Secret Army (1977–1979): Season 2, Episode 9 - Little Old Lady - full transcript

Everything to your satisfaction Mademoiselle? - Yes, thank you.

Goodnight Mademoiselle.

Thank you, sir.
- Well, Monsieur Albert...

That one, do you know who she is?
- Oh yes. Mademoiselle Duclos.

Do you know what she is?
- Yes, Madame Lambrichts I do.

Mademoiselle Duclos is a personal friend of Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler.

These are difficult times Monsieur Albert.

You won't last long if you don't keep your wits about you.

Do you know what people are saying? - No.

That you are too well in with the ... authorities.

Still, you know your own business best. - I think so, Madame.

I think so.

Albert, Pascal wants to talk to you.
- Here?

At the surgery.

To do with this man who came in 10 days ago. - The Wing Commander? - Yes.

Well, he should be in Van Arteveldestraat by now.
- Yes, Pascal moved him out this afternoon.

Well what you're worrying about?
- Alain's heard from London. This man is special. - Ah!

I'm moving the other two out in a couple of days. Ring Pascal and tell him I'll see his special fellow then.

Shepley, come away from that window.

Sit down.

and for God's sake, relax.
- I'm sorry Sir

And stop calling me, Sir.

It's this room. Stuck in here for days on end. Gets you down.

You could be lying out there, in a burnt out cockpit, dead as mutton.

Felt a bit of a fool. Shot down on my first operation. I mean, compared to what you've done.

I'm the same as you Shepley, a civilian in uniform.

You know, in 39 I was learning how to design locomotives.

Other than flying, they're the only thing I know anything about.
- Steam engines?

No . Locomotives. Belpaire fireboxes,
Walschaerts valve gears, superheaters...

Wing commander Kelso?
- Yes. Who are you?

I don't think you should worry about my name. Sorry I couldn't see you until this morning.

Are you ready gentlemen?
- Is, is this it?

Your guide's waiting for you on the other side of the street. Now do everything you've been told and you'll be alright.

Any questions? - No - Just a moment.

Alright. Off you go.

I, I wish you were coming too Sir.
- So do I Shepley, so do I.

Good luck.

You know I'm responsible, was responsible for 16 heavy bombers.

Crews, bomb loads operations. Every last thing.

But I couldn't do what you're doing.

If it weren't for men like yourself, we wouldn't have the opportunity to do it.

Right. First things first.

London knows you're here, and wants you back, soon.

Pathfinder DSM and bar. DFC and bar.

You're an RAF hero Wing Commander.

No, I've just lived longer.

I'm sorry, you see, London is running rather short of Pathfinders.

That last raid was my 51st operation.

Half of my friends didn't even get into double figures.

I'm like you.
- Why?

Living on borrowed time.

Well, I'm sorry we couldn't find better accommodation.
- It's bigger than the cockpit of a Lancaster.

I've never been in one. But you will be here some time.

When you do go down the line...
- When is when?

When you're ready. But it will be with one of our best guides. She's on her way back to Brussels now.

"Her" way?
- Yes, our best guides are women, Wing Commander.

I shall be away for a night, perhaps two. - Oh?

What will you do?
- Do?

While I'm away. - Oh, nothing.

You should find something. Some interest outside yourself Madeleine.

I don't need anything.
If I'm bored, I can sit in the Candide.

Don't look so concerned, Ludwig.

Is that the only record you've got? - Yes.

Don't you like it?

You know it's absurd I can't get in touch with you directly. You really must have a telephone. - Why?

Why not? - I can't afford it.

Oh the telephone will be charged to the Gestapo.

I'll see that Rennert arranges it at once.

And now, I have to work

You'll need money. - No!

Madeleine surely? - Not now!

Makes me feel like...
- No.

You mustn't feel that.
- Mustn't?

It's a denial of our ... regard for each other.

Please.

Now I really must go.

I'll be here when you get back ...
from wherever you're going.

The Luftwaffe people are convinced an RAF Ace is hiding somewhere.

Sooner later, the man will show himself,

and when he does, I shall catch the people helping him.

Take care of yourself.

I brought your food Wing Commander.

I can touch it anyhow.

Now, isn't it time I was getting out of here?

You can do that, but I warn you Kessler won't rest until he's caught.

And remember, we think this man is a Pathfinder. So please I want no mistakes.

No needless criticism of the Luftwaffe. Yes?

Your order Herr Major.
- Oh yes, yes.

Monsieur Foiret, is this really the best you can do?
- I'm sorry, sir. Things are getting very difficult.

