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Straight on Till Morning (1972)
Long before you and I were born,
there was a wondrous magic garden, where flowers never died and where rain never fell. In the middle of the garden was a beautiful castle. The flowers were made of purest crystal and the walls of solid gold. A high wall protected the garden, the garden protected the castle, and the castle protected the most beautiful princess in the world. The Princess Rosalba. Oh, Mum, nobody's dying. - Brenda, when I think of all I've... - I don't want to talk about it. It's gonna be my baby, it's what I wanted. It's got nothing to do with you. I'm your mother, aren't I? I'm your mother! From far and wide, princes came, asking for the hand of the Princess Rosalba in marriage. Listen, I had to give up my job if I'm going to live in London. - Brenda, why? - I'm going to find a father for my baby. Someone who'll love us both. Don't go, love. Don't go. Taxi? Miss Thompson? It's for you. It's all right, Mama, I'll see you before long, and I'll write. Look after yourself. Don't bother to come outside, Mum, you'll only get cold. Now look what you've done. - Good morning, John. - Hello, Mr Godfrey. You look nice today. Yes, I've just come back from holiday. Um, you sent me a bill. And I paid you two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, yes. I do seem to recall. Hang on a second. That's right, up to two weeks ago. Ipsy Gypsy live in a tent. Couldn't afford to pay... Yes, yes you misunderstand me, the bill was paid up until - two weeks ago on Friday. - To pay the rent. That means I owe you for last week. - When the... - Yes, you owe me... When the rent man... - ...came next day... - Fifty pence. Ipsy Gypsy ran away. - Thank you very much, good morning. - See you again. - May I have a bag please. - Yes, dear, thank you. - Do you have Health and Beauty? - No, we don't stock it. Whoops! - Oh, no. - Sorry about that, darling. Oh, shit. - A game. - What? A new game. New game? - New game? - You're beautiful. I love you. It's on that stand over there if you'd like. - Thank you very much. - On the right. Thank you. For new games, we need magic. Fifteen pence. Magic? - I'll have 20 Gauloises. - Uh, pardon? - Twenty Gauloises, please. Cigarettes. - Oh, yes. Peter? - Magic. - What are you playing? Not the same? Peter? Peter? Peter? Peter? Twenty cigarettes. Thank you very much. Peter? Don't need that, sir. - What are we going to do? - Never, never mind. - 10 shillings. Thank you. - So long. Bye-bye. - Is this the one you mean? - Ah! Let's see. I shouldn't think so. No, I'm sorry, it's right down there. Peter, where are we going? Never-never land. You bloody maniac, what do you think you're doing? I'm sorry. - 36. - 36 Ashton Street. - Uh, Southwest 14. 14, yes. - Southwest 14. - Excuse me please? - Just take a seat and wait your turn. Where's Jimmy? Morning. - If you just phone 836-7543... - Yes. 836... Yes, I'll do that. What about... What do you have in mind about money? What time do you call this? Quarter to 10. About 5 or 6 a week. I think maximum. Yes. Maximum, yes, I'll do my best. - You're three quarters of an hour late. - Yes. - And the address? - 36 Ashton street. - A-S-H-T-O-N. That's Southwest 18. - ...H-T-O-N. Southwest 18. You! My office! Now! 450 a week and I know it's just the thing you're looking for. The Princess Rosalba refused them all. She forsook her castle and travelled to the outmost parts of her kingdom where the clouds rained silver and the dew was gold, and where the dreams that people dream come true. - Where did you work last? - Liverpool. - Doing what? - Librarian. - Type? - Oh, just the usual. - No, no. I mean do you type? - Oh, no. I'm sorry. It doesn't matter, we need somebody in accounts, that's all. We need someone to work in the shop, too, it's all right. - Excuse me, Mr Lindsay? - In a minute. Good. Brenda, isn't it? - When can you start? - Um, now. Tomorrow morning, 9:00 sharp, all right? - Mr Lindsay? - Yes. I'll see you tomorrow. Peter? What? Magic? I love you. For her dreams had told her that somewhere the prince of princes was waiting for her and he would love her. And his children would be one day rulers of the land. Joey! Meet the delivery department, Joey. Meet the wrapping department, Brenda. Brenda, Joey. Happy times. Hello. Hello. It's better now