- 2 days ago
When journalist Neville Lytton hears a rumour from a reliable contact about squeaky clean environmental MP Jonathan Burridge, involving a 'hostess' and links to a chemical company selling arms to apartheid South Africa, he is quick to publish the allegations in his newspaper column in the Daily News. However, all is not as it seems, and before he knows it Lytton is fighting for his very career. Is he being set up or is something much deeper going on...
Starring Peter Bowles, Frances Tomelty, Iain Cuthbertson, Ralph Bates, Ivor Roberts, Kate Coleridge, Abigail Cruttenden, Hal Cruttenden, Jonny Lee Miller, Ceri Jackson, John Michie, Jon Line, Ian Lindsey, Mel Churcher, Kwame Kwei-Amarh, Naomi Buch, Madeline Wynn, Neville Phillips, Martin Sadler and Peter Sands among the cast. This was another test episode that actually went on to spawn a series in 1985, proving anthology series Storyboard quite a success when it came on TV in 1983.
Starring Peter Bowles, Frances Tomelty, Iain Cuthbertson, Ralph Bates, Ivor Roberts, Kate Coleridge, Abigail Cruttenden, Hal Cruttenden, Jonny Lee Miller, Ceri Jackson, John Michie, Jon Line, Ian Lindsey, Mel Churcher, Kwame Kwei-Amarh, Naomi Buch, Madeline Wynn, Neville Phillips, Martin Sadler and Peter Sands among the cast. This was another test episode that actually went on to spawn a series in 1985, proving anthology series Storyboard quite a success when it came on TV in 1983.
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TVTranscript
00:00The
00:04The
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00:16The
00:20The
00:24The
00:26The
00:58The trouble with openings nowadays is that they invariably attract the world's most repellent leeches.
01:11Sorry?
01:11You've seen who's behind you.
01:14Is that?
01:15Yes.
01:17He's taller than I thought.
01:19I'll never forgive a reptile for what he said about Davina.
01:23My mother's absolutely distraught.
01:25It can be very poisonous sometimes.
01:28It's a V, a music.
01:32Got anything?
01:34Treat.
01:35Real juicy treat.
01:39Well, go on.
01:42Jonathan Burrage.
01:44No.
01:44You mean the Member of Parliament.
01:50Well, between you and me and the six million readers of the Daily News...
01:54You're not going to like it, Litton.
02:09You're not going to like it, Litton.
02:13Not one little bit.
02:25And he shouldn't do it, shouldn't he, David?
02:28Not one little bit.
02:29Good story on Burrage, Litton.
02:38I wanted it for the front, but the Holy Ghost wasn't sure.
02:41Any particular reason why not?
02:43Elderly editors pursuing nightwoods sometimes tread over warily.
02:47Good night.
02:59You're late tonight.
03:01Devotion to duty.
03:03You know how it is.
03:05No, I don't think I do.
03:07Wesley?
03:13Got anything exciting lined up for this evening?
03:17Well.
03:18Buy me dinner, and I'll make all your dreams come true.
03:21How much do you love me?
03:22Love you.
03:23Not a lot.
03:24That's all right, then.
03:25Come on.
03:26I've been worried for a minute.
03:28Ace gossip sleuth and tempestuous hackette in secret love tris shock scandal.
03:32Indian, Chinese, Mexican or Thai.
03:33She was only a working girl, but her charms were deadly.
03:36French.
03:37Gavlers.
03:37Why pay less?
03:42Oh, what about Burrage?
03:44Did you nail him?
03:45Through the harp, hopefully.
03:47He talked.
03:49Wouldn't even cover the phone.
03:50Some excuse about a family celebration.
03:53Well, he won't have much to celebrate when he reads tomorrow's paper.
03:56His friends on Earth Peace will probably drop him like a hot reactor.
04:00Well, I must say he's disappointed me.
04:03I used to quite fancy him.
04:04No, you couldn't fancy a politician.
04:07They're dreadful.
04:08Sly, two-faced, creeping things.
04:11Liars, cheats, egomaniacs, narcissists.
04:16Snakes.
04:17You mean not nice and cuddly like us?
04:20I always knew he'd turn out to be too good to be true.
04:25Hmm.
04:27Nice hair, though.
04:29Great hair.
04:31Great wife.
04:32Great kids.
04:32So what does he think he's playing at?
04:34My guess is he probably fell in love with what he saw in the mirror every morning.
04:37It happens, you know.
04:37Oh, I do.
04:39I do.
04:39I do.
04:46Well done, Mum.
04:48There you are, my darling.
04:51Well, Emma, have you thought of a wish yet?
04:538-0 levels.
04:55A grades.
04:55I never heard such tyrants.
04:57I'd settle for four scenes.
04:59You can only do your best.
05:01Your father always did.
05:03Shouldn't someone switch out the light?
05:04Go on.
05:05Happy birthday to you.
05:16Happy birthday to you.
05:20Happy birthday, dear Emma.
05:24Happy birthday to you.
05:27Oh, come on, Charles.
05:31It might never happen.
05:33Well, go on.
05:34Blow.
05:41Do you think this will do his career irreparable damage?
05:44Buried?
05:45Hmm.
05:45No.
05:46Doing him a favour, really.
05:47Giving him a friendly warning to watch out for the sort of company he keeps before he does
05:51something really silly.
05:52That's very public-spirited of you.
05:54Hmm.
05:54I think so.
05:55It's a pity it has to be done, though, isn't it?
05:58Not really.
06:01Good night, Christopher.
06:02Good night.
06:03Thank you so much for coming, Charles.
06:04It's been lovely.
06:05I sometimes think you burrage is on a franchise on Happy Families.
06:09Good night, Charlie.
06:10Night.
06:10Thanks for the present.
06:11Pleasure.
06:12Oh, thank you, Nicholas.
06:14It's been so nice meeting you at last.
06:15How long are you staying?
06:16Oh, just until Monday.
06:17Well, have a nice weekend.
06:19Bye-bye.
06:19Bye.
06:20Bye-bye.
06:20Bye-bye, Charles.
06:21Bye-bye.
06:21Bye.
06:25I'll speak too later, then, Charles.
06:27Bye-bye.
06:30You know, for a hard-bitten old pro, you sometimes betray disturbing signs of romanticism.
06:35The man is an adulterous, whoring, environmental hypocrite.
06:39He's probably on the take from one of the biggest pollutants in Europe.
06:42Oh, I bet you didn't say that.
06:44Between the lines, I said it.
06:45And the lawyer wore it.
06:47We stood it up.
06:48He had to wear it.
06:49And that makes you feel good?
06:51Not good.
06:52Just glad that we got it first.
06:53Glad that you got it first.
06:56Oh, all right.
06:57Glad that the diary got it first.
06:59And not you, or news, or anybody else.
07:02Okay, now.
07:03Just testing.
07:07You're a competitive little bastard.
07:09Did you know that?
07:10Isn't that the thing you like best about me?
07:12Well, it's one of the things.
07:14It's one of the things.
07:44Jonathan, I've got the daily news.
07:52It's on the diary page.
07:54Nothing on the front page?
07:55No.
07:56Could you read it to me, please, Charles?
07:59Jonathan Burridge, much fancied high-flying MP, is keeping the oddest of company these days.
08:05Well known as a devoted family man and loving husband,
08:09the classically profiled Burridge has struck up the unlikeliest of friendships
08:13with the voluptuous hostess, Caroline Eltham.
08:17Yes, businessman.
08:18Go on, sir.
08:19So entertaining does Burridge find La Eltham's company,
08:23he is taken to visiting her at the most unusual hours.
08:27And his sporty mini-metro has been seen on more than a couple of occasions
08:30parked outside her Pimlico home well into the early hours.
08:35When asked about her blossoming new friendship, Caroline,
08:39who is a frequent visitor to Mayfair's most select gaming clubs,
08:43said,
08:43he is the sort of man women just cannot resist.
08:48However,
08:48a far greater interest to Burridge's fresh-air-loving supporters
08:52must be his new friends,
08:54the Daron'd Chemical Company,
08:56who, it will be remembered,
08:58have found little sympathy in recent years
08:59for their policy of supplying chemical defolients
09:02to the South African army.
09:03Apparently,
09:06the peace-loving environmentalist MP
09:08was guest of honour at a small swarry
09:11held at Daron's on Monday.
09:13My informant tells me
09:15that the subject under discussion
09:16was the anti-Daron campaign,
09:19which Burridge and the Earthpeace movement
09:21have been waging,
09:22and which, I understand,
09:24will now be called off.
09:27Oh, that's it, Jonathan.
09:31You could hardly be more damning.
09:33Yes, it's damning all right.
09:37Look, let's not talk now.
09:38You never know.
09:40Don't forget to put your phone off,
09:42or you'll have all the others on to you.
09:44Yes, don't worry.
09:45Good night.
09:46Good night.
09:59Is everything all right, Jonathan?
10:02Who was that?
10:03Look, something rather unpleasant has cropped up.
10:16There's a piece about me
10:17in tomorrow's Daily News,
10:19Lytton's diary.
10:21They accuse me of, well,
10:23just about everything.
10:26There's no truth.
10:26No, no, no, none at all.
10:27It's a momentous libel.
10:31So?
10:33First thing in the morning,
10:35it's Sue, grab it and run.
10:39Rotten.
10:42And with your father staying as well.
10:46Don't worry.
10:47We'll fight for you.
10:49Why the hell do they have to pick on me?
10:54And now for some updates on the news.
11:05In Ethiopia,
11:06the search for the missing American nuns
11:08is continuing south of Addis Ababa.
11:10The party of 12 were last seen
11:12at a mission centre on Thursday.
11:15The crisis at Leyland is now in its 15th day.
11:18There is better news, however, from Ford.
11:20Today, the company announced plans
11:22for the reopening of two production lines
11:24at Halewood on Merseyside.
11:26A spokesman for the transport
11:27and general workers' union
11:28said the move was like a breath of spring
11:31after a very long winter.
11:34Environmentalist MP Jonathan Burridge
11:35this morning lashed out
11:37at what he called
11:38unscrupulous and malicious fiction
11:40masquerading as journalism.
11:42He was replying to a story
11:44in the Lytton's diary column
11:45of today's Daily News.
11:48Burridge's agent and colleague
11:49in the rapidly growing earth peace movement,
11:51Charles Chambers,
11:52said there was absolutely no truth
11:54in the newspaper report,
11:55adding that it would cost
11:56the Daily News very dearly indeed.
11:58Ah, cheeky little bugger.
12:07Yes.
12:08Yes, thank you.
12:09I'll hold.
12:12Yes.
12:15What happened to you this morning?
12:17I was looking forward
12:17to a nice succulent breakfast.
12:19Yes, that's what I was afraid of.
12:21I made a break at dawn.
12:24You look very vulnerable
12:25when you sleep, you know.
12:26Sort of spiritually detumescent.
12:30Thanks for giving me dinner.
12:31It was a lovely evening.
12:33Night.
12:34The pleasure was half mine.
12:35Ah, hello, Mr. Henderson.
12:39Morning, Jerry.
12:40Morning.
12:41Wesley.
12:42Morning.
12:43Anybody see the scourless things
12:45that Jonathan Burridge
12:46is saying about us on the telly?
12:47Lytton.
12:48The editor wants to see you.
12:50When?
12:51As soon as you get in.
12:52Ronnie and Julian are in there now.
12:54Sounds to me as though
12:55God's got a touch of the tremble.
12:56Any other messages?
12:57And your wife phoned.
13:04Now go on.
13:05Don't be such a coward.
13:12Well, what do you think, Neville?
13:14Are you an unscrupulous
13:16and malicious writer of fiction
13:18masquerading as a journalist?
13:20The man's mad.
13:21He's obviously got some kind
13:22of persecution complex.
13:23Typical politician.
13:24He wants to know
13:25why you're picking on him.
13:26No, we're not picking on him.
13:27He knows better than that.
13:29I hope you're right.
13:31Well, it's a try-on, isn't it?
13:33We can hardly expect him
13:34to beat his breast
13:35and make a good act of contrition.
13:37In all my days in Fleet Street,
13:39I've never known a solicitor
13:40come on as heavily
13:41as Martin Allen did this morning.
13:44What about you, Julian?
13:46I don't know if what he says
13:47has any truth in it.
13:48Perhaps I could be told
13:49exactly what he is saying.
13:51That his client has never met
13:52the lady we said he was seeing.
13:54He sold his sporty mini-metro
13:55three months ago
13:56and he's never, ever been
13:57to Darren's house.
13:58Ian.
13:59And last Monday evening
14:00when we had him there
14:01selling out to his political enemies,
14:02he was actually
14:0370 miles away at a meeting.
14:06Well, he's bluffing, isn't he?
14:10He's a silly man.
14:11The more sung and dance he makes,
14:12the deeper he's going
14:13to wade himself in.
14:14If he is bluffing?
14:15No doubt about it.
14:16My sources wouldn't get it that wrong.
14:18He probably had a hard time
14:19from his wife this morning
14:20and is laying a lot of smoke.
14:22Wives can be funny
14:23about that sort of thing, you know.
14:25Well, I admire your confidence.
14:29Yes?
14:31Yes.
14:34Uh-huh.
14:34Righto.
14:48According to our stringer in Cambridge,
14:50the local branch of Earthpeace
14:52are confirming that Jonathan Burrage
14:53spent Monday evening talking to them.
14:56He was with his wife.
14:58He took a picture of them both
14:59for varsity.
15:07I...
15:08I don't get it.
15:12What's going on?
15:13I was rather hoping
15:14you could tell us that.
15:16Forgive my asking.
15:17You haven't anything personal.
15:18I hardly even know the man.
15:21I thought last night
15:22it looked a little thin.
15:23That's why we didn't want it
15:24for the front.
15:25If they get us on this, Neville,
15:27it'll make a very large hole
15:29in our proprietor's pocket.
15:31It'll involve you and me
15:33groveling on our knees
15:34before some smooth-talking
15:35sop in the high court.
15:37I'm sure...
15:38If I were you,
15:39I'd get back to my sources
15:40pretty post-haste.
15:43Well, you know how Lytton is.
15:44Always plays it a bit close
15:46to the wind.
15:47Bye.
15:47BBC World at One
15:50scenting blood.
15:57Don't tell me
15:57he's issued a writ.
15:59What's that?
16:00Fifth or sixth this month?
16:01This one's different.
16:02This one's serious.
16:04Which particular bit
16:05are they objecting to?
16:06All of it.
16:08Everywhere.
16:09We couldn't have got it
16:10that wrong.
16:11It isn't possible.
16:12It is if someone
16:12wants it badly enough.
16:14We've got a smear Burrage.
16:15I thought everyone
16:16was supposed to love him.
16:17I don't know.
16:18Political opponents,
16:19jealous friends,
16:19maybe even Darren's
16:20themselves trying to
16:21neutralise the thorn
16:22in their sides.
16:24Could be anyone.
16:25I think I need
16:25rather a strong coffee,
16:27Wesley.
16:28Anybody else?
16:28Yeah, thanks.
16:29you could have this one on me.
16:31It may be the last chance
16:33I'll get.
16:34Oi.
16:38It could be worse.
16:39You could have libeled
16:40the Prime Minister.
16:41Well, at least a torpedo
16:42into Attila the Nun
16:43would have been
16:43an honourable way to go.
16:45If you want the really
16:46bad news of the day,
16:47they've bounced
16:47your expenses.
16:49What?
16:50Missed it from the top,
16:51apparently.
16:52Spends less of your
16:53employer's money.
16:55Resubmit.
16:56Guess what?
16:57God's giving me luck.
16:59Oh, lucky you.
17:02New job?
17:04Looks like it.
17:05Pandora?
17:06Have you got a minute?
17:07Oh, gosh, Lynn.
17:15I'm so sorry.
17:16It's all my fault.
17:17Nonsense.
17:18Only half of it.
17:19Listen, what I want you to do
17:20is get hold of your chum
17:21in the city
17:21and find out
17:23what this Darren nonsense
17:24is all about
17:24and let him know
17:25that he's probably
17:25in as much trouble
17:26as we are.
17:27That's just nothing.
17:28He isn't, is he?
17:29No, but try and frighten him.
17:31Isn't he a good friend?
17:33Johnny Witherspoon?
17:34Hardly.
17:35He doesn't frighten
17:36easily either.
17:37Oh.
17:37Try crying
17:38on his pinstripe
17:39shoulder then, okay?
17:40Something wrong
17:41going on, Pandora.
17:42I know that.
17:42It's no issue
17:59ringing, is it?
18:01It's no issue ringing.
18:12Miss Elton's not there.
18:13She's gone away.
18:15Gone away?
18:16Where to?
18:16When?
18:17Last night.
18:18I don't know where.
18:20She just rang and said I must have let myself in and looked after the house because she'd
18:26come back.
18:27Going away for a long holiday, she said.
18:30But she must have left a forwarding address or a telephone number.
18:34Not Miss Elton.
18:35Last time she went away, it was six months and not a dicky bird.
18:39Sorry, dear.
19:00So we're talking about five and a half at three percent over bank rate, what, for two
19:21years?
19:25I see.
19:32Well, let me have a quick word with my colleagues and we'll give you an early answer.
19:42Certainly today.
19:43Jolly good.
19:47Bye.
19:53Pandora, I'm sorry.
19:54How can you ever forgive me?
19:56I'm sorry.
19:56I'm sorry.
19:57I'm afraid Susie's busy with a client at the moment.
20:01Perhaps I could help you?
20:05Perhaps you could tell Susie that Neville Litton would like a brief word with her the moment
20:09she's finished.
20:09Hello, Susie.
20:10Hello, Susie.
20:11Sorry to bother you.
20:12There's a Mr. Litton to see you.
20:14Well, put him in the other cubicle, Sally.
20:15I'll be out in two shakes.
20:16Yeah.
20:17Oh, I know.
20:18You booked for a special, didn't you, Harold?
20:19I'm sorry.
20:20Oh, I know.
20:21You booked for a special, didn't you, Harold?
20:22I'm sorry.
20:23Do you have to leave the moment?
20:24I'll take a moment.
20:25Perhaps I could help you?
20:26Perhaps you could tell Susie that Neville Litton would like a brief word with her the moment
20:29she's finished.
20:30Hello, Susie.
20:31Sorry to bother you.
20:32There's a Mr. Litton to see you.
20:33Well, put him in the other cubicle, Sally.
20:34I'll be out in two shakes.
20:36Yeah.
20:37Uh-huh.
20:38Oh, I know.
20:41You booked for a special, didn't you, Harold?
20:43didn't you, Harold? Well, Sally will come in and finish you off. You'll like Sally. She's just 17.
20:55Well, well. I never expected to see you in here. What can we do you for, then? Sauna? Vibra massage?
21:03One of Susie's special? What's going on? Oh, dear. Something tells me this isn't business.
21:10Jonathan Burridge says that he isn't having an affair with Caroline Elton. You told me that he
21:16was. He claims he's never even met her. He's telling tittle-tattles, dearie. And now she's
21:21suddenly taken off. Why? I don't know. I just pass on what I hear. You're not cross, are you? Cross?
21:30I'll say I'm cross, Susie. I'm up to my neck in a libel suit unless I can prove I've got it right.
21:35Well, you did get it right. I don't think so. Who told you?
21:42No. Sorry, dear. Now, if I started divulging that sort of thing, I'd be out of business in a week.
21:47If you don't tell me, I'll be out of work in a week. Was it Caroline?
21:51Well, she confirmed it for you. Well, didn't she? She didn't deny it. She, uh,
21:58she let her tell me everything I knew and then she laughed and, uh,
22:01said no woman could resist a man like Burrage. Well, she ought to know what can and can't be
22:05resisted. She's had enough practice. Oh, come on. Give us a smile. It's not funny, Susie.
22:17It's trouble.
22:17All right. George Simmons, he told me. But never breathe a word of it.
22:30George Simmons, the renegade peer? I didn't know you knew him.
22:36Calls in for a bit of aromatherapy on thin afternoons sometimes.
22:40Huh. How would he know about Caroline Elteman Burrage? Don't ask me. Well, he's never been wrong before.
22:53Do you mean he's a regular contributor? The best I have.
22:59You have been paying for his sessions for years, if you had but known it. You see, I don't charge him. I just,
23:04uh, redirect his titbits in your direction. Well, he's never let us down before, has he?
23:10Who'd have thought it? George Simmons. Westminster's aristocratic deep threat.
23:19Lytton, you know you'd make a lovely punter. Sorry, Susie. I promised my mother.
23:24Huh. I thought George Simmons was gay. Well, he wants me to cure him, doesn't he?
23:45Earth piece. No, I'm sorry. I don't want to be rude, but we've absolutely nothing to say to the press,
23:51other than what was in Mr. Burrage's statement this morning. And even that was too much. Should
23:55have just told him to sod off. I don't think that would be very clever, do you? Hardly likely to do our
24:00image much good. The scum we've been ringing us this morning don't ever intend to do our image much
24:04good. Thanks. And if you ask me, I think Fleet Street ought to be minced up, shredded and used as
24:10fertilizer. Sorry. My colleague's a bit upset. Now, what can I do for you? I was just wondering if you
24:20have any pamphlets on earth peace and how one goes about joining. Ah, a new recruit.
24:50Ah, a new recruit. Ah.
24:52Hi.
24:55Uh-huh.
25:01Hi.
25:03Hi.
25:04Hi.
25:09Hi.
25:11Hi.
25:13Hi.
25:14Hi.
25:16Hi.
25:18Hello.
25:19Hi.
25:20Nolan.
25:21Tell me, is that a scoop or a cock-up this morning?
25:22Made me any diverting reading, I must say.
25:23For a moment I thought you were onto something we'd missed.
25:24Gave me quite a scare.
25:25You get stuck, Henry.
25:26There's a charm.
25:27Poor old Henry.
25:28Hasn't had such a good time since he learned how to shed his skin.
25:29How's it going?
25:30I daren't tell you.
25:31Witherspoon's now saying that Burrage wasn't the Darren Park.
25:32I'm sorry.
25:33I'm sorry.
25:34I'm sorry.
25:35I'm sorry.
25:36I'm sorry.
25:37I'm sorry.
25:38I'm sorry.
25:39I'm sorry.
25:40I'm sorry.
25:41I'm sorry.
25:42I'm sorry.
25:43I'm sorry.
25:44I'm sorry.
25:45I'm sorry.
25:46I'm sorry.
25:47You're now saying that Burrage wasn't the Darren Party after all.
25:49I don't know what...
25:50But you checked.
25:51I heard you.
25:52Oh, yes.
25:53The press office confirmed that Burrage had been invited.
25:55But they didn't tell him he hadn't bothered to answer.
25:58I'm afraid I naturally presumed he'd been there.
26:01Witherspoon was so convincing.
26:03Do you know of any reason why Witherspoon would want to smear Burrage?
26:09Well, we've only got ourselves to blame.
26:15We were too trusting.
26:16Too tips so neatly from different sources.
26:17Oh, come on.
26:18Everyone slips up sometime.
26:19Remember the BL Slush Fund?
26:20And what about the Hitler Diaries, Forgotting?
26:21I know, but we're supposed to be brighter than those idiots.
26:22And we've just demonstrated to them now.
26:23I thought you might like to see these from Earth Peace.
26:24Hello.
26:25Do I need these?
26:26Is this a private week, or can anyone join in?
26:28By the way, Alice on the bar asked me to mention she likes her account settled crockly at the end of the month.
26:35Oh, yes.
26:36Very sorry.
26:37Our proprietor can be a very difficult man, Ronnie.
26:38Buried.
26:39Buried.
26:40Eh?
26:41We've got a lot of influential admirers.
26:42Our proprietor amongst them.
26:43Our proprietor amongst them.
26:44Oh, really?
26:45We've got a lot of influential admirers.
26:46Our proprietor amongst them.
26:47Oh, really?
26:48Can I commence an immediate apology and that we agree to her figure as soon as possible?
26:53Funny, but I'd never imagine that with his known number of names?
26:58Well, we must have just two, nine months away.
27:06Well, keep your head ofoud.
27:11車, remember what?
27:13Is this dad, not you?
27:14and that we agree to a figure as soon as possible funny but i've never imagined that wayne munro
27:19had much in common with jonathan burrage that pulls apart oh not anymore when rose discovered
27:24earth peace at least his wife has you know what that means strange it may seem andrew
27:30and rose developed a keen interest in the environment i hope you're going to take him to
27:43the cleaners you bet great i can't think how they could print such lies is gene upset well
27:49i've seen her happier the phone hasn't stopped this morning it's been pretty frenetic here too
27:52the daily mail wanted to know if we'd be hounding you out of earth peace and the sun wants to know
27:56if we're all lesbians no it's true i mean i told him we're an environmentalist pressure group but he
28:01didn't seem very interested in that and when i said that earth peace had more male members than female
28:06members oh he hummed and ah'd a bit and then said ah but what kind of men so much for the great british
28:13press hello earth peace oh okay hold on a minute jonathan it's thames news asking if you want to be
28:24interviewed no i'm sorry no all i can give you is a statement from mr barge's solicitors
28:33all right george simmons is well pleased with himself
28:40come on jonathan look it's all right for george and you it isn't your career
28:44i'm sorry charles the nerves of steel seem to be rusting up a bit
28:54but you must have checked well yes
29:14you know how it is you mean you were too sure of your sources something like that
29:18well how was i to know that somebody was going to use me in order to get even with barrage how do
29:25you know they were what do you mean well how about someone trying to get even with you could
29:31possibly be anyone who might bear a grudge
29:35well no yes half of london i suppose i didn't ask how did your lunch with god go promotion
29:43oh you know no not recently i don't
29:50what did he offer woman's editor features no nothing like that he had some vague idea but you know
29:59oh um not tonight litton i've got a piece to finish anyway haven't you got a party or something you
30:06should be covering well i'm not exactly feeling the life and soul tonight to be honest perhaps i'm getting past it
30:25so
30:31uh
30:33so
30:35uh
30:37uh
30:39uh
30:41uh
30:43uh
30:45uh
30:47uh
30:49is it true about Laura and does it affect me I mean I don't mind but I'd like to know bye
31:06know what sorry it's me again I meant about Laura coming over as your deputy I really
31:16don't mind but you know bye course I don't take the daily news as you know so I wouldn't have done
31:28anything about it if I hadn't been here I'm sure some spiteful little busybody would have been
31:33only too happy to bring it to your attention well that's the way it is in small towns they've always
31:39been jealous of you Jonathan I'm sure they'll forget about it pretty quickly after we've hauled
31:43the daily news up before the courts and got an apology you're taking as far as that are you
31:47of course it's a very serious business to accuse a politician of corruption no matter how indirectly
31:52not to mention the Caroline Elton smear I wouldn't have minded if they'd chosen someone who wasn't
31:57such a tart well I must say you're taking it very calmly being married to a politician has a hardening
32:05effect on the skin you see court cases are very tricky things Jonathan they don't always work
32:10out the way you want them to well of course we hope they'll settle quietly out of court but if
32:13they don't I'm afraid we have no alternative I suppose you and your advisors know best yes I think we do
32:19Burrage
32:27Witherspoon
32:29Simmons
32:33Earth
32:39Peace
32:41Lytton it's Laura
32:45I'm very curious
32:46Why don't you call me back
32:47Where are you
32:48Where are you
32:48This is the third time I am
32:50This is the third time I am
33:21The love that never fought us, the love that made us right, the love that made us daunted, the final sacrifice.
33:40The love that never fought us, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted,
34:10the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted, the love that made us daunted
34:40.
34:42.
34:44.
34:46.
34:50.
34:54.
34:56.
34:58.
35:00.
35:02.
35:04.
35:06Hello.
35:08Didn't know we were fellow parishioners.
35:10I don't believe I've met your wife.
35:12What the hell do you want?
35:14I thought we might have a quiet little talk about some of your colleagues on Earth Peace.
35:20The only talking I'll do to you is through my solicitor.
35:22Come on, Christopher.
35:24So nice to have met you.
35:28.
35:32.
35:36.
35:46.
35:48.
35:50.
35:52.
35:54.
35:56.
35:57.
35:59.
36:01.
36:03.
36:04No. George Simmons' father threatened to disinherit him when he was at Oxford.
36:08Don't suppose he cared much for the rumours about his wolfie wave.
36:11My, my. This is a hive of activity for Sunday afternoon.
36:17Looking for anything in particular?
36:20God knows. I knew what I was looking for. I might be able to find it.
36:27Where were you over the weekend? I kept calling.
36:32I was busy.
36:34The time was when you were never too busy.
36:43What exactly am I looking for, Lytton?
36:47I think I've just found it.
36:50Caroline Eltham and her very good friend, Johnny Witherspoon.
36:53You've lost me.
36:55Doesn't it strike you as odd that Johnny Witherspoon and George Simmons, our two contacts, should both be members of Earth Peace?
37:01And now it seems that Johnny Witherspoon is a very good friend of the fun for telling the story.
37:06Go on.
37:07What do you know about the conspiracy theory of history, Pandy?
37:10Only that it sells lots and lots of newspapers.
37:12Listen, everybody, I want everything you can get on George Simmons and Johnny Witherspoon.
37:18School friends, money situation, sexual preferences, every last bit of dirt you can find.
37:24Sounds as though you're planning blackmail.
37:26Does it?
37:27Oh, hello, Father. Come in.
37:46Come a long way since Torquid, you're nothing.
37:49Yes, and I've been very lucky.
37:50Yes, yes, you have, but you've also made your own luck.
37:54Wasn't that true now?
37:55I think in politics everyone has to do some of that.
37:57Yes.
37:59Yes, perhaps.
38:03This daily news, this Lytton diarist,
38:05The Farag of Lies.
38:08Only you seemed a bit bothered when you met him this morning, a bit rattled, I thought.
38:11Did I?
38:13I don't see why I should.
38:14He's the one who's in trouble.
38:16That's what I thought, but you see...
38:17Oh, come on, Dad. It's laughable.
38:19It's not a word of truth in what he said.
38:22What are you getting so upset about for?
38:25Look, I don't pretend to know anything about your life up here,
38:29but I do know the difference between right and wrong.
38:33So do you.
38:36Well, you know I'd never do anything dishonest, Father.
38:47Hello, Mr. Simmons.
38:53I was told I might fall over you in here.
38:57I'm very worried about your friend, Johnny Witherspoon.
38:59I'm sorry, I don't think I want to talk to you.
39:01No, I...
39:02I suppose you do.
39:04Why don't I join you?
39:04I'm sorry.
39:05I'm sorry.
39:05I was afraid you want to talk to you.
39:07Hey, first of all.
39:07Thank you, Michael.
39:10influences all over you.
39:18Am I on Hino's floor?
39:30We looked.
39:31Nice.
39:32Nice.
39:33Okay.
39:35Nice.
39:38Nice.
39:45Oh, I'm going to burn.
39:48Mr. Witherspoon? Yes? Mr. Witherspoon, my name's Letton. I think you owe me an explanation.
40:13Sorry, old boy. Wrong chair.
40:17Why didn't you tell Pandora that you're a member of Earth's Peace and that Caroline Elton was an old player?
40:35If she is, what the hell is it going to do with you?
40:38Since you and she helped lead me into a trap, which could have cost him my job, I'd say it's got everything to do with me.
40:46I don't know what you're talking about.
40:48James, we're going to pour her, or this chap chucked eggs.
40:52Does he know you're bust, Johnny? Does your pal know that you're hanging on by your fingertips? I bet he doesn't. It's not the sort of thing that a promising young broker once said about him, is it?
41:12It could ruin a chap's career. Who told you that? It's absolute nonsense. Who told you?
41:20A gossip writer never reveals it's nonsense. I think you and I should have a quiet chat somewhere, don't you?
41:30That's right, Harvey. This gentleman's a friend of mine. I'm sorry.
41:42Right, sir. Excuse me. I think I'll take a shower.
41:48What's your game?
41:52What do you want?
41:54I just want to know what's going on.
41:56That's not all.
41:57Could be printed in the last paper. I can't.
41:59Do you have any real choice?
42:01If you don't tell me, I'll print an item of interest to all your banking friends.
42:04I can't believe what you're saying.
42:06I would if I knew.
42:11What do you want to know?
42:15Good man. Have your shower.
42:19I'm sorry, Jonathan. He said he was desperate to see you.
42:22It's a pity he didn't say why.
42:23You know how Johnny is.
42:25Johnny Witherspoon is rapidly becoming a screaming bloody hysteric.
42:29And a late one at that.
42:31Ah. Excuse me, gentlemen.
42:33Mr. Witherspoon sends his regrets. He's gone on holiday, I believe.
42:37Everybody's doing it these days.
42:39Well, that's if...
42:40Actually, I've come to apologize to you.
42:42Apparently there wasn't a grain of truth in what I wrote about you last Friday.
42:46I just want to say that I'm sorry.
42:50I should say it's rather late in the day to say you're sorry.
42:53We're still suing you.
42:55Well, maybe, or maybe not. You see, I also now know that you set me up.
42:59I got it wrong because you two devised the libel yourselves.
43:03Absolute nonsense. Why should anyone in his right mind libel himself?
43:06Money?
43:07I'm not particularly short of money.
43:08What about the earthpiece money that you lost on the futures market?
43:12Well, I don't know what you're talking about.
43:13No? Well, apparently.
43:15You two and Witherspoon invested earthpiece funds on the metal exchange.
43:19Copper, wasn't it? And then the market tumbled and...
43:21Witherspoon.
43:23Did he also tell you that he was the one who advised us?
43:25Oh, yes. Quite open about it.
43:28Then, of course, he's a ruined man anyway. All his family money gone.
43:32Only his reputation left alive, such as it is.
43:35Stupid bloody fool.
43:37We didn't do it for ourselves, you know.
43:42It was for the movement. For earthpiece.
43:45How very noble of you.
43:47No, honestly. We just wanted to accelerate our development and...
43:51That takes money.
43:52You realise, don't you, that if you write this...
43:59It'll ruin Jonathan's career.
44:02Well...
44:04If I don't write it, it'll ruin my career.
44:07It's either you or me. Sorry, old chap.
44:09Look, we were in a fix.
44:11The Daily News fitted the bill.
44:13There was never anything personal.
44:15You just happened to be the best.
44:17That was very reassuring.
44:28Before you let it go, do you think you could read it back to me, please?
44:32Yeah, if that's what you want.
44:35MP Jonathan Burridge, B-U-R-R-I-D-G-E,
44:38last night confessed to mastermind an extraordinary scheme...
44:41with which he hoped to defraud the Daily News of a substantial sum of money.
44:44But he claimed he did it for earthpiece, the environmental movement.
44:48Speaking at the earthpiece headquarters...
44:50Burridge admitted that he purposely liableed himself...
44:52hoping for the settlement out of court...
44:54that he could repay the movement's funds...
44:56lost in financial speculation in the city.
44:58With his agent and friend Charles Chambers...
45:00Burridge invested earthpiece funds into the futures market...
45:02hoping to make a quick profit...
45:04and thereby accelerate the development of the breakaway movement.
45:06But things went disastrously rung when the market dropped...
45:09and Burridge was faced with a hole in the earthpiece bank balance of several thousand pounds.
45:13Known that newspapers rarely contest libel suits when there is no shred of truth...
45:17Burridge had false information fed to the Daily News...
45:19which was published in good faith last Friday.
45:21Last night, Burridge said, I'm very ashamed.
45:24You look exhausted.
45:29Is my father still up? I'd like a word with him.
45:31No, you've dismissed him.
45:33Jonathan, what's the matter?
45:35I'll tell you all tomorrow.
45:41Let's get some sleep now.
45:52Hello?
45:53Yes. Hello, Beryl.
45:55Do you think you could try and raise Mr. Munro?
45:57Something's cropped up.
46:03Anyone seen Luton this morning?
46:05He's in with the editor.
46:06Trying to find out why his story on Burridge was spiked.
46:10I'm afraid our proprietor has taken a very personal interest in the story, Neville.
46:15And in his opinion, it would be damaging to Burridge's career for us to run the piece.
46:19Well, of course it's damaging.
46:21Burridge has been speculating with earthpiece funds. He's cost them a fortune.
46:25Well, I shouldn't worry much about that if I were you.
46:27Sorry, I don't understand.
46:29Between you and me, I can tell you that Mr. Munro intends to make good the losses in earthpiece.
46:34He's going to bail Burridge out.
46:37I can't believe it.
46:39Our proprietor's wife is very keen on earthpiece.
46:42She doesn't want any silly little thing like this to get in her way.
46:45That's corrupt.
46:48It's also a secret within these walls.
46:50One murmur of it in the office, one lying in private eye, and we'll know exactly who to turn to.
46:55Burridge won't accept it.
46:57He's got some integrity, you know.
47:00He's a politician.
47:01The temptation might prove too much to fight.
47:04In fact, I believe he's already accepted.
47:08You mean he's been bought?
47:11Well, what is it?
47:14What's so funny, Neville?
47:16Well, if Burridge wants to put himself into hock to Wayne Munro for the rest of his career,
47:19well, who am I to stop him?
47:24And to think I was beginning to feel sorry for the chap.
47:26Must be losing my touch.
47:28Remember.
47:29Not a word.
47:31Don't worry.
47:32No one would believe me anyway.
47:33Emma.
47:34Thank you, Grandma.
47:35And there.
47:36There you are.
47:37Nikki.
47:38Well, thank you, Brenda.
47:39Chris.
47:40Chris.
47:41That should keep you going for a bit, eh?
47:42Yes.
47:43Christopher, did you thank your grandfather?
47:45All right.
47:46You got no time for old man when you're young?
47:48Have you got everything, Father?
47:49Oh, yes.
47:50Yes, I like travel light.
47:51Oh, er, Jean was saying that you wanted to have a word on me last night.
47:52Oh, yes, yes.
47:53It was nothing, nothing at all.
47:54Quite sure.
47:55Yes, everything's just perfect, Father.
47:56And that little chap.
47:57Oh, I think we can let the matter drop.
47:58You were quite right.
47:59Why go to the trouble of a court hearing?
48:00Oh, yes.
48:01Why go to the trouble of a court hearing?
48:02Oh, yes.
48:04All right.
48:05You got no time for old man when you're young?
48:06Have you got everything, Father?
48:07Oh, yes.
48:08Yes, I like travel light.
48:09Oh, er, Jean was saying that you wanted to have a word on me last night.
48:11Oh, yes, yes.
48:12It was nothing, nothing at all.
48:13Quite sure.
48:14Yes, everything's just perfect, Father.
48:15And that little chap.
48:16Oh, I think we can let the matter drop.
48:17You were quite right.
48:18Why go to the trouble of a court hearing?
48:20Well, aren't you going to ask me in?
48:55Neville Lytton, you are a fool.
48:58What are you?
48:59I'm just making some cocoa.
49:01Would you like some?
49:02Sorry about the mess.
49:03Only I wasn't expecting visitors.
49:04I don't want any bloody cocoa.
49:08Did you really think I would go after your job?
49:11Did you really think I would demean myself by wishing to become a crawling, slithering,
49:16backbiting, vitriolic little gossip columnist like you?
49:19I never said.
49:20You didn't have to say.
49:21I know when I'm being frozen out.
49:23I thought God had invited you to come over as my number two with a view to...
49:26Succeeding you.
49:27Me.
49:30You mean he didn't ask you to?
49:32He mentioned it vaguely.
49:33I told him to shove it.
49:37Oh.
49:39Sorry.
49:40Sorry?
49:41Is that all you can say?
49:42Is that all you can say?
49:43Who do you think I am?
49:44What kind of a person?
49:46I take a pride in my work.
49:48I'm a professional journalist, not a muckraking hack, who glories in hitting a man down and
49:53then standing on his face.
49:54I wouldn't work in Lytton's diary if it were the last sewer left in Fleet Street.
49:58That's all right then.
49:59Shall we go to bed?
50:00God Lytton, you're hopeless.
50:02I thought you'd never ask.
50:19Very interesting.
50:21Why don't tell me mine?
50:22Why don't tell me mine?
50:51I don't know.
51:03Needless take a thought out from the lake?
51:05I think it's easy.
51:06You're a maniac.
51:07It's nice, s ederim.
51:10It's good.
51:11It's my ultra方面.
51:14Sure, I thought you will.
51:18This is how we feel like.
51:19Transcription by CastingWords
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