Solicitor Jane Alexander is sent to a country court to preside over a case being presented there. Strangely enough she has been advised to take over from their top solicitor there, Augustus Rook, who has no idea of the placement. But why?
Starring Carol Royale, Tony Steedman, John Normington, Leslie Scofield, David Beames, Arthur Cox, Richard Simpson, P.J. Davidson, Leo Dolan, Paul Spurrier, Leonard Trolley, Paul Ridley, Ian Cinderby, Paul Prior, Penny Brownjohn, John Yeates, Edwina Day and Roger Ostine. This is from the anthology series Storyboard from 1983 to 1989, and this particular episode was first broadcast on August 2nd 1983. It's an intriguing and somewhat mysterious drama at first, with good performances and level headed with both sides of the argument - though I probably didn't lean towards the way I felt the makers would of liked, I suspect.
Starring Carol Royale, Tony Steedman, John Normington, Leslie Scofield, David Beames, Arthur Cox, Richard Simpson, P.J. Davidson, Leo Dolan, Paul Spurrier, Leonard Trolley, Paul Ridley, Ian Cinderby, Paul Prior, Penny Brownjohn, John Yeates, Edwina Day and Roger Ostine. This is from the anthology series Storyboard from 1983 to 1989, and this particular episode was first broadcast on August 2nd 1983. It's an intriguing and somewhat mysterious drama at first, with good performances and level headed with both sides of the argument - though I probably didn't lean towards the way I felt the makers would of liked, I suspect.
Category
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TVTranscript
00:00I'm not bloody having this.
00:24Yes, Mr. Lloyd?
00:24Get Chief Superintendent British.
00:26You can understand it.
00:27I'm sure I can understand it.
00:29Rook's a pain in the arse.
00:31And I resent being told so by our own clients, the police.
00:35Yes?
00:36Chief Superintendent British is on the line, sir.
00:38Put him on.
00:39Count ten.
00:41Good morning, Bob.
00:42I've just got your note.
00:44But couldn't you have phoned about it?
00:48Yeah, but give me a chance to get me seat in the chair, for God's sake.
00:53Yes.
00:54I am going to do something about him.
00:56You'll just have to bear with me for a bit.
00:59Love to.
01:00Love to.
01:01When I'm next over.
01:02Okay.
01:03Bye-bye.
01:05If at first you don't succeed, going to print.
01:08Well, to be fair, he was always on the phone about Rook.
01:11Why was nothing done?
01:12Your predecessor did speak to him on a number of occasions.
01:15Rook wants fire him not speaking to.
01:17Too late for that.
01:18About 30 years too late for that.
01:29But there are ways.
01:31Putting her under him isn't going to solve anything.
01:33That wasn't what was in my mind.
02:05Off to your students, you gay Lothario.
02:15The loss of the gay?
02:18Who's getting supper?
02:20It's already got.
02:21Roussaka.
02:22In the fridge.
02:24You want this?
02:30Mind how you solicit?
02:35I don't know.
03:05Oh, Miss Alexander, good morning.
03:14Would you go and see Mr. Lloyd, please?
03:15Oh, that sounds ominous.
03:17Oh, nothing to be alarmed about.
03:19Quite the contrary, I'd say.
03:20You wanted to see me?
03:39Is that your sports car?
03:41Yes.
03:43Oh, very dashing.
03:45Says something about you.
03:47Oh, what would that be, Mr. Lloyd?
03:49Your parking makes me hair stand on end.
03:52That fraud committal last week, handled it quite skilfully, I thought.
03:59I'm moving you out of here.
04:01I'm putting you in charge of prosecution over at Tillfleet.
04:04Tillfleet?
04:05It's a much rougher area, but it should be interesting.
04:07Good experience for you.
04:08What about Mr. Rook?
04:09Mr. Rook can stay on for the time being.
04:11But he's been in charge there for years.
04:12Well, he isn't anymore.
04:14You are.
04:17It's a rather awkward position for me, Mr. Lloyd.
04:21Do you want the jobber, don't you?
04:22Oh, very much.
04:23Good.
04:24Then don't worry about Rook.
04:25He's going to feel awful about it, being supplanted by a comparative newcomer.
04:34We're both newcomers, Miss Alexander.
04:36Jane, is it?
04:37Yes.
04:39And frankly, a lot of what I've found I don't like.
04:41Now, Mr. Rook has forfeited his divisional commander's confidence they've asked for him
04:45to be replaced, but I've no other divisional post for him.
04:49So I need someone bright and efficient to take charge of him.
04:52How's he going to react to that?
04:53Frankly, I don't give a damn.
04:56When I first interviewed Rook after taking over this job, he told me his main interests
05:00in life were gardening, birdwatching, and Mozart, all at the same time, I shouldn't wonder.
05:06The law, the job, quite plainly didn't feature.
05:10Now, you are interested, I think.
05:13Oh, yes.
05:13I love it.
05:14Good.
05:15Then you best get gone.
05:17You mean this instance?
05:18Sergeant Gray's a case in court.
05:20He particularly doesn't want Rook to handle it, so you'll have to take it.
05:23See Walter Worley first.
05:23He'll put you in the picture.
05:26Right.
05:27Well, then I'd better get going.
05:30Yeah.
05:32Good luck.
05:33Thank you, Mr. Lloyd.
05:37Walter, have you got a minute?
05:38Yes, of course.
05:40You're taking over at Tilfleet, and you want to know about Sergeant Gray's case this morning.
05:44Poor Mr. Rook.
05:45Poor me, too.
05:46Oh, I wouldn't worry too much.
05:48I'm sure you'll be able to handle him.
05:49Why, you?
05:50I've only been here a year.
05:51Oh, you'll be all right.
05:52Would you like me to brief you on the case?
05:54Yes, please.
05:55After you.
06:03Heavens, I've got about half an hour to get to court.
06:05Oh, then I'll be quick.
06:06It's a section 47 involving a scrap dealer called Hopkins who was assaulted in his home by three
06:14men.
06:17Yes, Hopkins has a long criminal record, and at first he said he thought the men who assaulted
06:23him were police officers.
06:25Yeah, one of those.
06:26Precisely.
06:27And as Hopkins is the only witness, it could be tricky.
06:53Hello, Mr. Rook.
07:11Barbecuing yourself, are you?
07:13Be a box of kippers for you, mate, not a coffee.
07:15Let us dispense with the cheeky chappy routine, Sergeant.
07:18What is it you want?
07:20Who's doing the bizzo on the Hopkins case?
07:22Prosecuting it, you mean?
07:24Yeah.
07:26Well, I was just going over the papers.
07:28Is there something you want to say about it?
07:30No, I thought someone else was doing it.
07:34Like whom?
07:52Good morning, Mr. Rook.
07:53Oh, good morning.
07:55What brings you here?
07:58Didn't the chief tell you?
08:00Tell me what?
08:02Detective Sergeant Gray.
08:03Oh, hello, Jane Alexander.
08:07Do you want me to leave?
08:09Look, I'm due in court in a couple of minutes.
08:11Can't this wait?
08:13I'm terribly sorry, but it can't.
08:18Oh, this is most embarrassing.
08:20They should have told you, Mr. Rook.
08:22You told me what?
08:23The chief has asked me to take over this case of Sergeant Gray's.
08:30Well, I'm very sorry, Miss Alexander, but I'm in charge of prosecutions in this division.
08:35I'm most terribly sorry, but you're not.
08:38They should have told you it's too bad.
08:44You ought to take over.
08:46From me.
08:49Now.
08:52I don't believe it.
08:55Why couldn't Lloyd tell me this himself?
09:02I'm very sorry, Mr. Rook.
09:03I thought he had.
09:06What am I supposed to do now?
09:08If I were you, I'd go across the road and have a stiff drink.
09:12I've been in this business for 27 years.
09:16I've never been treated like this before.
09:20What a bloody awful world it is.
09:22Why don't you go off and have that drink?
09:24Are you good, Mr. Rook?
09:26Well, no, this is the Hopkins case.
09:29Oh, yes.
09:33Yes, well, uh...
09:36If I were you, I would, uh...
09:38accept the not guilty plea, ask for a bind over.
09:42The witness Hopkins is such a dubious and unreliable character,
09:46I doubt if you'll get a conviction on his evidence.
09:49Uh, are they ready for us yet, Sergeant?
09:53Half a minute.
09:59What's the state of play, Alf?
10:02The umpires are still out, Tom.
10:04Your team's just coming on.
10:06I've got a new fast bowler for them.
10:07Have you got a couple of minutes?
10:13I think perhaps I will have that drink after all.
10:15Yes.
10:17Do that.
10:26I shall be back for your instructions shortly.
10:28I'll be back for you.
10:32Oh, that was a rotten way to treat him.
10:34He's been asking for it for years.
10:37Him and his binding over.
10:39He does it all the time.
10:40It says he doesn't bother putting a case to the court.
10:43Calling witnesses and all that.
10:44He did have done a deal with this one, too.
10:46Have you had a look at these?
10:47Oh, Walter Hawley briefed me.
10:49And that should do.
10:50He's 24 carat, that managing clerk.
10:52Best for the lot.
10:54With respect, I'm begging your pardon.
10:57Jane, is it?
10:57You mind if I call you Jane?
10:59So long as you don't do it in court.
11:00I may seem a bit of a burke to you,
11:02but in that witness box, I'm a star.
11:05All right?
11:05Come on, sir.
11:07Now.
11:09These three slags here.
11:12Four, if you include our witness.
11:14I want to see them eating a bit of porridge, Jane.
11:16Gave his Hopkins a right going over.
11:18Very cruel they were.
11:20I dare say he deserved it.
11:21Did they admit it to you?
11:23Sort of.
11:24What does that mean?
11:26Hopkins cheated him over some stolen fur coats he handled for him.
11:30I wouldn't put it in a statement.
11:32Will Hopkins say it was them?
11:33He has said so.
11:35If he doesn't say it again,
11:36he knows I'll get very, very ugly with him.
11:38Sergeant, you're on.
11:40All right.
11:41Hopkins will be caught first,
11:43and the Wally's will be caught by the incident.
11:46I'll stick around in case you need any help.
11:49I wonder,
11:55would you keep a table for me for now?
11:58Yes, I have a lot.
12:01Would that be for one, sir?
12:04No, I think perhaps two.
12:05You are Arthur George Hopkins,
12:11and you live at 48 Cypress Street, Tilfleet.
12:14That's correct.
12:16At about 2 a.m. on the 23rd of February,
12:19there was a knock at your door, which you answered.
12:22Yeah.
12:23Will you please tell the court, Mr Hopkins,
12:25what happened after you opened the door?
12:27Well, these three geezers come rushing in.
12:34Four on there I was.
12:34They was having a go.
12:37Didn't really have time to think.
12:40Whacking me with iron bars I was.
12:42Did they say anything to you?
12:44No.
12:45Just waded in.
12:47Did you have an idea of the reason for this attack?
12:51Look at what they did to me.
12:53Is that reasonable?
12:55Did you know the men who attacked you?
12:58I saw them for a few seconds.
13:01Would you recognize them if you saw them again?
13:05I don't know.
13:06It was all over so quickly.
13:09Mr Hopkins,
13:10here was a particularly brutal attack made on you,
13:13something you will never forget for the rest of your life.
13:15Wouldn't you agree?
13:17Oh, yeah.
13:19I'll leave you there, certainly.
13:20Then a glimpse of the men who did it.
13:22However, fleeting must have registered.
13:26I suppose so, yeah.
13:28Would you take a look around you
13:30and tell the court if you see those men here?
13:32Yes.
13:36No, I don't know.
13:40I don't know, sir.
13:42Are you quite sure of that, Mr Hopkins?
13:46Quite sure, no.
13:46They're not in court.
13:47Yes.
13:48Miss Alexander,
13:49I do think you've already had your answer.
13:57Do you have any other witnesses
13:58that could identify the assailants?
14:01No, madam.
14:03Then I don't know how we can proceed.
14:06No, madam.
14:10The case is dismissed.
14:17My first case here and I lose it.
14:19Not to worry.
14:21Shall I put in a complaint about you?
14:23Brooke was right.
14:24We should have accepted their offer of a bind over.
14:26That wouldn't have been justice.
14:27Was that?
14:28The witness committed perjury.
14:30There's nothing you can do about that.
14:32But I can.
14:33Can you charge me?
14:35Not enough evidence yet, but I will.
14:37Don't you worry.
14:38Any other three, I'll fix them too.
14:41So, hell, I'll be back here before long, Jane.
14:44And I expect you to see if I get plenty of burn.
14:47Well, now, how did you get on?
14:49Uh, the Hopkins case went down.
14:55No.
14:57He wouldn't identify him.
14:58Well, there was always that danger.
15:01I'm absolutely choked.
15:02I felt such a fool.
15:03Oh, goodness, it's not worth fretting about.
15:06I was wondering if you'd care for a bit of lunch, Miss Alexander.
15:08Uh, I am fretting about it, Mr. Rook.
15:11And I don't want any lunch.
15:14Go on, Jane.
15:15Have a bite with him.
15:17Get me Brahms and List.
15:19Do you good?
15:19I do miss the old-fashioned bobby that knew his place.
15:29The Dixon of Doc Green type.
15:31Did they ever exist?
15:33Oh, yes.
15:34Yes, but gone now.
15:36Along with so much that had style and dignity.
15:41O tempora, o mores.
15:46Cicero.
15:46First speech against Catiline.
15:51Oh.
15:53Well, well, well.
15:56How encouraging that you should know that.
16:00Look, I've booked a table.
16:02Won't you change your mind about lunch?
16:04May I?
16:06Lady's prerogative.
16:10I'd be glad to join you.
16:11Wonderful.
16:13Allow me.
16:13There we are.
16:17Oh.
16:17There we are.
16:19All right?
16:47It's lovely.
16:49I'm enjoying it.
16:51I think Lloyd put you in a very embarrassing position.
16:55It was quite long of him.
16:56And I must say, rather cowardly.
16:58I'm so sorry about it all.
17:00Really, I am.
17:03You must have been only a baby,
17:05if you were even born when I first joined the department.
17:08Lloyd's been here, what, um, three months?
17:13Yet if I refuse to accept this
17:15cavalier treatment from this man,
17:17then I'd have to forgo a fair part of my pension.
17:21And somehow, Miss Alexandra, I don't think he's worth that deal.
17:27Ah, I see I'm embarrassing you.
17:29I do apologize.
17:29Mr. Lloyd wants to make this the best prosecuting department in the country.
17:37Who says it isn't, apart from him?
17:39Our clients, the police, they're not happy with the standards of prosecution.
17:42Because they will insist on prosecuting cases that ought not to be prosecuted.
17:46It's their decision.
17:48The decision to prosecute should rest with the lawyers.
17:51Oh, well, that's the way it is.
17:52The police decide, we advise.
17:54It may change soon, of course, so that we decide.
17:57That will mean more power to the John Lloyds of this world.
18:02Well, I hope I should be well and truly retired by then.
18:09You really are unhappy, aren't you?
18:11More wine.
18:19You are young, Miss Alexandra, and enthusiastic.
18:24I am neither.
18:28I was in such a hurry to get here this morning.
18:30I got booked for speeding.
18:32Oh, then you must allow me to prosecute you.
18:34You're bound to get off.
18:34Oh, no, I think Lloyd sent you here to make my life a misery.
18:46He would not be pleased if we got on well.
18:50As far as I'm concerned, he sent me here to instill a bit of vigor into our proceedings.
19:00It's all very capable, I'm told.
19:02You won't need support from me.
19:05I'd appreciate it, though.
19:07I've had years of experience.
19:10And what is it worth?
19:13Nothing, apparently.
19:15I would value it.
19:18You're being very nice.
19:21I'd like to continue that way.
19:24You sound as though you can be tough, too.
19:28Yes.
19:29Oh, my goodness me.
19:34We must get back.
19:36Oh, listen.
19:37There's a juvenile case in court this afternoon.
19:39Shoplifting.
19:41With juveniles, it's not a question of processing people for punishment.
19:45One has to look carefully at these children and do what one can for them.
19:48I've done my homework on this.
19:50Is it all right if I carry on?
19:51Oh, of course.
19:52And, uh, thank you for the lullet.
19:55It's my pleasure.
19:57I think we find court number two fairly easy this afternoon.
20:00It's three remands, I think.
20:03Um, not very serious, the sort of case, and...
20:06Oh, some traffic stuff.
20:08I hate going into court without having done my homework first,
20:11but I suppose I'll be better organised tomorrow.
20:12Afternoons, Rook.
20:13Afternoon.
20:14They're prosecuting this lad Rush.
20:16They shoplifting in Hamford.
20:17Yes.
20:18Your witnesses are all here.
20:20Miss, uh, Alexander, this is Inspector Kirby of our Community Services branch.
20:23How do you do?
20:24I hear you had to cut your teeth in a hard nap this morning.
20:26Yeah, I cracked my teeth.
20:29Who's sitting this afternoon?
20:30Colonel Gore Watson is the chairman.
20:33He should weigh off this lad like a good'un.
20:35Oh, yes.
20:36Will you be in court?
20:37I think so.
20:38You won't be needed.
20:39Just like to see everything running smoothly.
20:48I do not much care for Inspector Kirby.
20:51Oh?
20:51No.
20:52His Community Services branch exists to show compassion for young offenders and elderly shoplifters.
21:00Well, I think it's a, it's a good system.
21:02Well, in some respects.
21:04Kirby's about as compassionate as a tombstone.
21:06Well, no problems here.
21:18Good.
21:19Oh, Sidney Holmes is appearing for Rush.
21:21I think a word or two in his ear might ease things a little.
21:24Do you need any help?
21:25No, no, no.
21:26No, no.
21:27Um, yes.
21:29Are you, uh, are you going back to Helmsford later?
21:33Yes.
21:33I wonder if I could beg a lift.
21:34It's not far out of the way and my car's packed up again.
21:36Of course.
21:37I'd be most grateful.
21:38Are we agreed on this one, then?
21:49Oh, I should say so, yes.
21:51All rise.
21:51Peter George Rush.
22:14Just see that old Rook doesn't cock this one up.
22:17Peter George Rush.
22:21You are charged with stealing on the 14th of May 60 cigarettes and various items of confectionery
22:27valued together at £3.87 from Hanford's limited shop in High Street, Framley.
22:35Do you admit or deny the charge?
22:37I deny it.
22:39May I have a word with my client, sir?
22:41Say to these to whom?
22:42Yes.
22:51What's going on, Mr Rook?
22:53We'll take a not guilty plea.
22:56Not another bind over, I hope, Mr Rook.
22:58Would you kindly leave this to me?
23:00May I please you, sir, the facts of this case are not in dispute.
23:12Our evidence would show that the defendant Rush took a minor part in the crime together
23:16with two other youths who were not before this court.
23:20Now, both defence and prosecution feel that the interest of justice would best be served
23:25by accepting the not guilty plea, offering no evidence, and for the court to bind the defendant
23:31over for such a term and in such an amount as the court might think fit.
23:36May you go.
23:37Well, if you are both agreed, we are, sir.
23:43Have you anything to say?
23:45Stand up!
23:47No, sir.
23:48Except I'm very sorry, sir.
23:56This arrived for you.
24:00It's from Mr Lloyd.
24:05By hand.
24:07Still too late for decency.
24:27After 27 years, most people get a gold watch or something.
24:32I get this.
24:35Is it bad?
24:36Oh, it's...
24:37It's the tone of it.
24:40It's a wretched letter for a man to write to a colleague.
24:43Quite unjustified.
24:44The tone?
24:46Or the facts?
24:48What do you mean, facts?
24:49To be fair, there have been several complaints about your work.
24:53From those peasants of police officers?
24:55They are our clients.
24:57Yes, well, I've given them something else to complain about.
25:00What?
25:01The case you've just handled?
25:02Uh, very probably.
25:04Oh, you didn't ask for another binding over, did you?
25:07Yes, I did.
25:07And I got it.
25:08Why?
25:09The boy was a third-time offender.
25:11Now, he was not getting a fair trial.
25:15That's pretty sweeping, isn't it?
25:18Why did you do that, Mr. Rook?
25:27What's your problem, Kirby?
25:30Mr. Kirby.
25:32Inspector Kirby.
25:34I'm not some kind of dog's body.
25:37Indeed.
25:38And neither am I.
25:39Your presence in court was a great hindrance.
25:41I was in court to try and see that our instructions were carried out.
25:45They weren't.
25:45What were the instructions, Inspector?
25:47To present the evidence against Rush so that the magistrates might have the opportunity of dealing with him effectively.
25:53If Gore Watson had heard it, all he'd have put the lad away from a short, sharp shot, which is what he needed.
25:57Oh, dear God!
25:57Yes.
25:59I'm complaining about this prosecution to my chief supervisor.
26:01You haven't heard Mr. Rook's reasons yet.
26:03I know the reason, Miss Alexander.
26:05We all know the reason.
26:07Mr. Rook's lack of appetite for the job.
26:09Well, I certainly don't show your appetite for righteousness, Mr. Kirby, because it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with justice.
26:15Now, you listen to me for a minute.
26:20Now, you are well known to the bench as a community services branch officer.
26:24Your presence in court virtually told them that this was not the first time the boy had been through your hands.
26:30They know that a first offender is only cautioned.
26:33I mean, this strikes at a basic principle of British justice, the presumption of innocence.
26:37Because you were there, they knew the boy had form.
26:40That doesn't influence them.
26:42Really?
26:43They know the system we work, and it's a good system.
26:46Not always.
26:47But certainly not in this case.
26:49Look, the defendant had been cautioned twice before for relatively minor offences, stealing or borrowing a bicycle, and common assault during a scuffle with one of his teachers.
27:01Yes.
27:01He's an undisciplined little sod like so many of them.
27:05This third offence, for which he had to be brought before the court, was acting as lookout for two other lads that were shoplifting.
27:11Now, the other two, who actually did the stealing and were far more guilty than he was, were not put before the court because they were first offenders.
27:20That's the rule.
27:22They were cautioned instead.
27:24Well, that's fair enough for them, but not for Rush.
27:26Now, you know as well as I do that Colonel Gore-Watson is quite irrational about shoplifters, and is a firm believer in the healing powers of raising your right arm shoulder high, simultaneously with advancing your left leg 30 inches, stamping your feet in unison, and similar mindless nonsense.
27:48He would have put the boy away to a detention center for three months square bashing.
27:54Which would have done him a power of good.
27:55No, it wouldn't.
27:58It would have been most unjust.
28:05That is why I asked for a bind over.
28:09It was the fair way to treat the defendant.
28:12You're wrong, Mr. Rook.
28:15I know the lad and you don't.
28:18He'll be back in no time.
28:22And I...
28:24My department
28:26will get slammed for not putting a stop to his nonsense.
28:31And that'll be thanks to you.
28:41Am I wrong?
28:44No.
28:45You may well be right.
28:50And if Kirby complains, I shall say so.
28:57Right.
28:58You said you'd like a lift home.
28:59Oh, yes, please.
29:01Let's get out of this dreadful place.
29:03Oh, thank you.
29:29Now, you, uh, you will come in for a quick drink, please.
29:37All right.
29:37There we are.
29:55Oh, what a beautiful garb.
29:58Ah, ah, ah, yes, all my own work.
30:02It took me years.
30:04You created this.
30:06Well, maybe God had a hand.
30:10But nobody else.
30:12Oh, it's such a lovely evening.
30:15Why don't we have a drink outside?
30:17I can't think of anything nicer.
30:19What would you like?
30:20Uh, white wine.
30:20Fine.
30:22If she'd care to wander around the back, I'll join you there.
30:24Right.
30:33Claire?
30:34Oh, you're back.
30:35Ah, there we are.
30:48My wife will be out in a moment.
30:51This is idyllic.
30:52You must hate to leave it every morning.
30:55Well, it becomes progressively harder, I must admit.
30:59Especially when one knows what to expect at the other end.
31:02Does one?
31:03I do.
31:06And you don't like it much.
31:07Sorry.
31:08I shouldn't have said that.
31:09Why not?
31:10You're my boss.
31:18Oh, allow me.
31:20Oh, thanks very much.
31:21There we are.
31:26No, I suppose it's...
31:28It's more a matter of being out of sympathy with everything.
31:31Well, it seems to me that most of what we do is counterproductive in any real estimation,
31:38but, well, then I'm getting old.
31:41And you're so very young.
31:45I love it all, I'm afraid.
31:47Oh, don't apologize.
31:47You're right.
31:49I'm the one who's wrong.
31:50I want to be a good lawyer.
31:53It seems to me that you're doing very well already.
31:57But being good isn't necessarily the same as being successful, you know.
32:02A good lawyer needs to have wisdom and compassion.
32:08Do you think you have that?
32:11A modicum, perhaps.
32:13And do you feel it's made you a good lawyer?
32:16Well, I thought it had.
32:19Oh, my dear.
32:24This is my new boss, Jane Alexander, my wife Claire.
32:27How do you do, Miss Alexander?
32:28She has just very neatly put me in my place.
32:31It's not really like that, you know.
32:33It's exactly like that.
32:35Excuse me.
32:36Are you not joining us?
32:37No, I'm afraid I'm being very dreary and domestic,
32:40but if I don't go back, there'll be bread dough all over the inside of the oven.
32:43I'll come out in a little while.
33:01I can understand why Lloyd promoted you.
33:06I don't want you to be unhappy about it.
33:10We have to work together.
33:13Well, I'm very unhappy about it.
33:14But that's how it is.
33:16And I shall need your wholehearted support.
33:21Will I have yours?
33:24Yes.
33:33I know you like jugged hair, Mr. Rook.
33:36So went out and got him.
33:38Well, that's very kind of you.
33:39Peter, would you take him through to the kitchen, please?
33:41For speaking up for me in court.
33:45Good one.
33:46Isn't he?
33:48Yes, very.
33:50Would you give him to Mrs. Rook, please?
33:54Thanks.
33:55What's that boy's name?
34:10It's Rush, isn't it?
34:13You prosecuted him, knowing him, and you showed him favour.
34:18I did not.
34:19I would have done exactly the same thing had I not known him.
34:22How well do you know him?
34:23Well, he lives in the village.
34:24His mother's a decent sort of woman.
34:26His father died a year ago.
34:28I see.
34:29Oh, he's not a bad lad.
34:30He won't get into any more trouble, despite what Inspector Kirby might say.
34:34Oh, that may be so, but you've been very unwise.
34:37I'm not sure you haven't actually committed an offence.
34:39To say the least of it, you are guilty of the most unprofessional conduct.
34:43Are you saying that I deliberately tried to...
34:44It was most imprudent of you.
34:47You have accepted a valuable consideration from a defendant couched in the most compromising terms.
34:53And I'm furious with you.
34:54Bye, Mrs. Rock.
35:09Bye, Peter.
35:10Bye, Peter.
35:40Bye, Peter.
36:10You've got a permit for that gun?
36:18Don't need it.
36:19Not for him.
36:20No?
36:22What you got in the bag?
36:23A couple of woodpigeons, Mrs. Streeter.
36:26Let's have a look.
36:27Come on.
36:39Pheasant.
36:41Not even in season.
36:44Where'd you poach this?
36:45Adam Given to me.
36:46Oh, yes.
36:48Right, lad.
36:49You can come with me.
36:50What for?
36:51I ain't done nothing.
36:53How old are you, Rush?
36:55Sixteen.
36:56Give us a gun.
37:10Loaded.
37:11Section 19, Firearms Act, 1968.
37:15Give us a chance.
37:17Oh, you've had several already, lad.
37:18And what were you doing up at Mr. Rook's place?
37:25Hey, just because you had a bad night.
37:27It's going to be a worse day.
37:29You mean you've decided to tell him?
37:32Well, I don't bloody want to.
37:35Well, don't.
37:36Oh, very easy.
37:37Yes, certainly.
37:38Well, you don't damn well practice the law.
37:41You just teach it.
37:42I'll get out of this corner if you don't mind.
37:44I'm sorry, Claire.
37:45Justice may have to be blindfolded.
38:01I'm not sure we can be.
38:08We'll go out for dinner tonight, eh?
38:11You're the boss.
38:15Good luck.
38:22I think you have no choice.
38:25Oh, I really hate this.
38:27I never thought I'd be in such a situation.
38:31Oh, I don't know how I can face him, Walter.
38:33Mr. Lloyd?
38:35No, no, Augustus Rook.
38:38He's really a very nice man, you know.
38:40I do know.
38:42But I'm afraid the law requires a certain austerity of purpose.
38:45As you are finding.
39:01Good morning.
39:03Mr. Lloyd has just telephoned me.