you're here. Of course, I used to come down here for a secret smoke. - Hello. - Pardonnez moi, mademoiselle. La route pour l'aroport, est-ce l ou l? - Pardon? - Airport. C'est l? But he cottoned on. She just went. She left, no reason. Just went, just like animals. Does he like nuts? They're all the same, behaving just like animals. No. I know another girl called Brenda. Lives just down the road from me. Took her out once, as a matter of fact. Great big tits, right down here. Her brother, he left just the same. They all go off. Caroline's looking for somebody to take the spare room in her flat. 5.10 a week. Couldn't afford it. You haven't got an awful lot to offer a man. What you do have, well, let's face it. I don't like her. Hello. With your writing, wouldn't get any work done at all. Dear Mum... I mean she's man-mad. Non-stop men and parties. Hello, your room is the third on the right. Go and get changed and join the party. - Jesus Christ, what do you want? - Well, it's my room. Cheers, baby. - What's the matter? - Nothing. - Relax, you're frightening everyone to death. - Sorry. Look, you wanna get a fellow, don't you? Stop worrying and let them come to you. You're quite pretty in that dress. Where's your drink? - I haven't got one. - Oh, well, go into the kitchen and get a bottle. Um, I'm sorry, I've broken the cork. Oh, that's all right. We'll push it in. Oh, blast! It doesn't matter. It'll wash out. Give us a cigarette. Here you are. Make yourself useful. See who else wants any. - Hello Brenda, hogging the bottle, are you? - Joey. - Aren't you gonna give me a drink then? - Oh, sorry. Cheers. You settling in all right, are you? Oh, yes, thank you. Nice. - What? - My room, it's nice. Oh. It's very pretty. Ever so modern with the bright psychedelic wallpaper. Hope it doesn't keep me awake. I've told you, I need someone to come in on the rent. - You're not so bloody free with your pennies. - All right, all right. But why do you have to pick someone from the bloody shop, you silly cow? - It's only Brenda, for God's sake. - "Only Brenda"? Then why in the bloody hell didn't you let me know? Oh, grow up! - I like her. - Eh? - Caroline, she's ever so good to me, really. - Yeah. Tinker, Tinker, Tinker, hey, what an adventure. Hey Tinker! What an awfully big adventure. - I don't go out very often, do you? - Oh, now and again. - What about your other friend, Brenda? - Oh, I chucked her. - Piss off. - Nice party, though. Would you like some more wine? Nuts? Would you like some nuts? Is there anything I can get you? - I know what I would like. - Yes? - Uh, some coffee, please. - I'll get some. - You should have told me! - All right! All right! You don't like the way I behave, I don't like the way you behave! You know where the door is, open it and piss off! - What? Right! - Piss off! I can't just bloody well turn her out, she's only bloody well moved in! Goodnight, Mr Lindsay. - Here we are. - Thank you. Oh, shit. - Joey, have you got a cigarette? - Uh, no, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm right out. Oh, would you like a cup of coffee? I've just made some. Look, uh, I've got to get cigarettes, I'll get you some. Won't take a minute. Be back in a flash. - Uh, that is, if you've got some change. - Well, I'll go, let me? - It's all right. I'll go. I'll go! - No, really. Joey. You're not very beautiful either, are you? Here, are you hungry? Would you like some nuts? Would you? There you are, that's a good boy. Eh? Tinker! Tink! Tinker. Come here, boy. Is that you, eh? Is that your name? Tinker? Is it? Tink? Tinker? Tinker. - Tinker! - Is that your daddy, eh? Is that your daddy? Tink, Tink, Tink! Come here, boy. Do you want to go to him? Do you... Come on, Tinker. Come on. Hey! Here! Here! What's the matter with you then, eh? What's the matter with you? What you doing, just sitting there? What you doing, just sitting there? Where's all the magic gone to? Where's all the magic? You should be a handsome prince by now. Come on, let's make you beautiful for Brenda. Come on. There. Nice? The prince hid himself away in the depths of his kingdom surrounded by a forest so dark and mysterious that no one dared venture into it. But Princess Rosalba found the key, by which she could traverse the forest unscathed and thus reach the palace of the prince of princes. Second on the left and then straight over. - Thank you. - Okay. Come on. Oh. That's it. Come on. - Hello. - Uh... I think I found your dog. I washed him for you. Hey. Never looked so good, so pretty. Have you, Tinker? Here, boy. This lady given you a nice wash? And a lovely pink ribbon and a lead. His lead broke. I didn't have another so I used my... - Scarf. - Yes. Why don't you come inside and let me make a cup of tea or something? Uh, I don't think I... I was just about to have some myself, so it's no trouble. Really. I can get the knots out of your scarf for you. Come on. Here. Cleaning up is a woman's job. There isn't a woman around so I don't do it. - There. - Thank you. It's all right. Come on. Get rid of you first. Come on, Tinker. Come along. - Now we can have a drink. - Thank you. - What would you like? Wait a minute. - Uh... Better see what I've got first. Coffee, tea, cocoa. But only powdered milk. - I don't mind really, thank you. - Of course you do. What do you want? - Coffee, please. - That's better. - My name's Peter. What's yours? - Rosalba. - What? - Rosalba. - Now, that is unusual. - Everybody says that. - Parents Italian, are they? - Uh... - White rose. - Yes. Or if it's Spanish, dawn of a rose. Are they Spanish or Italian? Well, uh... They're in Liverpool, actually. At least Mum is. Dad was, but he's dead now. - Sorry. - Oh, it doesn't matter. It was a long time ago. But your mother's still in Liverpool. - Has she got a dog? - Oh, not now. We used to have one. I like animals. - It was a Corgi. Tuppence, his name was. - Nice dog? - Oh, yes, very friendly. - Was it? - Hmm. And he used to do tricks. - Like what? Well, why we called him Tuppence for instance. He wasn't called Tuppence at first. Can't remember what he was called. Anyway, doesn't matter. Dad used to put lots of pennies on the floor and Tuppence used to divide them up. Into tuppences? Yes, that's right. So, we called him Tuppence. Why did you steal Tinker from me? - Pardon? - I said why did you steal Tinker from me? - Uh, he ran away. I didn't. - I saw you. Come on. No need to get upset. You brought him back. I don't mind anyway. Just seems a funny thing to do. Steal someone's dog, wash it, then give it back. - You do it often? - Don't! Don't joke about it. - Sorry. - I shouldn't have come. I shouldn't have done what I did, I know. Must be a bit stupid or something and... I'm terribly, terribly sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. - If you don't mind. - No. I told you I don't mind. - I just want to know why. Why? - I don't know. - Don't be silly. You must know. - I've forgotten. - No, you haven't. Come on, tell me. - I can't. - You can. - I can't. Really, I can't. Really, you can. Come on. Why? - I... - Why? Why? I just wanted to meet you. - What for? What did you want to meet me for? - I don't know. To talk to you. You wanted to talk to me about something. - Please... Please, let me... - Why me? - Why did you want to talk to me? - Please don't keep on... - Have you seen me before? - No! Not really, but only once in the street. - Why me then? - I don't know why you. - Here. - What? Give me your hands. - Why? - Hands. You took Tinker, and went to a lot of trouble to meet me alone in my house. I'm here, you're here, and whatever it is you wanted to say or ask, now's the time. Don't waste it. - I don't know. I... - Yes, come on. Uh, I came to... I came to ask you... You'll think I'm silly, I know you will, but I came to ask you if... If you'd give me a baby. I told you. Silly, isn't it? Told you it was... I just want a baby, that's all. - Can I go now? - Yes. I have a proposition to make. If you'll come here and live with me and look after me, and mend for me, and clean for me, then we shall see. Oh, and your name... I don't really like Rosalba. Do you? I shall call you Wendy. Liverpool 8. Tinker? Tink? Where are you? Tinker. There you are. Here, boy. There's a good boy. You wouldn't have left Peter for someone else, would you? Surely you wouldn't have left your Peter. We shall have another Wendy. And she's not pretty at all. Would you like that? Eh? Hold still. That's it. Wendy... For her dreams had told her that somewhere the prince of princes was waiting for her, and he would love her, and his children would be, one day, rulers of the land. What did you tell your girlfriend? I told her my mother was ill and I had to go to Liverpool. Did she mind? It's not a question of minding. - She's ill, she's ill. That's all there is to it. - Did she? No, but I did. She got her boyfriend to drive me all the way to Euston Station. I'd have been here ages ago. Nice staircase. That's nice. Oh, a cuckoo clock. Doesn't work. Here we are. Wendy's room. It's not all that nice at the moment, but I'll buy things. Do things to it if you stay. I bought you one thing already. - What sort of thing? - Surprise. You've got to close your eyes. - I won't. - Do what you're told and close your eyes. - But what? - Go on. Tight. Tight. - Now stay like that. No peeping. - I'm not. Open. Oh, Peter... Oh, it's lovely. - So, your name's still Wendy? - Oh, yes. What would you've done with it if I hadn't come back? But you have. Where's Tinker? I haven't seen him since this morning when I let him out. He's probably wandered off. Don't worry, he always comes back. Tinker. Tinker, Tinker, Tinker. Tink. - Where do you work? - I don't. What do you do then? - Nothing. - Oh. I'll let the tea mash a bit. - Hmm? - It's better. Soon have this place cleaned up. You know you said you never did women's jobs? Hmm. Well, who does your washing and things? Nobody now. That's why everything's dirty. But you must have had somebody. You can't always have done nothing. - Does your mother know where you are? - No. - Why did you leave her? - I told her I was expecting. - But you weren't. - No. I've never lied to her, you see, so I thought if I told her a really big lie, she'd still believe me, then she'd have got used to the idea before I was expecting, then I'd have gotten the worst over first. - Then what? - I left. - Happily as that? - What? - Happily as that? - Yes. What's she like? - My mother? - Hmm. I don't know. I've never thought about it. Just like a mother, I suppose. - How old is she? - Forty, 50. Probably older. They stop getting older then. - What does she look like? - Nice. Brown hair, blue eyes. A bit skinny. - Is she kind? - Yes. - Always? - Not always. - And she loves you? - On my first day at school, she cried all the way there and all the way back and nonstop for a fortnight. - And mine. - Did she? Everybody's mother does. What do you want to know about my mother for? - Remember a bit more about mine. - I bet my mother's nothing like yours. They're all the same. - Where does your mother live? - Leicester. - There you are then. - I think. I left home when I was 15. - Do you write to each other? - No. Why did you leave home? - It's a long story. - Tell me. - You'll be bored. I bet you won't approve. - Oh, I will, really. Yes, you will, one day. But not yet. - Go on. - No. I like stories. I write them. - You do? - Oh, for children, not grown-ups. I mean, they're not Georgette Heyer or anything. They're upstairs in my bag. - Can I see them? - Yes, if you want to. I'm gonna have them published one day in a big volume like Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen. And then one day, I'll write a book about you. Peter, a biography. That'll be good, won't it? I'm just going upstairs for a bit. Oh. Which is your room? You go up these stairs, you take the first star on the right and go straight on till morning. Oh. - Do you want me to clean your room first? - No. I clean my room. Oh. What do you want to know about my mother for? Remember a bit more about mine. I bet my mother's nothing like yours. One potato, two potato, three potato, four. - Clive! - Five potato, six potato, seven potato, more. Clive! Once upon a time there was a boy... Clive! Once upon a time, there was a boy called... - Peter. - No. No, he wasn't called Peter. Honestly, do you mind? Who's telling this story, you or me? - Sorry. Sorry. - Right. Right. No, he was actually called Clive. He didn't like it either, but he was the son of a great and wealthy king and queen, so he couldn't do much about it. He was handsome and beautiful, and had everything in the world that he desired. Then one day, one terrible day, the king died and Clive became heir to the kingdom. He didn't want to be. It was the same kingdom that his father and his father's father had ruled for generations. The queen was full of grief and sorrow. - Prince Clive... - King Clive. King Clive could no longer play or wile away the hours in the castle grounds. He was now king and had great responsibilities. One day, he had to