All language subtitles for (1990) House of Cards – Episode 3

An emergency cabinet meeting.

Always sends a nice little thrill
of anticipation down the spine.

Someone's in trouble. Someone's
going to get it in the neck.

But not us, eh?

I'm going to read you a short statement
which I shall be issuing later today.

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

before it is officially released.

ALL AGREEING

Thank you.

"There has been a spate of allegations

"about my business affairs
and those of my family.

"I have consistently stated

"that I have done nothing
of which I should be ashamed.

"The implied allegation against me

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

"that I have used confidential
information available to me

"to enrich my family.

"I have asked the Cabinet Secretary

"to undertake
an independent investigation.

"I'm confident it 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 first duty to protect
the integrity of that office.

"Therefore I will today ask the
permission of Her Majesty the Queen

"to relinquish the office
of Prime Minister

"as soon aS a successor can be chosen."

Thank you for your patience.

I should also like to take
this opportunity of thanking you

for your friendship and your loyalty
during this difficult time.

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

Francis, I should like to thank you
for your valiant efforts.

Only you and I know how much I owe you.

I'm only sorry the odds against us
were too heavy.

Prime Minister.

Thank you. That's all.

Heartwarming to know
one's efforts are appreciated.

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

Not feeling guilty, I hope?

If you have pangs of pity,
crush them now.

Grind them under your heel
like old cigar butts.

I've done the country a favour.

He didn't have the brain or the heart
or the stomach to rule Great Britain.

A nice enough man
but there was no bottom to him.

His deepest need was
that people should like him.

An admirable trait, that.

In a spaniel or a whore.

Not, I think, in a Prime Minister, hmm?

And we've done him a favour, too,
if he did but know it.

He was in the trap and screaming
from the moment he took office.

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

"After life's fitful fever,
he sleeps well."

So let's not indulge ourselves
in any squeamishness.

All right?

Because this...is just the start.

You saw them. You saw
their eyes aglitter round the table.

Samuels, Woolton,
Harold Earle, McKenzie.

They will have to understand
that I have their measure,

that I put the stick about.

I watch them jump.

Excuse me. I have to make a phone call.

One does feel that poor old Hal
deserves a proper send-off.

REPORTERS SHOUTING QUESTIONS

Number 10 Downing Street.

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

According to uncontirmed reports,
he is about to tender his resignation

to Her Majesty the Queen.

He held the post
for the shortest period of time

of any Prime Minister this century.

This 1s Prestatyn Powell
70 Downing Street...

TELEPHONE RINGING

Urquhart.

Ah, yes, Mattie.
I had a feeling you might telephone.

Well, let's wait
for the official statement, shall we?

Come to the house at six.

Yes, my private house.
We won't be disturbed.

All right. Thanks.
I'll see you then. Goodbye.

-Mattie!
-What?

It's coming through.

"Spate of allegations..."
Blah, blah, blah.

"The Cabinet Secretary will investigate.

"This will establish my innocence

beyond any shadow of a doubt."
Blah, blah, blah.

"Integrity of the office."
Yes! He is going. It's official.

Not running away? Bollocks.
He must have done it. Silly bugger.

Doesn't mean he's guilty.
He could've been framed.

Framed? Framed?

Oh, grow up, Mattie.
Everyone is sillier than you imagine.

Dickhead. Why not get an advance
on his autobiography if he wanted money?

Well, quite. Exactly.

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

-He's in the country.
-Chequers?

-No. Undisclosed address.
-Sod it!

-You told him nothing of the scandal?
-No.

Unfortunately, he saw the news on TV.

As I said on the phone, he's distressed.
Suicidally distressed.

-He hasn't tried to...?
-He couldn't. We watch our patients.

But he's talked about It.

He thinks he's responsible.
He has alcoholic blackouts.

-You can't commit a fraud in a blackout.
-I've no idea how he did that.

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

I don't judge.
I try to make people well.

