Roadkill (2020) s01e04 Episode Script

Julia!
Have you seen this?
- Tell me what it is.
- Tomorrow's press digest.
Then I've seen it.
What the hell?
How did this happen?
I have no idea.
- That email was private.
- I drafted it, remember?
Did you keep a copy?
It was sent on your private account
to the Chair of the British Defence Group.
- No copies.
- Then how has it been leaked
to the press, Julia?
"I assure you, Trevor,
whatever noises I make in public
I will always defend the long-term interests
of the British Defence Group".
- Well?
- What can I say, Prime Minister?
It's that word, "noises".
- Yes.
- Did you choose it?
You approved it.
That's not what I asked.
It makes me sound like a total hypocrite,
saying one thing in public
and another in private.
And I rang Trevor, I got him out of bed.
He said no one else has read it
on the British Defence Group.
He even deleted it. That's what he said.
That leaves one possibility!
Someone has leaked it from Downing Street!
Now I am looking at you, Julia!
I'm looking you straight in the eye!
Prime Minister, I don't have children,
so I can't swear on their lives
but ask yourself,
why would I do such a thing?
It wasn't me.
LOCK BUZZES
OK.
So, now I think
I know who your mother must be.
I'm sure you've done your research.
Can't imagine you'd be here
if you hadn't done background.
You're Bella Gayle's daughter.
Correct.
Go on, then.
How is she?
Not very happy about this meeting.
When did she tell you who I was?
I had to fight pretty hard to get it
out of her. She never wanted to say.
She was a determined woman.
Still is.
She was principled.
Even so, that's a hell of a thing to do
to raise a child without telling her
who her father is.
I thought so.
I never had the slightest inkling
that you existed.
I think that's also part of the reason
why she never really wanted to contact you.
I wish she had.
Do you really?
I mean, would you have helped, or
would you have taken me on at the time?
That's a difficult question.
Why? Would you have wanted me aborted?
- Rose
- No, really, I'm asking you.
I was a different man
Right, is that a nice way of saying "yes"?
I was ambitious, and it wouldn't have made
any difference anyway, would it?
Bella would have got what she wanted.
She always did.
I know this is the question I'm not
supposed to ask, but why did you do it?
Why did you rob the bank?
You make it sound very romantic.
Why did you defraud the bank?
That's less romantic.
I was a high-flyer.
Fraud's quite common,
it's more common than anyone knows.
High-street banks try to cover it up.
They don't want their customers
to realise how easy it is.
But, in my case, they decided to prosecute.
Why your case?
Because they disliked me.
And I stole a little bit more, so
I didn't want to give you my name
when we first got in touch.
I thought maybe you'd remember the case
and it might've put you off.
I'd read the coverage
and I thought it was pretty racist.
Yeah. Who'd have thought a woman of colour
would be clever enough to steal that much?
So what was your reason?
The people at the top of the bank
were taking great big bonuses.
Just reaching their hands into clients' money
and calling it a salary.
So it was a protest?
No, it wasn't a protest.
I just fancied proving something.
Proving what exactly?
Proving that I was cleverer than them.
From what I've read,
you like doing that too.
And you?
- Me?
- Yeah, what should I know about you?
- Then or now?
- Both.
Er, well, for many years I, erm
I used to buy the papers
on the way to the tube
Yeah, Mum said.
And I found myself just lingering
longer and longer every day
because I realised that Bella
was probably going to be
the most interesting person I met that day.
And that's how we started.
PHONE BUZZES
Wait, you're meant to give your phone in.
I'm the Minister of Justice.
SHE LAUGHS
Sorry, I've kept you too long, haven't I?
Don't be silly. You haven't kept me.
Does that mean that you'll visit again?
How much longer
are you supposed to be in here?
It's about two years, I think.
Well, if I get parole.
This place is a shithole.
My friend has just died because a guard
couldn't work a defibrillator properly.
She hadn't been trained,
because everything here is about money.
They want to punish us on the cheap
and I want my father
to do something about it.
I promise you I'll do one thing,
I will come back and I will not let you down.
That's two things.
Yeah.
Can I ask you something else?
Yeah.
Will you own up to me?
HE SIGHS
That is something I have to decide.
Hey, Vanessa.
- You sent for me?
- Yes.
The Minister's been making
unscheduled visits.
- I'm sorry?
- You haven't put them in the diary.
He's been going to Shephill to see a woman
called Rose Dietl. Do you know who that is?
It's not my business to know.
Joy, the civil service accepts
that new ministers
expect to bring fresh blood with them
when they arrive
but new blood needs to meet
old blood halfway.
Am I interrupting?
- Not at all.
- Minister.
Excuse me.
I don't mean to disturb you, Vanessa
but I'm just looking over the draft
of my new bill and I'm confused.
Everything I really care about,
the early parole
and the alternatives to incarceration
Yes?
It's not there. It's just dropped off.
I don't know if I'm missing some pages,
or do I detect your hand in this?
Minister, I know how deeply
you feel about prison reform
- Indeed I do.
- But I think it's foolish
to draft provisions which have no chance
of becoming legislation.
Isn't that for me to decide?
This ministry takes a certain
professional pride
in ensuring that our proposals
are thought-through, practical
destined to end up on the statute book.
I don't see those proposals coming into
that particular category.
I'm worried that you may be working on
emotion.
Is that such a bad thing?
In this context, yes.
If we lose faith in the idea of prison,
we move into uncharted waters.
Dame Vanessa, I don't know if you've noticed
but the government is in uncharted waters.
Right now, we are looking at
a no-confidence vote in the Prime Minister.
That is what I would call
"uncharted waters"!
I think you have been over-affected
by your visits to prisons.
There's an element of personal investment.
Oh, yes, possibly.
And possibly for the better.
If there were more people in this place
who actually had some intimate knowledge
of what goes on inside prisons,
we might make better decisions.
New policies have to be tested.
I am suggesting a pioneering trial
in one or two prisons only
- No!
- so that we see the effect.
So that there is an evidential
No!
basis on which any possible innovation
may be based
and we make changes that any of your possible
successors will be able to defend!
"Possible successors"?
I see what's going on.
It's foolish for civil servants
not to make provision for the future.
A future that in your case, Dame Vanessa,
you devoutly desire.
Let me tell you, there is a reason
why this country has never moved
into the 21st century
and it's called the civil service!
I am aware of your view.
You've made that plain.
Anytime any minister comes into office
with any trace of passion
or a serious idea for change
there you are,
in the best traditions of your calling
ready to throw a wet blanket over
anything that might improve people's lives!
Restore the missing clauses to the bill!
That's an order.
Is there anything else?
Yes.
I've had a visit and a couple of calls
from the director of Shephill.
She seems to believe
you have a relative in her prison.
Really?
And how is that any business of yours?
Thank you, Minister.
No, thank you.
- How's your boss?
- Bewildering.
He was furious with me
for pursuing his daughter.
- Now he's met her, he seems full of beans.
- Why?
I've no idea.
Does he thank me, for getting them together?
HE SCOFFS
Does he buggery?
For the first time ever, I feel like he's
drifting away from me and I don't know why.
He's up to something.
What about yours?
Rattled. She doesn't know which way to jump.
- Mind you, she thinks it's gonna blow over.
- Hm.
- And is it?
- Oh, ask me again in a week.
Mr De Banzie's asked
if we can go in round the back?
Of course. Any reason?
Reason? Why do you ask?
No, I just wondered, sir.
Security, I think.
WOMAN:
They're just over there.
Right, thank you.
- Peter.
- Adam. Good to see you.
You know Trevor's joining us?
No, I did not,
but always happy to see Trevor.
- How are you?
- Peter.
Well, it seems like your tormentor is dead.
Yes. Yes, I read about that in the papers.
I was quite taken aback.
- Do we know anything more?
- Do we need to?
Well, she was still pursuing me.
In spite of losing the case,
she was still after me.
Well, she's not anymore.
No.
Did you know she was in Washington?
Did we?
I don't remember.
Look, Peter, you once told me your motto.
What was my motto?
"Always put the past behind you".
That's what you said. You've lived by that.
ADAM:
Yes, her death is tragic.
But for you, it might be a stroke of luck.
That's all you need to know.
QUINN:
She was a drunk.
Even before she died,
we made a decision.
We should have done it weeks ago, actually,
after the trial
- We've decided to close down British-American.
- Mmm.
We had a board meeting yesterday
by conference call.
We decided to make a clean cut.
It's served its purpose.
The staff are being let go.
All of them?
That's that's necessary, is it?
Or else we wouldn't have done it, would we?
But what's the thinking here?
You're not worried that
shutting it down now might draw
more attention, rather than less?
No, it'll be done quietly.
Your trial caused a lot
of unwelcome publicity.
We've kept British-American
under the radar for years
and suddenly, we're seeing the name in print
and the board didn't like it.
- But you'll start up another think tank?
- Eventually.
Different name, different personnel.
Same philosophy.
Get the US and the UK as close as we can.
It's a great shame though, isn't it?
I mean, we had good times, didn't we?
- Some very good times.
- QUINN LAUGHS
Sure, I was in Washington, of course I was
arguing from deep experience
that the only way the NHS is gonna survive
is by bringing in private expertise.
Opening it up is sensible and humane.
It's gonna save lives.
But of course, I'm not allowed to say that,
so, yeah, I lied. I had no choice.
That's life. I can talk about privatisation,
you can't.
HE CHUCKLES
As I remember, you took your money
through a company called Stanfield Titles.
- Is that right?
- Yes.
QUINN:
In the Virgin Islands?
Yes.
You need to wind that up too,
as soon as you can.
Adam, I haven't used that company in years.
It's virtually defunct.
Good. So get rid of "virtually".
Now, I take it you've seen
Dawn's contribution to today's news?
In disbelief.
How could she have done something so stupid?
- She's weak. She panics.
- We always knew that about her.
She got carried away. Straight choice to make
between being strong or being liked.
- She made the wrong choice.
- But even so, sending such a stupid email?
QUINN:
That's what I'm saying. Pure panic.
If I can't get export licences
for fighter jets
then I choke to death.
And Britain chokes with me.
What are you saying? You leaked the email?
As a matter of fact, not.
But you know who did?
Peter, we don't give a damn
who the Prime Minister is. We really don't.
As long as whoever it is
lets us get on with our work.
ADAM:
You look a bit uncertain, Peter.
No, it's it's nothing.
If the three of us can't speak frankly
after all we've done for each other,
then who can?
Well, there is something
I should warn you about.
- Oh, go on?
- It's a technical thing
but I put Stanfield Titles
in my wife's name.
So, if I'm gonna wind it up,
I'm gonna need Helen's signature.
Well, there's no reason why
that should be a problem, is there?
INDISTINCT CHATTER
ALISHA:
Joe! Have you seen?
Oh, yep.
The shark's in the swimming pool.
Did you know she was coming?
Fish her out before she does any damage.
Joe.
JOE:
Gillian!
We see you so rarely.
Erm Would you like to come through
and talk to us?
I should like that very much.
Oh!
JOE CLEARS THROA
Just clear this
Right, er, ahem
You, er, down from Scotland?
GILLIAN: Yes, I came overnight,
and I'm going back this evening.
The trains are terrible.
Yes. We've, er, mentioned it in the paper.
That's kind.
Is there anything in particular?
The decision to return
to the Peter Laurence business?
Well, we're not returning to it.
- Really?
- JOE: No, we're developing it.
Taking it to a new level.
- You ran a story about his daughter.
- JOE: We did.
Taking drugs in Leeds.
Yes, the pictures were newsworthy.
She's over 18.
They are of legitimate public interest.
It's the subject of a complaint
to the body for press regulation.
Hm! With respect,
I'm not trembling at that prospect.
GILLIAN:
Well, perhaps you should be.
I've spoken to friends.
Which friends are they?
The consensus is we look small and vengeful.
We look like bad losers.
We lost to Peter Laurence in court.
To our friends, it doesn't look
like journalism. It looks like a vendetta.
I think I should inform you of our plans.
We have new information with which we hope
we can fight the court's verdict.
Exactly, that's my point.
We're fighting everything.
At a loss, so far, of 1.5 million pounds.
Well, that's my point.
We're trying to get our money back.
Our money?
HE CLEARS THROA
Yours, Gillian.
Before she died, Charmian Pepper interviewed
an ex-employee of British-American.
Do I really need to hear this? Hasn't that
unfortunate girl caused us enough grief?
JOE: The witness confirmed that Laurence
was indeed in Washington
when he claims to have been in New York.
Now, he got paid for facilitating access
for American private health providers
to the NHS.
He'd been a junior minister at Health.
He sold his expertise.
- I see.
- JOE: We have it on tape.
We collected the recording
after Charmian's death.
If it's as conclusive as you say,
why have you not published it?
I'd like to know.
We're having to tread carefully.
Our lawyers and insurance company
are being unnecessarily cautious
after what happened last time.
We're also doing background
on his time as a landlord.
There are big questions as to some of
the things that went on in his properties.
So if you can't get him on one thing,
you'll go after him for another?
Honestly, it's not like that.
No, isn't it?
I've never even met Peter Laurence.
I don't know the man,
but I have met his wife.
Are you talking about Helen?
Yes. I heard her choir singing at St John's,
Smith Square.
They were transcendent.
You could be endangering
the future of this newspaper
because of an obsession.
We think of it as investigative journalism.
Always with the same target?
We look small, Joe.
I very rarely interfere in editorial policy
but I do not want to be known
as a proprietor who carries a grudge.
We are at the point of confirming
Charmian Pepper's original story.
That issue was settled, in court!
If you go on with this,
I shall have no alternative!
Alternative to what?
Please don't make me spell it out.
I hope I've made myself clear.
I hate unpleasantness.
Well?
There'll be no unpleasantness.
Good.
Every day,
I wake up and read your paper.
JOE:
I know.
ROCHELLE:
Well?
JOE: That's why I wanted to see you.
So I could, er, tell you.
We've hit an unforeseen problem.
ROCHELLE:
Is that hers?
I'm sorry.
Does that mean you're not going to publish?
We're not.
Look, my advice is
- take it elsewhere.
- Oh, yes!
I can get disbarred for this and now
you want me to go and trust someone
like I trusted you.
I've got the names written down here.
Just a couple of editors
I think might take it.
- I had a visit.
- What sort of visit?
From my proprietor.
She told me this is not something
I am to pursue.
Why not?
She's lost a lot of money already.
She doesn't want to lose anymore.
Is that the real reason?
She likes choral music!
She thinks Helen Laurence is a nice woman.
Maybe she wants Helen's husband
to be Prime Minister.
Someone got to her. Take your pick!
She's a Scottish aristocrat.
Who knows what the fuck goes on in her head?
She stopped you?
She stopped me under threat
of losing my job.
That's how it is.
You go any further, we're in the same boat.
Your receipt. Have a nice day.
I don't believe it.
Hello, Bella.
You've seen her.
Yes, I have.
I hope you don't mind me asking
but I wonder if you could do me a selfie?
Well, actually, I've just gotta have
a quick chat with a friend of mine.
- Right, yes, I'm sorry to have bothered you!
- No, no, it's fine.
- MAN: Thank you. Bye.
- You're welcome.
You're popular.
I never thought this day would come.
You were never gonna tell me?
Why not?
Cos I wasn't sure you'd be a good father.
- That hurts.
- I wasn't sure you'd even admit to her.
You have a dim view of me.
And I've had a long time to think about it.
I wanted to be responsible for my own life,
not depend on a man.
Come on, give me a drag.
- Are you sure?
- I only do this with you.
She was doing really well.
A good education. I was proud of her.
Then she blew up and I don't know why.
She had everything anyone could ever want
but she still got angry.
I did my best
but I couldn't control her.
I saw her.
And I liked her, genuinely.
If I go public, Bella
we're gonna be naked in a hurricane,
all three of us.
- It's you who's well-known.
- Yeah, but I'm used to it, you're not.
The press would be all over you.
It's brutal, I promise.
You'd do that for her?
You'd risk your career for her?
Peter Laurence,
if you let her down at this point
I am never gonna forgive you.
You'll be joining a queue.
You do this properly
or not at all.
Sir.
JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS
Door was open.
After three years,
I've developed a sort of psychic gift.
I'm hoping it's going to stay with me.
I can sense when you're in the area.
Close it.
I'm sorry I haven't been in touch.
DOOR SHUTS
- I was
shaken by what happened.
And you think I wasn't?
I was appalling.
I apologise.
I was rattled that night.
I wanted to tell you that my family
had found out about you.
Sure.
You don't seem surprised.
Here.
It's the one you like.
Know how sometimes you happen
to catch sight of yourself in a mirror
when you're not expecting it, and you go,
"Who on Earth is that?"
Maybe that's what happened to me
the other night.
"Who's that ridiculous woman?"
You are not ridiculous.
I gave up a perfectly good job in Texas.
Madeleine, I'm I'm sorry, I
- I don't know what you're getting at.
- I don't have a trace of self-pity.
I just know it's time for us to stop.
No, no, there's no need.
That's what I came round to say.
I can handle this, I promise.
It's not a problem.
- Isn't it?
- Madeleine, we can go on.
But I don't want to go on.
If you look at it my way,
you could say I used you.
I needed you to put me back together
when I lost my son
but now
if I'm to survive, I need to move on.
Madeleine, I love you.
You say that now it's over.
I'd say gather up your things,
but you don't really have any, do you?
- What does she want with you this time?
- Pretty soon, you're gonna find out.
Contain your excitement.
But since she's got herself
in a bloody great hole
I imagine she's gonna want me
to dig her out of it.
CROWD CLAMOURS
- CAMERAS CLICK
Ah, good, the Prime Minister's waiting.
We came as fast as we could.
No, we didn't. We didn't run.
The Prime Minister knows Justice
is eight minutes away.
DAWN:
You can come in!
You can also give me an explanation!
You go on ahead. I'll see you there.
PETER:
Dawn?
I would love to explain.
If you can tell me
what I'm meant to be explaining.
Peter, I'll put it bluntly. I promoted you.
Any prominence you have
is entirely down to me.
Not entirely.
So let me ask you, why are you not
out there fighting to save my premiership?
Oh, I see.
Things are going that badly, are they?
Usually you can't get enough publicity.
You and the limelight
are in some kind of permanent romance!
Now for the first time in years,
you've fallen silent. I heard you on AllTalk.
Your support for me
was less than whole-hearted.
You think so?
Maybe I misjudged my tone.
I'm facing a confidence motion.
From stinking Bishop?
Yes.
Surely you don't take him seriously?
He's a piece of ripe Tory gammon,
but he's gaining votes fast
and you're saying nothing.
- I'm not saying nothing.
- You're standing on the sidelines.
The Prime Minister's requesting
more vocal support.
Yeah, I got that, thank you.
I make one small error of judgement.
A private message, that's all.
I was tired, I was fatigued,
it was a moment's inattention.
Viciously leaked from I don't know where.
And I'm facing a confidence motion. You
- Me?
- You're up to your neck in
You lawyer your way out of the libel courts,
by the skin of your teeth.
High-wire doesn't do it, more like Houdini.
You were for sale, or near as dammit,
and you pay no price for it?
Why?
How does that work out?
Do we put it down to misogyny?
Could be. Could also be down to character.
- Character?
- Yeah.
Yours or mine?
You were always respected
as a cautious leader.
That was your strength.
So when you did something careless,
people got unreasonably angry.
You just spoke about me
like was in the past tense.
I didn't mean to.
Can I warn you, Peter?
Lately, I've been briefed
about your private life.
Please go on.
Specifically, about your family.
What about my family?
About how it's larger than anyone
had hitherto known.
Larger?
If you're talking about
my unacknowledged daughter
I am.
Her existence is not exactly news to you.
My impression is that you've known
for some time, almost as long as I have.
Just an instinct. I could be wrong, but
Yes, I have recently discovered
that I have a third child.
- In prison.
- Yes.
She's had some bad luck in her life.
Bad luck? She swindled a bank!
She was trying to walk away
with a million pounds. How is that bad luck?
She was angry.
What's she got to be angry about?
Believe me, in the unlikely event
that I lose this confidence vote
I shall do everything in my power
to ensure that whoever is my successor
showed me loyalty throughout.
Now, I very much doubt you want
the public to know about "Rose Ditel".
Dietl.
But if she is the unlucky victim
that you make her out to be
I suggest for her sake, as well as your own,
you think very carefully about it.
So, Peter
do I have your support?
You have it.
Good.
Julia tells me you're going to be
on Prebble tonight.
Julia is well informed.
Always. Well, I shall be watching.
And I shall expect
to be pleased in what I see.
You should be campaigning for me,
unreservedly.
Is that understood?
DOOR OPENS
DOOR SHUTS
WOMAN: Do you think the Prime Minister
can survive this?
CROWD CLAMOURS
- CAMERAS CLICK
MAN:
Will you be supporting the Prime Minister?
WOMAN:
Do you know who leaked the email, Minister?
CROWD CLAMOURS
Broadcasting House.
- So what was that about? What happened?
- Tell you later.
One thing at a time.
Hello, there! Hello.
- Nice to meet you, Peter!
- Nice to see you. How are you?
Yes!
WOMAN: Good evening. Tonight, I am speaking
with the Secretary of State for Justice
Peter Laurence.
- Good evening, Sian.
- Good evening, Minister.
So, I'll start off with, do you think
it's possible for the Prime Minister
to win a vote of confidence
in the House of Commons?
PETER:
Of course it is.
The rules are obscure.
She may prefer to hold a leadership election
within the party.
To be honest,
I haven't discussed the choice with her.
And would you yourself
be interested in standing?
We are nowhere near that, nowhere near.
I'm getting on with the work of
my department
and of course, I've let the Prime Minister
know she has my full support.
SIAN: You do seem to be setting about
the job at Justice with an axe.
Well, I wouldn't say an axe. Uh
I'd hope it's more targeted,
more forensic than that.
Gardening shears, maybe.
Some people have charged you
with caring more about the criminal
than you do about the victim.
That is quite ridiculous.
It is true that I am constantly shocked
by the squandering of human potential.
And that's something I know a little bit
about from my own experience.
What experience is that?
I have some
personal knowledge of what goes on
in British prisons.
SIAN: You mean,
beyond your professional responsibility?
Yes.
I have not spoken about this before,
but I have a daughter
who is serving a sentence right now,
in jail.
In fact, in Shephill.
And I've only recently discovered
that she's
Uh, well, let's say that I had
no knowledge of her existence.
But finding out about her has been
one of the best things
that's ever happened in my life.
Many years ago,
I had a child that I knew nothing about.
Her name is Rose,
and she and I are now reconciled.
SIAN:
And she
is a prisoner?
Correct.
Julia!
SIAN:
Most people
I think, will be astonished
What the hell is this?
and wonder whether
you've been forced to make it.
All of this is completely voluntary.
I'm saying it because I want to
He wants to get it out of the way
before he makes his move for the leadership.
Is that what he's thinking?
With Peter, you never know.
PETER:
Of course, I am fully aware that this
will cause a great deal of hurt to my family
and those around me.
I am the guilty one here,
there's no question about that.
There's also no point in pretending
that my daughter committed a small crime.
She didn't. She committed a big one.
SIAN:
And does it worry you at all
the effect that this admission may have
on your political career?
You use that word "admission"
That many people within your party
No, you're making it sound as if
this is someone I should be ashamed of
I don't mean that you should, however
I am not ashamed.
In fact, quite the opposite.
I'm proud. I'm proud of my daughter.
I'm proud that she exists.
This is the 21st century,
I think people understand
that we don't all live faultless lives.
I've made terrible mistakes
and I have paid for them.
But my daughter is not a mistake.
And just to be clear, I am saying this now
because she wants me to.
I think it's about time
that she was listened to.
For many years,
she's lived a shadow existence
in a good home with a good mother.
But now
I want my daughter
to be part of my life.
SIAN:
Thank you, Minister.
Thank you.
The game's in play, what's the verdict?
First impression, Twitter's kind of 60/40.
Well, which? For or against?
For.
- You see!
- "Brave and honest".
"Incredible television", er
"iconic moment".
"Terrific courage".
"I always thought he was a prick
and now I'm sure of it".
"Patriarchal swine".
I told you it would work!
Joy's on this stuff all night,
we'll see how it goes.
It's only gonna get better, you watch.
CROWD CLAMOURS
- CAMERAS CLICK
CLAMOUR CONTINUES FAINTLY
Well, what happened?
You said you were going to the paper.
- Are you cross-examining me?
- It's all about his daughter.
- That's all there is. Everywhere.
- Yep.
How's he got this daughter
he didn't know about?
That could work either way, for him
or against him, but one thing's for sure
- no one's talking about anything else.
- Did the paper not hear the tape?
- Yeah, they heard it.
- So? When are they publishing?
Luke, I've got a conscience of my own.
I don't need anybody else to do the job.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Mrs Laurence, this is very kind of you.
Oh, it's nothing.
I might be a poor judge of character, but
I was surprised when you agreed
to have lunch.
I'm not often in town.
It's so sad they've modernised this place.
It was the last decent lunch spot in London.
Really? I've never been here before.
Oh, I thought barristers specialised
in long lunches?
No, we, er we grab a sandwich
and cram facts for the afternoon.
- Oh, I'm surprised.
- Excuse me.
Thank you. Yeah, it's one of
one of the most common
misunderstandings about us.
One of them? What's the other?
Oh, that we're cynical
and completely uncaring about the truth.
I never felt that.
And that we defend people
that we know are guilty.
In fact, we never do that. It's unethical.
Is that why you never ask?
Hm.
Mrs Laurence, I think you and I
got on reasonably well, didn't we?
Yeah, I think so.
I hope I did a professional job.
- You won.
- Yes.
- Is that what you mean by professional?
- Hm.
You were courteous and calm.
You had to be patient. I knew that.
I'd never been in a witness box.
You did very well.
Thank you. You rehearsed me.
- Yes.
- Thoroughly.
Juries like witnesses
that aren't too certain.
If you're overly sure of yourself,
they begin to suspect you.
You said you were in New York?
- Yes.
- Shopping.
- I said I was shopping.
- Yes, and you went to see a show.
- Yes.
- On Broadway, together.
- The Book of Mormon.
- You mentioned the Rainbow Room.
- That's right.
- For cocktails.
- The Empire State.
- Yes.
The fact that you couldn't quite
remember everything in exact detail
that added to the impression of honesty.
An impression?
Please, um
tell me what this is about?
Look, Helen, as far as I was concerned,
this was just another case.
High-profile, yes,
but legally unexceptional.
But now it's different, because one of
the parties is a senior government minister
and another has been killed.
- Do you know that for sure?
- What I'm saying
it was one thing to help Peter
with an alibi when reputations were at stake.
But now it's lives.
Also, he's now confessing to a daughter
from an affair long ago
so I can only imagine how painful that is
for you and what you're going through.
Did you have a childhood sweetheart?
Yes. I haven't seen him in years.
I stayed with my sweetheart.
I have a memory of him, as he was then.
If you don't believe the journalist
died accidentally, then you should prove it.
Helen, I don't think you've wholly understood
just how serious this stuff is.
I've understood perfectly.
But I'll tell you one thing: if I do
betray a man I've been with for 30 years
it won't be because a professional advocate
took me to a posh lunch.
In fact, it won't be because of anyone else.
It will be what I decide for myself.
LOCK BUZZES
- Is Can I do this?
SHE LAUGHS
Have you read it?
No. Is it any good?
Yeah, it is, pretty good.
Thank you.
I watched the TV.
Yeah, that was the point.
I was talking to you.
How was my mum?
Well, you know your mother.
She gave me a hard time.
Yeah.
I can't believe when I get out,
I'm gonna have a dad.
- I hope I'll see you before then.
- Good.
You know where I am.
Yeah.
Is it Are we allowed to to kiss?
On the cheek, sir, but no hand contact.
HE MUTTERS
MUSIC PLAYS FAINTLY ON HEADPHONES
Mum's upstairs. She's waiting for you.
I'm sorry you've been upset.
She's as angry as I am. Angrier.
You know, maybe once, I'd like you to go on
television and tell your adoring public
just how much you love
your other two daughters.
The two you had with your wife.
Lily
You're selfish.
You're utterly selfish.
You've got the talk.
My God, you've got the talk.
You've got it all worked out, just how
the people around you never stop suffering.
MUSIC: "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart
MUSIC STOPS
You know what's odd about getting old?
You're the same person, and yet you're not.
Are you talking about you or me?
I married a furniture salesman,
I didn't a Prime Minister.
Oh, hold on, that is a long way off.
The whole country's still talking
about Rose Dietl.
I know perfectly well.
That's just you getting the subject
out of the way.
Believe it or not, it was also me
trying to give Rose a life.
There are two things in play.
And the other thing?
You going to Downing Street?
- Were you planning to talk to me about that?
- Helen
of course I'll talk to you.
And the journalist that was killed?
I know nothing about that.
I didn't even know she was in Washington.
Really? Well, if I looked into your eyes,
would I be able to tell anymore?
You talk all the time about freedom.
But is freedom really the ultimate good?
- Helen
- Is it?
Compared with loyalty?
We started out together
and we will end up together.
You know that. We've always known that.
And the Prime Minister,
that is a long journey.
There's weeks ahead
and so many things that can go wrong.
Nobody becomes leader by right.
Well, on the other hand
I was thinking maybe this weekend,
you could come down and meet Rose?
With press or without?
Without.
Then yes. I'd like that.
Good.
Oh, by the way,
I've got something I need you to sign.
It won't take a moment,
I'll just leave it with you.
HELEN:
What is it?
It's the ownership of Stanfield Titles.
If you remember, it's in your name.
Why am I signing?
I'm dissolving it. It's just a technicality.
So can't wait for tomorrow.
DUNCAN:
No.
She knows it's over. By this time tomorrow,
your man's gonna be making his move.
Do you have any idea who leaked the email?
I don't believe it.
- it came from you?
- Yes.
But you did yourself out of a job.
Not quite. Adam De Banzie spoke to me.
Why De Banzie?
Well, if he gets in, Peter's gonna
keep me on. I'm just jumping rafts.
Adam De Banzie does not run the government.
Doesn't he?
Gosh, my mistake.
TV CHATTERS INDISTINCTLY
Good morning, Minister.
- ALL: Morning, Minister.
- Morning, everyone.
Obviously, clear all commitments.
We start planning from here.
Of course.
How are the papers? I haven't seen them.
Horrible.
But less horrible than yesterday,
and even less horrible than the day before.
You're saying that in ten days,
they might be positively pleasant?
It's usually ten days.
Listen, Joy, wherever we're going,
I want you to come with me.
Thank you. That makes me so happy.
Just doesn't feel right without you.
Good.
Right, better start plotting the day.
Peter, sorry, I haven't liked to ask.
I've rather assumed.
If you are going to Downing Street,
I am coming with you, presumably?
Hey, hey, hey, let's not jump ahead.
Don't want to jinx it.
This is just the start of the campaign.
- There's a long way to go.
- No, it's just
I was speaking to Julia
and she did mention
Mention what?
You'd had a word with her already.
Yeah. You should probably
take that up with her.
Shut the door?
LUKE:
I haven't read anything.
- No.
- In the paper. What's happening?
- It all fell apart.
- Why?
You really want to know?
- Don't you think you owe me an explanation?
- I don't owe you anything.
So what's that?
I want a precis by closing time,
with bullet points.
You went to see Lapidus?
Yes. You're right.
How was he?
Well, he's scared of losing his job.
He's been told to kill the story.
- Told by who?
- "By whom".
"By whom" is English,
if you want to be a lawyer.
What can I tell you? He has changed his mind.
He doesn't want to proceed.
- He's been leant on.
- So we just leave it?
Luke, whistleblowing isn't romantic.
It's more like suicide.
If I go hawking this stuff around,
I'm going to be thrown out of chambers.
I'll be finished.
And please tell me for what?
To see justice done!
OK, Luke,
maybe you don't want to be a lawyer!
Because for all I know, you want to burn
your career before it's even begun
and spend the rest of your life
in the ashes. Do you?
Because that's what's going to happen,
unless you learn to let go.
I only met her once.
And you think it's all very funny,
going to meetings.
But addiction isn't funny.
And at that meeting and afterwards,
I heard what she had to say.
About the things
she's tried to do in her life.
She was a decent person, Rochelle.
I only knew her briefly,
but I thought she was great.
And you
You're gonna be the first QC
of your generation, we all know that. Fine.
But what we didn't know?
That is the only thing that matters to you.
SHE GASPS
You were my hero, Rochelle.
I admired you.
Fine.
Admire someone else.
MICK: Peter Laurence is with us,
and of course we 're all worried
it could be for the last time.
I wouldn't say that.
That's that's all in the hands
of my colleagues.
I'd never try and pre-judge a vote.
Let's just say if you don't make it
to Downing Street tonight
a lot of us are gonna lose a lot of money.
We've all been down the betting shop.
I am very touched by that.
Only eight weeks ago, Dawn Ellison
was looking at a clear blue sky.
Now she 's history.
How quickly did that happen?
PETER: I think politics in the 21st century,
it's more volatile.
Things move faster. That's a fact,
that's just the world we're living in.
Personally, it doesn't frighten me.
I find that exciting.
And more important, if I'm lucky enough
to make it into Downing Street
I will enter it unencumbered
and beholden to no one.
Do you think that things can keep on changing
at this pace? Because from the outside
from where I'm looking at it,
I don't know how you lot keep up.
We don't have to be politicians.
No one forces us.
We do it because we want to.
MICK:
I'm sure you do, Peter. I am sure you do.
Well, we did say this one
was full of surprises.
- This one?
- Peter Laurence.
Did we?
Oh, yes.
Hey, you're back! How did it go?
It looks like you're gonna be
the Prime Minister's daughter.
Yeah. I'll just have to put up with it,
won't I?
Sure.
Oh, come on, is it really that bad?
If you think it'll make any difference,
now we know who your father is
I know it won't.
But it's making a difference to me.
It's always been a position of trust,
hasn't it, Sydney?
SYDNEY:
Sorry, sir?
Driver to the Prime Minister.
After all, you couldn't be closer.
SYDNEY:
No, sir.
PETER:
It works both ways, doesn't it?
You know everything about me
but on the other hand,
I know a lot about you.
SYDNEY:
I don't quite know what you mean, sir.
I mean, I'm not quite as stupid as I look.
CROWD CLAMOURS
- CAMERAS CLICK
Good afternoon.
All my life, I have refused
to be weighed down by the past.
I believe in the future
and I believe in freedom, I really do.
By all means, judge me by my results
but today, at least,
I can tell you my intention.
I will do anything
anything
to set my country free.
Thank you.
CROWD CLAMOURS
Hello, hello, hello
Hello. Nice to see you.
Goodness me!
Goodness me, look at this
Bravo!
Good to see you.
Can I introduce my wife, Helen?
What's this?
Stanfield Titles.
I'd hoped you'd signed it.
Well, obviously not.
I'll be upstairs if you need me.
See you later.
DOOR SHUTS
HE SIGHS
KNOCK ON DOOR
DOOR OPENS
JULIA:
Prime Minister.