Woman in a Dressing Gown Page #3

- Soon, I expect. Why?

They're holding a debate at the club

tonight and I'm speaking for the motion.

You're making a speech?

I mean, an actual speech?

Why not? I've done it before.

Well, what do you want your dad for?

I just thought he might

run over my notes, see?

Couldn't I help?

Do you believe

a scientist's loyalty to humanity

is more important

than his loyalty to his own country?

I'll get your tea.

Tea, tea.

Tea, tea.

Postcard from your Aunt Ethel, Bri!

She's at Hastings.

- What does she say?

- Wonderful weather, she says.

Ooh, your eggs.

- Mum, you didn't iron my grey shirt.

- I'll iron it while you're eating.

I can air it by the fire.

- What fire?

- I only lit it half an hour ago.

Eggs, eggs!

I don't know what you do all day.

Well, I like that! I've been on my feet

since seven this morning!

If you think you can do any better,

why don't you stay home and try?

I'd like to see you!

Tea.

Tea.

Tea, tea.

Tea and coffee.

- What shirt's that?

- My brown one.

That shirt's been good to you, Bri.

You've had it two years at least,

and it wasn't here.

I shan't wait to eat now, Mum.

I want to speak to Christine before

the debate. I'll have something later.

Your young woman can wait. You're not

going out with nothing in your stomach.

- I haven't got time to wait, I...

- Wait.

Bit of cotton.

That means you'll have a letter.

I'm sorry I wasn't ready with your tea

today, Bri. I swore I'd be ready today.

All right, Mum, don't worry.

Don't be late. Love to Christine.

(Door shuts)

(Flames crackling)

Ooh, no.

Bri's right. I must organise.

Jimbo's supper.

Fire. Light the fire.

(Classical music playing)

(Classical music playing)

- That you, Jimbo?

- (Jim) Who else?

(Classical music continues playing)

Jimbo.

Look, all ready. No waiting, not a minute.

- I made up my mind.

- Good service.

I made up my mind

that today it would all be ready.

Fillet of plaice and chips and apple tart.

Apple tart with cream.

I got the cream from the milkman today.

- Smells good.

- Oh, I can do it.

If I set my heart to do something,

I can usually do it.

Amy, I'm not all that hungry.

Jimbo! You'll do just as you're told. Eat.

(Classical music continues playing)

- All right?

- Yeah, it's fine.

(Sighs)

I tried a new way with the chips.

Cook 'em for a minute or so

then take 'em out.

Leave 'em for another minute

and then put 'em back.

- What does that do?

- It makes them crisp.

Don't you think it makes them crisp?

(Chuckles) Yeah.

- (Classical music continues playing)

- It's Tchaikovsky.

Makes me want to cry.

You know that? It's so sad.

Switch it off, will you, Amy?

- Don't you like it?

- No, I'm not in the mood.

- (Music off)

- (Woman) 'Billy, get away from there! '

Mrs Thompson

having trouble with her Billy.

He's a handful, he is.

You know she's expecting again?

- Again? That'd be her fifth.

- No, sixth.

You know the man came round today,

canvassing for Labour?

You know what she told him?

She told him she'd had enough labour

to last her a lifetime.

Ha-ha-ha-ha!

Oh, I've burnt the fish.

No, no, I'm just not hungry, that's all.

- I did burn it.

- Well, a little.

Haven't touched your pie.

I'm just not hungry, that's all.

I've got past it.

Simpson's been chasing you.

I can always tell.

Doesn't he know

when he's got a good man?

I'd like to see you walk out on him.

That's what I'd like to see.

- I'd like a cup of tea, Amy.

- I've got something better than that.

(Mrs Thompson) 'Billy!

Billy, come here! I want you! '

- Look.

- (Mrs Thompson) 'Billy! '

You're spoiling me tonight.

How much do you want to borrow?

I think you deserve it.

I've got a good husband

and a good son and a nice home.

Sometimes I like to show

I appreciate my good fortune.

Some day, I'm gonna surprise you.

I'm gonna just walk up to you

with my arms full of pound notes

and shake 'em all over you

like confetti or snow.

That competition! Huh!

- You'll never win it if you live to be 101!

- How can you be so sure, Jimbo?

- Somebody's got to win it.

- Not us, not us.

- We're not the lucky type.

- Well, someone's got to.

Yeah, someone, someone!

But not us, not you and me.

Only a shilling.

No harm in trying for a shilling.

No harm? No, there's no harm,

no harm in anything!

But it'd make a nice change

to come home once,

just... just once,

and find the place tidy!

- So, you've finished your ironing?

- Not yet. Jimbo, sit down. You're tired.

Oh, for... Either finish

that damned ironing or put it away!

Just to find the place tidy!

(Piano plays single notes)

(Shouting outside)

No need to shout at me, Jimbo.

What's wrong?

- What is it?

- Nothing.

Don't tell me it's nothing.

You always say that.

Must be something.

I'm tired, that's all.

I'm tired and I want to think.

That's Simpson.

Don't think I can't tell.

In the next world,

he'll have a lot to answer for.

No, it isn't Simpson.

Listen, Amy.

It's chilly in here.

Shall I switch the fire on for you?

- What?

- Do you want the fire on?

No, no.

I'm sorry, Amy.

I didn't mean to go for you like that.

You're right, Jimbo. I know you're right.

I try and get the place looking tidy

but somehow...

- It's me. I will try. I really will.

- No, Amy, it isn't...

I know I've said it before but this time I...

Do you know what, Jimbo?

Mrs Harper next door told me something

this morning that opened my eyes.

I know what's wrong with me.

I've got mineral deficiency.

It's the lack of iron in my blood.

She's gonna get me a jar of black

molasses. That's like black treacle.

And she says if I take

two tablespoonfuls every day...

Amy, you've got to divorce me.

You've got to give me a divorce.

Divorce?

You're joking, Jimbo?

No, I'm not, Amy.

For weeks,

I've been trying to tell you this.

For months.

You're always... playing jokes,

pulling my leg.

- Jimbo.

- I'm not joking, Amy.

No.

Be a dreadful thing to joke about.

Yeah.

I'm not joking.

- Leave that, Amy.

- You said...

Leave it. Come and sit down a moment.

You meant what you said, Jimbo.

You really meant it.

Amy, look.

Come and sit down and we can talk.

Is it Georgie?

Yes.

Georgie.

No one's to blame, Amy, not one of us.

Georgie's no home-breaker.

It just... well, it just happened.

You read about this happening

to other people.

You never think one day it could be you.

Jimbo, what about Bri?

Have you thought about Bri?

He's old enough to understand.

Is he? I'm his mother

and I don't understand.

- (Whispers) Georgie.

- It's not only Georgie, Amy.

She's only part of it, you see.

It's my whole life.

It's leading nowhere.

I feel I'm living in a blind alley.

You mean I hold you back?

That's what you mean, isn't it?

Georgie, she's younger,

she's got brains, she's educated.

What do you know about Georgie? You

only met her once for about five minutes.

You could make your way with her,

get on in the world.

No, that's not the way to put it, Amy.

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