Original subtitles

- Good morning. - Morning, sir.

How much do you charge for cards in the window?

It depends what you want to advertise, sir.

Do I look like a model?

20 pence a week, sir.

20 pence for a week?

That seems very reasonable.

Can I have one in, please?

Will you put one in for me?

There we are.

Colin Mearns, memonist.

Mnemonist, mnem.

Mnemonist BI will help you develop a perfect memory.

That's right.

Unusual sort of work, sir.

It is, yes.

Years ago, there used to be a musical chappie.

Called himself the Memory Man.

I saw him at the Old Empire, 1947,

in a bill with Nosmo King, Fred Emney,

Nellie Wallace, the Chinese acrobats,

and the Great Fedora.

My goodness, sir.

You should be on one of those TV quiz shows.

I was once.

Only once, I'm afraid.

I couldn't remember the date of the Battle of Hastings.

Never forget another face.

Never forget another name.

In just four short weeks, Colin Mearns, mnemonist BI,

will help to develop a perfect memory.

Mary!

Hello, love.

I didn't expect you!

How'd you get away?

Come on, a strike?

Fire at the office, what?

I've got us a bottle of scotch.

Why, you're a mind reader.

We can celebrate my new advertising campaign.

Shop windows. - Shop windows?

Yep.

I've been cycling all around the town,

putting my card in tobaccos' and newsagents' windows.

Cheapest form of publicity there is.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Only 20 pence per week.

I don't know why I didn't think of it ages ago.

I've worked at--

Colin. The cost to--

Colin.

What?

Has anyone actually signed up for your new course yet?

Um, no.

Not actually signed.

No.

But I've only just launched the campaign!

Believe me, by next week, that classroom

will be full of students.

- Will it? - Of course it will!

We're just going to give a little time, won't we?

I think you could have another scotch.

I won't say no.

Oh.

You got a hole in your cardigan.

Oh, dear.

And you've lost a button.

When you learn to look after yourself?

Well, I've got you to do that, haven't I?

Um, Colin, I think you better sit down.

Sit down, why?

I've got something I must tell you.

Eh?

Hmm!

It's not going to be easy for me.

What's the matter?

Well, do you remember that friend

of mine, Archie Goodchild?

You met him about the time we first met in the bar

at the Grand Hotel.

Archie Goodchild.

Oh, I got him.

Navy blue pinstripe suit, cuff links, and a smoker's cough.

Ah.

I thought he wore a toupee, but you insisted that he didn't.

He worked for a construction company

called Willis and .

You'd been a secretary at one time, right?

Yes.

Well, what about him?

He's building Ulrich's now.

He's the managing director.

Bully for him.

He wants me to be his personal assistant.

Well, that's terrific, isn't it?

- It's in Scotland. - It's in Scotland?

Aberdeen, actually.

Aberdeen?

That is 126 miles north of Edinburgh.

It's 492 miles from London.

Scotland's third largest city.

Population, 212,237.

Well, with you and Goodchild, that would make it 212,239.

It's a hell of a good job, love.

Nice chap, is he, this Archibald--

Yes, very nice.

And kind.

Kind, he is?

Hm. What age is he?

Oh, he's in his 40s, isn't he?

Late 40s.

Married?

Divorced.

Ah.

Well, I suppose I can't stand in your way

if that's what you really want.

I mean, I haven't much to offer you, have I?

Colin.

It's not quite like that.

I mean, it's-- it's just not on between us, is it?

No, if I was a managing director like Mr. Goodchild,

it might be, I suppose.

I mean, he's not younger than me,

so it's not the age that matters.

It's money, isn't it?

I think I'd better go before we start saying

things we'll be sorry for.

Colin, I think you're the best friend I've ever had.

I took your course because I couldn't

remember my own name or my boss's

telephone number, and, uh--

well, I'll always remember us.

It's been two years of real happiness.

Bye.

Mary?

Yes?

Look-- well, suppose I struck oil in the back

garden or something.

Then give me a ring.

I'll send you my new address.

Bye.

Mary?

Mary!

Ma--

Mr. Mourns?

- Mearns, actually. - My name is King.

Do you think I could have a word with you?

I'm just going out--

It was about the ad.

Ad?

Oh, you-- you seen the ad?

Oh, oh, please come in!

Thank you very much.

Right.

Well, um, uh.

Oh, please, come upstairs.

Sorry.

Please, make yourself at home.

What can I do for you, mister, um.

King.

King.

Yeah.

Funny.

I must have messed you up with somebody else.

Sorry.

It's just I've got into the habit

of putting names to faces.

Now, how can I help you?

Well, I saw the ad, you know, the one

about the memory course.

And it said on that that you were a mne--

Oh.

A mnemonist.

Yeah, I was just going to say that.

It stems from the Greek, you know.

Mnemonic, an aid to memory recall.

Yeah, of course, yeah.

Do you want a Monroe?

Possibly, yes.

Just-- -

Just having a little celebration with my secretary.

It's her birthday, you know.

Oh, that's nice.

