02x11 - The Contaminator

[bunniefuu]

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Hello, Farr.

I got another call on my check.

- What's going on up here? - I don't know.

Apparently, there's been some trouble

with one of the new computers.

[sighs]

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Look, I have filled out enough W-4 forms to paper a wall.

Now, what seems to be the trouble here?

Mr. Farr, all I know

is that the machine doesn't make mistakes.

It can't.

Uh, someone must have been feeding it wrong information.

Well, what can we do to solve this problem?

You must have some solution.

You won't like it.

- Fill out another W form. - Fill out another W form.

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[doorbell buzzing]

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[alarm blaring]

Fire! Fire!

[coughing]

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[blaring continues]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI.."

...a Quinn Martin, Warner Brothers production..

...starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott..

...Stephen Brooks

with guest stars, Linden Chiles..

...Sarah Marshall.

Tonight's episode, "The Contaminator."

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Clarence, Idaho, is like any

one of a thousand American towns

peaceful, quiet, minding its own business.

As a chameleon becomes one with its surroundings

Frederick Wilfred Maconne quickly became part of Clarence

even though he had been there only a short time.

It was part of his job.

Maconne was a communist courier.

His assignment, to purchase documents

relating to United States' progress

in defense plans and weapons.

But Maconne had not gone unnoticed by the FBI.

Certain that the contact would be made

he was placed under 24-hour surveillance.

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- 12 to 15. - 15.

[Lewis on radio] 'Subject turned left on Jackson.'

Roger.

We've got him.

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Yeah, what will it be?

- Fill it up, please. - Right.

Oh, and, uh, check the tires.

Hey, mister, you'll need a key.

Oh, yeah. Thank you!

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[bell ringing]

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Frederick Maconne, FBI.

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Hold it!

[g*n firing]

Check the washroom.

FBI. Stay back.

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Who's your contact?

Where'd this come from?

Use your head, Maconne. It's over.

You cooperate with us and it goes in the record.

It's as simple as that.

[sighs]

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- What's that, the draft? - Yeah, it could be.

The paint on the head of the screw has been chipped.

Alright, have someone take the mirror off.

- Maybe the print's underneath. - Okay.

Did you, uh, get anything from Maconne?

I don't think he knows anything.

You've seen his record.

He's a, a go-between, a courier.

If you were a spy master, would you trust a man like that

with any important information?

No. No, I wouldn't.

Maconne, and the man who delivered the papers

probably never laid eyes on each other.

So does this, does this whole thing seem..

...I don't know, unplanned to you?

- You mean, uh, unprofessional? - Yeah.

Yeah, well, it seems to me that a professional spy

would microfilm his material first or use a better drop.

At least work by night.

Now, what kind of man is this?

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[car honking]

Larry?

What are you doing?

I thought you were out painting. Isn't this the day you paint?

Well, yes, the instructor wasn't there.

He's home with the flu or something.

Oh, yeah? I hope it isn't going around.

- Why? Do you feel ill? - No, I'm just tired.

- You look a little pale. - I have a headache.

Did something go wrong at work?

No, baby.

Oh, I know what.

Come on in the house and I'll fix you

a hot lemonade and some whiskey.

Maria..

Okay. When I get back, alright?

Back? From where?

Darling, what is this? Where do you think I'm going, to China?

I just, I just want a pack of cigarettes.

I thought we had a carton of cigarettes in the trunk.

We must have used them up. Okay?

[sighs] Look, you go make the lemonade

and I'll be back in ten minutes, alright?

- Alright. - Okay.

I love you.

And I love you.

Uh, Dr. Barrows

Mr. John Gottlieb, president of Clarence Testing.

- Mr. Gottlieb. - How do you do, doctor?

Well?

Well, it was definitely a thermonuclear reaction.

Tiny, but effective.

The material, apparently, became unstable

on contact with the floor.

This man took the highest dosage.

- How much? - Well over a 1000 roentgens.

How long does he have?

Two days. Three.

Everybody in the room, except the men wearing

the radiation suits absorbed at least 600 Rs.

No chance for any of them?

No, sir.

I've had the whole area closed off.

At least we stopped the contamination there.

Well..

Well, what? Haven't we stopped it?

We think so..

...but there seems to be some confusion as to whether or not

a technician named Farr was in the room.

