- 3 minutes ago
Tom Howard wins the Commodore Cup with his boat, The Flying Fish. But at a celebration dinner with his family, he announces that he's been made redundant.
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02:15Thank you, Dad.
02:15Well, he was runner-up last time. He's a good sailor, Tom Hart.
02:18Good boat, too.
02:19Yeah. Would be, wouldn't it? Built in this yard.
02:21To his design.
02:23Well, not bad either for an out-craft man.
02:25That's in rather her, though.
02:26Well, that's what I call a boat.
02:31I mean, you can stick your fiberglass jobs...
02:33I don't think she's win the Commodore's car.
02:34Maybe not.
02:35But she's win his heart.
02:40Oh, no, no.
03:43Well, my life's worth not to.
03:45Love me, love my boat.
03:48Something like that.
03:55I'm deliberately holding up to weather.
03:58Do you think they're too far out in the tide?
04:02I think you're right.
04:04I think you're right.
04:13Leo.
04:13Leo.
04:24Three lengths to the mark.
04:29Two lengths to the mark.
04:31Water at the mark.
04:36Water.
04:42You're going to hit?
04:43Water.
04:45Hey!
04:46You're going to hit?
04:51You're going to hit?
05:11He did it, then.
05:13Congratulations.
05:14Took a calculated risk at the end there.
05:17Ever then, that's what sought out the men from the boys.
05:20I know he went to grab a chance.
05:23Oh, I couldn't agree more.
05:38Never known him sail like that before.
05:41Well?
05:42It's a scrape under the water line.
05:44It's not bad, though.
05:45You do know what's underneath?
05:46I'll take her out of the water.
05:48Have a closer look.
05:53Well, I could do with a drink.
05:56Nothing about you two.
05:56Yes.
05:57Mum's meeting us at the club.
06:01We'll leave you to tuck her up, all right?
06:03It's a pint and large gin.
06:05And tonic.
06:09Oh, that was brilliant.
06:11Could have gone on forever.
06:14Yes.
06:15Thank you very much.
06:16Thank you very much.
06:16Nice pleasure.
06:22Holly!
06:23Oh, thank you.
06:24You're a good lady.
06:27Mmm.
06:28Post-mortem's all evening, I suppose.
06:30All summer?
06:32And still, Tom will be in a good mood.
06:34Might sting him for a few new clothes for not dying.
06:36Thought had occurred to me.
06:38When'd you go?
06:39September.
06:40Just before Leo goes up to university.
06:42Oh, let's have a splurge in town.
06:43It'll be our last family holiday.
06:46Is your old away this weekend?
06:48Yes.
06:49Old boys' reunion.
06:50I do wish you'd dream up some better excuses.
06:54Ah!
06:55The conquering of Europe.
06:56Yes, Mum.
06:58Well done, darling.
07:00Oh, you're wonderful.
07:02Did you give me that very shame at the end?
07:04Of course I did.
07:06Oh, to me.
07:07Well done.
07:08Come on, you must be thirsty.
07:09You've got something special to drink inside.
07:11Congratulations, Tom.
07:13Thanks.
07:13Aren't we the clever one?
07:14I had a talented crew.
07:16Oh, it's the skipper calls the tune.
07:19Lynn could have done it just as well.
07:21Only don't tell her I said so.
07:22Of course I forgot.
07:23You don't like women taking the initiative, do you?
07:26And congratulations, Tom.
07:27It's a pint.
07:29Next time to fasten it, eh?
07:35Cheers, lad.
07:36Cheers, lad.
07:38No more money in the bank, Dad.
07:39There's no need to keep on about it.
07:41How else can I make you listen?
07:42I mean it, Dad.
07:43It's serious.
07:43Avril, the trouble with you is you're a pessimist.
07:46Same as your mother was.
07:48Mother had reason for pessimism.
07:50Listen.
07:51When I came back from London, you asked me to take over the admin side, right?
07:55Right.
07:55But I didn't ask you to nag me all the time, did I?
07:58Well, I've had three months now to find out the extent of the mess we're in.
08:01Well, business will pick up.
08:02It always has.
08:03Oh, yes.
08:04Well, we had boats on the stocks all the time.
08:06What have we got in the pipeline now?
08:08Oh, there's that German repair contract coming up.
08:11May take a bit of time.
08:12Dad, we haven't got time.
08:13We need something concrete now.
08:15Right, Avril, right.
08:18Why don't we go to the pub and discuss it over a jar?
08:21That's always your solution, isn't it?
08:23No.
08:25We run the gun.
08:26E-I-N-E.
08:28We run the gun.
08:29We are the champions.
08:33We are the champions.
08:36We are the champions.
08:37We are sailing.
08:40We are sailing.
08:57Great.
09:09We'll just have to get another loan to tide us over.
09:12No one looking at our books would lend us another penny.
09:14Avril, I'm buying lunch for Laurie Meadows tomorrow.
09:17I'll twist his arm.
09:18Bank manager's arms.
09:19Don't twist that easy.
09:20He's a mate.
09:21He's known me for years.
09:22He'll extend our loan.
09:27One thing to be said.
09:29The yards help to take your mind off your own problems.
09:33The yards might have one as well as yours.
09:35I mentioned personal problems.
09:37Look, Dad, I thought we agreed not to talk about it.
09:39All right, all right.
09:39I won't mention it if you'd sooner I didn't.
09:41I'd sooner you didn't.
09:42Good.
09:45You'll have to talk about it one day, you know.
09:52Oh, and did you see how badly he's getting into trouble when his tailor got started?
09:56He had a strap on his sleeve.
09:57Oh, no.
09:58Poor wretch.
09:58I thought he was going overboard at one point.
10:01Just as well he didn't, or we'd have had to rescue him.
10:03Oh, not me.
10:04I'd have turned a blind eye.
10:06Tom, darling, pass your glass down.
10:08Come on.
10:08Oh, the last of the champagne.
10:10No, Leo, you've had quite enough already.
10:14Oh, this is going to be my best summer yet.
10:22No more exams to worry about.
10:24Nothing to do but sail and sail and sail and sail.
10:28And next year we'll win the cup again.
10:29And the year after.
10:31Oh, and I'll have the pleasure of polishing it for the rest of my life.
10:33Thank you very much.
10:34Are you all right, Dad?
10:37Oh, well, I might as well get it over with.
10:39Oh, now, what's this?
10:40There's something I have to tell you all.
10:42Tom, if it's another boat, I should go mad.
10:43I've been trying to find the right moment, but, well, there isn't a right moment for this sort of thing.
10:48The fact is, I've been made redundant.
10:51You mean Southern Aviation have finally given you the boot?
10:55That's what it amounts to, yes.
10:58Tom, no.
11:01Jeez, Dad, I'm sorry.
11:03Why?
11:05The entire design department is going in the amalgamation.
11:10Oh, God.
11:12Well, haven't they offered you anything else?
11:14There is nothing else.
11:17So, as of now, I joined the ranks of the great unemployed.
11:21As of now?
11:23Yes.
11:24That means you must have known for some time.
11:26Oh, yes.
11:27How long?
11:29It's been on the card for a month now.
11:31And you've waited until now before saying anything?
11:34Yes, I expected to find another job before he...
11:39I knew I'd make a hash of it.
11:43Jan!
11:44Oh, Lord.
11:48Why did he have to spoil everything by telling us tonight?
12:00Jan.
12:03Love.
12:04Why didn't you tell me before?
12:05Because I expected to get something else lined up.
12:08Then why tell me in front of the children?
12:09I thought it was a family matter.
12:11You could have spoken to me first.
12:12Look, I was trying to save your worrying.
12:15We used to share our worries, Tom.
12:20I'm sorry, darling.
12:22No.
12:24No, I'm sorry.
12:27We must have had a hell of a time.
12:31Hasn't been much fun.
12:33I still can't take it in.
12:35I know.
12:36Oh, 20 bloody years down the drain.
12:42Tom.
12:44What exactly does it mean?
12:46I'm out of work.
12:48Period.
12:50No more income from now?
12:53Apart from my golden handshake.
12:57Well, that'll have to tide us over till you find another job.
13:01Well, if I find another job.
13:04Darling, don't be silly.
13:05Of course you will.
13:06It's just a matter of looking around for something suitable.
13:08What the hell do you think I've been doing this past month?
13:12You hear about it happening to other people.
13:15But not Dad.
13:17He's been working for them since he left university.
13:20All his life.
13:22Yeah.
13:24How can they do that to someone?
13:27With increasing ease.
13:31The fact is, I'm not going to find another aircraft design job.
13:35They're all filled.
13:37It blokes my age and younger.
13:39But surely with all your contacts.
13:41No, no, it's amazing how they all melt away.
13:49Well, there must be something for a designer with your experience.
13:52Of course, there are openings abroad.
13:54Abroad?
13:56Currently, there is a senior design post going in Pretoria.
14:00How would you feel about uprooting yourself?
14:04Leave Tarrant?
14:07But my whole life's here.
14:09My friends, everything.
14:13And there's mother to consider.
14:15I mean, we must be near her and the children.
14:19No, Tom, we couldn't possibly move away from here.
14:22No.
14:23That's why I turned it down.
14:26Oh, I see you weren't really interested in my opinions.
14:30What do you mean by that?
14:31Well, why ask me how I feel when you've already made up your mind?
14:37I feel sick.
14:39Probably the champagne.
14:41Champagne?
14:43I thought he was celebrating.
14:45Not drowning his sorrows.
14:50Sorry about that.
14:51Mum, OK.
14:52Oh, yes.
14:53She'll be down later.
14:55She's right.
14:56I should have told her before.
14:58She should have noticed something was wrong.
15:00We all should have, Lynn.
15:01Now, when you live with someone day in, day out, it's easy to stop noticing.
15:06Besides, I did cover my tracks.
15:08Should have guessed from all that extra mail.
15:10The last month, I haven't thought about anything except the race.
15:14Can you spell it out, Dad?
15:15The repercussions?
15:16Now, Leo, it's nothing too dramatic.
15:19We've a bit put by.
15:21Our outgoings aren't all that heavy now we've paid the mortgage off.
15:24We'll just have to trim our sales a little until we know what my plans are.
15:28We might have to scrap the holiday in France.
15:31It suits me.
15:33I'd rather stay here and sail.
15:35I wanted to opt out for that conservation project.
15:38Only monkey months are heavy about it.
15:40After all, darlings, this is going to be our last family holiday.
15:44I didn't know you felt that way about it.
15:48What about university, Dad?
15:51Don't worry about that.
15:53And I can still have my year out?
15:55Yes.
15:55Though I won't be able to fork out such a fat allowance.
15:59That's okay.
16:00I'll find a part-time job.
16:02Something like Mum's that won't interfere too much.
16:05Are you sure you'll be able to afford me going to Exeter?
16:07You can always apply for a grant.
16:09Not this year, I can't.
16:10It's too late.
16:12We'll manage somehow.
16:33Mind if I join you?
16:35Oh, hello, Bill.
16:38How are you?
16:40I thought I saw Avril with you.
16:42You did.
16:43She went off in one of her moots.
16:45She never used to be that touchy.
16:48That bastard's got a lot to answer for.
16:50It was a man then, was it?
16:51Well, that's to be honest.
16:53A girl like Avril doesn't throw up a good career for her health.
16:57Still living on her own, is she?
16:59Yep.
17:00I tried to get her to come back home.
17:02She doesn't want to know.
17:04It's not good for people to live on their own.
17:07No.
17:10You must come up and have a meal with me and Daisy one evening.
17:15Do you think I was walking out with Daisy before you?
17:19I might have married her instead of Violet.
17:21Not you.
17:22You'd married Daisy.
17:24You wouldn't have got the boatyard.
17:39Oh, that's marvellous.
17:41Just what I feel like.
17:42What?
17:43A load of greasy plates.
17:45You could at least have stacked the dishwasher.
17:47Sorry, we didn't think.
17:49Sorry, Mum.
17:59Where's your father gone now?
18:01To a walk.
18:03Oh, has he?
18:04Very nice, too.
18:05And I can't say that I blame him.
18:08Well, I wouldn't mind going for a walk, you know.
18:10Instead of staying here clearing up all this after you.
18:12Then go for a bloody walk.
18:14It's all right, Mum.
18:15We'll see to it.
18:16You sit down.
18:27Well, why does she have to go on about it?
18:29You sit down.
19:10Someone's beaten me to it.
19:12It is Avril Roth, isn't it?
19:14Yes.
19:15Tom Howard?
19:17Of course.
19:18I'm sorry.
19:18I was miles away.
19:20I didn't recognise you at first.
19:22It's been some time.
19:23How long is it since you left Tarrant?
19:25Nearly five years.
19:26I heard you were back.
19:28Helping to run the yard, I gather.
19:30For my sins.
19:35Do you come here often?
19:39As a child.
19:40And then I used to a lot after my mother died.
19:43It's a good spot for...
19:46Thinking?
19:47Yes.
19:49As long as Sir Moff doesn't barge in on you.
19:52What are you doing here anyway?
19:54Why aren't you out celebrating?
19:56I heard you won the Commodore's Cup today.
19:58Won the cup.
20:00Lost my job.
20:20I'm sorry.
20:21I didn't mean to take it out on you two.
20:24It's okay.
20:26It's Southern Aviation I should be lashing out at.
20:28It's all right.
20:29He'll find something else.
20:30I know he will.
20:31Well, he'd better, Leo.
20:32The compensation won't last forever, you know.
20:37I'm damned if I'm going to start scrimping and saving all over again.
20:40I had enough of that when we were first married.
20:43Mum?
20:44I suppose, Ken, Masters might give me some extra work.
20:47Mum, I've been thinking.
20:48Supposing I look for a job.
20:50What, for the holes, you mean?
20:51No, instead of going to university.
20:54Oh, darling, don't be so ridiculous.
20:56Well, at least I'll be contributing something.
20:58You spent three years sweating away to get into Exeter University.
21:01It wasn't easy for you, but you did it in the end.
21:03I did it for all the wrong reasons.
21:05Because you and Dad wanted me to.
21:07Because my friends were going.
21:08Because of the school's precious statistics.
21:11I don't want to go to university, Mum.
21:13I never did.
21:1720 years you've been with them.
21:1922, to be exact.
21:21God, how appalling.
21:24After all that time.
21:25Yes.
21:26You sell your soul, and this is the return you get.
21:30Now, the truth is, I should have got out long since.
21:32I wanted to quite early on.
21:34Why didn't you?
21:34Well, you know how it is.
21:36Get on the promotion ladder.
21:38Commitments.
21:39Family pressures.
21:41You rationalise.
21:42Tell yourself it's security, if nothing else.
21:45Some security.
21:47Out on your backside at 44.
21:51So, what would you have done if you had got out?
21:53Oh, I always fancied sitting up on my own.
21:56Doing what?
21:57Oh, I don't know.
21:58Something quite different, perhaps.
21:59I like the idea of being my own boss.
22:02Developing my own ideas, without a load of civil servants breathing down my neck.
22:07I always envied people like your father.
22:10Master of his own kingdom.
22:11You were well out of that.
22:13At least he's still in business.
22:16So, what will you do?
22:18One thing's certain.
22:20I'm not going back into a rat race to be kicked in the teeth again in five years' time.
22:23Whatever I do from now is going to be on my terms.
22:35Yes?
22:36Ken Masters?
22:37Speaking.
22:38Oh, hello.
22:39It's Jan Howard here.
22:40Oh, hi there.
22:41Ken, you're sounding a bit muffled.
22:43Yes, I, uh, I wonder why.
22:45There must be a little bit of interference.
22:48Hang on, I'll, uh, just give the receiver a bang.
22:51Oh!
22:54Is that, uh, better?
22:56Yes, that's fine.
22:57Oh.
22:57Look, sorry to trouble you at home.
22:59I hope I'm not interrupting anything.
23:01Well, nothing that won't keep.
23:02No.
23:03What's the problem?
23:04Well, I was wondering if I could drop into the office tomorrow.
23:07I know it's not one of my mornings, but there's something I'd like to talk over with you.
23:11What's that?
23:12Well, would you mind if it waited?
23:14No.
23:15No, of course not.
23:17See you then in the sort of morning.
23:18But what, about, um, coffee time?
23:20Yes, I'll be fine.
23:22Thanks.
23:22Bye for now.
23:23Bye.
23:26Who's that?
23:28Jan Howard.
23:29Does part-time for me.
23:31Don't we all?
23:33I hope she's not about to give her notice.
23:37She only does two mornings a week, doesn't she?
23:39I still wouldn't want to lose her.
23:43What's she like?
23:44Hmm?
23:45This Jan Howard is so indispensable to you.
23:50Oh, she's just moved me housewife.
23:52Oh.
23:53No competition for me then?
23:55You're not in the same league.
24:08So you intend to stay in town?
24:10If humanly possible, our roots are here.
24:13Hmm.
24:13That's how I feel about it.
24:16Is that where you came back?
24:19Partly.
24:20Tell me about London.
24:22Had enough of my problems.
24:23Oh, I'd really rather forget it.
24:26Yes, not everybody's seen.
24:27Not mine.
24:29And I think of those poor devils commuting every day.
24:31My God.
24:32I'm not going to end up like that.
24:34Sorry.
24:37Back to me again.
24:38I don't mind.
24:40It's funny, isn't it?
24:42It's taken me a month to tell my family.
24:44And here I am, bearing my soul to you.
24:48Sometimes it's easier to talk to strangers.
24:51Yes.
24:52I suppose so.
24:56The other day I was chatting to some woman on the jetty.
25:00Just a tripper.
25:02I told her things I wouldn't dream of telling my father.
25:07Well, thanks for being my woman on the jetty.
25:21Want one?
25:23What?
25:25Sleeping pill.
25:27Oh, no.
25:29I'll stick to counting sheep.
25:40All those nights you must have lain awake while I...
25:44You don't have to feel guilty.
25:46I don't.
25:48I feel...
25:50I don't know.
25:53Diminished.
25:53Oh, Jan, don't be silly.
25:56Well, why does everyone think I need protecting?
25:58Even Leo.
26:01Do you know how he felt about Exeter?
26:03No, I suppose I should.
26:06Maybe if I'd been around a bit more.
26:08It's not as if he knows what he wants to do.
26:11Something useful, he said.
26:13I mean, Leo, that's probably doling out soup to the homeless.
26:15The worst ways of going through life.
26:18It's not what I pushed him through school for.
26:20Well, maybe he should have been allowed to jog along at his own pace.
26:23You say that now.
26:24You didn't at the time.
26:27You think you're doing the best.
26:29Well, of course it's the best.
26:31What sort of job would he get with our degree?
26:34Mine hasn't done me muskets, is it?
26:36It's got you where you are.
26:37Where I was?
26:45We must know someone who can pull strings.
26:51How do we know, Tom?
26:52There is an alternative.
26:55To what?
26:57Scraping around for another job in the aircraft industry.
27:02Do you mean another sort of design job?
27:04Yes.
27:06Get out of the rat race altogether.
27:08Take my handshake and have a go at something on my own.
27:12You're not serious?
27:13A small business of some sort.
27:15But you know nothing about business.
27:17I ran my own department.
27:19Under the corporate umbrella, it's hardly the same thing.
27:22Think of the risk, Tom.
27:25The last thing we can afford to do is to throw that money down the drain.
27:29Maybe it's time I took a few risks.
27:32Look where playing safe has got me.
27:34You're not saying anything.
27:40Oh, my God.
27:45Oh, my God.
27:48Oh, my God.
28:25What's the damage, Tom?
28:27Hello, Jack.
28:29Not too bad.
28:31Paint job, I think.
28:32Oh, I wish you'd be able to enter it.
28:38Do you know, a scratch like that wouldn't matter so much on one of the old wooden jobs like her.
28:46They're your real love, aren't they?
28:48The wooden boats?
28:49As far as I'm concerned, it's what it's all about.
28:51They've been building wooden ships in this yard, Tom, since 1774.
28:55You've been doing it a fair time yourself.
28:58Oh, since I was a lad.
28:59Came here as an apprentice.
29:01Bill and I started together.
29:04Didn't we, Bill?
29:05Yeah.
29:06They're an art job from the old timers.
29:08They're real craftsmen.
29:09None of your fiberglass junk in those days.
29:12Meaning the Flying Fish?
29:13Well, as plastic junk goes, she's not bad.
29:16I suppose people don't want their boats built in the old-fashioned way nowadays.
29:20Not old-fashioned, Tom.
29:22Traditional.
29:23Sorry.
29:23Bill, there's our schedule today.
29:25Can we fit in and paint job on the Flying Fish?
29:29Can we fit in and paint job on the Flying Fish?
29:40Are you all right?
29:42Hmm.
29:54Think it's cool.
29:55You're going to be right here.
29:58Aw, what a habenFT.
29:59You promised first delivery, right?
30:02Now, when I say first thing, I do not mean 11 o'clock in the morning.
30:08Yeah, well, that is your problem, mate, not mine.
30:14Yeah, well, make sure you do.
30:15There's plenty of other firms besides yours.
30:19Morning.
30:20Sorry about it.
30:22Very nice.
30:24I bet you didn't get that round here.
30:26No, it came from London, actually.
30:28Oh, I suppose you're wearing it for my benefit, either.
30:31Going somewhere?
30:32I'm going out to lunch after this.
30:34Lucky guy.
30:35Girlfriend.
30:36Oh.
30:37Must be true what they say, then, that women dress to impress other women
30:39and only undress to impress us.
30:42I'm sorry, I forgot.
30:44You don't go for my jokes.
30:45I never said a word.
30:46Oh, you don't have to.
30:47You just tighten your lips.
30:49Volga Irf.
30:50You should have stayed on his barrow.
30:51OK.
30:53Good morning, Sue.
30:54Good morning, Sarah.
30:55Had a good weekend?
30:56Yes, lovely, thank you.
30:59So, the old man's King Pinnegan.
31:03What?
31:03Commodore's cut.
31:04Oh, yes.
31:06Oh, don't tell me you'd forgotten.
31:07He's quite the local hero.
31:08Well, rather a lot's happened since then.
31:11Oh?
31:11Tom's been made redundant.
31:14Oh, I did wonder.
31:15I heard Southern Aviation were cutting back, but as you hadn't said anything.
31:19Yes, well, I didn't know.
31:21He only sprung it on me last night.
31:23Oh, it's teeth.
31:25Has he got something else lined up?
31:27Not yet.
31:28He's looking her up, don't you know.
31:30Does this mean a cut in the Howard standard of living?
31:33Not if I can help it.
31:34I was wondering if I could do some extra hours here.
31:37Haven't I been begging you to come full time?
31:40How long your opener's going to be?
31:41Oh, we'll give you a ring when she's ready, Tom.
31:43Thanks, Jack.
31:44Okay.
31:44See you later, then.
31:45Yeah, bye.
31:53Better get my glad rag zone built.
31:55I'm launching with the bank manager.
31:56Oh, good luck, Jack.
32:08Is that Tom Howard?
32:10Yeah.
32:11Faint job on the flying fish.
32:13Well, don't overcharge him.
32:14Well, he can afford it.
32:16He's a fat cat with Southern Aviation.
32:19Not anymore.
32:20He's been laid off.
32:22Bumped into him last night.
32:23Oh, poor devil.
32:25Might even do the job for nothing.
32:27A few quid won't make much difference to us.
32:29It's 100,000 we need.
32:31That's just to pay off the bank loan.
32:34Hope Laurie Meadows is in a magnanimous mood, Dad.
32:36Ah, no problems there, Avril.
32:37I'll apply him with a few brothers.
32:39He usually comes up trumps.
32:40I wouldn't count on it.
32:42Oh, and Dad,
32:43if you want to impress him,
32:44I'd change out of those gumboons.
32:47Oh, right.
32:48It won't be just secretarial work.
32:50I've got an idea of brewing.
32:52When didn't you have?
32:53You might just fit in with it.
32:54How intriguing.
32:55Yes.
32:56This could be a blessing in disguise.
32:58You, perhaps.
33:01Oh, I'm sorry.
33:04So, what's this famous idea, then?
33:07Well, I won't go into it just now.
33:08There are one or two loose ends.
33:10We'll discuss it tomorrow.
33:11All right.
33:12But rest assured,
33:13there's plenty of work for you here whenever you want.
33:16Thanks, Ken.
33:16That's really nice to know.
33:20Well, I never.
33:22What's that supposed to mean?
33:23Oh, John Howard,
33:24even considering going full-time,
33:25I nearly split a gap
33:27when you said you do two mornings a week.
33:28Well, you asked me to.
33:29Well, you say those things at parties.
33:31I didn't expect you to take me up on it.
33:33Must have been something they put in the pimps.
33:36Or my fatal charm.
33:39I think it was the thought of doing something different.
33:44It won't make all that much difference.
33:47Well, I imagine we'll continue to live in modest affluence
33:49while millions starve.
33:50Oh, not that tape again.
33:52Well, think what it's like for some people in these circumstances.
33:55So we trade in the jack for something cheaper
33:57or do without a steak once a week.
33:59It's not the end of the world, is it?
34:00It's the end of Dad's world.
34:02I'm not sure it's the world he liked all that much.
34:05Reminds me, I must get down the job centre.
34:08Are you serious about chucking in Exeter?
34:10I was never cut out for that academic bit.
34:13Anyway, it's all so irrelevant.
34:15What's so irrelevant?
34:17Us.
34:18Leo's on about real people again.
34:20Shut up.
34:22I've made some sandwiches.
34:23Anybody fancy a picnic?
34:28Hey, Ritz.
34:30And what were I of most was not being consulted.
34:33Just informed.
34:34What a bit much.
34:35I mean, hell, who's made all the decisions over the past 20 years?
34:38The schools, running the house, holidays?
34:41Yet when it comes to something like this,
34:42something that will affect the rest of our lives,
34:44I'm the last person to know.
34:45Well, that's men, isn't it?
34:47Gerald's just the same.
34:48Well, I didn't think it was Tom.
34:50Well, let's face it.
34:51One never really knows one's husband.
34:53Well, only superficially.
34:54You know which brand of cereal he prefers
34:56and which side of the bed when he's in it.
34:58But as for what goes on inside his head...
35:01Tom never was a great talker.
35:03Strong, silent type.
35:05I used to know how he felt.
35:07Perhaps in true novelette fashion.
35:10All this will bring you closer together again.
35:12It hasn't done so yet, Molly.
35:14Well, at least Tom takes an interest in the children.
35:17Up to a point.
35:19There's more than Gerald does.
35:21I don't think he's even noticed
35:22that Adley's been in Switzerland for the last year.
35:27Who's that?
35:28Laurie Meadows.
35:30I always think he's rather sexy, don't you?
35:33For a bank manager.
35:37It's all a question of public demand, Laurie.
35:40And these fiberglass tubs have filled it.
35:42Not quite.
35:43You see, properly built boats take time.
35:47You can't stamp them out on the assembly line.
35:50But now the weekenders are wanting something better.
35:53And the mermaids will own a few yards
35:55that can still make real boats nowadays.
35:58Am I to take it, then,
35:59that you've got some orders lined up?
36:01Oh, no.
36:02Not that exactly.
36:03Remind me.
36:04How long is it since you built a yacht?
36:07Well, let me see.
36:09We've just recently finished that 35-footer
36:11for Colonel Matheson.
36:13Only that was a year back.
36:14And there was Tom Hart's boat.
36:16Won the Commodores' Cup yesterday.
36:18And was runner-up last summer, as I recall.
36:21So that must have been built nearer two years ago.
36:23And we're hoping a successor lead to fresh orders.
36:25Hoax are not enough, Mr. Rolfe.
36:28Oh, a check, please.
36:30More brandy?
36:31No, thank you.
36:34You see,
36:36my local head office has instructed me
36:38to call in your company borrowings
36:40unless you can show substantial income
36:42in the immediate future.
36:43Well, you can reassure them there.
36:45We have a large repair contract coming in.
36:48Oh?
36:48German customers.
36:50Three boats built by us back in the 50s.
36:52Badly damaged hulls.
36:54They should bring in enough
36:55to keep your bosses happy.
36:56I take it there's a contract in existence.
36:59Well, it's, uh...
37:01Well, the days, but they're reliable people.
37:03In other words, no.
37:05Not yet, but it'll come through.
37:07You see, it's normal trade practice
37:09for boats to be repaired
37:10in the yards they were built, so...
37:12I'm afraid that will not satisfy
37:14my local head office.
37:15But I...
37:15They insist on having
37:17definite assurances in writing.
37:19Are you able to provide such assurances?
37:23Not at the moment, no.
37:24In that case,
37:25the bank will be writing to you
37:27formally within the next few days.
37:29Oh, no, no.
37:29Just hang on a minute.
37:30They can't do that.
37:32We have no alternative.
37:36Look, will you just give me
37:38a few weeks' leeway?
37:40I'm sure I'll...
37:42We've already given you time
37:44more than we would most clients.
37:48Now, there must be something you can do.
37:51Please.
37:55Laurie seems to be giving
37:56Jack her off a hard time.
37:57I can't say I'm surprised.
37:59He owes everyone money.
38:00Oh, I hope we don't end up like that.
38:03Tom's got this crazy idea
38:04about setting up on his own.
38:06As what?
38:06God knows.
38:07He's just got this bee in his bonnet.
38:09Then we must find him
38:10a nice, safe job.
38:12I thought he had a nice, safe job.
38:23Oh, this is a life.
38:27Look.
38:31Maybe there's something
38:32to be said for unemployment.
38:35It's ages since we had time
38:36just to sit.
38:39I love this river.
38:42So do I.
38:44Best thing we ever did
38:45moving to Tarrant.
38:47When will the fish be ready?
38:50Tomorrow, probably.
38:51Jack Rolfe said he'd ring.
38:53Then we can take her out.
38:54Go over to Bewley.
38:55Lynn, you do realize
38:58if things get a bit dodgy,
38:59we might have to sell the fish.
39:02But you said we were okay.
39:03At present, yes.
39:04But if the worst comes to the worst.
39:07Will you soon get another job?
39:09Oh, I'm not rushing
39:10into just anything.
39:12You've got your golden handshake.
39:13I want to make that work for me.
39:20I can't see you selling the fish.
39:23Whatever happens.
39:24Nor can I.
39:28We've got to win that cup
39:29again next year, haven't we?
39:57They're going to foreclose.
40:06Zone.
40:07Triple letter score.
40:12So, what did they say
40:13at the job center?
40:1439.
40:15Oh, when I told them
40:17I had A-levels,
40:17they put me down for clerical work.
40:19I said I don't want
40:20to do clerical work.
40:23I'll go.
40:24Maybe Mum back.
40:32You don't want to worry
40:33about Leo, you know.
40:35Better he opts out now
40:36than after his first year
40:37at Exeter.
40:40Slides.
40:43You've gone a bit far, Dad.
40:45Present for Mum.
40:48If this is a new austerity,
40:49let's have more of it.
40:51Nice thought, though.
40:51She'll be dead shoved.
40:52Yes.
40:53But they're not from me.
41:01How long have we got?
41:04As long as it takes
41:05for them to write
41:06an official letter.
41:09Bastards.
41:12How will we meet
41:13the wage bill on Friday?
41:15Well, I've got enough
41:16in my personal account
41:17to take care of the lads.
41:19Dad.
41:20Why didn't you listen?
41:23I'm not beaten yet.
41:26I'll pull something
41:27out of the bank.
41:28Like what?
41:28I don't know.
41:30But I'm not losing
41:31everything I've got
41:32because some ruddy bank
41:34lets me down.
41:36This yard's my life.
41:40Sweated my guts out for it.
41:43Even got married for it.
41:48I've never told you
41:49that before, have I?
41:50You didn't need to, Dad.
41:52Someone told me
41:53in the playground
41:53when I was five.
41:55Dad!
41:58What is it, Bill?
41:59Not as well.
42:00Ted's finished the flight, Fish.
42:01You said to let you know
42:02when she was ready.
42:03Yeah, right.
42:03Thanks, Mum.
42:04It was nothing of a job.
42:07I reckon I'll do
42:09as you suggested.
42:10I won't charge him.
42:11He's been a good customer
42:13and, uh...
42:16My God.
42:21That's it.
42:23That's the answer
42:24to all our problems.
42:26What is?
42:30Tom Howard.
42:40Why not, Jack?
42:42Hmm.
42:44I'll wander over later, then.
42:46Bye.
42:47Jack Rolfe
42:48to say the fish is ready.
42:49Ask me over for an audience.
42:51Aren't they gorgeous?
42:52Right over the top.
42:53Typical chem masters.
42:55It's a nice gesture.
42:56Hmm.
42:56He thought I needed cheering up.
42:58I suppose we should be thankful
42:59he didn't send a kiss-o-gram
43:00to cheer me up.
43:01By the way,
43:02he says I can go full-time
43:04if I like.
43:06I hope you said no.
