The Night Watch

This film contains scenes of a sexual nature.

If you go to the cinema mid way through a film,

you watch the second half first, don't you?

So you see how the characters end up in the story.

'In spite of shortages and rationing...'

What happened to turn them into the people they became...

..it's like a riddle you have to solve...

Get your paper!

No.

No.

Try to keep an open mind, Mr Bryant.

-No.

-How about this one?

New in last week. Enjoys dressmaking, walking and...

No-one in spectacles.

Here...

I haven't got time for this.

You know the type I want.

If and when you get one suitable call me.

It's like he thinks finding the perfect woman is his reward for doing his bit in the war.

-What about our Forest Hill lady?

-He's after someone younger.

I had one this morning. EX-RAF, married the girl next door -

came home to a peroxide blonde chasing anything in trousers.

War changes people.

Not always for the better.

Our two o'clock will be along. Better see if we've got anyone suitable.

Forever Amber is on at the Odeon. We should go one evening.

I'll bring my brother, he could do with a night out. You can bring your chap.

About time I got to meet him.

Sounds like fun.

CLOCKS CHIMING

Don't they drive you mad?

Thought we'd treat ourselves to tea in the parlour this time.

Fish paste all right, dear?

Done.

You don't belong in this...museum, Duncan.

You belong at home with Dad and me.

It's not like you owe him anything, is it? It's just not healthy.

-Do you think if we keep having this conversation, it'll come out the way you want?

-Can you not even visit?

-Come home for Sunday lunch once in a...

-I can't go back to that house!

You bloody know why.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Mats and cosy, Duncan.

Cat...or cottage?

The cat, why not?

Let's see now...

Thank you for the gift of food, oh Lord,

and we will keep in mind that lust and covetness

-are powerless in the face of your forgiveness. Amen.

-Amen.

Shall I be mother?

PHONE RINGING

SIRENS WAILING

-'Guest house in Jostlyn Street. Six people trapped inside...

-Stop it!...

'Section 58 call out deal with it!...'

# Run Rabbit, Run Rabbit, run, run, run... #

'Is she worth that much?...'

BANGING

Our legs are all mixed up. You can't tell which belongs to who.

Can I see?

You look so glamorous.

You're biased.

Do you think it's wrong,

being so happy when there's been so much suffering in the world?

All the more reason not to squander it.

Do you think I do squander it?

I think you feel you've forfeited the right to be happy,

to atone for past sins.

-How about present sins?

-Stop!

-Behave!

-Not until you say it.

You know I'll make you eventually.

I concede! I love you.

You better.

Hello, Duncan.

Fraser.

They said at the front desk I'd find you back here.

You haven't changed one iota.

Not one bit!

How did you know where to...

I phoned the parole office, at the scrubs.

Chatted up the secretary, she said to try here.

She said you got out just after me.

Six months after.

I never thought you'd come looking for me.

I wanted to see how you were getting on.

I'd better let you get on.

Give me your number, we can meet.

I'm not on the phone.

Here's my number.

Call me, we can have a drink...

Or drop round if you'd prefer.

Don't leave it too long, OK?

Hello, gorgeous.

You know it's coming up for six years for us?

You're my life raft, Viv.

Only you keeps me afloat.

If you hadn't forgiven me.

If you'd walked out of my life.

I'd have no life.

My love.

My precious girl.

(Reggie.)

We can't, not here.

My dearest love, let me in, please.

(Oh, God, yes.)

Say you'll never leave me.

Promise you'll never leave?

Say it again, my love.

You'll never leave me.

Say it!

-All the best, love.

-Thank you.

Paper!

They say romance is dead.

It's for Dad.

I sometimes think he loves the Royal Family more than his own.

Prezzie for you.

Peaches for a peach.

Oi! Watch it, Mr!

Miss, I should say.

Stop the car!

-Stop!

-What? What is it?

-I know her! I'm sure I do!

Paper!

'Where's the fighting Spits that kept us going through the war?

'Everywhere people are asking how long they must go on lacking the basic things...'

'..and they don't only mean the food on their table

'and the clothes on their backs, but decent housing and jobs.

'It's not just our fighting spirit that's shrunken up...'

MUSIC BOX PLAYING

Glory be.

Finally.

Better late than never.

Two years late.

I swore if you ignored my last letter it'd be the last one I'd send.

Tardy bitch.

So spill, what's been going on with you?

I got left some money, my aunt in Holland Park with the antique shop,

so, I'm what you call a lady of leisure.

Until the well runs dry anyway.

You didn't fancy running the shop yourself?

What one earth do you do with yourself all day?

Walk mostly.

-Walk where?

-Anywhere.

Wherever.

Did you hear it?

Interview on the Home Service on her latest book.

Look at us!

(Look at me.)

You were the bravest person I knew.

No, I think it's easy to be brave in war time.

I thought I was better than this, Nancy. Stronger than this.

But everything always goes back to that night.

Most people you pass on the street have lost a heck of a lot more than me.

They've lost a child or...

They're getting on with their lives, aren't they?

Listen to me.

Going on about loss to you of all people.

I'm not fit company for anyone but myself.

Don't you dare run out on me now.

You're human, Kay...

..join the bloody club.

Do you ever...think about it?

The scrubs, our life there?

Life?!

Living death more like.

How was it for you...

..after you got out?

I sort of lost my bearings.

I had to get away,

so I did a stint up north for a refugee charity.

Salving my conscience you might say.

Jews mostly, from all over Europe.

God, what those people have been through.

They told me terrible things.

They told me wonderful things too.

The unexpected goodness of people.

Their courage and...

I started writing down their stories. Selling them to the newspapers.

I struck lucky, The West London Gazette took me on a reporter.

Nothing earth shattering.

Anyway, it's you I want to hear about.

How's that sister of yours doing?

I remember her from the prison visits.

Viv, isn't it?

She works in Soho now,

one of those...introduction agencies.

Still living at home with she and your dad?

No, I'm in...digs just round the corner.

Off Wood Lane.

So close to the Scrubs?!

Half the reason I left London was to get away from the stench of that BLOODY place.

You should do the same Duncan.

Make a fresh start somewhere.

Nothing to keep you here, is there?

Ah, so there is someone to keep you here?

You'll have to ask me back so I can meet them.

I'll worm it out of you eventually.

Coaxing information out of people is my stock in trade now.

I never take no for an answer.

Top up?

Duncan?

Duncan!

Duncan!

Duncan!

'How about this one?'

26 years old, ex-commando, awarded the Victoria Cross.

Is that a glass eye? How thrilling!

PHONE RINGING

Do you suppose he takes it out at night?

West End Introduction Agency?

Hello, gorgeous. Listen, it has to be Thursday instead of tonight.

The wife's roped me into some damn cocktail do with the neighbours.

What time Thursday sir?

Seven o'clock, usual place?

I'm counting the minutes, my love.

Daddy! Daddy!

Do you have an appointment?

You need to fill this in, as much detail as you can.

Actually, I'm not here after a date, it's you I want.

Viv, isn't it?

Robert Fraser?

I shared a cell with your brother in the Scrubs.

I ran into him the other day.

I'm concerned about him.

As I'm sure you are.

The cafe, at the top of Poland Street.

I finish in 20 minutes. I'll see you there.

Duncan never said you were married.

I'm not.

Look, I know it's queer,

me dropping into your life out of the blue like this, but...

..when I saw Duncan with Mundy the other night....

You went to their house?

I mean, Mundy, of all people!

Didn't he get enough of him in prison?

A boy like Duncan, it's...

..just not right is it?

A boy like him!

Why not just say what you mean?

And why do you suddenly care so much about him?

About who he lives with or...

Oh, I see!

It's not like that. I'm not like that.

Is that what you think?

Maybe he went to Mundy's because he had nowhere else to go.

He couldn't come home, "Never return to the scene of the crime",

isn't that what you cons say?

Sharing a cell...like we did...

The truth is, I wasn't always as kind to him as I should have been.

