quit while you're winning.

I did.

But he can't quit.

You can't ignore a challenge.

Hello. Hello.

I wonder if you could help me.

I'm sorry.

Help you in what way? I saw you in the pub.

Ah, yes.

It's, um... Well, I hope you don't think this strange.

Sure, please.

Well,

it's my husband.

But we're desperate to have a child.

He should refuse, but he can't. I see.

He enjoys the drama too much.

Yes, well, probably I could be able to. Now comes the creativity.

Of course, it will be rather difficult. You see, it does depend on the meridian.

You see, the meridian is an actual location.

And if perhaps, if we could meet there...

Perhaps I could be able to help.

Well, look. I hope I could help you.

Here's my name and address.

Perhaps you could contact me and tell me when. Thank you, and I hope that I can

be of some assistance to you and your husband.

Thank you. Your husband does know that... Oh, yes.

Good. The trouble is, he's really beginning to enjoy this healer role.

Most of his life has been spent manipulating people, persuading,

molding, trading in their hopes and fears.

He loves the thrill, yet he knows he should not be doing it here.

Not if he's to remain anonymous.

If he convinces this girl, others will come to him.

Then where will he draw the line?

Sooner or later, if he keeps this up, he'll be recognized.

He'll have to run again.

Prison. He couldn't bear that.

Now, these are just the leaves of balsam, which have in fact been used for

sin.

Now, if you would like to turn round, still looking straight ahead.

This girl believes in him, trusts him, really thinks he can help her.

He can't let her down, not now.

He must pretend for her sake.

Just this once, then finish.

It's difficult being serious about retirement.

Hard to become a part of this way of life that he's chosen.

He must learn to live the tranquil village way.

protecting his anonymity.

He's pleased he caught himself in time.

He needed a hobby, a pastime, something to fill the long, empty hours and keep

himself out of mischief.

Some years ago in Scotland, he had a day's fishing with a brigadier who

collected paintings.

He'd done well out of that relationship.

Fishing is a solitary, soothing pastime.

And he's beginning to enjoy it when the news breaks.

The girl and her husband are delighted.

She is expecting.

Coincidence, of course.

But he does wonder.

He has to find out.

Just once more to see.

Three times, two bass.

A local woman's grandson has terrible headaches, migraines, the doctor said.

Now, if you would just mind holding out your hands.

That's fine.

From the fall of water to the earth.

The news has spread.

He plays to the gallery.

Now, if you... If you just press that palm...

To your forehead.

It's marvelous.

To the earth.

And finish.

There we are.

Hmm. It was a good performance.

Well received.

But despite that, he'd felt anxious, restless under the watching girl's

stare.

A wheelchair.

He had no idea.

He wishes he didn't have to pass.

Afternoon. Afternoon.

Our eyes see deep into him, and he senses that she is not deceived.

He wonders how he can explore this strange gift he seems to have without

arousing too much interest in his past.

Excuse me, sir. I'm a reporter from the local newspaper.

I've been asked if I could come along. Well, thank you very much for that.

Just one photograph, that's all.

Excuse me, sir.

Thank you.

Someone is waiting for him downstairs in the garden. Did he give you a name?

Ah, that's... No, that's fine.

Thank you.

He recognizes him at once. He was at the river with the girl.

He has to talk to him.

Put him off, maybe.

Mr. Wilkins, I met you on the bridge. Yes, I do remember.

I've come to ask if you would do something about my girl.

No, I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Wilkins. Please. I'd really rather not. She set

her heart on it.

Strange.

The way that child looked at him.

Perhaps if you'd like to tell me about it.

Look, I have this letter.

From the hospital.

Not a lot of help.

No help at all.

How long has your daughter been like that?

About five years.

The father's honesty disarms him. He has no way of dealing with it. No tricks.

No set routines.

So since then, you've, in fact, coped absolutely on your own.

Yes. And that can't be very easy.

No.

And you'd like me to.

Please. Well,

of course, Mr. Wilkins, there would be absolutely no guarantee of any kind of

success. I understand that.

She's in the car.

No, I'm sorry, we couldn't even... We couldn't possibly even attempt anything

here. Well, come to our house, then.

