Under Capricorn (1983): Season 1, Episode 1 - Under Capricorn - full transcript
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(thunder rumbling)
(somber music)
(crowd cheering)
(triumphant music)
- Perhaps you should've tried India.
- India?
- Well the town looks too poor
for someone who wants to
make a fortune in a hurry.
- Perhaps I can benefit by corruption.
Well, there's nothing for me in Hern
now the family's lost its money.
- Yeah.
- Work spoils you from
enjoying what you make by it.
- Why didn't you woo an heiress?
You're a ladies' man.
- The only ones left weight
20 stone, or grow beards.
- You could've sold your poetry,
Byron did all right by it.
- I'm a scribbler, not a poet.
No, I have one asset,
my cousin the Governor.
- I shall disown you.
- Oh, great shameless bribes.
To New South Wales and corruption.
- Mr. Bourne.
Missus.
- Good day to you, Flusky.
- Young civilian with his ax.
Who was he?
- The Governor's cousin, I gather.
Out here for colonial experience,
the honorable Charles Adare.
- He a gentleman?
- I said "the honorable Charles Adare."
- Aye.
But can he behave himself?
- Thank ye.
(footsteps thudding)
- Still working, Banks?
- [Banks] Yes sir.
- You'll take port with us?
- [Banks] Oh, thank you sir.
- Wherever we British go, we build
the same government houses.
- Sir, she's with Lord Burley.
- Burley?
Oh, well, something of a boon.
(distant chanting)
- Strange land this is.
Five months from England,
and nothing at the end.
- [Governor] No gold at
the end of the rainbow?
- Gold?
- Land, opportunity.
(chuckles)
- Strangeness.
There's a fire on the water.
If I were a real poet, I could catch that.
Set it like a fly in amber,
and set it down the centuries.
Strangeness.
(chanting in foreign language)
(dogs barking)
(woman wailing)
- [Milly] Shh.
You'll wake the whole house up.
(woman sobbing)
(somber music)
(horse neighs)
- [Charles] As a bank secretary,
perhaps you could advise me,
I am at something of a loss.
What opening would promise
best a young man here?
- That is not easy to say.
If you could give me some
notion of your interests,
your capacities.
- I ride well.
And I'm not a bad drinker.
- If you bought land near the town,
you could double your
money in only 25 years.
- I'm afraid I have no money.
Well, that's to say I have 100 pounds.
- Why Mr. Adare, that is not much.
I tell you frankly, it is not much.
But with a great deal of
industry and frugality
and foresight...
(knocking)
Enter.
- Mr. Flusky to see you, sir.
- Pray ask him to wait a moment.
Say I have his excellency's
cousin with me.
- Flusky.
Where have I heard that name before?
- One of our most considerable citizens.
A landowner.
- Is he one of these people who
double their money over 25 years?
- Mr. Flusky, the past five years only.
- [Charles] Rich to start with?
- No.
He came out here with nothing.
(chuckles)
- Land, was he transported?
- We do not speak of men's pasts here,
this is the country of
the future, not the past.
- Introduce me.
Introduce me!
- Mr. Flusky.
Mr. Adare, Mr. Samson Flusky.
Mr. Flusky, the honorable Charles Adare.
Mr. Adare has come out from
Ireland to make his fortune.
- Ireland.
What part?
- The West.
Do you know it?
- I might.
So you want to make money.
You're not the only one.
- And quickly too, if I can.
I'm not sure this country
speaks my language.
- [Samson] Lagged yourself
for fear the crown
should do it for you, eh?
(chuckles)
Oh, there's money in land.
When they let you buy it.
- [Bank Secretary] I told
you so, money takes time--
- All the same, Mister,
if you've time to listen,
there's something might interest you.
- [Bank Secretary] My office, gentlemen,
is entirely at your disposal.
- I don't know how my
proposition will strike you,
government house and all.
Maybe I better let it alone.
- Don't lump me in with his excellency.
He's not responsible for me.
- Well, it might be awkward all the same.
- I assure I didn't come out here
to wear gloves, Mr. Flusky.
If you feel you could talk more freely
to a cabbage-tree hat,
I'll step out and buy one.
- Know anything about land out here?
- Hardly.
- Regulations made by Englishmen.
You can't run three sheep
to an acre out here,
more like one sheep to three acres.
Need room, move 'em about.
- But there's plenty of land.
Nothing but land.
- No more grants.
All land to be sold at auctions.
A board to see that one
man doesn't get more
than what they call his fair share.
- And you want me to do something for you.
Something you won't suggest.
Well, I was always good at guessing games
in the drawing room.
Let's see how I do in a bank.
Land.
A board to see that a man does
not get all he can pay for.
But if a man were to get someone else
to put in for the land,
ah.
A drawing room's no bad training ground.
- A man puts in for land, I'll show
the purchase money in cash.
- I've 100 pounds.
(chuckles)
Not enough.
I could borrow.
Perhaps from the man who wanted the land.
I daresay he'd stump up.
- He might.
(suspenseful music)
- How much is there?
- Thousand.
And here's one you don't
have to show the surveyor.
- 50?
For a signature?
This is legal?
- It's not legal, I'll
tell you that flat out.
- But it is the custom here.
- I'm not asking you to take it, Mister.
- New country.
New customs, I suppose.
(gentle strings music)
(chattering)
- We shall be seeing you
at dinner tonight, I hope?
- Indeed you shall, Madam.
- Oh, we are so far away from England.
Are we not so far away, Belinda?
- Yes, Mama.
And the shortage of unmarried officers--
- That is enough, Belinda.
- And gentlemen of course, Mr. Adare.
- I always give place to the military.
Excuse me.
- Mr. Adare.
Tonight you must tell us
what they are wearing,
and dancing in London.
- And the plays, we must
hear about the plays.
- I believe we had that
conversation last night.
- Yes, the plays--
- [Man] Any thoughts anybody the formation
of the race club, Adare?
- Several, sir.
- Talked to his excellency?
- On many occasions, sir.
- I have formulated my own
ideas on some manuscript pages.
- I'm weary of their uniforms,
I'm weary of their wives,
and I'm weary of their
trivial conversation.
- You're a thankless pup,
they feed you well enough,
don't they?
- I'm getting to know
their faces by heart.
(groans)
No, my liver.
- Can't avoid it, small community.
- Small?
There are 40 or 50,000
people in this town.
The same dozen self-satisfied
fizzers at every dinner table,
coming around each night like
wooden horses on a roundabout.
- Can't mix the classes,
gives too much offense.
- I thought you said on the first day
you'd cooperate with anyone.
- Why should I embarrass
a decent, honest tradesman
by having society laugh at
him because he doesn't know
which fork to use?
That is offense.
- Would it give offense if
your excellency's cousin
accept this?
- Probably.
Invitation to dine with Mr. Samson Flusky.
- A decent enough Irishman, sir.
An Emancipist, wealthy,
but he's never been known
to entertain.
- What was he transported for?
- Oh, surely this is the
country of the future,
not the past.
- Is he from the west of Ireland?
The name, something about the wife.
Charles, what's this
Flusky called his house?
Minyag?
- [Charles] Minyago Yugilla.
Aboriginal.
He said it means why weepest thou.
(woman wailing)
- I said polish, not pamper.
(woman wailing)
(knocking)
- [Samson] In!
- [Milly] Mr. Flusky.
- The dinner, Wednesday a week.
The honorable Adare's accepted.
See those women behave
themselves and they're up to it.
- [Milly] I'm sure if you have
any complaints, Mr. Flusky.
- I want a slap-up meal.
Winter here will put
it into French for you.
- Oh, I'm not sure as I want
a new servant like Winter
around convent women, sir.
Particularly seeing as what
he was transported for.
- He touches the women,
I'll sign his form F
and back he'll go to convict barrack.
- As long as that's
understood, Mr. Flusky.
- Sir, a gentleman would never...
- But you did.
- Commissioner Johnson's able to accept.
Mrs. Johnson accepts, but
regrets that she is too ill.
(papers crinkling)
Colonel Williams is pleased to accept.
His wife, however--
- Accepts, but regrets.
- The judge advocate is delighted.
- And his lady?
None of them.
None of the ladies.
Don't they understand I've
got the honorable Adare?
Well, damn them.
She shall be there!
Henrietta shall be there!
(somber music)
(door opens)
- Mrs. Flusky--
- Lady Henrietta Flusky will dine with us.
So write her proper name.
Lady Henrietta Flusky.
- But that is, excuse me, sir.
That is what is called a courtesy title.
It is borne by daughters of nobility.
Wives of private
gentlemen cannot claim it.
- You write what I say.
(knocking)
- Well don't just stand
there, you know your duties.
Answer door, take hats and
coats, announce guests.
- [Winter] Good evening, gentlemen.
- Commissioner Johnson.
- James Dixon.
- If I might have your hats and cloaks.
Gentlemen.
(clears throat)
Commissioner Johnson, Mr. James Dixon.
- [Commissioner] Mr. Flusky.
- Gentlemen, my wife isn't doing too good.
She can't be with us.
She hopes another time,
you'll give her the pleasure.
- Quite understand. (clears throat)
- [Man] That's a fine port, Flusky.
Now where was I?
- I'm simply interested in getting down
part of the native language
before the poor beggars
die out completely.
(people chattering)
- They were thousands.
Every new ship brings a
new white man's disease.
- Adare, you'd be interested in this.
They put a wooden support
under the fellow's chin
while he was getting his lashes.
- Sounds like a boon to civilization.
(people chattering)
- [Man] Whom should they be sending, then?
- Whom should they not be sending?
Gentlemen, too many gentlemen.
We need tradesmen.
Useful men.
(somber music)
- Pray gentlemen, forgive me,
I was not aware of the hour.
This is not too late, I hope, to take
a glass of wine with you.
Thank you.
- Sit down.
Sit down.
- You have the look of
somebody I knew long ago.
In Ireland?
Somewhere.
- I come from Ireland,
Queen's County, Ballaloe.
My name's Adare.
- Adare.
Ballaloe.
I remember.
Do you not have a sister named Althea?
- You know her?
You know Alethea?
- Alethea Adare.
We used to ride together. (chuckles)
Riding, oh.
Riding's dangerous.
(chuckles)
How did you leave them in Ballaloe?
My father's...
No, of course.
He died not so long after.
- You must be Lady Hattie.
Lady Hattie Considine.
The runaway with the groom.
- Not Considine.
Flusky.
He married me, you know.
