Wolcott (1981–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript
WOMAN (ON RADIO): Delta 232, [inaudible] receive 2203.
Go on, further traffic.
Over.
MAN (ON RADIO): [inaudible].
Over.
WOMAN (ON RADIO): Recieved alpha 282 Alpha 282.
Stop receiving.
Return to base.
Over.
MAN (ON RADIO): [inaudible].
5831 to Delta. Assault and robbery.
Off license.
Called in the street.
WOMAN (ON RADIO): Right, 5831 to Delta.
Assistance will be with you as soon as possible.
Proceed with caution. Confirm location.
[music playing]
[crashing]
[theme music]
PRESENTER: The citations we're making today
are both for specific acts of courage,
and for long periods of outstanding service.
The fashionable tendency these days
is to sneer at and denigrate not only
the personnel of the forces of law and order,
but the very concept.
That is the temperament of the times to question authority.
Though that questioning temperament contributes
to the vitality and responsiveness
of those with the onerous task of monitoring
the margins of society.
The old bill, as these courageous men and women
are known, in what has lately come
to be termed the inner city do not only draw our approbation
by their individual acts of valor,
but also through their day to day devotion
to the protection of our lives, property, and peace of mind.
By, in fact, their custodianship of the loom
upon which we all weave the fabric of social cohesion.
Well, It's really been a privilege for me
to be able to assist at this recognition of what I might
term the positive profile of the changing face of Great Britain.
Well, it's our privilege, I'm sure.
Sir.
Making new friends?
Just another politician, like you.
Yes, well, that's fair enough.
I realize they couldn't keep him out of the CID any longer.
I don't see why I should be saddled with him.
I mean, [inaudible].
No, no, no.
Too fattening for me.
Thank you.
Sending DC Wolcott to keep the natives in line.
You heard?
Yeah, I heard.
The wicked and I don't love each other, but we talk.
Winston.
Reverend Jerome would like to see
the citation before he goes.
Sure.
Hello, Cynthia.
This is an important thing, Winston.
You deserve it.
It's what I call an accolade of great distinction.
Thank you, reverend.
No, man, it's true.
They should give you something for being
the white man's house nigger.
I don't tolerate that kind of talk in my presence, Dennis.
OK, auntie.
I man no come argue.
Dennis, you have a university degree.
Now please, speak English. - OK, auntie.
Winston knows I'm only joking.
Right, brother?
I think I'd better take you home, Mom.
I don't understand you at all.
At all, Winston.
Of course I like Cynthia.
I always have.
Then why don't you do something about it?
It's not as if you weren't in a position to.
Please, Mom.
A man who is moving up in his job needs a woman.
You need to be properly settled, and Cynthia is
a responsible, attractive girl.
And how do you think your father would feel,
you stringing her along?
[doorbell]
Listen, Auntie Edie, I came over to--
After this evening, I didn't expect to see you here.
You hardly come, as it is.
I came here to apologize, auntie.
No occasion for an apology should ever have arisen.
Not for you, Dennis.
Auntie Edie, it was you who taught me never to let
the sun go down on my wrath.
I can't send you away from this house,
anymore than I could Winston.
But I don't understand either of you.
The old man's fancy retirement gift keeps pride of place, eh?
Yep.
Tried to get Mom to lock it up.
Especially around here, you know what I mean?
But she won't hear of it.
You know what she's like.
Yeah, I know.
So that's all there is?
23 years in the JA police?
At least he had 23 years.
See that now.
Never mind that.
WOMAN: Never mind?
Could have been an accident.
Could be.
Never mind.
See you again.
Yeah.
All right, come on, Mom.
Out you get. - God.
Now, mind your legs.
Oh, I hate this car, Lenny.
Yeah.
That could be [inaudible].
- Oh, come on. - All right.
- Bruised. - All right.
Come on.
Bye, Mom.
Bye.
All right, now, this is something for you, Mom.
I want you to-- - No.
I want you to take it.
You deserve it.
Now get home safe, darling.
Thanks very much. Look after yourself.
- All right. - God bless, doll.
Thanks.
Turrah.
And you drive careful.
All the best. WOMAN: Bye.
Bye bye.
[horn]
Mind where you're going, you little hooligan.
- Hve you got a cigarette, eh? - No.
Eh? You got a cigarrette, please?
I said no.
Go on, you've got one in your bag.
You what?
Hey, put your hand in there, eh?
Open up.
You got some money in there, eh? - Stop!
Don't touch it! Stop it!
Leave me alone!
Shut up, will ya?
Get away from me!
Careful, you old bat.
Shut up!
Leave me alone!
Get away from me!
[screaming]
How long we going to wait?
Man soon come.
Hey, I've got my love waiting for me.
You take the [inaudible],, give it to the man, huh?
[inaudible].
Seen?
That was silly.
Very silly.
She wouldn't hand the money over, [inaudible]..
Chisel.
Come on, give it to me.
Tomorrow, we're going to take thousands off Roe
with nothing but brains.
And you use this to take 200 pounds off an old lady?
The woman--
Shut up.
And I work hard for this.
Every operation out there, ready and waiting for the taking.
And no dumb Ras is going to mess everything up.
Understand?
Lose it.
Hold it, now, Mr. Patel.
These men must have been after something.
But they did not.
They called me all sorts of filthy names, and attacked me.
Can I help you?
My name is Wolcott.
I'm reporting to Chief Superintendent Cosgrave.
CS Cosgrave?
That's right.
And what is your business with him?
Yes, well-- through the swing doors.
Left at the end of the corridor.
Last door on the right.
Thank you very much, sargeant.
The trouble with this country is nobody takes--
[singing]
Hey.
What they want you for, man?
Them don't want me for nothing, bro.
- Hey? - Shut it.
Can I help you?
I don't think so.
[singing]
Hello.
Is this Chief Superintendent Cosgrave's office?
That's right.
You must be Wolcott.
That's right.
We've heard a bit about you, Wolcott.
My name's Charlie Bonham, Detective Inspector,
Regional Crime Squad.
I'm attached here, so I expect we'll
be seeing a bit of each other.
Well, uh, nice to meet you, inspector.
All right, constable. In you go.
He's expecting ya.
And if you ever need any help with anything,
don't hesitate, all right? COSGRAVE: Come in.
Detective Constable Wolcott, sir.
Now, I'd right right at the outset
to make absolutely clear to you what
the reasons are for your promotion and transfer.
And at the same time, what they are not.
You have not been brought into the area because you are black.
You are here because you've shown over the years
that you're an excellent police officer.
Of course, any improvement in the community relations
would be welcomed by the police.
But you are here to prevent crime and catch criminals.
That's what I'm being paid for, sir.
Mm.
Right, then.
Now, what about this wound?
Death was caused by a short, sharp, curved weapon,
with a thin, rounded blade.
It punctured the base of the lung, and she had only one.
Contable Tipton?
Icepick.
Skewer, maybe?
Aw, Jesus.
I mean, look at the wound. Look at it.
Wolcott?
Inspector Gilligan--
Yeah.
Gilligan.
Next time, you might think of knocking.
How did you get on with the governor?
I had heard the speech before, sir.
He gives the same blather to everyone.
Even to the new chairwoman.
Oh, Constables Willis and Tipton.
Gentlemen.
Morning.
Here.
Have a look at that.
Now, lads, I want to know all about every chippy
on the estate, and everybody who does any carving.
I want a full check on every ironmonger,
and every do it yourself shop in the whole area.
Well, sweet mother of Jesus, you don't want
me to draw you a picture, huh?
It's a wood carver's chisel, and it's such a fine one that it
couldn't belong to just anyone.
Well, Wolcott?
Anything strike you?
Yes, sir.
Two things.
The Rose woman-- she had a lot of money.
Perhaps too much for an ordinary mugging.
And this kid here with a flash back--
Yeah?
What about it?
Well, witness wasn't very specific.
I mean, picking out one black kid amongst a bunch--
it's not exactly--
Yes, but there can be two bikes
that fit this description.
Oh, bags?
They probably got rid of it by now.
Look, I think you two had better go and have
a chat with some carpenters.
Now!
How did the fire [inaudible] with the flash bike?
How would it be if you sit down
and shut up, and wait for me to give you a few orders, huh?
A few reasonable shots don't make
you a freelance in this shop.
You've got to discover a few things
about how it is around here.
And I think that might take even you an hour or two.
Inspector?
Oh, have a stroll around the building.
Go down and see Paul, the desk sergeant.
He'll lets you know where we keep Chief Inspector
Berry stashed away these days.
He's the community liaison officer.
Yeah, and get a key for that locker over there.
Yes, sir.
Oh, and-- by the way--
you've probably noticed that nobody in this building
wants to know ya. - Yes.
It's breaking my heart.
[arguing]
What's the matter with you, Paul?
Can't you see the condition of this man?
I'm just trying to get some background.
Look at him!
Face like a stepped on [inaudible],,
and the first thing you want to see is his passport?
Yes, I've been brutally attacked in the street.
And when I come to report it, this
is the treatment I receive.
Look, Susan, will you take this man downstairs
and along to the sergeant's room,
and then get a complete statement
from him about the assault?
No wonder all young men think of the police as they do!
Come on, Mr. Patel. This way, please.
Chief Inspector Berry?
My name is Wolcott, sir.
Inspector Gilligan suggested I have a word with you.
Ah, yes. Wolcott.
I've been looking forward to meeting you.
As you can see, I need an ally or two around here.
Well, I'm not a community worker, inspector.
Yes, I'm aware of that, Constable,
but you'll have some idea of what I'm up against.
You don't have any notion, for example,
of the SPG being boy scouts.
Excuse me?
Constable Wolcott?
Hi.
I'm Melinda Marin from the London Line.
I'd like to just ask you a couple questions.
I spoke to you on the telephone, didn't I?
Yeah.
I'll try real hard to not hold that against you.
Could you just answer me--
Well, I don't want to be interviewed now,
or any other time, Miss Marin.
Oh, come on. Come on.
Don't be like that. Please?
If you need any information about me,
you'll have to check through the Scotland Yard press office.
But could--
Excuse me, please.
We have some work to do.
Could you just tell me, how do you
feel about police brutality?
WOLCOTT: Goodbye, Miss Marin.
BERRY: I think your public relations technique leaves
a lot to be desired, Wolcott.
WOLCOTT: Perhaps I can get a [inaudible]..
Hey.
So who's supposed to get all this whiskey, then?
I don't care, Ras.
I've got it now.
So what are we gonna do with that fool in the back?
Errand boy, brother.
This guy, Roe, is going to know I ain't messin'.
Tell Roe that he'd better talk to me now or never.
This is where you get off.
Get me home, brother.
[ringing]
MAN: Hey, [inaudible].
I'm cool.
Roe never moved out of that pool room all day, man.
We have a lot of visitors, but no one concerning us.
I'll stay with him.
Check you later.
All for [inaudible].
Oh, do they?
Well, tell Arthur to come out, and tell
Brian to get that motor ready.
Right-o.
[inaudible].
Arthur.
I never was, uh--
Yeah.
You could have done better.
My crippled Granny could have done better.
Next time you're delivering whiskey for me, Arthur,
you'd better wear your seatbelt if you can't
deal with these bleeding coons.
It's all right, son.
Don't fret this time.
It could happen to a rabbi.
[inaudible] stitch it--
Shut up, and go and help Brian get that motor ready.
And remember-- it ain't just a few cases of scotch you've
got to take care of this time.
Your share of 50,000 will buy you better than two
weeks at Clacton, right?
Right-o.
Right.
Well, go on!
So Melville, how's that machine going?
Flying, man.
Flying.
Stay within me eyes, man.
[music playing]
SINGER: Galaxy.
I'm the ruler of the galaxy.
Galaxy.
I'm the ruler of the galaxy.
Yeah, man!
That boy worries me.
You're worrying [inaudible] has
to go on the bus [inaudible]?
No, man.
I've heard some serious things about what he's doing.
Rubbish, man.
What's he done?
Liberate a bit of Babylon?
I've heard all that shit before.
You think you can steal freedom?
Is somebody's going to give it to him, Dennis?
You know, sometimes I wonder whether you want
to be Malcolm X or [inaudible].
You look after you, brother.
I'll handle the real world.
Right?
No, man!
[shouting]
Hey.
[shouting]
You don't do this on my scratch, man!
We'll check in next week, man.
Hey, super fly.
You what?
When you're finished, I'm closing.
All right.
- Take it easy. - All right.
See ya.
Hey, hurry it up, man.
I'm closing the place in a few minutes.
Where'd you get this stuff, man?
Huh?
This stuff is bd, man!
Uh-huh.
Needle or no needle, heroin kills!
Uh-huh.
Get out of here, man.
I don't want to see you here again!
Winson?
Uh-huh?
Any tea?
No time, Cyn.
Must go.
Gonna be late.
Aw.
Bye, Cynthia.
OK.
Bring the coons out, Nick, and we can do our business.
Talk to the man, Nick.
I didn't hear what you've got to say.
I hear I brought you a very large drink last night, Sambo.
We'll have to talk about it soon.
I didn't think you'd let 'em in your private office, Nick.
Times change.
That's my living now.
Yeah, well, it's, uh-- it's all [inaudible]..
Right.
Premium time, Nick.
You're out, man.
This club is all brethren now.
Nobody needs you anymore.
You must be joking, Sambo.
Nick-- what-- you've been dealing with my family
for, what, 16, 17 years?
Let's stay friends, Nick.
Believe me--
I can't pay twice, Terry.
This is going to be very ugly, Nick.
Very ugly.
Get out of my way.
So you decided to ring yourselves out like this?
All green, huh?
I am posing as an Irish-Nigerian businessman.
Am I all right?
Yeah, you're fine.
Full up.
[announcer speaking]
10 p.
10 p.
10 p.
News
Back to front news.
10 p.
Oh, never mind these idiots.
There's the old man [inaudible] on the right there.
So I'll see you later.
OK.
I want to talk to you today about the problems
of color, all right?
There's been a lot of problems in this area, right?
Blacks and whites, blacks and deckers, yeah?
And I just want to talk to you today
about the problem of race.
Yeah.
[inaudible]
Listen, mate, if I wanted a ventriloquist dummy,
I'd get a member of the cabinet.
All right, do you mind if I talk to these people?
They're watching.
They're laughing at you.
You've seen all the stuff in the papers about race riots,
about blacks and whites.
Why do you think they're there?
Why do you think the Tory press prints all this stuff?
I'll tell you what it is.
The Tories, the government, they're
trying to set the British people against each other.
To split the working class.
How many jobs have been lost in this area?
How many jobs, eh? And are they blacks?
Are they whites? They don't care ow many people--
It's because there's so many black people down there,
mate, taking the white person's jobs.
There ain't jobs around, all right?
Hey.
You sure you've got the right pitch, brother?
I'm pretty sure.
Got a kid with a birthday, huh?
No, but I got a kid with a flash bike.
As flash as [inaudible] teeth.
He lives in the neighborhood, and I, uh, reckon that you
might deal with him sometimes.
A lot of youth around here with flash bikes.
There was only one the other night,
when the lady was killed.
And this bike is a very, very flash.
Wicked, huh?
Some say.
Lot of youth around here with flash bikes.
Down them road, I say.
Football, but that wooden playground.
One of them comes to buy something
from me practically every week.
Name?
I don't remember so--
Michael?
Mervyn?
About 15.
Skinny.
Kind of wild.
How much?
20 p.
Thanks.
Hey.
All right.
I just want to talk to the other people.
The people in this area who listen.
The community.
Look at the state of him.
State subsidized scrounger.
Working class.
Socialist worker.
You don't know what the word work means.
Just--
[shouting]
Why don't you just get out of it, eh?
What makes you hate people so much?
Something wrong with your sex life, is there?
Just cool off, man.
All right.
All right.
What's it got to do with you, monkey man?
You'd better watch yourself.
What you gonna do, monkey man?
Start on me?
[shouting]
Can't fight all the fools in this world, you know?
I'm OK.
Excuse me?
Excuse me, Mr. Wolcott?
Could I have a few words with you, please?
- You don't quit, do you? - Nope.
Never.
See, I happen to think you're a very hot item right now,
and your story is very important to the black community.
Don't you have any sense of responsibility for your people?
I don't want any part of you or your magazine, Miss Marin.
Call me Mel.
Call me Mel, OK?
It's a lot less formal.
What have you got against the London Line?
[inaudible] in the business.
I know.
Sometimes I agree with every word,
and I still don't like it.
Please?
Look, I am a police officer.
You are not a crime reporter.
What do you want with me, huh?
My job in the magazine is race,
inner city, ethnic minorities.
I came from New York, so they think
I know all about that, right?
Well-- look, a piece is going to be done either way.
And you'll make it a lot easier to make
it good if you'll cooperate.
Can't you spare 10 measly minutes
to help out an incredibly talented, and charming,
and witty American journalist?
What is it you want to know, Mel?
Thank you.
OK, Winston-- is it OK if I call you Winson?
OK, Winston, I have all the police PR drool.
You know, that you were born in Jamaica,
and your father was in the Jamaican cops,
and you came to England when you were five years old?
Right?
Oh, and I know a little bit about your mother.
- Oh? - Yeah.
I covered the Northlake Community Hearings and
the Carnival Committee Split.
She's quite a lady.
What do you want to ask me?
Oh, right.
I know how and what.
I need to know why.
Why, for a start, a black, British detective?
Well, British-- first of all, are you British or Jamaican?
British, I suppose.
I don't think about it very much.
Uh-- citizen, though.
Not subject.
Right.
But how do you justify it with the rest
of the black community?
I mean, even with your rocksteady background,
isn't it a bit like being a Jewish SS officer?
I'm so tired of this shit.
I'm sorry?
Look, I don't like people who mess over other people.
Sometimes I catch them.
It's as simple as that.
I mean, because I'm black, that shouldn't
keep me out of my natural line of work, should it?
I know.
But wonder if nobody wants you to do it?
I want to do it.
And I've got some to do right now.
Oh, that's OK.
I'll follow.
Uh-uh.
Go away, girl.
I am working.
Hey, boy.
So am I.
Put your coat up!
That's it!
Come on!
You're supposed to kick the ball in the goal, man.
You don't understand that?
Not bad, man.
Not bad.
But you have to keep practicing.
You'll be good, kid.
Really.
Head players your age are a rare thing.
You live in the estate, son?
Naw.
I live in Buckingham Palace.
I've just come down here for a kick about.
Stick to keeping, Pat.
Opportunity isn't gonna knock for comedians today.
You're the [inaudible], right?
Yeah.
Sure you are.
I'm, uh-- trying to find a kid with a fancy bike.
Black kid.
Very, very fancy, Pat.
Come on!
Hurry up!
That's it.
Black killed called Melville.
He's got a flash bike.
He, uh, lives over the other side of Kingsland.
Banham road, I think.
Anyway, I think he hangs about the wooden playground.
You know where that is?
I do.
Come on!
Thanks.
For what?
I never said a word.
Irie.
- Check you later, brother. - Come on!
Come on, you bloody sods!
Let's see some work out here!
[horn]
[warbling]
[beep]
What's your name, man?
Who wants to know?
That's a very nice machine you got here.
What do you want to put all that junk on it for, hm?
Because I like it that way.
OK.
Well, I'm a policeman.
You understand?
And I have a few questions to ask you,
and it would make things much easier if I knew your name.
All right, man.
My name is Melville. - Mhm?
Melville Groves.
What do you want to know?
All right, Melville.
I'd like to know about a week ago.
Sunday the 16th.
Yeah?
What about it? - Come on.
A woman killed on the estate that night.
Come on.
I don't know nothing about that.
The woman's son said, uh, he saw
you riding around nearby, just before he left her that night.
Now, I'm sure he could identify this bike.
[beeping]
Look, maybe I was.
I don't remember.
Think you might remember better down at the station?
What the hell have you been up to now, boy?
Huh?
And who the hell are these people?
I am a police officer.
I am asking this boy some questions.
Now, who the hell are you?
This little son of a bitch mama is my woman.
And he ain't been home for two days.
And-- look, get out of my way, man.
I know all about you.
You are the black pig, innit?
I don't want no interference.
You are doing dirty work for a white man.
And she's doing your dirty work for you.
And I don't want you interfering with my business, boy.
Easy. Easy.
Easy.
What you doing here?
Cool it.
[inaudible]
Better watch yourself, huh?
You wanna get--
You tell your woman, his mommy, to come down to the station.
Come on, Melville.
Tell me something, now, Melville.
You know Dennis and George, who runs the club
down by the canal bridge?
Yeah.
I know him.
Nice man, innit?
Yeah.
He, uh, grew up in my family, you know?
What do you reckon to do when you leave school, Melville?
You still in school?
Look, I don't know.
What are you, a bleeding careers officer?
The woman's son said he saw you ride
by just before he left her.
He gave a fairly detailed description of the bike.
Though not of you, especially, but he said something like--
one colored kid look just the same as the other.
You know them white people think like that, you know?
Not as good as you, Mr. Policeman.
He, uh-- drove a of bronzy colored car.
A capri.
You remember that?
No.
You must remember Mrs. Rose, though?
She lived on the estate ever since it was built.
I mean, everybody knew her.
Now look, Melville, I don't really believe you're mixed up
in all his business, you know?
But you're around.
Understand?
And-- I believe you knew Mrs. Rose.
Yeah.
I knew her.
And that Sunday?
I want to see that boy.
I have legal access to that boy.
You can't deny me see him.
I'm not leaving this place until I see that boy!
That's fine by me, mate, but I'm not
just having someone walk in off the street,
interfering with police procedure.
All right, all right, all right.
What's the bother?
Gilligan, there's a juvenile called
Melville Groves beind held in this station,
counter to judge's rules.
OK.
I've come here at the request of his parents.
All right. All right.
Sergeant Paul, is Chief Inspector Barry about?
Naw.
He's giving some talk at a teacher's training.
Great.
Well, all right, Mr. St. George.
We'll try and sort something out, huh?
How is that little thieves' kitchen of a club of yours
doing down there?
Just fine.
Since it's about the only place around here where
black kids can talk without being grabbed for
sass by the Gestapo.
I mean, thea special patrol group.
Don't count on it, Marcus Garvey.
Hello, is BC Phil there?
Melville, you were seen passing
within five feet of this woman.
Five minutes later, she was dead.
Listen, boy, you're wasting my time, you know?
All right, then.
I saw her, but I didn't see nothing.
I mean, I saw her, and I went home.
That's all.
You ain't seen nothing, you ain't hear nothing,
you don't know nothing.
Jesus Christ, boy.
You're an infernal liar.
Look, I saw the old woman walk across the estate.
That's all I saw.
Look, man, I don't know who's chis--
stabbed.
I don't know who stabbed the old woman.
Chisel.
You said chisel.
Nothing's been said about a chisel.
Nobody mentioned anything about chisel.
Come on, Melville.
Don't be so soft.
Everyone on the estate knew it was a chisel.
Not good enough.
Come again.
Gilligan wants to see you.
I'm interviewing a witness, contable.
Detective Inspector Gilligan requests your presence,
Detective Constable Wolcott.
Immediately.
Won't be long.
Right, then.
Licorice, all sorts.
How many old ladies do you do up in a week?
A juvenile may not be interrogated
except in the presence of a parent,
a guardian, or a third person--
Of the same sex.
I know the rules, son.
I'm very nice, too, when things work out that way.
Wolcott.
Oh, bravo.
Bravo.
Wicked.
You're not even giving us the breaks we're supposed to have.
Now, don't you get on any high horse with me, Dennis.
Now look, lads-- come on, come on, come on.
You son of a bitch!
What's happened to you?
First of all, you assault his stepfather.
The boy will tell you that I told his stepfather, whoever
the hell he is, to go up there and tell his mother
to get down here right away.
I also radio'd the man on the beat to go
up and tell her the situation.
Yeah, but what about all this assault?
Now, Dennis, you should know that man by now.
- We're not talking-- - That is if you know anything--
Melville!
We're talking about the way you're treating the boy!
I don't know what kind of third degree visions
you've been having, Dennis, but the boy and I started off
by saying what a nice man you were.
- Started off? - That's right.
Since then it has deteriorated--
[shouting]
[shouting]
[theme music]
Go on, further traffic.
Over.
MAN (ON RADIO): [inaudible].
Over.
WOMAN (ON RADIO): Recieved alpha 282 Alpha 282.
Stop receiving.
Return to base.
Over.
MAN (ON RADIO): [inaudible].
5831 to Delta. Assault and robbery.
Off license.
Called in the street.
WOMAN (ON RADIO): Right, 5831 to Delta.
Assistance will be with you as soon as possible.
Proceed with caution. Confirm location.
[music playing]
[crashing]
[theme music]
PRESENTER: The citations we're making today
are both for specific acts of courage,
and for long periods of outstanding service.
The fashionable tendency these days
is to sneer at and denigrate not only
the personnel of the forces of law and order,
but the very concept.
That is the temperament of the times to question authority.
Though that questioning temperament contributes
to the vitality and responsiveness
of those with the onerous task of monitoring
the margins of society.
The old bill, as these courageous men and women
are known, in what has lately come
to be termed the inner city do not only draw our approbation
by their individual acts of valor,
but also through their day to day devotion
to the protection of our lives, property, and peace of mind.
By, in fact, their custodianship of the loom
upon which we all weave the fabric of social cohesion.
Well, It's really been a privilege for me
to be able to assist at this recognition of what I might
term the positive profile of the changing face of Great Britain.
Well, it's our privilege, I'm sure.
Sir.
Making new friends?
Just another politician, like you.
Yes, well, that's fair enough.
I realize they couldn't keep him out of the CID any longer.
I don't see why I should be saddled with him.
I mean, [inaudible].
No, no, no.
Too fattening for me.
Thank you.
Sending DC Wolcott to keep the natives in line.
You heard?
Yeah, I heard.
The wicked and I don't love each other, but we talk.
Winston.
Reverend Jerome would like to see
the citation before he goes.
Sure.
Hello, Cynthia.
This is an important thing, Winston.
You deserve it.
It's what I call an accolade of great distinction.
Thank you, reverend.
No, man, it's true.
They should give you something for being
the white man's house nigger.
I don't tolerate that kind of talk in my presence, Dennis.
OK, auntie.
I man no come argue.
Dennis, you have a university degree.
Now please, speak English. - OK, auntie.
Winston knows I'm only joking.
Right, brother?
I think I'd better take you home, Mom.
I don't understand you at all.
At all, Winston.
Of course I like Cynthia.
I always have.
Then why don't you do something about it?
It's not as if you weren't in a position to.
Please, Mom.
A man who is moving up in his job needs a woman.
You need to be properly settled, and Cynthia is
a responsible, attractive girl.
And how do you think your father would feel,
you stringing her along?
[doorbell]
Listen, Auntie Edie, I came over to--
After this evening, I didn't expect to see you here.
You hardly come, as it is.
I came here to apologize, auntie.
No occasion for an apology should ever have arisen.
Not for you, Dennis.
Auntie Edie, it was you who taught me never to let
the sun go down on my wrath.
I can't send you away from this house,
anymore than I could Winston.
But I don't understand either of you.
The old man's fancy retirement gift keeps pride of place, eh?
Yep.
Tried to get Mom to lock it up.
Especially around here, you know what I mean?
But she won't hear of it.
You know what she's like.
Yeah, I know.
So that's all there is?
23 years in the JA police?
At least he had 23 years.
See that now.
Never mind that.
WOMAN: Never mind?
Could have been an accident.
Could be.
Never mind.
See you again.
Yeah.
All right, come on, Mom.
Out you get. - God.
Now, mind your legs.
Oh, I hate this car, Lenny.
Yeah.
That could be [inaudible].
- Oh, come on. - All right.
- Bruised. - All right.
Come on.
Bye, Mom.
Bye.
All right, now, this is something for you, Mom.
I want you to-- - No.
I want you to take it.
You deserve it.
Now get home safe, darling.
Thanks very much. Look after yourself.
- All right. - God bless, doll.
Thanks.
Turrah.
And you drive careful.
All the best. WOMAN: Bye.
Bye bye.
[horn]
Mind where you're going, you little hooligan.
- Hve you got a cigarette, eh? - No.
Eh? You got a cigarrette, please?
I said no.
Go on, you've got one in your bag.
You what?
Hey, put your hand in there, eh?
Open up.
You got some money in there, eh? - Stop!
Don't touch it! Stop it!
Leave me alone!
Shut up, will ya?
Get away from me!
Careful, you old bat.
Shut up!
Leave me alone!
Get away from me!
[screaming]
How long we going to wait?
Man soon come.
Hey, I've got my love waiting for me.
You take the [inaudible],, give it to the man, huh?
[inaudible].
Seen?
That was silly.
Very silly.
She wouldn't hand the money over, [inaudible]..
Chisel.
Come on, give it to me.
Tomorrow, we're going to take thousands off Roe
with nothing but brains.
And you use this to take 200 pounds off an old lady?
The woman--
Shut up.
And I work hard for this.
Every operation out there, ready and waiting for the taking.
And no dumb Ras is going to mess everything up.
Understand?
Lose it.
Hold it, now, Mr. Patel.
These men must have been after something.
But they did not.
They called me all sorts of filthy names, and attacked me.
Can I help you?
My name is Wolcott.
I'm reporting to Chief Superintendent Cosgrave.
CS Cosgrave?
That's right.
And what is your business with him?
Yes, well-- through the swing doors.
Left at the end of the corridor.
Last door on the right.
Thank you very much, sargeant.
The trouble with this country is nobody takes--
[singing]
Hey.
What they want you for, man?
Them don't want me for nothing, bro.
- Hey? - Shut it.
Can I help you?
I don't think so.
[singing]
Hello.
Is this Chief Superintendent Cosgrave's office?
That's right.
You must be Wolcott.
That's right.
We've heard a bit about you, Wolcott.
My name's Charlie Bonham, Detective Inspector,
Regional Crime Squad.
I'm attached here, so I expect we'll
be seeing a bit of each other.
Well, uh, nice to meet you, inspector.
All right, constable. In you go.
He's expecting ya.
And if you ever need any help with anything,
don't hesitate, all right? COSGRAVE: Come in.
Detective Constable Wolcott, sir.
Now, I'd right right at the outset
to make absolutely clear to you what
the reasons are for your promotion and transfer.
And at the same time, what they are not.
You have not been brought into the area because you are black.
You are here because you've shown over the years
that you're an excellent police officer.
Of course, any improvement in the community relations
would be welcomed by the police.
But you are here to prevent crime and catch criminals.
That's what I'm being paid for, sir.
Mm.
Right, then.
Now, what about this wound?
Death was caused by a short, sharp, curved weapon,
with a thin, rounded blade.
It punctured the base of the lung, and she had only one.
Contable Tipton?
Icepick.
Skewer, maybe?
Aw, Jesus.
I mean, look at the wound. Look at it.
Wolcott?
Inspector Gilligan--
Yeah.
Gilligan.
Next time, you might think of knocking.
How did you get on with the governor?
I had heard the speech before, sir.
He gives the same blather to everyone.
Even to the new chairwoman.
Oh, Constables Willis and Tipton.
Gentlemen.
Morning.
Here.
Have a look at that.
Now, lads, I want to know all about every chippy
on the estate, and everybody who does any carving.
I want a full check on every ironmonger,
and every do it yourself shop in the whole area.
Well, sweet mother of Jesus, you don't want
me to draw you a picture, huh?
It's a wood carver's chisel, and it's such a fine one that it
couldn't belong to just anyone.
Well, Wolcott?
Anything strike you?
Yes, sir.
Two things.
The Rose woman-- she had a lot of money.
Perhaps too much for an ordinary mugging.
And this kid here with a flash back--
Yeah?
What about it?
Well, witness wasn't very specific.
I mean, picking out one black kid amongst a bunch--
it's not exactly--
Yes, but there can be two bikes
that fit this description.
Oh, bags?
They probably got rid of it by now.
Look, I think you two had better go and have
a chat with some carpenters.
Now!
How did the fire [inaudible] with the flash bike?
How would it be if you sit down
and shut up, and wait for me to give you a few orders, huh?
A few reasonable shots don't make
you a freelance in this shop.
You've got to discover a few things
about how it is around here.
And I think that might take even you an hour or two.
Inspector?
Oh, have a stroll around the building.
Go down and see Paul, the desk sergeant.
He'll lets you know where we keep Chief Inspector
Berry stashed away these days.
He's the community liaison officer.
Yeah, and get a key for that locker over there.
Yes, sir.
Oh, and-- by the way--
you've probably noticed that nobody in this building
wants to know ya. - Yes.
It's breaking my heart.
[arguing]
What's the matter with you, Paul?
Can't you see the condition of this man?
I'm just trying to get some background.
Look at him!
Face like a stepped on [inaudible],,
and the first thing you want to see is his passport?
Yes, I've been brutally attacked in the street.
And when I come to report it, this
is the treatment I receive.
Look, Susan, will you take this man downstairs
and along to the sergeant's room,
and then get a complete statement
from him about the assault?
No wonder all young men think of the police as they do!
Come on, Mr. Patel. This way, please.
Chief Inspector Berry?
My name is Wolcott, sir.
Inspector Gilligan suggested I have a word with you.
Ah, yes. Wolcott.
I've been looking forward to meeting you.
As you can see, I need an ally or two around here.
Well, I'm not a community worker, inspector.
Yes, I'm aware of that, Constable,
but you'll have some idea of what I'm up against.
You don't have any notion, for example,
of the SPG being boy scouts.
Excuse me?
Constable Wolcott?
Hi.
I'm Melinda Marin from the London Line.
I'd like to just ask you a couple questions.
I spoke to you on the telephone, didn't I?
Yeah.
I'll try real hard to not hold that against you.
Could you just answer me--
Well, I don't want to be interviewed now,
or any other time, Miss Marin.
Oh, come on. Come on.
Don't be like that. Please?
If you need any information about me,
you'll have to check through the Scotland Yard press office.
But could--
Excuse me, please.
We have some work to do.
Could you just tell me, how do you
feel about police brutality?
WOLCOTT: Goodbye, Miss Marin.
BERRY: I think your public relations technique leaves
a lot to be desired, Wolcott.
WOLCOTT: Perhaps I can get a [inaudible]..
Hey.
So who's supposed to get all this whiskey, then?
I don't care, Ras.
I've got it now.
So what are we gonna do with that fool in the back?
Errand boy, brother.
This guy, Roe, is going to know I ain't messin'.
Tell Roe that he'd better talk to me now or never.
This is where you get off.
Get me home, brother.
[ringing]
MAN: Hey, [inaudible].
I'm cool.
Roe never moved out of that pool room all day, man.
We have a lot of visitors, but no one concerning us.
I'll stay with him.
Check you later.
All for [inaudible].
Oh, do they?
Well, tell Arthur to come out, and tell
Brian to get that motor ready.
Right-o.
[inaudible].
Arthur.
I never was, uh--
Yeah.
You could have done better.
My crippled Granny could have done better.
Next time you're delivering whiskey for me, Arthur,
you'd better wear your seatbelt if you can't
deal with these bleeding coons.
It's all right, son.
Don't fret this time.
It could happen to a rabbi.
[inaudible] stitch it--
Shut up, and go and help Brian get that motor ready.
And remember-- it ain't just a few cases of scotch you've
got to take care of this time.
Your share of 50,000 will buy you better than two
weeks at Clacton, right?
Right-o.
Right.
Well, go on!
So Melville, how's that machine going?
Flying, man.
Flying.
Stay within me eyes, man.
[music playing]
SINGER: Galaxy.
I'm the ruler of the galaxy.
Galaxy.
I'm the ruler of the galaxy.
Yeah, man!
That boy worries me.
You're worrying [inaudible] has
to go on the bus [inaudible]?
No, man.
I've heard some serious things about what he's doing.
Rubbish, man.
What's he done?
Liberate a bit of Babylon?
I've heard all that shit before.
You think you can steal freedom?
Is somebody's going to give it to him, Dennis?
You know, sometimes I wonder whether you want
to be Malcolm X or [inaudible].
You look after you, brother.
I'll handle the real world.
Right?
No, man!
[shouting]
Hey.
[shouting]
You don't do this on my scratch, man!
We'll check in next week, man.
Hey, super fly.
You what?
When you're finished, I'm closing.
All right.
- Take it easy. - All right.
See ya.
Hey, hurry it up, man.
I'm closing the place in a few minutes.
Where'd you get this stuff, man?
Huh?
This stuff is bd, man!
Uh-huh.
Needle or no needle, heroin kills!
Uh-huh.
Get out of here, man.
I don't want to see you here again!
Winson?
Uh-huh?
Any tea?
No time, Cyn.
Must go.
Gonna be late.
Aw.
Bye, Cynthia.
OK.
Bring the coons out, Nick, and we can do our business.
Talk to the man, Nick.
I didn't hear what you've got to say.
I hear I brought you a very large drink last night, Sambo.
We'll have to talk about it soon.
I didn't think you'd let 'em in your private office, Nick.
Times change.
That's my living now.
Yeah, well, it's, uh-- it's all [inaudible]..
Right.
Premium time, Nick.
You're out, man.
This club is all brethren now.
Nobody needs you anymore.
You must be joking, Sambo.
Nick-- what-- you've been dealing with my family
for, what, 16, 17 years?
Let's stay friends, Nick.
Believe me--
I can't pay twice, Terry.
This is going to be very ugly, Nick.
Very ugly.
Get out of my way.
So you decided to ring yourselves out like this?
All green, huh?
I am posing as an Irish-Nigerian businessman.
Am I all right?
Yeah, you're fine.
Full up.
[announcer speaking]
10 p.
10 p.
10 p.
News
Back to front news.
10 p.
Oh, never mind these idiots.
There's the old man [inaudible] on the right there.
So I'll see you later.
OK.
I want to talk to you today about the problems
of color, all right?
There's been a lot of problems in this area, right?
Blacks and whites, blacks and deckers, yeah?
And I just want to talk to you today
about the problem of race.
Yeah.
[inaudible]
Listen, mate, if I wanted a ventriloquist dummy,
I'd get a member of the cabinet.
All right, do you mind if I talk to these people?
They're watching.
They're laughing at you.
You've seen all the stuff in the papers about race riots,
about blacks and whites.
Why do you think they're there?
Why do you think the Tory press prints all this stuff?
I'll tell you what it is.
The Tories, the government, they're
trying to set the British people against each other.
To split the working class.
How many jobs have been lost in this area?
How many jobs, eh? And are they blacks?
Are they whites? They don't care ow many people--
It's because there's so many black people down there,
mate, taking the white person's jobs.
There ain't jobs around, all right?
Hey.
You sure you've got the right pitch, brother?
I'm pretty sure.
Got a kid with a birthday, huh?
No, but I got a kid with a flash bike.
As flash as [inaudible] teeth.
He lives in the neighborhood, and I, uh, reckon that you
might deal with him sometimes.
A lot of youth around here with flash bikes.
There was only one the other night,
when the lady was killed.
And this bike is a very, very flash.
Wicked, huh?
Some say.
Lot of youth around here with flash bikes.
Down them road, I say.
Football, but that wooden playground.
One of them comes to buy something
from me practically every week.
Name?
I don't remember so--
Michael?
Mervyn?
About 15.
Skinny.
Kind of wild.
How much?
20 p.
Thanks.
Hey.
All right.
I just want to talk to the other people.
The people in this area who listen.
The community.
Look at the state of him.
State subsidized scrounger.
Working class.
Socialist worker.
You don't know what the word work means.
Just--
[shouting]
Why don't you just get out of it, eh?
What makes you hate people so much?
Something wrong with your sex life, is there?
Just cool off, man.
All right.
All right.
What's it got to do with you, monkey man?
You'd better watch yourself.
What you gonna do, monkey man?
Start on me?
[shouting]
Can't fight all the fools in this world, you know?
I'm OK.
Excuse me?
Excuse me, Mr. Wolcott?
Could I have a few words with you, please?
- You don't quit, do you? - Nope.
Never.
See, I happen to think you're a very hot item right now,
and your story is very important to the black community.
Don't you have any sense of responsibility for your people?
I don't want any part of you or your magazine, Miss Marin.
Call me Mel.
Call me Mel, OK?
It's a lot less formal.
What have you got against the London Line?
[inaudible] in the business.
I know.
Sometimes I agree with every word,
and I still don't like it.
Please?
Look, I am a police officer.
You are not a crime reporter.
What do you want with me, huh?
My job in the magazine is race,
inner city, ethnic minorities.
I came from New York, so they think
I know all about that, right?
Well-- look, a piece is going to be done either way.
And you'll make it a lot easier to make
it good if you'll cooperate.
Can't you spare 10 measly minutes
to help out an incredibly talented, and charming,
and witty American journalist?
What is it you want to know, Mel?
Thank you.
OK, Winston-- is it OK if I call you Winson?
OK, Winston, I have all the police PR drool.
You know, that you were born in Jamaica,
and your father was in the Jamaican cops,
and you came to England when you were five years old?
Right?
Oh, and I know a little bit about your mother.
- Oh? - Yeah.
I covered the Northlake Community Hearings and
the Carnival Committee Split.
She's quite a lady.
What do you want to ask me?
Oh, right.
I know how and what.
I need to know why.
Why, for a start, a black, British detective?
Well, British-- first of all, are you British or Jamaican?
British, I suppose.
I don't think about it very much.
Uh-- citizen, though.
Not subject.
Right.
But how do you justify it with the rest
of the black community?
I mean, even with your rocksteady background,
isn't it a bit like being a Jewish SS officer?
I'm so tired of this shit.
I'm sorry?
Look, I don't like people who mess over other people.
Sometimes I catch them.
It's as simple as that.
I mean, because I'm black, that shouldn't
keep me out of my natural line of work, should it?
I know.
But wonder if nobody wants you to do it?
I want to do it.
And I've got some to do right now.
Oh, that's OK.
I'll follow.
Uh-uh.
Go away, girl.
I am working.
Hey, boy.
So am I.
Put your coat up!
That's it!
Come on!
You're supposed to kick the ball in the goal, man.
You don't understand that?
