Random Harvest Page #8

- Perhaps.

In that case,

maybe you stayed at some hotel.

I know Liverpool. I've been up here often.

You know the direction you were

walking in when the accident happened?

Yes, I checked that.

I was walking down Mason Street

toward the square. It was wet.

Well, there are two hotels

north of Mason Street.

There's the old Olympic

and the Great Northern.

It's quite a distance from the Olympic.

So, if it was wet, the chances are,

you were coming from the Great Northern.

Presuming I stayed at a hotel at all,

under what name was I registered?

There's just one chance to find out.

If you were at a hotel, you walked out

leaving unclaimed luggage.

Would they keep it so long?

- It's worth investigating.

- Yes.

I'm glad you came, Miss Hanson.

You've given me fresh hope.

You must come with me.

We'll start with the Great Northern.

Please be kind enough to tell the manager

this suitcase is of no interest to me...

and I'm sorry to have troubled him.

John Smith.

Highly unimaginative incognito.

What could be more anonymous

than these poor rags?

- Nothing seemed familiar to you?

- No.

There's a finality

about that most unrewarding find:

Like a door slammed and bolted.

Now I shall learn to accept myself

for what I am:

A psychological defective.

As Kitty saw me. As you must see me.

You must keep my secret, Miss Hanson.

Will you send a telegram

to the West Lytham Liberal Association...

telling them

I'll receive the Committee tomorrow?

Yes, Mr. Rainier.

- There's an express to London at 8:15.

- I'll make reservations.

Congratulations, Mr. Rainier.

Famous victory.

The Prime Minister's delighted.

Our new member from Lytham.

- Yes. Congratulations.

- Thank you.

- It's good to have you with us, sir.

- Thank you.

- The party is honored, Mr. Rainier.

- Thank you, sir.

- Mr. Rainier, congratulations.

- Thank you very much.

Miss Hanson.

My compliments, Mr. Rainier.

A great triumph.

Thank you.

Have I kept you waiting? I was delayed.

Nice of you to come down for my debut.

- Was I satisfactory?

- Very.

Waiter, some tea, please.

What would you like? Cake? Sandwiches?

- Bring an assortment.

- Thank you.

By the way, I haven't really thanked you

for your help in the campaign.

I don't know what I should have done

without you.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Politics interest me.

Do they? I'm glad of that.

You're staring at me, you know.

I'm sorry. It struck me

your hair is bright red in the sunshine.

Was that all?

You were looking so intensely.

Everyone has these feelings of having

lived through certain moments before.

You mean, you have the feeling

that you've known me before?

I had, for a moment.

As a matter of fact, I felt

it quite strongly the first day

you came into my office.

- You didn't show it.

- No?

- Is that why you engaged me?

- Perhaps.

It was also your air of quiet efficiency.

Forgive me...

but is there any possibility

that you might marry again?

Not the slightest.

I'm asking you

because I have a proposal to make.

I need your help in my parliamentary life.

- Social secretary?

- Not exactly.

You know...

it seemed quite a reasonable idea

when it came to me.

But now, I'm rather losing my nerve.

Why? Is it so startling?

It may sound outrageous to you,

but it's not a sudden impulse.

I've thought it over very carefully.

You and I are in the same boat,

Miss Hanson.

We're both ghost-ridden.

That sounds a bit romantic,

but I think it expresses it.

We are prisoners of our past.

Yes.

What if we were to pool our loneliness...

and give each other what little we have:

Support, friendship?

I'm proposing marriage, Miss Hanson.

Or should I call it a merger?

You know, I'm good at mergers.

A Member of Parliament

should have a wife, Margaret.

So I'm told on all sides.

"He needs a clever hostess."

You have exceptional gifts.

Would it interest you

to have a wider field for them?

You need have no fear that I would make

any emotional demands upon you.

I have only sincere friendship to offer.

I won't ask any more from you.

Please. Don't answer at once.

Think it over.

It's completely a selfish proposal...

but I can't have you giving me notice,

you know.

I'd be lost without you.

Miss Hanson... Margaret...

- have I hurt you?

- I don't know.

This comes of boasting that I never cry.

You will think about it?

I'll call you tomorrow.

No, I can't wait so long.

Tonight, about 9:00?

I hope the answer will be yes.

Here's the tea.

It wasn't a very

flattering proposal, really.

Rather, a suggestion for a merger.

He used that very expression.

- Pretty cold-blooded, isn't it?

- Well, it's honest.

I'm sorry. Sorry for myself.

- I want you to be happy, Paula.

- It may work out.

He might even fall in love with me.

Would that be so very extraordinary?

It would be very

extraordinary if he didn't.

But the situation is very extraordinary.

It seems rather hard,

what I'm going to say...

but if you marry him, keep to his terms.

I suppose you're right.

And you love him?

Yes.

You're going to be hurt, Paula.

John, don't be against it.

Hello?

Yes, Mr. Rainier.

Charles. You're early.

It's yes, Charles.

Isn't that Mrs. Rainier,

who gives those political dinners?

Lady Rainier.

He was in the birthday honors.

They say he'll be in the Cabinet.

Pity there's no son to inherit the title.

Such a wonderful couple.

I hear he's devoted to her.

Well, it's really amazing.

She's got him to dance.

She's got him to smile, too.

That woman is a marvel.

Good night, Sheldon, and thank you.

You managed beautifully.

Thank you, milady.

- Thank you, Sheldon.

- Good night, Mr. Charles.

You certainly mellowed the old gentleman.

He was positively purring

when I put him into the car.

Yes, I think he really enjoyed himself.

- I know I did.

- Nonsense.

Good heavens! It's nearly 3:00.

You have two committees tomorrow.

- Today.

- Yes, that's true. It's nearly morning.

The morning of May 25.

Does that suggest something to you?

It's the anniversary of our wedding.

Our third anniversary.

Will you wait just a moment?

You don't look the least bit tired.

All my gratitude goes with this, Margaret.

I owe you more than I can put into words.

It's too beautiful, really. You spoil me.

The emerald is said to have belonged

to the Empress Marie Louise.

Really? That's thrilling.

Will you put it on for me?

There. How do you like it?

Do you know

you're a very beautiful woman?

Thank you. I rather hoped

you thought that.

Margaret...

are you happy?

- Why do you ask?

- A twinge of conscience.

- Lf I hadn't interfered in your life...

- I should have never been Lady Rainier...

entertained the Prime Minister,

worn a queen's emerald.

Is it enough?

Perhaps not.

Is there anyone else?

No.

- Charles, why are you asking me?

- Because if there were...

I've often wanted to say this,

I wouldn't hold you to our bargain.

I haven't the right.

- You're trying to get rid of me, Charles?

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