Churchill's Secret Page #4

I won't go far.

I got your cloak-and-dagger summons, Jock

and I thought either Winston's

been a Communist spy all along

or he's dying. Which is it?

My lords, if you'd like to step this way

we can use the studio.

I'll just be a moment.

I live in fear of being given

one of his paintings as a gift.

Is Winston joining us?

No.

If Winston is dying, we'll have to pull

the morning editions, I need a telephone.

Max, please, at the moment

we don't know anything for sure.

We know enough.

I'm asking, we are asking, that you wait.

- We think that's what he'd want.

- To gag us.

Only until the situation is clearer.

It is impossible to make a proper

diagnosis until he comes round.

And what if The Mirror sniffs something?

They'd be only too happy to report

a headless government in crisis.

That's why you're here,

to make sure that doesn't happen.

What about Eden?

- Do we know how his operation went?

- I've got a man at the hospital.

So have I but without Winston

and with Eden out of the running

you've got no-one.

Maybe a caretaker government for 6 months,

under Lord Salisbury?

Are you serious?

He'd have a general election in a week.

This is why the party

needs more time, Max.

Nurse! Nurse!

Nurse, he's choking!

He's swallowed his tongue.

Take a breath.

Right, let's get him up.

There you go.

What about the cabinet?

- Rab will inform them in the morning.

- And parliament?

- No plans to tell them.

- This is bullshit.

I know the constitution's not written down,

but you're trampling all over it.

Lord Moran, the Prime Minister's

regaining consciousness.

Would you excuse me gentlemen?

- Find out about Eden.

- Hmm.

I'm going to see Winston.

Latin, Winston?

To show my mind hasn't gone.

That's the last thing that will pack up.

Shall we just step outside?

No.

I... I want...

to know the truth.

Your heart is very weak

and there's a loss of sensation

on the left side.

You're vulnerable to further strokes.

Tell me.

Am I dying, Charles?

I don't know.

Max.

Max.

Yes, my friend.

How's Anthony?

We're finding that out now, Winston.

Give me time.

Give me time.

Please, for me.

- I'll talk to the others.

- Thank you.

How is he?

Conscious, but very weak.

His speech was hard to understand,

but his meaning was as clear as ever.

How's Eden?

There's no question of his returning

to public life before the autumn.

So, we'll need to keep quiet

about this for longer than a few days.

Maybe the whole summer

if Winston hangs on.

Ministries will still need decisions from the

Prime Minister. How will we handle that?

Rab will hold the fort with the cabinet.

As for decisions, Christopher and I know

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes