01x11 - Nightmare at Northoak

[bunniefuu]

The name: Dr. Richard Kimble.

The destination:
death row, state prison.

The irony:

Richard Kimble is innocent.

Proved guilty,

what Richard Kimble
could not prove was

that moments before discovering
his m*rder*d wife's body,

he saw a one-armed man running
from the vicinity of his home.

Richard Kimble ponders his fate
as he looks at the world

for the last time
and sees only darkness.

But in that darkness,
fate moves its huge hand.

ANNOUNCER:
The Fugitive.

A QM production.

Starring David Janssen
as the fugitive.

With guest stars
Nancy Wickwire...

Frank Overton...

Paul Carr.

Also starring Barry Morse
as LieutenantGerard.

Tonight's episode,
"Nightmare at Northoak."

Finally, Kimble.

Finally.

NARRATOR: This is Richard
Kimble's recurring nightmare.

And each time it ends,
he wonders whether he will

awaken to the same
nightmare of reality.

Barney, Barney!

Barney.

He's dead!

Help! Help!

Let me outta here!

Go on out the back!

Get out the back!

Go on, get back!

BOY:
Barney's in there!

He's coming around.

Wilma, open the curtains,
just a little.

Well, how do you feel, sir?

My head, I...

Everything's a little blurred.

Well, wouldn't expect much less
after that cr*ck on the skull.

You'll feel better
with some rest.

Is he unconscious again?

Asleep.

Doctor says
he'll be all right.

What do we do now?

Change the compress
every hour or so,

and don't fuss over him.

Are you sure he wouldn't be
better off in a hospital?

Well, if you and Wilma
don't want the responsibility.

Oh, that isn't
what I said, Doc.

I brought him here so we would
have the responsibility.

Well, then, all there is
to see to is that he rests.

We'll do it, doctor.

And we'll be proud.

MAN:
Well?

A concussion.

X-rays show no fracture.

The visions kinda blurred,

but it'll clear up
in a couple of days.

Are you sure, doctor?

I'll be happy to give you the
name of a specialist in Boston.

Oh, doctor, maybe I can fix him
something real nice to eat?

I took a first aid course once.
I could sit with him.

What brand's he smoke?

Maybe, uh,
get him some nice whiskey.

What you can all do for him is
to go home and let him sleep.

Wilma, be over
sometime tomorrow.

Expect he'll be
sitting up then.

Doc, he saved my kids' lives.

I'd count it a favor
if you let me pay the bill.

And I'd count it a favor
if you mind your own business.

Every child on that bus,

I brought every single
one of them into this world.

Find out who he is?

Absolutely no identification,

probably b*rned up on the bus.

He was dressed for hunting
or hiking though.

Have any idea why the bus went
out of control like that?

Tire blew.

Barney's such a careful driver.

It must be something like that.

Something that
wasn't anybody's fault.

Yep, accidents will happen.

"Accidents will happen."

"Something that
isn't anyone's fault."

Let me tell you,
accidents are caused.

They are always
someone's fault.

And when I think that
the lives of our children

might have been endangered
and might be again,

I intend to find out
exactly what happened

and who's responsible.

Honey, we all know
how you feel about these...

Right is right.

Well, let us
take care of that.

Uh, I think maybe we all
better be going home.

Wilma, if there's
anything we can do just...

Goes for us too.

Let us know
when we can see him.

Yes, I will,
Charley, Anna.

You try and
get some rest now, hm?

Hey, come on.

Hey, sign him up.
Nice catch, Dad.

Thanks, son.

They say that man's
gonna be all right.

I'm glad.

He needs a lot of rest.

That means you help
your mother keep things

nice and quiet around here,
you understand?

Hi, Mr. Plummer.

Milt Plummer of The Courier.

Milton, I've known you
all your life.

I heard that, uh,
Al brought that hero over here.

He's asleep, and I will not
permit him to be disturbed.

Oh, b-b-but I won't disturb him.

I'll just grab a couple
of pictures...

Pictures?

Well, you'll do nothing
of the kind, Milt Plummer.

Oh, b-b-but please.
But please, Mrs. Springer.

Well, at least
something about him.

You know, who he is,
where he's from, something.

Milton, I couldn't help you
even if I wanted to.

We simply don't know
anything about him.

Now, I've got to
make supper now, Milton.

If I were you I'd go home
before you get overheated

and catch cold.

And say hello to your folks
for me, will you?

