Original subtitles

Ah, Laura, not interrupting you, am I?

Morning, Mr. Brittas.

Just a tad concerned.

It's the third day of Energy Conservation Week

and consumption's actually gone up!

Maybe it's all the photocopying.

So, I thought a little survey might be helpful.

If we get the staff to fill in one of these

for every electrical item in the building

then we'll be able to know where the most cost-effective savings can be made.

Four or five pages, is it?

Yes, I've combined it with a safety check to save paper.

So, if you could take them round.

Make sure people have got enough copies.

You want to keep one back for yourself, of course, for -- the tape recorder.

Oh, good.

You want to move your arms up further than that.

Sorry?

To get the full benefit on your subclavius.

You've got to stretch.

That's it, that's good.

In fact, that's very good.

You're not usually in this early are you, Mr. Brittas?

No, no, no, no this is normally family breakfast time.

But they're all down in Cornwall.

I thought you were taking your holiday next week?

I am, Laura.

Unfortunately, Helen got a bit confused over the dates, and booked the wrong week.

So, they've gone on holiday without you?

Funnily enough,

they made exactly the same mistake last year.

Still, these things happen, eh?

Mm-hmm.

Please, allow me.

There you go.

How are you managing?

Pardon?

Well, you know, for food and things.

I just wondered if...

Oh, no problem there, Laura.

Helen left the deep freeze packed full.

Pizzas mainly.

But plenty of variety, so you never get bored.

Well, if you fancy a change, you're welcome to come round for supper.

Supper?

Tonight, if you like.

It's fine, you don't have to decide right away.

No, no, Laura, I'm very grateful.

Thank you very much.

And I'll do the form for you.

Form? -For the tape recorder.

I'll fill in the details.

One good turn deserves another.

Ah, smells good, Carole.

Would you like one, Tim?

Ben's having a few friends round for tea this afternoon

and I don't like buying things from the shops.

Oh, very good. You want to try one of these, Colin.

No, I won't, thank you, Tim.

These products have a rather unfortunate effect on the flaky skin under my armpits.

I was wondering if either of you could help me at all?

Yes, of course, Colin. -What can we do for you?

Have either of you been to the toilet today?

This isn't Brittas, is it?

Pardon?

Only I thought we'd decided at the last staff meeting

we weren't going to cooperate with a bowel movement chart.

No, this is a personal project, Tim.

I'm trying to get a realistic estimate of the raw material available

for the methane generator I've constructed in the basement.

Oh, you want to know if we can...

I need a constant supply of material passing through the system, you see,

and I was hoping that the staff would...

I'm sorry, Colin,

I'm afraid I'm a straight after breakfast man myself.

Carole?

Afraid I don't like the idea.

It's not compulsory, Carole.

It's just we all have to go.

So, why not channel it into something that creates energy

and helps to save the environment?

It's the special toilet at the far end

of the squash courts if you change your minds, alright?

Chocolate buns and a chat with Colin.

It's days like these that make my life worth living.

Oh, welcome to Whitbury Newtown Leisure Centre.

Now, how may I help you?

I'm looking for Mr. Featherly.

I think he works here.

Oh, you mean Gavin. I think he's in the staff room.

I'll just check.

Hello, staff room, is Gavin in there?

I have a young lady in reception.

Who shall I say is calling?

Jennifer Pelham-Young. I'm his fiance.

Is everything alright, Carole?

Yes, yes, I'm fine, Julie.

It's just this young lady is looking for Gavin.

She's his fiance.

Gavin's fiance?

He does still work here, doesn't he?

Oh, yeah, yeah, he works here.

It's just that he's...

Everything alright, Carole?

There was a hell of a crash on the intercom.

Fine, thank you, Tim.

Um, Tim, have you seen Gavin?

Yes, he's up in the office, I think.

Brittas wanted him.

Alright, I'll take you up, come on.

Thank you.

Who's that then?

What?

The woman to see Gavin.

I just wondered who she was.

No one at all. It's just...

Oh, Tim.

It's so awful.

You poor baby.

Come in.

Have you seen Gavin?

I'm afraid Gavin's gone into town for me, Julie, to get a three amp fuse.

Only I've got his fiance here.

Fiance?

Well don't leave her outside, bring her in.

How do you do? Gordon Brittas, Manager.

Jennifer Pelham-Young.

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

Oh, no, no, not at all, not at all, no.

Please, sit yourself down.

Gavin's fiance?

We had no idea, did we, Julie?

Certainly didn't.

I've been away for a while.

In fact, I only flew into Heathrow this morning.

Ah, so he doesn't know you're here.

It's a sort of surprise.

I'd say it will be.

Now I'm here, to be honest, I'm rather nervous.

Maybe he won't want to see me.

I mean five years is a long time.

And you're worried he might have found someone else, are you?

Well, I could hardly blame him.

I think we can reassure you on that score, Jennifer.

In all his years here, Gavin has not so much as looked at a girl.

Am I right, Julie?

Spot on, Mr. Brittas.

You're sure about that?

Absence is a great test of any relationship, Jennifer.

But I think your Gavin has passed with flying colours.

That's such a relief.

Shall I go and see if he's back yet?

If you would, Julie.

And you'll bring him straight up here?

You bet I will.

Come on, Tim.

It probably doesn't mean anything.

How could it not mean anything?

I've been out with lots of men who were engaged.

I promise you it doesn't make any difference.

I just don't understand.

How could he lie to me all these years?

Maybe it's a mistake.

What?

Maybe she's just confusing him with another Gavin Featherly.

You know, she's got the wrong leisure centre.

You think so?

I think it's the only possible explanation.

Yes, yes, you could be right.

I always overreact like this.

Got him.

Thought you'd like a word before I take him up to Brittas.

What is all this?

What's going on?

Tim?

You've had a visitor.

Yes?

She has some story about being your fiance.

Jenny?

Jenny's here?

Oh, I knew this would happen.

Colin?

Ah, Laura, just in time for coffee.

Mr. Brittas wants everyone to fill in one of these forms

for each item of electrical equipment.

Colin, what is all this?

It's a methane digester, Laura.

Yes?

It's my contribution to Energy Conservation Week.

You see, what I've done is bypass the waste pipe

from the toilet upstairs so that it comes down into this second tank here

where hungry enzymes eat up the material,

producing methane gas which is burnt in here,

producing steam which turns this generator, and produces electricity.

I thought Mr. Brittas only said you should do a feasibility study?

That's what I'm doing, Laura.

Finding out if it's feasible.

And it is.

I'm not just going through the motions.

And as a by-product, it produces water safe enough to use even in coffee.

That's wonderful, Colin.

You're in luck, you're gonna see it in action.

Oh good!

Thank you for your cooperation.

Your waste products are now being recycled.

Please call again soon.

Now we've just gotta wait for the material to work its way through the system.

And there you have it, you see?

Power.

It's not exactly the National Grid, is it?

Which is why I am in the process of fitting a transformer

which will increase the power to domestic voltage.

There's only one problem, Laura.

There's not enough material coming through the system.

I've had a word with the staff,

but most of them prefer to go first thing in the morning at home.

Don't know if you have any suggestions.

Do you know, I'm gonna have to leave that one with you, Colin.

Domestic voltage.

So, both your parents are dead?

I believe so.

I am sorry about that.

Do you remember anything about them?

Sadly not. I'm an amnesiac, you see.

I can't remember anything before my 16th birthday.

After that it's all quite clear.

But before, nothing.

I see.

I am told they were scientists specialising in the study of oceanic mammals.

People say I should be very proud of them

but I don't remember.

It's very annoying.

Yes, they probably did.

Anyway, when did you and Gavin get engaged?

When I was 18.

Five years, seven months and 14 days ago.

I've got him! -Ah, thank you, Tim.

And here he is, the man himself.

Hello, Jenny.

Oh, Gavin.

It's so wonderful to see you.

I've got your fuse, Mr. Brittas.

Oh, Gavin, that's no way to greet a fiance you haven't seen for five years.

Give her a proper kiss.

And don't worry, we've seen it all before, haven't we, Tim?

That's more like it.

Right, now you two lovebirds are gonna want to spend some time alone together.

The restroom I suggest, Gavin.

And don't you worry about setting up the volleyball court.

Tim and I will do that, won't we, Tim?

Tim, I...

Go on, off you go.

Who'd have thought it, eh, Tim?

Did you know they're engaged?

No, no, I didn't.

Well, he's certainly landed on his feet, hasn't he?

Beautiful, intelligent, and apparently rather wealthy.

The ideal partner I'd say.

Yes, perfect.

Absolutely perfect.

Tim, do I detect a note of bitterness there?

Bitter?

Why would I be bitter?

It may not be obvious to you, but to a trained observer,

your body language is saying, "I hurt."

You're not happy about Gavin getting married, are you?

Let me tell you something, Tim.

I had a chum once.

We shared a flat, just like you and Gavin.

In fact, we shared everything together.

Whenever he went out, wherever he went,

I was always there with him.

And then suddenly without warning,

I came home one evening

to find out he'd gone to live in Borneo.

