Metropolitan

0:01:19 > 0:01:22Don't listen to your brother.

0:01:22 > 0:01:24There's no-one less an authority on female anatomy.

0:01:24 > 0:01:26He can see it's enormous.

0:01:26 > 0:01:28No, it isn't.

0:01:28 > 0:01:30It's hideous.

0:01:30 > 0:01:31Show me that dress again.

0:01:36 > 0:01:38It is full here. Let me have it.

0:01:41 > 0:01:42Thanks, Mom.

0:02:08 > 0:02:12# DANCE BAND: "Farewell, ladies"

0:02:26 > 0:02:27< Taxi?

0:02:27 > 0:02:29Is this your cab?

0:02:29 > 0:02:30No.

0:02:29 > 0:02:30This your cab?

0:02:30 > 0:02:33Really, it's not my cab.

0:02:32 > 0:02:33We'll share it.

0:02:33 > 0:02:34But I don't want it.

0:02:34 > 0:02:36We'll share it. I insist. That way there's no ill feeling.

0:02:37 > 0:02:40Are you going to Sally's, too?

0:02:38 > 0:02:40No. >

0:02:40 > 0:02:45That settles it. Come with us - we'll all go in the same direction.

0:02:42 > 0:02:45We'll all freeze to death out here.

0:02:46 > 0:02:47Come on.

0:02:49 > 0:02:51'Hi. I'm Nick.'

0:02:49 > 0:02:51'Hi, Nick. I'm Tom.'

0:02:51 > 0:02:55- Nice to meet you. - You are going to Sally's, aren't you?

0:02:56 > 0:02:59(STAMMERS) Of course there's a God. We know it.

0:02:59 > 0:03:05< I know no such thing.

0:03:00 > 0:03:05Yes, you do. Just think - and most of our life is taken up thinking -

0:03:05 > 0:03:10you must feel that your thoughts aren't wasted but are being heard,..

0:03:10 > 0:03:17..silently listened to with total comprehension...

0:03:15 > 0:03:17< Hi, Sally.

0:03:16 > 0:03:17Hi.

0:03:17 > 0:03:19Hello.

0:03:19 > 0:03:21Nice to meet you.

0:03:23 > 0:03:30What's his name, again?

0:03:24 > 0:03:30Tom Townsend.

0:03:25 > 0:03:30No, it was something else.

0:03:27 > 0:03:30No, it's Tom Townsend, I'm sure.

0:03:30 > 0:03:35He looks familiar. >

0:03:31 > 0:03:35He sat at the table behind us, not talking to anyone all evening,...

0:03:35 > 0:03:40..then tried to get the cab we flagged but insisted we take it.

0:03:40 > 0:03:43Nick insisted he came along too.

0:03:43 > 0:03:48(STAMMERS) Belief is innate in all of us. At some point most of us lose that.

0:03:48 > 0:03:57It can only be regained by a conscious act of faith.

0:03:51 > 0:03:57You've experienced that?

0:03:53 > 0:03:57No, I haven't. I hope to, some day.

0:03:57 > 0:04:02It wasn't my cab. I was waiting for a light to change. I never take cabs

0:04:02 > 0:04:03You never take cabs?

0:04:03 > 0:04:06No, I walk or take public transport.

0:04:05 > 0:04:06Why?

0:04:06 > 0:04:15You're a public transport snob? You look down on people who take taxis?

0:04:12 > 0:04:15No, not at all.

0:04:15 > 0:04:21That's how New York is seen in the popular imagination.

0:04:17 > 0:04:21(STAMMERS) I don't think there is a "popular" imagination.

0:04:21 > 0:04:26What do you mean?

0:04:22 > 0:04:26Just that. I don't think there is a popular imagination.

0:04:26 > 0:04:29Pomfret. Where did you go?

0:04:26 > 0:04:29Farmington.

0:04:27 > 0:04:29Both of us did.

0:04:29 > 0:04:35Did you know Serena Slocum?

0:04:31 > 0:04:35The inevitable question.

0:04:32 > 0:04:35Why?

0:04:33 > 0:04:35All the guys ask.

0:04:35 > 0:04:38Serena had at least 20 boyfriends.

0:04:38 > 0:04:43They were all at different schools and she wrote letters very quickly.

0:04:43 > 0:04:48She became really famous. I can't believe how naive some guys are.

0:04:48 > 0:04:51That might give a wrong impression.

0:04:51 > 0:04:58She wrote a lot of guys but liked some more than others.

0:04:54 > 0:04:58You think so? I never noticed. How do you know Serena?

0:04:58 > 0:05:01I was one of her boyfriends.

0:05:01 > 0:05:06You must be "Pomfret". Your letters were really good.

0:05:06 > 0:05:06Yes.

0:05:06 > 0:05:07What do you mean?

0:05:07 > 0:05:08They were interesting.

0:05:08 > 0:05:10Serena let you read my letters?

0:05:10 > 0:05:11No, she read them aloud.

0:05:12 > 0:05:18I can't believe it.

0:05:13 > 0:05:18Only the really good ones or the very bad. Yours were good.

0:05:18 > 0:05:22There's no suggestion of ridicule, as I recall.

0:05:22 > 0:05:28I remember your letter on agrarian socialism - it set Alice Dreyer off on Marxism.

0:05:28 > 0:05:33She joined the Red Underground Army. If she blows herself up, it's your fault.

0:05:33 > 0:05:38I'm surprised you're here - your letters showed vehement opposition...

0:05:38 > 0:05:44..to deb parties and society in general. Have you changed your mind?

0:05:41 > 0:05:44No. I'm as much opposed as ever.

0:05:44 > 0:05:52Why did you decide to come tonight?

0:05:46 > 0:05:52He got an invitation.

0:05:48 > 0:05:52Yes, I got an invitation and didn't have anything else to do.

0:05:52 > 0:06:01That's the case of almost everybody.

0:05:54 > 0:06:01Nick goes, invited or not.

0:05:56 > 0:06:01I'm in favour of these parties and show my support however I can.

0:06:02 > 0:06:07It's ridiculous to oppose deb parties and attend them anyways.

0:06:07 > 0:06:09It's untenable.

0:06:09 > 0:06:13Everyone does.

0:06:10 > 0:06:13But that's no contradiction.

0:06:11 > 0:06:13I wasn't trying to.

0:06:13 > 0:06:17It's justifiable to go once to see what you oppose.

0:06:17 > 0:06:21I'd read Veblen but I'm amazed it still goes on.

0:06:18 > 0:06:21You're a Marxist?

0:06:21 > 0:06:27Socialist, not Marxist. I favour the 19thC French social critic, Fourier.

0:06:27 > 0:06:30You're a Fourierist?

0:06:29 > 0:06:30Yes.

0:06:31 > 0:06:34It was tried in the 19thC and failed

0:06:34 > 0:06:41Wasn't Brook Farm Fourierist? It failed.

0:06:37 > 0:06:41That's debatable.

0:06:39 > 0:06:41That Brook Farm failed?

0:06:41 > 0:06:45It ceased to exist, but does that make it a failure?

0:06:45 > 0:06:50For me, ceasing to exist is failure - that's definitive.

0:06:50 > 0:06:56Everyone ceases to exist. It doesn't mean everyone's a failure.

0:06:57 > 0:07:00You really feel that way?

0:06:58 > 0:07:00I really do.

0:07:02 > 0:07:06Tom Townsend. Tom Townsend. A fine name.

0:07:06 > 0:07:13What about Tommy? Tommy Townsend - sounds more UC.

0:07:11 > 0:07:13Really? What's that?

0:07:14 > 0:07:19We come here all the time, thus the SFRP - Sally Fowler Rat Pack.

0:07:21 > 0:07:27Mine and Charlie's are, too.

0:07:22 > 0:07:27But divorce is fairly rare amongst standard New York social types,...

0:07:27 > 0:07:30..contrary to what people think.

0:07:30 > 0:07:36There's often other problems, like dead fathers. Jane's died last year.

0:07:36 > 0:07:40It must have been awful for her.

0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Yes. It was tough on- him,- too.

0:07:40 > 0:07:45That's not a broken home, though.

0:07:42 > 0:07:45It still means your mother dates.

0:07:45 > 0:07:54The image of divorce and decadence as prevalent among New Yorkers is inaccurate. That's more Southampton.

0:07:58 > 0:08:01RECORD PLAYER: # Cha-cha

0:08:02 > 0:08:04MUSIC & LAUGHTER

0:08:07 > 0:08:11Cynthia, let's cha-cha-cha.

0:08:09 > 0:08:11It's ridiculous.

0:08:11 > 0:08:18The cha-cha is no more ridiculous than life itself.

0:08:15 > 0:08:18I can't do it.

0:08:16 > 0:08:18You must have learnt at school.

0:08:20 > 0:08:22Ah? Cha-cha.

0:08:22 > 0:08:27How is it possible to forget the cha-cha? Except by blocking it out.

0:08:35 > 0:08:38# Tom? Audrey? Cha-cha-cha?

0:08:38 > 0:08:40# Tom? Audrey? Cha-cha-cha?

0:08:45 > 0:08:48# Cha-cha-cha #

0:08:52 > 0:08:55Hi.

0:08:53 > 0:08:55Hi.

0:08:55 > 0:08:59What are you doing in the dark?

0:08:57 > 0:08:59Just getting a glass of water.

0:09:02 > 0:09:06It's awfully late.

0:09:03 > 0:09:06What time do afterparties end?

0:09:06 > 0:09:12No set time. Usually when everyone goes. Or when the parents get up.

0:09:12 > 0:09:15Last time I was here at Thanksgiving

0:09:15 > 0:09:19Sally's parents asked us to stay for breakfast.

0:09:16 > 0:09:19Amazing.

0:09:19 > 0:09:24No-one stayed, except Nick.

0:09:21 > 0:09:24Really?

0:09:21 > 0:09:24He likes everyone's parents.

0:09:24 > 0:09:27I've never met anyone's parents.

0:09:27 > 0:09:32Except Serena's. I once had quite a long talk with her father.

0:09:32 > 0:09:37What's the situation between you and Serena, then?

0:09:35 > 0:09:37There is none.

0:09:37 > 0:09:41When did you stop seeing each other?

0:09:39 > 0:09:41Yale game weekend.

0:09:48 > 0:09:55Dawn in the big city. There are 8 million stories out there.

0:10:05 > 0:10:11Give our apologies, Sally.

0:10:06 > 0:10:11Oh, it's not necessary.

0:10:07 > 0:10:11Oh, it is. Good night.

0:10:09 > 0:10:11Good night.

0:10:11 > 0:10:14Good night.

0:10:12 > 0:10:14Thanks, Sally.

0:10:12 > 0:10:14You're welcome.

0:10:14 > 0:10:17Thanks a lot.

0:10:14 > 0:10:17You're welcome. Coming tonight?

0:10:15 > 0:10:17No.

0:10:17 > 0:10:18You should. Hope's a friend of ours.

0:10:18 > 0:10:25Not coming to any more dances?

0:10:19 > 0:10:25No.

0:10:20 > 0:10:25That's a shame. Nice to meet you.

0:10:23 > 0:10:25Thank you. Nice to meet you.

0:10:25 > 0:10:31Ciao, Sally.

0:10:25 > 0:10:31Ciao? Good luck with your Fourierism.

0:10:29 > 0:10:31Thank you.

0:10:33 > 0:10:37Unless we get a Checker we'll need two cabs.

0:10:35 > 0:10:37I shall walk.

0:10:37 > 0:10:44It's terribly cold.

0:10:39 > 0:10:44I prefer to walk.

0:10:40 > 0:10:44You'll freeze, dressed like that.

0:10:41 > 0:10:44It has a lining.

0:10:53 > 0:10:54Good night.

0:10:54 > 0:10:55Ciao, good night.

0:10:55 > 0:10:57Night.

0:11:03 > 0:11:10Where are we headed?

0:11:04 > 0:11:10He'll freeze, dressed like that.

0:11:07 > 0:11:10Driver? Follow that pedestrian.

0:11:15 > 0:11:17Hey? Fella?

0:11:17 > 0:11:20We got a Checker. Can we give you a lift?

0:11:20 > 0:11:23No, thanks.

0:11:20 > 0:11:23Sure?

0:11:21 > 0:11:23Yup. Thanks, anyway.

0:11:33 > 0:11:38He's getting a cross-town bus. That explains it.

0:11:39 > 0:11:42'A Westsider's amongst us.'

0:12:32 > 0:12:35There is an escort shortage. It's no joke.

0:12:35 > 0:12:39What was your impression?

0:12:36 > 0:12:39He seemed nice. I didn't talk to him much.

0:12:40 > 0:12:43Mom, I don't want to be rude. I got up late and I'm having "breakfast"

0:12:43 > 0:12:47and I don't want to think about returning my tuxedo now.

0:12:47 > 0:12:51It's just that it's getting late...

0:12:48 > 0:12:51Get off my back?

0:12:51 > 0:12:54It's nearly six and they're closing.

0:12:59 > 0:13:01If I have to pay for another day...

0:13:26 > 0:13:31They already closed? How much extra will it cost? >

0:13:31 > 0:13:3425. I'm sorry about what I said.

0:13:35 > 0:13:41Not at all. A girl called. Her number's by the kitchen phone. She said it was urgent.

0:13:41 > 0:13:44We had trouble getting your number.

0:13:44 > 0:13:48We'd all be together but officially you'd be Audrey's escort.

0:13:48 > 0:13:52Who?

0:13:48 > 0:13:52Audrey Rouget. The party should be of sociological interest.

0:13:52 > 0:13:56It's Peter Duchin, Plaza Ballroom at seven. Can you come?

0:13:56 > 0:13:58Erm...

0:13:58 > 0:14:00There's a bit of an escort shortage.

0:14:32 > 0:14:35What a mystery, Rick Von Sloneker and Serena Slocum, still together.

0:14:35 > 0:14:37Seems like months.

0:14:37 > 0:14:38- It- has- been months.

0:14:38 > 0:14:45Well, one thing's for certain. She's lost her virginity by now.

0:14:41 > 0:14:45How can you say that?

0:14:42 > 0:14:45Right. Maybe she wasn't a virgin(?)

0:14:52 > 0:14:54(Riff-raff.)

0:14:53 > 0:14:54Hardly.

0:14:54 > 0:15:02- Because of his title? Are we meant to be impressed?- Titled- aristocracy are the scum of the earth.

0:15:04 > 0:15:10Tolstoy's "War and Peace" and Jane Austen's "Persuasion" and "Mansfield Park".

0:15:10 > 0:15:17"Mansfield Park"? You're kidding.

0:15:12 > 0:15:17No.

0:15:12 > 0:15:17It's notoriously bad - even her great fan Lionel Trilling says so.

0:15:17 > 0:15:20Then Trilling is an idiot.

0:15:20 > 0:15:25The whole story revolves round the "immorality" of a group of young people putting on a play.

0:15:25 > 0:15:29In the context of the novel it makes sense.

0:15:29 > 0:15:34Nearly everything Austen wrote is ridiculous from today's perspective.

0:15:34 > 0:15:38Today looked at from Jane Austen's perspective would look worse?

0:15:44 > 0:15:48You'll freeze, dressed in that.

0:15:46 > 0:15:48It has a lining.

0:15:48 > 0:15:54What kind of lining? Are you gonna wear a raincoat all winter?

0:15:52 > 0:15:54I guess Princeton's a lot warmer.

0:15:55 > 0:16:02I didn't know where to get a good overcoat.

0:15:58 > 0:16:02Brooks, Press, Tripler,...

0:16:00 > 0:16:02I haven't had time to buy one.

0:16:12 > 0:16:16# STRAUSS WALTZ

0:16:26 > 0:16:29You shouldn't treat Serena that way.

0:16:29 > 0:16:33What?

0:16:30 > 0:16:33Giving her the silent treatment.

0:16:31 > 0:16:33I'm not.

0:16:31 > 0:16:33Come on.

0:16:33 > 0:16:43It's not silent treatment. I just don't have anything to say.

0:16:37 > 0:16:43You're angry, but it's not right to treat her that way. It's hurtful.

0:16:43 > 0:16:47Give me a break? Serena Slocum, real feelings? >

0:16:47 > 0:16:53She's basically good, with feelings like anybody else.

0:16:51 > 0:16:53That's hard to believe. >

0:16:54 > 0:16:56All this is pretty deceptive.

0:16:56 > 0:17:05All what?

0:16:58 > 0:17:05Well, (STAMMERS) I think we are all in a sense, doomed.

0:17:02 > 0:17:05What are you talking about?

0:17:05 > 0:17:07Downward social mobility.

0:17:07 > 0:17:09We hear a lot about social mobility

0:17:09 > 0:17:14focused usually on the comparative ease of moving upwards.

0:17:14 > 0:17:17Less discussed is how easy it is to go down.

0:17:17 > 0:17:20That's the direction we are heading.

0:17:20 > 0:17:22The downward fall will be fast.

0:17:22 > 0:17:27Not just for us as individuals, but the whole preppie class.

0:17:27 > 0:17:29Where do you get all this?

0:17:29 > 0:17:33Look at those of our fathers who grew up well off.

0:17:33 > 0:17:41They started well but just as their contemporaries began to accomplish things, they quit,

0:17:41 > 0:17:46rising above office politics, refusing to compete and risk failure,

0:17:46 > 0:17:51- not doing the humdrum job or- only- the humdrum part,

0:17:51 > 0:17:56or spending more time on interesting things - conservation or the arts -

0:17:56 > 0:17:59where if they fail no-one notices.

0:17:59 > 0:18:04I guess we all know who you're talking about.

0:18:04 > 0:18:06I can't deny it, but, unlike you,

0:18:06 > 0:18:09I always assumed I'd be a failure.

0:18:09 > 0:18:13That's why I plan marrying a very rich woman.

0:18:13 > 0:18:15That's depressing.

0:18:15 > 0:18:17Overstated, don't you think?

0:18:17 > 0:18:20I'm not so sure.

0:18:20 > 0:18:21Doomed?

0:18:21 > 0:18:23It wouldn't be a disaster

0:18:23 > 0:18:28if some of these people lost their class prerogatives.

0:18:25 > 0:18:28"These people" are everyone I know.

0:18:28 > 0:18:33It's not a question of losing class prerogatives, whatever that means,

0:18:33 > 0:18:37but of wasting your whole productive life, of personal failure.

0:18:37 > 0:18:44That's so melodramatic.

0:18:38 > 0:18:44- Life- is- melodramatic if you look at the whole sweep of it.

0:18:42 > 0:18:44I don't know.

0:18:44 > 0:18:50My father considers himself a failure. I don't think he's one.

0:18:50 > 0:18:56I guess...few people's lives match their expectations.

0:18:59 > 0:19:04I always drink two glasses of water before going to bed.

0:19:04 > 0:19:05It's great for your complexion.

0:19:06 > 0:19:10I've put you on the Christmas Ball committee.

0:19:10 > 0:19:14You can go on your own rather than as someone's escort.

0:19:14 > 0:19:17And you get a carnation buttonhole.

0:19:17 > 0:19:20Thanks, but I'm not planning to go to any more dances.

0:19:20 > 0:19:24You aren't? I advise you to change your mind.

0:19:24 > 0:19:26Are your resources limited?

0:19:26 > 0:19:31This is the only economical social life you'll find in New York.

0:19:31 > 0:19:35Music, drinks, entertainment, meals at no expense to you.

0:19:35 > 0:19:40Basically all you need is one evening suit and a tail coat.

0:19:40 > 0:19:45Dances are either white tie or black tie so you only need two ties.

0:19:45 > 0:19:53You rented that from where?

0:19:46 > 0:19:53AT Harris.

0:19:46 > 0:19:53Good. You know Harris. They sell them second-hand, inexpensively.

0:19:53 > 0:19:56- Thanks a lot. My resources - are- limited, but that's not it.

0:19:56 > 0:20:02You're opposed to parties on principle.

0:19:58 > 0:20:02Yes.

0:19:59 > 0:20:02What principle is that?

0:20:02 > 0:20:06Well,...

0:20:02 > 0:20:06The principle that one shouldn't be out at night, eating hors d'oeuvres

0:20:06 > 0:20:11when one could be home, worrying about the less fortunate.

0:20:09 > 0:20:11Pretty much. Yes.

0:20:11 > 0:20:17- Has it occurred to you that you- are- the less fortunate?

0:20:17 > 0:20:19There's something a bit arrogant

0:20:19 > 0:20:24about people feeling sorry for others they consider less fortunate.

0:20:24 > 0:20:27- Are the- more- fortunate so terrific?

0:20:27 > 0:20:32Imagine some rich guy saying "Poor Tom doesn't have a winter jacket,...

0:20:32 > 0:20:38so I can't go to any more parties"?

0:20:35 > 0:20:38That's a bit cynical.

0:20:35 > 0:20:38It's not a case of what you prefer.

0:20:38 > 0:20:41I'll tell you this in confidence.

0:20:41 > 0:20:48You've made a big impression...

0:20:42 > 0:20:48Oh, come on?

0:20:43 > 0:20:48I'm serious. They like you and are now counting on you as an escort.

0:20:48 > 0:20:54I like them too, but that doesn't...

0:20:49 > 0:20:54You may not realise these girls are at a vulnerable point in their lives

0:20:54 > 0:20:59All this is more emotional and difficult for them than for us.

0:20:59 > 0:21:01They are on display.

0:21:01 > 0:21:08They must invite guys as escorts. Preppie girls mature socially later than others.

0:21:08 > 0:21:12For many it's the first social life they've had, so if you disappear now

0:21:12 > 0:21:19they'll take that as personal rejection.

0:21:14 > 0:21:19Give me a break?

0:21:15 > 0:21:19I'm not joking. You should go.

0:21:19 > 0:21:24If Thorstein Veblen were here he'd tell you the same thing.

0:21:25 > 0:21:28I'll meet you at 4.30 at Brooks,

0:21:28 > 0:21:33main floor, southwest corner, across from the undershorts.

0:21:35 > 0:21:38As a romance it never really existed.

0:21:36 > 0:21:38Really?

0:21:38 > 0:21:42My mistake was I fell in love with Serena before I met her.

0:21:42 > 0:21:46I'd seen her but we didn't meet till later.

0:21:46 > 0:21:50Meanwhile I'd built up this romantic vision.

0:21:50 > 0:21:58But you should get to know someone gradually, before the possibility of falling in love occurs to you.

0:21:58 > 0:22:01So the experience has hardened you?

0:22:01 > 0:22:07Yes. It's a bad idea to fall for someone who doesn't for you.

0:22:07 > 0:22:12But you can't know you'll feel the same all the time.

0:22:12 > 0:22:16I suppose there's risk in any romance.

0:22:14 > 0:22:16I suppose so.

0:22:16 > 0:22:18This is my building.

0:22:18 > 0:22:21Thanks very much for coming.

0:22:21 > 0:22:23Thank you.

0:22:24 > 0:22:29You'll come again tomorrow? It'll be as a group.

0:22:26 > 0:22:29Yes.

0:23:00 > 0:23:04Thanks, Mom, I know how tight things are.

0:23:01 > 0:23:04They're never that tight.

0:23:04 > 0:23:10I'll pay you back next month, or February. Has Dad called?

0:23:07 > 0:23:10He never calls here. You know that.

0:23:10 > 0:23:15I thought maybe his office had.

0:23:11 > 0:23:15No.

0:23:13 > 0:23:15Thanks a lot.

0:23:19 > 0:23:26They're normally this long in the back?

0:23:23 > 0:23:26Yes, sir. Like to try the tuxedo?

0:23:25 > 0:23:26Okay.

0:23:31 > 0:23:35I'd prefer one like the one I rented

0:23:32 > 0:23:35- That- is- the one you rented, sir.

0:23:35 > 0:23:42Oh? I didn't realise it looked like this. I guess it'll be all right.

0:23:40 > 0:23:42Thank you, sir.

0:23:44 > 0:23:49Ever seen one? Detachable collar. Not many people wear them now.

0:23:49 > 0:23:55Like many things from the past they were abandoned for convenience.

0:23:55 > 0:23:57I'd no idea anyone still wore those.

0:23:57 > 0:23:59It's symbolically important.

0:23:59 > 0:24:03Our parents weren't interested in keeping up standards.

0:24:03 > 0:24:07They wanted to be happy, but the last way to be happy is to make it your objective.

0:24:07 > 0:24:10Our generation's no better.

0:24:10 > 0:24:15Far worse. Our generation's probably the worst since the Reformation.

0:24:15 > 0:24:20It's barbaric - worse than the old-fashioned kind.

0:24:20 > 0:24:24Now barbarism is cloaked in all sorts of self-righteousness.

0:24:24 > 0:24:29Look at this!

0:24:25 > 0:24:29You're talking about more than detachable collars!

0:24:27 > 0:24:29Yeah, I am.

0:24:44 > 0:24:47He's just a guy.

0:24:44 > 0:24:47Why is he so successful with girls?

0:24:47 > 0:24:52Rick Von Sloneker's rich, handsome, stupid, dishonest, conceited,...

0:24:52 > 0:24:57..a bully, liar, drunk, and thief, an egomaniac and probably psychotic.

0:24:57 > 0:25:00In short, highly attractive to women.

0:25:00 > 0:25:08You're completely unfair. You know nothing about Rick. He's quite shy.

0:25:04 > 0:25:08God!

0:25:05 > 0:25:08He's considerate and sensitive.

0:25:08 > 0:25:12The rest is a facade which you've been taken in by.

0:25:12 > 0:25:17Such eagerness to justify the worst bastards as sensitive and shy?

0:25:17 > 0:25:22If any guy who was shy dared talk to you, you wouldn't give him the time.

0:25:22 > 0:25:28Your eyes would glaze.

0:25:22 > 0:25:28You're really hung-up on Rick? He threatens you.

0:25:24 > 0:25:28You're right. I feel threatened...

0:25:28 > 0:25:34..- that I might get VD from one of the St Tim's girls he's been with.

0:25:34 > 0:25:38Did you learn that from lovemaking with Rick? I hear it can get rough.

0:25:38 > 0:25:40- HEY!- God!

0:25:40 > 0:25:45Don't.. do that.. again. For me, it isn't erotic.

0:25:47 > 0:25:52What are you looking at?

0:25:49 > 0:25:52My father's apartment.

0:25:50 > 0:25:52Where?

0:25:52 > 0:25:57There, the fourth floor. Corner.

0:25:54 > 0:25:57That's Kate Preston's building.

0:25:57 > 0:26:02Have your parents been divorced long?

0:25:58 > 0:26:02Three years ago. They'd separated a year before.

0:26:02 > 0:26:10Do you see your father much?

0:26:05 > 0:26:10We have lunch when I'm in town.

0:26:06 > 0:26:10It's very little.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10We have a very good relationship,...

0:26:10 > 0:26:18..better than people who see each other often, but having us around makes my stepmother nervous.

0:26:18 > 0:26:20I read that Trilling essay.

0:26:20 > 0:26:23You really like Trilling?

0:26:21 > 0:26:23Yes.

0:26:23 > 0:26:31He's very strange. He says nobody could like the heroine of "Mansfield Park". I like her.

0:26:31 > 0:26:37Then he goes on about how we modern people of today bitterly resent "Mansfield Park"...

0:26:37 > 0:26:40..because its heroine is virtuous.

0:26:40 > 0:26:42What's wrong with a virtuous heroine?

0:26:42 > 0:26:48- His point is that to say it is- immoral- for a group of young people to put on a play is absurd.

0:26:48 > 0:26:51You found Fanny Price unlikeable?

0:26:49 > 0:26:51Pretty unbearable, but I haven't read the book.

0:26:51 > 0:26:53What?

0:26:53 > 0:26:56You needn't read a book to have an opinion. Haven't read the Bible, either.

0:26:57 > 0:26:59What Austen novels have you read?

0:26:59 > 0:27:06None. I don't read novels. I prefer to get the novelist's idea and the critic's from literary criticism.

0:27:06 > 0:27:10With fiction I am aware it never happened, it's all made up.

0:27:13 > 0:27:18What I like is that he doesn't say all the expected things.

0:27:18 > 0:27:20He doesn't just agree with everyone.

0:27:20 > 0:27:25- That's true. He- disagrees- with everyone else. Not sure I like that.

0:27:25 > 0:27:30He's good-looking. Serious guys tend to be better looking. OW?

0:27:43 > 0:27:47The term "bourgeois" has almost always been one of contempt.

0:27:47 > 0:27:52Yet it is the bourgeoisie who are responsible for...

0:27:52 > 0:27:57..nearly everything good in our civilisation over four centuries.

0:27:57 > 0:28:02You know the French film, "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie"?

0:28:02 > 0:28:06I thought someone would finally tell the truth but I was disappointed.

0:28:06 > 0:28:11It would be hard to imagine a less fair or accurate portrait.

0:28:11 > 0:28:15Bunuel is a surrealist. Despising the bourgeoisie is their credo.

0:28:16 > 0:28:17Where do they get off?

0:28:17 > 0:28:20The bourgeoisie does have a lot of charm.

0:28:20 > 0:28:24Of course it does. The surrealists were just social climbers.

0:28:24 > 0:28:27Is there any more wine?

0:28:27 > 0:28:32I like the French.

0:28:29 > 0:28:32Really?

0:28:30 > 0:28:32Those I met in Grenoble.

0:28:32 > 0:28:35The only girl I knew who studied in France stayed and married.

0:28:35 > 0:28:39She liked them, too.

0:28:37 > 0:28:39I'm not sure I like them that much.

0:28:43 > 0:28:46# MUSIC STOPS #

0:28:51 > 0:28:57# BAND PLAYS CONGA

0:29:25 > 0:29:27# MUSIC ENDS #

0:29:29 > 0:29:31I'll visit the powder room.

0:29:31 > 0:29:35What really goes on in there?

0:29:33 > 0:29:35It's fabulous!

0:29:42 > 0:29:48You're in a good mood tonight. Of course, you're in your element.

0:29:46 > 0:29:48Are you kidding?

0:29:48 > 0:29:56You're part of the Manhattan thing. But not us, from the country.

0:29:52 > 0:29:56You're from Greenwich?

0:29:54 > 0:29:56North Greenwich.

0:29:56 > 0:30:02This is your world, not mine.

0:29:57 > 0:30:02You're in the Sally Fowler crowd. Doesn't get more inside than that.

0:30:02 > 0:30:06Not that I care - I don't believe in those things.

0:30:07 > 0:30:10Oh, hi, Serena.

0:30:08 > 0:30:10Hi,... Hi, Tom.

0:30:10 > 0:30:16How's your brother?

0:30:12 > 0:30:16Fine,... Tom, I think we should talk.

0:30:18 > 0:30:24I haven't given you the silent treatment, just haven't been talking

0:30:22 > 0:30:24Well, I felt it.

0:30:25 > 0:30:31I love the St Regis and its nooks and crannies. It's really charming.

0:30:32 > 0:30:35They'll probably knock it down soon.

0:30:36 > 0:30:39BACKGROUND - WATER, VOICES, MUSIC

0:30:42 > 0:30:48It hardly explains why you left me waiting without even a phone call to say why you didn't show up.

0:30:49 > 0:30:53I'm sorry it was a bad time but it doesn't make me feel better.

0:30:53 > 0:30:57- No? It always makes- me- feel better.

0:30:57 > 0:31:02Well, I feel somewhat better. But it doesn't change anything.

0:31:02 > 0:31:07It shows it wasn't intentional. That's an important distinction.

0:31:11 > 0:31:16# DANCE BAND PLAYS IN BACKGROUND

0:31:17 > 0:31:19It's definitely over with Rick.

0:31:20 > 0:31:27The breaking up is easier to understand than how we got together in the first place.

0:31:28 > 0:31:32Do you think I'll have trouble getting a cab?

0:31:30 > 0:31:32Going already?

0:31:32 > 0:31:37I'm exhausted. I've been having vitamins but they've worn off.

0:31:38 > 0:31:43# DANCE BAND PLAYS

0:31:46 > 0:31:51Fred, something's come up. Could you tell Audrey I should be back soon?

0:31:51 > 0:31:55If there's a problem I'll see her at Sally's. Can you see she gets there?

0:31:59 > 0:32:03I thought I was going to puke!

0:32:03 > 0:32:05(RETCHES)

0:32:08 > 0:32:16I had hardly anything to drink. It must have been something I ate. Those Vienna sausages.

0:32:28 > 0:32:34I was surprised to see you at the dances. You were always opposed to that sort of thing.

0:32:34 > 0:32:41I went to the first accidentally and met an extraordinarily nice group of people,...

0:32:41 > 0:32:49..or I wouldn't have gone again.

0:32:42 > 0:32:49I hardly call Nick Smith nice. He's a terrible snob.

0:32:46 > 0:32:49He's basically a nice guy.

0:32:49 > 0:32:55His behaviour towards Rick has been vicious.

0:32:51 > 0:32:55What did he do?

0:32:53 > 0:32:55A big stink about some girl.

0:32:55 > 0:33:00Rick didn't want to talk about it. It was awful.

0:33:00 > 0:33:02Rick thinks Nick could be crazy.

0:33:02 > 0:33:04< Good night.

0:33:04 > 0:33:12I'm worried something's happened.

0:33:06 > 0:33:12Nothing can happen to him in a hotel

0:33:09 > 0:33:12Maybe it was the same thing as Fred.

0:33:10 > 0:33:12Tom hasn't much experience of hotels.

0:33:12 > 0:33:21Maybe he went out a fire door that locked and shut him in the stairwell.

0:33:16 > 0:33:21I use fire stairs when people forget to invite me to parties. No problem.

0:33:22 > 0:33:24I don't understand where he could be.

0:33:29 > 0:33:34There's very little social snobbery in the US. It's unacceptable.

0:33:34 > 0:33:39There's almost a... a national taboo against it - it's looked down upon.

0:33:40 > 0:33:46That's good, isn't it?

0:33:41 > 0:33:46I'm not talking about good and bad. I'm just making an observation.

0:33:46 > 0:33:51Well, that is good. I can't stand snobbery of any kind.

0:33:51 > 0:33:52DOORBELL

0:33:52 > 0:33:55Could you see who's there?

0:33:59 > 0:34:05Sorry to be so late.

0:34:01 > 0:34:05< Where were you?

0:34:02 > 0:34:05Didn't Fred tell you?

0:34:03 > 0:34:05Tell us what?

0:34:05 > 0:34:11The only thing we heard from Fred was (IMITATES RETCHING).

0:34:08 > 0:34:11Fred left ages ago.

0:34:08 > 0:34:11Oh, Audrey, I am sorry.

0:34:11 > 0:34:16Why?

0:34:11 > 0:34:16I asked Fred to say that if I didn't get back...

0:34:13 > 0:34:16Don't worry - it's nothing.

0:34:18 > 0:34:24Well, where were you?

0:34:19 > 0:34:24I had to take Serena home. She felt bad and was going home alone.

0:34:29 > 0:34:35She's broken up with Rick. I was longer than I thought. I told Fred I'd meet you.

0:34:35 > 0:34:40There was no message.

0:34:36 > 0:34:40We thought you were stuck in the hotel. Audrey was worried.

0:34:40 > 0:34:44I'm very sorry.

0:34:42 > 0:34:44You sound very sorry.

0:34:46 > 0:34:53It's hard to believe Serena broke up with Rick. It was probably the other way around.

0:34:56 > 0:35:01I'm worried about Audrey. She's taken this hard. I'm surprised.

0:35:01 > 0:35:09I had no idea Fred was going to get sick.

0:35:04 > 0:35:09Where do you get off? You were Audrey's escort, but you left her..

0:35:09 > 0:35:12..in the middle of the dance.

0:35:12 > 0:35:15Then you shirk it onto Fred.

0:35:15 > 0:35:20I'm not shirking it. I wasn't Audrey's escort - we were a group.

0:35:20 > 0:35:23I'm sorry there was a mix-up.

0:35:21 > 0:35:23There was no mix-up.

0:35:23 > 0:35:30It wasn't intentional.

0:35:25 > 0:35:30When you are an egoist, none of the harm you do is intentional.

0:35:31 > 0:35:37You're going?

0:35:33 > 0:35:37Yes, I'm tired.

0:35:33 > 0:35:37I'll get my coat.

0:35:34 > 0:35:37No, Charlie said he'd take me.

0:35:37 > 0:35:44I'd like to.

0:35:38 > 0:35:44Don't bother.

0:35:40 > 0:35:44I'm sorry about what happened. I thought I'd be back more quickly.

0:35:44 > 0:35:49Thank you very much.

0:35:46 > 0:35:49Good night.

0:35:47 > 0:35:49- Good night.- Ready?

0:35:49 > 0:35:53Night. Good night, Audrey.

0:35:50 > 0:35:53Hope you feel better.

0:35:55 > 0:35:58I never saw myself as an egoist.

0:35:58 > 0:36:03Don't flatter yourself. Charlie's norm for behaviour is exaggerated.

0:36:03 > 0:36:08He used to answer all his junk mail in case someone's feelings were hurt if he didn't.

0:36:08 > 0:36:13I like him. But don't try to understand his thought processes.

0:36:13 > 0:36:19When we were ten he tried to communicate with seagulls in East Hampton.

0:36:19 > 0:36:25It was hopeless - the East Hampton seagulls are morons - but we spent days saying to birds,...

0:36:25 > 0:36:30.."We come in friendship" and they couldn't care less - like the girls.

0:36:30 > 0:36:35Great? I'm hated by the preppie St Francis.

0:36:33 > 0:36:35I wouldn't worry.

0:36:35 > 0:36:40That's where my father lives.

0:36:37 > 0:36:40Kate Preston lives there.

0:36:40 > 0:36:45Look at this? It's incredible, the things people throw out.

0:36:45 > 0:36:53Steiff animals and an Aurora model motoring set. A Derringer? Remember the Derringer craze?

0:36:53 > 0:36:58The toys of our generation - our whole childhood is represented here.

0:36:58 > 0:37:01And they're just throwing it out.

0:37:02 > 0:37:07Shall we rescue the electric car set - it might add to the afterparties.

0:37:10 > 0:37:14I turn here.

0:37:11 > 0:37:14Oh? See you tonight. Listen -...

0:37:14 > 0:37:18..don't take Charlie too seriously.

0:37:16 > 0:37:18No. See you tonight.

0:37:29 > 0:37:33What happened last night had no real significance.

0:37:33 > 0:37:40It's bad luck Fred got sick.

0:37:35 > 0:37:40I can't believe you're saying this. He humiliated you last night.

0:37:40 > 0:37:44Whether I've been humiliated or not I can judge for myself.

0:37:44 > 0:37:47And I don't think Tom's that way.

0:37:47 > 0:37:52I'm not sure you can judge. Careful, Audrey. Tom seems a bit dubious.

0:37:52 > 0:37:56What?

0:37:53 > 0:37:56This thing about being radical when he's obviously not,...

0:37:56 > 0:38:01..or being over Serena when he's obviously not.

0:37:59 > 0:38:01Everyone has some contradictions.

0:38:02 > 0:38:06Anybody with as many as Tom, it's better not to get involved.

0:38:06 > 0:38:11By those standards, none of us should get involved with anyone.

0:38:08 > 0:38:11< Certainly.

0:38:11 > 0:38:14Tom is the only guy I've ever liked.

0:38:14 > 0:38:20I'm not going to forget him for some apparent inconsistencies.

0:38:17 > 0:38:20You hardly know him.

0:38:20 > 0:38:27I know him very well.

0:38:21 > 0:38:27You couldn't. You only just met him.

0:38:25 > 0:38:27Well, I do.

0:38:32 > 0:38:36I didn't know you sent Christmas cards.

0:38:34 > 0:38:36I haven't in years.

0:38:36 > 0:38:43When we moved, do you know what happened to my toys?

0:38:41 > 0:38:43They were put in storage.

0:38:43 > 0:38:50Could some have been sent to Dad's?

0:38:45 > 0:38:50Possibly. Why? You want them? You're a bit old for that.

0:38:50 > 0:38:56No, I just had a feeling they went to Dad's.

0:38:52 > 0:38:56< Why don't you call him, then?

0:38:53 > 0:38:56I have. There's no answer.

0:39:04 > 0:39:10Being dressed up in the city in winter is like "War and Peace".

0:39:08 > 0:39:10Really?

0:39:10 > 0:39:15Do you know what I mean?

0:39:10 > 0:39:15I think so. Though I haven't read it.

0:39:20 > 0:39:23Preppie is not a very useful term.

0:39:23 > 0:39:27It might be descriptive of someone still in school...

0:39:27 > 0:39:32..but it's ridiculous for a man in his seventies, like Averill Harriman.

0:39:32 > 0:39:36None of the other terms - WASP, PLU - are much use either.

0:39:36 > 0:39:40That's why I prefer the term UHB.

0:39:38 > 0:39:40What?

0:39:40 > 0:39:45UHB. It's an acronym for urban haute bourgeoisie.

0:39:45 > 0:39:51Is our language so poor we need French acronyms to be understood?

0:39:49 > 0:39:51Yes.

0:39:51 > 0:39:56UHB. The term is brilliant. And long overdue.

0:39:56 > 0:40:04But it's a bit of a mouthful, UHB. Wouldn't it be better to pronounce it "uhb"?

0:40:04 > 0:40:11I didn't expect it to gain immediate acceptance.

0:40:06 > 0:40:11No, no - it's useful. That it sounds ridiculous is part of its appeal.

0:40:11 > 0:40:17From your lofty heights, everything below is comical, isn't it?

0:40:17 > 0:40:19Yes.

0:40:19 > 0:40:21You're obnoxious.

0:40:22 > 0:40:27I don't know how you stand him. You complain about frauds and phoneys.

0:40:27 > 0:40:32He's the phoney of the decade. Yet you act like he's your best friend.

0:40:32 > 0:40:36Tom Townsend is hardly phoney, just mildly deluded, a nice guy.

0:40:36 > 0:40:39That's just another aspect of his phoneyness.

0:40:39 > 0:40:43And when he's not being phoney, he's a bastard.

0:40:42 > 0:40:43Come on.

0:40:43 > 0:40:51See how he treated Audrey last night

0:40:45 > 0:40:51Audrey seems to have forgotten it.

0:40:46 > 0:40:51She has to act that way, otherwise it would be even more humiliating.

0:40:51 > 0:40:55But I don't have to pretend Tom Townsend's a nice guy.

0:40:55 > 0:41:03You're really ga-ga about Audrey?

0:40:58 > 0:41:03Well, if by ga-ga you mean do I like her? Yeah.

0:41:03 > 0:41:08- Why not- do- something instead of going on about Tom Townsend?

0:41:08 > 0:41:15What do I do? Declare myself? That'd be disaster. Don't think I haven't thought about this.

0:41:15 > 0:41:20Rick and Serena broke up but today they went to Holly Gilchrist's party.

0:41:20 > 0:41:23It was Holly who introduced them.

0:41:23 > 0:41:24So she was responsible?

0:41:24 > 0:41:25They went together?

0:41:25 > 0:41:32- Separately. But how they come back? Rick's not the sort to let himself be dropped.- Ha!

0:41:32 > 0:41:39What's that mean?

0:41:34 > 0:41:39Ha!

0:41:35 > 0:41:39Rick really threatens you.

0:41:37 > 0:41:39How?

0:41:39 > 0:41:42By being more of a man than you?

0:41:42 > 0:41:44Stupid slut!

0:41:45 > 0:41:51What's Rick done that's so terrible?

0:41:47 > 0:41:51- He- is- terrible. I don't have to go into sordid details.

0:41:51 > 0:41:57Go into a few sordid details?

0:41:53 > 0:41:57I don't think there are any reasons except for jealousy.

0:41:57 > 0:41:59Rick makes him feel inadequate.

0:41:59 > 0:42:03I'll tell you about Rick Von Sloneker.

0:42:07 > 0:42:10Who knows the name Polly Perkins?

0:42:10 > 0:42:12Sounds familiar.

0:42:12 > 0:42:17She grew up in Virginia, a horse fanatic since childhood,...

0:42:17 > 0:42:20..went to a horsey girls' school - Garrison Forest.

0:42:20 > 0:42:26She got depressed - partly it was disillusionment with horses,...

0:42:26 > 0:42:30..but there were psychological problems, too.

0:42:30 > 0:42:37That summer she got a job and seemed recovered, but for idiosyncrasies - she'd only dress in blue,...

0:42:37 > 0:42:44..and wouldn't eat hamburgers unless they were well done. Any redness and she'd send them back.

0:42:44 > 0:42:49Loyal to her boyfriend back home, she only went on group dates.

0:42:50 > 0:42:55Von Sloneker met her when he came to Edgartown for the regatta.

0:42:55 > 0:42:57She showed no interest in him.

0:42:57 > 0:43:01That makes sense as he's uninteresting.

0:43:01 > 0:43:03For Von Sloneker that's inciting.

0:43:03 > 0:43:07He swung into the full rigmarole...

0:43:07 > 0:43:11..- how she was the first girl who made him feel that way...

0:43:11 > 0:43:16..how they had an obligation to live life to the fullest.

0:43:16 > 0:43:20Polly, meanwhile, quit her summer job and joined his boat.

0:43:20 > 0:43:25He now ignored her - she became obsessed with him.

0:43:25 > 0:43:29Polly was a masochist and prone to drink.

0:43:30 > 0:43:34Von Sloneker exploited this to get her drunk...

0:43:34 > 0:43:36..and had her...

0:43:36 > 0:43:40..- do you know what "pulling a train" means?

0:43:40 > 0:43:42I don't think so.

0:43:44 > 0:43:49He got her drunk and got her to "pull a train"...

0:43:49 > 0:43:53..him, Victor Lemley and the other crew member.

0:43:53 > 0:43:57She arrived for her first semester, acting strangely,...

0:43:57 > 0:44:02..always the same clothes, never washing, more and more make-up and perfume,..

0:44:02 > 0:44:08..staying silent for hours and then talk obsessively of Paul McCartney.

0:44:08 > 0:44:12She was sent to McLean's for treatment,...

0:44:12 > 0:44:20..then went home to Virginia for Thanksgiving, went into their stables and killed herself.

0:44:20 > 0:44:23I've heard about that - it wasn't Rick's fault.

0:44:23 > 0:44:30He hardly knew her. She'd always had psychological problems and was a liar.

0:44:30 > 0:44:35It was very sad but Rick had nothing to do with it.

0:44:35 > 0:44:40I don't know. She was carrying his photo when she killed herself.

0:44:40 > 0:44:42That doesn't mean anything.

0:44:43 > 0:44:46What an appalling story.

0:44:44 > 0:44:46Yep.

0:44:46 > 0:44:51Not many know, or Von Sloneker could hardly show his face. You showed up Cynthia.

0:44:51 > 0:45:00That's what made it worthwhile.

0:44:53 > 0:45:00Why?

0:44:55 > 0:45:00- There- is- no Polly Perkins.

0:44:57 > 0:45:00- What?- I made it up.

0:45:00 > 0:45:05You're kidding?

0:45:01 > 0:45:05I couldn't let Cynthia get away with that nonsense.

0:45:05 > 0:45:10- It's true, cos Von Sloneker's - doing- those things all the time.

0:45:10 > 0:45:16Polly Perkins is a composite, based on real people, like "New York" magazine does.

0:45:16 > 0:45:24Cynthia said she knew all about her.

0:45:17 > 0:45:24Yes. That was priceless. It shows Von Sloneker's doing those things.

0:45:24 > 0:45:29But you must have had a factual basis for saying all those things?

0:45:26 > 0:45:29Of course there's a factual basis.

0:45:41 > 0:45:44# They lay keeping their sheep

0:45:44 > 0:45:49# On a cold winter's night that was so deep #

0:45:49 > 0:45:56'Excuse me, do you have any book on the French social philosopher, Fourier?'

0:45:57 > 0:46:00He's still obsessed with Serena.

0:46:00 > 0:46:04Better not get involved with a guy who's so mixed up.

0:46:04 > 0:46:07He's not good news for anyone for a long time. >

0:46:56 > 0:47:00Hi, Audrey? Merry Christmas.

0:46:58 > 0:47:00Hi. Merry Christmas.

0:47:00 > 0:47:06I talked to Tom Townsend the other night - he spoke highly of you.

0:47:04 > 0:47:06Really?

0:47:06 > 0:47:09Yes. He said you were very... erm...

0:47:09 > 0:47:11..well read.

0:47:12 > 0:47:17# O, come, all ye faithful

0:47:18 > 0:47:22# Joyful and triumphant

0:47:23 > 0:47:32# O, come, ye, O, come, ye, to Bethlehem

0:47:34 > 0:47:38# Come and behold Him

0:47:40 > 0:47:44# Born the King of Angels...

0:47:47 > 0:47:54TV CANNED MUSIC: # JINGLE BELLS #

0:48:02 > 0:48:05# Oh, come, let us adore Him

0:48:05 > 0:48:10# Oh, come, let us adore Him

0:48:11 > 0:48:16# Oh, come, let us adore Him

0:48:17 > 0:48:22# Christ, the Lord #

0:48:34 > 0:48:39Jane, are you familiar with Dr Pomeroy's work?

0:48:37 > 0:48:39Who?

0:48:39 > 0:48:43"Girls and Sex" by Wardell B Pomeroy.

0:48:43 > 0:48:48"The long-needed guide to understanding girls growing up."

0:48:48 > 0:48:55Quote - "The most frank and objective book currently available" - Library Journal.

0:48:55 > 0:48:59"Puberty is difficult and frightening for many girls."

0:48:59 > 0:49:03"It's the time they need objective facts...

0:49:03 > 0:49:06..and sympathetic advice about physical and emotional changes."

0:49:06 > 0:49:12We don't have enough - there's only seven of us.

0:49:09 > 0:49:12That's impossible.

0:49:10 > 0:49:12Tom's not here yet.

0:49:12 > 0:49:13Is he coming?

0:49:13 > 0:49:17- Sure... He- is- coming, isn't he?

0:49:18 > 0:49:22You didn't call him?

0:49:19 > 0:49:22I thought there were eight of us.

0:49:20 > 0:49:22You told me he was...

0:49:22 > 0:49:29Call him. He won't be doing anything

0:49:24 > 0:49:29Surely someone in New York plays bridge other than Tom Townsend.

0:49:29 > 0:49:33Seven can play.

0:49:30 > 0:49:33What have you got against Tom?

0:49:33 > 0:49:36Just one thing. He's not a good person.

0:49:36 > 0:49:38What nonsense.

0:49:38 > 0:49:40Go ahead, call him, I don't care.

0:49:40 > 0:49:45Tom disapproves of bridge - we should ask him, anyway.

0:49:50 > 0:49:52Have a seat.

0:49:53 > 0:49:55Just say you pass.

0:49:55 > 0:49:57I pass.

0:49:57 > 0:50:02I couldn't believe it? Bridge is such a cliche of bourgeois life.

0:50:02 > 0:50:06That's exactly why I play. I don't enjoy it one bit.

0:50:06 > 0:50:10I got as far as the door.

0:50:08 > 0:50:10And?

0:50:10 > 0:50:13My mother was upset at being alone on Christmas Eve...

0:50:13 > 0:50:17..and said it was important to be together.

0:50:17 > 0:50:19My brother never comes home.

0:50:19 > 0:50:26So I stayed and had a traditional Channel 11 Yule log Christmas.

0:50:23 > 0:50:26Yeah, I think I've seen that.

0:50:26 > 0:50:30Christmas Day every other year we go to my father's.

0:50:30 > 0:50:34I was reluctant as I hadn't been able to get in touch with my father.

0:50:34 > 0:50:36Mother insisted. It was a nightmare.

0:50:36 > 0:50:39The doorman wouldn't let me in.

0:50:39 > 0:50:41He didn't remember me.

0:50:41 > 0:50:44Then there was some whispering.

0:50:44 > 0:50:48Finally, he gave me a piece of paper with a Santa Fe address.

0:50:48 > 0:50:52He'd moved to Santa Fe. I couldn't believe it.

0:50:52 > 0:50:59They took me to the apartment - apart from litter and coat hangers it was empty.

0:50:59 > 0:51:02He hadn't told me about moving.

0:51:02 > 0:51:04It was quite a surprise.

0:51:04 > 0:51:08That's awful. There must be some explanation.

0:51:08 > 0:51:12He must have written and the letter got delayed.

0:51:10 > 0:51:12< I don't know.

0:51:12 > 0:51:15And you had such a good relationship.

0:51:15 > 0:51:20In retrospect, I wonder how good. I hadn't seen him since spring.

0:51:20 > 0:51:22Maybe I was just kidding myself.

0:51:24 > 0:51:29I'm reading Jane Austen. Persuasion - I like it. I was surprised.

0:51:45 > 0:51:48The titled aristocracy are the scum of the earth.

0:51:48 > 0:51:53What maddens me is a whole class of people, mostly European,

0:51:53 > 0:51:54looking down on me.

0:51:54 > 0:52:00You always say "titled" aristocrats. What about untitled aristocrats?

0:51:58 > 0:52:00I couldn't despise them.

0:52:00 > 0:52:04That would be self-hatred, which is unhealthy?

0:52:04 > 0:52:11You're so conceited?

0:52:05 > 0:52:11Saying titled aristocracy are the scum of the earth is exaggeration.

0:52:11 > 0:52:18It's true the forces that oblige the UHB to appear to act productively and responsibly...

0:52:18 > 0:52:21..carries little weight with members of society...

0:52:21 > 0:52:24..whose social positions are secure no matter what they do.

0:52:29 > 0:52:33You had a trust fund? The pieces fall into place.

0:52:33 > 0:52:38Not any more.

0:52:35 > 0:52:38(STAMMERS) That's less important.

0:52:38 > 0:52:42What's important, sociologically, is growing up

0:52:42 > 0:52:47with the assumption of material security. It says a lot.

0:52:47 > 0:52:49I call.

0:52:49 > 0:52:54You had no cards. Why'd you call?

0:52:52 > 0:52:54I felt like it.

0:52:54 > 0:52:58Playing strip poker with an exhibitionist takes the challenge away.

0:53:02 > 0:53:06Frank Goodrich handles financial things for my father.

0:53:07 > 0:53:10It's a relief not having it hanging over my head.

0:53:10 > 0:53:11Really?

0:53:11 > 0:53:16The guilt that went with it although it wasn't money I counted on.

0:53:16 > 0:53:21You're tragic. You've been robbed and you're relieved.

0:53:21 > 0:53:26In part. Regarding my relationship with my father, I'm concerned.

0:53:26 > 0:53:32He moves without telling me, doesn't contact me, and has me disinherited.

0:53:32 > 0:53:36Our relationship is not what I thought.

0:53:34 > 0:53:36Jeez (?)

0:53:36 > 0:53:42It's as if he were angry and I can't think why. I don't know what it is.

0:53:42 > 0:53:45You don't?

0:53:43 > 0:53:45No.

0:53:47 > 0:53:49One word.

0:53:49 > 0:53:50Stepmother.

0:53:53 > 0:53:57I hope I can talk to them and straighten things out.

0:53:57 > 0:54:04Nothing you did or said has anything to do with it. Nothing you say or do will change anything.

0:54:04 > 0:54:10That's awfully pessimistic.

0:54:05 > 0:54:10It's the way things are. The most important thing to realise...

0:54:10 > 0:54:13..is there's nothing you can do about parents.

0:54:15 > 0:54:17You look terrific?

0:54:17 > 0:54:19Like it?

0:54:19 > 0:54:21That's really decadent?

0:54:19 > 0:54:21That's nothing?

0:54:29 > 0:54:32# BACKGROUND MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

0:54:36 > 0:54:38Something's happened to Nick?

0:54:39 > 0:54:42(MOANS) It's my head. It's my head.

0:54:42 > 0:54:48< What happened?

0:54:43 > 0:54:48There was a guy at school who took mescalin and went around doing this.

0:54:48 > 0:54:50It's my head... it's my head...

0:54:50 > 0:54:55Nick took mescalin?

0:54:52 > 0:54:55No, the other guy.

0:54:55 > 0:54:58We did take mescalin.

0:54:56 > 0:54:58You what?

0:54:58 > 0:55:02He shouldn't be reacting this way. It was really mild.

0:55:04 > 0:55:06Are you joking?

0:55:11 > 0:55:15It's "Truth" - stretch the Kleenex over the glass and put a dime on it.

0:55:15 > 0:55:22We each burn holes with a cigarette. If the dime falls in you lose...

0:55:22 > 0:55:27..and have to answer whatever you're asked. No matter how embarrassing.

0:55:29 > 0:55:32The more embarrassing the better.

0:55:36 > 0:55:39What are you reading?

0:55:39 > 0:55:41"The Story of Babar"

0:55:42 > 0:55:46I forgot how beautiful it was.

0:55:46 > 0:55:50You can find out amazing things. It can really be incredible.

0:55:50 > 0:55:54I don't think we should play.

0:55:52 > 0:55:54Why not?

0:55:54 > 0:55:58There are good reasons people don't tell their intimate thoughts.

0:55:58 > 0:56:03What do you have to hide?

0:56:00 > 0:56:03Games like this can be dangerous.

0:56:02 > 0:56:03Dangerous?

0:56:03 > 0:56:06I don't see what's dangerous.

0:56:06 > 0:56:10You don't have to. Others have. That's how it became a convention.

0:56:10 > 0:56:15People saw the harm excessive candour can do.

0:56:12 > 0:56:15It's just a social convention.

0:56:15 > 0:56:21Possibly, among people who don't know each other well, not us.

0:56:19 > 0:56:21Then it's even worse.

0:56:21 > 0:56:26Let's discuss this. Basically what this game needs is complete candour.

0:56:26 > 0:56:33Honesty. Openness. I don't see how that can be bad.

0:56:31 > 0:56:33It can.

0:56:33 > 0:56:37Don't play, but don't wreck it for everyone.

0:56:37 > 0:56:42If we're playing, we all should. That's the point.

0:56:39 > 0:56:42If one isn't going to, none should.

0:56:42 > 0:56:49(STAMMERS) Maybe Audrey's right.

0:56:44 > 0:56:49Let's not disagree. You're really both saying the same thing.

0:56:49 > 0:56:52That we should all play or none should.

0:56:52 > 0:56:55It's all up to Audrey, then.

0:56:57 > 0:57:01It isn't fair. If Audrey doesn't...

0:56:59 > 0:57:01No, go ahead. I'll play.

0:57:20 > 0:57:22LAUGHING

0:57:22 > 0:57:23What now?

0:57:23 > 0:57:26Ask the most embarrassing question you can think of.

0:57:26 > 0:57:29I ask you the most embarrassing question I can think of?

0:57:29 > 0:57:32What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?

0:57:32 > 0:57:37Something specific. Who was your most recent conquest, or something.>

0:57:37 > 0:57:40Who was your most recent conquest?

0:57:38 > 0:57:40You mean who did I sleep with last?

0:57:40 > 0:57:43You don't have to answer that.

0:57:41 > 0:57:43It's okay. I'm not embarrassed.

0:57:43 > 0:57:46It was Nick.

0:57:46 > 0:57:52After all that about what a slut she was?

0:57:50 > 0:57:52But a very attractive slut.

0:57:52 > 0:57:55You're just another hypocrite.

0:57:55 > 0:57:58That's not hypocrisy. It's sin.

0:57:58 > 0:58:01It's hardly that?

0:58:12 > 0:58:13LAUGHING

0:58:14 > 0:58:18A question? With absolute honesty and frankness...

0:58:18 > 0:58:21..list the girls you're interested in romantically...

0:58:21 > 0:58:28..in descending order with significant detail.

0:58:25 > 0:58:28I thought that was pretty obvious.

0:58:28 > 0:58:31I've had a crush on Serena for two years.

0:58:31 > 0:58:34Lately it developed into something more serious.

0:58:34 > 0:58:40Who else do you like romantically?

0:58:37 > 0:58:40I don't think it works that way.

0:58:40 > 0:58:46If you're really interested in one person you're not in anyone else. It's possible, but what's the point?

0:58:46 > 0:58:49If that doesn't work out there must be someone else.

0:58:50 > 0:58:54If it doesn't work out I'll be off romance for a long time.

0:58:54 > 0:58:58I suppose it's embarrassing, but it's hardly a revelation.

0:59:04 > 0:59:08I'm sorry I asked him that. It was my fault.

0:59:09 > 0:59:14I always think other people are foolish. I'm the big fool.

0:59:16 > 0:59:21It's better to know the truth. The truth can't do any harm.

0:59:21 > 0:59:23It's how and when you learn it.

0:59:23 > 0:59:26I don't accept that.

0:59:27 > 0:59:31(STAMMERS) You're right about that game - it's terrible.

0:59:31 > 0:59:36You may not know, Audrey, but everyone likes you a lot.

0:59:36 > 0:59:38I find that very hard to believe.

0:59:38 > 0:59:40It's the truth.

0:59:40 > 0:59:46Not just because you're smart and good-looking and charming...

0:59:46 > 0:59:48..and have principles.

0:59:48 > 0:59:52It's because they can see you're a good person.

0:59:52 > 0:59:55This is not the best time to tease.

0:59:55 > 1:00:00I know it isn't the best time. But for some time now, I...

1:00:00 > 1:00:03..well, I like you very much.

1:00:03 > 1:00:07I know you don't yet feel that way..

1:00:05 > 1:00:07No? Please? Stop?

1:00:14 > 1:00:18Doesn't Serena look awful here? She's not exactly photogenic.

1:00:19 > 1:00:22There's one of you and Tom.

1:00:23 > 1:00:25There it is.

1:00:32 > 1:00:35Maybe Cynthia's right.

1:00:33 > 1:00:35That's impossible.

1:00:35 > 1:00:39Her view is that experience is good and she's set out to acquire it.

1:00:39 > 1:00:44I'm the opposite. Everything's in my imagination. The romance is imaginary

1:00:45 > 1:00:48She's a slut.

1:00:46 > 1:00:48That's what Nick says.

1:00:48 > 1:00:50He proved it.

1:00:49 > 1:00:50That's unfair.

1:00:50 > 1:00:52I don't think so.

1:00:54 > 1:01:01I'm catching the dawn train upstate to East Aurora, father's place. First invitation in years.

1:01:01 > 1:01:06I wonder why my stepmother's suddenly so willing to have me come.

1:01:06 > 1:01:11If I should die there, would you see there's a thorough investigation...

1:01:11 > 1:01:15..even if it looks like an accident or natural causes?

1:01:15 > 1:01:19Promise?

1:01:17 > 1:01:19Yes.

1:01:19 > 1:01:24Even if I do return alive I won't be attending any dances after this.

1:01:24 > 1:01:30It's probably the last deb season. I don't want to watch the decline.

1:01:30 > 1:01:37Everyone's going tonight?

1:01:31 > 1:01:37No, just me. The International's an inorganic debutante ball.

1:01:37 > 1:01:45The others were natural outgrowths of UHB formations. This is more of a tourist attraction.

1:01:45 > 1:01:50Each girl has two escorts, a cadet in uniform from one of the academies

1:01:50 > 1:01:53..and a civilian like myself.

1:01:53 > 1:01:55< It's televised on Channel 9.

1:01:55 > 1:01:56You're kidding.

1:01:56 > 1:02:03No. It's extremely vulgar. I like it a lot.

1:02:03 > 1:02:07And these Texas and Oklahoma debs are really nice.

1:02:07 > 1:02:11A real relief from these hypercritical New York girls.

1:02:11 > 1:02:14What's everyone else doing, then?

1:02:14 > 1:02:16They'll be glued to the set.

1:02:16 > 1:02:22(TV) "From the state of Texas, Miss Sabina Johnson,..."

1:02:22 > 1:02:23She's cute.

1:02:23 > 1:02:25What about the dress??

1:02:25 > 1:02:29- TV - # "YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS" - Nick said this would be the last real deb season.

1:02:29 > 1:02:30How come?

1:02:30 > 1:02:32Because of everything going on.

1:02:32 > 1:02:33Like what?

1:02:33 > 1:02:36Well, everything.

1:02:37 > 1:02:41(STAMMERS) Stock market, economy, contemporary social attitudes.

1:02:41 > 1:02:44Is Audrey coming tonight?

1:02:44 > 1:02:48She said she felt tired and might stay home. She can watch Channel 9.

1:02:50 > 1:02:52ENTRYPHONE RINGS

1:02:52 > 1:02:54I'll get it.

1:02:53 > 1:02:54Thanks. >

1:02:54 > 1:02:57TV - # "MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME"

1:02:59 > 1:03:02"Ms McLean and Mr Von Sloneker."

1:03:02 > 1:03:08(STAMMERS) Cynthia's coming up with Rick Von Sloneker.

1:03:05 > 1:03:08She mentioned they might come by.

1:03:08 > 1:03:13What would Nick say?

1:03:09 > 1:03:13What Nick says or thinks, I couldn't care less.

1:03:17 > 1:03:19PHONE RINGS

1:03:22 > 1:03:28Hi? This is Rick Von Sloneker and Victor Lemley - Tom Townsend.

1:03:28 > 1:03:35I've heard a lot about you.

1:03:29 > 1:03:35Of course you have. So, who was talking about me? Nick Smith?

1:03:35 > 1:03:42Yes, actually.

1:03:36 > 1:03:42Jerk. How could anyone take him seriously?

1:03:38 > 1:03:42He's just a jerk.

1:03:42 > 1:03:45He feels threatened by you.

1:03:42 > 1:03:45What a clown.

1:03:45 > 1:03:52Is it true you're a baron?

1:03:47 > 1:03:52As a matter of fact, it is. I don't take that sort of thing seriously.

1:03:52 > 1:03:55That was Audrey. She is coming, after all.

1:03:54 > 1:03:55Audrey Rouget?

1:03:55 > 1:03:59Uh-huh.

1:03:56 > 1:03:59She's getting pretty attractive. What are we watching?

1:03:59 > 1:04:01The International.

1:04:01 > 1:04:06In a little more than an hour the season will be over.

1:04:06 > 1:04:09You take that seriously? I can't.

1:04:10 > 1:04:16You don't take much seriously. One might think you're not very serious.

1:04:16 > 1:04:19Who's this? A Nick Smith mimic? I was already sick of the original.

1:04:19 > 1:04:24Tom, cut it out. It's tiresome. What Nick said was untrue.

1:04:26 > 1:04:30I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean what I said.

1:04:30 > 1:04:35No, it was idiotic to approach you that way.

1:04:35 > 1:04:36I hadn't intended to.

1:04:36 > 1:04:38It wasn't idiotic.

1:04:45 > 1:04:51Miss Sabina Johnson of Texas, and Cadet Holly of our armed services.

1:04:51 > 1:04:53ALL GREET VISITORS

1:04:56 > 1:04:58GENERAL CONVERSATION

1:04:58 > 1:05:02I go away for a couple of hours and you get Von Sloneker up here?

1:05:02 > 1:05:04I can invite anyone I want.

1:05:03 > 1:05:04So you invited him?

1:05:04 > 1:05:08I didn't. But even if I did, it's none of your business.

1:05:08 > 1:05:11How can you say that? Knowing the type? >

1:05:11 > 1:05:15I don't. It's just what you say and you're completely untrustworthy.

1:05:15 > 1:05:16Not about something serious. >

1:05:16 > 1:05:19Hey, Smith? You're a liar.

1:05:19 > 1:05:23I heard the crap you've been talking.

1:05:21 > 1:05:23Oh, you have?

1:05:23 > 1:05:27About how I supposedly mistreated Polly Perkins.

1:05:27 > 1:05:32There isn't any Polly Perkins. The girl never existed.

1:05:32 > 1:05:36Go on, tell 'em. You made it up.

1:05:37 > 1:05:42< Is this true?

1:05:39 > 1:05:42Yes and no.

1:05:41 > 1:05:42Oh, God, Nick?

1:05:42 > 1:05:43You did make it up.

1:05:43 > 1:05:49There is no one Polly Perkins. There are many.

1:05:46 > 1:05:49So you lied?

1:05:49 > 1:05:54Polly Perkins is a composite. Like "New York" magazine does.

1:05:54 > 1:05:56Name one girl.

1:05:56 > 1:05:58Girls degraded by you

1:05:58 > 1:06:05don't need their names bandied about non-exclusive Park Ave afterparties.

1:06:02 > 1:06:05There isn't even one.

1:06:05 > 1:06:07This looks bad, Nick.

1:06:11 > 1:06:14Cathy Livingstone. No harm can be done to her now.

1:06:14 > 1:06:17I had nothing to do with that. She was unstable.

1:06:17 > 1:06:20It didn't stop you boozing her up to pull a train for you and Lemley.

1:06:20 > 1:06:24That is not how it happened.

1:06:23 > 1:06:24Oh? So what did happen, Rick-ee?

1:06:24 > 1:06:32What happened between Cathy and myself is private and nothing to do with her suicide...

1:06:32 > 1:06:34..which was months afterwards.

1:06:34 > 1:06:41She tried to call you but you wouldn't even see her.

1:06:37 > 1:06:41I liked Cathy but when things don't work out a clean break is best.

1:06:41 > 1:06:45Spare us fake sensitivity. Are her panties still in your collection?

1:06:45 > 1:06:48He has panties of girls he seduced.

1:06:48 > 1:06:53When they kill themselves do you do anything to memorialise them?

1:06:53 > 1:06:56I don't let anyone say that kind of thing to my face.

1:06:56 > 1:07:00You complained I said it behind your back. Now it's to your face. How can you tell which is which?

1:07:06 > 1:07:09He had that coming.

1:07:12 > 1:07:15How dare he hit me.

1:07:15 > 1:07:18- He's the scoundrel. I should've thrashed- him.

1:07:18 > 1:07:24You missed your chance.

1:07:19 > 1:07:24I tried my damnedest not to splatter blood all over the apartment.

1:07:24 > 1:07:27Nobody did anything to help.

1:07:27 > 1:07:32I face one of the worst guys of our times and get whining criticism.

1:07:32 > 1:07:34"This looks really bad, Nick."

1:07:34 > 1:07:36Why should we believe you over Rick?

1:07:36 > 1:07:42You're a hypocrite and your Polly Perkins story was a lie,...

1:07:40 > 1:07:42A composite.

1:07:42 > 1:07:46..you're out of control with a drug problem...

1:07:46 > 1:07:50..and a fixation on Rick Von Sloneker's "wickedness".

1:07:50 > 1:07:55You're a snob, a sexist, totally obnoxious and tiresome and weird.

1:07:55 > 1:08:01Why believe anything you say?

1:07:57 > 1:08:01I am not tiresome.

1:07:59 > 1:08:01What's Rick to you, anyway?

1:08:01 > 1:08:04Your shy friend hits me in the face.

1:08:04 > 1:08:11I go to the domaine of a stepmother of untrammelled malevolence - maybe to be killed - and I get this.

1:08:11 > 1:08:19Who can blame her? If not spouting blood was your objective you weren't terribly successful.

1:08:22 > 1:08:28Well. I'm going to Grand Central. The people are friendly there.

1:08:28 > 1:08:31I'll help you with your stuff.

1:08:32 > 1:08:35Why don't we all go see Nick off?

1:08:45 > 1:08:50This group has certain standards. I failed to live up to them.

1:08:54 > 1:08:56Thanks for coming.

1:08:56 > 1:09:00Goodbye, and thanks for coming.

1:09:01 > 1:09:04Goodbye, Tom.

1:09:02 > 1:09:04Good luck.

1:09:04 > 1:09:10I'm counting on you and Charlie to maintain the ideals of the UHB where I obviously failed.

1:09:10 > 1:09:14You and Charlie are the only ones who understand.

1:09:12 > 1:09:14What?

1:09:14 > 1:09:16Here. Thank you.

1:09:17 > 1:09:21Also, remember, in case I die...?

1:09:19 > 1:09:21Yes.

1:09:21 > 1:09:24(ALL) Bye.

1:09:50 > 1:09:53Is the Twenty-One Club very expensive?

1:09:53 > 1:09:56< I believe so.

1:09:58 > 1:10:02- That's priceless... - "They look awfully big for mice".

1:10:03 > 1:10:06She believed it? Priceless.

1:10:06 > 1:10:09You mentioned it in a letter.

1:10:09 > 1:10:12Over Christmas I went through some letters.

1:10:12 > 1:10:18You saved my letters?

1:10:14 > 1:10:18Of course, I save all the personal letters I get. And you?

1:10:18 > 1:10:20No.

1:10:21 > 1:10:24You threw away all the letters I wrote you?

1:10:24 > 1:10:26I throw away everything.

1:10:26 > 1:10:30I don't want to go through life with the mail I got at sixteen.

1:10:30 > 1:10:35I'm surprised. Someone goes to the trouble of writing - I'd save it.

1:10:35 > 1:10:37People don't write personal letters any more.

1:10:37 > 1:10:44People in boarding school do.

1:10:41 > 1:10:44What if the writer became famous?

1:10:44 > 1:10:47Those letters could be the only record of their ideas at that time.

1:10:47 > 1:10:52Anybody who writes me and expects to become famous should keep carbons.

1:10:52 > 1:10:54It's a kind of trust.

1:10:54 > 1:11:00Someone takes the trouble to write a letter, you do not throw it out.

1:11:00 > 1:11:05I didn't save your letters but I didn't throw them out.

1:11:05 > 1:11:08I don't understand. Is that a riddle?

1:11:08 > 1:11:11There was a girl at school with a crush on you.

1:11:11 > 1:11:17When I was throwing things out I gave her your letters.

1:11:15 > 1:11:17Really?

1:11:17 > 1:11:19I know it sounds queer.

1:11:19 > 1:11:26She kept them?

1:11:22 > 1:11:26Uh-hmm.

1:11:23 > 1:11:26Strange. She must be really odd.

1:11:26 > 1:11:29No. She's very nice.

1:11:29 > 1:11:31You know her.

1:11:32 > 1:11:34Audrey Rouget.

1:11:40 > 1:11:45You mean... you think you've gotten over Serena... again?

1:11:42 > 1:11:45It's different this time.

1:11:45 > 1:11:50I was involved with her, in a negative way,...

1:11:50 > 1:11:55..and feeling bitter. I don't feel that way now.

1:11:51 > 1:11:55DOORBELL >

1:11:52 > 1:11:55Charlie's on his way up.

1:11:55 > 1:11:57Damn. I wanted to ask you something.

1:11:57 > 1:11:59What was that "surprising thing"?

1:11:59 > 1:12:02You probably already knew, but I was surprised.

1:12:02 > 1:12:04About Audrey saving my letters?

1:12:03 > 1:12:04What letters?

1:12:04 > 1:12:11< The ones I wrote Serena.

1:12:06 > 1:12:11Audrey saved them? God, how queer?

1:12:11 > 1:12:14Not so queer. Serena was throwing them out...

1:12:14 > 1:12:19..and Audrey didn't think letters should be destroyed.

1:12:19 > 1:12:25But while I was with Serena, who is nice and good-looking...

1:12:22 > 1:12:25Serena's basically a good person.

1:12:25 > 1:12:27..on a night I'd looked forward to..

1:12:27 > 1:12:33..I felt nostalgia for the talks with Audrey before the blow-up,

1:12:33 > 1:12:35before I knew about the letters.

1:12:35 > 1:12:39< I prefer arguing with Audrey to agreeing with Serena.

1:12:39 > 1:12:44I had that calm perspective on our relationship with Serena for a while

1:12:44 > 1:12:49..and I began getting this warm glow at the prospect of seeing Audrey.

1:12:48 > 1:12:49Uh-oh?

1:12:49 > 1:12:54I'd thought that if it didn't work out with Serena this time...

1:12:54 > 1:12:57..I'd put romance on hold.

1:12:57 > 1:13:00People shouldn't marry till the late twenties and that's a long way off.

1:13:00 > 1:13:03Boy? Your timing's really awful.

1:13:02 > 1:13:03How do you mean?

1:13:03 > 1:13:06DOORBELL

1:13:07 > 1:13:11Damn? I'll get it. I want to continue this.

1:13:15 > 1:13:16Where's Jane?

1:13:16 > 1:13:20Still in her room. What would you like to drink?

1:13:19 > 1:13:20You're our host?

1:13:20 > 1:13:23What do people who don't drink have?

1:13:23 > 1:13:28Ginger ale? Iced water? Maybe a Coke and an aspirin.

1:13:29 > 1:13:31You needn't put on eye shadow for us?

1:13:31 > 1:13:34It's not for you. I have a date.

1:13:34 > 1:13:39A date? What's that? Sounds like something from the 1950s.

1:13:37 > 1:13:39Who's the feller?

1:13:39 > 1:13:44None of you know him and I'd like to keep it that way.

1:13:47 > 1:13:50Why did you say my timing was off?

1:13:50 > 1:13:55Audrey's at Cynthia's for the weekend, and then goes back to France.

1:13:55 > 1:14:01Besides that, she hates you.

1:13:57 > 1:14:01Hates me?

1:13:58 > 1:14:01Despises you. It's a bit my fault.

1:14:01 > 1:14:07My "Truth" question was specifically to show you hadn't got over Serena.

1:14:07 > 1:14:09A "Mr Andrews" is downstairs for you.

1:14:09 > 1:14:13I'll be right down.

1:14:11 > 1:14:13We'll go down with you.

1:14:12 > 1:14:13No, you won't.

1:14:13 > 1:14:14We can all go out together.

1:14:13 > 1:14:14No.

1:14:14 > 1:14:18It seems rude not to go down and check him out.

1:14:18 > 1:14:22Please don't. Stay here, there's plenty of food and stuff.

1:14:22 > 1:14:28All right to stay and wait for everyone else?

1:14:24 > 1:14:28Sure, but what "everyone else"?

1:14:28 > 1:14:31The rest of the SFRP.

1:14:31 > 1:14:33You are the SFRP tonight.

1:14:33 > 1:14:36Could you be out by midnight?

1:14:36 > 1:14:38Feel free to stay till then. Bye.

1:14:38 > 1:14:40(ALL) Bye.

1:14:41 > 1:14:42Out by midnight?

1:14:42 > 1:14:50What's this? Jane brings a guy she hardly knows back on an assignation?

1:14:47 > 1:14:50We don't know that.

1:14:50 > 1:14:52I'm surprised at Jane.

1:14:52 > 1:14:58Some guy asks her out and she abandons everything - we can all just go to heck.

1:14:58 > 1:15:01The rat pack is disintegrating.

1:15:01 > 1:15:04Rat pack is down to the rats.

1:15:04 > 1:15:07This is depressing. Let's get out.

1:15:13 > 1:15:18She would prefer to go out on a date which offers romantic promise,...

1:15:18 > 1:15:20..even if slight, than stay with us.

1:15:20 > 1:15:24It's disappointing. I thought we were better friends than that.

1:15:24 > 1:15:29I wonder whether we were at all, or just way stations between dates.

1:15:29 > 1:15:34For them men are either dates, potential dates or date substitutes.

1:15:34 > 1:15:36I find that dehumanising.

1:15:36 > 1:15:41That might be so with Cynthia or Sally but Audrey is different.

1:15:41 > 1:15:44She'd keep up friendships, no matter what.

1:15:44 > 1:15:49Audrey has a largeness of mind, not obsessed with her love life.

1:15:49 > 1:15:53She's good-looking, smart, charming,

1:15:53 > 1:15:57principled, an unusual combination.

1:16:01 > 1:16:07What do you mean? >

1:16:02 > 1:16:07You've given her nothing but grief all the past week...

1:16:04 > 1:16:07I think I'll be going now.

1:16:07 > 1:16:10I have nothing to say and I am boring without a drink.

1:16:10 > 1:16:12It's only midnight. You can't go.

1:16:12 > 1:16:17Yeah, but without cocktails, staying up all night loses its charm.

1:16:17 > 1:16:20I haven't had anything amusing to say since I stopped drinking.

1:16:20 > 1:16:26Did you before you stopped?

1:16:23 > 1:16:26It seemed amusing. Now it doesn't.

1:16:26 > 1:16:33You were asleep.

1:16:27 > 1:16:33Was that it? Good night, Charlie. Ciao, Tommy.

1:16:31 > 1:16:33Ciao, Fred.

1:16:38 > 1:16:43When I was in college we'd go to dances. Does that still go on?

1:16:43 > 1:16:45Yes.

1:16:45 > 1:16:50Much reduced, though. I wouldn't put much stock in them.

1:16:50 > 1:16:55You go to a party, meet people, and think, "These people will be my friends forever."

1:16:55 > 1:16:58Then you never see them again.

1:16:58 > 1:17:00Wonder where they go.

1:17:00 > 1:17:04Are people from this background doomed to failure?

1:17:04 > 1:17:07Doomed? No, that would be easier.

1:17:07 > 1:17:11We simply fail without being doomed.

1:17:11 > 1:17:13But you have failed?

1:17:13 > 1:17:16Yeah.

1:17:14 > 1:17:16You still come to places like this?

1:17:16 > 1:17:19I've a good job that pays decently.

1:17:19 > 1:17:23It's all so mediocre, unimpressive.

1:17:23 > 1:17:29The test is if you take pleasure in responding to the question,...

1:17:29 > 1:17:32.."What do you do?" I can't bear it.

1:17:33 > 1:17:38You start out expecting something and some contemporaries achieve it.

1:17:38 > 1:17:41You read about them in the papers.

1:17:41 > 1:17:48The danger of mid-town Manhattan is meeting successful contemporaries.

1:17:48 > 1:17:50I avoid them when I can.

1:17:50 > 1:17:53When I can't they are always friendly.

1:17:53 > 1:17:57But inevitably they ask what am I doing.

1:17:57 > 1:18:02It's hard to believe people of our background are successful.

1:18:02 > 1:18:07Aren't you confusing them with normal people you knew in college?

1:18:07 > 1:18:12It's not surprising an energetic, self-confident achiever,...

1:18:12 > 1:18:15..free of uhb-illusions, should be successful.

1:18:15 > 1:18:17Uhb? What's uhb?

1:18:17 > 1:18:21UHB, an acronym for urban haute bourgeoisie.

1:18:21 > 1:18:28It's a more precise alternative to preppie or other terms.

1:18:28 > 1:18:30Well, you're partly right.

1:18:30 > 1:18:35Some of the people I mention are not from... uhb?... uhb backgrounds.

1:18:35 > 1:18:41But you are going to have to accept that people from our background...

1:18:41 > 1:18:43..are not "doomed" to failure.

1:18:43 > 1:18:46I wonder if they were typical uhbs?

1:18:46 > 1:18:51There was probably some factor which set them apart.

1:18:51 > 1:18:53Their career is not over.

1:18:53 > 1:18:56The failure could still be to come.

1:19:02 > 1:19:05He seems less pessimistic than you.

1:19:05 > 1:19:08I know. It doesn't ring true.

1:19:11 > 1:19:13Look - there's a light on.

1:19:13 > 1:19:20(STAMMERS) We can't go up to her place unannounced after midnight.

1:19:16 > 1:19:20Depends on who's on the elevator.

1:19:17 > 1:19:20That's not the question.

1:19:20 > 1:19:27You've known Sally ten days? And you go barging in?

1:19:23 > 1:19:27She said any time we saw the lights on, which they clearly are.

1:19:27 > 1:19:29Call first.

1:19:29 > 1:19:35What? And wake up her parents?

1:19:31 > 1:19:35You act as if her apartment were our living room.

1:19:33 > 1:19:35It is.

1:19:40 > 1:19:43(What are we doing here?)

1:19:43 > 1:19:45(It'll be all right.)

1:19:46 > 1:19:49What are you doing here?

1:19:49 > 1:19:55You said to come up if we saw the lights on.

1:19:51 > 1:19:55Sorry to bother you.

1:19:52 > 1:19:55I was just about to go out.

1:19:55 > 1:19:59Who is it? >

1:19:57 > 1:19:59Just friends.

1:19:59 > 1:20:01Come on in.

1:20:05 > 1:20:09Al, these are my friends, Charlie and Tommy.

1:20:09 > 1:20:13Alan is the record producer who discovered the "Hated Few".

1:20:11 > 1:20:13They're very good.

1:20:13 > 1:20:18Yes. And Sally will be very good. She has a wonderful voice.

1:20:18 > 1:20:22So we have a friend in common. Rick Von Sloneker.

1:20:22 > 1:20:24(STAMMERS) You're a friend of his?

1:20:24 > 1:20:27Great guy. Our houses are next door in Southampton.

1:20:27 > 1:20:32We'd better get going. There's no time for drinks after all.

1:20:36 > 1:20:41Any idea when everyone's getting back? The SFRP's disintegrating.

1:20:41 > 1:20:46We can't just keep getting together for the rest of our lives.

1:20:45 > 1:20:46Why not?

1:20:46 > 1:20:51It's inevitable that things get more back to normal.

1:20:49 > 1:20:51This wasn't normal?

1:20:50 > 1:20:51No.

1:20:51 > 1:20:54Wish somebody'd told me.

1:20:54 > 1:20:58When are Cynthia and Audrey back?

1:20:56 > 1:20:58I don't know. That's their affair.

1:20:58 > 1:21:02Cynthia's at Rick's house party.

1:21:00 > 1:21:02< Southampton?

1:21:02 > 1:21:05I'm not sure she was really going. You guys are so tiresome.

1:21:20 > 1:21:23That was really embarrassing. Thank you for including me.

1:21:23 > 1:21:28I can't believe it. God?

1:21:24 > 1:21:28Maybe he's a nice guy. He doesn't make a good first impression.

1:21:28 > 1:21:31No, what he said about Cynthia.

1:21:31 > 1:21:36Audrey's meant to be visiting Cynthia, who's with Von Sloneker.

1:21:36 > 1:21:41So they're in different states.

1:21:38 > 1:21:41No, there's only one explanation.

1:21:41 > 1:21:44Audrey has gone with Cynthia to Von Sloneker's house party.

1:21:44 > 1:21:50You're always selling Audrey short. That's despicable.

1:21:50 > 1:21:54I'm not being despicable. I'm worried about Audrey.

1:21:54 > 1:22:00Jane says she's in a strange mood, saying she's not a "real woman".

1:22:00 > 1:22:04She said that?

1:22:01 > 1:22:04That's the way Cynthia talks.

1:22:05 > 1:22:11I can't share your concern. Audrey wouldn't get in that situation.

1:22:11 > 1:22:14She has very clear views on things.

1:22:14 > 1:22:17She's a big admirer of Jane Austen?

1:22:17 > 1:22:19She's turned her back on all that.

1:22:19 > 1:22:25No, she's probably home, asleep, tucked up and surrounded by toys.

1:22:25 > 1:22:29Let's call, then.

1:22:26 > 1:22:29We can't.

1:22:27 > 1:22:29It's only a local call.

1:22:29 > 1:22:32It's 3am, we'll wake up her parents.

1:22:32 > 1:22:35This is important to them, too.

1:22:35 > 1:22:40If she's already at Von Sloneker's - I bet he's not asleep.

1:22:41 > 1:22:44Older people tend to get up early. I'll call the Rougets at 7.

1:22:44 > 1:22:52If there's any risk I'll give you a call. But I don't expect to have to.

1:22:52 > 1:22:53Could you call me either way?

1:22:53 > 1:22:56At seven? Okay.

1:22:56 > 1:23:01Thanks. You're not such a bad fellow

1:22:58 > 1:23:01I'll call you.

1:23:00 > 1:23:01Call me.

1:23:13 > 1:23:14"I hate him."

1:23:17 > 1:23:21"Audrey Rouget? She's getting very attractive."

1:23:21 > 1:23:24"She was the first girl to make him feel that way"

1:23:24 > 1:23:26"She thinks you're a total jerk."

1:23:26 > 1:23:29"None of the harm you do is intentional."

1:23:29 > 1:23:30"She despises you."

1:23:30 > 1:23:34"Him, Victor Lemley, the other crew member,..."

1:23:34 > 1:23:35"I wanna be a real woman."

1:23:35 > 1:23:38"You're the only girl who's ever made me feel this way."

1:23:38 > 1:23:40"And she was completely unstable."

1:23:40 > 1:23:42"I wanna be a real woman."

1:23:48 > 1:23:50PHONE RINGS

1:23:51 > 1:23:54I called Audrey's parents at 7am.

1:23:54 > 1:23:56They're not such early risers.

1:23:56 > 1:24:00They thought Audrey was with Cynthia

1:24:00 > 1:24:05I called Cynthia's and her mother answered. She was sleeping late, too.

1:24:05 > 1:24:09She said Cynthia was at Audrey's.

1:24:09 > 1:24:10Jesus?

1:24:10 > 1:24:13Cynthia borrowed her mother's car.

1:24:13 > 1:24:17The last anyone saw them was four yesterday afternoon.

1:24:17 > 1:24:20They'd have got to Von Sloneker's yesterday evening.

1:24:20 > 1:24:22You're right.

1:24:26 > 1:24:31- I- am- authorised to use my mother's card. I use it all the time?

1:24:33 > 1:24:36She wasn't very polite.

1:24:34 > 1:24:36No, she wasn't.

1:24:37 > 1:24:40This should be plenty.

1:24:52 > 1:24:54I can't believe you don't have a licence.

1:24:54 > 1:24:57Course I don't. I live in Manhattan.

1:24:56 > 1:24:57I'm surprised, that's all.

1:24:57 > 1:25:04Give me a break. I don't go to the Hamptons. You could have got one.

1:25:01 > 1:25:04I'm no jock.

1:25:02 > 1:25:04What a disaster.

1:25:04 > 1:25:08(STAMMERS) I'm gonna get a licence soon.

1:25:08 > 1:25:11This must be how the failure starts.

1:25:11 > 1:25:18An incompetence in mastering the common tasks of everyday life.

1:25:15 > 1:25:18Doesn't Fred have a licence?

1:25:18 > 1:25:21Okay... yeah.

1:25:23 > 1:25:27Says he can't. He's about to get fired, as it is.

1:25:27 > 1:25:32He always said what a lousy job it was. Did you say how serious it is?

1:25:30 > 1:25:32Yes.

1:25:33 > 1:25:36He was always complaining about his lousy job.

1:25:36 > 1:25:41To other people the situation might not seem so ominous.

1:25:41 > 1:25:44What could really happen?

1:25:44 > 1:25:50You have been right up to now. And Von Sloneker is a bad guy, capable of anything.

1:25:50 > 1:25:53It might sound melodramatic to say he's ruined girls.

1:25:53 > 1:25:59What does that really mean today? True, he's done unspeakable things.

1:25:59 > 1:26:04If Audrey's as upset and bitter as it seems, anything can happen.

1:26:04 > 1:26:06We gotta get out there fast.

1:26:06 > 1:26:09While we sit here, anything could be happening at Von Sloneker's.

1:26:09 > 1:26:12Nick would know what to do.

1:26:12 > 1:26:14He's got all sorts of credit cards.

1:26:14 > 1:26:18< What would Nick do? How would he get out of this?

1:26:19 > 1:26:24You've got a lot of cash on you.

1:26:21 > 1:26:24Yes, lots.

1:26:56 > 1:27:02Whenever I think we're overreacting I remember Polly Perkins.

1:26:59 > 1:27:02Or Cathy Livingstone.

1:27:02 > 1:27:04I think I knew her.

1:27:05 > 1:27:11What are we gonna do when we get there?

1:27:07 > 1:27:11I don't know. Depends on the situation.

1:27:13 > 1:27:17Yesterday I was thinking, maybe Fourier wasn't correct.

1:27:17 > 1:27:19His ideas are completely unworkable.

1:27:19 > 1:27:23You don't want to live on a farm with a lot of people.

1:27:27 > 1:27:32Rick's strange, and pretty violent.

1:27:32 > 1:27:35He might not be pleased to see us.

1:27:35 > 1:27:37I've thought of that.

1:28:14 > 1:28:16Thanks a lot. We shouldn't be long.

1:28:16 > 1:28:18Be as long as you want. I'm leaving.

1:28:18 > 1:28:23No, we need you to take us back. That was understood.

1:28:23 > 1:28:26If you think I'm gonna wait around, you're crazy.

1:28:33 > 1:28:35But I... how are we gonna get back?

1:28:35 > 1:28:38What's this shit?

1:28:38 > 1:28:41A gratuity is included.

1:28:39 > 1:28:41What's this shit?

1:28:48 > 1:28:53(STAMMERS) I'm sure we agreed on 120 as the full price.

1:28:58 > 1:29:02Look at this. Looks like some girl's panties.

1:29:02 > 1:29:05Jesus? That bastard?

1:29:06 > 1:29:08# LOUD POP MUSIC IN HOUSE

1:29:41 > 1:29:43What are you clowns doing here?

1:29:43 > 1:29:48What are you doing here?

1:29:44 > 1:29:48It's my place. I do what I want.

1:29:46 > 1:29:48That's not true.

1:29:48 > 1:29:53How dare you break in? Did they break that?

1:29:50 > 1:29:53What are you doing here? This is so embarrassing.

1:29:53 > 1:29:58A little embarrassment could do you good. By the way - whose are these?

1:29:58 > 1:30:01I haven't the slightest idea. Get out of here.

1:30:01 > 1:30:05They buy them new and scatter them - Rick's little delicacies.

1:30:05 > 1:30:10That's a lie. Get out and take this flat-chested goody-goody.

1:30:09 > 1:30:10Thank you.

1:30:10 > 1:30:14She is not a goody-goody.

1:30:12 > 1:30:14And before you go...?

1:30:16 > 1:30:18HEY?

1:30:17 > 1:30:18Jesus?

1:30:18 > 1:30:20Are you crazy?

1:30:20 > 1:30:22I warn you, he's a Fourierist?

1:30:22 > 1:30:26It's only a toy or an antique, Rick.

1:30:26 > 1:30:31Let the jerk play his little get-even game.

1:30:42 > 1:30:47No, it's not that far, about an hour... or two, probably.

1:30:47 > 1:30:51Did anything happen?

1:30:49 > 1:30:51Of course not.

1:30:51 > 1:30:56Then you were never interested in Von Sloneker at all?

1:30:56 > 1:30:58Then why come out here?

1:30:58 > 1:31:01To get a suntan.

1:31:01 > 1:31:06The rat pack was claustrophobic. Cynthia insisted I come.

1:31:06 > 1:31:12She's terribly impressed with Rick.

1:31:08 > 1:31:12It's not something Jane Austen would have done.

1:31:12 > 1:31:17No. I suppose Europe is over there?

1:31:17 > 1:31:20No. That would be more Brazil. Europe is more that way.

1:31:20 > 1:31:23Are you still going back next week?

1:31:23 > 1:31:25I guess so.

1:31:26 > 1:31:31What can you study in France that you can't study here?

1:31:32 > 1:31:37French. Actually I was thinking of coming back when this semester ends.

1:31:37 > 1:31:38I thought of going over.

1:31:38 > 1:31:40Not necessarily Grenoble,

1:31:40 > 1:31:43but France or Italy. My resources are limited.

1:31:43 > 1:31:50There are some cheap air fares. Shame not to take advantage.

1:31:50 > 1:31:52That's the way I feel.

1:31:55 > 1:31:59Do you think I'm flat-chested?

1:31:57 > 1:31:59I've never thought about it.

1:32:00 > 1:32:04I shouldn't say that. You look great, and that's what matters.

1:32:04 > 1:32:08You don't want to overdo it.