Was that not good of him?
But he is such a good man.
You must not believe the
things they say about him.
You must not believe them.
(sighs)
(chuckles)
Good night, gentlemen.
(gentle music)
Are you any kind of shot with a pistol?
- Mm-hmm.
- Pray, come upstairs with
me, there's something,
I can't quite tell what, on my bed.
(man clears throat)
- Banks, the port.
(gunshot bangs)
- Finish your wine.
- She'll be all right now.
(somber music)
(dog barking)
Why do you not let her go back to Ireland?
Make her go back.
- What's that for?
Father dead, Mother an old nanny goat.
She could show her marriage lines.
But they'd respect her the
more, take her back the sooner,
if she'd none to show.
Some more port.
- There must be something can be done.
(people chattering)
What's that?
- Just the blacks clearing up.
- You allow that?
- They was here first.
- What started her drinking?
- I got into a piece of trouble once,
got transported out here.
Hattie followed me out.
Went to the superintendent,
told him who she was.
He made fun of her.
She never used her
rightful name after that.
It was a long time ago.
She sold her jewelry to live on.
Time I got my ticket to
leave, the drink had got her.
(blows)
I was her groom, you know.
- Yes, I heard something of
the story back at Ballaloe.
- It's her own people she misses.
Ladies don't get transported.
I've taken care to have
gentlemen about the house.
One was a clergyman forger.
Latest one went to some great school.
Came about a month ago.
She won't look at him.
She don't like the idea
he deceived some girl.
You can always get gentlemen.
They're useless, you see.
Nobody wants them.
No offense.
(somber music)
- Let me have a word with her.
Let me have a crack.
- Why not.
- [Captain] Is that your signature?
- The applica--
- Application to buy 200 acres
in the county of Cumberland,
district of Newcastle, sections 17 to 217.
Is that your signature?
- Well, yes.
- But not your writing
in the body of the form?
- I can explain that,
I'm acting on advice.
It's very very simple.
- Good.
Let me hear.
- Well, you suggested I should
speak to men of experience.
They all say the same thing.
Small holdings won't
do, drought and so on.
To farm properly, you need 200 acres.
So, 200 acres.
- A farm, is it?
- Mm-hmm.
- I won't insult you
more than I'm obliged to,
but you're a liar.
And don't make matters worse,
don't make a fool of yourself.
Did you look at the map?
You did not.
Your farm is in the middle of a town
with the obligation to build.
Now stop humiliating yourself
and tell me the truth.
- I met a man in the bank.
He said it was a coming district.
17's my lucky number.
I backed the two 17s.
- He lent you 1000 pounds?
- Just for the day.
- On what security?
- [Charles] None.
- Not my name, not our relationship?
- No.
- You're this man's bonnet, aren't you?
He paid you to apply for him
because he would be refused.
- No sir.
- Application refused.
I should be grateful if you'd make
other living arrangements.
I cannot have this sort of transaction
carried on from inside Government House.
- At once, sir.
- Charles.
You have much to learn.
Do not buy experience
at the cost of honor.
That is no sort of bargain.
I feel some financial
allowance is due to you.
Your parents contemplated your
being my guest in the colony.
- I shall do very well, sir.
- Where?
- I believe Mr. Flusky will
be good enough to house me
until I can settle my affairs.
I know he was a convict, sir.
- Do you know why?
I have the facts.
- [Charles] So do I, sir.
- He ran away with one of the
Considine girls from Ballaloe.
- I know that.
- Her brother James followed
them, Flusky shot him dead.
Flusky claimed that the brother drew first
and beat the gallows.
Now Charles, I heard all about last night.
You are talking of going to a house
where the master is a murderer,
and the lady's all to pieces.
It's not too late.
Keep away from there.
- Goodbye sir.
Thank you for all you've done.
(chattering in foreign language)
My dear brother, do you see any black men?
Indeed, Sister Alethea, I do.
(chuckling)
Do they make anything of
interest you could send home?
It is tiresome having
to abide the bragging
of Mrs. Synnott, with a
trumpery ensign nephew
out in the East who sends
shawls and ivory elephants.
- Dear Alethea.
She was like a sister to me.
- Old Philomena Regan is going
to set up a candle for you.
But then, a calf strayed.
So you and the calf are
sharing a petition between you.
Though little good it will
do you as a Protestant.
Please write.
She says that in capital letters.
"Write."
And signs her name in love.
- When you write to Alethea,
you're not to speak of me.
- Why not?
Why not?
- The night you first came
to this house, how long ago?
10 days only.
That night, I don't clearly recollect it,
but I know because of that night,
and because of certain other
things, other happenings.
- You mean because you were drunk?
(somber music)
- Do you know, that's the first
open word that's been said.
He never speaks.
He will not let them speak or look.
I get the bottles.
They appear.
When they're empty, they
pile up and disappear,
and nobody speaks of them.
I do something outrageous,
come down half-naked,
scream, nobody speaks!
The night, the dinner, was I decent?
- You were covered.
But not quite the glass of fashion.
- Thank God for that.
And for you.
You've given me the words
of comfort I needed.
- Words of comfort?
- "You were drunk."
Oh, my dear.
You will never know how
I have longed to hear
a human creature's voice
say that, just say that.
"You were drunk."
(chuckling)
(door opens)
(birds chirping)
(somber music)
(Hattie laughing)
- Is that the way you like it, Mr. Flusky?
- Hmm?
- Plum daft delight, Mr. Flusky.
- Looks delicious.
- [Milly] Thank you.
- Pity Hattie never dines down.
- No she don't.
- Why do you not come down?
We get on very well, but
we're a little heavy together,
like brandy and cheese.
We miss your company.
Is it because you're sick of food
by the time you grab the menus?
- I seldom order food.
- Ah.
Someone in the way?
Someone I can kick for you.
- The house runs very well.
(sighs)
It does me good to have you here.
- I know that.
I am here to restore you to society.
You are to be its jewel and ornament.
Which is why you must
run your own household.
Program of activities.
A, domestic,
B, social.
- You must not press me!
- You're the loveliest creature I ever saw
in my life, I believe.
- I have nothing left.
And you are not here to help
me, but to make your fortune.
I really have nothing left.
- Do you never look in your glass?
- I do not have them.
(gentle music)
- We will get you a glass.
And each day you'll
see yourself returning.
Activities domestic.
Order dinner, take up my needle,
and come down to the dinner I've ordered.
And you must take a glass of wine with us.
You do eat and drink, don't you?
- You're talking nonsense.
Please go on.
- That's enough to start.
You can begin tomorrow.
I shall be in town, and out of your way.
(clinking)
(gentle music)
Tomorrow.
(birds chirping)
- If you can't stand the
sight of ladyship's bedroom,
look out and see if she's
in the garden still.
- I cannot see her.
- Here.
Hold this.
(glass clinking)
Only seven this week.
(glass clinking)
That's having something to occupy her.
Well, come on.
(glass clinking)
- Miss Milly, what am I to do with them?
- Oh, the black fellow, Ketch,
he sells them to a man at the bay
who's building a wall of
his own set of bottles.
For the mortar he shaves his dog.
Oh, you need hair for good mortar.
One of the old governors
used to shave convicts.
Said animals was too valuable.
Oh, meaning no offense, Mr. Winter.
- And why not?
It is my house.
I will not have you argue with me.
Now which of you is cook?
Well?
What is the matter with these creatures?
I have come to order dinner--
- Dinner's settled.
It was all fixed last night.
You go and take a bit of
a saunter in the garden.
- Milly.
In the future, pray, consult me.
I am to make the arrangements.
(laughing)
In future, we must make a
plan, Milly, do you hear?
We must order the work between us.
I have left too much on your shoulders.
You are not to blame.
In future, I shall come,
no, no, that won't do.
You shall come to me in my room
at 9:00 with a slate for orders
and we shall settle the dinner between us.
And I'd better...
You will let me have the keys.
(keys jingle)
- [Milly] Oh, the keys.
- Yes.
(suspenseful music)
(laughing)
- What are you doing
putting that on the table?
Take it out again or I'll
have your form F signed
and you sent back to
barracks for a flogging.
(laughing)
(sobbing)
- I visited the club, and got to talking.
- Yes.
A lot of that.
- Curious regulation has been gazetted.
Banning the import of shrunken human heads
from New Zealand.
After all, who would want one?
- Does them no harm, blacks.
They're dead enough.
They're tattooed.
- You have one?
- [Samson] Why not?
- Ugly chap, isn't he?
(distant chanting)
(insects chirping)
Hey-ho!
What's your ladyship doing
indoors on a night like this?
I'll have her out of there.
You promised to come down to dinner.
I thought we had an agreement.
- Didn't order dinner.
- What's become of your promise?
- The dinner, couldn't happen.
Not responsible.
Milly.
- Put something on.
I'm coming up.
We may need a pistol for the bogey.
(Hattie wailing)
Now listen.
I cannot have it.
What are you doing, making a
guy of yourself in this way?
You were as good as gold yesterday.
I know it's not easy, I know
it gets a grip on your vitals.
(Hattie sobbing)
(sniffs)
Gin?
And you could be drinking good
wine downstairs at dinner.
(sighs)
Oh, come here.
Don't wrap yourself up like an Arabian.
(whimpering)
I won't hurt you.
I won't scold you.
Where'd you get this from?
- I found it.
(mumbling)
- Is there more?
(distant glass shatters)
Did you pay for it?
Who takes the money?
We'll get you to bed.
Who puts you to bed when you're like this?
Milly, is it?
(panting)
- No, no.
No. (sobbing)
(door rattles)
(Hattie sobbing)
(knocking)
(somber music)
- You had better get
Lady Henrietta to bed.
- I'm to?
- [Charles] Is that not your work?
- Looks more like it's your work.
- Say that again?
Where does she get the stuff from?
- How do I know?
- That's what I'm asking you.
- I'm asking something else, young man.
What are you doing here
behind locked doors
and her like she is?
- Good night, Henrietta.
We shall talk in the morning.
(cracking)
(Hattie wailing)
(sheep bleating)
- It's no good, Mr. Flusky.
This house won't stand
two giving orders in it.
Well you can't expect the
women to put up with that.
Do you suppose your wife
would talk to old Sal?
Well she's a lady, Madam is.
Well, let her sit in the
parlor the way ladies ought.
(clock chiming)
I'll do the work, work my
hands to the bone for her.
But I won't be interfered with.
For all she means well.
So I'll thank you to tell Madam.
I just can't have it.
She makes work in other ways too,
excuse me referring to
it, without this on top.
And there's another thing.
Won't do no harm for you to keep an eye
on some of her goings on.
Now, I'll say nothing more,
I'm a Christian woman,
but I give you fair warning.
I don't say anything without I know.
I can hold my tongue.
- Excuse me, sir, Mr.
Adare's in the garden,
making signs whether he may come in.
- I think you are mistaken, Mr. Winter.
- Yes, Mr. Adare, you may come in.
- Fine beast, thank you.
Good morning.
- So them as puts ideas into
her head had better stop it,
for everybody's sake.
You can whistle for your
dinner if she's to order it.
- One moment.
I'll say it whether you're here or not.
Mr. Flusky, I am beginning
to get some notion
of what's going on in
this house with your wife.
Last night--
- Oh yes, last night.
I could say something about
last night if I chose to.
- Be quiet.
(gasps)
Don't move and it won't hurt.
- Let her alone.
Say what you've got to, both of you.
Damn all this crosstalk.
- As Miss Milly suggests, I have been
meddling in your affairs.
I suggested to Lady
Henrietta that she might
order dinner in her own house.
I believe she met some
rudeness because of this.
Last night she kept repeating
the dinner, dinner--
- He was in her room last
night with the door locked.
There he was, and her with
the clothes off of her.
And that's where she met some rudeness,
and a good name for it.
- You insulted her somehow.
- I turned her out of my kitchen,
as I've a right to do,
Mr. Nobody from Nowhere.
- Excuse me.
I was present yesterday in the kitchen
when her ladyship came in.
She did receive an affront.
- Yes indeed, you was there.
In he came, and he was
carrying a load of bottles.
You know where from.
And in he came, and he dumped them down
right in front of her.
- That's not how--
- And out of one of her own sheets, too,
and oh, she turned white
as the sheet itself.
And that's the affront for you,
if you want a grand
name for a silly start.
- Sir, you're a gentleman.
- To hell with gentlemen!
Out of here, you!
Milly, get out.
I'll settle this.
- Settle that young fella first.
I'm a Christian woman.
I don't stay in any house with adulterers.
Oh, don't cry when you burn in hell,
act as if you hadn't had warning.
Oh lord, pay down upon
the nail after thy manner
the wages of this man's sin.
Let the fervent prayer of the
righteous prevail, oh lord.
Let not the wicked prosper.
(laughing)
I'm getting out of this house, Mr. Flusky.
I'm free.
This very night I'll go.
I would sooner sweep
the Parramatta Factory
than lend my face to iniquity.
(Charles laughing)
- You're well rid.
She's been keeping Lady Hattie
supplied, I'm sure of it.
I've no proof--
- No, no proof of anything.
She's been here a long time.
Never caught her in a lie.
- But if she's giving Lady--
- [Samson] It's only
your word against hers.
- You may accept mine, I think.
- Because you're a gentleman?
Winter's a gentleman.
I can buy a gentleman's word
in George Street for 50 pounds.
(somber music)
Be obliged if you'd overlook all this.
Won't be too comfortable, Milly gone.
Be obliged if you'd stay on.
- Done.
We'll have her right in a month
once the house is her own.
- Floor scrubbed.
Lemonade, furniture waxed.
This is my last day under this roof.
And pity help anyone who crosses me on it.
- You will not find a ha'porth missing,
whether it's stores or wine.
And it's my prayer you'll be able
to say as much in a year's time.
A year, a month's time, I done my duty.
And there's no man nor
woman nor counter-jumper
dare say contrariwise.
Very handsome reference, I will say.
There's one thing missing,
though, that might be asked me.
Cause of leaving.
- Your own good pleasure.
That's all you need to tell 'em.
- I'll not speak any word
that's a lie, Mr. Flusky.
'Tis a lie to say I leave
you for my own pleasure.
Now it's no fault of
yours, but I'll not look on
at shameful things, and I
won't be hampered in my duty.
- You don't go putting
that about, do you hear?
I'm turning you up sweet.
Sorry to see you go,
but none of your yarns.
- You wait and see if it's a yarn.
What you want, Mr. Flusky,
now excuse me for saying this,
but I've had this in my mind for years,
you want a woman about
you who'll see to things.
Then what good's her ladyship?
I'm sure if it suits you to
have a wife the way she is.
I wish you better luck than you've had,
and better luck than you're looking for.
And when they ask me the
reason why I left this house,
you can take your davy I'll tell 'em.
- You keep your reasons to your nabs.
I'm not saying more than that to you.
- Well, goodbye to you, Mr. Flusky.
I'll petition the lord to open your eyes.
(somber music)
- Milly must not go.
It's not to be thought of.
Bring her back, Sam, I beg you.
- Oh, nonsense, she doesn't want to stay.
And here's her keys, you see.
For you.
- No--
- That's as it should be.
That's the way.
Don't you worry.
We'll do all right, we'll do all right.
- Perhaps if you paid her more money.
I cannot do without her.
I must have her back.
- No.
She's a good housekeeper.
Can't have her picking
and choosing guests.
- Pray, will you not keep them?
Let me come to you when I need them,
you know I'm apt to be careless.
- Put 'em at your waist, as Milly did.
You can't lose 'em.
Nobody can get 'em from you that way.
- No.
Very well.
(gentle music)
- I must get you a gold one.
What do they call it?
To hang at a woman's waist?
- An equipage.
- An equipage.
That's a coach and horses.
- Not in the drawing room.
There it's keys and scissors.
- You talk drawing room, I talk stable.
No wonder we get to
cross-purposes sometimes.
(Hattie chuckles)
What do you say, Mr. Adare?
- Oh, she and I speak the same language.
Lady Hattie, I'm writing
to my sister Alethea.
I've left room enough for greeting.
Not near enough for gossip.
- Then write this.
My dearest friend,
how gratefully my beloved husband and I
look upon your brother.
How happy we are to have him as our guest,
as we would be happy to have you,
whom I miss so much in
this distant country.
My fondest love.
My fondest love.
- No room for repetitions.
(gentle music)
(bird cawing)
- That's a man.
Mr. Flusky down here?
- [Winter] I'm afraid
he's already left, sir.
- Thank you.
- It's a pleasure to see
you downstairs, Madam.
- Thank you.
- When was the last time you experienced
coming down to breakfast?
(door closes)
The cooks are cooking,
the feathered songsters
of Australia are going ah, ah!
Do you have your keys?
- Upstairs.
- No matter.
I wouldn't be the first picklock
to come to this country.
- What are you doing?
(suspenseful music)
- Only a trophy.
Can't hurt you.
(panting)
- I see it sometimes in the night.
It opens its eyes at me.
- Is that the bogey I shot?
- Sam paid 10 pounds for it.
- Here, drink this.
Now, you'll be a good goddess
and eat your breakfast.
And you can have another
dram after midday.
- If you're waiting for breakfast,
without Milly to bully them,
you'll be waiting a long time.
(light music)
- [Charles] Your household
staff awaits, your ladyship.
(birds chirping)
(sighs)
- Are they coming back to life again?
It's unbearable.
The best thing I could do is
just die and be done with it.
If I die, he could
marry the kind of woman,
Milly would do.
God knows she's worked hard enough for it.
- A good housekeeper, but--
- Putting the bottles in
my room all these years.
- You knew she was trying to kill you?
You knew what she was at?
- The only queer thing was
her doing it as a Christian.
She often said that.
"A Christian woman."
So you see, that's how it is.
I'm obliged to you.
I like you dearly.
It is beautiful, what
you've been trying to do.
But you only hurt me, and you hurt him.
It is not any use.
- Are you saying I must go away?
- It cannot last, having you here.
And I cannot bear it alone.
(sobbing)
You and I are nothing to each other,
why, how can you do so much?
- Friends.
That's what you'll be needing.
Love is too highfalutin
for this kind of job.
- I can say things to you that
Sam would never understand.
But I will die for him.
And for you, I--
- Darling woman, you are
a beauty, and a weird one,
something out of Fairy Hill.
But my heart doesn't jump
to be like this with you.
Listen, I am no more in
love with you than with
Britannia on the back of
a penny, you know that.
- I know that.
- Nor you with me.
- Nor I with you.
- But I treasure you.
Lord knows why.
I cannot write poetry, I
cannot do things with my hands.
It looks like I have come
halfway around the world to,
it sounds ridiculous.
Dammit, to find my way to beauty.
You are the only chance I will ever have
to make a lovely thing.
And you are going to help me.
- But I am useless!
Useless to myself, useless
to you, and useless to Sam!
- So you'll die for him.
- Yes.
I will.
- [Charles] Then live for him!
- You do not understand.
It is him I am thinking about.
I was wrong to love
him, wrong to marry him.
- Why, because he killed your brother?
- I killed my brother!
I killed my brother.
He wanted to take me away from Sam.
So I killed him.
All Sam did was take the blame.
Risk gallows, get transported.
That is all he did.
You may know a lot about poetry, Charles,
but there is little you
know about men and women.
- You paid that for him.
He paid that for you.
Then live.
I will not let you take all
this and lay it underground.
I am here.
I will stay and will help.
Day by day, the small things, you remember
the list I wrote you?
Do not give in.
Do not let it all go, don't.
(cheerful bagpipe music)
(crowd clapping)
(crowd applauding)
(trumpet fanfare music)
(crowd applauding)
- Mr. Adare has done a
fine job organizing, sir.
- That he has.
What do you hear of the young man?
Come come, you employed
Flusky's housekeeper.
Women gossip.
- Well, they are saying,
sir, that the young man
is too warmly interested
in a certain direction.
- She was a great beauty once.
Had fire.
(clock ticking)
(gentle music)
(clapping)
- It maybe needs some jewels to match it.
Needs rubies.
- No.
- No!
She needs nothing.
- Come with me, Sam.
Come to the ball.
- I don't dance.
I'd be in the way.
You go, you show 'em.
You show 'em.
- We'll be late.
- Sam.
- [Charles] Night.
(cheerful music)
(people chattering)
- The captain's wife has
employed the housekeeper,
and she says Mr. Flusky is very calm
about the entire affair.
- Oh, poor Mr. Flusky.
- She intends coming, did you hear?
- Mrs. Flusky?
But the Governor's here.
- I saw her, with the young gentleman,
ordering silk for her dress.
- Greek island white for purity.
- Purple, dear, the color of the grape.
(laughing)
(clapping)
- Too late, gov's arrived.
- Send you for 50 lashes,
I'll sign your form in.
- [Woman] She's beautiful.
- [Man] Blimey.
It's old Sam Flusky's molisher.
(people chattering)
- I don't know the etiquette.
Which to present to the other.
A governor, a daughter of an earl.
- We're not altogether strangers.
- We have met, in Ireland long ago.
There was a bay horse.
Cuirassier, you probably don't remember.
- I could never forget Cuirassier.
You ride still?
- There is no great
inducement in the summer.
- Well, perhaps it's as well.
You rode with a frankly courage,
but no judgment whatsoever.
(chuckling)
And a very long time ago it seems.
And half the young bucks in the county
were in love with you.
- I understand my husband
is speaking to you
about a trade school.
- Yes, he is.
- My husband does not dance.
- Well I do.
- [Man] Grand master?
(cheerful music)
(cheerful music)
(cheerful music)
(clapping)
- Your excellency, ladies and gentlemen,
supper is now served.
(people chattering)
(distant cheerful music)
- Hattie.
You're queen of the ball.
I say.
That's a stub.
One of the tables.
(woman giggles)
(whispers)
Hello.
Why are you hiding?
You've cobwebs all over you.
You've been crying.
- What of it?
Can't I cry if I want?
- Not at a ball.
It's not the thing.
- Not you, no.
I don't want anybody, see.
Go away.
What are you touching me for?
That's gentlemen for you.
- I beg your pardon.
I didn't mean to annoy you.
- Why do it then?
- Is there anyone I can bring you?
A relative?
- I don't want your charity.
I don't want partners.
- Then why on Earth
did you come to a ball?
- Get out.
I don't want you.
- You sure of that?
Are you sure I can't offer you an arm?
Take you downstairs?
Have your chicken wing?
(gentle music)
- You go back to the
swells, where you belong.
- How do you know where I belong?
- Oh, go away?
- Only if I can't help you.
- You can't.
- Good night then.
- [Men] Fire, fire!
(people shouting)
- Stay here, I'll find a way out.
(flames roaring)
(bell ringing)
(people chattering)
- That's the way, Mister.
Set it up, we can drop to it.
- Don't jump!
- Look.
- [Charles] What's that?
- [Woman] A danna-drag.
- [Charles] What?
- You go first, hold by the sill.
- Pardon me, but which of
us is a damsel in distress?
(bangs)
- By the look of it, you.
Go on!
- Damned if I do, women
and children first.
- Drop 'em after me.
(people shouting)
- [Woman] Give it to me!
- I will not give it to you, it's mine.
Ooh!
(laughing)
- Miss!
What's your name?
Are you all right?
- [Woman] What's your name, dearie?
(laughing)
(gentle music)
- [Hattie] The Gazette
says the fire came about
because some tasteful draperies were in
too close proximity to a lamp.
- What is a danna-drag?
- Hardly a drawing room term at all.
It's a night soil cart.
They clean out the privies.
The ladies had their
evening's entertainment
cut short in an alarming manner.
His excellency--
- Rescued Lady Henrietta
Flusky, brought her home,
leaving her escort to walk.
(chuckles)
That's not what The Gazette says at all.
- Is it or is it not de rigueur
to return a lady's petticoat?
- Oh, Charles.
Danna-drags and petticoats--
- And if so, how does
one deduce her address
from a name tag?
The S, you see?
It could stand for Selina, Susan, Sarah.
I'm no wiser than you.
(somber music)
- And you would like to be wiser.
- It was nothing.
We were saved from an upstairs room.
She had to drop the petticoat
to get through the window.
I'm not a man to be caught by a hussy
with a heart-shaped face.
- Heart-shaped?
- Her chin was pointed, too pointed.
The mouth too large.
The eyes, too widely spaced.
Born here.
Her voice was intolerable.
- This hussy appears to
have made an impression.
- I remember absolutely nothing about her.
- The Governor spoke of you last night.
Asked kindly after you.
I told him something.
- Blackened yourself to
whiten me, I'll be bound?
- There was no need.
The Governor hears more than we suppose.
- Indeed he does.
- Charles.
If he should make you an
offer, pray consider it.
- I believe you want to be rid of me.
- That is not the way to put it.
- You do.
You want to be rid of me.
- I think it might be as well for you
not to be any longer here.
- I see.
Mr. Flusky owes me nothing.
He does not owe his wife to me.
- Does he not, Charles?
What was I before you came to this house?
(thunder crashing)
(chanting in foreign language)
- Ketch is back.
He came back with a yarn.
Still, you can't believe all they say.
- I don't know how you
make out their yabber.
Worse than Irish.
(thunder rumbling)
What is the yarn?
(chanting in foreign language)
(whistles)
(thunder crashing)
- You tell whatcha done
been, whatcha find, Ketch?
(speaking foreign language)
Stow that!
Nobody sabby's that talk.
Piyalla English, you sabby plenty.
- Ketch been gone mountain, long, long.
Hunt, fish.
- The stone.
- [Charles] Where'd you get this from?
- [Samson] Near the Fish
River, some gully near there.
- There must be more.
Let's get an interpreter to question him.
No, no, we don't want to spread the news.
- Charles, what are you talking about?
- But it's gold.
(suspenseful music)
- It's gold all right.
- The Fish River.
- Gold means trouble.
Gold don't do nobody any good.
- Well, you've had three months
to get used to the climate.
Learned how not to speculate in land.
- Odd mistake for Flusky to make.
He must've known the
application would go to you.
- Was it a mistake?
Served his purpose very well, got you
out of my house into his.
- He's not so clever.
(scoffs)
- Saw him break a horse once
20 years ago in Ballaloe.
By the time he'd finished with that beast,
it was asking him to put its saddle on.
- Yes, a hard man.
- Yes, gentlemen?
No, a clever one.
Man I want you to meet tonight
is leading an expedition inland.
A chance to explore.
I could guarantee a land
grant at the end of it.
- And I take it there
would be no objection
if we found a little gold.
- Gold?
- Why not?
- That's the first thing
every fool hopes to find.
- Till tonight, then.
- Get a haircut.
And your boots need work.
- Sir.
- [Man] You seen little
Nick Wilson hang, did ya?
- Yeah.
Oh, Harper strung him up neat enough,
but he still had time to kick.
It wants what I call the hand.
- Watch it.
(laughing)
- There's something you can't teach a man.
No, there's no call to let them kick.
Not if a man knows his job.
- [Man] You ought never
to have given it up.
There's work enough.
- [Barber] There's not a living in it.
I haven't just got meself to think about.
I got a young girl, see.
Now she's--
- The chap shaving my
neighbor, is he the hangman?
- Used to be, sir.
He retired 12 months ago and set up here.
- Does he do well?
- Oh yes, sir, nicely.
Always had a wonderful light hand.
- Sue, towels.
- It's you!
Why did you not wait the other night?
I lost you.
I hope you took no harm.
- Who's the gent, Sue?
- At the ball.
- I hope you took no
harm in all the flurry.
- Sue, towels.
You done, Mister?
There's others waiting.
Thanks Pat.
(man coughs)
(chanting in foreign language)
- You must persuade Charles
to do as the Governor asks.
I think you would be glad
if his visit came to an end.
Sam, sometimes I wish
you would or could be
just a little more open!
I never know what you're
thinking or planning.
It's my own fault.
I've been the worst of wives.
- Stow that, none of that.
- I want you to understand
that I know what I have done,
and been, and that I'm sorry for it.
- What have you done?
- You know how I have failed you.
Publicly shamed you.
Oh, that dinner party.
Oh, I cannot remember,
but I do not forget it.
But it'll be different now.
I think I have the strength now.
Do you remember what you once told me?
How you looked through the window,
and saw my father and I at dinner?
You were riding that tall mare.
- Pope Joan.
- That was the beginning.
How far it has led us, to this country,
you to fortune, me, I cannot tell yet.
But I have to remember what has happened.
Learn from it, and be
sorry, and build on it.
Oh Sam.
I wish I could train you to talk.
I would sometimes like
to be able to make words
out of the wuff-wuff that you
bestow upon me now and then.
(door opens)
- I have a tale to tell.
First I'll get those
women to bring some tea.
(door closes)
- Charles should leave.
The Governor told me
they'd been in some talk.
It seems that Milly is, 'tis absurd,
but isn't there anything we can do?
- Plenty.
- Then would you look to it?
You're more in touch, more able
to deal with such matters than I.
- I'll look to it.
- Tea shall be here soon.
- You talked to the Governor?
- Ah well, the Governor.
Wanted me to go exploring
with one Fortescue.
He told each of us what a
fine fellow the other was.
Result, detestation,
immediate and irrevocable.
- No expedition, then?
- [Charles] Oh, certainly an expedition.
If I can raise the money.
But not with Mr. Fortescue.
(somber music)
What do you say to gold?
- [Hattie] No Charles, not
with Ketch, not that gold.
- And why not, my dear?
It wouldn't be just with Ketch.
I met a surveyor named Thompson.
Came back with me, saw Ketch's stone,
and pronounces it gold!
Just a question of raising the money.
- How much?
- [Hattie] No, Sam.
- How much do you need?
- Go with the Governor's money.
If you go with Ketch, he
will leave you to die!
- Hattie, there's gold there.
- Yes, gold, the bait and the trap.
- How much?
- 100, for half share in what I find.
- Sam, don't lend this money.
I'm asking you something
with my whole heart.
(clapping)
- Bravo.
They couldn't do it
better at Covenant Garden.
- Sam, I'm asking you
not to do this thing.
- I told him it's unhealthy.
Told him Ketch is a liar.
Gold's more danger than it's worth.
What more can I do?
- You cannot lend him the money.
- I am only 20, Hattie.
I don't want to settle down.
I have not come to a new country to,
no offense, sweet lady, to
sit in a woman's pocket.
Wait till I bring back nuggets.
- You are a fool, Charles Adare.
I have not been drinking!
- Of course not.
- 100, you said.
(door closes)
♪ In this quiet place I stand alone ♪
♪ From my homeland far away ♪
♪ And my empty heart cannot recall ♪
♪ The forgotten dreams
that brought me joy ♪
♪ For my soul is weary and alone ♪
♪ In this sallowed foreign land ♪
♪ Where the birds are quiet in the trees ♪
♪ And the voice inside me isn't heard ♪
♪ Had I ways to shed the wasted years ♪
♪ I would travel to my kin ♪
♪ And with strength and
faith in God above ♪
♪ There in Ireland I would gladly die ♪
---
(thunder rumbling)
(somber music)
(crowd cheering)
(triumphant music)
- Perhaps you should've tried India.
