Episode 2 Room at the Top

This programme contains very strong language and scenes of a sexual nature.

Susan Brown is a breathing justification

-of the capitalist system.

-You old romantic fool.

It's funny talking to you, Alice.

It's like talking to a feller.

Thanks, honey.

I hear you've been going about with Alice Aisgill.

Going about? I've been for a drink with her a few times.

You make me feel funny inside.

Don't fall in love with me.

It's not the same thing, you know.

Course not.

Loving friends.

You know I love you too, don't you?

How much?

A hundred thousand pounds.

Alice. I'm sorry about everything.

Come to Sparrow Hill.

Please.

That was fine.

Fine?

I don't mean "fine".

I mean fine,

like fine china.

SHE LAUGHS

I love you.

I just mean, now we're together, I'm not lonely any more.

When we were apart, it was like I wanted a fag all the time

and never being able to have one.

Simple as that.

How do you know I'd not got somebody else?

Calling me in the middle of the night.

You haven't, have you?

Alice...

Do you love me?

What do you think? You daft 'aporth.

It doesn't change anything though, you know.

Course it doesn't.

Are you still going around with Susan Brown?

In a manner of speaking.

Her family's not keen.

I bet. No wonder she likes you.

You don't mind, do you? She's me shilling on the pools.

Far be it for me to begrudge a man his flutter.

PHONES RING

TYPEWRITERS CLATTER

HE WHISTLES

What's that in aid of, Hoylake and Noakesy?

SHE GIGGLES

Haven't you got a home to go to?

Dress me.

You sensual old ram.

Would you like me to?

Why do you think I asked?

I like being looked after.

I feel as if you've left your hands all over me.

I can smell you and all your scent.

It's wonderful.

I can't find your bloody socks.

Hey, Alice.

It's all right.

They need darning.

I'd darn your socks. I'd look after you all the time.

I'd... I'd cook and clean your shoes and dress you

if you wanted dressing, and have your children.

I'd love it. You know I would.

It's too late.

Listen. Find me socks. Make us some tea, eh?

Before I give you something to cry about.

Oh.

They're a disgrace.

Let's go away together.

I'm due a week's holiday.

Do you think you can manage it?

Joe.

Eh?

Yes.

Perfect timing. You'll join us, won't you, Joe?

Oh. Shame you weren't here earlier.

I could do with a new partner.

Hell hath no fury like a woman underbid.

I don't play, I'm afraid.

We'll show you the ropes, won't we, Marion?

Yes, of course. Always on the look out for new recruits.

"Victims" might be the more appropriate term.

Well, there you are, then.

No excuses.

So, were you out with Susan Brown?

Not tonight. Friends from work, you know.

Oh, I know,

greasing the wheels, eh?

Aye. Something like that.

No, it's got to be done.

Promotion in the air with Teddy Noakes leaving, I bet.

Teddy? Where's he going, then?

Er. Leicester. Apparently. He got the Deputy Treasurers job.

God, Beattie must be wetting herself.

All those new people she can lord it over

-and show off her ghastly curtains to.

-Eva!

"Fully lined", although she'll probably be getting new ones.

Now, won't that be exciting!

But it leaves the field wide open I imagine, eh, Joe?

Chief Audit Clerk.

Oh. You never know.

He's on his way!

-Good night now.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye!

KNOCK ON DOOR

Scarf. There we are.

You should tell your friends from work to go a bit lighter

on the Chanel No.5.

Charles! I presume you've heard about Noakesy going to Leicester?

Yeah. Bit of a turn up for the books, eh?

You against me, old sport, Chief Audit Clerk.

Field's wide open. Ledgers at dawn!

Oh, I see.

I'd made an arrangement with her, that's all.

Good night. Good evening, Mrs Brown.

"I tried not to listen when people first told me about you

"and her, but now I know that all the time we've been going together

"you've been making love to her.

"You've been very bad to me

"and what hurts the most is that you were telling lies all the time.

"I expect you thought I was too young and silly to make you happy.

"Perhaps I was.

"But now I feel grown-up.

"I hope you will be happy and get all the things you want so much.

"I don't feel angry with you.

"Only sad and hurt.

"As if someone I loved had died."

PANTING

Oh, oh.

Oh, God...yes!

I don't want it.

I don't need anything. Not drink.

Not cigarettes.

This is enough.

You won't take it the wrong way if I do?

Mmm.

Four whole days.

Oh!

HE LAUGHS

Oh.

Oh, oh.

GASPING

Oh, gentle.

Oh, Christ.

Oh, Joe.

MUFFLED THUNDER

You know, people do get divorced.

George would see us

both crawl through broken glass before he'd let me go.

Not because he wants me, of course,

but because of you wanting me.

You don't know what he's like.

I think I've a pretty good idea.

It would finish you at the Town Hall, Joe.

You and the scarlet woman of Warley.

Fuck Warley!

We can move somewhere else. Start again.

I'm well qualified.

I can't pretend it'd be the standard you're used to, living at the Top.

-Well, I don't care about any of that.

-I do!

But I care about you more.

Think about it.

Just us. Together.

Why not?

Whatever they put us through, whatever people have to say... Well, won't it be worth it?

Don't cry ...

Please, don't cry, Alice, love.

Fag-ash Lil.

MUTED BACKGROUND CONVERSATION

What are you looking at?

Admiring your suntan.

What bloody suntan?

What?

-Anyone would think you were on the turn.

-You could do a lot better for yourself

you know, old sport.

Now I really am worried.

Joan and I are engaged.

I popped the question, as they say, a couple of days back.

Well, about bloody time!

Let me buy you a drink.

Whiskey to go with that, you jammy bastard. She's a lovely girl.

Two Scotches. Doubles.

Aye.

We've reached the age to get married.

No doubt about it.

It's a mug's game, otherwise.

I've been thinking about it myself.

In my capacity, Joseph, as an incipient bridegroom

and pillar of the community,

might I bestow a word of advice?

Bestow away.

Seems to me you want to make the worst of both worlds

if you're thinking of marrying Alice.

You'll be a co-respondent.

I've got the shoes for it.

I'm serious. Dragged through the midden of the divorce courts.

"Midden." Listen to yourself. What about Aisgill?

He's got a mistress, it's common knowledge. They only live together for the sake of appearances.

If you reckon you can get one over on him

you're even more bloody naive than I thought.

George Aisgill's a lot richer than you, chum,

and he's a hell of a lot cleverer.

He'd get detectives on the two of you and you'd be in the Sunday papers

before you could button up your flies.

Midden's about right.

May as well be the bloody Middle Ages.

It's the way it is.

It'd kill you, the scandal. Admit it.

Another thing.

Hoylake's offered me the job, Chief Audit Clerk.

I didn't get a look in, did I?

Face that fits. You know how it is.

Hang around anywhere long enough, your boat comes in.

Aye.

Hey, I'm right pleased for you, you bugger.

Can't afford doubles, this shout, mind.

Let me get 'em.

You're the boss.

Bloody hell.

RAUCOUS CHATTER

Pip, Squeak and bloody Wilfred!

Imperialist brutes.

Keep it down, will yer!

Time you were getting home, gents.

-What about that lot?

-They've been told and all.

Coolie cost me 100 chips once, you know.

Mowed him down in Burma when I was one over the eight.

It was the steering on the jeep.

Wasn't what it should be.

Aye, well, we'll be walking home, don't you worry.

HUBBUB OF CHATTER

Put a sock in it! It's time!

Thank you, Sergeant, we're aware of that fact.

-Piss off with the "Sergeant".

-I'm sorry, did I mistake your rank?

-Sergeant-Observer, actually.

And it was... All that was over a long time ago.

Absolutely. Water under the bridge.

Come on, chaps, let's go somewhere else, eh?

Seen Susan lately?

Yes, as a matter of fact.

Not that it has anything to do with you.

Sorry. Bad form. Bandying a woman's name. Bad show. Sorry, chaps. My apologies.

