Original subtitles

Now, I want you all to keep just where you are

and to keep watching your screens just as you have been.

Because in a minute, there is another interesting film.

It's about a piece of history...

our history... the abdication of the English King Edward VIII.

And then Mr. Richards, who has invited us all here,

will ask a few questions.

So you may write anything down that comes into your heads

that strikes you as important.

Not a bad group here...

29 kids, 17% black, 4% Asian, 79% white.

Almost perfect.

Swooping hind quarters.

Pulled up.

Rough tail, head.

Uneven udder, long...

Jesus, not again.

Hind quarters split up.

Throat back.

With all the details...

Mr. Richards!

Mr. Richards!

Mr. Richards!

Wait!

I have to see about this.

I shall be back very soon.

But Mr. Richards...

Somebody ought to do something

about this leak, wouldn't you say?

This is not going to happen again.

Yes, yes, I did hear what you said.

Yes, I appreciate that.

But... No.

No.

No, this is the second time it has happened.

And that's twice too many.

No, no, I don't understand, I'm afraid.

I would have thought it was rather a simple matter of you

sending me the film I asked for and not a guide

to breeding cattle in Suffolk in 1941.

It should not be beyond your competence.

I... Yes, may I make one small suggestion?

Whoever was responsible for this cock-up, maybe after today

they really oughtn't to be working for you.

Yes.

I think we may have to do something.

Mm, not unlike what you're suggesting.

Yes, yes.

Yes, I agree.

Oh, yes, I see your point, absolutely.

She hasn't been with us very long.

The most obsessive washers in the world

aren't the Germans at all.

The country with the biggest consumption of soap

is Britain, believe it or not.

You're kidding.

I'm not kidding.

40 ounces per person per year.

Germans are third.

Yet another useless fact.

You may have guessed by now that there is very little

that James does not know.

He's completely surreal.

Have some more.

When we were married, we never seemed to stop

eating, especially dessert.

And we became pudding junkies.

It's that right, James?

I think that's a little excessive.

Where do the Americans come on this list?

I don't know about that.

Quick, try him... somebody else, quick... somebody.

You won't catch him that again.

What's the longest living animal ever recorded?

That's relatively easy, the lake sturgeon at 152 years.

A fish?

Wrong.

It's the tortoise.

No, tortoise is second at 116 years.

Man is third at 113.

The turtle is fourth at 88 years.

Tapeworm has been known to live for 35 years.

Aren't you writing a book?

Will it be finished soon?

No, he's still researching, of course...

endless research.

No, no, no, no.

His last book, in two editions... that's

your hardback and your paperback... was all about sex.

Or rather, I shouldn't say his last book... his only book.

He became quite literally a statistician with sex appeal.

He spent two years asking adolescent kids

how much they knew about it.

Not very much, as it turned out.

Caused a minor sensation when, contrary to popular belief,

he proved that kids on the whole knew less about sex,

or rather know no more about sex,

than they did 30 years ago.

Although how he managed to interview kids 30 years ago

remains a mystery.

You weren't really trying to pair me up with that, were you?

How long ago was that?

How long since you finished your last book?

Some people would say too long.

Some people might be right.

I should have gone to America.

Next time there's an offer, I'm going.

This must be the blandest city in the world.

I'm beginning to hate it.

No wonder I can't work here.

There's no bloody energy.

And there are no taxis anywhere.

Look, why don't we walk back?

I could stay the night.

We could go back and clear up.

Neither of us wants to sleep.

What a mess in there.

Do you know there are three times as many taxis in New York

as there are in London?

Oh, good.

Maybe we'll bump into one of those tonight

and I can take it.

New York... wouldn't that be nice?

What's the matter?

Nothing.

God, you're in a terrible mood!

We never used to walk anyway, you realize.

I said I wouldn't mind staying the night.

I'm not sure you heard me the first time,

so I'm trying again.

Yes, I'm pretty amazed myself that I'm asking, but I am.

I don't think it would be a good idea.

No, you're right.

It doesn't matter.

It's only cheap rubbish.

I used to wear it when I was a student.

I don't know why I put it on tonight.

What the hell?

I need your help.

What on Earth do you think you're doing?

- My God. - I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to spoil your jacket.

Is it torn?

I'll pay for it later.

But I do need to help.

Spare me five minutes.

Excuse me.

God.

How can you resist such an invitation?

How many times has this happened to you before?

Will you let go of my sleeve, please?

Thank you.

Not a great choice of postcards round here.

Mr. Richards, I need you to do it.

Have we ever met before?

You can walk down the street now and never

know what it's all about.

Or you can come with me.

Come where?

I might even buy you a cup of coffee.

Would you like a scone or something?

You owe me a very big favor.

What?

Are you speaking to me?

I owe you a favor?

Very definitely.

I fail to see how.

Do you?

You lost me my job.

They fired me because of you.

Because of me?

That's highly unlikely.

Which didn't please me all that much, as you can imagine.

Oh, yes.

For the cows, I presume?

Well, in that case, it was more than justified.

Drink your coffee.

Don't worry.

I'm not going to attack you.

You like it here?

It takes a particular kind of person

to know about a place like this.

I used to work here for a bit.

You see that man?

You can see the Masons go scuttling to the back entrance

to their temples where they do all that secret worship.

I've seen a lot of famous people go scurrying in there.

The temples are deep underground.

I have to show you something.

It's in here what I've got to show you.

You don't think it might be a good idea

to tell me what it is?

Certainly not.

If you knew, you wouldn't come.

Come where?

Come on.

Please, come.

What are you doing here, Sharon?

What a welcome.

I just felt like dropping by.

Don't you get in anyone's way or I'll throw you out.

Five minutes, that's all you've got.

No point asking you to keep quite,

because that's impossible.

We can give you 35 by tomorrow.

Yeah, I know you're leaving the country.

OK, well if you can find another...

we are the fastest service...

What are you doing here, Sharon?

This is the job I used to do.

You seem to have worked just about everywhere.

Yes, I used to work in a film library, too,

but somebody lost me that job.

Sharon, how did you get in here?

Usual way.

Home movie, is it?

Don't worry about this.

This is not important.

Mr. Richards, please concentrate.

I've watched this film 1,000 times.

I found it where I used to work.

Now watch this. Watch closely.

Look at the background.

Don't take your eyes off the screen.

Now watch this street.

Can't you see what's happening?

What are you trying to show me?

Look in the car!

Now look in the park.

I think about this every day.

Now, this is the most important one.

Hang on.

It isn't over yet.

So that's all you wanted to show me, is it?

Didn't you see?

Didn't you see?

Didn't you see the evidence of your own eyes?

Somehow a kidnapping has been recorded there, an abduction.

It's all been filmed... maybe a murder...

in the back of that old film, and it's

been filed away for years among those London street scenes.

Don't you understand that?

I'm sorry, I didn't see that.

I saw some people walking, that's all.

Now how did you want me to help you, anyway?

You have to find the other film, of course,

the one it told us to look for.

Why can't you find it yourself?

I was about to tell you that.

You saw what it was called, the film...

"The Hedgerows of England."

Well, I've looked it up in the public records office,

and for some reason, it's not available until the year 2050.

It's covered by the Official Secrets Act.

And it's being stored by the Ministry of Defense.

I can't possibly get access to it, especially

now I no longer have a job.

But you could, an important writer like

you doing significant work.

You could say you need it for research.

You must have friends in those sort of places.

You can find it!

Excuse me.

I have to go.

I'm sorry, but I have somebody waiting to see me.

Now, thank you for letting me see that, but...

We've got John's word.

Wait.

We said we'd deliver 25 by lunchtime,

so you only have half an hour. I want a word with you.

Come on.

Wait!

Wait!

Perfect place for a voyeur to spend his life,

don't you think, here?

What goes on in the bowels of a multinational at 3:00

in the afternoon?

No wonder British industry is on its knees.

On its back, more like.

Ooh, he's got his priorities right.

You in a few years' time.

Maybe sooner.

What happened to your jacket?

That?

Oh, nothing.

I bitten by a mad dog in the street...

a loony.

Thinking of going away soon...

sudden holiday.

I'm hungry for one, I realized today.

Maybe Mexico, west coast, complete change

of scene San Francisco.

Anthony, you know about these things.

There wasn't anyone in our year who ended up the ministry

of defense, was there?

Yeah, of course, yeah.

There was a couple.

Why?

Do you need a traveling companion?

You're late.

I am never late.

Had to come a long way, have you?

I think where I've come from, since you seem

to have made a complete study of me already,

wandering around outside my house.

Maybe you can stop looking at me

like I'm some kind specimen for your research.

I don't think I fit into the right category somehow.

Gate's unlocked.

Come down!

Come down!

In fact, there, uh... there really is no

need for me to be here at all.

I simply rang a friend of mine, told him the title of the film.

He said, of course I could have it, no problem at all.

I have a note from him.

I better have that.

Could be useful.

Here you are.

Thought you weren't going to come.

Yes, it was a close thing.

This is my assistant, um...

Sharon Newton. It's all right.

He's always forgetting my name.

It's quite normal.

It's a film you want to see, is it?

Good. Right.

Come on.

The last tram was here in 1953.

The busiest station in the west end, the most popular station

in London.

People from the best hotels came down here in their evening

dress, traveled to the theater.

Incredible place.

Film stars.

There must be so much low-grade

confidential material.

Nobody's had time to sort it all.

They just dump it down here.

Celebrities came down here.

Trams ran right through here once.

Come on.

Come on.

It would be a great place to hide

out if you were on the run.

I'll bear that in mind the next time it happens to me.

Beginning of the rush hour.

Get rubbish thrown on our heads all the time.

Papers and documents from God knows then.

They ought to burn it all.

Nobody's ever going to look at them again.

Beautiful plans of buildings that were never built.

God, it's only a bloody menu.

Now, the films are here.

It's the driest part of the tunnel,

so we keep them just here.

- They've gone. - Gone?

Yes, somebody's taken them.

They must have moved all the films without telling me.

When was this?

Must have been last week.

Because I was here the week before.

Where have they gone?

Gone to the shelter in Tottenham Court Road,

of course.

They've got quite a collection down there.

More secure place, better conditions for them.

- Can you get us in there? - Us?

Can you arrange it?

Is there anybody there now?

Maybe.

If it's Tuesday or Thursday.

There's no question of me going there now.

Please, just be there until they let me in.

I need you to make it look respectable.

I'll drop you off, though... that's all.

Nothing else.

Is this the bottom?

We must be about 200 feet down, I should think.

Oh, no, no, no.

This isn't the bottom.

There's another two levels below this.

Um, what

did you say the number was? 204-what?

2047.

Ah, that's in our section.

Do you know I can never find our section?

Well, nobody comes to look at this stuff, usually.

We don't get to stop down here.

That's where the officers-only lavatories used to be.

Come on!

Come on!

Come on.

Come on!

You don't know what this place was, do you?

But you're going to tell me.

15,000 US

troops were stored down here at night during the war...

15,000 at once.

You can still see their fingermarks, waiting for D-Day

or whatever it was called.

But nobody knew they were here, plopped down

here at 4:00 in the morning.

It was during the sewers, too, during the sewers business,

wasn't it, man?

Yeah, but nobody knew they were here, either.

I might have been used other times, of course,

but we haven't been told.

Now, tell me, did you know these tunnels were here,

running under Oxford Street?

Yes, yes, I think I knew they were.

Hm.

They're under shops now...

record shops, tourists.

Just coming up to Selfridges.

So, where amongst all this rubbish is 204...

what was it?

6?

It's not here, is it?

That was the load we were told to throw out.

2043 to 2049.

Uh, what?

I was thinking it sounded familiar, that number.

I thought it only just got here.

Yeah.

Got a message day before yesterday.

I was pleased.

At last we're getting rid of some of these rubbishy cans.

How convenient.

When did you throw it out?

Yesterday.

We put it all in black plastic bags

and threw it out into the street.

No use hurrying.

Truck just took it away.

We heard the noise.

From 200 feet down?

Well, that's the end of that.

Where would it have gone?

To the tip.

Where else?

Of course, if you run, you might just catch.

Which is the quickest way out?

That way, about half a mile.

If you're going to ask me where the main rubbish tip is,

don't bother.

I know what you're thinking.

You're worrying about your work, feeling guilty.

But it can wait a day.

Just a day won't make any difference.

Won't it?

I'm not following that truck.

Of course not.

This is stupid.

There's no way anybody can find anything in this.

Yes, there is.

We just see where the latest deliveries have come in.

You can leave me here if you like.

Oxfam should hold a jumble sale here.

Ooh, somebody's school reports.

Must have a look at these.

I expect you were really brains at school.

This looks like...

this could be a first edition of a Conan Doyle.

You glad you came now?

Records of something or somebody...

looks like medical records.

The whole world's here today.

Hey!

What are doing here?

This area's closed!

This part of the park is closed today!

Why?

Park's closed!

Now come back another day!

Where would you find

a delivery from Central London?

From Tottenham Court Road?

Central London?

You'd be mad to look here!

No chance!

That would have gone to the incinerator

in Edmonton, of course!

Why?

Thrown away something you shouldn't have?

Yes!

Well, if it went away today,

there still might be a chance.

They always take enough time with burning it.

Burn slow there.

Might not have got into the fire yet.

And how long are you going to be?

You're making a right bloody mess here.

This is my favorite view, from up here.

Good, isn't it?

I never get tired of it, the magical world of waste.

You've got all the innards of London down there,

every day of the year including Christmas Day and Good Friday.

What more could you ask for?

Well, if it came in this morning,

what you're looking for, then it should still be down there.

Who are those people?

Oh, the Poles, of course.

We get the Israelis, too, and the Americans.

They drive up from their embassies,

make a day trip of it.

You see, some people go to a lot of trouble

over their waste disposal.

They take care, if it's of a confidential

or of a secret nature.

And they like to handle it themselves,

see it go into the fire personally.

I expect they look forward to it.

Well, I do, anyway.

I get a bottle of vodka off them each time.

I've seen it!

It's there!

It's there!

How do you get down there?

Which way do you go?

Wow, it must be something important.

Yes.

Or she's certifiable.

Come here!

It's here!

I can't get it!

It's in there!

It's in there!

No way am I going in there.

Charming.

Good God.

Found something of yours, then?

Made your trip worthwhile?

It's your film.

It's the wrong one!

Wrong sort of can!

Thought we'd found it.

Do you think the smell will ever come off?

What smell?

The smell from all that rubbish, the grunge.

It's on you, too, you know.

Why are you so interested in all this, Sharon?

This film... you really think there's something

off inside there, do you?

Yes.

I was wondering when you'd start wanting reasons.

Because I'm curious.

Isn't that good enough reason?

Can I see your book, by the way?

What exactly is your work?

What's it for, all these years of research?

You didn't think I'd ask, did you?

It's an investigation into educational methods,

into the way we teach and into the way children see things,

I mean literally see things.

I'm testing the theory that kids now no

longer can retain information from the printed page.

And we should accept the influence of television

on the image rather than fight it and use it

as the main instrument in the classroom,

staring out of the wall at you.

In a sense, throw all the books out of school

and fill it full of screens.

Because you see, no one under the age of 18

can concentrate any longer unless the image moves,

and then only in 10-minute segments before they need

a commercial, as you are proving at this very moment

by not listening to a word I'm saying.

So you know what you're going to end up proving in the book,

even though you haven't finished the research?

Possibly.

See, I knew it.

That's why you're here.

I may or may not be an interesting case history.

No, you don't fit...

wrong age group.

How old do you think I am?

17 And 1/2, maybe a month off 18.

You like figures, don't you, percentages

and statistics and all that.

37.5% thinks this, five out of seven people

sleep in pajamas, that sort of thing?

Yes, that's what I am, a statistician, not

a rather classic kind.

Do you think there's something

very odd about those people?

What people?

He's been watching us, I think.

I have to go.

I have to go now.

You never know!

I may need your help again!

You have my book.

My book.

Hello.

This is Janet, Mr. Richards.

I'm not sure where you are.

Are you all right?

You don't seem to have kept any of your appointments today.

I hope nothing has happened.

Please ring me at home if you feel like it.

I hope to see you tomorrow as normal.

Goodbye.

Come on!

Come on!

If only I could have a car like that.

Richards!

Richards!

I knew it was you!

Wondering what brought me, aren't you?

No, sir, not really, sir.

I'm not going to tell you.

You're a bright little chap, one of the best.

I'd say one of the cleverest blighters

we have had here recently.

But he doesn't make the most of it.

What don't you do?

Don't make the most of it, sir.

You're a clever little shrimp, a surprisingly clever

little shrimp.

A pity to waste it.

Why doesn't he fulfill his potential?

I wonder why.

You want to know what I've written in this, don't you?

Well, it shouldn't be so easy to find out.

God, I've lost your report.

You know what it says...

usual stuff.

For such a gifted chap, you know surprisingly little.

Anybody can compile a list of statistics.

You never take risks.

Why don't you achieve something, for God's sake?

If only I could get good enough marks,

I'd get into this car and really drive it,

drive and drive, go on the most incredible

journey ever planned.

Yes, go as far...

No.

All that goes.

We're throwing all that lot out.

Just keep everything third number.

I don't want to have to say that again...

every third number.

Watch where you're going, for goodness sake.

Sorry.

Um... good God.

Mr. Jackson, it's you, isn't it?

Yes, who are you?

James Richards.

No, you're not.

Oh, yes, you probably are, now I've come to think about it,

a little neater than usual.

Coming my way?

Well, actually, um...

I've thought about you for a long time.

You couldn't carry this for me, could you?

Uh, yes.

I have to get out of this infernal city

before it drives me mad.

Day trips are about all I can stand.

Damned ugly place.

You still live here, I suppose?

Yes, I do, yes.

Are you married or not?

I've lost count.

Well, I've only been married once.

Once is enough.

You haven't any loose change, have you?

I've only got five-pound notes.

I hate standing for change.

They're always trying to short-change you in London,

aren't they?

I'll send you a book token or I'll post an order.

So, still keeping this writing thing going, are you?

What do you do all day?

My God, to have had your spare time.

You'd better write ten books a year on that.

I read your book, in fact, now I come to think of it.

Interesting theme, poor construction,

chapters all in the wrong order.

Could have been an excellent book instead

of merely mildly informative.

Threw away a chance there.

So, when is the next one due?

Well...

Ha! you certainly haven't got any quicker,

have you?

It will be an improvement, no doubt, the next one.

By the way, you couldn't, uh, just

be so kind to go in for a taxi for me, could you?

I'm running a little short of time.

Taxi, um... well...

- well... I'll... I'll try. - Thank you.

Did I tell you much?

Ye... yes.

Great.

Good boy.

I'm going to count up to 10.

And when I've reached that number,

and if you're still here, I'm going to ring the police.

I've just found out about this place.

I heard it on the grapevine from my friend Curtis,

that this is where old film's delivered, film that

was classified secret once.

Are you just a secretary?

Or are you the person in charge?

I'm afraid I can't tell you that.

All I want to do is have a look, that's all.

It must get lonely here by the river.

You have a budget to transfer exactly 1/3 of film on video.

That's right, isn't it?

I can't tell you that, either.

I'm neither confirming nor denying that.

And I'm still counting.

All I want to do is have a look

to see if my film was put on video

before you chucked it out...

that's all.

It's a very innocent little film.

It's called "The Hedgerows of England."

I'm working for a very important writer, Mr. James Richards, who

you've undoubtedly heard of.

He has friends all over Whitehall.

I have a letter here to prove it.

It might not be such a dumb idea to cooperate with me.

How do you choose the films that are going to be chucked out?

Do you stick a pin in a list?

I'll have that one, please.

Or do you choose every third number, 3, 6, 173?

I have my own methods.

They seem to be giving satisfaction.

I bet they are.

Sorry.

Sorry, so he made you carry his books?

Yes.

Oh, I'd love to have seen that, you scurrying after him

along the street, old teacher.

Yes.

Take some more.

No, these will do.

For now.

It is extraordinary how teachers don't age, isn't it?

It must be 27 years ago since he taught me.

If anything, he'd got younger.

Smaller, of course.

Your old teachers always shrink.

But he did look ridiculously young.

A meeting like that jangles all sorts of things inside,

pieces of the past, things you'd forgotten.

He just showed up in the street?

What are chances against that happening,

the percentage the day after you dreamt about him?

Coincidences rarely happen to me.

It's something entirely new.

I've decided to go away.

Probably in the next...

When you're tired of London, you're tired of life.

Didn't somebody say that?

That horrible man, Dr. Johnson.

Oh, answer the fucking thing, James, please.

Hello?

It's me.

You have to come.

You have to come now.

I can't.

I'm busy.

You have to come.

I've found it!

You have to eat it quickly or Brewster takes it away.

He always ends his parties at 1 o'clock.

He's worried about losing valuable working time.

He pulls the plugs at 1 o'clock, so,

actually, grab something quickly before he

takes it all away again.

- He makes everyone go home? - Oh, yes.

Work hard and play hard.

That's what he likes to see happen here.

She's put you to work, then, the mystery in a film?

She used to go on to me about it, how she had to find it.

She hasn't got many friends, you know.

You been, um, messing around in tunnels, I hear.

She's probably crazy, isn't she?

Still, it is fun, though.

I only wish I had more time to help her.

Look at the uniforms.

Look how slick they are.

Look at this one.

What is he doing?

What are you gawking at?

You look completely different every time I see you.

You don't.

Come quickly.

There's a problem... a terrible problem.

I was right.

The film had been transferred on to video.

It's all here, but it's... but it's too dark.

There's something wrong with the quality.

It's too dark.

But you can just about see almost.

Look!

Hi, it's Ricky Diamond again.

You know, a lot guys...

You can see a face...

her face, I think.

...barrel full of tits.

They come out sucking their thumb.

Great camerawork.

An appropriate film for Halloween, just a lot

of old shadows.

I think I can just about see something there.

That's the one we have to find.

There's so much film and tape sloshing about.

They'll never notice if we nip it.

What's the quickest you've seen

the film all the way through? Eight minutes.

Eight minutes?

How long was the film, then?

Three and a quarter hours.

Bullshit.

What sort of machine was that on?

The best, of course.

Found something else you didn't know about?

Maybe.

See what you find when you dig away?

The title of your book wasn't quite accurate.

Called, instead of sex, wasn't it, The Young in the '80s?

It was such a pity the film was ruined.

Sharon, how could you possibly have

found something that everybody else has missing?

I have.

I have.

So unlikely.

Why am I here, anyway?

Because you know you have to help me.

Got asked the other day for 50 copies of a tape

about ears being syringed.

To each his own.

Keeps people's minds off things.

You like the show?

Yes.

Two-minute version of "Jane Eyre."

About all they can take.

I think on fast forward, you know?

Suddenly watching the news, I'm desperate to put

it on fast forward, but I can't, because it's going out live.

I don't think I've seen a film all the way

through for the past three years.

I feel acutely depressed if I see an ending.

I prefer everything cut off in the middle.

I can't bear a sense of completeness.

Do you always drink as much as this?

No, I haven't done this for years.

I'm suffering from one particularly

agonizing complaint at the moment.

I'm having the most extraordinarily vivid dreams

this past year, but I can't remember

a single moment of them... not a single frame of them.

I just wake with a sensation they were extraordinary.

But they vanished.

Before, I could remember at least one in 10.

It's a form of modern torture, knowing

they're getting better and better

but I can't do anything about it.

So I decided to put them on tape.

I have all my dreams on videotape.

They record automatically as I sleep.

You've managed that?

I've always wondered about that, wanted to do it.

I have a recurring dream of having...

locked up in an old car.

Yes, I've got case on you.

This is one of my dreams?

It's locked!

I told you I can't get it opened!

This is the bit.

It will start to smell soon, won't it?

I don't know how you could have got hold of it,

but this is it.

Very obviously a guilt dream, more in the way of a nightmare.

Because no one under 18 can concentrate unless the image

moves, and then only in ten-minute segments before they

need some commercials.

There are hardly any exceptions.

Odd things keep happening since I've met her.

None of them, but it will stop soon.

It's the blandest city in the world.

I'm not surprised by anything that happens.

How much would it cost me to take this home?

These coincidences

can't be stopped.

A copy of your dream?

Oh, 10 pounds for two days, 20 pounds over that.

There are no surprises.

...just video junkie.

Do I have to pay a deposit as well?

It's finished, this city.

It's just living off tourists and pop videos.

So you really think you know the city, do you?

Why, my wife, my estranged wife.

I've been meaning to tell you for quite a long time.

I don't' know why I didn't tell you.

But I do love you still.

I do love you.

Still.

But has your face darkened, Barbara?

It's normal to knock, you know.

Go out and try again.

Where am I?

Where do you think?

In my flat.

Who's the child?

My daughter.

This is your idea of life under Piccadilly Circus, is it?

And you're reading my book.

How could you possibly have a daughter, anyway?

I mean, where has she been all this time?

Where was she last night?

At my mum's.

I've just collected her.

Where's the mystery?

How old are you, anyway?

You told me how old I am, remember?

I've been having the most ridiculous dreams.

There was a party last night, wasn't there?

Yes.

And you drank far too much and started snoring.

Do you like the mess?

Like it?

What do you mean?

Do you think I did this?

This is how do you think I live?

Yes.

Somebody did over the flat last night

while I was at the party.

It's been searched, every inch.

They seem to have kicked the walls in frustration.

They obviously didn't find anything.

Don't start that, please.

It's too early in the morning for your paranoia.

They were looking for the film, obviously.

I left it hidden at the party.

They'll never find it there amongst that other celluloid.

For God's sake, Sharon, stop this silly game.

It isn't particularly funny anymore.

Where are my trousers?

They're over there somewhere.

And don't use that tone with me!

Who got your home from the party last night, anyway?

For that I'm grateful.

Where's that book, by the way, that first edition I found?

That moldy old thing, I threw it out.

A beetle was crawling out of it.

You threw it out?

Yes.

Well, that's a brilliant move, isn't it?

That book was quite a find.

About the only thing of interest we have found,

and you throw it out?

What does one old book matter?

The idea that you're interested in the past...

I don't know why I ever considered you might be.

And all this nonsense, this mystery about this film,

is just a puerile obsession.

And even if you were right, if you bother to think it through,

the very best you could hope for is some flickering old film

of somebody being clubbed to death and raped in an alleyway.

That's the best.

I don't want that.

I'm not looking for shock horror.

I'm just curious.

I can tell you that party last night

was one of the most grizzly evenings I've had recently.

And those kids there, you, all of you

completely oblivious to everything.

Yes, I saw you peering around, voyeuristically taking notes.

You looked so ridiculous.

Don't you think there must be something

funny with a person who spends all

his time chatting up the young?

And you, the genius who knows everything,

can't even tell when a room is being searched.

I told you to stop that.

You tell me as many times as you like!

You are not my father!

Or hers!

And don't ask.

You'd really like to know, wouldn't you?

Now I have to go find a new way of earning

my living because of you.

I'll be back at 3:00.

You can look after her until then.

Look after... I...

I have an appointment.

What... what the hell do you mean?

I...

Let her come back in here.

She won't need feeding till I'm back.

Just stay with her and keep her entertained.

Her toys are in bed.

She'll teach you how to use them.

Don't let her out of your sight, and be careful

when you answer the door.

Sharon, come back here at once.

Her name is Jody.

And like her mother, she prefers to be

treated with some respect.

Sharon, don't be ridiculous.

You're... you're not allowed to do this!

Is... is there such a thing as a phone in this place?

Can you stop well enough to tell me that?

God.

Let's put your hood up.

At least we managed to find your raincoat, didn't we?

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

All right, sit absolutely still.

Yes.

Now.

Now sit still, please.

Make allowances for the inexperienced.

Look, I've apologized.

I can do no more.

James, I've had to wait for you in this awful place.

Yes, I know. I'm sorry.

No, you're gonna tell me where you

found that child, with no mucking about, understand?

Just a minute.

Just give me a minute, will you?

Come on.

Sit down.

Now, I didn't find her.

She was given to me.

I told you... give me a straight answer.

It's this completely nutty girl I've met.

She lives in a totally paranoid world.

Everything she says, everything she thinks is pure fantasy.

But she does turn out to have a real, live daughter.

And how on Earth did she end up with you?

She just threw her at me.

She's an extraordinary scatty young woman,

isn't she, your mother?

Interesting case in many ways.

Strangely enough, it's been rather

invigorating meeting her.

I wouldn't queue up to be the child

left for you to look after.

We should have had children.

Oh, really?

We never seemed to have the time, anyway.

No, that's the reason.

I never felt grown up enough.

And you certainly weren't.

I don't know why you mention it now, for God's sake, anyway.

Why don't you let her get down for a minute?

- Really? - Yes.

Let her play just here.

Yes, Auntie Barbara wants you to play here.

Why haven't you gone away, James?

I thought you were meant to be having your famous break,

disappearing somewhere, no?

I have been away.

Oh?

But right here.

I've discovered pieces of London that even I didn't know about.

This place, the city, is bulging with forgotten things...

I mean, underground tunnels.

Tunnels I half knew about, of course,

but was never really curious about,

that are stuffed full of low-grade secrets.

The who town's chockablock with them.

It's unbelievable.

Right here, so many things that are hidden with no reason.

Really?

Now, you take a... take a cheese.

Bland English cheese.

Put it under a microscope, and it's

full of thousands of hidden holes,

crawling within insects and bugs.

Next time I think of my cheese

like that, I'll think of you

Jody.

Jody, come back here!

Hey, come here.

Maybe they are Masons like she says.

Jody.

Now hold on to me.

Please don't drop it again.

OK?

Now, we'll be at the car at any moment.

Now please be patient, all right?

It isn't very far to go.

I promise you.

What? What?

Now just tell us where it is and you

won't get another one around...

You want to play silly buggers,

we can play silly buggers.

Come on!

Car keys!

Do I have to say everything twice.

Your fricking car keys!

All right.

If you don't let me put this child down now...

What will you do, hospitalize both of us?

Reckon I'll take the chance.

Won't be seeing that again.

That's not your house.

That's the girl's flat.

All right, come on.

Come on!

Why do you cause us so much trouble?

Slightest satisfaction... days of this... you understand?

Days!

We... before we found out you had it!

You mean the film... is that what you mean?

Film?

What film are you talking about, eh?

You think you're going to the pictures?

Is that where you think you're going?

We're not talking about any fucking film!

You were going to sell it to the papers, weren't you?

Scoop of the century, isn't it?

How much have they given You You bloody moron!

How could you be so stupid?

You've made us look a penny a piece,

something we're not used to.

This has got to top.

Everything to do with you has got to stop!

If we have to hear your name one more time!

Who are you, anyway, you bumbling creeps?

You can't get anything right, can you?

Listen, we can pick you up right now off the street

and you won't be heard of again for quite some time...

not a trace.

You don't know what we can do in a case like this!

So just tell us.

Where did you put it?

I think what you're looking for might be in here.

You made your point, doing that, you know.

We know where you are all the time!

See you this evening!

One for you.

One for you.

For you.

For you.

One for you.

All right.

Anybody not got a form?

We've have so many applications we're not going

to be able to see everybody.

But if you'd like to hang on and hope,

then you're welcome to do so.

Fill them in immediately...

both sides.

Jesus.

You'd think you're looking for a nuclear scientist,

not someone to answer the bloody phones/ Do I

have more than three O levels?

Careful.

You're getting too good at that.

Oh, morning.

How was...?

Now, slowly, so that even I can understand.

These people jump out of a doorway and beat you up.

Holding a copy of "The Financial Times?"

Yes.

And you don't know who they were or why.

- No. - Incredible.

Absolutely incredible.

And then they just threw the child at you?

We've got one to spare.

Here, have this.

I'll explain later about her.

That's amazing, isn't it?

And what do the police got to say about all this?

They told me to go home, said they'd find my car for me.

The comics who attacked me were some sort of police, anyway.

That looks like Jennifer and...

Jennifer, baby, I do quite need to see her.

Have we got time?

All right, in a minute.

Jennifer, baby, try later.

Yes.

In a meeting.

What are you doing in London, anyway?

You're not meant to be here at all.

I know it's inconvenient for everyone, but I am here.

Well, I don't understand what it is you think I can do.

Why come to me?

It seemed the nearest place of sanctuary

to the center of town.

And you always seem to have a good supply of coffee.

Yeah, well, will you just

sit down then, please, for God's sake?

You're making me nervous.

Well, my advice is... and I'm flattered

that you want it... is go home.

Take the little girl...

it is a little girl, isn't it?

Take her back to her mother, and go home.

Why there?

What do you mean why there?

Well, isn't that where they'll be expecting me to go?

It's the obvious place, the predictable move.

Oh, don't be so stupid and paranoid.

I'm not paranoid.

You've picked up an idle dose of paranoid

from somebody, haven't you?

Mean What, are you planning to keep her forever, are you?

Like a stray dog, a new pet, is she?

- Who's that? - Hm?

Who the hell is that?

Oh, that?

Uh... that... I think that is Bartlett.

Yeah. yeah.

I think that is Barlett.

We've got a planning meeting looming, you see.

Yeah, it just won't be a moment.

Will you hang on, will you?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's Barlett, yeah.

He must have put on weight.

Now, look, James, I really do have to get ready.

Look, I have a strategy for this meeting that is an opening

that I'm planning to exploit.

Now, I expected you to be more surprised,

more outraged by all this.

Secret Service men beating people up in broad daylight

on the street used to be a favorite topic of yours.

James, you're quite certain that you

haven't acquired something?

Something that they're looking for?

Who's been here, Anthony?

What you mean?

Someone been round here to interview you about me,

haven't they?

No, of course not.

I'm just guessing.

It's an obvious guess.

What are you doing?

Don't dare you touch that.

Just keep away from this.

This is a private area.

Nobody touches my desk, all right?

Nobody, but nobody, touches my desk.

Just leave these... leave... these papers are confidential.

Nobody, but nobody, touches this...

right.

Eh?

You never could lie, could you, Anthony?

Look, why don't you just go, since you

obviously don't feel safe here?

And there are people stacking up outside to see me.

Maybe your what can wait forever, but mine can't.

- Come on. - Get your hands off me.

Get... come on. Move.

I've had it.

Just get out of my life!

Move!

Just get out of it!

Listen, would you just... come on!

Is this from one of our trips, this old stones, here?

No, I don't think so. Maybe I did, yes.

Really?

Take a better look at it.

You're off your rocker!

Jesus Christ.

Leave the suit.

Watch the suit.

You're going to rip this.

How have you got that up there.

You could do that for ages, it seems.

And a maniac!

Your paranoia is one thing.

Lunacy is something else.

Jesus Christ!

If you've ruined this suit...

I've got a planning meeting.

That guy is my oldest friend.

Bloody lucky if I get... hernia, you know.

She's got no hope.

Hair like that, she definitely don't stand a chance.

Probably had it done here.

They're looking for something we've got.

Let's see if we can do a better job than them, shall we?

I'm sure we can.

Now, where is it?

I wonder.

I wonder.

I wonder.

I wonder about... let's see what's in here.

Absolutely nothing.

What is it, Jody, hm?

What is it?

What is it?

They surely couldn't have had the patience

to go through this lot.

OK.

View through London.

Yes, well.

Old girlfriends never die.

They just send you postcards.

The medical records.

Of course.

Very unimpressive-looking document.

Recent medical records.

Jesus Christ.

Must be somebody they think important.

That must mean a member of the government or the royal family.

I don't think they'd bother about anybody else, do you?

There's no name on the papers we've got.

But they think I know.

They think I know the name.

Morons must have thrown it away by accident.

Jesus.

You have to make yourself look like Garbo now

to become a receptionist.

We're going to just manage, I think,

because we've worked so late ourselves, to see you all.

Barbara, please be there.

Hello.

I'm not in.

Oh, fucking answer.

Barbara, why aren't you there?

Barbara, I want... um.

I don't know how much time I've got.

Must be only about 20 seconds before the tape runs out.

Look, um, things have got even stranger

since I left you this afternoon.

I've got something important to...

I forgot to give you the necklace.

I found it... you know, the one that broke the other night.

I'll tell you about it.

Um... look, I have to see you.

Will you call me as soon as you can?

I love you.

Of course, if your mother wasn't such a lunatic,

she's actually possess a telephone.

I never believed if I was left alone with a child I'd

burble a way to it like this.

Thought you'd be up for you tea.

Why don't they come in, the bastards?

Really stopping just for tea?

Don't worry about it. Let's get going.

Come on. You've had enough, haven't you?

Yeah, all right.

Listen, I'm going on my half-hour tea break.

You want to get him, don't you?

Yeah, sure.

Don't you worry about it.

I know what he's got.

Yes, here we go.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Look.

See?

We go all the way down the other side.

We'll go in this.

We'll go in this.

We march down to Johnson following him and get him.

That's right.

All right.

I'll do a half-hour tea break.

I hope you know that.

Oh, damn.

- Where the hell's your mother? - Mommy.

- Mommy. - I know.

Why isn't she here?

Mommy.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Taxi!

Taxi!

Taxi!

I know.

I feel exactly the same as you.

I do.

I do.

What the hell's going on?

Like a fucking...

He can't keep us going till the morning, a long night.

Better keep near that bastard.

That is not difficult.

What are you doing here?

Did you find Sharon's film yet?

If you ask me, somebody should.

Hello, Jody.

I wonder if... Road is open.

Might be worth a try at this time of night.

Anyway, I gotta rush.

See you.

Where the fuck have you been?

I've been going insane with worry!

You idiot!

Why didn't you stay where I told you?

I thought something had happened to her!

Oh, my angel.

I came to look for you here.

I was about to leave.

Don't you ever listen to what you're told?

Didn't you think?

Have you got no bloody imagination?

I didn't know where my baby was!

It must be tiring knowing everything,

not being surprised by anything that happens,

always expecting it.

It must be tiring imagining there's a mystery in the back

of every newsreel you see.

One could never relax.

How can you still think I'm wrong?

Because you are.

