Scott of the Antarctic Page #2

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send another expedition?

What about the Norwegians?

What about Nansen?

Nansen has given up polar exploration.

He's getting on, you know.

What about that other fellow?

Amundsen? He's making

for the North Pole, not the South.

What's the difference?

What's the prospect of trade

between this city and the South Pole?

Is there any coal down there,

anything I can buy or sell?

I'm sorry we didn't raise more for you,

but I suppose every penny counts.

Better luck somewhere else.

Are you sure I can't give you a lift?

It's not far out of my way.

No, please don't bother.

Well, then, I'll just wish you

a good night and good luck.

Thank you. Good night.

Captain Scott?

Yes?

Glad I've caught you.

I've come from India.

Want to join your show, if you'll have me.

Good with horses.

Do you mean to tell me

you've come 6,000 miles

- to join my expedition?

- Yes. Landed this morning.

- Who are you?

- My name's Oates.

- I'm with the Inniskillings.

- Hm.

No sense in getting soaked, is there?

That's better.

- Cavalryman, eh?

- Yes, sir, dragoons.

- Know anything about the Antarctic?

- Only what I've read.

When I saw you were taking ponies,

I thought perhaps I'd come in handy.

- Fit?

- As a fiddle.

- Age?

- 29.

- Married?

- No.

- It will be tough.

- I know.

- As Hades.

- But not so warm, eh?

But I think we can manage it.

- We?

- That's what I said.

- Do you mean you'll take me?

- Glad to.

- You're on the strength.

- I say.

- Here's a tram. Come on.

- I say, just a moment.

This any good?

- This is for 1,000.

- Yes. Any good?

'Instead of sitting waiting

for the money to come in,

'I'm taking the opportunity

of trying out my motor sledges.'

You see the idea, Dr Nansen?

The wheels make their own road

as it goes along.

- What do you think of it?

- Yes, what do you think?

I'm afraid Dr Nansen

doesn't like motors, dear.

That is so.

I like dogs.

I can't help feeling that we should use

every modern invention that comes along.

Somebody's got to try these things out.

I even thought of taking a wireless

telegraph apparatus, but it's too heavy.

You are right, Captain, but I like dogs.

Yes, yes, that's what Amundsen says too.

I've been hearing about his plans

for the North Pole.

Amundsen's a pupil of mine,

as you might say,

so of course he believes in dogs.

Well, perhaps I'm prejudiced,

but I should hate to repeat

the experience I had

on the Discovery expedition.

You see, we look on dogs

rather differently,

more as...

well, more as friends.

Captain, a friend in need

is a friend indeed.

This Antarctic of yours

is a cold and cruel place.

Even worse than the North.

A dog is an animal.

When a dog is finished,

he is still some use to other dogs,

and even to man if need be.

That machine of yours,

when it is finished,

it's just a heap of metal in the snow.

You cannot eat it.

That's true,

and I am not forgetting

the lessons of the past,

but I want to take the new things as well.

I shall take dogs, ponies and motors.

Well, I would take dogs, dogs and dogs.

Hello, Bill. Morning, Cherry.

- Morning.

- Good to see you.

- How's Kathleen?

- Splendid. Come along in.

- Morning, Atch.

- And the baby?

Peter? Wonderful, bald as a coot.

Morning, sir.

I'd know that mug anywhere.

Come out of it, Taff Evans.

I was rather surprised you didn't apply

to come with me again this time, Evans.

Didn't have to, sir.

I knew you'd send for me sooner or later.

My release is through at last.

I'm afraid there's no hurry, Bill.

- Good morning, sir.

- Good morning, Teddy.

Have a look at that.

At the rate the money's coming in,

you could go on

carving up grouse till Christmas.

Rather depressing. Time's getting on.

And none of us are getting any younger.

11:
30, Bowers? I thought I told you

not to make any more appointments.

He turned up from the Persian Gulf

this morning, sir.

I couldn't say you wouldn't see him.

Indian Marine Lieutenant.

Doesn't say how old he is.

26, sir.

Today as a matter of fact.

- May I come in, sir?

- Well, you are in, aren't you?

There's more to come, sir,

with permission.

- The door was open, sir.

- True.

I heard my name

and I think I did mention my age, sir.

There, sir, 26.

Is that real or something

you stuffed inside your coat?

Quite real, sir.

Hm. Bill, how's this?

Well, I'd rather he hit Teddy than me.

- May he hit Teddy?

- Mm, I don't see why not.

Excuse me, sir,

but I'm a good deal senior to Bowers.

Pity.

- Sit down, Bowers.

- Thank you, sir.

Why do you want to join this show?

I suppose you want to be among

the first to reach the Pole. Is that it?

- Out for a bit of white ribbon, eh?

- No, sir.

I know it sounds stupid

to say I want adventure, but, er...

What do you mean by adventure?

Well, sir, to get some extra knowledge

of the stars and land and weather and...

And?

Other men's jobs.

Well, Bowers, to date

we've had 6,042 applications.

I'm afraid I've made up my mind

we can't take anybody else.

Hello? Oh, good morning, Sir Clements.

What?

The grant is through.

How much?

I see. Yes, yes, of course.

Well, thank you very much

for letting us know at once.

Yes. Goodbye, sir.

- How much?

- 20,000.

- A lot short of what we wanted.

- Yes, but it makes it just possible.

We shall have to cut down a bit,

that's all.

- How about my side of things?

- Don't worry.

I won't cut a penny on your side.

I promised you the greatest scientific

expedition that ever left England.

- How on earth will we do it?

- One ship instead of two. There she is.

We can go, Bill. We're going.

What do you want?

Oh, yes, I was just going

to kick you out, wasn't I?

- Yes, sir.

- Yes.

Well, I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll take you. How's that?

- Thank you, sir.

- Right.

- Oh, Bowers.

- Yes, sir?

- Many happy returns.

- Thank you very much, sir.

'The first leg of our journey,

halfway round the world.'

Cherry.

Just a minute, son. Just a minute.

Excuse me, sir.

Oi, Jehu, stop it!

Could you tell me

where Captain Scott is, please?

That's right, sonny. You come to Uncle.

He's a Russian, he don't understand.

Ah, this is for the owner. Up there.

Not on the bridge, on the poop deck.

Telegram, Captain Scott.

Oh? Oh, thank you.

Thanks.

- Any message for Peter?

- Tell him I'll bring him a penguin.

Excuse me.

Good bye.

God bless and keep you, my dearest,

until...

All visitors ashore! Come along, please!

Think of me when you make those footmarks.

Every step of the way.

Up gangway!

Hold on!

All right, carry on.

This is a bit thick, thousands of miles

from the nearest bookie.

- What's up?

- Red-hot tip for the National.

- Is that a race?

- A race? Why...

Hook, line and sinker!

- Hard luck, Titus.

- Thank you.

The Grouse Commission are thinking of us.

- Splendid.

- They don't say what, of course.

Here's a good one, sir.

"Love to Hampstead

and kind regards to the rest of you,

"Helen Fields."

Oh, wait a minute.

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