You really are a chippy little bastard, aren't you, Lampton?

Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.

Get him home, will you?

You're the bloody bastard. You're the bastard.

Bastard!

I'm terribly sorry. He couldn't find his key, Mrs Thompson.

Most terribly sorry.

Oh dear.

Do you need to relieve yourself, Joe?

Come on. Here we go.

It's all right. Come on.

You all right?

Thanks, Dad.

Just try and get 40 winks, that's it.

I love it, you know, I love Warley.

See it all from up 'ere.

Buses. Tebbut's Mill.

All the shops on Market Street.

Wintrips. Finlays with Daks shirts

and Jaeger dressing gowns.

Priestleys, Robbins.

I can't leave it, can I?

I want it.

Here.

I don't know what to do.

It's all right. Just try and get some sleep.

I don't know what to do.

CUTLERY CHINKS

-Morning.

-Morning.

-Morning.

If you've any washing, Joe, I'm doing it tomorrow.

Leave it in the hamper.

Thank you.

Always rather a melancholy day, I think -

after you get back from holidays.

Have you any plans?

Not really. I've...

I've a few letters to write.

Look at you

Hello.

Thank you for your letter.

Thank you for yours.

Take me somewhere.

SHE PANTS

Did she let you touch her here?

-And here.

-Stop it.

Don't you want me more?

Yes.

BOTH GASP

Go on, then.

Hurt me.

SHE GASPS

Joe.

I love you with all of me now, you know.

Every little bit of me is yours.

It's not funny, is it?

No, just...

I thought you were the one who's supposed to bleed.

Even stevens.

You won't need her now, will you, Joe?

Not now we're serious about each other.

HE SIGHS

RINGING TONE

'Warley 6813. George Aisgill speaking.'

Anything in there for Susan?

Keep looking.

What did you tell your mum and dad?

Oh!

Just said I was going out.

I don't have to tell them everything I do, you know.

They're my parents, not prison guards.

Ah, but you're the princess, I'm the swineherd,

and they're the dragons I have to slay, aren't they?

Charming. Mummy would be so flattered.

But it's true.

You're so beautiful, you'd have to be a princess.

Even if you'd had bad luck and had to go and work in the kitchens,

your prince'd still spot yer.

'Cause you'd left an expensive ring in the cake you'd baked for him.

I've never baked a cake in my life.

And the shock would almost kill him, when you were brought to him

in your donkey skin, with your hands and face dirty, because

he thought he'd fallen in love with a common Grade Ten working girl.

Grade Ten?

Never mind.

And you'd take off your donkey skin

and he'd see your soft, white, delicate skin...

..and know that you were Grade One

and that he could marry and live happily ever after.

That's the way it goes.

You really do talk the most awful nonsense.

You're the oddest man I've met in my life.

Oh, gosh. These seats are hard, aren't they? Reminds me of travelling on the Continent.

-I like your tie, Mr Lampton.

-Ta.

Get me the petty cash register, will you, Ray.

Hello, Joe.

Sorry, the office boy said it was all right.

Nice. It's nice to see you.

Come outside.

I called you at the Thompsons'.

Did you get my message?

Yeah. Sorry. It's been tricky.

No, I know.

More than ever.

The way people talk.

Listen. I've got to go into hospital... That's all.

What's wrong?

It's women's problems. You don't want to know.

Well, you're not...

No. No.

I've got to go in for a little while. I thought I'd better tell you.

Well, you're sure it's nothing serious.

I'm not brave about things like that, believe me.

You'd be the first to know if it was anything to bother about.

Can I come and visit you?

Best not. I don't know.

George will be there. It's a public ward.

I thought I'd better let you know.

Alice.

-MOUTHS:

-I love you.

I feel perfectly, perfectly happy.

Don't you?

Mm?

What were you thinking about?

I was thinking about Berlin.

Oh.

At the end of the war.

When I got out of the prison camp.

I've never seen anything like it.

Was it horrible?

The little kids, Germans.

They were starving, begging for food.

