The Fearmakers (1958) Movie Script

1
(SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)
DOCTOR: Retina,
intact and normal.
Optic nerve,
normal.
Hmm...
Captain you're a...
You're a toss up.
You've responded satisfactorily
to hospitalization and medication.
I think we have done
all we can for you here.
It's my feeling you'd make better
progress in your own environment
with familiar faces
than in any hospital.
Remember Captain, you had almost
two years of Chinese prison camps.
I don't need to tell you that
brainwashing isn't just a word.
Some of these symptoms will take time.
The fatigue, the dizzy spells,
the lapses of memory...
How long, Doctor?
A few weeks, a few months maybe longer.
It depends on you.
Remember, you can't
push yourself too hard,
physically or mentally.
- You understand, Captain?
- Yes.
You're absolutely sure you've
had no further headaches?
Yes, Doctor. I'm sure. No headaches.
Good.
Oh, Captain,
do you have a family?
No.
You were in the public relations
business, I understand.
Yes, sir, that's right.
Planning on getting back to it?
I expect to.
My partner has been carrying the load for
me since I was recalled to active duty.
That's good.
Let him go on carrying the load,
for the first few months anyway.
Well, good luck, Captain.
Remember, Captain,
if the symptoms return,
the dizziness, the headaches,
report to the Pentagon infirmary
or the Walter Reed Hospital
in Washington immediately.
Sure. Thanks.
Thanks.
Not at all.
Simply amazing, this flying.
I never get over the wonder of it.
But I suppose it's
no novelty at all to you.
I did hear the hostess call
you "Captain Eaton," didn't I?
That's right.
My name is Gregory Jessup.
Dr. Gregory Jessup.
Not in the medical field but in what I like
to think will serve mankind equally as well,
nuclear physics.
But it must be good getting home again?
Washington is your home?
Yes, it was, but I'm not
sure I intend to stay there.
Oh, you plan to remain
in service, Captain.
No.
And it's not Captain any longer.
I'm finishing my tour of duty.
Well, congratulations.
You know, our fields,
the military and the sciences,
are closer together
today than ever before,
I'm sorry to say.
Sorry?
Surely, you must see that
science has brought us to the
brink of world extermination.
Were you in Korea?
Yes, but it's not my favorite
topic of conversation.
Of course. Well, I understand.
Good to have that behind you.
What was your profession
before the service?
Public relations, public opinion polls,
consumer analysis,
industrial research.
You know, our organization,
committed for the abolition
of nuclear warfare,
is thinking of using a survey
to back up our program of
ending the nuclear arms race, and
calling a halt to the military
invading our field of science.
What did you say you
called your company?
I didn't, but it's
"Eaton Baker Associates."
"Eaton Baker."
I'm sure, with your experience,
you'd be in complete sympathy
with our aims.
Matter of fact, I'm on what you might
call "official business" right now.
I'm going to a conference
that's been called
to study the whole question
of our space missiles tests
and our nuclear research program.
I'm sorry, but I'm
a little out of touch.
Oh, of course, but I'm sure it won't
take you long to catch up with things.
In fact, you're just the type
of person we need behind us.
After all public opinion must
be the final judge.
Yes, I'm sure.
If you don't mind, I have
had a rather rough day.
Of course, of course, go right ahead.
"Sleep that knits up the
ravell'd sleave of care,"
but don't let Shakespeare
or me keep you awake.
Thank you.
May I offer you one of mine?
Oh, no thanks. I haven't got time to
get used to those fancy filter tips yet.
You will.
Get used to the filters, I mean.
As a matter of fact, they're a splendid
example of what we've been talking about.
You'll find public relations has grown
considerably in the years you've been gone.
Our scientists announced some
disquieting findings in the relationship
of tobacco to certain
malignant ailments.
There's another job
for public relations,
the profession of mass persuasion.
But then I'm sure you've
had considerable experience
with hand-tailored statistics.
Well, as a matter of fact, I haven't.
You see, Clark Baker
and I run a rather small,
two-man shop.
Our services were limited to the collection
of opinions and facts in the field,
as we found them, for our clients.
It was no part of our job
to change anything we found.
I think you'll find, Eaton, that
things have changed in your absence.
Public relations in the last few years
has come to cover a multitude of sins,
or virtues, depending
on your point of view.
