Secret Agent (1964–1967): Season 2, Episode 3 - A Very Dangerous Game - full transcript
How's your drink?
All right for the moment, thank you.
Well, then have another little one.
All right.
Pretty good party, huh?
I liked your friends.
Them?
Seedy lot of failures, the
lot of 'em, fringe people.
They don't know what it's all about.
They think I'm one of
them because I'm going out
to Singapore to lecture for
the British Cultural Mission.
Poor old Simpson, they say.
Can't get a decent job here in England,
has to take a fringe
job like the rest of us.
Lot of parasites.
What do you mean, Peter?
You know, Pauline, I like you.
I like you too.
You know, I've got a very big job
waiting for me in Singapore.
A very big job.
I'll send for you.
But what sort of job, darling?
Something that will show these parasites
and ha ha old boy types who
think they rule the world
just who are the masters.
And just who are the masters?
That's none of your business.
Oh, but I think it is.
You're full of surprises, Pauline.
Yes, full of surprises.
Hey, where you going?
Come back.
All right, take him in.
What do you want?
You, Mr. Simpson.
These forms are new aren't they, George?
Yes, Mr. Drake.
China's been using them for a month now,
ever since they discovered
one of our chaps
working in their Moscow embassy.
They send it ahead of
their new agents by courier
to make sure that there's
no slip-up in identity.
How did you get hold of it, George,
or is that a rude question?
We have one of their
London agents on our payroll.
A regrettably corrupt
gentleman named Wong.
He will see that it's passed along to the
right people in Singapore.
And, you know, Mr. Drake,
you know your business,
of course, but you will
remember that attempting
to infiltrate the top level
of opposition intelligence
is the most dangerous game.
We should hate to lose you.
No need to distress yourself, George.
I intend to stay alive.
Ah.
Well, they're no beginners, you know.
They've been at it 3,000 years.
3,000 years eh?
That's an awfully long
time isn't it, George?
Thank you. Be seeing you.
Hello, Jim, how are you?
Fine, here you are, Mr. Drake.
Thank you.
Hello, Arthur.
How about my pipe?
Oh, it's ready.
Can I smoke it?
Naturally.
The electronic section
is completely insulated.
Would you like a demonstration?
Yes, please.
Right.
Now, what do I do?
Well now, to activate the cell,
you turn the stem 180 degrees.
Oh no no no, anti-clockwise.
180 degrees anti-clockwise direction.
Now then, use it as a blowpipe.
I take it out?
Yes.
And that transmits a signal for 12 hours.
Now then, with the wavelength
we've chosen for you,
there shouldn't be any
interference in Singapore.
Oh by the way, this little
dial on the top here gives
you the approximate
distance of the transmitter.
Good. Well, congratulations, nice job.
Thank you very much.
But the real box of tricks is in here.
Yes, well get it ready for me and I'll --
Why do you keep that thing at knee height?
Good morning, Mr. Drake.
What's the matter?
Nothing, nothing's the matter.
Oh, are you off today?
Yes.
Good, it's all ready for you.
All right, what have we got?
There we are.
Jacket.
Did Simpson really wear this?
An exact copy, Mr. Drake.
More sporting than academic, I would say.
There we are, Mr. Drake,
a touch of the Orient.
Simpson wasn't one to indulge himself in
touches of the Orient.
The bottle was his only indulgence.
So, who's there?
Ah.
Ah.
Good afternoon.
My name's Dickinson.
Oh yes, sir, good afternoon,
Mr. Harold Archer Dickinson,
director of the British
Cultural Mission in Malaysia.
And I'm Peter Simpson, the newest recruit
at your service,
Mr. Harold Archer Dickinson.
Yes, I just came to see
that you were settling in.
Yes, very nicely.
We hope you have a pleasant stay.
Your predecessor was
very comfortable here.
Was he?
How about you?
No thank you, I never
drink before sundown.
Oh don't you, why not, why not?
It's just a little rule I made out here.
I hate these arbitrary rules, I myself,
I drink for social reasons, you know.
I find that a drink between strangers,
it helps to quicken understanding
and it ripens the bond of friendship.
You know what I mean, you
sure you won't have one?
Quite sure, thank you.
Oh, no bond.
You have a job to do here, Mr. Simpson.
Yes.
To lecture on the British way of life.
Exactly, so I should lay
off that if I were you.
There's no need to be
offensive, Mr. Dickinson,
after all
we are going to be colleagues aren't we?
Indeed, I hope so.
There's a little get-together
at the embassy at seven.
Oh yes.
I'm going to leave you
now and I'll pick you up
at half-past six, that
should give you time to rest.
I can't wait.
I do hope I haven't been offensive to you
in any way, Mr. Dickinson.
No, the journey, I quite understand.
That's good.
All right.
Until sundown then.
Yes?
Ms. Lee?
Never heard of her.
All right.
Ask the lady to come up.
Please come in.
Mr. Simpson?
Yes, I'm Mr. Simpson, who's Ms. Lee?
I am Lisa Lee of the
Singapore evening news.
I missed you at the airport but
the British Cultural Mission
told me that you would be here.
And now you've found me.
May I offer you a drink?
Thank you, Mr. Simpson.
You drink before sundown?
I drink at any time.
In moderation.
Ah yes, moderation, that's the secret.
Whisky do?
Thank you.
Singapore is such a very provincial town
in so many ways, you know.
A visiting British lecturer
is always a good news item.
Six, seven, eight, nine, 10, jack, queen.
King?
I'm your contact.
Beautiful spy woman.
Thank you.
Now you are coming with me.
No I can't. Not just now.
There's a little get-together
at the British embassy.
I'm a new boy, I must attend.
Are you sure you are not
drinking too much, Mr. Simpson?
Ms. Lee, I consider that to
be an impertinent question.
When it is a matter of discipline,
there is no question one
comrade cannot ask another.
True, true, true, and
this is just a cover really.
You can take a cover too far.
I have read reports about you from London.
It said that you drank too much.
This I can understand.
You were living a useless
life in a capitalist country.
But now that you have
something worthwhile to do,
you must shake off these bourgeois habits.
I will help you.
You know, I just believe you might.
I hope so.
There is no reason why should
not go to your embassy,
where you will be very British,
make all the contacts that you can.
But first you will come with me.
Oh.
There will be plenty of time.
Where are you taking me?
Comrade, you must learn
not to ask questions.
My car is down in the hotel garage.
Huh?
Judas.
Ah.
It's --
Ah, just --
Mm.
Oh yes.
Please, sit down.
Yes, a security precaution.
Nothing can be hidden from me.
There's nowhere to
hide anything, is there?
Why did you volunteer to work
for us in Malaysia, Mr. Simpson?
I didn't exactly volunteer,
just obeyed orders.
Didn't exactly, but you used influence
to have your superiors send you out here.
I have no influence.
I don't believe that, Mr. Simpson.
Why did you come here?
To pry into our secrets?
I just obeyed orders is all.
Welcome to Singapore.
I am sure that we will
get on well together.
Thank you, I hope so.
You have met Ms. Lee?
Yes, she brought me here.
And what was your impression of her?
Well, I hardly know her.
Your first impression.
I always think that they
are the most valuable.
Well, she seemed to me
a fairly intelligent sort of girl.
What else?
She seemed to have a high
standard of party morality.
Did she speak about me?
No.
It is your duty to be frank.
What did she say?
She didn't say anything.
I don't trust her.
You will keep an eye on
her and report every act
of disloyalty however slight.
You understand?
Yes, of course.
I don't trust her.
You have no gun.
Well, I hadn't thought of killing anyone.
If we order you to kill, you will kill.
We demand complete obedience.
That is understood?
Yes.
And now, you will
please explain this to me.
That was given me with
a lot of other equipment
by the people in London.
It's a bugging device.
You put it in somebody's
room if you want to--
Yes, yes, yes, I know.
We are not uncivilized.
We use bugging devices.
What I wish to know is why you came here
with this hidden on you.
I didn't know I was coming here.
It was with all the other
gear that was given me.
I put it in my shoe so
that I'd be prepared.
Prepared for what?
Anything you might ask me to do.
I shall accept your story for the moment.
But I will keep the device.
If you need one, we can supply it.
Ours are better.
And now, Mr. Simpson,
let me come to the reason
why you have been sent here.
I have a bold plan.
I intend to infiltrate the
British Intelligence Service.
I need someone who can move
freely among the opposition.
Me?
But they say it's a very dangerous game.
Dangerous, but most rewarding.
After a coup like that,
a man's future is made.
Or lost.
You know Commander Corbett?
No.
He poses as a British naval attache,
but he is in fact a spy.
Is he?
Oh, he may be at that get-together
I'm going to at the British embassy.
You won't be going.
I think I should don't you?
You will call Commander Corbett
and you will invite him to take a drink
with you at your hotel.
But I don't know him.
Never mind.
The old school tie network.
While you are drinking,
Ms. Lee will happen by.
You will introduce them
and leave the rest to her.
And then Ms. Lee will
lead him to where your men
are waiting to question him.
Well, I can handle that on my own.
You will do as you are told.
Don't you trust me?
You have my complete
confidence, Mr. Simpson,
but you will do things our way.
That will be all.
Come in, Ms. Lee.
I have given Comrade
Simpson his instructions.
Don't leave him alone with
Commander Corbett for one moment.
If anything should go wrong,
I will hold you responsible.
I understand.
Good.
Tell me, what are your impressions?
Of Mr. Simpson?
I have hardly had time to form any yet.
Well I have.
I don't trust him.
You will keep an eye on
him and report every act
of disloyalty however
slight, you understand?
Yes, comrade.
I don't trust him.
Why don't you go downstairs
to the bar and have a drink?
I'll be right with you.
As soon as you have delivered
Commander Corbett to me,
I will leave you in peace.
Please, will you now phone?
In five minutes, I must
ring Comrade Chi Ling
to report on the progress we have made.
It is all timed and recorded
on these little tape machines of his.
I have lied to him already for you.
What'd you tell him?
Oh, that I had not had time
to form an opinion of your character.
But you had.
Yes.
That was kind of you.
Or was it?
Now phone.
Hey, is that Navy?
I want to speak to Commander Corbett.
Hello, good afternoon, Commander Corbett.
My name's Simpson, Peter Simpson.
I flew in from London this morning.
No no no, not diplomatic.
British Cultural Mission,
they told me to get in touch with you.
Yes.
Yes, I wonder if you
could spare a few minutes
for a drink and a little chat.
It won't take long.
Well yes, yes it is.
It is rather important.
All right yes.
The Hotel Imperial,
in the bar, half an hour.
Goodbye.
Well done.
It's nice of you to
spare the time, Commander.
Yes, well let's get down
to brass tacks. I'm a busy man.
We're hoping to arrange a series
of bi-weekly talks this season.
What do you hope to achieve by that?
To put over the British
way of life to the locals.
From what I saw of the British way of life
the last time I was home,
you'd do better to keep your mouth shut.
Yes.
I was wondering if I could
pencil in your name for a talk.
They tell me you're an excellent speaker.
Oh do they?
I can't imagine who.
Why, Mr. Simpson, what
a pleasant surprise.
Oh, but I am disturbing you.
Oh no.
-Do sit down, young lady.
I'm just going.
Ah yes, Commander Corbett, Ms. Lee.
How do you do, Ms. Lee?
Boy.
What would you care to drink, Ms. Lee?
Whisky, please.
Get Ms. Lee a whisky.
But you are sure I am not disturbing you.
No, my dear, you've just
come in time to rescue me
from a preposterous
proposal of Mr. Simpson.
Oh, I am sure Mr. Simpson would never
make a preposterous proposal.
If you just give him half a chance.
Oh, I promised to telephone
someone at seven o'clock.
Would you excuse me,
I'll be back right away.
Yes of course, I'll take care of Ms. Lee.
I'm in no hurry.
Ah there you are, Simpson,
did you get your call?
Yes, yes I did, thank you.
Oh, I must be pushing
along, up to my eyes.
Goodbye, Ms. Lee.
I hope we shall meet again sometime.
Goodbye.
Goodnight, Simpson. Sorry I can't help.
Oh that's all right.
We'll probably find someone else.
What happened?
He bit.
He is waiting for me in his car outside.
And now, I must go make
myself beautiful for him.
Ah yes, poor Commander.
You are so soft.
And not very gallant.
Corbett here.
I've made contact with
the glamorous Ms. Lee.
No, I'm off to her apartment.
No, I don't know where it is.
Now don't worry, I can
take care of myself.
I'll report back to you later.
Straight ahead.
Thank you.
Nice place you have here, Ms. Lee.
Very central too.
You must be a very successful young lady.
What is your line of business exactly?
Just you sit down, Commander.
I will get you a drink.
What would you like?
Daiquiri, please.
Simpson, what on earth are you doing here?
M9.
Oh.
It looks as though she's trapped you.
Cosy little torture chamber.
Soundproof too.
Now you'll be able to find
out how soon you'll talk.
Tell Arthur to kindly get a squad of men
and have these lads locked
in a top security prison.
I'll be gone by the time you get back.
We have got the Commander.
It was almost too easy.
That is an expression
that I do not approve of.
We will now proceed to the interrogation.
Who's that?
It's Simpson.
This isn't good enough.
I telephoned your hotel
and there was no reply from your room.
That's funny, I must've dozed off.
Is it time for the party?
The party must be almost over.
I'll be there in a couple of shakes.
You'd do better to go
to bed and sleep it off.
I'll see you in the morning.
I look forward to that.
It seems you were right, it was too easy.
I don't see how he could have got away.
There are too many
things that you don't see.
As far as the organization
here is concerned,
I have no further use for you.
Please, I carried out my--
You will go to your office,
collect your things, and report to me.
But won't you at least me try--
No. -and find out--
Just do as I have said.
No.
You should have kept an
eye on me like he said.
Hello, Mr. Handsome, are
you having a good time?
It's none of your business.
Going to buy me a drink?
Out of my way, you wanton lotus blossom.
Barman!
Sir?
Is Suzy in?
I'll see, sir.
What's wrong with me, Mr. Handsome?
Nothing that I can see.
Well?
You're not the kind of lady to poach.
What's your name?
Mona.
I think you're parading
under false pretenses, Mona.
Suzy will see you.
-If you knew Suzy, like know Suzy
Top floor at the end of the corridor.
The end of the corridor.
Suzy, Suzy.
Suzy?
I don't know you.
Bill Turner told me to look you up.
Did Bill send me any message?
Sent you a little present.
Well, who are you?
John Drake.
What can we do for you?
I have some tapes here in Chinese.
I want them translated.
When do you want them by?
Yesterday.
Then you'd better come through.
Okay, Peter.
Why hello, John.
-Peter.
Good lord, where was it?
Fun and games in Cairo last time.
So it was.
And what can we do for you this time?
I wanna find out what I've got here.
It's all Chinese.
Khim?
Mr. Bennett, Mr. Drake.
Hello.
Khim, would you run these through
and tell Mr. Drake what they're about?
Can I get you a coffee, Mr. Drake?
Please, and a snack if you've got one,
I haven't eaten since I left Karachi.
Yeah, sure.
I'm here to try and
clip the dragon's claws.
An infiltration job.
Yes.
Sooner you than me.
-Getting anywhere?
Pretty lucky so far.
I discovered their control center.
Have you now?
-Mm-hmm.
Well, we can lay on a raid.
No, not till we find
out what's on those tapes.
Yeah, they've been pretty active lately.
I'm expecting them to pinpoint
us at any moment and raid us.
We've been keeping a 24 hour watch
on the front of the building.
They're getting too close for comfort.
How are those tapes coming along, Khim?
This tape is just a routine
report of agents calling in,
nothing very interesting.
But there is a message on this tape
which I think you should hear.
It is to the Chinese controller.
Chi Ling.
And evidently from someone of importance.
He speaks to your Chi Ling with authority.
His boss?
Yes, I think so, the number one.
That's the man we want to hear.
What's he got to say for himself?
He's angry.
He says he has just heard that Chi Ling
has put into effect an independent plan
for penetrating the British
Intelligence Service,
that he has taken this important step
without informing the speaker.
He tells him that he has no right
to initiate an operation
of that importance
and orders him to cancel it at once.
He asks for a full explanation
and adds that he intends to
take disciplinary measures.
Chi Ling's in trouble.
He finishes by saying,
"This time you have gone
too far, my friend."
Can you just play that last bit again?
Can you bring up the background a bit?
Peter, I think we have visitors.
That is Chi Ling.
But who's he after, you or us?
Until we know, let us
assume he's after me.
Open that door.
You're blown?
Not necessarily.
Come on.
Good luck.
Who is that?
Open the door, Mr. Simpson.
Ah, comrade, if this is a social visit,
you haven't picked a very suitable time.
Oh sure, just push into the place.
Hey, that's no way to treat a lady!
No, sir.
Now, we are not going to get very excited
over a woman of that type are we?
My private life is my own affair.
Is it?
We must have a talk about that one day.
At the moment, I am more interested
in your professional activities.
Oh?
Such as what were you doing
just about one hour ago?
An hour ago I must have
been in a bar on King Street.
No no no, I wasn't.
An hour ago, I was in
the newspaper building.
What were you doing at the
office of the Singapore Press?
I followed Ms. Lee.
Why?
Your instructions.
Don't be clever, comrade.
Well you told me to keep
an eye on her didn't you?
So?
So I followed her into the offices
and I found out she'd been shot.
She was dead.
You know who was responsible?
Ha, mine not to reason why.
Very well, Mr. Simpson,
from now on you will be watched.
And very closely.
Like Ms. Lee.
Goodnight, comrade.
So you talked your way out of it.
No, he didn't believe a word I said.
Give me those tapes.
They let you go?
Letting me run.
He's guessed I'm an agent.
Look, they're leaving someone to tail me.
There's another way out,
onto the lane at the back.
I'll use it.
Oh, incidentally in
case you're raided here,
I shall need some means of
contacting headquarters direct.
What have you got?
The address is in there.
Don't open it unless you need it.
If the opposition gets you,
they may persuade you to give it away.
Be seeing you.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
I think I can safely say
that the Elizabethan madrigal
is the outstanding expression
of popular interest in music
in the Elizabethan age.
Everyone was singing it,
young and old, rich and poor.
In fact, throughout the whole
country, they were all at it.
Next week, I hope to trace
for you the development
of the pastoral through the
nonets of Willliam Byrd.
Excuse me, Mr. Simpson.
Yes, of course.
If I understand what you said correctly,
would you say that in
terms of popular music,
the madrigal was to the
Elizabethan proletariat
what your Beatles are to the
young people in the West today?
Yes, yes, although a little far-fetched,
I suppose that one could
draw such a parallel.
Well now, ladies and gentlemen--
That is supremely
interesting, Mr. Simpson.
I am a little surprised that
you accept such a parallel.
Would you therefore say
that the themes of music
of Thomas Tallis find a modern parallel
in the works of your great composer
the late Dr. Vaughan Williams O.M.?
Yes.
That, I'm afraid, is a question,
as we say in our British Parliament,
of which I shall require further notice.
That's not good enough, Mr. Simpson.
My fair question demands a fair answer.
Oh yes, next time.
I haven't got very much
time just at the moment.
I'm afraid you'll have
to make time, Mr. Simpson.
Yes.
Yes, I rather think I will.
I personally find it most stimulating --
Ah, Simpson, glad to see
you're making friends.
Thanks, sir.
Keep up the good work.
Yes, he's just been giving a series
of lectures on old English music.
Good morning, Mr. Simpson.
I thought perhaps that you could help me.
Do you notice anything
different about this room?
There's a hole in the window.
Congratulations.
That's odd.
Why odd?
If someone was trying to shoot you,
it would have been
a different sort of hole.
But this is round, a perfect circle.
And it's near the handle.
Perhaps someone was trying to break in?
Yes, it did occur to me.
Excuse me.
Please, Simpson, you will come with us?
Shall we go through?
And now you're going to kill me I suppose.
No, comrade, you have much to tell us.
You've penetrated our security.
What else do you want to know?
The man at the top.
Oh, now you're disobeying
your party's orders.
If I'm successful, all will be forgiven.
It's too late anyway because --
Morning.
Good morning, sir.
Is your master in?
You have an appointment?
He'll see me.
What is the name?
Simpson.
I find out.
Please sit.
Thank you.
He won't be a minute, sir.
Thank you.
Good morning, Simpson.
I'll get my man to bring it down to you.
Bye-bye.
-Goodbye.
Delightful old chap.
A minor poet, a wonderful
feeling for cadences.
This way, Simpson.
Well, what can I do for you?
We're in trouble.
Oh?
I thought you were doing
rather well this morning.
I have a little present for you.
Thank you, Drake.
Well, you wouldn't be
here if you didn't know
that I was head of British
intelligence would you?
They smashed up your
command post this morning.
I know, I heard.
So I was expecting you.
I've ordered a raid on the press office.
It's too late, they won't go back there.
That's true.
I must get you out of
Singapore as quickly possible
now they know who you are.
If you'll stay here, I'll see
if I can arrange for a car.
It won't take long.
You just make yourself comfortable.
Yes.
Well, that's all right.
There's a closed car coming in 10 minutes.
Good.
I hope you didn't mind me
using your tape recorder.
There's a piece on there
I think you ought to hear
if you just switch it on, hm?
Surely.
Something to drink?
Please, yes.
Scotch do?
Splendid.
You know, it's a curious thing.
One can live for so long with a sound
that one gets used to it.
One ceases to notice it.
I don't quite understand.
Cheers.
Yes, I am working for both sides.
You're not the first.
There was Sergei--
Head of German espionage in Tokyo
and all the time he was really
working for the Russians.
A clever fellow.
Who are you really working for?
Not the same side as you, Mr. Drake.
Oh come now, you're not going
to shoot me in your own house are you?
You wouldn't be the first.
I have to thank you, Mr. Simpson.
You lead me to success.
You should join us.
Before we go into that,
I have a rather unpleasant
surprise for you.
Indeed, then perhaps you will surprise me.
With pleasure.
Do you hear?
You have just killed your chief.
They told me in London that you
had 3,000 years of
experience in this game.
As humble beginner, would be
grateful for enlightenment.
All right for the moment, thank you.
Well, then have another little one.
All right.
Pretty good party, huh?
I liked your friends.
Them?
Seedy lot of failures, the
lot of 'em, fringe people.
They don't know what it's all about.
They think I'm one of
them because I'm going out
to Singapore to lecture for
the British Cultural Mission.
Poor old Simpson, they say.
Can't get a decent job here in England,
has to take a fringe
job like the rest of us.
Lot of parasites.
What do you mean, Peter?
You know, Pauline, I like you.
I like you too.
You know, I've got a very big job
waiting for me in Singapore.
A very big job.
I'll send for you.
But what sort of job, darling?
Something that will show these parasites
and ha ha old boy types who
think they rule the world
just who are the masters.
And just who are the masters?
That's none of your business.
Oh, but I think it is.
You're full of surprises, Pauline.
Yes, full of surprises.
Hey, where you going?
Come back.
All right, take him in.
What do you want?
You, Mr. Simpson.
These forms are new aren't they, George?
Yes, Mr. Drake.
China's been using them for a month now,
ever since they discovered
one of our chaps
working in their Moscow embassy.
They send it ahead of
their new agents by courier
to make sure that there's
no slip-up in identity.
How did you get hold of it, George,
or is that a rude question?
We have one of their
London agents on our payroll.
A regrettably corrupt
gentleman named Wong.
He will see that it's passed along to the
right people in Singapore.
And, you know, Mr. Drake,
you know your business,
of course, but you will
remember that attempting
to infiltrate the top level
of opposition intelligence
is the most dangerous game.
We should hate to lose you.
No need to distress yourself, George.
I intend to stay alive.
Ah.
Well, they're no beginners, you know.
They've been at it 3,000 years.
3,000 years eh?
That's an awfully long
time isn't it, George?
Thank you. Be seeing you.
Hello, Jim, how are you?
Fine, here you are, Mr. Drake.
Thank you.
Hello, Arthur.
How about my pipe?
Oh, it's ready.
Can I smoke it?
Naturally.
The electronic section
is completely insulated.
Would you like a demonstration?
Yes, please.
Right.
Now, what do I do?
Well now, to activate the cell,
you turn the stem 180 degrees.
Oh no no no, anti-clockwise.
180 degrees anti-clockwise direction.
Now then, use it as a blowpipe.
I take it out?
Yes.
And that transmits a signal for 12 hours.
Now then, with the wavelength
we've chosen for you,
there shouldn't be any
interference in Singapore.
Oh by the way, this little
dial on the top here gives
you the approximate
distance of the transmitter.
Good. Well, congratulations, nice job.
Thank you very much.
But the real box of tricks is in here.
Yes, well get it ready for me and I'll --
Why do you keep that thing at knee height?
Good morning, Mr. Drake.
What's the matter?
Nothing, nothing's the matter.
Oh, are you off today?
Yes.
Good, it's all ready for you.
All right, what have we got?
There we are.
Jacket.
Did Simpson really wear this?
An exact copy, Mr. Drake.
More sporting than academic, I would say.
There we are, Mr. Drake,
a touch of the Orient.
Simpson wasn't one to indulge himself in
touches of the Orient.
The bottle was his only indulgence.
So, who's there?
Ah.
Ah.
Good afternoon.
My name's Dickinson.
Oh yes, sir, good afternoon,
Mr. Harold Archer Dickinson,
director of the British
Cultural Mission in Malaysia.
And I'm Peter Simpson, the newest recruit
at your service,
Mr. Harold Archer Dickinson.
Yes, I just came to see
that you were settling in.
Yes, very nicely.
We hope you have a pleasant stay.
Your predecessor was
very comfortable here.
Was he?
How about you?
No thank you, I never
drink before sundown.
Oh don't you, why not, why not?
It's just a little rule I made out here.
I hate these arbitrary rules, I myself,
I drink for social reasons, you know.
I find that a drink between strangers,
it helps to quicken understanding
and it ripens the bond of friendship.
You know what I mean, you
sure you won't have one?
Quite sure, thank you.
Oh, no bond.
You have a job to do here, Mr. Simpson.
Yes.
To lecture on the British way of life.
Exactly, so I should lay
off that if I were you.
There's no need to be
offensive, Mr. Dickinson,
after all
we are going to be colleagues aren't we?
Indeed, I hope so.
There's a little get-together
at the embassy at seven.
Oh yes.
I'm going to leave you
now and I'll pick you up
at half-past six, that
should give you time to rest.
I can't wait.
I do hope I haven't been offensive to you
in any way, Mr. Dickinson.
No, the journey, I quite understand.
That's good.
All right.
Until sundown then.
Yes?
Ms. Lee?
Never heard of her.
All right.
Ask the lady to come up.
Please come in.
Mr. Simpson?
Yes, I'm Mr. Simpson, who's Ms. Lee?
I am Lisa Lee of the
Singapore evening news.
I missed you at the airport but
the British Cultural Mission
told me that you would be here.
And now you've found me.
May I offer you a drink?
Thank you, Mr. Simpson.
You drink before sundown?
I drink at any time.
In moderation.
Ah yes, moderation, that's the secret.
Whisky do?
Thank you.
Singapore is such a very provincial town
in so many ways, you know.
A visiting British lecturer
is always a good news item.
Six, seven, eight, nine, 10, jack, queen.
King?
I'm your contact.
Beautiful spy woman.
Thank you.
Now you are coming with me.
No I can't. Not just now.
There's a little get-together
at the British embassy.
I'm a new boy, I must attend.
Are you sure you are not
drinking too much, Mr. Simpson?
Ms. Lee, I consider that to
be an impertinent question.
When it is a matter of discipline,
there is no question one
comrade cannot ask another.
True, true, true, and
this is just a cover really.
You can take a cover too far.
I have read reports about you from London.
It said that you drank too much.
This I can understand.
You were living a useless
life in a capitalist country.
But now that you have
something worthwhile to do,
you must shake off these bourgeois habits.
I will help you.
You know, I just believe you might.
I hope so.
There is no reason why should
not go to your embassy,
where you will be very British,
make all the contacts that you can.
But first you will come with me.
Oh.
There will be plenty of time.
Where are you taking me?
Comrade, you must learn
not to ask questions.
My car is down in the hotel garage.
Huh?
Judas.
Ah.
It's --
Ah, just --
Mm.
Oh yes.
Please, sit down.
Yes, a security precaution.
Nothing can be hidden from me.
There's nowhere to
hide anything, is there?
Why did you volunteer to work
for us in Malaysia, Mr. Simpson?
I didn't exactly volunteer,
just obeyed orders.
Didn't exactly, but you used influence
to have your superiors send you out here.
I have no influence.
I don't believe that, Mr. Simpson.
Why did you come here?
To pry into our secrets?
I just obeyed orders is all.
Welcome to Singapore.
I am sure that we will
get on well together.
Thank you, I hope so.
You have met Ms. Lee?
Yes, she brought me here.
And what was your impression of her?
Well, I hardly know her.
Your first impression.
I always think that they
are the most valuable.
Well, she seemed to me
a fairly intelligent sort of girl.
What else?
She seemed to have a high
standard of party morality.
Did she speak about me?
No.
It is your duty to be frank.
What did she say?
She didn't say anything.
I don't trust her.
You will keep an eye on
her and report every act
of disloyalty however slight.
You understand?
Yes, of course.
I don't trust her.
You have no gun.
Well, I hadn't thought of killing anyone.
If we order you to kill, you will kill.
We demand complete obedience.
That is understood?
Yes.
And now, you will
please explain this to me.
That was given me with
a lot of other equipment
by the people in London.
It's a bugging device.
You put it in somebody's
room if you want to--
Yes, yes, yes, I know.
We are not uncivilized.
We use bugging devices.
What I wish to know is why you came here
with this hidden on you.
I didn't know I was coming here.
It was with all the other
gear that was given me.
I put it in my shoe so
that I'd be prepared.
Prepared for what?
Anything you might ask me to do.
I shall accept your story for the moment.
But I will keep the device.
If you need one, we can supply it.
Ours are better.
And now, Mr. Simpson,
let me come to the reason
why you have been sent here.
I have a bold plan.
I intend to infiltrate the
British Intelligence Service.
I need someone who can move
freely among the opposition.
Me?
But they say it's a very dangerous game.
Dangerous, but most rewarding.
After a coup like that,
a man's future is made.
Or lost.
You know Commander Corbett?
No.
He poses as a British naval attache,
but he is in fact a spy.
Is he?
Oh, he may be at that get-together
I'm going to at the British embassy.
You won't be going.
I think I should don't you?
You will call Commander Corbett
and you will invite him to take a drink
with you at your hotel.
But I don't know him.
Never mind.
The old school tie network.
While you are drinking,
Ms. Lee will happen by.
You will introduce them
and leave the rest to her.
And then Ms. Lee will
lead him to where your men
are waiting to question him.
Well, I can handle that on my own.
You will do as you are told.
Don't you trust me?
You have my complete
confidence, Mr. Simpson,
but you will do things our way.
That will be all.
Come in, Ms. Lee.
I have given Comrade
Simpson his instructions.
Don't leave him alone with
Commander Corbett for one moment.
If anything should go wrong,
I will hold you responsible.
I understand.
Good.
Tell me, what are your impressions?
Of Mr. Simpson?
I have hardly had time to form any yet.
Well I have.
I don't trust him.
You will keep an eye on
him and report every act
of disloyalty however
slight, you understand?
Yes, comrade.
I don't trust him.
Why don't you go downstairs
to the bar and have a drink?
I'll be right with you.
As soon as you have delivered
Commander Corbett to me,
I will leave you in peace.
Please, will you now phone?
In five minutes, I must
ring Comrade Chi Ling
to report on the progress we have made.
It is all timed and recorded
on these little tape machines of his.
I have lied to him already for you.
What'd you tell him?
Oh, that I had not had time
to form an opinion of your character.
But you had.
Yes.
That was kind of you.
Or was it?
Now phone.
Hey, is that Navy?
I want to speak to Commander Corbett.
Hello, good afternoon, Commander Corbett.
My name's Simpson, Peter Simpson.
I flew in from London this morning.
No no no, not diplomatic.
British Cultural Mission,
they told me to get in touch with you.
Yes.
Yes, I wonder if you
could spare a few minutes
for a drink and a little chat.
It won't take long.
Well yes, yes it is.
It is rather important.
All right yes.
The Hotel Imperial,
in the bar, half an hour.
Goodbye.
Well done.
It's nice of you to
spare the time, Commander.
Yes, well let's get down
to brass tacks. I'm a busy man.
We're hoping to arrange a series
of bi-weekly talks this season.
What do you hope to achieve by that?
To put over the British
way of life to the locals.
From what I saw of the British way of life
the last time I was home,
you'd do better to keep your mouth shut.
Yes.
I was wondering if I could
pencil in your name for a talk.
They tell me you're an excellent speaker.
Oh do they?
I can't imagine who.
Why, Mr. Simpson, what
a pleasant surprise.
Oh, but I am disturbing you.
Oh no.
-Do sit down, young lady.
I'm just going.
Ah yes, Commander Corbett, Ms. Lee.
How do you do, Ms. Lee?
Boy.
What would you care to drink, Ms. Lee?
Whisky, please.
Get Ms. Lee a whisky.
But you are sure I am not disturbing you.
No, my dear, you've just
come in time to rescue me
from a preposterous
proposal of Mr. Simpson.
Oh, I am sure Mr. Simpson would never
make a preposterous proposal.
If you just give him half a chance.
Oh, I promised to telephone
someone at seven o'clock.
Would you excuse me,
I'll be back right away.
Yes of course, I'll take care of Ms. Lee.
I'm in no hurry.
Ah there you are, Simpson,
did you get your call?
Yes, yes I did, thank you.
Oh, I must be pushing
along, up to my eyes.
Goodbye, Ms. Lee.
I hope we shall meet again sometime.
Goodbye.
Goodnight, Simpson. Sorry I can't help.
Oh that's all right.
We'll probably find someone else.
What happened?
He bit.
He is waiting for me in his car outside.
And now, I must go make
myself beautiful for him.
Ah yes, poor Commander.
You are so soft.
And not very gallant.
Corbett here.
I've made contact with
the glamorous Ms. Lee.
No, I'm off to her apartment.
No, I don't know where it is.
Now don't worry, I can
take care of myself.
I'll report back to you later.
Straight ahead.
Thank you.
Nice place you have here, Ms. Lee.
Very central too.
You must be a very successful young lady.
What is your line of business exactly?
Just you sit down, Commander.
I will get you a drink.
What would you like?
Daiquiri, please.
Simpson, what on earth are you doing here?
M9.
Oh.
It looks as though she's trapped you.
Cosy little torture chamber.
Soundproof too.
Now you'll be able to find
out how soon you'll talk.
Tell Arthur to kindly get a squad of men
and have these lads locked
in a top security prison.
I'll be gone by the time you get back.
We have got the Commander.
It was almost too easy.
That is an expression
that I do not approve of.
We will now proceed to the interrogation.
Who's that?
It's Simpson.
This isn't good enough.
I telephoned your hotel
and there was no reply from your room.
That's funny, I must've dozed off.
Is it time for the party?
The party must be almost over.
I'll be there in a couple of shakes.
You'd do better to go
to bed and sleep it off.
I'll see you in the morning.
I look forward to that.
It seems you were right, it was too easy.
I don't see how he could have got away.
There are too many
things that you don't see.
As far as the organization
here is concerned,
I have no further use for you.
Please, I carried out my--
You will go to your office,
collect your things, and report to me.
But won't you at least me try--
No. -and find out--
Just do as I have said.
No.
You should have kept an
eye on me like he said.
Hello, Mr. Handsome, are
you having a good time?
It's none of your business.
Going to buy me a drink?
Out of my way, you wanton lotus blossom.
Barman!
Sir?
Is Suzy in?
I'll see, sir.
What's wrong with me, Mr. Handsome?
Nothing that I can see.
Well?
You're not the kind of lady to poach.
What's your name?
Mona.
I think you're parading
under false pretenses, Mona.
Suzy will see you.
-If you knew Suzy, like know Suzy
Top floor at the end of the corridor.
The end of the corridor.
Suzy, Suzy.
Suzy?
I don't know you.
Bill Turner told me to look you up.
Did Bill send me any message?
Sent you a little present.
Well, who are you?
John Drake.
What can we do for you?
I have some tapes here in Chinese.
I want them translated.
When do you want them by?
Yesterday.
Then you'd better come through.
Okay, Peter.
Why hello, John.
-Peter.
Good lord, where was it?
Fun and games in Cairo last time.
So it was.
And what can we do for you this time?
I wanna find out what I've got here.
It's all Chinese.
Khim?
Mr. Bennett, Mr. Drake.
Hello.
Khim, would you run these through
and tell Mr. Drake what they're about?
Can I get you a coffee, Mr. Drake?
Please, and a snack if you've got one,
I haven't eaten since I left Karachi.
Yeah, sure.
I'm here to try and
clip the dragon's claws.
An infiltration job.
Yes.
Sooner you than me.
-Getting anywhere?
Pretty lucky so far.
I discovered their control center.
Have you now?
-Mm-hmm.
Well, we can lay on a raid.
No, not till we find
out what's on those tapes.
Yeah, they've been pretty active lately.
I'm expecting them to pinpoint
us at any moment and raid us.
We've been keeping a 24 hour watch
on the front of the building.
They're getting too close for comfort.
How are those tapes coming along, Khim?
This tape is just a routine
report of agents calling in,
nothing very interesting.
But there is a message on this tape
which I think you should hear.
It is to the Chinese controller.
Chi Ling.
And evidently from someone of importance.
He speaks to your Chi Ling with authority.
His boss?
Yes, I think so, the number one.
That's the man we want to hear.
What's he got to say for himself?
He's angry.
He says he has just heard that Chi Ling
has put into effect an independent plan
for penetrating the British
Intelligence Service,
that he has taken this important step
without informing the speaker.
He tells him that he has no right
to initiate an operation
of that importance
and orders him to cancel it at once.
He asks for a full explanation
and adds that he intends to
take disciplinary measures.
Chi Ling's in trouble.
He finishes by saying,
"This time you have gone
too far, my friend."
Can you just play that last bit again?
Can you bring up the background a bit?
Peter, I think we have visitors.
That is Chi Ling.
But who's he after, you or us?
Until we know, let us
assume he's after me.
Open that door.
You're blown?
Not necessarily.
Come on.
Good luck.
Who is that?
Open the door, Mr. Simpson.
Ah, comrade, if this is a social visit,
you haven't picked a very suitable time.
Oh sure, just push into the place.
Hey, that's no way to treat a lady!
No, sir.
Now, we are not going to get very excited
over a woman of that type are we?
My private life is my own affair.
Is it?
We must have a talk about that one day.
At the moment, I am more interested
in your professional activities.
Oh?
Such as what were you doing
just about one hour ago?
An hour ago I must have
been in a bar on King Street.
No no no, I wasn't.
An hour ago, I was in
the newspaper building.
What were you doing at the
office of the Singapore Press?
I followed Ms. Lee.
Why?
Your instructions.
Don't be clever, comrade.
Well you told me to keep
an eye on her didn't you?
So?
So I followed her into the offices
and I found out she'd been shot.
She was dead.
You know who was responsible?
Ha, mine not to reason why.
Very well, Mr. Simpson,
from now on you will be watched.
And very closely.
Like Ms. Lee.
Goodnight, comrade.
So you talked your way out of it.
No, he didn't believe a word I said.
Give me those tapes.
They let you go?
Letting me run.
He's guessed I'm an agent.
Look, they're leaving someone to tail me.
There's another way out,
onto the lane at the back.
I'll use it.
Oh, incidentally in
case you're raided here,
I shall need some means of
contacting headquarters direct.
What have you got?
The address is in there.
Don't open it unless you need it.
If the opposition gets you,
they may persuade you to give it away.
Be seeing you.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
I think I can safely say
that the Elizabethan madrigal
is the outstanding expression
of popular interest in music
in the Elizabethan age.
Everyone was singing it,
young and old, rich and poor.
In fact, throughout the whole
country, they were all at it.
Next week, I hope to trace
for you the development
of the pastoral through the
nonets of Willliam Byrd.
Excuse me, Mr. Simpson.
Yes, of course.
If I understand what you said correctly,
would you say that in
terms of popular music,
the madrigal was to the
Elizabethan proletariat
what your Beatles are to the
young people in the West today?
Yes, yes, although a little far-fetched,
I suppose that one could
draw such a parallel.
Well now, ladies and gentlemen--
That is supremely
interesting, Mr. Simpson.
I am a little surprised that
you accept such a parallel.
Would you therefore say
that the themes of music
of Thomas Tallis find a modern parallel
in the works of your great composer
the late Dr. Vaughan Williams O.M.?
Yes.
That, I'm afraid, is a question,
as we say in our British Parliament,
of which I shall require further notice.
That's not good enough, Mr. Simpson.
My fair question demands a fair answer.
Oh yes, next time.
I haven't got very much
time just at the moment.
I'm afraid you'll have
to make time, Mr. Simpson.
Yes.
Yes, I rather think I will.
I personally find it most stimulating --
Ah, Simpson, glad to see
you're making friends.
Thanks, sir.
Keep up the good work.
Yes, he's just been giving a series
of lectures on old English music.
Good morning, Mr. Simpson.
I thought perhaps that you could help me.
Do you notice anything
different about this room?
There's a hole in the window.
Congratulations.
That's odd.
Why odd?
If someone was trying to shoot you,
it would have been
a different sort of hole.
But this is round, a perfect circle.
And it's near the handle.
Perhaps someone was trying to break in?
Yes, it did occur to me.
Excuse me.
Please, Simpson, you will come with us?
Shall we go through?
And now you're going to kill me I suppose.
No, comrade, you have much to tell us.
You've penetrated our security.
What else do you want to know?
The man at the top.
Oh, now you're disobeying
your party's orders.
If I'm successful, all will be forgiven.
It's too late anyway because --
Morning.
Good morning, sir.
Is your master in?
You have an appointment?
He'll see me.
What is the name?
Simpson.
I find out.
Please sit.
Thank you.
He won't be a minute, sir.
Thank you.
Good morning, Simpson.
I'll get my man to bring it down to you.
Bye-bye.
-Goodbye.
Delightful old chap.
A minor poet, a wonderful
feeling for cadences.
This way, Simpson.
Well, what can I do for you?
We're in trouble.
Oh?
I thought you were doing
rather well this morning.
I have a little present for you.
Thank you, Drake.
Well, you wouldn't be
here if you didn't know
that I was head of British
intelligence would you?
They smashed up your
command post this morning.
I know, I heard.
So I was expecting you.
I've ordered a raid on the press office.
It's too late, they won't go back there.
That's true.
I must get you out of
Singapore as quickly possible
now they know who you are.
If you'll stay here, I'll see
if I can arrange for a car.
It won't take long.
You just make yourself comfortable.
Yes.
Well, that's all right.
There's a closed car coming in 10 minutes.
Good.
I hope you didn't mind me
using your tape recorder.
There's a piece on there
I think you ought to hear
if you just switch it on, hm?
Surely.
Something to drink?
Please, yes.
Scotch do?
Splendid.
You know, it's a curious thing.
One can live for so long with a sound
that one gets used to it.
One ceases to notice it.
I don't quite understand.
Cheers.
Yes, I am working for both sides.
You're not the first.
There was Sergei--
Head of German espionage in Tokyo
and all the time he was really
working for the Russians.
A clever fellow.
Who are you really working for?
Not the same side as you, Mr. Drake.
Oh come now, you're not going
to shoot me in your own house are you?
You wouldn't be the first.
I have to thank you, Mr. Simpson.
You lead me to success.
You should join us.
Before we go into that,
I have a rather unpleasant
surprise for you.
Indeed, then perhaps you will surprise me.
With pleasure.
Do you hear?
You have just killed your chief.
They told me in London that you
had 3,000 years of
experience in this game.
As humble beginner, would be
grateful for enlightenment.