Original subtitles

An emergency cabinet meeting.

Always sends a nice Uttile wri of anticipation down the spine.

Someone’s in trouble. Someone’s going to get ft in the neck.

Mim Going to reac you a Snort statement which I shall be issuing later today.

I must ask all of you not to reveal the Contents of this message to anyone

arora tt is orriciallly released.

(UUPAGIRIERTING)

Tinank you.

"Tinere has been a spate of allegations

Paloout my business eirrairs anc those of my family.

nit have consistently stated

“vhat I have done nothing or which I should be ashamed,

Tine implied allegation against me

"is one of the most serious kine for a holder of public office,

nate I ave used conticdentiall information available to me

“vo enrian my family.

nil have asked tne Cabinet Secretary

undertake an independent investigation.

"lm confident ft will establish my innocence beyond any shadow of a doubt.

“The integrity of the office of Prime Minister has been brought into question.

"it Is my fist duty to protect the integrity of that offics.

“Thersrore I will today ask the permission of Her Majesty the Queen

"to relinquish tne orice of Prime Minister

Mas soon as a sucsassor can be Gnosen.”

Thank you for your

I should also like to take this opportunity of thanking you

for your iriendship and your loyalty during this citiicult time.

Those of you, that is, who feel those words apply to you.

Francis, I snould Uke to thank you for your valiant eiiforts.

Only you ane I know how much I you.

rm only sorry tne odds against us ware too heavy.

Prime Minister,

Tinank you. Tinat’s alll

Heartwarming to know one’s efforts are appreciated.

They've been considerable, if not, pernaps, entirely valiant.

Not feeling guilty, I hope?

iif you have pangs of pity, erush them now.

Grind them uncer your lneell like old cigar buttts.

Ive done tne Country a favour.

re didnt have the brain or the heart Or tne stomach to rule Great Britain.

A nice enough man HU There WAS No bottiom to him.

ilis deepest need was that people should Uke Init.

An admirable tratt, thant,

itn a spaniel or a wore.

Not, I think, in a Prime Minister, hm@m?

Ane we've done him a favour, too, it Ine clic] four know itt,

Fle Was Ih the trap and screaming from the moment Ine took office.

We've simply put the poor bastare) out of his agony.

PArter lire’s iitrul fever, he sleeps well.”

So let’s not indulge ourselves in any squeamishness.

NUL right?

BECAUSE Tnls..g08 jUSt UNe Start,

tneir eyes aglitter round the table.

Samuels, Woolton, Harold Earle, McKenzie.

ihey willl have to understand that I have their measure,

dinar It pure tne stlek albourt.

It warten then jump,

Excuse me. I have to make a phone eallll,

One does feel that poor old Hall deserves a proper send-off,

(RERORGERSES HOU MMN GTO UW ESTHONS)

Number 1@ Downing Street.

Prime Minister Collingridge lett here in the direction of Buckingham Palace.

Aecording to unconiinned Ne is about to tendar his resignation

Ko Har Majesty ine Queen.

He nel de for ane partod of time

or any Prime Minister thls canny.

nis is Prestatyn Powell 10 Dovening SEC...

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Urquinare.

rt hac a feeling you might telephone.

Well, let’s watt for the official statement, shall we?

Come to tine house at six.

Yes, my private house. We won't oe clisturoec,

AU right. Thanks. rll see you then. Goodbye.

Wine?

it’s coming througin.

Blah, blah, blah.

Tine Cabinet Secretary will investigate.

nis will establish my innocancs

"beyond any shadow of a doulbt.” Blah, blah, blah.

“Integrity OF the orice.” Yes! He is going. it’s official.

Not running away? Bollocks. He must have cone ft. Silly bugger.

Doesn't mean ne"s guilty, He coulcve been framed,

Framed? Framed?

On, grow Up, Mattie. Everyone fs sillier than you imagine.

Dickheacd. Why not get an acvancs on his autobiography if he wanted money?

