'You seem willing to take the risk.'

'I take it to clear my head,' smiled Haggard. 'Perhaps I should take some now before you start asking your questions. I presume you have some query concerning the Club?'

'In a way. It's a bit different from teaching, isn't it?' said Pascoe, sitting down.

'Is it? Oh, I don't know. It's all educational, don't you think?'

'Not a word some people would find it easy to apply to what goes on here, Dr Haggard,' said Pascoe.

'Not a word many people find it easy to apply to much of what goes on in schools today, Inspector.'

'Still, for all that…' tempted Pascoe.

Haggard regarded him very magisterially.

'My dear fellow,' he said. 'When we're much better acquainted, and you have proved to have a more than professionally sympathetic ear, and I have been mellowed by food, wine and a good cigar, then perhaps I may invite you to contemplate the strange flutterings of my psyche from one human vanity to another. Should the time arrive, I shall let you know. Meanwhile, let's stick with your presence here tonight. Have my neighbours undergone a new bout of hysteria?'

'Not that I know of,' said Pascoe. 'No, it's about one of your films. One I saw tonight. Droit de Seigneur.'

'Ah yes. The costume drama.'

'Costume!' said Pascoe.

'Did the nudity bother you?' said Haggard anxiously.

'I don't think so. Anyway it was the assault scene I wanted to talk about, where the girl gets beaten up.'

'You found it too violent? I'm astounded.'

'The scene was brought to my attention…'

'By whom?' interrupted Haggard. 'Has he not seen A Clockwork Orange? The Exorcist? Match of the Day?'

'I would like you to be serious, Dr Haggard,' said Pascoe reprovingly. 'What do you know about the making of these films?'

'In general terms, very little. You probably know more yourself. I'm sure the diligent Sergeant Wield does. I am merely a showman.'