06x02 - The Traitor

[bunniefuu]

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Thanks for remembering the wine, Cooley.

And don't forget to use the stairs.

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Hey.

Hey!

Don't use that elevator!

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[alarm ringing]

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Uh..

Aah!

[screaming]

[clamoring]

Alright, just back away.

He's still alive! Better get an ambulance.

There's a sign there says "Use the stairs."

Can't blame me, no, sir.

[male #1] 'He's still alive. Go get the rope.'

[indistinct chattering]

Get some help over here.

[dramatic music]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

...William Reynolds

with guest stars, Bradford Dillman..

...Wayne Rogers..

...Antoinette Bower.

Tonight's episode, "The Traitor."

[instrumental music]

On the night of May 20th

the elevator cable of the Ocean View Hotel

in Boston, Massachusetts, broke

causing the elevator to plunge to the lobby.

Its only occupant at the time was Donald Willis

head of technical publication for Telecon Research Company.

A magazine found near the victim

although seemingly innocent enough at first

was soon discovered to have a page

of top secret data taped inside it.

Since espionage was suspected

the magazine, along with other information about Donald Willis

was immediately forwarded to the FBI in Washington.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir, I understand.

I have stressed that.

He's with me now.

I'll be sure to.

Well, the director's made it clear he wants to know

how much the special ruby laser project has been compromised.

On the basis of comparable known handwriting, Mr. Ward

the document section is certain that it was written by Willis.

The information that was found on him

was incomplete, according to Whitlock

who's the president of Telecon Research.

It means they'll have to try again.

Not necessarily, Tom.

They may already have enough to figure it out for themselves.

That's why the director is emphatic

we know the full extent of Willis' penetration.

Of all the places to make contact, a fleabag hotel?

You might as well pick a condemned building.

It was Willis' idea. He was getting nervous.

He wanted an out-of-the-way place.

And you say you saw the magazine?

Yes, it was under his body, but I couldn't very well

pick it up with all those people hanging around it.

Then we might assume that the authorities

have found the page of formulas.

There's always that possibility, but it's not necessarily so.

Any case, I think we'd better lay off for a while

and let things quiet down.

That's impossible.

I talked to contact today

and they insist the ruby laser formula

leave this country as scheduled.

That gives us less than a week.

That's right, Bryan.

And if they found the formulas on Willis

then they'll be tightening up their security.

That's just a chance we have to take.

You said there was someone else at the lab working

who might be of use to us, an electronics engineer?

That's right. Fella named Neil Stryker.

He has clearance but, uh, I don't know

how involved he is in the ruby laser project.

Well, what kind of a man is he?

Proud, loyal.

That doesn't exactly make him a prime candidate.

No, it doesn't, but I'll tell you something.

You see, he owes me $5000.

He's up to his ears in debt.

Couple of years ago, he had a kid

who had to have open-heart surgery

and his insurance didn't begin to cover it.

Lost every cent he had and then some.

And you really think he might work for us?

Yeah, I think so.

You see, he's counting on getting a big promotion

and the word I hear is that Telecon's

defense contract has been cut back.

That means there's gonna be a lot of belt-tightening

going on around there.

- Does he know that? - No, he doesn't. Not yet.

And he's a proud man.

If he's passed over

he'll be quite susceptible.

You know that everything in this house

is falling apart, except the electricity

and that I can fix.

[Elaine chuckles]

Famous last words.

'You should have married a plumber.'

He's here so often, sometimes I think I did.

Also a roof repairman, a boiler engineer, a..

Has it ever occurred to you that we have bought a lemon?

Hm, sometimes the whole tree.

Darling, Dr. Thorpe called

to tell us about the test that Trish took last week.

He says things couldn't be better.

Really, we're very lucky, because she's doing fine.

What's the bottom line?

The bottom line is that we still owe $7500

between the doctor and the hospital.

Well, we can't pay it. Not yet anyway.

Neil, do you think that you could talk to him?

Fine.

'You realize that you were grinding'

'your teeth again last night?'

Look, I know that you worry about this as much as I do.

I'm not gonna let it k*ll me, do you hear?

We're not the first people who've been in debt

and we won't be the last.

Now, somehow we're going

to have to muddle through

just like everybody else.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to shout at you.

- I never shout at you. - Oh, no.

[chuckles]

- Oh. - Oh, she forgot it again.

- Alright. - Oh.

I'll drop it off on my way to work. Bye-bye, now.

Bye.

There are ten engineers in this section.

Each has a different specialty.

And he may or may not be working

on the same project at the same time.

What about their security clearance?

Oh, each has top secret clearance.

But you understand, inspector, we also have

what is called "The need to know."

So unless a man is working on a specific project

he has no right to know anything about it.

- Good morning, Ken. - Neil, Stan.

Oh, uh, say, Neil, I wonder

could you spare a few minutes in my office after lunch?

- Say, when? - Oh, three o'clock?.

- I'll be there. - Okay.

Well, I have the feeling at 3:00 this afternoon

you're gonna be our new project supervisor.

Buddy, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

See you later on.

This is it, Mr. Erskine.

The material Willis was after is in this room.

[Lewis] 'How is the ruby laser project organized, Mr. Whitlock?'

Oh, into, uh, three major sections.

The material found on Willis

represented the second section only.

Well, at least we know he wasn't able to deliver that.

It's written all over your face, Neil.

What?

Oh, you think that the reason

'that I invited you out here to have lunch with me'

is so that we'd discuss the money that you owe me.

It's not true. I, uh, I enjoy your company.

I still feel badly about not being able

to pay you back, Bryan.

Ah, you will when you can.

In the meantime, I don't recall putting a deadline

on that note you signed, do you?

No.

Well, then don't worry about it.

Nice up here, isn't it?

I, uh..

...gather from what you've been telling me

that, uh, things are still a little tight.

- Yeah, a little. - That's too bad.

- No. - Guy with your talent.

Well, look, I'm an electronics engineer.

I'm good but I'm not a genius.

Well, it doesn't take a genius to make money, you know.

There are a lot of companies that would pay

awful lot for a man of your talent, Neil.

Especially if they were working on a competitive product.

You mean industrial espionage?

Well, you can call it that if you like.

Make it sound kind of bad.

I, uh, I prefer to call it

professional ingenuity.

'You see, Neil, that's my business.'

'And a man with your talent, you can make a lot of money.'

- I think I better go, Bryan. - 'Wait a minute.'

You haven't heard the deal. Now, look.

Telecon is working on a special

ruby laser project, right? Now, what is it?

Simply a device that will enable people some day

to watch television in three--

Yeah, well, it cou-it could be used for a lot more than that.

Oh, sure, it could. Weapons, if that's what you're thinking.

Yeah, but the company I represent

is not interested in weapons.

They're a television manufacturer

and they'd like to be first in that 3D market.

Now, look, wait, if you could get me the plans

to the special ruby laser project

we could make a bundle of money.

I'd even forget the $5000 you owe me

'and add another $5000 on top of it.'

That's $10,000, Neil.

It's a lot of money. For what?

For something that you

care as much about as the olive in my drink.

I'm sorry, it's not my style.

Okay, okay. Alright.

I tried. I guess our ethics are a little different.

You have a future there at Telecon

and I, I know they appreciate you and

probably be a fool to blow that, wouldn't you?

I think so. Thanks for the drink, Bryan.

[dramatic music]

[sighs]

I couldn't be sorrier, Neil.

That promotion was mine, Ken.

No one in this lab deserves it more than I do.

No one is getting it.

It's not like you're being passed over, Neil.

Then tell me what it's like.

Oh, we just can't give any promotions at this time.

Defense spending has been cut.

I-I've got to lay off three other men.

Maybe you ought to consider yourself lucky

you're not one of them.

'Lucky?'

Oh, Neil, don't you know what's going on?

Don't you read the papers? Everybody's been hit.

If I had any guts, I'd quit.

Why do you turn it into such a personal thing, Neil?

Because it is a personal thing.

No matter how you slice it, I've been tried

I've been found wanting.

- That's not true. - Isn't it?

Look, I-I can read the stock reports

this company isn't exactly hurting

they can afford to give me a raise.

Well, things will open up, you'll see.

- 'When?' - I wish I could tell you.

- I really do. - I wish you could too.

Might make a lot of difference.

'Neil..'

...I am sorry.

There's nothing I can do about it.

Thanks, Ken.

I'll try telling that to the finance company.

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[door slams]

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[Lewis] 'It seems that all these documents are anywhere'

from five to 25 pages long.

The formulas we found on Willis only cover a page.

Yes, well, you see, part of Willis's job

was to edit the information researched by our engineers

cut out the superfluous words, make it more digestible

without altering the data in any way.

Oh, you'd be surprised how many engineers

have a secret desire to be writers.

Did, uh, did Willis have access

to all the project documents?

Only on a need to know basis

where he was assigned to edit a particular report.

As a security measure, we keep accurate records

on all the documents he did handle.

- Quite a few, aren't there? - Hm.

But there were a considerable number

he did not have access to.

Mm. With your permission, Mr. Whitlock

I'd like to send these to Washington for examination.

Perhaps we can find out just how deeply

the projects have been compromised.

There's a sign right outside that elevator

telling people to use the stairs

so you can't blame what happened on me.

We're not blaming you for anything.

We need some information, maybe you could help us.

How?

An engineer for the elevator company said that the elevator

must've dropped after they passed the ninth floor.

That means whoever Willis was going to visit that night

lives on the tenth, the top floor.

I guess it does.

Do you have the list of those occupying the tenth floor

the night of the accident?

Yeah, Let's see now, tenth..

Here we are.

What kind of hotel you think I run?

Nobody gets a room with the ocean view

without registering first.

I see over half of the 12 registered here

are named Smith or Jones.

Chief, when you end up in a hotel like this

sometimes Smith and Jones

are the easiest names to remember.

'Anyway, I just ask 'em to sign the card'

'uh, not prove who they are.'

How many of these people are still here?

Some are.. Eh, all but three.

Two checked out this morning.



'Their tanker was pullin' out at noon.'

And the other must've left the night of the accident

or very early in the morning.

Uh, 1001 his name was, uh

"Larson, John Larson."

I would like to take these registration cards with me

and I'd like to take a look at room 1001.

You remember what he looks like?

No.

Nothing?

Color of his hair? Color of his eyes?

No. Just his money, it was green.

Has anybody been in here since?

No.

You find something, chief?

[instrumental music]

Bryan, this is Neil Stryker

I want to talk to you in private.

Yes. As soon as possible.

You name the place.

Right.

We checked on those nine residents

registered on the tenth floor of the hotel

but we can't anything to connect them with Willis.

What about the two sailors?

They weren't in their rooms when Willis arrived.

Well, that leave John Larson.

I sent the Larson's signature on the hotel register card

to the lab and Tom's out now

running down the cigar wrapper he found in the room.

[bell dings]

- Oh, yes, sir? - Yes, my name is Colby.

I'm with the FBI.

Can you tell what kind of cigar came from this wrapper?

Its, uh, size, its length?

Oh, it's from one of our special order Panatelas

but we use only the finest leaves

so they were in limited supply and rather costly.

Hm, could you give us an idea how many of your customers

uses this particular brand?

I can do better than that, I can tell you exactly.

This cigars are special ordered only.

We have customers writing in from all over the country.

Here's-here's one of the order forms.

Mm-hmm.

Would it be possible for you to give us

copies of all those orders, say, for the past year?

No problem.

[piano music]

You do have clearance

for the special ruby laser project report?

No, but I have an idea

how to get to it.

I need it right away.

If I say you'll have it, you'll have it.

I want your word on two things.

Sure.

That after this you forget you ever knew me

you just forget I exist.

Done. What else?

That special ruby laser is going to a private industry

'not to a foreign power.'

[chuckles]

Look, Neil..

...whatever you may think of me..

...I'm not a traitor, now, you get that straight.

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[shutter snaps]

[elevator dings]

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[door closes]

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I always keep my keycard in this part of my wallet, Ken.

But this morning, when I went to get it

it was in a different place.

When did you use it last?

Yesterday afternoon, about three.

Maybe you put it in the other place yourself.

No, if there's anyone who's a creature of habit

it's me.

So, you think someone took your card

to get in the classified room?

It's possible.

Well, how do they get to your wallet

don't you carry it with you?

Not when I'm wearing my lab coat.

I, uh, leave my suit jacket hanging in my office

and I keep the wallet in here.

Were you out much yesterday after three?

[Stan] 'Yes, a couple of times'

'but I also worked late last night.'

What about then?

Well, I did leave it once to get coffee.

Whenever I work late, I take a coffee break

about nine o'clock.

See what I mean about a creature of habit?

Well, I'm glad you reported it, Stan.

It'll be looked into.

I'll keep the card on me from now on.

[instrumental music]

It's carelessness like that that makes us vulnerable.

Not going out today to say goodnight to Trish?

Well, missing one night won't hurt her.

That's not exactly the point.

I just don't feel like it.

Shall I keep your dinner warm?

- What is it? - Nothing.

Is it the job?

The promotion?

Look, I love you, you know you can tell me.

There's nothing to tell.

- Is it the money you borrowed? - What money?

The money you borrowed to pay back Carlson.

Who told you I paid him back?

I found the note you gave him

in your drawer, marked "Paid in full."

What were you doing in my drawer?

The same thing that I've been doing for the last ten years

straightening it out, seeing if you had clean shirts.

Neil, look at me!

We we've never had any secrets from each other

let's not start now.

Now, please, is it the money that you borrowed?

Did you borrow any money at all?

Carlson wanted one of the projects

we developed at the lab, I gave it to him.

You what?

Don't tell me I'm wrong.

If I didn't do it, someone else would.

[sighs] And that makes it alright?

No, the money does.

You can't mean that.

I can't afford not to.

Besides..

...it's done.

[instrumental music]

Done.

[sighs]

[music continues]

What have you got, Bill?

Mr. Ward, we've developed Willis' prints

on all the projects first stage documents.

Have you had a chance to check the third stage yet?

Yes, sir, so far we haven't found any latents

we can identify with Willis' prints.

[clears throat] Uh, this is Assistant Director Ward

I'd like the Director's office please?

And, uh, when I'm finished, I want

Inspector Erskine on the line from Boston.

[music continues]

Well, then, it's as we expected, Arthur.

They already have the plans to the first stage

but they'll have to try again for the second and third.

That's right.

Are we any closer to identifying

Willis' contact in the hotel room?

Hopefully, the answer to that is on its way to you now.

The tobacconist has given us handwritten orders

from all over the country.

Sixty-eight of them, to be exact.

Good.

Well, as soon as they arrive, we'll compare them

with a John Larson signature on the hotel registration card.

This maybe the break we need.

[sighing]

I told you to forget I exist.

If you'd given me what I paid for I would have.

What do you mean?

I mean there is an amplifier system

to the ruby laser and it wasn't on the film.

I photographed every page of that report.

Maybe you did.

Maybe there's a third stage to the project.

In any case, the information you gave me

is useless without it.

I, uh, I guess

it must've been in a separate report.

Well, I'd say, then, our deal isn't complete until you get it.

- Right? - No.

Look, please, I just can't, I..

Y-you gonna, you gonna have to get someone else.

Neil, it's too late for that.

We need that report by tonight.

Who needs it by tonight?

[chuckles] What company are you working for?

Well, I don't think that's important now.

Come on, now. I-I-I..

I'm playing everything on the line.

I think I have a right to know what company I'm working for.

[dramatic music]

You're not working for any-any-any company?

This is an industrial espionage.

It's the real thing.

Somehow, you, uh..

...you knew that all along, didn't you?

I mean...I was just giving you a rational

an easy way out.

I swear I didn't, I thought, I thought that you, uh..

Of course, you, if you the FBI, uh..

Uh, you'd have to tell them about that piece of paper

with your signature on it, that we're, uh..

But that was a legitimate loan.

Don't be naive, Neil.

They'd indict you for espionage.

Now, look, uh..

'...we didn't wanna hurt you.'

'Sometimes you have to do things in life'

'that go against the grain, you know?

Why don't you just take it easy on yourself?

Kinda roll with it, huh?

[dramatic music]

[male #1] 'You noticed that these four signatures from the, uh'

cigar order forms, all somewhat resemble the John Larson

signature from the hotel registration card.

But this one, Bryan Carlson, is identical.

'No question about it, Mr. Ward.'

Lou, we just traced Carlson to a address in town.

Her works as a public relations man for a local company.

He's apparently very friendly with a number

of employees at Telecon Research.

Good.

I want him placed on 24 hours surveillance.

Yes, sir.

I've got what you wanted.

Hey, that's great, Neil.

Listen, uh, I'm on my second martini

but I can handle another one until you get here.

I'm not coming.

'I won't give it to you, Bryan.'

What are you talking about?

I'll deliver only to the man in charge.

Wait a minute, your deal is with me.

I've got to meet the man who's pushing the buttons.

Seeing him will be my guarantee I'll be left alone after this.

It's out of the question, Neil.

Alright, then it's no deal.

You, uh, won't get the amplifier stage and you need it.

It's not up to you, Neil.

Look, you're in this thing pretty deep already.

You willing to risk exposure?

Are you?

[intense music]

Alright...I'll get back to you.

You do that.

- Neil? - Please, Elaine, not now.

Neil, I beg you.

Go the FBI now.

Look, if you haven't given them the complete formula

then there's no real damage done yet.

Honey, there's no such thing as being a little bit of a traitor.

The real damage was done when I first decided to sell out.

It's funny, but, uh, suddenly just saving my own skin

doesn't seem important anymore.

You see, I've learned something about myself, honey.

I spent so much time worrying about the bills and my career

I forgot something much more important

because when you cut through it all..

...I really care what happens to this country.

I know that sounds corny, especially after what I've done

but that's the way I feel.

Now, I'm in an unique position where I can do some good.

How?

The one thing I might be able to find out

is the man that Carlson's working for.

Now when I do that, then I'll go to the FBI.

- Oh, that's madness! - No, it's not.

I could hear it in Carlson's voice.

They want this so badly, they'll do anything for it.

'Even if it means a certain amount of risk.'

Oh, for heaven's sakes, Neil!

These men are not fools, they'll never let you go.

They'll have to.

You see, the plans that I give them

will be fake.

And I'm their only hope of getting the real ones.

[sighs]

[intense music]

[sighs]

[car revving]

[male #2] 'Unit 14.'

- Fourteen, go ahead. - 'Standby.'

- Tom. - Yes, sir?

No developments in the Carlson surveillance?

'No, Lou, nothing.'

Where is he now?

Well, he just left the Harbor Restaurant

and he's heading east on Newton.

So far, he's been a routine day.

Alright, Tom, stay with him.

Yes, sir.

Excellent.

So, you've got what you want..

...I might as well go now.

Oh, you were so anxious to meet me

you might as well stay and have a drink, Mr. Stryker.

Uh, well, I really can't stay, uh..

It's late, and..

Here we are!

Hopefully to the successful conclusion of our business.

Well, somehow I got the feeling you don't trust me.

Um, you mustn't be so paranoid, Mr. Stryker.

If your reports are what you claim they are

then our interest in you is over.

But we'll know all about that in a moment or two, won't we?

The report's genuine.

Then you have nothing to worry about.

Yes, I wish I could believe that.

[sighs] Really, Mr. Stryker.

Ours is just a business like any other business.

Once you deliver, you're off the hook.

Where's Carlson?

He's with his accountant, going over his tax returns

like the good conscious citizen he is.

This is a fake. It's gibberish, worth nothing.

You must be mistaken.

Well, now, wait a minute, I mean, y-you were

looking at that for maybe 30 seconds

'how can you possibly know--'

I've done research in this field for 10 years

I'm not mistaken.

Make the call.

I was hoping this wouldn't be necessary, Mr. Stryker

but I was afraid you would do something like this.

My associate is calling your home.

[intense music]

It's ringing.

Hello.

Everything alright?

Put her on.

Do you want to talk to your wife, Mr. Stryker?

- Elaine? - Neil.

There's a man here, he has a g*n.

Are you alright?

They're alright, Mr. Stryker

but if I don't get that amplifier system

without any more tricks..

'...they won't be.'

You have one hour.

[instrumental music]

- Hi.. - Hi.

You got to watch tonight too, huh?

Yeah, there's some work I have to catch up on.

What did Elaine say to that?

- Well-- - Don't tell me.

Probably the same thing Jeanie said to me.

"Which one of us did you marry?

Me or Telecon Research?"

[chuckles] Yes, something like that.

Uh, Bill..

Uh, I did something stupid.

I left my, uh, keycard

to the amplifier systems room at home.

I wonder if I could borrow yours?

Gee, I don't know, Neil.

Oh, well, I realize that it's against security policy

but you know, I'm cleared for.

'I was, uh, looking for Whitlock to let me in'

but I guess he's gone for the day.

That's what separates, uh

the plant manager from us peasants.

Uh, just that I hate to, um..

...go all the way home and come back again, you know.

And you can't do your work without getting in.

No, there's a report that I have to look at.

Well, as long as you have a clearance

I can't see what difference it makes whose card you use.

'Uh, but you'll bringing right back to me, won't you, Neil?'

You'll have it in five minutes.

[intense music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

What are you doing here, Neil?

You don't have clearance to this room.

What report do you have there?

Please, don't..

Don't use the phone.

Why, Neil? Why!

My family, they have a..

They have a man in my house.

[dramatic music]

[grunts]

This is Whitlock. Get me the FBI.

Hurry.

[male #3] 'According to Whitlock, Stryker was almost incoherent.'

'Something about his family being in trouble.'

'He seemed terrified '



[instrumental music]

They're in the living room.

The woman and the little girl are watching television.

The man who's with them has a g*n.

Alright, get your men in position.

[male #1 on TV] 'This guy arrived with the "Do it the easy way."'

[male #2 on TV] 'I'm talking about the jet plane.'

'We thought we were way ahead of the journey.'

- Can I get her a glass of milk? - She can get her own milk.

[male #2 on TV] '...speed of closure between that jet and our plane'

'was over a 1000 miles an hour.'

'You know what that means?'

'He was in range of our g*ns..'

- 'Do you realize-- - 'No.'

[male #1 on TV] 'The only speed of closure'

'I'm interested in right now'

'is between me and that red hair..'

I can write better stuff that that.

[male #1 on TV] 'Yeah and I usually take the 6-10 up to town.'

[male #3 on TV] 'Off to work every morning, back to the little..'

FBI, hold it right there.

Well?

The ruby laser project is complete.

Now, will you let my family go?

You don't have much time to catch your plane.

Look, I kept my part of the deal!

Easy, Mr. Stryker.

I gave you what you want.

Now leave my family alone.

It is a shame we had to drag your wife and child into this.

Oh, no!

[dramatic music]

Carlson just went into that shop over there.

Cover the rear.

[music continues]

[grunting]

[g*nsh*t]

[Tom] Carlson!

Carlson.

Hold it right there.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[Stryker groaning]

[music continues]

Call an ambulance.

Elaine and Trisha.

- Are they alright? - They're fine.

[instrumental music]

Anyway, until a few days ago

if someone had told me that I could betray my country

I would have laughed.

Then, suddenly someone comes along

and makes an offer and, uh..

What's that they say about every man

having his price, well..

I guess in my case, that's true.

But believe me, in the beginning

I really thought it was industrial espionage.

Your wife is outside waiting to see you.

Thank you..

[instrumental music]

Everything's gonna be alright.

Come on.

[chuckles]

Honey...I love you.

No matter what happens now, you must believe that.

I do.

[male narrator] Neil Stryker and Donald Willis, who recovered from his accident

were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage

along with Bryan Carlson, Alex Keeler

and their confederates.

[theme music]

[music continues]