Last Holiday Page #6

Enjoying yourself, George?

No. Can't really say I am, Daisy.

And it's about time I started.

Joe'll want you to play poker tonight.

Always does, old pie can.

And you'll have to play too, George,

or Joe'll be put out.

Cards.

I'll have three cards, please.

- One, two, three.

- Thank you.

- One.

- One for you, two for me.

I'll check the bet.

Ten.

All right, Georgie.

Ten, and another 10.

Mmm. I'm away.

Ten...

and 20 more.

Ooh.

Well -

All right, Georgie,

what have you got?

- Heavens! A royal flush!

Look at that.

A bloody full house.

All right, gents, that's penalties.

Another two pound each.

- You're a very lucky man, Mr, Bird,

- How do you do it, boy?

I don't know, Joe.

I just don't know.

- Must we go on?

- Of course we must. Eh, boys?

- Can't stop when you're winning, Bird, old boy.

- All right. Whose deal is it?

- My deal.

- Have to get a wheelbarrow for this lot.

I'm sorry, Sheila.

It's just as bad as it can be.

- We've had it.

- What do you mean? What's happened?

Something's gone wrong.

There's been a leak somewhere.

Binney's in a flap.

Says our only chance is for him to clear out.

He's broke too, and -

Hold it.

We've got company.

- Mr. Rockingham?

- That's me.

But I've had a long day

and I don't feel like a cheery chat.

I'll try not to keep it too long.

Just a few questions.

- Perhaps you'd like to leave us.

- I'd rather not, if you don't mind.

Mr. Rockingham,

yesterday you were in Paris.

I was.

Last week, on the 9th to be exact,

you were in Brussels.

On the 3rd you crossed to the Hook.

A few days before that you were also in Paris.

I daresay. Not quite sure about the dates,

but that's more or less right, I imagine.

- Fond of travel, aren't you?

- No. Not this kind, anyhow.

But you see, Inspector, I need a job.

I see.

Know a man called Binney?

Yes, slightly. Used to run into him

here and there. Not lately, though.

- Not lately, eh?

- That's what I said.

What I say is that you were

having a drink with him...

this afternoon at a quarter to 3:00

in the Regent bar.

Well, what if I was?

- Derek.

- It's all right, Mrs. Rockingham.

While your husband's thinking it over

I'll talk to you.

We believe that Binney and one or two others

have started a currency smuggling racket.

It looks as if your husband's

been giving them some help,

And don't imagine

this currency smuggling...

is like trying to slip a few pairs

of stockings past the customs.

It's not.

It's a dirty game.

Talk to me.

My wife knows nothing about this.

There is something to know then.

Look, you've got a first-class war record.

You can leave that out. They seem to, anyhow,

when the jobs are going. Don't forget that.

I've got a job. Supposed to be good where I come

from, and it took me 15 years to work up to it.

But I couldn't afford to have a whiskey and soda

and sandwiches in this hotel.

- I can't either.

- No.

And I don't think that's so funny

because I know you can't.

But I'd rather go and dig ditches

than do what you're doing -

trying to make easy money

stooging for rats like Binney.

Like to tell me anything?

All right, I'll see you in the morning.

Think it over.

- Good night, Mrs. Rockingham.

- Good night.

Oh, Derek, how could you?

I know. I've been a stupid ape.

But there's no time for all that.

If only I could find a way of paying the bill,

we'd leave right now.

If I get 100 quid

to Binney by morning -

Oh, if, if, if.

What's the good of talking that way?

Isn't there anybody here

who could give us a break?

If there isn't, I'm for it.

I must phone a fellow

and let him know what's happening.

May take time though.

Going upstairs?

No, I couldn't.

I'm going outside. I must think.

- Good night. Thanks for the game.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- Good night, sir. Good night, Mrs. Clarence.

Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Good night.

Sleep well.

Ooh, that's a nice little packet,

isn't it?

Listen, George, old cock,

I'd like to talk some business.

Now, look, I've got six fish restaurants,

three fun arcades and two holiday camps...

and I'm starting two more.

Why don't you come in with me, Georgie?

You and me could get on.

You're one of those lucky boys.

I spotted it right off.

You don't have to put any money up,

but you can if you like,

Thanks, Joe...

but it's no use.

I have to go away soon.

Must you go?

- Looks like it,

- Long way?

A long way, Joe.

And I'm sorry,

but I shan't be coming back.

What's the matter, old son?

Nothing.

Feel a bit muzzy.

I'll go outside and get some fresh air.

- Good night, Georgie.

- Good night, Daisy.

Thanks for the game.

- Oh, it's you.

- Yes, it's me.

It would have to be you, wouldn't it?

Needn't be.

I can go.

No, I didn't mean it like that.

You're the one person here

who would probably help us.

We're in a terrible mess.

But after the way I behaved this afternoon,

you're the one person I feel I oughtn't to ask.

I don't agree.

I gave you some advice unasked for...

and people who give advice

should be prepared to give some help too.

What do I do?

It's desperately urgent.

Then we must pay our bill here.

There's about a hundred here.

I'll look after the bill

in the morning.

- But can you -

- Yes, I can.

I must have known from the first

somehow you were going to save us.

There was always something about you.

Yes, but it's urgent.

Rockingham. Derek Rockingham.

Oh, very well!

Derek!

Darling, it's all right. Our troubles are over.

George has just lent us the money.

And he'll pay our hotel bill tomorrow.

My dear chap, this is terrific.

Are you sure you can spare it?

- God knows when I'll be able to pay you back.

- I'm not expecting to be paid back.

Oh, no, I say, this is one time

when I really-Well -

I mean, you have to find a man

to pay him back.

And I'll be hard to find.

Good night. Good luck.

Oh, but what about a drink

or something?

No, thanks.

Good night.

Rum bloke.

Darling, you're shivering.

Let's go in.

Thought you'd still be playing poker,

Winning too, weren't you?

How do you know?

Well, the waiter who brought your drinks

wasn't exactly blind, deaf and dumb, you know.

What'd you do with the winnings?

Give them away?

- Yes.

- Sheila Rockingham.

I'll bet she wheedled them out of you.

Have you got to be so hard

all the time?

Yes. And don't start pawing me about

just because you've had a few drinks.

It wasn't like that.

I can see now you're the sort of woman

a chap would like to take hold of...

but it wasn't like that.

What was it like then?

It's late.

I feel miserable.

Not close to anyone.

On my own,

if you know what I mean.

Oh, no, I wouldn't know

what you meant.

And I suddenly thought

you were the one I knew best.

Well, I'm sorry I spoke like that to you.

- It's all right.

- No, it isn't all right.

And nothing's all right about you,

churning my feelings up like this.

Why don't you get away from here?

Go away and make yourself into something.

Because I don't know how to make myself

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