Flambards (1979–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - The Cold Light of Day - full transcript

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Christina,

We're here.

Where?

London.

Do you think we made
the right decision?

Yes, Christina.

Go on.

Hello, Aunt Grace.

Christina?

This is William.



William?

William Russell?

I...I'm very pleased to
meet you, Aunt Grace.

Do you always do your visiting
at this hour of the morning?

You'd better come in.

Go through to the back, Christina.

Well, take off your coats.

How's your father, William?

Well,

Well,

Actually, we've...we've eloped,

You motored all the way up from
Flambards in the middle of the night?

Well, no, we came straight from the
Hunt Ball. We didn't go back to Flambards.

What about your clothes, Christina?



I uh...

I didn't think about that.

You can't go around Battersea in your
ball gown. People would think it most odd.

And there's another thing: How must
your Uncle Russell be feeling?

He gives you a home for two years,
and then what do you do but...

Go off with one of his sons?

Well, she could hardly
go off with both of us.

Sorry.

So what do you want to do, Christina?

Get a job, I suppose.

And you, William?

I trust you have a clear idea.

Oh, yes.

I want to fly.

But how do you intend
to earn your living, dear?

By flying.

I thought you'd like to be
back in your own room.

You do like William, don't you?

Of course.

You would hardly realise he was a Russell.

I suppose he means it

About the flying.

Oh, yes.

Still, when he's had to face a
few of the realities of life he'll...

It's good to have you back, my dear.

Do you mind my being just a
little bit inquisitive, William?

Is there any use my saying yes?

How much money have you got?

Two guineas.

You won't be able to buy a very
big house with that, will you?

I'm not after Christina's money,
if that's what you're thinking.

No,

I don't believe you are.

And what do you think you can do
for us at Farmborough and Stove?

Um, Russell?

Yes.

Well, it depends what you want.

Well, I can fly planes, mend planes,
design planes.

Hmm.

Do you have an Aero Club Ticket?

No.

Then I'm afraid there's really
not much we can do for you.

Sorry.

I...I've got a reference...

I'm afraid the aero...

...from Mr. Dermot

And who is Mr. Dermot?

Only the most brilliant
aircraft designer in Essex.

Really?

I didn't ever were any...

...in Essex.

Gone to Farmborough?

Yes, he wanted to be
there in plenty of time.

But I wanted to go with him.

Oh, you'd only be in the way.

Now, how do you think
this will suit you?

Hm?

Beautiful.

Most ingenious.

Yes,

I like them very much.

When do I start?

As soon as you've built one of your
aeroplanes and shown us that it works.

How can I do that?

Well, you're the designer.

How can I afford to if I'm
not earning any money?

Mr Russell...I've got drawings, too.

Thank you.

What happened to your
leg, Mr. Russell?

Did William say when he'd be back?

Yes.

He did.

Well?

When he's got a job.

Do you fancy going up
for a spin later?

See what we
can do about it.

Mr. Adams, I was wondering...

We don't want another mechanic.

You need one.

Have you tried
Farnborough or Brooklyn's?

All of them.

That's what I thought.

But, we don't want you either.

Just meals...what
have you got to lose?

Sorry, son.

It's hard enough making ends meet
as it is. Oh, good afternoon, madam.

Yes, sir...and...which one of
you who want to learn to fly?

Well, of course, we're extremely
busy, as you can see,

but I'm sure we'll be able to
fit you in. This way, if you please.

Not now, later.

And when you finish that, Christina,

you might help me with those
lace insertions for Mrs. Ashley.

I thought you said you wanted a job, dear.

I do want a job.

Well, then?

I came down here to be with William,
and he's been gone three weeks.

You must be patient, dear.

William has chosen a very difficult path.

I'm sure he's only trying
to make the right decision.

After all, as he said in his letter,

he's been very lucky to
have had so many chances.

I wonder?

Pardon?

Nothing.

If you feel you need
a little rest from that,

why don't you go and write
to your Uncle Russell?

