Original subtitles

PIANO PLAYING

Oh, good morning.

Good morning. I have an appointment with Mr Veliko.

I'm afraid he's just started practising.

Yes, I'm not sure that we should disturb him now.

Was it important? - I'm from Interest Magazine.

I have an appointment to interview him.

Oh, well, I suppose it'll be all right.

We were just dashing off. Would you excuse us?

Excuse me.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

PIANO PLAYING

Hello? Hello, reception?

Oh, please, please, will somebody help me?

I've been attacked.

Yes, yes, I'm in suite number 39.

What is it?

What's happened, madam? I'm the hotel manager.

Oh, it's... it's that man in there. He attacked me.

WOMAN SOBBING Mr Veliko?

Yes, yes. I came here to interview him

and he... he assaulted me.

Oh, please, do something. - Very well, madam.

I'll deal with the matter straight away.

SHE GASPS

SHE YELPS

PIANO MUSIC PLAYING

- Well, what do you think of him? - I think he's very good.

How about you, Junior, eh?

Aw. HE CHUCKLES

- Come on, down, Junior. - Down you go, old girl.

HE CLEARS THROAT

Personally, I prefer Van Cliburn amongst the younger boys for Chopin.

Stefan Veliko is probably the finest young concert pianist in the world.

And that's a very proper attitude in one who is organising his tour.

Personally, I think there should be more

of these interchanges of artists between countries.

I think the British Cultural Council has done very well

to get him over here. - Hear, hear.

What's more, the fact that his government allowed him to come

is a move in the right direction.

HE CHUCKLES

Which is more than can be said for that.

Check. - Oh, blast.

Particularly since our two governments

are embarking on a series of trade talks.

You think Veliko's tour is part of a political manoeuvre?

Some people might think so.

Anyway, I should keep your dime in your garters if I were you.

Why?

Well, if this treaty goes through, it could be good for Britain

but some individuals are gonna lose a lot of money.

What individuals?

Well, Veliko's government aren't taking any chances.

They sent a man called Zalenko with him...

..and his knowledge of classical music

is just about like mine.

But I bet he's a great deal better at chess.

HE CHUCKLES

Well, I hope there isn't gonna be any trouble.

Before Veliko starts his tour tomorrow at the festival,

he's got a recital tonight

before a very distinguished audience.

The trade minister is gonna be there.

You're very well informed on the subject.

I read the papers, my dear.

That hasn't been in the papers, my dear.

I've been wondering why the Council asked me

to look after Veliko while he was here.

Yeah, strange, isn't it?

You had something to do with it, didn't you?

About the trade minister coming on?

I have been a member of the British Cultural Council

ever since I came back from Africa, and this is the first time

they've asked me to do anything on this scale.

They finally recognised your potential.

TELEPHONE RINGING

Will you answer that, my dear, please?

HE SNAPS FINGERS Excuse me.

Uh-huh.

Hello?

Yes, he is. Hold on.

Thank you.

Hmm. Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Er, what?

Yes.

Yes.

I'll be right along.

If you're going to Veliko's hotel, perhaps you'll give me a lift.

Why should I be going?

Since you're organising his tour, you might be interested to know

they found a young lady in his suite.

She's dead.

Well?

I'm asking you again, what happened?

- I've told you twice. - Tell me again.

Mr Peterson and Mrs Gale had been here

to talk about organising the tour.

They left, and I started to practise.

A concert pianist must practise several hours a day.

You ought to know that by now, Zalenko.

The piece you were practising?

It was the A-Flat Polonaise by Chopin,

which is exactly the same answer I gave you twice before.

Go on.

I finished the piece and I wished to go to the bathroom.

You want to know what for? - No.

I went into the hall and I found this girl.

So, somehow she got into the vestibule, was strangled,

and you heard nothing?

When I'm practising, I'm listening to what I'm playing.

Zalenko, you don't really think I killed her, do you?

It's not a question of what I think.

It's how it's going to look to the rest of the world.

While you're here you are a representative of your country.

I'm a representative of my country's art,

and I'm not going to be made into a political showpiece.

