Storm in a Teacup Page #5

Father don't do this, you'll get hit!

I'll deal with you in the morning.

And that goes for me!

- But Sergeant said...

- Oh, shut up!

Victoria...

You might've saved us this anyway!

- Open the door!

- But can't show yourself to them, Mr. Gow.

- You can' show yourself out there!

- Open that door!

For you.

Dear Miss Gow, I had nothing to

do with last night, honestly.

Your sincerely, Frank Burdon.

Father...

About last night...

If there is one thing that I can't

tolerate is disloyalty.

- Not content with playing golf with the fellow?

- Who told you about that?

- Lisbeth, I suppose.

- She does know what loyalty is!

Well after all, it was before I knew

about the article.

Was it after you knew that you brought him

out to the platform?

How was I to know that people were

going to jeer at you?

Don't exaggerate Vickie, please!

And it wasn't the people.

It was a put up job organized

by that unprincipled little scum.

More coffee, please.

Mr. Burdon had nothing

to do with it.

He hadn't? And nothing to do

with the article, I suppose?

I know, I know.

But I have discussed the

whole thing with him...

- You discussed it with him?

- Yes.

- This morning he write to say...

- Oh he writes!

How nice!

Anyway, if you had done the right thing,

you would have paid the fine yourself.

It's all rather trivial.

Look at this!

In the Scottish edition

of a London newspaper.

Good heavens!

Willie, have you seen this?

Scottish candidate barked down!

They think that's funny?

What's going to happen

at the dinner tonight?

Lord Skerryvore... Party.

Something's got to

be done and done quickly.

Horace is taking Burdon

down to your office.

Good. I'll break that fellow!

You'd better be careful.

I don't think you know Mr. Burdon.

Now Mr. Burdon, I'm going

to ask you a few questions.

And I'll advise you to stick to the truth.

Where are we, Berlin, Moscow, or where?

- You'll find out where you are.

- Surely enough!

Oh I'm Nordic, if that's

what's worrying you.

- That's enough!

- That will do!

Be quite, you little cad!

Come on now...

How much did they pay you?

- Or was it affect job?

- It's blackmail!

- What are you talking about?

- You needn't act the innocent.

We know who's backing you Burdon!

Come on, speak up man!

What exactly was it worth to you?

Oh no, you don't!

We haven't finished with you yet,

not by a long chalk.

The opposition paid you

to get that muck into the Advertiser?

- You were at the back of the raw too.

- The plotter master?

So you don't deny it!

I wouldn't spoil your fun.

It will be no fun for you, you're

going to sweat for this.

I came here out of my own free will

trying to help you out of your mess...

Heaven knows why I should.

- But after you childish insinuations...

- Wait!

This is a withdrawal of the statements

you made in your article.

And you're going to sign it!

I'll read it to you.

- I, the undersigned...

- You needn't trouble.

No, no, of course not, it's quite in order.

- So sign at the bottom.

- Are you being serious?

- What do you mean?

- No!

- What do you mean no?

- I mean I won't sign it or anything else!

- You won't sign it?

- No I don't well want.

- You mean you refuse?

- That's what I'm trying to convey.

- But why not?

- Because everything word that I wrote was true.

- Do you know what you'll get you in for?

- No, I don't care!

- You can consider yourself fired!

- I considered myself that yesterday!

- You won't find another job!

- We'll see to that!

- I'm sure you will.

- I suppose you know this means an action for...

- Slander.

- Ay, slander.

And not only civil action,

but criminal proceedings.

And 10 years penal service, 20 lashes, three

times a day, out of food, I don't care!

Listen, Mr. Gow...

You're not a bad chap at hearth,

but you got to remember one thing...

The people of this country is the most

long suffering on God's earth.

They'll put up with humbug, hypocrisy,

shilly-shallying and hardship.

They'll pull in their belts

if they think it's their duty.

They'll go to the four corners of the earth

and get blown to bits if need be...

But two things they will not stand.

Bullying and cruelty.

And if you've forgotten that, I'll make it

my business to remind you.

I told you to be careful.

What's more, I think he is quite right!

You - are- having fun.

- Blowing off steam?

- Yes!

- That's assuredly furious.

- Yes!

But you haven't the vaguest idea

what to do about it.

- It's nice breaking china, isn't it?

- I wish it was his neck.

- Father's?

- Yes!

Aren't you being a little childish?

Allow me!

Thank you.

I suppose your pride denies to have

anyone daring to suspect your motives.

You must admit it's a bit hard for any

ordinary person not to think you were bribed.

Don't break this one.

Oh, allow me!

Thank you.

You've got yourself into a

nice mess, haven't you?

- I won something!

- Never mind that.

What are you going to do?

Look for another job, I suppose.

If you can get one.

And what are you going

to do in the meanwhile?

You got any money at all?

- Cigarette?

- No thanks. You may need them.

Frank!

Don't get excited, I want

to ask you a question.

- Yes, but you-you called me Frank.

- Well?

- That's my name.

- So I thought!

- But it's the first time you've used my name.

- Well what about it?

- It's the first time you call me Frank.

- Oh, do listen...

Yes, well... Lend me another penny.

There!

It's difficult to ask you this, you

mustn't misunderstand me.

Do what father asked.

Who have you've taken me for?

One stone, six pounds, four ounces.

Don't be so obstinate!

How can you expect me to bow to him?

You know I'm right, you said so.

I never said you were.

I said your motives were.

Now, don't ask for another one.

Frank, you've made your protest

and it was a fine thing to do.

That's pigheadedness, and there's

nothing new about pigheadedness.

It is old as the pigs.

So is this.

Frank...

Be generous.

Generous?

You gave father a pretty hard

knock, you know.

You made him ridiculous,

it was the worst thing you could do.

Why not call it a day?

What about Patsy?

Oh, put it this way...

If he behaves decently to Mrs. Hegarty...

You'll sign the withdrawal.

Supposing he won't?

- He will.

- He may break his word.

Then we'll both tell the world

what we think of him.

Both?

Then you're in this with me!

A deal.

It's what I'm telling you!

Ice cream flew everywhere

and was rising to the stars...

With the people buzzing around

like it was bees on the honeysuckle...

And me selling ice creams

as it were hot-dog.

Give me my shawl!

I'm making enough money to pay my

fine and get Patsy back to us.

Oh, Mr. Burdon, Your Honour!

- They rascals arrested me goods and chattel!

- What's happening, McKeller?

- They're seizing her goods for debt!

- Who are?

- The authorities!

- God, this is fantastic!

Oh it is that, and they're doing in

the wee dog tonight!

Mrs. Hegarty, we're from the London Sun!

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