The V.I.P.s

May I have your attention, please? Trans-Canada Airlines...

- Is it true you discovered Gloria? - Where did you find her?

- Is it true she followed you? - Is your relationship entirely professional?

- Is there any future for her without you? - Is there a future for you without her?

- Mr. Buda. - Please, could you...?

Aren't you rather overweight?

Overweight? Me?

Oh, the luggage. That all belongs to...

...Miss Gritti. As usual, I travel with just my toothbrush and a script.

Mr. Joslin.

- Good morning, Mr. Sanders. - See to these.

Here's today's VIP list.

Everything straightforward except for Madam Andros and that's well in hand.

- Is she traveling? - Yes. Landing by helicopter.

Commander Millbank's there now making the final arrangements.

Look after everybody else who comes.

I've got these awful film people to see to.

Very good, sir.

Mr. Buda.

This a great pleasure. We met the last time you traveled by Bo AC, remember?

Yeah. Yeah.

Now, if you'll follow me, I'll take you up to our VIP lounge.

I did so enjoy your last film, Mr. Buda.

"Enjoy"? My dear fellow, we're not so old-fashioned as that.

It is not the purpose of the modern cinema to entertain.

Never, no. We use our cameras today as a surgeon uses his scalpel.

Schwutzbacher. "Entertainment." Really.

Made a lot of money, didn't it?

Money, money, money.

I never concern myself with these matters.

You must ask my assistant here, my financial wizard, Dr. Schwutzbacher.

Maestro.

Tell me, with Room With No view, how much did we gross?

Twelve million, three hundred sixty-three thousand.

- Without Tokyo? - Yes.

You brought the agreements?

It's with my Liechtenstein or the Hong Kong company?

A new one.

The Friendly Isles.

No taxes at all.

No taxes?

Oh, my darling Dr. Schwutzbacher.

Signorina, Miss Potter will look after you.

Please proceed to the top of the central staircase...

... for customs and passport control...

... all passengers traveling on BA 938.

Why do I have to travel with this ridiculous bag?

It's like a bottomless pit.

You know, I'm sure I had it when I left home.

Yes, I'm afraid you can't travel to America without a vaccination certificate.

Why not? I once came through an epidemic of blackwater fever in Uganda...

...and I hadn't been inoculated or anything.

I'm really not afraid of a little smallpox.

Yes, well, I'm afraid it's a regulation, madam.

Then it's a very idiotic one. It must be here.

Well, here it is, all the while.

Yes, this is a ration book, madam, dated 1943.

Don't say so.

Very interesting. How in the world did that get there?

Apart from the vaccination card...

...l'm afraid I don't seem to be able to find your name for flight 905.

You did say economy class?

That's the cheapest way of going to Florida?

- Yes. - Then that's the way I'm going.

- What was the name again, please? - Brighton. Like the town.

Well, there's no Mrs. Brighton here.

I'm not "Mrs."

I often wish I were.

Well, there's no "Miss" either.

I'm sure my name is there.

Is everything in order?

Well, not altogether, I'm afraid.

Her Grace is traveling on flight 905 to Miami.

The Duchess of Brighton.

Oh, yes. It's under D.

Would that be it?

He does mix his tenses, though, "Would it? Was it?"

- It is. - I beg your pardon, Your Grace.

Now, about your vaccinations...

You'll find that in your passport.

Passport. It wasn't here when I looked just now.

I know it wasn't.

Otherwise, I'd have remembered.

Oh, dear.

Well, how clever of you.

The truth is, I'm a little strung up.

It's the first time I've ever flown.

And this morning I had to borrow one of my maid Armstrong's pep-up pills.

It's pepped me up, all right, but not just up.

In all directions, it would seem.

So you must forgive me.

Let me introduce you to Miss Potter.

She'll look after you and take you to our VIP lounge.

How do you do, Miss Potter?

Are you going for a little holiday, Your Grace?

Oh, dear me, no.

I'm going to work.

I'm going as assistant social manageress...

...to the Royal Atlantic Hotel, Miami Beach.

- What fun. - No, it's not for fun. It's the money.

You see, I have to do this to keep my home going.

I think that's Mr. Andros at the controls. Yes, it is.

How long have you been with him, commander?

- For five years. - Must be a pretty good job.

I mean, I don't suppose you regret the navy very much.

It's an excellent job. He's a very generous employer.

That lovely, lovely wife of his, so charming too.

- Thank you, commander. - Madam Andros...

...hope you had a pleasant flight.

Mr. Andros.

I love these things. I wish I had a fleet of them.

You could always buy a fleet yourself, sir.

Yes.

Splendid idea, John. Remind me of it.

Did I make you nervous?

You never make me nervous. Why?

I thought I saw your hands shaking when you were fixing your makeup over Windsor.

A hangover from the farewell party, I expect.

- That man is Sanders. - Yes.

- Madam Andros. - How do you do?

A holiday in Jamaica, I hear.

Are you making the connection from New York today?

- No, tomorrow. - Very wise. Much less tiring.

- Mr. Andros, what a very great pleasure. - Entirely mutual, Mr. Sanders.

You always remember my name.

Not at all. The best reception manager of any airline in the world.

Get in, darling.

- Have you got it? - I've got it.

Bracelet, sapphire and diamonds set in platinum. Inscription's inside.

Yeah.

Thank you. You'll see to that for me, will you?

- Yes, I will, sir. - Thank you, John.

Why, Paul?

In 11 years, have I ever let you go off anywhere without a little present?

Ten days in Jamaica.

They're an eternity.

Open it.

Why haven't you given me a present...

...when you've gone away...

...sometimes for months?

That's different. Then I reverse the process and bring you one back.

Yes, you do.

It's very beautiful.

I knew your taste in platinum. I wasn't too sure about the stones.

Are they all right?

Yes, they're all right.

Thank you very much.

There's a... There's an inscription inside.

What does it say?

Let's leave that as a surprise.

Darling.

Little thing like this out of a Christmas cracker?

I'm sorry.

Let me lead you through the common herd.

Just a minute.

There's a familiar figure.

Marc?

Paul. Hello.

You've come to see Frances off?

- No. Is she traveling? - Yes. Jamaica for a few days.

Frances, look who's here.

Frances, of all people.

- What a pleasant surprise. - Hello, Marc.

- You're going somewhere, then? - New York.

- On the lmperial special? - Yes.

Oh, you and Frances can gossip your heads off together.

- Switching of seats? - That can be arranged.

- Lf I can have your seat number... - No, actually...

...I thought I'd catch up on some sleep.

Perhaps later we can meet in the lounge.

I look forward to it.

Going for any special reason?

Not really. Just a holiday.

- Who's paying for it this time? - Me.

You don't say.

- Casino been good to you? - That and a few other things.

Well, come on into the lounge.

VIP stuff, you mean? No, not me, old boy. I know my place.

But I'll see you on the plane, Frances.

Can I get you for the yacht in April?

- Ischia, Capri, Sicily? - May I let you know?

Of course. You want a guest list, I suppose.

How many susceptible rich countesses onboard...

...and how many millionaires you can fleece.

That's the form. I'll see you.

You haven't forgotten your meeting is at 11?

- No, John. Thank you. - I'll see about madam's boarding card.

I'm sorry about switching seats, but I thought you liked him.

I told you I wanted to... Wanted to sleep.

I know he's a fairly shameful character. Bit of a gigolo and hopeless gambler...

...but he can be amusing and I like him.

I hope you find everything satisfactory, Mr. Andros.

If there's anything you want, ask Miss Potter.

She'll see to it for you.

Excuse me, please.

Oh, hello there. The name's Mangrum, pal, Les Mangrum.

You'll find it on your list there. The lady's my secretary.

- I'm afraid I can't... oh, I see. - Here's Mr. Mangrum's passport.

The visa's on page 24, and his vaccination certificate.

And his excess baggage is paid for in advance.