Magnum, P.I. (1980) s03e10 Episode Script
Mixed Doubles
Carrie, wait a second.
I thought you'd like to meet Magnum.
My new baby-sitter.
You don't get to the top in this game unless you want it.
Step into the backhand! You're suggesting we bet on the outcome of the mixed doubles? - Thomas Sullivan Magnum.
- Ginger Lee Grant.
Oh! A witch! I told you she was a witch! I hate to lose more than anything.
- Carrie.
- Magnum.
My God, man, have you completely lost your mind? She's gonna be good in this one, Phyllis.
Damn good.
Better than that.
She's gonna win this one.
Aaargh! I'm sorry, Rick.
I'm a little rusty on the serve.
I got to get it up a little more.
But when I do, it'll be a monster.
Not with that follow-through.
- What's wrong with it? - You need more extension.
- I do? - Mm-hm.
Try and keep this one on the court.
We're running out of balls.
OK.
This one will be in, Rick.
I promise.
It'll be just perfect.
- Magnum! - Uhh! Good God.
That is undoubtedly the most wretched serve ever seen on this court.
To think that Rod Laver and John Newcombe once graced this surface.
It's a sacrilege even walking on it, much less attempting to play.
We weren't playing, we were practicing.
In two days you'll be participating in Robin Masters' Pro-Am Tournament.
Come on, that's supposed to be fun.
Fun? Magnum, the tournament is going to be televised.
Hey, you got a point there, Higgie baby.
This is serious business.
Precisely.
Which is one of the reasons I'm here.
I'm prepared to offer my services as coach so you'll not embarrass Robin, or yourself.
Oh, gee, thanks, Higgins, but I already got a coach.
Besides, I think the game has changed a bit - since the days of knickers and straw hats.
- Oh, really? I'll have you know, I was one of the finest tennis players in Her Majesty's Service.
During the war, I played the top seed in the American army.
Tappy Larsen? - You've heard of Tappy Larsen? - Sure.
Hasn't everybody? Did you ever play Gardnar Mulloy? No.
Gardnar was transferred to the Pacific Theatre when I parachuted into the Urals with a demolition team.
- We were to infiltrate the German lines - Guys.
I hate to break this up but we are the Am part of Pro-Am and we have to practice.
Obviously.
That serve of yours is truly abysmal.
Whoa, whoa! Wait till he gets it going.
He says it'll be a a monster.
Right, coach.
Higgins, might you be able to help me with my serve? Certainly, Rick.
I'd be delighted.
You are paired with Zora Korcek in the mixed doubles.
- The Zora Korcek from Czechoslovakia? - None other.
- Who's he got? - Ginger Carrie Reardon.
Higgins, you said that was all set up.
Yes.
Well, there's been a change of plans.
But I was counting on that.
I was looking forward to it.
She's The best women's player in the worid.
Out of your class.
Yeah? Well, she's also an old friend.
You know Ginger Grant? We go back to when I was at Annapolis with her brother, Jim.
- Perhaps we - Excuse me a minute.
And? I don't want to get into it, Rick.
It all started in my second year at the Academy.
Jim and I, we got this weekend pass.
We drove all the way to Washington for a double date with his girlfriend and Ginger.
It was really something.
We went to the drive-in.
We saw Creature From The Black Lagoon in my '54 DeSoto.
And I remember - Right at the scary part, Ginger - Magnum - She just Ginger just - Magnum! My God, you do have a tendency to rattle on.
Despite your past, you will not be playing with Miss Grant.
- Why not? - You're undoubtedly aware that young Miss Reardon has been harassed on the tour.
Mr.
Masters has invited her and her mother to stay during the tournament.
- And? - He'd like you to keep an eye on Carrie - while she's here.
- I knew it! That's why you paired me with her, to be her baby-sitter.
Call it what you may.
I didn't do it.
Mr.
Masters did.
Free rent.
Red Ferrari.
I thought that would silence you.
Rick, allow me to demonstrate a service technique I perfected while preparing Don Budge for Wimbledon.
Magnum, would you mind trying to return the service? Mind? Not at all, old chap.
Mind? Ready? Ready.
Believe me, Mr.
Magnum, being tour coordinator three years in a row is tough, but when your star player is intimidated - Mr.
Mills, I thought - Ronald.
Ronald, I thought Carrie was the one being intimidated.
Well, she is.
Oh, yes, of course, but Ginger, she's our top female seed.
Do you have any idea who's behind these pranks? Not really.
A lot of people on the tour just don't care for Carrie.
Some of them are jealous of her abilities, like Ginger.
It's only natural.
Ginger's at the peak of her career, Carrie's just starting out.
But there are others, and not all are women.
But Carrie goes through the top ten seeds like a Saturday night DJ.
Plays the record once or twice then throws it away.
- She is an exquisite athlete, isn't she? - You bet.
Seeing Ginger for the first time in 16 years brought back a flood of memories, some of which I'd forgotten I'd had.
Even though a lot of time had passed, watching Ginger play, she still had something Carrie Reardon never would.
Style.
Damn it.
Mother! She's doing it again.
Trying to hurt the ankle.
Backhand after backhand.
She wants me to put weight on it and hurt it again.
- Come on, lass, take it easy.
- No.
Everyone knows I had ankle surgery! You've had enough for one day.
Go inside, take a shower.
- We'll talk about it later.
- That's the only way that old witch can win.
- And she knows it.
- Carrie, go inside.
Witch! - Carrie.
Carrie, wait a second.
- What? What? I thought you'd like to meet Thomas Magnum, your partner for mixed doubles.
I know.
My new baby-sitter.
I hope you're better than the last one they got me.
- Carrie, I want to talk to you.
- She's under pressure.
I'll talk to her mother.
I'll be back in a minute.
Take your time.
I'll say hello to Ginger.
- You know Ginger? - Once.
Midshipman Thomas Sullivan Magnum.
- Ginger Lee Grant.
- I dropped the Lee.
I dropped the Midshipman.
- I don't believe it.
- Believe it.
Oh! After 16 years, I can't.
- Oh! - Aah! Oh.
Now I believe it.
What are you doing in the middle of the Pacific at the King Kamehameha Club? - I'm baby-sitting.
- Baby-sitting? How touching.
Who is he? Oh, it's Thomas Magnum, Mrs.
Reardon.
He's acting as bodyguard during your stay at Robin's Nest.
Looks like he's guarding the wrong body.
Listen, I've taken enough from you! - Get yourself another clown! - I already have! - Isn't that? - Kenny Phelps.
- Ranked number three in the worid.
- Right.
The guy with the temper.
A witch! I told you she was a witch! I'm holding you personally responsible for this reprehensible act.
- Of course.
- You were supposed to be watching her.
I was just introduced to her when she ran into the women's locker room, screaming.
Was I supposed to follow her? - That's not the point.
- That is precisely the point.
- This thing does look like Carrie.
- It's a Carrie Reardon doll.
I'm sorry, Higgins.
I know this is serious.
I shouldn't be laughing.
Dolls, coloring books, a video game and a line of designer clothing.
Carrie Reardon is a growth industry.
What more could an 18-year-old want? To be the best tennis player in the worid.
I won't stand idly by while a lunatic like Ginger Grant tries to take that from Carrie by psyching her out.
- Every week it's something else.
- Ginger wouldn't do that.
How is Carrie? She's resting.
The doctor came to give her a sedative but she refused.
She wanted to continue practicing.
The pressure's getting to her.
The press and the TV people.
- What makes you think Ginger's doing this? - Well, you tell me.
You were the one kissing her on the court yesterday.
Magnum I told you.
We're old friends.
I know Ginger.
She wouldn't stoop to anything like that.
Oh, no? She's getting old, she's jealous of Carrie's talent, she wants to hang on.
By terrorizing your daughter? Come on, Mrs.
Reardon! I admit Miss Grant's friendship with Magnum is hardly a stellar character reference but in all fairness, that is not proof Miss Grant is involved.
- Who else could it be? - Just about everyone else on the Pro tour.
- What exactly does that mean? - Just what I said.
Talk to those she plays against, or with.
I'm gonna tell you something.
You don't get to the top unless you want it.
And want it bad enough.
- Obviously, you want it.
- Yes.
And Carrie's wanted it ever since she could walk.
Now this is the arrangement.
I raise my daughter the way I see fit.
You just make sure nothing happens to her so she can play in this tournament.
That is, if you can keep away from Miss Grant long enough.
Carrie's expecting you at the practice session at one o'clock.
Sharp.
- Lovely out, isn't it? - Yes.
- I thought you were baby-sitting? - I am.
We're waiting for the rain to stop.
The precious thing is in the locker room with her mother.
Plotting strategy, no doubt.
- For the mixed doubles.
- No, for me.
They want my crown and this year.
There's an awful lot at stake for them.
And for you.
You really got my number.
Er Klondike 52424.
- You really do still have my number! - It was always hard to forget.
Like you.
I still have those letters from all those faraway places like Gibraltar, the Philippines, Vietnam Yeah, I got some postcards from some pretty faraway places too.
It was really hard on tour.
I mean, I was always moving and practicing, playing, traveling.
- I kept track of you on the sports page.
- Oh, yes, the good old sports page.
My entire life story.
Winning, losing Mostly winning.
I can relate to Carrie.
A lot.
- Come on.
You were never like her.
- Oh, yes, I was.
Still am.
I hate to lose more than anything in the worid.
It gets so winning becomes everything.
- Mr.
Magnum.
- I'll be right with you, David.
Your partner's ready.
- I said I'll be right with you.
- She is waiting, mate.
No, no, no.
That's wrong, wrong, wrong.
- What's wrong, wrong, wrong? - Your back 'and.
- My what? - Your back 'and.
- You mean my backhand? - Your backhand.
Well, excuse me, Miss Zorro.
- Zora.
- Zora.
Excuse me.
Let's get on with this.
Right, Kenny, right.
No sweat.
Go ahead, sweetheart.
Serve.
- What? - Serve! Serve the ball! OK, OK, OK! - Ah! - I'm sorry.
Maybe we can have dinner sometime.
Pick me up at eight.
To the past.
- How's Jim? - My brother's still mad at me for letting you get away.
Well, what does he know anyway? Stuck on an icebreaker in the middle of the Arctic.
Yeah.
Not smart like us.
Icebreaker? In the middle of the Arctic? I still have that picture of you on graduation day.
You know, the one of you all puffed up and proud.
That gorgeous white uniform.
- What happened? - I resigned.
That must have been difficult.
After you worked so hard to get it.
Yeah.
Well, you always knew what you wanted.
So did you.
We really were so much alike, weren't we? What happened? I had my career, you had yours.
Kind of overwhelmed me.
Yeah, that's the way the Navy was.
- Maybe if had written more, tried to - I was moving around a lot.
It seems like I've been around the worid a hundred times or more.
I just wish that I had run into you a little sooner.
Maybe later's better.
Quick feet now.
Quick feet now.
Good.
Good cross court.
Good cross court.
Good cross court.
Step into your backhand! Step into it! You just can't stand there.
Step into the backhand! Good grief! Let's decide who's playing net and who's playing baseline.
Sorry.
I'm used to having the whole court to myself.
You think you could include me for once? Give me a chance.
Not Higgins! That's it.
Hey! Hey! - What do you think you're doing? - What does it look like I am doing? It looks like you are spying on my team.
How sadly paranoid, T.
C.
I am observing certain tendencies in Magnum and Miss Reardon's play which will facilitate my training Rick and Miss Korcek.
- But that's spying.
- Don't be absurd.
That's not necessary.
Rick's superior quickness and Miss Korcek's power will prevail.
If you're so sure about that, would you care to put your money where your mouth is? You're suggesting that we bet on the outcome of the mixed doubles? Tut-tut-tut-tut.
A gentleman's wager, just between us two coaches, Higgie baby.
Use of your aerial services for two months for photographic essays.
The tennis court, the hot tub, Masters' VTR for the same amount of time.
Done.
Where are they? Where'd they go? - Where are you taking me? - To the estate! We weren't finished practicing! That was not practicing, that was hand-to-hand combat with Kenny! Kenny's such a baby, I couldn't resist.
Anyway, I'm mad at you.
- We're supposed to be on the same side! - That's my point! Well, how come you're spending all your time with Ginger Grant instead of me? I am not spending all my time with Ginger Grant.
And I am watching you, like a hawk.
Come on! - You all right? - Yeah.
Rick, watch her! - I know, and run down the plate.
- Yeah.
- Hey, are you all right? - Yeah.
