Original subtitles

THE ROMANTIC ENGLISHWOMAN

Customs

Hello. Passport control, please.

Thank you.

- You are a poet ? - Yes.

This is nice.

- This is your luggage ? - Yeah.

- Two pieces. - May I see that ?

- What are these ? - Cosmetic products.

Cosmetic products. Ok. Thank you.

Good bye. Have a nice trip.

- Where are we ? - France.

In Germany.

Bitte Platz nehmen. Speisewagen.

Bitte Platz nehmen. Speisewagen.

Platz nehmen. Speisewagen.

- Haben Sie ein Wunsch ? - Nein.

Bitte Platz nehmen. Speisewagen.

Here.

Thank you.

Good evening, madame.

I'd like a room with a bath overlooking the park, please.

We have a very nice single room facing the park.

- Would you please register ? - Yes, where do I do it ?

- Family name. - Yes.

First name.

- Oh sorry, where ? - First name here, please.

- Guten tag. - Guten tag.

She feels that by getting off by herself she will get...

to know herself... You understand me.

It sounds like the kind of thing Elizabeth.

- Where is Elizabeth by the way ? - Baden.

Oh, thank you.

You were saying ?

What ? Ja, naturlich. My film...

My film... so this woman...

Caroline... she buys a ticket for self-discovery, Rome, Paris.

It doesn't matter to her. It doesn't matter to me.

I can shoot it anywhere.

It's a psychological story about the new woman.

- You understand me ? - Yes.

I think it's a very boring idea.

- Oh darling. - Very boring.

It's also pretentious and derivative. Mostly it's boring.

Why don't you turn it into a thriller ?

Wonderful. Perfect. I leave it to you.

I don't think so, Herman. I'm starting a new novel.

Anyway, I can't work. I want to see Elizabeth.

I want to see her too. As soon as she is finished in the bath

I will take you to lunch. I'll go and tell her.

She's not in the bath, Herman; she's in Baden Baden.

- For the baths ? - She hasn't gone for the baths.

She's gone for...

I don't know.

It's not a man. You know Elizabeth.

Anyway she says the place is full of Huns.

Christ ! I'm sorry, Herman.

Fire.

Thank you.

Champagne... my love.

Chin chin !

It's someone for you on the phone. Please go in.

Thank you.

Lewis...

Well, I was at the Casino. What time is it ?

It's two o'clock here too.

No. No. In the lobby.

- What are you wearing ? - My white evening dress.

- What are you ? - Pyjamas.

- And your glasses ? - Yes.

- How's David ? - He's fine.

- Does he miss me ? - Yes of course, but don't worry.

I'm not worried. Not in that way.

- It's no life, Lewis, is it ? - Come home then.

I mean home.

- Look, the lift's here. - Never mind the lift.

Not now, Lewis. Bye.

I think you'd better go to bed, Catherine.

Yes, Mr. Fielding.

"Look, the lift's here."

Three, please.

I was on the roads. Do you remember ?

I see you got picked up anyway.

Actually I'm a poet.

- It looks like a hard life. - Not easy.

These women are difficult. If they weren't so difficult,

they couldn't have to pay perhaps.

Do you like my suit ?

- Isn't this the third floor ? - No. It is the top floor.

Well, I want to go down. I think you made a mistake.

Yes, I am sorry.

I am terrible with numbers.

There is another lift.

Why have you come to Baden Baden ?

I came for the waters.

- Yes. - Elizabeth.

Where were you ?

- Lewis, what is it ? - Nothing. You sounded odd.

You still sound odd.

- Where were you ? - I was in the bath.

- I've been calling for half an hour. - I fell asleep in the bath.

- Elizabeth ! - I'm coming home Lewis. Tomorrow.

Shh. Stop crying and go to sleep.

Go to sleep, right ? Shut your eyes. Shut your eyes.

Shut your eyes. That's it.

Now go to sleep. Good boy.

It's all right.

He's all right. Thank you.

- Have you got anything German ? - German ?

- Made in Germany. A toy. - No, I don't think so. Japanese.

Oh, that'll do.

- There you are. - Thank you very much.

- There you are. - Thank you.

Hello...

Mummy, Mummy ! Where's my present ?

You and your present !

Where's your hat ?

There's your present.

Oh, don't I get a kiss ?

More than that.

Here's your present. Catherine !

Where's Mr. Fielding ?

