Deep Cover

Shots fired, shots fired!

Repeat, we've got shots fired!

Requesting backup. We had shots fired.

Jesus Christ. I think someone's just jumped the Albanians. Go.

Where is my backup?

Oh! No, no, no, no, no!

Well, you know how it is.

That swag, just how I like it.

And I said, "Well, who? Me, or the mugs who shorted the stock?"

It's like please take stock of how shit you are.

Or like, uh...

stock, stoc... stock up

on, um, knowledge about the situation?

Just don't make mistakes.

So, hang on, what did you do when they asked about day trading?

Oh. I said, "Oh, hmm, fuck off."

Hugh. Did you update that server?

Oh. Hmm... fuck off?

I mean, it wasn't sort of fuck off in a sort of nasty way,

just sort of fuck off joking.

Well, I can't say I quite get the "joke" myself,

and this isn't the first time we've had to talk about your "soft skills."

Look, Hugh. Keep in your lane, hmm?

Stay on top of the Wi-Fi and stop trying to be part of the team.

Is your Wi-Fi okay?

- It's fine. - Okay.

- State your name. - Marlon Swift.

You had a chance to see the script?

Would it be okay if I went a bit off-piste?

I always find improv helps me find the truth of a character.

Uh, yeah. Sure.

It's not hard... it's impossible, Jennifer.

Impossible to be in a body that won't give you what you want.

No. Don't, Jennifer. Please.

Don't you dare cry.

Don't you do that, Jen.

This isn't about you. I want you so much, but my body...

Sorry, I think... Marlon? Maybe just one on... script?

It's not hard... to stay hard

with "Rocket Power For Men."

I can't do this anymore, Terry. I want proper work.

Says the Pizza Knight.

I didn't spend three years of drama school

- to end up selling frozen dinners. - Fuck sake.

No more ads. Acting. Authentic, gritty characters.

I wanna plumb the depths of the human condition.

We've been down this road before.

Feedback's always the same, they don't buy you as the intense guy who's seen horrors.

I'm an actor, I can be anything.

You're from The Cotswolds, you're not Al Pacino.

Look, I've got something that's much more your wheelhouse: Fresh in this morning,

- West End venue. - West End. Okay.

Character is an elven messenger

who directs kids to the toy store of their dreams.

- Is this standing about with a sign? - In the West End.

I really think you can bring something to this.

Only thing is, they need someone to commit for the whole season.

- Can I use your toilet? - Sorry.

Toilets are only for paying customers.

- Please. I'm desperate. - I'm afraid it's a strict rule.

You'll have to get something.

Oh, fine, fine.

Uh, just do me a Celtic symbol. But be quick.

Nice! Great escalation.

See that was funny because they weren't trying to be funny.

They just committed to their characters and rolled with it.

- Um, yup. Trish and Dave, you're up. - Oh.

Okay, okay. Scene title: "Customer Service."

How can I help you, sir?

I've got a rash.

- Oh. Well, lucky for you, I'm a doctor. - No, you're not. You're a plumber.

A plum... No.

- No, I'm a doctor. I do doctoring... - Oh, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.

Dave, Dave, Dave, Dave.

If she says she's a doctor, she's a doctor. Right?

"Yes, and"? "Yes, and" always "yes, and," and then build on it.

Never hang your partner out to dry.

See, improv is all about being in the moment,

even if the moment is completely insane.

Because when you're on that stage, there are no mistakes...

Only opportunity.

Sorry, I'm so sorry.

No, it's okay. Are you here for class? Oh, that's great.

Let's get you to jump in with Marlon.

Marlon?

I'm just working on my character. Maybe a war veteran.

Yeah, you don't know what the scene is yet, Marlon. Come on.

- Yeah. Come on. - Okay. Um...

Just trust your gut.

- And when in doubt, "yes, and." - "And."

Yes.

"And."

Oh, I was just saying "yes,"

but yes. And.

Yeah. You can just wait till the scene starts.

Okay. Scene title: "Bad Babysitter."

Uh, sorry I'm late.

I was just remembering what happened over there.

Carnage.

So where's my boy?

Don't overthink it.

Uh, crikey...

Where's little Timmy?

- First thing that pops into your head. - I... really have no clue.

You lost my son?

Thanks, Kat.

- See you next week. - Mm-hmm.

Hey, Kat. Did you get that my war vet was anti-vax?

Yeah.

Good.

Signed up to the rest of the class, and...

sorry, just trying to improvise something around the word "class."

I wouldn't force it.

Right, right. Just relax. Oh, my... Christ!

- I'm so sorry. - Uh, no, it's fine. Leave it.

- Are you sure? Okay. Thank you. - Yeah, yeah, I got it, I got it.

- No problem. I'll see you next week. - Okay.

Hey, Kat. Could we have some advice?

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course.

'Cause we've got some agents coming to the showcase next week.

What? Wow, that was fast.

So, are there any questions we should ask?

Oh. Well, um, see, you could ask,

are they looking for a 39-year-old redhead with an expiring work visa?

No, no, no, no, no.

I would ask how they're gonna handle it when the auditions dry up.

When you've been hustling for years and years and years,

and you've got nothing to show for it other than, uh, two lines

as "Sassy Barista" in a shitty sitcom.

I mean, that's the question, right?

Are they gonna stick around when things get fucking dark?

Thanks, Kat.

Yeah. Anytime.

What the fuck?!

I mean, obviously, life is hell at the moment.

Since Paul and I sold the company, we're stuck having sex again.

Hence this nightmare.

As if having baby number four wasn't enough,

planning this one's hen-do has been an absolute mindfuck.

God, nothing crazy, guys, please.

Oh, no, don't worry. Super chill vibe, budget's 500 each.

Each?

Yeah, but that covers literally everything except food and drink.

Where are we going, Dubai?

You are so funny, Kat.

Look, I'm not saying I'm getting married just so we can see you again,

- but babes, it's been too long. Crazy. - Way too long.

And you all look so perfect and professional,

and just, um... and this place?

Remember our flat in Brixton?

We were crazy. I do kind of miss those days.

Oh, I don't. Perma hangover.

Greasy takeaway at 5:00 AM.

You know, I still order from Zing Palace.

Why?

Oh, are you joking? Okay.

Yeah.

Yeah. I mean, I do sometimes, but, you know.

How is it going with the comedy?

- Someone said that you're teaching? - You're a teacher?

- Oh, so good to give back. - Oh, no, no, no.

I'm not like, um, a teacher-teacher.

I'm just doing it for right now, you know?

You know, if you need money, we can always lend you.

- Oh, yes! - Oh, no, no, no. I'm fine, I'm fine.

I'm gonna be rewriting my solo show.

And, you know, if I get it produced, that is...

Babes... you're obviously crazy talented,

but it feels like it's been 10 years of rewriting this solo show

and we're just worried that the world is never gonna see what we see.

Right.

Well, what I see is empty glasses!

Terry?

So the Boner Pill guys tell me you went full Daniel Day-Lewis.

Did they like it?

Marlon, this actor you're trying to be,

sorry, but you don't have it in you.

I think maybe it's time we parted ways.

Fuck... this.

Hugo...

- Oh, Sam, it's Hugh. - A quick one, yeah?

Uh, I'm just heading out for a pint and I wondered if you're free.

Who, me? Yeah, I got... sure, yeah, of course.

Oh, sweet. Would you mind popping over to my desk

and sorting out the tangled wires and shit?

Cheers, mate. Thanks.

Ladies and gentlemen, Kat Boyles .

Thank you. Thank you, thank you so much, everyone.

Again, I'm Kat. I coach improv here,

which you can tell from how well I moved that chair.

These guys have worked so hard over the last two weeks

and they are ready to rock, so shall we get them in?

- Yeah! - Come on in, everyone!

Isn't it?

Hey.

Done a great job with this lot.

- Thanks. - Listen, uh...

I don't know what your availabilities are,

but, um, I'm looking to work with someone just like you.

Oh. Are you like an agent, producer, or...