Original subtitles

I love the city.

I feel inside the life of it because there is always some face, some noise to interest rne.

It must be because I grew up in the country.

A farm we had.

And the house was in the middle of a field.

Trees and wind and dogs barking was the noises I heard most

except for Baba laughing.

She's my friend. We went to a convent school together

and now we're here in Dublin lodging with Joanna.

Our lives vary.

Some nights we just lie in our beds

and think because we're having a drink that we're getting fast.

We go out of course too.

That's what Baba calls 'real living'.

LIVELY MUSIC

SHE SCREAMS.

Hey, you've ruined it.

There's nothing to ruin.

Just look. Such fun, so safe, the kiddies love it.

The fabulous cradle bra.

- Where did you get all those from? - Free samples.

- I like my hair plain and simple. - Oh, ya are simple.

Oh, give me the brush.

LIVELY MUSIC

CAR HORN HONKS

Well, go on say something.

Certainly not before time.

The picture must be nearly over by now.

- We were getting ready. - Oh, well, jump in the old passion wagon.

Well, I hope you cleaned it up. It was full of fleas last time.

Hey, what you doing? I want to go in front.

It's alright, you get in the front with me next time.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Well, we're off now.

Jenn, darling, I 'm sorry I 'm late.

Mm, lwas afraid you were never gonna make it.

What will they all think?

/ guess they'll think that we've run away.

BLAST OF SHIP'S HORN

Darling, we'd better go aboard.

How much time do We have?

A lifetime.

ROMANTIC M USIC

Ah, 2O Sweet Afton, please.

Thanks Kate.

I have your biscuits, your Brillo and your Rice Crispies.

Will that be everything now?

Everything apart from the vegetables.

Oh, Willy will bring them around. That's the onions, the potatoes and the carrots.

You'll have him up early, will you?

- He'll be there as soon as yourself. - What quantity? Eight ounces?

Yes, make it eight, and I hope you cut it thin this time.

The last time it only went between three of us.

Well, this ought to do ya.

You get a free cup and saucer with this new Andrews Tea.

I'd rather a decent cup of tea 'til Friday.

Bye now.

SHOP DOOR BELL RINGS

Here she's gone without her bacon.

Oh, Willy can take that down. Here, put that down to her account.

Well, no rest for the wicked.

I think I'll turn this off. It's getting a bit stuffy in here.

You can go on with those accounts, and get Willy to deliver the two orders.

Righty-o.

DOOR CLOSES

Go away.

BACKGROUND MUSIC

Hey, a couple of girls got dragged off to Phoenix Park last week

so don't accept cigarettes from strangers. They might be doped.

- Oh, I forgot me shoes, what will I do? - God you're a right-lookin' eejit.

But what will I do?

You'll cause a sensation, that's what you'll do.

Hey, come on!

ROCK MUSIC

So, are you dancing?

Oh I can't. I've twisted me ankle.

You want to be careful of that. I did that one time

me whole foot came up like a balloon. I had to go down to the hospital

and they kept me in for a fortnight.

Matter of fact I was expecting to meet one of the nurses here tonight

but she hasn't turned up.

I wouldn't miss this dance for the world. I come every Sunday.

I find it very relaxing after work, like, you know. I work for a television service.

You meet some terrible ones.

Now, last week I went out to Merrion. I saw a television, I took it down.

Looked immediately, I said the oscillation transformer and the base was gone.

I told her it'd be £3.10 to have it repaired, she said that was no good.

I said 'well, leave it', but I said.

'Do you know that anytime your output circuit transformer could blow?'

- It's a very personal one... - Excuse me.

Doped cigarettes?

SLOW VIOLIN MUSIC

- Did you make free with me? - Oh, not much, Father.

- Did he what? - Oh, no, just rubbed me leg.

Hey, I'd rather risk hell than the penance he gave me.

Oh, you're halfway there already.

BOTH CHUCKLE

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Hey girls, girls!

Come on, I'm going up the Dublin Mountain.

It's Bertie!

DOG BARKS

- Where are you off to? - Come on, get in before I'm arrested.

You're not going to the dog trials, are you? - No, indeed I'm not.

I'm taking this thoroughbred up to some track man

- who wants to train 'em backwards. - Oh, come on.

Well, I'll be getting ten quid I hope.

- We'll have a few jars later. - That's a bit brighter.

We'll for Pete's sake get a move on. This yoke is not taxed.

Hurry up around the back, pull it down as hard as you can.

Don't let the dog out whatever you do.

LIVELY MUSIC

- Are we there? - Yup. This is it.

I hope he has real money. It will be too late to cash a cheque.

Oh, there goes our bright evening.

Well if we're stuck we could sell our bodies to the college of surgeons.

HE LAUGHS - Enough of my joke.

She's always doing that.

Hang on. I won't be a minute.

DOG BARKS

Come on doggie, your new hotel. Wait for me, will ya?

There's nothing but bloody horseflies and cow dung.

It's ruining the country.

- Hey, keep watch while I water the grass. - Righty-o.

HUMBLE

Baba!

Hello, can I help?

Oh, we brought a dog. Mr Counihan's gone in with it.

Oh, hello!

Is there a girls school here?

My name is Miss Brennan. This is my friend Miss Brady.

Oh, well I better go in and see Mr Counihan.

DOG BARKS

- Hey, why didn't you help me keep him here? - How?

Well, get him interested in your bust or the scenery or something.

KATE SCOFFS

You just don't know how to attract men.

You look like a dog's dinner.

- Great gas, you're just jealous anyway. - What of, you great bean pole?

- Gnome. - Lanky.

- Oh, you little squit. - Bumps in all the wrong places.

Got no bumps at all.

DOG BARKS

Thank you, Mr Counihan.

Well, goodbye, Mr Gaillard. And thank you very much.

- Come on, get in, my lovely girl. - What's the hurry?

There's no hurry but you get in all the same as quick as you can.

Don't take all day. Are the doors closed at the back?

Good, that's it.

What's his name?

Erm, Eugene Gaillard. Well, I got me money anyhow.

Not even a cup of water, I bet he's a foreigner.

- What does he do? - Huh? He does sweet damn all.

He wrote some book about the bloomin' savages in Africa. He lived out there I think.

Oh, come on out of this morgue. Haven't you been here long enough?

'Tender is the Night', that's a daft title.

- Oh, tender is me feet that are killing me. - Oh, shut up.

Well, I'm away next door to see what genuine bargains I can pick up.

I don't want to be sent to devil's island for wearing no nicks.

BOTH CHUCKLE

I'll take these two, please.

Put them on my account.

Oh, hello, how's your dog?

Very well, thank you.

You'll like that, it's melancholic.

Yes, I've read some of his before.

Well, enjoy it.

Oh, hello.

Oh, I must tell you this marvellous thing that happened to me one time

when I was at Cannalli Races.

Kate wasn't there anyway. I met this man and he looked at me and he said.

'I want to propose to you', he said, and then, the next morning I came downstairs

and there he was, and he said

'are you a nurse or something? Your face looks familiar.'

- Does she always go on like this? - Um hum.

Would you care to join us for a cup of tea? We were just going to have one.

- Well, I have to meet a man... - About a dog? Come on.

Alright a quick cup.

We always have a cup of tea when we are out shopping.

Makes such a change, don't you think?

- Bertie says you write about savages. - Savages?

Well, I haven't always lived here. I have written some books.

- Really? Are you writing a book now? - So you're a cosmopolitan.

Homeless. No, not now. I'm doing some translations for an American publisher.

America? That's where we wanted to go.

When we were in school we wrote to Gary Cooper.

'Dear Gary Cooper, ' we said, 'we admire you

and we have blue and green eyes respectively.

Please send us some money to get out of here.'

And which of you has green and which blue.

- Oh, she has blue. - It was a convent, great gas.

How exciting. So you're convent girls.

- Did you wear a lot of holy medals? - She's covered in them.

No, I'm not.

How long were you there?

Five years. We'd still be there now if it weren't for me.

One day in chapel I had this great idea.

I'd get Mother Superior to expel us, I thought.

So I got this holy picture and I left it in the chapel where Sister would find it

and on the back I'd written about Father Darcy's...

Well, I'd love to hear about it sometime, but I have to go.

- Already? - I'm afraid, goodbye.

Goodbye.

Snow melts.

SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC

- Do you want anything else, madam? - No, thank you.

SHOP DOOR BELL RINGS

Yes?

Hello.

Hello.

I hope you didn't come into Dublin specially.

Well, it's not everyday that I get asked to tea.

Baba's so sorry she can't come but she has a terrible headache.

Oh, I'm sorry. Sit down.

What do ya have? I invited you.

Well, I'd like tea and toast.

They have beans on toast.

No.

That's tea and toast for two and some cakes, please.

Buttered toast?

- Yes, please. - Right.

Do you live all by yourself in that big house?

Not all together, I have a woman that comes in every now and again.

She tells me all the gossip and cooks me bacon and cabbage.

In an inadvertent moment I thought I'd like to sample bacon and cabbage

and I've been having it solidly ever since.

SHE LAUGHS

When I was at the convent we had cabbage a lot

and one day there was a slug in mine and I wouldn't eat it.

'Eat your cabbage', the nun said to me.

'Oh, there is a fly in it, Sister', I said

'cause I didn't like to say slug and all the girls laughed

and I was put to stand in the refectory.

Barbarous.

Where do your family live?

Oh, my mother's dead and my father lives down in the country.

Baba comes from the same place.

- Her father is a vet. - And where do you work?

I'm in a grocery shop and Baba's at secretarial college, but um...

- ls that alright? - Oh, yes. That's fine, thank you.

But what?

But I'm thinking of studying to be something else.

I know, a tubercular heroine. Dying of love.

I was... going to ask you about the books you write, and if I could read one.

Well, a bit aseptic for your taste, I think.

I'd still like to read one.

Alright. We could meet next week.

Can we rely on Baba to have a pain in the head again?

SEAGULLS CAW.

- Was America nice? - Nice? No.

Let's say it rather frightened me. All those blue skies and tanned faces.

You talk of the places as if you were always alone in them.

Yes.

My mother always said I was born to be a monk.

- It sounds very Irish. - She was.

In her teens she ventured abroad as a tutor. My father was a Hungarian.

Was he a gypsy?

No.

You'd like that, wouldn't you?

- My father has a farm. - What's he like?

Oh, I don't know, it's hard to describe people.

If I went to tell about you, what would I say?

I hate to think.

Is he reasonable?

We don't say much.

Oh, but I tell Baba everything, except about you.

I'm fated to get girls in pairs.

I suppose a lot of girls have been in love with you.

A couple.

- Were they very sophisticated? - They thought they were.

You are a mixture of innocence and guile.

- What's guile?

That chiffon scarf.

That was a danger signal. I said to myself, 'that girl's got more than tea on her mind.'

Oh, I hadn't, honestly.

Tell me, why did you invite rne to tea?

Because you had that look of mystique on your face.

- Mystique? You better stop reading books. - Why did you come?

Urn, imponderable questions.

Why did I shave myself, put on a tie, get my car out, drive 7O miles

- to see a girl that I hardly knew. - To study savages, I suppose.

You're not sorry, are you?

I'm not sorry, Kate. I don't want to get involved.

I suppose it's my puritanical caution. You're a nice girl.

- But you're... - I'm twice your age.

We have different upbringings, tastes, everything.

- I don't want to get involved. - But you're not involved.

I don't intend to get married, ever.

It's not marriage that I fear.

It's passion, emotion, and need that tie people up.

When I listen to you talking, it's like reading a book.

When I look at you listening, it worries me.

You're like a lemur. Have you ever seen one?

It's a beautiful night animal with big hungry eyes.

SOFT MUSIC

You know what lights remind me of?

They remind me of all the people in the world

waiting for all the other people to come to them.

'The girl stood before him in midstream, alone and still

gazing out to sea.' - James Joyce.

I always think you're not waiting for anyone.

Maybe not.

'Why can't it always be dark, when your brown eyes whisper lies

that your phenomenal heart afterwards denies.'

Young girls fill me with such sadness.

They want so much.

I want nothing.

Mrs White had a fright in the middle of the night

saw a ghost eating toast halfway up a lamp post. I'm a lemur, hooray!

Hey, you're just in time. Ls my hair alright? - Eugene is here.

I was supposed to meet him at the corner but I'm late.

Yes, he was waiting for a full half-hour. Come in says I, delighted says he.

- Hey, you've no shoes. - Not with this outfit.

You waggle your toes at the men, they love it. Toodeloo!

Oh, Joanna, don't put that plastic cloth over the other one

and don't tell him how hard up you are. - I not invite him? I'm not good enough, huh?

I wonder says she. Can you help me?

I have a big wash on Mondays

and my husband always makes love to me on Sunday nights and I'm dog tired.

- What should I do? - Wash on Tuesdays. Hello.

- Hello. I didn't know you'd arrived. - Mary Mother of Sorrows.

Since when have you been showing cleavage? It's just tea we're having.

- She's flopping about all over the place. - Call Arthur. Tell him tea's poured.

Arthur, the tea!

He's the other lodger, I bet he's upstairs now dousing himself with hair oil.

- He fancies our Kate, you know? - Really?

Truly, he buys her chocky biscuits and sits on them in buses

and hands them to her all squashed.

Here we are.

I made a lovely pudding with lots of raisins in for your nice new friend.

My own home-made from good old Austrian recipe.

- Good evening. - Arthur, this is my friend, Mr Gaillard.

- Hello. - Pleased to meet you.

For my special friend.

- No, thank you. I just have tea. - Oh, is the tea nice?

- Breathtaking. - I must tell you that one about the day

I was having my tea in the restaurant downtown.

Christ sakes, you've just met the man.

'I don't like your cracked plate, ' said I to the waitress.

'Don't be so ignorant', says she.

That's your rasher. BOTH MEN LAUGH.

Eug, Arthur, his da from down the country and a couple cousins

took Kate and I out one evening after a football match.

And his da did the ordering.

'We'll have tea and meat for the men', says he

'and confectionery for the ladies.'

- It was the other way around. - Oh, but you shouldn't talk so much.

You should concentrate on the flavour.

I always say, no tea party is complete without roly-poly pud.

EUGENE LAUGHS - Here you are.

I don't want any.

Yes, but you should for the nourishment.

I borrowed me cigarette holder today because that mope went and...

SHE SCREAMS.

I'll have to go and change now.

You alright?

Oh, I got a bit wet.

Well, don't worry.

I wanted you to be so impressed.

Lam.

There are no innocent girls, they're all like Baba with guile in their eyes.

You're beginning to talk like me.

Where are we going?

Out.

LIVELY MUSIC

- Oh, isn't it hot? - Yes, I wish you didn't have to go back.

What's the time?

Oh, I'm late. We must hurry.

Eugene!

Well, well, squire. I thought I recognised the noble profile.

It's been months since I saw you.

- How are you? - Gracing Dublin with your presence.

- How are you? - Oh, I'm fine. Struggling with the muses.

How interesting.

Did you ever finish that piece you were writing about, eh...?

I haven't started it yet.

Well, you're looking very well anyway. How's the wife?

Alright, thank you.

I've been so busy lately I haven't been able to get around to see you.

- Well, why don't you drop in... - I'm sorry...

I really am very late, I'm sorry. I must go.

Who is that little fawn from the bogs? You're in holy Ireland now, you know.

You shouldn't be meddling with the infants.

Bran? Wood-85.

Hello, who do you want? Me or Mr Gaillard?

Hello?

You're going to sit and drool over your misery.

Oh, God, you'd make a marvellous hard mourner.

- What did he say his wife's name was? - I don't know.

Bet she's 8O and got a moustache.

I'll make inquiries.

Well, he won't get far in this outfit, that's one thing...

without a bit of help.

'I wish, I wish, I wish in vain, I wish I was a child again

but that I know will never be, 'til apples grow on a willow tree.'

Kaate, Kate!

It's the telephone!

LIVELY MUSIC

- Hello? - Hello, Kate? This is Eugene.

Oh, hello.

I thought you mightn't be speaking to me, so I gave you some time to decide.

- Beckie what'? - If you're coming to visit me tomorrow.

- Well, I don't know. - Please yourself.

Don't come if you don't feel you ought to.

I don't know, really.

Oh, come on, make up your mind. We'll be cut off in five more seconds.

- Alright, so I'll come. - /'// pick you up about ten.

Alright, meet me on the corner. Otherwise they'll all want to come.

Maybe they should. It sounds as if we'll need jollying up.

Goodbye, love.

CHURCH BELLS RING

Hello. You look like a child bride in that hat.

Yes, I had it on at mass?

Do you think it's suitable for the wicked day which lies ahead?

Oh, Angel of God, be at my side

to light and guard, to rule and guide.

Alright, out with it, tell me I'm a cruel, crooked, deceitful bastard.

Sorry, Kate, I didn't want you to hear my history on the street like that.

- Will she be there? - No, she won't be there.

- Is she dead? - Not quite. She's living in America.

- When is she coming home? - She's not.

Who was it that answered the phone?

Uh, it must have been Josie. You know, the one who cooks bacon and cabbage.

Oh.

You look so nice today you deserve a kiss.

Oh, I wrote something about your round face.

Not as poetic as yours, but it'll do.

'You're face may be round but your heart is quite pure

and girls with pure hearts get fewer and fewer.'

Oh, it's lovely.

HE LAUGHS

Kate, get the parcels out of the back, will you?

- Is that all? - Yes, sorry.

DOG BARKS

Our mutual friend.

- What do you call him? - 'Kip'.

Hello.

I'll put these in the kitchen, then I'll show you around.

- Hello. - Hello.

Josie, this is Kate Brady

who's come to the country in this ridiculous pair of shoes.

How do you do, indeed. I'll suppose you'll be wanting a dinner.

If you can manage it by six, yes.

- I hope this is booze. - It is.

- Can you cook? - Oh, yes.

Well, you may have to. I indulge her tantrums on Sunday.

That's the guest room straight ahead

and my bedroom is down the hall. I don't use the others.

- Where do you work? - When I do, in the big room downstairs.

Lovely dishes, aren't they?

Laura took most of the good stuff with her.

Prized China and things.

- Was that Mrs Gaillard? - Yes.

She was a smasher.

She looked as well without make-up as with it.

He took a picture of her one day out in the yard without lipstick

put it in a beauty competition.

Oh I miss her. This house isn't the same at all.

- It's a nice house. - A devil to keep clean.

Now that we don't have any more big parties I have no interest in keeping it up.

- Kate, we're going now. - Oh, I better be off. We're going for a walk.

He's a great one for walking.

What are you doing?

Oh, I'm getting ready for a party.

HE LAUGHS

Ah, so, Josie's been regaling you with stories about the good old days, eh?

Sort of.

Do you miss Laura?

Yeah, you can miss somebody you dislike.

Why is she not coming back?

Because she's gone to Reno to get a divorce.

She doesn't want a husband, she wants a...

social success, a millionaire, a father, a psychoanalyst.

'Anybody for golf?'

Was she like that when you got married?

Well, people don't really see each other until they get married.

While we are still friends, what are you thinking?

Won't we always be friends?

Not if we become lovers.

Well, then we won't... become lovers.

Alright, back to the convent with you.

I've had enough cabbage.

VIOLIN MUSIC

Tell me three things about you that will stop me inviting you to my house again.

I bite my nails, and I'm not sophisticated

- and... - And you're jealous.

Because I've got green eyes?

What does this remind you of?

Rain.

- Do you like it? - Oh, I like music with words.

Well, I'm off now, I'll see you tomorrow.

Good night, Josie.

- The dinner was lovely. - Goodbye, I hope I see you again sometime.

So...

as soon as the housekeeper retires, leaving the strange troubled girl alone.

- I'm not sure that I'm staying. - Aren't you?

I'm certainly not driving you back at this time of night.

I'll get you to the shop in the morning.

Will it be alright?

Kate, you soft, daft, wanton thing.

Did you know that you are mad in one eye

and therefore have no sense?

Good night.

Good night.

- It was a nice day. - It was.

STEPS

DOOR CLOSES

SHOP DOOR BELL RINGS

- Staying out in his house again? - I may.

You know very well you are. You gonna find yourself in trouble.

You're the one that used to talk about me being out late in cars.

If Joanna finds out some night you're not here, she won't half make a stink.

She won't.

She's like Eugene, she doesn't worry about the narrow conventions.

Narrow conventions? So, he'll never marry you.

It's not marriage that ties people together.

It's emotion, need.

That's youth.

- What is? - What you're doing.

Picking things up and dropping them again.

Hairpins, feelings, anything.

- Well it's only a stick. - Only a stick, only a person.

Well I'm not like that. It's the other way around.

I always stay fond of people.

The thing that maddens me is you take someone to tea

and two weeks later you meet them on the street and they hardly say hello.

Well, that's different.

Everybody has their off days.

They have indigestion, hangovers.

- Well, if I like people I like them always. - Impossible.

There is no always in human relations.

You like people but you don't always have to meet them.

I often cross the road to avoid somebody I like.

Well that's daft, would you cross the road in a year's time to avoid me?

Who knows?

I might be dead or different.

People die, change, outgrow their best friends.

Nothing's permanent.

Can I come next weekend?

I'll probably have forgotten you by then.

Where are you off to now?

Come back, come back.

Good night.

- It was a nice day. - It was.

If Mother Superior could see you now.

I expect she can.

Should we go to bed?

SHE STAMMERS Isn't it a bit early?

Perhaps you better take your boots off.

Try the beach hut in there.

In the convent we had to undress under our dressing gown

and if it fell off, we got killed.

In this monastery we have built-in shelters.

I have no night dress.

Here.

- Whose is this? - Mine.

Kate Brady, the girl with one mad eye, what are you doing in my bed?

I don't know what I'm doing.

Why are you shivering?

SHE STAMMERS Just the strangeness.

We're not strangers.

I'm sorry, I'd be like this even if we were married.

I do love you, it's not that I don't love you.

I know.

Try and go to sleep.

What's wrong? Where are you going?

- I'm just going for a stroll. - I'll come.

No, you rest. I often go for a walk by myself at dawn.

You're leaving me. I'm sorry Eugene.

Don't keep saying you're sorry. You make it sound like a road accident.

Even married couples go through this.

At least 5% of them anyway.

DOG BARKS

Eugene! Eugene!

Getting ready for the next orgy?

Yes, I'm a fast woman.

Uhh...

SPEAKS FRENCH

Alright, get in.

I'm sorry. Don't be cross.

Nobody's cross.

You're different to me.

Everybody's different at half past seven on a Monday morning.

Good morning, Mr Gaillard.

DRAMATIC M USIC

I found a child's book this morning. Whose is it?

I have a daughter.

I didn't know you had.

Yes.

- Do you miss her? - Of course.

Everything will be better next week, I know it will.

I meant to tell you, I have to go over to London for a week or two.

Oh...

Will you write to me?

I'll send you a postcard.

Well, I better go in.

- Goodbye. - Bye.

CAR ENGINE STARTS

Friends, romans, folk men.

I come to bury Eugene, not to praise him.

The evil that he did pines after him.

You're getting duller every day.

I know.

That's alright, thank you. Oh, I wanted to get some tea too.

Take it yourself there, Mrs Dormand.

And what can I do for you, Pat?

- A quarter of tea, please. - A quarter of tea.

And a turnover.

I haven't a turnover. Will a sliced pan do ya?

Oh, yes, that's alright.

Exactly right.

Dada, what are you doing here?

You can get out from behind that counter, me girl.

We've got plans for you.

And pass me down one of those bottles.

It's my father and uncle Andy.

Never mind the fancy manners, just do what your father tells you.

Not much future in this place, and we want something stronger than that.

Not here, I'll meet you later. We're busy.

Busy? And what do you think I'm here for?

Listen to this.

'Dear Mr Brady: It was high time you knew about your daughter

and the company she keeps.

For over two months now she's having to do with a divorced man.'

To tell you the truth, Mr Brady, I've noticed a lot of things lately.

'Signed: A friend.' - It's not true.

- Where does this blaggard live? - We'll disable him, that's one sure thing.

We'll burn his house down around his ears.

Who do you think you are to talk like that about someone superior?

Watch your language, me girl.

God, I hope we can all keep our tempers!

Get your coat on. You're coming home with us.

- I'll do no such thing. - By God you will!

- I won't! - Get your coat when you're told!

I won't!

If your poor mother was only alive... she'd turn in her grave!

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

Clear to christ, if it isn't Jimmy Brady!

Tim! Andy, will you look who's here.

You're looking great Jimmy, not a day older!

This calls for a celebration.

- Stout. - Stout.

And tell me, how is every bit of ya?

And where ya heading for?

I was up in Dublin. That little girl of mine got into hot water and I had to rescue her.

There, she is over there.

You've known her since she was a baby.

That's a fine girl Jimmy, and why shouldn't she be?

She has a decent father.

- Where are you going? - I'm going to the ladies' room.

A very natural requirement, James.

Come on inside, your auntie's waiting for ya.

Good night, Johnny, and mind yourself going home.

I said, 'Kate would die rather than do a thing like that.'

- His wife has left him. - He's still married.

He's going to get a divorce.

Divorce? It's worse than murder, far worse.

Are you sure there's nothing wrong with you?

No.

There isn't.

It's a good thing we got you home in time.

Oh, I'm going to bed.

I'll talk to you again in the morning.

Katie, come back here! I know where you're going.

They're expecting me back at work. I promised Mrs Byrne.

Don't mind Mrs Byrne. She and I fixed up all that between us.

Look, there's lots of jobs you could be doing here.

I'll get you a job in Limerick, I've lots of influence over there.

I must go back and get my clothes from Joanna's house.

Get ye, child. I'm longer in the world than you are.

And I know right from wrong.

Come on and help me find the rest of the cows.

I've been brewing things over in me mind...

I just thought that if we pulled our socks up, we might have a little stall...

Katie, Katie, there's someone to see you!

Oh, there you are, Kathleen.

Hello, Father Byrne.

Ah, it's nice to have you back with us again.

I never like to see the boys and girls go away.

Draining the countryside.

- Well, tell me all about yourself then. - Nothing much, Father.

Well, the country looks lovely at this time of year, doesn't it, hum?

You must be very happy to be back home again.

I'm just home for a while from Dublin.

For a while. I see.

Well, now, Kathleen

your aunt has told me the whole shocking story about this business in Dublin.

This man is dangerous company.

He has no faith, no morals.

Now, you'll have to stop seeing him, Kathleen

and stay at home here with your father.

Father's alright.

Auntie looks after him and he has his drinking friends.

Now, that's a different matter. A man needs a drink.

It's the climate.

You are in a state of mortal sin.

You have committed the sin of adultery.

You must got to confession now and beg God's forgiveness.

Come now, Kathleen, no more prevarication.

God is testing your love.

He has sent this man across your path to tempt you.

So that you can reaffirm your love for him.

Now you must give me your oath

that you will never see this man again.

SHE SCREAMS No!

When's the next train to Dublin?

Well, you'll have to wait here for two hours and then get the local train to the junction

and then maybe you'll catch the midnight train from Cork.

3O shillings, please.

Thank you.

- Baba, it was awful. - Oh, Mary Mother of Sorrows.

Everyone kept telling me how wicked I was and they brought a priest.

I thought I'd never get away.

You better watch out. Your old man will be right after you.

Lucky Eugene wasn't here, they would have murdered him.

He's back.

Since when? Did he call to see me?

Came over a couple of nights ago.

But he went away again when I told him the news.

- I wonder what that means. - Well, there's one way to find out.

Here, come on, pack your belongings.

You can't go there with too many things in your fist.

He might not want me there now.

Try it. They say helpless women always appeal to men.

Not that I'd know.

- What will we do about my father? - Oh, I'll send him a telegram.

'I'm just preg, on the way to London, drop dead, Kate.'

I wonder what'll happen.

Kate!

I'm sorry. I had to come.

- I heard all about it from Baba. - I ran away.

I thought I'd never see you again.

Dear Kate.

Do you know, I actually missed you when I was in London.

Baba sent them a telegram telling them I've gone to London.

Well, that'll keep them quiet for a day or two.

Well, I don't know. They'll murder me if they find me here.

- Well, we won't let them murder you. - You don't know them.

A Jehovah witness was stabbed in 29 places

with a tin opener in the village next to ours.

Nonsense.

Sit down.

If you're that nervous I should have taken you to the airport tonight.

Can't we lock all the doors?

Nonsense, you're being melodramatic.

All I want is peace and you're roaming around the room with your teeth chattering.

You'll have some peace when I've gone.

Don't feel wronged.

I'm not abandoning you to the wolves.

You can stay in London for a couple of weeks

and then come back when everybody's calmed down.

I don't want to leave you.

I don't want you to leave.

You brighten up this hermitage. I'm just being sensible.

- Alright. - DOG BARKS.

It's only a fox.

Will you write to me?

Everyday. Big long letters.

LOUD RUMBLES

Katie!

- This is beyond endurance. - Are you there?

I'm going to talk to him.

- Don't tell him I'm here. - Where's my daughter?

Where's Kathleen?

Kathleen, it's your dad. - Now, I trust I can forgive this intrusion.

Now I'm the guard who serves as the voice of moderation...

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

- A divorced man. - This is my house and you're trespassing.

Now look, she's not in Dublin, and if she's not there, she's here.

Ah, show me your house and I'll tell ya what ya are.

- God on earth! - Now, don't stand on ceremony.

- Come in, do. - Now, please, let's all sit down now...

I suppose you know what class of a business it is

for an old man to be getting young girls up to his house to interfere with them.

- Where is she? - Are you a catholic?

Are you a heathen?

Produce the girl here or else we'll search the house.

Now go home and we'll discuss the whole thing tomorrow.

What the hell do you take us for?

It's our country.

And I've said all I'm going to say. Now will you please get out of my...

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

And there's another in case you don't get out.

Come on!

These people could kill you... Savages.

Get out!

HE GRUNTS

Are you hurt?

- I'm not sure. - You are lucky, sir, they didn't kill you.

I had more than luck, Josie, I had you.

I'll get hot water and Jeyes Fluid.

Never mind about the Jeyes Fluid, wait 'til they get a letter from my solicitor.

I think I managed alright, sir. At least I didn't lose me head.

- It was awful. - It was ridiculous.

I'm still here.

Haven't you been to sleep?

No.

I kept guard for the savages.

- All night? - It's 4:30.

You moaned in your sleep. Are you alright?

I'm a bit bruised.

- I only wanted to say something and then go. - Like what?

Now you're awake I don't know.

- Will you drive me to the airport? - No.

Really?

We'll stay for a day or two.

Anyway, if I'm moaning in my sleep who's going to comfort me?

Some other girl.

There aren't any girls with such a nice face and such a thrillingly awful family.

You were the one who said I had to go.

Well, it's done now. You are eternally damned and I've lost any respectability I had.

Anyway, you'd get lost over there. Wolves.

Well, I don't want to stay if you feel sorry for me.

You want an ardent proposal?

Come here.

Well, we've got the ring even if we haven't had the ceremony.

That will have to last you a long time.

How long? - As long as you keep your girlish laughter.

Do you promise to love, honour, obey and support me 'til cheerlessness do us part?

- I will. - Alright.

With this ring I thee bed and board for such time

- as you remain reasonable and kind. - Amen.

- Could you look after these for me? - Certainly.

Oh, no, that's too much all together. - Oh, it's alright. I just got married today.

Such a young girl.

Madame.

Oh, I feel so sophisticated.

To love.

To simplicity.

- To you. - To us.

- Forever after. - For while we're happy.

- Can I keep the cork? - Gathering up a past?

Well, it's a nice past.

It's lovely.

Consommé, cod, corn, caviar, cockles

cookies, colcannon, corned beef, coffee, carrots, curry, cabbage.

Jesus.

Kate, have you taken my fountain pen again?

Oh, it's here.

- Somewhere. - I wish people wouldn't keep using it.

I can't write with it anymore.

Where?

Thank you.

- Haven't you finished yet? - I'll never be finished.

HE TALKS IN FRENCH

- It's cottage pie. - That's what I said.

Why are you sad today?

Well, it's Sunday and I didn't go to mass. Will you take me next Sunday?

I might if I'm up.

Hey, treachery.

I thought you said you can cook.

Oh, I can. Baba taught me.

Well, never put that much garlic in anything. Just a tiny bit at the most.

Don't you believe in God?

I do when I'm driving a car at 8O miles an hour. It varies.

I don't want to go to church by myself.

Alright, I'll take you as far as the porch.

Have a nice mass?

I forgot that you were waiting for me. Isn't that funny?

No, it isn't funny. In there you become a convent girl again.

Deep in it, crucifixes, bleeding hearts, hell

and I'm outside reading about atomic bombs.

- How can you endure it? - I was never a convent girl.

Oh, we are gonna have one of your emotional blubberings?

No.

It's just that it's so extraordinary.

You don't seem to be the same girl that strews hairpins all over my study floor.

- In there you revert to barbaric origins. - Well, I like mass and God and good things.

And when I don't go, I feel the goodness going out of rne.

- I know you hate it. - I don't hate it.

It just perplexes me.

Here, smell this.

The flower of May for a girl of May.

It's not all of this or the New Statesman that unite two people.

Come on, I'll buy you a drink and wash all that sanctity from you you've just acquired.

SOOTHING MUSIC

- Kate? Kate! - I'm here.

Come on, Mary and Malachi are here.

Oh, he's that awful man we met once in the street.

Oh, pay no attention to him.

Some girl laughed at his manhood once and he's never forgotten it.

Who's Mary?

Just a friend.

What will I do? Who will I say I am?

I'll say you're Kate Brady, a guest for the summer.

He's taken down all Laura's paintings. The beast.

I heard that. I didn't want to live with muddy canvases.

This is Kate, whom I think you've met.

Ah, briefly. She danced away like the morning dew.

How do you do?

Mary Maguire.

- How do...? - Hi!

Kate, would you get some tea?

Won't you sit down?

Ah, just in time.

- Allow me. - I can manage.

Should I finish buttering these for you?

I always seem to butter bread in this stately home.

'Werther had a love for Charlotte, such as words could never utter.

Would you know how first he met her? She was cutting bread and butter.'

Has he you baking bread with compost-grown flour?

- Josie buys the bread in the village. - Ah.

- So you're Lord Ireland's little daughter.

I heard your family brought hatchets to bear on poor old Eugene.

Stories in Ireland always get exaggerated.

Well, it'll give Laura a good laugh when she hears about it.

Oh, what a sweet little tray cloth. Was it a wedding gift?

I suppose you look on this as your honeymoon.

'Honeymoon, the time during which the bride believes the bridegroom's word of honour.'

Quotation: H. L. Mencken, born 1880.

Editor, critic, biographer, lexicographer.

Oh, and sadist.

You're a clever girl.

I can see you have a clever tear in your eye.

Now, I'm I a poet and I know these things.

Tell me Kate, you don't mind me calling you Kate, do you?

What do you really think about Eugene and his translations?

I'm sure they're very good.

A little insignificant, though. That you must admit.

He says it doesn't matter what you do so long as you have a conviction about your work.

Oh, isn't that lovely.

His greatest achievement is that he talks with such solemnity.

- He's a man of conscience. - Oh, the milk of human blindness.

You know his greatest ambition?

To write an epic that will make money on the VistaVision screen.

You know nothing about him.

He says he's filled with broken best-sellers.

Don't you fish, you're more Harper's Bazaar than ever.

Not bazaar, bizarre.

Bizarre, schmeezarre, what does it matter, I'm pretty.

- Shall I be mother? - Auntie, rather.

Kate, you've brought the wrong cups.

Heathcliff, you're looking quite virile all things considered.

Against all the laws of nature.

You're looking younger if such a thing is possible.

Shall we retire to the grotto?

I'm beginning to feel a little out of things in here.

Have I told you about our trip over to the west?

Where the Irish protest is much in evidence on ditches and walls.

It was marvellous.

So windy and primitive.

Good, I'm glad you got rid of your penthouse obsessions.

And this woman there had a face of a retired BrUnnhilde.

And I can tell you, there were no chinks in her armour.

THEY LAUGH

They caught a shark and we ate it. We swam at night.

- Even the police thought it was fun. - When they arrived.

- Well, it's just as well for you they did. - Oh, I don't know.

Listen, next time why don't we all go up there?

You, and Malachi, and me, and...

and whatever's left of the Trinity Pack?

I'll just get some hot water.

I don't think I'd relish what's left of the old Trinity Pack.

Oh, you never know what might happen when you get down there.

DRAMATIC M USIC

Eugene, thank's so much for having us, the tea was marvellous.

INDISTINCT DIALOGUE

Kate, are you in one of your emotional states?

- You'll be happy to hear they're gone. - Oh, that must be sad for you.

What does that mean?

You seemed to enjoy their clever conversation so much.

It's not a case of whether I enjoy it or not.

It's just a sad, old game that they play.

Anyway, it's good to have articulate friends out here.

Even friendly enemies.

You made so little of me in front of them, all that talk about Laura.

Well, it's perfectly natural, she was Laura's friend.

The same way that Baba is yours.

They went everywhere together, they came to Europe together...

And he writes to her and tells her everything,

and suppose you write to her and tell her everything too.

I'd like her to have the authentic version.

Why do you write to her at all if it's all over between you?

Nothing is ever quite over, as you put it.

You mean you want to stay married to her?

That's immaterial to me but being unmarried seems to trouble your country soul.

You didn't do one thing to show them that you love rne.

What do you want me to do, sing you a Hungarian opera?

I don't know.

Kate, I honestly don't think I can do it.

I can't start from scratch on a purely simple level.

There's not enough time left in the world anymore.

I like it when it's just us.

It's not just us, unfortunately.

Then the Malachi fellow asked Eugene about me father coming

and they were sneering over it.

You should have sat there as brazen as a pig puffing fags.

This morning this telegram arrived.

'Well, everyone deserves a little fun now and then.

Enjoy yourself writing. Love, Laura.'

She's a right clip.

Wasn't it lucky? He was out when it arrived.

You want to bribe that postman. There'll be big sob stuff coming up soon.

What will I do?

- Stuff him in the boiler. - If he leaves me I'll die.

I wouldn't like to be like that. Fancy free, that's me.

I've got some exciting news to tell you, I'm off to London next week.

- Oh, no. - Yes, I'm off on Tuesday.

Hey, can you loan me 20 quid?

- Don't go. - I want to.

I'm sick to death of this hick town and those slobs learning to be secretaries

and roly-poly pud, and men with damp hands up rne thighs.

I have no one to turn too.

Look, what about the cash? Can you manage?

It was worth it letting you dive into a life of iniquity.

His brown eyes whisper lies. Hum.

SOUNDS OF TYPEWHITER

Well, of course Mary wrote.

She said you had a little backwoods girl who's shy and thorny.

Darling, don't rush into anything.

You're wise and full of talent and I must help you.

The ticket is a gift from me to you.

I think I owe it to you to have a long talk.

And besides, you'll see Boo and me and the sunshine.

AII my love, Laura.

Oh, chapter nine of the drama. You're opening my letters now.

Good job I did, I'd have woken up some day and found you gone.

- In what way? - There's an air ticket for you.

- She's getting generous. - That's no way to talk.

- She says I'm thorny. - Well, you're not exactly benign.

You're not going to go, are you?

Are you?

I don't know, I'll have to think about it.

What about me?

One relationship doesn't cancel out another.

I have a child there, I might like to see her.

- Anyways, it's nothing to do with you. - But it has.

If you go to them it means you don't love me.

And you're the girl who said, 'I want nothing.'

But you like me in bed and everything.

- Please. - I don't know what I'm doing here then.

I don't know what you're doing here either.

I was just thinking I'd be better off if I'd never met you.

I liked you better before you started thinking.

You are the one who's always urging change and things.

When I met you those first few times in Dublin I thought to myself.

'Here's a simple girl, gay as a bird

delighted if you could pass her a second cake.'

- I could be like that again. - You never were like that.

It was an illusion.

Young girls are like stones, nothing really touches them.

It's not true.

I'd do anything for you.

Apparently, that's why we're having this lovely conversation.

Only I don't want you to go to them, I don't!

- I haven't said I was going. - Well, decide now.

I have to lunch in town today, do you think we can postpone the scene?

- Can I come? - Alright.

I'll be a while getting ready.

- I'm just going in to comb my hair. - You do that. I'll be in the lounge.

I wonder, could you give this to Mr Gaillard? He's in the lounge.

- Certainly. - Tell him Miss Brady

won't be joining him for lunch.

CHILDREN YELLING

Maybe you ought to go to the hotel and see him for me.

Oh, I wanted to get on with my packing.

Anyway, what would I say?

Tell him I'm here.

Suppose he says, 'That's great.'

Oh, he won't. He wants me back, I know he does.

When I was small and lived on the farm

my mother was always leaving my father.

It didn't last for long, though.

After a while he always used to go to her and ask her to come back to him.

Ah, bloomin' men. You never know what they're up to.

What did you say in the letter?

Oh, I don't know, things... that I was going to England with you.

Why don't you? We'll have a whale of a time.

I'm sure he wouldn't want me to leave.

Oh, alright. I'll go and see him.

God grant he is there. I want to borrow some more money.

CLINK ON THE WINDOW

CHILDREN YELLING

- Was he there? - Yeah, I caught him at the door.

- What did he say? - Well, stay there, I'm coming in.

Well, I told him you were here

and that you're coming to England with me and all that sort of bluff.

He didn't say anything for a long while. But he looked awful.

Where is he now?

He's gone home.

Without me.

He said it was probably the best thing.

And he wishes he could feel young and intense and cry the way you cry.

- I'll go to him now, I'll do it... - No, he says you'd to stay here

'til, perhaps, you've grown up a bit.

He said old men and young girls are all very well in books

but not anywhere else.

SHE SOBS Don't tell me anymore.

He didn't say anything more.

Oh, Jesus! Don't go off your head or have a nervous breakdown.

He must come back to me.

You know what? Come upstairs and have a gin and lots of tonic, lucky I have some.

He'll come back.

Just give him a day or two to cool off.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

- Did you talk to him? - There was no reply.

In two weeks you'll have forgotten all about it, don't you worry.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Please do write to us.

SHIP HORN HONKS

God bless you. Bye bye, bless you.

Don't forget your case, that's it.

Hey, lucky we brought the pills.

We don't want to puke up all over the damn ship.

I wonder where he is?

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Bertie. - Don't forget us.

- Bless you. Goodbye! - Goodbye me loves.

Me two lovely girls!

Baba, do I look like a woman with a past?

Oh, no, just a right-looking eejit.

Oh, come on, let's stop moping and join this lot, come on.

IRISH FOLK MUSIC - PEOPLE CHEER

He wrote to me in London saying what a nice girl I was.

And what a pity that he hadn't been younger or I hadn't been more mature.

I haven't heard now for months so I expect he's gone back to his wife.

Once or twice I've seen someone who looks like him

and I've run to them the way I'd run to kiss him if he appeared now.

It's funny. I remember all the things we talked about.

He said once

'We all leave one another.

We die, we change, we outgrow our best friends.'

It's true. Because I have changed. I go to school at night.

Meet different people, different men.