08x01 - The Runner

[bunniefuu]

Look, they know about your escape.

I mean, everybody does.

Just like old times, I'm a celebrity again.

Cliff, what are you going to do? I mean, why did you come here?

I thought you'd be glad that I did.

Well, a bolt out of the blue.

Look, Margo and I wanna take a drive.

Talk about old times. You don't mind, do you?

Yeah, Cliff, I do mind.

In case you haven't heard, it's a whole new game.

- I'm out, you're in, huh? - That's about it, man.

Oh, I'll try not to forget.

Hey, wait a minute.

We're brushing the jump area, inspector. Let's get ready.

Have them radio ground units

that I'll be in touch with them when we land.

Yes, sir.

They're trying to cut us off.

Well, they're not going to.

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abott

William Reynolds.

With guest stars, David Soul..

...Belinda Montgomery..

...Jim Davis.

Tonight's episode The Runner.

Hey, Wade. Wade!

That rock isn't gonna cut itself.

Right on, sergeant.

Look out! Rock! Get out!

Wade, stop!

Stop or I'll sh**t!

[g*nsh*t]

Wade!

Wade!

Wade, stop!

[g*nsh*t]

On June 13, Clifford Wade

a convicted bank robber escaped from a prison road g*ng

working in a national park in Northern Oregon.

Inspector Lewis Erskine who was in Portland at the time

immediately assumed on-the-scene supervision

of the search for the escaped federal prisoner.

Oh, he was polite alright, real polite

but I could see he was desperate.

With my husband not here and all, I just thought

I better not take any chances and make trouble.

'I let him have anything he wanted.'

That was wise of you, Mrs. Johnson.

You got a good description of what he took?

Yes, inspector, uh, a gray-green plaid shirt

and some beige cord pants.

'A full description is being made available'

to all authorities within a 50 mile radius.

He sure was in a hurry.

He cut right down through the woods there.

Well, roadblocks aren't gonna do us much good

as long as he sticks to the backcountry.

He's covered over 12 miles on foot already.

Hold on. Lew, Mr. Ward.

Yes, Arthur.

Lewis, anything on Clifford Wade?

Well, as far as we know, he's still on foot.

We started nearing ground search.

Good.

Wade used to be quite a football player in college.

He was declared ineligible in his senior year

for an infraction of conference rules.

His grades took a nosedive.

'Within two months after that, he attempted to hold up'

'a mobile bank office at a Mount Hood ski resort.'

Does he have a family?

No, no family. His parents are dead.

There's no record of any other relatives.

His hometown is Shelby.

We'll check it out. The university too.

There may still be people there who remember him.

Alright, Lewis. Let me know when you have something.

[music on tape]

- Morning. - Morning.

My car ran out of gas about a mile down the road.

Well, I can give you a can of gas

but I can't drive you back.

Uh, no one here to watch the station and, uh

I still have that other car there to lube.

It's alright. Take your time.

Okay.

What are you doing?

Now look, mister, I need this money.

Just let me get out of here and, uh

and there won't be any trouble.

Go and put it back.

Put it back or I'll bust your head.

[grunts]

[groans]

Police. Give me the police.

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nshots]

Thank you very much.

The man answering Wade's description

spotted less than two hours ago breaking into the snack bar.

Couple of men in the range chased him south toward Salem

but they couldn't catch him.

It sounds like Wade.

We just checked at the university

but the, uh, present semester has just concluded

so most of the students and the faculty aren't on campus.

Any of his friends still there?

Well, in the last three years, most of his friends

have either left school or graduated.

'I'm trying to get a line on them now.'

[male #1 on radio] 'Control Unit 4.'



[male #1] 'Inspector, the state police report the robbery'

'of a small service station near Glenwood, Oregon.'

'The owner was assaulted and a car stolen.'

'According to the description given'

'it sounds like Clifford Wade.'

Uh, what was the description of the car?

'A 1971 two-door Ford sedan. Green.'

'Oregon license number JGK732.'

Enter in the NCIC and notify all law enforcement agencies.

'10-4, inspector.'

As long as he's got a car, he'll be sticking to the roads.

Hmm.

- Hello, coach. - Cliff.

Let's hear it for old number 22, huh?

- Hey-- - Oh, come on.

Help yourself, Cliff.

You must be starved.

They've got the state covered like a blanket.

It's all over the news.

I didn't come to cause you any trouble.

Cliff, what are you gonna do?

Find Margo.

I tried calling her old number

but they didn't know where she was.

'They never heard of her.'

Margo Bengston.

I thought maybe you might, might tell me where I could find her.

Her dad lost interest in the team

after you had your trouble.

Seems I remember he pulled his daughter

out of school soon after that.

I haven't heard from him since.

I've got to find her.

Maybe she's on her dad's ranch.

Well, take it easy. Give yourself a breather.

Oh, I can't.

Everything in my mind is so balled up.

I don't know what I'm gonna do.

For the last three years, I've been sitting in that cell

trying to figure out what happened.

[chuckles] Hey.

They let us watch the games on television.

That's quite a left halfback you've got now.

Cliff.

He couldn't carry your shoes.

That was the time you scouted me in high school.

The old Shelby Wildcats.

That was the touchdown that beat Montana..

Ran that one back 90 yards.

[sighs] What happened, coach?

One day, thousands of fans are screaming my name.

Newspapers are filled with stories about me.

Everywhere I go, people are pointing at me.

I can't get the girls off the phone.

In a few days, it's over.

'I'm a walking plague.'

You broke a conference rule.

It was explained to you.

I did everything I could to save you.

I know you did.

You stuck your neck out a mile.

Like my own father would have done.

I wish I could have done more.

Maybe there's something I can still do.

If only I can find Margo

maybe I can salvage something out of this mess.

But I don't wanna cause you any trouble.

I better be going now.

All the way to Eugene?

You're in no shape. Stay a while. Get some rest.

I'll get you some more food.

You're risking a harboring charge.

[chuckles] Who's risking? You forced me.

I think there's some pie in the kitchen.

I'll be right back.

Give me the FBI.

[Cliff] Hang up.

I said hang up.

My daddy.

My big daddy.

Running isn't doing you any good, Cliff.

You're chasing your tail.

You keep it up and they'll k*ll you.

Cliff, give up.

You're young. You've still got most of your life.

But you don't.

You're a praying man, coach.

You gave us some good ones at halftime.

Well, start praying 'cause you only got five seconds.

Be right back, sir.

Well, well, Cliff Wade.

You've been hunting?

Yeah, it's about the only sport I got left.

Mountain cats been chewin' up some of my stock.

But I don't guess that's what you came here

to talk about, is it?

- Where is Margo? - I'm sorry, son.

She's out of town visiting friends.

- Where? - Oh, come on, Cliff.

You're not a kid anymore.

We both know it wouldn't do any good to see her now.

Things like they are would only hurt Margo.

Cause trouble for everybody.

Now we got different ideas about trouble, Mr. Bengston.

Yeah, maybe.

But Margo's had it easy all her life.

I made sure of that.

'A girl like Margo just can't handle problems, that's all.'

So you handle them for her.

Well, she's still her daddy's little girl

if that's what you mean.

Look, son, why don't you take my advice?

Like I did when you gave me that money to play football

for your old school.

You want big dividends, you gotta take big chances.

What chances did you take?

I tried to help you out, boy.

Five thousand dollars worth of help.

'I didn't ever figure they'd find out.

But they did.

Yeah, they sure did.

You were gonna help me.

You were gonna get me the best lawyer, you said.

'All he did was talk me into keeping your name out of it.'

Now you got to understand something, Cliff.

Football is only a game.

What happens later in life is what counts.

I've got a reputation at stake.

I have to protect it.

Still do.

That's why you kept me away from Margo

after I was declared ineligible.

I thought it best to let things cool down.

I thought it was me.

I figured if I had some real money

showed her, showed you I was no poor trash

'I could still play in your league.'

So you went out and robbed a bank?

[door opens]

Pete, it's an old friend of mine here.

'Dropped by to say hello.'

You didn't know about this, did you, boy?

Got all the way through college football

without bruisin' a finger.

And a stupid riding accident cut me down.

I'll tell you something, boy.

We all have our share.

One way or the other, we all have our share.

Come on in the house. Let's have a drink.

- I said I wanna see Margo. - I said no.

Pete, go call Sheriff Daley.

Tell him we got Cliff Wade out here

the man who escaped from the penitentiary.

You haven't changed.

You forced me into it, boy.

I've got to protect my little girl.

- Get hoppin', Pete. - Yes sir.

They'll take you back before you go

and get yourself in any more trouble.

- 'Better this way, Cliff.' - Better for who?

Your legs aren't the only thing crippled about you.

Let me speak with Sheriff Daley, please.

Sheriff, this is, uh..

Sheriff?

Hold it!

Now get over there with your boss.

You're makin' a big mistake, boy.

The only mistake I made was listening to you.

Now where is she?

Now you don't really think I'm gonna tell you, do you?

What about this way?

He's your employee. You decide.

Do I pull the trigger or not?

Mr. Bengston, please.

Margo's visiting a friend at Road River.

- Chris Dutton. - I don't know about that.

All I know is she left early. Took her water skis.

Get into that closet.

Move!

You'll never get to Road River

and they'll run you down like a rabbit.

Get in there!

But why didn't he take the car when he left here?

He knew we'll be looking for it.

And he's probably stolen another one by now, Mr. Everett.

I tried calling you fellas, but he caught me doing it.

Couldn't believe I was trying to help him.

You have any idea where we can find him?

He mentioned trying to find Margo.

'Margo Bengston, that's the girl he used to go with.'

Where can we locate her?

Hm, she left school about three years ago.

Her father, Ellis Bengston, has a big ranch

down around Eugene.

- May I use your phone? - Help yourself.

[shudders]

Why don't I get us something to eat?

[sighs]

Margo.

Cliff?

Wait, how did you get here?

I ran all the way just to be with my girl.

I never thought I'd see you again.

No chance of that, you're the only reason

I had to keep going.

Please, they might see us.

What's wrong if they do?

Look, they know about your escape.

I mean, everybody does.

Just like old times, I'm a celebrity again.

Cliff, what are you going to do? I mean, why did you come here?

I thought you'd be glad that I did.

It's too dangerous.

Oh, for me?

Or for you?

Well, come on, Margo, just say it.

Are you glad to see me or not?

Look, I want to be, Cliff, but, but--

Come on.

Hey, Margo, what happened to the..

Hello, hello, Davie.

Well, a bolt out of the blue.

How's the passing arm?

I'm afraid I haven't used it for a while.

- 'That's a shame.' - No.

I was never the player you were, Cliff.

Oh, don't be so modest. I saw you in a big game.

Outstanding player award, Jenson Trophy.

- 'It's pretty good.' - I was lucky.

Yeah, so I've noticed.

Look, Margo and I wanna take a drive.

Talk about old times.

- 'You don't mind, do you?' - Yeah, Cliff, I do mind.

In case you haven't heard, it's a whole new game.

I'm out, you're in, huh?

[scoffs] That's about it, man.

Well, I'll try not to forget.

Hey, wait a minute.

Dave.

[grunts]

Come on, let's get out of here.

It's all I remember.

He said something about taking Margo

for a ride to talk about old times.

Did you get a look at the car they left in?

No. They could be anywhere.

Cliff knows every backroad around here.

Alright, thank you. You, uh, wanna have a doctor

look at that neck.

I'm afraid the kids can't help us much, Lew.

They were down at the dock when it happened.

Agents found Bengston locked in the closet.

He told them that, uh, Wade forced him into telling

where his daughter was and then stole the ranch car.

You got a description out on it?

Yeah, the roads are covered tight.

[male #2 on radio] 'Control to Unit 7.'

Yes, 7, go ahead.

[male #2] 'Inspector, we just got a call from a state police unit.'

'They spotted the stolen ranch car'

'and are attempting to overtake it'

'on state highway 46.'

'About 12 miles from town.'

[siren blaring]

Cliff, stop!

Please stop!

Lew, this is Glenn White, the resident agent at Medford.

Hello, Glen, how are you?

They said you requested someone who knew these mountains

inspector, so I came right up.

Well, we found some tracks heading straight into that.

That's tough country, inspector.

If he makes it over that ridge

his only way out is to hit River Road.

We gotta get ahead of him, cut him off.

What about a helicopter?

Well, it'll take a couple of hours if one's available.

Any suggestions?

Well, there's a smokejumper school nearby.

Couple of men could parachute in.

Wait, please, I've got to rest.

[panting]

It'll be easier once we get over that ridge.

- We're gonna make it, Margo. - Make what?

Cliff, where are we going?

Hey, you remember the first time I asked you out?

Homecoming dance.

I'd seen you around campus and at all the games

but I never had the guts to go up and ask you out.

I never thought you'd ever go out with me.

Why not? You were the big hero.

You were different.

I mean, you weren't just the prettiest girl on campus.

You had class.

I was just a poor farmer's kid

who could run with a football

faster than anybody else.

You could go out with any girl you wanted to.

I only wanted you.

We had fun, didn't we?

Yeah.

Well, it can be that way again.

There won't be the parties and the wild times

but we'll have other things.

What things?

There's a place in, in Mexico

a little town called Palma Bonita.

The guy in the next cell..

Um, a buddy of mine told me about it.

He'd spent some time there and he said there's

there's some good farmland

and plenty of room to build a house.

I know Mexico's far away..

...but once we get there, we can start again.

We can build a brand-new life for each other.

It won't work, Cliff.

We'll make it work, Margo.

You loved me.

- Well, didn't you? - Yes.

Well, then it can be the same again.

Just give me a little time, baby.

I'll-I'll, I'll make you the happiest girl anywhere.

But you don't know me, Cliff. Not really.

I know I love you.

And that's all that matters.

[chopper whirring]

Cliff.

Oh, they're looking for us.

They'll always be looking for us.

We can make it. Come on.

[Margo] Stop.

Will you stop? I'm so tired.

We're approaching the jump area, inspector.

Let's get ready.

Have them radio ground units

that I'll be in touch with them when we land.

They're trying to cut us off.

Well, they're not going to.

- You okay? - Yes, sir.

Fine. Good jump.

Erskine to all ground units.

Yeah, go ahead, Lew.

We've landed. Proceeding our search pattern.

Standing by.

[screams]

They've changed direction. Heading south.

They probably saw us coming down.

That means we're close.

What are you gonna do?

Just follow me.

Hey, what are you doing?

Get away from that car!

Hey, what's going on? Come on, get out of there, will you?

Come on, come on, get off the car, will you?

Erskine to ground units.

He's just commandeered a dark blue convertible.

They're heading east on Stratton Creek Road.

That leads to Hell Gate Bridge.

Did you get that, Tom? Block it up.

Did you have to hit that fisherman?

No one ever gives you anything.

I had to learn that the hard way.

Your father was one of my teachers.

You have to take what you want, Margo

and hold on to it, so no one can take it back.

And you think you can do that with people too.

You're just a little bit afraid.

But remember, you once told me

that fear is what makes life exciting.

Yeah, but I was talking about skiing down a mountain

for the first time or, or driving a car

as fast as it will go.

Crazy, wild things like that.

But this is for real and I'm scared.

Come on.

Oh, Cliff, please let me go.

All you had to do was be what you really were, that's all.

[Margo gasps]

[sobs] Cliff, give it up. Please let me go.

I'll find a way out.

- Where does this road lead? - Straight down into the river.

Cut him off on the downstream side.

[sobs]

Look, I'm not the girl you want me to be.

'I only loved you when it was easy.'

But when that ended, I got off.

Don't you see?

I deserted you just like everybody else.

No, no, no, Margo, no!

Oh, Cliff, please, give yourself up.

[tires screeching]

Wade, this is the FBI.

Cliff, there's no place left to run.

Look, you said you love me.

Doesn't that mean anything to you?

- May I talk to him? - Of course.

It's like I'm drawing crowds again.

Only for the wrong reasons.

I'm sorry, Cliff.

You were right.

There was no place left to run.

Clifford Wade was convicted of escape

and assaulting federal officers.

Oregon authorities place detainers against Wade

for robbery and car theft.

He was returned to a federal penitentiary

to serve the remainder of his bank robbery sentence.

[theme music]