That is not for you to decide.

You're already involved whether you like this or not.

If what you tell me is true

and you really know nothing about this girl,

then we must presume that she was planted here

to incriminate you.

- Who would do a thing like that? - Stefan, not everyone here

is going to appreciate our country's arts.

DOOR BUZZER BUZZES Eh. That will be the newspapers.

Their government has no control over them.

Yes?

BOTH SPEAKING RUSSIAN

I was expecting you.

But I thought the British Cultural Council

was only sending one person.

Mrs Gale and I met on the doorstep.

BOTH SPEAKING RUSSIAN

My name is John Steed.

Eh... I was expecting you too.

I am Zalenko.

Sir, I would have recognised you anywhere.

How is Madam Zalenko?

I have not seen her for three months.

I've been busy.

Of course, that sightseeing trip in Turkey.

JOHN SCOFFS

The one that took you past all the American bases.

I was on leave.

Well, I'm not questioning that.

I saw some marvellous pictures of you,

holidaying on the Black Sea.

It was taken by that, er, amiable British hiker.

Hmm. The one with the telescopic camera.

HE CLEARS THROAT Madam, you will want to meet Veliko.

- Yes. - This way, please.

Stefan.

This is Stefan Veliko.

This is Mrs Gale from the British Cultural Council,

who combines an interest in music with a PhD in anthropology.

Yes, we met this morning.

Very nice to see you again, Mrs Gale.

And this is Mr John Steed,

who is what is known as "man about town."

- How do you do? - How do you do?

His other activities are rather obscure.

Then he must have a great deal in common with you, Zalenko.

TELEPHONE RINGING

Er, is this your first visit to London, Mr Veliko?

Yes, and I'm looking forward to it very much.

- Mr Steed, for you. - Thank you. Will you excuse me?

Of course.

- I told them I'd be here. - Them?

Er...

JOHN LAUGHS Oh.

Steed.

Stefan, I thought you might like to have a look

at the guest list for this evening.

Yeah, but, could we discuss this a little later, Mrs Gale?

You see, a girl was found dead here this morning, murdered.

I've got so much on my mind, I...

Stefan, there is no need to trouble with Mrs Gale with all this.

Or perhaps Mrs Gale already knows? - No, I knew nothing about it.

You mean somebody was murdered in this hotel?

- No, no, here in my apartment. - Did you call the police?

Mr Zalenko has dealt with that. It's all going to be hushed up

and the murderer is going to go unpunished.

But nothing must prejudice the success of my tour.

I'm not forgetting the trade talks, of course.

May I have a word with you, Zalenko?

I'll see you out.

Mrs Gale, it's been a great pleasure meeting you.

- And you, Mr Steed. - And goodbye, Mr Veliko.

Goodbye.

Well?

The evidence suggests Veliko's telling the truth.

The dead girl was called Polly White.

She has a long criminal record for blackmail and extortion.

She made a living off of it?

- Sure. She had a taxable income. - Taxable?

Her speciality was to get into a railway carriage

with a man on his own

and then claim that she'd been assaulted.

- What was she doing in this hotel? - Well, I don't know.

Maybe she'd run out of railway carriages.

I don't understand.

She probably came here to smear Veliko's name.

So he might have killed her in a panic, huh?

Yes, he might have done.

Now, Polly White shared a flat with another girl.

She may be able to tell us something.

But I think that she was killed by her employer.

To carry the smear to its natural conclusion.

Remember the trade talks?

They reached a point of crucial negotiation.

I thought we were the ones that put politics before legality.

JOHN CHUCKLES Well, we live and learn.

Hmm.

BELLS CHIMING

HE SIGHS

BELL CHIMES

Thank you.

Excuse me, sir, are you a member?

No, I'm afraid not.

Well, if you'd just fill this in, please, sir.

Well, yes, of course.

It's just a formality, sir.

Now, we must do everything properly, mustn't we?

But we always do here. That'll be 25 guineas, please.

Hmm.

John Smith, care of the Warrick Hotel.

Yes, that's fine.

25, well, there's £26.

And these, er, guineas.

- Thank you, sir. - And... and now?

Through there.

The garden of delight. HE CLICKS TONGUE

JOHN CLEARS THROAT

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Won't keep you a moment, sir.

DRUMS BEATING

I say, you keep popping up everywhere.

They really keep you busy, don't they?

- Will you have a drink? - Yes, I'd like a brandy.

PEOPLE APPLAUDING

- Well, cheers. - That'll be 15 shillings, please.

Really? Ha!.

Now, where is it? You'll keep the change, my dear?

- Thank you. - I wonder if you could help me?

I'm looking for a girl called Darleen.

- I've never heard of her. - I was told that she worked here.

- Who told you? - A girl called Polly White.

All right.

I'm Darleen. What do you want?

You shared a flat with Polly White, didn't you?

- Maybe. - Have you seen her recently?

She's away on business. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

HE LAUGHS What sort of business?

I don't know. Why?

- Because she's dead. - But I'm meeting her tonight.

Well, I don't think she'll turn up. She was murdered this morning.

- I don't believe you. - No, I don't expect you to.

PEOPLE APPLAUDING

But if she doesn't turn up,

we may want to know what sort of business she's in.

You can give me a ring, and here's my card.

What's the matter?

This job you sent Polly on, what was it?

How should I know? It was for a friend of mine.

- Didn't he tell you? - I don't ask questions.

Look, I told her on the phone where to go to and who to see.

I've never met her, and I don't know anything more about it.

I just wondered when she'd get back.

My friend said the job would take two or three days.

But she told me this morning she'd be back tonight.

Oh, no. I can definitely tell you she won't be back tonight.

PEOPLE APPLAUDING, CHEERING

WHISPERS: For you.

HE CLEARS THROAT

Then that means Stefan Veliko could be arrested.

No, I don't think so.

The evidence suggests it was an elaborate frame-up.

To think I let her in.

Oh, you can't blame yourself for that.

It was just sheer coincidence she happened to arrive as we left.

I know, but that poor girl was strangled

just a moment after we saw her.

And what about Veliko? It must be a terrible shock for him.

Mm.

Do you think we should postpone the recital tonight?

I don't think that'll be necessary.

But the minister has definitely promised to be here.

We can't involve him in any hint of scandal.

I don't think there's going to be any.

You see, the people who framed Veliko

obviously wanted a scandal, and for that very reason,

the authorities are going to try and keep it quiet.

Well, I suppose they know what's best.

You don't think there's any possibility

that Veliko might be guilty?

Oh, you imagine, Mr Peterson.

Yes, it does seem so incredible, though.

I can't stop thinking about that poor girl.

I feel as though I was somehow responsible myself.

DOOR BUZZER BUZZING

Ah-ha.

I was told you wanted to see me on some important business.

- Yes, come in. - Thank you very much.

ZALENKO: I have been making one or two discoveries.

You see this telephone? - Mm-hm.

Where do you think the line leads?

At a guess, the hotel switchboard.

No. Look.

A switch has been put onto the circuit,

so that calls can be intercepted in the next suite.

Now, that suite has been unoccupied for the past three weeks.

Who told you that?

The hotel management have been very cooperative.

JOHN CHUCKLES

- Come in. - Thank you.

- Sit down. - Oh, thank you very much.

- Here. Would you like a drink? - Yes, I'd very much like a...

Brandy, I believe.

Er, well, unless you have any of that vodka of yours,

that red hot stuff, 90% proof Azerbaijani, eh?

No, no, no, no, no, no. JOHN CHUCKLES

Look...

this is from my own village. - Aw.

ZALENKO SIGHS

- Where's Veliko? - Oh, he is resting.

Now... - Well, cheers.

Nazdarovya! JOHN CHUCKLES

HE EXHALES

Now, while Stefan was practising, the woman came in here.

She prepared herself to look assaulted.

I know she smeared lipstick across her face

because it was found all over her fingers.

She then picked up the telephone...

..thought she was calling reception, but instead...

..she was speaking to her own murderer.

He came in a few moments later, pretending to be the manager.

He killed her and then went...

That's a very sound reconstruction.

You seem to know an awful lot about what happened.

ZALENKO CHUCKLES

I don't expect you to trust me, Mr Steed,

but I think you must agree my reconstruction is logical.

I remember you got top marks at college for deduction.

Mm. JOHN CHUCKLES

Nazdarovya!

Who knew where you were staying in London?

Well, I knew, of course, and the people from my embassy

and this British Cultural Council.

They made the hotel reservations.

Would anyone in the embassy,

would they want to blacken Veliko's name?

You know who Veliko's uncle is.

- Ah. - Important men have enemies.

Yes, but I was thinking of this British Cultural Council.

Yeah, I thought you'd be thinking of them.

- Well? - It's possible.

There's still a good deal of opposition

in this country to the projected trade talks.

Wait!

No doubt you will be investigating this Cultural Council.

Yes, but it's all an upgrade. ZALENKO GRUNTS

- Nazdarovya. - Cheers.

BOTH EXHALE

JOHN CHUCKLES

Now, the dead girl...

Oh, yeah. JOHN EXHALES

Would you have another little one there?

Did you get any, er, information from the friend of the dead girl?

HE CHUCKLES Not yet.

On the other hand, she may change her mind.

Which reminds me, I really think I better stand by the telephone.

Oh, no, no, no, you don't have to leave yet?

I was going to tell you a funny story about a funeral.

JOHN LAUGHING I think I'd really better go.

Well, then, you'll let me know if you learn anything?

But you will be the first to know. ZALENKO CHUCKLES

- Er... your glass. - Oh.

JOHN LAUGHING

JOHN SPEAKS RUSSIAN

Hello? Hello?

This is Darleen.

You saw me today in the club about my friend.

Look, I'd like to see you again. No, no, not at the club.

This is my address, can you take it down?

Yeah...

NW3.

When do you want me to be there? - In an hour's time.

Good girl.

- What are you gonna do with him? - Don't worry.

We just want him... out of the way this evening.

KNOCKING ON DOOR

MAN YELLS, GROANS

PIANO PLAYING

TELEPHONE RINGING

Hello?

I'm afraid he's practising. Is it urgent?

Oh, hold on a minute. Stefan, it's for you.

- For me? - She says she has to speak to you.

But I don't know anybody in London.

- All right, I'll take it. - Oh, no, please, let me.

Thank you.

HE CLEARS THROAT Hello?

Yes, I'm Stefan Veliko speaking.

I've got some information about the girl who was murdered

in your room.

- Who are you? - If you want to talk to me,

come to the Stud Club, number three, Soho Court.

Ask for Miss Lomax.

You'd better come, Mr Veliko.

All right. I will do as you ask.

Was it important?

No, just someone who wanted a photograph.

I promised to send her one.

It's... it's a bit chilly in here. Excuse me, I must get my jacket.

Oh, would you like to help yourself to a drink

and kindly make me one as well?

- All right. - Thank you.

HE GRUNTS

HE GROANS

Stefan?

Stefan?

Mrs Gale.

What is the matter?

Where is Stefan?

I don't know. He must have gone out.

- Out? - Of course, that telephone call.

- What phone call? Who was it from? - I don't know, a girl.

- Why didn't you stop him? - That's your job, Mr Zalenko.

DOOR BUZZER BUZZING

- Please, answer that. - This might be him.

No, he has a key.

- Is Stefan all right? - I don't know, he's gone.

- Gone? Where to? - We don't know.

What's been happening to you? - Someone's been making

pretty strenuous steps to get rid of me.

- Where's Zalenko? - In here.

I thought it was your job to look after Veliko.

Please, sit down, Mr Steed.

Veliko has been lured away from here.

I am going to find out where.

Now, this should interest you.

He had a telephone call. You're just in time to hear it.

You don't trust anybody, do you?

It is necessary to take special precautions.

'Hello? Yes, I'm Stefan Veliko speaking.'

DARLEEN: 'I've got some information

'about the girl who was murdered in your room.'

'Who are you?'

'If you want to talk to me, come to the Stud Club,

'number three, Soho Court. Ask for Miss Lomax.

'You'd better come, Mr Veliko.'

'All right. I will do as you ask.'

- Do you know this club? - Hmm.

This should interest you.

I happen to be a member.

CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS

Good evening, sir. Can I help you?

Erm... please, I'm... I'm looking for a Miss Lomax.

My name is Stefan Veliko. - Oh, yes, she's expecting you.

If you'd like to leave your coat, sir,

and go straight through there, you'll find her at the bar.

Thank you.

Can I help you?

Erm, please, I'd like to speak to Miss Lomax.

- Yes, who are you? - My name is Stefan Veliko.

- Never heard of you. - But you telephoned me

about the girl who was killed this morning.

I don't know what you're talking about.

- But you asked me to come here. - Listen, I don't know who you are

or what you're talking about, now go away.

Miss Lomax, it was your voice on the telephone.

It wasn't. Now stop pestering me and get out.

- Please, listen to me. - Take your hands off me.

VELIKO GRUNTS

MEN GRUNTING

- Are you all right? - Perfect. Veliko, quick.

ZALENKO SPEAKING RUSSIAN

TELEPHONE RINGING

Peterson.

I thought I told you not to phone me here.

Is Mr Peterson in his office?

He is, but I just put a call through to him, Mrs Gale.

All right, I'll wait.

But you know how busy I am today.

All right, then, I suppose I'll have to come over there.

LINE DISCONNECTS Mrs Gale, he's free now.

Thank you.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Oh, Mr Peterson, I've made those notes on Veliko's tour.

Oh, thank you very much.

I'm afraid I can't discuss it now, though.

I'm late for an appointment.

Well, could I type them out and leave you a copy?

- Well... - Maybe I could use this machine?

Well, there'll be nobody else here.

Then I shan't be in anybody's way, shall I?

No.

Well, make yourself at home. - Thank you.

Oh, Mrs Gale's alone in my office.

I've got to go out for an hour. Look after her, will you?

Yes, Mr Peterson.

The tea's here.

I thought you might like Mr Peterson's cup.

That's very kind of you. Thank you.

A fine representative of your country that you look.

I'm sorry.

I thought he behaved himself very well.

I must congratulate you on the use of your umbrella.

Thank you. And may I compliment you?

What was it you were trying to do to your friend?

Disjoint his left arm

from its socket over my right shoulder.

HE SIGHS

And where did you learn that particular piece of nastiness?

Saturday afternoons,

British television, last time I was here.

You should watch. Now, change your clothes and pack.

But the recital tonight...

There will be no recital. There'll be no tour.

But surely you can't mean that?

Mr Steed, there have been two attempts

to blacken Stefan's name. If we stay, there may be a third.

Remember, Stefan is my responsibility.

You're not fulfilling his responsibility

by cancelling the tour.

Mr Steed is right. I've got to play tonight.

I am not asking you your opinion.

I'm not blaming you for this morning,

but what happened this afternoon

was entirely your own responsibility.

Look, I wanted to help you to find out who killed the girl.

- That is no concern of yours. - It is his concern.

Whatever you do now, his name's gonna be

in the papers tomorrow.

But I have been given every assurance

the matter would be dealt with discreetly.

Up till now. There's the little matter

of the inquest tomorrow at ten o'clock.

Then I must speak to my embassy at once.

This inquest must be stopped.

Now, look, even your government can't cancel an inquest.

Then we shall have to leave immediately.

Well, how's it gonna look at the inquest

if you and he aren't there to say what really happened?

That is of no account to me. Our people will know the truth.

But the rest of the world will think he's a murderer

just protected by diplomatic immunity.

Look, for me, I must play tonight.

If he goes back to his country labelled a murderer,

what's gonna happen to our trade talks?

All right. But on these conditions,

Stefan, you will stay here till I take you to your recital.

You will admit no-one

and you will speak to no-one on the telephone.

- Thank you, Comrade Zalenko. - Mr Steed...

..I shall want to check

the security arrangements personally.

I shall want to see this recital room for myself.

That can be arranged.

