While the Men Are Away (2023) s01e05 Episode Script

1
How good's a government contract?
All of those apples has
to make it to harvest.
This farm has to run like a clock.
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Now kiss and see if it's real.
- WOMAN: The service is next week.
- I can't go.
- I'd be a hypocrite.
- Robbie! You must!
Francesca, has Harry
ran off and left you?
I want you to know that I don't run
away from my problems like Harry.
They say love is
is only a certain way.
I know in every cell in my body
that that is not true.
If they've been lying
about that, then what else?
Jesus came to me in a dream
once. I mean, my husband.
He came to my husband in a dream once.
And he said
"You are the perfect man
for the task of bringing my love
to the heathens."
- (MOANS)
- Oi!
You're making funny noise.
I declare this essential
patriotic facility open.
(CHEERING, APPLAUSE)
Ooh, let's get one
with all the Whitmores.
- Now, then, Francesca.
- I need to get back.
The pickers are arriving any minute.
You promised me one photograph.
Prisoners make people anxious,
but our family makes them happy.
(CHEERING INTENSIFIES)
(HORN HONKS)
Oh, stand back, everyone.
Our first arrivals.
Now, we have a combination of Italian
citizens that we've rounded up,
presumably with a cattle dog with
a taste of meatballs (LAUGHS)
and also some prisoners of
war that have come from overseas.
So nothing to fear, though.
You're perfectly safe.
We've got the razor wire up.
Highly trained professionals.
(ONLOOKERS BOO)
(ALL CALL OUT DERISIVELY)
They're not so scary.
School is over ♪
Time to build a summer dream ♪
Dooby, dooby, dooby, dooby ♪
Dooby, dooby, doo ♪
Zoom, dooby, dooby, dooby ♪
Zoom, dooby, dooby ♪
Zoom, dooby, dooby, dooby ♪
Zoom, dooby, dooby ♪
Zoom, dooby, dooby,
dooby Zoom, dooby, dooby
Zoom, zoom, zoomby, dooby, doo ♪
I feel so happy in the summertime ♪
We'll be together and you'll be mine ♪
Nights will be warmer ♪
Mrs Whitmore,
WLA Division Fruit
Relief reporting for duty.
Is this all? I asked for at least 20.
We need this harvest to be a success.
Mrs Whitmore, there is a war on.
Everyone is desperate.
But don't worry, I'd tell you my
girls have never lost a harvest,
but I don't want to
be the one to jinx it.
Mountjoy, Levi (BLOWS WHISTLE)
now that we're here to
save the day, you report to me,
is that understood?
Is it?!
BOTH: Yes, Brigadier Birdwood.
Levi, show us to our lodgings
so we can get to work.
Come on, girls.
I was hoping to bunk in with you.
Are you mad?
With an army of strangers in the house?
They're hardly in the house.
(BLOWS WHISTLE) Another harvest
day, another 10,000 apples, girls.
How's your mother going?
You got a cheeky thing for mums?
It's apparent you've regressed
to old coping mechanisms
to suppress your guilt
over not attending your father's
funeral with your mother.
Hmm.
You know, I think you'd feel
better if you just went and saw her.
Thank you.
Esther?
I need you to help Gwen.
Come with me.
Her mother wrote me concerned
about your relationship.
Relationship? What? Esther hates me.
(READS) "Esther has mentioned the
name Robert 27 times in her letters
this past fortnight alone.
What kind of brothel are you
running there, Mrs Whitmore?"
She's threatening to get
the Land Army involved.
Stay away from her.
I mean it.
Ooh la la. Gorgeous.
Des Whitmore.
I've been overseeing an important event,
but I am here now to take charge.
Ah, thank heavens.
Amazons.
Hmm.
Uh, we normally have about 40 men.
We do have to pick every apple.
Good thing you're here.
You missed a few.
Sorry, sir.
D.N. Whitmore from the orchard end.
Ha! Ooh.
Down to square leg.
When's dinner?
(SNORTS)
Get a load of that. (LAUGHS)
- I'm late for the mish.
- You can't go now.
We have to feed everyone.
Pick or cook, I can't do
both. Not with this many.
Hey, all this chat's
not feeding my girls.
What would you suggest?
(BLOWS WHISTLE)
Mountjoy, Levi, kitchen duty now.
I'm sorry, I can't.
Sun's about to set, which means
it's officially the Sabbath.
Again?
- I'll help.
- Thanks, Sadie.
Alright, quick sticks.
Full disclosure, I do
not know how to cook.
But I do take excellent direction.
Oh, we'll make an impressive duo, then.
So, how long have you and
Mrs Whitmore been fadoodling?
(SPITS)
WOMEN: (SING) We are the girls
who will harvest your crops ♪
We'll stick to the dumpster ♪
Sorry, missus.
(WOMEN CONTINUE SINGING)
But no other army
works harder than us ♪
Bloody harvest.
Dinky-di ♪
No other army works harder than us. ♪
Shit, shit, shit!
Evening service will now be at five.
If you can't be home
by then, don't bother.
You'll get kicked out.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Ooh.
Why has he been ignoring you?
Oh, has he?
I hadn't noticed.
You're a terrible liar.
(SIREN WAILS)
Don't worry, girls! It's just a drill.
(LAUGHS) No-one's escaped.
(LAUGHS)
(BREATHES SHALLOWLY)
(MULTIPLE SIRENS WAIL)
(BREATHES SHALLOWLY)
Frankie? What's happening?
- I can't breathe.
- It's fine.
It's alright.
I'm here. It's alright.
It's alright.
I have no time.
(SCREAMS)
I can't lose the
harvest. I can't go back.
It's alright. I'm here, I'm here.
It's alright.
