Bad in a Good Way A Place to Call Home

Is Georgie mine?

Of course Georgie is yours, he's OUR little boy!

James isn't Georgie's father.

-But you said...

-I didn't give birth to him.

You be as cavalier as you wish with your marriage, but not with Georgie.

He is a Bligh, he will be raised by us.

Bear all the shame and part with my son?

That is truly a Bligh solution.

So, what now?

The truth.

There's just one little thing I need you to do for me.

Could you teach me Italian? I could pay you.

He's taught me a few words already.

You'll be quite the Italiano before you're done.

You're not interested in what I've written.

Your subject matter, no.

-Perhaps Sir Richard might advise on the way forward?

-No.

Anna would rather succeed on her own merits.

-Give me a kiss.

-Ah!

'He...'

forced himself on me.

He won't get away with this.

I think your mother was wrong about Sir Richard.

Can you fetch me my book? It's in the top drawer there.

Whatever was between us, George, you're a married man...

-Nothing else matters...

-..I'm equally unavailable...

We will be together, Sarah.

For one so young to take her life and then to use...

If it hadn't been your mixture, she would've used something else.

If she killed herself.

What if she didn't?

Your husband shot George Bligh.

-I don't see what that has to...

-It's all right, Jack.

Are you a Communist too?

The new Mrs Bligh and I have formed a delightful intimacy.

Imagine my thrill the other day when she visited me

and even stayed to help me with my little task.

To what do I owe this displeasure?

How does it feel to be a murderer?

DOG WHINES

I had no idea the depth of your heartbreak.

These are the ravings of someone unhinged.

You visited Doris,

you poisoned the tonic and somehow the bottles were mislabelled.

You would say anything to take George from me.

How can you live with killing an innocent woman?

-It was suicide.

-But it wasn't.

And they have proof.

It's become a murder investigation.

There it is.

Fear.

I'm simply surprised.

That's what I came for, the flicker of truth.

-Where are you going?

-Now you've confirmed it, the police.

Let me save you the bother.

Yes, Mildred,

call Sergeant Taylor and tell him he's required at Ash Park.

Yes, urgently.

He hates Communists, I hear.

Even more than his predecessor.

"The Reds are amongst us, Sergeant.

"The Petrovs prove it.

"She's out to destroy my husband by accusing me,

"she may well have killed Miss Davis to that very end."

Who will he believe?

I'll make a most persuasive argument.

Riddled with supposition from a bitter ex-fiance.

You know,

I unearthed more in Europe than darling Rene.

Quite the dossier.

What you did to survive the camp,

its liberation by the Russians a perfect chance to recruit you.

And then months in an asylum.

All of which makes you a mad Commie whore.

Exactly how I'll characterise you to the sergeant.

And I'll tell him all I know.

Of which you have no proof!

None.

Checkmate, I think.

Milly Davis was a young woman with her entire life ahead of her.

Oh, get out before you're thrown out!

DOOR OPENS

I've kept yours warm, it's on the stove right here.

-I'm not hungry.

-You can't waste good tucker,

especially not in your condition.

I'm sorry...

I want this on record.

Simply to protect against further attempts to malign me.

You sure you don't want her charged, trespass, false accusation?

She left of her own accord.

I'll see she gets a good warning at least.

Her ravings are so bizarre.

I really can't take her seriously.

Thanks for this.

-It helps to know.

-Forewarned is forearmed.

Please, just between us.

It gives me leverage in silencing her.

Whatever you say, ma'am.

And naturally as so much is sensitive material,

once read, I would like it returned.

Thank you.

I used to stand at the front gate as a child,

I wondered what it was like in here.

-I was born here.

-In Inverness?

Left when I was 12.

So, is it as you imagined?

Not as grand.

A child's mind.

Of course, it is property such as these that the Communists

have in their sights.

What's one of their sayings?

The last capitalist we hang will be the one that sold us the rope.

We think as one.

Do you still have family in the area?

No.

-A wife?

-No.

I've got a kid. He's with her.

Well, I'll sleep sounder knowing you're back amongst us.

I hope so, ma'am.

You, a killer?

As insane as the woman herself.

Goodnight, ma'am.

Come in.

We have things to resolve.

Oh.

I did not expect to see you.

I come with an olive branch.

Please, sit.

I wanted to talk about our situation.

Father has something germane to offer.

And then you can discuss your own issues.

-Drink?

-Sherry.

I'll see to it.

The election is in four weeks.

Father is concerned about party confidence

should his leadership sniff scandal.

Sir Arthur Fadden is staunchly conservative.

What do you want?

A delay in the inevitable.

You'll return to Ash Park.

At least until after the election.

And if I'm successful, at least until I'm well settled in office.

Six months at most.

You send Carolyn to threaten me with the law...

then ask this?

I'm hoping you can see a way past that.

SHE LAUGHS

You're happy to embrace it?

I think we could carry it off.

For Father.

And for yourselves.

In this current atmosphere, my opponents may seize on things,

the gutter press would relish it.

You and...

this artist.

James, open to speculation.

I see.

If we could discuss it, alone?

Of course.

I do understand if it's no.

I sincerely hope...

once I've said my piece...

When you asked me at Ash Park...

I hadn't the courage to admit the truth.

Georgie is...

He is our little boy.

But, James...

..our own child died in the womb.

-Welcome.

-Thank you.

-Miss Bligh?

-Yes.

-Sir Richard.

-Oh, thank you, Carl.

Beauty runs in the Bligh line, young Anna.

Well, so do brains, Sir Richard.

I see.

One of these new women.

"Like me for my mind."

Well, I'm here to discuss publishing so that would suggest so.

But still you're tizzied up and out to dazzle,

seems you want it both ways.

Well, you're rather tizzied up yourself.

Touche.

So, Dymphna Cusack, Eleanor Dark,

Christina Stead, and now Anna Bligh.

Let's see what we can do to make it happen.

James?

I did do it for love.

Please don't be angry.

I'm not.

-You must be.

-I'm not...

angry.

After my deceit in marrying you,

I have no right to take the moral high ground.

I'm...

..sad.

It's just...

It's just so sad.

To move past all that pain

and find enough love to motivate your actions,

it makes where we've ended all the more tragic.

Perhaps you should fully absorb it...

..before we discuss anything further.

The family should know.

Olivia...

Can I see him?

Georgie?

You're a spirited filly.

You know what it means?

Every good businessman knows how to say it in as many languages

as possible. Young ladies, however...

-Oh, shouldn't say it at all?

-Only on very select occasions.

Mind you, this Cowan chap does have a point about the reading public

-not being interested in mixed marriages...

-I disagree.

I think that the story of my husband...

The dago...damn fine fellow in question...

The way I see it...

you're ahead of the times.

Write something you want to say.

That they'll want to buy.

I'd rather challenge them.

You challenge me.

You're intelligent, talented,

you crack blue jokes with a wink, not a snigger.

I hope your dago appreciates you.

I'm just pulling your leg.

Right... Sweets and then home.

I'm...

Sorry.

It's all right. It's all right.

It's all right.

I understand. I understand.

I don't.

CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

DOOR UNLOCKS

Well, thank you. I just...

It meant the world to me to be taken seriously by someone like you.

To everyone their due.

Gentleman's privilege.

Tell me how the meetings go.

-Goodnight.

-Goodnight.

Are you coming to bed?

Soon.

Nothing I did?

No.

They're all looking forward to meeting you.

Tomorrow.

The beach.

Oh, I...

Don't even think about cancelling.

It'll distract you from this.

Whatever this is.

BIRDSONG

Oh... DOOR OPENS

-I'm late.

-Get back.

Go on. Just this once.

We can avoid the sniping in here.

Regina. Is she up?

I didn't see her.

You could always stay with me.

I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

She's just out to isolate George to herself.

Ta.

