Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript

[ Eerie music plays ]

[ Horse panting ]

[ Indistinct talking ]

[ Talking continues ]

[ Animal roars,
elephant trumpets ]

RINGMASTER: Roll up!

Roll up, ladies and gentlemen.

The most marvelous,
the most courageous,

Miss Sara Waybourne!

[ Spectators cackling, gasping ]

[ Spectators gasping ]



[ Laughter ]

[ Platform clinking ]

Bertie? Bertie!

Where are you?!

It's okay, Sprout.

I've got ya.

YOUNG WOMAN:
I didn't mean to hurt her.

[ Indistinct talking ]

- Shh.
- Mademoiselle, I'm so sorry.

Oh, they were out of control.

Just wait
until I tell Mrs. Appleyard.

You will not.

I don't think that you are fit
to be in charge of young ladies.

Perhaps. Perhaps I watch out
for them in other ways.



[ Moans ]

- I forgot she was there.
- God.

Oh, Sara.

I want to see...

Irma.

Irma has come.

WOMAN: Girls.
Girls, get over here.

Get over here.

Cook's made
your favorite breakfast.

Porridge with treacle.

Come on.
Tom'll be fatter than me

if he keeps scoffing
all these meals you won't touch.

Porridge with treacle
is my brother's favorite.

- Your brother Bertie?
- Yeah.

He's coming for me, Minnie.
I know it.

Of course he is.

And he'd want you to eat.
To stay strong.

Bertie's the best rider.
He loves horses.

We'll join a circus.

Is that so?

Well, eat up, then.

Miranda says there are pretty
circus ladies who ride horses,

and they stand on one leg.

Ah! [ Gasps ]

We really should pack up
Miranda Reid's things.

For safekeeping.

Yes, ma'am.

Your shoulders are the bane
of Miss Lumley's life.

You know,
if you didn't slouch...

...well, you wouldn't need
the posture board, would you?

I've come to understand what
a clever little spy you are.

You must have a great
collection of special secrets.

I was your age once.

I know all about
collecting secrets.

You don't know anything.

[ Footsteps departing ]

Hysteria is
an unattractive malady

which must be extinguished.

The remedy shall be fresh air...

and organ music.

It is the Sabbath.

This morning,
we shall return to church.

- [ Gasps ]
- Please collect your hats,

gloves, and capes.

Blanche, make sure that
the girls proceed to the drag

in an orderly fashion.

Yes, Mrs. Appleyard.

- Off you go.
- [ Indistinct conversations ]

Miss Lumley.

Take Sara to her room.
She appears to have a rash.

Keep an eye on her.

But... you mean stay here?

But I'll miss the sermon.

I'm sure your faith
is strong enough to be tested.

Indeed, it is.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Bell tolling ]

Well, well, well.

Hello, Esther, love.

[ Tolling continues ]

[ Eerie music plays ]

[ Indistinct whispering ]

[ Whispering continues ]

Give it back.
Give it back.

Give it back!
Drive on, Mr. Hussey.

We're going home.
Drive on!

Hyah! Heel.

[ Horse neighs ]

Some dark souls people have
behind their smiling faces.

Could never have imagined.

Those young ladies
have been defiled.

And tossed into the ravine
a dozen times a day

since they've disappeared.

Well, that shows
how ignorant people are.

Outrages occur behind innocent
front doors, not out in nature.

I'm starting to wonder if there
could've been foul play.

MRS. BUMPHER: If they're
at the bottom of a ravine,

that's because they held hands
and jumped.

Don't look at me like that.

Have you any idea what goes on

inside the minds
of girls that age?

What they get up to
when they're not supervised?

It must have seemed like
such a grand adventure.

At first.

[ Animal screeching ]

[ Wings flapping ]

[ Gasps, mumbles ]

[ Gasps, grunts ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Snores ]

[ Door closes ]

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

[ Knock on door, door opens ]

[ Drawer opens ]

NOLAN: [ Straining ]

[ Grunting ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Laughs ]

So, are you gonna marry me?

I already said yes.

[ Gunshot ]

[ Dog barking in distance ]

Stay here.

[ Breathing heavily ]

You're all maniacs.

WILKINS: Steady, there.
Easy, now.

Put the gun down.

Miss Sara.

- [ Gasps ]
- Are you all right?

MADEMOISELLE:
Girls. Look away.

- Why are the police here?
- Inside.

Quickly.

- [ Speaking French ]
- Why are the police here?

YOUNG WOMAN:
What is it, Mademoiselle?

SERGEANT BUMPHER: Sorry to do
this in front of the girls.

NOLAN: Lying bitch!

I see you two are acquainted?

There was an incident
with one of the girls.

- Which girl?
- Miranda Reid.

He showed an unwelcome interest.

It was at
the government cottage fête.

It was unimportant.
He was drunk then, too.

Trodden on by his horse.

- Bullshit!
- Language!

Sluice him down before
you put him in the wagon.

Yes, boss.

- Why do you own a gun?
- It belonged to my late husband.

Why did you station an officer
on my property

without asking my permission?

I heard you were having
some trouble with a possum.

Sergeant,
I have told you before.

This is a ladies' college,

and I am charged
with their reputations.

That is an Enfield.
It's a highwayman's gun.

What are you doing
with a highwayman's gun?

Speaking of highwaymen.

Any news on the two riders?

I believe they were shearers.

Since when do shearers
ride valuable horses?

You will remove yourself

and the young pup you've sent
to guard us. Immediately.

I am more than capable
of looking after my own girls.

If I had been on that picnic,

none of this
would have happened.

Why didn't you go on the picnic?

I dislike
the Australian landscape.

It is insubordinate.

YOUNG WOMAN:
Where did she find the gun?

YOUNG WOMAN #2: I don't know,
but I don't trust her.

She's dangerous.

YOUNG WOMAN #1:
Lucky she didn't shoot us.

YOUNG WOMAN #3: It's clear
that Sara Waybourne is evil.

SARA:
How many days on the train?

Five.
Just you and me.

Then two days' drive
from Mackay.

[ Both chuckle ]

Oh, Reg, Reg, Reg, Reg!
Oh!

Surely these girls
should be more modest.

Well, if you change your mind,
I'll be at the Menzies.

I've ordered marrons glacés,

so it should still
feel like Christmas,

- even in this horrid heat.
- [ Laughs ]

I love Christmas here.
It's peaceful.

I get to read all day.

[ Both chuckle ]

Penelope!
We must go.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Your mum must be very busy
wrapping all your presents.

We will take you to your house
on our way to the station.

[ Chuckles ]
Thank you.

MIRANDA:
Blanche, in the back.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

I'm so excited.

They're cleaning.

Everything's covered
in dust sheets.

It's nice and cool in here.

Not for long.
I'm boiling these buggers.

Off you go!

[ Humming
"Good King Wenceslas" ]

I just did the floors in there,
Miss Marion. So shoo!

Christmas spirit
everywhere we turn.

- [ Chuckles ]
- [ Humming continues ]

My father sent me
a crate of books.

So I heard.

You can borrow any you like.

[ Chuckles ]

Our room bakes in the afternoon.

I know a nook.

What are you reading?

"The Turn of the Screw."

Sounds dull.
Is it about carpentry?

[ Laughs ]
I don't think so.

I can go back to the beginning,
if you like.

"The story had held us,

'round the fire,
sufficiently breathless,

but for the obvious remark
that it was gruesome,

as, on Christmas Eve
in an old house"...

"Gruesome."
Go on.

"I remember no comment uttered
till somebody happened to say

that it was
the only case he had met

in which such a visitation
had fallen on a child."

A visitation!

[ Both laugh ]

[ Birds chirping ]

[ Indistinct conversation ]

[ Notes play ]

"The apparition had reached
the landing halfway up

and was therefore on the spot
nearest the window,

where at the sight of me,
it stopped short

and fixed me exactly as it had
fixed me from the tower

and from the garden."

Oh, my Lord.

Go on.

"He knew me as well
as I knew him;

and so, in the cold,
faint twilight,

with a glimmer in the high glass

and another on the polish
of the oak stair below,

we faced each other
in our common intensity.

He was absolutely,
on this occasion,

a living, detestable,
dangerous presence."

[ Bell ringing ]

We should go.
Cook will skin us alive.

We could continue after dinner.

In the dark?

I'll have night terrors.

Well, that would be
the fun of it.

[ Thunder crashing ]

No one can sleep tonight.

I think Mrs. Appleyard
has gone up to the tower.

That's odd.

Shall I go on?

Oh, I wish we'd never started
this terrible story.

Don't stop.

Do you believe in ghosts?

I don't know.

"'She isn't there, little lady.

Nobody's there.

How can poor Miss Jessel
be there

when poor Miss Jessel's
dead and buried?'"

It's interesting to me

that you chose to remain here
for Christmas,

despite the luxuries
offered by Miss Leopold.

Yes, I did.

