My Mother and Other Strangers

This is Masterpiece.

MICHAEL

I never bought Rose an engagement ring.

ANNOUNCER

Previously... I hope Mrs. Coyne appreciates the man she's got.

ROSE

I don't want Dreyfuss. I just want the bit of Michael I thought I was getting when I married him. Thank you for saving me from myself. Only you know if I did. I thought I was over you. I made a promise to get over you. And then I broke it. And then I thought I'd been saved despite myself. And now... Now I'm lost again. Now I'm lost again. "My Mother a (birds chirping)

ADULT FRANCIS

I saw a thing about Bing Crosby the other night on one of those documentary channels. It recounted how his version of "Jingle Bells" recorded in 1943 with the Andrews Sisters sold a million copies, and it brought memories flooding back-- some that only make sense to me now--- of the first time I heard it, on the rain-swept aerodrome in Moybeg at Christmas 1943-- a Christmas I will remember as long as I live. (plane flying overhead) Francis, that's your sandwich. Put it in your schoolbag. Mum! Mum. Where were you? I went for a walk.

SALLY

You must be freezing, Mrs. Coyne. Would you like a cup of tea? No. Thank you, Sally. I've made myself late. And why aren't you two off to school? It's really cold, and it's the last day. Can we not stay? It's character forming. And there's a surprise. At school? Is it sweets? It's a surprise. Not sweets. Now, go. Mr. Coyne. I have the ring ready. I made it a size smaller. Would you believe my wife and yours have the same size finger? I took the liberty of letting her try it on. I hope you don't mind. And did she approve? She did, Michael. She loves a romantic tale. I have a nice box for it here. No, no, you take it home with you, let her try it on, just in case. How will you give it to her? The traditional way? Down on one knee? I might not be able to get up if I did that, Malachy. The old joints creak a bit these days. I'm sure I'll manage to find a moment that's right. Michael Coyne? I'm headin' out your way. To see Kettie and the cub. And the new daughter-- if she's mine, huh? Well, I'm sure Kettie'll be rightly pleased. Today? I could give you a lift. No, no, not today. Closer to Christmas, Michael. I have some shopping to do first. Something for Seamie, some catchpenny. You, you couldn't lend us ten bob, could you, Michael? I'll pay it back on Boxing Day. I'll see if I have it. Thanks, Michael. Boxing Day. Oh, aye. Boxing Day. (engine starts) (knock at door) Come in, Master Corey. One at a time! Quiet, everyone, please. Quiet. Master Corey has an announcement to make. You have all been invited to a Christmas party. (excited chatter) Now, quiet! Quiet! It's tomorrow, it's on the aerodrome, and there might be sweets. Now I have a slip of paper here for each of you to give to your mother when you get home; arrangements and so on. Now, it's all written down. It's all on here. Now, you boys. There'll be toilets there, and I want you to use them. This is Moybeg on view here. So I want manners, manners, manners. When you answer, it's yes...?

KIDS

Sir! And yes...? Ma'am. And when you greet someone it's...? Hi, ye blade ye. (kids laughing) Seamus Brady! It's "Hello sir, hello madam." Now, they've gone to a great deal of trouble for us down on the aerodrome. They're rolling out the red carpet for us. So we want you all in your good clothes. Tell your mother, mind. Who believes in Santa Claus? Well, we'll see about that when you meet him. Santa is going to be there in person. He will. Just you wait and see. Go on now, off with you. Boys! Boys! Single file. Go! No, actually, back, back. Girls first. You can take your drawings if you want. I seen the doctor's car. You saw. Don't be so snottery, Emma. I saw the doctor's car on the road yesterday. No sign of that son of his. He's probably swotting. I suppose he reads nothin' but books. Not sure what else he'd read, Barney. Help me with this, will you? He looks right stuck up in anyway. He's not a bit stuck up, as it happens. That's what you think, Emma. But it's bred into them boys, them doctors' sons. Well, that's good advice, Barney. I'll be watching him like a hawk for incipient snobbery. This fella Dreyfuss. He seems to be a man with good ideas about the parish. A thinker. I have no idea what he thinks. I've been dealing with Lieutenant Zeigler. The nurse? That minded poor Maisie? The same. Ah, she's very pretty now, I have to say. Vivacious. She's like Peggy Lee, d'you think? If Peggy Lee is a proper bossy boots, then she's definitely like Peggy Lee. Ah, come on now, you can't grumble about someone who is willing to organize a Christmas party, all the same. I'm willing to try, Jack. Will you lock up? Father Nolan's coming for the keys. See you on the big night? You were right about the surprise, Mammy. Here... I have one too. Christmas week, that's right and good. How did you know about the surprise, Kettie? Eh? Seamie said you told him. Seamie, show Francis the thing you found. He'll know what it is. Go on. Aye. Come to the room. What's this? I don't know. You got all this stuff from the dump? Aye. Look at this. Well, young Francis? It's a baseball glove. They call it a mitt. Bagful of brains, you are. You could show it to your Daddy, if he came home. What put that idea into your mind? People come home for Christmas. Full of brains, eh? Dad. Can we go now? Barney and I have exhausted the works of Emily Bronte as a topic for discussion. You may. Any customers? Jemmy Fox, two stouts. Did he pay? Yes! That's a nuance. And the post arrived. Shoreham. That has to be Vera. And these for you. Right, Ulster Pig, Christmas edition. Poultry Journal. Into the fire. What's this? Thanks for coming, James. Would you take a half 'un? I won't, Michael. Let's get on with this, if you don't mind. I have here the letter from Vincent Coyne's solicitor. Vincent Coyne's your cousin, right? On my father's side. And the license on this premises is in his name? Above the door. And why is the license in the name of your cousin? 30 years ago, James. My mother, Bella. Bella. I remember her well, God rest her. She was a great woman. Well, she applied for the job of teacher here. Father Ryan, the parish priest at the time, was a crabbed old woman hater, as well as being a closet drunk. Now he wouldn't hear of any woman teaching in his school who was connected with the liquor trade. So my father asked my uncle Edward to hold the license for him. Edward was in poor health. Vincent, my cousin, was 22, pious, trustworthy, we thought. So pious, trustworthy Vincent Coyne wants you to buy back the license? For more than this building is worth, James. Can Andrew come? No. It's for children and teachers. No grown-ups. I'm not a child. Mum! Are you serious? You're coming as a teacher's assistant, Emma. And Andrew isn't invited. He should be. He's a doctor, nearly a doctor. And? There'll be nosebleeds and general hysteria. He'll be needed. The place is teeming with real doctors. No! And besides, is he even home? (sighs)

MICHAEL

The thing is, James... that figure he's asking for, I don't have it. Or anything like it. Well, that's pub licenses for you. Would Tomkins lend it to you, then, at the bank? No. You know how much debt my father handed down to me? And the aerodrome came along just in time to save my bacon. How in hell did Vincent Coyne manage to run the best wee drapery in the country into the ground? The answer is all around you, Michael, on the shelves. Be thankful you didn't inherit the Coyne gene. So. (sighs) What do we do next? Solicitor's letter back to him? I don't think that would be wise. We've no actual legal case, Michael. You're gonna have to appeal to his sense of decency. Decency? He's trying to take my livelihood away. Still, you'll have to talk to him. Change his mind. A solicitor's letter from me will just harden it up. So, what? Ask him to meet you here. I'll collect him. He lives in Hilltown, not five miles away from me. Yeah, I thought you said no solicitors? No solicitor's letter. I'll be giving him a lift as a friend of you both. I'll talk to him about the gee gees. It wasn't the drink on the own that did it, Michael. He likes the horses too. Come on. Let's phone him. Right now? I see no pressing reason to keep her open. Let's try and settle this, while it's still the season of goodwill. I know, Vincent... No, I'll get you a lift. Yeah. Before tea time,

maybe 4

00

or 5

00? Yeah, James Harrington. Yeah... But he's got a car and he'll bring you. No, it'll just be you and me. I know. Yeah, I know what you want. We'll talk it through, Vincent. All right? The little blirt! Be calm, Michael. Whatever you do, don't lose the bap. (sighing): Right. (car pulling up) (knock at door) Captain Dreyfuss? It's an unexpected visit. What can I do for you? Uh... I wanted to discuss the arrangements for the party. But if it's inconvenient? I'm working rather hard. Christmas stuff. Oh. Um, perhaps I can come back later, then? Of course. If you wish. If it suits your busy schedule. I've become quite used to dealing with Nurse Zeigler in the past few weeks. So if it doesn't suit you, that will be fine. (whispering): Mrs. Coyne! Rose... "Mrs. Coyne" will do perfectly well. So... (breathing heavily) (quietly): You idiot, Rose Coyne. (sobbing) (car engine starts) (door opens and closes)

SALLY

Mrs. Coyne? (knock at door) Oh, just a moment. Come in. I'm sorry, Mrs. Coyne. I was just coming in and I found this on the doorstep. Thank you, Sally. Yes, it's, um, that'll be, um, just stuff, instructions for the party, on the aerodrome. Thank you, Sally. (footsteps retreating) Here you, Yankee boys. What's this party crack? We decided to do something nice for the kids. Yeah, take their minds off this dump. (laughing) Tio, easy. Yeah, we had a whip around. Got them some good stuff. And you never thought of asking us?

TIO

Yeah, we did. And then we decided not to. (laughing) Well, I'm goin' anyhow, asked or not. You won't get in, Ned. We'll see about that, Failey. Maybe I'll see you boys up there. All right, old timer. Michael, you're very quiet tonight. I'm all right, Failey. (door opens) Michael. You look wrung out, poor thing. Tea? Aye. Rose. I need to talk to you. About? The pub. You know the license is held in my cousin Vincent's name? Well, the Doomsday thing has happened. Vincent is broke. And he wants me to buy it back. Your own license? My license, your license, and Emma's and Francis's and Kate's. And can you? Buy it back? Well, why should I have to, Rose? This is family. This is trust. This is everything I believe in. And it's been thrown in my face. Michael. I don't know what to say. I can't bear to see you betrayed by......by someone you trust. Oh God, Michael. Michael. Well? I'm picking him up. A bit later than you asked. 7:00. Okay. What I'll do, James, is I'll close the pub for an hour or so. Bring Vincent over to the house. Rose and them'll be at the party. That way I can talk to him. The blirt. How does your wife get along with Vincent Coyne? Would it be better he talk to her? I don't think that'd be a good idea. Hmm, taking the news bad? Bad or good, James, is beside the point. It was me brought her over to this place. I can't let it fall down around her. Higher! (giggling) (car pulling up) Emma. Barney? Your man is here. Huh? It's the doctor's car. Oh gosh! Is Andrew here? Emma. Gosh. Dad wanted me to get some fish so, I was passing and... Francis, Kate, into the house and get ready. Seamie, home.

BARNEY

I better go as well, then, eh? Ow! Sorry. You did that on purpose, you stupid bloody peasant! He's not a peasant! He's my friend! He reads! And he knows a lot of things! And I'm sorry you hurt your arm and you are a snob! Emma, I... Who's the pheasant now, ye boy ye? (imitates gunshot) (chickens clucking) Emma, you shouldn't be coming. You're not at school. Emma's going to be Mum's assistant. What's "assistant"?

FRANCIS

It means you better do what you're told. C'mon. We need to get going. I don't want to go. What's wrong? Nothing. Emma, what's wrong? Andrew. I shouted at him.

KATE

He called Barney a bird's name. What was it, Francis? A peasant. Well, that's not right.

EMMA

We're all peasants, Mum. Barney is a peasant, but he's my peasant, and Andrew had no right to say what he did. And I got so cross with him and he drove away, and I'll probably never see him again. You've a good moral compass, Emma. I'm proud of you. I don't want a moral compass, Mum. I want Andrew!

NED

Michael. When you have a minute. With you now, Ned. Takin' a wee whiskey, there, Michael? I thought it didn't agree with you? (excited chatter)

FAILEY (chuckling)

Look at this. What? Is that your one? Here y'are. You'd better get going or you'll miss it! That's the way to do it, boys. I'd say there'll be crack up there, Failey. Would you say there'd be drink? I doubt it, Jemmy. It's full of scholars. I'd say there'd be cake, but... Cake. And maybe some Yankee whiskey. Well, boys, I'll give yous a full report when I get back. You said you wouldn't. You said you'd be sober. For once in your life. Oh, come here. I'm fine. You swore you'd be sober. And you'd bring him a present. Come here to me, Kettie. No! (plate shatters) (baby crying) So you'll service every bloody Yank in the country! You won't come near your husband when he comes to visit you at Christmas? Is that it, Kettie?! (baby continues crying) (lively chatter) Boys. Boys! (tapping loudly) Boys! (chatter ceases) I have to close her for an hour. (annoyed groaning) I have something that needs doing. You going to thon party, Michael? (laughter) Meetin' Ned at the bandstand? Michael, you wouldn't shape at puttin' us out, would you? This is our party, here. I have to, Failey. Boys, look, I'll open her up again in an hour sharp. That's a guarantee. Now come on! I'm taking that glass, Jemmy. I know the fresh air will do you good, lads. (children's excited chatter)

BOY

I see an airplane! (excited chatter) (upbeat music playing in the distance) Listen to thon music. Jitterbug! I've got the jitters. Martin.

JACK

One at a time. Yeah, come on! Slowly! Slowly now, slowly. Francis, come on! Merry Christmas! (cheering, excited chatter) Whoa.

WOMAN

There you go, sugar! Here's a hat for you! (excited chatter) (car honking) Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas! There's so many of them! Hello, hello! Everyone been good for your mom and dad this year? Hello! Merry Christmas! It's a proper martini. Vermouth, decent gin. I haven't tasted one in years. Can I have a sip? A sip. Gosh. I can see Vera's point now. Hey, welcome to our night. Hope you have the greatest time. When I grow up... Oh! So, Ron. What do you think? It looks great. It's a credit to you and the others. Well, a certain liaison officer thought it up. And he's either too cool or too modest to take any credit. So, which is it? Cool? Or modest? (giggles) Definitely not cool. You're blushing, Ron Dreyfuss. You look like Rudolf. What? Mrs. Coyne. I called to discuss the arrangements with her. She was a little frosty. You, er, you did tell her? Like I asked? Sure. You know what, I may not have. (giggling): Hey, I did. Sure. I did. Gotta go be a chorus girl. (quietly): Stuck up English bitch. (footsteps approaching) (door opens)

KETTIE

Mrs. Coyne. Kettie? How did you get in? One of the soldiers knows me. Oh. Seamie's father came back. Oh, Kettie! That's a brilliant surprise. Somebody gave him a feed of poteen. He came in drunk. (softly): Oh. Mrs. Coyne... I don't want Seamie to see me like this. Will I keep Seamie tonight? I will. (sobs) Let me see. (softly): Oh, Kettie. It'll heal, Mrs. Coyne. It always heals. I have him in good shape, Michael. Play it handy. I'd say he'd like a whiskey to warm him. Maybe had one already. Or two. Okay? Vincent! (men chatting)