What on earth for?

Well, for one thing, he doesn't know
whether you're alive or dead.

And for another, he does
have all your clothes.

Right clotch?

Fine.

The side to side one?

Yes, we're fine.

That's good.

Right, George.

Ah.

Gosh

Come on...Switch on.

All right?

Yes.

Bring it back in one piece.

I will.

I think I deserve a medal.

What for?

Services to romance.

First person to kiss a girl at 500 ft.

Hello, Annie

Still nothing?

No.

Tell you what I'll do.

I'll see if I can crash the Blackburn
and then you can have my job.

If you crashed the Blackburn,
there wouldn't be a job.

I try to be helpful, and all
you do is make problems.

Oh, no.

Percy's got another customer.

Uh, Mr. Hardcastle?

Please?

No peace for wicked.

How about a poisoned thumb?

What?

Instead of a crash...why don't you
pretend to have a poisoned thumb?

Terribly unromantic.

If you really want to help...

Anyone can make a mistake.

I can't afford to make mistakes.

It isn't as if you're even
engaged to the wretched boy.

We are engaged.

Hm?

Almost.

If you're so worried about him,

why don't you do something about it?

How did you find me?

Easy.

I asked at the gate for
the lunatic with a limp.

What happened to all those
jobs you were offered?

Uh, that's a Demoiselle...

I suppose that's an improvement on Emma?

Where did you park the car?

Uh, Joe came and took it away.

And that's a Blackburn.

William, where are you living?

In a barn.

And that's Dorothy.

She's Sandy's.

Dorothy.

And is she married to Sandy?

Or did Sandy win her in a raffle?

You know what I mean.

It's a bit like that round here.

I see.

I say...

I suppose you're going
to tell me that's Sandy.

Oh, no, that's Freddie, actually.

Look, if you came back tomorrow,
we could spend a bit more time together.

I didn't know I was going, yet.

I've got to go and
see about a job.

Then I'll wait.

And when you're finished, we can
have a cup of tea together.

It's nice to see you again.

Will.

What?

I'm hungry.

Oh, thank you, Annie.

It's all right, I'll
pay my share.

No, you won't.

Uh, could you pay both shares, please?

Is it as bad as that?

Temporary setback.

Hello.

Oh, Sandy...

The climbing rate of 800 per minute,
the top speed of 80

and a stalling speed of 45.

We'd have no problems...

If you if you don't mind, old chap,

But Dorothy and I have got a spot
of work to finish. All right?

Of course, yes, well,

Cheerio.

Bye, Freddie.

Hello.

What does he mean?

"Dorothy and I have
got work to finish?"

He's teaching
her to fly, of course.

Doesn't she mind?

Mind? No, she pays him.

But I'll teach you for nothing.

Thanks.

You always do that when
you're enjoying yourself?

Sorry.

It's not personal. It's just, um...

I'm rather glad there's no
one else to take up today.

You do make a girl feel wanted.

I shan't yawn any anymore,
I promise you.

Excuse me, Mr. Hardcastle.

Mr. Adams said will you take
the Blackburn up before you knock off

just to see that it's all
right for the morning?

Oh, no.

What on earth is
wrong with it, then?

I can't find anything.

It's running a bit half-hearted,
that's all.

I thought you might be able to tell
if you took it up for a trial.

All right, then

I'll get it ready.

Look, I'm...I'm awfully sorry, Dorothy.

Oh, don't worry.

I'm sure I shall manage
to amuse myself somehow.

What about a poisoned thumb?

Pardon?

Poisoned thumb.

Yes.

Yes, it's, uh...It's rather bad.

Too bad for flying, I'd say.

You might be right.

Thumb?

Hang on.

I think you better put these on.

Then if Percy looks out of his window,

He'll think it's me.

But, Sandy, you haven't
got a poisoned thumb.

And if it's you or the machine, remember,

It's my job at stake.

Seriously, though,

If she misses a note, get the
nose down right away.