I want to do right by him now, if I can.

I used to watch you, in that visiting room.

When you walked in, it was like in The Wizard Of Oz, you know...

..when suddenly it all goes into Technicolor.

Just for a few minutes, things didn't seem so...

utterly, bloody bleak.

I'd like to call you sometime, may I?

There's someone else, of course.

As if I'd ever get that lucky.

Hello?

Wait. Please!

Hello! Wait, please?

PLEASE!

I knew it was you.

You did me a great kindness in the war. You loaned me this?

I saw you near here last week. I've been back every day, hoping to find you.

-You shouldn't have gone to the trouble. I'd forgotten all about it.

-I'll never forget it.

What you did for me.

God bless you!

PHONE RINGING

-Streatham 212?

-Viv, Viv it's me!

Where are you, love? I'm here waiting for ya! Viv?

Viv, I can't stop much longer, one of the kids is ill. Viv?

Viv?

Viv, are you there?

Answer me, Viv!

AMERICAN RADIO SHOW

(Oh, no, please God, no!)

Hello?

It was an accident! I'll retype it for you. I'll start on it now!

What were you doing in here anyway?

I waited supper for you.

I was at a concert. God, what a mess.

What was it?

The concert?

Mozart.

You were with Ursula, weren't you?

Fine, it's her birthday, she had a dinner party.

She asked me if I'd help her with it.

Satisfied?

I suppose there were others like her there.

You mean like us? Yes, a matter of fact.

As it happens she invited you too.

I told her you were unavailable.

Because you still can't cope with being around queers, can you?

-You can't deal with it.

-That's not true!

So why is I never meet your friends? Or you never want to meet mine?

When I do go out, or anything on my own,

I have to come back to another of your inquisitions

because I'm so bloody irresistible that even if a girl isn't a raving lesbian when she meets me,

she will be by the time I've got my hands on her.

You know why I do it.

Because I'm afraid you no longer love me.

If you ever did.

It wasn't just about revenge?

God, must it always come back to that?!

We can't go on like this, Helen.

Torturing each other over the past.

You need to find a place of your own.

Sort out who you are, what it is you want.

It's you I want

Remember when we met? You loved me then!

I can be that person again, I can!

I want to be that person!

One sugar.

Just as you like it.

Sit a minute.

How was your day?

CLOCK CHIMES SOFTLY

The usual.

Nothing more from Fraser?

We're better off without him, lad.

Dial needs a bit of a clean,

if you've a mind.

CONVERSATION SPILLS ONTO STREET

SIREN GETS LOUDER

SIREN QUIETENS

AIR RAID SIREN IN DISTANCE

PHONE RINGS

ECHOING: You're up, girls. Another guest house in Joswick Street.

WHISTLING, EXPLOSION

SHOUTS AND EXPLOSIONS ECHO

SIREN RINGS

MAN: More round the corner!

Two walking wounded, one fatality, one still unaccounted for.

-Bloody hours, digging around, looking for him.

-So much for a quiet night.

I had in mind a couple of fractures, maybe a nice old lady with a broken ankle.

A nice YOUNG lady, you mean.

Women's work, Harry? People will talk.

You'd know all about that.

Sticks and stones.

I've heard it all before, lived to tell the tale.

Not if Hitler gets his way.

He'd have you lot strung up by your tits.

Just another reason to bash the Bosch.

Break it up, you two.

He started it, Mummy.

BOMB EXPLODES

SECONDARY EXPLOSION

PHONE RINGS

Here we go, stand by your beds.

You're up, Hughes. Brandon Place, corner of Levington Street.

Come on.

Don't get too comfortable, Langrish.

Night's not over yet.

I suppose you don't hear much of the bombs, down in your shelter?

We're not allowed in the shelters.

Only the guards are.

Still, safer here than you would be at the front, eh?

Hardly. They say, er,

Pentonville got hit by an incendiary bomb the other day.

Your cell mate, isn't it?

The one who was at university?

-You can tell just by looking at him he doesn't belong here.

-Meaning I do?

