Chain of Events 1958

A London bank clerk, Clarke, Kenneth Griffith evades the gaze of a busy bus conductor to avoid paying the fare because he lacks the right ticket. A bus inspector boards and challenges him, and Clarke insists he has a ticket, accusing the conductor of lying. When asked for his name and address, the incident escalates into a formal complaint. He gives the name John Stockman, an acquaintance whose address he knows, hoping to deflect suspicion.

Next we see the real John Stockman in court. The conductor and inspector assume Stockman is the same man; Stockman denies it and is rude to the witnesses. He is fined £5, and the incident makes the local newspaper.

Back at the bank, Clarke serves Stockman, and a reporter, Tom Dermot Walsh, is dragged before his editor because Stockman is an investor in the newspaper and furious. Quinn is fired for not checking the story, which now looks set for a retrial since Stockman allegedly has an alibi.

Quinn goes to a pub to drown his sorrows and is joined by Jill Susan Shaw. In his drunken state, he starts blurting out other stories, including Lord Fenchurch’s affair, which Freddie Jack Watling overhears.

Meanwhile Clarke goes to board his usual bus and is too embarrassed to get on when he sees the same conductor. He takes the train home instead and tells his wife that he will switch to the train in the future because the bus is too crowded.

Freddie takes his new knowledge to a contact, Becket Martin Wyldeck, and they discuss blackmailing Lord Fenchurch Alan Gifford.

Lord Fenchurch, the owner of Quinn’s newspaper, discusses Lady Fenchurch’s ill health with his secretary. He receives a blackmailing call demanding £2000. He confides to Jill that he has a lover named Simone Lisa Gastoni. Jo is sent to see her. Simone is revealed to be the target of the extortion, and plans are laid to handle the threat with the help of others, including Jimmy Boy.

Outside a post office, Freddie and the blackmailer watch for Lord Fenchurch. He arrives and takes an envelope into the post office. They go in and collect the £2000. They discuss asking for more but cannot wait too long in case Lady Fenchurch dies, which would remove the motive for payment.

Tom Quinn gets a new job at the paper, writing obituaries. Back in the bar, Freddie settles his bar tab with his newfound wealth and buys Quinn a drink.

Clarke starts becoming late for work, blemishing his perfect record.

Quinn decides to investigate Freddie’s sudden wealth.

Becket calls for a second £2000. He tells Jill to phone Simone. Simone phones Jimmy Boy to set up an ambush with Tiny. Freddie Mills watches events unfold as the money is dropped and Becket retrieves it as Tiny Freddie Mills punches Freddie. Jimmy Boy Harold Lang jumps in the back of the car instead of Freddie. The car drives off, pursued by Quinn. The car crashes, and Clarke, Jimmy Boy, and Becket are killed.

Quinn returns the £2000 to Fenchurch.