The Persuaders (1971) s01e02 Episode Script

Behind you! If you wish to dance, gentlemen, I'm afraid my card is full.
I can vouch for Lord Sinclair.
Get Mr Sandor to the hotel and do your job! Thanks.
- I AM sorry, Mr Lord - Sinclair.
If you hadn't hollered You OK? Did you get that girl? Girl? Which girl? That's always a good question.
Angie Hey, Angie Danny! Angie! Angie! - How are you?! - I don't believe it! Marvellous! How you doin'? - Let's go there! - You look great! - You, too! - Nice to see you! - Like a letter from home! - When was the last time? When was I kicked out of school? But I read about you in all the papers.
Things have been great.
And you? You and me, like always! A long, hard track.
Remember running around in those railroad flats you lived in? - Huh? - Long road long road.
Now, I'm at the Palace Hotel.
You never seen anything like it.
What do you think of this action? Beautiful, huh? Yeah, just like in the movies.
We're the stars.
- Why are you here? - Festival.
I love the flicks.
Remember sneaking into movies What was it? - Roly's Oriental.
- Right, the Roly's Oriental.
- Blood brothers.
- You and me, pal.
Danny, I need a little shut-eye.
- Meet tomorrow? - The Pool Room.
- What time? - Three o'clock.
Attention! You could kill somebody with a machine like that.
Maybe later, eh? - Au revoir.
- Au revoir.
Hi, I've come to see the manager.
- Monsieur Wilde? - Right, but we could be late Please, walk this way.
- Monsieur Wilde.
- Oh-ho Your Lordship.
You again, huh? Again.
Life's full of surprises.
I'm not all of them.
You remember the judge? I'm touched you're so delighted to see me again, Danny.
Delighted, huh? Whatever it is you want, the answer is thanks, but no thanks.
I'll say goodbye - goodbye and I hope we never meet again.
You do need that loan, don't you? When is the completion date on your vacation village deal? How can an ex-judge sink to blackmail? It's a good question.
You see, I am somewhat overdrawn You remember that Polish ballerina? More expensive than I thought.
He plays the song and we gotta dance for him, eh? Impeccable logic, Daniel.
So fasten your tutu and jeté over to the ballet.
I'm legal counsel for this bank.
What else? I could clear your loan within four days.
Just as soon as someone I'm interested in leaves Cannes.
Alive.
- Like who? - Kyle Sandor.
That's the union boss, right? Ex-union boss.
You in Cannes I can understand, but Sandor I don't It's his vacation.
He wants some film festival fun.
That kind of fun can be fatal.
Last night it nearly was.
An attempt was made on his life.
Unsuccessful, thanks to Brett.
- Who was the hit man? - No one saw him.
- Any angles? - A few curves Show him, Your Honour.
Marissa Nave.
A so-called starlet.
Always around where what you'd call "the action" is.
She certainly was at the casino last night.
She set up the attempt on Sandor's life.
Why hit Sandor? He made his union strong.
He also made a few deals along the way.
There's gonna be a Congressional investigation.
- Crime and the unions? - Mm-hm.
- When? - Oh, excuse me, about a week.
And Sandor intends to testify? Right.
That's if "da boys" don't get him.
Find that girl.
I'm looking! Do you see anything? Everything in a see-through bikini.
That's a fella.
- Over there.
- Oh - I gotta go.
- Where? - To meet a buddy of mine.
- What about our assignment? I just wanna say hello.
We don't have time for the social graces.
We can find this chick any time.
- Cherchez la femme.
- It'll just take two minutes.
We grew up together Forgive my rare sincerity, but everything passes and changes.
Even old friends.
Not Angie.
Not Angie and me.
The trouble I had digging up this table.
These Frenchies don't play pocket pool.
- What are you gonna do? - Quiet.
Pull the black out for the gentleman.
What are you doing now? Let's make it interesting.
You're covered.
Nice shot.
Green, that pocket.
Hey, Danny, remember them Mickies? Yeah.
Do you know what a Mickie is? More old friends No, Mickies are potatoes.
They never tasted so good unless we stole 'em from fruit stands.
How'd you like that shot? - Very adept.
- Mm-hmm.
He's a natural born athlete.
Daniel, time is running out.
He was the only two-sewer man in the neighbourhood.
Two sewers.
It's a game.
Stickball.
Oh, rounders? No, not rounders, stickball.
What's rounders? A batsman hits a ball and tries to get all the bases Baseball.
You Americans stole it from us, like you steal everything - our games our colonies our language And time.
Out of which we have definitely run.
- What's his rush? - A chick.
That shouldn't be hard for a lord.
Hey, Danny, remember the way those stickballs used to smell? Yeah.
Vanilla.
Ha.
That'll be five little C-notes, tiger.
- I tell you - Another game? Another time.
Wait, there's someone for you to meet.
I really have to go.
Angie, he's one of the guys.
Let him do it.
- He's your friend! - Let's do it for him.
Do what? All right.
I'll tell you.
Hit this blue with the cue ball without hitting the reds.
- My 500 says you can't.
- Yours? It's my 500.
What do you get if I don't? You get odds, understand? - Give him odds.
- 2-1.
What? 5-1.
5-1 if you do that.
- I give $100 to your five? - Right.
Gentlemen, British public school education is most complete.
The game snooker was invented by Lieutenant Neville Chamberlain, Devonshire Regiment Stationed in India at the time.
$500.
Don't you love those stories? First time I ever got clipped on my own trick.
The Lord giveth and taketh away.
- Who did you want me to meet? - My girlfriend.
Danny, remember Charlie's girl they called Mohair? - Yeah.
- Nothing compared to this.
AND she's crazy about me.
Something special.
That she is.
She can't be the same one.
Brett is positive she is.
Maybe it's an accident she was there.
You don't come across that very often.
What? Come across what? Perfectly timed split-second accidents.
That still doesn't mean Angie's involved.
Look, Angie's my friend.
I know him better than myself.
That is scarcely a recommendation.
He's no killer! I'll stake my life on it! It's Sandor's life at stake, and your friend is our only suspect.
What do you know about friends? Daniel, if you want to quit, say so.
I'm gonna tell you something, wise guy.
I'm in.
Just to prove to you that Angie's no hit man.
And you had better prove he is.
What's up, Ben? You think I'm afraid of them? Answer me one question.
Who is "them", huh? The "them" we fought you could confront.
This is a ghost! And they'll try again.
Those punks.
The way we sweated all those years Those hoodlums think they have us in their pocket.
Wait till I meet that Senate Committee.
Kyle, we retired.
You got a right to your life.
I gave it already, to our union.
That's my monument.
I made some bad moves, sure, but if I'd known those hoods would take over after me Kyle, I beg you, contact them.
Tell 'em you won't make those hearings.
No.
Then stay undercover, at least! I didn't take this vacation I didn't come to this festival just to hide in the john! Ben, all my life I've been crazy about movies, and now I'm here! So, come on, buddy, what about those invitations you promised? Nothing makes sense any more.
You don't even understand Bulgarian.
What's the difference? They say it's a million laughs.
OK, but let me reserve the seats and make sure you're covered.
Sure.
Just so as I have my fun, eh? So get on the stick, eh, and give it a pull.
What a slingshot for our neighbourhood, eh, tiger? Right.
Ready.
Pull! This is fun! - Like it? - Yeah.
- Here, Angie.
Your turn.
- Me? Come on! This isn't my Come on Whaddaya? - Tiger, this isn't my kinda - Come on, take a shot.
Aw, come on What's up, Angie? You're a natural athlete.
- You say "Pull".
- Aw, whaddaya doing? - All right? - Right.
- Ready? - Pull! I'll tell you something you're some killer.
- Had enough? - What? This was some kinda test, wasn't it? What are you talking about? You know how I felt about guns, even as kids.
Don't fool around.
Remember that kid studying for the priesthood, black hair - Tutti - Tutti Francesca.
Remember how he blew his brains out with a.
38? Come on, Angie.
It's not a problem.
I got me something for a sore shoulder.
See you later, pal.
OK, wise guy, satisfied? You saw the way he handled that gun.
A triumph of inexpertise.
Danny, come on.
Anyone can miss a target, even a sharpshooter.
What are you trying to prove? Why does a rough guy like Angie offend your dignity? What are you trying to prove? - What about you? - Me? Admit the possibility that this charade proved nothing.
Angie's my friend.
He's all that's left of the way it was for me.
Danny, you can't go back, because things were never that way before.
You blew it last night, Angie.
They don't like that.
Maybe the job's too big for you, Angie.
Lost your touch? Mo, listen to me.
Will you relax? Tell the construction crew to relax.
That loan I'm after is practically in the bank.
Oh, Mo, with your heart you wouldn't last a day here.
These incredible chicks What? The completion bond is OK - forget it.
Relax! Later.
Your optimism borders on the psychopathic.
- Who asked you? - Good morning, Daniel.
Still suffering from the Angies, I see.
How did you get in here? Don't you lords get taught to knock doors instead of people? Only one cup? We spent the night alone? That conniving miserable Judge Fulton.
Who cares if some two-bit hoods beat the rap in his courts? They're your courts, too, and he's far from wrong about Big deal! He's dedicated his life to doing good, not us! And the difference between truth and fact.
The fact is he's suckered us both! And the truth is we know he is right! I'm gonna give you $25,000, just to buy back my introduction.
Could I take cash? You're up to here in it.
You were a witness! To the fact that Angie's girlfriend set this up.
You keep saying Angie.
He's not a hit man! Do guys from the wrong side of the track make you nervous? No, it's people without any history, any past! THAT makes me nervous.
I know Angie, and that's the truth.
Then you know Angie's stayed nowhere longer than a few days in five years.
So? We move around a lot.
But not always the day after underworld murders.
Face some facts, Daniel.
They're all in this folder compiled by the judge.
Names, dates, places - you name it.
Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Acapulco You name it.
Your life's just like mine, always moving, eh? Long road, fast track.
That's me, tiger.
You never really settled down.
So? Nothing.
Nothing at all.
Why the evil eye? C'mon, tell me the truth.
You got the black eight? Yeah, I do.
Gin.
Natural born athlete, man.
Danny Remember, we once made a promise to one another? When they took Ackerman away, Well, nothing has changed.
I still feel the same.
Me, I I gotta be free, you know? No man-made cage for old Angie.
I gotta keep movin'.
Man stays in one spot too long and he becomes a target and he dies.
Me, I get in fast, a couple of quick scores and then I move.
Satisfied, or should I go on? I don't know what you mean.
I don't know.
I get the feeling you're looking for something.
Like, maybe you think I'm gonna put the arm on the numbers runners for the Big Boy.
- Look, Angie - Forget it, tiger.
Listen, you know the big-shot union guy, Kyle Sandor? His people have got tickets to a screening today, and I boosted a couple for us.
Now, do me a favour.
Show 'em what kinda buddies I got.
You come with me.
You, me and the movie.
Just like the old days.
I'll bring the popcorn, you bring the bubble gum.
Deal.
Meet me here at three o'clock and we'll roll.
- What about? - Fine, fine! - See you later.
- Right.
Marissa! Contact Ben.
I haven't finished yet.
He wants to play games? He can handle the British guy any way he likes, but he lays off my buddy, understand? I'll take care of him myself.
Ben says I never thanked you for saving my life.
It was just a reprieve.
Your health.
I'm sure they'll try again.
I've told him to get out of here.
The art of compromise - union-style! We starved, warmed our bones over fire barrels, making my union strong, And on the way I made enemies.
They've tried to gun me down before, from outside and inside labour.
So now racketeers try to muscle in and plunder our boys.
Well, they won't get away with it.
Not when I say what I know to Congress.
Oh, Kyle, at least back home we can cover your back.
He's right, you know.
Sorry, but it's me for that Bulgarian movie today.
Oh, you see, there's a contract out to kill me, right? Wherever I go there's gonna be someone making sure it's done.
Kyle, Leftie Marceau What about him? Just another punk waving a gun at me.
Word is he's out here - remember he got deported? So? Maybe he's the contract broker? Fat chance! Freshen up? No, thank you, I must be going.
I've gotta get ready, too.
It's been real nice meeting you, especially a real lord.
Well, I never met a union boss.
Anything else we can do for you? No, you've done enough already.
Thank you.
Enough's enough.
You and the pursuit of truth! You're dead wrong about that folder - that's the truth! Obviously, you know something.
Yeah.
Did you ever hear of a hit man going to the movies with his target? - Sounds improbable.
- It's impossible.
Angie had nothing to do with it.
And another thing, stay out of my life.
Madame La Gata? Perhaps.
Well, I understand that money buys almost anything here.
Who do you want killed? No, I'd just like to know the whereabouts of Leftie Marceau.
- Is that all? - That's all.
Right on time, my lord.
Bonjour.
Hi.
Angie! It's me.
Be right out! Marissa! Fill my buddy a drink! I agree.
There's too much unnecessary chatter in the world today.
Cheers.
Salut.
Oh, thanks.
Angie No Sorry Pal Oh Excuse me, lady.
Can I help? That's the one.
Hiya, Ben.
Third row down.
Follow me.
Third one in.
You're here.
- That's my seat.
- I LIKE the aisle seat.
No, the next one.
So they'll have to go through me.
Oh, relax, Ben.
Settle down.
Hey, there, tiger.
Know what? I've done a bad thing.
Long road, fast track.
- End of the race for me.
- You're the hit man.
Miss man's more like it.
First time, Danny.
I never missed a contract before.
They're closing in on me.
Only friend I ever had was you.
Just wanna say goodbye.
Listen, Danny, I gotta fade fast.
Remember that promise we made to each other? I'm gonna hold you to it.
What are you talking about? You remember! Marissa! Marissa! Where you been? Get back to the room.
Tell Ben I get the money or I'll blow everything.
Come on.
move it! Angie! Angie! You're a watcher Aren't you? You watch men play deadly games and destroy themselves.
You're going to help me stop one called "how to kill a friend".
But first we play another game - our game.
Where did Angie-baby go? You're going to tell me.
Your move - you can play it the easy way or the hard way.
Angie! Angie! Just like the old days, eh, tiger? Yeah like the old days.
Come out, come out, wherever you are! Cowboys and Indians all over again, Danny-boy! Wahoo! Bang! Bang! You're dead! What's the matter, tiger? Don't you wanna play? Tell you what, pal, this time, you be the cowboy, I'll be the Indian! The Indians always used to lose, Angie! Come on out! Too bad, tiger! Now I know! You're not a kid, Angie! These are real guns! You ain't got the belly for it! You can't kill your old friend! I make that five shots! You're out of bullets, hit man! That's four here, and one must have been for Sandor! Don't count on it, tiger.
It's a six-chambered gun! Well, then, shoot! Go ahead! You're a pro, Angie! And a pro always leaves his hammer chamber empty.
You got a clear shot, Danny.
Do it.
You promised when we were kids - you promised! We're not kids, Angie.
No more.
Look out there, Danny-boy.
Look at that.
Freedom, that's what's out there.
All I needed was one last hit.
So you know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna take a little walk to freedom.
No, Angie.
I'm not gonna let you go.
What are you gonna do, shoot me in the back? No.
That's the difference between you and me.
Always was.
In your place I could pull that trigger.
Not you.
See you around the corner.
Angie You blew it again, Angie.
Only you knew I gave you the contract.
Now there's two.
Angie! - Don't let him - Shut up.
- You gotta! - Shut up! Brett! It's not Whistler's Mother How many? - One, loaded! - Good odds.
Odds Hey, I got an idea! Can't you speak in a civilised tone? Excuse me.
Your lucky number in roulette.
That's a capital idea.
Let's start - now! Angie Promised remember? Angie No man-made cages for us.
Make sure nobody puts us away.
Better off dead.
Angie Angie Ahem! You OK? Your Lordship, you got style.
You're not bad yourself, but let's not get maudlin.
The timing was perfect, thanks to you.
Good I remembered your lucky number was five.
Very good.
Especially as it happens to be seven.
Seven? by European Captioning Institute