A Place to Call Home (2013) s05e03 Episode Script
All That Glitters
1 SARAH: I saw your paintings.
CAROLYN: I've seen a lot worse than this on exhibition.
These are the photographs I took of your work.
JACK: What are you doing, anyway, running around taking photographs? Surely you've got better things to do with your time.
Actually, you know what? I don't.
ED: Let's see.
When I'm finished.
The book.
Your publisher has the right to chivvy.
And your lover has the right to a kiss.
Now you'll be sleeping up at the big house.
And you have to pull your weight.
You look after David, respect our rules.
GEORGE: The past four years we've had excellent maids whom our son also adores, and now, without any thought of consulting me, you've hired a rebellious Jewish girl to replace them.
DOUGLAS: Jimmy Dancer.
If I can get along on one good lung, then I say let's get rid of the crook one.
I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you.
We've put you through quite a journey, haven't we, Regina? [ELECTRICITY HUMMING, CRACKLING.]
She's finally offering a divorce.
My advice is take her up on it.
She couldn't have picked a better time.
If you agree to this, you will rue the day.
I'm telling you, we all will.
I accept and appreciate your offer of divorce.
Given her recent progress, I will shortly be making a recommendation to the parole board for her release.
How soon might that happen? Two to three months, I'd say.
No.
Don't shoot.
Don't shoot me! No! DOUGLAS: What you gonna give?! Anything! Anything! I want your chocolate.
Not my chocolate! Ha ha ha! Yes! Your chocolate or your life! [COUGHING.]
ELIZABETH: It's only been eight weeks.
- Slow down.
- Nonsense.
You're perfectly comfortable there, aren't you, darling? Counting backwards from ten! - DAVID: No no! I'm running away! - Ten! Nine! - What comes next? - Eight! - DOUGLAS: Ha ha ha! - Whoo! So, what time will you come? Soon as I can sneak out.
I'll bring something to make the place nicer.
- Yeah, me too.
- Really? - What? - You'll see.
LEAH: Cripes, it's Sarah.
I got to go.
It's Friday.
You know, Shabbat.
Thought she might've gotten sick of making you do all that Jewish stuff by now.
Yeah, that's what you think.
She's getting worse.
I'll come as soon as I can get away.
- DAVID: Bang! Bang! - Oh! - Bang bang bang bang! - [GROANING.]
David, David, that's enough, darling.
- Grandpa's getting tired.
- Bang! You double-crossed me, you dirty rat.
Mm, this fresh air's certainly good for Douglas.
Yes, it appears to have grown his lung back.
Quite the miracle.
Mummy, Mummy! [LAUGHS.]
And this one keeps wanting to take his shoes off.
I know.
And if you don't mind, I'd rather he didn't play with guns.
Quite right too.
You need to get inside.
All right, Shabbat's at quarter to 5:00, so we'll see you then.
- Come on, sweetheart.
- Is Granny coming? Yes.
Isn't it exciting? Let's go see what Leah's up to.
Did you say we would attend? David's being raised as a Jew.
Oh, really, Douglas, as if the facts of his birth won't be enough of a hindrance in life for him.
Darling, you'll just have to get used to it.
I don't have to get used to anything.
Which includes you ignoring the doctor's orders about overexertion.
I should tie you up.
SARAH: [LAUGHING.]
No running! - Leah! Bang bang bang bang! - Hello.
Oh! Was it fun with Grandpa? Yes, really fun.
Go put your toy away.
This is a pleasant change.
I thought this week I'd do it early.
Nothing to do with talking to Larry? You don't have to lie about seeing him.
Why don't you like him? It's not a matter of me liking him or not, just don't get too serious.
There's a very big world out there.
- What, Israel, you mean? - Not just Israel.
I don't want you to limit your horizons, that's all.
Lovely.
Just the cup.
There you are, sir.
While I think of it.
Perfect.
How beautiful.
I picked a few outfits I thought you might like.
Get you started till you feel like going shopping.
Thank you, Dickie.
That's very thoughtful.
The pied-Ã -terre I'm organizing will be ready in a couple of days.
You being released early put me on the hop.
It's such a strange feeling.
I've also organized an appointment with the beauty salon downstairs.
Just because you've been to the funny farm doesn't mean you have to look like it.
So when am I due at the embalmers? [CHUCKLES.]
10 minutes.
I'll go down with you.
No, you go, Dickie.
I'll just catch my breath.
We're in this together, don't forget.
Oh, of course I won't.
Thank you.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
My wife my future wife is a convert.
She's raising our son as Jewish.
I just feel it might be better if we three were of the same faith.
- How does she feel about that? - Oh, she doesn't know yet.
I feel I need to understand more before we discuss it.
That's sensible.
I did raise the conversion with a rabbi in Canberra recently.
Now, he seemed to put as many hurdles in my way as possible.
Now, I-I was surprised, I must say.
We want to make sure that the only motivation isn't just to please someone else.
It has to be an internal commitment.
Oh, of course.
He was just testing your resolve.
As your fellow club members here would test you if instead of merely inviting a rabbi in for a drink, you yourself became a Jew.
Well, in that case, I hope that I would either make a terrible fuss as I departed, or, um, history if I stayed.
Think long and hard, Mr.
Bligh.
There is a pathway to join the Jewish people.
- However - Excuse me, sir.
Bear with me, Rabbi.
Excuse me.
Is this person still in the club? It was a telephone message, sir.
Pardon me, Rabbi.
Not at all.
I need to get home for Shabbat.
You'd be most welcome to join us.
- Perhaps another time.
- Okay.
Mr.
Bligh.
Won't you sit down? No, I won't, thank you.
I must say that I'm surprised that you're aware of her release, Mr.
Bligh.
If a Sydney Morning Herald journalist knows, I daresay it wouldn't be long before I did too.
Oh, it didn't come from here, I can assure you.
It's far too early for her to be out.
As her husband, I should have been consulted.
With due respect, my only dealings with you have concerned your acceptance of her offer of a divorce.
You really have no right to be consulted at all.
I beg your pardon I'm not according you blame, Mr.
Bligh, just stating the facts.
Whatever the case, Regina agreeing to and offering you a divorce has been a vital and necessary step in her recovery.
Regina's skill at deception has caused us all great agony.
It isn't easy to forget someone threatening to bash the brains out of a newborn child.
I would have thought it sensible to err on the side of caution.
Regina will have to rebuild her life in a world that will seem hostile to her.
Frankly, she has more to fear from your reaction than you do from her release.
Put yourself in her position.
You might like to put yourself in mine.
It was my son.
I signed a medical release based on my conviction that she was ready.
The court concurred.
The slightest harm to my family from Regina, it'll be on your head.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Dinner will be at 7:00.
Uh, Douglas has accepted an invitation to go to Sarah's religious meal.
The word is Shabbat.
Not saying it won't make it go away.
DOUGLAS: "Douglas isn't up to it" worked when I wasn't.
Four invites later seems plain rude.
Sarah would decline any invitation from me to attend our Eucharist, which is her right, and I respect that.
She's David's mother, darling.
She's a Jew.
That makes him one, so According to their rules, not ours.
This Shabbat invitation feels like some sort of indoctrination.
Oh, come on, Mother.
Isn't that what happens at church every Sunday? - That's a bit much, Caro.
- It's the truth.
David is a Bligh, and this is Ash Park.
I'm not being anti-Semitic, I'm being pro-Bligh.
We have our traditions.
We should raise David in the Church of England.
When he's an adult, he can choose his religion.
- Why can't he do both? - Because - [TELEPHONE RINGS.]
- Ah, saved by the bell.
Because it's incredibly important to his mother that he be raised Jewish, and George has agreed.
Surely not.
LEAH: All right, all right.
"Will there really be a morning? Is there such a thing as day? Could I see it from the mountains if I were as tall as they?" [LAUGHS.]
- "Has it feet like water lilies? - [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Has it feathers like a bird? Is it brought from famous countries" Elizabeth, you're early.
Good.
Come in, come in.
Douglas can't make it? We won't be coming for dinner.
I think your telephone might be off the hook.
Yes, it is.
LEAH: [LAUGHING.]
Ah, I'm afraid I have some bad news.
From George.
[SIGHS.]
Regina has been released.
- When? - This morning.
Where is she? George is endeavoring to find out.
According to the doctor, it was her offer of a divorce that was the key, apparently, to her miraculous recovery.
Now, I warned you both, didn't I? All you had to do was ignore her.
Anyone could see it was just a ploy to be deemed sane and to procure her release.
A decision had to be made.
The wrong decision.
She won't come back here.
She'd be mad to.
Sarah, she is mad.
I think we should just carry on as normal.
As you see fit.
I think so.
Very well.
Good night.
- Good night.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
- The tickle monster is here! - [LAUGHING.]
All right, all right.
Up you get.
[DOOR UNLOCKING.]
Only me.
Hope you're decent.
I would rather you knocked, Dickie.
I'd rather I had all the keys.
Just checking up on my assets.
Drink? Yes, a pot of tea, please.
Ah, Room 16.
Actually, I wasn't too keen on your mood when I left.
Thought I'd check up on you.
- I won't do anything foolish.
- Good.
Oh, this is an improvement, all right.
I thought you'd go back to the brunette.
It helps define the new me.
Well, not too new.
The old one and I were a good team.
You don't need to be all over me, Dickie.
I need to manage by myself.
You can't and you won't.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you, Reggie.
You are a four-year investment.
Will I appear in your report to the shareholders? [CHUCKLES.]
There you go.
They should be running around like headless chooks by now if my bloke's done his job.
Old Ma Bligh might save us the effort and die of shock when she finds out you're roaming free.
Anyway, just relax.
You've got plenty of time.
Forget the tea.
Get the cocktails running.
Things'll seem rosier in the morning.
See you tomorrow, same time.
Be here.
[THUNDER RUMBLES.]
ANNA: [SIGHS.]
- Stop sighing.
- [CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
You hated it.
It's inspired.
What? You have something to say, my darling, and the talent to say it.
[LAUGHING.]
Oh, my God.
You're not just saying that because you're Softhearted about you I may be.
Softheaded I am not.
That is the best thing that you could say to me.
This time I just felt so completely absorbed in it.
And then the next moment I'd written 20 pages.
I just I wasn't sure if they were any good.
Must be something in the waters of Ash Park.
To which, by the way, these past two months you have not once invited me.
Note the pain in my voice.
You'd be bored to tears.
She hid him in the shadows, where all secret love resides.
Now you sound like a character in "Peyton Place.
" "Peyton Place" contains nothing as bad as that.
And your sex scenes are far more scandalous.
Wheel me out of the shadows.
Just for fun.
The tribal rites of Ash Park.
I'll be like Margaret Mead among the Samoans.
We might eat you.
Come on.
Make an honest man of me.
I'll have to meet them sooner or later.
Mm? [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Excuse me.
Can I have a word? - The usual? - Yeah.
George, did you invite a member of the tribe of Abraham in here? - What of it? - You ruffled feathers.
He's a former RAAF fighter ace, for God's sake, Richard.
Actually, I need to talk to you about something confidential.
- Regina.
- What about her? You You haven't heard? You must have known.
Herald journalist has it.
Called me here.
Heard what? She's been released from the asylum.
No consultation with me.
Well, no one told me, and if I don't know, it never happened.
Are you able to suppress the story for us? I'll do my best.
At least stop it appearing in print.
Well, that's in all our interests.
Thank you.
[SIGHS.]
You off already? I need to get back to Ash Park.
Obvious reasons.
Oh, she won't go back there.
I need to be with Sarah and David.
I understand that.
They don't deserve an encore of what they went through.
No one does.
[LAUGHING.]
Shall we do the prayer together? [SIGHS.]
You listen to me.
Now, I stepped in with Isaac on your behalf, did I not? I have been understanding and trusting about Larry.
I ask you to take part in this one thing, and you do it with such bad grace.
This is about the Jewish family.
It's about us, and I will keep saying this until you understand it.
As much as you want to forget you're a Jew, our enemies never will.
This This gives us strength to know who we are.
I'm sorry.
I've just had some worrying news.
Let's start again.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- Oh, I'm freezing.
- What took you so long? Oh, Sarah's got a bee in her bonnet.
- About what? - Oh, she's all jumpy.
She wanted me to stay, making all these excuses.
Oh, she was a lady fighter in two wars.
Nothing's gonna scare her.
So what'd you bring? Oh, you first.
No, no, no, no.
Girls go first.
Come on.
Show us what you brought, and I'll show you what I brought.
We don't have anything nice on the walls here.
Remember? Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
It was so romantic.
We can put it up just there.
- What'd you bring? - Something real special.
Something you can't get, but I got one.
What? Show me.
All right, close your eyes.
Close your eyes.
Hold out your hand.
Keep your eyes shut.
Guess what it is.
No, you'll never guess.
LEAH: What is it? It's a Frenchie.
Ugh! What'd you bring that for? That's not something to make this place nice! - Yeah, it is.
- I'll get in trouble.
No, you dill, it's to stop trouble.
I keep telling you, not till we're married.
I know, I mean, we love each other.
It's just in case we might want to - You want to, you mean.
- No, I never meant it like that.
You really know how to spoil things.
Oh, don't go.
You promised last time that that was as far as we'd go, and I didn't even want to go that far.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Sir, Mrs.
Goddard asked if she might have a word with you as soon as you returned.
You needn't have waited up.
George, why did you agree to a divorce when you could have waited? - Now she's out.
- It's done now, Mother.
Yes, it is.
I did what I thought was best at the time.
I I still do.
If I was Sarah, I would be taking David as far away as possible.
- Well, that won't happen.
- Oh, you don't know mothers.
I know Sarah, and She's strong.
George, even strong women have their breaking points.
Leave it, Mother.
The more you fuss, the harder it is for us to carry on a normal life.
Now, surely, helping Douglas with his recovery is a big enough job for you, hmm? [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- Who is it? - GEORGE: A tall, dark stranger.
[UNLOCKS DOOR.]
What about you and David sleeping in the main house? No, she won't come here, surely.
Peace of mind.
I shouldn't even be worried about her, but [LOCKS DOOR.]
Look at me.
I'm locking doors and jumping at shadows.
It's the shock of it all, that we weren't consulted.
It's intolerable.
It's David I'm worried about.
What if I stay the night? Scandal be damned? First time for everything.
Scandal be damned.
I look forward to waking up beside you every morning.
Whatever it means, her being out, I'll have my divorce by the end of the year.
And then our wedding.
We should elope.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
- Whatever you want.
- [LAUGHS.]
That's music to my ears.
George! Do I detect a hint of disapproval from my bohemian sister? Not I.
I'm all for love.
But you've always been so careful about not staying the night.
I didn't want them down there on their own.
Regina'll be off to Paris or London or somewhere.
I wouldn't worry.
What are you doing up so early? I didn't sleep.
Jack and I had an argument.
About a radio program, of all things.
Well, I hope you don't do that too often.
It can become a habit.
Well, fencing to supervise, then the clinic.
GEORGE: You're making me feel guilty.
Keeps me busy.
That's the main thing.
LYNETTE: Mrs.
Duncan, telephone.
It's Miss Anna.
A trunk call, ma'am.
This early.
It's either good news or bad.
Early start to the day, madam? Best part of the day, really.
It is, isn't it? - Anything else? - No, thank you.
[FOOTSTEPS DEPART.]
[CELL DOOR CLANKS.]
[DISTORTED SCREAMING.]
[ELECTRICITY HUMS.]
[ELECTRICITY CRACKLES.]
[SOBBING.]
JACK: Her timing's lousy.
Regina free and Douglas recovering.
Anna doesn't know about Regina.
You can't blame her for that.
She said just a few friends.
And she was so excited.
I couldn't say no.
You reckon it's the book? I can't think what else it would be.
Well, you know what it is.
It's this Ed bloke has popped the question.
She'd have told me.
He's her publisher.
More to the point, he's almost my age.
Hope she knows what she's doing.
Hope who knows what she's doing? Anna's having a bit of a shindig here tonight.
A party? She has some special news she wants to tell us.
Oh, what special news? Calm down, Mother.
It just goes to show how cavalier the girl's becoming.
Now to suddenly take it upon herself to announce a party tonight? Well, don't worry about it on my account, darling.
I'm in for a bit of a knees-up.
Well, you did tell her it was out of the question, didn't you? I consulted George.
Neither of us could think of a single reason why not.
We carry on as normal.
It's just what we need to liven us up.
Just what we need.
Excuse us.
Come on, grumpy.
Time to work your magic on your patients.
- Ta-ta.
- Bye-bye.
You probably don't approve, Mr.
Fox, but many in our community rely on Doris Collins' restorative remedy.
Mr.
Goddard says, without it, he'd still be lying in that city hospital.
I think you're being a bit hard on me, Mrs.
Collins.
I mean, it could be 99% moonshine.
Oh, Mr.
Fox! Dr.
Duncan will vouch for its good Do you have a moment, Mr.
Fox? Of course.
Well.
I thought that you most of all, outside the family, ought to know.
Regina's been released.
Free as a bird, and no one knows where she is.
Just for your info only, if you don't mind.
We're trying to carry on regardless.
She murdered that young woman, attacked Sarah and David, blackmailed me almost into complete ruin, and she's out in under, what, four years? The courts released her in line with her sentence.
Her psychiatrist declared her sane.
Well, the man's a fool.
[TELEPHONE RINGS.]
Thought you approved of shrinks.
Hello? I'll be right there.
I appreciate your letting me know.
Least I could do.
Can you move your neck? It's nothing, really.
Just needs some Bates's Salve or something like that.
I'll leave you in the capable hands of Sister Nordmann.
Thank you, Doctor.
I wasn't sure you would be in today.
Of course.
Who did this to you, Sheila? No one, Sister.
I fell.
Stupid, really.
Since the operation, I'm a bit lopsided.
So I'll make a follow-up appointment for you.
- Monday 10:00.
- Bye.
Carolyn, I was wondering if you might be able to drop Sheila home.
Oh, no, I can walk.
- It's miles.
- It's no problem.
- I'll just get my things.
- Thank you.
It's a bit of a blacks' camp out here now.
He lives there, that abo chap.
He's a good worker.
I'll give him that.
And I saw him one day doing painting.
Art, not houses.
Really? SHEILA: Just here's fine.
Oh, I can take you up.
No, here is just fine, Mrs.
Duncan.
I can manage.
Sheila, please stay in touch with the clinic.
If you need any help or have any questions.
I'll be right.
Thanks for the lift.
Mr.
Gibbs? Frank? It's Carolyn Duncan.
[KNOCKS.]
[DOORKNOB RATTLES.]
Frank! [DOOR UNLOCKS.]
[HORN HONKS.]
[SIREN WAILING.]
I wish I knew the titles.
I'd put up little cards.
You know, Carolyn, taking those photographs was bad enough.
Now you've taken the paintings without his permission and proposed to exhibit them also without his permission.
CAROLYN: He's away working somewhere, and I left him a note.
And the photographs were months ago.
He's settled in here now.
Every artist wants to be shown.
ELIZABETH: You have someone's property without permission.
I haven't stolen them.
Do you think I don't notice what's going on? Nothing's going on.
You help to run the property, you're in at that clinic, you do Jack's books, and now unasked, mind you're establishing yourself as Mr.
Gibbs' agent? Looks to me as though you're trying to manufacture excitement for yourself.
Perhaps I am.
I love Jack just as much.
I just feel like my horizons are shrinking while he's getting more and more set in his ways.
Take Anna's party tonight.
He would rather have dinner in our bedroom than meet people who might open his eyes to new ideas.
Carolyn, how can you be so obtuse? You know why big parties and lots of new people are hard for him.
That's an excuse.
His drinking is well and truly under control.
Under control, yes, but it's never easy.
You would do better to nudge Jack rather than shake him.
Ooh-hoo! Mr.
Goddard! Lovely day it's turned out to be in spite of that chilly start.
Mrs.
Collins.
Ah! Very good day to you too.
I've brewed up a fresh batch of my restorative.
I know how much you like it.
Oh, I do indeed.
Your tonic has put me back on my feet again quick smart.
I told that to Dr.
Duncan.
And do you know, he took a bottle from me just now.
Oh, just as I expected.
A flurry of activity.
Not initiated by me.
I'm as lazy as a cat.
Miss Anna.
Hardly flown the coop, and now she's back again.
Yes, Dame Rumor's pretty spot on there.
And hosting a party for her literary friends from Sydney, I understand.
Well, as a writer myself, I find this very exciting.
Are you, Mrs.
Collins? I had no idea.
Yes.
For the CWA newsletter.
Just the odd reflection on modern life from a country woman's point of view.
To think that were one to be invited, one might find oneself sitting next to the likes of Mr.
Patrick White.
Oh, it's all very last-minute, I understand.
Yes.
Oh, well, one can but hope that an invitation may be flying on the wind to my humble abode as we speak.
You wouldn't like a second bottle, would you? Ohhh! - Mwah! - Oh! There.
See what a bit of sun can do.
Doris is angling for an invitation to Anna's party.
Oh, dear.
Should I? And have her laughed at by lots of clever city folk? No.
She's too dear a soul.
Oh, Mother, we're not that bad.
We, Carolyn? Who's we? I hope you're not referring to us.
No, Mother, I wouldn't dream of it.
Yes, well, we're not exactly country hicks, either.
- Perhaps we're city hicks.
- We live in a suburb.
DOUGLAS: Suburban hicks.
Oh, stop it, Douglas.
We're not any kind of hick.
[LAUGHS.]
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Ma'am, there's someone at the front door.
A black fellow.
Ah, wonderful, Lynette.
Would you ask him to come in? He won't budge, ma'am.
Frank.
How lovely to see you.
You saw my note.
Oh, yes, missus.
I just came to get my paintings back.
- But the party's on tonight.
- Yeah, I know.
I got that.
But I just came to get them back.
The people who are coming, they'll not only love your work, they'll want to buy it.
And then other people will see it.
- It's how patronage works.
- Yes, I know how it works.
Michelangelo and the pope of Rome.
I just want them back.
Frank, you're a very talented artist.
People need to see your work.
It's nice of you to say so, but I came here so I could just keep to myself and do my paintings without any of that.
Yes, of course.
I apologize.
Ah, please come inside.
Oh, I'll just wait out here, if that's okay.
It's chilly outside.
I'll be all right here, thanks.
All right.
[MATCH STRIKES.]
- All ready? - Yes.
My wonderful mother's taken over organizing everything.
Well, let's go, then.
Oh, gossip has it that your mad aunt has been let out on parole.
Where did you hear that? A journalist mate.
She was released today.
Wait, we have to cancel the party.
Has anyone told you you're a very hard girl to keep up with? The last thing my family needs is our crowd invading like ghouls or truffle pigs, sniffing for scandal.
Even if they promise not to, they will.
Bugger.
I need to use your phone.
We could still go up there, just you and me.
Dinner with the family.
That's what you've been angling for, isn't it? All safe and sound.
I mounted some on board.
I hope you don't mind.
Missus Frank, I'm so sorry about taking them.
Everything.
Sometimes I don't think.
Oh, it's all done.
No worries.
- I've got a favor to ask.
- Yes? I was thinking about what you said about Uncle Albert's painting.
The roof is pretty crook, so you've probably got a safe spot in there for it somewhere.
- My name's on it and everything.
- Of course.
We'll keep it in the storage room.
I'll put something in writing between us.
No, I'll take you at your word.
Thanks, missus.
[ENGINE STARTS.]
[HORN HONKS, TIRES SCREECH.]
Whoo! Oh! Ha ha! Oh, darling, what do you think?! - It's gorgeous! - Oh! Finally! I got my driver's license.
I just saw an abo chap driving out of here.
- Aboriginal, Prudence.
- Marvelous, isn't it? He's even got his own car.
Bit of a jalopy, though.
He's not a very good driver.
[LAUGHS.]
Hello! Andrew bought it for me.
- And I'm a brilliant driver.
- You drove yourself up here? - Yes.
- Is that wise? Oh, what a beauty.
You see, Elizabeth? Douglas approves.
Don't be such a stick in the mud.
Oh, it comes quite naturally.
Now, I'm sorry to tell you, but Anna has just telephoned and the party is off, thank goodness.
Oh, what a shame.
I was expecting to sit next to someone handsome and artistic.
Mais c'est moi! - And a tiny tad younger.
- Oh.
[LAUGHS.]
Nothing is happening in Sydney, I tell you.
Dull as dishwater.
Well, we shall have a lovely, quiet family dinner instead.
- Ah.
- Anna's bringing her publisher.
Ohh.
Might his name be Edward Jarvis? Yes, it is.
Mm.
He's rather smitten with her, don't you know? - Oh? - Oh, yes.
Very much so.
Reggie? It's me.
- [KNOCKS ON DOOR.]
- You in there? REGINA: The first steps must be taken alone.
I will contact you when I'm settled, to let you know where I am.
Regina.
[GRUNTING.]
Silly bloody bitch.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
[GLASS CLINKING.]
First, thank you for a wonderful dinner, Mama, Grandmother.
Ed? [CLEARS THROAT.]
Anna and I have an announcement.
ANNA: If you ever doubted what I've been doing with myself up here over the past few months writing the world's longest laundry list or just wasting my time well, I can now announce that my writer's block is officially over and I'm thrilled to tell you that Ed is going to publish my new novel before Christmas.
ELIZABETH: Oh, Anna, that's wonderful.
I ask you all to raise a glass to Anna and "All That Glitters.
" - Anna and "All That Glitters.
" - Anna and "All That Glitters.
" [GLASSES CLINKING.]
- Congratulations.
- Oh, thank you.
The title's intriguing.
What isn't gold? Oh, modern marriage and romance.
It's all glitter on the surface, but underneath, cynicism and emptiness.
- At least for women.
- Yes.
You and Father.
You've got it all worked out.
- We do? - Yes.
I so admire you both.
Are we in this novel? No! Don't worry.
Not Not exactly.
Not directly.
Is anyone? No.
Course not.
George.
I fibbed to Elizabeth about Regina.
She's got enough on her plate.
It's out and spreading like wildfire, but it's good news, so don't worry.
The consensus is that she'll turn up in Honkers or Kenya or some place where scurrilous behavior is a badge of honor.
I don't mind where she goes, as long as she plays her part in the divorce.
- Well, of course she will.
- And stays well away from here.
She wouldn't come here in a month of Sundays.
It never even entered my mind.
ELIZABETH: Sarah.
I, uh I behaved churlishly last night when you invited us to your ceremony, and I wanted to apologize.
We need to be strong as a family.
So if you don't mind, Douglas and I would welcome an invitation to the next time you do Shabbat.
Wonderful.
Next Friday evening, then.
Good night.
I'm pretty damned proud of you.
Oh! Thank you.
You did the right thing, canceling the party.
Oh, of course.
What's it all about, this this new book? Love and romance in the modern world.
Crikey, you expect me to read that? I'm sure she doesn't, darling.
I was only joking.
Good, because I think there's lots in it to interest you.
[FOOTSTEPS.]
Hello.
Thanks, Leah.
You can go to bed now.
- Night-night.
- Night.
Oh.
Don't forget your book.
- Oh.
- Thanks again.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING, INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Psst! I thought you'd want to stay up.
Oh, yes, to discuss modern marriage and romance.
It's been a long day.
What? Old man Jack off to sleep now? I'm not.
I Good.
We need to sort this out, you and I.
I don't want anything to change.
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
Whatever that means, I'm sure you're right.
I don't want to be right.
I want us to be happy with each other again.
I know.
Me too.
I'll try.
I'll need help.
Oh, Elizabeth, thank you for a marvelous evening.
It's been beautiful! Oh, absolutely perfect.
Ah! [LAUGHING.]
What? I wanted to get you alone for a moment.
Well, you'll have me alone all night.
I need to rescue Father from Prudence.
I'm glad the party became a dinner.
This has been more enjoyable.
They're lovely people, your family.
I wonder where you cynicism about love and marriage comes from.
We're very good at keeping up appearances.
There are undercurrents here we'd never let you see.
Ones that drowned my marriage, for example.
Don't look like that.
It's ancient history.
PRUDENCE: Oh, come and join us.
- ANNA: Thank you.
- Everyone's gone to bed.
ANNA: I know.
[CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY.]
The moment I turn my back, Larry's here.
So David wasn't actually alone tonight? That's not the point.
I can't trust her.
What's upsetting you? That she has a boyfriend we both don't like? Or Regina? I just want that woman out of our lives forever.
And she will be, after the divorce.
You know, Anna thinks we've got it all sorted out.
Ah, what a perceptive girl she is.
LEAH: You don't mind? You know, just lying like this? It's nice.
You're not mad at me, are you? No.
I won't try anything like that again.
I won't do anything you don't want me to.
True.
The thing is, part of me does want to, which is why I get scared when you try things.
So I won't.
[DOOR OPENS.]
- LEAH: What's that? - I don't know.