B-b-but, Mrs. Springer...
Goodbye, Milton.

Couldn't I just...?
Could I just see...?

Uh, what say, Larry boy?

I already said hi.

Yeah, say, uh...

Say, how'd you like
to earn some cash?

A dollar.

How?

That fellow in the house.

Get me a couple
of pictures of him.

Mr. Plummer, my dad said
not to bother him.

He's asleep, kid.

Look, one picture,
it won't take a second.

He won't even know it.

Look, he saved your life,
didn't he?

Well, now you have a chance
to do something for him.

You can make him famous.

I could?

Sure, here.

Look, make it two dollars.

There you go.

Now, look, I'll have the camera
all set for you.

All you have to do
is stand back about,

oh, about feet, see?

And look through
this sports finder,

not through the glass one.

Look through
the sports finder, there.

Make sure his face
is right in there, okay?

Now, you take the camera
and you hold it real steady,

real steady, and then you
take a deep breath

to hold it that way, see?

And then you push
that button right there.

Got it?

Push the button,
hold it steady, now.

I'll take the ball.
Now hurry up, huh?

Somebody got here
ahead of us.

Hm.

That ham
looks like Hester Branch's.

Hester does do a good ham.

Well, good morning.

You're up with the chickens.

We were hoping
we'd get here first.

Oh, I wonder who left these.

Here, let me help.

How is he this morning?

Oh, he's still asleep.

Oh, well, w-we don't
want to bother you, Wilma.

Yes, we just thought we'd come,
you know, see how he is.

When he does wake up,

I thought, maybe
he'd like some preserves.

I hope he likes
this calves'-foot jelly.

Well, thank you
very much girls.

I'll be sure and tell him
who they're from.

Hey, that guy's
finally awake.

Dad says to come on in.

Oh, oh, good, here.

Now, put these jars
in the kitchen.

And the other things too.

This minute.

Uh, Larry,
that man is not a guy.

Mrs. Springer, I, uh,

thought I'd try
sitting up awhile.

Well, are you sure
you're up to it?

I still can't see too clearly,
but I feel a lot better.

When Doc saw you yesterday,
he said your vision

would clear up
in a couple of days.

Yesterday?

Uh, I must have been delirious.

Did I...?

No, no, not a word.

My...

My name is George Porter.

I've been working at a
lumber camp just north of here.

I don't have any family.

Oh.

I'm proud to know you,
Mr. Porter.

And grateful.

Mr. Porter,

is there anything
we can do for you?

No thanks,
you've done enough already.

Look at me
standing here talking.

You must be
starving to death.

Well, uh, now that you mention
it, Mrs. Springer, I...

Oh, the patient
is taking nourishment.

I'll be right back.

I want you to know, Mr. Porter,
that our house is yours

as long as you like.

Truth is,
everybody else in Northoak

is jealous
that we've got you.

You a police officer,
Mr. Springer?

Um, sheriff.

That's how I happen to be...

Oh, uh, excuse me, Dad,
but, uh, Ernie called.

Said to tell you the state
police were waiting for you.

Okay, son.

Oh, and, Larry,

this is
Mr. George Porter.

This is our boy, Larry.

How do you do, sir?

How do you do?

I'll bet that paper
is just full of that accident.

Uh, I... I-I'd better
go finish breakfast now.

Say, look at this.

Your picture plastered
all over the front page.

It's too bad that compress
covers most of your face.

Yeah, that's too bad.

Say, I wonder how
they got that picture.

Al, now, you know Mr. Porter
mustn't strain his eyes.

There.

Is that comfortable for you?

Oh, that's fine,
thank you.

I've got to go over
and talk with the state police.

The investigation is going be
handled by the state?

Well, they'll be
working with me.

Working with you.

Except that it's common
knowledge how the state

and county people
try to protect each other.

Al, don't let them
do it this time.

If the county's to blame
for the condition of the roads,

it ought to be made public.

If the state laws allow laxity

in the inspection
of school buses, why...

Now, honey,
you don't worry.

There isn't going to be
a whitewash of anyone.

You know, sometimes I call
the little woman here

the real sheriff
of Oak County, just as a joke.

I'll see you in a bit.

You have a good day,
Mr. Porter.

Oh, that,
that's just a start.

I have hotcakes, eggs
and sausages on the way.

Thank you.

I hope I... I-I didn't sound like
a nag about the investigation.

It's not that dishonesty's
involved, but...

you know, sometimes it can
be just as bad

if people don't stick to
the letter of the law.

Uh, my father was a judge,
you see.

He always said that the law
was the main reason

mankind was able to
keep standing on its hind legs.

He was camping near the road
when the accident occurred.

He is described as being
about years of age,

feet tall,
weighing pounds,

with black hair
and blue eyes.

Well, that could be
almost anybody.

Including Richard Kimble.

Phil, the odds against...

Odds?

Phil, you have to admit
you don't have much to go on.

Yes, I know.

New England when we expect him
to be in the South.

Camping alone, thousands do.

No identification,

well, he could have lost that
in the accident.

Then you still think
this might be Kimble.

This is.

Yeah, well, of course
I'll give you

full cooperation,
lieutenant.

But if you don't
mind my saying so,

this George Porter
can't be your man.

Well, if you insist,
I'll get a set of prints

and send them out today.

What?

No, you can
take my word for it.

He's in no condition
to go any place

for at least
a couple of days.

How many times
have I told you?

When we're having
a top-secret club meeting,

you're not supposed to...

Hey, guys.

It's Mr. Porter.

Must've wandered off
from the Springers.

Mr. Porter,
you okay?

We better get help fast.

My dad,
I'll go get him.

Mr. Porter, sir?

You don't have to worry,
we'll take you back.

You know what?

What makes me feel so good?

We're saving him.

Wilma! Mm, Wilma.

Wilma, wait.
Wait, Wilma.

Wilma.

Uh, Wilma,
wait a minute, will you?

Is it true?

Is Mr. Porter really
out of his mind?

Oh, Matty, really.

Well, Art's wife called
and said Art found him

a half a mile away
in the meadow,

and then took him home
to your house.

He is not out of his mind,
and I will not participate

in any such foolish gossip.

Well, isn't that
a prescription

you had made up for him
at the drugstore?

It's a sedative,
to calm him.

But half a mile out
in the meadow.

Now, why would he want
to do a thing like that?

Oh, Dr. Babcock,
who I dare say knows more

about such things
than any of us,

says he's probably still
suffering from the concussion.

Or have we forgotten
that he was injured.

Oh, I see you got dressed.

I hope I'm not disturbing.

Oh, not at all.
Come on in.

I feel like a...

Well, I mean,
I have to do this.

I had an inquiry
from a detective out of town,

a man named Gerard.

He has a wild idea you might be
somebody he's looking for,

an escaped m*rder*r
named Kimble.

A m*rder*r?

Well, I... Not bad.

One day a hero, the next day
a dangerous criminal, huh?

I know, it's the most ridiculous
thing I ever heard of.

But you understand,
I have to cooperate.

Ordinarily I'd get somebody
who could vouch for you,

but in this case...

Well, Gerard wants
your fingerprints.

Well, whoever this Gerard is,

I guess we ought to
keep him happy, huh?

Won't be for long.

When he gets these
in a couple of hours

he'll see what
a mistake he made.

What do you
want me to do?

Just relax.

I got everything here.

Let me have your right hand.

I'm gonna write that Gerard
a piece of my mind

when this is cleared up,
making me do this to you

after all you've done for us.

Al, what in
heaven's name are...?

It's nothing to
worry about, honey.

Just clearing up a case
of mistaken identity.

But must you treat Mr. Porter
as though you're arresting him?

Oh, that's all right,
Mrs. Springer.

We want to get this
cleared away today.

Is it that serious?

No, it isn't,
but it could be.

An out-of-state detective

saw Mr. Porter's picture
in the paper,

had a brainstorm.

This man who's been
in our house,

after saving our boy's life,
among others,

is really an escaped m*rder*r
named Richard Kimble.

There, that'll do it.

SPRINGER: Not as bad as a visit
to the dentist. Was it, Mr. Porter?

No, there
are worse things.

Considering
I haven't taken

a set of prints
in several years,

that's a pretty professional job
if I say so myself.

I'll rush these over
to the state police,

and they'll send them out
by wire photo.

Al.

Just a minute, honey.
Let me make this call.

When you wandered away...

it was because
you'd seen the paper.

You were afraid.

You were trying to run away.

Don't call him
just yet.

Will you
let me explain?

I am Richard Kimble.

An escaped m*rder*r...
Escaped, yes,

and convicted, but...

I swear to you as I swore
to the court, I'm innocent.

I understand that
to hear criminals tell it,

they're all innocent.

Was it a fair trial?

Well, legally, yes...

But you see,
my defense was...

I saw
a one-armed man.

I know he's the one
who k*lled my wife.

Your wife?

Well, I didn't do it,
he did.

But you see,
they couldn't find him.

So everywhere I go,
I look for him.

It seems to me that's a job
for the proper authorities.

The proper authorities
have looked for him.

They couldn't find him, so now
they're only looking for me.

Mrs. Springer,
if I'm caught...

If you're caught?

As soon as this detective gets
those fingerprints, he'll know.

Well, that's why
I'm telling you all this.

I thought...

you might
help me escape.

All you have to do is go
out the door and shut it.

So that you can
run off again.

You asked for a chance to
explain, and I gave it to you.

And now you want me
to be an accomplice.

Do you know of
any other human being I can ask?

Is that too much to ask?
A life for a life?

Well, it's no trouble for me
to run 'em over myself.

Goodbye.

They can't pick these up
until later,

and I want to get 'em out
right away

and clear up this nonsense
once and for all.

Al?

Yes?

Nothing.

Honey, I know
how you feel.

We say,
"Anything, Mr. Porter.

We'll do anything for you".
And then we do this.

But listen,
he's my kind of man.

He understands
I'm only doing my job.

We'll make it up to him.

What's right is right.

He is Richard Kimble.

Oh, my Lord.

Sorry, Mr. Kimble.

You'll come with me now.

That won't be necessary.

Yeah, well,

if Al needs
any more information

just tell him I'll be glad
to give it to him, huh?

Will do, Barney.
Thanks for coming in.

Okay.
Hey, Barney,

uh, I'd like
to do a follow-up,

a human-interest story
on ya.

Oh, sure. Why not?
Yeah.

Would you come
over here?

Hey, Mr. Porter!

Boy, I'm sure happy
to see you.

Could I get a picture
of you here?

No, no pictures.
Put it away.

Phone
that detective.

Tell him
we've got his man.

What's got
into Al Springer?

Gone feeble-minded
or somethin'?

I'll say.

He's treating Mr. Porter
like a criminal.

He just
doesn't make sense.

Finally, Kimble,

finally.

MAN:
Kimble?

Sheriff will be with you
in a minute, Pete.

GERARD:
Thank you, sir.

Uh, yes, the sheriff

has a man
he can send right away.

Goodbye.

Well, no trouble
about extradition.

So if you'll just certify
that he is in your custody

and that you authorize
his release to me.

Sheriff?

Here you go.

Attorney General's office
at the capital.

Make it fast.
They're waiting for it.

How long will
it take him?

About three hours.

I said
about three hours.

That clock may be
a few seconds off.

Well, in that case,

let's say
about : , huh?

Did he eat much,
Ernie?

A little.

Well, don't worry,
lieutenant,

I made sure
he didn't keep the spoon.

Hardly the su1c1de type.

Oh?

What type would you
say he is?

Just a figure of speech,
gentlemen.

Well, whatever he is,
Ernie can keep an eye on him

while I go get some supper.

I haven't eaten since breakfast.

Didn't bother on the plane.

Welcome to come home with me.

Well, that's kind of you,
sheriff,

but I think
I'd rather stay here.

Maybe I can get a sandwich
where you got this.

Well, they'll be closing
about now.

I only live a few blocks away.

Well, thank you,
but, uh,

Kimble got away
from me once,

and I simply
don't want...

Ernie knows
his business.

Well, suppose
we check him before we go.

Yes, sir...lieutenant.

Thank you.

Gerard?

He still there?

I'll be at home
if you need me, Ernie.

Right.

No one's to be admitted.
And, uh,

take a look at him
now and again, will you?

Yes, sir, lieutenant.

GERARD: ...and then
another time I got a lead,

he was working
in an amusement park

in New Jersey.

I learned quite a lot
about that amusement park

before the lead proved
to be false.

But that's all over now.

GERARD: Of course, his
capture was inevitable.

I've known it all along.

What's
the matter, son?

Your father asked you
a question, dear.

It's my fault.

I took the picture of him.

I thought I was
doing him a favor!

Larry, no.

Son...

you have nothing whatever
to feel guilty about.

I'm sorry

for Larry
that he had to be the one.

Mrs. Springer, you must
help him to get over it.

Convince him that he did
the right thing,

just as you know
that you did.

What will happen to him now?

When the papers are returned
from the capitol,

he'll be remanded
to my custody.

I shall deliver him
to prison.

And there'll be a new date set
for his execution.

What he did for us,

for so many people here
in Northoak,

i... Is it possible
that the law...?

Might alter his sentence?

GERARD:
My guess would be no.

Best leave him be
for the night.

Well, sheriff,

I suppose we should
be getting back.

Mrs. Springer, I'll always
remember this fine meal.

Lieutenant...

did he k*ll his wife?

The law says he did.

That's not what I mean.
Did he really k*ll her?

The law says he's guilty.

I enforce the law.

What's right
is right.

I suppose you could put it
as simply as that.

I have.

All my life.

Well, goodbye,
Mrs. Springer.

And thank you again.

Everything
all right?

Yeah.

When did you
check last?

Six minutes
and nine seconds ago.

Want me to check again?

I wouldn't want you
to tire yourself.

I'll do it.

Lieutenant,
I'll be at home.

Ernie will call me
when the papers get back.

Now?

Soon.

Cigarette?

I've got some.

How you must hate me.

It's all very easy
for you, Gerard.

Black and white.

Yes, it has to be.

Which gives you
the advantage.

Any disguise you choose.

Hero to a whole town.

Saving kids from a burning bus,
that's a disguise?

You know, for all the thinking
I've done about you,

I don't know
how your mind works at all.

But maybe I do.

I'm a fugitive,
so nothing I do is decent.

Well?
All this time,

all those places,

haven't you been
living a lie?

I had a choice,
didn't I?

Gerard, when they take me down
to that holding cell

and give me my last meal,

walk me to the door
and strap me in that chair,

my words are gonna be
exactly the same.

"I didn't k*ll her."

I didn't, Gerard.

No, of course you didn't.

Tucson, Dallas, Los Angeles,

Seattle,
Atlanta, Miami

and Northoak.

All those rooms,

all those days and nights alone,

remembering

and imagining

until the difference

between reality and fantasy

is not quite so clear any more.

Can you make
yourself believe

that being a fugitive
has done something to my mind?

You're forgetting that
my story's exactly the same now

as it was the night
of the m*rder.

And it was and is a lie.

What, are you so godlike
that because you couldn't find

a one-armed man,
you don't believe he exists?

I've done everything
humanly possible to find him.

I think you have. I wonder why.

It's my job.

It's also a curse,
isn't it, Gerard?

You know, I think
you have nightmares too.

Your nightmare is that
when I'm dead, you'll find him.

What are you running from,
Gerard?

Papers back already?

It's just some people out front
who want to say goodbye to him.

I said it was all right.
Goodbye?

What are you planning,
a farewell party?

I said they could file by
and shake hands with him.

I can't allow
anything like that.

He's still my prisoner.

All right, folks.
Now, remember:

no conversation,
no waiting around.

Goodbye, my boy.
Courage.

Thank you.

I'm going home
to see how my boy is.

I'll be back
in time.

I imagine you'd like
to go home too.

I sure would,
lieutenant.

That car should've
been here by now.

Well, I'll check him
again.

Don't bother.

Much obliged,
lieutenant.

Lieutenant?

No need to worry about him.

Ernie.

This is everyone
who was here last night.

One of them
passed him the key

when they were
saying goodbye.

I appreciate your taking
all this trouble, sheriff.

But I already know who did it.

GERARD: I know how you feel about him,

and about me.

You let him out.

That's a lie.

I don't think so.

And I don't think
a jury's going to believe

that you were just being kind

in letting everyone in
to say goodbye to Kimble,

giving you the chance
to slip him the key.

I'm going to see to it
that you're charged

with aiding and abetting
a fugitive.

You're wrong, lieutenant.

My husband didn't do it.

I knew about the key being
in the drawer.

I gave it to Mr. Kimble.

You did?

Well, I'm sure you understand
what this means, Mrs. Springer.

You'll be arrested.

Don't listen to her.

I've been in here
often enough.

I slipped it to him.

Didn't
neither.

He saved my life,
and I paid him back.

I'm the one.
MAN: He was not,

I did it!

WOMAN: It's me. I'm the guilty one.

NARRATOR:
Another city, another identity.

"Help wanted."

Help, but there is none.

Richard Kimble must live
with his past and his future.

His only consolation,
that somewhere,

perhaps here,
there is a one-armed man

who has nightmares of him.