Undertaking Betty (2002) - full transcript

Fred, it's not even
six o'clock yet.

Go back to bed.

Morning, my lovely.

Meredith.

Betty.

All right, all right.

Come on, Betty, hurry up!
I'm busting!

And where's my mam's breakfast?

That tall man on Jerry last night.

The truck driver.

Did you see the size
of his thighs?



Today we're going to meet some
people who have been secretly in love

with someone they shouldn't
have been with for a very long time.

Here you are, Fred, breakfast.

- Is that you, Hugh?
- Morning.

Betty, it's you.
You actually woke, then.

I would like my breakfast, thank you,
if it isn't too much trouble.

I'm ravenous!
Can't you hear my belly rumbling?

Anyway, as my Hugh says,
there are some folk...

Add a little spice, teach
the old dog some new tricks, but

their partners say "no"!

There you go.
Never mind about all that.

Big night, Ginger?

There's a girl.

Where were you all night?
Don't answer that.



You're a lucky man, Fred.

You know that?

Where on earth is Betty?

Betty?

Betty, can you hear me?

Betty!

Are you coming up here today?

Betty, Betty, Betty!

Do you know, Merys, sometimes
I swear I'm going to waste away.

I'll water you when I get back,
Daphne, I promise.

Why our Hugh picked her
is beyond me.

He could have had anyone,
you know. Anyone!

Not anyone was the daughter
of a wealthy mayor.

Are you implying that
my Hugh married Betty

to get his position?
- Sorry, Ginger.

No, no.

- Well, yes.
- All right, no.

Maybe not anyone whose father
was wealthy mayor at the time.

But I'll tell you this, Merys,
and I'll stake my life on it.

Marrying Betty or not, he would
have become councillor anyway

and very soon he'll be
mayor himself, I'm sure.

- Dilys, I wish you wouldn't do that.
- What?

Suck the chocolate off and
leave the nuts on the bed.

I don't like nuts.

Bran flakes?

You know I hate bran flakes!
Hang on a minute, Merys.

Now you know what Doctor Owen
said about your roughage.

Stuff Doctor Owen's roughage!

You know I can't start my day
without Crispy Wheat!

- Bring me my Crispy Wheat!
- Dilys, have you gone?

Can you imagine?
What was she thinking of?

Mind you, it couldn't taste
any worse than that Tuna Surprise

she baked for the Bring and Buy.

I suppose I could try
a little mouthful.

Well now, you know
your stomach, it's so delicate.

Actually, these aren't bad,
you know.

Dilys, have you gone again?

Dilys? Dilys?
I think she's gone again.

Well, those dates seem to be fine.

Mint Imperial?

I know, I'm sorry.

The meeting on the new toilets is
still going on. Where are we up to?

We've covered nearly everything,
Councillor. Mrs Rhys Jones

has been most helpful.
- Now, no fuss, no extravagance.

Mother would've wanted it
kept very simple.

May I say what an honour it is
for you to choose plots

at this saddest of times.
- Yes, yes. Can we get on with it?

Of course.

- Church or chapel?
- Church.

Fiercely. Church was Mam.

Your mother hasn't been
inside a Church for 25 years.

Betty, the least you could do is
show a little respect for the dead.

Had you been more attentive, mother
might still be alive, mightn't she?

That's not fair, Hugh!
You can't blame me for her death!

Look, I don't think
this is the proper occasion...

Would you like an open coffin?

It's a long-standing Plots tradition.
A true mark of respect.

There is, of course, some slight
discolouration when someone...

Chokes on Multi-Fibre All Bran.

.. suffocates, but I
believe we can remedy that.

Open coffin?

Well, she was very clear about
what she wanted to be buried in.

I assume she wanted
to be seen in it.

Open coffin it is, then.

Well, if you could
bring in the garment.

Oh, and some recent photos
of your mother.

Right. Well, Betty'll see
to that, won't you, Betty?

Boris, thank you very much.

So you were really cheating
on her? Cheating and lying,

spending your money on strippers?
- I can't believe it.

Councillor Rhys Jones is having
his mother's funeral at Plots!

Well, maybe you were a little
too progressive with him.

Funeral fashion. It's the next
big thing. "The Catwalk Corpse".

Yeah, well, he didn't seem too keen
on the "Deck of Cards" theme.

She loved playing cards!
Everybody said that.

Yes, but I don't think
that was the problem.

I think dressing her up as the Queen
of Spades, that was the problem.

You have no imagination, Delbert.
That's your problem.

No vision. I want to create
a whole new kind of funeral.

Keep in mind the root word
of funeral is "fun".

Fantasy funerals will be
the funerals of the future.

Yes, but the people of Wrottin-Powys
are more your "ashes to ashes,

dust to dust" variety.
- That's so pass?.

We have to sell them
the concept, that's all.

We could do Casket of the Month.

- "Casket of the Month?"
- Yes, like "Flavour of the Month".

And discounts.
People love discounts and coupons.

We could do a first funeral
at full price

and a second half off.

Let's say the husband
drops dead first.

The wife comes in with the coupon,
pays in advance for her funeral

and gets it half off.
Is that great or what?

Delbert, if we're going to work
together, you'll have to trust me.

You trust me?

- Well, yes, of course.
- Good.

- Featherbed Funerals...
- Mr Pontefreece.

Come and sit down. May I be
the first to offer my condolences.

- Hello, Willie.
- Hello.

My, you've been busy.

- Fancy a nice cold drink?
- Can't stop too long.

Got to help my granddad
do two more gardens today.

He's making a right mess
of that flowerbed.

Left all the weeds in.
What's wrong with the little cretin?

Now, Hugh, please be kind.
He lives with his granddad.

They don't have much. They need
every bit of money they can make.

Save the violins!

Right. I've got to get back. Mam's
dress is in that old brown bag.

Right? Did you hear what I said?

