DARK CLASSICAL MUSIC www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2016 DARK MUSIC CONTINUES RATTLING ELECTRICTY EXPLODES, CRACKLES CRICKETS CHIRRUP HINGE SQUEAKS What happened to all the lights? They'll fix it. It happens all the time. Just relax. How can I relax? I'm in a goddamn army base, Roper. I'm the only woman here. Do you any idea how humiliating that is? You see the way they all look at me? I thought you might enjoy the attention. Don't be stupid. Just tell me why I'm here. You never bring me anywhere near your work. But you wanted to come. Didn't you? Now that you are here, someone has been prying into my affairs. Perhaps you can help me work out who. I don't know what you're talking about. Is it you? SHE SCOFFS Listen, I REALLY want to keep this between you and me. Why don't you start by just telling me the truth? What did you do with the list? What list? Who did you show it to? I don't know what you're talking about, baby. What?! There's a problem with the genny. I know there's a problem with the genny, FIX IT! It looks deliberate, boss. Stay exactly where you are. Jed... Shh! OK. Get me out of here, Jonathan. I can't. Not now. Tell me exactly who you are. I was sent in by British Intelligence to track Roper's arms operation. No. But you saved Danny's life. A set-up. No, you were injured. You almost died. That was part of the plan. And the list? The list contains the names of every single person who has financially invested in Roper's illegal deal of standard and chemical weapons. That is what I was doing in his office. That's who I am. What do you need me to do? You let Corky take the hit. I can't, Jonathan. Corky is my friend. Corky is a trained killer. I need money. As much as you have. Notes. Doesn't matter which currency, dollars are best. That's all I have. That's good. I'm sorry. I am going to get you out of here. I promise. I took a photograph of your list on my phone. I'm sorry. Why on earth did you do that? Because I wanted to know what the man I'm sleeping with does for a living. Why didn't you ask me? You never tell me the truth. I thought I could find out on my own, so I took a photograph. I was going to ask someone what it meant. Who were you going to ask? I don't know. I didn't do anything, I promise. I just deleted it. How much later did you delete it? A week? You didn't show it to anyone? No, no-one. I always leave it lying around. Corky told me not to leave it lying around. What do you mean, Corky? He found it, he gave it back to me. I'm so sorry, I've caused you so much trouble. It was so stupid of me. It's all right. It's nothing we can't solve. But you must never ever do that to me again. I never will. Ever. Good. Cos you know I love you very much. I love you too. WIRES CLINK DOG BARKS ANOTHER DOG BARKS BARKS SUBSIDE Who are you? I work at the camp. Have you come across the border? No. We are from the village. Which village? They bombed it. The British man said we had to leave. Come and see. She was too old to leave. We are going to the camp. I'm going to show her to the man who did this. Don't. For your son's sake. Turn around. Go back the way you came. Airport? It's a longer journey, I'm afraid. Wait here for one minute, then drive directly to Istanbul. At the Bosphorus Grand Hotel, there'll be a woman waiting for you, room 314. You give her this note. 200 dollars. There will be 200 waiting for you when you get there. No problem. ENGINE STARTS INDISTINCT SHOUTS CHILD SCREAMS GUNSHOT CHILD SCREAMS GUNSHOT SHE GASPS What?! What?! She was. No. She was. No. BOTH LAUGH I am the master of the way. BOTH LAUGH I am the master of the way. ALL CHATTER, LAUGH Hey! Over here, mate. (LAUGHS) ALL CHATTER, LAUGH Hey! Over here, mate. (LAUGHS) Thank you so much. See ya! Hey, thanks for driving tonight. Hey! Over here, mate. (LAUGHS) Thank you so much. See ya! Hey, thanks for driving tonight. You owe me. Thank you so much. See ya! Hey, thanks for driving tonight. You owe me. (LAUGHS) Fair enough. Kate was giving me the eye as well. What?! Kate was giving me the eye as well. What?! She was. No. She was. No. BOTH LAUGH What's that? BOTH LAUGH What's that? Oh crap. Don't worry about it. You're well under. Oh crap. Don't worry about it. You're well under. Yeah, but it's a lower limit now. Good evening. Any alcohol tonight? You're well under. Yeah, but it's a lower limit now. Good evening. Any alcohol tonight? Uh, just a couple... with dinner. Yeah, but it's a lower limit now. Good evening. Any alcohol tonight? Uh, just a couple... with dinner. Yeah. She's fine, eh. Stop. That's over 250 micrograms. I now require you to accompany me to the booze bus... Oh stink. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do say... It's a failed result, ma'am. ...may be given in evidence in court. You could ring a taxi and pick your car up in the morning. Let's call your mum and dad. They're, like, 10 minutes away. your car up in the morning. Let's call your mum and dad. They're, like, 10 minutes away. We're not calling my parents. Let's call your mum and dad. CHILDREN ARGUE We're not calling my parents. Let's call your mum and dad. CHILDREN ARGUE Please. Behave yourselves. No. In the car. INDISTINCT RT CHATTER Been bunking off again, old chap? You can go to detention for that, you know. It's your word against mine. That's a risk I have to take. I'm going to kill you now, understand? I have been waiting for this moment. Get the light. Who are you? I caught him coming back through the fence. Get the chief! We need him to talk. CRUNCH HE GASPS Jesus! What the hell happened? I found him at the fence. I don't know how long he was outside. He may have met someone. Jeez. We need to get him buried quick. No-one can know he was here. All right? Jesus, Corky, Corky. Corky. Corky. That was the smallest grave I've ever dug. I could have got you in there, big boy. HE CURSES THEY CHUCKLE Right, guys. Who are you? Madam, I drove all night. I am to give you this. He said that you would give me another 200 if I got here by nine o'clock. Yes, I think we can manage that. Where is it? Here. Oh, my God. He did it. Get me Mayhew on the phone. It's South East Turkey. We think its somewhere near Kasimli. The trucks are heading towards the Syrian border. That's just over 200 miles. Rough country. We can't reach Mayhew. That gives us three hours to find the trucks and stop them before the border. It's his last day. They're saying he's not available. I need to see Mayhew. I'm afraid he is not available. He is for me. Hey! Hey! I'm calling the police. I AM the bloody police. 20 aid trucks. Going to the Syrian border. All containing illegally exported US and UK arms. Roper's fingerprints all over them. This is real, Rex. This is what we need to take them down. All of them. I told you. We can't do anything. We have no allies. I don't need allies. I need a Foreign Office mandate confirming that an illegal cache of these weapons is in those trucks. I can take that to Joel Steadman, and he can deploy US troops at the border to stop the convoy, search the trucks and seize the weapons. But I can't do that without FCO top brass confirmation. One letter from you, Rex, representing the Permanent Secretary. One signature. Please, Rex. As of today you're still in position. We will never get this chance again. PHONE RINGS Steadman. Joel, listen, I am going to fax something through to you now. It's from our boy. Tell me what you can do with it. And take it straight to the military. No Langley involvement. Is that clear? Sure. OK. PRINTER WHIRS Get me Commander Nichols, please. Thank you. ETA? The convoy should be through the border in one hour, sir. We have their signal if you'd like to track them. Yes, please. BEEPING Andrew? Hi. PHONE RINGS Yes? 'This is your American friend.' What news? Authorisation received by US military to seize and search 'the convoy of 20 aid trucks, '1800 hours local time,' at the Syrian border. You're a good man, Joel. Yeah, I know. The convoy has been identified and is being tracked by US military satellites. You want a visual? Course I do. Grace, visual is coming through Yeah. Tabby, would you go and fetch Jeds for me? Thank you. SWELLING SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC ROPER WHISTLING Hi, Jed. Hi. Darling. You wanted to know what I do for a living. Three minutes to the border. Go get 'em. They're at the border, sir. Now, come on. Look inside. I've got you. PHONE RINGS Hello. US troops at the border, sir. They're demanding to open the trucks. INDISTINCT SHOUTS You been practising your magic tricks, Andrew? Well? They're being let through. I should think so too. They're delaying a convoy carrying much-needed agricultural equipment. It's an absolute scandal. You are a very bad man. They didn't watch the cups, you see. The convoy is on the move, sir. LAUGHTER You are a genius. ALL APPLAUD Thanks to my mascot. You should come to work more often. Where's Corky? Never mind about Corky. No, really, where is he? Stomach bug. He had to fly home. PHONE RINGS What happened? What happened? I just licensed a full US military swoop on a bunch of combine harvesters, that's what happened. I don't believe it. 'Your intelligence was bullshit, Angela.' That's not possible. You never think your boy could be playing both sides? You never once think of that? You know what I think your boy is doing right now? I think he's toasting one hell of a piece of deception. And what if he's not? What if Roper knows it was him? Well, good luck to him. Because there's nothing we can do. Oh my God. Oh no. Gordon? Oh my God! Oh my God. Gordon. Oh. I'm OK. Just a blow to the head. Just wait there, love. OK. Just don't move. Ambulance and police, please. 10 Cranston Avenue. Quick as you can, there's been a burglary. It's OK, someone's coming round. They're coming. They're on their way. Oh, I'm so sorry. It's OK, someone's coming. I'm sorry. What's going on? We're clearing out. What happened here? Some local issue. Had to be dealt with. Chief's orders. He doesn't like to leave traces. What do you mean "dealt with"? Souvenir for you. I think its vintage. Andrew! Get your stuff together. Time to go. So, have you worked out how the trick was done? The arms were never here. Just enough for the fireworks display, a little amuse bouche. But the main course... Never left Istanbul. You knew British enforcement were on to you. So you changed the method of delivery. Left them on the boat. Now the Yanks have pulled out and Limpet is dead and buried. HORN TOOTS So Corky was my Judas. Who'd have thought it? Come on, get them out of here. Mr Hamid, please. Richard Onslow Roper. He will take my call. Freddie? It's Dickey. I am on my way with my business associate. See you soon. Who was that? Pal of mine. From Cairo. DRAMATIC, SWEEPING MUSIC Where are we staying? Freddie is putting us up in one of his places. Best in Cairo is what I hear. Cheer up, darling, we're on holiday. TENSE MUSIC GRAND MUSIC UNSETTLING MUSIC Time for a snooze amongst the pharaohs. Downstairs for drinks later? Fabulous. Aside from the money wasted, and the embarrassment to our American friends, the debacle at the Turkish-Syrian border has put us back five years in terms of intelligence sourcing with Syria and the Middle East. I'm extending the meeting, so we can fully explore the reasons why the operation went ahead with such poor and corrupted intelligence and what lessons can be learnt to ensure this never happens again. What led you to believe that British arms were being exported under the counter through Tradepass? I was shown fake MOD end user certificates for seven different arms companies, UK and US. Do you mean these? Yes. Those are genuine MOD export certificates for Bulgaria and Italy. That's not true. I have signed letters from both Italian and Bulgarian governments confirming the sales. (SCOFFS) This is a cover-up. Angela... ..are you accusing me of lying? I spoke to Rex Mayhew during his handover, before he joined the Royal Commission. He said that you persuaded someone to leak information from the River House. Someone you referred to as the Boatman? (HUFFS) I've never heard of such a name. Then how did you get hold of those certificates? They're classified documents. An angel gave them to me with a halo. You do understand the seriousness of this enquiry, Ms Burr? Let us now move on to the arms swoop itself. Based on what we now know to be flawed intelligence, you authorised through an American enforcement connection and behind the FCO's back, a full US military raid on 20 aid trucks crossing the Turkish-Syrian border. Rex Mayhew authorised it, not me. On his last day and on your cast-iron guarantee that the intelligence was solid. Where did you get this intelligence? A source close to Tradepass and Richard Roper. Can you be more specific? (SCOFFS) To do so would be to put lives at risk. No, I can't do that. This is a behind-closed-doors enquiry, Ms Burr. Names will be redacted from the records, so... ..why can't you tell us? You know why. You all know why. SOMBRE MUSIC They pulled out this morning. Order from the Ministry. So, it's just you and me again, then, is it? Not even that, I'm afraid. Two weeks and they close the office. The International Enforcement Agency is officially mothballed. Go home, Angela. Have your baby. Be a teacher's wife. You mean give up. What about Pine? Pine gave you false intelligence. I don't believe that. Are you sure about that? I went to him, I got him involved in this. I can't leave him in there. I don't see what choice you have. Oh, didn't you hear? You don't work here any more. I just wanted to say thank you. PHONE RINGS And if you ever needed help in the future... Ah, well, don't hold your breath. Angela Burr. Who is this? PINE: 'Yes, is Sophie there, please?' Sophie? No, there isn't a... 'Well, when she comes, could you tell her we're all here... '..at the same hotel. 'Tell her we're all here.' SERENE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC He's in Cairo. Mr Roper, your courier has arrived. I'll send him up. Thank you. Thank you very much. You been to Cairo before? No, erm... I spent some time in Morocco and Tunisia, but this is my first time in Egypt. Well, you should take advantage. See the sights, while we're off down the Nile. Andrew isn't coming with us? Absolutely not. You and I are going to be very busy. Why, Richard Roper, I do declare... Speaking of true love... What's she doing here? Thought you might want some female company. Caroline. Look who's back. Caro, lovely to see you. Thank you. Morning, Sandy. Morning. Hello, darling. Great to see you. Listen, I just need a few minutes with the young prince here, so why don't you girls go and lay waste to the local bazaar? Fine, baby. Tabby, would you? See you later. See you later. Coffee? Thank you. You know what this reminds me of? Winston Churchill and TE Lawrence in a Cairo Hotel dividing up the Middle East over champagne and a cigar. Drew a map on a napkin and shook hands. Kings of Arabia. I'm guessing that you're Churchill in this scenario. If you insist. Damn shame about Corky, though. I feel as if... If I'd known, I could probably have talked him round. Could have explained that even traitors can be forgiven. They can actually be pretty useful. Keep tabs on the enemy, blow smoke in their face. But they have to commit, that's the thing. Have to make a decision. I don't know why I'm telling you this. You've already made your decision, haven't you? Long time ago. Kings of Arabia. Freddie Hamid, how are you? Hello, sir. Good to see you. May I introduce Andrew Birch, our director. Pleasure to meet you, Freddie. Dicky's told me lots about you. Welcome to Cairo. Thank you. It's going to be fun. Oh, I can't wait. Well, shall we? Ah, perfect. Mr Kouyami. "East is East and West is West." "And never the twain shall meet." Good to see you, Mr Roper. After you. So... spec list - not changed? It's all there, sir. Our consignment is being held in a secure military zone on the outskirts of the city, ready for collection. And the payment structure? As discussed. Half now and half on exchange. We'll meet again in 48 hours' time. Then if all parties are satisfied, I suggest we sanction the first half of the payment to be made to the Tradepass account. Wait. We had report of an incident involving US military at the Syrian border. I want your reassurance that there is no risk attached to this transaction. Can you give me this assurance, Mr Roper? We had a minor issue. Internal. It's been investigated and addressed. You have my word. Let us proceed. It's done. CHUCKLING Thanks. Congratulations. Congratulations. WOMAN SINGS Mm-hm. Yeah, I think it might suit you. Who needs another drink? Not for me. Smile at me, laugh. Tell me a joke, then. I can't do this any more, Jonathan. I can't... I can't sleep with him another night. You have to. Why can't we go away just the two of us now? It isn't just about you and me. Funny, funny joke. Courier came last night. Delivered papers about the shipment. They're in the safe. Do you know the combination? I'll get it for you. Be careful. Excuse me, sir, could I have a vodka martini, please? CALL TO PRAYER You're up early. We're going shopping. You can't have too many rugs, apparently. Right. Look at you. Quite the Roper acolyte. How things change. Yes, they do, don't they? Me? Oh, I'm the prodigal wife brought to heel. Didn't you hear? Brought to heel by what? Roper made me an offer. Let bygones be bygones and return to the fold. Very... Very decent of him. Maybe. Or maybe he just wanted someone to spy on his girlfriend. Careful, Caro. The sun's hot out there. Caro, is that true? He said if I didn't agree, I'd never see the children again. Message from London. I didn't expect you to come. Oh, ye of little faith. Actually it was me that took some persuading. I don't know who you are. Oh, sorry. Joel Steadman, American Enforcement Agency. Pine. And I think you might be playing both sides. What are you talking about? What is this? There was a leak. The leak was at your end, not mine. I killed a man to patch it. Corkoran? Jonathan, if you want to get out now, I can get you out. No. There's still time left. You don't want that and nor do I, we're so close. But I don't have an organisation any more. I've got no recourse to troops, no international enforcement support. Just a cowboy and a pregnant woman. That's your army. Jonathan, if things go wrong, I can't guarantee I can get you out. I was living half a life when you met me. I've got nothing to lose. But I will need your help. OK. What can we do?