I hope for your own sake, Mr Steed,

that you have not underestimated these people.

We must see that it is not, as you say,

"third time lucky" for them. - As you say, Mr Zalenko.

Sit down.

And which of them did this?

- Zalenko. - Really?

And not one of you here was able to stop him?

Oh, we weren't expecting anything like that.

Bloke in the bowler hat, the English one,

he's not as harmless as he looks, you know.

You mean our friend Mr Steed?

I thought you told me you were going to take care of him.

I told the boys to look after him.

All right, we can deal with him later.

So, this is all you've got to show?

Do you think that's good enough, Burns?

Aren't we paying you enough to get something on Veliko?

- Darleen? - I sent you round that photograph

of Veliko and Steed coming out of here,

can't you do anything with that?

Who is this Steed, anyway? Some sort of policeman?

Seems too prosperous.

Policemen aren't so free with their fivers.

Besides, he must have some pretty high connections

to have hushed up our Polly's unfortunate accident.

Burns, I think our photograph is going to help us.

As you know, Veliko is giving a recital tonight

at the British Cultural Council.

Miss Walters, this is the final invitation.

Thank you, Mrs Gale. INTERCOM BUZZES

No sign of him. He's not back yet.

Yes, sir, of course, I'll give him the message.

Can I help you? - I've come to see Mr Steed.

- Who? - Steed.

I phoned his flat, and someone said he'd be here.

- For the recital, you mean? - Yes.

I'll check the invitation list.

Yes, there is a Mr Steed. He's a guest of Mrs Gale,

but I don't think he's in the building now.

Oh, Mrs Gale, this young lady is asking for a Mr Steed.

I believe he's your guest tonight. - Yes, can I help you?

Well, I don't know. I-I really ought to see him personally.

It's to do with Stefan Veliko. - Oh, will you come into the office?

Now, look, I represent Stefan Veliko while he's over here,

so whatever you have to say

will probably interest me more than Mr Steed.

I want money for my information.

I can arrange that, too. What exactly have you got for sale?

Someone's gonna be murdered at this recital tonight.

And for £500 I could tell you who.

Why should you want to sell out your friends?

Maybe they're not my friends any more.

They murdered someone I knew.

Look, I'd tell you for nothing, except I need the money to get away.

All right. Wait here.

- Where are you going? - To get the £500.

- You keep that much here? - Hardly. I'm going to the bank.

And come back with the police? No, thanks.

You come around to this address tonight at 8:00,

and I'll be watching.

When I see you go in there alone, I'll follow.

All right.

Don't forget, will you?

Otherwise someone else will get killed.

METRONOME TICKING

DOOR BUZZER BUZZING

DOOR BUZZER BUZZING

HE COUGHS

- Who is it? - It's Peterson.

Peterson?

Yes, from the British Cultural Council.

- I'm not supposed to let anyone in. - Oh, but you know me, Mr Veliko.

I want to discuss your programme for the recital tonight.

All right.

But you mustn't stay very long. - Thank you.

Is Mr Zalenko out?

I thought he was with you looking at the recital room.

Oh, I must have missed him. I was called away this afternoon.

What is it you want to see me about?

I have here a photograph of you in the company of a British agent

coming out of a London strip club.

I thought it might interest your friends at home.

I do not understand this.

But I think you do.

If I were to send copies of this to your security people,

you can imagine what conclusions they might draw.

I'm sure you wouldn't like to embarrass your uncle.

I want you to do something for me.

I see.

So you are the person responsible for all these terrible things

including the death of that poor girl.

I want nothing to do with you. Now, get out of here.

I don't think you quite realise how much trouble you're in.

Now, supposing at that fight

at the club this afternoon a girl was killed?

Hit on the head with a bottle perhaps,

and I have witnesses who are prepared to say

they saw you hit her.

Nobody was killed at that fight, and well you know it.

- No. - Well, then get out of here.

But, you see, it could be arranged.

What do you mean?

You mean you'd kill someone else just to incriminate me?

As I say, it could be arranged, if you make it necessary.

I'm going to call the police.

Your word against my witnesses?

What is it you want me to do?

Well, now, the trade minister will be at your recital tonight.

I want you to shoot him.

Now, Stefan, you've been a long time.

I've been checking

the security arrangements with Mr Steed

and I must say I do not find them particularly impressive.

Just a couple of plainclothes detectives

on guard outside the door.

That doesn't seem much for a minister.

Are you expecting trouble for the minister?

I'm always expecting trouble.

But in this case, perhaps not.

There hasn't been a successful political assassination

in this country since 1812. Here.

Well... have you had any callers?

No, nobody called.

How are you feeling?

I'm always nervous before a recital. You ought to know that by now.

HE WINCES IN PAIN

Don't forget, these hands are valuable property of the state.

Maybe you don't agree.

Maybe you only appreciate hard-working, rough hands.

I do not denigrate your country...

Ah, yes, Karl Marx, "Workers by hand and brain."

Paragraph 69, page 23.

You see, I learned my lesson. - What is the matter with you?

I don't know. I cannot forget that dead girl.

Let me worry about that. Trust me.

Who can one trust?

- How long have you been smoking? - Me? You know I never smoke.

No, I didn't think you did.

And you say there have been no callers?

But there is ash in the ashtray.

You are right.

Who can one trust?

Have there been any calls for me?

A man phoned several times but he wouldn't leave his name.

I see. And is Mrs Gale still in my office?

- No, she went out some time ago. - She leave a message for me?

Not for you, Mr Peterson, but she left a note for a Mr Steed.

- Oh, I'll look after that. - Who is Mr Steed?

There was a young woman asking for him earlier this evening.

Really? Well, let's find out, shall we?

Maybe I can help you. My name's Steed.

Well, then, er, this is for you.

I suppose it is. SWITCHBOARD BUZZES

HE CHUCKLES

I rather enjoy opening other people's letters myself.

British Cultural Council.

Yes, sir, he's just come in.

It's for you. It sounds like the same man as before.

I'll take it in my office. Excuse me, would you?

Er, of course.

Charming fellow.

Well, I'm afraid I have to be going now.

Now, if there are any other letters for me,

perhaps you'd, erm, keep them for me?

No, no, I can't possibly leave here now.

Yes, all right, I'll see you later.

Well, you'll just have to keep her there

until after the recital.

Oh, and, Burns, erm...

..see what you can get out of her.

BURNS: Now, for the last time, what's the game?

All right then, we'll try it another way.

Ever heard of Russian roulette?

Because that's what we're gonna play, Mrs Gale.

Do you wanna tell me what you're up to?

No?

Very well, then.

GUN CLICKS

You were lucky that time. Shall we try again?

Only this time the odds will be four to one.

I'll count to three, shall I?

One...

..two...

..three.

GUN CLICKS

Well, your luck's really in, isn't it?

Now... it'll be two to one this time.

GUN CLICKS POUNDING ON DOOR

Think of the odds while I get rid of them,

because they'll be even this time.

All right, all right, who's there?

MAN SLURRING: I wanna see a girl undo that little old golden chain.

There's no show tonight, so we're closed.

Well, I'll call the police. Hey, officer!

Oh, that's very good of you, dear fellow,

I'm a newly pledged member. Paid my 25 quid

and I wanna see that little, little gal

undo that little old golden chain.

She's not here tonight. So, now, you go along home.

You'll wake the neighbours. - Oh, now, I better come inside.

BOTH GRUNTING

- Are you alone? - As far as I know.

SHE SIGHS I got your note.

What did Darleen have to say? - Nothing, I was too late.

She was dead. Burns was waiting for me.

We've been playing one-sided Russian roulette.

I'll tell you, gambling will be the death of you.

Come on here. You all right? - Yes.

Medicinal. SHE LAUGHS

Now, I just wonder what your friend, Mr Peterson,

is planning at this recital tonight.

She didn't know, except that someone's gonna get killed.

- That better? - Mm.

- All right, let's go. - What, like, this?

This is no time to worry about haute couture. Come on.

PIANO PLAYING

You're late. The recital has started.

I'm very sorry. I was picking up my girlfriend.

- Where is she then? - A little tied up at the moment,

but she'll be here. Did you check the invitation list?

Well, of course, I was here on time.

No-one has come in, who shouldn't be here.

Has it occurred to you that the man we're looking for,

might have been here all the time?

AUDIENCE APPLAUDING

I'm sure we all agree it is a great privilege for us

to hear Stefan Veliko's first performance in this country.

MURMURED AGREEMENTS

It has always been my belief

that art transcends all national frontiers

and I may add, national differences.

Later this evening Mr Veliko will play for us again.

There will now be a short interval.

HE SIGHS

You ready now, Mr Veliko?

Do you seriously want me to shoot him?

Do I have to remind you of the alternatives?

Mr Peterson, just what exactly are you getting out of this?

Hmm?

- Money. - Money?

There's nothing to worry about, my dear fellow.

Your government will walk you out of this country

with full diplomatic immunity.

Your newspapers will proclaim you the victim of a foreign plot

and for once, they'll be quite right.

Then you would do all this just to wreck the trade talks?

Don't underestimate it.

There's a great deal of money involved.

If these talks go through,

certain individuals stand to lose heavily.

Of course, I can't expect you to understand.

I think I do understand, Mr Peterson...

..and it seems I have no other choice.

No, in actual fact...

..you haven't.

Have you an invitation card, sir?

I have a letter of introduction from Mr Peterson.

- Yes, sir, that's quite all right. - Thank you.

Good evening, Mrs Gale.

Good evenings, Miss Walters. I'm terribly late.

Is everything all right?

- Yes, of course. - Good.

- How will I know when? - Just watch me.

You'll see me get into conversation with him.

I'll take him over to look at our manuscript collection.

Now, when I step away, that'll be your signal.

Quite simple, isn't it? Do you understand?

Yes, it's quite simple.

Where is this man Peterson? I don't see him.

I'll go and see what's happened to Stefan.

I shall wait here.

Good evening, Lady Kensingham.

Nice of you to come. - Thank you.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Excuse me.

- Where's Stefan? - I don't know.

The last time I saw him he was talking to Peterson.

Well, Peterson's over there.

I thought these would interest you, sir.

They're a particularly rare collection of originals.

Well, did you find him?

I told him to stay in his dressing room.

Well, he wasn't there.

Just a moment.

WHISPERS: Shoot!

You didn't really think I would do it, did you?

Did you?

PETERSON GRUNTING

WOMAN SCREAMS

Good boy, Stefan. Come on, now get out of here.

HE GRUNTS

We don't wanna spoil anybody's evening, do we?

HE GROANS

SLURRING: And then in '48,

I moved with my family to Gherkinskoy.

Ah, '48, I was living in Herefordshire at the time.

- Ah. - What a spring that was.

- Nazdarovya! - Cheers.

Wisteria, japonica, what a blaze... a blaze of colour.

Agreed, like Leningrad. What a beautiful city in the snow.

JOHN LAUGHS I remember as a boy,

the Nevsky, the horses, the droshkies.

Beautiful. - But that was old Russia.

- Eh? - You're a naughty boy.

No, no, no.

I was just remembering how miserable I was.

- Ah. Cheers. - Nazdarovya.

- And checkmate. - Hmm?

Mate?

- Good morning. - Oh, good morning, fair lady.

How many games is that?

- That is, er, o-one. - Mm.

Can we have another one, old friend?

Er... no.

Perhaps next time we meet I take my revenge

unaccompanied by personal reminiscences.

JOHN LAUGHS Now, I must go.

Oh... may I? - Of course, be my guest.

ZALENKO CHUCKLES JOHN: May I?

Do.

Goodbye. - Goodbye.

ZALENKO CHUCKLES HE SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN

SHE REPLIES IN RUSSIAN

Ah! Do svidanya.

JOHN LAUGHING

Oh.

Oh! ALL CHUCKLING

I can only hope the trade talks are as successful.

But the outcome not quite as ridiculous.

HE SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN

BOTH CHUCKLING

Subtitles by accessibility@itv.com