visit the outer realms of his kingdom. He bade his mother a fond farewell, and, taking no jewels or gold or coins with him, he slipped quietly away. But instead of visiting his peoples, he left the kingdom, never to return, never to see the queen again. Away he went in search of fortune and adventure. - Do you think that was cruel? - Children's stories are cruel. - So, then what? - Then what? Hmm. Then what happened? Then... Then... He travelled far and wide and met an Indian Princess, a beautiful Indian Princess. A loving, beautiful, wealthy Indian Princess. I... I'm just crazy about you, you know that, don't you? And Clive was her golden prince. Her prince of princes. Very handsome. Crazy about you. You'll never leave me. You'll never leave me. Make it happen, my darling, you know I love you so much. - I love you so... - I love you, too. I love you, too. But she didn't. She did not love him. She just wanted people to know that she could capture the prince of them all. She wore him like... He... He shone like a jewel in her crown. He glorified her. But she did not love him. So... So, he left her. And he met another princess. And another. An endless stream of beautiful princesses. They all wanted him for his beauty. And he came to loathe beauty. He came to loathe his beauty, and all beauty for what it had done to him. So, he got rid of them all. I'll get it. Parcel for Mr Price. Money, money, money, money. Don't you touch this, will you? Put that back, will you? Won't be a minute. All right, sir. You see, I don't have to work. It's all mine. I think I can trust you now, Wendy. I hope I can. Morning. Peter? Where did you get that money from? Don't be nosy. Just gonna buy some cigarettes. Answer that bloody phone, will you? Hmm. - Come on, darling. - Right. Hello! - Who the hell is it? - Don't know, there are pips. - Hello? Yes? - Hello? - Is Brenda there? - No, she doesn't live here any more. - Where is she staying? - With her mother, I think. - I am her mother. - Oh, hello, Mrs Thompson. I wish we hadn't kept talking about my mother yesterday. Why? Silly, but I can't help thinking of her all by herself. She'll be all right. Suppose so. Hello. I'm Mrs Thompson, Brenda's mother. Once upon a time, a mouse, a rabbit and a tortoise set up... Once upon a time, a mouse, a rabbit and a... - Once upon a time... - Ready. What should I say? - Anything. - Like what? Testing. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven or something. Testing. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven... What am I going to do? I mean... She wouldn't just go. - You don't do that. - Don't cry, please. She knows I'm not ill, I'm never ill. She knows that. The princess soon heard of this and promised the woodcutter secretly that she would give him a piece of gold if he would cut off the head of the Prince Pompadorus. You can't help yourself, can you? I mean, you do worry. I'd better go or I'll miss my coach. Thanks, love, very much. I am sorry to trouble you, but there is no one else. Peter. Peter. What do you want? I can't sleep. I wondered if I could come in and talk to you for a bit. It's late, Wendy. Go back to bed. I'll see you in the morning. I was asleep. Night. - Yes? - I wondered if you could help me. I'm looking for a friend of mine, Brenda Thompson. Uh, she's not staying here by any chance? Um, there's no girl at all staying here? What I mean is, she could've changed her name. No, sorry. I'm sorry, I can't help you. Oh, wait a minute. Uh, you see, she left something behind. I wonder is there anybody in this building who's got a dog called Tinker? I can see that Brenda doesn't want her mother to know where she is, but you've got to let me tell her something. She's in a bloody awful state. - Where is Brenda? Let me talk to her. - She's out. - Well, when will she be back? - I don't know I'm afraid. She left this. Shopping. Would you like a cup of coffee while you're waiting? - Yes, I would. Thank you. - Fine. - You going to wait? - Why not? Fine. Caroline, you're beautiful. You're beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Peter. Well... What do you think? Why Wendy? - Why? - Hmm? Why? For you. Just pretty for you. Don't you think I'm pretty, Peter? Oh yes, you're pretty. You should have seen what they did. Everything you could imagine. It was funny. Glad you weren't there, though. Mind