Bunny Lake Is Missing

She may be a little late.

Will you please wait for her?

- Yes, sir.

- Thank you.

Good morning.

Well, what complaint have you got to add

to the world's misery?

- No complaints at all. That is...

- Then you can't be a teacher.

If you are not a teacher,

you've got no right in my kitchen.

Do you know what this is?

It looks like junket.

But when it looks like junket, it is junket.

- You know what Miss Elvira said about it?

- No, but I...

She said, Really, dear, can't we admit

the junkets just the weest bit poor?

- You know what I said?

- No, but I would like...

I said, it's just as stupid

to talk about poor junket...

as it is to talk about good junket.

Junket is junket, I said,

and no matter what you do with it...

it still tastes like swill

and swallows like slime.

Havent seen you around here before,

have I?

No, my little girl is just entering today,

and I can't find anyone to turn her over to.

No, of course you can't.

What little discipline there was

among these junket-eaters...

went to hell the day Miss Benton

was taken to hospital.

Weve only just arrived in England

a few days ago...

and I have an appointment to let

the moving men into our new apartment...

Everybody has his troubles.

Wheres your little girl?

In the First Day room.

When I telephoned to say we'd be late...

they said I should take her

to the First Day room.

Isn't that a cute name for it?

The teachers will be down

at the 10:
00 bell.

That's only 10 minutes.

I'll look after her till then.

Maybe I'd better wait until the teacher...

No, nonsense, you just go. You'll be late.

- Her name is Bunny Lake. And she's in...

- Yes, I know. The First Day room.

Thank you very much. Bye-bye.

I'm sorry I'm late.

Have you been waiting long?

Only a bit, maam. It's quite all right.

These three bags go upstairs

into the smaller bedroom.

- And those go into the large bedroom.

- Righto, ma'am.

- Yes?

- Hi!

Hello, Steven.

I wanted to check if you got there all right.

Of course I got here. Theyre unloading.

I'm sorry I can't help you, darling...

but some Congolese general is flying in.

I've got to cover it.

New York thinks there may be

a student demonstration at the airport.

How did you like the school?

I don't know yet. I didn't see anybody.

The Armstrongs sent their kids

to the same school.

They came home bleeding only twice.

Seriously, it's a good school.

Please be on time for dinner.

I'm making fried chicken just for you.

- I'll be home at 6:30 sharp. Love you.

- Bye-Bye.

The books stay in here...

and the typewriter goes on top of the desk.

And this carton goes in the kitchen.

Thank you. You've been such a help.

I'm still trying to figure out your money.

- Is that all right?

- Youre doing beautifully, if I might say so.

- One is more than generous. Goodbye.

- What's wrong with you?

- You must be bonkers.

- Why, thank you.

- Is somebody...

- Hear that, Samantha?

Our new tenants have arrived.

Hello. Weve come back

from wettest Worcestershire...

Samantha and I. This is Samantha.

If we hadnt been away,

we'd have organized a small...

but vociferous reception committee.

Who are you?

Among other things,

your new landlord and friend.

I hope my little African faces

didn't disturb you.

Of course not. I'm sorry,

but I do have a lot of unpacking to do.

- Carry on.

- Thank you.

This one was a gift

from my fan club in Ghana.

You can wear it, if you like.

I believe it's marvelous for fertility.

- That's not exactly my problem, Mister...

- Wilson.

Wilson. Horatio Wilson.

Poet, playwright...

dropper of alcoholic bricks, also.

Am I totally unknown to you?

Weve just arrived in England.

From Siberia, I presume.

That might possibly explain

your bizarre ignorance.

Mr. Wilson, I hope you'll forgive me...

but I really must get my marketing done.

I have other African heads,

small pickled ones, in my apartment.

Do drop in anytime you'd care to meet

some unsuccessful politicians.

Thank you. That would be lovely.

Now I really must go.

A Bientot, duchess.

Wave, Samantha.

Go on, wave to the nice young lady.

Theyre late.

It's absolute chaos with Miss Benton away.

I don't know.

Elvira seems to be coping manfully.

I'm not altogether sure.

Jamie lost his socks again yesterday.

Socks just don't disappear into thin air.

It's obvious she put them on

some other child who came without socks.

Not tremendously encouraging.

- Excuse me. Have you got a minute?

- A lifetime. Can I help you?

It's about my little girl.

She just entered today...

and I'd like to meet her teacher.

When theres time, of course.

Her teacher will be with the class

when it comes down.

Good afternoon.

I beg your pardon.

Could you tell me where the fours are?

The fours are packing up.

These are the babies.

What a big boy Jamie is.

And what a heartbreaker.

When we saw him this morning...

in the First Day room,

my Bunny just about fell in love with him.

She'd have fallen out soon enough.

he's got a foul temper. Bye-bye, now.

Hello, darling.

Had a nice morning?

- Excuse me, what class is your little girl in?

- The fours.

So is mine, but I can't seem to find her.

Miss Daphnes in charge of the fours.

She could tell you.

I don't see her, though.

Sort of tall, and dark, and 30-ish.

That's the classroom up there.

But I don't see Miss Daphne.

- Thank you very much.

- Goodbye.

Are you looking for something?

Of course I'm looking for something.

What did you think I was doing?

I can't always tell.

I'm looking for my daughter, Bunny Lake.

- How old is she?

- Four.

The fours have already left.

I know, only Bunny wasn't with them.

Are you Miss Daphne?

No. Miss Daphne has a bad tooth

and went screaming off to the dentist.

Anyhow, youre in the three room,

the fours are next door.

I've been there. It's empty.

- It's Bunny's first day...

- Perhaps she's gone down for her dinner.

- But she's not supposed to stay for lunch.

- Did you tell us that this morning?

No. You see, we were late...

We can't be expected to read your mind,

can we?

Come along. we'll have a look-see.

Is Bunny here?

Is a Bunny Lake here, please?

What's she look like, Dorothy?

I don't know that I've ever seen the girl.

She has red tights

and a white blouse with short sleeves...

and a blue pinafore dress.

She's blonde, and...

don't you watch the children here?

Isn't anybody in charge?

we'll find her. don't worry.

Havent you seen a little girl called Bunny?

- No.

- About your age?

- No.

- A new girl.

With a dress, just like yours.

Theres no point

in questioning the children.

What do you mean, no point?

It's my child, my little girl,

not some lost pair of socks.

Please, Mrs. Lake. We mustnt get emotional.

I don't need your advice. I want my child.

Whos in charge of this madhouse?

All I need is someone who can cook,

and by tomorrow morning.

Will you take a Spanish girl?

I want her to cook, not speak English.

She won't take less than 'L8. 10.

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