The Fourth Protocol Comments
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Brian Harcourt-Smith: [after Preston finds out about the polonium disc and presents his report] I regard this report as alarmist, irresponsible and lacking sufficient evidence.
John Preston: [surprised and irritated] Evidence? Can't you read?
[Forcefully]
John Preston: That metal disc can only be used as part of trigger for an atom bomb...
Brian Harcourt-Smith: That remains to be seen. Don't think I don't know what's goin' on Preston. You're trying to worm your way back into favours by dreaming up some far fetched story of which you naturally are the hero...
John Preston: And you're trying to kick out anyone who doesn't make themselves available to get your arse. But if you were to look at this thing straight, just for a moment, you'd find that there is something goin' on out there...
Brian Harcourt-Smith: It is my prerogative as the head of this country's security service...
[interrupted by a visibly disgusted John Preston]
John Preston: *Acting head* sunshine. And if you ask me you're acting like a complete asshole.
Brian Harcourt-Smith: [after a brief pause a fuming but restrained Harcourt-Smith takes the report and writes as he speaks aloud] NO FURTHER ACTION. And you are suspended for insubordination, indefinately.
[a frustrated Preston has a resigned look on his face]
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Wynne-Evans: It's polonium.
John Preston: What's polonium?
Wynne-Evans: Well, when combined with lithium, the two together form an "initiator." That's... a detonator for a bomb.
John Preston: A bomb?
Wynne-Evans: An atomic bomb.
