01x12 - Glass Tightrope

[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.

The Fugitive.

A QM production.

Starring David Janssen
as the fugitive.

With guest stars
Leslie Nielsen...

Edward Binns...

Diana Van der Vlis.

Tonight's episode,
"Glass Tightrope. "

It doesn't matter anymore
who you are or where.

Every town, every city,
is just like the last.

A waypoint on an endless road
that goes nowhere.

A place to stop running,

to think,

to hide.

Another job?

Another name?

Is that enough?

It has to be.

It's all you've got.

Excuse me.
Yes?

I'm supposed to pick up
a projector and a can of film.

Who from?
A Mr. Rowland.

I'm from Denshaw's
Department Store.

Oh.

Be a few minutes. Meeting is
just about to break up.

Congratulations,
Martin.

The film was very,
uh, stimulating.

Well, I didn't pick it,
and I didn't like it.

Oh.
You're just being modest.

Just doing what the
entertainment committee asked,

that's all.

Art films.

Good old lower-middle-class
morality.

I'd thought you'd grown out of
that when you married Denshaw's.

Ginny.

That still bugs you, doesn't it?

Does it?

Yes, Howie.

She married me when you were
so willing and available.

Just a minute, Martin.
Maybe you're...

Excuse me, Mr. Rowland. There's
a driver here from Denshaw's.

All right. Send him in.
Yes, sir.

This is the stuff here.

Projector and the film.
Yes, sir.

Just a minute.

I don't remember you
from the store.

Well, I've only been
at Denshaw's since Monday, sir.

What's your name?

Harry Carson.

I work in the stock room.

Starting at the bottom?

Oh, there's a better way,
you know.

Marry the boss' daughter,
start at the top.

All right. Get this stuff down
to my office in the morning.

Lock that film up tonight.
Yes, sir.

What Mr. Denshaw...
Eh, pardon me,

I mean, uh,
Mr. Rowland means

is, uh, no private screenings
for your friends, huh?

No, sir.

Howie...

I'm not gonna
tell you again.

Lay off.

"Lay off"?

You know what I mean.

No wonder Ginny's
so bored.

No sense of humor.

Heh, Martin, come on, now.
Take a little advice...

... first on to say anything
about it. Come on.

All right, I heard you.
You said it. Now shut up.

Martin, it was just
a harmless little joke. I...

I didn't mean to imply
that Ginny was playing around.

Now, look. I'm not discussing
my wife with you.

Listen...

we're old friends.

We grew up together.

We're bound to run into
each other once in a while.

Course, if, uh...
If people are going to talk,

obviously we're gonna have
to be a little more discreet.

Fullback.

Hello?

Hello?

Yes, I'd like to report
an accident.

The parking lot
of the Excelsior Club.

You don't need a name.

A man has been hurt.
It... It's very serious.

Can you get an ambulance
over there right away?

No, no, no, no, no.

Harry, Harry. How many times
do I have to tell you?

You're getting too much work
done too soon.

You can ruin it
for everybody.

Slow and easy.
Right?

Right.
Now you're singing my song.

Ah-ah-ah.

Thanks for picking up that film
for me last night.

Anytime.
How was your date?

She stood me up.

Can you b*at it?

A smooth apple like me.

You're breaking my heart,
Floyd.

Good morning, sugar.

Uh, busy, busy, busy,
like we say. Always keep busy.

You're new here.

I've only been here
three days.

What's your name?

Harry Carson.

Mr. Angstrom, uh,
he's the store detective.

A detective. That doesn't mean
like in the funny cartoons.

I was on the force years.
You think you can remember that?

I think so.

You ready
for your second lesson?

I'm allergic to shoplifters,
both in front of the counter

and in back of the counter.

Am I reaching you?

Loud and clear.

You get sticky fingers...

I'll bust you in two.

Put on your jacket.

Yes, sir.

He likes
to play cop.

Well, he was a cop.
Ah, he was booted.

Uh, some kind
of hanky-panky.

He was starving when
the old man picked him up.

Old man?
Yeah.

