Obsession

No need for it at all.

Reasonable foresight, that's all that was necessary.

We change from a primarily agricultural country

to an industrial one

at the very time the colonies fall into our hands.

- And what do we do? - Coffee gets worse every night.

- Steward! Absolutely nothing.

We pour money down the drain, buying our foodstuffs from all over the world

instead of developing the Empire.

Riordan, you're a doctor.

This coffee's enough to kill a man, isn't it?

With the obvious result.

When we have to pay for a war, we can't pay for our food.

Riordan! - Oh, sorry.

- This coffee. Shocking - Mmm, terrible.

- Ah, more coffee! - Yes, sir.

Excuse me, Doctor. You forgot to sign your dinner cheque.

Oh, yes.

But still, things were coming along quite nicely,

until Hitler popped up.

He didn't "pop up". He was inevitable.

Well, war was, anyway.

What sort of mentality would have precluded the possibility of war?

Anyway, neglecting the Empire

started long before this government got into power.

Oh, it isn't any specific government I'm blaming.

It's our complacent insularism.

Oh, Empire! - Allow me, sir.

Knew a man once who went to Australia.

Really? Mmm, Ian Pumphrey.

Got into some sort of trouble, packed him off,

back inside a year.

Couldn't hit it off with the Australians.

Sent him to Canada.

No idea what happened to him.

Ever met a Canadian?

- I known Canada well. - Fantastic lingo.

Same as Americans, you know. Met a Canadian once.

Couldn't understand a word he said.

I said, "Look here, young man, if you're going to stay in the Empire,

"you'll have to learn how to speak English, you know."

Took it quite well.

- Good night, gentlemen. Good night.

Do you realise that we're living on American dollars, sir?

That every mouthful of food we eat costs dollars.

Mmm. Might get some decent coffee.

- Allow me, sir. - Oh, er, thank you.

- Good night, sir. - Good night.

Taxi!

Church Row, Hampstead, please.

Good night.

Oh, it's you, sir!

- (DOOR CLOSING) - This is a surprise.

We didn't expect you back for a fortnight.

Torquay's postponed for a few days. An urgent case came up.

We didn't expect you back for a fortnight.

Torquay's postponed.

Mrs Riordan not home yet?

No, sir. Madam said that she might be rather late,

and that I needn't wait up.

- Shall I take your coat? - No, don't do that.

I'll keep it on for a moment. It's a little chilly.

Very good, sir.

I forget, er...

Wasn't someone calling for Mrs Riordan tonight?

No, sir.

Madam left the house alone in a taxi.

I see.

Well, you may as well go back to bed, Aitken.

I'll wait up for my wife.

Very good, sir.

Good night, sir.

- Scotch? - Thanks.

- How about some music? - Mmm, lovely.

Brahms, Beethoven...

Haven't you got any civilised music around here?

Where's that record I gave ya last week?

Somewhere there.

Oh, so it is.

- May I have the pleasure, madam? - I'm busy.

Oh, there isn't any ice.

Bill! What are you doing?

You silly boy!

Look at your tie.

Hold your head up.

Mother used to tie it. Did it for years.

Mmm. You're still a baby.

There.

So that's why you love me.

Maternal instinct coming out.

I'll fetch some ice.

And leave me here all alone?

- (CURTAIN PULLING BACK) - (FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)

Let me get the ice. You two carry on.

We mustn't be inhospitable to our American cousins, must we?

Clive!

Uh-oh...

- Er... Hello there, Clive. - Hello, Bill.

Hello.

Bill!

- I thought he'd gone away. - He had gone!

- Well, he's come back, I guess. - How long has he been in here?

Quick, think. Did we say anything?

I don't think so. Did we do anything?

No. Bill, keep your head.

You took me to the Rakovsky concert.

- Margaret couldn't go, so I asked you. - Who's Margaret?

- Never mind about that. Do you understand? - Yeah, okay, okay.

Afterwards we had some oysters at the Savoy. The Grill.

- We didn't dance. - Why not?

For heaven's sake, don't argue.

He doesn't like me dancing with other men.

Oh, Clive, er... Can I help?

I see you've managed.

Yes, I've managed. Thanks all the same.

- Why did you come back, darling? - I changed my mind.

"What did I want with a holiday?" I asked myself.

A holiday away from my beautiful wife!

Your drink, my dear.

And here's yours, Bill.

- Thanks. - And here's mine.

Do sit down, please.

No, no, over there on the sofa.

That's the idea.

- Well, good luck! - Cheers!

By the way, Margaret couldn't go to the concert after all, so...

So you went.

Yes.

Bill happened to phone about something or other

just after Margaret rang off, so...

So I got me a free seat.

Did you enjoy the concert?

- Oh, swell! - They played everything I love.

- Many there? - Overflowing, I'd say.

- They were standing at the back. - Remarkable!

So you saw the house full to overflowing.

- Sure. What of it? - Really remarkable.

And you, my dear, heard your favourite music played,

interpreted by Rakovsky.

Some of it, yes.

Really remarkable imagination.

Such is the power of the master musician.

Even if he isn't there.

You see, there was no concert tonight.

It was cancelled.

Rakovsky was taken to a nursing home

half an hour before the performance was due to begin.

Yes...

I too am sitting here wondering what I'd say

in either of your positions.

But, no, I can't think of anything either.

Bill, please go.

- Yes, I guess if you'll, er, pardon... - Good night, Bill!

Good night, Storm. I...

I don't know what to say.

But I know what to say.

Sit down.

- Put that gun away at once! - Wait a minute! Clive!

Just sit down.

Both of you.

Well, Bill?

Well, you're right, Clive.

We didn't go to the concert.

We went to the Savoy for a bite to eat.

The Grill. We didn't dance.

I was starving as usual.

You know the way she gets.

Yes, yes. I know the way she gets.

I'm afraid it's all my fault.

I persuaded Storm to skip the concert.

Savoy?

The Grill, please. I'd like to speak to Tony.

Bill, you will now see British diplomacy at its best.

They must be busy. Listen to the buzz.

Is that you, Tony?

Good evening, this is Dr Clive Riordan speaking.

How are you?

Fine, thanks.

I've finished a case a little earlier than I expected,

and I told my wife I'd try and join her later if I could,

but I've very stupidly forgotten where she said she was going.

Is she in the Grill, by any chance?

She'd be with that, er... nice young American.

Mr Kronin. Mr Bill Kronin.

No?

Have they been there tonight?

Not?

Oh, well, I'll try somewhere else.

Thanks so much. Goodbye.

Er... Tony sends his regards to you, my dear.

Well, Bill, how was that?

Oh, for heaven's sake, stop this ridiculous nonsense!

I'm going to bed.

Good night, Bill. I'll see you to the door.

Good night, Clive.

On the sofa.

A little putty and a touch of paint and you'll never notice it.

So, you were not at the concert and you were not at the Savoy.

Let's cut it short, Clive.

I feel like an awful heel.