I want to talk about someone, a girl, clever
If she's still interested in adrenalizing work.
That fight's over. She talk Russian?
Would you have any moral compunction
if you were to be serving
under a socialist government?
Russia's why Attlee won the election.
We believe Whitehall has been infiltrated by Communists.
That's why I need an agent in the civil service.
I want my life to matter.
That politician you were dancing with, a friend?
Not really.
Make him one.
Whatever you're working on is to be aborted.
The skeletal crew will remain in the UK.
Let me run her.
What I am going to do is call Feef and tell her it's off.
I need you to find a way to move to the Cabinet Office. - Why?
It's the heart of government.
Don't you want to be at the centre of it all?
*CREDITS*
Who are we killing for?
_
Who are we dying for?
The world as it was?
Or the world as it ought to be?
Listen to this. It's so simple
it's a bloody joke.
The object of government, in peace
and war, is not glory for rulers
or races, but happiness of the common man.
The common man.
That's us.
Let's fight for us.
Churchill has banned that report from the troops, hasn't he?
Fuck Churchill.
Read it.
Let's slay the giants.
Before I got here,
I just didn't realise the world was so big.
I thought it was all village fetes
and marrying the girl next door.
I'm happy about that bit, of course.
Men can accomplish so much, that's the thing to remember.
Are you going to stand, then?
Me too.
Lord, the God of righteousness and truth,
grant to our king and his
government, to Members of Parliament
and all in positions of responsibility,
the guidance of your spirit, amen.
Amen.
Mr Fenton, I don't believe we've met.
Marcus Wynn, I'm your whip.
Message for you from the Prime Minister.
In the matter of the American loans,
you are to vote that we accept the terms.
The terms are outrageous.
Your maiden speech was a triumph, Mr Fenton.
The best of the Beveridge report but rousingly delivered.
Education, housing, health care for all.
Now, if you would like Mr Attlee to pass a single piece
of our ambitious and transformative legislative agenda
then we must take America's money and the terms she has set.
Otherwise, the legacy of this administration will be half
starving the citizenry to death and...
No, that's it, half starving the citizenry to death.
Beggars can't be choosers.
We are not beggars. - But we are.
In faded suits with frayed cuffs on bended knee.
And pretending otherwise will not make it so. The Americans...
In your opinion, should we build this welfare state?
Then we need money.
And, in my opinion, passionate backbenchers seeking to effect
change should not draw negative attention to themselves,
especially when they're currently held in high esteem.
The day liked your speech very much.
You have his attention.
Capitalise.
Don't tell me, do what he says and it's a Cabinet position?
Did he talk to you?
We told him fuck the Americans and fuck their fucking loans.
Did he say anything about your speech?
He said the PM hated mine.
He didn't mention it.
This loan, with the interest rates offered,
may ameliorate our financial crisis
in the short-term, but in the long-term,
and I'm talking about from now until the year 2000,
we will be on the rack to the United States government,
in hock to them to the tune of £70 million a year?
Order!
How are we to retain an independent outlook
from a debtors' jail?
Hear, hear.
Hello.
Where's Peter?
He'll be back soon.
Sorry, you're stuck with the ugly one.
Where did he go?
I can't tell you, sorry.
I just... I thought he would be running me.
No, that's my job.
Peter's needed elsewhere right now.
If it really bothers you,
talk to him about it later.
When can you move to the Cabinet Office?
The whole place is structure and rules.
I mustn't rush it. It would look odd.
No-one thinks you're an agent.
They think you're a rebellious spirit
having a little adventure
in Whitehall before you go and get married.
But you are an agent and you have a mission.
Be creative.
All right.
What's in the Cabinet Office?
A Russian spy.
Actually in the Cabinet Office?
Yes.
France is falling to the communists,
so is East Germany, Poland, Romania
and this tidal wave of interest in communism
doesn't just happen.
It's the result of the Russian genius for placing spies,
agitators, infiltrators everywhere.
Including the British Empire,
including your socialist government,
including your Cabinet Office
where all the Prime Minister's secrets, domestic, foreign,
nuclear, are kept.
How do you know they've got someone in there?
You had a predecessor.
Who was that?
What happened to him?
Get in first and I'll tell you.
How you doing?
Yeah, good.
Do you want to sit down?
I've got a question.
Why did you join the army?
There was a general feeling,
among a lot of people I know...
...that if we acquit ourselves well
in the military it might have some
bearing on our situation back home.
And you think it will?
From what I'm hearing, no.
Men kill, don't they?
Sometimes because they're heroes
and the other guys are Nazis.
Sometimes because they're an asshole
and they want to string a fella from a tree.
I killed someone.
I could tell you why I did it.
If you want to know, I will.
But I'm a white guy, you're a Negro,
so why the fuck would you believe
a word that comes out of my mouth?
So, let's stick to the verifiable facts.
There's a dead man in my apartment...
...and I need you to help me get rid of him.
If you help me, I will give you money.
What's the harm?
You... seem to have lost your faith in God.
Sorry if you guys were friends.
Yeah, we weren't.
Why not?
Well, I'm not a chick,
and I don't play racquetball,
so... no common ground.
Can't move him 'til dark.
Is there more where that came from?
Why?
How about a job?
See, I get what you're doing.
I get why you use that girl.
She can hide in plain sight.
Me too, man.
People say all kinds of shit in front of me
like I'm just not there.
But I am there.
I'm listening... I see.
Nice disguise.
Now, I'd like you to take another crack at this.
Not bad, definitely a first draft.
My biggest concern is that you recommend pinewood
as an ideal building material. - Which it is.
That you affirm, but the conclusion
has a certain spontaneity
that's tonally wrong as you barely reference spruce.
Ash, we have access to cypress in the colonies.
I'm so sorry.
Don't be sorry, first draft of first report ever.
Where the hell do you think you are going, miss?
The Cabinet Office.
You'll sign in.
I am not married and nor do I
expect to marry in the near future,
therefore I did not organise this meeting
out of personal interest,
Mr Quick.
Well, I'm here out of bloody personal interest.
Fire me just because my husband's coming home?
Is the Cabinet Office entirely
the appropriate venue for this sort
of discussion, Mr Quick?
Yes, it is, Mr Stevens, as I arranged it.
Thank you for your contribution.
Gentleman, the spirit of the times dictates
rebuild, rebuild, rebuild.
Let women rebuild, too.
Rebuild is a word, another word is rebirth.
Now, we lifted the ban on married women working during the war
but now your men are coming home.
They have sacrificed, as well you
know, more than you in this war
and they will need and have earned your attention.
We have lost a terrible number of our children.
Mr Quick, women are more than just breeders.
Listen to me.
Married women working here would be a perfect nuisance.
They would need to leave to put their husband's supper on.
They would be concerned about sick children.
They will cry every day
_
and you will be as annoyed as anyone else.
There is irresolvable tension between a woman working
and her domestic responsibilities
and I just don't have the time for this.
This all that's left of you?
Everyone else went home? Yes.
I thought Peter was staying?
We had squash scheduled.
I'll remind him for you.
It seems rather pointless any of you being here
if all you're allowed to do is read our intelligence reports.
Whoa, a Russian gave up 39 names?
Who did?
A Russian that defected, Kechenko.
He gave up 39 names?
So, that's 40 Russian operatives stealing secrets,
atomic and otherwise, and threatening all of us?
Man, how compromised are you guys?
I don't take your meaning.
Fucking Soviet spy ring in Canada
you guys found about how?
Because one of them fucking told you?
Do you think I give a shit about your intelligence report?
Man, you guys don't have a clue what's happening
unless a Russian
comes knocking on your front door to tattletale.
The Canadians...
Part of your Commonwealth, right?
Your king owns it.
Take responsibility for it.
I heard you came to London because
you went off your head, rather.
Had some tough times in the war,
made rather significant errors
in Bucharest, lost a lot of men
which, understandably, broke you.
No wonder you were put out to pasture here in London
at this rather pointless desk job.
Talk to me like that again and I'll have you sent home.
One way or another.
Where the hell is Peter?
Bored out of his mind.
He told me he is drafting a letter of resignation.
Guess who's stuck with the paperwork?
You're not supposed to be here.
Why are you packing up Peter's room?
Where is he?
He needs these things sent on to him.
Where? I can't say.
Come on, Jackson, I'm not going to...
Where?
Just tell me so I can say goodbye to him.
Let me tell you about these people.
You can only push them so far with your questions
and breaking the rules
and showing up where you're not supposed to.
No-one told me I couldn't come to his hotel room.
OK.
You want something of his?
He'll be fine with it, I bet.
Thank you.
Don't tell Rowe I came here.
Dear Feef, you're not supposed to
know where I am or what I'm doing
so when you're done reading, burn this.
I'm headed to Poland and, because it's dangerous,
I'm saying goodbye even though it busts all protocol.
Like you, I will be undercover.
Communication will be hard.
I will take strength in knowing that
I will take strength in knowing
that we're fighting the same fight
in the same way.
Courage! You've got bags of it.
Bug?
OK.
Bug...
...over and out.
Mr Hennessy has been...
His advances are very strong.
I understand that boys will be boys.
Honestly, I was going to have to hand in my notice
because I can't have him grabbing...
just slap at him.
If he grabs at you again just slap at him.
But then I thought of you.
Pull yourself together, dear.
Tears are so weak.
I'm sorry, but I can't just take you in.
The Cabinet Office is an elite placement.
We see everything.
We prepare everything for the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.
We are not a port in a storm.
I also believe that I could do the work.
Yes, well, unfortunately, after your interview in June,
I told the others I thought you could not.
That was my judgment.
And as you are well aware, things are harder for women,
I cannot appear not to know my own mind.
Why did you...?
It's not a matter of ability.
It's a matter of character.
This job requires the sort of people
who are happiest in a backroom,
working out the sort of problem most people would find
too grey and tedious to consider.
Now, you are a front room sort of person.
Well, just so you know,
I am fascinated by the tedious.
_
Psst!
I just got a call from Miss Garrick.
She wants you in the Cabinet Office.
Which is annoying, seeing as I'm the one who fought to hire
you in the first place.
She's short-staffed, apparently.
Really?
Too bad for her, I don't have to
sign you off and I'd rather not.
I wish you would.
Why?
Right now you're building homes for those who have none.
What could possibly be more important than that?
I just find it all very dull.
I knew you could do it!
I knew it!
Now what?
Now it gets a little simpler, believe it or not.
We know the Russians accessed information
shared at two private
Cabinet Office meetings, one in '37, one in '43,
because otherwise
how in the hell does a random Russian diplomat know Attlee said
the UK should give up their bases in the Middle East?
How in the hell does a Russian diplomat know
Churchill tasked his generals with drawing up
battle plans for a ground invasion
into Moscow?
So, it's someone from The Cabinet Office
who was at both
of those meetings?
Correct.
Tearoom.
typing pool.
But I have no reason to go to the archives.
Isn't that suspicious?
I mean, we don't want people thinking I'm a spy.
Your desk.
You're upper class.
Every gesture you make screams entitlement.
That's why you're perfect, no-one will question you.
Archives? There's no reason on Earth
you'll need anything from the archives.
Really? I had to use the housing archives all the time.
We have over 500 meetings a day here.
You'll mostly attend and take notes.
Nice to meet you. Jerry Roxborough. - Feef.
Symonds, yes. I heard.
I do hope Mr Mulligan's tour has been thorough..
I'll be happy to answer any questions you have, also.
Great.
Is the girl in yet?
Of course she's in.
What did I tell you?
OK, great.
Now, listen, the money men I told you about,
they're getting nervous
the loans vote won't go through.
Obviously we're doing what we can via the embassy
but diplomats can only do so much.
So, they want me to do something?
If you can.
Meaning I'm working for these guys?
Doing them a favour.
Well, tell them I need a budget.
A real budget.
These guys have more power than God.
I don't like telling them things.
They're lobbying Truman,
they want a real American intelligence agency
up and running, they're going to need proof
of what real American intelligence agents can do.
Now, I'm damn good at my job, my real job, not paper pushing,
but I can't get shit done without money.
If I get you money, there have to be results.
Why wouldn't there be?
I heard Peter resigned.
So, he doesn't have much faith in you.
Look, you read my report, if you want results,
I need a budget.
Then the money men need the loans vote pushed through.
Just put the girl to work.
The politician you were dancing with,
I need you to tell me about his friends.
We're barely acquainted.
Change that.
I need to know who in the Labour Party is voting
against the American loans.
How does that relate to the Cabinet Office?
Peter told me you were trained.
So, I assumed you learned that an agent does not get filled
in on the big picture, an agent does what they're told
when they are told it and does not ask questions.
Yes.
This is the job.
Did anybody ever give you the impression this was easy?
I was given the impression the job was about Russia.
The far left of the Labour Party are robotic ideologues
and they're taking orders from Moscow,
whether they know it or not.
I can't come, I'm sorry.
No. What? I have to work.
No, you have to!
It's supposed to be the great meeting of the families.
They've been travelling for literally weeks
to get to England from Ceylon!
They're going to want to meet my sister.
And I'll see them next weekend at the wedding!
Am I supposed to say you have to work?
They're going to think you're so mannish!
Fine! Fine.
Are you sure you want to get married?
Men don't have to, you know.
You were supposed to bloody marry so we could get some money
and do up the house and help Ma and Pa
and you didn't, so now I have to do it, I have to be the girl.
It's disgusting.
Feef!
Yeah, come over.
Do you really think the Americans
Do you really think the Americans are as bad as all that?
The Americans are fine, America is shit, excuse my language.
But you're not a communist?
A little too extreme for me, but who knows?
Never say never.
This time five years ago I was a Tory, so...
Really? Why?
What changed? - The war.
The first time I ever went abroad,
the first time I met people
with different backgrounds to me, different ideas.
We're all so hemmed in, aren't we?
Unless we fight to get out.
You don't seem hemmed in to me.
Really? No.
Is he going to kiss her?
Hasn't got the balls.
He's got a fiance.
I looked into it.
What are they like, these young braves, Stewart Butler?
These men, they're rejecting America's offer of help, why?
Because they think it's an aggressive gesture
designed to make England
financially beholden to the United States and whatever
her agenda may be.
I don't play politics but I do know that
over in America we are fans
of democracy and we do sometimes
offer financial aid, with the proviso
that the recipient allow the good people of Africa and India
and Ceylon and so on to elect their own rulers.
Perhaps you're not a fan of the British Empire
because it makes us a force to be reckoned with?
We were talking about Stewart Butler.
He's patronising.
Why did you invite a Tory to drink with us?
Tories sit on that side.
Tight-fisted, too, he never bought a round.
Really?
How did he explain that?
Your round.
I'm out, sorry.
Is it ever your round, Stu Ball?
Hugh Fenton, your boyfriend.
Neither my boyfriend nor a communist.
What else about Mr Fenton?
Hugh used to be a Tory.
Shame on Attlee and shame on Wynn
for trying to get us to abandon
the socialist principles that got us elected.
Shame!
I know it can feel uncomfortable
telling tales after you've broken bread,
but it's part of the job.
How are you progressing with gaining access
to the Cabinet archives?
I'm working on it.
Good.
And you remember the dates I told you?
Hello.
Could you pull the minutes
from the post-war planning committee
meeting of February 7th, 1943?
And the minutes from the May 22nd, 1937
Palestine Working Group?
Name? - Fiona Symonds.
Just don't leave a paper trail.
What if I do?
Just don't.
What was your name again?
Fiona Symonds.
Can I keep these overnight?
Back by six.
_
In a line, chaps.
Ayes over here.
Where are you going?
We're voting no.
They're changing their votes, look at them.
When I went home this weekend
the union said they won't support me
next time around unless I vote yes to the loan.
They think we won't be able to
keep the docks open without it, so...
I'm with Will, actually.
I'm actually a socialist.
Aren't you?
How quickly they fall.
No.
No fucking way.
What will I get now, the cane?
If you wish to confront America,
I've got just the job for you.
Stewart Butler, gambler.
I flipped his vote.
The girl figured out he was short on cash,
I found out why, and now he's ours.
The girl, she is on the trail and she's planning to take
the politician home for the weekend.
Pass that on too.
He'll be pleased.
Also tell them I radioed a few of the OSS guys in Europe,
a bunch of them will stay put.
OK.
We need them there.
Get me their names and a way to contact them.
Get us a budget.
Look...
Nice shot.
Where did you come in that race?
If you didn't win, man,
what the fuck is it doing on the wall?
Call Daddy.
There should be three.
No, there are definitely four.
Miss Symonds works on this floor, doesn't she?
Yes, and I'd like to know where the hell she is.
Why not colloquy with the secretaries
after work, Mr Fenton?
Hello.
Hello. I have to go.
My whip's punishing me
for voting against the loans.
Is he punishing your friends, too?
No need. They caved.
Fenton. Now.
I don't suppose you're free this weekend, are you?
I am. I am.
Mr Fenton.
It's my brother's wedding reception.
I'll telephone you.
_
Mr Stephens, I heard you were working
on the New Towns Act,
I did a fair amount of work on wood
when I was in housing,
so just in case you were looking for any intel?
I'm sorry, you are...?
Fee? Symonds.
Hello, again.
Apparently you've met Mr Roxborough.
My father wanted me to say hello to a Mr Jarvis.
I don't suppose you know where I could find him?
I heard he was working here before me,
my predecessor in a way?
Predecessor is right.
He is in fact deceased.
Yes, I'm afraid John has died.
Died?
He fell down some stairs, poor chap.
Right.
The Americans want us to let 100,000 Jews
into what they allege
is their homeland.
The Arabs, understandably,
would prefer we did no such thing.
There's only one thing for it -
a committee.
You'll be joined by some
civil servants, academics and Yanks.
I have no expertise in foreign policy.
Well, for 2,000 years people with expertise
have failed to solve
this conundrum, so not to worry.
This is just for show, isn't it?
To show whom what?
To show the Americans that we are pretending to take
their concerns seriously
when we all know there's
no way in hell we can risk upsetting
the Arabs and our access to oil.
And the Palestine problem is insoluble.
Correct. - Hugh, what if it's not?
We thought, well, if you can't get the perfect wedding cake,
get a cake that looks perfect.
How are we going to cut it?
Joanna, it's fine, we'll just pretend.
We'll just stand over here, not talk to anyone.
OK.
Excuse me.
I'm sick of this war.
Have you tried the food? It tastes like paper.
The war's over, actually.
You think you're so bloody young.
Mummy, please just have a glass of water.
Here, please.
We've got a lot of guests.
It's going to be a long night.
What is your point?
That you're swaying slightly and no music is playing.
My sister and I used to dance when there was no music.
And we used to run fast,
fast, fast, fast, like colts.
My father used to call us his "little colts".
Yes, and now maybe no more wine?
You're in charge now...
...now that you have a very important job.
You can run the show and you can tell people
when they may or may not imbibe.
May I breathe, is that all right?
Stop it.
May I defecate? No more bloody wine, Mother.
Ladies don't have ink on their fingers.
They never get a beau with ink on their fingers.
I came here with someone.
You'll be a blue stocking by the time they're through with you.
Shhh! - A bloody lesbian.
We both know Freddie's the one who's a homosexual.
No! Are you all right?
It's fine. I just banged my cheek, it was silly.
Yeah, I saw how you banged it.
Let me see. Let me see!
There's a little bit of blood. Her ring.
It's fine, it's just she had a little too much to drink.
I was being annoying.
I doubt that. - It's fine.
Listen...
Is that all right?
I worry I'll get you into a lot of trouble.
I want trouble.
Come on!
Move!
Come on!
Come on. You're going to be fine.
You didn't dodge 1,000 bullets to get killed by a snake!
Tell my ma I was a Nazi.
She'll feel better that way.
No, no, no!
You're a bad, bad, bad, bad man.
Fuck off.
_
How do you like your new flat?
Please don't ask me any more about Hugh.
I think he's a good man and I have
to be able to get up in the morning.
I have to be able to look at myself in the mirror.
My predecessor was called Philip Jarvis, wasn't he?
What do you know about Jarvis?
Well, I know he checked out the same two files as I did
and I know he's dead.
I trusted Peter and Peter's gone,
I have to be able to trust you.
You can trust me.
You're telling me the truth? - Yes.
What happened to Jarvis?
They murdered him.
The Russians.
And what if they murder me?
*CREDITS*