Ammonite

Move!

Thank you, gentlemen. Gently, if you please.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Mary!

Shouldn't you be out?

We could do with more shells.

Them little ammonites, tourist tut.

And driftwood.

Before I catch my death.

What are you doing?

Yes.

No, please, don't let me disturb you.

- I am very content to watch you work. - The shop's closed, sir.

It's wonderful, isn't it?

Cornu ammonis?

Ammonite.

It's a broken one.

It's still a fine specimen.

Is there something you wanted, sir?

Sorry. Please, let meintroduce myself, Miss Anning. Roderick Murchison.

I must confess I'm a little in awe.

Your reputation is something l've often heard discussed

in the Geographical Societyin London.

All boys together. Yes, well...

Quite.

But your insights, your skills, are legendary

and I thoughtfor my archaeological tourof the Continent,

how could I miss the opportunity to meet you?

And here you are.

At your work.

I was under the impressionthat fine London gentlemen

were no longer interestedin my sea creature relics.

Fashion moved on, did it not?

Quite. I'm afraid l'm a bit of a late starter.

And how could I not want to meet

"The presiding deity of Lyme"?

It'd be customary for a gentleman to write to me

to make an appointmentbefore arriving unannounced.

- Yes, unforgivable. - Could you not fiddle with that?

Sorry. May I introduce my wife, Mrs. Charlotte Murchison?

Sir, as you can see, I don't excavate larger pieces any more.

I've seen that particular relic in the British Museum.

A complete ichthyosaurus. Am I correct?

And that's one of yours?

It's fascinating.

I would love to purchase this ammonite from you, but I must be honest.

What I would dearly appreciateis the opportunity

to spend some time working with you on the shore,

seeing what you see.

I don't conduct guided tours any more.

I'm not a tourist, Miss Anning, I'm a scientist, like you.

A man of the new world and I'm here to learn all I can from you.

And, of course, I am more than happy torecompense you for your time.

And, obviously, as it's an inconvenience to yourself,

I would be able to pay a premium for a private audience.

As well as the purchase of this fine ammonite, of course.

It's not easy work.

- Good. - I can't promise we'll find anything.

Naturally.

Very well. Splendid!

-You've no idea what this means to me.

My friends will be most envious.

- Do you have a quieter dining room? - Yes, sir, but...

This music's a little overwhelming for the situation.

- Couldn't we... - Don't make a fuss.

What is the soup? Hare.

I'll have the oysters. Are they larded?

A la mode, sir.

Perfect. And the beef. Rare.

Very good, sir. Braised celery, boiled potatoes.

Pouring cream for the potatoes. Would you bring your wine list?

No, wait. Just bring me a bottle of the claret.

We have the '26 or '35.

The '35.

And my wife will have some plain white fish. Baked. No sauce.

It's not the right time to make another baby.

Miss Anning.

Sorry. Am I late?

The old woman in your shop... My mother.

Of course. I do beg your pardon.

Your mother said I would find you here.

It was a bright morning, and the tide was out. I couldn't wait.

Yes, of course. I just didn't want to miss anything.

Well, you're here now.

Yes.

Nothing.

Beef.

Limestone.

Calcite crystal. And this?

Look here.

There is a little ammonite inside,

but that dimple tells me it will be crushed.

You could chip it out, but it won't be any good.

Oh, that's nice.

Coprolite. Very nice.

I'm not familiar with this type.

If you look very carefully,

you can see tiny fish bones.

Those little black flecks...

they're scales.

That'll polish up very nice.

Thank you.

- But what is it? - Fossilized feces.

Pardon? Yes, Mr. Murchison.

Shit.

The tide will be coming in soon. We ought to be getting back.

Charlotte, look what I foundwith Miss Anning.

Charlotte.

- What are you doing? - Taking you out of this stinking room.

- I don't want to. - I'm afraid that's no longer a choice.

We can't continue like this, Charlotte. You're like a shadow.

It simply won't do.

It's madness for me to expect you

to be well enough to accompany me abroad.

It seems you need more time for your convalescence. Roddy...

Lyme appears to be the perfect place for you.

This expedition is extensive.

You were prescribed rest.

Sea bathing. I don't like the water.

Little stimulation.

I want my bright, funny, clever wife back.

I don't want to be alone.

Is there something else?

My wife, Charlotte,

she hasn't been at all well of late.

She suffers...

Well, it's mild melancholia, perhaps.

The doctor prescribed taking the sea air,

but it has been a little slow.

I have arranged for her to stay on in Lyme,

and although I'm reassured that she will be well cared for,

she would be alone.

I was thinking... hoping, really,

what a wonderful opportunity it would be for her

to walk out with you.

Walk out? Yes.

Walk the shoreline with you.

Learn from you. I'm not looking for an apprentice.

No, of course not. I am in no position

to spend my days caring for an invalid.

No, and... it wouldn't require you to.

You showed me such courtesy yesterday, sharing your knowledge,

and I was hoping that you might be able to afford my wife the same generosity.

You'll help give her an interest, as it were.

And it would only be for... four weeks.

Perhaps five.

But no more than six.

Excuse me, Mrs. Murchison, but Mr. Murchison instructed me

to help you dressfor your day out today.

I'm not going.

I'm very sorry, Mrs. Murchison,

but Mr. Murchison was most insistent

I get you up out of bed and dressed immediately.

Please don't throw anything else at me, miss.

What is it?

Something. Nothing.

Shouldn't you excavate it?

I mean, isn't that what you do?

My husband said that's what you're meant to show me.