He didn't say that, Duncan.

I thought the chap at the end was due for release?

They're letting him out next week. Going to the army.

Good on him.

What, so there's no shame in the army making you into a murderer?

It's all right to have blood on your hands for King and Country?

-For heaven's sake, Duncan!

-You want to talk about shame?

You wait until you're out of here and you can't walk down the street without people pointing at you,

whispering about you and that boy.

If you're so ashamed, why bother coming to see me?

You're my son.

No need for that. Be a man, eh?

KNOCK AT DOOR

Bloody chambermaid's on the prowl, had to play hide and seek with her.

Oh...

Jesus, what a dump! I should have come ahead, checked it out.

I just thought it would be a change from our Paddington one...

I have something for you! Not much...

They grow in the woods by the base.

Every time I see them they remind me of you.

So unspoilt. Beautiful.

Oi! Keep it down in there! These walls are like paper.

THEY LAUGH

AIR RAID SIREN BLARES

Hey.

Perfect timing for once.

EXPLOSIONS AND SCREAMING

Langrish! Langrish! What the hell are you doing?

Go the other way!

Through Dean Street.

Stay back! Another one over here. Stay back!

Get back!

I hear you've been up to your heroics again, Langrish.

Putting out incendiaries? How many times? It's not our responsibility.

So, let an entire street get reduced to ashes?

You know the procedure. Either stick to it

or I'll put you on manning the damn telephone.

Loose lips.

It's for your own good, Langrish.

You'll pull that once too often one night.

I need a mortuary run.

Who's not done it this week?

Mother and three kids.

No survivors,

Parkside Road.

After identification, take them to the local mortuary.

Err, I'll go with Hughes.

Maybe you are a bloody hero, letting O'Neill off the hook that way.

If you're a good boy, I'll let you drive.

SIREN RINGS

Direct hit on a shelter. We think there's four kiddies. More limbs than we can account for.

Genie!

Genie!

SCREAMING

What on earth have you done to yourself?

Why do you have to go out there every night?

-No-one would think the worse of you if you didn't.

-I would.

SHE SOBS

You should get some sleep.

I'll sleep when I'm dead.

GUARD APPROACHES

OK in there?

What could I say?

He obviously thinks I'm your sister.

Or your lodger.

You're my spoils of war, my darling.

Hello, stranger.

You remember Julia?

We bumped into her at that Red Cross do at Christmas?

Of course, yes. Hello.

Your hair's different.

I like it.

Do you work round here?

Town Hall, housing department, relocating bomb victims. And you?

Helping survey bomb-damaged buildings.

Speed up reconstruction if and when this bloody war ever ends.

I suppose you're still doing your trusty ambulance bit every night?

Gets lonely, doesn't it?

-How's the writing?

-Seems irrelevant, frankly.

Not to say pointless.

So many terrible things going on in Europe.

People still need entertaining, don't they?

Somewhere to escape, now more than ever.

-Which way do you, err...?

-Lavern Road. We must meet up for lunch sometime, since we're close by.

I'd like that.

Good seeing you again, Kay.

Why will you never talk about what went wrong between you?

SHE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY

You always change the subject, don't you?

It was a misaffection, that's all. What we felt for each other

wasn't entirely equal.

That's how I know it's right between us.

SHE RETCHES

Oh, it's little Miss Pearce!

Shift up ladies, make room for her.

We girls are all law breakers, love.

You're no better than the rest of us.

All I'm saying is, give a man a decent job,

a decent home, he'd get the point of pacifism soon enough.

So where are you on pacifism, Pearce?

Not given it much thought.

There we are! The less we think about war,

the less we question it, the more compliant we become. Mr Mundy! Help us out here.

Enlighten us

as to why the prison system won't let us read newspapers or listen to the wireless,

or anything which might actually inform or educate us?

You know why, lad. Because hearing from the outside

just stirs you all up.

In other words, denying us the right to form our own opinions

makes us easier for you to manage?

You have a grievance, Mr Fraser, take it up with the governor.

Or better yet, Mr Churchill.

