Fortunes of War (1987) s01e04 Episode Script
October 1940
Yaki! Dear girl! Well What are you doing here? What are you doing on a bicycle? Oh, well, I'm working, dear girl.
I am doing my bit.
-Well, uh, may I? -Yes, please do.
Here.
It's a bit cold.
What news from Bucharest? The Germans have taken over, and Guy's still there.
Ah.
Now, you mustn't fret, dear girl, your old Yak'll find out what's what.
Yes, well, I'm working for the British Information Bureau.
Every day, they put out these news sheets positively bulging with truth.
-Is there anything about Bucharest? -Oh, I never read the stuff, I just deliver 'em.
Don't worry, dear girl.
Old Yak'll find out what he can.
-Yaki, I never thought -Oh, I know.
You never thought you'd be pleased to see me.
Yaki! It's 5:00 in the morning.
Oh! Guy! -Any news of Sasha? -No.
-Right.
-Where are you going? Report to the organisation, let them know I'm here.
Find myself a job.
I was hoping we could go to the Parthenon.
Look, the Parthenon's been there for 2,000 years.
-It can wait until tomorrow or the day after.
-So could your job.
Now, the Director is a chap called Gracey.
We might find him behind the door marked ''Director''.
Ah, splendid.
Good God! Guy? Harriet? What are you doing here, you wonderful people? Uh, an orderly retreat in the face of the advancing Hun.
Well, come in! Come in.
-In there? -Certainly.
Why not? Look who's here! When can I see Mr Gracey? He's off sick.
Done something to his back.
So, who's in control of the organisation? I suppose we are.
And how long have you been here? More or less since we came from Bucharest.
Mr Gracey's two assistants let him down, left him in the lurch, leaving us A couple of useful vacancies? He was delighted to have us.
He engaged the two of you, and then he did something to his back? Well, regardless of the state of Mr Gracey's back, is there work for me here? And did you have a look at Dubedat's mouth? Certainly not, he isn't a horse.
He's had his teeth seen to.
And he's wearing a suit and a shirt and a tie.
Well, I thought you'd approve of that.
Good solid middle class values, like shirts and ties.
That man has stolen your job.
Yes, well, that proves he's become middle class, doesn't it? -What are we doing here? -We're looking for Yakimov, he works here.
Yes.
-Yakimov? -This way.
Yes, darling.
Ah, Yaki.
Oh! Dear Pringles.
The mighty propaganda machine of the British government at work.
-And what's the news? -Well the Italians are threatening to declare war on Greece.
-Is that true? -Afraid so.
Pity.
I like the Italians.
I like the Greeks.
Well, if the Italians do invade, how long can the Greeks last? -In there, they say about 1 0 days.
-1 0 days? Apparently, the Greek army is equipped with German and Italian rifles.
So, once the bullets are all used up, there's a feeling the Germans and the Italians won't want to sell them any more.
Bit tricky for the army.
Hmm.
Now, Yaki, you told me your boss knows everybody in Athens, yes? Oh, yes, my director.
Fountainhead of wisdom and knowledge.
In there.
Come on.
Come in.
Oh, Diocletian.
Alan, this is Guy Pringle and Harriet Pringle, my beloved friends and samaritans from Bucharest.
Alan Frewen, my honoured and respected employer.
-How do you do? -Prince Yakimov's told me a great deal about you.
Well, I must return to my machine.
Oh, please, sit down.
Well, as best you can.
-Darling.
-Thank you.
Now, how can I help you? I need to speak to a man called Gracey.
-Our head of the English school? -Oh, you know him? He's a near neighbour of mine.
How's his back? Oh, I see.
This time it's his back.
-This is beautiful.
-Yes.
I couldn't leave.
What if the Italians march in? Well, I'll do the same as the Greek army.
I'll take to the hills.
Mr Gracey's palace.
Thank you, Orestes.
Would you ask cook to delay luncheon for 20 minutes? Yes, sir.
Oh, it's so nice to meet you young people.
You must tell me all about your escape from Bucharest.
Um, I flew out in an aeroplane and a few days later, Guy flew outin an aeroplane.
Intrepid.
And you worked with Inchcape? Yes, when the war started, he ran the Information Bureau -and I took over the English department.
-Ah.
What precise part did Mr Dubedat and Mr Lush play in all this? Dubedat was one of my assistants, and Lush did a little part-time teaching.
Why did you let them go? They let themselves go.
Pringle there is no hint of criticism in what I am going to say, but it was reported to me that there was a lack of seriousness in your approach to your work in Bucharest.
That's nonsense.
Wasn't it a tiny, a very tiny bit frivolous to mount a production of Troilus and Cressida when the Germans were marching on Paris? I think the Germans would have continued to march on Paris whatever I did.
Hmm.
Well, at any rate, if you want work here, I, as you can see, am totally incapacitated.
Be nice to Dubedat, that's your best plan.
Mr Gracey, there is no hint of criticism in what I'm about to say, but I do think you have a slightly distorted view of what happened in Bucharest, and I wonder, with respect, who reported to you about this? -Was it Dubedat? -Of course not.
