(Thunder)
I know that this time Lady Luck is on my side.
I really will break the bank.
(Man) You're a damn loser, Algie!
You always were and you always will be!
(Breathing heavily)
Oh! And enjoy the rest of the weekend.
- Psst! - (Coughing)
Somehow I don't think you'll get very far without this.
It's unbelievable.
- God, it's absolutely unbelievable. - Shh! Don't be so rude!
I hate the lot of you! Please. Clarissa! Mother!
Ah! Take him away quick.
(Algie) My roulette system is foolproof.
- If only you'd given me one last chance. - (Laughter)
- Do you think you can handle a tiger, ma'am? - Yes, Sergeant.
- I say, Clarissa! - Sorry, Peter. We're made for each other.
- Known it for yonks. Bye, Mummy darling. - Bye!
(Tinker) They're very good, aren't they?
Fabulous.
- (Laughter) - It's getting dark.
It's getting dark!
- (Laughter) - We'll fly by night.
- We'll fly by night! - (Laughter)
(Applause)
- It was deliberate! - That doesn't matter, darling.
- You were both stunning. (Chuckles) - Oh, thanks.
Yeah. They are fabulous.
What are they?
They're 18th-century political satires by James Gillray.
- (Grunts) - "La Belle Assemblée."
Tink, haven't seen this one before. "The Reception Of The Diplomatique, 1792."
Look at those colors, hey?
I know this one. Fashionable Contrasts.
Well, what are those two supposed to be doing?
Those feet are reputed to be the feet of the Duchess o' York.
Eh?
- And? - History repeating itself, Eric? Eh?
"More Pigs Than Teats."
- Eric, this is right up your street. - Mm? What's that supposed to mean?
- (Lovejoy giggles) - Well, well, well.
Good old Lovejoy. Feel at home, do we?
Once a divvy.
Never mind the performance.
Never mind us poor amateurs acting our hearts out.
Just come straight in and have a good rummage round the set, why don't you?
Anything else you fancy?
Oh, how about the armor? I don't see the "sold" sticker on that piece.
- It was fiberglass. - You were out of this world, Janey.
What's that supposed to mean? You only caught the last five minutes.
I was out getting your desk. Anyway, grace and talent can be spotted in five seconds.
Hm-hm! And I loved it.
But I don't think you should have gone off with that copper. You should have married Peter.
- I like Peter. - (Man guffawing)
So does the copper.
Jane, Sarah Bernhardt could not have performed it better.
Oh, thank you, Tinker.
Was she the one in Mad Max?
Caligula The Musical.
The time's perfect for it. Excuse me.
Aha! The pros.
I can tell. You've got that look about you. Here.
- This is Bernie, our director. This is Lovejoy. - Hi.
- Eric and Tinker. - Pleased to meet you all.
You know, you were the only people out there tonight with opera glasses and flowers.
Only pros have them. I'm right, aren't I?
Sorry to disappoint you, Bernie, but these are friends of mine.
- Oh, I see. - But I thought it was ace.
- I loved every minute of it. - Oh, thank you very much.
Last time I saw something like that was on a troop ship going out to Durban.
But I was saying to Lady Jane that I don't think she should have gone off
- with that copper... - Where'd you get these prints?
Lovejoy!
I must admit, I'm not really into the theater myself but I don't mind taking the props back.
Especially if they're Gillrays, and especially if, with any luck -
well, it's not really luck, it's called professional acumen -
I'll be carrying them out again within ten minutes.
The bit in between is called "doing the deal".
And then the alchemy begins, transmuting these things into serious money.
- (Car door closes) - Come on, Janey!
(Lovejoy) Uh, would you like us to make you an offer, Mr. Murphy?
(Scottish accent) We'll talk about a price later.
Erm, where did they come from, Mr. Murphy?
Oh, they didn't come from anywhere. Been in the family for ages.
I think my grandfather got them somewhere.
I like this one.
The Diplomat.
I could have been a diplomat once. If I'd stuck it.
But you chose this career instead, eh?
He could fairly hit 'em on the head could old...
- Gillray. - Gillrie.
Gillray. Do you have anything else that's old around here, Mr. Murphy?
Er, do you mean as in antique or decrepit?
- As in the former. - Well, nothing at the moment but I could see.
- Annie's coming to look at the roll-top desk. - Murphy, do you wanna give us a price?
- Hundred and fifty. - For the lot?
- Each. - Oh, no. That's 750.
- Smart boy. Smarter than the rest. - I was thinking more like 500.
Seven hundred. We take plastic.
- We accept all major credit cards! - (Clucking)
(Beeping)
(Chugging)
Ah! I was thinking... cash.
- Six-fifty's my bottom line. - How about six?
(Lovejoy) Fifteen hundred quid for the lot, Howard?!
No, no, no, no, no. I reckon this print diplomatique is worth 1500 on its own!
Yeah, I know there's a recession on, Howard. Listen, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.
I'm gonna get a member of my staff to wrap 'em up and send them down to you on Red Star
so you can have a look at them. How's that sound? Good. Talk to you later.
Get a member of staff to wrap 'em up and send them down to London, eh?
Well, let me just tell you something, Lovejoy.
This member of staff isn't a member of your staff.
While I'm on the subject, I've just schlepped all the way to Ipswich
to a shop that was shut... Well, "shut", it was bloody derelict!
- I mean, when did you last go there? - You're very lovely when you're angry.
Eh?
Oh, finally got the desk, I see, Lovejoy.
What, you don't think we'd let you down, do you, Mrs. Brodie?
What do you think, Janey? Do you think Bill will like it?
I never know what to get him for his birthday.
- His idea of a good present is an unusual pig. - (Chuckles)
Well, it's a lovely piece of furniture.
It's got tons of space and, to be quite honest, at £1800 it's not overpriced.
Er, Janey?
(Hushed) It's 2,000.
Now, what's 200 between friends?
Nothing, as long as I get commission on 2,000.
- Where did you say it came from? - From a doctor's family in Ipswich.
Yes, and apparently Gladstone used to use it whenever he went over to visit them.
You know me. I only want pieces with a true provenance.
Now, they are nice. Are these the ones you mentioned?
Who are they by?
- Oh, they're by... - James Gillray, an 18th-century caricaturist.
Well, actually they're on their way to London, Mrs. Brodie.
Oh, what a pity. I rather like them.
Look at this one of the pigs. Bill would love that.
"More Pigs Than Teats." (Laughs) Story of his life, poor man.
These are supposed to be members of the establishment sucking the state dry, actually.
- Is that a fact? - Yeah.
(Tuts) Pity. They'd look nice in his study.
Would go well with that wallpaper, wouldn't you say, Janey?
I'm sure there's a way round it, Mrs. Brodie. They don't come cheap though, you know.
I mean a nice round figure for the set of five would be...
(Inhales sharply)
...two grand.
That is very round, Lovejoy. Very round indeed.
But then again, I suppose it will only go on tax if I don't buy something with it.
Oh, look at this one. "The Duchess's Little Shoe Yielding To The Magnitude Of The Duke's Foot."
(Laughs) Bit rude, isn't it?
I like them. I'll take the lot. When can you deliver everything?
- Eric? - About tennish tomorrow morning.
And I suppose you want me to gift-wrap the desk do you?
Oh! That would be nice. Pink ribbon and a few balloons?
That would be nice.
Right.
You should have seen this place when we moved in. Bill's family were real peasants.
They'd been living here for 300 years
and I don't think they'd given it a coat of paint once in all that time.
There was so much damp in the parlor - sorry, lounge -
even the furniture had got athlete's foot. (Chuckles)
Oh, that looks fantastic. He'll love that.
Perhaps I should hide inside it wearing something thin
like one of those exploding birthday cakes.
Then again, knowing me, I'd probably get cramp or something.
Now, the pictures.
(Jane) Eric, could you offer the feet up over by the door here? Lovejoy, come and have a look.
Try it over on the big wall over there.
- Eric, try two up there side by side. - Eh?
That's an idea. Take the other one down first though.
(Eric sighs)
(Lovejoy coughs) Eric...
Could try them on either side of the mirror, you know.
Bit high up, do you not think?
- (Eric) Hello? - Yes, that's lovely. I'd like them there.
- Could you hang them? - Right!
Bill! This is Lovejoy and Eric.
Janey you already know.
This is my husband.
He is the most successful pig breeder in the whole of Essex. Bill Brodie.
