Original subtitles

Julie, was this all the mail.

Yeah.

There wasn't anything else was there?

No.

Any phone calls?

I've told you, nothing!

Right,

just a cup of coffee, please Julie.

I'm busy!

Thank you.

How's it going, Linda?

I think we're alright.

Bit of trouble finding green blotting paper

but Laura said she'd bring some in.

Oh, good.

And I did this

for the table.

Oh Linda. Do you know I've been watching the way

you've been looking after the desk the last few days

and I think you show a lot of promise.

Oh. Thank you.

Tell me if you ever thought of--

management training?

Me?

When Laura's gone

I shall soon be looking for two new deputy managers.

Gosh, Mr. Featherly.

Not Mr. Featherly yet, Linda.

Not till 12 o'clock remember?

Right you are, Gavin.

Excuse me.

I'm afraid the public aren't allowed through there.

It's me Linda.

What?

It's me,

Carole.

Goodness. I didn't recognise you.

Linda,

I hope you won't take offence.

There's just one or two things about being a receptionist

that are rather important.

Yes.

You see, when you are here at this desk

you are the public face of the leisure centre.

And just saying, excuse me, isn't very welcoming.

I always found, "Welcome to New Town leisure centre.

How can I help you?" sort of puts them at ease, you see.

Yes. Yes, of course.

And perhaps,

a little smile.

Carole?

Laura!

I thought you were in Austria.

I'm flying out tomorrow.

I want to see off Mr. Brittas.

Yes.

We're all working to do that.

How do you find the desk Linda?

I'm quite enjoying it actually,

because it's pretty easy, really.

I think if you do it properly

you'll probably find it quite demanding.

Though of course you haven't got three children

to look after at the same time.

Come on Carole.

Don't want to miss the rehearsal.

Hello.

Right?

Okay.

Linda, just a small note about telephone etiquette.

It's Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre

How can I help you?

And because they will be expecting me,

I should add,

Linda speaking.

Right Gavin,

one roll blotting paper in leisure Centre green.

Thank you, Laura. -Where's Mr Brittas?

I'm afraid he's not able to join us just yet Carole.

Oh no. Who's gonna tell us what to do?

I think the main thing you have to remember Carole

is when to present the bouquet.

That's after my speech, is it?

You're making a speech?

Yes. Mr.Brittas asked me just to say a few words.

Is that alright?

Yes.

Yes that's fine.

Right.

Where do we start?

We can't, really, not without Tim.

Do you know where he is Colin?

I think you'll find that he's on a little errand

for Mr. Brittas, Gavin.

Right.

I'm afraid we do need Tim.

He's in charge of blotters.

I thought you were cleaning out the toilets Colin.

Broken the back of it, Gavin.

I just thought I'd take 10 minutes out

to help Mr. Delgado with the sandwiches.

Just out of interest, Colin,

which of the sandwiches have you made?

It's these two plates here Laura.

I've been sneaking in a little bit of home made chutney.

It might be worth putting a flag on those Colin.

Not everyone likes chutney.

Good idea.

Now,

what about these two.

I think there's chutney in here as well.

They'd better have flags too.

Right.

So it's flags on these and these.

But not these, these or these.

I think there could be flags on all of them Colin.

Come in.

Sorry to disturb you, Mr Brittas. I wondered if you knew where Tim was.

Tim? -Yes, I have to find him.

I have to tell him where to stand and do the blotting.

I sent him up to the roof, Gavin.

The roof?

To fill the emergency backup tank.

I didn't know we had an emergency backup tank.

I had it installed as part of my safety review

before leaving.

In the event of the mains water supply

and the sprinkler header tank failing,

during the course of a fire,

which the fire brigade are unable to attend,

we'd still have resources to fight the blaze.

Oh, I see.

This

belongs to you.

Ah.

Only it was addressed to "The Manager" so I opened it.

I'm sorry, Mr. Brittas, I...

Good grief, you haven't got very far, have you?

Do you have the second post my darling?

I thought you had to be out of here by 12. -Yes.

Oh Gavin wants to move his stuff in, doesn't he?

No I don't mind Mrs Brittas.

And he doesn't want you hanging around once he does it.

He just wants you to go.

No, no really, I, I...

I have to go and find Tim.

Do you think anyone would mind if the children came along?

Children?

I think that they might quite enjoy it.

And then afterwards you could take them

out onto the lawn to meet the Press.

Right.

So what time do you want them,

about five to?

Yes, I should know by then.

Know what?

My darling, could you ask Colin to step up and have a word please?

There's nothing wrong, is there?

No, no, of course not.

Gordon?

There's a slight complication.

Let's get one thing clear Gordon.

You're not getting out of this.

We're going to Brussels on the 26th,

and the only excuse I'll accept for cancelling,

is that you've died.

Understood?

Who needs some vegetarian meatballs, Laura?

Red flags?

Did you roll them by hand?

I certainly did.

I think if you use a machine...

Red flags,

definitely.

What's in the box Colin?

It's a little goodbye present I've made for Mr. Brittas.

It's a...

It's a Teas Maid.

I thought that an Englishman

in a foreign country might like a nice cup of tea in his office.

It's completely portable you see.

You just press this button

and a battery springs into action.

I see you've used our usual engravers.

What?

If you're feeling lonely and need cheering up,

just pour the milk

and pee in your cup.

What?

I think I better change that.

Laura, could I have a word?

Sure.

You haven't spoken to Gordon at all this morning, have you?

Afraid not. Nothing wrong is there? -I'm not sure,

but I think it's worth keeping an eye on him

and make sure he signs this thing at 12.

Aren't you gonna be here?

No, I've gotta go and get the car.

Can't it wait?

Not really. I've got the children in the back.

Oh don't worry,

I know exactly where I left it.

It's in the High Street.

Or it could be behind the post office?

Or maybe the multi-storey.

But Mr Brittas I can't.

I have to stay behind the desk.

No, I...

Stupid, give me the phone.

Hello Mr. Brittas.

Yes,

yes,

yes, yes,

Yes of course I'll do it.

Bye.

Mr. Brittas wants you to go down to the post office

and see if there's any mail. -But Carole...

And one more word about receptioning, Linda.

When the manager asks you to do something

it's always a good idea to say yes.

Okay.

Yes Carole. Right.

Thanks.

I'm sorry Laura. Forgive me.

There's one or two things I have to pick up for Ben.

Can I come? -Sorry?

Just curiosity.

I've often wondered what it was like in there.

Yes of course,

follow me.

Gosh, it's quite large, isn't it?

Then, when you've blotted them, you pass his bit of paper to me

and my bit of paper to him.

And then we sign again.

And then you're the manager.

Yep.

Then I'm in charge.

So when do you tell everyone about me?

Becoming deputy manager.

Oh, well obviously we'll have to wait a few weeks.

Why?

Well, we've got to advertise the position

organise interviews.

Interviews?

I thought I was getting the job.

Well you are. You are. But it's gonna be done fairly, hasn't it?

If it's done fairly, I'm not going to get it, am I?

Look, Tim, the best person is gonna get the job.

And I'm telling you now, I think you're the best person.

Come in.

Mr. Brittas,

I have something for you.

What is it Colin?

It's a small gesture of appreciation

for all the many and varied ways

you've rallied to my aid over the last five years.

I'm sure you know how much your friendship means to me.

Colin. -And I shall miss you more than I can say.

But wherever you may go,

I just want you to know.

Colin,

I don't know what this thing is

but it's steaming.

Oh. Sorry Mr Brittas.

I must have left it switched on.

Still,

by a lucky coincidence,

I do happen to have a couple of teabags about my person.

Someone's been at this with a screwdriver.

Yes. That was...

Colin it's very kind of you

but I got a lot of other things to think about at the moment.

Yes, Mr. Brittas.

I want you to go and set up a public address system

so I can talk to various different parts

of The Centre from this office at 12 o'clock.

Right Mr. Brittas.

Forgive me, Mr. Brittas,

but at 12 o'clock,

won't you be downstairs at the signing on ceremony.

I shall Colin.

If the ceremony takes place.

Do you mean it might not?

I can't say too much at this stage, Colin.

Oh Mr. Brittas.

Colin,

not a word of this to anyone, please.

You can count on me Mr Brittas.

This is wonderful news.

Oh thank you.

Just wait till I tell everybody.

This place brings back a few memories

I can tell you, Laura.

Yes I suppose it would.

I mean, Ben and the children did most of their growing up here.

It's hard to believe, we're actually saying goodbye to it all.

No.

Blue bunny.

Carole, why is this place so big?

When you have three children, Laura

you need a lot of space.

No, no, no. I meant,

it's a cupboard.

Yes of course.

That's what it was until we

knocked it through.

Knocked it through?

Yes.

There was a wall just here you see.

But there was all just dead space

behind it and it seemed such a waste.

So Mr. Brewster from the

pensioner swimming class

just came in one evening,

and took all the bricks away.

Bricks.

Just concretey block things really.

Along here?

Yes.

He put up that wood.

It's hardboard.

Of course I did all the decorating myself.

Does Mr. Brittas know about this?

Oh goodness, no.

He would have wanted an architect, drawings

and planning permission.

Honestly, Laura,

it's perfectly safe.

It's been like that for over a year.

Yeah.

It's made such a difference of course.

Do you know,

I sometimes think this place saved my life.

So often

when everything else seemed to be

collapsing around me like rubble,

in here,

I always knew I was safe.

Good.

Laura.

In here Julie! What is it?

He's not going. -What?

Brittas. He says he's not going. Something to do with Berlin.

You've gotta do something Laura.

Right.

Carole,

I'm just going upstairs.

Don't stay in there too long, will you?

I'm coming out now Laura.

Damned machine. We're stuck in here forever.

But I thought you wanted to go.

I do Laura, I do.

So what's stopping you?

It's the Germans.

The who?

This is the agreement signed

by all the member countries of the European Union

to fund the Commissioner for Sport, Laura.

They each pay 0.45% of their gross contribution

of the fiscal redeployment funds,

net of non-agricultural or industrial enterprises of course.

Yes, of course.

Now,

three days ago,

the Germans unilaterally decided to make it 0.44%

Does that matter? -It matters a great deal, Laura.

It doesn't sound very much.

It's 20,000 pounds,

but the money is not important.

What matters is the principle.

Ah.

They signed an agreement

and now they're trying to go back on it.

Yes I see.

I've told them if they haven't agreed to it

by midday today,

I'm not gonna go.

That leaves us another four minutes.

Here we are, Mr. Brittas.

Thank you Colin.

Isn't it just marvellous news Laura? -Marvellous.

I hope you don't mind,

I've put a speaker, up in the roof space

so that young Tim can listen.

I felt it was important...

Colin, just plug it in will you?

We don't have much time.

Right Mr Brittas.

Can't you do something?

Like what?

Well I'm gonna ring the Council.

I reckon we could get the 20,000

in a door to door collection by tea time.

You heard what he said.

It's not the money.

Councillor Druggett please.

Well tell him to come out!

This is important.

What's this?

Oh it's a water tank.

Well take the phone into him then.

He must have one hand free to answer it.

Where is this water tank?

I was that close?

I was that close to signing.

I knew it was gonna happen.

What?

I had this dream last night.

You know the one everyone gets

about being in the water in the dark.

No.

You know,

you're up to your neck in water

and you can't see anything

and you feel trapped because there's no way out.

And then suddenly

it's like a lid lifts off the sky

and there's lights everywhere

and you can smell pine trees

and you think I'm gonna be saved.

I'm gonna be saved!

Yes.

And then you realise you're in the toilet.

And looking up,

you see this great, big,

hairy hand reaching for the flush.

You mean you've never had that?

No.

The psychiatrist said it was very common.

Here we go.

Staff of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre,

this is your manager.

