House of Cards

[Urquhart and Stamper are having a meeting with Sir Bruce Bullerby, the editor of a tabloid newspaper critical of Urquhart's government.]

Bullerby:
Ah, I see you've been reading the paper. No hard feelings, I hope. These things need airing.

Urquhart:
Well, of course they do. Quite right. Do sit down. Would I be right in thinking you're on some sort of morality crusade, Bruce?

Bullerby:
In a sense, yes. Opening a debate about morality in public and private life — why not?

Urquhart:
Is everyone's private life a legitimate subject for scrutiny?

Bullerby:
Well, if it's all right for the Royals, why not for the rest of us?

Urquhart:
Who could argue with that? How are you getting along with the Princess?

Bullerby:
Very well, surprisingly enough.

Urquhart:
Yes, we thought so too. Stamper has some photographs he would like to show you. The technical quality's rather poor in some of them.

[Stamper hands Bullerby an envelope, which contains photographs of Bullerby in a sexual tryst with Princess Charlotte.]

Urquhart:
Other way up, I think, Bruce. That's it. There's a video, too. I was very doubtful of the morality of infringing your privacy, Bruce, but after what you've just said...

[Bullerby sits and stews as he looks at the photos.]

Bullerby:
How much for the prints and the negatives?

Urquhart:
Bruce, please. A little loyalty from our friends is all we ask. Just a-a helping hand in these rather trying times.

[Bullerby feigns joviality.]

Bullerby:
Oh we-e-e-ell, of course! We weren't actually going to put the boot in! No, not in a serious way! These are tough times for all of us.

Urquhart:
We gather the Princess' memoirs have been quite revealing.

Bullerby:
Bloody dynamite — and not just about her, not just about the 'younger generation', if you follow me. Staggering stuff. They're all bloody at it! Always have been!

Urquhart:
Print them.

[Bullerby is flustered.]

Bullerby:
I-I-I can't do that. I made a solemn promise, not-not a word while the Princess is still alive. Francis, it would destroy her — and not just her. She doesn't deserve that.

[Urquhart holds up the photos.]

Urquhart:
No, perhaps you're right. We'll just have to make do with these, now won't we?

[Bullerby is defeated.]

Bullerby:
All right, you bugger. Ding-dong, ding-dong... And as for you, Stamper—

Stamper:
What?

[Bullerby leaves Urquhart's office.]