The Luminaries

I'd stake my life on a blessing, not a curse.

Half of nothing is nothing.

Hey. Hey!

Miss Wetherell, everything that's happened...

Anna. Anna.

Who is she?

I don't know.

Madam.

Madam.

Who is this? Who are you?

Mr Lauderback, there's a body.

Anna. Anna.

Anna.

Can you believe it?

They're proper magic.

Incredible good luck,

so long as you don't shoot one dead with a crossbow.

What would happen?

If you killed an albatross, well...

the wind would drop, the sun would burn hotter and hotter,

and then two spirits would rise up from the deep -

Death and Living Nightmare.

They'd play dice right here on the deck,

and whoever won the game would claim your soul.

I don't have a crossbow.

Well, thank heavens, nor do I.

Mr Emery Staines.

Miss Anna Wetherell.

Was this your first sea voyage?

- Yes. - Mine too.

It wasn't at all what I expected.

I always imagined once we were out at sea

that the horizon would form a circle around the ship,

- but it wasn't that at all. - It was a square.

Yes, it was a square.

It had corners.

Astonishing.

- We should introduce ourselves. - We just did.

Ye-Well, yes, but we hardly know anything about each other.

I know you can recognise an albatross.

I know you're bound for New Zealand,

probably to dig for gold.

Same as me.

And I know that your bunk must be in the forward cabin,

because we haven't met before.

And I know that recently you lost a button off your vest.

All right. Here's what I know about you.

- You're an early riser. - I'm really not.

Today is an exception.

I do believe it is.

Actually, it's my birthday.

A birthday present.

For your vest.

You spoiled your sleeve.

I can roll them up.

Forgive me, Miss Wetherell - are you engaged?

This evening. Might I call on you at your hotel?

I'm sorry. That was too forward.

Could I come to you?

Why not? Uh...

what's the name of my hotel?

Oi, Staines!

Get over here.

Right.

Shall we say 7 o'clock?

In the dining room, if there is one.

7 o'clock.

Where's the hospital?

Uh...

there isn't one.

I found her like this, drunk.

I don't know who she is.

It's not drink.

It's opium. She's a prostitute, in case you couldn't tell.

You're Alastair Lauderback.

We don't see too many politicos around here.

Been reading your campaign pledges

with interest, Mr Lauderback - roads, railways, tunnels,

ditches.

Bring her to the jail.

Something the matter?

I'm afraid there's something else.

Next.

Hey!

I thought they'd called my name, but they hadn't.

- I'm sorry. - Next.

Travelling alone?

Yes.

Unmarried?

Is that a problem?

Not for me.

Sign here, please.

That's one shilling, thank you.

Hey, Chinaman. You're in the wrong queue.

Are you stupid? Get to the back.

Welcome to the new world.

Fresh meat. Fresh meat. We got fresh meat.

Three shillings an acre.

Buy your own personal piece of paradise.

Every one a paying gold field.

Tickets covered, all expenses paid.

Come try your luck on a company claim. You, sir, yes.

Madam. Three shillings an acre.

Buy your own personal piece of paradise. No? Not interested?

- Three shillings an acre. - Every one a paying gold field.

Tickets covered, all expenses paid.

Try your luck on a company claim.

- How old is the map? - This man, sir, is brand new,

and I guarantee that. You, sir, where you want to go?

Mt Ida gold field, I recommend.

Hey! Hey!

Hey!

Stop! Thief!

Stop!

Hey! Somebody stop him!

Drop it.

- Drop it! - That's mine!

Drop it!

Oh, I don't know how to thank you.

Women in this country are outnumbered a dozen to one.

We must stick together. Mrs Lydia Wells.

Miss Anna Wetherell. I just arrived.

- From? - London.

- On your own? - Yes, ma'am.

Sent for or sent away?

I sent myself.

When is your birthday?

The day you were born. Do you know it?

- Why do you ask? - I ask everyone I meet.

Actually, it's... it's today.

Is it?

Today.

Walk with me.

So, Miss Anna Wetherell,

how will you make your living here at the end of the world?

I thought I'd try digging for gold.

A fine ambition.

But you know, the real money in a gold rush

isn't made on the diggings; it's made in town.

I myself operate a fortune parlour.

The House of Many Wishes is the name.

I open every night at 10 o'clock.

Cards before midnight, fortunes in the witching hour,

and then, depending on the company,

a little traffic with the dead.

Can you truly tell fortunes?

- I can. - How?

Mm-hm. When I'm asked, 'Can you truly tell fortunes?'

the second question is usually, 'Will you tell mine?'

You have a head for business.

You must call on me, Miss Wetherell, this evening.

I insist.

I shall cast your natal chart, find out what makes you tick.

I beg your pardon. I can't this evening.

I have a rendezvous.

Someone I met on board, to meet at his hotel for supper.

You can't read.

What does it say?

The Matterhorn Hotel. Cumberland St.

The Matterhorn.

Do you know it?

Very well. I live just next door.

What a happy accident this was.

- Oop. Sorry. - Oh yes. Very good.

I just want you to know

that if I make my fortune and you don't, you can bugger off,

- cos it's finders keepers. - Cocky bastard.

Mine's bigger than yours.

And it has a better view.

Oh, ho, ho, ho!

Right. I need a dish, a swag and a map.

Make way!

Make way!

Make way!

Whoa.

Lucky bugger.

We have 32 ounces.

Oh, what a lucky man.

That's nearly £100.

Lucky bugger.

I shall now test for purity.

Oh my.

- The gold is pure. - Like magic.

Now change it bloody back again.

Don't breathe in.

Thank you.

Lots of stuff in here second-hand.

Nah, I want my kit shop-new and store-bought.

Buy used, you buy another man's bad luck.

Ah, there's no such thing.

How can you not believe in luck?

I believe in good luck. I just don't believe in bad luck.

I'd stake my life on a blessing, not a curse.

Oh, look at you, Romeo.

I'd rather be Juliet.

She has better lines.

Still ends up dead.

Pay every night in advance.

You get sick, you get lice, you make trouble - you're out.

No liquor, no noise,