Original subtitles

Here we are, Your Excellency.

The penthouse suite.

You'll find your luggage in your room. Thank you.

This is really most pleasant, Mrs. Gale.

Mellon, don't you agree?

Quite superb, sir, quite.

There's a marvellous view of the city from the terrace.

Ah, Marine Yvancet.

Very good.

With the compliments of the hotel.

We hope you'll enjoy your stay.

We are sure, Mrs. Gale, that with someone as...

Charming as yourself, we shall have a delightful time.

Thank you.

Ali.

Oh, Mellon, get rid of that case. Yes, sir.

And now, Mrs. Gale, the view.

Pardon.

London. It is the most reassuring of cities.

Yes.

There are many places I'd like to visit, but I don't think I'd like to live

anywhere else but here.

We are sure, Mrs. Gale, that everyone feels so about his own country.

Come.

If the food is as breathtaking as that view, my lord, we shall be more than

content. His Excellency prides himself on being something of a gourmet. I don't

think Your Excellency will be disappointed.

All right, my lord, get yourself a drink. Thank you, sir.

We've placed the penthouse kitchens entirely at your disposal. And the three

chefs we've engaged are amongst the finest in the world. Who are they?

Lucien Chapelet, Umberto Equi, and Sebastian Stone Martin.

Umberto Equi? Ah. You've heard of him? His pastas are world famous.

And Lucien Chapelet? He's a pastry cook.

But I don't know this Sebastian Stone Martin.

He's English, Your Excellency, a chef de viande. I think you'll find him

excellent. If you say so, Mrs. Gale.

So, to a pleasant stay.

To a very good health.

Well.

Hey, watch what you do. This much is the value of work. With my neck, huh?

Instant cake mixer.

What do you say, you 19th century spaghetti maker?

Dignity, gentlemen, dignity.

Let us remember where we are.

I know where I am.

London's finest.

Iced water and television in every room, but in here?

Let's go.

To each his own, Lucian.

But, Umberto, do try and keep your wood out of the way. All right, all right,

all right.

Let me introduce you to our new chef de viande.

Sebastian.

Coming, Mr. Abartner.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

And your stove.

Yes, she's a thing of beauty, eh?

She's different.

I'm Lucien Chaplet.

I'm Sebastian Stone -Martin. All right, get on with your work. Now, is the gatto

almost finished?

I still have one or two things to do. Why is he here? He's just arrived.

Well, he left you with. This is very intricate.

Some birthday?

Loyalty. Really?

The emir Abdullah Aqaba, a barrel of oil a second. And at least one bullet a

week. That's one of the hazards of his profession.

Oh, such impatience, I don't understand.

What do you mean, impatience? Well, he's an old man, and he's very sick.

No, I'm virtual.

That's backstairs gossip.

All right, so you tell me why he's here, huh? A simple checkup. Yeah, with Dr.

Spender, one of the world's best hospices. Well, he can afford the best.

He may need the best.

Oh, really?

Same old pantomime.

Now, would you tell the Emir that Sir Ralph Spender is here and would like to

see him?

How nice to see you again.

Brigadier.

I'm sorry about Ali, but as you know, we can't be too careful. Well, you seem to

forget that my job is to keep the emir alive. Yes, of course. Well, how is he,

by the way?

See for yourself.

Very good, your Excellency.

Ah, our dear Spender.

How nice.

It's always a pleasure to see your Excellency. And a surprise.

And now you're being unkind.

This is Mrs. Gale. She is what the hotel calls our social director, Sir Ralph

Spencer. How do you do?

Mrs. Gale.

Sir Ralph and his fellow practitioners have been prophesying my death for

but we still manage to defy them.

And more power to you for it. But I do think... Well, don't.

I'll tell you when to be professionally grave.

Mellor, glass of champagne for the doctor.

For you, Mrs. Gale? No, thank you.

Your Excellency.

Brandy, of course.

Mrs. Gale, we should like to see the chefs.

Yes, of course, Your Excellency. If you'll excuse me, I'll fetch them.

Spender, bring your drink and come and see this view. It really is superb.

It's rather a stiff one, isn't it? I'm afraid that's the way he likes them.

You shouldn't, you know.

So you have been telling us for years.

And so has your religion.

Well, what is it?

A recurrence of the old trouble?

I am afraid so.

Then why the devil didn't you come and see me earlier?

And raise the alarm, Doctor.

We would rather die.

A vintage burgundy in the company of a beautiful woman. And it birthed Bugino.

That's my recipe for a pearly meal.

Now we'll let that get on with it for a little while, eh?

Where were you before you come here?

Maria Cristina in Mexico City.

You know it?

Langostinos con mantequilla. That's it. Crepe is cooked in butter.

Ah, delicious.

Served with a good dry French wine.

Perhaps Chevalier Montrachet 52, eh?

Exactement. Gentlemen, gentlemen.

We are to be presented to the emir. The cake is not ready yet.

Oh. Will it be long?

One minute, maybe two.

Well, while we're waiting, Mr. Arbuthnot, I might as well tell you how

routine is going to work.

Now, the menus will be planned a day in advance, and the various cuts of meat,

fish, and so on selected will be kept in the food locker in your office until

required. And the lock and key, of course.

You think I may be going to a steel estate, huh?

The cupboard must be kept locked, I'm afraid, but I'm sure the key will always

be available to you. Yes, I shall have it.

And incidentally, Mrs. Gale, please feel free to use my office as and when you

wish. Thank you.

Now, the dishes must be prepared without the assistance of any other member of

the kitchen staff.

And when the dish is ready, it must be shown to you, Mr. Arbuthnot, before it

goes to the Emir's table.

Oh, yes, I shall supervise everything.

But why all this nonsense, Mrs. Gale?

Order some batter.

Now, umber.

Royal personages.

are entitled to the utmost courtesy and consideration.

Yeah, what you mean is, if he eats a piece of their cake and then dies, we'll

know who's to blame, eh?

Oh, really, you talk as though someone were trying to poison him.

Well, they haven't done too well with bullets, have they?

Eh, voila!

Here, what the devil?

What was

this for?

For me.

Are you sure it was not meant for me? Oh, of course not.

Then why be so superstitious?

I don't like to advertise the fact that I suffer from heartburn.

It doesn't encourage my patients to have any confidence in me.

Look here, if your heavy -fisted guard is going to bless me any further, you

get yourself another doctor.

Then let us see if one will be necessary.

Vigilance is unfortunately necessary.

We live under the constant threat of assassination.

Well, your politics are no concern of mine. No.

Only my health.

Mrs. Gale? Your Excellency, I have the chef's waiting.

May I present Mr. Arbuthnot, our master chef.

Your Excellency.

And what is your speciality?

Poisson. Sole à la normand.

A good bouillabaisse?

Of course, Your Excellency. Good.

And you are?

Sebastian Stone Martin, Your Excellency, Chef de Viande.

Canard à l 'orange.

And Faison à la longue dossière. Ah, that we must have.

As Your Excellency pleases.

And you are Umberto Equi?

Yes, Your Excellency. Cassagna, Calerone, Ravioli.

Vertuccine, Tagliatelle. Ah, delicious.

Your Excellency. Yes, Doctor? Might I suggest that you confine yourself to a

light diet until I have completed my examination?

Well, gentlemen, it must be as the Doctor commands.

What is this?

A small token of our high esteem, Your Excellency. But this is magnificent.

The work of an artist.

Lucien Chapelet.

I congratulate you. Merci, Monsieur.

It is permitted.

I don't think that that could cause any irreparable harm.

A knife, then.

Who has a knife?

Your Excellency.

Oh, hello, Mrs. Gale.

Hello, Josie. What are you doing here?

What if Mr. Abel's not?

He's still out in the penthouse.

Did you want something?

No, well, you see, I've run out of silver polish, so I need a bit more.

What about all this?

Ah, yeah, but I wouldn't want to take that without asking, now, would I?

No, I'm sure you wouldn't.

Here.

I'll take full responsibility.

Thanks.

Enjoying yourself?

I'm having a marvellous time.

Checking off foodstuffs in the kitchen is something I've always wanted to do.

Ah.

It's fascinating, especially when you know it's in the national interest.

All right, then. That's why I asked you to take on the job. You were very

convincing.

Middle East ferment, balance of power, essential oil supplies for the Western

world. And a new contract being negotiated by the British government.

And what was that last piece de resistance, the touching bit, about the

man fighting a lone battle? I wasn't joking. He is alone. He's surrounded by

enemies. I'm not surprised.

He's an ill -tempered, vain, selfish old devil. His personality isn't important.

Ah, but he's all well. Now, look here.

This thing could blow up in our faces if he's assassinated.

That's not likely to happen with laughing boy around.

Arlie? You know what happened to Spender?

