The Dressmaker Page #4

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These days

she's far from neglected.

But she has good days

and not so good.

Gertrude Pratt told me it was you

who made the dress

she wore to the dance.

That's right.

Well, I'd like to order

some daywear...

if it's at all possible.

It is.

But it'll cost you. Cash.

Yoo hoo!

Oh! (LAUGHS)

Uh... I'll have a line

of night attire and lingerie.

To put some spring back in

the old mattress. (LAUGHS)

Thanks.

WOMAN:
Off you go.

Am I in the right place?

Station Hotel.

But it's so far from the station.

(DOG GROWLS)

Are you right there, Muriel?

Yeah, good, thanks, love.

Bulb's gone.

Tilly got in another tea chest.

Where from this time?

Paris? Milan?

New York. And it's full of cottons

and a peacock crest too.

A peacock crest?

Well, I don't know.

I mean, I'd imagine there is.

But I wouldn't know exactly

what's in the box, would I?

I'd better be going.

Your frock.

That's our secret.

It's none of your business.

Local girl. Up on the hill.

What about alterations?

They'll be minor.

And if there are any...

I can manage them myself.

You sew?

I'm a dressmaker.

And a seamstress.

Fully qualified.

I would like to see

what's in your workroom.

Would you let me

into your workroom?

You'll be familiar with my work

soon enough.

Evan Pettyman invited me here.

Did you think they wouldn't fight back?

(SIGHS)

"Dungatar welcomes

Miss Una Pleasance,"

"who brings to the community

her considerable dressmaking skills."

TEDDY:
Got some Murray cod

for lunch.

And l... l risked my life

to get these for you.

Oh, you shouldn't have.

Whose garden? Beulah's?

Sergeant Farrat's, actually.

Top of the morning to you, Teddy.

Sergeant! Didn't... see you there.

You think you're good-looking,

don't ya?

FARRAT:
"Miss Pleasance

is at present"

"a guest of Shire Councillor

and Mrs Evan Pettyman."

(LAUGHS)

"Her dressmaking establishment"

"will be temporarily located

at their home."

ELSBETH:
I'm just so grateful

that you were able to make it.

- UNA:
It's an absolute pleasure.

- It's going to change a lot.

(HYPERVENTILATES)

- MURIEL:
Lovely day.

- Oh! Muriel! Shoes off, shoes off!

- Made a sponge. It's real cream.

- I'll take that.

EVAN:
(CHUCKLES)

Una, come on. Don't be shy.

Welcome to the grand opening

of Le Salon.

EVAN:
Hear, hear!

Style and decency.

(MARIGOLD PANTS)

Some designers just don't seem

to know the difference, do they?

TEDDY:
Una Pleasance.

I wonder what rock

they found her under.

(SIGHS) Just as they were

starting to like me.

You're wasted here.

- (LAUGHS)

- Oh, good shot.

- You nearly got Pratt's store.

- (CHUCKLES)

But here is where I am.

(SIGHS) I think we should

run away together, Till.

Oh! What?

Yeah. You and me.

Forget all about Dungatar.

Leave them to themselves

and fate.

(SIGHS) We...

You can't just...

ask someone to...

run away with you out of...

(SIGHS) ..out of the blue.

(SIGHS) Oh, God...

You should take Barney home.

Do you want me on my knees, Till?

That it?

(SIGHS)

(SOFTLY) OK.

TILLY:
I can't be with you, Teddy.

I'm cursed.

ELSBETH:
Well, all I can say

is thank heavens...

- Oh...

- ..for Una.

I was hoping for something

a little more...

slimming.

Oh, no. This dress is so you.

- MARIGOLD:
Oh! Shoes off!

- WILLIAM:
Oh.

- I've just vacuumed.

- I'm supposed to meet my mother.

- Yes.

- That's... that's William.

- Yes. I asked him to pick me up.

- WILLIAM:
Mother?

In here, William.

But... but isn't it bad luck to see

the bride in her gown before her...

Nonsense. Not when the bride

looks as beautiful as this one.

In here, William.

Come view your future...

MARIGOLD:
Walk along the edge

of the carpet! My middle's wearing!

No! No!

- ELSBETH:
William!

- UNA:
Oh!

- Oh! Ah! Ah!

- William!

William, come!

For goodness' sake!

- There!

- William! Where did she go?

There. There she is.

Gertrude!

We'll catch her in the car.

WILLIAM:
Mother!

On the edge!

Shoes off my carpet!

- (BELL RINGS)

- Oh! No!

- Is that your dress?

- Oh, I like the bow!

The bow?! You would like the bow!

(WHISPERS) William's here!

- (GASPS)

- Get it off me! Get it off me!

Oh, there's no zip!

She's stitched you in!

Dad! Get a saw!

WILLIAM:
Mother, isn't it bad luck

to see the bride in her gown

before the ceremony?

Oh!

Not when the bride

is as beautiful as this one.

- Ah! Mother!

- Alvin, shut the door!

Stop pushing me, Mother!

Sorry, folks, we're closed.

Out the back. Out the back!

Run, Gertrude, run!

Sir...

Sorry! We are closed for business!

- Oh! Ooh!

- Sorry.

Where is she?

(CHEEPING)

- Um... Uh...

- Chickens!

UNA:
Oh!

Tilly? Princess Elizabeth's here

for a fitting!

Myrtle!

Help me! Myrtle! Tilly!

- (HORN HONKS)

- Myrtle!

Oh, my God!

Oh, God!

(HORN HONKS)

Tilly! Gloria Swanson's here.

(UNA CONTINUES KNOCKING ON DOOR)

I'd like to see Gertrude Pratt.

- No.

- (GASPS)

(SIGHS)

Why?

Well, it's bad luck for the groom

to see the bride's gown

before his wedding day.

- (HONKS HORN)

- WILLIAM:
Mother, stop it.

A fully qualified dressmaker

and seamstress would know that.

- WILLIAM:
Gertrude!

- (ELSBETH HONKS HORN)

Gertrude, it's me.

Gert!

Sorry, Una.

I've decided to go back to Tilly.

I think she understands

my particular body shape.

She certainly does.

No. She doesn't look like that.

You... you've been had, my lad.

You... you witch!

I think we'll be going now, Mother.

ELSBETH:
You can't marry that stupid

grocer's daughter! She's common!

What... what are we doing here?

Oh, William! Oh, my God!

- (CHILDREN BLEAT, JEER)

- Oh, just get away!

- Hello, Teddy.

- Hello, mate.

I'm getting married next month.

- Would you be my best man?

- No!

' Yes! " Why?!"

I want a future! A life!

You have a life.

It's not mine!

Um...

Yeah. Sure, mate.

I'll be your best man.

- (SIGHS)

- BOY:
I'm gonna get ya.

You'll need a suit. I'll pay.

That could be awkward.

Don't talk to me about awkward.

Take your clothes off.

The others do!

You want me to?

' Yes! ' No!

You're fine as you are.

That's not what you tell them!

She tells them

if they want it done proper,

they've gotta strip and be measured,

because it's a work of art made special

for them and no-one else.

You see, Tilly? I do listen.

(SIGHS) She tells them

that they're all different,

even though they're all the same -

too fat, too skinny.

You'll be a sight for sore eyes.

Anyway... lo and behold,

our genius here

does make them look different.

Less like themselves

and more like they wanna be.

Don't you?

You just called me Tilly.

- When?

- Just then.

- I never.

- Yes, you did.

- And this morning - twice.

- Oh, liar. Liar.

Sounds like this is the most important

piece of clothing I'll ever own.

You could be married in this suit.

Yeah, I could be.

Snapped up by some

eligible spinster or... hag.

Trousers off too?

- Yes.

- No!

Most important day of a chap's life.

Want to look sharp.

Righto.

Notebook. (CLEARS THROAT)

(LAUGHS) Well, it was his idea.

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