S3E9 "The Heart Market". Colour version. Fascinating political drama series with a splendid cast. Businessman and politician sir John Wilder, after becoming ambassador and special envoy for special situations and trade, pursues his tangled schemes, despite many adversaries (the original name of the series was "Special Envoy''). This is series 3 of this sequel to "The Plane Makers". Starring Patrick Wymark, Barbara Murray, Michael Jayston, Clifford Evans, Peter Barkworth, Donald Burton, David Savile, Richard Hurndall, Jack Watling, Deborah Grant, Barrie Ingham. Written by Peter Draper, Wilfred Greatorex.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to anyone, living or dead, is coincidental and unintentional.
00:30© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:00© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:30© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:35© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:58Hi, thank you.
01:59Oh, same for me.
02:02What you need is a stiff quinine.
02:04Get this straight, John.
02:05I'm staying with this little African expedition of yours,
02:09if it takes as long as it took Stanley to find Livingstone.
02:12With all that desk work piling up at the Foreign Office?
02:14Well, that's my worry.
02:15And the Foreign Secretary's. He must know that you're on safari.
02:18All I know is you're not going to keep me in the dark.
02:22So you're clinging on like a neurotic limpet with a peeping tom complex.
02:26You should have realized when you worked me in as your Roving Ambassador
02:29that you were hardly ideally placed office-bound in Whitehall to keep tabs on me.
02:33Well, I don't know what you achieved in Kenya, Malawi, or here in Abyssinia.
02:37Always got you sweaty.
02:38Nothing, I suspect.
02:40I made contacts.
02:42Well, it's not like you to jet around just making friends.
02:46Anyway, it's the next stop that matters, isn't it? Somalia.
02:49That's the one it's all about.
02:52Maybe just another stop.
02:54What should I be doing in Somalia?
02:57Selling them hospitals, fully equipped.
02:59Somalia is a poor land.
03:02Two and a half million people raising cattle.
03:05Who is going to buy them hospitals?
03:07We are.
03:08Could be quite a cool job in Somalia, so well placed in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.
03:13Britain may continue to pull out east of Suez,
03:15but a British government looking further ahead could see this place as strategically important.
03:22Could I have a breath of fresh air?
03:30Who told you? Dowling or Henderson?
03:34I'm the Minister for Special Situations and Trade, John.
03:38Dowling is a permanent civil servant. Henderson, a temporary.
03:42On my staff.
03:44You merely have ambassador status.
03:47When your minister requires information, John,
03:50it is their duty to give it.
03:53Duty? Nothing. They're just sorry for you.
03:56Nothing. They're just sorry for you.
04:14To start with, Prime Minister, I have in mind four hospitals.
04:18Two here, in Mogadishu, and one each in Kismayu and Hagesha.
04:27Fully equipped?
04:28As up-to-date as any in the world.
04:30And finance?
04:31No problem. We'll build on an interest-free loan from Britain.
04:37Repayable when?
04:39To be discussed.
04:41Others are anxious to build hospitals.
04:43At least the Italians and ourselves as ex-colonial powers out here
04:48are now competing to help you and not to exploit you.
04:51Your rivalry, I understand. You both have reasons of self-interest.
04:55You both find Somalia well-placed geographically in case of war.
04:59We will probably find the Italians and ourselves on the same side.
05:04The fact remains that for the hospital program you are rivals.
05:10Will you assure me that your technicians sent to build the hospitals
05:13will be really technicians and not defence experts?
05:17Really technicians. There are no strings, Prime Minister.
05:21I'm glad because the Italians have volunteered a similar assurance.
05:28Yes, I am half Italian, Lord Bly. I don't see that it matters.
05:31I repeat, I neither know nor expect Sir John Wiseman.
05:34Wilder.
05:35I don't see what he could want with me. Business is his trade.
05:38Well, he's here to offer you some hospitals.
05:43He's wasting his time.
05:47Well, sorry we troubled you, Minister.
05:49Good day, Minister.
05:56Get me the Prime Minister, quickly.
05:59John said quite categorically he was seeing the Minister of Health.
06:02Ah, of course he did. Says you'll pass it on to me.
06:09Ah, chap with a name like that.
06:12Should have warned me. Pastore.
06:14Couldn't be more Italian if you were selling ice cream outside the Natural History Museum.
06:18Natural History Museum.
06:27You really are learning, Lincoln.
06:30Sending Caswell to see Pastore was a stroke and a half.
06:34And you were right. He's blabbed to Pastore.
06:37We professionals do have our uses on occasions.
06:39The Prime Minister's not Pastore's dearest friend in Somalia.
06:43Now, Pastore, for reasons of ancestry, will push the Italian interest.
06:47Too far for the PM's taste.
06:49He's not enamoured of half-Italians.
06:51I think the job's yours.
06:53Ours, this time, Lincoln.
07:00The restaurant was locked. I got it from the bar.
07:03Oh, I don't care where you got it from.
