While the Men Are Away (2023) s01e03 Episode Script
God Speed The Plough And The Woman Who Drives It!
1
Do you have a boyfriend?
What normal girl doesn't?
Well, to hell with marriage.
Just another colonial assimilation tool.
Yeah, of course. One of
the better ones, though, eh?
- MAN: Hip-hip!
- CROWD: hooray!
- MAN: Hip-hip!
- CROWD: hooray!
We have to pay them, Robert.
The key must be on him.
You were drinking instead
of doing what I asked for.
And now I have to take care of it.
Joe's pocket!
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(GULPS)
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS)
(LOCK CLICKS)
Yes!
(CHUCKLES)
See?
I kept my promise. (CHUCKLES)
I have money.
All of my own to spend how I like.
- Who am I, my father?
- (BOTH LAUGH)
That's That's That's really good
'cause maybe now you can buy a magazine
to replace the one you stole from me.
I didn't
steal that.
No! I borrowed what I thought were
educational manuscripts,
artistic references
for my sketches.
(PUFFS) I think you missed
the point of them, poppet.
(LAUGHS)
(TITTERS)
(BELL RINGS)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYS)
Sorry, sir, the madams.
It's chaos at the post office today.
All the bad news.
(SIGHS HEAVILY) My brothers.
And some good.
Sometimes.
Got it.
To Miss Mountjoy?
"Your beau, Dickie, is passed away."
(SOFTLY) Gwen.
Gwen.
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYS)
(DOOR OPENS, SHUTS)
Thank you.
Robert?
Mr Wong wanted me to tell you
that they received a telegram today too.
(SCOFFS DRYLY)
(CRIES)
Your boyfriend, Dickie, was it?
I thought he was still at training.
You can take the day off.
But the netting.
We'll do it.
What's done is done.
Can't change that now.
Might as well crack hardy
and get on with things.
So
finally wages.
Robert.
Gwen.
Esther.
There it is - writ large.
He's worth two of us.
And now
Kathleen.
You're paid in rations.
That must be a mistake.
That's the amount.
The rest goes to the
Aboriginal Protection Board.
Here.
I'm just gonna piss it up
against the wall anyway.
For Christ's sake, Kath,
you've got a family
depending on you, don't ya?
Take it.
Fine.
I'll put you out of your
self-imposed misery of white guilt.
(INSECTS CHIRP)
Have you seen Robert's
bodybuilding magazines?
Yep.
Those men
all those muscles,
you find that appealing?
Yeah.
I see. Why is that, do you think?
Is it all the exposed flesh
or more so the physical
act of weightlifting
and the masculine power it implies?
- Um
- And what is it that happens
when you feel that attraction?
I understand it's physical, but
is it warm or more of a chill?
Is it purely pleasant or is
it a little bit frightening?
Is it embarrassing at all?
Because I imagine it could
present similar to humiliation.
Do you know that boy you're marrying?
David Kleinberg.
It's what you feel when you're with him.
And what would that be precisely?
(SPRIGHTLY MUSIC PLAYS)
Next time that you're in the tractor
let it idle,
then get the revs up.
(BIRD TWITTERS)
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Returning this.
I've taken all the references I need.
Are you unwell?
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYS)
Robert, are you alright?
(DOOR SHUTS)
I was supposed to spend the
rest of my life with this chap.
And now he's dead, and I feel
I don't know.
One might call it relief.
Oh, my God. I'm a monster.
No.
No, you're not.
You're not, Gwen.
No, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Mummy!
You didn't have to come.
Rubbish! I wouldn't miss this occasion.
Beagle.
Dickie?
Wh I thought you were dead.
What?!
Goodness me. Why on earth
would you think that?
(STAMMERS) The telegram.
It said you'd passed away.
Oh, for Pete's sake. I
said we were ON our way.
That poor ducky at the post office.
She must be terribly overwhelmed.
(KNOCKS)
What's what's going on?
Gwenyth
Victoria Mountjoy
will you marry me?
- Oh!
- (CORK POPS)
- Congratulations, darling!
- (FLASH BULB POPS)
Smile!
Big smile.
Mrs Whitmore! You are a hoot.
We really should be getting
back to that netting.
You can call me Frankie.
Well, in that case,
you can call me Helen.
Beagle
it really is wonderful to see you.
I can only imagine how
much you've missed me.
You must be getting
sick of hearing about it.
Why isn't your maid in a pinafore?
It's hard to climb trees in a dress.
(CHUCKLES)
You let her work alongside you?
What's next? A seat at the table?
Well, Frankie's right. With the
men away, we all need to pitch in.
And I think I may have found my calling.
We were told there was a man here.
One of those bloody conchies.
Sorry. This is really Eugh.
Sorry. That's really rather unpleasant.
Perhaps I'm a conscientious
objector too
this cake.
(CHUCKLES)
What's happening next door?
There's workmen everywhere.
They're building a prisoner-of-war camp.
Oh, that's nice and handy.
For visiting Uncle Luigi.
(CHUCKLES)
What do you mean you found your calling?
Working on the land.
Doing something meaningful.
Oh, you're hardly a
trailblazer, darling.
Back in the '20s I did a
little men's work myself.
My art tutor and I spent a
particularly steamy summer
on a lavender farm in Provence.
They say I'll make the
Land Army newsletter.
Yet you have never
made the social pages.
I don't care about that shallow world.
Careful, beagle, you'll lose
the few friends you have.
My friendships are more
intimate than showy.
Mine are both.
After all, you've got to
show a woman a good time
if you want to get her to kiss you.
(DICKIE, FRANKIE AND HELEN LAUGH)
- Good one, Mummy.
- (LAUGHS)
(BIRDS TWITTER)
Sister!
The angels told me
you would visit today.
Come off it, Nev. I know you can
see me in that shiny candlestick.
Well, are you here to repent
so you can come home again?
I've got nothing to repent for.
Really?
You were caught in here
being stuffed by Murray
like a Sunday chicken.
You need to pray to
Jesus for forgiveness!
You wicked, wicked girl!
Don't kick me out, Mrs.
Please. Homer needs me.
(SCOFFS) He's better off without
a sinner like you in his life!
Go on, get! Get out!
And don't come back!
You make it sound worse than it was.
Please, just say sorry
so you can come home.
- Leeny!
- Homer!
You're home!
What the hell are you wearing?
Our little brother is the
church's newest altar boy
and in line to becoming
the second Aboriginal priest
after me.
He made that, didn't he?
No.
- He did.
- Take it off.
The greatest honour
is to serve our Lord.
Neville said so.
Here. Swallow this instead.
(GASPS)
Cakes!
You want him to turn out like you?
Neville No-Mates all
alone inside on a nice day?
I wouldn't be alone if you never went
Well, well, well.
Look who dares to show
her pretty face here again.
Good afternoon, Mrs.
I was wondering if I could
we could revisit the question
of me returning to the mission.
Oh!
So, you're ready to denounce your sin
and accept Jesus Christ
as your one true Lord and saviour?
Good. Go on, then.
Say it.
Like you mean it, dear.
I
I denounce my sins and
accept Jesus Christ as my
one true Lord and saviour.
What makes you think I believe you
an unmarried whore?
Get!
(SIGHS)
(ITEM SMASHES)
(CRIES SOFTLY)
Mr Wong.
(CRIES)
My boy.
My beautiful boy!
(CRIES)
(BIRDS TWITTER)
(HOOFS CLOP)
- What happened?
- Why didn't you tell me about Neville?
- Dragging Homer into that church stuff.
- Didn't want to worry ya.
I got kicked out for
something we did together.
The least you can do
is be my eyes and ears.
Did you try again with the Mrs?
Even told her I was renouncing my sins,
embracing baby Jesus and all that.
What happened?
She went and changed
the rules, didn't she?
The problem now is that I'm not married.
And you know how I feel about that.
Yeah. Colonial assimilation tool.
I have to get back in.
Nev's a lost cause, but
can still save Homer.
- Mm.
- I promised Mum.
I just have to give that
old cow what she wants.
Wait.
You mean you wanna
We're getting married.
Yes!
But not in a bloody church.
(LAUGHS)
Well, I'll go get that
marriage licence then, eh?
Getting married.
- (RAIN THRUMS, THUNDER RUMBLES)
- (BIG-BAND MUSIC PLAYS)
A toast.
To my daughter.
Here she has finally found her purpose.
With the most glorious engagement.
To Gwen. No more floating around.
- Ha!
- (GLASSES CLINK)
- Cheers.
- (GLASSES CLINK)
Mummy, do you think
Dickie is floating around?
Oh, goodness gracious.
What a foolish idea.
Come on now, beagle. I'm
part of our great army.
Mm.
Well, so am I.
You're picking berries, darling.
It's hardly compatible.
(CHUCKLES) Berries.
You've been getting in
their heads, have you?
- Do you have a medical certificate?
- Essential farm workers are exempt.
I'm not talking to you.
No.
I don't have a medical exemption.
Well, I knew it.
Rotten coward.
- Men are out there dying for you.
- Dickie, stop it.
Look at you, letting
ladies speak on your behalf.
What kind of man are you?
Speak!
Get up! I asked you a
question, now answer me.
Go on, hit me!
Who raised you?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS)
Was this some kind of a joke?
I can't watch this.
Good Lord.
You really are an odd
little chappie, aren't you?
(CHUCKLES DRYLY)
(RAIN THRUMS)
See you soon, beagle.
Now, I need you to be a good girl.
I know I can rely on you
to do the right thing.
No more nonsense, darling.
(FERVENT OPERATIC MUSIC PLAYS)
(SINGER VOCALISES OPERATICALLY)
(SINGER CONTINUES VOCALISING)
(DOOR OPENS)
What are you doing?
I'm engaged.
Next stop - marriage.
That's your only rule, isn't it?
Married women only?
I'm not walking down the aisle
to that wretched man without
without at least once
acting on my true desire.
(TENDER MUSIC PLAYS)
(RAIN PATTERS)
SONG: Babe ♪
There's something tragic about you ♪
Something so magic about you ♪
Don't you agree? ♪
Babe ♪
There's something lonesome about you ♪
Something so wholesome about you ♪
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Get closer to me ♪
No tired sigh, no rolling eyes ♪
No irony ♪
No "who cares?" ♪
No vacant stare ♪
No time for me ♪
Honey, you're familiar ♪
Like my mirror years ago ♪
Idealism sits in prison ♪
Chivalry fell on his sword ♪
Innocence died screaming ♪
Honey, ask me ♪
I should know ♪
I slithered here from Eden ♪
Just to sit outside your door ♪
- (PANTS)
- (RAIN THRUMS)
"Let it idle. Get the revs up."
Babe ♪
There's something
wretched about this ♪
Something so precious about this ♪
Oh, what a sin ♪
- (ENGINE IDLES)
- (BREATHES HEAVILY)
To the strand ♪
A picnic planned for you and me ♪
(GASPS SOFTLY)
A rope in hand for your
other man to hang from a tree ♪
Honey, you're familiar
like my mirror years ago ♪
- Idealism sits in prison ♪
- (GRUNTS)
Chivalry fell on his sword ♪
Ah!
Innocence died screaming ♪
Honey, ask me, I should know ♪
I slithered here ♪
- From Eden ♪
- Ah!
- Just to hide outside your door ♪
- (EXHALES HEAVILY)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(LAUGHS)
Honey, you're familiar ♪
Like my mirror years ago ♪
Idealism sits in prison ♪
Chivalry fell on his sword ♪
Innocence died screaming ♪
Honey, ask me ♪
- I should know ♪
- (LAUGHS)
I slithered here from Eden ♪
- Just to hide outside ♪
- (LAUGHS)
- (PUFFS)
- Your door. ♪
Oh.
(BREATHES TREMULOUSLY)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYS)
(RAPS ON WINDOW)
Gwen?
This had better be good.
Oh, my gosh.
You're right. That That
That's a dead body.
We have to go to the police.
(WHIMPERS FAINTLY)
Gwen, clothes, please!
Now!
- Get inside.
- We were lost!
There is a corpse here, and
we're going to the authorities.