All right, son?

Give me an honest sadist than a hypocrite like him any day.

He's better than most of them.

-And kinder.

-To the pretty ones, he is.

LAUGHTER

DISTANT SINGING

# Run rabbit, run rabbit Run, run, run

# Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Goes the farmer's gun

# Run rabbit, run rabbit Run, run, run

# Run rabbit, run rabbit Run, run, run

# Don't give the farmer his Fun, fun, fun

# He'll get by Without his rabbit pie

# Run rabbit, run rabbit... #

Tastes like battery acid.

That's quality contraband gin, I'll have you know.

So it hasn't got you down yet? Living in the shadows?

The pretence to be someone you're not every waking second?

This from the women who used to say living outside the social order was intoxicating.

After the war, I'm tempted to chuck in the whole game.

Find myself a nice chap, push out a couple of kids while I still can.

After the war things will be different.

We will be used to independent women. All the old prejudices will be gone...

They need us to be independent NOW to drive their damn ambulances,

work in their factories! Come the peace,

they'll have us back in aprons, you'll see.

I for one do not intend to win the war

and lose the peace.

I have too much to lose.

Looking like a man doesn't give you the same rights, Kay.

DOOR BELL RINGS

Oh! Take that lot through. Kay, glasses.

Excuse me.

I saw Julia today.

We're meeting for lunch on Friday.

-You don't mind, do you?

-Why should I?

Say if you do - I'll make up an excuse.

I don't mind, really. Just remember, fiction is her speciality.

WAILING

SOBBING

Hope you like rabbit.

Is it really rabbit?

My neighbour claims they're running wild all over London.

He says he saw one on a platform at Victoria Station the other day.

Apparently it was fearfully het up.

Kept looking at its pocket watch, saying it was late!

Things are going well for you and Kay, are they?

VOICES APPROACH God!

This passion everyone has now to parade around in uniforms even off duty,

as if war gives them some status they otherwise lack.

They're just proud to wear them, surely?

I have a tendency towards cynicism.

It used to drive Kay mad.

I should be more generous and well-adjusted, like you.

Me? Well-adjusted? Hardly.

You seem to handle the whole grisly L business pretty well.

I mean, I never really thought about it before I met Kay.

It just never...

occurred to me.

If you ever need company when Kay's off doing her ambulance thing,

I'm in the book.

I know how lonely these nights can be.

I'll remember that.

Thanks.

I've enjoyed this,

it's made a nice change.

I'd forgotten how underrated the word nice is.

We've seen your twat, Chase! And it was as black as a hat!

She can't answer, she's got her gob round Evan's knob!

Doggy-style!

-SHOUTING

-Shut it!

-MAN SINGS:

-# I see her tripping where the bright streams play

# Happy as the daisies that dance on her way

# Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour

# Many were the blithe... #

God, I wish I had a girl right now.

To touch her...

Sweet Jesus.

Pearce?

Are you awake?

Pearce?

God, you're a pathetic specimen.

You were dreaming. I could see it in your face.

Of me, I hope.

You look just like when I first held you in that dreadful place.

I have something for you!

-You spoil me.

-You wait till the war is over.

My life will be dedicated to making you happy.

The buttons are real bone, see?

I had your initial put on them...

Try it on!

How glamorous you look.

Like Greta Garbo!

Sorry, damn tube's up the spout. Before I forget.

It's too big, Reggie.

It's only for show, isn't it?

Remove your shoes and your skirt

and your underthings, Mrs Harrison.

And sit back in the seat.

Right back.

I must ask, when you leave, to put a handkerchief over your mouth,

give the impression you were here for dental work?

The war has made everyone so suspicious these days.

Legs apart.

Try not to tense up.

So, then... Deep breathes.

-Here you are, sir, the Devon Hotel.

-Cheers, thanks.

Let's get you inside.

Bloody shyster, trying to spring an extra two quid on me

at the eleventh hour!

God, Viv, you're freezing cold!

Another gauze thing.

Something's happening, Reggie!

Oh, Jesus!

Get a towel!

It won't stop! I can't stop it!

He'd said there'd be bleeding.

Not like this!

We have to call someone.

A doctor or...

No, no. He'll know it's an abortion!

He'll call the police. We'll end up in the bloody clink!

Please, Reggie, get help! Before the sirens start. Get help!

Yeah, eh, ambulance, yes.

It's, eh, Devon Hotel, Weston Street, room 21.

For my wife. Yeah, yeah, hurry please!

AMBULANCE BELL RINGS

Can you tell us your name, love?

Pearce. Vivian.

How long have you been bleeding this way?

-Where's Reggie?

-Is he your husband?

-No... Yes, my husband yes!

-How far along was the baby, Vivian?

-You must lie still.

-Where is he? Why isn't he here? Reggie?

AMBULANCE BELL RINGS

At the hospital, if they send for the police,

don't tell them my real name! Tell them I'm Mrs Harrison.

-Why would they send for the police?

-Getting rid of a baby.

They'll know it's an abortion.

The ring. Oh, it's gone!

We have to find the ring! They'll know I'm not married without it!

You must stay calm, Vivian!

AMBULANCE BELL RINGS

-Vivian?

-We're at the hospital. Listen to me!

I've made a tear in your coat, put your ration book in it.

They won't find it there.

You're Mrs Harrison, like you said.

I have no ring!

Let me do the talking. Leave it to me, OK?

What have we got tonight?

A Mrs Harrison. A miscarriage, with complications.

She's had a fall, lost a lot of blood.

Is it Kay?

I'm taking you at your word...

if I needed company.

I prefer to be out in the open when there's a raid.

I can't breathe in that bloody shelter.

I'm the same.

-Which way?

-You choose.

You got a death wish?

Wear something white! Keep yourself visible!

Maybe we like being invisible!

It's like they're putting on a display just for us.

Bravo!

Encore!

After a raid, the first thing everyone asks is,

"Did St Paul's make it?" Have you noticed?

Never mind the scores of families bombed to oblivion, so long as

the symbol of our illustrious past survives.

It reminds us what we're fighting for, doesn't it?

We like to think love and altruism define human nature,

but savagery and hatred are part of it, too.

In a war, that part of us wins.

Sometimes it can give you courage you never knew you had.

Come on!

I've got something to show you.

Christopher Wren built this, too, after the Great Fire.

His daughter Jane helped him design the tower.

I remember the night Kay met you.

It's like it's scored into my brain.

She always wanted a wife.

Someone she could look after,

protect.

Someone innocent.

When she came home that night, told me how she'd met you,

I knew she'd found what she was looking for.

We were over.

But it was you who left her for someone?

She said what you had was..."misaffection".

Is that what she calls it?

She still wears the snake ring you gave her every day.

It's just a piece of jewellery to her.

Of no more significance than I was.

EXPLOSION

Are you frightened yet?

Not of the bombs.

EXPLOSION

Now I am!

Tell me this isn't about punishing Kay for what she did to you?

It's real?

Now we're invisible again.

EXPLOSIONS AND MEN SHOUTING

-Unlock this bloody door!

-In God's name, have pity!

Me and my pacifism!

When it comes to it, I'm just a bloody coward,

like anyone else! Oh, God... Oh, shit!

Talk to me.

And keep talking!

Tell me about the boy,

about what happened.

His name was Alec.

He lived across the road from me.

They catch you at it, did they?

The police? Was that it?

No, that's not how it was.

EXPLOSION

What?

We just got word. Rathbone Place has been hit.

Section 58 are on their way. They'll keep us posted.

-Helen will be in the shelter.

-She never uses the damn shelter!

-Give me the keys!

-Section 58 will report back.

I have to go to her!

Nancy?

-Give them to me.

-There's nothing you can do, Kay!

Stop, Kay! For God's sake!

It's Section 58's. They'll deal with it. You know the bloody drill!

It's not our call!

You want to be thrown off the service? She worth that much?

Help us! We need help! Somebody, please! Help us!

WOMAN SCREAMS

Kay?

