07x09 - The Game of Terror

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

See, it worked.

Yeah, now let's go see that ledge.

[music continues]

Did you bring everything, Georgie?

Got everything all set up. It's over there.

[music continues]

- Pickles? - Pickles.

- Dill? - Hmm?

Georgie, sweet pickles or dill.

No sweet.

Georgie, dill.

Hey, anyone see us split from school, George?

No. No, I went around Monument Rock.

George, this stuff is garbage.

- Yes, sir. - Yeah.

This bottled stuff, George..

...it tastes like a cesspool.

Yes, sir.

All these mess ups..

...I think maybe he blew it.

What, you mean we don't show George?

Negative.

[Bryan] 'Uh, I don't know, Chill.'

You know, George has come through pretty good.

Okay, we'll show him.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[chuckling]

[laughing]

- Wow! - Flips you out, huh, Georgie?

How did you ever find it?

Nobody knows about this place, George.

Georgie, nobody in the whole world.

Georgie, we had this idea.

So we thought wouldn't it be a panic

if we hid out one of the guys from school here

and made his folks come up with some bread?

Hey, can you imagine spring vacation

we're gonna have on that, Georgie?

You're putting me on.

What, George?

You're putting me on again.

Oh, no, George, we are not putting you on.

We wouldn't do that to you, Georgie.

Oh, come on, guys.

Well, who would you take?

[laughing]

George!

'Oh, come on. Hey, no.'

'Hey, no, come on, guys.'

'Oh, come on, this isn't funny.'

'Come on, you guys, don't do this.'

Hey, no, come on. Don't do this.

[instrumental music]

Hey, Chill, what are we knockin' ourselves out for?

Somebody might spot the car.

Big deal.

Like the whole thing's just a gag, man.

Hey, what are you worryin' about the fingerprints for?

- Come on. - Hey, but it's just a gag.

Like, none of this for real.

Who says it isn't?

[music continues]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI.."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr..

Also starring Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Richard Thomas..

...Jerry Houser..

...Gary Tigerman..

...Dabney Coleman..

...Alex Nicol.

Tonight's episode, "The Game Of Terror."

On March 24th, George Kingerman



was reported missing from Mt. Verde Academy

a private boarding school he attended in Arizona.

Authorities were also unable to locate his car.

On that same morning at the Kingerman home

in Denver, Colorado, an extortion letter was received

by the housekeeper, Anna Ryerson.

She immediately notified the FBI

and Inspector Lewis Erskine

took charge of the investigation.

Tsk.

When did this letter arrive?

Just this morning.

You've been with this family long, Mrs. Ryerson?

Thirteen years.

Ever since Mrs. Kingerman died.

Mr. Kingerman's work keeps him traveling quite a lot

so I kind of look after things here.

George, he's..

He's like my own child.

Now, when do you expect Mr. Kingerman?

He should be here any minute.

Does George have his own car?

Yes, Mr. Kingerman bought him his own car

on his 17th birthday.

[door opens]

- Mr. Kingerman. - Is that it?

Yeah.

It doesn't make any sense. None of it.

Right, get it off to the lab right away.

Right.

Mr. Kingerman, I'm Inspector Erskine of the FBI.

Where do we start? What do we do?

Well, first, we need a recent photograph of George

and the make and license number of his car.

I'll get them.

Won't you be seated?

Mr. Kingerman, have you had any hint

a thing like this might happen?

No, nothing.

It doesn't make any sense. Even the 25,000.

And why didn't they ask for more? I'd have paid it.

You and George get along well, I assume.

Yes.

Well, we didn't see enough of each other not to.

He..

Well, he's not a very aggressive boy, inspector.

I thought that by sending him away to the academy..

Did he have any problems there?

His grades are good, straight A.

We'll be visiting the school of course.

In the meantime, I would like to leave an agent here

just in case the extortionist tries to contact you again.

Yes, of course.

[instrumental music]

Inspector, nothing will happen to George?

Well, I can't say it couldn't, Mr. Kingerman

but I can assure you the bureau will do

everything in its power to see that it doesn't.

[instrumental music]

$25,000!

You know, my folks never had that much bread at one time

even when they were living together.

Your old man's still in Australia?

I don't know, I haven't heard in three months.

It wasn't Australia, it was Austria.

No, it was Australia.

'Remember that Koala Bear postcard?'

[chuckles] You're right.

[knock on door]

- Oh, Mr. Jamison. - Hi, boys.

How is it goin'?

- Fine. - Fine. What's happening, sir?

Oh, it's uh...George Kingerman.

He, uh, went for a drive yesterday

and nobody's seen him since.

No, he isn't back yet?

No, he's not.

See, Bryan, you, uh..

Well, actually, both of you were on

the cross country team, weren't you?

- U-uh, ye-yes, sir. - 'Yeah!'

'You didn't, uh, you didn't happen to see George's car'

'on the North Road yesterday by any chance?'

Oh, no.

No. Did you?

- N-no, no. - No.

Maybe one of the other guys did.

Yeah. Maybe so.

I'm checkin' everybody now.

- Okay, boys, thanks. - 'Yeah.'

- See you later. Thanks. - Yeah.

See, nothing to it.

Uh, for you maybe.

No, Bryan, you were really cool.

Yeah, but Jamison, you know that's just the beginning.

Look, nobody disappears around here

without heavy questions from all sides!

That's the point, that's the point.

We're very light on answers.

Bryan, relax, will you? I've got it all figured.

Skull! Find the word skull in there.

[instrumental music]

[Jamison] 'I've talked every student, the faculty and the staff'

and all we really know is that George got in to his car

about 10:30 yesterday morning and headed for the North Road.

I see. When was he first reported missing?

Uh, this morning before breakfast.

Uh, we have a student in each dorm that calls the role

and then he files his report with my secretary, and..

Just as soon as we found out he wasn't here

we started looking for him.

What about the local hangouts?

Oh, there's a, a pizza place along the highway

and then a, a hamburger stand in town, but..

...George never really went to those places.

Did he have many friends?

No, not really. He, he didn't get close to any of the boys.

As a matter of fact, he roomed by himself.

Mr. Jamison, were there any strangers

reported hanging around school

or trades people that you had to call in?

No, I don't think so.

Were any of the other boys off the grounds

around 10:30 yesterday morning?

No. Well, yes, uh, the track team

they were on a cross country run yesterday.

Where?

There's no trail in the foothills north up here.

Who was in charge?

The coach, uh, Franklin Stanley is his name.

You guys got any soap?

Hey, don't you ever knock, Don?

You know, that's your problem, Bry.

You two hung up on convention.

Well, sure, as long as you're hung up on our soap.

Get him soap, Bryan.

That's the trouble with this hotel.

Everything disappears.

No soap, no chamber mate, no George.

Hey, you guys used to hang around with George.

Well, sure, the minute he got those wheels

half the school was his friend.

Even you, Don.

Yeah, I guess so.

Here.

[sniffs] Essence of barnyard.

You guys got class.

I hate that.

The way he just barges in here.

There's no damage.

Chill, what happens if the law comes in?

You know, suppose they start askin' around

if any of us knew George better than just--

Look, of course we knew George better.

He was an egghead. Our grades were all bummers.

His disappearing hits us harder than anyone.

Yeah, I guess.

Maybe I never thought of it that way before.

That's how we play it.

For Jamison, for the cops, whatever.

His being gone could cost us a passing grade.

Here.

I want you to take the heap and drive it over to Winslow.

- You can mail this there. - Huh?

Different postmarks to keep them confused.

- Oh. - Here.

Might as well mail this one too.

Harlem? Yeah, but how come in Phoenix?

Vacation's coming, she'll be home.

Oh.

Just thought I'd set up the sisters

for our triumphant arrival.

[chuckles] You're gonna like Steffi, Bryan.

Yeah, how you know Steffi's gonna like me?

Oh, she'll like you, don't worry about it.

Hey, Chill, did you say anything about me in the letter?

- Of course. - Yeah?

Yeah. It says you were five foot, four inches tall

and weigh 275 pounds.

But that you had a big heart.

[chuckles]

Now what's the matter?

Is George going to Phoenix with us?

Bryan, enough already.

Well, things are clickin' around here

and you look like a disaster area!

Now, roll, I want Kingerman to get that letter tomorrow.

The run took us right through this area.

Well, then you must have been within sight of the North Road.

For some of the run.

But I would have remembered a car.

See, nobody ever uses that road.

Where does the road lead?

State Highway, it connects about 45 miles north of here.

Yeah, actually, inspector, once you drive out on that road

why, you either go all the way or you come back.

Unless you wanted to hide a car somewhere in between.

Tom, contact the air search

and ask them to concentrate on this area.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jamison, the, uh, boys

are about to leave on spring vacation?

Right, yeah, most of them, in fact all of them

will be gone by noon tomorrow.

I wonder if you could get me a list of their destinations?

The faculty as well, in case we have to contact any of 'em.

- Sure, get on that right away. - Thanks.

I'll give you a hand, Mr. Jamison.

[thud]

[door opens]

It's me, George, Bryan.

[sighs]

Is-is it over?

Almost. Soon. Don't worry.

We'll have a real blast when you get out, okay?

Here. I brought you a flashlight.

I remember it gets pretty dark in here at night.

How soon?

Here, extra bulbs and batteries too.

Wait, whe-whe-where's Chill?

He's not here.

Oh-oh, Bryan, how are you guys ever gonna square any of this?

I mean, by now, Jamison's probably called my father..

What am I gonna say when I get out of here?

Well, Chill's got it all figured.

Bryan! Please!

Take it easy, George, come on. It's just a gag.

Oh, not anymore. I-I want to get out of here!

Well, I'm scared, Bryan, really scared!

Look, it won't be long, okay?

And here, I gotta get going.

Let me out!

Let...me out!

[dramatic music]

Hey, you okay?

I-I didn't..

Didn't mean to hurt you.

I'm sorry, Georgie.

Really, I'm sorry.

[dramatic music]

Mr. Kingerman, is there anything?

What? Oh. Uh, no, no, nothing.

Just the usual mail.

Not a word of this to anyone, you understand?

[instrumental music]

I'm going to do exactly what it says.

Mr. Kingerman, you have to tell the FBI.

How can you trust someone who would do a thing like this?

I have to trust them, they have George.

I'm going to the airport now.

Anyone asks, I'm, uh, at a sales conference.

- You don't know where. - Please, Mr. Kingerman.

Don't try to handle this alone.

Everything's going to be alright, Mrs. Ryerson.

You'll see.

[dramatic music]

Right.

Well, agents canvassed all the service stations in Flagstaff.

Nobody remembered seeing George or the car.

Tsk.

Mr. Jamison, can you think of any of the boys

who'd be capable of doing a thing like this?

Well, some of our boys do have emotional problems

there's no doubt about that.

'They have come from broken homes'

or gotten in to trouble at public school.

We know this, and we try to deal with it

but we're not always successful.

'I can think of one boy who stood by and watched'

while both his parents were k*lled in a hurricane.

He was ten years old at the time.

Now, how does a boy like that feel towards someone like George

'who still has his father?'

I don't know, I, I don't think

I can answer that question, inspector.

Perhaps, you have.

[instrumental music]

Mrs. Ryerson, is something wrong?

There was another note.

Mr. Kingerman's gone to deliver the money.

[intense music]

[music continues]

[sighs]

He'll show.

We never saw the second note.

The housekeeper says Kingerman's on his way now

to pay the ransom.

Does she know where the payoff's to be made?

No. Just a moment.

Yes, okay, thanks. Fine.

Arthur, the helicopters have located the boy's car.

We're going over there now.

Alright, Lewis, good luck.

Hey, Bry!

[dramatic music]

What'd I tell ya?

Oh, we're into it, Bry.

Everything's gonna change for us.

I feel different, Chill, you know what I mean?

Yeah.

You feel like somebody, that's what you mean.

[music continues]

[music continues]

I say he's far enough away.

Let's go!

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[chuckles]

[laughing]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

Lou.

We'll get pictures and a plaster impression

made of this right away, inspector.

Looks like a gym shoe, doesn't it?

Hm.

[Stanley] 'Inspector? Uh, excuse me.'

These three are the same size

as the plaster impressions you made.

- This looks like, Lou. - Yes, it does.

The boy's name should be inked inside the shoe.

"Welles."

Bryan Welles?

How much do you know about him, Mr. Jamison?

Well, enough to find it hard to believe he'd be involved

in something like this.

Of course, there's Chill to be considered.

Who's Chill?

John Chilton. He's Bryan's roommate.

Now, we've had a little bit of trouble with him in the past.

What's, uh, what's his background?

Well, his parents are separated.

His, uh, father's an officer in the Merchant Marine

and his mother is a nightclub singer.

- Do you have their addresses? - Uh, not for the father.

He ships somewhere in the South Pacific

and for his mother, why, we'd contact her

through a theatrical agent.

What about Welles?

Uh, he's, uh, he's been orphaned for, uh

like three years now.

And his aunt and uncle are now his, uh, his guardians.

They live on a small ranch right outside of Odessa, Texas.

Where are these two going on a vacation?

Well, I spoke to Chilton and Welles

about that, inspector.

They're both driving down to Odessa.

It'll be hours before they get there.

What kind of a car were they driving?