Our late revered founder,
Mr. Hiram Denshaw.

The kind of nose he had
for a bargain,

no wonder he built up
a business like this.

He bought Angstrom
for cents on the dollar.

He, uh, also bought
an all-American fullback

for his daughter.

Floyd?

Floyd, did you hear?

It's on the radio.

Mr. Rowland's mixed up
in some kind of a m*rder.

You're kidding.
No, really.

Isn't it exciting?

Shut up.|

Well, let me hear.
I'm trying to get the station.

Oh, for Pete's sake.

The brutal k*lling
has shocked the entire city.

Mr. Pascoe was
a distinguished citizen,

long active in civic
and social circles.

The cause of death
has been established

as a massive
cerebral hemorrhage,

resulting from a hard blow
on the head.

Martin C. Rowland, president
of Denshaw's Department Store,

and a long-time friend
of Howard Pascoe,

revealed this morning
that he was possibly

the last person
to see him alive.

Meanwhile, being held
without bail

on suspicion of m*rder

is Arthur Tibbetts,
no fixed address.

Tibbetts claims he had
no part in the k*lling.

But police point out that
he was found near the scene

with Mr. Pascoe's watch
and billfold in his possession.

Now, here's a look
at the weather.

They got the wrong man. That
hits close to home, remember?

They wouldn't
believe you either.

Tough, but it's no concern
of yours.

You have to stay clear,
stay out of it.

You can't afford
to take the chance.

What is he? A stranger,
a vagrant, a nothing.

Just a name, Arthur Tibbetts,
no fixed address.

Ask yourself:

Is he worth the risk?

Hello.

Hello? Who is this?

Well, just a minute,
I'm, uh...

I'm not sure
if he is.

: It's for you.

Hello, I'm sorry, uh...

Mr. Rowland isn't available
at the moment, uh...

Could he call you
tomorrow?

If you just leave
your name and phone number...

Well, I don't see
why you can't...

Just a minute,
please.

: He just keeps insisting.

All right, I'll take it
out in the living room.

Hang on, please.

Martin Rowland.
What is it?

Mr. Rowland...

I was in the parking lot
last night.

Who is this?

I know it was an accident.

I saw everything
that happened.

Who are you?
What do you want?

Don't you think you oughta
call the police?

I don't know
what you're talking about.

That old man they're going
to charge with m*rder.

You know he didn't do it.

I was hoping
you might clear him.

Or what?!

Go on, say it. Or what?!

Why don't you come right out
and say it?

Hello?

Hello?

Uh, Phil Maillant.
Martin Rowland calling.

Well, tell him to call me as
soon as he comes in, will you?

Darling, they're never there
when you want them:

lawyers, doctors,
wives.

Do you really
need that?

Still haven't learned
how to hide trouble, eh?

No, I'm slow,
my dear.

I'm still learning
which fork to use.

Darling,
what did the man want?

Nothing. Nothing that
would interest you.

Martin, I was
on the other phone.

You know, even on my side
of town,

we'd call that
a lousy, underhanded trick.

It's obvious.

Howie must have been
baiting you again.

What was it about this time?

Not me.

What did he say?

You know what he said.
Was it true?

That would be like Howie,
wouldn't it?

He'd probe till he found
some sensitive spot.

Was it true?

And you.

You'd have to hit him,
of course.

Not slap him
and really destroy him.

You'd have to hit him
with your all-American fist.

Um...

I didn't know
he was hurt.

Be sure and tell
the police that.

This, uh, man Tibbetts
they've arrested...

He's a vagrant, isn't he,
with a criminal record?

It's just
petty stuff.

Well,
this isn't petty.

He stole Howie's wallet
and his watch.

He didn't hit him,

and he didn't k*ll him.

You're going to say
it's a matter of conscience.

If it were conscience,

you'd have called Phil Maillant
this morning.

You're just worried
because someone saw you.

Suppose he calls
the police?

When he's found
the mother lode?

He'll call again.

He'll, uh, want money.

Give it to him.

And what about
that man?

What about you?

What about Denshaw's?

What about me?
Oh, you.

Well, you don't have
to get mixed up in this.

I don't really
expect it of you.

Darling, for a man
in your social position,

the head of a big
department store,

just let them
get a whisper

what you and Howie
were fighting about.

Those filthy rags will print
my name so large,

there won't be any room left
for the story.

Martin?

For a worthless old drunk?

No earthly good
to anyone?

Hello?

Phil?

Yes, darling, we did.

We, uh, thought we had
a problem,

but it's all been settled.

Mr. Rowland?
Yes.

Your secretary said
you were expecting me.

Come in, come in.

You're the driver I talked to
the other night.

Yes, sir.

I gave you some instructions.

You didn't follow them. Why?

If you mean
about the can of film...

It was supposed to be brought
up here yesterday morning.

Yeah, well, I, uh, thought
you'd want it, uh,

delivered to you personally.

Your secretary said
you wouldn't be in.

Something about
the district attorney's office.

Oh, yes.

Yes, uh...

Yes, I suppose you've heard
about that.

It's a terrible thing.

Yes, sir.

I, uh... I took it upon myself
to lock the film up

in the stockroom.

Well, that was very smart
of you.

Let's see,
your name is, uh...

Carson.
Carson. Harry Carson.

Well, I'm not used
to my employees

thinking for themselves
like that, Carson.

Thank you, sir.

Yes?
Mr. Rowland,

I want to remind you
the hearing is at : .

Yes, yes, I, uh...
I remember.

Eleven-thirty, the hearing,
uh... I'm on my way now.

Here, uh... This is the address.
Get the film over there.

Tell 'em I'll pay them
for the extra day.

Uh, yes, sir.

Uh, uh, Carson.

I, uh...

would like you
to drive me somewhere.

I'm... just a little rocky
from, uh...

You know, when you lose someone
close like that, it, uh...

Tell, uh,
Miss, uh, Gault

to have the film
delivered, uh...

I'll meet you down
in the garage.

Yes, sir.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Tell me, uh,
Mr. Angstrom,

how long have you been
with Denshaw's?

Be years
in October.

Daddy used to say you were
like one of his family.

He admired you so.

Mrs. Rowland, you know he
picked me out of the gutter.

What I mean to say

is he knew
he could depend on you.

If you're asking me, ma'am,

so can you.

Thank you.
I was sure I could.

This is a very delicate matter,
Mr. Angstrom.

I suppose that blackmail
always is.

Somebody's blackmailing you?

Not me.

My husband.

Officer, where exactly
did you find the defendant?

After the ambulance
left,

my partner and I took
a quick look around.

We found him hiding
in the alley.

We must have trapped him
when we drove in.

I see.

Let the record show
that the witness

was pointing directly
at the defendant.

Now, officer, had you ever
seen him before?

Artie Tibbetts?

Sure, we pick him up
regularly.

Except he was
in the wrong neighborhood.

And I ask him,
and he can't tell me why.

So I search him.

And he's got Mr. Pascoe's wallet
and his watch.

I didn't k*ll him.

He was layin' there.
I just rolled him, that's all.

That's the truth, I swear.

You want the truth,
don't you?

He was laying there
when I came into the lot,

and it looked so easy.

Ah, what's the use?

What's the use?

While this is a hearing
and not a trial,

I won't stand
for any more outbursts.

Does the prosecutor
have any further questions?

No, Your Honor.

Witness excused.

Call your next witness.

Your Honor, I should like
to call Mr. Martin Rowland.

Now, Mr. Rowland, previous
testimony seems to indicate

that you were the last person
to see Mr. Pascoe alive.

Yes, we walked out to
the parking lot together.

Was Mr. Pascoe quite well
when you left?

Now, Mr. Rowland, we realize
the loss of a good friend...

Would you like
a minute?

No. I'm all right.
Uh...

Mr. Pascoe was...

standing by his car
when I drove out.

Over here.

Oh, hi, sarge.

Uh,
what's up?

Wednesday night
you made a pick up.

At the Excelsior Club.