I am speaking to you,

from my office on the first floor

on a matter of grave importance.

As you know,

I was recently appointed Commissioner for Sport,

and representative of her Britannic Majesty

in the European Union.

What you may not know,

is that for some days,

I have been in dispute

with the German delegation

concerning the extent

of their contribution.

And it was to that effect

that I delivered yesterday,

an ultimatum

to the Germans

that if I did not have,

an official assurance by 12 noon today,

a spirit of friendship and cooperation

would no longer exist between us,

making me unable to accept my new position.

I have to tell you now,

that no such assurance has been received.

And therefore,

I am standing down

as Commissioner for Sport.

Oh...

Can anyone help me?

Hello Mr. Brittas,

I'm sorry to bother you.

It's very embarrassing, but I'm stuck in...

Please leave your message after the tone.

Hello. Mr. Brittas.

I'm sorry to bother you.

And this Centre,

will no longer be twinned,

with the ...

Gavin!

Colin!

Oh Laura, I'm so happy.

What?

He's staying.

It's what I've always prayed for.

Colin!

We've gotta find Gavin.

Gavin was never management material.

Colin.

If we don't find Gavin

and tell him to stop filling that tank,

it's going to...

Are you alright?

Get down here Tim.

Try to organise some buckets.

Colin, into the corridor.

Lizzy and Julie,

over here.

I'll leave this with you Laura.

I think the important thing is to tell Mr. Brittas.

In spite of this,

I truly believe

that if we continue to steer

our little ship

by the course we have always held that--

we shall in time

come through the storm

to the safe harbour of peace,

in the lagoon of plenty,

by the waters of fruitfulness.

Thank heavens I've found you Mr. Brittas.

There has been another disaster.

Colin, I'm trying to make an announcement.

I'm sorry Mr. Brittas.

This is a very important moment,

let go of my sleeve.

There is an emergency header tank

on the second floor.

We don't have an emergency header tank

on the second floor Colin.

We do now, Mr. Brittas.

What?

What is this tank doing here?

It fell through Mr Brittas.

Right.

I wanna know who is responsible.

Tanks just don't fall through ceilings.

What are you doing Tim?

We're trying to empty it Mr. Brittas.

Empty it? In here?

It's to get the weight down Mr. Brittas.

Laura said... -I cannot believe an intelligent person

like Laura told you to splash water

over our oak and pine floor, Gavin.

We've got to Mr. Brittas,

the floor is not important.

It may not be important to you Timothy,

but this floor cost a great deal of money.

I won't have buckets of water splashed all over...

Gavin.

Go downstairs now.

With a bucket.

I think we should clear Reception. -What?

Near the front door. That's where it's gonna land.

Right.

And there's Emily's ballet class at three o'clock

so it's a rather busy day.

So If I could have someone to help,

I'm sorry to bother you,

but as I explained.

Anyway,

that's it.

And thank you.

Bye.

Did I say it was Carole?

And the time is four minutes past twelve.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh dear.

Carole.

Mr. Brittas. I've just left you a message.

Get out of there Carole.

I'm trying to, but I'm stuck.

That's what I said on the message.

Drive out.

Start the engine.

It won't.

It will! Turn the key!

I'm trying.

Well, give it some choke.

It hasn't got a choke Mr. Brittas.

I managed to get it going Mr. Brittas.

Mr. Brittas?

Carole are you alright?

Yes, I think so.

Thank you.

But where's Brittas?

What? -Mr Brittas? He'll tell us what to do.

Well he was here a moment ago.

In fact, I think he saved my life.

What?

Well I was stuck in the car here

just under where the tank fell

and he leapt forward

and just sort of pushed me out of the way.

And then...

He wasn't wearing the blue tie

with the thick red stripes, was he?

And if he was...

Oh no.

Oh no.

Gavin, give us a hand.

You and Tim lift up the tank

I'll pull him out. Don't worry, we'll soon have you out.

Colin.

Come on.

Come on.

Tim, will you take him into the restroom.

Julie, will you call emergency services.

I couldn't get out, you see.

