Respectable - Series 1, Episode 2 - British Comedy Guide (original) (raw)

A posh brothel has opened in town. Madame Maureen fears her girls will desert her. Meanwhile middle-aged punter Michael asks the love of his life, prostitute Hayley, to stop seeing other men.

Further details

Michael is upset to find out that his "brothel buddy" Barry has also been enjoying Hayley's favours; and the girls consider ditching Maureen for an upscale outfit in town. While he's waiting in the Debonnaire's reception area, Michael is talking to Barry about going on holiday. Upstairs, he carries on the conversation with Hayley, and tells her that his fantasy is for the two of them to move to a villa in Kefalonia. "Don't you ever want to get away from it all?" he asks. "It must get quite depressing hanging around all day with prostitutes." "Michael," responds Hayley cheerfully, "I am a prostitute!".

She tells him that her dream in life is to be a "Big Brother" housemate, and Michael wearily agrees that there's no limit to her potential. Back at home, Michael is talking to Barry, who is working in their bathroom. Barry likes the sound of the posh new brothel in town, and also tells Michael that he's one of Hayley's regulars. Michael is horrified that the "sweet, innocent girl" has been defiled by Barry, and heads back to the Debonnaire to talk it over. "I find the whole image of you and him together really disconcerting," he explains, and asks her to stop seeing Barry. She says she can't - it's her job, after all - and Michael angrily tells her that he feels stupid for falling for her act. "You're the only one who believes in me," she cries, denying that she's only nice to him because she's paid to be. "You"re the only one who believes that I could be a housemate!"

After Michael storms out, Hayley is distraught. "He was so lovely," she sobs to Kate. "He had something about him, sort of wise like Gandhi." "Gandhi?" asks Kate quizzically. "Yeah," replies Hayley mournfully. "You know, the big wizard with all the little hobbits..." Can the mismatched pair make it up? Also this week, Maureen is disgusted when the girls attempt to get work at the new place in town - and Michael gets a nasty shock when he goes there in search of Hayley.

Broadcast details

Date

Wednesday 6th September 2006

Time

10:30pm

Channel

Channel 5

Length

30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast

Guest cast

Writing team

Production team