|
The Delinquents (1989)
Telegram.
Hey, don't stop. Do as you're told! I don't take orders. If you were my son... I ain't. He started it! I'll finish it too! The neighbours! Bugger the neighbours! Any more lip from you and I'll... Leave him alone, Bert! Everybody sing along Let's all sing When any little thing goes wrong Do-da-lay, do-da-loo Sing for me that simple tune... You'll ruin your eyes with all that reading. He only wants a bit of respect. He orders me around like he owns the place. He pays rent. So do I. He pays more. He gets more. What did you say? Where are you going? Movies. "Come, gentle night Come, loving, black-brow'd night "Give me my Romeo. "When he shall die take him and cut him out in little stars. "He'll make heaven so fine, the world will love night "And pay no worship to the garish sun." Isn't that beautiful, Mum? It's a lovely story. It's so sad. You've read it? No. Heard it on the radio once. That'll have to do, or I'll be late. Enjoy yourself. Huh! Enjoy myself?! Playing piano for a bunch of drunks! Will you be late? Who knows? I am doing this ALL for you. Can I go to the pictures? Alright, dear. Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but the house is full. Is there any standing room? No standing room. Try again tomorrow. I've waited an hour. Try tomorrow. Wait! I was in front of them! Come on. I've been standing here... Excuse me. Will you be getting 'Rock Around the Clock' back again any time? Doubt it. Didn't like it. It was really popular. Not with normal people. Thanks. I've seen it three times, anyway. Me too! I'm Brownie. And you're Lola? I'm only delivering telegrams till I can get a job on a ship. My grandfather was a sailor - Norwegian. My father is too, but he's American. I thought that he was... God, no! That's not my father. That's Bert. My father's away. Mmm... So is mine. I was born here. After the war, my father took us back to the States - Seattle. He was mostly at sea. One day he didn't come back. My mum gets homesick for this place. My mother teaches piano and plays in pubs. We move round a lot. I read lots of books. So do I! I love books! 'Call of the Wild'... I just read 'Anne of Green Gables'... 'Cruel Sea'... 'Wuthering Heights' is my favourite. You've read 'Romeo and Juliet'? Who's that by? William Shakespeare. No. Oh, rock'n'roll! Yeah! Little Richard! What about Bill Haley? Gene Vincent! The Platters! Wait - Jerry Lee Lewis! Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! I HATE BUNDABERG! Those kids are called bodgies and widgies. There's tons of them in Brisbane. There's none in this burg. We could be the first. Yeah! We'd have to dance like that, though. Lucille, you won't do your sister's will She's a lovin' mama but I got nerves of steel Lucille, please come back where you belong Lucille, please come back where you belong I'm begging you, baby, please don't leave me alone Woke up this morning Lucille was not in sight I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight Lucille, please come back where you belong Lucille, please come back where you belong I'm begging you, baby, please don't leave me alone Woke up this morning Lucille was not in sight I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight Lucille, please come back where you belong I'm begging you, baby, please don't leave me alone... Woke up this morning Lucille was not in sight I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight Lucille, please come back where you belong. In the hotel lounge! I have to live here. What's his father do? He doesn't have a father. You know what he wants. Remember, my girl, it's a mortal sin. We only kissed. That's where it starts. Life is hard enough as it is! I am loved. I am loved... Are you listening? I am loved. I am loved. What? I can't hear you what you're saying. I am loved. Oh! Oh, Lola! Apologise! Apologise to your mother! Hey! That'll do, mate! Bert! He's had enough. Oh! Brownie Hansen. What are you doing here? You stood me up. I didn't want you to see me like this. Everyone in town knows you had a fight. They reckon you gave him some back too. He's a bastard! Mum just stood there and watched. After a while it didn't even hurt anymore. I kept wishing someone could hold me in their arms. Your hair's still beautiful. Ow! Sorry. They just don't understand, do they? What? About love. Yeah. Just like Romeo and Juliet. But bigger and more exciting because it's us! It's all because of you! Thank you! Ow! Ow! I can't help it. I'm in love with Brownie Hansen. Now there are three steps to heaven Just listen and you will plainly see And as life travels on And things do go wrong Just follow steps one, two and three Step one - You find a girl you love Step two - She falls in love with you Step three - You kiss and hold her tightly Help me. And that sure seems like heaven to me Sorry... Hang on. The formula for heaven is very simple Just follow... Ow! ...the rules and you will see And as life travels on And things do go wrong Just follow steps one, two and three Step one - You find a girl you love Step two - She falls in love with you... Oh! Oh, sorry. Step three - You kiss and hold her tightly... Ow! I'm sorry. That sure seems like heaven to me Just follow steps one, two and three. Ahhhhhh! Well? I waited six weeks just to make sure. What do you want to do? Try to get rid of it? No! We can't do that. It's a terrible mortal sin! I know that. It's not that we're not old enough. Romeo and Juliet were teenagers. Helen of Troy was only 12 when she ran away with Paris. 12?! Yeah. They started a lot younger back then. "Dear Mother, I'm going to have a baby. "I'm going anywhere I will not be a humiliation to you. "I'm well looked after by someone who loves me and wants to look after me. "Your loving daughter, Lola." What have you got? "Dear Mum, I've gone away. "Don't call the police. "I am alright. Brownie." Well, at least she won't have any trouble understanding it. Only you can make the world seem right Only you can make the darkness bright Only you and you alone can thrill me like you do And fill my heart with love for only you. This was my grandmother's. My dad's mum. I'd have inherited it anyway, so... We can do anything we want - go everywhere in the whole world. We could go to Norway. London and Paris... Seattle! No? Every place I've read about. I want to see everything and meet everyone and be with you whatever we do. Carry everything we own in a bag. Be fast and free. But we'll have a baby. He can come too. It'll be just the three of us. Fast and free. Fast, fast... Be very fast. Fast. Two minutes! Train departing in two minutes. Get chocolates and chips. Is that good for the baby? Baby likes what I like. Hey. Oh. Here she is! Lola, we're going home. Brownie! Lola! Get your hands off her! Brownie, help me! No! Brownie! Brownie, you've got to help me! Brownie! NO! Come over here. Can't talk to you down there. You got a name? Jim Smith. So YOU'RE Jim Smith? Can you swim? Oh, God. Actually, my name is Brownie Hansen. I'm going to Brisbane to see my girlfriend Lola. I don't know any Lolas in Brisbane. They said she might be there. My dad was a sailor. Well. His dad was a sailor. Oh, yeah. Is that right? So you want to be one too? Get your bag. From now on, you're down below. My name's Bosun. Move your arse. You'll freeze up here. How much? Yes, alright. Alright. Well, as soon as possible. Eight weeks. The day after tomorrow. I want to have it. Yes, that's the easy part. Who supports it? Who feeds it? I'll get a job. You're still a baby yourself! It's not really your decision, Mother. It's my decision. You don't know any better, Lola. You'll ruin your life. You're not living my life. It is my decision. You're still a minor till you're 16. That's the end of it. It's illegal here too. Yes, but nobody knows us here. Brownie. Hang on a minute. Just wait for that copper. OK. Off you go. Good luck, son. Why don't you go to the police? Yeah. Thanks anyhow. I don't even know if she's still here. It's a big city. She's pregnant. You ought to be with her. I know that. I've got no job, I've got no money. I was coming to that. Someone signed off today. Job's yours if you want it. Really? That would be great, but... I don't know. It's over to you, son. If you still want to be a sailor, we ship out Friday. Friday. I'm just going downstairs for a while. Won't be long. I won't do it! I'm going to keep it. Brownie, where are you? Damn! Hey! Hey, cab! Stop! The docks, please. Got the money? Cash? Yes! It's all over now, darling. No luck, eh? Only woman you can rely on is the sea. She'll always be there. Come on. Sit yourself down. What kind of music do you like, Brownie? There's stuff here from all over the world. Damascus, San Francisco, London... I've never seen this. Here - you might go for this one. My baby don't stand no foolin' around... Here - get this into you. Oh, yeah, she don't stand no foolin', my babe... Don't worry, son. You'll acquire the taste. Ain't no foolin' my babe Truly, baby, my babe She's my baby... Where do you think you're going? I know what you're going through, darling. Look, we'll start again. We'll put it all behind us. He's forgotten you, love. You're not the first one to go through this, you know. I know it's hard. How do you know? I just know. When I was your age, I made some mistakes. But life goes on. Am I one of your mistakes? Am I? No! You're my daughter and I love you. He's trying to find me. I know he is. You never even gave him a chance. Don't make a mess of your life. Forget him. Men are all the same. You're the one to give advice about men. Goodbye, Mum. I'll write so that you know I'm alright. Lola... I'm from Bundaberg. I'm looking for work. Why come to Melbourne? My mum's in Brisbane. Rent's $30 a week, two weeks in advance, extra for gas and electricity. Your life's your own business but if you break the law, I'll call the cops. Give a reason to all mankind Understanding And peace of mind But if it's not asking too much Please give me somebody to love Somebody to love Show the world how To get along Peace will enter Where hate has gone But if it's not asking too much Please send me somebody to love Please send me somebody to love. Apple pie, mixed grill, no onions. And more cups and saucers! Come on! Get the tables! I've got to get home tonight! Can I have that candle? What's that you're doing? I'm making a wish. Today's my birthday. Yeah? Monday. Rent's due. I'll pay on Friday. Sorry. You know the rules. Rent's due on Monday. I've been sick and not working. Sorry. You're out. Somebody's waiting for this room. I've got nowhere else to go! Go back to Bundaberg, then. Feel like dancing? Been dancing all day. How about later on? Where are we going? Sorry, kid. I'm meeting a lady friend tonight. What will I do? If you're related to the Queen, Melbourne's your town. Otherwise, head straight for the pubs. See you! What'll it be, mate? Beer... thanks. Lola? Oh, Brownie! You're so thin. You're so strong. I only started here a while ago. I've had the flu. I've still got the flu. Got kicked out by my landlady. She's a right old bitch! They're letting me sleep in the storeroom out the back. You've changed. Maxine! This is Brownie! THE Brownie? Pleased to meet you. Now she might stop yapping about you. Want to eat with us? No. If I can't get a few beers out of that bunch I'll join a nunnery. Hi, guys. I had an abortion. Mum dragged me off to Brisbane. I tried to find you. I looked everywhere. It was so hard, Brownie. You've got a fever. So, she's a friend of yours? Yeah. She helped me get this job. And before that? What did you do to eat? We'd try talking them into buying dinner for us. Well, you do what you can, don't you? Is that what you want to know? Why? You've got no business asking if you're not here. I'm sorry. Sailors are much worse than soldiers, anyway. Let's get out of here. Brownie. Make love to me. Here. Put that on your head. Why is it so dark? One of the generators is down. This is your room? Cabin. This is like a dream! It's so romantic. Where is everyone? They're... on leave. They'll be back tomorrow. Oh, Brownie. Oh, God. I know I look terrible. I've been so sick. Maybe I haven't always done the right thing, but I loved you all the time. Me too. I'm so sorry. Say you still want me. More than I ever wanted you. I hope no union rep finds you. They got strict rules. You got a name? Lola. I'm glad you two finally caught up with each other, but the union boys won't be. You'll have to go. Oh, come on, Bosun. She's sick. She just got kicked out of her room. YOU'RE the Bosun. Records from all around the world? You looked after Brownie for me. She'll hitchhike back to Brisbane. Not my problem. I'm not sailing without her. Is that a threat? I'm not impressed. I can look after her in Brisbane. And when you go back to sea? God, you've got a lot to learn, kid, especially about women. Please, Bosun. I love her. Just keep her out of sight. But let's see YOU on deck occasionally. Only you Can make a change in me For it's true You are my destiny When you hold my hand I'll understand The magic that you do You're my dreams come true My one and only you Only you Can make a change in me For it's true You are my destiny When you hold my hand I'll understand The magic that you do You're my dreams come true My one and only you One and only you. No! We'll take these. Tell us when you've started. Don't hurt him, Bosun! Hi. Hi. Care to dance? Can't, sorry. I've got the baby. I'll take the baby. Would you? Oh, super! This is my husband. Hi, Brownie Hansen. This is my girl, Lola Lovell. Lyle and Mavis Blackmore. Even though it's not our place - we're squatters. Are you? We found it empty and moved in. Wish we could do that. Take