Well, quite. Exactly.

What's golng on? Have we got anyone in Downing Street?

-Chequers?

BNOMUMGiSclosecmadcnesss ESOC mit

“You told hin nothing of the scandal? =o.

Uniorwnately, ne saw the hews on TV.

As I said on tne pnone, he’s distressed. SUiGiallVadisinesseds

ofle hasnt tried to...? -He couldnt. We our patients.

Burt ne’s tallec| aloourt It

Fle thinks lne’s responsible, re has alcoholic blackourts.

-VYou cant Gonnmit a fraud in a lolackoutt. I've mo idea how Ine cial thar,

“What are you implying? -Nothing. We see alll sorts here.

I don"t judge. It try to make people well.

Your brother, as I say, is very distressed.

-ilf you are able to reassure [lta Just show me where Ine is.

in here.

Charlie? Winn?

rel

What's going to happen to us?

Are We GolNg LO Go to prison?

Listen, PU talll them tna ft was alll my fault.

Itt wasnt your faul, Charlie. It wasnt my fault.

We'll work ft out. Dont worry.

Inve cocked everything up for you, Hall

rm bloody glad t's over. I just...

rm just so bloody glad f don"t have to fight those bastards any more.

Can I trust you, Mate?

-Ves, I do. Pve changed my mind.

Berween you and me, I whink he’s guilty.

Not just the evidence. he gave fin so easily.

Wwe were ready to defend him. He gave In.

“Will there be criminal charges? =I coulst it. No one wants to Inounel Inim.

it think an investigation will fine

wnere’s Hot enougtn to justity prosecution.

let the poor man crawl away and lick his wounds away from prying eves.

It take te tinat’s Not to loe attributed to you.

Everytning we say tonight is unattrloutable. Conricdential

Not even to be whispered as a secret to your favourite lover.

=I dont Nave a lover. Wel GoodE

My editor wants me to fined our QOOU TNS Tront-runners,

rm sure you could tell me who they are.

-Samuels, Woolton, Earle, McKenzie. =“Very good.

You know you'd run rings round them.

Do I? You're hot trying to tempt me, are you?

Yes, I think I am.

You're the only senior politician Tt have any respect for.

tf you do run, Pe do anything I coulle to helo you.

=I think you know that.

You know ie cdo anything you ask fine to.

Hlarelly the wores of an independent woman.

Ol, our they are. In hot anyone's toy.

it don"t get Gnosen. II Gnoose.

And im not interestec in anyone's taboos about age.

it wanted you the first time I met you.

My wire went down to the country Unis artemMoon.

Wes.

it nave an engagement at nine. I cant cancel it.

i don’t mind. it’s only seven. Imm secing someone myself later.

Youll never be able to sneak of this.

Winy sould I? I don"t want to.

It's nothing to co with anyone else.

Mette...

I dont know winart to call you. There’s nothing I can call you.

You can call me Francis. lf cant,

It don"t think or you as Franels. It’s so stupid.

Well, you can hardly call me Chief Whip.

It want to call you Dacely.

Wingert?

It want to calll you

Daddy,

(SITAR MUSIC PLAVIING)

-Might as well.

-More poppacoms? No, Pull orcler,

Let me See, [erin...

Butter chicken. Saag bina

Cucumber ratta. Flioow the fried rice ancl add a naan.

“Brilliant, how cid you quess? -Easy. You always order that.

Maybe you'd Uke some ditrerent music. Pve got Jjoe Cocker.

Oh, no. Definitely not. There are some things a gentleman never discusses.

please, driver. Pm running rather late.

MATIUES Jesting, residing. One. One,

Jnursday, October 218%, 6259, On my way to see Deep Tinroat

hello. This is Mattie Storin. lis Mr John Krajewski there, please?

Yes, tine ourtter cnicken man.

Oh, right. Thank you. Goodlaye.

“CaN H GrUSE YOU? =You You CaN.

Yes, I think It Go know tna

limterasting times, Franels.

linveresting times.

Yes? Come on, come onl

to live in interesting times.

Is that so? Il guess Colllingridge woulc rink to that, What an assole.

Not mucn fight left in this guy. Bring us another bottle.

-You got what you wanted? -Absolutely, Ben.

Doesn't look mucn to me!

Now, Francis...

Wheart I wanna know tS... are you gonna stand for the leadership?

Ben! it's too soon to say. The situation is delicate. Let’s keep our voicas down.

Al right. Let me purt it this way. You want ft?

Yes, I do. Pr the man for the job,

Vou sure as sinit lpsiter [pe

Saturday in 7ine Caromicle we're doing @ feature on the probable runners.

Martie Storin’s doling ttt. Clever little kid. Do you know her?

it think so. Yes. Yes, of course If do.

She tried to mug me in Brighton. it gave her something to ary about.

What this plecs is gonna say, whether she likes ft or not,

is that Samuels has taken a lead in the polls.

rle’s telling the worle| he’s got it sewn Up.

Flow co you know Ine’s taken the lead?

It cont know tf ine has. Inn just telling you what we're putting in the paper,

Tina U irritate the shit out of people.

Yes, Ben, I think tt would.

My colleagues would react badly to such arroganes.

You need time. We gotta build you up.

Back-bencners may Uke you, but they're hot gonna for Mr Francis Noboely.

Ann It right? “Ves, you are.

Anything you can co to slow things down?

Well, Humphrey Newlands will run tne election. He depends on my advice.

Tine timing ts in tne hands of the PM.

Ane ine’s taking your actyica, It near.

llr only Ine’d consulted ime earlier... oil know, I know. Tragic, right?

Now, listen to me, Franels. PU be straight with you.

You're my man, burt If could cdo business with Patrick Woolton, it know I Goulle.

Pat Woolton as PM would not bevenbaGmiesulitgfiombenmleancdllesst

tf you cant make it up with the leaders by this time next month, PU dump you.

Burt if you can come good with a run,

PU punt the whole operation behind you.

Ane Wl your lifelong goddamn gratitucle.

Do I make myself clear?

eminently clear, Ben.

-Morning.

When did you send it?

Two this morming. Oh, sorry, Jonn.

It hac time to do some thinking.

Me, too. I was silly, John. Collingridge framed.

Anyway, wino cares? Yesterday's fan.

History. They won't take tne investigation awfully seriously.

Coing easy on him.

-lories can be humane sometines. -Golng easy on the investigation?

-Doesnt that seem strange wo you? I'm the conspiracy theorist, not you.

Think about tt. Henry Collingridge Nac the means but not the motive.

Charlie had the motive, loure Ne clidm*t have the wit to clo fie,

iy you were doing tt, would you use your own name?

You've met Charlie, havent you?

It hag a few drinks with him at Brighton.

“Wheat was Ine like? “Very nice. I thought he was sweet.

Do you think Ine’d talk to you now?

Dont know. nc] we cont know winere Ine Is,

Oh, yes, we do, actually.

Recognise anyone there?

Charles Collingricdge, obviously. Mrs Collingridge.

Watt a minute. Tim Stamper, MP for Shotover. Hard right.

-A government whip. “What about him?

-Here ine is again.

lis name is Dr Ancrew Christian and he runs a private clinic near Dover.

Very iflash place, apparenitly. They get royalty, stars,

trace from born Houses of Parliament

So, fancy a trip to Kemt?

(HORN HONING)

All: Mr Urquhart)

(RERORGER STO AMM GLOW)

Yes, I know. Very liritating, Still to be watting on yesterday's man.

Bure evan a disgracad Prime Minister has nis uses.

Itt beComMeS US to be humble and honest good old Francis Urquhart still.

-Doggeclly devoted. a OO ORFOENS)

Suen a comfort in a crisis,

Tine Prime Minister willl see you now. Thank you.

-|Prancis. -Prime Minister,

My cear rellow. Do sit down.

-lell me, is ft true what I read? Winer?

-Samuels is dancing on my grave. -That would be to put it most unkindly.

Samuels hasnt declared inis candidacy, fount Ine has a inead start,

If ft’s @ Short raca, Ine Must be favourite,

‘nen let’s make sure it’s a long race.

Francis, Billlsborough betrayed! my trust.

-hle wants to deny us a tree election. That's a little strongly purt.

Burt ft does look as though Teddy still wants to pull the strings.

A little delay woule give us g chances for reflection.

Yes, slow tie pace down. Enjoy your last weeks in office.

You deserve tt. You it to yourself,

Will you oifrer yourself as a candidate?

Wheat, me? Olh, no, no, no. No. rm just a back-room boy.

Dont uncderastimate yourseltf,

IMve Come to think very lnighly of you.

So highly that tf you did stand, you'd have my personal support.

ral, that toucnes me more than I can say.

But no. I really can*t see myself as a candidate for the highest office.

Fach to his own, you know. I know my place.

(QRAKESISQIUEN IB)

excuse me. You're not by any chances 2 Member of sur?

Just visiting, like me. So sorry.

Seem to have lost my wits.

like the wie of a chap like me?

rim arraicl now. Mm looking for my uncle.

Over tnere. Tinat’s wnere the uncles congregate.

Theyre alll perverts, of course. Nonees to a man, every last one of them.

Good afternoon to you, my dear.

Fault!

Fault!

(INAUDIBLE)

You ane me togetner?

Vouall plang

Was I, erm..all right?

Dich it sort Of. Joonave?)

Yes, you were charming.

Not too bad today. A lit shalky. Havant had a drink, you see.

It’s alll right, put time does pass slowly.

When you're drunk, youre never bored.

Did you know that? You may bore other people.

But the moments slip by in such a satisfactory manner.

I dont really see now I could have bought any shares.

it havent Got enough money, OMOMe RC INGE

Your brother might've given you the money.

-Did give me money. Does. -He gave you the money?

ele gave you the money to buy shares? -No, no, no. Not that sort of money. No.

No, ne gives me £50 when Pim shore. SOnmetiinesmlOOy

Best brotner in the world, hal Enough said.

-End of Story. -flave you evar bought sharas at alll?

Lore, no. No, f leave that to the clever chaps.

tf ve ever done any gambling, it’s been on gee-gees.

Ph NOt MUEN Gop at tart.

No, there’s not FNUEN going on up here, Mattie.

Tingt's tie troulple.

Winat about the accommodation adcdress at Paddington? What was that for?

You tell me. I dont go to Paddington.

it's where the Welsh people exucn tains.

Tine accress received communications from the Ottoman Union Bank

and party Utterature irom Conservative Central, Office.

Party lerature?

Do you mean people send ror i? People pay for it?

Apparently. Apparently, you cid.

Winat would I want party Uterature for?

= dont know. -Boring stuff, between you and I.

Now, don"t you tall hal I saicl tart.

Tt woulelmt ofrenc nim for tne worlel,

Hello! I do remember you now.

We met iin tine...

in tne bar at tne Grand,

Amel I satel you looked like Karte.

That's right. Your daughter. 1/83,

Probably want on about her. Normally do g® on about when I'm pissed.

lovely girl.

It haven't been a very gooe! cad to Iner,

Dut co you Suppose that she’d come and visit me here one day?

It do miss ner,

at would if tt was he. “Would you?

Yes. Thank you, Dr Christian.

No, ho, no. Pim very graterul. Gooellaya.

Come on, Gone on!

Ahn, Roger. Francis Urquinare.

Sorry to distro you att home. I hope it’s not inconvenient.

No. Good of you to call, Francis.

Actually, t was asleep.

Had a late night. Took a pill

Wingert?

No, t don"t cdo that sort or thing. That’s not my line at alll.

Yes. Found tne placa, found Collingridge.

Efther nes tne acvor in tne worle or he knows nothing about the shares.

Yes. =(GLASS SMASHING)

Hole on a minurte. There’s something happening outside.

(GOOTSTERSIRUININTIN GO) Rp)

OWIN: Mattie?

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Gooul

riley. Ike's Over HOw.

‘ney ve Gone.

rave lit more of tunis.

Sony

Our irearless reporter.

I'm not fearless, Jon. I dont like tis.

It had this book minen It was a kid at senool

Karsity McAlister, Grime RaD0TGaR.

When the badcies threatened Kirsty,

re mace her more ceterminec tO Ting tne truth.

it tnougint sine was great.

Kirsty McAllister, with her flatities and her boyish curls

and ner little ring-bound notebook,

If thought Wl be just Uke her.

BUC iM MOC

io mot like Iner,

it don't want my prattity face broken.

il Walt to Stop this game. Hey, you caf.

it think you should.

Really?

“You're tne big investigator. “Up to a point, Lore Copper,

It know how tt feels. I got threatened when we were doing the arms thing.

it was of solic food for six weeks. Asked to be taken off the story.

It dome Know,

Anyway, thanks ror coming round, jolnn.

“An angel?

Dic you know angels are reputed to have no sexual organs?

alls tinart right? -Totally smooth cown there.

Must solve a hell of a lot of problems.

Wes.

=Vou're dead arent you?

itt must be past your bedtime, too.

“I'm staying the night.

=Ves, I think there is.

it Cant...0nfer you anywhere conirortable to sleep.

Can"t you? itt was me you turned to wien you were frightened. Not him.

Wino?)

Winoever “ne” Is.

and him for the other thing?

rm sorry. None of my business. I'm sorry, Martitie.

Tt woulelat botner Inim wit tis.

Anal ine wouldnt be able to come. He isnt free to Come.

=Dont be like that, John.

itt wouldnt work with you.

Sex, I mean.

You're...easy to be witin. Youre...

Youre not dangerous.

You're my friend.

raving tt orf with my triend would be embarrassing.

Sony

rlonest. OK?

Welll...ask a silly question.

“Do you still want to stay? =Do you still want me to?

Ves. Please. I cont want to le by myself tonight.

Well 1 will, cnet,

You can... You can come in my bec! if you Uke. JUS...

JJust...to be conirortable?

That's riglnt

Fnougin said.

Enel OF Stony.

ue ror tne Tory leadership is now officially on.

Michael Samuels, unoriaally doped as tne front-runner, want on

Yas, IM be stamaing,

You're rainer Young ito be Prime Minkisier,

Parnas. FU leave tnat LOM MV ACQUCaGGU CSS

Wnt I lack ia years might be balanced) by energy and 2 freshness of

i) LO YOUR (OMTEUECESSOF Mo, I won't be dravan into

Disraeli and Pitt were boda younger tain me when they first came into POWER.

Disraeli, Pitt and Samuels? The jumped-up little turd

Doesnt sound alll that modest, does he? Poor fellow doesnt do himself justice.

We muse maken tine words WithiMiNlemaeeds;

i WE ME to fall our Gnildran and our enildran’s cnildran.

Mir Earle’s speech intenoretad aS @ OM Samuels,

Dyno JS MinsSiar for tne Environment

Many ME @YOEGHNG @ SDGECNh Mp Samuels

about te Shorkconungs of sanools under Mr zarle’s ministry.

Wn Une SLAMESMMAaAMNUIKE acide of Franels Urquihnaré,

ane popular Chie Wij.

Wnt, me? Oh, no, ne, mol

Jin a baax-room boy, Plenty of aole men about, after all, Amlbtiious men,

No. Well take our Ginne and well up wiih the right chokes.

Pine. First class. Excalllenit)

-Let “ern caneal each other out, right? =[nat clicl ratiner cross one’s minal.

Youll have to cdo more against Woolton.

Mal oe proud to serve under Woolton.

It cont want to be Prime Minister. Bloody awful job.

On, quite. Much nicar to be a whip.

Know alll the seerats. Put some stick about, eh?

-Make “em Jump. = (TELEPHONE RINGS)

Whip’s office. Stamper here.

Frm, ole on, please.

it’s your Unttle friend, Miss Storin of Te Chronicle, De you want to take i?

You called the polices? Why now? SINOF

it was irightened to. They frightened ime.

Or course. You must've been very upset.

Ves, I was. Burt loolk

Itt must be a conspiracy against Collingridge and his brother.

Yes, I believe now that it must be.

-Mattie, you trust me? Vou know I clo,

Will you leave this to me? It have QCeess to sources Of information.

And I couldnt bear to think or you being camaged in any way.

is..Mirs Urquhart in London at the Moment?

“She's in the country, Matttie. -Oln,

It would be anxious about letting you go back to your alone tonight.

“Ves. -I hope you wouldnt think ft improper

if 2 invited you to spend the night here?

it dont bloody welll cara if it’s improper or not.

Wine?

it like the things you say.

So mara to Know Wino to trust lim these susplafous days.

Does passion engender trust?

Wor macessarlly,

And yet we alll would wish to feed On Garages.

To hear tne word “always”

ancl believe ft wue,

Sine trusts me absolutely, I believe.

it trust sie cloes,

Ut crust ner absolutely,

to be absolutely inunnen,

You want to hele nin?

Last time I talked to you, your paper attacked lin,

Trina Wasnt fine. I think ine’s been tranec through the computer system.

NOMINGWOMewinommoulsiGekeanmaccesonie

How about from insice?

Charles Colllingricge is supposed ‘to have aclitenattinexaelivenedktorankadGnesss

Ves, f enecked it as soon as I neared. It’s there, alll right. Look.

Charles Collingridge, 216 Praed Sires, Paddington, W2.

-Wheart co the numbers mean? =Pirst one says he takes everything.

‘ine second says lne’s fullly paid up.

Could thet have been done by someone tin here without making the payments?

No, hot from inere. Hold on. Let me check something else.

himm... he’s never palc for the literature service.

rle’s only on the distribution ‘file, not on the payment file.

Can you ‘ind out when he first appeared on tine distrloution ile?

Arter nis brother resigned, when he was already in the elinic.

-So somebodly...in tinis building? Itt woullel awe vo le,

Mace tt look as tr Charles ihac been subscribing since January the 1st.

Wes.

Wine?

-Don't talk to anyone about this. oll wasnt aloourt to,

You're hot going to print Kk? Why no?

Because there’s nothing there, Matttie. HiienexSanOknanckeviGencekatstallls

What do you wart? look, someone altered computer files

to link Charles with tine Praec Street acalress,

Tiney clicl that two weeks ago. It’s there on the print-ourt.

The same person must have opened tine bank account in Charles’s name.

Tina's easy. Anyone could've done that.

But atiering the computer tiles airver the share ceal

Tinat hac! t be someone inside the party machine

Wino wanted ric of Collingricge.

ral Collingricdge coul’ve done ty himselt, Comruse the evicience.

He's not computer-Uterate enough Ko Go that, He’s an Oxvord arts Main.

He can’t use a casin-carel macninel

-So he got someone to do It ror Inim, =e did that even after he resigned?

Marttie, get ft into your head. There isnt a story here.

/A\ pice try, out you havent given names.

You can’t see winatt’s In Tront Or you. it’s a sensational story.

rm tired of being tol how to do my job ny tine teenager from the sticks.

Well.

NOWAISTastaoodaptiimekassamy.

-About your Next career move. “On?

ral like to see some new thinking in our home interior pages.

What's bright and sparkly in tine shops for ner incoors?

The latast trance in street-smare knitwear,

You've been got att, havent you? Was it Landless again?

IPve been tole albourt your conspiracy theories.

ire doesn’t work out Uke that, Mattie. ESpeciallliyzoolliticall@llines

hes real ana dull anc eames,

Now, 2@ things you could co with a wolk

Your imagination could mate its mark,

No, thank you, Greville. Tt won't write the Women’s Page.

it don"t think you understand, Matttie. You havent any say in this.

rin taking you of the political star for your own good.

Fine. PU resign ane take this to another paper.

Not for three months, you won't. Read your contract of employment.

It know you're bursting to resign. Be sensilale.

Watt until you've got another job to go to.

Yes, I have, Ben. iit’s alll reachy,

“This country needs a leader writin maturity, with a sense of discretion,

Pwtth a proven record of reliability,

“Tnare is at least SQMMOF tigure wino nas all these qualities, ”

GREW ANID ELIZA inle THE Was Sat personal amotiion

“Wn Ge CAUSE Of the imierast of Is parry.

MHe has announced thar ttt is not lis intention to seek election as leader,

"He still has time to reconsider pefore nominations on Thursday.

“We believe it woule in tne best inrerasts of alll concamec

ir the Chief Whip, Francis Urquhart,

Pwere to stanc and le elected.”

Achmiralnle,

(QUEST OUT GOWESTTONS)

Ladies and gentlemen, I have read Tne Chronicle with a bit of surprise.

As you know, Ive always been happiest serving government behind the scenes.

however, ft would unpardonably arrogant of me

vO Cisregarad the urgings Of so many colleagues.

ints has alll come as a great surprise.

Forgive me if I take time to consider my course of action.

It need @ little time to myself...

ha to talk this over with my wife Elizabeth.

rer views willl be the most important of all to me in making my cecision.

rinare’s alll if have to say until tomorrow.

(QUEST OUT GOWESTTONS)

-Excalllent. -Thank you, my dear.

A touch of Ricnare of Gloucester at Baynare’s Castle.

"Sinine our, fair sunt”

Should] It have been ciscoverac with two priests, do you think?

Not with the tne Churen of Englane!’s in today.

“Unparconably arrogant to Gisregare the wishes of the public.”

=That was good. -Ves, I must confess I thought so, too.

Por alll that, you're still welll belnine Samuels and Woolton, are you not?

So far, it’s alll in hanel, Elizabeth.

Good. I didn*t see your Uittle tiriend OU tnere. Tne one trom Jie Gnroniale

No. Pm, ef, giving her a private audience tomorrow evening.

it see. Can we trust her, Francis?

Oh, yes. I think we can.

-Hello, Mattie. Usual? Whisky, please.

clow’s it going? “Not orilliant. Ol]

It's too cepressing to think aloout.

Whats alll tinis about Francis Urquhart?

God knows. Grey seems sincere, convinced that Urquhart should be PM.

Presumably because Ben told Init wing to wnink.

Do you think it’s a dart idea, Urquhart?

No. I happen to think ne’s very underrated.

it think he makes a very potent contribution.

Fe migit just slip througin.

The man least disliked. The politician with no politics.

Just a good chap to have in a tight spot, yeah?

Yeah. Ine last of those, certainly.

Bur why should Landless back an outsider?

It cont know. Woolton would give lim alll ne wants ancl ne’s 2 front-runner,

Ben landless likes power Tor its own sake.

Fe supported Collingridge wen citenec! nim.

Maybe lhe had a tip Sloourt tne snares scandal,

-Mayoe le was involved. -Mayoe Urquhart was as well.

-No, not Urgquihart. Why not?

That sort of thing wouldnt be him.

Pine. earerul, Mattie. ol am carefull

Whoever it was, they know you round Charles. They may know you told Grev.

they won't just be villains.

These willl be people with friends in high places.

I know. Burt iif they've got all that inside information,

ney Ul know Tim no danger any more.

Greville’s taken me or the story and T cant get another job. And anyway,

maybe Ive tiriends In nigh placas, too. =Maititiel

AU right, John. I will be carsirul

Mr Grainger, then?