Who are you? What are you doing here?! LARRY: Quick! [GASPING.]
CAROLYN: I've seen a lot worse than this on exhibition.
These are the photographs I took of your work.
JACK: What are you doing, anyway, running around taking photographs? Surely you've got better things to do with your time.
Actually, you know what? I don't.
ED: Let's see.
When I'm finished.
The book.
Your publisher has the right to chivvy.
And your lover has the right to a kiss.
Now you'll be sleeping up at the big house.
And you have to pull your weight.
You look after David, respect our rules.
GEORGE: The past four years we've had excellent maids whom our son also adores, and now, without any thought of consulting me, you've hired a rebellious Jewish girl to replace them.
DOUGLAS: Jimmy Dancer.
If I can get along on one good lung, then I say let's get rid of the crook one.
I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you.
We've put you through quite a journey, haven't we, Regina? [ELECTRICITY HUMMING, CRACKLING.]
She's finally offering a divorce.
My advice is take her up on it.
She couldn't have picked a better time.
If you agree to this, you will rue the day.
I'm telling you, we all will.
I accept and appreciate your offer of divorce.
Given her recent progress, I will shortly be making a recommendation to the parole board for her release.
How soon might that happen? Two to three months, I'd say.
No.
Don't shoot.
Don't shoot me! No! DOUGLAS: What you gonna give?! Anything! Anything! I want your chocolate.
Not my chocolate! Ha ha ha! Yes! Your chocolate or your life! [COUGHING.]
ELIZABETH: It's only been eight weeks.
- Slow down.
- Nonsense.
You're perfectly comfortable there, aren't you, darling? Counting backwards from ten! - DAVID: No no! I'm running away! - Ten! Nine! - What comes next? - Eight! - DOUGLAS: Ha ha ha! - Whoo! So, what time will you come? Soon as I can sneak out.
I'll bring something to make the place nicer.
- Yeah, me too.
- Really? - What? - You'll see.
LEAH: Cripes, it's Sarah.
I got to go.
It's Friday.
You know, Shabbat.
Thought she might've gotten sick of making you do all that Jewish stuff by now.
Yeah, that's what you think.
She's getting worse.
I'll come as soon as I can get away.
- DAVID: Bang! Bang! - Oh! - Bang bang bang bang! - [GROANING.]
David, David, that's enough, darling.
- Grandpa's getting tired.
- Bang! You double-crossed me, you dirty rat.
Mm, this fresh air's certainly good for Douglas.
Yes, it appears to have grown his lung back.
Quite the miracle.
Mummy, Mummy! [LAUGHS.]
And this one keeps wanting to take his shoes off.
I know.
And if you don't mind, I'd rather he didn't play with guns.
Quite right too.
You need to get inside.
All right, Shabbat's at quarter to 5:00, so we'll see you then.
- Come on, sweetheart.
- Is Granny coming? Yes.
Isn't it exciting? Let's go see what Leah's up to.
Did you say we would attend? David's being raised as a Jew.
Oh, really, Douglas, as if the facts of his birth won't be enough of a hindrance in life for him.
Darling, you'll just have to get used to it.
I don't have to get used to anything.
Which includes you ignoring the doctor's orders about overexertion.
I should tie you up.
SARAH: [LAUGHING.]
No running! - Leah! Bang bang bang bang! - Hello.
Oh! Was it fun with Grandpa? Yes, really fun.
Go put your toy away.
This is a pleasant change.
I thought this week I'd do it early.
Nothing to do with talking to Larry? You don't have to lie about seeing him.
Why don't you like him? It's not a matter of me liking him or not, just don't get too serious.
There's a very big world out there.
- What, Israel, you mean? - Not just Israel.
I don't want you to limit your horizons, that's all.
Lovely.
Just the cup.
There you are, sir.
While I think of it.
Perfect.
How beautiful.
I picked a few outfits I thought you might like.
Get you started till you feel like going shopping.
Thank you, Dickie.
That's very thoughtful.
The pied-Ã -terre I'm organizing will be ready in a couple of days.
You being released early put me on the hop.
It's such a strange feeling.
I've also organized an appointment with the beauty salon downstairs.
Just because you've been to the funny farm doesn't mean you have to look like it.
So when am I due at the embalmers? [CHUCKLES.]
10 minutes.
I'll go down with you.
No, you go, Dickie.
I'll just catch my breath.
We're in this together, don't forget.
Oh, of course I won't.
Thank you.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
My wife my future wife is a convert.
She's raising our son as Jewish.
I just feel it might be better if we three were of the same faith.
- How does she feel about that? - Oh, she doesn't know yet.
I feel I need to understand more before we discuss it.
That's sensible.
I did raise the conversion with a rabbi in Canberra recently.
Now, he seemed to put as many hurdles in my way as possible.
Now, I-I was surprised, I must say.
We want to make sure that the only motivation isn't just to please someone else.
It has to be an internal commitment.
Oh, of course.
He was just testing your resolve.
As your fellow club members here would test you if instead of merely inviting a rabbi in for a drink, you yourself became a Jew.
Well, in that case, I hope that I would either make a terrible fuss as I departed, or, um, history if I stayed.
Think long and hard, Mr.
Bligh.
There is a pathway to join the Jewish people.
- However - Excuse me, sir.
Bear with me, Rabbi.
Excuse me.
Is this person still in the club? It was a telephone message, sir.
Pardon me, Rabbi.
Not at all.
I need to get home for Shabbat.
You'd be most welcome to join us.
- Perhaps another time.
- Okay.
Mr.
Bligh.
Won't you sit down? No, I won't, thank you.
I must say that I'm surprised that you're aware of her release, Mr.
Bligh.
If a Sydney Morning Herald journalist knows, I daresay it wouldn't be long before I did too.
Oh, it didn't come from here, I can assure you.
It's far too early for her to be out.
As her husband, I should have been consulted.
With due respect, my only dealings with you have concerned your acceptance of her offer of a divorce.
You really have no right to be consulted at all.
I beg your pardon I'm not according you blame, Mr.
Bligh, just stating the facts.
Whatever the case, Regina agreeing to and offering you a divorce has been a vital and necessary step in her recovery.
Regina's skill at deception has caused us all great agony.
It isn't easy to forget someone threatening to bash the brains out of a newborn child.
I would have thought it sensible to err on the side of caution.
Regina will have to rebuild her life in a world that will seem hostile to her.
Frankly, she has more to fear from your reaction than you do from her release.
Put yourself in her position.
You might like to put yourself in mine.
It was my son.
I signed a medical release based on my conviction that she was ready.
The court concurred.
The slightest harm to my family from Regina, it'll be on your head.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Dinner will be at 7:00.
Uh, Douglas has accepted an invitation to go to Sarah's religious meal.
The word is Shabbat.
Not saying it won't make it go away.
DOUGLAS: "Douglas isn't up to it" worked when I wasn't.
Four invites later seems plain rude.
Sarah would decline any invitation from me to attend our Eucharist, which is her right, and I respect that.
She's David's mother, darling.
She's a Jew.
That makes him one, so According to their rules, not ours.
This Shabbat invitation feels like some sort of indoctrination.
Oh, come on, Mother.
Isn't that what happens at church every Sunday? - That's a bit much, Caro.
- It's the truth.
David is a Bligh, and this is Ash Park.
I'm not being anti-Semitic, I'm being pro-Bligh.
We have our traditions.
We should raise David in the Church of England.
When he's an adult, he can choose his religion.
- Why can't he do both? - Because - [TELEPHONE RINGS.]
- Ah, saved by the bell.
Because it's incredibly important to his mother that he be raised Jewish, and George has agreed.
Surely not.
LEAH: All right, all right.
"Will there really be a morning? Is there such a thing as day? Could I see it from the mountains if I were as tall as they?" [LAUGHS.]
- "Has it feet like water lilies? - [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Has it feathers like a bird? Is it brought from famous countries" Elizabeth, you're early.
Good.
Come in, come in.
Douglas can't make it? We won't be coming for dinner.
I think your telephone might be off the hook.
Yes, it is.
LEAH: [LAUGHING.]
Ah, I'm afraid I have some bad news.
From George.
[SIGHS.]
Regina has been released.
- When? - This morning.
Where is she? George is endeavoring to find out.
According to the doctor, it was her offer of a divorce that was the key, apparently, to her miraculous recovery.
Now, I warned you both, didn't I? All you had to do was ignore her.
Anyone could see it was just a ploy to be deemed sane and to procure her release.
A decision had to be made.
The wrong decision.
She won't come back here.
She'd be mad to.
Sarah, she is mad.
I think we should just carry on as normal.
As you see fit.
I think so.
Very well.
Good night.
- Good night.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
- The tickle monster is here! - [LAUGHING.]
All right, all right.
Up you get.
[DOOR UNLOCKING.]
Only me.
Hope you're decent.
I would rather you knocked, Dickie.
I'd rather I had all the keys.
Just checking up on my assets.
Drink? Yes, a pot of tea, please.
Ah, Room 16.
Actually, I wasn't too keen on your mood when I left.
Thought I'd check up on you.
- I won't do anything foolish.
- Good.
Oh, this is an improvement, all right.
I thought you'd go back to the brunette.
It helps define the new me.
Well, not too new.
The old one and I were a good team.
You don't need to be all over me, Dickie.
I need to manage by myself.
You can't and you won't.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you, Reggie.
You are a four-year investment.
Will I appear in your report to the shareholders? [CHUCKLES.]
There you go.
They should be running around like headless chooks by now if my bloke's done his job.
Old Ma Bligh might save us the effort and die of shock when she finds out you're roaming free.
Anyway, just relax.
You've got plenty of time.
Forget the tea.
Get the cocktails running.
Things'll seem rosier in the morning.
See you tomorrow, same time.
Be here.
[THUNDER RUMBLES.]
ANNA: [SIGHS.]
- Stop sighing.
- [CHUCKLES.]
[SIGHS.]
You hated it.
It's inspired.
What? You have something to say, my darling, and the talent to say it.
[LAUGHING.]
Oh, my God.
You're not just saying that because you're Softhearted about you I may be.
Softheaded I am not.
That is the best thing that you could say to me.
This time I just felt so completely absorbed in it.
And then the next moment I'd written 20 pages.
I just I wasn't sure if they were any good.
Must be something in the waters of Ash Park.
To which, by the way, these past two months you have not once invited me.
Note the pain in my voice.
You'd be bored to tears.
She hid him in the shadows, where all secret love resides.
Now you sound like a character in "Peyton Place.
" "Peyton Place" contains nothing as bad as that.
And your sex scenes are far more scandalous.
Wheel me out of the shadows.
Just for fun.
The tribal rites of Ash Park.
I'll be like Margaret Mead among the Samoans.
We might eat you.
Come on.
Make an honest man of me.
I'll have to meet them sooner or later.
Mm? [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Excuse me.
Can I have a word? - The usual? - Yeah.
George, did you invite a member of the tribe of Abraham in here? - What of it? - You ruffled feathers.
He's a former RAAF fighter ace, for God's sake, Richard.
Actually, I need to talk to you about something confidential.
- Regina.
- What about her? You You haven't heard? You must have known.
Herald journalist has it.
Called me here.
Heard what? She's been released from the asylum.
No consultation with me.
Well, no one told me, and if I don't know, it never happened.
Are you able to suppress the story for us? I'll do my best.
At least stop it appearing in print.
Well, that's in all our interests.
Thank you.
[SIGHS.]
You off already? I need to get back to Ash Park.
Obvious reasons.
Oh, she won't go back there.
I need to be with Sarah and David.
I understand that.
They don't deserve an encore of what they went through.
No one does.
[LAUGHING.]
Shall we do the prayer together? [SIGHS.]
You listen to me.
Now, I stepped in with Isaac on your behalf, did I not? I have been understanding and trusting about Larry.
I ask you to take part in this one thing, and you do it with such bad grace.
This is about the Jewish family.
It's about us, and I will keep saying this until you understand it.
As much as you want to forget you're a Jew, our enemies never will.
This This gives us strength to know who we are.
I'm sorry.
I've just had some worrying news.
Let's start again.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- Oh, I'm freezing.
- What took you so long? Oh, Sarah's got a bee in her bonnet.
- About what? - Oh, she's all jumpy.
She wanted me to stay, making all these excuses.
Oh, she was a lady fighter in two wars.
Nothing's gonna scare her.
So what'd you bring? Oh, you first.
No, no, no, no.
Girls go first.
Come on.
Show us what you brought, and I'll show you what I brought.
We don't have anything nice on the walls here.
Remember? Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
It was so romantic.
We can put it up just there.
- What'd you bring? - Something real special.
Something you can't get, but I got one.
What? Show me.
All right, close your eyes.
Close your eyes.
Hold out your hand.
Keep your eyes shut.
Guess what it is.
No, you'll never guess.
LEAH: What is it? It's a Frenchie.
Ugh! What'd you bring that for? That's not something to make this place nice! - Yeah, it is.
- I'll get in trouble.
No, you dill, it's to stop trouble.
I keep telling you, not till we're married.
I know, I mean, we love each other.
It's just in case we might want to - You want to, you mean.
- No, I never meant it like that.
You really know how to spoil things.
Oh, don't go.
You promised last time that that was as far as we'd go, and I didn't even want to go that far.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Sir, Mrs.
Goddard asked if she might have a word with you as soon as you returned.
You needn't have waited up.
George, why did you agree to a divorce when you could have waited? - Now she's out.
- It's done now, Mother.
Yes, it is.
I did what I thought was best at the time.
I I still do.
If I was Sarah, I would be taking David as far away as possible.
- Well, that won't happen.
- Oh, you don't know mothers.
I know Sarah, and She's strong.
George, even strong women have their breaking points.
Leave it, Mother.
The more you fuss, the harder it is for us to carry on a normal life.
Now, surely, helping Douglas with his recovery is a big enough job for you, hmm? [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- Who is it? - GEORGE: A tall, dark stranger.
[UNLOCKS DOOR.]
What about you and David sleeping in the main house? No, she won't come here, surely.
Peace of mind.
I shouldn't even be worried about her, but [LOCKS DOOR.]
Look at me.
I'm locking doors and jumping at shadows.
It's the shock of it all, that we weren't consulted.
It's intolerable.
It's David I'm worried about.
What if I stay the night? Scandal be damned? First time for everything.
Scandal be damned.
I look forward to waking up beside you every morning.
Whatever it means, her being out, I'll have my divorce by the end of the year.
And then our wedding.
We should elope.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
- Whatever you want.
- [LAUGHS.]
That's music to my ears.
George! Do I detect a hint of disapproval from my bohemian sister? Not I.
I'm all for love.
But you've always been so careful about not staying the night.
I didn't want them down there on their own.
Regina'll be off to Paris or London or somewhere.
I wouldn't worry.
What are you doing up so early? I didn't sleep.
Jack and I had an argument.
About a radio program, of all things.
Well, I hope you don't do that too often.
It can become a habit.
Well, fencing to supervise, then the clinic.
GEORGE: You're making me feel guilty.
Keeps me busy.
That's the main thing.
LYNETTE: Mrs.
Duncan, telephone.
It's Miss Anna.
A trunk call, ma'am.
This early.
It's either good news or bad.
Early start to the day, madam? Best part of the day, really.
It is, isn't it? - Anything else? - No, thank you.
[FOOTSTEPS DEPART.]
[CELL DOOR CLANKS.]
[DISTORTED SCREAMING.]
[ELECTRICITY HUMS.]
[ELECTRICITY CRACKLES.]
[SOBBING.]
JACK: Her timing's lousy.
Regina free and Douglas recovering.
Anna doesn't know about Regina.
You can't blame her for that.
She said just a few friends.
And she was so excited.
I couldn't say no.
You reckon it's the book? I can't think what else it would be.
Well, you know what it is.
It's this Ed bloke has popped the question.
She'd have told me.
He's her publisher.
More to the point, he's almost my age.
Hope she knows what she's doing.
Hope who knows what she's doing? Anna's having a bit of a shindig here tonight.
A party? She has some special news she wants to tell us.
Oh, what special news? Calm down, Mother.
It just goes to show how cavalier the girl's becoming.
Now to suddenly take it upon herself to announce a party tonight? Well, don't worry about it on my account, darling.
I'm in for a bit of a knees-up.
Well, you did tell her it was out of the question, didn't you? I consulted George.
Neither of us could think of a single reason why not.
We carry on as normal.
It's just what we need to liven us up.
Just what we need.
Excuse us.
Come on, grumpy.
Time to work your magic on your patients.
- Ta-ta.
- Bye-bye.
You probably don't approve, Mr.
Fox, but many in our community rely on Doris Collins' restorative remedy.
Mr.
Goddard says, without it, he'd still be lying in that city hospital.
I think you're being a bit hard on me, Mrs.
Collins.
I mean, it could be 99% moonshine.
Oh, Mr.
Fox! Dr.
Duncan will vouch for its good Do you have a moment, Mr.
Fox? Of course.
Well.
I thought that you most of all, outside the family, ought to know.
Regina's been released.
Free as a bird, and no one knows where she is.
Just for your info only, if you don't mind.
We're trying to carry on regardless.
She murdered that young woman, attacked Sarah and David, blackmailed me almost into complete ruin, and she's out in under, what, four years? The courts released her in line with her sentence.
Her psychiatrist declared her sane.
Well, the man's a fool.
[TELEPHONE RINGS.]
Thought you approved of shrinks.
Hello? I'll be right there.
I appreciate your letting me know.
Least I could do.
Can you move your neck? It's nothing, really.
Just needs some Bates's Salve or something like that.
I'll leave you in the capable hands of Sister Nordmann.
Thank you, Doctor.
I wasn't sure you would be in today.
Of course.
Who did this to you, Sheila? No one, Sister.
I fell.
Stupid, really.
Since the operation, I'm a bit lopsided.
So I'll make a follow-up appointment for you.
- Monday 10:00.
- Bye.
Carolyn, I was wondering if you might be able to drop Sheila home.
Oh, no, I can walk.
- It's miles.
- It's no problem.
- I'll just get my things.
- Thank you.
It's a bit of a blacks' camp out here now.
He lives there, that abo chap.
He's a good worker.
I'll give him that.
And I saw him one day doing painting.
Art, not houses.
Really? SHEILA: Just here's fine.
Oh, I can take you up.
No, here is just fine, Mrs.
Duncan.
I can manage.
Sheila, please stay in touch with the clinic.
If you need any help or have any questions.
I'll be right.
Thanks for the lift.
Mr.
Gibbs? Frank? It's Carolyn Duncan.
[KNOCKS.]
[DOORKNOB RATTLES.]
Frank! [DOOR UNLOCKS.]
[HORN HONKS.]
[SIREN WAILING.]
I wish I knew the titles.
I'd put up little cards.
You know, Carolyn, taking those photographs was bad enough.
Now you've taken the paintings without his permission and proposed to exhibit them also without his permission.
CAROLYN: He's away working somewhere, and I left him a note.
And the photographs were months ago.
He's settled in here now.
Every artist wants to be shown.
ELIZABETH: You have someone's property without permission.
I haven't stolen them.
Do you think I don't notice what's going on? Nothing's going on.
You help to run the property, you're in at that clinic, you do Jack's books, and now unasked, mind you're establishing yourself as Mr.
Gibbs' agent? Looks to me as though you're trying to manufacture excitement for yourself.
Perhaps I am.
I love Jack just as much.
I just feel like my horizons are shrinking while he's getting more and more set in his ways.
Take Anna's party tonight.
He would rather have dinner in our bedroom than meet people who might open his eyes to new ideas.
Carolyn, how can you be so obtuse? You know why big parties and lots of new people are hard for him.
That's an excuse.
His drinking is well and truly under control.
Under control, yes, but it's never easy.
You would do better to nudge Jack rather than shake him.
Ooh-hoo! Mr.
Goddard! Lovely day it's turned out to be in spite of that chilly start.
Mrs.
Collins.
Ah! Very good day to you too.
I've brewed up a fresh batch of my restorative.
I know how much you like it.
Oh, I do indeed.
Your tonic has put me back on my feet again quick smart.
I told that to Dr.
Duncan.
And do you know, he took a bottle from me just now.
Oh, just as I expected.
A flurry of activity.
Not initiated by me.
I'm as lazy as a cat.
Miss Anna.
Hardly flown the coop, and now she's back again.
Yes, Dame Rumor's pretty spot on there.
And hosting a party for her literary friends from Sydney, I understand.
Well, as a writer myself, I find this very exciting.
Are you, Mrs.
Collins? I had no idea.
Yes.
For the CWA newsletter.
Just the odd reflection on modern life from a country woman's point of view.
To think that were one to be invited, one might find oneself sitting next to the likes of Mr.
Patrick White.
Oh, it's all very last-minute, I understand.
Yes.
Oh, well, one can but hope that an invitation may be flying on the wind to my humble abode as we speak.
You wouldn't like a second bottle, would you? Ohhh! - Mwah! - Oh! There.
See what a bit of sun can do.
Doris is angling for an invitation to Anna's party.
Oh, dear.
Should I? And have her laughed at by lots of clever city folk? No.
She's too dear a soul.
Oh, Mother, we're not that bad.
We, Carolyn? Who's we? I hope you're not referring to us.
No, Mother, I wouldn't dream of it.
Yes, well, we're not exactly country hicks, either.
- Perhaps we're city hicks.
- We live in a suburb.
DOUGLAS: Suburban hicks.
Oh, stop it, Douglas.
We're not any kind of hick.
[LAUGHS.]
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Ma'am, there's someone at the front door.
A black fellow.
Ah, wonderful, Lynette.
Would you ask him to come in? He won't budge, ma'am.
Frank.
How lovely to see you.
You saw my note.
Oh, yes, missus.
I just came to get my paintings back.
- But the party's on tonight.
- Yeah, I know.
I got that.
But I just came to get them back.
The people who are coming, they'll not only love your work, they'll want to buy it.
And then other people will see it.
- It's how patronage works.
- Yes, I know how it works.
Michelangelo and the pope of Rome.
I just want them back.
Frank, you're a very talented artist.
People need to see your work.
It's nice of you to say so, but I came here so I could just keep to myself and do my paintings without any of that.
Yes, of course.
I apologize.
Ah, please come inside.
Oh, I'll just wait out here, if that's okay.
It's chilly outside.
I'll be all right here, thanks.
All right.
[MATCH STRIKES.]
- All ready? - Yes.
My wonderful mother's taken over organizing everything.
Well, let's go, then.
Oh, gossip has it that your mad aunt has been let out on parole.
Where did you hear that? A journalist mate.
She was released today.
Wait, we have to cancel the party.
Has anyone told you you're a very hard girl to keep up with? The last thing my family needs is our crowd invading like ghouls or truffle pigs, sniffing for scandal.
Even if they promise not to, they will.
Bugger.
I need to use your phone.
We could still go up there, just you and me.
Dinner with the family.
That's what you've been angling for, isn't it? All safe and sound.
I mounted some on board.
I hope you don't mind.
Missus Frank, I'm so sorry about taking them.
Everything.
Sometimes I don't think.
Oh, it's all done.
No worries.
- I've got a favor to ask.
- Yes? I was thinking about what you said about Uncle Albert's painting.
The roof is pretty crook, so you've probably got a safe spot in there for it somewhere.
- My name's on it and everything.
- Of course.
We'll keep it in the storage room.
I'll put something in writing between us.
No, I'll take you at your word.
Thanks, missus.
[ENGINE STARTS.]
[HORN HONKS, TIRES SCREECH.]
Whoo! Oh! Ha ha! Oh, darling, what do you think?! - It's gorgeous! - Oh! Finally! I got my driver's license.
I just saw an abo chap driving out of here.
- Aboriginal, Prudence.
- Marvelous, isn't it? He's even got his own car.
Bit of a jalopy, though.
He's not a very good driver.
[LAUGHS.]
Hello! Andrew bought it for me.
- And I'm a brilliant driver.
- You drove yourself up here? - Yes.
- Is that wise? Oh, what a beauty.
You see, Elizabeth? Douglas approves.
Don't be such a stick in the mud.
Oh, it comes quite naturally.
Now, I'm sorry to tell you, but Anna has just telephoned and the party is off, thank goodness.
Oh, what a shame.
I was expecting to sit next to someone handsome and artistic.
Mais c'est moi! - And a tiny tad younger.
- Oh.
[LAUGHS.]
Nothing is happening in Sydney, I tell you.
Dull as dishwater.
Well, we shall have a lovely, quiet family dinner instead.
- Ah.
- Anna's bringing her publisher.
Ohh.
Might his name be Edward Jarvis? Yes, it is.
Mm.
He's rather smitten with her, don't you know? - Oh? - Oh, yes.
Very much so.
Reggie? It's me.
- [KNOCKS ON DOOR.]
- You in there? REGINA: The first steps must be taken alone.
I will contact you when I'm settled, to let you know where I am.
Regina.
[GRUNTING.]
Silly bloody bitch.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
[GLASS CLINKING.]
First, thank you for a wonderful dinner, Mama, Grandmother.
Ed? [CLEARS THROAT.]
Anna and I have an announcement.
ANNA: If you ever doubted what I've been doing with myself up here over the past few months writing the world's longest laundry list or just wasting my time well, I can now announce that my writer's block is officially over and I'm thrilled to tell you that Ed is going to publish my new novel before Christmas.
ELIZABETH: Oh, Anna, that's wonderful.
I ask you all to raise a glass to Anna and "All That Glitters.
" - Anna and "All That Glitters.
" - Anna and "All That Glitters.
" [GLASSES CLINKING.]
- Congratulations.
- Oh, thank you.
The title's intriguing.
What isn't gold? Oh, modern marriage and romance.
It's all glitter on the surface, but underneath, cynicism and emptiness.
- At least for women.
- Yes.
You and Father.
You've got it all worked out.
- We do? - Yes.
I so admire you both.
Are we in this novel? No! Don't worry.
Not Not exactly.
Not directly.
Is anyone? No.
Course not.
George.
I fibbed to Elizabeth about Regina.
She's got enough on her plate.
It's out and spreading like wildfire, but it's good news, so don't worry.
The consensus is that she'll turn up in Honkers or Kenya or some place where scurrilous behavior is a badge of honor.
I don't mind where she goes, as long as she plays her part in the divorce.
- Well, of course she will.
- And stays well away from here.
She wouldn't come here in a month of Sundays.
It never even entered my mind.
ELIZABETH: Sarah.
I, uh I behaved churlishly last night when you invited us to your ceremony, and I wanted to apologize.
We need to be strong as a family.
So if you don't mind, Douglas and I would welcome an invitation to the next time you do Shabbat.
Wonderful.
Next Friday evening, then.
Good night.
I'm pretty damned proud of you.
Oh! Thank you.
You did the right thing, canceling the party.
Oh, of course.
What's it all about, this this new book? Love and romance in the modern world.
Crikey, you expect me to read that? I'm sure she doesn't, darling.
I was only joking.
Good, because I think there's lots in it to interest you.
[FOOTSTEPS.]
Hello.
Thanks, Leah.
You can go to bed now.
- Night-night.
- Night.
Oh.
Don't forget your book.
- Oh.
- Thanks again.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING, INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Psst! I thought you'd want to stay up.
Oh, yes, to discuss modern marriage and romance.
It's been a long day.
What? Old man Jack off to sleep now? I'm not.
I Good.
We need to sort this out, you and I.
I don't want anything to change.
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
Whatever that means, I'm sure you're right.
I don't want to be right.
I want us to be happy with each other again.
I know.
Me too.
I'll try.
I'll need help.
Oh, Elizabeth, thank you for a marvelous evening.
It's been beautiful! Oh, absolutely perfect.
Ah! [LAUGHING.]
What? I wanted to get you alone for a moment.
Well, you'll have me alone all night.
I need to rescue Father from Prudence.
I'm glad the party became a dinner.
This has been more enjoyable.
They're lovely people, your family.
I wonder where you cynicism about love and marriage comes from.
We're very good at keeping up appearances.
There are undercurrents here we'd never let you see.
Ones that drowned my marriage, for example.
Don't look like that.
It's ancient history.
PRUDENCE: Oh, come and join us.
- ANNA: Thank you.
- Everyone's gone to bed.
ANNA: I know.
[CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY.]
The moment I turn my back, Larry's here.
So David wasn't actually alone tonight? That's not the point.
I can't trust her.
What's upsetting you? That she has a boyfriend we both don't like? Or Regina? I just want that woman out of our lives forever.
And she will be, after the divorce.
You know, Anna thinks we've got it all sorted out.
Ah, what a perceptive girl she is.
LEAH: You don't mind? You know, just lying like this? It's nice.
You're not mad at me, are you? No.
I won't try anything like that again.
I won't do anything you don't want me to.
True.
The thing is, part of me does want to, which is why I get scared when you try things.
So I won't.
[DOOR OPENS.]
- LEAH: What's that? - I don't know.
Who are you? What are you doing here?! LARRY: Quick! [GASPING.]