Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) s01e01 Episode Script

[Ringing servant's entrance bell.]
Well? Mrs.
Butlagens has sent me.
Well? I've come about the position.
- As parlormaid, was it? - Underhouse parlormaid.
I am the house parlormaid.
Well, come in.
- I'll tell Mr.
Hudson you're here.
- Who's Mr.
Hudson? The butler.
Oh, the bloke all in black at the front door.
Wait in there.
Oh, my finger! Oh, tab's coming off! Not gone altogether, then has it? Oh, I daren't look.
If you got blood on them potatoes, my girl, You can throw them away, and start all over again.
And get a move on, girl! Who are you, when you're at home? [Bell rings.]
Alfred has taken my buttons off, again, I know he has.
What am I gonna do? Go to Mr.
Hudson, Miss Roberts.
Don't come whining around me.
I'm all behind, like a cow's tail.
Well, well? Who are you? - I've been sent by - Where're you going? - Mind if I? - No.
Oh! Alfred, get out from under my feet, right now! Somebody answer that bell, Alfred! Cat got you tongue, has it? - Well, be off with you! - No, you should let me explain Everywhere! Oh No one cares.
My name is Clemance.
Clemance.
I've come about the position.
Clemance? What sort of a name is that? - Answer me.
I'm parlormaid, - and you're still the boxwallah novelist.
A silent woman is above Rubies.
- Well! - It's a French name.
- French! Huh.
We don't want no foreign muck in here.
None of your nasty old Josine, thank you very much.
Greasy man again then, Mrs.
Bridges? Ow! None of that behavior in my kitchen, Mr.
Pearce.
- Get back to your stables! - Mrs And be off with you! Oh! The milk's taut.
Now see what you've made me do, all.
This place'll be the death of me.
What's wrong with mutton, anyway? I'll bleed to death.
Good! Couldn't have anyone seen my button hooks, all twelve vanished.
Well, what's to become of me? Let you discourse be "Yea, Yea" and "Nay, Nay.
" for whatsoever is more than this is of evil.
Oh! Ah! Who is he? Alfred, the footman.
Take no notice of him.
He was brought up religion.
I thought I told you to wait in there! I'm sorry.
The cook said to bring I said nothing of the sort! And it's Mrs.
Bridges, if you please.
Not cook.
This is gentleman's house.
We're not making a very good start, are we? Well, come on.
Mr.
Hudson's waiting for you.
The new girl of our position, my lady.
Yes, Hudson.
Ask her to come in, will you? - To whom it may concern, that there - Ahhh! the bearer of this letter is well recommended for domestic.
Uh huh.
- What is your name? - Clemance du Main.
- And you are French? - Of French.
You must call me my lady, when you reply.
I'm sorry, my lady.
This letter appears to be from someone whose name I cannot read.
who lives at the Chateau Lac du Champs, near Lyon.
I haven't heard of it.
My ma was overmaid till I got there.
Why did you leave your previous employment? My mother was took sick, and I had to return to England.
- I hope she's better now.
- Why, my lady? It's important to be able to concentrate on your work.
Oh, that's all right.
She died.
I'm sorry.
I must assume the agency has checked your reference.
Yes, that's right.
You're new to service, are you not? That's all right This hat and all their mitts and everything all over this chair They'd never take that girl on.
Her? She couldn't tell a feather duster from a boa constrictor.
Quite unsuitable.
She went to the front door! You're quite right, Rose.
Untrained and blind to all we posses.
Is luncheon ready, Mrs.
Bridges? I confess to a wholesome appetite.
Two shakes of a lamb's tail, Mr.
Hudson.
I've had trouble with range again.
That's according to the coal.
Isn't it, Emily.
[Bell ringing.]
Ho! That must be in the morning room.
[Bell rings.]
Yes.
Mr.
Hudson.
Right, thank you, Rose.
Clemance du Main.
Why's she trying to get into service with a name like that? Well, I hope she gets taken on.
I like her.
It's not for you to hope, nor not hope neither, for that matter, Emily.
It's for you to keep the fire in.
You let it go on purpose.
Oh, I never did.
The coal's wet.
And that's Alfred's fault.
He always leaves the coal house door open.
I'll put you in the coal house.
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.
They're past blame, Emily.
Aw, now, you're against me, too.
Oh, yes, Hudson.
I intend to engage this young woman.
She'll have her dinner in the servant's hall, and collect her belongings afterward.
Rose can show her what to do.
And, the young person's name my lady? - Sarah.
- No, my name is Clemance.
- Clemance is not a servant's name.
- Yes but, I don't like Go with Hudson, Sarah.
- Remember, you're here on trial.
- Yes, my lady, Mr.
Hudson, do I have to be called Sarah? - Yes.
- I don't like it.
It is not for you to question your betters.
- Are you my better? - Indeed I am.
What makes you better than me.
I'm not being rude.
I just want to know.
I am older than you, and therefore wiser, and I've learned humility.
[Gasp.]
You? - It is a hard lesson, but once learned never forgotten.
How did you learn it? My grandmother was a proud woman and died of starvation.
I just can't abide cold food.
Greasy mutton.
- It'll taste all the better for the waiting.
Emily, another plate.
- Alfred, get a chair.
Thank you very much.
[Praying.]
May the Lord bless our endeavors, and grant us conciliation for that rank - in which in his infinite mercy he has seen fit to place us, and for what we are about to receive of his great bounty, we may be truly grateful that in the end we may find favor in his eyes, and sit in honor at his table.
Amen - Amen.
- Amen Sarah, is joining us as underhouse parlormaid, Miss Roberts.
Indeed, Mr.
Hudson.
On trial, I take it.
On trial.
Rose, you are to instruct Sarah in her duties.
Yes, Mr.
Hudson.
With a good heart, and a glad will, if you please, Rose.
Naturally, Mr.
Hudson.
That's Miss Roberts.
She's her ladyship's personal maid.
- That's Mr.
Pearce.
Mr.
Pearce is the coachman.
- That's Emily.
Emily does [Mrs.
Bridges knocks on the table.
.]
Silence, if you please.
- Everyone is served, Mrs.
Bridges.
Thank you, Mr.
Hudson.
You may talk.
Mutton again.
What's wrong with mutton, Mr.
Pearce, with a nice drop of caper sauce? Nothing, Miss Roberts, nothing at all.
Perhaps you'd prefer to eat hay, like your horses.
Forget I spoke, ladies.
- Could I have the caper sauce, please.
It's not food for young women.
No reach for glasses.
Millions would be grateful for what we have, Mr.
Pearce.
- Wouldn't you agree, Sarah? Mr.
Hudson's addressing you, Sarah.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
It's just that the name's so unfamiliar.
Couldn't I be called Clemance if only down here? Oh, my dear, I've never heard of such a name belowstairs.
Whatever was your mother thinking of? Search the good book from cover to cover and not find that name.
Lady Marjorie's wishes must be respected.
Clemence.
A good name for a filly, I'll say that, but hardly a human.
I think it's a lovely name.
- As I was saying millions would be grateful for mutton once a week, let alone mutton once a day.
Wouldn't you agree, Sarah? Yes, Mr.
Hudson.
[Hudson chuckles.]
Did you really live in France, Sarah? Yes.
Were you in service there? No, I lived in a chateau.
Once I had my own maid, like Lady Marjorie.
I think we must learn to take Sarah's statements with a pinch of salt.
I don't lie, eh.
I didn't you say you did? Of course she just exaggerates.
If our ladyship finds Sarah satisfactory, I'm sure we all do.
It is not for us either to chose or judge our companions in service.
Rose, as you know very well.
How about some more caper sauce, dear? Thank you.
Say something in French, then.
Some other time.
Ha.
ha.
What are you laughing for? Don't you believe me? You're as English as I am.
I'm not.
My mother was a gypsy.
I can read hands and tell the future and put curses on people.
What, preserve us, the Witch of Ender, herself.
If my mother was a gypsy I wouldn't speak of it.
I nearly ran off with the gypsies once when I was a girl.
That was a long time ago.
Oh, not as long as all that, Mrs.
Bridges.
A little more sauce, Mr.
Hudson, I think that's just a straight blend.
Thank you.
I'm not ashamed of my mother.
She was a gypsy princess and very beautiful.
More mutton, Mrs.
Bridges? Just a morsel, thank you, Mr.
Hudson.
A French Count saw her and married her, and she died giving birth to me.
Well, my father married then a very wicked woman.
And when he died, she treated me like a servant and in the end she threw me out altogether.
But I've got lawyers fighting for me, and in the end, I'll come into my own.
In the meantime, I must live as best as I can.
- Oh, it's just like a story in a book.
- Exactly, Emily, a tale from a penny novelette.
All very well for a kitchen maid, but not what one expects for a house parlormaid.
Say something in French.
Go on.
Would you like me to read your hand for you, Mrs.
Bridges? Shall she read my hand, Mr.
Hudson? By all means, Mrs.
Bridges, if it pleases you.
After dinner.
- Oh, do mine, do mine! Wicked nonsense.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Rose.
Truth is stranger than fiction.
It's unhealthy and dangerous.
Not if you have a clear conscience.
It isn't given to mortals to know the future.
Oh, yes it is, but it's against the will of God.
Look what happened to King David.
He didn't do so bad though, did he? Dirty old devil! Mind your tongue some gardener, She ought to be locked up! Rose! That's enough.
Well, why won't she say something in French, then, answer that.
'Cause she's coward, that's why.
Because she don't chose to, that's why.
Don't let these old prudes upset you, Sarah.
What's for pudding, then, Mrs.
Bridges.
Roly poly, Mr.
Pearce.
And don't you go telling me nothing I don't want to hear, or you'll get your ears boxed.
- To meet with King David, then to the Witch of Ender, - so does Mrs.
Bridges seek knowledge from our Sarah, here.
- Huh, huh.
Someone's gonna' get struck by lightnin'.
Sarah, Sarah.
Say something in French.
Go on.
If you can.
[Sarah sings a song in French.]
Auprès de ma blonde, qu'il fait bon, fait bon, fait bon, Auprès de ma blonde, qu'il fait bon dormir.
[Alfred sneaks into Rose's and Sarah's bedroom.]
Come on! Get up! It's half past five! - Aw! Alfred, I'll kill you! - Where am I? You're in Mr.
Bellamy's house's servant's quarters, where else? And it's time to get up.
[Sarah whines and rolls over.]
[Rose opens the window.]
If we get behind in the morning, there's trouble all day.
So up with you.
[Sarah complains.]
Me legs won't work.
Me feet are cold.
Oh, they will.
Which they must.
It's half past five! Light your one, Sarah.
Well, come on, you'll be late.
I trust you can remember your duties.
When you're dressed and readywhat then? Uh.
I must make sure that Emily's got the range working properly, so that Mrs.
Bridges can go on.
Then I lay out breakfast in the servants room.
Then there's Lady Marjorie's tray.
And don't forget to shine up the milk jug, for goodness sake, and don't leave sticky finger marks.
The last girl always did.
Then there's the servant's breakfast.
I suppose I'm allowed to sit down and eat.
After breakfast, make sure Emily's not hiding in the budo, again.
If she is, I'm going to barge in full view.
I shall be brushing and dusting in the drawing room and the morning room.
Well, go on.
UhThenupstairs I'll clean out the grates and relay and light the fires.
If I can find the matches.
You got a good memory, I'll say that for you.
Oh! Why is a mouse doing in the grates, please.
Corn meat, the door master's box.
I'd better do that for the time being.
But you fetch your water.
Now, If the boiler's troublesome, you'll have to use the hot water kettle.
Now, after the baths, I'll do the upstairs breakfast.
I'd like you to help me there.
And make sure Emily's got all the boots and shoes done.
She keeps all of them in the sleeps in the morning, but I don't know why.
And keep out of Mr.
Bellamy's way, whatever you do.
Why? Just pretend you're not there, especially in the morning.
Such scruffy boots.
That will never do.