MAN

Sir, you are under arrest. Hey, hey, hey, get your hands off me! Emma. Everything tickety boo? Everything is absolutely terrible. I have been surrounded by wild little beasts and I'll probably never see Andrew again. I should be relieved about that. But God, what do I know? Seamie is staying with us tonight. Is there some logical connection I'm supposed to find between those two statements? Mum? Mrs. Coyne. Captain Dreyfuss. A moment. What's this? Mrs. Coyne. It's a present. It's so inappropriate. It's for the family, the table. I brought it back from Connecticut, from my leave. I thought... Leave? You've been on leave? I've been on leave for two weeks. Nearer three. Back home in New Canaan, Connecticut. I thought... Tillie didn't tell you, did she? Oh gosh. No, she didn't. I had no idea. That's why I was so... Cold. I thought you'd simply cut me dead. I had no business thinking any of it. Yes, you had, Rose. Can I call you Rose again? Yes. (giggling): Oh God, yes. Call me anything. You were away and you thought I knew and...

NOCHES

Captain. We have an incident out here. They're looking for you. I'm on it. (sighs) Perhaps we could discuss this further. When I'm through with this?

KATE

It's the man from the pub, isn't it, Francis? Ned Hanlon. I hope he doesn't spoil Christmas. Thank you, Sergeant. Mr. Hanlon. I know you. Yes, you do. Captain Dreyfuss, liaison officer. (laughing): Whatever that means. Mr. Hanlon. I would be happy to entertain you, but this is a matter of security. I'm going to have to ask the sergeant to escort you. I came to see my house. I'll not be thrown out. We will not throw you out, Mr. Hanlon. The sergeant will walk with you as far as the gate house. Well. I lived here, Captain. And my father and his father lived here. Long before your country was even discovered. And when yous have gone, my people may live here again. Amen to that, Mr. Hanlon. Now, on your way out, all I can offer you is a glass of soda, I'm afraid. Soda? (scoffs) Sure, soda'd be no good to me, son. I'd take a wee bit of cake, thoh. I hope you have a result for me, Michael. Michael, where is he? What's after happening, here? It came home to me just what Vincent Coyne's game is.

The betrayal of a sacred trust

his father's and mine, for money. Michael, for heaven's sake. I needed you to come to an arrangement with him. I came to an arrangement. I told him I'd see him in court! Michael. I had one drink; to stiffen my nerve. One drink. Yeah. One. And where is your cousin? Waiting for you under a tree, I suppose. Michael, did you put him out? In the cold? Where are you going?! To find him! See if I can salvage anything, see if I can save your pub! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way What fun to ride and sing in a one-horse open sleigh Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits bright What fun to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight Jingle bells, j-jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh Ba da da da da, ba-dap Jingle bells, j-j-j-jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. (cheers and applause) What are we going to do? Rose... I tried to convince myself that you not caring for me was for the best. It was for the best. Yes. And here in my head I knew that, and so I didn't ask Tillie about you. And yet every time I met her I wanted to tug at her sleeve and say, "Where is he?" Why doesn't he love me anymore? While my heart screamed out, "as I love him." And all the while, I have children who love me and a good man who doesn't tell me, but who I know loves me and every day, I am unfaithful to him in my mind.

TILLIE

Oh hey! What a surprise. Captain Dreyfuss and Mrs. Coyne. I'm guessing you missed the Tillie Girls' moment of fame? You didn't tell Mrs. Coyne that I was on leave. I forgot. You worked with me for two weeks on the planning of this party. How could you forget? I didn't think it would be that important for Mrs. Coyne. So, it slipped my mind. I was busy. Busy busy. I'm sorry, Captain. Now I've got to take you away. We need you downstairs doing your job, saying goodnight to the kids and thanking the good people who organized and executed this party. (excited chatter) I need to go home early. Mum? Will you bring Francis and Kate? And Seamie. Mum, what is happening? (cheers and applause) Well, boys and girls of Moybeg, I hope you had a night to remember. (cheers and applause) I hope each and every one of you got all the candies and cookies and soda you could handle and the present you always wanted. Sadly, it's time to go home. (kids groan) So, on your behalf I want to thank the teachers who brought you here and who are going to see you back to the guardhouse. And all the boys and girls from Station 328, Tillie and the Tillie Girls... (cheers and applause) All the singers and dancers, the band. (cheers and applause) Snow White, Santa Claus, can't forget him. You boys and girls gave the kids a good time and, I believe, enhanced the image and standing of Station 328 in the community of Moybeg. I want to thank all of you for your effort, for your dedication, for your...