I'm sorry about last night.

I just needed comfort.

If you want me to keep away from the mongrel, fine.

You can't ignore what it's doing to us though.

I can block out what he did...

..until we were intimate.

SHE CRIES SOFTLY

I love you.

I know.

There have been a lot of men in my life, by my choice,

and now there is you...

again.

And I never want another man but one...

forced himself...

on me using every man who came before to justify it.

He's made me feel...

..cheap and disgusting and...

-..unworthy.

-Hey. Of me?

-I can't help it.

-No, no...

-You deserve so much more, Jack.

-No, hey. Shush, shush.

-You...

-Hey, hey.

I'm here.

I'm here.

Always.

BELL RINGS

I wonder what he wants.

Has he got anything to do with you being out of sorts?

I thought as much.

You've seen Regina Bligh, I assume?

Let's get one thing straight up.

I don't buy your bullshit.

Can we at least talk about your preconceptions of me?

No.

So, you're taking her word as gospel?

I've no reason not to.

Regina meant the poison for me. If not her, who did kill Milly?

She went to Doris Collins, she doctored the tonic.

And then the labels got mixed, that's what she said you'd say.

All right, if not that, give me a theory.

Well, here's what I know.

You were the first one to suggest murder.

"Look, I found a letter."

You're covering up your mischief.

So, you would rather think that I killed an innocent woman

for some bizarre Communist plot than that Regina was out to harm me?

-Yeah.

-That's insane.

Spot on.

I've seen plenty of killers.

None like Mrs Bligh.

You think this is funny?

I've seen more than you, Sergeant.

And they come in all shapes and sizes.

Nazis, maybe.

She gave me the goods on you.

It's a shame she doesn't want me using it.

Talk to Doris Collins.

Regina visited her the day before it happened.

Only crime there is laying yourself open to an ear bashing.

-Check at least.

-I will.

I know what she'll say.

If I hear you accusing Mrs Bligh again, all bets are off.

Trust me.

Is that it?

Don't go feeding these kids your crazy commie propaganda.

HORN BLARES

Six months.

They're asking a lot of you.

At most.

They may not want you now...

I hope not.

And if they do?

-They won't.

-But if they do?

George does have a point about scandal.

And baby Georgie?

Scandal would blight all of our futures.

And animosity.

What's best for Georgie is what's right.

Mm.

We'll come through it.

Nothing will come between us.

That's all I needed to hear.

Thank you.

There's no need to rush.

We've got our whole life ahead of us.

Promise you won't do anything foolish.

Right place, right time. He'll pay.

Your carnal romps need curbing.

We have impressionable young staff.

If they can survive you, they can survive me.

Tears this morning.

Such turmoil everywhere.

The police investigating Frau Nordmann as a Communist

and Gino having female company.

Sarah's no Red,

Gino's certainly no philanderer.

Yes, Mildred. I need a Sydney number.

Sir Richard Bennett.

Can you see that duck?

Can you see Mr Ducky there?

The doctor doesn't want you getting upset.

Oh, I'm glad you told me.

It's unimaginable.

I accept her intentions, however misguided, were well meant.

How are you feeling?

Confused.

And Georgie?

-He's my boy.

-But he's not blood, James.

He's still my son.

No-one's to say otherwise.

And your love for him?

Unchanged.

I want him and Olivia at Ash Park.

It allows us time to decide what's best.

Well, then I think the three of you should return to Ash Park

and resolve your futures

whilst ensuring your father's political will.

The issue of the inheritance must be clarified.

In due course, George.

In the meantime, my darling, you have a task.

CHILDREN CHATTER

SHOUTING FROM ABOVE

KNOCK ON DOOR

I appreciate you agreeing to this.

GEORGIE GURGLES

Hello, little man.

-He's well.

-He is.

He's the innocent in this.

Perhaps the only one.

I have to ask,

is there no hope for you and James?

No.

Then I accept...

..with regret.

I expected more severity.

