FAWLTY TOWERS, EPISODE 7 “COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS” Describe the following characters. You can use the following list of words: miserly, energetic, senile, moody, naïve, efficient, good‐natured, loyal, poor grasp of English language, crazy, bad‐tempered, demanding, disorganized, tactful, quick‐tempered, friendly, elderly, rude, aggressive, snobbish, bossy, a liar, cowardly (a coward), sensible, hard of hearing (deaf), inconsiderate, pretty, foolish, polite, unpleasant, old‐fashioned, obnoxious, a loud‐
mouth (or a screamer), strict, intelligent, sarcastic. Basil Fawlty Sybil Fawlty Polly Mrs. Richards Manuel: Major Gowen Answer the following questions about the plot: 1. Where do you think the ‘communication problems’ in this episode come from? 2. Why did Mrs. Richards’s hearing aid didn’t work? 3. Who was C. K. Watt? 4. What was Basil’s secret habit? Why did he keep it secret? 5. What’s a “flutter”? And a “filly”? 6. What was the name of the horse Basil had a tip on? 7. Explain Basil’s joke about his wife making toast. 8. What festival was celebrated in England on the day of the episode? Why did Basil like it? 9. Why was Mrs. Richards unhappy with her room? 10. Why was Basil in a good mood? 11. How much did Basil win from his “flutter”? 12. Explain the misunderstanding between Polly and Mrs. Richards about the writing paper. 13. What did Mrs. Richards think had happened with her money? 14. Who kept Basil’s money for him? 15. Who did Sybil think her husband’s money belong to? 16. Why did the major forget where the money came from? 17. Why did Manuel forget everything about the horse, the bet and the money? 18 Where was Mrs. Richards money? How was it recovered? 19. What happened to the vase? 20. Where did Basil’s money go? DISCUSSION What’s funny and not so funny in this episode? Which are the characters that you like most and least? What do you think about Manuel’s character? In what way is this classic sitcom different from today’s comedy shows? LANGUAGE TO STUDY: SYBIL FAWLTY: Polly, Brenda can't start till Monday. Would you mind doing the rooms until then? POLLY: Oh, no. I could do with the money. ………………………………….. MRS. RICHARDS: Girl, would you give me change for this, please? POLLY: In one moment. I'm just dealing with this gentleman. MRS. RICHARDS: Surely this gentleman wouldn't mind if you just gave me change. POLLY: Do you? CUSTOMER: No, no. Go ahead. …………………………………. MRS. RICHARDS: I've reserved a very quiet room with a bath and a sea view. I specifically asked for a sea view in my written confirmation, so please make sure I have it. ………………………………… BASIL FAWLTY: A satisfied customer. We should have him stuffed. ………………………………….. MAJOR GOWEN: Going to have a flutter, Fawlty? BASIL FAWLTY: No, no, no, no, no. SYBIL FAWLTY: No, Basil doesn't bet anymore, Major. Do you, dear? BASIL FAWLTY: No, I don't, dear, no. That particular avenue of pleasure has been closed off for me. SYBIL FAWLTY: And we don't want it opened up again, do we, Basil? BASIL FAWLTY: No, you don't, dear. No. …………………………………. MRS. RICHARDS: You call that a bath? It's not big enough to drown a mouse. It's disgraceful! BASIL FAWLTY: I wish you were a mouse. I'd show you. ……………………………………. BASIL FAWLTY: Well, may I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? …………………………………….. MRS. RICHARDS: I need a telescope to see that. BASIL BAWLTY: Well, may I suggest that you consider moving to a hotel closer to the sea? Or preferably in it? ………………………………… MRS. RICHARDS: Now, listen to me. I'm not satisfied, but I've decided to stay here; however, I shall expect a reduction. BASIL FAWLTY: Why? Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment? MRS. RICHARDS: No, because the room is cold, the bath is too small, the view is invisible, and the radio doesn't work. BASIL FAWLTY: No, the radio works. You don't. …………………………………………… MRS. RICHARDS: Girl, there's no paper in my room. Why don't you check these things? That's what you're being paid for, isn't it? POLLY: We don't put it in the rooms. MRS. RICHARDS: What? POLLY: Well, we keep it in the lounge. MRS. RICHARDS: In the lounge? POLLY: I'll get you some. Do you want plain ones or ones with our address on it? MRS. RICHARDS: Address on it? POLLY: How many sheets? Well, how many are you going to use? MRS. RICHARDS: Manager! …………………………………….. BASIL FAWLTY: Can I explain? MRS. RICHARDS: You’re not explaining anything. You’re completely loopy. Mad as a March hare. …………………………………….. BASIL FAWLTY: Madam, don't think me rude, but, may I ask, do you by any chance have a hearing aid? MRS. RICHARDS: A what? BASIL FAWLTY: A HEARING AID! MRS. RICHARDS: Yes, I do have a hearing aid. BASIL FAWLTY: Would you like me to get it mended? MRS. RICHARDS: Mended? It's working perfectly all right. BASIL FAWLTY: No, it isn't. MRS. RICHARDS: I haven't got it turned on at the moment. BASIL FAWLTY: Why not? MRS. RICHARDS: The battery runs down. …………………………………… MRS. RICHARDS: Are you blind? They were on my head all the whole time, didn't you see? POLLY: Yes! MRS. RICHARDS: Didn't God give you eyes? POLLY: Yes, but I don't use them because it wears the batteries out. ……………………………………… SYBIL FAWLTY: Take my arm. MRS. RICHARDS: I don't need your arm, thank you. I can get down the stairs perfectly all right by myself. BASIL FAWLTY: "Down" the stairs? Oh, well, don't stop when you get to the basement. Keep straight on... give my regards to the earth's core! ………………………………….. SYBIL FAWLTY: Are you sure you can manage? BASIL FAWLTY: And if you give us any more trouble, I shall visit you in the small hours and put a bat up your nightdress. SYBIL FAWLTY: Basil! …………………………… MRS. RICHARDS: I’m going to finish my breakfast. And when I come back I want the rest of my money. SYBIL FAWLTY: Give it to her, Basil. I can’t find it. Give her 10 from the till… What are you doing? BASIL FAWLTY: I’m going to give her the shirt off my back too! ……………………………… BASIL FAWLTY: Hello, Mrs. Richards, how lovely to see... BASIL FAWLTY: Your beautiful vase that you bought yesterday has just arrived. Now, remind me: the money that you have there ‐ is it yours or mine? MRS. RICHARDS: I told you. It's mine. BASIL FAWLTY: Are you absolutely sure? MRS. RICHARDS: Yes. I am. BASIL FAWLTY: But you're still ten pounds short? MRS. RICHARDS: Yes. ………………………………………….