07:06As long as it's ice.
07:14You should see a physician, Lord Bly.
07:16Or here? A lot of witch doctors.
07:20Er, try, try Wilder again.
07:22He's out, Minister.
07:23I said try him again.
07:26I think I'll...
07:29I think I'll have a couple more codeines.
07:32Now, Sir John Wilder, you've had six already.
07:35There is such a thing as codeine poisoning.
07:37John?
07:38Yes?
07:39Lord Bly.
07:46John, I want to see you.
07:50I'm in the bar in five minutes.
07:52In my room. In two.
07:56The old man sweats a bit and you feel guilty.
07:58Don't you?
08:00I didn't invite him to come sniffing around.
08:02Would you help lay the antecedent?
08:05I always thought you were a wilder man.
08:07Long service stripes all over your arm.
08:09I left him once and crawled back on all fours.
08:14You can't stand ministers like Caswell, can you?
08:17You and your mini-minded chums
08:19treat the diplomatic service as a private estate.
08:22Public keep-out.
08:23I didn't know you cared, Donald.
08:26All I know is that Caswell's sick.
08:28I'd like to get sicker.
08:29Well, the answer's simple. Caswell will go home.
08:31He's stubborn and bloody-minded and scared.
08:33Less wild as you'd pull something off.
08:35I'm surprised he didn't bring his peers' robes
08:37and join in the tribal dances.
08:40Cheers.
08:43I can't think of anyone less I'd like to drink with.
08:47Certainly can't pick and choose in this dump.
08:50So it was guilt that made you tip off the old man.
08:53John ordered me to tell Caswell
08:55that you were the Minister of Health.
08:56Not that. I mean about the hospitals.
08:59He found out for himself.
09:00Don't give me that, Donald.
09:02He was as clueless as a virgin in Soho.
09:04Look, while you and John were off on those
09:05flirty little safaris of yours to Addis Ababa,
09:07Caswell didn't just sweat it out.
09:09He got hold of some of your train seals
09:11at the embassy there to perform for him.
09:13Well, they juggled with the facts
09:15and they came up with hospitals.
09:18Have another, Lincoln.
09:20I suggest something a little stronger
09:21than English light ale.
09:23Try jungle juice.
09:25It might bring out the savage that lurks inside you.
09:31And then just thank them for the inquiry
09:34and then, you know, yours sincerely and...
09:42Very clever.
09:45Whose idea was it? Dowling's?
09:47Never blame your officials, Caswell.
09:50Stay where you are.
09:53I never thought to see you horizontal,
09:55but it doesn't please me.
09:56It won't be for long.
09:59You know, you ought to be in London
10:00having medical attention.
10:01I'm staying to see this through.
10:04See what through?
10:05Our hospital deal.
10:07Leave it to me.
10:08I'll arrange the fringe benefits
10:10for the minister and the kudos
10:12for the politician in charge.
10:15Oh, no, I don't need a wet nurse.
10:18You can hardly call me wet.
10:20Oh, hell, there's no ice.
10:23I would have been
10:24if I'd allowed you to send me
10:26on that meaningless conference to Geneva
10:29instead of coming here.
10:32Well, it wasn't my fault.
10:34Well, it wasn't you
10:35that released me from that chore.
10:37The foreign secretary told you to
10:39after I told him about the hospital deal.
10:41He knows you had nothing to do with it.
10:43Everyone knows.
10:44Oh, hello.
10:45More iced water for Lord Bly, please.
10:48Everyone knows.
10:50All I know is that
10:52if it hadn't been for you,
10:54I wouldn't have sold my firm.
10:56Then you interfered
10:57and smashed up my relationship with my son.
11:01Now you sit there
11:02gloating and telling me...
11:04Stop rambling, Caswell.
11:06Well, you're wasting your time.
11:09The Italians will get the job.
11:11Why stay on?
11:13Just for the pleasure of seeing me fail?
11:15You won't win this.
11:17No, no.
11:18Not me, Caswell.
11:20Britain.
11:21Britain?
11:22I don't care about Britain.
11:25All you care about is your own glory.
11:28Oh, God.
11:29Oh, God.
11:31And not long since, you were getting...
11:34God.
11:35Contracts.
11:36Of the French.
11:39Oh, God.
11:40Oh, John.
11:50This is Sir John Wilder.
11:52I want a doctor immediately.
11:53The very best.
11:55Is he the Prime Minister's?
11:57Now, I want the Prime Minister's doctor here immediately.
12:03Get in touch with London straight away.
12:05Reserve a private room for Caswell
12:07in the best hospital in London that you know.
12:09Is he all right, John?
12:10No, the doctor's with him now.
12:11He's obviously got some sort of heart trouble.
12:13Arrange his air travel.
12:15I want him in that hospital tomorrow.
12:16It's not going to be easy from here.
12:18There's all the more reason to do it.
12:19Use our own private executive jet
12:21to shift him out of here to Nairobi
12:23and see he's fixed on BOAC
12:25as soon as possible.
