Slow Horses (2022) s06e02 Episode Script

1
[CRUNCHING]
[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING]
Delivery.
[RESIDENT] It's a bit of a mess.
No judgment.
You're new.
I don't feel new.
I was at a funeral this morning.
All the doggies in the
Park were there but not you.
Yeah, 'cause I got fired for stealing
that bastard file for your lot.
That's why I was there.
To verify your claim.
That's a lot of dough.
It'll need cleaning.
You know, the Park don't
even know the file's gone.
Just I got caught somewhere
I shouldn't have been.
I hope the big man understands.
Oh, he understands.
I lost my job. That
calls for compensation.
Or else you tell the Park he
commissioned the theft of that file, yeah?
Only, from where he's standing,
that doesn't look like
a compensation claim.
That kind of looks like blackmail.
I just want what's fair.
I guess that's why I'm here.
Oh, is that your boy?
[RESIDENT] Yeah.
Important that a father
takes care of his son.
Fuck.
Yeah, let's see. Fuck.
[CHOKING]
[GRUNTS, GASPING]
[CHOKING]
[GRUNTING, GROANING]
[CHOKING]
- [CHOKING STOPS]
- [GRUNTS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Holy shit.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
["STRANGE GAME" PLAYING]
Surrounded by losers ♪
Misfits and boozers ♪
Hanging by your fingernails ♪
You made one mistake ♪
You got burned at the stake ♪
You're finished, you're foolish ♪
You failed ♪
There's always a hope ♪
On this slippery slope ♪
Somewhere a ghost of a chance ♪
To get back in that game ♪
And burn off your shame ♪
And dance with
the big boys again ♪
[CRACK]
[HEAVY ELECTRONIC MUSIC PLAYING]
Meeting in Lamb's office
now. Shit's going down.
Yeah, no can do.
Bitcoin's about to pop off.
Could be another big
payday for the Crypto-Rod.
Cartwright's dad's back.
[GULPS]
Why are we just sitting
here? We need to
We can trace Harkness's car.
[SIGHS] Well, I can see why Daddy
might be a bit of a
stretch, but Harkness?
- So, is Standish not back yet?
- [JK] No.
Look, I've got the plates. We can
just What are you looking for?
[JACKSON] I'm looking for a cigarette.
May as well get in there
now 'cause fuck knows
who he sent to kill us this time.
Uh, he didn't actually try and
kill anyone today, can I just say.
[GRUNTS] Well, he did bounce
you off his windscreen.
- Yeah.
- And let's face it.
That doesn't necessarily
speak to evil motives.
Yeah, what about the two dead
Horses you had me check on?
What dead Horses?
Struan Loy and Kay White.
They used to work here. Not
that anyone would've noticed.
- They've been killed?
- [JACKSON] Yeah.
What, both of them?
Well, if it had only been one of them,
I would've only said
one name, wouldn't I?
Christ, it's it's like
watching plankton think.
Well, they must be connected, right?
- Th-them and Harkness.
- [RODDY] Yes.
Maybe.
Yeah. Which is why we need
to address the five Fs.
Who the fuck? What the fuck?
Where the fuck? And why the fuck?
- That's four.
- [SIGHS] Fuck off. That's five.
Glad to see you're
still with us, Mr. Bundy,
because I want you and Tiny Dander here
to go and see if you can
find out anything more
about Kay White's
apparently accidental death.
Well, I'm not going
anywhere till we get paid.
[JACKSON SIGHS] Well,
what else you gonna do?
Forage for mice in the basement?
Cartwright, you and the Womble of
Wall Street track Harkness's car.
Thank fuck for that.
Yeah, I want to know where
he's been and where he is now.
And don't do anything
without my explicit orders.
[STUTTERS]
Not everything's about
you and your daddy issues!
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[SIGHS]
Well, go on then. Fuck off.
Fucking hell.
Diana! So glad you could come.
My latest fine dining
find. What do you think?
First-class wine cellar
and popular with the House.
Handy for keeping an eye
on who's plotting with whom.
You've got 15 minutes.
Oh, I do wish you
wouldn't be so peremptory.
I'm sure there's a more convivial
person in there somewhere.
If only she was allowed out.
Fourteen minutes.
You know, this reminds me
of one of those drama games
where one gets dealt a
playing card and has to act out
- whatever status it confers.
- [SIGHS]
Queening it about even if in reality
one has no power or leverage whatsoever.
Peter, you seem to be
under the impression
- that you have the upper hand.
- [CHUCKLES]
Do I really need to remind
you how this started?
Quite right.
We each have a gun to the other's head.
[INHALES SHARPLY] But
the thing is, Diana,
I'm an already-disgraced former minister
with virtually no
reputation left to lose.
You're the unblemished head
of the security services.
My gun really is much bigger.
[SLURPS, CHEWS]
I suppose it's too much to ask
what you used the money for?
Oh, don't be silly.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
Damien!
What a delightful
surprise. Please, join us.
You remember Diana?
Of course. Madam First
Desk. It's an honor.
Damien's the owner of Britain's
newest well, newish news channel.
Is he?
Strong, accessible, opinion-led content.
Very slightly right-leaning.
You must've come across it.
Well, who hasn't?
It's doing awfully well.
And Damien's a huge fan
of yours, Diana. Huge.
Mmm. I was wondering, in fact
I don't do media.
Did I mention? He's also the chap
who gave me the money I gave you.
I'm just a patriot happy to
invest in the nation's security.
And with an enormous platform
to discuss that investment
should he so choose.
Peter.
One television interview.
That's all I'm asking.
Hmm.
- [RIVER SIGHS]
- Your dad picked up a rental car.
[RIVER] Where is he now?
- That is the six-million-dollar question.
- [TYPING]
I missed a call, uh, yesterday
and I can guarantee it
was him. Can you trace it?
Well, you can't trace a missed
call. You need to answer it.
Yeah, that's what That's
what I'm saying. I missed it.
That's why it's called a missed call.
Yeah, but if you answer it,
I can trace the connection.
Yes, but I missed it.
That's the fucking point.
Listen, River, I know you're
going through a lot right now.
- I do. I get it.
- Don't
I've been there before.
You Been-Been where?
Loss. Grief.
Tara.
Roddy, she was a Libyan honey trap.
Yeah, jury's still out on that.
Harkness's car is parked at
Tower Hamlets. Feldon Road.
Have
Have you Why did you not
just tell me that straightaway?
Thought you needed a
distraction. You know?
'Cause your grandpops is dead.
Oh, my fucking God. I I actually
- I am gonna just kill you now.
- Whoa. Whoa!
[JACKSON] A bit of fucking urgency
wouldn't go amiss here, Cartwright!
[HEADPHONES CLATTER]
[WHISPERS] Namaste.
[SIGHS]
Is he in there?
Nah.
Yep. Very funny.
Lamb.
[LOCK RATTLES, CLICKS]
- [BARKS]
- Fuck off.
- [SNIFFS]
- Fuck.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[DOOR CREAKS]
[SIGHS]
You don't see that every day.
[EXHALES DEEPLY] Go on. Check upstairs.
[GRUNTS]
Yeah.
No, nothing.
Who was he then?
[GROANS] Andrew Nesmith.
[SNIFFS] A Dog.
- A Dog?
- Yeah.
Yeah, it looks like your father was, uh,
trying to make it look like suicide.
Or another sex game gone wrong.
How could he be connected
to my dad? To To Harkness?
[JACKSON] Yeah. Or my
joes, for that matter.
[EXHALES SHARPLY] Well, shall I,
um Shall I call the body in then?
Unless you want to use this as a chance
to tell me about life and death again.
[BURPS, GROANS] There's
something wrong here.
- You think?
- Yeah. There's no cash,
no credit card, no phone, no laptop.
No nothing.
Yeah, well, robbery isn't
really Harkness's style.
Huh. Yeah, it's not, is it?
[JACKSON MUNCHING, GRUNTS]
[PACKET CRINKLES]
Where did you get those?
On there. [SNIFFS]
There's a CCTV camera
on the building opposite.
It might've picked something up.
Good.
[CRUNCHING]
Well, go on.
Go see what's on there!
Yes, yes, yes. I'm gonna. Jesus.
[SHIRLEY] Didn't even get chance
to dry my jacket. Fucking drenched.
However crap things are, there's
always room for them to get worse.
Job was shit enough when we were
actually getting paid for it.
You got much savings?
[JK] I'm loaded.
Investment banker. Ten
years. Got a cool car too.
- [SHIRLEY] Right.
- You?
Nah. Paycheck to paycheck kind of girl.
Do you want some money?
No, I'm all right, thanks.
All right. Friends or family?
Colleagues.
We cherished her.
Hi, um, I was wondering
if you could help us.
We're looking for
someone's boat. Kay White's.
We used to work with her.
Uh, yeah. It's just that one there.
Cool.
[LOCK RATTLING]
[SHIRLEY] Fucking hell.
Why does everyone live
in better places than me?
Jesus Chri
How the fuck do you do that?
Well, it's not like she
needs it anymore, is it?
[GUARD] Hey.
You ain't supposed to be here.
Um, uh, yeah. Can I
speak to who's in charge?
I'm head of security.
Well, I'm from the security
services, and I, uh
I need to look at the footage
from your camera out there.
ID?
[CLEARS THROAT]
Can't see it.
What exactly are we looking for?
It's just Oh, there.
Stop Stop that.
[BUTTON CLICKS]
- Right. Can you, like, play it forward?
- Yes.
Great.
What What is that?
Is there another angle?
[GUARD] Hold on.
[TYPING]
I can get closer.
There's a camera in the alley.
It's not ours, but
Yep, that's a child.
- [CHUCKLES]
- Right.
Shit.
Um, okay.
I'm gonna need to send this to someone.
- Oh, can you
- Yep. Hang on.
It's not very clear.
- [TYPING]
- [RIVER] Oh, great.
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS]
Thanks for that.
I'll, um, see myself out.
Actually, just a thought
If you, uh If you get a minute
[PEN SCRATCHING]
you should call that number
and tell the woman that answers
that you want to join
something called the Dogs.
I know. It's, uh, where I used to work.
And, um Well, I think they
could probably use someone like you.
If that's
Oh, and, uh, tell her that
River Cartwright sent you.
[CHUCKLING] "Tell her that
River Cartwright sent you."
Oh, she'll be having
doors slammed in her face
from now until judgment day.
Don't make that face.
You're a face.
[PHONE BUZZES]
- [BUTTON CLICKS]
- 'Sup.
Roddy, I've just sent you something.
Um, can you check if
there's a minor registered
- at flat four, Hardwick Hou
- [PHONE RINGS]
- Hello?
- [DISTORTED]
Hello?
- [LINE DROPS]
- Fuck.
- [POLICE SIREN WAILING]
- [CHILDREN CLAMORING]
Ghost call?
No, no. It's just, um, someone
trying to sell me something.
Do you want to know your tell?
I don't I-I don't have a tell.
What is it?
You're a shit liar.
It's him. Harkness.
He's fucking with me.
Well, if he calls again, let me know.
'Cause fucking with you is my job.
[FLYTE] Excuse me, ma'am.
Yes?
Um, there's an interview.
Just gone in the public diary.
Yes, it's a media commitment.
Right. But we don't do
media. [CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
We do what I say we do.
Yes. Of course. Um, but I had no
idea about this until ten minutes ago.
And I have to pre-check all
your public-event security.
It's my job.
- [ELEVATOR DOOR CHIMES]
- Yes, I know what your job is.
[ELEVATOR BUTTON CLICKS]
[SERVER] Okay, we have
pulled pork, appleslaw,
mac and cheese and onion
rings on the side. Twice.
So is that cash or card?
Cash.
Yeah, that's not enough.
Sorry about your friend.
Yeah, thanks. He's He's
taking it really badly.
You know, I did see
something. The night she died.
Yeah, two people coming from
her boat. A man and a woman.
Have you told the police?
No. My visa's expired.
Aren't you her friends? You tell them.
What'd they look like?
[TROLLEY RATTLING]
Oh, yeah.
How much?
They have a problem with inflation.
No, we don't We
don't need a nail gun.
[CHUCKLING] Yeah.
Have you ever used one?
Jesus, this
What?
I don't like being
told how to do my job.
Do you?
It doesn't matter what we like.
Ah, costumes.
[RODDY] The kid in the
CCTV is Reece Nesmith.
What, so he's the son
of the dead Dog then?
Yeah. But he didn't live with his dad.
And also, he gets moved around
different children's homes.
Hmm. Well, I need to know
which one he's in now.
Yeah? I want an address.
[TYPING]
Right, he called again,
but I didn't miss this one.
So, can you trace it?
Did he leave a message?
No, no message. It was, like,
three seconds of white noise.
Is that enough?
[SCOFFS] If you're
Hobi-Wan fucking Kenobi.
The Force is strong with this one.
Fucking hate Star Trek.
It's Star Wars.
- I'll get to it.
- [PHONE SLAMS]
[TYPING]
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[SHOP ASSISTANT] Hello, madam.
Can I offer any assistance?
No, I'm just browsing.
Sure. Yeah. Feel free.
Or perhaps I could offer some
pointers? You thinking white or red?
Red. I'd be thinking red.
Red. Okay.
Well, how about something
classic and French?
Perhaps a Bordeaux or a Burgundy.
Or dare we venture as far as the Rhone.
I would want something
I could really sink into.
A Bordeaux. Okay.
Uh [CLEARS THROAT] yeah, okay.
So, both are classics,
but very different terroir.
The Margaux has hints
of spice, tobacco, plum.
It's polished. Balanced.
The Saint-Émilion,
well, that's more merlot,
so think wild hedgerow
berries, oak, leather.
It's pungent, but with real depth.
[CATHERINE] Hmm.
Hmm.
I used to drink Margaux with
an old boss of mine once.
It was a while ago now.
S-So, the Margaux?
- Why not? Yes. Let's go with that.
- Okay, great.
- Oh, I'm going to need a corkscrew.
- Certainly.
[FOOTSTEPS ECHOING]
Good evening, ma'am. How are you?
I trust you had a good journey.
Damien is so excited
you've agreed to do this.
Such a "coop" for the channel.
[DAMIEN] Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.
I am so fucking starstruck here. Diana.
Is "Diana" okay? Or
should it be "First Desk"?
Yes, Diana's fine.
- Our security in these hands. Literally.
- [STAFF MEMBER] Wow.
[CHEERS]
Diana, I'd like you to meet the team.
Hello, team.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
And we'd love to, uh, talk you through
how we imagine the interview unfolding.
Well, obviously, no operational details
and no questions about my personal life.
Other than that
Uh, well, we've actually prepared a list
of possible avenues of discussion.
Maybe we could, uh
Oh, I'm sure you know your business.
I don't need to read that,
but I do need a cup of coffee.
Black.
Lara, black coffee for
Miss Taverner. Thank you.
Moving away from
geopolitics for a moment,
let's talk about your
career in the Service.
Because there are some people
who think that you
should've got the top job
- a long time ago.
- [SCOFFS, INHALES DEEPLY]
Are you one of them?
I have learnt an enormous amount
from watching my predecessors,
and I am very grateful
for that opportunity.
[HOST] So you learned
from their mistakes?
No. I learned from their
leadership, from their courage.
[HOST] Did that help when it
came to formulating your response
to the recent nerve agent
attacks on British soil?
We've seen more than one
attack in recent years,
using a toxin with a
well-known provenance.
What I would like to know is how
the security services responded.
Serena, I think it's obvious why
I-I-I can't answer that question,
- but I will say that
- Is it that you can't or that you won't?
It's called the Secret
Service. [CHUCKLES]
Yes, and here you are
on national television.
Well, I'm a public servant. [CHUCKLES]
[SERENA] Don't you think
the public that you serve
has a right to know how and
if they're being protected?
- The sec
- If it's a matter of a few diplomats being expelled,
or if there's been a more
muscular, retributive response?
As I was saying,
- the security of the British people
- It's just a yes or no.
is our top priority, and if
there has been retaliation
Hold on, hold on, hold on. I said
"response." You said "retaliation."
A r-response.
If there was a
[STAMMERS] response
If there has been Excuse me.
If there has been a response,
then it will have been made
with the British public safety in mind.
There have been whispers
that one of your predecessors,
a First Desk like yourself,
was found to be in the pay
- of a foreign power.
- [CHUCKLES]
Is that a rumor you've ever heard?
[CHUCKLING] No.
[SERENA] Never?
Oh, come on. In spy novels
perhaps, but honestly [CHUCKLES]
- [CHUCKLES]
- Thank you.
Absolute nonsense.
[STAFF MEMBER, MUFFLED] Can I just say
it's been such an incredible honor
to have you on the show.
We really do hope you'll
consider returning.
Um, now, I've organized for your car
to be downstairs, so just let me know.
[NORMALLY] Diana, we are not worthy.
Oh, I thought you looked fantastic.
Or do you think maybe we
should've shot you behind a screen?
- I can arrange something similar for you
- [CHUCKLES]
or you can give me your sources.
Ah, journalistic privilege.
I couldn't possibly divulge.
[BREATHING DEEPLY]
[SIGHS]
[PHONE CHIMING RAPIDLY]
- [SIGHS]
- [PHONE CHIMES]
- [SIGHING]
- [CHIMING CONTINUES]
God.
Thank you.
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
- Yes?
- Hello, um [CLEARS THROAT]
Sorry to disturb. We've had a
report of a possible gas leak.
I haven't smelled anything.
Um
Oh. We still need to check the input.
Do you know where the meter is?
Yes, of course.
Follow me.
[ASSASSIN 2] Lovely place.
[MOIRA] It's, uh, just down here.
Do watch your heads.
Is this going to take long?
It's just that I'm in the middle
of something rather important.
- [ASSASSIN 1] Only be a second.
- It's at the back.
Oh, I keep meaning to have a
clearout, but you know how it is.
Just shove everything aside.
Actually, would you
mind if I left you to it?
[WHEEZES, COUGHING]
[COUGHING]
[THUDS]
[GAS HISSING]
[SIGHS DEEPLY]
Ladies, if you're looking at
the screen, I hope you can see
[HOST] And there's some money to be
made if you play your cards right.
It's a full house for this
sale of thousands of lots
with many bargains to
be had. And it stands
Take care of yourself now.
[CHUCKLES] Yeah. Thanks
again for your time.
It still seems too easy. Are
you sure we have the right list?
[GRUNTING, PANTING]
[DAMIEN PANTING] Take a minute.
[CHUCKLES]
Do I know you? [SNIFFS]
No, we haven't met.
But you recently contracted
me to do a job for you.
There is a reason we haven't met.
The job's done.
[DAMIEN PANTS, SNIFFS]
[FRANK] But there was,
um a complication.
A third party.
[DAMIEN] Third party
- [FRANK] Mmm.
- You mean a witness?
Yeah, I'm dealing with it.
Does this witness know
about the stolen file?
I don't know.
Makes no difference to the next
step. I don't leave loose ends.
You should be aware, however,
that the person in question
is a minor, as in a juvenile.
So do I still have your
authority to proceed?
Well, you are the expert so
[CLICKS TONGUE]
I'll be guided by you.
[TOILET FLUSHES]
[JACKSON] I love the outfit.
What time you going on stage?
I'm going out.
What do you want?
Five minutes of your time.
Struan Loy. Kay White.
They're on my deceased list.
Yeah, and I'm wondering
how they got there.
You ever come across a
Dog called Andy Nesmith?
[CHUCKLING] Oh, yes.
He was on my floor last
week when I got to work.
I thought you had a
strictly no Dogs policy?
I do. I told him to leave.
He got very aggressive.
[CHUCKLES] Big mistake.
HR were not amused.
[PANEL BEEPS]
He was fired.
Well, he was murdered today.
Do you know who did it?
Yeah, I'm more hung up on why.
What do you want me to look up?
Well [CHUCKLES]
Lady Di has had us deleted
from the Park's database.
She says it's a glitch but, uh,
she doesn't do glitches, does she?
- Interesting.
- Yeah.
So I was hoping to look at the
paper files for Struan and Kay.
[CLICKS TONGUE, INHALES] Okay.
That's my night fucked.
- [TECHNO MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKERS]
- [PHONE BUZZING]
Go for Ho.
[JACKSON] You find
the address of the kid?
Yeah, it's Brighter Start
Children's Home in Ealing.
Oh, and Coe and Dander called.
Two people were seen leaving Kay
White's boat on the night she died.
So, maybe not so accidental after all.
Wow. Keep this up, and I'll
have to get you a gerbil
to replace that fake girlfriend you had.
[BREATHES DEEPLY] What?
- The files are gone.
- What?
- Both of them?
- All of them. You're all gone.
Slough House is completely missing.
Has, uh, Standish shown yet?
No. No sign.
Blake's grave. Now, send out the order.
And make sure they all
understand to go fucking dark.
[MUSIC ENDS]
- Blake's grave. Let's go.
- No, no, no, You don't.
I've been sat here for fucking
ages. Just finish tracing the call.
Take your hand off me.
Blake's grave. We can't stay here.
I'll finish it in the car.
[HORN HONKS]
Your phone's off.
I know. Have you come
all this way to apologize?
[JACKSON] I've called Blake's grave.
Any more information or is that
also on a need-to-know basis?
[SIGHS] Look, there's
people trying to kill us.
Get in the fucking car, will you?
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
You planning a big night, are you?
I haven't drunk.
Yeah, I know.
What, you think I wouldn't
be able to hide it?
[JACKSON] Well, for the
first half hour, maybe.
But second bottle in, you'll be
under a trucker. We both know that.
Look, drink or don't drink.
Kill yourself, or don't.
It's your decision.
But just make your mind up
in the fucking car, will ya?
[SIGHS, GROANS]
Holy shit.
What?
[RODDY] You are not
going to believe this.
What? What am I not gonna believe?
- [RODDY] Nah, that's mad though.
- Roddy, fucking hell.
Guess where the call's coming from.
I'm not Roddy, I'm
not fucking guessing.
Just tell me where it's coming from.
Harkness is calling you
[WHISPERS] from inside the house.
What?
Your grandfather's house.
He's calling you from inside
your grandfather's house.
Where are the others?
[SHIRLEY] Fuck knows.
[JACKSON] Where's Ho?
[JK] Don't know.
[JACKSON SIGHS DEEPLY]
Jesus. Here, take that.
Why are we here?
Someone nicked a file with
our names on it from the Park,
and now they're trying to kill
everyone connected to Slough House.
So Frank Harkness.
Well, if it is, he's not alone.
He's got a new team working with him.
Why would someone steal a
file with our names in it?
Maybe because the
digital files got wiped.
So the paper files are the
only way to get to our names.
- [RODDY] Yeah?
- I knew you'd pick up!
What don't you understand
about going dark?
[RODDY] Why aren't you dark?
No, no, no, 'cause
I'm your fucking boss.
- Where are you?
- I'm on foot.
River kicked me out. I'm
in front of St. Paul's.
[JACKSON] And where's Cartwright?
He's going to his grandfather's
house to look for Harkness.
Oh, for fuck's sake!
[SIGHS] Yeah, stay
put. I'll pick you up.
[SIGHS] Fucking idiots.
Do you know where the
old bastard's house is?
- Yep.
- Yeah. You go after Cartwright.
Dander, Standish, you go pick up Louisa.
- She's moved
- I know where she lives.
I know where she works.
Why does he get to go by himself?
Because nobody likes him.
I like him.
Hey, hey, hey, hey! Hey. Maps.
Pick up the others.
Head to the safe house.
And who wants to be key monitor? Huh?
Yeah, I thought you would.
Right. Everyone accounted for?
Only, you're not very memorable people.
Oh. [GRUNTS]
And I cannot emphasize this enough.
Stay fucking dark, yeah? No phones!
Frank!
Come on, Frank! Come on!
Hello, River.
["STRANGE GAME" PLAYING]