Match Point Page #2

what's a beautiful, young,

American Ping-Pong player doing

mingling amongst

the British upper class?

Did anyone ever tell you,

you play a very aggressive game?

Did anyone ever tell you

you've very sensual lips?

- Extremely aggressive.

- I'm naturally competitive.

Is it off-putting?

I'll have to think

about that for a while.

There you are.

I wanted to introduce you

to Chris Wilton.

Chris Wilton,

this is Nola Rice, my fiance.

So, you're the tennis pro.

- Hello, darling.

- My pleasure.

He was trying to have

his way with me over the table.

Oh, really? Yeah, well,

you'd better watch out for this one.

He's made a living out of hustling.

I'll be ready for you next time.

- I'll see you outside.

- Oh, yeah.

She's quite something, isn't she?

- How long have you been together?

- Six months.

Jesus, yeah, six months!

She came over to study acting,

and I met her at a party

that I'd crashed

and she'd crashed, and...

...one thing led to another.

Obviously, it's taken Mother quite

a long time to get used to the idea

that I'm serious about her, but...

To be honest with you,

Mother's always had

this funny little agenda for me

which doesn't really involve

marrying a struggling actress.

Especially an American one.

But I am crazy about her.

Anyway, I think we should all go to

dinner next week. What do you think?

- I'd love to.

- Excellent.

Now, Irish, how about a little drop

of Scottish before supper?

- Why not.

- Lead on. Quickly.

These afternoons have been great.

I'm so glad your schedule

allows you so much time off.

Yes, it's fun.

Although it wouldn't hurt

to have a few more pupils.

Do you need money?

God, no.

No, I'm fine.

It's very sweet of you to ask,

but I don't.

I'm only asking

because I care about you.

Shall we go to your place or mine?

I don't think mine's

quite what you're used to.

Shut up. I think yours'll be just great.

You've been seeing a lot

of Chris Wilton lately, I understand.

- Yeah. He's very nice.

- I liked him.

I just don't understand

what he's aiming for.

He certainly doesn't want to be

a tennis pro for the rest of his life.

Well, I find him very likeable.

He's fought his way up the only way

open to him, and he's not trivial.

I had a very interesting conversation

the other day about Dostoyevsky.

Can't we do something for him?

A place in one of

your companies or something?

Has he expressed a desire?

No, but... he's open,

you know, about his future.

He really wants

to make something of his life.

Chloe, be careful.

Tom's involved with a woman I have

reservations about. Don't rush off.

Tom's happy with Nola.

You're prejudiced 'cause she's American.

She's spoilt and temperamental.

She's an actress, they're emotional.

She's deluding herself, and she's moody.

She's not right for Tom.

Well, I care very deeply for Chris,

and I think he feels the same way.

- Who are you talking about?

- Nola.

- Have you been waiting ages?

- Hello. Not at all.

Traffic was awful.

The others'll be here in a minute.

They're probably

stuck in it somewhere.

Can I have a champagne cocktail, please?

One of your father's associates spoke to

me today about the possibility of a job.

Did you say anything?

Look, I just told Papa to keep his

eyes open if anything juicy opened up,

so you could have first option,

if you wanted it.

- You're not cross, are you?

- God, no.

It's extremely thoughtful of you.

Thanks.

What do you think?

I'm gonna have to think about it.

I've never really seen myself

in the business world.

So, what do you see for yourself,

you know, in the future?

I don't know, really.

I mean, I'm sure

it's a great opportunity.

I think it is.

Papa said it's a chance

to learn the business.

And if things go well,

he'll see to it, you know, that...

...you move up quickly, or whatever.

I've always felt so-so

about office work.

It's not exactly office work.

Think of it more as a stepping stone.

To?

To a biggerjob, more responsibility,

greater earning potential, I don't know.

You've always said how much

you admire Papa's accomplishments.

Of course.

I mean, it's strange,

but coming where I come from,

I've always admired

men like your father.

Wealthy, but not stuffy.

Enjoying his fortune.

Having a grand time,

supporting the arts.

Well, he'd really like

to open some doors for you, that's all.

He's a very generous man.

He respects how you've pulled

yourself up, against the odds.

- You don't seem very enthusiastic.

- I'm sorry.

I hope my hesitation isn't upsetting.

No, no, not at all.

It's just that, you know,

you've always talked about

making a contribution and... I'm sorry.

I will. I promise.

- Oh, good.

- Hello.

Hi, guys.

Hello.

Don't worry, the traffic was awful.

It's my fault, I dragged Nola

to the classic car show at ExCeL.

- Really?

- It was unbelievable.

I swear, my trousers have barely dried.

Oh, God. Shut up.

You love your cars, don't you, Chris?

- I think the old ones are beautiful.

- Yeah, I like the old ones.

But Tom likes all those new ones

with the gadgets and...

I want an Aston Martin.

- I drove an Aston Martin.

- Really?

Yeah, I used to work for a man,

and I used to wash his cars for him.

- He was very, very particular about

- Thank you.

Taking care of them, so I had to

wash them every day with a toothbrush.

I want an Aston Martin, or one of

those vintage convertible Mercedes.

Well, when we're married

we'll collect vintage cars.

Just as long as I can have a DB9

with all the trimmings. OK?

In fact, Hedley is perfect

for keeping all those cars.

- In fact, speaking of Hedley...

- Should we order, 'cause he's waiting.

Frightfully sorry. I'll have

the baked potato with truffles.

- That'll be lovely. Yum-yum.

- I'd like the same, please.

Nothing to start?

Oh, I think the wine list.

I'll have the caviar blinis, please.

- Roast chicken.

- God, boring!

Honestly, they have the

greatest caviar blinis here.

- You should try them.

- That's OK.

- No, do you like caviar?

- So-so.

"So-so."

He's been brought up as a good boy, to

always order modestly. I'm very sorry.

He'll have the blinis.

My goodness, was your father an oil

rigger who specialized in etiquette?

He was kind of austere.

Chris's dad was a bit

of a religious fanatic.

Oh, Christ.

After he lost both his legs,

he found Jesus.

God. Sorry, but itjust

doesn't seem like a fair trade.

What were you saying about Hedley?

- Papa's invited us for some shooting.

- Oh, really?

I'd better bring

a different change of clothes.

I don't think your mother

appreciated what I brought last time.

I think that was your swimsuit.

She's used to slightly more fabric.

I'm sure if she knew you'd worn it

in a movie, she'd suddenly find it chic.

- True.

- Have you done many movies?

It was a commercial, not a movie.

But your eyes went straight to her,

if you know what I mean.

I don't think my career has...

really gone as planned.

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