The Hustler (Porridge)

"The Hustler" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 12 September 1974.^[1] In this episode, Fletcher and his friends hold an illicit gambling syndicate under Mr Mackay's nose.

Synopsis

Fletcher is still working in the prison farm, and he and fellow inmate Horrible Ives are taking bets over which hen will lay an egg first. Ives loses and Fletcher describes him as such as loser that if "Elizabeth Taylor had triplets, he would have been the one in the middle on the bottle." Fletcher uses his farm position to steal eggs and swap them for better goods. Mr Barrowclough then talks to Fletcher about Ives' presence and informs Fletcher about Harry Grout's gambling and tobacco rackets in the prison. Barrowclough says he hopes Fletcher would not get involved in such activities, but Fletcher assures Barrowclough gambling is a mug's game.

Later that morning, Fletcher talks to Godber in the kitchen about whether he would like to join in their game. Godber strongly denies that he would ever gamble. Due to their earlier falling out, Fletcher plants eggs on Ives. Mr Mackay comes in and orders Fletcher to empty the chicken feed, but there are no eggs hidden. Mackay then searches Ives and finds eggs in his clothes, which he is then punished for.

That afternoon, Fletcher is in his cell, when Ives asks if he can take part in their game. Fletcher refuses him entry as there is no space, but he tells Ives who is taking part, and where and when the game is taking place.

On Saturday afternoon, Fletcher along with Lukewarm, Evans and Heslop are in the boiler house for their game of snakes and ladders. However, Mr Mackay and Mr Barrowclough are aware of the game taking place, because Ives has informed on them. Barrowclough tries to reason with Mackay that the men would gamble regardless, but Mackay's principles are that "gambling leads to debts, debts lead to antagonism, ill-feeling and lack of discipline." Mackay has arranged for a special delivery to smoke the men out. A lorry with a chute of coal empties its load into the boiler house, and the four men come out of the room covered in coal dust. Mackay remarks: "Welcome to the Black and White Minstrel show."

That evening, Fletcher is in disgrace. He has been in big trouble with the Governor and has lost his job at the farm, as well as all privileges for the next four weeks. In addition, Fletcher is considered to be a corrupting influence and cannot be trusted to share a cell, so he is to be moved to a single cell. Ives comes in to taunt Fletcher, especially since he has won the bet. Fletcher tells Ives that the whole prison knows about him grassing and so things are likely to be unpleasant for him. Ives tries to make a deal with Fletcher to take the heat off him, if he agrees to drop the bet. Fletcher has the last laugh, because he bet the entire landing that he will be in a single cell by Sunday, so he can pay Ives his winnings after all.

Episode Cast

Note

• First appearance of regular characters Horrible Ives and Lukewarm
• After this episode, Fletcher no longer works in the farm or shares a cell with Heslop and Evans.
• This episode is the only time we see the character Evans.

References

1. ↑ "Original Air Date (The Hustler)". IMDb. Retrieved 25 June 2013.