Original subtitles

We are delighted to be able to present to Murray Technology today.

COMPUTER BEEPS

You all right?

Did you wee yourself? What?

You messed up, but we need to keep going.

They're gonna downsize. Let some people go.

A lot of people, Thomas.

That's why Andy didn't send you the email.

He wanted you to mess it up.

You stole my client.

You both did.

I like you, a lot, Thomas.

So you need to change. Fast.

Now is not the time to lose your nerve.

'In business, there's a connection between pleasure and productivity.

'And we've been interrogating that openly with our teams here.

'What would mean you enjoyed work more?'

What's stopping you doing twice as well?

Founded ten years ago by Mark Baxter, Etcetera Etcetera

is reported to now be worth over a quarter of a billion pounds.

And they're expanding fast, with offices opening all over the UK.

Thomas, it's nearly eight!

Are you coming straight to dinner?

Dinner? Meeting my dad.

Oh.

You haven't forgotten?

Of course not. I'll see you there.

The Glasshouse, 7 o'clock.

Pizza Blanco. At eight. Right. OK.

You know how difficult he is.

Please don't be late.

I won't.

I love you.

I'm calling about my evaluation.

I just wanted to double-check the time of the meeting today.

I emailed to see if it could be later.

Yes, Mr Carter's seeing people all day.

You're at 12 o'clock.

That's perfect. Thank you.

Mate!

How are you?

It's been ages.

I'm good.

You're wearing a suit.

You're not.

Come on, let's go. I'll show you around.

You up for one of these?

It's a big place.

Sure.

This is maintenance and security.

We started with five people monitoring that stuff.

We've now got 150.

We let people clock in when they want.

Efficiency isn't just time, it's attitude,

and we found if we give people reasonable autonomy,

you get better results.

I'm sure that's what you find, too, right?

Yeah.

You're management?

Pretty much.

And you're still local?

Just up near Westway. I work on Western Heights.

Western Heights.

The park just on the right. Round the ring road.

Oh. You work for?

Clayton.

Clayton, yeah. Offices, right?

Exactly. Rental, supply, services.

When I last saw you,

you'd just married... Jess, is it?

Yeah.

Yeah, we're good.

And you're with, er...?

Tanya. Tanya. How's she?

Honestly, a dream.

Yeah?

12 years in, and...

Well, I know one's not supposed to say things like this now,

but between us,

even saying her name turns me on.

Tanya.

HE LAUGHS

Heh...

This is amazing. I love this.

There was something you wanted to ask me. You said you had a question.

Yeah.

It just suddenly occurred to me that maybe we could offer you something.

I know you've got your own headquarters here,

but you're hiring other offices, right?

In town, and across the country. Yeah...

We could help you source exactly what you need.

Like this. Kit them out, service them, supply them.

We tend to sort that out ourselves.

Because you want control. To do things your way.

But we can work exactly to your specifications

and save you the hassle.

Let you focus on your core business.

Going forward, you don't have to worry

about maintenance, service, all of that.

You've got this sales pitch down.

Just suddenly thought it might be mutually beneficial.

So, I suppose my question is...

What do you think?

You're very driven.

I hope I am.

I don't remember that.

Hmm.

More juice?

It would be great to find a way to work together, Thomas.

You didn't find school easy, I remember.

I'm not asking you for a favour.

I just thought it might be a good opportunity for us both. Sure.

Actually,

we are in the process

of looking to move our central Reading office out of town.

Somewhere bigger.

We weren't looking at Clayton as an option for that,

but we could.

We could.

I could prepare something for you to look at. OK, good.

You prepare something, I'll have a think.

Maybe we could do something. Thank you.

Of course.

And you should come tonight!

Tanya's birthday.

We're having this thing in town.

Tonight? Starting at eight. Bring Jess.

Be lovely to see you both.

OK.

Yeah.

Perfect.

Catch up properly.

Relive the old times.

Great...

I always liked you, Thomas.

I know what they used to do.

But I was always on your side.

You all right now, then?

Sorry?

Apparently the Post-it notes got you upset.

No.

I thought it was funny.

Right. If you want to keep your job,

you need to get a sense of humour.

Thomas.

Andy.

Is that Christian?

Is what Christian? Your name.

Thomas. Like, doubting Thomas.

You had yours this morning?

Your evaluation.

Yeah.

And how was it? Forgive me if I don't tell you, Thomas.

Between me and my boss.

Sure. Just making conversation.

Pretty sure I'll be staying.

Put it like that.

Where are your figures?

Here. Oh...

Right.

What?

Well...

Doesn't matter.

What?

Chris doesn't like to read things on screens.

Since when? Don't know.

But he asked for them to be printed out. So that's what we did.

You decided together?

He mentioned it to Andy, Andy sent an email.

Not to me. You keep on saying this.

Like he's not sending you stuff deliberately.

Well, maybe he isn't.

Look at your face!

All wrinkly when you're annoyed!

It doesn't matter. It's not what he reads the figures on,

it's what they are.

Good. Positive attitude.

Love that.

Thanks, Chris.

LAUGHTER

Ah, hi.

Went well?

Yeah, I think so.

Do you know what I've realised?

He's quite old-fashioned.

He likes things quite informal.

He wants to feel like he's working with people he can be friendly with.

If you want to stay here, you should ask him if he wants to play golf.

I don't play golf.

Well, a drink, then.

But we get on because we bond over Love Island.

His daughter's a huge fan, and I explained it to him.

You need something like that.

Ask him for a drink.

You're... helping me?

Yeah.

Definitely.

I want to work with the best.

And that's you.

Ah, Tom. Wanna come in?

Sure.

Good luck.

Tom.

How are you?

I'm... good.

Thank you. Good.

How are you, Chris?

Me? Ooh, well, er...

Yeah, I'm good, too.

Good.

How's the family? What?

Your daughters. Your wife.

Everyone... OK?

Yeah. We're erm... looking forward to our family holiday, actually.

Trekking in South America. I love South America.

Oh, you've been? Whereabouts?

Oh, no, I've never been. But I'd like to.

I've seen it on TV.

And it always looks...

really good.

Right.

So, the question is, who do I let go?

And I thought the answer might lie with you.

Me? Yeah.

No, please, let me... Thomas.

I've had a dip since what happened in the presentation...

I mean I want you to help me answer the question.

Oh.

Who's not pulling their weight?

Now's your chance.

Well...

Of course, it's true you shouldn't even be a possible.

You're the most experienced, by quite some way,

and, erm...

people like you, generally, don't they?

I hope so.

Yeah, if it wasn't for the Lancing episode, I'd say you'd be safe.

I got the Lancing deal back. The team did.

I did. Andy and Isobel were the ones...

No, it was me. I... Tom. I went to her office, persuaded her.

Can I give you some advice?

This is important. Speak less.

If it wasn't for the Lancing episode,

I wouldn't be putting you through this,

but as it is, Tom, I'm considering a range of options.

You know, when I spoke to Isobel,

I asked her the same question, "Who should it be?"

Do you know what she said?

Me?

Quite the opposite.

"Anyone but Thomas."

She said, "Don't fire Thomas."

Really?

She felt you were one of the strongest.

She was very persuasive.

She said despite your age, you still had it in you.

Oh. Spunk.

I beg your pardon.

She said you had, erm...

Yeah.

Spunk.

I see.

So, is the feeling mutual?

Or do you think she should go?

Probably not.

Who then?

Andy.

He talks a lot, but doesn't actually make us money.

Right.

Have you got the figures I asked for?

And your strategy documents.

Didn't you get the emails?

Andy didn't send it to me.

I've had enough of screens.

Not entirely convinced it's all secure anyway.

Paper from now on.

If it was up to me, I'd have it typed.

Andy didn't send me -

Doesn't matter.

Right, this is...

Etcetera?

Yes.

Had the first meeting about it this morning.

Well, that's a big, erm... Who's your contact?

Mark Baxter. Baxter himself?

Yes.

How do you know him?

Just through various... things.

Socialising?

You don't strike me as particularly the sociable type.

If we got Etcetera on board, that'd be something!

New media. Show what we can do.

This is exciting. How soon will you...?

I'm hoping to have a formal meeting about it soon.

When? This week.

I've got a decision to make, Thomas. Tomorrow?

Better!

HE LAUGHS AWKWARDLY

You know, stuff all this. Stressful.

