Original subtitles

Did you

bring my stuff from London?

Yes, it's outside in the van.

He gave it to you, did he?

Filthy pig.

Yeah, it was no trouble.

Said he was glad to get a shot

of it.

I bet he kept my bone china.

Did he give you the china?

I don't know.

It was all in boxes.

He had it packed.

Makes you sick.

After 20 years and all I've done for

that man.

Well, I'll fetch it in later.

Thanks, chef.

I'll murder him if he kept that china.

Dear, what time are we packing up tonight?

What?

Oh, 12, 12.30. They don't stay late

on Wednesday nights.

I'll see you afterwards.

Okay, Lena.

Good evening, sir.

Can I help you?

Looks like I'm a little early.

Well, we don't actually start till 9 o

'clock, but there's a bathroom there if you'd

like a drink.

Oh, thanks.

You're American, aren't you?

That's right.

Gerald T.

Armstrong.

I'm from Wisconsin.

We used to have the Americans over here

during the war.

Yes, sir.

I was only a girl then, of course,

but I remember them quite well.

They used to give me sweets.

Now, I hope you enjoy your evening and

the bar's up the stairs there.

Thank you.

I've got to get things sorted out, Sid.

Been here three years now.

It's a job.

You can't afford to be choosy these days.

Yeah, but if I could get a job

in London, one of them big hotels, something

with a bit more class.

I mean, look at this place.

We'll be lucky if we're not both redundant

this time next year.

There's talk of closing down after Christmas.

Who says?

Well, it stands to reason.

Since they opened the disco the other side

of the market, this place has been half

empty.

Yeah.

You been there?

I've seen the outside.

Yes, sir.

What can I get you?

Do you have bourbon?

No, sir.

Scotch?

Sure, that'll be fine.

Make it a large one.

Certainly, sir.

I'll be going down, Bill.

See you later.

Okay, Sid.

Anything with it, sir?

Ice and water, please.

I'm afraid we've run out of ice, sir.

I'll make you some more now.

That'll be £1.40, if you please, sir.

Have a drink with me.

Well, that's very kind of you, sir.

I'll have a light ale.

Is this the only bar?

There is Jamaica Heaven downstairs next to the

dance floor, but they don't open Wednesday night.

I don't remember this room.

There was a beer table, maybe, right next

to the dance floor.

Well, there's always been a bar here, sir.

I've been here three years now.

Oh, I'm talking about 40 years ago.

Oh, well, I wouldn't know about that.

I used to come here during the war,

1942, American Air Force.

I was stationed at Shipton.

You know Shipton?

No.

Yeah, about 20 miles west of here, I

guess.

I was with the 44th.

Oh, yeah.

There were quite a few of us around

in those days.

We used to come in here on Saturday

nights when we could get a pass.

The place has changed quite a bit since

then.

They didn't have those palm trees back there

in the 40s.

I think it's supposed to look like the

Caribbean.

And you have dancers here every night now.

Yeah.

Teen scene on Monday, disco day, meet the

beat on Friday's Latin American.

How about tonight?

Ah, well, tonight is old folks night.

Nostalgia time.

Grab a granny, we call it.

I'm sorry.

It's okay, son.

Looks like I picked the right night.

Nice floor, isn't it?

Pardon me?

Nice floor.

I love the look of polished wood, don't

you?

I sure do.

And the palm trees.

I come here every Wednesday.

I come early.

You get 20p off if you're in before

10 o'clock.

Is that right?

Yes.

Are you on your own?

Yes, yes, I am.

What's your name?

Gerald T.

Armstrong.

I'm from Wisconsin.

Oh, dear, I knew you weren't English.

Marjorie Belton.

My friends call me Marge.

Well, I'm real glad to meet you, Marge.

Cardboard.

What?

The trees.

They're not real, you know.

They're made of cardboard or some modern substance,

poly something or other, I think.

Still, they give the place a bit of

glamour, don't you think?

Yeah, they certainly do.

Yes, I think this place used to be

a swimming pool.

Oh, years ago, long before the war.

Not that I remember that, of course, but

I have heard it said.

A swimming pool?

Yes.

You're here on holiday, Mr. Armstrong?

Yes, I am.

Just touring around England.

I know this part, but I've never been...

Oh, that's nice, isn't it?

We get a lot of Americans here, especially

this time of year.

You know, I work in a bank.

They come in all the time to change

their traveller's checks, so I have a sort

of a special relationship.

You know, sort of hands across the sea.

Across the counter, in my case.

You'd be amazed at the number of friends

I've made.

Not all Americans, of course, but I must

admit they are my favourites.

I don't like the Chinese.

Mr. Armstrong?

Oh, pardon me.

You wouldn't happen to know that young couple

over there?

The girl in the white dress?

No.

No, I'm afraid I don't.

He dances well, doesn't he?

Yes.

Are you looking for somebody, Mr. Armstrong?

Oh, no, no.

I just thought that...

Would you like a drink, Marge?

Oh, that's very kind of you.

I'd love a gin and tonic.

A gin and tonic.

You wait there.

I'll be right back.

There we are, sir.

One gin and tonic and one large whisky.

Thank you.

Over here during the war, then?

That's right.

He told me.

With that lot out at Shipton?

Yes.

Do you know Shipton?

I ought to.

I lived there.

Well, I remember it as a real pretty

little village.

It was all right until the Yanks came

along.

Oh, I'm sorry.

No, don't take offence.

It's nothing personal.

It's just that I'm not what you'd call

an admirer of your great country, Mr...

Armstrong.

I wasn't here, of course.

Not during the hostilities.

I was away fighting the Germans in Africa,

then Italy.

If I had been here, I could have

stopped him.

Stopped what?

My sister married one of your lads.

What you'd call a shotgun wedding, I believe.

He took her back to the States at

the end of the war.

Her and the baby.

Two years later, all over.

Just walked out on her.

Yes, I'm afraid there were quite a few

cases like that.

Left her iron dry.

Now, that's not a nice thing to do,

is it?

In fact, some people would call it pretty

bloody irresponsible.

What do you say, Mr. Armstrong?

Well, what happened to her?

Well, she didn't come back here, did she?

Last I heard, she was working in California

in one of those drive-in places.

That was years ago.

She doesn't write.

There's your change.

Thank you.

I'm sorry about your sister.

She could be dead for all I know.

Bloody Yanks.

I thought you got lost.

No, I was talking to some guy back

there.

Several gentlemen asked me to dance, but I

said I was spoken for.

Spoken for?

And you're engaged with someone.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Of course, you know, a woman on her

own can't be too careful.

So many men try to take advantage of

you, if you know what I mean.

Especially in a place like this.

Is that so?

Oh, yes.

I could tell you storeys.

There was a man last week, was it?

Or, well, anyway, not so very long ago.

So unfortunate.

Nothing would do but that I had to

save every dance for him.

He had such a way with words.

Told me I danced like an angel, that

he'd been looking for me all his life,

and he wanted to come home with me,

if you please.

Now, I said I'm going to pretend I

didn't hear that.

I'm going to pretend that suggestion was never

made.

Do you dance, Mr. Armstrong?

Mr. Armstrong?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Do you dance?

That young couple, they've gone.

Oh, have they?

Did you see them?

Do you know where they went?

No, I'm afraid I didn't.

Then would you like to dance?

I wanted to talk to that girl.

She reminded me of someone a long time

ago.

I really wanted to talk to her.

You think maybe they went to the bar?

I have no idea.

Oh, the cloakroom.

She could have gone to the cloakroom.

Would you excuse me, Marge?

Well, I thought we actually could dance.

Oh, I'd like that very much, but later.

Later, Marge.

Excuse me.

Would it help to talk to a guy

old enough to be your father?

You're American.

That's right.

Jerry Armstrong.

I was watching you out there, and you're

good.

You're really good.

Thank you.

I guess I don't like to see a

girl who looks as pretty as a picture

and who dances the way you do, sitting

out all by herself.

It's all right.

I'm just a bit tired.

I can't believe that.

Look, forgive me if I'm cutting in, but

I couldn't help noticing that you were kind

of upset.

That young man you were dancing with, has

he gone?

And that's the reason?

No.

Please, Mr...

Armstrong.

It's very kind of you to bother, but

I'm perfectly all right.

Well, in that case, I'm going to ask

you to take pity on an old man

and dance with me.

Would you do that for me, Miss...

I don't think you told me your name.

Carol.

Well, Carol, I'm not much of a dancer,

but if I promise not to step on

your toes...

I was just about to go home, actually.

Oh, please, just one dance as a special

favour.

Please.

All right.

Thank you.

You just made one lonely American a very

happy guy.

Have you found

her yet?

Yes, I did.

Thank you.

Do you know her?

Yeah, we met a while back.

I think she's looking for a partner.

Well, she's one of the regulars.

Regular?

There's quite a few of them.

They come every Wednesday night.

Rapid granny?

Who told you that?

A barman.

That's why I was so surprised to see

you dancing with that young man.

Oh, we had to get special permission.

There's a lower age limit of 27 on

a Wednesday.

Twenty-seven?

Yes, well, Terry, that's my partner.

He's a bit more than that, but I'm

only 23.

And you always dance together?

Yes.

We've done competitions.

Ballroom mostly.

We were hoping to turn professional one day.

Well, I think you'll be very successful from

what I saw earlier.

Thank you.

It's no good now, though.

Oh, why not?

He's giving it up.

He's married, you see.

And his wife, she doesn't like him spending

so much time practising.

I suppose I should have known it would

happen.

Looking to get somebody else?

No.

I don't believe that.

A pretty girl like you...

Please, you don't understand.

There must be lots of guys.

Look, it's not like that.

With Terry and me, we've been together for...

I'm sorry.

I don't know what you must be thinking.

It's okay.

It's okay.

He got married when he was only 18,

you see.

And he's got two children.

His wife, she says that she's going to

leave him and take the children with her

if he doesn't give it up.

But I know he wants to go on.

I know.

Please don't cry, Carol.

I know it hurts right now after all

the work you've done together, but you'll find

somebody else.

You're very young, Carol, and very lovely.

No, I can't.

I love him, you see.

I love him.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

Carol!

No, I ain't seen no one like that.

Only she comes in here.

She was beautiful, Bill.

A truly beautiful girl.

Oh, yeah.

You'd have remembered if you'd seen her.

Fine dancer, too.

We were getting on real well.

We were right in the middle of a

wall since she just ran off.

Just like Cinderella.

Never even told me her last name.

Well, that's women for you.

You can't rely on them.

I wanted to talk to her.

I wanted to find out where she came

from.

You think maybe they'd have her name at

the door?

No, they don't bother with people's names.

Well, you could ask Lena.

She might know.

Lena!

Gentleman here with a bit of a problem.

Oh, yes?

Oh, it's Mr...

Armstrong.

Armstrong.

I hope you're enjoying your evening.

Oh, yes, thank you.

I wondered...

I met this girl.

Do you keep a record of all the

people who come in here?

No, I'm afraid we don't.

Just Wednesdays, I guess.

I don't reckon she'd come in here the

other nights.

Well, I'm very sorry, but we don't...

She's very young.

Only 23.

You may have seen her.

She must have been more than that.

No one under 27 is admitted on Wednesday

nights.

That's it.

That's right.

She said she got special permission.

Do you think maybe you'd have something on

your files about that?

I'm afraid we don't keep files, Mr. Armstrong.

And in any case, I've given no such

permission.

I expect the lady wished you to believe

she was younger than was actually the case.

Oh, no, that's impossible.

She wouldn't have lied to me.

Well, I'm very sorry, but I can assure

you that no one under 27 is admitted

on Wednesday nights.

Now, will you excuse me?

Give me another one, Bill.

Do you think you should, sir?

You've had a few.

Don't argue with me, son.

Okay, okay.

Whatever you say, sir.

She'd tell you she was 23, did she?

Hello, Mr. Armstrong.

That girl I was dancing with?

Yes.

She comes here every Wednesday night.

She's run out on you, has she?

You must have seen her before.

What did I have?

How can I find out her name or

where she comes from?

Well, I may be able to help you

there.

I'm not promising mine, but shall we dance?

What?

A quick step, I think.

Oh, that's right.

I promised you a dance.

Oh, I'm sorry.

How do you look for me?

I'm terribly sorry.

Oh, well.

