Secret Agent (TV Series)

Whatever Happened to George Foster? (1965)

Adrienne Corri: Pauline

Quotes 

• Pauline : [john Drake walks unannounced into his friend, Pauline, who works at a paper on Fleet St]  Oh, I knew you'd come back one day!

  [Overjoyed seeing Drake] 

  John Drake : [Drake enters Pauline's office, and closes door. Pauline starts playing 'unrequited lover' with Drake. It's obvious they are friends with each other]  I tried to fight it

  Pauline : I love you for losing! I hope it's me you're after...

  John Drake : I wouldn't be here, otherwise

  Pauline : How's the travel business?

  John Drake : Stimulating!

  Pauline : You mean it matches your personality.

  John Drake : Why didn't I ever fully appreciate you when we worked together?

  Pauline : Because you're a faithless rogue, John Drake. Next question?

  John Drake : Do you remember a girl are who used to work on Fleet Street; 'Certhia Cooper'?I think I once met her with you.

  Pauline : [annoyed]  If you think I'm going to spend my declining years carrying messages between you and that pretentious lowli...

  John Drake : [Drake cuts her off - continuing his playful game]  oh, you know that you're the only girl in the world that I really ever really cared about .

  Pauline : Hmmm... you would not love me dear, so much loved you not Ms. Cooper more...

  John Drake : This is strictly business.

  Pauline : I'm listening.

  John Drake : I've, uh, been trying to set up a travel deal with a Latin American government and I've come up against a certain amount of unexpected opposition. Ms. Cooper may be connected with it. What can you tell me about it?

  Pauline : Oh I suppose I've got to believe you first of all whoever heard of a girl called 'Certhia'?

  John Drake : I think it's rather an attractive name.

  Pauline : I looked it up once period it's a bird period - a tree creeper. I always thought that very appropriate. Well, she worked her way through the assistant editor, the editor, the managing editor. Then she left.

  John Drake : How about the editor-in-chief?

  Pauline : He was in New York at the time.

  Pauline : She'll use you too!

  John Drake : I cam think of a worse fate.

  Pauline : Certhia is a predatory, scheming, megalomaniac. A career girl of the very worst kind!

  [Pauline's phone rings] 

  Pauline : Hello?

  [In a totally facetious manner] 

  Pauline : Certhia, darling! What a lovely surprise. Yes, he's here

  [Paulime hands phone to Drake] 

  Pauline : ' Black Bess' herself.

• Pauline : [while Drake's tying his tie in the bathroom of his friend, Pauline's flat she's straightening up the living room]  What's the penalty for hiding a man wanted by the police?

  John Drake : Not more than 10 years , I should think.

  Pauline : Oh. I wish you would tell me what it's all about.

  John Drake : I've got to get Lord Amenford's before he gets me.

  Pauline : I see. If that's the travel business, I think I'll stick to the regular army.

  John Drake : Your little friend Miss Cooper likes to, uh, play it rough.

  Pauline : Don't say I didn't warn you.

  [Doorbell rimgs, and Pauline walks towards the front door] 

  Pauline : That girl is poison,

  [Starts opening door] 

  Pauline : spelt 'B-I-T...

  Certhia : [Certhia Coper's at the front door, and is already barging in past Pauline's arm. The reflection in the bathroom mirror lets Drake see this, and he quickly hides behind it he bathroom door]  Hello, Pauline...

  Pauline : [speaking loudly, as to alert John]  Oh! Hello... Certhia!

  Certhia : I'm sorry Just to drop by like this

  Pauline : Its all right... uh, come in, won't you?

  [Certhia enters, and as she walks to the living room, Paulime closes the door] 

  Pauline : .

  Certhia : [drippimg with sarcasm! as she picks up a little throw pillow shaped like a penguin]  What a dear little room

  Pauline : [facetiously laughing]  I'm so glad you like it. Won't you have a drink, or something?

  Certhia : No, I won't, thank you.

  [John starts to open bathroom door in order to get out, but, the door creaks, and apparently Certhia hears it] 

  Certhia : I thought I heard voices

  [she starts to turn her head] 

  Pauline : [wearing a fake smile, and brimming with fake sincerety]  Oh! yes, I talked myself... we 'old maids... ' hmmm...

  [the two women glower at each other] 

  Certhia : Actually, I was looking for John Drake. I've promised to arrange something for him

  Pauline : John Drake? Well, he never comes around here. You should've phoned, I'm in the book.

  Certhia : I never thought of that. You no idea where I might find him, have you?

  Pauline : Oh, you know John - always hither and yon...

  [as Pauline is speaking, Certhia notices the man's outer jacket on the couch they're standing next to] 

  Pauline : .

  Certhia : In that case darling I won't keep you

  [Certhia quickly starts heading toward the front door] 

  Pauline : Really, darling, it's been such ages since we met. I hope to hear all the news

  Certhia : We must have lunch - next week. I must go.

  Pauline : [Pauline has blocked her front door, preventing Certhia from leaving]  I don't think I could bear the excitement of waiting that long

  Certhia : Really, I must go.

  [In an attempt to prevent Certhia from leaving, Paulime puts her arm on Certhia's shoulder] 

  Certhia : Pauline, what's come over you?

  Pauline : A mad desire to tell you what I think of you

  [with that, Paulime grabs Certhia, and the two women start a catfight bashing each other with pillows, allowing Drake to sneak out] 

  Pauline : .