Not Brodie's Bacon and Bangers?
I know 'em well! Cos my dad used to be a butcher. Sold nothin' else.
Cos that's how I nearly became a vegetarian, you know.
- Cos I mean all that dead flesh around... - Eric! Just go and get your toolbox, will you?
Sorry.
Erm, I'm sorry but you can't go in there until tomorrow morning,
unless you want to spoil a surprise, that is.
(Hushed) You really smell! Do you know that?
It's not a smell, it's a discretionary fragrance! Comes from working with pigs!
Oh, hello! What have we got here?
Ah. Political satires by Gillray. All around 1790.
Satires, eh? Well, that's a new one. It's getting to be a bit like a museum around here.
We'll be needing a catalogue soon.
Not exactly my field of expertise.
Ah! Although, this one could be.
"More Pigs Than Teats...
"or The New Litter Of Hungry Grunters Sucking John Bull's Old Sow To Death."
Now, she'd be either a Black Berkshire or a Large White. But who are all these fellas?
Oh, members of the establishment sucking the state dry.
Hm! Nothing new under the sun, is there?
Well, they sound expensive. How much are they?
They were...
Two grand for the set of five.
- Really? They are genuine, I take it? - Darling!
Well, even I have been known to buy a pig in a poke from time to time.
- Pig in a poke! (Chuckles) - (Lovejoy) No, they're genuine, Bill.
And I don't think you have to worry about Gillray losing his value,
- if that's what you mean. - Ooh!
(Smashing)
Looks like one of them just did.
- (Chuckles) 'Scuse us, eh? - (Eric) Ow!
- Eric, you stupid, clumsy... - Me foot went down the back of the sofa!
Oh, watch it! It's stuck! Ow! Ooh!
Oh, look at that! I thought they were only supposed to be printed on one side.
- What, something on the other side? - Hm. "Black Dick Turned Tailor."
Dated 1788.
And 1787 on this side.
Well, Bill, seems there's a discrepancy over dates in the House of Gillray.
You see? They're duff! Wouldn't be the first time we've had dodgy antiques around here.
Oh, no, they're not duff.
But you might be getting two for the price of one.
- Now we couldn't have that, could we? - The feeling's mutual, Lovejoy.
- Think we need a second opinion. - Oh, I'm terribly sorry about the mess.
But Eric, being one of the finest restorers in the known world...
Will stay behind and restore this room to its previous pristine condition.
- Won't you, Eric? - Course he will.
- Ha! Course I will.
(She chuckles)
Do you think we've been ripped off?
Well, not knowingly, no. But I'd like Howard to take a look at them.
(London accent) Fancy a spot of lunch in London, madam?
Thank you, chauffeur.
"Finest restorer in the known world!"
"Restore it to its original pristine condition!"
Yeah, well one of these days I'm gonna show 'em!
(Vacuum cleaner sputtering)
(Whistles)
(Door opens, closes)
- How are you getting on? - Oh, fine! Fine!
Nearly restored to its former glory! (Laughs)
Oh, is this it?
(Tuts) No! I told you what it looked like.
Are you sure it was a man?
Tinker, I think I can identify the bits that stick out.
Oh, and there was a number on the bottom, 6942.
By the way, where were you yesterday when I was lugging furniture about on me own?
I was at the chiropodist.
- Chiropodist? - Yes, having my lumps done.
A present from the British Army.
The sergeant says "If I say those boots fit, those boots fit!"
Hey!
Is that it?
That's it! That is it!
(Laughs) That's what was in the black bin liner
and it's nicked and that's why it was under the sofa.
I knew it all along.
Ha! What do you think the reward is?
Seventeenth-century Venetian,
possibly a Bacchus. Must be quite substantial.
They wouldn't take a quarter-page ad in the Gazette otherwise. I'd say one to two thousand.
- Two thousand reward! Oh, yes! That'll do me! - Hang on!
Jane decorated the Brodie house almost from top to bottom.
Before you start grassing anybody up, you better have a talk with Lovejoy.
You see this one? Wouski.
She's a character from an opera by Colman called Inkle And Yarico.
This is Prince William Henry. He was in the Navy.
This one is supposed to be the origin of that joke about doing it standing up in a hammock.
I bet it wasn't funny then either.
(Coughs) Yes, well.
The plates are certainly by Gillray but they're all from what's called the Bohn Edition.
They're from the original plates but they're not first editions.
- And how were we to know that? - Well, there's quite a simple test.
You look for Bohn's plate number which he had engraved himself
right here in the top corner. These numbers never appear in the originals
but if the frame or the mount covers the number... you'll never spot it.
See?
You can still read it. "311." (Tuts)
Some dealers rub them out with fine sandpaper but then the paints soaks in slightly darker.
How much would you say for them, then?
Well, they're nicely colored but...
if you paid more than 400 you were robbed.
Shh!
Tell you what.
I'll give 150 for the Duchess of York's feet. Pub on the corner's always asking me for one.
Oh, thank you, Howard, but I already have a buyer.
I was merely seeking a second opinion.
Sorry, there's nobody here at the moment.
If you'd like to leave your message, name and number after the tone
- we'll get back to you as soon as possible. - (Beep)
Erm... Hello, I'm ringing about the erm...
stolen Bacchus in last month's Gazette. Er...
(Coughs) I might have seen it, erm...
The one I saw had the number 6942 on the bottom
and I believe there's a reward. Erm...
So, anyway, my number is 0787...
Er, 37... 6623.
And, er...
Oh! No! Er... Sh... Oh!
Sugar! Damn!
- Do you know what day it is today? - It's not your birthday... is it?
It's my wedding anniversary.
Listen to this, it's rather touching.
"Far be the noise of kings and crowns from us
"Whose gentle souls our kinder fates have steered another way
"Free as the forest birds we'll pair together
"Without remembering who our fathers were
"And in soft murmurs interchange our souls"
- Isn't that beautiful, Lovejoy? - Hm.
- (Car horn) - Lovejoy?
- Hm? - (Car horn)
- Lovejoy, the lights are green! - Oh, yeah, yeah.
(Doorbell)
(Jane) Can you get it, Lovejoy?
Yeah!
(Groans)
- Ooh! Cor! Phew! - (Door bell)
Why is it that people who live in big houses never keep the central heating on?
(Groans)
Oh-oh-oh-oh! It's Mc-Mc-Mc-Mc, uh...
- Mc-Mc... - Inspector McDonald.
Inspector McDonald. 'Scuse me, Inspector McDonald.
- (Gasps) Come for breakfast, have you? - No thank you, Lovejoy.
No? Finest English breakfast tea out of the finest Derby china.
Low-fat milk, essential if you want to keep that fabulous figure of yours, Inspector.
No thanks.
- No? You haven't come for breakfast? - No.
Yesterday we registered a call from the Felsham estate.
Now, where were you yesterday, Lovejoy?
Yesterday he was in London. All day. With me.
- Good morning, Inspector. - Good morning, Lady Felsham.
Coffee, Inspector?
(Eric) 0h, hello. I'm ringing about the stolen Bacchus in last month's Gazette, erm...
I think I might have seen it, erm...
The one I saw had the number 6942 on the bottom and er...
I believe there's a reward.
Erm...
Well, my number is, er, 0787...
37... 6623.
So, erm... Ah! Oh! No! Er... Ah!
So, what have you got to say about that?
I think you'll agree that I'm more of a baritone than a tenor and my accent's a little less rural.
And also, in tracing that call back here, haven't you infringed Lady Felsham's...
- Civil liberties. ...civil liberties?
I work for the police force, not Amnesty International.
And if you've got this thing or you know anything about it,
erm, it would be in your own interests to hand it over or to tell me about it.
I haven't got the faintest idea what you're talking about, but what does interest me
is why the cattle-prod treatment about some Bacchus with a number stamped on its bum?
Oh, dear. And I thought that we could handle this amicably.
- Handle what? - That's a search warrant,
sworn by a magistrate in Chelmsford this morning,
and it authorizes me to search the premises for stolen property.
This is for Felsham Interiors, not here.
It's all right, Lady Felsham, I do know where it is.
She was expecting Chippendale and a bunch of half-naked men turned up.
(Eric laughs)
Doing a little freelance bounty hunting, are we, Eric?
The police got a call from my phone about a stolen Bacchus.
Well, I can explain, Jane. I can explain everything.
(Mimics Eric) I believe there's a reward.
My number is 078737...
(Mimics Eric) 6623.
(Both) Ah! Ooh! No! Erm...
Yeah, but... (Stammers)
- (Groans) - What's the matter, Eric?
Don't you want to share the secret with us? Aren't we friends?
I tried to phone you but you were off to London as if it was closing down.
I'm sorry I phoned.
- So where is this famous stolen Bacchus? - Under your bed?
Well, it's under the sofa at Brodie's house, actually.
(Both) What?
- Jane! Lovejoy. - Bill.
Gotta wean them off their mother sometime. Now's as good a time as any.
Oh, aren't they pretty? All pink and soft.
Great future they've got. They're a sausage with a leg at each corner.
Not a vegetarian, are you?
- Well, I'm a sort of a pseudo-vegetarian. - What does that mean?
I only eat animals that eat vegetables.
- (Sighs) So what brings you up here? - We were looking for Annie.
- Thought you might know where she is? - Knowing Annie,
- she's probably out buying something. - D'you ever see this before?
No, never.
Eric says it's under your sofa in a black plastic bin liner.
Well, what was your man doing poking around underneath my sofa?
You'll be telling me what's in the drawers next!
Actually, he was clearing up the glass from the broken picture.
(Sighs) Right, right. Well, there's only one way to find out what this is about.
(Squealing, grunting)
It's Venetian, 17th century and the number on the base looks like a catalogue number.
Yeah, could have come out of a museum.
Feet first.
(Sighs) Well, I've never seen it before in my life.
- How much is it worth? - Between 15 and 20 grand.
Between 15 and 20 gra...
Well, then it's definitely stolen!
Right. That's it!
This is all I need!
I don't mind Annie buying a few bits and pieces for the farm
but I draw the line at having a house full of stolen property!
The desk is all right, is it? It didn't happen to fall off the back of a furniture lorry, did it?
Now, hang on a minute, Bill.
- I hope you're not implying... - I'm not implying anything at all!
- We won't talk about it until it's sorted, right? - I'm sure there's a simple explanation.
- Well, we'll just have to find out, won't we? - (Car engine)
Excuse me a minute, will you?
(Door opens, closes)
- I don't think he's handling it very well. - Well, what would you tell your spouse
if you just found 20 grand's worth of nicked gear stuffed under your sofa?
(Jane coughs)
I don't believe you did this, Annie. Come on. In here.
Tell them. Go on, tell them what you told me.
Hello, Lovejoy, Janey.
(Both) Annie.
Look, I'm sorry about all this.
I really do apologize about the police turning up and all that.
Tell them. Come on. Tell them why you stuck it under the sofa.
I saw the same picture in the Gazette last month.
I didn't know what to do.
I suppose I thought that if I stuck it under the sofa it would somehow go away.
Why didn't you phone the number for the reward?
I didn't want to get involved with any of that. I just wanted to forget about it.
Would you tell us how much you paid for it?
Six hundred.
And would you tell us who you bought it from?
A man called... Rollo.
Rollo?
Well?
(Hushed) Come on, Lovejoy. Play the game.
(Hushed) It's not a game, Rollo. How much did you sell it to Mrs. Brodie for?
- Six hundred quid. - Six hundred quid?
- It's worth 30 times that much. - I was bloody lucky to get six.
This thing is mega-bent gear, Lovejoy.
If the Old Bill had found out when they turned my place over I wouldn't be on remand.
I'd be doing ten in Dartmoor.
So why's it so hot?
You mean, you don't know?
Lovejoy, this thing is hotter than the chicken Chernobyl down the local curry house!
Why?
You remember an exhibition of bronze sculpture
sponsored by the Italian government in Cambridge last year?
Yeah.
Well, most of the stuff was on loan from all over the world.
Here, you remember Rachel?
- Rachel? - You know who I mean.
Long black hair.
- Tattoo of King Kong on her bum. - Oh, yeah.
Well, she goes to the exhibition with a skinful of high-octane lager,
picks it up and walks out with it. Just like that!
- Just like that? Never read anything about it. - Well, you wouldn't, would you?
It was all hushed up. Big press blackout.
Red faces up in Cambridge like baboons' arses, I can tell you!
Local Old Bill's been walking around like they got fleas ever since.
So she flogged it to you, eh?
Flogged it? You're joking!
She forced it on me, she did.
She's always forcing things on people.
She's like that. Forced, it was!
Why did she force it on you?
Well, she got frightened when she found out
who it was on loan from.
So who was it on loan from?
A woman.
What woman?
Well, she's got a lovely collection of jewelry,
big house in London, husband's Greek,
and she's just started to pay her own taxes.
The Queen?!
Oh, God, it belongs to the Queen?
This is terrible, this is absolutely awful.
If ever this gets out, we're finished, we're done for.
Just about does it. That's all we need.
If ever there's one whisper of this
he will never get his knighthood for services to the pig industry.
(Annie) This is the end.
I'm sorry, Bill. Why, oh why did I buy the damn thing? I don't even like it.
Do you want to tell them or shall I?
Tell us what?
Well...
(Sighs) Because of security, no one's supposed to know about this.
Outside a very small circle.
Know about what?
Next week at the piggery we're playing host to some very important people.
The Lord Lieutenant, lots of top brass, the ministry people and...
Yes, you've got it. Can you imagine it?
Yes, Your Majesty. This is my prize boar. It's just on its way to Canada.
Oh! By the way, do you remember that bronze Bacchus
that used to stand on the mantelpiece at the palace? Well, it doesn't belong to you anymore.
Perhaps you'd like to speak to my ex-wife about it
before they cart her off to Holloway prison!
I've said I'm sorry, Bill. Anyone can make a mistake.
I think you're exaggerating, Bill. We won't say a word, we promise.
Exaggerating? But you're a titled lady, you must know how touchy they all are
about being associated with anything even remotely criminal!
Even a whisper about this and we can kiss this visit goodbye! In fact I can stick my head
- between my legs and kiss my arse... - Bill! You are overreacting.
Nobody even knows the damn thing's here but us.
What would you do, Lovejoy, if it was yours?
I'd probably go for the reward. There's bound to be a couple of grand floating around.
Then I tell you what, why don't you return it for us?
Hold on, hold on. An inspector woman's been sniffing around.
She's sure I've got it stashed away somewhere.
There must be something we can do, Lovejoy.
Yeah. I think there's a solution that benefits everyone.
- Go on. - The Gillray prints.
But you took them away because there was something iffy about them.
No, there's nothing iffy about them, they're just 150 years old, not 200 years old.
- Give me two-and-a-half grand for them. - But you said they were two grand!
- Bill, let him finish. - Thank you, Annie.
For two-and-a-half grand you get the prints, I return the Bacchus to its rightful owner.
- Two-and-a-half. I don't know. - Bill, two-and-a-half is fine.
And then we're rid of it.
All right. As long as I never see or hear about it again!
Lovejoy, Janey!
Um, here's a Brodie's ham for you. Thanks very much.
Oh, thank you, Annie.
It was made by Alfredo Zampa from Venice in 1620
and was part of war booty from a captured French frigate in the Battle of the Nile.
If you put a shade on it it'd make a nice lamp, I suppose.
No, what is really interesting about it
is it was dropped overboard as it was being carried ashore at Chatham
and it took ten tides to rediscover it from the Thames mud.
Queen Charlotte, who was married to George III,
was present at the recovery operation when it was brought to the surface.
It was presented to her by the ship's captain. It's been with the royal collection ever since.
And now they want it back.
I declare this think-tank open.
Any suggestions?
- We could just post it. - Oh, don't be daft!
I can't see why we can't just put it in a padded envelope and post it!
- Don't be daft. - What about the reward money?
That's covered. Just gotta find a way of getting it back to the palace.
(Sighs) Haven't you come up with anything yet?
Well, I said we should just post it.
Eric... that is a brilliant idea.
Why didn't you think of that?
Oh, excuse me, why don't we take a vote on it? All those in favor of posting it?
Post it. One bronze Bacchus, recorded delivery from Chelmsford.
On your bike, Eric.
- Hold on a minute, why me? - Your idea.
(Engine still running)
(Gasps) Ah! Could you tell me the way to the main post office please, mate?
- About 500 yards... - Sorry, mate. I can't hear you.
- On your left, about 500... - Hoy! Hoy! Hey!
