Original subtitles

Do you think you have been here before?

From a scientific point of view, perhaps the part of your brain

responsible for memory has a little flaw.

A neurological problem that leads you to think

you are repeating experiences.

Perhaps you HAVE been here before

and your dreams are memories and premonitions.

We may never know.

Most ancient religions adhered to an idea of circularity.

The snake with its tail in its mouth, and so on.

# MUSIC: Black Bottom Stomp by Jelly Roll Morton

Things had been going fairly disastrously for Ursula

until she met her knight in shining armour - Derek.

If the bride's parents could swap places.

Why is this wedding so small?

We wanted to do it right away.

And Derek didn't want any fuss.

Ursula didn't care about weddings.

She wanted to be married.

She wanted a partner with whom she could navigate life's obstacles.

Cheerio.

Honeymooners? Yes.

It's going to rain all week.

Doesn't matter. We'll stay in.

You can't stay in. You've paid for half board.

You've got to be outside between the hours of ten and four.

Doesn't matter. There's some wonderful local art galleries here.

I came here when I was a boy.

I nearly drowned in the sea in front of this hotel.

Trying to rescue my sister, as a matter of fact,

which, ultimately, I successfully did.

I nearly drowned too, when I was the same age.

It's something we've got in common.

Drowning?

Surviving.

I'll unpack.

Let's get comfortable.

URSULA LAUGHS

What's so funny?

Nothing.

Ursula was sure Derek's first-night nerves would soon pass.

It's just here. Thank you.

She also hoped the house would look more cheerful in sunlight.

I trust you consider it suitable? It's very nice.

THEY LAUGH

But as Derek carried her over the threshold,

she decided to stop caring that the house was drab.

All that mattered was that the inhabitants were happy.

Now, I know you're not used to cooking,

so I'm expecting a few bad dinners,

but I'm confident you'll improve with practice.

I really like stews.

Ursula hated stews.

I'll make some.

I know you had servants, growing up...

Well... Staff.

..but I'm just a humble schoolteacher.

To my mind, there's not much more important in the world

than a good schoolteacher.

Let me show you the rest of the house.

Mother picked out a lot of the decor.

I hope you like it.

Very much.

What a nice dining room.

Now, we'll be eating in the kitchen. This is my study.

No girls allowed.

I'm joking, of course.

You may dust the sideboards and sweep the floor

but I must beg you not to touch anything on the desk.

On that desk lay the keys to our future fortune.

My publishers believe the new textbook that I'm writing

will sell even better than the last one.

And the last one sold jolly well, so...

Perhaps I could help you with your book.

I can type up your notes for you,

and the manuscripts, when you're ready.

That's so sweet, but entirely unnecessary.

To write, a man needs the three Ps.

Do you know what they are?

Pencil, paper and peace.

Find yourself a flat surface.

Good. Make sure this bar hits here.

Would you like a go?

She said she's a bit of a slave to the kitchen but she's very happy.

Derek's working hard on his new textbook, which is exciting.

It's called From Plantagenets To Tudors.

Oh, God! What's it called?

She really did pick the most boring man alive to marry.

I think it's rather rum that she hasn't invited any of us over.

It's not rum, Teddy. They're newlyweds.

She's fine. Here, read her letter if you want.

DOOR CLOSES

SHE HUMS 'ST LOUIS BLUES'

SHE WHISTLES 'ST LOUIS BLUES'

# It makes me think I'm

# On my last go 'round... #

Oliphant?

Oliphant. Why do I know that name?

Perhaps you know my husband, Derek Oliphant.

Oh, yes, I knew his mother.

She worked here years ago.

Helped make the sandwiches for the teas.

So you're married to her son, then?

She used to bring him around sometimes.

He must have been about nine.

Now he's a teacher and a writer.

Oh.

What was he like as a little boy? Good?

Or always getting into trouble with his sister?

Sister? His sister.

There was no sister. Mrs Oliphant never mentioned another child.

She may not have mentioned another child, but Derek has a sister.

He's mentioned her several times.

How is it?

Too much salt? Too little salt?

Criticism will be gratefully received.

There's far too much salt.

I passed the tennis club today.

