Fight the Good Fight Land Girls

CHURCH ORGAN PLAYS

# Fight the good fight with all thy might

# Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right

# Lay hold on life and it shall be

# Thy joy and crown eternally

# Cast care aside, upon thy guide

# Lean and His mercy will provide

# Lean and the trusting soul shall prove

# Christ is life and Christ is love

# Faint not, nor fear His arms are near

# He changeth no and thou art dear

# Only believe and thou shalt see

# That Christ is all in all to thee. #

Welcome. Welcome.

Now, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say how good it is to see

Mrs Fisher back with us once again.

Fully recovered, I hope, after the terrible events of last Sunday.

Now, there are two things this morning.

First, it's the church roof fund, yes, which currently stands at,

Mr Prescott?

Thank you.

Three pounds, eleven shillings and sixpence. Well, it's a start.

Next, I'm sure nobody needs reminding that Helmstead

will welcome a party of young evacuees later on this afternoon.

I had hoped we wouldn't see this day again,

but I'm sure you'll open your hearts and homes to these poor mites,

torn by the misfortune of war from the bosom of their families.

Once again, Mrs Gulliver will be assuming the role of Billeting Officer

and a special vote of thanks to The Ganderton Sisters,

for heading up the Evacuee Committee. Sterling work.

There's a complimentary bottle of lice treatment.

One with every child.

Good day to you, Esther.

Magnificent.

I was just admiring your mother's brooch.

How are you, young man?

Eyes any better?

Shame.

Come on, love.

Anything I can do, Esther, you know where I am.

I hope you'll be a regular Mr Gillespie. We're short of tenors.

Afraid not. Business takes me home.

Then Chicago's gain is our loss.

You're leaving?

The company doesn't run itself. And there's nothing for me in Helmstead.

I take you've made no progress? I did warn you.

I've got one week left.

A deal isn't over until all the cards are played.

-Couldn't tempt you in?

-It's too late to turn me into an honest woman.

-Shame, you missed some fine singing.

-No, I heard it from out 'ere.

They were flat.

And whoever was responsible for them harmonies should have been strangled at birth.

Talking of harmonies... Condover booking.

I put a few new numbers in. Stop the repertoire going stale.

Vera Lynn, Andrews Sisters, all the modern stuff.

Note perfect by Saturday, mind, else the refunds come out your cut.

Make that Friday. I'm off to London, Saturday night.

All above board, 24-hour pass from Lady La-dee-dah and everything.

Friday, we'll need more rehearsals, then.

Speak for yourself. See you around, Vic.

24-hour pass?

You've only been here five minutes.

-Compassionate leave - me mother's sick.

-I thought you were an orphan.

-Then she's sicker than I thought.

-Hey, passionate leave, more like.

With a certain married gentleman.

FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL AND CHATTER

-Good afternoon.

-Fine day.

DISHES BANG DOWN

-Something wrong?

-Darn right... You're smiling.

The British and the Americans are allies.

I feel I've been neglecting the hospitality befitting that relationship.

In that case, we never did take that walk.

Chicago sleeps on a Sunday. I have all day.

Which is something I don't.

Always duty before pleasure with sis. What is it today?

Spitfire fund? Jam judging? Laying hands on the sick?

Evacuee billeting. We could always use an extra pair of hands.

Well, I would...

But if you're unable to entertain our guest,

then one of us has to fly the flag.

Gloriously free, all day.

Right, then...

Her Ladyship has promised The Ganderton Sisters

a volunteer to help with the billeting, so...

-Don't look at me.

-Connie it is, then.

-Why not Saint Joyce? Right up her street.

-The enquiry is today.

What's to enquire? It's a dead Jerry.

-I thought the whole point of this war was to kill as many of 'em as possible.

-Connie!

-You ain't worried?

-Erm, it's just a formality.

-Just tell them what happened.

-She can't remember. Shell shock.

-It was self defence. That's all they need to know.

-Exactly.

Chin up, champ. I'm sure they're all nice people.

How many can I put you down for, Tulley?

One. Big enough to do digging. If I must.

Now, now, Tulley.

-We all have to do our bit.

-Quite.

I don't want any bedwetters this time - or Roman Catholics.

-Oi, they're Cockneys, not animals.

-Of course not.

They're just like real children.

This enquiry is to establish the facts

leading to the shooting of Oberleutnant Ulrich Keitmeiler eight days ago.

It must have been very upsetting.

I don't remember much after the crash.

Don't worry. If it doesn't come back to you, I'm sure we can...fill in the gaps.

That's it, dears, keep moving.