12:27Now, he'll need more than one seat.
12:29He's a stretcher case.
12:30Uh, cables, please.
12:31And if you're in any trouble with the airline,
12:33refer them to me.
12:34The airport, please.
12:37I suppose he is as sick as Wilder says.
12:39Hmm?
12:41It's one way of culling the old stag from the herd.
12:51Don't think I'm going to thank you for getting me out of here.
12:55I know a tutorial book.
13:10Don't stand there like a doing schoolboy, darling.
13:13You've got work to do.
13:24Hmm?
13:43Castle, I think I should at least contact Kenneth.
13:45Oh, no, no.
13:46I don't want Kenneth to know.
13:48This isn't a family affair.
13:49It's a business affair.
13:51Oh.
13:52I'll, uh, see you, Castle.
13:56This is Dr...
13:57Uh, hello.
13:58Um, I want to speak to the foreign secretary, Lord Bly.
14:02I am your surgeon, Caswell,
14:04and you shouldn't be working.
14:06No, no, no, no.
14:07Don't push me around.
14:08I'm not an invalid yet.
14:09And if it won't inconvenience you,
14:11we'd like to start some tests.
14:13Oh, start away.
14:15And we're going to see that you get a good night's rest.
14:18Yeah, and don't fool around and take my phone away.
14:21Uh, hello, foreign secretary.
14:24Arthur.
14:25Yes, Caswell.
14:26Look, I'm back for a day or two.
14:28Look, I think in your own interest
14:30you ought to send someone out to Somalia
14:32to keep an eye on Wilder.
14:34What?
14:35On his way back?
14:37Well, he can't have sewn everything up.
14:40Oh, Don.
14:41Hello, Ken.
14:45What's it like to be a diplomat's diplomat?
14:48Um, Duke, I mean.
14:50Where's John?
14:51Well, at this moment, somewhere over North Africa.
14:53Oh, because the message I had was
14:55that he wanted to see me urgently.
14:58Not John.
14:59I put him on the phone.
15:00Oh, I see.
15:01I'm sorry.
15:02It's all right.
15:03It's all right.
15:04It's all right.
15:05It's all right.
15:06It's all right.
15:07Not John.
15:08I put him the call.
15:09Oh.
15:10To tell me that John's the last guy around
15:11giving my firm a worthwhile contract.
15:15He did undertake, when he pinched you from the firm,
15:17to do just that.
15:18It's about your father, Ken.
15:19Oh, don't tell me.
15:20I've come halfway across London to discuss him.
15:22He's seriously ill.
15:23So he's asked you to rope in the prodigal son?
15:26He's had a heart attack, Ken.
15:31Yeah, well.
15:33You wouldn't be surprised if he didn't have him years ago.
15:36Should have retired and left me to run the firm
15:38instead of selling out.
15:39He's your father, Ken.
15:40You owe him at least that.
15:41I owe him nothing.
15:43Not money.
15:44Nor filial affection.
15:47Nor even a word of sympathy.
15:51I wouldn't send him a Getwell telegram.
15:52Kenneth.
15:54It's all my life he's gone out of his way
15:57to make me feel a
16:00failure he fathered in error.
16:03You know.
16:04He was a pygmy in the house.
16:05Surprise example of nepotism in the firm.
16:09Some kind of burnt-out case he had to prop up.
16:14When he sold out like instruction,
16:15it was much to spite me as to frustrate Wilder.
16:17John would have got control.
16:19Do you know what the great Lord Bly's last words were to me, Tom?
16:23He said,
16:26I wish your mother
16:29had miscarried instead of dropping you.
16:34And he said,
16:37never come whining to me when you're on your beam ends
16:39because there's not a penny in the kiddie foil.
16:43Either now or under my will.
16:44That was two years ago, Ken.
16:45Look, you can't go on feuding like this.
16:47Hating for the rest of your life.
16:50For the rest of his, I can.
16:56Anyway.
16:58Whatever else I could forgive,
16:59I can't ever forget that he poisoned my marriage.
17:04Justine took his side and there were rows.
17:09Do you know what happened?
17:10Two years, Ken.
17:12It would be no different if it were a hundred.
17:20Um...
17:22Tell him you delivered the message, Don.
17:26There was no message, Ken.
17:31In fact, he said
17:32he wouldn't see you if you were the last person left on earth.
17:37Fine, good, fine.
17:39It's mutual.
17:43Well, I'm here.
17:44You might as well tell me what John has up his sleeve from my firm.
17:47Yeah, well, he's
17:48dug up something in Somalia.
17:50Can I see it?
17:51No, no, no, it's confidential.
17:52You're more like an establishable servant every minute.
17:54You must be in line for the most po-faced bureaucrat in the year award.
17:58Where can I see John?
17:59When he says you can.
18:02Ken, I know he'd like you to go and see Caswell.
18:05John? Since when has he been concerned about the Blighs?
18:09Except to see them in hell.
18:12Well, then, get him out of the conference.
18:16Yes, get Sir John Wilder on the phone.
18:20Yes, now.
18:23Well, tell me the worst.
18:24The tests confirm.
18:27Yes.
18:28Look, I don't care if he's in conference in Buckingham Palace, will you?
18:33Oh, never mind.
18:36Oh, I'm getting out of here.
18:37I shouldn't.
18:39Oh, well, I've got a rebellious ambassador in my office who needs a dig in his ego.
18:43If you get there to do it,
18:46with luck and care, you could live a year.
18:51And without?
18:52Tomorrow.
18:54Today, if you insist on charging off.
18:58Please.
19:09Never give up, do you?
19:10Never do you, John. As long as I live, never do you.
19:13Well, with a surgeon like Harrison involved,
19:16it must be serious.
19:18He says the only hope is a heart transplant.
19:21He should know. When is it?
19:23It's not.
19:24I'm not going to be made a guinea pig in this human abattoir.
19:28If my heart isn't good enough, I don't want anybody else's.
19:32You mean you'd rather die than have a new heart?
19:35Yes, I would.
19:37I'm against all this spare-part surgery, this tampering with human beings.
19:40And where will it end?
19:42You sound more and more every day like a 20th century roundhead.
19:45I've always doubted this progressive streak that you claim for yourself.
19:49Well, they'll put nobody else's heart in me.
19:52Don't be a bloody fool, Caswell!
19:58Or is it that you're scared?
20:01Scared?
20:03It's not the principle that worries you, not the philosophy.
20:09You haven't got the guts!
20:16Well, what do you think of our model patient, Sir John?
20:20Not much.
20:31Hey, Graham, I've been thinking.
20:36I've decided you can go ahead.
20:38That's better, Caswell.
20:40And get on with it now, no delays.
20:42It's not as simple as that. You have to be prepared.
20:45And then there's the question of a suitable heart becoming available.
20:49Finally, there's the most tricky problem of all.
20:52The permission of the donor's next of kin.
20:58Next of kin.
21:02Another list of interested firms and Henderson visited, Lord Bly.
21:05Henderson has got a George Washington complex.
21:08He's the rottenest liar I know.
21:10Well, I'm a good one.
21:12Well, let's say you dissemble with integrity.
21:15You've told him nothing in four days since we got there.
21:18Why start now?
21:19He's been pestering the Foreign Secretary.
21:21And the Foreign Secretary, you?
21:23We have to report to Caswell.
21:25Lies?
21:27Unalarming facts.
21:29It wouldn't do for him to know just now how far things are advanced in Somalia.
21:33It wouldn't be good for his heart.
21:35Or for my work.
21:37For which you don't wish to share the credit.
21:39Now, don't get above yourself, Lincoln.
21:41Get out, John. We're busy.
21:43You have a visitor, John. Hey!
21:49Hello, John.
21:51How's the modern Cecil Rhodes?
21:53What the hell do you want?
21:55Thanks for rolling out the plush royal carpet, Ambassador.
21:58I'll give you two minutes.
22:00Give me more. I've been trying to make an appointment for four days.
22:03I'm staying as long as it takes to make my point.
22:05I'll make it in one minute. Come on, come to the point.
22:08When you took Don as your PA and robbed me of a loyal partner,
22:12you promised my firm enough work for a year.
22:15I got you two contracts.
22:17One's sour and the other's unprofitable.
22:19What you mean is, you fell flat on your face on the first
22:22and underpriced the second.
22:24You haven't learned, have you? That's not fair, John. It's true.
22:27Well, this time I want a contract, just one,
22:29that's worthwhile and dripping in prestige.
22:32Is that all?
22:34You don't want me, you want the charity commissioners.
22:36They might put you onto a consortium of old ladies with money to burn.
22:39I know what I want, John.
22:41The hospital building job in Somalia.
22:44Oh, stop fancying yourself, Kenneth.
22:47That's a job for a big boy.
22:50Confine yourself to jobs you can handle,
22:52like public conveniences and municipal bus shelters.
22:56Anyway, you can put my name on the list.
22:58What list?
23:00For the Somalian job.
23:02The Strakers are on it.
23:09Good day, Kenneth.
23:11I'm Don O'Dowling. I've contacts at Strakers.
23:14I also know a number of members of Parliament
23:17who would be disturbed to hear of Britain spending like this
23:20on what amounts to an investment in long-term strategy east of Suez.
23:24They'd regard it as wasteful.
23:26Let them.
23:28Orms are also on the list.
23:30And I wonder what those same MPs would make of the fact
23:33that both Strakers and Orms have offered you managing directorships
23:36when you leave or are pushed from here.
23:42Failure is making you desperate.
23:45Now run along and play patricate with somebody your own size.
23:51I don't...
23:53I don't expect you to know all that Wilder is up to.
23:56Such a darling that gets in the way.
23:58I'm surprised he was ever accepted for the Foreign Office.
24:01He has an unfortunate habit of giving on the beast.
24:04I don't know what he's up to,
24:06but I'm sure he's got a lot on his plate.
24:09He has an unfortunate habit of giving on the beast side.
24:13Well, just give me five minutes, will you, Henderson?
24:16Yes, Minister.
24:23Kurdish news, Castle.
24:25We're in business, I think.
24:27A young chap in the mile-way hospital
24:29smashed himself up in an argument with a lorry on his bike.
24:33He'll be dead within 72 hours.
24:36He's got a heart in what you might call mint condition.
24:40You sound like a stamp collector.
24:42There's no need for sentimentality in this job, Caswell.
24:46When you were a civil engineer,
24:48you needed ballast and tarmac for your roads.
24:51We need spare parts to rebuild people.
24:54When there's a chance of a heart
24:56that's going like a Swiss-made chronometer...
24:59You'll grab.
25:01Unfortunately for the young man, of course,
25:03especially his wife.
25:06But one must learn to accept these things.
25:09She's agreed.
25:11That's the trouble. Not quite.
25:13She hasn't said yes and she hasn't said no.
25:16But I think she will.
25:18We're giving her a little time to get over the shock.
25:21Who's talking to her?
25:22Two of my assistants.
25:23Are they like you?
25:24They're good persuaders.
25:27Where do you keep your heart, Graham?
25:29Now you're being unkind, Caswell.
25:33Who is she?
25:36This poor woman.
25:37Now you know better than to ask me that.
25:52Peter.
25:54I'd like you to do something for me.
25:58I want you to make certain inquiries at the Mileway Hospital.
26:04I still need to have the job, John.
26:06Listen.
26:07Neither Orms nor Strakers will get the job.
26:10And if a hundred other firms fell out of the running,
26:13you wouldn't be even on the reserve list.
26:15PHONE RINGS
26:19Sir John Wilder's office.
26:21Oh, yes, Minister.
26:23Are you out?
26:28Hello, Caswell. How's the old ticker today?
26:31John.
26:32Um, I'd like you to help me.
26:35Uh, could you come over straightaway?
26:39Well, you could have, uh, Henderson or Darling.
26:43Neither.
26:45You're the only man who can do what I want.
26:47No.
26:48No, there is someone else.
26:50He's standing right beside me.
26:52Kenneth.
26:54Holding out his cap for a handout, no doubt.
26:56Leave it to me, Caswell.
26:58Goodbye.
27:03He's all bark, Kenneth, like an ageing sheepdog.
27:06It's all bluster, really.
27:08But I know he needs you to hold his hand.
27:11He'd only try to break the bones of mine if I did.
27:13Nothing would induce me to go anywhere near him.
27:15Nothing?
27:17Nothing.
27:22You need a contract for your firm.
27:27What, you put me on the Somalia list?
27:29No.
27:30But we have other hefty irons in other glowing fires.
27:34No, I'd sooner end up in Kerry Street.
27:36Well, I hope you'll feel the same
27:38when the official receiver hunts you out of your cosy suburb
27:42and you have to take digs in the Cromwell Road.
27:47See, I'm trying to see why you're so concerned that I should see him.
27:51I suppose it makes you feel superior.
27:54Not much.
27:57Well, if there's no contract within a week...
28:03Where is he, then?
28:05He has his own room.
28:07Is that all? Not his own clinic?
28:10Your ex-partner is beginning to flex his tiny muscles, Don.
28:15You'd better buy him a chest expander for his next birthday.
28:19Oh, and Lincoln, take Orms and Strakers off the Somalia list.
28:24Oh, glad to see you're paying safe, John, for once.
28:27He took the bait, you think?
28:29What?
28:31He took the bait.
28:33He took the bait.
28:35He took the bait.
28:38What bait?
28:40When you've got him no contract a week from now,
28:42he'll use his reunion with Caswell
28:44to mention your future interests with Strakers and Orms.
28:47Caswell will report it to the Foreign Secretary,
28:50by which time neither Strakers nor Orms are on your list.
28:53And Caswell will be seen to be so hopelessly out of touch
28:56that we'll need a new minister.
29:00In ten years' time, you'll be the most devious in the game.
29:03So, Sir John Wilder for minister, eh?
29:06Oh, no, no. No, Don. Not me.
29:09You won't catch me towing party lines.
29:12It occurs to me I might reinforce the point to Kenneth.
29:16Well, it will do no harm at all.
29:19Do it with your usual tongue-in-cheek integrity, Lincoln.
29:32Even if Wilder lets you down,
29:34it's important you don't mention his future interests
29:36with Orms and Strakers to your father.
29:38So now you're protecting Wilder?
29:40Oh, I wish I knew where you stand.
29:42I'm protecting us. I gave you the list of firms in for the job.
29:45Yes, but you still bother me.
29:47For my trying and highly responsible job,
29:49of which I had to get a degree in several languages,
29:52I get the princely sum of 2,500 a year.
29:54They do better in Coventry spraying cows.
29:56Well, I can't pay you anything anyway.
29:58You didn't strive me as corrupt.
30:00Corrupt nothing. Normally and increasingly ambitious.
30:03You can't work with Wilder and not begin to wonder what life's about.
30:06What you're doing on a slum dweller's salary
30:08in a career subject to the whims of old bureaucrats with piles.
30:12I'll try to stay with you.
30:14If I stay on in the diplomatic service,
30:16I might, with luck and fair reporting on my work,
30:19be an ambassador who matters at 55.
30:21But I'm a born climber,
30:23and some of my superiors distrust such a tendency.
30:25They'd prefer you to creep up the backsides of mountains like Filby.
30:28I'm different.
30:30I'm just as product of a northern grammar school,
30:32they murmur in those pretty accents.
30:35Besides, now they're appointing ambassadors from outside,
30:38journalists and politicians, and big businessmen like Wilder.
30:42What's in it for me?
30:44Oh, what is in it for you?
30:46I've been approached by two merchant banks
30:48to advise them on what we're up to in the Department for Special Situations and Trade.
30:51Which you'll not do, of course.
30:53I'd be breaking the Official Secrets Act.
30:55But if I'm worth it to them, I must have some value in business.
30:59I'm not saying you'd tip me the wick, Kenneth.
31:02There's another firm on the Somalia list, Frinton's.
31:05They're not all that big.
31:07They're looking for growth.
31:09I'm pushing them discreetly for the hospital's job,
31:11and I think they'll get it with Hormes and Strakers out of the way.
31:14But are they?
31:16You're scared, Wilder, with your red light.
31:18I've suggested to Frinton's two takeovers,
31:21ABD Construction.
31:23And?
31:25Well, not me.
31:27They would be generous, and you'd have a seat on their board.
31:29But they know what my firm's worth. Why should they be interested?
31:31I've made it clear you're in a strong position with our department for future jobs.
31:34Which I'm not.
31:36With me, then, you are.
31:38And what's your price?
31:40Don't be crude, Kenneth.
31:42Your firm won't be taken over for two years,
31:44but the options will be taken out now.
31:47And there's nothing in the rules to say I shouldn't own shares in your firm,
31:50which I'm not pushing for any contract.
31:52Directly, that is.
31:54The big catches will go to Frinton's.
31:56All right. How many do you want?
31:58Half.
32:00You have been learning from Wilder.
32:02I'd have been bloody silly not to.
32:0525%.
32:09Tell him to stop at the next taxi rank, and we'll forget all about it.
32:12Aren't you taking a risk?
32:14It's about time I did.
32:16When I take up my option on your shares,
32:18I'll be out of Her Majesty's diplomatic service.
32:20I'll be at liberty to do just what the hell I like.
32:23Or whom?
32:25Kenneth.
32:27So, you make a capital cleaner
32:29out of my...
32:31admittedly shaky little firm.
32:34And retire to the Med.
32:36Hell, no.
32:38I'll be joining Frinton's board.
32:40We could be quite a force there.
32:44Are you coming in to see him?
32:46No, he's my master.
32:48Down the line, officials don't burst in uninvited on sick ministers.
32:51Do you mind if he takes me back?
32:53Not at all.
33:00Hello, Father.
33:02Hello, Ken.
33:05It was thought appropriate that I should see you.
33:08By Wilder.
33:10I heard you were hanging about his office.
33:12I suppose he sent you here to force me into a relapse.
33:14No, don't. Don't go, Ken.
33:16I did ask Wilder to come himself.
33:18Well, he's tied up with work.
33:20Please...
33:22sit down.
33:28Some scotch?
33:30If I...
33:32No, no, no. Come on, I'll do it.
33:37You know that this is pretty serious, Ken.
33:40I'm sorry.
33:42They say it's curtains unless I have a new heart.
33:45I've agreed to a transplant.
33:48I'd like you to do something for me, Ken.
33:51Anything?
33:53In the Mileway Hospital...
33:55No, but first, you remember...
33:58I told you once that I'd cut you out of my will.
34:00Well, we needn't talk about that.
34:02Well, actually, I'm leaving you quite well off.
34:05You mean, Father, I have a thriving business?
34:07Well, I know this.
34:09Anyway, what I was saying was that...
34:12in the Mileway Hospital,
34:14there's a young fellow...
34:16who only has a few more days to live.
34:19Smashed up on a motorbike.
34:21Yes.
34:23Now, his wife has been with him most of the day,
34:27but she's gone home now.
34:32I'd...
34:34I'd like you to go and talk to her.
34:37Talk to her? What about?
34:39Talk to her.
34:41Talk to her. What about?
34:43Well, I gather she could...
34:46She and the children could do with some security.
34:49I thought I'd...
34:51I thought I'd like to help them.
34:53I don't know what...
34:55We could suggest 10 or 20,000 pounds.
34:58Mind you, it'll come out of your inheritance.
35:00But what...
35:02This is buying a heart.
35:04Oh, no.
35:08I'm not buying a heart.
35:11All I want to do, Ken,
35:14is to, uh...
35:16is to help her.
35:18To try and compensate her in some way.
35:21Will you see her for me?
35:27Lord Blight. No, no, no.
35:29I don't want that soup now. Later.
35:31Hello. Arthur. Caswell.
35:33Look, Arthur, about this Somalia thing,
35:35you know, I talked with our Italian friends today,
35:38and they're pretty put out by Wilder's invasion.
35:41You see, we're going to need their support
35:43on those two big European projects.
35:46So I suggest that we let the Italians
35:49build the hospitals in Somalia.
35:52Well, we could build them two power stations instead.
35:55Oh, yes, yes, I know.
35:57Three companies would jump at it if you give me the go-ahead.
36:00Good. Fine.
36:02Good night, Arthur.
36:04Good night.
36:08Now, nurse, let's have that soup.
36:12Ah, lovely soup.
36:39Thank you.
36:43Well, uh...
36:45I'll just go and make you a cup of tea, eh?
36:48Well, any if you're having one.
36:50There's been tea and coffee all day at the hospital.
36:52Mommy!
36:54Sit down. Thank you.
37:09Take a seat, Mr Blythe.
37:11I'm not sure I have any business being here, Mrs Taylor.
37:15It's Derek's favourite chair for watching the...
37:19Mrs Taylor, I know you've already been asked,
37:21and I don't want to be a nuisance in any way.
37:23How old is he, then, your father?
37:26Uh, to be honest, I'm not sure.
37:30Derek's 29.
37:32I'm very sorry.
37:34He's a carpenter, you know.
37:38This house, he thinks it's a palace.
37:40Well, not that I ever did, but...
37:43this house and the kids.
37:46He was doing the late turn just so that he could take them to school.
37:49He'd never have been there in that motorbike,
37:51but for that, I could have taken them to sch...
37:53Oh, but you can't look at things like that, because, you know, if you did, you'd be...
37:57Never mind his talking about things like that.
38:01It was always me.
38:04He'd talk about...
38:06leaving your eyes, you know.
38:13I could never face it.
38:15I shouldn't be bothering you, but, um,
38:17I just wanted to say that my father was very anxious.
38:20Your father...
38:22Is he in pain?
38:24I don't think so.
38:26Is he?
38:28Is he in pain?
38:29I don't think so.
38:31Is he conscious?
38:33I mean...
38:35Could I see him?
38:37I would just like to...
38:39I would like to see what he's like.
38:41But now, you mean?
38:43What about the children?
38:45My neighbour will sit him.
38:50Well, it's more important to keep the goodwill of the Italians
38:53than to let you indulge in another of your turns to boost up your ego.
38:57Humbug.
38:59You're smashing the hospital plan because you didn't think of it.
39:02You're like some ageing brat
39:05who runs away with the ball because he didn't make the team.
39:10Let's not be petulant, John.
39:14Go to hell.
39:17There's just one chance.
39:21He thinks he hates Kenneth.
39:25If we could show that Cazale was smashing the hospital plan
39:28because he knew that Kenneth was the contractor...
39:30Oh, that wouldn't work.
39:32Well, don't tell me you hate Kenneth, too.
39:34I hardly know him.
39:36All right, why wouldn't it work?
39:39Or Lord Bly could plead he was concerned to avoid nepotism.
39:42Or even the appearance of family favouritism.
39:45You worry me, darling.
39:47Besides, Kenneth's firm's on the rocks.
39:50But we could soon exert a strong enough tug to haul it off.
39:54Couldn't we, Don?
40:00No.
40:02Mr Bly, I'll not go in. I know now.
40:05Well, nobody likes people around them when they're ill.
40:09He can have Derek's.
40:12It's what he'd want, Derek. I mean, it's just me, that...
40:16I'm sure my father would be honoured to meet you, Mrs Taylor.
40:25This is my father, Mrs Taylor.
40:29Please sit down.
40:31Thank you.
40:35I was very sorry to hear about your husband.
40:40Mrs Taylor,
40:42if there's anything that I can do
40:45to help you financially,
40:49I...
40:51I don't know what my son talked to you about,
40:54but... or whether he mentioned any figure.
40:57But if 10 or 20,000 pounds...
41:02But, Mrs Taylor...
41:04Ken...
41:06What do you want a heart for?
41:08You've got along without one so far.
41:12Mrs Taylor!
41:17I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
41:18What does he think people like us are?
41:21Oh, he may be a lord.
41:25Does he think he can buy anything?
41:27Anything, anyone.
41:29Everything's a branch of commerce to him.
41:32Oh, sooner out of this place. He doesn't deserve...
41:34Don't...
41:36Don't say that.
41:39He's your father.
41:42He's your father.
41:54Is he very rich?
41:56Horribly.
41:59Tell him to put 20,000 pounds in a trust fund for our children.
42:05Oh, I wouldn't touch a penny of it if I were starving.
42:09The children might need him.
42:11I hope not.
42:14They might, one day.
42:21Now, will you let me drive you home?
42:23I'll get a number 25 if you don't mind.
42:27Well, goodbye, Mrs Taylor.
42:39Yes, would you ask my chauffeur to meet Mrs Taylor at reception and drive her home?
42:46Oh, she's already left.
42:48Oh, never mind. Thank you.
43:00Well, I've done my little rescue act.
43:03And you've got your heart.
43:06So, now, I've an urgent game of bridge to play.
43:11Don't you care whether I live or die?
43:16Are you really so indifferent?
43:20Have I any cause not to be?
43:22If you're not content with what you did to me in business, you had to break my marriage.
43:27Things have changed since I stepped from under that black wing of yours.
43:32You'll still benefit under my will.
43:34Well, cut me out of it!
43:37I'm worth about half a million pounds, Ken, before death duties.
43:44You may not be immortal, as we once thought.
43:47But you'll not die, if money talks, that is.
43:50The balance will go equally between you and Justine.
43:54And for the children, there are 12 impressionist paintings worth another.
43:59Half a million.
44:00They won't be liable to death duties, because I put them in the children's names years ago.
44:05I never saw any impressionists.
44:06No, well, you wouldn't have, because they were sent straight from the auction room to my bank vaults.
44:14You will not die.
44:17Wouldn't you like to say, just once, that you hope not?
44:24If it consoles you.
44:26If I don't come out of this, Ken, and the chances are that I won't,
44:29don't waste your inheritance trying to get back into business.
44:36Don't waste your inheritance.
44:38Pay off your debts and get out of it.
44:41Even now you're trying to push me around.
44:42No, I mean it for your own good, Ken.
44:44You were never cut out for business.
44:46You should have been a, you should have been a parson or a schoolmaster.
44:50You, you didn't have a heart.
44:52You weren't robust enough, Ken.
44:54Stop your miserable fortune.
44:57Go on, leave it to Oxfam.
44:59Mental homes for mad businessmen.
45:01No, what, what I'm trying to say, Ken, is don't waste your inheritance.
45:08I mean, think of your children.
45:10I mean, my grandchildren.
45:13I mean, I know it meant nothing to you that I was made a, made a baron.
45:17But, um, well, one day they, they may be proud of it.
45:22And, uh, well, they may treasure the robes and the, and the coronets.
45:29Yes, they'll come in handy for dressing up.
45:39For the school pantomime.
45:42Oh, Ken.
45:47Poor Ken.
45:50Oh, Ken.
45:55Poor Ken.
46:13I could lift you, aren't we, nurse?
46:15I might, if you're not careful.
46:18Caswell, you have a visitor.
46:20Well, I hope you're in good nick, Graham.
46:23You know, this could make you as famous as that South African, what's his name?
46:27Such is fame.
46:28Oh, even Louis Pasteur never had a chance like this.
46:31I'm glad you're only a life peer, Caswell.
46:34We're running short of blue blood.
46:37Well, before the weekend, you may be one of the biggest names in British medicine.
46:42They'll, they'll make you a royal surgeon and, and, and give you a knighthood in the honours list.
46:46Who's been giving this chap pet pills?
46:48You know, if you don't get me back to the office by next Tuesday, you know, I'll sue you for incompetence.
46:53As I was saying, Caswell, you have a visitor.
46:55Oh, show him in. I knew my son would come.
47:01Well, well, well.
47:04What brings you here?
47:06A chance to be in at the kill?
47:08Oh, to see a celebrity.
47:10There are more newsmen outside than a crisis cabinet meeting in Downing Street.
47:14It's only because I'm Lord.
47:16Well, when you get one of these new tickers, you're going to be insufferable.
47:20Will I?
47:22I wonder.
47:24Where's Ken?
47:26He's coming. He should be here in a moment.
47:30John.
47:33If I don't come out of this, bury me standing.
47:38Facing you.
47:44His son is coming.
48:14Come on.
48:45Well, there's nothing I can do about the contract now, Kenneth.
48:48There'll be a new minister.
48:50Hell, John, it's only an hour since he was buried.
48:52Don't be sentimental.
48:54All that matters now is who our new master is.
49:03Oh, no.
49:05I've got it.
49:07I've got it.
49:09I've got it.
49:12Oh, no.
49:14No, Lincoln.
49:16Not me.
49:18I'm not even in the queue.
49:20You wanted him out of the way long enough.
49:23But I wasn't the one who hated him.
49:31Better go down and look after Pamela, Don. She's very upset.
49:36I'll come with you.
49:42There.
49:55Well?
49:57Now you can afford to forget about Somalia.
50:11Come on.
50:41THE END