03x07 - The Dance

[bunniefuu]

I have some important news. Hello?
Important news, everybody.

Gather round.

Thackerton boys are joining us for
a dance lesson this morning.

I am surprised they dare to show

their face after we beat them last
year in the quiz.

THEY LAUGH I haven't even told you

the best part yet.

Miss Johnson has put me in charge
of getting everything ready.

That was brave of her.

I want to make
it like a proper tea dance.

That'll show the boys that we
possess the sort of qualities

that they'll one day look for
in a wife.

Well, if I ever get married, I'm
surely not going to spend my days

organising tea dances.

I don't think anyone was expecting
you to be a good wife.

Anyway, I'll begin by inspecting
your best outfits.

Come on, everybody, into line.

Pronto. Rapido. Come on,
on your feet!

You're in charge of the bunting
situation, Jean.

What is the bunting situation?

Well, we haven't got any,
but there was some

at the Easter Fair.

Off you go.

I'll go and look.

Well, it's not very a la mode,
is it?

Who cares?

You'll never amount to anything
if you don't make an effort

to remain current.

Trousers?

Is that a joke?

You wanted to see our best
outfits, and this is mine.

Ladies, Wilhelmina, wear dresses.

Other than my uniform, I don't
own a dress.

How is that even possible?

Don't worry, Gwen,
I'll help her sort something out.

I know it's hard, but do try
and make her look like a girl.

I AM a girl,
I just don't wear dresses.

Irene, you're in charge
of the music. Right away.

Ellen, Darrell, I'd like you to be
responsible for laying

out the tables. I'll sort out
the food. If you say so.

I've got a special job for you,
Mary-Lou.

I'd like you to go into the woods
and get some ivy. It'll look

fetching around the doorframes.

I can't go wandering
around the grounds,

not after Miss Johnson gave
us such a strict telling off.

I'm Head of Form, Mary-Lou,
I've given you permission.

KNOCK ON DOOR Come in.

Gwendolyn, is everything all right?

The cook is being most troublesome.

The only thing she'll allow me

for the dance are some
very sorry-looking bananas.

You should count yourself lucky.

Most people haven't seen
a banana since before the w*r.

Well, I'm afraid Cook

might have had these ones
lying around since then.

The thing is, I just don't want
Father to be disappointed

if I don't put on a good show.

This is only supposed
to be an informal lesson.

You used to have cakes
at the governors' meetings.

I'd hate Father to think
that standards had slipped.

He's coming to watch the dance,
you see,

and he loves Victoria sponge.

You invited him to watch? Yes.

He said how pleased he was
that you've put me in charge.

I will have a word with Cook,
but there's no need to go overboard.

It's going to be splendid.

Everyone's wearing their best
dresses.

They're off finding flowers
and things to make

the room look nice.

Gwendolyn, I hope you know
that my rules still apply.

I don't want any of the girls
leaving the school

building without permission.

Of course not.
I made that very clear.

There was a dress someone wore
in the Fourth Form play last year.

I think it should fit you.

I'll take a look back here.
What colour was it?

Pink. Ah, here it is.

LAUGHS: Bill is not going to like
this.

Grrr! THEY LAUGH

How about this?

I don't think Gwen would
approve. Here.

I think I'd much rather
keep the fox mask.

I know it's not something
you'd normally wear.

Dresses are just so uncomfortable,
tight in all the wrong places.

I never had to wear them
when I was at home with my brothers.

But you're not at home now.

Go on, go and get changed.

Grrr!

Crikey! Don't know when
I last saw a banana.

Have one, I won't tell Gwen.
Better not.

Darrell, we found the most amazing
sculpture in the woods.

Wait, you went to the woods?

Gwen said I had to.

I've never seen a
sculpture there.

We were told not to go outside.

I know, but Darrell,
this sculpture is so good,

like something we'd study
in an art lesson.

What is it doing there?
I don't know, it's not very big,

and it was hidden under all the ivy
and leaves.

A young man's head and chest,

like some sort of Greek statue.

Why would someone want to hide
anything so beautiful?

Well, can you take us to see it?
Later, perhaps.

We haven't time - we have to get
ready for the dance.

Who cares about the dance?
This is much more exciting, I love

a mystery, just like those owls
we had.

They'll notice we're missing
and we'll get in trouble.

How about if I draw it for you?

Might recognise it if you do.

Might know where it comes from.

All right, but as soon as we get
the chance, I want to see

it for real. Maybe it's a clue.

I'm sorry. Wearing a dress is just
the done thing.

In your world, maybe.

Give me jodhpurs any day,
I look a fright.

It's only for a couple of hours.

It's just not me.

I'd rather not go to the dance
at all.

I'll see you down there.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

What was that for?

I must have tripped.

Well, you can't wear that now,
you'll have to find something else.

I better get changed,
see you down there.

Yes!

Cinderella has shown up.

Why isn't everything ready?

Jean, Jean, where's the bunting?

The bunting was mouldy, but I found
these ribbons. Right. Oh, dear.

No, no, no, no, no. Sally, Sally,

those flowers are not in the middle
of the table. To your left.

No, no, no, you've gone too far.

Be strong.
Put them on this piano.

Irene...what on Earth?

I couldn't decide what music to
bring, so I brought a few options.

Well, finish that and go and keep
a lookout for the boys.

Bonjour, mesdemoiselles.
ALL: Bonjour, Mam'zelle Rougier.

You are all looking very elegant
this morning.

The young messieurs will be thrilled
to dance with you.

I never danced with a boy before.

Don't worry, it's just like dancing
with a clumsy girl.

And who decorated the room?

I was in charge.

We all contributed.

But I told them what to do.

It conjures up with the ballrooms
of my youth.

Who wants to dance?
Ah, you look beautiful.

CHUCKLING

I told you to wear a dress.
Wilhelmina.

Tres chic, j'adore.

BOTH: The boys are here.
Merci.

Oh. SHE SIGHS

You think they would have been
scared off after last time.

I don't think so. The time has come
to dance!

Oi! Slow down. I'm surprised

this dusty old shack hasn't
fallen down since we were last here.

It's a frightful excuse for
a school. The girls'

parents must be terribly ashamed.

Come on, let's go.

How are we going to get
back on those girls?

Prank them by surprise.

Hold up, chaps, wait for me.

I danced the tango in Paris one
night, on the eve of the w*r.

It was a magical evening.

Such grace and beauty in the face
of tragedy.

Darrell, I drew this.

Very nice!
It's the sculpture I found.

I wonder what it's doing in the
woods. If no-one's ever seen it

before, then someone must have put
it there more recently.

I'll think of a plan.
You think she's feeling all right?

I don't think so.

SEBASTIAN: Good news, we have
arrived! Oh!

Gentlemen, welcome!

They've tried to make an effort.

Hello, Sebastian, I'm...

Darrell Rivers?

Sebastian Fairweather.

All a bit overdressed, aren't you?

We thought we'd make an effort.
Shame you lot didn't.

Oh, it's just a silly class.

We only signed up to get
out of Latin.

Hopefully, it's not too humiliating
having to dance with the girls

who beat you in the quiz.

You won fair and square,
I don't mind admitting it.

Thank you.

But now it's time we got even.
What do you mean?

Attention, please, form two lines.

When do we get to dance
with the girls?

When you learn to call them ladies.
THEY LAUGH

The boys are planning something.
What?

I don't know, a prank, something to
humiliate us for certain.

If only Alicia were here.
She knows every trick under the sun,

nothing would get past her.

Well, she's not,
so we have to make do.

Ladies, ladies, attention.

Two lines, please.
Stand still, relax your hands.

You can breathe, Mary-Lou. MARY-LOU EXHALES LOUDLY

Forward side together.

Un, deux, trois et un, deux, trois.

Un, deux, trois et un, deux, trois.

Tres bien!

Ladies, switch sides
with the gentlemen.

Good luck. HE CHUCKLES

Maintain poise, gentlemen.

Heads held high.

Bien. Ladies, et un, deux, trois,
et back side together.

Un, deux, trois, un, deux, trois.

Now come back into your lines
opposite each other.

Excuse me.

Lovely. You are natural dancers.

These lessons will be with
you for life,

and so remember the magic
word, elegance.

Now, I think we are ready
to start practising with music.

Irene, would you mind?

SHE PLAYS A WALTZ

Un, deux, trois, un, deux, trois,

et un, deux, trois. Tres bien!
Deux, trois,

et un, deux, trois, un, deux, trois.

Well done!

After the break, we will dance
with partners.

There are refreshments on the table.
We begin again in 30 minutes.

Follow my lead. SHE SIGHS

Are you all right, Darrell?

Can I go outside for some fresh air?

It's terribly stuffy in here,

I feel quite peculiar.

As long as you're back on time.

Of course, Mam'zelle, and I'd better
take Mary-Lou with me in case

I have another dizzy spell.

Where are we going? To get Ron so he
can show us the sculpture.

What if Miss Johnson catches us?

She's in a governors' meeting with
Gwen's father, she won't see us.

It's rather paltry offerings.

Don't eat the cake, boys. THEY LAUGH

It's that sneezing powder.

Don't know what you're talking
about. Of course you don't.

HE BLOWS

SHE SNEEZES

THEY LAUGH Whoops.

Nice!
Don't eat...the cake!

SHE SNEEZES

LAUGHS: It's only a twig, Mary-Lou!

Oh, I got you something.

Nice! It's over here.

SHE GASPS It's amazing!

Definitely wasn't here before.

I only came past here a couple
of days ago.

It should be in a museum.

Yes, it doesn't make sense,
why is it here?

Maybe something happened
to whoever was carrying it.

Yes, but who were they and where
did they go?

HE SNORES

WALTZ PLAYS

LAUGHS: This reminds me of dancing
with my mother dans la cuisine!

That's Mr Lear for you, always
dozing off during class.

SHE LAUGHS

You're so funny!

So you were saying how you'd
organised this whole event?

Well, Miss Johnson only put me
in charge this morning.

It's been a terrible rush,
but she knew she could trust me.

I'm Head of Form, you see.

Impressive. And my father's
Head of Board of Governors.

He'll be coming in soon.

I can tell you're a very
important person around here.

I wouldn't say that,

although others might.

Would you consider
being my dance partner?

Try to look natural, Mary-Lou.

Ahem. Please carry on.

I just came to see how things
are going.

Where's Father?

There was an emergency at work,
so he had to leave.

He did ask me to give
you this chocolate, though.

Thank you.

I must say, you've done an excellent
job with the decorations...

..but where did you get the ivy?

You promised me that none
of the girls would leave

the school building,
so where did you get it?

It was Mary-Lou. I told her not
to, but she sneaked out.

I'll see you in my study, Mary-Lou.

She only went because Gwen
told her to!

And you can come, as well,
Darrell Rivers.

Anyone else?

Right away, please.

VOICES NEARBY: I can't believe
Gwen said that.

She was upset about
her father.

But it's no excuse.

We begin again in five minutes.

Were my rules not clear?

Gwen said, as Head of Form,

she could give us permission
to go out.

And you believed her?

She IS Head of Form,
and I was too scared to say no.

So you knew it was wrong.

It's not fair on her, you just
wanted to make everyone happy.

You went to collect the ivy
from the woods this morning?

Yes.

So what were the pair of you doing
back there just now?

Well, that's not Mary-Lou's fault,
she didn't even want to go

back to the sculpture
until...I persuaded her.

What sculpture?

