* GENTLE STRING MUSIC SLOW PIANO TUNE BIG BEN CHIMES Hostilities will end officially at one minute after midnight tonight. The German war is therefore at an end. We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing. Today is Victory in Europe Day. REPORTER: 'Outside Buckingham Palace, the crowds cheered themselves hoarse.' Lilibet! Drawing room. Hurry! CLOCK TICKS DOOR OPENS 10.30, Archbishop of Canterbury and Mr Churchill. Will you alert the yeoman? Ah. There you are. 11.30, the Australian High Commissioner will be joining us for coffee. Why the hell wasn't I involved? At 12:15... You know, Mummy, it is such a special day, Lilibet and I could go out, couldn't we? Out? Out where? Into the crowds to celebrate with everyone else. We will be far too busy in here. Quite. Betty, darling, sit down. Where was I? 12:15. Ah, the Polish delegation will present gifts. One o'clock, lunch with the French ambassador and his wife. Elizabeth, make sure you have prepared your remarks. Yes, Mummy. Six o'clock, the man from the BBC arrives. Ready? The French ambassador's wife will be SO elegant. Tres chic. And of course, turning up her nose at... BOTH: '..la cuisine Anglaise'! 'Execrable!' Who cares what they think? They're only French, after all. I must learn my remarks. And what remark will be suitable for the French? 'We couldn't have done it without you'?! THEY LAUGH What ho, Mickey? The latest titbits, Ma'am. A nice feature on the Curzon Club. A rather outre spot, it seems. Thanks awfully, Mickey! Ooh, I say! Look at that. Everyone in the entire country will be living it up tonight. It has to be you who asks them. They won't listen to me. SWING MUSIC PLAYS SHE HUMS ALONG Oh! Listen to this. Listen. Listen. 'The Curzon is considered by those deep in the know 'to be the best club west of Piccadilly. 'Barely a Bath Oliver's throw from Claridge's, 'just around the corner from the American embassy. Margaret... 'Mr Gregory Peck was there only last week, drinking martinis and dancing. Which one is that again? The Lindy Hop! Come on, bumblefeet, I'll show you. One, two, three, four. Margaret... And Mickey tells me there's going to be a wizard all-nighter at the Chelsea Barracks. One of his friends gave him the password. Would they let me in, do you think? I think so. Being a princess? Just being you would do it. Really? The best nightclub in all of Mayfair! Mummy said no. What kind of no? No as in absolutely not, under any circumstances whatsoever. What did she say? The life we live is.. BOTH: ..not fully our own. Blah, blah. Does she think I'm going to end up on the front page of the Daily Mirror in the arms of a drunken sailor, or something? Hardly. You didn't ask properly! You can't have done. Lilibet! We'll be walled up in this ghastly mausoleum for the rest of our blooming lives. I'm completely cheesed. 'Speaking from our empire's oldest capital city, war-battered, 'but never for one moment daunted or dismayed...' '..I ask you to join me in that act of Thanksgiving.' So far. Very good. Full of character and sincerity. Awfully impressive. Oh, you really think so? Absolutely. We all do. Go on. 'At this hour, when the...' 'At this hour, when the...' 'At this hour, when the dreadful shadow of war has passed...' The thing is... What? My sister and I have been brought up to believe in the importance of sincerity. Everyone, this is hard enough as it is. Fairness, too, and for six years now we have been positively cloistered. Like nuns. We understood the reference. Margaret and I deserve the right to celebrate too, outside. I agree with her completely. I am sure you do. You know we can't do that. Besides, what's so special about going out? I don't know, and I never will unless we go out tonight. Darlings... we have invited your closest friends to be with you tonight. Suitable young people... My very close, my extremely suitable young friends? You are always with me when I give my speeches. We four, the family, should be together, tonight of all nights. We would be, still, Papa. In a way. But with us out there, amongst the people. Hardly the same thing. I could tell you how it was received. What they really think. One day, Lilibet, far off in the future, you shall be Queen. I know that, Mummy. And your subjects... My subjects? What do I know about them? Your subjects need to see you as incorporating in your person the very essence of royalty. One knows about essences and all that but one would still like to have a dance from time to time. The Lindy Hop, for example. The what-y Hop? Let them go. We should let them go. But they... They might be recognised. We would be incognito. Why not? After