Have you considered
what you'll do

when you finish
your senior year?

Not really.

Unfortunately, Marion,

the sort of husband you deserve
is unlikely to propose.

I would like to offer you work.

What sort of work?

Teaching history.

You would have your own room,

you would eat meals
with the staff.

Obviously you wouldn't interact
with the parents directly.

But you may come to view that as
a privilege, not a punishment.

Naturally you will receive
the same wage

as the other teachers...

with holiday entitlements.

How generous.

Thank you, Mrs. Appleyard.

Hello, ladies.
I'm back.

[ Chuckles ]
Where's Marion?

[ Marion laughing ]

History's so dull.

Will you accept?

Yes.

For one reason only.

Shall we find out how it ends?

I don't want it to end.

Everything ends.

Unless you stay in between.

It's easier there.

In between?

What does that mean?

YOUNG WOMAN: Welcome back!
How was your Christmas?

YOUNG WOMAN #2:
Did you have a nice holiday?

- Irma's cross with me.
- Why?

I don't know.

Blanche is her favorite now.

She's invited her
to sleep in our room.

How was your holiday?

- It was sublimely stupendous.
- [ Laughs ]

- I rescued a baby wallaby.
- Ooh.

A joey.
[ Chuckles ]

And my horse was called Beatle.
He taught me how to ride him.

Yeah, Beatle's quite chatty
for a horse.

I had a sublimely
stupendous time, too.

ALBERT:
Well, well, well.

- How 'bout this?
- [ Laughs ]

Didn't expect you.

Thought you'd be on the run
after what happened.

I needed to get away.

Get my head straight.
Make some decisions.

I can understand that.

I'm gonna go traveling.

Up north.

Queensland, for starters.

Meant to be beautiful country
up there.

Thought I'd visit
Miss Reid's family.

Pay my respects.

And...

...Albert, I...

...I want you to come with me.

ALBERT:
Wouldn't be right.

Eh.

Couldn't leave your uncle
in the lurch.

[ Chuckles ]

Well, I'm sure he could
replace you easily enough.

[ Both chuckle ]

You told me you like traveling.

I do.

But I'm, um...

I'm a working man.

I wouldn't be able
to pay my way.

We wouldn't be equals.

No.

Not in that way.

But...

...we would be equals
in every other sense.

That's the way
that matters to me.

Yes.

Of course.

As you know, a number of girls

have been withdrawn
by their parents.

I expect there will be others

who will not return
after the Easter holiday.

I will rename the college,
then advertise.

From today, the missing
are not to be spoken of,

or referred to by the girls.

I have given it
a great deal of thought.

I have their best interests
at heart.

Miss Lumley, our daily prayers
will no longer remember them.

Yes, a great misadventure
has befallen us.

But we must lay down
this burden.

From this moment on...

...it will be
as though they never existed.

I'd like to box your ears!

You're old enough to know
better, that's for damn sure.

You won't improve on her.

Money and beauty.

What on earth are you thinking?

I'm thinking a man's measure
is an honest day's work.

- What the deuce?
- And I've never done a day

of work in my entire life.

Now, listen to me, Michael.

We Fitzhuberts...

It's Mike.

Not Michael.
Mike.

[ Door opens, closes ]

MINNIE:
I don't know who did it, ma'am.

We both know who's responsible.

Get them down immediately.

[ Knock on door ]

- Fetch help.
- [ Knocking continues ]

Mrs. Appleyard.
Good morning.

- Where's my daughter?
- Blanche is asleep.

- As are the other girls.
- We've come to take her home.

We've ridden through the night.

So if you don't mind waking her.

Well, let's take a turn
around the garden

whilst I have
some breakfast prepared.

Decisions shouldn't be made
on an empty stomach.

I'll get her myself.

[ Door closes ]

What in blazes?!

Blanche?! Blanche!

[ Young women shouting
"Blanche!" mockingly ]

[ Laughter, shouting continues ]

[ Birds chirping ]

[ Indistinct conversation ]

MRS. FITZHUBERT: Yes.

All right.

Uh, you wanted to see me?

Crundall, yes.

You've received a letter.

I assumed it was for us.

As it's from Mr. Leopold.

Mr. Leopold?

Miss Irma's father.

Who writes to thank you.

For finding his daughter.

It wasn't me, sir.

- It was...
- Michael. Yes.

Who has returned to Melbourne.

On some tomfool plan to travel.

The boy hasn't been right in the
head since that wretched picnic.

Very honorable of you, Crundall,

to constantly refuse the glory.

But it was you who rescued her,
for all practical purposes.

Wait, man.
There's more.

A check.

For £1,000.

MRS. FITZHUBERT: Someone
of your standing will have

little experience
of such a ludicrous sum.

You would do well to seek
the advice of my husband.

Can I have the afternoon off,
sir?

I'll make it up on my Friday.

Of course.

[ Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata"
plays ]

[ Music stops, resumes ]

- [ Music stops ]
- Stop moving the paper!

I can't read
when you are moving the paper.

[ Sighs ] Now.

[ Music resumes ]

[ Music stops, resumes,
door opens ]

- [ Music stops ]
- MRS. VALANGE: Sara.

Class started 10 minutes ago.

I'm not allowed art anymore.

She's to help me prepare
for the annual Woodend concert.

[ Music resumes ]

MRS. VALANGE:
I know she misbehaves.

But you must concede she's more
talented than any of the others.

What does talent
have to do with bad behavior?

It's... It's cruel to deny her
what she loves.

What does cruelty have to do
with teaching good behavior?

Am I answerable to you,
Mrs. Valange?

No, but you are answerable
to the parents.

Sara's lessons
have been paid for.

Sara's guardian hasn't paid
her fees since before Christmas.

[ Scoffs ]

You know him to be a man
of excellent character.

He travels.

To places
mail can't get through.

And then he bowls up
out of thin air

with bequests for the college.
And gifts for Sara.

You can't question
his commitment to her.

I run this establishment
as I see fit.

And I think
you run it abominably.

The girls are confused.

The only thing they learn here
is how to be afraid.

The staff, as well.

The only person who respects you
is a simpleton.

Worse!

Dora Lumley has been mistreated

since the day she was born.

She's like some poor mad dog.

Be careful she doesn't turn
around and bite you one day.

I gather this is
your resignation?

It most certainly is.

[ Door opens ]

Oh!

No, leave it, Tom.

I've been such a fool.

Thank you.

[ Down-tempo music plays ]

MRS. APPLEYARD: I'm sorry to say
your guardian Mr. Cosgrove

has abandoned you, as well.

Sara.

Your behavior concerns me.

Deeply.

Either you will allow me
to guide you.

Or I will be forced
to return you to the orphanage.

[ Exhales sharply ]

[ Indistinct conversations,
child crying ]

[ Child coughing ]

MRS. McCREADY:
Waybourne, you say?

ALBERT: Sara.

Last time I came here
they told me

she'd been adopted out
to a fella with a fortune.

Figured she'd be better off
with him.

But now I've got
the money myself...

- I...
- Ah, yes. Mr. Cosgrove.

Now, if I could just
have his address...

MRS. McCREADY:
All we have is one in London.

Which I'm not at liberty
to disclose.

Like I said,
I've... I've got the money.

Maybe she's forgotten about me
by now. I don't know.

But I told her I'd be back.

I tried once.

Now I'm trying twice.

I'm gonna keep trying
until I find her.

If you like, I can write

and tell him
of your recent good fortune

and your wish
to be reunited with Sara.

Mr. Cosgrove would appear
to be the very best of men.

This Cosgrove is fine
if you say so.

But I'm her brother.

Whoa.

[ Bell clanging ]

[ Sighs ] Tom.

You're to give to this
to Sara Waybourne

as soon as possible.

Without alerting Mrs. Appleyard.

Yes, ma'am.

Good luck, Tom.

Say goodbye to Minnie for me.

[ Train whistle blows ]

- ALBERT: G'day, Tom.
- [ Chuckles ]

Didn't think I'd see you again.

Just wanted to say goodbye.

Goodbye?
Where are you going?

Minnie and I
are getting married.

- About time.
- [ Laughs ]

Thought I might make
a go of it in the city.

They reckon they got jobs there
for blokes like me.

Doing all sorts.
Future beckons.

- [ Bell clangs ]
- That's right.

[ Bell clangs,
train whistle blows ]

Hey. You know anyone who could
give me a hand with a letter?

Come down to the college.

There's a French lady there...
Madem'selle.

She writes all of ours.

Likes to practice English.

Okay. Thanks.

[ Clicks tongue ]

[ Clicks tongue ]
Come on.

MRS. LEOPOLD: "On behalf
of the parents of the missing,

I've arranged for a detective
from Scotland Yard

- to investigate."
- [ Gasps ]

[ Knock on door ]

Dr. Mackenzie is here
for Edith's toothache.

[ Door closes ]

Miss Leopold's father has taken
it upon himself to help us.