Yes, the old bag.
I'll write it down.

I'll probably be a bit late tonight.

A couple of things
at the office need seeing to.

- Here you are, Willie.
- Thank you.

Willie, you do know that those
are all weeds you've left there.

Yeah?

They're so pretty.
I thought they were flowers.

- Who decides what's weeds?
- What do you mean?

It's a pretty nice plant, it's got
beautiful flowers and everything.

But then somebody comes along,
calls it a weed

and I've got to pull it out.
It doesn't seem fair somehow.

I'll tell you what.

Let's leave them as they are, and
you and I will call them flowers.

- What do you say?
- OK.

No, no, I'm not saying
I think she planned it.

However, would you give Bran Flakes
to someone quite obviously used

to Crispy Wheat?

Oh, speak of the devil!
Merys, I'll call you later.

- Morning.
- Betty,

- I was so sorry to hear about Dilys.
- Thank you so much.

Selma?

I was just speaking
to Merys Gwynedd.

- Said she felt so helpless.
- The other end of the phone and all.

Imagine talking to someone
on the phone at the very moment

- when God calls them.
- Must be like call waiting.

- Only she never came back on.
- Had a close call with Bran Flakes

- the other day.
- Did you?

- Oh, she did.
- It went all cloggy.

A great lump got
stuck in my throat.

I had to use the Heimlich
manoeuvre on her.

She spat a wad
clear across the table.

Hit the Reverend Price
right in the back of his head.

They should do a show
on that, do you know?

Close calls with
breakfast foods or something.

Anyway, where are
you having the funeral?

Boris Plots.

Have you been to a funeral
at that new place, Featherbed's?

- No, can't say I have.
- They're American, you know.

- So I heard.
- Inherited the shop from his uncle,

old Bryn Flowers.

You can depend on Boris,
he'll do a lovely job.

- Pity he never got married.
- Come on, Thelma,

you wouldn't marry
a funeral director!

Besides, he's so shy.
He's got no "get up and go"!

Anyway, Betty,
would you like a coffin spray

or an arrangement on the side?

Your wife then accuses you of
having an affair with your secretary,

so she calls her up at work?

- What did your secretary say?
- Councillor Rhys Jones office.

- Meredith, is Hugh there?
- Oh, hello, Betty, how you doing?

I'll see if he's available,
shall I? One second.

It's your wife.

I'll get back to you, Colin.

Bye, Hugh.

Betty. Did you take
the dress to Plots?

Oh, no, not yet.
That's next on my list.

Because I wouldn't want mother
to be without a dress.

No, no, Hugh,
I'm at Thelma and Selma's.

Now do we want a spray for the
coffin, or arrangements on the side?

Hugh?

Hugh, are you all right?

It's just stress, darling. There's
a lot of pressure building here.

There's always something coming up
that needs expert handling.

Oh, I know it's hard.

Losing your mam,

but you'll just have to,
I don't know, learn to let it all go.

I fully intend to.
Call you later.

No, Hugh!

The flowers...

- Such a busy man.
- I understand.

We'll go for something
on the side then, shall we?

Chance would be a fine thing!
Now, you run along, Betty;

we'll take care of everything.
- Oh, thanks, Thelma.

No, wait.
Hugh wanted a floral tribute.

- Oh, right.
- I wrote it down.

Is that it? I can't see it
without my glasses.

- That's what he wants to say, is it?
- Oh, yes, he was very specific.

So I can leave it all
to you then, can I?

- Oh, yes.
- Right. The funeral's on Thursday.

- Right.
- Bye.

Bye, dear.

Bye, love.

Poor woman.
He treats her so appallingly.

The Councillor is a man
with get up and go!

- Morning, Betty.
- Good morning.

Hello?

Hello?

I was

just letting up;
it's a bit slippy here.

I didn't mean to interrupt.

I've brought the dress.
And the photograph.

I'll take that.

Don't want to get it
creased up, do we?

Never knew you were
so light on your feet.

There's a lot about me
you don't know, Betty Rhys Jones.

- Really? Like what?
- Oh, you'll probably laugh.

I won't.

I never really wanted
to be a mortician.

No, what I really
wanted to be was a

was a ballroom dancer.

A ballroom dancer.

How long have you
been watching me?

Oh, not long. It's all right.

How long were you
watching me, more like?

I've been watching you
for about 30 years.

- That's nice.
- Is it?

- Sad, more like.
- No, no, it's not sad.

- Is it?
- Well, sad I never asked you

to dance when I had the
chance all those years ago.

Haven't danced for years.

Hugh's not much
of a one for getting up.

Want to have a go?

Come on.

Oh, is that the time?
I'd better be off.

- Betty.
- There's such a lot to do.

- But Betty, I...
- They said it might rain.

Do you think it might rain?

See, I don't want
to get caught in the rain.

I don't know what I'm going to do
without my Elsie.

She was the kindest heart
that ever lived.

We're here for you,
Mr Edwards,

to support you through this.

I'm sure you want
a fitting tribute for your wife.

I want to do the best I can,
you know, within my limited budget.

Oh, I've got something to show you.

Where is it? Oh, here it is.

I cut this coupon from the paper.

I want to take advantage
of the half-price second funeral.

Of course. We're going to be
more than happy to arrange that.

- Won't we, Delbert?
- Oh, yes, yes, more than, yes.

- Mr Edwards.
- Call me Al.

Al, did

Elsie have any special hobbies,
interests or dreams?

- I don't think Mr Edwards...
- It's a once in a lifetime occasion.

Al. Hobbies?

Yeah, she liked flowers,
and knitting,

crocheting and making pillowcases.

She once got a prize
for making pillowcases.

Pillowcases.
That's not much to work with.

- Excuse me?
- I'm asking,

did she have any,
(what's the word?) fantasies

that weren't fulfilled
while she was with us?

Well, she liked
watching television.

Why, she had a favourite
television programme, but

she didn't want want anyone to
know she was a real fan, you know.

What show is that then, Al?

"Star Trek".

She didn't want anybody to know,
but I knew she had something going

for that Mr Spock.

Willie? What are you doing?

Got to prune these bushes.
They're all old and dead.

Oh, but you've cut so much!
There's nothing left!

I just cut away
what's dead and old.

Granddad says, cut everything away
except the spirit.

And then the flowers will
come again. New and beautiful.

I know they never flowered much,
but I got used to seeing them there.

Just you wait.
You'll see how beautiful they'll be.

Fred, get in your basket.

In your basket!

All right. Don't wriggle about
too much, all right?

Could you go a little slower?
I'm dying here.

- If I go any slower, I'm going to stop.
- Got the blink around?

- Of course I have!
- Don't make any short stops.

- Just nip round here.
- You're not going to make it. Whoa!

I think if you leave the driving
to me, thank you very much.

- Now you've hit the kerb. Careful.
- I'm sorry.

Right. Now what's he doing?
I can't concentrate!

Just back it up. Right, round we go,
this is it. Cut it left, very hard.

OK!

Oh, man, you're on the kerb.

You're going to be so pleased
with what we've done with Elsie.

I think her dream
has been realised.

Well, she had so many dreams, you
know. She loved so many things,

especially children.

Oh, my God!
What have you done?

You said she loved
"Star Trek", so,

I made her up
to be Spock's sister.

Her fantasy has
finally been realised.

Come on, it'll grow on you, Al.

Ready?

Ready.

Ears on.

Stardate 21...

01-2001.

Crewman Elsie Edwards
was an original.

Who'd have thought that
she had such a sense of humour?

And it is with this attitude
that I would like to reflect

on the life of Elsie.
- This is going to be so great!

Death was not a boundary,
but a beginning of her ascension

to her heavenly home.
What she was trying to tell us

was that she was ready
for her cosmic trip

through the wormhole,
to the other side.

Nothing will stop her
from launching her life

to the great beyond.

- It's marvellous!
- The lift that she has given...

- You can stop it now.
- It won't, man!

It's stuck! I can't!

My God!

This is not good.

- My condolences.
- Afternoon, Boris.

Thank you, Boris.
Let's go.

Betty, come on.

I was a little perturbed
myself when I saw it,

but Thelma assured me
that's what you asked for.

No one asked for that!

I thought it strange, but I did
double-check. Look, here's the note.

Kids, I expect.

I though we had a little more
respect for the dead in this town.

Anyway, you've done
a wonderful job on mother, Boris.

She looks almost human.
I mean, lifelike.

Well, thank you. Anything else
I can do, please let me know.

Mrs Rhys Jones.
Could I have a word with you?

Oh, yes. You sit down, Hugh.
I'll be with you in a minute.

- I've got to talk to you, I can't...
- I can't talk to you now, Boris.

Look, hide my handbag and I'll
come back for it after the funeral.

Good evening, Boris.
How's life in the terminal lane?

- Never better. How can I help you?
- We've come to pay our respects.

Help yourself. Besides, how else are
you going to scope out the competition?

I'm sorry about the flowers, Dilys.
Bit of a mix-up.

Betty.

Look at this. Can you believe it?

I've never seen anyone
look more dead in my life.

He has gone a little heavy
on the makeup.

- A bit too much rouge and lipstick.
- There's no sense of romance here,

no style.
What's with the hair?

- What'd he use? Hot rollers?
- Frank! Frank, Frank!

It's like I thought, too much
hairspray. Looks like a helmet.

And since when do you bury
somebody in black? The mourners

wear black, not the corpse.
This guy doesn't even understand

basic presentation.

- Frank?
- What?

Why do old people
have such huge ears?

It's cartilage.
It keeps growing.

But they hear less.

It shall remain a mystery.

Man, it's amateur night in Dixie!

- Hugh, I was with her all the time!
- Have you paid the Reverend yet?

No, not yet. Oh, my God,
what's happened to my handbag?

- I must have left it in the church.
- Is there something wrong?

Yes, my bag.
I think I left it in the church.

Betty, I haven't got time
to go looking for handbags!

I've got important business
this afternoon!

If you're in a rush,
I can take Mrs Rhys Jones home.

Oh, right.
There you go.

I might be a bit late.
Don't wait up.

Come on, let's get out of here.

Been thinking about the other day.

Trying to figure out a way
to have a Fred and Ginger ending.

Boris,

I don't think it's possible for us
to end up like in the movies.

Eventually, the house lights
have to come up.

I should have spoken up years ago.

I'd better be going.

Tell me you're happy.

- I'm happy.
- Look me in the eye and tell me

you're happy. I'll go back to my
shop and never say another word.

Oh, Boris,

I love it up here.

It's quiet, see?

Get a chance to think.
Get things in perspective.

Come away from the edge.
You go over, you'll break your neck!

The Morgan woman went off here
about 10 years ago. Not pretty.

Look out!

You do care.

Here you go.

Thanks.

I know my life isn't
everything I dreamed of, but

how many people
do get to live their dreams?

I love you, Betty Rhys Jones.

I always have.

And I think I love you,
Boris Plots.

Oh, Betty, if only I'd known.

- There's a "but".
- Oh, you know.

Hugh.

Have you ever thought,
ever thought of leaving him?

No, no.

Well, maybe once.

But then of course there was Dilys,
you see? I had to take care of her.

- We just buried her. Divorce him.
- I can't.

- People get divorced all the time.
- I couldn't.

- For better or for worse.
- Then run away with me.

Oh, wouldn't they just love that?
"There goes Councillor Rhys Jones.

His wife ran off
with the undertaker. "

Poor love, he'd have to live
with that for the rest of his life.

- He'd rise above it. Others have.
- Not in this town.

Run away with me. You and I could be
dancing on a cruise to Tahiti!

It's a lovely thought, Boris.

But I'm afraid
I couldn't do that to Hugh.

Hugh Rhys Jones,
you're an animal.

- I want to be with you always.
- We are together always.

All day at the office,
afternoon escapades...

I'm here half the night.

No. I want to go away.

Somewhere hot and sticky.

We went away!

West Wales in November
is hardly the Caribbean!

We can't risk any more
of our foreign adventures.

Where's my other sock?

We could get rid of her.

Don't muck about, give it here!

I'm serious!

What?

No.

There's ways.
It doesn't have to be too gruesome.

Look, I'm not killing Betty
so you can go the Caribbean!

Don't you love me?

Answer me this, then.

Supposing you weren't
married to Betty,

would you marry me?

You know I would!

No.

Look, I'm not
murdering my wife!

For God's sake!
What's the matter with you?

Rightee-o, Mrs Mainwaring,
I shall put your application for

mains drainage before the
planning committee next Monday.

- Hello, Bob.
- Councillor.

Betty?

Boris! You scared
the living daylights.

Betty, I've had a great idea.

Boris, it was a lovely dance

but the music has to stop.

- I'm going to kill you.
- What?

I mean, we're going
to pretend you're dead.

No, no, I'm still not with you.

I still haven't worked out
the details yet, but...

If we pretend you're dead,
I can whisk you back to the shop.

We'll have a fake funeral,
but you won't be in the coffin

because I'll fill that up with sand,
and before you can say Abiterlary,

you and I will be dancing on
a Princess ship headed for Tahiti.

- You're serious.
- I love you, Betty Rhys Jones.

And I suppose if I were dead,

Hugh would inherit my money.

- And then there's the insurance.
- Exactly. What? No, no.

- How can you claim it if you're dead?
- No, not for me, for Hugh.

If I thought he'd be all right after
I'm gone, I wouldn't feel so bad.

You're a good woman, Betty.

Would you care to sign
the funeral register?

Now I've seen it all.

I wouldn't bet on that.

Saying goodbye

We sure don't want to
But we're saying goodbye

One more star will be shining bright

Saying goodbye

Saying goodbye

Ladies and gentlemen, the song
stylings of Candace Pontefreece!

Saying goodbye

I sure don't want to
But I'm saying goodbye

One more star will be shining bright

Saying goodbye

Nobody cry

Saying goodbye

Saying goodbye from me

I don?t know. Seems like
there's something missing.

Don't tell me:

dancing fountains shooting out
of the casket or something?

Don't do that!
I'm beside myself already!

I've found a medical register.
Look at this.

- What is it?
- It's used in the treatment of that.

- I haven't got that!
- No, it has side effects.

It can lower the heartbeat
until it's barely perceptible.

Put someone into hibernation.

For when you're
in the c-o-f-f-i-n.

That's brilliant!

What if I snore?

I snore.
I know I snore.

You'll be perfect.

Hello, Mrs Rhys Jones.

I'd like to have this one, please.

Ah, another Fred & Ginger, is it?

Due back in a fortnight.

It is not just a couple of pills,
Boris, it is fraud!

- Who's going to know?
- I will!

We're not hurting anybody!

You're mad!
I mean, I've never heard such a...

I mean, pills from me,
fake funerals.

Who's going to supply
the death certificate?

Oh, no!

No. No. No.

But I need you to pronounce
her dead at the scene!

The only thing I'm going
to pronounce is the word "no"!

When you met your Sophie,
God rest her soul,

wouldn't you have done
anything to be with her?

- Absolutely.
- Well...

Well nothing! Sophie wasn't
married to a town Councillor

and I didn't have
to kill her to be with her!

Stanley, look at me.
I'm 48 years old.

You've known me for 45 of them.
When have you seen me like this?

I'm in love
for the first time ever.

If there's one ounce of romance
in your heart, please help me.

I may never find
anyone like this again.

All right.

All right,
I'll sign the death certificate.

I could be struck off for this!
But that's it! That is all I am doing!

Oh, my God!
There's something else!

Saturday at the Autumn Fair.
It's the perfect time.

I'm not having a heart attack
in the middle of the Autumn Fair!

- You're not having a heart attack.
- I'm not?

You're going over the edge
where the Morgan woman went.

What?

No, no!
I can't go over the edge, I can't!

I get vertigo
standing on the kerb!

Why can't I have a
brain tumour or something, or

a stroke? A nice sudden stroke.
I could live with that.

You have a stroke or heart attack,
people feel bound to help you.

If everyone sees you disappear over
the edge, we can keep them away

because you'll look such a mess.

But I thought the idea
was to pretend I'm dead.

The Autumn Fair's perfect.

There's a dance in the evening.

The dance floor's
right near the edge.

The whole town will be there.
No one'll suspect a thing.

Evening, Councillor.
Mrs Rhys Jones.

- Boris.
- Boris.

- It's a lovely evening for it.
- Aye, indeed it is.

Would you mind if I asked
Mrs Rhys Jones to dance?

Help yourself.

I'll ask you if you want to dance.

We'll show them
what we can really do.

Then, when everyone's watching,
that's when we do it.

That's when you have to trust me.

No!

- But you're fine.
- I'm fine?

- Of course.
- You throw me over the edge

- and I'm fine. How?
- There's a ledge.

When you fall, you fall onto the
ledge. It's about four feet down.

Because you scream, everybody thinks
you've fallen, but you haven't.

But I haven't.

And on the ledge
you'll find a rope.

OK, Betty. Come on, come on!

See, you can slide down
the 80 feet to the bottom.

The doctor will be down there.
He'll say he was out

walking his dog,
but he's waiting for you.

Wait a minute.

I slide down 80 feet?

We'll practice.
The Doc'll look after you.

He'll give you the pills,
squirt fake blood about,

pronounce you dead and in 10 minutes
I'll have you back at the shop.

