All language subtitles for The Gentle Touch s02e01 Something Blue

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.