Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1993) s02e05 Episode Script

(joyful music) (piano music) Can I ask you a question? [Kathleen.]
Yes.
How'd you learn how to play the piano when you're blind, Professor Waugh? Michael.
Ms.
O'Neil, that's a perfectly reasonable question.
I could see when I was born but my sight began to fail as the years went by.
By the time I'd completely lost it, I'd already learned to play and tune the piano, with the help of my beautiful daughter Yvonne.
Here Father, here's a stool.
[Professor.]
Thank you, darling.
(piano music) (soft piano music) (dog barking) (parade music) Let's have a look.
Let's go outside.
Look at him, look at the flag.
(cornet music) Whoa.
(children laughing) Let's follow him.
I think who's ever murdering that cornet could use a few lessons, don't you? That's a boxing troupe, Professor.
Oh, well you can't expect Bach to compete with the manly art, can you? Oh, indeed you can.
And I think we should.
[Little Girl.]
Oh, look at that man, isn't he funny.
(cornet music) Dandy Jim O'Rourke.
Fought for the championship 25 years ago.
I was at the fight.
Please, come in.
Herbert, I'd like you to meet Professor Waugh and his daughter, Ms.
Waugh.
This is Mr.
Elliott, our bank manager.
Professor.
Ms.
Waugh.
Mr.
Elliott.
I'd I'd offer some tea but I'm so, terribly, short-staffed at the moment.
Oh, don't give it a thought.
As you've seen Herbert, our town has been, literally invaded by a boxing troupe.
Yes.
Yes, I've seen them.
Yes, my daughter has suggested an alternative form of entertainment.
You see, I play piano a little.
My Father could have been a concert pianist, had it not been.
We were hoping, Herbert, that you might be able to assist in some way.
But don't even consider it sir, we had no idea that you were short-staffed.
Professor, I'd be delighted.
Delighted.
(harmonica music) It's too loose, tighten it.
Gentlemen, putting on the gloves while we're here, huh.
Oh, I beg your pardon Pastor but I learned the hand myself from Reverend Brother Sylvester.
Quite a wicked left hook.
(laughing) But we're here all week, my boys will fight all comers everyday, until we find the district champ and I'll fight him, myself, on Saturday.
Well, I guess it's up to me to represent the McGregor clan.
Hey Dad.
McGregor.
Matt.
Matt McGregor.
(laughing) Dandy O'Rourke.
(laughing) Been a long time.
Could have been a champion himself, if he'd stuck at it, aye.
You're looking well.
(laughing) Handles, of course, advertising the daily time and program and an interview with Professor Waugh might arouse some interest.
What do you think? Oh no.
I doubt it, Mrs.
O'Neil.
I think I'd be totally unknown, in this country at least.
Good morning to you, ma'am.
Sirs.
O'Rourke's the name, fighting's the game.
Would I have the pleasure of meeting Mrs.
O'Neil.
Why, it must be.
They told me she's the most beautiful woman in the mountains and here she is before my eyes.
Well, Mr.
O'Rourke, you're a lucky man to be able to see such a picture.
Blarney will get you nowhere, Mr.
O'Rourke, nor you Professor.
Well, will gold do it? To buy some advertising space.
I don't like the business you're in Mr.
O'Rourke, but I believe in a free press, so, yes, I'll accept your advertising.
Spoken like a true O'Neil.
I'm a Halloran by birth.
Halloran.
The only race of people to ever outfight the O'Neils.
Good day to you ma'am, sirs.
Good day to you, Mr.
O'Rourke.
I think this boxing troupe could give us some stiff competition, Mrs.
O'Neil.
Every man in town will be there.
Not every man I hope, Mr.
Gleeson.
With a few exceptions, myself included.
Good.
Well, I'll leave you to interview Professor Waugh.
A boxing match and a piano recital in this entertainment starved town, that will probably mean that every able-bodied man, woman and child, will be at one or the other.
I hope so, Mr.
Gleeson.
(laughing) Terrible fighting people the O'Neils.
They should never fight an O'Neil.
What do you say to that, Dad? Well, he's right.
Hey Matt, hey Matt, do you remember that Yankee fellow of the whaling ship you fought.
Oh, he was a big man, a big man.
20 rounds they went, bare knuckle rows that Well, they were great, great days but you can't go on living in the past.
Now, do you know this one? It's an oldie but a goldie.
(playful tune) (harmonica music) [Dandy.]
They were great days, Matt.
Yeah.
Why are you still fighting? I thought you would have won enough to buy into some small business or something.
It's a bit like fairy gold with me, Matt.
It slips through my fingers.
I have to fight to live.
Yeah but you have to stop sometime.
Can you keep a secret? I'm a very lucky man, I know how I'm going to die.
It'll be in the ring.
One good punch to the head and I'll be finished.
It's as the doctor says it's like an old bull under the butchers hammer.
Well, then stop for heaven's sake.
You know, I'll get you in some work.
I'll find you a job myself but stop.
Well maybe I will, after Saturday.
No, now, you stop now.
I've issued a challenge, it's in the paper.
No one's going to say Dandy Jim O'Rourke turned coward at the end.
[Herbert.]
Ms.
Waugh.
Oh, Mr.
Elliott.
- Professor.
- Good morning.
Would you care to step into my office? I've been thinking, perhaps you'd like a list of people who own pianos in the district, acceptable people.
Yes, that would be very kind of you.
Ah, well then.
Please.
There's the McGregors of course, and the Blackwoods.
I could think of, perhaps, a dozen.
A musical district.
Yes, well, you and your Father might have to prolong your stay.
(laughing) You play the piano yourself? Just a little.
My daughter was forced to give up her musical career when Father please.
She had to become a nursemaid to her Father.
It was my studies as much as anything.
I insisted that she take up bookkeeping and accounting because music is such an unreliable profession.
Bookkeeping and accountancy.
Well, piano tuning doesn't pay very much.
I must confess Mr.
Elliott, that I was trying to gather the courage to, to apply for a position.
Ms.
Waugh, do I understand that you're looking for employment? I realize that you couldn't possibly But I could.
I thought I'd mentioned how short-staffed I am but to find somebody with skills in accountancy.
Well, I'm hardly skilled Mr.
Elliott but it would be a blessing to us, to my Father and I.
Well, you are a gentleman, sir.
Yes and you'll never regret it.
[Herbert.]
Well, thank you.
Well, I think it's time we moved them to higher country.
Dad, if you were a woman.
Hmm? Well, you know how they say that they don't like men fighting, right.
Yeah, well they don't.
Yeah but if a man could prove he was the best fighter in the district, then he Who are you trying to impress, Victoria Blackwood? Dad, I know I could be champ and I know I could beat Dandy O'Rourke.
Yeah, well there's no glory in that, he's older than me.
Still, he was gonna be champ once.
(laughing) You remind me of the young bucks that come up here wanting to outride me.
I don't want you fighting Dandy.
Why not? Can't tell you why not, just don't.
Dad, everyone in the town is gonna be having a go.
They're gonna call me a coward.
Well, I'm sorry but I got my reasons.
(piano music) Rob.
Professor Waugh's musical recital on Saturday afternoon.
Can I expect the McGregors there? I'm sure that I'm busy Saturday afternoon.
Yes, it seems every man in Paterson's Ridge has some pressing engagement on Saturday.
Really? Yes, really.
I just find bookkeeping so exciting.
You do? Neat columned figures so pure, so exact, so uninhibited.
I haven't thought but you're right, there's something almost Feminine.
Yes, feminine.
Oh, Kathleen.
You've met my new assistant.
Your assistant? As of today.
Oh, congratulations, Ms.
Waugh.
Herbert, I thought you could distribute some of these to your customers.
Oh, the recital.
Well then, I'll see you later.
(joyful music) Victoria.
Hello Robbie.
- Just out for a ride.
- So I see.
Listen, I was wondering what a girl like you would think about a fella like me doing a little bit of boxing? I'd think he was an idiot.
Well, what would you think if all the fellas in the town thought I was a coward for not having a go.
Rob, if you're gonna do it, just do it but don't ask for sympathy later.
I won't need any sympathy.
I'm gonna win.
(crowd shouting) (bell ringing) Whoa.
(heavy breathing) [Colin.]
Maybe we should slow it down.
You'll be fighting me if you do.
- Hurry, so no one sees us.
- Go for me.
(bell ringing) Seconds out.
(crowd shouting) (thud) [Crowd Goer.]
Get up! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, Yes, man down, gentlemen.
(crowd applauding) In the red corner, demonstrating Julias.
Thank you everybody.
(applauding) Yes, Mr.
Gleeson, this is very satisfactory.
Kathleen, Mr.
Gleeson.
Herbert.
I was wondering, the bank would like to sponsor an advertisement for your musical afternoon in the newspaper.
Oh, that's very kind of you.
Thank you, Herbert.
Indeed.
Kathleen, I think I've discovered a gem in Ms.
Waugh.
She has the most beautiful hand, copperplate, you know.
So, I take it you're pleased with your new assistant, Herbert.
Delighted, the word is delighted.
Such a beautiful woman and efficient, wonderfully efficient.
Oh, efficient and beautiful Herbert, that's a dangerous combination for a bachelor.
Well, a man can't remain a bachelor all his life, Kathleen.
A sad and lonely state, believe me.
- Herbert.
- Matt.
Hello Matt.
I've just been to the bank.
Hmm, Ms.
Waugh.
You know Matt, he's only known her, what is it, two days and he's acting like a lovesick calf and she's running the bank.
Well, she seems very efficient.
And beautiful.
I found the two, normally, go hand in hand.
Rob, I thought you would have known better.
Oh, well.
I told you not to fight.
Something to tell the grandkids, I suppose.
(laughing) Now, this is going to hurt a bit.
Might teach you to keep your left up.
(knocking) I was just wondering how the lad is.
Dandy.
He'll live.
You came pretty fast for an old man.
Yes, well, I didn't want you taking anymore punishment but if should ever decide to join the ranks of the professionals, I'd be honored to train you.
No, thanks.
(laughing) The boy shows promise, Matt.
I saw a touch of you in him there today.
Ah, you're an old rug, Dandy.
I'll not deny it but before you show me the door, could I have a word? Colin, could you do the honors, please.
I'm on this.
Whatever it is the answer's no.
Now how do you know your answer's no when I haven't asked the question? Well, ask away.
Not so much a question, this is more of a favor to a friend.
Hmm-Mm.
You have to fight me on Saturday.
It's the only safe thing for me.
No.
If it's good enough to represent the district and that house of lies you call the parliament, it's good enough to represent it in the ring.
I think it's a little bit different, Dandy.
You're not one of these fellas that go off in the world and forget their friends.
Oh, come on.
You know I'd help you in any way I could, any way but this.
Why? Why won't you get in the ring, put on the gloves and dance around to help a friend? You already know the reason.
We talked about him a few days ago.
What, that Yankee whaling fella? Sitting by his bed for two days and nights and him not waking and when he eventually does, he doesn't recognize me.
Eye to eye for 20 rounds and he doesn't know my face.
So, I hung up my gloves and came home.
Matt.
I hung them up Dandy, for good.
Good morning, Professor.
Oh, good morning.
Don't tell me, it's Mrs.
O'Neil.
Yes it is.
You could tell from my voice.
Yes and now that you're closer I can smell your perfume.
Oh, I don't wear perfume.
Oh, you don't.
I smell lavender.
Yes, from the wardrobe.
I'm very impressed.
Oh, do you think you could help guide me up the street I need Yvonne to help me buy some things.
- Yes, yes of course.
- Thank you.
Step, that's it.
Here you are, Professor.
Yvonne, are you there? Yes Father.
- [Professor.]
And Herbert.
- Yes, Professor.
Herbert, I was wondering if I could borrow Yvonne for a few moments, there's some things I need to buy.
Herbert, may I.
Of course, Yvonne.
Oh and if you could buy me some soap, my dear, it seems we've exhausted our supply.
- Of course.
- Thank you.
My pleasure.
Such a wonderful woman and such a help to her Father.
Where do they come from, before they came here? They traveled here, in a way some musicians always have, Mozart and Handel, Liszt, Chopin, all of them traveled.
You don't know where they come from.
You don't know who they are.
I've known them for such a Short time.
Kathleen, all I need to know is that Yvonne is the dearest girl in the world and that her father is a man who has suffered a great deal.
I did have some plaster pairs here somewhere, ordered it in for an artist chap onetime.
Knew it would come in handy if I kept it long enough.
Could I have some varnish.
Varnish, sure.
Yes, that's easy.
Finding some pictures, Professor.
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't think.
(laughing) They'd be very strange pictures, Mr.
Temple, very strange.
Do you have a selection of small files.
Files? Now, I am curious.
Father models in wax and then cast the pieces out.
You use those files, Professor? Yes, I smooth the rough edges when I'm finished.
You've run out of pianos to tune, Professor? Oh, that would be, Mrs.
O'Neil.
You startled me.
Oh, I fear the smell of lavender's worn off.
No, Mrs.
O'Neil.
No, I haven't run out of pianos, it's just all work and no play, you know.
This is my hobby.
Oh.
Oh and Mr.
Elliott needed some soap.
Your stupid Herbert can't keep track of his keys or his soap.
I wonder how he can keep track of his money.
Don't underestimate him, Julius, or any of them.
They're not quite as silly as you think they are.
They're a bunch of fools, moronic cretins.
These yokels wouldn't know if it was Christmas or Thanksgiving and it'll be a pleasure to let them know.
There's something not right here.
They all know each other, too friendly.
I got a bad feeling about this one.
Oh, come on, Yvonne.
I've been rolling this scam clean across the United States and now these colonies.
It's a delicate instrument, finely tuned to perfection.
Forget about your bad feelings, will ya.
Feelings are feelings Julius and I got them.
This afternoon gentlemen, a pugilistic spectacle, never to be repeated in Paterson's Ridge.
Dandy O'Rourke, himself, former contender with the Australian heavyweight championship, will fight the local challenger over 10 rounds, under MaCalus off Queens road.
We have scoured the district.
So, can we expect you this afternoon, Colin? Well, as a matter of fact.
Always the the preface to rely.
To tell the absolute truth.
May you be forgiven? I've been asked to attend this afternoon, in case someone is injured.
Oh, of course, last rights, in case they beat each other to death.
You have told them that it's blessed are the peacemakers, not blessed are the haymakers, haven't you? (laughing) They're worse than you are.
Hmm.
Now, come and help me with this piano.
[Matt.]
Uh-Huh.
Hmm.
Paterson's Ridge is very lucky to have a man of the Professor's ability to play for us.
Yeah, it doesn't happen that often.
Mm-Hmm.
It's a pity the recital has to coincide with the big fight.
Where do you want this thing? Over there, thanks.
You mean, you'd rather watch grown men beat the living daylights out of each other, you'd rather watch that than listen to beautiful music.
Well, that wasn't really what I was sort of saying but.
I always thought of you as a gentle, civilized man, obeying even.
Well, I have my moments.
Why aren't you setting an example? - Keeping away from the fight? - Yes.
Well, I have a certain reason for being there.
And you're not gonna tell me? No, sorry.
Is this fine? No, sorry.
I want it back there.
So, who's it gonna be? Can't tell you that but he'll be there.
It'll be a very rewarding event.
Roll up gentlemen, roll up.
Show me your pennies.
Today's the day, you won't regret it, believe me.
These boxers are, they're the pride of the country.
That's right gentlemen, history in the making.
An exhibition not to be missed.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you sir, you're obviously a patron of the arts.
Only a penny, sir.
Fighting, the like of which you've never seen before.
Excuse me.
Let me help you, Professor.
[Yvonne.]
Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to present Professor Julius Waugh, who'll being this afternoon's recital with prelude number 1, by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Thank you, Professor.
(applauding) (piano music) (cornet music) (applauding) Yes! Honored guests, gentry, gentlemen and others.
(applauding) As you are aware, the preliminaries failed to produce a challenger for today's contest but we will not fail you.
Your outing is not in vain.
There will be a challenger.
Yay! It's not gonna be you.
Better not be.
The man, who if things had gone different, could have been champion of Australia.
I introduce one who needs no introduction, your friend and mine, member of parliament for this district, Matt, the man for Snowy River, McGregor.
(applauding) Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt! (cheering) I should just walk out on this.
Well, then I might have to fight somebody else, who might not be so understanding.
What you do is up to you.
Just one good blow to the head, Matt.
Just a friendly spar, no one's gonna get hurt, are they? - Alright.
- For a friend.
For a friend.
(applauding) (piano music) Have a go! (crowd shouting) Get stuck into him, Matt.
My wife will let me have it when I get home.
Bring her along, I'll pay to see her fight both of them.
(crowd booing) We have to spice it up a bit, Matt.
It's an exhibition, that's all they get.
That's more like it.
(piano music) (applauding) I'm afraid Father's getting one of his migraines.
I didn't realize.
(piano music) (shouting) (bell ringing) Hey, you're boxing really well, Dad.
He's only hit you that once.
Still one up on you though.
You're not even trying.
Why are you holding back? What's going on? Nothing, nothing at all.
(piano music) [Attendee.]
Oh my goodness, I wonder what's wrong with him? Oh dear, oh dear me.
(piano music) [Crowd Goer.]
Hit him, hit him! (thud) It's alright, Dad.
Get up! (piano music) Father! Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm, terribly, sorry but my Father's having one of his terrible migraines.
I'm afraid that we're going to have to cancel the recital.
Oh no, Yvonne, no we can't do that.
Forgive me but my daughter's perfectly capable of playing in my place.
If I just go into the back room and put my head down for a few minutes, I think I'll be better.
Can I get you something, Professor.
Oh no, thank you, Mrs, O'Neil.
Just enjoy my daughter's music.
I'm so sorry.
Thank you.
How did she know she'd have to play? Herbert, will you turn the pages for me? (piano music) You lied to me, Dandy.
I have to make a penny somehow, Matt.
They want to see a fight.
The head, it's not true at all, is it? Honest, that's true enough, alright.
(piano music) (crowd chattering) What's she doing here? [Crowd Goer.]
Just get on with it.
What are we waiting for? We paid for the fight! Come on, get her out of here.
Shouldn't you be at a piano recital? Yes and that's where you should have been.
What's she saying to him? What's she saying to him? [Crowd Goer.]
Come on, Matt.
Never trust a boxer with a woman in the corner.
(crowd shouting) Seconds out.
(bell ringing) Just wait till I get sick.
Come on, Dad.
(groaning) (cheering) Well, start counting.
One, two, three.
I told you, never trust a boxer with a woman in his corner.
Nine, 10.
(cheering) (piano music) Alright, hold it right there.
(gunshot) Get the gun off him.
(tense music) (piano music) (applauding) I'm worried about Father, will you see everyone out while I see how he is.
No, I insist on accompanying you.
He'll be at the hotel? Of course.
The bank's open.
[Matt.]
This one opens the front door and this one the safe.
Really, can I try them? I don't think Mr.
Elliott hands them out as party favors.
They're brand new.
They've still got the tool marks on them.
I saw them buying the files.
I'm not saying anything.
Yeah, well, save it for the troopers.
What's going on here? We caught the Professor stealing from your safe.
The Professor? (laughing) These keys open the front door and the safe and he had this on him.
A blind man? Oh, he's no more blind than you or me.
Oh, Herbert.
This is dreadful.
I had no idea.
What am I going to do? I don't care what wrong doing your father has perpetrated here today, I know you had nothing to do with it.
Her father.
(laughing) Let me introduce, Mrs.
Waugh, my wife, and she's up to her pretty neck in this.
Hey.
You forgive me, Matt? Of course.
My fault for trusting a rogue.
I'll say it again Dandy, give it up.
Well, I will, right after the next one.
And there'll always be a next one, won't there? It's in my blood, Matt.
It'll be the death of me.
Maybe not.
Good luck.
Let's go.
Bye.
[Boy.]
See ya.
Look out.
[Girl.]
Bye.
Bye, come back soon.
Bye [Dandy.]
Bye, kids.
See ya now.
See ya.
Bye now.
See ya, kids.
(harmonica music)