Would you care to--

to glance at our brochure?

Um, the full course is four weeks.

Oh.

You do a bit of fishing, do you?

Yes, very fond of it--

Was that your secretary I saw?

Yes, she just popped out.

Have you got a receptionist?

No.

Staff problems. It's been difficult, you know?

All on your own, then, eh?

I'm afraid so, yeah.

That's good.

Thank you.

Now.

I have forgotten something.

Ah?

And I thought that you, being a--

A mnemonist.

Mnemonist, might be able to help me to recall it.

That's what our course is designed for!

No, no, I don't want the course.

I just want you to help me to remember one particular thing.

I don't think you quite understand my methods, you see.

I help to develop people's memories

through these techniques of association.

Now look, I don't want a lot of stupid sales

talk on fancy words.

I mean, I've come here to buy something,

and if you don't sell it, then I've come to the wrong shop,

haven't I?

Well, let's-- let's not be too hasty!

I haven't got time for a four-week course, but I'm quite

willing to pay for it in cash.

And if you can help me to remember

this one particular thing, then I'd be very happy to double it.

That seems more-- more than fair, I must say.

I, I-- well, my-- my fee for the full course is 100 pounds.

100?

That includes stationery and coffee.

Fine.

- The receipt. - No.

We don't want anything on paper, do we?

Ah.

Well now, Mr. King.

King, yeah.

What exactly can I do for you?

Well, two days ago, I put some, um,

personal belongings in one of the luggage lockers

at the station.

Now, these are new lockers, they've got no keys.

But what you have got is a row of buttons

with numbers on them.

Now, you punch four figures, and then you get a ticket

with the number of the locker and the figures

that you've punched, right?

Sort of a combination.

Then when you go back, you punch the numbers again,

and the locker opens.

Ah.

I bet it was made in Japan, eh?

Well, what exactly is the problem?

Well, you see, I memorized the numbers

in case I lost the ticket, 'cause the stuff

is very important.

And then I lost the ticket, and now I can't--

You can't remember the number.

I can't remember the number of the locker, or the combination.

It's seven figures.

Well.

Couldn't you-- I mean, I don't want to forfeit my fee,

but couldn't you just go back to the station,

explain what's happened-- - Oh no, no.

There's a problem there, 'cause they--

they'd require some identification,

and at the moment, I can't lay my hands on my documents,

you see.

And they'd want to know what was in the bag.

They'd probably open the bag.

And there is some very personal things in there.

Very private things.

It's not drugs, is it?

Drugs?

Now, that is not a very nice suggestion.

And I might add that you took the money a bit quick to seem

to me like a man who's fussy.

We've all have to earn a living, you know.

Then you better show me how you earn yours.

Now, I know you don't want a full course,

but we've got to start something.

Now, it was Sigmund Freud who first drew our attention

to the possibility that memory lapses may be

rooted in the unconscious mind.

And the way to unlock that mind is through association,

assimilation, and correlation.

Perhaps you would like to jot down those three headings

while I think up a few shortcuts.

Eh, what?

Finished?

No, got the last one.

Charlie Krebs, a safe breaker.

Sought by police after the theft of 160,000

pounds from the safe of Mayfair's [inaudible] Casino.

A police spokesman said the notes

will be difficult to trace, as they

came from the night's takings.

Krebs was released on parole from a 10-year sentence.

Darling, I think I've had real break at last.

A struck of absolutely disreputable luck!

What time is it?

Well, it's 7:35.

All through putting a name to a face.

Now, the faceless most untrustworthy,

and the name ridiculous. Krebs.

Krebs?

Yes!

You don't remember him, do you? But I do.

And I think he's going to be the most rewarding

pupil I have ever had!

Colin, I'm sorry, but I must go.

Oh look, this could make all the difference

in two or three days!

Darling, I'm sorry, but I'm going to be late.

The table's booked for 7:30!

That Archie-- wait, this is important!

Now, there's some wine in the fridge if you want to,

but I must go.

Take care of yourself.

Bye!

Bye.

Thus, as Kepinski has shown, we may

deliberately suppress a memory because it is disagreeable.

Because it has connections with some guilt, or shame,

which may have its origins in infantile experience.

In other words, we don't want to remember!

What are you talking about?

Of course I want to remember!

I said I didn't want the course, all I want to do is

remember seven bloody numbers!

Yes, well as I was about to say,

perhaps we should put aside theory for the moment,

and move on to a more practical approach.

All right, then.

Shall we try again?

Now, think, Mr. King.

Please think.

When I tap a number, you call out yes or no, right?

- Yeah. - Nine.

No.

- Two? - No.

Four?

No.

Six.

No.

There must be a yes someone on this board, Mr. King.

Please, please, try to find the yes.

Oh God, I'm going to go bananas!

I'm going to forget me own name in a minute.

I-- I have tried every technique I know.

Except, of course.

What except, what?

Well, no, I haven't done it for a long time, I wouldn't--

You haven't done what?

Hypnosis.

You mean hypnosis?

Yes, but frankly, I'm not very keen on it,

because I may have gone rusty.

Listen, can you do it or can't you?

'Cause if you can't, I'm going to find somebody who can,

'cause I want results!

They're going to open the locker in two days' time!

All right, we could try.

We could try hypnosis.

Well come on, then.

Let's try.

I can't just do it like that!

I've got to refresh my memory!

I've got to look at my notes and everything.

Well, tomorrow morning, then?

Yes.

9 o'clock?

Nine.

Right.

Listen. 9 o'clock sharp.

Yes, sharp.

God.

Subject will not remember anything

he has said under hypnosis, unless he has

been instructed to remember.

Unless he has been instructed to remember.

You're bright and early.

I did say 9 o'clock sharp, didn't I?

Now, are we nice and relaxed?

Well, you know.

Breathe deeply, all right?

That's it. That's good.

- OK? - Right.

Now, we're going to think of nice gentle things like clouds

and streams--

keep watching the pen.

And fields and trees.

And now, we're floating down a big wide river,

and I'm gonna lie in a boat that's

rocking gently to and fro.

That's nice.

And now, we're got to start counting backwards from 100.

Now, 100.

100.

99.

99.

98.

Yes.

97.

Tiring.

96.

95.

94.

93.

Mr. King.

Mr. King?

Charlie Krebs?

Not guilty.

Charlie.

Charlie.

When you nicked all that cash from the casino.

It was 162,000, wasn't it?

Well, give or take a pound, yeah.

And look-- you were on the run, weren't you?

The police were after you.

Oh yeah, the police.

They nearly got me, you know?

Yes.

So you put the cash in that locker.

Yes.

And you threw away the ticket because you knew

that if they found the ticket on you,

they'd get the loot, right?

I tore the ticket out and stuffed it down the drain.

I thought I'd remember the number!

Oh, thought you'd remember the number, yes.

Well, I do!

You do?

You do-- you do, Charlie?

Yeah!

What is the number, Charlie?

154.

154.

Would you repeat that, Charlie?

154.

And the combination number?

6237.

Number of the locker was 154, the combination was 6237.

Yes, now, look.

One thing.

Yes, Charlie, one thing.

One-- when you wake up, you will remember nothing.

I will remember nothing.

Especially numbers.

Especially numbers.

Now, wake up, Charlie.

Charlie?

Char-- Charlie, wake up!

Hello?

Colin?

Mary!

Colin, love.

I-- I couldn't go without saying, well, you know.

I've got news for you.

You knew-- you know that thing that I was talking about?

Well, it's come off!

Well, as near as a cat's whisker, anyway.

Look-- look-- so you can forget all

about tweed skirts and jumpers.

You're not going anywhere near freezing Aberdeen.

You can go anywhere you like in the world, with me!

Look, I can charter a yacht!

I can go big game fishing!

Whatever you like!

What-- look-- what about the Bahamas, eh?

What happened?

Yes.

Now, the estimated population of the Bahamas in 1947--

What are you talking--

Was 194,000.

The principal--

Colin, have you gone mad?

So this is just to confirm your appointment

for this evening.

Thank you very much.

I went clean out!

Yes, I know you did, yes.

Did I say anything?

Look, unfortunately, nothing we could use.

What-- what do you mean? It didn't work?

No, I'm afraid-- yes, I'm sorry.

Look, I must be a great disappointment to you,

but I've got an urgent appointment.

All I can do is to return your fee, and--

I don't want the money!

Mr. Mearns, I want to find the numbers!

Listen, what-- did nothing--

Yes,.

You may be a little confused for a while.

If so, make yourself a cup of tea and lie down for an hour.

Listen, I don't want a cup of tea.

What are you doing, mister?

Mr. Mearns, please try it again!

I've gotta remember!

Passengers for Swain, ,,

and Hendon should take the rear three coaches on platform two.

Number of the locker was 154,

combination was 623.

The 10:45 first train to London will

depart from platform seven.

Platform seven for the 10:45 to London.

Platform seven for the 10:45 to London.

Hello?

Hello, would you put me through to Archie Goodchild, please?

Hello, Archie?

Yes, it's Mary.

Yes.

Yes, I've packed, but--

Archie, I've changed my mind.

Mr. King?

Mr. King?

I'm sorry, Archie.

Really, I am.

I think I'm just too fond of Colin to leave him.

Yes.

Yes, I-- I know it's silly of me, but--

but there it is.

Please forgive me.

Bye.

Must have set it off accidentally.

What you think, there's a half a pound of explosive in that bag.

Won't keep you long, miss.

Just a couple of questions.

I don't understand why he wanted to leave

luggage in a station locker.

He didn't.

He collected it.

Was this man Krebs his pupil?

Yes.

He seemed to be in a state about Krebs.

I'm not surprised.

He'd remembered something about him.

Colin never forgot a name or a face.

I'm afraid he forgot one name, miss.

A nickname.

Krebs is the best safe-blower in the business.

They call him Gunpowder Charlie.