I have flown before, you know.

Ready, sir?

Are you gonna manage with that leg, Sir?

I've never had any trouble with it before.

You haven't flown one of these
things before, Sir?

Don't worry.

Contact

Still on.

Please make it go right

Do you know anything about this?

Well, yeah, but...

Then you're fired.

But...

Come on.

Come on.

Over the hedge and under the wire.

Nobody's ever done that before.

Any time.

William?

Yes, Christina.

Nothing.

What was wrong?

That's dirt, basically, hasn't been
overhauled for months.

Needs new piston rings for a start.

Do you, uh, think you can
get it back by tonight?

Have you got a spanner?

Spanner?

Have you got a spanner?

Sorry, no spanners.

Will you be needing us
any more, do you think?

No, you keep the car.

That was very nice of Sandy
to let you borrow his car.

Hmm.

Especially as I'm taking
Freddie out in it tonight.

You should learn to drive.

Yes, perhaps I should.

What the hell is all this about?

Billy has just
seen to your engine.

You could have killed someone.

Poppycock.

It's your funeral.

Mine, actually.

And I shan't be going up in it again
until it's been properly looked over.

And not by that
nincompoop of a mechanic.

Ah, er, he's gone.

When his heart wasn't in it, you see.
He prefers motor cars.

You need a mechanic?

Meals only, is it?

Yes.

His rate's gone up since then.
30 shillings a week, didn't you say?

Ridiculous...I only paid
the last one 25 Bob.

Bill is at least 10
Bob better than him,

so I think you've got a bargain.

I want...want...I want it perfect
by tomorrow morning.

Alright.

Yes.

That's fine.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, young man.

Excuse me. Can you tell me where
I can find Miss Christina Parsons?

Christina.

I thought Sandy was bad enough.

At least he doesn't treat me
like an unpaid mechanic.

If the aeroplanes aren't ship shape

and in perfect working order,
William can't fly.

Latest orders from Mr. Adams.

And where is the Lord and Master?

Guess.

Your trouble is you
take it all too seriously.

What?

Men.

Do you really think so?

A cup of tea?

The problem is,

William actually thinks I like
playing around all day with aeroplanes.

because he does

A familiar failing in this
part of the world.

Funny thing is, you never struck me
as the sort of who liked being trodden on.

Don't pull that down there.

That...

is going to make us our fortune.

I don't know how he finds the time.

It's all he does find time for.

Christina?

Father has a job going...at his hotel.

If you want to be
really independent...

And near William.

Now, who is Dorothy again?

She's the girl I met at the airfield.

Not the one who has a different
young man in tow every day?

No.

No, not that one.

It is rather expensive.

Oh, dear.

No, that's good, Christina.

I certainly wouldn't have you
working at a cheap establishment.

Mrs. Marchant?

I've heard so much about
you. I feel I know you already.

All of it favourable, I hope?

Oh, of course.

Won't you sit down?

Father won't be a moment.

Bill's made such a wonderful
difference at the airfield, you know.

Bill?

William.

Oh, yes.

Quite a genius with a spanner.

Tell me, Miss Saunders,
do you fly?

Oh, yes.

How nice.

All the time.

Really?

All the time?

Oh, yes.

You should try it.

Oh, here's father.

What a charming girl.

She has good dresses.

Mrs. Marchant

How do you do?

Can you use a typewriting
machine, Miss Parsons?

No, but I can learn.

Could you give me a sample
of your handwriting?

Of course, Christina isn't
one of your ordinary common or

garden domestic servants,
Mr Saunders.

I'm not offering her an
ordinary common or

garden domestic servants job,
Mrs. Marchant.

Oh.

Thank you.

But I'm afraid she'll have to
fill in just for a few weeks.

Fill in?

As a waitress, probably.

I don't mind...honestly.

I'd like to be a waitress.

Just till our
receptionist leaves.

Christina has never lived with
strangers before, Mr. Saunders.

