Hillary (2016) s01e06 Episode Script

1 RADIANT MUSIC JIM: Ed, this is my daughter, Louise, who I think you've already met.
You played beautifully this evening.
Thank you.
She's won a three-year scholarship to the Conservatorium of Music.
Three years in Sydney? - Will you write to me? - I promise.
- I've got Ed here.
- Oh.
And he wants to marry you and take you round the world.
What do you think of that? Tell him yes.
CHEERING I can't think of anyone better qualified to lead our expedition to find the Himalayan Yeti.
Yeah, I'll give it a whirl.
- I'm gonna be away for four months, Whizz.
- You love Nepal.
Ed.
Hey.
Ed.
Oi.
Got him? MEN SPEAK LOCAL LANGUAGE TENSE MUSIC Ed, just keep taking steady, calm breaths.
MUSIC SOFTENS Burra Sahib, soup coming.
GENTLE MUSIC EDMUND: "To be honest, Whizz, I don't remember much.
I was having a lot of difficulty breathing, that's all.
It was handy having a neurosurgeon on the team, Whizz.
Charles tells me I've had a near-fatal cerebral oedema and I have to rest at lower altitude.
Don't wanna get out of bed or do anything much.
Charles says depression is perfectly normal after a stroke, but I suspect it goes much deeper than that.
" PAPER RUSTLES I hate small planes.
[CHUCKLES.]
You can be there in five days.
He needs you.
Louise, we'll take care of the children.
BIRD SQUAWKS IN DISTANCE [BLEATS.]
RICH STRING MUSIC BELLS CHIME SOFTLY ENGINE HUMS [EXHALES SHAKILY.]
BIRDS CHIRP, FIRE CRACKLES SOFTLY KNOCKING ON DOOR Namaste.
Namaste.
Burra Sahib, plenty sleep having.
Sleep no needing.
Not now, Mingma.
Burra Sahib, you have visitor.
SOFT MUSIC - Whizz.
- WHISPERS: Hey.
SOFT MUSIC CONTINUES I've missed you.
I was so tired, Whizz.
I've never felt like that in the mountains before.
Maybe the mountain's trying to tell you something.
I don't wanna think about that.
So what if you can't go high any more? What have you got left to prove? You're not a young man any more, Ed.
You've got a wife and kids to think about.
Yeah, that I have to support by running around the mountain, searching for a creature that doesn't even exist.
You don't have to do that, OK? We will find something else.
Something will turn up.
You'll see.
Oh, thank you.
[SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE.]
- Thank you.
- [SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE.]
They've asked me to build a school here.
That's amazing.
God, Ed, that's quite an honour.
Couldn't just build a classroom and leave it at that.
Have to find teachers, pay wages, buy books.
SOFT, BRIGHT MUSIC I couldn't just let it fizzle out after a couple of years.
It'd be a huge ongoing commitment, really.
MUSIC BUILDS [SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE.]
BRIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES All good? MINGMA SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE [SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE.]
Signed petition having, Burra Sahib.
Namaste.
READS: Respected Burra Sahib, Sir Edmund Hillary, we, the local people, Sherpas of Thame, Kuhmbu, are requesting your honour to open a school at Thame, just like the one you're uilding in Khumjung.
We hope Your Honour may consider our prayer.
Yours, Chewang Rimpi Sherpa.
SOFT, POIGNANT MUSIC Is this all the people in your village? SOFT MUSIC CONTINUES I looked at Chewang, - and I looked at George, - [CHUCKLES.]
and I knew I had to say yes.
Of course you did.
It wouldn't surprise me if Mingma put them up to it.
No, I'd put money on it.
Says there's more petitions for schools, new bridges, water supply for Khunde.
John said the World Book Encyclopedia will contribute half - if we raise the other half.
- [CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
- [CHUCKLES.]
It's a lot of fundraising, Whizz.
- Well, you're good at that.
Wouldn't just stop there, though.
It'll be a full-time job.
Well, what else are you gonna do with the rest of your life, eh? [CHUCKLES.]
I can't think of anything better.
And I'll help you.
We can do it together.
