The Jewel in the Crown (1984): Season 1, Episode 12 - The Moghul Room - full transcript
With the Japanese surrender and the end of the war, Perron puts into effect his plan for a quick demobilization. He also hears a strange tale from one of the nurses, "Sophie" Tucker about Lance Corporal Pinker, who served as a clerk to Dr. Samuels, the hospital psychiatrist. Pinker was a young man who was confused about his sexuality and only became aware of homosexuality while reading patient files. While in the bazaar one night, he met a young Indian boy and they spent some time together. The whole thing was set up however by then Major Ronald Merrick so he could blackmail Pinker into giving him access to a particular patient's file. Nigel Rowan has to leave suddenly but gives Guy the file on their old schoolmate, Hari Kumar. Guy and Sarah also get to spend some private time together.
Morning.
- Sergeant Perron?
- Sir.
- What are you doing here?
- Reporting for duty, sir.
Haven't you heard?
The War's over. Japanese surrender.
- Colonel Trehearne's declared a holiday.
- I got up late, sir. I've heard nothing yet.
Probably go back to bed, then.
Here's Colonel Merrick noW.
Better ask him.
- Good morning, Sergeant.
- Sir.
- There have been developments.
- I've just spoken to the adjutant.
In consequence of Japan's formal
surrender, I've been recalled to Delhi.
I'm flying from Ranpur later today.
I shall probably be posted to Singapore.
If so, I shall send for you, of course.
And meanWhile, sir?
MeanWhile... you're to remain in Pankot.
- Has Captain RoWan contacted you?
- No, sir.
We dined last night at Colonel Layton's.
Captain RoWan thought you might care
to join him at the Summer Residence,
in preference
to your accommodation at the hospital.
I assumed that Would be agreeable
to you. Correctly, I imagine?
Yes, sir, entirely.
Good. He'll expect you
at the guest house this evening.
In the meantime, INA interrogations here
have been suspended,
so you can devote yourself
to victory celebrations.
- Yes, sir.
- That seems to be all.
At ease.
Captain RoWan Was pumping me
last night about Mr Kasim's INA son.
- You've read the file on Sayed Kasim?
- No, sir.
I thought you Would've done. I told you
it Was one of our more interesting cases.
Perhaps it's just as Well you didn't.
Otherwise your school friend might have
cross-examined you more successfully.
Of course, I have been trained,
as he Was,
not to give aWay too much,
though... in a different school.
By the Way,
I'm leaving Suleiman in your care.
For a day or tWo at least.
- Make any use of him you Want.
- Right, sir.
If I'm moving on from Delhi,
you can travel doWn by train together.
Goodbye, Sergeant.
Sahib, sahib, give me pass.
I go to Pankot for sahib.
Bring What he Want. You Want girl,
sahib? I find good, clean girl.
Muslim girl, Hindu girl, school teacher.
- What?
- Sahib, What do you Want, sahib?
You Want girl, you Want boy?
Jig-jig, gobble-gobble! I find it.
Very clean and very cheap.
You like to see good shoW?
My friend, his sister, thik-hai?
- Anything else?
- Whatever sahib desires.
What the sahib desires
is that you should fuck off.
- Sahib?
- I'm sure you get the general drift.
You fuck off, me so long. Bye-bye.
Sahib?
? Do I Worry cos We're stepping out?
? Do I Worry cos you got me in doubt?
? Da-di-da-di-da-di-da
? Do I give a bag of beans?
? Do I stay home every night
and read my magazines
? Am I frantic cos We've lost the spark?
? Is there panic
When it starts turning dark?
? And When evening shadoWs creep
? Do I lose any sleep over you?
? Do I Worry?
? You can bet your darn life... ?
I do.
- Bearer! Idhar!
- Sahib, I do nothing!
Sahib!
Shaitan and son of shaitan!
SWeeper's turd!
Rejected seed of a diseased pig-eater!
Or, if you Would prefer...
Go on!
- Come on, Sarge!
- He's a bloody nuisance!
(Speaking in Urdu)
Ah, just the man I Wanted to see.
I think this covers all my drinks.
I'm leaving.
So I gathered, dear, but not, I presume,
With Miss Khyber Pass there.
Thank you, dearie.
Service With a smile.
I should say you've earned yours.
And your bar chits and the change.
Thank you, Sophie.
As I Was saying,
We could've sWorn Count Dracula had
planted you on us, you being a copper.
- After What he did to my friend Pinky.
- Pinky?
Lance Corporal Albert Pinker.
Before your time, love.
Posted aWay on Operation Zipper,
Which Wouldn't suit her at all.
She Was very shy
When We Were doing the Wards together.
That's hoW she first met Dracula,
you see.
I quite fancied the Count at first,
fixing his arm on.
But as for Pinky,
she didn't have a clue What she Was.
I could see, but I Was never one
for your virgin brides.
Pity really because, if I had,
this might've been a different story.
As it Was, she never breathed a Word
to Mother till it Was too late.
All her troubles began When she started
Working for Captain Samuels,
the trick-cyclist.
Him in the hut over there.
That's hoW Pinky discovered
What homosexuals are.
From the confidential notes in the office.
Pinky started going there after hours.
'Nicking Samuels' key from his draWer
and reading the patients' files.
'That's hoW he found
there Were other boys like he Was
'and started thinking the kind of
thoughts he'd never thought before.'
Good evening, Lance Corporal.
- I take it Captain Samuels has gone.
- Yes, Major Merrick.
Can I do anything, sir?
Yes, perhaps you can.
I'd like to make an appointment to see
Captain Samuels. TomorroW possibly.
Just a minute, sir. I'll get the book.
'Pinky fixed the appointment
for the next afternoon.
'He cottoned on that Merrick Was asking
questions about another patient.
'A Woman, Pinky said.
'There Was a file on her, as Well,
but it Wasn't one Pinky had ever read.
'His line of interest noW
Was strictly Boy's OWn.
'He started going to the bazaar at night,
looking in shop WindoWs,
'Wondering if he'd ever meet
another boy Who felt like him.
'One night, just tWo Weeks after Merrick
first sneaked into Samuels' office,
'Pinky's moment came.'
Sahib, you Want Woman? You Want boy?
That boy looking at Watches,
that boy very good boy.
Like you very much, he is telling me.
Sahib Wait here. Boy come. Sahib Wait.
'Miss Khyber Pass Was starting
a marriage bureau.'
"What Was it like, love?"
That's What I asked him afterwards.
Well, you knoW hoW it is the first time.
Pinky Was too nervous.
'The boy said Pinky being nervous
put him off.'
Next time Will be OK.
You'll see.
Come back tomorroW. Meet me outside
Gulab Singh's at nine o'clock.
- We come back to my room again.
- Nine o'clock.
- HoW do you knoW you'll come?
- I promise. Nothing'll stop me.
Leave me a token.
Leave me your Watch.
Then I knoW you like and trust me.
- Do you Want some?
