A Short Stay in Switzerland Page #5

Oh, a newspaper.

A self-harming nun with a machete.

What?

Are children reading these?

No, I think that's appalling.

Sophie, go and get the box.

I'm sure it said family crackers.

Yes, I got it in the supermarket.

Just complain, Mother.

I will. What part of a lady

should not move when she's dancing?

Her shoulders. I remember

when I was a girl. Her bowels.

Her b...! (LAUGHS)

That's disgusting.

There's a moral decline in society.

These cracker jokes are a symptom...

Yes, I...

You should complain, Mummy, you're

always complaining about something.

I do not always complain.

ALL:
Oh!

You should be ashamed of yourselves!

We're innocent, Anne. We told

them not to. What have they done?

They wrote the riddles themselves.

To shock you.

Oh, you are the end.

You really are. How could you

play tricks on your poor mother?

Easily!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ready, steady... Go!

HUBBUB OF GAME:

You were quiet during the meal.

I didn't know what to say.

I still don't.

Thank you for welcoming

me into this family.

Look after Sophie.

There is nothing in that

regard you need worry about.

Would you do something for your

horribly demanding mother-in-law?

I would not mind coffee.

Probably shouldn't but I'm going to.

My pleasure.

# The bells are ringing

# Ding, dong, verily the sky

# Is riv'n with angels singing

# Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria

# Hosanna in excelsis... #

It's all in one breath.

# Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o... #

What are you thinking about?

Can I get you anything?

Kedar is getting me coffee.

But there is something, Sophie.

What?

I think it's time

to book the flights.

Soon.

A short stay in Switzerland.

I was saying to your mother,

Sophie, you get mighty deals if

you leave off travelling

till the middle of January.

That's why we're

going now, Mrs Savery.

You'll have a ball.

The four of you.

No skiing, I'm warning.

I want to mind no broken bones.

I promise. And no worries about the

house. I'll keep it safe and snug.

It will be here waiting for you.

I will leave it in your

good hands, Mrs Savery.

How can I thank you enough?

SHE CHOKES:

Listen to her. She's just like

myself, always getting nervous

about getting on a plane. She

shouldn't be, should she, Jessica?

She shouldn't. Packing's complete.

Do you want me to double-check?

I trust you, Mrs Savery.

Don't you worry about the cat.

I'll feed the bold Flora.

I wouldn't be allowed to forget.

She's a very bossy creature.

Now look after your mother,

the three of you - and bring her

back safe or you'll answer to me.

Well, I better get going home.

Safe journey

and I'll be seeing you soon.

Goodbye, Mrs Savery.

Is there something

else I have to tell you?

No, my head's like a sieve.

I can't remember.

Safe journey. Goodbye.

The letters are all printed.

Everything's prepared.

We have enough cat food?

A feast of it.

Have you seen Flora?

She's on your chair. I'll

just go and see if she's all right.

Well, old girl.

You'll have to look

after them all for me now.

Thank you, Flora.

Beautiful, wise cat.

DOORBELL RINGS:

The car's here.

What are you looking for?

My guide book to Zurich.

I know it's in here somewhere.

Sophie has one.

Well, I have my own.

Like to know where I'm going.

Where are they?

Meeting the TV crew.

They flew in this morning.

I must spring clean this

handbag, I really must.

So, it's happening then.

Mmm.

Right, let's see Zurich.

How is Edward

managing to remain so calm?

He's no more calm than we are.

He can't imagine life without her.

I keep wondering what it'll

be like, what will happen.

Can you guess what

I'm thinking of doing?

Marrying Stephen.

Oh, that's excellent news.

We must celebrate.

Can I give you something?

I want you to have my wedding ring.

Take it off my finger when I die and

put it on Stephen's.

I'm so glad for you both.

Yes, do marry.

Waste not, want not.

I always did insist on recycling.

You do know how much

I'd want you to be there?

I love you so much.

I can't imagine a better mother.

That was a lovely

thing to say, Edward.

Good luck to you both.

Two sons, what fun!

Right, food everyone.

You must all be famished.

So glad you're here, Edward.

All of you.

Hold my hand on the gallows.

Yes. Only my mother.

Oh, very good, Edward.

That's right.

That's it.

We should say something.

Is "Cheers" appropriate?

It's always appropriate.

Cheers. Cheers.

To Jack.

To Daddy.

Sophie.

Edward.

Jessica.

To Mummy. To Mummy.

I think it's terrible that

people have to come and die

in a foreign country.

Anne, can I just

ask you one last question?

Is there anything anyone could say to

you this morning

to make you change your mind?

No, nothing at all.

Thank you. Thank you.

'The procedure will take place

in our organisation's apartment. '

A trained volunteer will assist you.

He will have to video you taking

the medicine which I will prescribe.

Yes, I understand.

And your children will be with you?

To the end, yes.

It's what they want.

Is it what you want, Dr Turner?

I thought it was.

I thought I knew for sure.

Though now I know something I didn't

before coming here.

What is that?

I've broken their hearts.

By dying?

By dying.

You are honest.

And your children,

they are honest too?

They are, yes.

Then they are where they want to be -

with you.

Practical matters.

Is the taste horribly bitter?

It will be, yes. Does it ever fail?

No, Dr Turner, it never fails.

It is a strange thing you do today.

It does require courage.

You have it.

Dr Turner, I am Carsten.

Please come this way. Thank you.

I'll let you have some time alone.

Thank you.

This rum chocolate is very good.

I think I might try a white one.

I'm not so keen on that.

Which one's the rum one?

The blue one. Blue.

OK. Please excuse me, I need a

word alone with your mother.

This is what you really want?

Yes.

I do appreciate your kindness.

I'm not crying for myself,

I'm crying for my children.

I do hope they're going

to be all right.

# Glory to thee,

my God, this night... #

I have no regrets whatsoever.

That's my children.

# Keep me, O keep me, king of kings

# Beneath thine own almighty wings

# Glory to thee,

my God, this night

# For all the blessings of the light

# Keep me, oh keep me,

king of kings

# Beneath thine

own almighty wings. #

It's time.

Come here.

Now...

Look after each other.

This is the barbiturate.

The law requires I

record this conversation.

Dr Turner, you know if you

swallow this, you will die.

You do understand this fully?

The law requires I hear you answer.

I know perfectly well what

will happen, yes.

You understand the whole procedure?

I understand fully.

Oh, it's bitter.

Oh, I feel woozy now.

Into the bed. Yes.

She must stay upright in order to

let the drug travel quickly

through the body. I must insist.

Can she not sit even?

She can, but she

can't lie down just yet.

SHE BREATHES NOISILY

I love you so much.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes