Rebecca

Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

I dreamt that where our drive once lay, a dark and tortured jungle grew.

Nature had come into her own and yet the house still stood.

Manderley.

Secretive and silent as it had always been.

Risen from the dead.

Like all dreamers, I was allowed to pass through my memory.

Spanning the years like a bridge.

Back to that summer in Monte Carlo when I knew nothing and had no prospects.

Did you say eight?

- Huit. -Yes.

- Merci. Au revoir. -Au revoir.

I can see the girl I was so clearly,

even if I no longer recognize her.

And I wonder what my life would have been without Mrs. Van Hopper.

Without that job.

Funny to think that the course of my existence

hung like a thread upon her curiosity.

If it wasn't for her, I would never have gone to Manderley...

and would never have met you.

Mrs. Van Hopper.

What kept you?

I'm sorry. I had to wait for a package at the post office. I...

I believe it's from your nephew.

Oh, photographs of his honeymoon with that ghastly girl, I imagine.

Open it.

-Get a table downstairs for lunch. -Yes. One o'clock as usual?

-Now. I've just seen Maxim de Winter. -Oh, right.

Still heartbroken, by the look of it.

He's a friend of yours?

Maxim de Winter, owner of Manderley.

-One of the finest homes in England. -Oh, yes.

His wife died last year. He's in dire need of company.

-Have the maître d' seat him next to me. -Oh.

You'll have to tip.

Honestly, with everything I'm teaching you,

you ought to be paying me.

-Thank you, Mrs. Van Hopper. -Stupid girl.

-Bonjour. -Mademoiselle.

Ah! Madam Van Hopper's usual table?

Oh, yes, thank you. Merci.

Oh, no. Um...

Wait, sorry. She was wondering if a Mr. de Winter could sit with her.

-Monsieur Maxim de Winter? -Oui.

It is the choice of Mr. de Winter where he wishes to be seated.

Oh, yes, of course.

Merci.

So sorry. Is that not enough? Um, here. I've got more.

-Oh! -

God, I'm so sorry, monsieur.

Just one moment.

Don't do it. I've heard he's a terrible bore.

-Excuse me? -This de Winter chap.

Thank you.

Monsieur de Winter, please, this way.

Des huîtres, une douzaine.

"Des huîtres, une douzaine."

Maxim de Winter. Well, I never. I had no idea you were in Monte.

You must join us.

Edie Van Hopper. I think you remember my nephew. Billy?

You met him at Blenheim last fall. Billy Whitney. He's about my height.

He's got sandy hair and he's got a bit of a lazy eye.

I can't imagine how I could've forgotten. Do give my regards to Billy.

Oh, would you know?

He's married, and to the most enchanting girl.

-Is he? -He sent photographs.

I'll show you. Come here. The wedding was divine.

I believe you, but I prefer to lunch alone.

-Good day, Miss Van Hopper. -Oh, no.

What? We're not related. She's staff.

Well, I mean, I guess you could call her my ward.

Hmm, I see. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Darling, fetch those photographs. Mr. de Winter would love to see them.

No, please. Don't trouble yourself.

-It's unnecessary. -No trouble at all!

Not at all. Go along. Quickly. No, no. She'll be down in a jiffy.

This is my favorite part.

I asked her to get the photographs,

and she darts from the table, and then she's gone. Doesn't come back.

I thought, "Oh, God, don't tell me she started sketching."

- -Oh, no, she's an artist.

Anyway, she comes running back down, reeking of cheap rose water.

I mean, the smell of it!

Show me an eligible bachelor

and I will show you a room full of women acting like they've lost their minds.

It's too late.

-Sorry. -Never mind, sit down.

Related. I mean, imagine.

I loved the Manderley ball. It was just so glamorous.

I suppose that's all stopped since the tragedy.

Such a shocking thing that happened.

-How do you explain it? - Awful.

- He adored her! - Mmm.

His Rebecca.

Morning, Mrs. Van Hopper.

-Mrs. Van Hopper? -

Are you all right?

I'm sick. I'm sick.

I'm... I was sick all night.

-Call the... call the medecin. -Okay.

-Call them right now. The doctor. -All right.

Where is the bucket? Where's the bucket?

-I'll get the bucket! Here, I've got it. -

You are waiting for madame?

Oh, no. She's unwell. The doctor told her to rest.

So, it's just me today.

It is not possible. The terrace is for guests only.

But I'm a lady's companion... really?

Yes, it is not for staff.

Monsieur? The young lady will be joining me. Set another place, please.

Bien sûr, Monsieur de Winter.

No, please. I couldn't possibly.

It's absolutely fine.

-We needn't talk unless we feel like it. -Oh.

You... you didn't have to do that.

My motives were entirely selfish.

This is yesterday's paper. I've already read it.

Thank you. It's very kind.

-So, what is it you do for... -I'm what's called "a lady's companion."

If a lady has to pay for company, that says something about the lady.

May I take your order?

Des huîtres, une douzaine.

For breakfast?

You heard her. Et encore du café.

Bien, Monsieur de Winter. Mademoiselle.

If it's not rude, why her?

You would make an excellent companion for any number of people.

I've always wanted to travel, so there's that, and £90 a year.

I know that's not very much to you, but it's a lot to me.

I suppose you can set a price on loneliness.

It's odd, isn't it? Some people seem perfectly happy alone

while others just need someone to pass the time with. Doesn't matter who.

Which are you?

Well, my parents are dead, so... I'm used to being alone.

Ah.

Here comes your breakfast.

Et voilà. Une douzaine d'huîtres.

-I've always wanted to try them, so... -

Try them before they get warm.

- -

Thank you so much. I've never spoken so much in my life.

-It was very impressive. -

-And I'm sorry about the oysters, too. I-- -No, that was fine.

Thank you very much. I...

I haven't enjoyed myself like that for quite a long time.

À bientôt.

Hello?

- -

-A note from the front desk. - Merci. Madame's indisposed.

-I'll take it to her. -It's for you, mademoiselle.

Merci.

What do they want?

Um...

It was just the front desk, they were...

wondering how you are.

So how did you escape?

I said I had a tennis lesson. She's been on at me to improve my game.

Sneaky.

-So where do you want to go? -Anywhere is fine.

There must be somewhere you want to see.

Well, it's quite far.

Good. I could use the fresh air.

Is this a 3.5-liter Bentley?

It is. How do you know so much about cars?

Oh, my father, he loved them.

If I may ask, when did your parents pass away?

Two winters ago. Influenza.

Well, my mother died of influenza, and my...

father died just four days later.

Do you think a person could die of a broken heart?

-That was thoughtless of me. I'm sorry. -No.

- -

- -It's all right.

All part of the plan.

EXOTIC GARDEN PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING

There's a cactus, it's native to Mexico,

and it grows to 65 feet tall.

It lives for 200 years, but it doesn't flower until it's 70.

Where do you learn this stuff?

I read about it. Everything I know is from books.

I haven't really experienced anything yet. I plan to before I'm old.

Look!

Have you been here before?

Years ago. On my honeymoon.

-How did your wife-- -Please... let's not.

Mr. de Winter.

-Go on. -Oh, no. I couldn't.

Yes. Yes, you can. You know how, don't you?

Um, well, yes, I--

Well, good. As long as you didn't learn from a book.

- -

Will you tell me about Manderley? I hear it's beautiful.

It is. Yeah. Manderley, it's more than a house. It's my life.

It's been passed from father to son and father to son for centuries.

Until now, anyway.

You see, if I die without an heir, it goes to my sister.

And her sons are nice boys, but they're just not de Winters.

- -

There we go.

Well, thank you for getting us home safely.