Would you fasten your seat belts please?
We're approaching National Airport.
Well, it certainly has been
an enjoyable trip.
By the way, do you have reservation?
Do you have a place
to stay in Washington?
No, as a matter of fact, I plan to...
Oh, well now, look here, look here,
I'm going on to New York myself
but let me give you
the address of friends.
They, uh, run a little
residential hotel.
Well that, uh,
really isn't necessary...
There's no bother, no trouble at all.
You'll find Washington
pretty much the same as ever.
If it isn't the tourists, there is
a convention of one sort or another.
I usually stay there myself.
It's a quiet place right in Georgetown.
And they are fine folks.
Here.
Give them my regards and tell them
you're a friend of Gregory Jessup.
Well thank you,
that's very kind of you.
Impressive, isn't it?
I sometimes wonder
if that French architect
ever realized that in laying
out the design of Washington
with its circular streets
and radiating avenues,
he designed the perfect target.
MAN: (OVER PA) TWA Flight 54
nonstop Jetstream Ambassador service
from San Francisco
now arriving at gate five.
Keep the change.
WOMAN: I'll be glad to take
care of this for you.
Would you leave your number please?
May I help you?
No, that's all right. I'm Captain...
I'm Alan Eaton.
Oh, Mr. Eaton! Well, can I tell Mr...
Don't bother,
I want to surprise Mr. Baker.
Mr. Baker?
- Mr. Eaton I...
- MAN: Very truly yours,
etc., etc...
Eaton!
Alan Eaton!
Why, you old son of a gun!
How are you?
That's all, Doris, hold all calls.
You are...
McGinn is. Jim McGinn is
you remember, I joined the shop
just before you shoved off.
Oh, yes, yes, of course
I think I do remember.
Well, I...
I wanted to talk to Clark Baker.
Which office is he in?
You want to talk to... You kidding?
Are you on the level?
Look, I know I've been
away for quite a while,
and I can see there have been quite
a few changes made around here.
But, if you could just tell
me where to find Clark Baker.
Where you can find him?
Clark Baker's dead.
Didn't you know?
He's been dead for over a year.
Hey, wait a minute.
Take it easy.
I knew how close you were, but I had no idea.
I thought you knew.
How... (SIGHING)
What happened to him?
It's a shame. Dirty rotten shame.
Hit and run driver
over on Bethesda Road.
Never caught him.
They didn't tell you?
(SIGHING) No.
No, they didn't.
I didn't know anything about it.
Well, you know,
you gave me quite a turn.
Well, after all the commie
brainwashings we've read about,
I thought that maybe you were...
Now look, don't get me wrong, I...
I'm sorry that I'm the one
that had to break the bad news.
Well, Alan,
what are your plans?
I'm not sure right now.
I have a final physical exam to take.
In any event, I...
(CHUCKLING)
I won't be in any shape
to take over right away.
Take over?
Are you kidding?
Well, look McGinn is,
I'm sure you must've
done a good job here,
and I'm prepared to make any
arrangement that seems fair.
- But I want you to understand...
- You want me to understand?
That's really a poor joke, or those Chinese
commies really did scramble your marbles.
If you think that you can
walk in here and take over
after Clark sold out to me,
you really are crazy.
Sold out?
What do you mean, sold out?
I mean that I paid hard
cash for this business.
It wasn't half the size it is today
thanks to the new accounts I brought in.
Are you asking me to believe...
I'm not asking you to believe anything.
You gave Clark Baker power of attorney
when you went back into service.
I gave Clark power of attorney
to run the business
while I was away, not to sell it.
You didn't limit your power of attorney.
That's not my fault.
And don't blame me if Clark used it to sell
the business without telling you first.
And don't blame me if
he wanted to play it cozy,
banking on the chances that you wouldn't
get out of Korea alive to get your cut.
You're a liar! And a cheat!
You're lying! That's a lie!
Get this maniac out of here
before I call the cops!
Please, Mr. McGinn is,
I'm sure Mr. Eaton didn't
mean to lose his temper.
I don't know whether he has
lost his temper or his mind.
Oh, surely McGinn is, this
isn't a matter for the police.
Well, all right, Barney.
Maybe you're right.
