Living

Good morning.

- Morning. - Good morning.

Good morning.

So, here I am. All ready for battle.

I'd better introduce you.

This is Mr. Peter Wakeling, our new colleague.

Mr. Wakeling, Mr. Hart.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

- And Mr. Rusbridger. - How do you do?

You're eagerly awaited, Mr. Wakeling.

We've been short now, nearly two months.

Well, I hope to make a difference.

It may take a week or two though.

Don't worry, old chap.

This time of morning, it's a kind of rule.

Not too much fun and laughter. Rather like church.

Oh.

Yes, I see what you mean.

First day's always a bit nerve-racking.

- Yes. - You'll get the hang of it.

As for these chaps here,

they'll improve somewhat once they wake up.

It's not us you have to worry about, Mr. Wakeling. We're your pals.

But you'll need to get on the right side of the old man.

You mean Mr. Williams?

He seemed a decent sort at the interview.

A little on the frosty side, perhaps.

The truth is, I didn't really get to see too much of him.

Well, you're about to get another chance just now.

His station's coming up.

Mind the doors.

Is he coming in here?

Oh, no. He never travels with us.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Good morning, Mr. Williams.

Come along, Mr. Wakeling.

- Good morning, Sir James Hmm.

Mr. Rusbridger, why has this D19 come back to us?

Mr. Wright at Planning was of the view

that a remittance certificate should be attached to it.

A remittance certificate can only be issued

after the D19 is authorised.

Yes, I tried to tell Mr. Wright that, Mr. Williams,

but he simply won't have it.

Then we can keep it here for now.

It'll do no harm.

Consider yourself very fortunate, Mr. Wakeling.

Bequeathed one of our tallest skyscrapers.

Courtesy of Mr. Woodward, your predecessor.

If your skyscraper isn't very tall,

or, God forbid, you work so fast you don't have one at all,

people will suspect you of not having anything very important to do.

I see.

So here's your first rule, Mr. Wakeling.

Keep the skyscraper high.

The ladies from Chester Street, sir.

Please show the ladies in, Mr. Singh.

Mr. Middleton, your turn,

if you don't mind.

Of course, Mr. Williams.

Mr. Wakeling, perhaps you'd like to assist Mr. Middleton

- with the ladies. - Of course, sir.

Ladies. How are we today?

We were elsewhere in this building all yesterday.

First at Parks, then at Planning...

then at Cleansing and Sewage.

Then just before closing yesterday,

the gentleman said we were to bring this to you.

Let me speak with Mr. Williams.

Just a moment.

Public Works, how may I help?

New here, ain't you?

Yes. First day, actually.

Well, you enjoy yourself, son.

No end of entertainment you'll get here.

Eliza.

I'm just chatting with the young gentleman.

Your letter and your petition are very well presented.

We, of course, know this from before.

However, you must first take it to Parks and Recreation

on the third floor.

We were there yesterday, sir.

They even thought to offer us a bench to sit on.

- That's how long we was there. - Eliza.

I do apologise.

And we don't wish you any further inconvenience.

So, Mr. Williams has suggested you be accompanied

by a member of our staff to ensure there's no further confusion.

This is Mr. Wakeling.

Oh!

Splendid. Er...

Splendid. Yes, then I'll make sure, erm,

all the confusion is...

Well, that's lovely, son.

Then you'd better hop over to our side of the fence.

Yes, quite right. Thank you, Mr. Singh.

If you ladies would care to follow me.

Allow me to lead the way, Mr. Wakeling.

We're perhaps more familiar with this building than you are.

Forgive me, everyone.

Unfortunately, I shall be obliged to leave early.

At twenty past three.

Er, Mr. Middleton, perhaps you'd be so good as to deputise in my absence?

Yes, of course, Mr. Williams.

I'll see everything stays shipshape.

Thank you, Mr. Middleton.

Is it really true you may be leaving us, Miss Harris?

It's not certain yet, Mr. Williams.

I did have my interview and it seemed to go well.

It's Lyons Corner House.

So, will you become one of those, erm...

What do you call them? Skippies? Nippies?

You'll look fetching in that apron, Miss Harris.

It's an assistant manager's post, Mr. Hart.

At least, once I've settled in.

I wasn't trying to be cheeky, Miss Harris.

They do an excellent treacle sponge.

At least the one on Coventry Street does.

Good idea, sir.

Hmm?

Mr. Wakeling, I mean.

A playground is what's sorely needed, love.

There's nowhere for them to play.

A cesspool. No other word for it.

Rats the size of that. And our houses backing right on to it.

What on earth?

You'll have to get used to that, love.

So, you were saying it was 'K' staircase?

- Yeah, the 'K' staircase. - Right. Righto.

- It's the last one. - Yes.

- Thank you so much. - You're welcome, sir.

Good morning.

Er, this way, ladies. If you will.

Come on.

Parks have insisted, sir... That's all very well,

but we've been through this before, haven't we?

- First we need all that water drained. -

I've explained this to you already. Cleansing needs to look at it first.

Good day, ladies.

A children's playground.

So, this isn't for us.

But I'm sure the Public Works Department

will be pleased to assist you.

Public Works?

That's where he's from.

You're from Public Works?

Well, yes. First day, actually.

Then why on earth have you brought these good ladies here?

I do apologise.

Yours is an excellent scheme and I wish you well with it.

Look here, take this back to your office at once.

These ladies deserve better.

Good day to you.

Mr. Wakeling, what may I do for you?

The ladies' petition, sir.

Mr. Harvey at Cleansing insists, er, that this is for us after all.

Mr. Harvey is quite wrong.

But we can keep it here. There's no harm.

Thank you, Mr. Wakeling.

So, where did you decide on in the end?

Bournemouth. Ten days starting next Monday.

Oh, lovely. You must be looking forward to it.

Same guesthouse we stayed in year before last.

The lady there provides a very nice supper.

Next patient, please. - Yes, Doctor.

Mr. Williams? Doctor will see you now.

Thank you.

I much prefer the beach in Bournemouth.

A pebble beach is so uncomfortable.

I couldn't agree more.

Mr. Williams.

Please, sit down.

Thank you.

The results have come back.

I'm afraid this time they're pretty conclusive.

It's never easy, this.

Quite.

And I said, "Look, if that's what you want,

then I know a place where you can get it".

That's incredibly wicked of you.

- Good evening, Miss Fry. Good evening.

- Stop it.

- She's still watching us. - How can she be?

She doesn't have eyes in the back of her head.

I assure you she does.

If your father's in,

this is a good time to talk about you know what.

Not a good time.

You'll have to start the ball rolling at some stage.