Original subtitles

Bye-bye.

Hold it, Pete.

Smitty, Charlie, all okay.

All okay.

Over. Right, Gav.

Right, Gav.

Fifty-five seconds from start to finish.

Very good. Very good indeed.

How was I that time, Gav?

You know, Pete, I am still inclined to think that you underplay the moaning as

you come out of the car.

Oh, really?

Oh, I thought it was just right. What do you know about it?

It's my game, this acting lark. Harder to take it up for a living.

Money for a whole rope.

I don't think I was any good, Dinko.

The fall onto the road was most realistic.

And the sack business went very smoothly.

What's going on? What about me, then? Oh, that reminds me, you better let Joe

out.

Well, Bluey, how do you think it went?

A real geezer would struggle a lot more than Joe did.

He'll kick out and all.

I reckon it should add four to five seconds to the time, no more.

It'd be a lot faster if I bent an iron bar around his head.

Bluey, we have been over all this.

In law, this is simple robbery. You start messing about with an iron bar and

it becomes robbery with violence.

And an extra two to three years inside if we're caught.

And for what? To save five seconds.

It's not sound economics.

You're going to give me a head of wallet when you slung me over them bushes.

So what? When there's no sense, there's no feeling.

Now then, watch it, lads.

They don't want the driver getting hurt accidentally.

Suppose he hits his head on a rock and gets killed.

To us, it's an accident. To the police, murder.

Look out! Police!

Now then, now then.

What's going on here?

Well done, Smithy.

You give a very good impersonation. So he ought to. He's been in contact with a

real thing often enough.

Well, it's time we were moving.

Joe, take the van to the farm. Right, Cub.

Bluey, you'd better get back to the cafe.

Have you got the details of the lorry clear? Ought to be. We've been over them

enough times.

All right. Off you go, then.

Well, you didn't get out the picnic things, Pete.

All this fresh air has given me an appetite.

Carey, good job it's you.

What, you're still eating? You want to watch it? You get fat.

You're joking, of course.

I wish I could.

Give us a plate of bacon chips, will you, love? And make it quick, I'm in a

hurry.

Coffee?

No, see you.

Hi, Scouse. Hello, Terry.

Here, glad you've come.

You can settle an argument.

What would you say is the job of a driver?

Well, to drive, I suppose.

There you are.

To drive a lorry from point A to point B.

That's what we paid for, right?

Well, what's the other part then?

Scouse has fitted some gadget to his lorry to stop hijacking.

Combination lock fitted to the fuel supply.

Every time I want to start the engine, I have to switch to the right combination.

Well, there's nothing wrong in that, Scouse.

Why should I have to worry about hijackers?

It isn't my job to fight hijackers, is it?

Another thing.

What's going to happen if I'm stopped?

All right. What?

Well, they're going to want that combination.

Right? Right. So they're going to beat me up until I tell them, right?

Right. Wrong.

They won't have to. Why not?

Because I've written the combination out over the lock, that's why.

Why should I suffer?

Let the insurance company pay. They can afford it, right?

Anyway, what are you carrying that would interest our jackets, Scouse?

Well, that isn't the point.

It's the principle.

Come on, Scouse. What are you carrying?

Fertilisers.

Fertilisers?

Fertiliser? That's what they're after, innit?

That's what they want, fertilisers.

That's all they need, innit?

You'll have all the hijackers of Britain queuing up for you.

How's business, Terry?

Ah, it's a bad, you know. It could be better, but still, with a little bit of

luck, I'll make it.

You small independents have no chance in the oldest game nowadays.

It's better than working for other people, innit? Oh, I couldn't stand the

responsibility myself.

That's what I like about the lorries. You don't have to worry, you know.

You're on your own, driving most of the time.

Without a boss ordering you about.

Time I was off.

Me too.

A mystery.

Mystery? Where?

Blown bird over there.

Waiting for a lift of the smoke by the look of her.

She'd been nursing that cup of tea for half an hour.

You've no idea, have you, Bert?

I'll tell you something for nothing.

She's no mystery.

If you'd have pulled as many as I have, you'd know that.

I'll take your word for it, Scouse.

You'll be guided by me and you won't go far wrong, boy.

Half the mystery's in London alive there on my lorry. Hey!

Sarah.

Oh, love. Smashing and starving.

Terry. I was wondering.

Wondering what?

You wouldn't like to give someone a lift up to London, would you? Oh, dear.

Well,

I'd like to help, but...

Well, I was just asking.

