01x01 - Fear in a Desert City

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR:
The name: Dr. Richard Kimble.

The destination:
death row, state prison.

The irony:

Richard Kimble is innocent.

Proved guilty, what
Richard Kimble could not prove

was that moments
before discovering

his m*rder*d wife's body,
he saw a one-armed man

running from the vicinity
of his home.

Richard Kimble ponders his fate
as he looks at the world

for the last time
and sees only darkness.

But in that darkness,

fate moves its huge hand.

ANNOUNCER:

A QM production.

Starring David Janssen
as The Fugitive.

With special guest stars
Vera Miles,

Brian Keith,

Harry Townes.

Also starring Barry Morse
as Lieutenant Gerard.

ANNOUNCER:

NARRATOR:
Now six months a fugitive,
this is Richard Kimble

with a new identity

and, for as long as it is safe,
a new name:

James Lincoln.

He thinks of the day
when he might find

the man with one arm,
but now is now.

And this is how it is with him.

Another journey, another place.

Walk neither too fast,
nor too slow.

Beware the eyes of strangers.

Keep moving.

The right one?

Or will it be a mistake?

Is this the trap
where it will end?

Safe, for now.

Another room.

Windows look out
and look in.

Get busy.

Look closely.

Be sure of this:
They'll never stop looking.

He'll never stop.

Not Lieutenant Gerard.

Somewhere in here.

I'm sure of it.

What about Mexico?
He's near enough.

No. He'd be the yanqui,
someone different.

Gerard, when are you
due for a vacation?

I'm not taking
my vacation, captain.

Later. I will later.

East. South. Midwest.

Every report verified.

But by the time you arrive...

One day, he'll be there.

Phil, from the very beginning,

the arrest,
all through the trial,

the appeals,
and the accident...

Why?

What is it about Kimble?

I enforce the law.

The law pronounced him guilty.

I enforce the law.

What are you trying
to convince yourself of?

I remember his defense.

A man with one arm,

running from the direction
of the house.

Phil, I--
I'm beginning to think

that you believe
there was such a man.

No, I-- I did everything
I could to find him.

Meaning that he didn't exist,

or that he escaped.

And if he did escape,

the law made a mistake.

Captain, whether the law
is right or wrong

is not my concern.

Let others debate and conclude.

I obey.

And when I begin to question,
doubt...

I can't permit it.

Others found him guilty.

Others were
about to execute him.

I was merely an instrument
of the law, and I am.

And Dr. Kimble must be found.

NARRATOR:
Ready.

A job.

What will it be?

Make no mistakes.

Be ready for the questions

and hope there won't
be too many.

Are you fast, Lincoln?

I worked in Reno.

Well, you won't have
to be fast tonight,

but tomorrow's Saturday.

Bring your roller skates.

Take over.
It's all yours.

Seventy-five a week.

You'll find a vest
at the other end of the bar.

Is it, uh, Jim?

Yeah, Jim's fine.

Cleve Brown.

But we won't shake hands

because I might
fire you tomorrow.

The waitress is Evelyn,

and the lady at the piano
is Monica.

Introduce yourself.

Hi.

I'm Evelyn.

My name's Jim Lincoln.

Well, the boss said
to say hello.

My name's Jim Lincoln.

Her name's Monica.

Monica Welles.

Plays beautifully,
doesn't she?

Mm-hm.

Lovely too,
wouldn't you say?

Wouldn't you say she was lovely?

Very.

Well, now, how can you tell?
You just glanced at her.

You gotta look at her, Jim.

Hey, Jim.

Scotch and soda.

Give her one too.

She isn't drinking.

Maybe she would
if you bought it, huh?

I'll pay for it.

She doesn't want a drink.

You have one.

I make it a rule
never to, uh,

drink when I'm working.

That's a real dandy rule.

Did you make that up
all by yourself?

BROWN:
Jim.

About now I usually have
a so-called meal

from our so-called kitchen.

Do you want something?

No, thanks.

You know that fellow back there?

No. Why?

He's working pretty hard
to make trouble.

Jim, for the price of a drink,

he can buy an audience.

On Monday morning
he'll have to face

whatever's bothering him,

but this is Friday night.

Hey, what were you saying
to him about me?

What makes you think
I was talkin' about you?

I don't like you, Jim.

Wanna remember that?
I don't like you at all.

See you again, sweetheart.

May I please have a drink?

Anything.

Thank you.

Do you know that fellow?

Oh, you tell me

if it's none
of my business.

You know, sometimes these,
uh, worshipers--

He does not worship me.

Thanks for trying to help.

Meaning it's none
of my business.

Meaning it isn't fair
to involve you.

EVELYN:
One bourbon on the rocks.

MONICA:
No. Please!

No. No!

No! Please.

Please...

no police.

Have you got a car?

Come on, we'll get a cab.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I didn't mean to involve you.

Here.

Is everything all right,
Miss Blaine?

Oh-- Oh, yes.
He's fine.

Good. Uh...

Oh, that's all right.

I'll get my money
tomorrow.

Oh, well,
good night.

Good night.

When I asked you
not to call the police,

I had a very good reason.

That man is my husband.

Want to leave now,

or you want to stick around
and hear the story of my life?

Here.

We live in Phoenix.

We lived in Phoenix.

About a month ago I, uh,
couldn't stand it any longer,

so I took Mark and came here
and got a job

doing the only thing I've
ever really been trained for:

playing the piano.

But not in a bar.

Well, what was it
you couldn't stand?

His suspicions.

I, uh-- I wouldn't mind it
if he had

a reason to be jealous,
but he was simply

insanely suspicious.

When we were married,
I was, um,

considered the luckiest girl
in Phoenix.

Ed was almost the--

His name is Ed.

Almost the perfect husband.

He was a little jealous then,
but I--

I was .

I was flattered by it.

A month after he left for Korea
I found out I was pregnant.

I was so happy, I...

...ran three blocks in the rain
to mail the letter.

When he wrote back,

there was just a hint
of an accusation.

But I answered,
pretending not to notice,

and he never wrote
that way again.

He came home.

Day by day, he began to grow

more and more suspicious.

Violent.

His face changed.

He doesn't look
like the man I married.

And he won't let you go?

No.

After a month of peace,
he found me.

He walked into the bar,

and he had a drink

and left without saying a word,

as you know.

Well, what does he want?

To possess me.

To b*at me.

And to teach my son
how evil I am.

And you can't go to the police?

I tried that.

He found out
and found it very amusing.

You see,

he owns , acres
of Arizona.

He contributes to charity

and belongs to all of the proper
social organizations.

He has even
been mentioned

as a possible
political candidate.

When he's not home,
he's almost the perfect man.

Don't you have any, uh, friends
or family in another state?

Back East?

He'd find us.

Mark.

What are you doing
out of bed?

I heard you talking.

Well, this is, uh,

Mr. Lincoln.

My son, Mark.

My name's Jim.

Uh, you know, you,

uh, should be
in bed.

We have
a big day tomorrow.

Come on,
let's go off to bed.

I'm sorry he wasn't
a little more friendly.

Well, that's, uh...

I think he did-- Did fine,
under the circumstances.

Now, look, um, Monica,

I don't know
what I can do or--

Oh, no, it's, uh--

It's enough just
to talk to you.

Well, then maybe
I can see you tomorrow.

On Saturdays I, uh,

usually take Mark
to Wonderland.

Helps him think
of other things.

Well, we'll make it noon
at Wonderland.

Maybe we can all think
of other things.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Good night.

KIMBLE:
Who is it?

Ed Welles.

I'm not gonna talk
about you hittin' me.

Then I won't talk
about your hitting a woman.

She's my wife.

And that gives you
certain rights.

You travel pretty light,
don't you?

Come into town
and get yourself a little room.

Grab a job.

Thinkin'
about stayin' long?

I'd like to.

So you can make more trouble.

I didn't make it.
I walked into it.

You walked into me,
bartender.

Yeah, I've already heard
how important you are.

I had that custom-made
for me.

Every bit of it
handmade.

Here, look at it.

Go on, take it.

Look at that workmanship
on it.

It's loaded.

I have to carry
a lot of money sometimes.

More than is safe. Mm.

Now, it's not gonna do you
a bit of good

tryin' to help her because...

Monica can go anywhere
in this world.

She can go anywhere...

and I'm gonna find her.

Sooner or later,
I'll be there, see?

For another b*ating?

Not as long
as she behaves herself.

Well, you know what I mean.

Welles, stop torturing
that woman and child.

Get yourself some help.

See a psychiatrist.

You just said the wrong thing.

You said exactly
the wrong thing.

And you said it and I heard it,
and there's nothin' left

for you to do
but get out of my sight, hear?

About a million miles out.

I'm, uh, not very good
at picking rides.

I, uh-- I guess that was
kid stuff to you, huh?

Well, it was all right.

I'm probably pretty square
about what kids like these days.

Uh, what do we do now?

Another ride? Something to eat?

Look, Mr. Lincoln,

I know you want
to talk to my mom.

I'd like to go
over to the Batter Up game.

All right.
We'll meet you there.

Your son went
over to the Batter Up game.

I hope that's all right.

That's fine.

You know, I used to think
I was pretty good with children.

I don't seem to be getting
anywhere with him.

It isn't your fault.

He's afraid every man
might be like his father.

Sometimes I think he sensed
the truth about Ed before I did.

His father paid me
a visit last night.

He must've followed us
and then waited,

and then followed me
to my hotel.

Sum and substance
of our meeting,

uh, he threatened me
if I didn't leave town.

So here I am.

Oh, Jim, this is going
too far. You repay--

What we have to do
is find an answer.

I've been trying.

He threatened you?

Under the pretext of showing off
his custom-made revolver.

Yes, he's showed it to me.

If he threatened you,
why don't you go to the police?

Jim. What is it?

I can't go to the police.

If you ask me,
I can't tell you why.

I'm in no position
to ask anything of you,

except your help.

Let's go get your son.

MAN:
Hey.

Well, you really
belted that one, son.

Here you are.

What a marvelous strike
that was.

Mom, strike is when you miss.

Yeah, Mom, what's the matter
with you?

What do you play, Mark,
the infield?

Second.

You know, I used
to play a little ball.

Don't know how good I was.

My sister pitched.

I remember one game,

a man came up and said,
"What's the score?"

I said, "It's to nothing, but
we ain't been up to bat yet."

Here.

Well, that's yours, Mark.
You-- You won it.

Kid stuff.

What do we do now?

Well, what I can do
and what I'd like to do

are two different things, so I
guess we'll just have to wait.

I don't know what for
or how long, but we wait.

What are you talkin' about?

Kid stuff.

Come on, let's get a hot dog.

MAN:
Bartender.
Give me another.

Jim, let me have the usual.

MAN:
Hey, bartender,
give me another.

And the usual for me.

Sweetheart,
that's a pretty tune.

I know it.

You're workin' hard,
huh, Jim?

I don't know
as I could stand that:

people yellin' at me
all the time.

Of course, I had to put up
with some of that

when I was in the Army.

You ever in the service, Jim?

Here's your drink.

Out in Korea, in combat,

they used to have
these loudspeakers.

He told me all about
what was goin' on back here

while we were fightin'.

He used to tell you?

You have a nice time
out there at Wonderland?

I saw you. You looked like
you were enjoyin' yourselves.

The three of you made
a...nice-lookin' family.

Welles, I'm not going
to pretend to guess

what made you this way.

But your suspicions
about your wife are all wrong.

I got no suspicions.

Facts, Jim.

You make real good drinks.

I don't know, maybe it's just
'cause I'm in such a good mood,

I wouldn't know the difference.

Don't you ever think of what
you're doing to your boy?

Now, let's not spoil everything
with a lot of unpleasant talk.

Welles, see a doctor.

I'm in perfect health.

Now, you got no idea
how good I can feel, Jim.

Well, good night, Jim.

Good night, sweetheart.

Oh, these desert winds.

Well, there's our cab.

The lady
will leave now.

Uh, police officer.

See me about her fare.
Ask for Sergeant Burden.

We'd be obliged if you'd get
in the automobile, Mr. Lincoln.

That is your name.
James Lincoln?

Yes.

Look, uh, do you mind
telling me what--

Detective Sergeant Burden.

Please, get in.

Uh, Detective Fairfield.

He's from Ohio.

Where are you from, Mr. Lincoln?

Uh, Rockford.

Illinois.

Care for a cigarette?

Uh, no, thanks.

Look, could you tell me
what this is about?

Is this your first visit
to Tucson, Mr. Lincoln?

You like it?

I haven't seen much.
Heh.

But you've liked what you have.

How do you like your job,
Lincoln?

Well, he hasn't seen much of it,

but he likes what he has.

Correct?

You know, uh--

It's funny, uh--

Something funny?

Oh, well, I guess I mean, uh,

strange.

An average man,
uh, if there is one,

is walking home, and--

And the police pick him
up for questioning.

"What your name?" "Where'd you
come from?" Et-- Et cetera.

You know, he's scared.

Is that right?

Well, I never knew that.

Did you know that, Fairfield?

Now, why would the average man
be scared of the police?

Guilt.

I guess there isn't a man
in the world

who doesn't have something
he wants to hide.

Even you two.

Now that remark
was not calculated

to gain favor with me.

Well, I'm sorry. I...

guess these questions are just
getting me a little nervous.

You know, sergeant,
you are pushing me around.

Very gently,
but pushing.

Put yourself in my place.

I'm a stranger in town.

No one to vouch for me.

No friend
who's a lawyer.

I can't demand a thing.

I just have to sit here
and take it.

I wish I could argue with you,
but, you know, you're right.

And I wouldn't want you
to think I was sadistic.

Fairfield, do you think
we've been unkind?

Maybe so, sergeant.

Well, it's some comfort
to think we've saved you

a walk on a chilly evening.

Your hotel.

Uh,

well, I certainly
appreciate it.

Not at all.

Good night, sergeant.
Good night.

Good night.

Uh, Mr. Lincoln...

I honest-to-goodness don't know
what's the matter with us.

That's all right,
sergeant.

It's an easy mistake.

Of course, but we want
to do the right thing.

We'll see you
to your room.

Well, y-- You don't
really, uh, have to...

Mr. Lincoln, we insist.

Well, now, Fairfield,
wouldn't you say

that it's about time
he unpacked?

Oh, maybe he did, found
he didn't like it here

and now he's getting
ready to leave.

BURDEN:
Well, I was born here.

I'll die here.

I like to keep Tucson
clean as its air.

I welcome visitors.

Most of 'em.

Mr. Lincoln, do you...

usually read every paper?

Well, that's how
I found the job.

We've had a complaint
against you, Mr. Lincoln.

Complaint?

BURDEN:
Mr. Edward Welles
of Phoenix

claims you're breaking up
his marriage.

His marriage is
already broken up.

I'm just trying to help
his wife and boy.

They're afraid of him.

That's not the impression
we got from Mr. Welles.

Have you talked to Mrs. Welles?

We're not in the marriage-
counseling business.

Nor are you.

I'll tell you this:
unless that man is helped,

you might pay a very high price

to find out just how
dangerous he really is.

Well, he claims Mr. Welles
is dangerous, Fairfield.

BURDEN:
What do you got there?

Hair dye.

You use this stuff?

Uh, heh, yeah.

Last month I--
I saw a little gray.

I-- I thought it wouldn't
exactly help in finding work.

Does a good job.
I don't see a single gray.

Maybe he worries a lot.

Could be diet.

I'd read where
a man can get gray

from certain foods.

Are you eating right,
Mr. Lincoln?

I eat what I can afford.
I try not to worry.

Leave Tucson tonight.

What's the matter? We cost you
a job in a wonderful city.

Aren't you gonna protest?

I'm too tired.

Get some rest in another town,
Mr. Lincoln.

Wait for me.

What did the police want?

He convinced them
I was an outsider

trying to break up
his happy home.

Look, Monica,

I've got to leave town.

But if you and Mark come with me
you might be worse off.

I don't understand.

My picture's in every police
station in the country.

Right now they might
just be realizing

who James Lincoln
really is.

A convicted m*rder*r.

I don't believe it.

I said, convicted.

I'm innocent.

Look, I'm...

I-- I'm a doctor.

Pediatrician.

I was a doctor.

My wife couldn't
have children.

She wouldn't adopt them.

We argued.

Too much, for too long.

One night I walked out.
I...

I got in the car.
I drove.

I parked...

and just stared
at the river.

I remember a boy
in a rowboat.

He didn't see me.

After a while,
I cooled off and I drove home.

About a block from the house,
I almost hit a man.

A man with one arm.

He was running.

I found my wife beaten
to death.

Who?

I don't know.

Had to--
Had to be unmotivated.

A vagrant. A prowler.
The police never...

That was over two years ago.

The trial was a nightmare.

The neighbors had heard
our arguments.

My only hope was to find
the man with one arm.

I was convicted.
I sat in prison for months.

There were appeals.

They were taking me
to be ex*cuted

when the train derailed.

Ever since then,
I've been running,

hoping that someday
I'd find the man with one arm

with a face I can never forget.

I keep running,
and they keep hunting.

One man in particular.
Lieutenant Philip Gerard.

Sometimes I feel like
I've known him all my life.

Some nights I can't sleep.

I hear his footsteps
on the stairs.

I see his face outside my door.

Gerard.

I don't want him to find you.

I'll pack.

Good evening.

Well, how are you,
Mr. Welles?

I just wanted to drop by
and say thanks.

I hope I'm not bein' premature,
am I?

Not at all.

I explained to him
how we feel

about the honored residents
of our state.

And how'd he take it?

Hotel clerk said he
checked out half an hour ago.

Probably buying
a bus ticket right now.

Well, I-- I wish I could express
my gratitude in some way.

We accept no bribery, sir.

I didn't mean that, sergeant.

Well, sir, heh,
the sergeant likes to joke.

Ah.

Well, I best get
back to my family.

Oh, Mr. Welles,

can we drive you?

Oh, no. Thanks.

No, I-- I think I can handle
this little thing all by myself.

Good night.

Good night, then.

I don't know.

Think you know this job
and all of a sudden you don't.

Woman breaks up a fine home
to play a piano in a saloon

and take up with a man
she's known only a few hours.

I feel sorry for the little boy.

One ticket to San Diego.

Thank you, ma'am.

What time's
the next bus leave?

Well, that would depend
on where you wanted to go,

now, wouldn't it?

We don't care.
We just want the next bus.

It won't be long now.

Uh, here
are your tickets.

Let's go.

You. You seen a man
with a woman and a boy?

When?

Just now.

Yes.

San Diego bus, outside.

Monica!

I'm glad to see you,
Markie.

I'm glad you're here.

See, this is what
your mother is.

This is what she did to me
when-- When I was in the Army.

I don't believe you, Dad.

You did this.

Air Police! Halt!

Monica, if I stay--

They'll find you,

and you'll never find him.

Well, you can go home now.
It's over.

Everything.

We won't forget.

That's what we're
left with, remembering.

Look, maybe...

Goodbye.

Goodbye, son.

Mrs. Welles.

I'm sorry
about the circumstances.

Who are you?

Mrs. Welles,
where did James Lincoln

tell you he was going?

You're Lieutenant Gerard.

The Tucson policemen--

They recognized him.

Unfortunately, after the facts.

Well, he told you about me.

Excellent.

He thinks of me
as much as I think of him.

He's innocent.

The law says guilty.

The law isn't perfect.

Wherever he is now,

he knows I believe him.

I always will.

NARRATOR:
Now, six months, two weeks,

and another thousand miles
a fugitive,

this is Richard Kimble.

And this is how it is with him.