- India?
- Well the town looks too poor
for someone who wants to
make a fortune in a hurry.
- Perhaps I can benefit by corruption.
Well, there's nothing for me in Hern
now the family's lost its money.
- Yeah.
- Work spoils you from
enjoying what you make by it.
- Why didn't you woo an heiress?
You're a ladies' man.
- The only ones left weight
20 stone, or grow beards.
- You could've sold your poetry,
Byron did all right by it.
- I'm a scribbler, not a poet.
No, I have one asset,
my cousin the Governor.
- I shall disown you.
- Oh, great shameless bribes.
To New South Wales and corruption.
- Mr. Bourne.
Missus.
- Good day to you, Flusky.
- Young civilian with his ax.
Who was he?
- The Governor's cousin, I gather.
Out here for colonial experience,
the honorable Charles Adare.
- He a gentleman?
- I said "the honorable Charles Adare."
- Aye.
But can he behave himself?
- Thank ye.
(footsteps thudding)
- Still working, Banks?
- [Banks] Yes sir.
- You'll take port with us?
- [Banks] Oh, thank you sir.
- Wherever we British go, we build
the same government houses.
- Sir, she's with Lord Burley.
- Burley?
Oh, well, something of a boon.
(distant chanting)
- Strange land this is.
Five months from England,
and nothing at the end.
- [Governor] No gold at
the end of the rainbow?
- Gold?
- Land, opportunity.
(chuckles)
- Strangeness.
There's a fire on the water.
If I were a real poet, I could catch that.
Set it like a fly in amber,
and set it down the centuries.
Strangeness.
(chanting in foreign language)
(dogs barking)
(woman wailing)
- [Milly] Shh.
You'll wake the whole house up.
(woman sobbing)
(somber music)
(horse neighs)
- [Charles] As a bank secretary,
perhaps you could advise me,
I am at something of a loss.
What opening would promise
best a young man here?
- That is not easy to say.
If you could give me some
notion of your interests,
your capacities.
- I ride well.
And I'm not a bad drinker.
- If you bought land near the town,
you could double your
money in only 25 years.
- I'm afraid I have no money.
Well, that's to say I have 100 pounds.
- Why Mr. Adare, that is not much.
I tell you frankly, it is not much.
But with a great deal of
industry and frugality
and foresight...
(knocking)
Enter.
- Mr. Flusky to see you, sir.
- Pray ask him to wait a moment.
Say I have his excellency's
cousin with me.
- Flusky.
Where have I heard that name before?
- One of our most considerable citizens.
A landowner.
- Is he one of these people who
double their money over 25 years?
- Mr. Flusky, the past five years only.
- [Charles] Rich to start with?
- No.
He came out here with nothing.
(chuckles)
- Land, was he transported?
- We do not speak of men's pasts here,
this is the country of
the future, not the past.
- Introduce me.
Introduce me!
- Mr. Flusky.
Mr. Adare, Mr. Samson Flusky.
Mr. Flusky, the honorable Charles Adare.
Mr. Adare has come out from
Ireland to make his fortune.
- Ireland.
What part?
- The West.
Do you know it?
- I might.
So you want to make money.
You're not the only one.
- And quickly too, if I can.
I'm not sure this country
speaks my language.
- [Samson] Lagged yourself
for fear the crown
should do it for you, eh?
(chuckles)
Oh, there's money in land.
When they let you buy it.
- [Bank Secretary] I told
you so, money takes time--
- All the same, Mister,
if you've time to listen,
there's something might interest you.
- [Bank Secretary] My office, gentlemen,
is entirely at your disposal.
- I don't know how my
proposition will strike you,
government house and all.
Maybe I better let it alone.
- Don't lump me in with his excellency.
He's not responsible for me.
- Well, it might be awkward all the same.
- I assure I didn't come out here
to wear gloves, Mr. Flusky.
If you feel you could talk more freely
to a cabbage-tree hat,
I'll step out and buy one.
- Know anything about land out here?
- Hardly.
- Regulations made by Englishmen.
You can't run three sheep
to an acre out here,
more like one sheep to three acres.
Need room, move 'em about.
- But there's plenty of land.
Nothing but land.
- No more grants.
All land to be sold at auctions.
A board to see that one
man doesn't get more
than what they call his fair share.
- And you want me to do something for you.
Something you won't suggest.
Well, I was always good at guessing games
in the drawing room.
Let's see how I do in a bank.
Land.
A board to see that a man does
not get all he can pay for.
But if a man were to get someone else
to put in for the land,
ah.
A drawing room's no bad training ground.
- A man puts in for land, I'll show
the purchase money in cash.
- I've 100 pounds.
(chuckles)
Not enough.
I could borrow.
Perhaps from the man who wanted the land.
I daresay he'd stump up.
- He might.
(suspenseful music)
- How much is there?
- Thousand.
And here's one you don't
have to show the surveyor.
- 50?
For a signature?
This is legal?
- It's not legal, I'll
tell you that flat out.
- But it is the custom here.
- I'm not asking you to take it, Mister.
- New country.
New customs, I suppose.
(gentle strings music)
(chattering)
- We shall be seeing you
at dinner tonight, I hope?
- Indeed you shall, Madam.
- Oh, we are so far away from England.
Are we not so far away, Belinda?
- Yes, Mama.
And the shortage of unmarried officers--
- That is enough, Belinda.
- And gentlemen of course, Mr. Adare.
- I always give place to the military.
Excuse me.
- Mr. Adare.
Tonight you must tell us
what they are wearing,
and dancing in London.
- And the plays, we must
hear about the plays.
- I believe we had that
conversation last night.
- Yes, the plays--
- [Man] Any thoughts anybody the formation
of the race club, Adare?
- Several, sir.
- Talked to his excellency?
- On many occasions, sir.
- I have formulated my own
ideas on some manuscript pages.
- I'm weary of their uniforms,
I'm weary of their wives,
and I'm weary of their
trivial conversation.
- You're a thankless pup,
they feed you well enough,
don't they?
- I'm getting to know
their faces by heart.
(groans)
No, my liver.
- Can't avoid it, small community.
- Small?
There are 40 or 50,000
people in this town.
The same dozen self-satisfied
fizzers at every dinner table,
coming around each night like
wooden horses on a roundabout.
- Can't mix the classes,
gives too much offense.
- I thought you said on the first day
you'd cooperate with anyone.
- Why should I embarrass
a decent, honest tradesman
by having society laugh at
him because he doesn't know
which fork to use?
That is offense.
- Would it give offense if
your excellency's cousin
accept this?
- Probably.
Invitation to dine with Mr. Samson Flusky.
- A decent enough Irishman, sir.
An Emancipist, wealthy,
but he's never been known
to entertain.
- What was he transported for?
- Oh, surely this is the
country of the future,
not the past.
- Is he from the west of Ireland?
The name, something about the wife.
Charles, what's this
Flusky called his house?
Minyag?
- [Charles] Minyago Yugilla.
Aboriginal.
He said it means why weepest thou.
(woman wailing)
- I said polish, not pamper.
(woman wailing)
(knocking)
- [Samson] In!
- [Milly] Mr. Flusky.
- The dinner, Wednesday a week.
The honorable Adare's accepted.
See those women behave
themselves and they're up to it.
- [Milly] I'm sure if you have
any complaints, Mr. Flusky.
- I want a slap-up meal.
Winter here will put
it into French for you.
- Oh, I'm not sure as I want
a new servant like Winter
around convent women, sir.
Particularly seeing as what
he was transported for.
- He touches the women,
I'll sign his form F
and back he'll go to convict barrack.
- As long as that's
understood, Mr. Flusky.
- Sir, a gentleman would never...
- But you did.
- Commissioner Johnson's able to accept.
Mrs. Johnson accepts, but
regrets that she is too ill.
(papers crinkling)
Colonel Williams is pleased to accept.
His wife, however--
- Accepts, but regrets.
- The judge advocate is delighted.
- And his lady?
None of them.
None of the ladies.
Don't they understand I've
got the honorable Adare?
Well, damn them.
She shall be there!
Henrietta shall be there!
(somber music)
(door opens)
- Mrs. Flusky--
- Lady Henrietta Flusky will dine with us.
So write her proper name.
Lady Henrietta Flusky.
- But that is, excuse me, sir.
That is what is called a courtesy title.
It is borne by daughters of nobility.
Wives of private
gentlemen cannot claim it.
- You write what I say.
(knocking)
- Well don't just stand
there, you know your duties.
Answer door, take hats and
coats, announce guests.
- [Winter] Good evening, gentlemen.
- Commissioner Johnson.
- James Dixon.
- If I might have your hats and cloaks.
Gentlemen.
(clears throat)
Commissioner Johnson, Mr. James Dixon.
- [Commissioner] Mr. Flusky.
- Gentlemen, my wife isn't doing too good.
She can't be with us.
She hopes another time,
you'll give her the pleasure.
- Quite understand. (clears throat)
- [Man] That's a fine port, Flusky.
Now where was I?
- I'm simply interested in getting down
part of the native language
before the poor beggars
die out completely.
(people chattering)
- They were thousands.
Every new ship brings a
new white man's disease.
- Adare, you'd be interested in this.
They put a wooden support
under the fellow's chin
while he was getting his lashes.
- Sounds like a boon to civilization.
(people chattering)
- [Man] Whom should they be sending, then?
- Whom should they not be sending?
Gentlemen, too many gentlemen.
We need tradesmen.
Useful men.
(somber music)
- Pray gentlemen, forgive me,
I was not aware of the hour.
This is not too late, I hope, to take
a glass of wine with you.
Thank you.
- Sit down.
Sit down.
- You have the look of
somebody I knew long ago.
In Ireland?
Somewhere.
- I come from Ireland,
Queen's County, Ballaloe.
My name's Adare.
- Adare.
Ballaloe.
I remember.
Do you not have a sister named Althea?
- You know her?
You know Alethea?
- Alethea Adare.
We used to ride together. (chuckles)
Riding, oh.
Riding's dangerous.
(chuckles)
How did you leave them in Ballaloe?
My father's...
No, of course.
He died not so long after.
- You must be Lady Hattie.
Lady Hattie Considine.
The runaway with the groom.
- Not Considine.
Flusky.
He married me, you know.
Was that not good of him?
But he is such a good man.
You must not believe the
things they say about him.
You must not believe them.
(sighs)
(chuckles)
Good night, gentlemen.
(gentle music)
Are you any kind of shot with a pistol?
- Mm-hmm.
- Pray, come upstairs with
me, there's something,
I can't quite tell what, on my bed.
(man clears throat)
- Banks, the port.
(gunshot bangs)
- Finish your wine.
- She'll be all right now.
(somber music)
(dog barking)
Why do you not let her go back to Ireland?
Make her go back.
- What's that for?
Father dead, Mother an old nanny goat.
She could show her marriage lines.
But they'd respect her the
more, take her back the sooner,
if she'd none to show.
Some more port.
- There must be something can be done.
(people chattering)
What's that?
- Just the blacks clearing up.
- You allow that?
- They was here first.
- What started her drinking?
- I got into a piece of trouble once,
got transported out here.
Hattie followed me out.
Went to the superintendent,
told him who she was.
He made fun of her.
She never used her
rightful name after that.
It was a long time ago.
She sold her jewelry to live on.
Time I got my ticket to
leave, the drink had got her.
(blows)
I was her groom, you know.
- Yes, I heard something of
the story back at Ballaloe.
- It's her own people she misses.
Ladies don't get transported.
I've taken care to have
gentlemen about the house.
One was a clergyman forger.
Latest one went to some great school.
Came about a month ago.
She won't look at him.
She don't like the idea
he deceived some girl.
You can always get gentlemen.
They're useless, you see.
Nobody wants them.
No offense.
(somber music)
- Let me have a word with her.
Let me have a crack.
- Why not.
- [Captain] Is that your signature?
- The applica--
- Application to buy 200 acres
in the county of Cumberland,
district of Newcastle, sections 17 to 217.
Is that your signature?
- Well, yes.
- But not your writing
in the body of the form?
- I can explain that,
I'm acting on advice.
It's very very simple.
- Good.
Let me hear.
- Well, you suggested I should
speak to men of experience.
They all say the same thing.
Small holdings won't
do, drought and so on.
To farm properly, you need 200 acres.
So, 200 acres.
- A farm, is it?
- Mm-hmm.
- I won't insult you
more than I'm obliged to,
but you're a liar.
And don't make matters worse,
don't make a fool of yourself.
Did you look at the map?
You did not.
Your farm is in the middle of a town
with the obligation to build.
Now stop humiliating yourself
and tell me the truth.
- I met a man in the bank.
He said it was a coming district.
17's my lucky number.
I backed the two 17s.
- He lent you 1000 pounds?
- Just for the day.
- On what security?
- [Charles] None.
- Not my name, not our relationship?
- No.
- You're this man's bonnet, aren't you?
He paid you to apply for him
because he would be refused.
- No sir.
- Application refused.
I should be grateful if you'd make
other living arrangements.
I cannot have this sort of transaction
carried on from inside Government House.
- At once, sir.
- Charles.
You have much to learn.
Do not buy experience
at the cost of honor.
That is no sort of bargain.
I feel some financial
allowance is due to you.
Your parents contemplated your
being my guest in the colony.
- I shall do very well, sir.
- Where?
- I believe Mr. Flusky will
be good enough to house me
until I can settle my affairs.
I know he was a convict, sir.
- Do you know why?
I have the facts.
- [Charles] So do I, sir.
- He ran away with one of the
Considine girls from Ballaloe.
- I know that.
- Her brother James followed
them, Flusky shot him dead.
Flusky claimed that the brother drew first
and beat the gallows.
Now Charles, I heard all about last night.
You are talking of going to a house
where the master is a murderer,
and the lady's all to pieces.
It's not too late.
Keep away from there.
- Goodbye sir.
Thank you for all you've done.
(chattering in foreign language)
My dear brother, do you see any black men?
Indeed, Sister Alethea, I do.
(chuckling)
Do they make anything of
interest you could send home?
It is tiresome having
to abide the bragging
of Mrs. Synnott, with a
trumpery ensign nephew
out in the East who sends
shawls and ivory elephants.
- Dear Alethea.
She was like a sister to me.
- Old Philomena Regan is going
to set up a candle for you.
But then, a calf strayed.
So you and the calf are
sharing a petition between you.
Though little good it will
do you as a Protestant.
Please write.
She says that in capital letters.
"Write."
And signs her name in love.
- When you write to Alethea,
you're not to speak of me.
- Why not?
Why not?
- The night you first came
to this house, how long ago?
10 days only.
That night, I don't clearly recollect it,
but I know because of that night,
and because of certain other
things, other happenings.
- You mean because you were drunk?
(somber music)
- Do you know, that's the first
open word that's been said.
He never speaks.
He will not let them speak or look.
I get the bottles.
They appear.
When they're empty, they
pile up and disappear,
and nobody speaks of them.
I do something outrageous,
come down half-naked,
scream, nobody speaks!
The night, the dinner, was I decent?
- You were covered.
But not quite the glass of fashion.
- Thank God for that.
And for you.
You've given me the words
of comfort I needed.
- Words of comfort?
- "You were drunk."
Oh, my dear.
You will never know how
I have longed to hear
a human creature's voice
say that, just say that.
"You were drunk."
(chuckling)
(door opens)
(birds chirping)
(somber music)
(Hattie laughing)
- Is that the way you like it, Mr. Flusky?
- Hmm?
- Plum daft delight, Mr. Flusky.
- Looks delicious.
- [Milly] Thank you.
- Pity Hattie never dines down.
- No she don't.
- Why do you not come down?
We get on very well, but
we're a little heavy together,
like brandy and cheese.
We miss your company.
Is it because you're sick of food
by the time you grab the menus?
- I seldom order food.
- Ah.
Someone in the way?
Someone I can kick for you.
- The house runs very well.
(sighs)
It does me good to have you here.
- I know that.
I am here to restore you to society.
You are to be its jewel and ornament.
Which is why you must
run your own household.
Program of activities.
A, domestic,
B, social.
- You must not press me!
- You're the loveliest creature I ever saw
in my life, I believe.
- I have nothing left.
And you are not here to help
me, but to make your fortune.
I really have nothing left.
- Do you never look in your glass?
- I do not have them.
(gentle music)
- We will get you a glass.
And each day you'll
see yourself returning.
Activities domestic.
Order dinner, take up my needle,
and come down to the dinner I've ordered.
And you must take a glass of wine with us.
You do eat and drink, don't you?
- You're talking nonsense.
Please go on.
- That's enough to start.
You can begin tomorrow.
I shall be in town, and out of your way.
(clinking)
(gentle music)
Tomorrow.
(birds chirping)
- If you can't stand the
sight of ladyship's bedroom,
look out and see if she's
in the garden still.
- I cannot see her.
- Here.
Hold this.
(glass clinking)
Only seven this week.
(glass clinking)
That's having something to occupy her.
Well, come on.
(glass clinking)
- Miss Milly, what am I to do with them?
- Oh, the black fellow, Ketch,
he sells them to a man at the bay
who's building a wall of
his own set of bottles.
For the mortar he shaves his dog.
Oh, you need hair for good mortar.
One of the old governors
used to shave convicts.
Said animals was too valuable.
Oh, meaning no offense, Mr. Winter.
- And why not?
It is my house.
I will not have you argue with me.
Now which of you is cook?
Well?
What is the matter with these creatures?
I have come to order dinner--
- Dinner's settled.
It was all fixed last night.
You go and take a bit of
a saunter in the garden.
- Milly.
In the future, pray, consult me.
I am to make the arrangements.
(laughing)
In future, we must make a
plan, Milly, do you hear?
We must order the work between us.
I have left too much on your shoulders.
You are not to blame.
In future, I shall come,
no, no, that won't do.
You shall come to me in my room
at 9:00 with a slate for orders
and we shall settle the dinner between us.
And I'd better...
You will let me have the keys.
(keys jingle)
- [Milly] Oh, the keys.
- Yes.
(suspenseful music)
(laughing)
- What are you doing
putting that on the table?
Take it out again or I'll
have your form F signed
and you sent back to
barracks for a flogging.
(laughing)
(sobbing)
- I visited the club, and got to talking.
- Yes.
A lot of that.
- Curious regulation has been gazetted.
Banning the import of shrunken human heads
from New Zealand.
After all, who would want one?
- Does them no harm, blacks.
They're dead enough.
They're tattooed.
- You have one?
- [Samson] Why not?
- Ugly chap, isn't he?
(distant chanting)
(insects chirping)
Hey-ho!
What's your ladyship doing
indoors on a night like this?
I'll have her out of there.
You promised to come down to dinner.
I thought we had an agreement.
- Didn't order dinner.
- What's become of your promise?
- The dinner, couldn't happen.
Not responsible.
Milly.
- Put something on.
I'm coming up.
We may need a pistol for the bogey.
(Hattie wailing)
Now listen.
I cannot have it.
What are you doing, making a
guy of yourself in this way?
You were as good as gold yesterday.
I know it's not easy, I know
it gets a grip on your vitals.
(Hattie sobbing)
(sniffs)
Gin?
And you could be drinking good
wine downstairs at dinner.
(sighs)
Oh, come here.
Don't wrap yourself up like an Arabian.
(whimpering)
I won't hurt you.
I won't scold you.
Where'd you get this from?
- I found it.
(mumbling)
- Is there more?
(distant glass shatters)
Did you pay for it?
Who takes the money?
We'll get you to bed.
Who puts you to bed when you're like this?
Milly, is it?
(panting)
- No, no.
No. (sobbing)
(door rattles)
(Hattie sobbing)
(knocking)
(somber music)
- You had better get
Lady Henrietta to bed.
- I'm to?
- [Charles] Is that not your work?
- Looks more like it's your work.
- Say that again?
Where does she get the stuff from?
- How do I know?
- That's what I'm asking you.
- I'm asking something else, young man.
What are you doing here
behind locked doors
and her like she is?
- Good night, Henrietta.
We shall talk in the morning.
(cracking)
(Hattie wailing)
(sheep bleating)
- It's no good, Mr. Flusky.
This house won't stand
two giving orders in it.
Well you can't expect the
women to put up with that.
Do you suppose your wife
would talk to old Sal?
Well she's a lady, Madam is.
Well, let her sit in the
parlor the way ladies ought.
(clock chiming)
I'll do the work, work my
hands to the bone for her.
But I won't be interfered with.
For all she means well.
So I'll thank you to tell Madam.
I just can't have it.