Now, well, well. I'll leave it to you.
- Thank you...

Kelso, they know about him.
- They know what?

Well, that he's just laying low. Somewhere.

That settles it then. He never stood a chance anyway.
- Oh no, no, London must have him back.

With half his face burned away?
He's going to be our house guest indefinitely.

The sooner everyone realizes that the better, including Kelso.

Monique. Now, something's upset you.
- It's nothing.

Is it Kelso?
- It's nothing. I've told you.

I know you too well.
- It's nothing.

Nothing very different from before.

Max, Can you play "I bet you've heard this one before,"

Who for? You?
- Her.

No. No, I don't do favors for women like that.

Alright.

Nazi pigs. Collaborators.

It's a bomb.

On the ground.

Everybody out. Quickly.

Gaulitz, take charge.
Don't touch that thing.

Put sandbags and get the police.
Mr. Foiret, come with me.

This way please.

It's a faulty detonator or a jammed spike. It could even be a dummy.

Well yeah, that's for you to find out, isn't it? Yes, of course I'll be here.

Now, you understand the restaurant must remain empty. No one is to go near the grenade. - Yes, of course Herr Major. Are you sure it won't explode?

Only if bomb disposal make a mistake. Oh don't worry, the Candide is safe enough.

Thank you Herr Major.

You see how my motives and my attitude to the authorities are completely misunderstood?

I'm very much afraid that next time...
- Yes, I understand, but what do you expect of me?

I don't know Herr Major. You saw Madame Lambrichts dress stained with wine.

Now next time...
- It could be blood?

Now if we do take you out...
- If?

There's only one way you can go. As a woman.

You're joking.
- No, I'm not.

Makeup. Thick heavy makeup.

No, it can't be done.

All right then, you stay here until the end of the war.

The Gestapo know as well as you what a burn scar means.
- For God's sake woman, makeup?!

Oh, I don't know. It might work. But what about me? - You?

I'll give the game away in 2 minutes.
- It's up to you.

And what choice have you given me?

If it's a choice between a German prison camp or sitting here forever, I want a run for my money.

I'll go without your help.
- No. - You'll stop me?

Yes, if necessary. You ignorant irresponsible fool.

You do anything to put the line at risk and you will be shot!

Anyway, the Germans would pick you up in less than an hour.

You don't much like me, do you? - No.
- Does this disgust you?
- Look, it's not a question of liking or not liking.

Then for God's sake, give me a chance.

Look, I know about locomotives.
Railway working.

Take me down the line as a railwayman.
If I get into difficulties I'll talk my way out.

Now talk it over with your boss. Anything you like.

Only get me out of here.

Alright? - I can't give you an answer. You'll have to wait.

I think you're a fool and you'll get yourself killed.

We will take him as far as we can.

Now if we have to abandon him, well, as a railwayman he may survive.

If he does know what he's doing.
- He's dangerous to himself, and everybody else. He should stay where he is.

No.I promised London. - Oh! ... London?

London keeps account of every sous they send us.

Yes, to keep the line going.
- And this place.

Alright. When do I take him out?
- Not you.

Someone less involved.

What's up?
- Oh, I don't know. Strain, last night's terrorist business. I don't know...

She needs a holiday.
- Yeah, so do we all.

I'll need some papers for this man. Railwayman, S.N.C.F.

Forty-eight hours?
- Yes, thank you.

How's it look.

Terrible.
- I wasn't asking you. Albert?

Terrible. Thanks all the same.

I don't know why I come here.

Kelso, I want you to take him.
- Alright.

The man with the scar?
- Yeah. - But you can't.

A bit of a handful, and you may have to improvise. And with that scar it won't be straightforward.

It'll be suicide. - Francois, shut up.

It'll help if you can get him to Paris, to the sisters at Senlis.

All out.

Everybody get out.

Excuse me.
Can I get through?

Move.

Why have you stopped us? Eh?

We're late enough as it is.

Natalie?

She's still on her way to Senlis.

Yes, well, they'll get there eventually. - Is she alright?

She's at the end of her tether. She needs some help.

All right.

Don't tell François.

I give up, nobody's listening.
- Oh, I wouldn't say that.

Drunk I suppose. Who cares?

You know, I don't know why you bother.

I'm sorry.
- It's no trouble Mademoiselle.

They're waiting out there. Don't you know that?

Sooner or later, in the night...

...one night in a dark street or another bomb.

Please Madamoiselle, try to forget about it. - I stay at home.

Or here alone.

I can die monsieur. A little thing.

But please, God, not alone.
- You mustn't say such things, Madeleine.

Mustn't? Please don't make me go home alone.

Wagner and Richard Strauss. - A gift,

from my lover, Ludwig Kessler.

Thank you. - To the past.
- Not to the future? - No.

But surely after the war?

Either some brave resistance hero will shoot me dead as a traitor

or Kessler will take me back in triumph to Berlin and marry me.

I don't honestly think that possibility is more than ... a possibility.

But you. Is life giving you what you want?

You don't trust me because I go with Kessler.

He's a man like other men.
- Do you love him?

I was in love once. - And?

Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

As for Kessler. He asks me nothing and I tell him nothing.

If you were the Queen Bee of Belgian resistance, I wouldn't tell Kessler. He knows I wouldn't. So?

So what? - Well, tell me about yourself.

You'll laugh.
- I might cry for you. I won't laugh.

Well the man I live with...
Monsieur Foiret?

wants to wait until the war ends

for marriage, security, children.

Trouble is, by that time I could be a very old, old woman,

like Madame Lambrichts.

Hello. Yes, Ludwig? I sound happy because I am happy. I have a friend here.

A woman friend.

The only woman friend I have in the whole of Brussels.

No, we're exchanging confidences and getting drunk.

Yes, I'll be here when you get back.

Well, thank you for the drink, but I really must....
- Oh no, please don't.

Try this on.

All right.

That's a Balenciaga.

Jacques Fath, Coco Chanel, Balmain,
Balenciaga.

They were all my friends once. - It's gorgeous.

It suits you.

It's yours, take it.

I couldn't.
- You've a lot to learn Monique, you know.

Never refuse a gift. You offend the giver.

And yourself.
- But, well, it's yours

Not now.
- Then ... sell it.

It's common sense. Here. - No!

I'll never wear it again, nor will I sell it.
- Madeline, look...
- I do have my reasons.

Which have nothing to do with common sense. Take it.

It's late and you must go. That man Rennert can send a car.

And if some busybody asks,

you've been here on official business for Herr Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler.

Oh, don't worry. He's away looking for some poor fool of an airman.

Did you hear that?
- No. What?

This way.
- Don't you understand. We're lost.

Lost!

Then let's see if we can get some help.

You can't steal it!

Who stops an engine?

Didn't Natalie tell you where they were? Where she was phoning from?

No, she couldn't.
Monique is gonna be late.

Albert! - In this business, we expect trouble. Don't you know that yet?

If Natalie can stay...
- I know, I know.

Have you got them there?
- Yes, but everything.

You're not going down the line wearing that are you?
- Why not? - Monique, your train.

Candide...Sturmbannführer.

Oh, it was no trouble. Madamoiselle Duchamps was glad to be of service.

Thank you Herr Sturmbannfuhrer.

Kessler?

He's grateful to you Monique, for looking after Mademoiselle Duclos.

Listen... - Hey, you've got half an hour.

Oh don't worry Francois. As soon as I get to Senlis, I'll send her straight back to you.

Jump.

Jump.

That'll keep them busy for a minute or two.

Come on.

Come on!

Makeup? - Yes. - On his face?

Yes dear. Women's makeup and clothes.
- Yes, but Kelso won't try it.

Is it bad?
- Bad enough Sophie.

Oh, I'm sorry.
- Why don't you go to bed dear?

We don't mind waiting up, do we?

But it's an hour and 10 minutes to the farm.
- It's been more than hour since Natalie telephoned, but of course they are walking.

So they should be here not later than two o'clock. Oh and they'll be cold.

Sophie put another log on the fire. This poor child's sitting here frozen.

If Monsieur Kelso can't or won't do what you want, how will you take him any further?

I must persuade him.
- Is he a difficult man?

He doesn't trust me. - You mean he doesn't like you? - Well...

Perhaps you don't like him.
- Sophie! - Well it's sure to be one or the other.

Women's clothes and makeup.
I shall speak to Louis-Victor.

No, no, I don't think that's at all a good idea. - Now don't be cross.

Cross. I'm not cross.
- Only because you didn't think of Louis-Victor yourself. - Rubbish.

Anyway, Louis-Victor's my friend, not yours.
- Sophie, Madeleine, who is Louis-Victor?

Louis-Victor Conde. - He'll tell poor Mr Kelso what to do.
Won't he, dear?

I agree, no one could do it better.
- Yeah, because he knows you see.

You'll adore him Monique. So will Monsieur Kelso.

I understand what you are saying to me, but I cannot help you.