Mrs. Carter looks after
all the girls like a mother.

If you'd like to meet her?

That would be most kind.

I'll ask Dorothy to show
you to your room.

Was my handwriting all right?

Terrible.

But I'm sure your typewriting
will be much better.

Well, how does it feel being
footloose and fancy free?

I seem to have lived in an awful lot
of bedrooms over the years.

Let's hope you stay in this one
for a good long time, then.

At least till Prince Charming
flies you off into the horizon.

Hmm...

That will be a long time.

Look...look, Christina.

Pull back.

Yes...yes.

Good one.

You're doing well, Christina.

Don't panic...don't panic.

Christina,

Take your feet off the rudder bar.

Thank you.

That wasn't so bad, was it?

Pretty good, is she?

Well, a while to go before
she can cross the channel.

Oh, come on, Christina.

Or we'll leave you here all night.

Did you...enjoy it?

Yes, great fun.

Ah, promise not to tell anyone.

Well, did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Oh, sorry, I spoke.

I just wish everyone
wouldn't keep asking me that.

Sandy?

Yes?

Come on.

Yes, uh, well,
we better be off.

Have to grab her when she's free,
if you know what I mean.

William?

Hm-hm?

Nothing.

We-oh.

Don't break the wires.

William?

What?

I thought that now that I've done
what you wanted me to do...flying that...

...flying that thing.

I thought you wanted to?

You said you wanted to...

Only because Dorothy....

Dorothy what?

Never mind.

No, no, no, no, no,
no. Dorothy what?

Everyone thinks she's so
clever flying aeroplanes.

Nonsense. You could be a much
better pilot than Dorothy.

Couldn't you take
just a few hours off?

Sorry. I've got to go and check
this over before Adams gets back.

He's been breathing down
my neck all week.

Are you a bit windblown?

Here.

Even Sandy gets the
occasional afternoon off.

Sandy earns twice as much
as me and hasn't got a bad leg.

What's that got to do with it?

Everything.

Look, I'm going to build my
own machine, Christina,

that's what I'm here for.

But I need money.

And the only way I know of
getting money is by working.

You're never going to save enough
money to build your own machine.

Oh, well, then I might as well
pack up and go home.

Look, I can fly the Blackburn, all right,
but I can hardly fly the Bleriot at all.

Let me take it up.

I'm a very good instructor.

Why not?

You could fly Emma.

The school's machines aren't
adapted for cripples.

Why not approach the
problem in another way?

What other way?

See if they can put your leg right.

Oh, Doctor Porter said...

Doctor Porter isn't the
only doctor in the world.

Anyway, things have changed since then.

If it is possible, I could help pay for it.

You?

I earned a pound a week.

Well, say it cost £100.

And you managed to save a shilling a week.

That would be £2 10 per year.

That'll take 40 years.

Oh, well,

we could retire on it anyway.

It wouldn't cost £100.

Would it?

More coffee, Sir?

No.

Did you enjoy your breakfast, Mr Howard?

Mm.

Good.

A-huh.

The kippers...

They were delicious.

I'm so glad

Ah...Oh

Thank you, my dear.

I'm sure Father wouldn't approve.

I'd have been here till lunchtime
with him, otherwise.

What's that?

One penny.

The Save William Russell campaign?

Every little helps.

I've had a word with my uncle.

Oh, your Harley Street uncle.
What did he say?

He said...

Next Wednesday

He will tell me the truth?

I should hope so. With the
amount he charges.

Oh, a fortnight's wages.

Could have bought
half a propeller with that.

Make a day of it so you can drive us
and we'll take a picnic.

And I'll drag my leg along.

What about Mr. Adams?

He wouldn't be
much fun, would he?

What if he says no?

He won't.

He knows I'm more valuable
without a limp than with a limp.

It doesn't encourage the customers:
A battle scarred instructor.

Oh!

Just for that, I'll buy you all
another cup of tea.

One between us?

One each!

Ah!

There, I always said you were clever.