Yeah, you can't even take an aspirin in the royal presence without being

suspected of assassinating him.

Hey, come on. We'd better keep going.

Go.

Stoke Martin.

Where'd you get that name?

I got it from a bird.

Take this to the kitchen. Deliver it to Lucia. No one else, remember? To Lucia.

Now, gentlemen, this evening, if excellency, we'll take vichyssoise, a

bonfemme, a small filet mignon, medium, Sebastian.

Yes, Mr. Abbottman. A salad with a rock -poor dressing, which I shall prepare,

and a crepe Suzette.

No pasta, no ravioli. An intelligent man, the emir.

Right.

Now, if you'll come with me, I'll give you the various ingredients.

All right, Mrs. Gale?

Yes, it's all there, Mr. Albert Knott. You've got tonight's menu?

Just starting.

Good. The key's in the door. Thank you very much.

Right.

Oh, thank you, Annie.

Josie. Oh, wait a minute.

Take this, will you, Josie?

Oh, Lucienne, I take.

Oh, well, sue yourself.

Down there.

Oh, are you a penalty? We're there.

Well, that's where he works. You can leave it there. It's okay.

So what's the matter? Something wrong with him? Oh, all right. You can leave

there. You'll get it.

All this fuss for a lousy cake.

Hey, Roberto.

Roberto wants me. I'm on my break. Okay? No, no, no. First, you come here. Come

here.

Here. You clean that.

All right.

Kill disaster.

Kill disaster.

Who brought this down here?

Dead man.

What man?

Dead man from the Emir.

Where's the cover?

Jersey's got it. I told her to clean it. You take what?

It was dirty.

You had no right. The cake was right. Look, they ate all they was, so what's

matter? You had no right to do that to me. Oh, never, never. I don't do

for you again. Never, never, never.

There, now it's covered. Now you have it.

I've taken enough from you, you, you, you, you, you.

Temperament, temperament, please.

Shut up.

Shut up, please. There was a lousy cake anyway. Now look here, Umberto. We

cannot keep having these temperaments. Fingers, fingers, please.

Lucian, I want a word with you.

Now look, I know it was horribly mean of him, but you mustn't take it to heart,

Lucian. Why not? It was my cake. It should not interfere. Now, look.

There's work to be done.

The M .E .S. dinner.

Miller.

Sir?

What time is our appointment with Spender? Ten o 'clock tomorrow morning,

Excellency.

Then a good night's sleep would be politic.

This view is even more magnificent by night.

We recommend it to you, Mellor.

Solitude is good for the soul.

Good night, Your Excellency.

Once a day, His Excellency has decided to have grapefruit chauffeur. Yes.

Cannelloni. Uh -huh.

A salad with a thousand island dressing. Yes.

And flambé bananas.

Yes.

Where's Lucien? He went to the... He went to the bakery, Mr. Abadnod. Oh,

really? This is most inconsiderate of him. And how am I to issue the supplies

if... Bananas, Mr.

Abadnod. It's all right. Oh, later, Josie, later. No, this is important.

forget. I happen to be in the middle of a staff meeting. Yeah, but somebody's

broken into the cleaning room. I don't... They've what?

Yeah, last night it must have been broken.

What's missing?

Nothing, I don't think.

Don't you know, girl? No.

I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me, Mrs. Gale. Yes, of course.

What about the supplies, Mr. Abernoth?

Oh, yes.

Would you mind, Mrs. Gale?

I shall probably be all morning. No, don't.

Go on, girl.

Well and well, girl.

What can I supply you with?

Later, Mrs. Cairnfest. I've got to light my oven.

It seems strange someone broke into the cleaning room without taking anything.

There's nothing to take. It's just the room where they clean things.

Then why did they break in?

Doctor's orders, Your Excellency.

You had to drink this as soon as you got back from the hospital.

I'd tentatively planned on going to the theatre this evening with some friends.

May I have your permission?

No!

Your Excellency... Dispose of this!

We might reconsider.

Certainly, sir.

X -rays, blood tests, cardiographs.

It's not a problem, Melorov, holding our country together.

The difficulty is holding this.

We should have drunk that.

The doctor ordered it.

It was your duty to see that we did.

Why did you not do so?

But, Your Excellency... Are you all I have said, or are you not?

How many will there be for dinner tonight, Your Excellency?

Miller, what did you say just now?

Your Excellency?

About going out.

I said I'd like to be gone all the evening, sir.

Very well, Miller.

You may go.

Thank you, sir.

All right.

That is all.

Yes, Mrs. Gale.

It seems I shall be dining alone this evening.

Very good, Your Excellency.

How did it go this morning?

Oh, much as I expected.

It's a very sick man, you know.

You knew that before you made the test, didn't you? Oh, yes, yes. He's been ill

for years.

What exactly is wrong with him?

Well, it might be easy to tell you what isn't wrong with him.

The trouble is, he won't look after himself. I mean, he wouldn't even

He would have died years ago if it hadn't been for Mellor.

Mellor's half English, isn't he?

Yes, from his father.

Do you know Mellor was on the staff when I first attended the old boy? That was

years ago.

How he sticks it, I really don't know. The M here treats him abominably.

Excuse me. Yes, of course.

Doctor? It's not good, sir.

We didn't expect it to be.

Well, there have been instances of marked deterioration during the last

What instances?

Well, the condition of your arteries, for example, and the liver.

And what does the good doctor recommend?

More of that foul -tasting concoction we were supposed to take this morning?

We were supposed to take?

We had Melo throw it away.

You know, I don't much mind wasting my time with you. I've known you a good

years.

But you're throwing away your life, my friend. You need rest.

Why don't you abdicate? Let one of your sons take over.

Heavens above, you've got enough of them.

You are forgetting something, Doctor.

While we live.

We rule.

That is the law in our country.

Then your reign is drawing rapidly to its close.

A bulletin will shortly be issued stating that after

extensive medical examinations,

His Excellency the Emir Abdullah Aqaba has been pronounced physically fit.

What?

Physically fit.

I hope you don't expect me to sign it.

No, Doctor.

It's a political document, not a certificate of health.

So you see, it doesn't matter what you say.

I am fit.

Will you dine with me this evening?

Melor is going out, and I don't much care to be alone.

Besides, we would like to discuss with you these deteriorations.

I should be delighted.

Good.

That is truly disgusting.

What is it, for the cat?

It's for cannelloni, food for the gods.

And for men, not decadent egg -white whippers like yourselves.

That an elephant could make.

This requires genius.

This is for cream puffs like Albert Knott. Oh, it's lovely, Mr.

Lucian. It's beautiful.

You should put the cannelloni on the fire, don't you, Lord?

Ignorant armadizer, one day I'll burn you to a crisp in there. No, no, no, no.

Don't leave all this lying about you, Berto.

Look, in one minute you can put it away. I'm nearly finished.

Where's the key?

You gave it to Mrs. Gale. Oh, yes, of course, sir, I did.

Mr. Abbott, not.

What is there you're having for dinner tonight? A pheasant and a lawn dossier,

and Sebastian will make it.

Suddenly there was none of this imperial weed stuff anymore.

Just a lonely old man, not wanting to be alone.

He's no fraud, you mean.

Mella's always been there. Not tonight. He's going to the theatre.

Is he?

He's being alone, yet despises and distrusts everyone around him. He's as

afraid of them as they are of him.

Yes, but he goes to such ridiculous lengths.

In what way?

Well, he's known Fender for about ten years. Ali always frisks him before

allowing him into the presence.

Well, Ali would frisk his own father.

Yes, but he acts on orders.

Trouble is, he carries them to such ridiculous lengths.

Yesterday, for example, Ali had to bring the cake trolley down to the kitchen.

He would not part with it until he'd handed it over to Lucy. Really?

A gun.

Oh, forgive me, Mrs Gale. Have you the key to the cupboard?

Oh, yes.

Here it is. Thank you.

By the way, have you seen Sebastian?

Excuse me.

She's in the kitchen.

Sebastian.

Coming, Mr. Arbuthnot.

Anything I can do for you, Mr. Arbuthnot?

What are you doing?

The Emmy is having the phasing this evening.

Good.

Well, was anything taken from the cleaning room?

Not a thing, thank goodness.

I don't mind what they take from the Silverworth storage room. That's not my

responsibility. But the cleaning rooming cupboard is.

Anyway, nothing was taken.

I'm so busy.

Wouldn't be too sure if it was him.

You keep an eye on things. I'm going to go over to Josie. Right.

How's it for you, then?

Are you Josie?

Yes. I've had a good deal about you.

I've been out. Yes, I have. Can you do me a small favour?

That depends what it is, doesn't it?

Yeah. There was a cake tray brought in last evening. Brought in here?

I brought it in.

You did? Where is it? Yeah, it's over here.

I've got everything.

Oh, yeah.

Who are you, then, eh?

I'm the Emya Akabar's grand vizier. What's that?

When did you clean it?

Last night, of course.

Thoroughly? Yeah.

Inside and out?

Mind your own business.

She only started to develop when she took up weightlifting.

Let's end this. Pull in there.

Well, if they're all the same...

All right, all right.

Umberto, we can't keep Warranty waiting, you know. You can't hurry, can you? All

right, let's have it on the tray.

All right, now, is it ready? Let's have a look.

You know, Umberto, these clothes should be changed twice a day. Oh, twice a day,

twice a day.

Now, is it ready?

Now, I'm ready.

Right.

The Emmy is lunch. You great big steaming nit.

Get out, Sebastian.

I'm going to clean this up.

You're kind of lonely, gentlemen.

No, Your Excellency.

Poached eggs?

There was an accident in the kitchen a few minutes ago, Your Excellency. Due

entirely to my negligence.

You're kind of lonely. It was the casualty.

I'm very sorry.

So are we.

You are to prepare the Faison à la Longo Fienne for tonight. Yes, I am, Your

Excellency. My speciality.

Then we shall not pronounce sentence on you for this.

until we have tasted the pheasant.

So your fate is in your own hands. Your Excellency is most generous. Oh, yes,

indeed, Your Excellency. Most generous indeed, Your Excellency. Yes, indeed,

may go, Sebastian.

If you'll excuse me, Your Excellency, I'll give the flambe bananas safe

in the kitchen. That might be wise.

They are coming up, and he is going down.

I wasn't prepared for whiskey.

Something came down from the penthouse in that cake cover.

Too embarrassing?

No, I don't think it was for him.

But wasn't he alone in the kitchen when the trolley came down?

Then it wouldn't have been necessary to have gone in the cleaning room. It could

easily have taken whatever it was in the kitchen.

Who sent it? Well, the trolley was intended for him, but it could just as

be our butt's nut.

Who sent it down?

One of the upstairs brigade.

Now, the point is, what is it?

Poison? Variety.

I have to be tasteless and odorous, otherwise you'd spot it at once. Unless

tastes exactly like something else.

Such as?

Mushrooms.

Mmm. Delicious.

Mellor. Yes, sir? We want this recipe.

Yes, sir.

Well, now, man.

Come with me.

Mmm.

Colonel Looney, was it an accident?

Who can say? It looked like it. Where are the mushrooms now? In Albert Knut's

office, locked in the cupboard. And will they be used tonight?

But of course, Sebastian will need them for the façade.

Good. But the doctor is dining with him tonight.

Then he must die as well.

When do I get my money?

It's not all here. No.

You get the other half when you've removed what remains of the mushrooms.

But that was not in the agreement. It is now.

They must be removed from the cupboard tonight.

How?

I don't care.

No!

The damage will have been done.

Garnished, gentlemen. That's the secret of the Faison à la langue dossier. Now,

the one is prepared separately. Tomatoes and aubergine. The other, chopped

onions, celery and raw ham, is prepared with the bird. Seasoned with a little

salt and pepper.

A tijin of bay leaves.

And a smertz of thyme.

And then you have... Excuse me, please. Thank you very much.

Open up.

And, uh, that's all.

Oh, my dear chap, a part of a gun. There's the other garnish to add, and

the sauces to prepare. When it's all added up, it's hermetically sealed and

allowed to stew in its own juices. And when it's finished?

If you whisper to it nicely, the flesh falls from the bones.

As you would say, stupendissimo.

It transports one out of this world.

You must forgive me, Your Excellency, but I was called to the hospital. It was

an emergency.

We feel sorry for you, Doctor, to have missed such a meal.

I've never tasted a more magnificent pheasant.

It was a masterpiece, Doctor.

Oh? Isn't this against your rules?

Consider them waived temporarily.

I would not.

Join us in a bread.

Oh, your excellency is too kind. I'll have just a drop, feeling festive and

than a little proud.

And so you should. I will say this for you.

You run a magnificent kitchen.

Oh, your excellency.

That meal was a classic, doctor.

One of the finest we remember.

What do you think has happened?

I don't think it is. We said let us in.

But Sir Arthur telephoned me.

What did he say?

He said come up at once, that's all.

I'm in.

What's happened? You see him here? He's collapsed.

Is he dead? I don't know. Is the doctor with him? Yes, he's in there now. He's

been in for quite some time.

