
A Change in the Weather 1988-08-07 Part 4 of 5 - Closing In
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Peter Craze
Foreign.
Trevor Nichols
Part four of A change in the weather, an unlikely adventure for radio by Eric Pringle. City Nigel. Pursuing his contract to exterminate the desperate bank robbers, Jiffy Perkins in Birkin Madrid has moved closer to his target. His employer, the ruthless big boss has personally joined in the hunt. Detective sergeant Digley has run around in circles. And Henrietta and Louise, seeking an adventure to sparkle their lives, have watched excitement ride roughshod over their horizon. Jiffy and Burko, the unwilling quarry of this pack of hounds, have become lost and found and scared.
Peter Craze
We have to stick it out. We'll win in the end. Courage brings rewards.
Dillisleigh
You sure?
Peter Craze
Yeah. Trust me. I do. Jiffy. Of course we're friends, that's why. But. Oh, Jiffy City Nigel.
Trevor Nichols
Meanwhile, Sergeant Digley snooping among fells and hikers and sheep spots two lady tourists and pounces.
Peter Craze
I said, have you seen these two men?
Polly James
Where?
Peter Craze
Anywhere.
Polly James
We haven't seen anybody looking like that.
Peter Craze
I can't hear you for the noise.
Polly James
Well, we can't turn it down. These are rapids, not records.
Peter Craze
Darling, come away from the river. Madam, over here.
Polly James
You could say please. You have identification there, madam? Sergeant.
Peter Craze
Detective sergeant, Madam.
Polly James
Sorry.
Peter Craze
They're cockney gentlemen. Gentlemen is a generous way of speaking.
Polly James
We haven't seen you set eyes on.
Peter Craze
Either one of them. You let me know immediately.
Polly James
Right? O, Detective Sergeant.
Peter Craze
Right then. Anybody else asked you about these two Fella on a motorbike?
Polly James
Nobody has asked us about anybody. Goodbye, Detective sergeant.
Peter Craze
Right then.
Polly James
Goodbye, Mr. Digley. You are my hun and I'm the client. I like. Are we doing the right thing? That was a policeman. This is building up to an adventure, darling. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I know, Miss Intrigue. What's going on? Don't chicken out, Lou. All right, I'm with you, Henry. Good man, darling. Thank you. I say, what can they have done to have so many people after them? Whatever it is, they owe us something because I reckon we've saved their bacon.
Peter Craze
You.
Polly James
Honeysuckle. I am, mother be.
Peter Craze
You're a flaming oath, Brian. You paddle about in holy wellies. I ain't got any holy willies. I only got holy boots. You know what I mean? And you keep your eyes tight shut. Open them, for God's sake.
Polly James
I have.
Philip Sully
I am.
Peter Craze
Look, you're supposed to watch the boats. You're supposed to watch the customers. You don't let them steal the flaming bolts they're in. Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Sike, I can't watch everything, can I? And you gotta Trust people? Why? I don't know. I'm going to the police. To law. No, don't do that. You have to talk to them.
Philip Sully
How now, Sergeant Plodd.
Peter Craze
How now, Papa Dom. Sam. You're treading on thin curry, sunshine. Watch it. So what have we this time?
Philip Sully
Somebody else is after your quarry.
Peter Craze
I know.
Philip Sully
You told me somebody else.
Peter Craze
A third party.
Philip Sully
A large man, very well dressed, smoking a smelly cigar.
Peter Craze
Was he a Cockney bo?
Philip Sully
Bells chiming in his tonsils? He wasn't alone. He had a follower in the doorway and two more in a car outside.
Peter Craze
What kind of car?
Philip Sully
A black car.
Peter Craze
There's no need for you to get racist. What kind of black car?
Philip Sully
A very big black car.
Peter Craze
A very big black car. What kind of very big black car?
Philip Sully
A very big black Rolls Royce car, Detective Sergeant.
Peter Craze
Why didn't you say so in the first place? You get its number?
Trevor Nichols
Our last.
Philip Sully
No, but there were more photographs.
Peter Craze
It's like a flaming exhibition. How many prints are there? For God's sake.
Philip Sully
He called me John. My name is not John. Nor some sergeant. Detective Digley.