It's getting kind of hot in here, don't

you think?

No, not particularly.

I think maybe I'd better sit down for

a while.

Oh, come on, Mr. Armstrong.

You should just hold on to me.

She's much too young for you anyway.

Oh, you don't understand.

It wasn't like that.

Oh, you're a naughty old man.

I know your sort.

Oh, please, I want to tell you something.

We used to meet here every Saturday night.

She'd be waiting for me on the steps

in a white dress.

Always in the same place.

I can see her now.

You can tell me later, dear.

The other guys had their girls too, but

she wasn't like that.

She was pure and innocent like a lily.

Now, come along, Mr. Armstrong.

Oh, my, I love that girl.

I loved her so much.

Oh, Mr. Armstrong.

Mr. Armstrong.

Oh, dear.

He just suddenly fainted.

He's head up.

Is he all right?

He's so suddenly wet.

What's the matter with him?

I think he's fainted.

Stand back.

Give him some air.

He's coming round.

Are you all right, Mr. Armstrong?

You had a little turn.

Nothing to worry about.

I'm sure you're feeling better now.

Sorry, I don't usually get...

Can you stand up?

Sure, I'm OK.

Give me a hand, someone.

We'll take him round to my office.

Come along, Mr. Armstrong.

You'll feel better when you get out of

this one.

Sid, make him a cup of tea, will

you?

Don't just stand there.

Play something, for God's sake.

Such a nice man.

He'd been so attentive all evening.

He was so gallant.

You know, like some Americans are.

I saw he looked a bit tired, and

I asked him if he wanted a rest,

and he wouldn't hear of it.

Sid, I danced like an angel.

One cup of tea.

Thanks, Sid.

Here, drink this.

Thank you.

I'm real sorry.

That's all right.

What happened?

Nothing.

Mr. Armstrong fainted, that's all.

Thank you, Sid.

Oh, are there any taxis on the rank?

Apparently not at this time of night.

We'll get one, will you?

Mr. Armstrong will be out when he's finished

his tea.

He's staying at the Duke's Head.

Side entrance, Sid.

Right.

Don't rush that now.

Drink it slowly.

Oh, I am sorry.

I don't know what happened to me back

there.

You mustn't worry about it, Mr. Armstrong.

No, no, I want to apologise.

I don't usually get like this.

It was meeting that young woman.

Oh, yes?

She was so beautiful.

When I first met her, I thought she

was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.

She was wearing a white dress, just like...

We danced together the whole evening.

That was a long time ago.

And seeing her again tonight, here in the

same place, please, I want to tell you...

It's all right.

Drink your tea.

No, no, please.

I used to come here during the war,

on Saturday nights, when I could get a

pass.

I met a girl, an English girl.

Her name was Doris.

The very first time I met her, I

knew she was special.

I asked her to dance.

She was young and kind of shy.

She was wearing a white dress.

It was like we were meant for each

other.

Very romantic.

I came back the next week, and the

next, I couldn't keep away.

I was in love, and she loved me,

no doubt about it.

Doris?

Yes, that was her name.

Beautiful.

I wish you could have seen her.

And gentle.

Kind and gentle.

Your taxi will be waiting, Mr. Armstrong.

She reminded me, you see...

That girl tonight...

She reminded me of Doris.

I think it's time you were getting back

to your hotel, don't you?

Oh, God, I'm sorry.

A good night's sleep will set you right.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.

Come along.

I guess I made a fool of myself

back there.

I hope you'll forgive me.

It was seeing that girl.

That's all right, Mr. Armstrong.

Good night.

Good night.

Thank you.

You, sir.

What was all that about?

God knows.

Some English girl he met here during the

war called Doris.

A sex-mad big-ass.

That's all he ever thought about.

I think this was more serious.

He got quite upset.

Looking for his lost lover.

Poor old fool.

You're late.

Said you'd be back by half-past ten.

It's nearly midnight.

I'm sorry, my dear.

Did you go to that dance hall?

The one where we met?

Well, did you?

Yes, Doris.

I never did like that place.

All that cheap tinsel.

That's all gone.

They've got palm trees.

Palm trees now?

Well, are you coming to bed or not?

We've got a long way to go tomorrow.

Yes, Doris.