- Only your Watch.
'That Was the start
of Pinky's great romance.'
'The next night,
he couldn't Wait for nine o'clock to come.
'Lt Was thrilling.
He kept looking for his Watch,
'then remembering Why it Wasn't there.'
Oh, good evening, sir.
Did you Want Captain Samuels?
Only to make another appointment,
if you Would be so kind.
Yes, sir, of course.
Er... for tomorroW, sir?
I think this is yours.
My understanding
from Captain Samuels Was
that these files Were alWays kept
under lock and key.
He told me no-one but himself
had access to them.
Their contents could not
be disclosed to me. Nor to anyone.
I take it that you've managed
to obtain the key.
You Were at the filing cabinet
When I came before!
If you have the key, you'd be
Well advised to hand it over noW.
Yes, sir.
That the only file you've removed? Does
this telephone reach the civil exchange?
- Hospital exchange gets any number.
- Right. Wait outside.
Pinker...
you'd be Wise to Wait.
Do nothing foolish.
'There Was nothing Pinky could do.
'He could only think about one thing.
'The Military Police
marching him off to prison.'
'HoW long Pinky Waited,
he couldn't remember.
'Perhaps 20 minutes.
It could've been hours.
'What Merrick Was doing,
he couldn't even guess.
'All he could do Was Wait
for the shame to begin.'
Idhar.
'The file Was still there
but no key to put it back With.
'No key and no Watch.
'Next day he Went sick.'
What I suggest, Pinker,
is that you stay here for a day or tWo.
These symptoms are psychosomatic.
I believe you knoW that, don't you?
I have to say, you Were unfortunate
to come up against
that particular officer.
Tell me, hoW long Was Major Merrick
in the office after he sent you out?
I don't knoW, sir.
Maybe half an hour.
He says he Was trying to telephone me
for at least that long. I Was in all the time.
And the hospital exchange
has no record of such a call.
I've arranged a posting for you,
by the Way.
Bombay. Operation Zipper.
- I think that's best.
- Oh, thank you, sir!
Oh... and I found this.
Is it yours, by any chance?
I noticed it in the filing cabinet When
I returned the notes you Were reading.
It must've slipped off.
You should get a neW strap
or you'll lose it again.
Thank you, sir.
So Merrick hadn't told about the Watch -
or Samuels didn't choose to say.
What did it all mean?
He couldn't imagine.
All he kneW Was that Merrick
had set the Whole thing up.
A feW days later, Pinky Was gone.
Operation Zipper.
Well, bless your cotton socks, love,
the War is over! Little Pinky's safe.
But Why all the dramas? The Watch,
Count Dracula, Miss Khyber Pass.
Buggered, if you'll pardon
the expression, if I knoW.
- What Was her name?
- Whose?
The patient Merrick saW Samuels about.
You said it Was a Woman.
Wasn't anyone I'd ever heard of.
A Mrs er... Bingham.
I thought you might have the ansWer,
being Mrs Sherlock Holmes.
- No, not really.
- Well... I love you all the same.
I suppose you Wouldn't fancy
a little victory celebration this evening?
- At the Chinese restaurant.
- I've got to meet an old school friend.
That's What they alWays say.
Corporal Dixon's lonely VJ night, then.
Bottoms up, love.
Cheers, Guy.
Roll on Aunt Charlotte
and that bloody boat!
No neWs
on your Wangled demobilisation?
No, not yet. So... you'd better tell me.
- Tell me about Merrick and Hari Kumar.
- Why?
It's a good Way to bring up
the subject of Merrick.
Why Would you Want to do that?
I thought it Would make it easier for you
to ask me about Mr Kasim's INA son.
Merrick said you Would.
Not that I can tell you anything.
By the Way,
if anybody comes to put me under arrest,
Would you say
We spent the day together?
That Would depend
on What they came to arrest you for.
- Common assault on the Red ShadoW.
- Merrick's servant?
- Didn't he go back With him?
- No.
I caught him pinching 10 chips
from my jacket.
Then, in ordinary circumstances,
I'd say you Were safe enough.
Are circumstances ever ordinary
Where Merrick's concerned?
- Who's Mrs Bingham?
- Why?
Tell me about Merrick and Kumar first.
- That's a long story.
- So is mine.
It might take longer than We've got.
We're dining out.
- If that's all right.
- Should I change?
If you add a jacket,
What you're Wearing Will do very Well.
Mrs Bingham
is Sarah Layton's WidoWed sister.
She's just become engaged to Merrick.
It Was announced last night.
For God's sake, she can't marry Merrick!
He's as mad as a hatter!
I hope not.
Or at least that you don't mention it
to her this evening at the Laytons'.
That's Where We're dining.
NoW this ghastly War's over,
I suppose things Will start
getting back to normal.
(Sarah) If anyone remembers
What normal Was.
HoW about a game of tennis? It's time
someone started using that court.
- Nigel, you play, don't you?
- That's rather a matter of opinion.
- When Were you thinking of?
- This Weekend.
Sarah can find you a racquet. We can
get up a foursome With Edgar DreW.
Oh, that Would be nice, yes.
(Mildred) It's hard to get together a set of
respectable men in Pankot at present.
- Nigel told me about your engagement.
- I must say...
May I offer my best Wishes
for your future happiness?
Thank you. That's most kind.
I'm sure We shall be very happy.
Ronald's so good With my little boy.
I suppose...
We should've kept some of your Whisky.
VJ celebration. We finished it last night.
- I hope you enjoyed it, sir.
- Oh, yes.
The officer in Bombay Who gave it
to you, you rescued from the bath,
my future son-in-laW tells me
he tried again and succeeded.
Yes, I'm afraid he did.
Odd thing, suicide.
It's Worse for the family.
There Was a havildar in my regiment.
His WidoW had to leave his village
and go back to her oWn.
What good Will come of it in the end?
The questioning.
Makes you Wonder.
Aren't you turning in?
I'm leaving the file With you.
You don't have to finish it tonight.
Leaving it?
I've decided
to go back to Ranpur tomorroW.
- Whenever did you decide that?
- I suppose in the last half-hour or so.
But you can hang on here
till you get the call to Delhi
or Aunt Charlotte comes to the rescue.
I've signed you in as my guest. Just sign
the steWard's register before you go.
- Who pays? Government or you?
- Government.
And you can drink to my future,
if you like.
I'm going back into the Political. I heard
this afternoon I fly to Delhi on Tuesday.
Cheers.
- Does Miss Layton knoW?
- She knoWs I'm expecting a posting.
- Did you tell her it had come?
- No.
The atmosphere didn't seem right.
I'm sorry, it Wasn't a successful evening.
Tell me, What Was it Merrick said to you
about Sayed Kasim?
Only that you had been trying
to pump him.
I asked a simple question -
if Sayed's father Wanted to see him
and the Government thought it useful,
could it be arranged?
- What did he say?
- His department Wouldn't Welcome it.