I couldn't move

I couldn't get out.

The kids were down,

I'm dead on my feet.

Looks like excitement again.

Don't tell me.

He's decided to put a swimming pool in Reception.

Helen, something rather awful has happened.

I know, I know, but it's alright.

What?

I know he said he's not going to Brussels

but I met Linda at the post office.

You tell them Linda.

I've got the letter.

The Germans have agreed to pay everything.

It was a special delivery you see?

And they weren't too keen on giving it to us,

but we got it anyway.

Mrs. Brittas snatched it and we ran.

So he's going to Belgium

and everything is gonna be alright.

What are you doing in Ben's car Carole.

Oh, Mrs. Brittas.

Helen there's been an accident.

I can see that.

The tank fell through the ceiling.

And Mr. Brittas was...

You mean he's under that?

Well how could he be?

He wouldn't fit.

Helen, I'm so sorry.

It's all my fault.

I was stuck in the car.

I couldn't get out.

The ambulance is on its way.

Come on.

I couldn't bear to explain.

Excuse me.

Yes, oh.

Nearly finished.

Shan't keep you a moment.

115 separate acts of manslaughter.

Oh dear dear dear.

Cause of four people committing suicide.

And 23 driven clinically insane.

Oh.

That's it.

Right, what have we got on the other side?

Nothing.

That's it?

Well, there's a

lot of good intentions.

Oh, well we don't give any points for those now do we?

Oh, hang on.

Something's just come through.

Oh!

Oh!

You don't see many of those nowadays.

What is it?

It means

he sacrificed his life

for someone else.

Gordon,

welcome to paradise.

Helen has asked me to say a few words

on behalf of the staff,

about Mr. Brittas.

I'd like it to be you, she said,

because I always thought that you liked him.

And she's right.

I did.

There was a great deal to admire of Mr. Brittas.

He was honest,

hard working,

and anyone who knew him

knows how much he cared about his Centre

and those of us who worked here.

There were also,

as there are with all of us,

times when he got it wrong.

A lot of times.

And sometimes very wrong.

Unlike most of us,

he never stumbled through life

wondering where he was going

or what it was all for.

He knew.

Because he had a dream.

And if any proof was needed

of what it means to have a dream,

it was surely given in the last few seconds

of Mr. Brittas's life.

In that moment of choice,

which fortunately,

few of us have to face.

When, what we do

says what we are.

And what Mr. Brittas did,

was to give up his life,

for a friend.

I'm not sure if there's a heaven,

but I am sure that if there is,

that's where we'll find him.

And a part of me can't help

wondering what they'll make of him up there.

You take my word for it Peter.

2000 years is not too old to start playing seven-a-side.

Now, I'll put you down for practise on Thursday.

We'll go through the rules then.

Where are we going?

Don't worry Gordon.

All will be revealed.

We're going outside?

Just for a moment.

I think you'll find it's the big gold one Pete.

What? -Here, let me do it.

Please,

don't do that.

I've told you before

I do the key.

Nobody else touches the Key.

I do the key

and the gate.

Alright?!!

What. What's going on?

I'm afraid you're leaving us Gordon.

But you said I was gonna be here for...

For an eternity.

We've had special orders.

You're being sent back.

Oh,

you mean like Carousel?

What?

I get to spend a day with my friends and family.

This is longer than a day Gordon,

we had in mind 30...

50. -years

50 years?

Look on it as a chance to

finish your work.

To fulfil your dream.

Oh right.

Well you'd better hurry.

There isn't very much time.

Pete, Mike,

I organised a quiz night for Tuesday.

Don't forget.

Don't worry Gordon.

It will all be taken care of.

For as much as it hath pleased Almighty God,

of His great mercy,

to take unto himself

the soul of our dear brother Gordon,

here departed.

We therefore commit his body to the ground

earth to earth,

ashes to ashes,

dust to dust.

In sure and certain...

[knocking]

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection

to eternal life.

[knocking]

That it may be like unto his glorious body.

[knocking]

Hello.