Original subtitles

So? So?

They're girly magazines.

They're not girly magazines. They're pornographic magazines.

Oh, don't be soppy, love. They can be bought at any corner newsagent. How can

they be pornographic?

Would you buy them?

No. I'm a bit long in the tooth for that now.

But I would if I was Steve's age. Dad.

Look, love, he's 16.

Of course he's interested in sex.

He's just naturally curious.

There's nothing to worry about.

Nothing to worry about?

I mean, never mind the pictures. They're degrading enough, debating women. What

about the explicit, if not to say, obscene stories?

And the ads for things.

You're overreacting, love.

He's only a child.

Yeah, like you are to me. Oh, come on, Dad.

So what are you saying, that I shouldn't even speak to him about these?

No. Wouldn't serve no purpose.

Now, come on, love. You don't get that number of days off to get this place

cleaned up.

Oh. I should put them back where you found me, won't you?

It's all go, isn't it?

What do you think about porn, Jake?

Not a lot.

Does that mean you're indifferent to it or opposed to it?

A bit of both, I suppose.

I used to be insecure, now I'm not so sure.

Eh?

Oh, yeah.

God, my mouth tastes like the bottom of a parrot cage.

Interesting diet you must have.

What's your stance?

Wobbly. Men.

All the same, in or out of uniform.

Particularly out.

Is it something you're working on?

Sort of.

Code name Steve.

Tidied your room up yesterday, hadn't you noticed?

Oh, yeah, tell them.

You're very untidy.

Steve? Sorry, what was that?

I said you're very untidy.

I don't mind. I like it like that.

And I know where to find things, which is more than I can do when you've had

of your purges.

I'm talking about finding things. I found some very interesting magazines in

of your drawers.

Oh.

Oh?

What have you got to say?

I didn't know you searched my room.

I thought it was criminals you played that kind of thing for. I was not

searching your room. I was cleaning and tidying it up.

Well, I didn't exactly leave them in full view, did I?

Does that mean you feel ashamed enough to have the grace to hide them away?

Oh, Mum, leave off.

You know, a cunning villain would have said it was research material for an

essay he was doing on the increase of pornography in our modern society. Yeah,

well, I'm not a cunning villain, am I? Nor are you taking A -levels in

gynaecology.

Just girly, Max, Mum.

No big deal.

Well, get them.

Steve, you do not get pocket money to spend on that rubbish. Oh, I didn't buy

them. A major school lent them to me. Oh, yes? Who was that?

Look, they can be bought in any newsagents.

So what's it matter who it was?

Excuse me, I've got a lot of homework to do.

So you blew it.

Don't you think we all become less objective when it comes to our own kids?

like to have a copper with my own child. That's what really bothers me.

Well, don't let him.

I do it all the time.

Switching off from the job just isn't that easy. Can we have some coffee,

Do you have any problem with your elders, Clive?

Is there a problem?

There ain't nothing we can just ignore.

Well, why not?

Come on, they all go through it at his age.

I used to hide Hank Jansen books and my mum read them by torchlight under the

bedclothes. Hank Jansen is Enid Blyton compared to the stuff they can get hold

of these days. Ah, you read him too, did you? No.

We had more style. It was a giggle behind the girl's cloakroom over the

bits in Lady Chatterley's Lover. Well, there you go.

Come on. At least that was good literature.

You call it what you like.

It all comes down to the same thing in the end, doesn't it? A natural, youthful

enthusiasm to discover what it's all about.

I think magazine's a distortion of what it's all about.

I mean, things like love, affection, respect don't even get a mention.

Well, nor do they in biology lessons in the classroom.

Ah, Bob, not to see you. Let's have a word in my house.

We'll leave you to it. And don't worry, it's called growing up.

What was all that about, then, Jeff?

Bob's being a mother.

DPP have been on to me about this Wells Street blag.

Then I'm sure we've got enough to get them weighed off. Who's handling it?

Fennec? Yeah, I know, he tends to be a bit overcautious at times.

I've been going through the papers and I think he's got a point. Yeah, well, I

know the forensic isn't too clever, but we got a couple of positive IDs.

From a couple of young wallies barely out of training school.

Now, you know who the solicitor is representing this little firm? That bent

bastard Jones.

Bent or not, the sort of reddies he'll be getting. Yeah, which will be a fair

part of the proceeds of the robbery.

From which we have failed to recover any money at all as yet. Thing is, Bob,

this is precisely the sort of case he likes to win. It's good for future

business. He'll brief a top silk who'll be only too keen himself because of the

undeclared part of the outrageous field cop, while our two innocents will be

made to look like liars and morons in the box. Well, what else can we do?

This grass of yours who stuck him up, what sort of licence did he get? A

nothing heavy.

Any chance of leaning on him a bit to give evidence?

He won't want to put himself on offer to let that go.

Be handy, will you?

I'll see how he shapes up.

Two shops in Oxford Street already screaming on their truck.

Looks like it might be her.

Right.

Jake?

Someone's still asking.

Money, money, money, knocking at the door.

A mother's friend.

his life trying to keep his money.

A playboy spends all his money to keep him well.

Like a marriage, it's give and take.

Eating either the bread or cake.

Happiness can cause much less is free.

Excuse me, ladies.

May I ask what it is you're doing?

Why? Who are you?

I'm the proprietor of this establishment.

Is something wrong?

You're deaf?

You can't hear the alarm?

Of course. What's that to do with us? You have removed a garment from my shop

without paying. We just brought it out to have a better look at it in the

Yes, I understand, ladies, of course, but please...

Oh, that's better.

See, this tag is electronic. It sets off the alarm.

It gets removed.

Once you've purchased the garment, of course. I hope you're not implying we

trying to steal it.

You? Never.

But such things happen, believe me.

Trust in soul, innit?

If I trusted to trust, I'd be bankrupt.

But please, ladies, no offence.

I don't want to embarrass.

Good custom.

That's very kind of you.

I hope we haven't been too much trouble.

Those descriptions we've got, it'll be like looking for the proverbial needle.

Let's go and have a word with the owner of that last shop they radioed in.

I don't understand. Magic eye, they call it.

To me, it's a tragic eye.

Do you have any idea how much a security device like that costs, Inspector?

What if you quit, Inspector?

Quit?

Master of understatement, you have here.

You're insured, aren't you?

Insured? I have five shops.

You should have my premiums for your salary.

Do you have these on all the garments in the shop, sir? Everything of any size.

On the jackets that were taken?

Naturally.

Any chance of a few dud ones being attached?

They're guaranteed.

So is the Titanic.

What?

Where the hell have you been?

For a coffee and something to eat.

Got to have some nourishment tonight.

Well, come on then, let's get loaded up.

Have a go then, all right.

Got a nice leather jacket.

Billy, we don't pay you to keep us hanging around with a load of hoisted

All right, love, don't keep on about it. I'm here now, aren't I?

Anything else?

Sue's laid up with some nice cashmere.

I've also got this blister.

It's killing me.

So? Go to the chemist and hoist some plasters, love.

Terrific, isn't he?

Well, he's got this problem.

Terminal greed.

Come on.

But half a dozen expensive jackets, surely I would have seen them.

Not if they had them concealed in some way.

One of the assistants recalls seeing a bird with a plastic dustbin. Which one?

I don't know. He's seen one plastic dustbin. He's seen them all.

Sorry.

Keys are in the red.

He's a detective?

It's a changing world, sir.

Today the policeman is expected to be simpatico with the lifestyle of minority

groups.

Not a bad day's work, ladies. I don't suppose we could... Oh, no.

Definitely not.

Well, it's still early enough. Don't be stupid, Billy. We've hammered it enough

for today.

Yeah, I suppose you're right. I'll pick it up round your place tomorrow morning,

same as usual.

Both then. And don't forget our manners.

Do I ever.

OK, where then?

Where? Well, I can't be too careful, can I?

Some faces might think I'm talking to the old Bill.

Bad for the image.

You know what I mean?

I don't think what you're suggesting makes a lot of sense, Bob. What?

I mean, what you're asking, that ain't reasonable, is it?

There's no a reasonable game we're in, Charlie.

No.

Look, if I put my face on offering court and I'm up to being a grass, well, it's

goodbye Charlie, isn't it?

I mean, this firm ain't a bunch of cowboys.

They know a lot of very heavy people.

I could... I would end up with no kneecaps.

You'd get protection.

Yeah, but for how long?

As long as it takes.

It wouldn't be long enough.

You could arrange a change of identity, going away money. Ah, leave off.

I've got a family.

I don't want to live nowhere else.

This is where I get my living, isn't it?

Only as long as I look after you.

Yeah, well, I'd just have to take my chances then, wouldn't I?

I'm no getting through to you, Charlie.

I'm trying to do this the nice way.

You understand?

Oh, that's nice.

That's charming.

I do you a favour, and you want to fit me up.

No fit -ups. I've got enough on you to put you away for a long time.

Think about it, huh?

I'll be in touch.

Three of them?

Far as we can tell, my guess is they also have a minder on the firm.

Descriptions are a bit vague.

Cook and his assistant are coming in tomorrow to help with the photo bit.

Let's call it a day, see what tomorrow means.

Yeah.

Right.

Hello, love. All right?

Oh, Steve.

Did you put a light under the casserole when you came home? Mm -hm. Good boy.

I'm going upstairs to change. Don't be long with that call I've got to make.

Sorry about that, Phil.

It's me mother.

Steve? Did Greta go up to Nine Elms?

Yeah.

What was that again, Phil?

You heard me. Blue film.

You mean porno movies?

But, Phil, how did you get hold of them?

Well, you know my dad's always going away on business trips.

Well, he left the key to his study drawer behind. I found them in there.

They're on video, actually.

Won't he know?

No. How could he?

Don't suppose he'd bother him much anyway.

So what do you reckon?

Do you want to come round and see it?

My old lady does the hairdressing and beauty parlour bit tomorrow afternoon.

I've phoned Freddie. He's going to have some.

Oh, I don't know, Phil.

I don't think I've better.

I've really got to study and get these O -levels together. I'm way behind as it

is. For what difference will a couple of hours make?

No, I'd better not.

What's the matter?

Scared that old lady of yours will nick you?

Oh, turn it in, Phil.

OK, OK.

It's your loss, though, mate.

I'll see you at the conditioning plant tomorrow.

OK.

See you.

Morning, Jimmy.

Morning.

Every night?

She showed them?

Yeah.

How'd you get on?

The conventional way.

Yeah. Well, wouldn't you have had a little more experience?

D .I. Forbes in here?

Ain't seen her, Don.

What time are these two shoplifting witnesses supposed to be?

Any time now.

Right, I'm off then.

Right, Mum. See you later.

You're straight home from school today?

Yeah, I expect so.

Well, I shouldn't be too late.

Why?

Take care.

Well, I don't know.

What do you think, Peter?

The mouth isn't quite right.

Lacks a certain je ne sais quoi, if you see what I mean.

Do I ever.

But he's a good salesperson, you understand?

Mr. Lake, are you any good at drawing?

Well, I was rather good at school, but I didn't pursue it.

Unless one is very good, it's far too fraught with poverty.

Look,

do you think you could sketch the outline of a mouse so the officer's got

something to work from?

Well, for you, I'll certainly try.

Bone, I thought.

Bone. I'm beginning to wonder about you.

Yeah, well, I'm sorry about this, sir. It shouldn't take too long now.

Will I get my garments back from these thieving slags?

Is that your motor again today?

Yeah. I think it's urgent.

Yeah, I suppose so.

Especially as you're carrying an extra passenger.

What do you think?

I don't know if these things really help.

I mean, they never look much like the prospects when we eventually pull them,

they? I wouldn't say that.

I wouldn't tell anybody if you did.

So what do you want us to run off a couple of dozen copies of these and trot

them round the likely shops?

Yes, you'd better.

Any joy with that prospect of yours? Hang on.

Yeah, I had a word with him.

And? I think he got the message. You think?

Why don't you come round? It'd be better.

There you go.

Made up special last night.

That's what I like about you, Billy.

Your dedication.

I aim to please.

Yeah, well, please me by staying close today.

Yeah, terrific.

Those copies will be about an hour.

Right.

Well, are we going out on Obba, then?

Yes.

I hope you don't mind me mentioning this, Maggie.

I could not notice it.

Well, it's just that I was wondering.

Something was bothering you.

I mean, if there's anything I can do...

Remember that case I said I was working on?

Codename Steve?

Well, what do you want to do about it?

I don't know. That's the problem.

Well, I suppose you could ignore it.

I mean, it's not exactly the great train robbery, is it? Jake, we're talking

here of young schoolboys being exposed to hardcore.

Now, I personally believe that that is not something to be laid back about. OK,

point taken.

But they are 16.

These days, that's like being 20 when I was their age.

The way things are now, it's almost impossible for them not to be exposed to

porn. Look, I did a stint in Vice.

I know.

The whole 59 obscene publications, that is a shambles. I've only got a slip

round so to see that.

It's near mission impossible to get the people who distribute that stuff

convicted. And never mind the contradictory court rulings on law

obscenity and public indifference.

It's the public that's buying the stuff.

50 % of any given jury probably like porn. That's ridiculous.

You think so?

Look, I'm not supporting the case for porn. Really?

Though I do happen to think its corruptive qualities are vastly

some.

Oh, come on.

We are paid to uphold the law.

But do you really believe that, say, every copper in vice is morally outraged

every time he has to watch a dirty movie in a course of duty?

Some unborrowed films from confiscated stock to their own stag shows.

And don't tell me you've been in the job this long and you don't know that.

Grown men.

Prone to the same weaknesses as the rest of us.

And people don't like being told what they can or can't read and see.

It's the same with dope.

You ain't going to stop people smoking grass because the law disapproves.

Especially when half the bloody establishment is interrolling a joint or

themselves.

It's a very jaded view.

Yeah, well, that's the nature of this job, isn't it?

Overexposure to the nasty side of life quickly teaches you to adopt a healthy

cynicism. Another form of corruption.

If you like.

No, I don't like.

Okay.

I'm on your side.

Believe me.

But you asked for my advice, and I've given it. You haven't given me advice.

You've given me a lecture on why we shouldn't bother about certain aspects

law enforcement. Not the way it was meant. That's not to say that your

hasn't some sort of force, which I am discovering. Yeah.

And I'm willing to bet you won't find anything in there that makes it

illegal for people to watch blue movies in a privacy of their own home.

Nothing enforceable, anyway.

Not even if they're children? Not even if they're young men with growing

appetites and a natural curiosity.

You can hardly go round to this boy's house and nick them, can you?

How are you going to square that with Steve?

They're his mates.

It could cause some embarrassment.

Like I said, it's a problem.

It's your decision.

Which you have hardly helped make any easier.

Well, I have to admit, trying to capture a firm of hoisters is simpler.

See what we can do.

Look

at

this lot. And the country's supposed to be on its knees.

It is. Giving thanks to Mammon.

Who?

Oh, never mind, dummy. Just look.

This is a bloody waste of time. I agree.

There's no calls coming through from indignant shopkeepers.

Maybe they're not working the street today.

Maybe.

Here, give it to Twitchport.

I've given him a bell.

No answer.

It's a message for DI Forbes.

OK, thank you, Charlie. Delta 4 and out.

Sounds like it could be them.

What was that about one of them being pregnant?

I don't know.

Cook and his assistant didn't mention that.

Only the other shopkeepers either come to that.

I've been thinking.

The amount of gear they've been hoisting, they must be unloading it

and coming back for seconds.

I can only think of one way they can be doing that.

Right, let's try the one -a -bike -a -cell bridges first.

OK, girls, no problems.

I'm just about loaded up. Me too. Right, let's dump what we've got and get

something to eat. I'm starving.

Have a good day, ladies.

There they are. It's on us! Run!

I'll call a cop.

Come on, love. You're next.

I think we've done it.

God loves a trier.

Come on, girls.

Oh,

three of you.

This is good.

She'd be the one sitting down.

Perhaps.

Come on, Sue, take your dress off for the chief inspector.

Steady on.

It's OK, Sue, nothing to worry about.

Come on.

Well, I never... See?

Great, isn't it? All she has to do is undo a couple of buttons and just drop

stuff in.

Gone, gone, and never called her mother.

Now you've all had your little bit of fun, do you mind if I take it off?

Uncomfortable, is it? No, just ridiculous in the circumstances.

Yeah, by all means.

Come on, give it a hand.

So you don't fancy it, then?

I didn't say that.

It's just that I've got to get to the library for some books before it closes.

And I've got all this homework.

Oh, come on, Steve.

You'll be giggled.

No thanks all the same.

Maybe some other time.

What's the matter?

You still worried about that old lady of yours?

Oh, don't leave off. I told you, if it wasn't for all this work... Yeah, yeah,

OK. But, er, it's a three -hour tape.

So, if you change your mind... Yeah.

I'll see you.

Right.

Come on, Lou. You've been nicked.

Bankerized. I mean, what possible explanation can you have for being in

possession of all your stuff?

No receipts.

A very strange shopping bag.

Not to mention the fact that we've got witnesses who almost certainly identify

you. Come on, please, let's have no more of this little Miss Innocent nonsense.

I want a lawyer. I'm sure you do. God knows you need one. I know my rights.

All professional thieves know their rights, Sue.

Well, that's what you are, isn't it, a professional thief?

Look.

No ID.

Now, what normal woman doesn't carry some form of identification in her bag?

Which means you've probably got form, which means we've got a record, so even

you refuse to give us your full name and address, etc., once we've charged you,

we'll take your pretty fingerprints, run them through the computer, and hey,

presto.

Well, you'd better get on and do it then, hadn't you? Oh, we will.

But it would help you considerably in court if we could say that you've been

helpful to us in our inquiries.

Graff are my friends, you mean.

Oh, now, what does a sweet little innocent like you know about the word

I read the papers and watch TV.

And steal for a living.

Your friend, Jenny.

Oh, no, not that.

Not what?

Your friend next door has told all, so why should you take all the blame

routine? That's what.

With a seasoned pro like you, I wouldn't waste my time. Except you were about

to. No, actually, I was about to say that your friend Jenny burned.

Yes.

She gave us her name.

Well, it's a good start, isn't it?

I think I'll leave you to think about it.

What about my lawyer?

Just give his name to the officer here.

Let's see what we can do about contacting him.

Do I get anything to eat?

Oh, yes.

Lots of porridge.

Cow.

Well, that's an improvement on Pete.

It's like a bit of a risk dropping the other one's name like that, wouldn't

Well, calculated bluff.

I could be wrong.

We found it on an old receipt. It's right.

You saw her face.

Well, it didn't matter. They just wanted to hurry things along.

Once you track the owner of the car, they'll let you know who the minder was

eventually the other girl.

See if Lorenzo's a part of anything on the car.

Draw the curtains, Freddy. See the picture better.

Doesn't mean he's changed his mind and gone round there.

He said he'd be straight home from school.

I know what you're thinking.

But if I were you, I'd leave it out.

It only caused a lot of aggravation.

And down to what?

No, I'm told, Jake. I can't just sit here and ignore it. I'm going round.

Well, at least have a word with the governor.

If he finds out... Do that either, can I?

OK.

But I think I'd better come with you.

I'd appreciate that.

Ten to one, Steve changed his mind. You sure?

Well snuffed.

Mrs Ford?

Hello, Philip. Is Steve here?

No. No, he's not here. He said he was going to the library when we left

What about your parents? Are they in?

No. My dad's away on business. Mum's at the hairdresser's.

This is Sergeant Barrett.

You won't mind if I come in, will you?

Well, I'm meeting Ford.

Do your parents know that you're watching this filth?

No. Of course not.

What do you think they'll say when I tell them?

Not a lot, I shouldn't think. You speak for yourself.

Mine'll kill me.

You think yours won't, do you?

Well, the tape belongs to my father.

It'd be a bit hypocritical of him to have a go at me, wouldn't it? And your

mother?

They'd probably watch it together.

Do you know that you could be in a lot of trouble?

Pornography is illegal.

Well, you'll have to talk to my father about that.

Please, Mrs Forbes, don't tell my parents.

My dad'll go bananas. Don't whine, Freddie. There's nothing she can do. I

like your attitude, Philip, and I don't understand it either.

You're my son's friend. You've been a guest in my house on several occasions.

Now, you show some respect, or I'll show you what I can and can't do.

At least Freddie here knows that what he's doing is wrong.

Well, right or wrong, it's just a matter of geography, isn't it? Listen, you.

You change your attitude fast and treat Mrs Falls with respect, or you'll have

me to deal with.

Got it?

Got it?

Well, how do you expect me to be?

I mean, you obviously knew about this.

Your son, Steve, my so -called mate, grasped us, right? He most certainly did

not. I happened to overhear you on the phone last night trying to persuade

to come round here today, and I wasn't eavesdropping either. So don't let me

hear you blaming Steve.

He is your friend.

So God knows I'm beginning to wonder why.

So what happens now?

First... I can't escape you. I don't think you can do that, Mrs Forbes. Not

without a warrant. I've already done it.

And secondly, I shall be speaking to both your parents.

I told you, my father's way on board. Your mother, then. Please, Mrs Forbes,

don't tell my parents.

Please.

Following your case, Freddie, I may reconsider.

But as you say that this tape belongs to your father, with apparently your

mother's knowledge, I shall most definitely be speaking to her. I shall

myself. Fine.

I'd be very interested in her reaction.

If she wants to contact me first, I shall be either at the station or at

Oh, gee.

Something I said?

No, no, it's not done yet.

No?

Any developments while we've been up?

Yeah, we've managed to trace the owner of the motor.

It wasn't easy. The geezer he bought it off is still a registered owner.

Our man hadn't bothered to re -register it after he bought it. Must have slipped

his mind, I suppose.

That's why there's so much agro -location.

Who, Jimmy? Who?

Oh, yeah, sorry.

No, William Groves.

Got for him. Nothing heavy.

Last known address, 16 Richmond Avenue, Islington.

I was just wondering if our lady wanted us to flap round there and see if he's

at home.

Do you think he will be? No.

Well, neither do I.

Tell her I'd better have a word with her.

Right. How are the two we nick -shaping up?

Nothing. Just got them roasting down ourselves.

The one that was screaming for a break?

Well, we got in touch with the geezer she stuck up.

He wouldn't allow us to go out of place, so I told him they were being charged,

held overnight for the magistrates in the morning, or he'll apply for remand

custody. All right? Well, didn't he want to know the name of his client?

He asked.

I told him she was keeping a stum on that.

He didn't seem to mind.

Yeah, he probably knows it's an old client, doesn't want to declare it, but

had a chat to him.

Yeah. We steady try and get in. It's not easier at court in the morning.

Terrific. If that's the strength of her brief, we've got it made.

Our forensics have got plenty of prints, but they'll let us know. Right.

How's it going?

Pretty good so far.

No problems, then?

You didn't look too happy.

Ah, I will.

Swimming, isn't it?

Emotional.

He'll realise the car will lead us to him.

So he'll probably keep out the way for a bit.

Till I was at least.

Still.

Perhaps you and Jimmy better go and have a look.

He could be stupid enough.

And Ruff will want to know why we didn't if we don't.

And that's not all he'll want to know.

If you've made a rick over that.

Then what did she say?

Well, not a lot, really.

Just that you can either phone her at the station or get her later at home.

Well, I'll certainly speak to someone.

Yes, yes, Mrs Shevington.

Yes, of course.

Yes, I do understand.

Leave it with me. I'll look into it and I'll get back to you, all right?

Goodbye.

I want a word with you in my office now.

So what the hell do you think you were doing?

I thought I was doing the right thing.

I thought I was doing my duty, both as an officer and a responsible parent.

That's what I thought I was doing. Duty?

You were in the middle of interrogating prisoners. You shooed off, committed an

act which is at best a breach of discipline. And it worked?

You entered Mrs. Shervington's house without permission, without a warrant,

confiscated property. Property?

A pornographic film? Property which you had no legal right to take. No legal

right or status.

Look, if an officer believes a criminal act has taken place, surely that's all

the legal statements we need to enter anywhere. Well, what do you think? We

just walk in anywhere on a whim, a fancy, a suspicion, or simply because of

moral outrage? That's not entirely unknown to the force, sir. If this woman

chooses to take legal action, believe me, that's what she's talking about, you

could be in serious trouble.

It could mean your suspension while we conduct an internal inquiry.

This is an articulate, intelligent woman with radical views, feels very strongly

about having her privacy invaded. What's more, is prepared to do something about

it.

Look, sir, I know that the laws governing obscenity are a mess, but

something.

I'm not sure of the exact wording, but something about publishing obscene

material to a third party.

And this film is being transmitted on her television to a third party, an

underage third party at that. Now, surely it's we who've got the case and

her. And considering your action in obtaining the evidence, how far do you

we'd succeed in getting that into a court of law?

You've even involved a junior officer. You put him at risk as well as yourself.

That's to say nothing of the reputation of this squad and the field day the

Liberal Brigade will have screaming about police malpractice. If you don't

me saying so, isn't that rather overstating it somewhat?

I don't think it is.

This is just the sort of petty incident that can get blown out of all proportion

by the press because it's got that magic publicity ingredient sex.

So what are you saying, that we should just forget it?

I'm not saying that at all. We might not be allowed to forget it.

Well, can't you see? You've put me in a very invidious position.

Only two ways I can deal with it. I can wait for Mrs. Shervington to make an

official written complaint, then follow procedure, almost certain to lead to

your suspension, or, and this is strictly off the record, I can pretend

conversation hasn't taken place, give you an opportunity to return the tape,

hope Mrs. Shervington will accept your apology.

I can't apologize to him. My God, I'm the one who's morally in the right. The

moral argument doesn't come into it. He's so hypocritical.

I'm trying to do you a favor.

Oh, Maggie, come on, try.

D .I. Croft.

Who?

Hang on a minute.

Yeah.

That's no good, Wayne. He's gone and got himself a nick.

Oh, no.

Well, that's all I need.

All right, what for and when?

Burglary, last night. They're holding him at Shepherd's Bushnick.

Burglary? Well, that's nice, isn't it? I thought you said a bit of petty.

The way he does it, it is.

So what's happening? He's asking for me.

Who's been charged with it?

Ah, Diaz Green.

All right, you shoot off. I'll give the governor over there a buzz.

Perhaps we can sort something up.

Best we can hope for is a bit of bail. Don't tell your man that we need it.

Right. I'll put him on a promise.

I didn't hear that.

Could be hiding under the bed.

No. I had a look.

Yes.

Hello, Mrs Shervington.

I'm Mrs Forbes.

Inspector Forbes. Steve's mother.

Oh, yes.

Do come in.

Thank you.

I've been expecting you.

Please come through.

Do sit down.

Yes.

Can I get you a drink?

Oh, thank you. It's a little early in the day for me.

Yes, I suppose it would be.

What did you mean when you said you'd been expecting me?

Oh, did I say that?

I simply meant I was expecting someone from the station.

So, you're Steve's mother?

We have met, actually.

Oh, we have?

Yes, at the school one evening.

Yes. I remember now.

Steve tells me he's studying hard for his O -levels.

Yes. As is Philip.

I do think education is so important.

All kinds of education, wouldn't you agree? I'll play games, Mrs Shervington.

You know why I'm here.

Well, I'm not absolutely sure that I do.

Is it as a mother or a policewoman?

I'm both.

All the time.

Separating the two isn't easy.

Oh, how dreary for you.

I also play two roles, a wife and a mother, but I manage to accommodate the

quite comfortably.

Look, Mrs Shervington... Oh, come.

I mean, our sons are such close friends. Surely we needn't be so formal.

You're Margaret, or do you prefer Maggie?

And please... I don't think the occasion calls for cosy informality.

Oh, I see now that you do have difficulty separating your roles.

Very well, Mrs Forbes.

What exactly is the occasion?

You know perfectly well why I'm here.

Well, surely they haven't sent you to inquire about yourself.

Why did you ring my boss and not me?

Well, one hardly telephones the offender when one is the offended, Mrs. Forbes.

Don't you think that you offended your son's mind by allowing him to what? I

not allow. Condone, then. Not that.

He took the tape from my husband's desk without permission from either of us.

But then you'd know that, wouldn't you, after your accidental eavesdropping?

Where's Philip now?

Pictures. A used certificate, I believe.

Oh, come on.

I mean, all this radiating moral indignation.

Anyone would think those two young boys had been out granny -bashing instead of

peacefully watching something that comes quite naturally and probably dream

about in all their waking hours anyway.

Is that how you came by your sex education, Mrs Shervington?

No.

I had to learn the repressed way.

All those dreadful hang -ups for years.

Well, I don't have any hang -ups.

And I didn't have to watch perversions to get that way either.

Perversions? People enjoy sex together.

And in case you haven't seen it, that's all you'll find on the tape, which you

illegally confiscated from my home. It is a pornographic film, Mrs.

Shervington. No.

A pornographic film is John Wayne dropping napalm on gooks, and you can

in Cinemascope at your local cinema.

Or the police clubbing to death an innocent protester.

That's pornographic, Mrs Ford. My husband was a police officer and he was

murdered. Shot to death by thugs during an armed robbery.

A decent man sent me doing his duty to protect the public. Is that

Most certainly.

But you do take my point... No.

No, I do not take your point.

You know, in my job I see more than my fair share of the disgusting aspects of

the human condition.

so I'm not easily shocked.

I've met plenty like you, cosseted in their cosy, expensive, white Anglo

ghettos, having meaningful conversations over twee little dinner parties.

So sophisticated and liberal -minded in their criticism of the system over the

patio de foie gras.

What can we do for the downtrodden worker during the main course?

Deploring racism over the pudding when they'd rather drop dead than have a

family actually move in next door to them. And all safe in the knowledge that

the system, particularly the policing part of it, is, if nothing else, geared

protect your lifestyle and your privileges more than anyone else.

And all of you smiling indulgently while the kids are upstairs smoking pot with

their friends. Well, let's face it, darling, I mean, at least it doesn't

you cancer or destroy the liver.

Don't you think you're... I met you in the morgue.

identifying the pitiful remains of your child dead from drugs while still in his

teens, weeping in bewilderment when I tell you we found your runaway daughter

rotten with venereal disease because she'd been on the game for the last year

and making porno films because Mummy thought it was cool to let children do

their own thing.

You know, you talk so glibly about freedom of choice.

Freedom to say, see, hear what one likes.

But God forbid that you should bear any of the responsibility for what that

degree of freedom causes in human misery. Oh, no.

That's the fault of the system too, isn't it?

Well, I... I think...

The best thing you can do with the tape, Mrs. Forbes, is to keep it.

You can destroy it, if you like.

Very boring, anyway.

But it turns my husband on, and one must be grateful for that, if nothing else.

If any of your colleagues come asking questions, I'll simply say, what tape?

That's not why I'm here. Yes, I know.

You just made that abundantly clear.

I really appreciate that, Mr Croft.

I thought I was in shtook there, my life. You're still in shtook, Charlie.

you've got is a drop of bail so far.

Yeah, but you'll be giving me a bit of help, won't you? That's not going to be

easy now, is it? I mean, as things stand, it's out of my hands.

Come on, you've got me out on bail.

You must have some ball.

Nothing to do with me, Charlie. It's my governor you've got to thank for that.

And I think there's only one way for you to do that.

Sweet as a nut, far as I can tell.

Hope you didn't promise him anything we can't deliver.

Oh, no.

If he wants to believe he's unfavourable, what can I do about it?

The thing is, he'll be giving evidence for us before his case comes up in

That's the main thing.

So, Maggie, how did it go?

I'm not sure.

But Mrs Sherrington won't be making any more fuss.

Good. Yes, sir.

Pentland Barrett. Got a nice surprise for you. You'll find him in the number

interview room.

Right.

Oh, well, Billy Groves and Christine Adams, ma 'am.

How do you manage it?

Fingerprints obliged.

The girl has fallen.

Still at her last address.

Groves was hiding in the cupboard.

It wasn't hard.

And they've been cooperating.

Seems like the day for it.

Eh?

Jake, do you have it for me?

Sure.

Anything.

You handle it.

Charges, what have you.

I've had it up to here for one day.

I'm going home.

OK.