A Place to Call Home (2013) s06e09 Episode Script

1 We've got facial drooping and paralysis.
My bet is he's had a stroke.
Your emergency patient, it seems, will survive, but won't be the man he was.
I've been contacted by the Israeli Embassy.
If I'm agreeable, they'll ask Menzies to add me to our diplomatic staff in Israel.
Evens we stay.
Odds we go.
ANNA: He was wondering if I had any ideas for radio serials.
I was thinking "Tender Vines.
" I forgot to mention there may be an extra.
- Oh, yes? - He didn't commit.
- Who are you expecting? - Just Harry Polson.
Adorable Harry.
ZELDA: You're not stuck on him? I think Douglas would approve of a philanthropic endeavor.
The obvious thought is the refuge.
Something of my own, I think.
Something for women, as Douglas helped men.
JACK: Let's see what response this gets.
Blokes.
Talkin'.
Well, stranger things have happened.
FRASER: Next time.
- If there is one.
- I'm in it for the long haul.
Caro and me we're mucking along.
How is she with that? Okay one day, frustrated the next.
[SCREAMS.]
[MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
DAVID: Mummy's coming with Leah! She's here! She's here! Leah! Shalom! LEAH: [LAUGHS.]
Shalom! Shalom! Oh! Kisses from the kibbutz? - No kisses.
- [LAUGHS.]
I know, I know.
- How is everyone there? - They all send their love.
And the clinic on the kibbutz? Oh, they miss Sarah.
Guess what I've got! A spaceship! A spaceship?! We can go to the moon! Come on! Now, Leah's not here to look after you, remember.
But I need her to.
She's got a different job now.
She's gonna become a nurse, like Mummy.
And I've got you a surprise! Come on! Uh, Uncle Isaac still well? Uh, yeah.
He's very busy.
He's got two assistants now.
I'm not surprised.
And he wants to know when you're coming back.
Well, that depends.
- Come on, Leah! - I give up.
[LAUGHS.]
All right.
Come on.
Depends on what? Oh, no.
- Oh.
David.
- Uh, David! - David! - Stop, please! I got a fine-lookin' woman dancing next to me Your boyfriend.
She's a good-lookin' girl That's plain to see David's excited to know a rock-and-roll star.
I'm I'm sorry.
Um, it's what he always wanted, Larry.
It's just It's a surprise.
Gonna take her home tonight Too much grown-up talk? Yes.
Come on, Mr.
Groovy.
Let's - [VOLUME INCREASES.]
- rock! Come on, Mrs.
Groovy.
Let's rock! [LAUGHS.]
Well, she looks just like a high-class fashion show [BIRDS CHIRPING.]
So Leah will be joining you as a nurse's aide until the next training intake in the city.
I'll be staying with your Mrs.
Collins.
We can have some fun.
Oh, uh, Dr.
Duncan, I brought you and Mrs.
Duncan a little something.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[KNOCK, DOOR OPENS.]
SARAH: I'm so sorry.
In all the excitement picking Leah up from the ship, - I didn't think - Why would you? We're old news.
Should we, um How about a walk after you finish work? - Something.
- No, I'm good.
Thanks.
You can't keep avoiding Ash Park forever.
Come up for dinner.
Anytime.
Just turn up.
No.
I'm good.
I know you don't want advice, but I would agree.
- It's not - Leave it.
It's not healthy to shut people out.
Anna rang the other night Look.
If If you'll excuse me.
She said you hung up on her.
[SIGHS.]
You know what? I'm the bad guy.
Just Just all take Carolyn's side and get on with it.
No one's doing that.
We're concerned.
Are you talking to anyone? You at the moment.
Well, you're not going to like this, but if there's a man in your group Do not keep badgering me.
I have work to do.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
I I haven't been badgering you, Jack.
I'm watching your back.
It's what friends d You ever notice how you always have to have the last word? [MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS.]
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
MAN ON RADIO: And now for today's emotional episode of "Tender Vines.
" "Tender Vines" the story of a young country woman torn between two worlds.
CHARLOTTE: This time of year, Italian mamas were keeping their eyes glued to their tomato crops.
MRS.
ANGELO: [ITALIAN ACCENT.]
Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE: Yes, Mrs.
Angelo? MRS.
ANGELO: You come to our festa, darling? Everyone make passata.
You bring your papa, yes? CHARLOTTE: I'm sorry, signora.
He won't be able to come.
It was because he was angry.
It was one thing to make friends with the poor Italian farmers.
It was another to fall in love with their sons.
It's all a bit puzzling.
She left him, after all.
She had hoped to do it without hurting him.
If she's so miserable, perhaps she should go back.
Without his changing significantly, - what would be the point? - Mm.
She'd be on exactly the same roundabout as before.
[SIGHS.]
Work plasters over pain, I suppose.
Until it doesn't.
FATHER: Charlotte, you and Primo are just friends, aren't you? CHARLOTTE: Not really, Father.
AUNT: They're in love.
You're the last one to see it.
FATHER: You must never, ever see him again.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[METAL CLATTERING.]
Jack! Jack, I can explain! Jack! - Really? Well, so can I.
- Please You've had one foot out the door ever since we met! - Please! - That's it! CHARLOTTE: What if I live with the Angelos for six months? I'll prove it's the life I want.
FATHER: Charlotte, you are not thinking straight.
CHARLOTTE: Primo is the love of my life.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS, RADIO TURNS OFF.]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[BIRDS SQUAWKING.]
[HAMMER TAPPING, HANDSAW SCRAPING.]
How wonderful to see you! Oh! How was the flight? Georgie met the pilot.
ELIZABETH: Did you? Oh! You really meant a construction site.
I filled her in.
Not that we could actually have a conversation in the car.
A certain radio serial was on the air.
Yes.
The entire city stops.
Grandmother gets very cross if people don't listen.
ELIZABETH: [CHUCKLES.]
Oh, this baby just loves the sound of carpentry.
- A boy, do you think? - Hm.
We'll all be staying down here while they're working upstairs.
I'll organize some refreshments? What about a hot chocolate for you before you have a sleep? Yes, please.
I bought you a present with my own money French money.
Did you? Oh, you're so grown up.
[CHUCKLES.]
She's in her element.
Well, she would be if you and that architect got together.
She's been matching you two up in her mind for weeks.
Anna Did you see the look he gave you? I did.
I may not be on the market.
Excuse me? What does that mean? Olivia.
In my own time.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
So the idea came from Jack, really.
It's in some ways an extension of the women's clinic and Douglas' refuge.
A place for single women, like Anna and Carolyn, women who might need somewhere to give birth.
Nonjudgmental.
Secular.
Where will you live when it's done? Prudence and I have decided that her place is more than big enough for both of us.
Sorority girls.
As soon as she who shall not be named is on her merry way.
Grandmother, that's unfair.
Delia.
And you know nothing more has happened between them.
Perhaps, but Carolyn is being stubborn.
She's living there to avoid my censure.
So no improvement since your last letter? It's worse.
I'm sorry.
I know.
It's horrible.
Can anyone talk to them? I've given up talking to either of them.
They're equally intransigent.
Well, I'm not giving up on them.
I've got my own plan.
In my own time.
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
[CLOCK TICKING.]
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[LAUGHS.]
Oh.
Oh! [LAUGHS.]
It almost breaks my heart in two [INSECTS CHIRPING.]
I'm glad that we decided to wait.
To go back.
Jack's in such pain.
I can't leave until I know that that he's not so entrenched, moving ahead somehow.
You might want to get your skates on.
I wanted to surprise you.
We met on a ship, so as we're about to embark on the next phase in our lives Good cabins are in demand, and most of the passages already full.
The Stratheden.
Mm.
Brand-new decade.
Ours.
George.
So Christmas here, then Hanukkah, New Year's, then The 3rd of January.
That's almost four months.
If I can't make headway with Jack by then But I have to, don't I? [BIRDS CHIRPING.]
You're back for your divorce, Anna tells me.
Finally.
I go to court the day after tomorrow.
Can you keep it out of the papers? Her solicitor says there's a high-profile case on the same day, so they'll ignore James and Livvy.
Ah.
Anyway.
Uh Andrew wanted to telephone, but I wanted to tell you in person.
Andrew? My Andrew? [DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
A couple of months ago, not long after I arrived in France Andrew was holidaying there, and we met up.
On a yacht party, of all things.
Sheer coincidence.
[LAUGHING.]
Oh, my goodness.
Is that what you were getting at? Oh, heavens.
I'm lost for words.
I mean, I thought he'd turned a new leaf when I saw him last, and his friends tell me so.
But for you to and to [GASPS.]
Oh! Happy, happy mother! Oh! [LAUGHS.]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
PRUDENCE: It's beautiful.
Oh.
Are you sure, Livvy? Can we just take a breather here? You, my dear, will be the making of him.
He's making himself, Prudence.
He's doing very good work.
And James has given his blessing.
He really has transformed.
Yes.
Yes.
I hear he has in that country that starts with a "V.
" - [EXHALES SHARPLY.]
- [CHUCKLES.]
Oh! [LAUGHS.]
Vietnam.
He's probably a spy.
He makes Livvy happy.
Matt made Livvy happy.
She's setting herself up for another disaster.
Mind you, most relationships are that.
Are what? Lives of quiet desperation.
But then, Andrew Swanson is a psychopath, so there'll never be a dull moment, I'm sure.
People change, Mama.
Ah.
People become more of themselves.
There isn't a shadow of doubt on her face.
He might be the one.
There wasn't a shadow of doubt on my face when I married Jack.
And if you could just keep that memory alive.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[CHILDREN SHOUTING.]
Mum! Struth.
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
Mrs.
O'Rourke.
He said someone might come by.
I wasn't sure what he meant.
We just got off the train.
Ash Park's got a food service going.
Anyone in a bit of need.
I see.
Place is a terrible mess, isn't it? You back for good or you just visiting or Well, he can't look after himself.
It's Mr.
Briggs, Stan.
One way to give the kids a f fright.
He said it's one way to give the kids a fright.
STAN: Yeah.
The yard needs work.
The whole place needs work.
So I was thinking.
You mentioned having trouble getting blokes talking during these group things.
But when men really get yarning is when they're building something sawing, hammering.
So maybe try setting up a working bee type of thing, help people out who are going through a rough patch.
The O'Rourkes.
Well, I need an icebreaker.
This could be it.
[CLOCK TICKING.]
What's Andrew doing in Vietnam? Mama thinks he's a spy.
[LAUGHS.]
He's working for the International Rescue Committee, mostly in Europe but Vietnam for the moment.
He's resettling refugees, problems between north and south.
He's worried that a full-scale war might break out there the way things are going.
So he's kind to refugees.
Is he kind to you? Don't be worried.
I've seen the worst of Andrew.
And now I've seen the best.
He's a very different man.
Well, now I know your secret, I'll tell you mine.
[HAMMER POUNDING IN DISTANCE.]
If you insist on going to Inverness, which I think is a bad idea, then you should leave today.
Forget about my going to court.
I can go on my own, truly.
I'm not taking no for an answer.
It's why I've waited in town.
This is a huge thing.
You will need support.
Grandmother! Olivia's divorce day.
Tell her she can't go alone.
- Oh, of course not.
- Thank you.
I'm going with you.
All I have to do is go up on the stand, be questioned by my own barrister And I'll be there.
I'll go to Inverness the next day and wait to drop my bundle.
Oh.
So she's told you about her silly notion.
It's not a notion.
Mama will have to go down to see the baby.
Papa will be there, and they will break their impasse over the cradle and talk.
Excuse me.
What's that? Oh.
I have some news.
- Some news.
- Well, tell me.
Hold on to your hat.
Anna! Nothing surprises me these days.
Well, this will.
A little bit of respect, if you don't mind.
Should I be sitting down? Well [DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[ROOSTER CROWS.]
[CHILDREN SHOUTING.]
JACK: There are some blokes that meet up at the clinic for a cup of tea and a natter sometimes.
What they've said to me is tell us what needs fixing, what you need, and they'll do their best to see it done.
Well, we never replaced that old chook house that blew over.
Oh.
Well, good.
Just decide where you want it and we'll build you another one.
Mowing.
Fences.
Charity.
It works both ways.
[VEHICLE APPROACHING.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
We'll set up a day that suits.
Thank you, Dr.
Duncan.
Mrs.
O'Rourke, Stan.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Sorry to intrude.
Trying to persuade him to let the men's group help out.
Roy said that Sheila was back, and it's about time I had a word to Stan, so I'll wait for you.
I won't be long.
It's lovely to see you, Mrs.
Bligh.
And you, Sheila.
How are you? Healthwise I'm really good, but Of course.
Mr.
O'Rourke.
What? I, uh I've been thinking.
I wanted to let you know that that there's no hostility on my part.
No hard feelings, not anymore.
All right.
You said your bit.
Now piss off.
He said that he Thank you, Sheila.
I understood.
Whatever Jack's offered with the men, just know it comes in good faith.
And in any way we can help.
Thank you.
You know you didn't mean that.
An apology would have meant the world to her.
Would it have hurt you? Everyone is trying to help.
[CHILDREN SHOUTING.]
That was a mistake and a half.
He's his own worst enemy.
Stubborn as a mule.
What? Well, it's interesting you say that.
Here we go.
I remember someone asking me once would I rather be right or be happy? It forced me to swallow my pride.
Jesus wept.
Will you give it a break? I don't need to talk to her.
She's gone.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[ENGINE STARTS.]
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
I could have strangled him.
He's with all these men he's supposed to be counseling, but physician heal thyself? - Forget it.
- He's feeling sorry for himself.
No, he's drowning in self-pity.
From Stan, I could almost take it.
Yes.
Well, his future is rather grim.
I should put Jack in the same room as Leah.
All those years years as a child, confined to bed.
If anyone had the right to wallow, but no.
She heads off to a new country, mapping out a new life.
To be fair when I lost you, I went off the rails.
With rather disastrous consequences.
One more try with Jack.
And then Then I give up.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[VEHICLE APPROACHING.]
[COWS LOWING.]
[ENGINE SHUTS OFF.]
This is a surprise.
I wanted to let you know they've offered me a position at the hospital.
Assisting Mr.
Rowe, the new surgeon, in whatever capacity I can manage.
Well, good.
But you should know that I'm going to turn it down.
Uh, because of us.
Sure.
Because in my eyes, and unless you've changed your mind I'd like us to be together.
More.
How's that? Well, with James and I, it was different.
We were living in the same house without suspicion.
But if I were working here, living in the surgeon's quarters we'd spend half our time sneaking around, and it'd be living a lie.
It'd be Doris all over again.
Or worse.
But if you're up in the big smoke You could come up.
And occasionally this would be my weekender.
No one would know that I'm here.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
Not to be away from you, to to be with you, yeah? See how it goes.
See how it goes.
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[DOOR CLOSES, ENGINE STARTS.]
[HORN BLOWS.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS, TELEPHONE RINGING.]
It's over.
I don't know why, but I feel rather brokenhearted.
Oh.
- Are you all right? - Me? You're wearing a strange expression.
Just indigestion.
Anna, you asked me before what a contraction feels like.
I just have to make a quick call.
Anna.
- Anna.
- Well, I've only had two.
I've got plenty of time.
Ooh.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
Oh.
Three.
- [MOANS.]
- All All right.
Um [EXHALES DEEPLY.]
ANNA: Grandmother, don't panic.
All I need is a car and a driver and for you to gather some things from my room.
If you have started your labor, you absolutely cannot travel.
Grandmother, please just arrange for a car to be there when we arrive.
A car to take you to hospital here, not all the way down there.
I am getting myself to Inverness with your help or without.
Anna, this is a ridiculous notion.
It is absurd.
Did Dawn Briggs teach you nothing? It's how I want it to be.
And please telephone Mama and let her know.
I won't be part of this.
Grandmother, I thought I had more time, and now I don't! I will see you shortly.
[CLICK, DIAL TONE.]
[UP-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[ENGINE REVS.]
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
[TELEPHONE RINGING.]
Sorry for interrupting, Mr Oh.
Henry.
Oh, good.
Uh, just the person I need.
Would you excuse us? We were just finishing up.
Uh, next time you're in the city, let's have that drink.
I look forward to it.
Come on, Dad.
Your timing's perfect.
ANNA: [GROANING.]
Do you always drive like a snail? No, Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH: It was a rhetorical question.
But we could walk there faster than this.
Don't tell me you motor at this pace on the Riviera.
As a matter of fact - [ENGINE REVS.]
- [GASPS.]
I don't.
[SIGHS.]
You definitely spoke with Mama? - Yes.
Yes, I did, darling.
- Okay.
Thank you.
[GROANS.]
This is typical Anna.
I know why she's doing this so that I'll charge down to Inverness Hospital and have no choice but to sit in the corridor with Jack.
I could take you if you like.
[SIGHS.]
That's not going to help anyone.
I'll go when it's time.
But thank you.
And thank you.
[UP-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
ELIZABETH: You know, I I thought you would have matured by now.
You're like a bull in a china shop.
You want it all your way.
Right back to Gino too stubborn to see how inappropriate that was.
I thought you'd stopped being critical! I'm doing my best.
[MOANS.]
- Slow down.
- I can't! [SOBS.]
No, darling.
Not you.
Olivia, one minute you're Terry Tortoise, the next minute you're Jack Brabham.
I'm sorry, Elizabeth, and this isn't easy to say Don't hold back.
No one else is.
Will you please shut up and let me drive?! [LAUGHS.]
Mock me all you like.
I shall just be happy if we arrive in one piece.
SARAH: Knowing I'd meet with them gave Elizabeth reassurance.
Are you with me? Uh, yeah.
Yes.
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
ELIZABETH: One minute long and three minutes apart? - [MOANS.]
- That can't be right.
Um Stop the car.
Stop the car! If you can just hold on, we're not too far away.
- Now, Livvy! Now! I need to get out! - Stop! - Stop! - Stop! I am! ELIZABETH: Wait! Just hold on, darling.
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
No, no, no.
Do you think they've come a different way? No.
We'll find them.
All fathers get nervous.
It's part of the package.
It's just that I know what can go wrong.
[MOANING.]
Oh, Olivia, I'm so hot! Here.
Here.
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
[GROANS.]
I'm no expert, Anna, but I don't think you should try and push just yet, darling.
I need Oh, I need I need an ambulance! I think we'll all need an ambulance before too long.
W what if they just drive past? Perhaps I should run to the road and check.
Yes.
Yes, you do that.
I'll stay with Anna.
Oh, it's all right, sweetheart.
It's all right.
- It's all right.
- I'm here.
I'm here.
Grandma's here.
It's all right, darling.
You're doing so well, darling.
Just try.
- Try really hard.
- [GROANS.]
Try really hard to just [DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
Oh, thank God.
[BRAKE CLICKS, ENGINE SHUTS OFF.]
She's just down here.
Quickly! Oh, thank the Lord! - Here they come.
They're coming.
- They're coming! ELIZABETH: You'll be all right.
You'll be all right.
Hold on.
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
This time tomorrow, you'll be a grandmother.
[CLOCK TICKING.]
Yes.
You want to be there, don't you? Yes.
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
ANNA: [MOANING.]
Ah.
My hand.
SARAH: And And push now! [GROANING.]
Okay.
Stop.
Stop.
- Stop.
- Shut up! I heard! [GROANING.]
That's it.
Let it go.
Let it Okay.
- ANNA: [SOBS.]
- OLIVIA: You can do this.
[GROANS, SOBS.]
And another one if you can.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
That's it! Keep pushing! [BABY CRYING.]
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
ANNA: [SOBS.]
Well done.
Another Miss Bligh! [MUSIC CONTINUES.]
Oh! Oh! [INSECTS CHIRPING.]
She's perfect.
I can't remember a time when she wasn't here.
[TAPPING.]
I shouldn't have come.
Jack? Jack! Your daughter risked her life and the baby's life for this.
Well, more fool her.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[SIGHS.]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
Oh.
What a lucky little girl she is.
Miss Bligh.
Uncle Harry.
[MUSIC CONTINUES.]
Four generations.
[CHUCKLES.]
Four.
[MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[BABY COOING.]
You're here early.
Hello, little one.
"Dot and the Kangaroo.
" Oh! This is my favorite! She'll love it.
I've decided to let Caro have the day.
No, Papa.
Please stay.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Like Roy with Dawn's funeral, best not get in the way.
But you won't be.
[VOICE BREAKING.]
Please.
You all enjoy yourselves.
No.
You're a beautiful mother.
Or have I said that before? I'll be here in spirit.
It's all rather intriguing, isn't it? A naming ceremony.
What do you think it means? Well, sort of like a christening, but we're not in a church, so Well, of course Miss Anna was C of E, then Roman Catholic, so perhaps to avoid confusion.
You know, I did read once about naming ceremonies in the National Geographic.
Somewhere in Africa or India or somewhere.