Now, look,
I don't like to throw
dirt on a dead man,
but you know how Clark was.
Maybe he had plans.
Maybe he spent the dough,
or maybe he invested it,
and planned on telling you and paying
you later and got killed before he could.
Or maybe you knew?
Maybe he wrote you.
Maybe you forgot?
Where are the contracts?
I'd like to see the contracts.
Miss Dennis, bring in
the Clark Baker file.
It's a...
(STAMMERING) It's nice to see
you back, Mr. Eaton.
JIM: Barney Bond, our chief statistician.
Clark hired him before you left,
or maybe you don't
remember that, either.
Really Mr. McGinn is, you
(STAMMERING) you shouldn't...
I shouldn't what?
He walks in here
asking to see a dead man,
accuses me of stealing the
business, he roughs me up, and I...
Well, I'm sure that Mr. Eaton is just
temporarily upset over
Mr. Baker. After all...
Well, I hope that's all it is.
Because if I thought for a minute it was
anything else, you know what I should do?
I should call the army hospital and
have them come down and pick you up.
'Cause nobody in their right mind
would pull what you just tried to pull.
That's all, Miss Dennis.
Well, here it is.
Don't take my word for it,
look for yourself.
You ought to recognize
Clark's signature.
Who witnessed this document?
Barney Bond did. Witnessed
the whole transaction.
That's (STAMMERING)
true Mr. Eaton I did.
Excuse me.
Well, there you are, Alan.
Any questions? Fire away.
No.
No questions.
Now look,
we don't want to cause any
trouble for each other, do we?
No, of course not.
And I don't want you to think that I'm
giving you the brush-off, because I'm not.
Far from it. Sit down.
You see we, kept the name
Eaton and Baker Associates
because your name has
some value, and I know it.
Sure, we've got some new
accounts, some big ones.
But some of them, like
Senator Walder, we've lost.
He'd like to know that
you're back with us.
So, I'm ready to put you on a retainer.
Name your own ticket.
You know, give you
a chance to catch up.
Put you on your feet. What do you say?
Thanks... Uh...
- I'll let you know, McGinn is.
- Sure.
Got a place to stay?
Anything you say, boy.
I want to do the right thing.
No hard feelings.
No. No hard feelings.
All right then. So much for the Jews.
The way we handle the labor unions...
Excuse me... I'm sorry.
(DIALING)
Mr. Eaton.
I'm sorry.
I'm terribly sorry about...
Miss Dennis?
Bring your book.
(WHISTLE BLOWING)
STREET VENDOR: Get your paper.
Get your paper here.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Senator Walder's office.
I'm very sorry, but it will be
impossible to see the Senator.
He's tied up in committee
hearings today.
Yes?
I'd like to speak
to Senator Walder, please.
Yes, you might try at
the end of the week.
Does the Senator expect you?
No. Uh...
My name is Eaton. Alan Eaton.
I'm very sorry, Mr. Eaton,
but it will be impossible to see
the senator without an appointment.
Alan!
How are you, boy?
- It's good to see you. Come in.
- Hello, Senator...
Glad to see you, sir.
You wouldn't believe how much red tape
it took to get you fellows back again.
- Yes I know.
- Had your lunch?
No, not yet.
I, uh...
I wanted to talk to you
for a minute, Senator,
but I understand you're pretty busy.
Busy? Not to you, Alan.
Come along.
We'll be in the Senate dining room.
There's a lot I want to hear about.
Well, Alan, from what you tell me,
I'd say it's a pretty rough deal.
But McGinn is is apparently,
within his legal rights.
You're satisfied that the
contracts were all in order?
I'm afraid so, Senator.
I was a bit concerned when you left.
Of course, I liked
Clark Baker well enough,
but he never was the
businessman that you were,
running around in that
low-slung sporting car of his.
Well, Alan,
what are you going to do?
I'm not sure, Senator.
I'd hoped to square
away things with Clark here,
then pass my physical examination
for discharge from the army,
and head for California.
Get some rest. Soak up some sun.
Under these circumstances,
I must admit that McGinn is
seems to be more than fair.
He's offered to let me
write my own ticket.
Wouldn't surprise me.
He needs you, Alan.
Make no mistake.
How's that?
The office looks a lot better now
than it ever did when I had it.
Sure it does.
