Line of Duty Page #8

HASTINGS:

I haven’t put my un-PC foot it in,

have I?

ARNOTT:

(Takes a second to get his

meaning.)

No -- I’m straight.

HASTINGS:

I’m buying.

ARNOTT:

Lager. Pint. Thanks, sir.

Hastings moves to the bar to order.

Arnott feels Janson’s eyes on him. He sees her whisper

something to one of the other women, while looking his way,

and they chuckle.

He can’t work out if she fancies him or is taking the piss.

Fleming joins Janson’s group. She follows her gaze to Arnott,

and then she sees Hastings.

FLEMING:

This place has gone downhill.

Fleming takes the last gulp of her drink and heads out.

Arnott watches her go.

Hastings turns from the bar with a pint in each hand.

"Line of Duty" Episode 1 Shooting Script 18.08.11 45.

Arnott has vanished.

CUT TO:

1/65 EXT. KINGSGATE. PUB. CONTINUOUS. DAY 5. 1/65

On the pavement outside, Arnott catches up with Fleming.

ARNOTT:

Kate?

FLEMING:

DS Arnott.

ARNOTT:

Even in AC we have first names.

Mine’s Steve.

FLEMING:

Right.

ARNOTT:

For some reason we’ve got off on

the wrong foot.

FLEMING:

(Sarky.)

Maybe we should get to know each

other better over a pizza and a

glass of Rioja?

ARNOTT:

(Beat. Wounded.)

Sorry.

He turns away, rejected. She’s surprised by his sensitivity.

Beat. Then she moves after him.

FLEMING:

Steve. Tony Gates’s the best

detective in the city. He saved a

mum from being mugged at

knifepoint. And you lot have stuck

him for forgetting to fill in the

right bloody form. Maybe there’s

more to you. But so far that’s all

I’ve seen.

He knows she’s right. He nods, shame faced. She exits. He’s

left alone to reflect.

CUT TO:

"Line of Duty" Episode 1 Shooting Script 18.08.11 46.

1/66 EXT. POLICE STATION. CAR PARK. NEXT DAY. DAY 6. 1/66

From his parked car, Arnott watches Gates pull up. Arnott

gets out. Gates wants nothing to do with him. He walks

briskly through the car park with Arnott in pursuit.

ARNOTT:

Wait, sir, listen.

GATES:

I can throw down a harassment

charge just like that.

ARNOTT:

A minute of your time. Please, sir.

GATES:

Some of us have got proper work to

do.

ARNOTT:

I can’t believe you’re stuck-on for

this.

That makes Gates pause.

ARNOTT:

Hastings gives a toss about you

having a free egg and bacon. I

don’t. I just want to make the

yellow notice go away so we can

both get on with investigating real

crime.

GATES:

Hastings has got you playing mind-

games.

ARNOTT:

A few weeks ago I was running

counter-terror ops. I’m a proper

copper and I know another when I

see one.

GATES:

You can make Hastings back off?

ARNOTT:

I can certainly try, sir. Off the

record.

GATES:

It won’t be easy. He’s a zealot.

"Line of Duty" Episode 1 Shooting Script 18.08.11 47.

ARNOTT:

Don’t I bloody know it!

The lighter touch convinces Gates. He warms up.

ARNOTT:

Why didn’t you log the gratuity,

sir?

GATES:

I forgot. Crap excuse, I know,

mate. But it’s the truth.

Arnott nods.

Gates nods briskly in return then hurries into the station.

Arnott contemplates his bargain with some trepidation.

CUT TO:

1/67 INT. AC-12. OPEN PLAN OFFICE. LATER THAT DAY. DAY 6. 1/67

Arnott enters the office, wearing the same look of

trepidation. Hastings spots him immediately and comes out of

his office.

HASTINGS:

Perfect timing, Steve. What d’you

have to tell me about Tony Gates?

ARNOTT:

Uh ...

HASTINGS:

Nothing? Steve, what can I say? I’m

disappointed.

Hastings leads Arnott back out.

ARNOTT:

Sir ... I’m committed to

anticorruption one hundred per

cent, but ...

HASTINGS:

Are you? That’s what I need to

know, Steve.

ARNOTT:

Of all the cases to get first, sir

...

"Line of Duty" Episode 1 Shooting Script 18.08.11 48.

Arnott's pc unease simmers, but Hastings maintains a neutral

silence as they exit.

CUT TO:

1/68 INT. AC-12. WALKWAY. CONTINUOUS. DAY 6.

Hastings leads Arnott onto the walkway. He watches a lift

ascend from the ground floor. A few uniformed officers are

visible in the lobby, to maintain the impression of a

headquarters building.

ARNOTT:

Frankly, sir, so what if Gates had

a free breakfast?

HASTINGS:

We should cut him some slack, you

mean? Turn a blind eye because he’s

one of ours?

Arnott glowers.

The lift door opens.

Out steps Gates, flanked by his Police Federation rep, DCI

ALICE PRIOR (40s).

HASTINGS:

Alice, what a lovely surprise. I’ll

have to be on my toes today.

PRIOR:

You’ve always been a lovely mover,

sir.

Laughter. Hastings shakes hands with Gates.

HASTINGS:

Come along, Tony, make yourself at

home.

GATES:

Thank you, sir.

Hastings leads Gates and Prior towards the entrance to AC-12.

Arnott is nonplussed.

GATES:

I was surprised to be called in

again so quickly, sir. I hope it’s

good news.

"Line of Duty" Episode 1 Shooting Script 18.08.11 49.

As Gates passes, he gives Arnott an expectant look -- he

thinks they have a deal.

Arnott isn’t so sure any more.

CUT TO:

1/69 INT. AC-12. INTERVIEW ROOM. MOMENTS LATER. DAY 6. 1/69

Hastings starts the tape recorder.

HASTINGS:

AC-12 interview with DCI Gates and

Police Federation rep DCI Alice

Prior. I’m authorized to notify you

that we have grounds to widen our

investigation into DCI Gates’s

performance of professional duties.

Arnott is as shocked as they are.

PRIOR:

“Widen” the investigation?

GATES:

What?

Gates’s shocked and angry. He turns his glare on Arnott.

Arnott shifts uncomfortably.

HASTINGS:

(To Prior.)

We have grounds under the heading

of Professional Duties, General

Conduct.

Prior makes a note.

HASTINGS:

(To Gates.)

Specifically, the practice of

laddering. The amplification and

multiplication of charges against

an offender -

GATES:

I know what laddering is.

HASTINGS:

That’s right, Tony. You do.

Tense beat.

"Line of Duty" Episode 1 Shooting Script 18.08.11 50.

HASTINGS:

Here’s the yellow notice. You’ve

got the regulation 10 days.

Hastings shoves the document across the desk.

PRIOR:

DCI Gates strenuously denies any

wrongdoing. Nevertheless he offers

the investigation his full

cooperation.

HASTINGS:

Thank you. Appreciated.

PRIOR:

I’d like to determine the

conditions of Tony’s suspension

from duty.

HASTINGS:

We’re not seeking a suspension at

this time.

(Off their surprise.)

We don’t recognise DCI Gates as a

threat to the public or his fellow

officers. Why should our citizens

be denied his selfless service?

GATES:

That’s very generous, sir.

(To Arnott.)

Looks like you’ve found your level.

PRIOR:

Tony, let’s not descend to -

GATES:

No one plays me.

Exit Gates, followed by Prior, taking the yellow notice.

Very tense beats between Hastings and Arnott.

HASTINGS:

You didn’t detect the laddering

because you didn’t even look. I

recruited you because you took a

moral stand against your

colleagues, regardless of the

personal cost. You’re a born AC

officer. Why don’t you bloody start

acting like one?

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