Oh, but Lewis, what are you doing there ?

- I wanted to surprise you. - I don't like surprises.

I worked out the trains from Baden

and this was the only boat that made sense.

You never fly.

You never let me fly. I'm sorry, don't be cross.

I told you I don't like you flying.

It's lovely, Lewis. The plane goes very fast along the ground

and suddenly, this is the most amazing part, it sort of lifts

and floats and they bring you a funny sort of meal on a tray.

What's happened to you, Elizabeth ?

Hello, Elizabeth.

What a cock-up !

You are a rotten sod

going to the seaside when I was coming home.

Got you !

Good evening.

Good evening.

Pleasant night.

Very pleasant.

- How's the garden coming along ? - Oh not bad. Not bad.

I think the phosphates helped.

- Goodnight, Mrs. Fielding. - Goodnight.

The fruit was a disappointment, but we persevere.

- Yes. -Hard winter will kill off the greenfly.

And how's your line of country ? Writing a new book ?

I'm afraid I don't read much myself.

No, a film script.

I'm afraid I don't go to the cinema much.

- Well eh... goodnight old boy. - Goodnight.

What's the matter ?

Nothing. I forgot something upstairs.

- Well, don't be long. - Wait for me.

Keine Antwort.

Aber die Dame, die da sitzt wartet auf ihn.

Mit dem Hund.

Hi.

How are you ?

Come in. Come in.

- Hello, Isabel. - Hello, darling.

She won't tell me what she did in Baden Baden.

- She wouldn't tell me either. - I didn't do anything.

- You see what I mean ? - I don't see why she should tell you.

That would be confession. What I'm after is gossip.

I'd forgotten. It's your living.

I never tell James what I do when I go off to Ibiza.

Yes, you do. You tell everybody.

You tell people who don't want to know.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

At least James and I don't regard a woman's ultimate destiny to be...

sit at home and wash her husband's underpants.

Do you know, Isabel, you really are a boring woman.

You're probably the most boring woman in the world.

- You're a woman's destiny bore. - Well, women are an occupied country.

- You're right. - I know she's right, but she's boring !

It is very very boring to seize on some commonplace idea

which no reasonable person would dispute

and then ram it down people's throats as though it were a breakthrough

in the history of human thought !

Furthermore, washing someone's dirty underpants

is what you are best suited for, except you would never admit

that you care enough for anyone to do it !

- Lewis... - You fucking pig.

I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I'd better go.

That's it, piss off back to your newspaper !

What do you do there anyway,

if it isn't washing other people's dirty linen in public ?

Do you realise she practically accused you of having an affair in Baden ?

How dare she come here and casually impute

her own standards of fidelity to you ?

How dare she ?

Why don't we have some people round soon ?

Like who ? Isabel ?

Oh I don't know. Ken and Marigold...

Freddie and Lulu...

- Stewart and Jonathan. - It's always the same old thing.

The people we know.

Well, we could invite people we don't know.

- What's up ? - All right then.

You don't have to if you don't want to.

Makes no difference, we might as well invite everybody. Everybody we owe.

We'll have a party, clean the slate.

- Really ? - Yes.

- All right, I'll invite them. - Not too soon.

- Are you okay ? - Tired.

You seem... upset.

How's the book going ?

I've given it up for the moment.

- I'm doing a script for Herman. - That's nice, is it ?

It's about this woman who goes off to France or Germany to find herself.

France or Germany ?

Herman hasn't worked out the co-production deal yet.

How does she find herself ?

She just gets on a train and there she is.

I'm trying to turn it into a thriller.

It's about

discontent.

Elizabeth !

Are you discontented ?

I would be, but I don't feel I have the right.

Herman says Baden Baden would be interesting.

Different.

- Was it ? - From what ? Weybridge ?

"I would be, but I don't feel I have the right."

Bloody Hell. Do I get a percentage ?

You already get half, what more do you want ?

What indeed ? What's it about ?

It's about this ungrateful woman who is married to this man of great charm,

brilliance and integrity. She thinks he won't let her be herself

and she feels stuck in a strait jacket when she ought to be out

and about taking the waters and finding herself;

so, one day she ups and goes and finds herself out of her depth.

But the husband comes and saves her and then she realises

that he really is a wonderful chap.

- Does he play cricket for England too ? - I can't think of his line back to her.

No ?

Perhaps I am who you think I am.

