( New Version)The Sandbaggers s03e01 -All In A Good Cause
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Edward Tyler, Intelligence director pops his head into Burnside's office.
Ty " spare thirty seconds Neil"
B " for the intelligence director a whole minute "
Ty " the intelligence director is on the horns of a somewhat unusual dilemma. You're still friends with Geoff Ross?"
B " yes , as a matter of fact we're having lunch together "
Ty " his wife is currently the subject of an MI5 investigation"
B " what?!"
Ty " according to my contact it's an official investigation, I can't get at the reason "
B " if the CIA find out the wife of their station chief ..."
Ty " I know but 5 wouldn't move against her without some good reason "
B " what the hell is she supposed to have done? Borrowed a copy of Karl Marx from the library"
Ty " I share your reservations about 5 and your respect for the CIA, but Neil you mustn't alert Ross, our loyalty must be to the British firm "
B " okay thanks Edward "
Ty " what she like, Jenny Ross?"
B " perfectly normal as for as I know "
Ty " then 5 must know something you don't "
Sandbaggers Willie Caine and Mike Wallace enter, Burnside brings them up to speed on revelations just given.
B " quite rightly D Int has asked us not to move against 5 in favour of the CIA"
Willie " except the CIA is much more valuable to us than 5"
Mike " the special relationship "
B " exactly, so we need to know what's happening before we decide which way to jump. Willie pick her up, follow her"
W " okay I don't think she'll recognize me"
B " remember 5 are sitting in on this"
W " yes, I better not be seen in more than one location "
B " if she moves, radio in and Mike can take over "
Willie leaves, Mike Wallace Sandbagger no.2 stays behind,
M " sir I have a friend in MI5"
B " oh?"
M " we meet occasionally, for a drink and exchange gossip, I could arrange to meet him for a drink see what I can find out"
B " okay Mike, but be careful "
Willie trails Jenny Ross to a park where she meets a tall man, thirties, moustache, suave and smart suited. They walk hand in hand and end up in a restaurant for lunch.
After lunch they go separate ways, Willie follows the man , but loses him as the guy unexpectedly runs across road dodging traffic and jumps on a bus.
Ty " spare thirty seconds Neil"
B " for the intelligence director a whole minute "
Ty " the intelligence director is on the horns of a somewhat unusual dilemma. You're still friends with Geoff Ross?"
B " yes , as a matter of fact we're having lunch together "
Ty " his wife is currently the subject of an MI5 investigation"
B " what?!"
Ty " according to my contact it's an official investigation, I can't get at the reason "
B " if the CIA find out the wife of their station chief ..."
Ty " I know but 5 wouldn't move against her without some good reason "
B " what the hell is she supposed to have done? Borrowed a copy of Karl Marx from the library"
Ty " I share your reservations about 5 and your respect for the CIA, but Neil you mustn't alert Ross, our loyalty must be to the British firm "
B " okay thanks Edward "
Ty " what she like, Jenny Ross?"
B " perfectly normal as for as I know "
Ty " then 5 must know something you don't "
Sandbaggers Willie Caine and Mike Wallace enter, Burnside brings them up to speed on revelations just given.
B " quite rightly D Int has asked us not to move against 5 in favour of the CIA"
Willie " except the CIA is much more valuable to us than 5"
Mike " the special relationship "
B " exactly, so we need to know what's happening before we decide which way to jump. Willie pick her up, follow her"
W " okay I don't think she'll recognize me"
B " remember 5 are sitting in on this"
W " yes, I better not be seen in more than one location "
B " if she moves, radio in and Mike can take over "
Willie leaves, Mike Wallace Sandbagger no.2 stays behind,
M " sir I have a friend in MI5"
B " oh?"
M " we meet occasionally, for a drink and exchange gossip, I could arrange to meet him for a drink see what I can find out"
B " okay Mike, but be careful "
Willie trails Jenny Ross to a park where she meets a tall man, thirties, moustache, suave and smart suited. They walk hand in hand and end up in a restaurant for lunch.
After lunch they go separate ways, Willie follows the man , but loses him as the guy unexpectedly runs across road dodging traffic and jumps on a bus.
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Burnside goes to the Foreign Office to speak to Sir Geoffrey Wellingham, Permanent Under Secretary and his ex father in law. Recently proposals have been put forward to close the Caribbean station of SIS to reduce costs. Neil of course isn't happy.
W " how you getting on with the Caribbean problem?"
B " I'm not, but this cost cutting is a trend we must reverse "
W " difficult, there's no money in the kitty, the government are committed to reducing public spending"
B " if we keep cutting back we'll lose standing in the intelligence community and have nothing to trade with the Americans "
W " now , I have a problem, a little less well defined but interesting nevertheless "
B " go on"
W" last night at dinner my opposite number in the Home Office was trying to pump me without making it obvious and failed dismally "
B " what did he want to know? "
W " all about but the special relationship with the CIA. Question is for whom was he doing the pumping? "
B " MI5, something's going on. 5 are taking an unusual amount of interest in the CIA"
W " to what end"
B " as of yet I don't know"
W " Home Office shouldn't have anything to do with the CIA, they meddle at the first opportunity, I want it stopped Neil, I won't have the Home Office empire building at our expense"
W " how you getting on with the Caribbean problem?"
B " I'm not, but this cost cutting is a trend we must reverse "
W " difficult, there's no money in the kitty, the government are committed to reducing public spending"
B " if we keep cutting back we'll lose standing in the intelligence community and have nothing to trade with the Americans "
W " now , I have a problem, a little less well defined but interesting nevertheless "
B " go on"
W" last night at dinner my opposite number in the Home Office was trying to pump me without making it obvious and failed dismally "
B " what did he want to know? "
W " all about but the special relationship with the CIA. Question is for whom was he doing the pumping? "
B " MI5, something's going on. 5 are taking an unusual amount of interest in the CIA"
W " to what end"
B " as of yet I don't know"
W " Home Office shouldn't have anything to do with the CIA, they meddle at the first opportunity, I want it stopped Neil, I won't have the Home Office empire building at our expense"
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Willie reports back to Burnside .
Willie " Jenny Ross has a feller, booked at the restaurant as Trevor D'Arcy, rich good looking, sickening. I tried to follow him but he shook me, deliberately or not I don't know. But if he's trained,
B " D'Arcy may be working for the KGB, gets Jenny into bed, a camera carrying comrade behind the curtains, and Geoff gets to buy the negatives"
W " if he refuses the photos get published Geoff has to resign. Classic KGB they can't lose, at best they get choice CIA material at worst disrupt CIA London get a good man moved"
B " assuming D'Arcy's KGB"
W " what else could he be?"
B " innocent playboy who has pulled a married woman who just happens to be CIA officer's wife"
W " then why are 5 involved "
B "mmm, that's a point, presumably 5 will let D'Arcy get Jenny into bed, then rescue her"
W "put the CIA in 5's debt, makes sense. If 5 are keeping tabs on Jenny or D'Arcy they're good, I couldn't spot them"
B " that doesn't mean anything, they could be using lots of men, working shifts, could take them days "
W " that's the expensive way, meaning D'Arcy is a big fish"
B " it doesn't look good does it "
Willie " Jenny Ross has a feller, booked at the restaurant as Trevor D'Arcy, rich good looking, sickening. I tried to follow him but he shook me, deliberately or not I don't know. But if he's trained,
B " D'Arcy may be working for the KGB, gets Jenny into bed, a camera carrying comrade behind the curtains, and Geoff gets to buy the negatives"
W " if he refuses the photos get published Geoff has to resign. Classic KGB they can't lose, at best they get choice CIA material at worst disrupt CIA London get a good man moved"
B " assuming D'Arcy's KGB"
W " what else could he be?"
B " innocent playboy who has pulled a married woman who just happens to be CIA officer's wife"
W " then why are 5 involved "
B "mmm, that's a point, presumably 5 will let D'Arcy get Jenny into bed, then rescue her"
W "put the CIA in 5's debt, makes sense. If 5 are keeping tabs on Jenny or D'Arcy they're good, I couldn't spot them"
B " that doesn't mean anything, they could be using lots of men, working shifts, could take them days "
W " that's the expensive way, meaning D'Arcy is a big fish"
B " it doesn't look good does it "
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In C' s office: C is the chief of SIS, and not a fan of Burnside, he has recently taken over the role, and is clearly not going to be as accommodating as the previous incumbent. C , John Tower Gibbs and Neil have history. (see s02e06 in Sandbaggers section)
C "how long does it take you to reply to a letter from the foreign office?"
B " the Caribbean station?"
C " I expect a reply from you within 24 hours "
B " I can give you a holding reply, but the truth is the proposal should have been resisted "
C " it was, by the deputy chief, but he was sent to the Foreign Office meeting badly briefed by his directors "
B " he was briefed not to accept an operational penalty "
C " because your directorate is sacrosanct?"
B " it should be"
C " I'll give you another 24 hours to reply with your constructive ideas for savings, but not a second more. I refuse to look incompetent because of your indecision "
B "it's time you forgot about Bonn sir, it was a disagreement between a Sandbagger and a station chief with no relevance now"
C " you think I bare a grudge?"
B " I know you do"
C " and that's the only reason your work can be criticised ?"
B " I'm not saying that, but if we don't get on the service will suffer"
C "or I could get rid of you"
B " that's the easy way out sir"
C " I agree, so let me put the record straight, your conduct in Bonn could have caused a diplomatic incident and cost me my job as Station chief "
B." But it didn't and I won"
C " that time yes, but next time you put the service at stake we may not be as fortunate. So I intend to keep a close eye on you Burnside until you prove that you've earned my trust or I've exploded the myth and laid you bare for the cowboy I believe you are."
B " may I ask a question sir?"
C " go on"
B " why do you appear to have a preoccupation with safety, it must be very uncomfortable for you in a business like ours "
C " it's never occurred to you that those that play safe live to fight another day?"
B " or seldom get to the battle"
C " that encapsulates the difference in our philosophies "
B " I believe it does sir"
C " unfortunately for you I'm the general here, and this particular army marches to my tune. You have now less than 24 hours to decide on your tactics for the Caribbean campaign "
B " sir"
Tyler and Neil in Neil's office,
T " how you doing with the Caribbean problem. You're not going to propose cuts in my directorate I hope"
B ( laughs) " no of course not, I was thinking of closing the Abidjan station "
T " Abidjan?"
B " Ivory Coast "
T " yeah, but we don't have a station in Abidjan "
B " you and I know that but does the Foreign Secretary or the new C"
T " you'll never get away with it!"
B " I don't know, we stall them for a week or two, activate a station in Abidjan then agree to shut it"
T " won't work, Foreign Office approval needed to activate a station."
B " we'll omit them from the application letter"
T " there's an ambassador there, as soon as our lot moved in he'll be firing off signals wanting to know what the hell was going on "
B " well, let's set up independently of the embassy "
T " they'll still find out, when the closure proposals came through they'll want his views, you know how painfully polite the Foreign Office is "
B " there must be somewhere there isn't an ambassador "
T " even if there is, there's no savings in closing a mythical station "
B " I'm not interested in their savings, they'll only spend it on dole money for layabouts "
T " you'd make Atilla the Hun look like a socialist "
B " well does this country want an intelligence service or not"
T " good question, but the answer isn't to close a non existent station, we'll be bowled out and on the dole queue ourselves "
Tyler leaves Mike comes back,
B " how was your drink with your friend "
M " I may be paranoid but I got the distinct impression I was being fed information "
B " go on"
M " I was just about to steer the conversation when he volunteered, quote, into a very interesting surveillance job can't tell you what it is , end quote. And when I joked he was probably targeting us he said, no but you're not that far off"
B " is he normally so forthcoming"
M " no he's not"
B " okay thanks Mike"
C "how long does it take you to reply to a letter from the foreign office?"
B " the Caribbean station?"
C " I expect a reply from you within 24 hours "
B " I can give you a holding reply, but the truth is the proposal should have been resisted "
C " it was, by the deputy chief, but he was sent to the Foreign Office meeting badly briefed by his directors "
B " he was briefed not to accept an operational penalty "
C " because your directorate is sacrosanct?"
B " it should be"
C " I'll give you another 24 hours to reply with your constructive ideas for savings, but not a second more. I refuse to look incompetent because of your indecision "
B "it's time you forgot about Bonn sir, it was a disagreement between a Sandbagger and a station chief with no relevance now"
C " you think I bare a grudge?"
B " I know you do"
C " and that's the only reason your work can be criticised ?"
B " I'm not saying that, but if we don't get on the service will suffer"
C "or I could get rid of you"
B " that's the easy way out sir"
C " I agree, so let me put the record straight, your conduct in Bonn could have caused a diplomatic incident and cost me my job as Station chief "
B." But it didn't and I won"
C " that time yes, but next time you put the service at stake we may not be as fortunate. So I intend to keep a close eye on you Burnside until you prove that you've earned my trust or I've exploded the myth and laid you bare for the cowboy I believe you are."
B " may I ask a question sir?"
C " go on"
B " why do you appear to have a preoccupation with safety, it must be very uncomfortable for you in a business like ours "
C " it's never occurred to you that those that play safe live to fight another day?"
B " or seldom get to the battle"
C " that encapsulates the difference in our philosophies "
B " I believe it does sir"
C " unfortunately for you I'm the general here, and this particular army marches to my tune. You have now less than 24 hours to decide on your tactics for the Caribbean campaign "
B " sir"
Tyler and Neil in Neil's office,
T " how you doing with the Caribbean problem. You're not going to propose cuts in my directorate I hope"
B ( laughs) " no of course not, I was thinking of closing the Abidjan station "
T " Abidjan?"
B " Ivory Coast "
T " yeah, but we don't have a station in Abidjan "
B " you and I know that but does the Foreign Secretary or the new C"
T " you'll never get away with it!"
B " I don't know, we stall them for a week or two, activate a station in Abidjan then agree to shut it"
T " won't work, Foreign Office approval needed to activate a station."
B " we'll omit them from the application letter"
T " there's an ambassador there, as soon as our lot moved in he'll be firing off signals wanting to know what the hell was going on "
B " well, let's set up independently of the embassy "
T " they'll still find out, when the closure proposals came through they'll want his views, you know how painfully polite the Foreign Office is "
B " there must be somewhere there isn't an ambassador "
T " even if there is, there's no savings in closing a mythical station "
B " I'm not interested in their savings, they'll only spend it on dole money for layabouts "
T " you'd make Atilla the Hun look like a socialist "
B " well does this country want an intelligence service or not"
T " good question, but the answer isn't to close a non existent station, we'll be bowled out and on the dole queue ourselves "
Tyler leaves Mike comes back,
B " how was your drink with your friend "
M " I may be paranoid but I got the distinct impression I was being fed information "
B " go on"
M " I was just about to steer the conversation when he volunteered, quote, into a very interesting surveillance job can't tell you what it is , end quote. And when I joked he was probably targeting us he said, no but you're not that far off"
B " is he normally so forthcoming"
M " no he's not"
B " okay thanks Mike"
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Burnside's new secretary Marianne has delved through the rules about closing SIS stations and come up with an interesting fact. No station can close if it more than 1000 miles from an established " theatre of operations or other station", she has a large map spread out over her desk, Burnside measures the distances from Kingston, unfortunately Kingston can be closed as it's 850 or so miles from Caracas.
Marianne " ironically when we moved it from Nassau to Kingston we moved it within 1000 miles of Caracas, pity we can't quietly move it back"
B " hmm, can't move Kingston no"
At the foreign office,
Wellingham " shift Caracas?! how does one shift the capital city of Venezuela?"
B " on paper"
W " proceed slowly Neil for my benefit"
Burnside relates the rule about closing stations.
B " we'll do a paper saying Caracas is further south, 1020 miles, no that's too pat, 1018 miles "
W " and hope no one checks?!!"
B " why should they check? If our argument is based around a distance we're going to make sure it's an accurate one"
W " but it's a lie"
B " it's an arithmetical error, my calculator needs new batteries"
W " someone here will bowl it out"
B " not if its got your signature on it "
W " but it won't come to me"
B "officially no, but we'll send the original to the foreign secretary with a covering note to you, suggesting you advise the minister to think of something else"
W "I'm not keen"
B " well I wasn't keen to investigate 5 just because you don't get on with your opposite number in the Home Office"
W " oh yes, how's that coming?"
B "Geoff Ross's wife Jenny is having an affair with a Trevor D'Arcy who may be an intelligence agent, 5 know about it and we presume will move in, and rescue her putting CIA in 5's debt."
W " before or after the photographs"
B " good question but we need to stop it before it gets that far"
W " I'd be grateful "
B " how grateful? "
W " .....by 1018 miles"
Marianne " ironically when we moved it from Nassau to Kingston we moved it within 1000 miles of Caracas, pity we can't quietly move it back"
B " hmm, can't move Kingston no"
At the foreign office,
Wellingham " shift Caracas?! how does one shift the capital city of Venezuela?"
B " on paper"
W " proceed slowly Neil for my benefit"
Burnside relates the rule about closing stations.
B " we'll do a paper saying Caracas is further south, 1020 miles, no that's too pat, 1018 miles "
W " and hope no one checks?!!"
B " why should they check? If our argument is based around a distance we're going to make sure it's an accurate one"
W " but it's a lie"
B " it's an arithmetical error, my calculator needs new batteries"
W " someone here will bowl it out"
B " not if its got your signature on it "
W " but it won't come to me"
B "officially no, but we'll send the original to the foreign secretary with a covering note to you, suggesting you advise the minister to think of something else"
W "I'm not keen"
B " well I wasn't keen to investigate 5 just because you don't get on with your opposite number in the Home Office"
W " oh yes, how's that coming?"
B "Geoff Ross's wife Jenny is having an affair with a Trevor D'Arcy who may be an intelligence agent, 5 know about it and we presume will move in, and rescue her putting CIA in 5's debt."
W " before or after the photographs"
B " good question but we need to stop it before it gets that far"
W " I'd be grateful "
B " how grateful? "
W " .....by 1018 miles"
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Geoff Ross and Neil meet for a lunchtime rendezvous at a steakhouse restaurant.
R " I need a favour Neil"
B " well I didn't have to be taken for lunch"
R " yeah, but it's kind of personal. I think I'm under surveillance, and I don't think it's the Russians "
B " are you sure?"
R " yeah pretty sure, you dont know anything about it?"
B " er..no. how's Jenny"
R " huh"
B " what does that mean?"
R " she's fed up with things in general and me in particular "
B " well you better do something about it"
R " you know what the hours are like in this job, I come home..."
B " and fall asleep in your chair"
R " you got it brother"
B " are things really rough between you"
R " they're not good, sure it'll all work out "
B " hope so"
That evening Neil meets deputy chief, his immediate boss, Matthew Peele in a Chinese restaurant .
B " evening sir:
P " may I join you"
B " please do sir"
P " have you ordered ?"
B " no, I always have the same thing"
P " that's a pity I was stationed in Hong Kong as you know , bit of an expert in Chinese food"
B " well don't embarrass them by ordering in Cantonese, most of them were probably born and brought up here"
P " oh yes I know"
B " sir, do you have any views on MI5's attitude to the special relationship "
P " with the CIA?"
B " yes sir"
P " in what way?"
B " are they jealous of our free exchange of information for example"
P" oh I'm sure, they don't have the same with the FBI, not to the same extent at least "
B " so if possible they might try to replace us in American affections"
P " that won't be easy for them to replace us, essentially MI5 and the CIA are in different fields of operation."
B " but with enough overlap to make it worthwhile, ..... for MI5"
P " what are you getting at?"
B " there's the odd whisper that 5 are on the move, and it may have something to do with the CIA"
P " now Neil , you mustn't countermove. I don't want their DG coming to C to remind him that SIS has no jurisdiction in the UK"
B " that won't happen "
P " meaning you won't countermove"
B " meaning I won't get caught "
R " I need a favour Neil"
B " well I didn't have to be taken for lunch"
R " yeah, but it's kind of personal. I think I'm under surveillance, and I don't think it's the Russians "
B " are you sure?"
R " yeah pretty sure, you dont know anything about it?"
B " er..no. how's Jenny"
R " huh"
B " what does that mean?"
R " she's fed up with things in general and me in particular "
B " well you better do something about it"
R " you know what the hours are like in this job, I come home..."
B " and fall asleep in your chair"
R " you got it brother"
B " are things really rough between you"
R " they're not good, sure it'll all work out "
B " hope so"
That evening Neil meets deputy chief, his immediate boss, Matthew Peele in a Chinese restaurant .
B " evening sir:
P " may I join you"
B " please do sir"
P " have you ordered ?"
B " no, I always have the same thing"
P " that's a pity I was stationed in Hong Kong as you know , bit of an expert in Chinese food"
B " well don't embarrass them by ordering in Cantonese, most of them were probably born and brought up here"
P " oh yes I know"
B " sir, do you have any views on MI5's attitude to the special relationship "
P " with the CIA?"
B " yes sir"
P " in what way?"
B " are they jealous of our free exchange of information for example"
P" oh I'm sure, they don't have the same with the FBI, not to the same extent at least "
B " so if possible they might try to replace us in American affections"
P " that won't be easy for them to replace us, essentially MI5 and the CIA are in different fields of operation."
B " but with enough overlap to make it worthwhile, ..... for MI5"
P " what are you getting at?"
B " there's the odd whisper that 5 are on the move, and it may have something to do with the CIA"
P " now Neil , you mustn't countermove. I don't want their DG coming to C to remind him that SIS has no jurisdiction in the UK"
B " that won't happen "
P " meaning you won't countermove"
B " meaning I won't get caught "
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Back at HQ the next day ,Willie and Neil in D Ops (Neil) office.
W "Jenny and D'Arcy are stuck into lunch at the posh Parkway Towers, Mike is with them. D'Arcy's trying to chat her into bed, hotel room , she's resisted so far , but I don't think she will for much longer. Now I spotted some joker there, he left so I followed him, and guess where, the American embassy "
B " then what the hells going on!?"
W " if the joker is American he's new to me"
B " what do you mean if"
W " could be 5 pulling us away, their man knows I'm following him, he strolls into the embassy and asks about a visa"
B " except we think 5 are advertising their involvement "
W " right so assume he is American "
B " does that mean Geoff knows about Jenny"
W " not necessarily, if the embassy got a tip about Jenny they might bring in an outsider, save embarrassing Geoff "
B " I wish we knew who D'Arcy is"
W " 5 must know "
B " any evidence of them again?"
W " nope, I don't think they're sitting in"
B " they must be! How else can they rescue her, they need to keep up with developments"
W " if that's what they're doing"
Burnside paces the room anxious,
B " Ross hasn't had much field experience, if he spotted his tail did they show themselves deliberately?"
W " why would they do that"
B " don't know, but I can't get rid of the feeling we're being set up and why should 5 leak their business to us?"
W " it can only be to force us to do what we're doing"
B "which forces us to operate in the UK, 5 never allow us that, I mean I can buy the fact Tyler getting information from a contact, but Tyler and Mike, the same information, two different sources. Too many people are volunteering too much."
W " but why should we be set up?"
B " huh....don't know "
W " I think 5 have got to be conning us for some reason "
B " yes"
W " what are we going to do?"
B " if it looks like D'Arcy is going to get her into bed, I think we should step in and blow it"
W " jeez , you do that and 5 will squeal like stuck pigs"
B " so let them, if 5 have an operation involving the CIA they should tell us."
W " they did, via Tyler and Mike "
B " oh yeah, that's a point...damn, perhaps they were covering themselves, doesn't explain why they showed themselves to Ross."
W " shouldn't we tell Geoff"
B " you mean if he doesn't know already"
W "well if he does and knows we're involved he won't be best pleased we haven't told him anything. Come on let's pull out, we were only in it to protect him, looks like his own people are there now"
B " okay, haven't we enough to occupy us without bothering about what 5 and the CIA are getting up to"
The other problem hopefully dealt with, Neil tells Willie ,
B " we've done the big bluff, saying Kingston is more than 1000 miles from Caracas. The focus is the position of Kingston not Caracas"
W " I see , you get them concentrating on Kingston they take Caracas for granted"
Burnside suddenly looks astonished, Willie knows what he's thinking,
W " yes , I dismissed it as ridiculous too"
B " but we have taken CIA for granted and concentrated on 5"
W " but it makes no more sense the other way round"
B " it would make sense if we forgot Ross is a friend "
W " was Jenny CIA?"
B " My god yes, that's where he met her"
W " hard to believe he'd use his own wife"
B " depends what's at stake, how far he thinks he needs to take it"
W " and D'Arcy? "
B ( into phone) " Edward sorry to interrupt your lunch, can I come up, bring Willie"
T " er..I'll come to you"
B " thanks" ( puts phone down), I'm not sure I want to go down this road, I might not like where it ends up"
Tyler, Intelligence Director comes in,
B " does the name Trevor D'Arcy mean anything?"
T "I hope you've not been digging Neil"
B " we've been digging alright but probably in the wrong direction I suspect. D'Arcy is 5 isn't he?"
T " He's my contact in 5. He gave me the tip. He's your opposite number in 5 , operations director!"
B " two days of chasing our tail and all we had to do was go along the corridor"
W "except we thought he was KGB"
T " KGB?"
B " it's a long story, I'll explain if you can get me a meeting with him"
T " he'll be at lunch now "
B " oh he's at lunch alright, we even know where"
T " off the record "
B " that'll do"
W "Jenny and D'Arcy are stuck into lunch at the posh Parkway Towers, Mike is with them. D'Arcy's trying to chat her into bed, hotel room , she's resisted so far , but I don't think she will for much longer. Now I spotted some joker there, he left so I followed him, and guess where, the American embassy "
B " then what the hells going on!?"
W " if the joker is American he's new to me"
B " what do you mean if"
W " could be 5 pulling us away, their man knows I'm following him, he strolls into the embassy and asks about a visa"
B " except we think 5 are advertising their involvement "
W " right so assume he is American "
B " does that mean Geoff knows about Jenny"
W " not necessarily, if the embassy got a tip about Jenny they might bring in an outsider, save embarrassing Geoff "
B " I wish we knew who D'Arcy is"
W " 5 must know "
B " any evidence of them again?"
W " nope, I don't think they're sitting in"
B " they must be! How else can they rescue her, they need to keep up with developments"
W " if that's what they're doing"
Burnside paces the room anxious,
B " Ross hasn't had much field experience, if he spotted his tail did they show themselves deliberately?"
W " why would they do that"
B " don't know, but I can't get rid of the feeling we're being set up and why should 5 leak their business to us?"
W " it can only be to force us to do what we're doing"
B "which forces us to operate in the UK, 5 never allow us that, I mean I can buy the fact Tyler getting information from a contact, but Tyler and Mike, the same information, two different sources. Too many people are volunteering too much."
W " but why should we be set up?"
B " huh....don't know "
W " I think 5 have got to be conning us for some reason "
B " yes"
W " what are we going to do?"
B " if it looks like D'Arcy is going to get her into bed, I think we should step in and blow it"
W " jeez , you do that and 5 will squeal like stuck pigs"
B " so let them, if 5 have an operation involving the CIA they should tell us."
W " they did, via Tyler and Mike "
B " oh yeah, that's a point...damn, perhaps they were covering themselves, doesn't explain why they showed themselves to Ross."
W " shouldn't we tell Geoff"
B " you mean if he doesn't know already"
W "well if he does and knows we're involved he won't be best pleased we haven't told him anything. Come on let's pull out, we were only in it to protect him, looks like his own people are there now"
B " okay, haven't we enough to occupy us without bothering about what 5 and the CIA are getting up to"
The other problem hopefully dealt with, Neil tells Willie ,
B " we've done the big bluff, saying Kingston is more than 1000 miles from Caracas. The focus is the position of Kingston not Caracas"
W " I see , you get them concentrating on Kingston they take Caracas for granted"
Burnside suddenly looks astonished, Willie knows what he's thinking,
W " yes , I dismissed it as ridiculous too"
B " but we have taken CIA for granted and concentrated on 5"
W " but it makes no more sense the other way round"
B " it would make sense if we forgot Ross is a friend "
W " was Jenny CIA?"
B " My god yes, that's where he met her"
W " hard to believe he'd use his own wife"
B " depends what's at stake, how far he thinks he needs to take it"
W " and D'Arcy? "
B ( into phone) " Edward sorry to interrupt your lunch, can I come up, bring Willie"
T " er..I'll come to you"
B " thanks" ( puts phone down), I'm not sure I want to go down this road, I might not like where it ends up"
Tyler, Intelligence Director comes in,
B " does the name Trevor D'Arcy mean anything?"
T "I hope you've not been digging Neil"
B " we've been digging alright but probably in the wrong direction I suspect. D'Arcy is 5 isn't he?"
T " He's my contact in 5. He gave me the tip. He's your opposite number in 5 , operations director!"
B " two days of chasing our tail and all we had to do was go along the corridor"
W "except we thought he was KGB"
T " KGB?"
B " it's a long story, I'll explain if you can get me a meeting with him"
T " he'll be at lunch now "
B " oh he's at lunch alright, we even know where"
T " off the record "
B " that'll do"
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Tyler arranges a meet in Hyde Park between D'Arcy and Neil.
D " do you mind if we stroll, I have a large and expensive meal to walk off"
They walk through the park.
Burnside " up to an hour ago I thought 5 were targeting the CIA"
D " That's what you were meant to think"
B " any reason?"
D " given the special relationship between you and the CIA and the unspecial relationship between you and us, if we told you the CIA were targeting us , you'd probably have said good luck to the CIA. By the same token when we let on we were targeting your American friends we knew you'd be outraged and take action"
B " what did you want us to do?"
D " tell Ross his wife was having an affair and 5 were onto it. He'd know his targeting operation had been rumbled, and he'll have to pull out and we know he'd have no time to start another"
B " so what's it all about?"
D " a retired U.S. general in England has a rather strong attraction for small boys. Yes unsavoury isn't it? The KGB have pictures to prove it, and said general has been dishing out our secrets to pay them off.
The President has said previously rather unfortunately what a fine upstanding chap and friend the general is, and the CIA bless them are rather fond of the current President and the President wants it all hushed up"
B " and you won't play ball"
D " normally we would, greater good and all that. But this chap is a child molester and we think should be put away"
B " Ross must be insane!"
D " counterattack against me, quite, but with el presidente breathing down his neck he didn't have a choice, so one day Jenny Chapman, she called herself comes into my life, I never suspected she was CIA.You thought I was KGB, I thought she was, did some checking on her, got a nasty surprise."
B " why did Ross use his wife not some regular CIA officer ?"
D " yeah, I wondered about that. I imagine it was to keep the whole sorry business on a strict need to know basis. You know the CIA and leaks"
B " the whole affair could be in someone's memoirs next week"
D " quite, also it was a touch of Ross genius, Jenny is a housewife, talks like a housewife. She played it magnificently , played me magnificently "
B " shying off when you suggested bed, why didn't you tell her the game was up there and then?"
D "well up to yesterday there was a lot of secret haggling about the fate of the general and we had no idea how long they would go on for, we were afraid of closing Ross's operation against me in case he started up another operation elsewhere but with more success."
B " and yesterday?"
D " the Americans were told to bite on the bullet because we're going to do the general "
B" that's when you involved SIS"
D " we wanted you to bring it out in the open with Ross, scare him off, knowing he couldn't start anything else."
B " a face saving exercise all round"
D " well not exactly , if we let it be known Ross's little operation was doomed from the start, acrimony and embarrassment all round, and we desperately want to be buddies with the CIA"
B " at the expense of good old SIS"
D " all in a good cause"
B " not a lot of honour in our business "
D " honour is for them that can afford it"
B " How early did you get onto it?"
D " not after I had become extremely excited I can tell you. It was clever choosing me, my wife is paralyzed from the waist down. "
B " I'm sorry"
D " yes, well, practical problems, tonight is the night, I'm supposed to go around to her place for an evening of bliss"
B " attended by a CIA photographer "
D " no I think the whole thing is to be more official, the police are called in and I'm accused of rape"
B " in court they name you as an MI5 officer"
D " or I drop the charges against the general and they drop them against me"
B " there was some CIA joker at the restaurant today"
D " not CIA , FBI, I spotted him, the President I believe personally gave the operation to the CIA, I imagine he was there in the hope Jenny would blow it, prove a point for him"
B " talk about weaving a web!"
D " name of the game, makes the world go round"
B " makes our world go round, presumably you'd like me to play my part and call off Ross"
D " I'd be obliged, soon please, I'm due to be raped at eight o'clock "
B "how would it have gone , PUS to PUS?"
D " home office to foreign office, we don't talk to the White House, bad form. I believe the good Sir Geoffrey was asked to give you a compass heading as it were, point you in the right direction "
B " without telling me the truth "
D "we never tell anyone the truth, bad form too."
D " do you mind if we stroll, I have a large and expensive meal to walk off"
They walk through the park.
Burnside " up to an hour ago I thought 5 were targeting the CIA"
D " That's what you were meant to think"
B " any reason?"
D " given the special relationship between you and the CIA and the unspecial relationship between you and us, if we told you the CIA were targeting us , you'd probably have said good luck to the CIA. By the same token when we let on we were targeting your American friends we knew you'd be outraged and take action"
B " what did you want us to do?"
D " tell Ross his wife was having an affair and 5 were onto it. He'd know his targeting operation had been rumbled, and he'll have to pull out and we know he'd have no time to start another"
B " so what's it all about?"
D " a retired U.S. general in England has a rather strong attraction for small boys. Yes unsavoury isn't it? The KGB have pictures to prove it, and said general has been dishing out our secrets to pay them off.
The President has said previously rather unfortunately what a fine upstanding chap and friend the general is, and the CIA bless them are rather fond of the current President and the President wants it all hushed up"
B " and you won't play ball"
D " normally we would, greater good and all that. But this chap is a child molester and we think should be put away"
B " Ross must be insane!"
D " counterattack against me, quite, but with el presidente breathing down his neck he didn't have a choice, so one day Jenny Chapman, she called herself comes into my life, I never suspected she was CIA.You thought I was KGB, I thought she was, did some checking on her, got a nasty surprise."
B " why did Ross use his wife not some regular CIA officer ?"
D " yeah, I wondered about that. I imagine it was to keep the whole sorry business on a strict need to know basis. You know the CIA and leaks"
B " the whole affair could be in someone's memoirs next week"
D " quite, also it was a touch of Ross genius, Jenny is a housewife, talks like a housewife. She played it magnificently , played me magnificently "
B " shying off when you suggested bed, why didn't you tell her the game was up there and then?"
D "well up to yesterday there was a lot of secret haggling about the fate of the general and we had no idea how long they would go on for, we were afraid of closing Ross's operation against me in case he started up another operation elsewhere but with more success."
B " and yesterday?"
D " the Americans were told to bite on the bullet because we're going to do the general "
B" that's when you involved SIS"
D " we wanted you to bring it out in the open with Ross, scare him off, knowing he couldn't start anything else."
B " a face saving exercise all round"
D " well not exactly , if we let it be known Ross's little operation was doomed from the start, acrimony and embarrassment all round, and we desperately want to be buddies with the CIA"
B " at the expense of good old SIS"
D " all in a good cause"
B " not a lot of honour in our business "
D " honour is for them that can afford it"
B " How early did you get onto it?"
D " not after I had become extremely excited I can tell you. It was clever choosing me, my wife is paralyzed from the waist down. "
B " I'm sorry"
D " yes, well, practical problems, tonight is the night, I'm supposed to go around to her place for an evening of bliss"
B " attended by a CIA photographer "
D " no I think the whole thing is to be more official, the police are called in and I'm accused of rape"
B " in court they name you as an MI5 officer"
D " or I drop the charges against the general and they drop them against me"
B " there was some CIA joker at the restaurant today"
D " not CIA , FBI, I spotted him, the President I believe personally gave the operation to the CIA, I imagine he was there in the hope Jenny would blow it, prove a point for him"
B " talk about weaving a web!"
D " name of the game, makes the world go round"
B " makes our world go round, presumably you'd like me to play my part and call off Ross"
D " I'd be obliged, soon please, I'm due to be raped at eight o'clock "
B "how would it have gone , PUS to PUS?"
D " home office to foreign office, we don't talk to the White House, bad form. I believe the good Sir Geoffrey was asked to give you a compass heading as it were, point you in the right direction "
B " without telling me the truth "
D "we never tell anyone the truth, bad form too."
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Burnside has an awkward conversation with Ross in his office.
B " you're targeting 5"
R " why would I do that?
B " I don't know or care , you can burn down their headquarters as far as I'm concerned, but I object to being used by you"
R " what did I do?"
B " you told me you were being followed, rubbish, you wouldn't recognise a tail if it wrapped itself around your neck. And all that nonsense about hearing one of them speak English, to point me in the direction of 5"
R " you're crazy"
B " crazy to believe you , waste my sympathy on you"
R " what sympathy "
B " you told me things were rough between you and Jenny, but you used your own wife in the operation, and you were using me so if anything came of your targeting operation I could give evidence that Jenny was dissatisfied with the marriage and might well have been wooed away from you by an MI5 officer "
R " did you talk to 5?"
B " I don't talk to 5 (a lie), and as of now I don't talk to you"
R " two questions, first are you sure 5 haven't connected the operation with the CIA?"
B " I'm sure" (a lie)
R " second, how the hell did you get onto it?"
B " through my concern for you, I ran a check on Jenny just in case your marriage was falling apart and I could help" ( another lie).
R " sorry Neil..."
Burnside has blatantly lied there, Tyler's tip off got him onto it, but if he can make Ross feel more ashamed, good! Might be useful in future if he wants any CIA favours. Also he would rather the CIA , particularly Ross didn't feel they owed 5 anything.
B " you're targeting 5"
R " why would I do that?
B " I don't know or care , you can burn down their headquarters as far as I'm concerned, but I object to being used by you"
R " what did I do?"
B " you told me you were being followed, rubbish, you wouldn't recognise a tail if it wrapped itself around your neck. And all that nonsense about hearing one of them speak English, to point me in the direction of 5"
R " you're crazy"
B " crazy to believe you , waste my sympathy on you"
R " what sympathy "
B " you told me things were rough between you and Jenny, but you used your own wife in the operation, and you were using me so if anything came of your targeting operation I could give evidence that Jenny was dissatisfied with the marriage and might well have been wooed away from you by an MI5 officer "
R " did you talk to 5?"
B " I don't talk to 5 (a lie), and as of now I don't talk to you"
R " two questions, first are you sure 5 haven't connected the operation with the CIA?"
B " I'm sure" (a lie)
R " second, how the hell did you get onto it?"
B " through my concern for you, I ran a check on Jenny just in case your marriage was falling apart and I could help" ( another lie).
R " sorry Neil..."
Burnside has blatantly lied there, Tyler's tip off got him onto it, but if he can make Ross feel more ashamed, good! Might be useful in future if he wants any CIA favours. Also he would rather the CIA , particularly Ross didn't feel they owed 5 anything.
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In C's office ; C is by a map on the wall with a ruler in his hand when Neil comes in
B " sir?"
C " the Kingston station will stay open the Foreign Office accepted our arguments"
B " that's good sir"
C " indeed "
C hands Burnside the ruler,
C " that's to assist you in your future measuring of maps".
B " that's very kind of you sir!"
C "I said I'd be keeping a close eye on you. If you tell me the sun is shining I'll take a look out of the window before I believe you. And don't let this victory encourage you , you have no monopoly in deviousness"
B " that's something I've just learned sir"
THE END
next episode
B " sir?"
C " the Kingston station will stay open the Foreign Office accepted our arguments"
B " that's good sir"
C " indeed "
C hands Burnside the ruler,
C " that's to assist you in your future measuring of maps".
B " that's very kind of you sir!"
C "I said I'd be keeping a close eye on you. If you tell me the sun is shining I'll take a look out of the window before I believe you. And don't let this victory encourage you , you have no monopoly in deviousness"
B " that's something I've just learned sir"
THE END
next episode
Scene by scene The Sandbaggers s03e02 To Hell With Justice.
We have a dedicated Sandbaggers section on IMDF, where I go over briefly all the episodes, here I'll expand an episode, in some detail. Background: 1970's spy drama in the Callan mould. This series deals with a fictional mi6 , known as SIS. Roy Marsden stars as Neil Burnside, Director of...
www.imdforums.com
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