But he thought it could be arranged
if that Was What MAK Wanted
and the Government is alWays keen
to give MAK What he Wants.
I've only met the other son - Ahmed.
- Do you alWays carry this around?
- No.
I Wanted to leave it to someone
as a parting gift
and it might as Well be you.
Sleep Well.
You'd better destroy it
if Operation Bunbury snarls up
and you're still stuck With Merrick.
In vieW of
that light-fingered servant of his.
Incidentally, you never told me
Why you asked Who Mrs Bingham Was.
It's still too long a story.
But connected in some Way?
Where Merrick is concerned,
everything's connected.
Yes, I suppose it is.
It's all in the file.
- Good night.
- Good night, Nigel. Thank you.
For everything.
(Hari) 'We haven't seen each other.
'I haven't seen Miss Manners
since the night We visited the temple.
'Something's happened to her.
Is she dead? '
- Father...
- No, no, no!
- Something is Wrong?
- Nothing is Wrong, Minister.
All arrangements
have been double checked.
Your father is Waiting.
Tell them to shoW you the room.
Private room
and no damn reception committee!
And all these people to disperse!
It's like a bloody circus!
Tell them your father is Waiting
until the room is ready.
English tamasha! AIWays the big circus!
- Yes, Mr Mehboob.
- Ahmed...
- Have you seen your brother, Ahmed?
- Not yet, Father.
But I've seen the conducting officer.
I ought to Warn you, it's Merrick.
- Merrick?
- Ex-police officer in the Manners case.
The one Pandit Baba's been
pestering you about.
I met him in Bombay three Weeks ago.
He didn't say anything
about being involved in Sayed's case.
I remember Count BronoWsky
talked to me about him.
He knoWs you knoW
he's connected to the Manners' case?
- Yes.
- So he Would assume that I knoW, too.
But he must knoW.
- He must knoW that he is on the list.
- What list?
The list of officers We may accuse
of exceeding their duties in 142.
You could say
you Will meet nobody except Sayed.
- What is his rank, Ahmed?
- Major, I think.
Yes, I Will see him.
Major Merrick?
Actually, Lieutenant Colonel
since I and your younger son last met.
My apologies for the delay.
Sayed has taken breakfast.
I hope they assured you of that.
That question has been settled.
Satisfactorily, as far as I am concerned.
Incidentally, my younger son Ahmed
had no idea you Were in any Way
connected With Sayed.
Does Sayed knoW you knoW his brother?
The one is a social acquaintance,
the other is not,
so the ansWer is no.
But you are involved
With the charges against Sayed?
Yes, Mr Kasim. I have intervieWed
your son on many occasions.
I hope he regards me, in some Ways,
as his friend.
And Were you present
When Sayed Was captured?
- No, I Was out of the line by then.
- Wounded, you mean?
Yes... um... thus.
By INA action?
There Were INA about.
Japanese, as Well. Why do you ask?
The reason is obvious, surely.
A man Wounded as badly as you
could be forgiven for taking
some opportunity to redress the balance.
One does the job one is given.
But I take your point.
So far as it is relevant,
I hold no-one to blame for my injuries
except myself. Certainly not your son.
And you're not still troubled,
as I understand you Were,
by incidents devised to remind you
of your conduct as
superintendent of police at Mayapore?
- Not until recently.
- Another stone?
Forgive these questions,
Colonel Merrick. An old laWyer's trick.
But I have once or tWice discussed
the matter With Count BronoWsky.
No, there's been only one stone.
Chucking stones at British officers
is rather hazardous.
They've reverted to the subtle approach.
The bicycle again.
- Bicycle?
- One Was involved in the evidence.
A rusty bicycle Was recently left
on my veranda
With a pork chop stinking
in the saddle bag.
(Tuts) You should report such things
to the police.
I alWays do but they don't trouble me.
They are done by enemies
but also the enemies of laW and order.
I suppose you and I are
potentially opponents, too, Mr Kasim.
- You and I?
- Your party.
Surely I'm on the list.
What list, Colonel Merrick?
The list of officials Whose past conduct
may be looked into.
If I'm not, I'm sure my old friend
Pandit Baba Won't be happy until I am.
He's capable of many things.
Assassination, for instance.
You knoW the man I mean, Mr Kasim.
I have never met him.
NoW I think I must see Sayed.
Yes, I'll bring him.
But not in here. This room is very hot.
It is like a cell.
I prefer to see Sayed in the courtroom.
At least it is large and airy.
You may post your guards,
as many as you Wish, outside the door.
Come. Come and sit.
Have you seen Ahmed?
Not yet, Father, but Ronald said I Would.
- Ronald?
- Ronald Merrick.
The chap you've been talking to. He's
quite a good felloW, very decent to me.
You sound like a British officer.
HoW have they treated you?
You look Well.
Who is Commandant of the fort
noWadays? Still Major Tippet?
I don't knoW, Father. I Was there
only overnight. You Were there, too?
Since I am going home noW, this seemed
a convenient place for them bring you.
Anyway, it gives you an outing.
- What did they tell you? Anything?
- Government permitted us to meet.
The impression Was
I had petitioned Government?
Yes.
That is not entirely accurate.
Oh, I didn't sWalloW it Whole.
I knoW hoW devious they can be.
But, in this case, devious to What end?
Come, don't hold back
just because I am your father.
It Would be very useful for them
to have someone like you on their side.
A member of Congress and a Muslim.
Someone to denounce us all as traitors.
Such people Will be in short supply.
Quite so.
Both major parties Will stand behind
the INA - Hindu and Muslim.
But Whether you come to trial
depends on the Viceroy and the C-in-C.
What the English do is
no longer important.
We've finished With them,
Whether you like it or not.
Why do you say Whether I like it or not?
What has my life been? What have
I been doing - asking them to stay?
No, not asking,
but perhaps making it possible
because you believe so much
in the poWer of laW, their laW.
What angers me is, you can no longer
help your country from inside a prison.
It is not a country, it is tWo countries.
Hindu and Muslim.
A divided India?
Yes.
So this has happened to you also.
Then We too are divided. More deeply
than by the Walls of a prison.
Why must you stay loyal
to Congress? Why?
Do you believe,
because you supported them in the past,
that you, a Muslim, Will be alloWed
to remain When they have poWer?
Congress is a Hindu party,
Whatever they say.
We shall have a Hindu Raj
for a British Raj.
You are a Muslim, I am a Muslim
and they hate us.
No!
Look at my face.
It is not the face of a Hindu or a Muslim,
it is the face of a man
Who has been in prison!
An Indian National Congressman.
I did not go to prison for Hindus only.
What are you asking me to do? To go
over to the Muslim League? To Jinnah?
Father, you have to choose.
And Ahmed, What does he say?
- Ahmed is a child.
- No, he is not a child.
Not in some Ways, but he thinks
of nothing except Women and haWking.
- HaWking?
- He's trained a falcon.
It's very difficult, you knoW.
He's much attached to her.
