Murdoch Mysteries (2004) s19e14 Episode Script

1
(LIGHT MUSIC)
"The Battle of the Sexes."
Remind me again, what's occurring?
Former U.S. tennis
champion, Noah Renard,
has accepted a challenge laid down
by the York Tennis Club
for an exhibition match
with Sylvia Dodson, the
lady's club champion.
(CHUCKLES) Hardly a fair match.
- And why is that?
- Well, for one,
he's a man and she's a woman.
She's also ten years
younger and fit as a fiddle
while he hasn't played
competitive tennis in years.
In fact, he spent the last three days
carousing around Toronto.
Still, my money's on him.
Care to take the wager, ladies?
Oh, well, you won't
catch me gambling, Thomas.
Well, I heard if Miss Dodson wins,
the club takes in 60 % of the gate.
- And if she loses?
- The club gets 40,
but if Miss Dodson forfeits,
then Mr. Renard gets the entire gate.
So put me down for five on Dodson.
(WOMEN CHUCKLING)
Ah, Jeptha!
(ENGINE RUMBLING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Ladies.
I hope you've got my money ready.
What an insufferable man.
I sure do hope Miss Dodson
gives him a run for his money.
- Indeed.
- That Mr. Renard is quite a character.
Miss Hart was telling me that
if the match is forfeited,
then Mr. Renard gets
to receive the gate.
He insisted. He claims
it's to cover his own expenses
for his own protection.
Well, heaven willing,
everything goes as planned.
You see, the club's introduced
this new bursary program
for youngsters who couldn't
otherwise get to play and it's
Frankly, I think we're
going to go broke!
(JEPTHA): However, it will
draw new money into our coffers
and introduce new members.
If it were up to me, we wouldn't
be having this event at all!
I find it all a bit unseemly.
I'm afraid my wife has
it in for Miss Dodson.
I do not have it in
for Miss Dodson at all.
I just think she sets a
bad example for the members,
especially the women.
She's always opposed
to something or other.
Such as?
Well, we follow the
Wimbledon dress rules
and Miss Dodson seems to think
that the outfits are quite restrictive.
She actually wants to raise the skirt
and shorten the sleeve,
if you can believe that.
(JEPTHA): Let's go have
a look at our challenger.
She is rallying with
our gentlemen's champion,
Mr. Nicholas Moore, right now.
(RACKETS THUDDING)
(PANTING)
(GRUNTING)
- Ah. Game to Miss Dodson.
- (APPLAUSE)
Miss Dodson leads two
games to one, first set.
I guess I'll be making
that bet after all.
(RACKETS THUDDING)
- (CLATTERING)
- (DODSON): Oh, oh! Ah, ah!
- Oh! My ankle, my ankle!
- (VIOLET): Let me take a look.
Oh, no, no, no. Don't touch it, please!
- I have to get the shoe off.
- (MARGARET): Don't worry.
She knows what she's
doing. She's a professional.
(GROANING)
I don't think you'll be
playing tennis any time soon.
Your ankle is broken.
What a shame.
Easiest money we ever made.
Despicable.
- We need to get her inside.
- Yes, of course.
Look, dear, if you'll just
(GROANING)
(THEME MUSIC)
- Oh, yes. You play well
- Mm-hmm.
You'll win the game.
I don't understand it.
I bought these shoes only
last week. They were expensive.
I'm afraid this has been tampered with.
What on earth do you mean?
Would anyone care for some tea?
Don't interrupt. We are
trying to have a conversation.
Oh, I would like some. Hm. Lily.
So she has you serving tea now
and tending to the equipment room?
Yes, ma'am.
No need to call me
ma'am. Violet will do.
What do you mean "tampered with"?
The sole has been sawn off
and lightly glued back on.
It was only a matter of
time before it broke on you.
That happening,
there's a strong likelihood
that you would hurt yourself.
Thank you, Margaret. As I was saying,
this is not down to some
manufacturing defect.
I think someone tampered with it.
- Should've known.
- Known what?
I found this in my locker yesterday.
Oh.
Oh.
"You will regret it
if you play this match.
Withdraw now before it is too late."
And you chose not to
take this seriously?
I just thought it a crank.
It is certainly not the first
threat I have ever received.
The world is filled with
men who believe that women
should do nothing more than
bake cakes and birth babies.
Hm.
Plenty of women, too.
This is outrageous!
Just give me my money
so I can get out of
this godforsaken town.
I will not.
What's going on, gentlemen?
This man is welshing on
a deal. I was promised
I know what you were promised.
And now he is reneging.
Our arrangement did not
specify the contestant
had to be Miss Dodson.
She happens to be our best player,
but I know we have other good
women players in this club.
One of them is going to step in.
(BRACKENREID): Are
you agreeable to this?
I will beat whatever woman
you put in front of me.
Ooh, hey! What's your hurry?
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
What's happened to you, young man?
N-nothing, sir. I-I tripped is all.
I-I think we should get that looked at.
- Come with me.
- No, sir. Really. I'm all right.
Why don't I believe you?
- What's your name?
- Percy, sir. Percy McConnell.
Is that your school?
Yes, sir. But please
don't tell my headmaster.
- I'll be in big trouble!
- What have you done?
I owed some lads some money
and I couldn't pay it back right away.
- So they punished me.
- What lads?
I can't say, sir.
I'll get beaten worse
if they find out I ratted on them.
Oh, wait, wait, wait.
Y-you say that you owed them money.
For what? A tuck shop bill?
No, sir.
I placed some bets.
Gambling.
Yes, sir.
And these were boys at your school?
Yes, sir. Do you know it?
Yes. My son, Harry, is a boarder there.
You're coming with me.
Well, you look splendid.
Oh, where can I get something
like this for myself?
- You cannot be serious.
- I am indeed.
Miss Delange is an excellent player.
But even if she loses the match,
the club would still get a-a
portion of the gate money.
It'll be sufficient to tide us over.
She is not a good
representation of our club.
She looks a good representation to me.
I am afraid that my wife does
not approve of her attire.
Short skirt, short sleeves,
a sash instead of a hat.
You can't be serious.
All of that may be true, but
we need this match to go on.
- What do you say, Thomas?
- Oh,
I would be more than
happy to watch her play.
Besides, my wife and I have
only just joined the club.
Wouldn't want to see it
go belly up now, would we?
Miss Delange.
- I cannot believe you
- Shh.
And you're sure you don't
know this lad, Percy McConnell?
There are a lot of boys who
attend the same school as I do.
He said he'd gotten tangled
up in this gambling ring
and when he couldn't pay
his debts, he was beaten.
- It's quite a story.
- Well, I believe it to be true.
It's a big school. I don't
know all that goes on.
And you're sure you've heard
nothing about this gambling ring?
No, but I do know about this.
This is my latest report card.
(SCOFFS)
These are excellent grades, Harry.
I haven't been wasting my time,
- no matter what you might think.
- No, I-I don't believe that
You got an A-plus in
general mathematics?
I'd say I inherited that from my father.
(LAUGHING)
Well, this is cause for
a little celebration.
- Are you hungry?
- Always.
I know a place where we
can get delicious, hot pies.
Pizza pies, I believe they call them.
Ah, Watts. Where's Murdoch?
Is he in his office.
Mm, he said he'll be in later today.
Apparently, he ate something last night
- that disagreed with him.
- Ah.
Well, in that case, when you're
finished stuffing your face,
you're with me.
(CURIOUS MUSIC)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Ah, here we are.
The corridors of power,
where the elite play games
while the honest workers toil.
Oh, knock it off, Watts. It's
hardly elite. I'm a member.
- Mm. Touché.
- Ah! There she is.
Miss Delange.
- Thank you for coming.
- Oh, of course.
This is Detective Llewellyn Watts.
Charmed.
You said you received a
threat. Could I see it?
Ah, thank you.
"If you play in this
match, you will regret it.
- You have been warned."
- Mm.
Similar handwriting to the other one.
- Other one?
- Previous player,
now injured, received a similar threat.
I can assure you that
if you feel in any way
- uneasy about playing
- Hm.
Surely you don't think a childish
prank like this will deter me.
Still, Detective Watts will
be at your side at all times.
Consider him your personal bodyguard.
Lucky day for me, it appears.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I need to get into my togs.
It's always fun to
create a little scandal.
(PLAYFUL MUSIC)
My god, Watts, there
goes a woman with spunk.
All right. Get your
tongue back in your mouth.
(SIGHS)
(SIGHS)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)
(RACKETS THUDDING)
Mm-hmm. And
You'll never beat me with
power alone, Miss Delange.
Get me on the run.
That's it. Very good.
She has some talent.
And you are?
Noah Renard, U.S. tennis
champion 1903-1906.
- Surely you remember.
- I do not.
- Aha! Ah!
- Oh! Miss Delange?
My hands. They're burning up!
- Has this happened before?
- No!
She's got some talent, but no grit.
You stay right here.
I'll go get Miss Hart.
(GASPS)
It appears that you've
received second-degree burns.
Have you come into contact
with anything unusual?
No. Just my racket.
I mean, I was rallying with Mr. Moore
and my hands just started
getting hotter and hotter
until it was unbearable.
Well, I'll need to take that.
Detective, can you bundle it up?
- Mm. Of course.
- But I'm supposed to play!
Oh, you won't be playing
tennis anytime soon.
What's going on?
It appears someone
tampered with her racket.
I'll see if I can identify
what caused the burns.
Was anyone around when it happened?
Ah, just the man she was practising with
and the man she was supposed
to be playing against.
- Noah Renard?
- Yes, along with his entourage.
- How convenient.
- Mm.
We'll check on you in a little while.
Can the detective stay?
(LIGHT MUSIC)
Well, Miss Delange
won't be playing tennis
anytime soon, I'm afraid.
Thank heavens for small mercies.
- Why do you say that?
- She is simply not
the right representation for our club.
Well, we need someone,
or we're not going to have a club.
- It's that serious?
- Yes.
If Mr. Renard walks away
with the entire gate,
we are going to lose this place.
- And there's a shark circling the waters.
- Who?
That's Oscar Lubbock. He's
part owner of this place,
but he wants to own it outright.
And there is no will on the part of
my wife or myself to sell our share.
However, there are some
debts we have incurred.
So you think he's counting
on this Battle of the Sexes
being a total failure.
This is valuable land. He
wants to tear this place down.
He could build ten homes on the land.
Ten homes!
Let's have a word.
Ah, I knew in my bones no
good would come of this.
Women can't take the
pressure the way we men can.
- They crumble.
- Doesn't help when they're being sabotaged.
- What are you talking about?
- The police seem to believe
that somebody was deliberately
targeting the women.
Why on Earth would anybody do that?
To ensure Mr. Renard victory.
My victory was already
certain by my mere presence.
Well,
you best find another
champion, Mr. Pearson.
Or forfeit the gate.
And you buy the club.
(SIGHS)
(TENSE MUSIC)
We should have Murdoch do this.
No need. I'm more than capable.
So, what do you know?
Strings have been damaged by a
heavy soaking of potassium hydroxide,
which dissolved the sheep gut.
It is also all over the handle,
so when Blanche held the
racket, it burned her fingers.
- It's highly acidic.
- I-Is this lye we're talking about?
Uh, correct. Very common, easily
obtainable cleaning product.
- Hm.
- An accident?
Hardly. No one would be cleaning
their racket with a lye solution.
Right, Watts, come on.
Let's get a move on.
- Good day, Miss Hart.
- Uh, I'd like to see
if I can track down the
origin of the stationery
that was used for the letters.
That's a good idea.
Shouldn't be too difficult.
There can't be that
many shops that sell it.
Given what's happened,
do you think the match
- should be cancelled?
- Maybe.
But Margaret would be heartbroken.
She's convinced the ladies'
side will be victorious.
Miss Hart, you wanted to see me?
I did.
A new hobby?
I heard you rehired Jack Pritchett.
I did.
Fire him.
- He's done his time.
- He burned down a man's shop.
But a man who did not
pay for our services.
Then we withhold them. That's it.
We do not attack
members of our community.
Of course.
(TENSE MUSIC)
(KNOCKING)
Your notes on the Glover case.
They did help to secure his conviction.
Very good.
Oh, I don't need a tip. Thank you.
I beg your pardon?
- Ah, I was
- Oh!
(LAUGHING)
- Is something troubling you?
- No.
Yes.
- May I?
- Of course.
Harry stayed at my home last night.
- Oh. That must have been nice, hmm?
- Yes. Yes.
But when he left in the
morning, I found this.
Good Lord!
It's close to five
dollars. That's quite a sum.
H-How did he get it?
I've heard reports
that there may be some
gambling going on at the school.
- And Harry's involved?
- Well, I don't know.
And I don't want to confront him
unless I-I'm certain, which I am not.
There are stiff penalties
associated with gambling.
I'm aware of that.
Leave it to me.
I'll make sure he's
aware of it, as well.
- Can you delay the tournament?
- No.
If you can get someone
to play the match,
will you be able to save the club?
I'm not much for
specific numbers. Pippa?
Well, I have been reviewing
them all, actually,
and if we take 40% of the gate,
we can help stave off Mr. Lubbock
and keep him from
buying the club outright.
Could I see those figures?
Well, since there are
currently no bodies to guard,
I'll make my way back
to the station house.
Considering how much
Margaret loves this club,
- I'd hate to see it go under.
- Then what about your wife?
Margaret? No, no, no, no, no.
I wouldn't want to see
her embarrass herself.
Who's the next best
female player around here?
Her.
- Coroner.
- Thank you.
Oh, I-I don't think so.
I'm sure Miss Hart is a
very honourable person,
- but she just is not the right
- What are you trying to say?
- I wo
- Pippa, Pippa.
She might be our only hope.
- (MOSLEY): I have a question.
- Of course.
How did you become a lady lawyer?
Shouldn't you be at
home raising children?
If I was, they would be
better-behaved than you.
As I was saying,
there are stiff penalties
involved with illegal gambling.
What does that have to do with us?
Well, I've heard
reports that a young man
at this very school was assaulted
for not having paid his gambling debts.
And I am here to tell
you that if this persists,
I will be getting the
constabulary to investigate,
and you will get to see
this lady lawyer in action.
- Hm. Can't wait.
- (BOYS CHUCKLING)
Good day.
So, which one of us has a
father in the constabulary?
Me? I can't beat
It's not like you to shirk
a challenge, Miss Hart.
- This is true.
- Excuse me!
Sorry for speaking,
but you can do it, Miss Hart.
See? You don't have to
win, just try your best.
- Hm.
- Is this the next lamb for the slaughter?
Expected better of this club.
Looks like you'll be getting
your wish, Mr. Lubbock.
Do you still plan on expanding?
I plan on tearing it down.
- All right. I'll do it.
- That a girl.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
You've been suspended.
I didn't do anything.
You call this nothing?
None of those are mine.
These were found in your locker.
I didn't send you to that school
so that you could waste time
- playing cards and gambling.
- Someone put them there.
You told me you had nothing
to do with this gambling ring.
I don't.
I found this in your belongings.
You were looking through my stuff?
It fell out of your clothing
while I was putting it away.
Did someone plant this, as well?
I did place a bet. It-it won.
It was just a lark, a one-time thing.
Well, this one-time thing
has landed you with
your father for one week
where we will be
improving on your studies.
(RACKETS THUDDING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(GRUNTING)
Oh! She's quite good.
Well, perhaps she'll give that
blowhard Renard a good showing.
Oh, speak of the devil.
So, you think third time's the charm.
Excellent shot, Miss Hart.
Mind if I see what she's got?
- Not at all.
- Mind?
- You ready?
- Give me your best shot.
(GRUNTS)
(MARGARET): I've never
seen a serve like that.
Overhanded. It's his signature move.
May want to work on her service returns.
Oh. Excuse me.
It-it's fine. It's all right.
It's all right. It's fine.
Would you accompany me
to the station house?
What?
Okay. So, when it comes whack.
I'm afraid it is not a request. Madam.
- Uh, what is the meaning of this?
- I, uh Jeptha!
Oh, apologies, but your
wife is under arrest.
I mean, I never!
Arrest? Oh, that is impossible!
- My wife has done nothing wrong!
- We'll handle this.
(WATTS): As you can see, Mrs. Pearson,
the stationery on which these letters
were written is quite exclusive.
Made in England by J.Y. Sanders,
it is sold here by a shop
on King Street, Layton's.
- Do you know it?
- Possibly.
But I know a lot of
shops on King Street.
Well, you have an account with Layton's
and the proprietor distinctly
remembers selling you a box
of J.Y. Sanders notepaper.
That is not a crime, surely?
What is the nature of this arrest?
Uttering threats is one count.
The other is common assault.
I did not lay a hand on those women.
But you did write these letters?
- I did!
- Why?
They were breaking the rules,
they were dressing inappropriately.
Had they participated in that match,
the eyes of the world would
have been upon us and them.
We have been in operation for 30 years,
and we have a certain
standard to maintain!
(CLEARS THROAT)
In this letter addressed to Miss Dodson,
you said, "You will regret
it if you play this match."
Same thing in this
letter to Miss Delange.
"If you play in this
match, you will regret it."
- What did you mean?
- I simply didn't want them
to be able to renew their memberships.
Is that it?
Upon my honour,
I did not touch either of those women.
Thirty-love. May I go?
Well, what are you going to
teach me today? Police work?
Hardly. I got these
from your headmaster,
and I've taken the liberty
of putting together this test.
I won't have you falling
behind on your studies.
(SIGHS)
I thank you for your leniency, Thomas.
I assure you my wife will
be no trouble in the future.
Think nothing of it, Jeptha.
All right, get ready, Miss Hart!
Serve's up.
(GRUNTING)
I told you he favours the left!
I know, but he's too strong.
To the left!
To the left! To the left!
(PEARSON): Take a five-minute break.
Get a chair, get a chair.
(SIGHS)
You can do it.
Thanks, Lily, but I don't think so.
As long as you play, you save the club.
I don't like losing.
Sometimes the joy is found
simply in the playing.
Do you play?
I do.
But my opponent is only
the back wall of the club.
Oh.
(BRACKENREID): I'm guessing she
doesn't have much of a chance.
I'm afraid not.
She's a decent enough
player when she gets going.
But when Mr. Renard
played professionally,
he was known as Noah Ace.
He won almost all his
matches on service alone.
If Miss Hart can't
handle the serve, then
But if she could?
Have the germ of an idea.
Good.
- So we're finished for the day?
- Not quite.
You'll be writing a 500-word essay
on the trials and
tribulations of Sir Guyon,
the Knight of Temperance.
I don't know why we have to
study all this old-timey stuff.
What does it have to
do with the present day?
It will help you to pass
English class in the present day.
I'd rather just stick to the
sciences. They make sense.
Well, I can't say I disagree.
Hope I'm not interrupting.
Not at all. We're just
about to take a break.
- Wonderful.
- Actually, Watts
Violet Hart has entered
the Battle of the Sexes.
- The Battle of ?
- Ah, it's a tennis competition.
- Oh. I see.
- Miss Hart is good,
but she's struggling
to return faster serves
and Mr. Moore, her practise partner,
is nothing compared to the
man she'll face in the match.
- She needs to work on her timing.
- Timing?
If she can anticipate the
speed at which the ball
will travel to her,
then she can return
any serve.
- How does she do that?
- Practise.
Well, she's worn out Mr. Moore.
Is there another way?
You say you prefer the sciences?
I do.
Come with me.
(CURIOUS MUSIC)
All right, add another one here.
- Good.
- What are we doing, anyway?
Giving Miss Hart a practice
partner that won't tire out.
That should do it.
(WHIRRING)
That was your brilliant idea?
(WHIRRING)
It's all rigged up.
All right, get ready to
send one my direction.
Uh, excuse us.
Hm. Uh. Uh, we-we may need
to reduce the tension a bit,
the red knob on the side.
All right.
Um, maybe, uh, ten percent more.
Fire.
Again.
All right. That should work.
Let's set this up for Miss Hart.
Do I get a try?
Not until you've written your essay.
Are you ready, Miss Hart?
Yes.
- (GRUNTS)
- Uh
Try another.
(GRUNTS)
(MARGARET): You're swinging too late!
(MURDOCH): Try to track the ball.
(GASPS) Very good.
- Oh!
- Huh.
- Better.
- (GRUNTS)
Excellent work, Miss Hart.
Oh, thank you, Detective.
Oh, I have every
confidence you will win.
- I hope so. Let's go.
- Hm. Good night.
Ah
Ah, that machine was incredible!
You were amazing today.
Well, thank you, Margaret.
But I still don't think I can win.
Well, a respectable
showing is good enough,
both for the club and for womankind.
Well, I'm not sure I feel comfortable
- representing womankind.
- Then represent yourself.
You stay in the match,
you save the club.
I'll see you in the morning. Hm.
- Violet, look out!
- (TIRES SCREECHING)
Violet, are you all right?
No. I can't move my arm.
Well, I won't be playing.
My shoulder's dislocated.
And you didn't see who was driving?
Headlights were in my eyes.
All happened so fast.
Is it possible that this
was just an accident?
Sheer careless driving?
Not a chance, Detective.
All right. Well, do you recall anything
about the automobile itself?
- Oh. Wait, it was black.
- Anything else?
I believe it hit
something as it drove by.
(GASPS) That's right!
What's wrong with you?
Stop dragging your feet!
- I'm not.
- Aye-aye. What do we have here?
Good day, Constable.
I demand you place this
young man under arrest.
I also retrieved these.
Right. Why not simply send a constable?
I wanted to show him what
a lady lawyer could do.
Can I go home?
That will be up to Crown
Attorney Newsome to decide.
You are facing serious charges.
My uncle'll pay the fines.
That doesn't matter.
You may still be looking at jail time.
Jail? It's just a bit of fun.
Gambling is an illegal activity.
- What's this?
- It's a bet.
I'm aware of that.
What student can
afford to bet 20 dollars
on the outcome of a tennis game?
Twenty dollars that the
match will be forfeit?
No lady will make it through.
They'll quit before it's even over.
What makes you say that?
My uncle believed it.
And he's the one who made that bet.
- Who's your uncle?
- Oscar Lubbock.
And he's the one who
convinced me to do this.
Well, we will be having a word with him.
You will be writing
out a detailed statement
of all the people involved
in this little gambling ring.
Understood?
You can write, can't you?
I have one more question.
Did you put cards and betting
slips in my son's locker?
- I did.
- Why?
I thought he was the
one who spilled the beans
about the gambling in the first place.
- I wanted to shut him up.
- Shut him up?
Yeah. He's always bragging
about how great you are.
"My father did this.
My father did that."
I'm sick of it.
(SOFT MUSIC)
Excuse me.
Five hundred words on the
tribulations of Sir Guyon.
Harry. I'm so sorry.
