01x23 - Flight to Harbin

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[female on PA] 'KBL Flight 835, non-stop New York to Seattle.'

- Good afternoon, sir. - Coat, please.

This way, please.

- Welcome aboard. - Well, hello there.

The name's Miller, honey.

And I need lots of attention, huh.

Thank you, sir.

- This way, please. - Thank you.

Welcome aboard.

- May I help you with your coat? - Sure.

- Thank you. - This way, please.

- Gibbsy. - Oh, for heaven's sake!

Why, you look wonderful.

Any room in there for a dead heading pilot?

I thought you were on the Paris run.

No, they switched me to the coast.

Pacific run.

How's that boyfriend of yours?

'You know, I figured you'd be married.'

'Gone by now.'

Well, uh...we broke up.

Uh, there we are.

Huh, another day, another padded expense account.

[laughs]

How are ya? The name's Miller.

[Grace] 'Please fasten your seatbelts.'

[Miller] 'Oh, there we go.'

- How do you feel? - What do you care?

Great.

You didn't worry about me when my dad made us get married.

Why'd you start now?

Marge, will you quit?

I married you. What more do you want?

Honeymoon time.

[instrumental music]

Sir, did you want something?

Yes, I'd like to talk to the pilot, please.

Would you open the door?

Well, I'm sorry, but passengers aren't allowed in there.

Would you return to your seat, please?

Where's your telephone?

Oh, I'm sorry, but passengers aren't permitted

to use the telephone..

You tell the pilot, I'd like to talk to him.

Please.

[intercom beeps]

Reedley.

Captain, Miss Kagle speaking.

One of the passengers would like to speak to you.

Mr. Putnam. Seat B3.

He's got a g*n.

g*n?

[man on radio] 'KBL 835, all clear to Seattle Tower.'

He's got a g*n.

Put him on.

Captain, I'm afraid there's been a change of plan.

We'll all stay aboard in Seattle while you refuel.

Then you'll take off for Anchorage.

Anchorage?

Why Anchorage?

[Putnam] 'To pick up more fuel. For another lap.'

Another lap?

To where?

To Harbin, captain.

Manchuria.

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin, Warner Brothers' production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbot.

Stephen Brooks.

With guest stars Arthur Hill

Jessica Walter

Milton Selzer

Tonight's episode, "Flight to Harbin."

[instrumental music]

Mr. Ward.

The New York office just called.

They checked out the phone number

that Putnam gave the airline.

It's a hotel on Times Square.

How has he registered?

Earnest C. Putnam, Bothell, Washington.

I've got to call in the SCCA, Seattle--

Mr. Ward, I have Inspector Erskine in San Francisco.

Come.

Lewis?

You know, that's a magnificent make-up

but, uh, isn't your nose a little shiny?

Yes, Arthur.

I hate to break in on your vacation

but how soon can you get out to the airport?

- What? - 'There's been a hijacking.'

'A KBL jet from New York to Seattle.'

The hijacker's name is Putnam.

He has a g*n. He wants to go to Manchuria.

Is he acting alone?

Well, we're not so sure about that, but apparently, yes.

'Do we know anything about him yet?'

- No. - Mr. Ward.

Lou, this is Jim.

We know his name isn't Putnam.

He gave his address as Bothell, Washington.

But Graham Carter in Seattle says it's a phoney.

There is no such name.

Where'd the address come from?

Uh, a hotel registration card, New York City.

'Have them go over the hotel room.'

'He may have left something.'

Yes, sir.

Art, is the plane still headed for Seattle?

Yes, they'll have to refuel.

Go on to Anchorage, refuel again.

[instrumental music]

Oh, come on, for Pete's sake.

What did those two babes do, jump out?

We're supposed to get our meal.

[bell buzzes]

- Yes? - It's one of the passengers.

[buzzing continues]

They'll be wondering what happened to us.

Let them wonder.

You'll have to tell them sooner or later.

Alright, go ahead.

I don't expect you'll do anything to panic them.

If you do, of course, I'll k*ll your friend.

Yes, sir.

Lady, what's your name?

Miss Gibbs.

Well, Miss Gibbs, I've had lousy service at my time

but this takes the cake.

'Where's our food?'

Oh, we've had little trouble, sir.

It'll be ready in a moment.

Excuse me.

Trouble spelt L-A-Z-Y.

I'd like to know what's happening

to the kids these days.

No more responsibility other than the man on the moon.

And all those crazy dances. Ugh..

What's crazy, dancing or marching?

What?

I'll make a deal with you.

When we land, you go report to my draft board

and I'll stay home and pledge your expense account, right?

Sonny, I'd like to tell you something.

If I was 25 years younger, nobody would have to draft me.

[laughs]

What I believe in may be corny, but I believe in something.

Uh, I wish I could stay in this plane forever.

[whispers] Captain.

Captain Thomas.

Yes, Gibbsy.

Is it show time?

What's happened?

There's a man in the lounge with Kagle.

He's got a g*n.

Does the pilot know?

Yeah. It's the passenger in B3. Putnam.

He wants us to fly to Manchuria.

Captain?

Please don't cry. There's nothing to be afraid of.

This was my last trip.

I was going to be married.

[Putnam] 'Well, the other stewardess'

'just couldn't keep her mouth shut, could she? '

- Mr. Putnam, is it? - Yes.

Well, Miss Gibbs said you had a g*n.

She felt you might be worried or in trouble.

You know, sir, I think it's the most aggravating thing

in the world to be spoken to

as though one were a child or a mental patient.

'There's nothing wrong with me at all.'

I realize quite well what I'm doing.

You also realize you're putting nearly

a hundred lives in danger?

[scoffs] I don't see how that can be.

As a confident, cruel..

[g*nsh*t]

What was that?

[indistinct radio chatter]

He just shot Thomas.

Yes.

Captain, there's been a slight accident.

There'll be bigger ones if anymore

tricks like that are tried.

'I want you to tell them on the ground'

that they can check the engines and refuel.

But if anyone approaches the doors

or tries in any way to stop us from taking off again..

...I'll k*ll both stewardesses.

Do you understand?

Yes. Yes.

'Can you talk to the coach section from there?'

Yeah.

Have the coach stewardess

tell all passengers what's going on.

Will you please?

'No one is to try to leave.'

- What's going on? - Get back to your seat.

And open those curtains.

- Hmm? - What?

Tell everyone to stay quiet and they won't get hurt.

They'll be remaining on the plane.

And after we land, we'll be taking off

again very shortly.

Go!

What's the matter?

That fool, who sat in that seat, he's got a g*n.

He won't let us off the plane when we land.

[man on radio] 'KBL 835, do you have an emergency?'

'Repeat. Do you have an emergency?'

Negative. Negative for landing.

[man on radio] 'KBL 835, you are clear to land.'

'Report on your marker. 16, cleared.'

Inspector, Graham Carter. SCCA, Seattle.

Yes, Carter. Have they landed?

Well, they just hit the outer runway now, sir.

The pilot reports some deadheading KBL employee

tried to jump on him.

Putnam shot him.

- Did he k*ll him? - Well, I don't know, sir.

But, uh, they say it's clear he means business.

He's threatened to m*rder the stewardesses

if anybody so much as comes near the plane except to refuel it.

Let's get to the tower. I wanna talk to him.

Yes, sir. Oh, by the way.

They've diverted the plane to the hanger area.

[dramatic music]

[clamoring]

Now, now, now, wait a minute. Calm down, everybody.

Calm down. Calm down.

Everything'll be alright.

We'll get you outta this in a minute.

Now, sit down. Sit down. Come on, sit down.

[dramatic music]

So, he won't let us off.

[laughs] Now isn't that gonna bug my draft board?

He'll let us off. I'll see to that.

Shh.

They gave me permission to bring it aboard.

'I'm a jewelry salesman.'

'I carry a lot of diamonds around.'

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[Reedley on radio] 'We're chattering. Engage with 835.'

'Is Inspector Erskine up there?'

[male #1] 'Here he is now, captain.'

- Get me Mr. Ward in Washington. - Yes, sir.



Uh, Captain Reedley, this is Inspector Erskine, FBI.

How's the wounded man?

Uh, it's a little hard to tell from in here, inspector.

He took one in the shoulder.

He's alive.

The stewardess seems to have been able to stop the bleeding.

Where's Putnam?

'Still in the lounge.'

Let me talk to him.

'I'm sorry, sir. I can't do that.'

As long as I'm in charge of the aircraft

no maniac with a g*n is gonna get inside this compartment.

Captain!

'If Putnam once gains access, we're through, inspector.

Suppose ground control orders me to take off for Anchorage.

What happens if Putnam goes berserk in here

and kills all three of us?

'We have 96 passengers and crew to think of.'

I know that, Reedley

but we have go to determine what he's after.

Whether he can be reasoned with.

'Whether he's sane or psychotic.'

[sighs]

Alright, we'll see what the Bureau can find at their end.

We'll refuel as slowly as possible.

If Putnam gets restless, notify the control supervisor at once.

'Yes, sir.'

Here's Mr. Ward.

- Arthur. - Carter just filled me in.

You're not gonna let the plane take off for Anchorage.

Can't you, uh, block the runway?

Then Putnam would see that he's caught.

I can't take a risk like that Arthur

until I know more about him.

Has New York come up with anything?

They're sending the hotel registration card

and some other articles to us by special courier.

So, uh, hang tight.

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

What do you think you're doing?

Shut up.

[music continues]

[groans]

[music continues]

What do you want? What're you doing in here?

Uh...food.

What? What?

We're hungry.

We, we haven't had anything to eat.

Fix him something.

'And I need some coffee, miss.'

Black.

Now, get back to your seat and stay there.

Yes.

So what was that supposed to accomplish?

We've been able to get some sleep, but he hasn't.

He'll be ready to k*ll over in another..

Listen, I've got an idea.

Will ya help?

[scoffs] No.

- 'Oh, you'll have to do it.' - No!

I see, if the army wants ya, they'll have to come and get ya

even if it has to be in Harbin, Manchuria.

Ah.

Hey, mister.

- My name is Miller. - Young.

Listen, Young, will you help me get us out of this mess?

How?

What is that ground crew doing?

How long does it take to refuel an airplane?

Well, this isn't a...kiddy car you're playing with.

Putnam, give 'em time.

Mr. Putnam, please let them take Captain Thomas to the hospital.

[groaning]

Is it bad?

It, uh, it's smart so, um, yeah.

I wish there was something I could do.

Well, just stay here and, uh..

...hold my hand, talk, huh?

I wish we had something to take the pain away.

Miss, tell the passengers

to fasten the seat belts. We're taking off.

But they aren't through out there.

They are now.

[intercom beeps]

Yes?

Are you cleared for take off, captain?

Putnam, can't you understand what--

[Putnam] 'Sir, if we are not moving in five minutes'

I'll finish off Captain Thomas.

Five minutes more and I'll have to k*ll Miss Gibbs.

Five minutes more, Miss Kagle.

After that, one passenger at a time every five minutes.

Please, don't make me do that.

KBL 835 to Tower.

Inspector.

Yes, captain.

He's given me five minutes to start engine, sir.

How's the plane checkout?

Everything seems to be okay.

- We filed a flight plan. - Weather report?

Severe storms piled along the coast.

It looks very bad.

Reedley, we may have to block your runway

with a couple of FBI cars

and take our chances with Putnam.

I'm holding a direct line open to Washington.

