Random Harvest Page #2

We've met, anyway, haven't we?

Have you no friends,

no parents that you can trace?

Have you tried?

Some people

came to see me at the hospital...

but I wasn't their son.

I'll bet they were disappointed,

weren't they?

Yes, I think so.

I was, too.

I'd have liked to belong to them.

Smithy, you're ruining my makeup.

But how you do chatter.

Yes, I seem to have talked rather a lot.

That's me. I always bring people out.

Much too far, sometimes.

- Ridgeway.

- All right, thank you.

I've got to go and perform now.

Smithy, look...

I'll put your chair outside. Come along.

You can see the front of the stage

from here.

Just sit there and nobody will bother you.

I'll be back in a couple of shakes.

- You'll be all right, will you?

- I'm fine.

Sure?

Your head seems awfully hot.

- Paula. You're on.

- Coming.

I spoke to her father and asked,

"Could I marry Daisy?"

"Certainly you can," he says.

"Certainly. On one condition."

"Name it!" says I.

Says he, "Get married in the house

and after the ceremony...

"you leave by the back door."

"Leave by the back door?

Why would we do that?"

He say, "I'm telling you,

you leave by the back door...

"so that the hens

can get the benefit of the rice."

I love her for herself alone.

She's the bonniest wee lassie

in all Scotland.

As Harry would say...

I knew the minute I seen him,

he had the flu.

Biffer, there's something

I ought to tell you.

- He's from the county asylum.

- No.

But he's all right, really.

He would have been discharged

if he had a home to go to.

You don't think they'll come after him,

do you?

Any busybody comes snooping after him...

I'll give him what I give the gunner.

- Biffer, you're a darling.

- He's a gentlemen, he is.

Liked him the minute

I first clapped eyes on him.

I'm all right.

It's just my speech. I can't remember.

Rest now, Smithy. You mustn't talk.

I'm not like the others.

I'm not like them. I'm all right.

Yes, Smithy, you're all right.

But I can't go back.

If I go back, I'll never come out.

I'll be like the others.

You shan't go back, Smithy.

I won't let you go back.

Rest now.

Rest, Smithy.

Just go to sleep.

Hurry down. Supper's on the table.

The train leaves at 1:00.

I'm all packed. I'll be back in a jiffy.

How did the show go?

Splendidly. The last night.

Glad to get rid of us, I expect.

How did you get on?

I talked to the chambermaid today.

- Had quite a chat with her.

- You did?

Wonderful. What about?

The weather.

You are coming on.

I see you're all packed. That's a good boy.

So am I.

Our train leaves at 1:00.

- Paula.

- Yes, Smithy?

You're sure I can be useful?

Your manager isn't just taking me on...

because you asked him?

Good gracious, you don't know Sam.

He's as hard as nails.

No, you can take my word for it.

The whole thing was his idea.

I can't tell you what it means, Paula.

To be someone again, to be wanted.

It's all your doing.

How you do run on.

There's no stopping you

once you've started.

You just eat your supper.

I'll go down and I'll be up again

in time to fetch you for the train.

Goodbye.

- The usual?

- Please, Biffer.

Sam, he's as pleased as punch.

I wish you could have heard him.

You are an angel.

That's all right, old girl.

It's given him confidence

just knowing that he's wanted.

That's all he needs to get well.

- There you are.

- Thank you, Biffer.

Evening, Mr. W. What's it to be?

Half and half, and rush it, will you?

They've been watching me like hawks...

since I blotted me copybook

Armistice Day.

Why?

One of our loonies

slipped off in the fog...

while I was supposed to be

watching the gate.

Got clean away, uniform and all.

No. Really?

But you got him back, didn't you?

Not yet, but we shall.

- What sort of a bloke?

- It's getting late.

Tallish, dark hair, shuffles a bit.

Can't get his words out.

Always thinking something different.

He's not dangerous, I suppose?

There's no saying with loonies.

Quiet as mice for weeks.

Then all of a sudden,

up and after you with an ax.

Sam, I'm going in to supper. You coming?

Just a moment, Paula.

- Ella, coming?

- Coming.

It's time, isn't it? Nearly 12:30.

- Smithy.

- I'm all ready.

Sit down a minute, will you?

There's nothing wrong, is there?

Smithy, I've got to talk to you.

I won't beat about the bush.

Sam won't take you.

Won't take me?

There was a man from the asylum

in the bar just now.

He told everybody about your escape.

Sam feels it's too risky taking you.

I think perhaps he's right.

I think perhaps you should go back

to the asylum...

until you're all well again, and then...

Go back?

It is best, Smithy.

You need care, and you need doctors

that understand your case.

I feel dreadful about it,

but it's for your sake.

Sam wants to help...

but he says I have no right to take you.

He says I'd be risking your sanity.

Your life, perhaps.

You do understand, don't you?

You're not angry with me? You don't think

that I've gone back on you?

It's not that I'm afraid.

It's because I think it's right.

They were all against me, all of them.

They couldn't have made me do it

if I didn't think it was right.

You do know that, Smithy, don't you?

Tell me you understand,

that you're not angry with me.

But tell me. Let me hear you say it.

Speak to me, Smithy.

You could always speak to me.

Wait for me, Smithy.

Come on, Smithy. Get your coat on.

I know I'm right. I know it.

I'm ashamed of myself,

letting them talk me out of it.

Here. Let me help you. We'll have to hurry.

Don't you worry, Smithy.

We can't go with the others...

but we'll find some quiet place

where you can rest and get fit.

Here's your hat. Take your parcels.

Come on.

We'll go by the back door.

I've got to see the Biffer.

Go that way. Don't let anyone see you.

There's a door leading to the alley.

Wait for me outside. I'll only be a minute.

Biffer, here's the money for my bill.

What? Off already?

They want to send Smithy

back to the asylum.

No.

I'm not gonna let him go.

I'm taking him into the country.

Giving up your job?

I'll let you know when we get settled.

- Will you send my trunk on to me?

- You bet, and good luck to you.

Thanks, Biffer.

You're one in a million. Goodbye.

Goodbye. Good luck.

Smithy, what have you done?

- He tried to stop you?

- Yes.

Sam?

I pushed him and he fell.

If they get you now, you're done for.

- I'm no good. Let me alone.

- No. I won't.

- We can't leave him.

- We must.

We'll think later. Come.

But I'm no good. I'd better go back.

That was bad luck, the stationmaster

recognizing me at Melbridge.

They may have wired ahead

to Canford to stop us.

Well, we won't go on to Canford.

We'll get out at Swinton Junction.

From Swinton, we can go into

the west country to Devon or Cornwall.

We'll choose some little country place,

quiet and lovely.

It's the end of the world.

Lonely and lovely.

We'll be safe here, even if...

We'll phone first, and then we'll see.

All right, Mrs. Deventer, he can come

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