House of Cards (1990) s03e04 Episode Script

Reports are coming in of serious civil unrest in Cyprus.
Attacks on British villas, bars and restaurants, riotous assembly, criminal damage and affray.
Someone's leaked the news that there's been a massive oil strike in Watling water, just off the northern Cyprus coast.
The Turks have got the lot and the Greeks are playing merry hell about it.
A tragedy for the Cyprus settlement and, naturally, a chance to reassert our own superiority over the pretender Makepeace and enhance our standing in the polls.
Watch this.
Can the Prime Minster deny that he has manipulated the Cyprus settlement so that Britain and Turkey could exploit offshore oil? Did he know of the presence of oil before the negotiations? Was Sir Clive Watling aware of the presence of oil before casting his vote? And will the Prime Minister assure us that neither he nor anyone in his family has profited from these shabby dealings? - Order! - Shame! Prime Minister.
I am amazed that any member of this House should choose this moment to raise these sleazy innuendos when British property is at risk, when British lives are threatened, when the very stability of Europe is in danger! But I will give him his answer.
No, there is no truth in the accusation.
No, there was no manipulation of the border settlement.
How could there be? What is he suggesting? That five distinguished international judges acted corruptly? If he is, then let him say so.
Mr Tom Makepeace.
I was not suggesting that the judges acted corruptly.
I am questioning whether they were adequately briefed about the oil deposits, whether information was held back by this government to further British interests at the expense of the local Greek community.
Hear, hear! Is it any wonder that they're protesting and demonstrating? Is the Prime Minister able to comment on that? I have to inform the House that half an hour ago the British High Commission in Cyprus was attacked by an armed mob and the High Commissioner and some of his staff are being held as hostages.
The Right Honourable Gentleman might well reflect on the consequences that follow malicious rumour-mongering.
Perhaps he might now wish that he had remained silent instead of fanning the flames of riot and disorder.
I could say more, but my thoughts must be with our countrymen whose lives are in peril.
If the House will excuse me now, I have to take urgent counsel with my ministers.
This is even better than we dared hope.
An act of wanton aggression calling for decisive action by a strong leader, someone who will put a bit of stick about.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" and so forth.
Do not mistake me.
My anger and determination is real.
I feel it.
It courses through my veins.
I feel strong again.
I feel young again.
- General Gough.
- Prime Minister.
May I present Claire Carlsen, my PPS, Geoffrey Booza Pitt, John Rayner, Michael Wolfin and Commander Corder? - We've met.
- Come and sit down.
I see this as a military as well as a political situation.
I regard it as tantamount to a small war.
Will you negotiate over the return of the hostages? No, we will retake the High Commission.
There are British citizens there.
Those terrorists gave us no warning.
They'll get none.
I want minimal British casualties, not so fussy about their people.
Can you do it? It's a bit tricky, element of surprise.
We want to kick the shit out of them.
Broadly speaking, yes.
We want to beam it all back home, our boys bounding through the olive groves Sorry.
I gather that a man called Theodopolous is the focus of all this and the main threat to Nicolaou.
Extreme nationalist.
Been out of fashion lately, but knows how to wind them up.
He must see this as his big chance.
We could simply take him out.
I think we need to make urgent diplomatic noises, try and persuade Theodopolous to talk the thing through sensibly.
Would that provide the necessary element of surprise for your chaps? Yes, I think it would.
Hello Hello? Jardine here, sir.
We're in.
No British casualties.
Just one snag.
The High Commissioner's not here any more.
- Where is he? - No idea, sir.
- OK.
Well done.
- Thank you, sir.
- You heard that? - It's a triumph.
A moral and a military triumph.
Thank you very much.
What about the Commissioner? It will be presented as a triumph and when we've tracked down the terrorists and punished them and reinstated the Commissioner, that will be another triumph.
Thank you.
Goodnight.
As the prisoners leave the building to be handed over to the civil authorities, we speak to Major Jimmy Jardine who led the assault.
We had the advantage of surprise which helped to minimise casualties.
Very pleased about that.
None of us likes killing people.
How do you feel today, Major Jardine? Satisfaction that we did our job and did it well.
Very proud of my men.
Chuffed to the bollocks, reallyI What a curious phrase "chuffed to the bollocks".
It's kind of folk poetry, really.
Look at this, Francis! "Kebabbed!" I think that's awfully good.
Even the "Guardian" has a tone of grudging admiration.
Yes, it's worked so far, but we have to be prepared to do as much as it takes.
- Subdue the whole island? - I hope it won't come to that.
But we must uphold the rule of law and honour our promises.
- Which promises did you have in mind? - To President Nicolaou.
- Our Falklands.
- Our Falklands.
I'm awfully sorry.
I hope we can rearrange it.
John's really keen to have you on.
I knew this would happen.
Bloody British Broadcasting, you waste my time! Dad! - Will he be all right? - He'll be fine.
- I really am sorry.
- It's not your fault.
Goodbye.
- Hello! - Hi! - What happened? - They cancelled my father's interview.
Let's go up there.
Cypriot war graves aren't hot enough news.
Everything's about the storming of the High Commission.
If they held a second ballot now, he'd romp it.
You only think about party leadership? No, of course not.
But anyone who attacks him now is going to look like a traitor.
Just keep asking the questions.
He's had his triumph.
Maybe now he will share all the oil and release all the secrets.
- I doubt it.
- Then it'll all go wrong for him.
The whole settlement will break down.
It needs the consent of the people.
Right.
Time for mending fences now, time for healing wounds.
Good.
That's absolutely the right line to take.
We'll fix that old bastard yet.
Order! Order! Mr Tom Makepeace.
May I congratulate the Prime Minister on a flamboyant gesture which maybe did more harm than good? Two more Cypriots dead at British hands, two more widows.
Two more graves.
It is sad.
It is very sad.
I'm sure he must feel it as much as I do.
I'd just like to ask the Prime Minister if he can reassure the people of Cyprus that he has their best interests at heart.
- Hear, hear! - Order! Prime Minister.
I'd like to thank the Right Honourable Gentleman for his remarks.
Those of us who know the pity of war at first hand prate less freely about it.
We now intend to find and release the High Commissioner and to offer assistance to President Nicolaou to re-establish the rule of law.
Should we give in to terrorism and the threat of terrorism? - Hear, hear! - Order, order! Mr Tom Makepeace.
Would it not be a generous gesture to ensure that the oil revenues should enrich both communities in Cyprus? Not just a conglomerate of British and Turkish interests? Would it not be simple common sense to now release all the papers relating to EOKA graves? - Hear, hear! - Order! Order! Prime Minister.
I see no reason to intervene in perfectly proper commercial practices.
Nor do I see any reason to interfere in the perfectly proper regulations of the Official Secrets Act.
Is the Prime Minister hiding anything personal regarding the Cyprus graves? I never thought to hear such words spoken in this House.
If the gentleman had set out to foment unrest and violence, he could not have chosen a better way.
Let him reflect, if more blood is shed in Cyprus, it will be upon his conscience, not upon mine.
Tom.
- Have you got a minute? - Yes, of course.
No one else seems keen to talk to me.
Most people were very moved, Tom.
I was very moved.
You're right.
It is time to heal wounds.
I'm trying to get Francis to see that, but he's on such a high.
I just want you to know I'm still with you.
How can you be with me when you're with him? Tom, it's just a job.
I'm an ambitious girl.
You know that.
That question at the end rattled him.
Have you got anything that would stand up? Is that what this conversation is about? He sent you after me to find out how much I know? No, he doesn't know I'm talking to you and he'd be upset if he did know.
His vanity is truly awesome.
Have you got anything that would break him? Not yet.
In an odd way, I'd almost like the allegations to be untrue.
I've always hated the bastard, but he has his own kind of integrity.
So sure of himself and what he stands for.
Rock-solid.
How are you now, Tom? Oh, fine.
You know I'm all right.
I'm still here if you need me.
If there's anything I can do Are you serious about that? Try me.
There's a document we're trying to trace : Cyprus File 743/8.
- Maria's relatives? - Yes.
Apparently, there's a signature on it from the officer in charge at the time.
I don't have access to the files.
It's top-secret.
You could get hold of it.
Only by pretending that FU had requested it himself.
That's a criminal offence.
I could get seven years for it.
No, I'm sorry.
It's too much to ask.
You do understand? Of course.
I shouldn't have mentioned it.
Forgive me.
Don't you know yet? I could forgive you anything.
He has nothing.
All he knows is what he's read in the papers and what that girl has told him.
- Thank you, Claire.
- There's nothing to know.
- You've done nothing wrong.
- Exactly.
You know what he said? He said he envied you your certainty, your integrity.
He actually admires you, Francis.
Rock-solid.
That's how he sees you.
- I am rock-solid.
- Ten times the man he is.
Twenty.
He's like a child seeking comfort.
All he wants is to be told how wonderful he is.
He's not a man.
He hasn't got the strength to stand alone.
- A boy of tears.
- Exactly.
So How do we proceed from here? Is it time to heal the wounds, is it time to make reparations, appease the Cypriot radicals? Is it time to be magnanimous? I think that would be weakness and it would be seen as weakness.
If you want to make a conciliatory gesture, why not release all the documents about the graves? That's not possible, I'm afraid, Claire.
- Why not? - There are good reasons.
- You don't need to know what they are.
- Of course not.
- Sorry, I thought - I'm tired, Claire.
- It's been a very tiring day.
- Of course.
- I'll see you in the morning, then.
- Yes.
Thank you, Claire.
You've been quite immeasurably helpful.
She knows something, doesn't she? What is it? She moves so easily from camp to camp like Cressida, a daughter of the game.
She speaks of Makepeace with contemptto me.
How does she speak of me to him? That's immaterial.
Whatever she knows, it's nothing that could possibly damage me.
I don't think you appreciate the gravity of the situation, Mr Urquhart.
There's a big demonstration right outside.
My people think they've been swindled.
We must have a renegotiation of the boundaries, so that both sides benefit from the oil.
That's a matter for the international community.
But I need your support now.
You gave me your word.
Is this British justice? You betrayed my people! Don't shout at me, Mr Nicolaou.
You know enough about me to know I'll always back my words with actions and I stand by my friends.
You may call upon British troops any time you think it necessary.
You must realise I couldn't possibly do that.
I can't use foreign troops against my own people! My advice to you is that you simply stand firm.
Making concessions in the face of threats is taken as a sign of weakness.
And please remember, we are prepared to back you all the way.
Well, gentlemen We have a lead on the hostage location.
Activity around the presidential lodge.
Not the palace, the hunting lodge in the mountains.
Theodopolous may have the High Commissioner there.
Good.
Get confirmation.
You'd better liaise with army intelligence.
If we are going to go in there, we must be sure.
Come in.
Do sit down, Mrs Carlsen.
Thank you.
- There's not a problem, is there? - I'm sure there won't be.
I just wanted to be quite clear.
This document has such a high security clearance, I cannot read it myself.
Really? Um, how do you manage, then? I avert my eyes, Mrs Carlsen.
This is for the Prime Minister, you say? That's right.
I am his PPS.
I'm going straight from here to Downing Street.
And you'll sign for it, taking full responsibility for its safety? Yes, of course.
Fine.
If you just sign and date there, please.
Thank you.
This is the document.
But this is in a clear folder.
You could read it easily.
But I don't, Mrs Carlsen.
I avert my eyes.
As you will too, of course.
Mr Corder, please.
"On information received, "I arranged to meet my contact at the rocks above Spilia village.
"I was attacked by rifle fire, I took cover and returned fire "and managed to shoot both the terrorists dead.
"I was unable to identify the gunmen.
"I was alone and had to consider the very real risk of reprisals.
"I therefore buried the bodies at the map reference here quoted.
" Francis Urquhart.
"Bodies subsequently confirmed as Georgios and Eurypides Passolides.
"Special circumstances obtain.
"Lieutenant Urquhart to be posted out.
"No further action.
" Sir Clive! I've only just heard you were here.
It's lovely to see you again.
Francis sends his apologies.
He'll be tied up for at least another half an hour.
Perhaps I could offer you some hospitality.
Let's go in here.
Slightly less gloomy, I think.
- Do help yourself.
- Bit early for me.
You can talk to me, you know.
Francis and I have no secrets.
You're worried about this oil business, aren't you? Well Yes, I am.
Makepeace is right.
The arbitration panel was inadequately briefed.
It's possible that information was deliberately withheld.
- About the oil deposits? - Yes.
If I'd known about the oil deposits, I would have proposed joint exploitation rights.
The Prime Minister should know I'm considering making a public statement.
But you did know about it, didn't you? - I'm sorry? - About the oil deposits.
Don't you remember? I told you.
I said that everyone was talking about it and I was amazed you hadn't heard the gossip.
I was sure the French judge knew and you said, "That explains a lot.
" A judicial panel can only consider the evidence that's presented to it.
We knew nothing of the oil.
We were inadequately briefed.
- But really you knew all about it.
- That is not material.
It was anecdotal, unsubstantiated.
I was bound to dismiss it from consideration.
Sir Clive, I think that simple folk might have a deal of trouble grasping that.
They might think that you made your decision on information you really had, and I think perhaps you did let it influence you just a teeny bit, didn't you? I know I would.
Look, this sounds a bit silly, but what if nothing happens? - My chaps think that something will.
- So do my chaps.
Sorry I'm late.
I had to head off the press.
They seem to think there's something up.
There is.
Nicolaou might be about to go into involuntary retirement.
- His people want to boot him out.
- We can't permit that and we won't.
Prime Minister, we're not in a position to prevent it.
This isn't British territory and we've had no request for military intervention.
Quite the opposite.
- What's the position, Corder? - Demo's still on the go.
No violence.
They're saying, "Nicolaou out! Nationalise British assets! Troops out!" Seems to be coming to a climax.
Hello Yes, there's definitely something on the go.
A few hours ago, President Nicolaou was abducted from the presidential palace in Cyprus.
He's being held at an undisclosed location.
Yurios Theodopolous has declared himself president by popular acclamation, and opinion in Westminster is that Francis Urquhart will have to climb down and negotiate a new deal for Cyprus.
No.
That's the presidential lodge? On remote control camera via satellite.
We think the High Commissioner is still there and Nicolaou was brought there.
It's in an excellent defensive position.
It could be taken, but we'd risk heavy casualties, as well as the threat to the hostages.
Theodopolous has stated his conditions for releasing the hostages.
"Recognition of the new government, renegotiation of the Watling settlement, "immediate withdrawal of all British bases.
" Tell him he'll have his answer in two hours.
Now, forest fires are commonplace in that area.
I know it well.
I propose that we start one and under the guise of putting the fire out, your chaps can take the lodge.
- That is extremely risky.
- I know.
Can it be done? - I don't recommend it, Prime Minister.
- Do it.
FU, I wonder if we ought to pause a little just to think through the implications - substantial casualties, all those nice little national servicemen fresh out of school.
Maybe we could workshop one or two alternative storylines.
- How long will you need? - Two hours, ideally.
3 a.
m.
their time.
Set it up.
This meeting is adjourned for one hour.
Thank you all very much.
- This is a bit scary, isn't it? - Yes, it is.
If it all goes wrong, you will remember that I spoke out strongly against it? - Is that what you were doing? - I'll do the same for you.
- What if it goes well? - In that case, there's no problem.
What are we supposed to do for an hour, I wonder? No idea.
We could look around the house for a bit.
I've never had a quickie in Number Ten.
- Geoffrey! - Sorry.
Terror's an aphrodisiac for me.
- Got a moment, Mrs Carlsen? - Yes, of course.
Excuse us.
In here will do.
- Give me your bag.
- I beg your pardon? Don't piss me about! - Is it in here? - What are you talking about? This.
The Prime Minister asked me to get that.
No, he didn't.
I'll take charge of it now, Mrs Carlsen.
Are you going to tell him? That's the least of your worries.
I know you think I'm trying to save my own skin, but if I were you, I'd wait before I did anything.
You might find you're backing the wrong horse.
What are you going to do? You'll just have to wait and see.
Won't you? They're in.
We've got three minutes before we have to put on the rain.
That one.
I'm very happy to say that the rule of law has been re-established in Cyprus and that the British High Commissioner is safe and well.
Our troops, some of them national servicemen on their first mission, have done their country credit and will continue to do so.
Later today, a military detachment under the command of Major Jardine will escort the British High Commissioner and the President back to the capital in triumph.
Schoolgirls? They've got bunches of flowers and they're singing songs.
They won't let us through unless we lay down our arms.
We can't be threatened by children! I realise it's ridiculous, sir, but what does one do? They're just girls.
We don't want to hurt them.
The children are in front, the men are behind them.
- Get Nicolaou to address the crowd.
- Get that? Yes, sir.
I'm afraid he's not up to it.
He's got a bullet in the left lung.
Not in good shape at all.
Sir, we have some serious casualties who need urgent hospitalisation and The bodies need to be shipped out quickly too.
It's very warm here.
Yes, right.
I see your point.
Hold on.
I think we should airlift out the wounded, then sit tight till it simmers down.
No.
Order the airlift, but these people must understand I will not be dictated to.
Order him to clear the road by any means necessary.
Use whatever it takes.
I don't think that's wise, Prime Minister.
Issue the order.
Jardine, we're organising an airlift of the dead and wounded.
Yes, sir.
Thank you.
In the meantime, your orders are to clear the road using minimum violence.
Clear the road? Yes, clear the road.
Right.
Thank you.
We too want peace and under the current emergency, you constitute an illegal assembly.
I have to clear the road.
Go home now or my soldiers will have to disperse you.
Go home now.
Thank you.
Squad, port arms and advance! Please go home.
Go home now! Settle down! Hold your fire! Hold your fire! Oh, Jesus Jesus! Jesus! The death of a child is a terrible thing.
But these children were coerced into illegal and riotous assembly by their own parents and suffered a terrible consequence.
You want a strong leader who is not afraid to act.
You chose me.
Whatever I do, whatever is done in my name, you partake of it.
- Tell me it isn't true.
- Mattie, can I trust you? - You know you can.
- Oh, MattieI I think we should view this realistically.
I'm sorry, but I don't think you can hold on any longer.
You still don't understand me.
I don't surrender.
I will survive.
This Cyprus business is a little local difficulty.
Now we have established order, we may make some small concessions.
The party wants a new leader, Francis.
A new leader? Who could replace me? Makepeace? I can destroy Makepeace any time I want.
The man's a philanderer.
I'm afraid it would involve some slight embarrassment for you, Claire.
- You'd do that to me? - With great reluctance.
I don't think people care much about that sort of thing any more.
Not compared with killing schoolgirls! Francis, I don't want to quarrel with you.
Let's part friends, please.
Yes? I'm sorry, Francis.
Package for Evangelos Passolides.
Hey! That's me.
Yes? - Geoffrey.
- Hi.
Come in.
Sit down.
Well, I suppose you'll have realised why I'm here.
To offer your wholehearted support? No, to offer my resignation, actually.
On a matter of principle.
You are resigning on a matter of principle? Yeah.
Sorry.
I've given an exclusive to the "Clarion" on it.
I can't go back on that now.
It's that Cyprus business in the road.
A bit too rich for my blood You know? After all I've done for you, Geoffrey? Yeah.
I know.
Sorry.
I've always been grateful.
And I've always had a weakness for you.
Come here.
Nearer.
Nearer.
Yes, good.
What are you doing, FU? - Where is your heart? - I'm sorry, FU.
You know what I'm like.
Yes.
I know what you're like.
There's no need to resign, Geoffrey.
I'm sorry, but there is, FU.
I already have your resignation.
Yes, here we are.
Adultery and insider dealing.
Much more interesting for the "Clarion".
Er What can the Prime Minister possibly say to atone for what happened yesterday? I have nothing to atone for.
The Right Honourable Gentleman has a very feeble grasp on the realities of life.
Without the rule of law, without respect for the rule of law, we are nothing but beasts that want discourse of reason.
It was necessary to restore the rule of law in Cyprus.
This has been done.
Of course we mourn the deaths of children, but the rule of law is, must be, absolute.
- Resign! - Order! - Resign! - Resign! - Order! - Resign! Order! OrderI - ResignI - ResignI - ResignI - ResignI Tom! It's nearly over.
You've got him now.
I just wanted to say I'm back.
I'm here for you.
I've told him that.
I'm here for you now, Tom.
Well, I never really went away.
- Claire - I've got something for you.
It's a photocopy, but I have seen the original.
- I found it for you.
- We've seen this already.
Oh.
Thanks all the same.
Much appreciated.
About the other thing Hard to say this I can't afford to have you near me any more, Claire.
You're far too deeply implicated with Francis Urquhart in people's minds.
Sorry, but I have to take a realistic view.
Politically, you're pure poison now.
Goodbye, Claire.
I will outlast you.
Six more days.
I'm not done yet.
I will not give way.
- ResignI - ResignI I will never give way.
- ResignI - ResignI I will survive.
- ResignI - ResignI We have to save him.
He can't do it by himself any more.
I know.
- Makepeace has a copy of the tape.
- Makepeace? - You've started the ball rolling.
- Mm-hm.
But we need to take very drastic action now.
- You must understand that.
- Yes.
It's dangerous.
But Francis will come out of it unsullied? If it goes right, he'll be a hero.
If you can promise me that, then do it, Corder.
- Thank you for agreeing to see me.
- What do you want? A tape has come into my possession.
It appears to implicate you in the unlawful deaths of Roger O'Neill and Mattie Storin.
- Perhaps you know of it? - Indeed I do.
So do the security services.
Needless to say, it's not genuine.
I'm glad to hear that, but I shall have to make it public.
Do what you damn well like! I'll wait until after Thatcher Day.
I wouldn't want to spoil your pleasure at beating her record.
DaddyI Mr Urquhart? Miss Passolides, you've seen a copy of a certain document.
- I wanted to explain.
- How can you? You killed my uncles! - My father wants to kill you.
- Do you want to kill me? No.
I want you tried for murder, though.
Perhaps I might be able to change your mind.
They were mine, those two young men, your uncles.
- What do you mean? - I turned them.
They were my informers.
They were in danger from their own people.
I killed them for all our sakes.
Can you imagine their deaths at the hands of their own people? No I don't believe you.
You must know I'm going to make this public.
You must do as you wish.
Goodbye, Maria.
Those boys in Cyprus were not informers.
I made them tell me.
They were runners for EOKA.
They knew where an arms cache was.
I said I'd shoot them if they didn't tell me where it was.
They didn't believe me.
I killed the younger brother to convince the elder.
Still he wouldn't tell me.
Then I shot him through the kneecap.
Then he told me.
Then I shot him through the head.
Then I burned their bodies.
They were just young boys, Elizabeth.
I can still see their faces burning.
Their hair burning.
Francis? The sound of it.
- The smell of it.
- Francis! They have the tape, they have the Cyprus document.
We're lost.
No! We can be safe still.
We've done it before and we can do it again.
Corder knows how.
Put your trust in Corder.
He's going to arrange something very special on Margaret Thatcher Day.
We can be safe still? Yes, Francis! We can be safe still.
Francis Urquhart, the Prime Minister, with Mrs Urquhart.
Today he beats Margaret Thatcher's record of 4,227 days in office.
Here to commemorate her memory.
And the young king steps forward to unveil the statue.
God save our gracious king Long live our noble king God save our king Send him victorious Happy and glorious Long to reign over us God save the king Francis, my dear? Safe now.
It was the only way, my darling.
You do understand? Elizabeth It's OK, sir.
Everything's under control.
You'll be in charge now.
Anything you need, we're right behind you.