- Somebody's nicked the Harley? - (Tinker snores)
Well, I think that solves everyone's problem.
Well, we don't have to return you-know-what to you-know-who.
Never mind you-know-who's you-know-what, I've had my bike nicked.
Well, thanks a bunch, Lovejoy!
Selfish git!
Now, look, this is my number. Now, if you see or hear anything give us a bell, yeah?
- Will do. - Cheers.
I'd like to report the theft of my Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Oi! Not on the desk!
(Tuts)
You'd like to report the theft of your motorcycle?
Yes.
Won't take a second.
Now, let me see. (Coughs) I think we've got some forms somewhere.
Quite a popular pastime in some districts...
What's this doing here? ...driving off with other people's property.
Man in Thuxton lost his horse recently.
Turned up in Paris.
In three different butchers' shops. (Laughs)
- Would you like me to come back tomorrow? - No, no. Want to start at the beginning?
Ah. Here we are.
Name, telephone number and address.
- Got a pen? - (Sighs)
Eric Catchpole.
Catch... pole.
- Eric. - Eric!
- 0787... - 0787...
3766... 23.
- Haven't I heard that voice somewhere before? - Who, me?
Well, my number is, er, 0787...
376623.
So, erm... Ah! 0h! No! Er... Ah!
Yeah, no, but... You see...
No, that's not me.
- I don't sound anything like that. - Oh, don't be silly! Of course it's you!
Now, come on, Eric. Where did you see this Bacchus thing?
- What Bacchus? - Please, Eric, don't waste my time.
- Where did you see it? - Are you arresting me or what?
Right now we're still at the "or what" stage but you've got about another ten minutes.
All right, all right. I thought I saw it but I was mistaken.
But, Eric, you gave us the number that was on the base of the statue.
But that number, that's just a coincidence.
No, the number was correct.
But the one I saw wasn't a Bacchus.
Then who was it?
Pan. He was holding pipes. Not fruit, pipes.
Pan is the patron saint of plumbers, you know.
(Tuts) Oh, so it's just an open-and-shut case of getting your deities mixed up, eh, Eric?
That's right.
- Why were you going to Chelmsford? - I told you, cos I was going to the post office.
But, you see, there's a perfectly good post office just around the corner.
Now, why didn't you go there?
Because I'd heard it was quicker from Chelmsford.
You could get it straight on the train to London.
And what were you sending to London that you couldn't send from here?
Perishables.
Er... Microwave meals.
Shepherd's pie. Er... You know, for the TV appeal.
Oh!
Oh, leave it. I'll get the rope.
Papa-Zulu-Mike to EP. Over. We've recovered this stolen Harley on the B184.
The owner's a man called Catchpole.
If you give him a call, the tow-truck boys will deliver it.
Ugly old bats, aren't they?
- And to think they used to be the cream... - (Phone)
...of 18th-century London society.
Yeah, look a bit off to me.
It's the police.
Hello? Yes, that's right.
Oh, you've recovered the Harley-Davidson and you can have it delivered here?
- How much? - For how much?
The breakdown people want 30 quid.
Ask them if it's still in one piece. The lad'll kill himself if anything's happened to it.
Is it still in one pi...
The front mudguard is slightly damaged
but the tools and the parcel are still in the saddlebag.
They haven't even nicked the Bacchus? Even thieves are useless these days.
Tell them to bring it round.
- Here we go! - Oh, thanks.
- Here, you still got my pen? - Oh, yeah!
They found your bike an' all.
Right. Well, where is it? How is it? Those beggars haven't totally totaled it, have they?
(Chuckles) No, not at all.
They didn't even steal your tools. Even your parcel's still in the pannier bag.
Oh, what a relief!
We'd better go and see if those shepherd's pies are still worth sending, hadn't we?
Sergeant! Where's the bike now? Is it in the yard?
No, they've taken it to Lady Felsham's estate.
Yeah, thanks, mate.
You know, Tink...
seems a shame to let all this good reward money go begging.
I mean, this thing turning up like this, it's... It's an omen.
- You mean a sign, man. - Mm.
Lovejoy, you gave your word you'd send it back, no questions asked.
Mr. And Mrs. Brodie have already paid you once.
Nothing in the deal says I can't pick up an extra couple of grand. I'd be a schmuck not to.
- Good afternoon. - Hello, Jane.
Oh, no! I thought we'd seen the back of that! What's it doing here?
Eric didn't quite make it, Janey.
He was set upon by bicycle thieves on his way to Chelmsford.
I'm in a terrible hurry. I was supposed to be at the Wiltons at three.
Give it here. I'll get rid of it once and for all.
Now, where's that smoked ham?
Oh, yes, very appropriate. See you tomorrow.
By the way, Bill Brodie wants you to hang the pigs print up at his office in the piggeries.
Dress smartish. You never know who you might bump into. Bye.
Well, easy come...
easy go.
My baby! My baby! What have they done to you? Where have they hurt you?
You see what happens when you separate a lad and his Harley, Inspector?
What can we do for you?
I have reason to believe that somewhere here there is a 17th-century bronze Bacchus,
which is the lawful property of Her Majesty the Queen.
And I intend to search these premises until I find it.
Well, must be nice to have your bike back, eh, Eric?
- Oh, fantastic. - You owe me 30 quid.
Right. Eh?!
(Pigs squeal)
Hang on, hang on. What's goin' on here?
Get in there and look inside.
Don't just kneel there!
Get in and check it out!
(Squealing)
Lovely.
Lovejoy, did you...
(Hushed)... manage to get rid of it?
After one false start, it should be safely on its way to the palace by now.
- May I say how elegant you look, Annie? - That's very kind of you.
You'd better hurry up. They'll be here in a couple of minutes and we have to be presented.
Oh, we are very grateful to you, Lovejoy. I couldn't have had Bill miss this for anything.
If it's not too much to ask, what are you two doing here?
At Mr. Brodie's request, hanging a picture, officer, I presume?
- Yes, it is. - (Hammering)
And I'll hang you if you're not out right away.
You're not supposed to be here. You haven't been cleared.
Come on. Out.
Well, this is no good, Lovejoy. It's plasterboard. We'll have the whole lot down.
Oi, cloth ears. You've got 20 seconds then outside that door.
- Right? - Right.
Right.
Can't we stick around, Lovejoy? I've never seen the Queen before.
We'll be stuck to that wall if Godzilla comes back and finds us here.
Don't be a spoilsport, Lovejoy.
It'd be summat to tell my grandchildren, wouldn't it?
(Cheering, applause)
- No, it's... - Eric! Will you get down from there?
- But I haven't finished yet! - I have. I'm going.
- (Eric groans) - I'm going.
What?
Not a sound.
Not a squeak. Not a fart.
Otherwise, you are parrot food. Understood?
Good.
Yes, ma'am, we're exporting to Canada and, more recently, France,
and we've been getting a lot of enquiries from the Far East,
particularly Japan. Perhaps you'd like to step this way, ma'am, please.
Ah, there you are.
Your friend McDonald's working the crowd.
Hello, Alistair.
Stand by, all units.
OK, go! Go!
Ah! Do you mind if I have a look in the bag, Major?
- Erm, go ahead. Help yourself. - Thank you.
It's a gift to the Lord Lieutenant. Absolutely loves a bit of ham with his free-range eggs.
Oh!
Oh, I'm terribly sorry!
- Thank you. - Thank you. Thank you, boys.
Much obliged. Thank you.
Inspector.
Seen Eric anywhere?
Nearly over, Annie. Keep smiling.
Well, am I glad that's over.
If I ever have another day like that I'm gonna have it shot and stuffed.
Come on, I need a drink. Come on! Anyone fancy a drink?
Step inside!
Ladies.
Do you like working with pigs?
Janey, so tell me, what did you do with it?
Alistair took me to dinner last night so I gave it to him
and he said he'd give it to one of the ladies-in-waiting that he knows.
We have been given something which is too valuable for money to buy.
And it's not even antique. I just had to have it framed. Want to guess what it is?
- An income tax rebate? - (Bill sniggers)
"The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by Her Majesty to invite Mr. And Mrs. William Brodie
"to a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday the ninth of July."
- Bravo! - Isn't that something?
But then I expect you get them all of the time.
Not... all the time.
(Snoring)
Oh, there you are, Eric!
Hm? Hm? Is she here, then?
Nah! She's been and gone.
(Eric) Oh, no!