No.

He plays for time, delays only tactic.

Touch with me within the next two or three days.

And I will... I'll do what... whatever I can.

Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you.

I'll be in touch then.

Yes, thank you.

Now he's ashamed.

Ashamed for raising hopes.

Angry with himself.

He's arranged to meet the girl and her father later in the day.

He's confident again. It's worked for others. Why not for her?

Damn that reporter.

Front-page national paper.

They're bound to see it.

He's got to leave.

At once.

Oh, no.

The police.

So soon.

You can't leave without the money.

He's on the run again.

Why did this have to happen?

Just when he was beginning to make sense of things.

He must hide.

How many more times?

How many more squalid hideouts?

What's he going to do about the girl?

There's nothing he can do.

He shouldn't really care.

This time he does.

The railway station is about five minutes from here.

What time does the train leave?

Anywhere will do.

A good half hour before he should make the break.

It can't be... It's early.

Or perhaps his watch is slow.

Nobody about.

We'll take a chance.

Wait here for the next one.

Oh, no.

Not him, of all people.

Here.

I thought it was you. What were you doing there then?

Hello, how are you? You've been catching the train, eh? Yes, I am. It's due any

minute. Will you be back this afternoon?

No, no, no, no, I'm just waiting. You can't do that. What about this poor

little maid, what you was going to cure?

Well, I'm afraid I do have to be on this trip. No, no, no, you couldn't do a

trick like that, not a nice fellow. No, come on, that's not fair, is it? But

what about this poor little... Come on, here, you give me a hand with this. Come

on.

He ran if he could.

But there's nowhere to go.

No room left to maneuver.

Ah, here.

Take all that.

Thank you for letting us all down, eh?

Not you, not a nice fellow like you.

You couldn't live with yourself.

I couldn't.

For once, he has no words.

Silenced by guilt and shame.

Think of that poor little man.

He'll worry for you for the rest of your life.

I really think I should try and find out what our next train is. No, lad. No, no,

no. You come with me.

No, you come with me.

Might as well let it happen.

Relax.

Sit back and enjoy what is likely to be his last journey as a free man.

He doesn't talk much.

Can't explain his reasons for leaving.

Not sure himself anymore.

Of course, he wants to avoid the police.

But if he were honest, he'd accept that deep down, he's equally afraid of his

moment of truth.

Well, the police are not here.

He was sure they'd be waiting for him.

Perhaps if he's quick, he can still get away.

Yes, I see. Poor little soul.

Would you look after that for me until you run me to the station?

Good luck, Charles.

Thank you. I shall see you here.

Why does he always have to overdo everything?

What on earth made him pick this place?

Why the steep climb?

Yeah. Hello, how are you?

Thank you.

Well, then, how did you get up here with this?

Bit of a scramble, was it? Yeah.

Did you drive everything?

Is that the break?

Don't want to go down the hill, do we?

Your father's told me quite a lot about you, and no doubt he's told you quite a

lot about me, and indeed what's been happening during these last few weeks.

He's told me about the doctors, he's told me about the hospitals, and I'm

sure there's nobody other than yourself who knows all about that.

And he thinks that I might be able to help, to help you.

with regard to these.

Now, it doesn't entirely depend on me.

None of my so-called successors are totally dependent on me.

It is also to do with the other person, so it's two people, and we could call

that... Well, we could call it faith, if you like.

It's two people helping each other and hoping to achieve one very important

thing,

He knew they wouldn't be far behind.

If

we

both have faith, maybe...

I can help.

But you've got to help me.

Their intervention is almost a relief.

I'm sure you know why we're here, sir.

The lesser of two evils. Come along with us now, please.

No, couldn't you just... I'm sorry.

We've got our orders.

Come along, sir.

Thank you, I... I am Kevin.

And don't forget...

The word is faith.

That's up to you.

Better to be taken by them than to finally face the reality that he has no

power to heal.

He's a con man.

A simple, straightforward con man.

The police were impressed, but they still took him away.

He never finished the journey.

Escaped in transit, the police said.

Today, no one knows where he is.

But should he be watching,

the people here would love to have him back.