all, we had our fun, remember? It was different for us. You weren't the heir. This might be the only chance she gets. And me! Well. That's that, then. Good. Now, can we please get on with my bloody speech? Yippee! SHE SQUEALS We're off, Mickey, we're off! Yes, could you be so kind as to connect me to the Chelsea Barracks? The Colonel. We're going out. Incognito. Does the tiara rather give the game away, ma'am? Yes. Thanks, Mickey. SHE GASPS What a stunner. Et moi? Beautiful. I thought Trafalgar Square for a session dancing, then the Curzon and going on to that wizard all-nighter at Chelsea Barracks. Wherever you want. Tonight, we're in charge. There you are. Don't you look lovely? Well, Captain Pryce and Lieutenant Burridge from the guards at Chelsea Barracks will be your chaperones. Chaperones? They will escort you to the Ritz and stay with you all night long. Ma'am? We are honoured by this great and sacred charge. Lieutenant Burridge? Deeply, ma'am. Inexpressibly. I am sure you will have a wonderful time under their close and scrupulous supervision, understood? BOTH: Yes, Mummy. Back by midnight. Midnight?! That's not fair. Come on, darling, peace begins at midnight. We'd like you to be out there watching us in the crowd. Lilibet, I want to know how they all really feel at that moment. Hm? One o'clock and not a minute later. Margaret? Best behaviour, honestly. No question! Now, off you go. Ladies and gentlemen, get your flags. THEY LAUGH Driver, hurry it up, will you? We have a schedule to keep to. That's one glorious party out there. Horn, man! Horn! DRIVER: Yes, sir! Captain Pryce, Lieutenant Burridge, do please remember that we are incognito. Then, Junior Subaltern Windsor, please do adjust the angle of your cap. I prefer not to be seen with an officer who is improperly dressed. Thank you. Excuse me, ma'am. Clear out the way! Excuse me. Beg your pardon. Bear with me just a moment, please. Out of the way! We need to get through here! Come on up here. We got more liberated champagne! There are so many. Excuse me. Hey, baby, how you doing, huh? Margaret! Clear off! Relax! Come along. He called me 'baby'! Her Royal Highnesses. We are incognito. Lizzie. Mags. Yes, Your Highness. We're here for the dancing. Champagne. Madame. Monsieur. Waiter. Other exits? This is the only one, sir. Your guests await you, ma'am. Guests? My lords, ladies and gentlemen, her Royal Highness, the Princess Elizabeth and her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret. (Bloody Mummy.) CROWD CHANTS Time for a quickie, surely, sir? BURRIDGE CHANTS ALONG Burridge! Not tonight, Burridge! Get back here! Not tonight! Lord and Lady Macleod. Ma'am. Just delighted. Understand there is a visit scheduled to view our Scottish estate. Your great-grandmother shot with us. 450 grouse in the game book that day. Burridge! Captain! Get back where you belong, Lieutenant. We have our own suite at the railway station. We're so looking forward to welcoming the Royal train once again. Loosen up, old man. We can see the door from here. Going up? Wait! Wait for me! It's VE night. Woo-hoo! Oh, it's all right. Nobody gives a monkey's what I do. Oh! I say. Whose arm have you caught? Come on. Oh! Our polo ponies are the talk of the North, as I am sure you'll see. Maybe you'll even ride one of them. Lady Macleod, Margaret and I would love... LADY MACLEOD GASPS She must meet my grandnephew. He's heir to that part of Scotland you aren't! Splendid idea. I'll tell her. Excuse me. Captain? Oh! LAUGHTER I know somewhere much more exciting. Come with me. Margaret! Excuse me! Margaret! Oh, we're just popping down for some air! Wait for me! Margaret! Margaret, wait! Allow me. TYRES SCREECH CAR HORN CAR HORN Sorry! A bus! Excellent. If you would be so good, please, to follow that other bus? Hop on. Shall we move to somewhere more comfortable, sir? I can imagine nothing that will break my sacred...trust. Nothing, sir? Nothing. (CROWD MURMURS) (APPLAUSE) Genius ` it doesn't need Silicon Valley. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) Hutt Valley is just fine. It doesn't need a corner office to be competitive or even serious. All genius really needs is opportunity,... and that's why we built the Chorus fibre network. * Excuse me. Would you mind? You're so kind. Margaret! Margaret, get off the bus, Margaret! INAUDIBLE Where is your bus going? INAUDIBLE INAUDIBLE EVERYBODY: Trafalgar Square! No, Margaret! When the bus stops, you get off. Bridge you got on, wasn't it, dear? Tuppence, dear. I'm sorry, I don't have any money. Well, you better get off, then. You're making her pay tonight? There is a war on, you know. In the Far East. No money! Who do you think you are? Come on, Little Miss Toffee Nose, off you go. I've got it. Allow me. Any more fares? No reduction for VE Day. Only passengers with money allowed. Thank you. It's very kind of you. Oh, Margaret! Wait. Wait, hang on a minute! Miss. Your bag. How do I stop the bus? Push that. For future reference, that's not how you get off the bus. It hurts more. Oh, no. And your heel's bust. Come on. Hurt your hand? Here. You're touching me. Don't worry, my spit's very hygienic. No, don't. Thank you very much. Show us your papers. Well, you better get yourself cleaned up then. Where do I do that? This way. SHE CLEARS HER THROAT Ever so sorry. Don't know what's come over me. SINGING: Beer Barrel Polka Excuse me. Coming through. Mind your backs. Yay. Come along. All right, love? The ladies is over there somewhere. Which ladies? Where you can see to that hand. And your hair and that. Have you seen much action, Lieutenant? Not quite as much as I'd have liked, but I'm hoping to make up for that tonight. But it was one's duty to serve in a more...secret capacity. Really? Naval intelligence. Hush-hush. The name's Jeffers. How exciting. Let's go for a splash. LAUGHTER KNOCK AT DOOR In the name of...! What is it?! Excuse me. Telephone call, sir. Give me the phone! I've got a lot on my plate here, who the hell is this? The King. 'Everything all right, Lieutenant?' Yes. Your Majesty. Where's Captain Pryce? 'Indisposed, sir. Comfort break.' The soiree's going splendidly, sir. Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are enjoying the company inside the ballroom, sir. Good. Everyone ready and waiting for my speech? Expectation is enormous, sir. 'Do remind the princesses' that I want to hear exactly what everyone thought. Hm? Exactly. 'Sorry, sir. Terrible connection.' HE HANGS UP Who was that? Burridge, reporting in. Hm. Not Pryce? Comfort break. Is that English? Apparently. Everything all right? Absolutely. Can we get on with the bloody thing? Well. Here we go. All right, everybody, stand by. SINGING: Two Lovely Black Eyes CHEERING Thought I'd lost you. I really should be going. The King. The King. You were thirsty. Another? My sister's gone to Trafalgar Square. I have to find her. BELL RINGS Pipe down! Everybody listen! A little hush for His Majesty. The speech. Oh, I'd forgotten. I'm rather dreading this. Me too. 'At this hour when the...' INTERFERENCE '..dreadful shadow of war has passed from our hearths and homes... '..we may turn our thoughts to the task all over the world which...' '..peace in Europe brings with it.' 'Today we give thanks to Almighty God for a great deliverance.' 'Surrounded by my dear family, I am speaking to you from London...' '..our Empire's oldest capital city.' What a tosser. 'But never for one moment daunted or dismayed. Let us remember 'the fallen, their sacrifice in the face of a merciless enemy.' 'We are proud...' Which he'd know all about(!) How dare you? You, little prick, are being disloyal and abusive to your sovereign. The King is ten times the man you are! He certainly is. Oh, come on. You're not buying this load of bollocks, are you? Shut up! Shut up! Nobody's going to make me miserable today. I've waited too long for it. Sit down, love. The King! The King! ALL: The King! CHEERING Sling yer hook! If you ask me... Which I wasn't. ..you got exactly what you deserved. Wait! The King... Excuse me! The King was trying jolly hard, as a matter of fact, to offer words of encouragement. Well, he jolly well pissed me off. 'Fallen'. That's a nice word for a nasty, dirty, painful business. Stop! Where are you going? This way. I need to get to Trafalgar Square. People in that public house love their king AND their country. War's over....and, for some reason, I came back to the same old column-dodging posh gits with plummy voices on the wireless. Plummy voices like mine, I suppose? Exactly. Well, let me tell you, whatever your name is, my whole family served in this war. Sandwiches, maybe. As a matter of fact, my mother did exactly that, in the Blitz. Did you help with the sandwiches? I'm in the auxiliary territorial service, mechanical transport training section, second subaltern. A bloody officer. In that dress. Well, mostly in that dress. Lost your uniform? What are you, then, incognito? How long? Incognito? ATS. 11 weeks. Shoe. Shoe, give me the shoe. What's your name, then? Elizab... Lizzie. Jack. Please to meet you. Handmade. Family 'well orff' by any chance? We manage. Mm. And your sister is 'lorst'. That's what I've been trying to tell you. Will you please take me to Trafalgar Square? No. Why not? Because...you're already here. Come on. CHEERING AND CLAMOURING We won the war! Good luck. Wait for me! Jack! I suggest we start by the lions. She looks a little like me. Her dress is pale pink, flowers. Steady on. HE CHUCKLES Cosy, Lieutenant? I can see that you have certain expectations for this evening, but the fact of the matter is I'm sort of, well...taken. Unavailable, very much so, actually. Fair enough. How are you? SINGING: It's a Long Way to Tipperary Margaret? Come on, in you get. There you are. Margaret! Margaret, no, you can't! Here! What's your game? Get your own fella! Oh, I'm so sorry. I should think so, too. Come on, you. What's your name? Stan! What's yours? Have you seen my sister? Like me, only older. She'll be here any minute. Shall we go dancing? Oh, yes! The Curzon. It's in Mayfair. Barely a Bath Oliver's throw from Claridge's. Awfully outre. They do the Lindy there, you know. Then let's go! We can pop back later for your sister. Oh, OK. Thank God! Shall we carry on with the search? This is Mary and this is Jane. Hello. Hello! Hello. We're going to the Mall. What about my sister? The girls here are dying to see their king and queen, which is probably what your sister's gone and done. I really don't think so. Don't you speak posh! Ladies? Bye! Let's go to Buckingham Palace! Bye. If that's what you want, go. I'll carry on looking on my own! Surrounded by strangers... SHE'S DROWNED OUT BY CROWD NOISE * Wonderful to see you again. Here we are. Gosh, look! Madam? I knew the Curzon was hot. CROWD CHANTS: We want the King! We want the King! Excuse me. Excuse me. CROWD SINGS: God Save The King Oh. You. CROWD CHEERS Where are the princesses? In an awful lot of trouble. It's pandemonium down there. I could murder a G&T. Me too. Why aren't you waving, then, Miss La-di-da? They got us through this bloody war. You really think so? BIG BEN CHIMES Some of us. Did you lose someone? CROWD: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! CHEERING SOUND DIPS BIG BEN CHIMES Excuse me. Do you make a habit of kissing other people's boyfriends? Boyfriend?! Take him, then. Spoilt for choice tonight! Are you absolutely determined to ruin my evening? I thought you were going to help me. My sister mentioned something about the Curzon Club. Could you please show me the way there? And afterwards... Afterwards? ..we could go for another drink. HE CHUCKLES But you're sort of taken. He's abroad. But you know what they say in the forces. Overseas doesn't count. Well? All right. Come on, let's go and find your sister. Excuse me. Sorry. HE HUMS A MELODY Wake up, old man. Time to get the princesses back to the Palace. The princesses! Excuse me. Excuse me. Not generally, no. But we are descended from King Macbeth himself. Oh, God. Sir? Oh, God! He got a bad press, you know. From that Englishman. This way! Such bad luck about the Curzon. What a swizz. I so wanted to Lindy. Lord Stan's is the place for the Lindy. Is it hot? Very. Wizard. Ooh! Evening, Raymond. SHE HICCUPS Your order, sir? Oh, golly! Follow me. Drink? A large one, presumably? Yes. Head on through. I'll be right behind you. There you are, gentlemen. Evening, Andrew. Two pink gins, doubles. Of course, sir. And a...pair of bennies, to make the night fly. Certainly, sir. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy. Place your bets. Oh! No more bets. Cheers. Cheers! This is the Curzon Club. Excuse me. Mind your backs, please. Excuse me. Good evening, doorman. I'm looking for my sister. Perhaps you have seen her? Pink dress, flowers? I can't be expected to remember everyone that comes in here. Watch it. Forget something, bomber boy? Let's have that again, airman. This time, like you mean it. Piss off. Jack! DOORMAN CLEARS HIS THROAT Sir. Now I remember. There was a girl in a pink dress. She was with some bloke, officer, Navy. Where did she go? We've got to talk about money. Lord Stan's. It's a club. Sort of. Where? Soho. Silver Place. Round the back of Dean Street. Jack, do you know where that...? Jack? Jack? I'm sorry. Which way? Take a left, go straight ahead, left into Lexington, first right onto Broadwick, second left, up St Anne's Court through the alley on your left and it's on your right. You can't miss it. * Things are getting out of hand. They'll wear themselves out soon enough. I wonder what it's all going to be like now, now the war's over. Mr Churchill will keep everything on track. If he wins the election. Darling. The people will be grateful. You'll get everything back to normal in no time. Normal? I wonder if those people quite realise what a demanding new world they're waking up to. Lilibet's world. Excuse