Notes On A Scandal Page #4

As ifhe were a monkey

whojust strolled out of the rain forest...

and asked for a gin and tonic.

[ Piano ]

Have you heard from that

friend of yours, Barbara?

Bar? Wakey-wakey.

Lorraine was asking

if you'd heard from that nice friend of yours.

- Who?

- Jennifer Dodd.

Oh. She left the school.

She's teaching

in a primary at Stoke.

There's a chap, apparently.

I heard they're engaged.

But it's true.

It would be insane, wouldn't it?

It's the most ridiculous

possible time for him to be selling.

Well, that's what I said.

I said that.

He should give me a ring.

It's absolute madness for him.

- There you are, darling.

- Well, I am happy to give-

I am happy to speak to him.

I'm none of the kind.

I'm nothing of the kind.

Darling? Can we have gravy, darling?

Darling, there's no gravy.

[ Chattering Continues ]

[ Cell Phone Beeping ]

[ Richard Shouts ]

[ Chattering Continues ]

[ Richard ]

It's taking half an hour to explain the whole thing.

[ Chattering Continues ]

[ Woman ]

Ever since Ronald died, she's drifted inexorably.

You see, her father

was an exceptional man.

Exceptional.

Bathsheba's a loner, I'm afraid.

She's beautiful, thank God,

and it's got her through...

- but it's not quite the same

as possessing substance.

- [ Woman ] Mm-hmm.

[ Steven ]

Happy Christmas.

What are you doing here?

Everyone's inside.

Aren't you gonna open it?

Oh.

It's- It's made of real fake gold.

Thank you.

What's up?

I haven't heard from you.

I can't see you anymore.

I'm sorry. L-

I just can't.

It's over.

- [ Door Opens ]

- Why?

Bash? Bash?

She's not here.

- [ Door Closes ]

- Was that your dad?

No. It was an uncle.

Do you wanna end it?

Please don't look at me like that.

- Have you gone off me?

- No.

You should go.

Please don't make-

Just go.

[ Chattering ]

She gave you what?

- [ Chuckles ] What color are they?

- Is it Pete?

White?

[ Chattering Continues,

Indistinct ]

[ Sobbing ]

[ Sobbing Continues ]

[ Barbara Narrating ]

I long to phone "S,"but it's late.

Poor girl. All alone

with her awful family.

Our lives are acutely similar

in so many respects.

[ Knocking ]

[ Woman ]

Sis?

Oh. Writing the old diary?

I can't imagine how you keep at it.

[ Laughs ]

I'd have nothing to say.

- [ Cat Mews ]

- Oh.

Hello.

You know, you're welcome

whenever you want.

Not just once a year.

It's just that I'm

rather busy at the moment.

Your racy London life.

[ Laughs ]

Well, I'm glad it's so full.

I'm sorry aboutJennifer.

She was lovely.

Is there anyone else?

Someone else who's special?

I don't know what you mean.

I didn't- I didn't mean to pry.

- [ Train Passing ]

- [ Moaning ]

Belated Christmas present.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, my word! Asprey.

- [ Sighs ]

- How is she?

You are the most wonderful friend.

Any good?

It's a masterpiece.

Don't they teach you anything?

We used to worship her.

[ Woman Singing, Indistinct ]

- Take it off.

- What's it for?

Just take it off, please.

I'm-I'm still making it.

Yeah, but why?

It-It's for my son.

- But he's 12, isn't he?

- He's got Down syndrome.

[ Continues, Indistinct ]

You never said.

Right.

Sorry.

- [ Cat Retching ]

- Oh!

Oh!

[ Man ]

I'm sure she's had a very happy life.

Oh, yes. She has.

Thank you.

We could make her feel more comfortable

for the next few weeks...

but it will be weeks

rather than months.

You've had a terrible shock.

Where's Richard?

I don't want to disturb your weekend.

It's fine.

Everyone's out.

[ Cell Phone Ringing ]

[ Ringing Stops ]

Can they treat her?

He says it's just a matter of weeks.

[ Sobbing ]

She's only a pet.

Oh, no! I cried for weeks

when our dog died. Weeks.

One does get so attached.

[ Sighs ]

I should leave you in peace.

Yeah.

I like that top.

It suits you.

- Oh, thanks.

- [ Cell Phone Beeping ]

When I was at school...

if one of us had had some

bad news or was a bit down...

we used to stroke each other.

You know, someone would do one arm

and someone else the other.

It's a wonderful sensation.

Did you do that at your school?

No.

It's incredibly relaxing.

For the giver and the receiver.

- Close your eyes. No, no, really.

- Oh-

It doesn't work if you don't.

[ Sighs ]

- There's a good girl.

- I think that's enough.

- No. Close your eyes.

- No. I really think that's enough, Barbara.

There's someone in your garden!

He came over the wall.

Oh, it's probablyjust

the neighbor's boy, lost his football.

No, he's going into the summerhouse.

Quick! Call the police!

- It's just a kid from next door, Barbara. Forget it.

- [ Cell Phone Ringing ]

[ Steven ] Where are you? I've been dreaming

about your hot, sweet c*nt all morning.

Hello?

Hello?

Richard's on his way home.

No, I can't. No, I can't. I'll call you.

Barbara! Barbara,

I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Bar, please.

I tried to end it, honestly.

I just couldn't.

I risked everything for you!

And in return, you humiliate me!

No, I didn't mean to upset you, Bar. Please.

I need your help more than ever.

- Please don't go like this.

- You promised to end it. Why didn't you?

- Because l-

- What? You're in love?

And the child? Do you imagine

he reciprocates your soppy feelings?

Oh, I daresay he's fascinated

by the neurotic compulsions...

of a middle-class lady

with marital problems.

- Bar-

- There's nothing crueler than the adolescent boy.

I know them. Once he's had his fill,

he'll discard you like an old rag.

You're not young!

I say this to help you.

End it now.

- Yeah. I'm thinking.

- Don't think. Do.

Do, do, do, do!

Or shall I just sit here doing my nails

till your husband returns?

- No, no. Please. Please. I'll do it.

- What are you waiting for?

[ Siren Wailing ]

[ Bell Rings ]

Mr. Connolly.

I'm Mrs. Hart.

From St. George's.

Steven's not in trouble.

I just need to talk to him

about an art project-

- Oh, yeah. Come in. Come in.

- Thank you.

It's just upstairs there.

It's very good of you

to give him the extra lessons.

It's the first door on the left.

It's probably best to knock.

[ Steven, Indistinct ]

So that's your vicious father?

You wanted a sob story.

I gave it to you.

- Made you feel like Bob Geldof.

- You lied to me!

Ooh, sorry, miss. What?

Do you prefer it if I live in a shithole?

- And your mother?

- I think she's gonna pull through.

What do you want?

What are you doing here?

They're gonna expel me now!

No, they won't.

I'll get the blame if she tells.

As if she won't.

She likes me.

She might not.

Likes you how? Like that?

You giving her one and all?

Why are you being so cruel?

Why, Steven?

I really like you.

You're a nice person.

And you've been cool,

and it's been great. Okay?

But it was supposed to be fun,

and now it's a serious thing.

Whatever sh*t

you're working out-

you know, your husband,

your kid, you-

I don't know.

I can't help you.

[ Train Passing ]

- Oh.

- [ Sobbing ]

[ Barbara Narrating ] As my mother

would have said, the boy done her like a kipper.

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