Original subtitles

HECTOR: Look at this man.

This is Mr Reginald Thompson.

Like many young men newly arrived from the West Indies,

he needs a place to rest for the night.

Not far from Victoria would be best.

He starts a new job at the railway station tomorrow

and he wants to be on time for work.

Now look to my Left.

This is Mr Alfred Baker,

also newly arrived in the city,

also about to take up employment tomorrow

in the clerk's office close to Lincoln's Inn.

Victoria is not an ideal location,

-but it's cheap... -Here comes the smile.

...and needs must.

Yes, there it is.

Here's what happened when we followed them in their search for lodgings.

Counting down. Three, two, one...

Roll Freddie. I'm going in.

Victoria.

You will find a hotel or a bed and breakfast on every street

ready to take in guests in search of shelter.

Are you in discomfort

or does it just seem as if you have a pickle up your backside?

Freddie...

I want that man banned from the set!

It's camera 2, then back to camera 1.

Three cameras. Three lights.

You're a beat behind every time.

And with 75,000 immigrants arriving from the colonies, all with hopes...

When it's red, you hit your light.

If I could see my light, then I would hit my light.

Clear the set, please, ladies and gentlemen. Clear the set.

He's here.

Go in hard on the first question. Have you got them?

Yes. I know what I'm doing.

Mr Thompson, could you tell us what happened?

-The lady was very polite... -BEL: Ron.

-...but there were no vacancies. -Do star jumps behind the bloody camera

if you have to.

(SIGHS)

Behave.

Mr Lyon, I can't breathe.

I'll let the American space programme know.

FREDDIE: ...and one young man with nowhere to sleep tonight.

If you're white,

then you're all right.

Freddie Lyon, reporting for The Hour.

Okay, and...

-go to camera 2... -One.

One, uh... One, camera 1. Sorry.

Good evening, Mr Gabot...

-He's Gabor, not Gabot. -You are an expert on immigration

in Britain. I hope you'll agree that that was a very interesting insight

into the day-to-day prejudice faced by an immigrant arriving in London.

Well, yes, it was. Although I don't know the Notting Hill area well.

-Something's wrong. -FREDDIE: Ask the question.

Ask the bloody question!

And where are you from?

Well, actually, Biggin Hill.

Now, the congestion is particularly bad...

-Interrupt him. Interrupt! -So I find the best route is to take

the A232 and join the A236 at Croydon. And of course...

He hasn't got questions.

...the A217, which goes all the way to the Wandsworth Bridge.

Once over the river, I do find it's preferable to follow

the Fulham Palace Road, anything rather than face the hordes

on the Bayswater Road. I'm sure your viewers would agree with that.

Three weeks. You said three weeks.

Four. I said give him four.

HECTOR: That's... That's all we have time for tonight.

MAN: And we're clear. That's a wrap, everyone.

I can't... Hello!

Ron, move that Mars set. We won't be needing it.

How difficult is it?

We write the questions, you ask them.

Questions on the future of the British colony of Cyprus,

the slot you scrapped.

It's not my fault if you don't pick up the right crib sheet.

I'm not a bloody puppet.

No, you're right. The puppet wanted more.

Freddie... Away.

Right. Your charm is wearing thin, Hector.

I wouldn't call it charm.

I'd call it trying to make the best of a shoddily run show.

It's a farce. It's a bloody farce.

Mad arm-waving, you screaming at me.

No.

You are the farce.

You!

HECTOR: Clarence. BEL: Clarence.

We've got a terrific piece for next week on the credit squeeze.

It's very exciting.

Very exciting.

I look forward to it.

BEL: You should, you really should. CLARENCE: Good night.

-Brilliant. -I'm sorry.

Next week,

do better.

Please do better.

Because if you don't,

then Freddie wins 12 shillings and my entire Bill Haley collection.

(SIGHS)

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

You're pathetic.

(CHUCKLES)

Merci, madame.

LIX: Ah, here.

FREDDIE: Don't give him any. They won't let him on the flight.

You're on fiery form tonight.

Drink up.

Whisky is God's way of telling us that he loves us

and he wants us to be happy.

Goodnight.

-Ah! -Oh, no thanks.

I'm squiffy on a shandy. Do you need anything else, Miss Rowley?

No, it's fine, Miss Coulson, I'll see you on Monday.

Okay. Goodnight.

-Night. -Night.

Rumour has it she can type.

-She's probably taking the A297423... -To Biggin Hill.

(ALL LAUGHING)

LIX: He was rather like a flaying fish.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Really, Mr Gabot, do tell...

Do tell us more.

-Because I usually take the A2678453... -He's outside. Shh!

-...to absolutely the middle of nowhere. -He's outside.

FREDDIE: Never mind the immigration crisis...

-BEL: Lift and shove. -(BANG)

Lift... Lift and shove.

-(BANGING) -Lift and shove!

-(BANGING) -Lift and shove!

(BEL LAUGHING)

FREDDIE: Right.

That was really very dangerous.

For the person trying to get in or for the person trying to get out?

What if... What if there was a fire and you couldn't get out?

Or someone tried to break in?

I could unpick that with a toothpick if I wanted to.

Really, Bel, it's hopeless.

Oh, Freddie. You're very sweet,

when you're not being such a mutant.

Oh, no.

I have to do this lying down.

FREDDIE: Nice to see my Bill Haley collection.

Just checking for scratches.

(SIGHS) It was all a bad dream.

Don't be wet.

I think I might cry now.

No, don't look at me.

Have you finished?

No.

Yes.

No.

No. Not yet.

(SNIFFLES)

It's all gone horribly wrong.

Teething troubles.

You did it on purpose, didn't you?

Gave Hector the wrong questions?

No.

(SIGHS)

Yes. I don't know.

I'm not sleeping brilliantly at the moment.

Oh, you should sleep.

Everyone needs their beauty sleep.

(SNORING SOFTLY)

Not everyone.

I'm not speaking to you.

What do you expect me to say?

Peter was a nice chap. A little flirtatious, perhaps.

I don't really approve of that sort of thing, all these young girls.

It does go on, of course.

-You shared the same office. -And rarely spoke.

The odd formal dinner,

a coffee here or there.

He liked to fish. I do not.

Why are you lying to me?

He was short of money.

I was very busy. He'd fill in for me every other week.

-Fill in? -Crosswords.

I set the crosswords.

Peter was always very interested.

(STAMMERING) Really, I'm very sorry...

Which newspaper?

Which newspaper did he set the crossword for?

The Evening Standard.

The last one he set was printed the day after he died.

That's done it.

Terribly sorry.

-Clarence. -Miss Rowley.

Yes.

Sorry?

"Though his glare may so far be a little dim,

"let us pray Mr Madden will guide this rudderless ship,

"namely The Hour. There is only so long that one can wait.

"One can only hope for a better tomorrow."

(LIFT BELL DINGS)

Shall we?

HECTOR: Freddie?

You don't like me, do you?

-It's not personal. -(SCOFFS)

You went to a minor public school in...

Sherborne.

Not so minor, then.

Where you excelled at cricket, rugby and fives.

-I bet you were... -Head boy.

Then Cambridge, where everyone hoped for a first,

but sadly, you partied more than you should,

met the right people and had a ball.

Your parents were naturally disappointed, but what's an upper...

Lower second?

Third?

Still, you had fun.

Indeed I did.

Whereas mugs like me slaved away at a second-rate university

with very little of what you would call a good time

for a paltry, unrecognised first.

Most of it in a haze of misery, but I digress.

Then...

No, I'm not sure what happened then, but probably...

Welsh Guards.

You've seen service?

Oh, God, you've got a medal.

Two?

(SCOFFS)

Absurd.

So, after victory at the D-Day landing, you came home,

looked about you and set your sights on television presenting.

You started at a small, regional station, possibly Manchester?

I was on the Sports Desk.

Occasional outside broadcast.

-But your wife didn't like the... -People.

So she got on the phone to pater,

and before your poor, insignificant producer

could say, "Hey, our kid, how did that happen?”

he's watching you front your very own TV programme

while he, despite 40 years of loyal service, is stuck in Manchester,

crying into his beer.

As I say, it's not personal. I just don't like privilege.

God. You're a snob!

We can't use this, we have no footage of...

No, no, no, it's got to be Egypt, Egypt, Egypt.

There are furious anti-British tirades playing continuously on their radio.

For weeks now. Until you have something to break,

we can't run it as a story yet.

Freddie?

Abolition of hanging.

Second reading at the House of Lords this afternoon.

-BEL: You'll take a camera? -Mmm-hmm.

BEL: Right, anyone else?

Thank you. Anyone else?

Time is ticking, we're cutting it fine, as ever.

-Again. NASA, Egypt. -BEL: Thank you, Lix.

We have one day to go, we don't have a programme yet.

The Premium Bonds story works.

Macmillan's backing it.

We could use the footage of the labour strike.

-Cutting it a bit fine but... -Brilliant.

And what question would you put to our Chancellor

if, say, you were to interview him, Hector?

Preferably the right one.

But please do feel free to intervene, Mr Lyon,

a man of your impressive record.

Any pointers you could throw my way?

-I still say we go with Egypt. -BEL: No.

I think Hector's got the story.

It's what's of interest to the man on the street.

-Lix! -Isaac's got a very good piece,

-haven't you, Isaac? On... -Smokeless fuel.

Life after the Clean Air Act.

FREDDIE: Remarkable.

Do you think you could manage that, Hector?

Interviewing a slice of Irish bog?

HECTOR: I don't know. That depends.

Perhaps if I'm given the correct questions,

and they're less provocative, more succinct,

I wouldn't find myself grappling to find a decent interview.

I will not have you squabbling like this.

You're like children! You're like bloody children.

Is anybody actually listening to me?

-I am not your mother. -Egypt is the story.

I'm not your nurse.

So just grow up, all of you. Just grow up.

I'm sorry. I can't work like this.

Excuse me, Clarence.

Sorry, Clarence.

"The Hour is like watching the car you've always dreamed of

"being driven by a man who has never sat behind a wheel.”

Telegraph.

Your job is to ensure that Hector is prepared

because you are not on the front line, Freddie, Hector is.

Bel tells me you're working on another story.

It's not ready yet.

Clarence?

Rudderless?

At least they didn't say it was because you were a woman.

Perhaps they haven't noticed it yet.

Don't make me regret my choice, Bel.

Auribus tenere lupum.

Grab the wolf by the ears.

You all right?

Absolutely.

Is there a single bloody phone here that works?

No, we're between the BBC Home Service

and Johnny Morris in priority, apparently.

He's mine.

The World Service sent him up.

He speaks Arabic. No harm in being ready, Bel.

Monitoring are sending through

the transcripts of the Egyptian broadcasts,

so I need someone to be able to translate.

My man in Alexandria, well, he does his best but it's...

It's schoolboy Arabic.

Lix has got a lackey?

When you have a president of a Middle Eastern country

angry with half the Western world buying arms off the Soviets

and whipping up crowds in Alexandria,

chances are Egypt leads.

And Westminster's getting a little edgy, tu ne pense pas?

Find him a desk.

I'm sorry.

You are unspeakable, Freddie.

I am your producer,

you absolutely cannot talk like that in front of Clarence.

It's not just you and me.

What's wrong with you?

I could, of course, bring up your obvious attraction to Cary Grant,

but ignoring that, which I won't,

because you are, quite frankly, out of your mind...

I'm not listening.

He's slick,

mediocre,

-smug. -I stopped listening at mediocre.

Why did you not even consider me?

Because you're too goddamn ugly.

This is when you reference my brilliance off camera,

my essentiability...

-Not a word. -(LAUGHS)

...that without me,

-you really couldn't go on. -I couldn't go on.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Bel Rowley.

(STATIC AND CLICKING)

Does yours keep doing this?

Police report.

(BEL SIGHS)

It still says suicide, Freddie.

There are scratches all round the paint around the shower head.

Like she tried to grip it, to pull herself up.

Like she struggled.

Everyone struggles when they're in the throes of dying,

-the body clings to life. -Second paragraph.

Compression to the oesophagus and fracture to the second vertebrae.

It's a 7ft 3in drop from shower head to base of bath.

At best, that's slow asphyxiation.

I don't think it'd break your neck, second vertebrae...

To do that you'd have to hang from a tree or a bridge or...

-by violent force. -Is this really scientific?

She didn't kill herself.

They'll say that you fell for a 21-year-old's conspiracy theory.

-I made a promise to her. -Because they tapped into your own.

They did. They do.

I knew her.

I stayed with her family during the war.

Peter Darrall was setting the crosswords

in The Evening Standard every other week.

He was using them

to send messages.

A perforation to pick up certain letters.

-Because he's a spy. -A spy.

The last crossword he set was published the day he died.

-MI5? -MI6.

Maybe

he was killed by a Russian looking for this.

-What does it say? -I don't know.

I never finish crosswords.

Seven letters. "Many set free." Possibly an anagram.

You know that a monthly subscription to Marvel's All-True Crime

doesn't make you a real detective?

Doesn't it?

They publish the answers the next day.

-Why don't you just... -I would if I could bloody find it.

Amnesty.

"Many set."

Very good.

But not good enough to be considered

as a front man for 7he Hour.

-Oh, God. -Right?

-It's a fact, Moneypenny. -And stop calling me that.

As your producer, that qualifies me as something more than a secretary.

You know I have a story here.

No, you don't. Not yet.

Abolition of hanging. House of Lords.

You know Lord Elms has an office there?

Be nice to Hector.

Why?

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

FREDDIE: Sorry, do you mind?

LIX: Behave, Freddie.

Ignore him.

He's a melancholic.

And thanking you again.

LIX: He likes to hoard newspapers, rather like a tramp.

No, I like to keep them because one day, they will have their use.

This is Mister...

Kish. Thomas Kish.

Pretty girl.

Yes.

Just need a...

Yes, of course. Sorry.

FREDDIE: Thank you.

I didn't know where to put him, so I thought you might share.

Oh. Help yourself.

Isaac.

(RINGING)

Bel Rowley.

(STATIC AND CLICKING)

Hawley Harvey Crippen, John Christie, Ruth Ellis.

All hanged for very different heinous crimes.

But today, a momentous bill already passed in the House of Commons

is to be heard in the House of Lords,

which may put an end to capital punishment in this country for good.

All I'm getting is rain. It's like court shoes on parquet.

Shall we try inside?

Thanks.

You know, you always click your heel harder on the third step.

-No, I don't. -Yes, you do.

Uh, we need to work on your links today.

Say more, smile less.

Yes, I hear the newspapers don't like the smile.

Do you really not read them?

Front page and sport. I find that normally covers it.

-Incredible. -What?

I should be interested in the bored bile

of some fat hack stuck in Fleet Street on an expense account?

They refer to an absence of intellect.

They may be right. It's overrated.

You really don't care what they think?

I care what you think.

Four o'clock. In the studio.

Ron?

-Reel three's fine. -Thank you, Ms Rowley.

Miss Rowley, your mother's here.

Woo-hoo!

What about here?

Well, it's as light as it's probably going to get.

Hello?

If it's pink, it's fish paste.

I can't stay much longer. It's madness today.

We should have gone to that little Italian.

Ooh. When did you cut your hair?

Um, last month, perhaps. I don't remember.

Platinum would suit you, darling.

Yes. If I wanted to look like a lady who works the docks.

HECTOR: She insisted on coming, she's been mad keen to know what we do here.

Or is she checking up on us?

Darling, why don't you sit here?

-I've got to go, Ma. -Five more minutes.

Isn't that your editor?

Producer.

How old do you think she is?

I don't know.

She must be nearly 30.

Twenty-eight.

Thank you.

She looks just like that actress...

You know, the one we saw in that thingy.

-Where's the Bolshevik? -Out.

How's the broker?

Banker. He's fine.

I expect, I haven't seen him in weeks.

(SIGHING) How's Bill?

-Clive. -Don't know.

Don't care.

You worry so.

Is that her mother?

Oh, God, it is, it's Verda Rowley.

Well, she left her husband.

Don't stare, darling.

Sorry.

I'm quite back on my feet. In fact, it's really rather exciting.

-Where are you staying? -Cynthia's. She's been marvellous.

(SIGHS DRAMATICALLY) Robert's still appalling.

He reminded me I had a daughter with a very nice little flat.

Oh, please, God, no...

Try not to...

Miss Rowley, I must apologise. Marnie insists on...

Yes, Carole Lesley.

Hector doesn't agree with me, but you look just like her.

The Embezzler?

Have you not seen it? She's terribly good.

No.

Hector hates it when I pop in.

-No, I don't, love. -One is just so curious.

This is my mother.

-Hello, you must be very proud. -Hello.

That's my baby doll.

We have to go, leave.

Yes, we should go, too, darling.

"Baby doll"? I'll be 28 in August.

Why not Bel or Isabel? The name that you christened me.

Now I'm suddenly called a showgirl.

The lock's broken.

You have to lift the door a little and then a quick push and you're in.

There are some cold chops in the refrigerator.

Help yourself if you're hungry. I'll be back by 9:00.

I won't forget this, sweetheart.

Yes, you will.

Miss Rowley?

Did you make Mr Madden a cup of tea again this morning?

No.

Well, yeah, but he just smiles at you and then...

Miss Coulson, do you want to be taken seriously,

or forever be some stupid little marionette

fluttering on the arm of every good-looking man in the BBC?

-No. -Well, first rule, you don't make tea.

-Right, but I... -You're a very pretty girl,

but the last thing I need is someone distracting those around you.

-Don't send me back there. -Where?

I didn't ask for you, therefore I don't know where I send you back to.

Like most things in this corporation, people just arrive

and you are expected to accept them, no questions asked.

Personnel.

They're on the second floor. It's where all the secretaries come from.

Miss Coulson,

how old are you?

Cooper. It's actually Cooper.

As in Gary.

But there's a Miss Sally Cooper down in Children's Casting

and they was concerned I was going to get her post.

-How old are you? -Twenty-one.

Twenty.

Nineteen, but I can type 100 words a minute

and I've got a distinction in shorthand.

The Hour is the most exciting posting I've had since I got here.

I've been in the mail room since January.

Well, that would imply you can stick on a stamp but not keep out my mother.

I'm not like them.

The rest of them in that typing pool, always on the lookout.

I ain't looking for that.

I want to be part of something. Part of this,

and I know I can be useful and helpful to you.

Miss Cooper, less is more.

The BBC.

Very good.

I had a mind to go into broadcasting once.

You've done well for yourself, Frederick.

Lord Elms,

I was hoping to interview you, sir.

To get your reaction to the bill.

It won't get passed, if that's what you mean.

So you voted against it?

Does it matter?

We get the vote we deserve and the rest can hang.

That doesn't make it right.

Is it on?

As in everyday life, the word "right" has no single unequivocal meaning.

Is the widow of the police officer murdered by a violent attacker

not right to demand reasonable justice for her late husband?

But is the man

falsely convicted and sentenced to be hanged also not right to demand

that same reasonable justice? To demand his right to life?

(SIGHS)

In a democracy,

the only thing one can be right about

is the right to ask the question.

And the real question is,

"Do we live in a democracy?"

Or

under the illusion of one?

What sort of a camera is it?

Auricon.

Ruthie liked to make little films.

I didn't come to the funeral.

To Ruth's funeral.

I didn't know if you'd want me there.

You are always welcome, Frederick.

You always were.

She came to see me.

She wanted me to help her.

And did you?

Well, one could argue

that swift death is preferable to a lifetime's imprisonment.

One could argue that.

Mr Lyon,

Lix was looking for you.

We did this story last week.

And you smiled last week,

and then you flicked your eyes up and down... Yes, just like that.

If it's a short script, learn it.

It's this bloody desk.

It's not the desk's fault. It's you.

The only thing that's stopping you is you.

Sorry. My mother does this to me.

-She seemed very nice. -That's just her flirting with you.

So did your wife,

seem very nice.

Freddie says...

(GROANS) Mr Lyon.

He can be quite kind, if you just...

If I keep away from you?

I don't know why you're so nervous.

You're charming and you're effortless

and then the minute you turn to look into the camera, you just...

Everyone's waiting there for me to be brilliant.

I can't just pluck the name of the President of Liberia out of the ether.

I need to stick to a script.

But then when I look down, I look up again and there you all are,

standing there staring back at me, it's bloody terrifying!

Perhaps Mr Lyon would have been a better fit.

(LAUGHING)

How did you get into news?

I was about...

sixteen.

I used to sit in my father's study listening to the wireless.

1933. Vernon Bartlett

discussing Hitler's decision to leave the League of Nations.

Most powerful thing I've ever heard.

It pulled me out of that drab little room and into the middle of a crisis

as if I was sitting there with them, the third person at the table.

That's how it should be.

Stand up.

They need to see you.

They need to know who you are.

Trust you, as they would a friend.

They need to hear you talk as I just heard you.

A man who does the job that other men would kill to do

and that women want to sit next to at the dinner table,

because you're the most dangerous man in the room.

There you are.

Lix is looking for you.

Thank you, Freddie.

Yes, okay, listen to this.

The military have moved into the central square of Alexandria,

they've cordoned off the crowd. Nasser's been speaking for coming up to an hour

and, uh...

Yes, and it doesn't seem like he's stopping.

Our man in Alexandria is leaning out of the window,

-and he's holding up the phone. -Give us pictures, Lix.

Apparently there are thousands of people waving, cheering...

It's... It's like a carnival. IL...

I can't understand, it's Arabic, sorry. Mr Kish?

What exactly is Nasser saying?

This canal is an Egyptian canal.

LIX: Yes? KISH: It is an Egyptian Limited Company.

120,000 Egyptians died digging the canal and then

Britain forcibly deprived us of our right in it.

-What's he saying? Are we going to war? -Don't be daft.

Where's Clarence?

-I don't know. -You listening now?

-What happens now? -I don't know. I don't... I don't know.

-Let me think. -We are.

-We are, we're going to war. -We're not going to war, Miss Cooper.

We're carrying on preparing for tomorrow's show.

We are taking in our stride the incoming news that Colonel Nasser

has taken control of this country's most important trade route.

We are reorganising and regrouping. Lix...

Freddie, Hector, Ron, now.

Sissy, telephone lines. We need them all working.

-Maintenance said Friday. -Go down to the floor right now?

Now, please. Everyone back to their desks,

talk to anyone you can find. Lix, do we have a camera down there?

I've spoken to Donaldson

and two of the boys from the Cairo agency should be there now.

We need to find someone. Someone from the Egyptian Embassy,

somebody who can talk for Nasser.

FREDDIE: What about that minister? Was based in Cairo, now in London?

An outspoken supporter of Nasser.

Hafiz.

I went to school with his son.

Hafiz drinks at the Layali club.

-Sorry, not a member. -I'll get us in.

Is there anything you can't do, Hector?

Um... Not really.

Egyptian forces are swarming the entire canal.

They're taking over the Suez offices.

They're lining up workers and making them stand outside.

I'll get my car.

I got the interview with Elms.

When do you get it back from the lab?

First thing, if Mr Albert gets a lick on. You have to see it, Bel.

You have to hear what Lord Elms said. If we run this film...

Well, I don't know what we're running tomorrow,

but when I decide, I'll let you know.

I'll come with you.

To meet Mr Hafiz.

-No, it's fine. Hector and I can... -Home Affairs desk.

This could loosely be considered Home Affairs

with a bit of Foreign Affairs thrown...

(WHISPERING) Why are you being such a child?

Now is not the time for you to be a child.

My name's Hector Madden.

FREDDIE: Is it just me, or has Hector shrunk?

I'm sure he was taller.

Hello, Mr Hafiz. My name's Hector Madden...

When we first met, you couldn't even knot your tie straight.

You'd never tried an oyster...

Personally, not much of a loss.

...been to the theatre, read Woolf or Wilde.

I did that.

It's what you do for someone when you believe in them.

And you believe in him?

I've got "atom",

"shamble"”, "evolve".

Freddie.

(WHISPERS) Freddie!

We were hoping to entice you onto 7he Hour.

So that you can interrogate me?

-No. -Yes.

Mr Hafiz,

we would like to bring a balanced view to rapidly unfolding

and sensitive political events.

Your president has stolen our canal.

It hasn't been without provocation.

I can just see the headlines tomorrow, "Grabber Nasser".

-It does have a certain ring to it. -Freddie.

-May I apologise. -HAFIZ: Why?

He's only saying what the world will say.

But they do not know the truth.

And what is the truth, Mr Hafiz?

If you come onto our programme,

perhaps you'd have the chance to tell the country.

If I'm interviewed by a gentleman.

Here, let me give you a hand with those.

FREDDIE: Right.

You'll need the background, you can't wing it.

Start with these. You'll need...

Perhaps a little more than a Children's Britannica.

How do you do it?

How do you know exactly the right question to ask?

Because

I'm not afraid of the answers.

Right, this is good.

I've marked the best pages. Ignore the last chapter.

Thank you.

This is for Bel,

not for you.

You're still an arse.

BEL: Freddie!

Do you ever wash up?

Saucepans, not much. Cutlery, occasionally.

And she won't even make me a cup of tea.

I'll walk you.

It's all right, I can drive her home.

Very nice seeing you, Ms Rowley.

Dad, I'll be through in a minute.

Hector Madden. Pleased to meet you, Mr Lyon.

Yes, Captain.

Well, good night.

Thank you.

Are you nervous?

Terrified.

You can't bottle it, Hector.

You have to be as tough on him as you would be on the next man.

McCain's not going to like it.

Stuff McCain.

It's left.

-Which floor? -Top.

-Here? -Mmm-hmm.

Are you all right?

Fine.

Then why are you shaking?

Oh, damn.

Military upbringing.

I can't help it.

I'm pathologically unable to see a woman in the rain

without holding up an umbrella over her.

(BUZZES)

Don't be frightened.

Gravity...

You have a natural gravity.

VERDA: Hello?

Good night.

-Good night. -Hello?

Ma, sorry, I'm...

-He rang. -Yes, he did.

Oh, don't do that.

They always telephone, darling,

-in the end. -Right.

That's right.

Have you even heard the news today?

Egyptian troops...

Doesn't matter.

Verda, World War III will break out

and you'll be so busy trying to squeeze yourself into that bloody dress,

-you'll miss it. -Darling,

please don't become one of those women who feels the need

to have a career and not a life.

I'd rather be that woman than waiting for a bloody phone call.

Hmm. Did you not sleep well last night?

It always makes you so grumpy.

The last thing I want is sleep. I've woken up.

(HORN HONKING OUTSIDE)

You should try it, Ma.

(HONKING CONTINUES)

(DOOR SHUTS)

ANNOUNCER ON RADIO: But in spite of the smiles and the friendly handshakes,

Egypt's answer to the 18-nation plan for international control of the Suez Canal

is still a net refusal

as Mr Menzies flies back to London with the disturbing knowledge

that although he and his committee did their best,

their mission has failed.

Interviewed at the airport, Mr Menzies tells how the 18-nation plan

was explained in great detail to President Nasser,

so that he should be left in no doubt as to...

Egypt?

(INDISTINCT)

(LIFT BELL DINGS)

Clarence.

-I would have told you. -McCain already has.

-They have their spies everywhere. -Naguib Hafiz is a coup. You know it.

A man who will be a mouthpiece for Nasser?

An Arab Nationalist whom Eden sees as a Soviet puppet?

How can we be impartial if we only tell one side of the story?

That is why I am about to tell them

that I leave it to the discretion of my producer to decide.

But Freddie must forgo his interview with Lord Elms.

Elms complained?

Freddie was seen speaking to him in the corridor in the House of Lords.

There are things said in grief that a man may later regret.

You must tell Freddie the film blew.

Pick your battles, Bel.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Mr Fendley, Mr McCain's here.

Thank you.

When did you... When did you first become aware...

When did you first become aware of President Nasser's intentions

to seize the canal?

Don't work so hard.

Go again.

You be Mr Hafiz and I'll be you.

Westminster is concerned

and I wanted to illuminate the situation for you.

I, um...

Thank you.

I insisted that it wasn't just anyone coming down to talk to you

and I realise, of course, that this is all very new for you,

but you can't go ahead with this interview tonight.

But I can, Mr McCain.

One must be aware that politicians are very devious.

The Arab world has a rich literary tradition.

Now, this is a very dangerous mix.

A politician who understands the power of a good narrative

could hardly be called impartial.

And that is why we intend to interrogate him.

You joined Nasser on a recent trip to Moscow. Would you care to comment?

See, now is when you build.

-Well... -I'm sorry, Mr Hafiz,

I didn't catch that.

Was it in order to discuss the arms deal?

The arms deal was with Czechoslovakia? The arms were Soviet, Mr Hafiz.

How long have you planning to seize the Suez Canal?

Would he know that?

Of course. Now you.

I would very much like to help you, Miss Rowley.

Now, there are many powerful people who will be very unhappy

if you allow Mr Hafiz onto your programme this evening.

I really feel it is my duty to protect you.

I don't need your protection.

Perhaps if the programme was scripted

and we saw a transcript prior to broadcast?

Then it could hardly be called a live interview.

If you proceed with this reckless behaviour,

I cannot guarantee what our response in government will be,

quite frankly.

I run a news programme.

It's my job to cover the news.

That's what I intend to do tonight.

Anything else is reckless.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I have a show about to go on air that I must attend to.

Must be those maternal instincts again.

(CHUCKLES)

Auribus tenere lupum.

Look it up.

Sorry.

This is me dad. He's just testing the line.

All the engineers were tied in putting more lines on the Sports Desk upstairs.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Hello?

He can't work out what that click is on the line, but he will do.

Right, thank you.

Very good, carry on.

Mr Madden...

KISH: We shall march forward to political and economic independence.

All right. Will you be much longer with that, Mr Kish?

Not much longer.

If we look back, we do so only to demolish

the relics of oppression, civility, exploitation...

He's good.

Yes, the only Englishman I know who can switch

from the classical Arabic to the Egyptian vernacular

without batting an eyelid.

Thirty minutes, ladies and gentlemen, 30 minutes.

Freddie.

Your Elms film blew. There was a problem with the sound.

But Mr Nelson said he could clean it up.

I'm sorry.

You're doing that funny thing with your eyes again.

Bel.

Everyone needs to get to the studio, we're live in 30 minutes.

(BREATHING SHAKILY)

Places, everybody, please.

You set?

Yep.

Watch the smile. Makes you look like Crippen.

Was he a good-looking bastard, too?

Mr Hafiz, thank you. This way, please.

MISS COOPER: Parcel, Mr Lyon. It just arrived.

Eyes ahead, Isaac.

It's fine. I'll be there.

Fine.

Now, do you have everything you need?

I see we're being watched.

Always.

This way, Mr Hafiz.

It's just you,

talking to that boy

sitting in his father's study.

(MAN SPEAKING ARABIC ON FILM)

(LIX DISCUSSING FOOTAGE, INDISTINCT)

Stand by, studio.

Five,

four,

three,

two,

one.

Fade up vision.

-Go grams. -Good evening,

and welcome to The Hour,

the most important 60 minutes of news of your week.

We lead with the story that dominates,

President Nasser's seizing of the Suez Canal Company.

To shed some light on this growing crisis,

we're joined by one of the leading supporters of Egypt's President,

Mr Naguib Hafiz.

Good evening.

-Thank you for joining us. -Thank you for inviting me.

What is your opinion

of President Nasser's decision to take over the Suez Canal Company?

The canal is situated in Egyptian territory

and it has quite simply reverted back to Egyptian control.

Well, if I may

correct you, Mr Hafiz,

the canal is owned by the French and British Suez Canal Company.

It is theft.

I prefer "reclamation".

Well, you can be certain the British public won't perceive it that way.

Britain has for too long

behaved like a distant relative of Egypt

who believes he is still entitled to the family silver.

You off?

Mmm.

Till we meet again.

Yes.

Your country has been sold a fiction

by an impotent Prime Minister

surrounded by all his cronies

and by a corrupt and deceitful government.

The British Empire is over.

So you are accusing Prime Minister Eden of weakness, worse, of lying.

Of selling to the British public a fiction.

And is President Nasser hoping to build an empire of his own?

Are there any plans to enlist Soviet support for this new empire?

(SILENT FILM)

Is President Nasser declaring war on the British empire?

Mr Hafiz?

The country is waiting, Mr Hafiz, I must press you.