05x05 - Mirror of Deception

[bunniefuu]

(bright electronic music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(birds chirping)

(scraping)

(heavy breathing)

(rock music)

- I will never see it
as decadent.

Western music, brash certainly,
occasionally mindless.

But then it is not
intended for the mind.

The heart, the emotion.

But certainly not decadent.

What are you looking at?

- Mister Gifford.

What's he doing?

- Doing?

Oh, he's digging a grave
for you, my dear.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(light pop music)

(doorbell buzzing)

- Uh, Babs.

Hold on a minute, will ya?

Babs!

- Yes, what's the matter?

- The door, do you mind?

- Oh, okay.

- Look, why don't we
make it Wednesday?

I'm through around 4:30, I
could meet you.

Well, anywhere you say.

Okay, Shirley, fine.

- Hello beautiful.

- Oh, go away.
- Well, listen,

why don't you call me
when you're sure?

Tomorrow sometime.

Yes, I'll be here.

Ciao.

Hello darling, I didn't
expect you till later.

- It wasn't you I came to see.

- Oh.
- Babs?

- [Babs] What's the matter now?

What do you want?

- Aren't you looking for a job?

- Well yes, me and Wendy.

- Listen to this.

Do you have a sense
of adventure?

Intelligent young woman required

for fascinating varied work.

Important, no ties.

Able to travel and work
away from home.

Look it's there.

- Exceptional opportunity
for right girl.

Good salary, prospects,
phone for interview.

- That sounds terrific Babs.

- What do you think?

Hello Wendy.

- Hi.

- Go on, give 'em a ring.

- But I don't understand it.

I went right through
the paper today.

I didn't see this.

Hang on.

There's a piece missing.

Wendy?

- Something really good.

The post is no longer vacant.

- What do you mean?

- I had an interview
an hour ago.

- You got the job?

- I did, I start tomorrow.

(sinister jazz music)

(horn honking)

- That's him, he said
he'd pick me up.

Helen, it's been fun
sharing with you.

Give my love to Chuck.

- I will, you take care.

- No hard feelings?

- Of course not.

Good luck Wendy.

Hey, have you got everything?

- Yes, yes.

I'll write just as soon
as I get settled

and find out what this job
is all about, I'll write.

- Look after yourself now.

- All right, goodbye.

- Well, that's the last
we'll see of her.

- What do you mean?

- You've never shared a
flat before, have you?

You live out of each other's
pockets for a few months,

then comes along a new job,

or a new boyfriend, and
you never see them again.

Ships that pass in the night.

Yep, that's the last
time we'll ever

see or hear of her again.

(ominous orchestral music)

- Mister Townsend will
be here in a moment.

Why not take a seat?

- Good morning.

- [Woman] Oh hello, do
sit down, won't you?

- Thank you.

I'm here to work for
Mister Townsend,

his personal assistant.

- Yes, I know.

- Do you know him?

What's he like?

- Very pleasant, he's been
very nice to work for.

- Goodness, I'm not
taking your job am I?

- Oh no, I'm taking yours.

- What?

- Well, not so much your
job really, as your place.

(g*n firing)

(teapot whistling)

(upbeat jazz music)

- How are you this morning?

- [Babs] Okay, I guess.

There's a couple of
letters for you.

Nothing from Wendy, though.

- Who?

- Wendy, oh come on,
Wendy Phillips.

- Well it has been
six weeks now.

- Seven.

- Well, seven then.

She won't write now.

- I thought she might,

especially if the job
was going well,

to crow over us.

She was that kind of girl,
wasn't she?

The way she got the
job in the first place,

hiding it from me.

- Well, maybe the job didn't
turn out as she'd hoped.

- Or she didn't last.

She got the sack, look.

Do you have a sense
of adventure?

It's the same ad again.

- It certainly sounds like it.

- Oh it is, I know it is.

Precious Wendy Phillips
didn't last the course,

so the job's wide open again.

Hey what time is it?

- Nearly nine.

- Do you think there's
anyone there yet?

I could try anyway.

(phone ringing)

- Yes?

Yes, we did.

What about this morning?

Shall we say 10:30?

Yes, yes, come to
Arundel Contacts.

That's right, 157 Marx Street,
we're on the fourth floor.

Yes, look forward to
meeting you, Miss Bryant.

- Thank you, goodbye.

10:30, I'm to be there at 10:30.

Oh my goodness, I'm going
to have to move.

Oh cripes, Helen my best
coat's in at the cleaners.

- Don't worry, you
can borrow mine.

- Oh thanks.

- All right, here's the coat.

- Thanks.

- Listen, you'd better
borrow the scarf, too.

You've gotta make a
really good impression.

- Oh thanks Helen, I love you.

- Oh, that's Charley.

- Oh, okay.

- I brought the itinerary.

- Helen help, I'm stuck.

- Just a minute, I'll
give you a hand.

- And the hotel reservations.

- The cup's on the hair
spray, or my lipstick.

- All right, we'll find it.

- I'm sure my tights
have got a run in them.

Hi Charley.

- Hi.

- Well, where are they?

- In the bathroom I think.

- Well, I'll check.

- Well, what's going on?

- Babs, she's got an
interview for a job.

(knocking on door)

- Miss Bryant?

- Yes.

- You're punctual, I like that.

Please come in.

May I?

- Oh, of course.

- Do sit down.

You may smoke, if you wish.

- No, thank you.

I mean I don't.

- Barbara Bryant?

I should say perhaps
25 years old?

- Yes.

- British?

- That's right.

- Well Miss Bryant, so
you wish to work for us?

- Well I need a job, yes.

- It's a very good job
we're offering.

The personal assistant to
Mister Townsend.

It does not require
secretarial talents,

so much as intelligence,

initiative, and it is
very highly paid.

But, and I deliberately stress
this important but first,

it does require your
absolute freedom to travel,

to move around, perhaps
to turn your back

on friends and family
for a long while.

- Well I'm not engaged,
or anything like that,

if that's what you mean.

- Surely, such an
attractive girl as you,

there must be a boyfriend.

- No one even half serious.

- Oh, and family?

- My father's dead.

- Oh I'm so sorry.

- But your mother is alive, yes?

- Yes, but she lives
in Rhodesia.

- And brothers, sisters?

- One brother, but I don't
know exactly where he is.

South America, last
time I heard.

He's a journalist.

- I see.

So you have no ties at all.

No one to pine for you,
if we should take you away

for a long while.

- Not really.

- Well Miss Bryant,

tell me all about yourself,

every little detail.

- Where shall I begin?

- The first place I want
to take you to, is here,

Simmons Yacht.

Oh, it's fantastic,

it just nestles in the
Forest of Dean,

and down below is
the Wine River.

The salmon just come leaping
out at you to take the hook.

In fact, we could hire a
couple of rods.

I know a place below the Rapium.

- Charley,

you know this is as much
my vacation as it is yours.

- Okay, so we fish for one day.

Just one.

The other 13 are all yours.

There's a great pub
across the river,

now Saturday nights
are fantastic.

Now we could stay there.

- Charley, you're
doing it again.

- Well it's just that
it's my country Helen,

I want to show you
all the places

I think of as being mine.

- Yes I know, Charley,
all the pubs.

- I got it, I got it!

- Is it catching?

Shall we have injections?

- The job, dopey.

It's mine, I start tomorrow.

- Barbara Bryant.

Babs.

Yes, best of the bunch.

No close ties.

Family abroad.

Only possible choice.

- It was terrible of me
rushing off like this.

You'll have to find
another girl to share now,

but I have paid until
the end of the month.

- Oh please, don't worry.

- It sounds such an
exciting job.

Travel abroad, meeting
lots of people.

Oh Helen, your scarf.

I've lost your scarf.

- She forgot that.

- She won't be
needing it anymore.

(phone ringing)

Sorry, job's been taken.

- Well it was ringing.

Now it's dead.

- Why don't you call
again later?

I mean it's really not
that important.

- But it is important.

It's your scarf and I lost it.

It was silk, too.

Hey, I could run over
there and pick it up.

- Babs, you're leaving tomorrow,

you're not even half-packed yet.

I'll go over there later.

- Are you sure?

- Absolutely.

Now come on, let's get
your things together.

You didn't tell me if you're
going by train or what.

- No no, they're picking me
up here, tomorrow, by car.

(ominous jazz music)

(horn honking)

- Here!

- City life, I'll try anything.

- Well then don't
keep him waiting.

- I'm ready, I think.

Oh Helen, there's so
many things.

- You can write me, later.

- I do feel bad about the scarf.

Oh my goodness, I haven't
left you the address,

for you to go over there
and pick it up.

I do hope it's still there.

157 Marx Street,

Arundel Contacts.

- Come on Babs.

- It's on the fourth floor.

- Okay.

- Now go over there today.

- I'll try.

- And if it's not there,
be sure to let me know.

I'll buy you a new one out
of my first month's wages.

(horn honking)

- I'm gonna miss you, Babs.

- Oh Helen, thanks
for everything.

Give my love to Charley.

I'll be back to see you,
as soon as I get a day off.

- Unless you're in
Timbuktu or some place.

Do write, now do you hear?

Don't be a ship in the night.

- I won't, I promise.

Bye.

- Goodbye, good luck.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(door buzzing)

Charley, I'm so glad to see you.

- I'm glad to see you.

Nothing so sad as an empty nest.

- I'll soon fill it again.

Put an ad in tomorrow.

Want a cup of coffee?

- Yes yes, fine thank you.

Three can live as
cheaply as one.

- Well that's a theory,
split the rent.

- How's it work with two?

You can't live quite as
cheaply as three perhaps but,

it could be more fun.

Helen,

how would you feel about
becoming a British citizen?

- Charley,

that's the worst,
most unromantic,

that's the most wonderful
proposal I've every heard.

- Well it had to come,

and my swifter nature
brought it about.

Now look, we're off on
holiday tomorrow.

Now separate rooms
are expensive,

so why not make the
holiday a honeymoon?

- Why not?

Because it's ridiculous.

Charley I'm still studying.

- Helen, people do it
all the time.

Now look, we want each other,
so why wait?

Why not now?

- Because Charley--

- Because I hardly
earn anything.

So we'll starve,

but together.

- Oh Charley, it's crazy,
it's lovely but,

it's crazy, I mean,

I couldn't possibly
arrange it all in time.

- I do have a special license.

- How long does it take
to get one of those?

- About a week, it was a
spur of the moment decision.

- But tomorrow, I mean
there's so many things to do.

- Helen, there's just
one thing to do,

just say yes.

- Yes.

But now listen Charley,

it's got to be at
least half-right.

- It will be, will be.

- We could get um,

we could get Bob and
Shirley as witnesses.

- Already arranged, and
they are standing by.

- But I need a trousseau,
something old.

- Something old, well that's me.

Why, I'm older than you.

And something new, you can
go right out now and buy.

- Something borrowed?

- My watch.

But I want it back immediately
after the ceremony,

you understand?

- Something blue?

- That's easy.

That scarf I gave you
is bright blue.

- The scarf.

- You haven't lost it have you?

- Of course I haven't lost it.

Now, I'd better get
moving, and so should you.

I mean, I want a groomed
groom tomorrow.

- A groomed groom
you shall have.

- Oh, I wish Babs was here.

- Oh Babs, quote.

Is that a ship who
passed in the night?

Unquote.

- No Charley, Babs is
different, she'll write.

- [Man] Help you Miss?

- Yes, do you know what
time they get back?

Arundel Contacts?

Obviously, they're out to lunch.

- The office is empty, Miss.

Arundel Contacts, they
rented this place,

oh let me see,

yes, I remember now, it was
about this time last year.

Like I said, the place
is all empty now, Miss.

There hasn't been anyone
here for almost a year.

- That's ridiculous.

I friend of mine came here,
yesterday.

- All right, you'll
see for yourself, Miss.

Here we are.

You must have the wrong address,
Miss.

No one been here in months.

(dissonant music)

- She's here.

- Yes, I know.

And you know what to do,
don't you?

Not all at once, take your time.

It's better that way.

Less panicky.

And you seem panicky.

- I'm okay.

- Want me to do it for you?

- No.

Anyway, I have to do it.

- That's right.

As soon as you're bloodied,

you'll be part of the family,
won't you?

Do it nicely.

- In here please.

Mister Townsend will be
along directly.

Why not take a seat?

- Thank you.

Good morning.

- Morning.

- I hope he's not an
ogre, Mister Townsend.

I haven't me him yet, have you?

This is some office, isn't it?

Well I expect this is
where I'll be working.

I hope so, it's very nice.

Oh that's why I'm here, to
work for Mister Townsend.

Exactly what sort of work,
I have no idea.

I'm sorry, I'm talking too much.

Nervous I suppose.

Oh by the way, my
name is Barbara.

- Yes, I know.

- Are you waiting for
Mister Townsend, too?

- Not exactly.

Actually my name is Barbara,
too.

- That's a coincidence.

- Yes, most people call me Babs.

- Me too.

- Yes, Babs.

Babs Bryant.

- That's fantastic.

I mean that's my name.

Bryant, Babs Bryant.

- I was born in York.

- York?

- My father's dead.

My mother lives in Rhodesia.

I've got one brother, Timothy.

- Timothy?

- He's a journalist.

I don't see very much of him.

I shared a flat with a
couple of girls.

I suppose you'd call
me a dr*fter.

I've got few friends.

- There, wasn't so bad was it?

Welcome to the family.

Do you feel like a drink, now?

- No, I don't need a drink.

- That's even better.

Even I sometimes feel
a tension afterwards.

Even I sometimes need a drink.

Sometimes.

- Gifford,

speed it up.

- Speed it up.

He always needs a drink.

But you, now you're different.

One of the best they've
sent us so far.

Yes, I should enjoy
working with you.

Oh here, take this.

It was Babs' after all.

This has been a momentous
day for you, hasn't it?

You'll need something to
remember it by.

That is of course, unless you
don't care to remember it.

- Come on, Helen.

It's bad luck to be late
for your wedding.

You look beautiful.

- You've got to make

an honest woman out of me first,
Charley.

- Then let's hurry.

- All right, well I've
got something for you.

You know, she didn't call.

- Who?

- Babs.

- She said she'd write,
didn't she?

- Charley it was so strange
going to that place yesterday.

- Now look, we've been
through all that.

Now, it had to be the
wrong address.

- Yes, I guess so.

Another 20 seconds I go
right out through that door

and ask the first female
I see to marry me.

- And five seconds later,
I'll m*rder her in cold blood.

- No you can't take that
attitude with me.

Remember, mother's scarf.

- It was mislaid, or I
thought it was.

- Okay.

I'll overlook it this time.

Let's go.

Helen!

- Yes.

- What have you got in here?

- Books.

- Books?

- Well I wondered--

- You know that too much
reading can ruin your eyesight.

- All right.

- Yes

- We may have to find a
house with bigger grounds.

- Don't joke, I hate it when
you joke about such things.

They are human beings.

- On the wrong side.

You haven't forgotten
that, have you Carter?

You can't have forgotten,

it's a lesson we
learned very well.

The end justifies the means.

(belching)

- You're a pig, Gifford,
just a pig.

- A very efficient pig,
a very necessary pig.

You couldn't do it, could you?

- If I had to.

- Ah, but you don't have to,

not while the pig is here.

Funny they both came
from the same address.

- What?

- This one and the other,

when was it?

Only two months ago.

Wendy Phillips, that's
right, Wendy Phillips.

Funny they both came
from the same address.

- You didn't tell me that.

- I didn't know myself until
I saw this girl's papers.

I picked up the Phillips girl,
you see,

and you picked up with one.

Does it matter?

- I don't know.

I don't suppose so.

- It's an error,

something overlooked.

He won't like that.

- Who will ever miss them?

- Now don't move.

Stay exactly where you are.

- Oh Charley!

- Home again, Missus Masters.

- Oh, what a mess.

I've forgotten what a
mess it was.

- No way you and me
together can be a mess.

- Now if you really
believe that Charley,

you'll help me clean it up.

- It's terrible.

10 seconds home, and I'm
being hen-pecked already.

You know, my mother warned me
about dominant women like you.

Now I'll make the coffee,

and then the bed.

- Charley Masters, you've
got a one-track mind.

- Missus Masters you do
nothing but encourage it.

Hey, aren't you supposed
to be giving me a hand?

- I'm just looking to see if
there's a letter from Babs.

- [Charley] Is there?

- Well no.

- [Charley] There you are.

Out of sight, out of mind.

- Well she did promise to write.

- Promises promises.

Anyway, it's only been a
couple of weeks.

A couple of beautiful weeks.

- But she did promise.

- And she will.

- You move like a cat, Gifford.

No sound at all.

- It's been useful a few times.

It's time we went to work again.

- What?

- He just called.

- You know I wish they didn't
always have to be so young.

- Ah, getting sentimental?

- No, just older I suppose.

Tell him the ad will go
in this week.

- Good morning.

I thought we might have
dinner out tonight.

We could meet in
town about 6:30,

and have a go to the
Greek place.

Right Charley, fine Charley.

What a good idea, Charley.

Helen?

Now look, I know we've been
married four whole months.

- Look at this.

It's the same ad isn't it?

Have you a sense of adventure?

The same ad that Babs answered,
and Wendy.

Well it is the same.

- So it's the same.

They got rid of her too.

- Got rid of her?

- Fired her, dispensed
with her services.

- [Helen] Well, we never
did hear from her, did we?

- Now what about dinner?

Tonight, the Greek place.

- Yes, that'll be fine.

I mean I'll be in town anyway.

- Oh?

- I've been meaning to
do it for ages,

go to the embassy and
let them know

I have dual nationality.

- Will it matter?

- I don't know,

but my passport has to be
changed from single to married.

I wouldn't want to
suddenly find out

I couldn't get back into
my own country

because of technicalities.

- I see.

So you're thinking of
leaving me already?

- Can I help you, Miss?

- Yes, passport control.

- It's that way, Miss.

- Thank you.

Good morning.

- Hi.

- I'm Helen Tarrick,

or at least I was, I'm
Missus Masters now,

I've brought my passport.

- So you got married, huh?

I'm not surprised,

if I was about 10
minutes younger,

I would have snapped
you up myself.

- I married an Englishman.

- Oh dear, we may have to
have you appear

before the Un-American
Activities Committee.

You're right, it has
to be changed.

Not my department though, just
a stranger passing through.

Babs, Miss Bryant will
attend to you.

Babs?

Customer for you.

- Oh yes, can I help you?

- Miss Bryant?

- Yes?

- Babs Bryant?

- That's right.

- You're not American, are you?

- No, I'm English.

I'm from York, actually.

Well we have quite a few

English people working here,
you know.

Now, what's the problem, Miss?

- Masters, Missus Masters.

- Oh I see, change of
status, single to married.

Well, we need a few details,

and a marriage certificate,

but it shouldn't take long.

- I'm sorry Charley, really.

- So you ought to be,

just a bit sorry.

Do you want a drink?

- No.

- You've done nothing all night,

but prattle on about
this girl at the embassy.

- I know, but--

- It was a coincidence.

- Coincidence?

Babs Bryant, about 25,
brunette from York?

- It was a coincidence.

It has to be.

There's no other
possible explanation.

- It just hit me,
hearing that name.

And not having heard from Babs.

- Now drop it, Helen.

(sinister orchestral music)

- No!

- But I saw her, with the
same man that picked up Babs.

The real Babs.

- What do you mean,
the real Babs?

Helen, you are losing
your marbles.

- No I'm not.

There's something
funny going on.

- Yes, up there.

Anyway, I told you to drop it.

- I do what I want, Charley.

- Here we go, now I suppose
it's a women's lib bit.

- Don't mock me Charley,
this is serious.

- Very serious.

This is the second row
we've had in two days,

and all because of this
stupid Babs business.

- It isn't stupid.

- No I take that back.

It's insane.

- If you would only
listen, examine the facts.

- I'm going to bed.

- If I could only

convince you.
- I said,

I'm going to bed.

- Here we are, Miss.

- Thank you.

- Looking for anything
particular, Miss?

I've got a good memory, and
I might save you some time.

- The want ads.

Jobs available,

over the past year.

- I hate to state the
obvious Miss,

but over the past year
all those jobs

would be taken by now.

- Yes.

And this one with
uncanny frequency.

I didn't bother going
back any further.

I thought one year
would be enough.

- Oh, thank you.

Enough for what?

- To convince you.

- You're not eating.

- No.

The same ad, every time.

Have you a sense of adventure?

- Yes?

But each time a different
telephone number to ring.

- Doesn't that make it
more suspicious?

- Suspicious, in what way?

- I don't know,

but the way it's worded.

Important, no ties,

now what kind of a
girl's gonna answer that?

- An ambitious one.

- No Charley, a lonely one.

What do you think?

- I think,

just a touch too much garlic.

(doorbell ringing)

- Yes?

- Hello, you must be Helen.

Yeah, slim, attractive,

very attractive.

Yes, the girl who
has everything.

- Including a husband.

- Oh really?

Now that's a new development.

She didn't mention that.

- Who exactly are we
talking about?

- Babs.

Barbara Bryant.

I'm her brother, Tim.

- Come in, won't you?

- Thanks.

Well, where is she?

- You don't know?

- No, I just flew in
this morning.

A surprise visit.

Last I heard she was
staying here.

- Well she hasn't been here
for at least four months.

- Oh, oh well I move
around a lot.

Mail chases me for
weeks sometimes.

Where is she now?

- Well, we don't know.

(man's voice on TV)

- I've found an office for
next week's interviews,

and the keys for the end
of the corridor.

We should be able to
move in fairly easily.

- Fine.

- You're becoming Anglicized.

- It's educational, the
work of a fine writer.

His works are translated,
for us.

- Bourgeoisie rubbish.

- You are here to obey orders.

- And observe, and report.

- I run the system, and the
system functions perfectly.

- What do you think?

- I told you what I think.

It's crazy.

- Oh come on, I've been
mixed up in stories,

that make this seem
like common sense.

- That's what I thought.

There's something wrong,
terribly wrong.

- Look, you followed this
other girl home?

- Yes, and I saw her
meet the same man.

- Where is this house?

- Saint Andrews Street.

- What number?

- I don't remember, but the
house has a yellow door,

you can't miss it.

(dramatic orchestral music)

- She struck lucky, our
embassy contact.

There was a fire drill.

The Undersecretary's office
was empty for only 30 seconds,

but that was enough for her.

- Good girl.

- Of course, it may
not mean much.

- Everything means something.

Isn't that what we were taught?

What the ambassador has
for his lunch,

where the security guard
buys his groceries,

or fragments of
information to be stored

and used sometime.

- Of course, I know that.

But this may be
better than usual.

Look here Gifford, here are
appointments, memoranda,

and look, here's a note about--

- There's someone there.

- I didn't see.

- There's someone there.

- I thought so.

- Who are you?

What do you want?

- The point is, who are you?

I got a glimpse of you
in town, but now, yeah.

I know that face.

- You know me?

- Shall I tell you where
I last saw you?

Istanbul.

And before that, in the newsreel

of the big parade in Peking.

Oh it's my job, faces,
knowing about them,

knowing where they are
in the world.

I don't know what
your name is now,

but before you used
to be known--

- No!

- He knows.

His car will be near.

It's obvious he followed
you from London.

We have to move fast.

- You're a fool,

a crazy, homicidal fool.

- He knew.

- And we don't.

We don't know why he came
here, why he followed me.

If we'd questioned him.

- Bryant, Timothy Bryant.

We know what he was doing here.

We know who he was looking for.

- We can't bury him,
like the others.

He may be missed.

- Who's going to bury him?

He drowned, didn't he?

Drowned in a fish pond.

- Timothy Bryant.

- Found drowned.

Now, I haven't made
that up, have I Charley?

I haven't imagined that.

He was here, yesterday.

He was going to look for
Babs, and now he's dead.

- It says they found an
empty bottle in his car,

and suspected that he got drunk.

- Charley.

- I'll call the police.

- It's in the papers.

- I know.

It looks as though they
accept it as an accident.

- Not that, I don't mean that.

I've forgotten about that.

I mean our ad.

Do you have a sense
of adventure?

- Well, thank you very
much Missus Masters.

It's a very interesting story.

- Story?

- Well naturally, as soon
as you'd called

I had checked with my colleagues

investigating the
Timothy Bryant case,

and they seem to be
quite satisfied

that his death was accidental.

- Seen in isolation, yes.

But with this other business,
Wendy, Babs,

the girl that's calling
herself Babs Bryant.

- We're checking on her, too,

but so far everything
seems to be quite normal.

- She is not Babs Bryant.

- Oh but she is, officially,
bureaucratically.

It could be
coincidence you know,

Bryant isn't such an
unusual name.

- That's exactly what I said,
Helen.

- Coincidence?

Babs Bryant, from York?

- It's perfectly possible.

York's a very big city,

there are 53 Bryants in
the telephone directory.

Babs, Barbara?

Why haven't you noticed
that certain names

have a habit of coming into
fashion at the same time.

Queen gets crowned and suddenly

there are a million Elizabeths,

or a television series
catches the fancy

of the name Emma and is
attached to a thousand babies.

- Well, you haven't
believed a word I've said.

- I believe you, I believe
you think it's the truth.

It's just that I have to
be more detached.

- So what are you going
to do about it?

- Do?

Well, we will continue
to pursue our inquiries,

and if anything comes of
it, we'll let you know.

- Thank you very much.

- Don't worry, I'll
see myself out.

- If anything comes of it,

pursue our inquiries.

- Now look,

you've done everything you can.

You've told the police.

Now you can forget
the whole thing.

- Forget it?

- Yes.

- Wendy, Babs?

How can I forget that?

- You've no alternative.

There really is nothing
else you can do.

- All right?

- Yes, I've plugged us
into an old connection.

Given us a brand new number.

Clever little pig, aren't I?

Yes, that's working all right.

Well, that's my job over
for the moment.

Till that starts ringing,
that is.

(phone ringing)

- Good morning.

My name is Helen Masters,

and I'm replying to your
ad in today's paper.

Yes.

A sense of adventure.

Come along this morning?

Yes, I think that's possible.

- A sense of adventure.

We framed the ad in that way,

to make it quite sure we found

the right kind of applicant,
Miss Masters.

- Uh, Missus.

- Missus?

Oh in that case, I'm
afraid we cannot possibly

consider you for this job.

- Oh well I'm a widow.

- Oh I'm so sorry.

Well then, in that case,

you are an American.

- Yes, with British citizenship.

- Oh, that could be useful.

- Oh?

- Yes, the job involves a
great deal of traveling,

and dual nationality can
be an advantage.

- Well you talk as though
I've already got the job.

- Well, as a matter of fact,
I rather think you have.

- That's wonderful,
when do I start?

- Why not today?

- Today?

- You said, did you not, that
you have no ties, whatsoever?

You are a completely free agent.

- Yes.

- You also intimated that
you could use the money.

Well, why not come on the
payroll

immediately, as from now.

It will be especially convenient

as I intend driving down
to the country

to see Mister Townsend today,

and I could take you
along with me.

What do you say?

- Well.

- Perhaps, you do have ties?

Things you have not
told me about?

- Oh no, no no, I'm as
free as a bird, and

well why not today?

Where should I meet you?

- Meet me?

- Well, I have to go
back to my flat,

and pick up my things.

- I would be delighted to
drop you off on the way.

So that's settled then, eh?

I'll just confirm that
you're arriving today.

Gifford, would you tell
Mister Townsend please,

that I've found a most
suitable assistant for him?

Yes, a Missus Masters.

She has a British passport,

and an American accent.

- That was quick.

What does she look like?

- Oh, she's perhaps
five foot six,

rather slender,

auburn-haired, most attractive.

Hmmm?

Oh.

Yes.

Brown.

Yes, I'll leave you to make

the necessary arrangements,
shall I?

Fine.

Have no fear, Mister
Townsend is most circumspect,

and certainly no lecher,

but he does require his
assistant to be personable.

Well, shall we?

After you, Missus Masters.

Do you live here?

- Yes.

I won't be but a minute.

(phone ringing)

- Inspector Bruff?

Where can I reach him?

The embassy.

No, no, no message.

- [Carter] Missus Masters?

Oh, I thought perhaps I
might give you a hand.

- No, I'm all through.

- Well then, shall we?

Have you forgotten something?

- Oh, no no.

- Shall we go?

- Babs Bryant?

No, she's on leave
at the moment.

- How long for?

- Oh that's
restricted information.

We don't give that sort of
thing out on our people.

- All right, you should
have said that before.

She'll be gone a couple of days,
I guess.

Should have said before,

we're both on the same
side of the fence.

- Not quite.

Your side is where the
information is.

Like where she lives,
Babs Bryant, her address.

- I'm not sure.

- But I bet you could find out?

- Yeah.

Yeah okay, hold on.

- Thank you very much.

Obviously chosen for
his physique.

- Don't knock them too
hard, our American friends,

in my experience, they tend
to know what they're up to.

- Definitely.

They got rid of us, didn't they?

The w*r of Independence.

- Oh that.

- You'd think if it
hadn't been for that,

they'd all be going about
in blue, and funny helmets,

going up against K*llers
with g*ns, unarmed.

- What's the trouble, gentlemen?

Can I help you?

- About five foot six, slender,

hair, auburn,

eyes, brown.

Yes, you'll do.

We don't normally
work this fast,

but I suppose Carter
knows what he's doing.

Mind you, if this
time he's right,

the sooner we get them,

the less chance there is
of them talking,

leaving a trail for
someone else to follow.

Yes, you'll do.

- Helen?

You ready?

You know we're supposed
to be seeing Tom and Sue.

(ominous orchestral music)

- Don't worry, the first
time's always the worst.

Not loaded yet.

A g*n should be an
extension of the body,

a part, you mustn't be
afraid of it.

You never know, it might be

the best friend
you'll ever have.

(upbeat jazz music)

- Mister Masters?

Mister Masters.

- I'll load it for you.

A full chamber,

though one should be sufficient.

What marks did you get
on the range?

- An A plus.

- Then one will certainly
be sufficient.

Now, put it away.

Forget about it, until
the time comes.

And let us talk of
brighter things.

Would you care for a drink?

- Yes, please.

- Let us talk of home.

Almost five years
since I was there.

- Nothing changes.

- But it does,

not tangibly, nothing you
could put your finger on,

but every day we grow stronger.

I like to think that I,

our organization here,
helps that growth.

I don't suppose you've heard
anything along those lines?

- Only that they were satisfied.

- Satisfied?

Satisfied.

Yes, that's good enough for me.

I like to give satisfaction.

She'll sit in this chair,
I expect.

Nerves, nothing to be afraid of.

Nerves are good.

Without nerves there is no edge,

no fine-honed edge.

Your hand shakes now,

but it won't when you need
it to be still and steady.

It won't I promise you.

(dramatic orchestral music)

Care for another?

Simple idea isn't it?

Take a lonely girl,

disappear her,

substitute for one of
our own agents.

- [Carter] This way
please, Missus Masters.

- They're here.

You're calm, you
know what to do?

Make it nice.

- Here we are.

Ah, Missus Masters isn't it?

How do you do, my
name is Gifford.

I work for Mister Townsend, too.

I'm sure you'll be very
happy with us.

- You can drop that.

- Hmm?

- There's something funny
about this one.

Two girls from the same address,

that I can accept as
a coincidence.

But three?

Don't worry, we
weren't followed.

I made quite sure.

And she hasn't been out
of my sight long enough

to make a contact.

- Contact?

I don't know what you're
talking about.

- Oh, you know.

You know something, I'm
not quite sure what.

But now you are
going to tell us.

- You mean she comes from
the same address

as Babs Bryant and
Wendy Phillips.

- [Carter] It worried us then,

it should worry us
even more now.

- Well, perhaps Babs, our Babs,

can throw some light
on the matter.

- Yes, get her over here,
call her.

No, not you.

You do it.

Gifford,

Missus Masters, Gifford
here is our interrogator.

He's also a pig.

- She's our only chance,

our only lead.

You see Mister Masters,

contrary to whatever your
wife may think,

we investigate every story,

however wild.

My first action was to
contact Mister Hanley here.

He deals with embassy security.

- Been watching this
house ever since.

Don't lose her.

- Well, everything seems
all right down there.

Yes, I think the cellar
is the quietest place,

most discreet,

of course it may take
a little time,

but I won't mind that.

I could do with the practice,

workouts, you know.

- You make me sick.

- You won't have to be involved.

This is pig's work.

- She's here.

- Yes, I remember her.

Came in five, maybe
six months ago,

to get her passport amended.

She'd just got married.

- Just?

She told me she'd been
widowed for a year.

So I was right.

Well Missus Masters,

are you going to tell us,
voluntarily?

- Babs is dead.

And Wendy, you
k*lled Tim Bryant.

- If that is guesswork,
it remarkably accurate.

But you see, don't you my dear,

you understand that we
must know irrefutably

that it is only guesswork,

and where it has led,
and whom you have told.

There are so many questions.

- Fine.

The cellar door is the second
on the left, Missus Masters.

(screaming)

That's right, that's good,
that's fine.

Put the hysteria behind you,

then we can get down to a nice,
comfortable chat, can't we?

- You're gonna do
everything you're told,

nice and quietly, because
Mister Hanley's holding the g*n.

- That's right, I am.

Would you step forward please,
Inspector?

Gifford?

- Yes, sir.

- [Hanley] Check him out.

- Yes, sir.

- This isn't going to look
good on report, Carter.

- No sir, I'm sorry.

- Shut up.

- A mistake Mister Hanley,
please put that g*n away.

- Stop taking me for a mug.

- I wouldn't, I'd just
stay right where you are.

- Colonel Wescott, US
Intelligence.

A big mistake, planting
her in the embassy.

Security there is very tight.

To get her in, we
could only figure

you already had somebody
on the inside.

- I did tell you that we
investigate

everything, didn't I?

By the way, what did you
do with the real Hanley?

(dark orchestral music)