- RADIO: Pretty girl - What's this song? Oh, I like it.
- This looks like fun.
- Sorry.
Ah, yes, that's the opening of our first school in Khumjung.
- Have you seen my shirts?! - They're in the bottom of your suitcase! As they always are.
[CHUCKLES.]
Yeah, the Sherpas love dressing up and dancing.
Every year it seems like the parties get longer and longer and bigger and bigger.
- Milk? Sugar? - Just one, thanks, Belinda.
- Oh, he's so cute.
- I know.
- They're great kids.
- Right, I am off.
- OK.
Ah, ah, eh, not for you.
- [CHUCKLES.]
OK, have a safe trip.
- I will.
- Make lots of money.
- Mm-hm.
- Bye, Dad.
Bye, sweetheart.
So while we're doing these little cake stalls here, Ed's off overseas, talking to hundreds of people in America.
Yep, more fundraising.
And then next year we'll all heading to Nepal with Ed - to help him build a hospital.
- I'm enrolled in a school there.
Gosh, you are an adventurous lot.
[LAUGHS.]
I can't imagine my Neil or my kids ever agreeing to do that.
How do you cope with all the upheaval? Well, you know, I can rely on the excellent planning of my husband to steer us through relatively unscathed.
I'll do my best.
I have to go.
OK.
Ah.
- Bye! - Bye! - Bye! - TRANQUIL, CHIMING MUSIC MUSIC DEEPENS I don't wanna fly into Phaplu, Ed.
I think Belinda and I will take a bus to Jiri and then we'll walk from there.
No way.
- Ed.
- It's too far.
You'll be fine.
Everyone's expecting you.
Jim and Phyllis can't wait to see you.
- It's a milk run these days.
- DOOR SHUTS They do it with their eyes closed.
Well, that's not very comforting.
Look at her, Mum.
She's so cute.
Hello.
[CHUCKLES.]
- PUPPY WHINES SOFTLY - I wish you wouldn't do this.
It's a stray.
It's probably full of worms and God knows what else.
Well, you're building a hospital for people full of worms and God knows what.
PUPPY WHINES [SQUEAKS.]
I can come back to Kathmandu and fly up with you, if that would help.
Thank you.
[SQUEAKS SOFTLY.]
I'll see you both in a fortnight's time.
- Hope your exams go well, Belinda.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Thanks, Dad.
- Good luck.
- Thanks.
- Bye, Whizz.
- OK.
[GRUNTS.]
ENGINE RUMBLES - ENGINE BLARES - Bye! ENGINE HUMS ENGINE RUMBLES SOFT ACOUSTIC GUITAR MUSIC RUMBLING FADES GUITAR MUSIC CONTINUES Dear Ed, I've managed to track down most of the supplies you requested.
Now, honestly, there is no need for you to come back to Kathmandu.
I was being a sook.
Belinda and I are big girls now, and we can fly up on our own.
Do not come back to Kathmandu.
CHICKENS CLUCK [CROWS.]
My, my.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Leaving nothing to chance, are we? - What do you reckon? I think, um, [IMITATES MINGMA.]
"Burra Sahib happy making.
" [CHUCKLES.]
That's the general idea, George.
Yeah, well done, Romeo.
CHICKENS CLUCK DISTANT PERCUSSIVE MUSIC PLAYS MEN SING [SQUEAKS SOFTLY.]
Come on, love.
It's time to head to the airport now.
Come on.
Come on.
[SMOOCHES.]
- Lady Hillary.
- Thank you.
Echo, bravo, tango, requesting permission to take off.
Over.
Everybody all right back there? - You all right? - Yeah, I'm fine.
ENGINE RUMBLES [EXHALES SHAKILY.]
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
BIRDS CHIRP SOFTLY - Here you are.
- Ta.
[GRUNTS.]
- [SIGHS.]
Should've been here ages ago.
- Weather's probably packed in.
[SIGHS SOFTLY.]
[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY.]
What the hell is taking them so long? Oh, Louise will have forgotten something, you can guarantee it.
[CHUCKLES.]
- Think I can hear that plane coming in, Ed.
- DISTANT WHIRRING That's not a plane.
It's a chopper.
[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY.]
[SPEAKS INAUDIBLY.]
WHIRRING What's going on? Everything OK? There's been an accident.
HAUNTING MUSIC MUSIC DEEPENS FIRE CRACKLES, SOFT CLATTERING SOMBRE MUSIC MUSIC JOLTS MUSIC CONTINUES [SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE.]
[INHALES, EXHALES HEAVILY.]
- SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC - [SOBS.]
SOBBING CONTINUES [CRIES.]
CRYING GROWS LOUDER PIANO MUSIC SWELLS SOFTLY MUSIC CONTINUES Oh.
Good heavens.
[CLEARS THROAT, CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
No one can sleep.
- There's fresh tea in the pot.
- Oh, actually, that's a good idea.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Too much of that ghastly Nepalese rum last night.
- CHUCKLING - I blame you, Mingma.
- Sorry.
- [CHUCKLES.]
When Sarah and Peter get here, I wanna go back to Phaplu, and I'm gonna finish the hospital.
- There's no rush, Ed.
- Ed.
We think you should come back to Auckland and take it easy for a bit, eh.
Mate, don't worry about the hospital.
The rest of you don't have to, but I'm gonna finish this damn hospital.
DOOR SHUTS Lunch is ready! You should probably eat something, Ed.
HAMMERING SOFT, DISTANT BIRDCALL [YELLS.]
[YELLS.]
[SOBS, YELLS.]
[SOBS, YELLS.]
CHANTING BELL CHIMES CHANTING CONTINUES SOFT CLATTERING UNSETTLING CHIMING MUSIC ENGINE RUMBLES SOFTLY MUSIC DEEPENS, BUILDS MUSIC PEAKS, STOPS ABRUPTLY [GASPS.]
[BREATHES HEAVILY.]
LIGHT SWITCH CLICKS LID CLATTERS PILLS RATTLE [BREATHES SHAKILY, EXHALES HEAVILY.]
DISTANT PIANO MUSIC, WOMAN AND CHILD SING How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.
- WHIZZ: Good work.
- Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
Good work! Shall we do it again? Shall we sing it again? Do we know how to sing nice and loudly? I reckon we do.
- PIANO PLAYS - Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
Whizz? How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
- Whizz? - CHILD CHATTERS Yes.
Can you see your mummy? [GASPS.]
Hey, that's good.
Great! Look at that.
CHILD: [CHUCKLES.]
What's that? [LAUGHS.]
Look at that.
[CHUCKLES.]
SILENCE Dad? CLATTERING, SIZZLING Is that you, Peter? Yeah.
Yeah, thought I'd make you some breakfast.
Uh, how do you like your eggs? Don't bother about me.
I'm on my way to the airport.
I've got a fundraiser in Chicago, and I've got another one in London.
Oh.
Oh, um, should've given you more warning.
How are you keeping? [EXHALES SLOWLY.]
OK.
Well, I'm running late.
Uh, we'll catch up when you get back, then, Dad? Maybe have a beer or ? That would be good, Peter.
BOTTLE CLINKS Ah, Charles, very good to see you again.
- Keeping well? - Yes, yes.
Yourself? Very well, thank you, yes.
So, George, [SIGHS.]
how is he? - Not good.
- No.
Ed.
It's very lovely to see you again, old man.
How are you keeping? Can't complain.
Ah.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
How are Peter and Sarah? - Good, thank you, George.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY.]
- Be strong, Hillary.
Sometimes, George, I think I lack the will to carry on.
We all loved Louise, Ed.
And Belinda, she was she was a lovely girl.
But you've got Peter and Sarah, Ed.
You've gotta hang in there, mate.
SOFT GUITAR MUSIC I don't know if I can, George.
PHYLLIS: Ed! It's me! SOFT GUITAR MUSIC CONTINUES Ed? Where are you? Ed? Ed? Oh God, no.
Ed, wake up.
Ed! - Ed! - [GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
[SIGHS.]
- [GRUNTS SOFTLY.]
- There you are, Ed.
- CURTAINS OPEN - It's a beautiful day.
Jim and I are going out to the beach.
You should come with us.
Come on.
Stop being silly.
Up you get, Ed.
Come on.
Brisk walk in the fresh air will do you the world of good.
Come on.
I'll grab your jacket.
It's cold out there.
Come on, Ed.
Up you get.
Ed, I know we're not supposed to talk about this, but I'm going to anyway.
If Louise was still alive, what would you two be doing, eh? I know you both; you would've had something planned.
Oh, I'm fed up with this.
Ed.
Ed! Don't be so bloody stubborn.
We should be able to talk about these things.
Ed, we lost a daughter and a grandchild.
Peter and Sarah lost their mother and their sister.
You're not the only member of this family who is grieving.
Everybody is hurting.
LOW, SOMBRE MUSIC Can't you see that? We had plans.
We were planning an adventure we could do together.
Trip up the Ganges in jetboats.
[CHUCKLES.]
From the open seas to the headwaters in the Himalayas.
You should do it.
WARM MUSIC Wouldn't be the same without her.
Do it.
[CHUCKLES.]
Ed, you might just find she tags along for the ride.
CHANTING, BELLS RING [CHANTS.]
He's asking the gods to bless our journey, Ed.
He's asking the gods to bless our boats.
He's asking the gods to bless us.
Maybe you could ask him to ask the gods to pull finger, cos we're losing daylight.
MOTOR REVS WARM MUSIC MUSIC BRIGHTENS What's wrong? Looks like a blocked fuel filter.
CLATTERING So much for your bloody puja.
Faith.
You must have faith, Ed.
Mohan, my friend, I lost faith in faith a long time ago.
CHEERING - What are they doing here? - They're here for you, mate.
Big crowd here, Burra Sahib.
CHEERING CONTINUES This is bloody ridiculous.
ALL CHEER MAN: Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! CHEERING CONTINUES What is the purpose of your journey, Sir Hillary? Are you on a pilgrimage? Uh, no, an adventure, really.
Uh, my wife and I often talked about going up this great river and from the Bay of Bengal to the Himalayas.
Would it be true to say, Sir Hillary, that if Lady Hillary was with you, your happiness would be complete? - We're very happy to be here.
- EXCITED CHEERING BRIGHT MUSIC Indians turn to this river for everything, food, inspiration, healing.
I met an 80-year-old the other day.
Travelled three days to see ya, Ed.
They consider him a deity, you see, George.
They think you are a living god, Ed.
Well, this living god is buggered.
Indians turn to this river for many things, especially forgiveness.
SEAGULLS CAW IN DISTANCE We've been invited to a puja to bless the journey.
I think we've been blessed often enough.
It's the holiest city on the holiest river in India, Ed.
I'm not even religious.
Mohan's Sikh.
Mingma's Buddhist.
I was Salvation Army, for God's sake.
It doesn't matter.
Maybe this blessing will be a blessing in disguise.
In two day's time we'll be in Varanasi.
I think we should go.
ETHEREAL MUSIC I'm a lucky man.
I had a dream and it came true not a thing that happens very often to men.
APPLAUSE I think I'm a pretty typical New Zealander just an ordinary person though I do have a lot of determination.
I love adventure, and I also quite like to succeed.
ETHEREAL MUSIC CONTINUES When I was on top of Mt Everest, I looked across and I saw a route up another mountain, and I thought to myself, "I could do that.
" Even then I was looking for other challenges.
But leaving a footprint on the top of Mt Everest was nothing compared to meeting and marrying Louise.
And having the kids, well, that was a bonus I could never have expected.
RADIANT MUSIC MAN CHANTS, CROWD CHEERS Goodbye, Belinda.
Goodbye, Louise.
WARM, PEACEFUL MUSIC [SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE.]
[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY.]
[RECITES BLESSING IN LOCAL LANGUAGE.]
CROWD RECITES BLESSING WARM, PEACEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES GENTLE MUSIC The only real triumph is the triumph over despair.
Nothing can beat a tear on your departure, the joy on your return or a trusting hand in yours.
GENTLE, BRIGHT MUSIC