Oh, see, I've a few thousand quids worth of whiskey this trip. No, I can't take

any chances. No, I understand.

No, I mean, there's plenty of other lorries going that way.

Well, I didn't fancy asking none of the others. You know what they are. They

give a girl a lift, they think she's easy meat.

I don't think this one's like that.

Thanks anyway, Terry.

OK.

She's a smart woman, isn't she? Who is?

Who?

She told you to do it like this.

Do what?

Start up down the road looking at that suitcase.

Well, it's a matter of fact.

Oh, it makes me mad.

Everyone takes me for a soft touch.

Oh, it wasn't like that at all.

She told me you were very kind and that you might stop for me if you saw me

walking. And I was.

And if you hadn't stopped, I would have gone on walking, honest.

Been up against it, have you?

Only financially.

Been up north?

Yes. No, it couldn't have been much of a job if you couldn't afford the train

fare back.

I got a new mink last year. It set me back a bit.

Don't get saucy with me, love.

Look, it's just that I'd like to know a bit about people who travel in my lorry,

you know. It's not in my favor giving lifts, you know that.

I'm sorry.

I've been looking after my mother. She died a couple of weeks ago.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

My name's Teddy, by the way.

Teddy McKinley. Shirley.

Why don't you like giving lifts?

Oh, well, a couple of lads have been cotched and they're low to hijack by

people they give them lifts to.

And in consequence, the insurance companies aren't very keen on it.

Mind you, some of the lads do give a lift to the odd mystery, though.

What's a mystery?

Well, a mystery's, you know, it's a... Well, a mystery's a girl who gets around

a bit. I mean,

nobody knows where she comes from or where she's going to, so they call her a

mystery, see? Am I a mystery, then?

Oh, of course not.

Pleased to hear it.

What do they do?

Do?

The hijackers, what do they do?

Oh, well, the tricky part is for them to get you to stop somewhere quiet. I mean,

once you've done that, you've got no chance.

Why not?

Well, uh, they usually work with a team, see, and, uh, some of these gang play

pretty rough.

I see.

Oh, but don't worry. I've no intention of stopping anywhere quiet on this trip.

Where's the worry gone, then?

Much as I'd like to. What did you say?

Uh, nothing. Nothing.

I'd have thought it'd be wise to have someone with you if you're carrying a

valuable load. Oh, I usually do.

Only my mate was feeling ill.

So I didn't bring him this, Jim.

Don't worry me, though.

I've got a lucky face.

Another glass of wine, please, Peter.

Empty go.

Peter, I told you before, I will not have that sort of hooliganism.

Apart from the fact that broken glass is a very dangerous form of litter, that

bottle has fingerprints on it. Sorry, Gal.

Pick it up. There's a good lad.

That's one of the reasons I like working for you, Jack. You do feed your crews

right. That was a lovely drum of grub.

I must say, I thought that pie turned out rather well.

I can't understand you liking cooking, boss.

Oh, I find it stimulating.

You know, sort of creative, like painting or sculpture.

When did you start, Jack?

Some years ago.

At Parkhurst, they put me into the kitchens. I got interested.

Ended up cooking for the governor.

You know, I think you were sorry to see me go.

I didn't know you had done bird, boss.

Oh, I was very young and foolish then.

It's bluey.

Well? I'll pass them a few miles back. They'll be here in about five minutes.

You sure it was the right lorry?

Albion truck, NMF 55.

Charlie here.

Charlie here.

Jack here, over.

I'm in position.

I'm in position.

Any sign of him yet?

Over.

You there, Smithy? Over.

All set, Jack.

Over.

All right.

Any second now, lads.

Yeah, go easy with that stuff, mate. Remember, I've got a lie there.

We don't want to spoil a good effect, you know. I'd ruin the effect if I catch

his fire at the wrong moment.

Charlie here. Car coming.

Blue Ford.

This could be it. There's a lorry coming.

I can see the number now.

It's the lorry. And the road's clear behind.

Smitty, how's the road your end?

Road's clear here, Gov.

Smitty! Charlie!

It's a go!

Going a bit fast, won't you, madam?

Fast? Yes. Can I see your driving license, please?

Right, Sam.

It's all right, Louie.

Jokey. Get down!

Let her go, Sam.

Help Louie and Pete.

It's all there, lads.

£12,000 worth.

All right, let's get it off.

What happened here, you say?

At the top of the hill.

Tyler's Hill.

Used to be a favourite spot for highwaymen years ago.

I've got news for you. It still is.

Get the details out in the air, will you, Harris?

It's a pretty quiet road nowadays.

Cutting through to the M1 at Newport Pagnol, are you? No.

You always go that way?

Yeah, when I'm doing Chester, London.

Most of the lorries keep to the main road. Go via Stafford and Birmingham.

Why are you different?

What is all this? Why all the questions?

Well, you better get used to them. Your insurance company will be asking as

well.

I go that way to Mr.

Holdup's, where they're building the new motorway to Manchester.

There are cases of hijacking, you know, where we find that the lorry driver is

involved himself.

Yeah, well, this isn't one of them. I own my own business. That was my lorry.

It was my loss.

We'll find the lorry, don't you worry. And quickly.

But the whiskey will be gone.

That's more likely on its way on another vehicle by now.

On we go, Joe.

Well, there we are, boys.

Two hundred each. Thanks, Cub.

Likewise.

All right, Sam.

Dump the lorry about ten miles out and don't forget to break the mileage

reader. Right.

Well, I'll be seeing you then, Jack.

I'll give you a ring, Smithy, if anything turns up.

Yeah, well, don't forget I'm booked up next week. I'm doing a blag with the

Liverpool boys. I have a note of that.

See you, Smithy. Keep yourself out of trouble.

All ready, Gav.

Don't get me in the hurry-up, Peter.

Well, your description of the bald-headed man will be a help.

You're sure you'd recognize him again? Oh, yes.

This man, Brady, is the only person you employ?

Mm-hmm.

And he would have known which route you would take on this particular journey?

Yes, but... Oh, don't worry. I'm sure he had nothing to do with it.

I'll get the London police to have a word with him, just in case.

He might have mentioned it to someone. You never know.

It's best to be sure.

Do you think you'll ever catch them?

There are 3,000 lorries and vans hijacked in this country every year.

75% of those are stolen in between London and Coventry, on roads that are

the busiest in the country.

But couldn't you set up roadblocks the moment you hear of a hold-up?

There are 1,000 lorries an hour on the M1 alone.

It's an impossible task.

That's why hijacking has become so popular with the criminal.

It used to be wage hold-ups, but that's got too tough for them now.

or with armoured cars and guards.

So now they've turned to this luck.

Yes, but there must be something you can do.

We do our best, McKinley.

But until you road carriers guard your lorries properly, this sort of thing

will go on.

Some of the bigger companies have started using the convoy system.

I don't know why you don't all do that.

Well, it's difficult with one lorry.

Yes, you've got a point there.

Well, there's nothing else for you here.

I suggest you get back to London.

I'll notify you if there's any news.

Sorry to have to sound so pessimistic, Mr. McKinley, but it's better you don't

hold out any false hopes.

We'll do our best.

You'll find the station just across the road from here.

You should be in Paddington in an hour.

Thanks.

Not much to go on. As usual, sir.

Get on to customs and excise and give them the details of the whisky, will

you?

Give me Scotland Yard.

I'm interested in knowing more about the providential illness of his co-driver.

The next train from platform 3 will be the 515 to London.

First stop, Paddington.

Ah, look the way it is. It's a wonder we haven't just missed it.

Funny, isn't it?

Earlier today, you were telling me how lucky you were. Yeah, well, it just goes

to show, doesn't it?

Do you know what a bock is?

No idea.

It's Yiddish for something that brings you bad luck.

You're with one now.

Don't be daft.

It's true.

All my life I've been unlucky.

And it's always rubbed off on whoever I'm with.

What, and you really mean to say that you think it's your fault? Yes, if you

hadn't given me a lift this morning, this would never have happened.

I brought you bad luck. Look, if you hadn't have been there, I might still be

lying tied up in that sack. Why, I might have lain there for days before someone

had found me.

If I hadn't been there, this would never have happened.

Oh, what a load of... You don't really mean to say that. You really... What's

the matter?

I've got something in my eye.

Help me get it out, will you?

Hold still.

You see what I mean?

Thanks.

It's quite a big piece of grit.

Well, you see.

What? Well, if you hadn't have been here, I might have gone blind.

Thank you for getting my fare.

Forget it. I'll pay you back as soon as I've got a job.

I said forget it.

Oh, look, that reminds me, though. You'd better let me have your name and address

so that...

So

I can turn down your handbag and suitcase when they find the lorry. I'll

give you a ring. My plans are rather uncertain.

You haven't anywhere to go in London, have you?

Well... Well, I'll have to find some digs.

Like hell you will. I mean, who'll take you in?

You've no suitcase.

You've no handbag.

Look, you'd better stay at my place, okay? Oh, no, I'll be all right.

Really, thanks very much. Like hell you will.

Look, you'd better stay at my place to get fixed up, okay? Now, no arguments,

all right? I told you, no arguments.

Yes, speaking.

Yes,

Inspector.

You have?

No. No, of course not.

When can I collect it?

Right. Well, thanks for letting me know, anyway.

They found the lorry?

Empty.

They're going over it for fingerprints.

At least you got it back.

Not that I'll have any use for it.

Why not?

Ah, well, my insurance premiums will be sky after this.

If they'll cover me at all.

Just the price made right out of the game.

It was hard enough keeping going as it was.

I'm sorry.

Well, why should you be?

I'm not.

I was fed up with struggling anyway.

There's no money in it.

Oh, come on, let's get something to eat, eh?

Nice flat.

Yeah, still, I don't mind telling you, this do-it-yourself bit, it's overrated.

It's our grab.

Oh,

I'll get on to this later.

Now then, let's see what I've got to eat.

Tin of steak and kidney pudding.

Tin of car wax.

Tin of rice, how's that?

English cooking at its best.

Do you always eat out of tins? No, most nights I eat frozen food.

Then, of course, I eat out a lot.

There you are.

That's the cooking done.

It can't be good for you, you know. You ought to eat fresh food.

Listen, I don't mind telling you, I never had so good one when I was at

home.

My mother, she was a shocking cook, but terrible.

I tell you, I was going to get away from her.

That's better.

You don't laugh much, do you?

I suppose I don't. Not much.

You should do it more often.

I will, when I'm in the pools.

I'm going to decimate.

Oh, pardon me. Oh, Terry.

I'm sorry to hear about the lorry.

What's wrong with you? Yeah, well, it doesn't matter.

I've seen it.

Oh, sure, yeah.

This is Jim Brady.

Oh, hello. Hello.

Yeah, well, like I was saying, Terry, when I opened the door and I spoke, said

he was a detective, he could knock me down with a feather.

Get away, I said. Terry's lorry's been stolen. How did that happen?

So he said, he stopped for a fake accident, and they had him. I said, get

away. I said, it's not like Terry to fall for something like that.

Anyway, I said, what was it you wanted to see me about?

So he said, they wondered how they knew that you'd be on that road.

How about that, eh? I said, look, mate. I said, I didn't tell anyone.

Anyway, he goes on for about half an hour.

What was wrong with me? Had I told anyone?

Did I have a doctor's certificate for staying at home? In the end, I got the

dead needle. I said, look, mate. I said, what's all this about? I said, you don't

think I'd done it, do you?

Oh, he says, don't get aerated. He says, don't get aerated. Right, he was only

doing his job.

Yeah, yeah, I know. That's what he said, but it's a bit much, isn't it?

Well, I suppose they are suspicious of you not being with Terry.

Today, of all days.

Yeah, well, I suppose it's an unfortunate coincidence.

Still forget about it, Jim.

Yeah, sorry I wasn't there to help you, Terry. I really am. If only I'd been

there, this might never have happened.

Why, you couldn't have helped.

They were team-handed.

Still, I'd like to know. I think you're always on that road, though.

Yeah.

Yeah, well this copper who came around to see me he reckons they followed you a

couple of times They do that he said did clever some of them are he said yeah, oh

They found the lorry by the way get away What about the gear?

gone What are you gonna do now then Terry Pack up and sell out.

I'm sorry mate if only I've been there What's the law say about it? Do they

reckon they get the scotch back?

Nothing to go on

Oh, sure, he can give a description of one of them, but that's all.

Get away.

What, you saw one of them then, did you?

Yes, a bald-headed man, just as they were driving away.

He looked like the leader.

Well, that's something anyhow, isn't it?

Are you feeling better now?

Better? Oh, yeah, yeah, thanks very much, yeah.

It's, uh, not much really, you know, a bit of the old tummy upset, you know how

it is.

Probably something you ate.

Yeah, more than likely.

Well, look, I'll be going now then, Terry.

Uh, good night. Good night.

Is there anything you want me to do tomorrow, Terry?

Yeah, you can do something, of course. You can go and pick up the lorry.

Listen, I'll tell you where it is.

Yeah, sure. Where is it, then?

You were a bit obvious, weren't you?

Yes, I suppose so.

But he was ill at a very convenient moment and he certainly seems to have

got over it very quickly.

Jim and I have been mates ever since I started with my own truck.

I just know he wouldn't do a thing like that.

I mean, why should he?

Money, I suppose.

Look, Shirley, I trust him.

So, let's change the subject, shall we?

Delicious.

How much longer is that grub going to be?

I'm starving, hungry guff.

Only a few more minutes. When the bell goes.

Here it is. What does it say?

Expertly executed crime, blah blah.

Carried out with cool daring.

Here, listen to this.

The police expect an early arrest.

Oh, early arrest.

Here, guff. Yes, Peter?

It says in the paper the load was valued at 20,000 pounds. Oh, the newspaper's

always exaggerated.

You said it was worth 12.

You're not... You're not questioning my honesty, are you, Pete?

Oh, no, Gov.

I mean, if you have any doubts... Forget about it, Jack.

Everyone knows you're as straight as a die.

No one could be straighter.

No.

Are we going to be able to pull this accident gag again, Gov?

No.

Never offer the same bait twice.

It's a very sound maxim in this business.

No, I shall think up something different for the next time.

I still say the best thing is to pull up in front of the lorry and belt the

driver with an iron bar.

You know, you've got a very nasty streak in you, Bluey.

Does that mean something's ready, Garth?

That was the doorbell.

He's very punctual.

Still, people generally are when there's money to collect.

That's human nature, Gov.

Yes, indeed.

Human nature.

You won't like what you're going to do about his money, Jack.

Like it or lump it, Bluey, that is the way it's going to be.

It's the bunny merchant, Gov.

Well, I've heard of a thief's kitchen, but this is ridiculous.

Thank you.

Everything went all right then, eh?

Go and sit down with the others. There's a good shepherd.

I had the law round to see me.

Naturally.

What did they say?

Oh, they wanted to know if I told anyone the route that Terry had been taking.

I told them I hadn't.

Oh, not to worry. They can't do anything.

Do you want anything to eat?

Huh? Oh, grub and all, eh? That's the boss to work for. I tell you what,

though, I wouldn't mind a little appetiser to start with.

Forgive him, Miss Manny Bluey.

What's all this then? We agreed on 300.

It's only 50 quid, yeah?

What's it all about, then?

Where's the rest of the money? We agreed on 300.

I'll tell you what it's all about, son.

There's not very much the police can do about the hijacking, except wait and

watch. And they're very good at that, believe me.

Now, they don't know who stole the whiskey or who laid it on for us by

telling us which route the lorry would take.

So they'll wait.

And watch for someone to start spending.

Now, if I give you all the 300 of one girl, you'll run off with it clutched in

your hot little hand, making such a splash that all the police for miles

around will hear.

And they'll start asking questions.

Nasty, persistent questions about where you got the money from.

And you will... I'd tell them that... Oh, don't tell me.

You won it at the dogs.

You see?

I'm going to give you £50 a month.

You what?

Now, just a minute. I don't want to talk about it. The subject is closed.

Yeah, you might not want to talk about it. Here, have some soup and belt up.

Got any brown sauce you have?

Bluey, please.

Did you go to McKinley's?

Yeah.

Well?

Police have found the lorry.

I'm picking it up tomorrow. They're checking it for fingerprints.

Oh, fingerprints.

Very funny, AP.

Blurry. You were seen.

Seen?

Yeah. A fat, bald-headed man looked like the lady she said.

That girl?

When I saw her run off, I never thought she'd have the nerve to come back.

Well, she'd recognise you again, she said.

That's not good, Gough.

That's right.

An eyewitness to pick you out of the copper's line-up. Yes, I know, I know.

Who is she?

I don't know. I never saw her before tonight. She was around at Terry's place

when I was there.

Some tart he was giving a lift to, I suppose.

Unlucky for us.

What are you going to do about it?

Well, I suppose the police will have her looking through the files.

I think perhaps you and Peter better pay her a visit.

Warn her to forget anything that she may have seen.

Give her a going over, eh? No violence.

A gentle warning is all that it should need.

Yeah, well, they can't do that. No, why not?

Well, Terry will suss me right away. Of course, but not to worry. He can't prove

a thing.

You just deny everything. You're all right. Well, it's all right for you to

say not to worry.

You're worried he's going to give you a thumb-in? Yeah, that's about it.

You got a choice?

Yeah? Getting a thumb-in from him or getting a thumb-in from me if you don't

stop arguing with the governor. So what's it going to be?

Fine. Now we can eat.

I'll put the bag down for you.

Thanks.

You look fine.

One thing I'll never forgive those hijackers for is taking my handbag with

my lipstick and powder in it. Oh, there's some tuck in there if you want

to use it.

Thanks, just the same.

You wouldn't have any lipsticks hanging about, I suppose?

No, I never use them.

I just thought somebody might do them. No, no, I'll get you something to jump.

Takes a lot to get you down, doesn't it?

To hear you now, no one would think you had a care in the world. I don't believe

you, Maureen.

Gives you wrinkles.

Wish I could be like that.

You're fine as you are.

You're very kind, Terry.

I mean it. You are very kind.

Forget it.

Doesn't cost anything.

Must do. There'll be more of it about.

There you go again.

What a cynic.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

That bath will be running over.

Gently, Bluey.

Yeah, what were you making all that row about, by the way?

Oh, my breathing, you mean.

I saw that in a film. It was scary, wasn't it? Yeah, me worried. Thought you

was choking or something.

Oh, Terry! Are you all right?

They told me to forget all about what I'd seen at the hold-up.

They pushed me under the bathwater. I was so... I was so frightened.

I was so frightened.

No, no.

It's all right.

It's all right. It's okay.

It's okay. They're gone now. They're gone.

Why not But don't you see that's what they want they want to get us so scared

that we'll crawl away to all and forget anything ever happened Well, I'm not

gonna crawl into any hole Shirley, and I'm not gonna forget it either.

I'm fed up with being pushed around

Hello.

Oh, hello.

I just went out to get some food.

I took some money off the table. I hope you don't mind. No, no, of course not.

You were sleeping so soundly, it seemed a pity to wake you.

Why are you looking so happy?

Happy? Was I looking happy? Yes.

I'll go and get your breakfast.

I've bought a couple of things for myself as well, a pair of stockings and

a lipstick. I hope you don't mind.

No, of course not. Thanks.

What are you going to do today?

Look for a job. What?

Oh, anything.

I've done most things, even modelling.

Not the type I read about in the Sunday newspapers.

No, the respectable kind.

Couldn't make a living at it, though. Ah, you've got to be lucky at that game.

Yes, you do, don't you?

You don't have to grab it the first thing that comes along, you know. Look

around a bit.

Beggars can't be choosers.

That's your trouble. You've got to be independent.

Go looking for anything, you end up with nothing.

Look, you can stay until you get fixed up.

No charge at all.

Of any description.

I don't want to be any trouble to you.

Trouble?

You've been in a hijacking. You've been nearly drowned in your own bathwater.

I should think it's me who's putting you two a load of trouble.

Thanks.

I'll put the kettle on.

Morning, Lou.

Give us a cup of tea, will you, love?

And I'll have one of these rolls.

Some of the boys were saying Terry got hijacked.

Yeah, yeah, that's right, sir. Just been down to collect the lorry from the

police. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

He wasn't hurt, was he?

You don't happen to know if there was a girl mixed up in it, do you?

I'd never forgive myself.

Oh, you mean the girl who gave her lift to? Yeah.

No, she was around at Terry's place when I was there last night. Oh.

Oh.

Hey, turn Terry over, then.

Yeah. Funny thing, we was only talking about it to him yesterday.

Yeah, there you are. It just goes to show, doesn't it? It's about time the

police did something about it.

Yeah, that's what I say.

I'm going to refuse to carry tobacco and drink after tomorrow unless they provide

guards. How can you refuse, Scout? It's your job.

It's not my job to risk me neck, and I'm telling them they should provide guards

with valuable loads.

Look at today.

I'm on my way to pick up a load of cosmetics.

30,000 quid's worth, and they're sending me out without a guard. It's asking for

trouble. Well, it is if you go blabbing your big mouth off. You want to keep

quiet about it.

I know. I won't tell anyone else.

But they ought to provide guards.

Like they do on the Westerns on the telly with a stagecoach, a bloke with a

shotgun. What's so good of that?

Every time I've seen a Western, the guard's the first one to get shot.

I've never seen one fire his shotgun yet.

They always cop it.

I suppose you're right.

Yeah. Any time you was off.

All right.

All right.

Well, might see you this afternoon, then. Yeah, might.

They're only about four.

Ta-da.

Poor old Scout. He's scared stiff of getting hijacked.

Yeah, well, it's hardly likely to happen, is it? I mean, the charges are

pretty remote.

Thanks for a marvellous breakfast.

Give me strength to face the insurance company. You're going to see them this

morning? Well, I may as well get it over with.

Terry, I've been thinking... What about?

Those men last night.

You're wondering how they knew you were here?

Yeah. Yeah, well, the same thought had occurred to me.

I mean, how did they know you were here?

How did they know what route I was taking?

How did they know I was carrying such a valuable load?

Well? Well, there's only one person who could have told them that you were here

and that you'd seen the hijacking and could identify one of them.

Jim Brady.

I'm sorry, Terry.

What are you going to do?

Wait until he gets back and have a few words with him.

The thing some people are doing for money.

Hello, is that you, Carter?

Oh, Brady.

Yes. Well, what do you want?

Look, I'm on to a nice little caper if you're interested.

I'm always interested in a good proposition.

30,000 quid's worth of cosmetics.

Go on.

There's a lorry on its way to pick it up now.

Fine, give me the details.

What about me, then?

I want 500 if this job comes off, Carter. All at once.

Together with my other 250.

Is it a deal?

All right, it's a deal.

So I gave him a carpet on top of his jacks, just for having a bit of buffer

with a screw.

I mean, I say, a carpet's worth of payday for all that bad jack biatch.

Oh, because their food's no so bad.

If you can bear the cooking of it.

Going to Blackpool for your holidays, are you?

Where'd you get the money from, eh? That's what I want to know. Where'd you

get the money?

Well, well.

Look who's here.

A face for the past and no mistake.

Hello, Tim.

You've got a nerve coming to see me.

Really?

Have I something to be ashamed of, then?

We swore we'd stay together, for better or for worse.

Yes, well, a lot of things have happened since then, Tim.

Mind you, I reckon I'm well rid of you.

There's no point in having a wife who divorces you the moment you have a

little trouble.

A little trouble?

Seven years in prison for a man serving his third sentence, and you call that a

little trouble?

Well, let's not talk about that now.

It's enough to say that our marriage was a mockery from start to finish.

So what do you want, anyway?

If it's money, you've come to the wrong place.

I don't want money, Tim.

Well, what is it, then?

Yesterday, I was given a lift on a lorry.

It was stopped, and the cargo was stolen.

Somebody else you brought good luck to, eh, Shirley?

He gives you a lift and they nick his lorry.

Cut it out.

Oh, that's rich, isn't it?

What do you want to see me about?

I didn't do it, Shirley.

I got an alibi.

Timmy's lost everything.

I want to help him get it back.

You're mad.

Potty, why should you help him get it back?

What's it to you if some nick...

Oh, that's rich.

That's very rich.

So the Snow White Princess has fallen for somebody.

How sweet.

What have you fallen for, darling? His big blue eyes?

No, Tim.

I've fallen for a man who's everything you're not.

Kind, hardworking, considerate.

Available.

You never could stand anything decent, could you?

Look, what's all this got to do with me?

Well, you know everyone in the underworld.

I want you to tell me who might have done it.

You are potty.

May tell you.

I wouldn't tell you if you gave me a free pardon.

I couldn't anyway. I mean, I could have been one of a dozen gangs.

I mean, without a description, I would... Oh, the leader.

The leader was a plump, bald-headed man, about 45, with a hooked nose.

Well, thanks for the amusement, darling. You must do it more often. It breaks the

monotony. Sit down.

Who do you think you're talking to?

I said, sit down.

The trouble with you wide boys is you make the mistake of thinking everyone's

as stupid as you are.

Do you really think I'd come here asking you to help me if I didn't know I could

make you?

Make me?

How?

How much longer have you got here?

Three years, with full remission.

When you were arrested, the police asked me a lot of questions about other jobs

they suspected you of doing.

I didn't say anything.

At the time.

You're bluffing.

You never knew anything about the way I got my money.

Enough to make the police open a few old files, Tim.

You snag.

You dirty little... Well?

Well, it sounds like a man called Carter.

Where can I find him?

Why don't you let your friends the police do that?

I want to make sure he's the right man first.

He's got a place in... in Hampstead.

Palace Road.

It's a big house on the corner.

Thank you.

Do me a favour.

When you walk out of that door, never let me set eyes on you again.

I never had any luck since the first day I met you.

Smithy? Is Jack Carter here?

I have another little job for you.

No, no, no.

It's a rush job this afternoon.

Be at the farm at 3 o'clock with your uniform.

Let's have a look at the map, Pete.

Are you going to use that accident gag again, Cuff?

No, I shall use...

Sorry. Now, according to Brady,

the lawyer will be at the cafe here at about four.

My idea is this.

Wait.

Oh, that'll be blurry.

Okay, okay, okay. I can hear you.

Coming out of the garden, she'd been snooping around.

It's the girl from the lorry, Gav. How the hell did she... Be quiet, Pete.

I must think.

What could you think that's going to do you, Mr. Carter?

Surprise upon surprise.

Most disconcerting, my dear. So you even know my name? Among other things, yes.

Was there anyone with her?

I don't think so. I had a quick little round before I climbed rock and see no

one. So she came here on her own, eh?

But why?

Why come here at all?

That's just one of the things you're going to have to work out, isn't it?

Ah, but if we answer that question, we shall solve the others too.

Of course.

You came here to have a look at me.

That's the only possible explanation there could be.

How do you know the address?

And how do you know your name?

That's not important at the moment, Bluey.

The question is, what are we going to do?

Keep an eye on her, Pete.

It's bad, Jack.

Couldn't be worse.

What do you think we ought to do?

Shut her up.

Don't be a fool.

What else can we do? We can't let her go.

On the contrary, the thought that we should ever do anything else never

entered my head.

You're off your rugger. The moment you let her go, she'll be off the law.

I tell you straight, Jack.

I know how you feel about the rough stuff.

But I'm not going to jail just because you won't be tough enough.

You won't go to jail, Bluey.

And neither will I.

There's only one answer.

We must keep the girl somewhere safe until I've made arrangements for us to

get out of the country.

We'll do a good thing here. It'd be a dead chugger to have to turn it in

because of some stupid dame. We have no alternative.

We've had a good run.

We'll get out while we're still ahead on the game.

I'd thought of Australia myself.

Australia.

Well, you and Peter are entirely welcome to come with me if you want to.

Okay.

What do we do?

We carry on with this afternoon's job.

After all, the money will buy us a lot of distance.

Then afterwards, we leave the girl at the farm with Smith to look after her.

And then after a few days when we've gone, you can let her go.

The police will have a hard job finding us then, eh, Bluane?

Hi, Terry.

Any luck with the insurance, then?

What are you doing for, Jim?

I do what?

Sell me out.

You can't buy me or something. What are you talking about?

You set me up for the hijacking, didn't you? I don't know what you're talking

about, mate. You told them that Shirley had seen one of them.

So they come round here and try to show her up by our skin and out of her wits.

Let me tell you, you're still kind to me, mate. I want the truth out of you,

Jim. And I'm telling you, I'd prefer to beat it out of you.

Who are they Jim?

Who are they Jim?

Who was it? Listen, Terry, I don't want to do it. Honest. Who was it?

A bloke called Carter.

Where does he live?

Amsterdam. But he's not there. Where is he?

Where is he?

They're on another job.

Where?

It's Garty's line.

Remember they stopped you.

Listen, Terry.

Give us a break, will you?

I'll forget it. You can tell it to the police. Come on.

How long will you be?

I don't know. Just stop them going up there too fast. They don't want to get

killed. Okay. Hurry it up, then.

Hold on there, Charlie.

Hijackers!

Nick, what's the matter with you? Didn't you see the barricade? I thought you was

hijackers. Hijackers? You saw the uniform, didn't you? Yes, but they dress

up as coppers. Dress up as coppers.

Will you give us a hand with this tree?

Yeah, well, then he sells the stuff straight to a bloke in the north.

There's less profit that way, he says, but it cuts the risk.

He gets about half the real value.

That can't be bad.

Your load would have brought him in nearly 6,000.

And now they're going to do poor old Scouse.

If only we knew where.

Where do they reload the stuff?

Well, different places.

Yesterday they were at a disused farmhouse about ten miles from here.

Well, they're more than likely to be using the same place today.

They don't have time to have found anywhere else. I mean, this is a rush

job for them. Quite.

There's the old beach place, sir. That's a very quiet spot.

And that could be the place.

Get half a dozen men outside right away.

Oh, not again.

All right.

All right.

You can have it.

Here's the key, Sam.

You'll find the combination over the lock.

Shirley, what are you...

And

the police are down the road.

And you were there?

Now, do you still think you bring bad luck?

Don't forget, they brought me.

Well, at least the governor got away, Bluey. Go!

I should like you to note at the trial, Inspector, that I surrendered myself.

And who are you?

My name is Carter.

Gov, you could have gone away, Gov.

I'm too old for running, Pete.

Too old and too fat.

Besides, it's a sound maxim that when something is inevitable, one should

relax and enjoy it.

In that case, after you.