Episode 5 The Hour

TV: 'And here they are, the debutantes of 1956.'

And one young woman in particular has the caught the eye of a certain leading man, actor Adam Le Ray.

You said marry her and everything will be all right.

-Now she's dead.

-Get him out!

She wanted me to help her.

And did you?

There is such purpose in taking one's own life, isn't there?

She didn't kill herself. She was killed.

He starts a new job tomorrow at the railway station...

You are a natural front man, Hector.

I'm only as good as the team around me.

Darling! There you are!

-That's your..?

-Wife.

She told you? I knew she'd tell you.

You're her best friend. It just happened.

Darrell left this the night he was killed at a newspaper kiosk.

"He knows. Revert to Bright Stone."

What are you doing?

You never told me any of this. This conversation hasn't happened.

You must tell Mr Lyon to stop investigating the Elms story.

There is not a Soviet agent on my team.

'I will not have my team watched.

'Everyone is watched some time or other during their career.'

-TV:

-'The gentleman in the front row.

'The question that the country wishes to know the answer to,

'is there going to be a ground invasion in Egypt and when?

'No announcement has been made yet.

'No, no, please, I am curious that Eden calls the intervention in Suez

'a police action, but with a ground invasion imminent,

-'are we in fact at war with Egypt and Israel?

-Thank you.

'As you may appreciate, under the restrictions of the 14-Day Rule,

'this programme is unable to comment on events unfolding in Suez.

'However, we are able to discuss events in Hungary

'and I would like to open questions from the floor.

'You, sir, in the bow tie.

'What legal right does Eden have to lead this country to war?'

-DOORBELL RINGS

-Are you expecting someone?

-No.

Don't answer it.

DOORBELL RINGS

-Sorry, am I late?

-Freddie...

-I'm starving.

-Sorry, already eaten.

-Hector. You haven't even got it on!

-We lost track of the time.

-Open it.

-Fine.

-It's French.

-I can see that.

-Is stew all right? It's not very warm.

-Marvellous.

Mm!

-Oh, your nose is freezing.

-I swear it's colder in Belgravia.

-Colder than Clapham?

-Yes.

I spent the last four hours waiting outside the Elms' mansion block.

He's on!

Cheers!

Do you mind?

Suit yourself.

-TV:

-'Again and again, passions have come to the boil.

'Ever since the uneasy armistice of 1949,

'Israel and the Arab states...'

This is jolly!

'..Egypt has been insisting ever since then

'that she's still at war with Israel.

'The other reflection is this.

'It's a personal one.

'All my life, I've been a man of peace...'

'working for peace, striving for peace -

'but I'm utterly convinced that the action we have taken is right.

'There are times for courage, times for action.

'Our passionate love of peace, our intense loathing of war

'have often held us back from using force,

'even at times when we knew in our head,

'if not in our in our heart,

'that its use was in the interest of peace.

'And I believe with all my heart and head,

'for both are needed.

'Good night to you all.'

Eden was certainly resolute.

They have to let the opposition respond. We can't call ourselves a public television service

and not let the opposition, Gaitskell, bat back.

Oh, brilliant, we'll have McCain on our backs again.

I don't know. He's gone pretty quiet. We normally have a call or one of his visits.

It's been three days. In less than 72 hours we go out.

Why's he not hovering to see how we'll sell it?

If we CAN sell it with their fortnightly gag.

-There are ways around these things.

-Are there?

I have been lying awake for the last three nights trying to come up with one.

We can't debate, we can't comment, we can't analyse,

we can only deliver the most basic facts

until two weeks after they've discussed it in Parliament.

-It makes a mockery of what we do.

-So we make a mockery of it.

We present the facts in a way that points to the truth.

We garner opinion from abroad. What? Comment and assessment from our American cousins

in the light of Eisenhower's election campaign.

-They can't stop us broadcasting the views of foreign nationals.

-You're brilliant.

Why should we be gagged when the newspapers can print what they like?

-Where did you get this?

-I cannot divulge my sources.

Suffice to say, that runs as a leader in tomorrow's Observer.

"We wish to make an apology. We had not realised the Government was capable..."

"..of such folly and of such crookedness."

Hector...

..you have the country in your palm.

They'll listen to you, to us.

We show the public what the world thinks

and we affirm what they already know.

The rumours are out there, the press are talking of collusion, that this is a rushed war,

secretly orchestrated by Britain and France

with the help of Israel, to get the canal back.

And we overlook that there's no proof whatsoever of collusion?

We can't just assume that our government's guilty.

Hardly impartial journalism. You'll bring the show down.

-McCain'd have a heart attack.

-And?

Go easy because McCain's cage is a little rattled?!

We get out on the streets, tomorrow.

We canvass opinion from people at the rally and fire the debate.

-Let me go.

-Where?

Tomorrow, to the demonstration. Keep you in line.

You don't mind slumming it on the streets with a microphone?

Sound judgment is required on occasions like this.

One must be light on one's feet and mercurial of mind, ready to adapt to any situation.

Tomorrow's the 4th. We go out on the 6th.

Well, it's a date.

Hell, last bus. Shall I kip on the sofa?

Goodbye.

Night then!

MUFFLED CHATTING AND GIGGLING

What?

I'm one of the last women to tolerate him.

It's not that.

-You're different with him.

-Different? How?

How you should be.

How I think you are, when you're not being head girl, news chief.

Or irresistible woman.

-Don't be silly.

-Am I being?

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Er, yes?

Clarence...

Yes.

I wasn't sure if you'd still be up. Hector.

Oh, we were going over the outline of the show with Freddie.

Well, you may as well join us now you're here.

If Gaitskell insists on responding to the Prime Minister's broadcast tomorrow,

it will only fuel the flames.

You are asking the BBC to waive its policy of impartiality?

It is the duty of the BBC to offer the opposition the chance

to reply to a ministerial broadcast if it is deemed controversial.

It will be neither useful nor reassuring to the public.

We expect The Hour to... redress the balance somewhat.

-And present the Government's view.

-Miss Rowley, that's not helpful.

The Government's actions are not universally supported,

that's your problem?

If your programme fails to fall into line,

it will comfort the enemy and undermine our country at war.

Angus, the BBC would NEVER jeopardise the security of our nation.

We are experienced in news management in times of peace AND war.

I'm obliged to tell you that there may be...funding implications.

-Are you threatening us?

-Clarence.

Always advice, Douglas, always advice.

Never to be taken as prescriptive.

-Let me talk to him.

-He doesn't talk. He dictates.

Angus. Angus!

-You look like you haven't slept for a week.

-I hear the same.

I hope you sleep better tonight.

You were two a penny at my school.

Four a penny during the war.

Little men, desperately trying to make themselves bigger.

A little quieter, Hector. Or do you wish the whole world to know

that you have your producer's ear?

These are testing times for us all.

The mark of a man is how he conducts himself in these times.

Does Wallace know how you're conducting yourself?

You may not be fearful for yourself but it would be such a pity

if Miss Rowley found her career blighted

by mere temptations of the flesh.

And she seems such a dear girl.

Dad?

Dad...?

Yes, same look in his eyes.

Visitor.

What's happened?

Oh, it was like this when I arrived.

Dad? Are you all right?

He was looking for something, apparently.

You've paid me so many visits recently,

I thought I should return the call.

We were just catching up on old times, weren't we?

-Go to bed, Dad.

-Bed?

-Yes.

I'll be through in five minutes.

My goodness. What a room.

So many of one's most treasured things.

Your father seems well.

He was remembering a tea party that we had,

when he came down to visit you once.

Ruthie had one of her awful nosebleeds.

The doctor said it was her nerves.

Stop coming to our house.

Stop loitering on the pavement.

Stop bothering us.

You're defiling our memory of Ruth.

And stop with these persistent phone calls to myself and my husband.

You will leave this alone, Frederick.

Oh, good, it is him who answers the telephone. I'm never sure.

The silence at the other end of the line

when I ask why his wife is lying to me.

-You don't know who you're dealing with.

-Yes, I do.

They're outside now, sitting in their car.

Apparently, they're convinced I'm a Soviet agent. Which I'm not, by the way...

if you're at all concerned.

As someone who once...knew you, I am imploring you to leave it.

Just leave us alone in our grief.

Grief?!

This isn't grief. This is shameful denial.

I will never let this go. Ruth came to me to ask me to help her.

I won't stop helping her until the truth is known.

She knew something, something that was terrifying,

something that threatened those who wanted her dead.

Oh, you're terrified.

How brave you are.

We're not all as brave as you, Frederick.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Why did she come to me?

Why did Ruth come to me?

Because you're tenacious.

'Because you care more about the truth'

than you do about your own safety.

'Because if I was scared for my life, I would run to you.'

And...trust that you would know the answer.

Because there's no-one else like you, Freddie.

Who is he? Who is Bright Stone?

Freddie.

-Is it me?

-This is why you shouldn't drink bad wine.

Why else are they following me?

'Because you're an irritant.'

SHE SIGHS

You obviously know something, even if you don't know what it is.

-<

-You get under people's skin.

Are you still there?

Yes.

They're scared.

'McCain, Eden...

'They're petrified.'

'They should be.'

Douglas called me in tonight. With McCain.

He's worried.

-We're getting to them, Bel.

-I'm putting the phone down.

-'Not yet!'

-Go to sleep.

McCain knows...

about us.

We have to play it carefully now, Bel.

-I don't know what you mean.

-He will use it against us.

Don't be naive.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sorry.

Not tonight.

Dad?

I never wanted you to go there.

But your mother thought it would be safer.

I always thought a little piece of you never came back.

I packed your case. I found your bathers.

CHANTING AND SHOUTING

'..about the situation into which we have been thrust.'

Here, here.

Get it, Isaac, get it.

-Where shall I stand?

-To the left. Here.

We're standing in a side street by Trafalgar Square.

You can see the crowds behind me, holding up their placards.

Bevan's words have united the people as they march

towards Downing Street. You can hear the crowd chanting,

"One, two, three, four, we won't fight in Eden's war,"

-as they snake their way along from every corner...

-Hector.

You need to come down here! We need to talk to more people!

It's a waste of time canvassing opinion if it can't be broadcast!

Nothing's ever wasted, Hector. Come on!

-Isaac!

-One more minute!

OK.

What's so funny?

Isaac's asked me to look over his sketches.

They're ever so funny. He wants me to proof them.

Is that what he calls it?

-Nah, he's not my type.

-Sadly, I think you're his.

Really?

Ah, Bel, Freddie in?

Oh, he just asked me to do something for him.

What?

Oh, nothing. It can wait.

Has he taken you to the cinema yet?

French? I bet French.

You know he doesn't speak a word? Infuriating.

I can only apologise, because I, more than anyone,

know how irritating a trip to the cinema with Freddie can be.

But perhaps you don't feel that way?

Feel what way?

About Freddie?

About how infuriatingly irritating he is.

There's a fine line between fury and desire, I tend to find.

I've never seen a film with Freddie in my life, nor do I intend to.

Can't stand the cinema.

The darkness, the sense one has of being trapped.

Now, a little fun...

Freddie is most certainly that.

But what did he ask you to do for him?

Oh, he wanted some information on Peter Darrall.

It's nothing, darling. His heart is still with you.

We're just friends.

Of course.

I had a friend once.

Treated him like a dog.

Adorable man, absolutely useless at seduction.

Then he married someone else and I realised it wasn't him that was useless, it was me.

My man in Cairo managed to smuggle out these memos

before British Embassy staff got to them.

They've been burning documents all weekend.

LAUGHTER

SHOUTING

It's getting rather heated. There are people running everywhere.

The sense of anger today is overwhelming.

There are police on horseback,

desperately trying to control the fray.

Keep the heart out and head focused. Don't queer the pitch with your emotion.

This from a man who can't drink a cup of tea

without worrying about the oppression of tea leaf pickers in Ceylon(!)

SHOUTS

Freddie, we should get out of here.

We've got to get further in, Hector. Come on!

Isaac, come on. Over here.

I can't keep it straight. I need to find somewhere and stay there!

I need this microphone.

HORSE WHICKERS

I don't know what time they'll be back.

It's utter mayhem out there. Bedlam all the way down the Strand.

The world has gone quite mad.

I hope they'll be all right.

Oh, I never worry. Hector can always look after himself.

Your poor wife, Mr Fendley. Doesn't she miss you, working all the time?

She is very accommodating. Marry the man and you marry the job.

Yes, well, isn't that so true.

I'm gasping for a cup of tea.

Yes, of course! Perhaps you would, Bel?

Of course. If you go through to my office...

Yes, it's quite all right. I do know the way, thank you.

No excuses.

I have more pressing matters on my mind.

Just get her a cup of tea and be nice.

'You're all right.'

We're getting you help.

Just grip my hand. What's your name?

Harry.

Harry. Keep talking to me, Harry.

Here you are, have some of this.

We have to get him to the road. The ambulance can't get through.

This is just one of many protesters injured today.

A day of peaceful protest soured by violence.

This is Frederick Lyon, reporting for The Hour, in London.

DOOR SLAMS

You're very lucky.

I have a very small corner in my living room

to do all my thank you cards and letters.

Um, if you'd care to leave a message,

I can ask Hector to telephone you when he comes back.

I don't usually come into town if I can help it.

It's very odd, me being here today.

Puts one's whole week out.

Well, there's always the country at the weekend.

Yes.

Monday's my art class. I'm absolutely hopeless.

Last week, we painted a gentleman in the nude.

Wednesday, Thursday's Bridge.

I'm in a club, I'm actually rather good.

And Friday's the country.

Except if Hector has to work

and he has...had to work a lot.

Yes.

This whole week, in fact, he's not been home.

I say, "Hector, they should pay you more."

Daddy thinks, well, knows

that Hector won't be staying in the BBC for ever.

Daddy says there's a lot of interest around Hector and The Hour.

And that's good. That's what I want. It's very, very good.

If you'll just excuse me a moment...

At least you're not his secretary.

You see, I knew you were an intelligent woman.

I knew that I wouldn't have to say much.

Normally, it's with one of those silly little girls...

..I'm just glad that with a clever women like you...

you do fully understand.

He just can't control himself.

I think it's the creative in him.

Picasso has a heap of lovers.

Not that I'm putting Hector on a par with an artiste like that...

..but there is always someone.

And normally I have to unpick their little fingers from his arm.

But it is such a relief to finally meet a proper woman.

I do like you very much.

You're such fun.

He's always just on loan.

And he always comes back.

Do you love him at all?

I love him.

Warts and all. That's me. That's what I do.

I don't matter.

And whatever you see of Hector, I know who he really is.

Do you?

-Would you like me to call you a taxi?

-No, thank you.

Do tell Hector I called by.

KNOCKING ON DOOR

Yes. Come in.

-Are they back yet?

-Not yet. Clarence...

I can't believe you've been so stupid.

-I can't explain.

-Bad luck. I want you to.

I want you to explain to me

why you're throwing away your career for an affair that means nothing,

that will not last beyond this news story, Bel.

And if you're telling yourself anything other, then you're lying.

So explain, because in five minutes I will receive a concerned call from Douglas.

I will defend your actions, reassure him you have come to your senses.

-I'm not a child.

-No, you are NOT!

YOU are producer of THIS programme - a programme that is already under pressure.

Can you imagine how McCain will use this against us? Against you? Against Hector?

It is inappropriate. It is unprofessional. And it MUST end.

I will defend your right to make this programme however you want.

But I CANNOT defend someone who has sold herself so short.

So fix it. Fix it now.

So is that how you got your second medal? Saving lives.

No. I got my first medal saving lives.

The second one was for an act of heroism which we need not dwell upon.

You're God's cruel joke.

Sent to throw horrible relief on all our personal inadequacies.

It's only what anyone would have done.

I would possibly have given him an aspirin if pushed.

We open with the image of thousands amassing in Trafalgar Square.

Why not? Newsreels will have run it.

A peaceful protest or attempt to control the masses?

Or something less leading. Then an interview with...

Someone who matters. Someone with a voice.

-Eden!

-Macmillan!

-Calm down.

-Yes, we show the protest. We cover Bevan's speech.

-You weren't there.

I'll look at the footage and decide what to do from there. But I am serious.

We need to find a way of addressing the suspicion of collusion

between Britain and France and Israel.

-Like in a sketch?

-What kind of sketch?

-Satire.

This is a news show. It's not vaudeville.

A satirical sketch. Why not? It works on the radio.

I'd like to see McCain's face.

It gets us around the fortnightly gag, doesn't it?

-It could be disastrous.

-Or daring.

-It makes me nervous.

-Always a good reason to do it.

-Keep it simple.

-Really?

-I want it by the end of the day.

-You can't run it.

-We'll see.

-Are you mad?

Report the demonstration, yes, but you can't...

The Russians have taken Budapest.

Hundreds of tanks. It's all over the radio.

Nagy himself making an appeal to the West to intervene.

And we're too busy with the Suez.

Damn.

I've got something for you.

I'm going, I'm going.

A memo from Tom Kish about Peter Darrall in May this year.

They were both in Egypt, on secondment from MI6.

McCain was copied in.

They were meant to be there specifically to dig up dirt on Colonel Nasser.

But it looks like that there were already questions about Peter Darrall.

He'd clearly turned.

They allude to him passing secrets between Egypt and the Soviets.

Reading between the lines, poor Kish is clearly frantic.

Why the hell was Tom Kish reporting to McCain?

He was reporting to a lot of people. He's just one of several names on the memo.

-You all right?

-Why can you never get hold of the British Embassy in Moscow when you need them?

Marnie came by today.

She said it was a nightmare getting in.

She knows?

It was quietly humiliating.

Apparently you've done this kind of thing before.

-KNOCKING

-There's a call for you from...

Take a message. I WILL call them back.

Clarence has warned me that it has to end.

-It's not up to bloody Clarence.

-We're in a ridiculously precarious situation, Hector.

Wallace is on the BBC board.

He has friends in high places. He's friends with McCain.

Christ's sake, you're friends with McCain.

Angus McCain is not a friend of mine. You know that damn well.

But it's foolish to make enemies of people close to Government. Your words, Bel.

I never thought your ambition would compromise your integrity.

It hasn't. It doesn't.

Look, we can't talk here. I'll come to yours tonight.

-I want to watch the Gaitskell broadcast.

-Let's watch it together.

-No!

Verda needs a bed.

-Oh.

-And you should go home to yours.

Hector, just the man I'm looking for.

Sissy, put that call through.

You have to call McCain.

-Take him out for a drink, butter him up.

-Do I?

-Yes.

Crikey.

He knew. About Peter Darrall. He was in on whatever was going on.

You want me to find out.

Get him plastered if you have to. He talks to you.

Have you been talking to Bel?

You seem friendly enough.

I tolerate him. It doesn't mean we talk.

-Someone is on edge.

-I'm not on edge!

You heard the news from Budapest.

Bloody tragedy, and we're ignoring it because we're lost in our own mess.

He'll have to call a ceasefire.

The pound is spiralling down, out of control.

Even his own cabinet are voicing their concerns.

-We can't afford a war.

-We are strapped into our seats unable to truly get up and shout.

They can't shut us down, Clarence. Douglas is...

Is our ally. But Douglas is only one man,

and this corporation is a machine of many cogs and wheels.

There are still those inside as well as out under pressure to support Eden in this campaign.

That doesn't mean we buckle.

For Christ's sake, Freddie, I've waited my entire life to run a programme like this.

It's not going to be snatched away from me now.

You have several opportunities still ahead of you.

But this...

This is it.

There is not another Hour for me.

And now I'm late, and Edith will be furious because dinner will be spoilt.

You're right. Doesn't mean we buckle.

Clarence?

They're still following me.

-Still pursuing the Elms story?

-Yes.

Then you must get quicker on your feet.

Put me through to Whitehall 2995, please.

Thank you.

Thank you. Angus McCain.

Oh! Sissy, would you read this?

-Miss Rowley wants it any minute.

-I'm very busy, Isaac.

-Please.

-It's just the bare bones.

-I don't get it.

-It's too complicated?

-Get what?

-Isaac's written a sketch.

Hand it over. Immediately.

It's not ready yet!

-It needs to be balanced.

-Yes.

We're not looking to lynch anyone, just to stir debate.

And he does cartoons. Does it work?

I think it does.

A sketch on Suez? They'll pull the plug on us.

What for? I'd rather debate a question without settling it

than settle a question with no debate.

I've got McCain.

One hour. Executive bar.

-Shall I come?

-No.

-No.

-Anyone for a drink?

-No, thanks.

Looks like it's just you and me, then.

Something like that.

-Isaac, want me to type it up?

-Would you?

-My handwriting's pretty illegible.

-It's characterful.

-And after we could go and...

-Oh, he's here. I told him to wait outside.

-Oh, sorry, Isaac, go and...?

-Nothing.

-Mind if I type it up tomorrow?

-Of course.

How tall do you reckon he is?

Five foot nine? Ten?

-Did you take those?

-Yes.

Don't you miss it?

Yes.

And you wouldn't go back?

Report overseas again. Take photos again.

Too old, too slow and... huh.

That one...was taken just outside of Madrid.

They were one of the last to surrender in '39.

She was running away from her house. Leaving everything.

A row of men were being executed just behind that door.

Amongst them her husband.

She...she didn't look back.

I was irritated because I had my camera in my hand

and I couldn't find another film.

They were being shot one by one,

and all I could think was, "I've got no bloody film."

I'm still proud I got it. You've got to grab it while you can.

No, I've reached my limit.

You've got glasses.

Yes.

-You didn't tell me.

-Well, I don't tell you everything.

Yes, you do.

Are you all right?

Absolutely.

What's wrong?

It's my father who's been messing up the house,

making it look like it's been burgled.

Why?

He's always trying to find something.

That sounds familiar.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Hello?

Hello?

Is that you?

'Lord Elms?

'Lord Elms?'

-'Hello, operator.'

-Operator, from where was that last call placed?

'Framlingham 2355, sir.'

Thank you.

Guess who just...

Good evening, sir.

-Glengoyne, please.

-Certainly.

Same?

Corner table, please.

Can't stay long.

They want us all back after Gaitskell's broadcast.

Well, THEY will have to wait.

Oh, Hector, that's not like you.

Whatever you think you have on me, I have something more on you, Angus.

Thank you very much, thank you.

Mm-hm. And what might that be, dear boy?

Your relationship with Adam Le Ray.

Hector...

I'm not interested in the details of your private life, Angus.

But other people certainly might be.

Why did Tom Kish copy you in on a memo

that was clearly a matter of national security?

My father was a drinker.

Gave it up when I was...19.

He swore he could never remember a word during one of his "episodes".

Whisky does obscure the memory, doesn't it?

I won't remember any of this tomorrow.

Of course.

May I hold onto it?

Last spring I was approached by Lord and Lady Elms.

Our families have been acquainted for years.

They asked me to...

allay their concerns their daughter had become "involved".

-With Peter Darrall?

-They knew I had connections at the Foreign Office.

They asked me to make enquiries.

I dutifully agreed.

I had hoped to reassure them.

Much to my surprise, it was revealed that Darrall worked for MI6,

and that they clearly had concerns of their own.

This was verified to me in that memo which I was included in.

-So you informed Lord and Lady Elms?

-I informed them

their daughter was involved with a very dangerous man, a spy, a traitor.

They in turn had discovered that she was...in trouble.

So you introduced the idea of Adam Le Ray.

She talked to the press.

No, sorry, she talked to Mr Lyon.

Whatever lengths had been gone to to protect her,

-she had now made her own bed.

-Oh.

Miss Elms had been singled out by Darrall.

By the Soviets.

The KGB have a list circulating which MI6 managed to intercept.

On this list are the names of young men and women,

bright, intelligent, often...connected,

who might be susceptible, open to betraying their country.

Apparently they call them their Bright Stones.

CANNED LAUGHTER ON TV

MEN CHUCKLE

HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR ON TV

'You make me mad. That's all you do... '

WOMAN CHUCKLES

If you're cold, there's an extra blanket.

Or you can turn the gas on if you wake in the night.

I used to think the worst possible thing would be to be like you.

But I could never be like you.

I can never live so lightly.

It all matters too much to me.

It all matters very much to me, sweetheart,

I just don't let my face show that.

It's all about how you sell it.

You have a suitcase and five pounds in a savings account.

But that very nice lady

who sold me a cup of tea in that little hovel that you call a cafe on the corner, she doesn't know.

-Well, what does it matter?

-Hmm.

'..Postal orders and stamps.'

Why do we have to be married?

Or not married?

Why can't we do what the hell we like?

Men can.

They can sleep with women without getting a name for themselves, they can have careers...

Darling, you, YOU have a career.

You have a career.

Well, I am going to do exactly what I like and to hell with the rest of them.

What?

You're more like me than you know.

-'Ladies and gentleman, now follows a broadcast...'

-Come on.

-'..from the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr Hugh Gaitskill.'

-Come on.

-'Good Evening.

'It has been a tragic, terrible week, indeed a tragic and terrible day.

'How tragic it is that we, by our criminal folly,

'should have lost the moral leadership of which we were once so proud.

'Here at home, the Government policy of war with Egypt

'has produced terrible heart searchings.

'The Archbishop of Canterbury has led a deputation

'of all denominations of the churches to the Government. What are the consequences?

'We have violated the charter of the United Nations.

'We have betrayed all that Great Britain has stood for in World affairs

'Since the War at least,

'we have supported every stand against aggression.

'We did so...'

SPEECH BARELY AUDIBLE IN BACKGROUND

SHE SIGHS

Oh...

-About...

-Yes?

Er, the other night.

What?

We are - you and I...

We are...

between you and I...

..all right?

We're marvellous Freddie.

Good. Good.

Mmm...

-Did Hector say what time he'd be back?

-Er, no.

Damn!

Freddie?

-The code? It said something about...

-Bright Stone.

-Revert to...

-Bright Stone! She was a Bright Stone.

-Who? What?

-Ruth Elms was a Bright Stone.

-What are you talking about?

-I'll tell you in the car.

-Where are we going?

-Well, I don't know. I'd thought you'd know.

They were in on it. The Elms were in on it.

-They live in Suffolk.

-I'll drive.

You can't walk in a straight line.

Does it matter? It's nearly midnight. There will be no-one on the roads. Here...

Put this on.

Not yet. Not yet. Wait until I've pulled away.

A lady never removes her hat in a gentleman's car.

CROWS CAW

Hector?

Oh... One more minute.

We've been here three hours.

-Just wait until...

-They're awake!

-Good morning, sir.

-Are they in? Are Lord and Lady Elms in?

I wish to speak with Lord Elms, excuse me. Lord Elms?

Lord Elms! I know!

I know!

I know about Tom Kish and Peter Darrall.

I know that you married your daughter off. I know what you did.

Good morning, Freddie.

What I don't understand...

-Shall we come in here and talk?

-What I don't understand is why you came to me if you don't want me to help you?

-Shall we sit? Thank you.

-No. Ruth came to see me because she couldn't talk to you.

Because she was so frightened. She was frightened and pregnant and you did nothing.

-You did more than nothing. You married her off.

-Don't speak to him!

Don't say anything to him, Richard.

She didn't kill herself, admit it! Say it!

No.

She didn't.

Please, Richard? Please?

We've tried silence, Alice,

and it doesn't work.

We've tried doing what they asked

and it still didn't save her.

They thought...

that she was a liability to herself, but the biggest liability to her...

was US.

We knew what that threat meant.

We were trying to save her life.

LADY ELMS SOBS

Who are they?

THEY are...us.

Men like me.

-There was a list.

-Yes.

Did you see it?

The list of Bright Stones?

Was there anybody else you recognised?

Yes.

You, Freddie.

You.

'If Sir Anthony Eden is sincere in what he is saying,

'if nations more powerful than ourselves

'accept the absence of principle, the anarchistic attitude of Eden,

'and launch bombs on London, what answer have we got?

'They have besmirched the name of Britain.

'They have made us ashamed of the things for which we were proud.'

CHEERING ON FILM

'One, two, three, four

'we won't fight in Eden's war! One, two, three, four...

'They have offended against every principle of decency

'and there is only one way in which they can even begin to restore

'their tarnished reputation and that is to get out!

'Get out! Get out!'

CHEERING

'Eden must go!

'Eden must go! Eden must go!

'Eden must go! Eden must go!

'Eden must go! Eden must go!

'Eden must go! Eden must go!'

If we use the word collusion,

then that's treason, isn't it?

-These gentleman work for Her Majesty's Government.

-Really?

Do you have any idea what you're risking here?

Where will you go when all the dirty secrets come out?

Five.

Four. Three.

Two.

You're fired.

One. CLICK

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