To the Public Danger By Patrick Hamilton

Oldtuberadio

To the Public Danger Four people with very different backgrounds meet by chance at an English pub and gradually become carried away in an alcohol-lubricated bout of thrill-seeking (so far as that was possible in England in the late 1940s). When their spree gets out of hand, each person faces a moral choice with lasting consequences. Captain Cole .... Dermot Walsh Nancy Bedford .... Susan Shaw Fred Lane .... Barry Letts Reggie .... Roy Plomley Barmaid .... Betty Ann Davies Bar Patron .... Sydney Bromley Police Sergeant .... John Lorrell Police Driver .... Sam Kydd Postmistress .... Patricia Hayes Labourer .... Frederick Piper Labourer's Wife .... Patience Rentoul Pub Landlord .... Cliff Weir Written by Patrick Hamilton Directed by Terence Fisher First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 1948  Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio? Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows #radio #crime #thriller #drama To Support this channel please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98 https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio

Transcript

00:00The End

00:30What did you say?

00:45Nothing.

00:47Oh, that's what I thought.

00:49I say, oh boy, what about this drink you promised me an hour ago?

00:53Ten minutes ago, you mean?

00:54It seems like hours.

00:56Oh, so you want something to take away the taste of that filthy stuff your friends call cocktails?

01:01They're friends of mine no longer.

01:03Not after giving me that to drink.

01:05Ooh.

01:07Won't be long now, Reggie.

01:09Face along here will fix us up.

01:11Do they serve doubles?

01:12They always have with me.

01:14Well, what are we slowing down for?

01:15Sarah Jarms has never let me down yet.

01:35Reckon they didn't expect trade like this when they built the vase?

01:39Eddie, after all the money they spent on it.

01:42Yeah.

01:42Scott, I mean, we're so clever, don't you think?

01:44Oh, looks all right.

01:46We'll have to do better than this, though.

01:48Yeah, but this isn't an ordinary public house, you know.

01:51It's more what you'd call a roadhouse.

01:53We rely on the motor traffic.

01:55Oh, do you?

01:56Where are the motors, then?

01:57We'll be filling up soon, you'll see.

02:00Better class trade, too.

02:02Better class?

02:03Well, you know what I mean.

02:05Cars, cocktails, dinners.

02:07Eleven, for instance?

02:09You wouldn't know it for the same place.

02:10Look at it.

02:11Gone seven and it's dead of the graveyard.

02:13It's you and me here.

02:14That's all I want.

02:15I thought you'd seen it during the war.

02:16Standing six deep at the counter this time of night they were.

02:19And everyone's so nice and friendly.

02:22Especially the Americans.

02:24They've been here for nearly an hour.

02:26I'm straight for the mild and bitter and a small gin in it.

02:28I know that girl from somewhere.

02:30Works at the sweet factory at Tabernod, don't she?

02:33Well, I don't know, I'm sure.

02:35She looks like a factory girl to me.

02:37And she looks like Fort Penny with a trouble into the bargain.

02:40Yeah, a nice trouble of trouble, too.

02:42Heh, poor chap.

02:44She's got him on his string, all right.

02:46Walking her out by the looks of him.

02:48She won't walk far in them shoes.

02:50Not if she's wise.

02:52You're right.

02:54Carboard sums.

02:55Not worth a coupons to say nothing of the money.

02:57Listen, Nan, let's talk about the future.

02:59Look out there.

03:01In the old days you couldn't have squeezed one of your old particles between the jeeps and the cars.

03:04Lovely big Buicks and Packards, mostly.

03:07Yes, that's what you like, don't you?

03:09Big cars and plenty of money to chuck about.

03:11Say, what's biting you, big boy?

03:12I'll speak English.

03:13That's a nice way to talk to a lady, I must say.

03:16I think it's come over here tonight, Fred.

03:18It's you, Nan.

03:19It's...

03:19It's just so...

03:21So lovely, I...

03:22I can't get you out of my mind.

03:26I love you, Nan.

03:28You're like a...

03:29Like a poison that's got into my system and I can't throw it off.

03:32Well, a poison.

03:33I must say.

03:34Well, you know I didn't mean it like that, Nan.

03:35Well, Fred, you do take on, don't you?

03:38But you do care for me, Nan, don't you?

03:40Of course I care for you.

03:42But you said you weren't in the city, didn't you?

03:44You said you'd be patient.

03:45I know, but...

03:46Oh, come on, Fred.

03:47Snap out of it.

03:48Having a drink and trying to enjoy ourselves.

03:49There, what did I tell you?

03:56It's beginning, you see.

03:59Let's wait and have another one, Fred.

04:01What about our bus?

04:02We can catch the next one, can't we?

04:04All right.

04:05Shall I go and fetch him, then?

04:06You better.

04:07They won't pop over the barn and come here to us, will they?

04:13Any moment now, Reggie.

04:14Not a moment too soon.

04:16Good evening, gentlemen.

04:16Good evening, Ada.

04:17What's the spirit situation?

04:19We had our quarantine this morning, sir.

04:21In that case, a very good evening.

04:22What's it to be, Reginald?

04:23Gin or whiskey?

04:24Whiskey, though, boy.

04:25Whiskey every time.

04:26Gin's for women and children.

04:28May we have two extremely large whiskeys

04:30and an extremely small baby soda?

04:32Yes, me, sir.

04:33You see, Reggie, a drinker's paradox.

04:35Soft music, unlimited liquor,

04:37practically no competition at all, and...

04:40Uh-huh.

04:46Half of Marvin and Gin and Ed, please, miss.

05:04Oh, Ada, could you oblige me with five sixpences for half a crown?

05:06I want to play a game of billiards.

05:07Oh, I certainly see.

05:09Um, would you care for a game of billiards, sir?

05:12As you see, my unfortunate friend is not on the move.

05:13Well, sorry, I'm afraid I can't, really.

05:16I'm with a friend, you see.

05:17Oh, really?

05:18Oh, I thought you were alone.

05:19Well, the more the merrier.

05:20Let's all play.

05:21Shall I ask her?

05:22All right.

05:22All right, I'll ask her.

05:24I'll take two instead of them.

05:26I'll have the penny to go on for my chance.

05:28Sorry, miss.

05:28Excuse my butting in, but, uh...

05:31Why don't you come and play this ridiculous game?

05:33Okay.

05:34I'd like to.

05:36Splendid.

05:37I say, what are you drinking?

05:38Oh, of course, he's getting them.

05:40Oh, I must stop.

05:43Here, I say, stop that.

05:45These are on me.

05:46What are you drinking?

05:47Beer?

05:47Oh, you can't drink beer.

05:48Two more double whiskeys, please, Ada.

05:49Oh, that's very kind of you.

05:52I have to take away the taste of the beer.

05:56Oh, I've ordered whiskey for you.

05:57Is that all right?

05:58Yes, whiskey will do me fine, thanks for that.

06:00Oh, will it mix all right?

06:01Of course it'll mix.

06:02Whiskey will mix with anything, except water.

06:05Yes, have.

06:06Cheers.

06:06Yes, dear.

06:07I suppose you know you're a very attractive girl.

06:12It's very nice of me.

06:13On the contrary, it's very nice of you.

06:15Leisure's mine, as you think.

06:21You didn't mind my saying that, did you?

06:24Not at all.

06:24Good.

06:25I thought you might be engaged or something.

06:26Oh, no, nothing like that.

06:28What about this guy?

06:30Oh, yes, I'd forgotten.

06:31I'd better fetch Reggie first, though, and introduce you.

06:33I think he's fun.

06:36Good-looking, too.

06:37I don't think he's good-looking.

06:38Don't tell him it'd break his heart.

06:39Come on, Reggie, come on.

06:40We've only just got here.

06:42Mr. Reginald Portman, who, as you can see, has been to a cocktail party.

06:45Reggie, meet my friend.

06:46I didn't quite catch your name.

06:49Mine's Nancy Bedford, and he's Fred Lane.

06:51What's yours?

06:52Double whiskey, thanks very much.

06:54Good evening, Nancy.

06:54Good evening, Fred.

06:55My name's Cole.

06:56King Cole?

06:58No, only Captain Cole, alas.

07:00Army or Navy?

07:01Ex-army.

07:02Tell me all about yourself, Nancy.

07:04Where do you come from?

07:04One horse dump called Templeton, just down the road.

07:07And what do you do for a living, if anything?

07:09I'm in the whole circumfectionary business.

07:12Dear me, I'd call that gilding the lilies, sweetening the sweet, you know.

07:15What do you do, Fred?

07:16I'm in bicycles.

07:17Somebody asked me to have a drink half an hour ago, but nothing's happened.

07:21Quiet, Reggie, quiet.

07:22Bicycles, eh?

07:22Yes, bicycles.

07:24What about this game?

07:25Of course.

07:26Come on, Fred.

07:26Bye-bye.

07:26I'll put the sixpence in.

07:41Let's pick, sir.

07:42I'll choose Nancy.

07:43Let me take on your message.

07:45Take off.

07:45Right?

07:46No, of course not.

07:46You take his turn, Fred.

07:47All right.

07:48Shall we make it a thousand up and the best out of three?

07:50Yes.

07:51And the losing's fast chance of a round of drinks?

07:52Well, we'll make it 50 cigarettes and we can have a round of drinks when we feel like it.

07:55You're on, madame.

07:56You don't know what you let yourself in for, Captain Cole.

07:58No, but whatever it is, I'm sure to enjoy it with you as a partner, Nancy.

08:01Don't get me wrong, Captain Cole.

08:02I meant I'd never played this game before.

08:04Well, let me show you then.

08:10That's the idea.

08:13Nancy's my partner, but she's on your side, Fred.

08:15Sorry, partner.

08:22Oh, well played, sir.

08:49Jolly well played.

08:5050.

08:5250.

08:54100.

08:56250.

08:58200.

09:00200.

09:03200.

09:0450.

09:09100.

09:10200.

09:12200.

09:13200.

09:15200.

09:17200.

09:18100.

09:19400.

09:23500.

09:24I like your game, Captain Carl.

09:42Your shot, Fred.

09:49100.

09:56No score.

09:59You better look out, you know.

10:01This is the sign.

10:02It must be getting old.

10:03Come on, Nancy.

10:04Let's go and get some drinks while Fred play.

10:08I say, Ada?

10:10I see you again, sir.

10:11What did I tell you?

10:12Bring back here and keep laughing.

10:13Sorry.

10:14Four double-boughts.

10:15I'm sorry.

10:16Four double-boughts.

10:17Four double-whiskies, please, and keep the chase.

10:20Thank you, sir.

10:21This is more like it.

10:22I must expect a copper to come in and send us a light show and do the blackout.

10:25The good old days.

10:26Eh, Nancy?

10:27Do you drink, sir?

10:28One's for my friend at the end there.

10:29Oh.

10:30The question is, Nancy, when do you and I get together?

10:32Well, we're together not.

10:33Oh, I mean together alone, tater-tater, by ourselves.

10:36You mean, you and me?

10:37That's the idea.

10:38Well, not to know, I'm afraid.

10:39Too many mutual friends.

10:40Tell you what.

10:41We'll take them for a ride in the car and drop them on a lonely country road.

10:43I don't know about that, but I'd like to go in the car.

10:44Would you?

10:45All right.

10:46Let's drink up and be gone.

10:47Oh, wait a minute.

10:48We've got the game to finish first.

10:49Well, if you insist.

10:50Pardon me.

10:51Oh, neck and neck.

10:52You've just got a lead of a hundred.

10:53Oh, skin off your nose.

10:54Not so bad.

10:55Well, no.

10:56Not so bad.

10:57Well, no.

10:58Not so good.

10:59Your partner's got to play yet, don't forget.

11:00Now, look, Nancy, don't attempt anything ambitious.

11:02Just let him kiss.

11:03No score is all we want from you.

11:04Oh, I can't.

11:05I better knock one of them toadstools down.

11:06You take mine home for me, Captain.

11:07Go on, you go.

11:08No, no, no, no, no.

11:09You must do it for yourself.

11:10Now, then.

11:11All right, here goes.

11:12Here, hold my drink.

11:13Knock him down.

11:14Knock him down.

11:15Walk up, ladies and gents.

11:16Come and see how he did.

11:17Knock him down.

11:18Knock him down.

11:19Walk up, walk up.

11:20Knock him down.

11:21Knock him down.

11:22Walk up.

11:23Walk up.

11:24Knock him down.

11:25Walk up.

11:26Walk up.

11:27Walk up.

11:28Walk up.

11:29Walk up.

11:30Walk up.

11:31Walk up.

11:32Walk up.

11:33Not so good.

11:34Your partner's got to play yet, don't get it.

11:36Now, look, Nancy.

11:37Don't attempt anything ambitious.

11:38Just let him kiss.

11:39No score is all we want from you.

11:40I can't.

11:41Walk up.

11:45Oh!

11:46I thank the red.

11:47I thank the red.

11:48Did you see that, sir?

11:49I thank the red.

11:50Sweet cheers for the old school.

11:51Hey, miss.

11:52Hooray!

11:53Here are you.

11:54Yes.

11:55You with the old shirt.

11:56Come here.

11:57I warned you.

12:01Listen, Frank.

12:02Why aren't we drinking?

12:03Please paint the last two.

12:04Okay.

12:06Four double whiskies, please, miss.

12:07Well, mate, what's the matter?

12:08Don't mate me.

12:09I don't like it.

12:10Where's my friend?

12:11What have you done with my good friend, Captain Coe?

12:14Take it easy.

12:15What do you mean, take it easy?

12:17There's nothing left to take easy.

12:20You give me a drink, I'll take it easy.

12:22All right.

12:23Here you are.

12:24I'm very over here.

12:25Good health, sir.

12:26Come on, Fred.

12:27Where's my cigarette?

12:28Oh, yes, yes.

12:29Of course.

12:30What sort?

12:31No, no, no.

12:32You're not to pay for them, Fred.

12:33Come on, Reggie.

12:34Fork out for the cigarettes.

12:35I'm very over here.

12:36Your side's lost, and we want 50 cigarettes.

12:37What side?

12:38Your side.

12:39Whose side?

12:40I never take side.

12:41Oh, never mind.

12:42We want...

12:43What do we want?

12:44Eight and four.

12:45We want eight shillings and fourpence.

12:47We want eight shillings and fourpence.

12:49We want eight shillings and fourpence.

12:51We want eight shillings and fourpence.

12:54And those are all about it.

12:56Excuse me.

12:57Yes?

12:58Who are you?

12:59I'm the manager here, sir.

13:00What do you want?

13:01Have you got a car outside?

13:02Yes.

13:03What about it?

13:04Do you mind parking it properly?

13:05It's in the way.

13:06Well, all right.

13:07We're just going anyway.

13:09A lot of red tape.

13:14Wake up and finish your drink, Fred.

13:15The captain's taking us for a ride.

13:17In my car, she means.

13:18Come on, cat.

13:19The law's the law.

13:20You'd better go.

13:21Fred will bring Red here.

13:22Why don't you pay?

13:23All right.

13:25Come on, Reggie.

13:27There you go.

13:28Where's my hat?

13:29I want my hat.

13:30All right.

13:31I've got your hat.

13:32Where'd you leave it?

13:33Somebody's taken my hat.

13:34I want my hat back.

13:35Are you sure you had a hat?

13:36Of course I had a hat.

13:37Or maybe you left it in the car.

13:38Come on, we'll go somewhere.

13:39No.

13:40No hat.

13:41No girl.

13:42No car.

13:43Still want to wait for them?

13:44I never said I wanted to.

13:46But I still think you should.

13:51I want my hat.

13:52Who's taken my hat?

13:54Oh, Dad.

13:55Come on, Reggie.

13:56Come on.

13:57There's your perishing hat.

13:58Now put a sock in it, mate.

14:00Hey, Nan.

14:01Captain Cole.

14:02Nan, where are you?

14:04Here.

14:05And hurry up.

14:06Nancy's getting cold.

14:08Mm.

14:09Lovely.

14:10Isn't it, Fred?

14:11Yes.

14:12Nice job of working.

14:13Yes.

14:14Nice job of working.

14:15I bet you do some speeding in this.

14:16You'll win your bet, little girl.

14:17I'll show you what you can do when we get out on the street.

14:18She's not doing so badly, now.

14:19She's not doing so badly, now.

14:20She's not doing so badly, now.

14:21Oh, this is nothing to what I can do.

14:22Yes, there may be a bit of a slow starter, but when I get going, I'll do it.

14:23I'll do it.

14:24I'll do it.

14:25I'll do it.

14:26I'll do it.

14:27I'll do it.

14:28I'll do it.

14:29I'll do it.

14:30I'll do it.

14:31I'll do it.

14:32I'll do it.

14:33I'll do it.

14:34I'll do it.

14:35I'll do it.

14:36I'll do it.

14:37I'll do it.

14:38I'll do it.

14:39Oh, lovely.

14:40Isn't it, Fred?

14:41Yes, nice job of working.

14:42I bet you do some speeding in this.

14:43You'll win your bet, little girl.

14:44I'll show you what you can do when we get out on the street.

14:46She's not doing so badly, now.

14:47Oh, this is nothing to what I can do.

14:49Yes, I may be a bit of a slow starter, but when I get going, I get going.

14:54Slow starter, are you?

14:55I've noticed it.

14:56I say, old boy.

14:57Yes, will you?

14:58What about this drink you promised me?

15:00Carriages and a couple of hours.

15:02Clarage arms, Reggie.

15:03Clarage arms, man.

15:04Clarage arms.

15:05What about this drink?

15:07You've had it, big boy.

15:09Look at him.

15:11What's the matter with him?

15:12Lousy crawler.

15:13The swine who hold you up.

15:15I'll try to take him.

15:16Yes, I'm going to.

15:17Here, let's all shout crawler as we pass him by.

15:23Crawler!

15:28Oh, it wasn't a man.

15:29It was a woman.

15:30Oh, I bet that took us.

15:31It took me, all right.

15:32What's the matter, Fred?

15:33Nervous?

15:34Well, you overtook in a corner, didn't you?

15:35Supposing someone had been coming around against you.

15:37When I drive, people don't come around corners against me.

15:39It simply isn't done.

15:43Uh-uh.

15:44Here we go again.

15:45Oh, that's right.

15:47You can't wait to get off.

15:53I say, you ought to look where you're going.

15:55You're steady.

15:56I almost rang all over the shop back here.

15:57I'll be back in the bag.

15:58Let's have some music, shall we?

16:00What?

16:01You've got a violin, too?

16:02I'll hide around, sir.

16:05Um, can I get something else, Captain?

16:07Of course.

16:08Help yourself.

16:15That's more like it.

16:20This looks a nice road.

16:21Where are we heading for, Captain?

16:23Haven't a clue.

16:24Do you know, Fred?

16:25Up to Shirley Corner.

16:26If you follow this road, we'll come back to Randall Lock.

16:29Randall Lock?

16:30How far is that?

16:31Oh, about ten minutes, I shall say.

16:33Five, I think.

16:34You can take it from me.

16:35It's ten minutes at the very least.

16:37Well, you'll bet.

16:38I don't bet on, sir.

16:39It's not with a bell.

16:40Oh, go on, sir.

16:41Well, you'll bet.

16:42Well, if I was betting, I wouldn't be certain him not being able to do it in five minutes.

16:44Right.

16:45You're on.

16:46Now, just watch.

16:47Nancy was famous.

16:48Hey, don't be a fool.

16:49No, but try, isn't it?

16:50You're just watch.

16:53Here, come off me, Captain.

16:54Ease up.

16:55Ease up.

16:56Scared of losing your bet, Fred.

16:57I'm a bet I'm scared about.

16:58It's my neck.

16:59Go on, Captain.

17:00Step on it.

17:01You show him.

17:02All aboard, Randall Lock.

17:03Have a do, Nancy.

17:04Oh, fine.

17:05Wish I could drive.

17:06I'd like to take the wheel while I light up.

17:08Could I?

17:09Why not?

17:10Man, are you crazy?

17:11You can't drive.

17:12But they're speedy.

17:13It's perfectly safe, Fred.

17:14But you can't glitter.

17:16It's suicide.

17:17I can and it isn't.

17:18Well, at least slow down.

17:19And lose my bet not on your life.

17:21Over to you, Nancy.

17:22Contact.

17:25Gently does it now.

17:26Gently does it.

17:31It's easy.

17:32It's easy.

17:33It's very easy.

17:38How much am I doing, Captain?

17:39What happened?

17:40What happened?

17:41What happened?

17:42Don't turn that damn thing off.

17:43What was it?

17:44What did we hit?

17:45A bike.

17:46A bike.

17:47We had a man on a bike.

17:48Why turn off the radio?

17:49Turn it off.

17:50Turn it off, then.

17:51There's a man, I tell you.

17:52There was a man on the bike.

17:53He was going the same way.

17:54We hit him.

17:55A bike.

17:56A bike.

17:57We had a man on a bike.

17:58We had a man on a bike.

17:59Why turn off the radio?

18:00Turn it off, then.

18:01There's a man, I tell you.

18:02There was a man on the bike.

18:03He was going the same way.

18:04We hit him.

18:05I heard him.

18:06I heard him.

18:07I saw it happen.

18:08Here, you stop.

18:09We've got to stop and go back.

18:10What do you think you're doing?

18:11What do I think I'm doing?

18:12We're driving to Randall Lock, aren't we?

18:13Well, we can't.

18:14Don't you realise we've hit a man more?

18:15Nan, you make him stop.

18:16Yes, aren't you going to stop?

18:17We have to go back and we hit a man, haven't we?

18:18I've got no evidence that we hit a man.

18:19I didn't see one.

18:20You heard the crash, didn't you?

18:21You can see the windscreen smash, can't you?

18:22Losing your nerve, Master Fred.

18:23The nerve might think we may have killed someone.

18:24You've got a very gory imagination, my friend.

18:25Never mind my imagination.

18:26We'll hit a man.

18:27We've got to turn around and go back.

18:28Getting in a panic?

18:29I'm getting in a panic?

18:30I'm getting in a panic.

18:31I'm getting in a panic.

18:32I'm getting in a panic.

18:33I'm getting in a panic.

18:34I'm getting in a panic.

18:35I'm getting in a panic.

18:36Now, you're not going to lose your nerve, are you, Nancy?

18:37I don't know about that.

18:38Now, now, Nancy, show you've got some breathing.

18:39Don't let him soft soak in him.

18:40Make him turn around.

18:41May I ask what you hope to gain by turning around?

18:42It's not a matter of gaining anything.

18:43I'm glad you realized that.

18:44But do you realize you've got quite a lot to lose?

18:46Your job, for example.

18:47We're all on the same boat, you know, Fred.

18:48Some people might even say you were most to blame for daring me to get a job.

18:51I'm glad you realize that.

18:53But do you realize you've got quite a lot to lose?

18:54Your job, for example.

18:55We're all on the same boat, you know, Fred.

18:56Some people might even say you were most to blame for daring me to get a job.

18:59That's a lie.

19:00Is it?

19:01I thought you were willing to bet your shirt I couldn't do it in five minutes.

19:03Perhaps I was wrong.

19:04You did, Fred.

19:05You know you did.

19:06We can sort that out later.

19:07What we've got to do now is turn and go back.

19:08Hasn't it occurred to you that there are other motorists on the road?

19:10What's that got to do with it?

19:11If there's been an accident, they'll have found it by now.

19:12That's all.

19:13Yes, that's right.

19:14I hadn't thought of that.

19:15Of course, there's no need for us to go back, Fred.

19:16But, Nan, you said yourself...

19:18Oh, no, but I was excited.

19:19No, no, no, no.

19:20I was excited.

19:21No, no, no, no.

19:22We must be found by now.

19:23That's all.

19:24Oh, yes, that's right.

19:25I hadn't thought of that.

19:26Of course, there's no need for us to go back, Fred.

19:27But, Nan, you said yourself...

19:28Oh, no, but I was excited.

19:29We must be found by now.

19:30Stands to reason.

19:31Captain said right, Fred, we can't do no good.

19:32Oh, shut up, Nan.

19:33You're not thinking right.

19:34Oh, aren't I?

19:35What are you going to do about it, Fred Lane?

19:36Take me to night school?

19:37Is that what you're going to do?

19:38No, but I'll tell you what I am going to do.

19:39If you don't make him stop the car by the time I count ten,

19:41I'll do it myself.

19:42One.

19:43Cut it out.

19:44Two.

19:45Take your hand away or I'll give her all she's got.

19:47Go on, get back in your corner.

19:48Get back, Fred.

19:49Get back.

19:50You're a little killed.

19:51She'll do 90 easily, you know.

19:53Glad he thought better of it.

19:55So am I.

19:56We better smash an awful smash.

19:58The kind of smash it would have been worth anybody's money turning back for.

20:00Eh, Fred?

20:01Maybe some people can't argue without losing their tempers.

20:03All right.

20:04Have it your own way.

20:05But you can't drive on forever.

20:06And what do you mean by that, master Fred?

20:08You'll know quick enough.

20:09Look here, Fred, I'm sorry.

20:12I suppose my nerves are...

20:14I suppose my nerves are a bit on edge.

20:16Anyway, I...

20:17I apologise.

20:18Oh, forget it.

20:23Well, aren't you going to stop?

20:37Let's go in here and talk the whole thing over, shall we, Fred?

20:39No, we've got to turn around and go back.

20:41It's late enough as it is.

20:42Oh, come on, Fred.

20:43A minute to, as the captain asks.

20:44And he wants another drink.

20:45Here, here.

20:46Of course I want another drink.

20:47We'll feel better.

20:48See things in their true perspective when we've steadied up our nerves a bit.

20:51Come on, Fred.

20:52We'll make it a quick one.

20:53All right, then.

20:54All right, then.

20:55Round the corner, Nancy.

20:56Right around there.

20:57Good evening.

20:58Good evening.

20:59May we have four large whiskies, please?

21:00Make mine a lemonade, will you?

21:01All right.

21:02Four large whiskies and a lemonade, please.

21:03Two to the fourth whisky forked.

21:04Two to the fourth whisky forked.

21:05I'm very thirsty.

21:06I say, that looks rather cozy.

21:07May we go in there, landlord?

21:08As we say, you're very welcome.

21:10Oh, one of these is for Reggie.

21:11Good evening.

21:12Good evening.

21:13May we have four large whiskies, please?

21:14Make mine a lemonade, will you?

21:15All right.

21:16Four large whiskies and a lemonade, please.

21:17Two to the fourth whisky forked.

21:18I'm very thirsty.

21:20I say, that looks rather cozy.

21:22May we go in there, landlord?

21:23As we say, you're very welcome.

21:25Oh, one of these is for Reggie.

21:27Good girl.

21:28I'll fix up with you on the way out, landlord.

21:36What a priceless little room.

21:38Oh, Lord.

21:39Look at mine host on his wedding day.

21:40Come and have a look at this one, Fred.

21:42Well, what's wrong with it?

21:43Well, it's not exactly a saddle road cut, is it?

21:46Now, Fred.

21:47Go on.

21:49First of all, I want you to believe one thing, Fred.

21:52If I had seen a man on a bicycle,

21:54I'd have avoided hitting him even if I'd had to wreck my car.

21:57Now, you do believe that, don't you?

21:59Yes, Mr. Bester.

22:00Good.

22:01Then you can't think he's such a swine for not stopping

22:03when we hit that old bow or tin can or whatever it was.

22:05He wasn't a bow or a tin can.

22:07He was a man on a bicycle.

22:08I didn't see any man, Fred.

22:10Neither did you, for that matter.

22:11Nancy saw him.

22:12Nancy says she saw him.

22:13Of course she saw him.

22:14She wouldn't make up a thing like that.

22:17You think a lot of Nancy, don't you?

22:19What's that got to do with it?

22:20Quite a lot, Fred, I'm afraid.

22:23You see, supposing she is right

22:25and we have knocked a man off his bicycle.

22:27We didn't stop.

22:28We drove on.

22:29Failure to stop after an accident.

22:31Police take a very dim view of that sort of thing, you know.

22:34You're a bit late in the day realising that, aren't you?

22:36I suppose I am.

22:37Could you see what would happen if we went back now?

22:40Oh, a man would have been picked up all right,

22:42but the police are sure to be hanging around.

22:44We'd run into a lot of trouble, Fred, all of us.

22:47Including Nancy.

22:48And you don't want that, now do you?

22:50Of course not.

22:51There's nothing to be gained.

22:52Don't you see that, Fred?

22:53There's nothing to be gained.

22:54It's got nothing to do with it.

22:55Even if we can't do no good, we've got to go back.

22:58It's against the law not to.

22:59It's against nature, common decency, everything.

23:02I tell you we've got to go back.

23:03Okay.

23:04If you want to go back, you can damn well walk.

23:06I'll hire a car and go back by myself.

23:07Really? I haven't seen many taxi ranks round here.

23:09The landlord will get me a car.

23:10He can phone and...

23:12Of course we did.

23:13I can telephone the police and report it from here.

23:16There's a phone in the bar.

23:17No, no, no. Wait a minute now, Fred.

23:18Now listen.

23:19No.

23:20You've had it, chum.

23:21Get out of the way.

23:22Supposing I'd done?

23:25Landlord!

23:26Landlord!

23:27Surrendered, Fred.

23:28Splendid.

23:29But don't forget, Nancy's in this up to the neck.

23:31She was driving.

23:32She hasn't got a license.

23:33She got hysterical and started screaming when we talked to stopping.

23:35You're in the clear.

23:36You were only a passenger.

23:37I'll get it as the owner, but Nancy's the one that's really for it.

23:40She's going to be...

23:41Yes, sir?

23:44Did you call, sir?

23:45No.

23:46No, it was my friend who called.

23:47Did you want something, Fred?

23:49No, it's all right.

23:50At least a present.

23:51We might have some more drinks, sir.

23:52No more for me.

23:53No more for me either.

23:54But how's about filling this for us, eh?

23:56I'll see what I can do, sir.

23:58Thanks.

23:59Everything all right?

24:00Everything's wonderful.

24:01Fred's going to phone and get the police here.

24:02No, I meant...

24:03Fred, you must be mad.

24:04That's what I told him.

24:05As you were driving, they'd crack down on you.

24:06He'll get off scot-free, of course.

24:07But you and I, we'll get it in the neck.

24:08And they don't give the option of a fine in cases like this, either.

24:09Nor with a good stiff spell in prison.

24:10Fred, you do care for me a little, don't you?

24:11I love you, then.

24:12Do you, Fred?

24:13You know I do.

24:14Won't you prove it to me, then?

24:15How?

24:16Forget about what's happened tonight.

24:17Let's pretend it's all-

24:18We can't, man.

24:19You know we can't.

24:20Listen, Fred.

24:21You and I have had good times together.

24:22We want to go on having you, don't we?

24:24We want to marry me, don't you?

24:25But if you do as I want now, I won't be in jail.

24:27I won't be in jail.

24:28I won't be in jail.

24:29And we can't get theранs going to have a flattery house!

24:30I won't be in jail, I won't be in jail, I won't be in jail, I won't get it...

24:32If I want you, I won't make any trouble.

24:33I won't have her.

24:34I won't be in jail, I won't be in jail, I will take you in jail.

24:35Listen, Fred, you and I have had good times together.

24:38We want to go on having you, don't we?

24:40We want to marry me, don't you?

24:42But if we do as I want now, I won't keep you waiting any longer.

24:45Oh, I've paid you off a bit, Fred, I know, but I won't no longer. Honest, I won't.

24:48We can get married as soon as you like.

24:51It's no good, Nan. That sort of thing wouldn't come to no good.

24:54You're no good. Fred's right, Nan. I see that now.

24:57We've got to report it to the booth.

24:59If we keep our heads, we can do the right thing and still keep them clear.

25:03Now, look, Fred, you can't telephone the police from out there.

25:06The landlord, all those men in the bar, they'd all hear.

25:08They couldn't help hearing. They'd never let us go.

25:10We'd have to stay till the police arrive.

25:12We'd have to stay till the police arrive, then.

25:14Not if we put the call through from a phone kiosk.

25:16We'd get back on the main road. There's one there every few miles.

25:19What do you say to me?

25:22Well...

25:23Good man. Come on, Nancy, let's get cracking.

25:30You two go ahead. I'll square up with the landlord.

25:32We'll be with you on a flash.

25:33Oh, good.

25:34Could I have my flask, please?

25:35One round for a night was all together, sir.

25:37Don't you see, Nan? We've got to do this.

25:39It's the least we can't.

25:40Don't pick me again, Fred Lane.

25:41You'll see I'm right in the morning when you...

25:45Oh, Fred. Wait a minute, Fred. Fred, wait for the captain.

25:47Catch him! Captain Cole! Captain, come here quick!

25:49Catch him! Captain Cole! Captain, come here quick!

25:51Fred, don't be silly. Fred...

25:53It's all right, Nancy. Leave him alone.

25:55That's all right, Fred. Take it easy, Nan. Think over what you're going to say first.

26:00You're back in the car!

26:02No! No, you're back in the car!

26:03You and I must admit it! You're back in the car!

26:05Good night, dear Dad. Good night, Sam. I'll see you here tomorrow.

26:08Good morning, Sam. Quiet!

26:10Hey!

26:15Quiet now, quiet.

26:23Oh, no, you don't.

26:24You asked for this, Fred. You can't say you didn't ask for it.

26:33Come on. Quick march.

26:34Quick march.

26:38Yes, sir.

26:39Wake up, Reggie. Move over.

26:41The door, Nancy.

26:45Hello. The return of the wanderers.

26:48What have the wanderers been doing? Wandering?

26:50Move over, Reggie.

26:52Anything to oblige, lady?

27:04Do you feel terrible, old boy?

27:10No, no. Stop that.

27:12What's the matter, old chap?

27:15You've got to help me with these two.

27:18You've got to help me make them phone and report it so they can send someone to the spot.

27:21Report what?

27:23We've run down a man. We can't leave him to maybe die.

27:26Is this true?

27:28Yes, yes. I swear it's true.

27:30I don't believe a word of it.

27:34Yeah, you listen.

27:35Now, look here. I don't know you. I don't like the look of you.

27:38I don't like your face. I don't like your clothes. I don't fit.

27:42I don't like your shirt. I don't like your collar.

27:45I hate your collar.

27:47Yes, I hate his collar too, Reggie.

27:50Let's have something to drink, shall we?

27:56Say, when, Captain?

27:57Oh, no, you don't.

27:58Who's going to stop me?

27:59Me.

28:00You and whose army?

28:01Fensive fellow.

28:03Here's your drink, Captain.

28:04All right, Nancy, you have it. I'll have one in a minute.

28:06Okay, big boy.

28:07Like a drink, Reggie?

28:08Like a drink? Of course I'd like a drink.

28:14You threw my drink out of the window.

28:18Yes, and what are you going to do about it?

28:20Beneath contempt.

28:22Fred, if you knew what a nasty little bit of work you were, spitting venom at the back there,

28:26you'd quieten down before you'd get hurt. Quite badly hurt.

28:30If he wasn't driving, you'd be the one to get hurt.

28:32Really?

28:33Yes, I'd smash your face in.

28:34I'd like to try.

28:35Stop the car and I'll show you.

28:36Right.

28:38You can't fight him, Fred.

28:39It wouldn't be a fight, it'd be a massacre.

28:41Come on, Adam.

28:42Now, wait a minute.

28:43Fred, don't be a fool, Fred. I'll kill you.

28:44Climb down, Fred. Climb down, I tell you.

28:46You shut up, you...

28:47You...

28:48So, that's what you think, you self-righteous, self-satisfied, self-educated little sneak.

28:53I don't like anything about you.

28:54The way you dress, the way you speak, the way you act.

28:56I was proper bored with you all along, see?

28:58And I only played you up because you were soft.

29:00Think I was going to marry you?

29:02You've got ideas above yourself, haven't you?

29:04There, you've got it now.

29:05I've always wanted to say that for a long time.

29:09Finish them.

29:12Go on, Cap, give him the works!

29:16Now, Master Fred, you'll have an opportunity to show what you can do.

29:22I'm very, very tired of you.

29:24I'm going to settle you now, once and for all.

29:35There, that do you? Had enough yet?

29:37Plenty more where that lot came from, you know?

29:39No, no, he's had enough.

30:02Look out! He's fooled you!

30:04He's giving you the slip!

30:05Quick, get in!

30:06We'll catch him in the car!

30:15Little rat!

30:17Cheating he was half dead!

30:24I'll make a job of him this time.

30:34Fred!

30:35Fred!

30:36Fred, where are you?

30:38Oh, Fred!

30:39Come here, Fred!

30:40Oh, Fred!

30:42We won't touch you, Fred, I promise!

30:44I didn't mean what I said, Fred!

30:46Fred!

30:47Fred, come here!

30:51Fred!

30:53Fred!

30:54Oh, Fred, please!

30:56Are you there, Fred?

30:57Don't run away, Fred!

30:58Wait for us!

31:00We won't help you, Fred, if you come here!

31:02Fred!

31:03Fred, we'll take you home!

31:06Oh, don't be such a fool!

31:08Oh, your brother, what did he touch you?

31:09What is now about Fred?

31:12Fred!

31:13Fred, Fred!

31:14Fred!

31:38Who is it?

31:39What do you want?

31:40Get me in!

31:41I've got a telephone!

31:42I've got a telephone the police!

31:44Are you alone?

31:45Yes, hurry.

31:46Please, hurry.

31:47Step back from the shadows and let me see.

31:51Oh, dear, you're hurt.

31:52I'll be down right away.

31:53Hurry, hurry.

31:55There's no time to be lost.

31:59Don't be long.

32:01Don't keep me waiting long.

32:12Where's the telephone?

32:12It's there, but you're hurt.

32:14Come and sit down first and let me bear your foot.

32:16I'm all right.

32:17You don't understand.

32:18There's been an accident.

32:19A man's life may depend on...

32:21Hello.

32:22Hello.

32:24It's all right, don't they?

32:25I'll answer.

32:26Hello.

32:28Hello.

32:30There, there.

32:31Take it easy, lad.

32:33I'll get through for you.

32:34Let me speak to them.

32:36Let me speak to the police.

32:39I'm tired.

32:42I'm so tired.

32:43I'm so tired.

32:43I'm sorry, but I'm...

32:45I'm so tired.

32:46I'm...

32:46Hello, May.

32:48Put me through to the police.

32:50Yes, I want the police.

32:51There's been an accident.

32:52Let me speak to them.

32:52You must let me speak to them.

32:54Hello.

32:55This is Tarverly Post Office.

32:57There's been an accident.

32:59I don't know.

32:59A young man's just come in...

33:00Hello.

33:02Is that the police?

33:03Oh, thank God.

33:05Yes.

33:06Yes.

33:06I'm sorry, but I...

33:12But you will hurry, won't you?

33:14All right.

33:16Yes, I know.

33:17All right.

33:18Yes, I'll try, but hurry.

33:20Hurry.

33:20Who were these people?

33:30I met them for the first time tonight in a pub.

33:33Played billiards, and they offered tickets for a run in our car.

33:37Were they drunk, or sufficiently under the influence of drink, to be driving to the public danger?

33:41One of them was very drunk, right from the start.

33:44But he wasn't driving.

33:46What about the driver?

33:49Well, before the accident, he had one or two, but that didn't seem to affect his driving.

33:54And some more afterwards.

33:56Steady his nerves.

33:57Now, listen, mate.

33:58It's no use trying to shield these people.

34:00They chop you with that half a chance.

34:03Are you quite sure you didn't notice the number?

34:05Quite sure.

34:07Maybe it'll come back to you later.

34:08I don't think so.

34:11Who's near here?

34:12Just round the corner.

34:25Are you quite sure there was an accident?

34:27Of course I am.

34:28The girl saw the man on the bike, didn't she?

34:30And there was the smash-wind screen staring me in the face.

34:33There's no sign of any broken glass, anyway.

34:35Well, it seems there's nothing more we can do tonight.

34:37We'll drop you at your home.

34:38It might be worthwhile inquiring over there.

34:42Yes, can't do any harm.

34:44You stay with the car.

34:51Just as I want for my son and the actor.

34:53You and your feathers.

34:55Faith here.

34:56Open the door, please.

34:57All right.

34:58I'm coming.

34:59I told you no good to come with your poaching.

35:01You didn't say no to eating them, though.

35:02Sorry to trouble you so late, but I'm making inquiries about an alleged accident in the vicinity.

35:11Accident, Sergeant?

35:12I've not reported no accident?

35:14No, but this gentleman has.

35:15And straight, I'm not going to report on no accident.

35:18Phil Evershaft down the road reported on accident.

35:21He lost four days planting, giving the same evidence in court over and over again.

35:25I'm not going to lay myself open to that waste of time.

35:27But surely, if someone's been hurt...

35:29Who says someone's been hurt?

35:30No one's been hurt, as far as I know.

35:32This gentleman says the car hit a man on a bicycle back there, about an hour ago.

35:35Then he's mistaken.

35:37No man on no bikes been hurt around here for over 15 years.

35:40Has there now, Nelly?

35:41That's right, Sergeant.

35:42Longer than that, you might say.

35:44I've only been here 15 years.

35:46What's wrong with your bicycle?

35:47Nothing.

35:48Mind if I have a look at it?

35:49Nothing to look at.

35:51That wheel's buckled a bit, but I'm not reporting it, mind.

35:54All right.

35:55If you tell me what happened.

35:56Anything I say won't be used in evidence against me.

35:58No.

35:59Nor Nelly here.

36:00No, no.

36:01What happened?

36:02Well, it was like this.

36:04I had my bike leaning up against the fence with a sack of taters on it,

36:08while I was tending to...

36:10to...

36:11something in the field.

36:12And car coming along Shirley Corner, like the gent said,

36:15hit the bike and scattered the taters.

36:17But no one was hit, no one was hurt.

36:20What time we thought...

36:23I thought...

36:24It's funny, isn't it?

36:27Only a sack of potatoes, after all, yeah.

36:31Well, nothing to laugh at.

36:33Took me and Nelly half an hour to gather them up again.

36:36There they are, son.

36:37Thanks.

36:38Good night.

36:38Good night, Sergeant.

36:43Have an exciting evening, Nancy.

36:45A bit too exciting, really.

36:47Never mind.

36:48Next time we'll be alone.

36:49When's next time?

36:50Whatever you say, Nancy.

36:52Tomorrow?

36:53To date.

36:54Good girl.

36:56You know, Captain, I liked you the first moment I saw you.

36:59Did you, Nancy?

37:01Say, what's... what's all this?

37:03It's my collection.

37:04Oh, you must let me add to it.

37:06Will you, Captain?

37:07Of course.

37:08Oh, I love this bracelet.

37:10The charms come from different people all over the world.

37:13This one was from Kentucky Joe.

37:15This one was from Elmer, from Baltimore.

37:18Johnny gave me this one.

37:19He was an awfully nice boy in the Canadian Air Force.

37:22I'll see you in here.

37:23Thank you, Nancy.

37:25A bracelet gold, you know.

37:27Eighteen carat gold.

37:28Is it, Nancy?

37:29I could do with a drink.

37:31Anything left, Nancy?

37:32You have to drink.

37:34That'll do for the driver.

37:36Bad luck, Reggie.

37:38You think you should?

37:39I mean, as you're driving.

37:40It's all right, Nancy.

37:42I'm never too tight to drive.

37:48The fact is, I can't drive properly till I am tight.

37:52Give me gallons and I get going.

37:55This fellow's trying to overtake us.

37:57What's that?

37:58They've been following us for five minutes.

38:01What's the matter?

38:02Police.

38:03Police?

38:04About the accident?

38:06No.

38:06No, they couldn't know yet.

38:07How could they know yet?

38:08Fred, the telephone's wireless.

38:10Oh, let's go home.

38:11They can't touch us if we go home.

38:13Oh, take me home.

38:14Fork left here and see if they follow.

38:22I'll teach them to follow me.

38:26Gentile, Gentile, Gentile.

38:28I don't think we will go.

38:31Take it easy.

38:31There's no need to go mad.

38:33At last, bring some the trick.

38:35I'm tight at last.

38:36You are, oh, dally-ho, dally-ho.

38:40Follow me, would you?

38:41Stop him.

38:43You're killing him.

38:44He's mad, he's mad, I tell you.

38:45Yoink, yoink, yoink.

38:47Hey, stop.

38:49Why should I stop?

38:50I can drive, can't I?

38:51I can drive with one hand.

38:53I can drive with no hands.

39:08Oh, Fred.

39:17You're nearly home now, son.

39:47Sorry to have caused you so much trouble.

39:52Nonsense, you've got the right ideas.

39:54You thought you hit a man and you reported it.

39:56If all the others care, he might be dying by the roadside at this moment.

39:59What a fool I've been.

40:00No, you did right.

40:02It might have been serious.

40:04What a fool I've been.

40:06What a damn silly fool.

40:10How's held off when they hear that I...

40:12I made all that fuss over a few potatoes.

40:15How's held off?

40:17How's held?

40:20How's held?

40:28How's held he?

40:29How's held?

40:31The End

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