Them and Us 他們和我們
這個標題是整個<Bad Girls>精簡的破題,舞台上二方人馬對立,但是角色對位精采,有正方的好人/正方的壞人,反方的壞人/反方的好人.所謂好與壞,不是全然的涇渭分明,正義與道德常是隱伏潛行在黑白之間.值得注意,這一集的鏡頭語言非常細膩,攝影用了二場精準的入焦出焦來詮釋「他們和我們」的辯證,再用前後二次的仰視俯視,從Nikkia的角度來看權力尊卑的定義和再定義,更別忘了紅色和藍色劃遍螢幕的象徵意義.
至於Nikki與Helen的感情呢?我當然沒有忘記,這不就是我們要來看這部影集的動機嗎?之所以用那麼多精神來分解這部影集各項元素,只是想表達:你不是在單純的消化一個用假板造景搭建的愛情故事,圍繞在她們周圍的人事物全部精采可期,且讓我引領你細細品味,如何在戲的妙點,大聲鼓掌叫好......
時間回到1999年....
倫敦女子監獄Larkhall,正在舉行服裝秀彩排.一出場是Julie雙姝閃亮的銀色露肚裝,接著是霸凌妹Denny拳擊手架式的紅色塑膠夾克,霸凌天后Shell Dockley頂著黑色假髮和傲人雙峰出場.壓軸的是永遠的壞人:獄頭Jim Fenner,他開燈結束短暫虛幻,歡迎來到Larkhall權力世界.(*「霸凌」是bully的諧音,本意恃強欺弱,見於獄卒對犯人,犯人對犯人,後來甚至出現犯人對獄卒.全看技巧運用存乎一心.)
平行剪輯出現在隔離牢房獨自痛苦的Carol,還有在排演現場一角,百般無奈的Nikki及低頭怯懦的Rachel.仔細想想,當年觀眾在第一集時,還完全不知道Nikki的性傾向,他們是怎樣看待這一位穿紅衫,塗口紅(真是紅得故意),但是舉止帥氣,老是見義勇為,表情總是滿不在乎的大姊頭?
牢房宵禁前,Nikki想要上三樓探視Carol,被二位獄卒從上攔路擋下.鏡頭往上看見老頑固Sylvia和漸趨沈淪的Lorna,象徵她們高於犯人的權力.
Nikki雖然不得不往上仰視,但是用了一付頗為不屑的表情,故意調侃Sylvia的墨守成規:"You'd gas us in our cells if they told you to, wouldn't you? 如果長官要妳毒死我們,妳真的會在我們牢房放瓦斯,對不對?" (*在將近結尾時,Nikki反過來俯視Helen.)
Nikki下樓時,霸凌天后Shell意有所指地說了一句 "Missed your goodnight kiss, did you? What a shame. 可憐,懷念妳的道晚安之吻嗎" 關於Nikki的性傾向,線索是一點一點地放出來.
前面的紅色,是幾個角色隱約的危機(Carol的流產,Shell/Denny的霸凌,Nikki的群眾運動),這裡,從Carol汨汨的出血接下來,是一組專屬於Helen的紅色視覺主題串聯:她的道德侷限.
鏡頭溶接到紅燈大特寫,往後拉遠景,原來是紅綠燈的禁止通行.
Helen身穿紅衫(隱喻她的危機),想在停車空檔補上口紅,可是不得要領,整個妝都亂了.當你跟著規距行事,很多情況是事與願違.
到監獄大門口,紅色的柵欄,紅色禁止入內的標示,一身紅衫,開著紅車的Helen就這樣一路走入約束禁制的工作場所.
一上班,是Jim來關心Rachel的情況.Jim認為她在一樓與別的犯人關在一起,很容易受到欺負,逼迫她走私毒品進來.Helen便同意將Rachel調到三樓的單人牢房.看似一件體貼犯人的安排,卻是Jim處心積慮的長線佈局.
當Carol流產意外成為嚴重事件,Helen與部屬們的危機處理,突顯現代專業經理人,在面臨組織內保守勢力的心力交瘁.
Helen問及為何沒有回應Carol的呼救,Jim用人格抹黑的方式來否定Carol要求的正當性:"Carol got a bit of bad rep for time wasting. 卡洛是出了名的最會浪費大家的時間";Sylvia跟著落井下石:"I just thought she was doing her usual. 我以為她又再玩老把戲."
這可把Helen惹火:
Helen: So, this is all her own fault, is it? well? 所以,這都是她咎由自取囉?
Jim: Helen, it's just a tragic set of circumstances. 海倫,這只是一個意外的悲劇.
Helen: I'm going to have to speak to the women. I want you to call a wing meeting as soon as possible, please. 我要向女犯們公開說明.請你立刻集合大家.
Jim: Look, I really think...Well, don't you think that we should just sit tight till feelings die down a bit, eh? 我真的認為....妳不認為(Jim很有技巧地轉變主詞)應該等到情緒冷靜點再說?
Helen: No, I don't. I think we should be seen to care right now. 不,我認為此刻我們應該表現出關心、重視的樣子.
Helen的同居男友Sean竟然在這個關鍵時刻打電話來問"削筆器在那裡",這種芝麻小事,Helen還算有耐心地回答他,如果是我,這個節骨眼早已經一陣開罵.(是的,我脾氣很暴躁)
Helen大步邁入牢房,她的頭髮微微飄揚,乍看有點慷慨赴義之貌.其實Nikki早就等著要修理這批公務員:"Listen, if that shit parcel isn't nicked for this. I'm going to take it to the top cause they are not sitting on this one, no way.
如果這屎貨沒有被逮到,我就要往上揭發,絕不讓他們把案子壓下來."
Helen一開始的說明是有很有層次及結構:
I'm sure you all know that last night Carol Byatt suffered a miscarriage in her room which was not discovered untl first unlock.
我認為妳們都知道Carol昨晚在牢房流產,直到今早才被發現.(先坦白事實情況)
Now, I know you must all be feeling very upset about this. I can assure you that I am, too, and so are my officers.
我了解妳們都很難過,我必須告訴各位,我本人及每位同事都深表同感.(表達同理心)
Now, I personally went to see Carol in hospital this morning, and I'm glad to say that she'll soon be well enough to be back here with us.
今早我親自探視過她,很慶幸她很快就會康復,回來與我們同聚.(交待事件主角未來動向)
圖解:這個仰角鏡頭,只見上面二層樓,黑壓壓地一片人頭,整個群眾像泰山壓頂之勢,籠罩著Helen.
Now, I also spoke to her about what happened and I promised her that...
我也和她談過事情發生的經過,我向她保證....
圖解:Jim在較遠的後景,焦距在他身上,而Helen在前景,出焦模糊,顯示倆個人之間立場相距十萬八千里.
I would conduct a thorough investigation into....
我會進行完整地調查... (提出解決方案)
圖解:鏡頭拉轉90度角,焦距拉回到Helen,強調她說這句話的決心.後方遠景,是模糊的Sylvia, Lorna,再度顯示這倆個人和Helen的南轅北轍.
why and how she was left unattended.
以查出為何無人理會Carol的呼求
圖解:焦距從Helen,一下子推向Sylvia,Lorna,倆人頓時清晰,暗示Helen對她們的過錯己心知肚明.
Now, I have since interviewed all the officers concerned
我已對相關人員作過詢問 (Helen眼神掃射所有部屬)
but I have to conclude that what happened here was a tragic set of circumstances.
我不得不結論,這是一件意外悲劇 (這是很爛的結論,把前面的鋪陳全毀掉了,功虧一簣.)
圖解:焦距最後拉回到Helen,顯示由她一肩挑起責難,採用部屬Jim的說法,把案件說成是意外悲劇,言畢群眾譁然.
第一個發難的是Nikki.注意她是穿藍色.
Nikki: A What? She nearly bled to death, you should all be sacked! 什麼?她幾乎流血至死,你們都該被開除
Helen: I'm sorry, but as far as I can conclude, there are no grounds for disciplinary action. I promise you, I'm going to make changes to procedures so no more accidents like this can ever happen here again.
我很抱歉,但就我所知,並沒有失職之處.我保證,我會改變作業方式,未來將不會再有意外發生.
Nikki: What do you mean, accidents? That wasn't an accident.
妳怎麼可以說是意外?根本不是意外.
Julie S: She was calling for a doctor! 她在呼求醫生
Julie J: We 'eard her! 我們都聽到了
Nikki: And so did that cow there! So, how come she didn't lift a finger?
(指向Sylvia)那隻母牛也聽到了!為什麼她連手指頭都不動一下
Helen: So you please, everyone. 各位請冷靜
群眾不斷鼓譟,Jim大聲維持秩序,卻像是為Nikki的下一段發言預先作了絕佳清場.
Now let me say it for her, well what's she's telling us is that we're all the safe in here
讓我來幫她說,她的意思是在這裡,我們全都不安全 (Helen睜大眼睛,慢慢轉過背來,好像Nikki從後面刺進一刀)
because even when we're bleeding to death, we don't get believed. Well I'm telling her from us, you can't run this prison unless we help you, and if we don't get respect from your screws then don't think that we're going to make you look good in front of your VIP visitors because we're not! So, you can shove your stupid fashion show up your arse!
就算是流血至死,還是不得信任.(這是Nikki的群眾魅力,全場摒息以聽)但我要告訴她,沒有我們配合,休想管理這座監獄,如果不能得到妳下屬的尊重,別想我們會讓妳在貴賓面前好看.把妳的蠢秀塞進屁股裡吧! (所有人鼓掌叫好.Nikki不喜歡服裝秀,她這樣說情有可原,但這些愛秀的群眾,只爽到叫好,卻不知鄙夷服裝秀的下場.)
Helen在女犯人前,面子完全掛不住,當著部屬又被挫了威風,她決定重砲反擊,用權力壓制Nikki.
Helen: Fine, consider it cancelled! This wing will not be taking part. You are on rule 43! Lock them up!
好,那就把它取消.本區將不會參與表演.(轉向Nikki,手指著鼻子)妳違反了第43條!全部關進去!
圖解:這是所謂四大行星成一列,Helen/Nikki/Jim/Shell全部出現在一起,看看這角色對位:正方的好人/反方的好人,正方的壞人/反方的壞人.注意此刻Nikki的藍衣和Helen的紅衫,顏色暗示對立狀態.
Helen此令一出,Jim跑來請她三思.Helen正在氣頭上:"When I make a decision, I stick to it....Do you think I believe all that shit from Sylvia? I had to face a near riot out there because of what she let happen so don't blame me for coming down heavy."
我一旦作了決定,就會堅持到底....你以為我相信Sylvia的鬼話.就是因為她處理不當,我得面對近乎暴動的場面,所以別怪我下手太重" (Helen把自已搞得裡外不是人,兩面都不討好)
Jim利用他的私人關係,越級向Helen的上司Simon告狀.Simon馬上電召Helen,要她收回成命,因為:"Because I assure you, there's more at stake here than your personal pride. 我可以告訴妳,此事利害關係,比妳個人名譽還要重要." 整個服裝秀怎能獨缺妳G-Wing 一席.
Helen發現是Jim背後搞鬼,回去向他攤牌:I know you've got problem with me. The thing I can't do anything about it. My age, my background, that fact I'm a woman.
我知道你對我有意見,我沒有辦法改變:我的年紀,我的背景,以及我是女性.
Look, I just want to come into work and get on with it. And I don't expect you to agree with me on every decision I have made. But if you have problem with it, then tell me to my face. That way, I can trust you. Don't go sneaking behind my back.
我只想順利推動工作.我並不期望你同意我所有的決定.但如果有意見,請當面告訴我,我才可能信任你.別在我背後搞鬼.
你得承認Jim是厲害角色,他打混那麼多年,根本看不起剛畢業,沒經驗的菜鳥.
Jim: I did tell you how i feel about your decision both beore you called the meeting and after it blew up in your face. but you weren't interested. but I haven't heard you admitted you made mistake. Maybe we could meet and discuss it over a drink sometime, hmm?
我在妳召開會議前及火爆場面後,都向妳表達過意見,但妳沒有興趣聽(這是事實).到現在我都沒聽到妳認錯(被Jim佔了便宜).或許那天我們可以一邊喝酒再一邊談談,嗯?(他那個調調兒真令人看了想發火)
Nikki被下令關進地下室禁閉,但Sylvia自作主張把Nikki的衣服給剝光(她在102再度被剝了一次),Nikki只好抱著床單遮蔽.欺負她的不只是獄卒,連管餐的Shell都藉機不給她飯吃.
當Nikki在牢房挨餓受凍,Helen回家喝酒吃大餐,順便向男朋友大吐苦水.
Sean: So, your mini crisis went maxi, did it? 妳的小危機演變成大災難了?
Helen: Sodding mafia. I think I played right into their hands. 真他媽的黑手黨.我掉入他們的手心裡.
當Sean幫她作起腳底按摩時,Helen開始心生逃避主義,想要像Sean一樣的工作,能自行其事,沒有壓力,有成就感的工作.其實她太有理想,一旦投入便不放手.整整三季就是看在她與Nikki如何克服萬難,達到最後目標.
倒是Sean最後提議"Do you facy a shag? 想作愛嗎?" Helen搖一搖頭,但還是上了床.事後想起工作的不順,再度心生憂鬱:"It's going to happen every bloody day anything I do they don't like. 每天都會是這景況:他們不喜歡我做的每一件事" (像不像不想上學的小孩?)
這廂是Helen與男友憂鬱未解的房事,那廂則是Jim與Shell在牢房的偷情.Jim濫用職權的惡形昭然若揭.