me. I wonder if you could help me. Where might I find Broadwick...? HE CACKLES SHE SCREAMS Don't hurt me! Wasn't what I had in mind. You're back. Yeah. Sorry about disappearing. First you stand up to that silly little captain, but when he comes back at you, you just turn tail and run. It wasn't the brown job captain, it was the Red Cap he was with. Come on. I know blue funk when I see it. I don't need help from a type like you. All right. It's only Soho, the criminal heart of the capital. Home of razor gangs and opium dens and Murder Incorporated. Won't bother an ATS second subaltern with 11 weeks in. At least I didn't run away during them. You didn't have time to. Please...just tell me where Broadwick Street is. Yeah, they took them off of me. For what? Talking back. There's more to it than that. You think? Don't worry. We're going to find your sister. All right, darling? Look. Piccadilly Commando. A working girl. All right? All right, lads, how can I help you? Yeah, we're looking for a guy called Lord Stan. Red. Place your bets. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen. No more bets. No more bets, ladies and gentlemen. All right, darling? Where are YOU going? I need... some air. You're hurting me. Be quick. GUN COCKS Hello. Evening. Not seen you in here before. Bit high-class for us, ain't you, darling? Who are you, then? I'm P2. P what? Princess number two, silly. Margaret. Bloody hell. P2 in my knocking shop. Wonderful. FOOTSTEPS APPROACH Bit of a snooze, actually. Nobody takes any notice of me at all. It's OK, old boy. She's with me. Tad too much fizz, sorry. That horrible man hurt me. Nonsense. I'm looking after her. Come on, old girl. No, I don't like you any more! You heard the lady. Raymond? Sod off, you jumped up little spiv! Show the naval gentleman the door. Ow! Your Majesty. Highness will do. Would you condescend to view my collection? Collection? How interesting. This goes back to your great-great-grandmamma, the Queen Empress Victoria, a truly splendid lady. SHE YAWNS Raymond. Take the weight off, Your Highness. Oh! Thank you. Rough night, Your Highness? Incognito. Oh. Though I must say, things haven't worked out at all as I'd hoped. The Curzon was a bore ` Mm! I say, this is much better coffee than we have at home! ` and it looks like I'll never make it to Chelsea Barracks. Chelsea Barracks?! Are you foreign? English to my fingertips. Mm. We're all German, you know. But it's 'de trop' to talk about it! Not supposed to. Pas devant les sujets! The Curzon, I can understand, but Chelsea Barracks?! Marvellous party there. Should be in full swing by now. Officers galore. Any call for girls? Why...naturally. And I have the password, you know. The password? Good. Let me muscle up a few of my closest associates. Raymond? Action stations. Got it, boss. This is jolly exciting! Why don't we pop round the barracks first and I'll drop you home afterwards? Excellent plan! Goodbye. LOUD CRASH What? Hello, Daisy. She's with me. No pimps. What? Come on, let me in. Are you a wine merchant? I could give your card to my mother. Oh, my God! What is that? Solar Chariot. Well, half of, anyway. Second in last year's St Leger. I think I dished out the prizes for that. Thank you. How long have you been on this game, then? Well, actually, this is my first time out. Sort of out. Ish. On one's own, insofar as one could be. What's your name? Margaret. Your real name. Margaret. Oh, that's a coincidence. She's got lovely skin, ain't she? Lovely everything. Reminds me of me at her age. Oh, what it is to be young. Jack. Jack! Over here. Hurry up. Oh! Let's get a move on, shall we? * Oh! I thought you'd gone. Me? Mm, with Stan and the girls to the, er...buttocks. Buttocks?! Bollocks? Bollocks?! Barr... SHE LAUGHS She thinks I'm Margaret. Follow the girls! Excuse me, miss? Miss? Wake up. Wake up! Come on. Oh! Where did they go? The barr...? Barr...? They took all of the girls to Chelsea. Barracks! Mm, in the car, with the girls. Which girls? Working girls. Working hard as well, thank you. We're very busy at the moment. My sister has gone to Chelsea with a carload of tarts? Haw! I thought I told you ` no pimps! You need a smack! All right. Come on, sonny boy! Come on. Come to Papa! Oh! Come on, then. Oh! Jack! Come back here! Quick, in here. Dance. I can't dance. For goodness' sake, make an effort! Not THAT much effort. What exactly is your problem with the military police? What problem? Truth is, I don't have the right papers to be out tonight. If they get hold of me, I'm in one hell of a lot of trouble. You're a deserter?! You! Aye, you! Quick, run. Come back here, ya ned, ye! Quick, go, go. I'm going to batter your pan in! Aye, run! Run! Over here. Where now? Chelsea Barracks? Thank you very much, I can manage very well on my own from here. You've done your bit. My bit? Sorry about the money. It's not something my family think about. HE SCOFFS Nice for some. Mine think about it all the time. Comes of working for a living. They're street traders. But not deserters. It's called absent without leave, lieutenant - AWOL. Same thing, isn't it? It will be if I don't get on parade at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. Why? What will they do to you? A lot. Court martial. Colchester Prison. That's if they don't shoot me. But they'll have to catch me first. I don't understand. Where will you go? Paris? Canada? Somewhere I have choices. Battersea first. Someone I've got to see. Does she know about the AWOL? Your friend? My mum? No. And I'm going to keep it that way. Taxi! You won't get a taxi tonight, love. But I can't walk to Chelsea. A tug boat? Quicker than a cab, if you can get one. Hurry up. Two bob. Each. How it's all gone for you, ducks? My feet have barely touched the ground. Knee-tremblers all the way, these busy nights. First it was the conga at the Ritz. I get ya. Then the bus with this naval officer. The bus?! Between the Ritz and Trafalgar Square. He had his money's worth. Now I'm rather late. Mother will be so cross. She's got high expectations, that mother of yours. Yes. Well! Who, her? Can I help? You certainly can! What's the password? God save the King. Hurry along, girls. God save the King. God save the King. God save the King. Fresh meat! Oi! Watch your mouth. God save the King. P2, stick with me. Look at the poor sods. Still carrying on and keeping calm. Still making the best of it. That's the spirit(!) It got us through the war. Mm. It's a ruin. Would've thought 58 nights freezing my arse off in that bloody cockpit would've entitled me to something more than this. This belongs to your lot. Nothing for me here. Except your mum. You do listen. Why? It was a bad night. We were coming back from killing people in Berlin. One engine was dead. We only got 600 feet. Caught fire bad. Bang. Bloody mayhem. Plane was a mess. Holes I could see stars through. Smoke everywhere. And I was climbing up through it to my mate, Charlie. I got to him and he was...all wet. Go on. I held his hand all the way back. He talked and talked. About what? Bollocks, mostly. He was off his head with the pain, morphine I gave him. By the time we got back, his hand was as cold as ice. Anyway, when I got back, I went to see the station commander, good old Winko Glossup. And I asked, ever so politely, to be stood down for a bit. He takes my stripes, stamps 'low moral fibre' over my pay book. Sends me straight back out to fight the Japs. Who says the RAF hasn't got a sense of humour, eh? Wait! It'll keep till morning. 'The condemned men had one last drink before they died.' A drink? A bloody good drink. Nothing else for it. You know, you're not such a bad chap, really. Same goes for you. Wait a minute. Red Caps. They'll want to see my papers. Are you sure about this? Nope. I'll meet you inside. By the band. Be careful. I distinctly asked to be kept informed! You two, back to your posts! Yes, sir! CLOCK CHIMES They should have been home long ago! We have to send out a search party. No need to panic, woman! As you say, we have reliable people looking after them. So where are they? They weren't ready. I knew it. One little whiff of freedom and they're gone. Lilibet will bring them through. She's responsible. She knows her duty. She knows how a princess should conduct herself. I hope so. I say! Lord Stan, isn't it marvellous? You don't mind my saying so, Ma'am, it's time you were leaving. Oh, just another minute, Lord Stan. It's so lovely! I don't know, I'm not so sure it's a good idea. Care to dance? Just one dance! Hang on! Who let you in, spiv? Now, listen. I have to take the lady home. I promised. Boys, boys, boys. Can't we talk about this? Look, how're you boys doing for Scotch? Nylons? Bananas? Bananas? Let's go in here and we'll discuss it. Let's say a bunch each? Oi! * # God save our gracious King BOTH: # Long live our noble King # God save the King # La, la, la, la Send him... # Evening, chaps. Incognito. Security is dreadful here. Absolutely appalling. Carry on. Oi! Airman. What you doing here, son? I said, oi! Your coat, miss? You look that side, I'll look this side. All right. You look lovely. She's mine! Hello. You don't fancy a dance, do you? Are you a lady of the night? I could be anything you want me to be, Captain. Oh, no, I'm all right, thank you. You're quite sure? Two, please. I saw her first, she's mine! Let go of me! You're outranked, Lieutenant! Well, I outrank both of you... enormously. Ow! No! Ow! Please, get off! Let go! Jack. Jack! There! Over there! It really hurts! Help! Thank you. Margaret! Lilibet! Thank God you're here. It was all getting a bit fraught, I must say. Are you all right? I've had the most remarkable night. So I see. SWING MUSIC Come on, Lilibet, this is what we wanted! The Lindy Hop, remember? And round. Good. Woo! Here's to your fine sir. Jack. Excuse me. Excuse me, sir. Stop that! I said, stop that at once! Let go of him! And who are you?! The Princess Elizabeth. MUSIC STOPS Let go of my friend, please. Your friend, Ma'am? Yes. I'd like to think he was my friend still? Princess? Yes. Margaret, we need to go. Please come with us. Airman! Show some respect for your princesses! Atten-tion! Are you going to command me? (Ask you.) Marvellous party. Thank you all so very much for bothering. Ma'am. Madam. Princess Elizabeth, thank God we found you, Ma'am. They'll be going doolally at the Palace. Go there. Tell the King and Queen that everything is under control. They'll have us shot! Ma'am. We aren't letting you out of our sight for a second. Not this time. Pryce, you may be a captain, but I am a princess. And where is your cap? I will not be seen with an officer out of uniform. MARGARET HICCUPS Lilibet. Margaret. Bloody princess. Just my sodding luck. You said you were going to see your mum, can we come with you? I can't take her back like this. Jack. Jack! I'm absolutely clapped out! Margaret! We must get them back to the Palace, immediately! Jack! Jack, let me explain. The situation was complicated. You lied to me all night long. Because you're a princess and you think you can get away with whatever you like. On the contrary! So what DO I call you now? Your Highness? Lizzie! Your Majesty? Lizzie is fine. No. No, it's not. Not any more. You made a first-class prat out of me. Well, I had to! I've never so much as made a cup of blooming tea for myself! Never been out on my own. Not once, not properly. Even in the ATS, I had to sit between chaperones and come for dinner while the rest of them ate compo rations. But tonight, nobody gave a damn who I was. If it wasn't for Margaret running off, I never would have had the opportunity to be just... ..ordinary. On the most extraordinary night of my life. Just so you know... ..my mum's right out of red carpet. Ma'am? Come along, Burridge. Ma'am? Yes, keep up with them. Ma'am, you really would be rather more comfortable in this taxi. Ma'am? Cheers, Jack. It's a little bit early. She's a costermonger. She sells fruit and veg. Where am I? Who's there? All right, Mum? Jack? What the devil are you doing here? I'm awfully glad to meet you. We both are. Oh! Oh! Oh, hello! Mags. I appear to be tipsy. Can't think how. In you come. Let's get you sorted out. I'm just getting her into the bath. Thank you, Mrs Hodges. Call me Joan. Thank you, Joan. Take the kettle off the boil, dear. I'm borrowing the van, Mum. Did you hear his speech? Yes. Poor old boy. Never wanted the job, did he? Got on with it, though. Yes, he did, didn't he? My sister, who's not used to having a drink, got into a bit of a fix. Jack, well, he got her out of it. Doesn't usually move in your circles. No. He doesn't care for my type. He had a bad war. He told me. Really? These boys went into the air force with such idealism. Where'd it all go, I wonder? At least he's safe, though. Thank the Lord. He is safe, isn't he? I mean, turning up in the middle of the night, like this. But it's not just any old night, is it? It's VE Night! All sorts of unusual things are happening. I feel certain an exception will be made. Wake up, man! Are you feeling a bit better now, my dear? Oh, yes, thank you very much for the bath. CAR HORN Oh! A taxi! We'd just like to thank you very much for helping us. Most kind. We couldn't have done it without you. Would you mind going back on your own? On my own? On your own?! I'm going with Jack. Do you think that's a good idea? We can't go back without you. You can. I'll be along shortly. One princess is better than none. Buckingham Palace, please! Come on. Come on. That's it. Fun night, don't you think? Toodle-oo! You will look after yourself, won't you, Jack? Yeah. Bye, Mum. (ENGINE REVS) Assertive ` that's how I describe my driving. On the open road, you're aiming for about 10 to 15 above the road sign. Nah, nah, passengers don't get to call the shots. I'm the one driving, so I choose the speed. (WEATHER REPORT PLAYS ON RADIO) (ENGINE REVS) If you wanna drive, then you can drive. That's what I always fire back. They just don't understand how you can drive quickly and safely. If anyone tells me to slow down, I give them the same response every time ` my car, my rules. * UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC Coo-ee! I'm back! You two... I'll deal with you two later. Now, where the HELL have you been? That's not going to help. Where have you been, dear? Everywhere! And, all in all, I must say, I've had an awfully interesting time. Why don't you sit down and tell us all about it? Oh, yes, do tell, please. I'm rather tired. MARGARET! What? Where is your sister? Yes. Lilibet. She's gone off with this fellow she met. Gone off? With whom?! Jack. Airman. A nice chap. I think she rather likes him. And where is she, exactly? What now? Drop you off at your place and then... You're off? Something like that. Why didn't you go with your sister? I didn't want it to end. I just wanted... I don't know. I thought princesses already had everything they could possibly want. But what if the real me wants not to be her? Their princess. What if she wants something else? Like Paris. Don't look SO disapproving, Great-Great-Grandmamma. Little detour. There's no rush. I could sit in the Cafe de Flore, all day, with no schedules, no meetings and prepared remarks, drinking excellent hot chocolate, with cream. You could get a job there. Got to make ends meet somehow. Walk down the boulevards, under the trees. Go up the Eiffel Tower, if it's still there. Montmartre looks so pretty in pictures. And the Louvre. And the Luxembourg Gardens. On a Sunday afternoon. Just another girl in the crowd. Without everyone bowing and curtseying. We could go dancing. I do dance rather well. I remember. And I'd teach you how to better. Thank you(!) All that freedom to breathe. All that what-if. We both know that's not going to happen. Quite. After the Ritz, Trafalgar Square. Then the Curzon Club with this first chap, the one before Raymond and Stan, where he gave me this pink, fizzy stuff to drink, which, I must say, tasted rather strange. Then Soho. Soho. An interesting place. Dead horses. This strange smoke that everyone was just WILD for. By the way...what's a knocking shop? Papa. Mummy. Sorry we're late. This is my friend, Jack Hodges. He should have breakfast with us. I don't think that that would be appropriate. Well, I do. We heard your speech, sir. In a pub. Did you, indeed? In a pub. Presumably, everyone was too drunk to take any notice. Actually, they liked it. They liked it very much. Where did you meet my daughter? On the number 14 bus. Really? I've always wanted to go on a bus. I jumped on the wrong one. Margaret was on the number 9, you see. Jack's been wonderful all night. Really? In what way, wonderful? I was very lucky to have him... to look after me. He's a hero, you know? He flew more than 50 missions over Germany. Oh, how did you get along? Did the best I could. See that badge? That one? It indicates Jack's shot down at least five planes. He thinks I don't know what that badge means, but I do. He's a bit of a good 'un, underneath. Lizzie! HE LAUGHS I don't see what's so funny. Jack has to go somewhere now and I would like a word with him before he does. Oh, and I owe him some money. How much? �7, 11 and fourpence, please. Well, we don't keep much here, but I'll have a whip round amongst the footmen. So. You seem to have brought her home for us safe and sound. Well done. For everything. Thank you, sir. Lilibet... No-one must ever know about this. You spent last night at the Ritz. Lilibet? I'm having luncheon with the American ambassador. Foreign affairs. Would you like to join us? I'd like that. Oh, good. Good. SHE YAWNS Sorry. Could sleep for a week. By the way, I don't think the future belongs to just my lot. And I don't think you do either. Right. Papa should have that money by now. Is it action stations again? Go back to sleep. Jack's off. Bye, Jack! Jack's off. There's no way I'm going to be on parade in 30 minutes. I could get Papa to call. He's rather influential. Actually, I could call. Thank you, but I can take care of it myself. So are you going to go back? Yes, I am. 30 minutes, did you say? TYRES SCREECH Whoa, careful! Do be quiet. I've been driving since I was 11. One of the advantages of owning half of Scotland. Second Lieutenant Windsor driving Airman Hodges on a special assignment. We had a good night, didn't we? We shall treasure it always. Goodbye, Ma'am. Goodbye, Airman. Not a bloody word, right? CAR HORN TOOTS Come on, Jack, we're on parade! Captions by Ericsson. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2019