MAN

Hear, hear!...sense of optimism and fun in these dark times. We can tidy up in the morning. For now, I think you can allow yourselves to take a bow and a drink while you're at it. (cheers and applause) Goodnight, kids. Safe home. Happy Christmas! (applause)

TILLIE

Good words. (quietly): Yeah. Don't be angry, Ron. Why would I be angry? About my not telling Rose Coyne you went on leave. You know what? I did it to save her from herself. She was a jackrabbit in the headlights, not that I blame her. But she's a married woman. As I am a married man. My wife, Rhonda, has fought a long battle with mental illness. My three weeks' leave was for her attempted suicide. So you're right. It probably didn't matter if Mrs. Coyne knew I was away. Probably for the best. I feel sick. The "podcorm." Popcorn.

ANDREW

Emma! Emma! You're here! I came to tell you I'm so, so sorry. I, I even apologized to Barney. He wasn't much mollified but... (thunder crackling) Would you please, please forgive me? If you knew how sad I was. Yes. Yes? Yes! Oh, I can give you a lift home. I can give you a lift home, yeah? Yes! Come on, guys, let's get in. Oh, muddy shoes! Dad is gonna kill me. Come on, in you go. (heavy rainfall, thunder crackling)

DREYFUSS

Rose! Rose! I'm sorry. I thought Rose might be...? Mum's gone home. I just wanted to say... good night. Shall I tell her? (thunder crackling) Rose. You're soaked. Yes. Need to change. Where are the children? Emma's bringing them home. Here. Let me. Why aren't you at the pub? I closed it. I took the night off. Michael, have you been drinking? One. To give me courage. Courage? Oh Lord, why do... why do you... what do you know? (door opens) Children, thank God!

EMMA

Mum, we're here! Andrew brought us home. Dry as bones. I bet he'd like a cup of tea. Er, yes, that'd be lovely. He'd better be getting off home. Get the children upstairs. Good night, Andrew. Daddy, we saw Santa and a cowboy and a pretty girl and a drunk man from the pub. Snow White. And Ned Hanlon. I'll come up and hear everything in a minute, I promise. Upstairs now. Rose, please. Peasant. Rose Coyne. I, um... I have something to give you. I should have given it to you years ago. It's for the one I never got you. Oh, God, no. Take it. It's beautiful. I don't deserve such a thing. Put it on. I... I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you, I... (car pulling up) Don't......say "I love you." I know you do, Rose. It's Harrington! There's someone at the door, grown-ups! Dammit! (door opens)

MICHAEL

James.

HARRINGTON

I had to come back, Michael. Oh, hello, Mrs. Coyne. Just... go through there. I spoke to him. He's bulling mad, Michael. He says he's not letting you buy it back. He's putting it on the open market. To sell to all comers? He'd sell the license to a stranger? Over our head? Well, that seems to be his mindset, I'm afraid. Oh, happy Christmas. Oh, God. Good night, Mr. Coyne. Mrs. Coyne.

MICHAEL

Andrew, good night. This house is like a French farce. People emerging from cupboards. Where do I put Seamie? Anywhere. Rose? I... I forgot something. Rose! It's called a dressing table. I think Mammy's getting one of them. Rose! (engine cranking, stops) Rose! (engine cranking) Come on! I came to tell you... I know. I need to go. Yes! A posting. Far away. To save us both. Yes. Far away. No. Rose. No, never leave me. Go to our Masterpiece website, watch full episodes, listen to our podcast, and more. This program is available on DVD. To order, visit shopPBS.org, or call us at 1-800-PLAY-PBS.