Original subtitles

May I offer you the first toast of the evening?

Oh, no speeches. How... To mullrine and mcdee.

All: To mullrine and mcdee.

To the millions that they will make out of people's pain and misery.

To our hosts, charlatans and purveyors of blood.

Howard, you are a pest.

Who are you?!

I'm...

He wretches

oh!

Do you think he's drunk, Arthur?

A bit squiffy?

On the contrary, I'm afraid he's a bit dead.

All irregularities will be handled

by the forces controlling each dimension.

Transuranium heavy elements may not be used where there is life.

Medium atomic weights are available...

Gold, lead...

..Copper...

..Jet, diamond, radium, sapphire, silver and steel.

Sapphire and steel have been assigned.

Softly sobs

out of my way, then.

Quietly: It's all right. It's all right.

Don't touch him. I am the doctor around here.

He sniffs cyanide.

Cyanide, without a doubt. Greville?

My lord? Did you decant the port?

Well, of course, sir, but it's been standing on the side...

So, anyone could have tampered with it? Yes, sir.

I've warned him about drinking stuff like this.

Oh, don't lecture... What are you going to do about this?

Why me? It's your house.

It's about time you started doing something.

What a mess. This tablecloth...

Really, Emma, this is no time to talk about tablecloths.

Yes, quite, darling. Well, Arthur?

Oh, don't "well, Arthur" me. I never did like the fellow.

He was a damn nuisance and a bore...

Well, he hadn't the brains of a flea. No.

Vultures! That's just what I would've expected.

The poor boy is not even cold,

and you've started to pick over his bones.

Hardly that!

But one can't help wondering what happens to his shares.

I'll not stay and listen to this.

Oh, no, you don't. You stay here.

Everyone will until we get to the bottom of this affair.

Miles? Lock that door.

I don't think it will... I said, lock it.

Might as well do as she says.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Now, miles, you are going to start questioning us.

Find out who had the best motive.

We all had good ones, I'm sure.

I think we should move poor Howard. He doesn't look at all comfortable.

Don't touch him! What?

Take your hands off my son. Your son?

Never forget, Emma, I know.

Haven't you done enough damage! Oh, great god.

I am on my way back to my laboratory.

You can't.

I have the key.

Gasps my god!

I need a drink.

I shouldn't if I were you.

Tell me, there was...

I didn't imagine it all, did I?

No, you didn't imagine it.

What's going to happen to me?

I'm next, aren't I?

There is danger in this house for all of us.

That's very good, Emma. How can you take this so calmly?

Is there any other way...? First Veronica, then Tony,

now Howard... Look, my dear,

when you get to my age... How old are you, Arthur?

What? Really, Felicity, what a question.

One should never ask anyone's age over 30.

Oh, don't be so coy, Emma, you are three years younger than I.

Everybody knows that. And how old is that?

Greville, I think we're ready for coffee.

Now just a minute. Splendid idea.

What about Howard? Who?

Howard. Howard mcdee. He was here.

Greville, will you please sprinkle some salt on the tablecloth.

Someone seems to have upset the port.

I do hope it wasn't George. George?

Where is he? He's gone back to his laboratory.

I sometimes wonder why I ever married that man.

He really does think more of his work than he does of me.

Don't complain, Felicity.

Just remember how lucky you are.

Greville, serve the coffee in the lounge, will you, please?

Yes, mr mullrine. Mr mullrine?

In a moment, miss Emma, if you'll excuse us.

How can they?! Shattering

greville, will you leave us, please?

Yes, madam.

Perhaps they are under no immediate threat.

And we are? Yes.

What year were you born mr harborough?

Me? 1931.

And your wife?

Later. Much later. Thank you.

Well, it all seems perfectly obvious.

Yes... What seems perfectly obvious?

You're talking in riddles.

I'm afraid you're in considerable danger.

For being murdered? Something like that, yes.

Well, by whom? Don't you know who's committing these crimes?

More or less. For heaven's sake, man, tell us? Who?

No living soul.

Oh, really, this is preposterous. I entirely agree.

Cavendish, if you really are a detective,

isn't it time you stopped talking in riddles and did some detecting?

Particularly if you think I'm going to be next.

I'm sorry. I'm afraid we are dealing

with something more important... More important?

I'm not staying to listen to this. I'm speaking to Arthur.

For once in your life, my darling, a very good idea.

June the 22nd, 1930.

Present that night were mullrine and Emma, Felicity and George.

And greville. He went through the door.

Yes.

He's older than he looks.

How will he deal with Felix and Annabelle?

How else do humans destroy one another?

Oh...

They have so many ways.

Band music

ah, the new record, Emma.

Arthur, could I have a word with you?

Oh, I do adore this music. Don't you, Felicity?

Not really, Emma. I think it's rather vulgar.

I must talk to you. Then it'll make money, then, my dear.

Very probably. I think I'm going mad.

It's so up to date.

This is as much part of 1930 as,

ooh, Amy Johnson or the r100 the airship.

Airship. Now there's something that'll make a packet for someone.

With enough capital and foresight. What's that, Arthur?

Airships, Emma. Oh, don't be so silly!

Here we are, spending hundreds of thousands of pounds

to build great ocean liners,

like the empress of britain and the britannic,

when the real future is up there. Arthur?

Yes! Up there in the skies.

Look at the way the r100 can fly. All the way to Canada.

Oh, I should love to fly an aeroplane.

You couldn't fly a kite.

It's awfully difficult to fly a kite.

If Amy Johnson can do it, why shouldn't I?

Last month, I was listening to her talk.

She was thinking about her flight.

And she was talking all the way to Australia, just fancy that!

Yes, just fancy... Wouldn't you like to fly?

Like? With wings? Such a silly girl. An aeroplane.

Arthur says I'm too idiotic even to think of such a thing.

What do you say? Well, I...

Come and sit down, young man. Whoever you are.

Yes, come and sit down. Whoever you are.

I don't see why the ladies... Felix!

Animated chatter

drive rally cars. Vroom, vroom, vroom!

Motorbikes. Felix!

Overlapping chatter

Felix, I can't stand any more of this!

You're all mad. All of you.

Quite mad! It could be anyone of you.

Sizzling, she screams

chatter continues

poor Annabelle.

It's not right! She isn't dead.

No-one has been murdered.

Mr harborough, you are going to have to disband disbelief.

I know what we are telling you is very hard for you to accept.

Mr harbour, you are a shrewd man.

Can you give me a rational explanation

to what has happened in this house?

There has been a time change.

This house and everyone in it has been moved back in time.

Back to 1930.

And to be consistent, everyone who wasn't born then,

has had to be eliminated, hence these murders.

But you see, they never really happened.

Time has simply been suspended.

You call that a rational explanation?

I call it lunacy.

You should be locked up the pair of you.

I wouldn't be surprised to find you

at the bottom of this whole damn business.

Door lock turning

I am not miles cavendish.

And I am not Virginia cavendish.

Music plays thank you, greville.

They played this at the... Tense music

chattering

so you see, no-one has been killed. You won't die.

You're asking me to believe

that you're kind of an interplanetary police force.

Yes. Aliens of some sort?

In an extra-terrestrial sense, yes.

You have been sent down here... To keep order.

There are capricious, as well as dangerous,

elements at work in the universe. Think you might have had the decency

to consider my feelings at a time like this.

Time is not as rigid a concept as most people would believe.

With respect... No more words, sapphire.

Show him.

'You ought to listen to them, Felix.

'Do what they say.'

they really are who they say they are.

It's quite extraordinary, actually, and rather fun.

Fun?

You're dead. You died there.

Not really. Halfway, if you like. It's absolutely marvellous.

I've learned more up here than I ever did down there.

Where are you? I haven't the faintest.

Sort of floating.

Waiting.

I can look at anything I want.

As a matter of fact, I was just watching my first day

at school when you called. Fascinating.

It's a trick. No, it's not a trick, Felix.

All right.

If you really can see anything you wanted from up there,

what is...

What's the colour...

What's the colour of the lining paper in the drawer

where I keep my shirts? Oh!

That's a bit of a tease, there, Felix.

Hang on a moment.

Good lord!

Someone's used old wallpaper.

Regency stripe, gold on white.

We don't have time for any more questions.

Who are you?

I am known as steel. Sapphire.

Sapphire...

And steel.

Are there more of you?

Oh, yes. Yes.

Bronze. Silver.

Lead. I see.

They are codenames. We need your help.

Very well.

Who should I be?

Platinum?

Diamond?

Tin?

How about brass?

That will do fine.

What do you want me to do?

Find out if...

..Greville could've been in this house in 1930.

Right. Before you go...

You'll need this.

'Can you hear me?'

yes, of course I can.

'Don't speak. Just think.'

'she has got very pretty eyes.'

'thank you.' 'Don't mention it.'

good lord!

Ah, greville.

Sir!

What were you doing?

I found these wires leading from the fuse box, sir.

I thought it looked rather dangerous.

Do you recognise it? Huh?

The wire.

Do you keep any more like it in the house?

No, sir.

I thought it looked the sort of thing mr mcdee

might have in his laboratory.

Who could have done such a terrible thing?

Who indeed.

I mean, anyone of us could have opened that lock.

Anybody.

I think not.

I think it was mean... What?

..Only for your wife.

Show me where it goes.

The fuse box is under the back stairs.

You certainly know this house like the back of your hand, greville.

Have you lived here long?

He hasn't the ability to handle communication.

I only gave him the first level.

Anyway, what makes you think he can help us?

He can't.

I was just getting him out of the way

and take his mind off it.

It'll come as a surprise.

How very considerate of you.

And speaking of death, isn't it time we found out about George mcdee?

He died on the 22nd... Yes, well, it's 11:35, now.

Mullrine has an office through that door in the living room.

George mcdee was a very eminent scientist.

He died young. His death would've been reported in the newspapers.

There'll be a record in the office.

Yes, but that's in 1980.

You could never do it.

Shattering

'well?' 'not yet.'

well, there it is. But how do we open it?

It has no lock, no handle, remember?

How does mullrine open it?

Electronically. He generates a signal.

What frequency? 30 khz.

Low-pitched frequency

higher.

High-pitched frequency

door whirrs

ah, Virginia. Here's our fourth.

Two clubs or 42? Culbertson.

That's my girl. I always play one club.

Smashing! Good, you'll be playing with me.

Arthur always plays with greville. He's a natural.

I taught him everything he knows. They laugh

good evening. Oh!

How did you get in here? Through the door.

But you can't. I mean, it isn't working.

You're not a ghost, are you?

Ghost? Well, there was...

I'm sorry.

Can I help you?

No, thank you. I can manage.

Excuse me.

Machine beeps do you mind?

Beeping decreases

What operates the door?

High-pitched frequency now just one moment.

I don't care if you are one of lord mullrine's guests,

you can't just walk...

You're looking very tired, Felicity, dear.

Don't you think you ought to go to bed?

Let me finish my cocoa first.

I don't know how you can drink it so hot.

You could take it up with you.

Don't be in such a hurry, Emma.

Arthur will play cards all night,

and I never know when George comes to bed.

We can sleep late in the morning.

Oh, very well.

If that's the way you feel about it.

But remember, one minute sleep before midnight...

Oh, all right. ..Is worth one hour after.

If it means so much to you.

Oh! Careful.

You're spilling it.

No trumps. No bid.

Ah, there you are, miles. Thought we'd lost you.

Your bid, partner.

Could you help me a moment, please, Virginia?

Darling, not now. I'm busy.

We are vulnerable, aren't we?

Er, yes, madam.

And 30 below the line.

30 below?

What time do you make it, Felix?

Quarter past eleven.

'Sapphire...' four diamonds.

Double.

Four diamonds, partner.

Interesting. 'Sapphire.'

'sapphire, answer me!'

'brass here. Where were you?'

'I've been back into the future.'

what? What?

Felix? Oh, I'm so sorry.

'Sorry.'

I was in mullrine's office.'

'you were away for almost two hours.'

Felix! Four no trumps.

'It is playing about with time, isn't it?'

'it's not all it's playing about with.'

no bid.

'What do you mean?' Five spades.

'It's playing about with us, too.'

'like some dreadful game.'

no bid, dammit.

'Yes, it's a mischievous force.'

five no trumps.

'One with a warped sense of humour.'

greville: Sorry, sir. No bid.

Six hearts. Double.

'It's not a joke, I'm afraid.' 'No?'

a contest of wits.

What? Yes, it certainly is.

Come on, old man, let us off the hook.

What's it going to be?

Seven diamonds. No bid.

Pass. Double.

Redouble. What?

Greville? Content.

Spades...

..Hearts...

Diamonds and... Oh, no.

Ah! ..A club.

Thank you, partner.

Why didn't you answer me? We bid seven diamonds.

What of it?

She sighs what do you want me to do?

I need some feminine guile.

You don't play bridge, do you?

High-pitched frequency

I'm sorry. This is a private office.

I've come to apologise for my husband. Darling...

Sorry.

Lord mullrine has been very generous with the champagne.

He is such a wonderful host. Yes, he is, isn't he?

Does he know you're in here? That's a lovely blouse.

What? Oh, thank you. You see...

Where did you get it? Oh, locally. Nowhere very chic.

I... Goodness you are clever.

I wish I could find things like that.

How very sweet of you.

We need you to help us settle an argument.

Now, it has nothing to do with lord mullrine's

private or financial affairs.

It's about something that happened a long time ago.

Well, what is it you want to know exactly?

A report or a newspaper cutting,

concerning the death of George mcdee.

I understand it was a tragedy. Oh, yes, it was.

He was lord mullrine's partner, wasn't he?

Yes, but he's been out of the picture for a long time now.

Since the early '30s.

Was it June the 22nd, 1930?

You see, it's the exact date that we are arguing about.

Oh. Would you have a record of it somewhere?

All our files are computerised now.

Oh, so it could be programmed into the computer?

It is possible.

Oh, could you look for us?

Look, I really would like to help you, but I just can't.

I have very specific instructions.

Why don't you ask lord mullrine to come in here...?

Oh, what a good idea. Come along, miles.

We'll be back. All right, goodbye.

Oh, would you mind...

There is a handle on this side. Oh.

Sapphire chuckles

bye-bye.

Computer beeps

that bitch!

George mcdee's body was found in the ashes.

Who else was there? Was anyone else injured?

It didn't say.

Where did the fire start?

Apparently, it completely destroyed the library.

700 for the rubber,

1,500 for the grand slam redouble...

100 honours, and 50 for the insult.

A pound a hundred. A pound a hundred?!

It's all right. I'll take care of it.

That will be £31.

£31?

Thank you very much, sir. Shall I...?

No, leave it to the morning. Very good, sir.

£31.

Steel: 'Say you're tired and go to bed.'

I'm so tired. I'll go to bed.

Sapphire: 'Take mullrine with you.'

what about you, Arthur?

Yes, I didn't realise it was so late.

'What do you want me to do?'

'get the details of mcdee's death.'

how about a nightcap, Arthur?

Yes, a very good idea.

Thank you.

'A fire.'

'yes, but where?'

Arthur, if you are thinking of investing that sort of money,

ought you put it to the shareholders?

What, Emma and Felicity?

Emma and Felicity, of course. What do they know!

They said I was mad when I took George on as a partner.

George mcdee? Yes.

"You got the ideas, you've got the capital, what do you need him for?"

Little did they know.

Wasn't George...?

George is a very clever fellow, isn't he?

You'd like to know, wouldn't you? Arthur laughs

no, no, that's strictly between George and me.

I'll let you fellows at the bank know

when I'm ready to raise capital.

You've always kept your cards close to your chest, Arthur.

Arthur chuckles is his, erm...

Work dangerous?

Dangerous?

Dangerous right off my living room and me standing here?

What exactly has he got in there?

Why don't you see for yourself?

But surely...

..We can't go in there?

He hates to be disturbed when he's working.

Not by me.

Come and take a look.

Go on, take a look.

George?

Good evening. Get out.

He's from the bank, George.

Not now.

Leave!

I'm sorry you've been disturbed.

Aren't these cultures...? Get out of here!

Glass clatters

You shouldn't have done that, George.

He was only asking a simple question.

I've nearly solved it.

That temper of yours will give the company a bad name.

It's impossible. No, steel.

There is no doubt about it. There never was a fire in here.

There'd be a massive carbon residue...

Steel. But the computer clearly indicates...

There's never... The room was destroyed.

Not now, Felix. Felix mumbles

you mean there's not even a trace? There's a trace.

There used to be a fireplace... Distorted speech

steel...

Clock chimes

June the 22nd.

1930.

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