Well, then there's the father and his chappie.
Oh.
Do you know, I did ask Mr.
Polson what his sort likes to be called.
- Struth, Doris! - Do you know what he said? "Just not late for dinner.
" [BOTH LAUGH.]
We're in the thick of bohemia now, Mr.
Briggs.
The modern age.
All we need is the Sputnik to fly past the window.
[CHUCKLES.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Papa decided not to come.
Not today, darling.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
DELIA: I thought you'd probably be there.
If you were up at the christening, I wouldn't need to say this.
But as you're hidden away, I do.
Say what? Why are you calling me? Because I'm sick of seeing Carolyn so unhappy.
This is our business, not yours.
It most certainly is my business, until you find the gumption to talk with her at the very least.
I'm hanging up.
I can only respect your marriage for so long.
If you want her back, get on with it.
But if you don't fight for her, I will take her from you.
She's not a chess piece.
No, she isn't.
She's a magnificent woman.
And if I get her, it'll be because you were too vindictive, too focused on your own needs and you let her slip away.
[CLICK, DIAL TONE.]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
Here we all are.
Thank you for coming.
James, you get the prize for longest distance.
I first learned about naming ceremonies in Hawaii, from a Japanese community.
Hawaii! Of course.
That was it.
So this is "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran.
He's a poet from Lebanon, and he was first published over 30 years ago.
"On Children.
" "Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.
" "They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you, you may give them your love but not your thoughts for they have their own thoughts.
" Um "You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
" "You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you for life goes not backward or tarries with yesterday.
" "You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and he bends you with his might that his arrows may go swift and far.
" "Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness, for even as he loves the arrow that flies, so he loves also the bow that is stable.
" "On Children.
" Thank you.
In the presence of you all, family and dear friends and a wonderful father, we name this child Elaine.
Elaine Elizabeth Bligh.
Oh.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[APPLAUSE.]
What are you guys doing? "Your children are not your children.
Children.
They are " I'll be heading off in a minute.
I have work to do.
Now, Carolyn, you're doing a wonderful job, but under the circumstances, if working with Delia is too problematic It's not.
Not at all.
I bear a burden of the guilt.
I set the thing in motion.
No hard feelings if you want to take a step away.
That's all.
It needed to be this way.
I'll be fine.
Oh.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
Safe travels.
Congratulations again.
And you two.
I'm glad.
Cheers.
I'm grateful to your family for including me.
Not everyone would.
I'd have burnt the house down if they hadn't.
So would I.
Father.
Son.
It's just about the New Year.
I hope you don't mind, but I was going to head back to France.
Just seeing in the '60s and, uh I see.
I see.
Um New Year's Eve here or on the Riviera.
Yes.
Well, it's hardly a choice, is it, George? It certainly is not.
Be mad if you didn't.
[CHUCKLES.]
Thank you.
We'll meet up with you over there soon.
It is literally next year in Jerusalem.
[INSECTS CHIRPING.]
Did Jack come? No.
He doesn't deserve you.
Not the way he is.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE.]
[COOING.]
She was very good today.
Elaine Elizabeth.
This is the last thing I'll say, and then I give up.
Good.
Why do you think it's so hard to move ahead? To fit yourself in to what Carolyn wants? Oh.
Why should I? I've got the hospital.
I've got the clinic growing.
And you'll most likely be doing it all alone.
So be it.
Really? You know what I can't forgive? I stood in that doorway, and I saw what I saw.
Bad enough the Japs cut my balls off.
The woman I love just did it all over again, everything rationalized by her standard old accusation that I am in a rut.
I think you are.
- Enough, all right? - We both have been.
You know, you and I, we are opposite sides of the same coin.
Because of my war damage, I ran and couldn't stop.
Because of your war damage, you can't move.
- That's not right.
- Listen.
We were both brutalized every hour of every day for years, until we almost forgot who we were.
What would anyone do who went through what we did? You You You find what feels safe and you hold on tight.
It was safer for me to run from happiness than embrace it.
It's safer for you to be here alone than risk change.
These things, they become habits.
And we're too scared to shake them off.
You know, perhaps we will always be revisited by our terrors.
But it's another thing to keep creating them.
Hmm? I think you have to do something big, Jack, or you won't be any good to anyone, including this little girl.
[COOING.]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]