Panel truck
number .

Checked out to
Floyd Bolton at : .

Well, yeah.
Well, you see...

Picked up a camera
and some film stuff

and checked back in
at : .

Round trip
a half hour or less.

It took you
almost an hour.

Well, if...

If that's all
you want to know...

Uh... something happen
with the truck?

Fender maybe?

Somebody hurt?

Look, I just don't want to
get anybody in any trouble.

You boy. You're the one
who's in trouble.

You better tell me
why it took you so long.

Uh, okay.

Okay,
only no names, huh?

You see...
You see, there's this dame.

Well, she's a nurse, and she
works on the night shift, see?

Well, she called me up, and
she asked me to take her home.

So, what can I do,
sarge?

I picked up
the truck,

I made the pick up and
then I took her home.

Only she lives over
on Maxton Street,

and by the time I got back,
it took almost an hour.

What's her name?

Uh, sarge,
you promised...

Let's have it.

Uh...

Uh...

Uh, Sugar, uh...

Sugar Johanson...

Sarge...

I won't put it in the report
unless I have to.

Whew!

Morning.

Boy,
it almost was a bad one.

What?

Oh, relax.
Relax.

I double talked
Angstrom but good.

Angstrom?

He thinks something happened
with the truck Wednesday night.

Ah.
He thinks I was driving.

You sure?

Yeah.
Sure, I'm sure.

He thinks I was making
happy-happy with some dame.

At least that's what
he put in his report.

What report?

Uh, to Rowland,
I guess.

One'll get you five
I'm on the carpet tomorrow.

Serves me right, I guess,
for getting you to cover for me.

Hey, uh...

What did happen,
Harry?

Harry?

Well, you see, Floyd...

There was this girl.

Yeah. I understand.

Darling,
who's the letter from?

Is it from that man
who called Thursday night?

How much
does he want?

He's not asking
for money.

He will.

If he thinks he can
intimidate you,

he'll start cracking his whip
soon enough.

He's cracking
it now.

"... I insist you go to
the authorities at once.

"You can only help yourself,
and help an innocent man too.

Unless I read of his release in
the evening papers, I shall... "

Let me see that.

He knows what happened.

He was there.

I'm going to call
Phil Maillant.

Darling.

Don't you think
you're a little late?

It seems to me you should
have called him two days ago.

I did call him
two days ago.

You took
the return call.

You didn't want me
to speak to him.

Come now, Martin,
let's be honest.

Perhaps I did advise
against it.

But after all, darling,
you are the head of this family.

Am I?

You're going to be
difficult again.

If I was going to be
difficult,

I would have told the truth
yesterday in court.

It was my voice,
but the words were yours.

Tell me,
I'd be interested to know.

Why'd you show up
down there anyway?

Because I didn't want
my name dragged in.

You'd let a man die.

A poor old devil
like that...

A criminal.

A whiskey-sotted derelict
with no place to go

and nothing to
hope for.

I couldn't care less.

Don't you say that!

Don't you dare say that!

That's what you need.

Somebody to knock you down,
slap you down.

Go ahead.

No. That's not going
to be me.

Because you love me
so much.

Mrs. Rowland will see you
in the living room.

Oh, darling, Martin,
please be reasonable.

Oh, excuse me.

Good morning Mr. Rowland,
Mrs. Rowland.

Darling, I had to
tell Mr. Angstrom.

He can help us,
he knows about these things.

I'm sure he'll be able
to find that man.

Before the evening papers
come out?

I came by to report.

This morning's mail.

It was posted last night
in the downtown area.

He types very well.

Hm, that'll
narrow it down.

I'll get to work
on it.

I was sure you would.

Thank you.

Yes, sir?

When does the next bus
leave for Chicago?

That'll be fine.

I'll pick up
the tickets at : .

Um...
George Paxton.

Thank you.

Hiya, sarge.

You type
very well.

I get a lot
of practice.

Could've saved myself
a whole day.

What do you mean?

Shut up.

Lousy machine, huh?

So you used a new one
out of stock?

Oh, no, sergeant, I never used
anything out of stock.

You saw some things,
so you got some big ideas.

Make a phone call,
write a letter,

the dough'll
come rolling in.

Huh,
what'd you see, boy?

Where?

I... I don't know what
you're talkin' about.

Parking lot of
the Excelsior Club.

You got
an eyeful.

When? How?

I haven't even been near
the Excelsior Club.

You told me yourself,
Wednesday night, in the truck.

Sarge, sarge,
listen to me, will ya?

I... I-I never drove the truck
that night.

That's the truth.

But your name is
on the dispatch book.

Uh, yeah, well, yeah...
I... I got one of the other guys

to cover for me.

Name.

Harry Carson.

Where is he?

He's a-at the printers.
I needed some requisitions...

Where does he live?

A-at the Dover Hotel
on Second Street.

You'd better not
be lying again, boy.

Lyin'?

Sarge,
what do you mean?

There is no Sugar Johanson
on Maxton Street.

Homicide,
Sergeant Kronas.

I'm only going to
say this once.

About the Pascoe case,
you've got the wrong man.

Tibbetts didn't k*ll him,
it was Martin Rowland.

Martin C. Rowland?

That's right,
of Denshaw's Department Store.

It was an accident but he's
the one that k*lled Pascoe.

You take it from there.

Pretty good at making phone
calls, writing letters.

Let's see how good you are
at walking.

Just relax.

You better
wait outside.

Where's Mr. Rowland?

He's on his way
to the club.

I left word.

This Harry Carson,
you've got him, haven't you?

He's in there.

He called the police
before I could grab him.

The police.

The only thing is,
he didn't leave a name.

And they don't like calls
without a name.

I still have a couple
of friends on the force.

I think I'll check this out
with them.

If he starts anything,
Monte's right outside.

Harry Carson?

I'm Mrs. Rowland.

I was expecting
Mr. Rowland.

I hope you're not
too disappointed.

I'm sure we can talk
until my husband arrives.

In fact, we may even be able
to settle our differences

before he gets here.

Now, if you'll just
tell me what you want...

What I said in the letter.

Oh.

I see.

I think we should establish
one thing at the start.

My husband is not going
to the police.

Now then...

You know that old man
didn't k*ll Howard Pascoe.

Such concern.

This Tibbetts must mean
a great deal to you.

Are you related?

Close friends?

I've seen the man
exactly once in my life.

Cigarette?

If you don't mind.

I don't mind at all.

Motives aside,
Mr. Carson...

if you're so deeply concerned
about this drunken old sot,

why haven't you gone
to the police?

Loyalty to Denshaw's?

You've been there
exactly one week.

To my husband, perhaps?

He's been
a very considerate employer.

So... you
called the police,

but of course, you wouldn't
give them your name.

Mr. Carson,
I've heard that the police

disregard anonymous
phone calls.

I'm afraid they'll demand
a signed statement.

Have you
signed one?

Not yet.

Why even
think about it,

when there are
so many other things.

Things so much more...
rewarding.

For example, you could stay here
and have a lifetime job...

with a substantial increase
in salary.

Or... you could leave.

With ten thousand dollars
in your pocket.

In cash.

Uh.

Why not?

Thanks, Lew.
Mm-hmm.

Oh, and drop over to the store
one of these days.

Pick yourself out
a couple of ties.

I got a couple
of ties.

Yes?

Oh, um...
This is Angstrom.

Look, they're not going to
follow-up on that phone call,

So maybe if you just
pay the guy off...

He's not asking
for money.

What is he,
some kind of crank?

He says he wants justice.

Why doesn't he just come down
here and make out a statement?

Do you think he's scared?

No reason for him to be.

I checked the local files,
he has no record.

Some place else?

Yeah, maybe.

I'll check it out.

I knew you'd think
of something.

How many you want?

How many you got?

Oh, you could be sitting there
till Christmas.

Look,
just put a name on him.

I'll pull it out
for you.

Don't strain yourself.
There's no reward.

Then what are you
working overtime for?

Just doing
my job.

I can't imagine
what's keeping Mr. Rowland.

I'm sure you must be
most impatient to see him...

No, thank you.

No reason we can't
be civilized.

Strange,
I'm sure I've seen you before...

somewhere.

Maybe here
at the store.

I despise
the store.

I hardly ever
come here.

No, it must have been
some place that...

The other day,
in court.

You're very
observant.

It's a reflex.

One notices
a new man in town.

We're so
insulated here.

I hadn't felt it.

You will.

You won't find us
at all like...

New York?

Chicago?

Could it be
San Francisco?

It could be
all of them.

A man of many cities.

Don't you ever get lonely?

Unhappy or lost?

Quite often.

It's the, uh...
human condition, isn't it?

Unless one decides
to do something about it.

What do you do about it,
Mrs. Rowland?

Wait for a new man
to come to town.

Sorry.

I'm rather late,
aren't I?

Yes, darling,
you are.

Yes, I had a lot of things
I had to think out.

Martin, I took it on myself
to open negotiations.

So far, he's turned down
$ , .

And what else?

I don't think
I like the...

When Angstrom told me it
was you, I couldn't believe it.

How could I be so wrong
about a man, blackmail.

Shaking me down
for a few lousy bucks.

I didn't ask for money.

Then what?

Justice, Martin.
Justice.

I keep thinking that
old man might die.

Nonsense.
He'll get a prison term.

And I keep telling myself
that he didn't do it.

What do you tell yourself,
Mr. Rowland?

You've been driving around.
You had time to think.

If I went
to the police...

You what?

It was
an accident.

That man can prove it
for me now.

We'll come out of
this thing all right.

You'll come out of it
all right.

Ginny,
you won't be involved.

Won't I?

You'll have to
tell it all.

I'll be the filthy joke
of the town.

Everyone will be
laughing at me.

And that's more important
than Tibbetts and his life.

You care more about
that man than me.

After all I've done
for you.

I've given you position,
importance, respect.

Shut up.
I've given you this office...

You've given me nothing!

The best buy your father
ever made was me.

I earned that desk!

Worked my way up
from the bargain basement!

The floors,
the departments.

I know this store from the top
to the bottom.

You tell me how much
you've done for me.

For one nickel...
a trading stamp,

I'd swap my place
with Carson.

You fool.

Carson!

Carson, wait!

The watchman...

Listen, I sent Monte down
to help you...

What?

All right. Never mind.

What did he say?

Well, he wasn't running from us,
Mrs. Rowland.

I think I've found
what we've been looking for.

There you are,
darling.

That's who presumed to
sit in judgment of you.

A m*rder*r?

No, I'm not.

A m*rder*r.
Tried and convicted.

Tibbetts is going
to be convicted.

Sometimes the law
goes wrong.

Judge, jury, evidence,
sometimes it's wrong.

You took a chance like this
for an old, useless drunk...

a man you don't
even know?

Martin,
he's wanted for m*rder.

His word will mean nothing
to the police.

And all I had
to lose was...

something I never
really owned.

Martin!

What are
you doing?

This is Martin Rowland speaking,
put me through to the captain.

No! No!

No, you can't!

I won't let you!
Get your hands off of me.

You stupid, stupid
fullback!

Captain,
Martin Rowland here.

Yes, I'd like to make a
statement about the Pascoe case.

You've got the wrong man,
Tibbetts didn't do it.

I did.

But it was
an accident.

Yes, send a car down
for me at the store.

I'll...
meet you out front.

All right.

Angstrom, you have a pretty
good memory, don't you?

Yes.

His name was Carson.
He's leaving town.

Now you
forget about him.

I imagine you've learned
to move pretty fast, huh?

I've stayed alive.

Take the freight elevator.

Go out the alley door.

Thanks.

Let's go.

Oh, Martin!

When Martin Rowland accepted
imprisonment for his crime,

he set himself free from the
prison of a guilty conscience

and from a woman
who had no conscience.

Not so fortunate:
Richard Kimble...

whose imprisonment
remains unchanged.