She makes work in other ways too,
excuse me referring to
it, without this on top.
And there's another thing.
Won't do no harm for you to keep an eye
on some of her goings on.
Now, I'll say nothing more,
I'm a Christian woman,
but I give you fair warning.
I don't say anything without I know.
I can hold my tongue.
- Excuse me, sir, Mr.
Adare's in the garden,
making signs whether he may come in.
- I think you are mistaken, Mr. Winter.
- Yes, Mr. Adare, you may come in.
- Fine beast, thank you.
Good morning.
- So them as puts ideas into
her head had better stop it,
for everybody's sake.
You can whistle for your
dinner if she's to order it.
- One moment.
I'll say it whether you're here or not.
Mr. Flusky, I am beginning
to get some notion
of what's going on in
this house with your wife.
Last night--
- Oh yes, last night.
I could say something about
last night if I chose to.
- Be quiet.
(gasps)
Don't move and it won't hurt.
- Let her alone.
Say what you've got to, both of you.
Damn all this crosstalk.
- As Miss Milly suggests, I have been
meddling in your affairs.
I suggested to Lady
Henrietta that she might
order dinner in her own house.
I believe she met some
rudeness because of this.
Last night she kept repeating
the dinner, dinner--
- He was in her room last
night with the door locked.
There he was, and her with
the clothes off of her.
And that's where she met some rudeness,
and a good name for it.
- You insulted her somehow.
- I turned her out of my kitchen,
as I've a right to do,
Mr. Nobody from Nowhere.
- Excuse me.
I was present yesterday in the kitchen
when her ladyship came in.
She did receive an affront.
- Yes indeed, you was there.
In he came, and he was
carrying a load of bottles.
You know where from.
And in he came, and he dumped them down
right in front of her.
- That's not how--
- And out of one of her own sheets, too,
and oh, she turned white
as the sheet itself.
And that's the affront for you,
if you want a grand
name for a silly start.
- Sir, you're a gentleman.
- To hell with gentlemen!
Out of here, you!
Milly, get out.
I'll settle this.
- Settle that young fella first.
I'm a Christian woman.
I don't stay in any house with adulterers.
Oh, don't cry when you burn in hell,
act as if you hadn't had warning.
Oh lord, pay down upon
the nail after thy manner
the wages of this man's sin.
Let the fervent prayer of the
righteous prevail, oh lord.
Let not the wicked prosper.
(laughing)
I'm getting out of this house, Mr. Flusky.
I'm free.
This very night I'll go.
I would sooner sweep
the Parramatta Factory
than lend my face to iniquity.
(Charles laughing)
- You're well rid.
She's been keeping Lady Hattie
supplied, I'm sure of it.
I've no proof--
- No, no proof of anything.
She's been here a long time.
Never caught her in a lie.
- But if she's giving Lady--
- [Samson] It's only
your word against hers.
- You may accept mine, I think.
- Because you're a gentleman?
Winter's a gentleman.
I can buy a gentleman's word
in George Street for 50 pounds.
(somber music)
Be obliged if you'd overlook all this.
Won't be too comfortable, Milly gone.
Be obliged if you'd stay on.
- Done.
We'll have her right in a month
once the house is her own.
- Floor scrubbed.
Lemonade, furniture waxed.
This is my last day under this roof.
And pity help anyone who crosses me on it.
- You will not find a ha'porth missing,
whether it's stores or wine.
And it's my prayer you'll be able
to say as much in a year's time.
A year, a month's time, I done my duty.
And there's no man nor
woman nor counter-jumper
dare say contrariwise.
Very handsome reference, I will say.
There's one thing missing,
though, that might be asked me.
Cause of leaving.
- Your own good pleasure.
That's all you need to tell 'em.
- I'll not speak any word
that's a lie, Mr. Flusky.
'Tis a lie to say I leave
you for my own pleasure.
Now it's no fault of
yours, but I'll not look on
at shameful things, and I
won't be hampered in my duty.
- You don't go putting
that about, do you hear?
I'm turning you up sweet.
Sorry to see you go,
but none of your yarns.
- You wait and see if it's a yarn.
What you want, Mr. Flusky,
now excuse me for saying this,
but I've had this in my mind for years,
you want a woman about
you who'll see to things.
Then what good's her ladyship?
I'm sure if it suits you to
have a wife the way she is.
I wish you better luck than you've had,
and better luck than you're looking for.
And when they ask me the
reason why I left this house,
you can take your davy I'll tell 'em.
- You keep your reasons to your nabs.
I'm not saying more than that to you.
- Well, goodbye to you, Mr. Flusky.
I'll petition the lord to open your eyes.
(somber music)
- Milly must not go.
It's not to be thought of.
Bring her back, Sam, I beg you.
- Oh, nonsense, she doesn't want to stay.
And here's her keys, you see.
For you.
- No--
- That's as it should be.
That's the way.
Don't you worry.
We'll do all right, we'll do all right.
- Perhaps if you paid her more money.
I cannot do without her.
I must have her back.
- No.
She's a good housekeeper.
Can't have her picking
and choosing guests.
- Pray, will you not keep them?
Let me come to you when I need them,
you know I'm apt to be careless.
- Put 'em at your waist, as Milly did.
You can't lose 'em.
Nobody can get 'em from you that way.
- No.
Very well.
(gentle music)
- I must get you a gold one.
What do they call it?
To hang at a woman's waist?
- An equipage.
- An equipage.
That's a coach and horses.
- Not in the drawing room.
There it's keys and scissors.
- You talk drawing room, I talk stable.
No wonder we get to
cross-purposes sometimes.
(Hattie chuckles)
What do you say, Mr. Adare?
- Oh, she and I speak the same language.
Lady Hattie, I'm writing
to my sister Alethea.
I've left room enough for greeting.
Not near enough for gossip.
- Then write this.
My dearest friend,
how gratefully my beloved husband and I
look upon your brother.
How happy we are to have him as our guest,
as we would be happy to have you,
whom I miss so much in
this distant country.
My fondest love.
My fondest love.
- No room for repetitions.
(gentle music)
(bird cawing)
- That's a man.
Mr. Flusky down here?
- [Winter] I'm afraid
he's already left, sir.
- Thank you.
- It's a pleasure to see
you downstairs, Madam.
- Thank you.
- When was the last time you experienced
coming down to breakfast?
(door closes)
The cooks are cooking,
the feathered songsters
of Australia are going ah, ah!
Do you have your keys?
- Upstairs.
- No matter.
I wouldn't be the first picklock
to come to this country.
- What are you doing?
(suspenseful music)
- Only a trophy.
Can't hurt you.
(panting)
- I see it sometimes in the night.
It opens its eyes at me.
- Is that the bogey I shot?
- Sam paid 10 pounds for it.
- Here, drink this.
Now, you'll be a good goddess
and eat your breakfast.
And you can have another
dram after midday.
- If you're waiting for breakfast,
without Milly to bully them,
you'll be waiting a long time.
(light music)
- [Charles] Your household
staff awaits, your ladyship.
(birds chirping)
(sighs)
- Are they coming back to life again?
It's unbearable.
The best thing I could do is
just die and be done with it.
If I die, he could
marry the kind of woman,
Milly would do.
God knows she's worked hard enough for it.
- A good housekeeper, but--
- Putting the bottles in
my room all these years.
- You knew she was trying to kill you?
You knew what she was at?
- The only queer thing was
her doing it as a Christian.
She often said that.
"A Christian woman."
So you see, that's how it is.
I'm obliged to you.
I like you dearly.
It is beautiful, what
you've been trying to do.
But you only hurt me, and you hurt him.
It is not any use.
- Are you saying I must go away?
- It cannot last, having you here.
And I cannot bear it alone.
(sobbing)
You and I are nothing to each other,
why, how can you do so much?
- Friends.
That's what you'll be needing.
Love is too highfalutin
for this kind of job.
- I can say things to you that
Sam would never understand.
But I will die for him.
And for you, I--
- Darling woman, you are
a beauty, and a weird one,
something out of Fairy Hill.
But my heart doesn't jump
to be like this with you.
Listen, I am no more in
love with you than with
Britannia on the back of
a penny, you know that.
- I know that.
- Nor you with me.
- Nor I with you.
- But I treasure you.
Lord knows why.
I cannot write poetry, I
cannot do things with my hands.
It looks like I have come
halfway around the world to,
it sounds ridiculous.
Dammit, to find my way to beauty.
You are the only chance I will ever have
to make a lovely thing.
And you are going to help me.
- But I am useless!
Useless to myself, useless
to you, and useless to Sam!
- So you'll die for him.
- Yes.
I will.
- [Charles] Then live for him!
- You do not understand.
It is him I am thinking about.
I was wrong to love
him, wrong to marry him.
- Why, because he killed your brother?
- I killed my brother!
I killed my brother.
He wanted to take me away from Sam.
So I killed him.
All Sam did was take the blame.
Risk gallows, get transported.
That is all he did.
You may know a lot about poetry, Charles,
but there is little you
know about men and women.
- You paid that for him.
He paid that for you.
Then live.
I will not let you take all
this and lay it underground.
I am here.
I will stay and will help.
Day by day, the small things, you remember
the list I wrote you?
Do not give in.
Do not let it all go, don't.
(cheerful bagpipe music)
(crowd clapping)
(crowd applauding)
(trumpet fanfare music)
(crowd applauding)
- Mr. Adare has done a
fine job organizing, sir.
- That he has.
What do you hear of the young man?
Come come, you employed
Flusky's housekeeper.
Women gossip.
- Well, they are saying,
sir, that the young man
is too warmly interested
in a certain direction.
- She was a great beauty once.
Had fire.
(clock ticking)
(gentle music)
(clapping)
- It maybe needs some jewels to match it.
Needs rubies.
- No.
- No!
She needs nothing.
- Come with me, Sam.
Come to the ball.
- I don't dance.
I'd be in the way.
You go, you show 'em.
You show 'em.
- We'll be late.
- Sam.
- [Charles] Night.
(cheerful music)
(people chattering)
- The captain's wife has
employed the housekeeper,
and she says Mr. Flusky is very calm
about the entire affair.
- Oh, poor Mr. Flusky.
- She intends coming, did you hear?
- Mrs. Flusky?
But the Governor's here.
- I saw her, with the young gentleman,
ordering silk for her dress.
- Greek island white for purity.
- Purple, dear, the color of the grape.
(laughing)
(clapping)
- Too late, gov's arrived.
- Send you for 50 lashes,
I'll sign your form in.