I'll let you know the decision just as soon as I can.

[Reedley on radio] 'Yes, sir.'

Alright.

KBL 835, cleared as planned.

Fairbanks holding in for Anchorage.

Taxi north on runway 16.

Transpon 7-7 now.

[instrumental music]

[whirring]

Young, we're moving.

We're not getting help.

You know what to do when I signal.

- Yeah. - Okay.

- Joe.. - It's alright, Marge.

[indistinct radio chatter]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Let 'em go.

KBL 835, cleared for take off.

Contact departure control leaving 2000.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[Jim] '"Dearest Ann'

'I hope you and the children can forgive me for.."'

That's it.

Well, there he is.

Ernest C. Putnam.

'Family man'

'insomniac'

'intellectual.'

And what else? Spy, fugitive, psychopath, what?

[male #2] 'Mm, that's odd.'

- 'Huh?' - Look what the infrared shows.

We're in luck, he used two different writing instruments.

'Well, then he wrote down the address Bothell, Washington'

'inked it out and then wrote it down again.'

- But why? - Yes, sir, good question.

Let me look at that.

KBL Jet 835 is on its way to Anchorage.

I just talked to Lewis.

The air force is gonna try to get him there

before the KBL jet lands.

Can you tell whether the inked out word "Washington"

was written before the word "Bothell?"

No, sir, there would be no way to determine that.

But I see what you mean, it almost looks as though

the name of the town was

s-squeezed in as an afterthought.

The name of the false town.

Just suppose..

Suppose he started to write his real address automatically

and then caught himself before he added "DC."

Suppose Bothell was an afterthought.

Yes, and he couldn't quite get it in

so he inked the whole thing out and re-wrote it properly.

Okay.

Then we could be looking for a scientist

with at least two children and a wife named Ann

who lives in or around Washington, DC.

And who may have been reported missing by now.

Yes, sir.

[thunder rumbling]

[male on radio] 'KBL 835, spoc 21 able.'

'We have your SRD, send a request Anchorage ETA.'

I checked the other tab.

Our ETA be Anchorage now 0-5-2-5 Zulu.

Need device, reason upper air, over.

[male on radio] 'No change on interim forecast'

'expect frontal passage in Anchorage near 0-9-0 Zulu.'

'Last Anchorage terminal weather, indefinite.'

'Precipitation sealing in 101 eighth'

'Wind 1-8-0 and 3-5 with gusts of 5-0.'

'Are you continuing? Repeat, are you continuing?'

Stand by.

[intercom beeps]

Yes, captain, what do you want?

Putnam, we'll have to turn back.

- No, that's out of the-- - 'Listen to me.'

I can't get around the storm, I can't above it.

I just don't want you blasting away

when you find you're not in Anchorage.

If we land anywhere but in Anchorage, captain

you'll be responsible for a bloodbath

that'll turn your stomach.

'Now you can back away from the storm if you please.'

But I can promise you, you'll wish to heaven you hadn't

by the time I get through in here.

Shall I tell 'em we're turning back, sir?

No.

We'll proceed on course.

[dramatic music]

Male Caucasian..

...forty-six, forty-seven years of age.

Forty-six, forty-seven..

According to the hotel clerk, about 190 pounds..

..grey hair, no visible scars.

Here we are.

Male, Caucasian, 48

six two, a hundred and eighty five pounds.

Disappeared on his way to the office

Thursday, four noon.

Reported missing by his wife Ann.

- Name? - Uh, Charles King.

I'll write out the address.

- What does he do? - Nuclear theorist.

[thunder rumbling]

He's almost out.

We'll give him a couple of minutes.

Look, y-you know that we oughta wait.

No. No.

Let me handle this. I know what I'm doing.

[Thomas groaning]

Poor guy.

Well, nobody asked him to try a trick like that.

He might have known he'd get shot.

He was trying to help us.

