Episode 2 The Hour

This new programme - it's everything we've been waiting for.

Mr Lyon. I'm a very big fan of your work.

Which bit of my work?

Have you heard of Peter Darrall? He was killed last night.

It'll be reported as a robbery.

It wasn't.

McCain's in.

We are embarking on a truly exciting journey.

The Hour is coming.

Look at this man.

This is Mr Reginald Thomson.

Like many young men newly arrived from the West Indies,

he needs a place to rest for the night.

Not far from Victoria would be best.

He starts a new job at the railway station tomorrow

and he wants to be on time for work.

Now look to my left. This is Mr Alfred Baker,

also newly arrived in the city, also about to take up employment tomorrow

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

Victoria is not an ideal location...

And now comes the smile.

-..but it's cheap and needs must.

-Yes, there it is.

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

Counting down three, two, one -

roll, Freddie. I'm going in.

Victoria, you will find a hotel or a bed and breakfast

on every street to take a guest in search of shelter.

-Are you in discomfort or does it just seem as if you have a pickle up your backside?

-..Freddie.

I want that man banned from the set.

It's camera two then back to camera one.

Three cameras, three lights. You're a beat behind every time.

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

When it's red, you hit your light.

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

Clear the set, please, Ladies and gentleman.

He's here. Go in hard on the first question. Have you got them?

Yes. I know what I'm doing.

Mr Thomson, could you tell us what happened?

The lady was very polite...

Ron, star jumps behind the bloody camera if you have to.

Behave.

Mr Lyon...

..I can't breathe.

I'll let the American Space Programme know.

If you're white, then you're all right.

Freddie Lyon, reporting for The Hour.

OK, and go to camera two...

One, er, one, camera one. Sorry.

-Good evening Mr Gabot.

-It's Gabord, not Gabot.

You're an expert on immigration. That was an interesting insight

into the prejudice faced by an immigrant arriving in London.

Well, yes, it was,

although I don't know the Notting Hill area well.

-Something's wrong.

-Ask the question! Ask the bloody question!

And where are you from?

Well, actually, Biggin Hill.

The congestion is particularly bad...

Interrupt him! Interrupt!

..the A232 and join the A236 at Croydon...

He hasn't got the questions.

..to Wandsworth Bridge.

Once over the river I do find it's preferable to follow the Fulham Palace Road.

Anything rather than face the hoards on the Bayswater Road.

I'm sure your viewers would agree with that.

Three weeks...

..you said three weeks.

Four. I said give him four.

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

Erm, hello?

Ron, move that Mars set.

We won't be needing it.

How difficult is it?

We write the questions, you ask them.

Questions on the future of the British Colony of Cyprus,

a slot you scrapped?

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

-I'm not a bloody puppet.

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

-Freddie.. Away.

Right. Your charm is wearing thin, Hector.

I wouldn't call it charm.

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

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

Mad arm waving, you screaming at me.

No, you are the farce. You.

-Clarence.

-Clarence!

We've got a terrific piece for next week on the credit squeeze. It's very exciting, very exciting.

-I look forward to it.

-You should, you really should.

-Good night!

Brilliant.

I'm sorry.

Next week...

..do better. Please do better,

because if you don't then Freddie wins 12 shillings

and my entire Bill Haley collection.

KNOCK ON DOOR

You're pathetic.

Merci, madame.

Ah, here.

Oh, don't give him any. They won't let him on the flight.

You're on fiery form tonight.

Drink up.

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

and he wants us to be happy.

Night.

Oh, no, thanks. I'm all squiffy on a shandy. Do you need anything else, Miss Rowley?

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

-OK, night.

ALL: Night.

Rumour has it she can type.

She's probably taking the A297423.

Biggin Hill.

-ALL LAUGH

-It was rather like a flaying fish.

LAUGHTER CONTINUES

Really, Mr Gabot! Do tell!

Do tell us more.

-Well, I usually take the A2678453 to absolutely the middle of going nowhere.

-Ssh. He's outside!

-LAUGHTER

-Never mind the immigration crisis...

Lift and shove.

Lift... Lift and shove. BANGING AT DOOR

Lift and shove!

Lift! And shove!

SHE LAUGHS

That is really very dangerous.

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

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

Or someone tried to break in? I could unpick that with a toothpick if I wanted to.

Really, Bel, it's hopeless.

Oh, Freddie, you're very sweet... when you're not being such a mutant.

Oh, no.

I'll have to do this lying down.

Nice to see my Bill Haley collection.

Just checking for scratches.

It was all a bad dream.

Don't be wet.

I think I might cry now.

No, don't look at me.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Have you finished?

No.

Yes. No. No, not yet.

It's all gone horribly wrong.

Teething troubles.

You did it on purpose, didn't you?

Gave Hector the wrong questions?

No.

-HE SIGHS

-Yes. I don't know.

-I'm not sleeping brilliantly at the moment.

-Oh, you should sleep.

Everyone needs their beauty sleep.

Not everyone.

GENERAL CHATTER

'I'm not speaking to you.'

What do you expect me to say?

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

I don't really approve of that sort of thing, all these young girls. It...it does go on, of course.

-You shared the same office.

-And rarely spoke. The odd formal dinner, a coffee here or there.

-He liked to fish. I do not.

-Why are you lying to me?

He was short of money. I was very busy.

He'd fill in for me every other week.

-Fill in?

-Crosswords.

I set the crosswords. Peter was always very interested.

Really, I...I'm very sorry.

Which newspaper? Which newspaper did he set the crossword for?

Evening Standard.

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

That's done it.

I'm terribly sorry.

-Clarence.

-Miss Rowley.

Yes...

Sorry?

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

"let us pray Mr Madden will guide this rudderless ship, namely The Hour.

"There is only so long that one can wait.

"One can only hope for a better tomorrow."

LIFT DOORS PING

Shall we?

Freddie.

You don't like me, do you?

-It's not personal.

-Huh.

You went to a minor public school in...

Sherborne.

Not so minor, then. Where you excelled at cricket, rugby and fives. I bet you were...

-Head boy.

-Then Cambridge, where everyone hoped for a first,

but sadly you partied more than you should,

met the right people and had a ball. Your parents were naturally disappointed,

but what's an upper...lower second?

Third?

Still, you had fun.

-Indeed I did.

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

with very little of what you call a good time for a paltry, unrecognised first -

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

Then... No, not sure what happened then but probably...

-Welsh Guards.

-You've seen service?

Oh, God, you've got a medal.

Two.

Ha... Absurd.

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

looked about you and set your sights on television presenting.

You started at a regional station, possibly Manchester?

I was on the sports desk. Occasional outside broadcast.

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

-People.

She got on the phone to pater and before your insignificant producer could say,

"How did that happen?" he's watching you front your very own TV programme,

while he, despite 40 years of loyal service,

is stuck in Manchester, crying into his beer.

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

-God.

You're a snob.

-We can't use this, we have no...

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

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

For weeks now.

Until you have something to break, we can't run it as a story yet.

-Freddie?

-Abolition of hanging.

-Second reading in the House of Lords this afternoon.

-Take a camera?

-Mmm-hmm.

Right, anyone else?

Thank you. Anyone else?

Time is ticking. We are cutting it fine, as ever.

-Again, Nasser? Egypt?

-Thank you, Lix.

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

The premium bonds story works.

-Macmillan's backing it.

-We could use the footage of the labour strike.

-Cutting it fine, but...

-Brilliant. What question would you put to our Chancellor

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

-Preferably the right one.

But please do feel free to intervene, Mr Lyon -

a man of your impressive record. Any pointers you could throw my way?

-I still say we go with Egypt.

-No. I think Hector's got the story.

-Oh!

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

-Isaac's got a very good piece on...uum...

Smokeless fuel. Life after the Clean Air Act.

Remarkable. Think you could manage that, Hector?

-Interviewing a slice of Irish bog?

-I don't know. That depends.

If I'm given correct questions and they're less provocative, more succinct,

I won't grapple to find a decent interview.

I will not have you squabbling like this. You're like children. You're like bloody children!

-Is anybody listening to me? Egypt is the story...

-I am not your mother

and I am not your nurse, so just grow up. All of you, just grow up.

I'm sorry. I can't work like this. Excuse me, Clarence.

Sorry, Clarence.

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

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

Telegraph.

Your job is to ensure Hector is prepared,

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

Bel tells me you're working on another story.

It's not ready yet.

Clarence...

-Rudderless?

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

Perhaps they haven't noticed it yet.

Don't make me regret my choice, Bel.

Auribus tenere lupum, hmm?

"Grab the wolf by the ears."

Are you all right?

Absolutely.

-Is there a single bloody phone here that works?

-No.

-We're between the BBC Home Service and Johnny Morris in priority, apparently.

-He's mine.

The World Service sent him up.

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

Monitoring are sending transcripts of the Egyptian broadcasts.

I need someone to translate.

My man in Alexandria, well, he does his best,

but it's...it's schoolboy Arabic.

Lix has got a lackey?

When you have a president of a Middle Eastern country angry with half the Western world,

buying arms off the Soviets and whipping up crowds in Alexandria,

chances are, Egypt leads.

And Westminster's getting a little edgy. Tu ne penses pas?

Find him a desk.

I'm sorry.

You were unspeakable, Freddie.

I am your producer. You absolutely cannot talk like that in front of Clarence.

It's not just you and me. What's wrong with you?

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

but ignoring that, which I won't,

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

-I'm not listening.

He's slick, mediocre, smug.

I stopped listening at "mediocre".

Why did you not even consider me?

Because you're too goddamned ugly.

This is when you reference my brilliance off-camera, my essentiability...

-Not a word.

-..that, without me, you really couldn't go on.

I couldn't go on.

PHONE RINGS

Bel Rowley.

CLICKING DOWN PHONE

Does yours keep doing this?

Police report.

It still says suicide, Freddie.

There are scratches all round the paint around the showerhead.

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

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

-The body clings to life.

-Second paragraph.

"Compression to the oesophagus, and fracture to second vertebra."

It's a seven-foot three-inch drop from showerhead to base of bath. At best, that's slow asphyxiation.

I don't think it'd break your neck, second vertebra. You'd have to hang from a tree or bridge.

-Or by violent force.

-Is this really scientific?

She didn't kill herself.

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

-I made a promise to her.

-..because they tapped into your own.

-They did. They do.

I knew her. I stayed with her family during the war.

Peter Darrall was setting the crosswords in the Evening Standard every other week.

He was using them to send messages.

The perforations pick up certain letters.

Because he's a spy.

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

-MI5?

-MI6.

Maybe...he was killed by a Russian looking for this.

What does it say?

I don't know. I never finish crosswords.

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

-You know that a subscription to Marvel's All-True Crime doesn't make you a real detective?

-Doesn't it?

-They publish the answers the next day. Why don't you...?

-I would if I could bloody find it.

"Amnesty"! "Many set".

Very good.

-But not good enough to be considered as a frontman for The Hour, right?

-Oh, God.

-It's a fact, Moneypenny.

-And stop calling me that.

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

-You know I have a story here.

No, you don't. Not yet. Abolition of hanging, House of Lords.

You know Lord Elms has an office there?

Be nice to Hector.

Why?

Sorry, do you mind?

Behave, Freddie. Ignore him.

He's a melancholic.

And thanking you again.

He likes to hoard newspapers, rather like a tramp.

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

This is Mr...

Kish. Thomas Kish. Pretty girl.

Yes.

Just need a...

-Yes, of course, sorry.

-Thank you.

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

-Oh, help yourself.

Isaac!

PHONE RINGS

Bel Rowley.

CLICKING ON LINE

MURMURED CONVERSATION

Hawley Harvey Crippen, John Christie, Ruth Ellis -

all hanged for very different heinous crimes.

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

is to be heard in the House of Lords which may put an end

to capital punishment in this country for good.

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

Can we try inside?

Thank you.

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

-No, I don't.

-Yes, you do.

HEELS CLICK

We need to work on your links today. Say more. Smile less.

-Yes, I hear the newspapers don't like the smile?

-Do you really not read them?

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

-Incredible.

-What?

I should be interested in the bored bile of some fat hack stuck in Fleet Street on an expense account?

-They refer to an absence of intellect.

-They may be right. It's overrated.

You really don't care what they think?

I care what you think.

Four o'clock. In the studio.

-Ron, reel three is fine.

-Thank you, Miss Rowley.

Miss Rowley. Your mother's here.

Yoo-hoo!

-What about here?

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

Hello?

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

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

We should have gone to that little Italian.

Ooh. When did you cut your hair?

Umm...

-Last month, perhaps. I don't remember.

-Platinum would suit you, darling.

-Yes,

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

Darling, why don't we sit here?

-I've got to go now, Ma.

-Oh, five more minutes.

Isn't that your editor?

Producer.

How old do you think she is?

I don't know.

She must be nearly 30.

28.

Thank you.

She looks just like that actress.

You know, the one we saw in that thingy?

-Where's the Bolshevik?

-Out.

How's the broker?

Banker. He's fine, I expect.

I haven't seen him in weeks.

How's Bill? Clive?

Don't know. Don't care.

You worry so.

Is that her mother? Oh, God, it is, it's Verda Rowley.

Oh, she left her husband.

-Don't stare, darling.

-Sorry.

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

-Where are you staying?

-Cynthia's.

She's been marvellous. Oh, Robert's still appalling.

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

Oh, please, God, no.

Just try not to...

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

-Yes.

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

The Embezzler? Have you not seen it?

-She's terribly good.

-No.

-Hector hates it when I pop in.

-No, I don't.

-But one is just so curious.

-This is my mother.

-Hello.

-You must be very proud.

-Hello.

That's my babydoll.

We have to go...leave.

Yes, we should go too, darling.

Babydoll?! I'll be 28 in August.

Why not Bel or Isabel, the name you christened me?

Rather than something you'd call a showgirl.

The lock's broken. You have to lift the door a little

and then a quick push and you're in.

There are some cold chops in the refrigerator, help yourself if you're hungry. I'll be back by nine.

I won't forget this, sweetheart.

Yes, you will.

Miss Rowley...

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

No. Well, yeah, but he just smiles at ya and then...

Do you want to be taken seriously,

or for ever be some stupid little marionette fluttering on the arm of every good-looking man in the BBC?

-No.

-Well, the first rule - you don't make tea.

-Right, but, I...

You're a very pretty girl but the last thing I need is someone distracting those around you.

-Don't send me back.

-Where? I didn't ask for you - I don't know where to send you back to.

Like most things in this corporation, people arrive

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

-Personnel.

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

-Miss Coulson...

How old are you?

Cooper. It's actually Cooper. As in Gary.

But there's a Miss Sally Cooper down in children's casting

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

-How old are you?

-21.

20.

19. But I can type 100 words a minute and I've got a distinction in shorthand.

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

-I've been in the mail room since January.

-That implies you can stick on a stamp

-but not keep out my mother.

-I'm not like them - the rest of them in that typing pool, always on the lookout.

I ain't looking for that. I want to be part of something. Part of this.

-And I know I can be really useful and helpful to you.

-Miss Cooper,

less is more.

The BBC.

Very good.

I had a mind to go into broadcasting once.

Yes, you've done well for yourself, Frederick.

Lord Elms? I was hoping to interview you, sir.

-To get your reaction to the bill.

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

So you voted against it?

Does it matter? We get the vote we deserve, and the rest can hang.

That doesn't make it right.

Is it on?

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

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

not "right" to demand reasonable justice for her late husband?

But is the man falsely convicted and sentenced to be hanged

also not "right" to demand that same reasonable justice?

To demand his right to life?

In a democracy, the only thing one can be right about is...

the right to ask the question.

And the real question is,

do we live in a democracy...

..or...

under the illusion of one?

..What sort of a camera is it?

Auricon.

Ruthie liked to make little films.

I didn't come to the funeral.

To Ruth's funeral. I didn't know if you'd want me there.

You are always welcome, Frederick.

You always were.

She came to see me.

She wanted me to help her.

And did you?

One could argue that swift death

is preferable to a lifetime's imprisonment.

One could argue that.

Mr Lyon?

Lix was looking for you.

We did this story last week.

And you smiled last week,

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

If it's a short script, learn it.

It's this bloody desk.

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

The only thing that's stopping you is you.

Sorry. My mother does this to me.

-She seemed very nice.

-That's just her flirting with you.

So did your wife... Seem very nice.

-Freddie says...

-Oh, Mr Lyon!

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

-Keep away from you?

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

You're charming and you're effortless and then the minute you turn to look at the camera you just...

Well, everyone's waiting there for me to be brilliant.

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

I need to stick to a script

but then when I look down and then I look up again and there you all are standing there. Staring back at me.

It's bloody terrifying!

Perhaps Mr Lyon would have been a better fit.

SHE LAUGHS

How did you get into news?

I was about 16.

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

1933. Vernon Bartlett discussing Hitler's decision

to leave the League of Nations.

The most powerful thing I've ever heard.

It pulled me out of that drab little room

and into the middle of a crisis, as if I was sitting there with them, the third person at that table.

That's how it should be.

Stand up.

They need to see you.

They need to know who you are.

Trust you as they would a friend.

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

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

and that women want to sit next to at the dinner table because you're the most dangerous man in the room.

There you are. Lix is looking for you.

Thank you, Freddie.

Yes, OK, listen to this.

The military have moved into the central square in Alexandria, they've cordoned off the crowd.

Nasser's been talking for coming up to an hour

and he doesn't seem like he's stopping.

-Our man in Alexandria's leaning out of the window, he's holding up the phone.

-Give us pictures, Lix.

Apparently there are thousands of people, they're waving and cheering.

It's like a carnival...

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

-What exactly is Nasser saying?

-This canal is an Egyptian Canal.

It is an Egyptian Limited Company.

120,000 Egyptians died digging the canal and then Britain forcibly deprived us of our right in it.

-What's he saying? Are we going to war?

-Don't be daft.

-Where's Clarence?

-I don't know.

-Are you listening now?

-What happens now?

-I don't know... I don't, umm, I don't know.

Let me think.

-We are. We are. We're going to war.

-We are not going to war, Miss Cooper!

We're carrying on preparing for tomorrow's show. We are taking in our stride the incoming news

that Colonel Nasser has taken control of this country's most important trade route,

we are reorganising and regrouping. Lix, Freddie, Hector, and Ron, now.

Sissy, telephone lines. We need them all working.

-Maintenance said Friday.

-Go down to the floor right now.

Now, please. Everyone back to their desks, talk to anyone you can find. Lix, do we have a camera down there?

I've spoken to Donaldson and two of the boys from the Cairo agency should be there now.

-We need to find someone in the Egyptian Embassy. Someone who can talk for Nasser.

-That minister?

-Was based in Cairo now in London? Outspoken supporter of Nasser.

-Hafiz.

I went to school with his son.

Hafiz drinks at the Layali Club.

-Sorry, not a member.

-I'll get us in.

Is there anything you can't do, Hector?

Erm, not really.

Egyptian forces are swarming the entire canal.

They're taking over the Suez offices.

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

-I'll get my car.

-I got the interview with Elms.

-When do you get it back from the lab?

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

-You have to hear what Lord Elms said. We run this film...

-I don't know what we're running tomorrow.

But when I decide I'll let you know.

-I'll come with you, to meet Hafiz.

-It's fine. Hector and I can...

-Home affairs desk.

This could loosely be considered home affairs with a bit of foreign affairs thrown in.

(Why are you being such a child?

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

Is it just me, or has Hector shrunk?

I'm sure he was taller.

When we first met you couldn't even knot your tie straight. You'd never tried an oyster.

Personally not much of a loss.

Been to the theatre. Read Woolf or Wilde.

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

And you believe in him?

I've got "atom",

"shamble", "evolve".

Freddie?

(Freddie!)

We were hoping to entice you onto The Hour.

So that you can interrogate me?

-No.

-Yes.

-Mr Hafiz, we would like to bring a balanced view

-to rapidly unfolding and sensitive political events.

-Your President has stolen our canal.

It hasn't been without provocation.

I can just see the headlines tomorrow. Grabber Nasser!

It does have a certain ring to it.

-Freddie.

-May I apologise?

Why? He is only saying what the world will say.

But they do not know the truth.

And what is the truth, Mr Hafiz?

If you come on to our programme, perhaps you will have a chance to tell the country.

If I am interviewed by a gentleman.

Here. Let me give you a hand with those.

Right...

You'll need the background. You can't wing it. Start with these.

You'll need...

Perhaps a little more than a Children's Britannica.

How do you do it? How do you know exactly the right question to ask?

Because I'm not afraid of the answers.

Right, this is good. I've marked the best pages. Ignore the last chapter.

-Thank you.

-This is for Bel.

Not for you.

You're still an arse.

Freddie?

-Do you ever wash up?

-Saucepans, not much.

Cutlery occasionally.

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

-I'll walk you.

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

Very nice seeing you, Miss Rowley.

Dad. I'll be through in a minute.

-Hector Madden. Pleased to meet you, Mr Lyon.

-Yes, Captain.

Well, goodnight.

Thank you.

Are you nervous?

Terrified.

You can't bottle it, Hector.

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

-McCain's not going to like it.

-Stuff McCain.

It's left.

Which floor?

-Top.

-Here?

-Mm-hm.

Are you all right?

Fine.

Then why are you shaking?

Oh, damn.

Military upbringing. I can't help it.

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

without holding up an umbrella over her.

BUZZER

Don't be frightened. Gravity.

You have a natural gravity.

< 'Hello?'

-Good night.

-< 'Bel?'

Ma. Sorry...

He rang.

Yes, he did.

Oh, don't do that.

-They always telephone, darling, in the end.

-Right.

That's right.

Have you even heard the news today?

Egyptian troops have...

Doesn't matter.

Verda, World War III will break out and you'll be so busy

trying to squeeze yourself into that bloody dress, you'll miss it.

Darling, please don't become one of those women

who feels the need to have a career and not a life.

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

Ooh. Did you not sleep well last night? It always makes you so grumpy.

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

HORN BLARES OUTSIDE

You should try it, Ma.

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

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

'of the Suez Canal is still a flat refusal.

'Mr Menzies flies back to London with the disturbing knowledge

'that although he and his committee did their best, their mission has failed.

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

'in great detail to President Nasser so that he should be left in no doubt as to its implications...'

Egypt?

This chap must not appear on this television...

LIFT BELL DINGS DOOR OPENS

Clarence. I would have told you.

McCain already has. They have their spies everywhere.

Naguib Hafiz is a coup. You know it.

A man who will be a mouthpiece for Nasser? An Arab Nationalist whom Eden sees as a Soviet puppet?

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

That is why I am about to tell them that I leave it to the discretion of my producer to decide.

-But Freddie must forgo his interview with Lord Elms.

-Elms complained?

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

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

You are must tell Freddie the film blew.

Pick your battles, Bel.

Mr Fendley, Mr McCain's here.

Thank you.

When did you...

When did you first become aware of President Nasser's intentions to seize the canal?

Don't work so hard. Go again.

You be Mr Hafiz, and I'll be you.

Westminster is concerned. I wanted to illuminate the situation for you.

I, um... Thank you.

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

I realise this is all very new for you, but you cannot go ahead with this interview tonight.

But I can, Mr McCain.

One must be aware that politicians are very devious.

The Arab world has a rich literary tradition.

Now, this is a very dangerous mix.

A politician who understands the power of a good narrative could hardly be called impartial.

And that is why we intend to interrogate him.

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

See, now is when you build.

-Well...

-I'm sorry, Mr Hafiz, I didn't catch that...

Was it in order to discuss the arms deal? The arms deal was with Czechoslovakia.

The arms were Soviet, Mr Hafiz. How long have you been planning to seize the Suez Canal?

-Would he know that?

-Of course. Now you...

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

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

if you allow Mr Hafiz on your programme this evening.

-I really feel it is my duty to protect you.

-I don't need your protection.

Perhaps if the programme was scripted, and we saw a transcript prior to broadcast.

Then it could hardly be called a live interview.

If you proceed with this reckless behaviour,

I cannot guarantee what our response in government will be, quite frankly.

I run a news programme.

It's my job to cover the news. That is what I intend to do tonight.

Anything else is reckless.

And now if you'll excuse me,

I have a show about to go on air that I must attend to. It must be those maternal instincts again.

Auribus tenere lupum...?

Look it up.

-Sorry.

-This is my dad.

He's testing the line. The engineers were tied up putting in more lines on the Sports desk upstairs.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

-CLICKING ON LINE

-He can't work out what the click is, on the line,

-but he will do.

-Right, thank you.

Very good. Carry on.

-We shall march forward to political and economic independence.

-All right?

-Will you be much longer with that, Mr Kish?

-Not much longer.

If we look back, we do so only to demolish the relics of oppression, servility, exploitation...

-He's good.

-Yes. He's the only Englishman I've met

who can switch from the classical Arabic to the Egyptian vernacular without batting an eyelid.

Thirty minutes, ladies and gentlemen, 30 minutes.

Sissy, I'm... ..Freddie!

Your Elms film blew.

-There was a problem with the sound.

-Mr Nelson said he could clean it up.

-I'm sorry.

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

Bel?

Everyone needs to get to the studio. We're live in 30 minutes!

Places, everybody, please.

-You set?

-Yep.

-Watch the smile.

-Makes you look like Crippen.

-Was he a good-looking bastard too?

Mr Hafiz. Thank you. This way, please.

Parcel, Mr Lyon, just arrived.

Eyes ahead, Isaac.

It's fine.

I'll be there. Fine.

Do you have everything you need?

I see we are being watched.

-Always.

-This way, Mr Hafiz.

It's just you talking to that boy sitting in his father's study.

Stand by, studio...

Five, four, three,

two, one...

Fade up vision, go.

Good evening and welcome to The Hour,

the most important 60 minutes of news of your week.

We lead with the story that dominates.

President Nasser's seizing of the Suez Canal Company.

To shed some light on this growing crisis, we are joined

by one of the leading supporters of Egypt's President, Mr Naguib Hafiz.

-Good evening. Thank you for joining us.

-Thank you for inviting me.

What is your opinion of President Nasser's decision to take over the Suez Canal Company?

The canal is situated in Egyptian territory and it has quite simply reverted back to Egyptian control.

Well, if I may I correct you, Mr Hafiz?

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

It is theft.

-I prefer reclamation.

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

Britain has for too long

behaved like a distant relative of Egypt who believes that he's still entitled to the family silver.

You off?

Till we meet again.

Yes.

Your country has been sold a fiction by an impotent Prime Minister

surrounded by all his cronies,

and by a corrupt and deceitful government.

The British Empire is over.

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

Of selling to the British public a fiction?

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

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

Is President Nasser declaring war on the British Empire? Mr Hafiz?

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

Tell me you will come this weekend.

I know you think you're onto something with Ruth Elms.

-I am.

-Obvious as hell he wasn't in love with her.

Mr Kish, no-one told me to expect you in.

-Didn't they?

-What do I do?

-Just watch him.

-You don't know what you've got yourself into.

And now you know too much.

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