Original subtitles

(stately orchestral horns music)

(peaceful classical oboes and strings music)

(clock ticking)

(relaxing jazz music)

(clock ticking)

(flask thunks)

(coat fabric rustling)

(suitcase scraping)

(locks clicking)

(suitcase rattling)

(papers rustling)

(book thuds)

(metal clacks)

(relaxed, jazz music)

(picture rustles)

(cap rattling)

(liquid splashes)

(screw cap squeaks)

(wood thunks)

(lock clicks)

(traffic noise)

(footsteps clunking)

(door slams)

(motor revving)

(engine roars)

(wheels squeaking)

(brakes squeak)

(motor rumbles)

(crowd murmuring)

(motor rattling)

(door clunks)

(traffic noise)

(motor rumbles)

(cars rushing)

(clock ticks)

(echoing footsteps)

- It's the telephone, Mr. Palfrey.

(papers rustling)

It's a lady, sir.

- Good heavens, a lady.

- She sounded authoritative.

- Oh dear.

- Yeah, shall I tell her you're not at the club today, sir?

- I fear she won't go away, I'd better come.

- Oh, it's like that, is it, sir?

- It is not like that, Greaves.

- Well, hello!

- Good to see you.

- We got a drop your line, congratulations and so.

- Thanks you Greaves.

Thank you very much.

You must come up to the office some time.

Corridors and power and all that stuff you know.

- I should like to, how's Ann?

- Oh she's fine, yes.

- I've got a phone call, sorry, nice to see you.

- It's booth number two, sir. - Right.

(shoes squeak)

Yes madam?

- Oh thank goodness I caught you Mr. Palfrey.

A matter potentially of great significance

and of some urgency.

I wish you to conduct a debriefing.

Your a strong suit, I'm advised.

- [Mr. Palfrey] When madam?

- Tomorrow but I'd like you to have the papers tonight.

- But I'm going to the theater, madam.

- [Madam] Oh really, what to see?

- The Turn of the Screw.

- [Madam] Very unhealthy play.

- It may indeed be an unhealthy play mada--

- [Madam] I'd like you to pick up the papers afterwards.

- Afterward, very well.

What is the address?

(motor rumbles)

(door slams)

Thank you very much.

(motor roars)

(phone buzzes)

(phone clicks)

- Yes.

- [Phone Voice] Alfred.

- It's open.

(phone clicks)

(door clunks)

(locks clunking)

(door squeaks)

- Evening.

(door squeaks and clunks)

- Straight ahead.

(locks clunk)

- [Mr. Palfrey] What is this?

- Usual safe house.

Fancy one?

- No thanks.

(traffic noise)

(glass clunks)

- [Mr. Palfrey] A matter potentially of

great significance I was told.

- She could be right.

It's a big fish.

- Volkov?

Yeees.

A very big fish.

(Mr. Palfrey sighs)

(folder crinkles)

Curiosity,

especially of the beaten tourist areas.

Curious eyes watching me.

I particularly remember traveling

on the Moscow Underground.

And my fellow passengers eyeing me quite openly

the stranger in their mix,

this man in Western clothes.

And no fur hat, shanka?

Shanka.

And these passengers with their eyes on me thinking,

"Who is he, where does he come from?

"How is his life, how is it different from ours?

"Good, bad, better?

"Better than ours?"

That strong enough Andrei?

I know you like your tea very strong.

- Why doesn't he get on with it?

- Oh Palfrey knows what he's about.

Does it his way.

- Now on the London Underground,

oh, have you taken it yet?

You could sit there naked except for a bola, shanka

and nobody would give you a second glance.

(glass clinks)

This is your first visit to the West Isn't it Andrei?

- It is.

- A week isn't a long time to get an impression.

(glass clinks)

- I like the color.

- Color?

- The people with their clothes, all different.

- Riveting, riveting!

(paper crinkles)

Mmm.

- This a

book of yours must your favorite.

- Favorite?

- As you must think highly of it.

You brought it from Moscow the only book you did bring.

- Yes, maybe it is my favorite, I think so.

- It was largely responsible for winning you the

Lenin prize I believe.

(Andrei sighs)

Very patriotic work.

- You have read it?

- (Chuckles) I confess no, only a prese.

- You are like a critic, Mr. Palfrey.

- Yes, perhaps.

I do have an excuse.

I have little rush in that I don't believe

you've been published in the West.

- And that is because I have not attacked my country,

like Solzhenitsyn, Pasternak and certain others.

- You're a paradoxical man.

- Paradoxical?

- You wish to defect

and you have no record of dissent.

(glass clinks)

(engine rumbles)

- All right to smoke? - Yes of course.

No thank you.

You're one of the most influential members

of the Writer's Union.

A Lenin laureate, people's artist,

possessor of a capitalist style bank account.

Luxury apartment in Moscow,

a handsome bacher in Peredelkino.

Chaufer driven Zi--

- Ask me directly why I wish to come here, Mr. Palfrey?

- All right, why do you wish to come here?

- I am over 45 years old.

I must expand my knowledge of people,

of the world outside my country

if I shall write the book I wish to write.

- Your masterpiece.

- If you like.

I can only do this if I experience

a time of living in this country and in America.

And the authorities refuse my request

to live outside my country for a period of two years.

- And your wife?

- She is not.

We do not live together now.

- Since when?

- [Andrei] Since three months.

- Did that influence your decision to defect?

- Yes, that helped.

Made easier my decision.

- More tea or would you prefer something stronger?

(rapid footsteps)

(wood knocking)

(door clicks)

- I brought these pictures from

the press office, Mr. Palfrey. (door clunks)

- Oh, good.

- Mr. Palfrey I,

I don't want to disturb you,

but I wondered if you might--

- I have the feeling Caroline that you're

about to weedle me.

- Well I suppose I am, rather.

- [Mr. Palfrey] Then kindly weedle me quickly, would you?

- Right!

If I work through my lunch hour

could I leave at four please?

(phone ringing)

I said if I work through my lunch hour

could I leave at four?

- Not another romance!

- Afraid so, awful isn't it?

- You're incouragable Caroline.

- Yes, I know.

- Well I don't think you should admit your weaknesses

with quite so much enthusiasm.

- Well it's only that we haven't seen each other.

- Yes, all right, all right!

You can leave at four.

- That's really very kind of you

Mr. Palfrey. - And you don't have

to sacrifice your lunch hour.

- Thank you.

(door clicks)

(door clunks)

(typewriter clicking)

(phone clunks)

- That was Major Hopkins.

Half an hour ago the KGB were in touch.

They want to do a deal in return for Volkov!

Yes, I think this calls for a little celebratory drink!

- Who are they offering in exchange?

- Well that's immaterial isn't it?

Volkov is a priceless capture.

And we're going to keep him.

Here for the first time we have an official Russian,

a true patriot.

A man whose books sell by the million.

A people's artist, a Lenin laureate

and he comes to London to defect.

- West is best.

- Is that a sarcastic remark?

- [Mr. Palfrey] I don't think so.

- What exactly are you thinking?

- I find it hard to believe that Volkov

with his past record, can suddenly do this about face.

It just isn't right.

- Then why do they want him back?

- If they wanted to be sure we'd take him

they'd make some display of demanding his return.

Who are they offering?

- That's immaterial.

They have no one of equal value.

I don't think you realize, Mr. Palfrey,

that we have on our hand - Madam I do realize

- the man who-- - Volkov propaganda value,

what I'm saying is that we shouldn't jump the gun.

I have certain lines on Volkov that I want

to investigate and that takes time.

- Time.

I want to arrange a press conference tomorrow

for the purpose of announcing Volkov's defection,

do you understand?!

(briefcase slams)

- I understand, madam, that I did the state

some service before you took over the department.

I was consulted in the past.

And sometimes my advice was listened to

and acted upon, at the very least I was always consulted.

- Oooh, my dear, Mr. Palfrey-- - Now I can take my congee

before I say something fairly unpleasant.

(door clunks)

I want to speak to Mr. Kilpeck.

You can tell him it's important.

I might just as well not exist.

She's a one woman band!

Mad is too soft a word for her.

She makes the Spanish fighting bull

seem like a dappled doe.

- Spleen Palfrey.

I don't think I've ever heard you so splenetic

not even when I was coordinator.

Still it's better out than in.

You know this is what I call

the woodpecker situation.

- Woodpecker?

I see only gulls.

- I know.

Woodpeckers.

Whenever I play golf and my game goes off

as it usually does

and I find my temper rising with every miss timed swing

I remind myself to look out for the woodpecker.

There's always one around at Richmond.

And that does the trick and calms me down.

- I am calm.

Inside. (sighs)

- Then maybe you're ready to tell me what you're after.

- In your new post you have the ear of the under secretary.

- Well, possibly half an ear.

- Gloriana wants Volkov's clearance fast,

I want it delayed by at least another

three or four days in the national interest.

- Do you think he's a plant?

- I don't know.

But there's something that...

Let's say I'm not convinced, I need time.

Time that Gloriana won't give me.

- Well Palfrey, I have to admit

with a certain reluctance since we didn't

always see eye to eye

that you know your job.

- Thank you.

- I'll speak to the under secretary.

- Good.

- It's not going to improve your relationship

with madam is it, Palfrey?

(crowd chatters)

- [Yelena] I see you have my vodka already.

- Ah!

- What if one day I should change my mind?

- Would you?

- Isn't that a woman's privilege?

- Of course.

- So?

- How are things with Aeroflow?

- Up and down.

(laughs drowns out speech)

- Things are as always a lot of paper a lot of forms.

(speaks foreign word)

- Cheers.

(sighs) So nothing changes.

(glass clunks)

- And you, my friend?

- Oooh, too much to do.

Not enough time to do it.

- Then you must take me somewhere quiet for dinner

where you can relax.

- I wondered if you might of guessed Yelena

why I am so busy.

- Of course.

You ask me to dinner when you want a little favor.

And when I want a little favor I ask you to dinner.

- [Mr. Palfrey] That's not entirely true.

- You're right,

that was unfair. - I remember several

occasions when absolutely all I wanted, Yelena,

was the pleasure of your company.

- Yes, that's true I am the guilty one, you're right.

- Have a nut.

- I'm dieting.

- Oh that's ridiculous!

You really are getting into Western habits!

- Two years in London, what do you expect?

- I was talking this morning about the difference

between London and Moscow with Volkov.

You know about Volkov.

- Only that he's here with the cultural mission.

- [Mr. Palfrey] This morning I was with him

in a debriefing session.

He wants to defect.

- Is this possible? (Mr. Palfrey chuckles)

- Come on, Yelena.

I can't fool you and you can't fool me.

You know all about Volkov.

(restaurant patrons chattering)

- I do know they want Volkov back.

And I think it best to send him back.

- Can I really believe that?

- It would be best.

Do you remember?

It was a long time ago.

We talk once about patriotism?

- Yeah.

Yes I do remember.

Quoting Forster,

"If I had to choose between

"betraying my country and betraying my friend,

"I hope I'd have the guts to betray my country."

- I can inform you, Mr. Palfrey,

you have an additional four days

to conduct your interview with Volkov.

- [Mr. Palfrey] Thank you madam.

- You have no need to thank me.

As I'm sure you're aware.

I'm also sure you're aware that the final word

on whether we accept or reject Volkov

rests largely with me.

- But should we disagree and my reports

were to be later vindicated by Vince,

well...

- [Mr. Palfrey] Dostoevsky I read, of course and Tolstoy but

Chekhov is the Russian author I love best.

- Oh, he's a pessimist.

These people

always passive,

all dreams, they only dream.

No action.

But I am an optimist, optimistic.

(lighter clicks) - What English authors

do you like?

- Dickens, Shaw, Orwell.

Evelyn Waugh, Byron.

- Byron?

- The mountains look on Marathon

and Marathon looks on the sea.

And musing there an hour alone

I dream'd that Greece might still be free.

- Might yet be free.

Very impressive, Andrei.

Your English--

- It will improve when I have practice.

You need to live in a country.

- They say the quickest way to learn a language

is to take a mistress native to that country.

The lady circled there, your wife?

- [Andrei] (blows air) Yes.

That is Alexandra.

- And this.

What does it say?

- From Tonya with all my love.

- Is she the reason you left

your wife three months ago?

You brought the photo with you,

the only one you did bring.

She must be important to you.

Inscribed from Tonya with all my love.

How could you leave her behind?

Why isn't she with you, Andrei?

- It would not have looked good

a man with my reputation.

I do not think exit permission for Tonya

would have been granted and it could complicate,

there is a word, the right word.

- Jeopardize, jeopardize your own chances?

- [Andrei] Yes, jeopardize.

Jeopardize my own chances of getting away.

- Is it worth it, Andrei?

- Worth it?

- [Mr. Palfrey] This masterpiece you're going to write.

- To me,

yes.

- So not only is he giving up his millions of rubles,

his batchers, his chauffeur driven Zils,

all his rewards of privilege

he's also giving up his mistress.

A beautiful woman for whom only three months ago

Volkov left his wife!

- I was going to say they're all material things.

- And Volkov's a material man.

A practical man.

Everything in his past his lifestyle points to

ambition, success, the material world.

So why out of no where is he suddenly a dreamer?

- Tell me Mr. Palfrey what the Soviets

have to gain by planting him here?

- [Duggie] Good morning, Greaves, how are you?

- Well I mustn't grumble sir, I mustn't grumble.

Especially as you're in the government now, sir.

- Oh well, where with everyone felt the same.

Now can you book me a table for one o'clock?

- [Greaves] Oh certainly sir, for how many?

- Three, and it's a bit uh--

- Well I'll see if it be the one by the window

in the corner, you won't be disturbed there.

- Fine, that's the ticket otherwise I should

have to dine them in the house.

- Well you'll do better with our catering, I fancy.

Ah, some mail's just arrived for you, sir!

- Oh, thank you.

(wood creaks)

(papers rustling)

(paper ripping)

(papers rustle)

My God!

- Yes, immediately.

As soon as I put the receiver.

(sighs)

(phone clunks)

(door clunks)

- Oh!

Good morning, Caroline!

(door clunks) - Morning.

- You must have had an early night for a change.

- Ah, we're being sarcastic are we, Mr. Palfrey?

- Never. - Yes.

I thought I'd settle for a quiet evening with a book

- (Chuckles) A book?

- Mmm, improve my mind with the history

of the world, no less.

- [Mr. Palfrey] Well how far have you got?

- The first Ice Age.

And the translation of Volkov's novel has just arrived.

- Oh good.

- And you've already had a phone call.

Douglass Langton, urgent.

He wants you to meet him at his club straight away.

He sounded awfully uptight.

- Cares of state.

- Maybe.

- Oh, straight away did you say?

- Well that's what he said.

Do you know him very well?

- Yes, he's an old friend, he once did me a great service.

Well you'd better ring the club

and say I'm on my way.

- I don't know, I don't know what to do.

I mean the whole thing is so...

One reads about this kind of thing.

It's always somebody else.

- Duggie what are you talking about?

- I mean the whole thing was so bloody innocuous.

It was the winter of '79,

an official visit to Moscow, 10 day itinerary.

And on the second day we were given tickets

to the Moscow Conservatory, Tchaikovsky concert

and then a party afterwards to meet the artist.

Natalia, that was her name, Natalia Boriak.

She wasn't even pretty.

But she played the violin with the feel of an angel.

Also her English was very good.

She had a sparkling personality.

- Duggie why am I sitting here playing Father confessor?

- I know I'm sorry, I'll try to get to it

as soon as I can.

- Anne didn't go on the trip?

- No, no she didn't.

Well they got a pretty dull dozen, our parties,

so I invited Natalia out to lunch on the third day.

And on the fifth day we had supper together,

she was very entertaining.

Highly intelligent.

And a genuine sense of humor.

I mean the whole thing was

just friendly really.

I didn't have a devious thought

or an intention in my mind.

It's funny how that the first inkling

that her interest in me wasn't purely platonic.

We were walking across Red Square,

bitterly cold, lots of snow and ice about.

And I slipped, she grabbed my arm to steady me,

but she didn't let go.

After that she walked on with her arm through mine.

I didn't do anything about it.

I wouldn't have seen her again

if the bloody flight hadn't been cancelled

because of the foul weather.

And I hadn't had that vodka too many

to ease my temper.

But as it is we did meet again.

And that we drank.

We ended up in bed at the Hotel Metropol.

(paper rustles)

It's all there on film.

Courtesy of the KGB.

(paper rustles)

(paper rustles)

- Did this come with a message?

- No.

But shortly after I received a telephone call.

My indiscretion will be made public

unless Volkov is returned to Moscow.

- Volkov?

- [Duggie] Seems they really want him back.

- So he is genuine.

- It looks as though I'm finished, doesn't it?

(building classical music)

(light footsteps scraping)

(wood clunks)

(paper thwacks)

(Mr. Palfrey sighs)

(papers rustling)

(pen scratches)

(paper whips)

(typewriter clicking)

(speaks in foreign language)

- I do not understand.

This is Latin.

- Mmm.

(liquid splashes)

(bottle clunks)

Translation's a tricky business.

Ah!

And that line, for example, the one I just quoted

seems a simple enough line.

It's been translated many times.

It comes out as,

by many lands and over many a wave, that's one.

Through foreign seas and over foreign lands is another.

More exotically is,

by ways remote and distant waters sped.

And there many more, all different.

It's remarkable how many

interpretations you can make out of a

line in Latin. (speaks foreign language)

So no doubt, Andrei,

many subtleties in your book are lost on me.

And again I only have time for a superficial reading.

You,

(book rustles)

identify with your hero, of course.

You do identify with

Belenkov, don't you Andrei?

- A part I suppose.

There must always be a part of an author

in his leading character.

- This passage may have

lost something in the translation but,

I think the message is clear enough.

Belenkov sat high on the river bank,

the rich smell of pines in his nostrils

and looked out over the changeless face of the motherland,

out across the water to the fields

and the trees, wild and untidy.

Where the scars of the war still showed.

The trenches prepared for the defense of Moscow.

And he vowed that he would never leave this place.

- A bad translation.

- Nevertheless.

(book slams)

That tells me something about you, Andrei.

It suggests an inconsistency with your purpose.

- My purpose?

- [Mr. Palfrey] In being here, seeking asylum.

- I can not see this inconsistency.

- No?

(plane roars above)

(picture thunks)

And this list of your achievements and possessions,

Lenin medal, People's artist, Writer's union,

your luxury apartment, your datcher, your Zil limousine,

your capitalist style bank account!

(paper thwacks)

And what is all tells me is this that

you are here because you've been ordered here

as part of some devious game

being played by your masters.

Well I'm gonna send you back to your beloved mother land

and back to your beloved mistress.

I'm going to send you packing.

- Not Palfrey's style, going over the top like that.

(glasses clinking)

(cash register ringing)

(glass clunks)

(paper rustles)

(crowd chattering)

- Given you up for lost, was just leaving.

I'll get you another drink that one's warm.

- No it doesn't matter.

- What is it, what's wrong?

- I shouldn't have come.

- What's happened?

- I'm sure I'm being followed.

- Not by our people?

- My people.

I took three taxis, that's why I'm so late.

- You sure you were? (glass thunks)

- I'm sure of it.

And it confirms.

- Confirms what?

- Yesterday, a friend of mine at the embassy

told me they were considering

recalling me to Moscow.

I must be out of favor.

I may not see you again.

- You don't want to go back, do you?

Perhaps that's why they're recalling you.

- Perhaps.

Or perhaps,

(glass clunks)

I think I should go now.

So tell me what is it the little favor?

- Douglas Langton.

- The cabinet minister.

- And my friend.

You must have known.

- Known?

- The last time we met.

You raised it, the Forster quotation about patriotism.

- Yes, I remember.

- I think you knew the KGB were going

to blackmail him for the return of Volkov.

- I told you they wanted Volkov back.

That it was best to return him.

- You know an awful lot about this business, don't you?

- I have to go now.

- Yelena.

Douglas Langton is my oldest friend.

- I'm sorry.

- Can't you?

(heavy foot steps)

(patrons chattering)

(cash register rings)

(papers rustling)

(mysterious flute music)

(door clunks)

- Ah, Mr. Palfrey.

I'm glad you're back. (door slams)

I have to go, it's my Russian night.

- [Mr. Palfrey] Your what?

- My Russian evening class, twice a week.

- Good Lord, since when?

- I've just started.

You never know when it might come in useful, do you?

- Well I suppose not.

How far have you got?

- Hello, goodbye.

- Not be late, then.

- The paper's on the desk and,

you switch it on here.

I'll see you in the morning.

(speaks foreign word)

- Oh very good.

(typewriter clicks)

(light, relaxing instrumental music)

(light footsteps)

(muted, relaxing instrumental music)

(typewriter clicking)

(phone rings)

- Palfrey.

- [Investigator] Hello.

- Where are you?

- Volkov's hotel.

Your friendly Russian lady and one of their heavys

have just been into his room.

- [Mr. Palfrey] What now?

- Looking for clues to anyone they've got to, I suppose.

- Well don't lose them.

- [Douglass] All right.

- See you later.

- [Douglass] In the morning.

(phone clunks)

- Damn.

No.

No, dammit, I was right.

We're being led by the nose, it's all too pat.

Except I've got little about

from personal conviction to go on.

- Are your people letting him stay?

- [Mr. Palfrey] All they can see is the banner headline,

defection of Russia's greatest living novelist.

- By letting him stay.

- Unless I can persuade them otherwise.

- Well I'm finished if they do.

- There's a problem, Duggie.

The matter of their blackmail threat.

(nozzle spritzes)

Finally it's,

(bottle clunks)

not up to me to decide.

All I can do is assess the facts

and present them with a case.

I'm counsel in this, I'm not the judge.

You understand me?

- Yes, I think I do rather.

They're blackmailing me as a relevant circumstance.

- [Mr. Palfrey] Inevitably, sir.

- We're old friends, you and I.

- We are.

And I hope we'll remain so.

- [Duggie} But.

- But.

- What am I going to do, Palfrey?

- A politician is a hostage to fortune, my friend.

But sometimes you people forget that.

And all our peril.

(clock ticking)

(switch clicks)

- Duggie, what are you doing?

Duggie, it's after three

what on earth have you been doing?

- I um,

I've been drinking with an old friend.

- [Anne] You sound depressed.

- Do I, yes?

Yes I suppose I do, I'm sorry.

- Come to bed.

You've got a long day tomorrow.

- Oh yes, yes I have, haven't I?

- It's question time, isn't it?

- Anne. - Mmhmm.

- Do you remember when I went to Moscow?

- Well it's a little brighter this morning.

There's still a cold wind blowing, don't you find?

- [Mr. Palfrey] Yes indeed.

- You're a very obstinate man, you know that.

- I hope not.

- Always think you know best.

- Not at all.

- Just because a character in one of Volkov's novels

says he'll never leave his mother land

you start jumping to conclusions

and identifying the author with his hero.

- [Mr. Palfrey] Yes, he admitted as much.

- Oh.

(sighs) You're obsessed with this idea

that Volkov is a plant,

that he didn't leave Russia of his own volition.

- I'm not obsessed, I suspect it.

The sum total of the evidence--

- Yes, you have to convince me - leaves me to believe that

- Volkov-- - I do wish, Mr. Palfrey,

that you would accept that you may not be always right.

- But I do, madam, believe me I do.

- What we must remember is the very special

significance of this particular man's defection.

Considerations of state, never forget them.

- That's why I think they may have

baited a trap for us, yes madam.

- You know

I think sometimes you're victim of your own deviousness.

(light footsteps)

However. - Yes.