I found it in the woods when I was
collecting ivy for the dance.

And who else knows about this?

No-one.

There is no sculpture in the woods.

There is, I've seen it!
I will not tolerate liars.

We can prove it. Come with us
and we'll show you.

I'm not indulging this ridiculous
prank! It's real, I promise.

Isn't it, Mary-Lou? You even said
you thought it looked valuable.

Yes, it looked Greek.

Just let us show you, we'd hate
for you to think that we're liars.

Very well.

I'm expecting a telephone
call shortly.

Wait for me in the hallway
until I've finished.

Oh, that line behind us
last term.

How could she be so mean to
Mary-Lou?

We could stage a protest -
like the suffragettes. Good idea.

Attention!

Gentlemen, please find a partner.

May I have this dance? You may.

I'm not a great dancer,
I'm a scientist. No, no, no!

Go on.

Suppose you'll do.

They really do teach you charm at
that school you go to, don't they?

If we're to dance together,
then we need to establish

some ground rules.

I'm very particular about technique,
and I've extremely delicate toes.

Let's hope you're wearing
strong shoes.

Hmm.

No. No, I'm in no rush to dance
with any of this stuck-up bunch.

You're welcome to him.

Now, gentlemen, take the ladies
into a close hold.

Look, Bill, look at Gwen!

Now, these are very English holds.

Do the ladies smell bad?

No. Close!

Great.

Ready? Irene, music!

SHE PLAYS A WALTZ

It's under that tree.

Well?

It was here, I promise!

I warned you about leading me
on a wild goose chase.

Please, Miss Johnson, I wouldn't
lie. I suppose you think it's funny,

wasting my time.

No. Look here, you can see where
the plants are disturbed.

There WAS something heavy
sitting there. Well, anything could

have caused that. Are those tyre
tracks?

I've indulged you long enough,

back to the school. And if I hear
a word about this from the other

girls, then I shall be writing
to your parents.

This fantasy ends here and now.
But... Go!

Feel the music, become one with it.

Ready.

May I cut in?

What are you doing?
This way, Gwen. Saving Gwen.

Must we? Yes, she's one of us.

Oh, such decadence,
such joie de vivre!

This is what dance is all about!

We did it!

Is something wrong?

Nothing, just bored.
Where's the banana?

LAUGHS: Ah! Yes!

GIRLS LAUGH IN DISTANCE

I can't believe you did that, Bill.

I'd had enough of those boys
and their cruel pranks.

THEY LAUGH

Are you in terrible trouble
with Miss Johnson?

She's given us lines,
and we have to go straight to bed

after supper every day
for a whole week.

How could you drop Mary-Lou
in like that?

She knew the rules.
But you told her to break them.

You may be Miss Johnson's Head of
Form, but Sally is still ours.

That's not fair.
You've made it very clear

that you don't care about anybody
but yourself, Gwen.

After everything I've done
for you all, you're so ungrateful.

I'm not sharing any of this with
you. SCOFFS: Like you would anyway!

Do you think she'll be all right?

She'll be fine.

Gwen knows how to look out
for herself.

But we know how to look out
for each other, don't we?

Yes.

Gwendolyn, is something wrong?

I was just coming to get some peace
and quiet, to focus on my prep.

Mm.

You told Mary-Lou she could go
to the woods, didn't you?

It was silly of her to do it.

She knew the rules.

Some of the girls in the school
have become very unruly.

I do try and keep them
out of trouble,

but it's hard. It must be.

Perhaps there's
a way we could help them?

How? Well...

..if you could warn me when they
were making silly plans, I'd be able

to keep them on the straight
and narrow.

You want me to spy on them?

Well, I wouldn't put it like that,

I would call it being an effective
Head of Form.

I'm sure your father would be very
impressed if I told him

you were helping me make sure
the girls keep to the rules.

So what do you say?

Yes, I can do that.
WHISPERS: Good.