People pursuing you all over London,

and you still think I'm wrong about everything.

It was a lucky coincidence.

We stumbled upon something else.

You didn't even manage to find out whose

medical records they were.

What use are you, anyway?

Stupid idiots.

They threw out something they should keep.

So drowning in secrets they can't remember where

the import ones are anymore.

I don't think that's coming from you, by the way.

You're not that important.

Also, you're wrong about many things, you know...

about my age, for instance.

I'm 24.

I'm not the little girl you thought I was.

Can't have been that much out.

You want to know why I'm so obsessed, so paranoid?

I want to know more, that's all.

You could say I want to know what to teach her.

But I have to teach myself first...

my education being a little rudimentary,

as you've so delicately pointed out more than once.

My history is terrible, anyway.

So I might as well teach myself my own way.

Maybe I see things other people have missed, from my training

watching these.

But your interest is so selective, Sharon.

That's right.

A lot of it leaves me cold.

But that doesn't make me wrong.

You know, I've often had a very pleasurable dream, sort

of comfortable nightmare, of being

pursued down night streets, being chased through London.

Easy dream to analyze... obviously a banal desire

for something else to happen in one's life,

to achieve something else.

Well, now it's happened for real, being hunted.

And I can tell you, it's much like I expected.

There are no surprises.

Enjoy it while you can, while it lasts.

I know what you're thinking.

And the answer is no.

Friends.

That's what we are.

That's much more interesting, isn't it?

Far less predictable.

I'm getting very fond of you, Sharon.

Don't let it go any further.

Besides, you want to go back to your wife.

How did you know that?

I'll say this for you.

You're not a typical statistician.

Really?

And what's a typical statistician like?

Incredibly thin.

Besides, you still think I'm a little mad, certifiable.

And that makes me angry.

You do, don't you?

Yes, just a little.

How do I convince you?

No.

Look, no one's allowed down there now.

I can't let you in.

It's out of the question.

Look, I shouldn't even have let you in here.

We couldn't think who it was.

I just thought you might fancy some company, that's all.

I tell you what.

I've got a little something here that might, um,

make the hours under Oxford Street

slip away a little more pleasurably.

This was General Eisenhower's chair, you know.

When he used to come and visit.

It's haunted down here, you know.

You can feel the cold, can't you?

A real chill right here.

Someone sailed down a shaft when they were digging a tunnel.

I feel like doing that sometimes.

I hate this week of nights.

So bloody quiet.

Gotten all this shit.

Who cares?

Oh, a life.

Here.

Don't fuck about with the lights.

Oh, my mistake.

Who found it?

Where did it come from?

Must be Curtis.

But that's not my woman.

That's somebody else.

That's not her.

Yes, I know.

This is a war-time film.

'40s.

Somewhere.

The tension.

Looks rather nice.

Huh.

There she goes.

Who were they?

Where is this place?

Was she... or a major spy?

Where's my woman?

What's happened to her?

Is she in this film at all?

If they've left that bit off...

Champagne.

A celebration.

We're in the '50s now.

This is the '50s.

My father had a suit back then.

A discovery, uh, an idea being born.

Maybe this is a new invention, just been given the go-ahead.

And they've just got the news.

Perhaps it's the birth of some major scientific breakthrough.

Could have been something terribly important.

Come on.

Get closer.

A lot seems to have gone on there.

Hm.

Whatever this great idea was, it looks

very like it never happened.

One of the many.

Poor sods.

There's my woman!

It is her!

It is her, isn't it?

It's my woman from the film!

Get Jody.

I know where this place is.

Sharon, I know where this is.

We're closed.

This place is closed today.

Hey, you can't go up there.

It's private.

It's private, and it's shut.

Come on!

Come on!

Must have been some sort of accident, why they were kept

here, probably one of those really nasty

accidents in the early days of nuclear power,

which they hushed up.

Men caught in a fire in a contaminated area.

Hm.

I should think this was some sort

of secure convalescent unit.

They may have told her her husband was dead.

Maybe for months she thought he was dead,

maybe for a year, for security reasons until the situation was

under control.

So when those people came up to her in the street and said,

we'll take you to your husband...

What sort of man could have made this film?

Why on Earth did he do it?

Was it simply voyeurism?

Or did he think he was making a historical record?

Hiding it, bits of it in innocuous government films,

hoping it would be spotted?

Leave us alone!

Little did he know all the films he chose were going to be

classified secret as well.

Probably by complete mistake.

My husband!

Why didn't you tell me?

What a curious place.

Careful.

It feels like it's all over me, that building.

In one's clothes... yes, I know.

Come on, angel.

We'll keep the film to ourselves for the moment, I think.

I still have the medical records, of course.

Oh, yeah.

You're still on the run, aren't you?

You may need someone to keep an eye on you.

Oh, put them back in circulation, shall I?

Now someone else can find them on the rubbish tip.

Are you all right?

You were so upset in there.

Yeah.

So were you.

I'm OK, thanks.

Hey, don't touch!

We're not ready to start again today.

No, not just yet.

You're getting quite a taste for it now, aren't you?

Maybe.

You'll probably become worse than me about all this.

That could easily happen.

James?

I don't think I ever called you that before.

What have you been calling me?

I don't know.

Nothing.

You.

Wait.

You there.

James, I think we should follow this,

see what else there is to find.

There's so much... so much more.

Yes.

Are you going to do it all on your own now?

Does it have to become professional...

professional research?

I'll have to keep away.

I might let you come.

Once a month.

Once a month?

I'll come along when I like.

I rather thought you would.

We should start really soon.

It looks so different now.

Yeah.

Yes, it does.