Who Pays the Ferryman? (1977): Season 1, Episode 6 - The Well - full transcript

It's his shoulder.

Looks like the jack slipped
and the truck came down on his back.

Are you English?

- Yes, I am. Are you?
- Help me up.

- That's going to do me a lot of good.
- Just think about your shoulder.

- It's just a bruise. I'm all right.
- Where's the nearest doctor?

- Neapolis.
- I don't need a doctor! I'm all right.

For God's sake, don't be stupid!
You've broken something.

Whether you like it or not, I'm going to
take you to a doctor. Now, come on.

OK, he was right!
It was a broken collarbone.

But you don't understand. I need
that engine and truck fixed. It's urgent.



- That's not going to happen today.
- No.

What the hell will I do?

- Where have you come from?
- Meligala.

They'll be worried about me
if I'm not back today.

- I could drive you there.
- That's no help, no point. I told you.

I need to have the gearbox
and the injector repaired.

Before I do anything, I've got to fix
the wheel on that damn pick-up.

Why don't you telephone and explain?

I would be surprised if there is a phone
in Meligala. It's high in the mountains.

- I doubt if there is even electricity.
- No.

No telephone, no electricity.

Only animals and people.

In that case your friends
will just have to worry.

I have a friend who has a garage
who can mend that wheel.



- How long would that take?
- I don't know. Depends on the damage.

Well, I need teeth for the gearbox
and the injector repaired.

Shouldn't take too long.
You could be back in Meligala tomorrow.

I have a spare room.
You could stay the night with me.

I don't have much alternative, do I?
What the hell's that going to cost me?

- I don't usually charge guests.
- I should hope not.

The cost of the repairs,
I hadn't taken that into account.

And the doctor's fees.

In you come. It's this way.

Can you manage the door, Annika?

- I'll show you upstairs to your room.
- What?

I said I'd show you upstairs
to your room.

- Later.
- But the doctor did say...

I know, rest. But later. I've got to talk
to the man at the garage first.

I can do that. I've got to drop the lady
home. It'll be just a couple of hours.

I'll wait for you. I want to hear
what he says. Then maybe I'll lie down.

Yes, I'd do that.
What's your name, by the way?

Neve. Duncan Neve.

I'm Alan Haldane
and this is Mrs Zeferis, Annika.

Well, I'll see you shortly, then.

- Goodbye, Mr Neve.
- Bye.

And "thank you".

Thanks.

Yes. Do make yourself at home.
There are glasses there.

Such a charming man

So gracious.

- He speaks Greek well.
- Yes, he does.

- Why?
- Did I ask him to stay, you mean?

He interests me.

Well? Did you speak
to the man from the garage?

Yes, I spoke to Apostolos.

He's already gone out
to pick up your truck.

He can fix the gearbox, too. As he's
a friend, he won't overcharge you.

- You a Stéphane Grappelli fan?
- What?

I said do you like
Stéphane Grappelli's music?

That? Yes.
Had all his records once.

- But not now?
- No, not now.

You design boats, then?

Yes.
And I've built a few in my time, too.

I had a look. Impressive.

Thank you.

- And what do you do?
- This and that.

- Have you been on Crete long?
- Some time.

From what Annika tells me, Meligala is
way off the beaten track. Why there?

I live there.

Well, you'd better get some rest.
Upstairs, second on the right.

Right.

- Need any help?
- Climbing the stairs?

- To take your clothes off.
- I can manage!

Sorry. My manners
are not very good, are they?

No.

It's just that people...people I don't
know, I don't get on with very well.

Yes, I would say that was true.

Maybe I've been out of touch so long.

Now would be a very good time
to make some effort.

The truck hasn't helped.

The engine was bad enough,
but now all this extra expense.

All right. Get your head down. Tonight
we'll eat at that taverna on the corner.

- But...
- All right. It's on me.

And, of course, Knossos.
You must see it. Everyone goes there.

- Yes.
- We can't go home without seeing it all.

- It's a long way from here, isn't it?
- There are excursions by coach.

- I can arrange it for you if you wish.
- How about that, Mary?

- You wouldn't mind a coach trip.
- I'd prefer it to you driving!

- What about this place, Spina...?
- Spinalonga.

There is not much to see over there.
It's just an old leper colony.

Our friends went. Said it was strange.

Yes, it is strange. If you really want
to go, I can arrange that also.

- What part of England are you from?
- Midlands.

That's a pretty big area.
Warwickshire? Northants?

- Around there.
- You were in business, were you?

Do you want my full biography?

No, no, I was just interested.

- "Twenty Questions", are we playing?
- All right. I'm sorry.

Len?

- Leonard?
- Sorry.

Mr Vassilakis asked
if you'd like another brandy.

- No thanks. Yia sas.
- Yia.

If I can be of any help, let me know.

That's nice of him,
to make all the arrangements for us.

Still, I expect he gets commission.

Len, whatever is the matter?
You look as if you'd seen a ghost.

Do you know, I think I might have done?
Are you fit?

Ready when you are.

- Stay here, will you?
- I want to go up for my postcards.

I'll get them for you in a moment.
Please.

I shouldn't worry about the spare parts.

Apostolos will probably cannibalise
a lot of that junk he keeps around.

- That keeps his prices down.
- Good evening.

- Evening.
- Evening.

Who are they?

I don't know.
Tourists staying here, I expect.

English? Obviously. I can't hang
around here for long, Haldane.

I've got to be back in Meligala tomorrow.
It's very important.

Hello.

Morning. Have a good night?

Not bad.

Woke up quick enough
when I turned on my side.

This shoulder.

I feel so useless.

- Yours?
- Yep.

- You've modified the design.
- Very little.

Nice job.

I came to ask where the garage is.
I want to see how they're getting on.

- You want to put some pressure on?
- I've got to get back today.

Don't push too hard.
He brought it in as a favour to me.

I'll be as smooth as Kissinger.

That I would like to see.

OK, ask for a man called Metatakis.

- He runs the place.
- Right.

I usually have a late breakfast in that
taverna. I'll be there in half an hour.

- Like to join me?
- Sure.

- Good morning. Lovely day.
- Er, yes, it is. It's lovely.

- Kalimera, Leandros!
- Kalimera, Elena. Ti kanis?

- I'm looking forward to that coffee.
- As always.

Have you been working on the boat?

It is already beautiful again.
Soon it will be in the water once more?

Very soon.

And...later on you are going
to see my aunt, Annika, aren't you?

No, I don't think I am. Not today.

She is going to be very disappointed.

- Really?
- I think so.

You know, I think you think too much.

- Kalimera.
- Kalimera.

- Everything all right?
- Your friend has mended the puncture.

- The gearbox will be ready by one.
- Good.

- Want something to eat? Coffee?
- I never eat breakfast. I'll have a raki.

How did you find Apostolos?

- He's talkative.
- Yes, he is that.

You didn't tell me
you were the Leandros

who fought with the Andartes
in the war.

You want my full biography?
Fair enough?

Considering, you don't look too happy.

- Apostolos wants 2,000 drachs.
- I wouldn't say that's unreasonable.

No, it isn't. The trouble is
I've only got about 800.

All right. I'll lend you the difference.

No. There's no way
I could ever pay you back.

But I'm not proud.

I accept charity.

You can write it off
as your contribution

to the preservation of an endangered
species. Homo sapiens.

I suppose that's a worthwhile cause.

- I'll drive you back to Meligala.
- No.

You can hardly do it on your own.

All right. Thanks.

- Do you want another raki?
- No.

Leonard!

- What are you doing?
- I'm stealing.

Annika, I ask you.

I beg you for the last time.

Give up this man. See no more of him.

- Give me a reason.
- Because of what he is! A foreigner.

I told you before. This is not enough.

Because I ask it, then. No other reason.

