Behind the Scenes: The End of the Affair Page #3

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My boy managed to gain access, sir.

Remarkably useful he can be.

I call that Exhibit "A."

They say a promise is forever,

but I don't know if I can keep this one.

He killed me with jealousy.

You're killing me with love.

So he's got the scent too,

Parkis.

- What scent?

- The scent of love.

Stalking it like a retriever.

Well, he's

remarkably persistent, sir.

He observed the party in question,

then in a state of partial undress...

with an unidentified male.

- Where?

- In the bedroom, sir.

The male party then closed the door,

and my boy made his exit.

The implications, and I think

you would agree, is that...

intimacy was...

imminent.

Indeed. Who is he?

Here, sir, is where progress

was definitely made.

As my boy left, he glanced at the

appointment book in the front hallway.

The party in question had a dental

appointment at 3:30 the following day.

In fact, she visited at 3:30...

a premises on 65 Cedar Road

where no dentist sign was in evidence.

A Mr. Smythe owns the premises, sir.

Smythe, with a "Y"?

Yes, sir. S-M-Y-T-H-E.

And...

no...

Though we have no evidence

of intimacy...

the implication is clearly there.

How is it there?

Why the fictitious

dental appointment, sir?

Exhibit "B."

My boy took that.

The party in question emerged

two hours later.

Passage of time being

amply sufficient for...

intimacy to have taken place.

The courts generally demand

at least an hour, sir.

Now, my boy would have provided us

with photos of her reemergence...

but for the unfortunate

occurrence of him...

falling asleep.

Luckily, sir,

the party in question...

mistook him

for an abandoned urchin...

woke him up and led him

to the nearest tube station...

so that the time of reemergence

is definitely established...

as was an acquaintance which may have

its uses in the future, for all we know.

So should I walk in and confront him

like an injured husband?

I'm against it, sir.

It complicates things in the courts.

This will never reach court.

- An amicable settlement then.

- There's lack of interest.

One can hardly make a fuss

about a man called Smythe.

I'd just like to see him,

that's all.

Well, perhaps Lance can oblige us

next time with a frontal.

- Lance?

- My boy.

Called after Lancelot,

the Round Table.

He found the Holy Grail.

That was Galahad. Lancelot

was found in bed with Guinevere.

I hadn't heard.

I have to say, sir,

I would advise against it.

I'd just like to see

what a man called Smythe looks like.

Will you lend me your boy?

Well, if you'll assure me

there'll be nothing unpleasant.

Sarah isn't there. This scene

will have a universal certificate.

Come with me, young Lancelot.

Go on, Lance.

No need to worry.

Now, you're feeling ill,

remember?

- How ill, sir?

- Ill enough to faint.

Can you act that?

If I hold my breath

and go all pale, sir.

Good.

Excuse me, but does

a Dr. Wilson live here?

- No, I'm afraid he doesn't.

- Oh, dear.

See, I was given this address,

and my boy's quite ill.

We've traveled all this...

You all right?

- You better come in.

- Would you mind? I'm sorry.

I think he needs

to sit down badly.

Thank you.

- Can I fetch him a glass of water?

- That's very kind.

Or some orange squash?

- Water will be fine.

- Orange squash, please.

Say thank you, Arthur.

- Is his name Arthur?

- Yes, ArthurJames.

- His mother was fond ofTennyson.

- Is she...

Yes, yes. Four years now.

- He must be of great comfort to you.

- And anxiety.

I ought to introduce myself.

- Bridges.

- My name is Smythe.

- With a "Y"?

- Yes. This is my brother Richard.

- With a "Y"?

- Yes. This is my brother Richard.

This is Mr. Bridges.

His boy isn't feeling well.

I was given this address

for a Dr. Wilson.

There's no such doctor here.

I've seen your boy before.

Maybe on the common.

What was the real purpose

of your visit?

I told you. A doctor.

No, you're not ill,

are you, boy?

People sometimes come to me...

and can't explain why.

But if there is a reason...

- My brother often deals...

- Hush, Susan.

They must ask themselves.

I recognize your boy,

but you...

- Who recommended you?

- We have a friend in common.

Sarah Miles.

And your name is?

Bendrix.

- I know all about you.

- I'm sure you do.

But you must enlighten me.

- Aren't you bound by vows of chastity?

- Oh, my dear!

Go, please.

Would you just go?

Come along, Lancelot.

Poor Sarah.

She had committed nothing but love.

And here were Parkis and his boy

watching her every move.

I would have called the spies off...

had the devil not tugged

at my elbow once more.

Henry.

Still in the rain?

Walking, Bendrix.

Doctor recommends it.

Well, walk with me.

I recommend a drink.

How's Sarah?

Pretty well.

Did you ever consult

that private detective?

I'd hoped you had forgotten that.

I was overworked.

I had Royal Commission brewing.

Don't worry, Henry.

I did it for you.

- You had absolutely no right.

- I'm paying all the charges.

It's infernal cheek.

Here's the report, Henry.

His name is Smythe, with a "Y."

You've been properly led up

the garden path, Henry.

- Will you let me pass?

- You don't want them?

Photographs, names, love letters?

Now will you let me go?

I can always get you

a carbon copy.

Strange how much dignity

there can be in a hat.

Without it, he seemed

one of the anonymous...

the dispossessed.

I had pitied myself for so long,

it was odd...

to pity him.

I'm sorry, Henry.

Sit down.

Were you two lovers, Bendrix?

It's the only explanation.

The only excuse too.

Can't you see

that what you've done...

is monstrous?

You must think me a fool

not to have guessed.

Why didn't she leave me?

Because you're a habit

she's formed.

You're her security.

- Why did she leave you?

- I became a bore.

Like you.

But I wasn't born one.

You created me.

She wouldn't leave you,

so I bored her with my jealousy.

- You can't be jealous of me.

- Well, you won, in a way.

We had come to the end of love.

She'd only make love with me,

but...

she could shop and cook

and fall asleep with you.

She's still very fond of you.

One isn't satisfied with fondness.

- I was.

- Yes, and that made you her pimp.

The bore of a husband

who knows where his slippers are...

but never notices his wife.

But you weren't

the only pimp, Henry.

The war was

the greatest pimp of all.

And the V-1 s

never affected us until...

the act of love was over.

So what will you do when it ends?

It won't end. I told you.

I meant the war.

It's the only certain thing.

What do you mean?

That allows me to see you.

You think love ends...

when you don't see me?

To be is to be perceived.

Do I exist for you

when you're with Henry?

Yes.

Isn't that why you stay

with Henry?

Because you know this will end?

No.

- We should go to the basement.

- My landlady might be there.

- Does that matter?

- Maybe to her.

- It's close, Maurice.

- I'll go and check.

- Let me go with you.

- I'll be one second.

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