You want to borrow a pair of mine? - I have a spare pair.
- Thank you.
A bit smaller, I dare say, but better sore feet than shabby boots.
Oh, and today's the day for fresh bacon.
Now, it's a bit of a rush, but it's got to be done while they're having breakfast.
The Lady Marjorie eats like a little bird.
Oh, and the covers, of course.
- How'm I going to remember it all? Well, you must.
Anywayhere's a list.
Oh, I forgot.
You've got it upside down.
Oh, so I have! What you call a certain girl? I'm cold.
Um, well, work soon warms you.
[Cough.]
[Blowing coals.]
Oh, Mrs.
Bridges will kill me.
[Blowing hard.]
Oh, and I'm late with the morning tea, again.
Oh, oh, give the fire a blow again for me, will you? It's not going properly yet.
You never have yet.
and you never will [Kitchen doorbell rings.]
Oh, who are you? I work here.
Good luck, chicken.
Where is she? Who? Who d'ya think? Oh, it's you, Mattie.
She's on the way down on the undercate colander.
She's in such a waspish.
You should be laying out the servant's breakfast, go on.
Yes.
Well, go on! [Sarah watches the outside.]
[Mrs.
Bridges comes fussing at Emily.]
Tastes like dishwater.
Not fit to drink.
Whatever it is.
If you put boiling water on that pub, my girl, may lightning strike me before it get's to you.
Oh, I swear I didn't, Mrs.
Bridges.
Cross my heart and hope to die.
She's waiting for you, Mrs.
Bridges.
Who? Mattie! Why didn't you say so! Put a fork on the table before you lay up.
[Sarah watches outside again.]
There you are, Mattie.
Nice plump one.
[Sarah puts two and two together.]
Morning, Rose.
Good morning, Mrs.
Bridges.
Sarah.
What are you thinking of? Why isn't that table made? What have you been doing? I shall require my best silk hat.
Very good, sir.
I shall send it round to the hatter's for ironing this morning.
The, uh, new underhouse parlormaid, sir.
I see.
Oh, it's quite nice, isn't it? But why change? Mornings we're housemaids.
Afternoons are parlormaid, see? Oh.
Come on! Is that kettle boiled yet? Almost.
Get the silver sugar bowl from the cupboard.
What for? Her ladyship's tray.
She'll be expecting it when she comes in.
No jobs in the lorry rolls There we are.
Emily, where's Lady Marjorie gone to in the afternoons? Playing cards, mostly, or just driving in the park.
To while away the time I suppose till Mr.
Bellamy gets home from Parliament.
I wouldn't fancy it.
Oh, I would.
Imagine driving round and round in a fine carriage with strong white horses and everyone looking at you? We'll give her ladyship that.
Before wait.
Punctual.
Here, I'll take it up.
No! Not until she rings for it.
And I'll take it up this afternoon.
You can fetch it, if you behave yourself.
Uh.
A very pleasant afternoon, my lady.
Yes, isn't it Hudson? Your tea my lady.
Thank you, Rose.
Mrs.
Bridges thought you might be a bit hungry, my lady.
Rose.
How do you find the new girl? Quite satisfactory, my lady.
I hope you're looking after her.
Of course, my lady.
Will that be all, my lady? She claims to be something of a seamstress.
So I set her to repairing the tapestry cushion.
I thought we were going to send it out, my lady.
Very old and very delicate, otherwise, of course, I would have undertaken it myself.
Well, she has delicate fingers and nice, neat movements.
Yes, my lady.
Will that be all, my lady? I'd be interested to see it as soon as she's finished it.
Very good, my lady.
If I was rich, I'd have a little cottage in the country, and no one to shout to me, and lots of kids.
I'd never forget the names, the way our Ma'am did us.
Oh, that's boring.
That's not exciting.
I want excitement.
Time for a chat, I see.
Tea's a poison.
It's full of tannin.
Sarah.
Yes.
I thought you were supposed to be sewing Lady Marjorie's cushion.
That pillow is worth hundreds of pounds.
You might at least be getting on with it.
- I've done it.
- Where.
Show me.
I see.
Well, you better take it up to her, hadn't you? No, I want to finish me tea, oh - It's beautifully done.
- Thank you, my lady.
Where did you learn to sew like that? In a convent.
- In France? - Yes, that's right.
Were the nuns good to you? Most of the time.
But, sometimes, they'd dress me in a long canvas robe and shut me up in the dark so with no food or water for a whole day.
Why? Teach me to be thankful, my lady.
What for? God's mercy.
That was a strange way of bringing you to know it.
That's what I said, and back I went.
What other talents have you besides sewing? - None, really.
- Are you sure? WellI can tell fortunes.
Hands and tea leaves.
I could do yours, my lady.
What nonsense.
No.
I'm very good at it.
I'm never wrong.
- I know what my future is.
- Do you, my lady? Very well, Sarah, what do you see, then? A tall, dark stranger from overseas, I suppose.
Yes, there is.
Bringing good fortune with him? Bringing mixed fortune, good and bad.
He bears a sword, and is about to use it and should not.
Dear me.
Does it mean something to you, my lady? Indeed, it does not.
You see, there's first an increase in wealth, then a decrease.
Now you are surrounded by many friends, and they all wish you well, except one, a false friend.
How alarming.
You shouldwatch yourself.
That's all, my lady.
Oh, there's a gentleman of great authority near the rim, nearly out of the picture, but I think, yes I think he's coming nearer to you.
Yes, Mr.
Bellamy.
He'll be home soon.
This is superstitious nonsense.
- No, my lady - That'll do, Sarah.
You can go, now.
Sarah.
[Bell ringing.]
Mr.
Bellamy wanting to dress for dinner.
Her Ladyship's Oh, there she is! I can't be in two places at once! Alfred, are you sure you haven't seen her? No.
What do I know about gloves? I was sewing a button on them, you must have seen them.
Alfred, take these up to the dressing room.
Give the trousers a final brush before you lay them out.
Now, remain with that waist, as good as white, must remain white.
Now, look sharp, the carriage is ordered for eight o'clock.
Emily! Yes, Mr.
Hudson.
More coke in the boiler at once.
The bath water's not properly hot yet.
Oh, everything's at the last minute.
How can I ask Alfred tonight, but I make sure Cool and calm, Miss Roberts.
Cool and calm.
- Mr.
Hudson.
- Yes.
The carriage is here, and Mr.
Pearce wants to know what time they're leaving.
Tell him eight o'clock.
He's early.
No.
no.
Not there, my girl.
Up here in the pantry.
after.
Hudson.
[Clock striking 8 o'clock.]
[Carriage departing sounds.]
- Where do you going? - Out.
It's the gypsy in me.
I can't bear to be shut in.
- Does Mr.
Hudson know you're going? - Its only for a minute.
But, you have to ask him or you get into trouble.
- I'm not asking, and you're not going to tell him, are you? - No.
- Right.
Then I'll tell you fortune for you when I get back.
But if you breathe a word to a living soul, I'll curse you, and your blood will turn to ice in your veins and you will die horribly within the week.
There.
You'll ruin your eyes, Emily.
What's it matter.
I won't be needn'em much longer.
Nope.
When I breathe I get a pain.
The good die young, they say.
And I have a the impression on me chest.
[Emily coughs.]
I wish you'd stop reading that rubbish.
It isn't rubbish! Things like that do happen.
I think Sarah is more tragic and more romantic than anything in the book.
I would lay down my life for her, if it was asked.
Would you? Well, where is she, then? I do not know.
I am silent.
What's the matter with you? Torture me to death if you wish.
My lips are sealed.
Well, for goodness sake.
I only wanted her to turn down the beds.
It's on her list as clear as daylight.
Or, do I have to do her work, too.
And you can pull out my toenails one by one and still I shan't speak.
What's the matter with that girl? Why aren't you in bed? I want to wait up till they come back.
They won't be anything to see.
There might be.
They could bring someone with them.
Oh, a tall, dark stranger from across the seas who'll fall in love with me, and take me away from all this! It's Sarah.
She's been puttin' ideas in her head.
She has strange powers.
She sees things we can't see.
Stuff and nonsense.
The kind we cannot discover, Mrs.
Bridges.
We can not.
I'm just gonna' fetch some bread and cheese.
D'you care for a bit, Rose? Very much, Mrs.
Bridges.
I'll have a bit, thank you.
Emily.
You sure you don't know where Sarah is? -Well, she's -She's not in the kitchen.
She's not in the pantry.
Emily, look at me.
I want the truth.
Oh, what's this? Who's been at my larder? Where's the strug smith to madam of a place on the left? - Mr.
Hudson! - What's happened? Somebody's stolen a bird out of my larder.
That's what happened.
Are you sure? You think I don't know me own larder? Mr.
Hudson! Emily, where is Sarah.
She hasn't gone out, has she? Did you call, Mrs.
Bridges? -I did, indeed, Mr.
Hudson.
-Why was that, Mrs.
Bridges.
Because a plump and dressed bird cannot walk, Mr.
Hudson.
We have a thief in our midst.
A human foxed-up chicken stealer.
When I lay my eyes on her, I'll skin her alive! - Or him.
- Silence! Kindly assemble the staff in question.
If that's what you want, Mrs.
Bridges.
How long has the melancholy fowl been missing? Twenty minutes, Mr.
Hudson since I last saw it laying on the shelf.
Oh, in that case, we have the staff in question assembled.
With the exception of Sarah, who seems to be temporarily absent.
You would hardly steal you own bird, Mrs.
Bridges and then complain of it.
We know Rose would not, could not, and if Emily had done it I swear there would still be feathers 'round her mouth.
It was a plumped and dressed bird, Mr.
Hudson.
Not a feather left upon it.
Even the back fluff was singed.
I was speaking in metaphor, Mrs.
Bridges.
I'm led to the conclusion that the guilty party is none other than Sarah.
A stranger in our midst.
Not the gipsy princess after all, but a common thief.
I knew it.
And what is to be done with a creature so unnatural? I stole it.
And in what dark hole, I wonder, is she hiding? It was me, not her! Emily knows.
I know nothing.
I don't want my blood turned to ice.
All this fuss about a bird.
It was you who summoned me, Mrs.
Bridges.
Well, perhaps a rat took it off.
Or, it's in a cockroach, who's working in earnest, I dare say.
A principle is at stake ladies.
A chicken today, emeralds tomorrow, and the whole staff under suspicion.
It is not, after all, as if Sarah has the privileges granted by custom and common humanity to the cook.
When she comes back, I'll skin her alive.
Oh, I swear, I swear I don't know where she is.
If she comes back! It'd be better for everyone if she didn't! Well! There she is.
-Sarah, I never told them.
-Sarah! Come in here! -but I never said a word.
-Shut the door.
-Liar! -whispera whisper Sarah.
-Slut! You cannot sleep at night Rose! That's enough of that! You, too, Emily.
We have reason to believe that you have stolen a chicken from Mrs.
Bridge's larder.
That you have crept out into the night to dispose of the forbidden loot, and have returned with your ill-gotten profits concealed about your person.
What have you to say about yourself? Well? If Mrs.
Bridges can do it, why the hell shouldn't I? Well? [Carriage approaching.]
[Alfred opens door.]
Thank you, Alfred.
You should go to bed now.
Thank you, sir.
[Door closes.]
[Bedroom door closes.]
Hmmm.
You'll have nothing, my dear? No, thank you.
Strange to see Archie Hazlett across the dining table again.
And his new wife.
But I see why it all happened.
What eyes that woman has.
One can hardly excuse it.
It's the thin end of the wedge, you know.
Soon, we'll see divorced people everywhere be obliged to chat and smile as if it were nothing unusual.
In a moment I'm afraid you will say, And the old queen hardly cold in her grave.
It's true, I don't like change.
It goes too quickly, becomes not progress but disintegration.
Spoken like a good English woman, and an excellent wife for a Tory politician.
Ohtomorrow's what I'm thinking about Joe Chamberlain on tariff reform again, and the front bench shuffling in its shoes.
The Prime Minister should be more firm with him.
My father wouldn't have put up with it.
Your father, he'd have run them single-handedly if he could.
Knew the value of firmness and resolution.
And you're your father's daughter.
I hope so.
Don't bother your pretty head.
These are men's matters.
Don't say that! Now, why should I not bother my head? I have precious little else to fit in it.
-No.
You do so much.
-What do I do? -You run this house.
-The servants do that in their own way.
Yes, and a lot goes on that I know nothing about.
I saw a light downstairs.
The servants are still up.
Have some hot milk.
Everyone worries too much about me.
Now don't drink.
You know I don't like bells ringing late in dark corridors.
One day, you know, if things go on as they have been, you might ring and ring and no one would ever come.
-Umm? -There's be nobody there.
I'm not as bad as you think.
Don't get the police.
You're but a thief.
Do you deny it? When I saw Mrs.
Bridges do it, I thought anyone could.
Then you were wrong to think you were as good as her.
No, I didn't think of it that way, please.
Oh, oh, please is it, now? We have changed our tune, haven't we? Look, I'll never do anything like it again.
I've given the money to Mrs.
Bridges.
But, what good will it do to have me pinched? Thought we was all on the same side.
Poor girl, one could pity her, I suppose.
She's a moral imbecile.
What have I done to you! You pretend to be something you are not.
You make yourself out to be better than us.
Not better, just more interesting.
Well, it does no one any harm; it's only a bit of fun.
How can lies be fun? They're not lies, they're make believe.
You are what you are.
There's no escape, not for you or me.
There must be some escape! Oh, to be an underhouse parlormaid is not so terrible.
I think it'd be wonderful.
In a minute I'll remember you're here, Emily, and send you to bed.
But, I.
.
I ought to be here, Mrs.
Bridges.
As a lesson to me.
What in? 'Pride goin' before a fall.
' 'Murder will out.
' Oh, 'A stitch in time saves nine.
' Anything you like, eh, believe it, - but please don't send me to bed.
-Bed! Ah, Please! Nuttin' exciting ever happens.
Why can't I stay and watch the police take her out? Because the police aren't coming, Emily.
Not if Sarah chooses to confess her faults.
You are a common, ignorant, worthless girl, Sarah.
-Can you deny it? -No.
-And a liar and a thief.
-Yes.
You are an ordinary person, Sarah.
Like the rest of us.
Yes.
And you told lies to Lady Marjorie.
You lied your way in, where you had no right.
Yes.
And you've no French blood in you.
Let alone, noble blood.
No.
And you are lucky to have found this home with us.
Yes.
Very well.
The police need not be called.
Thank you.
Ah, but upstairs must be informed.
Oh, no.
With a recommendation for mercy.
Oh, coming from you, Rose, I'm sure it'll be accepted.
Don't tell Lady Marjorie.
I'd be so ashamed.
Oh, she's not all bad, you see, she's capable of remorse.
Look, take this Bible, Sarah, and readread this page.
You will find written there the Ten Commandments.
Now, take note of the Sixth Commandment: Thou shall not steal.
Now, repeat it to yourself.
Make her write it out, like at school.
Not a bad idea, Mrs.
Bridges.
Rose, fetch the pen and paper.
She will write it out a dozen times in her best hand just to suit you, Mrs.
Bridges.
Oh, thank you, Rose.
There, now.
Take the pen, and write for Mrs.
Bridges.
Thou shalt not steal.
I can't, Mr.
Hudson, I can't.
Go on, girl, write.
Mrs.
Bridges is waiting for proof of you reformation.
No, please.
And why not? I just I can't write! I don't know how.
You can't write? Not even can I read.
Mr.
Hudson.
Didn't they send you to school? I was needed at home.
Didn't your mother learn you.
I never had no mother.
I was with someone else's mother from the age of five.
They went to school; I stayed home.
She's very upset.
I think, perhaps, Mr.
Hudson I dare say you're right, Mrs.
Bridges.
What? I dare say there's no necessity to tell them upstairs about this unfortunate incident.
A missing chicken, a dog, a cat, who's to say? These things will happen, even in the best regulated household.
Thank you.
Now, you go to bed, my girl.
Yes, sir.
Go on, I'll do that, girl.
Oh, Rose, I'll turn down the lamps.
Just you tidy up a bit, will you? [Gasp.]
Do I startle you? No.
It's just I wasn't expecting no one.
They've gone to bed.
Who? The master and Lady Marjorie.
Oh.
-Don't you go up there.
-Huh? Bit of trouble downstairs.
Raised voices, and heard Mr.
Hudson's mostly.
Oh, that's, uh No, Mr.
Sullivan, there was an argy-bargy down there, all of us.
It won't all come to too much, might say.
I'll tell you something, Sarah.
They're not a bit ritz.
The whole lot of 'em.
Write out the Sixth Commandment Thou shall not steal.
How do you know that? You wasn'tthere? I know everything that goes on in this house.
You was listening at the keyhole.
[ Albert grabs her She screams .]
There's badness and sin in all of us.
Filth and degradation.
Let go of my arm and fist.
Beware the lusts of flesh.
Let me go to bed! Kate would say.
Who's Kate? Underhouse maid before you.
Lust not for thy neighbor.
For the wrath of the Lord shall be visited upon you.
[Sarah escapes upstairs.]
[Sarah's room door opens.]
[Rose.]
It's cold.
Go to bed.
All those big empty rooms down there, and us crammed up here together.
- Well? - Who slept in this bed before me? - A silly girl called Kate.
-What happened to her? -She isn't here anymore.
-Why not? -Curiosity killed the cat.
I expect she just withered away.
We'll probably find her, all shriveled up in the corner like a dead insect.
I know.
I'll ask Alfred what happened to her.
Shall I? He's a real top.
I'll pop up there and ask him.
You've got to be up at five.
I hope you know your list.
- Yes.
But you can't.
You can't read.
Oh, I was only saying that.
I was making it up.
Then read for me now! If you're not struck dead by lightning.
I'm sorry.
I donno' what comes over me.
A bit difficult for you, I suppose.
I'll get up with you in the morning, and show you what to do.
Thank you.
Now, go to sleep.
Or you'll be good for nothing in the morning.
Why are you being so good to me? I like the house to run properly, that's all.
We should help all our neighbors.
I used to dream of all kinds of future for myself.
Never thought I'd end up in service.
It's not so bad.
Safe.
You know where you are, and what's gonna' happen next.
The outside world is dangerous.
Nobody seems to ask us if we're ignorant.
You know, if you could read and write you'd not be so frightened.
and then, perhaps, you'd behave yourself.
There're so many things I wanna' do and be.
And time passes so quickly.
You've got to learn to accept.
But, I was gonna' be married once.
Huh.
He was killed in the war in Africa.
They gave him a medal for being so brave.
Silly bugger.
Why did you go into service, Rose? Ohwellwhen I was a girl, on Lady Marjorie's family estate, a carriage used to pass our cottage door every Thursday on it's way to market.
And the lady and gentleman, wot' rode in the carriage, well they'd once been like butler and housekeeper for a big family house nearby.
My mother put me into service, so I, too, would ride in a carriage one day.
[Sigh.]
That was quite a sacrifice for her.
Oh, just sometimes, I do wish that carriage had taken another route to market.
You're very clever, aren't you, Rose? Umm.
But you've got more for fever What? [ Man's voice heard .]
[ Man's voice again.]
[ Voice louder.]
Listen Rose, what is it? [ Voice shouts.]
Oh, it's only Alfred having one of his bad dreams.
- Does it happen often? - Quite often.
He's a bit touched, see.
Oh.
But Mrs.
Bridges looks after him.
Well, we all do, really.
No ritter.
He's one of us.
[Small sounds from Alfred.]
He's nothe's not gonna' murder us -in our beds, is he? -No.
I'll take care of you.
What's the matter? I don't know.
I'm nervous mostly.
Would you like me to brush your hair? Uh, huh? Well, my mother used to do it for me when I was little.
It makes you go to sleep.
All right.