Play for Today (1970–1984): Season 6, Episode 11 - The Other Woman - full transcript
A feisty lesbian moves in with a beautiful younger gay woman. But one of the women also has a boyfriend.
[lighthearted music]
[peaceful music]
[oil crackling]
Kim, are you coming down for this meal?
I'm getting sick of this.
[sniffing]
Kim, come out of there.
Or have this bloody food at least.
[knocking]
[door handle rattling]
There's a letter for you.
Maybe it's from that girl.
I thought that would get you out.
[Niki] Kim darling,
have you been going mad?
I meant to write you before,
but the weeks have gone by.
-You think I don't know...
-You'll have your noticed
I'm not at the flat.
Thing is darling, I'm about to be married,
Saturday.
Gilbert, you're back.
No, no, you don't know
me, I'm Niki's friend.
Yes, I know she is, but I
don't know which church,
could you...
Yes, yes, on the road between...
Yes, I know where.
Oh, and the time?
Yeah, thanks.
So she came to her senses.
How galling for you.
Whatever's going on in that head of yours,
don't do it, just leave the kid alone.
Look, if you leave this
house you needn't come back
and you can forget the exhibition.
I won't be paying for it, is that clear?
[motorcycle engine revving]
Kim darling,
you'll have noticed I'm not at the flat.
I did toy with the idea of
letting you have it for a studio,
but I thought that might prove a mistake
and an embarrassment in the long run.
The thing is, darling, I'm
about to be married, Saturday.
Is that today for you now?
I just couldn't go on suffering with you.
You were made to be a
genius, not a spouse.
Just concentrate on that.
And I'm over you now, and
Eric's really very sweet.
Not a bit like you.
[laughter]
But that's dreadful.
How do you cope with your work?
But there's only one problem though,
I've got to go away for the weekend,
I won't be back till Monday.
[laughter]
You didn't.
Kim what, did you say?
[upbeat music]
Kim what, did you say?
Kim nothing, I don't
believe in last names.
I mean, why should I use
some second hand male tag?
[laughter]
Oh, well, just Kim then.
[Kim] Yes.
[Niki] Do you work for the firm?
No, just here with a
friend, I'm a painter.
[Niki] Not walls and things?
I have been known to.
[laughter]
But you're an artist?
Of sorts.
[Niki] Where do you live?
I'm between homes at the moment,
of no fixed abode, don't they say?
But that's dreadful.
How do you cope with your work?
Well listen, it just happened.
I got thrown out of my room.
Why?
You know, I didn't think they
could do that these days.
Depends.
[Niki] On what?
Behaviour.
What did you do?
Molested the landlord's wife.
[laughter]
You didn't.
Can I help it if I was born
with a good healthy appetite?
Oh, it's the big white chief, Mr. Joyce.
This is Niki, temp sec to be cum Monday
to your friend Phillips, right?
Circulate, damn you.
About your healthy appetite.
Anyway, it was the landlord
who did most of the
objecting, not his wife.
Oh.
Actually, I've got a spare bed in my flat.
Or is that too presumptuous?
Not at all, it's very kind.
I thought it might tied you over.
Until you find something better.
Yes.
There's only one problem though,
I've got to go away for the weekend,
I won't be back till Monday.
I'm going to stay with my aunt.
I must go, you see, she worries a lot.
Well, she's my guardian.
You see, my aunt and uncle,
they're my guardians.
We mustn't upset your guardians, must we?
Can't you shut up now?
You've nagged me all the way home.
[Robin] You've slept all the way home.
Only my eyes were asleep,
I could still hear you carping
away at the back of my head.
And what do you expect?
People were talking.
Even Phillips, and he's no puritan.
"She'll eat her in a minute,"
that's what he said to me.
Well, if you will drag me to
these boring business dos,
what do you expect?
I didn't expect you to
spend the entire evening
chatting up some little
temp sec, whatever she was.
You were there to, well,
you know very well why you were there.
You're just jealous, Dad.
That's what's driving you.
All right then, I'm jealous.
The point is you were there to circulate
and to be nice to people.
Oh, just like your lady wife.
Daddy's right arm, oh marvellous,
topping, three bags full.
Well, I'm not Louise.
On the end of this arm is a body
with active blood and a fertile mind.
And you're drunk.
What kind of a fool do you
think you made me look?
Everybody knows you're my mistress.
Oh god, we're arguing.
I don't argue with you.
You're my best friend, I
don't have that many friends.
I can't risk losing you.
Just Kim, my love.
I'm not Louise, old Rob.
And I don't expect you to be.
But now that you're here,
entertaining will just have
to be part of your life.
All I'm asking is that you
don't exhibit yourself.
Please.
I won't be living here.
Of course you will, it's all arranged.
Not by me.
Look, I don't feel like
playing silly buggers tonight,
did you give up your room
to come and live here
or did you not?
[Kim] No.
I've cleared out the study for you.
You've changed your mind.
I never made up my mind.
Well, I wish you would.
I mean, the times you said all you want
is a decent studio and peace
and time to work in it,
the times you've said that,
and now I'm able to give it
to you, you don't want it!
Of course I do!
Like a big juicy sweet to a baby,
but it wouldn't work.
Don't smoke that stuff, Kim,
not in my house.
Not in my house, thank you.
God.
[bell ringing]
Come on.
[tense music]
Kim?
You look so different.
It's very late, I've
been waiting all evening.
I had to wait for a friend to borrow a van
to pick up my stuff.
Well, where is it?
I expect she'll dump
it off in the morning.
So where's this bed?
That one over there.
Well, you could have this
one if you wanted to, but I--
That'll do.
Thank you, didn't say thank you, did I?
Oh no, it's fine.
Are you going to bed?
I've got to be up early.
You don't mind?
But I've done supper.
It's not gone off too much.
I've had something.
At the pub.
Oh.
[sighing]
Good night then.
Right.
[alarm clock ringing]
About your things.
Sorry, I'll move them,
as soon as you say where.
Could Arsenal and Everton
possibly draw would you say?
I've no idea.
Well, I'll put it.
You never know your luck.
There.
Bye.
Where are you going?
[Kim] Work.
We'll talk about that
stuff tonight, right?
What work?
Well, I thought you
were a, all that stuff,
don't you work at home?
Yeah, and I don't sell, so
I have to go out for bread.
Oh.
Well, what do you do out?
Clean bogs.
Lavatory cleaner?
You are joking?
No, the well known and well tried brand X.
Don't you get covered in germs and things?
No, I wipe 'em out.
99% anyway, I don't claim to be perfect.
How daft.
Only way to stay sane, isn't it?
[Radio Presenter] Signed agreement
never again to try and
run an animal sanctuary
in a field of Rockhampton.
[lighthearted music]
You left the door open.
Yes.
Oh, and I had some keys cut today.
Obviously going to keep
rather different hours.
Afraid I haven't done anything for you.
Not after last night.
That's good, I'd rather keep separate.
You're very different, you know.
From whom?
At that party.
You could almost be someone else.
You sound disappointed.
Have you washed your hands?
Ever, or recently?
Is that pot?
Please don't mind.
Huh, no.
I think you're very foolish though.
They say it blanks the mind.
My mind needs blanking.
What a dreadful thing to say.
Is it?
I don't see why.
The more fertile your mind,
the more you have to see.
I'm not sure I wanna
see the misery anymore.
[Niki] Don't talk like that.
Please.
[groaning]
Sorry.
I had some semi-raw sausages midday.
There's probably a...
Look, do you take other drugs?
Pills and things?
Don't worry about it.
I can't help it.
Look, if you're ill,
you should see a doctor.
Mine's very nice.
Of course, I am a private patient.
The world's ill.
No doctor can sure the either.
[Niki] About those things on your bed.
No room for them, is there?
No room for me to work here.
[Niki] Not really.
Then why did you ask me?
I don't know.
When did you first know you were gay?
[Kim] I don't remember.
Roughly.
My age?
No.
A lot younger.
[Niki] About what?
[Kim] I'd rather not tell you.
Please.
Then get your fingers
ready to put in your ears,
since my father initiated me.
Initiated?
Yes, against the wall at
the back of our house,
Sunday afternoon, I was 11.
Do you mean he...
That's dreadful.
I was getting the coal in.
I saw him coming round
the corner of their house.
He was in a foul mood.
Started trampling down the chrysanthemums.
[Niki] Why?
My mother grew 'em.
They were yellow, not fancy.
Small yellow chrysanthemums.
I suppose she must've
rejected him or something.
We were a big family.
I know she was sick of having kids.
Anyway, I shouted to her.
About the chrysanthemums,
she was very proud of 'em.
Don't suppose she heard.
He did.
[sighing]
Can't say anymore.
Kim, I'm so sorry.
I should never have asked you.
That's all right.
It's quite a relief.
I never told anyone before ever.
Even Robin.
I should tell Robin.
He bought me some chrysanthemums once.
The smell of 'em.
It still makes me wanna vomit.