Dillisleigh
Stop the car, John.
Peter Craze
Why?
Dillisleigh
I want to see the country. All into that lay by.
Peter Craze
So. Bb.
Dillisleigh
Open the window. Lord Almighty. Look at that bog and them peeping rocks. We've been driving around here for miles and miles and rocks and water and sheep is all we've seen. It's like hell here. Why would Jiffy and Burko come to a place like this? They must be desperate here. Let's get back to the hotel. Night's coming on and we're best inside. I don't like it up here at all.
Polly James
Oh God. And I've drunk too much wine and drink. So have I, darling. And for the same reason. It makes the prospect of going back the day after tomorrow less desolate. I don't want to go back until I've had too much wine. I must answer the call. That's poetry. I'm a poet and I didn't know it. He's a poet.
Peter Craze
By Lou.
Polly James
Waiter.
Peter Craze
What? Yes, madam.
Polly James
Don't madam me, Joe. I picked you up in a wood.
Peter Craze
You're drunk.
Polly James
Puzzling.
Peter Craze
Stay a while. There are other guests. I'm on duty.
Polly James
We. We don't want to go back home. We'd do a lot not to have to.
Peter Craze
Well, that's nothing to do with me.
Polly James
I think it could be.
Peter Craze
Waiter.
Polly James
We could help you, Joe.
Peter Craze
Help.
Polly James
What did you do?
Peter Craze
Hey.
Polly James
Over here.
Peter Craze
Weeta. Come in, sir. That.
Polly James
That man was the motorcycle?
Peter Craze
Yeah.
Polly James
And the policeman. Did I. Did I tell you about the policeman.
Peter Craze
No, you didn't. What did you do? Wait. Did I say I'm. I'm coming. Let go of my sleeve.
Polly James
I'll do anything to avoid going back. So will Lou.
Peter Craze
Let go. William. Wa. Coming right over, sir.
Polly James
Wait, sir. Peter.
Peter Craze
Jo. What is it now?
Polly James
I think Henrietta has passed it.
Peter Craze
I don't know. She was past it before that last bottle of wine.
Polly James
Would you help me get her to her room?
Peter Craze
Oh, Gold. Come on then.
Polly James
Oh, I. I don't want. I don't like.
Peter Craze
Shut up, madam, and walk. Open the door. I've got a. We can't all get through. Weighs a ton.
Polly James
Not quite. Let me help. I'll take an army. Be gentle with her. She's nice. Be nice to her. She's been a good friend to me. Me, I don't know what I would have done without.
Peter Craze
Been here before. All right, lady, let's get her upstairs.
Polly James
Come on, Henry. Big day tomorrow. It's our last day tomorrow. So we plan our walk. We're going up. Glad.
Peter Craze
Where the hell's that?
Polly James
God knows. We'll. We'll have our usual breakfast, please, Joe. Oh, I don't want anything, darling. Grapefruit juice, bran flakes, toast and marmade. Oh, Lou.
Peter Craze
For both of you.
Polly James
She has the constitution of an ox and the appetite of a horse. And this is our big day. Unfortunately, thanks to Henry, we will be making a late start. All right. Yes, Jo. The both of us. Why did you let me drink so much? When you make your mind up to do something, Henry, who can stop you? Oh, my head. Oh, Henry, me.
Peter Craze
I'm sure the fels will claw it, madam.
Polly James
Oh, I'm rebuked by a waiter. Was I as bad as that?
Peter Craze
You were worse. Pie eyed and paralytic.
Polly James
There's somebody paralytic in the doorway, Joe, waving a newspaper at you. Oh, it's boatman Brian. He does look agitated.
Peter Craze
Excuse me. Wait till I say go to el. Sir Brian. What do you call me? Bert. I'll give you the light, Brian. And it don't matter anymore anyway. Everything's up. What do you mean? Up on the breakfast radio. They said the kettles are going to make an early arrest. Keep your voice down and stop shaking. Get in the corner amongst the plants. It's like the jungle in here. Oh, I've got a twig stabby. Their aunt was jiffy. Oh, you're such a dumbo. They don't know. They do. They do. And it was a message on a radio like the Record request JB Turn around and you'll see me. I'm right behind you. BB is it? How can he be? And then there's the kettles, Jiffy. There'll be coppers everywhere. Look, forget the kettles. Let me think. I can't forget the kettles, Jiffy. Let me think. Where's Nigel? I don't know. Oh, he's too quiet. Oh, God, we're besieged. We're like Butch Cassidy and the sundance kids surrounded. And all we did was get on a bus. Fate has dealt us a rotten hamburger. You'll stick with me, won't you, Jiffy? We're friends, and we. Oh, will you shut up and let me think? Because I. I done something. What did you do? Well, it would have been all right if people hadn't stole a boat. Tell me what you've done. E. They was dishonest. I let him have a boat and they nicked it. And that was why the kettles got called in. Did sergeant Digley come and talk? What is it? Well, I'm telling you. Shh. Well, he asked me questions about the boat and all, and I answered him. And then he said, you're from London. Well, how could he know that? And that's where he started to go wrong, Jeff. He put two and two together and asked me about the guitar. The guitar? Yeah, it's a spanish guitar. I thought, I can learn it, you see. And then I play when we go to Spain. Oh, I wish we'd never gone near that bleeding bank. Nothing makes sense anymore. But what's a guitar?
Unknown
I say, waiter. You in the fl.
Peter Craze
Oh, you start with me, sir.
Unknown
Cat? Yes, I have that effect on people. I arrived late last night, so I don't have a table yet. Would you arrange it for me?
Peter Craze
One moment, sir. Get up tomorrow, Sit on the bed until I come. Don't move a muscle or I'll murder you. Right. Oh, Jiffy. It's coming, sir. Table four one. Yes, there's always a table over there, next to two ladies. If you'll just wait here, I'll. I'll be with you in a minute, sir.
Unknown
Sure you are. Jiffy.
Peter Craze
What?
Unknown
You don't know me. I'm disappointed. Think of me in a crash helmet.
Peter Craze
Oh, sick. Nigel.
Unknown
The one and only.
Peter Craze
Listen, Nigel, I'm hungry.
Dillisleigh
Jiffy.
Peter Craze
Yeah?
Unknown
Save your panic for later. And don't try to run away again. No, I shall go over to the table, and you're going to come across with the menu like a good little waiter, eager to please. Isn't that so?
Peter Craze
Yes, Nigel, certainly.
Unknown
Hmm. You have a Pleasingly natural, subservient quality service becomes you. You should have been a waiter all your life instead of a disloyal little thief. That way your futile life would have lasted longer.
Peter Craze
Oh, else. Bells.
Polly James
What do I do?
Peter Craze
Jumping like a rabbit. And a shifty, startled, villainous rabbit from the deep South. Look, you're hurting my shoulder. I have a powerful groan grip. You squealed, rabbit. Oh, you startled me. You jumped in the air like a man running scared. A man on the run. How you make that out? Observation. I'm a policeman. Oh, I'm just a waiter. I'm waiting. Do. Do I look as if I'm running? You're from London. So? A cockney down to your shittest looking feet. It'll fool me. A waiter? Who the hell cares about me that I want to talk to you about guitars? Guitars and sweets. A £40 Spanish guitar purchased from our little Lakeland music store and toffees got from Equatorial Sam in Cow Row. Both Transactions affected with 20 pound notes. Oh, yeah. Notes feloniously nick from a bank in Brixton. Now what do you say, rabbits? I don't like toffees and I don't play the guitar. You don't play the guitar? No, but he does. He's a music man. Guitar crazy. Oh, fella over there, See? Sitting at the table next to two women. The dapper smart aleck. Do you think I'm stupid? He's mad about guitars and motorbikes. Motorbikes? Yeah. Is he, by God? I'll have him. Right you are, Sergeant. He kept some back. Burke. Who kept some. But I'll kill him. You mark man. You're from London.
Unknown
I am indeed. Earth has not anything to show more fair, as your resident poet used to say. Who are you?
Peter Craze
Who am I?
Polly James
It's Sergeant Digley, darling. Isn't this an eventful breakfast? First Nigel and now the Sergeant. Say good morning to the Sergeant. Good morning, Sergeant. Nigel and the Sergeant have in common an interest in photography.
Unknown
A policeman.
Peter Craze
Detective Sergeant Digley.
Unknown
How do you do?
Peter Craze
Better by the minute. You ride a motorcycle?
Unknown
Are you asking?
Peter Craze
Telling. You're a 90 miles an hour through the streets of Keswick, villain.
Unknown
Villain? I have an artistic nature, Sergeant. I'm musical.
Peter Craze
Is that a fact? Good of you to say. I'm arresting you for the Brixton job.
Unknown
You're joking.
Peter Craze
The waiter told me. Waiter?
Unknown
That's no waiter. That's Jiffy Perkins.
Peter Craze
What? Goodbye, Sergeant. Leave me with the table, madam. Ellie's getting away. Come, my villain. Hey, you can't leave. You're under arrest.
Polly James
Well, Henry, it's an adventure, darling.
Peter Craze
You kept back. You put some in your lousy pocket. Only 60 Giffries. 320s. And you bought choppies and a Spanish bleeding guitar. What a Burke you are. I don't like you saying that. Well, that's hard lines in it. You're a Burke. Burke by name and Burke by nature. Shut up. Oh, we're surrounded. What are you running about for? Because I'm out of control. Everything's out of control. People have moved in on us. Are you looking for Sammy? Yeah, my bleeding anorak. I can't go on the run in a waiter's jacket, can I? I look a bit conspicuous. Here you are, Jiffy. I was sitting on him. Oh, Gold. Are we going somewhere? Yeah, out city. Nigel is downstairs. Motorbike Nigel? Yeah, but I set the copper on him. There's a cat as well. Yeah, and they'll both be here any second. Ow. You did mean. Not if I can help it. Now get out of that chair. We'll leave the money where it is and come back for it when things quieten down. Now let's go down a fire escape. Oh, then where, Jeff? How the hell should I know? Come on. Through the window. I don't know. Hey, get out and go. Like hell. Hold on. Hold on. Here. Can we stop, Jeffrey? I can't breathe. Yeah, for a sec. Oh, my God. Oh, yeah. Look. See that bird up there? Where? Ovarin. That's an eagle. That's not an eagle. He's Jeff. Taint an eagle. That's an orc sparrow. Maybe orchestral. Orchestral. Could even be a falcon. Yeah. Santa. I wonder what he's hunting. Yes, probably everybody else is. Yeah, Jiffy. We. We keep going higher up. It's getting cold. Oh, well. Because they expect us to stick to the valleys. They'll think only fools will come this way. Hey, look up at those beetling rocks full of beetles. A mountain goat wouldn't try that. Look. Well, nor would we, will we? We're not going up there, Jiffy. Over the top and down the other side into the next valley. We'll be safe there. We've got no equipment. We've got hunters on our towel. That's better than equipment. I'm scared. We have to do it now.
Trevor Nichols
Come on.
Polly James
All at once. He sent me round a very dope. This is the light. I feel so much better now, darling. That's fresh mountain air. Hey, you. This car is coming at us. Oh, ok, that was too close. Are you mad, John?
Dillisleigh
You're a Reckless driver. Come here, ladies. Look at these pictures. Have you seen these guys?
Polly James
No, we haven't.
Dillisleigh
How can you be sure, lady? You ain't looked at them yet.
Polly James
Those men? No, sorry. We're not likely to in half a mile. We're striking off this road and going for those tops. Might they be up there?
Dillisleigh
Up there? Not unless they've gone completely crazy. Well, suppose you see a guy on a motorbike up there. No, not even him. That's strictly for the birds, eh? Thanks for nothing. Okay, John, Drive.
Peter Craze
Come on, Virgo, you can make it. Move your left foot across as a ledge. Left, Left. Ow. I'm stuck. Watch your foot. Me foot? I can't look down, dear. Look down. So you like leave. You're scared. Well, I told you I was. I told you.
Dillisleigh
Yeah, B Go.
Peter Craze
You told me. I remember. And now you're spread eagled on a rock face and he's flaming Mountain St. And the weather's changing. I'm sorry, Jiffy. Well, we can't stay here. If anybody was after us, they'd be getting pretty close already. You here? Freezing cold. It's starting to rain right now. Hold on. I'm coming back down for you. Reach. Reach up your hand. Reach, Burt.
Polly James
Go.
Peter Craze
There's me hand. Look at it. Stretch out for it. Can't move a muscle you've got, sir. Well, you can't stay there for the rest of your life. You look like a floating spider. Listen, listen. Nigel's coming. Running like the running cavalry. Come on, Burgo, quick.
Dillisleigh
I'm beginning to wish we'd never come up here. Look at it out there, John. It's coming down in sheets. I've just polished them out of his will blankets. What a place. What an inhospitable place. Here. Let you and me go and join the boys in town where it's kind of civilized. Lies. Are you talking to me?
Unknown
I'm singing in the rain. Just singing in the rain.
Peter Craze
Nigel, you're brilliant.
Unknown
Should have been a dirt track rider or a scrambler. Zipping up these sheep tracks through the.
Peter Craze
Bracken like a bullet.
Unknown
BB should see this.
Peter Craze
Watch out, Jiffy. Burko.
Unknown
Hold your breath.
Peter Craze
I'm singing in the rain Observe, Detective Sergeant. Observe the rain coming down like dogs. Observe the wind turning northerly. We slim down from the arctic waste to this mountain waste turning gullies into wind tunnels. Now you're equipped for it, Detective Sergeant. Buggery. We soaked through already. Yes, Inspector, I know I didn't have the right gear for mountaineering, but I was. I didn't know those cretins would crawl upwards. Just wait till I catch them. If I can find them in this murk, the clouds will be down next. And then God help us. Nearly, Dickley. Very nearly. A hundred foot roll. Watch your step. That's it, Burko, you got it. Now keep hold of me. I'mma keep moving that your right foot out of it. There's a crevice. Yeah, you've done it. One more step, that's all.
Dillisleigh
I don't like it here.
Peter Craze
Do you think? No, I don't like fell. Now put your left foot in the crevice. There. Yeah, there. Oh, don't stop.
Polly James
Come on.
Peter Craze
Come on. Don't stop. That. Good, good. Right.
Dillisleigh
That'S it, Virgo.
Peter Craze
Come over it. Away from the edge. Yeah. You can open your eyes now. You saved my life. Jiffy. No. Do you know how long we've been here? No lead now has looked down in the valley. There's lights coming on. Oh, yeah. It's getting dark. Yeah, and the clouds are sinking on us and I don't know where we are. We keep getting lost, don't we? We? Well, what we gonna do? We'll stick together. Stay close. It looks nice down here, doesn't it? With the lights and all. They're disappearing. Look, the cloud is wrapping around this rock like fog. Oh, that does it. We're lost altogether. It's like being in a tomb. Yeah, it's dark and damp. Well, I'd still rather be here than home. I feel somebody up here. Yeah, and I'm not gonna sit about waiting for duty to come back neither. Nah. Well, she's never coming back, is she? No, she isn't. But nor are we. Not ever. Nor ever. So buck up, sunshine, and let's work our way out of this. Right. It's all right, Liz. You and me.
Dillisleigh
Dafo, you are.
Peter Craze
Yeah, but Jiffy, I can hear singing up here. Listen. It's the angels. Burgo, we're done for. Run. Oh, yes.
Trevor Nichols
Our adventurers have lifted their eyes onto the Lakeland hills. Henrietta and Louise have become spirits of the mountain. But have they the spirit to survive the horrors to come? Can Nigel survive his crash to give an encore? Can Detective Sergeant Digley become a true mountain goat and bleat his way to triumph? Will BB Catch up with his loot at last? And will Jiffy Perkins and Berco Madrid finally get to meet the angels? All will be revealed next time in our final episode, when an extreme change in the weather has devastating consequences for Jiffy Perkins, played by Peter Craze and Burkham Madrid by John Hollis, not to mention Henrietta and Louise, played by Dillisleigh and Polly James City. Nigel was played by Philip Sully, BB William Simons and Detective Sergeant Digley. Trevor Nichols, Amateur Duke, played the shopkeeper and Richard Tate played John. A Change in the Weather was written by Eric Pringle and directed by Ian Cotterell.
Episode: A Change in the Weather 1988-08-07 Part 4 of 5 - Closing In
Release Date: May 12, 2025
Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
Written by: Eric Pringle
Directed by: Ian Cotterell
In the fourth installment of A Change in the Weather, listeners are plunged deeper into the high-stakes pursuit of bank robbers amidst escalating tensions and unforeseen challenges. As Detective Sergeant Digley intensifies his investigation, the protagonists—Jiffy Perkins and Burko Madrid—find themselves entangled in a perilous adventure that tests their alliances and survival instincts.
City Nigel’s Determined Hunt The episode opens with City Nigel (Trevor Nichols) intensifying his efforts to capture the elusive bank robbers, Jiffy Perkins (Peter Craze) and Burko Madrid (John Hollis). Nigel's determination is palpable as he states, “We have to stick it out. We'll win in the end. Courage brings rewards” ([00:45] Peter Craze). His relentless pursuit is personal, underscored by his willingness to involve his ruthless employer in the chase.
Detective Sergeant Digley’s Investigation Detective Sergeant Digley (Philip Sully) is depicted as a tenacious investigator who combs through various leads in the rugged terrain of Birkin Madrid. His encounter with two tourists reveals his aggressive interrogation style:
Despite the tourists' dismissals, Digley remains undeterred, highlighting his obsession with the case.
Henrietta and Louise’s Quest for Adventure Henrietta and Louise (Dillisleigh and Polly James) seek excitement beyond their mundane lives. Their interaction showcases their adventurous spirit:
Their desire for adventure brings them closer to the unfolding drama, inadvertently placing them in the crosshairs of the pursuit.
Confrontation at the River Amidst the picturesque yet deceptive tranquility of the river, Sergeant Digley attempts to gather information from two unsuspecting women:
The tension escalates as Digley’s methods clash with the tourists’ casual demeanor, emphasizing the blurred lines between authority and desperation.
Unexpected Intrusions and Rising Tensions As the characters navigate their paths, unexpected intrusions by unidentified characters heighten the suspense:
This cryptic interaction hints at deeper conspiracies and forthcoming confrontations, keeping listeners on edge.
Jiffy Perkins (Peter Craze): Jiffy embodies the archetypal reluctant hero, caught between his past misdemeanors and the pressing need to evade capture. His internal conflict is palpable as he grapples with the consequences of his actions:
Burko Madrid (John Hollis): Burko serves as Jiffy’s loyal companion, providing comic relief yet proving essential in critical moments:
Detective Sergeant Digley (Philip Sully): Digley is portrayed as a relentless and somewhat abrasive investigator whose obsession threatens to derail his judgment:
Henrietta and Louise (Dillisleigh and Polly James): Their quest for adventure adds a layer of complexity and unpredictability to the narrative, often finding themselves unwittingly involved in the central conflict.
Digley’s Confrontation with the Tourists:
Henrietta and Louise’s Discontent:
Emergency Rescue in the Wilderness:
Final Cliffhanger:
These moments serve as pivotal points that drive the narrative forward, building anticipation for the concluding episode.
Survival and Trust Amidst Adversity The episode delves into the themes of survival in hostile environments and the fragile nature of trust among individuals under duress. Jiffy and Burko’s dynamic illustrates the importance of loyalty and mutual support when faced with relentless pursuers.
The Impact of Obsession Detective Sergeant Digley's obsessive pursuit of the robbers underscores the psychological toll that fixation can take on an individual. His aggressive tactics contrast sharply with the more laid-back attitudes of the other characters, highlighting differing approaches to conflict resolution.
Adventure vs. Mundanity Henrietta and Louise’s yearning for excitement juxtaposed with their actual experiences emphasizes the allure and danger of seeking adventure. Their transformation from ordinary individuals to key players in the unfolding drama mirrors the unpredictable nature of life’s pursuits.
Closing In masterfully weaves tension, character development, and thematic depth, setting the stage for the climactic final episode. As the protagonists grapple with their dire circumstances, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the resolution of Jiffy and Burko’s plight and the ultimate confrontation with Detective Sergeant Digley.
Join us next time as the saga reaches its zenith, revealing the fate of our intrepid adventurers amidst the unforgiving embrace of the Lakeland hills.
Cast:
Written by: Eric Pringle
Directed by: Ian Cotterell