Like to join me in a glass of, uh, sloe gin, Your Grace?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Thanks, Geoff.
[referring to hedgehog on chair] You can put Milligan on the floor there. It’s way past his bedtime anyway.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Right. [relocates Milligan]
Yeah, anywhere will do. [referring to facial injuries] Everything all right, Your Grace? :Edward "Eddie" Horniman: Yeah. You were right, however, about Susie and the Glass family. Some information has come to light that suggests Susie and the Glass family are... If I try and extract us from the situation, they’re willing to kill me.
I thought you two were getting along okay.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Well, we were. But not anymore.
You might wanna sniff that. What do you smell?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Almonds.
You gotta take your time when you’re making sloe gin. It’ll turn that rich magenta color after a couple of weeks. Most people leave it at that. But to get that full flavor... you gotta leave it a couple of years. Underappreciated quality these days, patience. Let it play out. You continue to deliver on your end of the bargain and see how they respond. Don’t let ’em know what you’re thinking. And meanwhile, prepare for all eventualities.
SStella
I was just looking at his cuts. You know I’ve got a first aid certificate. Keep your head tilted backǃ
What do you think I’m doing?ǃ
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Look, Chucky, I’m really sorry about all this.
Susie Glass, you can go and fuck yourself, yeah?ǃ I’m not cleaning nothing for youǃ We are doneǃ Wankers! [leaves]
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Well, that went well.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
I’ll leave him to cool his jets. I’ll un-fuck the situation in the morning.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
We’ve gone from two months to four, and, by the looks of it, to not at all.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
I’ll get it sorted.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Henry. [shakes hands]
[referring to Jack sitting at bar with Susie] Look at him. Magnificent specimen.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Depends how you define specimen. If you’re looking for a dog with six dicks, he’s your specimen.
Well, there is some truth in that. You know, Jack’s biggest problem is Jack. I worked with a lot of boys over the years, six of ’em champions. Difference is, every one of ’em, 100% commitment.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Mm. He’s 100% committed to the lifestyle. The question is, does he have his family’s ambition?
[gestures] I got us a nice table. [leads Eddie to table] I’m curious, Eddie. How did you get ringside with Susie Glass?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I was a captain in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards. My father died, I came back, and I inherited some of his... business interests.
Oh yeah? [pulls down shirt collar to reveal tattoo] Two Para.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
How many tours?
Three tours of Sangin. War recalibrates a man’s philosophies, his priorities.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Indeed. [servers hands drinks] Thanks.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Cheers.
You and Susie straighten out that business matter?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Ah, it was a minor domestic issue. Hopefully, nothing that can’t be ironed out.
You worked with Chucky before?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I never mentioned Chucky.
Well, he wouldn’t be my first choice, if you know what I mean. He wouldn’t be my second choice either.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Do you know anyone more appropriate?
I know a lot of people, Eddie.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Rosie
RRosanne "Rosie"
Look who’s here.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Hmm. How are you? Thanks for meeting me.
RRosanne "Rosie"
To what do I owe the honor? Business or pleasure?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Little bit of both. I managed to get myself embroiled in a situation I’m not sure I can get myself out of. I might need your help.
RRosanne "Rosie"
Must be serious. I can’t remember a single moment I’ve seen you ask anybody for help about anything.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
It’s about our friend Stanley Johnston.
RRosanne "Rosie"
That’s why you wanted to see me?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Still in contact with him?
RRosanne "Rosie"
Yeah, I see him from time to time.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Good.
RRosanne "Rosie"
I can help you, if that’s what you want. I should warn you, though, he’s not a good person.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Oh, that’s fine by me.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Mr. Lawrence, could you remove that, please?
LMr. Lawrence
Of course, sir. It was left there by your brother.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Oh yes, I’m aware.
LMr. Lawrence
Eggs Benedict?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Yes, please. And some tea. Thank you.
Darling, you ought to talk to Freddy. His recent obsession with marijuana production is really too much.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Right.
He’s started talking to the plants.
THTamasina "Tammy" Horniman
And when he’s not talking to them, he’s talking about them, and it’s very fucking boring.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
All right. [cell phone buzzes] All right. I promise I’ll have a word with him. [answers phone] Hello?
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
You slinked off a bit early last night, didn't you.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I had to go and see an old friend. How did it go with Chucky?
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
The situation turns out to be a little more complicated than anticipated.
[on live video call] This is a special shout out to all my mandem worldwide, yeah? Brum-town boys. When you see this skinny, handsome bastard, yeah, fucking grab him by the neck and crush him like a cockroachǃ
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Chucky had a busy night in the world of social media.
On sight, smash all his nan’s windows, fuck him up, or shag his dadǃ Whatever you like, manǃ Penetrate, penetrateǃ
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
The upshot is that my brother needs to take a sojourn for a few days. We need him to focus on his training. No distractions.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Given how eager you are to move things on swiftly, I wondered if you might be willing to let him come and stay.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
For fuck’s sake. You were supposed to sort this.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
And I’m in the process of doing exactly that. After all, Jack did bang Chucky’s missus. The polite thing to do is to allow sobriety to percolate. Then I’ll remind him of how hierarchy operates.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Fine.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
It would appear so, yes.
LMr. Lawrence
Here you are, sir. This way.
[setting up punching bag in barn] Susie Glass’s brother?
The one and only. Yeah. In, uh, the middleweight eliminator.
Well, Mr. Big Time, jump on the bag and show us what you’ve got.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
[in cannabis grow-op] Welcome to the cauldron of creativity, brother. James, would you give us the floor?
JCJames "Jimmy" Chang
Oh, yeah, of course. [fist bumps Freddy] Relax. You got this, fam. [leaves]
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
That’s cool. Thanks, man.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
So what’s this little project you’ve got going with Jimmy?
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
[chuckles] Okay, well, first of all, it’s not just a little fucking... [sighs deeply] The point is, this time, I did something extraordinary. And your bosses are gonna wanna hear about it.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
All right, Freddy. I have no doubt. I just wanna temper your expectations.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
That’s fine, that’s fine. Temper away. Go ahead and temper those expectations. I’m about to exceed yours.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
[Freddy places potted plant on table] What exactly is that?
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
See, what happened was, I meet this guy. Old guy, big beard, looked like Jesus. Starts telling me about this project he’s been working on. Growing sativa marijuana seeds in the same soil as coca plants. See, what happens is, over time, the seeds start to absorb the properties from the coke plants, and, eventually, voilà! Crack weed. Or weed crack. I can’t remember which way–
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I have to stop you there.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
No, let me finish, okay? Look, I know... I know this sounds crazy– And scientifically impossible. Look, I appre– This shit is gonna be a fucking game changer for the business. The bottom line is, I just… I just need you to arrange a sit-down for me with Susie, okay?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
What?
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
And... possibly also with her dad.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
No.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
Pleaseǃ
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Circumstances have changed, all right? The Glasses can’t be trusted. They’re exploiting us.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
Fuck itǃ Let’s exploit them right backǃ
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
They are dangerous, all right? Susie had Jethro killed.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
Who the fuck is Jethro? Who... Oh, [makes headphone gesture] the... the guy with the...
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Yeah, yeah.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
Okay, all right. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. Well, obviously, I mean, that is pretty bad.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
The point is, Freddy, they lied to us. Susie lied to us. They have no intention of ever leaving our land.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
Maybe we don’t want them to leave. Listen, Eddie, I know… I know I can be a touch unreliable at times, but I really think I’m onto something here.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
You know what I think, Freddy? I think that you are an addict.
FHFrederick "Freddy" Horniman
What the fuck has that–
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
And this is one of many indulgences that I’m gonna have to bail you out of. This is not a game, Freddy. They will kill you. They will kill me. They will kill our entire fucking family if it helps them get what they want. I’m not gonna change my mind.
[to pyrotechnics engineer] No, no, no. Your timing’s off. I’ve told ya, the flames shoot up when the horns come in, all right? It’s gotta be perfect. Bang on the button.
PEPyrotechnics engineer
Yes, boss.
Get it right. All right, Eddie?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Hello.
Sorry. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to things like this. Showmanship is the key thing that pulls the punters in the door.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I’ll bet. Shame about the view.
Oh yeah, magnificent, innit? I bought it during the crash. Half finished. Developer went tits up. He moonwalked off to Dubai. I nicked it, to be honest with ya. You know why?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Why?
Because I knew... I knew that deep down, no matter how long, no matter how bad things got, I knew the crowds would be back for the fight. At the end of the day, we’re just a bunch of Neanderthals.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Well, speak for yourself, Henry.
Well, when you strip it all back, that’s all that’s left. Impulse. Instinct. Survival.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Maybe you’re right. I wanted to pick up on the conversation we had the other night.
Oh yeah? What part exactly?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Don’t be coy, Henry.
How much are you looking to wash?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Fifteen million.
Hmm. You got the sign-off from Susie on this? Only in the past, when I’ve tested the water with her, she didn’t wanna mix church with state.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Don’t worry about Susie. Or Bobby.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Two weeks.
Well, you don’t fuck about, do you?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Like you said, impulse, instinct, survival.
I’m gonna introduce you to an associate of mine. But I gotta warn ya, he’s the most boring man you’ll ever meet. Eddie, meet Thick Rick.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Pleasure to meet you.
Rick started out as an accountant, but he was too partial to having a flutter. Clocked up a level of debt that necessitated a sideline in creative accountancy. Gamekeeper turned poacher, you could say. Rick, tell Eddie how the magic happens.
TRThick Rick
It all begins in the betting shop at the conclusion of the fight. When the loser is determined, whoever he may be, he will suddenly discover that a multitude of bets have been placed on this unfortunate fighter…
Thing about Rick is, he actually finds all this stuff interesting. Offshore, onshore, mitigation, amortization... I’m falling asleep just talking about it. All you need to know is, he’s reliable. His commission is extremely reasonable. Blah, blah, blah. If anyone ever questioned his numbers, he’d bore them into submission with such tedious, repetitive, and dull information that they’d give up long before he would, as he’s the ultimate cure for insomnia. It’s hard to make money boring, but not so for Rick. It does mean you can put your feet up whilst he does the work and delivers you back... Fifteen million quid. Minus a very reasonable 5%, of course. Bookmakers like Rick are part of my business setup, but I have to keep them at arms’ length. Because he’s too fucking boring. Like I said, you know, for me, it’s all about the boxing. What about you, Eddie? How’s this all sounding?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Honestly, I think it sounds perfect.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
[at Chucky's residence] Could you help me? Give me a hand?
Ishy, hold on, hold on... Can I borrow you for a second, Eddie? Come here. Changed your fucking tune, haven’t ya?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Excuse me?
Last time we were face to face, brother, you were looking at me like I were a fucking numpty. Isn’t that right?
And as far as I can remember, you were very cynical about this operation. Is that right, Ishy?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Yeah, well, it’s not up to me.
Where the fuck is this guy going? And you know what else, yeah? When I was explaining timescales to you, you had a right fucking face on, like I farted in your nan’s mouth.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Look, I don’t wanna do this. I just wanna get the fucking job done.
Well, listen to me, yeah? We are gonna do this, and I’ll tell you what else.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
What?
You have got a void in your soul, man. Yeah? A darkness. When I was sat in Susie’s office, looking at you, thinking, “This handsome behenchod don’t believe in my corn dogs.” If you don’t believe in this fucking project, nobody can believe in this fucking project. [points] You are gonna believe in this fucking project. Get me some corn dogsǃ
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I don’t... I don’t need a corn dog. I don’t need convincing. I’m sorry, all right? Let’s just get the job done, please.
Your vibes are fucked. Look around you. We’re alive, aren’t we? Breathe in. Breathe in the good vibes. Fuck off the bad ones. I don’t know what you’re in a rush for. Susie said, “Take your time.”
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
What did she say?
She goes, “Four, five, six months. It don’t fucking matter.” Take my time, so stop rushing me.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I’ll take them into your house myself.
IIshy
[holds hands to Eddie's chest] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Ease up, brother. Where are you going?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I’m not eating thatǃ
IIshy
[pokes Eddie in stomach] In about ten seconds, this halal corn dog is gonna be in your bellyǃ You’re gonna eat it ’cause Chucky said eat itǃ
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
[places bags on Henry's desk] Five bags. Three in each.
