Patrick Melrose (2018) s01e05 Episode Script
At Last
1 [RAZOR SCRAPING.]
[SCRAPING CONTINUES.]
[CLANKING.]
[SCRAPING.]
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[DULL ROAR OF TRAFFIC OUTSIDE.]
[EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[FUNERAL DIRECTOR.]
Mourners are arriving, sir.
Fine.
Let's begin.
I want you to kill me.
[WOMAN.]
Hello, Directory Enquiries? Yes, I'd like a number for an organization, please.
It's called the the Voluntary Euthanasia Society.
I'm sorry, you'll have to speak up.
The Voluntary Euthanasia Society.
[MAN.]
I'm sorry, Mr.
Melrose, we can't help.
We're a campaign group.
- It's about changing the law.
- Really? But I mean Voluntary Euthanasia, it sounds so hopeful.
[WOMAN.]
Directory Enquiries, how can I help you? Er yes, I'd like an international number, please, Switzerland.
Dignitas.
- And what kind of organization are they? - [KNOCKING.]
- What what does it do? - Well, they I'll spell it for you.
Suicide stems from a disease: a disease we now call depression.
And that's what we should be treating.
She can't move or speak or control herself.
Depression isn't a disease, it's an entirely reasonable response.
Quite frankly, it's cheerfulness that would take some explaining.
When people are depressed we give them anti-depressants.
She's on them! They gave a certain enthusiasm for her loathing of life.
That's when she asked me to kill her.
Do you know? It can be a great privilege to work with the dying.
I don't think she's gonna start working with the dying, do you? And if you mean it's your great privilege, it's her quality of life I'm concerned with.
I I want Swiss-land.
That's what we're looking into.
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES.]
Doctor Fenelon is here.
Do you remember, our family doctor? Hello, Eleanor.
So, I'm going to take a look at you and ask a few questions.
Please don't tell him that my mother was a duchess.
I won't breathe a word.
[MARY.]
"I can hardly move.
I am bedridden and incontinent and feel uninterrupted anguish at my own uselessness.
There is no prospect of improvement and I can already feel my faculties betraying me.
I do not look on death with fear, but with longing.
Please help me to escape the daily torture of my existence.
Yours sincerely.
" Do you think that's fair? Is that a fair description? Yes.
Do you want to sign it? Sign.
Thank you so much for doing all of this.
It's really not your responsibility anymore.
You're welcome.
- So - An orphan at last! It's what I always dreamed of.
After all this time, I feel complete.
[CHUCKLES.]
I hope that's not your speech.
Ah, well, my speech Because it is printed in the order of service.
I know.
- I can't do that for you.
- I wouldn't ask you to.
So you've written one? I thought it'd probably be better to improvise, speak from the heart.
- Is that a good idea? - With my heart? There'll probably be a stampede for the exit.
Surprised to see me? I've become rather a memorial creeper.
One's bound to at my age.
It's no use sitting at home, guffawing over the mistakes of ignorant obituarists.
Thank you.
No, one has to celebrate the life! "There goes the school tart.
They say he had a good war, but I know better!" [CHUCKLES.]
Of course I'm not saying it's not all very moving.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- Thinly attended.
Are those your mother's religious friends? What color would you call that? Aubergine? Forgive me, Nicholas, I really must talk to Try not to be bitter about the money.
One or two of my friends who've made a mess of that side of things have ended up dying in National Health wards, and I must say I've been very impressed by the humanity of the mainly foreign staff.
Mind you, what else is there to do with money, but spend it when you have it and be bitter when you don't? I suppose what I'm saying is: do be bitter about the money.
After all, what is it now, six generations with every single descendant essentially idle? It must be rather thrilling for you and your children, after such a long exemption from competition, - to get really stuck in! - Goodbye, Nicholas.
And you mustn't feel guilty about feeling pleased.
If ever there was a merciful release, it was in the case of your poor mother.
Eleanor, it's time to go.
The flight leaves at three.
Do nothing.
Noth [MARY.]
What was that? Do nothing.
No go.
You mean you've changed your mind? No Swiss-land.
I'm entitled to feel a little ambiguous about this, don't you think? I mean, she asked me to organize this, - the doctors, the letter of consent - I know.
manipulated me, turned her death into this passion project, and now she changes her mind.
She's frightened.
She doesn't want to do it herself.
She wants someone else to do it for her.
Oh, believe me, I'm sorely tempted.
Why isn't there a bar in this place? It would make a fortune.
- Come Come and talk to her.
- What's the point? If she ever had anything meaningful to say to me, it's too late now.
[CLINKING.]
[BOTTLES CLINKING.]
[KEYS CLATTER.]
[RUSTLING.]
[TRAIN RATTLES PAST.]
Were you thinking about Eleanor? Annette.
We met in France, remember? Yes.
I hope you're enjoying my family home.
Oh, we are! Seamus sends his love.
- Oh, he's in your old bedroom now! - Oh.
He really wanted to be here but he's still writing his book.
How are you taking all this? I was thinking how life is just the history of things we pay attention to.
The rest is just packaging.
Maya Angelou says the meaning of life is the impact we have on other people, whether we make them feel good or not.
Eleanor always made people feel good.
- I might put that in my speech.
- You should! My gift to you.
I tell you who loves Maya Angelou, is that old man over there, with the stick.
Do tell him.
His name's Nick.
Will do! Hello! You must be Nick.
Patrick, of all the days to have a funeral! It's Prince Charles' wedding! Well, feel free to pop down with your cardboard periscope and a plastic Union Jack if you think it'd be more entertaining.
- [SIGHS.]
- Alright? Lovely venue.
Yes, I'm thinking of getting cremated here myself.
- Well, no need to rush.
- I was going to wait until I die.
Hm.
How are you bearing up? Weirdly elated.
I think my mother's death is the best thing to have happened to me since, well, my father's death.
I'm sure it's a little more complicated than that.
- You're the psychiatrist.
- Psychotherapist.
Oh, whatever.
[NICHOLAS.]
What utter, utter nonsense.
- Stand by the furnace - Oh, Christ, Nicholas Pratt.
these words.
"Goodbye, old thing.
One of us was bound to die first and I'm delighted it was you!" That's my spiritual practice and you're welcome to put it in your hilarious "spiritual tool box".
Isn't he hysterical? [CHUCKLES.]
What he doesn't realize is that we live in a loving universe, and it loves you too, Nick! My dear, I never thought I'd be so pleased to see you! Nicholas, who are these peculiar people? And why are they here? Zealots, Moonies, witch doctors.
Avoid eye contact, stick close to me and we may live to tell the tale.
Well, who is he? He wouldn't be anybody if he wasn't my daughter's psychoanalyst.
As it is, he's a fiend! We can start when you're ready, sir.
- Ten minutes.
- Ten minutes? Well, there are people still arriving! [SIGHS.]
Just in time.
We're about to kick off, if that's the Er phrase I'm looking for.
Hm.
It's not.
- It's been a long time.
- Almost a year.
Is it true you've given up drinking again? Yes, that's all over.
Congratulations.
It must be hard just now.
Not at all.
A crisis demands a hero.
The ambush happens when things are going well.
- Or so I'm told.
- Still not given up irony, then? Hardest addiction of all.
Forget heroin, that need to mean two things at once I'm having enough trouble wearing nicotine patches and smoking at the same time.
Don't take my irony, leave me with a little sarcasm! Sarcasm doesn't count.
That only means one thing.
Quality freak.
We'd better go inside.
Apparently the corpses are piling up.
Very exciting.
Who's on the bill? I've no idea.
- Mary's organized it.
- Adorable.
More like a mother than your own mother, really.
She was, until she had her own children and that rather blew my cover.
Still, real or not real, I have to burn the remains of the only mother I'll ever have.
It's good to see you again.
I wasn't sure I would.
[JULIA SIGHS.]
[INHALES.]
[EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[SIREN WAILS.]
You're not really gonna live here, are you? I'm trying to think of it as my bachelor pad.
It's the kind of place people come to kill themselves.
Yes.
The thought had crossed my mind.
Don't! Be serious.
Christ, it's all so bleak! But, I'm sorry, squalor is not an aphrodisiac, not at our age.
I can't come here again.
[GULPS.]
No, I don't think you should.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION FROM OTHER ROOM.]
- [BOOK THUDS.]
- [CONVERSATION CONTINUES.]
[CLATTERING.]
[MARY.]
Robert? What are you doing in there? Hello.
Ssh-ssh.
I didn't hear you.
Come here.
[DOOR CREAKS.]
- What's going on? - I'm picking up a few things.
How are you? Robert, will you take Thomas upstairs, please? But we haven't seen each other.
Robert, how are you? Are you well? How's school? Where is Thomas? Now, please.
I'll come up and say goodbye.
Just a few bits and bobs, if that's alright.
You know.
Just a few family heirlooms to brighten up the bachelor pad Fine, take what you want.
And you can go back to your flat.
Pass out there.
But I don't want the children to see you in this state.
[SMASHING AND CLATTERING.]
Oops! Don't worry about the lamp, I'll buy you a new bloody lamp.
- [GROANS.]
- Leave it and go home! Home! How sweet of you to think of it as my home! I am not in the happy position of having a home.
[MARY.]
Christ, this is hell! This is like being in hell! You.
You of all people, should know this is intolerable! You know? "The service is intolerable, the noise is intolerable.
" Well, this this is fucking intolerable! I am not Eleanor and I will not stand by and watch this disgusting, pitiful spectacle of you destroying yourself.
And I certainly won't let the boys watch it, either.
It's too much.
And it's gone on for too long.
If you really are determined to drink yourself to death, now you have a flat to go and do it in.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
[KEY IN LOCK.]
[BOTTLES CLINKING.]
[CLINKING.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[ROBERT.]
Daddy? [GRUNTS.]
[GROANS AND SHIVERS.]
[GROANS.]
[MUMBLES.]
- [GRUNTS.]
- [RUSTLING.]
[GROANS.]
[FEMALE DOCTOR.]
You're undergoing delirium tremens.
Do you know what that is, Mr.
Melrose? It rings a bell.
Then you'll know what to expect.
Shaking, sweating.
There may be some hallucinations.
We'll get you something to stabilize your heart, - stop you having seizures.
- [GROANS.]
- I'm going to die.
- You are not going to die.
I don't mind.
I want to die.
I want to die, I want to die.
I want to die.
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[BREATHES ERRATICALLY.]
When I die I want you to dress me in straight-lace shoes A box-back coat and a Stetson hat Put a twenty-dollar gold piece on my watch chain Oh, Christ.
It's the Spiritual Tool Box.
[SONG FADES.]
What a great choice for Eleanor.
And a fitting reminder, too, of her incredibly strong connection with the African-American people.
All of you will have known Eleanor here today and if my Eleanor is not yours then, all I can say is let her in.
- Let her in.
- [SNIGGERING.]
I first met Eleanor when a group of us from the Dublin Women's Healing Drum Circle traveled down to her wonderful house in Provence, which many of you know well.
When we arrived we saw her sitting on the wall of the terrace, hands tucked under her thighs, looking for all the world like a lonely young child, dreaming of the future.
Soon she had flung wide her arms to welcome us, but I never forgot that first impression of her child-like innocence [SOMBER MUSIC.]
[ELEANOR.]
I can never forget he's David's son.
Does he remind you of him? In flashes when he's angry or sarcastic.
Which thankfully is less often now.
- [PATRICK CALLS OUT.]
- Hm.
Does he talk to you about him? I don't think his father haunts him the way he once did.
"Haunts".
- [ROBERT CRIES OUT.]
- [PATRICK.]
I'm gonna catch you.
May I show you something, in private? I get an awful lot of letters, usually people asking for a helping hand.
And I give it if I can, but this is something different.
She stayed here as a child.
She seems deeply damaged.
Yes.
I mean, clearly she's a very unhappy woman, the alcohol, the depression.
But, honestly, to lay this at my door.
- Do you remember her? - Of course! The family were charming.
She was a bright and happy little girl.
David could be harsh, but the children were always safe.
He was better with children, playful even, as long as they weren't too noisy.
[EXHALES.]
[SCOFFS.]
All I know is the family seemed very happy.
They They told me they'd had a lovely time.
She says your husband interfered with her.
But how could he? I mean, it was inconceivable, literally, inconceivable.
- No suspicions? - No.
No signs? None at all.
And that's what makes me so angry.
"I forgive you.
" She forgives me for not protecting her, but how could I? From what? I mean, this is behavior I didn't even know existed.
- [PATRICK.]
Here we go.
- [ROBERT LAUGHS.]
You mustn't mention a word of this.
It will only unsettle him all this talk of blame and forgiveness.
I know what a tyrant his father could be, but I did my best.
My very, very best to protect our son.
Are you awake? The things you told me, when we met.
About your father.
- What's brought this on? - We have to talk about them again.
Well, I don't think I have anything further to add so I think you should tell your mother.
- [INHALES SHARPLY.]
- I'm sorry, I know it's hard.
I know you don't want to.
- Well, why then? - Because She can't keep hiding.
[MARY.]
"When I was a child I spake as a child.
I understood as a child.
When I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now I see through a glass, darkly.
But then, face to face, now I know in part" Christ, not this old chestnut.
Who's on next? - Patrick.
- ".
.
and now abideth faith, hope, love, these three.
But the greatest of these is love.
[EXHALES.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[PATRICK.]
Lovely spot.
[ELEANOR.]
It is.
- Mind if I join? - Please.
[PATRICK EXHALES.]
I've been trying out different combinations of words, and none of them are right, so perhaps if I don't think too much and just come out with it.
When we were here when I was a child, and we used to come here and for some years afterwards Father used he used to rape me.
Me too.
Me too.
[RAGGED BREATHS.]
Er I I haven't prepared a speech.
As you'll see.
Erm A lot has been said today about my mother's innocence, and how child-like she [EXHALES HEAVILY.]
All I know is that when I was a child when my father was [TEARFULLY.]
Why didn't she Why Why couldn't Why couldn't she [BREATHING HEAVILY.]
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I can't I can't do this I can't! [SHOCKED MURMURING.]
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES.]
[PIANO MUSIC.]
[CIGARETTE LIGHTER CLICKING.]
I swear, if I hear one more person telling me how innocent she was She might not have been, - but even so it's an emotional time - Please, Mary, no.
No, no, no.
Stop! This is not grief or mourning.
This is rage, my heart is racing with it.
She knew! She must have known.
Surely she must have, even subconsciously.
She knew what he was like and yet she failed to do the one thing she was obliged to do, to protect her son! Christ knows, I've been a fucking useless father and a useless husband.
And I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
But if I thought someone was gonna harm our children, I would fight.
Even I would do whatever it takes because if you love someone, you protect them.
But my mother? Christ, no wonder he stuck with her! All those children around and a son thrown into the bargain.
[TEARFULLY.]
He couldn't believe his fucking luck! [SNIFFLES.]
Years and years and years of it, doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
Nobody should do that to anybody else.
No Christ, Mary.
[GRUNTS.]
I thought I was getting better, but I'm such a fucking mess.
[EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
[FEMALE DOCTOR.]
How often would you say you have suicidal thoughts? When I was younger it was all the time, I never questioned it.
But then, when we had the boys it was more of a whisper.
On a quiet coastal path, in the chemist driving on the motorway.
[CLOCK TICKING.]
- And now? - [EXHALES HEAVILY.]
I look at the window and wonder whether this floor is high enough.
Are you gonna be alright? [INHALES.]
Let's find out.
- Daddy! - Thomas! Hah! Hello, how are you? How's your other granny? - The same.
- [KETTLE.]
Patrick! After the disinheritance, it would have been hypocritical of me to go to the funeral.
But the party's a different matter.
I want to support you.
And, of course, it helps with it being just around the corner.
Patrick, what an unusual speech.
So eloquent.
And how thrilling to be introduced, at my advanced age, to a new club.
The Onslow Club! I've never heard it mentioned - Is this your eldest? - Yes.
Robert.
What a pity David isn't here to enjoy your sons.
He would at least have ensured that they didn't spend the whole day in front of the television.
Ha! I vividly remember, when we had once seen some children practically give birth to a cathode ray tube, he said to me, "I dread to think what all that radiation is doing to their little genitals.
" Robert, why don't you run ahead and find your mother? How's your daughter, Nicholas? Well, I presume.
We've not spoken for years.
I can't help thinking how much your father would have savored this occasion.
Whatever his drawbacks as a parent, he never lost his sense of humor.
Easy not to lose what you never had.
Oh, I disagree.
He saw the funny side in everything.
He only ever saw the funny side of things that didn't have one.
Cruelty and laughter have always been close neighbors.
Close without being incestuous.
Your father had a rare and precious disdain for the opinions of most people Nicholas, I understand how much you must miss my other amazing parent, - but if you'll forgive me - morality a colossus.
I have to deal with the people that have come here to mourn my mother.
Are you alright, there, Nick? Did you get yourself in a bit of a muddle? [GRUNTS.]
Do not call me Nick! [CHATTER.]
Excuse me.
I can't breathe.
It feels like someone's squeezing my throat.
To see that to see that ghoul Nicholas Pratt, my father's representative on earth, touching Robert.
I can't be in the same room.
- Wine or champagne? - Oh, God! - He means no, thank you.
- Maybe later.
Very much later.
Oh, have some water.
Oh, Christ.
I know her.
It's Amitriptyline.
What the fuck is she doing here? Who? No.
No, no, no.
I need to get some fresh air.
I'm going to go for a walk round the block.
[WINGS FLUTTERING.]
[PANTING.]
[BREATHING SLOWS.]
[INHALES.]
[EXHALES.]
The thing is I absolutely loathe my children.
They're monsters, they're complete horrors.
And, of course, I've played my part.
I lay in bed for ten months, I didn't utter a single syllable And when I did start I couldn't stop because it had all just piled up.
[WOMAN.]
I woke up next morning in the guest room and there was excrement, human excrement, smeared all over the hand-painted wallpaper.
And it took me a while to realize that it was mine.
I think we need to be aware of the alcoholic behind the alcohol.
You can take the brandy out of the fruitcake, but you've still got the fruitcake.
- I don't think you can.
- What? Take the brandy out of the fruitcake.
Same as you can't take eggs out of a soufflé.
- Well, it's only a metaphor.
- Only a metaphor! - Patrick - But it doesn't work! Could we move on? Please? [CHATTER.]
Becky.
Self-harming, resistant depressive.
Patrick.
Narcissistic, schizoid, suicidal alcoholic.
How many types of medication do they have you on? Three.
Two anti-depressants and a tranquillizer.
- I'm on eight.
- Then I suppose you win.
[LAUGHS.]
I think a lot of my relationship problems stem from the fact that the person I'm having a relationship with doesn't know we're in a relationship.
[LAUGHING.]
Fuck, Jill! No wonder you're here for the ninth time! [STIFLES A SOB.]
[JILL SOBS.]
You're going to have to apologize for that.
Why? I meant it.
That's why you have to apologize.
But I wouldn't mean it if I apologized.
Fake it to make it, man.
Fake it to make it.
Fuck! Patrick! I was looking for you.
- They're throwing me out.
- Really? They say I'm a disruptive influence.
I don't contribute.
Of course I don't fucking contribute, I'm depressed! Fuck, I hate this fucking place! - Rebecca - I can't go back to my parents.
This is my sister's address.
She's away, so I'll be there alone.
[GORDON.]
Miss Owen, now, please.
Come and find me.
[LOW CONVERSATIONS.]
[LOW CONVERSATIONS.]
Well done.
You came back.
Oh, I still want to leave.
I want to leave with that waitress over there.
Christ, look at her.
Do you think if I told her it was my mother's funeral and I needed cheering up She might be the one to save you? It's worth a try.
Patrick, it turns out Fleur is an old friend - of your mother's.
- Yes, actually, we've met before.
- Your mother saved my life.
- Really? She gave me a job in one of the charity shops she ran.
And that is where I had one of my episodes.
We'd had a fur coat in that morning.
It was an amazing sable coat.
And I put it on, emptied the till, shut the shop, hailed a cab and I said, "Take me to The Ritz!" And I sat in the Palm Court drinking champagne cocktails and talking to anyone who would listen.
And eventually the police were summoned, and I had no one to call on but your mother.
And I promised I'd never do it again.
I mean, I did.
Many, many times.
But you should be very proud of her.
She did an enormous amount of practical good.
And she's touched hundreds of lives.
Very good of you to let me know.
Thank you.
- So Do you? - Do I what? Do you feel proud of your mother? - I'm really not sure.
- You're not sure? Well, you're worse than my children.
- Sorry, I really ought to circulate.
- Absolute bastards.
All of you So what did the lunatic have to say? She suggested there's no easy conclusion about what someone's life means.
You can come to a conclusion about what it means to you.
Actually, I feel inconclusive about both my parents.
Sounds exhausting.
Isn't it easier just to loathe their guts? Yes, I tried that with my father.
No good.
The truth is I feel everything: contempt, pity, rage, terror and tenderness.
Tenderness? At the thought of how unhappy he was, they both were.
And then of course I remember I have sons of my own and the loathing floods back.
Well, I hate bereavement.
It plays havoc with your eyeliner.
I didn't realize my mother meant so much.
Oh, it's nothing to do with her.
It's just the way tears spring on you, at a funeral or a silly film.
Not brought on by the thing that triggers them, just from a generalized sadness, I suppose.
Sometimes the trigger and the sadness are the same thing.
Occasionally.
Oh, Christ, I wonder what it'd be like to have an unconditioned response about something, anything, without irony and detachment, just to be spontaneous, to feel something Well, it's no use asking me.
No.
Sorry, erm you can't actually smoke out here.
Really? I didn't know.
It's funny, because it is outside.
It's technically still part of the club, and Er there's no smoking anywhere in the club.
So Well, I'd better put it out, then.
Er No, let me.
- I'm so sorry about that.
- It's okay.
I'm used to it.
[SIGHS.]
Excuse me? Hello.
Sorry.
Er I just I wondered if I could erm Tea or coffee? Actually, no, it's something else.
Erm I just Would you mind if I took your number? [ELECTRICITY SOFTLY FIZZING.]
[INHALES AND EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[SNORTS.]
- Oh, Christ.
- Hello.
- Are you leaving? - Sssh.
Oh, I must say, I don't envy you.
I love it here.
It gets me away from my awful children.
The little shits.
I loathe them.
Do you have children yourself? Actually, I'm sorry, I'm trying to Well, if I have one word of advice, it's this.
Amitriptyline.
The only time I've ever been happy was on it, but these bastards won't give me any.
The thing is, I'm trying not to take anything, so Don't be ridiculous.
It's the most marvelous drug.
Amitriptyline! - [LOW CHATTER.]
- [WAITRESS LAUGHS.]
I'd expected more people.
She was very well-loved.
Well, she lost touch with people when she stopped speaking.
It must have been terrible for her, not to be able to say what she wanted to, especially to Patrick.
That's why we must all resolve to drop our defenses and say what we feel, while we can.
- Mummy! - And then at this point the English usually say, "Well, this is a cheerful subject!" I see you two are still glued to each other.
Well, no one can hope to ignore their children as completely as you did.
Mary! You go and find Robert, darling.
We always communicated! Do you remember what you said to me when you telephoned me at school to say Daddy had died? - Well, I said how awful it was.
- "Cheer up," you said.
"Cheer up"! You never had any idea who I was then and you still don't now.
How are you, dear? Well considering I've just had my head bitten off by my daughter.
Has she had mental health problems? I beg your pardon? Have you had mental health problems? Have we met? Well, I just have a feeling for these things.
So, have you? No, I have not had "mental health problems".
Even in this degenerate age of confession and complaint, when the vocabulary of Freudian mumbo-jumbo is emptied onto every conversation like vinegar onto a newspaper full of sodden chips, some of us choose not to tuck in! As if it weren't ludicrous enough that every child must be gifted, they now have to be ill as well.
A touch of Asperger's, some autism, dyslexia stalks the playground! Poor little things.
If they can't confess to being abused, they must confess to being abusive! Well, my dear, I call you my dear from what is no doubt known as - "Sincerity Deficit Disorder.
" - [CHUCKLES.]
No, I have never suffered the slightest taint of mental illness because I am the impossible man, the man who is entirely well! - Psychotherapists scatter - You are completely off your rocker! - And I thought as much - ashamed of their sham profession.
- .
.
my little radar.
- Bugger off! A month in the clinic will do you the power of good because it will re-clothe you in your rightful mind.
Oh, the Father of Mankind - Forgive our foolish ways - Is everything alright? Oh, God, here he is! Like an exhibit in a courtroom drama.
- A practicing witch doctor.
- I was just trying to help this poor man A man happy to turn my daughter against her own father.
Inventing repulsive fantasies, polluting human imagination with murderous babies and incestuous [GLASS SHATTERS.]
- [CLATTERING.]
- [CRIES OF SHOCK.]
[FLEUR.]
Well, he has got himself all worked up.
- I'll call an ambulance.
- [FLEUR.]
Hoist with his own petard.
As they say.
Oh, God, that would really finish me off.
Is she praying? - [ROBERT.]
That's nice of her.
- return to the mother [ANNETTE CONTINUES RECITING PRAYER.]
[PATRICK.]
Johnny.
[JULIA.]
Say goodbye to your father for me.
Pat Pat Pat Pat Pat Pat [SHALLOW BREATHS.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
Heart attack, apparently.
You can tell by the cold nose.
I'll go with him to the hospital.
What an emotional day! Don't worry, Nick, I won't leave your side.
I must go.
I've a patient at four.
- Thank you.
- Well done.
For what? The public breakdown? In the trade it's what we'd call a breakthrough.
Yes, well without getting Californian I'm grateful.
[SIREN WAILS.]
Are you coming back with us? You'd be very welcome.
No, I'll see you at the weekend.
Come here.
- See you at the weekend.
- You could just come back and have some dinner, just us four.
- Very quiet.
- No, I think I'll crash out.
'Cause it's been a long day.
Well, if you change your mind Thank you.
In fact, you should change your mind.
That's what it's for.
[EXHALES.]
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
"And now I keep thinking I'm a moth!" "Very interesting," says the psychiatrist.
"What made you come here today?" "Well," he says, "I saw the light in the window.
" Very good.
Do you specialize in these jobs because of your sunny disposition? You say that, but last year, for four months, I literally couldn't get out of bed.
- Couldn't see the point.
- Oh.
Oh, well, I'm sorry to hear that.
Believe me, Mr.
Melrose, in a month's time you'll look back and think, "What was all the fuss about? What was I thinking?" That's what happened to me, anyway.
Is this it, then? Very nice.
They'll be pleased to get their dad back.
- Who? - The kids.
Good luck with it, mate.
Actually, I know this might sound a bit crazy, for want of a better word, but could you take me back? To the hospital? I don't think I'm quite ready.
Fuckin' hell you people.
[MAN.]
Fear knocked on the door.
Courage opened the door.
And there was nobody there! Please, carry on.
[GRUNTS.]
Bravo.
[CHUCKLES.]
[PHONE RINGS.]
- [PHONE CONTINUES RINGING.]
- Come on, come on.
- Hello? - [ANNETTE.]
Patrick? Hello? Patrick, is that you? - Yes.
- Annette here.
I'm afraid I've rather bad news.
Nicholas didn't make it.
- He stopped breathing in the ambulance.
- [EXHALES HEAVILY.]
Oh, Patrick, are you crying? No, no, I'm just out of breath.
Though, of course, I'm also very sad.
Amazing man, completely unique.
Let's hope so.
The idea of a whole village full of Nicholas Pratts is rather terrifying.
Patrick? I'm sorry, it's only just occurred to me.
He was the the last one.
Last of my parents' circle.
They're all gone now.
Oh, now you're making me cry.
Oh, really, there's no need.
Thank you for what you said at the funeral too.
It was helpful to have another point of view.
She might not have been the perfect mother.
That must anger you.
But sometimes those who deserve the most blame also deserve the most compassion.
Goodbye, Patrick.
[RECEIVER SLAMS ON CRADLE.]
[EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[DAVID.]
Patrick? [OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
Patrick, where are you? [EXHALES HEAVILY.]
Helene.
[KEYS IN NUMBER.]
[RINGING TONE.]
Hello? Oh, hello, it's Patrick here.
Hello.
I've decided I'm bored of ghosts.
I want to see people instead.
I see.
Okay Well, is it too late to change my mind? [MARY.]
Not at all.
After all that's what it's for.
[CHUCKLES.]
The boys will be delighted to see you.
[RECEIVER CLICKS ON CRADLE.]
[EXHALES.]
[THUD.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[PATRICK.]
I'm going to the bathroom.
Well, don't be long.
[DOOR CREAKS SHUT.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
Patrick? Patrick, where are you? [SHOUTS.]
Patrick! Come and sit here.
No.
- Beg pardon? - No.
I won't do what you say anymore.
Patrick.
Don't talk like that to your dear old dad.
It's wrong.
You're wrong! Nobody should do that to anybody else.
[GRUNTS.]
Right.
Yeah.
[MUTTERS.]
[BREATHING DEEPLY.]
[DULL ROAR OF TRAFFIC OUTSIDE.]
[BLUR "TENDER".]
Tender is the night Lying by your side Tender is the touch Of someone that you love too much Tender is the day The demons go away Lord I need to find Someone who can heal my mind Come on, come on, come on Get through it Come on, come on, come on Love's the greatest thing Come on
[SCRAPING CONTINUES.]
[CLANKING.]
[SCRAPING.]
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[DULL ROAR OF TRAFFIC OUTSIDE.]
[EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[FUNERAL DIRECTOR.]
Mourners are arriving, sir.
Fine.
Let's begin.
I want you to kill me.
[WOMAN.]
Hello, Directory Enquiries? Yes, I'd like a number for an organization, please.
It's called the the Voluntary Euthanasia Society.
I'm sorry, you'll have to speak up.
The Voluntary Euthanasia Society.
[MAN.]
I'm sorry, Mr.
Melrose, we can't help.
We're a campaign group.
- It's about changing the law.
- Really? But I mean Voluntary Euthanasia, it sounds so hopeful.
[WOMAN.]
Directory Enquiries, how can I help you? Er yes, I'd like an international number, please, Switzerland.
Dignitas.
- And what kind of organization are they? - [KNOCKING.]
- What what does it do? - Well, they I'll spell it for you.
Suicide stems from a disease: a disease we now call depression.
And that's what we should be treating.
She can't move or speak or control herself.
Depression isn't a disease, it's an entirely reasonable response.
Quite frankly, it's cheerfulness that would take some explaining.
When people are depressed we give them anti-depressants.
She's on them! They gave a certain enthusiasm for her loathing of life.
That's when she asked me to kill her.
Do you know? It can be a great privilege to work with the dying.
I don't think she's gonna start working with the dying, do you? And if you mean it's your great privilege, it's her quality of life I'm concerned with.
I I want Swiss-land.
That's what we're looking into.
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES.]
Doctor Fenelon is here.
Do you remember, our family doctor? Hello, Eleanor.
So, I'm going to take a look at you and ask a few questions.
Please don't tell him that my mother was a duchess.
I won't breathe a word.
[MARY.]
"I can hardly move.
I am bedridden and incontinent and feel uninterrupted anguish at my own uselessness.
There is no prospect of improvement and I can already feel my faculties betraying me.
I do not look on death with fear, but with longing.
Please help me to escape the daily torture of my existence.
Yours sincerely.
" Do you think that's fair? Is that a fair description? Yes.
Do you want to sign it? Sign.
Thank you so much for doing all of this.
It's really not your responsibility anymore.
You're welcome.
- So - An orphan at last! It's what I always dreamed of.
After all this time, I feel complete.
[CHUCKLES.]
I hope that's not your speech.
Ah, well, my speech Because it is printed in the order of service.
I know.
- I can't do that for you.
- I wouldn't ask you to.
So you've written one? I thought it'd probably be better to improvise, speak from the heart.
- Is that a good idea? - With my heart? There'll probably be a stampede for the exit.
Surprised to see me? I've become rather a memorial creeper.
One's bound to at my age.
It's no use sitting at home, guffawing over the mistakes of ignorant obituarists.
Thank you.
No, one has to celebrate the life! "There goes the school tart.
They say he had a good war, but I know better!" [CHUCKLES.]
Of course I'm not saying it's not all very moving.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- Thinly attended.
Are those your mother's religious friends? What color would you call that? Aubergine? Forgive me, Nicholas, I really must talk to Try not to be bitter about the money.
One or two of my friends who've made a mess of that side of things have ended up dying in National Health wards, and I must say I've been very impressed by the humanity of the mainly foreign staff.
Mind you, what else is there to do with money, but spend it when you have it and be bitter when you don't? I suppose what I'm saying is: do be bitter about the money.
After all, what is it now, six generations with every single descendant essentially idle? It must be rather thrilling for you and your children, after such a long exemption from competition, - to get really stuck in! - Goodbye, Nicholas.
And you mustn't feel guilty about feeling pleased.
If ever there was a merciful release, it was in the case of your poor mother.
Eleanor, it's time to go.
The flight leaves at three.
Do nothing.
Noth [MARY.]
What was that? Do nothing.
No go.
You mean you've changed your mind? No Swiss-land.
I'm entitled to feel a little ambiguous about this, don't you think? I mean, she asked me to organize this, - the doctors, the letter of consent - I know.
manipulated me, turned her death into this passion project, and now she changes her mind.
She's frightened.
She doesn't want to do it herself.
She wants someone else to do it for her.
Oh, believe me, I'm sorely tempted.
Why isn't there a bar in this place? It would make a fortune.
- Come Come and talk to her.
- What's the point? If she ever had anything meaningful to say to me, it's too late now.
[CLINKING.]
[BOTTLES CLINKING.]
[KEYS CLATTER.]
[RUSTLING.]
[TRAIN RATTLES PAST.]
Were you thinking about Eleanor? Annette.
We met in France, remember? Yes.
I hope you're enjoying my family home.
Oh, we are! Seamus sends his love.
- Oh, he's in your old bedroom now! - Oh.
He really wanted to be here but he's still writing his book.
How are you taking all this? I was thinking how life is just the history of things we pay attention to.
The rest is just packaging.
Maya Angelou says the meaning of life is the impact we have on other people, whether we make them feel good or not.
Eleanor always made people feel good.
- I might put that in my speech.
- You should! My gift to you.
I tell you who loves Maya Angelou, is that old man over there, with the stick.
Do tell him.
His name's Nick.
Will do! Hello! You must be Nick.
Patrick, of all the days to have a funeral! It's Prince Charles' wedding! Well, feel free to pop down with your cardboard periscope and a plastic Union Jack if you think it'd be more entertaining.
- [SIGHS.]
- Alright? Lovely venue.
Yes, I'm thinking of getting cremated here myself.
- Well, no need to rush.
- I was going to wait until I die.
Hm.
How are you bearing up? Weirdly elated.
I think my mother's death is the best thing to have happened to me since, well, my father's death.
I'm sure it's a little more complicated than that.
- You're the psychiatrist.
- Psychotherapist.
Oh, whatever.
[NICHOLAS.]
What utter, utter nonsense.
- Stand by the furnace - Oh, Christ, Nicholas Pratt.
these words.
"Goodbye, old thing.
One of us was bound to die first and I'm delighted it was you!" That's my spiritual practice and you're welcome to put it in your hilarious "spiritual tool box".
Isn't he hysterical? [CHUCKLES.]
What he doesn't realize is that we live in a loving universe, and it loves you too, Nick! My dear, I never thought I'd be so pleased to see you! Nicholas, who are these peculiar people? And why are they here? Zealots, Moonies, witch doctors.
Avoid eye contact, stick close to me and we may live to tell the tale.
Well, who is he? He wouldn't be anybody if he wasn't my daughter's psychoanalyst.
As it is, he's a fiend! We can start when you're ready, sir.
- Ten minutes.
- Ten minutes? Well, there are people still arriving! [SIGHS.]
Just in time.
We're about to kick off, if that's the Er phrase I'm looking for.
Hm.
It's not.
- It's been a long time.
- Almost a year.
Is it true you've given up drinking again? Yes, that's all over.
Congratulations.
It must be hard just now.
Not at all.
A crisis demands a hero.
The ambush happens when things are going well.
- Or so I'm told.
- Still not given up irony, then? Hardest addiction of all.
Forget heroin, that need to mean two things at once I'm having enough trouble wearing nicotine patches and smoking at the same time.
Don't take my irony, leave me with a little sarcasm! Sarcasm doesn't count.
That only means one thing.
Quality freak.
We'd better go inside.
Apparently the corpses are piling up.
Very exciting.
Who's on the bill? I've no idea.
- Mary's organized it.
- Adorable.
More like a mother than your own mother, really.
She was, until she had her own children and that rather blew my cover.
Still, real or not real, I have to burn the remains of the only mother I'll ever have.
It's good to see you again.
I wasn't sure I would.
[JULIA SIGHS.]
[INHALES.]
[EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[SIREN WAILS.]
You're not really gonna live here, are you? I'm trying to think of it as my bachelor pad.
It's the kind of place people come to kill themselves.
Yes.
The thought had crossed my mind.
Don't! Be serious.
Christ, it's all so bleak! But, I'm sorry, squalor is not an aphrodisiac, not at our age.
I can't come here again.
[GULPS.]
No, I don't think you should.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION FROM OTHER ROOM.]
- [BOOK THUDS.]
- [CONVERSATION CONTINUES.]
[CLATTERING.]
[MARY.]
Robert? What are you doing in there? Hello.
Ssh-ssh.
I didn't hear you.
Come here.
[DOOR CREAKS.]
- What's going on? - I'm picking up a few things.
How are you? Robert, will you take Thomas upstairs, please? But we haven't seen each other.
Robert, how are you? Are you well? How's school? Where is Thomas? Now, please.
I'll come up and say goodbye.
Just a few bits and bobs, if that's alright.
You know.
Just a few family heirlooms to brighten up the bachelor pad Fine, take what you want.
And you can go back to your flat.
Pass out there.
But I don't want the children to see you in this state.
[SMASHING AND CLATTERING.]
Oops! Don't worry about the lamp, I'll buy you a new bloody lamp.
- [GROANS.]
- Leave it and go home! Home! How sweet of you to think of it as my home! I am not in the happy position of having a home.
[MARY.]
Christ, this is hell! This is like being in hell! You.
You of all people, should know this is intolerable! You know? "The service is intolerable, the noise is intolerable.
" Well, this this is fucking intolerable! I am not Eleanor and I will not stand by and watch this disgusting, pitiful spectacle of you destroying yourself.
And I certainly won't let the boys watch it, either.
It's too much.
And it's gone on for too long.
If you really are determined to drink yourself to death, now you have a flat to go and do it in.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
[KEY IN LOCK.]
[BOTTLES CLINKING.]
[CLINKING.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[ROBERT.]
Daddy? [GRUNTS.]
[GROANS AND SHIVERS.]
[GROANS.]
[MUMBLES.]
- [GRUNTS.]
- [RUSTLING.]
[GROANS.]
[FEMALE DOCTOR.]
You're undergoing delirium tremens.
Do you know what that is, Mr.
Melrose? It rings a bell.
Then you'll know what to expect.
Shaking, sweating.
There may be some hallucinations.
We'll get you something to stabilize your heart, - stop you having seizures.
- [GROANS.]
- I'm going to die.
- You are not going to die.
I don't mind.
I want to die.
I want to die, I want to die.
I want to die.
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[BREATHES ERRATICALLY.]
When I die I want you to dress me in straight-lace shoes A box-back coat and a Stetson hat Put a twenty-dollar gold piece on my watch chain Oh, Christ.
It's the Spiritual Tool Box.
[SONG FADES.]
What a great choice for Eleanor.
And a fitting reminder, too, of her incredibly strong connection with the African-American people.
All of you will have known Eleanor here today and if my Eleanor is not yours then, all I can say is let her in.
- Let her in.
- [SNIGGERING.]
I first met Eleanor when a group of us from the Dublin Women's Healing Drum Circle traveled down to her wonderful house in Provence, which many of you know well.
When we arrived we saw her sitting on the wall of the terrace, hands tucked under her thighs, looking for all the world like a lonely young child, dreaming of the future.
Soon she had flung wide her arms to welcome us, but I never forgot that first impression of her child-like innocence [SOMBER MUSIC.]
[ELEANOR.]
I can never forget he's David's son.
Does he remind you of him? In flashes when he's angry or sarcastic.
Which thankfully is less often now.
- [PATRICK CALLS OUT.]
- Hm.
Does he talk to you about him? I don't think his father haunts him the way he once did.
"Haunts".
- [ROBERT CRIES OUT.]
- [PATRICK.]
I'm gonna catch you.
May I show you something, in private? I get an awful lot of letters, usually people asking for a helping hand.
And I give it if I can, but this is something different.
She stayed here as a child.
She seems deeply damaged.
Yes.
I mean, clearly she's a very unhappy woman, the alcohol, the depression.
But, honestly, to lay this at my door.
- Do you remember her? - Of course! The family were charming.
She was a bright and happy little girl.
David could be harsh, but the children were always safe.
He was better with children, playful even, as long as they weren't too noisy.
[EXHALES.]
[SCOFFS.]
All I know is the family seemed very happy.
They They told me they'd had a lovely time.
She says your husband interfered with her.
But how could he? I mean, it was inconceivable, literally, inconceivable.
- No suspicions? - No.
No signs? None at all.
And that's what makes me so angry.
"I forgive you.
" She forgives me for not protecting her, but how could I? From what? I mean, this is behavior I didn't even know existed.
- [PATRICK.]
Here we go.
- [ROBERT LAUGHS.]
You mustn't mention a word of this.
It will only unsettle him all this talk of blame and forgiveness.
I know what a tyrant his father could be, but I did my best.
My very, very best to protect our son.
Are you awake? The things you told me, when we met.
About your father.
- What's brought this on? - We have to talk about them again.
Well, I don't think I have anything further to add so I think you should tell your mother.
- [INHALES SHARPLY.]
- I'm sorry, I know it's hard.
I know you don't want to.
- Well, why then? - Because She can't keep hiding.
[MARY.]
"When I was a child I spake as a child.
I understood as a child.
When I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now I see through a glass, darkly.
But then, face to face, now I know in part" Christ, not this old chestnut.
Who's on next? - Patrick.
- ".
.
and now abideth faith, hope, love, these three.
But the greatest of these is love.
[EXHALES.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[PATRICK.]
Lovely spot.
[ELEANOR.]
It is.
- Mind if I join? - Please.
[PATRICK EXHALES.]
I've been trying out different combinations of words, and none of them are right, so perhaps if I don't think too much and just come out with it.
When we were here when I was a child, and we used to come here and for some years afterwards Father used he used to rape me.
Me too.
Me too.
[RAGGED BREATHS.]
Er I I haven't prepared a speech.
As you'll see.
Erm A lot has been said today about my mother's innocence, and how child-like she [EXHALES HEAVILY.]
All I know is that when I was a child when my father was [TEARFULLY.]
Why didn't she Why Why couldn't Why couldn't she [BREATHING HEAVILY.]
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I can't I can't do this I can't! [SHOCKED MURMURING.]
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES.]
[PIANO MUSIC.]
[CIGARETTE LIGHTER CLICKING.]
I swear, if I hear one more person telling me how innocent she was She might not have been, - but even so it's an emotional time - Please, Mary, no.
No, no, no.
Stop! This is not grief or mourning.
This is rage, my heart is racing with it.
She knew! She must have known.
Surely she must have, even subconsciously.
She knew what he was like and yet she failed to do the one thing she was obliged to do, to protect her son! Christ knows, I've been a fucking useless father and a useless husband.
And I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
But if I thought someone was gonna harm our children, I would fight.
Even I would do whatever it takes because if you love someone, you protect them.
But my mother? Christ, no wonder he stuck with her! All those children around and a son thrown into the bargain.
[TEARFULLY.]
He couldn't believe his fucking luck! [SNIFFLES.]
Years and years and years of it, doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
Nobody should do that to anybody else.
No Christ, Mary.
[GRUNTS.]
I thought I was getting better, but I'm such a fucking mess.
[EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
[FEMALE DOCTOR.]
How often would you say you have suicidal thoughts? When I was younger it was all the time, I never questioned it.
But then, when we had the boys it was more of a whisper.
On a quiet coastal path, in the chemist driving on the motorway.
[CLOCK TICKING.]
- And now? - [EXHALES HEAVILY.]
I look at the window and wonder whether this floor is high enough.
Are you gonna be alright? [INHALES.]
Let's find out.
- Daddy! - Thomas! Hah! Hello, how are you? How's your other granny? - The same.
- [KETTLE.]
Patrick! After the disinheritance, it would have been hypocritical of me to go to the funeral.
But the party's a different matter.
I want to support you.
And, of course, it helps with it being just around the corner.
Patrick, what an unusual speech.
So eloquent.
And how thrilling to be introduced, at my advanced age, to a new club.
The Onslow Club! I've never heard it mentioned - Is this your eldest? - Yes.
Robert.
What a pity David isn't here to enjoy your sons.
He would at least have ensured that they didn't spend the whole day in front of the television.
Ha! I vividly remember, when we had once seen some children practically give birth to a cathode ray tube, he said to me, "I dread to think what all that radiation is doing to their little genitals.
" Robert, why don't you run ahead and find your mother? How's your daughter, Nicholas? Well, I presume.
We've not spoken for years.
I can't help thinking how much your father would have savored this occasion.
Whatever his drawbacks as a parent, he never lost his sense of humor.
Easy not to lose what you never had.
Oh, I disagree.
He saw the funny side in everything.
He only ever saw the funny side of things that didn't have one.
Cruelty and laughter have always been close neighbors.
Close without being incestuous.
Your father had a rare and precious disdain for the opinions of most people Nicholas, I understand how much you must miss my other amazing parent, - but if you'll forgive me - morality a colossus.
I have to deal with the people that have come here to mourn my mother.
Are you alright, there, Nick? Did you get yourself in a bit of a muddle? [GRUNTS.]
Do not call me Nick! [CHATTER.]
Excuse me.
I can't breathe.
It feels like someone's squeezing my throat.
To see that to see that ghoul Nicholas Pratt, my father's representative on earth, touching Robert.
I can't be in the same room.
- Wine or champagne? - Oh, God! - He means no, thank you.
- Maybe later.
Very much later.
Oh, have some water.
Oh, Christ.
I know her.
It's Amitriptyline.
What the fuck is she doing here? Who? No.
No, no, no.
I need to get some fresh air.
I'm going to go for a walk round the block.
[WINGS FLUTTERING.]
[PANTING.]
[BREATHING SLOWS.]
[INHALES.]
[EXHALES.]
The thing is I absolutely loathe my children.
They're monsters, they're complete horrors.
And, of course, I've played my part.
I lay in bed for ten months, I didn't utter a single syllable And when I did start I couldn't stop because it had all just piled up.
[WOMAN.]
I woke up next morning in the guest room and there was excrement, human excrement, smeared all over the hand-painted wallpaper.
And it took me a while to realize that it was mine.
I think we need to be aware of the alcoholic behind the alcohol.
You can take the brandy out of the fruitcake, but you've still got the fruitcake.
- I don't think you can.
- What? Take the brandy out of the fruitcake.
Same as you can't take eggs out of a soufflé.
- Well, it's only a metaphor.
- Only a metaphor! - Patrick - But it doesn't work! Could we move on? Please? [CHATTER.]
Becky.
Self-harming, resistant depressive.
Patrick.
Narcissistic, schizoid, suicidal alcoholic.
How many types of medication do they have you on? Three.
Two anti-depressants and a tranquillizer.
- I'm on eight.
- Then I suppose you win.
[LAUGHS.]
I think a lot of my relationship problems stem from the fact that the person I'm having a relationship with doesn't know we're in a relationship.
[LAUGHING.]
Fuck, Jill! No wonder you're here for the ninth time! [STIFLES A SOB.]
[JILL SOBS.]
You're going to have to apologize for that.
Why? I meant it.
That's why you have to apologize.
But I wouldn't mean it if I apologized.
Fake it to make it, man.
Fake it to make it.
Fuck! Patrick! I was looking for you.
- They're throwing me out.
- Really? They say I'm a disruptive influence.
I don't contribute.
Of course I don't fucking contribute, I'm depressed! Fuck, I hate this fucking place! - Rebecca - I can't go back to my parents.
This is my sister's address.
She's away, so I'll be there alone.
[GORDON.]
Miss Owen, now, please.
Come and find me.
[LOW CONVERSATIONS.]
[LOW CONVERSATIONS.]
Well done.
You came back.
Oh, I still want to leave.
I want to leave with that waitress over there.
Christ, look at her.
Do you think if I told her it was my mother's funeral and I needed cheering up She might be the one to save you? It's worth a try.
Patrick, it turns out Fleur is an old friend - of your mother's.
- Yes, actually, we've met before.
- Your mother saved my life.
- Really? She gave me a job in one of the charity shops she ran.
And that is where I had one of my episodes.
We'd had a fur coat in that morning.
It was an amazing sable coat.
And I put it on, emptied the till, shut the shop, hailed a cab and I said, "Take me to The Ritz!" And I sat in the Palm Court drinking champagne cocktails and talking to anyone who would listen.
And eventually the police were summoned, and I had no one to call on but your mother.
And I promised I'd never do it again.
I mean, I did.
Many, many times.
But you should be very proud of her.
She did an enormous amount of practical good.
And she's touched hundreds of lives.
Very good of you to let me know.
Thank you.
- So Do you? - Do I what? Do you feel proud of your mother? - I'm really not sure.
- You're not sure? Well, you're worse than my children.
- Sorry, I really ought to circulate.
- Absolute bastards.
All of you So what did the lunatic have to say? She suggested there's no easy conclusion about what someone's life means.
You can come to a conclusion about what it means to you.
Actually, I feel inconclusive about both my parents.
Sounds exhausting.
Isn't it easier just to loathe their guts? Yes, I tried that with my father.
No good.
The truth is I feel everything: contempt, pity, rage, terror and tenderness.
Tenderness? At the thought of how unhappy he was, they both were.
And then of course I remember I have sons of my own and the loathing floods back.
Well, I hate bereavement.
It plays havoc with your eyeliner.
I didn't realize my mother meant so much.
Oh, it's nothing to do with her.
It's just the way tears spring on you, at a funeral or a silly film.
Not brought on by the thing that triggers them, just from a generalized sadness, I suppose.
Sometimes the trigger and the sadness are the same thing.
Occasionally.
Oh, Christ, I wonder what it'd be like to have an unconditioned response about something, anything, without irony and detachment, just to be spontaneous, to feel something Well, it's no use asking me.
No.
Sorry, erm you can't actually smoke out here.
Really? I didn't know.
It's funny, because it is outside.
It's technically still part of the club, and Er there's no smoking anywhere in the club.
So Well, I'd better put it out, then.
Er No, let me.
- I'm so sorry about that.
- It's okay.
I'm used to it.
[SIGHS.]
Excuse me? Hello.
Sorry.
Er I just I wondered if I could erm Tea or coffee? Actually, no, it's something else.
Erm I just Would you mind if I took your number? [ELECTRICITY SOFTLY FIZZING.]
[INHALES AND EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[SNORTS.]
- Oh, Christ.
- Hello.
- Are you leaving? - Sssh.
Oh, I must say, I don't envy you.
I love it here.
It gets me away from my awful children.
The little shits.
I loathe them.
Do you have children yourself? Actually, I'm sorry, I'm trying to Well, if I have one word of advice, it's this.
Amitriptyline.
The only time I've ever been happy was on it, but these bastards won't give me any.
The thing is, I'm trying not to take anything, so Don't be ridiculous.
It's the most marvelous drug.
Amitriptyline! - [LOW CHATTER.]
- [WAITRESS LAUGHS.]
I'd expected more people.
She was very well-loved.
Well, she lost touch with people when she stopped speaking.
It must have been terrible for her, not to be able to say what she wanted to, especially to Patrick.
That's why we must all resolve to drop our defenses and say what we feel, while we can.
- Mummy! - And then at this point the English usually say, "Well, this is a cheerful subject!" I see you two are still glued to each other.
Well, no one can hope to ignore their children as completely as you did.
Mary! You go and find Robert, darling.
We always communicated! Do you remember what you said to me when you telephoned me at school to say Daddy had died? - Well, I said how awful it was.
- "Cheer up," you said.
"Cheer up"! You never had any idea who I was then and you still don't now.
How are you, dear? Well considering I've just had my head bitten off by my daughter.
Has she had mental health problems? I beg your pardon? Have you had mental health problems? Have we met? Well, I just have a feeling for these things.
So, have you? No, I have not had "mental health problems".
Even in this degenerate age of confession and complaint, when the vocabulary of Freudian mumbo-jumbo is emptied onto every conversation like vinegar onto a newspaper full of sodden chips, some of us choose not to tuck in! As if it weren't ludicrous enough that every child must be gifted, they now have to be ill as well.
A touch of Asperger's, some autism, dyslexia stalks the playground! Poor little things.
If they can't confess to being abused, they must confess to being abusive! Well, my dear, I call you my dear from what is no doubt known as - "Sincerity Deficit Disorder.
" - [CHUCKLES.]
No, I have never suffered the slightest taint of mental illness because I am the impossible man, the man who is entirely well! - Psychotherapists scatter - You are completely off your rocker! - And I thought as much - ashamed of their sham profession.
- .
.
my little radar.
- Bugger off! A month in the clinic will do you the power of good because it will re-clothe you in your rightful mind.
Oh, the Father of Mankind - Forgive our foolish ways - Is everything alright? Oh, God, here he is! Like an exhibit in a courtroom drama.
- A practicing witch doctor.
- I was just trying to help this poor man A man happy to turn my daughter against her own father.
Inventing repulsive fantasies, polluting human imagination with murderous babies and incestuous [GLASS SHATTERS.]
- [CLATTERING.]
- [CRIES OF SHOCK.]
[FLEUR.]
Well, he has got himself all worked up.
- I'll call an ambulance.
- [FLEUR.]
Hoist with his own petard.
As they say.
Oh, God, that would really finish me off.
Is she praying? - [ROBERT.]
That's nice of her.
- return to the mother [ANNETTE CONTINUES RECITING PRAYER.]
[PATRICK.]
Johnny.
[JULIA.]
Say goodbye to your father for me.
Pat Pat Pat Pat Pat Pat [SHALLOW BREATHS.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
Heart attack, apparently.
You can tell by the cold nose.
I'll go with him to the hospital.
What an emotional day! Don't worry, Nick, I won't leave your side.
I must go.
I've a patient at four.
- Thank you.
- Well done.
For what? The public breakdown? In the trade it's what we'd call a breakthrough.
Yes, well without getting Californian I'm grateful.
[SIREN WAILS.]
Are you coming back with us? You'd be very welcome.
No, I'll see you at the weekend.
Come here.
- See you at the weekend.
- You could just come back and have some dinner, just us four.
- Very quiet.
- No, I think I'll crash out.
'Cause it's been a long day.
Well, if you change your mind Thank you.
In fact, you should change your mind.
That's what it's for.
[EXHALES.]
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
"And now I keep thinking I'm a moth!" "Very interesting," says the psychiatrist.
"What made you come here today?" "Well," he says, "I saw the light in the window.
" Very good.
Do you specialize in these jobs because of your sunny disposition? You say that, but last year, for four months, I literally couldn't get out of bed.
- Couldn't see the point.
- Oh.
Oh, well, I'm sorry to hear that.
Believe me, Mr.
Melrose, in a month's time you'll look back and think, "What was all the fuss about? What was I thinking?" That's what happened to me, anyway.
Is this it, then? Very nice.
They'll be pleased to get their dad back.
- Who? - The kids.
Good luck with it, mate.
Actually, I know this might sound a bit crazy, for want of a better word, but could you take me back? To the hospital? I don't think I'm quite ready.
Fuckin' hell you people.
[MAN.]
Fear knocked on the door.
Courage opened the door.
And there was nobody there! Please, carry on.
[GRUNTS.]
Bravo.
[CHUCKLES.]
[PHONE RINGS.]
- [PHONE CONTINUES RINGING.]
- Come on, come on.
- Hello? - [ANNETTE.]
Patrick? Hello? Patrick, is that you? - Yes.
- Annette here.
I'm afraid I've rather bad news.
Nicholas didn't make it.
- He stopped breathing in the ambulance.
- [EXHALES HEAVILY.]
Oh, Patrick, are you crying? No, no, I'm just out of breath.
Though, of course, I'm also very sad.
Amazing man, completely unique.
Let's hope so.
The idea of a whole village full of Nicholas Pratts is rather terrifying.
Patrick? I'm sorry, it's only just occurred to me.
He was the the last one.
Last of my parents' circle.
They're all gone now.
Oh, now you're making me cry.
Oh, really, there's no need.
Thank you for what you said at the funeral too.
It was helpful to have another point of view.
She might not have been the perfect mother.
That must anger you.
But sometimes those who deserve the most blame also deserve the most compassion.
Goodbye, Patrick.
[RECEIVER SLAMS ON CRADLE.]
[EXHALES HEAVILY.]
[DAVID.]
Patrick? [OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
Patrick, where are you? [EXHALES HEAVILY.]
Helene.
[KEYS IN NUMBER.]
[RINGING TONE.]
Hello? Oh, hello, it's Patrick here.
Hello.
I've decided I'm bored of ghosts.
I want to see people instead.
I see.
Okay Well, is it too late to change my mind? [MARY.]
Not at all.
After all that's what it's for.
[CHUCKLES.]
The boys will be delighted to see you.
[RECEIVER CLICKS ON CRADLE.]
[EXHALES.]
[THUD.]
[OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[PATRICK.]
I'm going to the bathroom.
Well, don't be long.
[DOOR CREAKS SHUT.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
Patrick? Patrick, where are you? [SHOUTS.]
Patrick! Come and sit here.
No.
- Beg pardon? - No.
I won't do what you say anymore.
Patrick.
Don't talk like that to your dear old dad.
It's wrong.
You're wrong! Nobody should do that to anybody else.
[GRUNTS.]
Right.
Yeah.
[MUTTERS.]
[BREATHING DEEPLY.]
[DULL ROAR OF TRAFFIC OUTSIDE.]
[BLUR "TENDER".]
Tender is the night Lying by your side Tender is the touch Of someone that you love too much Tender is the day The demons go away Lord I need to find Someone who can heal my mind Come on, come on, come on Get through it Come on, come on, come on Love's the greatest thing Come on