Your brother, as I say,
is very distressed.

-If you are able to reassure him...
-Just show me where he is.

In here.

-Charlie?
-What?

Hal.

Oh, Hal...

What's going to happen to us?

Are we going to go to prison?

Listen, I'll tell them
that it was all my fault.

It wasn't your fault, Charlie.
It wasn't my fault.

We'll work it out. Don't worry.

I've cocked everything up for you, Hal.

I'm bloody glad It's over. I just...

I'm Just so bloody glad I don't have to
fight those bastards any more.

Can I trust you, Mattie?

-You know you can.
-Yes, I do. I've changed my mind.

Between you and me, I think he's guilty.

Not just the evidence.
He gave in so easily.

We were ready to defend him. He gave in.

-Will there be criminal charges?
-I doubt it. No one wants to hound him.

I think an investigation will find

there's not enough
to justify prosecution.

Let the poor man crawl away and lick
his wounds away from prying eyes.

I take it that's not to be
attributed to you.

Everything we say tonight
is Unattributable. Confidential.

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

-I don't have a lover.
-Well... Good.

My editor wants me to find out
about the front-runners.

I'm 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 not trying to
tempt me, are you?

Yes, I think I am.

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

If you do run, I'd do anything I could
to help you.

-Would you, Mattie?
-I think you know that.

You know I'd do anything you ask me to.

Hardly the words
of an independent woman.

Oh, but they are. I'm not anyone's toy.

I don't get chosen. I choose.

And I'm not interested
in anyone's taboos about age.

I wanted you the first time I met you.

My wife went down to the country
this afternoon.

Yes.

I have an engagement at nine.
I can't cancel it.

I don't mind. It's only seven.
I'm seeing someone myself later.

You'll never be able to speak of this.

Why should I? I don't want to.

It's nothing to do with anyone else.

Mattie...

I don't know what to call you.
There's nothing I can call you.

-You can call me Francis.
-I can't.

I don't think of you as Francis.
It's so stupid.

Well, you can hardly call me Chief Whip.

I want to call you Daddy.

What?

I want to call you

Daddy.

SITAR MUSIC PLAYING

-Same again, sir?
-Might as well.

-More poppadoms?
-No. I'll order.

Let me see. Erm...

Butter chicken. Saag bhaji.

Cucumber raita.
Elbow the fried rice and add a naan.

-Brilliant, how did you guess?
-Easy. You always order that.

Maybe you'd like some different music.
I've got Joe Cocker.

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

Quick as you can,
please, driver. I'm running rather late.

MATTIE: 7esting, testing.
One, two. One, two.

Thursday, October 21st. 6:30.
On my way to see Deep Throat.

Hello. This is Mattie Storin.
Is Mr John Krajewski there, please?

Yes, the butter chicken man.

Oh, right. Thank you. Goodbye.

-Can I trust you?
-You know you can.

Yes, I think I do know that.

Interesting times, Francis.

Interesting times.

Yes? Come on, come on!

In China It's a curse
to live in interesting times.

Is that so? I guess Collingridge
would drink to that. What an asshole.

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

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

Doesn't look much to me.

Now, Francis...

What I wanna knows...
are you gonna stand for the leadership?

Ben! It's too soon to say. The situation
is delicate. Let's keep our voices down.

All right. Let me put it this way.
Do you want it?

Yes, I do. I'm the best man for the Job.

You sure as shit better be.

Saturday in 7fhe Chronicle we're doing
a feature on the probable runners.

Mattie Storin's doing it.
Clever little kid. Do you know her?

I think so. Yes. Yes, of course I do.

She tried to mug me in Brighton.
I gave her something to cry about.

What this piece is gonna say,
whether she likes it or not,

is that Samuels has taken a lead
in the polls.

He's telling the world
he's got it sewn up.

How do you know he's taken the lead?

I don't know if he has. I'm Just telling
you what we're putting in the paper.

That'll irritate the shit out of people.

