Last Chance Harvey

PIANO MUSIC PLAYS

HUMMING

SIGHS

-Morning, Paddy.

-Morning, Kate.

Looking lovelier than ever. If I was only a younger man...

Oh, shut up!

Mum, it's me, your daughter.

-Post.

-Have a cup of tea with me.

Can't. I'm running late. Sorry.

KNOCKS ON GLASS

PIANO MUSIC PLAYS

-He's at it again.

-Who? At what?

The new neighbour, barbecuing or something.

I've heard he's from Poland.

Oh, well, you know, maybe Polish people like to barbecue a lot.

I can't find your -

-oh, here it is.

-Where do you put this?

It's my toothbrush thingy. Just stop fiddling.

Prescription.

Now listen, you do not have to keep taking these.

-The doctor said.

-I like to.

Makes me feel better.

All right, well, listen. I'm off. I'll, um -

See you later, or call you later.

You got that date thing tonight?

GROANS

I don't know. Maybe.

Time and tide, Kate, as your father liked to say.

Was that from his terrace in the south of France?

Sorry. That was mean.

-SIGHS

-Hug me.

Hug me!

Bye, Mum.

I am a cow.

PIANO NOTES PLAY

Put my score up first.

-They don't want to hear it, Harvey.

-But I want to see it.

-Put it up.

-I'm backed up already.

Johnnie, you were the one that was late. Just put it up.

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING

-KEYBOARD CLACKS

-OK?

Listen, Harvey, Marvin wants me to present my ideas while you're away.

Huh?

Look, I'm not doing myself any favours here, Harvey, but I'd watch your back.

HARVEY: Marvin. Hey, Marvin.

Hey, Harvey. Shouldn't you be in London?

Yeah. I'm heading there now. What's going on?

Johnnie said something about you wanting him to present on Monday?

Oh, yeah. No, no.

I was just thinking that, with you being in London, you should stay a while.

-What?

-There's no need to rush back.

-Enjoy your daughter's wedding.

-What?

Well, Johnnie can do it.

I mean, he can pitch the Samuelson account.

No. I'm coming back. Those are my connections.

-They have been for years.

-I know. I'm just...

They've got new people there, you know?

I think they might want something different.

I really want to come back. I should be there in person.

In person?

Yeah. I want to stand behind my music.

But nobody cares, Harvey.

They're demos. They're already pressed.

Nobody gives a shit. They don't need to see you.

They don't need to see me.

I'm back Monday, Marvin. I'm coming back.

Well, you better land this one, Harvey.

-What does that mean?

-It means what it means.

Say it.

There are no more chances, Harvey.

KEYS JINGLE

CAR DOOR OPENS

Enjoy London.

ENGINE STARTS

-Are you on a holiday?

-No. Business.

You?

Oh, my daughter's getting married.

Congratulations.

Yeah, thanks. Well, kind of.

She's American, he's American, and they're still getting married in London.

I told her we have a perfectly good wedding system here.

I mean, they both work in London. That's why they're...

-There you are, Sir.

-Oh, thanks. Thanks very much.

-Can I just give you this?

-Yes.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

SIGHS Does flying make you nervous?

No. I do it all the time.

Oh. I don't like it. I have to fortify myself.

You know that old joke, one guy says to the other -

Tell you what, I have got meetings in the morning, when we land,

so I think I'm gonna try and get some sleep.

-Sure.

-Sorry, I just...

I'll be useless if I don't get some sleep.

No, no. Go ahead. Go ahead.

-Morning, Aggie.

-Morning, darling.

-All right?

-Mm-hmm.

"A filmy layer on the surface of a liquid."

Scum.

-LAUGHS

-Scum!

"Manicure tool," four and four.

Oh, come on, Aggie.

-What? I'm just testing you.

-Nail file!

LAUGHS

Sorry, sorry.

Morning. Morning.

Oh, thank God you're my boss, Kate.

-Morning, Aggie.

-Morning, darling.

So, we still on for tonight?

-Matt's definitely bringing Simon.

-No, no, no. I'm scared.

Oh, now, don't be scared! He's gorgeous!

He's a big, strong, confident, gorgeous fella.

You'll love him. He's beautiful.

Right. Look, I'll come, but only if you two swear blind

you will not leave me on my own with him.

Oh, no, no. Promise. Absolutely.

-Can I trust her?

-No.

Of course you can trust me. We'll drive you home.

We'll drive both of you home, depending on what home you're going to!

-Oh, shut up.

-Yeah. He's got his own business.

-Really?

-Yeah.

What kind of business?

I don't know exactly. I think it's stationery.

Oh. I've always loved stationery.

So not a business trip, then.

No. Unless you count three grandchildren as work.

-Some might.

-That's true.

Thank you very much for your time. You're all done.

-Thank you.

-Safe trip home.

Thank you. Bye-bye.

Excuse me. I wonder if I could trouble you for two minutes of your time.

-Won't take a second.

-No.

I'm tired, you know?

Yes, I do.

Where to, Sir?

Hi, Susie. It's your dad.

Uh, I made it, uh, and I'm in a taxi on the way to the hotel.

Uh, I guess all you guys are already there.

Anyways, I really look forward to seeing you and everybody else.

I can't wait. Love you. Bye-bye.

Hi, it's Harvey Shine here.

Just want to confirm that Mike is going to be in the mix Monday.

And I'm reachable by my cellphone.

You probably have the number on file, but just in case,

it's 917-384-5368.

You may need an international code, so, you know, I think you have to dial 044,

or maybe, uh, not sure.

It could be 011. You can try 44 then 1 and then 917.

Whatever it is, whether it's 044 or 44 or 011,

after that, you may have to put a 1 be-

BEEP Hello?

Hi.

I'm with the wedding party. There should be a room for me.

Harvey Shine.

Yes. We have a double room for you.

Good. Is everyone else checked in?

I'm not sure, Sir.

My daughter - Susan Shine?

She may already be going by the name Wright - Susan Wright.

W-R-I-G-H-T.

No, sir. No one of that name.

Sir, Room 522.

WINDOW CLICKING

Oh, boy.

CELLPHONE RINGING

Hello?

Hi, Susie.

I'm here. Where are you? Where is everybody?

Oh. I didn't realize.

I thought the plan was for everybody to stay together.

No. I just wasn't sure. I -

No. I just - I didn't know I was gonna be here by myself.

I thought that -

Anyway, so, your mom, she rented a house for all of you, huh?

Oh, come on. I'm a big boy.

I'm happy here. It's very cosy.

Yes, I have the address.

Yeah. I love you, too. I'll see you there.

CELLPHONE RINGING

Hello, Mum.

What are you wearing?

-Purple dungarees.

-Oh, you're not.

No, not really. I'm wearing a miniskirt and a boob tube.

-They're totally back in.

-Oh, you're just being silly.

LAUGHS

Now, don't be nervous. Just be yourself.

Yes, thanks for the advice.

Oh, listen. I've been thinking about Greece.

Yeah. OK. Well, can we talk about that later?

All right. Bye!

Bye.

-Kate.

-Ah.

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I'm so sorry.

-Don't tell me, your mother...

-Yeah.

Is that mine?

Cheers. Thank God. Oh.

She's, um -

She's just on about some Pole living next to her who's barbecuing a lot.

-Oh, very suspicious.

-Well, that's what she thinks.

Well, they're here.

-OK.

-He's at the bar.

Very nice fella. Very chatty.

-OK.

-I like him. I like him.

-There's Matt.

-Hey.

Hi, Matt.

-How are you?

-I'm well. How are you?

-I'm good, too.

-Kate, this is Simon.

-How do you do?

-Hi. Nice to meet you.

So you're in stationery?

Um, I'm IT. Computing.

-You told me it was stationery.

-Oh!

-No, I didn't.

-Yes, you did, love.

Well, there's a bit of stationery involved.

Mainly computing, though.

-So not stationery.

-Let's sit down.

It doesn't matter.

Sorry, Matt. It's just that I...

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

Cheers, lads.

Hmm.

Shit.

Yeah, I just - I just got off the plane last night.

PEOPLE TALKING

-Hey, Harvey!

-Hey. Scott.

-Harvey, you made it.

-Scott, how are you, man?

Hey, whoa. What's up?

This is Susan's father - Harvey - Harvey Shine.

This is Josh Hillman and my best man - Pete Turner.

-How you guys doing?

-Good. How you doing, Harvey?

-Great.

-Yeah, it's great to see you.

Yeah, you too. How you holding up?

Great, great. Can't wait to marry Susie, really.

-Is she here?

-Oh, she's in there.

She'll be thrilled you're here.

-I'll just go and find her.

-Yeah.

CELLPHONE RINGS Ooh. I got to take this.

Grab that phone.

Hello?

Yeah, it's Harvey.

No, no, no, no, that's not right.

I need this. I need Mike.

No. I told him two weeks ago. I booked him.

What?

No, but I -

Look, just tell him to call me, OK? It's -

I booked him!

Uh, I'll talk to you later.

I'm sorry. It's always something.

Sure. Yeah.

So, what's your field, Harvey?

Well, I'm in the music business.

Oh, wow. Doing what?

You know, TV, background, commercials.

-Cool. What kind of stuff?

-Commercials.

-Sounds profitable.

-Yeah, it can be.

So, you guys - you work for Scott?

We work with Scott.

-And what is that, oil?

-Futures. Yeah, it's -

Well, that can be profitable.

Has its moments.

Yeah, OK. I think I should just look for my daughter.

Absolutely. Hey, nice to meet you. We'll see you in there.

-Talk to you later.

-Yeah, sure.

He's got to be younger than me. CELLPHONE RINGING

Well, look, he's young. He'll have plenty of energy.

LAUGHS

-He's lovely. Big hands on him.

-You'll just say anything.

No, it's not - don't answer that phone call.

I've got to answer it.

Kate, it's your mum. You know it's your mum.

I know. She's on her own. Come on.

Yeah, and so are you.

She is, like, human contraception, honest to God.

-She's ruining your sex life.

-Shut up.

You go. You go.

Hello, Mum?

Yeah. Can I ring you back?

Yeah, cos I'm out. OK, bye.

SIGHS

Hi.

I'll see you guys.

Hi!

Wow. Let me look. Let me look.

Whoa.

You look beautiful.

Thank you.

-You look...

-Like a bad lounge act.

No, you don't. You look very, very nice.

No. They told me that everyone was going to wear white here.

LAUGHS But I was misinformed.

It looks good. I like it.

Thank you.

-How was your flight?

-Fine.

So, uh, that's your guy?

Yeah.

It's a long way to come to see two American kids get married.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

No. That's just a bad joke cos I'm jet-lagged. I'm sorry.

Have you seen Mom?

-No. Is she here with Brian?

-Yep. They're over by our table.

Oh.

So, is the house your mother rented for almost everyone nice?

-Dad.

-What?

No. I just got to get it out of my system.

I'm sorry. It really is good to see you.

Give me a hug.

-Hey, look who I've got.

-Hi.

Oh, my gosh. Hello.

We'll talk later. Go ahead.

Hi. Bye.

-Hey.

-Hi.

I'm Matt. This is...

-Sorry. We've got to go.

-No.

Babysitter just rang.

Wee bit of trouble at home but nothing serious.

-Nothing serious.

-Nothing serious at all.

But you stay. You stay.

All right.

You enjoy yourself, you miserable cow, and turn that phone off.

-You working tomorrow?

-Yes, half day.

I can't believe you give yourself Sundays.

-I'll see you Tuesday.

-OK.

-Have fun.

-Thanks.

-Bye.

-Bye.

Looks like we've been set up.

Yes. Sorry.

No, it's not your fault. I mean, I'm fine with it.

I mean, I'm happy to meet new people.

Yes. Yes. Yes. So am I.

Why don't you sit down?

So, you're Oonagh's boss.

Yes.

I'm saying "yes" a lot.

-Uh, yeah.

-LAUGHS

Sorry.

Would you like another drink?

Uh, sure. I'll get them.

No, no, no, it's fine. What would you like?

Can I have a, uh - can I have a glass of white wine?

-Anything dry.

-Dry.

Thanks.

-Hey, Mel.

-You all right?

-Andy.

-Nice to see you.

Gwen.

CELLPHONE RINGING

Mum, can you stop - stop -

Hang on.

Hang on. I can't hear you.

Just hang on a sec. Hang on.

CROWD CHATTING

Man: That's true.

That's exactly what happens nowadays, you know?

Hi.

Hey.

-Harvey.

-Jean.

-Harvey, good to see you.

-You too.

-You're looking good.

-Hi.

So our little girl's getting married.

CHUCKLES

Harvey, you remember the Watsons. Barry and, of course, Jill.

-Jill: Hi.

-Barry.

Harvey.

Boy, I haven't seen you guys since Jean and I, uh -

You look well.

Thank you. You look weller.

-BOTH CHUCKLE

-Thank you.

-Barry, you too.

-Thanks, Harvey.

It's good to see you. How's your son?

-Daughter.

-Betsy's fine.

Right.

CELLPHONE RINGING

Sorry. I got to take this.

Can you hold on, please?

Sorry.

It's gonna take two hours max, no longer.

Have you told him it was for me?

Look, we have to go back. He'll tell you.

Just have him call me, OK?

All right. I really got to go.

OK, bye.

CROWD LAUGHING, CHATTING

Hi.

Kate, sorry. I bumped into these guys.

Couldn't shake them. Everyone, this is Kate.

-That's OK.

-Andrew, Melissa, and Gwyn.

-Gwen.

-Gwen, sorry.

Sorry. I hope we're not barging in on you.

No, no. Not at all. No.

So, how do you two know each other?

Um, we don't, actually.

We've got some friends in common - Oonagh and Matt.

And Matt came. And Kate works with Oonagh.

-They had to rush home.

-Bumped into each other.

Yes.

-Are you on a blind date?

-Yeah.

No. It's not a blind date.

Shall we just leave you to it? Shall we leave you?

No, no, no, no, no.

I mean - ALL LAUGH

SIGHS

Jeanie, did you move me, my sweetheart?

-No, darling.

-Dad, I moved you.

I thought it might be easier if you needed to get up.

Oh, sure. OK.

GLASS TINKLES

Shall we have a quick toast just to get things started?

I'm going to save my big speech for tomorrow.

ALL LAUGH

Dear Susan and dear Scott,

I just want to take us all back

to that wonderful holiday that we had in Rome together

and wish you salute, eh?

All: Salute!

Because Jean and I love you both so much,

and we're so happy that Scott is gonna be part of our clan now.

And so, I say, many, many, many happy, happy years ahead.

Salute. All: Salute!

Uh, my turn.

CELLPHONE VIBRATING

I thought it was off. Sorry.

Um...

To a great couple.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

-And cheers again!

-Cheers again.

-Let's eat!

-Yes! Good idea.

both laugh

Actually, I'm sorry. Maybe I should call you Dad.

ALL: Aww!

NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE

Harvey.

Hello, Jean.

Could I have a glass of water, please?

No ice.

Thank you.

Are you OK?

I'm excellent.

Go a little easy, OK, Harvey?

Why?

Are you afraid I'm going to embarrass you again?

No, I'm -

I'm afraid you're gonna embarrass yourself, Harvey.

SIGHS

We're here for Susan. This is her weekend.

It's Scott and Susan's weekend.

LAUGHS

You're good. You're still good.

I mean, you've always known

how to make me feel like a piece of shit in 30 seconds.

Well, you gave me a lot of practice.

Why'd you marry me?

I was - I was very young,

and you were lots of fun.

And how's Brian? Is he fun?

He thinks I'm fun.

Harvey, go home now. Get some sleep, hmm?

Come back, and see your daughter get married.

Our baby girl's getting married.

SIGHS

-Hey.

-Hey.

-Susie.

-Dad.

SIGHS

-You OK?

-Yeah, I'm great.

-How you doing, huh?

-I'm good.

-You enjoying yourself?

-Mm-hmm.

That Scott seems like a very good guy.

He is.

I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to talk to you.

No no, don't you worry about me. I'm fine.

This is about you and Scott. This is your weekend.

-Huh?

-Yeah.

So, how's work?

Oh, it's all right. It's, uh

It's just different.

It's sound design now. It's not music any more.

It's a business, so it's computers and digital,

and you just hit a button, and it's a triangle chime.

LAUGHS But it's what it is.

Are you still writing your own stuff?

Well, when I get home, I play a little.

CROWD LAUGHS

So, listen, um...

I'm really sorry to tell you this,

but I have to get back to New York

cos I have a really important account waiting.

It's very serious.

So I won't be at the reception in the evening, but I will be at your ceremony.

That's where you're getting married.

I wouldn't miss that.

OK.

Uh, Dad...

I've been thinking,

and Brian's been a really big part of my life

for the past few years...

and...

I'm gonna ask him to give me away tomorrow.

I'm sorry.

SIGHS

OK.

I want you to go be with your friends, and I want you to have a good time,

-and I'm gonna see you tomorrow.

-OK.

SIGHS

ALL LAUGH

No, but seriously, I mean, the thing is...

Excuse... sorry.

BREATHES DEEPLY

Right here's good, friend. Thanks. I want to walk.

Excuse me, could you take me to Wilton Green?

By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

To Heathrow.

Spirits? Champagne?

OK. Excellent.

HORNS HONKING

Can we go another way?

You're having a laugh, ain't you?

It'll be bad everywhere.

BOTH ARGUING

Sorry.

I'm sorry. I have the 1:30 to JFK.

I'm sorry, Sir. I'm dealing with a passenger.

-I want to go straight to the gate.

-I will answer all your questions,

-but you will have to wait.

-OK. Ma'am, excuse me.

-I'm on the 1:30 flight to JFK.

-Sir- Sir, there is a queue.

I appreciate that, but I'm on the 1:30 flight to JFK.

That flight's now closed.

No, no, no, the plane doesn't take off for 40 minutes.

Sir, the gate is already closed.

But all I have is hand luggage. Please, just let me through.

-Sir, that is not hand luggage.

-What, this?

-Now will you let me on, please?

-No, Sir.

When's the next flight?

SIGHS

The earliest I can get you on for sure is tomorrow morning.

-Tomorrow?!

-Sir, you're gonna have to stay calm.

Marvin, it's Harvey. Listen, the traffic was crazy.

I'm gonna have to reschedule slightly.

Come on, Harvey. The traffic?

-Jesus. Come on.

-Frank can set up.

I'll e-mail them the cue numbers,

and then I'll be there at lunchtime at the latest.

I'll come straight from the airport.

Look, just stay in London, will you? Just enjoy your daughter's wedding.

No, no, Marvin, it's fine.

-There's no problem.

-Harvey.

Frank knows exactly what to do, and Mike is gonna be right there to help.

-Harvey, we've got to talk.

-No, no, no. No, listen.

I'll be there at lunchtime, Marvin. It's OK. It's all set up.

-Harvey?

-Yeah? What?

-It's over.

-What?

-What do you mean?

-It's out of my hands.

There's people I got to answer to. I'm letting you go.

We'll talk when you get back.

Hi.

Can I have a Johnnie Walker,

and if you have a Black Label, neat?

Thanks.

Another, please.

It's OK. Thank you.

Aw, shit! WOMAN MURMURS

Sorry. Vulgar American.

How you doing?

I'm sorry, by the way.

For what?

Weren't you the gal who tried to ask me some questions,

and you were just doing your job, and I was rude?

I'm sorry.

I don't remember, really, but you probably were.

Most people are.

Hmm.

Good book?

Would be if I could finish it.

Ooh!

LAUGHS

-That'll help.

-What?

I said, "That'll help."

-What? This?

-Mm.

Oh, yes it will, and it is.

Right.

It'll help as much as that trashy novel and a glass of Chardonnay.

SIGHS

Sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. That was out of line.

Go away! Stop apologizing.

It's just that I've had a really shitty day.

Join the club.

Oh no, yours may have been shitty, but mine was shittier.

Mine was major shitty, you know? Huh?

How shitty?

I missed the plane, I lost my job,

and my daughter, who's getting married today,

decided that she wanted her stepfather rather than me to give her away, OK?

And that took it to major shitty.

Fair enough. You win.

What do you say, let me make it up to both of us,

and I'll buy you lunch?

Or tea. How about tea, if it's teatime?

Thanks very much, but I don't know you, and you don't know me, so-

That's exactly why we should have tea together.

It's very sweet of you, but thank you. No.

-Well, you've got your book.

-Mm.

CELLPHONE RINGING

If that's for me, I'm in the shower.

Aren't you gonna answer it?

No.

Should I take that as a hopeful sign?

If it is, you can give me a little wider smile.

SIGHS

Thank you.

See?

We're having lunch together.

No, we're having lunch next to each other.

Ah.

By the way, Harvey - Harvey Shine.

Kate Walker.

So, why aren't you at the wedding?

VACUUM WHIRRING

I knew there was something that was missing.

I had to get back for work.

What, for the job you just lost?

CHUCKLES Yes, exactly.

Did you enjoy it, the job?

Yes. No.

Yes, originally.

What was it?

I write jingles.

-Wow.

-That's a normal response.

Did you always want to write jingles, or was-

was there something more?

LAUGHS

What?

No no, I love it.

You cut right through it. I like that.

-I'll take that as a compliment.

-You should.

I would have given anything...

to have been a jazz pianist.

Were you good?

No. Not good enough.

Sorry. I... can be a bit nosy.

Yeah, and I like it.

-Do you believe me?

-Mm.

I have to tell you that is a relief to find someone

who actually says what they're feeling and what they're thinking.

Especially in a place that's supposed to be -

you know - Britain, English, reserved.

Oh, no no. Haven't you heard? We're a nation changed.

Ever since Diana died, we're all sort of flowing out of us like water.

You guys showed us the way, actually.

No more stiff upper lip for us.

And what is that, exactly?

-What?

-"Stiff upper lip."

I'm not sure, it's kind of...

that whole clenched thing.

-Clenched?

-I think so, you know.

See, when you cry, your lips wobble,

and when you're being strong, they don't.

Like this.

No, that's sort of more like a bulldog.

No, don't do that. You look like you've got no teeth at all.

It's my first attempt at a stiff upper lip.

-Who does...

-I don't really kn...

I think it's the sort of tension in your jaw.

Who does that?

-Aristocrats.

-The aristocrats?

Posh people.

-Thank you. I enjoyed that.

-Me too. Where are you going?

-I'm just going to a class, actually.

-What kind of class?

-Writing.

-Ah.

It's just a thing, twice a week, I do.

I've got to get the Heathrow Express, actually, so...

-I see.

-What about you?

I don't know. I guess I'll stay in a hotel near here.

-I have a flight in the morning.

-Oh, so it's - yeah.

-OK.

-Bye-bye, then.

-Bye.

-Good luck.

CELLPHONE RINGING There's your phone again.

BOTH CHUCKLE

Hello?

Yes.

HARVEY: Sorry. I'm sorry.

Sorry.

Hi.

Sorry.

The thought of staying at a hotel near the runway unnerved me.

CHUCKLES

-Do you mind?

-No, no, no.

Excuse me.

-How are you?

-I'm fine.

You ran.

Well, I wish you'd been on the car four cars down.

So...

-You OK?

-Yes, I'm fine.

-Where we going?

-Um, Paddington.

Oh.

So, here's the taxi rank.

I suppose it's bye-bye again.

Oh. CHUCKLES

They'll take you to wherever you want to go - any hotel.

You mean instead of me walking you to your class?

Carry your books. I'll throw that in.

Sure.

Is that a "yes"?

Yes.

Why not?

In which case, we um - we have to go -

we have to go back this way.

You mind if I just drop these off?

Sure.

LAUGHS

It's like "Yours is a glorious country, Honeychurch!"

Know that? Line from a book. "Room with a View."

Ah. EM. Forster.

-Mm-hmm. Have you read it?

-No.

LAUGHS

-Do you think less of me?

-No no, not at all.

It's just - I think we're just very different.

Probably.

-Is that bad?

-No.

I don't think so either.

-CELLPHONE RINGING

-Hang on. Sorry.

-Oh, sorry. I should get this.

-Go ahead.

Hello, Mum? Hello.

Sorry. I've been busy.

Yeah.

No. I'm out, actually.

Yes, yes, with someone.

No, with someone else.

Yes, a man.

Oh, you did, did you?

What, an actual body?

OK, listen.

Listen, I'll come in early tomorrow morning,

and we'll check it out together, all right?

All right. All right.

Bye-bye. Bye.

Yeah, I love you, too. Bye. Bye.

-Sorry. My mum.

-She worries about you?

-Mm-hmm.

-Yeah.

Well, about herself, actually.

She's convinced she's living next to Poland's answer to,

-I don't know, Jack the Ripper.

-Oh.

Do you live with her?

Oh no. No no no. God, no.

-LAUGHS

-Near, not with.

She's all right. She means well.

She just had a really rough ride of it is all.

Why?

Oh, well, my dad ran off to France with his secretary,

and then, about four years ago, she got cancer, but she's completely recovered.

She's fine. She just doesn't want to admit it.

You know.

So...

she's bored is what I think it is,

so she's made my "situation",

which is what she calls me being single, her major distraction.

It's like a sort of hobby for her, if you like.

I see.

Sorry.

-What?

-No. I was just-

-I was just talking too much.

-No, no, you're not.

-No, I am.

-No, you're not.

Anyway, we're here. This is my class.

SIGHS So, how long is your class?

An hour.

I can - I can wait.

Well, it's getting cold. You don't want to wait, do you?

Not that cold.

CLOCK CHIMING

OK.

Careful.

I might get the wrong impression.

DOORBELL RINGS

DOORBELL RINGS

So, uh, how did it go?

Well, the usual.

Lovely, mild-mannered Mike gave us the latest instalment

from his psychosexual thriller.

He's 86.

Shall we keep walking?

OK.

It's nice. It's nice today.

Do you ever wish you could just live a different life just for a day

just to see what it would be like?

Do you have an idea what yours would be?

Mine?

I think it would take place in Spain- definitely-

in a little house, inland.

-And what would you do?

-Write a book.

I mean, you know, not "Middlemarch" or anything.

-George Eliot.

-Yeah. Have you read it?

No.

So, your book-

Would be just a really good holiday read,

you know, for the beach or a plane.

I've got one of those inside me.

-And this house that you'd live in...

-Cabana.

-Cabana.

-Yeah. Please.

Sorry... that you'd write in,

would it have a view?

Yes, across the plains,

with a little stream running around it to bathe in.

-Bathe in?

-Mm-hmm.

-No showers?

-No.

Rustic.

OK, OK, OK. I'll adjust.

I'm there, only if you're receiving guests, that is.

Sure.

You may visit, Harvey Shine.

Well, thank you, Kate Walker.

ROCKABILLY MUSIC PLAYS

# I'm a guy that likes his fun #

# When I fight, you'd better run #

# I'm a mean, mean, mean son of a gun #

# I'm going down to the middle of town #

# I'm gonna shoot that first man down #

# I'm a mean, mean son of a gun #

# My skin's hard as leather, I'm as tough as any man #

# When I have to shave myself, I use an old tin can #

# I wash my face in boiling wax, scrub myself with a gunnysack #

# I'm a mean, mean, mean son of a gun #

# I'm mean, I'm mean, I'm mean #

# I'm a mean, mean, mean son of a gun... #

NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE

-Can I ask you something?

-Sure.

What happened between you and your daughter?

Uh, I don't know.

SIGHS

Somewhere along the way, I just lost her.

I woke up one morning, and I-

I realized...

that I didn't belong in that house.

You know, I always had this feeling in my stomach...

SIGHS

that they were a bit embarrassed by me.

I mean, if you see them now with Brian, my daughter's stepfather,

you know, they just- it just makes more sense.

I mean, they really look right together.

And I was not a great father.

Is the wedding reception still going on?

I don't know.

Am I still on New York time? What time is it?

About 7:00. Where is it on?

Grosvenor House.

Well, you have to go.

-No, no, no, no, no.

-Yes, you do.

No.

No, Harvey. It's ridiculous you're not there.

-You have to go.

-They really don't want me.

Harvey, she's your daughter, and you're her father. You have to go.

Harvey, I really mean it. It's absolutely unforgivable.

You have to go.

-Come on.

-I'm thinking.

You come with me.

No. I...

I can't go to a wedding reception in...

bloody green polyester.

Are you trying to get me to buy you a new dress?

-Is that what this is all about?

-No.

-It is! Yes, it is!

-No, it's not.

-I'm not coming.

-Come as my bodyguard.

-No. No.

-Come as my friend?

BIG BEN CHIMING

OK.

I am not spending more than £200 on that frock.

-Is it a deal?

-Yes. Yes.

# I'm a guy that likes his fun #

# And when I fight, you'd better run #

# I'm a mean, mean, mean son of a gun #

# I'm going down in the middle of town #

# I'm going to shoot the first man down #

# I'm a mean, mean, mean son of a gun #

# My skin is hard as leather, I'm as tough as any man #

# When I have to shave myself, I use an old tin can #

# I wash my face in boiling wax, and scrub myself with a gunnysack #

# I'm a mean, mean, mean son of a gun #

# I'm mean, I'm mean, I'm mean #

# I'm a mean, mean, mean son of a gun #

# I'm a mean, mean, mean son of a gun. #

Oh.

Where was it?

Hello.

ELEVATOR BELL DINGS

SIGHS

DOORS OPEN

PEOPLE CHATTING

-My ex-wife just clocked you.

-Did she?

Huh? Oh.

-You should go say hi.

-OK.

Here comes my daughter.

-Hi.

-Hi.

-I didn't go.

-I'm glad.

Uh, this is, uh, Kate.

-Oh, hello.

-A friend.

How do you do? Congratulations.

You look fantastic.

Thank you.

I'm so sorry I've gate-crashed, actually.

-No, she...

-But it was your father.

He insisted.

No no. It's fine. I'm sure there's room.

No, no, no, no. We'll just fit in wherever.

-Excuse me.

-Mm-hmm?

-Could you find them a seat?

-Sure.

Ladies and gentlemen, could I have your attention, please?

It's time now for the best-man speech.

Oh. Except we seem to be missing the bride.

You may have seen her - dark hair, white dress.

Oh, there she is. OK, ladies and gentlemen.

Without further ado, our best man, Pete Turner.

-Pete: Thank you, Josh.

-Hi.

And thank you, Jean and Brian, for such a beautiful occasion and for...

You do know this is the children's table.

Yes.

I'm gonna need to take you back to the early '90s,

when a tall, far-too-cheerful Chicago man...

-Hello.

-..walked into my room at Duke...

-Bit of a chatterbox.

-Mm.

SIGHS

And finally, I'd like to propose a toast to Susan

for making my friend Scott complete.

All: To Susan!

Cheers.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's now time for the father of the bride

to say a few words.

Tonight, that enviable task

will fall to the ever-charming, ever-distinguished Brian,

ladies and gentlemen.

Well, that was quite some speech, Peter-

quite something to follow.

-But I will try.

-GLASS TINKLES

-Brian.

-Yes, Harvey?

Excuse me for interrupting.

I think he said "father of the bride."

Ah, yes.

May I?

Go- go ahead, Harvey.

Hi, everybody.

Um...

I think there's something

that Jean and I learned from our failed marriage,

and that is that it's the children of divorce that suffer the most,

and the child of Jean and Harvey Shine has had her share

of pain and disappointment, but-

and this is a tribute to you, Susan - it has served her well

because she's somehow separated herself

from the fracture of her birth family

to become a strong and determined and independent woman.

And yet...

you've kept your sensitivity and your vulnerability

and your loveliness...

and you look quite beautiful tonight.

Um...

SIGHS

-Scott?

-Hey.

You're a lucky guy, and I'm a lucky guy

because I'm looking forward to you being my son.

You are my son-in-law. LAUGHS

I've never had a son.

OK.

Well, no pressure, but, Jean,

I look forward to grandparenting with you,

but that's no pressure, Scott.

CROWD CHUCKLES

I toast you, Scott.

I toast your wife...

my daughter.

I toast our family.

And if I can just linger a moment longer,

I'd like to hand this back to you, Brian, with a note of gratitude.

Thanks for being there.

I would like to ask you all to please stand up and join Harvey and I

in a toast to the bride and the groom - to Susan and to Scott.

Susan and Scott!

# Baby, I'm yours #

# And I'll be yours #

# Until the stars fall from the sky #

# Yours until the rivers all run dry #

# In other words, until I die #

# Baby, I'm yours #

Harvey. Harvey.

# And I'll be yours until the sun no longer shines #

-Hi.

-Hi.

-Don't cry.

-I won't.

Oh, Susan.

Oh, thanks for coming back, Dad.

Thanks for having me back.

# Do my best to keep you satisfied #

# Nothing in the world can drive me away #

Huh? Ready?

Whoo!

LAUGHTER

DISCO MUSIC PLAYS

# Hold it #

# Don't let go #

# Baby #

# Not too slow #

# Higher #

# Make me know #

# Move it faster #

# Don't let go #

# Don't let go, don't let go, don't let go #

JAZZ PIANO BALLAD PLAYS

BALLAD ENDS

Is that one of yours?

Yes.

It's lovely.

INHALES SHARPLY

Don't go.

OK.

-We have to hurry.

-Why?

Because I'm gonna dance your socks off.

DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

Bye! Bye! Bye!

OK! Oh, the bouquet!

Three, two, one!

CROWD CHEERS Yay!

Have a great time.

-Hey!

-Oh, sorry! Bye-bye!

Bye!

-Good luck.

-Thank you, and thank you.

CROWD: Bye!

Bye.

ENGINE STARTS

-You all right?

-Yes. Yes, I am.

-Do you want to get out of here?

-Sure.

Excuse me.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

-Why?

-"Why"?

Well, you did about five different dances.

No, no. I mean, why is it called "cutting a rug"?

I love these fountains.

Children play in them in the summer.

-They sort of sit on them.

-CHUCKLES

They sit their little bottoms down, and then they get tickled by the water.

They love it.

I don't think I've stayed up all night...

since I was a student.

You got sad.

Why?

I was pregnant once.

Didn't have it. I mean...

I didn't think twice about it.

That's what smart girls did.

Yeah.

I do...

I do sometimes wonder, you know, wh -

whether they would be funny or clever or...

Oh, I don't know...

neurotic.

Stupid, really.

I don't know why I told you that.

Meet me here tomorrow, OK?

What?

Right here, right in this spot, noon.

OK?

What about your flight?

I don't have to go.

Why?

Oh, shut up, Harvey.

Stop it.

You think that now. You wait till tomorrow.

Today is tomorrow.

Harvey.

We don't know anything about each other.

-CHUCKLES

-You're, you know...

-Old.

-No, I wasn't gonna say that.

Well, OK, you're a bit older.

I'm...

SIGHS

I can be mean.

So can I.

No. Truly cantankerous.

Cantankerous, I've never been.

LAUGHS

I should be going.

I'm very serious.

I'll be here waiting at noon, OK?

SIGHS

OK?

Harvey Shine.

Tell me what time!

Noon!

I can't hear you!

Noon!

LAUGHS

Top o' the morning to you, Sir.

I'm afraid they're both out of order, Mr Shine.

If you wouldn't mind using the stairs.

I wouldn't mind at all.

HUMMING

WHISTLING

Whew!

GRUNTING

PANTING

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

-Are you OK, Sir?

-Huh?

What's the problem? Are you OK?

-Uh.

-Can you-

I'm gonna bring you a doctor. Just wait here, please.

Shit.

Hey.

Hey!

-Morning, James.

-Morning, Kate.

-You all right?

-Ooh!

Actually, can I have, um, can I have some grapes?

I've got some lovely seedless grapes today.

All right, then. Give us a little bunch - three quid's worth.

-Okey-doke.

-That'll do me.

Thank you.

Clutching his chest? Yeah?

All right.

Sir, you said that you've been drinking more coffee than usual.

-Yes, but I have to be somewhere.

-And you're under stress.

-You haven't been sleeping well.

-Yes, but I already told the nurse.

Please, I've been up all night, I'm under stress, but I have an appointment.

OK, sir, try and calm down. I just need you to stay tonight.

I have to be somewhere.

It looks to me like arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat.

Yes. I told the nurse it's called SVTs.

I've had it since I was a kid, and I left my medication in New York,

so if you can just make me out a prescription for Digoxin.

Digoxin, yeah. That's right. We can do that, no problem.

First, I just need to rule out all other possibilities.

No, no. It's arrhythmia. Please, Doctor.

-I have an appointment.

-I'm 99% sure it is arrhythmia.

Nurse, can you do a 12-lead ECG and send for tests troponin?

You can't keep me here.

No. You cannot keep me here.

Also a thyroid function, please. Thank you.

And can you arrange a monitor bed for him for tonight?

OK, Mama. It's me. Done. I've got to get to work.

Why don't you stay and have some lunch?

I can't. I've got to go.

Not to pry or anything,

but why is there a large smoked ham under the stairs?

Oh, that. Yes.

It's, um... The neighbour gave it to me.

The Polish neighbour?

So, probably not a mass murderer.

Probably not.

CHUCKLES

Are you sure you're going to be all right?

Yeah. Of course I will. I'll be fine.

Men. Who needs them?

Remember, we've got Greece to look forward to.

Yeah.

Got lipstick on your face. See you.

-Morning, Kate.

-Morning, Paddy.

-Lovely as ever.

-Thank you.

Right.

OK, thanks a lot. I appreciate it.

Thank you.

PHONE RINGING

SIGHS

'Hello. PSA. Heathrow branch.'

Hello. Is there a Kate Walker there?

-It's Harvey.

-Hold on.

Kate, it's for you. Some guy called Harvey.

I'm sorry, she's, uh, not here.

Please, this is important.

Kate!

I'm sorry. She's busy.

She won't come.

OK, thanks.

Sir, if I can get you to sign here.

Sure.

-CELLPHONE RINGING

-Thank you.

Hello?

Hey, Harvey. It's Marvin. Where are you?

I'm still in London, Marvin.

Well, you get yourself back here, my friend.

I got some great news. You were right.

The Samuelson account, none of the kids could handle it.

They couldn't nail it.

They ended up picking one of your old tunes.

They want you to come back and update it.

We need you back, Harvey. Your old room's here waiting for you.

Harvey?

-Oh, well, that's great, Marvin.

-Yeah. Yeah. It's great.

Look, I know when to eat humble pie.

So, hey, when can you get back here?

Harvey?

I'm not coming back.

What?

I quit.

What do you mean you quit, Harvey?

Look, man, you need us.

No. You know, I don't.

As you said, it's my last chance. Look, I got to go.

Taxi!

Taxi, Heathrow. I'm in a hurry.

-Hi.

-Hi.

I'm looking for Kate Walker. Kate.

Who wants to know?

A friend.

Oonagh, there's a man out here asking for Kate.

-He says "a friend."

-Yes.

-Friend?

-Well, more than a friend.

-More than a friend?

-Yes.

-Are you the American?

-Yes, that's right.

She likes you. I can tell.

Don't you go messing her around, now. Don't you hurt her.

Oh, I won't. I wouldn't.

She's not here. She's left for the day.

You might still find her at her class.

In fact, it starts about now.

It's down at the South Bank. Called the National.

-Yes, I know.

-Oh, you know, do you?

-Yes.

-Go on. Go and get her.

See you, Harvey.

"The blood oozes from his wound like dark chocolate on a warm summer's day.

He could still smell her on his glove -

that deep, penetrating smell of sex.

It was silent, but with the faint sound of dripping sweat.

Salt was the taste that he remembered most -

so salubrious, so sensual,

so sexy."

APPLAUSE Oh, thank you.

Here you go.

LAUGHS

CLOCK CHIMING

-Hey.

-Hi.

You still here, still in London?