I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company.
Pringle.
Mrs Pringle.
You know Professor Pinkrose? He's staying with me.
Ah.
They look like young Greek gods.
Well, young gods or old lads, they're all cannon fodder, come on.
-You in a hurry? -When Toby Lush invites us to lunch at Zonars, promptness is a good policy.
It might never happen again.
See, you can do it when you try.
You, um -You went to see Mr Gracey? -Yes.
What did you tell him about us? -About you and Dubedat? -Yes.
Um, simply that you'd both worked for me in Bucharest.
You didn't go into any sort of detail about, say, qualifications and so on? No.
Perhaps you could explain what's worrying you in case we see Mr Gracey again? We need to know what kind of detail we mustn't go into.
Well, when we arrived here, we needed work.
We know the feeling.
We went to Gracey, told him what we'd done in Bucharest, and we probably laid it on a bit thick.
In what way? For example, we didn't actually say we'd been to Cambridge, but we didn't actually deny it.
Where did you go, Mr Lush? Dubedat went to Reading, I think.
I didn't really go anywhere.
But suppose Mr Gracey asks you directly? Well, I shall simply tell him that I do not discuss my friends' affairs.
You're a gentleman, sir.
And you didn't tell him we'd done a bolt from Bucharest? No, certainly not.
So, let's just drink up and forget all this nonsense.
Judas trees.
You must see them in the spring.
-Is that when they flower? -They flower for Easter.
Where will we all be by next Easter? Well, I'll be here.
I saw the troops in the street.
They looked like young gods.
Ah, yes.
''They are daring beyond their power.
''They risk beyond reason.
And they never lose hope in suffering.
'' One of your translations? Thucydides.
He wrote that 2,400 years ago.
Yaki told me your office was short-staffed.
That's because he hates working the duplicator.
He gets ink on his fingers.
I don't mind ink on my fingers.
Wonderful to have you aboard the ship, dear girl.
Lightens my darkness.
Well, there's no shortage of darkness.
Greek army's almost used up all its bullets.
Oh, dear me.
I want you to be independent.
What I didn't like was that you went behind my back to do it.
You didn't even tell me of your intentions.
I tried! You were in Holy Communion with Coleridge at the time.
I had to do something.
We were running up an enormous bill at And I am unable to maintain my wife in the middle-class manner to which she's accustomed, yes.
Anyway, you'll be all right soon.
You've got shows to organise.
A few hundred people around you.
-Your own empire.
-Yes, that's true enough.
And then the money will be regular again, and you'll be able to give up your job.
Give it up? Whatever for? Well, I shall be working 24 hours a day.
I shall need you to look after me.
You don't need a wife.
You need a nanny.
-There you go, miss.
-Thank you! Good morning, Patrick.
This way.
Harriet, Yakimov, I'd like you to meet Professor Pinkrose.
He's starting work here as Director of Propaganda with the British government.
-We both know Professor Pinkrose.
- Good to know you're doing your bit.
Do you mean to say that this is the information office? Uh, yes.
-But it's a billiard room.
-Jolly good table, that one, too.
We're not here to play billiards, we're here to wage war.
And this is Charles Warden from army HQ.
Liaison officer.
Prince Yakimov, Harriet Pringle.
-How do you do? -Delighted to meet you both.
Is there a telephone? I need to complain.
Yes, this way.
Um, if you'll excuse us.
Oh, my God, are we going to have to work with that silly old tit? -Have you been to Athens before? -In peacetime, yes.
I hope to find time to pay my respects to the Parthenon.
Why is it so cheap? It belongs to some friends of Alan Frewen's that are going back to England.
-Running away.
-Yeah.
Everybody seems to think Athens will be in enemy hands by Easter.
We'd have a home of our own, three months, anyway.
Yeah.
Dobson told me a rather amusing thing about our flat in Bucharest.
Apparently, soon after I left, it was destroyed by an earthquake.
It was our first home.
Yes, we were happy there.
Now it's a heap of dust.
A poet could work wonders with that.
I think this is absolutely splendid, darling.
I should check with the estate agent about the incidence of earth tremors, and then sign the lease.
-Don't you want to sign the lease? -Oh, you're so much better at that sort of thing.
-I have a job, you know.
-You have a job, I have work.
What's happened? Oh, uh, we've been reorganised by Professor Pinkrose.
-Who are they? -Hmm? Oh, them.
They're both called Miss Twocurry.
One's Gladys and the other one's Mabel.
No one's quite sure which is which.
Friends of Pinkrose.
Been thrown out of your office? Pinkrose insisted he needed a room of his own.
Is he in there now? He's preparing a lecture on Byron.
He was supposed to give that lecture in Bucharest, and everybody forgot about him.
My personal view is that the Pinkrose lecture will never be given by popular demand.
Self-centred, pompous old tit! Professor Pinkrose is a gentleman and a scholar.
He can still be a pompous old tit.
It's practically a qualification, dear girl.
Mrs Pringle? Will you have lunch with me? I'm not sure that's a good idea.
I was hoping we might plan a visit to the Parthenon.
Still, please, still.
These are Judas trees.
They flower in time for Easter.
-You're well-informed.
-Alan Frewen told me.
Everywhere I go, I rely on the locals to tell me where I am.
You married a stranger, and ever since, you've lived among strangers.
-Well, you're living among strangers.
-I know Athens very well.
I was reading classics when the war started.
I've never studied anything.
But I can quote Thucydides.
''They are daring beyond their power ''and they risk beyond reason and they never lose hope in suffering.
'' -It's a point of view.
-Not yours? A point of view is a luxury.
I simply do as I'm told.
Like everybody else.
Do you think it's safe? It's been here 2,500 years, and I'm banking on it lasting a few more.
-Are those bombs? -Anti-aircraft guns.
What's the matter? -How are rehearsals? -Yakimov is brilliant.
Any chance we could invite some people over for lunch one Sunday? -Show off our new home before it's bombed? -Yes.
You invite anyone you like, darling.
I need to know your movements.
Oh, I see.
What, you'd like me to be here? This is our home, we're a married couple.
It's an ancient tradition.
Yes, uh, the thing is, darling, I mean, the show is in incredible demand.
I mean, everyone's demanding an encore before we've even begun.
The RAF, the Navy, the Australians.
Alan Frewen's helping me with a Greek version.
-Aren't you frightened of dying? -I'd be very angry if I died.
I've got all these shows to put on.
So I don't really think about it.
I saw them when they first left.
They looked like young Greek gods.
We all look like gods when we march into battle.
And we all look like that when we return.
I suppose the ones that return are the lucky ones.
We don't have much time, Harriet.
Thank you.
Do you think I could persuade Professor Pinkrose to recite Sam, Sam, Pick Up ThyMusket? -No.
-No, neither do I.
I suppose you want to have an affair with Charles Warden? Don't be absurd.
It might be the best thing to do.
It isn't about that.
What is it about? It's about being lonely.
But you know lots of people.
I want to know you.
Leave us alone.
Everybody tells me what a wonderful person Guy is.
Is he? I've never been able to find out.
He spends his life rehearsing.
So I'm really quite convenient.
-No.
-Inconvenient? Sometimes you're highly inconvenient.
But still, someone to keep you amused while Guy's busy.
More than that.
A friend.
A friend.
A particular friend.
A companion.
You know how it is.
I have to think of Guy.
To hell with Guy.
-You remind me of Sasha.
-Who's Sasha? A Jewish refugee we looked after in Bucharest.
Another companion? A particular friend? He used to play the mouth organ from dawn until dusk, and draw pictures on the parapet wall.
Doesn't sound at all like me.
I talked to him.
I talk to you, I never talk to Guy.
-What happened to him? -Sasha? Disappeared.
I suppose he would, being Jewish.
I shall disappear, too.
-What's that? -It's a song.
''Poor youth, how quickly it passes, ''like a love song, like a shooting star.
''And when it's gone, it never comes again.
'' Poor youth.
I've had my orders.
-Are you going to disappear? -Yes.
Are you allowed to tell me when? No, but tomorrow's our last day.
I see.
Come and have lunch at my hotel.
Is there food at your hotel? No, but my room's at the hotel.
What the devil are you doing with those swastikas? Well, I'm mounting them on the map to illustrate the political situation.
For the benefit of our readers.
Where does the Union Jack go? Well, here.
In Athens.
Do you draw any conclusions from what you see? I'd say we're in a bit of a pickle.
Should we be telling our readers this? Well, that depends on how you feel about telling the truth.
-We believe in it, don't we? -Yeah, I'm hanging on to the old bicycle.
Pedal all the way to Cairo when the balloon goes up.
I will not have defeatist talk in this office! I trust arrangements are going ahead for my Byron lecture? Slowly but steadily.
Oh Have you done anything about his Byron lecture? I'm booking the Olympic Stadium.
It's none of my business, but you should treat Lord Pinkrose with more respect.
He's scared out of his wits.
Chap's a quivering coward.
Spot him a mile off.
You two should be ashamed of yourselves.
-Should we? -A drunkard and an adulteress! Yes, well I plead guilty, dear lady, but there are extenuating circumstances.
Over-privileged childhood.
Can't speak for Harriet.
Not guilty.
But probably insane.
Which reminds me Left, left, left, right, left! Left, left, left, right, left! Sasha.
-Sasha! - What? It's Harriet.
I know.
Charles, this is Sasha.
Sasha Drucker, I told you about him.
Charles Warden.
Let's all go and have tea, then we can catch up with our lives.
The two of you must have a lot to talk about.
And I must get on with my packing.
Pleasure to meet you, Mr Drucker.
Thank you.
-Were you ill-treated? -No.
They made me sign a paper.
For the Swiss bank.
They said if I signed it, they'd let me go.
You signed your money away? -And they let you go? -Not immediately.
One day they came and let me out, and took me over the border in a car.
My uncle was waiting.
He'd paid a lot of money for my release.
Did you learn anything about your father? They said he was dead.
I'm afraid that could be true.
I hope it's true.
When they questioned you, did they say anything about me and Guy? They said, ''Look what your English friends have done to you.
'' You don't think we betrayed you? I no longer know what to think about anybody.
Thank you, sir.
German troops advancing into Salonika.
Charles! Thank you, Sergeant.
-You're going? -Obviously.
But I may not see you again.
It's too late, Harriet.
Charles is gone.
I'm sorry.
Why should you be sorry? Because it makes you unhappy.
I didn't mean to desert you.
I know.
You see Charles loved me.
I love you.
You love everyone.
That doesn't mean I love you less.
I think it does.
I hate the war.
Report on Guy Pringle.
What's that? In our opin ''Unsuited for organisation work because he has dangerous, left-wing tendencies.
'' How dare you touch that! That's a confidential report! It's a pack of lies.
Did Pinkrose give you this? Good morning, everybody.
I've arranged a date for your lecture on Byron.
-What lecture on Byron? -Yours.
I can't possibly give a lecture on Byron when the Germans are likely to march into the city any minute.
Could be a formidable last line of defence.
I want to know what plans you've made for my evacuation.
Well, the truth is none at all.
I haven't been asked.
And I would like to know what right you have to tell lies about my husband.
Those are confidential notes! The organisation does not permit confidential reports.
If you write a report on Guy's work, you're required to show it to him, he's supposed to sign it! Required? I am the Director! I'm not required to do anything! I'm taking these for Guy to read.
-I insist you return those notes to me.
-No! -Do you defy me? -Yes.
-Sauce! -Well-played, dear girl! Consider yourself dismissed, Mrs Pringle.
So, uh, do I take it, Professor Pinkrose, that you don't intend to give a lecture on Byron? No one has a greater love and admiration for the works of Lord Byron than I, but If you love him so much, why don't you go to Missolonghi and die! Well, it seems I have to consider myself dismissed as well, dear girl.
-I think it's a technicality.
-Hm? I get the feeling we're all about to run away.
I get the feeling that we need a drink.
-Telephone's ringing, sir.
-Right, I'll take it.
Hello? Ah, Guy, you got my message, yes.
It's Corinthian Hotel, one suitcase each.
What? I've no idea what happens next.
Bye! -Ah.
Have you seen Mr And Mrs Pringle? -Over there.
-Prince Yakimov found the bar.
-Thank you.
-Dobson of the Legation.
-Yes, sir.
Well, what news from the battlefield, dear boy? We've been ordered to leave within 24 hours.
So where do we go, and how? They're trying to find the ship that hasn't been destroyed.
Thank you.
I, uh I might, uh, get a lift to India.
Very dear friend of mine, India.
Maharajah, as a matter of fact.
He once suggested I should go out there and look after his elephants.
Well, it might be a career.
Interesting animals, I'm told.
Large.
Lots of work, tidying up after 'em.
I hate the blackout.
Alone in the darkness with the sounds of battle.
I once camped overnight on the battlefield at Marathon, and I was woken up by the sounds of battle.
Swords striking against shields.
Terror and anguish impressing themselves on the land, so that they echo down the ages.
Yes.
Yes, this old coat could tell a few stories, too.
Czar gave it quite a bit of wear before he passed it on to me dear old dad.
Three generations.
Where's your suitcase? I told you.
I shall take to the hills.
More to the point, where are Pinkrose, Lush and Dubedat? Probably been wafted to Cairo on a current of their own hot air.
I think I'll take a turn on the terrace.
There's an air raid on.
Oh, dear boy, do I look like a military objective? Do you Do you hear it? The sound of swords and shields? I hear it all the time.
-What's troubling the poor fellow? -Put the light out.
What? -Put it out, or he'll fire.
-A chap's entitled to a smoke.
Dear boy I think he's dead.
-Is he wearing his coat? -Yes, he's wearing his coat.
Thank you.
Right, left! That's it.
Shall we go? -What is this? -It's a fish lorry.
-Another of your friends? -Yes.
Ugh.
Did we order fish? Left, right, left, right, left, right You're going the wrong bloody way! Get that bloody thing off! Look, Mike, a cabin! -Is this sufficiently luxurious for you? -Perfect.
We were keeping this compartment to ourselves! You were keeping the entire ship for yourselves! And now it's officially requisitioned.
-It had nothing to do with us.
-Pinkrose and Gracey made all the arrangements.
They chartered the ship.
We were just making up the numbers.
In that case, you won't object to giving up your cabin to a lady.
-Why is everyone so quiet? -Submarine.
-What are you reading? -John Donne.
You're wonderful.
Everybody's wonderful.
''Death, be not proud, though some have called thee ''Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so, ''For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, ''Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
''From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, ''Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow, ''And soonest our best men with thee doe goe, ''Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
''Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men, ''And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell, ''And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well, ''And better then thy stroake; ''why swell'st thou then'' ''One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally, ''And death shall be no more; ''death, ''thou shalt die.
'' Welcome in Egypt.
Welcome.
Give me your bag.
I am doing my bit.
-Well, uh, may I? -Yes, please do.
Here.
It's a bit cold.
What news from Bucharest? The Germans have taken over, and Guy's still there.
Ah.
Now, you mustn't fret, dear girl, your old Yak'll find out what's what.
Yes, well, I'm working for the British Information Bureau.
Every day, they put out these news sheets positively bulging with truth.
-Is there anything about Bucharest? -Oh, I never read the stuff, I just deliver 'em.
Don't worry, dear girl.
Old Yak'll find out what he can.
-Yaki, I never thought -Oh, I know.
You never thought you'd be pleased to see me.
Yaki! It's 5:00 in the morning.
Oh! Guy! -Any news of Sasha? -No.
-Right.
-Where are you going? Report to the organisation, let them know I'm here.
Find myself a job.
I was hoping we could go to the Parthenon.
Look, the Parthenon's been there for 2,000 years.
-It can wait until tomorrow or the day after.
-So could your job.
Now, the Director is a chap called Gracey.
We might find him behind the door marked ''Director''.
Ah, splendid.
Good God! Guy? Harriet? What are you doing here, you wonderful people? Uh, an orderly retreat in the face of the advancing Hun.
Well, come in! Come in.
-In there? -Certainly.
Why not? Look who's here! When can I see Mr Gracey? He's off sick.
Done something to his back.
So, who's in control of the organisation? I suppose we are.
And how long have you been here? More or less since we came from Bucharest.
Mr Gracey's two assistants let him down, left him in the lurch, leaving us A couple of useful vacancies? He was delighted to have us.
He engaged the two of you, and then he did something to his back? Well, regardless of the state of Mr Gracey's back, is there work for me here? And did you have a look at Dubedat's mouth? Certainly not, he isn't a horse.
He's had his teeth seen to.
And he's wearing a suit and a shirt and a tie.
Well, I thought you'd approve of that.
Good solid middle class values, like shirts and ties.
That man has stolen your job.
Yes, well, that proves he's become middle class, doesn't it? -What are we doing here? -We're looking for Yakimov, he works here.
Yes.
-Yakimov? -This way.
Yes, darling.
Ah, Yaki.
Oh! Dear Pringles.
The mighty propaganda machine of the British government at work.
-And what's the news? -Well the Italians are threatening to declare war on Greece.
-Is that true? -Afraid so.
Pity.
I like the Italians.
I like the Greeks.
Well, if the Italians do invade, how long can the Greeks last? -In there, they say about 1 0 days.
-1 0 days? Apparently, the Greek army is equipped with German and Italian rifles.
So, once the bullets are all used up, there's a feeling the Germans and the Italians won't want to sell them any more.
Bit tricky for the army.
Hmm.
Now, Yaki, you told me your boss knows everybody in Athens, yes? Oh, yes, my director.
Fountainhead of wisdom and knowledge.
In there.
Come on.
Come in.
Oh, Diocletian.
Alan, this is Guy Pringle and Harriet Pringle, my beloved friends and samaritans from Bucharest.
Alan Frewen, my honoured and respected employer.
-How do you do? -Prince Yakimov's told me a great deal about you.
Well, I must return to my machine.
Oh, please, sit down.
Well, as best you can.
-Darling.
-Thank you.
Now, how can I help you? I need to speak to a man called Gracey.
-Our head of the English school? -Oh, you know him? He's a near neighbour of mine.
How's his back? Oh, I see.
This time it's his back.
-This is beautiful.
-Yes.
I couldn't leave.
What if the Italians march in? Well, I'll do the same as the Greek army.
I'll take to the hills.
Mr Gracey's palace.
Thank you, Orestes.
Would you ask cook to delay luncheon for 20 minutes? Yes, sir.
Oh, it's so nice to meet you young people.
You must tell me all about your escape from Bucharest.
Um, I flew out in an aeroplane and a few days later, Guy flew outin an aeroplane.
Intrepid.
And you worked with Inchcape? Yes, when the war started, he ran the Information Bureau -and I took over the English department.
-Ah.
What precise part did Mr Dubedat and Mr Lush play in all this? Dubedat was one of my assistants, and Lush did a little part-time teaching.
Why did you let them go? They let themselves go.
Pringle there is no hint of criticism in what I am going to say, but it was reported to me that there was a lack of seriousness in your approach to your work in Bucharest.
That's nonsense.
Wasn't it a tiny, a very tiny bit frivolous to mount a production of Troilus and Cressida when the Germans were marching on Paris? I think the Germans would have continued to march on Paris whatever I did.
Hmm.
Well, at any rate, if you want work here, I, as you can see, am totally incapacitated.
Be nice to Dubedat, that's your best plan.
Mr Gracey, there is no hint of criticism in what I'm about to say, but I do think you have a slightly distorted view of what happened in Bucharest, and I wonder, with respect, who reported to you about this? -Was it Dubedat? -Of course not.
I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company.
Pringle.
