Jeeves and Wooster 2x2

The Bassetts' Fancy Dress Bal
(or A Plan for Gussie)

Season 2, Episode 2

& Spode: Ah, Jeeves. Glad to see you here. You're just the sort of person we need in the movement. The working masses.
    Jeeves: I hesitate to contradict you, Mr Spode, but the working masses and I have barely a nodding acquaintanceship*. Good afternoon.


& Gussie: Anyway, yesterday, I placed my problem before Jeeves. That man is a marvel, Bertie!
    Wooster: Oh? What did you advise, Jeeves?
    Jeeves: I approached the matter from a psychological angle, sir. It occurred to me that we do not fear those who we despise*. The tactic is to cultivate a lofty* contempt* for those about to listen to one.
    Wooster: Yes, but how?
    Jeeves: Quite simply, sir, one fills one's mind with scornful* thoughts of them. One must never cease to remind oneself that we once saw Robinson arraigned before magistrates for travelling first-class on a second-class ticket and so on. Robinson will have lost his sting*. You dominate him.


& Jeeves: Hm.
    Wooster: What is it, Jeeves?
    Jeeves: There are some curious objects in the wardrobe, sir.
    Wooster: Curious objects? They're handkerchiefs*, Jeeves. Handkerchiefs.
    Jeeves: I think not, sir. They appear to have writing on them.
    Wooster: Oh, come now, Jeeves. I bought a couple of dozen and they offered to put my initials on them. See? BWW.
    Jeeves: I see, sir. With what purpose in mind, sir?
    Wooster: I just think they look dashed* smart.
    Jeeves: Do you, sir?

---

& Jeeves: Shall l lay out one of your novelty handkerchiefs for you today, sir?
    Wooster: Oh, come off it, Jeeves. Everyone wears initialed things now.
    Jeeves: I thought the practice was restricted to those in danger of forgetting their names, sir.


& Wooster: You're surely not frightened of a tiny little dog, Jeeves.
    Jeeves: If I may be so bold as to contradict you, sir, the creature is above average in muscular development. I would also draw your attention to the number and size of the teeth.


& Wooster: Look at them, Jeeves. Only last evening, Miss Madeline Bassett lost the love of her life. Only an hour ago, Miss Stephanie Byng too was allegedly* heartbroken. Now look at them. I mean, are these the actions of rational human beings?
    Jeeves: It's difficult to say, sir.
    Wooster: Is it for this that we dragged ourselves from the primeval ooze? To stir up the emotions of simple, honest citizens to the point of frenzy* then go around playing tennis and giggling?
    Jeeves: It's an interesting question, sir.


& Wooster: If it wasn't for the awful threat of lifelong union to Stiffy Byng, Jeeves, I should be looking forward to this thrash*.
    Jeeves: An unlooked-for betrothal* often casts a pall*, sir.


& Wooster: Eulalie again, Jeeves?
    Jeeves: Indeed, sir.
    Wooster: Dashed useful word, that. There isn't anyone else I can use it on, is there?
    Jeeves: I regret not, sir.


& Wooster: Gussie, we're going to burn your dratted* notebook.
    Gussie: Took me ages to think of those things.
    Wooster: You will now forget them again. I beseech* you, Gussie, never, ever to write derogatory* things about your elders and betters again.


& Jeeves: Mr Spode designs ladies' underclothing, sir. He has a considerable talent in that direction and has indulged it secretly for some years. He is the proprietor of that emporium, Eulalie Soeurs, that you chanced across.
    Wooster: Good Lord. Well, no wonder he didn't want it to come out.
    Jeeves: No, sir. It would undoubtedly jeopardise his authority amongst his followers.
    Wooster: Yes, you can't be a successful dictator and design women's underclothing.
    Jeeves: No, sir.
    Wooster: One or the other. Not both.
    Jeeves: Precisely, sir.


& Wooster: You saved me from him, Jeeves. Instead of being beaten to a jelly by this maniac, I sit before you now the same perfectly formed fellow I was before. Jeeves, you may get rid of those handkerchiefs. I owe it to you.
    Jeeves: Thank you, sir. I destroyed them last night.



-- Dict:
acquaintanceship — знакомство
despise — презирать
lofty — высокий; возвышенный; величественный; высокомерный; надменный
contempt — презрение; неуважение; оскорбление
scornful — презрительный; насмешливый
sting — жало; колкость; ядовитость
handkerchiefs — платки
dashed — Решительно
allegedly — якобы
frenzy — бешенство; неистовство; ярость
thrash — бить; молотить; взгреть; побеждать в борьбе
betrothal — обручение; помолвка
pall — надоедать; пресыщаться; приедаться
dratted — проклятый
beseech — умолять; упрашивать
derogatory — уничижительный; унизительный


On Imdb