The Fixer (2008) s01e01 Episode Script

Pete? Emergency services.
Which service do you require? Which service do you require? Hello? Hello, is anyone there? Hello? - I didn't - What? - Know anything.
- What didn't you know? It wasn't You knew.
Hello? Is anyone there? Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? - Hello? - I've just killed two people.
My aunt and my uncle.
My name's John Mercer.
How did I become a hit man for the state? It all began five years into my life sentence, on the day Lenny Douglas came to take me out of prison.
I killed my aunt and uncle because they'd hurt somebody that I love.
Maybe that was what got Lenny's attention.
He liked emotions.
They gave him something to manipulate.
So while the rest watch the Champions League you stop trying to push down the walls you pick up your book and you worry about the mystery of things.
Lenny offered me a new life, a new home, a new family.
But there was a price.
And that was the job that he wanted me to do.
Lenny Douglas ran a secret team in the war on organised crime.
I never knew who gave him his orders but somebody at the highest level had approved our existence.
And his first trick was to reunite me with an old acquaintance.
Now, how can I describe him? Take the person who annoys you the most and multiply it by ten.
You think you've left them behind, you think you'll never have to see their face or hear their idiot voice again.
That's Calum.
Che-hey! First time I heard this tune, I was in a club in San Antonio with these two mental birds, Niamh and Catherine, cousins from Burnley, mate.
Everyone's a cousin in Burnley, Calum.
Mate, I'm not joking, this tune was playing, I had me hand up both of their skirts at the same time, it was like I was dancing with Sooty and Sweep.
Very suave, man, very suave.
Oh, mate.
That'll be a little surprise package I've arranged for us this evening.
Without wanting to give the game completely away, they're twins, from Macedonia and .
.
they don't have keys.
You - out.
Laters, bro.
- Mr Douglas.
- Calum.
- Oh, no.
- John Mercer! I'm not staying here.
Where was it you shared the cell? Pentonville, wasn't it? - I'm not staying here.
The lad's an idiot.
- That's a bit harsh.
Granted, he's no Stephen Hawking.
- John, mate, don't be like that.
- Don't "John, mate" me, please.
- I'm not staying here.
- You don't want to live with him? Fine.
Get rid of him.
- John! - What are you doing? This way you get the flat to yourself.
John, mate, please, I've changed a lot since then.
I'm sorry about that deodorant, mate.
Just tell him you'll stay with me, please.
John! Please! Don't What you've got to ask yourself is do you think I won't do it? That's the only thing that should be on your mind.
Do you think that I won't do it? All right.
Next time we play chicken, I'll make sure the stakes are worth it.
There's some goody bags in your room - and other essentials.
- Are you going to tell me who you are? - You'll have to wait till tomorrow, now.
That one.
I've always thought scarlet suited you best.
It's red.
And don't be so cheeky.
Are you bursting with curiosity about the new recruit? Yeah.
When do I get to meet him? Oh, no - when you decide the time is right.
- You know me so well.
- He's not gonna do a runner? No, he's not that stupid.
- So when do you put him to work? - I do happen to have a case for him.
Good.
Well, let's go eat and you can tell me all about the mysterious John Mercer.
- How's the cat? - What cat would that be, Calum? The one in them science books you was always reading in prison.
Is the cat dead? Is it not dead? Is it both dead and not dead? - You remember that? - It was clever shit.
But that was always your reputation, right? Don't mess with the clever, quiet one.
Why are you so negative about it all, John? I enjoyed sharing a cell with you.
I learned a lot.
Why have you got your eyes closed? Cos when I open them again I'll be waking up in my nice, cosy cell and you won't be with me.
I'm still here.
- What do you do for them, Calum? - You know Pretty much what I've always done.
Multi-tasking, bits and bobs, needles and pins.
Not quite how the judge described it at your sentencing, was it? What do they want us to do? Do the stuff the law can't do.
Dealing with people the law can't reach.
Come on, John, you're the clever one.
Have you not worked it out yet? Check out the CVs.
Who can make sure the cat is most definitely dead? Doof! You're the specialist.
You're the killer.
Oh, know how I love you As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving And the rosebuds Morning, flatmate.
Did you sleep well? I made some breakfast.
I'd have made some for you but that was the last of the bacon.
- As they always this noisy upstairs? - Mm.
I like it.
People enjoying themselves.
Helps me get to sleep.
They're Colombians, I think.
So what happens now, Calum? About what? I'm sorry - I forget you need a bit of extra help.