Thomas.
- I told you, it isn't my car.
- Ginger I hope you're not too disappointed.
- I had to ask.
- Oh, no, you didn't.
I followed that car here.
It almost killed her.
Whoever was driving it meant business.
- Obviously, so do you.
- Ginger Why don't you come out and say it? Just say it! Ageing tennis star headed for the senior circuit.
Before she goes, she's gonna terrorize the teenage heiress to the throne Wait a minute, will you? Ginger, I don't believe that.
- Then I'm really confused.
- Well, so am I.
Oh, a strong vote of confidence.
That's what I'm getting from everyone around here.
You know, this tournament is supposed to be my swan song, the end of an era.
- Ginger, that's got to - End sooner or later? Why? Who says? Too old? Too slow? Not yet.
Thomas, I told you, I hate to lose more than anything in the worid.
But not enough to dust off Carrie Reardon.
Better luck elsewhere, huh? The car was someone else's.
My little voice and the look on Ginger's face told me I should have known that.
But I guess when you spend a lot of time with people who don't trust each other, it kind of rubs off.
Magnum! - What is it? - What is it? Carrie Reardon is almost killed under your protection and you have the gall to ask that? Spare me the lectures.
I have work to do.
I demand an explanation.
OK.
No, no, yes, no.
I beg your pardon? No, I did not catch this yo-yo, no, I have no idea where he or she might have gone, yes, I realize my responsibility to God, country, Robin and that little tennis player.
No, I was not remiss in my duties this afternoon.
By the way, how is she? Unbearable.
Magnum - Higgins, could you? - No, I most certainly will not.
Mr.
Magnum! - Higgins, please - All right.
Higgins, where the hell is Magnum? On the phone with one of his sordid underworid connections.
- Did he find the person driving? - That's what he's working on.
I knew it would escalate into something like this.
Magnum is doing everything he can under very trying circumstances.
This is quite minor compared to what happened to me once when Ml6 assigned me to assist Scotland Yard on a particularly bizarre case.
It was in '53 or was it '54? No matter.
It involved a ladies' rugby team in the Midlands being terrorized by a demented chap with a passion for soiled sweat-socks.
As you can imagine, I was quite bemused by the details of the case What do you mean, Rick's on the courts? Keoki, I need that license.
Tell him OK, OK, I'll wait.
Oh, of course I trust Ice Pick.
I trust him.
I'll be by the phone.
Thanks.
I learned a long time ago about days when everything goes wrong.
No matter what you do, when that happens, there's no sense in fighting it.
In fact, the only thing to do is just kick back, close your eyes and let the peace and quiet wash the rest of the day away.
Excuse me.
- Don't do that! - Don't you ever knock? - In my own house? - Oh.
You're probably wondering what I'm doing here.
Probably.
Inasmuch as you were almost run down by a car two hours ago.
I just needed a place to get away from everything.
Everyone.
Reporters.
Police.
My mother.
You don't like me much, do you? You don't let yourself be very likable.
Which makes it hard for me to do my job.
How many players have you humiliated so far in this tournament? - You mean eliminated? - No, humiliated.
Like the way you practice with Kenny.
Why? That's none of your business.
Look, all I'm saying, Carrie, is tennis is not a game to you anymore.
You're right about that.
Look I'm an 18-year-old kid, and I'm a corporation.
I've got a board of directors, three lawyers, two accountants, two agents, a business manager.
They're all a bunch of jerks who wear suits and ties and talk in some language that no one else can even understand.
And now I've got some weirdo after me who's trying to kill me or something.
And I don't even know why.
What have I done that's so terrible? Except want to play tennis.
That's all I've ever wanted to do, is play tennis.
And now I hate it.
I mean, I hate it.
Why don't you quit? - Just walk out on everything? - Yeah.
It's not that easy, Magnum.
I've got obligations, responsibilities.
Besides my mom would kill me.
Carrie, it's your life.
No Nothing is mine anymore.
Carrie Magnum - Magnum! - Higgins My God, man, have you completely lost your mind? Don't start with me.
It's not what you think.
It's not even close.
Tell him.
- What are you barging in here for anyway? - It was quite by accident.
Now thank me for sparing you from compromising what's left of your reputation.
Higgins! Rick called.
He said to meet him at the club, on the court.
It's important.
- Why didn't he call here? - He said the phone was off the hook.
Bedroom? The bedroom.
An hour talking to Rick did a lot to thicken the plot.
It turns out the car was a rental.
But then they always are.
However, they're not usually rented to the coach of the intended victim.
The idea of Dave Duncan trying to kill Carrie made as much sense as someone trying to strangle the goose that laid the golden egg.
But then a teenage kid making millions for hitting a ball didn't make sense either.
Come to think of it, nothing about this made much sense.
Of course, every game's got a different set of rules.
And each bungalow a different number.
One day, I'm gonna want to tell Ginger I'm sorry.
- Oh, hi, Mrs.
Reardon.
- Hello.
Hiya, Dave.
Listen, are you two busy? Because I've got some news for you.
You know that Volvo that almost ran down poor little Carrie? It's parked outside.
And guess who it's registered to? Guess.
You don't have to guess, do you? What you have done has got to be Save us the lecture, Mr.
Magnum.
All we're doing is promoting a product.
You call trying to kill your daughter promoting a product? It's publicity.
Every little bit helps her.
She's an 18-year-old kid.
You ever taken the time to talk to her, to find out how she feels? Or are you too busy working on your own careers? You're exploiting the hell out of her.
Since I was hired to find out who's doing this, she's gonna know about it.
I already know about it.
The whole thing was my idea in the first place.
Welcome to the next event in the Robin Masters Pro-Am tennis tournament.
Getting underway shortly will be the Pro-Am mixed doubles featuring Zora Korcek and Orville Wright against Carrie Reardon and Thomas Magnum.
There is no absolutely no way I'm going to step out on that court with that little I am your coach.
I am your mentor.
I will kill you if you don't play.
Fine.
Then you can play.
I can't.
Higgie and I have a Sorry, guys, all bets are off.
They are not.
You made a commitment to this tournament, and to Robin Masters.
But Carrie explained away that little problem! In a tournament of this size, there are always problems.
What's the crisis today? Somebody wear unmatched socks? Kenny Phelps was disqualified for obscene and obnoxious behavior.
What's new about that? This followed from a very public and nasty altercation between Phelps and Reardon.
- A most unsavory display.
- She probably deserved every word of it.
This morning we received this letter.
It's a threat on Carrie Reardon's life.
How do you know? There's no name on it.
For God's sake, who else could it be referring to? He's right, man.
Knowing Carrie, that's a good point, Higgins.
That's one for you.
Be that as it may, this thing is not worth the paper it's glued on.
It's obviously another publicity stunt.
- We simply can't afford to take chances.
- Count me out! - I've done my tour of duty.
- If something were to happen - It won't! I'd feel quite certain that Robin Masters would hold you personally and totally responsible.
And of course I have a witness to this entire conversation.
- Thank you, Magnum.
- Don't forget to step into your backhand! - No hard feelings? - No, of course not.
I just got a lot of explaining to do to somebody.
Let's get it over with.
Look, Thomas, it was a joke.
Yeah, your joke and a sick one.
The car, the paint, the doll.
You gotta do what you gotta do.
Besides, the doll thing wasn't even my idea.
It was so corny.
It had to have been Dave's.
Then the letter was Dave's too, huh? - Hi, Ron.
- I guess I'm a little late, - but I wanted to wish you both luck.
- Thank you.
I also wanted to offer you congratulations.
Well, Mrs.
Reardon explained to me that nobody will be bothering Carrie anymore.
I don't know how you did it, Magnum, but I just want to thank you personally.
Who did it? I mean, who was doing it to her? I'm sorry, I'm afraid you'll have to ask them that.
I never believed anyone was gonna kill her.
I mean, her opponents, jilted boyfriend No.
Her real enemy was out to destroy her psychologically.
Humiliate her, you know what I mean? It's funny.
Cos that only succeeded in driving her away from those who cared for her.
I mean, really cared.
And it looks like we're ready to begin the match.
Serving first will be the team of Korcek and Wright.
- Yah-ha-ha! - Love-15.
Aha! - 30-15.
- Nice shot.
I did this for you, Babushka.
40-15.
Deuce.
Come on, will you? Now I'm doing it all by myself.
Well, don't let me get in the way.
Do more.
Despite the fact that I had a spoilt, manipulating jerk as a teammate, I found myself beginning to have fun.
Competition causes you to lose your inhibitions and brings out the best in you.
Aaargh! 30-40.
Game and second set to Magnum and Reardon.
Sets are even at one apiece.
Ha-ha! All right.
Now we got them on the ropes, baby.
Now, remember what I taught you I know, I've heard it 3,000 times.
The racquet is an extension of my arm Which is an extension of my body, which is A player who don't play.
You know something, T.
C.
, this doesn't even make any sense.
I'm just gonna keep my eye on the ball, OK? Well, try and get your racquet on it too.
Where's Carrie? Where's Carrie? She's inside changing, mate.
Does it at least a dozen times every match.
Good for the endorsements, eh? Magnum, what's done is done, right? What's the point of holding a grudge? Oh, I don't hold a grudge.
I just plain don't like you or the way you do business.
I know it's real funny, your hanging doll bit.
So that's what's eating you.
Come on, mate, put it to bed.
That was Carrie's little trick.
What about this? Hey, now, wait a minute.
I don't know anything about this.
Hearing Carrie and Duncan explain the doll and the letter was like adding two and two and coming up with 13.
Something was definitely wrong and my little voice was shouting that something was Kenny Phelps.
Stop right there! Ronald, let her go.
No.
I can't.
Can't do it.
She tried to hurt Carrie.
To destroy her.
She She changed her.
She turned her against everyone who loved her.
Against me.
We were friends.
Ronald, Carrie never cared for anyone but herself.
That's not true.
No.
I've got letters, postcards.
We had dinner together.
She cared.
She cared very much.
For tennis, maybe.
And for money and stardom.
Ronald She used people to get what she wanted.
You're wrong.
I know Carrie.
No, you don't, Ron.
Everything he said about me.
It's true.
You should be holding that knife to me.
No.
You're good.
You're innocent.
No! Everything that happened, all those tricks and everything, it was me.
Ginger didn't do anything.
- Ronald, give me the knife.
- No.
- Give it to me.
- No.
Higgie baby, I cannot believe you won't meet me halfway.
At least gas money.
I thought you were a gentleman.
You were and are quite correct.
And we had a gentleman's wager, the terms of which were crystal clear.
- I won and you lost.
- But This is unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct? - That's right.
Need I remind you that you suggested this wager in the first place? If my players won, which they did, I was to have unlimited use of your aerial service for two months.
Was I wrong to assume you would honor your gambling debts? - Higgie baby, the match was not over.
- Of course it was over.
Magnum did not return to the court for the third and climactic set.
He forfeited.
- He was saving Ginger's life.
- That's irrelevant.
To the match, I mean.
Higgie baby, the match ain't over until it's over.
Jonathan! Oh, Jonathan! I believe you know the ladies of the Sandwich Island Botanical Society? Oh, Jonathan, I hope we're not late.
Marion was fixing watercress sandwiches and forgot to trim the crusts.
Of course we had to completely repack the picnic basket.
- Agatha - Then we had to go to the chemist.
Evelyn gets a teensy bit airsick.
Uh, Higgins You do promise not to go too fast, don't you, Mr.
Calvin? Or too high? - I'll just skim right along the tree tops.
- Oh, delightful.
Now, Evelyn, you promised to take that pill.
Now, do be a dear and do what I tell you.
Somewhere, somehow, I'm going to get you for this.
Higgie baby, I can't wait until this is over.
T.
C.
, baby, it ain't over until it's over.
At the risk of sounding repetitive - my hero.
He was only five foot three.
Thanks for your help, anyway.
I've been spending so much time convincing myself I could do anything.
I know.
That's why I like tennis, though.
When I'm out on that court, all I've got there is me.
There's no one to depend on, no one to blame, just me.
I know.
It's very addictive.
- I'm not sure I could give it up.
- I'd never ask you to.
But Carrie's gonna fight you.
Hard.
She's not gonna win.
Not this time.
Maybe next year, maybe the year after.
I also know that I would make a terrible undefeated champ.
But it's just this crazy thing.
I feel I have to get this losing thing out of the way before I can start something new.
I know.
- I'm on the court at ten.
Will you be there? - Wouldn't miss it.
Great.
I'll see you.
Bye, Ginger.
I thought you'd like to meet Magnum.
My new baby-sitter.
You don't get to the top in this game unless you want it.
Step into the backhand! You're suggesting we bet on the outcome of the mixed doubles? - Thomas Sullivan Magnum.
- Ginger Lee Grant.
Oh! A witch! I told you she was a witch! I hate to lose more than anything.
- Carrie.
- Magnum.
My God, man, have you completely lost your mind? She's gonna be good in this one, Phyllis.
Damn good.
Better than that.
She's gonna win this one.
Aaargh! I'm sorry, Rick.
I'm a little rusty on the serve.
I got to get it up a little more.
But when I do, it'll be a monster.
Not with that follow-through.
- What's wrong with it? - You need more extension.
- I do? - Mm-hm.
Try and keep this one on the court.
We're running out of balls.
OK.
This one will be in, Rick.
I promise.
It'll be just perfect.
- Magnum! - Uhh! Good God.
That is undoubtedly the most wretched serve ever seen on this court.
To think that Rod Laver and John Newcombe once graced this surface.
It's a sacrilege even walking on it, much less attempting to play.
We weren't playing, we were practicing.
In two days you'll be participating in Robin Masters' Pro-Am Tournament.
Come on, that's supposed to be fun.
Fun? Magnum, the tournament is going to be televised.
Hey, you got a point there, Higgie baby.
This is serious business.
Precisely.
Which is one of the reasons I'm here.
I'm prepared to offer my services as coach so you'll not embarrass Robin, or yourself.
Oh, gee, thanks, Higgins, but I already got a coach.
Besides, I think the game has changed a bit - since the days of knickers and straw hats.
- Oh, really? I'll have you know, I was one of the finest tennis players in Her Majesty's Service.
During the war, I played the top seed in the American army.
Tappy Larsen? - You've heard of Tappy Larsen? - Sure.
Hasn't everybody? Did you ever play Gardnar Mulloy? No.
Gardnar was transferred to the Pacific Theatre when I parachuted into the Urals with a demolition team.
- We were to infiltrate the German lines - Guys.
I hate to break this up but we are the Am part of Pro-Am and we have to practice.
Obviously.
That serve of yours is truly abysmal.
Whoa, whoa! Wait till he gets it going.
He says it'll be a a monster.
Right, coach.
Higgins, might you be able to help me with my serve? Certainly, Rick.
I'd be delighted.
You are paired with Zora Korcek in the mixed doubles.
- The Zora Korcek from Czechoslovakia? - None other.
- Who's he got? - Ginger Carrie Reardon.
Higgins, you said that was all set up.
Yes.
Well, there's been a change of plans.
But I was counting on that.
I was looking forward to it.
She's The best women's player in the worid.
Out of your class.
Yeah? Well, she's also an old friend.
You know Ginger Grant? We go back to when I was at Annapolis with her brother, Jim.
- Perhaps we - Excuse me a minute.
And? I don't want to get into it, Rick.
It all started in my second year at the Academy.
Jim and I, we got this weekend pass.
We drove all the way to Washington for a double date with his girlfriend and Ginger.
It was really something.
We went to the drive-in.
We saw Creature From The Black Lagoon in my '54 DeSoto.
And I remember - Right at the scary part, Ginger - Magnum - She just Ginger just - Magnum! My God, you do have a tendency to rattle on.
Despite your past, you will not be playing with Miss Grant.
- Why not? - You're undoubtedly aware that young Miss Reardon has been harassed on the tour.
Mr.
Masters has invited her and her mother to stay during the tournament.
- And? - He'd like you to keep an eye on Carrie - while she's here.
- I knew it! That's why you paired me with her, to be her baby-sitter.
Call it what you may.
I didn't do it.
Mr.
Masters did.
Free rent.
Red Ferrari.
I thought that would silence you.
Rick, allow me to demonstrate a service technique I perfected while preparing Don Budge for Wimbledon.
Magnum, would you mind trying to return the service? Mind? Not at all, old chap.
Mind? Ready? Ready.
Believe me, Mr.
Magnum, being tour coordinator three years in a row is tough, but when your star player is intimidated - Mr.
Mills, I thought - Ronald.
Ronald, I thought Carrie was the one being intimidated.
Well, she is.
Oh, yes, of course, but Ginger, she's our top female seed.
Do you have any idea who's behind these pranks? Not really.
A lot of people on the tour just don't care for Carrie.
Some of them are jealous of her abilities, like Ginger.
It's only natural.
Ginger's at the peak of her career, Carrie's just starting out.
But there are others, and not all are women.
But Carrie goes through the top ten seeds like a Saturday night DJ.
Plays the record once or twice then throws it away.
- She is an exquisite athlete, isn't she? - You bet.
Seeing Ginger for the first time in 16 years brought back a flood of memories, some of which I'd forgotten I'd had.
Even though a lot of time had passed, watching Ginger play, she still had something Carrie Reardon never would.
Style.
Damn it.
Mother! She's doing it again.
Trying to hurt the ankle.
Backhand after backhand.
She wants me to put weight on it and hurt it again.
- Come on, lass, take it easy.
- No.
Everyone knows I had ankle surgery! You've had enough for one day.
Go inside, take a shower.
- We'll talk about it later.
- That's the only way that old witch can win.
- And she knows it.
- Carrie, go inside.
Witch! - Carrie.
Carrie, wait a second.
- What? What? I thought you'd like to meet Thomas Magnum, your partner for mixed doubles.
I know.
My new baby-sitter.
I hope you're better than the last one they got me.
- Carrie, I want to talk to you.
- She's under pressure.
I'll talk to her mother.
I'll be back in a minute.
Take your time.
I'll say hello to Ginger.
- You know Ginger? - Once.
Midshipman Thomas Sullivan Magnum.
- Ginger Lee Grant.
- I dropped the Lee.
I dropped the Midshipman.
- I don't believe it.
- Believe it.
Oh! After 16 years, I can't.
- Oh! - Aah! Oh.
Now I believe it.
What are you doing in the middle of the Pacific at the King Kamehameha Club? - I'm baby-sitting.
- Baby-sitting? How touching.
Who is he? Oh, it's Thomas Magnum, Mrs.
Reardon.
He's acting as bodyguard during your stay at Robin's Nest.
Looks like he's guarding the wrong body.
Listen, I've taken enough from you! - Get yourself another clown! - I already have! - Isn't that? - Kenny Phelps.
- Ranked number three in the worid.
- Right.
The guy with the temper.
A witch! I told you she was a witch! I'm holding you personally responsible for this reprehensible act.
- Of course.
- You were supposed to be watching her.
I was just introduced to her when she ran into the women's locker room, screaming.
Was I supposed to follow her? - That's not the point.
- That is precisely the point.
- This thing does look like Carrie.
- It's a Carrie Reardon doll.
I'm sorry, Higgins.
I know this is serious.
I shouldn't be laughing.
Dolls, coloring books, a video game and a line of designer clothing.
Carrie Reardon is a growth industry.
What more could an 18-year-old want? To be the best tennis player in the worid.
I won't stand idly by while a lunatic like Ginger Grant tries to take that from Carrie by psyching her out.
- Every week it's something else.
- Ginger wouldn't do that.
How is Carrie? She's resting.
The doctor came to give her a sedative but she refused.
She wanted to continue practicing.
The pressure's getting to her.
The press and the TV people.
- What makes you think Ginger's doing this? - Well, you tell me.
You were the one kissing her on the court yesterday.
Magnum I told you.
We're old friends.
I know Ginger.
She wouldn't stoop to anything like that.
Oh, no? She's getting old, she's jealous of Carrie's talent, she wants to hang on.
By terrorizing your daughter? Come on, Mrs.
Reardon! I admit Miss Grant's friendship with Magnum is hardly a stellar character reference but in all fairness, that is not proof Miss Grant is involved.
- Who else could it be? - Just about everyone else on the Pro tour.
- What exactly does that mean? - Just what I said.
Talk to those she plays against, or with.
I'm gonna tell you something.
You don't get to the top unless you want it.
And want it bad enough.
- Obviously, you want it.
- Yes.
And Carrie's wanted it ever since she could walk.
Now this is the arrangement.
I raise my daughter the way I see fit.
You just make sure nothing happens to her so she can play in this tournament.
That is, if you can keep away from Miss Grant long enough.
Carrie's expecting you at the practice session at one o'clock.
Sharp.
- Lovely out, isn't it? - Yes.
- I thought you were baby-sitting? - I am.
We're waiting for the rain to stop.
The precious thing is in the locker room with her mother.
Plotting strategy, no doubt.
- For the mixed doubles.
- No, for me.
They want my crown and this year.
There's an awful lot at stake for them.
And for you.
You really got my number.
Er Klondike 52424.
- You really do still have my number! - It was always hard to forget.
Like you.
I still have those letters from all those faraway places like Gibraltar, the Philippines, Vietnam Yeah, I got some postcards from some pretty faraway places too.
It was really hard on tour.
I mean, I was always moving and practicing, playing, traveling.
- I kept track of you on the sports page.
- Oh, yes, the good old sports page.
My entire life story.
Winning, losing Mostly winning.
I can relate to Carrie.
A lot.
- Come on.
You were never like her.
- Oh, yes, I was.
Still am.
I hate to lose more than anything in the worid.
It gets so winning becomes everything.
- Mr.
Magnum.
- I'll be right with you, David.
Your partner's ready.
- I said I'll be right with you.
- She is waiting, mate.
No, no, no.
That's wrong, wrong, wrong.
- What's wrong, wrong, wrong? - Your back 'and.
- My what? - Your back 'and.
- You mean my backhand? - Your backhand.
Well, excuse me, Miss Zorro.
- Zora.
- Zora.
Excuse me.
Let's get on with this.
Right, Kenny, right.
No sweat.
Go ahead, sweetheart.
Serve.
- What? - Serve! Serve the ball! OK, OK, OK! - Ah! - I'm sorry.
Maybe we can have dinner sometime.
Pick me up at eight.
To the past.
- How's Jim? - My brother's still mad at me for letting you get away.
Well, what does he know anyway? Stuck on an icebreaker in the middle of the Arctic.
Yeah.
Not smart like us.
Icebreaker? In the middle of the Arctic? I still have that picture of you on graduation day.
You know, the one of you all puffed up and proud.
That gorgeous white uniform.
- What happened? - I resigned.
That must have been difficult.
After you worked so hard to get it.
Yeah.
Well, you always knew what you wanted.
So did you.
We really were so much alike, weren't we? What happened? I had my career, you had yours.
Kind of overwhelmed me.
Yeah, that's the way the Navy was.
- Maybe if had written more, tried to - I was moving around a lot.
It seems like I've been around the worid a hundred times or more.
I just wish that I had run into you a little sooner.
Maybe later's better.
Quick feet now.
Quick feet now.
Good.
Good cross court.
Good cross court.
Good cross court.
Step into your backhand! Step into it! You just can't stand there.
Step into the backhand! Good grief! Let's decide who's playing net and who's playing baseline.
Sorry.
I'm used to having the whole court to myself.
You think you could include me for once? Give me a chance.
Not Higgins! That's it.
Hey! Hey! - What do you think you're doing? - What does it look like I am doing? It looks like you are spying on my team.
How sadly paranoid, T.
C.
I am observing certain tendencies in Magnum and Miss Reardon's play which will facilitate my training Rick and Miss Korcek.
- But that's spying.
- Don't be absurd.
That's not necessary.
Rick's superior quickness and Miss Korcek's power will prevail.
If you're so sure about that, would you care to put your money where your mouth is? You're suggesting that we bet on the outcome of the mixed doubles? Tut-tut-tut-tut.
A gentleman's wager, just between us two coaches, Higgie baby.
Use of your aerial services for two months for photographic essays.
The tennis court, the hot tub, Masters' VTR for the same amount of time.
Done.
Where are they? Where'd they go? - Where are you taking me? - To the estate! We weren't finished practicing! That was not practicing, that was hand-to-hand combat with Kenny! Kenny's such a baby, I couldn't resist.
Anyway, I'm mad at you.
- We're supposed to be on the same side! - That's my point! Well, how come you're spending all your time with Ginger Grant instead of me? I am not spending all my time with Ginger Grant.
And I am watching you, like a hawk.
Come on! - You all right? - Yeah.
Rick, watch her! - I know, and run down the plate.
- Yeah.
- Hey, are you all right? - Yeah.
Thomas.
- I told you, it isn't my car.
- Ginger I hope you're not too disappointed.
- I had to ask.
- Oh, no, you didn't.
I followed that car here.
It almost killed her.
Whoever was driving it meant business.
- Obviously, so do you.
- Ginger Why don't you come out and say it? Just say it! Ageing tennis star headed for the senior circuit.
Before she goes, she's gonna terrorize the teenage heiress to the throne Wait a minute, will you? Ginger, I don't believe that.
- Then I'm really confused.
- Well, so am I.
Oh, a strong vote of confidence.
That's what I'm getting from everyone around here.
You know, this tournament is supposed to be my swan song, the end of an era.
- Ginger, that's got to - End sooner or later? Why? Who says? Too old? Too slow? Not yet.
Thomas, I told you, I hate to lose more than anything in the worid.
But not enough to dust off Carrie Reardon.
Better luck elsewhere, huh? The car was someone else's.
My little voice and the look on Ginger's face told me I should have known that.
But I guess when you spend a lot of time with people who don't trust each other, it kind of rubs off.
Magnum! - What is it? - What is it? Carrie Reardon is almost killed under your protection and you have the gall to ask that? Spare me the lectures.
I have work to do.
I demand an explanation.
OK.
No, no, yes, no.
I beg your pardon? No, I did not catch this yo-yo, no, I have no idea where he or she might have gone, yes, I realize my responsibility to God, country, Robin and that little tennis player.
No, I was not remiss in my duties this afternoon.
By the way, how is she? Unbearable.
Magnum - Higgins, could you? - No, I most certainly will not.
Mr.
Magnum! - Higgins, please - All right.
Higgins, where the hell is Magnum? On the phone with one of his sordid underworid connections.
- Did he find the person driving? - That's what he's working on.
I knew it would escalate into something like this.
Magnum is doing everything he can under very trying circumstances.
This is quite minor compared to what happened to me once when Ml6 assigned me to assist Scotland Yard on a particularly bizarre case.
It was in '53 or was it '54? No matter.
It involved a ladies' rugby team in the Midlands being terrorized by a demented chap with a passion for soiled sweat-socks.
As you can imagine, I was quite bemused by the details of the case What do you mean, Rick's on the courts? Keoki, I need that license.
Tell him OK, OK, I'll wait.
Oh, of course I trust Ice Pick.
I trust him.
I'll be by the phone.
Thanks.
I learned a long time ago about days when everything goes wrong.
No matter what you do, when that happens, there's no sense in fighting it.
In fact, the only thing to do is just kick back, close your eyes and let the peace and quiet wash the rest of the day away.
Excuse me.
- Don't do that! - Don't you ever knock? - In my own house? - Oh.
You're probably wondering what I'm doing here.
Probably.
Inasmuch as you were almost run down by a car two hours ago.
I just needed a place to get away from everything.
Everyone.
Reporters.
Police.
My mother.
You don't like me much, do you? You don't let yourself be very likable.
Which makes it hard for me to do my job.
How many players have you humiliated so far in this tournament? - You mean eliminated? - No, humiliated.
Like the way you practice with Kenny.
Why? That's none of your business.
Look, all I'm saying, Carrie, is tennis is not a game to you anymore.
You're right about that.
Look I'm an 18-year-old kid, and I'm a corporation.
I've got a board of directors, three lawyers, two accountants, two agents, a business manager.
They're all a bunch of jerks who wear suits and ties and talk in some language that no one else can even understand.
And now I've got some weirdo after me who's trying to kill me or something.
And I don't even know why.
What have I done that's so terrible? Except want to play tennis.
That's all I've ever wanted to do, is play tennis.
And now I hate it.
I mean, I hate it.
Why don't you quit? - Just walk out on everything? - Yeah.
It's not that easy, Magnum.
I've got obligations, responsibilities.
Besides my mom would kill me.
Carrie, it's your life.
No Nothing is mine anymore.
Carrie Magnum - Magnum! - Higgins My God, man, have you completely lost your mind? Don't start with me.
It's not what you think.
It's not even close.
Tell him.
- What are you barging in here for anyway? - It was quite by accident.
Now thank me for sparing you from compromising what's left of your reputation.
Higgins! Rick called.
He said to meet him at the club, on the court.
It's important.
- Why didn't he call here? - He said the phone was off the hook.
Bedroom? The bedroom.
An hour talking to Rick did a lot to thicken the plot.
It turns out the car was a rental.
But then they always are.
However, they're not usually rented to the coach of the intended victim.
The idea of Dave Duncan trying to kill Carrie made as much sense as someone trying to strangle the goose that laid the golden egg.
But then a teenage kid making millions for hitting a ball didn't make sense either.
Come to think of it, nothing about this made much sense.
Of course, every game's got a different set of rules.
And each bungalow a different number.
One day, I'm gonna want to tell Ginger I'm sorry.
- Oh, hi, Mrs.
Reardon.
- Hello.
Hiya, Dave.
Listen, are you two busy? Because I've got some news for you.
You know that Volvo that almost ran down poor little Carrie? It's parked outside.
And guess who it's registered to? Guess.
You don't have to guess, do you? What you have done has got to be Save us the lecture, Mr.
Magnum.
All we're doing is promoting a product.
You call trying to kill your daughter promoting a product? It's publicity.
Every little bit helps her.
She's an 18-year-old kid.
You ever taken the time to talk to her, to find out how she feels? Or are you too busy working on your own careers? You're exploiting the hell out of her.
Since I was hired to find out who's doing this, she's gonna know about it.
I already know about it.
The whole thing was my idea in the first place.
Welcome to the next event in the Robin Masters Pro-Am tennis tournament.
Getting underway shortly will be the Pro-Am mixed doubles featuring Zora Korcek and Orville Wright against Carrie Reardon and Thomas Magnum.
There is no absolutely no way I'm going to step out on that court with that little I am your coach.
I am your mentor.
I will kill you if you don't play.
Fine.
Then you can play.
I can't.
Higgie and I have a Sorry, guys, all bets are off.
They are not.
You made a commitment to this tournament, and to Robin Masters.
But Carrie explained away that little problem! In a tournament of this size, there are always problems.
What's the crisis today? Somebody wear unmatched socks? Kenny Phelps was disqualified for obscene and obnoxious behavior.
What's new about that? This followed from a very public and nasty altercation between Phelps and Reardon.
- A most unsavory display.
- She probably deserved every word of it.
This morning we received this letter.
It's a threat on Carrie Reardon's life.
How do you know? There's no name on it.
For God's sake, who else could it be referring to? He's right, man.
Knowing Carrie, that's a good point, Higgins.
That's one for you.
Be that as it may, this thing is not worth the paper it's glued on.
It's obviously another publicity stunt.
- We simply can't afford to take chances.
- Count me out! - I've done my tour of duty.
- If something were to happen - It won't! I'd feel quite certain that Robin Masters would hold you personally and totally responsible.
And of course I have a witness to this entire conversation.
- Thank you, Magnum.
- Don't forget to step into your backhand! - No hard feelings? - No, of course not.
I just got a lot of explaining to do to somebody.
Let's get it over with.
Look, Thomas, it was a joke.
Yeah, your joke and a sick one.
The car, the paint, the doll.
You gotta do what you gotta do.
Besides, the doll thing wasn't even my idea.
It was so corny.
It had to have been Dave's.
Then the letter was Dave's too, huh? - Hi, Ron.
- I guess I'm a little late, - but I wanted to wish you both luck.
- Thank you.
I also wanted to offer you congratulations.
Well, Mrs.
Reardon explained to me that nobody will be bothering Carrie anymore.
I don't know how you did it, Magnum, but I just want to thank you personally.
Who did it? I mean, who was doing it to her? I'm sorry, I'm afraid you'll have to ask them that.
I never believed anyone was gonna kill her.
I mean, her opponents, jilted boyfriend No.
Her real enemy was out to destroy her psychologically.
Humiliate her, you know what I mean? It's funny.
Cos that only succeeded in driving her away from those who cared for her.
I mean, really cared.
And it looks like we're ready to begin the match.
Serving first will be the team of Korcek and Wright.
- Yah-ha-ha! - Love-15.
Aha! - 30-15.
- Nice shot.
I did this for you, Babushka.
40-15.
Deuce.
Come on, will you? Now I'm doing it all by myself.
Well, don't let me get in the way.
Do more.
Despite the fact that I had a spoilt, manipulating jerk as a teammate, I found myself beginning to have fun.
Competition causes you to lose your inhibitions and brings out the best in you.
Aaargh! 30-40.
Game and second set to Magnum and Reardon.
Sets are even at one apiece.
Ha-ha! All right.
Now we got them on the ropes, baby.
Now, remember what I taught you I know, I've heard it 3,000 times.
The racquet is an extension of my arm Which is an extension of my body, which is A player who don't play.
You know something, T.
C.
, this doesn't even make any sense.
I'm just gonna keep my eye on the ball, OK? Well, try and get your racquet on it too.
Where's Carrie? Where's Carrie? She's inside changing, mate.
Does it at least a dozen times every match.
Good for the endorsements, eh? Magnum, what's done is done, right? What's the point of holding a grudge? Oh, I don't hold a grudge.
I just plain don't like you or the way you do business.
I know it's real funny, your hanging doll bit.
So that's what's eating you.
Come on, mate, put it to bed.
That was Carrie's little trick.
What about this? Hey, now, wait a minute.
I don't know anything about this.
Hearing Carrie and Duncan explain the doll and the letter was like adding two and two and coming up with 13.
Something was definitely wrong and my little voice was shouting that something was Kenny Phelps.
Stop right there! Ronald, let her go.
No.
I can't.
Can't do it.
She tried to hurt Carrie.
To destroy her.
She She changed her.
She turned her against everyone who loved her.
Against me.
We were friends.
Ronald, Carrie never cared for anyone but herself.
That's not true.
No.
I've got letters, postcards.
We had dinner together.
She cared.
She cared very much.
For tennis, maybe.
And for money and stardom.
Ronald She used people to get what she wanted.
You're wrong.
I know Carrie.
No, you don't, Ron.
Everything he said about me.
It's true.
You should be holding that knife to me.
No.
You're good.
You're innocent.
No! Everything that happened, all those tricks and everything, it was me.
Ginger didn't do anything.
- Ronald, give me the knife.
- No.
- Give it to me.
- No.
Higgie baby, I cannot believe you won't meet me halfway.
At least gas money.
I thought you were a gentleman.
You were and are quite correct.
And we had a gentleman's wager, the terms of which were crystal clear.
- I won and you lost.
- But This is unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct? - That's right.
Need I remind you that you suggested this wager in the first place? If my players won, which they did, I was to have unlimited use of your aerial service for two months.
Was I wrong to assume you would honor your gambling debts? - Higgie baby, the match was not over.
- Of course it was over.
Magnum did not return to the court for the third and climactic set.
He forfeited.
- He was saving Ginger's life.
- That's irrelevant.
To the match, I mean.
Higgie baby, the match ain't over until it's over.
Jonathan! Oh, Jonathan! I believe you know the ladies of the Sandwich Island Botanical Society? Oh, Jonathan, I hope we're not late.
Marion was fixing watercress sandwiches and forgot to trim the crusts.
Of course we had to completely repack the picnic basket.
- Agatha - Then we had to go to the chemist.
Evelyn gets a teensy bit airsick.
Uh, Higgins You do promise not to go too fast, don't you, Mr.
Calvin? Or too high? - I'll just skim right along the tree tops.
- Oh, delightful.
Now, Evelyn, you promised to take that pill.
Now, do be a dear and do what I tell you.
Somewhere, somehow, I'm going to get you for this.
Higgie baby, I can't wait until this is over.
T.
C.
, baby, it ain't over until it's over.
At the risk of sounding repetitive - my hero.
He was only five foot three.
Thanks for your help, anyway.
I've been spending so much time convincing myself I could do anything.
I know.
That's why I like tennis, though.
When I'm out on that court, all I've got there is me.
There's no one to depend on, no one to blame, just me.
I know.
It's very addictive.
- I'm not sure I could give it up.
- I'd never ask you to.
But Carrie's gonna fight you.
Hard.
She's not gonna win.
Not this time.
Maybe next year, maybe the year after.
I also know that I would make a terrible undefeated champ.
But it's just this crazy thing.
I feel I have to get this losing thing out of the way before I can start something new.
I know.
- I'm on the court at ten.
Will you be there? - Wouldn't miss it.
Great.
I'll see you.
Bye, Ginger.