Original subtitles

[music playing]

[theme music]

[birds singing]

PAUL: Thank you, Hugh.

Bye, Dot.

Thanks for everything.

Bye.

[door closing]

We had such, such a good marriage.

[typing]

MICHAEL: It is in the original binding, sir.

No 18th century books were leather

bound by the publishers.

You'll think about it.

Right, thank you.

Good bye.

He'll think about it.

[typing continues]

1,100 pounds?

That's right.

Did you check it, Ronnie?

Of course I checked it, Michael.

I don't like pressing someone for that amount.

How much did we take last month?

It will pick up.

It needs to.

It's all in there.

Purchased nine months ago, came in the shop last October.

Don't you remember?

"The 120 Days of Sodom," de Sade with the original covers.

"Intrigues and Confessions of a Ballet Girl."

Hm.

[somber music]

1,100 pounds, for Curious Books.

[door opening]

A letter from Sam in Australia, for Dad.

[door closes]

Sorry, I didn't want to upset you.

I was going to answer it.

I'm quite capable of answering it myself.

It will give me something to do.

Sorry.

It's all right, what's the other one?

Oh, advertising.

Remote control garage doors, again.

More coffee?

Thank you.

Shall we eat in the dining room tonight?

Why?

Well, it is the dining room.

You're spending all your time in here.

It's not healthy?

Well, it's not, Mother.

Dad was a fantastic, wonderful person.

But?

He wasn't a saint.

What are you talking about?

I have absolutely no idea.

Where are you going?

Into town.

Something's gone wrong with one of our advertising accounts.

Won't be late.

[somber music]

[bell ringing]

Mr. Carey?

Which one?

Either, I should think, would do.

I'm Michael Carey.

And, Mr?

Standing, Paul Standing.

The name doesn't mean anything to you?

No.

My father was Dr. Ralph Standing.

Oh, one of our most valued customers.

Was?

He died last week.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Hence the tie.

I am sorry.

Very sorry.

Do sit down.

I am handling his affairs, so I opened this.

Uh, yes, I regret the turn of that.

But the bill is seriously overdue.

There must be some mistake.

Mistake?

There are no books of this kind in the house.

Well, they're hardly the sort of books

that are kept on the open shelf, Mr. Standing.

We supplied them.

What Dr. Standing did with them afterwards--

When?

When was the original invoice?

Doesn't it say?

No.

Standing, RP.

December, last year.

Last December.

Where's the original order?

V. Verbal order.

He, he must have phoned it in.

Excuse me.

People in the public eye often prefer not to leave a record

of this type of purchase.

MICHAEL: Thank you.

That's right.

Thank you very much, sir.

[bell ringing]

Good bye.

[door closing]

They're illustrated, are they, these books?

Oh, yes sir.

That's the point.

Profusely illustrated.

May I see one?

I think we have a Ballet Girl in reasonable condition.

The title is almost as long as the book.

"Intrigues and Confessions of a Ballet Girl with Startling

and Voluptuous Scenes Enacted by Well-known Personages

from the Theatrical, Medical, and Military Professions

and Full Disclosure of Secrets and Amatory Doings

in the Dressing Rooms, Under and Upon the Stage, in the Light

and in the Dark, By One Who Has Had Her Share."

[inaudible].

Maroon wrappers.

RONNIE: London, 1870.

One of 16 with prints on Japan paper.

My father couldn't have ordered that.

It's quite, quite impossible.

You'll find our confidential list of customers

quite, quite impossible too.

You disgust me.

You leave us no alternative but to institute

legal proceedings.

Don't you dare do anything of the kind.

My mother is not well.

She has a heart condition.

It could kill her if anyone were to suggest that my father--

MICHAEL: Then pay us what we're owed!

You-- you disgust me, Mr. Standing.

We simply supply demand.

Don't condemn us for a side of your father

you didn't know about.

We sent statement after statement to him.

Bad debts are nearly crippling this business.

My father could not have ordered those books.

Institute your legal proceedings.

RONNIE: Mr. Standing--

[bell ringing]

We will.

MRS. STANDING: The Jubilee roses smell wonderful.

The lawn's a mess.

That horrible moss is back underneath the birch.

Oh, I'm talking to you again.

I used to talk to you so much.

I can't stop now.

RONNIE: [speaking french].

[telephone ringing]

Who?

Ah, Mr. Standing.

You are lucky to catch us in.

We were both just leaving.

I will pay you the money.

It will take a day or two, because I

want to pay you in cash.

RONNIE: I have no objection to cash, sir.

In return, I want your signed receipt and an assurance

in writing that that is a complete end to the matter.

You may have that with pleasure, sir.

Friday?

Certainly, Mr. Standing.

We're here all day.

You worry too much.

You were very good when you told him off.

I meant it.

It was his manner, his suit.

They can afford it.

He's the first to come to the shop.

I hope he won't cause trouble.

How can he?

Do you know my secrets?

Do I know yours?

Which of us can be absolutely certain

about our nearest and dearest?

If he was good and kind, then what evil impulses might

have been suppressed, which would

sort some clandestine outfit?

If he was bad, oh, what a surprise he ordered the books.

[chamber music]

Foolproof.

I knew there was a son.

We agreed, widows on their own.

There aren't enough.

He suspected something.

Never.

Standing, Ralph Pearce.

FRCS OBE.

On the 2nd of August, dearly beloved husband

of Helen Mary, father of Paul.

Service at St. Agnes, Thirchester,

9th of August at 2:45 PM, RIP.

There's the international banker.

He died in New York.

Oh, yes.

Mm, shame.

What about this one?

Donations to the Musicians Benevolent Fund.

Hm, no money in music.

Listen!

Halesworth Brown, Anthony Frederick,

headmaster of Gleatham Royal School.

You remember that caning scandal?

Just a widow.

[laughter]

De Sade again.

Yes.

We can match Mr. Halesworth Brown's

private taste to his public character with some accuracy.

Is there one about the Count being broken on the wheel?

[speaking french].

[french]

[french]

Even I can't stomach that one.

[laughter]

I see.

Just-- just a moment.

[snapping]

Mr. Standing.

He can't make it.

His mother's ill.

Sorry to hear about your mother, Mr. Standing.

I told you she has a heart condition.

I can't possibly leave her.

You can post the money.

No, I can't do that.

I want the receipt when I hand it over.

What about Monday?

That's impossible.

My mother is recovering.

I can't leave her for at least a week.

I'm afraid that is impossible, Mr. Standing.

You don't seem to appreciate that we've been owed this money

for over nine months.

(WHISPERING) He's stalling, trying to get out of it.

It seems a very convenient illness.

What are you implying?

I'm not a liar, Mr. Carey.

If you were here, you could see for yourself.

Are you suggesting that I call?

No, of course not.

You can't do that.

Why not?

Because my mother must not see you.

But if she is ill, the lady is in bed presumably.

Mr. Standing.

Be here at 3 o'clock.

She has a sleep then.

Don't ring the bell.

I'll watch out for your car.

An old Morris Minor, Mr. Standing.

Blue in color.

[dial tone]

Mother?

Sit down, Mother.

I've only been out five minutes.

[chamber music]

What can go wrong?

We work better together.

I need you worrying.

If you're not there worrying, I start worrying.

What is it?

It's Friday the 13th.

[laughter]

Come on.

Nice day out in the country will do us both good, a lot of good.

[somber music]

It's hot.

I thought you had it patched.

I did.

There are patches on the patches.

It's probably the hose.

My stars warned me not to travel today.

[cows mooing]

Why did I do that?

Whereabouts are we?

It's 20 to 2!

I know what time it is!

We passed a garage just around the--

I could fix it.

[birds singing]

[tinkering on engine]

It's a bit late now.

It's gone 3!

I thought George finished!

His mother will be up when we get there.

Let's phone.

And give him an excuse?

It's Friday the 13th.

We passed three crows sitting on a fence.

Did we?

Where?

[laughter]

It's all very well, you laughing at my premonitions.

They're usually right.

If you make one every day, some are bound to be.

Oh, let's go back.

We can't go back now!

Why not?

Tell me a flaw.

Go on, one flaw.

[engine revving]

There's only one person that can prove

he didn't buy those books.

And he's dead.

[chamber music]

Ah, very nice.

This was my father's study.

He used to sit there.

[door closing]

A good likeness, Mr. Standing.

Very good.

Have you the statement and the receipt?

The money, Mr. Standing.

They're in 100s.

Two, four, six, 8, 1,000, and 100.

Thank you, Mr. Standing, very much.

So much nicer than legal unpleasantries.

[gun cocks]

They certainly profit--

[gasp]

Put the money back on the table.

Keep still.

Both barrels are loaded.

Shooting you wouldn't be difficult.

This is not just a legal matter, now.

It means the police.

I quite agree.

I could have dealt with you in the shop.

I wanted to lead you on, to protect others.

Appropriately enough, this was my father's gun.

[chair creaking]

Will you phone the police, Mother, please?

I told you it was impossible for my father to have bought

those books nine months ago.

Quite impossible.

Get the police, please do.

Just because a man seems respectable--

Quite impossible.

He was involved in a shooting accident.

For the last six years of his life,

my husband was totally blind.

[chamber music]

[theme music]