Aren't you?

He's given Bill the day off,

But not you?

Well, business is very bad
at the moment.

I'll go and help Bill with the tea.

Oh well

Just have to
make the best of it.

You're not still
going without Sandy?

I'm not missing a day in town for anyone.

Christina?

Mr. Dermot.

Hello.

Whatcha doing here?

I came to have a word with William.

Oh

It's good to see you. (together)

I left Joe outside
guarding the car.

I'll tell William you're here.

Fine.

Oh, um,

Mr. Dermot, this is Dorothy.
Mr. Dermitt taught William how to fly.

There's a slight exaggeration.

Let's say I showed him what
all the bits were for.

Well, you've certainly made
a good job of it.

Thank you.

William hasn't been
working too hard, I hope.

Much too hard.

Yes...I knew he would.

William.

Sorry...Mr. Dermot!

Hello.

What are you doing here?

It puts poor little Emma
in her place, doesn't it?

I'd swap her for Emma any day,

Would you, really?

Yes.

I told you we've been rebuilding
Emma, haven't I?

Modifying her tail plane...
Pretty drastic operation.

Ah, it was.

But, uh, we finished at last.

Good.

I wondered if you'd like to give
her a test flight, William?

Of course, I quite understand,
if you are too busy.

Like to?

I'd have something to say
if you asked anyone else.

Oh, dear.

I'll admit you weren't my
first choice, but, uh,

until they get stronger glasses,

I thought I better not.

When?

Wednesday.

No, I can't.

Oh

Oh well.

Yes, I can.

I'm not having you getting
the sack on my account, William.

Oh, it's nothing. I'm having my leg
examined. It's a complete waste of time.

Then I certainly can't allow it.

But I really...

No, William.

We'll arrange another time.

Next time I get a day off?

Yes.

Good.

I thought you might
like a cup of tea.

Thank you, Miss.

Next time let Mr. Dermott
look after the car.

William and I had important
business to discuss, hadn't we, Joe?

Good bye, Christina.

Good bye.

Good luck with the leg.

Thank you.

Get in there.

Ready?

Yes.

On.

All right.

Do you know it's Derby Day?

Do I know it's Derby Day?

I'll have you know, I've got
six pence on the favourite.

Six Pence?

Sandy put it on for me.

William doesn't like horses.

Who is this devilishly
attractive young man?

You never dress up for me.

I don't have to impress you.

Aren't you coming?

Why?

I thought that's why we came.

Well, I came up for the shops.

You go with Dorothy.

No.

It's not your leg.

Come on.

Good.

Evening News....Evening News

Get your paper?

Uh, News, please.

Thank you.

Get you paper.

Here you are, Sir.

Evening paper?

What time would you
say we're meeting Bill?

I've forgotten all about it.

Do you know...

Four is perfect.

Have you heard of Emily Davison?

Emily who?

The suffragette?

She's thrown herself in front
of the King's horse.

What did...

She died, of course.

But the horse was all right.

Well, can he do anything?

Oh, yes.

He can?

William, that's wonderful.

I'm sorry we were late...

The only trouble is it'll cost
300 guineas, so I might as well forget it.

Hello?

Hello.

Um, could I have a full tank, please?

I'll help you

Thank you.

Right.

If it wouldn't be too tactless to ask,

who won the Derby?

I'll have a look.

Ah...

Craigenall came first.

Craigenall?

Well, that's the favourite, isn't it?

That means I've won.

But he was disqualified.

He what?

For bumping and jostling, it says.

Oh, that beats everything.

The one time I picked the winner,
he turns out to be a cheat.

Oh, I told Sandy not to pick the favourite.

Oh, I think I'll stick to
aeroplanes in future.

Honestly,

William.

William.

Yes, in a minute.

What?

Mr Dermot's been killed flying Emma.

If I'd have gone,
he'd still be alive.

But you couldn't.

Somehow your leg doesn't
seem so important now.

That's where you're wrong.

It matters all the more.

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