Slow Horses

Why don't we take off this weekend, head down the coast?

What?

You always say this city has everything you could ever want.

It does.

But, you know, if you'd rather score points

than spend the weekend with me,

I'll post the offer on the embassy noticeboard.

No. No, I'll come.

Of course I'll come.

I need to shower and finish making the hummus.

This is Istanbul. You can buy pretty good hummus.

I'm immersing myself in the cuisine.

What are you doing?

- I was just looking-- - For what?

Something of yours?

Why would that be on my desk?

What are you looking for?

A sensitive file they think you're about to leak.

Okay. What's supposed to be in this file?

I wasn't told. Just the name.

"Footprint."

And you didn't ask any questions? Just went along with it?

You make a terrible spy, by the way.

This isn't easy for me.

No? Seems it.

Come around here and fuck me, then go through my stuff.

Pretty sweet assignment.

I couldn't turn them down. They don't know about us.

Alison. Ali. No, wait!

Al.

Did you find it?

You know I had to look.

Thought you cared about me.

I do.

I really do.

Get the fuck out.

Please let me make this right.

Now.

It's me. We need to bring it forward.

Heading there now.

To Kadiköy.

Yes, ma'am.

Follow that boat.

Let's turn right in front of the tanker.

I can't get that close.

500 more if you lose the boat behind.

- Cut across the tanker now! - No way!

Hey!

Oh, fuck!

Damn.

Get it out there into the world.

No! Ali, stop! Wait! What?

Ali!

Alison!

Ali, where are you?

Ali!

Where are you?

River!

They need that last box.

- Got it. - Have you checked it?

Yep.

It doesn't look like it.

It's still got the old tape.

Yeah, well, I stuck it down again. I'm being green.

Did you itemize it?

What does it matter? No one's gonna read this stuff ever again.

Yes, but we're still supposed to itemize it.

It's pointless.

These files are all Ringo-level, the lowest-grade record the Park has.

Shows you what they think of us.

They'll think a lot less of us if we can't even do this simple job properly.

Catherine, this is the equivalent of filling a storage unit full of crap

for your kids to sort through once you've died.

We've been asked to do it, so we should do it well.

You need to get back up those stairs and itemize it.

No, not happening. And plus, the van needs to go.

I'd rather the box went tomorrow, when you've been through the contents.

Nope.

This isn't even taped up properly.

It's fine. Just forget it.

Whoa. Wait, wait, wait!

- Jesus! Wait! - Oh, God.

River?

Yeah, I'm just getting another box.

I'm sorry to have to do this, but should he be in here?

- Who? - Well, the-- the homeless man.

Homeless man?

- He has an appointment. - He's making-- Odors.

It's upsetting my wife.

There's not much I can do about that, I'm afraid.

It's my colon. Terminal.

There's no need for that, Jackson.

You know, perks of the job.

- Has it really been a year? - It has.

My balls are hanging a bit lower. But apart from that, all good.

- How's the drinking? - Fine, thanks.

No. I mean, how much are you drinking?

I don't know. Two or three bottles a week.

- Wine? - Whiskey.

- I thought we talked about this. - It doesn't affect my work.

And besides, I've got fuck all to do, which is well within my comfort zone.

This is a Service medical.

There's a limit to the amount of units you can consume a week.

- What's the limit? - Fourteen.

- Put that then. - I'm not allowed to lie.

You're not lying. I am. I told you 14. Put that.

- Smoking? - I quit.

- Really? - Yeah.

I haven't had one for-- Twenty-seven minutes.

By some miracle, your blood tests came back okay.

There you go. You see, I'm a fucking titan.

I'll just take your blood pressure.

Then we'll get you on the treadmill.

If you put me on a treadmill, you'll be done for manslaughter.

You need to do some light exercise,

an hour's walk a day, and watch what you eat.

I think the time has passed for that, don't you?

Dodgy vindaloo and some steep steps should finish me off.

Can't think of a better way to go.

I'll finish that box in the morning.

- And do the others properly? - Yeah.

Maybe you should try embracing the task rather than fighting it.

Embracing it might be a bit of a stretch, but you know, I'll just--

You know, it's quite tiring,

- having to chivy you along like this. - Well, then don't.

Stop being such a martyr about it.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Wait. Catherine, I didn't mean that.

Sorry.

No, you're fine!

At this point in the meeting,

we ask if there's any newcomers who'd like to share.

- My name's John. - Hello, John.

Still an alcoholic.

Still a newcomer.

Still only counting days.

Keep waiting for the next day to be easier than the last, but...

I don't expect that's going to happen.

Keep coming back.

Are there any other newcomers who would like to speak?

Evening, ma'am.

Your car is waiting to take you to the off-site file storage facility.

I'm going to the agency meeting.

I've been told there's been a slight change to your schedule.

By whom?

Lamb doner please, mate.

Regular or large?

Large.

No, make it two regulars.

- Fourteen pounds. - Fourteen.

Chili sauce for the kebabs?

Yeah. Enough so I can't taste the meat.

Three doners, mate.

- And some beers. - No beers.

I'll go grab some beers from the offie, yeah?

I'll be outside.

- It is Catherine, right? - Yes.

Do you have a moment? I just wanted to ask some advice.

- From me? - Yeah.

No worries if not. It's just,

when I was talking away in there, it seemed like you were really listening.

Thank you. I try to.

What was it you wanted to ask?

Well, I think it's probably time I got a sponsor.

Cheers.

Thank you for giving me your time. It's not the friendliest city.

It's changed a lot since I was last here.

When was that?

Ten years or so.

And what brought you back?

I--

I lost someone.

Couldn't stay where I was.

Memories, you know?

- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry I was-- - No, it's fine.

Hey, I could have lied, saved you the awkwardness,

but the drinking started when they died.

I blamed myself, internalized it,

and part of my recovery has been about being open about it.

You know, dealing with it, not burying it.

You can push things away,

but sooner or later, you have to deal with them.

And secrets will always come out.

There will always be a reckoning.

Decaf latte and an extra-strong cappuccino with extra chocolate.

I think I'll get mine to take away.

What? No. I'm really enjoying talking to you.

- I have an early start tomorrow. - Oh, come on. You can't leave.

We haven't talked about what we came here to talk about.

Oh, yes. A sponsor.

No. Jackson Lamb.

Excuse me.

Sorry. I'm lost.

Could you show me the way to the North Circular?

I'm headed that way. If you give me a lift, I can direct you.

You're headed somewhere else.

Stay the fuck back.

Madam.

Second Desk in the house. Outside the house-- Not a house.

A series of decommissioned bunkers from the Cold War.