Still what the hell. David's fine, your books sell ten thousand hard,

a hundred thousand soft.

The roof doesn't leak, the house is painted.

The deep freeze is full to overflowing and there's fruit on the sideboard.

I have got twenty-eight pairs of shoes in my wardrobe, eleven long dresses

and no knickers. I haven't been on a bus since 1959.

I have an account at Harrods, a standing order to Oxfam

so what the bloody hell !

We have been invited to dinner, like old times.

- Who's Thomas Hursa ? - Never heard of him.

Letter from Paris. He says he met you.

- Paris ? - No.

He says he met you in Baden Baden.

- What did you say his name was ? - Thomas Hursa.

Oh yes, we met in the lift.

- The lift ? - Yes, the lift.

He's an admirer apparently.

- An admirer ! How ridiculous ! - No, no. An admirer of mine.

My work. He likes my novels. Hopes to come to England.

- What is he like ? - Young.

And a poet.

- Was it the night I phoned ? - Was what ?

You said "The lift is coming". Was that when you met him ?

Yes, that's right.

- Tell me about him. - Why ?

- I might want to write him in. - Jesus wept.

- Well, did he show you his poetry ? - In the lift ?

- How do you know he's a poet ? - Because he told me.

"What floor do you want... by the way I'm a poet."

- I was calling your room. - I was in the bath.

In my version, they'll screw.

In the lift ?

How did you guess ?

I know your mind.

- You didn't, did you ? - Yes, of course. Going up !

Wham bam, thank you sir, that was a surprise.

Mr. Field... I haven't seen you for years.

Nobody has seen me for years.

What if...

What if what ?

What if anything. Do you take my point ?

It is enough to give one a momentary doubt about the world we live in.

Places like this.

Don't you think ?

- How do you mean ? - How do I mean ?

This meal is going to cost Herman the best part of 150 quid.

How long will it take you to earn a hundred and fifty quid ?

My grandfather...

...went up chimneys for fourpence a week and a rub of soap.

You take my point ?

What if ?

- What do you do, Miranda ? - Who, me ?

- Your name is Miranda, isn't it ? - Yes.

She's a professor of comparative theology at the Sorbonne.

- Philosophy. - I'm sorry.

Don't give him any more.

Exactly.

The inescapable question. What if ?

The realm of possibility is a terrible country.

What if such and such was the case ? What if the person you love is a liar ?

- Did you ever ask yourself that ? - No.

Sensible girl. You say "it won't happen to me" !

That is because of your philosophical training.

But there are others not so lucky, hypochondriacs, paranoids, novelists,

who say "it will happen to me". The truth will blow up in my face one day

and that'll be the end of my precarious existence,

the tiles will fall from the roof,

the paint will peel from the window frames,

the lawn will run riot and the fruit go rotten in the fruit bowl.

I am something of a poet myself.

You are a novelist, an imaginer of fiction.

Can I ask you a personal question ?

How much do you, girls, make a night ?

Do you know how to play this game ?

What game ?

Like this: soon...

- I will make love to you. - Oh yes ?

And there it is. Now it's a possibility.

Impossible to contradict.

- So ? - Well, that's the game.

Soon

I will guide you through the dancers. Through the service door.

Up against a wall in a dark comer. Among trays of dirty crockery

and piles of soiled linen. It will happen.

Impossible to deny.

I deny it.

You can't deny the future.

You should know that in your business. Philosophy.

Oh ho, I see.

Exactly.

So ?

Well, that's it. That's the game.

At the Sorbonne, we do things differently.

Do you know Baden-Baden-Baden-Baden ?

- Pardon ? - No, Baden.

Do you know Baden Baden ? No ?

I don't feel too well.

I'm not surprised.

I'm sorry.

Lewis...

Lewis, don't.

Don't.

I'll find out, you know ? I bloody will !

How much ?

- Do you know Thomas the poet ? - Dylan Thomas ?

- No, your friend, Hursa. - He's not my friend.

Anyway...

- He's in England. - How do you know ?

- He telephoned. - Oh yes ?

I invited him to tea.

- You did what ? - I thought it was only polite.

- You invited him today ? - Yes. Why not ?

You are the most devious, vicious, underhand...

I had no idea it would upset you.

You do it don't you, just to test me ?

I know how your mind works and I've read your bloody script.

- This is just a story. - Well, I won't be there.

I don't want to meet him.

That's a strong reaction to a man you just met in a lift.

It is my reaction to joining in your devious games.

Anyway, he didn't say he'd come.

- He was sure he couldn't make it. - What ?

He's only over here briefly, to see his publisher, I think,

so he telephoned like he promised he would in the letter from Paris.

- You're lying. - No.

He never telephoned. The whole thing is a lie.

Not at all.

Any wiser ?

David, go and get the ball.

"That's why I had to get away.

I thought if I could get away from everyone,

even from the child I love,

I would begin to see myself,

know myself as I really am.

Women are an occupied country.

I know you will understand

because you are a poet."

Bollocks !

Hello.

Mrs. Fielding, please.

Yes, Mrs. Fielding.

Hello.

- Lewis ! - Yes.

- Aren't you coming down ? - What for ?

- Tea. - Tea ?

We've invited Thomas for tea.

Oh yes... Well, he didn't say he'd come.

- He said he'd try, didn't he ? - Yes.

Yes, he said he'd try.

Well, he probably will then. I've got everything ready.

Oh right.

- What time did you say ? - Fourish.

Oh... he's late.

- Well, he's not coming is he ? - It's only about ten past.

How was he coming ? Bus or taxi or...

I don't know.

Look eh... this is ridiculous.

I'm sorry to put you to all this trouble,

but when I invited him he, he practically said...

Here he is.

Would you let him in, while I make the tea ?

Thomas Hursa. I hope it's all right.

I came from the station.

- It's a nice house. - Yes.

Silly me burning my fingers. Eat your tea.

How nice to see you again !

Mr. Hursa was staying at my hotel in Baden-Baden. We met in the lift.

I had no idea you were an admirer of my husband's work.

- Do you read him in English ? - No, unfortunately in German.

But my books are not translated into German.

He must know, Lewis.

- Milk ? - Not for me.

- Sugar ? - No.

- Lemon ? - Do you have some brandy ?

Of course.

Brandy, Lewis.

Tell me, Mr. Hursa, what is it you like and admire

about my husband's work ?

- The coincidence. - Coincidence ?

Yes.

Life is filled with wonderful and extraordinary coincidences,

most fiction rings false because novelists think

that coincidence is a failure of art.

Isn't that interesting, Lewis ?

- You phoned from the station ? - Yes.

- Soda ? - No.

Baden-Baden. Who goes there these days ?

- People seeking cures. - Women ?

Yes. Many women.

- Wealthy women ? - Yes, wealthy women.

- Bored wives seeking cures ? - Yes.

- Are the waters beneficial ? - For some things.

For other things, there are other cures.

Bored wives.

Bored wives, divorcees, widows.

And what is the cure ?

- A safe adventure. - Ah yes.

The place must attract a certain type of young men...

Of easy disposition, tolerable appearance and short of cash.

You know it then ?

Do they give these young men... money ?

With the utmost tact, except American women.

American women just tell them "Here kid, buy yourself some shirts."

The English women are the most romantic.

Those women are unhappy, what's so funny about that ?

They aren't half as pathetic or contemptible

as these gjgolos hanging around hotels stinking of Italian aftershave.

They'd sooner sleep with each other only, of course, there's no money in it.

Pathetic, I agree, and contemptible.

-You, on the other hand, are a poet. - Yes.

You live off your poems ?

I am often invited to tea and so on,

but of course sometimes it is necessary to be a little bold.

For instance, what are your prospects for dinner tonight ?

Apart from you, not very good.

Well, in that case, you had better stay.

You don't think it's rather egotistic leaving the responsibility

of looking after you to other people ?

Not responsibility, choice.

I think that people are usually kind.

Wonderful beef. Did you cook it ?

You don't think it's taking advantage ?

Oh yes, it's taking advantage. On the other hand...

- On the other hand ? - It takes some of the burden off them.

- Burden ? - Pressure.

What do you mean ? What does he mean ?

He means the owners are under the pressure of ownership,

the strain of hanging on to everything, houses, jobs, wives. Yes ?

Yes.

- Fools in fact. Yes ? - Yes.

Because all the time we're locking the doors and setting up burglar alarms

and watching over the loved ones, we are being robbed of our lives,

the full expression of our lives.

- Yes, but you don't live by that. - No.

I live with the burden of possession.

Possessiveness.

Desire... love.

- Do you smoke these ? - Yes, I don't mind a cigar.

The bourgeois life has its compensations, doesn't it ?

What would it be without them ?

Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to leave you to it.

I am sure Thomas is dying to talk to you about your books.

Do forgive me, won't you ? Please don't hurry away,

the buses run till midnight or Lewis can call you a taxi.

Thank you so much for coming to see us.

Most pleasant. Delightful. Goodnight, Mrs. Fielding.

Oh by the way which of my husband's books do you like best ?

"Tom Jones". Of course I only know it in German.

Well, you will have a lot to talk about.

Goodnight, darling.

Joke over.

Thank you for coming to see us.

What the hell are you playing at, Lewis ?

- I don't want him in the house ! - That's not very hospitable.

I don't wish to be hospitable to him. Why does he interest you ?

He's so at home in the world and he has such bloody cheek.

You mean he's a sponger.

He's a poet, he believes that poets and people like that

don't have to pay. They are the world's honoured guests.

- We should all call ourselves poets. - Yes.

- I mean what's he doing here ? - That's what I ask myself...

Being as I'm not the author of the collected works of Henry Fielding.

What brought him ? Anyway if I'm going to write him in,

I ought to find out what he's about.

Come here !

I'm hungry.

By the way, is this anything ?

"Joachim: And all the time you are being robbed of your life."

- I've been looking for that for a week. - It was in a rosebush.

- Sherry ? - Yeah.

It's good sherry.

As a matter of interest, do you ever say "thank you" ?

I am most grateful. Thank you so much.

You are too generous most kind, most kind...

I am forever in your debt.

- That sort of thing ? - Yes.

I must be grateful that you have all this ?

You are the one who should be grateful. But, of course,

I'll say it if you like. I think you will find it boring.

On the other hand, we would not be offended

if you did something towards your keep...

- Can you type ? - A little.

Good. You can be my secretary.

Shall I receive a salary ?

It's only a few letters. My work is typed by an agency.

All right, five pounds a week pocket money.

- Will I have an electric typewriter ? - No.

- Will I have the use of your car ? - No !

It's a job not a holiday. I know you came here for a free holiday.

At least you didn't come to discuss my work.

Tom bloody Jones !

- I'm terrible with names. - You really have a nerve.

- In fact... - Actually, I've been reading this.

- Oh yes ? - Extraordinarily good. I love it.

The character of the woman

is amazing.

You have great insight, I think.

Oh really ?

Well, thank you.

Most kind.

"Before our son was born,

we were free.

My husband is a writer, so we could go anywhere.

We made the most wonderful trips.

Rome, Paris,

New York,

California.

Of course, I know his work, but only in translation.

I would love to hear one of your poems."

I'd love to hear one of your poems.

You don't understand German.

- Are they love poems ? - No.

Perhaps those poems do not exist. Perhaps you are not a poet at all.

It says "Poet" on my passport.

I am used to scepticism.

They smile at me at frontiers.

- You've been busy. - They're only invitation cards.

Oh that bloody party !

Oh well, time enough for that.

By the way I'd rather you didn't ask Catherine to serve you drinks.

- She is here to look after David. - I did not ask her.

But of course I'll ask her not to...

"Baby roused it's father's ire by a cold and formal lisp.

So he placed it on a fire and reduced it to a crisp."

Crisp ? Can I have a crisp ?

"Mother said oh stop a bit, this is overdoing it."

- Qu'est-ce que ca veut dire ? - C'est l'humour anglais.

En voila un autre.

"Poor Uncle Joe has gone, you know, To rest beyond the stars.

I miss him oh I miss him so, He had such good cigars."

Hello.

What's happening ?

He is reading you funny poems. Can I stay and listen ?

- Yes. - Of course.

Why do you always say that ?

Because I wouldn't want to stay if you didn't want me.

David !

David !

It's not until you actually have a child of your own.

You can't imagine what it means.

The responsibility of keeping them alive.

- He is healthy. - It's not just illness.

It's electric plugs and fire and water and scissors.

One day you decide he's old enough to sit alone in the bath

while you run for a towel. Another day he's old enough

to borrow the scissors, then it is a bicycle from which he may fall

and crack his skull.

And if he doesn't, one day he will be old enough

to go to the corner and post a letter.

Goals and risk. Risk...

I live with him dying.

Before he was born,

I was free... in different ways.

"Lovable children are the worst.

They have such a hold on one.

If they were not so lovable,

one would be freer."