But that is good. Yes.
Perhaps We should say goodbye.
Thank you for coming to see me.
- You have come the greater distance.
- That is my duty.
Do not rely too much on Colonel Merrick.
He poses as your friend.
I rely on no Englishman.
And he's of no importance either.
God be With you.
Why don't you come With me to Ranpur?
Spend a feW days.
I promised BronoWsky
I'd be aWay tWo nights.
- There's a meeting of Council tomorroW.
- Council, Council! He doesn't need you.
It's the NaWab's car.
I must be sure it's safely returned.
But the driver can manage.
But if you must go back, you must.
They're connecting you onto
the Ranpur train. I'd better get doWn.
- You spoke to Sayed?
- Yes, Father.
HoW did you find him?
He looked very fit and cheerful.
He said he's treated pretty Well.
I'd better get off.
I knoW, I knoW he's Well.
Did he say anything you feel
you should tell me?
We talked about haWking mostly.
He Wants me to join the Muslim League.
What do you think I should do?
For everybody's sake, including my oWn.
Ahmed, for once I am asking you
to tell me your opinion.
I don't understand all these ins and outs.
Whatever happens,
people Will die of starvation
or kill one another if they don't.
It all means nothing to me,
parties and suchlike.
You'd better get doWn
if you are not coming to Ranpur.
To me, Sayed is a man
Who has changed sides. I cannot.
Never in my life Will I go over to Jinnah.
Does that upset you?
Why should I be upset?
I've Won my bet With BronoWsky.
He bet me you'd go over to Jinnah,
I bet him you Wouldn't.
He Wouldn't offer stakes. We both
expected me to Win, knoWing you.
- Ahmed...
- Mind yourself.
What did you mean? Expected or Wanted
me to be loyal? Expected or Wanted?
- Ahmed...
- Expected and Wanted!
? O, may this bounteous God
? Through all our life be near us
? With ever joyful hearts
? And blessed peace to cheer us
? And keep us in his grace
? And guide us When perplexed
? And free us from all ills
? In this World and the next
? Amen ?
Let us pray.
Almighty God, Who art a strong
toWer of defence unto Thy servants,
We yield Thee praise and thanksgiving...
'God bless Aunt Charlotte...
and Godspeed Operation Bunbury.
'Please! Today! '
I Want to knoW hoW you managed it.
I rang your number at the guest house.
No ansWer there.
- I Was in church.
- Church? I should try it sometime.
"Sergeant Perron to proceed to Deolali
for UK demob." Some people!
Let's find the Duty Officer. Even better!
Morning, Sarge. Got a jammy one here.
His number's up.
- Good Lord, you're a sergeant, too!
- Well, I am When I'm playing soldiers.
I'm glad you're here.
I've been trying to phone you.
- You knoW each other?
- Yes, We do.
That settles it! There's his signal.
AB64. Jabs up to date.
Well, What happens noW?
Relax, the army's taking care of you.
Feeling all right?
Silly question, of course.
They'll do you in Deolali, but if you arrive
With no medical sheet, you'll get held up.
- Lucky chap.
- Thank you, sir.
Just try not to get clap
betWeen here and Deolali.
- It sometimes happens.
- Yes, sir.
Well, that's it. All you have to do is to be
at the station before midday tomorroW.
Unless... If you could get doWn
to Ranpur overnight,
you could catch the 8am train
and gain over 12 hours.
- That could make a difference at Deolali.
- Good idea.
I'll have a Word With Pearson,
find out if there's any transport going.
- Are you going back to the guest house?
- Well, I've got to pack.
I'd ask you to lunch, but the food
isn't much cop since Nigel left.
I've got a lunch party at the Club.
- Could you manage tea?
- Perhaps.
I'll give you a ring, in any case,
about the transport.
Yes, yes, of course.
You said... you rang before.
- To say hello. As you Were on your oWn.
- Thank you.
Thank you for everything.
I envy you, Guy, but I am glad for you.
I'm not sure you don't deserve a medal.
Ronald Merrick's going to be furious!
Salaam'a!
Salaam'a? Salaam'a!
Hello.
Good Lord!
The boy Was going to Wake you When
I got here. I said to leave you for a bit.
Oh, that'll be cold.
We'd better get some more.
- When did you arrive?
- About an hour ago.
You'll be glad I let you sleep.
You Won't have a very comfortable trip
if you decide to go tonight.
The best I could do
Was the back of a 15-hundredWeight
but it is going to Ranpur station.
- That's Wonderful.
- Here's the number you have to ring.
The convoy leaves at ten this evening.
Phone Pearson at about seven.
He'll tell you Where to go -
if you Want to go.
I'll ring him noW,
then We'll knoW hoW long I've got.
He said after 6:0.
- Sahib?
- More tea or Would you prefer a drink?
I can make free so long as I don't dine
the station. You're not quite the station.
No, I'm not, am I?
I'd like a drink very much.
Gin fizz? TWo gin fizz and a little ice,
please, Salaam'a.
Yes, sahib.
Can you stay
and have an early meal With me?
I suppose Nigel's shoWn you
over the house? The Summer Residence.
- It's shut up, isn't it?
- The chaukidar Will alWays let you in.
Most of it's Anglo-lndian,
but there's a Moghul suite
Where they used to put up pet princes.
The ballroom's quite small.
They danced on the terrace, too.
- There Were coloured lights in the trees.
- Must have been nice.
Oh, I should think
it Was all rather stiff and starchy
but I remember it as part of childhood.
There hasn't been a full season
With the Governor since '.
Susan and I missed that,
being at home at school.
NoW the War's over, it'll alter even more.
People upping sticks and going home
or staying on
and getting old and tiresome.
What Will you do, Guy?
Go back to history. 180 to the Mutiny.
That's my period.
There's a Cambridge don Waiting for me
to join him. Sit tight a minute, Will you?
I'm leaving tonight, Salaam'a.
I'll sign the book before I go.
Arrange supper for tWo.
The memsahib Will probably stay.
- Thik-hai?
- Thik-hai, sahib.
Here's baksheesh for you.
- And... this for the other servants.
- Thank you, sahib.
We might Want to look at the house.
Will the chaukidar be there to let us in?
Head chaukidar is alWays there, sahib,
but I may go noW and make sure.
- Thank you, Salaam'a.
- Thank you.
Here We are.
- Namaste.
- Namaste.
Shan't be long.
I've decided
I mustn't stay for supper, Guy.
It's too late for me to ring and tell them
or make an excuse.
- Then I'll take you home.
- No, you've too much to do.
- I'll go noW.
- NoW?
Yes, I must.
Write to me sometime,
let me knoW hoW you get on.
Mm.
I've bought a feW things for people
back home. For Perron Women.
Um...
I've nothing else. It's only a scarf.
At least I think it is.
Perhaps We'd better open it
in case it's a tie for one of my uncles!
Whatever it is, I shall like it.
- One more drink?
- There isn't time. I've got to go.
- You'll need a rickshaW.
- It's only a short Walk.
- It's getting dark. I can't let you go alone.
- I shall be perfectly all right.
Honestly.
Goodbye, Guy.
'I Wanted to say, you asked me
in Bombay and I couldn't ansWer.
'Well, noW I can.
'I do remember Hari Kumar
at school in England.
- 'Playing cricket?
- 'Yes.
'I remember him very Well.'
- Sergeant Perron?
- Sir.
- What are you doing here?
- Reporting for duty, sir.
Haven't you heard?
The War's over. Japanese surrender.
- Colonel Trehearne's declared a holiday.
- I got up late, sir. I've heard nothing yet.
Probably go back to bed, then.
Here's Colonel Merrick noW.
Better ask him.
- Good morning, Sergeant.
- Sir.
- There have been developments.
- I've just spoken to the adjutant.
In consequence of Japan's formal
surrender, I've been recalled to Delhi.
I'm flying from Ranpur later today.
I shall probably be posted to Singapore.
If so, I shall send for you, of course.
And meanWhile, sir?
MeanWhile... you're to remain in Pankot.
- Has Captain RoWan contacted you?
- No, sir.
We dined last night at Colonel Layton's.
Captain RoWan thought you might care
to join him at the Summer Residence,
in preference
to your accommodation at the hospital.
I assumed that Would be agreeable
to you. Correctly, I imagine?
Yes, sir, entirely.
Good. He'll expect you
at the guest house this evening.
In the meantime, INA interrogations here
have been suspended,
so you can devote yourself
to victory celebrations.
- Yes, sir.
- That seems to be all.
At ease.
Captain RoWan Was pumping me
last night about Mr Kasim's INA son.
- You've read the file on Sayed Kasim?
- No, sir.
I thought you Would've done. I told you
it Was one of our more interesting cases.
Perhaps it's just as Well you didn't.
Otherwise your school friend might have
cross-examined you more successfully.
Of course, I have been trained,
as he Was,
not to give aWay too much,
though... in a different school.
By the Way,
I'm leaving Suleiman in your care.
For a day or tWo at least.
- Make any use of him you Want.
- Right, sir.
If I'm moving on from Delhi,
you can travel doWn by train together.
Goodbye, Sergeant.
Sahib, sahib, give me pass.
I go to Pankot for sahib.
Bring What he Want. You Want girl,
sahib? I find good, clean girl.
Muslim girl, Hindu girl, school teacher.
- What?
- Sahib, What do you Want, sahib?
You Want girl, you Want boy?
Jig-jig, gobble-gobble! I find it.
Very clean and very cheap.
You like to see good shoW?
My friend, his sister, thik-hai?
- Anything else?
- Whatever sahib desires.
What the sahib desires
is that you should fuck off.
- Sahib?
- I'm sure you get the general drift.
You fuck off, me so long. Bye-bye.
Sahib?
? Do I Worry cos We're stepping out?
? Do I Worry cos you got me in doubt?
? Da-di-da-di-da-di-da
? Do I give a bag of beans?
? Do I stay home every night
and read my magazines
? Am I frantic cos We've lost the spark?
? Is there panic
When it starts turning dark?
? And When evening shadoWs creep
? Do I lose any sleep over you?
? Do I Worry?
? You can bet your darn life... ?
I do.
- Bearer! Idhar!
- Sahib, I do nothing!
Sahib!
Shaitan and son of shaitan!
SWeeper's turd!
Rejected seed of a diseased pig-eater!
Or, if you Would prefer...
Go on!
- Come on, Sarge!
- He's a bloody nuisance!
(Speaking in Urdu)
Ah, just the man I Wanted to see.
I think this covers all my drinks.
I'm leaving.
So I gathered, dear, but not, I presume,
With Miss Khyber Pass there.
Thank you, dearie.
Service With a smile.
I should say you've earned yours.
And your bar chits and the change.
Thank you, Sophie.
As I Was saying,
We could've sWorn Count Dracula had
planted you on us, you being a copper.
- After What he did to my friend Pinky.
- Pinky?
Lance Corporal Albert Pinker.
Before your time, love.
Posted aWay on Operation Zipper,
Which Wouldn't suit her at all.
She Was very shy
When We Were doing the Wards together.
That's hoW she first met Dracula,
you see.
I quite fancied the Count at first,
fixing his arm on.
But as for Pinky,
she didn't have a clue What she Was.
I could see, but I Was never one
for your virgin brides.
Pity really because, if I had,
this might've been a different story.
As it Was, she never breathed a Word
to Mother till it Was too late.
All her troubles began When she started
Working for Captain Samuels,
the trick-cyclist.
Him in the hut over there.
That's hoW Pinky discovered
What homosexuals are.
From the confidential notes in the office.
Pinky started going there after hours.
'Nicking Samuels' key from his draWer
and reading the patients' files.
'That's hoW he found
there Were other boys like he Was
'and started thinking the kind of
thoughts he'd never thought before.'
Good evening, Lance Corporal.
- I take it Captain Samuels has gone.
- Yes, Major Merrick.
Can I do anything, sir?
Yes, perhaps you can.
I'd like to make an appointment to see
Captain Samuels. TomorroW possibly.
Just a minute, sir. I'll get the book.
'Pinky fixed the appointment
for the next afternoon.
'He cottoned on that Merrick Was asking
questions about another patient.
'A Woman, Pinky said.
'There Was a file on her, as Well,
but it Wasn't one Pinky had ever read.
'His line of interest noW
Was strictly Boy's OWn.
'He started going to the bazaar at night,
looking in shop WindoWs,
'Wondering if he'd ever meet
another boy Who felt like him.
'One night, just tWo Weeks after Merrick
first sneaked into Samuels' office,
'Pinky's moment came.'
Sahib, you Want Woman? You Want boy?
That boy looking at Watches,
that boy very good boy.
Like you very much, he is telling me.
Sahib Wait here. Boy come. Sahib Wait.
'Miss Khyber Pass Was starting
a marriage bureau.'
"What Was it like, love?"
That's What I asked him afterwards.
Well, you knoW hoW it is the first time.
Pinky Was too nervous.
'The boy said Pinky being nervous
put him off.'
Next time Will be OK.
You'll see.
Come back tomorroW. Meet me outside
Gulab Singh's at nine o'clock.
- We come back to my room again.
- Nine o'clock.
- HoW do you knoW you'll come?
- I promise. Nothing'll stop me.
Leave me a token.
Leave me your Watch.
Then I knoW you like and trust me.
- Do you Want some?
- Only your Watch.
'That Was the start
of Pinky's great romance.'
'The next night,
he couldn't Wait for nine o'clock to come.
'Lt Was thrilling.
He kept looking for his Watch,
'then remembering Why it Wasn't there.'
Oh, good evening, sir.
Did you Want Captain Samuels?
Only to make another appointment,
if you Would be so kind.
Yes, sir, of course.
Er... for tomorroW, sir?
I think this is yours.
My understanding
from Captain Samuels Was
that these files Were alWays kept
under lock and key.
He told me no-one but himself
had access to them.
Their contents could not
be disclosed to me. Nor to anyone.
I take it that you've managed
to obtain the key.
You Were at the filing cabinet
When I came before!
If you have the key, you'd be
Well advised to hand it over noW.
Yes, sir.
That the only file you've removed? Does
this telephone reach the civil exchange?
- Hospital exchange gets any number.
- Right. Wait outside.
Pinker...
you'd be Wise to Wait.
Do nothing foolish.
'There Was nothing Pinky could do.
'He could only think about one thing.
'The Military Police
marching him off to prison.'
'HoW long Pinky Waited,
he couldn't remember.
'Perhaps 20 minutes.
It could've been hours.
'What Merrick Was doing,
he couldn't even guess.
'All he could do Was Wait
for the shame to begin.'
Idhar.
'The file Was still there
but no key to put it back With.
'No key and no Watch.
'Next day he Went sick.'
What I suggest, Pinker,
is that you stay here for a day or tWo.
These symptoms are psychosomatic.
I believe you knoW that, don't you?
I have to say, you Were unfortunate
to come up against
that particular officer.
Tell me, hoW long Was Major Merrick
in the office after he sent you out?
I don't knoW, sir.
Maybe half an hour.
He says he Was trying to telephone me
for at least that long. I Was in all the time.
And the hospital exchange
has no record of such a call.
I've arranged a posting for you,
by the Way.
Bombay. Operation Zipper.
- I think that's best.
- Oh, thank you, sir!
Oh... and I found this.
Is it yours, by any chance?
I noticed it in the filing cabinet When
I returned the notes you Were reading.
It must've slipped off.
You should get a neW strap
or you'll lose it again.
Thank you, sir.
So Merrick hadn't told about the Watch -
or Samuels didn't choose to say.
What did it all mean?
He couldn't imagine.
All he kneW Was that Merrick
had set the Whole thing up.
A feW days later, Pinky Was gone.
Operation Zipper.
Well, bless your cotton socks, love,
the War is over! Little Pinky's safe.
But Why all the dramas? The Watch,
Count Dracula, Miss Khyber Pass.
Buggered, if you'll pardon
the expression, if I knoW.
- What Was her name?
- Whose?
The patient Merrick saW Samuels about.
You said it Was a Woman.
Wasn't anyone I'd ever heard of.
A Mrs er... Bingham.
I thought you might have the ansWer,
being Mrs Sherlock Holmes.
- No, not really.
- Well... I love you all the same.
I suppose you Wouldn't fancy
a little victory celebration this evening?
- At the Chinese restaurant.
- I've got to meet an old school friend.
That's What they alWays say.
Corporal Dixon's lonely VJ night, then.
Bottoms up, love.
Cheers, Guy.
Roll on Aunt Charlotte
and that bloody boat!
No neWs
on your Wangled demobilisation?
No, not yet. So... you'd better tell me.
- Tell me about Merrick and Hari Kumar.
- Why?
It's a good Way to bring up
the subject of Merrick.
Why Would you Want to do that?
I thought it Would make it easier for you
to ask me about Mr Kasim's INA son.
Merrick said you Would.
Not that I can tell you anything.
By the Way,
if anybody comes to put me under arrest,
Would you say
We spent the day together?
That Would depend
on What they came to arrest you for.
- Common assault on the Red ShadoW.
- Merrick's servant?
- Didn't he go back With him?
- No.
I caught him pinching 10 chips
from my jacket.
Then, in ordinary circumstances,
I'd say you Were safe enough.
Are circumstances ever ordinary
Where Merrick's concerned?
- Who's Mrs Bingham?
- Why?
Tell me about Merrick and Kumar first.
- That's a long story.
- So is mine.
It might take longer than We've got.
We're dining out.
- If that's all right.
- Should I change?
If you add a jacket,
What you're Wearing Will do very Well.
Mrs Bingham
is Sarah Layton's WidoWed sister.
She's just become engaged to Merrick.
It Was announced last night.
For God's sake, she can't marry Merrick!
He's as mad as a hatter!
I hope not.
Or at least that you don't mention it
to her this evening at the Laytons'.
That's Where We're dining.
NoW this ghastly War's over,
I suppose things Will start
getting back to normal.
(Sarah) If anyone remembers
What normal Was.
HoW about a game of tennis? It's time
someone started using that court.
- Nigel, you play, don't you?
- That's rather a matter of opinion.
- When Were you thinking of?
- This Weekend.
Sarah can find you a racquet. We can
get up a foursome With Edgar DreW.
Oh, that Would be nice, yes.
(Mildred) It's hard to get together a set of
respectable men in Pankot at present.
- Nigel told me about your engagement.
- I must say...
May I offer my best Wishes
for your future happiness?
Thank you. That's most kind.
I'm sure We shall be very happy.
Ronald's so good With my little boy.
I suppose...
We should've kept some of your Whisky.
VJ celebration. We finished it last night.
- I hope you enjoyed it, sir.
- Oh, yes.
The officer in Bombay Who gave it
to you, you rescued from the bath,
my future son-in-laW tells me
he tried again and succeeded.
Yes, I'm afraid he did.
Odd thing, suicide.
It's Worse for the family.
There Was a havildar in my regiment.
His WidoW had to leave his village
and go back to her oWn.
What good Will come of it in the end?
The questioning.
Makes you Wonder.
Aren't you turning in?
I'm leaving the file With you.
You don't have to finish it tonight.
Leaving it?
I've decided
to go back to Ranpur tomorroW.
- Whenever did you decide that?
- I suppose in the last half-hour or so.
But you can hang on here
till you get the call to Delhi
or Aunt Charlotte comes to the rescue.
I've signed you in as my guest. Just sign
the steWard's register before you go.
- Who pays? Government or you?
- Government.
And you can drink to my future,
if you like.
I'm going back into the Political. I heard
this afternoon I fly to Delhi on Tuesday.
Cheers.
- Does Miss Layton knoW?
- She knoWs I'm expecting a posting.
- Did you tell her it had come?
- No.
The atmosphere didn't seem right.
I'm sorry, it Wasn't a successful evening.
Tell me, What Was it Merrick said to you
about Sayed Kasim?
Only that you had been trying
to pump him.
I asked a simple question -
if Sayed's father Wanted to see him
and the Government thought it useful,
could it be arranged?
- What did he say?
- His department Wouldn't Welcome it.
But he thought it could be arranged
if that Was What MAK Wanted
and the Government is alWays keen
to give MAK What he Wants.
I've only met the other son - Ahmed.
- Do you alWays carry this around?
- No.
I Wanted to leave it to someone
as a parting gift
and it might as Well be you.
Sleep Well.
You'd better destroy it
if Operation Bunbury snarls up
and you're still stuck With Merrick.
In vieW of
that light-fingered servant of his.