Because I am your mother
and know what is best to protect you!

- I am sorry. You ask too much.
- You put him first, even before me?

The one who gave you life,
your own blood.

Before everything.
If you force me to make such a choice.

And you must know this, Mother.

I will marry him.

He has asked you?

No, not yet, but he will.
Of that I am certain.

And my only regret is that
we will marry without your blessing.

Goodbye.

- Did she see you?
- No.

- And did you hear?
- Everything. From outside the door.

She must not marry that man.

No.

Then you know what must be done.

I had to explain to them what happened.
Kyrie Haldane.

- This is Vassilis Kalatzis.

Head man of the village.

Spiros Tsitsanis and his brother, Lucas.

Where the hell have you been, then?

- I had a slight accident.
- So I see.

I was fixing the wheel, the jack slipped.
Broke my collarbone.

- Get the gearbox fixed?
- Yes.

- And the injector?
- Yes.

- How long will you be like that for?
- The doctor says a few weeks.

- Teach you to take more care.
- I doubt that.

- This is Alan Haldane. English.
- Hello.

He's been very helpful.

Meet Sam. Samantha.

You'll be hungry, I suppose.

You're drilling a well.

We were.

We've been down eighty feet.

Nothing, not a trace.

When we started this one
six weeks ago, the gearbox conked out.

- Six weeks ago?
- We had to raise the money to repair it.

Engineering. That's your line, is it?

No, but I know something about it.
My father was a water engineer.

- And my brother.
- That bore you're working on out there,

- it's the first you've sunk?
- Fifth. In three years.

- You've been here that long?
- Longer. Eight.

Only five bores in three years?
How deep do you have to go down?

Not that deep, but you've seen
what we're working with.

And we haven't been drilling full-time.
The men have other work to do.

They take it in turns to lend a hand.

Even a shoestring operation like this
doesn't cost nothing.

Finance is something we're short of.

Doesn't the government give grants
for things like that?

Sure, if you know the right people,
if you've got sufficient pull.

And now we've got democratia, if there
are sufficient votes to be picked up.

But what's Meligala worth to a politician?

Who gives a damn whether there's
water in this place or not? Who cares?

- Except the villagers.
- You do.

- The drilling was your idea?
- I got it started.

- But no luck?
- No, but the water's there.

How are you so sure?

When I first came there were two
springs. Hardly more than a trickle,

but good water, just enough.
About three years ago, it dried up.

Perhaps there isn't any more.

There is more. The signs are right.

One day, we'll tap it.
With this bore or the next.

- And if you're wrong?
- No more Meligala. Simple as that.

Water isn't just the lifeblood of a Cretan
village. It's the reason it's there.

But I'm not wrong.

- That shoulder giving you trouble?
- Yes, aching a bit.

I think I'll turn in.

Good night.
I'll get Spiros to drive you back.

But not tonight. That's a bloody
awful road in the dark. Tomorrow.

- That give you any problems?
- No. Can you lend me a razor?

Sure. Simple accommodation. Not
like your place, but there are no bugs.

Thanks.

For what?
It wasn't a generous impulse.

And you've no real alternative,
have you?

Anyway, you've paid for
your board and lodging in advance.

Good night.

Can I do anything?

It's done.

You can take that lamp with you
when you go to bed.

Thanks.

- Morning.
- Morning.

I think this could be made
to work more efficiently.

What do you suggest?

I couldn't sleep last night.
I made a drawing.

- Would it be difficult?
- No, not really.

- Something they could handle?
- Yes, I could help them.

Do you have the time?

- Providing I'm back tomorrow.
- Show me your drawing.

All right. I left it in the house.
I'll go and get it.

Sam?

Sam, are you all right?

There it is.

Was Sam in the house?

Yes.

If you jack the whole thing up like this,

that'll save a lot of wear and tear
caused by vibration.

The guys, if you put them here,
here and here, that'll prevent...

Was she alone?

She was with Spiros, wasn't she?

They were making love.

- You know about it?
- Yes.

And it doesn't matter?

That was a good day's work.
We can start drilling again now.

Spiros will drive you back
first thing in the morning.

- Fine.

I'm sorry.

I must go and have a word
with Vassilis Kalatzis.

Need all the men possible tomorrow.
Won't be long.

Did you tell him?

No.

You didn't need to, did you?

- No, he guessed.
- It's no secret.

He loves you.

- I know.
- And you're just using him?

Using him? Living up here
in this god-awful place? Living like this?

- That's a load of crap!
- Then why don't you leave him?

Because he gave me back my life.
Because he is my life. That's why.

Did he tell you about me?
How we met?

No.

Well, he found me.
And I mean just that, found me.

Lying on the side of the road.
I was on drugs, the needle, the whole bit.

I got hooked when I was in Turkey,

living with a fellow I'd hitched out from
England with. A fellow I thought I loved.

Did your parents have anything to say?

I was 21.

Anyway,
they couldn't have cared a damn.

He and I bummed around for a bit,
then there was trouble.

Turkey got to be a heavy scene,
so we split and ended up here in Crete.

That was when he left me. He got
bored and went off with someone else.

So one last fix
and he was up, up and away.

Suddenly, I was on my own.

A junkie. Alone.
With nowhere to go and no money.

Not a penny. When Duncan found me,
withdrawal had really got to me.

Things were really very nasty.
I was a mess, a real mess.

So he brought me back here and told
me he'd get me off drugs. And he did.

The hard way.

There were times when he had to tie me
down to stop me ripping myself apart.

I spat at him, I swore at him, I wished
him dead. And offered to sleep with him.

Anything, so long as he got me a fix.

He didn't care a damn
about the names I called him.

And he wouldn't take me up on my offer.

Every day he washed me and fed me.

At night when things really got rough,
he'd sit up with me and hold my hand.

Gradually, and I mean gradually,
I began to lose the craving.

Until, finally,
one day it as gone altogether.

I wasn't cured. I'll never be cured,
I know that, but I'd kicked the habit.

When he was satisfied I was OK,
he bought me a ticket back to England.

It took just about ever cent he had.

At the airport he gave me five £1 notes,
kissed me on the cheek and drove off.

I sat there in the terminal and thought
about him, about what he'd done

and how I felt about him.

It was then that I knew I didn't want
to leave him, I couldn't leave him.

So I cashed in my ticket
and headed back here. I love him.

And if you give me any crap
about it being a father fixation, I'll...

He's my man and he's proved it to me
in bed. He still proves it to me.

Not often enough, obviously.

That's my problem.

Anyway, that doesn't make him
any less of a man.

If you should ever be half the man he is,
be proud, because he's very special.

Now what he did for me he's doing
for this village. He's saving it.

When the springs went dry,
the villagers were all for giving up.

The place began to die. But Duncan
persuaded the others not to quit.

He felt he owed them something.

When he first came to Meligala,
he'd been through his own kind of hell.

- People here looked after him.
- What had happened to him?

If he'd wanted you to know,
he'd have told you.

Anyway, when the water was running
out, he and I were living together.

He was a different man.
He'd got new strength.

- From you?
- Maybe. I like to think that I helped.

Anyway, he convinced them
that there was water here

and got them started on the drilling.
He's kept them at it ever since.

When they lose heart, he encourages
them to try again, or bullies them.

And when the money runs out,
he works his backside off to get more.

He's begged, he's scrounged,
he's sometimes even stolen, I think,

to keep this place alive, in one piece.

That's the kind of man he is.

He's my man.

The only one that's ever
truly made me feel like a woman.

What you saw this morning
doesn't change any of that.

It just complicates things, that's all.
For both of us.

I was wrong. I'm sorry.

Too bloody true you were.

Do you think there's water here?

I don't know.

But he's made the villagers believe
there is and that's what matters.

He's given them hope.

- For how long?
- For as long as he's around.

Good luck.

A remarkable man
and an interesting story.

But such a difficult relationship.
Can it last?

Does anything? For ever?

It is a good thing
that he is doing for the village.

It's a good thing
that they're doing for each other.

Love's a frightening thing, isn't it?

Yes.

But then perhaps
because it is so close to hate.

Neither would exist without the other.

- Breakfast's ready!
- I know. I smell the coffee.

All right. Come and get it.

Kalimera, Leandros.

Kalimera.

- Good morning.
- Morning.

May we come in?

- Well, I'm sorry, but...
- It is important.

Yes, all right. Come in.

- Kalimera, Kyria Zeferis.
- Kalimera.

- Is something wrong?
- No, Kyria. Merely an inquiry.

In that case, unless you wish
to speak with Leandros in private,

- I'm going to have my breakfast.
- Please.

I'm sorry, gentlemen. Do sit down.

- Well, what can I do for you?
- You know this gentleman, I think.

Well, we've seen each other around.
That's all.

- My name's Cooper, Mr Haldane.
- Here on holiday?

- I was.
- Mr Cooper is a police officer.

Detective Chief Inspector,
Leicester CID.

I see.

Er, what do you want with me?

As far as I remember, in fact I'm certain,
I've never been to Leicester in my life.

You had dinner three nights ago
in Elounda with an Englishman.

Yes.

And the next day you were seen
driving away with him.

So?

There's a warrant out in England
for his arrest.

- On what charge?
- Murder.

You're certain, are you?
Certain he's the right man?

I'm positive. I used to be on the case.

A Detective Sergeant in those days.

Mind you, it's a long time ago.

I pride myself on never forgetting
a face and I thought I recognised him.

Took some while for it to click.
He's changed quite a bit.

- So you could be wrong.
- No.

I had the Major here lift some prints
off a glass he used in the taverna.

We put them on the wire and my people
checked them out. He's our man.

This man's name is Neve.
Duncan Neve.

That may be what he's calling himself,

but his real name
is Bernard Kingsley.

If you say so.
Who's he supposed to have murdered?

His wife.

- This was a long time ago? How long?
- Close on nine years.

- He's been on the run ever since?
- Yes.

- Why did he kill his wife?
- There was talk of another woman.

There was no truth in it.
Just malicious gossip.

But he must have had a motive.

Yes.

You see, Mrs Kingsley was ill.

She had some sort of a disease.
I don't know what, but it was incurable.

She was half-dead and suffering.

The doctor said this could have gone on
for months, years even.

- So Kingsley gave her an overdose.
- Love and compassion was his motive.

A mercy killing.

There's no such thing in English law.

Bernard Kingsley is wanted
on a charge of murder.

All right, but he's not exactly
another Christie, is he?

It's not my job to judge, thank God.
I'm just a police officer.

All right. What do you want from me?

You can tell us where he is.

My friend, Crete is not such a big place.

He will be found anyway. Eventually.

By telling me, you merely anticipate
that which is inevitable

and make it easier,
perhaps even for Mr Kingsley.

- And if I don't?
- Obstructing the police is a crime.

If you refuse to answer,
I shall have to arrest you. Believe that.

With regret, but I will have no choice.

So?

Once more I ask you,
and I shall not ask you again.

Here.

Where is Bernard Kingsley?

Meligala.

He is in Meligala.

Is that correct?

Thank you.

For an arrest involving
extradition proceedings,

I must inform my superiors in Athens.

It is a formality.
I will do it now, from my office.

Kalimera, Kyria Zeferis.

Leandros.

- Mr Cooper?
- Yes?

That man is doing something
very special up in the mountains.

Do you really have to take him back
for an act of kindness?

Yes, Mr Haldane. I do.

Can't you see how much
he's been punished by himself?

Can you see the agonies
he's already been through?

Yes, I think so. But I think
it would've been even worse for him.

You see, Bernard Kingsley is
a Roman Catholic.

And so was his wife.

And so am I.

- Where would I run to?
- I know places from the war.

No one would ever find you.
I have friends there. They...

What is it? What's he doing here?

- It's all right. She knows everything.
- What's the matter?

- The police are coming to arrest me.
- Because of you!

In Elounda, someone recognised me.
A detective from Leicester.

- He went to the local gendarmes.
- You told them where he lives!

He had no choice, Sam. Anyway,
they'd be onto it sooner or later.

Haldane came to warn me.
He wants to take me where I can hide.

- You know of a place?
- Yes.

Maybe later on I can get him across
to Egypt or the Lebanon.

Why are you doing this? He's
a murderer. They must have told you.

- I know he killed his wife and why.
- So how come you're risking your neck?

- Coming here? It's against the law.
- I'm more interested in justice.

- Do you believe that? You trust him?
- Yes.

What the hell are we hanging
about for, then? I'll get my things.

No, Sam.
You're not going. Neither am I.

- Are you crazy?
- You'll stand trial and could get life.

He's right!
Don't be so bloody stupid! Run!

No, I've had enough of that.
Running, hiding.

I don't know why I ran in the first place.

Nothing for me to live for,
in prison or out. Not then.

Just animal instinct. Self-preservation.

- You've got something to live for.
- Not in Egypt.

- What about me?
- The police can't touch you.

I'll tell them you knew nothing about me,

but if we go with Haldane, you'll be
a fugitive, too. I don't want that.

I'm tired, Sam.

I'm getting old.

I think I always knew this would happen
one day. In a way, it's a relief.

- Duncan, please!
- It wouldn't work. They'd catch up.

With us.

This way I'll get it over and done with.
No more looking over my shoulder.

No more being afraid.

That's what I want.
And that's the truth.

- When will they be here?
- Pretty soon. They'll have left by now.

God knows what'll become
of this village now, Haldane.

But she's my only real worry.
My one regret.

Spiros! Vassilis! The police!
They're coming to take Duncan away!

I came to warn him. He could have made
a run for it. He'd have made it, too.

I was going to help him,
but he wouldn't go.

Don't believe him. I owe him
1,500 drachmas. He came to collect it.

- Bernard Kingsley?
- Yes.

- I'm Detective Chief Inspector Cooper.
- Yes.

You'll be held in custody,
pending extradition proceedings.

Why bother with all that?
I'll go with you whenever you like.

If anybody moves, I'll blow their head
off! Come on, Duncan! Haldane!

Come on, both of you! Into the car!

Give me the gun, Sam.

No commitment, remember?
Together, but separate.

That's what we agreed, didn't we?

Well, this is something I have to do.
Separately.

Give me the gun.

Look after her.

- Thank you, Mr Kingsley.
- Let's go. Please.

We won't need those.
Come on.

- Thanks for coming.
- Anything I can do to help?

Yes.

Tell Sam...

Tell her...

Tell her to take care of herself?

It is unfair, do you not think, Leandros?
A cruel joke of the gods.

We can never shake ourselves free
of what once was

for the past runs with us,
like our shadow.

You didn't come to the airport.

No.

We had one tearful farewell.
That's not really my scene. Nor his.

- He said to look after yourself.
- I'm going to.

- Anything I can do to...
- There isn't.

Cooper said the courts might accept
a plea of not guilty to murder,

but guilty of manslaughter. If they do,
he could get a suspended sentence.

He also said at worst
he'd spend three years in prison.

Then he'll be back, won't he?
Next month or the month after that.

Or in three years' time.

- I'll be waiting.
- It could be three years. A long time.

I can wait. These people have
waited longer for their water.

- They may have to wait longer still.
- Duncan is not a young man.

- If he goes to prison, he'll be...
- 60. The age I was when he found me.

Well, what are you waiting for?
Sitting around won't find water!

Drill, damn you! Drill!

Drill! Do you hear me? Drill!
You owe him that!

And he's coming back!

She's staying.

- She's going to wait for him.
- Of course.