Just just have some
water. Have some water.
(FRANCESCA GASPS)
Mrs Whitmore's fine.
A bit too much sun.
(RADIO BROADCAST IN ITALIAN)
- (DOOR BANGS)
- (GASPS)
Why are you listening to
that? You'll be arrested.
Are you missing your family?
- We should go back to work.
- Wait.
It's too risky.
You should know, Sadie she's like us.
She says all the pickers
know and they don't care.
They protect her.
We don't have to hide in front of them.
We do have to hide.
I have to hide.
Whatever fantasy world Sadie
lives in, it doesn't exist.
But couldn't it exist?
If you want to be
someone's girlfriend
maybe you should be with her.
(DOOR SLAMS)
Are you alright?
Of course.
Forget I asked.
Nothing says "I'm fine"
like chimney smoking in
the middle of the night.
It's Frankie.
I don't know why everything
has to be so difficult with her.
(SIGHS)
Yeah, I'm really lucky I found
people who'll look out for me.
But it's not like that
for a lot of people.
- I'd love to do this, but
- I'm sorry.
you're clearly
going through something.
- Yeah, I know. I'm sorry.
- Don't be sorry.
I want to be there for you,
and it's more complicated
if we're also kissing.
Thank you.
You're very strong.
Honestly, I'm getting
weaker by the second.
(ECHOED LAUGHTER)
(LAUGHS)
(SHOUTS IN ITALIAN)
(ALL SHOUT)
(SHOUTS IN ITALIAN)
Esther
Here. It's from your mother.
If you want to be with
Robert, be with him.
I should have never told
him to stay away from you.
Dear Mother
No.
To Mother
(WOMAN SIGHS AND MOANS)
(PANTING AND MOANING INTENSIFIES)
(MAN MOANS)
(WOMAN MOANS)
(WOMAN CRIES OUT)
(BOTH MOAN AND GASP)
Esther.
Suppose you've, uh
seen that one in one of my books.
Don't mock me.
Because I see you.
The drinking,
being an insufferable arse to everyone.
You think what you do doesn't matter.
Maybe because you
think YOU don't matter.
Your actions affect people, Robert.
They affect me.
And I bet I'm not the only one.
Mum.
It's true what everyone says about me.
I'm a coward.
I should have gone to the funeral.
Not for him, but for you.
- Oh, Robbie.
- I'm sorry, Mum.
(CYCLES THROUGH CHANNELS)
(BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS)
I have to say, I've
underestimated you all.
If we keep going like this, we're
going to finish by the end of
No, no, no! Don't say it.
Please tell me you didn't just jinx it.
WOMAN: (ON RADIO) In breaking news,
we have received reports of an
unprecedented low pressure front
moving rapidly through the region.
Farmers are urged to take shelter,
with widespread damage
to crops predicted
Too late! (BLOW WHISTLE)
Attention, ladies!
Mrs Whitmore here has
just made the faux pas
of announcing a successful harvest.
Yeah, so now, of course,
we've got a storm coming.
- What's happening?
- Double time, women!
We have never lost a harvest yet!
Quick, hurry.
We can't possibly pick all the rest.
I need you up a ladder.
The Woolworths contract.
We're going to lose the farm.
What will I tell Mother?
Pick, or get out the way, Des.
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(THUNDER CRASHES)
(BIRDWOOD BLOWS WHISTLE)
(THUNDER CRASHES)
(BIRDWOOD BLOWS WHISTLE)
Attention, ladies!
Inside, girls! It is too dangerous!
You cannot stay out here any longer!
Hurry! Hurry! Come on! Take cover!
(BIRDWOOD CONTINUES SHOUTING)
It's over.
Time to pack your bags.
(ENGINE STARTS)
- Have you seen Frankie?
- (BLOWS WHISTLE)
Alright, quick sticks.
Quick sticks, on the bus.
Alright, girls, hope you've
all had a toilet stop.
- Oi!
- It's gonna be a bit of a drive.
- What the hell's going on?
- Let's go.
Hey.
You you're not leaving, are you?
Don't pretend you care.
We lost the harvest.
Wasn't our fault!
Let's go.
FRANCESCA: Stop the bus! Stop!
- Brandy!
- What?!
The crop will be brandy!
We can charge more than for cider.
Brandy! Brandy!
Yes! Hey, come back, we need you.
So now that we're friends again
We're not friends.
Fair enough. I've been a knob.
Enemies?
Warmer.
I've got a very important
matter to discuss with you.
Oh.
The fact that you've mentioned
my name 27 times to your mother.
She's right to be upset. It
sounds like a major crush to me.
(LAUGHS)
A (LAUGHS)
- Are you alright?
- I'm fine.
I assume you're gonna need help.
I mean, ongoing.
To build a brandy still,
to keep the fire going.
Francesca
I've been speaking with
Mother and we agreed
Mother agreed with me, my
idea, after a fruitful
(DISTANT SHOUTING AND LAUGHTER)
(LAUGHS)
(LAUGHTER)
Yes. Hey!
BIRDWOOD: To Des.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
Despite his best efforts,
we still succeeded.
(LAUGHTER)
- To Des!
- To Des.
Thank you, Des, you useless fool.
(ALL LAUGH)
Oh!
Join us.
I've been speaking with Mother,
and we both agree that it's not working.
What do you mean?
The experimental girls were a disaster.
And you're not capable
of running the farm.
We saved the harvest.
The windfall with the brandy.
Come, have a drink with us.
I saw you
with the girls.
You were all laughing at me.
No.
You misunderstood.
Do not laugh at me Francesca!
I am not a fool.
You're you're hurting me, Des!
You're hurting me!
You're hurting me.
(GRUNTS)