Over Here1996

Lady Billingham:
Charles, I'll make one last appeal to your better nature! We don't have to go through with this rediculos party. There's still time to cancel the Americans, and just let the nice people come! We could say there's illness in the house - some of the staff have come down with something those type of people go down with.

Daphne:
Oh no - I'm looking forward to this evening!

Lady Billingham:
I don't particularly care, Daphne!

Charlie:
Mother, What's the point of holding an independence Day party without some Americans? Look, the Americans are sharing our base with us. I thought the least I could do was to offer them some English hospitality

Lady Billingham:
I feel exactly the same, darling, but not here! Well, at least cancel your squadron!

Charlie:
Too late, mother - I've invited everyone now!

Lady Billingham:
You seem to be forgetting I have maids working here - young, country girls, who are at an impressionable age. I can't expose them to American airmen!

Daphne:
Mother, they're no different from their British counterparts.

Lady Billingham:
Is that supposed to make me feel better? [Spots Butler standing nearby] Do you have any experience with Americans, Butler?

Butler:
Very Little, Madam. During the First World War, my sister Violet made the aquaintance of a young Americam airman named Hank. I met him on several occasions. He left me with a lasting impression, and Violet with twins.

Lady Billingham:
There, you see - what did I tell you?

Daphne:
Nobody's going to get pregnant, Beatrice!

Charlie:
Don't put it past me, old girl - a couple of medium sherrys, and I'm a tiger!

Lady Billingham:
Your cousin Rosemary will be here!

Charlie:
Yes, well, I'm sure we won't have a repitition of last time.

Daphne:
Of course not! Anyway, Archie bunting won't even be here - he's still in hospital!

Charlie:
Well, actually, he was discharged this morning. [Butler exits via the door in the background] Oh look, mother, why do you always look on the black side? I guarantee it will be a very quite, and very civilised gathering. [a housemaid enters]

Housemaid:
Begging your pardon, M'lady. That was Col Hewitt, phoning from the American airbase. He said the band's on it's way.

Lady Billingham:
Dear god!