The Mourners' Kadish A Place to Call Home

Give me a kiss.

I said no! Aah!

No-one says no to me.

You think you should slow down?

This isn't like you.

-There's obviously something you're not telling me.

-Please.

Who will take your word against mine?

They'll call you a tramp.

And ruin your brother's career.

I'm going to keep Stardust here,

so that I don't have to keep going back to Ash Park.

It's a horse for a mansion, not a farmer's horse.

Well, you didn't marry a farmer, you married me. And I'm doing my best.

They're all dead.

-Every single one of them.

-There must be something that we can do.

We planted too late.

If there is to be no wine, I want my money back.

I just wanted to thank you for coming to Reggie's funeral.

It meant a lot to the men.

And to me.

It was a stupid mistake and it will never happen again.

How could either of us continue?

We both want more than the other can give.

I'm going to have the operation.

The risks are too great.

Oh, Rene. Mon amore. Je suis la...

'I lost him once before and I grieved for him.'

I don't know how to do it a second time.

You have the chance to change the lives of everyone in Inverness.

-You need someone to arrange a schedule.

-I'll get an assistant.

Or a wife!

This may not be the future you want,

but I would like to propose a marriage.

Of sorts.

Congratulations, I now pronounce you man and wife.

May I kiss the bride?

Or should I say the wife of the future

Prime Minister of our country? Boom!

-Thank you for coming, Sir Richard.

-Indeed.

Free drink? Why wouldn't I be here?

Family, please. Thank you. And just here, thank you.

And here. Thank you.

And if you please, Mrs Bligh Sr.

Next to the bride.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And...

I appreciate your being here, Mother.

Well, you are now married to someone

for whom the cut and thrust of politics will be the equivalent

of an afternoon frolic on Bondi Beach.

I believe we will make a good team.

A marriage of convenience is easy to say.

It's not always easy to live.

I hope you're very certain that she doesn't expect you to love her.

You'd do well to think of your wife as an obsessive 15-year-old girl.

Mr Bligh, please.

And when slighted, a 15-year-old girl can be very unstable.

-Hey, hey, hey!

-I'm fine.

-I don't care. Give it to me.

-OK.

-Where do you want it?

-Just put it on the bed, thanks.

I'm just looking for Rene's prayer cloth and yarmulke.

He should wear them.

He was always packing things away in case we had to run.

I wasn't thinking, bringing him back here.

Now, why's that, missy?

The least I can do for his family, for him is a proper burial.

Well, tell people what to do and they'll help.

A Jewish man should be sitting with him now and into the night.

Until the rabbi comes.

Right.

I should have stayed near the synagogue.

I don't even know if the rabbi can be here tomorrow.

Well, will I do? To sit with Rene.

I'm not much one with prayers, but he was a mate.

Thank you.

Oh.

Here they are.

Just put them...

..near him.

It'll be an honour.

'One of the most exciting days for the Italian farmers

'of Inverness is the day

'when the tomatoes are bottled into a delicious sauce called passata.

'Long tables are set out under the trees, filled with families

'cutting tomatoes, a dozen conversations going on at once.

'These Italian traditions engaged her on a level once unknown.

'She could not help but compare the warm public display of affection

'with the more staid and inhibited relationships

'she had known as a child.

'But now, Paolo was threatening not to go this year

'and none of his excuses rang true.

'Sometimes, marriage to Paolo felt like living

-'in the eye of a storm...'

-Anna.

-'..tossed one way...'

-Anna.

'..then another and never knowing whether...'

Gino!

I still have another ten minutes.

The top one's a bill from the vet.

But if he was only here for a quarter of an hour,

I didn't think he'd charge.

Do you think a veterinary surgeon works for eggs?

Stardust had a chill.

Put it on a pile with the others.

I can get Father to fix this.

No, no, no, no. You won't, I'll pay it.

Well, now that you're fixing up the shed, then...

Yep.

The telegram's been sent.

It should get to Paris within 24 hours.

His poor sister.

You need to go home.

I can give you something to help you sleep.

I'm still waiting for the rabbi to confirm.

There's a note in the book.

When he telephones, we'll tell him any time tomorrow.

Come on.

Brenda's ready to drive you home.

I've got this thought...

running through my mind.

That he should have fought harder.

His body gave out.

Not him.

Never mind.

Tell me.

It's too late now anyway.

Everything's just too damn late.

Thank you.

DOOR CLOSES

A trunk call to Sydney, thank you, Mildred.

PHONE RINGS

This is ridiculous.

No.

PHONE RINGS

No!

We both know that that was Jack.

Actually, it was probably a potential buyer.

Word's got out that I might be selling.

Oh, you are not!

Honestly, between you and George...

-Goodnight, Mother.

-Carolyn...

I'd be most obliged if you'd drive me to Ash Park in the morning.

Norman's mother's unwell, so...

Do you need to go?

Why else would I ask?

I want to keep an eye on George's campaign.

Right.

To the new member for Inverness.

No counting chickens.

I'll call Clyde Preston first thing in the morning.

And tell him to take his open-cut mine anywhere but Inverness.

Or that a coalmine would be a welcome employment opportunity

and improve our bridges and roads.

Most people don't want a mine.

Most people didn't want penicillin until they had it.

To be discussed.

This is where you drop me off.

Thank you for today.

You sleep well.

DOOR OPENS

Such a pity the Goldbergs aren't here.

A Jewish bloke from Branxton turned up, took over from me

and he's staying there until the rabbi gets there.

-Did the rabbi telephone?

-Yes, he did.

Depending on the roads, he should be here in time

for a midday service on the property.

Now, missy, if you want people to come back here afterwards...

I need to go to the hospital. I... I have to call the rabbi.

He said he was leaving right away and that was a good half hour ago.

There's supposed to be a minyan. Prayers said in the home.

Yes, I have been reading about your funeral practices

in the encyclopaedia.

I'm needing to find ten men.

Well, ten men. No worries.

Ten Jewish men, Roy. To say Jewish prayers.

The rabbi puts a call out to the congregation.

Well, we'll try and catch the rabbi before he leaves.

Just leave it.

Really.

It's too much trouble now.

I really have made a mess of this.

DOOR CLOSES

Now, we're all mum about George Bligh getting hitched.

Thank you.

Jack.

How can I help you?

Well, it's, erm...

Never a good time to break bad news.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that Rene Nordmann passed away.

Oh.

Initially, the operation appeared to be a success,

but there were complications.

There was nothing they could do.

Was Sarah with him at the time?

Yes, she was.

The funeral's at midday today.

I see.

They're gathering at Roy's later this afternoon.

I appreciate you telling me.

It really is a tragedy for all concerned.

Indeed.

I should get going.

This is such a pleasant surprise.

Please, make yourselves at home.

Ah!

I'm afraid I have some sad news.

Jack just called by to let us know that Dr Nordmann has passed away.

Oh, my God.

The burial is at midday here in Inverness.

Well, that's very sudden.

It's very Jewish.

We'll all attend, of course.

Jack mentioned a gathering at Roy's later in the afternoon.

I am sorry for you, George, you are fond of Sarah, of course.

But in my opinion - you should not attend.

The papers will have a field day.

In my experience, a political campaign

can easily be lost over petty distractions.

Regina...

This is nobody else's business.

And I don't intend to live my life in some sort of fishbowl.

I will attend.

They could bring up the shooting again.

Which would be unfair on all concerned.

Including his widow.

George, it is unfair, but in the lead-up to the elections,

everything you do will be scrutinised to the nth degree.

Darling, where are you going?

Riding, to see the new fencing.

I assume no-one has an objection to that?

Carolyn...

..thank you for the congratulations.

Go to hell, Regina.

I didn't expect...

Rene was a decent bloke. Everyone could see that.

And people feel for you too, missy.

RABBI SINGS SOLEMNLY

AMPLIFIED RATTLE

RABBI RECITES PRAYER

May God comfort you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Are you all right?

Rabbi Cohen.

How may I help you?

Oh, Mrs Nordmann was most upset

that she didn't have time to ask you to organise a prayer meeting.

I'm sorry, I've forgotten the name of the word.

A minyan.

-That's the one.

-Yeah.

Would it be too late to arrange, do you think?

I know you wanted separate rooms, but...

..I've missed talking to you.

And this way we can be...

Not completely...

It does put things into perspective, doesn't it?

A funeral.

I can't get that sound out of my head.

The soil hitting the coffin.

CLOCK TICKS

So sorry to keep you waiting, Elizabeth.

I've got the painters working on Anna's old room.

Now, I'm all yours.

I have discussed with George the nature of this marriage.

I can accept it for what it is, I hope you can do the same.

I embrace it.

Because if you ever cause harm or embarrassment to George

or any member of my family...

You'll have me drawn and quartered.

Or skinned alive, as you prefer.

Thank you for the motherly chat.

You do realise that a marriage of this nature can be easily annulled?

A gentleman here to see Mrs Bligh Sr, sir.

He called Mrs Bligh by her first name.

May I help you?

-George Bligh.

-Douglas Goddard.

I see from the paper congratulations are in order.

The wedding yesterday and of course your pre-selection.

Thank you.

Not that I bat for your team, I'm afraid.