- [Woman] She's beautiful.
- [Man] Blimey.
It's old Sam Flusky's molisher.
(people chattering)
- I don't know the etiquette.
Which to present to the other.
A governor, a daughter of an earl.
- We're not altogether strangers.
- We have met, in Ireland long ago.
There was a bay horse.
Cuirassier, you probably don't remember.
- I could never forget Cuirassier.
You ride still?
- There is no great
inducement in the summer.
- Well, perhaps it's as well.
You rode with a frankly courage,
but no judgment whatsoever.
(chuckling)
And a very long time ago it seems.
And half the young bucks in the county
were in love with you.
- I understand my husband
is speaking to you
about a trade school.
- Yes, he is.
- My husband does not dance.
- Well I do.
- [Man] Grand master?
(cheerful music)
(cheerful music)
(cheerful music)
(clapping)
- Your excellency, ladies and gentlemen,
supper is now served.
(people chattering)
(distant cheerful music)
- Hattie.
You're queen of the ball.
I say.
That's a stub.
One of the tables.
(woman giggles)
(whispers)
Hello.
Why are you hiding?
You've cobwebs all over you.
You've been crying.
- What of it?
Can't I cry if I want?
- Not at a ball.
It's not the thing.
- Not you, no.
I don't want anybody, see.
Go away.
What are you touching me for?
That's gentlemen for you.
- I beg your pardon.
I didn't mean to annoy you.
- Why do it then?
- Is there anyone I can bring you?
A relative?
- I don't want your charity.
I don't want partners.
- Then why on Earth
did you come to a ball?
- Get out.
I don't want you.
- You sure of that?
Are you sure I can't offer you an arm?
Take you downstairs?
Have your chicken wing?
(gentle music)
- You go back to the
swells, where you belong.
- How do you know where I belong?
- Oh, go away?
- Only if I can't help you.
- You can't.
- Good night then.
- [Men] Fire, fire!
(people shouting)
- Stay here, I'll find a way out.
(flames roaring)
(bell ringing)
(people chattering)
- That's the way, Mister.
Set it up, we can drop to it.
- Don't jump!
- Look.
- [Charles] What's that?
- [Woman] A danna-drag.
- [Charles] What?
- You go first, hold by the sill.
- Pardon me, but which of
us is a damsel in distress?
(bangs)
- By the look of it, you.
Go on!
- Damned if I do, women
and children first.
- Drop 'em after me.
(people shouting)
- [Woman] Give it to me!
- I will not give it to you, it's mine.
Ooh!
(laughing)
- Miss!
What's your name?
Are you all right?
- [Woman] What's your name, dearie?
(laughing)
(gentle music)
- [Hattie] The Gazette
says the fire came about
because some tasteful draperies were in
too close proximity to a lamp.
- What is a danna-drag?
- Hardly a drawing room term at all.
It's a night soil cart.
They clean out the privies.
The ladies had their
evening's entertainment
cut short in an alarming manner.
His excellency--
- Rescued Lady Henrietta
Flusky, brought her home,
leaving her escort to walk.
(chuckles)
That's not what The Gazette says at all.
- Is it or is it not de rigueur
to return a lady's petticoat?
- Oh, Charles.
Danna-drags and petticoats--
- And if so, how does
one deduce her address
from a name tag?
The S, you see?
It could stand for Selina, Susan, Sarah.
I'm no wiser than you.
(somber music)
- And you would like to be wiser.
- It was nothing.
We were saved from an upstairs room.
She had to drop the petticoat
to get through the window.
I'm not a man to be caught by a hussy
with a heart-shaped face.
- Heart-shaped?
- Her chin was pointed, too pointed.
The mouth too large.
The eyes, too widely spaced.
Born here.
Her voice was intolerable.
- This hussy appears to
have made an impression.
- I remember absolutely nothing about her.
- The Governor spoke of you last night.
Asked kindly after you.
I told him something.
- Blackened yourself to
whiten me, I'll be bound?
- There was no need.
The Governor hears more than we suppose.
- Indeed he does.
- Charles.
If he should make you an
offer, pray consider it.
- I believe you want to be rid of me.
- That is not the way to put it.
- You do.
You want to be rid of me.
- I think it might be as well for you
not to be any longer here.
- I see.
Mr. Flusky owes me nothing.
He does not owe his wife to me.
- Does he not, Charles?
What was I before you came to this house?
(thunder crashing)
(chanting in foreign language)
- Ketch is back.
He came back with a yarn.
Still, you can't believe all they say.
- I don't know how you
make out their yabber.
Worse than Irish.
(thunder rumbling)
What is the yarn?
(chanting in foreign language)
(whistles)
(thunder crashing)
- You tell whatcha done
been, whatcha find, Ketch?
(speaking foreign language)
Stow that!
Nobody sabby's that talk.
Piyalla English, you sabby plenty.
- Ketch been gone mountain, long, long.
Hunt, fish.
- The stone.
- [Charles] Where'd you get this from?
- [Samson] Near the Fish
River, some gully near there.
- There must be more.
Let's get an interpreter to question him.
No, no, we don't want to spread the news.
- Charles, what are you talking about?
- But it's gold.
(suspenseful music)
- It's gold all right.
- The Fish River.
- Gold means trouble.
Gold don't do nobody any good.
- Well, you've had three months
to get used to the climate.
Learned how not to speculate in land.
- Odd mistake for Flusky to make.
He must've known the
application would go to you.
- Was it a mistake?
Served his purpose very well, got you
out of my house into his.
- He's not so clever.
(scoffs)
- Saw him break a horse once
20 years ago in Ballaloe.
By the time he'd finished with that beast,
it was asking him to put its saddle on.
- Yes, a hard man.
- Yes, gentlemen?
No, a clever one.
Man I want you to meet tonight
is leading an expedition inland.
A chance to explore.
I could guarantee a land
grant at the end of it.
- And I take it there
would be no objection
if we found a little gold.
- Gold?
- Why not?
- That's the first thing
every fool hopes to find.
- Till tonight, then.
- Get a haircut.
And your boots need work.
- Sir.
- [Man] You seen little
Nick Wilson hang, did ya?
- Yeah.
Oh, Harper strung him up neat enough,
but he still had time to kick.
It wants what I call the hand.
- Watch it.
(laughing)
- There's something you can't teach a man.
No, there's no call to let them kick.
Not if a man knows his job.
- [Man] You ought never
to have given it up.
There's work enough.
- [Barber] There's not a living in it.
I haven't just got meself to think about.
I got a young girl, see.
Now she's--
- The chap shaving my
neighbor, is he the hangman?
- Used to be, sir.
He retired 12 months ago and set up here.
- Does he do well?
- Oh yes, sir, nicely.
Always had a wonderful light hand.
- Sue, towels.
- It's you!
Why did you not wait the other night?
I lost you.
I hope you took no harm.
- Who's the gent, Sue?
- At the ball.
- I hope you took no
harm in all the flurry.
- Sue, towels.
You done, Mister?
There's others waiting.
Thanks Pat.
(man coughs)
(chanting in foreign language)
- You must persuade Charles
to do as the Governor asks.
I think you would be glad
if his visit came to an end.
Sam, sometimes I wish
you would or could be
just a little more open!
I never know what you're
thinking or planning.
It's my own fault.
I've been the worst of wives.
- Stow that, none of that.
- I want you to understand
that I know what I have done,
and been, and that I'm sorry for it.
- What have you done?
- You know how I have failed you.
Publicly shamed you.
Oh, that dinner party.
Oh, I cannot remember,
but I do not forget it.
But it'll be different now.
I think I have the strength now.
Do you remember what you once told me?
How you looked through the window,
and saw my father and I at dinner?
You were riding that tall mare.
- Pope Joan.
- That was the beginning.
How far it has led us, to this country,
you to fortune, me, I cannot tell yet.
But I have to remember what has happened.
Learn from it, and be
sorry, and build on it.
Oh Sam.
I wish I could train you to talk.
I would sometimes like
to be able to make words
out of the wuff-wuff that you
bestow upon me now and then.
(door opens)
- I have a tale to tell.
First I'll get those
women to bring some tea.
(door closes)
- Charles should leave.
The Governor told me
they'd been in some talk.
It seems that Milly is, 'tis absurd,
but isn't there anything we can do?
- Plenty.
- Then would you look to it?
You're more in touch, more able
to deal with such matters than I.
- I'll look to it.
- Tea shall be here soon.
- You talked to the Governor?
- Ah well, the Governor.
Wanted me to go exploring
with one Fortescue.
He told each of us what a
fine fellow the other was.
Result, detestation,
immediate and irrevocable.
- No expedition, then?
- [Charles] Oh, certainly an expedition.
If I can raise the money.
But not with Mr. Fortescue.
(somber music)
What do you say to gold?
- [Hattie] No Charles, not
with Ketch, not that gold.
- And why not, my dear?
It wouldn't be just with Ketch.
I met a surveyor named Thompson.
Came back with me, saw Ketch's stone,
and pronounces it gold!
Just a question of raising the money.
- How much?
- [Hattie] No, Sam.
- How much do you need?
- Go with the Governor's money.
If you go with Ketch, he
will leave you to die!
- Hattie, there's gold there.
- Yes, gold, the bait and the trap.
- How much?
- 100, for half share in what I find.
- Sam, don't lend this money.
I'm asking you something
with my whole heart.
(clapping)
- Bravo.
They couldn't do it
better at Covenant Garden.
- Sam, I'm asking you
not to do this thing.
- I told him it's unhealthy.
Told him Ketch is a liar.
Gold's more danger than it's worth.
What more can I do?
- You cannot lend him the money.
- I am only 20, Hattie.
I don't want to settle down.
I have not come to a new country to,
no offense, sweet lady, to
sit in a woman's pocket.
Wait till I bring back nuggets.
- You are a fool, Charles Adare.
I have not been drinking!
- Of course not.
- 100, you said.
(door closes)
♪ In this quiet place I stand alone ♪
♪ From my homeland far away ♪
♪ And my empty heart cannot recall ♪
♪ The forgotten dreams
that brought me joy ♪
♪ For my soul is weary and alone ♪
♪ In this sallowed foreign land ♪
♪ Where the birds are quiet in the trees ♪
♪ And the voice inside me isn't heard ♪
♪ Had I ways to shed the wasted years ♪
♪ I would travel to my kin ♪
♪ And with strength and
faith in God above ♪
♪ There in Ireland I would gladly die ♪