Malory Towers (2020–…): Season 2, Episode 8 - The Measles - full transcript

"End of Act One."

KNOCK AT DOOR

Come in.

Why aren't you at breakfast?

Well, look! It won't stop itching.

It must have been that stage
make-up I used for the play.

I can't possibly go to breakfast
looking like this.

Do you have a fever at all?

I have felt a little flushed,

but that's just because I've been
racing around nonstop.

Isn't there some kind of lotion
you can give me?



Oh, it's far too late for that,
I'm afraid.

What do you mean? Well, according to
your health certificate,

you have never had the measles.
Oh, do you mean to say that...?

Yes, I'm afraid it's straight
to bed for you, young lady.

The last thing I need is another
outbreak on my hands.

Sorry to bother you, Matron.

Oh, Mr Parker! It's just,
I'm running a slight fever.

Hello, Georgina.

I'm sorry, I...

I just wanted to say...

..about the play...

..that thought it was very good.
DOOR OPENS

Shouldn't you be in the sanatorium?

Georgina's not well.
Matron sent me back to class.



Goodness!

What on earth could be wrong?

Um, Matron said something
about spots. Might be measles.

Oh, it'll be acne.

I've heard it can leave terrible
scars. I must go and see her.

You can't.
Matron said no girls are to enter

under any circumstances. Oh, bother!

I've only gone and forgotten
my Latin prep.

You go ahead.

FOOTSTEPS RECEDE

DOOR CLOSES

SNORING

SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

Ah, Mr Parker, I was wondering if...

Um...

Um...

What is this exactly?

Well, I was so inspired by your
Summit of Love for Open Day.

I was quite swept up by the drama
you wrote.

I felt compelled to try my hand

at one.

And, uh, what is the play about?

The school matron. Torn between
her love for a dashing count

and her lifelong devotion
to the girls in her charge.

I look forward to hearing
what you think.

SHE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY

Welcome back.

Mr Parker has been taking sick,
which means

it has been left to me to cover
his class, but now I find out

Mr Grayling has an appointment
with her solicitor, which means

I will also have to cover
all the fifth-form girls.

As I can't be at two places at once,

Sally will have to cover this class
in my absence.

I expect you to treat her
as you would any teacher.

You can count on us,
Mam'zelle Rougier.

I have a list of work for you

to complete by the end
of the day.

Once all these tasks are completed,

I'd like you all to tidy
the classroom. C'est compris?

ALL: Yes, Mam'zelle.

It looks like we've got a busy day
ahead of us,

so shall we get started?

You heard Miss Hope.
Let's get to work.

Georgina! I came as soon
as I heard the terrible news.

Is it really that bad?
Haven't you seen?

It's just as well
I came prepared.

Your beautiful mirror. Oh!

I knew you'd be positively lost
without it.

I'm so sorry for leaving you
in the lurch with the play.

Can you ever forgive me?

Gwendolyn Mary Lacey, the sanatorium
is strictly out of bounds.

I'm sorry, Matron. I just couldn't
bear the idea

of poor Georgina being here
on her own.

You stay exactly where you are.

Tut!

Oh, the writing on your health
certificate is all smudged.

I can't make sense of it,
which means

I'm going to have to telephone
your parents to find out

if you've ever had the measles.
The measles? Because if you haven't,

there's every chance you've caught
it now from Georgina here.

Don't even think about leaving
this room. Do you understand me?

I do not want you spreading it
to the rest of the girls.

Never mind.
A little bit of rest and relaxation

will do me the world of good.

I think you underestimate
just how serious the measles can be.

Perhaps a bun and some cocoa
would be a useful distraction.

I've a much better idea.

I want this floor so clean
I can see my face in it.

SHE CHUCKLES

And do not disturb Mr Parker.

Shall I hand out the worksheets,
Miss Hope? Yes, thank you, Alicia.

Why are you being so helpful?

Because the sooner we finish
this work, the sooner we can all go

to the beach. The beach?
There's no way I'm staying in today.

Thank you.

AH, Miss Hope, I've finished.

Well, then, can you get started
on your Latin comprehension, please?

I finished that too.

How is everyone else getting on?

I only started Latin
when I came here.

I have a lot to catch up on.

I just need you to do some quiet
reading so the rest of us

can catch up. But that's not fair.
Mam'zelle Rougier left me

with a strict set of instructions...
Poppycock!

You can't let us stay inside on such
a beautiful day.

Alicia!

Come on, Sally.

We can just SAY we did the work.
Mam'zelle doesn't need to know

we snuck out early. Mam'zelle
put her trust in me, Alicia.

Don't be a stick in the mud. You're
not the one who'll get into trouble.

So you're not going to let us leave?

No, not unless you're sick.

Now, can the rest of you get on
with your work, please?

CLATTER
Oh, that is just splendid, isn't it?

Special delivery.

For me?! How lovely!

They're for Georgina.

Oh, Daddy's here to look over
the grounds.

Thankfully, he's already
had the measles, so I've said

that he can visit you
in the sanatorium garden

just as soon as he's finished
his survey.

I expect Daddy will want to
finalise plans for my birthday!

I'm having a summer ball, you know.

A summer ball?!

How positively delightful!

It'll only be a small affair.

Just a few hundred
of my closest friends.

Will it be at your house in France?

Yes. We'll open up the ballroom

so we can take full advantage
of the sea view.

What I wouldn't give
to attend a society party.

MATRON CLEARS HER THROAT

This floor isn't going to mop
itself, you know.

It might even help my recovery,

knowing I had something to live for.

Subtlety isn't your strong suit,
Gwen.

I'm sorry?

I will have to look over the guest
list,

but I'll certainly consider it.

Well, if it means THAT much to you,
it would be churlish of me

not to accept.

I'm going to try your mother again.

BELL RINGS
Alicia, where were you at lunch?

Class is about to start.
I'm sorry, I just felt very weak.

I've had enough of your silly games.

Oh, my goodness. Your face.

Wh-what is it? You've come out in
the most terrible rash.

Oh, that'll explain my temperature.
I'm burning up.

I should fetch Matron. No, no!

I'll just rest here
for the afternoon.

At least let me fetch me you
a cold flannel.

No, I'm sure I'll be fine after...
SHE COUGHS

..a few hours' sleep.
You've got a temperature.

This should take it down.

Thank you. I feel much better now.

I KNEW you were faking it!
I had to do SOMETHING to get

out of your boring lessons!
And now we're late for class!

You really are a rotter, Alicia!

Come on! Sally!
Oh, Sally!

Wait. Alicia... I'm just getting
my shoes! Let's go! Now!

Oh!

I'm writing a list to your father

about how he can improve
Malory Towers.

Number one - expel Darrell Rivers,
of course.

And I really do think he should do
something about the consistency

of the porridge.
My father is a businessman.

He doesn't know the first thing
about running a school.

Then, why on earth would he
invest all that money?

It seems you haven't been forgotten,
after all. A gift from Mary-Lou.

Bless Mary-Lou.

She really is such a dear friend.

She's kindly lent you
her French textbook.

We can't have you falling behind,
now, can we?

Your father should be on his way
to the sanatorium garden,

if you are ready to go and meet him.
Very much!

You are to remain in the garden
at all times. Is that understood?

Perhaps I should accompany Georgina.

You are not going anywhere.
Sit down.

Excuse me, Mr Parker.

I need to try Mrs Lacey again.

Of course, Matron. OK.

Hello, it's Matron here.

MATRON TALKS INDISTINCTLY

Daddy!

We were so worried
when Matron telephoned.

How are you feeling? I'm all right,
apart from these dreadful spots.

Oh, don't worry, I'm sure
they'll clear up in time

for your birthday.
And with any luck, by then,

we'll both have something
to celebrate.

Why? What's happened?
Take a look at this.

What is it?

This is kaolin,
otherwise known as china clay.

Do you have any idea
what this means?

We are standing on a small fortune.

Oh, that's good, isn't it?

It means Miss Grayling doesn't
have to worry about money any more.

It's not quite as simple as that.

The seam runs
directly under the school.

The only way to get to it is
to demolish Malory Towers.

What?!

Oh, Daddy!

I take no pleasure from it.

You don't understand. The girls
will be absolutely furious with me.

Look, you can't afford
to be sentimental when it comes

to business, Georgina.

Get well soon.

Bye-bye, Daddy.

Could everyone make a start on
their Latin comprehension, please?

We've wasted enough time
as it is.

Now, please, sit down, Alicia.

I've had enough of you bossing me
about, Sally Hope.

Fine.
Then, go stand in the corridor.

You want me to leave?
Yes, if you can't behave.

You heard her, everyone. Miss Hope
said we can all leave if we want to.

No, I didn't say that.

No, wait. Please don't go!
Mam'zelle set us work.

Last one to the beach is a rotten
tomato!

No! Thank you, Sally. Come back!

LAUGHTER

Wait for me!

DOOR OPENS

Did you have a lovely time
with your father?

Not really.

Daddy had the most dreadful news.

Is it anything I can help it?

You wouldn't understand.
It's to do with his business.

Actually, I know all about clay.

We studied it in our first term.

You were listening
to our conversation?!

No, I went to the garden
to say thank you to your father

for saving the school.
You really are the most dreadful

busybody, Gwendolyn Lacey!

Well, at least I'm not a deceitful
beast like your father.

I beg your pardon?

You're right, of course, the other
girls would NEVER forgive you

if they knew
what your father had planned.

You're not...you're not going to
say anything, are you?

I couldn't possibly keep
such a terrible secret

like that to myself.

It's just, my father was going
to suggest that your mother came

to my summer ball, too. He did
so enjoy meeting her at open day.

You'd be such lovely guests.

So, let's say no more about this,
then, shall we?

Matron, it's imperative
that I'm discharged immediately.

I have a very important matter
to deal with.

Absolutely not. I've still
to confirm your medical records.

You don't understand. The future
of Malory Towers is at stake.

Not another word.

Matron, could you at least give
Mary-Lou the textbook

that she's so kindly lent me?

I'd hate for her to fall behind
on her prep. Right.

Hurry up, then.

Honestly. You girls
and your histrionics.

Anyone would think Malory Towers
was about to fall apart around us!

Right... Thank you both
for staying and helping to clean up.

No problem!

THEY GIGGLE, DOOR OPENS

Where are the rest of the girls?

I let them go swimming as a reward
for their hard work.

If I didn't know better,

I would think you were covering
for your friends.

I am willing to overlook it...

..but I will not stand for any
more nonsense from you girls.

C'est compris? Yes.
Yes, Mam'zelle.

Ah, Mary-Lou!
Excuse me, Miss Rougier,

but Gwendolyn said that Mary-Lou
would need this for her prep.

I believe there is a note of thanks
inside. Thank you, Matron.

Matrone, how is Monsieur Parker?

Oh, do not worry, Miss Rougier,
I'm taking very good care of him.

I can't believe we got away with it.

That's because Sally's a jolly
good sport. She could have easily

got Alicia and Irene into trouble.
Thank you.

Come on.

Time for tea.

This isn't a thank-you note.
What does it say?

"Urgent.
I've found out something terrible."

What on earth can Gwen mean?

Has Mr Parker been asking for me?

Mm, well, I shan't disturb him,
then.

You did give Mary-Lou her book back
for me, didn't you?

Oh, I said I would.

Now, get some rest.

You girls have worn me
out today. Oh...

MATRON SNORES

MATRON CHUCKLES

"Mr Thomas plans to mine
the land..."

"..and demolish Malory Towers"?!

Oh, my goodness!
We have to tell Miss Grayling!

Thank you, Gwen. Let's go.

BELL RINGS

LOUD YAWNING

Oh! Mary-Lou! Sorry!

Why are you girls running
in the corridor?

We need to speak to Miss Grayling.

I have already warned you, girls...
You don't understand.

Mr Thomas doesn't want to save
Malory Towers -

he wants to destroy it. Pardon?!

That is a very serious allegation
you're making.

Where did you hear this? From Gwen.

Oh. And where did Gwen hear this
exactly?

Um, we're...we're not quite certain.

I'm sure Gwen wouldn't want to lie
about something so important.

I will be the judge of that.

You'll talk to Miss Grayling?
I most certainly will.

Oh, thank you, Mam'zelle.

How's everything, Mam'zelle?

Tres bien, Miss Grayling.

But I tell you, the second-form
girls, they make trouble as usual.

Oh, dear. Is there something
I should be concerned about?

Just a tall tale from
Gwendolyn Lacey,

still in the grips of a fever,
no doubt.

Nothing for you to worry about.

Mr Parker, have you had time to...?

Um...

Um...

Oh, please, don't keep me in
suspense. What did you think of it?

You really are a credit to the
school, Matron. And the care

you show the girls is exemplary.

The hours you spend tending
to their every demand,

however trivial, however important,
is an example

to all the teaching staff.

And...

Mr Parker, open up, please.

Am I to understand

you feel my talents are best served
helping the girls?

97 degrees Fahrenheit, precisely.

I think we can safely rule out
the measles.

I think I'd better
just collect my things.

PHONE RINGS

Matron speaking. Ah, Mrs Lacey,
thank you for returning my call.

Oh, she has, has she?

Many thanks.

These girls are endless trouble,
aren't they, Mr Parker?

But we do always teach them
to be honest, do we not?

Indeed, we do.

Thank you.

Gwendolyn Mary Lacey, pack up
your bag and return

to the dormitory immediately.

As your friend will be here
for a few more days yet,

but I have no doubt
she'll make a full recovery.

Is it true they want
to demolish the school?

Yes, Gwen told us.
Gwen saved the school?

LAUGHTER

Gwen! What are you doing back here?

Turns out I've already had
the measles.

Oh, we told Mam'zelle Rougier
about Mr Thomas.

We can't thank you enough, Gwen.

I'm only pleased I was able
to play a small part

in saving the school.

What do you suppose will happen now?

Miss Grayling will have to find
another investor, I suppose.

DOOR OPENS

What a rotten day!

Irene got stung by a wasp
and my towel blew into the sea.

Did anyone find out we sneaked out?

Mam'zelle asked,
but Sally covered for you.

Sally, I'm sorry I was a beast.

The beach would have been a lot
more fun if you'd all been there.

Uh, have you all seemed to have
forgotten that we'd all be standing

in rubble now if it weren't for me?

BELL CHIMES

I'll explain on the way to supper.

So what happened?
Right, where shall we start?

He wanted to demolish the school,
until Gwen saved the day.