you, I haven't just come back, but I couldn't find you. I wanted you to see me straight away. You didn't mind me going out, did you? I... I wanted to surprise you. Sorry. Don't be upset. Please, Wendy. Don't be upset. I want you the way you are. I love you the way you are. It's all right. Everything's going to be all right. It was for you. It was only for you! I know. Everything's going to be all right. Just you and me. Just you and me. - All right? - Yes. You'll never leave me, will you, Wendy? Caroline? Caroline? Caroline? No. Never, never, never will I leave you. What was your daughter wearing when you last saw her, Mrs Thompson? It was a new coat, an emerald green one, straight one. - Mmm-hmm. - And a shoulder bag. - And her hair's long and blonde. - Her hair's long, is it? - And blonde? - Yes. - How tall is your daughter? - Five... 5'2". 5'2". And you say, when she went away, where was she going to stay? Well, I had a letter from her saying she was staying with a friend in Earls Court. Earls Court. Do you have the address of that? Yes. I've got it on a letter somewhere. When was the last time you saw Caroline? Yesterday. About 3:00. Yeah, about 3:00. - Did you see her alone? - That must have been about 5:30. We met and had a drink. Um, where exactly, sir, did you see Brenda for the last time? Mmm, now, let me think. Yesterday. Yes... Three... No, no, 3:30. - She'd, uh... - Excuse me, sir. - Is that her? - Yes. - Peter? - Hmm? Uh, I think I'm going to have our baby. Right. You can look now. Peter! - Oh, look at them. - What about that then, eh? - The nappies are a bit early. - So? - What's that? - Smock. - Do you think I'll get that big? - That's only for the first two months. Ah. Aw! Look at that. It's pretty. I shall put them all upstairs with the cradle. - This and 40 Gauloises please. - Forty... Okay. Standard please. That was quick. I was just gonna do some shopping. - I'll do the shopping, later. - It's all right. - It'll do me good. It won't take long. - I said no. - I'm just going to get some... - It's all right. I just don't want you to go out this minute. That's all. - It's only up the road. - Wendy, please. - Please. - All right. Thank you. I've just been sick. Oh. I just wondered what you were doing. I'm sorry. - I'm sorry. - No. Don't. I love you. I love you. I love you. - I love you. - Don't. How about the other one, Brenda? Missing for one week. Don't know. I haven't seen her either. I've seen neither of them. - You can't tell me anything else about them? - No, you know. Wendy. - What are you doing? - I'm just gonna post a letter to Mum. I haven't written to her since I've been here. I told you, Wendy. I do not want you to go out. - But why not? It'll only take a few minutes. - I said, no! Don't... Don't shout at me. Well, then do as I ask and don't go out. - Why? - Just don't! - Well, I am. You can't stop me. - No. You don't! Wendy? - Can I come in? - Yes. I'm sorry I shouted at you. 'Course you can go out. You can go out anytime you want to. I've got a surprise for you. That's why I didn't want you to go out. What is it? It's in my room. Can I see it? Well, you can't see it. But I'll take you to it. Listen. Magic. Testing one, two, three, four, five. Testing. Hello. Hello. Hello. Good dog. Come here, boy. Tinker. There's me boy. What has she done to you? Eh, Tinker? Eh? You're pretty. She's made you pretty. Hasn't she? Yes. We don't want to be pretty, do we? Eh, Tinker? Lie still. Lie still. Lie still. We don't want to be pretty at all. There's a good boy. There's a good boy. Hey, Tinker. Good boy. Lie still. Caroline, you are beautiful. Caroline! Stop it! No! Stop! Stop! Stop it! You mustn't be beautiful. Please don't leave me, Wendy. Please. Don't leave me. I love you. And if you love me... We'll stay... We'll stay together. For ever and ever. No! No. No. No. Please don't! My baby! Oh, my baby! No! I wouldn't hurt you. Wouldn't hurt you. Oh, no! No! You don't understand. - I couldn't hurt you. - My baby! Oh, my baby! No! Oh, no! No! The king declared that the wedding celebrations commence immediately. There was great rejoicing throughout the land, and three days later, the beautiful Princess Rosalba was married to the prince of princes who would love her for all time. And together they lived happily ever after. |
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