I thought you were gone.

I thought I'd lost you!

You're not rostered for tonight.

They changed the rota.

I was born at night, Kay, but not last night.

You volunteered again, didn't you?

You just can't keep away from that damn place!

I don't begrudge you your writing, do I? Why do you this for me?

-I'm just afraid one night you won't come back.

-I always do, don't I?

I'm indestructible.

Don't you know that yet?

Check the black-out before you turn in.

Can I tempt you, love?

I'm watching my figure.

You're not the only one.

Is the guard about?

The ticket inspector?

Tickets, please.

Miss? Miss, he's coming, the guard! I've lost my ticket, you see.

Let me in, just till he's gone by.

I go to the front next week. I've only 24 hours leave.

I've already lost five of them waiting for the bloody train!

If he throws me off, I've had it!

Tickets, please!

One minute.

You are heaven sent, you know that?

Glad I could help.

Wait.

One more minute, eh? Make sure the coast is clear?

Try anything,

I'll scream blue murder.

You spending your leave in London?

My wife just had a baby.

Boy or girl?

Girl. We already had a boy.

You might say we've the set now.

Does it scare you,

going to the front next week?

Maybe if I stop and think about it.

The home front's no picnic, either.

Every time I go back, I dread it more.

It'll end up like always. Minutes after stepping

through the door, my wife and I will be arguing again.

Good luck - at the front, I mean.

The memory of this will keep me going there.

That once, I got a break.

I got to spend a few precious minutes with the most

gorgeous girl who ever drew breath.

I can die a happy man.

Maybe one more cigarette?

SHARP KNOCKING

Alec, is that you?

My papers came. This is it Duncan!

I'm to report to some training place in Salisbury.

Mine aren't through.

They'll come soon enough. When I told my father I wasn't going,

I thought he'd tear my bloody head off!

I said to him, "They're bloody quick enough to send you to war, they don't

"tell you about the gas Hitler uses to fry your brains, do they?"

I wrote the letter, like we planned.

"To whom it may concern..."

I was going to put "To Mr Churchill",

but this way, it's to Hitler and Mussolini, too, see?

"We, the undersigned, do not undertake this deed lightly.

"We are two young people who choose to die to save others.

"We would rather take our own lives

"than collude in the waste of war." They'll have to take notice

of a gesture like that, won't they?

We might even end the war!

We've not planned how yet.

What are the options?

I know, rat poison!

Shh, shh, shh! Shh.

There's only bleach.

The pain would kill us!

GIGGLES

Look at this, Duncan!

This is just the bloody job!

We'll do it at dawn.

First bird song we hear, that's the cue, ok?

I'll go first.

Directly I've done it, you take the razor, do it, too.

We must make a good job of it.

Helping someone top themselves, they'll throw away the key.

Bugger this waiting lark. Let's get on with it!

You're the best, you are, Duncan!

You're up, girls.

Guest house in Jocelyn Street. Six people trapped inside.

DOORBELL RINGS

I didn't do it. I couldn't do it.

Duncan James Pearce, I am arresting you on suspicion

of inciting and assisting in the suicide of Alec Jennings.

-Anything?

-No.

COUGHING

Help.

Over here!

Help!

We need help lifting her.

Can you move your legs? Move your toes for me?

Are you a doctor?

Just a dab hand at first aid.

I went out with a doctor once.

Well, nearly, he was a medical student.

It didn't work out.

Why is it we can never love the people we ought?

Don't worry.

I won't let anything happen to you. Be brave a bit longer.

You're the one that's brave, doing this job.

It's easier being out in thick of it than cowering in some shelter.

And at night, when there's a raid on,

when no-one's about and the streets are empty,

it's like the whole city belongs to you.

You're protecting it.

What?

Over here!

I'll be where you can see me.

You do realise, now you've saved her, she's yours for life.

MUSIC PLAYS

'Someone once said a happy ending

'depends on where you decide to stop your story.

'Then again,

'it could be when you realise your story is not yet over,

'that you are only at the end

'of the beginning.'

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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