Would be nice to have some good news.

If you get it.

So, let me know how that meeting goes, all right?

Maybe you can make up for what happened before.

You wanna go for a drink?

What?

Get a drink.

After work, or whatever.

Just chat. More informally.

You and me? Yes.

I'd pay. My...

I mean, I'm happy to pay for the drinks.

You're happy to pay for the drinks.

Why not?

Well, I finish tonight at six,

so Harper's at seven?

Tonight?

Does that work for you?

I'm busy most other nights.

No. Absolutely. Yes.

Tonight's perfect.

Good.

Anything else? Not right now.

You wanna set up a tab?

Er...

Sure.

Thanks.

Tom! Hi.

I, er... found some reprobates.

Hi! Hey. What's up?

Thought they looked thirsty, too.

You don't mind?

Not at all.

You've got a tab. That's the spirit!

What would you like?

I actually fancy some champagne.

Sound good to you? Join me?

Thomas doesn't drink.

What? No, I do.

Isobel said you was teetotal.

No, I just... On special occasions.

Well, I think this counts.

Me, too.

All right, then. Champagne's good.

Thanks, Thomas. Right. Isobel?

Sure. We'll grab a table.

You got an idea of what to get? Something good.

Yeah, no problem. He hasn't.

Isobel, help him.

No problem.

PHONE BEEPS

Aww. You supposed to be somewhere?

Later. Meeting Jess.

Ah, nice.

Well...

He'll want the best.

And there it is. That's...

Surely one of the others is...

Thomas, he'll want the best.

Look, I can get it, if it's a stretch. Hiya.

No. No, it's fine.

LAUGHTER

Ah, finally!

Nice. Spot on, Isobel.

Well, Thomas bought it.

Well done, Tom. Good work.

No, no, Tom.

Come sit here. Sit with me.

Team leader. Right?

There. Good.

Cheers, all.

ALL: Cheers.

That is good. Excellent.

LAUGHTER

So, we're at the machine, and it's pouring out money,

and she's like, "I've won!"

It's a change machine. She can't even tell the difference.

Play hard, work hard. What can I say?

I bet you do, too, Chris? Absolutely.

If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna leave now.

No! Oh, no, really? I'm afraid so.

But have a great time. You're missing out.

Another bottle, Thomas?

You're spoiling us, Thomas.

Don't drink too much.

Yeah?

Actually, I should really head off, too.

Oh, no, we just got started.

I want to talk to you, Tom.

On your own.

Come on.

This Etcetera meeting tomorrow.

I mentioned it to Tony Clayton. He wants to drop in on it.

Clayton? Personally?

Doesn't he have more important things to do?

Like run the entire company.

Have you met him?

No. He's obsessed with staying relevant.

So taking on Etcetera in that context is pretty important.

He won't get in your way. Just shake their hands, make them feel good.

Look your best, yeah. Sure.

And it goes without saying,

as long as this Etcetera deal is on the table,

you're going nowhere.

Right. Good.

Cheers. Cheers.

PHONE BEEPS

I have to go. Really.

No, no, you don't.

One more, at least.

You've got a family?

Family man, yes? Yes. Yeah, me too.

So let's stay away from them for as long as possible.

Right?

Sure...

Shit.

GENTLE MUSIC

Thank you, sir.

GENERAL HUBBUB

Excuse me.

Shit. Sorry, sorry.

UNCLEAR CONVERSATIONS

Mark!

Thomas.

How are you? Good.

Come straight from work?

Sorry.

No, don't apologise. Love it.

This is Tanya. My wife.

Hey.

This is Thomas. Old school friend. Oh, really?

Yeah.

Thomas was one of the good boys at school.

Unlike you. My God, the stories he tells.

He sounds like a disgrace.

You can confirm this.

He said he painted a penis on the sports field in weedkiller

when he left, so that it would only appear the following summer.

In full view of the staffroom.

I believe that's true.

What is wrong with you?

I've never been good with authority.

Sticking it to the man.

And now you are the man.

Anyway, Thomas, what do you do?

I'm in sales. Office rentals, supplies.

Services.

Right.

It's not massively interesting.

But it pays the bills.

And that's the most important thing, right?

Keeping afloat. Good for you.

Thomas and I are hoping to do some business together.

He might help with the city relocation.

Well, that would work. Hopefully.

Mark, I know you're busy tonight,

but I wondered if it might be possible

for you to come in tomorrow? For a meeting.

It's just... Clayton wants to meet you.

Tomorrow? Well, there's no rush.

No, no. It's just...

Actually, the company's doing some downsizing.

My manager, Carter,

he said if I keep this deal in the mix,

they can't get rid of me.

Get rid of you?

So it would really help me out...

I'm sure we could send someone over.

Thanks.

It's just, they were hoping it would be you.

That's what I think would really make the difference,

if you see what I mean?

You personally.

Are they really gonna fire you?

They might. But not if I can do a deal with Etcetera.

Oh, well, you have to help him, Mark.

Old school friend.

Do the stupid meeting. What time?

11?

We should cut the cake.

I, er...

Sure.

No problem. I'll come over.

Oh, great. That means so much.

I'll be in the lobby waiting to take you up.

No commitment to anything,

but for you to show up yourself would work wonders.

No problem.

You see, Mark. You do have a heart.

He told me about one boy at school.

Every day, he would take a red ant

and put it down the back of his shirt.

It would bite this boy every morning,

but he couldn't prove anything.

How cruel is that?

That was you?

Oh, God!

Oh, my God.

I'm sorry, it's not funny.

But...

Mark, you are such a shit!

I'm sorry, but you are.

That was him?

And I just...

Really sorry, mate.

Just kids, you know. Mucking around.

Really sorry.

Put it behind us, yeah?

Sure. All right, then.

Now, we need to do the cake,

but grab a drink, and have a great time.

See you tomorrow.

Absolutely. I'll see you in the morning.

Oh, shit.

What happened?

I had to go for a drink with Carter, it's a business thing.

And then there was another party Mark Baxter invited me to,

and I need him to do a deal with us.

So I had to go to that.

Why didn't you tell me?

I thought I could do it all by eight.

Hey, are you drunk?

Anyway, we weren't on our own, as it turns out.

What?

Speak of the devil.

Thomas!

At long last. What happened to you?

You look like crap. No offence, mate.

I've been having a very revealing conversation

with your friend.

My friend?

Hello.

She was passing. Saw us coming in.

Yeah. I recognised Jess from the picture on your desk.

Thought I'd come and say hi.

She is charming.

Funny. Intelligent.

Very attractive.

I'd watch out if I were you (!) Dad!

Come on. Thomas works with Isobel every day.

Look at the two of them.

You wouldn't think they did the same job, would you?

She's immaculately presented, sophisticated,

good looking....

Thomas...

Well... Thought you'd gone home?

I was going to, but then they asked me to stay for a drink.

And Phil is hilarious.

He's been telling me about his marriages.

How many? Five?

Four and a half, I call it. We don't count Vegas.

And you're still on good terms with them?

Not all of them.

Yeah. Jess's mother doesn't talk to me.

But underneath the contempt, I know she still loves me.

She really doesn't.

It's just a question of time. No.

Actually, that's true. She might like you more when you're dead.

Ha!

Isobel, you've been teaching him wit.

I like this. You never used to be so cutting.

A glass of wine, Thomas? No, thanks.

He's had quite a few already.

We just took our boss out for drinks.

Thomas did really well. He bought five bottles of champagne.

And not just any champagne. The best.

And Carter loved it!

At last, he's learning how it works.

How did you pay for that?

No, he knew what he was doing.

Carter loved it.

Only wish I'd thought of it.

And we were saying, weren't we?

If I get let go, I'll just find something else,

but for you, with a child to support,

you can't afford to lose it, can you?

Lose what? The job.

Because of the... redundancies.

A quarter of the sales team.

Surely you know?

I didn't want you to worry.

I've been trying to help.

Putting a word in for him. Haven't I?

Yes, you have.

Yeah. Because I really like him.

Millie sounds amazing.

Isobel says you never talk about her at work.

It doesn't really come up.

She didn't even know she's deaf.

I had no idea. We've been working hard, Phil.

And you said she can't even have, what do they call it, an implant?

No. Not suitable, apparently.

Such a shame.

And then to hear about your parents. All within a year.

Such a sad story.

Yeah.

I can see now. What?

It makes sense. What?

You.

Anyway, look, you're here now.

So good to meet you, Phil.

No, no, no. You don't have to go.

I do. No chance of a drink, just the two of us?

No chance at all, I'm afraid.

Can't blame a man for asking!

Jess, you are brilliant.

So good to meet you.

You, too.

Thomas, see you tomorrow. Day of reckoning.

Well, this evening has been much more fun than I anticipated.

Excuse me.

You really expect me to believe this was a coincidence?

Sorry?

You just weirdly left earlier and happened to be passing?

No way.

Thomas, I don't mean this in a bad way, but you're drunk.

How did you know where we were meeting?

Are you listening to my messages? In my email.

OK, OK, stop freaking out.

You're drunk. Anxious about tomorrow.

But actually, I just did a nice thing.

Clearly your wife hates her dad, and I did the heavy lifting

cos I knew you were stuck with Carter.

You should be thanking me. Right?

Thomas, go home.

You're lucky with Jess.

Very lucky indeed.

Where's your car, then?

At work.

I got a taxi into town.

I'll get one back to work tomorrow.

More money.

Worth it.

I have to keep this job.

If I nailed this Etcetera deal,

they might even promote me.

Carter's really impressed.

I know it seems weird, but I'm doing better than ever.

Maybe the threat of redundancy has actually fired me up.

You think it's a good thing?

I'm being positive.

Millie's still not happy.

What?

She was nearly crying when she came back home.

I wouldn't have left her, but I knew if I stood Dad up

we wouldn't hear the end of it.

I'll talk to her.

No, I'll talk to her.

You just focus on staying in work.

Can we stop?

Yeah.

Yeah, there's no point arguing. Sorry.

No, can we stop? Why?

I'm going to be sick.

ALARM BEEPS

BEEPING CONTINUES

You look really hungover.

Thanks...

Like a zombie.

OK.

Bags under your eyes.

That's stupid.

Short men shouldn't stoop.

I'm not short.

You seem it.

Anyway, go see a doctor,

because you look like you might vomit at any moment.

If you do vomit, do it somewhere else,

cos I hate vomit.

And this top cost a bomb.

Sure.

How are you feeling?

Fine.

Did you stay late?

Nah. One, two.

Something like that.

He's here at 11? Yes.

Got everything you need? Notes?

There.

Have you got pencils?

People always put pens in meeting rooms.

But pencils are better.

Because you can delete. Live in the room!

We don't want any mistakes. No.

Have you connected your computer to the system?

Double checked.

You know, I could always do that.

It's just, no-one had prepared me for the change.

Actually, it was Andy -

This is good. Good.

Am I interrupting?

No, no. Not at all.

Tony, this is Thomas Benson.

Very good to meet you.

Good to meet you, too.

I've been saying, if he pulls this off,

I think we can rule him out for redundancy.

I should say. Thomas.

This is exactly the sort of client we want.

Large-scale, cutting-edge. Do us a lot of good.

Hope so.

I thought we could go down, get a cup of coffee,

meet Mr Baxter when he arrives, then bring him up here.

Right?

Sounds like a plan. Sure.

Stay here. If you need me, I'll be on the mobile.

Right.

Mark Baxter?

Can you put that down?

How did you get Mark Baxter?

I mean...

How did YOU get Mark Baxter?

Careful!

Oh, Thomas, look...

You should be out there trying to find new clients yourself.

Yeah, I have.

And I will.

Right now, I'm in here with you.

Isobel was saying this morning that your daughter's deaf?

Yeah.

How deaf?

What? Like, not able to hear anything?

Like...

Or can hear a bit, but is muffled? Like...

MUFFLED SPEECH

She has severe hearing loss.

Wow. Why?

She was born like that.

Can she speak? Yes.

Properly? She signs mostly.

How did you feel when you realised she wasn't normal?

OK.

Carter's going to come up here in a minute

with the owner of the company and Mark Baxter.

You can still be here if you want, you can meet them,

that's fine.

But Clayton knows exactly who made this connection,

and I know Mark well.

Really well.

So when the meeting starts,

there's only gonna be four of us in the room.

All I have to do is wait.

So, what does she sound like when she speaks?

You must be so desperate.

To be here, going at me, instead of out -

You're quite chubby, aren't you? Why don't you go to the gym?

Have you got a boyfriend? Why? You offering?

Huh? No. Thank God.

No, I haven't got a boyfriend.

I wouldn't imagine anyone would want to. Would want to what?

Who'd want to? Who'd want to be your boyfriend.

God.

Wow.

That's horrible, Thomas.

My dad says people who are nasty are craving love.

Is everything all right at home?

It's 11 now. They're coming up.

I went online and looked at a picture of your wife. OK.

In a photo with the nurses at the hospital.

They'd just run a marathon for breast cancer,

or bottom cancer, or something. She was in the middle.

She looks like a nurse, doesn't she?

Just generally a bit... You know?

How old is she? 50?

It's not getting to me. When I saw her, it made sense.

Like the disabled daughter.

DISTANT HUMMING

What's that?

ANDY SINGS

What's he doing?

Listening to music.

He's taking the fucking piss.

HE CONTINUES SINGING

Take them off.

I'm singing.

Three minutes past. Where are they?

They need to say hello.

And then come up.

It'll take a while.

SINGING CONTINUES

PHONE BUZZES

Everything all right, Thomas?

I'm... Excuse me.

What was the message?

Is there a problem?

SINGING CONTINUES

What are you doing? What's going on?

Wow, look at him.

ROBOTIC VOICE: Malfunction! Malfunction

Hey!

Fuck you!

Fuck you! FUCK YOU!

I'm sorry.

Mark's not coming.

He just texted.

He...

He... can't make it.

I'm sorry. About...

..that.

You should ignore that.

Perhaps we... can have a meeting?

Er...

And discuss strategy.

The three of us.

Think about the best way to make an approach.

Tony, will you excuse me? Certainly.

Tom. Step into my office.

Isobel, will you make Mr Clayton some coffee?

Sure.

Mr Clayton.

Isobel Jones.

Would you like to come this way?

Tom?

Shut the door.

I'm sorry. Shut the door.

What are you doing?

I assume you wanted...

Don't sit down.

Sorry.

What was that?

They were winding me up.

First Lancing. Now this.

Lancing was a mistake. And that wasn't?

What's happened with Baxter?

He can't make it.

But he's still coming?

He's moved the meeting?

Not cancelled it?

Er...

Tom. I'm not sure. I'll have to find out.

Was it even true?

About Baxter. Did you just make it up?

I haven't seen any paperwork. It was true.

So you've got emails of intent, yeah? Things like that?

No. But...

it was.

You're not well, Tom.

It's them.

It's what they do to me.

I'm fine.

If you're fine, if what I just saw is you at your mental peak,

then we've got a bigger problem, don't you think?

Go home now, and make an appointment to see a doctor.

And tell them all about what happened.

But today's when we're talking about redundancy.

Just put your health first. I need to be here.

Put your health first.

And leave.

Now.

Go on.

What happened?

The others at work...

Andy, Becky, Isobel.

Maybe Isobel. I don't know.

I had this big meeting with Mark Baxter set up,

and they wound me up, and up, being just...

..horrible, about Millie.

Millie? What were they saying?

They didn't say anything. They're cleverer than that.

But they were asking questions.

And I knew... And taking the piss.

And I had a... I got angry.

And Clayton was there.

And Chris Carter. And...

He said I wasn't well.

That I should see a GP. He sent me home.

How do you feel...?

As if it's my fault.

What do you think?

I've been pushed out.

I'm not ill.

But you said you got angry?

Because of what they were saying. Mocking me.

Anyone would.

Isn't this just what people are like? In business.

It's never bothered you before.

You don't understand.

Thomas, the school called me just now.

Millie's been in a fight.

What? Yep.

She's fine.

And they're dealing with it.

But the reason they called

is because apparently you told her to fight back.

She said her daddy told her

that if they attacked, to give it back worse.

Did you say that?

I meant she should stand up for herself.

Did you say that?

I love you.

But maybe it's time to take a break.

Because that's just not you, Thomas.

Will you go to the doctors? I know how it looks.

Will you go?

Thomas.

Please.

Just take some time and go.

For me.

GIGGLING

FUCK YOU!

ECHOES: Fuck you!