It's all right. The verse
wasn't that bad, actually.
No, I-I mean I'm sorry
for not believing you.
Ah, Eamon Mosley just
confessed to putting cards
and betting slips in your locker.
You'll be back at school tomorrow.
And what happens to Eamon?
I suspect he'll be expelled.
Again, I'm sorry.
Ah, it's all right. You're a copper.
Makes you a suspicious sort.
- Thomas, I am speaking for womanki
- Margaret, shh. Listen.
(RACKETS THUDDING)
(GRUNTING)
She's actually quite good!
Surprisingly.
(SCOFFS)
(GASPS)
What did I tell you?
The weaker sex has no
place in the sporting world.
Especially when someone
is trying to attack them.
Attack?
This is nothing more than
a series of accidents.
Look at him wandering around
like he already owns the place.
Why not? He likely soon will.
Begging your pardon, Chief
Constable Brackenreid.
- Yes?
- There's a telephone call for you.
Oh. Thank you.
- Excuse me, ladies.
- Mm-hmm.
Surely there must be someone
willing to take that blowhard on.
I don't think so.
Given the circumstances,
I can't think of a single woman
prepared to take on Mr. Renard.
And a good thing, too.
I have found this entire event
to be rather disappointing.
Thank you, Murdoch. That's interesting.
(LUBBOCK): It will not be long now.
Mr. Lubbock,
I believe you have some
questions to answer, sir.
Please, follow me.
Ladies.
Not long at all.
This is outrageous.
I don't even own an automobile.
And if I did, I wouldn't be
running women over with it.
You placed a sizeable bet
on the outcome of the game.
It would be in your interests
for the match not to proceed.
And since Mr. Renard has no opponent,
it seems my interests have been served.
You injured those women, didn't you?
I did not.
I was umpiring the match
when Miss Dodson was hurt.
You could have tampered with
her equipment beforehand,
- same with Miss Delange.
- I could not.
Now charge me, or release me.
I have a tennis club
to take possession of.
Get out. Go on!
(TENSE MUSIC)
The club'll be closed by day's end.
I hope you enjoyed your
brief time in high society.
Don't say a word.
This is a clear violation of
the terms of our agreement.
It is not.
I am to play a member of this club.
He does have a point.
And now Miss Handley
is a member of the club.
The charter clearly
states that a new admission
can be nominated by four
members of good standing.
One, two, three, four.
And so now she is your opponent. Hm.
Well, I'll need some time to limber up.
Are you sure you don't mean sober up?
- Oh, they amount to the same thing, Madam.
- Ugh
Mr. Lubbock, Pippa Pearson,
and young Eamon Mosley.
None of them had the opportunity
to injure all three women.
But they would all benefit
if the match were to be called off.
But none more so than
Mr. Renard himself.
Hm. He's such an arrogant git
I doubt he would find it
necessary to injure an opponent.
- The match is on!
- What?
Noah Renard's latest
opponent is Miss Lily Handley.
I saw her practising earlier.
She's quite something.
Is that right?
She would have had access
to the ladies' locker room.
She could have damaged
Miss Dodson's shoe
and Miss Delange's racket.
(GRUNTS)
I may have bitten off
more than I can chew.
(LUBBOCK): And she doesn't
look like one to forfeit.
Miss Lily Handley.
Detective Murdoch, Toronto
Constabulary. We'd like a word.
Is she being arrested?
Why did you do it, Miss Handley?
I'm a better player than all of them.
And yet they treat me like dirt.
Throw their dirty clothes on
the floor, never a kind word.
So you should injure them?
They don't deserve to
represent women athletes.
What about Miss Hart?
I didn't touch Miss Hart.
She was the only kind soul here.
Someone tried to run her
over with an automobile.
I wouldn't harm Miss Hart!
Besides, do you think I could
really afford an automobile
with what they pay me here?
- Still, someone you know could have
- No!
I will admit to the things I did wrong.
Don't ask me to confess
to the things I did not do.
Chief Constable, you
might want to take a look
at what your wife is up to.
Oh.
I've had five opponents
since arriving here.
Three of them were injured
due to their innate frailty.
Another arrested,
and now I face one due
for the retirement home.
Don't listen to him,
Margaret. You can do this.
- You cannot do this.
- And why not?
Because you'll get beat, that's why.
I don't doubt that, but
I can last out the match.
If I do that, I save the club.
You'll be humiliated.
If the club still stands, I don't care.
Now go sit down and let me play.
The Battle of the Sexes
will finally begin.
Service goes to our
visitor, Mr. Noah Renard.
Three-time U.S. tennis
champion, Noah Renard!
(JEPTHA): Well aware of that fact, sir.
As is everyone in attendance.
Do you think what happened
to Miss Hart was an accident?
Possibly. Toronto is being absolutely
overrun by reckless drivers.
This will not be pretty.
But good on her for
standing up for herself.
(BRACKENREID): Come on,
Margaret! You can do this.
Come on, Margaret! Come on!
Thank you.
(PLAYFUL MUSIC)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Nah!
At least the pain will be short-lived.
- (RENARD GRUNTS)
- Ah-ha! Ah-ha.
Ai-yi-yi! Oh!
It's very close to my body.
(GRUNTS) Wha! Oh. Huh
And then, oh, oh! Oh, ah. It's hard. Oh.
I can't bear to watch this.
- (GRUNTS)
- It comes towards me!
It's all right. It's all right.
- (GRUNTS)
- Uh! Ah! Oh
Time. Time!
What? Oh! Yes?
- A word of advice?
- Yes.
- Uh, concede now?
- No.
- Oh.
- Uh, he seems to be serving
exclusively to the centre of the court.
- Uh, your right hand.
- Mm.
Uh, get your racket
out the moment he begins
his backswing and hold it very firmly.
Uh, uh, hmm?
- Godspeed.
- Thank you.
Exactly what I taught you.
- Service, Mr. Renard.
- Right.
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
- (GRUNTS)
(CROWD GASPING)
Oh!
(SCREAMING)
- (MARGARET): Oh, dear!
- My leg!
- Mr. Renard?
- I'm injured.
I don't think I can continue.
It's no use.
I'm out for the count!
I give up. I cannot continue.
- Are you sure?
- Of course I am sure! I'm injured!
- Help me!
- I hereby declare
that this match has been forfeited.
The winner is York Tennis
Club's own Margaret Brackenreid!
- (CHEERING)
- I did it! I did it!
(CHEERING, SHOUTING)
(EXCITED SQUEALING)
(LAUGHING)
I did it! I did it!
- Congratulations!
- (EXCITED CHATTER)
I did it! I did it!
For womankind! (LAUGHING)
(CAR RUMBLING)
(TENSE MUSIC)
Are you all right?
Ah, a little tender, but I'll live.
Uh, whose car is that?
Jack Pritchett.
He came pleading for his job back.
And did he mention how
he tried to run me over?
No. Nothing.
That was the car that hit me, I know it.
The bumper was damaged.
I don't know what to tell you.
I guess you've made an enemy.
I trust that's the
only one that I've made?
I thought you said cards
were a waste of time?
They are.
But mathematics isn't.
- Well?
- I'll take a card.
You have a ten under there, don't you?
- What if I do?
- Well, then, if you do,
your odds of winning
are 60% if you hold.
And those odds drop to 50% if
you have a nine under there.
So, what will it be?
I'll hold.
Bust. Very good.
What are we playing for?
Fifty cents.
Ah-ah-ah!
If you can correctly tell
me the odds of winning
on your next ten hands, it's all yours.
All right.
(INTRIGUING MUSIC)
Well?
Seventy percent.
Very good.
That's one.
I do hope you don't plan
on wearing that hat outside.
No?
(LAUGHING)
(THEME MUSIC)