Conspirator

1

"Major and Mrs Henby."

"Lord and Lady Canter."

"His Excellency and Madam Eldar."

Great fun, isn't it Melinda?

Oh, I love it.

I can't believe I'm here.

Yes, it's very colourful.

How often do they do this?

The 7th Guard? Once a year.

Oh.

I've always wanted to come.

And now here I am.

Yes.

Here we both are.

It's awful isn't it.

Frightening.

Isn't anyone ever going to dance

with us? Oh, eventually.

But first of all the young officers have

to dance with the important people ..

Like the Colonels' wives.

Oh.

A shame we couldn't provide something

gayer for your first party in London.

Oh, I don't mind. You're with me.

Really, it's fun to watch

in a .. horrible sort of way.

We've been whirling about so,

we've forgot where we left you.

Are you having a nice time?

Yes. Thank you, auntie.

Of course, mother.

I suppose you're fond of music, Melinda?

I love it.

I knew it. All Americans

are fond of music.

Ha ha. Don't you think?

Then John, you must dance with Melinda.

Glad to.

After you've danced

with Mrs Hammerbrook.

Oh, of course.

May I?

Not getting too late for you I hope?

Long past your bedtime, you know.

"Right Honourable and Mrs Tenbeigh."

That's the sort of remark I

find completely nauseating.

I try to forget such things.

I'm sorry I'm so late Joyce. I saw

you sitting here. Hello, Hugh.

As a matter of fact, I saw

you as you came in.

Melinda, I'd like you to

meet Captain Ladholme.

Hugh, this is Miss Melinda

Greyton from America.

I told you about her.

How do you do?

Hello.

Joyce has told me all about you but she

didn't tell me you would be quite so ..

Well, she is.

Yes.

Well Lady Penrose stopped me

and I couldn't get away and ..

Would you care to dance?

Well .. not without music.

No, no. Of course, I meant with music.

Well if Joyce really

doesn't mind .. I will.

Hugh my boy, I've been looking for you.

I wonder if you would mind ..

General Barclay's wife

has just asked about you.

She's not dancing and I wondered ..

Well, you would excuse him I know.

Yes, of course.

Why, yes, sir.

I'm sorry, I won't be long.

Come along, my boy.

Well ..

I know, it's frightful luck.

Oh, I don't care, really.

And you'd have liked Hugh.

He seems quiet but he

can dance like a dream.

"Major Michael Curragh."

Good evening. Good evening, sir.

Good evening.

Why, what's the matter with you?

Joyce, look.

I've never seen anyone like him.

Never.

Do you think he's attractive?

Ferociously.

He's coming over here.

Talk about something. Anything.

Oh Lin, there is no need to get excited.

Good evening, Miss Pennistone.

Major Curragh.

May I have the pleasure?

Melinda, I would like you to meet ..

Yes.

Thank you.

Major Curragh.

Major Curragh, I don't believe

you know Miss Greyton.

Miss Melinda Greyton.

From America.

You're very young to be

so far away from home.

No I'm not. I'm eighteen.

Oh, that's rather old.

Older than seventeen anyway.

And you?

Very old.

Thirty-one.

Why that's young.

Young for a Major.

Do you like being a soldier?

Well, I've been one a long while.

Of course, in peacetime it's rather

pleasant. When there is a war on ..

I bet you were brave.

Yes, absolutely fearless.

You laugh about it. But I bet it's true.

You know, I have a feeling about you.

You're beautiful to

look at, that's obvious.

But at all times and in every way,

I'm sure you're completely lovely.

Yes, I am.

At least everyone at home

has always thought so.

For a while tonight I wasn't

sure whether anyone here did.

I shouldn't worry

about it if I were you.

You know, I have another feeling.

What?

A feeling that I'm going to drive

you home after the dance.

Why, of course.

Even I knew that.

You know.

I've never been so happy.

Just think.

If your mother hadn't written my mother.

To thank you for the Virginia

ham my mother sent ..

Then my mother would never

have written to your mother.

She bought the ham purely on impulse.

If she hadn't ..

I wouldn't be here this minute.

I wouldn't have met ..

Major.

Michael.

Curragh.

You know, Joyce.

I think I'm almost in love with him.

Major Michael Curragh.

Joyce.

It's thundering.

I'm not a bit afraid of the

thunder and lightning.

Not a bit.

But do you mind if I get in your bed?

I'm not a bit afraid.

Lin, I wish you'd hurry.

Mother's sent for a taxi.

What on earth made me buy this thing.

It's too young.

Look Joyce, hasn't your mother

anything I could borrow?

I could see.

Thanks a lot, Joyce.

What sort of thing?

Oh .. something black.

Jet black, with a veil.

Oh, that's perfect.

Except for the rose.

The rose is too bright.

Well really Lin,

we're not going to a funeral.

Now if I can just snip off this rose.

There.

I'll sew it back on.

Oh Lin, you've cut the stem.

Anyway, I don't see why you

want to look like your own mother.

I would be different if Major Curragh had

a mother complex but I don't think he has.

Or why would he like you?

If you'd read as much as I have ..

You would know that practically every

man in the world has a mother complex.

There.

I look more interesting, don't I.

The taxi is waiting.

You look very pretty, Joyce.

You too Melinda. Your hat.

My dear, I have a hat very much

like the one you're wearing.

Only mine has a rose on it.

This isn't the real thing, you know.

Just a rehearsal ..

For the Guard of Honour we're to

put on for the Maharajah of Pindor.

Colonel Hammerbrook is taking

the Maharajah's place today.

I don't think I will.

I don't feel much like a

Maharajah at the moment.

Take my place Michael, and Miss Greyton

can see imposing you really would be.

Very good, sir.

Could Melinda, could Miss

Greyton be the Maharani?

Make it more realistic perhaps?

Good idea. Will you, Miss Greyton?

I'd love to be a Maharani.

Very well.

You're really covered

with medals, Michael.

What's that red and yellow one?

The Africa Star.

That must be a wonderful one to get.

Not at all. It merely

means I set foot in Africa.

"General salute! Present .."

"Arms!"

I hope you realize he was

saluting you, not me.

I don't blame him.

You mean you like me today

as well as you did last night?

Oh yes. Much better. You see,

I had all night to think about you.

Do you like women in black?

Yes, I do. I don't like

you in black, though.

You don't?

There .. is that better?

Much better.

I guess there is no use

pretending with you, is there.

No use at all.

Then let's not .. neither of us .. ever.

Do you promise?

If you promise me something?

Of course. Anything.

Would you let me see you every night

until you go back home again?

What makes you think I

will go back home again?

That's right. Why should you.

Why should you?

I didn't know you were Irish.

No. I'm not really. My mother

was, my father was English.

Did you live in Ireland?

For a while.

Was it lovely?

Lovely? No.

No, it wasn't lovely.

It was cold, dingy, poor.

Michael.

Were you poor?

Not especially.

Why are you so interested? I am not the

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