Danger Man

John Richardson:
One would have thought that she would have realised by now.

John Drake:
Realised what?

John Richardson:
That when people enter Colony Three, they - cease to exist.

John Drake:
There's nothing we can do about the girl, I suppose.

Admiral:
Of course not - we've never even heard of her.

John Drake:
As Richardson said; she no longer exists.

Janet Wells:
We're not back in England, are we?

John Richardson:
Geography is a matter of physical illusion; lines on a map, words on a signpost. It's this that gives a place it's identity. After all, you are where you recognise yourself to be. Mr. Donovan says that all countries are countries of the mind.

John Richardson:
You realise that none of the residents can leave the village - ever.

John Drake:
Of course, it's, uh, security.

Dian:
[as Dian & Rawson enter her flat, they're startled to see John Drake, who's now standing in the centre of her room] Who are you?

John Drake:
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, begger man, thief. Have you got a light?

Dian:
What are you doing here?

John Drake:
Ask him he knows, don't you Rawson?

Dian:
Do you know this man, Dennis?

John Drake:
I'm more of a ghost to him than a man. He's praying that I disappear. He's praying that this is a nightmare, and that he'll wake up. Come on Rawson, and put yourself together - tell her about me.

Dian:
Well, who are you? Has he done something wrong? Are you a policeman? Do you have a warrant to be in my room like this?

John Drake:
Yes - he has done something wrong, no, I am not a policeman, I do not have a warrant- I could never be a police man I couldn't stand the regulations, I'm like you, I work outside the law.

John Drake:
'The complete Works of Ernest Dawson.'

John Drake:
[Snarkily] The complete works... he didn't write very much, did he?

Rawson:
[Responding with a bit of granadeur] Poems aren't vegetables, you don't buy them by the pound.

John Drake:
Courage is catching, or is it the drink. You know, I'm not familiar with the works of Mr. Dawson. It's hardly surprising is it?

John Drake:
[Drake reading from the book] 'Ernest Dawson born 1867, died 1900.' Didn't live very long, did he? Ah! Here's something that's really very appropriate; 'they are not long, the days of wine and roses. Out of a misty dream, Our path emerges, for a while, then closes. I wonder where the microdot's at.'

Dian:
[Quizzically] What's wrong with you? Are you mad?

John Drake:
[Testily] You don't know anything about microdots do you?

Dian:
[Smiling] I think your crazy!

John Drake:
And you weren't going to post this book out of the country, were you?

Dian:
[smiling, still] You talk nonsense! Dennis has been promising to lend me this for sometime I was simply going to read it and give it back to him!

John Drake:
[Forthright] You deny any knowledge of microdots?

Dian:
[Smiling, still] I don't know what you're talking about!

John Drake:
[Bluntly said] Then I'll tell you; these pages can be photographed by a 35mm camera the negative reduced in size through a series of lenses until it is no bigger than a full stop! Shall I go on?

Dian:
[Trying to deflect questions with a bit of coyness] I know nothing about photography

John Drake:
Fortunately, Rawson does - he has all the equipment. Do you remember the time that you passed out? I wondered why the door of your bedroom was locked. Fortunately you carried a key ring in your pocket [Rawson looks off-guard] .

Dian:
But, all this has got nothing to do with me! I don't know anything about Dennis's private life.

John Drake:
You hear that Rawson? It's as you said; we're all alone. We all have to turn back on ourselves in the end. That's what you said, isn't it?

John Drake:
And this book that Rawson just brought you is it valuable?

Dian:
It's worth a a few shillings.

John Drake:
Mmm... Rawson brings you a book of poetry - [Drake, now fac?tiously smiling] how charming.

Dian:
I see nothing exceptional in a close friend doing that.

John Drake:
'Close friend'- not a lover?

Dian:
You can interpret that any way you choose.

Rawson:
[laughing] That's good, I like that. 'Lover.' Ha! That's marvelous.

John Drake:
How about that, Rawson; are you her 'lover'?

Rawson:
You heard her. You can interpret that any way you choose.

Rawson:
She's as plausible as you are, you know. Oh, she can talk too! She made me feel important. She made me feel strong. She pretended to be interested in the same things... until she got me to commit myself.

Dian:
Don't get hysterical, Dennis

John Drake:
You'll have 15, maybe 20 years - alone. And she? She'll leave you to it.

Rawson:
You're so clever, aren't you? Both of you you're so damned clever. But, you're quite so clever...

Dian:
[Angrily] BE QUIET! This is what he wants!

Rawson:
What 'he' wants? Huh,,, you shouldn't have done that, Dian. You really shouldn't have done that. [Rawson walks to mirror on wall] You see this, 'Mr. Anonymous,' this... mirror, mirror on the wall? That's what you want!

Dian:
[Dian crosses over to Dennis and attempts to stop him, but, Rawson pushes her aside] Dennis!

Rawson:
You press one corner, and it comes away from the wall. It comes... it comes away from the wall! [shouting] IT COMES AWAY FROM THE WALL! [Rawson picks up a statuette, and smashes the mirror. The mirror shatters, reveling transmitter] I've cut my finger...

Dian:
Yes, it's a radio transmitter. It's 150 watt output, high frequency band... and you won't find a makers' name.

John Drake:
I had to make sure.

Dian:
It's quite simple, isn't it? Merely doing your job. My turn to lose. Let's get it over with as quickly as possible [as Drake dials for assistance, the door to the room opens, it's Dian's fellow agent, Lucas, bearing a gun] Fortune is like the English climate; changeable.

Lucas:
Had any luck with Jane Austen?

John Drake:
As you can see... none at all.

Dian:
You said you'd be back an hour ago.

Lucas:
I know, but, I got delayed.

Dian:
Never mind the explanations. [Lucas hands Dian the gun. She aims it at Drake] Check him. It's all over. We'll have to leave the country.

Lucas:
What should we do about him?

Dian:
Oh, yeah... what are we gonna do about you? We can either kill you, or take you with us.

John Drake:
My passport's in order.

Lucas:
We'd better get rid of him.

Dian:
No. He comes. He might be useful, in case he's got someone watching the house. Get through to the airfield. Have the tanks ready for takeoff at 8. Internal flight; Glasgow...

Rawson:
[Pleading] Dian, l-let me stay? We could settle up, and I could take my chance. Dian, please, please listen to me!

Dian:
[Still staring at Drake, she angrily responds to Rawson] No! I won't listen to you! You'll answer for your behaviour later.

Hobbs:
Walks in to room, whilst Drake is serrupticiously listening in on Paula Glover's conversation; Dake, I want to know...

John Drake:
Puts a finger to his lips; Shhhhh-shhh - it's the mother. I'm, uh, interfering with the privacy of a citizen.

Basil Jordan:
[after a meal, in which Claudia has utterly emasculated her husband, for having never worked a day in his life, and living off her wealth, Basil angrily rises from his far seat at the long dining table, grabs a bottle of brandy, then angrily proclaims] You know, I don't know why you ever married me.

Claudia Jordan:
[Cooly popping a grape into her mouth, and icily speaking] You hypnotise me, darling.

John Drake:
Let me tell you the story of your life; you were born - shall we say, um - north of here.

Leslie Vincent:
You know exactly where I was born.

John Drake:
You showed great promise in school - particularly in languages. One day, a stranger came to interview you, and you said 'goodbye' to your parents, and went to Moscow. You took an intensive course in the English language. You didn't know why then, and presently another stranger came to see you and you were sent on a long journey - into the Steppes. You came across a small town - and this is the biggest surprise of your life; it was a complete replica of an English town. You started your training as a secret agent. You stayed there for five years, until you spoke, thought, dreamed in your new language. And then you were given a British passport and sent home. Home to a place that you have never been. You would stay long enough somewhere to get a genuine background andthen you went to London. One day, they pointed bill out to you, and they said; 'he's an important British Egypt. Marry him."

Leslie Vincent:
Choking back tears; that's the most fantastic story I've ever heard.

John Drake:
But true.

John Drake:
Well Leslie, uh, now I have another reason or liking you; we're in the same business.

Leslie Vincent:
On opposite sides.

John Drake:
On different teams.

Ivan:
He's keep your hands out of your pockets, Mr. Lawrence.

John Drake:
Now, you're not to worry. I never carry a gun. They're noisy, and they hurt people. Besides, I manage very well with out.

John Drake:
Let me tell you the story of your life; you were born - shall we say, um - north of here.

Ivan:
You know exactly where I was born.

John Drake:
You showed great promise in school - particularly in languages. One day, a stranger came to interview you, and you said 'goodbye' to your parents, and went to Moscow. You took an intensive course in the English language. You didn't know why then, and presently another stranger came to see you and you were sent on a long journey - into the Steppes. You came across a small town - and this is the biggest surprise of your life; it was a complete replica of an English town. You started your training as a secret agent. You stayed there for five years, until you spoke, thought, dreamed in your new language. And then you were given a British passport and sent home. Home to a place that you have never been. You would stay long enough somewhere to get a genuine background andthen you went to London. One day, they pointed bill out to you, and they said; 'he's an important British Egypt. Marry him."

Ivan:
Choking back tears; that's the most fantastic story I've ever heard.

John Drake:
But true.

John Drake:
Well Leslie, uh, now I have another reason or liking you; we're in the same business.

Ivan:
On opposite sides.

John Drake:
On different teams.

Bill Vincent:
He's keep your hands out of your pockets, Mr. Lawrence.

John Drake:
Now, you're not to worry. I never carry a gun. They're noisy, and they hurt people. Besides, I manage very well with out.

John Drake:
[John Drake walks into his flat, to see Certhia Coper - drink in hand, comfortable in his living room] Now what tidings of joy and whatnot do you bring me?

Certhia:
That depends. What I like about you is you're so cryptic.

John Drake:
What I like about myself is the way that I don't like you

Certhia:
You could make a girl feel inadequate.

John Drake:
Could?

Certhia:
Oh, alright, you do.

John Drake:
Alright, now we know where we stand with each other, perhaps you'd like to go.

Certhia:
[Pleading] I'm lonely.

John Drake:
There's a very nice bus stop at the end of the mews. You'll meet a lot of friends there.

Certhia:
Suppose I don't want a lot of friends. Just the one.

John Drake:
There are respectable agencies, which introduce people to other people, for a fee, of course.

Certhia:
A fee? How much?

John Drake:
Ah, I see... You've come to pay me off. - if I'm a 'good boy.'

Certhia:
You are going to be a good boy, then?

John Drake:
That depends.

Certhia:
Oh, on what?

John Drake:
?10,000, at the very least - in cash, of course

Certhia:
Aren't you overestimating your nuisance value?

John Drake:
I don't think so. You see, I haven't really started yet.

Certhia:
You know, people have tried to get in Lord Amenford's way before

John Drake:
Now I'm really frightened.

Certhia:
[Doorbell rings, Certhia speaks now, very calm and collected] Before we're interrupted, I think ?10,000 could be arranged. We want you to leave the country for a month or two of the horse .

John Drake:
No, thank you, I just wanted to see how much you cared. Excuse me.

Pauline:
[john Drake walks unannounced into his friend, Pauline, who works at a paper on Fleet St] Oh, I knew you'd come back one day! [Overjoyed seeing Drake]

John Drake:
[Drake enters Pauline's office, and closes door. Pauline starts playing 'unrequited lover' with Drake. It's obvious they are friends with each other] I tried to fight it

Pauline:
I love you for losing! I hope it's me you're after...

John Drake:
I wouldn't be here, otherwise

Pauline:
How's the travel business?

John Drake:
Stimulating!

Pauline:
You mean it matches your personality.

John Drake:
Why didn't I ever fully appreciate you when we worked together?

Pauline:
Because you're a faithless rogue, John Drake. Next question?

John Drake:
Do you remember a girl are who used to work on Fleet Street; 'Certhia Cooper'?I think I once met her with you.

Pauline:
[annoyed] If you think I'm going to spend my declining years carrying messages between you and that pretentious lowli...

John Drake:
[Drake cuts her off - continuing his playful game] oh, you know that you're the only girl in the world that I really ever really cared about .

Pauline:
Hmmm... you would not love me dear, so much loved you not Ms. Cooper more...

John Drake:
This is strictly business.

Pauline:
I'm listening.

John Drake:
I've, uh, been trying to set up a travel deal with a Latin American government and I've come up against a certain amount of unexpected opposition. Ms. Cooper may be connected with it. What can you tell me about it?

Pauline:
Oh I suppose I've got to believe you first of all whoever heard of a girl called 'Certhia'?

John Drake:
I think it's rather an attractive name.

Pauline:
I looked it up once period it's a bird period - a tree creeper. I always thought that very appropriate. Well, she worked her way through the assistant editor, the editor, the managing editor. Then she left.

John Drake:
How about the editor-in-chief?

Pauline:
He was in New York at the time.

Pauline:
She'll use you too!

John Drake:
I cam think of a worse fate.

Pauline:
Certhia is a predatory, scheming, megalomaniac. A career girl of the very worst kind! [Pauline's phone rings] Hello? [In a totally facetious manner] Certhia, darling! What a lovely surprise. Yes, he's here [Paulime hands phone to Drake] ' Black Bess' herself.

Pauline:
[while Drake's tying his tie in the bathroom of his friend, Pauline's flat she's straightening up the living room] What's the penalty for hiding a man wanted by the police?

John Drake:
Not more than 10 years , I should think.

Pauline:
Oh. I wish you would tell me what it's all about.

John Drake:
I've got to get Lord Amenford's before he gets me.

Pauline:
I see. If that's the travel business, I think I'll stick to the regular army.

John Drake:
Your little friend Miss Cooper likes to, uh, play it rough.

Pauline:
Don't say I didn't warn you. [Doorbell rimgs, and Pauline walks towards the front door] That girl is poison, [Starts opening door] spelt 'B-I-T...

Certhia:
[Certhia Coper's at the front door, and is already barging in past Pauline's arm. The reflection in the bathroom mirror lets Drake see this, and he quickly hides behind it he bathroom door] Hello, Pauline...

Pauline:
[speaking loudly, as to alert John] Oh! Hello... Certhia!

Certhia:
I'm sorry Just to drop by like this

Pauline:
Its all right... uh, come in, won't you? [Certhia enters, and as she walks to the living room, Paulime closes the door] .

Certhia:
[drippimg with sarcasm! as she picks up a little throw pillow shaped like a penguin] What a dear little room

Pauline:
[facetiously laughing] I'm so glad you like it. Won't you have a drink, or something?

Certhia:
No, I won't, thank you. [John starts to open bathroom door in order to get out, but, the door creaks, and apparently Certhia hears it] I thought I heard voices [she starts to turn her head]

Pauline:
[wearing a fake smile, and brimming with fake sincerety] Oh! yes, I talked myself... we 'old maids... ' hmmm... [the two women glower at each other]

Certhia:
Actually, I was looking for John Drake. I've promised to arrange something for him

Pauline:
John Drake? Well, he never comes around here. You should've phoned, I'm in the book.

Certhia:
I never thought of that. You no idea where I might find him, have you?

Pauline:
Oh, you know John - always hither and yon... [as Pauline is speaking, Certhia notices the man's outer jacket on the couch they're standing next to] .

Certhia:
In that case darling I won't keep you [Certhia quickly starts heading toward the front door]

Pauline:
Really, darling, it's been such ages since we met. I hope to hear all the news

Certhia:
We must have lunch - next week. I must go.

Pauline:
[Pauline has blocked her front door, preventing Certhia from leaving] I don't think I could bear the excitement of waiting that long

Certhia:
Really, I must go. [In an attempt to prevent Certhia from leaving, Paulime puts her arm on Certhia's shoulder] Pauline, what's come over you?

Pauline:
A mad desire to tell you what I think of you [with that, Paulime grabs Certhia, and the two women start a catfight bashing each other with pillows, allowing Drake to sneak out] .