There won't be
a soul in town not convinced

that poor Betty Rhys Jones
went over the edge.

Oh, Betty!

A quick funeral,
then it's off to Tahiti.

What if I can't manage the rope?
What if I miss the ledge?

Try to ignore that.
Trust me.

It'll work.

Hugh!

I'm a Spanish lady.

Right. Go ahead.

Dibbs. Hey. A word after.

I thought you would never get here.

I thought you were only
going to wear that in the caravan.

Thanks very much.

- Evening, Betty.
- Hello, Meredith.

- I'm Catwoman.
- Never.

Not many people would have
one of those in their wardrobe.

Pretty good, huh?

- Another winner!
- He's so cute.

- Can never have too many of these.
- You win again.

How about this?
Celebrity sendoffs.

We supply the celebrity

to read the eulogy
at your funeral?

It's good, huh?

Know any celebrities?

There was a woman who was on
at the rugby club at Christmas.

- I've got her number.
- Is she a celebrity?

- She's a stripper.
- Oh, that's all right.

Drink, Betty?
I've brought my own bottle.

- I wouldn't say no.
- Come, Hugh, this is for us girls.

- Go on, I'll have a drop.
- What about you, Betty?

- Put some in there!
- Oh, not for me.

- Just a splash.
- You don't like it.

- I do!
- You don't!

This is for us girls. Now, come on,
Betty, give us your glass.

- No, really.
- Just a drop to warm the cockles.

Thanks.

Well, if you don't want it,
I'll have it!

You don't like this, Councillor.
It's for Betty.

Bloody hell!

Hugh?

I just remembered. The last time
I had that, it didn't agree with me.

- Councillor. Mrs Rhys Jones.
- Boris.

- It's a lovely evening for it.
- What? Oh, yes.

Would you mind if I asked
Mrs Rhys Jones for a dance?

No, no, no, carry on.
Dance until you drop.

Well, come on, Betty!

I'm going to get a proper drink.

No!

Stand back! Somebody call
an ambulance! Get some help!

No, don't look down!

I'm fine.

- Quick, get the hearse!
- What?

- You cannot be serious, Frank!
- As serious as a heart attack!

- Yes, yes, I've seen her!
- Pull up! Pull up!

She's over there!

There you are.

No, don't. Stay back! Stay back.
She's not a pretty sight.

Betty!

Betty!

Councillor Rhys Jones,
may I have a word?

This is shocking.
It's so sudden.

My thoughts are with you,
you know that,

and I want you to know
I'd be so honoured

to arrange a fitting tribute
to Wrottin-Powys' first lady,

- taken in the prime of her life.
- Councillor Rhys Jones,

I, too, would deem it a great honour.
- I would be so honoured,

I would be willing to make all the
arrangements for half normal cost.

- I could do it for a quarter.
- Free! I would do it for free.

Councillor, I would be happy
to make a substantial donation

- to a charity of your choice.
- Hey!

- That's not fair.
- Says who?

Says me!

Boris, you have taken care of
our family's tragedies in the past

and for that, you have my deep
appreciation. But in all fairness,

I think I need to allow
Mr Featherhead, Featherbed here,

- It's all right.
- his opportunity in our town.

- Thank you.
- If I can be of any help, I...

When I first got
to Mrs Rhys Jones,

she lifted her head,
opened her eyes

and with her dying breath,
in her very last moments,

she whispered
her very last word to me,

and that word was

- Plots.
- Plots!

- Plots!
- What! You dirty rat! I'll kill you!

What are you doing?
This is not the time!

Councillor,

I don't know if it will
impact upon your decision.

Look, it's not worth it!

I thought you ought to know.

- Damn and blast!
- Just calm down!

Plots it is, then.

Oh, Betty.

Oh, Hugh!

Oh, Meredith.

The coast is clear.

Blue skies
Smiling at me

Nothing but blue skies
Do I see

Bluebirds

Quick!

- Don't answer it.
- I've got to answer it.

My hearse is in the driveway.
They'll know I'm here.

His hearse is in the driveway,
he must be here.

I'm telling you this is not
a good idea. It's too pushy!

Pushy, smooshy.
I got to make a deal with this guy.

The only way is to buy him out.

I just don't think
this is the right time, Frank.

- He's got a big rebuild job to do!
- That's why it's the perfect time.

Frank. Delbert.

- Boris.
- Boris.

I have to apologise for that stupid
scene at the bottom of the bluff.

Sometimes I get too emotional.

In any case, to make amends,

I thought that we should
come over and offer our help.

I told Delbert that a man
of your expertise

probably doesn't need our help,
but then I thought, hey, why not?

- I hope you don't mind.
- No, I don't mind, but

Boris, I specialised in accident
victims back home in Milwaukee.

Graduated from the Sheboygan
School of Morticians.

"Get to embalm a Pope
or a President". That's our motto.

Yes, Frank redid a woman's face
hit head-on at 90 miles an hour.

Did a total reconstruction
from five-year-old Polaroids.

Beautiful job he did. I mean, you
would've thought she died of asthma.

And since it is the Councillor's
wife and all that, I thought,

we thought,

if you need any help, we would be
more than willing to pitch in,

free of charge.
Wouldn't we, Delbert?

Yes, well,

let the embalming begin.

Well, that's very, very kind of you
to offer, but I think I can manage.

You wouldn't mind us taking
a look at the body, would you?

Just as professionals.

No, no. No, no, no,
you can't do that.

I mean, you can't because I've...

You see, I've already got her

in the special fluid.

Stops swelling and discolouration.

A secret passed on to me
from my father. Sorry.

Well, perhaps another time.

- Or maybe later.
- Good night.

Special fluid, he said.
Stops the swelling!

Delbert, don't insult
my intelligence.

What fluid? Brake fluid? You know,
if he makes a mess of this...

