Iris Page #3

Can we have the blinds?

Dame Iris, thank you very much. Than kyou.

Well done, puss.

Dame Iris, thank you very much indeed.

It's so kind of you to come, Dame Iris.

Thank you, I like it. Thank you very much.

Is it any help?

Well to us? Yes.

It's implacable.

What does that mean?

It means inexorable.

I know what the word means -- to me. To us.

You see, words have meant everything to her.

They would still mean something?

Some thought?

It can't just be dead birds dropping.

I know what it means and,

it doesn't surprise me...

... it frightens me, but...

...and then sometimes

it doesn't frighten me and ...

...that's just as bad

because that's it winning, isn't it?

No, it's not...It won't win.

It will win.

There. It will win.

That's very kind.

Iris.

Iris,wait for me.

Just keep tight hold of me and it'll be all right!

You won't keep still!

I can' tkeep still!

I can't catch up with you!

Speed up!

Oh, good morning.

Ah, no...

I think it's the...

...person who brings the post, John!

-Yes, it is.

-Yes.

John! So Sorry.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much indeed.

So Sorry.

Go on. Go on, go on, go on...

It's only the postman.

-It's only the postman.

-Don't repeat everything, puss.

It's only the postman.

It's for you -- It's your book.

-What's that?

-Your book.

It's only the postman.

It's your book.

-IRIS MURDOCH - JACKSON'S DILEMA

-Isn't it perfectly splendid?

Why don't you look at it?

It's only the postman.

Oh, damn!

Stop nudging up to me like a water buffalo.

I have a lot to do. Lots to do, Iris.

See what I've done now?!

It's not your fault. Not your fault. Sorry, sorry.

-It's only the postman.

-Yes, all right, it's only the postman.

So sorry. There's lots to do.

Which side do I go?

Ask me my three

main priorities for Government...

...and I tell you...

...education, education and education.

John. John! Why does he keep saying that?

What does he mean?

-By what?

-Education, education, education.

I think he means learning,

everyone getting enough of it.

Why does he keep saying it?

Politicians have to keep repeating things

to make themselves heard.

They have to do anything

to make themselves liked.

Why does he want to eat a sheep's ear?

Shall I turn it off?

No!

We could go for a swim tomorrow,

if it's not raining.

-No.

-Yes, you love water.

When you swim you love it, swim?

Swim is good for you.

When are we leaving?

Not today.

Are we going to London?

No, we're going for a swim.

When are we leaving?

Not today.

When are we leaving?

Iris -- Iris, wait for me.

-You dirty old man!

-Hello.

There we go. Well done.

No, Iris, not with your socks on, your socks!

No, no, give me your hand. Give me your hand.

Give me your hand...

You'll pull me in. No, no...

You're all right. I won't let you go.

Let me get you dry. You're all right.

Where are your socks? Socks? No?

Uppy, uppy hands. Uppy hands. Let's get it on.

That's it.

Iris, come on. Just put your hand...

...like this. Up hand. Up.

-Let's get your head through.

-Let's go now.

No, let's go now.

Iris, as soon as we've got your head in! Iris.

-Let's go now...

-Put your head down.

Where's my petticoat?

Here.

Are you sure he's expecting me?

Maurice.

I've brought John. You said I might...?

Did I? And did you say you would?

Yes. Well...come in.

-Maurice Charlton.

-John Bayley.

Isn't it hot?

Yes, Itis. I've got just the thing will cool.

I imagine your friend

Maurice is hoping to have his wicked will, is he?

Not today, is he?

You and I

are much the some age, aren't we, John?

I think so.

Does it matter?

No.

It's not important, is it?

What Maurice means is that most of my real...

...my other friends are -- older than me.

Much older.

Yes, and there's a

very good reason for that, isn't there?

She likes people with a bit of a past.

She uses them... Don't you?

No I don't.

For your novel, don't you Iris?

-I haven't read it

-Haven't you?

Neither have you Maurice, so don't play games.

Nobody reads it.

The gentle lady hasn't yet

bestowed her favour on anyone.

Iris doesn't like to talk about it. Do you Iris?

It's because it's full of people she knows.

All these masters of thought

you're so chummy with.

Bound to be. We all know. Isn't it, Iris?

No. You can think what you like,

you know nothing about it.

Nobody knows but me.

And -- I'm not telling.

I thought it was as secret?

I know Iris doesn't want it talked about.

Come on, Iris,

I'm sure we'll all recognise ourselves.

I don't see how you -- anyone can.

They won't. They won't.

I hate that sort of thing. I won't ever do it.

I don't see the point

of writing a novel that's autobiography.

There's no fun in that.

They won't see themselves.

Don't people written about in novels

always see themselves differently?

-I'm sure they do, but...

-And who was it who said:

"You can use anyone you like in a novel...

...as long as you

drop it in somewhere that they're good in bed...

-...even though..."

-...they might not be.

Evelyn Waugh.

"And so to bed." Samuel Pepys.

So, have you granted your favour to John?

Told him who's in the novel?

We have other things to talk about.

No-one has read my novel.

-No-one but the publisher.

-It doesn't matter.

Well, it does matter, I feel let down.

Am I not a small part of your life?

You were very gallant.

Very stupid.

No, John.

Will you come in?

Have you been entertained?

Yes.

All these people...

...and to think I chose you

for your obvious lack of...

thought that... I thought no competition.

What's this?

A friend made it.

Is she a cook, your friend?

No, he's ap hilosopher. But

his real interests are cooking and telephones.

I'd like you to read this.

I was rather afraid you might not like it.

Thank you.

I value your opinion.

Perhaps it's time we made love?

Yes?

Yes. That's what I thought.

Have you got a French letter?

A rubber thingy?

Oh, good Lord, no.

Well...

...we'll just have to be careful.

I don't exactly...

Probably easier if you take your trousers off.

Yes, of course. I've never...

I'm a rather late starter.

My brother used to have to...

...tie my shoelaces for me till I was seven.

-I don't know if...

-I do.

It'll all go...

swimmingly.

-Help.

-No, no, no.

Iris, calm down. No.

No. Help, help.

I am trying to help you.

Sorry.

Please don't, Iris.

You have nothing to be sorry about.

It'd be unfair and I couldn't bear it.

We should be saying sorry to you.

And not just sorry, but...

Shall I read to you? Shall I?

Occupied in observing

Mr Bingley's attentions to her sister...

Elizabeth was far from suspecting...

...that she was herself

becoming an object of some interest...

...in the eyes of his friend.

Mr Darcy had, at first,

scarcely allowed her to be pretty...

I wrote.

Yes, my darling clever cat.

You wrote books.

Books. I wrote.

You wrote novels.

Wonderful novels.

I wrote.

Such things you wrote.

Special things...

...secret things.

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