I filled out a membership form.

Didn't I tell you that I've already spent all of my money on you?

I've bought you an entire house.

URSULA GROANS

KNOCK ON DOOR

Are you sure you've got the right house?

If Mr Oliphant resides here, then we have the right house.

I'm afraid your husband is, as we say, in arrears.

Considerable arrears.

He owes us a great deal of money...

..and has ceased to respond to our communications.

And you're the bank? We're the bank's representatives.

We were garnering a proportion of his salary but, as you know,

he's now been released from his position at the school.

No.

That's not correct. That's where he is now.

I don't know where he is now, dear, but it isn't the school.

He was fired.

He was overzealous disciplining a student.

They threatened to go to the police.

Well...

..what do you want me to do?

Mrs Oliphant, we don't know where the money is to come from.

But unless it is found,

the bank will retake ownership over this here house.

Mr Oliphant is writing a book

and he expects that to bring in a certain amount.

His last one did very well.

I can talk to him about securing an advance of sales.

Yeah, Mr Oliphant has referenced the hoards of gold

he made from his last textbook.

Only trouble was, when we looked into it, it doesn't exist.

It was never published.

Oh, no, you don't.

No, you do not!

You're a liar! You've written no books!

You don't even own this house! We're up to our ears in debt!

URSULA GROANS

URSULA SCREAMS

THUD

SHE WHIMPERS

It was the longest walk of Ursula's life.

Her heart was beating so fast, she thought it might give out.

All the way, she expected to hear his footsteps

running up behind her.

DOOR OPENS

Oh, my God.

Her nose is definitely broken.

You'll need an X-ray to confirm it

but I think her cheek bone is cracked. That might require surgery.

All right.

Are you going to involve the police? No!

Apparently not.

Listen, when you called, I thought it was about having dinner again.

I very much enjoyed myself last time.

It was a hoot. Let's do it again.

SHE GIGGLES John, you're half my age.

Another dinner would be madness and heartbreak.

What good could possibly come of it?

Ursula sent a message to Fox Corner saying she had gone away

for the summer.

A touring holiday of the Highlands, with Derek.

URSULA LAUGHS

Those teeth are even better than your first lot, don't you think?

Thank you.

Thank you for paying for them.

Happy to.

The Adventures Of Augustus is still wildly successful.

I'm still writing one every six months,

and they sell out constantly.

I've got fat little royalty cheques flying about all over the place.

One thing I do not have is anyone to share my good fortune with.

Well...

..thank you for sharing it with me.

MUSIC: Moten Swing by Count Basie

Sorry, sorry. I'm sorry.

I don't know what's the matter with me.

I can't keep falling asleep everywhere.

Sleep is a great healer.

I'm off to what I expect will be a very dull soiree.

I can't find my keys, so let me in when I get back, will you?

I won't be late. You're always late.

THEY LAUGH

You can stay as long as you like.

DOOR CLOSES

MUSIC: Moten Swing by Count Basie

BANGING ON DOOR

RECORD CRACKLES

Teddy?

Where's Izzie?

She went out.

Fine now. You're bruised.

You should have seen me before. I'm glad I didn't.

Thank God you're leaving him.

You're all grown up.

I know.

Look.

I've got muscles, too.

THEY LAUGH

Champagne.

Your freedom.

MUSIC: East St Louis Toodle-oo by Duke Ellington

THEY GIGGLE

Oh!

I've got you.

THEY LAUGH

BANGING ON DOOR

Aha! Giddy aunt back from giddying.

Listen, I should be getting back.

What's the story for the parents? Did I see you?

Where is he, hm?

Who's been here with you?

Who have you been fornicating with? Fornicating?

Get your hands off her.

Is this him? Is this the man you've been whoring around London with?

Aargh!

Run away, Teddy.

Teddy.

Be careful, Teddy.

ETHEREAL MUSIC

BABY CRIES

Congratulations, Mr Todd.

Doctor.

I shall call her Ursula.

What do you think?

I like it.

Welcome, little bear.

So I'm not really dying

and being reborn?

I have no idea.

I wouldn't waste too much time thinking about it.

You'll never know. So what should I do?

Do what most girls your age do.

Try and enjoy yourself.

Aw!

What did you do that for?

I just wanted a kiss.

Howie?

Howie, come on, chum.

He's coming!

English girls, you really are something.

MUSIC: A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Bessie Smith

# My heart is sad and I'm all alone... #

Where were you?

Kissing one of those border specimens goodbye?

Stop it, Izzie.

I found your ball, Teddy.

Excellent.

What's the matter?

I've written a book inspired by Teddy.

Instead of being pleased, he's mortified.

My apologies.

The Adventures Of Augustus?

Why is everything an adventure with you?

Because life is an adventure, of course.

I'd say it's more of an endurance race.

Not that bad, surely.

Sort of an obstacle course.

Wise beyond her 16 years.

Absolutely.

An old soul.

It didn't surprise us, you know, that Izzie had chosen Teddy

as the hero of her story.

Teddy was everyone's favourite.

Don't get upset, Ted.

Only about three people will read the silly book.

I don't know why I bother coming. Everyone is always so rude to me.

It was true that everyone in the family

was extremely dismissive of Izzie, except for Ursula.

She adored her aunt.

Ursula intended to model her own future very much on Izzie's.

She would be independent.

She would make her own money.

Her mother, she knew, was dependent on her father.

Ursula planned to find ways to take care of herself.

GUNSHOT

Lord have mercy. What was that?

Maurice is teaching Ursula to shoot.

Why?

GUNSHOT

She asked.

Again, I ask why.

She's bored, I expect.

GUNSHOT

Why do I keep missing?

Well, girls can't shoot. It's a well-known fact.

I'll become the exception to the rule.

Is there a shooting club at Oxford I can join?

There is an excellent shooting club and no girls are allowed.

GUNSHOT

With good reason. Give it to me.

I can't quite see the point of you going to Oxford.

The chaps there prefer local women, just so you're aware.

No-one's looking for a blue stocking.

Thanks for the warning.

Of course, I suppose you're studying modern languages because

you've finally worked out no man in England will have you.

Time to offer yourself up to the Germans.

You are hilarious. You should be a comedian on the wireless.

Sadly, Whitehall calls.

GUNSHOT

GUNSHOT

GUNSHOT

URSULA GASPS

Sorry.

That was awfully close.

THEY LAUGH

Serve coming in.

It's not the first time he's nearly killed you, either.

Didn't he tried to smother you in leaves, once?

He certainly did. I had to rescue her.

Men are inherently violent and they don't care a fig

about the toll it takes on the world. Not all men.

You went to war, didn't you?

Yes, I suppose I did.

He volunteered.

It wasn't any fun, though.

Why don't you children go and fetch me some cherries?

Bridget can make a pie.

Can Bridget make a pie?

Mrs Glover left us all of her recipes.

A mixed blessing.

URSULA LAUGHS

Maurice has a point, in a way.

I don't know why I'm going to Oxford

or why I'm studying Modern Languages.

I don't have a plan at all.

Does there have to be a why?

A thing leads to a thing, leads to a thing.

I suppose I'll teach.

Actually, what I really want to do is travel.

There we have it, then. That's why you're studying languages.

Mrs Livingstone, I presume?

URSULA CHUCKLES

Do you ever get the feeling you're waiting for something

but you don't know what exactly?

Gosh.

All the time.

THEY LAUGH

Race you.

Go!

THEY LAUGH

Ursula journeyed to a mysterious forest -

the Bavarian Forest of Germany.

Er kommt! Er kommt!

CHEERING

He's coming?

Oh, goodness.

I would wait all night.

CHEERING

There he is. That's him.

# Ja, wer bliebe da zu Haus?

# Heimatland, Markerland

# Dirzu will ich leben

# Heimatland, Markerland

# Dirzu schlagt mein Herz! #

Halt!

DRUMMING/BOYS CHANT

Halt!

GIRLS GIGGLE

GIRLS CHATTER/GIGGLE

Stop it. Stop.

He is the finest one. Stop.

He is the finest one. Sh. Stop.

Stop.

Wir treffen uns heute Nacht im Pfadfinderlager,

um uber die deutsche Kultur zu diskutieren.

We're having a party with them.

I think she said a discussion group on German culture.

Bis spater! Sie ist Englanderin.

Perhaps a cup of tea on the veranda later?

I've learned to enjoy a beer.

GIRLS LAUGH

Weiter!

DRUMMING

BOYS CHANT

# Kuss mich, bitte, bitte, kuss mich

# Eh' die letzte Bahn kommt

# Kuss mich ohne Pause

# Kuss mich, bitte, bitte, kuss mich

# Wenn die Bahn dann ankommt

# Muss ich ja nach Hause

# Kuss mich, bitte, bitte, kuss mich

# Eh' die letzte Bahn kommt

# Kuss mich ohne Pause

# Kuss mich, bitte, bitte, kuss mich

# Wenn die Bahn dann ankommt

# Muss ich ja nach Hause. #

APPLAUSE

Danke schon.

BOYS: Oooooh!

ALL: Yay!

BOYS: Oooooh!

ALL: Yay!

English song! Ja, English song.

No. I don't know any.

Ah, unsinn!

Come. Bitte.

Sing uns ein Lied. What kind of song?

Wir mochten schunkeln. Schunkeln, ja!

Schunkeln? I don't know what that is.

Erm, when you... Ah! I don't know how to explain.

With the arms - when we hold arms. Ja.

# We two have run about the hills

# And pulled the daisies fine

# But we've wandered many weary ways

# Since auld lang syne

# We two have paddled in the stream

# From morning sun till dine

# But seas between us broad have roared

# Since auld lang syne. #

Wunderschon.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

May I kiss you?

THEY LAUGH

It's the Prussian in me.

The Prussian in you is so charming.

May I kiss you again?

When are you going back to England? In a few weeks. Don't go.

Silly. THEY LAUGH

What are you doing out here with us Germans in the countryside?

I've spent the year with Klara's family teaching English in Munich.

Klara came out here for the summer so I came to.

Just to have fun.

Are you having fun?

Me, too.

What?

I don't know.

I think that's quite enough for one night.

URSULA GIGGLES

If you're willing, I'd love to spend the next two weeks kissing you.

Well...

..why don't we just start with tomorrow?

All right.

Your turn.

No, I told you, I hate the water.

Come on, get in. I can't swim.

Trust me.

Just try to paddle with your feet, OK?

THEY LAUGH

LAUGHTER

Danke.

Klaus! What?

Before the Fuhrer was the Fuhrer, he would eat here quite often,

and then he became the Fuhrer and they doubled the prices!

Inflation. Ja, inflation! Danke, Klaus! Das ist problem.

Es wird immer schlimmer und schlimmer und schlimmer!

Are you frightened?

Just that it'll hurt.

From what I understand, it doesn't hurt very much.

You make me feel like such a fool.

That's an incredible...

Zufall? Coincidence.

Yes.

What is?

You also make me feel like such a fool.

Why?

Beautiful women always make men feel like fools.

OK?

OK.

Does it hurt?

Not so as I'd want you to stop.

Stay for another year.

There must be plenty more students looking for English lessons.

I can't.

The main thing I've learned this year is I hate teaching.

I'm going to have to come up with a different profession.

SHOUTING

Jurgen.

The violence will pass. People are letting off steam.

Isn't that your friend?

Yes. This is his room.

SOLDIER SHOUTS

I think it probably is time for me to go home.

What will you do there?

Iterate. TYPEWRITERS CLACK

Iterating. TYPEWRITERS CLACK

Reiteration. TYPEWRITERS CLACK

Reiterated. TYPEWRITERS CLACK

Reiterating.

On her return, with an eye to entrance into the Civil Service,

Ursula did an intensive shorthand and typing course in High Wycombe,

run by a Mr Carver.

..at their meeting yesterday.

TYPEWRITERS CLACK

But after some discussion...

..they were obliged to...

Blindfolds off, ladies.

Madam, I am simply adjusting myself.

Oh.

When she applied for a job in the Civil Service,

Ursula had rather presumed that Maurice

would put in a good word for her,

but instead he had blustered on about nepotism

and having to be seen to be above any suspicion of favouritism,

so it was without Maurice's help she was accepted into the Home Office.

