The Deep Blue Sea

---

My darling Freddie.

A moment ago I knew

exactly what I wanted

to say to you.

I have run through this letter

in my mind so very often and...

...I wanted to

compose something

eloquent but...

...the words just don't seem to

be there.

I think that's because,

this time, I...

...really do want to die.

I really mean it.

It's not just a line.

I really think you're the most

attractive girl I've met.

- Hester?

- Hello.

- How are you?

- Well, thank you. You?

Very well, thank you.

What brings you to...

I was just...

I survived the battle of

Britain, old fruit, old darling.

Survived.

The mixture of fear

and excitement -

there's nothing like it.

Excitement and fear.

Irresistible combo.

We were doing

something important -

for dear old Blighty.

Old fruit...

...old darling.

Mrs. Page?

Mrs. Page?

Mrs. Page?!

Mrs. Page!

Mr. Miller?

Can you come up, please?

It's urgent.

How many?!

Twelve.

Get me a bowl.

- Is there anything we can do?

- There's nothing you can do.

You don't mean she's dying?

On the contrary.

But she did try to kill herself,

didn't she?

It would seem so.

She'll recover?

60 grains of aspirin are hardly

enough to kill a healthy child.

The symptoms of gas poisoning

are very slight.

Do you think she'll try again,

doctor?

I'm not a doctor.

But I will say she will probably

try again.

Isn't attempted suicide a crime?

Don't people go to jail for it?

People go to jail for all sorts

of reasons.

- Shall we call the police?

- No!

Don't you think you should

just stay in bed?

No, I just...

I just feel a bit -

- dopey, that's all.

I'm terribly sorry...

...for all the trouble

I've caused.

Are you sure you're all right?

Yes.

Thank you.

Mr. Miller - I don't like to

ask, you've been so good...

...but can you come down and

see Mr. Elton later?

He's not well again.

Of course.

And, Mr. Welch, don't forget

to pick up your post

on your way out.

Thank you, Mrs. Elton.

Mrs. Elton.

Please don't say anything

to Mr. Page about my...

...idiotic accident.

I don't want to alarm him.

If that's the way you want it.

Yes - please.

That's the way I want it.

Stop! That man there!

Just back from giving Jerry a

damn good thrashing, sir.

Good show, Page.

Had to ditch the crate in

the drink, though.

No fuel, no ammo left but was

still a whizzo prang, sir.

- Carry on.

- Can I do you now, sir?

They'll do the Navy now.

Range 2,000 and closing fast,

number one.

- Stand by torps!

- Torps ready, sir.

- Fire one!

- Fire one.

- Fire two!

- Fire two.

Oh, we hit her amidships, sir.

Very good.

Stand by to pick up survivors.

All right, you two,

come down to earth.

Oh, I say, kitten.

Humor them, for God's sake,

otherwise we'll get a replay

of the entire war.

Very well, then.

That's all we need,

sound effects.

Oh, you've gone all frosty,

kitten.

Oh, is it agony?

One does hope so.

If it gets too cold you

could always rub

two boy scouts together.

Drinks, gentlemen.

The ladies are thirsty.

Parched.

I love you so much.

We'll have less of that.

They can't ration everything.

No.

Come on - let's go home.

Yes.

Do the right thing.

Go back to your husband.

Father, I came to you

for advice.

I've given it to you.

For support, then.

From you.

From your heart.

You have a husband.

Your first loyalty is to him.

Twin beds.

Again.

Mother has an arcane view of

married life.

How were you conceived, then?

Willpower?

Don't be vulgar, Hester.

We are talking about mummy.

Oh, it's not that bad.

Just don't let her rile you.

Mother?

No.

Thank you.

Will you be going to Wimbledon

this year, mother?

No, since your father's

death I've not been

able to enjoy tennis.

Do you play?

Tennis?

Anything.

I occasionally play a

hand at canasta.

Cards are a pastime.

I meant a sport.

I've always thought of sport

as one of the more pointless

of human activities.

That was almost offensive.

I'm sure Hester didn't mean to

be impolite, mother.

I take it you don't play, then?

Occasionally.

I just find it very hard to be

passionate about it.

Beware of passion, Hester.

It always leads to

something ugly.

What would you replace it with?

A guarded enthusiasm.

It's safer.

But much duller.

Oh, the garden really

is glorious, even at

this time of year.

Yes.

It's my one unalloyed pleasure.

So much safer than people,

don't you think?

No, not in the long run.

Ah, tea.

There.

No, darling.

Hester will pour.

Won't you, dear?

If you wish.

Oh!

You've put the milk in first.

Would you rather I hadn't?

No, I'm sure it'll still

be very refreshing.

The garden is really lovely,

mother.

Yes, even Hester has been

admiring it.

Almost passionately.

Would you like a cake, mother?

Oh, yes.

The Battenberg.

It's a pleasure I've

never outgrown.

Is there anything you haven't

outgrown, Hester?

Yes!

Insensitivity.

I've never been able

to forgive it.

Darling, I'm going upstairs

to pack.

I'd like to get an early

start back to town.

I'm hoping we'll be leaving

for London soon.

- All right, I'll see you

at the grapes.

No. No, not there.

I'll meet you at

Jackie Jackson's.

- Come back soon.

- As soon as I can, Freddie.

- Oh, darling.

- Darling.

- Love you.

- Me, too.

And who else do you

call darling?

I assume this means what

I think it means?

Well, how long?

William.

How long has this been going on?

For some months.

I see.

I'll meet you at the car after

I've said goodbye to mother.

I don't want her upset

unnecessarily.

And that way, at least our

dignity will remain intact.

William.

Shall we send everything to

your chambers, sir William?

Yes, Lincoln's inn.

But I'll take the wig

tin with me now.

Good day, sir William.

Do you realize what

you're doing?

Yes, William.

I do.

It's just a sordid

little affair.

No, it's not.

I love him.

It's infatuation.

There's more to love than -

physicality.

Well, there isn't for

me any more.

You can drop me here, Flitton.

- I won't consent to a divorce.

- Bill.

I intend to make it as difficult

as possible for you.

You sound exactly like

my father.

- What do you mean?

- That tone of voice.

That same mixture of irritation

and sanctimoniousness.

It's hard enough when it

comes from a vicar,

but when it comes from

you it's insufferable!

I'm sorry, William.

I didn't mean for that to sound

as spiteful as it did.

How can you throw away so

much for so little?

I didn't think it was

going to be easy.

Was it so hard to stay

and continue?

Yes, William...

...it is.

Shall I come into

dinner with you?

In the circumstances,

I think not.

I'll never give you a divorce.

I never want to see you again.

You may call for me at about

10:
45, Flitton.

You may take lady Collyer to...

...wherever it is she

wishes to go.

Morning, Mrs. E.

Still doing post duty?

Saves time, especially in

the mornings.

My tenants can pick up their

letters on their way to work.

Oh, you're a treasure, Mrs. E.

It's all part of the service.

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