Bill Kendall and Randall Brown in “Unfinished Business”

Mr Madden's the best out there.

You'll ruin his career. You'll give him six months on Uncovered, then he'll be earmarked for light entertainment. He'll be in a sparkly suit, spinning a cardboard roulette wheel on a quiz show by next Christmas.

I can assure you I want Mr Madden for more than his croupier skills.

He is highly corruptible. I'm sure he'll take whatever is offered. He's also very self-destructive. Brilliant people often are. Too much money is bad for him. That's why I'd rather you didn't.

And if I do? Your producer has already said she'll hunt me down.

That's covered, then. Good luck.