Clean sheets.

I thought I would go to the cinema.

Fine.

I asked Catherine. I hope it's all right.

Yes, why not.

Her evenings are supposed to be free if we're not going out.

Sorry to ask,

but I haven't received my wages.

Oh yes, of course. I'm sorry...

Take this for now and I'll go to the bank in the morning.

Oh thank you so much. Most kind, most kind.

I'm very grateful. Goodnight.

- You mean he's getting paid ? - He's my secretary.

- How much ? - A fiver.. pocket money.

Well, that tops it, doesn't it ? He lies his way into your house,

eats your food, drinks your brandy, screws the au pair,

types three letters and gets paid !

- He's not screwing her, is he ? - How do I know ?

He's taking her to the pictures. You've got screwing on the brain.

- You have. I want him to go. - Well, tell him then.

You invited him. You tell him.

But I'm not sure that I want him to go yet.

Why not ? What is this ? What are you paying him for ?

- He's really rather efficient. - Oh is he ?

Well, if he's getting five bleeding pounds a week,

he can bloody well help me too !

- Help you with what ? - With the shopping.

Sometimes when I return to the house, I half expect to see

ambulances and fire engines, police cars.

My life is so comfortable.

Yes, you are fortunate,

but you did run away once to Baden Baden.

I am ashamed of that. Abandoning Lewis and David.

There is nothing so terrible about that.

Your obligations to David and Lewis are things you have been taught to feel.

We can't all run away from our responsibilities

- Responsibilities. - Yes, responsibilities.

I must not speak against you. I am running too.

You have responsibilities ?

Well, not exactly.

You're everything !

You're the love of my life.

Mommy !

Catherine will go. Catherine will.

I'm sorry... sorry... sorry... sorry.

- Let me out ! - It's all right, Catherine.

Mamma, let me out !

How many times have you been told not to sit on window ledges ?

Don't smile when I say that.

That was a very naughty thing to do !

A very naughty thing to do !

Avril.

April.

Aout.

August.

Do you know what you did ?

Do you really know what you did ?

He could have been killed, you stupid little slut !

And you...

and you... a guest in my house !

Come on, out ! Out !

I'm sorry I shouted.

Was it all brown ?

Was it eating green grass or lettuce ? Lettuce !

Did you give it away ?

Another spoonful. No ? Finished ?

Do you want to see a film tonight ?

I can't. I gave all my money to Catherine.

It's free. That should appeal to you.

And there's a party afterwards.

- I thought we were going. - No babysitter.

- I will look after David. - Yes. Yes.

- I don't want to go. - Well, I'd like to.

Well...

you two go then.

I'm so sick of foreign films, aren't you ?

Ja, besonders von Englischen under Amerikanishen Filme.

- Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea. - Maybe the party will be better.

Not if it's like the usual. Everybody we know.

- Do you really want to go ? - Do you want to go home ?

No. No, I don't.

I'm hungry.

- You look fine. - Danke schoen.

But of course, the same table for tonight for two.

Mrs. Field, what a pleasure !

Fielding, Luigi.

I mean Enrico.

Would you like a drink ?

- Why not ? - Why not ?

- What would you like ? - What are you having ?

A large vodka and tonic without ice please.

Large vodka and tonic, madam. Two.

Thank you.

I'm sorry about this. It's the only place I can sign.

It's nice. Thank you very much.

Come on, why won't you dance ?

- I used to do it for a living. - Then you must be very good at it.

I don't believe it.

Elizabeth Fielding out with a man not her husband.

- Isabel ! - Where's Lewis ?

- Babysitting. - I like it.

- This is Thomas. - Lovely.

- Who are you ? - Well, he's a poet.

How spiffy. You seem to be doing rather well for a poet.

- Is that all you do ? - I'm in the delivery business.

- I sometimes... I deliver things. - Sometimes you don't deliver them.

Oh sorry, this is George. He picked me up at a gambling place.

He's in exports or imports. I think he's a sort of gangster.

Oh, how do you do ?

- A friend of mine was asking after you. - I've given up my old friends.

Yes, I heard.

- You two know each other ? - Sure.

I knew Thomas when he was a postman.

- I want to dance. - I think he's lovely, your poet.

Do you mind her assumption that you're my lover ?

She does not think so. She knows I am not.

Your friends know who you are. If I were your lover,

you would not allow us to be seen here. It would all happen

in parked cars, foreign hotels.

I am cautious.

You take little leaps in the dark and then you pretend it hasn't happened.

- If I were free. - Everyone is free.

I have obligations. I have a child.

You have a child, yes. And a husband and a house and this and that.

- That's insulting. - I have no interest in insulting you.

-Cause you have no interest in me now? - Because I have to leave.

- What do you mean ? - I have to leave your house...

- England. - Why ?

It's time. Lewis has had enough too.

- When ? - At once. I think it would be best.

- Tomorrow ? - Tonight.

- What do you mean ? Why ? - Come on.

My cloak.

Your coat, sir ?

- Your coat, sir ? - I didn't have one.

I'm not asking you to love me.

It is unfortunate.

I know you never pay for anything.

But this time, you will.

I'll pay.

My poet.

Come in.

A fellow came, said not to bother you.

He wanted Thomas.

I said he's gone, we didn't know where.

All right ?

I suppose so. Who was he ?

He didn't look like a poetry lover to me.

I don't think you ever know

who it was you had sleeping in your spare room.

It was nobody.

Nobody in an Yves St. Laurent suit ?

Did you ever look in his suitcase ?

Don't be ridiculous, Ann.

- But you must have some money. - No. None.

Stocks, shares.

Lewis did everything.

Jewellery then ?

I have some. I didn't bring it.

You're crazy. You're a crazy woman.

- How do you think we would live ? - The way you always lived, I suppose.

I have always lived for my own.

Lewis !

Hello.

Hello.

Would you like a drink ?

Wouldn't you find that rather boring ?

Scotch ?

Fine.

- Any idea where they are ? - No.

A chap I know says some people are looking for him.

For Thomas ? Why ?

To kill him, I think.

Why not ? Here's to some people.

Seriously ? Kill him ?

It's probably just gossip.

- How are you, anyway ? - All right.

A bit lonely at night when David's asleep.

Awful really...

I can't work.

I have to have everything in its place before I can do anything.

Everything in its place ?

I know you think I had it coming.

She'll come back and no harm done.

Probably some good.

Elizabeth hasn't got what it takes to be free the way she wants.

What makes you think I'd have her back ?

For Elizabeth, Thomas is freedom and that makes it sexy.

People make too much of sex.

It shouldn't be anything you'd leave home for.

Money ! Money ! Money ! Money ! Money !

Crazy !

In this place it will last three days and then what ?

You can always get money.

Do you know why I love you ?

Let me count the ways.

You're a fucking poet.

You are a poetical fuck.

Here.

Thank you.

-I found you a place. - An hotel ?

A room.

- You will come and see me there ? - Of course, if you wish.

I will not make you happy.

Why don't we take another delivery, like the Rolls ? That was nice.

It's risky. Each time it's riskier.

- Go home. - No.

Lewis would fetch you.

When they asked me what I did, I told them I was a poet.

They liked that. It was elegant.

Those romantic ladies.

I could please them and they took nothing from me.

I'm not one of them, am I ?

The Englishwoman was the most romantic.

All she wanted was everything.

How long do you stay here ?

Two or three days only.

- You live in New York. - Yes.

I have an apartment in Sutton Place.

- Sutton Place. - Yes. Do you know it ?

- It's very expensive. - That's not a problem for me.

Who the hell are you ?

- What are you doing ? - I'm following you.

- Why ? - I mean you no harm.

- You want Hursa ? - Yes.

- That's your own affair. - Yes.

- I know nothing about it. - No.

I am not going to be responsible for someone else's death ?

Death ? Oh, no, no, no.

Mr. Hursa won the Irish sweepstake

and as Minister of Sport of the Irish Republic,

I have been deputed to trace Mr. Hursa and tell him of his good fortune.

If you keep following me, I shall head straight back to Calais.

It's as simple as that.

Well, I respect your feelings of course.

Another time perhaps.

- I don't entirely understand. - It's all right.

Mr. Swan and I were in business together.

Have you got your... bag ?

Very nice boy. I met him through my wife.

What business are you in, Mr. Swan ?

Money.

In there ?

Unfortunately not.

- He followed me here. - I wondered.

What should I do ?

Get a new secretary.

- Why have you come ? - I've come to take you home.

Why ?

I love you.

Why do you ?

He phoned me. He told me where to come.

I don't want you to come to harm.

No.

THE ROMANTIC ENGLISHWOMAN

THE END