"What's that?" "A rabbit's foot, of course." "Hello." "It's for you." "Hallo." "Yes, well just write the usual letter." "And you better start thinking about a replacement." "Just a moment." "I think we've get a job for you." "You must be mistaken, my name is Whistler ..." "Nicholas Whistler." "Oh, that's right." "Interview tomorrow morning at nine o'clock." "But you can't have a job for me." "I'm a writer." "It say so on my passport." "Well, you know the regulations:" "Any job your qualified for you've got to go for." "Otherwise you lose your unemployment benefit." "Right." "You seem to know." "What is it?" "A firm of glass manufacturers." "Trainee executive." "Trainee executive!" "Me?" " That's ridiculous!" " Yes." "Queen to bet?" "How long's this game going on for?" "I was going to some more work tonight." "I thought you'd given up writing in favour of industry." "No." "Not on your life!" "Two and six." "I'll fold." "I'll see that." "Hey Nick, um... how'd you get on with that bird I saw you with in Finch's?" "Watch it, Fred, he's a bit touchy on that subject." "Oh, shut up!" "When he finally got round to chatting her up, she said she's not feeling it." "Not feeling it." "Lorena is a great girl, a fine background." "She's got a brother in the Navy and an account at Harrods and the longest legs in Earls Court." "She's been coming round here twice a day ever since." "She says she's going to try and release the springs of his creative talent." "She's here now." "Have a nice bath, dear?" "Mmm." "Divine, thanks." "And don't start moaning about the mess because I've cleaned up absolutely everything." "I'll bet er... ten." "You really are going mad tonight, aren't you?" "He can afford it." "He's got the love of a good woman and he's going after a job in the morning." "Executive in one of Britian's great industrial empires." "He'll be nursing the fortunes of thousands of honest little investors." "All for about seven quid a week, I imagine." "It'll ruin your creative talent." "Oh, belt up!" "Well, they'll have you writing advertising copies for electric light bulbs, or gold fish bowls, or something." "It's the first step on the downward path." "There's nothing to actually say I'm going to get the job, is there?" "Good morning sir, can I help you?" "Ah well, I..." "I think I've got an appointment with a." "Mr... er..." "Cunliffe or something, I don't know." "You must be Mr. Whistler." "I believe I must be." "Mr. Cunliffe was expecting you earlier." "Was he?" "I'll find out if he can see you now." "There's a Mr. Whistler to see you, sir." "Wheel him in." "Thank you." "Ah, Mr. Whistler." "I'm so glad you could get here." "Well now, you're interested, are you, in this little opening of ours?" "Well, I don't know what it is yet, do I?" "Glass, Mr. Whistler, glass." "Oil may be the substance on which our civilization runs... but glass is what enables us to see where we are going." "Or, as in the case of a driving mirror, where we came from." "Well, I don't suppose you are aware of the vast technilogcal advances that have been made in our field." "No, I don't suppose I am." "Do you realize that we are now in a position to construct a car entirely from glass?" "Wheels, moving parts, the engines... the entire car." "If d be a bit difficult to see it coming, wouldn't it?" "Yes." "Well, that's my side of it, isn't it?" "Now then, tell me about yourself." "Where did you go to school?" "Oh well, you know, here and there." "No particular... school at all, really." "A varied background, but I like a boy who's been through the mill." "Now about Military Service?" "I was very lucky about that, I er..." "I managed to get out of it." "You don't like the military life?" "Oh no, I'm a frightful coward." "Well, we're not all cut out to be soldiers, are we?" "The Labour Exchange tells me you speak a bit of Czech." "Is that correct?" "Well, I was born there." "In Prague." "A delightful city." "But you're British now, of course." "I'm British now." "You're a writer?" "Well, I try." "Anything published?" "Not recently, actually, no." "The public not quite ready for you, I expect." "Never mind, you seem just the sort of chap who'd fit in here." "I do?" "Oh yes." "We've interviewed a lot of chaps for this job, you know." "None of them seem to have the imaginative type of mind we're looking for." "I don't see why you shouldn't fit in and go right to the top." "There are openings all the time, you know." "What are you prepared to pay while I'm waiting for these openings?" "Oh, I suppose you'd pull in about two thousand a year." "Forty... forty quid a week?" "Yes, that's right." "With expences, of course." "That's really very reasonable, isn't it?" "Yes." "Well, why don't you mull it over during the weekend and then come and see us, mmm?" "If you think you'd like the job, I'm sure we could start you off." "Yes, all right, then." "Well, I..." "I'll see you on Monday, then." "Oh, shall we say ten o'clock?" "Fine." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "Well, what do we make of him?" "Well, he doesn't seem a very keen type, does he?" "Do you suppose he's reliable?" "Well, I'll get someone to do a security check on him over the weekend." "But, after all, it's only a В"one offВ" job." "Isn't it?" "I mean, he's nothing more than a courier really." "Yes, I suppose so." "Still..." "I'd be a lot happier if he'd been to er... decent school." "Yes." "I'm holding a call from the Russian Embassy for you, sir." "It is very naughty of them to use this number, they're not supposed to know it." "All right, put it through." "Well, shall I put it through the scrambler, sir?" "I should have thought this was one of the few occasions when we want them to try and understand what we're saying." "Hallo, yes." "Oh, yes." "Ah, dos vedanya to you, too." "I've never heard of him." "Who?" "Oh, did you?" "Oh, well that's good." "Thank you so much for letting us know." "Goodbye." "Bloody show offs!" "They've pulled in another of our chaps." "Who've they got?" "Carruthers." "Rumania." "Rumania." "Yes, all right, I know." "Shall we inform the P.M." "I should think he's got enough on his plate." "We'd better arrest one of theirs, otherwise they'll think we're losing face." "The trouble is, we don't seem to be able to keep track on them like we used to." "They're getting very thin on the ground, aren't they?" "Well, what about that one all on his own up there?" "Well's there's a bit of an argument about him." "We've always maintained that he's one of theirs but the chaps at the War Office say he's one of ours." "Perhaps you'd better leave him where he is for the moment." "Don't worry." "I'll take care of that." "You'd better go ahead and get a replacement for Carruthers." "Right." "Shall I put in the usual chit to the Ministry?" "Yes." "By the way." "They got at poor Carruthers through some woman which he'd taken up with." "You might try and find someone who's not quite so susceptible in that direction," " will you?" " Right." "On the other hand, don't lean too far in the other direction, either." "Ah, good morning, Mr. Whistler." "My secretary tells me that you've decided to join us." "I must say, I think that's a very wise decision." " Thank you." " Won't you go in?" "I'd like you to meet one of your new colleagues." "Roger, I want you to meet Nicolas Whistler who's joining us today." "This is Mr. Allsop, our Personal Manager." "How do you do." "Nice to have you with us." "Thank you very much." "Shall we all sit down." "Thank you." "I expect you're wondering what you're going to do here for the first few weeks?" "Well, yes, I am." "Rather." "Well, it's a bit of luck you know, you're joining us just now." " Mr. Jones..." " Who?" "Mr. Jones our Sales Manager." "Well, really, you'll forget your name next." "Oh, yes." "Our Mr. Jones is off to Prague and doesn't speak a word of Czech." "I thought perhaps you'd like to go along." "To Prague?" "Yes, There's no personal reason to prevent you from traveling, is there?" "Oh no, no, no, indeed, on the contrary." "Fine." "Bu... but isn't Prague behind the... the thing, you know?" "Behind the iron curtain and all that sort of rot." "Oh yes, but we still trade with those countries, you know." "Mind you, the government doesn't like us to advertise the fact, but they realize it has to happen." "Don't worry about that." "The chaps at the Chech's State Glass Factory will welcome you with open arms." "Won't they, Roger?" "Oh, yes... yes, I should imagine you..." "you'll have an absolutely gorgeous time." "Well, when do you want me to leave?" "After lunch." "After lunch!" "Well... well, what about visas and things and er...?" "Oh, that's all taken care of, we apply for them on a sort of block booking basis, you know and just fill in the details." "You've got a passport, of course?" "Yes." "Well now, before I forget, you'll need some expenses." "Let me see, you're going to be there a couple of days." "You'd better have a hundred pounds." "If you want any more, just ask our Mr. Jones." "Oh yes, of course." "Well, now I expect you've got some packing you'd like to do." "Why don't you go away and do that and come back after lunch?" "About what time?" "About two fifteen." "I say, you seem to have quite a lot of agents on the continent." "Yes, we perfer to call them our representatives." "Oh!" " We're in quite a big way of business, you know." "This is no fly by night organization that you've joined." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "Oh, Whistler." "You don't by any chance speak Rumanian do you?" "Rumanian?" "No." "Well, it was just a thought." "It's quite safe to drink the water but I should be very careful with the local gin." "РЎ..." "РЎ..." "Cunliffe." "You might have given me a proper briefing." "Who on earth's our Sales Manager?" "And what's he supposed to be doing in Prague?" "I'm sorry, old chap." "I dreamt Jones up on the spur of the moment." "I thought our young friend might be a bit reluctant to go off on his own." "Don't worry, when he comes back I'll scrub Jones." "By the way, you really ought to get a padlock for this blind, you know." "It might have spoilt the whole thing." "Why - look at it, dear." "You look after Lorna." "Ta ta." "Good afternoon." "Oh, here you are." "We thought you might be late." "Mr. Cunliffe's waiting for you, sir." "Oh, well, I'll leave these things in here, if I may." "Ah, there you are, Whistler, just in time for a glass of port." "Pull up a chair." "Good afternoon Whistler." "Good afternoon." "I'm afraid there's been a bit of a hitch." "Smith can't make it." "Smith?" "He's our Sales Manager." "Ah, Jones." "That's right Smith Jones, yes." "His wife phones." "He's got a touch of the flu." "I hope he'll be able to join you in a day or two." "Oh no, no, thank you." "Do you mean I'll have to go alone?" "Yes." "I don't think there'll be any complications." "It's really, you know, in the nature of a courteous call." "You'll be meeting a Mr. Galushka." "He's the Manager of the State Glass Company." "He's a charming fellow." "They promised us to have a little information about a new process their working on." "I see." "Yes, there's just one thing that might be a little bit tricky." "Do you remember my telling you... that the government doesn't like us to advertise our trading arrangements with these countries." "Of course, they have exactly the same trouble their side of the fence, you know." "They like to make a bit of a mystery of it, passwords and all that sort of thing." "You may find they won't want to give us the information we're looking for direct." "They prefer to slip it into the pages of this little book." "Well, it's politics really, isn't it?" "Not letting your left hand know what your right hand does." "You mean, I have to hand this to a Mr. Calushka, or whatever his name is... and he just slips the information inside?" "Oh, a sort of East-West co-operation without a word being said." "Well, no, no, it's not quite as simple as that, you see, it may not be Galushka." "Well, I mean, that's where the password comes in, doesn't it?" "You have to be certain you're speaking to the right person, so you have to slip the password into the conversation." "What password?" "You're quite right." "В"Hot enough for June." "В"." "And the reply?" "Reply?" "Well, yes, so that I know that I'm speaking to the right man." "В"Ah, but you should have been here last September." "В"." "В"lt's hot enough for June." "В" В"Ah, but you should have been here last September." "В"." "That's right." "I've confirmed your flight reservation." "And here's your ticket." "Thank you very much." "Well, let's see that Mr. Whistler gets to the airport safely." " Terrible business this." " Mmm?" "This fellow they've jailed as a spy." "Yes, I expect he knew what he was letting himself in for, don't you?" "Do you think so?" "Good evening." "Mr. Whistler." "I believe you've got a reservation for me?" "Oh." "Oh, yes, Mr. Whistler." "Yes." "Room forty-seven." "Will you take the gentleman's bag up, please?" "May I have your passport, please?" "Oh, yes." "Have there been any messages for me?" "No, Mr. Whistler." "Were you expecting something in particular." "Oh, no." "I..." "I just wondered if there was something that's all." "Nothing." "Good evening, sir." "I'm Josef, your floor waiter." "I have a message for you." "Oh, thank you very much." "It just arrived." "Thank you." "Will you require anything else?" "A glass of beer perhaps?" "Er, no, not at the moment, thank you." "Do you plan to make a long stay?" "Well, I really don't know yet." "Then, I hope that you will do good business." "We need the business men back here." "Well, you seem pretty full." "Ah, delegations." "It's a different class of people, sir." "It's not like the old days." "Yes." "Tipping is a product of the capitalist system." "It no longer has a place in our way of life." "I see." "If you should require me, you have only to ring, sir." "The name is Josef." "Thank you." " Mr. Whistler?" " Yes." "I am Vlasta Simenova, your driver and guide." "I'm to be totally at your service." "How nice." "Thank you very much." "Er... do you mind if I sit in the front with you, I..." "I..." "I..." "I'm not a commissar, you see." "We no longer have commissars in the socialist countries." "Oh!" "What did you do, shoot them all?" "You won't drive very fast, will you, because I frighten easily." "The transition from commissars to more democratic types of officials was a natural process of socialism." "Shooting was unnecessary." "How nice!" "You are going to see Mr. Galushka, the director?" "Yes, I think so." "Vicek, his assistant, will take you." "In there." "Thank you." "I will come for you, then, at four." " Will you?" " Yes." "Thank you." "Of course, this is the merest outline." "Mr. Galushka will tell you much more." "He is the architect of our industry." "A brilliant man, but not perhaps the easiest man to get on with." "Ah!" "Good morning, Mr. Whistler." "Good morning." "Good Morning." "Mr. Whistler has come espically from England to see Zapotocky Glassworks." "Really!" "Oh!" "I thought he was a spy." "Come on, sit down, Mr. Whistler." "Yes, sit down." "Well now... what do you want to know?" "We are at your service." "Vicek, have you confirmed with the canteen about our lunch?" "But wasn't it all arranged?" "That's what I'm asking you to find out." "Yes... yes, of course." "He's a useful little insect but not as intelligent as he might be." "I must admit I feel more at ease when he's not about." "Now, what is it you particularly wish to see?" "Er... well er... no..." "nothing particularly." "Mr..." "Mr. Jones our Sales Manager, will probably decide what he wants to see when he arrives." "You are expecting him?" "Yes." " Aren't you?" " No." "Oh!" "Well er... it's probably a misunderstanding on our side." "Evidently." "Yes, I think we can show you everything..." "you could possibly wish to see." "Well, that's ver..." "very kind of you." "I'm sure the people on our side will be er... very grateful for this co-operation." "Well, er..." "I certainly seem to have brought the weather with me." "Haven't I?" "The weather?" "Yes." "I mean, it's almost..." "В"hot enough for JuneВ"." "Do you think so?" "Well considering the time of year." "Well... yes... it's... it's an interesting way of looking at it." "Shall we go?" "Yes." "Er, what are your feelings about the new continuous rolling machinery they installed in England?" "I think it's a good thing." "I think it's a very good thing." "Mr. Whistler." "May I see your guide book?" "Mr. Pavelka is our research director." "Thank you." "Thank you." "It's a very good guide book." "Czecholsovakia is a beautiful country." "Is it not?" "Yes, it's very pretty." "Very pretty indeed." "Well, we must continue our tour." "Mr. Galushka is waiting, he has arranged a demostration." "It's really very warm isn't it?" "Yes." "В"Hot enough for JuneВ"." "Is it?" "An entirely new process." "Developed by our comrade from East Germany here." "Freut mich." "Has enabled us to make this revolutionary unbreakable glass." "But surely there is nothing new in that." "You were going to say there's nothing new, yes." "True bullet-proof and armor-plated glass has been known for a long time." "But previously it has been of great thickness and considerable weight." "Observe, please." "Permit me, Herr Dokter." "Certainly, Herr Direktor." "Now this glass that our German comrade has developed... is little thicker than paper and has the strength of steel." "May I?" "Bitte." "Observe, please." "Please." "May I?" "You see!" "Come, we must move on." "Thank you." "Herr Dokter." "Bitte sehr Herr Direktor." "Nazi swine!" "I hope you've had an interesting day, Mr. Whistler." "I think you'll have seen all we have to offer." "But if there is anything else or there is anything you'd like to see again, please." "No, you've been very kind, and it's been most instructive." "Er..." "I wonder if I could just wash my hands before I go back to town." "Oh, of course, how thoughtless of me!" "Along here, please." "You should have asked me before." "Mr. Galushka." "Excuse me." "It's a comrade from East Germany." "Yes." "He wants to know what luggage to take on his re-education course." "Just a toothbrush, Comrade." "Just a moment, Comrade." "There's a bit of dirt on your jacket." "You're a... a..." "visitor here, aren't you?" "Yes." "From London." "Ah ah, I thought so, you've come just at the right time of year... we are having some really fine weather." "Is that so?" "Oh, yes, it's most unusual for the time of year." "It's more as if it were..." "I mean it's almost..." "You er... you mean... you mean er..." "it's В"hot enough..." "Mr. Whistler." "Have you finished?" "Er, yes." "We... we'll talk tomorrow." "Come along, I'll take you to your car." "Oh, yes." "Now that you've seen how we work," "I hope you'll go out tonight and see how we enjoy ourselves." "Yes, I should like to do that very much." "Incidentally, you were saying if there was anything I wanted to see again er..." "I wonder if I could come back tomorrow and have another look at that er... rolling process?" "Of course, any time." "Oh, not tomorrow, tomorrow we have a conference, I have to attend." "Come Thursday, I shall expect you." "Thursday." "Goodbye." "And I hope you have a nice stay." "Thank you." "Goodbye." "Tell me, would it be against the rules for a capitalist to er... buy... you a drink?" "Not necessarily." "I mean, you wouldn't be frightened that your friends might see you and say er..." "В"what is Comrade Simenova doing drinking with that reactionary hyena?" "В"." "They will know that it is the duty of Comrade Simenova... to drink with foreigners, even reactionary hyenas." "The work of a business man..." "er must very interesting." "Well, it carries its own responsibilities with it, you know." "At your factory, do you employ many child labourers?" "Not any longer." "Too inefficient." "You must not make fun of me." "I am very well informed about England." "I read the В"Daily WorkerВ"." "I see." "Is it true that you have to go to Eton to be in the government?" "It helps." "And a party member, a Communist..." "could he go to Eton?" "I've never actually known anyone who is a Communist and who went to Eton." "There's certainly been quite a few who were Communists by the time they left." "Ah, but did they go into the government?" "Usually the Foreign Office." "Oh!" "I'm afraid I'm being... a Facist beast." "I see that you don't know the correct terminology." "You are too soft to rate the title of a beast." "Thank you." "Perhaps only a lackey of bourgeois reaction." "Your very, very, attractive." "You see, there is much that you have to learn about the ways of our society." "Well, perhaps, you could take me out to dinner tonight and start to teach me." "If you wish." "But now I must make a telephone call." "I'll have to change." "Where shall I meet you?" "At the Golden Cockerel at nine o'clock." "Anyone will tell you where to find it." "Give me Red Six." "Ah, good afternoon, Mr. Whistler," "I just came to see if the maid had collected your laundry." "Oh, thank you." "I want to make a call to England, please." "To London." "I just told you, we shall be at the Golden Cockeral at nine." "In that case, we shall send an observer." "There's no necessity." "I can find out everything there is to know myself." "That will be for us to decide, Comrade." "Hallo." "Hallo." "Hallo." "Hallo." "Patience, Plakov," "Patience." "Hallo, yes." "Allsop speaking." "It's Whistler." "Oh, is he back?" "Good." "He's calling from Prague." "Hallo." "Whistler!" "What the devil are you playing at?" "Who gave you this number?" "Oh, I made a note of it when I was in your office." "I thought I'd give you a call in case you could tell me er when Mr. Jones is coming out." "Mr. Jones died in his bath this morning." "I..." "I'm terribly sorry." "Yes." "It's very sad but he won't be joining youl." "You'll have to manage on your own." "There wasn't anything else, was there?" "No, no, er nothing..." "nothing specific er..." "Oh, you might like to know I've finally made contact." "Er... but I've got to go back again on Thursday." "I..." "I must say they do make a frightful song and dance about it, don't they?" "Yes, well, I think you'd better ring off now these continental calls are a bit expensive." "Whistler." "Good luck, old man." "Well, what the devil are you waiting for?" "Get on to the exchange and have them transfer that number to the Milk Marketing Board." "Yes, but don't you think he'll try and call again?" "Good evening." "This way, please." "Your table, madam." "What about that one?" "Reserved, madam." "But I like it better." "Well, I'm sure you'll find this one splendid." "Come on." "Your menus." "Thank you." "This table has been specially prepated for you, madam." "Would you like to order now, sir?" " Thank you." " Thank you." "Everything satisfactory, Comrade Plakov?" "Did you ever hear that story of the political prisoner and the secret policeman?" "Well... there was this secret policeman." "Let's say his name was Plakov." "He had a prisoner brought up from the cells." "And he said..." "В"Comrade, why don't you confessВ"?" "В"After all, you have nothing to lose but your chainsВ"." "And the prisoner said..." "В"But I thought my chains belonged to the state." "В"." "And Plakov... who was a very stupid man... said..." "And what about your parents?" "My mother died in the war." "And your father?" "Well, he's a musician." "He plays in an orchestra." "We live in a house outside the town." "Have you got any brothers or sisters?" "No." "A fiance?" "No." "I wonder why not." "So you see, I have told you everything." "But there are still many things I must know from you." "There's plenty of time for that." "Plenty of time." "You can't be sure." "Come and dance." "Oh no." "I must go home." "But it's early." "Yes, but my father may be waiting for me." "I have to look after him." "Well, can I take you home?" "Er, no, it's better that you don't." "Why not?" "Nothing good should be done too fast." "And tomorrow we have a holiday." " Your back?" " Mn." "If I may be permitted an observation." "I don't think Comrade Simenova is taking her assignment seriously enough." "Your observations have been noted frequently." "Yes, sir, but with respect I feel we could do more." "Unfortunately... in your case, the response would be limited." "Oh!" "Oh!" "Oh!" "Wait." "I'll get you some dry clothes." "Excuse me." "Crickey!" "The Kremlin." "My father is a very fat man." "Yes, he is rather, isn't he?" "Won't he mind?" "He is not here, is he?" "I will dry your clothes." "When your ready." "I'm going to change." "Did you say your father was playing in a concert in Pilson tonight?" "Yes." "Why?" "When do expect him home?" "I don't." "Nicholas." "Yes?" "Will you light the fire?" "I will." "Hallo." "Hallo." "Hallo." "Now, what the hell, are you laughing at?" "You look like a Russian." "A Russian?" "I've got news for you." "The cold war... is about to end." "What are you thinking about?" "I'm thinking about you." "Anything wrong with that?" "I don't know." "If you were doing something here in Prague..." "I mean, something bad, would you tell me about it?" "What should I be doing that's bad?" "That's what I'm asking you." "Your visit to the factory and again tomorrow." "Isn't there something about that which is..." "I don't know the word." "Suspicious?" "Yes." "Look..." "I'm going back to the factory tomorrow for the last time." "To see a process that I missed." "And the day afterwards I fly back to London." "I shan't have harmed a living soul." "Then that... is what I shall believe." "It's my taxi." "Yes, I know." "I'll see you at the hotel later then." "Yes." "But first I have to report to my office." "What do you think your up to?" "What do you think your doing?" "Crossing the road." "Go on, get out of it!" "Your not fit to drive." "That's right get out of it." "Go on, get out of it, you rotten road hog!" "Get out of it!" "Your daughter's here, sir." "Shall I send her in?" "You tell her, Plakov." "I'm sure it will give you much more pleasure than it would give me." "Yes, sir." "The disappointment you are causing your father is not a matter that concerns this organization." "But your failure to obey instructions and... the frivolous attitude you've adopted towards this assignment are viewed with the greatest displeasure." "You are taken off the job." "And you are expressly forbidden to make any further contact with..." "Mr. Whistler." "That's all." "You may go." "I..." "I'm sorry." "Wrong car." "You are Mr. Whistler?" "Yes, I... yes, I am." "But what happened to Vlasta?" "I mean, my usual driver?" "Driver Simenova has been detained on other business." "I shall drive you." "Get in." "Isn't it exciting, yes?" "What's it for?" "For the prade tomorrow." "Have you not heard?" "No." "Oh, it'll be one of the greatest in recent years." "One hundred and eight contingents are coming from the outlying districts alone." "By tonight the town will be full." "Mr. Whistler." "Yes." "Driver Simenova gave me this for you." "Oh." "Except there is nothing more I can tell you." "Are you going to stay for the parade tomorrow?" "Er... no, I shall be flying back er... in the morning." "Vloek, have you got anything to drink in the office?" "Yes, certainly." "Perhaps you will join us for a drink before you go?" "I'd like to very much." "Er..." "may I just wash my hands first?" "Good morning." "It's В"hot enough for JuneВ", isn't it?" "Ah!" "В"But you should have been here last September." "В"." "Oh, good heavens you don't say you're British!" "Of course I am, you bloody fool!" "W... w... w... well, how did you get stuck in a job like this?" "It's a cover, you idiot!" "Here, give me that book." " A what?" " A cover." "What do you mean, cover?" "What the hell do you think I mean?" "Here, take this and guard it with your life." "I want to know what you meant?" "Oh, do stop playing the fool, man!" "I am a spy, the same as you are." "A spy!" "But I'm not a spy." "Nothing to do with being a spy." "I'm here on perfect le..." "legitimate industrial..." "Espionage?" "If you want to use that sort of word yes, but er... but lit's between one firm and another, it's quite common practice in business." "You tell that to the firing squad, my old darling." "What?" "Firing squad." "Oh dear!" "Well, comrade..." "I wish you luck." "I shouldn't..." "Er..." "What's the matter?" "We have to wait for the other car." "Where have you been?" "Take your rifle." "We mustn't be see talking." "What's the matter?" "Shoot." "Is there something you didn't tell me last night?" "No, nothing." "Anyway it makes no difference." "I can't see you any more." "Why?" "I can't tell you." "Shoot." "Vlasta, you must tell me what's happened." "Don't look at me." "Shoot." "Don't wait for the plane tomorrow." "You must leave today." "Someone told you something, what is it?" "It doesn't matter, just do as I say." "But..." "If I don't see you again... please remember, that I didn't want this to happen." "Don't look." "Shoot." "Hey!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "You haven't paid." "I'm sorry." "For the lady." "Thank you." "Josef." "I shall be leaving sooner than I thought." "Go down and ask them to make up my bill, will you?" "Certainly sir." "Er... shall I bring it up for you, sir?" "Yes." "Do that, will you." "Certainly." "Oh, and my passport is still down at the desk." "I shall need that." "Very good, sir." "Who is it?" "It's me, sir, Josef." "Oh, come in." "Good evening." "I have some questions to ask you." "Yes." "Don't I know you?" "I doubt it." "I represent the State Security Police." "All right Josef." "Well, now, Mr. Whistler." "Well, what is it?" "I mean nothing serious, I hope." "No, no, almost a formality, one night say." "If you would just sign this, please." "Yes, certatainly." "What is it?" "Your confession." "My what?" "What the hell are you talking about?" "What am I supposed to have done?" "Come, Mr. Whistler, let's not waste time." "Your activities have been perfectly well known to us from the moment you set foot in the country." "It's only been a matter of picking the right moment." "Your friend at the Zapotocky factory has already been arrested." "So you see you might as well sign." "And if I refuse?" "Oh, then we'd have to find an alternative." "A confession is of no value unless it's perfectly voluntary." "There is an alternative?" "Yes, of course." "There's always an alternative." "Come, I want to show you something." "You see that man down there." "He's from the news agency." "He's waiting for this." "It is an item from tomorrow newspapers." "В"Prague, August twelfth." "British businessman, Nicolas Whistler, was found dead late last night... beneath the windows of his luxury suite at the Hotel Slovenska." "Mr. Whistler was on a courtesy visit from London to the Zapotocky Glass Works." "A spokesman for the police said..." "'foul play is not suspected!" "В"." "I like the bit about the luxury suite." "Yes, I do think the suggestion of opulence... does help to create a certain animosity towards the deceased." "Oh, mind you, I must admit that the style is pure journalese." "But I think you get the message." "Yes." "Yes, I think I do." "Oh, incidentally, I shall want the little message you received this morning as well." "What message?" "The little piece of paper you had concealed in your guide book." "Oh, that!" "I'm afraid you can't have that." "I thought I'd made the position clear to you." "You have." "Indeed, you have, abundantly clear." "I've disposed of the message." "Dispose of it?" "Mmm, posted it!" "Are you insane?" "Have you any idea what that paper contained?" "No." "Have you?" "Never mind." "Where did you send it?" "To London by express post." "I'll show you if you don't believe me." "I've got the receipt here, in my suitcase." "Capitalist swine!" "That's enough." "Come on." "He's on the fire escape." "Room Service." "This is room five two, and the third time I've called." "I'm sorry, sir, I haven't been on duty." "Well, never mind about that, bring me scotch and gingerale." "Yes, sir, right away." "Well?" "All the exits are covered." "Good." "Then we can take him at our leisure." "Your whiskey, sir." "The first floor's been cleared." "We've been right through it." "Good." "But I want two men left there on gaurd in case he makes his way down." "The others can continue on the other floors." " Yes, sir." " All right, there." "Sorry, No one is to leave." "No, I know." "The... they've got him." "He's upstairs." "I'm the floor waiter." "Well, where do you think you're going?" "To the chemist, he has tried to take his life." "They want something quickly." "Well, if you don't believe me, call." "Call up." "But for God's sake don't stop me." "Wait here." "Hallo, British Embassy here." "Listen." "The secret police are after me." "The... they think I'm er kind of a spy or something and if I don't get..." "There." "That should do it." "He's trapped in the square." "He won't get off the street in those clothes and he can't change out of them." "Around mid-night, when the streets begin to clear, he'll be in our hands." "Go on, out of it!" "And you move along." "Stop!" "Good night." " Waiter!" "Waiter!" " Yes, sir." "One Hungarian goulash, please." "Yes, sir." "With dumplings." "With dumplings." "One Hungarian goulash." "One Hungarian goulash." "With dumplings." "I want every man on duty familiar with this face." "Have these distributed immediately." "Yes, sir." "You are already familiar with the face." "Do you think it's a good likeness?" "Not very flattering." "We are not involved in a beauty competition." "This man is a dangerous spy." "Papa!" "Papa!" "Nicholas!" "Why did you lie to me?" " I didn't lie to you." " Lie." "You told me that your father was a musician!" "Now I suppose you are going to tell me that he's playing in the Secret Police Band." "I'm sorry." "I'd forgotten I'd told you that." "Yes, you forgot that." "What else did you forget to tell me?" "Come on, what else did you forget to tell me?" "I didn't tell you... that I, too, work for the police." "You do?" "Yes, I do." "And, anyway... what right have you to be angry?" "You didn't tell me you were a spy!" "But I'm not!" "You are going to deny it?" "Well I..." "I... well I didn't know that I was." "And you expect me to believe that?" "I don't care what you believe." "I don't care what you believe." "Anyway, it's great for you now." "You can turn me in." "Yeah, I know." "You think I would do that?" "I don't know what you'd do." "No, of course I don't." " You need sleep." " Mmm." "Come you can use my room." "No, no" "I must go, I must go, I must get to the British Embassy." "But, then why did you come here?" "Because I wanted to see you again." "And because I thought you might be able to help me." "To deliver secrets to the British?" "No, no!" "Tell me... did you really post that piece of paper?" "My father turned the entire post office up-side-down looking for it." "No, I didn't." "You want me to help you get to the British Embassy?" "So that you can deliver it." "You are trying to make me..." "A traitor." "No, I'm not." "Well... what will you do with it?" "I..." "I don't know." "You'd better give it to me." "It's all right for me to be a traitor." "Not you." "But for me it's all right." "Oh!" "I didn't think of that." "Will you help me to get to the Embassy?" "I will try." "In that case... there's only one solution." "Do you know..." "I don't even know what this was all about." "Nor do I." "I'm so tired." "Now look here... my name's Roddinghead." "Schryck!" "How do you do." "The Ambassador wants to know how much longer these fellows are going to lounge about on the corner." "Well, what the devil are they doing here, anyway?" "I think they are waiting for a friend." "Smiling again, Plakov." "Good." "I like a man who smiles in the face of adversity." "Our quarry is roaming the streets of Prague." "Dressed in waiter's tails in broad daylight." "And Plakov, the eagle-eyed genius of the Secret Police cannot locate him." "Very good, Plakov." "What fresh disaster have you to report?" "Well, not a disaster, sir, it's really more in the nature of a joke." " A joke?" " Yes." "Well now... this is a new side of your personality." "Very good, Plakov... amuse me." "W... well, sir, it seems that the staff of the British Embassy have mistaken our men for some kind of... riff-raff and criminals." "They're threatening to make reprensentations to the Government if they don't go away." "Only a fool would find that story funny." "You fool!" "To anyone else it would be perfectly clear that Whistler has contacted his Embassy." "That they are now expecting him." "And that they are therefore anxious to disperse the riff-raff and criminals waiting on the corner." "Whom they know perfectly well to be members of our Secret Police." "Futhermore, if they should make representations to the Government... and we refuse to move those men... we shall have to disclose the singular importance of this case." "We, therefore, need a reliable man to go to the British Embassy... and explain the necessity of keeping those men where they are." "Any suggestions?" "Oh, well, sir, if you'll permit me, I think..." "Never mind, Plakov, I'm going myself." "Oh, by the way, mind you, I don't say this will happen... but if by any chance while I am out... a young man should drop in dressed in waiter's tails and answering to the name of Whistler." "Whistler!" " Whistler!" " Whistler!" "Do try and arrest him." "Come!" "Excuse me, sir." "There's a fellow come about those people on the corner." "Says his name is Simenova." "Simenova!" "That old blackgaurd!" "Do you know him then?" "Of course I know him." "He's my opposite number." "Oh!" "Well, I was going to suggest you might have a word with him." "But if he knows who you are," "I suppose we shouldn't let on about your being in this country." "No, that's all right, diplomatic privilege and all that sort of thing." "Show him in." "Simenova, that old rascal." "I wonder what he's got up his sleeve this time." "Oh!" "Ah!" "Ah!" "My dear fellow what a delightful surprise!" "Your looking younger than ever." "Thank you." "I didn't know you were in the Diplomatic Corps now." "Yes." "Oh, Yes, yes." "Sit down." "Let me get you a drink." "Thank you." "Yes, it's a young man's job this Intelligence business." "They... em... pensioned you off, did they?" "That's about the size of it." "Vodka?" " Scotch, please." " Oh!" "Well, what can I do for you?" "I think there's some misunderstanding, we were told you wanted to see us." "Oh?" "Ah, yes, those people on the corner." "I understand your people aren't too happy about it." "Why is that?" "Well, the Ambassador was remarking about that this morning." "You know he finds it a bit upsetting." "I suppose it's a bit much really, having that sort of riff-raff hanging about the Embassy day in, day out." "Yes, I understand your feelings." "I'm only sorry I can't have them moved for you." "But surely it's a perfectly straight-forward police job." "Yes, of course." "But between you and me, those men are not riff-raff they are hand-picked members of the Secret Police." "You're joking, of course." "No, they are, really." "And what's more they are there for your protection." "Now, don't tell me the rest." "Let me tell you." "There's a strong element of anti-British fanatics in the city." "Pledged to assassinate the Ambassador and all his staff." "In order to prevent any unpleasantness... the Secret Police have placed the Embassy under guard." "Correct?" "Something like that." "Well, it is nice to know we are not all going to be murdered in our beds." "Between you and me, don't you think that dodge is a little bit played out." "Yes." "But what can we do?" "By the way, have you come across a fellow called Whistler?" "Whistler?" "No, I don't think so, no." "One of yours?" "No." "One of yours." "I thought you might know him." "Someone told me he had a bit of an accident." "Oh, I am sorry." "Anything serious?" "Are you quite sure it's all right?" "Yes, perfectly." "You're sure they'll be on time?" "At three o'clock then." "In exactly two minutes time..." "You will leave here and go straight to the Embassy." "Don't take notice of anything that may be happening in the street." "Just go straight to the Embassy." "What do you mean?" "What if something does go wrong?" "No, it won't." "But if it does." "There is an old loft at the back of this cafe." " A what?" " Loft." "Go there and I will be waiting for you." "I..." "I... in there?" "Yes, in there." "Goodbye." "Don't forget your tools." "You're supposed to be a plumer." "Thank you." "Hey!" "Yes." "Yes, hold them, all of them." "I'm coming immediately." "Right, get them." "Good afternoon, Mr. Whistler." "Stop that man!" "We've got them sir, all of them." "You let him go, idiot." "Who put you up to this?" "I want the name." "No one, sir." "Really, it was no one." "They told me they were employing waiters at the Embassy." "And you all had to report at the same time?" "Yes, sir." "Three o'clock, sir, in tails." "I want this description circulated to every post." "Yes, sir." "He'll probably try to change again and he'll go where the crowds are." "I want men at every public event." "Football grounds, swimming pools, beer gardens, everywhere." "Understand?" "Yes." "That's mine, comrade." "Ah, yes." "Oh!" "What's the trouble, comrade?" "Well, you've burnt me, you fool!" "I'm sorry, I must have burnt you with my cigarette." "Put some of this on." "Well, you want to be more careful." "Yes, I know." "I was very careless." "I'm sorry." "You won't feel a thing." "Sorry." "Here's your number." "Four hundred." "That's right, isn't it?" "Yes." "Police!" "Right, you, come on, this way." "Take your hands off me!" "Take them off!" "Help, help!" "Police!" "Put me down." "Milkman!" "Vlasta!" "Oh, darling!" "I thought they'd caught you." "No, I'm all right." "But when I saw your father I just lost my nerve... and ran." "But I'm all right now, really." "Oh!" "But where did you find these." "I'll explain that to you later." "Oh, I'm sorry, I am sorry." "Please, it's not your fault." "It's not your fault." "Listen, I've got a plan to get into the Embassy." "It doesn't involve you at all." "It just means that I'll have to stay here till... well till dawn." "There's the milkman." " Six o'clock." " Yeah!" "This time I'd better not say goodbye." "This time all will go well." "You think." "Take care." "I love you." "Milkman!" "Milko!" "Milk!" "Milk!" "Milk!" "Hey, Milkman!" "What is it, comrade?" "I want you." "There's something you ought to know." "What's that?" "There's a man in there." " Oh, your drunk!" " No!" "Did you hear anything?" "Yeah, a voice in my head." "Huh!" "It says, В"Why don't I go home?" "В"." "Milko!" "Good morning!" "Milko!" "You, Milkman, what are you doing?" "Leave your milk and come away." "They asked me to call." "Put it down and leave." "They're having a reception, they want some cream." "Oh, that's better." "Oh!" "Do you think so?" "Better than the Robin Hood outfit." "Yes, I suppose it is." "It's very kind of you to loan them to me." "Well, it makes you look a bit more British, anyway." "Yes, I rather thought it did." "They're my golfing things." "I've got a match on the twenty-third, so I'd be awfully glad if you'd bring them back to me as soon as possible." "Yes, of course." "Don't wrap them in paper, use a stout cardboard box and plenty of string." "Yes." "They're inclined to burst, you know?" "What are?" "Paper parcels." "I'll take the greatest care." "Good show!" "And remember the twenty-third against the Turks." "Well, thank you again." "I'll remember." "Not at all." "We had to get you looking presentable, hadn't we?" "Ah, Whistler there you are." "I must say you've taken your time getting here, haven't you?" "I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up." "I'd no idea." "And I had no idea, either." "I want to talk to you." "Well, that's all right, I want to talk to you, too." "Sit down." "Now then... about the message." "Have you got it?" "Well er... in a way." "How do you mean, В"ln a wayВ"?" "I swallowed it." "You swallowed it!" "Well, they were trying to arrest me." "I suppose there's no chance of er..." "No, well, never mind, it can't be helped." "I'm sure you did your best." "Come along, I'll get you some coffee." "Oh, before I forget, this is important." "About the money I gave you in London, I shall need chits for it, you know, it's all accountable." "Ah, Whistler, there's a paper on the table I'd like you to glance at." "Oh!" "What is it?" "The Offical Secret's Act." "Oh, really?" "Got the gist of it?" "Well, hardly, it's rather long." "It is a bit of a rigmarole, I shouldn't bother with it." "Just put your name at the bottom." "I never sign anything unless I've read the small print." "My dear fellow, everybody has to sign that, you can't go home until you do." "Home!" "Well, you don't want to stay at the Embassy for ever, do you?" "Besides, we're exchanging you, you know, for a Forth Attache at the Hungarian Embassy." "Is that good?" "Oh, yes, yes, quite a feather in your cap." "By the way... that formula you were carting about..." "did you happen to have a look at it?" "Well, I did give it a sort of... a brief glance, yes." "Any idea what it was about?" "No." "Not the faintest." "What a pity!" "But, you mean, you didn't know, either?" "No." "A chap in Naval Intelligence gave us the tip." "He said it might be something important." "He never did say what it was." "Since you're going to London you might leave that at the War House for me, will you?" "You can drink the gin but be careful of the local water." "Yes, Father." "My dear fellow, what are you doing here?" "Seeing someone off." "Bit suspicious, aren't you?" "There was never the slightest intention of keeping him in the country." "No, no, it's my daughter." "We've been lucky enough to get her a position with our trade mission in London." "Whistler!" "Keep the brief case away from the young woman." "Never mind." "They tell me that the waiting room is neutral territory." "This time the drinks are on me." "Did you say you were going to England on a... on a trade mission?" "Yes." "I have to go to a place called Aldermaston." "Well, you won't need this." "Look!"