He's running with some pretty big fish.
But they have a smell.
Oh?
Alan, you know the public
relations field from the ground up.
Legitimate public relations,
polls and surveys,
served a very useful purpose.
Now, this helps any legislator to
determine what the people are thinking.
What they want.
Well, thank you, Senator.
You see, Clark and I always checked
and double-checked our figures
to make sure we were serving
both your office and the public.
Yes.
But once you start tampering
with the facts,
twisting the truth to further
a particular cause or client?
You wind up serving your client
but swindling the public.
You're saying?
I'm saying that taking
public opinion is useful.
Making public opinion is dangerous.
Alan, have you any idea how many
highly-financed full-time organizations
we now have set up here in Washington,
to pressured Congress
and government agencies
for their particular
groups and clients?
The right of the people to
petition the government.
No question about it,
and that right must be maintained.
But it's a far cry from one
citizen's three-cent-stamp appeal
to the professionally
packaged campaign,
complete from fake front groups
with high-sounding titles
to pre-written laws, ready for
our signature and endorsement.
If money still talks, Senator,
the little three-cent stamp must
have a hard time being heard.
Exactly.
My committee is out to
determine to what extent
these hired loudspeakers
may be drowning out or distorting
the voice of the people.
Legitimate lobbying is one thing,
but we are preparing to
investigate abuses
that come to our attention.
We going to look into these
influence peddlers in general,
and, in particular,
Jim McGinn is' connection
with certain groups in this country
that are out to sell
us peace at any price.
From the things I've seen, Senator,
it's hard to believe that there
could be too high a price.
There are few things worth
buying with your life, Alan,
and you of all people know
that slavery isn't one of them.
Phony front groups offer
a facade of respectability
for the well-intentioned,
but are really out to further
their own hidden loyalties
to deliberately lead us down the road
to another Munich.
You mean Jim McGinn is
is using Eaton Baker Associates
to peddle propaganda?
Treason?
A puppet may look harmless,
but how large will it grow?
And who's pulling the strings?
It's a pretty fine line
between being a paid consultant
or a paid foreign agent.
We think Jim McGinn is
may have crossed that line.
How far, we don't yet know,
but he know he's on our list.
He wants you, all right.
For window dressing.
And you suggest I...
Turn him down?
Not at all. Join him.
And you'll give us what
up to now we've never had,
a man on the inside.
A man we can trust.
Senator Walder?
Well sir, how about something on your
committee, Senator? Got a story for me?
Coffee, please. Right over here.
Not yet, Rodney.
This young eager beaver
is Rodney Hill yer.
He is... He's a reporter.
This is Captain Alan Eaton, a good friend
of mine, just back in Washington from...
Excuse me, Senator, you're wanted
on the floor. A roll call vote.
Oh, thank you. Thank you.
Duty calls.
Now, you two ought to get together.
Alan here has had enough experience
in the last couple of
years for a feature story.
I'm catching the Congressional to New
York tonight on committee business.
May get back tomorrow.
Think it over, Alan.
- Let me have your answer.
- Thank you, Sir. Have a nice trip.
Eaton, huh?
Are you Alan Eaton of
Eaton Baker Associates?
Yes, I was.
I'm no longer
a member of the organization.
Yeah, I know.
Maybe I got a story for you.
Oh, what's that?
Would it interest you to know I interviewed
Clark Baker the day before he was killed?
Sit down.
Sure.
Yeah it was a funny thing
about that interview, you know.
Clark Baker didn't sound to me like a
guy who was planning to chuck things.
- Cigarette?
- Uh-uh.
Sell out...
Least of all to Jim McGinn is.
Did he say that?
Not in so many words, but...
Well, there's another funny thing.
(SIGHING) I don't know, maybe
you could call it a...
- A coincidence.
- Which is what?
Well the first report that came through
stated you were missing in action.
Presumed dead.
And word of your capture didn't come
through for some time after that.
After Clark Baker
had been found killed.
Until then, it appeared
you were both dead.
Exactly what are you driving at?
Well, it looks a lot to me like
somebody thought maybe with you dead,
getting rid of Clark Baker
would leave a free field.
But you came back.
And it's just possible you've
upset some well-laid plans.
- You mean, you think McGinn is...
- No, no, no.
