Reach for the Sky Page #5

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(Both) I...

I know a wonderful place for dinner.

Like to come out and celebrate?

Celebrate? Oh...

I'd love to.

- When do you finish?

- 6 o'clock.

- I'll pick you up.

- Thank you.

All right you talking about dinner,

I haven't had my tea yet.

She won't be long.

Leave a good tip.

(instrumental)

# "Love Is The Sweetest Thing"

Then I went to Cranwell, learned to fly.

Nothing much happened till I met you.

Well, one or two things.

- We must do this again. In London?

- Yes, I'd like to.

I won't be here much longer

now I'm more mobile.

- I'm going to Kenley next week.

- 23 Squadron.

- How did you know?

- My father was a Wing Commander.

I've got three cousins in the Air Force.

- I know more about you than you think.

- I shall have to be more careful.

- Why didn't you say?

- You didn't give me a chance.

What are you doing at that restaurant?

Some friends run it, I was helping.

I'm leaving on Friday.

I'm rather sorry, it's been great fun.

Mightn't going back to Kenley

depress you?

Why should it?

I'm going to stay in the RAF and fly.

- Haven't you had enough of flying?

- No fear!

I've had my crash now.

Anyway, I've got no more legs to lose!

Good for you.

(instrumental) # "Goodnight, Sweetheart"

- Like to dance?

- Yes, of course, if you'd like to.

Why not?

- I didn't know you could dance.

- Nor me yet.

If I can walk, I can walk clutching a girl!

If I trip, I'll hang onto you.

We're doing very well.

- Ooh.

- What's the matter?

- You're standing on my foot.

- Oh, I'm sorry!

It's all right.

(# quickstep)

Come on, I can't cope with this.

These new legs are marvellous!

When I was standing on your foot,

I couldn't feel a thing!

I haven't done that for a long time.

- I've really enjoyed myself.

- You've been wonderful company.

That's the nicest thing

anybody's ever said to me.

Thelma... wish me luck at Kenley.

It's important, isn't it, going back?

There's nothing more important!

(knock at door)

Come in.

- Hello, Bates, how are you?

- Nice to see you again, sir.

I bet them all you'd walk in

one of these days, and here you are.

What about my kit?

- It's all here, sir.

- Good. Why's it all so quiet?

- 32 Squadron's away.

- Uh-huh. Hello, Harry!

Hello, old man. Good to have you back.

- I'll unpack your bags later, sir.

- Thank you, Bates.

Take a good look, old boy, the very latest!

Knobbly knees, hair, corns, the lot!

- Splendid.

- (aeroplane flies by)

These always were good boots.

Somebody ought to have 'em re-studded.

I'll want to use this again.

If you pass your medical,

you'll be going for a test.

- I'll pass. There's an Avro here.

- Yes. Hey, wait...

- I'd like to get the feel of it.

- Sorry. Against the rules.

Rules? Written for the obedience of fools

and the guidance of wise men.

- Well, how are you feeling?

- Fine.

- All set?

- All set.

- Blast!

- What's the matter?

Bit of cramp, I think. Both wrists.

Too much office work!

- You'd better take her, Douglas.

- Thanks, Harry! Hang on to your hat!

That was a nice take-off.

Just the same as it always was.

No aerobatics, now.

- What's that?

- I said, no aerobatics!

I'm sorry, I can't hear!

Sorry you've had to wait so long, sir.

Shouldn't be long now.

It'll be worth waiting for.

- How was Central Flying School?

- I enjoyed it.

- Heard anything about my medical?

- The Wing Commander knows.

Hope I go to my old squadron.

Mr Bader, Wing Commander Hargreaves

will see you now.

Good luck, sir.

- Afternoon, Bader.

- Afternoon, sir.

Sit down.

Sorry we kept you waiting so long.

Was my report from Central Flying School

satisfactory?

Your instructor said

he couldn't teach you about flying.

In fact, you taught him a thing or two.

Unfortunately,

we can't pass you fit for flying.

Nothing in King's Regulations

covers your case.

But I was sent to the Central Flying

School to see if I could fly!

- It's not my decision.

- They expected me to fail.

I'm sorry it's turned out like this.

You mean I'm grounded for good?

I'm afraid so.

- There must be some alternative.

- You can go on the retired list.

Leave on the grounds of ill health.

- Sell bootlaces on the street(?)

- You'd have your retired pay...

...and no doubt a total disability pension.

Yes, that just about says it all.

You don't have to make up your mind now.

Take your time. After all...

Yessir, thank you.

They failed me.

- Well, it's all over.

- Why, what happened?

The book doesn't say anything

about people like me flying, that's all.

- Does that mean no more flying?

- Yes.

You'll still have a career in the Service.

Thelma, I won't take a ground job.

If I can't fly, I'll leave.

There are other things besides flying.

For instance?

Us.

I'm not much of a proposition.

No money, no job, no legs.

- We'll make out.

- We'll have a darn good try!

(bugler plays)

- Goodbye, sir.

- Goodbye, Bates.

Good luck.

Hope you find the job you're looking for.

- (plane flies overhead)

- Yes... thanks.

- Dear sir...

- You haven't given me the address.

What? Oh... er... Melbourne office.

Dear sir...

...um...

No smoking, Mr Bader.

Oh.

Dear sir, with regard to your...

Delete that.

Bader, this letter you wrote earlier

is a little abrupt.

- Sorry, what's the matter?

- It's like a telegram.

Wrap it up a bit -

such as "we would suggest".

"Perhaps you've considered."

I write letters people can understand.

- Get used to different ways here.

- Right.

- Where were we?

- Dear sir.

Reference is made to your...

We beg to point out. That's polite.

We beg to point out that reference

is made to your communication...

(Sanderson) The routine of his new job

made each day seem a month.

He was the prisoner of his legs.

Then he found what he needed

- A new challenge.

- Good shot, Adrian.

- Well done!

- You're a good 20 yards up on me.

- Walk round with us, Douglas?

We'll stay here and potter around.

Leave me a club and a ball.

- Give me a niblick.

- Here, sir.

This one cuts more grass

than my lawn mower!

- Ball, ball!

- Oh, yes.

Ta.

- How's it feel?

- Not bad.

- Can't be all that difficult.

- Oh, do be careful, Douglas!

Now, then, let's see about this.

Oh, Douglas! (laughs)

I kept my head down, anyway!

Don't worry, I'm not hurt.

The going's pretty soft.

All right, stand back a bit.

- I'm all right, I'm all right!

- Let's go and have some tea.

It's just a question of balance.

Nothing to it. Get back a bit.

Now, keep still, you little devil, keep still.

Ahhh... I moved it!

Did you see that, darling?

Only five yards, but I moved it!

- Well done, darling.

- Fetch it, will you?

Now, then, let's have another go.

Pop it down there. Stand back. Bit more.

Tee it up a bit. You're allowed to

on the tees, anyway. Back a bit.

Ahh...!

I hit it!

Slap bang in the middle of the club!

- I hope you're satisfied!

- Not by a long chalk!

- You won't be beaten, will you?

- Not by a ruddy golf ball!

No, Douglas, come and sit down,

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