Not bad, man.
Not bad.
But you have to keep practicing.
You'll be good, kid.
Really.
Head players your age are a rare thing.
You live in the estate, son?
Naw.
I live in Buckingham Palace.
I've just come down here for a kick about.
Stick to keeping, Pat.
Opportunity isn't gonna knock for comedians today.
You're the [inaudible], right?
Yeah.
Sure you are.
I'm, uh-- trying to find a kid with a fancy bike.
Black kid.
Very, very fancy, Pat.
Come on!
Hurry up!
That's it.
Black killed called Melville.
He's got a flash bike.
He, uh, lives over the other side of Kingsland.
Banham road, I think.
Anyway, I think he hangs about the wooden playground.
You know where that is?
I do.
Come on!
Thanks.
For what?
I never said a word.
Irie.
- Check you later, brother. - Come on!
Come on, you bloody sods!
Let's see some work out here!
[horn]
[warbling]
[beep]
What's your name, man?
Who wants to know?
That's a very nice machine you got here.
What do you want to put all that junk on it for, hm?
Because I like it that way.
OK.
Well, I'm a policeman.
You understand?
And I have a few questions to ask you,
and it would make things much easier if I knew your name.
All right, man.
My name is Melville. - Mhm?
Melville Groves.
What do you want to know?
All right, Melville.
I'd like to know about a week ago.
Sunday the 16th.
Yeah?
What about it? - Come on.
A woman killed on the estate that night.
Come on.
I don't know nothing about that.
The woman's son said, uh, he saw
you riding around nearby, just before he left her that night.
Now, I'm sure he could identify this bike.
[beeping]
Look, maybe I was.
I don't remember.
Think you might remember better down at the station?
What the hell have you been up to now, boy?
Huh?
And who the hell are these people?
I am a police officer.
I am asking this boy some questions.
Now, who the hell are you?
This little son of a bitch mama is my woman.
And he ain't been home for two days.
And-- look, get out of my way, man.
I know all about you.
You are the black pig, innit?
I don't want no interference.
You are doing dirty work for a white man.
And she's doing your dirty work for you.
And I don't want you interfering with my business, boy.
Easy. Easy.
Easy.
What you doing here?
Cool it.
[inaudible]
Better watch yourself, huh?
You wanna get--
You tell your woman, his mommy, to come down to the station.
Come on, Melville.
Tell me something, now, Melville.
You know Dennis and George, who runs the club
down by the canal bridge?
Yeah.
I know him.
Nice man, innit?
Yeah.
He, uh, grew up in my family, you know?
What do you reckon to do when you leave school, Melville?
You still in school?
Look, I don't know.
What are you, a bleeding careers officer?
The woman's son said he saw you ride
by just before he left her.
He gave a fairly detailed description of the bike.
Though not of you, especially, but he said something like--
one colored kid look just the same as the other.
You know them white people think like that, you know?
Not as good as you, Mr. Policeman.
He, uh-- drove a of bronzy colored car.
A capri.
You remember that?
No.
You must remember Mrs. Rose, though?
She lived on the estate ever since it was built.
I mean, everybody knew her.
Now look, Melville, I don't really believe you're mixed up
in all his business, you know?
But you're around.
Understand?
And-- I believe you knew Mrs. Rose.
Yeah.
I knew her.
And that Sunday?
I want to see that boy.
I have legal access to that boy.
You can't deny me see him.
I'm not leaving this place until I see that boy!
That's fine by me, mate, but I'm not
just having someone walk in off the street,
interfering with police procedure.
All right, all right, all right.
What's the bother?
Gilligan, there's a juvenile called
Melville Groves beind held in this station,
counter to judge's rules.
OK.
I've come here at the request of his parents.
All right. All right.
Sergeant Paul, is Chief Inspector Barry about?
Naw.
He's giving some talk at a teacher's training.
Great.
Well, all right, Mr. St. George.
We'll try and sort something out, huh?
How is that little thieves' kitchen of a club of yours
doing down there?
Just fine.
Since it's about the only place around here where
black kids can talk without being grabbed for
sass by the Gestapo.
I mean, thea special patrol group.
Don't count on it, Marcus Garvey.
Hello, is BC Phil there?
Melville, you were seen passing
within five feet of this woman.
Five minutes later, she was dead.
Listen, boy, you're wasting my time, you know?
All right, then.
I saw her, but I didn't see nothing.
I mean, I saw her, and I went home.
That's all.
You ain't seen nothing, you ain't hear nothing,
you don't know nothing.
Jesus Christ, boy.
You're an infernal liar.
Look, I saw the old woman walk across the estate.
That's all I saw.
Look, man, I don't know who's chis--
stabbed.
I don't know who stabbed the old woman.
Chisel.
You said chisel.
Nothing's been said about a chisel.
Nobody mentioned anything about chisel.
Come on, Melville.
Don't be so soft.
Everyone on the estate knew it was a chisel.
Not good enough.
Come again.
Gilligan wants to see you.
I'm interviewing a witness, contable.
Detective Inspector Gilligan requests your presence,
Detective Constable Wolcott.
Immediately.
Won't be long.
Right, then.
Licorice, all sorts.
How many old ladies do you do up in a week?
A juvenile may not be interrogated
except in the presence of a parent,
a guardian, or a third person--
Of the same sex.
I know the rules, son.
I'm very nice, too, when things work out that way.
Wolcott.
Oh, bravo.
Bravo.
Wicked.
You're not even giving us the breaks we're supposed to have.
Now, don't you get on any high horse with me, Dennis.
Now look, lads-- come on, come on, come on.
You son of a bitch!
What's happened to you?
First of all, you assault his stepfather.
The boy will tell you that I told his stepfather, whoever
the hell he is, to go up there and tell his mother
to get down here right away.
I also radio'd the man on the beat to go
up and tell her the situation.
Yeah, but what about all this assault?
Now, Dennis, you should know that man by now.
- We're not talking-- - That is if you know anything--
Melville!
We're talking about the way you're treating the boy!
I don't know what kind of third degree visions
you've been having, Dennis, but the boy and I started off
by saying what a nice man you were.
- Started off? - That's right.
Since then it has deteriorated--
[shouting]
[shouting]
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