當然Jim的私慾不只於Shell.Rachel年輕不明事理,以為Jim是可以依靠的對象,誤將感激與感情混為一談,因為脆弱而衍生的依偎渴望,剛好正中Jim的下懷.而Jim更好整以暇地,用以退為進的方法,引領Rachel一步步上鉤,她的下場是本季第一個悲劇事件.
Sean曾在上班前規勸Helen不該那樣處理,Helen確實在反省她的策略,所以她去找Nikki,看得出來她從挫敗中悟出一些治監的關鍵:要抓住「非正式組織unofficial group」中的「意見領袖opinion leader」.只是她得先處理Sylvia對Nikki濫用私刑,再度捅出的簍子.
Helen: What the hell is she doing in strips? Well, go and get clothes here immediately. I am sorry this should not have happened.
她怎麼被剝光衣服?趕快拿衣服進來.我很抱歉不該發生這種事.
Nikki: Happens all the times, didn't you know? 常有的事,妳不知道嗎?
Helen: It won't in the future. 未來不會再發生了.
Nikki: Why? Are you going to let us lot out and I'll lock up your screws instead?
怎麼可能?難道妳要把我們都放出來,我可以反過來關住妳的下屬.
Helen: Look..Nikki...I intend to make a lot changes here but I need cooperation.
聽著,尼琪,我想好好改變,但需要有人合作.
Nikki: Cooperation? 合作? (表情很不以為然地重複那一個字.Nikki的豐富表情真是Bad Girls的絕景)
Helen: You're right. I can't run thing here without your help.
妳說對了,沒有你們協助,我不可能管理好這裡.(Helen小心冀冀看著Nikki,語調溫和緩慢)
Nikki: Listen, darling...I don't even know how people like you can sleep at night, if you believe in the system to lock up pregrant women
聽著,親愛的,如果妳認同孕婦可以被關進監獄,我不能理解像妳這種人,晚上怎能睡得安穩.
Helen: Well, you're just going to trust me. 妳得相信我
Nikki正在更衣,Helen看著窗外:
Helen: Either we both climb down together and make something positive out of this,
除非我們能攜手合作,做出正面的改變
Nikki: Or? Why? 要不然呢....
Helen: We all lose out to the old boy network.
我們都會敗給既有的權力結構 (Helen回頭看了Nikki,Nikki則呼了一個氣,心想,要不要和權力結盟?這是Nikki最討厭的事.但是Helen用反擊old boy network為理由,是很符合Nikki的胃口.)
(*old boy network 並不一定指男性的小團體,但在這裡是明確指Jim的男性人脈)
趁著Carol出院,Nikki陪同一起回到獄中,Helen沈默地跟在後面.鏡頭處在居高臨下,環視全場.Nikki接著走了半圈,抓抓耳朵,心想何時取得大家注意.她把雙手插入口袋,決定開講:"Ok, can you give me a minute, please. I got an important announcement to make. 請大家注意一下,有重要事情宣佈." (Helen只是沈默地看著一切)
"This unit is back to the fashion show tomorrow. 我們明天可重新加入服裝秀" (全場歡聲雷動)
Cause seeing as I helped set it canceled, I personally guaranteed to Miss Steward 之前因我的緣故造成退出,我個人特別向司徒女士保證
圖解:Nikki看著後方的Helen,非常清楚,表示對Helen的重視.請注意Nikki和Helen同樣穿上藍色系的衣服,暗示這一刻的結盟.
焦距回到Nikki,由她對群眾發聲.
that if they let us back in, G Wing would give it out best.
如果讓我們重新加入,我們G區一定全力以赴
So if that's ok with you babes....Go out and strut your stuff, right!
如果各位也贊同,那就使出妳們的看家本領吧!
服裝秀圓滿完成,Helen事後特別找Nikki表達感謝.Nikki穿回紅衫,與Helen又站在不同陣線.
Helen: Listen, I just wanted to thank you again for helping me out.
我想要再次感謝妳幫助我
Nikki: Don't think I did anything for you, Miss.ies.
別以為我是為了妳而做,女士.(Nikki站上樓階,俯視Helen,依舊滿臉不在乎)
鏡頭往上拉,發現Shell把Nikki與Helen的互動都已看在眼裡.Shell穿著火紅的長袍站在欄干邊,Nikki穿著紅衫從她身後快速走過,明著看,兩人同為牢友,本是同一陣線;暗著看,倆人的紅衣都譬喻著危險,為下一集的衝突埋下伏筆.
宵禁時刻,所有犯人都關在各自牢房裡.Shell一邊逗弄著房裡的籠中鳥,一邊假惺惺地向隔壁鄰居Rachel喊話.Rachel像是怯生生地靠著牆壁聆聽,不料Jim從黑暗中侵入,從右頸一口吞噬了弱小生物...
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