He's dead.

What was the cause?

Well, his condition, it might be one of any number of things.

We'll find out tomorrow. There'll be a first mortem.

What's happened?

A few moments ago, the M .A .R. collapsed and died.

It could have happened at any time. You know that.

It doesn't prevent it from being a shock.

We must inform the police.

Yes, of course, but not just for the moment, please.

I'm afraid it's the law.

Mrs. Gale, you must try to understand the situation in our country. It's

extremely delicate.

The succession must be established quickly, and the army move to vantage

to prevent any difficulties.

I don't see how notifying our police can cause difficulties in your country. The

press will be on to this like a shot, and news travels fast. I think the

brigadier's right, you know. I think under the circumstances that we should

leave protocol to him. Thank you, Doctor.

First of all, I must telephone the royal palace at Ebron and break the news to

the emir's eldest son.

Now, that may take some little time.

Then I shall be only too pleased to place myself at your disposal.

Very well.

While I'm waiting to get through, I must ask you all to remain in this

apartment.

Doctor, will you wait in there?

Is this absolutely necessary? I shall prefer it.

You too, Mr. Arbuthnot.

Oh, really, I must protect you. Please don't make my task more difficult than

already is.

Mr. Arbuthnot.

Yes?

Until the exact cause of death has been established, I'll take the key to the

special food locker in your office.

Are you suggesting that I... The key, Mr. Arbuthnot.

Thank you.

Would you like me to go with them? No.

You stay where you are.

Ali, lock that door.

Please.

Now, Ali.

Disconnect the telephone in my room.

You will wait in there.

We don't want overcrowding. Very considerate. Not at all. After all, you

special attention. You prepared the emir's last meal.

Oh, that was a very smooth performance.

Very plausible.

He was quite right. It was perfectly reasonable.

He was quite right to take precautions, too.

And it was logical to phone the palace.

Of course, he might be phoning home to say he pulled it off if the emir was

poisoned. If he was, I've slipped up.

Now, Mella was very anxious to get that key from our bathroom. If that means

they know that the thing is still in the cupboard and they're going to try and

get it out, I'd better get to the kitchen.

It's quite a long way, isn't it?

This is the penthouse.

What's up top?

The main air conditioner units and the penthouse lift motor. I checked them

week. You're a good little girl.

Do you suffer from vertigo?

It's a very good way to find out.

An hour's delay?

Can't you get through quicker than that? This is extremely urgent.

Very well, but please try.

An hour.

Ali, I've got a job for you.

Lucille is going to break into the special food locker in our butler's

for the mushrooms tonight.

You can help him.

Yes. Yes, you've already told me that, but please try again.

Ali.

Here's the key of the food locker.

You get the mushrooms.

Then get rid of Lucien.

No good, Lucien.

I've got them.

Oh, my God.

I'm out of there, you two.

Slowly. And with your hands up.

Ali!

You killed... All right.

Get him out.

You'll go to prison for this assault.

Cutting to what you'll get for murder.

Sebastian, this will have to be reported. It will indeed, Mr. Abarthman.

dear.

Well, I can hardly believe that, Mrs. Gale.

Is this true, Mela?

Hello.

I'll explain later.

Hello?

Oh, is that the royal palace at Ebro?

It isn't.

Oh.

Oh, I must have got the wrong number. I'm very sorry to trouble you.

I'm afraid you're revolting, friends.

They won't be too pleased when they realize you made a mess of it.

Bendissimo.

Bene.

Well?

What is it out there?

The amiodarite of natural causes.

The culinary.

Well, what about those mushrooms?

Oh, they were... What's it, Amanita? I know what it is.

What did you say that again?

Amanita phalloides, wasn't it? That was it, yes. Well, they're a very lethal

little mushroom.

But they take ten days to take effect, sometimes longer.

Charming. Yeah, that's what shook Mellor when the old boy died of a heart

attack. His party just wasn't ready for the takeover. That was lucky.

What's all this then, eh?

Look, Steve, I can't wait to get as far away from the kitchen as possible.

But Umberto insisted.

He said he must cook dinner for us, and I couldn't say no.

Really? Well, I hope he gets a move on. I haven't eaten for 24 hours. Ah,

Humberto. Now, what have we got here? I'm starving, Humberto.

Cannoli, spaghetti, ravioli. Do me a favor, Mr. Steed. I've had that Italian

lock. Now, this is real food. Fish and chips, mate. We're frying tonight.

Oh.