Only When I Larf

A trio infiltrates a New York City office by assuming new identities: Lowther as Mr Stevens, Bob as Mr Glover, and Liz by their side. They persuade the two Americans to write a cheque for $250,000, while another cheque for $2 million is prepared for themselves and hidden in a faux wall-safe. The pair of cheques are left ready for later extraction, marking the start of their con.

Bob slips to the other side and takes the smaller $250,000 cheque from the faux wall-safe, then reappears in disguise. This clears the way for their securing the cash without tipping off the Americans.

Bob's security-guard disguise helps escort Liz to the bank, where she withdraws $250,000 in cash. The successful withdrawal consolidates their first real cash windfall from the con. The Americans remain unaware of the changing hands of the funds.

Lowther excuses himself from the office, then rejoins Bob and Liz as they board a helicopter on a Pan Am Building rooftop near the Chrysler Building. The trio makes a dramatic getaway, leaving the New York office behind. The ascent signals a widening scale for their con.

A view of the Tower Bridge and the Thames signals a shift to London. Lowther discusses his past in the British Army and reveals that he is married to Liz and that Bob is his son from an earlier marriage. The revelation shifts the dynamic of the trio and deepens the personal stakes.

In Africa, Liz is now Miss Smallwood and the next mark Maurice 'Gee Gee' Gray is introduced. Awana wants to buy guns, but Lowther plans to pass off scrap metal instead. Lowther disguises himself as a brigadier and Bob as a corporal to demonstrate anti-tank weapons for the target.

Awana is gagged and placed in a crate, while All Lin, the real leader, describes him as incompetent. The power dynamic within the con starts to shift as other voices question the plan. The scene tightens the tension of the imminent reveal.

The dynamic of the trio changes when Bob steals a kiss from his step-mother, complicating loyalties and trust. The moment introduces personal feelings into the deception and foreshadows future betrayals. Tension rises as boundaries blur.

Bob meets his friend Spider in the kitchens of the Carlton Hotel, who spots Spencer in a restaurant and invites him to join their table. Lowther is introduced as Longbottom, a private secretary, while posing as Mr Appleyard. They begin a string of social games—golf, squash, billiards, and clay pigeon shooting—and Lowther extorts £500,000 from Spencer with the promise of a 20% commission on a £5 million Lebanon deal.

In Lebanon, Bob, Liz, and Lowther drive into the wilderness carrying archaeological gear for cover. Lowther cons a Lebanese banker into letting him use his office to meet Spencer, who arrives with no cash. Spencer phones a Swiss bank to transfer funds, but Lowther attempts to collect the cash and is checked by the banker after the famous 'only when I laugh' joke from the previous day.

They drive to Umm Al Amad, each trying to cheat the other in the escalating game. Liz ultimately drives off with the cash alone, leaving the others to laugh at the collapse of the elaborate ruse. The con ends with a bitter twist as loyalties crumble and money changes hands one last time.