I see. Tinera’s no one else from the press office available?

lis there anyone you could suggest?

Diractor or Pulblichiy? Thats Mr ONeiU?

Yes, I met him at Brighton. Coule you transfer me? Thanks.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Director of Pulblicity’s Orifice. Penny Guy.

Flello. My name’s Mattie Storin. Could 7 speak to Roger O'Neill?

-Sorry. Wino? -Matie Storin.

ooo LC UNOUGINE You were 2 fan.

welll, sorry. Could I speak to Roger?

No, he’s not In this moming. He called in sick

look, Cah you Gomme over now?

it’s worth my while.

Ii would ratiner speak to Mr O” Neill No, you wouldnt. Believe me.

We'll meet outside. Corner of Great Peter Street anc Millloank.

AU rigint, See you then. Goodlaye.

Look, I hac no idea you were a woman.

Roger just said someone needed a shock,

“Why should he do a thing Uke wnat? =i suppose fhe Someone a favour.

look, you lnave to believe ine. Roger wouldnt hurt a ‘fly.

I thought he was the one who was going to get hurt.

It only want to look airter lnm.

Do you believe me?

It dome Know,

PU pay for the damage to your car and anything for upsetting you.

rlonestly, ne could never hurt a woman. Not physically.

look, Merttie, PUl tell you lhow it Is.

Tine ne’s In how, if you go to the police with this,

ne") Weill Inimsal.

it really believe tnatt.

Why is lhe in such a state?

I think lhe blames lhimsellr albourt that Share business, That wasn't Inis fault,

le idolised henry Collingridge. he’ co anything to hele him.

“Why should he blame himselr? HCharles wantec an acrass for nis mail,

Roger and I fixed tt for him. The bugger was using ft for his tifiy share deals.

Roger thinks ine'’s alll to blame. he’s cracking up.

oltt’s Uke dealing with a balay. -Why do you putt up with him?

nt love ininn, clone 1?

Sine just olurted tt alll our.

She must have thought It recognised them that might.

It was just ringing O'Neill

-And you believed Iner? =/@s.

Neither of then thought ft was terribly wrong. I felt sorry for lher.

She’s iin love witha lnin. it was nim sne was worrlec for,

Sine begged me Not to go to the police.

Sine said ined Kill himself. he’s unstalole.

if do understand, between tne two or Us, that Mr ONeill has a cocaine problem.

aWinant? -Chief Whie’s business, to know things.

-So that one can move swiftly to help.

it’s more common than one migitt think,

Easy availability. /A\ life of constant pressure.

im Smith Square, tne House of Commons and Pall Mall

it’s alll too easy tO fall into bac company.

“What soul I cdo? alai’s 3ea@,

You have firm evidence of a conspiracy.

But you have NO access to a hewspaper tO prim ft.

A further problem. You'd like to save Penny Guy from criminal charges.

=V/@s, -Apout O'Neill, youre not sure?

I dont care albourt Init, ourt It woul like to hel her.

Itt Just doesnt seem possible.

Someone is clearly working O'Neill

From lis conclition, ic guess it wouldnt take much

to get hin to tell us who it fs.

When we know that, we'll in 2 position to know what to do.

“Shall I ask him? “Would you?

Itt might take a Trew days pefore he’s ready to cooperate

our it paliieve fe will

Would you be prepared to leave ft to me?

You know i would. You're the only person I trust.

Tina Was what you wantac! all along, wasnt it?

Yes, it Was.

oA I so transparemc? -Not at all. Manipulative, I would say.

You get me to do anything you Uke.

-So let me ask your a¢vice.

Should Tf accept the nomination and run for leader of the party?

Yes, you snould.

Well _.ht ssems Il have no choice!

iis Mrs Urquhart in the counun7

Not this evening. Mrs Urquhart is in town.

-And at home? -/And at home, Mattie.

It wisin she were In tne Country.

Ane you co, too, dont you?

You might welll think that, Matttie.

It couldnt possibly comment.