one of these rooms. There's loads of space. Come on. Oh, I don't know. Alright. Thanks. Oh, super! They aren't supposed to sit up till they get teeth. About ten months. How do you know this stuff? From baby books. I'll try this. She won't like vegetables yet. Made our nation great. Here we go. Mmm! Do you wanna have kids? I nearly had one. I had an abortion. Your mother? Yeah, I should have fought harder. Well, they cut out Sharon Faylene after five days labour. Why? Somethin' wrong with me plumbin'. The doctor said, "Make yer husband sleep on the roof." Don't call my name It makes me feel so ashamed I've lost my sweet helping hand I've got myself to blame Only lived a very fine life I ain't never done no wrong. Oh! Wait a minute. What happened? So we won't have kids. What the hell is this? Aah, very interesting. Give me it! Obviously, I'm the responsible one. Well, obviously. Brownie! Bosun said it's a three-month cruise. I can make some good money. We need money - we're broke. Three months? It's not so long. What about us? Isn't this what we always dreamed of? Yeah, but... But now you're bored and restless. You want to get away. Not from you. Lola, I love you as much as I've ever loved you, but without money we're fair game for the cops and anyone else. I don't want that. I just want to provide for us. That's important to me. When? It sails in a week. So make love to me. Fact is, sailor's not meant for the domestic life. Too hard on the women. Believe me, I tried. Had me the perfect woman in Singapore. Rich, beautiful, great cook and she could sing like an angel. Need some money? Four beers and two shandies. She meant a lot to you? Yes. Why didn't you stay with her, then? Too comfortable. Not the kind of life I was cut out for. You understand? Yeah, I think I do. Last drinks! We're closing up! Cops. Cops. What's the matter with you, pal? Let's go for a walk together. Whatever you want, love. Uh-oh. Come on. Cops. Hey! Hey you! Run! Hey! Come on! Ugh! Got something to be afraid of? Under-age drinking, perhaps? We're going home. Don't choke me! Got any money? If not, you're breaking the law, kids your age. Let's see that bank book. Look, I realise we're empty right now, but I'm shipping out next week. I can get... That won't be necessary. Come on. I can walk, you bastard! Prove it! I saw that! Maybe you did! Brownie! Who's gonna believe you?! What you do at sea is your business. On land, you must show that you can support yourself. Breaking this law, I fine you L10. Furthermore, I order you not to attempt to see Lola Lovell for 12 months. Dismissed. Brownie! Hold it, girlie! Come on. Settle down. They just want to say goodbye! Get off me! Let me go! Brownie! Brownie! Back off, will you? I'll look after him, OK? Normally, for a first offence, I would fine you. However, your mother claims that you are uncontrollable. I therefore order you to be sent to a State-approved house of care for at least 12 months detention. You are ordered not to contact or see Brownie Olaf Hansen within that time. Dismissed. When my own baby died, I decided to devote my life to unwanted girls. I've been aunty to two generations of poor unfortunates. I tell them how much happier one can be in one's own home. Eat up, dear. We've got to fatten you up. Ohhhh! Can't it be a bit tighter? No, dear. That's cheap. Full is much smarter. It'd be OK if I was pregnant. Oh, my! That's the road to ruin. I think we'll give you a home perm. You'll feel like a new person. I don't want to. Most girls do, to feel they belong to someone. That's why you use that bleach. What did you say? Girls live for men, for sex. It's their downfall. I'll try and remember that. You can't tell me you actually enjoy it. Actually, I enjoy sex a lot. Love it with Brownie. Stop it. Love him pulling off his shirt. Then he pulls off mine and I feel his muscles. Then he kisses me. My whole body feels it. That's quite enough, Lola. What I love most is the way he looks when he's just about to... Get to your room! Look who's here! Hello! You are beautiful! Where does she get her looks? We heard from Brownie - from San Francisco. San Francisco! Can I help you? These are my friends, Mavis, Lyle and Sharon. Come in. I'm sorry. All visitors need court approval. But they're friends. While you are here, I choose your friends. Give the baby to its mother. Come on, darling. Say goodbye to Aunty Lola. How dare you? They're my friends. It's for your own good. Otherwise you'll go to an institution and restart your sentence. Lola, where are you? Can't I even shit in peace? Lola! "Dear Brownie, I love you wherever you are. "Please rescue me from the above address. "I'm in the hands of a terrible woman, "a doer of good deeds. "Please excuse incoherence. "I'm writing in the dunny in great haste - the only place she can't watch me. "I had so much to say. "Now all I can think of is that I love you and I'm frightened. "For the first time ever I'm really frightened. "Please come back, my love. "All I'll think of is you. Lola." There we go, Mrs Westbury. Thanks, postie. That's quite enough, Lola! If you'd care to learn proper music, I'd be happy to arrange it. There's someone I want you to meet. Lola, this is Isobel - one of my successes. Pleased to meet you. Not sure yet. I sent her to the country. Now she's married with a beautiful little girl. Sounds perfect. You'd love Isobel's home. Wall-to-wall carpet, Mixmaster, electric stove, Hoover, Westinghouse - it's all a credit to how far she's come. YOU deserve all the credit, Aunty. She left here with nothing but two frocks. Aunty, I saw this marvellous dress. I was tempted, but I bought linoleum for the kitchen instead. I'll get the mail. You and Lola could become fine friends. Sorry, love. Nothing from him today. Who? The travelling feller. Spain, Singapore, San Francisco. Hope you're collecting the stamps. Where are my letters from Brownie? Excuse me? What are you talking about? You've stolen my mail! What do you mean? Cut the bull! You've been keeping my letters. Where are they? I only know that they've been disposed of for your own good. Disposed of? You've been throwing them away? Tell me! Or I'll smash every dish in this prison! Sit down! What's it going to be, Aunty? Brownie Hansen was instructed to avoid contact with you. My definition includes written contact. I was simply carrying out the court's wishes. Put down that cup. Your definition? Lucky the world isn't made according to your definiton, 'cause it would be an ugly one. With all your cakes and frocks and olives but no love. 'Cause love the thing you fear most, isn't it? You're afraid of it, you try and kill it in other people, But you can't stop people from loving each other! You can throw away Brownie's letters but you can't keep him from me,'cause he's IN me! You wouldn't understand. There's no love in you! You're angry now, but in time you'll understand. I'm leaving! You're not allowed. Move. I did it for you. Oh! Here! You had such fun running this up on your nice little electric machine that goes frontwards and backwards and sideways and all around the town and buttonholes and god knows what other shit!! Well, you can stick your stupid little frock! Going back on the streets again? Anywhere's better than here! Yes? Hello? Mum? Mum, it's Lola here. Lola? Where is she? No, Mum, I'm here. I need some help. No... Lola isn't here. Dammit, Mum, this IS Lola! Sober up, for Christ's sakes! Aagh! I just hope he got my letters. He'll understand. How does it feel? A bit better. Thanks. Don't worry about Brownie - sailors always come back. Lyle, sometimes you're that stupid, it amazes me. Time us two went to bed. We're going for a job tomorrow. 'Night. 'Night. Wave goodnight to Aunty Lola. She can say 'Mama' and 'Dada'. I wish she could say 'Daddy-o'. See you in the morning. You've got a good man there. The poor sod's hopelessly in love with me. What will you do now? I don't know. Go to Sydney, I guess. I've got to find Brownie. Want to know something funny? What? Today's my birthday. Did you make a wish? Yep. Cheers. We have courses in dressmaking, nursing, weaving, hairdressing. We also have commercial courses. I'd really like to learn the guitar. Typing is more useful. Might be useful when I write my book about cops and social workers. It's called 'Bastards I Have Known'. Girls smarter and tougher than you haven't got the better of me. You'll be here for 12 months. It's up to you. I saw you! It was already like that! You liar! Look what I've found. You know you're not supposed to... I mightn't be back for months. I've got to see her. Understand me? They're not my rules. Visit on Sunday. Aw! Just this once, please! No. What do you want from us, huh? Bitch! Ring the alarm! Well, Lola, how are you feeling today? Do we know where we are? Yes, Matron. Do we know what special day this is? It's my 18th birthday. That's right, Lola. It's your 18th birthday. How would you like to celebrate it? I'd like to live to see 19. Very clever, Lola. I hope for your sake it comes true. You've only two more weeks left of your sentence here. I trust they'll go quietly. Happy birthday, Lola. Lyle! Mavis! Look what I brought home! Well, look at this! Lola! Oh, Mavis! You're not pregnant AGAIN! Just my luck to marry a bleedin' rabbit! It was a horrible place. Shh. We're together now. Brownie? I never want us to be apart again. Ever. Promise me we'll always stay together. Of course. I don't think you understand what being together means. Lola? Wherever I am, I still love you. That's not enough anymore. The only way we'll survive is if we stay together. I'm not cut out to be a sailor's girl. I don't have the dream you do. But we were going to see the world together. Remember? Fast and free. I've changed. I'm sick of the world kicking me in the face. Brownie, we've always done what YOU wanted. Now I have to do what's best for me. She wants me to give up the sea and stay with her. I love her so much. I miss her when I'm away from her, but... Well, I've been where you're standing now. I chose the sea and I don't regret it one little bit. Something to remember, Brownie - if you feel any resentment towards Lola for making you a landlubber, you'll end up hating each other's guts. Same goes for the sea. You're a born sailor, kid. She's started labour. What's happening? There's complications - they'll have to operate. Mavis. Lyle isn't a very strong man. If anything happens to me... Mavis, don't be silly. We'll just stick together. Stay with me, darling. I'm right here, love. I'm OK with you. I got your note. How is she? They had to operate. The baby died. She wants to see you. Can't bear it. It's alright. Are you staying in Brisbane for a while? I don't know. I don't know what our next step is. How's it going? OK. I might be going back to Bundaberg, though. Well, Mr Blackmore, the child looks very nice and clean and healthy. Your wife obviously cared for her. The State will ensure that she'll be well looked after. You can visit her regularly. Our visiting privileges are very generous. But I love her and I intend to care for her. But you're unemployed, Mr Blackmore, and your employment history is patchy. We'll take care of her. Are you working now, Miss? I provide for her. But you're not married, I think. That's none of your business. We place the child's welfare above all else. That includes moral welfare. Unfortunately, the poor little thing has no suitable relatives. If we were married? The Department would take a different view. Well, I think that's everything. You can bring Sharon Faylene to my office tomorrow afternoon. Or an officer will call... I'll fetch her to you. I love you, Brownie. As much as ever. I love you too. Coming aboard? He'll be back. He's a sailor, is Brownie. He wasn't a sailor when we fell in love. Are you off too? I've got to leave. Everything reminds me of Mavis. Where will you go? Mount Isa first - there's jobs there. When I've made some cash I'll move on. I'll see the world, if I do nothing else. I'll never marry again. No, I don't think you will. Lola? Will you take her to the welfare place? I don't think I can do it. I'll write. Good luck. And you too. You're not going in for neglect, that's for sure. They look after you in those places. You'll have a good time, won't you? Come on. Hey, taxi! Taxi! Taxi! Lola? What are you doing? Lola! Lucille, you won't do your sister's will Lucille, you won't do your sister's will She may now be married, but I love her still Lucille, please come back where you belong Lucille, please come back where you belong I'll be good to you, baby, please don't leave me alone I woke up this morning Lucille was not in sight I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight Lucille, please come back where you belong I'll be good to you, baby, please don't leave me alone I woke up this morning Lucille was not in sight I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight Lucille, please come back where you belong I'll be good to you, baby, please don't leave me alone Lucille, baby, satisfy my heart Lucille, baby, satisfy my heart I'll live with you, baby, and give you a wonderful start. You don't remember me but I remember you 'Twas not so long ago you broke my heart in two Tears on my pillow Pain in my heart caused by you If we could start anew I wouldn't hesitate I'd gladly take you back and tempt the hand of fate Tears on my pillow Pain in my heart caused by you Love is not a gadget Love is not a toy When you find the one you love to fill your heart with joy If we could start anew I wouldn't hesitate I'd gladly take you back and tempt the hand of fate Tears on my pillow Pain in my heart caused by you Tears on my pillow Pain in my heart caused by you. |
|