We're trying our best to understand.

You know what bloodline means to us.

James had been through hell. Having committed to the lie,

-what was I supposed to...?

-If your marriage had survived,

would you have allowed Georgie to inherit?

-Yes.

-I see.

He would have been the product of Bligh love and Bligh upbringing.

That is more important than blood.

I find your attitude antiquated.

Perhaps.

Perhaps.

I've simply come here to ask you

if you can accommodate my request,

if not for me...

think of yourselves.

Would it be possible without rancour?

With luck, it may bring healing.

Give you a chance to plan Georgie's future.

Yes.

You'll come?

For James. For Georgie.

Not for the man who threatened to drag me into court.

-I deserve that.

-You do.

Thank you.

DOOR CLOSES

CHILDREN LAUGH

Do you think you could pick that rubbish up?

Thanks. Pop it in the bin.

Thank you.

Excuse me, Miss. You're a Jew, right?

Well, I converted to marry a Jewish man.

-What's that mean?

-I changed my religion.

-Really? You can do that?

-Yes, you can.

Wouldn't that make God mad?

I don't think so.

But the Jews killed Jesus, right?

TELEPHONE RINGS FROM INSIDE

-The Romans did that.

-Not the Jews?

No.

Oh, Reverend Green sure got it wrong then.

TELEPHONE RINGS INSIDE

Telephone for you.

A trunk call.

Hello.

I was being discreet not giving my name.

Of course.

It's good to hear your voice.

Is everything all right? You're well?

'Yes. Yes.'

Well, my time here has not been without its problems.

Mother appreciated your card.

Well, I've been concerned. We all have.

Well, she wouldn't be with us

if she hadn't managed to pull down the telephone.

I regret my bombastic approach at our last meeting.

'My timing was poor.'

It was. But I understand.

I return next week. I have an important engagement,

but when I'm done...

'we'll speak?'

I would like that.

I hope you're well.

Yes.

And our mutual friend is thriving.

Best not on the line.

Of course.

Good.

Everything else?

I just put my foot in it with one of the students here.

But apart from that...

Well, I won't keep you.

I simply...

I miss you.

'Rightly or wrongly, I...'

I had to say that.

I'm glad you called.

I feel better for it.

Soon.

When you can, George.

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

Catch it!

-Hey, it's Henry and his new chap.

-James Bligh, who'd have thought?

He was two years above me at school.

-Steamy nights in the dorm?

-Sadly, no.

-Henry!

-Christopher!

Come on in.

I shouldn't have come.

You need distraction.

I'm not sure I need this.

They're my friends.

Your friends too, if you'll let them.

-Coming in?

-Soon.

LAUGHTER

I expect a full report upon my return.

-Yes, Miss.

-And don't forego our little project.

-I won't.

I'm sure Gino appreciates your company.

If Miss Carolyn asks, say I'm off to be invaluable.

CAR DOOR CLOSES, ENGINE STARTS

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

This will sustain me in your absence.

Do I really look like that?

I told you. You are my new muse.

Even when I'm abandoning you?

Ah, only for a time.

I've had a thought.

Rather than my mooching here, just waiting for the time to be over,

why don't I go on ahead?

To England?

I mean, you could arrange introductions,

see I'm well part of society.

Perhaps even with commissions.

And by the time we face your family, I would be...

much more acceptable.

Oh, it does make sense.

Unless you'll need my support?

No.

No, it would stop me worrying about you, in fact.

-Good.

-And it is a show of faith in what's to come.

-Exactly.

I will be the darling of the Mayfair set in no time.

I rather like that.

All the bright young things.

Yes, it would be like living a novel by Evelyn Waugh.

I am rather funds depleted, however.

-I'm not.

-No, no, no, I couldn't possibly...

Don't be silly.

Of course I'll pay.

The more I consider it, the more it's sold.

Our future.

Henry, Henry!

I'm sorry.

This makes you uncomfortable.

I'm just not used to it.

It's just playfulness. It's not sexuality.

Four nearly naked men falling on top of each other.

We can control ourselves.

Honestly, the myth of the salivating predator.

I'm on my soapbox. I apologise.

No, please.

It's just that as with any group of outsiders,

we're defined by our worst.

Even our own sometimes fear us.

Here, we can just be ourselves.

And if others stumble across you?

Then it's two paces apart and back into hiding.

We come in all shapes and sizes, James.

Better put you on the payroll.

Doctor's aid and comfort.

-Too much?

-Never too much.

I like watching you work.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Doctor, if I may... Miss Carolyn.

-Can it wait?

-Come in, Doris.

I won't take a moment.

I fear my reputation may be at risk.

What are you on about?

Ah, it's knocked the election off the front page, that's for sure.

Sergeant Taylor has asked if anyone may have tampered with the tonic

before it left my house.

-He's just doing his job.

-Well, I vehemently assured him not.

There you are, then.

But my young boarders, my visitors, their good names,

even my own, there are tongues in Inverness willing to wag at the...

For God's sakes.

They won't see you harbouring the local Lucrezia Borgia.

-The what?

-A famous poisoner of the Renaissance.

Oh, yes. Leticia Borgia, I know her well.

As long as there are those who will defend me and mine.

Is that it, then?

It is. And many thanks.

I leave reassured.

Apart from the fact that we have a murderer in our midst.

DOOR CLOSES

Whatever you're sulking about, stop.

Come here.

What is it?

How many of them have you had?

I beg your pardon.

Have you had sex with them all?

I left my wife for you.

-The truth?

-Yes.

Christopher and I were lovers.

Were.

You were all over him in the water.

It would have been you if you'd deigned to join us.

Instead of sitting on your towel like some judgmental prude.

-I don't want you seeing them again.

-You don't want...

HENRY LAUGHS

-James, I'm not Olivia.

-And I'm not Christopher.

It's been a long day.

Maybe it was too much, too soon.

I mean it.

I'm going to put this down to whatever's on your mind.

Don't take that out on me.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

Music to my ears.

"We're releasing you, Mrs Bligh."

As long as Anna is happy to stay on.

She said as much.

Surprise!

Look who I stumbled over on my way in.

Sir Richard. What a surprise.

I've been so concerned.

I have come here today with thoughts for the campaign.

So fortuitous to have you with us, Dicky.

-George, I feel a sudden weariness.

-I'd like your opinion too.

Well, let's hear her out and then I'm going to be off.

I don't want to tire the patient.

As I dined last night, I had a startling idea.

-Yes?

-I took it upon myself to call a contact in Canberra

and check the Prime Minister's schedule.

Mr Menzies and Dame Patty are in Sydney next week...

..with time to spare.

This close to the election, I doubt it.

An event was cancelled.

Let's invite them down for dinner.

-We can't do that.

-Why not?

The protocol. The distance.

Well, if it's inconvenient, they'll simply decline.

Nothing ventured, nothing win, I say.

She's a bloody marvel, your wife.

Vote for the man who had the PM at his table.

-I'm not being overly ambitious, then?

-Oh, no such thing.

Let's see what we can manage, George.

Ladies. He chose well, your son.

I'll be here in the morning to see you discharged.

-We'll meet for dinner.

-I'll make the arrangements.

Well, thank her, man.

Thank you for thinking of my campaign.

Of you.

A kiss wouldn't kill you.

I should bloody think so, that sort of thing is gold with the voters.

It's such a shame your health prevents your attending.

-Well, if it happens.

-It will.

As I say, pity you're infirm.

RINGS BELL Nurse.

Trouble is only really trouble...

..if no good comes of it.

We've both been circling around this for too long.

The whole marriage business.

You know, where would we live, how is it going to work,

this, that, the other?

You know what last night and today prove?

What?

The mongrel can't hurt us.

And you like watching me work. That's marriage talk to me.

Let's set a date.

After the election, so we don't steal George's thunder.

Husband and wife.

All the rest will happen in time.

Yes?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Oh!

THEY LAUGH

SHE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE

KNOCK ON DOOR

Just set up a couple of cold ones on the veranda.

-Sorry.

-It's fine.

Having a bit of a chat, eh?

Sometimes it helps to feel he's near.

Well, it's there when you want it.

That copper Taylor get what he was after?

He's more obnoxious than Franklin ever was.

I'm in your corner, you know that, if that helps.

My hero.

Any time.

Actually, it might help.

He'll never make a case against you.

Or Regina, sadly, even if he was inclined.

-This stuff that she's got on you...

-Deeply private.

But as much as I'd prefer no-one knew,

she will could tell the world if it meant seeing her charged.

But it won't.

Not without a lot more than supposition against her.

So, what can you do?

Back off.

Let her think she's safe.

And then?

Call in the heavy artillery.

-Done?

-And dusted.

-Thank you for your assistance.

It was a grand idea.

Old Lizzie looked like she'd sucked on a lemon.

I'll deliver her an entire citrus orchard before I'm done.

Hopefully it will promote another attack?

Remind me never to cross you.

You should go. We don't want George suspecting collusion.

It's for his own benefit.

Well, he's best left to the illusion of being at the wheel.

This answers one question.

I always wondered how someone piss-weak like Charles

ever made a mark.

-Well, behind every good man...

-Is a bad woman.

Bad in a good way.

Of course.

She's so hideous.

How can Father marry someone like that?

-Can't he see through that mask?

-CLINKING

Shush.

Ah, thank you.

Very good.

Well, he can see through the mask but others can't.

And she may well have secured George's election with this dinner.

Her mask is well in place.

Let's go back tomorrow, then.

Help to loosen it.

ELIZABETH CHUCKLES

Tempting but not yet.

Soon.

Timing, my darling.

Timing is everything.

RECORD PLAYER: # When I look in your eyes

# I see brand-new tomorrows

# Filled with pink salmon skies

# With no trouble or sorrows

# When you're wrapped in my arms

# Feel how strongly my heart beats

# Beating only for you

# Two lovers complete

# Whispered words in the wind... #

Is there anything else I can get you, miss?

SHE GASPS Oh, Rose.

Er, no. That will be all, thank you.

What's this song called, miss?

-The Beauty Of Love.

-Oh.

Would you take it off, please?

-Yes, miss.

-MUSIC STOPS

-Goodnight, Rose.

-Buona notte, miss.

You mustn't be cross.

I'd come to check with you but there was Sir Richard.

My enthusiasm got the better of me.

Thankfully, it's all come together.

-We have them?

-Wednesday next.

Oh, George.

-A triumph.

-It is.

Your success is my success.

We may only be a political partnership,

but what a formidable one we shall be.

Champagne.

DOG WHINES AND BARKS

Sit down, you silly mongrel.

DOG CONTINUES TO BARK

DOOR OPENS

-What do you want?

-I've got no quarrel with you.

And you shouldn't have with her, neither.

What can I do for you, Sergeant?

When you've got one unsolved case,

you dig through the rest, look for patterns.

I found one.

A Bert Ford.

Headed off, they say, but no-one's seen him.

Wasn't a friend of yours.

His mate reckons you slapped him down.

And not girlie either.

I had no cause to like him.

-Any to get rid of him?

-Now, listen here, Sergeant...

No-one goes missing without a reason.

And people are unlucky around you.

If you're asking if I killed Bert Ford, no.

Maybe Mrs Bligh knocked him off as well, eh?

Open your eyes, son.

My money's on the Commie Yid for both of them.

-Cop or no cop, I'm going to deck you right now.

-Roy. Roy!

I am Jewish.

And my politics are left-wing and I'm proud of both.

Now, get out and don't come back unless you have an arrest warrant.

You heard her.

You've backed the wrong horse, mate.

Better than a bob each way on a mongrel.

DOG BARKS

Bert Ford.