Cash and Curry
Template:Infobox Only Fools and Horses
"Cash and Curry" is the third episode of series 1 of the BBC sit-com, Only Fools and Horses. It was first screened on 22 September 1981.
Synopsis
Rodney arrives to pick Del Boy up from a Dinner and Dance he had attended. While there, Rodney is introduced by Del to Vimmal Malik, an Indian man who is looking for business opportunities, much to Del's interest. Outside, the brothers become involved in a dispute between Vimmal and Mr Ram, a man who seems to have a grudge against Vimmal. During the fight, Ram's colleague, another Indian gentleman, tries to intimidate Del with faked Karate moves, but Del distracts him and hits him in the groin.
Further investigation causes Del and Rodney to discover that Malik and Ram are from rival families, each of whom makes claim to an ancient statue, of the Hindu God Kubera (who Del originally believed to be "one of India's premier wicketkeepers"), of great sentimental and financial value. Malik has the statue, but Ram wants it and informs Del that he is prepared to pay £4,000 for it. He is unable to make such an offer directly however, due to the caste system preventing him from speaking to Malik directly. Sensing an opportunity to profit, Del agrees to act as a messanger for Ram and Vimmal.
Del speaks to Malik, informing him that Ram is prepared to pay £2,000, with his intention being to keep the other £2,000 for himself. Malik eventually accepts the offer, but is unwilling to hand over the statue before receiving the cash. A problem emerges when it becomes clear that Ram is equally unwilling to handover the money before receiving the statue. Rodney at this point attempts to convince Del to let the deal go, but Del is unrelenting and decides to raise the £2,000 himself by selling off unwanted or unneeded items from the flat. Eventually he succeeds in convincing Rodney to go along with the plan.
The money is duly raised and paid to Malik, and the statue handed over. When Del Boy and Rodney go to the restaurant Ram supposedly owns, however, they find that he is gone - and that he does not own the restaurant and never did. The waiter there, who is the real owner of the restaurant, informs him that the cheque provided by Ram bounced, and that enquiries as to his accommodation revealed Ram had left there as well, leaving three weeks rent unpaid. Adding to the Trotter's woes, the owner examines the statue and reveals that they cost just £17 in Portobello Road. Realising the extent of their loss, and that they cannot report the pair to the police, as Del and Rodney leave the restaurant dejected and without options, Rodney unsuccessfully tries to cheer Del up.
Meanwhile, Malik and Ram joke to each other about the stupidity of the Trotter Brothers in falling for the scam, and it emerges that they are professional con artists who have successfully carried this out in various other cities (Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton, and North and South London), as they travel to their next destination to try it again.
Del and Rodney attempt to confront Malik at his home, but find that he is also gone. Rodney jokingly suggests heading to a curry house, and Del angrily throws the statue at Rodney. The camera freezes as the statue is still in the air.[1] [2]
Episode cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| David Jason | Del Boy |
| Nicholas Lyndhurst | Rodney |
| Renu Setna | Mr. Ram |
| Ahmed Khalil | Vimmal Malik |
| Babar Bhatti | Restaurant manager |
Episode concept
The idea for the script was based purely on the name of the episode "Cash and Curry", from that the script was devised.[3]
Notes
This episode and "The Longest Night" are the only two of the whole Only Fools And Horses run to not feature either the Trotters' flat or their local pub. It is also the first episode not to feature Lennard Pearce as Grandad.
The Trotters sell their Vauxhall Velox to help raise the £2,000. They remain without a second car until "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle", where Del buys the "Prattmobile", a 1977 Ford Capri Ghia.
Music
Note: In the VHS/DVD versions, Pink Floyd's "Money" is replaced by another piece of music.
References
- ^ "Episode Summary". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Full Episode Script". ofah.net. Retrieved 2009-06-30. [dead link]
- ^ Did You Know? ofah.net
External links
