(A piece of waste land amidst gravel pits forms a corner of an English version of a trailer park in Buckinghamshire (now Berkshire) not far from the river. A patch of muddy grass, worn away to earth in front of the converted railway carriage sheathed in stained white cladding. Clothes flap from a line
The inside of an old railway carriage.)
{WARD}
I must say, what a marvelous place to live! All this... space
{CHRISTINE}
Might be better if we had electricity
{WARD}
(laughing)
What do you use, oil lamps?
{CHRISTINE}
That's right
{WARD}
How romantic
{CHRISTINE}
Smelly, more like
(WARD makes an expansivе gesture.)
{WARD}
You're so vеry clever to have found this
The air is so much sweeter in the country
Afternoon tea
Under a tree
Close your eyes, and you could be in
Bridlington-on-Sea
Caravans are absolutely charming
Anywhere you go, your home goes with
You've so much freedom
The world's your oyster
The open road rolls by
What more could anybody ask for?
The woods, the birds, and the sky
{CHRISTINE}
It's not a caravan, it's an old railway carriage
{WARD}
Well - same principle!
I couldn't do without somewhere in the country
I've a little cottage by the river
I like to go and stay there at the weekend
Warm breezes blow
Friends come and go
As the sun is setting, the champagne begins to flow
(He turns to MRS. HUISH, CHRISTINE's mother.)
Why don't I take Christine down and show her?
I could bring her back sometime this evening
It's a two-seater
Or I'd invite you
Maybe another day
Won't you give me your kind permission
To take Christine away?
You look far too young to have a daughter
Old enough to be a shorthand typist
She's so delightful
A credit to you
You've taught her grace and charm
Think of me as her guardian angel
I'll keep her safe from harm