To the Ends of the Earth (2005) s01e03 Episode Script

Five more! Come on, men! Give it another go! We have escaped the Doldrums once more.
Since Mr Benét's success in removing our weed, we now travel at a much improved five and a half knots.
But we are fragile.
We are held together by ropes and cables in a -it seems- broken ship.
They will not be satisfied, sir, until they have drowned every last one of us.
I do not think it is time for such exaggerations, sir.
I trust you are more the thing, Mr Talbot.
I'm feeling perfectly recovered, thank you.
I took the liberty of inspecting your old cabin.
What a ghastly mess your servant left behind! A coward of a man, if ever I met one.
I do not wish to discuss the matter, gentlemen.
Now you are here, sir, you'd better be co-opted at once.
The motion before the committee is this Committee? How are we a committee? Mr Bowles was elected chairman of this meeting, sir.
Do you wish it adjourned or will you leave it? Allow me, Mr Brocklebank.
Mr Talbot may be forgiven for supposing this is no more than a social gathering.
We have constituted ourselves an ad-hoc committee.
And have come to certain conclusions: our motion is intolerable.
But we believe there may be a remedy.
- Which is - We suppose that relief may be found by an alteration of course away from the wind and towards a South American port where the ship might be repaired and our health restored.
If such an alteration were necessary, surely our officers would have made it.
They may think of the ship but we may go whistle for consideration.
We are taking in water faster than they can pump it out.
The decision to change course is not mine or yours, but the captain's.
All we plan at the moment is to make our wishes known.
I wish you the best of luck.
In fact, Mr Talbot, I must break it to you that, 'in absentia', you have been elected to how shall I say? bell the cat.
Devil take it! There was no one more able, Mr Talbot.
You may take poor little Phoebe with you, and pull up her smock and show Captain Anderson her rash.
Pike, for the love of God! No one else is so likely to have influence with the captain.
- Your godfather being who he is - Let me think! If we go to him then we go with great care.
The position of a passenger on a matter of war is The power of the captain may well be absolute.
- But we are no longer at war, sir.
- And we are not about to start a mutiny.
If you are to approach the captain, it must be your last resort.
I will try to persuade the first lieutenant that he should carry your wishes forward And if the captain refuses to listen to Mr Summers? Yes.
I shall go myself.
I will not jeopardize the lives of all passengers on this ship, sir.
That is enough! - What might you want down here, sir? - I was hoping to find Lt Summers.
Don't mind Mr Davies, sir.
He won't trouble you, now.
Not feeling quite the thing, are you Mr Talbot? Not so much the lord these days I may not be a peer, Mr Askew.
But I'm commissioned to serve His Majesty in ways you've probably never heard of and would never understand.
You will oblige me by paying my position the respect due to it from a warrant officer of the Navy, however senior.
- 'ardly lovable, is it? - Lovable? To carry on this walking about.
The hoity-toity.
I liked the way you took those blows on the head and come up again all set to be a hero.
'He'll be a man one day', I said to myself.
'If someone don't kill him first.
' Only you don't know nothing, do you? Make a private conversation of this, sir, and I shall know how to answer you.
Davies is no trouble.
He's not gonna bother us.
Martin! Give us a song! He's a real bottom of the barrel, isn't he? He might have made a lieutenant if he'd been lucky.
Or had a shove up the bum from an admiral.
It's living and dying in ships, you see.
Something we all have to get accustomed to.
I have more experience than you with this ship! It is not madness! If you were to take time to look at what we are planning on doing then you'd not think that it's madness- - Mr Benét! It is more madness to simply drift around idly in the seas going nowhere! Mr Talbot This way, sir! I must say, gentlemen.
I find your choice of meeting place somewhat clandestine.
What are you doing here, Mr Talbot? The passengers have formed a committee and they rather we wish to make our opinion known that for the sake of women and children the ship's course should be redirected to South America.
- Impossible! - Mr Benét! I am still first lieutenant of this ship.
It is not a question of whether we will or will not stand towards South America.
We cannot proceed in that direction.
Nor can we touch anywhere near the Cape of Good Hope.
We have got ourselves too far south.
Ships go further south than this The ship's problem goes back to when she was built.
They say of these ships that they were built by the mile.
And sawn off as required.
Building defects are way too common in warships.
They say the copper to lie in someone's pocket.
- Can men do such things? - We feel she moves too much.
We cannot use the foremast and, as a consequence, we cannot use the mizzenmast either.
All is lost, then? By obedience to the forces of nature we may just outwit them.
It will be a long voyage, Mr Talbot.
And we may sink? I can trust you? Then yes.
We may sink.
Now are you willing to - I will not say 'to lie' - but to play down the seriousness of our situation as far as the passengers are concerned? Devil take it, man! What am I to say to them? If I say to them we will not reach the coast of South America or Africa they will rightfully fear the worst! - It is a difficulty What the First Lieutenant means, Mr Talbot, is that you should darken counsel a little and rely only on assuring them that all will be well and that we do the best in the circumstances.
Come, Mr Talbot.
We may not sink today and we may not sink tomorrow.
God willing, we may never sink at all.
Where's the committee? The movement is too much for them.
I'm small and light.
I do not get flung about so much.
You have spoken with Mr Summers? The ship is in no danger.
The wind, as you know, Mr Pike, has a habit of changing.
I'm sure, before long, we will find ourselves riding as easy as in a post chase.
Do you mind if I call you Ed? Or Eddie? You may address me as Edmund in this em.
.
situation in which we find ourselves.
You know, Edmund, I prefer sitting here talking with you, than being with my own family.
This is quite, quite dreadful, I know, but after a while I simply cannot stand it! No matter how anxious I am.
How much I love them Anxious? What on earth for? Mrs Pike seems to think I can do something.
Which, to tell you the truth, is why I'm here.
- Ah - I cannot! That hurts more than anything.
You should find her faith in you flattering, Mr Dick.
You said our children were too young for the French, but they are not too young for our Lord.
If they should slip through my hands in in this devilish place this desert Come, Dick, pull yourself together! I'm sorry.
I couldn't leave them to sink.
Not here! Stop blobbering, man! Anyone would think you was a girl! Curse it! I mean I Mr Talbot.
Mr Prettiman has requested to speak with you.
- Me, ma'am? What - He says it is a private matter.
- Is the time convenient? - Of course, ma'am.
Whatever you wish.
Aloysius? It is Mr Talbot, come to see you.
- Letitia? - It is I, Edmund Talbot, sir.
Miss Granham has stepped outside.
She seems to think you wish to talk to me, though what have I done to deserve such an unexpected honour? Sit down, boy.
Sit down.
You're aware than Miss Granham and I Argh! I am aware, as is everybody, that the lady has consented to make you the happiest of men.
Don't smother the thing with nonsense.
She agreed to marry me! - That is what I said - Now, I mean, before we reach the promise land, if by some small miracle we ever do.
We have no clergyman.
Captain Anderson will perform the ceremony.
Can I fetch you a drink? I am dying, Mr Talbot.
Oh, come now, Mr Prettiman, a mere fracture isn't Will you abstain from this foolish habit of contradiction? If I say 'I am dying', I mean I am dying and I'm going to die! Mr Talbot I wish you to be a witness at the ceremony.
- I? - You and Oldmeadow.
But we have no official standing on this ship.
I will be happy to give the bride away.
- Mr East will give her away.
- Mr East the printer? Will you listen?! Or do you wish to prolong this interview indefinitely? The officers of this ship will be distributed around the world.
But you and Oldmeadow will remain at Sydney Cove Modest as it may be, Miss Granham will inherit my fortune.
But without unimpeachable witnesses and at a distance of 18,000 miles from our courts - corrupt as they are That is outrageous, sir! British justice If I say they are corrupt, then they are corrupt! Oh, in respect of money you may rely on them, but in all else they are corrupt by privilege, land tenure, by a viciously inadequate system of representation.
I do not care to ask for favours, but I find that I must.
Do you believe in justice, sir? I am an Englishman.
I believe in fair play.
May I not move you to a more comfortable position, sir? - This mass of bedclothes round your waist.
- It is not a mass of clothes, it is a gross swelling of the upper abdomen and the upper part of the lower limbs.
Good God.
Good God! Must every second sentence begin with an imprecation? You cannot move me, sir.
To move me is a torture.
Come closer, Mr Talbot.
I have searched my conscience.
I believe, what I'm about to do is right.
- I have a paper for you.
- Oh? It is a paper signed by me.
People will contest my will.
They might well bring the case that the marriage was not - could not be consummated.
I do not follow what I'm supposed to do, Mr Prettiman.
I've written a plain declaration that I have had carnal knowledge of the lady.
During the voyage, before the marriage.
- Good - You're about to say something? Nothing You will find in my possessions a green leather case.
Take charge of the letter, if you please.
I agree to guard this letter and produce it under the circumstances which you envisage.
Good.
- Oh, Talbot! - Sir? Miss Granham is unaware of the existence of this paper and I wish her to remain so as long as possible.
That is a lady's cabin Excuse me my lad! Miss Granham! Mr Summers was kind enough to provide me with dry clothing.
Your business with Mr Prettiman is concluded? Indeed it is.
My apologies if I startled you, ma'am.
You must be glad for time of leisure what with your many activities, Mr Benét.
Work enables me to forget my sorrow, Mr Talbot.
I do not envy you, given 24 idle hours a day, in which to fill the pangs of separation from Miss Chumley.
We are companions in sorrow, sir.
I have no solace but my art.
- Art, Mr Benét? - My muse - my poetry.
The parting from Lady Somerset struck verses from me as quickly as the sparks from the flint.
'The salutation which she cast From ship to ship had been our last!' 'Her eye had dropped a winking tear' Yes, I'm sure the verses will be very pretty, Mr Benét, once properly written down and corrected.
Do you find some fault? I could detect a little 'enjambment', but that is by the by.
She was with Miss Chumley.
Did Miss Chumley not speak? She came to the rail as Alcyone moved away and looked woebegone I daresay she was feeling seasick.
I doubt you have the sensibility to understand the completeness of separation.
I believe I have as much sensibility as the next man, sir! The instant I saw Miss Chumley, I was struck by no, no - destroyed by lightning.
It was, if you are familiar with the phrase, 'coup de foudre'.
- Say that again.
- 'Coup de foudre'.
Yes, the phrase is familiar.
Before we parted she did declare that she held me in higher regard than any gentleman on either ship.
Later still, I received a 'billet doux'.
- A 'billet doux'! For God's sake! - Was that not encouragement? Well how can I tell unless I know what is in it? The words are chiselled in my heart, sir.
'A young person will always remember the time when two ships were side by side' 'in the middle of the sea and hopes that one day they may put down their anchors' 'in the same harbour.
' I find no encouragement for you there, sir.
I do not believe it.
A determination that the affair should end as painlessly as possible.
- No! - Be a man, Mr Talbot.
Do I whine or repent? Because I have no hope whatever of seeing the Beloved Object again.
All that consoles me is my genius.
She felt as I do! - Go away.
- Sir, wake up, sir.
You are required.
- What for? - The wedding, sir.
It's today.
Wedding? Oh, be careful! It's alright, now.
We are witnesses.
Oblige us by letting us through.
'Man that is born of woman hath but a short time to live and is full of misery' God, man! 'Dearly beloved.
' 'We are gathered together here, in the sight of God' 'in the face of this congregation to join together this man and this woman' 'in holy matrimony.
' 'which is an honourable estate, instituted by God in the time of man's innocence' 'Signifying onto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church:' 'which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence' 'and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee,' 'Therefore, if any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together' 'let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.
' I have the ring! Now Mr Prettiman.
If you could repeat after me: 'With this ring, I thee wed.
' 'With this ring, I thee wed.
' 'What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
' Mr Benét.
What brings you down here? - I came to assist Mr Prettiman.
- Ah, there's no need.
I'm on my way to help the fellow right now.
You may return to your duties.
All the same, I think I should call on the gentleman.
I believe he may benefit from having his position changed.
- That was my idea.
- Really, sir? We're all capable of ideas and not all of them will endanger the safety of this ship, you fool! - I'm not a fool! - I'm saying that you are.
What is worse, you are a French fool! Ah, the English.
When one first meets them, one dislikes them.
But when one gets to know them, the dislike turns to genuine loathing.
Gentlemen, please! - Mr Prettiman, I am here to help you.
- As am I, sir.
- Sir, I believe - My idea is to change Anything to relieve this agony.
Move me if you will! - This way.
- No, this way! Oh gently.
Gently with him! You've killed him.
I kill people without knowing it.
Colley, Wheeler Now Mr Prettiman.
During the voyage I've received a few shocks and found out a few things about myself I did not much like.
But this new event was like falling into the darkness of a measureless pit.
Is something wrong, Mr Talbot, sir? No, Phillips.
- Why, should there be? - You were calling out, sir.
You could have saved us.
Have you a spare moment? I have volunteered to stand the middle of the watch which by now you must know is - Midnight until four.
An officer of the watch has a doggie.
Would you care to stand that watch with me as a midship? You're serious? I know that you're a passenger, sir, but it occurred to me that Should you leave me in charge of the ship? During the day I recommend you get at least four hours of sleep to make up for what you will loose during the night.
In fact, I believe I shall make that an order.
Aye aye, sir.
- 'Night, Mr Summers.
- Thank you, Mr Cumbershum.
Mr Speaker, to those of us who have actually stood the middle in one of His Majesty's ships of the line.
It is good to have you here, Mr Talbot.
Please, Mr Summers As your 'doggie' -as I believe you called it- I'm Edmund.
Then I am Charles.
You might read by this light, don't you think? - Where are we? - You mean our position? I wish I could tell you.
We know our latitude, if that is any comfort.
It's all Columbus ever knew.
An Italian who left Spain looking for India and found America? Charles, when am I to learn celestial navigation? That will have to wait, I'm afraid, Edmund.
- What is Mr Gibbs doing? - The foremast has broken its shoe.
- You knew that, surely.
- When we were taken aback.
It is why we have spread no sail on it.
- And the mizzenmast? - Balance, Edmund.
- We cannot rig one without the other.
- Forgive me.
I'm still learning.
Mr Gibbs is securing the mast the best he can.
If we do not make progress soon, we may all starve out here, that is a fact.
And there's nothing we can do? Mr Benét believes he can reduce the movement so we can rig a sail.
By scientific means he wishes to secure the foremast using the forcing contraction of red-hot iron.
Shrinking metal on wood?! The model he showed Captain Anderson and myself worked, I will allow him that.
On a larger scale he could indeed pull the foremast back into position.
You do not sound convinced, Charles.
We are at sea.
Any mistake and the mast may slip and go through the bottom of the ship.
Then he is insane to even suggest such an idea.
The captain is yet to make his decision.
How may the captain even consider such Mr Benét is a most persuasive young man.
He will go far.
If he lives Back, Mr Talbot! Carry on, Mr Benét.
More water.
Roundly now! Keep watching this side.
- More water, she's on fire! - Mind your station, Mr Gibbs! Still, I say! Still !! - Sir, I fear that - Quiet! She's moving, sir.
Congratulations, Mr Benét.
- I believe you were the originator, here -Thank you, sir.
- You too, Mr Coombes.
- Thank you, sir.
Mr Summers.
Come with me.
Good God.
Do you understand what you see, Mr Talbot? - The wood must be on fire within.
- For a little while, no more.
Do you mean to burn us all before any of our other dangers finish us?! Be easy, Mr Talbot.
The channels are much larger than the bolts.
Air cannot enter.
When the air is depleted of its oxygen it will start to cool and there will be no more than a layer of charcoal inside the channels.
But you see the degree of force we have at our disposal? It is terrifying.
The mast was moved upright in a matter of seconds.
We may now rig it with sail.
And our speed will increase? - What was that? - Something taking up.
It does not matter.
'Thy face is veiled, thou mighty form The dry, the chill, the moist, the warm' It is nothing personal against Mr Benét.
The plan itself is flawed.
You've done nothing but obstruct the man since he came aboard, sir.
Obstruct, sir? You could learn a lot from Mr Benét, Mr Summers.
He is a fine officer and has a bright future - whereas you, sir Captain, sir.
The plates are red-hot.
There will still be fire within which might endanger the safety of the ship.
I'm aware of your opinion, sir.
Be aware of mine.
And cease this constant sniping! Charles.
What has happened? - Are you hurt? - He was lucky, wasn't he? Benét? Flat calm for the work now the wind again.
An extra two knots, Anderson said.
And for that he has stuck red hot irons into wood - and left them there.
Benét is a kind of meteor.
A passing flash.
Meteors always fall.
He will nigh on double our speed.
The man's a fool.
He's below decks as we speak composing an ode to Nature.
Is he so? Well, tell him Nature never gives something for nothing.
Every knot he adds will double the intake of water.
I am not to obstruct him! He, a brilliant young officer and I dull.
- Superannuated.
- Who said that?! Anderson? I swear to you he should be brought down.
I will raise the entire government of the Colony against him! Hold your tongue, Edmund.
- It is mutiny.
- It is justice.
- I did not desire justice.
- You are worth a hundred Benéts.
Two hundred Andersons.
If only this wind would have come a couple of hours ago I find myself wishing No.
No, the mast is repaired.
Our speed will increase and I'm glad of it.
We must all be glad.
Why are we such creatures that a few sentences of an angry man should matter more than the prospect of death? The first ship returning from Sydney Cove will carry not only my journals in which you are mentioned with much admiration but also contain a letter to my Godfather declaring that you deserve to be made 'post' on the spot.
Can you do so? Exactly as I've said.
I am desperately sorry, ma'am.
Can I see him? For God's sakes, ma'am, is he - He is breathing.
- Oh, thank God! Thank God! But the emigrants? Mr East has taken the news through the ship.
What news, ma'am? Mr Prettiman is dying! - I don't know what to say, ma'am.
- You never have, Mr Talbot.
This voyage will be famous in history not for you but for him.
You thought it was a comedy but it is a tragedy.
a tragedy for the world we are approaching and hope to reach.
- Ma'am - I saw you come aboard with your privileges about you like cloud of of pinchbeck glory! Now you have trodden with your clumsy feet into a place which you do not understand and where you are not welcome! He will regard you indifferently.
Not as a man, but as an agent of his death.
He will be above forgiving you But I am not above it, sir.
And I will never, never forgive you.
Family, Mr Eddie.
I hate families.
I think Mr Pike, if you are not feeling yourself.
You should not say things you shall come later to regret.
- Bates, a beer! - I hate her.
Sod her! - Please, Mr Pike - Sod her! Pardon my French.
- Please refrain.
- I don't hate them.
I don't hate them - they hate me.
- Because she said - she - Pike Pike, will you shut up?! Shut up, you despicable little orange toad!! You arse on the boil of man! [Mr Talbot is being quite unintelligible.]
Mr Pike, you are a disgusting little man! That's exactly what she said.
Oh, yes, well you see, that's what I said, Mr Bowles.
Quite right, Oldmeadow.
There you are, sir.
- Is this fellow dead? - Dead drunk.
- Two more beers, Bates.
- Yes, sir.
Good God.
Your hands! I suppose you expect the ship to be run to your convenience, Mr Talbot.
- Oh, was that intended as an insult? - Pumping did that.
And no matter how hard we worked, the water kept on rising on us.
- Soon they will need us too.
- Well why not? He took my men without so much as a 'by your leave'! - Mr Summers? - Yes.
Lt fucking Summers.
I said 'Why don't you take the passengers? Bowles, Pike, Talbot, Brocklebank' - even that sodding old wreck will last a minute or two! We're told that danger brings men together.
I see little evidence of it here, gentlemen.
We are civilians, you and I.
Why should we get involved? I am no longer a civilian, sir.
Lord Talbot has been promoted to midshipman.
Every middle watch I attend with Mr Summers.
So, in answer to your question, no, sir.
I do not expect the ship to be run to my convenience.
God have mercy! Soldiers turned into sailors and now passengers in charge of the ship.
Frankly, I ask myself whether I should give up hope.
Crawl away and huddle into my bunk.
Perhaps you should ask Mr Brocklebank to join us.
Gentlemen.
Let's drink a final toast to Mr Prettiman.
The silly old fool spends half the day in the wind and the rain with the sea water washing around his knees.
Waiting for his morning fart to develop.
So that's what he does out there.
Well the girls will not allow him back into his cabin until he's fired off a blank charge like a saluting gun! Did somebody mention my name? - You are soaked through, sir.
- I could not stand up there any longer! Is it still not safe to go back to your cabin? The fact is, I need the company of men.
- Bates, more beer! - Good heaven.
Surely anyone privileged enough to have the companionship of Mrs Brocklebank - Not to mention the lovely daughter - Oh, Celia endeavours to cheer me.
But the truth is she already regards me with a widow's eye.
Surely not! I see Mrs Brocklebank around the ship and she is never less than merry.
They look merrily on you, Mr Talbot, but not on me.
I do not like widows, sir.
I've taken care to avoid them in the only truly logical way.
But in the privacy of our cabin, Celia has just that air of sad triumph That almost holy smile with which a widow contemplates a job well done.
An account paid in full.
An account, I must confide, that she is not entitled to! Do you you mean to tell me that Mrs Celia and you are not I hate families! Haa, my good man! Have you put the brandy in it? Just a lick, sir.
There she blows! - Bates, more beer! - More beer! A! Mr Benét, you Frog! - I wish to have some plain answers.
- You are drunk, sir.
That is by the by.
I wish to understand more clearly your relationship with a certain lady.
You mean Miss Chumley, I suppose.
I'm more concerned with a lady of maturer years.
- So you have found me out.
- Mm She is O, she is.
Since thou didst doff thy woman's weeds And loose the glories of thy hair The eye that weeps, the heart that bleeds So you did have a criminal connection with her! And Miss Chumley was witness to it.
- What connection? - Lady Somerset.
The heart grows with understanding Did you have her and did Miss Chumley see it? I might resent your words, Mr Talbot, on her behalf and my own.
Your mind evidently cannot rise above the farmyard level.
- Don't talk to me about farmyards! - You're passionately moved, sir.
And hardly responsible for what you say.
I knelt before the lady.
She offered me her right hand.
I turned it over, dropped a kiss in the dewy palm and closed the slender fingers over it.
- That was all? - That was all.
Then why did she take off her clothes? Since thou did doff thy woman's weeds The crudeness of your mind has deceived you.
Had you let me finish The eye that weeps, the heart that bleeds Has found a refuge in your care, Letitia, Though thy hand be given to another.
Miss Granh you were writing poetry to Mrs Prettiman?! Can you think of a worthier aim? She is all that the ages have looked forward to.
You wish to kiss her hand Well, I mean, no doubt she will oblige.
Let us tap on her door Well, I you asked nicely, she might let you kiss her inside and outside for a full watch by a sandglass.
- You are nauseous, sir.
I believe I am, sir.
But at least I do not drool around the oceans, dropping kisses into the palms of women old enough to be my mother.
You would best stick to schoolgirls, Mr Talbot.
I resent the plural, sir! For me there is only one school lady.
You're loveless, Mr Talbot.
It is your main defect.
I? Loveless?? I am saying 'ha ha', sir! Do you hear? Sir? We will continue this conversation when you are sober, sir.
I bid you good day.
Mr Phillips, d'you hear? We are in love with our mothers.
Come.
Ma'am.
This is unexpected.
Iuh I bring news of Mr Prettiman.
- Is he - improved.
It seems your well meant but clumsy actions stretched his torn leg.
The swelling has subsided.
- Then he is not going to die.
- He's not out of danger.
But the pain is becoming bearable.
- Perhaps he will not walk again.
- One request, ma'am.
May I visit the patient? I should be less than human if I did not wish to congratulate him on his recovery, Commiserate him on his disability and offer my profound apologies for the agony I caused him.
Pindar? Good God.
Had to move, didn't ya, had to speak.
Had to wake me up.
The word was involuntary.
- You said Pindar.
- There, by your hand.
A quotation when I drifted off.
Somewhere in the sixth Olympian.
'Grey hairs flourish even among young men' - That is not in the sixth Olympian, sir.
It is at the end of the fourth.
Here, at the end.
- So you know.
- We're all having rough time of it, sir.
I daresay I could find a few grey hairs of my own.
No, not that, boy.
Greek.
You've kept it up.
Why? Just liked it, I suppose.
No boy of your age who has kept up his Greek can be entirely witless.
Silly perhaps, but with some inkling of a wider view.
- I'm not precisely a boy, sir.
- Yeah.
You're not precisely a man either.
I know fear, I know friendship.
And above all I know love.
I came in to say, sir, that I congratulate you on your recovery and apologise for my part in it.
Yes, I see what you mean.
It is rather amusing.
Or I would have thought so, having not said it myself.
Having your thigh bone rammed up into your body is no joke, I can tell you.
The swelling appears to be reduced.
- You think I shall ride again? - Can't say, sir.
Sit a while, hm? Been meaning to ask you for some time.
What is the purpose of your voyage? A few months ago I would have said it was to fit me with a position of responsibility for my country Now Now my ambitions are somewhat different.
Well you started the voyage with the objectivity of ignorance and you are finishing it with the subjectivity of knowledge, pain and hope of indulgence.
And you sir are travelling with the vowed intention of creating trouble of troubling this antipodean society.
Which was created wholly for its own betterment.
A noble gesture which offers freedom and rehabilitation even to the criminal element of our own society at home.
- Do you know our own society? - I have lived in it! Ah! School, university.
Country house.
- You ever visited the city slum? - Good God, no! Then you could know nothing, sir! You're clearly seized of universal truths, Mr Prettiman.
Some of us do not find them so easy to come by.
It is the matter of a certain document which I entrusted to you.
- Shall I bring it to you? - Don't bring it to the cabin.
Drop it in the ocean.
Mrs Prettiman must never know of its contents.
- If that is your wish, sir.
- You must know, Talbot.
The lady is like the land we are approaching.
Sir? Unpolluted.
- I rejoice to hear it, sir.
- Why should you rejoice? Had it not for the misfortune of this dislocated hip she would not be now unpolluted! - All I meant to say is - I understand, sir.
You need not explain anymore.
I shall carry out your wishes.
I left Mr Prettiman's cabin with the most mixed feelings.
Happiness being, strangely enough, the uppermost.
It was a feeling which I was, from that day forward, to associate with him and her.
We do not pray to God.
He'll give us all we need.
And we are eternally grateful.
We have no need of priests.
We are all priests.
No matter what nonsense Mr Prettiman talks.
I listen and cannot help but to come away with a sense of well being.
Enlightenment.
South America was an entirely different country from the one that Candide discovered.
And how could it be otherwise? Having been devastated by the Roman Catholic Church? Feeling that the universe is great.
Glorious.
I can see the promise land They're quite unlike any people I have ever met.
the country itself will be for other men We talk of the Crown.
The principle of hereditary honours.
The dangers of democracy, Christianity, the family, war.
You read well, Edmund.
- Thank you, sir.
- So does Mrs Prettiman.
But of course, she does not read Greek.
It's too much for a woman's brain.
Indeed there were times when it seemed to me that I threw off my upbringing.
That a man might let armour drop around him and stand naked, defenceless, but free.
Imagine our caravan moving by cool night across the deserts of this new land.
Towards El Dorado.
It would be the adventure of adventures.
You could come too, you know.
There's nothing to stop you.
I have been at the foremast again, Edmund.
The plates are still hot.
There is fire down below, I'm convinced of it.
For Heaven's sake, man.
Cheer up, Charles! We're making seven knots to the east, we have sails on all three masts and your frapping kept us together.
- All is well.
- You're late for the watch.
- I was reading for Mr Prettiman.
- I say this as a friend, Edmund.
- Be careful.
- Careful of what? I believe your association with Mr Prettiman to be dangerous.
Dangerous to you and your future position.
Mr Prettiman has asked me to join him and Mrs Prettiman in establishing his new world.
Mr Speaker, to those of us who have so blatantly thrown away the privilege we were born into! I discuss philosophical matters with another gentleman, that is all! These are hardly conversations we could share.
I see.
Cheer up, man.
We have the dawn.
Ha! That from the man who wished to become the perfect master of the sea affair.
- What do you mean? - Dawn at this hour? Well look it is there No, it is gone.
It is covered by the clouds.
- What did you see? - I told you.
It was the dawn light.
Show me where.
There it is! No ghost.
Heaven help us all.
Why? What is the matter? It is ice.
How far was it, Mr Summers? Impossible to say, sir.
Mr Talbot saw it first.
Mr Talbot? - What was the extent of the ice, sir? - I could see no end to it.
Was there no call from the forrard lookout? - No sir.
- Have the man put in irons.
Aye aye, sir.
Bring her round on broad reach to the larboard.
Set every sail there is.
But the foremast, sir.
- It is not secure enough.
- Mr Summers! Sir.
I wish to represent that the mast will take no more strain.
If that goes Are you able to propose a better course of action? You're not still trying to discredit Mr Benét's achievement, are you? No, sir.
Then follow my orders! Set every sail.
And instruct the passengers down to the orlop deck.
Set all sail! Bring her round on broad reach to larboard.
- Talbot, what's happening? - 'Tis nothing, Pike.
Precaution, nothing more.
Wilmot! Wilmot, I'm dying! We're all dying! I've heard mention of ice.
Either we shall weather it, or we shall have nothing left.
We shall have dignity left.
That is Roman, ma'am.
I prefer to think of it as British, Mr Edmund.
- What of Mr Prettiman? - He's still asleep, I think.
He must be told.
- You are awake, sir.
- Let us not waste time.
Edmund, you will of course help Lettie.
I shall, sir.
It is impossible that I should survive in the state I find myself, but when the end is upon us you must get on deck, the two of you Wrapped in as much clothing as you can and make your way to the boats.
No.
Aloysius.
Edmund may do so - must do so.
He's young and we are in no way his responsibility.
I shall stay with you.
Now, now, Mrs Prettiman, I shall become testy.
You will not, sir.
Edmund will go, not I.
But, I would like him to hear this.
For I believe he is in much need of an example.
In the short span of our married life I have never disobeyed you.
And would not have done in the future, had there been one.
Not because I am your wife.
Because of who and what you are.
But we have no future, I think.
And I will stay with you, here in this cabin.
Goodbye, Edmund.
Mr Jones Mr Jones, I require a firkin for my journals.
Mr Jones, I need you to procure me a watertight vessel for my Mr Jones? Mr Jones! Are you leaving us, sir? Steer north, nothing to the east.
Brace up! Haul out the spanker! Hard to lee.
Steer north.
Nothing to the east, sir.
We are in a place for no man.
For sea gods, perhaps.
That great and ultimate power which surely must support the visible universe.
Somewhere in the darkness I have found myself articulating spontaneous prayers which -I knew as they burst from my lips- are useless.
Keep her a good full.
Nothing off.
Hold her steady! What's that man doing?! - Lower away James, lower away!! - Aye aye, sir! Lower away! Lower away! - Course full and by, Mr Smiles! - Full and by! Alright.
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! Charles? See for yourself, sir.
We have escaped the ice.
But what was that hideous noise? The purser was not so fortunate, sir.
His boat was crushed on the boom.
Three cheers for the captain! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! - We shall live a little longer? - It seems so.
Do not cry, Mrs Prettiman, it's unworthy of you.
Come sir, Mrs Prettiman has hardly been Quiet! I just I need a few moments to collect myself.
Shall I go after her? She will not faint.
Might cry, but she will not faint.
- I think, sir, that - Well don't! I will not have you interfering in her education.
Education?! Do you suppose that if we ever contrived to lead a caravan to found the Ideal City that she can afford feminine weakness? Allow me to tell you, Mr Prettiman.
I have met no woman No Yes! I have met no grown woman that has so impressed me with her lack of those same female weaknesses as you are trying so hard to eradicate.
You know nothing, boy! I revere Mrs Prettiman, sir, and I do not mind admitting it.
I value her highly.
- O, what has that to do with anything? I am an educationist, sir.
And I will not have any judgement in that matter questioned.
A man who has worked on his character as long as I have may perhaps be credited with some knowledge of that of others! And pray sir, what work have you done on your own character to so improve it? - Is it not obvious?! - No, sir.
Frankly, it is not! This is unendurable to be lectured by a stubborn boy!! Leave us, Edmund.
Please.
Damned hip! - A hundred and ten fathom, sir.
- Bear away, Mr Cumbershum! Two points lard.
This, then -if not the end of our voyage- is the beginning of the end.
- Land ho! - One point at larboard, sir! I will not subscribe to the furious rubbish of 'my country, right or wrong'.
Nevertheless, when I searched my heart, among all the prejudice of my nature and upbringing among all the new ideas, the acceptance and necessary change.
The people - writers, politicians, philosophers, even wide-eyed social philosophers The deepest note of my heartstrings sounds now as it will to my dying day 'England forever!' Hello there! - Welcome! - You're very welcome! You need to be very careful with his left hand - that's Carefully.
Wait, wait, wait Wait, wait, damn you all! Wait, damn you! The Governor sends his regards, sir.
Landfall, Mrs Prettiman.
Landfall.
I hope you'll be happy in our little family, Mr Talbot.
I'm certain I will, sir.
I believe your godfather spoke to you about Mr Prettiman.
Asked you to keep a close eye on him.
The man is now a cripple and married.
I am convinced that he represents no danger to the state.
The ship, sir.
What will happen to her? It hardly concerns you, Mr Talbot.
But she will not go to sea again.
Most likely she will serve as our guard ship.
And the officers? Captain Anderson has returned to England.
I was not thinking of the captain, sir.
You interest me, Mr Talbot.
Proceed.
I was hoping to find sir that you would be able to use your vast experience of things naval to promote a man who is not only my friend, but a fine seaman.
I have already offered the command of the ship to Lt Benét.
I see.
As I expected, he declined it.
He did however press the claims of Lt Summers - as Captain Anderson had already done so.
Then Charles Summers will be a captain? He will, indeed.
I'll leave you to get settled in, sir.
Is anybody still aboard? Mr Summers was seeing the off loading, sir.
Out of the way! Charles! Charles! Edmund! - What set her alight? - Benét's repairs to the foremast.
I told you there was fire down below.
Run! Jump you silly bugger! your beloved godfather has become weaker over the months and his gout Mr Talbot.
I came to visit the patient.
and read to him, if he wishes.
We are no longer at sea, sir.
It would do your position no good to be seen with Mr Prettiman.
My godfather is dead.
I no longer know what my position is.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Have you seen anything of Mrs Brocklebank? Pike, Oldmeadow? - They seem to have vanished.
- They all had lives to get on with, sir.
The voyage has been a considerable part of your life, sir, but do not refine upon it's nature.
It was not an Odyssey.
It is no type,emblem, metaphor of the human condition.
It is, or -rather was- what it was.
And what was that, ma'am? A series of events.
So must end this account of Edmund Talbot's journey to the ends of the earth.
But something is missing, is it not?