The Wedding Party

A heatwave has hit Torquay, bringing Basil's intolerance to the boil. Things aren't improved when, as checking in the two latest victims, sorry guests, of his establishment, Alan and Jean, he realises that they aren't married. Subsequently he tries to insist that they take single rooms on separate floors. Meanwhile, Mrs. Peignoir, a wealthy French antique dealer, seems to have taken a shine to him, much to the chagrin of Sybil.

Alan returns to the lobby and asks Basil if he knows if there are any chemists open. Immediately, the (false) alarm bells start ringing in Basil's head as he assumes he wants to buy condoms; things are compounded when Alan tells him that he actually wants batteries - Basil still assumes that it must be sex-related and tells him that is 'disgusting'. In actual fact, Alan explains that he needs them for his electric razor. Basil tries to save the situation but succeeds only in confirming his guest's view of him. Later that evening, Mrs. Peignoir arrives back at the hotel and drunkenly trips over Basil as he crouches on the floor picking up her purse that she has dropped, ending up sitting on him. Of course, Alan and Jean return at the same time - thus witnessing their little encounter and despite Basil's protestations have their previous impressions of him reinforced still further with a dash of hypocrisy thrown in for good measure.

But the night is yet young and there is time for more of the same. Later on, Manuel, who had been out celebrating his birthday, returns home drunk with his birthday gift from Basil - an umbrella. On his way to bed, he has decided to call in on Basil and Sybil to express his thanks for the present. Unfortunately he accidentally hits Basil over the head with the umbrella. As Basil crumples to the floor in pain, Manuel drunkenly sits over him, telling him 'Mr Fawlty, I love you, I love you, you so kind...' and once more Alan walks in on the situation.

The following morning, Jean's mother and stepfather Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd arrive. Ever inquisitive, or is that nosey and prudish, Basil soon notices strange going-ons between the Lloyds, Jean, Alan, and Polly. Unfortunately, he doesn't realise that they are family, and the intimacy between them is perfectly acceptable, except to him. In trying to interfere he first directs Mrs. Lloyd into the kitchen, where a comatose Manuel is sleeping in the linen basket. Then he lets her up to the room, only to discover Polly is now hugging Mr. Lloyd. In attempting to distract Mrs. Lloyd again he shows her another room, explaining that the Lloyds' room is not as nice - of course they are all but identical.

Later on there is still more scope for confusion and embarrassment. This time, Basil hears moaning noises from Alan and Jean's room and then sees Polly hurriedly running out of their room, dressing herself (she has been trying on a dress Jean made for her and Alan had been moaning as Jean massaged his shoulders). Thinking the worst, Basil prepares to sack Polly and tells the Lloyds to leave. Sybil explains that they are one family and that Polly went to school with Jean, and has known them for years. Accordingly, Basil is instructed to apologise, but instead of admitting his own culpability, tries to pin the blame on Sybil.

Coincidentally, and much to Basil's irritation, Sybil's good friend Audrey has split up from her husband (again). So, the following day, she goes to visit Audrey thus leaving room for the flirtatious Mrs. Peignoir to charm Basil that night. Before Basil is able to retire to his own room, Mrs. Peignoir asks him to open her sash window as it so hot. The banter between them is almost too much for Basil who eventually manages to escape to his own room.  As he tries to undress someone keeps knocking at his door, and he believes it to be Mrs. Peignoir trying to seduce him again. However it is actually Sybil, returned early from Audrey's. He thinks that she knows what's been 'going on' with Mrs. Peignoir - she is actually more concerned that there might be a burglar. Of course is is the hung-over Manuel, who has finally stirred from the linen basket. Basil quietly creeps downstairs in his underwear and hits the so-called burglar over the head with a frying pan. Manuel is revealed unconscious, and Basil crouches over him in the foyer. Cue the return of the Lloyds, Alan and Jean from the wedding that they've been attending...

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