You're a friend of my mother's?

Mr Goddard.

This is a surprise.

I realise you were on your way out, so if I'm...

Not at all, we have a family friend in mourning.

I was hoping to pay my respects sometime this afternoon.

Ah, of course.

Sorry, erm...

Ah. Before I forget, just another one of your lady archaeologists,

Kathleen Kenyon.

Excavating in Jericho.

Last week's London Times.

Thank you.

It's a bit creased.

I did bring it along to the knees-up, but you were AWOL.

Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't attend the fundraiser.

Family matters intervened.

Marvellous result, most gratifying.

Yes, keep us going for another year.

You girls certainly know your stuff.

You came all this way just to give me a clipping?

No, no.

To ask you to run away with me.

To a concert tomorrow night, actually.

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Eugene Goossens's conducting the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

You came all this way to invite me to a concert?

Well, it's a first step, of course.

Just seeing if we can't make some sort of a go of it.

Oh, Douglas, I... I am not who you think I am.

Well, you're not perfect.

Unlike the rest of us. Hm?

I don't treat people well.

Well, you could.

Elizabeth, unlike a lot of other people,

you're curious, you're well-read, you've got a sense of humour.

You'd rather drop dead in your tracks

than let anyone get too close.

That's perfectly understandable, it's just that...

..we can live smaller, safer lives until we cark it.

Or we can SHARE some parts of ourselves.

You know? Share some of our dreams.

Father wants a word.

Please, just...

..tell him you're happy for him.

I'll never call her Stepmother.

Ever.

Ah, there she is.

Hello, Father.

I wanted a quiet word, to reassure you that my marriage to Regina -

-it changes nothing.

-Really?

In terms of Ash Park.

Your trust, your inheritance.

Now, the solicitor was here this morning

and we have made and signed new wills, as one must.

But our wills and our finances are completely independent.

Do you understand?

Any questions?

I am very disappointed in you.

And you.

'She loved him since they were children.

'Her certainty that one day they'd marry had never wavered.

'The conviction that the feelings they had for one another

'was stronger than anything she had ever known.

'Now, it all seemed like such hard work.

'What was once his pride, now seemed like plain stubbornness.

'The voice in her head repeated over and over again

'that she may have made a mistake.

'Was there a way out of this mess?

'His silence was more that she could bear.

'Her anger at his attitude rose within her.

'The debt was serious.

'Their neighbour had left no doubt. She felt she no longer knew him.

'Perhaps her family had been right all along.

'She longed for home.'

I appreciate your visit very much.

SARAH SNIFFLES

And the dish.

My dear, this is the hardest of days.

My heart goes out to you.

I'm sorry.

Sarah, you did everything you could for him.

And if I may be so bold...

..at least you have a part of him to carry with you through life.

To give you joy.

Yes.

If there's anything at all that you need, you let me know.

Rose, could you call the car, please?

Where are you off to, George?

I'll be back for dinner.

He will not be forgotten.

For that is not our way.

His loved ones will draw close to us.

We'll not forget this day.

For Dr Rene Nordmann.

May he rest in peace.

-ALL:

-To Dr Rene Nordmann.

Sarah, we all feel so much for you.

-He was very brave.

-He was.

Excuse me.

I think it's time to say the prayer.

Everyone...

Missy would like to lead us in a prayer.

Now, traditionally, this prayer, the Mourners' Kaddish,

should be said by a group of Jewish men, not a woman alone.

But given that Rene and I didn't exactly live traditional lives...

SHE RECITES MOURNERS' KADDISH

CARS ROLL UP

CAR DOORS CLOSE

Have they come?

-Mrs Nordmann.

-No.

This is Mrs Nordmann.

Dr Nordmann's widow.

Mrs Nordmann.

I wish you long life.

Thank you so much for coming all this way.

THEY RECITE MOURNERS' KADDISH

May his memory be a blessing.

Thank you.

G'day, mate, er, Roy Briggs.

Thanks for coming down.

James Bligh. And this is my father, George Bligh.

Welcome to Inverness.

Carolyn, can we talk?

Perhaps later, I'm not feeling very well.

Would you mind driving Anna home?

HUBBUB OF CHATTER

Excuse me.

It's so sad.

Where shall I put this?

In the kitchen, please, Regina.

Actually, dear, it's Mrs Bligh.

George and I are married.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I thought you would have known.

Why are you here?

Why are you here?

-To pay my respects.

-Liar.

Liar!

Take this woman from this house.

It's time to go.

Now.

-I'm not sure why

-I

-should apologise. You heard what she called me.

-She's just buried her husband!

-I thought she knew, I thought she...

You claim to understand the art of diplomacy, but in this situation...

Oh, have you been enjoying the garden, Mr Goddard?

Oh, yes.

I now know everything I'll ever NEED to know about roses.

I'm not convinced you listened to a word I said.

Oh, yes.

The red ones are called...

-red.

-Oh!

George, do you remember when the Goddard's catalogue used to arrive?

All of George's school uniforms came from you.

If only I had known, I'd have thrown in a pair of socks.

-If you'll excuse me.

-Of course.

You will stay the night, won't you?

I was planning on taking a room at the pub.

We insist.

Rose, prepare the blue room for Mr Goddard, please.

If you'll excuse me.

What a charming woman.

'To Sarah Nordmann, I give, devise and bequeath

'finances held in trust on behalf of our unborn child

'for maintenance, education, advancement and benefit,

'reaching the age of 21.'

SHE PANTS

I'm sorry you found out like that.

What were you thinking, George?

The fact is, to have a successful political career,

I need someone by my side.

Regina and I...

You, of all people, know what she's like.

It's a pragmatic union.

This is a woman who has never called me anything other

than "The Jew" and worse.

You have a right to be angry.

Yes, I have a right to be angry.

At you and Rene...

You need to know though, you and the baby will be looked after.

It is almost laughable, really.

Rene and I were so close to having some sort of a family life.

And now I'm a widow.

Having a child on my own.

You won't be on your own.

Because no matter how charitable you may feel towards me

or to the baby, we will be on our own.

It won't be charity.

Anyway...

..I've just buried my husband.

Go home, George.

Go home to your wife.

Thank you so much for this.

My pleasure.

You seemed rather sad at dinner.

Oh.

Elizabeth?

I'm sad for my son.

From what you've told me,

your marriage was a very affectionate one.

That's lovely.

Unfortunately, my late husband and I were not particularly...

demonstrative.

One does worry about the example that one has set one's children.

Were you not allowed to choose your husband?

Was there someone else you'd rather have married?

You know...

..everyone deserves a chance at happiness.

So...

..are we going to the concert tomorrow night?

Oh, Douglas. I really feel as though I'm needed here.

But I do appreciate the invitation.

And I look forward to hearing all about it.

Goodnight...

..Douglas.

Goodnight, James.

Goodnight.

CAR DRIVES OFF

Where are you going?

Sydney. I told you.

The Agricultural Society meeting.

I'll be back tomorrow.

No breakfast this morning?

No.

-Are you all right, George?

-Yes.

Here, let me.

Good.

Shall we go through your schedule a little later?

No, no. This is having the desired effect.

Now, Sir Richard thinks your wireless interviews

have been excellent.

Does he, now?

I've set up three more for next week.

And if you approve, I'll put them into your diary and my duplicate.

Where would I be without the duplicate diary?

I'm sure you'd muddle along.

Oh, goodness me!

Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you.

Carolyn, won't you tell me how I can help you?

Whatever it is.

I can't.

Darling, something's happened.

Tell me.

I just need you to hold me.

SHE SOBS

# Well she packed up her bags and she threw them on the Blue 19

# Well she packed up her bags and she threw them on the Blue 19... #

Stardust.

Stardust! Hey!

That's my horse.

Stardust!

Hi, there.

Gino, guess where I've just been...

Well, I just met the new owner of Stardust.

It's just for the girl to try her out. Carlo wants his money back now,

-I have to show I can pay him back somehow.

-Stardust...

Stardust is MY horse.

She's MINE.

What even made you think that you have a right to do that?

Do you have any idea what that horse is worth?

Gino, I can get us money.

"Gino is in debt, Father. I have to bail him out, Father." Huh?

-No, it's not like that.

-It's exactly like that.

-I know what goes on in your head.

-Well, clearly you don't.

-Gino.

-Huh. Huh. Huh?

-It is all in here.

-That is a novel. It's a story.

-You're lucky I didn't burn it.

-How long have you been reading it?

-No-one reads this rubbish.

-Rubbish?!

-Gino.

-Hey! You don't show it to anyone.

-You don't read it to anyone.

-I will show it to whoever I want.

And I've already sent the first two chapters to a publisher.

-It should be burnt.

-Oh, no.

-This is a princess slumming it.

-No!

-Looking down her nose at everything.

-It's not true.

-Looking down her nose at me. Huh?

Everything her parents worked for, handed over to her. Huh?!

Give it to me, that's my work!

Anna. Hey, Anna!

Bella.

Bella, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, bella.

Anna, please. Cara, forgive me.

That's his favourite.

Off you go.

Sweetheart. What's...?

SHE SOBS

Hey... Shhh, shhh...

Shhh, shhh, shhh...

HE MOANS SOFTLY