Yes, Ben, I think it would.

My colleagues would react badly
to such arrogance.

You need time. We gotta build you up.

Back-benchers may like you, but they're
not gonna vote for Mr Francis Nobody.

-Am I right?
-Yes, you are.

Anything you can do to slow things down?

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

The timing Is in the hands of the PM.

And he's taking your advice, I hear.

-If only he'd consulted me earlier...
-I know, I know. Tragic, right?

Now, listen to me, Francis.
I'll be straight with you.

You're my man, but I could do business
with Patrick Woolton. I know I could.

Pat Woolton as PM would not
be a bad result for Ben Landless.

If you can't make it up with the leaders
by this time next month, I'll dump you.

But if you can come good
with a late run,

I'll put the whole operation behind you.

And I'll expect
your lifelong goddamn gratitude.

Do I make myself clear?

Eminently clear, Ben.

-Hi.
-Morning.

Your piece looks good.
When did you send it?

Two this morning. Oh, sorry, John.

It's all right.
I had time to do some thinking.

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

Anyway, who cares? Yesterday's man.

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

Going easy on him.

-Tories can be humane sometimes.
-Going easy on the investigation?

-Doesn't that seem strange to you?
-I'm the conspiracy theorist, not you.

Think about it. Henry Collingridge
had the means but not the motive.

Charlie had the motive,
but he didn't have the wit to do it.

If you were doing it,
would you use your own name?

You've met Charlie, haven't you?

I had a few drinks with him at Brighton.

-What was he like?
-Very nice. I thought he was sweet.

Do you think he'd talk to you now?

Don't know.
And we don't know where he is.

Oh, yes, we do, actually.

Recognise anyone there?

Charles Collingridge, obviously.
Mrs Collingridge.

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

-A government whip.
-What about him?

-No idea.
-Here he is again.

And again.

And again.

His name ts Dr Andrew Christian
and he runs a private clinic near Dover.

Very flash place, apparently.
They get royalty, rock stars,

trade from both Houses of Parliament.

So, fancy a trip to Kent?

HORN HONKING

ALL: Mr Urquhart!

REPORTERS CALLING OUT

Hey-ho.

Yes, I know. Very irritating,
still to be waiting on yesterday's man.

But even a disgraced Prime Minister
has his uses.

It becomes us to be humble and honest
good old Francis Urquhart still.

-Doggedly devoted.
-DOOR OPENS

Such a comfort in a crisis.

-The Prime Minister will see you now.
-Thank you.

-Francis.
-Prime Minister.

My dear fellow. Do sit down.

-Tell me, is it true what I read?
-What?

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

Samuels hasn't declared his candidacy,
but he has a head start.

If it's a short race,
he must be favourite.

Then let's make sure It's a long race.

Francis, Billsborough betrayed my trust.

-He wants to deny us a free election.
-That's a little strongly put.

But it does look as though
Teddy still wants to pull the strings.

A little delay would give us
a chance for reflection.

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

You deserve it. You owe it to yourself.

Will you offer yourself as a candidate?

What, me? Oh, no, no, no. No.
I'm just a back-room boy.

Don't underestimate yourself.

I've come to think very highly of you.

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

Hal, that touches me
more than I can say.

But no. I really can't see myself
as a candidate for the highest office.

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

BRAKES SQUEAL

Excuse me. You're not by any chance
a member of staff?

-No, I'm...
-Just visiting, like me. So sorry.

Seem to have lost my wife.

Seen anyone who looks
like the wife of a chap like me?

I'm afraid not.
I'm looking for my uncle.

Over there. That's where
the uncles congregate.

They're all perverts, of course.
Nonces to a man, every last one of them.

Good afternoon to you, my dear.

Filth!

Filth!

INAUDIBLE

You and me together?

Total blank.

Was I, erm...all right?

Did I sort of...behave?

Yes, you were charming.

Not too bad today. A bit shaky.
Haven't had a drink, you see.

It's all right,
but time does pass slowly.

When you're drunk, you're never bored.

Did you know that?
You may bore other people.

But the moments slip by
in such a satisfactory manner.

I don't really see
how I could have bought any shares.

I haven't got enough money,
for one thing.

Your brother might've given you
the money.

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

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

No, he gives me £50 when I'm short.
Sometimes 1Q2Q.

Best brother in the world, Hal.
Enough said.

-End of story.
-Have you ever bought shares at all?

Lord, no. No, I leave that
to the clever chaps.

If I've ever done any gambling,
it's been on gee-gees.

I'm not much cop at that.

No, there's not too much
going on up here, Mattie.

That's the trouble.

What about the accommodation address
at Paddington? What was that for?

You tell me. I don't go to Paddington.

It's where the Welsh people
catch trains.

Yes, It Is.

The address received communications
from the Ottoman Union Bank

and party literature
from Conservative Central Office.

Party literature?

Do you mean people send for It?
People pay for it?

Apparently. Apparently, you did.

What would I want party literature for?

-I don't know.
-Boring stuff, between you and I.

Now, don't you tell Hal I said that.

I wouldn't offend him for the world.

Hello! I do remember you now.

We met in the...

in the bar at the Grand.

And I said you looked like Kate.

-That's right. Your daughter.
-Yes.

Probably went on about her. Normally do
go on about Kate when I'm pissed.

Lovely girl.

I haven't been a very good dad to her,

but do you suppose that she'd come
and visit me here one day?

I do miss her.

-I would if it was me.
-Would you?

Yes. Thank you, Dr Christian.

No, no, no. I'm very grateful. Goodbye.

Come on, come on!

Ah, Roger. Francis Urquhart.

Sorry to disturb you at home.
I hope it's not inconvenient.

No. Good of you to call, Francis.

Actually, I was asleep.

Had a late night. Took a pill.

What?

Oh, no.

No, I don't do that sort of thing.
That's not my line at all.

John? Mattie.

Yes. Found the place,
found Collingridge.

Either he's the best actor in the world
or he knows nothing about the shares.

-Yes.
-GLASS SMASHING

Hold on a minute.
There's something happening outside.

FOOTSTEPS RUNNING OFF

JOHN: Mattie?

TELEPHONE RINGING

Good.

Hey. It's over now.

They've gone.

Have a bit more of this.

Sorry.

Our fearless reporter.

I'm not fearless, John.
I don't like this.

I had this book
when I was a kid at school.

Kirsty McAllister, Crime Reporter.

When the baddies threatened Kirsty,

it made her more determined
to find the truth.

I thought she was great.

Kirsty McAllister,
with her flatties and her boyish curls

and her little ring-bound notebook.

I thought I'd be just like her.

But I'm not.

I'm not like her.

I don't want my pretty face broken.

-I want to stop this game.
-Hey, you can.

I think you should.

Really?

-You're the big investigator.
-Up to a point, Lord Copper.

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

I was off solid food for six weeks.
Asked to be taken off the story.

I don't know.

Anyway, thanks for coming round, John.

-You're an angel.
-An angel?

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

-Is that right?
-Totally smooth down there.

Must solve a hell of a lot of problems.

Yes.

-Sorry.
-You're dead beat, aren't you?

It must be past your bedtime, too.

-You can go on home.
-I'm staying the night.

-No need to.
-Yes, I think there is.

I can't...offer you anywhere comfortable
to sleep.

Can't you? It was me you turned to
when you were frightened. Not him.

Who?

Whoever "he" is.

Why's it me for this
and him for the other thing?

I'm sorry. None of my business.
I'm sorry, Mattie.

I wouldn't bother him with this.

And he wouldn't be able to come.
He isn't free to come.

-Too grand, is he, or what?
-Don't be like that, John.

It wouldn't work with you.

Sex, I mean.

You're...easy to be with. You're...

You're not dangerous.

You're my best friend.

Having It off with my best friend
would be embarrassing.

Sorry.

Honest. OK?

Well...ask a silly question.

-Do you still want to stay?
-Do you still want me to?

Yes. Please. I don't want to be
by myself tonight.

Well, I will, then.

You can... You can come in my bed
if you like. Just...

Just...to be comfortable?

That's right.

Enough said.

End of story.

The contest for the Tory leadership
Is now Officially on.

Michael Samuels, unofficially tipped
as the front-runner, went on record.

Yes, I'll be standing.

You're rather young
to be Prime Minister.

Perhaps. I'll leave that
to my colleagues.

What I lack in years might be balanced
by energy and a freshness of ideas.

-In contrast to your predecessor?
-No, I won't be drawn Into that.

Disraeli and Pitt were both younger than
me when they first came into power.

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

Doesn't sound all that modest, does he?
Poor fellow doesn't do himself justice.

We must match fine words
with finer deeds

If we are not to fail our children
and our children's children.

Mr Earle's speech was interpreted
as a coded attack on Michael Samuels,

who is Minister for the Environment.

Many observers are expecting
a speech from Mr Samuels

about the shortcomings of state schools
under Mr Earle's ministry.

In contrast was the statesmanlike
attitude of Francis Urquhart,

the popular Chief Whip.

What, me? Of, no, no, no!

I'm a back-room boy. Plenty of able men
about, after all. Ambitious men, too.

No. We'll take our time
and we'll come up with the right choice.

Fine. First class. Excellent.

-Let 'em cancel each other out, right?
-That did rather cross one's mind.

You'll have to do more against Woolton.

I'd be proud to serve under Woolton.

I don't want to be Prime Minister.
Bloody awful job.

Oh, quite. Much nicer to be a whip.

Know all the secrets.
Put some stick about, eh?

-Make 'em Jump.
-TELEPHONE RINGS

Whip's office. Stamper here.

Erm, hold on, please.

It's your little friend, Miss Storin of
The Chronicle. Do you want to take it?

-You called the police? Why not?
-No.

I was frightened to. They frightened me.

Of course. You must've been very upset.

Yes, I was. But look.

It must be a conspiracy
against Collingridge and his brother.

Yes, I believe now that it must be.

-Mattie, you trust me?
-You know 1 do.

Will you leave this to me?
I have access to sources of information.

And I couldn't bear to think of you
being damaged in any way.

Is...Mrs Urquhart in London
at the moment?

-She's in the country, Mattie.
-Oh.

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

-Yes.
-I hope you wouldn't think it improper

if I invited you
to spend the night here?

I don't bloody well care
if it's improper or not.

-Mattie?
-What?

I like the things you say.

So hard to know who to trust
in these suspicious days.

Does passion engender trust?

Not necessarily.

And yet we all would wish to feed
on certainties.

To hear the word "always"

and believe it true.

She trusts me absolutely, I believe.

I trust she does.

And I?

I trust her absolutely,

to be absolutely human.

You want to help him?

Last time I talked to you,
your paper attacked him.

That wasn't me. I think he's been framed
through the computer system.

No. No one from outside can access It.

How about from inside?

Charles Collingridge is supposed to have
had literature delivered to an address.

Yes, I checked it as soon as I heard.
It's there, all right. Look.

Charles Collingridge,
216 Praed Street, Paddington, W2.

-What do the numbers mean?
-First one says he takes everything.

The second says he's fully paid up.

Could that have been done by someone in
here without making the payments?

No, not from here. Hold on.
Let me check something else.

Hmm... He's never paid
for the literature service.

He's only on the distribution file,
not on the payment file.

Can you find out when he first appeared
on the distribution file?

Two weeks ago.

After his brother resigned,
when he was already in the clinic.

-So somebody...in this building?
-It would have to be.

Made it look as if Charles had been
subscribing since January the 1st.

Yes.

-Kevin?
-What?

-Don't talk to anyone about this.
-I wasn't about to.

You're not going to print it? Why not?

Because there's nothing there, Mattie.
There's no hard evidence at all.

What do you want?
Look, someone altered computer files

to link Charles with
the Praed Street address.

They did that two weeks ago.
It's there on the print-out.

The same person must have opened
the bank account in Charles's name.

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

But altering the computer files
after the share deal.

That had to be someone
inside the party machine

who wanted rid of Collingridge.

Hal Collingridge could've done it
himself. Confuse the evidence.

He's not computer-literate enough
to do that. He's an Oxford arts man.

He can't use a cash-card machine!

-So he got someone to do It for him.
-He did that even after he resigned?

Mattie, get it into your head.
There isn't a story here.

A nice try, but you haven't given names.

You can't see what's In front of you.
It's a sensational story.

I'm tired of being told how to do my job
by the latest teenager from the sticks.

WellL...

Now Is as good a time as any.

-About your next career move.
-Oh?

I'd like to see some new thinking
in our home interior pages.

What's bright and sparkly in the shops
for her indoors?

The latest trend
in street-smart knitwear.

You've been got at, haven't you?
Was it Landless again?

I've been told about
your conspiracy theories.

Life doesn't work out like that, Mattie.
Especially political life.

It's real and dull and earnest.

Now, 2@ things you could do with a wok.

Your imagination could make Its mark.

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

I don't think you understand, Mattie.
You haven't any say in this.

I'm taking you off the political staff
for your own good.

Fine. I'll resign
and take this to another paper.

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

I know you're bursting to resign.
Be sensible.

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

Yes, I have, Ben. It's all ready.

"This country needs a leader with
maturity, with a sense of discretion,

"with a proven record of reliability.

"There is at least one senior figure
who has all these qualities."

GREVILLE AND ELIZABETH:
"He has set aside personal ambition

"In the cause
of the interest of his party.

"He has announced that it is not his
intention to seek election as leader.

"He still has time to reconsider
before nominations close on Thursday.

"We believe it would be
in the best interests of all concerned

"if the Chief Whip, Francis Urquhart,

"were to stand and be elected."

Admirable.

ALL SHOUTING QUESTIONS

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

As you know, I've always been happiest
serving government behind the scenes.

However, it would be
unpardonably arrogant of me

to disregard the urgings
of so many colleagues.

This has all come as a great surprise.

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

I need a little time to myself...

...and to talk this over
with my wife Elizabeth.

Her views will be the most important
of all to me in making my decision.

That's all I have to say until tomorrow.

ALL SHOUTING QUESTIONS

-Excellent.
-Thank you, my dear.

A touch of Richard of Gloucester
at Baynard's Castle.

"Shine out, fair sun!"

Should I have been discovered
with two priests, do you think?

Not with the state
the Church of England's in today.

Unpardonably arrogant
to disregard the wishes of the public.

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

For all that, you're still well behind
Samuels and Woolton, are you not?

So far. It's all in hand, Elizabeth.

Good. I didn't see your little friend
out there. The one from 7he Ghronicle.

No. I'm, er, giving her a private
audience tomorrow evening.

I see. Can we trust her, Francis?

Oh, yes. I think we can.

-Hello.
-Hello, Mattie. Usual? Whisky, please.

-How's it going?
-Not brilliant. Oh!

It's too depressing to think about.

What's all this about Francis Urquhart?

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

Presumably because Ben told him
what to think.

Do you think It's a daft idea, Urquhart?

No. I happen to think
he's very underrated.

I think he makes a very
potent contribution.

He might Just slip through.

The man least disliked.
The politician with no politics.

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

Yeah. The last of those, certainly.

But why should Landless
back an outsider?

I don't know. Woolton would give him
all he wants and he's a front-runner.

Ben Landless likes power
for its own sake.

He supported Collingridge
then ditched him.

Maybe he had a tip
about the shares scandal.

-Maybe he was involved.
-Maybe Urquhart was as well.

-No, not Urquhart.
-Why not?

I just know.
That sort of thing wouldn't be him.

-Fine. Be careful, Mattie.
-I am careful.

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

Whoever It was,
they won't just be villains.

These will be people
with friends in high places.

I know. But if they've got
all that inside information,

they'll know I'm no danger any more.

Greville's taken me off the story and
I can't get another job. And anyway,

-maybe I've friends in high places, too.
-Mattie!

All right, John. I will be careful.

Mr Grainger, then?

I see. There's no one else
from the press office available?

Is there anyone you could suggest?

Director of Publicity?
That's Mr O'Neill?

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

TELEPHONE RINGING

Director of Publicity's Office.
Penny Guy.

Hello. My name's Mattie Storin.
Could I speak to Roger O'Neill?

-Sorry. Who?
-Mattie Storin.

I... thought you were a man.

Well, sorry. Could I speak to Roger?

No, he's not in this morning.
He called in sick.

Look, can you come over now?

Um...yes, if you think
it's worth my while.

-I would rather speak to Mr O'Neill.
-No, you wouldn't. Believe me.

We'll meet outside. Corner of
Great Peter Street and Millbank.

All right. See you then. Goodbye.

Look, I had no idea you were a woman.

Roger just said someone needed a shock.

-Why should he do a thing like that?
-I suppose he owed someone a favour.

Look, you have to believe me.
Roger wouldn't hurt a fly.

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

I only went to look after him.

Do you believe me?

I don't know.

I'll pay for the damage to your car
and anything extra for upsetting you.

Honestly, he could never hurt a woman.
Not physically.

Look, Mattie, I'll tell you how tt Is.

The state he's in now,
if you go to the police with this,

he'd kill himself.

I really believe that.

Why is he in such a state?

I think he blames himself about that
share business. That wasn't his fault.

He idolised Henry Collingridge.
He'd do anything to help him.

-Why should he blame himself?
-Charles wanted an address for his mail.

Roger and I fixed it for him. The bugger
was using It for his iffy share deals.

Roger thinks he's all to blame.
He's cracking up.

-It's like dealing with a baby.
-Why do you put up with him?

I love him, don't I?

She just blurted it all out.

She must have thought
I recognised them that night.

I was just ringing O'Neill.

-And you believed her?
-Yes.

Neither of them thought It was
terribly wrong. I felt sorry for her.

She's in love with him.
It was him she was worried for.

She begged me not to go to the police.

She said he'd kill himself.
He's unstable.

I do understand, between the two of us,
that Mr O'Neill has a cocaine problem.

-What?
-Chief Whip's business, to know things.

-Is it?
-So that one can move swiftly to help.

It's more common than one might think.

Easy availability.
A life of constant pressure.

In Smith Square,
the House of Commons and Pall Mall,

it's all too easy
to fall into bad company.

-What should I do?
-Let's see.

You have firm evidence of a conspiracy.

But you have no access to a newspaper
to print it.

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

-Yes.
-About O'Neill, you're not sure?

I don't care about him,
but I would like to help her.

It just doesn't seem possible.

Someone Is clearly working O'Neill.

From his condition, I'd guess
it wouldn't take much

to get him to tell us who It Is.

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

-Shall I ask him?
-Would you?

It might take a few days
before he's ready to cooperate

but I believe he will.

Would you be prepared to leave it to me?

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

That was what you wanted
all along, wasn't it?

Yes, It was.

-Am I so transparent?
-Not at all. Manipulative, I would say.

You get me to do anything you like.

-Do I?
-So let me ask your advice.

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

Yes, you should.

WelL...it seems I have no choice.

Is Mrs Urquhart tn the country?

Not this evening.
Mrs Urquhart is in town.

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

I wish she were in the country.

And you do, too, don't you?

Don't you?

You might well think that, Mattie.

I couldn't possibly comment.