Of course you can. He's talking nonsense.

Louis-Victor was an actor with The Comedy Francaise for years and years and years. - Sophie.

Perhaps Mr. Conde, you would rather not be implicated?

Implicated? What you ask of me is perfectly innocent.

And I know nothing about your other...activities.

This young man, is he expecting me to help him?

Well, Louis-Victor, last night I did suggest... - Sophie, Sophie.

Oh dear I'm so sorry. - Where is he now?

In bed of course. They arrived late last night. - Very late.

quite exhausted.
- You have no idea what that poor young girl's been through.

Monsieur Conde, I could go and ... - No!

Mademoiselle, I have spent 60 years learning my business.

Now, when my work is nearly over and my powers are failing,

I begin to glimpse the truth of it.

Now, what am I to say to this young man who has no experience, no understanding or, or love of the art?

How can you be so exasperating?

Dearest Sophie, how many years would you have me waste on this doomed enterprise?

Good morning, Mr. Kelso. - Do come and sit down.

Did you sleep well? We were a little worried about you.
- Yes, I did.

Sophie, he's hungry.

You made it then?
- Yes, only just.

How's Natalie?
- She's still asleep. I'm sending her straight back to Brussels.

I go the rest of the way with you?
- Yes. As a woman.

Well, you know what I think about that.

Oh dear. - From here to Paris. On the Metro to the Gare d'Austerlitz.

Then the main line to Bordeaux.

Bordeaux to Saint Etienne. 500 miles.
As a woman.

Monsieur Conde, I'm sorry, this is Monsieur Kelso.

You must forgive me, monsieur.
- Oh? - I grow old and slow witted.

We must end the suffering in this war.

Mere words are poor thanks.
If I can be of service in any way. - You'll do it. Victor.

You may ask Louis-Victor anything, Monsieur. - Sophie.

Look, I don't think this is going to work.

But if you could teach me a few tricks of the trade.
- No, Monsieur, I could not do that.

What I will do is show you the heart and soul of my work.

How to believe. Ah, thank you.

Monsieur, you can see me. What manner of man I am.

I am not, you would agree, a woman?
- Sure.

And this is a napkin. Fine Reims linen.

Good, now if you will be so kind as to watch monsieur.

Sleep.

Sleep.

Sleep, my little one. No, don't cry.
Don't cry.

Little girls mustn't cry.

No tears.

Please, don't cry now.

You don't have to cry. Mama
is here.

Don't cry.

Please, I need to sleep.

We must both sleep. Please,
sweetheart, no more crying.

Stop it. Stop it.

Stop it! - No, please don't!

Well, monsieur, they believed.

And why? Because for a minute or two

I believed myself to be an insane young mother and this to be my baby.

And monsieur, because I believed, they believed.

Louis-Victor.
- Yes, dear?

You must promise me, you will never, never do such a thing again.

Dearest Sophie, I promise.

I cannot teach you tricks monsieur,

but now, for the short time that we have, I will try to teach you ... to believe.

I've been worried sick about you.
- Idiot.

There was nothing I could do. I was going out of my mind.

You are alright?
- Of course.

Those old dears at Senlis, they treat me like their favorite granddaughter.

Look if you need more time?
- No. No, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

It's time to see whether I can do it.

Monsieur. I have come to wish you luck.
- Thanks Monsieur Conde. I owe you a lot.

You owe me nothing. You are learning how to believe, that is thanks enough.

It's time you were getting ready. Everything is laid out upstairs. You've got an hour.

Monsieur, my career is over. Yours is about to begin.

For 32 years at The Comedy Francaise, I had my own personal dresser,

Michel, a good kind man, but a blockhead.

Today Monsieur I, Louis-Victor Conde Associate terror of The Comedy Francaise

shall be your dresser.

There are times when the world has need of men like me.

Today, the world has greater need of men like you.

Now Monsieur, we will go upstairs,

and when you come down again, you will be Henriette, Contess de Brinvilliers.

Thank you, Maurice. Goodnight.

Oh Maurice, can we have lots of hot water in the morning please? Lots!

Thank you. Goodnight.

Tomorrow the Contess might look better with a close shave.

That fellow. - Who? Maurice?

He really does think we're both women?

Maurice believes in the Contess because you do.

Monique, I didn't think this would work.

I thought you were wrong and none of it was gonna work.

I know we're not out of the woods yet, but I...

Look, I made a success of my squadron by being arrogant and pig headed.

If any of my lads had been stupid enough to ask me what I'd have thought of having a woman navigating my Lancaster,

he'd have got a short answer. Well, I was probably wrong about that too.