Oh, I think Bryan had a small two door tan Sedan.

Do you have a record of their license?

Oh, I'm sure we do. I can look it up for you if you'd like.

- Could you do it now? - Sure.

Excuse me.

I thought you should know, inspector, I paid the ransom.

'They'll release George near the school before dark.'

Where did you drop the money?

I'd like to tell you that, inspector, but I just can't.

I believe I did the right thing.

George will be here before dark.

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[sighs]

[dramatic music]

[laughing]

That's a crack.

And then, Stephanie and..

[laughing]

Oh, look at them.

Oh, that's a beautiful bouquet.

Oh, Paula, look.

And as sweet as it was you boys paid

'far too much money. Thank you.'

Oh, we liked gettin' 'em for you, Mrs. Ross.

Yeah.

Uh, well, Paula, we're just gonna hang around

all night or what?

Oh, um, look, you figure something out, love

and, um, Steffi and I'll go get it together.

Uh, mom, did you get my suede jacket out of the Corner's?

I didn't, honey. Why don't you wear your paisley jacket?

It's darlin'.

- Well, Bry? - You mean Steffi?

Yeah.

Oh, on a scale of one to ten, I'd say, uh...eleven.

[laughing]

Oh, well, you're runnin' pretty smooth again, Bry.

Mama's got her roses

you got your new threads, you got Steffi.

[chuckling] Yeah.

- Yeah, but he should be here. - What?

George.

Oh, bag it, will ya?

Yeah, Chill, but I mean the thing of it is

we gotta get back by tomorrow.

You know, George is gonna be out of water, and he's gonna be--

He's gonna be thirsty, nothing more.

Hey, what is it with you anyway?

A minute ago I thought you were shaping up.

- Yeah, but the water.. - It'll last, Bryan.

Look, man, you knew when we started this thing

there wasn't gonna be any rush letting him out of there.

- Yeah, but when? - There's time!

Hey, man..

Look, we're gonna have some fun for a few days.

Then we'll go back there and let George out.

Yeah, and suppose he talks?

That's what's so beautiful. He can't talk.

We're the only friends he's got, you think he'd risk that?

Well, he might, Chill.

You know, the cops, they could, they could lean on him

psych him out, make him talk!

Look, we're kidnappers or somethin'

the law's gotta be checkin' things.

So what?

So somebody's gonna start puttin' things together.

- Then we come out winners! - Winners?

Bry, we come up winners either way.

[dramatic music]

Admit it.

Come on.

There are things that happen.

People notice.

Our pictures will be in the papers and on a tube.

[scoffs]

Oh, man, I'd give anything to see my old man's face

when he finds out the law's after me.

[music continues]

Me. Huh, Bry?

And that's just too much.

Yeah, you're really wigged-out.

[sighs]

Sound the trumpets, we're ready.

[chuckles] In record breaking time.

[chuckling] You look great, Steffi.

- Thank you. - Huh, Bry?

Yeah. Yeah.

Oh, well, uh, she's number two in this family

so she has to try harder.

[chuckling]

Well, come on, everybody, let's go.

- What are we waiting for? - Hm.

- Where are we going? - I don't know, uh..

- How about Hawaii? - Oh.

Alright. Thank you.

Any news?

Our agents in Odessa talked to Welles' aunt.

She not only hasn't seen them, she isn't expecting them.

Well, it's still early.

There's still time.

I did the right thing, didn't I, inspector?

I don't question that you did what you thought was right.

I k*lled him, didn't I?

No, Mr. Kingerman.

There's no reason to think that.

[door opens]

Mr. Jamison found this in Chilton and Welles' room.

And, uh, notice the imprint at the bottom.

[Lewis] "Hanson Photos."

Uh, Hanson does all our graduation and class pictures

he also does Hilldale's, which is a girls' school

in New Prescott.

Call Hilldale.

[bike engine revving]

Uh, yeah, well, it runs pretty good, but I don't know, I..

Let me look around for a minute.

Hey, Chill, you know what time it is?

Ah, the plane doesn't leave until morning.

- What plane? - Chill, Hawaii.

Oh, I wasn't kiddin'.

Emerald Isles in the Blue Pacific

happiness and a glass of pineapple juice.

[chuckling]

Paula, do you know how far away it is to Hawaii?

Wow, you know, you sound just like mom.

I think you've all flipped.

[chuckling] Oh, you won't when we get to Hawaii.

Not me.

Chill, I'm not going.

Sure, Bry, we wouldn't wanna force ya. I mean..

I mean, you're a big boy now.

Aren't ya?

Oh, come on, Bry, don't be a drag.

Yeah, come on, Bry, don't be a drag.

Bryan, would you take me home?

Please?

Yeah, Bryan, why don't you take the little chickie home?

[intense music]

[chuckling]

Come on, let's check out the rest of this town.

Come on, Bry.

My babies.

[sighs]

[music continues]

I know it's very late, inspector

but Paula's almost 18, Steffi's almost 17.

They're both very mature for their age.

Have you any idea where the boys might have taken them?

Hm. I didn't ask. Things just aren't the way they used to be.

If you're too lenient, they walk all over you

if you're too strict, they just walk away.

So I figure if they keep their marks up

'I owe them a little freedom when school's out.'

Well, one of the girls in a cab.

Just one? Well, that's funny.

- Steffi, where's Paula? - With the guys.

Oh, Steffi, this is Inspector Erskine of the FBI

my daughter, Steffi.

Steffi, it's very important that we talk to Chilton and Welles.

I-is it about all that money they have?

- Yes, it is. - But, Paula--

Another boy's life may be at stake.

Where are they, Steffi?

They should be at the airport by now.

[dramatic music]

Chilton, Welles.

Paula, run!

[music continues]

FBI, that way, quick.

[music continues]

Hold on to the fence, feet apart.

[music continues]

[coughing]

[music continues]

They say they can only find it by landmarks.

All they know is it's an abandoned mine

about 15 miles north of the school.

There's a, a construction going on out there.

A landing strip for an industrial park.

Better get an ambulance out there, Hal.

We're leaving now.

[dramatic music]

That's right, inspector. Same coordinates.

In fact, I think I hear your helicopter now.

[helicopter whirring]

[music continues]

- Where is it? - They buried it.

You talked to the foreman yet?

On telephone, inspector.

He knew about the mine shaft.

He said originally he'd cut into the mine about 100 feet.

[indistinct]

Well, it only took a few passes.

How long ago?

About 8:00 this morning.

You have George tied up?

No.

Alright, come with me.

Inspector, I've got everything you need here

but I just can't see how the boy can still be alive?

Well, he's in a cave?

What cave?

It's off the shaft, there's this little room.

I guess it's used for expl*sives.

'That's where George is.'

I didn't see any cave in the geologist report.

We could walk right by it, you'd never see it.

Do you have a surveillance map?

Yes, sir, come on.

Okay, here's the shaft.

Now, where is that cave you were talkin' about?

That's, uh..

It's-it's about, it's about here, it goes off to the right.

Uh-huh, how far down the shaft?

Uh, about halfway?

Then you can still find it?

Uh, surveyors' markers are still there.

We could mark it and sink the shaft alongside.

Withers.

[instrumental music]

Look, I don't understand. Did George hurt you in some way?

No, we liked him.

Then why?

It wasn't supposed to be like that.

I'm sorry.

Sorry?

That's too easy.

I know.

[music continues]

You know, it could be worse.

It could be you down there.

Now, I kind of wish it was.

[chuckles]

[male #1] 'Okay, let's punch the hole.'

The air shaft was filled in around 8:00 this morning.

There's a chance enough air was left in the cave.

[creaking]

Inspector!

We found the air hole in to the cave.

Let's get that pump over here.

[instrumental music]

I understand that you sank a shaft

and now they're tunneling across to the other room.

That's right. They expect to break through any minute now.

But no sound from the boy?

No, we're about to lower a mike.

See if we can pick up any.

Alright, Lewis, keep me posted.

[intense music]

[music continues]

Tunnel collapsed. We may have lost a man.

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct chatter]

Come on.

'Come on, now.'

[indistinct chatter]

[panting]

Get that ambulance over here.

Not enough shoring, it caved in.

- All of it? - Yeah.

How long will it take to open it up?

Uh, couple of hours at least.

When it's clear, I'm going down.

I'll get you a rig.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[metal clanks]

[grunts]

[music continues]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[music continues]

[panting]

I'm with the boy now.

'There's a heartbeat.'

George. George, here.

Here you go. Have some water.

That's it, boy.

[coughs]

You're gonna be fine.

[instrumental music]

[chuckling]

[indistinct chatter]

[music continues]

I'm okay. I'm okay.

Inspector..

Thank you from both of us.

[male narrator] The cases of John Chilton and Bryan Welles

were handled in US district court

under provisions of the federal juvenile delinquency act.

John Chilton was committed to the custody

of the attorney general until he reached 21 years of age.

Bryan Welles was placed on probation.

[theme music]