I threw 'em back in his face
and he went on about the
stupidity of women's lib.
I should've told him why.
I couldn't.
In fact, I enjoyed seeing him hurt.
I'm not proud of it.
It's just the way I am.
Anyway.
When people apply that word gay, to me,
it seems a hell of a paradox.
If it's gotta be the
choice between the two,
I think I'd prefer queer.
Oh, we'd better get that
stuff moved off your bed.
You can put it in the bathroom.
I don't use the dressing
room and you can have that.
I can't work in there, Niki.
In that space?
Besides, I've seen enough of bogs.
What other the choice is there?
[sorrowful music]
But you're spreading.
Will you stop pestering me,
I'll de-spread when I've finished, right?
I do have a right to wash.
Just be you don't--
You've got an obsession with it.
If it's not hair, it's your feet,
if it's not feet, it's your ass.
All this steam, my canvases'll be ruined.
You are dreadfully crude.
I didn't know you'd be like this.
And how do you want me to be?
Go away and make a list,
say, of possible improvements
and we'll discuss it later.
Ha, here's never any later, is there?
You never stop.
Talk about me being obsessive.
I don't have much time.
What difference could half an hour make?
Everything.
Everything, I've got a million pictures
going round and round in here,
if I don't get 'em out, I'll lose 'em.
Your head is probably
going round and round
because of all that dope.
Anybody would think I was fixing
on the hour to listen to you,
I'm not a junkie you know, I choose it.
For someone so perceptive,
you're very short sighted at time.
Okay.
I'll give you half and hour,
what do you want me to do?
[customers chatting indistinctly]
Artists should be lie athletes, sponsored.
In this country, even athletes
have to earn their bread.
True.
And if you lot had it too easy,
think of all the crap that'd
jump on the bandwagon.
Well, you can easily check
your athletes aren't cheating
at their three half minute mile,
but a good art's just a matter of opinion.
Oh, people don't want good art,
they just wanna be titillated
and sentimentalised.
What about all the other stuff,
the Old Masters and all.
People want that, don't they?
Look at the price they fetch.
They're all dead, them and their ideas.
People are sentimentalised by death.
Ready for ideas when
they're too stale to matter.
God, you're dreary tonight.
All this shunting around
I do, it's ridiculous.
Wasting half my life doing
drop jobs for peanuts.
It's all so disruptive.
Drink up, I'll get you another.
How's Niki?
She's a lady.
Thought that would have
been right down your street.
Chance for a touch of the sados.
Sexual should be mutual.
I think I'm in love with her.
In love?
That'll be the day.
Well, it's hopeless
there, but I can't leave.
Sounds dangerous.
Still, might do you some good.
Rub off some of them nasty corners.
All I need is a sensible base to work in.
What about that bloody
bloke, what's his name?
Robin?
Do you know, because I've
lain with him a few times
Robin calls me bisexual?
What do you think of that?
[laughter]
Only way you're bisexual
is by going with women and ladies alike.
[laughter]
No.
No, not Robin.
I need somewhere
free from sex I suppose.
You've been saying that for
the last five years at least.
I mean it now.
Saying that and all.
How can I help saying the
same when nothing changes?
So what's brought it on
this time, Lady Niki?
Nope.
I've had the sack.
[laughter]
What did you do?
This lady reported me.
All she had to say was no thank you,
she wouldn't have reported
a man for far worse.
If they'd been in the
ladies' bog, she would.
You never learn.
What self-respecting ladies expect
from their common or garden convenience
is the privacy to pass their water
and check their coiffure, deary.
Not the likes of you pouncing on 'em
from amongst the mops.
[laughter]
Oh Rosie, love.
What would I do without you?
End up in clink, shouldn't wonder.
Oh.
Same again.
See ya.
I just wish I'd been born rich.
I think you're the most
selfish person I've ever met.
And you're too precious to spit.
Go on, have a good gob,
get it out of your system.
You make me so nervous.
[laughter]
You're not what I imagined.
Just what did you imagine?
Shall I tell you?
You thought I would gently seduce you.
Dreadful thing to say.
You're a lady, Niki, with a great big L.
Not only do you want me to seduce you,
but first, you want me to woo you.
But wooing takes a lot of time and energy,
and I can't spare you either.
But if you really want
me in bed this minute,
I'll give you a good half hour.
Of course you don't.
You want it in pink ribbons.
You are horrible.
[Kim] It's the only way to
keep my mind on what matters.
And I don't matter.
Just don't hang around me
waiting for me to live for you.
[sighing]
I've don't your toothbrush for you.
I've already clean--
I don't eat paint.
Clean it off before you go.
No.
You do it yourself, Oxfam eyes.
Well so you have, you've got awful eyes.
And yours are very beautiful.
They turn my guts.
Don't try and hurt me, Niki,
I'm very fond of you in my way.
Well, I don't very much like your way.
That costs money.
[Niki] I've got plenty.
Then you'd better give me some.
I'm not giving you anything.
Your manners are appalling,
and your language.
Were you dragged up in the slums?
Yes, I suppose I was,
but yours aren't much better.
Where were you dragged up?
[screaming]
Just don't take the piss
out of me, little girl.
Just don't.
[laughter]
[suspenseful music]
[music intensifying]
[panting]
[gentle crying]
[foreboding music]
You're evil.
Understand?
You could do better than that, look.
[Kim] You've been looking at my letters.
Sorry, I just noticed.
Seven eight.
You've had enough then?
No.
Go on.
[Robin] If you'd put that other word,
that would have been--
Oh just have your own go,
stop trying to have mine.
All right, keep your vest on.
Cymbal is A L, isn't it?
Cymbal, bang bang?
Yes.
[Robin] It would have been--
What's the point of adding it up
if you haven't got it?
You've had enough of her, then?
It's your go.
[Kim] I'm going home.
Home.
[Niki] Damn you.
Switch it off.
[Kim] Niki.
[Niki] Get off.
I'm sorry.
[Niki] I don't want to talk to you.
Cutting off your nose?
My aunt Darnley would have
a fit if she knew about you.
Never wanted me to have a flat anyway.
If she knew what I'd got in it.
[laughter]
Give us a kiss and stop trying to live
by Aunt ruddy Darnley's standards.
You're dreadfully physical for a woman.
I expect you're used to meeting ladies.
I'm rather tired of all this nonsense.
Three sexes.
I think you're mad.
Budge up.
You're not coming in here.
Not with those boots on, anyway.
Improving by the minute.
Oh.
Oh, we'll have to get a double bed,
I can't have this nonsense.
I'm not buying any double bed.
My aunt comes sometimes.
Is it your aunt Darnley
who spoils you rotten?
They all do.
Aunts, uncles, cousins.
Treat me like a doll.
All except Gilbert.
We used to have a lot of fun together.
And who is Gilbert?
One of my cousins.
The black sheep.
So whatever makes you wanna be a temp sec?
Well, I want to see what it's like
to be ordinary.
What's your verdict?
Some of it's better.
People do tend to talk to
you and not your money,
but mostly it's rather boring.
How much money have you got?
I don't know exactly.
Uncle Miles handles it.
I can't have it till I'm 18.
How much do you think?
Why?
I shan't be giving any to you.
[laughter]
I shan't talk to you then.
Why that's blackmail.
But you like games like that.
Yes.
Just messing about.
Just think, if I can hire a studio,
a proper studio.
I don't know why you're bothering.
I can't touch the money
for months and months.
Let's play a game.
What?
[Kim] Let's see who can
keep quiet the longest.
Longer, there are only two of us.
All right, all right.
I'll say when.
Go on then.
When.
[suspenseful music]
[door slamming]
[laughter]
Kim.
There, I've spoken first.
Now you can come back to bed.
[Rose] Don't start getting
principles with me, love.
Where have you been all night?
How much money do you want?
Well, I mean,
if I want something,
Uncle Miles doesn't usually say no.
I thought I could say I wanted to buy a,
well, buy a car or something.
But you'll have to do
something with yourself.
You know, be presentable.
[laughter]
[motorbike engine roaring]
Just Kim.
You choose your moments, don't you?
I'm going.
Don't be so obvious.
You'd better come in.
Come on.
[tense music]
You're drunk.
Yes.
What's she doing?
[Robin] Packing her clothes.
[Kim] Packing her clothes?
But she can't, I need a dress.
You need?
You need?
You need a clout.
[footsteps plodding]
I've left the big case
for you to bring down.
He's bloody pissed.
Couldn't carry himself, nevermind a case.
I'll do it if you're
so bleeding in capable.
Shut your filthy mouth.
[tense music]
Stop hating me, it's not my fault.
Not my fault his eyes wandered.
His eyes, his hands, his cock.
They should be in his control, not mine.
Why blame me?
Blame him.
Foul, isn't it?
I beg your pardon.
The weather.
Thank you, could you
take it out to the car?
My god, Robin, I'll never know saw in her.
She's not even pretty.
[humming]
[car engine revving]
Did you have to?
Yes.
I'm afraid I did.
[Robin] You only make
people think worse of you.
I don't care.
Well, I can buy you a dress.
[Kim] Stuff it.
Come on.
I'm not your bleeding prostitute.
I love you.
What do you want me to say?
To do?
Nothing.
It's been suck a long
time since we've seen you.
I've been really busy, Aunt.
Oh yes, of course.
Oh, there's Miles.
Kim, you must come and meet Miles.
I expect he's fast asleep as usual.
Miles.
Miles.
Niki's here with her friend.
[Miles] Ah.
You are awake.
[Miles] Lovely to see you. [laughter]
That's a very pretty dress.
Thank you.
Oh, this is Kim.
Hello.
So, you're the motorbike
girl, are you? [laughter]
That's right.
Kim, do come and sit down.
I've laid tea by the pool.
[Niki] Shall we have a
game of badminton today?
You don't think you'll get too hot?
You're not going to get me at it though.
[laughter]
Oh, well.
Your favourite cucumber sandwiches there,
I had them made up for you.
-Do eat something.
-Such a pity
to waste this marvellous weather.
Do come and sit down, Kim.
Yes, do sit here.
I'm going to keep my hat on
infrastructure nobody minds.
Hmm.
Very nice.
[lighthearted music]
[Miles and Kim chatting indistinctly]
What do you think about
this, this car business, Kim?
Problem is there's so many
maniacs about these days.
Nicola really is very young, you know.
There'll be more maniacs when she's older,
the percentage rises about the same rate
as the driving populous.
[laughter]
Or even faster, because of the conditions.
[laughter]
No, no, I'm not happy about Niki driving.
Not at all.
I don't think she's old enough myself.
You learn so much better
when you're young.
Yes.
Of course, once Niki gets
her mind set on a thing,
you know, she really is
a very determined girl.
Bet you haven't seen that side of her.
Oh yes, yes I have.
-[laughter]
-That's game!
-[panting]
-[applause]
[Niki] I had the sun in my eyes.
[Miles] You'll have to do
better than that, Nicola.
I'm afraid some girls tend to
play a man's game these days.
These days seem to give
you quite a lot of trouble.
He's just old fashioned.
Aren't you, Uncle Miles?
As a matter of fact, they do, Kim.
Country's going to the dogs.
Miles, don't you start on politics.
I'm sure Kim doesn't want to hear.
On the contrary.
[Niki] Kim.
[Miles] I think there's
more than just a touch
of women's lib about our Kim here.
[Kim] Well, that's hardly
exclusive to these days,
it was founded 2,000 years ago.
Well, that's news to me anyway.
Have you never heard of Jesus Christ?
I think you've got your lines
a bit crossed there my dear.
Are you a church goer, Kim?
Most young people seem to
spurn the church nowadays
but I still think it's a good--
Aunt, Kim doesn't want to hear about that.
No, of course not.
But you are a Christian, Kim?
I do believe in Christ.
There you are.
There's an example for you, my girl.
You don't, do you?
I thought you said the Bible was a--
I didn't say I believed
in the Bible, Niki.
It's the most sexist book
ever bodged together.
Christ shines through it like a fog lamp.
I can't quite see how you tie him up
with your women's lib lot anyway.
What do you think women's lib is?
I know very well what it is.
It's a threat to decent family life.
The Bible's that, a threat to decency.
Six one, I hope you're not
gonna dispute that score.
I know what the score is.
The Bible explains everything.
Of course it doesn't.
[Niki] Fault.
It just gives an excuse for everything.
A rubber dummy for guilty consciences.
With females as scapegoats
for all the vileness of the human race.
You still haven't told me
what Christ has to do with women's lib.
Well, Jesus didn't expect
women to be duty-bound.
Martha said, "Dost thou not care
"that my sister has
left me to serve alone?"
and Jesus answered, "Mary
has chosen that good part
"which shall not be taken away from her."
Ladies are welcome to their servitude.
Women are free to follow
their own conscience.
I thought we were playing a game.
Poor old Jesus didn't have
quite all the answers,
but when you think of the opposition,
the fear and prejudice of the times,
she probably made a bigger step forward
than any other one person.
She?
Why not?
Jesus may have had the body of a man,
but definitely the common sense brain
and compassionate heart of a woman.
[laughter]
No, no.
I'm afraid you've lost me now.
Anyway, Kim, if you believe in Jesus,
your heart's in the right place.
[Miles] Hmm.
But even Jesus said if you believe in him,
you must believe in God.
Christ also said God is love.
Not some fearful omnipotent up there
ready to put the boot in
every time our weaknesses
get the better of us.
Love.
Love thy neighbour as thyself.
How many men love females as themselves?
As themselves?
If they did, society would
have one set of rules
for all the sexes.
All the sexes?
Kim says there are three.
[Miles] Oh. [laughter]
I should have thought I would
have noticed that by now.
Why?
It doesn't show in bodies.
Sexuality's controlled by the
brain, not by the genitals.
Perhaps we should have stuck to politics.
[Kim] Jesus' principles
should apply to everything,
to politics, to life.
I quite agree.
There's not enough honesty
in politics these days.
All this corruption, it's dreadful.
I wasn't ready.
That's your fault.
Yes, you may well call
me old fashioned, Nicola,
but there's a lot to be said
for the old values, you know.
What this country needs is
a return to the decent life.
To the good life.
11 three, my game.
It seems in vogue suddenly
to want a return to this good way of life.
I'm afraid I'm not sure what it is.
Family life, dear.
Yeah.
Which particular one?
All families are different.
Well, I don't mean all the same, Kim.
Not regimentation.
What I believe we want is
within each different family unit
more closeness.
More living for one's own
rather than wanting so much outside.
Yes, it actually makes sense.
[laughter]
I'm not a complete fool, you know.
More closeness within each
unit, yes, I like that.
As long as the units don't have to conform
to any basic standard,
as long as the people in 'em
don't have to conform to any basic rule.
But how can it be until
there's more overall equality?
[Aunt Darnley] The unions
will ruin the country, anyway.
[Miles] That'll be the end of it.
What would you do about
the unions, eh Kim?
[Niki] She'll say unions are people
standing up for their rights.
[Aunt Darnley] But they're
never satisfied, Kim dear.
[Miles] That's what
socialism does for you.
Breeds dissatisfaction.
[Niki] Kim.
[Kim] Oh god, what am I doing here?
I must work.
[tense music]
Oh dear, not socialist, is she?
Have I gone and said the wrong thing?
No, liberal.
Wait for me, Kim!
[Aunt Darnley] Oh, don't rush off.
She's just like that.
Awfully sorry.
It's all right,
we know all about the
artistic temperament.
Thought no one was supposed
to mention Gilbert.
I suppose we always make too much
of Gilbert's temperament.
Or not enough.
Damn you, you could at least wave.
[birds singing]
[tense music]
They liked you.
Never thought they would.
You yourself, they liked you.
I like them too in a way.
They will laugh at
themselves, that's something.
Though socialism was needed.
It exposed poverty.
That willingness to expose--
Oh, nevermind that now.
Oh Kim.
Come on.
God.
I do object to this bed.
Kim.
Kim, what on earth?
You've left her?
You've left that poor girl.
You really enjoy it, don't you?
Taking people up to cloud
nine and then dropping them.
No.
I, I just want the room, I must work.
I, I don't want anything else,
just the room, I'll eat
in there, sleep in there.
I just want to work.
You want, you want, you want.
I'm getting sick of hearing
about it, what you want.
What you need.
What about what I want?
You want the room?
I must exhibit an exhibition,
I want you to arrange it.
The right people when I'm ready.
Yeah, it don't matter where.
Will you?
All right.
But if you live in my
house, you sleep in my bed.
I'm not playing silly
buggers with you anymore.
Is that clear?
I'm home.
Do you want some coffee?
Coffee.
What's she doing here?
[Kim] Modelling for me,
what the hell do you think?
I'm not having her in my house.
You what?
Told you.
I can't work without models.
Then get somebody else.
Rose, don't go.
It's all right, love.
I can spot bastards a mile off.
This is ridiculous, Robin.
I'll not have anything
to do with bastards.
Rose.
Rose.
What did you do the for?
I'm not having you messing
about with her in my house.
And don't say you don't.
Everybody knows what she is.
I don't know why you associate
yourself with those people.
I just don't understand you.
You lower yourself.
Look, if you want models, get models.
I don't mind paying, only
don't bring whores back here.
"He that is without sin, let him cast--"
Don't preach Jesus at me.
Come on, Kim.
What's got into you tonight?
What's the matter?
Don't you like me anymore?
I'm not stopping you.
No.
You're not helping me, either.
Can't you even act as
if you're enjoying it?
No.
God, you're useless.
I don't enjoy it, do I?
It.
Nor lying here afterwards
in your pool of muck.
Queer bitch.
What can I say?
[Niki] Kim.
[crying]
You haven't gone off me?
No.
I haven't gone off you.
But I must work, Niki.
That must come first.
[Lewis singing]
Lewis!
For Christ's sake, give it a rest!
Stop dur-during will you?
How much longer do I have to
stand here like this, Kim?
Until I don't have to sit there like that.
Keep still.
That includes your scrotum.
I'm not standing here any longer.
[Kim] You will.
Why should I?
Why should I drive 64 miles every day
getting you and your grotty
little brother to school?
Why should I waste all that time
when there's an adequate train service?
Not adequate, you have to wait ages.
So you expect me to take you.
Well, it's not my fault Mom's ill.
What did you promise
to do for me in return?
Nothing, I don't like you anyway.
Get 'em off.
[Ben] No.
I'll thump ya.
I'll thump you back.
-Ooh, you little...
-[Lewis singing]
I don't like you.
I don't like school.
I don't care if I don't go.
I don't like anything.
Why didn't you both go to
your aunt's like your sister?
There's only room for Carrie.
-Please let me in.
-Didn't want to anyway.
-I want to live here.
-Come on,
I want to watch you.
Open the door.
But like before.
[Lewis] Let me in.
Come on, I want to watch you.
Can I, Kim?
Please?
I'm not doing it again.
You're a tart, my mother said.
Sex mad tart.
Get guns if they'll let me,
big machine ones that go uhuhuhuhuh!
-Uhuhuhuhuh!
-Yes, I bet you would,
you little fart.
Black teeth, why will you get guns?
Call Ben!
Guns are nasty.
Only nasty people want guns.
Nasty little grots like you, see?
Doesn't your mommy cuddle
you like this, Lewis?
You're the reason why it can't work.
Anything decent with your
-grab, grab, grab.
-Ben!
-And your great big ego.
-Ben, come and help me.
[Kim] What misery will you
cause, you little bugger?
[Lewis] Ben, Ben!
[Kim] What will you plunder?
Who will you stamp on
on your way to the top of the muck heap?
What a service I'd do for the world
if I put you out of your misery.
[crying]
[birds singing]
I went over to see Aunt last week.
Had it in my mind I was going to tell her.
About us?
Yes.
I was really quite determined to.
When it came to it, I just chickened.
Makes me worry about what's
going to happen to us.
We'll only ever change things
by going on with what we believe.
Not by chickening out.
There's not the same security in it, Kim.
Not as in marriage.
There's no security in marriage either,
believe me, I've been there.
You never said before.
Never been relevant.
Security comes with care.
Not marriage.
Sometimes, they coincide, but
they don't go hand in hand.
But in marriage, you
are with the mainstream.
Must be easier.
Can't imagine you married.
Nor me.
Why did you then?
[Kim] Got lumbered, didn't I?
Pregnant?
What do you think the
scars are on my guts?
[Niki] I didn't know.
No, we never know, do we?
Not soon enough.
People must learn to tell
their daughters the truth,
not glorify everything.
Now you're there,
with that man.
You jealous?
Yes.
You've no need to be,
I shall only stay as long as I have to.
As soon as I've had my exhibition,
he can get stuffed.
Well, that's dreadful.
You're just using him.
Men have been using females
since the beginning of time.
What happened to your child?
God knows.
I looked after him for five years.
I gave him five years of my life.
He knew his ABC when he was two.
And his teeth were white, not black
'cause I resisted filling his face
with sweets every five minutes.
I was a good mother.
Then he started school,
and there was a form to fill in.
And the form asked for the father's name.
And the father's job.
And the father's and the
father's and the father's,
not mine, I'd borne
him, I'd given my womb,
my time, my energy, my patience, my love.
And the child was still his.
And all he'd given was the bloody sperm.
I objected to the form.
Refused to fill it in.
People round me laughed,
they were just plain bloody embarrassed.
My little boy was crying,
he didn't understand.
But society called my child his.
So I let him have it.
I don't know how you can be so cruel.
And I don't know how you can be so weak.
[tense music]
Beautiful, isn't it?
Yeah, but cold.
Let's go home.
I haven't got a home anymore.
Nor me, Ben.
I'm like Jesus,
I just bum around where I can.
Trying to do what seems right.
Are you mad?
Maybe.
Anyway, let's go back.
To your father's house
and your father's food
and your father's fire,
and try not to mind
being society's beggars.
[knocking]
[mournful music]
I thought I told you not to come here.
[Niki] I had to talk to you.
I'll be round later.
[Niki] I know, I did mean to wait.
What's wrong?
I just want to talk to you, that's all.
I didn't say there was
anything wrong, did I?
Have I done something to annoy you?
I'm not annoyed.
Don't light that.
Oh.
If you've got something to say,
open your mouth and let it drop out.
Don't start getting flip.
Don't, don't, don't.
Am I allowed to breathe?
Kim, I love you.
I just want you to tell me
the truth about something,
that's all.
Look, I've been told,
is it true that you go to prostitutes?
Not put like that, no.
Put like something?
You go to a pub called The Queen's Head?
Yes.
[Niki] Prostitutes live there?
Yes.
[Niki] And you mix with them?
Yes.
And don't get up, just,
don't rave at me.
A friend of mine lives there.
You've never said before.
Do I know all your friends?
I doubt it.
Besides, I can't think
who'd be telling tales
about me to start with.
Don't start getting self righteous.
I'm not blaming you.
Well, that's big of you.
But I do think I have a right to know.
Do you go to prostitutes?
Perhaps you're with one.
Who isn't a bloody prostitute?
Some people may sell their bodies,
far more lease out their minds.
The great, "I don't believe in it but
-"I've got to earn a living."
-I knew you'd lecture me.
Your friend.
Is she a prostitute?
Yes.
[Niki] You go to bed together?
We have done.
Since you've known me?
Oh, Niki, does it matter that much?
-I've known Rose since--
-Oh don't say her name.
I've known her for a very long time,
she's been very good to me.
How could I just split with her?
I couldn't.
I'll stop going to bed
with her if it hurts you,
as it hurts you.
Perhaps I should have before,
but she's my friend,
you mustn't expect me
to turn my back on her.
Cast her out, yesterday's
package, last night's dreams,
cast her out for the newest, latest model.
That's their way.
Whose?
Men's.
We must find our own way,
not accept theirs because it's easier.
Nor because it's started us in the face,
wherever we turn, the barbarism.
Kim please.
We can make a world
that's worth living in.
But we must be ruthless,
like real socialism.
Oh, look at you.
Sitting there all bloody superior.
I don't know how you've got the gall.
The number of times
you've come running to me
'cause you haven't been
able to get anybody else.
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
If this little liaison
backfires on you, you will be.
Bert.
Give us another.
She can get her own.
Oh Rose, don't be so bloody...
After all I've done for you.
I like it with you.
Don't wanna like it with any
of those other buggers, do you?
I'm sorry.
Oh shut up, you're not
the least bit sorry.
Who was it used to stick up for you
when the other kids were
shouting after you down our road?
[Kim] You.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe I shouldn't, maybe I
should have gone along with them.
Ha.
Kim, Kim, she thinks her name's Jim
but she hasn't got a cock.
-Get off!
-Hey, come on!
We get enough of that here
from the bleeding men.
I thought you was my friend.
I thought you was mine and all.
You're so bloody proud of being a woman
you sometimes forget to be human.
[sorrowful music]
Mrs. Darnley?
Is Niki there?
Oh.
No.
No, it doesn't matter,
she's probably just out.
Can I speak to Gilbert Darnley?
Oh.
Well, when will he be back?
No.
No, don't bother.
[upbeat music]
[church bells chiming]
[wedding guests talking indistinctly]
[door handle rattling]
[church bells chiming]
What's that silly fool?
Good god, Nicola, isn't
that your friend Kim?
I'll have to speak to her, Uncle Miles.
It's a bit irregular.
Now hang on, surely you
don't need to get out.
You look ridiculous in that gear.
I know.
Then get it off.
Don't be stupid.
Me?
Think Niki, before it's too late.
I have thought.
I just can't face the alternative.
[church bells ringing]
Go and tell that silly girl
this is no time for chatting, will you?
Think we'd better leave 'em to it.
Oh god.
I had no idea.
I'm sorry.
You're hell to be with.
Jesus be with you, then.
I thought I might give the liberals
a try next time, you know.
Drive on.
Wotcha.
Drowning your sorrows, girl?
Hasn't bloody paid for it.
[till ringing]
What happened exactly?
I wasn't invited.
Oh, she got married then?
Kim, look.
Kim.
Come and talk to me.
[Kim] I've got nothing left to say.
Don't go in there!
Kim, I've, I've done something stupid.
Bastard!
[groaning]
[crying]
Why?
Why that?
It was the only way I could touch you.
Do I have to be touched?
Yes.
I thought so when I did it.
I...
Love her.
Yes.
Hell, isn't it?
[bottle smashing]
[Kim] No, you fool.
Don't stop now.
We must have strength.
Lady Mary.
Crucified mother of Jesus.
Gentle mother of love.
Join with me, my friend.
Unite your ranks with mine.
Stay with me, Kim.
You've got the bread, Dad.
[sorrowful music]
[peaceful music]
[oil crackling]
Kim, are you coming down for this meal?
I'm getting sick of this.
[sniffing]
Kim, come out of there.
Or have this bloody food at least.
[knocking]
[door handle rattling]
There's a letter for you.
Maybe it's from that girl.
I thought that would get you out.
[Niki] Kim darling,
have you been going mad?
I meant to write you before,
but the weeks have gone by.
-You think I don't know...
-You'll have your noticed
I'm not at the flat.
Thing is darling, I'm about to be married,
Saturday.
Gilbert, you're back.
No, no, you don't know
me, I'm Niki's friend.
Yes, I know she is, but I
don't know which church,
could you...
Yes, yes, on the road between...
Yes, I know where.
Oh, and the time?
Yeah, thanks.
So she came to her senses.
How galling for you.
Whatever's going on in that head of yours,
don't do it, just leave the kid alone.
Look, if you leave this
house you needn't come back
and you can forget the exhibition.
I won't be paying for it, is that clear?
[motorcycle engine revving]
Kim darling,
you'll have noticed I'm not at the flat.
I did toy with the idea of
letting you have it for a studio,
but I thought that might prove a mistake
and an embarrassment in the long run.
The thing is, darling, I'm
about to be married, Saturday.
Is that today for you now?
I just couldn't go on suffering with you.
You were made to be a
genius, not a spouse.
Just concentrate on that.
And I'm over you now, and
Eric's really very sweet.
Not a bit like you.
[laughter]
But that's dreadful.
How do you cope with your work?
But there's only one problem though,
I've got to go away for the weekend,
I won't be back till Monday.
[laughter]
You didn't.
Kim what, did you say?
[upbeat music]
Kim what, did you say?
Kim nothing, I don't
believe in last names.
I mean, why should I use
some second hand male tag?
[laughter]
Oh, well, just Kim then.
[Kim] Yes.
[Niki] Do you work for the firm?
No, just here with a
friend, I'm a painter.
[Niki] Not walls and things?
I have been known to.
[laughter]
But you're an artist?
Of sorts.
[Niki] Where do you live?
I'm between homes at the moment,
of no fixed abode, don't they say?
But that's dreadful.
How do you cope with your work?
Well listen, it just happened.
I got thrown out of my room.
Why?
You know, I didn't think they
could do that these days.
Depends.
[Niki] On what?
Behaviour.
What did you do?
Molested the landlord's wife.
[laughter]
You didn't.
Can I help it if I was born
with a good healthy appetite?
Oh, it's the big white chief, Mr. Joyce.
This is Niki, temp sec to be cum Monday
to your friend Phillips, right?
Circulate, damn you.
About your healthy appetite.
Anyway, it was the landlord
who did most of the
objecting, not his wife.
Oh.
Actually, I've got a spare bed in my flat.
Or is that too presumptuous?
Not at all, it's very kind.
I thought it might tied you over.
Until you find something better.
Yes.
There's only one problem though,
I've got to go away for the weekend,
I won't be back till Monday.
I'm going to stay with my aunt.
I must go, you see, she worries a lot.
Well, she's my guardian.
You see, my aunt and uncle,
they're my guardians.
We mustn't upset your guardians, must we?
Can't you shut up now?
You've nagged me all the way home.
[Robin] You've slept all the way home.
Only my eyes were asleep,
I could still hear you carping
away at the back of my head.
And what do you expect?
People were talking.
Even Phillips, and he's no puritan.
"She'll eat her in a minute,"
that's what he said to me.
Well, if you will drag me to
these boring business dos,
what do you expect?
I didn't expect you to
spend the entire evening
chatting up some little
temp sec, whatever she was.
You were there to, well,
you know very well why you were there.
You're just jealous, Dad.
That's what's driving you.
All right then, I'm jealous.
The point is you were there to circulate
and to be nice to people.
Oh, just like your lady wife.
Daddy's right arm, oh marvellous,
topping, three bags full.
Well, I'm not Louise.
On the end of this arm is a body
with active blood and a fertile mind.
And you're drunk.
What kind of a fool do you
think you made me look?
Everybody knows you're my mistress.
Oh god, we're arguing.
I don't argue with you.
You're my best friend, I
don't have that many friends.
I can't risk losing you.
Just Kim, my love.
I'm not Louise, old Rob.
And I don't expect you to be.
But now that you're here,
entertaining will just have
to be part of your life.
All I'm asking is that you
don't exhibit yourself.
Please.
I won't be living here.
Of course you will, it's all arranged.
Not by me.
Look, I don't feel like
playing silly buggers tonight,
did you give up your room
to come and live here
or did you not?
[Kim] No.
I've cleared out the study for you.
You've changed your mind.
I never made up my mind.
Well, I wish you would.
I mean, the times you said all you want
is a decent studio and peace
and time to work in it,
the times you've said that,
and now I'm able to give it
to you, you don't want it!
Of course I do!
Like a big juicy sweet to a baby,
but it wouldn't work.
Don't smoke that stuff, Kim,
not in my house.
Not in my house, thank you.
God.
[bell ringing]
Come on.
[tense music]
Kim?
You look so different.
It's very late, I've
been waiting all evening.
I had to wait for a friend to borrow a van
to pick up my stuff.
Well, where is it?
I expect she'll dump
it off in the morning.
So where's this bed?
That one over there.
Well, you could have this
one if you wanted to, but I--
That'll do.
Thank you, didn't say thank you, did I?
Oh no, it's fine.
Are you going to bed?
I've got to be up early.
You don't mind?
But I've done supper.
It's not gone off too much.
I've had something.
At the pub.
Oh.
[sighing]
Good night then.
Right.
[alarm clock ringing]
About your things.
Sorry, I'll move them,
as soon as you say where.
Could Arsenal and Everton
possibly draw would you say?
I've no idea.
Well, I'll put it.
You never know your luck.
There.
Bye.
Where are you going?
[Kim] Work.
We'll talk about that
stuff tonight, right?
What work?
Well, I thought you
were a, all that stuff,
don't you work at home?
Yeah, and I don't sell, so
I have to go out for bread.
Oh.
Well, what do you do out?
Clean bogs.
Lavatory cleaner?
You are joking?
No, the well known and well tried brand X.
Don't you get covered in germs and things?
No, I wipe 'em out.
99% anyway, I don't claim to be perfect.
How daft.
Only way to stay sane, isn't it?
[Radio Presenter] Signed agreement
never again to try and
run an animal sanctuary
in a field of Rockhampton.
[lighthearted music]
You left the door open.
Yes.
Oh, and I had some keys cut today.
Obviously going to keep
rather different hours.
Afraid I haven't done anything for you.
Not after last night.
That's good, I'd rather keep separate.
You're very different, you know.
From whom?
At that party.
You could almost be someone else.
You sound disappointed.
Have you washed your hands?
Ever, or recently?
Is that pot?
Please don't mind.
Huh, no.
I think you're very foolish though.
They say it blanks the mind.
My mind needs blanking.
What a dreadful thing to say.
Is it?
I don't see why.
The more fertile your mind,
the more you have to see.
I'm not sure I wanna
see the misery anymore.
[Niki] Don't talk like that.
Please.
[groaning]
Sorry.
I had some semi-raw sausages midday.
There's probably a...
Look, do you take other drugs?
Pills and things?
Don't worry about it.
I can't help it.
Look, if you're ill,
you should see a doctor.
Mine's very nice.
Of course, I am a private patient.
The world's ill.
No doctor can sure the either.
[Niki] About those things on your bed.
No room for them, is there?
No room for me to work here.
[Niki] Not really.
Then why did you ask me?
I don't know.
When did you first know you were gay?
[Kim] I don't remember.
Roughly.
My age?
No.
A lot younger.
[Niki] About what?
[Kim] I'd rather not tell you.
Please.
Then get your fingers
ready to put in your ears,
since my father initiated me.
Initiated?
Yes, against the wall at
the back of our house,
Sunday afternoon, I was 11.
Do you mean he...
That's dreadful.
I was getting the coal in.
I saw him coming round
the corner of their house.
He was in a foul mood.
Started trampling down the chrysanthemums.
[Niki] Why?
My mother grew 'em.
They were yellow, not fancy.
Small yellow chrysanthemums.
I suppose she must've
rejected him or something.
We were a big family.
I know she was sick of having kids.
Anyway, I shouted to her.
About the chrysanthemums,
she was very proud of 'em.
Don't suppose she heard.
He did.
[sighing]
Can't say anymore.
Kim, I'm so sorry.
I should never have asked you.
That's all right.
It's quite a relief.
I never told anyone before ever.
Even Robin.
I should tell Robin.
He bought me some chrysanthemums once.
The smell of 'em.
It still makes me wanna vomit.
I threw 'em back in his face
and he went on about the
stupidity of women's lib.
I should've told him why.
I couldn't.
