Original subtitles

Cargo's still on the runway.

All outside checks complete.

Good. Let's get out of this, John.

Right.

John? John?

What? Come on. I want you with me. Alright.

I would not advise you to delay.

We expect the rebels to attack very shortly. I'll take off as soon as I'm

refueled and I've got my cargo.

Captain Blair, you have not understood.

The rebels are going to attack in considerable force.

I have not the men or the equipment to hold this ethio.

If you're not airborne in half an hour, I don't think you'll ever be.

I came here to pick up a cargo, and that's what I intend to do.

Stoney! Darwish!

Darwish!

What about my paperwork?

There is no time, Captain, and no one to issue it. I am the agent, but I have no

official position. Am I clear to take? You are clear.

I need that official.

I'm making it official.

The airport is subject to martial law. I am that law, and I say you may take off.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

That is very good advice, Captain. With your kind permission, I will get into my

car and go home.

Not so fast, Darwish.

With my kind permission, you're going to get some men, and you're going to load

my cargo. Please, Captain Blake, those rebels are evil men. They will kill us

all. My cargo, Darwish.

Our dog, Dover.

How much fuel have we got here? Three hours. Great is the beginning.

We're not getting started.

We're taking them. We have to give them the chance, don't we?

Well, without our cargo, their weight makes no difference.

Right. Now, don't talk. Just listen.

There's a military coup in the making, Outsiders. I'm sure you're aware.

I'm not taking my cargo, and there's room for a few passengers. Any of you

want to come, you're welcome.

But I'm leaving now. I think we should wait.

Suit yourself.

I'll come with you, Captain.

I have a feeling the scheduled flight's not arriving.

But it has to. I'm a regular customer. My flight... The scheduled flight is not

coming. They'll be aware of the state of emergency, and they'll know the

airport's unmanned. It's the first place the rebels make for. What do you think

all the racket's about?

It's up to you.

Tito covers, plugs, pins?

Stowed. Your checks.

Complete. Fuel?

Eight tons.

Start a master switch. Start a master switch.

On. Number three selected.

Down towards the tail.

Keep yourselves down for the takeoff.

Anti-collision lights. Anti-collision lights selected. On. Tie your luggage

down as well. Wind them up.

Button in green light.

I'll have V110, V200. 1,000. It's a light.

Dave, what sort of heading do we want? 330 degrees.

Captain!

Get out!

Open fuel lights all out.

Stuffers. Let's get out of here.

What's happening? The jocks. He hasn't moved the jocks.

Dave, get outside and sting the wheel chocks. Use the ladder.

If the airport were short and we surrounded over, I'd need to catch that

plane.

Get out of here, then. Right.

Hey, those two fellas are trying to get on. Open the tail pack, Saw, and throw

out a cargo net.

One of them didn't make it!

What's the burner radio frequency, Don?

It'll be 2N890.

Put out the call, will you? Have to let somebody know.

If they're listening.

Take over, will you, Don?

I'm going back to check.

Sorry to mess you about.

Anytime, Tony, anytime.

It's a kidney.

Black blood.

It was in Bali a little bit.

That's all we need. One of the passengers has been hurt. Right.

Right.

Let's have a look.

It's a first aid kit in the galley. Fetch it.

At the back.

I'm very grateful, Captain. What else can I say?

Thank you very much.

I'm sorry your friend didn't make it.

Yeah.

Well, you saved our lives.

Let me do it.

That was quite a take-off. Did you know there was going to be a coup?

I had an idea it might happen.

I wish someone had told me.

I've got a cargo back there. I had to leave it.

I'm sorry.

I'm glad you didn't leave us.

Do I understand there might be trouble at Tekendi? There could be. We don't

have authority.

We have to have a flight plan and full technical clearance.

These days, countries are a bit touchy about airspace.

We could all end up in jail.

Well,

that depends on how the captain handles a very dicey situation.

Are we under arrest?

Officially, yes.

Unofficially, we wait and see.

Where can I telephone?

Well, it used to be about two miles down the road, if it's working.

You mean there isn't a telephone in the airport?

This isn't Heathrow.

It isn't even Stanwyck.

There have to be office phones.

Oh, that I accept.

You might get to one. I couldn't.

Still, I don't want to phone anybody anyway.

No, Captain Blair. That is not good enough.

You have no authority to be here. There is no approved flight plan.

It is not good enough. Listen!

I came here because I didn't have enough fuel to go anywhere else.

There's a state of national emergency in Zimbabwe. The airport was being

attacked.

I must consult my superiors.

He's going to be tricky.

And if his boss goes by the book, we're in trouble.

He isn't going to see his boss.

That door leads nowhere. He's going to have a cigarette and work out how much

he can screw us for.

Didn't anyone say anything about the aircraft?

I know.

I do understand that, Alec.

We'll try and find out something, please.

What did he say? There is an attempted coup, but everything's very confused.

The government... Oh, to hell with politics! Where's my aircraft?

Didn't they get out?

I don't know, Ray.

Alec will find out what he can.

Their agent knows Darwish. If they can get through to him, he'll call us back.

Supposing they don't get out...

Then I've had it, love. That's it.

I've got to pay the bank by next Wednesday.

That cargo would keep me solvent.

Only just that it would be for the moment.

Come on, Tony.

Red F, Red Office.

Oh, it's you, Tom.

Yes.

No. No, there's no news.

No, nothing.

Yes, I know. We do understand that, Tom.

Well, don't worry. I'm quite sure your cargo will be fine.

Your situation is most serious, Captain Blair.

It is not certain if I can give you permission to continue on your way.

Is your carnet up to date?

No.

Our instructions are to obtain fuel by current transaction.

I see.

And do you have enough cash to pay for your fuel, Captain? Or is there some

arrangement for bank transfer?

cash as i'm sure you're aware i would imagine you would require something like

30 tons of fuel for your britannia captain shall we say 4 000 pounds

sterling or 30 tons

you may go

there we go

I am, as you know, a great admirer of Britain.

If I was able to arrange for your Britannia to take off and to continue

over our airspace, you would, I am sure, be very grateful.

How grateful?

Four thousand pounds.

Give it to him, Don. Sure. Just give it to him.

You get this, and we get official authority, Himmler.

I must ask you to sign them, Captain.

Thank you.

I take it that my passengers and crew won't be allowed to leave the airport?

Regrettably, Captain, but my hands are tied.

However, I will do what I can.

Thank you.

Oh, I've got some loose change in my pocket.

Why don't you take that as well?

Regard this as a fine, Captain.

I might have imposed one.

We tried the carne.

As you can imagine, it didn't work. We'll have to pay for it.

What with?

Well, I thought Mason gave us the cash.

We were fined for an illegal landing.

I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do to help you.

But, Captain!

Captain, you've brought us this far. Can't you stretch the point once again?

It's not a question of stretching points. I've got authority to proceed

and I'd be perfectly happy to take any of you.

I can't take off because I don't have any fuel and I don't have the money to

buy fuel. But surely just a few gallons of petrol. 30 tons to be precise.

Don't airlines have credit in their ports of course? Yes of course they do

but unfortunately I work for a company whose credit has run out.

We had the cash with us and I've just paid that to a gentleman over there for

what is euphemistically termed a fine. We call it dash and some people refer to

it as being held by the short and curlies. I see.

I would like to speak with this gentleman.

I don't think that's a very good idea.

It can't give you fuel. That belongs to straightforward, commercial, hard-headed

companies who like the sound of cash registers. I wasn't intending to ask him

for fuel, Captain. I merely want to use his phone.

She'll be lucky.

Transfer the cash flow directly to Louis and Edgar, and the share allotment to

Exeter Holdings.

The transfer won't have to show this date.

No, I can get Congreve to backdate the purchase.

We have to think of a way of accounting for the delay in banking.

Could be sticky if they're dealt too deep.

Yes? Mr. Burton, it's your wife calling.

My wife? Where's she calling from?

Takendi.

Takendi? Where on earth's that?

West Africa.

Oh, very well. Put it through.

Hello, Monica?

Can you speak up? We have a bad line.

Yes, that's better.

God, are you all right?

Yes.

Yes, I'm listening.

How much?

That's a very great deal of money.

Yes.

Yes, indeed, it could be very interesting.

Do you have the details?

Red Air.

Yes, based at Cranton.

yes I'll make the necessary transfer immediately.

can you give me your number?

five?

it may take two hours it may take two days.

yes yes I will. yes I'll do my best.

yes and look after yourself.

goodbye.

Maureen?

I want to speak to Henry Maitland urgently and I want him not his

secretary.

You know the air freight we've been considering?

I want you to check out a company based at Cranton Airport.

They call themselves Red Air.

I'm just putting £4,000 at their disposal, which I understand they badly

need.

I want you to find out their viability, their assets, and what it would take to

buy them out or obtain a controlling interest.

Hey, lads. Take it away.

Hot gasoline.

Pulse alarm, no damage. Good.

Right, we're ready to go.

Or we would be if we had any fuel.

Captain?

Well, did you manage to persuade him to let you use his telephone?

Of course.

What's more to the point? Did you get through? I got through to my husband in

under an hour. Oh, bully for you.

How are things in the old country?

I didn't have time for inconsequential chat, Captain. I tried to be practical.

Splendid. When can we expect the first food parcels? I didn't think we needed

long-term sustenance.

I merely requested fuel be made available to you.

You did what?

You should receive your allocation within the hour. Ah, I see.

Tony!

I don't get it. The fuel boys are on the way over with a full tank. It's all for

us. How did you do it?

I didn't.

We have to thank this lady.

Monica Burton.

Tony Blair.

Thank you, Mrs. Bell.

Pete, we've got fuel.

Don't ask me how.

See if you can find Don and tell those civilians they've got a floor seat back

to the UK. I'm going to go and see the agents. There's nothing he can do about

the stuff in Zimbabwe.

I know that, but I'm going to try and find a load back from here if I can.

Right.

... ... ... ...

... ... ...

Oh, and look after the guy with the injured leg.

Don't you want to say goodbye?

No, just get rid of them.

I want to slip away unnoticed.

Hello, Don.

No holes, Ray.

Blair's in the cabin.

Hello, Dave. You all right? Make sure Harry checks the number one engine.

Right. Well done, Theo.

Tony, you better get out of here quick. What? Take a look outside.

Oh, damn!

Sorry, mate. There's nothing I can do about it. Somebody must have tipped him

off. Darling!

Welcome home, darling.

You owe some fellow called Burton the cost of the fuel. Pete's got the

paperwork. But you had the cash. What happened to it? Hillme at Tekendi

decided to impose a fine for invasion of airspace and absence of flight plan

clearance. The bastard.

Well, it's academic now. I couldn't even refill my lighter.

I was in very good hands, Charles.

I gather the pilot is in some sort of trouble.

Publicity is the last thing he wants.

You seen the morning papers?

A couple.

Sky freighter in dramatic rescue bid. The hero of Zimbabwe.

Daredevil freighter captain snatches English woman from African hellhole.

It's all rubbish.

Buccaneer Blair.

You're going to get stuck with that one, Tony. I did try to keep my name out of

it.

All right, so I was unlucky. I got caught in a revolution.

It can happen to anyone.

Of course.

But if it's going to happen to a senior captain in our company, we'd prefer him

to be flying one of our aircraft.

For which he draws his salary. I'm sorry. I was doing a favor for a friend.

You were moonlighting. I said I was sorry, Frank.

Don't say you got caught.

You know it goes on. I'm not the only one.

But you're the one who's hit the headlines and caused the company

embarrassment.

Didn't take the press long to find out you're on our staff.

They've been on all morning.

What were we supposed to say? What did you say?

That you were flying for Mason without permission.

Then what's your problem?

The problem is that you're under exclusive contract to this airline and

to fly passenger jets, not hump cargo for some cowboy in a Britannia.

The CAA aren't going to be happy.

Are you cleared for this, Tony?

When did you last fly a Brit?

I was checked out five weeks ago. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a Rome

flight in one hour's time.

Tony?

I'm putting on a standby, Captain.

You're grounded.

How long for?

That's up to the directors.

We'll let you know.

I'm sorry if I put you in a spot, Jack.

Sounded like a neat bit of flying.

Good morning.

Oh, you're up.

That was a solid sleep I needed it a pleasure of a comfortable bed and no

insects Well Your trip appears to be successful

Apart from the fact that you nearly didn't get back.

Yes, it was How did the African article go down?

Oh very well as always The press have been

trying to make contact but I didn't want to disturb you what do they want

Ah, given a better splash, haven't they? Naturally.

Something with all the swashbuckling elements we've bound to quicken our news

editors' pulse these grey days.

This man Blair seems to buckle a swash for the best of them.

Sounding rather sour this morning.

I'm sorry, but I've become a trifle irritated with reporters who try to

imply a romantic attachment between my wife and her intrepid rescuer.

You know I don't like publicity.

Charles, you're jealous. How lovely.

There were one or two others involved, you know. Didn't you read that bit? The

others you will find continued on page eight.

If you can find it.

Now, it's Ewan Blair who the news anchor, Monica.

He was a very brave man, Charles. It really was a terrifying experience.

I'm very grateful to him, naturally.

If anything had happened to you...

Hello, Tom.

Everything all right? Yes, everything's fine.

I've been suspended.

Oh, well, at least they haven't fired you then.

They'll kick me out this time, Ray. With all that publicity, what are they

supposed to do? Oh, no, they backed you up, said you were flying with their

permission. Condoning it in public is one thing, but employees need to see

what happens to a captain when he's a naughty boy.

I suppose they're right.

I'd do the same myself.

Ray. You owe me money, and I need it now.

Yes, of course, Tom.

Can you hang on till the end of the month?

Have you paid Burton yet? Burton?

Burton, the man who paid your fuel bill into Kendi.

You wouldn't have a plane out there if it wasn't for him. No, no, not yet.

Well, I haven't had the bill yet, have I? Hey, Alex says the government troops

have regained control.

Your stuff's intact.

It can be collected any time.

Right.

Keep at Daniels. Tell him I need a load to take out to Central Africa now.

Anything. Put the squeeze on him. I've done plenty for him. Oh, and the crew

needs pay.

They'll have to wait.

Just keep them off my back for ten days, though.

I didn't want to... I'll discuss it in front of Kim, but things have got very

hairy over the past week.

She's a bright girl, Ray. She's been stalling off your creditors. She must

know. She doesn't know I might have to stand her off next week. Oh, come off

it. You're always pleading poverty.

Let's call it cash flow fatigue.

The authority have told me I've got 21 days to sort it out. You call it what

you like, but if you don't pay me, I'll stick a ticket on that old crate of

yours and claim the salaries.

Tony, do you mind walking a bit faster?

How much do you owe that one?

Court order for the rates.

Things are that bad, you've got to hide in your own plane.

Do you notice all the activity around here?

Even the ground engineers have walked out on me.

You see, that last shipment was my one hope of getting out of trouble. Now

that's gone.

Red air is broke.

You better believe it.

I'm beginning to.

Look.

I'm only carrying 17 and a half tons in this.

With fuel prices going through the roof, the others have got the edge on me. I've

had it.

What are you planning to do?

Sell up. I've no choice.

Well, can't you dry lease this place?

Oh, I thought about it, but it takes too long to get your money back.

I need the cash now.

You got a buyer?

No, not yet. I only decided overnight.

What are you asking?

300,000.

300,000?

I've seen these things go for one hour. No, not with four good engines. They

cost 50,000 each to replace, you know that?

How long has your C of A got to run?

Six months.

This time? No, but that's another thing. I'm not sure it can be replaced without

a lot of money being spent.

Look, I...

I need a big shot in the arm, Tony. I kid myself I can hang on till the next

job, but I can't. I'm up to here.

We tried ringing.

I just got back.

Well, what's my sentence?

Tony, you and I have known each other since we were flying ducks in Singapore.

Frank, I'm not in the mood for flannel. If you've got bad news for me, let me

have it.

The company wants your resignation.

I'm fired?

No.

Well, not exactly.

We mutually agreed to terminate your contract. What's the difference?

The amount of compensation.

How much?

Ten thousand.

Double it.

Tony, you got us into this mess.

We could sling you out without a penny.

But you won't, because the press would make a meal of it.

What are my chances of getting on the flight deck with another airline?

In the right-hand seat? I don't fly the right-hand seat.

You've blotted your copybook. Right, and it's a tight little world.

Hold the line, will you?

Frank, I can't... I can't live on the ground. It's not my element.

I need to fly, and there may be only one way I can do that, and for that I need

as much cash as I can raise.

All right.

I'll try and get you 20.

Hello?

Speaking. Yes, of course I remember you, Mrs Burton.

Well, it's very kind of you.

Yes, I'd like to.

Where do I find you?

That's right, I know where it is.

What number?

Right. About eight o'clock.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Right.

We have a deal.

Twenty-five grand.

So, what happens now?

Good question.

I don't have an answer yet.

I don't understand it. I would have thought that an airline... No,

no, no. That little incident wasn't quite the right image for an airline

captain. What should a captain have done?

Left us there for a bullet to the head when he finished playing games?

No, but he would have weighed up the risk of a stray bullet. and incinerating

everyone at the end of the runway.

And you didn't, Captain.

Oh, I don't believe that.

He would have decided to stay for it, and I chanced it.

Was it really that hairy?

Well, yes.

Halfway down the runway, I didn't think we were going to make it.

But we did.

Am I glad I didn't know that.

Look rough, but... Well, one trusts pilots.

And that counts as a black mark against you.

So, as a result of saving half a dozen people's lives, you may find yourself

unemployable. I find that extraordinary.

But predictable.

Well, let's just say that most other airlines would think at least twice, and

they'd be right.

Flying by the seat of your pants went out with the war.

Today's jet pilot is a skilled technician.

Not much else, he can't be.

Anyway, that's not the point.

I was moonlighting.

I have a confession to make.

I think I'm responsible for your being fired.

You see, I'm a journalist, and when I was in Tekendi, I made a second phone

call to the press.

I'm sorry, I just didn't realise.

No, no, no, no, it doesn't matter.

If I was the one out of court, I'd take back the gun. I really am desperately

sorry. Don't beg.

I had it coming.

He is a buccaneer. The press got that right.

We often do.

There's an emergency pack in the bottom drawer.

Thanks, love. You know what I'll do with that.

Kim, stop typing for a minute, will you?

Listen, kid, this'll come as no surprise to you, but I'm really flat this time.

I can't even pay for this month's salaries.

Hey, wait a minute.

I paid you. I know I did.

I gave it to Pete.

He has four kids and a mortgage. He needs it.

Look, Ray, I know better than you how much we owe. I get the bills, remember?

I also keep the books and stall your creditors.

Go home, love.

You're done in.

I've had enough for today.

Today is tomorrow.

I won't be in till 11.

Oh, and, Ray, don't call me kid, eh?

I won't walk out on you. You're going to need someone to look after you.

Besides, I run this firm.

And I even quite like you.

You've got the cheek of the devil, you have.

I'm old enough to be your father.

Yes, you're quite like him.

He went bankrupt as well.

No, it's not quite the same thing, love. You see, I've got some assets.

It's just a question of cashing them in for the best price I can get.

I used to say things like that.

Got done in the end just the same.

Yes, I have plans in that direction.

Good night. Good night.

Good night.

I've already looked into red air.

It's in a very bad state. It's been inefficiently run and undercapitalized.

Good night.

I'm intending to offer for it.

You mean you're going to screw Ray Mason while he's on the ground?

I'm sorry for him, of course, but I want the best deal I can get.

And I'd like you to run it.

A straightforward partnership basis.

Interested?

I could be.

Let me think about it.

Could the company in...

Your opinion would be made to operate profitably.

If you could keep the plane in the air 24 hours a day, load it, which you

can't.

That old aircraft needs more than average maintenance, but a profit is

possible. I understand there's six months left on the license. After that,

it may have to be scrapped, but that six months could be very profitable.

No, no, that certificate of airworthiness wouldn't be transferred to

you. You'd have to reapply in the new name, and they'd inspect.

But the...

The Brits wear pretty well. That one's about 20 years old, but it still flies.

Well, if you'll excuse me, I think it's time I went. Yes, of course.

Good night, Blair.

We'll be in touch.

Bye, and thank you.

Good night, Tim.

Will we see you soon? Oh, I hope so.

Well? I think he'll do very well.

You may not agree to all your schemes. That could be difficult.

I think you'll be amenable.

Once he's up to his neck, he'll have to be.

Or what? You'll pull out and leave him holding the baby?

I have certain more or less immediate uses for a cargo airline.

High risks, high profits.

Blair and I will share them.

He'll take the risks, and you will take the profits.

Charles, you're impossible.

no not impossible.

I'm just better at it than most.

I'm not doing anything illegal are you? Monica you know I make a point of never

breaking the law.

no but my god you could bend it out of all recognition.

so you think Tony will agree to you?

do I sense that you find him attractive?

yes I do.

but so are you.

What's your price?

What, all up?

Half a million?

Right, for a couple of old porter cabins and a bit of shed space in this old

crate. It's a going concern, mate.

Yes. Going where?

Who's asking,

anyway?

Me.

You.

It's a serious proposition, Ray.

It won't be a sensible price.

You got a backer? Yes.

Then fetch him to me. I could use him.

Okay.

Clear it with the tower to give that engine an idle run, will you? We're

testing the alternator.

What are you getting her ready for?

Buyers. They'll want a test flight.

Buyers? I'm the only one who's bidding.

Don't be so sure, Tony.

When can I see your books?

I'll tell you what I'll do.

You get your backer in to see me and we'll do a three-way split.

You, me and the money. That could be a nice little partnership.

Okay?

I'll put it to him. I'm not greedy.

This afternoon?

Yeah.

Fine.

Charles said he'd be here soon. Let's have a drink while we're waiting. Yes,

thanks. I'll have a whiskey.

You want ice?

Is it malt?

We have malt, yes.

No ice.

I've been reading some of your stuff.

It's very good.

Readable. Witty and persuasive.

That surprises you?

Frankly, yes.

You thought I was a rich bitch amusing herself?

I didn't say that.

You implied it.

Haven't you noticed yet women don't just have marshmallow between their ears?

It may come as a shock to you, but that's the way it is.

I'm sorry.

Shall we start again?

I'm sorry. I shouldn't sound off like that, but Charles can be patronizing too

sometimes, and when I catch that tone of voice, I just...

React. Sorry I'm a little late.

I got your message. I'm afraid the answer's no. I don't want Mason.

Why not?

Because he's a loser.

And I don't like losers.

What are you going to offer him?

Leave that to me. I'm used to this sort of thing.

Charles will get you the best deal in town, Tony, I assure you. Best for whom?

For me, of course.

In this case, for us.

Shall we go? We can talk in the car.

Thank you.

It's you, Tom.

Hello, Ray.

This is Charles Burke.

Ah, delighted to meet you, Mr. Burton. Mr. Coyne, Mr. Craig.

They armed?

Would it be convenient for my accountants to see your books, Mr.

Mason?

Oh, well, you might have warned me. Is there a problem, Mr. Mason? No, no, I'm

a bit short-staffed, that's all. Things are a bit upside down. Oh, that's quite

all right. These gentlemen are used to finding their way around unaided.

Yes, go through.

Please.

I don't want to waste your time and mine, Mr. Burton, but did Tony tell you

there is another buyer in the market?

We may be prepared to match his offer, assuming there are no substantial debts.

And we're talking in the region of half a million? There are debts of over 100

,000, I understand.

Plus a small sum that you already owe me, fuel from Teckendy. Oh, yes, yes. I

meant to thank you for helping me out like that. Yes.

I'll let you have a check by the end of the week. Good. We all have need of our

capital these days, Mr. Mason.

Friday, if you don't mind.

Well, I'm glad we've met.

I'll leave my accountants with you, and we'll be in touch in due course.

Committable.

I hope you know what you're doing.

Where the hell have you been? I said I was going to be late. Well, I hope he

was worth it.

Now, look here, Ray. I've just been out trying to save your bacon, if you must

know.

I've got us a load of fragile instruments.

They're due in Nairobi tomorrow.

They're being loaded at the moment. On Saturday, you can pick up the cargo left

at Zimbabwe.

Will that do?

And now, if you don't mind, I've got the paperwork to attend to, or you won't be

able to take off tomorrow.

Oh, and by the way, you still need a co-pilot. Don Saunders says no more till

you pay him.

Mafioso. Oh, they're a prospective buyer's accountants. They're going

through the books.

Not without me, they're not.

I've been thinking, Ray.

What?

I'll fly the right-hand seat with you if it'll help. Oh, but you know I can't.

No, no, no, no. Forget the money, and I mean all of it.

I may need a favor myself someday.

Oh, thanks. You're a mate. First light tomorrow if we get clearance.

Oh, Pete!

Yep? How long do you reckon?

20 minutes.

Oh, great.

Does this mean you'll be able to hang on?

Don't see why not.

It's a day-to-day existence, but at least it's mine, what there is of it.

Have you any idea what Burton was thinking of offering?

Well, you can bet it won't be the top price.

Have you really had another offer?

You think you went silly?

That's how I see it.

He's got breathing space for about another two weeks.

Can he hold out for longer? That's the question. Oh, no. No way.

No, it's a classic example of a firm going to the war.

He just isn't a businessman.

He knows any real assets. The young woman, what's her name?

Hayward.

So, that's it, is it?

Not entirely.

I had an idea this might happen, and I used the examination of the books to

find out where his prime debts lay.

Now, you're flying with him to Africa, I believe.

Can you ensure he's not back in the UK till Tuesday?

I could do, I suppose. Why?

By tomorrow, I will have bought up all his debts, and with those and the

unacknowledged debt of fuel, I shall foreclose on him and obtain the company

for less than I would have offered.

Charles, you can be a dreadful man when you put your mind to it. I have no time

for sentimental niceties, Monica.

I need him to be unavailable. Can I rely on you?

I take it that that's my part of the bargain?

In practical terms, yes.

I shall, of course, still require your capital investment.

I think it stinks.

Mason goes like a lamb to the slaughter and you want me to hold him there for

the chop?

No way, Burton.

I'll find another way, another airline. Thanks very much.

Sit down, Blair.

Look, if I don't take him over, he'll last another couple of weeks.

Then the courts will do exactly as I'm suggesting and leave him with even less.

But at least I won't be a party to it.

Ah, your delicate conscience.

Let's try and be a little less subjective, Blair. Come on, sit down.

I've scoured this business very thoroughly, I can assure you.

And this is the only cargo airline available in the immediate future.

You can try for yourself.

There aren't that many to start with, not anymore.

Charles is right.

Look, he's a good businessman.

You want your own airline.

Well, you'd be free to run this your own way.

It's a chance that might never come again.

Red air or nothing.

All right.

I'll keep him out of the way.

But there's one condition.

Mason stays with the company and has a seat on the board.

We each allow him to buy a share of the company holding. No, I don't want him.

He's made a mess of it so far, we can't afford him. You're not listening,

Burton.

That's my sole condition.

But it is a condition.

Okay, Dave. Ray's on his way.

Hello, Ray.

Well,

I'm ready for clearing. Push back.

What are we supposed to live on?

Don, he's going through a sticky patch at the moment. You know that. He's

worried. He's trying to make ends meet.

He has to rob Peter to pay for it.

How is it I'm always cast as Peter, though?

He never said anything about the game being rough when he talked me into

leaving transit.

It was all going to be cakes and ale.

Well, it never worked out that way.

He conned me, Kim.

I don't like that.

If he did, he cons himself in the process.

He really believed he was going to make it, Don. So did Jim Callaghan.

Didn't do him much good, either.

I want my money, Kim.

This time, I want it out of his pocket, not yours.

Hmm. God.

When's he back?

Wednesday, maybe Thursday.

Let's hear it. Miss Hayward?

Yes.

I am formally serving notice that as of one hour ago, I have accepted assignment

of red-air debts totaling £164,722.

You can't do that! I assure you that I can and have. This is my accountant and

my solicitor. They can inform you of greater authority if you so wish.

Mr. Burton has lodged monies with the three main creditors and the company's

bank. This is

totally unethical, Mr. Burton.

Mr. Mason is not here to defend himself.

I don't see how you can do this sort of thing without his consent.

This has nothing to do with Mason. I'm dealing with the company, a trading

entity. The CAA will not permit this sort of deal.

Before you make a fool of yourself, Miss Hayward, I think you ought to know that

the CAA are delighted that Red Air is solvent once again.

and that someone's going to manage it with a little efficiency for a change.

But speak to them, if you wish.