The Night Manager Page #4

JASPER smiles. ROPER laughs.

ROPER (CONT’D)

Jasper looks like a p*ssy cat but

don’t let him near your neck on a

bad day.

Two SOLDIERS walk up and shake ROPER’s hand. PINE drops back.

SOLDIER:

Good to see you sir.

ROPER:

All right boys, how’s the world

treating you?

LANGBOURNE comes alongside PINE.

LANGBOURNE:

Not a bad set-up eh?

PINE:

He’s got his own army.

LANGBOURNE:

Of course. Roper’s king here. Just

how he likes it.

14 INT. HILL FORT. MESS. DAY. 14

ROPER and LANGBOURNE lead PINE into a mess-style canteen.

FRISKY and TABBY follow. The mess is peopled by mercenaries

from all nations. A cheer comes up as ROPER enters, ROPER

greets the applause with a smile and a wave.

ROPER:

You boys been busy while I’ve been

gone?

BRITISH MERCENARY

All ready for you chief. Spic and

span.

ROPER:

Good because Mr Birch here wants to

put on a good show for our guests

tonight.

BRITISH MERCENARY

Evening sir.

The Night Manager ep 5

PINE:

What regiment were you?

BRITISH MERCENARY

Royal Fusiliers. Company C.

PINE:

You lost two men in Basra. 2005. I

was there.

BRITISH MERCENARY

Yes sir. Friends of mine.

PINE:

Why did you leave?

BRITISH MERCENARY

Same as you I imagine. I’d done

three tours. Time to cash in the

chips.

ROPER:

All guns for hire here aren’t we

boys? You know what you’re looking

at Andrew. The real United Nations.

Laughter at the table.

ROPER (CONT’D)

I’ve got Russians, Ukrainians, US,

UK, French, Serbs, Croats, all in

one camp, all working together, one

happy family. Money breaks all

barriers. Privatisation of war. And

from a provider’s point of view,

the margins are favourable.

He toasts. More laughter. Everyone drinks. Noise, mayhem.

ROPER goes into conversation with JASPER. LANGBOURNE turns to

PINE.

LANGBOURNE:

Something’s wrong with him. He’s

looking at me like I shot his

mother.

PINE:

He thinks there’s a bad apple in

the cart.

ROPER turns, stares at PINE. The mass of hired guns before

them, all laughing, drinking, joking. ROPER’s face is one of

pure distrust.

15 EXT. HILL FORT. DUSK. 15

A black car on the horizon.

The Night Manager ep 5

The car continues on the crest of the hill and drives down

towards the compound.

ROPER is at the front to meet them. SECURITY GUARDS pour out

to meet the trucks. The Lebanese man Pine saw in Mallorca

emerges from the car in a suit and coat. OMAR BARGHATI.

FRISKY and TABBY bring him over to be greeted by PINE. ROPER

watches.

BARGHATI shakes his hand, knowing smile on his lips.

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