43:10Jan.
43:11Why shouldn't I?
43:12I don't want you working full-time.
43:13You don't?
43:15Well, surely it's up to me.
43:16You've never had to work
43:16full-time before.
43:17I'm damned if I see
43:18why you should now.
43:19We'll cope.
43:19I don't want just to cope, Tom.
43:22Look, you're not going
43:22to get a job overnight.
43:24So, meanwhile,
43:24one of us might as well be earning.
43:26You don't have to rush into it.
43:28Oh, and another thing.
43:29Ken might be able
43:30to help you out
43:31with some introductions.
43:32For what?
43:33He reckon he might be able
43:34to fix me up
43:35at the chandlery, too.
43:36Or maybe I could run
43:37one of his garages for him.
43:38Why are you always
43:39so disparaging about Ken?
43:40He's a type I don't like.
43:42You're not that keen
43:42on any of my friends, are you?
43:44Oh, so now he's a friend.
43:45You're snide about Polyarchud.
43:46Well, tell me what
43:46you and she have in common.
43:47She's fun to be with.
43:49Huh?
43:49Because she's got something else
43:50to talk about
43:50other than bloody boats.
44:00Yes?
44:01Hello, Jan.
44:02Polly here.
44:02Talk of the devil.
44:03I won't ask what you were saying.
44:05Listen, darling,
44:06I think I may have
44:07some good news
44:08on the job front.
44:09Oh.
44:09Well, Gerald knows this chap
44:12who's something high up
44:13in the Civil Airports Authority.
44:15He's been on to him
44:16and there's a vacancy
44:17going on their design board.
44:20You just can't do it, Dad.
44:21Why can't I?
44:22He's out of a job.
44:23He must have a nice
44:25golden handshake.
44:25Not to be thrown away.
44:27He's starry-eyed about boats.
44:28He might just fancy
44:29a partnership
44:30in a yard like this.
44:31That's on the rocks.
44:32Whose side are you on, girl?
44:34He's a nice man, Dad.
44:36Right, right.
44:37With a lot of contacts
44:38as well as some
44:39ready cash.
44:41And what if we still
44:42went bust?
44:43What would happen
44:43to him then?
44:45Oh, bloody luck.
44:47I want no part of it.
44:49Well, I can ask him, can't I?
44:51The man's no fool.
44:52He can say no
44:53if he wants to.
44:55Avril,
44:59sometimes
45:01they're just like
45:02your mother.
45:08There's one big difference, Dad.
45:10I can see straight
45:11through you.
45:14Design board of the CAA.
45:16What could be more you, Tom?
45:17Sometimes.
45:18I think you don't know me at all.
45:21Well, what have you got
45:22against the job?
45:23All right.
45:24If you need me to enumerate...
45:26Well, yes, that would be
45:27very nice.
45:31First of all,
45:32it's a desk job.
45:33I'd be stuck in an office.
45:35You've spent plenty of hours
45:36in the office at Southern.
45:37Yes.
45:37I hated it.
45:39You never said so before.
45:40Furthermore,
45:41I would have to commute
45:42to London every day.
45:43Plenty of people do that, Tom.
45:44It's only two hours.
45:45Finally,
45:46the authority deals
45:47with airport designs,
45:49not aircraft.
45:50But you don't have to stay
45:52in aircraft design.
45:53You can change.
45:54People do, you know.
45:56Usually for the better.
45:57But this could be
45:58for the better in some ways.
46:00Better than the doku.
46:01Better than Southern Aviation.
46:03Now, listen.
46:03Polly says that job
46:05carries a great deal
46:05of prestige
46:06as well as
46:06an excellent salary.
46:08That's all you ever
46:09think of, isn't it?
46:10Well, you get to our age, Tom.
46:11You want something
46:12to show for it.
46:12I am not getting myself
46:14stuck in some god-awful office
46:16just to enhance your status.
46:17Aye, aye, aye.
46:18There you go again.
46:19I've played it your way
46:21long enough.
46:22You asked me last night
46:24why I hadn't broken
46:24the news to you before.
46:26I'll tell you why.
46:28Because I knew you'd
46:29try and chivvy me
46:29under something like this.
46:33I'm sorry, Jan.
46:34It may be selfish.
46:36But I intend to spend the rest
46:38of my working life
46:39doing something
46:39I want to do.
46:43You all right?
46:45We don't know each other at all.
46:54No, it's no joke
46:55for a man like you
46:56being made redundant.
46:59I've been thinking, Tom.
47:03Maybe you and I could
47:06solve each other's problems.
47:09Maybe.
47:10Well, I'm not getting
47:12any younger.
47:14This yard could use
47:15some new blood
47:16and a bit of capital injector.
47:20Suppose you wouldn't
47:21be interested.
47:23Yeah, you could be
47:26master of your own
47:27little kingdom.
47:27Come on.
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