The Killing of Sister George Page #7

Extension 1634, please.

You don't half look a mess.

I thought you were well groomed.

I wouldn't have gone out with you.

That bloody toffee-nosed Geraldine.

I'm not talking to her. Go on.

Good afternoon.

Yes, I'd like to talk to Mrs. Croft, please.

On behalf of Miss June Buckridge, yes.

Shut up.

Is Mrs. Croft in? Shut up.

One minute, please.

- Shut up. She's in conference.

- I'll go get it.

Hello. Yes, this is June Buckridge.

No, it's no good her calling me back.

As a matter of fact,

we're going out to celebrate.

Yes, we're going to the Gateways Club.

It's a fascinating little spot

in Bramerton Street...

off the King's Road.

And if Mrs. Croft feels like having a drink...

tell her to nip along and I'll buy her one.

Cheerio.

You shouldn't have done that,

asked her to the Gateways.

Somebody's got to broaden her horizons.

- Yes, but...

- Come on, transfer the calls.

- Flaxman 0-118, please.

- Come on.

Hurry up.

- It's an awful dent.

- I know.

- Give me that.

- We must be going bonkers.

Come on.

Taxi! I've got a taxi, George.

Hello, Betty. Can we take your taxi?

Help yourself.

- We're going to a fancy-dress party.

- You could've fooled me.

Come on, get in. Gateways Club, please.

Abbott and Costello?

Bravo.

More!

Super, June.

Wonderful.

- Marvelous.

- 2,3,4,1.

More!

That concludes the entertainment portion

of our program.

Now back to dancing.

June, you're a rotten advertisement

for Arthur Murray.

I think you look marvelous

in that wig, Leslie.

That's more than I can say for you

in that suit.

It's a disguise, isn't it?

No, darling, it doesn't disguise a thing.

Whose side are you on, anyway?

- Now, that depends, doesn't it?

- I see.

- You can do this, can't you?

- Yes, darling, I can do everything.

All by yourself? How nice for you.

- Come on, you'd better take over.

- Anything to oblige a friend.

Will you take my hat, George?

Don't go dancing with any strange men.

Gangway! Watch out, there.

- Get us a large gin, Smitty, will you?

- Righto.

I could teach you how to do that,

if you want.

Later, dear, later. I'm exhausted.

Thanks.

Better make that two. Chalk it up.

Thank you.

They look like something

out of Edgar Allan Poe.

Edgar who?

Never mind.

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

- Would you like us to take your coat?

- No, thank you.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, dear.

- Good evening, may I help you?

- Good evening.

- You're looking for someone?

- Yes.

- Are they members?

- Yes, I think so. They are expecting me.

"June," they said to me. "Do it this way. "

I said, "Do what?"

George! She's here.

- Who?

- Mrs. Croft.

Mrs. Croft. Don't just stand there.

Go and ask her to come and have a drink.

- I couldn't.

- Rubbish.

George, you come.

Excuse us, we've just seen our old friend.

Hello, Crofters.

Hat.

Come to help us celebrate?

I do hope I'm not interrupting,

but I really felt it my duty to come and...

Lovely. Come on, come and have a drink.

- Nice of you to come.

- Absolutely smashing.

Thank you. Excuse me. Thanks awfully.

Quite an amusing little club.

- Yes, we think so.

- Do you mind getting out of my way?

Does one always dress up?

No, it's absolutely optional.

It's entirely optional.

Only this is a fancy dress party.

Yes, of course.

Now, then, Crofters, what will you drink?

- A sherry, I think.

- Righto. A sherry, Smitty, please.

Sherry coming up.

Two more large gins.

Jolly nice, really, isn't it?

It seems it's most entertaining.

We love it, we come here often.

It's a bit crowded tonight, I'm afraid.

Here's to the lightning recovery

of Sister George.

You have had the new script, then?

Yes, rather. I've received it special delivery.

You are awful.

The marvelous script.

I've just come straight from a meeting.

It's rather remiss of me

to intrude on you like this...

but I really felt

I should break the news to you personally.

But the old script department

beat you to it, eh?

No, I'm afraid that's not quite it.

There's nothing wrong, is there?

Isn't there somewhere we could talk?

Yes, I suppose so.

Can we go in the billiard room for a minute?

Yes, make yourself at home.

Bring the drink.

- What did you think of Laurel?

- I think I prefer Hardy.

Watch out, lads.

Excuse me.

Some of the members are awfully good

at this. Do you play?

No, I'm afraid not.

I think I should let you have it straight

from the shoulder.

Your recovery, I mean,

Sister George's recovery...

isn't so much a reprieve as a postponement.

A postponement?

What on earth do you mean

by a postponement?

- Postponement of what?

- Shut up, Childie.

I'm sorry, Miss Buckridge,

it is the end of Sister George.

But why? I mean, why?

The end of Sister George?

Believe me, Miss Buckridge...

this decision is no reflection

on your ability as an actress.

You helped to create a character

that has become a nationwide favorite.

So why kill her?

Why do some of our nearest and dearest

have to leave us?

Because that's life.

And in Applehurst we try

to recreate the flavor of life as it's lived...

in hundreds of English villages.

But she's the most popular character

in Applehurst!

Not quite.

Anyway, there are other considerations.

I don't think this is quite the place

to discuss these matters at length.

How is it going to happen?

It's not for another week.

It's scheduled for the twelfth.

But how?

It's just an ordinary morning in Applehurst.

Sister George is off

to see young Jimmy Bromley.

He is feeling poorly, and his mother

has kept him home from school.

She sets off for Larkspur Farm

on her motor bike...

and then moments later...

collision with a 10-ton-truck.

That's ridiculous.

It's instantaneous.

- You mean, I never even...

- You never even regain consciousness.

That's terrible.

It so happens your death

will coincide with Road Safety Week.

A cause which we know is very close

to your heart.

I think you'll find it serves the purpose.

I protest.

I've never ridden my bike carelessly.

I know, and we're doing everything we can...

to establish it's the lorry driver's fault.

Even so, I refuse to die

in such a ridiculous manner.

I'm sorry, but there it is.

- I shall take it to a higher authority.

- I'm afraid that will be of no avail.

This is a policy decision

taken at the highest level.

There has, in fact, already been some talk

of utilizing your talents in other ways.

In due course I hope to be able

to discuss ideas for a new series.

Mrs. Croft, I would like to thank you...

for coming here personally

to tell me of this decision.

I don't feel quite up to discussing ideas

for a new series at the moment.

Of course you don't.

- If you'll excuse me.

- Where are you going?

I thought I might go to the little girls' room,

if you don't mind.

- Are you all right?

- What did you say?

I said, are you all right?

You called me George then, didn't you?

You'll have to get out of that habit.

No need to shove.

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