In fact, I enjoyed seeing him hurt.
I'm not proud of it.
It's just the way I am.
Anyway.
When people apply that word gay, to me,
it seems a hell of a paradox.
If it's gotta be the
choice between the two,
I think I'd prefer queer.
Oh, we'd better get that
stuff moved off your bed.
You can put it in the bathroom.
I don't use the dressing
room and you can have that.
I can't work in there, Niki.
In that space?
Besides, I've seen enough of bogs.
What other the choice is there?
[sorrowful music]
But you're spreading.
Will you stop pestering me,
I'll de-spread when I've finished, right?
I do have a right to wash.
Just be you don't--
You've got an obsession with it.
If it's not hair, it's your feet,
if it's not feet, it's your ass.
All this steam, my canvases'll be ruined.
You are dreadfully crude.
I didn't know you'd be like this.
And how do you want me to be?
Go away and make a list,
say, of possible improvements
and we'll discuss it later.
Ha, here's never any later, is there?
You never stop.
Talk about me being obsessive.
I don't have much time.
What difference could half an hour make?
Everything.
Everything, I've got a million pictures
going round and round in here,
if I don't get 'em out, I'll lose 'em.
Your head is probably
going round and round
because of all that dope.
Anybody would think I was fixing
on the hour to listen to you,
I'm not a junkie you know, I choose it.
For someone so perceptive,
you're very short sighted at time.
Okay.
I'll give you half and hour,
what do you want me to do?
[customers chatting indistinctly]
Artists should be lie athletes, sponsored.
In this country, even athletes
have to earn their bread.
True.
And if you lot had it too easy,
think of all the crap that'd
jump on the bandwagon.
Well, you can easily check
your athletes aren't cheating
at their three half minute mile,
but a good art's just a matter of opinion.
Oh, people don't want good art,
they just wanna be titillated
and sentimentalised.
What about all the other stuff,
the Old Masters and all.
People want that, don't they?
Look at the price they fetch.
They're all dead, them and their ideas.
People are sentimentalised by death.
Ready for ideas when
they're too stale to matter.
God, you're dreary tonight.
All this shunting around
I do, it's ridiculous.
Wasting half my life doing
drop jobs for peanuts.
It's all so disruptive.
Drink up, I'll get you another.
How's Niki?
She's a lady.
Thought that would have
been right down your street.
Chance for a touch of the sados.
Sexual should be mutual.
I think I'm in love with her.
In love?
That'll be the day.
Well, it's hopeless
there, but I can't leave.
Sounds dangerous.
Still, might do you some good.
Rub off some of them nasty corners.
All I need is a sensible base to work in.
What about that bloody
bloke, what's his name?
Robin?
Do you know, because I've
lain with him a few times
Robin calls me bisexual?
What do you think of that?
[laughter]
Only way you're bisexual
is by going with women and ladies alike.
[laughter]
No.
No, not Robin.
I need somewhere
free from sex I suppose.
You've been saying that for
the last five years at least.
I mean it now.
Saying that and all.
How can I help saying the
same when nothing changes?
So what's brought it on
this time, Lady Niki?
Nope.
I've had the sack.
[laughter]
What did you do?
This lady reported me.
All she had to say was no thank you,
she wouldn't have reported
a man for far worse.
If they'd been in the
ladies' bog, she would.
You never learn.
What self-respecting ladies expect
from their common or garden convenience
is the privacy to pass their water
and check their coiffure, deary.
Not the likes of you pouncing on 'em
from amongst the mops.
[laughter]
Oh Rosie, love.
What would I do without you?
End up in clink, shouldn't wonder.
Oh.
Same again.
See ya.
I just wish I'd been born rich.
I think you're the most
selfish person I've ever met.
And you're too precious to spit.
Go on, have a good gob,
get it out of your system.
You make me so nervous.
[laughter]
You're not what I imagined.
Just what did you imagine?
Shall I tell you?
You thought I would gently seduce you.
Dreadful thing to say.
You're a lady, Niki, with a great big L.
Not only do you want me to seduce you,
but first, you want me to woo you.
But wooing takes a lot of time and energy,
and I can't spare you either.
But if you really want
me in bed this minute,
I'll give you a good half hour.
Of course you don't.
You want it in pink ribbons.
You are horrible.
[Kim] It's the only way to
keep my mind on what matters.
And I don't matter.
Just don't hang around me
waiting for me to live for you.
[sighing]
I've don't your toothbrush for you.
I've already clean--
I don't eat paint.
Clean it off before you go.
No.
You do it yourself, Oxfam eyes.
Well so you have, you've got awful eyes.
And yours are very beautiful.
They turn my guts.
Don't try and hurt me, Niki,
I'm very fond of you in my way.
Well, I don't very much like your way.
That costs money.
[Niki] I've got plenty.
Then you'd better give me some.
I'm not giving you anything.
Your manners are appalling,
and your language.
Were you dragged up in the slums?
Yes, I suppose I was,
but yours aren't much better.
Where were you dragged up?
[screaming]
Just don't take the piss
out of me, little girl.
Just don't.
[laughter]
[suspenseful music]
[music intensifying]
[panting]
[gentle crying]
[foreboding music]
You're evil.
Understand?
You could do better than that, look.
[Kim] You've been looking at my letters.
Sorry, I just noticed.
Seven eight.
You've had enough then?
No.
Go on.
[Robin] If you'd put that other word,
that would have been--
Oh just have your own go,
stop trying to have mine.
All right, keep your vest on.
Cymbal is A L, isn't it?
Cymbal, bang bang?
Yes.
[Robin] It would have been--
What's the point of adding it up
if you haven't got it?
You've had enough of her, then?
It's your go.
[Kim] I'm going home.
Home.
[Niki] Damn you.
Switch it off.
[Kim] Niki.
[Niki] Get off.
I'm sorry.
[Niki] I don't want to talk to you.
Cutting off your nose?
My aunt Darnley would have
a fit if she knew about you.
Never wanted me to have a flat anyway.
If she knew what I'd got in it.
[laughter]
Give us a kiss and stop trying to live
by Aunt ruddy Darnley's standards.
You're dreadfully physical for a woman.
I expect you're used to meeting ladies.
I'm rather tired of all this nonsense.
Three sexes.
I think you're mad.
Budge up.
You're not coming in here.
Not with those boots on, anyway.
Improving by the minute.
Oh.
Oh, we'll have to get a double bed,
I can't have this nonsense.
I'm not buying any double bed.
My aunt comes sometimes.
Is it your aunt Darnley
who spoils you rotten?
They all do.
Aunts, uncles, cousins.
Treat me like a doll.
All except Gilbert.
We used to have a lot of fun together.
And who is Gilbert?
One of my cousins.
The black sheep.
So whatever makes you wanna be a temp sec?
Well, I want to see what it's like
to be ordinary.
What's your verdict?
Some of it's better.
People do tend to talk to
you and not your money,
but mostly it's rather boring.
How much money have you got?
I don't know exactly.
Uncle Miles handles it.
I can't have it till I'm 18.
How much do you think?
Why?
I shan't be giving any to you.
[laughter]
I shan't talk to you then.
Why that's blackmail.
But you like games like that.
Yes.
Just messing about.
Just think, if I can hire a studio,
a proper studio.
I don't know why you're bothering.
I can't touch the money
for months and months.
Let's play a game.
What?
[Kim] Let's see who can
keep quiet the longest.
Longer, there are only two of us.
All right, all right.
I'll say when.
Go on then.
When.
[suspenseful music]
[door slamming]
[laughter]
Kim.
There, I've spoken first.
Now you can come back to bed.
[Rose] Don't start getting
principles with me, love.
Where have you been all night?
How much money do you want?
Well, I mean,
if I want something,
Uncle Miles doesn't usually say no.
I thought I could say I wanted to buy a,
well, buy a car or something.
But you'll have to do
something with yourself.
You know, be presentable.
[laughter]
[motorbike engine roaring]
Just Kim.
You choose your moments, don't you?
I'm going.
Don't be so obvious.
You'd better come in.
Come on.
[tense music]
You're drunk.
Yes.
What's she doing?
[Robin] Packing her clothes.
[Kim] Packing her clothes?
But she can't, I need a dress.
You need?
You need?
You need a clout.
[footsteps plodding]
I've left the big case
for you to bring down.
He's bloody pissed.
Couldn't carry himself, nevermind a case.
I'll do it if you're
so bleeding in capable.
Shut your filthy mouth.
[tense music]
Stop hating me, it's not my fault.
Not my fault his eyes wandered.
His eyes, his hands, his cock.
They should be in his control, not mine.
Why blame me?
Blame him.
Foul, isn't it?
I beg your pardon.
The weather.
Thank you, could you
take it out to the car?
My god, Robin, I'll never know saw in her.
She's not even pretty.
[humming]
[car engine revving]
Did you have to?
Yes.
I'm afraid I did.
[Robin] You only make
people think worse of you.
I don't care.
Well, I can buy you a dress.