A senior detective
from Scotland Yard

is bound for these fair shores.

- As we speak.
- A muckety-muck from London.

Ah, you'll be out in the bush
looking for him next.

I'm bloody sick
of everyone's bullshit.

Something's not right
about that college.

What if those girls
got lost on purpose?

We've been looking for girls
who want to be found.

Oh, my word.

And you are?

Mr. Tomasetti.
Tomasetti Marble.

- Mrs., uh...
- Appleyard.

TOMASETTI: Mrs. Appleyard.

Commiserations, madam.

The whole country is praying for
them young ladies to be found.

Safe and well.

So, are these the, uh... the
wenches in need of my attention?

Yes, I wish to replace them.

Well, why not make them
respectable instead?

I mean,
there's stone to work with.

Now, let's see.
I would, uh...

I would find the clothes
beneath the flesh.

What I suggest is,
you just slice off the breasts

and release the inner garments.

Thank you for coming out.

But I'm sure you understand that
now is not a convenient time.

All eyes are upon you.

This college mystery is all
anyone talks about these days.

It is the perfect time
for concealment.

Scandal is to be avoided.

So, I'm your man, if you
want something covered up.

So, I'm just south of Bendigo,
down on main road.

[ Door opens ]

So sorry.

Doctor, Edith's right upstairs,

and she's making quite a fuss.

SERGEANT BUMPHER: Might be
all right for "Mad Dog" Morgan.

I can't imagine a young lady
would much like it.

Three wouldn't even fit.

[ Sighs ]

If you're running away,
where would you go?

Now ride to Bendigo.

- [ Mid-tempo music plays ]
- MADEMOISELLE: [ Speaks French ]

Very good.

[ Speaking French ]

Good.

Just imagine there is a string,

a little string
attached to your head.

Remember to stand straight,
girls.

Very good.

[ Speaking French ]

Don't forget to smile.

[ Speaking French ]

That's right, good posture.

No, Edith.

You're not supposed
to spin around.

But I wanna be the girl.

[ Sighs, speaks French ]

Merci beaucoup.

[ Music stops,
indistinct conversations ]

SARA: Mademoiselle?

Oui?

Can she really send me
back to the orphanage?

Sara. Your pocket.

It bulges like the toad.

It's Miranda.
She's always with me.

Si belle.

MIRANDA: Sara?

Are you asleep?

No.

I'm too excited
about the picnic.

Me too.

[ Match strikes ]

I've got a present for you.

It's from our holiday.

Happy St. Valentine's Day.

- For tomorrow.
- Sisters.

That's right.

You must learn to love people
other than me.

Hmm?

MADEMOISELLE: Sara?

Why does Irma hate Miranda?

Because she's free.

But free where?

She's always been free.

[ Knock on door ]

- Hello.
- G'day, Els.

Uh, Tom said I should see a...

Madem'selle?

About a letter.

After a French letter, are you?

Wait here.

[ Down-tempo music plays ]

[ Woman vocalizing ]

I know who you are, you know.

You saved our Irma.

To whom is the letter?

Mike Fitzhubert.

MADEMOISELLE:
Michael Fitzhubert?

But put, uh, Mike,
or he won't know it's from me.

All right.

So, "Dear Mike..."

"I've come into some money.

And I've given in my notice
at Lake View."

Just put, um...

"Meet me any afternoon
at the Post Office Hotel

on Bourke Street.

We can have a beer
and fix a date for Queensland."

You are friends?

Yeah.

Can I leave this with you?

Post's been collected
from Lake View.

Yes, of course.

Thank you.

Who shall it be from?

- ALBERT: Albert.
- [ Gasps ]

Bertie?

[ Hoofbeats departing ]

Bertie? Bertie!

Bertie!

Did you see him?
Is he real?

The coachman from Lake View?

- Of course.
- The coachman from Lake View.

MADEMOISELLE:
Well, for not much longer.

He is leaving.

Like everyone else.

ARTHUR: I challenge you!

I challenge ya!

You!

[ Train chugging ]

[ Train whistle blows ]

[ Whispering ] Nobody's home.
We're all alone.

Mousey, you and I.

[ Train chugging ]

MRS. APPLEYARD: Nobody's home.
We're all alone.

Mousey, you and I.

[ Train whistle blows ]

[ Train chugging ]

[ Train whistle blows ]

[ Bell clangs ]

[ Stair creaking ]

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

[ Door closes ]

[ Panting ]

[ Gasps ]

[ Animal screeching ]

[ Creaking ]

MIRANDA: Sara.