02x13 - List for a Firing Squad

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[instrumental music]

Whisky and soda.

[music continues]

[music continues]

Captain Sladek. Nice to see you again.

I hope I didn't keep you waiting, I li--

Do you have it?

- Yes, sir. - Comrade.

Comrade. Of course. Huh!

[music continues]

Alright, the money will be mailed to you.

Mailed? B-but you see..

...I took very great risk tonight.

I had to practically steal the list

from under Matyin's nose.

I.. I-I, I think I'm entitled to be paid.

Look, we told you.

[music continues]

Just sit right there.

But, sir, Mr. Matyin, you don't understand--

Oh, please, shut up, Krols.

Even now I find it hard to believe

you could do such a thing.

Give me that list.

You realize, comrade, that you're addressing

a representative of your government.

I'm addressing the representative of

firing squads and t*rture chambers.

Give me the list or I'll k*ll you here and now, captain.

And speaking of firing squads..

This one would be as legal as any of yours

and considerably more just.

You've been in America too long, comrade.

You're out of touch.

'The people don't want your brand of underground democracy.'

[Matyin] 'How do you know what people want?'

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

[music continues]

[theme music]

[male narrator] The FBI.

A Quinn Martin, Warner Bros. production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott.

Stephen Brooks..

...with guest stars, Suzanne Pleshette.

Charles Korvin.

Tonight's episode, "List For A Firing Squad."

[theme music]

One man k*lled, another would soon be dead.

This time, the battleground for freedom

was not behind the Iron Curtain.

It was New York City.

But Ferenc Matyin lived long enough

to identify his assailant as Captain Istvan Sladek.

A European who had entered the United States without

registering as an agent for a foreign power.

Because our own national security was endangered

the FBI was notified at once.

Sladek was now in possession of a classified coded list

containing the names of every important

underground worker in his country.

Unless he was captured without delay

it would become a list for a firing squad.

Alright, thank you very much.

Well, the New York charge is now homicide.

Matyin just died on the operating table.

Who was he, Art?

For the record, he was a newspaper editor.

Krols worked for him.

Actually, he was a liaison agent for the underground network

inside his country.

He was a World w*r II hero.

Quite a patriot.

- Like Sladek, huh? - What do you mean?

Well, he was a patriot too. w*r hero.

'He got a half-a-dozen citations for partisan'

'guerilla activity against the Nazis.'

Now, maybe that's why they sent him.

They figured this is a w*r.

Art, if he gets that list out of the country

we're gonna start seeing a few casualties in that w*r.

We're gonna have to stop him first.

[knock on door]

Come in.

Would an 8:00 a.m. flight to LaGuardia be alright?

Yeah, that'll be fine.

That'll give you time for a briefing.

Art, have the papers identified Sladek as the k*ller yet?

Oh.. No, it's still a minor story.

A hassle in the neighborhood bar.

Well, it might be good if we kept it that way

as long as we can.

And what was his cover, sir?

He worked for an export-import firm on Sixth Avenue.

We already have it under surveillance.

New York police are covering stations, terminals

arterial highways and the conciliate.

What's to prevent him from getting a Photostat

of the list and sending copies in?

Well, he's k*lled a man.

He doesn't know whether he was identified or not.

If he was, his usefulness is over.

He's a dead man once he gives up that list.

It's his safe passage home now.

Okay, but is he smart enough to realize that?

Well, he's smart enough to survive the w*r

and two revolutions.

Well, they must have a weakness.

And we've got to find it.

[instrumental music]

[telephone ringing]

Coming, coming.

- Hello? - Marya, Istvan.

Hello.

I was hoping you'd call.

I know we said goodbye last night, but..

Yes, well, I've decided not to go to the office today.

So, we have a little time.

Oh? Enough time to have breakfast with me?

No, not that much.

As a matter of fact, I'm waiting for a cab now

to take me to the airport.

Oh, well, I hope you feel properly guilty about

flying off to Washington and leaving me alone

to face the wind and the rain.

But you like the wind and the rain.

Your cheeks get red and your eyes...sparkle.

Now you are being logical instead of being compassionate

and sympathetic. That's what I really need.

And a cigarette. Just hold on a second.

Hmm. There.

'Marya.'

'One reason I called.'

Yes?

Well, I may be gone a little longer

than we planned.

'Oh, why?'

[Istvan] 'After Washington, the company wants me to go on to Mexico.'

They feel that Mexico is

an important market to understand, so..

Oh, we'll lose more than a weekend, hmm?

Yes. I'm sorry.

- You alright? - Certainly.

- Istvan. - Marya, I love you.

Well, you sound so distant.

Because I never loved anybody before.

And I don't know what words to use.

And it's so hard to say goodbye to you.

'Even for a short time.'

- Darling-- - 'Marya, suppose..'

Suppose what?

No, no, it wouldn't be fair.

I'll see you when I get back, alright?

Alright.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

[instrumental music]

[airplane engine droning]

[music continues]

- Specker. - Chet, how are you?

Fine. Jim Rhodes, Chet Randolph.

- Chet, how do you do? - Nice to know you.

[car engine revving]

[music continues]

How do we stand, Chet?

No word on Sladek so far, inspector.

We've talked with the superintendent

of his apartment building.

He went out sometime around midnight last night.

Hasn't been back since.

The superintendent said all of his clothes seemed to be there

but toilet articles, razor and so forth are gone.

- How about personal papers? - Nothing.

- Books, magazines? - 'No books.'

One copy of a British magazine called "International Football."

We're contacting the local soccer teams

to see if he was a member of any of them.

No positive results so far.

You checked his office?

[Chet] 'We phoned and asked for him first.'

'The receptionist said he was on vacation'

'so I decided we might as well go on in.'

Three employees and an office manager.

They claim Sladek was a mystery to them.

He kept to himself.

No social contacts that they knew of.

Do you think they know more than they're telling us?

Sure, but probably not a whole lot.

I have a feeling they were told to give him

a job and leave him alone.

They check out clean, no

no known intelligence contacts.

Do you want to talk to them?

[sighs] How long has he lived in this apartment, Chet?

One year. Ever since he got off the plane, apparently.

Can I take a look at his neighborhood?

A man establishes a lot of patterns in a year.

The average man.

This one was careful.

He was a stranger to everybody in his building.

Polite, courteous, but he never let his guard down.

You know, there's one word I always approach

with a great sense of skepticism.

Which word?

Never.

Well, we'll have to do something.

What about Rene?

Well, she can work the shows Thursday

but she's got a photographer sitting on Monday.

Okay, well, then call Betsy Williams

or is she still in Spain?

Yes, alright.

Yes, what?

Oh.. Oh, I'm sorry.

Uh, darling, where are you this morning?

You had a fight with your Romanian prince?

Istvan? No, we never fight.

Beside, he's not a prince, he's a businessman.

[chuckles] You see, I try to invest the drab life

of a merchandising assistant with a little glamour

and that's the thanks I get.

Alright, what happened between you and your

non Romanian businessman?

I think he's left me.

- Oh, baby, I wouldn't-- - 'I do, I really do.'

And if he has, I'd just as soon die.

But what did he say?

Nothing.

Goodbye. He went to Mexico on business.

Oh, then he can't be gone forever.

It sounded like forever.

You know I think he almost asked me to go with him.

On a minute's notice?

You wouldn't have done that.

I would, I certainly would. I'd do anything he asked.

But you've, you've only known him a few months.

You hardly know a thing about him.

I don't care.

- Go home. - Oh, Doris, I can't.

- There's too much work. - I mean it. Go home.

Buy yourself a bottle of champagne and a new hat.

Forget about this beast, do you hear?

But I love that lousy beast.

- Ugh! - Go home.

[instrumental music]

Head.

[music continues]

- Istvan Sladek? - Yes, that's right.

Airport police. Would you come with us, please?

Well, I was catching that plane, but..

I think this is what you're looking for.

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

How much?

$2.

Special today only.

Fire sale.

When was the fire?

Thirty-two years ago.

I, uh, was in a little traffic accident.

Did you ask me about this?

May I use your phone?

I only sell clothes.

That's all. Just clothes, mister.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[indistinct shouting]

[birds chirping]

- Hit over here. - Hit it.

Okay, guys, same play. Try it again.

Hey, that wasn't a bad kick.

Thank you.

You fellows aren't bad either.

Uh, we just mess around.

Got a good bunch of kids though.

Got this game comin' up Saturday.

Hey, where did you learn?

- Uh, Quantico. - Oh, Marine?

- FBI. - No, kidding.

Mm-hmm.

- Proof positive. - Gee.

- Right, here - Here. Here!

- Here. - Ah, come on.

That's not a bad play. You figured that one out?

Uh, an expert showed us that one.

Huh? What kind of expert?

Oh, just some guy in the neighborhood, uh

Czech or Hungarian or something.

Come around once in a while.

He loves soccer, calls it football.

Oh? Does he, uh, does he always come alone?

Why? What did he do?

You know, like to ask him a few questions.

Well, usually. Except once he had his chick with him.

Twenty years younger than him. Could have been his daughter.

Only she wasn't, you follow me?

Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I, uh, I follow you.

Was she a Czech or Hungarian or something too?

Well, that's the way they talked together, only

only she didn't have any accent when she spoke English.

Did he introduce her?

I mean, did you catch her name?

No.

When did they come by?

Uh, guess it was night before last.

Was there anything, uh

unusual about her that you'd remember?

Well, well, sh-she smoked and

and she likes goulash.

I collect matchbook covers.

What did you say?

I collect matchbook covers and..

Wait a minute, I think I still got it.

Yeah, here. She threw it away.

Like I said I collect it.

[Jim] 'Lou?'

- Howdy? - Hi!

- Thank you. - Sure, anytime.

She hasn't been in touch with Washington.

There's been a lot of activity around Sladek's Embassy

but no sign of him.

If he's still in New York

I don't think he'll try to leave now.

Look at this.

[indistinct chattering]

[dramatic music]

Hello. Major Tokoli, please.

[telephone buzzing]

Tokoli.

Major, I'm sorry to bother you.

You know who this is?

I told you never to call my office here in New York.

- Have you seen the papers? - Yes.

I need help..

...badly. And right away.

I've already talked to the embassy in Washington.

Something's being worked out.

Where is the list?

In my pocket.

Why haven't you mailed it?

What's being worked out, major?

Your rescue. What did you suppose?

Good.

Did you think we would abandon you now?

I hope not.

Well, the whole idea's ridiculous!

Apart from your professional value

you're a personal friend of mine.

I do think it would be wiser

to, to mail the list.

I'd prefer to give it to the man who rescues me.

Alright. Alright!

Call me again at 9:00 tonight.

Uh, we'll have things worked out by then.

Alright, major.

In the meantime, uh, is there some place you can go?

Someone you can stay with for a few hours?

Possibly.

Be careful.

Good luck.

Thank you.

[dramatic music]

Yes, I remember him.

He came in several times, with a girl.

Terrible. Terrible.

He didn't look like a spy.

But then what does a spy look like?

I mean, could you describe the girl, Mrs. Karoli?

Pretty. Fashionable.

Mid 20s, dark hair.

In eight million

there are so many like her.

Well, did she, did she live around here, Mrs. Karoli?

Oh, I don't know.

I don't think so.

From what I said

he would pick her up after she got off work.

Then they would stop in here for an early dinner

and then take the subway.

- Oh, she worked near here? - Yes.

A factory, shop?

She talked about fashion shows.

- Was she a model? - 'No, no.'

But she knew models. She hired them.

I want a check of every couture within a ten-block radius.

- Right. - Thank you, Mrs. Karoli.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[woman over phone] 'Operator.'

Operator, could you please connect me with the FBI?

'One moment, please.'

[female #1 over phone] 'Federal Bureau of Investigation.'

'May I help you?'

'Hello? May I help you?'

[music continues]

[door unlocks]

[door opens]

You see what comes of giving men the key to your apartment?

One man.

Turned out to be a stranger, huh?

A spy, m*rder*r.

Then it's true.

Marya, what is true is that I've tried to help my country.

I'm a very uncomplicated man.

My government has asked me to do a certain job and I'm doing it

not very well, but--

Well, I wish your government had asked you

to stay away from crazy girls who fall..

I love you.

No government can give orders about that.

- Then why? - I love you.

We speak the same language. We--

Istvan, I grew up here. I live here.

I don't even remember the old--

I love you, I love you.

That's all that matters.

Isn't it?

I tried to call the FBI.

I couldn't do it.

Oh, Istvan, what's the matter with me?

It's alright. I..

I found some bandages in the kitchen.

Marya..

...do you want me to get out?

I don't know, I..

No.

No.

It'll be dark in a few hours.

Let me stay until then.

They'll hunt you down. You can't get away.

I think I can..

...if I'm very careful.

I've been in enemy cities before

and gotten out safely.

Of course, I've never been hunted by both sides at once.

Both sides?

I may be wrong about that. I hope I am.

But I must make sure.

Marya, if I find that it's safe

that we can both get out..

...will you come with me?

Well..

You don't have to make a decision now.

I'll call you later.

Don't think about it.

Don't think about anything.

Nothing. Nothing.

[instrumental music]

[Erskine] 'Alright, widen the area.'

[telephone ringing]

I want the girl found before those stores close tonight.

[telephone buzzing]

- Yes? - Right.

[female #2 over phone] 'Washington calling. Mr. Ward.'

Okay.

- Yes, Arthur. - Oh, Lewis.

Did the briefing officers fill you in

on a communist courier named Dobrenko?

Dobrenko?

"Janos. Miami." Yes.

Well, embassy surveillance spotted him in Washington

this afternoon.

He met an embassy secretary at the Tyler Club.

They had lunch.

And ten minutes ago he bought a ticket

on KBL Flight 131 to New York.

Right. 131.

Arriving at 8:25 LaGuardia.

We'll have an agent on the plane.

Alright, uh

Dobrenko's name is starred on my memorandum.

- Is that a current evaluation? - Absolutely.

He's to be considered armed and extremely dangerous.

He's already been linked with several deaths in Europe.

No proof, but he always manages

to be in the neighborhood somehow.

He's probably as much a hatchet man as he's a courier.

Well, they'll be fools to let Sladek live.

We may run into a situation

where we'd want to take Dobrenko into custody.

Then use your own judgment.

He's been valuable as a lead so far

but if you feel at any time

the list has been transferred to him

then move in.

That's the important thing, the list.

Sladek can wait.

Well, I'll contact you as soon as we have anything.

Good luck.

Okay, Chet, good.

Yeah, we'll check it out. Thanks.

That was Randolf.

He found a buyer at Carter and Smiths.

A girl named Doris Brighton.

Her assistant has a central European boyfriend

who matches Sladek's description.

What's the assistant's name?

Marya Pazmany. 136, East 33rd.

[instrumental music]

[knocking on door]

Good evening.

Ms. Pazmany?

- Yes. - FBI.

I'm Inspector Erskine. This is Special Agent Rhodes.

How do you do?

I was wondering how long it would take you to drop around.

- Come in. - Thank you.

He isn't here.

Oh, you are looking for Istvan Sladek?

I'm sure you understand that it's against the law

to harbor a criminal.

You may search if you like.

Well, that's some blood I tried to wash off.

I cut my finger.

I'm sure you understand also, Ms. Pazmany

that you don't have to answer any questions now.

Any answers you do give can be used in court.

Of course.

Do you think I have something to hide?

How long have you known Captain Sladek?

Six months.

[Erskine] And, uh, when did you see him last?

[Marya] 'Last night he told me'

'he was going away to Mexico on business.'

You were born in the same country?

'Yes.'

How old were you here?

Four.

That was taken in a DP camp in Austria

a year before I came to America.

You're from Austria?

My grandparents and I left our country

when the communists took over.

Did you know that, uh, Captain Sladek was a communist?

We never discussed politics.

I didn't know he was working for his government.

When did you find out?

When I read it in the papers.

You have any, uh, relatives in Europe?

Not that I know of.

Inspector, if you're trying to discover if I'm a loyal American

I am.

I would have died in that DP camp

if the Americans hadn't fed me

accepted me, educated me.

I am an American.

And what do you think of Captain Sladek now?

I love him.

Inspector..

...suppose everything were reversed..

...and we were in Hungary or Bulgaria or Russia..

...and you were the hunted man..

...and you'd fallen in love with a girl and she with you..

...what would you expect her to do?

Goodnight, Ms. Pazmany.

[instrumental music]

[pop music on stereo]

Sixty, please.

- Muchas gracias. - What time is it?

It's a little after 9:00.

Hey, hey, you okay?

Yes.

[chuckles] A little high?

No, no.

Mister, you ought to get out of this neighborhood.

You, you look like you're a long ways from home.

Yes, a long way.

[music continues]

[Tokoli on phone] 'Tokoli.'

Nine o'clock.

Dobrenko.

Yes, and, uh, how do you feel now?

[Sladek on phone] 'Very tired.'

Well, there's nothing to worry about.

Everything has been arranged.

Are you familiar with the identity of C-6?

- Would you recognize him? - Yes.

Will you meet him in half an hour at, uh, point 3-F?

He'll make arrangements for the treatment of your wound.

You will give him the list.

I'm sorry.

I'd prefer another spot. I picked a better one.

What, what are you talking about?

Everything has been arranged.

'Then rearrange it.'

Well, this is fantastic.

Are you serious?

'There's a little park, approximately 14 blocks south'

and seven blocks west of point 3-F.

There's a bench near a popcorn stand.

Have C-6 drop a packet

containing $15,000 into the trash basket

at the end of the bench.

- Captain, I-- - 'This is the sensible way.'

I'll be able to make my own arrangements with the money.

May I say that I'm shocked

at your distrust, captain.

Completely shocked.

I'll mail the list

when I've picked up the money.

I don't suppose I could, uh

talk you out of this childishness?

No, major.

Oh..

...and one more thing.

Please remind C-6

to leave his g*n behind.

He's so used to carrying one..

...heh, he sometimes forgets.

Well, I like him.

That's a man with flair talk, isn't he?

Style..

What are you going to do?

Drop the money and stay out of sight

until he picks it up.

And if he's left the list somewhere else?

I won't k*ll him until I find out for sure

where it is.

[dramatic music]

[engine rumbling]



Breaking contact.

Yes, we have him.

[music continues]

Control to Unit Green.

Unit Green.

Any sign of the girl?

She hasn't left her apartment.

[music continues]

Control to all blue units.

Subject has stopped.

We'll cover.

[instrumental music]

[pop music over speaker]

[dramatic music]

Could be a transfer.

Maybe Sladek left the list there.

They can't risk it. Let's take him.

[intense music]

Janos Dobrenko, FBI. Stay where you are.

[dramatic music]

Dobrenko..

Drop it.

[g*n dropping]

[tires screeching]

[music continues]

Check the trash can.

[instrumental music]

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

- Still quiet? - She hasn't budged.

He had to get in touch with her now. There's place else to go.

No sign of the list?

Dobrenko didn't have it.

I have the feeling Sladek set the whole thing up.

He probably asked for some kind of payoff.

There was an embassy envelope in the trash can.

Money?

Trash paper.

Sweet double cross?

Yeah, he knows it too if he was there.

He would have seen that Dobrenko had a g*n.

I don't think he'd try to mail that list now

under any circumstances.

Chet, did the background information

on the girl come through yet?

Yes, sir, there was an investigation

when she worked in the defense plant in 1961.

Highest clearance.

Hm.

Well, let's go up.

[dramatic music]

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

Oh, you have the wrong number.

Yes, I'm sorry too.

[knocking on door]

Did you find him?

Not yet.

He's hurt. Did you know that?

Yes, we did.

How did you know, Ms. Pazmany?

It wasn't in the papers.

Come in.

Was he here this afternoon?

Well, yes.

Ms. Pazmany, we don't usually discuss

a case with private citizens

but I think it's important here.

I want to make one thing as clear as I possibly can.

Sladek has lost.

'He can't get away.'

'We had proved tonight his own people are out to k*ll him.'

You don't seem very surprised, Ms. Pazmany.

He was afraid of it.

He told you that?

He wanted to be sure when he was going..

Going to what?

Call you?

He said I could go away with him if I wanted to.

- When he phones.. - He won't.

Well, you're the only one he can count on.

He has no one else now.

Do you know what you're saying?

Do you know what you're asking of me?

He mustn't call. I can't make a decision like that.

You can't help him.

But if you help us, you'll be saving a great many lives.

He has a list of underground agents.

If it gets out, those men will disappear.

It's as simple as that.

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

Marya, are you alone?

Yes.

'I'm so tired.'

'I wanted to come back to you'

'but I can't make it.'

Well, then let me meet you somewhere.

No, it's too dangerous.

'Istvan.'

Can you hear me?

Yes.

You're wounded. I can help you.

'When it's later I can rent a car.'

Istvan, please, where are you?

Do you remember, Marya, the first place we met?

The drug store?

I'll be there.

Darling..

[instrumental music]

Where?

I have to go alone.

I'm sorry.

No, that's my price.

Very well.



I'd had a tooth pulled out

I was walking home and I felt dizzier.

I went into a pharmacy and I almost fainted, he..

He helped me to a table

ordered some coffee and..

...just started talking.

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Captain Sladek.

Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[g*nshots]

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

We're, uh, we're booked on the noon flight back.

Good.

Nice day for it.

Did you..

Did you get in touch with Doris Brighton?

Yeah.

The girl's gonna stay with her for a while.

Looks like a cold city, doesn't it?

But after all, there seems to be someone out there

willing to help someone else.

There are always someone willing to try.

She'll be alright.

I know.

I know.

[instrumental music]

[male narrator] Three men were dead.

But with the recovery of the list

the underground in one European country

would continue its fight against its oppressors.

Janos Dobrenko was convicted

under the provisions of the Internal Security Act

and is now in the federal penitentiary.

The body of Captain Istvan Sladek

was returned to his homeland.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]