Original subtitles

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

Welcome back to Play of the Week,

where each week a new play is performed live

in front of a studio audience here in Cornley

and broadcast to the nation.

I am Chris Bean, the Director.

Tonight I am thrilled to present

the first legal drama we've ever staged,

although, admittedly, not the first

we've ever been involved in.

Before we begin,

I do have one "parish notice".

Unfortunately, there has been an error

with the technical drawings for the courtroom set.

While the dimensions were written in inches,

they were interpreted by the builders in centimeters

so that does mean the courtroom

is a little snug.

But I'm sure you will barely notice.

So, the actors are prepared,

the stage is set.

This play is "A Trial to Watch."

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]

[NERVOUSLY] You look nervous.

Maybe a little.

Well, don't worry about the judge.

I've got Shawcroft wrapped around my little sleeve.

Ever since the Weatherby case,

I've had a real finger up his ace.

In all my years on the force,

I've never seen a judge throw out so much evidence.

I'd be willing to bet good money that...

I'm going to stop you right there.

Isn't that what got you

chucked off the force to begin with?

Betting too much money on things?

Remember, Jack, I...

-[MURMURS] I know what I'm doing. -...I know what I'm doing.

I'm the best defense lawyer in the country.

You're the best defense lawyer in the country.

No, you are.

I am?

I'm the best defense lawyer in the country.

You're right, I'm in good hands

Well, well, well,

look who it is.

It's, uh, it's...

-Becky Sandhurst. -Becky Sandhurst.

Leader of the prostitution.

JACK: Prosecution.

She's my sex life...

-JACK: Ex-wife -Ex-wife.

She's my ex-wife.

Morning, Karl, you're looking well.

Morning, Karl, you're looking well.

How's Jess, long pause.

Come on, Becky,

I've every right to ask about my daughter.

She's fine.

Hope she's not too disappointed

when her mom loses the case.

Loses?

You might as well give up now.

We have the truth on our side.

[CHUCKLES] Since when has the truth mattered?

I get off with all my clients.

You get all of your clients off.

I do,

and that's why I'm gonna get Jacked off.

Get Jack off?

You know me,

I don't have any scrup-ulay?

Yes, and your lack of scruples

is exactly the reason why I don't allow you

to see your daughter anymore.

I know you still love me, Becky.

The man I loved knew the difference

between right and wrong.

-Sexual tension thrums between them. -Okay.

I'll see you in court.

[GROANS]

Oh, God!

All rise.

Morning.

Be seated.

Order!

[LOUD ECHOING GAVEL BANGS]

Bailiff, please summon the jury.

BAILIFF: Summon the jury!

Come along, please.

I've got to. I'm before you.

Ow! Stop pushing. Stop pushing.

Stop it now. Stop it.

Call the defendant to the dock.

Defendant to the dock.

Jack Inwood,

you stand here on trial

before a jury of three of your peers.

You are charged with the murder of your brother,

Nigel Terence Inwood.

Counsel, how does your client plead?

Guilty your honor.

Not guilty.

The script says guilty.

Not guilty now, that's later.

Not guilty now

but guilty later.

Have the jury elected a foreman?

BAILIFF: They have, Milord.

Would the foreman please rise.

-He's in the hall. -Moving on.

Madam prosecutor, proceed...

Your Honor... [GRUNTS]

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

-I put it to you -[KARL EXCLAIMING IN PAIN]

that the defendant killed his brother

in cold blood on the night of August the 11th.

You will hear how Nigel Inwood returned home

expecting to see his wife Angela Inwood MP,

but instead was faced

with his brother

who was waiting for him in the living room...

[ECHOING] Living room... Living room... Living room...

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

Don't worry, it's going to be okay.

Angela, I'm home.

Nigel,

you're home early, aren't you?

What are you doing here?

I needed to talk to you.

-Can I pour you a brandy? -Sure.

Haven't seen you in a while.

Mind if I finish the bottle?

Go ahead.

[EXHALES]

Place looks different.

Have you redecorated?

Well, we're halfway there.

-Who's this? -That's me.

Bit of a hobby of mine.

Do it every Saturday.

Always the show off.

Look, Jack, just spit it out.

What have you got to say?

Whoa!

[SCREAMS]

What have you got to say?

I can't pay you back the money.

You know what your problem is, Jack?

I'm sure you're going to tell me.

You're selfish.

You just take, and you take and you take.

What do you want me to say? I lost it.

At the casino?

I'm sorry.

This is the last straw.

-Ha! -Calm down, Nige.

Argh!

I'm bleeding.

[PANTING] I'm bleeding.

I'm bleeding.

[CLICKING]

Blood. [MIMICS BLOOD SQUIRTING]

This is Professor Imogen Winterbottom

beginning autopsy report for Nigel Inwood.

[SCREAMS]

[PANTING]

Oh!

Subject is male, aged 29.

No residual scars or markings.

There is an acute laceration to the chest...

Oh, cold.

...from a sharp object.

Making first incision.

[SCREAMS]

Internal organs appear uncontaminated.

Oh!

No foreign bodies.

Nothing unusual.

Ugh.

Proceeding to the heart.

Thank you!

The heart has been pierced,

lacerations to the first and fourth ventricle.

The nature of the lacerations...

The nature of the lacerations

indicates the assailant would have been left-handed

and approximately six foot tall.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

Approximately six foot tall.

Mr. Inwood,

could you please stand up to your full height?

The attacker was six foot.

Mr. Inwood stands at...

At two foot nine, exactly the same.

Erection!

Objection.

How can you object to that, Karl?

What's the matter, Becky, can't keep up?

Order in court!

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

That's quite all right, please proceed.

My client is innocent.

I'll be the one to decide that, Mr. McKennon.

You're just trying to undermine me

because I'm your ex-wife.

Are you really going to let her speak to me

like that Milord?

Order, order, stop this at once.

Don't you know who I am?

Mr. McKennon, on this occasion

the court will be glad to uphold your erection...

Objection!

Is there anything you'd like to add?

Yes, Your Honor.

Some arrogant legal stuff

and a line about him being right-handed

that's important for the plot later.

My God you're good.

Do you request a mistrial?

I request a mistrial.

Request denied.

The prosecution will now question Mr. Inwood.

Mr. Inwood,

did you hate your brother?

This is outrageous.

-Mr. Inwood. -[GAVEL BANG ECHOING]

Bailiff, Bailiff!

Please join the defendant in the dock.

If you can't conduct yourself appropriately

you shall have to be supervised.

Mr. Inwood,

you were waiting in your brother's house

with the intention to kill him, weren't you?

That's not true.

The evening started just as you described,

I was waiting for Nigel in his living room.

[ECHOES] Living room...

[ECHOING STOPS] Living room.

Living room. Living room.

Living room. Living room. Living room.

Living room. Living room! Living room!

[SCREAMS] Living room!

[SCREAMS] Living room! Living room!

[IN NORMAL VOICE] Living room.

Don't worry, it's going to be okay.

Angela, I'm home...

Whoa!

Nigel, you're home early, aren't you?

What are you doing here?

I needed to talk to you.

Can I pour you a brandy?

Haven't seen you in a while.

Mind if I finish the bottle?

[NERVOUSLY] Go ahead.

[GROANS]

[HOARSELY] Place looks different, have you redecorated?

[STRAINED] We're halfway there.

Who's this?

That's me.

It's a bit of a hobby of mine. [CLEARS THROAT]

I do it every Saturday.

Always showing off.

Look, Jack,

just spit it out.

What have you got to say?

I can't pay you back the money.

Do you know what your problem is, Jack?

I'm sure you're going to tell me.

You're selfish.

You just take and you take and you take.

[JACK GROANS]

What do you want me to say, I lost it.

[SCREAMS] At the casino?

I'm sorry!

This is the last straw.

Calm down, Nige!

Ahhh!

Ah!

-Ha! -Ha!

[MIMICKING GRUNTS]

Oh! [PANTS]

I've fallen on my own knife.

I'm bleeding.

I'm bleeding.

Blood... [MIMICS BLOOD SQUIRTING]

[IMITATING HEARTBEAT] Boom boom.

Boom boom. Boom boom.

Boom.

[SCREAMS]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

And that's how it happened.

I didn't stab Nigel.

He fell on the letter opener he was using to attack me.

I'm completely innocent.

No further questions, Milord.

Court is adjourned until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.

[GAVEL SOUND EFFECT ECHOES]

Thanks for today.

You really are the best.

Jack,

is there something you need to tell me?

How do you mean?

Because if there is,

now's the time while we're alone.

I've told you everything already.

Do you want to change your plea now?

There might be time.

Justice Shawcroft can be surprisingly flexible.

If you're found guilty, he might not be so lenient.

He's a serious man.

SHAWCROFT: Oh, this is cobblers.

Don't worry about it.

You really crushed that prosecutor today.

You don't think I was too hard on her?

I'm not paying you to have a conscience.

I'm paying you to get me off.

Jack you off.

Here's your check.

I thought you were right-handed?

Oh, yes, of course.

Jack, you left your...

My God!

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

Have a pleasant evening, Ms. Stokes,

I have some work to do in my chambers.

-Goodnight, Your Honor. -Goodnight.

[GROANS]

Inwood,

what are you doing here?

Judge, I have something I need to discuss.

Very well, take a seat.

Right Inwood,

what do you want?

You don't remember me, do you?

Maybe you should check my file.

That's easily done, I have it just here.

I can't read in this light.

Much better.

Good Lord!

You ought to read your case files more carefully.

[CHOKES]

I'll have you know

I always thoroughly digest every case file I receive.

Perhaps you don't recognize me

out of my uniform.

Uniform? Not, Constable Inwood?

That's right,

I know all about the hush money

you took on the Weatherby case.

Watch your tone,

there's no room for big headedness in my chambers.

You'd better call a mistrial tomorrow.

Get out.

Don't make an enemy of me judge.

Take your foot out of the door.

Think about it.

[GRUNTS]

[PHONE RINGS]

I can't answer it, can I?

Morning, mind if I join you?

Can't stop you.

We need to talk.

I've got nothing to say.

But I need you to trust me.

Why should I?

You're a cheat, Karl.

Listen,

I'm calling Nigel's wife to the stand today.

[GASPS] Great, there'll be a media circus in there,

just how you like it.

I think Jack's lying.

He's left-handed.

Oh, you just don't get it, do you,

you think that all of this is a game,

that the winning is more important

than how you do it.

-I promise, I've changed. -No!

-Things are moving too quickly, Karl. -[TREADMILL BEEPING]

you may be the better lawyer

but when it comes to raising a child

you've got to be more than that.

You've got to be the better person.

That's what I'm doing now.

Oh, try and keep up, Karl.

Jack left his phone in court.

You should see the messages on it.

Here, you were right.

-The truth is on your side. -[SCREAMS]

[TURNS OFF TREADMILL]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Remember, it's not about us,

it's about just us.

Justice.

Karl, wait...

Yeah?

Thanks.

Just be ready.

I'll see you in court.

Good morning.

I'm Henry Brown.

I'm standing outside the Old Bailey Courthouse

where a jury has just heard the defense

make its final statement.

[GLITCHING] I was... just... escorted...

out of the trial... for... gripping... myself...

Now we have to wait to see what the jury decides.

And perhaps... [CONTINUES GLITCHING]

Reporting.

All rise.

Be seated.

Mr. McKennon,

I've been reviewing the case

and I've come to the conclusion

that given the lack of evidence

you're request for a mistrial

is perhaps warranted after all.

What? Well, that's outrageous.

Order in court.

-[GAVEL SOUND EFFECT PLAYS] -Order in court!

Everyone settle down.

Your Honor, I withdraw my request.

You can't do this.

This is most irregular.

Why are you rejecting the mistrial, McKennon?

Because I'm tired of getting off

with guilty men.

The trial will continue.

Ms. Sandhurst, your witness.

The prosecution calls Angela Inwood MP to the stand.

Ms. Inwood,

your relationship with the defendant,

your husband's brother, is simply a friendship, yes?

-'Course. -Mmm.

Then how do you explain

these text messages,

clearly showing you were involved in an affair

and placing you at the scene of the crime.

It's true!

Jack and I were lovers,

but neither of us intended for Nigel to die.

It started off as a night of passion and happiness...

[ECHOES] ...piness...

Did you hear that?

It's Nigel, he mustn't see us.

Quick, hide in the wardrobe.

Hide.

-[SOFTLY] I don't want to. -You have to.

Don't worry, it's going to be okay.

No, no no!

NIGEL: Angela, I'm home.

Hello, Nigel,

you're home early, aren't you?

What are you doing here?

I needed to talk to you.

Can I pour you a brandy?

Sure.

Haven't see you in a while.

Mind if I finish the bottle?

Go ahead.

Place looks different,

have you decorated?

Well, we're halfway there.

Who's this?

[VOICE SHAKING] That's me.

Bit of a hobby of mine.

Do it every Saturday.

Always showing off.

Look, Jack,

just spit it out.

What have you got to say?

I can't pay you back the money.

Do you know what your problem is?

I'm sure you're going to tell me.

You're selfish.

You just take and you take and you take.

[SCREAMS] Argh!

What do you want me to say, I lost it?

You are unbelievable.

Angela?

What's going on here?

[GROANS] I can explain.

You're having an affair.

This is the last straw.

Calm down, Nige.

[BOTH EXCLAIMING]

[GRUNTS]

[SCREAMS]

Put the knife down, Jack.

[GRUNTS]

-Ha! -No! What have you done?

I'm bleeding.

It's not true, I didn't do it.

No further questions, Milord.

In light of this new testimony,

I am prepared to find the defendant

guilty as charged.

This court is adjourned.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

Karl, what you did in there was incredible.

It just goes to show,

it's not about the winning,

-it's about justice. -Just us.

Karl, wait!

You were right about one more thing.

Yeah?

I do still love you.

And I love...

-You. -And I love me.

They kiss. Roll credits.

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]