Remember yesterday? I was dragged here from prison late at night? - You were nearly garrotted? - Oh, that.
- He wouldn't have gone through with it.
- Just a kinky game, was it? Yeah.
I'm a bit worried he likes me too much, actually.
And so when are they gonna turn up again, Calum? Oh, don't worry.
Lenny'll be back soon.
And that's what he does, by the way - turns up.
Doesn't always knock, either.
So make sure you're not washing up naked.
You'll be wanting to see your sister, I expect.
You've not even met your niece yet, have you? - Is that allowed? - Course it is.
You're not on the run, licence is in order.
Go ahead.
Go see Jess and the kids.
I'm not a control freak.
This is where you really want me to live, is it? You wouldn't want to live here - too many ghosts.
Door.
This house belonged to Kevin Simmonds, a senior SOCA detective, also head of Operation Merlin.
Him and his wife were murdered here a few weeks ago while the kids were upstairs sleeping.
The kids found the bodies - I saw it on the news.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I keep forgetting they let you lot watch TV in prison.
Yeah, and we had toilet roll.
It's political correctness gone mad.
They dragged Alison Simmonds out of bed, sat her down here, forced her to watch her husband's execution.
After that, he wrapped this tape around her face.
Suffocated her.
Must've taken a while.
The man that organised it is called Jacob Gould, a real high-flyer.
But I think he had help from the inside.
- From who? - Bent coppers.
They bring out the traditionalist in me.
I really don't like them.
So you're part of this Operation Merlin as well? No.
I'm the guy they come to when operations like Merlin go wrong.
- Who do you work for, then? - Oh, now there's a question.
Officially, nobody, of course.
I'm on sick leave from the police.
Post-traumatic stress.
- Yeah.
Unofficially? - I don't think that's any of your concern.
- My job's to disorganise crime.
- Illegally.
- I prefer to use the world "irregular".
- Yeah, yeah, I bet you do.
Look at that.
Bobbies on bikes.
Everybody loves a bobby on a bike.
Unfortunately, a million of extra bobbies on bikes couldn't deal with Jacob Gould.
Operation Merlin couldn't deal with him, either.
What do you want from me? You're going to kill him for me.
- Niece and nephew, right? - Yeah.
I haven't even got them any presents, though.
A bit behind on computer games and stuff.
Should've talked to me.
CDs, DVDs, video games - Steve can get anything in that department.
No, John.
That'd be irresponsible.
That's not their age range at all.
- How did it go with Lenny? - Pretty good, really.
He wants me to become an assassin for the state.
- That's what you did in the army, right? - Wrong.
- That was legal.
- Yeah.
Then you whacked your aunt and uncle.
- Shut up, Calum.
- I'm just saying.
At least with Lenny you know it's someone who probably deserves it, not just some scared kid in a trench.
I didn't fight in the trenches, Calum.
You wouldn't be going to see your sister if Lenny hadn't got you out of prison.
- Yeah, well, I'm not gonna do it.
- OK.
- He can find himself another hit man.
- I'm sure.
- I'll tell if you tell me.
- No! OK, kids, lunch is ready! You should get yourself a new map.
No.
This is my only school prize.
- The names are out of date.
- I know.
The old maps are the best.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - that's a brilliant name for a country.
Are you gonna talk to me? What do you want to know? How did you get out so early? Where are you living? What are you gonna do with your life? I'm out on licence.
I'm living in a kind of halfway house.
My life - I don't know, Jess.
I need some more time on that one.
- Is that it? - Course it's not it.
- I did it for you.
- No.
I killed them for you.
- You did it for yourself.
- Why did you write to me, then, Jess? Because I love you and you were the only person I could turn to.
You're all I've got right now, Jess.
Promise me you won't go away again? I need my brother back.
I promise.
Promise me you won't go away again.
I need my brother back.
- Are you ready? - One condition.
Just this then we're done.
I'll talk to Calum.
He'll get you everything you need.
You talking to me? You what? You what? Check this out! Don't point a gun at me ever again.
- Where'd you get it? - Kosovan Kate.
- Who's Kosovan Kate? - She works with the Albanians.
Here, you need to wear these - give the Old Bill a head start.
She's setting up her own people? Mate, I don't know how much you know about that part of the world but they treat women in a very degrading way.
Dealing with you must make a nice change.
She noshed me off for free, - that's got to tell you something.
- Yeah, it certainly does.
Lenny wants it done at the airfield.
Isn't there a lot of CCTV down there? Entrances, lobbies, exit to runways, manager's office.
There's a blind spot in the toilets, though.
It's what everyone does before they get on a plane.
- But the front entrance is covered? - I can get you in a different way.
How? Did a Duke of Edinburgh climbing course at my pupil referral unit.
What was my nickname inside? - Spider, right? - Not the nickname I heard.
We're done.
I'm gonna go and stay with my sister, now.
I assume we never meet again, which is a tragedy I'll just have to live with.
Here are the keys to the flat.
- We're not finished yet.
- We had an agreement, Lenny.
I think you overestimated your ability to insist on deal breakers.
- You gave me an undertaking.
- To review.
So consider it under review.
OK.
Fine.
- Send me back to prison, then, please.
- We can do that.
- Then do it.
- Only this time, it's for life.
I'll make sure of it.
- You were never gonna set me free.
- Don't be so ungrateful, John.
I've even authorised your mobile to make outgoing calls.
This is freedom, isn't it? Oh, mate.
You're not gonna believe this.
I've cracked it with one of them Colombian chicks.
Big beautiful brown eyes.
Mate, I have got a strong feeling that before long, Manuela - that's her name - she's gonna be down here dancing on the end of my bed.
Chill out.
No.
Because I've heard it all before.
No, I can't do this any more, Richard.
Just leave me alone, OK? - Sorry.
- Don't be.
Well, other people's rows.
Oh, they're great, they're very entertaining.
Especially ones where they're shouting in the street.
Well, we're done with the shouting.
- Is that why you're here? - Yeah.
I left him.
- Poor guy.
- He messed up.
- Stupid guy.
- I like to think I'm the easy-going type but, well, there are some things that can never be forgiven.
Tell me about it.
My name's John, by the way.
I'm Rose.
Take her all my money, tell her buy some pretty clothes.
That's a song.
Don't Forget to Give My Love To Rose.
Be nice if somebody would.
Would you like another drink? - So, where are you heading? - Patagonia.
- Travelling light.
- Mm-hm.
Well, you don't need much stuff out there, do you, so Just a change of clothes and a bottle of whisky.
- I don't have any whisky, actually.
- Oh, no? - No.
- Then you lured me here Under false pretences.
Just a lie to get you into my room.
Cunning.
But unnecessary.
Sorry.
I might need this to replace the pretty clothes you ripped off me last night.
You work for them.
Good luck.
So what now, John? - How do you see this playing, then? - You tell me.
I won't go through that routine next time you run away.
Then why did you this time? Oh, you know I'm always curious as far as you're concerned.
- You wanted to go back to prison.
- Yeah.
I'll take my chances.
They're not good, to be honest.
And of course, that kind of decision has an effect on others.
You and your sister - you were separated when your parents died, weren't you? You entered the chaos of the care system and Jess went to live with Aunt and Uncle.
Who raped her and called the neighbours in to hold the camcorders.
Incredible what goes on behind the net curtains in this nation of ours.
Robert and Abi, though, they seem contented little kids.
I'm sure they'd rather be together, with your sister.
Is he fast? Cos I'd put money on me ripping out your windpipe before he takes a couple of steps.
I would, too.
That's partly the reason you're here, isn't it? - You're a class act, aren't you? - I'm a necessity.
Destroy the lives of innocent people just to keep me your slave.
Stop being so melodramatic.
You might learn to love me first.
Well, what do you want? I want you to watch the undercover cop I mentioned to you.
His name is lain Risdale.
I think he was involved in the death of his commanding officer.
The man smells corruption.
Things'll work out just fine, John.
One simple rule worth remembering.
I call the shots.
Ay, Papito, si.
Duro, duro, duro.
More.
Ay delicioso! Oh, yes! Oh, f - Oh, what did I tell you? - Si! Si! Si! Si! - Oh, si! - Oh! Police have arrested two Albanian men in connection with the murder of British businessman Jacob Gould.
Gould had stepped down from the day to day running of his shipping and cargo businesses after being linked with the illegal arms trade.
Police confirmed that Mr Gould was being investigated by undercover officers as part of Operation Merlin, targeting gun-running networks in Britain.
There was also speculation that the killing could be linked to an attempt by Albanian mafia to control gun-running in London.
- Where are you from again? - Hampshire CID.
I'm part of the external review of Operation Merlin.
We allow Gould to stay in business, then we go after him.
Now, what's that about? Well, us allowing Gould some leeway for strategic reasons is information you might want to lose on your hard drive.
You're joking.
Knowledge is power in this game.
Yeah, well, it does seem your boss had something of an ego.
Putting Gould away became an obsession for him.
It did seem that way to me at the time.
Must have thought his name was Kevin Costner, not Simmonds.
- Have you seen that film? - What film? The Untouchables.
Great film, it's a great film.
You should watch it.
Sean Connery.
"They put one of ours in the hospital, we put one of theirs in the morgue.
" - Right.
- lain? A light's just come on in the car.
It's like a green explanation mark.
- Probably needs a service.
- It's brand-new.
Thanks for your time.
Nice house.
You want a hand buttoning up? One of the few men I can trust not to grab my arse.
What's the deal with the Merlin undercover? Risdale? He unfortunately reminded me that knowledge is power.
Pack him off to Magaluf.
He can sell dodgy pills from his bar with the rest of the bent coppers.
It's a funny thing to sell your soul for, a new Beamer.
Yeah, cars have never really done it for me.
Well, what has? Apart from your work, of course.
My work's enough.
And now you have a new toy.
One that you gave the full VIP treatment to.
You gave me the impression he was very important.
We could've hauled him in at the hotel.
I know that.
- Do you mind if I ask why? - He'd been in prison for five years.
That's very charitable of you.
And aren't you always telling me that the stick is a weapon for the short term? I'm glad somebody listens to me.
Best hope he doesn't fall for you.
He's more likely to try and kill me.
And why should you care? Glittering in a place where a heart should be.
Go and make a drink.
Why are we watching this geezer? Because Lenny hasn't decided what to do with him yet.
Neighbours used to have loads of them in the garden.
Fishing rods, little ones.
Sitting on mushrooms.
Mum said it lowered the tone.
Gnomes.
I don't like gnomes.
Also, I don't like fire-eaters.
I don't like dried fruit of any kind.
And I don't like those big mental dogs that come running at you in parks.
You wouldn't just let a lion or crocodile run loose in Regent's Park, would you? - Say some things you don't like.
- Shut up.
- I'm bored! - Look, surveillance is boring.
There's a pair of jays in that tree, if you look.
Big thrill.
You know who really loves the countryside? Nonces.
Makes it easier to grab the kids.
You always hear about weird shit like that happening in places like this.
That's more like it.
That's the undercover's wife, Caroline Risdale.
Ticking my boxes.
I'd go under the covers with her but there's only thing that comes before a lady.
Me dinner.
I'm starving.
I'd eat those two jays in a sesame seed bun.
I'll get us something to eat, then we can work in shifts.
- Why? - Because I may garrotte you myself.
Don't be like that, John.
Come on, mate.
- What kind of bag? - I dunno.
A bag bag.
- A suitcase, an overnight bag? - That's it.
An overnight bag.
He goes out for a jog like you said and he comes back out with a bag.
What was I supposed to do? Did anything happen to spook him? - Did he see you? - Course not.
What? If we mess this up, they will find you dead of an overdose and I'll be back in prison waiting for someone to stab me in the showers.
Better hope he hasn't gone far, Calum.
lain? What do you mean, a runner? Just took off, all of a sudden.
- Find him for me.
- And then what? Operation Merlin's all but dead and buried.
I want him dealt with, John.
And this time, no guns.
- John, I've finally cracked it.
It's churros.
- What are you talking about? The Spanish doughnuts you dip in hot chocolate after you've been out.
- Churros.
- Good.
Once again last night, the wife got a call at 10:30.
- The husband saying good night.
- Exactly.
He's always calling.
They must like each other.
We need to get in, get the phone number, without her knowing.
How? We need a woman.
Like Mr Ray Charles says, we've got a woman.
- You must be joking if you think - How many other birds do you know? We meet again.
Thanks again for everything you did to help me.
Oh, don't just thank me.
How else did I know which hotel you'd be in? Which amoeba scratching his crutch not a million miles away might know that you kept your private stuff hidden behind a map of the world and tell Lenny you were leaving? What is it you do for them, Calum? You miserable little snitch.
I got used to having your big cheery smile around.
- Didn't want to see you leave.
- What do they have on you? I'm guessing that sex with strangers in hotels wasn't top of your career list.
It wasn't.
Advance warning - I'm getting ready to do a runner as well.
As long as it's not in my direction, Calum.
I was once a police officer.
I bet you looked lovely in that uniform, PC Rose.
Was Lenny your guv? Undercover, actually.
So can you can get us into the house? I might just be up to it.
Sweet.
Ooh! That's the front door.
Darling, I'll speak to you tomorrow, OK? Oh, I'm awfully sorry to disturb you.
- That's all right.
- I've broken down just along the road and wouldn't you know it but the bloody mobile! Would you mind if I borrowed your phone to call the AA? Erm You'll have to tell me where I am.
- Of course.
Come inside.
- Thank you.
You're an absolute angel.
Last number to call and last number dialled.
- How was she? - What does that mean? - Did she seem suspicious or anything? - All right.
A bit trusting.
I wouldn't let anybody into my house like that.
- That's cos you're a hard-faced bitch.
- Sorry! Well, you steal credit cards from vulnerable women.
- Just a moment of madness? - No.
I fell for a cheap whore in a bar.
Well, it had been a while, hadn't it? Which showed.
Sorry, guys.
I'd advise you two to get a room but you already have.
Shut up, Calum.
Now, sit nice and try not to lick the windows.
Hello, is that the Longbay Hotel? Could you put me through to lain Risdale, please.
- Yeah.
That's him.
- John, check the words to this.
Yo! And I ain't chatting no black talk.
- "Yo" means "I" in Spanish.
- Very impressive.
There's more.
"Yo no soy marinero.
" "I ain't no sailor.
" "Soy Capitan.
" "I'm Captain.
" - I've found Risdale.
- To dance La Bamba, what do you need? "Una poco de gracia.
" Shut up! For once in your stupid and pointless life, shut up.
I'm in love, mate.
Do you know what it feels like to be in love? Have you ever been in love? That ain't a trick question.
Have you ever loved anybody? Anybody whose name isn't Mercer? Bamba, Bamba Bamba We're going to the seaside, pack a bag.
Bamba, Bamba Me llamo Calum.
Me gustan los churros y las chicos.
You forget about the sea sometimes.
Yeah.
Reminds me of biscuits.
Really? Why's that? When we were just little kids, Mum and Dad used to take us to the seaside.
Me and my sister would sit in the back, eating digestive biscuits.
John, listen I've never done what you do.
I know.
Just ask him for the time or a light or whatever.
You can do that.
I'll do the rest.
Do you want some fudge? I've eaten tons.
I suppose I'd better save some for my mother.
You OK? I feel a bit - Yeah, yeah.
- Can you? Stop the car! Stop the car! Mm? It's done.
So are either of the kids' fathers gonna turn up to this dance of theirs? Abi's dad sends money and a card each birthday.
Rob's dad, nothing at all.
I could come if you want.
To the dance.
They'd love that.
They think you're great, you know.
Rob said you were cool.
Got some catching up to do.
Like you said, you're not going anywhere, right? They're good kids, Jess.
You've done a brilliant job with them.
I can't find my shoe.
I'll need it for the beach.
This is freedom, isn't it? One simple rule worth remembering.
I call the shots.
Not watching porn or playing one of your computer games, Calum? - I couldn't sleep.
- Yeah, me neither.
When we was in the car, my breathing went all funny.
I couldn't get air into my lungs.
It's panic.
And the best way of controlling that is singing.
Sing to yourself - it controls stuff inside, takes your mind off stuff.
- Sing what? - Dunno.
I'm not sure the lyrics make much difference.
You're Beautiful by James Blunt, maybe.
That's an underrated song, John.
Much darker than you, think.
Like, he freely admits he was high and once the beautiful angel he was after spotted that Curtains closed for them.
Got to sort the ladies out first, Blunty.
Everybody knows that.
That or La Bamba.
Remember what you need to dance La Bamba, Calum? Feet.
- Do you want a bacon sandwich? - Yeah, all right.
I'll stick the grill on, you nip to the shop for the bacon.
What? That's fair.
And if them hoodies on the corner start getting fierce, just dance La Bamba in front of them.
There is on thing that is totally and utterly certain in this life - and that is you will never see me dance.
- I'll put money on it.
One day you'll dance.
- Who's that out there? - Jude Cassidy.
Don't think that I care for you.
I just need you alive.
What do you mean, he's gone? - Argument about the M25.
- You had an argument about the M25? John, you can't leave me here on my own, please.
- Who else can I go to, Rose? - No sign of him leaving Mercer's flat.
- I'll tell Lenny.
- You'd be signing Calum's death warrant.
Somebody's lying to me.
What's given can be taken away.
Calum.
Let's discuss Jude's disappearance again.
Para bailar la bamba Para bailar la bamba Se necesita una poca de gracia Una poca de gracia pa'mi y pa'ti Ay Arriba y arriba Ay arriba y arriba por ti seré Por ti seré, por ti seré Yo no soy marinero