The Man in the White Suit

---

[ Man ] now that calm

and sanity have returned

to the textile industry,

I feel it my duty to reveal

something of the true story

behind the recent crisis--

A story which we were happily

able to keep out of the

newspapers at the time.

The trouble began--

Not in my own mill,

i'm glad to say--

But during my visit to the mill

owned by michael corland,

Which manufactures

an artificial fiber,

similar to my own.

Corland is

a personable young man,

Who seemed to have impressed

my daughter.

He was also anxious

to impress me,

With the idea that his mill was

a sound financial investment.

Output is excellent.

Six million yards

of filament a day.

How many ?

Six million.

That's right,

isn't it, hill ?

Six million feet.

Yes, mr. Corland.

Feet, of course.

[ Chuckles ]

of course.

Good morning. I'm lunching here

with mr. Corland and my father.

They're still looking

around the mill, miss birnley.

Would you care to wait

in mr. Corland's off--

Um, michael.

Hello, daddy.

Good morning, mr. Hill.

Now, now, daphne,

please don't interrupt.

I'm having a most

illuminating tour.

This way ?

This way, mr. Birnley.

Oh, this way.

Thank you.

How's it going ?

Sticky.

Why, what does he say ?

Oh, nothing.

That's the trouble.

Oh, that's only his

"kingpin of industry" act.

"Forty glorious years

in textiles." Don't

let it get you down.

I'm sure he'll put up

all the money you want.

[ Clattering ]

Sorry... sir.

Come on. Come on.

Of course, it's hardly

up to what you have

at birnleys.

Quite.

Eh, for instance, sir,

if you'd step this way.

Mr. Green, perhaps

you would show mr. Birnley...

The latest thing

you've been working on.

[ Liquid bubbling ]

[ Rhythmic bubbling, gurgling ]

Just a moment, green.

Thank you.

What's this ?

I really couldn't say,

mr. Birnley. Mr. Green,

Perhaps

you would explain.

Gladly.

Well, it's, uh--

Obviously, it's, uh--

[ Whistles ]

[ Green ]

mr. Wilkins ?

Yes, sir.

Is, uh, this yours ?

No, sir.

[ Green ]

harrison ?

[ Wheezes ]

Yours ?

No, sir.

I thought it was... his.

[ Men chattering ]

well, does it matter,

really ?

Merely a matter

of interest.

Fotheringay ?

Could you spare us

a moment ?

What is this ?

[ Rhythmic bubbling,

gurgling continues ]

Don't you know ?

I think it was

a special job.

Who for ?

Come along.

Come along.

Who authorized it ?

Apparently you did.

[ Corland ]

really, mr. Green, you must know

whether you did or did not.

[ All talking at once ]

What does it matter, anyway ?

I think you're being very ru--

There must be some quite

ordinary explanation.

It's ridiculous.

The thing can't

have grown there.

Mr. Hill, will you

please find out

what this is about ?

Yes, sir.

Green, check with

the accounts department.

Of course. Take them

the order number.

Uh, very good, sir.

Right away, sir.

"3-7-8-2-5. 3-7-8-2-5."

"3-7-8-2-5.

3-7-8-2-5."

[ Rhythmic bubbling,

gurgling continues ]

[ Chattering ]

I'm so sorry.

I really shouldn't

start asking questions.

On the contrary.

Shall we lunch ?

Yes.

I think you've seen

just about everything.

Yes, i think i have.

"3-7-8-2-5."

Here it is.

[ Diners chattering ]

4,000 ?

But spent on what ?

Hydrogen, sir.

Heavy hydrogen.

This is absolute nonsense !

Oh, for heaven's sake !

I want to aim

at materials and designs,

Combining the strength

and simplicity...

Of the old english

hand loom weavers,

with the color and fire...

Of the flemish

or provenal.

Now, if i had

an extra hundred thousand--

Ahem.

Excuse me, sir.

After lunch, hill.

It's very urgent.

After lunch, hill !

Where was i ?

Well, you mustn't

let us keep you

from anything vital.

No, it's nothing.

Nothing.

[ Coughing ]

What is it, michael ?

It's nothing.

Excuse me,

will you, please ?

So i told him.

Mr. Wilkins !

Yes ?

Mr. Corland wants you.

He's in accounts.

Mr. Harrison !

[ Gulps, coughs ]

They want you, too,

in accounts.

Excuse me.

Could you tell me where

mr. Corland is please ?

[ Bubbling continues ]

[ Woman ]

stratton !

Mr. Corland wants you !

No, mr. Corland,

you're not firing me.

I resign.

I'm not a cheat, nor a swindler.

I did what i did because

there was no other way.

I may have had just

a menial job here,

but at cambridge,

They gave me a first

and a fellowship.

I would be there still

if they hadn't been

so shortsighted.

Just as you are

and all the others

i've worked for.

But one day,

there'll be someone

with real vision.

I shall have a laboratory

given to me.

A proper laboratory,

with really modern equipment.

And assistants of my own.

No, don't interrupt me.

It's small minds like yours

that stand in the way

of progress.

But this is too big a thing,

bigger than you--

[ Water sloshing ]

I see you've been discharged

from your last six positions.

Seven.

Oh.

Oh, well, perhaps

a change in environment might--

Oh, no, it must be

a textile mill.

I see there's a vacancy

at the birnley mill, but--

Birnleys ?

Yes, but--

They have a research lab,

haven't they ?

I'm afraid this hardly suits

your qualifications.

They want a works laborer.

Oh, that'll suit me.

[ Machinery clacking ]

That's a nice place

to leave it, isn't it ?

Sorry.

[ Hits door ]

[ Clattering ]

Sorry.

Don't mention it.

You've got it loaded

too heavy.

Have i ?

You want to leave it

so you can see over the top.

Oh. Yes, of course.

Thanks.

New, aren't you ?

Uh, yes.

Never worked

in a mill before ?

Oh, yes, several.

I know.

Leave school,

Into the first

blind alley job

that comes along.

Too old for that.

Into another and another.

By the time you're 30,

what are you ?

Flotsam floating

on the flood tide

of profits.

There's capitalism

for you.

It wasn't quite like that.

I got a scholarship

to cambridge.

But you hadn't got

the old school tie.

Oh, you can't tell me.

Discrimination.

I've seen plenty.

Where were you going

with this lot ?

The loading bay,

i think they call it.

You were going

the wrong way anyhow.

It's down there.

[ Siren wails ]

tea up.

Better leave it.

Oh, tea ? No thanks.

I think i'd rather--

Tea break !

We had to fight for it.

Just a moment.

Look, uh, we'd better

help you with it.

It's very delicate.

Yes, sir.

Pete, give us

a hand with this.

And get these gentlemen

some overalls.

Well, where's sid ?

Sid !

Sid !

No, no, quite wrong.

Sid !

Where's it got to go ?

Up to the lab.

It's an electro--

And electrola--

An electron microscope.

Ah, at last !

We'd better go

and check this over.

Mm, it's a beautiful job.

No, no !

You must have the gun filament

off before you switch on

the projector,

Otherwise you're liable

to put 4,000 volts

through the cathode...

And blow it to bits.

Quite.

That's the specimen stage

i suppose.

The intermediate

alignment section.

This is the specimen stage.

Of course.

[ Man ] it seems to be

all right. If the chief's

satisfied, we'll go.

I don't suppose

you could spare someone

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