Flying Blind

This film contains strong language and some scenes of a sexual nature

So...

We think vortex generators should do the job.

But... Well, the quickest and the cheapest option would be, yes,

to add some modified vortex generators or even sub boundary layer VGs but...

-But?

-Optimisation would still be severely limited.

Particularly for long endurance or low-speed operations.

So, what would you recommend?

Boundary layer suction.

Well, this is an existing UAV. The wing space is already utilised.

Yes, I know.

But if I can move the transitioned deturbulence further along the wing,

I can reduce the drag and more than offset the AUM.

Alternatively, you could rethink the increase and payload.

Does that drone need both bombs as well as missiles?

The Americans have both on the Reaper.

So, if the drone is to have both bomb...

Drone is a media term.

We prepare to use remotely piloted air systems.

If you want more than a second-rate alteration,

if you actually want to solve the problem,

this is the way you will have to go.

Boundary layer suction.

We need the redesign spec by the end of the year.

-You have eight weeks.

-Eight weeks?!

Not a problem, gentlemen.

I'm part of the team, too, you know, remember?

Sorry. It's when they look at me like that.

-It gives my adrenaline a kick.

-Yeah? Well, good for you.

-We made the last deadline, we'll make this one.

-But eight weeks?

Did we have a choice?

I'd say there's room to wiggle.

I don't wiggle. Especially not for them.

-Any more questions?

-If you're going to work in aerospace,

it seems you can't escape from the military.

I was wondering if that bothers you, ethically speaking.

No, not at all. None of us are outside the military industrial complex.

That is, you know, unless you don't use the internet.

The internet is as much part of the military RND as it is a promoter of

knowledge.

It also promotes porn.

What do you think about porn, Dr Lethbridge?

Well, I don't know if all this talk of suction and drag has overstimulated

your adolescent brain...

But yeah, go back to your question of ethics.

Yes, any aircraft can be adapted for military purposes, but I don't know,

I'm not a philosopher. I'm more interested in the beauty of flight

rather than our ability to fight.

Hi, Robert, I'm going to be here until about two,

so wait with the aerofoil test until I'm back. Thank you.

Do you need some help?

Oh, no, thanks. I've been a twit.

Lost my keys.

Do you want me to break into the car?

-Are you serious?

-No!

My dad's got a spare set. He'll be here in a minute.

By the way, it was a good lecture.

Inspiring.

-Thank you.

-Really.

But that edition's out of date.

Oh.

Bye.

Hello?

Alex, I've got the new data.

-And you want me to put it in now?

-Please.

-Great.

-Thank you. Thank you.

Frankie, you want to grab a drink? Frankie!

-Mmm?

-Fancy a drink on the way home?

Oh, erm...

No, thanks. I can't.

Why?

You meeting whatshisname?

No. Whatshisname and I finished a couple of weeks ago.

He cried and said thank you after sex.

I'll make a note.

HEIGHTENED VOLUME OF FEET ON TREADMILL

MACHINE BEEPS

Hello.

What a coincidence!

-Yeah. It's nice to meet you again.

-Yeah.

As long as you're not stalking me.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

-You forgot your money.

-Oh, my God.

Thank you. Well, you must think I've got my head in the clouds.

Aeronaut. It's your job.

Did you get that new book?

-The new edition.

-No, no, no. It's a little expensive.

Oh, well, I could lend you a copy.

Give you a lift? I'm just round the corner.

-No, thanks. That's too much trouble.

-OK. OK.

OK. I accept.

-Oh, erm, I'll just be a minute.

-OK.

Thanks.

-This is very kind of you.

-Oh, God, it's nothing.

I get sent them for free.

I will buy you dinner.

To thank you.

You OK?

The duck says, "Have you got any bread?"

The man says, "Look, if you ask me again, I will nail your beak to the bar, understood?"

Duck says, "Have you got any nails?" The man shouts, "No!"

And the duck says, "Have you got any bread?"

Do you want a drink? Glass of wine?

No, thanks. I don't drink.

You're not a recovering alcoholic, are you?

-Yeah.

-Shit.

-I'm Muslim.

-I'm sorry!

-What?!

-I mean about the drink.

-It's OK, you didn't know.

Also, I'm a poor engineering student.

That you do know. Not very exotic.

Well...

I don't see you as exotic.

You don't?

Not in the slightest.

I can belly dance.

-Would you like to see?

-No!

Where do you live?

East End.

Under the motorway.

We've got Bristol City flags instead of curtains.

And where are you from?

What?

Where are you from?

Lived in Bristol all my life.

Say something to me in Arabic.

Say something to me in Bristol-English first.

Take...

your shirt off.

HE SPEAKS ARABIC

Which means?

Is there anything you just said that would stop me from kissing you?

I'll be back in a minute.

Hello, yes. What can I do for you?

Excuse me, can you tell me what this says?

Let me have a look. It sounds a bit romantic and complicated.

HE SPEAKS ARABIC

-Do you know what it means?

-It's classic Arabic poetry.

The hair is ripping.

No, no, his wings are broken.

-See here.

-Oh, he lost everything.

Where do you see "wings"?

A sandstorm destroyed his tent and his wings.

That doesn't make sense.

The sandstorm is in the shape of a woman.

It refers to this woman.

She destroyed the wicked man's bed.

-Let's see. Let's try it.

-Go ahead.

I cry remembering my home and my lover.

-Yeah.

-Like a storm she broke my wings.

Yeah. Makes sense.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-That's good.

That's good translation. What it's mean,

"Damn, baby, you're too much for me."

THEY ALL LAUGH

HE SPEAKS IN ARABIC

-Can I help you?

-Hi. Is Kahil in?

-Are you the police?

-No.

Second door on the left.

It's open.

HE SPEAKS ARABIC

Kahil?

It's Frankie.

What happened?

Sorry, I didn't mean to pry.

It's fine.

How old are you, Kahil?

24.

You're not going to tell the other students

-you had a visiting lecturer, are you?

-I wouldn't do that.

Unless you refuse to see me again.

Are you serious?

Yeah.

Well, that sounds like blackmail to me.

Yeah. It is.

I'll walk you home.

Hey, Kahil...

THEY SPEAK ARABIC

Oh, hi.

Hi.

Come watch the game.

-It's half-time. 3-2.

-Erm... No, I've got a lot of work to do.

I should probably get back.

Work? Come on, it's weekend.

Kahil will play, you can cheer him on.

He doesn't play very well, he needs encouragement.

You want to come?

-Yeah. Do you want me to come?

-I want you to come if you want to come.

LIVELY CHATTER

Stop showing off!

So, you're a professor, right?

No, I just give lectures now and then at the university.

Aeronautics?

-And you?

-Me?

Well, this, that and the other.

Keeping it vague.

Mysterious.

I prefer mysterious.

Hey! Hey!

HE WHISTLES

CHEERING

INDISTINCT

PHONE RINGS

Shit!

Dad, I am so sorry, I completely forgot.

'Please tell me you're not up there still waiting, are you?'

No, no, don't worry about it.

We can do it another day.

'You sound tired.'

Yeah, I've been working all day. I just got caught up in it.

You know how it is.

'Are you at home now?'

Yes, yes.

Just watching the telly.

'Good.'

'OK, I love you, Dad. I'm going to get in the shower now.

'Bye.'

DIALLING TONE

OK. Well, let's go back to structural waste savings.

We could switch to high modulus brake tape.

We could alter steel hard points to co-forge titanium.

And we could consider...

Frankie. Frankie, what's wrong?

I've met someone.

Oh.

Well, that's, erm...

That's great. Isn't it?

I think so.

What does he do?

Erm, he's an engineer...ing student.

Wh-What?

Um...

Well, if he has any thoughts on how to improve this project, then...

SHE LAUGHS

Is this OK?

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Mm-hm.

Great.

-I've never had one of those before.

-Shisha?

-Mm-hm.

You want to try it?

-Yeah.

-OK.

Hello?

Please could you bring us a shisha pipe?

Of course.

THEY SPEAK ARABIC

Thank you.

You should try this one.

-This is really good.

-Oh, it's like a tomato soup?

Yeah. Try it.

You both will be using it?

-Yeah.

-Mm-hm.

THEY SPEAK ARABIC

SHISHA BUBBLES

SHE SPEAKS ARABIC

-Enjoy.

-Thank you.

Taste it.

SHE INHALES AND EXHALES

THUNDER RUMBLES

What were you talking about with the waitress tonight?

Well...I don't remember.

I didn't know she was working there.

Who's "she"?

Well, she used to be my girlfriend.

In Algeria.

Are you jealous?

Fuck you.

Yes. You are jealous.

I'm never fucking jealous.

Really?

Why do I want you so much?

Because I want you only.

Say it again.

PHONE VIBRATES

Could you pass me the phone?

Thank you.

HE SPEAKS ARABIC

Bye.

Sorry.

It was my Egyptian nagging wife.

SHE LAUGHS

-It was Mummy.

-Isn't that Algerian?

No, Egyptian.

Are your family still in Algeria?

Some in Algeria, some in France.

I have a big family.

-Do you go home a lot?

-No.

You must miss it.

No.

It's just me and my dad.

He worked on Concorde.

Long way before I can match that.

And your mother?

She died when I was young.

Car accident.

I can still remember her laugh.

Hey.

-Oh, you're not supposed to see this.

-Come to bed.

-No, I'm serious.

You're working on drones.

What type of payload is it?

-It's private.

-Really?

Really. And my work takes precedence over everything and everybody.

Except for my body.

-One more thing.

-Mm-hm.

Then I join you.

OK.

-Good night.

-Good night.

Nice!

Yeah, you modified the wings.

Just tinkering. I wasn't happy with its manoeuvrability.

Ah, I know how you feel.

Don't give in to those vortex generators.

That Robert's a fool.

I won't. And he's not.

-It's still hard going.

-It's meant to be hard going.

You're at the top of your game.

-Well, nearly there.

-How's the new boyfriend?

-What?!

-You have got a bit of colour in your cheeks. Sex must be good.

-Dad!

-What's his name?

-Kahil.

-Kahil what?

-What kind of name is that?

-Erm, French-Algerian.

Engineering student.

-Bit young for you.

-How do you know he's a bit young for me?

Just assumed.

Do you think it wise to have an Arab boyfriend?

-I mean, given the nature of your work.

-Dad! Come on.

-Just cos he's...

-No, hear me out, Frankie.

I'm just thinking of your career.

Am I only allowed to date white middle-aged men?

-What's wrong with white middle-aged men?

-Oh, right, thank you.

This is a ridiculous conversation.

Frankie, you don't even know his surname.

-Ah...

-I'm only looking out for you.

Wouldn't it be awful if this just crashed into the ground?

Hey! Hey, take care. Be careful.

SHE IMITATES AN EXPLOSION

DOORBELL RINGS

Hey. It's me.

Can I come up?

No.

-What?

-No.

I don't know who you are.

What do you mean?

Tell me your name.

-Frankie...

-Mr Kahil,

tell me your last name.

Hey, your neighbour just gave me a funny look.

-Let me in.

-Tell me your last name.

Or else.

Do you refuse?

Othmani.

-Othmani?

-Yeah.

-Can I help you?

Shit.

ENTRY SYSTEM BUZZES

Kahil Othmani.

You're angry with me.

You're not going to show your anger.

Am I that intimidating, Mr Othmani?

Come on.

Mr Othmani.

Is that your anger?

SHE GASPS

INAUDIBLE

Fuck.

-Fuck!

-Well, that's unanimous, then.

Let's call it a day. It's almost five.

We've got that meeting at 5.30, remember?

The team has a meeting.

Reschedule. I have to go.

You're the boss.

Had enough for one day, Dr Lethbridge?

First time for everything, Terry.

-Making your escape, eh?

-See you tomorrow.

See ya!

'Welcome to the messaging service.

'Please leave your message after the tone.'

BEEP

Hi, I came over to your place to surprise you.

You're not here. I thought you said you worked at home on Tuesdays.

Erm...

No matter. Call me.

PHONE KEYPAD BEEPS

LINE RINGING

-'Hey, Frankie.'

-Hi.

-What are you up to?

-'Oh, nothing. Studying.

'Computational fluid dynamics. Things like that...

'Oh, Frankie, I'm sorry.

'Someone at the door. See you later, OK?'

Erm... Listen, I was wondering, could you do me a huge favour?

There's a student in the engineering department who I lent a book to.

Yeah, generosity herself.

Anyway, I've just realised I've got some notes in it

and I can't get in touch.

Kahil Othmani.

I don't even know what year he's in.

Nothing?

-Hi.

-You've got a fucking nerve.

What do you mean?

You're not an engineering student, you're a taxi driver.

I saw you lying to me, Kahil.

I saw you in the taxi yesterday.

-Can we do this somewhere else?

-No.

I was a student.

My uncle in Paris was paying my fees.

He died so I had to give up the course.

But I try to keep up with my studies so one day I can finish the degree.

It's not easy. I couldn't get my visa renewed so I'm here illegally,

-and Malik lets me drive his taxi.

-Sorry, you're illegal?

-Yeah.

-Oh.

-It happens to many people. It's not a big deal.

-It's not a big deal?

-Shit. I don't believe this.

-Do you want me to go?

Yes.

Just don't ever lie again to me, Kahil.

Promise me.

HE SPEAKS ARABIC

Did you just tell me to piss off?

No.

I said, "I promise...

"..my love."

HE REPEATS THE PHRASE IN ARABIC

Kahil?

Mmm?

-Kahil?

-What?

-I want you to stop driving the taxi.

Huh?

I want you to stop driving the taxi.

I can't, I need the money.

Yeah, but if you get pulled over, you're going to be arrested.

It's so dangerous.

I'm used to it.

You could work for me.

Work for you?

You mean to research for you?

No, I meant repainting my flat.

No, I'm serious. I've been meaning to redo it for months.

It would be a huge favour for me. I've got paints. I've got brushes.

What?

Is this is how you see me,

as some kind of servant?

Oh, Jesus, no. Kahil...

I just want to help. It will be temporary.

Before we sort something out.

Morning, Dr Lethbridge.

Would you be so kind as to park on the other side?

-Right now?

-Yes, right now, please.

-Thank you.

-Sorry, could I know what this is about?

Drive on through, Doctor, and I'll meet you on the other side.

Dr Lethbridge, sorry about the wait.

Nina Simons.

Sorry, what's this about?

How long have you known Kahil Othmani?

-Why, what's going on?

-Just answer the question, please.

How long have you known Mr Othmani?

Erm, three weeks.

He's a friend.

Right. He's 24 years old, Algerian, a part-time taxi driver.

Yes.

Are you aware that he's an illegal immigrant?

No.

We're concerned that you're putting yourself in an awkward position.

Are you...are you asking me to stop seeing him?

His immigration status is really neither here nor there to us.

That's more an issue for our colleagues in the Border Agency.

We're here just to make sure that no-one takes advantage.

I see.

Anything that seems out of the ordinary - a question, a phone call,

an acquaintance - please don't hesitate to call me.

Night, Frankie.

Frankie, are you OK?

Tired.

Are you staying on?

-Yeah, for a bit.

-Are you sure you're all right?

Christ, you're not my father!

-See you tomorrow.

-Night, boss.

CONVERSATION IN ARABIC

Oh, my God.

Erm, it looks worse than it is.

THEY SPEAK ARABIC

Frankie.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

Hey, baby.

Now I look like a criminal, yeah?

-You like it?

-What happened?

Well, I was happily painting your flat...

..thinking to myself how the rich sit with such junk...

Kahil, what happened?

Malik got into an argument with a couple of guys who live with us.

They wanted to kick Malik out of the house.

I went over and I got into a fight.

-That's it.

-Well, I didn't see Malik with a black eye.

-Malik is like a brother to me.

-Really?

Now he knows where I live.

What do you mean?

Well, yeah, I just don't...

I just don't want strangers in my flat.

Malik is not a stranger.

Yeah, well, you know, I don't know where he is or what he's up to.

What do you mean? You have what you want.

Yeah, I hardly know you, and now my flat is full...

What are you saying?!

Don't you find it all a bit strange?

What?

Us.

The two of us getting together.

You know, some people...

..might find it a bit,

you know, weird.

You know, perhaps you...do.

You know, after we've...

After we make love, I don't feel weird.

I feel...

..quiet...

..on every place in my body.

And for a while...

..OK, a little while...

..all the worries of my life are gone.

INDISTINCT VOICE ECHOES

HUSHED SPEECH IN ARABIC

SPEECH IS MUFFLED

Look, Frankie...

I don't know what's been happening with you lately...

-It is none of your business.

-..but if we don't make this deadline,

and the way things are going, we haven't got a fucking prayer,

then we can kiss goodbye to this company's chances of ever getting

-another defence contract.

-Are you telling me how to do my job?

I'm telling you that it's not just your career on the line.

His name is Nahim.

This one's Malik.

Malik's a friend of Kahil's.

Nahim, I've seen from a distance.

-Where?

-Erm, in Easton in a football match.

Have they ever been to your flat?

No, I don't know them. I'm sorry, what is this about?

They have become persons of interest to us, along with your boyfriend.

A person of interest?

Has it never even crossed your mind?

A woman of your age in a sensitive industry?

MUSIC PLAYS

Hi.

Hi.

Are you OK?

We need to talk.

About what?

I'm behind on my work. I've got a deadline I'm not going to make.

You didn't tell me.

Why should I tell you?

Why should I tell you anything?

Hey.

The fact is, I can't work with you here.

I need to work without distraction.

Are you breaking up with me?

My work keeps me going.

It has to come first.

Your work...

What about it?

Do you know what your drones do?

Who they kill?

The UAVs are targeted at the enemy.

And the neighbours,

the wedding parties...

..the village elders.

Do you even know the ratio of civilians to enemy death?

It's 15 to 1.

15 civilians to 1 intended target.

This is not about your work.

This is about people like me,

who are there...

..down on the ground

below your drones.

This is your fucking sensitive work.

Then get out! Get the fuck out!

Get the fuck out!

-For the painting.

-Fuck you.

INAUDIBLE

It's amazing what you've achieved, you know,

with those toerags at the MoD.

I always knew you'd crack it.

Where's that white vase?

Just use the other one.

How are things with Kahil?

We've broken up.

Who broke up with who?

I broke up with him.

I am sorry.

She'd have been so proud of you.

I can't remember enough of her.

-What did you love most about her, Dad?

-Huh?

What did you love most about her?

Do you remember that song?

# I love the way you always treat me tenderly

# But, darling, most of all I love how you love me. #

Her love was total.

Full-on.

And you loved her back like that.

I don't know.

CAR ALARM BLARES

KNOCK ON DOOR

Is he in?

What if he is?

I need to see him.

Where have you been?

Missing you.

I should not forgive you.

I looked at your computer.

I saw the Islamic sites...

..and I thought...

HE LAUGHS

Erm...

I keep up with the news in Algeria...

..and the fundamentalist sites tell the truth about the government.

You have so many secrets.

Yeah.

But secrets are not the same as lies.

MUFFLED CONVERSATION

CLATTERING

RAISED VOICES OUTSIDE

KNOCK ON DOOR

Frankie, are you OK?

Yeah, I'm fine.

I'll be out in a minute.

Oh, my God, I've just noticed the time.

I need to go.

Why?

Stay.

-What's wrong?

-Nothing. Really.

-Malik and I are always arguing.

-I just need to work. You know me.

OK.

Frankie.

I can't remember anything else.

Sorry.

Thank you.

You've been very helpful.

Please, will you tell me what's going on?

Who is he?

Kahil Othmani spent 18 months in an Algerian prison.

Christ.

What did he do?

Can I have a word, sir?

INAUDIBLE

-Subversive activity, what does...

-That's all I can tell you.

-They've gone. The house is empty.

-What?!

-Do you know where he is?

No. No, I've got no idea.

Sir, we should go.

You'll tell us if he contacts you.

Hey, if there's anything I can do, anything at all...

What do you mean?

Your...

Your dad phoned me.

-It's unbelievable.

-Yeah.

But don't worry, OK?

They'll find him, and most likely they'll deport him,

let the Algerians deal with it. You're safe.

Sorry, excuse me. I don't know if you remember me from the restaurant?

It's about Kahil.

Look, I don't know you.

I'm sorry.

Look, I know there's no reason to talk to me, but would you tell me,

how did he get his scars?

He was tortured.

Why?

He was a student leader, a socialist.

Well, why are the police after him? Why is he hiding guns?

They weren't his guns.

How could you believe that?

KNOCK ON DOOR

-Listen to me.

-What do you want?

-It's important I talk to him.

DOOR OPENS

THEY SPEAK ARABIC

Erm...

I've brought you some money.

You could run.

I don't want your help.

-Look, I know that I...

-You people always think you know

but you know nothing.

You're right.

BANGING ON DOOR

FRANTIC SHOUTING

SOBBING

We're very grateful to you, sir.

Well, I just thought it was for the best.

Here she is now,

alive and well.

-Fuck you.

-Frankie...

Be very careful, Dr Lethbridge.

We could still charge you as an accessory.

You'd need real evidence for that.

You didn't contact us.

Look... Look, he's innocent.

We can hold him for up to 28 days,

then he'll be someone else's problem.

Why is she grateful to you, Dad?

Let's go.

-It's been...

-Why is she grateful to you, Dad? What did you do?

I never felt... I never...

I did it to protect you.

-What?

-I made a phone call...

..to alert security.

What? Why?

When?

At the very beginning.

Look, I had to do it. Frankie...

No, don't touch me!

Just get away from me, Dad.

You know, just leave me alone!

You just leave me alone!

DOOR CLOSES

POLICE RADIO BLEEPS

Erm, this one's to stay.

Dr Lethbridge.

Hello.

We just need to make sure we've got all our research.

Two minutes.

DOOR SYSTEM BUZZES

DOOR SYSTEM BUZZES

PLANE ENGINES ROAR OVERHEAD