Underbelly s03e09 Episode Script

Dog Eat Dog

GERRY: We have listening devices, we have telephone intercepts, we have state-of-the-art tracking devices.
We are part of the best-equipped investigation team ever established in this country.
But none of these shiny toys is gonna get us past square one unless we know where to put them.
There are 14,000 serving officers in the NSW force, not all of them are corrupt, but there are plenty of shitheads who are.
And they're clever, sneaky shitheads who will close ranks at the first whiff of a leak and will never cheerfully come to us just to fess up.
The only way to do our job, expose corruption, is get someone on the inside.
Sniff around, find people cop or crim that we can put between a rock and a hard place and get them to point our bells and whistles at the corrupt officers.
Mr Agius? Might I add do it legally.
SONG: # It's a jungle out there # It's a jungle out there # It's a jungle out there.
# JACQUl: Winter, 1994, but in Kings Cross, the temperature was rising.
Every cop and every crim knew the guy next to him could be wearing a wire.
Paranoia ruled.
(INDISTINCT YELLING) (SCREAMS) (THUD) (SIREN WAILS) Victim's a Marty Ludlow.
You know him? Yeah, low-level Kings Cross dirtbag.
A bloody lucky dirtbag.
She says he tripped.
But judging by the distance from the balcony to where he hit, Forensics reckon he was thrown.
JIM: And do you know if he's got any enemies? Hey, Trevor.
Good to see you, matey.
You too.
Shit, eh? Mmm.
Ouch.
Hi, Eddie.
Hey, um, that's from Benny Kassab.
So, they're chucking blokes off balconies now.
Yeah.
Well, things are getting a bit tense up here in the Cross, Trev.
You're out of touch.
You know, I reckon with the royal commission, all the, er, monkeys are getting a bit restless.
Yeah.
But why Marty Ludlow? A bigger nobody you could not hope to find.
Well, maybe it's not about Ludlow.
Maybe someone's sending out a message.
You're early, my friend.
Lucky I already do my counting.
Did you hear about Marty Ludlow? Shocking.
Poor bastard.
I send him flowers.
Look, if someone's trying to put a scare into me, Bill, I want you to tell him he can go fuck himself.
What scare? You know Ludlow used to be my fizz.
And if you know, your brother knows.
Trevor, I think maybe you're getting a little bit paranoia.
Look, the first rule I made down here was no bodies.
Now, you tell Louis I will enforce that rule whether I'm in the Cross or not.
You be careful.
My brother don't do nothing to Marty Ludlow.
Just tell Louis what I said, OK? Benny Kassab do business with all the boys in the Cross now.
Now, they try set me up, my brother and me, they set me up.
They'll try to lock me up with bullshit charges.
Benny Kassab is now king of the Cross now.
So, how's our informant? (GRUNTS) My old sergeant used to beat blokes with a phone book to make them talk.
This fella, you'd have to whack him with the A-K to shut him up.
(LAUGHS) Yeah.
He does have a tendency to bang on, doesn't he? Yeah.
It's just ranting.
He's inconsistent and manifestly unreliable.
We could put a wire on him but what's the bloody point? No-one in their right mind would talk to him.
Are you getting anything useful? Oh, there is one name that keeps popping up.
(MOBILE PHONE RINGS) Yeah.
It's Kermit.
Ah, g'day, boss.
What's up? Things are getting a bit warm.
We might need to take our next meeting out of the Cross.
Yeah.
Tell me.
The TAB, Birkenhead Point, you know it? Yeah, sure.
But, look, there's a lot of rumours going around, you know.
You know, there's gonna be more raids, more arrests.
Pressure.
Usual time, TAB, Birkenhead Point.
Yeah, but I need to Prick! Smart planning.
Where's Norm? Didn't show.
I need another phone.
Your new number.
Thanks.
Hey, I need more of these.
And this, this goes out to you, Norm, Monica and Trevor.
No-one else.
What's up, bro? What? You've got coke on your face.
People think you're my partner, it's a bad look.
I am your fucking partner.
You're not working till you sort yourself out.
You think you're my boss? I made you, dickhead.
(GROANS) Listen to me.
Listen! I know you're coked, I know it.
But if you don't back up right now Fuck you.
if you EVER talk to me like that again, I'm gonna have to drop you, mate.
Fuck you.
FUCK you.
Get out of my face, man! Go home! JIM: Louis Bayeh's running around bragging how he's talking to the commission.
If they're following Louis's lead, we're as safe as bloody houses.
I guarantee it, he'll be naming us.
That business, chucking Ludlow off the balcony, I should have stomped on Louis the next day.
Yeah, well, actually, listen, about that, mate.
You had the jewellery brief, right, the one that got knocked over about a month ago? Yeah, the pair of dumb shitheads may as well have left their calling card.
Well, it seems that Ludlow was fencing the proceeds from that job and the word is is he dogged 'em.
No-one dogged 'em.
We had the rego of the getaway car, for Christ's sake.
Yeah, still, Trev, Ludlow was your fizz, right? And then you pinch the correct shitheads within 48 hours of the job.
Now, if I'm imagining things, that's like What are you saying? Ludlow's broken back is my fault? No, mate.
Trev, all I'm saying is that Louis Bayeh has nothing to do with it, OK? It's just a pure coincidence.
Hey, Trev.
Trev.
Hey! Look, chucking in the booze is all well and good, but you have got to find another way to let off steam, mate.
(LAUGHS) Otherwise this job will kill you.
(BOTH LAUGH) Come on.
Yeah.
Come on! Another water, thanks! (LAUGHS) If you can't apprehend your suspect, then all the good police work in the world amounts to nothing.
The days of the overweight, slovenly police officer are gone.
We need officers who are up to the demanding, physical task of catching and restraining a resisting suspect.
Who's going to be the culprit? Yep.
Right.
And our apprehending police officer? I'll do it, sir.
I'm not a 'sir', I'm a sergeant.
(LAUGHTER) This is your starting position.
And our police officer, here.
And begin! Stop! Police! The idea of this exercise is to catch your man, Hollingsworth! (YELLS) (GRUNTS) (BOTH GRUNT) You're cuffed, you're caught.
Clever! Used his own weight against him.
Quick work with the handcuffs too.
I've had a lot of practice.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Smart girl passing on the stroganoff.
Looks like yesterday's roast covered in yesterday's soup.
(LAUGHS) Constable Dooley, how are you doing? Hey, it's Joe.
Actually, I'm doing the detective's course, so if you insist on formality, it's Detective Sergeant.
That's fantastic.
Thanks.
G'day, Hooley Dooley.
Seems we have a mutual friend.
Do you know each other, do you? I don't think we do.
Well, Kim, this is Detective Sergeant Eddie Gould.
He's one of our guest instructors.
Hi.
I saw you at a party I went to once.
I don't seem to remember.
Oh, you wouldn't.
It was a long time ago.
(MEN CHEER) But I remember you.
Hey, Kim.
That party I saw you at, you probably remember which one it was, huh? Ah, it might have been one of my shows.
Dobroyd Point.
You and two of your friends.
Pretty hard to forget that one.
Yeah, I'm not doing anything like that anymore.
Look, I'm not gonna give you a hard time about it.
In fact, I wanna make you a proposition.
Right.
See, I met a couple of blokes out here, detectives, and we're thinking of going into business for ourselves.
Your old business.
Yeah, like I said, sir, I'm not doing anything like that anymore.
Look, I'm not asking you to hook, yeah? We're planning on remaining silent partners.
We just need someone to look after the joint, do the books, manage the girls.
Just have a think about it, alright? You're starting out on a new career here now and it's important to make friends, otherwise you might just take off on the wrong foot.
You wouldn't want that.
No.
Trevor? What on earth are you doing? Have you had a locksmith in today? Sorry? You know, did you lock yourself out of the house or something? What are you on about? Nothing.
Forget about it.
Well, then, why are you doing that? I said forget about it.
So you still reckon I just need to let off some steam? So, the barrels on your locks were loose, mate.
It's called wear and tear, Trev.
Chook, I could see the scratches on them.
I'm telling you, someone's been in my house.
Your phone will be off, then.
Not just my phone! This means the commission's on to me! Yeah, alright, mate.
Calm down, eh? We're all a bit hot right now.
No point Yeah, but who's got the most to lose, eh? I've been at the sharp end of this thing for two years.
No! We are in this together.
If we just keep our mouths shut and keep our heads down, then there's no way any of us are gonna go down.
Alright? Now, look, we'll just keep this between us, yeah? There's no point making the other boys nervous.
OK? Kath.
Another one, please, love.
Yeah, Benny, you can't trust no-one.
He's a good boy, like my brother, but I don't know.
Too much cocaine fucked his head up.
This coming from Mr Clean, huh? There's no drugs in me, Benny.
Ah.
It's me.
I go crazy.
But, brother, the steroids.
You gotta relax, mate.
Listen to me, Benny, my mind is clear, clear like a bell.
(BELL RINGS) (PHONE RINGS) Yo.
Yeah, it's Kermit here.
How are we looking, Kermit? Your next payment's due.
No, no, no.
No, wait a second! I already told you there's been talks of raids, Trevor.
Trevor? Who the fuck's Trevor? OK.
Kermit.
Trust me, if there are raids, you'll know about them.
Get your wallet out.
I'll call you when we're good.
Bloody Haken, he tells me it's all good but I don't even think that prick even knows, mate.
Why you even pay this idiot? It's like I got all these leeches, brother.
Leech? Burn him with a cigarette.
(LAUGHS) Burn that bitch.
(LAUGHS) JIM: This is a turnout.
It's one of the few places left you can be sure no-one's listening.
Apart from the obvious.
(LAUGHS) Tell me, Jimbo, you had any dodgy phone chats with your mate Benny Kassab lately? How lately? Just answer the fucking question.
No.
Not for a while.
Trev's been handling all that.
Alright, word is the royal commission has a tape of a senior detective talking to Benny Kassab.
Apparently it's red-hot and they're about to move on it.
You told Trev about it? No.
And you be careful before you go near him.
They're gonna be all over the poor bugger.
Well, how do I fix it? No fixing this one.
Time for some damage control, yeah? OK.
Oi! What's in your belt? What? I have reason to believe that you have a concealed weapon.
Up against the wall, legs apart.
Hey! Get him back, keep him back.
Are you pulling my dick now or what? I'm not pulling your fucking dick, OK? Someone close to you is dogging, Benny.
What? I said a little birdie says that your phone's off and the Commissioner is about to move on you.
Hey, you're sure? Sure? The bloke I got this from does not fuck around, OK? Now, if you're smart, you won't either.
Yeah, I got it.
Piss off.
Got it? Yeah.
Alright, nothing to see.
Move on, move back.
On your way, mate.
NARRATOR: Benny promised himself he'd find the traitor in his team before it was too late, and he suspected everyone.
Paranoia can be like a contagious disease.
(GRUNTS) Fuck! You and Monica, you in it together? Hey? What, you two selling me for money? Or you just wanna get rid of me so you can keep screwing her, Donny?! Oh, no, Benny, I'm not Yeah, don't shit me, Don! Huh? She's been calling you, mate.
I looked at the times always when I'm working late.
She just wants to know what time you're coming home.
Bullshit! I swear, mate.
She doesn't wanna be nagging you so she rings me, I swear, Benny.
OK.
OK.
Fuck! Everything cool down here? Yeah, fine, mate.
(PANTS) Fine.
I got all the stuff from last night sorted.
Did the books, paid the boys.
Here's your cut.
Working hard, mate? No coke in two days, man.
Hey, that's good, man.
No, that's good.
Benny.
About last week, man, I'm sorry.
You're my best mate, man.
It's cool, man.
(VOICE ECHOES) You're the only one I got down here, man.
Come here.
(VOICE ECHOES) Sorry.
Listen, if I had to leave now, like, go away overseas for a very long time, would you come with me? Do you want me to come with you? Yeah, I do.
More than anything.
OK.
NARRATOR: Convinced his best mate, Norm, had dogged him, Benny decided to get out while the going was good.
He figured the US was as good a place as any to lie low.
Who are you talking to? Nobody.
(SIGHS) (TYRES SCREECH) (POLICE YELL) Benny? It was you, you bitch! No! Get out! Get on the ground! Get on the ground now! Get on the ground! Stay down! Where is she (KNOCK AT DOOR) Detective Sergeant Trevor Haken? We're from the royal commission.
I'd like you to come with us and answer some questions, please.
GERRY: Detective Sergeant Haken, do you know a Benjamin Kassab? Shit, I've already answered questions about this.
That was police Internal Affairs.
As you know, we're not with the NSW Police.
Yes, I know him.
GERRY: What is the nature of your relationship with Mr Kassab? He's my fizz, a registered informant.
Conveniently registered on 15 August, 1993 a day after you became aware of the Internal Affairs investigation.
I don't recall the exact date, but if you say so.
Have you ever accepted money from Mr Kassab? Never.
No gifts or payments of any kind, on behalf of yourself or any other person? Never.
Detective Sergeant Haken, I put it to you that your relationship with Mr Kassab is corrupt.
And that money has changed hands No.
and that money has changed hands regularly for the past six to eight months.
And I'm denying it.
Now, the reason why I was at home, off work, is that I have a blinding migraine.
So unless you've got something new to add to this, I'd like to go home and rest.
TREVOR ON TAPE: Start with forgetting our meeting.
The next instalment, we'll hold it for a week.
BENNY ON TAPE: No, no, no.
Wait a second! I already told you there's talks of raids, Trevor.
Trevor, who the fuck's Trevor? OK.
Kermit.
Trust me, if there are raids, you'll know about 'em.
(TURNS OFF TAPE) GERRY: There's more! If you'd like to hear it.
Detective Sergeant Haken, in light of that recording, do you wish to alter your previous statements in any way? So what do you say? (SIGHS HEAVILY) (BREATHES HEAVILY) (PANTS) Norman Korbage.
You're under arrest for trafficking in narcotics.
NARRATOR: But Norm was released from custody a bare seven hours later and allowed to leave though a discreet rear entrance, which confirmed to Benny's mates, 'Bad Don' Denucci and Danny 'DK' Karam, that Norm was the dog all along.
(ROSALINE YUEN SINGS) # I don't know why-ee-ay-ee-ay # I don't go out to see you # And in the world of Kings Cross # It's not my fault # there's only one way to treat a dog.
# But I'm out of excuses # (NORM WHIMPERS) # When you play # I sing my songs # (WHIMPERS) # Don't go away # Don't go away too long.
# Why did you come here? What, you think I wanna see you? Norman he's dead.
What did you just say to me? You He was dead last night with an overdose.
I think it was better if I come here and tell you myself.
What, he was out already? He got out straightaway, as soon as you were arrested.
They tell me I'm getting seven years minimum.
(SCOFFS) But he waltzes out straight on bail.
I'm sorry.
You know, I can't believe I fucked this up so bad.
I'm sorry.
I gotta go, I Don.
I hear your boss going away for a while, huh? Yeah, he could be.
Yeah, I pray for him.
If it come bad, maybe I take the lease for the Budget myself.
I'm thinking you come work for me.
Sorry, mate, I can't can't do it.
Hey, don't be hasty.
Guy's offering you a job, maybe you should think about it.
No, I can't do it because I already got the lease for the Budget myself.
You? Well, me and DK.
It was his idea.
Seemed like the smart move.
But, you know, if I'd have known you was interested, I wouldn't have I wouldn't have done it, Bill.
It's just you know I thought it was a good opportunity.
Forget it.
Forget it, then.
Good luck to you, mate.
Good luck to you.
OK.
Well, um, I guess I'll see you then, eh? Hey, boss, here's your coffee.
Stick your coffee up your arse! Hey, boys, it's here.
Our fearless leader's own TV show.
To my colleagues in the police, I'm taking this opportunity to convey to you the vital importance of assisting the royal commission to the fullest of our ability.
Bugger me, is that who I think it is? SCULLY: I gotta admit, he's got a bit of a screen presence.
as proud of our achievements as we are confident Hey, Parrot.
I, er, hear that you've got a few new irons in the fire.
Hey? Earners.
Why? You want in? Are we talking about Billy Bayeh? Amongst others.
Mate, you wanna be real careful.
That lot there he's top of the list.
Mate, I'm not planning on doing anything for Bayeh.
The stupid bastard's palming money at me hand over fist.
All I'm doing is counting it.
Smart move, Eddie, real smart move.
Thanks, Jimbo.
What's up? Mr Bayeh wants to talk to you urgent.
I'm on duty.
(PAPER CRINKLES) (WHISPERS) Urgent.
Oh, shit! Detective.
Did I run over your foot? No, I'm fine.
How you doing, Marty? Well, I piss in a bag, shit in a bag, can't get hard, or if I do, I don't know about it.
(SCREAMS) You know Big Tommy, used to be Tommy Gould? Detective Gould's brother? Yeah.
Well, I was sort of dropping in on his missus for a bit, but I guess he kind of took it bad.
Good to see you, matey.
You too.
Shit, eh? Mmm.
Ouch.
Hey, I learnt my lesson.
Just too late.
EDDIE ON PHONE: So will you be there? Um, it's not that I I don't wanna do it, it's just that I'm really busy here with my classes and everything All I'm asking you to do is to come and have a look at the premises that we've picked.
It's just an empty bloody building.
Yeah, I know.
It's just that I'm not involved in that world anymore.
Look, I'm a detective sergeant, some of my partners are even higher up, so, why don't you just let us worry about the wrongs and rights of this, eh? They've served me.
S.
7 ordered to testify at the commission.
The boys find out about this, they're gonna be shitting themselves.
Oh, mate, if they can't trust you Oh, mate, it's not about whether they can trust me.
I mean, the first bloke up's in a bit of a bloody spot, isn't he? We'll all be up there eventually.
Yeah.
But the first bloke, say, he says it's all bullshit, right? "There's no corruption down here, Your Honour.
" If even one of the pricks that comes after him cracks and spills his guts, they'll lock the first bloke up on perjury, even if they can't prove he ever took a cent.
We've been through a lot of shit together, you and me, Trevor.
You know my wife my kids.
What are you getting at, Chook? I want you to look me in the eye and swear that when you get on that stand, you will not make me a liar.
I wouldn't do that.
We're mates.
Good.
Now, let's go and knock some heads together.
Thanks, Kath.
I mean, you know how many bloody investigations I've seen down here? SCULLY: A lot.
A fucking lot.
And the only reason anyone ever goes down, is because some bloody idiot opens his mouth.
It's true.
We keep our mouths shut, yeah, we'll all be fine, eh? There's a rumour going around someone's dogged us already.
Louis Bayeh.
One of our own.
I find out one of us has dogged, and they'll end up with a bullet in their fucking head.
You hear that expression "he protests too much"? What the hell's that supposed to mean? I reckon even you can figure that one out, Parrot.
Hey! Oi! Oi! Settle down! Settle it down! Parrot! Eddie, sit down! I'm alright.
But you've had some sort of problem with me ever since I became sergeant.
Shut up.
Now you have a problem because you're on notice.
Sit down.
Shut up, the pair of ya! Now, where did you hear this rumour? Captain Jack.
(JIM LAUGHS) Captain bloody Jack? (LAUGHS) I rest my case.
(LAUGHS) Captain bloody (LAUGHS) Listen up, gentlemen we are the thin line that protects pricks like Justice Wood, and keeps him safe and sound in his North Shore mansion at night.
We have done nothing wrong, so we have nothing to fear.
OK? Alright.
Now, bloody well drink up.
Cheers.
Hey, Jim.
Mate, there's something I wanna discuss with ya.
I've got three grand in my glove box I'm looking to split with someone.
Oh, yeah? I assume there's a catch.
Yeah, Billy Bayeh's looking for a raid on the Budget.
Look, Trev, I've got a fucking lot on my plate right now, mate.
Yeah, but you blokes need some wins.
This would be an easy one.
You don't have to go near Bayeh, I'll handle that side.
Trev mate, no offence, but I'm not touching it.
OK? It's just circumstances, that's all.
Yeah, fair enough.
Hey, um, do you need a lift home? Mate, I am stone cold sober.
You might as well get some joy out of it.
I'll be right, mate.
I'll grab a cab.
Having given our cooperation, we will emerge from this process a better organisation, as proud of our achievements as we are confident of our future.
(BLOWS RASPBERRY) Well, I don't know about you, but I'm bursting with pride and confidence now.
NARRATOR: The Commissioner's words inspired at least one member of the NSW Police to obey her conscience.
(KNOCK AT DOOR) Probationary Constable Hollingsworth.
It's cadet, sir.
I'm with the royal commission.
(EXHALES) This is where we're doing it? Better get used to it.
You'll be seeing a lot more of these kind of places from now on.
(SIGHS) So, why would Detective Sergeant Gould approach you in particular with this suggestion? Because he saw me in some strip shows.
But the proposition was that you help run a brothel.
I also worked as a prostitute.
And he knew that? A lot of police used to come into the brothel where I worked.
I guess it was pretty well-known.
Right now, Kim, we only have your word against his.
In order to prove your allegations, we would need to gather some evidence.
We also need to find out the names of Gould's partners in this enterprise.
(SIGHS) I understand that.
And the only effective way for us to do that is for you to pretend to cooperate with him, wearing a wire, a recording device.
Is that something you're prepared to do? I've got a lot of classes at the academy right now, so Obviously, you'll have to maintain your cover, so that's something we can all work around.
Kim, we can't force you to do this.
This kind of surveillance work can be dangerous.
I'll do it.
Good girl.
I'd also like to follow up on what you told us about police using brothels.
Do you think you could write us a list of senior officers you know have been involved? I'll try.
Might need a bigger notepad.
(BREATHES DEEPLY) (DOOR BANGS) Alright, I can hear them coming now.
Walk.
So, you got your raid.
(SIGHS) The Budget's fucked! All the doors been knocked in.
'Bad Don's got chicken wire to keep the winos out.
I'm glad you're happy.
Yeah.
You know, I'm not as happy as you think.
In the Cross everyone's getting edgy.
It's no good.
Soon there's gonna be a big bang-bang.
All those young boys, they're getting greedy.
Yeah, all they want big drink now.
They have to learn the rules first, huh, just like we did.
You remember the rules, Detective? You trying to say something, Bill? Just say it.
That's for you.
I keep my promise.
You know, I got money.
I can cause plenty trouble.
Plenty.
If someone dogs me, I get them.
Their wife, their kids.
I don't care what I have to do.
Early again.
It's a nice new habit.
Listen, Maria, there's, um there's something that What is it? (SIGHS) Look, you need to come with me.
There's some people you need to talk to.
GERRY: So, you see, you husband's cooperation with the commission could make all the difference, help us clean up a profoundly corrupt system.
I still don't understand.
I mean, why does it have to be Trevor? Why not some undercover police officer who's trained for this sort of thing? Trevor? I've been part of it, Maria, I've been in the thick of it, me and most of my mates.
GERRY: Trevor's trusted by our targets in a way that no-one else could be.
Because he's one of them? Wait so so, what you were saying, the guys, Chook and Jim, they're gonna go to prison? AGIUS: Well, if we're successful, that's highly likely.
But you're not? We can't make any promises, but if your husband continues to cooperate, it's probable that he will avoid prosecution.
GERRY: However, the work he's doing is dangerous.
In fact, just today we had a threat against your family which we regard as credible.
A threat? My children?! What are you gonna do about that? AGIUS: Mrs Haken, you may have to consider relocating.
Relocating? Where? (TREVOR SIGHS) You gonna say something? I thought you might start.
I'm I'm sorry.
There's no way I can say sorry enough for all this.
Maybe there's an upside to it.
We could start again.
New place, new life.
I have friends, I have a mother Do we just do we just take them with us? The kids? They've got school, they've got lives, you've just thrown it away.
Everything I did all all that money I made I just wanted to make you proud of me.
We'll relocate, yeah.
You're right.
But it's gonna be without you, Trevor.
(DOOR SLAMS) (TENSE MUSIC PLAYS) SONG: # It's a jungle out there # It's a jungle out there # It's a jungle out there.
#
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