War (2026) s01e02 Episode Script

1
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
ST. JOHN SMALLWOOD: You know
who used to walk in this park at night?
Churchill, during the Blitz.
Took a perambulation.
All round here, all by himself,
as the bombs came raining down.
- MORGAN HENDERSON:
- And you're saying what, that you
Admire that, in some way?
Admire it? No.
And you don't either.
It's suicidal. It just
came to mind, that's all.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I do love it, the way you talk
to me with such disdain.
- (SCOFFS)
- It's so refreshing.
Flora doesn't matter.
Not legally, anyway.
Optically, it's appalling.
A judge would hate it.
You certainly wouldn't
want it made public.
Damage to your reputation
could be considerable.
- (LOW PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- So, if I was your lawyer,
Morgan, you know what
I'd be doing right now?
I'd be meeting you
somewhere discreet,
a park, perhaps,
and double checking.
Asking if there were
any other nasty surprises
coming down the line.
Asking if Flora
was the only one.
Asking whether it was over.
Of course it's over.
Whether you were planning
on seeing her again?
No.
No.
(CHUCKLING) No.
No.
And if that was
the answer I got,
I'd be relieved to hear it.
Important to know the risks.
Whether any other bombs
might drop out of the sky.
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(THEME MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- BELLA CROFT: (MOANING) Fuck.
- (JOHNNY WARREN PANTING)
- (PANTS)
- (PANTS, GRUNTS)
- (CHUCKLES, PANTS)
- (PANTS, KISSES)
("TROUBLE ON DOUBLE TIME"
BY FREE PLAYING) - (PANTING)
- JOHNNY: Get off me.
- BELLA: Just stay.
(GRUNTS) We gotta go.
We gotta go.
BELLA: First day.
- First proper one, yeah.
- What are they called again?
Taylor and Byrne.
- What?
- (CHUCKLES)
Just be yourself.
- You know? That's all it needs.
- Yeah.
Just show them the real you.
Oh. Well, no one needs
to see that.
- Have fun, Johnny.
- I will.
I've been a bad, bad boy ♪
And I know I should be good ♪
A bad boy so long
That it must be in my blood ♪
Oh! Oh, yeah ♪
Oh, oh! ♪
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- Let me tell you this ♪
- (CELL PHONE BUZZES)
I've been feelin' my way ♪
Every chance I get ♪
You know I love every woman ♪
- Every woman you can bet ♪
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
Trouble on double time ♪
- Morning, Antonia.
- ANTONIA: Morning.
- JOHNNY: Hi.
- BOTH: Morning.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Morning.
- JOHNNY: Morning.
Uh, you're just there, Johnny.
Which Which means
you're gonna have to look
- at my ugly mug every day.
- (CHUCKLES)
So, sorry! (CHUCKLES)
I know what you're doing.
"Oh, gosh, Johnny,
you're gonna have
to look at
my ugly mug every day."
And then, he's meant to be like,
"Molly, you don't have
an ugly mug."
But he didn't say
that though, did he?
(WHISPERING) He didn't
have to say that though.
- Sure. Let's go with that.
- (MOLLY GIORDANO CHUCKLES)
(SONG CONCLUDES) ♪
JOY "BUDGIE" BUDGE: Cathcarts
must have seen this photo.
Why would Carla be
meeting you in Paris
without telling Morgan
were it not
for something like this?
So, he's decided
to beat her to it.
SERENA BYRNE:
Oh, come on. Please!
(CHEWS) We're barely
in that photo.
Okay.
So, he could just tell
it was coming.
Most couples, even those
who are at each other's throats,
can sense
what the other one's feeling.
- NICHOLAS TAYLOR: Mm. Agreed.
- Not necessarily.
(KNOCKING ON GLASS DOOR)
- BUDGIE: Oh, loathe him.
- NICHOLAS: We know.
- (CHIP BAG RUSTLING)
- The problem is Carla.
She'll want to know
how far ahead they are.
They're not.
Yeah, but that's what
she'll think.
NICHOLAS: We're actually
in a good position
(SIGHS)
if you think about it.
They've no idea
how much work we've done,
what a good team we have,
and they have no way of knowing.
- (MUNCHES)
- (RIVETING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (MUSIC RISES) ♪
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(DOOR OPENS)
Hmm!
- We'll be here all day.
- I don't think we will.
- (SCOFFS)
- (MUSIC FALLS) ♪
The first stage of
this whole process is mediation.
Three whole days
of pretending to be against
the better instincts of everyone
at this table,
perfectly reasonable
to deal with.
Now, let me be clear,
nobody actually wants mediation.
The last thing any client wants
is for their lawyers
to be reasonable.
But mediation is
a mandatory legal requirement.
So now we enter the fun
and games of, St. John?
Pretending that we want it.
- We don't just want mediation
- We love it.
We come to the table willingly.
Eager to work this out.
We don't have
a problem with Carla.
We never have.
We regret that things
have come to this point,
but it is,
as less educated people say,
what it is,
and now that they have,
- we intend
- Fully intend.
to resolve things
as quickly
- And amicably.
- as humanly possible.
SUZIE LEVITNIK: Yes.
Think of what this is doing
to our friends and family.
Think of our mental health.
- Think of the legal fees.
- BEATRICE UBOSI: Good.
So, while we use mediation
to show our willingness
to cooperate, we really use it
to get a better view
of the other side.
What they know.
What they intend to do next.
SUZIE: And just to be clear,
there is no such thing
as an amicable outcome?
Not at this price point.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
Cathcarts will be sitting
in a war room
just like we are, talking about
how mediation is a three-day,
pain-in-the-arse pantomime
we all have to endure.
What they'll be wondering
is why we were
about to serve them.
- They don't know that.
- But why now?
After ten years of marriage.
What did we know?
Okay, to be clear, they did not
know we were about to serve.
Yeah, but you don't just serve
someone divorce papers
five minutes before
they're about to serve you.
This is Michael's theory.
Well, not at their own premiere.
Not after you've been
married that long.
Too much of a coincidence.
MICHAEL STEFANOU:
Well, that's what I'm thinking.
And you don't just serve
your wife divorce papers
because she's been photographed
with her lawyers. (CHUCKLES)
Yeah, there must
be something else.
SERENA: Okay.
So, let's use mediation
as a fishing trip.
Big smiles, best intentions,
whilst we try and work out
what they know.
- What time's the first session?
- MICHAEL: It's at 2:00.
SERENA: Yeah, but you stay here
with Saeed and Nora, please.
And get
that forensic accountant in.
Let's prove
that Morgan Henderson
is twice the man
that Carla Duval married.
- (RIVETING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (FAINT CHATTER)
- (DOOR OPENS)
- SERENA: Flora Monroe.
That's how they knew.
Forget all this,
"Married couples have
an innate understanding"
bullshit.
What if he's worked out
she was a setup?
Men like Morgan
never think that.
(SCOFFS) Not in the moment.
But when he woke up
and she was gone?
What if Flora goes to Cathcarts?
Or the press?
We need to protect Carla
from all that.
So we have Flora sign an NDA?
Before this whole thing finds
its shoes and socks.
MORGAN: "I want, first,
to thank Carla.
(MUSIC FADES) - That
we've arrived at this point is regrettable,
and not something that either
of us could have envisaged.
But now that we're here,
I'm sure
that we can both work hard
to resolve this promptly
and in good spirits,
and without
"without"
What was the next bit?
You're not allowed
to quote his actual words.
(MORGAN SIGHS)
"And without rancor."
"And without rancor."
Which would not be
in keeping with the
happy years we've enjoyed.
Eh.
MORGAN: "Rancor."
Such a St. John word.
I'm going to change it
to "spite."
Also, he suggested a tie.
(LOW RIVETING MUSIC
PLAYING) - I'm not wearing a tie.
Ah, he says, quote
"Without one,
you'll look like a man
who's been made redundant."
(LAUGHS)
I have been made redundant.
By my wife.
Yeah, that's why
I always carry a spare.
(TENSE
DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
WOMAN: Good morning.
BEATRICE: First session
is just the two of you,
without any kind of comment
about your wealth,
your earnings.
You are nothing
if not accommodating.
Famously.
BEATRICE:
And you give nothing away.
From the looks of things, you're the
first to arrive. So that's an early win.
The mediator's name is Alanda.
- Amanda?
- Alanda. With an I.
Sounds like an airline.
- Maybe don't say that.
- Yeah, he's not gonna say that.
We're on this floor.
Enemy on the third floor.
You and Carla in this room here.
BEATRICE: Good luck.
- (FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
- (MUSIC SOFTENS) ♪
(BIRDS CHIRPING IN DISTANCE)
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
(CLOCK TICKING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(SIGHS)
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
SERENA: So, if you think
about it, it actually puts us
in the stronger position
because
they have no idea
just how ready we are.
Well, that's one way
of spinning it.
Oh, no. The mediator's female.
So, wear a "no-makeup" makeup.
We want the woman,
not the actress.
That's the role.
You okay?
Am I okay?
Well, my husband
just fucked someone
and served me divorce papers
on my own red carpet.
(SIGHS)
I wanna know how the fuck
they got there first.
And how the fuck
you let that happen?
Because you give
this whole speech
about being
the best law firm out there,
but you couldn't see what
was under your fucking noses.
- Carla
- No.
Now I've gotta go out there
and pretend
like everything is fucking fine.
(LOW SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(SIGHS)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
MORGAN: Well, I want,
first, to thank Carla.
That we've arrived
at this point is regrettable,
but I want it on record that,
at least from my side,
there's still
a lot of love here.
Uh, we we've shared so much.
Uh, it's the marriage itself
which
Well, I'm
It seems we've grown apart.
I think that's fair?
Um, which I fear is something
that can befall any couple,
irrespective of wealth.
Thank you, Morgan,
for arriving here today
in this way.
Of course.
CARLA DUVAL: And this
is how I want to do things.
- Me too.
- To be honest,
this is the kind of dialogue
I've been craving. (CHUCKLES)
Me too.
And there are lawyers
involved, of course.
With jobs to do,
let's not be naive.
The main thing
Is to stay civilized.
Civilized. Open.
If we do that, this whole thing
should not take long.
Should not take long at all.
- I agree.
- ALANDA BROWN: Sure.
(INHALES SHARPLY)
It's important,
in this first session,
to understand
what each of you wants
from the settlement.
Your expectations,
broadly speaking.
There is a prenuptial agreement
in place.
Where you both agreed not
to make any financial claims
against the other,
and you both walk away
with what you have already.
- MORGAN: Correct.
- It was made a lifetime ago.
Well, it was (CHUCKLES)
It was ten years ago.
I mean, if that's a lifetime,
then fine, but
This was before
your business, "Zephyr,"
- was established, yes?
- Yes.
Well, not quite. Um
No, it was
already registered then.
I mean, I don't know
the exact dates, but
But it was not
the business it is today.
- Its turnover was
- MORGAN: Oh.
What, you're gonna tell me
what its turnover was?
(CHUCKLING) No.
- But it was tiny.
- (PEN SCRAWLING)
Be honest.
I'm always honest.
You had a dream
of what you wanted to build.
And we went to the cottage,
in Normandy,
and we talked and talked.
Remember?
And you told me how you wanted
to put something good
into the world.
And I realized in that moment
that I wanted to be there
for you.
To be a constant support
for you.
It was beautiful.
- (PEN SCRAWLING)
- (CLEARS THROAT)
See, this is what I mean
by, um, being civilized.
I acknowledge
my earnings have grown.
(LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
ALANDA: Since the prenup?
That's what you're saying?
Yes. I mean (SCOFFS)
We live a completely
different life now.
Don't we?
And I don't want anyone
to think that, um,
I don't see that,
or I'm trying to hide that.
This is me telling you
that I would like
to make this work.
Thank you.
I appreciate
your honesty, Morgan.
While your earnings, Carla,
have dropped slightly?
- Would that be fair?
- Mm-hmm.
Ten years ago,
you were based in Los Angeles,
working on a film called
- Uh, The Rising.
- ALANDA: And
- The Rising II: Up Again.
- (BREATHES DEEPLY)
ALANDA: And then
we have your latest film,
The Milliner. And now,
you're about to do a play.
- You are?
- CARLA: Yes.
I didn't know you did those.
The pay is low but the work,
the character,
that's what drives me.
It's never been about money.
You should come.
I would like that.
- CARLA: Hm.
- ALANDA: You know
there's something I say
to every wealthy couple
who sits on that sofa
and pretends to get along.
Divorce, like marriage,
is all about commitment.
(SOFT PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Secretly, privately,
in your own minds,
and no one else
can do this for you,
especially not those
expensive lawyers upstairs,
you must each pick a number.
An outcome
that works best for you.
Not the best possible outcome.
Not the worst.
The sort of number
that stops just short
of this whole thing
being unbearable.
That is what you need
to commit to.
That is your settle point. Okay?
If you do not have that figure
at the front of your minds,
trust me,
I have this song on repeat,
then this is going to get
mighty fucking painful,
- mighty fucking quickly.
- (MUSIC FADES) ♪
(CLOCK TICKING)
Morgan?
Seems like strong advice.
(MUSIC RESUMES) ♪
Carla, can you commit to that?
I can commit.
For me, that's
never been an issue.
(SIGHS)
She knows, about Flora.
- She fucking knows.
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
I could see it in her eyes.
She was telling me.
- With her eyes?
- Yes, with her eyes.
That was her letting me know.
Morgan,
there's no infidelity clause.
- A judge would hate it.
- He would.
- That's what you said.
- If it goes to court
- Your exact words.
- which it won't.
(SIGHS) So, how does she know?
Is the next question.
If you've got this inside track,
then find out what
she knows about the girl.
(TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC
PLAYING) - (CROW CAWING)
- I'm seeing him tonight.
- Good.
(MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
Tell them what you just told me.
Oh, he said his earnings
had grown.
That we live
a completely different life now
to what we did
at the time of the prenup.
And that he didn't want
anyone thinking
that he couldn't see that.
- That's useful, isn't it?
- Useful? It's huge!
Morgan's admitting
he's worth more now than then.
Meaning, if we go by what
the prenup states then
You can't maintain
your current lifestyle.
MICHAEL: "The life to which
you've become accustomed."
And there's no rowing back
from that either.
It'll all be in the minutes.
So either
he's been badly briefed.
- Unlikely, let's face it
- NORA OKAFOR: Hmm.
as much as we wish
that were the case.
Or it was a slip.
Or maybe he has a heart.
Let's not sink to that.
Nick is right.
It is a huge error on his part
and it is a huge win for us.
Means we can set about unpicking
- that prenup.
- Mm.
That's what we'll use
the second session to do.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Second session
will be a shuttle.
Separate rooms,
we offer, they counter,
we counter, so on.
Now, usually,
it's just for show,
no lawyer wants to resolve
anything in mediation.
They'd rather fight
for something more substantial
- down the line.
- But if he's made a gaffe
We could close this right now.
There's holidays, clothes,
cars, hotels, the house.
- ses.
- Houses.
- MICHAEL: Plural.
- And also Carla's son, Gabriel,
to consider,
from the first marriage.
How old is he now?
LUCY COSTIGAN: Sixteen.
Sixteen. Sixteen's good.
Sixteen means
he's still a child.
And we want it to come across
like he is a very spoilt child.
- (SCOFFS) Shouldn't be hard.
- (SERENA CHUCKLES)
That gives us a plan
and some ballpark figures.
Then we go back tomorrow
and we make him pay.
- Your car's waiting, Carla.
- Great. See you tomorrow.
- SERENA: See you tomorrow.
- NICHOLAS: See you tomorrow.
So, everyone knows exactly
what they're doing now, yes?
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (MUSIC FADES) ♪
Flora's address.
The NDA's inside.
Saeed tracked her down.
- No one else even knows her name.
- Okay.
- CO-WORKER: Night.
- Night.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
- (ELEVATOR DOORS SLIDE SHUT)
- Want me to come?
(SIGHS) It's probably better
if I just go.
- It's better one to one? Yeah.
- Yeah.
Just make sure no one sees you
or, you know, recognizes you.
In Merton?
See, this is what
I was worried about.
Don't be. The sooner we do it,
the sooner it's done,
then it all goes away.
Hmm.
- There's lasagne in the fridge.
- Oh, thank you.
If you could heat some up
for me, that would be great.
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- (ELEVATOR DOORS SLIDE OPEN)
(TENSE DRAMATIC
MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(JOHNNY GROANS)
- (DOOR SLAMS SHUT)
- (SIGHS)
My wife's got her 21-week scan.
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- Congratulations.
Nobody here has anything
to do with the case.
And if they do, they've got
bigger shit to worry about.
So this place is perfect.
Okay, so
We're valuing Morgan's shares
of Zephyr at around 700 million.
Now, they're thinking
his little slip-up in mediation
invalidates the prenup.
- (SIGHS)
- So, they'll want assets,
a retainer.
They want this settled.
Over before it's even started?
(LOW RIVETING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (MUSIC RISES) ♪
- JOHNNY: Who's that?
DAVID SCHILL:
Find out if they know about her.
And if they do,
exactly what they know.
Without them knowing
you're looking. Yes?
And you're hoping
they know nothing.
Nothing is absolutely ideal.
- Right. Flora Monroe.
- Flora Monroe.
Off you go.
- What's this?
- DAVID: It's your money.
- Now fuck off.
- JOHNNY: Yeah. Thank you.
- (DOOR OPENS)
- (HEAVY RAIN POURING)
BEATRICE:
I like a scrap as much as you,
but there is a version of this
where we settle.
Early. Take the hit.
Who are you and what have
you done with Beatrice Ubosi?
We cannot trust our own client.
- In terms of
- Keeping his gob shut.
They'll be looking to prove
a change
in circumstance tomorrow.
That's what we'd do,
in their shoes,
and we'd be confident
of winning, wouldn't we?
- We're not settling.
- Not only has he blurted,
but they were in Paris.
They'll have been planning this.
They know that Flora
is not the problem
right now, but
But if it comes to court,
a judge will hate it, I know.
- I know.
- (SIGHS)
He still cheated, St. John.
(SIGHS)
I'm saying think about it.
- We're the better lawyers.
- They have the better case.
- Goodnight.
- Bonsoir.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
(HEAVY RAIN POURING)
Hi. I was hoping
to speak to Flora.
MELINDA "MUMSY" MONROE:
Yeah, come in.
- Flora!
- (MUSIC FADES) ♪
MUMSY: Flora! Visitor!
(LAUGHTER OVER TV)
Yeah, that conservatory.
That was built by a fella
I met at my line dancing class.
- An actual cowboy builder.
- (SOFT PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(CHUCKLES)
Flora.
Hi, I'm Serena.
I'm here because
we have a friend in common.
Peter?
Peter. Exactly.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (CLICKS TONGUE)
Um, Carla did wanna
be here in person.
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
She kept saying that,
in between telling me
what an amazing actress
she thinks you'll become.
But I'm afraid
I had to insist, Flora,
for everyone's sake
'cause we just
need to get this done.
The worry is,
if what she claims happened
between you
and Morgan really did,
and that becomes
public knowledge,
that could be very damaging.
FLORA MONROE: The worry for who?
Uh, for you.
This is what's known as an NDA.
Non-Disclosure Agreement.
- I know what it stands for.
- Uh good.
Then you'll know
that once it's signed,
it prevents any of this
from going anywhere.
Even online.
It stops me saying anything.
She doesn't trust me
not to say anything as it is?
It's not that. It protects you
from being leant on. Extorted.
I mean, honestly, the things
that go on. (CHUCKLES)
- It was her idea.
- It was a bad idea.
(SIGHS)
She was hurting.
She said he'd done it before
and she was sure
he was doing it again,
but she had no way
of proving it.
Furthermore,
he's an attractive man.
I wouldn't have done it
if I didn't want to.
(LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Don't sign it now.
Read it.
Call me, if you need.
We just wanna make sure
you're protected. Okay?
(DOOR CREAKS, SLAMS SHUT)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (KEYBOARD CLACKING)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER TV)
BELLA: Johnny. You know
Camilla Cameron-Doyle?
- Who?
- She does PR for Simon Standish.
Also who?
The theater producer.
Well, she thinks you're working
with Carla Duval.
And that Carla's getting
a divorce
and that's why
she's still in London.
Doing one of his wanky plays
people only see
so they can say they've seen it.
Is that the theory?
- It's not a no, then?
- JOHNNY: I don't know what you're talking about.
And even if I did,
I probably wouldn't be allowed
to talk about it.
BELLA: God, you'd make
a bad spy!
- (KEYBOARD CLACKING)
- (WATER RUNNING)
BELLA: She looks good. (SIGHS)
I mean, not good good,
but, you know,
good for 49 or whatever she is.
(LOW RIVETING MUSIC
PLAYING) - Forty-four.
BELLA: She's probably
only doing it now
'cause her career's tanking.
- What, the play?
- No, the divorce. (CHUCKLES)
She's meant to be
an ice-bitch anyway.
Can you imagine
being married to that?
(SIGHS)
Oh, come on,
you're no fun anymore.
Oh, I'm being fun tomorrow.
That's what it says in my diary.
(MUSIC RISES) ♪
(TENSE
DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MUSIC FALLS) ♪
ST. JOHN: Did you see her?
- BEATRICE: I did.
- Did you blank her?
- I did.
- Did you let her see you
long enough for her to know
she was being blanked?
- Absolutely.
- It's an art form.
It really is.
WOMAN: Good morning.
(FAINT CHATTER)
No, I'm all right, thanks.
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
BEATRICE: It should be clear
by now that Mr. Henderson
is the one pushing
for a prompt resolution.
(CLOCK TICKING)
I took on board what you said
and thought of a number.
(CUP CLINKING)
Well, I must say,
this represents
a very good start to my morning.
Is there a message you want me
to pass on with this offer?
(SCOFFS, SLURPS)
(RIVETING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
I've not read it myself,
but, at the very least,
it shows willing.
(SIGHS)
(MUSIC TURNS TENSE) ♪
- (FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
- (DOOR OPENS)
(RIVETING MUSIC RESUMES) ♪
ALANDA: They wanted you to know
they are very grateful
for the offer,
but they are choosing not
to share it with their client
- at this stage.
- (MUSIC FADES) ♪
Say that again?
They too wish to get this done.
But what nobody's looking for
here is a false start.
So, it's probably a case
of "once more, with feeling."
- (CLOCK TICKING)
- (CHAIR CREAKS)
We don't have to.
There was the figure
we discussed in the car.
We should insist on a counter.
How do you feel
about that, Morgan?
- (DOOR SHUTS)
- (RIVETING MUSIC RESUMES) ♪
If only because
we can't keep this
from our client any longer,
uh, we should discuss it
as a team.
Okay, they offer a total sum
- of 17 million pounds sterling.
- (SCOFFS) God.
A 50 percent share
of all assets,
excluding the apartment
on the Upper East Side,
and a payment
of 40,000 pounds sterling
each month until Morgan reaches
his intended retirement age.
- Which is?
- NICHOLAS: Sixty.
Six Sixty?
We won't have finished
this meeting
by the time he's 60.
Like I said yesterday,
there's a version of this
- that takes years.
- (SOFT PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
We could do this now.
- Genuinely.
- (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
SERENA: Hmm.
(CLEARS THROAT)
- (SCOFFS)
- (MUSIC RISES) ♪
(RIVETING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- (DOOR OPENS)
- (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
- (INHALES DEEPLY, SCOFFS)
(CLOCK TICKING)
(CHAIR CREAKS)
Hmm.
The counteroffer is 195 million.
(WHISPERING) Fuck off.
Half of all assets,
including the Upper East Side,
with the additional note
that any attempt
to exclude that property
is nonsensical.
She's never been there.
And 50 grand a month
until Morgan reaches
a retirement age
of 75.
Morgan, how confident
are you of making 75?
You asked us before you went up
whether we had
a message for them.
Did they have one for us?
- (LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
- I can't remember it verbatim.
But it begins with "F"
and ends in "You."
(ST. JOHN CHUCKLES)
- (KEYBOARD CLACKING)
- (COMPUTER MOUSE CLICKS)
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
(CELL PHONE BUZZES)
(RINGING STOPS)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Right, we're gonna need
the names of everyone
connected to the case.
Witnesses for us,
them, sources, experts.
Every single name,
all in one place.
(HESITATES) Why are you looking
at me like that?
- What, we can't do that?
- No, we can. I
I just didn't know
we'd been asked.
We don't just do
what we're asked, Saeed.
You know,
we've got minds of our own.
Thank you, Molly.
Yeah, well,
some of us do, anyway.
- Yeah. Filthy minds.
- (CHUCKLES)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- JOHNNY: Hi.
(MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
(CLEARS THROAT)
(KEYBOARD KEY CLACKS)
- (COMPUTER MOUSE CLICKS)
- (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
- CLEO HYLAND: Everything okay?
- (GASPS)
(MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY) ♪
Sorry, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- It's Johnny, yeah?
- JOHNNY: Yeah.
Something you're
looking for, Johnny?
Sorry, yeah. No, I was, um
I still don't know
where to get coffee.
And, you know, without coffee,
I'm just like (GROANS)
- I'm no good to anyone.
- There's no coffee on my desk though, is there?
No. No, there isn't,
but I did see this.
I thought, "There's my answer,"
you know, so
There's shit coffee here.
I'll show you.
JOHNNY: Shit coffee'll do.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(LOW TENSE MUSIC RESUMES) ♪
(MUSIC FADES) - The more I
think about this, the more certain I am
we have to act.
Something we know she'll take.
- (SIGHS)
- Carla?
- Serena.
- Why?
Because you said
your fortunes had changed.
- MORGAN: They have.
- But that's because of Zephyr.
So, it's solely down to you.
Important addendum.
But they know all that.
They know it's my company.
Just like her acting career
is her business.
They? As in
your wife's divorce lawyers?
You'd be amazed
what they don't know
when it doesn't suit them.
The success of your business
is down to the both of you.
Yeah, I don't think that's true.
Well, it doesn't matter
what's true.
You and Carla built it together.
(HESITATES) Will she really try
to say that?
Serena will,
because Serena used
to work for us
and that is what we would say.
Carla was your inspiration,
your muse,
your crutch,
the rock by your side.
Unbelievable.
- (CROW CAWING)
- (SCOFFS)
I don't think
I even wanna continue
You can't divorce
your divorce, Morgan.
That's not happening.
Unless we find a number
that convinces them
to settle today,
Serena will take this long.
Keep pushing the numbers up
as the worth of your business
continues to grow.
SERENA: We settle for 100.
(LOW RIVETING MUSIC
PLAYING) - One hundred million,
half of all assets,
and 50K a month until he's 70.
They'll ask for 100,
if only for the round figure.
But they'll settle,
in the end, for 80.
Depending on how weak
he's being.
- "He"?
- Nicholas.
We offer 100, but we take 75.
Eighty million,
half of all assets, 50K a month
until you're 70.
Fuck you.
(SCOFFS) No, no. Piss off.
No. No, no, no, no, no.
That's utterly bloody insane.
He's coming round. You can tell.
The expletives are diminishing.
At 80, they'll try and noodle,
85 gets it done.
- Yes. I agree.
- Clean.
Oh, you agree, do you?
Well, thank Christ for that.
Just another five million
to get us over the line.
Fifty K a month until he's 70,
but we put a clock on it.
So either they agree
by 5:00 p.m.
or we take this long,
which they know as well
as we do, suits us anyway.
Any objections, raise your hand.
Hmm. There we were thinking
mediation never works.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
I'm saying, if you don't have
an appointment,
there's nothing I can do.
But I can try them again.
Oh, you tell her who it is,
and trust me,
she's gonna wanna see me.
- (TELEPHONE BEEPS)
- Are these free?
What was your name again, sorry?
JOHNNY: I'm just on a mission
to read everything.
Every document related
to the case, its auspices
Of course.
You're playing catch up.
Yeah, exactly.
So if there's anything
you think
I should have eyes on
Um, Serena wasn't expecting
anyone today was she?
CLEO: Why?
'Cause there's a lady
in leopard print
at main reception.
Melinda something.
Monroe.
- No.
- ANTONIA: Didn't think so.
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
I'll go and check it out,
just in case.
Gives me an excuse
to get some coffee.
Some good coffee.
(LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
(PANTS)
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- (MUSIC INTENSIFIES) ♪
BEATRICE:
We're going to offer 85.
Anyone sitting on anything
that might dissuade us
from that, now is your chance.
Morgan?
(SIGHS)
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
(SCANNER BEEPS)
(SHOES SCRAPE, SQUEAK)
Uh, you haven't seen a lady
in leopard print, have you?
Left about 30 seconds ago.
Thank you!
(TRAFFIC RUMBLING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
(TENSE
DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
We're going
to want a clock on this.
They'll be wanting the same
so we might as well go first.
- (CAR HORNS HONKING)
- DRIVER 1: Watch out, mate.
- (TIRES SCREECHING)
- (CAR HORN BLARING)
DRIVER 2:
What the fuck are you doing?
It stands for an hour
and cannot be quoted
in any future negotiation.
(MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
- (JOHNNY PANTS, GRUNTS)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hi. Uh, excuse me?
You one of them?
- The lawyers?
- Yes. Yeah.
You tell her,
Flora's not signing nothing.
Not unless she gets 20 grand.
Twenty grand
or we go to the fucking papers.
(MUSIC RISES) ♪
- (MUSIC FALLS) ♪
- (CELL PHONE BUZZING)
- (CELL PHONE BEEPS)
- Yes?
- (MUSIC RISES, INTENSIFIES) ♪
- Right.
(PANTING)
- Stop!
- (MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY) ♪
DAVID: (PANTING)
Thank you, Alanda. Thank you.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
They're saying they're
very grateful for your efforts,
but today's session
has run its course.
(LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
SERENA: What?
- (SIGHS)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
Fuck!
SERENA: This can't be happening.
They know perfectly well
it suits us,
- not them, to drag this out.
- (MUSIC FADES) ♪
Exactly.
So what the fuck changed? Come.
- (DOOR OPENS)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SIGHS)
- How are we all?
- (MICHAEL GROANS)
You have Carla on her way up.
Send her in or ask her to wait?
- She's not a waiting sort of woman.
- Yeah.
(SOFT PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
DAVID: This is Flora Monroe.
And this
is her mother.
Earlier today, Mumsy here,
her nickname not ours,
turned up at the offices
of Taylor and Byrne
with an ultimatum.
"Flora's not signing nothing.
Not unless
you pay her 20 grand."
- (SIGHS)
- (DOOR OPENS)
You have Morgan waiting.
BEATRICE:
He can keep waiting.
"Not signing nothing,"
as in an NDA.
"Unless she gets 20 grand."
Unless they pay her 20 grand.
Meaning they don't
just know her
- They owe her.
- For her silence?
- Over shagging him.
- Surely.
But we're the ones
who'd want that hushed up,
- not them, unless
- Unless they
ST. JOHN: Yes. Unless they
Who wants to be the one
to say it out loud?
- Unless they set it up in the first place.
- (BEATRICE SIGHS)
- Begins with an "F"
- And ends in "Me."
- (MUSIC FADES) ♪
- (BEATRICE SCOFFS)
This is all from your mole?
This undermines everything.
This shows premeditated,
reputation-damaging,
- underhand dealing.
- No, it's better than that.
It comes with
an in-built logical fallacy,
i.e. if Morgan really
is such an habitual cheat,
- why the need to entrap him?
- Stop.
This is one of those moments
when you think you're up,
but you need to be sure.
We need to ask ourselves,
check ourselves,
what's the danger here?
And come on. Think.
What if
What if they trace it
back to us?
Mumsy speaks to the mole.
Two minutes later,
we change our strategy?
- Isn't that the risk?
- Won't happen.
ST. JOHN: Go on.
They don't know
about the ultimatum.
- The mole hasn't told them yet.
- (LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
He or she has only told us.
So the two things
cannot be connected.
If they want to pay Flora,
- that's even better.
- He's right.
DAVID:
They'll think it suits them
- to give her some hush money.
- ST. JOHN: Brilliant.
DAVID: But it lands them
in even deeper shit.
What began as a honey trap,
now becomes prostitution.
(BREATHES DEEPLY) Delicious.
(MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
JOHNNY: Well, I literally
had seconds with her
before the bus pulled away.
SAEED MASOOD:
And that's what she said?
Right, well,
we can't sit on that.
- We need to go tell them.
- Do you think so? Is
Of course I bloody think so.
We need to go tell them now.
(JOHNNY CLEARS THROAT)
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- (DOOR OPENS)
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
JOHNNY: Well, she kept asking
to see you,
but you weren't here,
and they weren't letting her in,
so I ended up going down there
and, um
Uh, do you want this said
in front of the whole room?
Okay. Let's reduce this, please.
Michael. Nora.
Thank you for today. Um, okay?
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
NICHOLAS:
Thanks, Budgie. Thank you.
Whatever it is, I wanna hear it.
Okay.
If it is what I think it is,
then I think she should.
Yeah.
She said it's 20 grand,
or they go to the papers.
- Who would? Flora would?
- We cannot do that.
- CARLA: That's not Flora.
- We might have to.
I agree. Before she tells, um
- Shit, what are they called again?
- Cathcarts.
- JOHNNY: Yes.
- What if she's already told them?
That's not the impression I got.
This is why
I should've talked to her.
I took it that you asked her
to sign an NDA,
because of something
to do with her daughter.
This Flora, right?
And this is her mum's way
of trying to make
that worth their while.
She sounded determined?
JOHNNY: She sounded on edge.
For someone
from a background like that,
coming into an office like this
and trying
to be taken seriously,
let me tell you,
that's not it's not easy.
So, I calmed her down.
Made sure that
she felt heard and
yeah, I said
I'd do my best, so
You should do it.
- Pay her.
- (LOW TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
If that's what
they wanna turn this into.
(WHISPERING) I don't know.
If you have this connection,
you should be the one
to make it go away.
- Shouldn't he?
- (INHALES DEEPLY)
Johnny, this girl, Flora,
she slept with Morgan.
It was a test,
designed by Carla.
But it was a mistake.
It was a bad idea.
Everyone regrets it.
I think you should go, um,
- draw a line under this.
- Okay.
(HESITATES) Are you sure
you're okay with me taking this?
Well, if it wasn't for you,
we wouldn't even know about it.
Okay.
(LOW RIVETING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
I know I don't need
to say this, but
this stays between us. Yeah?
Of course.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CHILDREN PLAYING IN DISTANCE)
LUCY:
Car arrives in ten minutes.
Session three will be over by
(MUSIC FADES) ♪
Uh, it's the shortest.
Half hour, tops.
Last chance to mediate
before we begin arbitration.
Okay. So the driver will wait,
then take you on to rehearsals.
CARLA: Okay.
SERENA:
What's the play you're doing?
- It's new writing.
- NICHOLAS: Oh.
- Does it have a title?
- LUCY: Not yet.
The director wants
every actor to bring a letter
to rehearsal based
on their lived experiences
and will create a title
from the resulting anagram.
CARLA: Do we want that?
Arbitration?
We will, when Johnny comes good
with the NDA.
And then you will take Morgan
for far more
than the offer
he turned down yesterday.
(SOFT PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
SERENA: Look, mediation
was always a long shot,
but we'll go into arbitration
with the stronger case.
(SIGHS)
Carla?
He slept with Flora
within five minutes
of meeting her.
(CHUCKLES)
(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)
(SIGHS)
- (MUSIC FADES) ♪
- MUMSY: I don't care who she is,
- the fact is, she used her.
- FLORA: Mum.
Just like you're using her now.
And I'm sorry,
but if what happened
benefits all of you lot,
then Flora needs to benefit too.
I knew what I was doing.
- Irrelevant.
- Carla's my friend.
- We did a scene together.
- Also irrelevant.
People like them, Johnny,
they fuck us over.
- I think you're right, Mumsy.
- People like us.
- And you're not having it.
- MUMSY: No, nor is Flora.
- I've not said anything yet.
- Whatever she says.
JOHNNY:
You're right. You're right.
So I went back,
I talked to them,
and I got them to agree.
Flora signs this form,
and you get that money,
the full 20 grand.
Money first, and then she signs.
- JOHNNY: No problem.
- I don't want that money.
- I've told you this before.
- You take that money.
It makes me something I'm not.
I don't think
Morgan Henderson's after
a long-term relationship,
if that makes things any easier.
That doesn't mean
I wanna get paid.
Okay, look. There's a slight
problem here anyway.
- (CHUCKLES) Here we go.
- (RIVETING MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
Taylor and Byrne cannot be seen
to be buying people's silence,
and Flora
doesn't want money at all
- If you think I'm gonna sit here and
- Let him finish, Mum.
So, we do this another way.
Flora signs that form.
- Uh
- Hold on. Hold on.
But not before that same amount
of money finds its way
to you indirectly. Okay?
Via a friend or a relative,
or something else.
Now, look, is there anything
that you can think of
that might represent
that same value?
(WATER DRIPPING GENTLY)
Perfect.
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES) ♪
(MUSIC FALLS) ♪
You okay?
Don't want to run
through it one last time?
I'm an actress. I know my lines.
JOHNNY: Hi, Serena.
I did what you asked me.
Um, Flora took the money
and then signed the NDA,
just like we wanted.
- (SIGHS)
- (SIGHS)
This is only gonna get
more insane and more stressful.
But we can win this.
We can, we can win it our way,
before the baby comes.
- (MUSIC CONTINUES) ♪
- (CAR ENGINE RUMBLING)
(NICHOLAS CLEARS THROAT)
Blanked me again.
My take on that
is that it's you forcing her
- to avert her eyes. (CHUCKLES)
- (CHUCKLES)
(ST. JOHN SCOFFS)
- BEATRICE: You know what you're saying
- MORGAN: Yes.
- and not saying this time?
- MORGAN: Yes.
Sound like you actually mean it,
and get out.
And put on a tie.
So that's where you get it from.
The disdain.
So reassuring. (CHUCKLES)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
This is our third
and final session
in the mediation process.
Unless an outcome
is settled here today,
you will proceed to arbitration.
I want you both to know
that that will take longer
and cost you both
a lot more money.
It will be an emotional drain
on both of you,
not simply financial.
So if there is anything,
anything, that either
of you want to say or offer
at this very late stage,
then now is the time.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING) ♪
You definitely have it?
Because if you don't,
this is suicide.
JOHNNY: Hi, Serena.
I did what you asked me.
Um, Flora took the money
and then signed the NDA,
just like we wanted.
We will win this,
you know. (CHUCKLES)
We will win this,
and they have no idea.
(SIGHS IN CONTENTMENT)
I think we're both
very reasonable people.
I would second that.
And we regret that our marriage
has reached the point
that it has.
But if we can't work this out,
with regret, I suppose what
we're both saying
Is that we, uh,
would like to put this
in the hands of an expert,
so that we can,
so that we can both get
a fair and proper outcome.
You definitely think
that's best?
To go to arbitration?
Morgan?
I do.
ALANDA: And Carla?
I do.
(MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪
("ALWAYS ON MY MIND"
BY PET SHOP BOYS PLAYING) ♪
- (SONG PLAYING OVER TV) ♪
- Maybe I didn't treat you ♪
Quite as good as I should ♪
(MUMSY HUMMING ALONG) ♪
Maybe I didn't love you ♪
Quite as often as I could ♪
Little things
I should have said and done ♪
I never took the time ♪
You were always on my mind ♪
- You were always on my mind ♪
- (SONG RISES) ♪
Maybe I didn't hold you ♪
All those lonely
Lonely times ♪
And I guess I never told you ♪
I'm so happy
That you're mine ♪
If I made you
Feel second best ♪
I'm so sorry I was blind ♪
You were always on my mind ♪
- You were always on my mind ♪
- (SONG CONCLUDES) ♪