Incidentally, you never told me
Why you asked Who Mrs Bingham Was.
It's still too long a story.
But connected in some Way?
Where Merrick is concerned,
everything's connected.
Yes, I suppose it is.
It's all in the file.
- Good night.
- Good night, Nigel. Thank you.
For everything.
(Hari) 'We haven't seen each other.
'I haven't seen Miss Manners
since the night We visited the temple.
'Something's happened to her.
Is she dead? '
- Father...
- No, no, no!
- Something is Wrong?
- Nothing is Wrong, Minister.
All arrangements
have been double checked.
Your father is Waiting.
Tell them to shoW you the room.
Private room
and no damn reception committee!
And all these people to disperse!
It's like a bloody circus!
Tell them your father is Waiting
until the room is ready.
English tamasha! AIWays the big circus!
- Yes, Mr Mehboob.
- Ahmed...
- Have you seen your brother, Ahmed?
- Not yet, Father.
But I've seen the conducting officer.
I ought to Warn you, it's Merrick.
- Merrick?
- Ex-police officer in the Manners case.
The one Pandit Baba's been
pestering you about.
I met him in Bombay three Weeks ago.
He didn't say anything
about being involved in Sayed's case.
I remember Count BronoWsky
talked to me about him.
He knoWs you knoW
he's connected to the Manners' case?
- Yes.
- So he Would assume that I knoW, too.
But he must knoW.
- He must knoW that he is on the list.
- What list?
The list of officers We may accuse
of exceeding their duties in 142.
You could say
you Will meet nobody except Sayed.
- What is his rank, Ahmed?
- Major, I think.
Yes, I Will see him.
Major Merrick?
Actually, Lieutenant Colonel
since I and your younger son last met.
My apologies for the delay.
Sayed has taken breakfast.
I hope they assured you of that.
That question has been settled.
Satisfactorily, as far as I am concerned.
Incidentally, my younger son Ahmed
had no idea you Were in any Way
connected With Sayed.
Does Sayed knoW you knoW his brother?
The one is a social acquaintance,
the other is not,
so the ansWer is no.
But you are involved
With the charges against Sayed?
Yes, Mr Kasim. I have intervieWed
your son on many occasions.
I hope he regards me, in some Ways,
as his friend.
And Were you present
When Sayed Was captured?
- No, I Was out of the line by then.
- Wounded, you mean?
Yes... um... thus.
By INA action?
There Were INA about.
Japanese, as Well. Why do you ask?
The reason is obvious, surely.
A man Wounded as badly as you
could be forgiven for taking
some opportunity to redress the balance.
One does the job one is given.
But I take your point.
So far as it is relevant,
I hold no-one to blame for my injuries
except myself. Certainly not your son.
And you're not still troubled,
as I understand you Were,
by incidents devised to remind you
of your conduct as
superintendent of police at Mayapore?
- Not until recently.
- Another stone?
Forgive these questions,
Colonel Merrick. An old laWyer's trick.
But I have once or tWice discussed
the matter With Count BronoWsky.
No, there's been only one stone.
Chucking stones at British officers
is rather hazardous.
They've reverted to the subtle approach.
The bicycle again.
- Bicycle?
- One Was involved in the evidence.
A rusty bicycle Was recently left
on my veranda
With a pork chop stinking
in the saddle bag.
(Tuts) You should report such things
to the police.
I alWays do but they don't trouble me.
They are done by enemies
but also the enemies of laW and order.
I suppose you and I are
potentially opponents, too, Mr Kasim.
- You and I?
- Your party.
Surely I'm on the list.
What list, Colonel Merrick?
The list of officials Whose past conduct
may be looked into.
If I'm not, I'm sure my old friend
Pandit Baba Won't be happy until I am.
He's capable of many things.
Assassination, for instance.
You knoW the man I mean, Mr Kasim.
I have never met him.
NoW I think I must see Sayed.
Yes, I'll bring him.
But not in here. This room is very hot.
It is like a cell.
I prefer to see Sayed in the courtroom.
At least it is large and airy.
You may post your guards,
as many as you Wish, outside the door.
Come. Come and sit.
Have you seen Ahmed?
Not yet, Father, but Ronald said I Would.
- Ronald?
- Ronald Merrick.
The chap you've been talking to. He's
quite a good felloW, very decent to me.
You sound like a British officer.
HoW have they treated you?
You look Well.
Who is Commandant of the fort
noWadays? Still Major Tippet?
I don't knoW, Father. I Was there
only overnight. You Were there, too?
Since I am going home noW, this seemed
a convenient place for them bring you.
Anyway, it gives you an outing.
- What did they tell you? Anything?
- Government permitted us to meet.
The impression Was
I had petitioned Government?
Yes.
That is not entirely accurate.
Oh, I didn't sWalloW it Whole.
I knoW hoW devious they can be.
But, in this case, devious to What end?
Come, don't hold back
just because I am your father.
It Would be very useful for them
to have someone like you on their side.
A member of Congress and a Muslim.
Someone to denounce us all as traitors.
Such people Will be in short supply.
Quite so.
Both major parties Will stand behind
the INA - Hindu and Muslim.
But Whether you come to trial
depends on the Viceroy and the C-in-C.
What the English do is
no longer important.
We've finished With them,
Whether you like it or not.
Why do you say Whether I like it or not?
What has my life been? What have
I been doing - asking them to stay?
No, not asking,
but perhaps making it possible
because you believe so much
in the poWer of laW, their laW.
What angers me is, you can no longer
help your country from inside a prison.
It is not a country, it is tWo countries.
Hindu and Muslim.
A divided India?
Yes.
So this has happened to you also.
Then We too are divided. More deeply
than by the Walls of a prison.
Why must you stay loyal
to Congress? Why?
Do you believe,
because you supported them in the past,
that you, a Muslim, Will be alloWed
to remain When they have poWer?
Congress is a Hindu party,
Whatever they say.
We shall have a Hindu Raj
for a British Raj.
You are a Muslim, I am a Muslim
and they hate us.
No!
Look at my face.
It is not the face of a Hindu or a Muslim,
it is the face of a man
Who has been in prison!
An Indian National Congressman.
I did not go to prison for Hindus only.
What are you asking me to do? To go
over to the Muslim League? To Jinnah?
Father, you have to choose.
And Ahmed, What does he say?
- Ahmed is a child.
- No, he is not a child.
Not in some Ways, but he thinks
of nothing except Women and haWking.
- HaWking?
- He's trained a falcon.
It's very difficult, you knoW.
He's much attached to her.
But that is good. Yes.
Perhaps We should say goodbye.
Thank you for coming to see me.
- You have come the greater distance.
- That is my duty.
Do not rely too much on Colonel Merrick.
He poses as your friend.
I rely on no Englishman.
And he's of no importance either.
God be With you.
Why don't you come With me to Ranpur?
Spend a feW days.
I promised BronoWsky
I'd be aWay tWo nights.