- Well I'm going to reflect.

I know you think I'm somewhat impulsive

perhaps a little too inflexible.

- [Mr. Palfrey] Oh I wouldn't

say that. - So I'm going to reflect

on this 24 hours for reflection.

Though I am strongly inclined to take a risk

and let him stay.

In the real world you can't win

without taking some risks.

Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Palfrey?

(glass clinks)

- [Mr. Palfrey] So what did the under secretary say?

- [Man On Right] Oh he said he'd think about it.

- Dammit does nobody in this blessed country

do anything but think about it?

Why don't they do something?

- Ah, yes indeed. (chuckles)

There you have it.

- Well can you nudge him a little?

- And why should I nudge him?

- Perhaps because it's in the national interest.

- Ah.

And if I nudge him and you've got it wrong,

what then?

- If we're going to win you have take some risks

- True, possibly true.

But then you see I'm well placed in the league.

I'll never be top of it, but a few draws

will ensure I'm not relegated.

A few losses, well,

that's quite another matter.

No Palfrey, I'm afraid I'm a man of our time.

- An honest man, at least.

(Mr. Palfrey sighs)

- What are you looking at?

- The woodpecker.

- (Chuckles) Good.

Good.

(traffic noise)

- Do you know the Forster quotation?

- Forster?

- If I had to choose between betraying my country

and betraying my friend, I hope I have the guts

to betray my country? - Oh yes, yes, I remember it.

- Do you have any idea what you'd do?

- Well I don't think it concerns me, Palfrey.

I don't think I ever had a friend in that sense.

(cane clicking)

- What exactly is going on Mr. Blair?

- [Mr. Blair] Madam?

- Oh for heaven's sake what's the matter with you people?

Can't I have a straight answer to a straight question?

I thought it was perfectly clear

- [Mr. Blair] I'm not sure I understand.

- When you joined this department

what was your brief?

- [Mr. Blair] Fieldwork

to ah,

assist Mr. Palfrey.

- Your job is to assist me, you report to me.

You do what Mr. Palfrey wants you to do,

but you tell me!

Those are your terms of reference.

Have you got that?

- Yes, madam. - Good.

- [Madam] Now I'll ask you again.

What is in Mr. Palfrey's head?

What exactly is he after?

- Mr. Palfrey doesn't really confide in me

All I know about him is that I don't know

much about him.

- Oh very witty, Mr. Blair.

Hardly useful.

You're letting me down.

- Madam?

- Won't tell me about his little strolls

along the embankment for instance?

- I'm not tied to him, madam. - Oh aren't you?

I thought you were supposed to be his shadow?

You remember your instructions?

Pass on everything he does even

when he takes his dog for a walk?

You disappoint me, Mr. Blair.

I hand picked you.

I hope I'm not gonna have to un-pick you.

- [Mr. Blair] What is it you want me to do?

- Your past record suggests that you're very good at,

shall we say wearing several hats.

- Sometimes hats don't suit me.

- Witty again, but it won't do.

Tell me the real reason for Mr. Palfrey's

obsession that Volkov is a plant.

Is there something he's not telling me?

- I don't know.

I think Mr. Palfrey is like a radar screen,

one tiny little blip and it sets off the alarm,

if you know what I mean.

- Ah, very interesting.

And this blip, Mr. Blair, what precisely

is the blip in this case?

- I'll stay close to him.

- Indeed you will, carry on.

And tell our Mr. Palfrey I should like

to see him at his convenience.

And thank you, Mr. Blair.

(footsteps)

(door clunks)

- Douglass Langton-- - Madam has been trying

- to contact you. - we tried to call you.

- Where the hell have you been?

I've been-- - Calm yourselves!

Now what is it, Caroline?

- Douglass Langton wants you to call him.

- Ah.

- And the coordinator wants to see you now, come on.

- Oh rats!

- The best selling Russian novelist,

Andrei Volkov, who disappeared from a London hotel

four days ago, flew back to Moscow today.

It had been thought that Volkov's disappearance

indicated that he was seeking political asylum

in this country.

But at a surprise press conference

held at London's Heathrow Airport before his departure

he had this to say.

- How did he get there?

- He walked out of the safe house

and he caught a taxi.

- I say only this.

I have nothing against the ordinary people of your country

for whom I have much fellow feeling,

but a I have to say that

any society which believes it right

to apply the kind of pressures to which

I have been subjected over the past few hours,

should closely examine its own model values.

I think you have a saying,

those who dwell in glass houses should not throw stones.

And it is with a sense of relief and

rejuvenation that I return to my country.

The country that I so shamefully considered abandoning.

- This is your doing, Mr. Palfrey.

- I am overwhelmed with guilt.

I am disillusioned, very disillusioned.

I have made an error.

It is unforgivable.

- I don't understand.

- [Newscaster] Held for questioning for the last--

- You were against his staying here from the very first.

- [Mr. Palfrey] Now madam, I merely wanted to make sure--

- Mr. Palfrey I've seen a recording

of your last interview you with the man.

You had no right to deal with him the way you did.

- [Mr. Palfrey] I wanted to get at the truth!

- Nonsense!

You took too much upon yourself, it was sheer arrogance.

"I'm going to send you packing," you said.

Well you have.

There will be very serious repercussions

and you'll have to answer to them.

(phone rings) Yes.

- [Caroline] Is Mr. Palfrey with you?

- Is it urgent?

- [Caroline] Mr. Blair would like to talk to him.

- Put him on.

It's Blair for you.

- Hello, yes.

- [Mr. Blair] We've got Yelena.

- What?

- [Mr. Blair] She's coming over.

- Good Lord, since when?

- [Mr. Blair] Just happened.

- Oooh!

That explains it all why Volkov left.

- [Mr. Blair] Hopkins is with her now at Chelsey,

why don't you tune in?

- I will immediately.

You have closed circuit to the safe house in Chelsey?

- Yes.

- There's something we should see.

One of my Russian contacts has changed sides.

She's being interrogated now.

- Volkov's defection was served up in such a way as to

desume, desume, yes,

all suspicion.

- [Interrogator] How, Miss Mechki?

- By an appearance of anger from us.

And by an apparent determination to get him

to change his mind.

But mostly by the threat to make public

the sexual infidelity of a member of your government.

Unless Volkov was refused permission by your home office

to stay in your country.

- [Interrogator] And the purpose of this deception?

- [Yelena] So that in some months time Volkov should make a

recantation, recantation. - Public change of heart?

- [Yelena] That is so.

- [Interrogator] Denouncing the West?

- Yes.

Now please I should like to rest.

- [Interrogator] Of course.

- It seems as if your perceptions were right, Mr. Palfrey.

This blackmail business.

Did you know about it?

- Yes, madam.

- Why did you not inform me?

- It hadn't come to that.

- You know the person, personally?

- An old friend, alas.

- You were not allowing that to influence

your judgement, I trust.

- Oh that would indeed be improper.

- This means-- - I know, madam,

you wouldn't wish to embarrass me

by asking his name.

If you will forgive me I

have an urgent call to make.

(crowd chattering loudly)

- Oh, so sorry I couldn't find the place.

- [Mr. Palfrey] It's a hideaway.

What'll you have? - Yes, I should say so.

Tomato juice, please. - And a tomato juice.

- Yes I'm in the house shortly.

I've told Anne.

- Good. - Yes I wish

I had years ago. - Hmm.

- Thanks.

I am offering my resignation to the prime minister

after question time.

- [Mr. Palfrey] I should think about that.

- No I already have.

You shouldn't have compromised

it was too big a sacrifice.

- Duggie I did nothing!

- [Duggie] But what do you mean, you must have?

I mean what was all that business

with Volkov at Heathrow?

- A plot that miscarried.

Let you off the hook, so forget it.

- [Duggie] If that mean I can't--

- Oh shut up Duggie!

You're a good politician and an honest man.

We need you so forget it.

You're among friends.

- Good health.

- Nastrovia.

- Cheers.

(stately orchestral horns and harpsichord music)