Original subtitles

um

Woo -hoo!

Katie, get off there. Get off there. Oh, this is not the season for molting.

Morning. Is it still raining?

You're joking, of course.

Oh.

It's going to ruin the pitch.

Football?

Polo. Now, look here. I'll get a snake for a pet if you don't watch it. They

only shed their coats once a year.

You look as though you're going to a funeral.

I am.

Oh, I'm sorry, who?

My old batman. You had a batman? When was this?

Munich, 1945.

What were you doing?

I was keeping an eye on an adjutant. What was he doing, watching the CO?

He was smuggling coffee beans.

Big star.

Look, not all of us start at the top, you know. Many of us cut our teeth on

coffee beans and tubes of penicillin.

What time's the service?

Twelve o 'clock. I've got to hurry. Out of the way, thanks.

Oh!

Now, handkerchief, wallet, keys, change. I mustn't

forget the collection.

I think you'll find there won't be a collection.

Oh? Oh, that's good.

Steve? Yes?

Oh, thank you.

Here we are.

Oh, dear, dear.

It spoiled the service. No, it didn't, ma 'am. Now, you sit down.

Hello. Hello.

All that rain on the roof.

You could hardly hear the vicar.

Oh, you got the general drift of it? The hymns, I didn't call the hymns.

Well, I wouldn't know about them.

It would have been his choice, I know that.

My dear lady, that's all that matters.

You think so?

I do.

Oh,

fight the good fight.

Not too aggressive for a funeral, was it? Oh, not at all.

Fine old military hymn.

Now then, ma 'am, it's a very nice service.

And then again, you see, the proper organist couldn't come today.

You know, some lovely flowers.

And there should have been a little discount in the sum.

Well, I wouldn't worry about that. No one would have known, honestly. You're

very kind.

You know, everybody's been so good.

So very good. Now then, ma 'am.

While we've got a minute, gentlemen, I'd like to nip through the wheel. Well,

I'd better be going. No, stay where you are, Mr. Steed, aren't you, Lord Shook?

You do know one another. No, we haven't asked a minute to you. Oh, I'm sorry.

This is Lord Teal, the banker.

Mr. Steed.

Dad battled for his law to be 1980 and for Mr. Steed in 45.

Oh, how do you do, sir? How do you do?

You in the brigade?

No, I was attached to the Eichel.

Oh, under the counter stuff, huh?

Gentlemen, would you like to sit down, please? The will.

This...

is the last will and testament of me Clarence Arthur Wrightson of 19 oh

just the address I hereby revoke all wills made by me at any time here to for

appoint John James oh that's just me same address to be my executor and

all my debts and funeral expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be

after my deceit now then um my old governor Lord Teal

I return the military cross which he so generously presented to me on Armistice

Day, 1918.

Oh, well, that's very nice of him. Should by rights have been his.

He's a fine soldier, Father.

I was straight out of Octo, wet behind the ears.

He carried me, that man did carry me.

He'd bring me him a tea, go over the day's plans with me.

Oh, he was a fine soldier. Great man.

Well, then, ma 'am. Thank you very much, Your Lordship.

To Mr. Steed.

My governor at the end of the last war. I return the ten pounds which he never

expected to see again, which he lent me in Munich. Is that right?

My goodness me, I'd completely forgotten about it. He wanted a set of German

draftsman's tools. He had most of the money, and I lent him the last ten. Oh,

well, there was no need.

Well, I'd completely forgotten about it.

That is a thing of honour, Mr. Stevens. As you say, Mrs. Wright.

To my son, John, I leave the sum of one hundred pounds.

Thank you, Dad.

The balance of the estate and whatsoever effects I possess or shall accrue at my

death I leave to my beloved wife, Edith.

Because of her, the road seemed less long.

At the time of making my will, the estate was valued at... at 180

,000 pounds.

That can't help.

Now stay over there and sit.

Hey, are you still here? It's not raining, you know. It's not five hours

Five hours?

They've shampooed all the carpets in my flat and I can't walk on them for five

hours. Oh, dear, Jamie. Any calls?

No.

Didn't anyone phone about a pair of polo ponies?

No. Oh.

How was the funeral?

I got a mention in the will.

Good. I was left ten quid.

So, I spent it.

Now I see the need for a pony.

My Batman was a twenty pound a week draftsman.

He worked in a printing company.

Fine stamps, share certificates.

Interesting.

And he left a hundred and eighty thousand pounds.

On twenty pounds a week?

Or was it bank notes under the bed?

Property. And he really owned it?

Yeah, I checked with Bush House. He owned everything that he said he did.

And he was your Batman?

Yeah, now, assuming you always earned 20 pounds, say you worked for 40 years,

all that's... It would be 41 ,600, just 138 ,400 short.

Yes, and that's assuming you never spent a penny, no? House, clothes, food,

cigarettes and... Not to mention income tax.

That's right.

Who are the other beneficiaries?

His widow, his son, Lord Teal.

The merchant banker?

Yeah, you know, they don't deal in cash over the counter. No, they arrange

mergers and takeovers, finance foreign trade and assist new companies.

Teal and Van Dorn throughout Morton Street. Hey, what did he get, 25?

A medal. Who?

Lord Teal. A medal?

Is that all?

180 ,000.

Maybe he won the football pools.

No, he didn't.

Then I think your Batman friend must have been a forger.

Oh, look, you'll be dealing with a criminal fraternity too long at this

Have you still got that miniature camera?

Yes, why?

I was wondering if you'd take a few photos for me.

Higher taxes and stiffer death duties have signalled the end of the private

family business and economies of scale and international competition favour the

formation of larger firms.

Stop.

This has resulted in a welter of mergers, takeovers and new sues on the

Stock Exchange.

Stop.

We at Thiel and Van Doren...

Pride ourselves that we have had our fair share of this financial pie.

How did it go?

It is dark.

Why, what happened?

Clarence Arthur Wrightson left everything in his will.

How much?

One hundred and eighty thousand pounds.

As much as that? Yes.

What are we going to do?

180 ,000.

Tied up in property.

What did the family say?

Flabbergasted. Thought it was a joke.

Some joke.

Anybody else there?

Solicitors? No. A fellow named Steed. They met in the army. Second war.

What do you think will happen?

When the world goes up for probate, everything will break loose. Every tax

inspector in the country will be in on the act. What are we going to do?

We sit tight.

I don't like saying it, Basil, but he was your responsibility. Oh, I know. You

don't have to remind me. But we couldn't have got by without him.

We were dependent on him.

That's it, though, isn't it?

We're just an anachronism now, and you know that.

Four generations ago, when Dutch know -how was allied to English aristocracy,

that was all right, but what's left?

An Englishman with a Dutch name and one very faded old school tie. We represent

some of the finest companies in the country. We're a pair of financial

that's all we are.

Ancestral homes, dinners, golf clubs, varsity matches.

I bet you haven't missed an Eaton wall game since the war, have you? Which war?

I still don't understand what it's all about.

Why didn't you ask us for advice?

A sense of humor, no doubt.

Why? Why?

Well, what do you want me to do? Go out to the cemetery and ask him?

Yes.

Yes, I'll tell him.

Sir Ian Delisle is waiting to see you in your office.

Ah, well, all right, I'll see him.

What about the Mayorsham deal?

When's it due?

End of next week.

Better start buying straight away. What do we use for money?

Oh, don't worry.

Oh, I do worry. If we don't clear 70 ,000, we can't exercise our option on

Gibbs electronic stock.

We will clear 70 ,000. We're going to gain control of Gibbs. There'll be no

doubt of that, no doubt at all.

I'll think of something.

Better be gone.

I asked for a Bloody Mary.

Did you?

Yes. What's this?

Tea. Tea?

Lapsang soochong with lemon. Lended by one of our own companies.

Why? Why tea?

Well, it seemed more appropriate in view of the hour. What's wrong with a Bloody

Mary? Oh, nothing, my dear. I'm sure it's an excellent beverage in its place.

You treat me as if I were still at Rodin.

Shall I pour?

I can manage, thank you.

How are the kennels?

Kennels? Oh, you are an old mothball. That was years ago.

There's been the riding stables, the slimmer armour.

What's the slimmer armour and the riding stables?

Oh, I don't know. I have jobs like other people have clothes.

You should settle down.

Settle nothing.

How do you know what it's all about if you haven't tried it? Well, you don't

have to swallow the ocean to describe the taste of salt water.

Not? Where did it come from?

Off a matchbox.

Anyway, what are you doing now?

I have a floret.

Oh, yes, of course.

Well, what do you know about flowers?

Not much.

You don't need to. People point. You say, how many?

You wrap them up. No one gives a toot whether you can tell a man to rhyme them

from a dandelion. Oh, well, the important thing is that you enjoy

There's this rather dishy porter from Covent Garden.

Oh, now, Cynthia, please, no more scandals. That Scandinavian air steward

quite bad enough.

Spoilsport. That blonde hair.

And all those open sandwiches.

The way he said, smear gospel.

Oh, Cynthia.

Business.

I don't know why we bother.

It must bore you to distraction, and I never understand a word of all these

percentages. Well, it's only reasonable. You should know what we're doing with

the money.

As long as the dividends come through, I'm quite happy.

I thought when we got the sudden summons, we'd all gone bust.

Oh, hardly.

Now then, Oldfields. Well, they're a fine company. Really? What do they do?

Mail order.

Do you think they could order me one?

Oh, Cynthia, please. I'm sorry. You go on.

Walkers. They're high, but they may go higher.

Hammonds, the grocery chain. Well, they had a very good interim report.

Perhaps you should... No, perhaps not.

Stotts. Well, they raised their final by two points. AGM next week.

AGM?

Annual General Meeting.

What about Glovers?

Well, they had a record report last April. They were fine holding.

Yes, although I say it myself, it's an excellent list.

You wouldn't change anything?

Oh, I wouldn't sell a single share.

That'll beat the index, keep you warm in your old age.

I advise you not to sell the solitary.

You're a genius.

Now can I go?

Yes, all right. Come and see us again soon.

Don't leave it so long next time.

Ah, Kubera.

How's the market this afternoon?

FT index up at lunch by 0 .6. Gold's a firmer, too, sir.

Give those to Mr. Van Doren, will you? Right.

Hello?

Eric? Yes?

You alone?

Yes.

I'm sending Kubera in Lady Cynthia's portfolio.

You can start selling every shareholding.

Everything.

Exhausting, isn't it? I've seen so many wives.

Still, if you've got money in the company, you must take an interest.

Speak for yourself. I've made 230 applications so far and got no single

Well, I only got 100.

Only? How many did you apply for?

100.

What it is to have beauty and friends in high places.

Have you come to any conclusion yet about my photographs?

The share certificates are genuine.

Good afternoon.

I'm Victor Gibbs.

Oh, my name's Steve.

Oh, welcome to the old home.

I hang a mile this time. I haven't understood anything for hours.

No, it's a bit tricky, isn't it? You get used to it. Do you have any of your

little pieces in the Canaveral rockets?

Oh, yes.

We've probably got something up there right now.

Is there one up there? It's difficult to keep track, I know.

Aircraft, rockets, computers, television, transistors.

That's us. You must be very proud to see it all doing so well. Oh, yes, it's

very gratifying. What made you decide to go public, if you don't mind my asking?

Not a bit.

One of the principal reasons is I had a comedy last year. I'm trying to do too

much. Oh, dear.

The doctor said to take things easy, and this was one way of doing it. There

were financial considerations.

Well, the reason I ask is I have dreams of doing the same thing myself.

On a smaller scale, of course. What's your line, Mr. Stephen?

Dog kennels.

Constant demand, I suppose.

Oh, they're running in and out all the time. There's the accessories, the Fido

bowl and brush, etc.

I suppose I must have, yes. What made you choose Thielen van Doorn?

Well, they're very competitive.

Perhaps you'd like to see the brochure? Well, it is not too much trouble. Not a

bit. Be a pleasure.

Well, they're not a good steed's dog kennels.

Concealed entrances.

Perfect for ambushing postmen.

Vandoren seem to have a particular interest in electronics companies.

Over the past four months, 27 of them have come on the market, 19 by a deal in

Vandoren. Good average.

And each time they've gained effective control of one of our key industries.

Suspicious, isn't it?

Hardly. Here they are.

You can keep that. I've got several. Thank you very much. Oh, Mrs.

Gale. This is Mr. Victor Gibbs. Mrs. Catherine Gale. How do you do? How do

do? They've got a very good list here.

Oh, yes. They handle a lot of the top people.

Really? Yes, remember the other ashdown? That chappy who sold his ancestral home

and shipped it out to the States. Oh, yes, it went out section by section.

misplaced one of the turrets.

That's him.

Well, his daughter, Lady Cynthia Bellamy, is one of their clients. Lady

Bellamy. Well, she must be rolling in it. Yes.

Well, if you'll excuse me. Oh, perhaps I'll see you later.

Teas at four?

Right. Good. Thank you very much.

Do you fancy a dehydrated cucumber sandwich?

No. Oh, am I? Just don't be bloated.

Have a look, Lord Teal.

Hold on.

Right, now.

What are Walker's tools doing this morning?

59 and 61 shillings.

Couldn't you jack them up a bit?

I've got 500 to go at 63.

You're an optimist. Yeah, that's why I'm a banker.

Stots. Property?

That's it.

15 and 6, 16 shillings. They're going down?

So? Well, the results were fabulous. Pre -tax profits up by 40%. That's the

jobbers, old boy. They can't read.

I think there's a parcel come on the market, probably an estate.

It was good an answer, haven't you?

I thought that's what you paid me for, old boy. No, it's your sunny

Sell 2 ,000 if not less than 28.

May take a couple of days. I'm not that impatient.

That's all.

No buys?

What about merchants?

Again? You heard.

Hold on.

13 and 6, 14 shillings.

Buy another 10 ,000 and don't go above 14.

All righty. Is that it? Thank you.

Call you back.

How's it coming along?

Well, I've got rid of them all except for six parcels.

What about Mersham? Well, when he gets that 10, we'll have 60 ,000. How many

more can we afford?

Well, assuming we clear the rest of Lady Cynthia Bellamy's portfolio and the

price doesn't react too much, we're at another 140 ,000. Oh, it's only gone up

shilling so far.

I hope the Gibbs deal is worth it. It will be.

Well, I'm going to the parlor to have a drink. Are you coming?

Yes, I suppose so. Silence of payments. We're up again.

Oh, excellent.

Well, things are brightening up.

Even Cooper says so.

We might survive another week.

Even yet.

There must be a reference to her somewhere.

Maybe she's not a big socialite.

Well, that's not what I hear.

These things don't start till she arrives.

Ascot.

Newmarket.

Kempton Park.

No wonder so many of them look like horses.

Lady Priscilla Mary of Price enjoys a joke on the stairs.

Aging lady Cynthia Bellamy, lady... Perhaps she plays polo.

Somehow I doubt it.

Do you know this is like a family album? Have a look at that rotund one. I've

seen her at least five times. She's always wolfing ice cream.

Actually, it's just the same party. They just keep it moving.

Hold everything.

Where?

There she is. Bless her decolletage.

Lady Cynthia Bellamy sits this one out with Major Foster M .F .H., the

Jeremy Barnes Mayfair Party.

Good for Jeremy, what? Good for the Major.

Oh, yes.

Hey, where's he got his hand?

Oh, officer and a gentleman.

Well, we found her. Now what?

The A's of the aristocracy.

Hey, get me the phone book, A to D.

Have a couple of dozen red roses, please.

Mind the water jump, young lady.

That's what comes of biting your fingernails.

Would you send them, please, to Mrs. Catherine Gale, and it's at this

Certainly, sir.

Excuse me.

Don't I know your face?

No, I think it's the knee that you know.

That'll be two guineas.

Well, I never thought that roses were meant to blush unseen, you know.

Oh, knees. There's two pounds. Hold on a sec.

And two shillings.

I'll take that set off straight away. Look, I remember you from somewhere.

don't tell me. I can't. I don't know.

It was at a party.

I've seen you at a party. Could be.

Hold up. No, I don't dig the GGs.

No, not a point of point. Definitely not.

Oh.

Deb Ball.

Who? Grant and Stewart.

Don't know them.

Graham Scott.

Oh.

Campbell Cunningham.

I didn't miss anything. Flat chambers.

No, it was more recent than that. Henley Regatta.

Can't stand the water.

No, me. Wimbledon?

Kinky.

Your advantage.

No, it was a party. I know it was a party. Roy Musgrove. Charming name, but

don't know him. Oh, he's South African. Jonathan Oates, the man. Peter Cooper

with a U.

Jeremy Barnes.

Yes!

That's it. Spitting do, isn't it? Was it?

Well, surely you remember.

I've never seen so much champagne.

Buckets full. That's why. I don't remember.

Um, per green.

Oh, very much so.

Well, surely you've never seen me there. We had a little joke on the stairs. Old

Bugs, Whiskers, Foster, what was it? The thin red line, you know.

Vaguely. Very, very vaguely. How'd you get home?

Floated, I think.

Surely you haven't forgotten the, uh...

Taxi ride?

Taxi? I suppose I must have done it. Oh, you disappoint me, young lady. It's

like writing on water.

We shared this taxi. Yeah, don't you remember saying the taxi driver nights

bridge via Hornchurch?

I said that. Yes, you naughty girl.

Then you started talking money.

You started to advise me on my investment.

Eve, I don't know anything about finance.

You mentioned the name. Van, Vaughan.

Van Doren. That's right.

Yes, and my bankers and advisors.

I can't think why I offered to help you. Don't tell me you're withdrawing the

offer. Not a bit.

I promised to help. And help I will.

When? You know, for tellies. The steaks are this thick and there's a baleone's

crab. Divine.

What time?

Eight. Eight's two.

What about, uh, what about Mrs. Gayle?

Oh! She's my old nanny. It's her 69th birthday. Look, I'll pick you up on the

dot of eight.

I'll bring your portfolio.

I never step outside without it. Toodle -pip.

That's how we send some of this junk to the laundry. Ah, never.

That's genuine mud from Waterloo.

Here.

Mershams. 21 shillings.

Thank you very much indeed.

I'll talk to you later, John.

21 shillings? Yes, now we can sell.

Definitely. Yes, that's not bad. Buy at 14, sell at 21.

Price might slip when we start selling. Oh, a little, not much.

Anyway, we have to start buying back Lady Cynthia Bellamy's shares.

Yes, I'll get on to that right away.

Come in.

The HP contract from the list of acceptance.

Ah, yes, thank you, Mrs. Gale. And Tuesday at the end of the account. Thank

Mrs. Gale. Oh, by the way, Eric, this is Mrs. Gale. She's taken over from Jenny.

This is Mr. Van Doren. How do you do? How do you do?

It's very sudden.

Yes, Jenny got an unexpected passage to Sydney. Someone had to cry on her. I

thought she was going to have to wait for six months.

I think somebody pulled some strings somewhere.

You're probably right.

The rich get richer and the strings get pulled.

Yeah, well, thank you very much, Mrs. Gale. I'll look through these and then

we'll go over them later.

Very good, sir.

What's the secret, Basil?

How do you do it? Ah, it's no secret.

As I tell Madge, if a man spends 18 hours a day at work, he might as well

them with pleasant people.

Yeah? Is Mr. John Steed to see you, sir?

John Steed?

Has he got an appointment?

No.

All right, well, I'll see him in a few moments.

Very good, sir.

You didn't give me much time, did you?

Oh, his Lordship.

You'll ring if you want anything.

My name's Cooper.

Thank you.

Waiting for his lordship, sir.

Yes.

Sherry or Paul?

Well, Sherry, please.

Dry, sir? Very.

Well,

that's a very convivial way to do business, isn't it?

What's the matter?

It looks as though you grew there.

That man was the man at right.

Are you sure?

Positive. Do you recognize him? He must have done.

You'd better stay here. It should produce some action one way or another.

I'll look after him.

Trust me.

Why?

Yes, sir.

Send Mrs. Steele in now, will you, please?

Ah, good afternoon, Steele. Good afternoon, sir. Come in, sit down.

Well, this is a terrific office.

Yes, my partner deals with the contemporary side, so he has the brass

chrome. I specialize in the quality market.

Cigar? No, thank you. Anything about our friend Wrightson?

No, I didn't expect there to be any more to hear. The grave's pretty

irrevocable. Any theories on how he made all that money?

Theories? I don't deal in them. Couldn't have been legal.

Mrs. Wrightson seems surprised, doesn't he? 180 ,000?

Who wouldn't?

Come in.

I approve of the way you do business. Now, that's extremely civilized. Thank

very much, sir Cooper.

Thank you, Cooper.

Banking's always been civilized, probably because it was started by the

Italians.

Don't quote me.

Oh, it's excellent, Sherry.

Fringe benefits.

Now, what can I do for you? I promised to contact you on behalf of a friend of

mine. Yes, I will. He's in business. He's doing extremely well. He needs a

to extend his plant. Can you help?

Of course, one would have to go into it very carefully and look into the figures

for the past few years, balance sheets and so on, but I'm afraid not. We're

heavily committed on the high -purchase side.

Big investments in Europe.

Perhaps one of the other banks, or possibly an insurance company.

Oh, dear me. Well, I'll suggest that.

Yes. Well, we'd like to help, but I'm afraid we're fully committed.

Oh, I understand. No, I haven't asked you. Oh, not at all, Sven. I'm sorry.

Good. I like to give these fellows a break, you know. Yes, so do we. They

pull up stakes and go off to America or something.

That's great.

Thank you for your time. Not at all.

By the way, what line's your friend in?

Electronics.

Electronics? Oh, why didn't you say so before?

Sit down.

We might go into this.

I think perhaps that we might find a way around this. Of course, I can't

guarantee anything, but...

Thank you. Thank you.

No.

Oh.

Compliments of Lady Cynthia.

She didn't think the green carnation suit, did she? Now, have a look at that

a list to show. Lady Cynthia again?

Yeah, we owe a lot to that girl. I showed it to an investment broker. He

very impressed.

A very nice mixture of growth and income.

Now, have a look at these. The index has been 300, 310 for the past few weeks.

No spectacular ups or downs.

Yet all of Lady Cynthia's shares, and I've checked them all, have gone down.

by equivalent amounts.

Look, see. Now, what did you use from that?

They've all been sold.

Hello.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

From this number?

Thank you very much.

It appears that my call to Madrid cost me £8 .10.

You'll just have to sell some shares then, won't you?

It was very nice of you to call.

But to tell you the truth, the matter's right out of my hands now.

My solicitor, Mr Jones, is taking it up with tax people.

I don't know what's happening.

If I were John and been here, I think he could tell you.

Oh, he has been good.

I don't know what I'd have done without him.

Well, I could never have managed on my own.

Sugar? Yes, please?

The old thing's beyond me.

180 ,000's beyond most of us. I thought it were a joke.

Honestly, a joke. I really did.

I can understand that.

Well, I mean, where did Clarence get his hands on all that money?

A little in the post office, I, or a bit of a divvy. You haven't any idea?

I'm no wiser than the day our John sat at this very table and read it out.

You don't mind tea, do you? I like it.

I'm sure it's not what you're used to in the evenings.

There you are, love.

Thank you.

Oh, nail varnish.

I've always wanted to try it, but Clarence wouldn't have it.

Painted women, he always called them. No offence. No, of course not.

Do you think your husband could have got the money from his firm?

Pinched it, you mean? Well, I... Without a doubt.

Well, I mean, you think of everything, don't you?

And it's a poor company that wouldn't miss that lot. Yes.

Nay, he were a straight man, Mrs. Gale.

You should have heard the things that Lord Teal said about him.

Made me quite proud.

Yes, I'm sure.

1918.

It's a long time.

Did your husband see a lot of Lord Teal after the warning?

Well, I don't know that he saw him at all.

Apart from regimental dues and Remembrance Day and things like that,

Hello, son.

This is Mrs. Gale. How do you do?

Hello.

Mrs. Gale's a friend of Mr.

Steed's. We was just talking about the will.

Oh, I see.

Mrs. Gale came to see if there were out she could do.

Did she?

Well, there's not.

Well, I think I'd better be going, Mrs. Wright.

Well, you have another drink of tea? No, thank you. You've been very kind. Come

again, love.

Anytime. Thank you.

Who sent you?

Mr. Steed, your mother just told you. Oh.

What's his interest?

I imagine he'd like to help. Well, of course he would. Don't be so suspicious.

Eighteen years we've been here, and no one wanted to help us before.

Perhaps you haven't needed help before.

Good night, Mrs. Wright. Good night, love.

Vultures. We can have the old boy out of his box if we could.

You weren't very friendly, were you? Ah, why should I be?

I thought you were very nice. Ah, don't be taking it, Mum.

But all after the same thing. Where did it come from?

I bet she asked you, didn't she? Here, drink your tea. Or didn't she?

No, of course she didn't.

You never were a very good liar.

Oh, John, I wish we knew.

I'd tell you if it thought it'd do any good.

He knows something.

Yeah, I reckon so.

We'll be all right, Mum.

Don't you worry.

What did I do?

You're not wounded or anything, are you? Of course not. How did you do it? Do

what? Don't look all that muscular.

You must be very deceptive. I am.

Now, what have I done?

Golly. Goliath, my devoted bodyguard.

Oh, the fellow in the shop, yeah. You knocked him out.

Was it a pedopile driver or a Boston crab or an Irish...

I adore wrestling, don't you?

All those big, strong men grunting at one another.

Yeah, not at this time of the morning.

Did you wreck the shop as well?

Not quite.

Oh, how divine.

Anyhow, Golly's very upset. He was a contender.

What for?

I don't know.

But I know he contended.

More than once, I think, I have to ask him. I want to ask you a question first.

Well, I'll stop, Samson.

Have you by any chance sold any of your shares?

Shares? Of course not.

Open up.

What is it, eh?

It's for you.

Ah.

Machine man, that's what we are.

Made by one of our own companies.

Oh, is it?

Excellent bit of kit.

You're a hypocrite.

Anyway, for the record, we made a profit of £71 ,268 on the Meerschaum deal.

Excellent bit of business, Eric. I congratulate you.

The last from that particular source. Yes, unfortunately.

Best Batman any man ever had.

We shall miss him.

Shall we take up the option on the Gibbs electronic stuff?

Yes.

Yep. Oh, there you are, sir. There's Mr. John Wrightson on the phone for you.

Take it here. All right, put him on.

Very well, sir.

I'm putting you through now, Mr. Wrightson.

Nine o 'clock tonight.

What does he want?

He wants to see me. What for?

To do a deal, whatever that may mean.

You think he's on to it?

Don't you?

What shall I say?

I think he'll do most of the talking, I should say, as little as you can.

But he hasn't any proof. He can't have.

He's got £180 ,000 worth.

If only he knows how to use it.

Oh, good evening, Your Lordship.

Come in.

Do sit down.

Glad you could make it.

Didn't sound much like an invitation.

Beer? No, thank you.

Well, I think I know how it was done.

Not interested?

Should I be?

Crafty, eh?

Are you suggesting that I was involved with your father?

Yeah, that's the general drift of it. Odd bedfellows, wouldn't you say? Supply

and demand, that's what they call it.

You've got something that's good, you can generally find a market for it. Who

supplied who in this mythical enterprise of yours?

Dad supplied you.

With information.

Financial information.

Dad and you.

Yeah, it was an unlikely team, and that was good.

Who'd expect a 20 -quid -a -week man to hobnob with a big bank?

Who indeed?

Ah, but you see, Dad was a top draftsman.

So when an order comes through for a new banknote or a new share certificate, he

was the first to be told.

That's before it's publicly announced, right?

Now, I'm no master, but I can guess what it was worth to you.

Absolutely fantastic.

You think so?

Where's the proof?

Oh, I don't need proof. No?

No, that's up to the police.

I'll leave the police to find the proof.

You think they believe him?

With 180 ,000 quid to account for.

I believe anything.

Have you mentioned this to the police yet? Not yet.

Look at it like this.

Could I have my old mother living off dishonest money?

Well, good sentiment seems to enter pretty late into your argument. Ah,

me. Business first.

What do you want from me?

A pension.

For your old mother?

Oh, no, for me.

Oh, something purely nominal. Say, uh... Ten thousand?

A year.

Every single one of them.

You mean the investments have gone back up? By almost identical amounts.

Lady Cynthia's back in pocket again.

She won't be much longer if she keeps emptying her shop on you.

She's a dear.

To Samson, love, Delilah.

In other words, the investments have been repurchased. Exactly. Why?

I don't know. It's a pretty expensive business.

Registration fees, stamp duty.

I think somebody must have needed cash in hand.

Just for a few weeks?

Yes, and I'm beginning to see why.

A couple of days ago, Van Doren mentioned to me a company called

They made a free issue. Caused quite a stir.

Much effect on the share price?

Yes, it rose quite steeply from about 15 to 21 shillings.

Oh, good thing to be in on.

I'm certain Thiel and Van Doren were in on it. Do you think it wasn't such a

surprise issue to them?

Maybe. Who knows when an issue's going to be made?

Well, as few people as possible. Board of directors, obviously.

Then it's not confirmed until the annual general meeting.

Just a formality, eh? Yes, the share certificates are usually posted the next

day. What about the people who make the share certificates?

Yes, of course.

In order to print them, they have to know in advance, too.

First prize.

Oh! The interest of one of our electronic firms. No, never.

Don't be stupid, Basil. We haven't anything in hand.

We need cash. We haven't got Wrightson to rely on now, and that leech of a son

of his will bleed us dry.

We're still not selling.

Then what is your alternative?

I'd kill him sooner than that.

Kill him?

Yes.

You can't be serious. Oh, yes, I am.

We have a unique role to fill, Eric.

Never forget that.

We can help make this country great again and save the world.

That's a reasonable life's achievement.

You don't think so?

I don't know, Bethany.

I don't know.

I'm a banker.

I'm not a politician. I'm not a soldier. Ah, soldiers.

There aren't such things any longer. They're as dead as the dodo.

But you still have to match force with force.

And the only force that matters in the world today is the sort that our

electronic companies provide. Companies that we've financed and developed.

Companies like Gibbs.

I can't fight on the battlefield any longer, but I can fight on the field of

finance.

And if we win...

It's a reasonable life's achievement.

Satisfied?

I wondered who wanted Mum out the way.

She should have told you I'd left my job.

It would have helped.

Did you find what you were looking for? I think so.

A bit's beginning to fit, hmm?

I'm sorry you got so interested. It's a business.

You think I spiked your gun?

I think you spiked your own.

President, have you got the draft agreement to give?

No, I sent it round down to records. Why, do you want it, please?

Yes, sir?

Oh, um, Mrs. Gale, did you take that draft agreement down to records yet?

Give us the electronics, yes.

I'm sorry to bother you. Would you bring it up again, please?

Yes, of course.

I don't trust her. Oh, relax, Eric. Honestly, does she look like inland

No.

But I still don't trust her.

You back here, too?

No. I keep mine in a piggy bank.

Who's doing it?

Donald, who are you doing? We just want to work with you, sir.

He's on to you. What do you mean?

He knows how it was done.

So much for his friend's electronics company.

Is this true?

The tip -off from Wrightson's, the spectacular killings on the stock market

using a client's money. Yes, it's true. You see? You'll be reading it in the

papers next.

Where's your proof? The sale of Lady Cynthia Bellamy's investments and their

repurchase. All those deals will be recorded.

Well, what do you want to do, ruin it?

My partner and I are directors of 60 or 70 companies, Mr. Steve.

Can't you imagine the effect that this would have?

I can very well, but isn't it a little late to think of that? We didn't do it

make money for ourselves, you know. We have the petty and cash between us. What

about Wrightson, my old Batman?

He was your percentage man. He ended up with 180 ,000.

He wasn't helping a few dozen lame scientists.

Why is it always electronics?

Somebody had to support them. The country wouldn't.

What Mr. Van Dorn tells you is the truth, Mr. Steve. We've made very little

profit out of this.

But these men, these scientists and engineers, they're our only hope. Don't

see that?

We lent capital to a man in a small garage in Cricklewood, and today his

electronics firm is the finest in the country.

He was one of the good ones, one of the few.

There isn't a rocket or a missile in the Western world that doesn't owe

something to him and to us.

Now, look, Mr. Steele, I beg you, can't you forget this?

I'm very sorry.

Money? No.

I'm a patriot, not a traitor.

Is that your last word?

Yes.

All right, if you wanted a pension, you can have it.

First of all, you have to earn it.

Or kill him.

Execute him would have been my word, but that's what I like.

Ten thousand a year is a lot of money.

Take him in that room, then.

We'll fix it so it looks as if they killed each other.

Eric, you go in there with them.

I'll get rid of Mrs. Gale.

Come in.

It's our screen.

Oh, thank you.

Mrs. Gale, I wonder if you'd run an errand for me. I need some papers

from Jennings of the municipal insurance at Cheapside.

Would you do that for me? Yes, of course. Take a taxi.

Have some lunch while you're at it.

Put it on a chili to the chief accountant.

Very good, sir.

Let's see how you fit into all this. You're playing second fiddle to a crack.

Don't you realize that?

It's still not too late, though.

Well, it's a little fraud amongst friends, but murder?

I see he's even got you holding a gun. Look, you're a businessman, Van Doren.

Making money, that's your life.

He's mad.

Surely you see that.

Now we've established that, I'm going to find Steve.

Do you really think it's worth it?

She says she'll break my arm.

All right, come on.

Over there, the three of you.

Quick!

You all right, Mrs. Gann? Yes.

Excuse me, sir.

I've taken the liberty of calling the police. Anything else I can do? Keep an

eye on them.

This will keep you for a couple of months as a plane from London Airport to

Johannesburg in two hours. First class?

Tourist, and keep out of trouble.

So that's how you won your war.

Yes, sir.

Typically, I call.

Take him downstairs.

I wouldn't refuse a touristic to Johannesburg, is there?

Who are you phoning?

I'm still after that pair of polo ponies.

But they're not going to sell them behind your back.

That's very likely what might happen.

There's a very important person after them.