- There's a meeting of Council tomorroW.
- Council, Council! He doesn't need you.
It's the NaWab's car.
I must be sure it's safely returned.
But the driver can manage.
But if you must go back, you must.
They're connecting you onto
the Ranpur train. I'd better get doWn.
- You spoke to Sayed?
- Yes, Father.
HoW did you find him?
He looked very fit and cheerful.
He said he's treated pretty Well.
I'd better get off.
I knoW, I knoW he's Well.
Did he say anything you feel
you should tell me?
We talked about haWking mostly.
He Wants me to join the Muslim League.
What do you think I should do?
For everybody's sake, including my oWn.
Ahmed, for once I am asking you
to tell me your opinion.
I don't understand all these ins and outs.
Whatever happens,
people Will die of starvation
or kill one another if they don't.
It all means nothing to me,
parties and suchlike.
You'd better get doWn
if you are not coming to Ranpur.
To me, Sayed is a man
Who has changed sides. I cannot.
Never in my life Will I go over to Jinnah.
Does that upset you?
Why should I be upset?
I've Won my bet With BronoWsky.
He bet me you'd go over to Jinnah,
I bet him you Wouldn't.
He Wouldn't offer stakes. We both
expected me to Win, knoWing you.
- Ahmed...
- Mind yourself.
What did you mean? Expected or Wanted
me to be loyal? Expected or Wanted?
- Ahmed...
- Expected and Wanted!
? O, may this bounteous God
? Through all our life be near us
? With ever joyful hearts
? And blessed peace to cheer us
? And keep us in his grace
? And guide us When perplexed
? And free us from all ills
? In this World and the next
? Amen ?
Let us pray.
Almighty God, Who art a strong
toWer of defence unto Thy servants,
We yield Thee praise and thanksgiving...
'God bless Aunt Charlotte...
and Godspeed Operation Bunbury.
'Please! Today! '
I Want to knoW hoW you managed it.
I rang your number at the guest house.
No ansWer there.
- I Was in church.
- Church? I should try it sometime.
"Sergeant Perron to proceed to Deolali
for UK demob." Some people!
Let's find the Duty Officer. Even better!
Morning, Sarge. Got a jammy one here.
His number's up.
- Good Lord, you're a sergeant, too!
- Well, I am When I'm playing soldiers.
I'm glad you're here.
I've been trying to phone you.
- You knoW each other?
- Yes, We do.
That settles it! There's his signal.
AB64. Jabs up to date.
Well, What happens noW?
Relax, the army's taking care of you.
Feeling all right?
Silly question, of course.
They'll do you in Deolali, but if you arrive
With no medical sheet, you'll get held up.
- Lucky chap.
- Thank you, sir.
Just try not to get clap
betWeen here and Deolali.
- It sometimes happens.
- Yes, sir.
Well, that's it. All you have to do is to be
at the station before midday tomorroW.
Unless... If you could get doWn
to Ranpur overnight,
you could catch the 8am train
and gain over 12 hours.
- That could make a difference at Deolali.
- Good idea.
I'll have a Word With Pearson,
find out if there's any transport going.
- Are you going back to the guest house?
- Well, I've got to pack.
I'd ask you to lunch, but the food
isn't much cop since Nigel left.
I've got a lunch party at the Club.
- Could you manage tea?
- Perhaps.
I'll give you a ring, in any case,
about the transport.
Yes, yes, of course.
You said... you rang before.
- To say hello. As you Were on your oWn.
- Thank you.
Thank you for everything.
I envy you, Guy, but I am glad for you.
I'm not sure you don't deserve a medal.
Ronald Merrick's going to be furious!
Salaam'a!
Salaam'a? Salaam'a!
Hello.
Good Lord!
The boy Was going to Wake you When
I got here. I said to leave you for a bit.
Oh, that'll be cold.
We'd better get some more.
- When did you arrive?
- About an hour ago.
You'll be glad I let you sleep.
You Won't have a very comfortable trip
if you decide to go tonight.
The best I could do
Was the back of a 15-hundredWeight
but it is going to Ranpur station.
- That's Wonderful.
- Here's the number you have to ring.
The convoy leaves at ten this evening.
Phone Pearson at about seven.
He'll tell you Where to go -
if you Want to go.
I'll ring him noW,
then We'll knoW hoW long I've got.
He said after 6:0.
- Sahib?
- More tea or Would you prefer a drink?
I can make free so long as I don't dine
the station. You're not quite the station.
No, I'm not, am I?
I'd like a drink very much.
Gin fizz? TWo gin fizz and a little ice,
please, Salaam'a.
Yes, sahib.
Can you stay
and have an early meal With me?
I suppose Nigel's shoWn you
over the house? The Summer Residence.
- It's shut up, isn't it?
- The chaukidar Will alWays let you in.
Most of it's Anglo-lndian,
but there's a Moghul suite
Where they used to put up pet princes.
The ballroom's quite small.
They danced on the terrace, too.
- There Were coloured lights in the trees.
- Must have been nice.
Oh, I should think
it Was all rather stiff and starchy
but I remember it as part of childhood.
There hasn't been a full season
With the Governor since '.
Susan and I missed that,
being at home at school.
NoW the War's over, it'll alter even more.
People upping sticks and going home
or staying on
and getting old and tiresome.
What Will you do, Guy?
Go back to history. 180 to the Mutiny.
That's my period.
There's a Cambridge don Waiting for me
to join him. Sit tight a minute, Will you?
I'm leaving tonight, Salaam'a.
I'll sign the book before I go.
Arrange supper for tWo.
The memsahib Will probably stay.
- Thik-hai?
- Thik-hai, sahib.
Here's baksheesh for you.
- And... this for the other servants.
- Thank you, sahib.
We might Want to look at the house.
Will the chaukidar be there to let us in?
Head chaukidar is alWays there, sahib,
but I may go noW and make sure.
- Thank you, Salaam'a.
- Thank you.
Here We are.
- Namaste.
- Namaste.
Shan't be long.
I've decided
I mustn't stay for supper, Guy.
It's too late for me to ring and tell them
or make an excuse.
- Then I'll take you home.
- No, you've too much to do.
- I'll go noW.
- NoW?
Yes, I must.
Write to me sometime,
let me knoW hoW you get on.
Mm.
I've bought a feW things for people
back home. For Perron Women.
Um...
I've nothing else. It's only a scarf.
At least I think it is.
Perhaps We'd better open it
in case it's a tie for one of my uncles!
Whatever it is, I shall like it.
- One more drink?
- There isn't time. I've got to go.
- You'll need a rickshaW.
- It's only a short Walk.
- It's getting dark. I can't let you go alone.
- I shall be perfectly all right.
Honestly.
Goodbye, Guy.
'I Wanted to say, you asked me
in Bombay and I couldn't ansWer.
'Well, noW I can.
'I do remember Hari Kumar
at school in England.
- 'Playing cricket?
- 'Yes.
'I remember him very Well.'