You'd give them your chocolate ration, Belsen or no Belsen.

Jack was in prison camp, as well, you know.

He escaped.

Did you escape?

No.

No note. Just for Mrs Aisgill.

You can tell her they're from Joe.

-You're hateful and despicable!

-Susan.

I don't care! Get off me!

-You've broken my heart once and now I'm happy again you're doing this.

-She's ill.

So what! She's not dying, is she? I wouldn't care if she was, at least you wouldn't go back to her.

-She's old!

-She's not old!

She's older than you.

Yes. And you, years older! I hate you, I hate...

No, you don't! Listen, you silly bitch.

-Don't call me names!

-I'll do what you asked.

-Don't you dare laugh at me!

-I'm sorry, it's just you're so...

Listen, all right?

I'll finish it once and for all.

When she's out of hospital. Face-to-face. Not by letter.

It's only decent.

She's not decent. She's an old whore!

-She's had masses of men, everybody knows. She'll go with anyone who'll look at her.

-Shut up about her!

I've said what I'll do

and I meant it.

I make the decisions, all right?

Now and in the future.

All right

I meant it too.

I really will finish with you this time.

Fair enough.

We both know where we stand then.

And while we're on the subject of whores, you can tell

Eva Storr to neb out of my business.

I presume it was one of her spies who got on to you about the flowers.

You coming?

Or is Daddy picking you up?

Or Jack?

GIGGLING >

No, I'm sweet enough thanks, Ray. >

Ray! Bring me the cashbox and stamp book, will you!

You know, Ray, unless you're very lucky,

very rich, or very talented, none of which applies to you,

if you do one thing out of line the reference system can

screw you for the rest of your life.

I went over these last month as well.

You damned idiot! I was waiting for you to put it back!

Have you got the money?

No.

'Course you haven't. You've spent it. 15 shillings!

What is it you earn? Around two pound a week?

Near enough.

And your mates from school, they're on what, five, six pound a week. Am I right?

Keeping up with the Joneses.

I'm very sorry, Mr Lampton.

I won't ever do it again, I swear.

Please don't tell on us. Please.

You wouldn't be making two quid a week as a brickie, would you?

No, sir.

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

I'll pay back every penny. I swear I will.

Don't be daft.

Just don't do it again, that's all.

And if I ever catch you again -

even half a penny out - then you go to Mr Hoylake straight away.

Now get out and wash your face.

Going soft in my old age.

# Onward Christian soldiers

PHONE RINGS

# Marching as to war

# With the cross of... #

-Audit Office. Joe Lampton speaking.

-# Jesus... #

-'Harry Brown here, Lampton. Are you having a prayer meeting?'

-Yeah. Sorry about that.

-Are you sure it's me you want to speak to, Mr Brown?

-'Aye. Quite sure.

'Lunch at Con Club. One.'

PHONE HANGS UP

Well, if you don't want it I'll hang onto it.

We're not allowed to accept gratuities, sir.

-No, thanks.

-You're sensible.

Bad habit before meals. Mind, it's the only way you are sensible.

In every other way you've been a bloody fool.

I'm very annoyed at you, young man.

If you just asked me here to lay down the law about Susan, there's no point in me staying, is there?

Don't be any dafter than you can help.

Anyway, you might as well have lunch before you walk out on me.

Not that you'll have a good one. Place has gone right downhill since rationing started.

-Is this the first time you've been here?

-To this or any Conservative Club.

My father'd turn in his grave if he could see me now.

So would mine, lad.

But we're not bound by our fathers, are we?

I'm thinking of setting you up in business.

You're joking.

You're a very bright young man.

You don't want to work at the Town Hall all your life, do you?

And now's the time accountants can do well for themselves.

Supposing I was to lend you what was necessary to buy a partnership somewhere.

You better tell me the catch.

All right.

You're never to see Susan again or communicate with her in any way.

And I'm to leave Warley too, I suppose.

Oh, yes, you're to leave Warley too.

Could have been hotter.

Well, you don't have to think about it twice, do you?

No.

The answer's no. I reckon nowt to your bloody rotten offer.

-I'll dig ditches before I'll be bought.

-Well, there's a turn-up for the books.

I'll bring it before the magistrates, if I have to.

-And if you manage to buy them off, I'll kick up a hell of a row.

-You'll do no such thing.

-Just watch me.

You'll do no such thing 'cause you're marrying her. With my consent. And right quick.

Oh, I'll turn into a bloody chicken at this rate.

It seems to be the only thing off ration. Is that all right for you?

Yes, thanks.

Who says I want to marry her?

Oh, you're an awkward bloody article, aren't you, Lampton.

-I don't like being told what to do.

-Well, what are your intentions?

Are you telling me you think you can do better than Susan?

No. Um...

Bloody hell.

Is Susan...

Is she in the family way?

I didn't... She never said...

No. She didn't tell you because she didn't want you to

wed her out of a sense of duty.

I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to wed her as a financial proposition.

Why the hell should I present you with a gun to hold to my head?

This is not how I'd planned to see my daughter wed, I can tell you.

You know, some fathers have their daughters sent away to nursing homes.

Aye. But Susan's got a mind of her own.

You've got that to look forward to, lad.

Now. There's business to talk about. Ways and means.

You don't want to work for the Corporation all your life, do you?

One last thing, Lampton.

Leave off Alice Aisgill.

I won't have my son-in-law in the divorce courts over

an old whore like her.

There's no need to use that word.

It's all... It's all over between us, any road.

I'm glad you're feeling better.

You look well, Alice.

I look terrible.

Is that why you haven't touched me?

You got the flowers?

-In hospital?

-Yes. It was very sweet of you.

Joe, you better tell me what's on your mind or I'm going to have to scream.

We can't see each other any more.

I don't think it's a good idea.

I really look that bad, do I?

You look... You look beautiful.

I could...

Like I say, I don't think it's a good idea for us to carry on.

I'm sorry.

Christ.

I've always wondered why you never tried to escape from the Stalag...whatever it was.

91.

What's that got to do with anything?

You're right. It doesn't make any difference now.

What was the point?

Escaping and getting myself killed for nothing.

Public school types were all right being all gung-ho.

They'd had a decent life before they got caught.

I did my exams in there.

It was my chance to keep my head down and better myself.

You're a timid little soul when it comes down to it, aren't you?

I know which side my bread's buttered on.

Alice. It would have blown up in our faces, you know it would.

Eva Storr's been telling the world and his wife about us.

It's only a matter of time before George knows, if he doesn't know already.

-And I'm going in no mucky divorce courts and that's flat.

-Mucky?

It's not long ago, is it, since you fucked me.

Kissed my breasts. Licked my cunt.

-There's no need to...

-Let me suck your cock.

-Let me ride you.

-Well, you don't have to talk like that!

We did it, didn't we?

Why can't you be honest, Joe?

For God's sake, it's the least you can bloody do.

I'm engaged to Susan Brown and I'm going to work for her father.

-But that's not why we've got to call it a day.

-Oh, really?

Seems like an awfully good reason to me.

It's perfectly simple.

Understandable.

And cold-blooded.

Oh, Christ, Alice!

I don't want to hurt you.

Truly, I don't. But... You don't belong to Warley. Do you?

I can't have you and have Warley.

-And that's the truth of it.

-Oh, bloody Warley!

You're welcome to it!

Believe it or not, Joe, there's more to the world than this.

SHE SOBS

I did love you.

I really did.

But I can't...

Let's just leave it at that.

Take care, Alice.

I do care about you. You know that.

Good luck.

Thank you.

-You swapped my pictures. The prints.

-Yes, when I changed the bed.

Oh, we've got a drawer full - it seems a shame not to circulate them.

I just thought you'd fancy a change.

I did. It's odd...

-whenever you want something you get it.

-Well...

you always get what you want when you're young.

The whole world's in a conspiracy to give you things.

I'm just composing my farewell to you all.

The lush pastures of private enterprise, I'll put in a good word for you if you like.