TRThick Rick
I think it’s disgusting. Dirty as fuck.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
[on phone] I made an executive decision. [scenes of Eddie beating Ishy]
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Where are you?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
[in flashback] Put the bags in the fucking carǃ
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
This all seems very official.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I’ve decided to use Henry Collins to wash the money.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
I thought I gave you clear instructions.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Well, you did. I chose to use the more efficient one. Collins will get it done quicker.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
I want Henry’s attention to be on my brother’s career.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Well, he can do both.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Maybe he can. But you don’t have carte blanche to go over my head when you choose. There’s an order to things.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Oh, I am acutely aware of my status in this organization, Susie.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Unfortunately, we already have a pre-existing agreement with Chucky.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Not anymore you don’t.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
What have you done, Captain?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
You told Chucky to slow things down. Not speed them up.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Why would I do that?
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Because you and your father never had any intention of letting me go.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
That’s a very wild accusation.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
[leans forward] Why don’t you deny it, then, hmm? Why don’t you tell me when you and your father are gonna get off my land?
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
After we wash the 15 million.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
Let me ask you another question. Where’s Jethro?
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
The reason Jethro is dead was to protect you and your fucked-up, cocaine-addicted brother from the shitstorm that was coming your way. One day, Jethro was gonna become a problem. So I dealt with it.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
I’m gonna ask you one more time. When will you let me and my family go?
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Never.
EHEdward "Eddie" Horniman
You underestimate me, Susan. There is nothing that I won’t do to protect my family.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Careful there, soldier. I can be nice, and I can be not so nice. You’ve only seen me on one setting.
BMBoxing match staffer
Mr. Collins would like a word. He says it’s important.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
This is all very ominous. Better not be an issue with my money.
Oh, no, it’s not about the money. It’s about your brother.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
What about my brother? He’s about to beat ten types of shit out of an Uzbek right now.
Yeah. Well, unfortunately, that’s not how this is gonna end. It’s a shame, you know. I quite like the kid, actually. But sadly, he’s connected to a bigger picture. When I see a chance to, uh, expand my business, I can’t help myself. I jump at it.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
We’re missing the fight. Maybe you could get to the point.
Fifteen million. That’s a lot of money. My understanding is that it’s from one farm in the last month alone. Well, you multiply that by 14, and you’re left with two and a half billion pound a year.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
Hmm. Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you. We’re not looking for investors or partners. Once you’ve cleaned the 15, we’re good.
Oh, I’m not looking to invest. I’m taking over.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
You’re a boxing promoter. And a money launderer. You wanna stay in your fucking lane.
You’re very smart, Susie. Clever. But you clearly haven’t done your homework on me. I could’ve shown you the same treatment as I’m showing your brother, but out of respect, I’m making you this offer. There are two paths available to ya. The path of least resistance... You hand over your business to me right here, right now, and you accept my offer with grace and intelligence. Then there’s the other path. Hmm, that’ll end up in a war. Starting with the obliteration of your lovely brother. I’m not gonna kill him, out of respect for you. But I am gonna hurt him so you know I’m serious.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
If my brother was talking to you now, he’d say the same as me. I’ll take my chances.
Yeah, I thought you might say that. The thing about fixing fights, it’s quite interesting. You need a very special kind of fighter. A ringer. The Butcher there, he’s just that rare breed of warrior. No ego. Willing to look bad for profit. His record might be three wins in 30 fights, but all 27 of those losses are fights he’s thrown. So when he does win, the purse he’s built up is so big, it’s worth his while. Because the truth is, he’s an unstoppable monster. The ref ain’t gonna help you either. Whilst he’s a happily married father of three, his love for chop and brass means that he’ll do exactly as he’s told. So when I give the nod and it’s time for Jack to go down, and he is going down, the chances are he’ll stay down. You underestimate us at your peril.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
crossed the river Rubicon with his army, he deliberately went to war with the Roman state. It was a point of no return. The problem with your offer is that it’s too late. The Rubicon’s already been crossed, Henry. You’re wrong about me not knowing you.
I know you’re no Julius Caesar, and you have no idea about the river in which you have chosen to swim. It is dark and full of terrors.
SGSusan "Susie" Glass
You may have a small army, but I am the state. I am the house. I am the establishment. And you are ill-equipped physically, martially, and intellectually for the fight you’ve mistakenly chosen to pick.
Your dad’s in prison, and you’re under-armed and underqualified. Take the offer, and we’ll look after you both. We’ll see how you feel tomorrow. You look after yourself.