You'd been proud of him if he just sat there

and done nothing?

You know, he thinks a lot of you, Gibbsy.

- Oh, come on, Grace. - 'He does. He told me.'

'I saw him in London just after you announced your engagement.'

We had a couple of drinks.

He talked about you all evening.

'It could have k*lled him.'

[Putnam] 'Miss.'

More coffee, please.

There is no more. I'm sorry.

You sure?

I'm sorry.

How's the captain?

Not very good.

You know, you've all been very sensible, very..

...cooperative.

I don't want to hurt any of you.

'Your families must be worrying.'

When...we get to Anchorage

I think I'll let everyone get off.

Except the man in the pilot's compartment.

You be fair with me, I'll be fair with you.

[doorbell dings]

- Mrs. King? - Yes.

FBI, ma'am.

- You're here about my husband? - Mm-hmm.

- Come in, please. - Thank you.

- Well, sit down. - Thank you.

Have your found him?

Uh, Mrs. King, has your husband ever expressed

any dissatisfaction with, uh, US nuclear policies--

Never. Never.

Where is he? What happened?

He may have decided to defect to Red China, ma'am.

As a matter of fact, he maybe on his way there now.

Well, that just is impossible.

He's been tired, he's been working hard, but..

He said nobody talked to anybody anymore.

Nobody listened.

'He said if all the scientists'

'could just get together and talk.'

Communist, free world, all together.

Maybe in Peking.

Oh, my, what will I do to him?

Mrs. King, he's aboard a jet.

'He has a g*n, and he's threatening'

'the other passengers with it.'

Now, if we put you in contact with him

would you be willing to help us?

Let me get my coat.

[thunder rumbling]

Mister!

'Mister?'

Something's wrong.

I feel terr..

Tell the stewardess to..

[Young groans]

Help me!

Well, what's the matter?

'Come in here if you want something.'

Please!

[intense music]

Alright.

Alright!

That's the way you want it, that's the way you'll get it.

'I've tried to be fair with you.'

You want g*ns?

Alright.

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

Alright!

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[indistinct radio chatter]

Dave McFarland, sir, SCCA.

Dave, any word from the KBL flight?

Yes, sir, we're in contact with them now.

We're also holding a line open to Washington.

They've denied the hijacker, a Dr. Charles King.

His wife is standing by.

Erskine, would you put me through a Mr. Ward, please?

[telephone ringing]

Ward.

I hear you identified the subject.

Yes, we have, Lewis.

Did they tell you who he is?

[Lewis] 'King?'

Nuclear theorist.

Defector?

Well, his wife doesn't feel that way.

She thinks it's got to be a case of overwork

fatigue, break-down.

Please, don't hurt him.

I know he shot someone

but he must've been terribly provoked.

Terribly afraid.

If I could just talk with him..

Could that be arranged?

I doubt it, the pilot doesn't dare let him in the c*ck.

- What about a tape? - Personal message?

[Lewis on phone] 'Would you do that for us, Mrs. King?'

Well, yes, if..

Dave, can you get us a tape recorder fast?

I've got, I've got one in the car.

It might also be a way for me to get aboard when they land.

Lewis, there's one more thing.

It doesn't really matter whether this is fatigue or defection

we cannot allow the communists to get their hands on King.

That flight has got to end at Anchorage.

It will.

Mrs. King, we have the recorder ready.

Just speak slowly and clearly.

Tell him exactly how you feel.

[Dave] 'If you hold just a moment, Mrs. King.'

Here's 835 now, sir.

[indistinct radio chatter]

[Reedley on radio] 'KBL 835 on at 26 and changing to ground.'

Clear to gate 11, KBL, second turn off.

May I speak to him?

Captain Reedley, this is Inspector Erskine.

Yes, inspector.

'We've identified the hijacker.'

'He's a nuclear theorist, a Dr. Charles King.'

I'm gonna try to come aboard to talk to him.

I wouldn't recommend it.

Things have gotten considerably worse.

What's happened?

'Some fool pulled a g*n.'

'Putnam o-or King or whatever his name is'

'took it away from him.'

'King was gonna let the passengers off here.'

'Now, he's even changed his mind about that.'

There's no way out of this one now, inspector.

No way.

I said no!

But you promised.

You've gotta let him off.

You said we've been fair with you.

- We haven't tried anything. - Gibbsy.

- But he promised.. - Gibbsy.

[Grace] 'You're not gonna help him by getting shot yourself.'

- How's the arm? - It'll be okay. It'll be okay.

Well, I cooked everybody's goose, didn't I?

You faced the problem, that was something.

Rest of us should have helped.

Funny, I've carried that g*n for 15 years

just aching for the chance to use it, to be the big hero.

Now the chance comes along and I..

Pfft.

[chuckles]

I read a story the other day.

Fellow said, "Always be careful what you wish for.

'Cause it might come true."

I was the fathead who wanted to stay on this plane forever.

Well, the Seattle draft boy looks a little friendly, eh?

[both laugh]

Well, you think a man at 23 years old, Mr. Miller

would begin to grow up a little?

Oh, don't fret about it, son.

Look at the head start you got on me.

I'm fifty.

[dramatic music]

Scared?

No.

It's gonna be a long flight.

Dangerous flight.

[Marjorie] 'Do we care?'

I mean..

It is our honeymoon, isn't it?

[Lewis on speaker] 'Dr. King, this is the FBI.'

I want to come aboard.

Alone, unarmed.

Doctor, I have a message from your wife.

[music continues]

Right, give me the tape recorder.

Move away.

- You know what to do. - Yes, sir.

[Thomas groaning]

I'm Inspector Erskine.

How'd you find out my name?

Your wife filed a missing person's report.

Your family is very worried about you, doctor.

They don't understand how you could do a thing like this.

Is that the message?

No.

No, the message is on tape here.

Your wife telephoned it in from Washington.

Wait.

You open it, Miss Kagle, please.

[Ann on tape] 'Charlie. Hello, darling.'

'I wish I were looking at you'

'talking to you face-to-face'

'but I guess this is better than nothing.'

'I told Natalie and Dan where you've gone and why.'

'Why I thought you'd gone.'

'But I guess I don't really know.'

'Oh, Charlie, I miss you so much.'

[Ann sobbing]

'Well, let's see.'

'I think everything's okay around the house.'

'I told the painter to go ahead on the upstairs bedroom.'

'Well, I guess that's all I can think of, except..'

'Stay well, darling.'

[Ann sobbing]

'Charlie, I love you.'

I think it's about time you came home, don't you, doctor?

It's no longer possible to get this airplane off the ground.

Take a look.

Get over there.

Damn it!

Get back out there.

And tell them to clear that runway.

No, doctor.

Tell 'em!

The second you pull that trigger, I'll be on top of you.

Maybe I ought to sh**t you first.

[John] 'Same thing applies.'

- sh**t him and I'll jump you. - We'll both jump you.

It's over, Dr. King.

'There's no way for this plane to get off the ground.'

All you can do is, add a m*rder charge to the rest.

No..

No!

[intense music]

[dramatic music]

[tires screeching]

Get up, King.

[instrumental music]

So, that's about it.

King's in the custody of the United States Marshal.

How did Captain Thomas make up?

Doing fine, the stewardess says she's gonna

stay on in Anchorage until he's released.

- How about you? - Me?

Well, you're still on vacation, aren't you?

So I am?

And you always wanted to see Alaska.

Another time, Arthur.

There's a beautiful girl waiting for me

in San Francisco, I'd rather see.

Well, then. Have fun, Lewis.

Do it upright as long as you're there.

Just, uh, make sure you're back at your desk

bright and early day after tomorrow.

[theme music]

[music continues]