He says he wasn't, and he checks out clean

but one of the guards claims he signed the entry book.

We can't reconcile it for sure until the decontamination squad

okays us in.

Well, can't you hurry them up?

We can try.

Meanwhile, I'll keep all of this quiet.

I don't want any panic.

Yes, sir.

They processed the entire area. I guess that's it.

Good.

[Dodd] 'Ah, look, inspector, I..'

[chuckling] I'm sorry, I just, I just can't remember.

Alright. Let's approach it from another angle.

How many keys to the restroom are there?

Well, just the one.

And you always keep it locked?

- Yeah. - 'Why?'

Well, we, we've had a lot of vandalism lately

and I, I get so, I get suspicious of everybody.

Even the ones who ask you for the key?

[chuckles] Sometimes.

Alright, now think back.

How many others

'just before Maconne came to you and asked..'

I-I'm sorry. I can't remember.

Oh, no, wait a minute.

Wait a minute. T-there was a guy.

Well, tall, short, fat, thin?

No. Uh, average. Good-lookin'.

Yeah, I remember because I, I was thinking at the time

no, not-not this guy, he's not going to bust up anything.

[chuckles] He had a good face.

What kind of a car was he driving?

[sighs]

Well, he, he came in to the premium pump.

I filled the tank, he, he-he needed oil.

- White. Two-door, '59. - Idaho license?

Well, yeah, but I can't remember all those numbers.

Just see if you can remember the first two or three.

[sighs]

Well, it's, uh, 11, uh..







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[engine revving]

[tires screeching]

Hi.

Underwood works in the payroll department

at the Clarence Testing Station.

He reported in at 8:00 and left at noon

his usual Saturday hours.

Clarence Testing Station.

Is that where Maconne's material came from?

We don't know, they haven't reported

anything stolen or missing.

- Who's the president? - A man named John Gottlieb.

Now, get a copy to him. Ask him to check it through.

Yes, sir, if I can get in again.

What does that mean?

Oh, security was extremely tight

although that may be normal.

I don't know, everything felt wrapped up, closed off.

[man on radio] 'Control to 7.'



'Sheriff's car number three'

'reports sighting subject's vehicle.'

Let me talk to him.

'Go ahead, 7.'

- 7 to Sheriff 3. - Sheriff 3.

- 'Where are you located?' - The Devil's Gorge.

- 'County Road 10.' - I know the place.

Subject's car evidently went through a crash rail

trying to make the turn.

- 'Any sign of life?' - 'Uh, no, sir.'

- Can you see the body? - 'Well, not from this height.'

How long will it take us to get there?

Oh, uh, full-out, 20 minutes.

Half an hour if we stop to pick up boots.

Would you contact the Forest Service, Sheriff 3?

Tell him we'll need some climbers.

'Roger.'

Continue the surveillance here.

And have someone rush a copy of Maconne papers

over to Gottlieb.

Right. Hm.

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[engine revving]

- Hi. - Hi.

- Inspector Erskine? - Yes.

Deputy Hart, County Sheriff's Office.

- I'm the one who talked to you. - This is Special Agent Kane.

- How are you? - How do you do?

Oh, this is where the car went over.

Uh, inspector, you can see the car from the edge.

Yeah, let's take a look.

Hart, how much of a hurry you in?

That sun will be going down soon.

It will take us about an hour to get down there.

My boys come back tomorrow, or do you wanna get started now?

Well, uh, what do you think, inspector?

Oh, you FBI?

- Erskine. - Dunlap, Fire Service.

Well, it's quite an assignment you've given us, Mr. Erskine.

Your man couldn't have picked a more inaccessible spot

unless he planned it.

No, he couldn't, could he?

Hey, Mr. Dunlap, how fast would you say

a car would have to be coming to miss that turn?

Well, she's pretty well banked, pretty good grade.

I'd say, uh, oh, 60 at least.

Even if he were asleep, the rough shoulder

would wake him up. Wouldn't you think?

Well, absolutely.

He'd, uh, swing his wheel, hit his brakes?

- That's right. - Then where are the skid marks?

Mm-hmm.

Mr. Erskine, I, uh

didn't want to bother you with somethin' foolish

but, uh, maybe it isn't so foolish after all.

Come over here. I want to show you something.

Just take a look at this.

That break is fresh.

Now, something's climbed this slope

'in the last, oh, three or four hours.'

It'd be a perfect area for Underwood to try and hide in

wouldn't it?

I'm betting he's not in that car.

If we take the time to get down there

we'll never catch up with him.

Inspector..

...suppose I, uh, go on up away

and, uh, I'll take a look around?

I know this territory like I know my own face.

Listen, I go with you.

I'll bring some radio equipment, r*fles.

- Bring three, will you? - Mm-hmm.

I used to do a lot of hunting in this kind of country.

A lot of hunting.

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[tires screeching]

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[knocking on door]

[sighs]

[sighs]

Mrs. Underwood?

Mrs. Underwood?

Hey! Somebody, help!

- Somebody, help! Help! - Wait here.

Give me a hand! She's been hurt.

[panting] What do you think is wrong?

- Get an ambulance. - But what's wrong?

Radiation?

They've had an accident at the plant.

It caused a small atomic reaction.

Apparently, her husband was in the room when it happened.

He used the, uh, ID tag of a man named, uh, Farr.

Well, they found his radiation suit

back in the locker room

but one of the trouser legs was ripped

which means he was probably exposed

to close to a maximum dosage.

Hm.

Then Underwood was definitely the thief.

That's right, sir.

The Geiger counter had a clear trail

from the locker room to Underwood's office

out to the parking lot space.

Why didn't the company report all this?

Well, they weren't able to get into the area

until just a few minutes ago, sir.

They had no way of knowing there was a theft.

What was stolen?

Plans for a new, small atomic engine for a space probes.

Of course, Underwood wasn't missed.

He left at the regular time.

He probably dropped off the papers at the gas station

then went on home.

Did he know he was dying?

Well, not necessarily, Mr. Ward.

You see, uh, Mr. Gottlieb said

there was just a brief flash

so possibly, Underwood didn't even know

there was an atomic reaction.

Tsk. I suppose the gas station was contaminated too.

Everything he touched.

Now, they checked out the gas station attendant

and, uh, Underwood's friends at the plant

but they're all clear.

Is his wife going to make it?

Well, the doctor doesn't know, sir.

Uh, she's absorbed a lot of radiation

from the garage and from the house.

As a matter of fact, it's over 250 Rs.

Uh, anything over 200 may cause organic damage.

What about you? You were with her in the garage.

No problem. 90 Rs is not enough to hurt.

- Good. Let me talk to Lewis. - Well, he's not here, sir.

He, uh, got a report that Underwood's car had crashed.

He's out following the lead.

Well, he's been informed of all this, hasn't he?

I mean, he knows he's not to approach the man?

We're trying to contact him now, sir.

Ranger Dunlap, this is crash scene. Come in.

Come in, Dunlap. I have a very important message.

Do you read?

Well, they must be in a blind spot.

- Want me to go in after him? - No, it's too late.

The sun will be down in ten minutes.

Dunlap, come in. Do you read?

I have utmost urgent message.

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*n firing]

[firing continues]

[dramatic music]

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Dunlap, come in. Come in, Dunlap.

Come in.

Dunlap, come in.

- Nothing, huh? - No.

I notified the FBI in Clarence. They'll bring a Geiger counter.

Oh, good.

I told 'em I'd take a search party out at dawn.

Oh, that's a good idea.

Dunlap, come in.

Come in, Dunlap. Come in.

[instrumental music]

[groaning]

Well, take it easy. You'll be okay.

Well, we finally found our boy, huh?

Yeah. You're too good a tracker, Dunlap.

That's me. Eager beaver, first class.

[chuckles] Oh. Oh.

Is he still up there?

Oh, no sign of him. He's moved on.

Well, he seems like a man with a, with a goal, doesn't he?

Why would he pick the wilderness in the first place?

I guess..

Hidin' out until things cool off, maybe.

He knows it'll never cool off

once we found the car and no body in it.

[groaning]

Well, he wants his time, I think.

To meet somebody?

Hey, Dunlap, is there any place up there

where a small plane could land?

Well, there's no airstrips, but some fairly flat meadows.

How far?

Well, it's about a day's hike.

Hey, listen, we better get after him, huh?

[groaning]

- Oh.. - You know, uh..

It looks like the b*llet may have shot at the bone.

He needs a doctor.

Tell me. What about that radio?

Oh, uh, it's just fine.

The only thing is it doesn't work.

Well, uh, I assume the search party pours about dawn.

You can't wait for that.

I'll be alright. I'll be alright.

I can make it back by myself.

Sure, you can..

- With one man to help you. - One man?

Now we can't give Underwood that much of a head start.

I'll stick as close as I can to him.

Stay with him.

Now, inspector..

Yes, sir.

Still a little daylight left.

He'll be using every minute of it.

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I understand that, but you have to understand the danger.

Now, Inspector Erskine

has already been exposed to radiation.

Anything he picked up in the gas station

if he gets too close to Underwood

the contamination could k*ll him.

Mr. Rhodes, I'm sorry, we couldn't reach him.

Now, I can't risk sending men into this wilderness area

after sundown.

Now, as soon as the men can see their hands

in front of their faces, they'll sit out.

Alright.

- May I join them? - 'Yeah, perfectly alright.'

I'll be there at dawn.

Alright, fine, at dawn.

- Mr. Rhodes? - Yes, sir.

We picked up a strong reaction at the telephone.

Apparently, Underwood used it while he was there

if that's any help.

Yes. It may be a big help. Thank you.

Mister, uh, Mr. Dodd..

Look, I'm sorry, but I can't answer any more questions.

Y-yes, sir, I know it's been a, it's been tough

and you've been a big help, but just one more question, please.

- Nope. I'm going home. - Mr. Dodd..

[chuckles] Okay.

I guess it's been a rough day on everybody, hasn't it?

Look, I don't think I can remember anything else, but..

Well, go ahead, sh**t.

Good.

Mr. Dodd, there was a..

There was an indication that Underwood used the payphone

while he was here. Do you remember that?

The phone? No, I don't recall.

You don't remember a conservation, a name?

I'm sorry.

Now, wait. Uh, wait a minute.

Maybe that's why he wanted all that change.

- Change? - Yeah. I told you about that.

No. No, you didn't.

Well, he wanted this $5 bill

busted up into silver.

- All of it? - Well, yeah.

Mostly quarters.

Thanks.

Bill!

Yes, sir.

Bill, would you call the phone company

and see if there were any long-distance calls

placed from that booth, say, in the last 12 hours?

Thanks.

What do you hear from your friend?

Huh?

What are you expecting?

Nothing.

Nothing.

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[intense music]

Thank you.

What do you do with all that blood?

Are you sure your name isn't Dracula?

I think we've taken all we need.

Am I alright?

Yes.

Yes, you're alright.

[clears throat]

If, uh..

If you're too tired, Mrs. Underwood

we could continue this interview some other time.

How many more questions do you have?

Just a few.

Can I ask you a question first?

Mm-hmm.

You'd tell me if you'd already found Larry

and he was dead, wouldn't you?

Yes, yes, I would. But he hasn't been located yet.

As a matter of fact, we were hoping that you could tell us

where some of his favorite campsites were.

He never took me with him.

Uh..

He used to go into the Sawtooth

two, uh, three times a year.

He was a, a man who had to be alone sometimes.

I understood.

Was he a, a secretive man?

No.

Well, you knew most of his friends then?

I knew all of his friends.

What do you mean?

Was your husband a communist, Mrs. Underwood?

Of course not.

Larry?

He..

He didn't care anything at all about politics.

He, he didn't take sides.

'It's what's so crazy about this whole situation.'

You, you tell me that..

...that someone I've known all my, my life is a..

...spy, thief

and now that he's run away.

I tell you it isn't true.

I know him, and I love him, and he loves me, and..

'And Larry would never do anything to hurt anybody.'

And get out. I don't want to talk anymore.

[Bill] 'Mr. Rhodes.'

The phone company confirms that there was a long-distance call

placed in the gas station a little after 4:00 p.m.

It went to Spokane in Washington.

Hotel for women.

They don't know the name of the party he called?

No, sir.

Okay, Bill, thanks.

Mrs. Underwood..

Do you know someone living in Spokane, Washington?

- Yes. - A woman?

Yes.

A friend of your husband's too?

No.

[scoffs]

Well, it's funny, they, they hate each other.

She and I went to school together, and..

Well, she's everything that Larry can't stand.

She's political..

...and domineering

self-sufficient.

Uh, outdoors-type, uh, hunting, fishing, hiking?

Yes.

Why would your husband call a long distance, Mrs. Underwood?

- He wouldn't. - He did.

Then I don't know.

What do you know what she does for a living?

Nothing.

Uh..

Uh, she's independently, independently wealthy.

She, well, has her own plane and things like that, and..

Uh, she lives in a, in a hotel for women.

Very exclusive.

Do you know her name?

[instrumental music]

[panting]

Oh, Anne.

Oh, Anne, please.

[music continues]

[female announcer] 'Flight 114, Spokane to Portland'

'postponed due to bad weather.'

[instrumental music]

Darling, look, you've already messed up my schedule.

Almost beyond repair.

Now, I've got to take off whether you recommend it or not.

Look, I have instruments

and I'm not afraid of a little fog.

There's someone I have to meet.

- Ms. Anne Frazier? - Yes.

FBI, Ms. Frazier.

Would you mind stepping over here?

Would you mind answering a few questions?

Questions about what?

Who is it you've got to meet?

That's none of your business.

Do you know a man named Lawrence Underwood?

'Or his wife Maria?'

Yes.

When Underwood called you from Clarence

did he say anything about the accident?

He didn't call me.

From Clarence or anywhere else.

Oh, by the way

we've got Maconne in custody too.

I...I don't know anyone named Maconne.

Look, I'd like to talk to a lawyer.

Certainly.

What accident?

Underwood caused a nuclear reaction in the lab

when he stole the papers.

He was infected. He's dying.

He would have infected you too

'if you had managed to get to him.'

Infected me?

It's ended, Ms. Frazier.

Don't you think it would be wiser

to cooperate at this point?

A stupid fool.

He couldn't do anything right.

Well..

...shall we..

Shall we get out of this lousy uncooperative airport?

[instrumental music]

Just a little further.

Hang on.

Just a little more. Well, am I glad to see you, Jim.

He, he caught us before dark and pinned us down.

[grunting]

Man, give us a hand.

- Come on. Take him. - I-I got him.

- Easy. - Easy, easy.

Jerry, get these men back to a doctor right away.

Right. Alright. Here, Bob.

- 'Jim.' - Yeah?

We just heard from Spokane.

They've picked up Anne Frazier at the airport.

She admitted everything.

She was on her way to meet Underwood.

See that Mr. Ward is informed of that, will you?

Tell him we're on our way to find the inspector.

We'll contact Washington as soon as we find him.

[dramatic music]

[breathing heavily]

Anne!

Anne!

Anne!

[music continues]

Here.

[static]

Got his trail.

Like dowsing for water, isn't that a little..

A little bit.

It's up this way.

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[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[panting]

[music continues]

FBI, Underwood. Drop the g*n.

[dramatic music]

Drop it!

Lew, don't touch him!

Lewis, stay away from him.

[g*n fire]

- He's dead. - Stay away!

- I'll bring him down. - Get away from him!

Lew, stay away from him.

Get away from him!

He's radioactive.

'Contaminated.'

Contaminated?

He's been dying ever since he stole those papers from the lab.

Caused an atomic accident. It was his fault.

Well.. Well, then I'm..

That's right. Get a doctor. And tell him to meet us.

Come on.

Come on, Lew. Hurry.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

Hi, Lewis.

Well, you managed to get me

all the way out here from Washington.

I told you not to come.

Do you ever listen to me?

How much did I take, doctor?

About a 150 Rs.

No organic damage.

[instrumental music]

No organic damage?

Well, then, w-why can't I leave here?

You can. Anytime you feel like.

[chuckling]

Hey, I don't know if that fella's on a level

but I'm getting out of here before they serve lunch.

He's on the level. You're just fine, Lewis.

Jim okay?

He's winding up the case now in Spokane.

'You know, that Frazier woman turned out to be'

'a fairly important cog in the machinery'

and a talkative one too.

Looks like we're gonna make quite a haul on this one.

Good.

Let's go home.

[laughs] Okay.

Let's go home.

[male narrator] Lawrence Underwood was dead

but even if he had succeeded in his mission

the outcome would have been the same.

Anne Frazier could not have let him live

with the knowledge that she was a communist agent.

Her arrest lead to the apprehension

of seven members of the espionage reign

headquartered in Spokane, Washington.

All are now serving sentences in the federal penitentiary

in Atlanta.

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