39:16Thank you for reporting me.
39:19I had no option.
39:21Indeed, you had the option of not reporting me.
39:23I'm sorry, Mr. Rook.
39:29So am I.
39:31Shall I take number two court?
39:33It's all very straightforward stuff.
39:36No opportunities, in my humble opinion, for me to disgrace myself further.
39:40Or is that what I am now required to do?
39:44Please, Mr. Rook.
39:45I don't envy you, Miss Alexander.
39:49The Machiavellian Lloyd is using you.
39:53Let's get to work, shall we?
40:01Do you want to look at this?
40:03No, no, just carry on.
40:04Miss Alexander?
40:10Ah, Detective Inspector Richardson.
40:13One of our most civilised officers.
40:18How do you do?
40:20Very nice to meet you.
40:21You're the investigating officer in this committal.
40:24Kelsey, who's admitted to 47 burglaries.
40:27In 54, he's coughed another seven that he'd forgotten about
40:31and now wants to be taken into consideration.
40:33Ah-ha.
40:34Yeah, will do.
40:36Anything else before we go in?
40:38A social invitation, that's all.
40:40From the chief super.
40:41He'd like you to come over to division for a little get-together at lunchtime.
40:44Great.
40:45The only invitation I've had so far from Tullfleet Police
40:47is to appear in my own court on a speeding charge.
40:51Oh, dear.
40:52I don't know what we can do about that.
40:53I wouldn't ask you to do anything.
40:56Well, Bridges might come up with our answer.
40:59I think you'll like him.
41:00He's one of the old school, but he's a good governor.
41:04We reckon him, anyway.
41:06Hello.
41:06I'm a poor kid.
41:10I'm damned if I know what to do about him, Walter.
41:12There's nowhere to put him, really.
41:13I'd like to put him six feet under.
41:15That's a bit extreme, Mr. Lloyd.
41:17All right, then, three feet.
41:19Ha-ha-ha-ha.
41:26What would you do?
41:27Oh, it's not really my role, to give you advice.
41:30Oh, come on, Walter.
41:31You've been here 30 years.
41:32You know every detail of this set-up better than anybody.
41:36You take sugar?
41:36No, thank you.
41:38Quite right.
41:38Phil, Phil, please.
41:40You must have been here when Rook first arrived.
41:43Oh, yes, yes.
41:44I'd already been managing clerk for a number of years.
41:47You should have qualified, Walter.
41:48I left school when I was 16.
41:51There wasn't the money in the family.
41:53Otherwise...
41:54You're going to judge by now.
41:56Oh, no, no, no.
41:57Although it's very kind of you to say so.
41:59Not kind.
42:00Bloody cruel, really.
42:02Oh, no, thank you.
42:04What was Rook like when he first arrived?
42:07Oh, very much as he is now, really.
42:10Not very dedicated.
42:11Not very energetic.
42:13Always find the easy way out.
42:15But he was a competent lawyer and very fair-minded.
42:19May I?
42:22He should...
42:23He should never have been taken on.
42:27Well, we didn't attract the cream of the profession in those days.
42:30We still don't.
42:32We'd want two exceptions.
42:33Then perhaps we should make the best of what we've got.
42:37How?
42:39Well, uh...
42:40I, um...
42:41Don't tell me I've floored you, Walter.
42:44Well, perhaps you could find him a job here.
42:47I'll have to deal with him every day.
42:49Well, then you'll have to effect some reconciliation between him and the police.
42:53No chance.
42:54They don't want him at any price.
42:56The police are our clients, not our employers.
42:59If they object strongly, then they must complain to the county council.
43:02They pay us.
43:04I am not having complaints going over my head.
43:08Well, then I'll suggest some sort of cooling-off period for Mr. Rook.
43:15That might calm things down.
43:17Cooling-off period?
43:19Hmm, that's a good idea.
43:21I'll stick him in a deep freeze.
43:23Not literally, I hope.
43:27Oh, damn the man.
43:29I'm going over to Tilfleet, see if I can sort it.
43:36Anybody who wants me, I've gone birdwatching.
43:48Help yourself for another biscuit, Walter.
43:49You've bloody spoiled my lunchtime for me, Kirby.
44:02I didn't mean to do that, sir.
44:05I thought you should know, sir.
44:07I'll talk to Lloyd about it.
44:09I'll see what she knows, too.
44:11You say?
44:11Ah, no, thank you, sir.
44:12I must go.
44:13John Richardson will have a pint.
44:19Jane Alexander, sir.
44:20Mr. Bridges.
44:21Yes, Alexander.
44:22What will you have, my dear?
44:23Um, a glass of white wine, please.
44:25Uh, Steve.
44:27I've just been talking about your colleague, Augustus Rook.
44:31He's a naughty boy.
44:32Oh?
44:33As he prosecuted some lad yesterday, it seems, was a pal of his and, uh, let him off the hook.
44:39He told you?
44:40Well, the gormless lad no sooner got home, he got himself nicked again.
44:43Amongst other things, poaching.
44:45He'd given a hair to our gussy in return for favours received.
44:50Was he seen doing this?
44:51Well, the lad put his hands up for him.
44:54Oh, thank you.
44:55As it happens, Mrs. Rook, who fancies herself as Mrs. Beaton,
44:59had jugged the evidence in a bottle of fine old ruby port.
45:03There's nothing we can do about it, nor would we want to.
45:06But it's not on.
45:07Oh, it's not on at all.
45:10Anyone, my dear?
45:12Nice to have you with us.
45:14Cheers.
45:16Cheers.
45:21All right?
45:22Very good, thank you.
45:24Tell me, Jane, did you know the lad was a pal of rooks?
45:28Well, I found that I...
45:29Before you answer, may I remind you of one cardinal point.
45:34Between lawyers and client, there should be complete trust.
45:39Now, did you know?
45:41I learned last evening.
45:43Did Lloyd know?
45:44I reported it first thing this morning.
45:46We had to find out for ourselves.
45:50Never mind.
45:51Things are going to improve.
45:54Aren't they, Miss Jane?
45:56Drink up.
45:58You've dropped yourself in it.
46:00You've dropped the department in.
46:01Don't worry.
46:01Now, yes.
46:02Now, I make no secret of the fact that I'd fire you if I could.
46:05Then I would immediately bring action against you for wrongful dismissal.
46:08Well, if you conduct it yourself, I've nothing to worry about.
46:10This is outrageous.
46:11I would not tolerate such offensive behavior.
46:13Dear God.
46:14Oh, I'm sorry.
46:17Oh, come in.
46:18It's nothing private.
46:19I wish it to be private.
46:20I suggest you go on leave for a couple of weeks.
46:24Just give things a chance to simmer down.
46:26Oh, yes.
46:26You just want me out of the way so you can continue to stab me in the back.
46:29Oh, this is called stabbing you in the chest, old chap.
46:34Just go home.
46:36Do something that really interests you, like manuring your asparagus or spying on the antics of a lesser-spotted woodpecker.
46:44But just go home.
47:07That was brutal of me, wasn't it?
47:10Very.
47:11I'm fed up with complaints from the police, especially when they're justified.
47:18He made me look very silly, and so did you.
47:23How?
47:24You accepted hospitality from the police at lunchtime,
47:27and you told Bridges that we both knew what Rook had done.
47:30Now, that caused me an awful lot of embarrassment.
47:32I had to tell him I can't lie to our clients.
47:34You don't lie, Miss Alexander, you fudge!
47:41Perhaps I'm being unfair.
47:44Maybe you're not cut out for this particular job.
47:46I've gained a lot of experience in the past 24 hours, Mr. Lloyd.
47:50Oh, really?
47:51Most of it unpleasant.
47:53And with respect, I don't think you raise the prestige of this department by doing a public hatchet job on one of its members.
47:59I was going to prosecute this pal of Rooks myself tomorrow, but I think you ought to do it.
48:16That should put things right for us.
48:20But don't fail me again, will you?
48:24I shall handle the prosecution as I always do, in a totally fair and unbiased manner.
48:30Waffle, you'll go for a conviction.
48:32Is that an order, Mr. Lloyd?
48:35Instruction, Jane.
48:37That's the word.
48:38And that is what we should be concerning ourselves with here.
48:48Is there anything you wish to say in reply, Miss Alexander?
48:51Only that on the evidence we have put before the court, we feel the case proved against the offender.
49:01In three minutes.
49:03Okay.
49:05Peter Rouse, stand up.
49:08We find the case proved.
49:12Anything known?
49:15On 14th November, 1982, the defendant made an admission of guilt to a common assault on Herbert Smithson, schoolteacher, and was cautioned.
49:25On 12th April, 1983, the defendant made an admission of guilt to stealing a bicycle, and was again cautioned.
49:32In this court, only recently, sir, the defendant was bound over to keep the peace, having entered a denial to a charge of theft.
49:42What you need, young fellow, is a short, sharp shock, and that is what you're going to get.
49:52You will go to a detention centre for three months.
49:56Take him down.
49:56All rise.
50:04Come along late.
50:05Don't worry, Mum.
50:06You can see him downstairs.
50:07You do that very nicely.
50:20Well done.
50:21Feeling better now, Mr. Kirby.
50:23Good night.
50:24Good night.
50:25Good night.
50:26Good night.
50:27Good night.
50:28Good night.
50:29Good night.
50:30Good night.
50:31Good night.
50:32Good night.
50:33Good night.
50:34Good night.
50:35Good night.
50:36Good night.
50:37Good night.
50:38Good night.
50:39Good night.
50:40Good night.
50:41Good night.
50:42Good night.
50:43Good night.
50:44Good night.
50:45Good night.
50:46Good night.
50:47Good night.
50:48Good night.
50:49Good night.
50:50Good night.