I'm saying, when he makes a mess of
this, the whole town will know it.

He'll never do another funeral.

I'll be able to buy
him out for a dollar.

I won't need to buy him out.
I'll be the only game in town.

Betty?

- Who was it?
- Frank Featherbed and Delbert.

- What did they want?
- They wanted to see your body.

- What do you mean?
- Your dead body.

Boris, I will be able
to breathe in here, won't I?

Oh, you won't be in here. No, I'll
get you out before I put the lid on.

But I'll bore some holes,
just in case.

Just in case what?

Well, you know.

Be prepared.

Boris, you have
thought this through?

I'm not going to be
buried alive or anything?

Betty, don't be ridiculous.

We just have this bit
to get through, then we'll be fine.

Hugh'll take a look at you,
he'll say it's you, leave the room...

Fred, breakfast! There. You pop out,
I put the coffin lid back on

- and we're home free. Get in.
- What do you mean? Get in?

Whenever a loved one
comes to identify the body,

they always, always, mind you,
touch the person in the coffin.

- Boris, I'll freeze to death!
- Death is cold, Betty.

No one knows that
better than me. Get in.

It's freezing!

Why couldn't I fall in love
with a travel agent?

It won't be for long. I'll come and
get you as soon as Hugh shows up.

You're beautiful.

Comfy?

He's here!
He's here!

I'm going to crack.

Be careful, Boris.

I'm frozen stiff!

It's all right, love,
I'll thaw you out.

I can't move!

- Councillor Rhys Jones, do come in.
- Thank you, Boris.

May I say you have our deepest
condolences at this time?

Perhaps a few moments to say
goodbye before we close the coffin.

She was so young.

I loved her so much.

I don't know how I will go on.

She's so beautiful.
So serene.

So...

Is that a frozen pea?

Residue from the fluids we use.

It's almost like she was alive,
and after such an accident.

- You've done an amazing job, Boris.
- Thank you.

She's so delicate and cold.

- Death is cold, isn't it?
- It certainly is.

- Now we can close the coffin.
- No, wait.

I've had an idea.
You've done such a wonderful job.

I want the world to see how
beautiful she is. I mean, was.

I want an open coffin ceremony.

It's just a little gas
settling in the body.

Open coffin?

After such an accident,
Councillor, is that in good taste?

I don't care! Beauty needs
to be seen to be appreciated.

Are you sure that's what Betty,
Mrs Rhys Jones, would have wanted?

That's the best
I've seen her look in 17 years.

Thank you, Boris.

He's gone!

Oh, no, no, no, Boris!
What are we going to do?

- Give me the pills, quick!
- What pills?

What pills?
The pills to knock me out!

- I don't have them.
- What do you mean?

I don't have them!
I didn't think I'd need them!

It was going to be closed! I didn't
know I'd do such a wonderful job!

Wonderful job?
I'm alive, Boris, I'm not dead!

We can do this, Betty.
We can do this!

I'll be standing nearby, and I'll
intervene if anything goes wrong!

You'll just have to concentrate.

We can do this.
We can do this.

Start praying.

Look, just leave it to me, Frank,
otherwise sit in the back!

- There's space up top.
- I'll just slip it in here, I think.

Oh, yes!

My goodness!
Delbert, come here.

Who's the fox?

- Meredith.
- Think I'm in love.

- She got a boyfriend?
- I think she has many.

- She's my type.
- She's everybody's type, actually.

You were right,
it's a good turnout.

You saw what she looked like,
covered with blood and lacerations.

He's not up to the job,
he's just not.

Now, don't laugh or anything
when we get up there, will you?

I'll be good, I promise.
No matter how ridiculous she looks.

Oh, my gosh.

Oh, my gosh.

Well, now I'm depressed.

It's quite a job.

That's really something.

- I mean, that's really something.
- I heard you. I heard you.

Unbelievable.
How did he do that?

I've never seen anyone look
more alive. She's like a model.

- It's got to be the makeup.
- Steady, Frank.

- Oh, Boris.
- No trade secrets.

Come on, a little touch.

Come on, we're all
professionals here!

I don't want you
to leave any smudges!

The face has such a glow.

- Did you use a collagen spray?
- No.

Clear varnish?

Mr Sheen?

Come on, Frank!

Boris isn't going
to give away his fluids!

- Lovely job.
- Thank you.

Bye, Betty.

- That's the worst over.
- How many more are there?

Hard to say.
Hugh's got to come up yet.

He may take a little time.

Boris, I've got an itch under
my chin. It's driving me mad!

Up a bit, up, up.

Down a bit, down, down.

I thought I saw a wasp.

Betty!

Sweet Betty! I am so sorry!

I never meant to have an affair
with Hugh, it just happened.

From the very first day I gave him
a blowjob under his desk,

I knew it was wrong!

I should never have gone with him to
Aberystwith and all those places

when he told you
he was going on conventions.

But he's an animal,
Betty, an animal.

And I did love that dominatrix
thing for a while.

But only for a while,
Betty, honest.

And I never really meant
to poison you with the vodka.

I'm so glad that didn't work. I'm
glad you fell off the cliff instead.

Well, you know
what I mean, Betty.

Will you ever be able
to forgive me, Betty?

Please forgive me!

- Did you hear that? Did you?
- Not now, Betty.

- It's nearly over.
- It's not over. It's not over

- till the dead lady sings!
- Settle down.

Here comes Hugh.

I'll tap the coffin
when you can breathe.

Betty. Dear, dear

sweet, innocent,

stupid Betty.

It couldn't have
worked out any better.

Smell that, Betty. Onion.

Great for tears.

Oh, Betty!

My poor sweet Betty!

All that money of yours
and only me to spend it.

Unbelievable!

How will I live?

Maybe in Vegas,
Caesar's Palace.

Oh, love!

You were so young.

But not as young as all those
showgirls I'm going to boff.

Betty!

Lilies.

Well, Betty, it's been a nice ride.
Too bad you got derailed.

Ciao.

Bastard!

My granddad brought me to see you.
He's waiting in the car.

I just wanted to tell you
that you're a very pretty lady

and I'm going
to miss you very much.

You were always nice to me.

When you see my mother in Heaven,
will you say hello to her?

I know she will like you.

I told her about you
in my prayers all the time.

I brought you some flowers.

I know they're actually weeds, but
you and I see them as flowers, right?

This rose, this rose is
the first one that has come.

It's so beautiful. See?

Got to go now.

Heaven must be a great place
with people like you there.

Goodbye, Mrs Rhys Jones.

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm... Betty sneezed,
I'm covering.

Keep sneezing,
I got to talk to Hugh.

Would you like to proceed
with the service?

- Reverend Price is ready.
- Whatever you say.

Coast is clear.

Did you hear that? Did you hear
what that bastard said?

This is not the time! It's the only
chance I got to get you out! Quick!

I just wanted
one last look at my love.

Rigor mortis.

I wanted to be here
when you close the coffin.

All done?

All done.

Dearly beloved,

we have come together today

to commend to the loving care
of Almighty God,

the soul of our dear
departed friend Betty...

It's OK, Terry,
you go with the boys.

- All right, Boris.
- I'll be fine.

Betty, can you hear me?

Boris, get me out of here!

Betty, love, I can't!
There's no room for the lid!

There's no clearance, see?
It's too low! But we'll get you out!

Boris, did I tell you?

I don't know if
I mentioned it earlier

but I'm claustrophobic.

Help! Help!

Betty, settle down! Settle down,
we're over the worst now!

Over the worst?

I'm about to be buried alive
and you say we're over the worst!

I don't know, call me daft,
but I don't think so!

Just take a deep breath,
Betty, breathe deep.

It's a good job
I bored those holes, eh?

Be patient, my love!

Think of Fred and Ginger!

Help!

...and so it is,
ashes to ashes,

dust to dust,

in sure and certain hope
of the Resurrection

and the life of the world to come.
- Goodbye, Betty.

In the name
of the Father, the Son...

- I can't hang around.
- Amen.

- Betty, can you hear me?
- Yes, I can hear you!

We're nearly home free.

No! No, no, it's all right!

You don't have to do that.
We can fill her in later.

I got to plant her
before I clock off!

No, no, you can't do this!
You can't do this!

Stop! Stop!

- Why can't he?
- Why can't he?

Because...

Because of her religious beliefs.

This person
was a non-mechanical Baptist.

- Non-mechanical Baptist?
- That's right.

They're a small group from Aberdare
who moved away and converted.

This person has to be
buried in shovelled earth!

- Shovelled earth?
- Nothing motorised!

Hey, Dai!

Non-mechanical Baptist!
Get the shovels!

All right then, Gareth!

Betty! Betty, it's me!

It's me!

Come on, love!
Get up!

- I'm thinking.
- No, this isn't the time to think.

- This is the time to resurrect!
- No, funny things happen

when you hear yourself being buried,
Boris. D'you know what I mean?

- Oh, Betty, this isn't the time!
- You start to reflect.

Reflect with a capital 'R'. Oh,
I've been so stupid, so very naive.

- I've got to change some things.
- Fine! Great!

Can we reflect at the shop? I don't
fancy the view from here. Come out!

All right.

- I'll give you a leg-up.
- Do it, please.

- Give me your leg.
- Quick! Quick!

Watch your hands, Boris.

Lift. Come on.

There.

Go! Go! Go!

So you were running away to start
a new life in some distant paradise?

And you got away with it?

I'll tell you this, Delbert: I never
could've done what Boris did today.

I can't believe
some local yokel showed me up.

Come on, Frank.

Before you know it, a dead body will
come strolling through that door

and you'll be
your old self again, man.

What if there is
some kind of trade secret?

That special fluid that stops
the swelling and discolouration?

I got to go over there and find it!

That's what I like to hear, man!

That's it, that's the spirit!
Not now, right?

Get the flashlight.

What do you mean, you're not going?
I've bought the tickets.

How can I go after what I've heard?
How could he do that to me?

- And that trollop!
- Betty, it's too late.

All those lies!
And he's got the insurance money!

- Betty.
- He can't get away with it!

There's only so much a dead person
can do. You'll scare him to death?

- Be careful.
- If you'd just leave me to drive.

If you drove on the right side
of the street you'd be OK.

Off we go.

- Frank! Frank! Come on, look!
- Come on, Delbert!

This is wrong, man. Creeping around
in the middle of the night?

- Let's go home, sleep on it.
- Come on.

And then in the morning, with
a clear head, after deep thought,

we'll break in
and ransack the place!

Shut your hole.
Now keep it really quiet.

Come on, Boris,
where's your sense of adventure?

Halfway to Tahiti!

Why don't you just call the cops?

Shall we call the police?

Watch out, you're killing me!

We can't call the police!
I've got an undead dead person here.

- Get on the slab.
- What?

I don't want to.

Once you're in, unlock the door.

- Now, whatever happens, don't move.
- Oh, I don't like it on here!

I'm in!

Delbert, don't worry,
the door's not locked.

You kiss pretty good for a corpse.

- Oh, Boris, you haven't...?
- No! Lie down.

- I'm just a little apprehensive.
- What do you think,

we're going to run into dead bodies or
something? We'll just snoop around.

What are you doing

with the lights out?

Frank, I love her.

- But she's...
- No, it's not what you...

It's not like that!

That's not right!
I mean, that's not right!

- You don't understand!
- I do understand.

- I know this goes on.
- Frank, I can explain.

Oh, it's not what you think!

- But she's...
- It's not...

- Delbert!
- I thought...

- We never meant to...
- But we thought you were...

- What...?
- This is all so...