Mrs Pringle.
You know Professor Pinkrose? He's staying with me.
Ah.
They look like young Greek gods.
Well, young gods or old lads, they're all cannon fodder, come on.
-You in a hurry? -When Toby Lush invites us to lunch at Zonars, promptness is a good policy.
It might never happen again.
See, you can do it when you try.
You, um -You went to see Mr Gracey? -Yes.
What did you tell him about us? -About you and Dubedat? -Yes.
Um, simply that you'd both worked for me in Bucharest.
You didn't go into any sort of detail about, say, qualifications and so on? No.
Perhaps you could explain what's worrying you in case we see Mr Gracey again? We need to know what kind of detail we mustn't go into.
Well, when we arrived here, we needed work.
We know the feeling.
We went to Gracey, told him what we'd done in Bucharest, and we probably laid it on a bit thick.
In what way? For example, we didn't actually say we'd been to Cambridge, but we didn't actually deny it.
Where did you go, Mr Lush? Dubedat went to Reading, I think.
I didn't really go anywhere.
But suppose Mr Gracey asks you directly? Well, I shall simply tell him that I do not discuss my friends' affairs.
You're a gentleman, sir.
And you didn't tell him we'd done a bolt from Bucharest? No, certainly not.
So, let's just drink up and forget all this nonsense.
Judas trees.
You must see them in the spring.
-Is that when they flower? -They flower for Easter.
Where will we all be by next Easter? Well, I'll be here.
I saw the troops in the street.
They looked like young gods.
Ah, yes.
''They are daring beyond their power.
''They risk beyond reason.
And they never lose hope in suffering.
'' One of your translations? Thucydides.
He wrote that 2,400 years ago.
Yaki told me your office was short-staffed.
That's because he hates working the duplicator.
He gets ink on his fingers.
I don't mind ink on my fingers.
Wonderful to have you aboard the ship, dear girl.
Lightens my darkness.
Well, there's no shortage of darkness.
Greek army's almost used up all its bullets.
Oh, dear me.
I want you to be independent.
What I didn't like was that you went behind my back to do it.
You didn't even tell me of your intentions.
I tried! You were in Holy Communion with Coleridge at the time.
I had to do something.
We were running up an enormous bill at And I am unable to maintain my wife in the middle-class manner to which she's accustomed, yes.
Anyway, you'll be all right soon.
You've got shows to organise.
A few hundred people around you.
-Your own empire.
-Yes, that's true enough.
And then the money will be regular again, and you'll be able to give up your job.
Give it up? Whatever for? Well, I shall be working 24 hours a day.
I shall need you to look after me.
You don't need a wife.
You need a nanny.
-There you go, miss.
-Thank you! Good morning, Patrick.
This way.
Harriet, Yakimov, I'd like you to meet Professor Pinkrose.
He's starting work here as Director of Propaganda with the British government.
-We both know Professor Pinkrose.
- Good to know you're doing your bit.
Do you mean to say that this is the information office? Uh, yes.
-But it's a billiard room.
-Jolly good table, that one, too.
We're not here to play billiards, we're here to wage war.
And this is Charles Warden from army HQ.
Liaison officer.
Prince Yakimov, Harriet Pringle.
-How do you do? -Delighted to meet you both.
Is there a telephone? I need to complain.
Yes, this way.
Um, if you'll excuse us.
Oh, my God, are we going to have to work with that silly old tit? -Have you been to Athens before? -In peacetime, yes.
I hope to find time to pay my respects to the Parthenon.
Why is it so cheap? It belongs to some friends of Alan Frewen's that are going back to England.
-Running away.
-Yeah.
Everybody seems to think Athens will be in enemy hands by Easter.
We'd have a home of our own, three months, anyway.
Yeah.
Dobson told me a rather amusing thing about our flat in Bucharest.
Apparently, soon after I left, it was destroyed by an earthquake.
It was our first home.
Yes, we were happy there.
Now it's a heap of dust.
A poet could work wonders with that.
I think this is absolutely splendid, darling.
I should check with the estate agent about the incidence of earth tremors, and then sign the lease.
-Don't you want to sign the lease? -Oh, you're so much better at that sort of thing.
-I have a job, you know.
-You have a job, I have work.
What's happened? Oh, uh, we've been reorganised by Professor Pinkrose.
-Who are they? -Hmm? Oh, them.
They're both called Miss Twocurry.
One's Gladys and the other one's Mabel.
No one's quite sure which is which.
Friends of Pinkrose.
Been thrown out of your office? Pinkrose insisted he needed a room of his own.
Is he in there now? He's preparing a lecture on Byron.
He was supposed to give that lecture in Bucharest, and everybody forgot about him.
My personal view is that the Pinkrose lecture will never be given by popular demand.
Self-centred, pompous old tit! Professor Pinkrose is a gentleman and a scholar.
He can still be a pompous old tit.
It's practically a qualification, dear girl.
Mrs Pringle? Will you have lunch with me? I'm not sure that's a good idea.
I was hoping we might plan a visit to the Parthenon.
Still, please, still.
These are Judas trees.
They flower in time for Easter.
-You're well-informed.
-Alan Frewen told me.
Everywhere I go, I rely on the locals to tell me where I am.
You married a stranger, and ever since, you've lived among strangers.
-Well, you're living among strangers.
-I know Athens very well.
I was reading classics when the war started.
I've never studied anything.
But I can quote Thucydides.
''They are daring beyond their power ''and they risk beyond reason and they never lose hope in suffering.
'' -It's a point of view.
-Not yours? A point of view is a luxury.
I simply do as I'm told.
Like everybody else.
Do you think it's safe? It's been here 2,500 years, and I'm banking on it lasting a few more.
-Are those bombs? -Anti-aircraft guns.
What's the matter? -How are rehearsals? -Yakimov is brilliant.
Any chance we could invite some people over for lunch one Sunday? -Show off our new home before it's bombed? -Yes.
You invite anyone you like, darling.
I need to know your movements.
Oh, I see.
What, you'd like me to be here? This is our home, we're a married couple.
It's an ancient tradition.
Yes, uh, the thing is, darling, I mean, the show is in incredible demand.
I mean, everyone's demanding an encore before we've even begun.
The RAF, the Navy, the Australians.
Alan Frewen's helping me with a Greek version.
-Aren't you frightened of dying? -I'd be very angry if I died.
I've got all these shows to put on.
So I don't really think about it.
I saw them when they first left.
They looked like young Greek gods.
We all look like gods when we march into battle.
And we all look like that when we return.
I suppose the ones that return are the lucky ones.
We don't have much time, Harriet.
Thank you.
Do you think I could persuade Professor Pinkrose to recite Sam, Sam, Pick Up ThyMusket? -No.
-No, neither do I.
I suppose you want to have an affair with Charles Warden? Don't be absurd.
It might be the best thing to do.
It isn't about that.
What is it about? It's about being lonely.
But you know lots of people.
I want to know you.
Leave us alone.
Everybody tells me what a wonderful person Guy is.
Is he? I've never been able to find out.
He spends his life rehearsing.
So I'm really quite convenient.
-No.
-Inconvenient? Sometimes you're highly inconvenient.
But still, someone to keep you amused while Guy's busy.
More than that.
A friend.
A friend.
A particular friend.
A companion.
You know how it is.
I have to think of Guy.
To hell with Guy.
-You remind me of Sasha.
-Who's Sasha? A Jewish refugee we looked after in Bucharest.
Another companion? A particular friend? He used to play the mouth organ from dawn until dusk, and draw pictures on the parapet wall.
Doesn't sound at all like me.
I talked to him.
I talk to you, I never talk to Guy.
-What happened to him? -Sasha? Disappeared.
I suppose he would, being Jewish.
I shall disappear, too.
-What's that? -It's a song.
''Poor youth, how quickly it passes, ''like a love song, like a shooting star.
''And when it's gone, it never comes again.
'' Poor youth.
I've had my orders.
-Are you going to disappear? -Yes.
Are you allowed to tell me when? No, but tomorrow's our last day.
I see.
Come and have lunch at my hotel.
Is there food at your hotel? No, but my room's at the hotel.
What the devil are you doing with those swastikas? Well, I'm mounting them on the map to illustrate the political situation.
For the benefit of our readers.
Where does the Union Jack go? Well, here.
In Athens.
Do you draw any conclusions from what you see? I'd say we're in a bit of a pickle.
Should we be telling our readers this? Well, that depends on how you feel about telling the truth.
-We believe in it, don't we? -Yeah, I'm hanging on to the old bicycle.
Pedal all the way to Cairo when the balloon goes up.
I will not have defeatist talk in this office! I trust arrangements are going ahead for my Byron lecture? Slowly but steadily.
Oh Have you done anything about his Byron lecture? I'm booking the Olympic Stadium.
It's none of my business, but you should treat Lord Pinkrose with more respect.
He's scared out of his wits.
Chap's a quivering coward.
Spot him a mile off.
You two should be ashamed of yourselves.
-Should we? -A drunkard and an adulteress! Yes, well I plead guilty, dear lady, but there are extenuating circumstances.
Over-privileged childhood.
Can't speak for Harriet.
Not guilty.
But probably insane.
Which reminds me Left, left, left, right, left! Left, left, left, right, left! Sasha.
-Sasha! - What? It's Harriet.
I know.
Charles, this is Sasha.
Sasha Drucker, I told you about him.
Charles Warden.
Let's all go and have tea, then we can catch up with our lives.
The two of you must have a lot to talk about.
And I must get on with my packing.
Pleasure to meet you, Mr Drucker.
Thank you.
-Were you ill-treated? -No.
They made me sign a paper.
For the Swiss bank.
They said if I signed it, they'd let me go.
You signed your money away? -And they let you go? -Not immediately.
One day they came and let me out, and took me over the border in a car.
My uncle was waiting.
He'd paid a lot of money for my release.
Did you learn anything about your father? They said he was dead.
I'm afraid that could be true.
I hope it's true.
When they questioned you, did they say anything about me and Guy? They said, ''Look what your English friends have done to you.
'' You don't think we betrayed you? I no longer know what to think about anybody.
Thank you, sir.
German troops advancing into Salonika.
Charles! Thank you, Sergeant.
-You're going? -Obviously.
But I may not see you again.
It's too late, Harriet.
Charles is gone.
I'm sorry.
Why should you be sorry? Because it makes you unhappy.
I didn't mean to desert you.
I know.
You see Charles loved me.
I love you.
You love everyone.
That doesn't mean I love you less.
I think it does.
I hate the war.
Report on Guy Pringle.
What's that? In our opin ''Unsuited for organisation work because he has dangerous, left-wing tendencies.
'' How dare you touch that! That's a confidential report! It's a pack of lies.
Did Pinkrose give you this? Good morning, everybody.
I've arranged a date for your lecture on Byron.
-What lecture on Byron? -Yours.
I can't possibly give a lecture on Byron when the Germans are likely to march into the city any minute.
Could be a formidable last line of defence.
I want to know what plans you've made for my evacuation.
Well, the truth is none at all.
I haven't been asked.
And I would like to know what right you have to tell lies about my husband.
Those are confidential notes! The organisation does not permit confidential reports.
If you write a report on Guy's work, you're required to show it to him, he's supposed to sign it! Required? I am the Director! I'm not required to do anything! I'm taking these for Guy to read.
-I insist you return those notes to me.
-No! -Do you defy me? -Yes.
-Sauce! -Well-played, dear girl! Consider yourself dismissed, Mrs Pringle.
So, uh, do I take it, Professor Pinkrose, that you don't intend to give a lecture on Byron? No one has a greater love and admiration for the works of Lord Byron than I, but If you love him so much, why don't you go to Missolonghi and die! Well, it seems I have to consider myself dismissed as well, dear girl.
-I think it's a technicality.
-Hm? I get the feeling we're all about to run away.
I get the feeling that we need a drink.
-Telephone's ringing, sir.
-Right, I'll take it.
Hello? Ah, Guy, you got my message, yes.
It's Corinthian Hotel, one suitcase each.
What? I've no idea what happens next.
Bye! -Ah.
Have you seen Mr And Mrs Pringle? -Over there.
-Prince Yakimov found the bar.
-Thank you.
-Dobson of the Legation.
-Yes, sir.
Well, what news from the battlefield, dear boy? We've been ordered to leave within 24 hours.
So where do we go, and how? They're trying to find the ship that hasn't been destroyed.
Thank you.
I, uh I might, uh, get a lift to India.
Very dear friend of mine, India.
Maharajah, as a matter of fact.
He once suggested I should go out there and look after his elephants.
Well, it might be a career.
Interesting animals, I'm told.
Large.
Lots of work, tidying up after 'em.
I hate the blackout.
Alone in the darkness with the sounds of battle.
I once camped overnight on the battlefield at Marathon, and I was woken up by the sounds of battle.
Swords striking against shields.
Terror and anguish impressing themselves on the land, so that they echo down the ages.
Yes.
Yes, this old coat could tell a few stories, too.
Czar gave it quite a bit of wear before he passed it on to me dear old dad.
Three generations.
Where's your suitcase? I told you.
I shall take to the hills.
More to the point, where are Pinkrose, Lush and Dubedat? Probably been wafted to Cairo on a current of their own hot air.
I think I'll take a turn on the terrace.
There's an air raid on.
Oh, dear boy, do I look like a military objective? Do you Do you hear it? The sound of swords and shields? I hear it all the time.
-What's troubling the poor fellow? -Put the light out.
What? -Put it out, or he'll fire.
-A chap's entitled to a smoke.
Dear boy I think he's dead.
-Is he wearing his coat? -Yes, he's wearing his coat.
Thank you.
Right, left! That's it.
Shall we go? -What is this? -It's a fish lorry.
-Another of your friends? -Yes.
Ugh.
Did we order fish? Left, right, left, right, left, right You're going the wrong bloody way! Get that bloody thing off! Look, Mike, a cabin! -Is this sufficiently luxurious for you? -Perfect.
We were keeping this compartment to ourselves! You were keeping the entire ship for yourselves! And now it's officially requisitioned.
-It had nothing to do with us.
-Pinkrose and Gracey made all the arrangements.
They chartered the ship.
We were just making up the numbers.
In that case, you won't object to giving up your cabin to a lady.
-Why is everyone so quiet? -Submarine.
-What are you reading? -John Donne.
You're wonderful.
Everybody's wonderful.
''Death, be not proud, though some have called thee ''Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so, ''For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, ''Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
''From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, ''Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow, ''And soonest our best men with thee doe goe, ''Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
''Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men, ''And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell, ''And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well, ''And better then thy stroake; ''why swell'st thou then'' ''One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally, ''And death shall be no more; ''death, ''thou shalt die.
'' Welcome in Egypt.
Welcome.
Give me your bag.