(WHIMPERS)
She said (COCKS GUN)
get inside.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYS)
Do you have a boyfriend?
What normal girl doesn't?
Well, to hell with marriage.
Just another colonial assimilation tool.
Yeah, of course. One of
the better ones, though, eh?
- MAN: Hip-hip!
- CROWD: hooray!
- MAN: Hip-hip!
- CROWD: hooray!
We have to pay them, Robert.
The key must be on him.
You were drinking instead
of doing what I asked for.
And now I have to take care of it.
Joe's pocket!
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(GULPS)
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS)
(LOCK CLICKS)
Yes!
(CHUCKLES)
See?
I kept my promise. (CHUCKLES)
I have money.
All of my own to spend how I like.
- Who am I, my father?
- (BOTH LAUGH)
That's That's That's really good
'cause maybe now you can buy a magazine
to replace the one you stole from me.
I didn't
steal that.
No! I borrowed what I thought were
educational manuscripts,
artistic references
for my sketches.
(PUFFS) I think you missed
the point of them, poppet.
(LAUGHS)
(TITTERS)
(BELL RINGS)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYS)
Sorry, sir, the madams.
It's chaos at the post office today.
All the bad news.
(SIGHS HEAVILY) My brothers.
And some good.
Sometimes.
Got it.
To Miss Mountjoy?
"Your beau, Dickie, is passed away."
(SOFTLY) Gwen.
Gwen.
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYS)
(DOOR OPENS, SHUTS)
Thank you.
Robert?
Mr Wong wanted me to tell you
that they received a telegram today too.
(SCOFFS DRYLY)
(CRIES)
Your boyfriend, Dickie, was it?
I thought he was still at training.
You can take the day off.
But the netting.
We'll do it.
What's done is done.
Can't change that now.
Might as well crack hardy
and get on with things.
So
finally wages.
Robert.
Gwen.
Esther.
There it is - writ large.
He's worth two of us.
And now
Kathleen.
You're paid in rations.
That must be a mistake.
That's the amount.
The rest goes to the
Aboriginal Protection Board.
Here.
I'm just gonna piss it up
against the wall anyway.
For Christ's sake, Kath,
you've got a family
depending on you, don't ya?
Take it.
Fine.
I'll put you out of your
self-imposed misery of white guilt.
(INSECTS CHIRP)
Have you seen Robert's
bodybuilding magazines?
Yep.
Those men
all those muscles,
you find that appealing?
Yeah.
I see. Why is that, do you think?
Is it all the exposed flesh
or more so the physical
act of weightlifting
and the masculine power it implies?
- Um
- And what is it that happens
when you feel that attraction?
I understand it's physical, but
is it warm or more of a chill?
Is it purely pleasant or is
it a little bit frightening?
Is it embarrassing at all?
Because I imagine it could
present similar to humiliation.
Do you know that boy you're marrying?
David Kleinberg.
It's what you feel when you're with him.
And what would that be precisely?
(SPRIGHTLY MUSIC PLAYS)
Next time that you're in the tractor
let it idle,
then get the revs up.
(BIRD TWITTERS)
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Returning this.
I've taken all the references I need.
Are you unwell?
(SOMBRE MUSIC PLAYS)
Robert, are you alright?
(DOOR SHUTS)
I was supposed to spend the
rest of my life with this chap.
And now he's dead, and I feel
I don't know.
One might call it relief.
Oh, my God. I'm a monster.
No.
No, you're not.
You're not, Gwen.
No, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Mummy!
You didn't have to come.
Rubbish! I wouldn't miss this occasion.
Beagle.
Dickie?
Wh I thought you were dead.
What?!
Goodness me. Why on earth
would you think that?
(STAMMERS) The telegram.
It said you'd passed away.
Oh, for Pete's sake. I
said we were ON our way.
That poor ducky at the post office.
She must be terribly overwhelmed.
(KNOCKS)
What's what's going on?
Gwenyth
Victoria Mountjoy
will you marry me?
- Oh!
- (CORK POPS)
- Congratulations, darling!
- (FLASH BULB POPS)
Smile!
Big smile.
Mrs Whitmore! You are a hoot.
We really should be getting
back to that netting.
You can call me Frankie.
Well, in that case,
you can call me Helen.
Beagle
it really is wonderful to see you.
I can only imagine how
much you've missed me.
You must be getting
sick of hearing about it.
Why isn't your maid in a pinafore?
It's hard to climb trees in a dress.
(CHUCKLES)
You let her work alongside you?
What's next? A seat at the table?
Well, Frankie's right. With the
men away, we all need to pitch in.
And I think I may have found my calling.
We were told there was a man here.
One of those bloody conchies.
Sorry. This is really Eugh.
Sorry. That's really rather unpleasant.
Perhaps I'm a conscientious
objector too
this cake.
(CHUCKLES)
What's happening next door?
There's workmen everywhere.
They're building a prisoner-of-war camp.
Oh, that's nice and handy.
For visiting Uncle Luigi.
(CHUCKLES)
What do you mean you found your calling?
Working on the land.
Doing something meaningful.
Oh, you're hardly a
trailblazer, darling.
Back in the '20s I did a
little men's work myself.
My art tutor and I spent a
particularly steamy summer
on a lavender farm in Provence.
They say I'll make the
Land Army newsletter.
Yet you have never
made the social pages.
I don't care about that shallow world.
Careful, beagle, you'll lose
the few friends you have.
My friendships are more
intimate than showy.
Mine are both.
After all, you've got to
show a woman a good time
if you want to get her to kiss you.
(DICKIE, FRANKIE AND HELEN LAUGH)
- Good one, Mummy.
- (LAUGHS)
(BIRDS TWITTER)
Sister!
The angels told me
you would visit today.
Come off it, Nev. I know you can
see me in that shiny candlestick.
Well, are you here to repent
so you can come home again?
I've got nothing to repent for.
Really?
You were caught in here
being stuffed by Murray
like a Sunday chicken.
You need to pray to
Jesus for forgiveness!
You wicked, wicked girl!
Don't kick me out, Mrs.
Please. Homer needs me.
(SCOFFS) He's better off without
a sinner like you in his life!
Go on, get! Get out!
And don't come back!
You make it sound worse than it was.
Please, just say sorry
so you can come home.
- Leeny!
- Homer!
You're home!
What the hell are you wearing?
Our little brother is the
church's newest altar boy
and in line to becoming
the second Aboriginal priest
after me.
He made that, didn't he?
No.
- He did.
- Take it off.
The greatest honour
is to serve our Lord.
Neville said so.
Here. Swallow this instead.
(GASPS)
Cakes!
You want him to turn out like you?
Neville No-Mates all
alone inside on a nice day?
I wouldn't be alone if you never went
Well, well, well.
Look who dares to show
her pretty face here again.
Good afternoon, Mrs.
I was wondering if I could
we could revisit the question
of me returning to the mission.
Oh!
So, you're ready to denounce your sin
and accept Jesus Christ
as your one true Lord and saviour?
Good. Go on, then.
Say it.
Like you mean it, dear.
I
I denounce my sins and
accept Jesus Christ as my
one true Lord and saviour.
What makes you think I believe you
an unmarried whore?
Get!
(SIGHS)
(ITEM SMASHES)
(CRIES SOFTLY)
Mr Wong.
(CRIES)
My boy.
My beautiful boy!
(CRIES)
(BIRDS TWITTER)
(HOOFS CLOP)
- What happened?
- Why didn't you tell me about Neville?
- Dragging Homer into that church stuff.
- Didn't want to worry ya.
I got kicked out for
something we did together.
The least you can do
is be my eyes and ears.
Did you try again with the Mrs?
Even told her I was renouncing my sins,
embracing baby Jesus and all that.
What happened?
She went and changed
the rules, didn't she?
The problem now is that I'm not married.
And you know how I feel about that.
Yeah. Colonial assimilation tool.
I have to get back in.
Nev's a lost cause, but
can still save Homer.
- Mm.
- I promised Mum.
I just have to give that
old cow what she wants.
Wait.
You mean you wanna
We're getting married.
Yes!
But not in a bloody church.
(LAUGHS)
Well, I'll go get that
marriage licence then, eh?
Getting married.
- (RAIN THRUMS, THUNDER RUMBLES)
- (BIG-BAND MUSIC PLAYS)
A toast.
To my daughter.
Here she has finally found her purpose.
With the most glorious engagement.
To Gwen. No more floating around.
- Ha!
- (GLASSES CLINK)
- Cheers.
- (GLASSES CLINK)
Mummy, do you think
Dickie is floating around?
Oh, goodness gracious.
What a foolish idea.
Come on now, beagle. I'm
part of our great army.
Mm.
Well, so am I.
You're picking berries, darling.
It's hardly compatible.
(CHUCKLES) Berries.
You've been getting in
their heads, have you?
- Do you have a medical certificate?
- Essential farm workers are exempt.
I'm not talking to you.
No.
I don't have a medical exemption.
Well, I knew it.
Rotten coward.
- Men are out there dying for you.
- Dickie, stop it.
Look at you, letting
ladies speak on your behalf.
What kind of man are you?
Speak!
Get up! I asked you a
question, now answer me.
Go on, hit me!
Who raised you?
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS)
Was this some kind of a joke?
I can't watch this.
Good Lord.
You really are an odd
little chappie, aren't you?
(CHUCKLES DRYLY)
(RAIN THRUMS)
See you soon, beagle.
Now, I need you to be a good girl.
I know I can rely on you
to do the right thing.
No more nonsense, darling.
(FERVENT OPERATIC MUSIC PLAYS)
(SINGER VOCALISES OPERATICALLY)
(SINGER CONTINUES VOCALISING)
(DOOR OPENS)
What are you doing?
I'm engaged.
Next stop - marriage.
That's your only rule, isn't it?
Married women only?
I'm not walking down the aisle
to that wretched man without
without at least once
acting on my true desire.
(TENDER MUSIC PLAYS)
(RAIN PATTERS)
SONG: Babe ♪
There's something tragic about you ♪
Something so magic about you ♪
Don't you agree? ♪
Babe ♪
There's something lonesome about you ♪
Something so wholesome about you ♪
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Get closer to me ♪
No tired sigh, no rolling eyes ♪
No irony ♪
No "who cares?" ♪
No vacant stare ♪
No time for me ♪
Honey, you're familiar ♪
Like my mirror years ago ♪
Idealism sits in prison ♪
Chivalry fell on his sword ♪
Innocence died screaming ♪
Honey, ask me ♪
I should know ♪
I slithered here from Eden ♪
Just to sit outside your door ♪
- (PANTS)
- (RAIN THRUMS)
"Let it idle. Get the revs up."
Babe ♪
There's something
wretched about this ♪
Something so precious about this ♪
Oh, what a sin ♪
- (ENGINE IDLES)
- (BREATHES HEAVILY)
To the strand ♪
A picnic planned for you and me ♪
(GASPS SOFTLY)
A rope in hand for your
other man to hang from a tree ♪
Honey, you're familiar
like my mirror years ago ♪
- Idealism sits in prison ♪
- (GRUNTS)
Chivalry fell on his sword ♪
Ah!
Innocence died screaming ♪
Honey, ask me, I should know ♪
I slithered here ♪
- From Eden ♪
- Ah!
- Just to hide outside your door ♪
- (EXHALES HEAVILY)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(LAUGHS)
Honey, you're familiar ♪
Like my mirror years ago ♪
Idealism sits in prison ♪
Chivalry fell on his sword ♪
Innocence died screaming ♪
Honey, ask me ♪
- I should know ♪
- (LAUGHS)
I slithered here from Eden ♪
- Just to hide outside ♪
- (LAUGHS)
- (PUFFS)
- Your door. ♪
Oh.
(BREATHES TREMULOUSLY)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYS)
(RAPS ON WINDOW)
Gwen?
This had better be good.
Oh, my gosh.
You're right. That That
That's a dead body.
We have to go to the police.
(WHIMPERS FAINTLY)
Gwen, clothes, please!
Now!
- Get inside.
- We were lost!
There is a corpse here, and
we're going to the authorities.
(WHIMPERS)
She said (COCKS GUN)
get inside.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYS)