Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996) s03e03 Episode Script

No! No, leave me! Leave me be! No! Help! Aah! Aah! [Speaking native language.]
[Telephone ringing.]
[Ringing.]
Wainthropp detective agen-- hello? Good morning? You mean, good evening.
Oh, your mum and dad? Well, they're just off to bed.
Yeah, it's nighttime here, you see.
Who's calling at this time of night? It's Australia, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Australia.
Yeah.
It's Derek.
Oh! Hello, Derek, love.
Ohh.
What a lovely surprise.
Is everything all right? Good.
Good.
Is he all right? Shh.
Yes.
He's all right.
He's got some news.
Yes? Manchester, yes.
The business school.
Yes, your dad did send you the details, yes.
[Doorbell ringing.]
What? Has he filled out the forms? Sorry to disturb you at this time of night.
May I talk with Mrs.
Wainthropp? Is it business? Detective business? It is.
Well, she's rather busy right now.
She has her son on the line, long distance from Australia.
Can I help? I need a mature person.
It's a very delicate matter.
Ok.
Well, I could arrange for Mrs.
Wainthropp to come and see you tomorrow.
Just once? The food was not to your liking? No, no, it's good.
Uh, I'll tell Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Who should she ask for? Uncle mo.
Ok.
[Laughing.]
I knew there'd be something in that business studies pack.
His old room'll need smartening up.
Derek's used to modern furnishing.
Australia's a young country.
They'll have discarded g plan nonsense.
[Both laughing.]
Everything all right, Mrs.
Wainthropp? Our son Derek might be coming home to study in Manchester.
Just for 3 months.
Business studies.
Part of a new job.
He'd want to stay with us, of course.
You mean here? Mm.
In my room? He's family, Geoffrey.
We'd find you alternative accommodation, of course.
Of course we would.
Thank you.
Those curtains aren't exactly up to date, either.
I might design some new shelves for him What, d.
I.
Y.
With your poorly arm? It's not poorly anymore, and neither am I.
It wouldn't cost very much, and there's not a lot of agency work on.
Ah, yes.
Well, there could be.
Hello.
How are you? [Both speaking at once.]
[Both speaking indistinctly.]
How much? Well, that's the price.
9 pounds per 2.
5 meters? UhFeet? Per foot, that-- that's far too much.
And it's hardly seasoned.
I know wood.
Good.
So pleased that you have agreed to assist us.
Jamir, this lady, she's a detective.
She will track down your attackers.
I haven't said.
We must be positive in all things.
Did you recognize anybody? They wore masks.
The police are best suited to following up attacks on the public.
Might I suggest, you would suit us so much better, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
I think one of the people who assaulted me is one of our own.
They were-- jamir makes wonderful tea.
Yeah.
Oh, yes.
Yes, I will bring you some.
There have been other attacks, all on the respected members of our community.
People of same age.
Like jamir.
Middle years? Yes.
The obvious question has to be asked.
Are the attacks racial related? No.
You heard jamir.
At least one of his attackers seemed not to be of the host community.
This is a police matter.
May I disagree? If the gangs are of our community--think.
What dishonor would be brought to their families? Which is why you want me to find out who they are.
Exactly.
Any bad blood? Maybe a grudge against the men attacked? If I knew of any, I would have addressed the problem by now.
Now, I won't agree with any vigilante nonsense.
I still think you should call in the police.
They'll be called later, if necessary.
Man on radio: What street? Vicar's field.
I know a girl there.
My nephew.
Now, what is it? I'm simply asking for a little assistance.
Maybe your drivers saw something.
No.
I mind me own business.
I provide taxis.
I harm nobody.
Why should anybody harm me? I'm sure those that were mugged thought the same.
I run taxis.
I don't serve food.
Food? Yeah.
The men attacked work in restaurants? They own restaurants.
Fat cats.
Every one of them? I'm not a detective.
I provide a taxi business.
If you'd like to have a taxi, take you back to your nice, safe home? I've a bus pass, thanks.
[Radio buzzes.]
Uh-huh.
Vicar's field road.
Gave it a second look.
She's coming over here.
Can I ask you boys a couple of questions? What? One: Are you following me? No.
We're just standing here, minding our own business.
I see.
Then I must ask you a second question.
How do I get to the nearest bus stop? Oh, let's see.
You know that restaurant you were in? The paradise.
Mm-hmm.
Go past there.
Turn right.
And it's just there, waiting.
Thank you.
We're--oh.
Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Is Uncle mo with you? No, I'm plowing my own furrow.
I'd like to know a bit more about what happened the other night.
I told you.
They pounced.
Got my money.
I had the money belt.
They just sliced it away.
What with? I'm not sure.
A knife.
It would have been a knife.
I expect so.
Other restaurant owners.
They've been attacked by the same gang? You must ask Uncle.
He deals with all this.
I have to close now.
Please excuse me.
This way, please.
Uncle mo--he's the person to see.
He certainly is.
[Gasp.]
Oh! [Gasp.]
Aah! Aah! Aah! Uhh! Aah! Help! Help! Somebody! They've got my bag! We might get your things back.
[Scoffs.]
Fat chance.
Eyes, noses, eyebrows.
That's all I saw of them.
There were two police cars in that area.
One brought you here.
The other picked up a young man wearing a wooly hat.
He was belting along north street.
Oh, lots of lads wear hats like that.
You've excellent powers of observation, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
I think if you found yourself face to face with someone who'd attacked you, you'd recognize him.
Would I? I'm not saying I'm sure when I'm not.
You wouldn't wish that, would you, chief inspector? No, though I'm told you took a long time looking at one suspect.
All those people you brought in to stand around like piffy.
I didn't know any of them.
What happened to the lad you caught? We had to let him go.
I see.
[Sighs.]
Now I'd like to go home.
I want me tea.
This is very nice, Robert.
Mm.
It was nice yesterday, and the day before.
I'll be turning into a Shepherd at this rate.
Perhaps you'd like to do the cooking for a change.
Robert.
Geoffrey.
I'm sorry.
It's just I had a terrible driving lesson.
Stalling at lights and everybody beeping.
Girls looking down at me from a bus, laughing.
We all get difficult days.
Some of us get damn silly, not to say dangerous, days.
Dangerous? Well, I'd call what happened to you dangerous, wouldn't you? Oh, I'm all right.
Now can I please enjoy this pie? You know what it's like over there.
They just want to be left to themselves.
Fine.
Let's do that.
All of us.
It's not a matter for us.
It's a matter for the police.
That's what I'd decided.
I was going to take the bus, come home, phone, and tell them just that.
Then I was attacked.
Mugged, they call it.
I was the mug in the middle.
I don't burn for revenge it's not a quest.
I just want to unmask who it is and stop them doing to others what they did to me.
I don't know.
Ha ha.
Hi.
I just wanted to say thanks.
For what? Last night, at the police station.
You were doing the identifying, weren't you? I thought you couldn't see through that screen.
Everyone around here knows you were mugged.
I could see my own reflection in that screen.
I seemed all right, but inside my heart was going like the clappers.
How did you know it wasn't me? You're not as tall as the lads who attacked me.
You're sharp.
Hey, you like this one? Well, yes.
Might be a bit bold.
It's for new curtains.
Niziah, give her a good price.
She's a vip.
It's cheap enough.
It's a good seller.
Well, 5 1/2 meters then, please.
How does a busy lady like you find time to sew? I'm wondering that meself.
Miss Wainthropp, everyone knows why you're here.
It's all around school.
A real detective's been brought in to solve the mystery of the muggings.
I can help you if you want.
To catch the gang? No, with your curtains.
My mum takes in sewing.
I once spent a whole term sewing a border around a tiny hankie.
I haven't improved much since.
You're on.
It'll have to be well seasoned.
No problem, sir.
Now, sir, would you like the wood delivered? We do have access to a van.
Is there a delivery charge? A piffling amount, sir.
£2.
Right.
Shall we say the day after tomorrow? Fine.
Afternoon.
That's £25 pounds plus £2 delivery charge, c.
O.
D.
And if you don't like the goods, sir, you only have to say and we'll take them right back.
Is this worth it? That's just the bait, mate.
Ask him again.
Please? We really want to do this.
[Children talking at once.]
Enough.
Now, go to school.
Go to school.
[Kiss.]
Children.
Yes, I remember.
[Door closes.]
Is this a bad time, Mrs.
assan? Oh, no, no.
My children like music.
They want to stay late at their school.
They wish to practice for a concert.
My husband said they must not.
He says music is forbidden by our religion.
They blame me.
I couldn't imagine a world without music.
Work for me? Your son.
Abdul, is it? Abdul.
You met him at the restaurant? No, by chance.
Ah.
I suppose he promised a special price.
£22.
I'll try and have them ready on Monday.
You work on this? Um, the price is too much for you? No, it seems very cheap.
I wouldn't do it for twice that.
I'll pay you what the job's worth.
Everybody wants a good price.
I want to look at these curtains with pleasure, Mrs.
assan.
Fair dues.
[Speaking native language.]
[Both laughing.]
Delicious.
I confess.
The nan bread is from a supermarket, but the dal is all mine.
A favorite of my family's.
Abdul says he will serve it in the restaurant and call it mummy's darling.
[Both laughing.]
He works there? Mm.
As a waiter.
After school.
Everyone must serve the family business.
I talk too much.
I'm usually alone.
Your curtains.
Can I ask for £30? That's more like it.
Can the payment be made directly to me in cash? You have parents? No, unfortunately.
Mine are old.
The live far away.
All they have is what I can send them.
If I had brothers, it wouldn't be so hard, but they only have me.
There'll be cash on the nail.
My name is rokeya.
You're welcome to my home at any time, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Hetty.
[Door closes.]
Are you tailing me, Geoffrey? No.
Well, yeah, sort of.
For heaven's sake, why? Mr.
Wainthropp's worried.
He told me to ride shotgun.
What? Protection.
Those are my orders.
Orders? I see.
I didn't order Geoffrey to do anything.
I just suggested he keep an eye on you.
I'm worried, love, that's all.
I've my job to do, Robert.
Well, I'd be happier if you were escorted.
By the deadwood stagecoach? And here comes wild bill hickok.
Sorry? What's for dinner? Something a bit different.
Oh, yes? What? Irish stew.
Oh.
Very different from Shepherd's pie.
I had a bowl of dal with some nan bread at lunch.
It was delicious.
How can you resist? It isn't easy.
I do admire self-control.
Very commendable.
How's the trail of the criminals? Hot? Lukewarm.
I'm on me way to colley oaks school.
And do you think the trail leads there? I just want to talk to a couple of lads who followed me before I was attacked.
Good.
Any assistance, just ask.
Ask! Mrs.
Wainthropp? Oh, put it out of its misery.
[Girls speaking native language, laughing.]
I'd certainly recognize the two of them again.
There are 500 pupils, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
What is it? They're the two.
Where? There.
[Whispering.]
Come here.
Mohammed.
Khalid kashyap and jaffa Hussein.
Bring them to my room right away.
Yes, miss.
Always plotting some mischief, those two.
Mischief that might include mugging? Boys change so quickly at that age.
I'm surprised crime isn't more of an option.
Some pilfering does go on.
Last night, the school had fittings stolen from the library.
[Knocking on door.]
Ah, come in, come in.
Thank you, Mohammed.
This lady wishes to question you about your movements yesterday.
You followed me yesterday afternoon.
Why? We'd never seen a real detective before.
Thought we'd see you arrest someone.
We didn't think it'd be us.
I'm not going to arrest you.
Did you see anyone else following me? No.
Sorry about what happened to you.
Yeah.
Sorry.
[School bell ringing.]
All right.
Go.
Go.
Shoo.
Not likely candidates.
You teach music? For my sins.
I had no idea of the difficulties involved.
I talked to rokeya assan.
Her children seem keen to play.
I met Abdul assan.
He's a bright enough student, but he's expected to wait on tables every night.
When can he study? He'll fail and his father'll blame him.
He hasn't a chance.
The saddest thing I know is to think you're barred from opportunity.
Look at me, I own a detective agency.
Now, if I could do it-- you should talk to our sixth form.
What? Tell them just that.
Oh, well, I I'd need a bit of time to put a few thoughts together.
Does it go, that thing? Of course it goes.
Fancy a spin? No, thanks.
Someone might see me.
Yeah, it's It's an old model.
It's not the bike she means.
Why aren't you at work? I am.
What do you do, model anoraks? I'm a detective.
Yeah.
And we thought you was just looking to pull a date.
Turns out, he's on a case.
He is a case.
Nice haircut.
Yeah.
Cut with a penknife.
I'm waiting for someone.
You've been stood up.
Yeah, well I've got to go anyway.
[Chuckles.]
Ha.
Some shotgun.
Hetty: So, using those two little advantages, I set out to build a career.
Has Mrs.
Wainthropp joined the amateur dramatics? She's giving a lecture at a school tomorrow, which you would have known if you'd waited around.
I wanted to have a look at the price of the cars.
Just a cheap runabout, but with a bit of style.
They're very dear.
Yeah, and that's just the start.
Then there's road fund tax, insurance, petrol, service charges.
Can I ask you a personal question, Mr.
Wainthropp? Well If it's about the room, I mean, your room, we'll find you-- no, no, it's about my hair.
I've heard some cutting remarks about my image.
Well, it's It's very short.
Uh-huh.
Follows your head.
Mm-hmm.
[Chuckles.]
I'm not an expert.
Been many years since I was bothered with fashion.
Right, I'm done.
Some pearls of wisdom are polished, the rest will have to come from off the cuff.
Excuse me, you all.
Is he all right? He's a little worried about his image.
His-- I think he wants to find a new hairdresser.
Hetty: I've spoken about how I became a private detective.
I waited a long time to find my star.
Don't wait so long To follow yours.
Well, come on.
Don't you want to ask me anything? These cases, I mean, in the end, how d'you solve them? Sometimes you use reason-- look for the piece of the puzzle that's missing.
Other times, you stir things up a bit and see what happens.
But when it all fits, it's a wonderful feeling.
It's like Like scoring a winning goal.
Ha.
Do you know the feeling? Mrs.
Wainthropp, thank you for coming here and sharing your enthusiasm with us.
I'm sure you've given us much to think about.
Thank you.
I never realized what you do.
It's a real job, like doctors, dentists, lawyers.
Are people working against crime? Oh, yes! It's not boring at all? No.
Those muggers You need anything, you know Anything-- help and that-- I'm around.
Thank you, Abdul.
I appreciate that.
Good afternoon, sir.
Best timber, sir.
Good finish.
Aye.
Excellent.
All right.
There we are then.
Thanks.
Converting the room? Yes, for my grownup son.
He's coming from Australia to study here.
Does he like music, sir? Well, he Used to play music quite a lot, yes.
We've got access to repossessed hi-Fi equipments-- £200 on the high street.
A real bargain.
At £200? Az, what can we do for Mr.
Wainthropp? 80? That's giving it away.
Yeah, but Mr.
Wainthropp is a customer.
75, sir.
How's that? [Machinery whirs.]
Hetty? Hetty? Hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, who's in this bathroom? I want to put my feet in water.
It's Geoffrey.
He's been in there for hours.
Oh, that's very good, Robert.
Well done.
New shelves above for books Room for a desk, and space for his computer and his music tapes.
Derek will be pleased.
And there's another thing that-- good God.
Well? What do you think? Well, youYou look different, Geoffrey.
That's the whole idea.
Ha.
Ha.
You look like a film star.
Oh?! Who? Jean harlow.
[Whimpers.]
It's time to bring in the police.
You can't let crime like this go on in your community.
How many muggings is it now? Oh 8, if you include your good self.
All the victims are roughly the same age, middle years.
They all own restaurants.
It is our main business.
Except you.
I have shares-- a small number-- including the husband of your seamstress, rokeya assan.
Why don't you enjoy a meal out as an additional payment for your services.
You and your family would be most welcome.
Mmm! It's still like chicken.
Geoffrey: Tandoori's only a way of cooking.
Like a roast.
Oh.
Tandoori.
Oh.
I see.
Mmm.
Tandoori.
Dad?! Yeah? What are you trying to do to me?! I have an exam on Monday.
An exam! You do not study here! You should know your lesson by now.
Here, we work.
Get that?! I may darken the shade a little, Mrs.
Wainthropp.
Try a dark blond rinse.
How's your mean? Oh, very good.
[Coughs.]
Very good.
It's quite hot enough for my palate.
Do you think you can tandoori any food? Like what? Shepherd's pie? Oh, I was wondering about runner beans.
Kirsty, I'm so sorry I'm late.
Where's the music equipment? Gone, miss.
And my tape and all.
[Sighs.]
I can't get used to this bag.
Do you know what I really miss? My mother's powder compact.
She seemed still to be with me while I had it.
I know, love.
Geoffrey: bum, bum, bum bum, bum, bum, bum, ba you all right, Geoffrey? Oh, yes.
Yes.
Uh Well, uh No.
[Snickers.]
Hey, why aren't you at school? It's gone past 10:00.
My exam isn't until this afternoon.
First you complain you have no time, then you lie in bed all morning.
It's working all the time-- at school, at the restaurant, even here in bed now.
I've not enough time to study.
If I don't get to university, that'll be why.
You must pass your exams.
But we need family help to run the restaurant.
I know.
Your brother must have to take his turn.
Rasheed's 13.
You began work at that age.
But rasheed's brighter than me.
Then he won't need as much time at his books.
It's decided.
Tonight, he starts work in the restaurant.
[Screams.]
Oh! I apologize about my son's bad manners.
Come in.
Hetty: Come on.
[Classical music plays.]
Perfect.
Radio 3-- very intellectual.
[Music stops.]
70, wasn't it.
Aren't you hot in that hat? Oh, no.
I always wear it, y'know.
It's kind of like an image thing.
[Sniffs.]
Shouldn't you be in school? Yeah.
I've got exams later.
Lousy a-levels.
I'm so tired.
School in day, work at night, homework in between.
It's a real nightmare.
Well, I had some Asian mates in school, and they did ok in exams.
Yeah? What they doing now? Working in restaurants.
Rokeya: There is nothing else for it.
To live, we all must work.
My children do not always understand that.
I remember my mother talking about the 1930s.
She used similar words.
Well, it's a hard, hard world.
Where we come from, you have no money, you die.
When you know that, it changes everything.
My husband knows.
I try to support him.
I have to believe he knows best.
Otherwise, what is there? There.
There's your curtains.
Hello.
Oh, Mrs.
Wainthropp ate in the restaurant last night.
Oh, yes.
Uncle invited you.
Good? Yes! I enjoyed it.
You must come again.
Thank you, Hetty.
[Button clicks.]
[Button clicks.]
Girl: Kirsty aram, cross examination, colley oaks school.
[Flute plays.]
[Stops tape.]
[Rings.]
Hello? Yes.
Um This may sound like a silly question, but have you by any chance lost some hi-Fi equipment? And And shelving? All right, mate.
Looking for more bargain? What do you think? About what? Oh, men! The curtains.
New curtains.
They're yellow.
Well, of course, they're yellow.
They bring sunshine to the room.
Derek will like that.
Let's hope so.
Unless the pattern's too busy.
No.
No.
They're a bit different, that's all.
Uh, don't get excited But look what I came across.
It's a bit like the one you had stolen, isn't it? It is the one.
It's me mother's.
There's a dent on the rim from where I dropped it one bank holiday in garstang.
Where did you get this, Robert? Mrs.
Wainthropp's really grateful you said you'd do this.
I mean, I'd do it, but You're better suited.
Keep cool, believe in what you say, any trouble, we'll send in the cavalry.
You? Yeah.
Abdul: Yeah, my dad runs a restaurant.
He wants me to slave away in it for nothing.
I hate it.
I hate serving on tables.
I hate him and this whole poxy community thing.
Told me old man to stuff it.
Now I'm barred from working.
Everyone says I'm a trouble-maker.
But I need dosh money.
Well, what do you think we are? A job center? Sign here, yeah? I heard you have something going for you besides the dole.
We have a little business here, sure.
Bit more than that.
I met a bengali lad in the pub.
Don't know his name.
He said you know how to treat your elders.
We do.
Where are you living? Dossing with a mate.
Get me own place once I get me hands on some readies.
What did you say your name was again? Abdul.
Abdul, yeah.
Seen you at the school.
It's possible we might be expanding our activities around the neighborhood.
We'll try you out.
If you hate the bosses, I think we can offer you some job satisfaction.
Starting tonight.
Abdul: I recognized the white lad, Josh.
He's the son of our last school caretaker.
He must have access to their keys so he can steal school property and sell it on.
We've had some experience of that.
This other lad in the shop-- Aziz.
We know him.
He's not from around here.
His family are well-respected in Birmingham.
Yeah, they own several balti restaurants.
This Aziz became a bad lot.
His family disowned him.
Ah, he worked for me once.
He worked for everybody once.
Would Aziz want to attack his ex-employers? No doubt about that.
[Clanging.]
Is he the leader of the gang? I looks that way.
They want to test me out on a mugging tonight.
Then we have them.
Just a moment.
This is police business.
We can deal with this matter ourselves.
No! I said no vigilante nonsense, and I meant it! [Dog barking.]
[Rustling.]
[Sirens.]
[Dog barking.]
[Dog snarling.]
Birmingham's gonna love this.
Oh! It's the lone ranger.
Off you go.
And you can take Tonto with him.
All right, let him go.
Well done, lad.
Your son did well last night.
He should be rewarded.
Given a chance for university.
He must work as well as study.
Would you like to re-sit your a-level exams with proper time at your books? You part own my restaurant.
I'll have to employ a waiter to replace Abdul.
You'd accept less profit? Oh.
There we are.
Oh, nectar.
Ah.
Geoffrey home? Yes, he went straight upstairs.
It must be difficult for him with Derek coming back.
We should make more of a fuss of Geoffrey.
He's a good lad.
Yes, yes.
He is, yes.
How's it going out there? Oh As well as can be expected.
Hello.
Hmm? Oh! Back to my boring brunette color.
The woman in the salon had to phone a special number.
It looks very nice, Geoffrey.
It cost me £40.
I had to dip into my car fund.
£40.
What can I smell? [Inhales.]
The chef is at work in his kitchen.
Oh, I'm gonna go-- don't go in! He doesn't wish to be disturbed.
[Sniffing.]
Stop it.
You're like a bisto kid.
But I could swear that it-- [sniffs.]
No.
No.
No, he-- [Sniffs.]
No.
[Chuckling.]
Mrs.
Wainthropp? Mm-hmm? I've been thinking.
Oh, yes.
About my image.
I can't afford a car right out, so I thought about maybe getting ear pierced.
For earrings? Some blokes have their nose pierced or get a tattoo.
Tattoos? Earrings? Geoffrey You're a nice lad.
That's all the image you need to attract a lass.
Dinner is served.
Oh! What is it? Wait and see.
[Chuckles.]
There.
[Laughing.]
Oh, Robert! It's just like a real Indian meal.
Well, that's what it's supposed to be.
You cooked all this? I did! What's that? That's a recipe from one of Hetty's new friends.
Potato and spinach barm--barg-- barji! I thought it would make a change from Shepherd's pie.
[Laughter.]