Friendships are like that Tim.

Sooner or later, they come to an end.

We just have to accept it.

But how could he do it to me, Mr. Brittas?

Tim, I think the best thing is for you to think about how Gavin must be feeling.

Think about how happy and excited he must be at the prospect

of spending the rest of his life with someone who's beautiful

and gorgeous and warm hearted, and who obviously adores him.

Now, you wouldn't want him to miss out on that, would you?

Is that any help, Tim?

I thought it might.

Another form for Mr. Brittas, I'm afraid, Carole.

He's worried about saving electricity.

Oh, I love that, Laura.

I try and save where I can.

Which is why I have -- a microwave.

I didn't know you had a microwave.

Uses 70% less power than a conventional cooker, Laura.

We have to worry about the world's resources.

Do you know, sometimes I have nightmares about the kind of world

that little Ben and the twins are going to grow up in.

Yes, it worries me.

So I always try and use a full load in the washing machine.

Always use the economy setting.

You have a washing machine?

A washer dryer, Laura.

The babies, you know.

I thought there was only one power point down there?

There is.

Ah, you use adapters.

So, just the one form is it, Laura?

We'll miss you out on this one, Carole.

Excuse me?

Welcome to Whitbury Newtown Leisure Centre,

and how may I help you?

Yeah, just wondering if the young lady was ready yet?

Only the meter is still ticking away.

Oh, you must be the taxi for Gavin's fiance.

I'll just see if I can locate her.

Did you say Gavin's fiance?

Yes, she came down from Heathrow this morning.

Only the clock's up to 240 quid now and you know...

Gavin? Fiance?

Yes, she's in the staff room.

I'm just going to give her a call.

Let me do this.

Then there's this one.

The Rectory in Nottinghamshire

which doesn't have a swimming pool

but has seven bedrooms and there's a stable.

Yes.

Sorry to disturb you.

There's a taxi outside.

Oh goodness, I'd forgotten about him.

He'll want some money, won't he?

About 240 pounds I gather.

Right.

On second thoughts, maybe we should ask him to hang on.

Well, we'll need him this afternoon, won't we, darling?

Are you house hunting?

You have to get onto these things so quickly, don't you?

That's why we're going out this afternoon.

This afternoon?

I thought you were on pool duty?

Oh, hadn't thought of that.

He doesn't have to do it, does he?

Well.

Well, Mr. Brittas is very strict about that sort of thing, Jenny, isn't he, Laura?

Nobody's allowed to make changes to the timetable.

But these are very special circumstances, Gavin.

I'm sure Mr. Brittas would understand.

I'll go and talk to him.

And I'll have a word with the taxi driver on the way.

Love you.

Love you.

Gavin, what the hell is going on?

Oh, Laura, please.

Are you seriously telling us you're engaged to that girl?

Well, technically, yes.

Technically?

What does that mean?

It's complicated.

It's not easy to explain.

Well I think you should try.

Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

It was all a long time ago, Laura.

I'd been sent away to relations in Derbyshire.

There'd been a bit of trouble at the local gym.

There was a Court case.

Anyway, I met this girl...

Jenny?

Yes, we seemed to get on really well.

You know, we liked the same sort of things.

And anyway, on my 19th birthday,

I asked her to marry me.

Just like that?

It had a lot of advantages at the time, Laura.

Anyway, before anything could happen,

she had a relapse and got sent back to the mental home.

Oh.

Which is where she's been ever since.

I'm sorry, Gavin.

If you'd rather not talk about it.

Oh no, I don't care who knows any more.

It's alright, he says he don't care any more.

What sort of a mental home, Gavin?

Well, it's a private clinic in Scotland.

Oh, and she's been banged up there for five years?

You haven't seen her?

Well, I wrote to her.

The doctor said it was important so I wrote every week.

But you didn't tell her about Tim?

No, no, I didn't.

I think you ought to, Gavin.

Oh, how can I, Laura?

She's just told me the whole reason she's cured

is because I gave her something to live for.

If I let her down now,

she'll be right back to where she started.

Oh, I don't know what to do.

Gosh, it's not easy, is it?

I mean, there's something rather impressive about it, isn't there?

A young, full-blooded male whose fiance goes away, for five years,

and he doesn't so much as look at another woman.

And it can't have been that easy, can it?

I mean, there's temptation everywhere, we all know that.

And from some very attractive ladies.

I suppose the best thing to do, Tim,

is remember that while our loved ones are away, a promise is still a promise.

And we will have to face them when they get back...

When they get back from Cornwall in a week's time.

I wonder if you mind taking a little note to Laura for me?

It's just that Gavin has reminded me of a rather important principle.

So, if you could just give this to Laura with my regrets, of course.

And I hope she's not too disappointed.

Would you do that for me?

Come in.

Ah, Jenny.

What can I do you for?

Sorry to bother you, Mr. Brittas.

Gordon, please.

I just wanted to ask if you'd mind if Gavin and I went house hunting?

Thanks, Tim.

Only somebody said there might be a problem with his pool duty.

He is on this afternoon, yes.

Well, could you get somebody else to do it?

Only we've got two places to see this afternoon.

And tomorrow, I was going to...

Whoa, I'm afraid our timetable is delicately balanced

and poised to give a structured duty roster of shared responsibilities, Jenny.

You mean...?

We never make changes to our timetable.

Are you saying I can't go?

Not with Gavin, I'm afraid, no.

I'll tell you what.

He's off on Sunday.

You can have all day together then.

Is that alright, Jenny?

Jenny?

Yes, of course.

Thank you so much.

I have to go now.

If you have any other problems, Jenny,

just come back and tell me, alright?

Ah, Colin, the very person.

Yes, Laura.

There's a notice on the staff room lavatory

that says, "Danger, 50,000 volts."

Ahh.

There's another one in the main toilet block

that advises the public not to sit down

because rodding is in progress.

What's it all about, Colin?

Well, it's all part of a little subterfuge I've been putting into effect, Laura.

You see, I'm trying to channel all the lavatory usage

of this centre through the toilet at the back of the squash courts.

That way, you see, all the material ends up in my...

Methane digester, yes.

It's in a very good cause, Laura.

I calculate this entire leisure centre could be self-sufficient by February.

If only everybody would push...

Yes, I think we know what you want us to do, Colin,

but I would be grateful if you left the staff Ladies out of it.

Oh, the taxi driver brought them in.

They're Jenny's.

They can't stay here.

I'll take...

Good grief.

What's she got in here?

I think it's petrol. -What?!

I know it's none of my business

but I couldn't help noticing all the stuff seeping out.

So, I just opened it and tightened the top on one of the cans.

It is petrol.

What's she got in the others?

Oh, Laura.

I really don't think we should go...

Firelighters?

And kindling.

It's extraordinary what people think they need on a journey, isn't it?

Can I help you?

Oh, hello.

I seem to have lost an earring, and it was rather dark in here, so...

No, you don't want to use a match.

Not down here.

You could cause a very nasty fire doing that.

Do you think so?

Oh, it's an arsonist's paradise down here.

Jammed full of combustibles.

It's not just the wood shavings and the oily rags, you see.

It's the oxy-acetylene cylinders, cans of paint, old newspapers...

Where are they?

Over there, under that tank.

And that, of course, is the biggest danger of all.

Really?

Methane gas, highly inflammable.

How very interesting.

It's a little something I've been working on

that powers that generator and lights up that bulb.

Goodness, does it really?

Of course, it's more impressive when it's actually working

but we are rather dependent on whether anybody upstairs...

I'd set it going for myself but today I've already...

Oh, I don't know. I could give it a shot.

I'll tell you what, I'll go upstairs.

Give me five minutes.

No, you better make that 10.

And when you hear the flush, just you keep your eyes on that bulb.

What the hell is going on, Carole?

There's a notice on my executive wash room door saying,

"Beware, acid spillage".

When I come down to the toilet on the floor below,

by which time I'm in no mood for jokes,

I see another notice saying,

"No entry, adverse weather conditions".

And there's another one.

I think it's Colin, Mr. Brittas.

Colin?

I might have known it.

Where is he?

The resources recycling unit.

The where?

You'll remember you said he could have that little room

between the boiler and the pool chemical plant.

I said he could be buried in it, Carole.

And when I find him, he probably will be.

It all comes down to her parents, you see.

It's always the parents, isn't it.

Glad I didn't have any.

What about the parents?

Well, they died when she was 16.

Their plane crashed when they were flying out

to the Bering Strait to rescue a dolphin trapped on the ice there.

They did a lot of that sort of thing,

flying around, saving dolphins.

It can't have left a lot of time for Jenny.

None at all really, that was the problem.

The doctors say that when her parents died,

it set up this conflict in her mind.

On the one hand, she felt really angry

because her parents had left her again.

But she couldn't express it

because everyone kept telling her what saints they were.

So she blotted them out of her mind.

The amnesia, right.

But she still had the anger.

But she couldn't let it out in any normal way, so...

She set fire to things.

An arsonist.

Yes.

Just as well she's cured now, isn't it?

Gavin, do you know what hospital she was in?

Why?

I think it might be an idea if you gave them a ring.

I'll kill him.

Where are you, Colin?

Good grief.

Oi, what are you doing?

Help, help me, help.

Help me.

Right, bye.

You're absolutely right.

She's not cured at all.

She was on day release to visit an aunt. They've been trying to trace her all day.

Gosh, what do we do now?

Well, they're arranging a private ambulance.

The doctor's flying down by helicopter. He'll be here in an hour.

I think we should keep an eye on her all the same.

Where is she?

I wonder if anyone here could do me a favour?

Later, Colin.

Has anyone seen her since she went to Brittas's office?

I'm looking for a volunteer to use the downstairs toilet.

That was a quarter of an hour ago.

She can't still be there.

Rather overestimated my own capacity, and I've promised the young lady...

Colin, this is important.

Young lady? -You mean Jenny?

Who's Jenny?

Long red hair, check jacket?

That's the one.

And I promised her...

Where is she?

In the basement.

Right, right.

Linda, you and I will go down and keep her in conversation.

Gavin, you're going to put those suitcases somewhere she can't find them.

Yes, Dr. Baumber says the important thing is not to let her get upset or frustrated.

Absolutely.

We mustn't let her get angry.

Where's Mr. Brittas?

What's wrong with house hunting?

Why can't you listen, you stupid swine?

You don't care, do you?

You just don't care.

I hate you, I hate you.

I hate you.

You're just like...

You're just like my parents.

This is a girl who can't express anger?

Jenny?

It's alright.

What?

It's me, it's alright.

Oh, I'm sorry, I just...

He made me so angry.

Reminded me of my parents.

Jenny.

You don't remember your parents.

Yes, I do.

Gavin, I remember everything.

Is she ok? -Yes, yes, I'm fine.

Come on, Jenny, come on.

You come along with us.

Come on, this way.

Are you alright, Mr. Brittas?

Just get me out of this thing, please, Laura.

Quite a strong girl, wasn't she, Mr. Brittas?

We're gonna need a hacksaw, Colin.

Right-o, Laura.

Don't worry, Mr. Brittas.

You're quite safe now. We're here.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Your waste products are now being recycled.

Please call again soon.

The ambulance is leaving if you wanted to say goodbye.

Not particularly.

Dr. Baumber has asked me to tell you how grateful he is.

Grateful?

Apparently, at the hospital, they've been trying

to get Jenny to release her feelings like that for years.

But they could never make her angry enough.

They say it's a real breakthrough for her.

All these years, she's been trapped in her past

and now suddenly she's free.

And it's all thanks to you.

Me?

The doctor said he'd quite like to talk to you about it sometime.

Find out how you did it.

Did he?

He said you have a very special talent.

Well, Laura, I mean it's...

Oh, I got your note by the way.

Sorry? -About not wanting supper, that's fine.

No problem.

So, they're taking her back to the clinic, are they?

Not for long, they think.

Doctor reckons she's well on the way to recovery.

It's like a miracle.

Mr. Brittas, I don't know how to thank you.

It's alright, Gavin. Think of it as an early wedding present.

There isn't going to be a wedding, Mr. Brittas.

That girl is depending on you, Gavin.

You can't just cast her aside because she's mentally unstable.

No, it's not that.

Some very successful marriages are to mentally disturbed ladies.

At least you have the advantage of knowing beforehand.

You're not finding out two days into the honeymoon.

Sorry, Mr. Brittas, I just couldn't go through with it.

You have to.

You made a promise, Gavin Featherly.

And you can't go back on your word.

Believe me, Mr. Brittas, if things were different,

there's nothing I'd like more.

Are you ready to come home, Gavin?

Thanks, Timmy.

But it wouldn't have worked.

There are few more depressing sights in this world, Linda,

than a man going back on his word.

I think you're wrong, Mr. Brittas.

What?

About Gavin and Jenny.

I don't think people can always decide what's

the best thing to do just by a set of rules.

Life's more complicated than that.

The only thing any of us can really do is what we feel is right in our hearts.

It may not be the easiest thing,

but I think following our heart is the only chance any

of us get to find real fulfilment and happiness.

Well, that's what I think anyway.

Is that you, Laura?

Oh.

Mr. Brittas!

I was wondering if that invitation to dinner is still on?

Sorry?

I wondered if I could change my mind about supper?

What, you mean tonight?

If that's alright, yes.

Yes, yes, that's fine.

Excellent.

What time would you like me to come around, eh?

Could we talk about this after I finish my shower, Mr. Brittas?

Right, okay.

I'll wait outside.

And we can talk it over while you're getting dressed.