Hedda

Hedda...

Tesman.

Is that right? This is your husband's home.

"Hedda" is fine.

So, could you tell us the events of the evening

the way you remember them, leading up to the shooting?

No, my memory's a bit fuzzy.

It was a party after all.

Certainly, I can do my best.

The first thing I remember seeing is

a bloody mess of a person dragged into my foyer.

Before that, please.

Well, there was a lot of yelling.

Earlier.

Where should I start?

The beginning.

Hedda?

Eileen Lovborg is on the phone.

She wants to talk to you.

Insisted on it.

Eileen Lovborg.

I thought you never wanted to speak to me again.

Hedda Gabler.

I heard you're having a party tonight.

Yes, introducing Mr. and Mrs. George Tesman to society.

Showing who we are.

Who you aren't.

So, will you come?

It'll be just like the old days.

Let's hope not.

I'll see you tonight.

Eileen?

Please. I told you this morning, John,

I want seven more lemons, all right?

- Righto, ma'am. - Lovely work, darling. Lovely.

Finally, there's a lady who knows what she's doing.

Still, you can lay into it a bit more.

And after it's rolled, you get into the potatoes. All right.

Quick as a cat, now. Quick as a cat.

The thread is loose.

- No flowers. - Yes, ma'am.

Hello. Get these out.

Apologies, ma'am.

Whoa!

Sorry, ma'am. We weren't thinking.

Flowers.

Flowers everywhere.

- Morning, ma'am. - Out.

Good morning, Your Honor.

Morning.

Judge Brack.

You're a bit early for a party, aren't you?

Buying you this house, Mrs. Tesman.

Shall I punish you?

Don't point that thing at me.

Are you out of your bloody mind?

Oh, no. I didn't hit you, did I?

Does your husband know you're up there?

Ask him yourself.

Judge Brack gave us the loan despite your antics.

The professorship and the endowment is how I pay him back,

so talk to Professor Greenwood tonight, would you?

To what end?

He decides on the professorship.

I need him on my good side.

And he likes people like you.

He likes Bohemians.

No, no.

He needs to have fun tonight, or I'll never hear the end of it.

You'll be fine, Tesman.

Tonight will be fun.

You'll meet my friends.

I'll meet your colleagues.

I have friends, too, Hedda. Don't be rude.

It's your friends. Your friends are the ones...

Oh, trust me, George, they're well-behaved and well-bred,

and Greenwood will love them and you by extension.

Yes, well, he better had.

'Cause nothing can go wrong tonight, Hedda.

- Hedda, nothing. - I've heard you.

Oh, and keep those guns out of sight.

Right.

Do the clasp at the top.

- No, not the necklace. - Oh.

Has Lovborg called again?

No.

You know, I was... rather surprised that she'd been invited.

Oh, I forgot to mention.

Hedda.

Yes?

This is all happening because you wanted it.

The house, the party.

Lot of money and effort was expended for you.

I hope you're happy.

Don't I look happy?

You will dance with me, won't you?

I may.

You look wonderful, darling.

Thank you.

You look very handsome.

Evening, Professor Greenwood.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Is Brack still here?

Well, he's... he's practically family.

He's business. He's functional. Know the difference.

- Glasses. - Oh.

Mrs. Tesman. I was...

Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar, I'm so glad you could make it after all.

Good to see you, George.

Oh, good to see you. Thank you for coming.

Charming. I love your...

- flower thing. - Thank you.

Judge Brack, would you mind showing them in?

Of course.

- Please. - Thank you.

Professor Greenwood.

Thank you for coming.

- Good evening. - Pleasure.

- This is my wife Tabitha. - How do you do?

- Pleasure. - All mine.

- Champagne, darling? - Thank you.

- Just through there. - Thank you.

- Thank you so much. - Ta.

She's duskier than I thought she would be.

Not so loud, darling.

- Did you bring your joint? - Champagne?

Of course I did.

What do you take me for?

- Oh, my. - Who's that?

Peculiar-looking man.

Is his ear pierced?

Who is he?

Can't be one of George's friends, surely.

Oh, those are definitely Mrs. Tesman's friends.

I saw... I saw you talking

to Professor Greenwood.

How far back do you go with him?

Oh, fair bit, actually.

I mean, it must be a good ten years now.

He may not recall me immediately, but,

before I had tenure...

We weren't even sure we were at the right place

when we arrived, it's so...

I'm sorry, Tabitha. What did you say?

Oh, just that we were so surprised

when we came up the drive.

It's very nice.

It's bigger than we thought it would be.

Judge Brack, have you met Professor Greenwood's wife, Tabitha?

She's a... painter, she says.

Lovely to meet you.

Now, be a dear and get me one of these if you're topping up.

Excuse me.

Very rude.

We have servants for that.

Oh, but I know you like your games.

Did I scare you off with my gun earlier?

You haven't come around to say hello.

Really? You're avoiding me.

- You love a chase. - You seem...

- What? - On edge.

The house is beautiful.

- Bit more than we discussed. - Don't start.

A Mrs. Ellison is at the door.

Says she's an old friend.

- Bring her in. - Yes, ma'am.

You're a doll.

So, tell me, what type of paintings do you do?

Oh, no. Did you walk here?

Mrs. Tesman, I am so sorry to interrupt.

I had no idea you were in town, Mrs. Ellison.

Of course, I would have invited you.

I just wanted to talk to you about...

just to see if...

- Yes? - Eileen Lovborg.

Is she here?

- I insist you stay. - Oh, no, no.

But not dressed like this.

- Well, I... - Let's get you out of these clothes.

- What about your guests? - Get you changed.

Nobody needs me, Mrs. Ellison.

- You have my undivided attention. - I just need to talk to her.

- How have you been since... - Secondary school.

Yes, right.

How is Mr. Ellison?

How are things going at home?

Oh, come now, Mrs. Ellison.

Please stop. Don't call me that.

Just "Thea" is fine.

Of course.

Well, let's get you out of these clothes... Thea.

You can talk to me, school friend.

We weren't friends at school.

You used to pull my hair.

Did I?

You were terrifying back then.

I don't remember.

Every time you passed me on the stairs.

Once, you told me that you would burn it all off.

Amazing I never got around to it.