She entered a world of buff-coloured folders and filing cabinets.

I gave him hell.

Can you please get off?!

CHILDREN LAUGH

Maurice, can you please remove your children from my legs?

Can't hear you.

Watch out, boys. Your uncle Teddy is coming to get you.

I'm here to rescue my sister.

Release her at once.

BOYS LAUGH

Neeeeaow!

Neeaow!

You do or you don't think war will be declared this week?

I really can't say. Oh, come on, Maurice.

Of course, you couldn't possibly say what goes on within

the hallowed walls of government. I can't, actually.

He probably doesn't know. I know all kinds of things.

I don't believe you.

I'm beginning to suspect you just go around counting things.

LAUGHTER

If you think I don't know anything, then why did you ask me?

My husband asked me to, even though I warned him

you'd be terribly annoying about it and lord it over the rest of us

without saying anything helpful. Your husband knows I know things.

How is everybody? Hot and tired, I'd say.

I think they'll announce war formally very soon.

I heard they're evacuating London hospitals next week.

You see? This is why you shouldn't have females

in the bloody government.

Is that really what you heard, little bear?

Mm.

At least you're too old to fight this time.

We'll have to join up.

War was declared

and the brothers did join up.

Jimmy joined the Army and Teddy the Air Force.

Maurice fought the war from the relative safety of Whitehall.

Ursula's job was to collate and record an endless stream

of figures that represented the blitzed and the bombed.

She was to mark down every detail.

What type of bomb, the damage done,

how many killed or injured.

The tally mounted horribly.

She knew girls who collated statistics from battle.

Those numbers were becoming incomprehensible.

TYPEWRITERS CLACK

She was surrounded by death

and had never wanted to live more.

KNOCKING ON DOOR

Is everything all right in there, Ursula?

She had been seeing Fred Smith for a few weeks.

He'd walked her home from the London train.

One thing had led to another.

They'd known each other since they were children.

She imagined what Sylvie would say if she knew.

"Good God, Ursula. A railway man?"

Izzie would thoroughly approve.

Blimey, it's bright enough, isn't it?

Makes me think of Donne.

What?

John Donne, the poet.

You know, "Busy old fool,

"unruly sun."

I'm not used to having posh women quote poetry at me

before they run away to the office.

You must be used to me a little bit.

We've known each other since we were children. Not like this.

No.

Not like this.

She decided these encounters with Fred Smith would have to stop.

Then, later, she worried she had been an awful snob with him.

Why had she quoted John Donne?

A quick word with you, Ursula.

Do you want some tea? I was about to seek some out. That sort of day.

No tea, thank you. I wonder if we could have some privacy?

Listen, I'm sorry to have to tell you this.

Ted's caught one, I'm afraid.

Caught what?

Ted.

Ted's plane has gone down.

Ursula, do you understand what I'm saying to you? We've lost him.

Well, then, we'll find him.

I think she probably needs a glass of water.

I'm going to get him back.

What?

I'll get him back.

Thank you.

Years later, at Ursula's retirement do,

she would realise that the person giving the speech

about how Ursula had paved the way for women in the Civil Service

had been the girl who brought her a glass of water on that terrible day.

MUSIC: Heart Of Glass by Blondie

# Once I had a love and it was gas

# Soon turned out had a heart of glass

# Seemed like the real thing, only to find... #

Retirement didn't suit her.

What had she left undone? - she wondered.

The feeling was a hangover, she assumed, from a lifetime

of projects and deadlines, but it was persistent.

She couldn't shake it.

She couldn't help feeling that there was still some great task ahead

that she needed to complete.

# In between, what I find is pleasing

# And I'm feeling fine

# Love is so confusing

# There's no peace of mind

# If I fear I'm losing you

# It's just no good

# You teasing like you do

# Once I had a love and it was a gas

# Soon turned out had a heart of glass

# Seemed like the real thing, only to find

# Mucho mistrust, love's gone behind... #

DOOR OPENS

Hello.

Hello.

Ursula, come in.

Come in, it's all right. Quiet.

Come and meet your brother, Teddy.

Isn't he perfect?

Yes.

Shall we leave him to sleep?

All right.