[Kim] Stuff it.
Come on.
I'm not your bleeding prostitute.
I love you.
What do you want me to say?
To do?
Nothing.
It's been suck a long
time since we've seen you.
I've been really busy, Aunt.
Oh yes, of course.
Oh, there's Miles.
Kim, you must come and meet Miles.
I expect he's fast asleep as usual.
Miles.
Miles.
Niki's here with her friend.
[Miles] Ah.
You are awake.
[Miles] Lovely to see you. [laughter]
That's a very pretty dress.
Thank you.
Oh, this is Kim.
Hello.
So, you're the motorbike
girl, are you? [laughter]
That's right.
Kim, do come and sit down.
I've laid tea by the pool.
[Niki] Shall we have a
game of badminton today?
You don't think you'll get too hot?
You're not going to get me at it though.
[laughter]
Oh, well.
Your favourite cucumber sandwiches there,
I had them made up for you.
-Do eat something.
-Such a pity
to waste this marvellous weather.
Do come and sit down, Kim.
Yes, do sit here.
I'm going to keep my hat on
infrastructure nobody minds.
Hmm.
Very nice.
[lighthearted music]
[Miles and Kim chatting indistinctly]
What do you think about
this, this car business, Kim?
Problem is there's so many
maniacs about these days.
Nicola really is very young, you know.
There'll be more maniacs when she's older,
the percentage rises about the same rate
as the driving populous.
[laughter]
Or even faster, because of the conditions.
[laughter]
No, no, I'm not happy about Niki driving.
Not at all.
I don't think she's old enough myself.
You learn so much better
when you're young.
Yes.
Of course, once Niki gets
her mind set on a thing,
you know, she really is
a very determined girl.
Bet you haven't seen that side of her.
Oh yes, yes I have.
-[laughter]
-That's game!
-[panting]
-[applause]
[Niki] I had the sun in my eyes.
[Miles] You'll have to do
better than that, Nicola.
I'm afraid some girls tend to
play a man's game these days.
These days seem to give
you quite a lot of trouble.
He's just old fashioned.
Aren't you, Uncle Miles?
As a matter of fact, they do, Kim.
Country's going to the dogs.
Miles, don't you start on politics.
I'm sure Kim doesn't want to hear.
On the contrary.
[Niki] Kim.
[Miles] I think there's
more than just a touch
of women's lib about our Kim here.
[Kim] Well, that's hardly
exclusive to these days,
it was founded 2,000 years ago.
Well, that's news to me anyway.
Have you never heard of Jesus Christ?
I think you've got your lines
a bit crossed there my dear.
Are you a church goer, Kim?
Most young people seem to
spurn the church nowadays
but I still think it's a good--
Aunt, Kim doesn't want to hear about that.
No, of course not.
But you are a Christian, Kim?
I do believe in Christ.
There you are.
There's an example for you, my girl.
You don't, do you?
I thought you said the Bible was a--
I didn't say I believed
in the Bible, Niki.
It's the most sexist book
ever bodged together.
Christ shines through it like a fog lamp.
I can't quite see how you tie him up
with your women's lib lot anyway.
What do you think women's lib is?
I know very well what it is.
It's a threat to decent family life.
The Bible's that, a threat to decency.
Six one, I hope you're not
gonna dispute that score.
I know what the score is.
The Bible explains everything.
Of course it doesn't.
[Niki] Fault.
It just gives an excuse for everything.
A rubber dummy for guilty consciences.
With females as scapegoats
for all the vileness of the human race.
You still haven't told me
what Christ has to do with women's lib.
Well, Jesus didn't expect
women to be duty-bound.
Martha said, "Dost thou not care
"that my sister has
left me to serve alone?"
and Jesus answered, "Mary
has chosen that good part
"which shall not be taken away from her."
Ladies are welcome to their servitude.
Women are free to follow
their own conscience.
I thought we were playing a game.
Poor old Jesus didn't have
quite all the answers,
but when you think of the opposition,
the fear and prejudice of the times,
she probably made a bigger step forward
than any other one person.
She?
Why not?
Jesus may have had the body of a man,
but definitely the common sense brain
and compassionate heart of a woman.
[laughter]
No, no.
I'm afraid you've lost me now.
Anyway, Kim, if you believe in Jesus,
your heart's in the right place.
[Miles] Hmm.
But even Jesus said if you believe in him,
you must believe in God.
Christ also said God is love.
Not some fearful omnipotent up there
ready to put the boot in
every time our weaknesses
get the better of us.
Love.
Love thy neighbour as thyself.
How many men love females as themselves?
As themselves?
If they did, society would
have one set of rules
for all the sexes.
All the sexes?
Kim says there are three.
[Miles] Oh. [laughter]
I should have thought I would
have noticed that by now.
Why?
It doesn't show in bodies.
Sexuality's controlled by the
brain, not by the genitals.
Perhaps we should have stuck to politics.
[Kim] Jesus' principles
should apply to everything,
to politics, to life.
I quite agree.
There's not enough honesty
in politics these days.
All this corruption, it's dreadful.
I wasn't ready.
That's your fault.
Yes, you may well call
me old fashioned, Nicola,
but there's a lot to be said
for the old values, you know.
What this country needs is
a return to the decent life.
To the good life.
11 three, my game.
It seems in vogue suddenly
to want a return to this good way of life.
I'm afraid I'm not sure what it is.
Family life, dear.
Yeah.
Which particular one?
All families are different.
Well, I don't mean all the same, Kim.
Not regimentation.
What I believe we want is
within each different family unit
more closeness.
More living for one's own
rather than wanting so much outside.
Yes, it actually makes sense.
[laughter]
I'm not a complete fool, you know.
More closeness within each
unit, yes, I like that.
As long as the units don't have to conform
to any basic standard,
as long as the people in 'em
don't have to conform to any basic rule.
But how can it be until
there's more overall equality?
[Aunt Darnley] The unions
will ruin the country, anyway.
[Miles] That'll be the end of it.
What would you do about
the unions, eh Kim?
[Niki] She'll say unions are people
standing up for their rights.
[Aunt Darnley] But they're
never satisfied, Kim dear.
[Miles] That's what
socialism does for you.
Breeds dissatisfaction.
[Niki] Kim.
[Kim] Oh god, what am I doing here?
I must work.
[tense music]
Oh dear, not socialist, is she?
Have I gone and said the wrong thing?
No, liberal.
Wait for me, Kim!
[Aunt Darnley] Oh, don't rush off.
She's just like that.
Awfully sorry.
It's all right,
we know all about the
artistic temperament.
Thought no one was supposed
to mention Gilbert.
I suppose we always make too much
of Gilbert's temperament.
Or not enough.
Damn you, you could at least wave.
[birds singing]
[tense music]
They liked you.
Never thought they would.
You yourself, they liked you.
I like them too in a way.
They will laugh at
themselves, that's something.
Though socialism was needed.
It exposed poverty.
That willingness to expose--
Oh, nevermind that now.
Oh Kim.
Come on.
God.
I do object to this bed.
Kim.
Kim, what on earth?
You've left her?
You've left that poor girl.
You really enjoy it, don't you?
Taking people up to cloud
nine and then dropping them.
No.
I, I just want the room, I must work.
I, I don't want anything else,
just the room, I'll eat
in there, sleep in there.
I just want to work.
You want, you want, you want.
I'm getting sick of hearing
about it, what you want.
What you need.
What about what I want?
You want the room?
I must exhibit an exhibition,
I want you to arrange it.
The right people when I'm ready.
Yeah, it don't matter where.
Will you?
All right.
But if you live in my
house, you sleep in my bed.
I'm not playing silly
buggers with you anymore.
Is that clear?
I'm home.
Do you want some coffee?
Coffee.
What's she doing here?
[Kim] Modelling for me,
what the hell do you think?
I'm not having her in my house.
You what?
Told you.
I can't work without models.
Then get somebody else.
Rose, don't go.
It's all right, love.
I can spot bastards a mile off.
This is ridiculous, Robin.
I'll not have anything
to do with bastards.
Rose.
Rose.
What did you do the for?
I'm not having you messing
about with her in my house.
And don't say you don't.
Everybody knows what she is.
I don't know why you associate
yourself with those people.
I just don't understand you.
You lower yourself.
Look, if you want models, get models.
I don't mind paying, only
don't bring whores back here.
"He that is without sin, let him cast--"
Don't preach Jesus at me.
Come on, Kim.
What's got into you tonight?
What's the matter?
Don't you like me anymore?
I'm not stopping you.
No.
You're not helping me, either.
Can't you even act as
if you're enjoying it?
No.
God, you're useless.
I don't enjoy it, do I?
It.
Nor lying here afterwards
in your pool of muck.
Queer bitch.
What can I say?
[Niki] Kim.
[crying]
You haven't gone off me?
No.
I haven't gone off you.
But I must work, Niki.
That must come first.
[Lewis singing]
Lewis!
For Christ's sake, give it a rest!
Stop dur-during will you?
How much longer do I have to
stand here like this, Kim?
Until I don't have to sit there like that.
Keep still.
That includes your scrotum.
I'm not standing here any longer.
[Kim] You will.
Why should I?
Why should I drive 64 miles every day
getting you and your grotty
little brother to school?
Why should I waste all that time
when there's an adequate train service?
Not adequate, you have to wait ages.
So you expect me to take you.
Well, it's not my fault Mom's ill.
What did you promise
to do for me in return?
Nothing, I don't like you anyway.
Get 'em off.
[Ben] No.
I'll thump ya.
I'll thump you back.
-Ooh, you little...
-[Lewis singing]
I don't like you.
I don't like school.
I don't care if I don't go.
I don't like anything.
Why didn't you both go to
your aunt's like your sister?
There's only room for Carrie.
-Please let me in.
-Didn't want to anyway.
-I want to live here.
-Come on,
I want to watch you.
Open the door.
But like before.
[Lewis] Let me in.
Come on, I want to watch you.
Can I, Kim?
Please?
I'm not doing it again.
You're a tart, my mother said.
Sex mad tart.
Get guns if they'll let me,
big machine ones that go uhuhuhuhuh!
-Uhuhuhuhuh!
-Yes, I bet you would,
you little fart.
Black teeth, why will you get guns?
Call Ben!
Guns are nasty.
Only nasty people want guns.
Nasty little grots like you, see?
Doesn't your mommy cuddle
you like this, Lewis?
You're the reason why it can't work.
Anything decent with your
-grab, grab, grab.
-Ben!
-And your great big ego.
-Ben, come and help me.
[Kim] What misery will you
cause, you little bugger?
[Lewis] Ben, Ben!
[Kim] What will you plunder?
Who will you stamp on
on your way to the top of the muck heap?
What a service I'd do for the world
if I put you out of your misery.
[crying]
[birds singing]
I went over to see Aunt last week.
Had it in my mind I was going to tell her.
About us?
Yes.
I was really quite determined to.
When it came to it, I just chickened.
Makes me worry about what's
going to happen to us.
We'll only ever change things
by going on with what we believe.
Not by chickening out.
There's not the same security in it, Kim.
Not as in marriage.
There's no security in marriage either,
believe me, I've been there.
You never said before.
Never been relevant.
Security comes with care.
Not marriage.
Sometimes, they coincide, but
they don't go hand in hand.
But in marriage, you
are with the mainstream.
Must be easier.
Can't imagine you married.
Nor me.
Why did you then?
[Kim] Got lumbered, didn't I?
Pregnant?
What do you think the
scars are on my guts?
[Niki] I didn't know.
No, we never know, do we?
Not soon enough.
People must learn to tell
their daughters the truth,
not glorify everything.
Now you're there,
with that man.
You jealous?
Yes.
You've no need to be,
I shall only stay as long as I have to.
As soon as I've had my exhibition,
he can get stuffed.
Well, that's dreadful.
You're just using him.
Men have been using females
since the beginning of time.
What happened to your child?
God knows.
I looked after him for five years.
I gave him five years of my life.
He knew his ABC when he was two.
And his teeth were white, not black
'cause I resisted filling his face
with sweets every five minutes.
I was a good mother.
Then he started school,
and there was a form to fill in.
And the form asked for the father's name.
And the father's job.
And the father's and the
father's and the father's,
not mine, I'd borne
him, I'd given my womb,
my time, my energy, my patience, my love.
And the child was still his.
And all he'd given was the bloody sperm.
I objected to the form.
Refused to fill it in.
People round me laughed,
they were just plain bloody embarrassed.
My little boy was crying,
he didn't understand.
But society called my child his.
So I let him have it.
I don't know how you can be so cruel.
And I don't know how you can be so weak.
[tense music]
Beautiful, isn't it?
Yeah, but cold.
Let's go home.
I haven't got a home anymore.
Nor me, Ben.
I'm like Jesus,
I just bum around where I can.
Trying to do what seems right.
Are you mad?
Maybe.
Anyway, let's go back.
To your father's house
and your father's food
and your father's fire,
and try not to mind
being society's beggars.
[knocking]
[mournful music]
I thought I told you not to come here.
[Niki] I had to talk to you.
I'll be round later.
[Niki] I know, I did mean to wait.
What's wrong?
I just want to talk to you, that's all.
I didn't say there was
anything wrong, did I?
Have I done something to annoy you?
I'm not annoyed.
Don't light that.
Oh.
If you've got something to say,
open your mouth and let it drop out.
Don't start getting flip.
Don't, don't, don't.
Am I allowed to breathe?
Kim, I love you.
I just want you to tell me
the truth about something,
that's all.
Look, I've been told,
is it true that you go to prostitutes?
Not put like that, no.
Put like something?
You go to a pub called The Queen's Head?
Yes.
[Niki] Prostitutes live there?
Yes.
[Niki] And you mix with them?
Yes.
And don't get up, just,
don't rave at me.
A friend of mine lives there.
You've never said before.
Do I know all your friends?
I doubt it.
Besides, I can't think
who'd be telling tales
about me to start with.
Don't start getting self righteous.
I'm not blaming you.
Well, that's big of you.
But I do think I have a right to know.
Do you go to prostitutes?
Perhaps you're with one.
Who isn't a bloody prostitute?
Some people may sell their bodies,
far more lease out their minds.
The great, "I don't believe in it but
-"I've got to earn a living."
-I knew you'd lecture me.
Your friend.
Is she a prostitute?
Yes.
[Niki] You go to bed together?
We have done.
Since you've known me?
Oh, Niki, does it matter that much?
-I've known Rose since--
-Oh don't say her name.
I've known her for a very long time,
she's been very good to me.
How could I just split with her?
I couldn't.
I'll stop going to bed
with her if it hurts you,
as it hurts you.
Perhaps I should have before,
but she's my friend,
you mustn't expect me
to turn my back on her.
Cast her out, yesterday's
package, last night's dreams,
cast her out for the newest, latest model.
That's their way.
Whose?
Men's.
We must find our own way,
not accept theirs because it's easier.
Nor because it's started us in the face,
wherever we turn, the barbarism.
Kim please.
We can make a world
that's worth living in.
But we must be ruthless,
like real socialism.
Oh, look at you.
Sitting there all bloody superior.
I don't know how you've got the gall.
The number of times
you've come running to me
'cause you haven't been
able to get anybody else.
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
If this little liaison
backfires on you, you will be.
Bert.
Give us another.
She can get her own.
Oh Rose, don't be so bloody...
After all I've done for you.
I like it with you.
Don't wanna like it with any
of those other buggers, do you?
I'm sorry.
Oh shut up, you're not
the least bit sorry.
Who was it used to stick up for you
when the other kids were
shouting after you down our road?
[Kim] You.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe I shouldn't, maybe I
should have gone along with them.
Ha.
Kim, Kim, she thinks her name's Jim
but she hasn't got a cock.
-Get off!
-Hey, come on!
We get enough of that here
from the bleeding men.
I thought you was my friend.
I thought you was mine and all.
You're so bloody proud of being a woman
you sometimes forget to be human.
[sorrowful music]
Mrs. Darnley?
Is Niki there?
Oh.
No.
No, it doesn't matter,
she's probably just out.
Can I speak to Gilbert Darnley?
Oh.
Well, when will he be back?
No.
No, don't bother.
[upbeat music]
[church bells chiming]
[wedding guests talking indistinctly]
[door handle rattling]
[church bells chiming]
What's that silly fool?
Good god, Nicola, isn't
that your friend Kim?
I'll have to speak to her, Uncle Miles.
It's a bit irregular.
Now hang on, surely you
don't need to get out.
You look ridiculous in that gear.
I know.
Then get it off.
Don't be stupid.
Me?
Think Niki, before it's too late.
I have thought.
I just can't face the alternative.
[church bells ringing]
Go and tell that silly girl
this is no time for chatting, will you?
Think we'd better leave 'em to it.
Oh god.
I had no idea.
I'm sorry.
You're hell to be with.
Jesus be with you, then.
I thought I might give the liberals
a try next time, you know.
Drive on.
Wotcha.
Drowning your sorrows, girl?
Hasn't bloody paid for it.
[till ringing]
What happened exactly?
I wasn't invited.
Oh, she got married then?
Kim, look.
Kim.
Come and talk to me.
[Kim] I've got nothing left to say.
Don't go in there!
Kim, I've, I've done something stupid.
Bastard!
[groaning]
[crying]
Why?
Why that?
It was the only way I could touch you.
Do I have to be touched?
Yes.
I thought so when I did it.
I...
Love her.
Yes.
Hell, isn't it?
[bottle smashing]
[Kim] No, you fool.
Don't stop now.
We must have strength.
Lady Mary.
Crucified mother of Jesus.
Gentle mother of love.
Join with me, my friend.
Unite your ranks with mine.
Stay with me, Kim.
You've got the bread, Dad.
[sorrowful music]