It's Alice Aisgill.

She's dead.

Ran her car into a wall on Warley Moor.

She'd been drinking all night in the Clarendon.

And the St Clair.

Wouldn't serve her any more at the St Clair.

Let her drive home, though, didn't they?

She must have been going a hell-of-a lick though to come off the road.

Joe...

They say the car were bent like that.

There's blood all over the tarmac.

You knew Alice Aisgill, didn't you?

-Yeah.

-It's a terrible business.

To think someone can be gone like that in a second.

Well, it took longer than a second.

My cousin's a porter at the Infirmary, you know, our Roy.

He said that she was crawling about the road when the worker

from the farm found her this morning. She was scalped.

-The steering column right...

-Joe, are you all right?

I'm going home. Just tell Hoylake I'm sick.

Let's be having you, chum.

This is the terminus - Dufton.

-Hey.

-Dufton?

Dufton, aye.

Unless you want to pay the bob back and make a day of it.

Hello.

I used to live here, you know. The Lamptons. Do you remember them?

Your Mum and Dad will.

Jerries blew our house sky-high, they'll tell you.

Come here. I want to talk to you.

It's all right - I'm from round here.

Can I have a brandy, please.

-Are you ill?

-What?

I said. Are - you - ill?

'Course not. I just want a brandy.

I'll buy you one, dear,

-if Ronnie's too mean to serve you.

-You'll get yourself into trouble.

Yes, please!

-I like your tie.

-Thanks.

-Can I get you a drink?

-No, I've told you.

It's on me. Just a tonic and lemon.

-Keeping your wits about you.

-For now.

Cheers, handsome.

I'm George.

-Lancelot.

-Don't get many of those.

Can I call you Lance?

You can call me whatever you like...

George.

Same again?

You'll spend all your money on me if you're not careful.

Got to pay a visit.

You never.

Swear to God, ladies' underwear.

I've sold thousands of pairs of knickers this week.

You devil! Will you get me a free sample?

If you're a good girl.

I'm Marla.

Nice to meet you, Marla.

I'm Jack.

Jack Wales.

-No! I'm with somebody.

-I'm not having this.

-No!

-You're embarrassing me.

-Oi!

What you doing? Leave her alone, pal.

-And who the hell are you?

-None of your business.

Now do the off, will you.

-Come on.

-No.

-Come on.

-Dennis, get off me, will you.

-You're coming with me!

-I've told him.

-She don't want to go with you, now get your hands off her.

-Piss off!

NO!

HEAVY BREATHING AND GRUNTING

Ohh... Can't hang on to it tonight.

Catch must be broken.

-Cheap bit of rubbish.

-Here.

Let me give you something to buy yourself a new one.

Give over.

You've spent pounds on me.

I'm not like that, Jack.

If I like a lad, I like him.

Besides, I take home good money, me.

-I took home £6 last week.

-£6!

That's good money, Marla. You'll be able to save for your bottom drawer.

Well, got to find a chap first.

Oh, you've lovely soft hands, eh?

They're not lovely.

Warm hands, cold heart. Murderer's hands.

I'm a murderer, Marla. I killed her.

SOBS: I killed...

You're drunk, love.

Hey.

Look, I'd better be going home then. My dad'll have my guts for garters.

All right. Steady on.

Dennis, is it?

Come on, Dennis. It were just a bit of fun. She's all yours.

Come on.

That's enough.

Still alive.

Oh, God. Still fucking alive.

You can't actually see our house from here, can you? We're further up.

-It's a nice view though.

-I'll miss it.

No. No. No, you won't.

Oi! We need to get into training.

Your parents are having me under their roof under the strict

understanding there'll be no carrying on before the wedding night.

Well, there's carpet in the hall. They won't hear the floorboards.

Go on.

I got it in London when I was meant to be looking at wedding dresses.

I bought it with my own money.

It's for our honeymoon.

You like it, don't you?

I love it.

I'd wear it out.

-SHE LAUGHS

-You can't.

I know.

MAN WHISTLES A TUNE

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd