Living (2022) - full transcript

[♪♪♪]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Good morning.

Morning.

Good morning.
Morning.

So, uh, here I am.
All ready for battle.

I'd better introduce you.

This is Mr. Peter Wakeling,
our new colleague.

Mr. Wakeling, Mr. Hart.
How do you do?

How do you do?
And Mr. Rusbridger.

How do you do?
How do you do?



You're eagerly awaited.

We've been short now
nearly two months.

Oh, well,
I hope to make a difference.

[CHUCKLING]
It may take a week or two,
though.

Don't worry, old chap.

This time of morning,
it's a kind of rule.

Not too much fun and laughter.
Rather like church.

Hm.

Yes, I see what you mean.

[♪♪♪]

[BRAKES SQUEALING]

[STEAM HISSING]

[WHISTLE TOOTS]

First day's
always a bit nerve-racking.



[CHUCKLES]

Yes.
You'll get the hang of it.

As for these chaps here,

they'll improve somewhat
once they wake up.

It's not us you have
to worry about, Mr. Wakeling.

We're your pals.

You'll need to get on
the right side of the old man.

You mean Mr. Williams?

He seemed decent
at the interview.

A little on the frosty side,
perhaps.

The truth is, I didn't really
get to see too much of him.

You're about to get
another chance just now.

His station's coming up.

GUARD:
Mind the doors!

[DOOR CLOSES]
[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Is he coming in here?

Oh, no.
He never travels with us.

[♪♪♪]

Good morning, gentlemen.
ALL: Good morning, Mr. Williams.

HART:
Come along, Mr. Wakeling.

[CLOCK CHIMING IN DISTANCE]

Good morning, Sir James.
Mm.

[TYPEWRITERS CLACKING]

[PHONES RINGING]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Mr. Rusbridger, why has this
D19 come back to us?

Mr. Wright at Planning
was of the view

that a remittance certificate
should be attached to it.

WILLIAMS:
A remittance certificate
can only be issued

after the D19 is authorized.

Yes, I tried to tell Mr. Wright
that, Mr. Williams,

but he simply won't have it.

Then we can keep it here
for now.

It'll do no harm.

Consider yourself very
fortunate, Mr. Wakeling.

Bequeathed one of our tallest
skyscrapers.

Courtesy of Mr. Woodward,
your predecessor.

If your skyscraper
isn't very tall,

or God forbid you work so fast
you don't have one at all,

people will suspect you
of not having

anything very important
to do.

I see.

So here's your first rule,
Mr. Wakeling.

Keep the skyscraper high.

The ladies from Chester Street,
sir.

Please show the ladies in,
Mr. Singh.

Mr. Middleton, your turn,
if you don't mind.

Of course, Mr. Williams.

Mr. Wakeling,
perhaps you'd like to assist

Mr. Middleton
with the ladies.

Of course, sir.

Ladies.

How are we today?

We were elsewhere

in this building
all yesterday.

First at Parks,
then at Planning,

then at Cleansing and Sewage.

Just before closing yesterday,

the gentleman said
we were to bring this to you.

Let me speak with Mr. Williams.

Just a moment.

[PHONE RINGS]

Public Works,
how may I help?

New here, ain't you?

Yes. First day, actually.

You enjoy yourself, son.

No end of entertainment
you'll get here.

Eliza.
I'm just chatting
with the young gentleman.

Your letter and your petition
are very well presented.

We, of course,
know this from before.

However, you must first take it
to Parks and Recreation

on the third floor.

We were there yesterday, sir.

They even thought to offer us
a bench to sit on.

That's how long we was there.

Eliza.
MIDDLETON: I do apologize.

And we don't wish you
any further inconvenience.

So Mr. Williams has suggested

you be accompanied
by a member of our staff

to ensure
there's no further confusion.

This is Mr. Wakeling.

Oh.

Splendid.

Uh... Splendid.

Yes, then I-I'll make sure, um,
all the confusion is...

ELIZA:
Well, that's lovely, son.

Then you'd better hop over
to our side of the fence.

Yes, quite right.
Thank you, Mr. Singh.

If you ladies
would care to follow me.

SMITH:
Allow me to lead the way,
Mr. Wakeling.

We're perhaps more familiar with
this building than you are.

[DOOR CLOSES]

WILLIAMS:
Forgive me, everyone.

Unfortunately, I shall
be obliged to leave early.

At 20 past 3.

Uh, Mr. Middleton,
perhaps you'd be so good

as to deputize in my absence?

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

Yes, of course, Mr. Williams.

I'll see everything
stays shipshape.

Thank you, Mr. Middleton.

Is it really true you may
be leaving us, Miss Harris?

It's not certain yet,
Mr. Williams.

I did have my interview
and it seemed to go well.

It's Lyons Corner House.

So will you become
one of those, um...

What do you call them?
Skippies? Nippies?

HART:
You'll look fetching in
that apron, Miss Harris.

MARGARET:
It's an assistant manager's
post, Mr. Hart.

At least, once I've settled in.

HART:
I wasn't trying to be cheeky,
Miss Harris.

RUSBRIDGER:
Oh, they do an excellent
treacle sponge.

At least the one
on Coventry Street does.

Good idea, sir.

Hm?

Mr. Wakeling, I mean.

A playground's
what's sorely needed, love.

There's nowhere
for them to play.

PORTER:
A cesspool.
No other word for it.

Rats the size of that.

And our houses
backing right on to it.

[SIREN WAILING]

What on earth?

You'll have to get used to that,
love.

[♪♪♪]

So you were saying
it's the K staircase?

Yeah, the K staircase.

Right-o. So that hallway?
Yes.

Thank you so much.
You're welcome, sir.

Good morning.

This way, ladies. If you will.

[INAUDIBLE]

Come on.

Parks have insisted
this is--

That's all very well, but we've
been through this before.

First we need
all that water drained.

I've explained this
to you already.

Cleansing needs
to look at it first.

Good day, ladies.

[WATER DRIPPING]

HARVEY:
A children's playground?

So this isn't for us,

but I'm sure
the Public Works Department

will be pleased to assist you.
Public Works?

That's where he's from.

You're from Public Works?

Well, yes. First day, actually.

Why on earth have you brought
these good ladies here?

I do apologize.
Yours is an excellent scheme

and I wish you well with it.

Take this back to your office
at once.

These ladies deserve better.

Good day to you.

[CLOCK CHIMING IN DISTANCE]

[SOFTLY]
Ahem.

Mr. Wakeling,
what may I do for you?

The ladies' petition, sir.

Mr. Harvey at Cleansing insists
that this is for us after all.

Mr. Harvey is quite wrong.

But we can keep it here.
There's no harm.

Thank you, Mr. Wakeling.

[♪♪♪]

[BICYCLE BELL RINGS]

MATTHEWS:
Where did you decide on
in the end?

Bournemouth.
Ten days starting next Monday.

Oh, lovely.

You must be
looking forward to it.

Same guesthouse we stayed in
year before last.

The lady there provides
a very nice supper.

[INTERCOM BUZZES]

DOCTOR:
Next patient, please.

Yes, doctor.

Mr. Williams?
Doctor will see you now.

Thank you.

I much prefer the beach
in Bournemouth.

A pebble beach
is so uncomfortable.

BUTTON:
I couldn't agree more.

DOCTOR:
Mr. Williams.

Please, sit down.

Thank you.

[CLOCK TICKING SOFTLY]

The results have come back.

And I'm afraid this time
they're pretty conclusive.

[SIGHS SOFTLY]

It's never easy, this.

Quite.

I said,
"If that's what you want,

then I know a place
where you can get it."

That's incredibly
wicked of you.

[CHUCKLES]
[DOG BARKING]

[CLEARS THROAT]

Good evening, Miss Fry.
Good evening.

[LAUGHING]
Stop it.

She's still watching us.
How can she be?

She doesn't have eyes
in the back of her head.

I assure you she does.
Oh.

FIONA:
If your father's in,

this is a good time
to talk about you-know-what.

MICHAEL:
Not a good time.

You'll have to start the ball
rolling at some stage.

But not tonight.
I'm really not up for it.

Besides, he's not in.

But this isn't
his cinema night.

[DOOR OPENS]

MICHAEL:
Hello? Dad?

[DOOR CLOSES]
He missed his cinema on Tuesday,

so he's gone tonight.
FIONA: As I was saying,

you can't put it off forever.

I don't intend still to be

in this stifling house
come Christmas.

Christmas?

How can anyone
purchase a house

and move
in that sort of time?

And besides, it is his money.
We can't--

Your mother intended
that money for us all.

What's he sitting on it for?
We're the ones who need it.

You have to speak to him,
I mean it.

[GASPS]
Mike!

Father. What on earth?
Oh!

Dad, you gave us a start.

Thought you'd gone
to the pictures.

Dad, are you all right?

Yes.

I was just sitting here,

uh, thinking things over.

And then you two walked in.

Will you sit for a while?

Well--
No. We both have early starts.

I have to get ready for bed.

You should too, dear.

Good night.

Well, better get going.

Heard what the boss just said.

Yes.

[♪♪♪]

[CLOCK TICKING]

[DOOR CLOSES IN DISTANCE]

[RAIN PATTERING]

Come on.
Mum's leaving us behind.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[BAT CRACKS]

[CHEERING]

FATHER:
Well done, your boy.

[CLAPPING]

Well done.

MAN:
I'm being serious.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING
INDISTINCTLY]

Chap like you needs a wife.

As for your boy, well,
he'll come round to it.

Youngsters get used
to anything.

MICHAEL:
Dad?

[MUFFLED]
Dad.

Dad?

Michael?

MICHAEL:
Would you lock up?

We're not coming down again now.

Dad?

Dad, are you there?

Yes.

Night, then.

Good night.

[FIONA & MICHAEL
SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[DOOR CLOSES]

[SIGHS]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

HART:
He's never late.
Something must have happened.

MIDDLETON:
Daughter-in-law said
he'd left as usual this morning.

PETER:
Do you think we should, um,

you know, alert the police,
perhaps?

MIDDLETON:
Mr. Williams
is hardly an infant.

What will the police care

that he's a couple of hours late
for work?

RUSBRIDGER:
"Couple of hours late
for work."

Who would ever have thought?

Leaving early yesterday.
Late today.

Maybe he's just, you know,
decided he's had enough.

Gonna give it all up.

[CHUCKLES]

I don't appreciate
that suggestion, Mr. Hart.

In fact, I find it
in rather poor taste.

Pity he should choose today
of all days.

Why's that,
Miss Harris?

Because the Lyons Corner House
have requested my reference.

So I need Mr. Williams to--

If it's a reference
you're after, Miss Harris,

I'll be happy to step in
as Mr. Williams' deputy.

Hang on. He's just
a little late, that's all.

There's no need for you to--
Quite.

Thank you, Mr. Middleton,

but I'd prefer to wait
for Mr. Williams to return.

SUTHERLAND:
How can it be that
in this resort town of ours,

insomniacs converging
from every corner of the land,

a fellow's not able to buy such
a thing as a sleeping tablet?

Oh, you don't half go on,
Mr. Sutherland.

If you was really sleeping
as little as you say,

I don't see how your brain
could keep coming up

with them ridiculous phrases.

Never mind your...

Well, "entertainments,"
shall we call them?

Consider, I beg you,
my last great work.

"Shocking Stockings."

I very much suspect you judged
it to be smutty and trivial.

You know very well,
Mr. Sutherland, I never saw it.

My point exactly.

The dramatic vision
of your most loyal customer,

and you shun it,
you turn away with a blush.

Would it have been
that way in Paris?

Where, triumphantly disowned
by my entire family,

I so deliciously
misspent my youth.

The night, the wine, the women,

the cabaret, the Moulin Rouge.

Who knows?
Had you been born French,

you might even now be kicking
high those lovely legs of yours

for the appreciation
of a discerning audience.

Mr. Sutherland, really.

This little town of ours,
Mrs. Blake, English it may be,

but I still have high ambitions
for it.

Bournemouth, Bognor Regis,
they're long beyond reach.

But here, hope still lingers.

I could achieve all this.

All this and more
for this town, if only...

If only I could sleep.

WILLIAMS:
Excuse me.

I don't mean to intrude.
You do not intrude, sir.

In fact, you are most welcome
to join our conference here.

That's most kind.

But I wondered
if I might have a private word

with the gentleman.

I see, yeah.
Well, I'll leave you to it.

[CLICKS TONGUE]

The things that go on.

Well, sir, may I take it
you're inviting me aboard?

If you'd care to.

[SIGHS]

Excuse me. I just thought,

overhearing
what you were saying...

Yes.

If you like...

You're welcome to these.

Very kind of you, old man.
It's just what I need.

And...

These.

Rather a lot, old man.

I'm grateful to you.
I'll take them off your hands.

I did think about it.

But I don't have it in me,
that kind of thing.

Think of the inconvenience
to your landlady.

Odd. I thought about
exactly that.

It's not perhaps
quite what you think.

[SIGHS]
You see, this is rather a bore.

But the doctors have given me
six months.

Eight or nine at a stretch.

I'm so sorry.

Funny.

You're the first person
I've told.

The thing is,
I just came down here.

[STAMMERS]

Look, you're most welcome
to those.

I've no more need of them.

Six months. Nine.

It doesn't seem long,
but it's something.

Enough time
to put things in order

and to live a little,
if you chose to.

I withdrew some cash.

It's almost half
my life's savings.

Look here, old chap.
Enough of that.

You need to be more careful.

You see my problem.

I withdrew this cash
and came down here to...

[SIGHS]

...enjoy myself,
or live a little, as you put it.

But I realize...

I don't know how.

[♪♪♪]

...began with a "W,"
but was pronounced "V."

But they changed it after
the war, for obvious reasons.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Yes!

You're doing well,
you're doing well.

SUTHERLAND:
...body, I want her naked!

Hey! Hey, you!
Cordelia was
being played by Perez.

Then he needed to be tough.
Hey!

[LAUGHING]

No, no, no. No, no.

When a girl like that
steals your hat,

always cheaper
to buy a new one.

Out with the old.
New phase of life!

You see that hat?
That's not bad.

That could work.
Do you know what I mean?

Can you imagine
something like that?

I think that's good.
I'm gonna talk to him.

I'm gonna talk to him because,
I think, for the right price...

[PIANO PLAYING]

♪ Yes, we have no bananas ♪

♪ We have no bananas today ♪

So it falls to me to steer
the family line as a playwright.

Hattie, this here is my friend,

Mr. Rodney Williams
of Esher, Surrey.

This man before you now
is grievously ill.

Then why is he drinking?

Why, indeed?

He has decided to grasp life,

what little of it
remains to him.

And we have to admire him
for it.

Don't you admire him,
Hattie?

If he's ill, then this
ain't good for him.

Hattie,
you don't understand.

This man who,
until yesterday,

was living
a shell of an existence,

has sprung to life.

Look.
He even has a new hat.

[CLAPPING, CHEERING]

All right, all right.
Come on, come on.

What else do we know?
Who wants to be next?

Yeah, I-- Yes.

Yes, I have a song.

And what can you offer us, sir?

Um, I have a...

I have a little Scotch
on my mother's side.

Looks like you've got a bit
of Scotch in you right now.

[ALL LAUGH]

You're right,
I am somewhat,

but I'd like to sing you
a song, if I may.

If you happen to know
"The Rowan Tree."

Do you know that one?

"Rowan Tree."
Old Scottish song, right?

Yeah, I have a little Scotch
in me. My late wife too.

Um... She was...

[PLAYING MELANCHOLY TUNE]
♪ Oh... ♪

♪ Oh rowan tree, oh rowan tree ♪

♪ Thou'lt aye be dear to me ♪

♪ Entwined thou art
With many ties ♪

♪ Of hame and infancy ♪

♪ Thy leaves were aye
The first of spring ♪

♪ Thy flowers
The summer's pride ♪

♪ There was nae
Such a bonny tree ♪

♪ In all the countryside ♪

♪ On thy fair stem
Were mony names ♪

♪ Which now nae mair I see ♪

♪ But they're engraven
On my heart ♪

♪ Forgot they ne'er can be ♪

♪ We sat aneath
Thy spreading shade ♪

♪ The bairns around thee ran ♪

♪ They pulled
The bonny berries red ♪

♪ And necklaces they strang ♪

♪ My mother
Though I see her still ♪

[STOPS PLAYING]

[VOICE BREAKING]
♪ My-- ♪

I'm so sorry.

Come along, old man. I'll show
you another place I know.

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

[SIGHS]

[WAVES LAPPING RHYTHMICALLY]

[♪♪♪]

Mr. Williams?

Mr. Williams?

Oh! Oh, it is you.

I was quite thrown
there for a minute.

I mean, by your new hat.

Yes. I lost my old one.

Well, it's jolly nice.

I wonder what they'll make of it
at the office.

Yes. I wonder.

What would be your guess,
Miss Harris?

Will my new hat
go down a storm there?

[CHUCKLES]

Noah himself
couldn't get something

to go down a storm
with that lot.

I don't need to worry
about them anymore

because I have a new job.
Oh, yes?

Yes, that's why
I'm so pleased to see you.

Well, it's not the only reason,
of course.

I'm very glad to see
that you're well

and going about
your business.

When you didn't come in
yesterday and the day before--

Yes, I have rather
gone to ground.

But, you see,
I've had other, um...

Well, never mind, I--

Tell me more about your new job,
Miss Harris.

Oh, well, you know about it,
Mr. Williams.

It's the position
at the Lyons Corner House.

A branch just around
the corner from here.

An assistant manager's role.

At least once I get
into the swing of things.

I'm so excited. Sorry.

No.
I didn't mean--

Don't worry.
County Hall is not for everyone.

I am pleased to see you,
Mr. Williams.

I'm going to be honest.

I do have the job,
but it's subject to a reference.

Ah...
And because you were away...

I see how I may have
inconvenienced you.

I was thinking
of treating myself

to a light lunch
at Fortnum's.

[CHUCKLES]
If you'd care to join me,

I could write your reference
over lunch.

Really?
Why not?

It might make up for the
inconvenience I've caused you.

Fortnum's?

You know, Mr. Williams,

when I see you bowed over
your paperwork like that,

I suddenly remember
you are the same person.

The one at the head of our desk,
every morning and afternoon

for the last 16 months
of my life.

But now I realize, you're not
really like that at all.

There's so much more to you.

I mean, Fortnum's,
your new hat.

I won't give you
a more favorable reference

because you say things
like that.

I'm not trying to butter you up,
Mr. Williams.

I'm saying I got you wrong,
that's all.

Mr. Williams, if you promise,

and I mean really promise
to not get angry,

I'll tell you my secret
nickname for you.

[CHUCKLES]

I promise.
You really mustn't get cross.

It's not just you.
I have them for everyone.

Only I know about them.
And my cousin, Rosemary,

who I share rooms with.
I see.

For instance, Mr. Rusbridger.

I call him the Hover Man.

Well, because he just hovers
his pen over the page,

with the intention of doing work
but never actually doing work.

[CHUCKLING]

And Mr. Hart.

Well, I call him
the Confused Chimney.

Because he's constantly smoking
and constantly bewildered.

[SPUTTERS]

Have you seen his eyebrows?

"Mr. Rusbridger,
on my desk."

Doesn't have a clue.
It's very good.

All right. This time,
I'll say the name,

you have to guess who it is.

He's on the fourth floor.

Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar. Well...

I suppose that would be
Mr. Brown in Accounts.

Correct!

[BOTH LAUGHING]

[GASPS]
Excuse me.

May I get you something else?

A dessert?

Um, not for me.

But perhaps
the young lady might.

Yes.

I've always wanted one
of those ice cream sundaes.

WAITER:
A Knickerbocker Glory, miss?

Yes. With the fruit
and nuts on top.

Of course.
Thank you so much.

Are you sure this is all right?

Of course.

But, Miss Harris, you haven't
come around to your main point.

You were going to tell me
your name for me.

Oh, no, it's a silly nickname.

I don't think I'll tell you.

No, no. You've come this far.
You have to tell me.

All right. Remember your promise
to not get angry.

Mr. Zombie.

Mr. What?

Thank you.

Mr. Zombie.

I saw a film about it
with what's-her-name.

Zombies are sort of
like Egyptian mummies,

but they can walk
and go about doing things.

They're sort of dead
but not dead.

Mr. Zombie.

My, my.

I'm so sorry, Mr. Williams.
That's really wicked of me.

You mustn't be upset,
Miss Harris.

Mr. Zombie. It's rather good.

It's quite appropriate, in fact.
I like it. Mr. Zombie.

An Egyptian mummy,
except I can move about.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

Your Knickerbocker Glory, miss.
Thank you so much.

Mmm!

[♪♪♪]

[LAUGHING]

[CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

I'd better be on the 4:56.

Or else I might find myself

sharing the same train
as our colleagues.

That would be awkward.

I do wonder,
we haven't been terribly wicked?

Pbbt. You don't have to worry

about that any more,
Miss Harris.

You just keep your mind
on your Lyons Corner House.

I will.
I was thinking about you.

Oh.

Don't worry about me.

I've had a wonderful afternoon.

So have I.

Well, Miss Harris, goodbye.

Goodbye, Mr. Williams.

[PHONE RINGING]

[CLEARS THROAT]

HART:
No doubt she'll pop back Monday.

It's rather bad form, really,
isn't it?

Even if she is leaving.

HART:
We know it's
a Lyons Corner House.

Mr. Middleton,
as acting head,

wouldn't you be able
simply to look it up?

That would be highly irregular,
Mr. Rusbridger.

What, even if there may be far
more than curiosity at stake?

Look, really! Really. I...

I do wish Mr. Williams
would come back.

Perhaps things
would go back to...

being a bit more orderly.

...just as I did,
with this very young woman.

Goodness knows
what they would think,

and how would that
reflect on you,

living in the same household?

That's why I just
wanted to tell you.

Well, good evening.
Come on.

MICHAEL:
The woman is a public nuisance.

A prize mischief-maker.

Nothing she likes better
than to put--

[SHUSHING]

Look, are we really supposed
to believe that my--?

You have to speak to him,

if people are talking
about this here.

[♪♪♪]

WILLIAMS:
Look here, there's something
I want to share with you both.

It's, um...
It's a bit of a bore, really...

but, um...

I probably should, um...

[SIGHS]

It's outrageous.

At his age.

And as for this girl,
barely a woman.

Certainly not a lady.
It does all fit.

The calls from his office,
the savings.

You simply must speak to him.

You should have done so
long ago.

About everything.
I'll speak to him, all right.

With pleasure,
I'll speak to him.

Look here.

There's something I should
probably talk to you about.

I...

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

[CLOCK TICKING]

[MUTTERING SOFTLY]

Oh. Here you are, Father.

Smells wonderful.

Yes, I do hope you'll enjoy it.

[MUTTERS SOFTLY]

Alf Jordan sprained his ankle
while on holiday.

Unlikely to be fit
for the start of the season.

Oh, dear. How unfortunate.

It's a bit of a bore, really.

Darling, this is hardly
the time to be reading.

Sorry.

Are we ready?
FIONA: Of course we're ready.

Ready as we'll ever be.

Shepherd's pie.

Yes, and decent mince too.

Shall I serve?

No.

Ah...

How splendid.

Thank you, darling.

There was a time
when what one did in London

stayed in London.

But these days, half of
the street works in London.

Well, that's right, my dear.

Half the street.

[♪♪♪]

[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

[WOMEN CHATTER INDISTINCTLY]

[HICCUPS]

[GROANS]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]
[BELL DINGS]

CUSTOMER:
Miss.

Miss?

This sausage roll is cold.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Miss?
Yes, one minute, sir.

You're new here,
aren't you?

Haven't quite found
your feet yet.

Shall I bring you
something else, madam?

Some more tea, perhaps?

I shall think about it.

Excuse me.
Miss? Miss...

Make it snappy, please.
It's getting very busy.

Of course, Mr. Adams.

Mr. Williams.

Skiving again.
I'm disappointed.

I'm disappointed to find you
well into your third week here,

still working as a waitress.

It was an assistant manager's
post you accepted?

Yes. Well, I hope to be given

greater responsibilities
in good time.

I might speak
with your supervisor.

No, that won't be necessary,
thank you.

Why haven't you
returned to the office?

You did say, last time,
that you would.

Yes. As it happens, I was
just now thinking about that.

[BELLS DINGING]
After all, it's not as if

I've found a wealth
of other ways to occupy my time.

Mr. Williams,
it's very busy. I'm sorry.

Yeah, of course.
I'll let you go. But I...

I did wonder
when your present shift ended.

Why would you mind about that?

Why?

For one thing,
because they're showing

I Was a Male War Bride
at the pictures.

I wondered if you'd care
to come along.

No, I shan't be encouraging
this skiving any longer.

You need to get back
to the office.

What will they
be thinking?

Yes. But, you see, today...

[CLEARS THROAT]

...is my pictures day.

And I was merely wishing
for a companion.

Oh, well.

Cary Grant, Miss Harris.

I understood
you were quite fond of him.

SERGEANT [ON SCREEN]:
Any female trouble?

GRANT [ON SCREEN]:
Nothing but, sergeant.

SERGEANT:
Have you had
any children before?

GRANT:
Oh, my aching back.

You know that awful feeling
before breakfast?

SERGEANT: No, captain, I don't.
Oh, sergeant, you're lucky.

[♪♪♪]

Mr. Williams.
It's time I was going home.

My cousin will be
getting concerned.

Oh, of course.
But look at this.

It may seem easy,
but I assure you it isn't.

Look.

It's so difficult.

Mr. Williams,
I really must be going.

Oh, of course.

But before you go, Miss Harris,

wouldn't you like
to have a try yourself?

I have a feeling, you see, that
you'd be rather good at this.

It's the rabbit.
It's the rabbit we're after.

Very well. Just once.
Then I'll go.

It's not nearly as easy
as it...

Oh, I say!

[SCOFFS]

Well done, Miss Harris.

I might have known
you could do it.

Right. Now I'm going.

Yes, of course.

I'll walk you to your bus stop.

Bravo, Miss Harris.

[GROANS]

Miss Harris.

What is it, Mr. Williams?
I wondered...

if you'd...

join me for a drink.

A few minutes,
that's all.

Because, you see, I...

I don't--

I don't feel quite able
to go home just yet.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

Oh, this isn't very nice,
really, is it, Mr. Williams?

I know it's quite innocent,

and I'm not implying anything,
but...

you're much older than me.

And someone
might suppose that...

you're becoming infatuated.

Infatuated?

I suppose...

in a way, I am.

But not quite
as some might suppose.

I realized, since you arrived,
how very different it had been.

I confess, I did at times worry
if your attitude was, well...

appropriate.

But I came to appreciate you.

And not simply for your youth.

There was some other quality.

Your appetite for life.

The way you always
make everything jolly and gay,

even while working there
with us.

Mr. Williams,
I'm just an ordinary person

like everybody else.

I have no such
special quality.

I try to stay cheerful,
that's true, but--

Miss Harris, I wonder
if I may confide in you.

There's something I haven't
really told anyone else.

Not even my son.

It's quite...

a bore, really,
but the fact is...

The fact is, I'm not expected
to live much longer.

I have a cancer. Here.

After receiving my news, I...

I took to looking around
myself a little.

And that day I saw you
in Piccadilly...

I thought, "Look at her.

Look at Miss Harris.

If only to be alive like that
for one day."

I suppose I...

I hoped you'd show me, or...

teach me to be like you.

Mr. Williams, your son...

Why haven't you told your son?

Well...

I think the world of Michael.

However, he's now...

He has his own life to live,
his own concerns,

and that's as it should be.

But you're correct.
I'm behaving like an old fool.

What was it, your name for me?

Mr. Zombie.

[CHUCKLES]

Oh, yes. Mr. Zombie.

I wasn't always.

When I was your age,
from when I was this high...

what I wanted...

was to be a gentleman.

Nothing grand. Just a
rank-and-file sort of gentleman.

I used to see them
in the mornings,

all lined up
at the railway station,

whenever I went there
with my mother.

In their suits and hats,

waiting on the platform
to go into London.

A gentleman like that.

That's what...

That's what I longed to be
one day.

How did it happen?

I fancy it just crept up on me.

Just one day
proceeding the next.

A small wonder
I didn't notice...

what I was becoming.

And then I looked at you...

and I remembered...

what it was like
to be alive like that.

[SNIFFLES]

I wonder if you ever stop
on the way home

and watch the children playing.

In the street or in the yard.

And when the time comes
and their mothers call them in,

they're often reluctant,
they get a little contrary.

But that's as it should be.

Far better that than to be
the child you occasionally see,

sitting by himself in a corner,
not taking part,

not happy, not unhappy.

Merely waiting for his mother
to call him in.

I've become afraid that
I might end up like that child.

And I so very much
do not wish to do so.

When the time comes...

when my maker calls me...

[SNIFFLES]

Miss Harris...

I hope you'll be able
to forgive me for everything.

I've kept you far too long.

We must get you
to your bus stop.

Mr. Williams, are you all right?

Never better. But we must hurry.
Your cousin will be anxious.

[PHONE RINGING]

WILLIAMS:
Good morning, Mr. Singh.
Would you come with me?

Good morning, everyone.
MIDDLETON: Mr. Williams, sir.

Welcome back, sir.

Mr. Hart. Our file on
the bomb site at Chester Street.

Um...
The one that

the local ladies have been
petitioning to turn into

a children's playground.
Ah. Now, I believe...

Uh... I believe it's...

Yes, sir. I believe
Mr. Rusbridger has it now.

Yes, Mr. Rusbridger,

you took it off Mr. Williams'
desk last Friday,

the last time the ladies
were here.

Mr. Rusbridger?
Yes, I did.

It must be here somewhere.

Mr. Wakeling, you say
the ladies have been in again?

As recently as Friday?

Yes, here it is.

We have just enough time
before lunch.

I propose we go straight away.

Go, sir?
We'll take the file with us,

but please wrap it up well,
it's pouring outside.

That's just it. If I may say so,
sir, it is very wet just now.

I'm sure we'll manage,
Mr. Hart.

Mrs. Johnstone, we haven't been
formally introduced.

How do you do, Mr. Williams?
It's a pleasure to meet you.

The pleasure is all mine.

Mrs. Johnstone,
would you mind terribly

remaining here
and holding the fort?

Certainly, sir.
Thank you.

Messrs. Middleton, Hart,
Rusbridger and Wakeling,

if you'd follow me.
Thank you, Mr. Singh.

Chester Street.
District Line to Stepney Green

and then a brisk walk.

[RAIN PATTERING,
THUNDER RUMBLING]

[♪♪♪]

[SNIFFLING]

PORTER [SOFTLY]:
It'll be all right, darling.

It was a lovely service.
I think everyone enjoyed it.

Pardon?
It was a lovely service.

I think everyone enjoyed it.
Yes. I think so. Yes.

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

Here you are.
McMASTERS: Ta, love.

Good afternoon, Sir James.
Jolly decent of you to show up.

Good afternoon,
Mr. Ryman.

Middleton, sir.

You worked alongside him.

Must be like losing family.

Yes, sir.
It feels almost like that.

I want you to know
how very sorry we all are.

Very good of you, sir.
Thank you, Sir James.

Look here, Mister...

Middleton, sir.
Middleton, quite.

Perhaps you'd be good enough

to come to my office
Monday morning.

We might talk this over.

How best to handle it
from here.

Of course, sir.

Naturally, one wants to give
credit where it's due.

But the way those ladies
have been kicking up...

In the end,
it does a disservice

to the memory of our dear
departed friend.

Such a self-effacing fellow.

If he were here,
he'd be the first to protest.

Excuse me.

Miss Harris.

Hello, Mr. Wakeling.
Hello.

I saw you talking
with the ladies.

Yes, they're very distraught.
They were so fond of him.

Yes. Look, Miss Harris, um...

Well, I suppose
I was just wondering if, um...

What were you wondering,
Mr. Wakeling?

Mr. Wakeling.
Mr. Williams.

I'm sorry
to raise this here.

But I thought it best
to give this to you right away.

Oh.

It was among
my father's things.

Quite prominent.

He's marked it
"private and confidential."

So he has.

Miss Harris.

We haven't been introduced,
I know,

but I wonder if we might have
a word in private.

In private?
Yes.

If you wouldn't mind.
Of course.

Excuse me.
[STAMMERS]

Not at all.

This way.

[SUCKS TEETH]

Excuse me for bringing you away.

Oh, no. No, not at all.

I appreciate you coming today.

Thank you.

I'm awfully sorry.

Must be such a huge loss.

It is rather.

We haven't really
been introduced.

No.

I know that
you worked with him.

Yes, well, only briefly.

Margaret Harris.

Miss Harris.

How do you do?
How do you do?

I'm sorry, I should have come
and introduced myself earlier,

but you seemed so busy--

Oh, that's quite all right.

I really am dreadfully sorry.

This must be so hard for you.

One bears up.

And I've been through
this sort of thing once before.

Oh, yes.

Miss Harris...

there was something
I wished to ask you.

Of course.

There's something
I can't quite, um...

[GULPS]

Did my father know he was ill?

That he was dying?

[INHALES SHARPLY]

[SOFTLY]
I don't know--
I don't know what to say.

[INHALES SHAKILY]

Because if he knew...

and he told you...

You see what I mean?

Why...?

Why wouldn't he tell me?

Well...

perhaps he...

If he'd just told me...

I'd never have let him
leave us like that.

In all that cold.

Yeah.

I'm sorry.

Uh...

Thank you, Miss Harris.

[SNIFFLING]

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]

What's that you've got there?

It's nothing.

I'll read it some other time.

Any of you chaps get a chance
to talk to Mrs. Smith?

Or any of the other ladies?

One appreciates them sticking up
for the old man's memory.

But they've quite convinced
themselves

that Mr. Williams built that
playground entirely by himself.

Parks did get more credit
than they deserved.

That's because
they're called Parks.

Sir James certainly got
his share of the credit.

Made certain of that.

Sir James was quite crucial,

as far as that playground's
concerned.

Suppose he was.

You know,
I can't help thinking...

and I didn't know Mr. Williams
the way you all did,

of course, but...

But it does seem to me that he--
That he changed.

Yes.

It was this
playground business.

Chester Street.

District Line to Stepney Green
and then a brisk walk.

[♪♪♪]

No, no, no, you must--
No, I insist, sir.

Honestly.

RUSBRIDGER:
He was willing to traipse
through all that sewage water

just to get to the site.

He did become obsessed.

He was prepared to make himself
a right bugger about it.

I accompanied him once
to Planning.

TALBOT:
This is it here.
Leave it with us

and we'll send it down to you.

HART:
That ogre Talbot
was presiding that day.

I was hoping
you might see to it now,

and then I could take it off
your hands straight away.

Well, I'm unable
to authorize it just like that.

Don't worry.
I'll see it gets done.

We'll send it down to you.

Why don't I wait here
while you check those entries?

It's up to you,
but it might be some time.

We've got a lot on
up here.

Take all the time you need,
Mr. Talbot.

I'm quite happy here.

Mr. Hart,
you'd better get back.

Tell the others
I've been held up.

Indefinitely.

Of course, Mr. Williams.

[♪♪♪]

HART:
He said he'd sit
and wait all day if he had to.

And he did.

This is very good of you,
Mr. Jones.

I know we're placing an extra
burden on all of you here.

So this is what?
A kiddies' playground?

Yes.
Urgent?

We'd appreciate
your giving it priority.

Well, if you request it,
Mr. Williams.

Thank you, Mr. Jones.

Thank you.
You're very welcome.

PETER:
Instead of just leaving...

he went over
to each of them in turn...

Thank you.

...looked them in the face...

Thank you.

...thanked them all.
Of course, sir.

Thank you.
Yes, of course. Anything.

I appreciate it.

Thank you. Much appreciated.
That's quite all right, sir.

Everyone.

Parks did then rather pull out
the stops, didn't they?

Quite.

HART:
The Mr. Williams of a year ago

would never thought
of doing something like that.

Actually, I witnessed
something even more remarkable.

I never told you chaps
at the time because...

Well,
it rather annoyed me.

So you see?
For all these reasons,

this isn't something
we can contemplate

for the foreseeable future.

I'm sorry.
I genuinely regret it.

MIDDLETON:
We'd gone up
to Sir James's office

to plead a case
for the playground,

and Sir James rejected it.

JAMES:
And the site
is a disgrace.

Unfortunately,
just now,

we have even more
urgent priorities.

Well, thank you
for coming to see me.

They're considering Anderson for
the new editor's post at Punch.

I don't fancy that, do you?

Wouldn't be quite right.
Man's obsessed with the ballet.

Well, that's not
entirely fair.

Anderson also cares
passionately

about detective fiction
and horses.

Sir James...

please excuse me...

but I beg you...

to reconsider.

I beg you.

Or at least keep the application
open for one more week.

What harm can that do?

MIDDLETON:
He begged him.

He begged him to reconsider.

And he wouldn't take no
for an answer.

But it came off.

What's that?
PETER: It came off.

It must have done.
The chairman did reconsider.

Well, yes.

Yes, I suppose he did.

Those ladies may have a point.

Yes, but we all
put our shoulders to it.

Yes, but...

there's no denying
the old man did push it.

Could it be he knew?
That he didn't have long?

Knowing something like that,

I suppose that might
galvanize a person.

Yeah, but he didn't know.
His son was very clear on that.

I'm pretty sure that's right.

[CLEARS THROAT]

I think he did know.

Ladies.

We mustn't be discouraged.

There will be a way
around this.

I assure you.

I don't know how you kept
your temper just now, sir.

[CHUCKLES]

I don't have time to get angry,
Mrs. Smith.

HART:
Something in the way
he said it.

Ladies.

[INHALES SHARPLY]

Well, perhaps we'd all
do the same.

All of us here.

We'd work with extra urgency
in a situation like that.

Would we?

It's a natural reaction.

Well, I don't
know if...

I don't think everyone...

we here, even...

would necessarily have responded

in quite the way
Mr. Williams did.

I agree.

Hm.

If he knew...

he did an awfully good job
keeping it to himself.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

It was almost like he...

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Yeah.

You're right.

He certainly
set an example for us.

[INHALES SHARPLY]

Look here, everyone.

Let me propose that we all make
a pledge here today.

Let's pledge to learn
from his example.

This lesson he set before us.

Let's vow...

never again to shy away
from our responsibilities.

Never again to push things
under the carpet.

Or upstairs.
Or upstairs.

Mr. Williams has shown us...

Well, that if...

If we put our minds to it,

our backs into it,
we can do even better.

That's right.
And let me say this here today.

While I remain
in charge of Public Works,

we're going to be true
to Mr. Williams' memory.

We're going to get things done.

That's right.
Hear, hear.

[♪♪♪]

LANDLADY:
Reasonably brief,
if you don't mind.

I'm expecting
my nephew to call.

Of course.
Hello, Peter.

♪ Sweet music
Soft and mellow ♪

♪ Soothing and slow ♪

♪ Strains of a mellow cello ♪

♪ When lights are low ♪

♪ Dear
We're so close together ♪

♪ I love you so ♪

♪ Why think about the weather ♪

♪ When lights are low ♪

♪ Two hearts revealing ♪

♪ Music hath charms ♪

♪ Life's so appealing ♪

♪ With inspiration
In your arms ♪

♪ Our lips
Meeting soft and tender ♪

Be quiet, you.

♪ Love's all aglow ♪

♪ Why shouldn't we surrender ♪

♪ When lights are low ♪

♪ When lights are low ♪

♪ When lights are low ♪

♪ When lights are low ♪

[KNOCKING]

Yes, Mr. Singh?

Education insist
this is for us, sir.

And which one is this?

The disagreement concerning
the proposed prefabs

at Saint Mary's School
in Shoreditch, sir.

Ah, that.

Mr. Hart, can you look
into Saint Mary's School?

That's for Education,
Mr. Middleton.

It's a schools matter.
SINGH: Even so, sir,

Education insist...

MIDDLETON:
Well...

we can keep it here for now.

No harm.

The postal run, please.

Mr. Middleton.

Yes, Mr. Wakeling?

I'd like this in triplicate,
please, Mrs. Johnstone.

That will be all. Thank you,
Mr. Singh.

[DOOR CLOSES]

WILLIAMS:
I wonder, Mr. Wakeling,

if I may now turn to matters
you may consider more personal.

[♪♪♪]

I have no wish
to belittle our playground...

but I put it to you
that it was, all the same,

a small thing.

And that it will, before long,

go the way
of most small things.

It may fall into disrepair,

or be superseded
by some grander scheme.

To speak plainly,

we cannot assume to have
erected a lasting monument.

Should there come days when
it's no longer clear to you

to what end you are directing
your daily efforts...

when the sheer grind of it all

threatens to reduce you
to the kind of state

in which I so long existed...

I urge you then to recall
our little playground...

and the modest satisfaction

that became our due
upon its completion.

[♪♪♪]

Evening, sir.

Good evening, officer.

Everything all right?

Yes. I just wanted to see
this playground again.

I played a...

A small part,
just a small part, mind you,

in bringing it into being.

I work at the LCC.

Is that so, sir?

Then the people here have
a lot to thank you for.

Oh, I didn't do much.

The man who did...

The man who did
passed away this winter.

Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams.

Yes.

He'll be remembered round here
with...

respect and affection.

I never actually had the honor

of meeting Mr. Williams
personally,

he was always that busy.

If you was his friend, sir,

then perhaps you wouldn't mind
my telling you this.

Station sergeant says
I'm being foolish, but, uh...

It stays on me mind.

Please.

WILLIAMS:
♪ Thou'lt aye be dear to me ♪

♪ Entwined thou art
With many ties ♪

♪ Of hame and infancy ♪

♪ Thy leaves were aye
The first of spring ♪

♪ Thy flowers
The summer's pride ♪

♪ There was nae
Such a bonny tree ♪

♪ In all the countryside ♪

♪ We sat aneath
Thy spreading shade ♪

♪ The bairns around thee ran ♪

♪ They pulled
The bonny berries red ♪

♪ And necklaces they strang ♪

♪ My mother, oh, I see her now ♪

♪ She smiled
Our sports to see ♪

♪ With little Jeannie
On her lap ♪

♪ And Jamie on her knee ♪

[♪♪♪]

OFFICER:
For his own good, sir,
I should have persuaded him.

Told him to get out
of the cold.

But you see, sir,
he looked so...

So happy.

And it felt a shame to...

disturb him.

I imagined, in time,

he'd just come off that swing

and go home.

Mr. Williams had, um...

He had a terminal illness,
you see.

And I think it was right...

that you allowed him
that moment.

And I think
you're quite right.

He was happy when you saw him.

Perhaps as happy as he'd ever
been in his entire life.

So I wouldn't worry yourself
any more, officer.

Good night, officer.

Night, sir.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

♪ Oh rowan tree ♪

♪ Oh rowan tree ♪

♪ Thou'lt aye be dear to me ♪

♪ Entwined thou art
With many ties ♪

♪ Of hame and infancy ♪

♪ Thy leaves were aye
The first of spring ♪

♪ Thy flowers
The summer's pride ♪

♪ There was nae
Such a bonny tree ♪

♪ In all the countryside ♪

♪ How fair wert thou
In summer time ♪

♪ With all thy clusters white ♪

♪ How rich and gay
Thy autumn dress ♪

♪ Wi' berries red and bright ♪

♪ On thy fair stem
Were many names ♪

♪ Which now no more I see ♪

♪ But they're engraven
On my heart ♪

♪ Forgot they ne'er can be ♪

♪ We sat aneath
Thy spreadin' shade ♪

♪ The bairnies
Around thee ran ♪

♪ They pulled
Thy bonny berries red ♪

♪ And necklaces they strang ♪

♪ My mother
Oh, I see her still ♪

♪ She smiled
Our sports to see ♪

♪ With little Jeannie
On her lap ♪

♪ And Jamie on her knee ♪

[♪♪♪]