Without you I wouldn't have made the first 100 yards of this operation.

You told me once I'm ignorant. Well the fact is.

The fact is, I'm ignorant about women too.

When I get across the Pyrenees we might meet again.

After the war, you... Well, I expect you've got plans.

No. I had plans once,

but they got left behind ... somewhere.

It depends what you want.

I don't know what I want anymore.

Tomorrow, after we leave the train,

I don't want to tramp all the way up to the farm as a little old lady.

How soon can I get out of that stuff?
- At Philippe in café Bleu.

He'll burn them
- Burn? Poor old Contess.

Comfortable? - It'll do. - Kelso. - Uh huh?

I couldn't sleep on that thing.

But then that's up to you, isn't it?

Any sign of Monique's friend? - Monique's?

Sure, Monique's and Kessler's friend.

Max, I know what you think of Madamoiselle Duclos,

but she likes Monique. I'd be a fool to discourage any friendship. Now you think about that.

Albert Foiret?
- Yes.

You are under arrest.

But why? There must be some mistake?
- No mistake monsieur.

There must be. I mean, I'm known to you.

Herr Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler knows me.
- Hurry, please monsieur.

Can't I...?
- No. We go now.

We've got to stay.
Carry on as before.

With Albert...? The Gestapo could come at any time for us.

Now you can do as you please, but I'm off. - No!

If we close down the Candide, the Gestapo will be onto us.

I'll call Alain. He must let the others know.
- And if the line's tapped?

I'm no fool Max. - No, alright, there's nothing we can do. And I'm not waiting here for the Gestapo...

We don't know yet why they've got Albert. - They've got him and he'll talk. Everybody does.

If you go Max and they pick me up, I'll talk.

And the first name I'll give them will be yours.

We have to examine all papers, Sir, on account of the Dutch saboteur.

You people have just shot him. What more do you want? Get this train started. - But Herr Kapitain....

If I don't put to sea before nightfall, your commanding officer will be hearing personally from Admiral Donitz. - Sir.

More coffee?

Coffee?
- Hello Mademoiselle.

My God. Shepley.
- Hello Sir. Jolly good to see you.

We're waiting for a guide.
- Well when do we go?

The Germans have shot two of our guides in the last 10 days.

It might be another week or two.
It could be in the next hour.

Sorry it's a bit tricky at the moment, Sir. And when we do get away, we've got a fine old trek ahead of us.

To be honest, I didn't think you'd make it.
- I never thought you would Shepley.

Switchboard's jammed. Line's down. Sabotage. It could be anything. Now come on, let's go.

Not until I get word to Monique at the farm.

Albert! We never thought we'd see you again.

What happened? Are you alright?
- Yes, I think so.

But why?
- You look as if you need a drink.

It's alright. Alright.

Albert, what did they do to you?
- It's alright.

What did they want? That lot don't arrest people for nothing.

It was about the black market.
They didn't have the evidence.

The Gestapo said that?

Yes, I'm innocent, of everything.

Gentlemen, you will go with Félicien now, please. Good luck. - Come with me. - Good luck.

Well, it's goodbye. - No. No, you're staying. - Monique.

You're ill. - I'll make it.

Look at you. - Look. All this way. Belgium, France, almost into Spain.

You can't stop me now. I am going Monique.

You're a fool. You'll get yourself killed.

No. I was born lucky.

What's this? The Contess again?

You're a fool.

I must go.

Herr Sturmbannfuhrer?
- We'll wait for Mademoiselle Duclos. And we still expect Hauptmann Gaulitz?

Yes.
- Thank you, sir.

Poor fellow. He's no longer a model citizen.

And no longer a target for terrorists. Now they consider him one themselves.

It will take a little time to see if your scheme has succeeded.

Oh, I've no doubt that it will.

And what is more, he believes I still suspect him of black market activities.

A sound basis for a useful relationship.

Well, I'll be content if they leave the one good restaurant in Brussels alone.

I hope Gaulitz won't be long.

No, they got back from the frontier late this afternoon.

He was after a party of evaders.
- Yes, and the Ace Kelso may well have been with them.

Possibly possibly.

I should have gone down to the Pyrenees myself. I'd not have returned empty handed.

Neither did Gaulitz.
- What?

I'm sorry I forgot to tell you.

He found a fur coat.

Yeah, it's true. A woman's fur coat. It was just thrown down on one of the mountain passes

and with a Balenciaga label to boot.

Doesn't she sing beautifully? My friend Monique.