Original subtitles

From the Lomot Lake, to the ocean breeze, to the damp, and to the rail of

City.

We come from the sun to live in the cold, I miss Mirama, want my coconut

Let's keep the music street, wind up the awareness field.

Lee, you planning to drink that or sell it as emulsion?

Keeps it sparkling in my eyes, Des. Look, one part blackcurrant, one part

orange, and two parts lemonade.

You should try this. No, I stick to this, thank you very much. One part

one part lager, and one part lager.

You were doing well. This was supposed to be my round.

Well, I told you about my contact up north, didn't I? You know that take

-pick shipment?

Take your picture, man. Yeah, you don't know what you're going to get until you

open the box.

Well, he's come up chumps again for me last week. Look, all of this, Spons, is

pure profits, mate. Well,

that's why I call this meeting.

Oh, nice office, this. Well, you know, Charlie, she doesn't appreciate

entrepreneurs like you and me.

Too right she don't, eh?

Now, look at this one.

This is a Japanese computerised book. I shifted the old lot in one go.

There's a book?

Yeah. Believe me, Des, one of these days, right, everything they've ever had

Star Trek, we'll have. Star Trek?

You won't catch me wearing them crimpling trousers or them plastic ones.

Des, this is the future, mate. The CD of the 90s.

I haven't even exchanged my 70s with the 60s yet.

Your 50 -pain punters cannot be wrong.

Listen, about this next shipment, you remember you said you'd give me a part

the action?

Yeah, I thought you said you were a skint, though.

Well, I'm not.

I'm coming into a little bit of money.

Oh, yeah? You planning to rummage under Pork Pie's mattress?

No, no. You see, um... Eight weeks

ago... I

have to talk to you!

Have you got a watch where you're stepping?

I'm not even through the door yet, and he's done.

Better you sit down.

Thank you, Shirley.

It's my daughter, Merlene.

Oh, my God.

I don't see her for a whole year. And today, she turn up on my doorstep and

me she getting married in two months' time. She not done.

Only thing Merlene expecting is for cut -button me to pay for the wedding of the

century. Well, you never know, Beverly. You might just find your picture in the

society Bible.

Hello. Or the West Indian equivalent. What?

Where am I going to find the money to pay for everything?

The wedding dress she have her eye on? Have a train longer than the Orient

Express. Don't look at me, Beverly. I don't have two pennies to rub together.

I don't even have a rub to rub together.

You think Michael will loan me a loan?

Nope. Beverly, these days one has to have collateral.

Well, I've got that. And the doctor says it's not good for nothing.

Maybe I can ask Marlene to ask Michael.

I always thought he had a soft spot for her. Yes, probably the swamp in his

backyard. Are you saying my Marlene isn't good enough for your Michael?

good cat, you know. Yes, so is the red mullet, but I don't want my son walking

up the aisle with one of them.

My only daughter getting married.

You know anybody running a partner?

Sorry, Beverly, I don't. It's a long time since I've been in a partner.

Excuse me, what does he mean?

You mean you don't know what a partner is?

A cowboy's friend.

What's the best way to explain a partner to Matthew?

It's the West Indian Savings and Loan System, Matt. It's otherwise known as

box stand.

It got started in the 50s when West Indians first came over, and the banks

a bit reluctant to organise loans for us.

and cutting black people's hair too long.

So, I see. It's like a Christmas club.

Yes, Matthew. Only this can take place at any time of the year. Yeah. Bev, why

don't you start a partner?

Yeah, Bev. Then he can get the first drop of money and be able to pay for

Merlin's dress straight away.

Beverly, run a partner. She can run a bath.

I've run a partner before, Desmond, and it was a success.

But you only have five people in that one. You can't go wrong with five

So what? I still made a success of it. Vin, you were in my partner.

Yes, and she did a damn good job.

And you only don't cut his hair too close. You're sniffing away at his

So, if I start a new one, you'll all join?

I still don't know how it works.

Look.

Every Friday, you have to give Beverly your money. Say, 20 pounds.

Say, you must be mad.

Now, we want something to represent 20 pounds. What about... My red mullet!

Fine, yes, each of you take one.

That's your 20 pounds.

I can't see the queen putting her head on this.

It sounds rather fishy to me.

On Friday, you each have to give Beverly your 20 pounds. Without fail.

There you go, catch.

Oh, Desmond.

Poor pie.

Hard, no money. Can I give you a run?

A run?

A later run.

Okay, he taught it to me. Just give me the money.

She's good.

Hey, I bet paid on time.

Now, come Saturday, whoever's turn it is gets the payout.

Desmond, here's your drop.

loads of money.

Now, we repeat the same thing every week until everybody's had a drop. What

could be simpler?

Your drop, your drop, your drop.

So, who is going to be in my partner?

Basically, it's like one gigantic piggy bank with Beverly as the pig.

I'll join if Desmond joins.

So will I, can't mean.

I will.

So, Desmond, What about it?

Well, I'll have to mull it over.

So my drop's tomorrow.

400 pounds.

So, when's our next shipment?

Now, my next shipment is tonight, Dad. But you'll miss the boat on that one,

mate. Well, put in some in the mine and I'll pay you back tomorrow when I get my

partner.

But not a word to Shirley about this.

Now I'm going to kick myself for this.

All right, then, go on.

Lee, you're a gentleman and a lady.

I'm in the money.

I'm in the money.

I'm in the money and I don't know all the words.

This wouldn't have anything to do with today being Saturday, would it? And

Saturday being partner money day.

Of course not.

Ah, Beverly, how nice to see you.

Let me help you.

Surely your husband gone, Matt? What do you mean, gone?

Come and sit down, my dear. Do sit down.

And, um, how are the arrangements for Merlene's wedding coming along?

Well, I know it's not asking you asking. Good.

But I'll tell you all the same.

Since the girl mentioned she getting married, my head hasn't stopped buzzing.

Yours is not the only one.

She's doubled the guest list to get twice as many presents, and her latest

brainwave is to have prawns for starters and salmon as the main course. What has

Cuthbert got to say about it?

He can't understand why we don't have red mullet for starters and red mullet

the main dish.

You are always the sophisticate, our Cosmo.

I thought you were being nice to me.

Oh, well, look, take this. Let me put your legs up right here.

Can sir do anything else for madam?

Can you roll over and play dead?

I am getting the respect. I've been to all these years.

And I'm talking about partner.

Who's talking about partner?

I knew there was something about this.

Oh, don't be silly. I am always cordial to you, eh, partner?

So, where you get him from?

I can't flex package.

Why is it people only want to know me when I'm paying out money?

Merlene and her wedding?

You and...

What is the matter?

I'm sure I put it in the side of my bag.

No, that's right. I put it in my purse.

No, I took it out my purse and I put it at the bottom of the bag.

You planning to feed the 5 ,000?

I'm cooking a little soup for Cotbutt. It's good for his chest.

Then we look for the money!

I was wondering how long it'll take you to turn back into Dr. Jekyll.

Looks like your mind's eye needs glasses.

I see.

No, it's the middle of summer.

Then again, I can also see the sun.

You surely don't see a hurricane brewing?

Are you going to find your money or not?

I could see it.

I could taste it.

You want to retrace your steps.

That's a good idea. Beverly, Gloria, go back into every shop you went into on

the way here.

Tony, check if it's been handed in at the police station.

Yeah, OK, TC.

This was she.

What are you doing?

I'm retracing my steps.

Oh, yeah? And there's me thinking you were moonwalking.

I tell you what, Desmond and I will check all the pubs. Right, Desmond? Yes,

Popeye. Well, maybe later, Popeye. Hurry up, man. I'm thirsty.

Des, have you got a minute?

Oh, Lee, Lee, it's all right. Go on.

Desmond and I don't have any secrets between us, do we, Desmond? Please.

Well, Des, it's about Ron.

Ron?

Yeah.

Big bloke. Why, he's about... 400 pounds.

That's one big run.

Well, I'm sure Ron isn't in a hurry for, um... In a hurry for what?

He's urgently waiting for his mate Spon to pay him a visit show.

Well, he'll have to wait a little longer for Spon because Spon has not come yet

from here.

What kind of name is Spon?

It's a nickname show. I mean... You've heard of the Fonz from happy days.

What is the Sponz from nowadays?

Well, Des? Well, Des, what?

Have you got the money I put into you so little thing?

You put money into one of Lee's venture?

Well, Shirley, I know what you're thinking, but... Good. Then you must

you're a damn fool as well.

Darling, this is a sure thing.

Desmond, the last sure thing you put your money on...

Hasn't even come out of his kennel yet.

Trust me, Lee, you'll get the money today, but at the end of the day.

No later.

No problem.

Oh, by the way, what did we get for that shipment?

Yes, Lee, go on. Tell us. We'd die into hear what it is gonna make you a Desmond

Peckham's latest millionaire.

I haven't got any on me.

Yes, but what is it?

It's not those Japanese computerized books.

But what is it?

How can I... Vases.

Vases? You mean like in vases?

Excuse me.

You sure you could sell them?

Yes, sure.

They'd be all the rage.

They'd be all the rage.

Lee, I want to work with you. It wouldn't happen to be about vases, would

Just come from your store.

Come and sell me one of your many Andy and Fergie vases.

I thought this would be a perfect present for my auntie Salome back home.

She is something of a collector of royal souvenirs.

Anyway, on my way here, I had a proper look and noticed that instead of reading

the Duke and Duchess of York, it reads the Duke and Duchess of Pork.

pounds into auntie and Fergie vases. You need your royal head examined.

Sorry, but I didn't. Use your brain. I know.

I ain't putting my money into this. Hang on a sec, Des. You can't back out now.

I've already put in the money for you. But you led me to believe that. Des,

trust me. They're going to go by the truckload.

But they were married years ago.

Auntie.

Memorabilia.

Matthews? Yes.

One.

Oh, look, Des.

These sort of things, they don't go well in the morning. These are afternoon

sellers. Lee, I'm still waiting for my refund.

Matthew, I've got a big sign saying no refundable goods.

Where? In my van.

Look, just for you, right? When you send it to your aunt in the Gambia, if she's

not happy with it... and she returns it within 14 days of purchase, I'll give

you a full refund.

Less post, less package, less the money you paid for it. Good, done, sold,

result.

It's all a matter of salesmanship.

That's much.

Have a present.

It's an antique.

Oh, Lord.

You're sure you look everywhere?

Yes. I even went back home and reconstructed getting out of bed.

You mean to say you lose my money and still find time for a nap?

Desmond, how do you expect me to remember where I left the money when you

on raising your voice?

All right, I'll try to jog your memory.

collect money from everyone in the street and you get your 400 pounds then,

Desmond who's lost his money. Bad brain.

No, Matthew. The point is, if the partners lose their confidence in

then they won't go on putting their 20 pounds in. Everything will fall apart

nobody gets their money.

I see.

But personally, I think you're in trouble.

Sorry. Anybody else is concerned this has not happened, all right? Yes.

Well, yes.

You mean I can't cut out her gizzard and hang her head in a pole outside?

I think she may have remembered where she put the money.

Going somewhere, Beverly?

I was trying to find the door.

Why? You lost that as well?

It's a kelp we're looking for this morning.

Get to the back of the queue.

I hear Beverly lost the partner money.

Well, how, where you hear that so quickly?

I hear it through the grapevine. Marvin Gate? No,

just about every shop in Peckham that Beverly go hunting in. We want the

money we put in. Well, I don't know what you're talking about, Vince, but

I get my partner money this morning.

Yeah? Sonny's already put it into a venture with Lee, haven't you, Desmond?

be careful of putting into Lee. He's telling a whole heap of stupidness on

stall.

Right, if this is all sorted, we can clear the air.

You're lying.

Look, I am sick and tired of people coming into my shop making silly

accusations. If I was lying, you think I'd let Beverly hide behind me? No.

I would grab her by the shoulder and shake her until she remembered.

I would be screaming at her, what have you done with my money? But I am

not.

Any complaints?

You? You?

You, Vince?

No, Beverly is an example to us all of times gone by. As a matter of fact, in

the old days, if you ran a partner, the person getting the drop... would hand

the banker some drinks money for a thankless task. And to show you how

Desmond is with Beverly, he's promised her some drinks money.

Ah? You have?

It's a good thing.

How much have I promised you, Beverly, for a job well done? Five pounds?

No, 25 pounds.

25 pounds?

Why, be generous.

I just said you weren't taking it from the tin.

And I'm certainly not taking it from the tin.

She was as generous as me when you get your partner dropped.

Now, does anybody want a haircut so I can make some money?

Good. Is this the time?

Got to go.

Mind you, I'm glad someone is.

Lee, just this minute, call your name.

Yes, a young businessman turned big -time businessman.

Are you interested in buying a vase, Vince? I can do you a great deal, mate.

Desmond saying give you the 400 pounds partner money.

No, I'll just come and collect it now.

My

partner

money, my partner money, my partner money.

You see, Beverly...

collect the money from earlier and she gave it to me. I give it to Lee and he

invests it in the vases.

So, the money we make, let the money we put in, let Lee's half of the profits is

what he gave to me, my half of the profits. Any questions?

No? Good!

You mean to say that Beverly never lost a part of the money?

I've got a question. Why don't y 'all ask Vince why drag y 'all out here on

wild goose chase?

your shopping. You left your purse at the... At the fishmonger's at Schumert

Road. Oh, it would be the only fishmongers in London we didn't go to,

it? The snow I saw must have been the ice I left it on in the shop. I told you

was going to start the sun.

That was the newspaper I wrapped my red molly to.

This. The £400 you owe me, mate.

And the bad news is the bottom has fallen out of the afternoon

vase market, mate.

So I've lost all my money.

No, I can't. That's the thing to remember, Des. The value of your

go down as well as up.

Oh, Beverly, have I got a bargain for you.

I'd like to hire some of these royal commemorative vases for Marlene's

Uh, 100 vases. Five a table? Let's say five pound a vase, and we'll chuck in

some geraniums. Are we cutting our throats here, Bill?

Marketship!