Wait, wait. Stop!
Someone, finish a sentence!

- I can explain.
- That's a start.

Well, you see, Boris and I have
fallen in love, and the only way,

the only way we can be together
is if my husband thinks I'm dead.

So we staged her death.
And then we were going to go...

Wait, why am I explaining all this?
What are you doing in my house?

- Frank?
- Yes, Frank, explain that!

Well,
I was just so damn jealous.

You did such a good job,
I had to know how you did it.

But I got you now.
Once everybody knows about this,

you'll never do another funeral.
I'll be the only game in town.

- Come on, Delbert.
- Wait, Frank!

Can't we cut a deal here?

I sell you the business cheap.
You never see us again. How's that?

Why should I?
I got you already.

But I could still
sell to someone else.

So either you'll have both
or you'll still have competition.

Fifty percent of market value.

- Thirty.
- Forty.

Deal.

Wait a minute.
I'm not going anywhere.

I'm not leaving until Hugh and
Meredith get what they deserve!

- It's a long story.
- Actually, Frank,

you might have one
or two items I could borrow.

Big.

Very big ladder.

- Go.
- Go.

- What?
- Come on!

Trollop. Ready?

- Check.
- Check.

I blame love.
Love can drive a man bonkers.

- Delbert, say check.
- Check.

Ladies and gentlemen,
it's showtime.

One thing we've learnt today is
"play with fire and you get burnt".

But beware, revenge
can quickly cool things off.

It's really chilly
in this house tonight.

Look, I don't know if
we should be doing this, Hugh.

My tarot was really
funny this week, and

- Betty's barely cold.
- Come here!

I'll take away your fears.

Hugh?

- Hugh?
- Hugh.

Hugh.

Rhys Jones.

I don't like this, Hugh.

Kids! It's coming
from out there somewhere.

The spirits are awakening.

- Hugh.
- I'm going out there.

- They have come.
- Don't leave me alone!

Stay there!

Who's there?
What's going on?

Oi! Who's there?

What's all this smoke?

Is that you, Hugh?

Your wife is coming for you.

Why, Meredith? Why?

Betty, is that you?
Please, wait, just let's talk!

Nothing to talk about, Meredith.
You wanted me dead.

- I'm dead.
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Please forgive me!
Forgive me, I've been a bad girl!

A very, very bad girl!

You are damned,
Meredith Mainwaring,

damned for all time.

You will burn in eternal hell!

Not eternal hell!

I sunburn really easily!

And who the hell are you?

I will haunt you every night

unless...

Unless what?
Please, tell me!

I'll do anything, anything!

Unless you follow
my instructions

that are written in blood!

Follow them and you will be saved!

Keep away from me!

Meredith!

Meredith!

Hello, Hugh.

Betty? But you're dead!

You've grown twigs in your head.

You can't be a ghost!
I don't believe in ghosts!

I do believe in ghosts!
I do! I do! I do!

I come from a world
of a wrathful god.

Betty, I think you're taking
this all much too seriously.

- You must atone for your sins.
- Sins? What sins?

The lies, the adultery,
the embezzlement.

Oh, those sins.

Atone!

How do I know you got any power?

Just checking! Just checking!
I'll atone! I'll atone! I'll atone!

Now leave my house.

- But where would I go?
- Try the Holiday Inn!

I'm going! I'm going! I'm going!

I'm gone!

Oh, the keys, the keys,
the keys! Please!

Goodbye.

Betty, I got to hand it to you.
You got style.

Right. One more stop
and it's off to Bali.

- Bali? No, No, Tahiti.
- Whatever.

Willie?

Willie?

You're so beautiful.

Willie, everything's
going to be all right.

- Have you been to Heaven already?
- I have, Willie.

Did you see my mam?

She's so proud of you.

She told me to tell you
that she loves you very much.

And she'll always watch over you.

Say hello to her for me.
Tell her I pray for her every night.

And she hears you.
She told me so.

Got to go now.

Goodbye, Willie.

And brush your teeth,

be good to your Granddad

and never forget
what you've told me,

that every weed can be a flower

and it's never too late
for anything, ever.

Bye, Willie

and always remember
that your Mother's voice

is in the wind.

We're here to read the last will and
testament of Mrs Betty Rhys Jones.

Now. "I, Betty Rhys Jones,

being of sound mind and body,

do hereby bequeath all
my worldly possessions to one

William Goodman. "

- What?!
- "I bequeath a monthly stipend

of 500 pounds to my husband
Hugh Rhys Jones,

providing that he follows
the following conditions. "

What? What bloody conditions?

- Give that here!
- Now, Hugh.

Jerry! Jerry!
Jerry! Jerry!

Ladies and gentlemen,
would you please welcome

the eighth wonder of the world,
Jerry Springer!

Thank you.
Hey, welcome to the show!

Today we're talking
to haunted mistresses

from Wrottin-Powys in Wales.

Please welcome Meredith!

What?

Meredith, welcome to the show.

You were having an affair with, says
here, Councillor Hugh Rhys Jones.

- Is that right?
- Yes, that's right.

And this began before

or after his wife's tragic death
in the accident?

Well, it was while
she was still alive.

I think we have a picture of the
Councillor. Now, can we put that up?

Wow, that's the kind of guy who sets
pulses racing in Wales. That true?

Mr Irresistible, right? Yeah.

Now, Councillor Rhys Jones
is not aware

that you're on the show, right?
- That's right.

- I wasn't allowed to tell him.
- Why not?

Betty, his wife, she forbade me.

Let me get this straight.
You're saying his wife's ghost

wouldn't allow you to tell him?
- Yes, that's right.

I'm not going to ask you why you
have a video camera in your bedroom

but we have a tape of that.
And can we roll the tape now?

To go to such elaborate lengths
for love, it... I guess it's style.

It just goes to prove,
it's never too late.

Till next time, take care
of yourself and each other.