Round and round, children.

No! Wait!

Please, mister! No, I promised me mum. Please, please, mister!

I've had enough of this.

Disgrace!

The cart crashed.

Then what happened?

The gun was on the ground.

'We both went for it, but I got to it first.'

-Then?

-I pointed it at him.

-You were afraid?

-I was angry.

-In fear of your life.

-I hated him.

-He was the enemy.

-He came towards me.

GUN COCKS

He "lunged" towards you.

-No, not exactly...

-And then you fired the gun in self defence.

-I don't remember.

-I think we've heard all we need.

He wasn't armed.

-I beg your pardon?

-I had a gun and he didn't.

-So how could it have been self defence?

-He was a Kampfflieger -

a trained, killing machine - against a slip of a girl?

His physical presence was weapon enough.

-What's going to happen to me?

-If it were up to me...

..I'd give you a medal.

You're a very brave young woman, a credit to your country.

-But he...

-Goodbye, Mrs Fisher.

And thank you.

-Don't even think about it.

-I wasn't stealing, Miss.

-Miss?

-Aren't you brung up polite? Where you from?

-Bow.

My mum told me to say please and thank you.

-And that "Sir and Miss are never amiss".

-Sounds a sensible lady. What else she tell you?

-Be a big boy... Don't cry.

-Yeah, well, big boys don't cry.

"Miss" Connie Carter, of Stepney. That makes us neighbours.

Wish you was there right now?

Mm. Still, adventure, ain't it?

-What you been up to?

-Digging, mainly.

Go on, then. Have it.

Ain't they feeding you? Treating you all right?

He's in the yard.

I was looking for you.

War souvenir. Thought you might be able to use it.

-What for?

-Target practice, before you go.

I'm a good shot.

You're not aiming at rabbits. And he won't be running away.

He'll be coming right at you.

She needs to know.

-You going to sneak off without telling her?

-No.

You've got a week left.

And I don't want to ruin it.

Then make most of the time you've got left.

That's it. Feels heavier, doesn't it?

GUNSHOT

Right, cock it back.

GUN COCKS

Now it's got the hair trigger now.

Hey! All tickety boo?

Yeah, yeah, me and the specialist, we got it all sorted, didn't we?

-I'm having an operation.

-Hey, smashing.

Eh, stick those in the loft for us, will you?

-And when you've finished that, there's some toffee carrots in the larder.

-Thanks.

40 guineas... Soon.

Or he'll go...

It'll be too late.

Or rather, it won't be, because I will find the money.

-I'm sorry, eh, Billy lost the fight.

-I know, I know.

But I'll find a way.

There's always a way.

-Are you following me?

-Can we talk?

-You heard what my husband said?

-He's all I have left.

Can you blame me for trying?

-I've nothing else to say to you, Mr Gillespie.

-I do. A minute. Please.

One minute.

He's my heir. My flesh and blood.

He's my flesh and blood. Did you ever think I'd let him go?

I know that now.

A fool to think otherwise... Come with him.

-To Chicago?

-For all his faults, Cal had great taste in women.

-The kid needs his mother. You'd be an asset.

-"An asset"?

You wouldn't be Mrs Finch any more. You'd be the mother of William Gillespie.

-And where I come from, that makes you a someone.

-I am a "someone" - here.

-You've got nerve.

-Offering him a better life?

In time, everything I own, which is more than you can imagine.

It's his birthright and you want to deny him that?

I have a husband and William has a father.

Think about it, that's all I ask.

Come with me, I'll lay the world at your feet.

There's always a way.

Should have time for one more rehearsal before Friday.

Poor little beggars. Caught that one after me grub earlier.

Ten bob to a whistle, he ain't being fed properly.

They're safe and happy. It's a shame more families aren't prepared to make the sacrifice.

Maybe they'd rather face blinking bombs than live in the country.

Well, this is me. You should venture in some time - finest medieval church in the county.

I've heard rumours about the size of your organ.

Yeah, it's a Nicholson & Co, Malvern, Worcester. Manual double, 16-inch pipes.

-You don't say(!)

-You should hear it when I pull all the stops out.

Literally and metaphorically.

Maybe you could stop by Sunday? My sermons bring the house down, even if I do say so myself.

Don't you get it? He doesn't want the likes of me.

I think "He"

has room in his heart for everyone.

Wait! Leave me alone.

Oi! Leave him alone.

What you think you're playing at, you great lump!

LOUD KNOCKING

Evacuee committee? Good.

Cos that kid billeted with what's-his-name, that Tulley,

-it's not on.

-Cheek!

These children are lucky the likes of us are willing to take them in.

His mum sends him to safety, he ends up with the la-la. It ain't right.

-Who is this person?

-La-la?

-I regret to say she's one of my land girls.

-Miss Connie Carter.

-"Miss"?

Nothing better than the town tramp!

Hanging around in pubs, flashing her wares.

-Dropping her drawers for a stick of GI gum.

-Jealous?

I can't imagine last time you lot dropped your drawers for anyone!

Oh! Ooh!

Maisie, Maisie. Smelling salts!

Well, you can't see what's happening right under them fat noses. No good'll come of it!

No good'll come of you, loathsome Jezebel.

You're a bad lot, Connie Carter.

Now, take yourself off, before I call the police!

-Their intentions are good.

-You heard her. Don't you know when to steer clear?

-You're not a bad person.

I think you see the worst in others, because you can't see the good in yourself.

And you can stay away from our vicar, as well!

Does he know you're sloping off to London for a weekend

of adulterous fornication? You're a disgrace!

Yeah, right, Joan of flamin' Arc, that's me.

And what you gawping at?

We'd better get back.

They'll be wondering where we've got to.

Let 'em wonder. Five more minutes.

Ah...

I want to stay here for ever.

Pasture Farm? You've changed your tune.

Yeah, well, I've realised I don't care where I am, as long as I'm with you.

TOGETHER: There's something I have to...

Ladies first.

-I saw Jack Gillespie today.

-What did he want?

He asked me to go to Chicago with William.

He said I'd be a grand lady, with the entire world at my feet.

-What did you say?

-What do you think I said?

You want to see the world. If you went with Gillespie, you could.

I don't want to see the world without you.

Anyway, what did you want to tell me?

HE WHISPERS SOMETHING

SHE LAUGHS

You count them out, you count them back.

I'm holding you personally responsible for every darn one.

Yes, sir.

-Good morning.

-Morning.

Beautiful. Albeit kinda prickly.

-Every darn one, fella! You want a job doing... Excuse me.

-Sorry, sir.

Mr Gillespie.

-I wonder if you'd like to join me for dinner tonight?

-You wonder right.

-Shall we say 7:30 sharp?

-One proviso.

Can we drop the "Mr"?

If we're going to be dinner companions, surely by now, you can call me Jack.

7:30...Jack.

I look forward to it...Ellen.

Goody, can we dress for dinner? I do love dressing up.

-And we never get the chance these days.

-You won't be there.

One of us has to show our face at the Parish Council meeting to discuss the fete.

And why can't you?

Because I already do everything else.

And because, since you seem bent on staying, it's time you earned your keep.

Hold up mate. What's the hurry? Look, what's going on?

Right, that's it!

Now, there we are, sir.

Now, sir. What can I do you for... Ooh.

Watcha think you're playing at?

You think nobody'd notice that kid you've got is covered in bruises?

And what you feeding him on? Fresh air?

He's half starved - and double rations for you, I bet?

Fat - four ounces, sugar - 12 ounces, meat - six ounces,

tea - two ounces, bacon - three and a half ounces, eggs - two.

What?

Come here.

-Stop it, right now, mister!

-Sugar - 12 ounces...

Lay one finger on me,

my fella will have you carved up like a side of beef.

-Eggs...

-What you flamin' on about?

-There, you see. His fair share, my fair share.

-Fat - four ounces, sugar - 12 ounces.

-All right, I get it.

So how come he looks like he hasn't had a decent meal in days, then?

Well, he don't eat it. He hides it away when he thinks I'm not looking.

-I saw you! I see you.

-How do you explain these, then?

Nowt to do with me.

Well?

Wriggle your way out of this.

And to think I believed in all your lies and subterfuge?

-Mrs Gulliver, listen...

-Oh, don't bother.

Once that inventory is returned to the relevant authorities,

-you're finished, Frederick Finch.

-No, wait, wait, I can explain.

-Oh, this should be good(!)

See the thing is about carrot whiskey...and I...

-It's like this, see...

-Church roof.

-Church roof?

-Church roof?

-Church roof. Finch was struck by the vicar's plight

and that whisky was burning a hole in his conscience.

-Mmm.

-Well, we don't often see eye-to-eye, but in this case...

Well, it's not black marketeering. More like, fundraising.

Yes... God's fundraising.

What makes you think I should believe you, of all people?

Think of me what you will. But Dennis Tucker is no liar.

And no friend of Frederick Finch.

Look I'm, er...

-..I'm only a few shillings short of what, ten...

-20.

-20 guineas.

-And the lead is so expensive.

Well, I can't say I approve of the means, but the motive's sound.

Make sure you bring me the full proceeds tomorrow, in church.

-And, in return, my inventory?

-See you tomorrow.

Your sister?

Mum made me swear on my life I'd not get separated from her.

I couldn't stop 'em.

She's only four, miss. She's hungry.

-What about them bruises?

-They caught me taking her an egg.

They said I'd nicked it from them and I was a bad boy and needed to be punished.

Who are these people?

-Needs a little more ochre, dear? Hmm?

-I think it does.

-Oh, oh, dear, erm...

-Are you here to complain about your evacuee again?

No. I'm here to complain about another one - Pam Price.

-Does that ring any bells, dear?

-Not a one, dear.

-Do you know where she's billeted?

-Here, you daft bats! You've got her!

-Oh!

-She means...

-Sarah.

-Her name's Pam!

-Such a sweet thing.

-We thought Sarah suited her better.

-A much prettier name.

-Our mama was called Sarah.

-I want to see my sister.

-Well, that's not possible at the moment.

-She's being disciplined.

-Another 26 minutes to go.

-28, by me.

Where is she?

Erm, it's about Martin, my son.

He had an accident and he could go blind. He has to have an operation.

LAUGHTER AND FOOTSTEPS

-Sorry... More occupied than France.

-Excuse us.

Cocktails on the terrace.

-I'm... I'm sorry to hear that.

-I need to borrow 40 guineas.

Can't your family help?

It would be a loan.

-I would pay it back with interest.

-That isn't possible.

If I make an exception for one, I'd have to make an exception for all.

Hoxley is an agricultural estate, not a bank.

I understand.

I'm sure you'll think of something.

I will... Thank you.

CREAKING

Come on, sweetheart.

You're stark raving mad, both of you!

What a palaver about nothing.

The child is wilful and naughty and needs disciplining. That's all.

-And she cries rather a lot.

-We had no idea she'd be so noisy.

You can't just go starving and beating and locking up kids.

-It ain't right.

-Never did us any harm.

-Absolutely not.

Yeah, well, it did me!

Oh, there's no need to get emotional.

-About an evacuee?

-I ain't letting you get away with this.

One...two...pull!

GUNSHOT

Six inches out. You winged him.

In the wrong arm!

I'm a dead man.

You jerked at the trigger, pulled the sight off target.

Again!

How will she cope? I've nothing to leave, except half a share of debt.

She'll manage, if it happens.

Right. Tighten the wrist. Solid grip.

Stuck here. A widow with a baby. Her life over before it's even started.

Men fight, women wait. Neither has a choice.

Right, focus... On the front sight!

Bea has a choice.

Gillespie wants her to go to Chicago, with William.

GUN COCKS

She'd see the world.

Everything she ever dreamed.

Or she can stay here, end up like Joyce.

Irrelevance. That girl will never leave.

I've seen the way she looks at you. What you going to do? Drive her away?

Focus.

The bullet...will lie behind it.

One...two...fire!

GUNSHOT

-We never have, in all our lives.

-Never been so insulted.

-Oh, put a sock in it.

-She burst into our house and snatched our evacuee.

Yeah. Out of the coal hole. and he's no better off, with the local crazy!

How dare you march in here accusing upstanding members of the community!

-We bought her a new frock.

-And we're knitting her a tippet, for winter.

-Oh, well that's all right then(!)

-Please, please.

If we all speak one at a time, I'm sure we can get this sorted out in a tick.

Now, Mrs Gulliver, perhaps you'd like to go first.

-Bit of discipline never did anyone any harm.

-You reckon?

Well, aren't you going to do something?

Well?

I don't think anyone believes the ladies

-had anything other than the child's best interests at heart.

-Hear, hear.

-However, given their age

and...Miss Gwen's lumbago,

I do worry a child this small might be a little too...bouncy?

-She is rather noisy.

-Exactly. Mrs Gulliver?

I'll see if Vera Clam can squeeze another one in.

She won't be happy about it, mind.

Although an extra 15 shillings will be very welcome in that household.

-I think that would be for the best.

-Call yourself a man of God? Is that the best you can do?

ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYS

Soap's rationed in Blighty. Doesn't do to leave it lying around.

-Need a hand?

-Darn thing. I never could get the hang of this.

How have you managed to survive this long without being able to tie your own tie?

I usually find someone to do it for me.

-My sister wouldn't...

-"Wouldn't"?

Tie it for you.

She wouldn't give the time of day to a man

that doesn't know how to dress himself like a gentleman.

But she is Lady Ellen Hoxley,

whereas you are no more than a "crude opportunist".

Her words, not mine.

Why waste all that energy,

which could be better channelled...elsewhere?

Cheer up. You'd think someone had died.

What do you want?

Found it in Fletcher's Hollow. It was that Jerry's.

You should hand it in. It's nothing much, just some photos.

Is that him?

-That poor woman.

-She's German.

-No different to me.

Just waiting, praying...

hope dying.

He had his hands up, didn't he?

-He was there, weren't you?

-Don't be daft.

-Yes.

-Tell me what happened?

-It was self defence.

-No, he was surrendering.

He was on his feet. He could have disarmed you.

GUNSHOT

GUNSHOT

I murdered him.

Don't be a fool, woman.

You're a heroine and a patriot and thanks to you,

-we've got one less murdering Luftwaffe to worry about.

-Seconded.

Then I hope John hasn't met a German woman as brave as me.

-Joseph!

-Don't let them take her. I promised me mum.

What d'you call this? Out of the frying pan, into the fire?

-Mrs Clam's a good woman.

-She looks like Lizzie Borden's grandma.

-You said you'd help. Please, miss, please!

-Sorry kid.

-You promised.

I did me best, champ. Got a train to catch.

Maybe you should be getting ho-...back.

I'll drop by next week! See you're OK?

-So you're going to London?

-Yeah.

Something to say about it?

Have a nice time.

Have you seen Connie?

Here... She's gone AWOL.

On her high horse about some evacuee billeted with Tulley.

Tulley? Poor kid.

We'd never let William go... even if it were raining bombs.

-Never?

-Never.

-If it was for his own good?

-Meaning?

Maybe he would be better off in Chicago.

I told you, it's out of the question.

He'd be away from all this. A life most kids dream about.

What are you saying?

I'm saying...

-..maybe he'd be better off with his own family.

-They aren't his family.

They are, Bea. He's a Gillespie.

Sometimes, when I look at him...

I see Cal's face.

But all this time, you said he was like your own.

No, I thought it would go away,

then he turned up and it's never going to go away.

He's leaving...

Do you think a man like that will give up?

He'll be back, he'll never give up. And we can never move on.

SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR

GIGGLING >

You're late for the Parish Council meeting.

Oops.

MUSIC: "Run Rabbit Run" by Flanagan & Allen

Sit down.

Can I get you anything?

Alcohol.

SHE COUGHS

CHURCH ORGAN PLAYS "AMAZING GRACE"

# Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

# That saved a wretch like me

# I once was lost but now am found

# Was blind but now I see

# Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail

# And mortal life shall cease

# I shall possess within the veil... #

Mum?

-Mum!

-Joseph, come here.

-SOLO:

-# Amazing grace How sweet the sound

CONGREGATION JOINS IN: # That saved a wretch like me

# I once was lost, but now am found

# Was blind, but now I see. #

Finch! Frederick Finch!

-Have you been avoiding me?

-Never.

Good.

Because I have something for you and I believe you have something for me.

I'm waiting.

-No.

-No?

That money's for Esther, for Martin's operation.

Are you sure about that?

You do your worst. But I'll tell you this.

If God would rather put lead on his church roof

than save that little kid from going blind, you can keep your church going

and your do-gooding and your so-called Christian charity.

I'll have nothing to do with it. Good day to you, Mrs Gulliver.

Wait, Frederick...

-Take it.

-Why?

I think God understands that we sometimes do the wrong things for the right reasons.

-Have you got enough?

-Not quite.

But I'll get the rest.

Hey.

BABY CRIES

Sorry for busting in. She's taking them home on the next train.

Well, I'm glad.

-Did you have a nice leave?

-Not flamin' likely.

-Spent the entire time looking for her.

-The entire time. Really?

Really. Good thing I was staying with me cousin Nellie.

-She's the nosiest parker in Whitechapel.

-Cousin Nellie?

-I said, didn't I?

Lucky, as it happens, turns out Rita's house got bombed

so it was only down to Nellie's noseying I found her.

Cousin Nellie.

Cousin flamin' Nellie!

You're a good person, Connie Carter. You're a good, beautiful, person.

-You know that?

-You ain't so bad yourself.

See you around, Vic.

Here, there. You're a county champion. Never forget it.

Have you finished? Only I'm welling up here.

You be good now.

Make me proud.

Always a pleasure, Finch.

Come on, come on.

Ta Dah!

Where did you get this?

Let's just say that's between me and Gladys Gulliver.

SHE SOBS

There, there.

You let it all out.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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