I can't say McGinn is had anything
to do with it personally.
As a matter of fact, I covered the
accident and the investigation...
Why did you wait to tell me about this?
Have you taken your
suspicions to the police?
That's all I could take.
Suspicions.
No, there was no witness in
my interview with Clark Baker,
and, well, what's illegal about a guy
selling out his business one day
and getting himself killed the next?
Well, if it wasn't a coincidence,
what do you call it?
A murder.
Not so pure or simple.
But I got a hunch it
was murder all the same.
I'm glad to have met you Hill yer.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Yes? What is it?
LORRAINE: Mr. Eaton to see you, sir.
Send him in.
Well, Alan, what do you say?
What's your answer?
Where do I sign?
Miss Dennis, send in those
contracts for Mr. Eaton
and ask Barney to
step in right away, will you?
Alan, boy, you're making no
mistake, we're going places
and I'm going to fit
you right in the picture.
Barney, I've got great news.
Alan's back with us.
Yes sir. He's on the team!
Mr. Eaton, I'm delighted,
really delighted.
I don't mind saying I've looked
forward to working under you.
- Thank you very much.
- Sure, sure.
Let me have those contracts.
That's all. Thank you.
Alan, all you've got to do is sign.
ALAN: It's a lot of money, McGinn is.
Well, with options.
Any little job you want to do,
a short story now and then or...
Even write your war memoirs. We wouldn't
object to that, would we, Barney?
No, sir, we certainly wouldn't.
- Here you are.
- Fine.
Alan, I want you to get the picture.
I want to fill you on all the
potentials of this situation.
- (INTERCOM BUZZING)
- (SCOFFS)
- Yes?
- LORRAINE: Mr. Fletcher calling, sir.
Oh, excuse me.
Hello, Fred.
Yeah, how's it going?
I know we'll all profit
by your experience, Mr. Eaton.
I for one learned a great deal
by studying your,
your very interesting analysis
of consumer prejudices.
Well, thank you very much, Bond.
I'm afraid that analysis
is a little dated by now.
Oh, not at all. Not at all, sir.
You, you catalogued fundamental human
traits, and they're constant factors.
JIM: Yeah, Fred? Yeah.
No, I should be able to get
over there in about 10 minutes.
Right.
Alan?
That was Fletcher, up on the hill.
I gotta get over there right away.
Barney, why don't you give
Alan that office next to yours?
Have Miss Dennis get him
whatever he needs
and fill him in on all
the current projects.
Right.
Now look, boy. Don't push too hard.
It's your first day.
If I get stuck,
I'll see you tomorrow, right?
Sure. Thanks.
And Alan, uh, you might
call Senator Walder.
He always thought a lot of you
and you could get him back.
- Let's, uh, let's get you set first Mr. Eaton, okay?
- Okay.
- I, uh, I think you've already met Miss Dennis, haven't you?
- Yes.
Yes, she's a highly
efficient young lady.
Oh, and, uh, here's, here's your
office, right this way, sir.
I hope everything's in order here.
We have a number of projects
going right now.
Fred Fletcher's still lobbying congress
for legislation on the hill, isn't he?
- Uh, yes, he is.
- Which project of ours is he connected with?
Must be awfully important, the way
McGinn is was scooting out of here.
Well, as a matter of fact, it is.
Some of our biggest projects
right now are for clients of his.
We're conducting a campaign
right now in the middle west.
What sort of a campaign?
Well, we're evaluating the reactions
of voters in the election there.
Since when did we get into politics?
That's a little out
of our line, isn't it?
Well, no. Not really.
Our methods are just about the same.
We, we use the same
master card index file to
select groups in each area for
our field interviewers to poll.
We, uh, utilize the same media,
direct mail, radio, billboards
and of course, television.
I mean, it's still our job to
sell the people our package.
Selling a package of cigarettes
or soap or cereal, that's one thing.
But selling a mayor
or a governor
or a package of candidates
for public office,
that's quite a different thing.
Is that all we're doing
for Fred Fletcher?
Conducting a poll and
furnishing the results?
(CHUCKLING)
Well, no, our service
goes a little beyond that.
I think it might be best if I let
Mr. McGinn is fill you in on the details.
Meanwhile, I'll have Miss Dennis
bring in some of the files
on our other projects.
If there's anything you want,
just give me a call.
Oh, and you, you won't forget the
call to the senator, will you?
I, uh, I know it would
please Mr. McGinn is.
No, I'll call him. Thank you.
Get me the Senate office
building, would you please?
I'd like to talk to Senator Walder.
That's right.
Hello?
Oh, I see.
Oh. When he returns, tell him Alan
Eaton called, would you please?
He can find me here at
Eaton Baker Associates.
That's fine. Thank you.
Well, just a minute, Miss Dennis.
- You were saying...
- I was saying what, Mr. Eaton?
Now, when I left before,
you were saying how
terribly sorry you were.
Exactly what are you so sorry about?
Well, just about your coming back
and Mr. Baker's accident.
What about Mr. Baker's accident?
Really, Mr. Eaton,
I don't know what you mean.
I was only expressing my sympathy.
Just sympathy. Nothing else?
No, sir. Nothing else.
Very well, thank you very much.
Oh, Miss Dennis, have you had any
lucky getting me a hotel reservation?
Oh, I see. Well, thanks anyway.
I'll find something.
Will there be anything else, Mr. Eaton?
I wanted to close up now.
No, I guess not, Miss Dennis.
I guess I've had enough
for one day myself.
- Very well then, I'll say good night.
- Oh, just a minute.
How long have you been employed
in this office, Miss Dennis?
LORRAINE: Oh, about a year and a half.
And you knew Mr. Baker, didn't you?
Well, only in the office.
You like your job here, Miss Dennis?
Yes, sir. I do.
Exactly what is your job?
I mean, what do you...
Mr. Eaton! What's the matter?
Can I help you? Can I get you a doctor?
No. It's, it's nothing.
I, I just seem to have
a horrible headache.
Can I get you something?
- No. No, I'll be all right.
- What can I do?
- You're very kind.
- I'm terribly sorry.
You seem to be always terribly sorry.
I feel rather foolish.
No, not at all.
No reason for any apology.
Well, I have my car.
Can I drop you somewhere?
Uh, I left my bag this morning
at the Dupont Hotel.
It's not out of my way.
What are you going to do? You
have to find a place to stay.
There's always an all-night movie.
(CHUCKLING) That's not very practical.
I'm not always a practical man.
Meaning?
Meaning, I sometimes take chances.
I'm going to take a chance on you.
I asked you if you liked your job.
Do you like your boss?
Mr. McGinn is? I suppose so. I mean...
Exactly what do mean, Mr. Eaton?
I mean just this. I think you don't.
There's something
you're terribly sorry about.
You started to tell me once,
and you changed your mind.
I hope you find a place to stay.
Good night, Mr. Eaton.
Thanks for the lift.
I hope I haven't troubled you,
Miss Dennis?
Not at all.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- Yes?
- Good evening.
My name is Eaton. Alan Eaton.
Dr. Gregory Jessup said you might
be able to put me up for the night.
What'd you say?
Dr. Jessup. I came in on the
plane with him this morning.
Well, come on in. Come on in.
- Any friend of Dr. Jessup is welcome here.
- Thank you.
I'm Hal Loder and this here is Viv.
I didn't get your name.
- Alan Eaton. Dr. Jessup said...
- Oh, sure. Let me take this.
Korea, huh? Are you in the service?
- Well, I'm getting out.
- I was in the army.
I was in the 1st Armored Division.
Hit the beach right smack on D-Day.
I got the Purple Heart!
I went in there and I wiped
out a bunch of these...
Maybe Mr. Eaton would
prefer a cup of coffee, Hal.
Yeah, how about it? Cup of coffee?
- Well, thanks very much. I don't want to put you...
- No bother at all!
We've always got some coffee
cooking, haven't we, Viv?
Sure thing, Hal. Only take a minute.
Got a nice little room
for you upstairs.
Plenty of privacy.
- All the comforts of home.
- Here, I'll take the bag.
Oh, nothing doing. You're a guest.
- Ask Jessup, he'll tell you. First class treatment.
- (CHUCKLING)
- Nothing fancy, but you'll sleep like a kitten.
- (KEY CLINKING ON DESK)
I guarantee that.
Oh, the washroom's through there.
Maybe you'd like to wash up a bit?
Well, thanks.
Look, uh, if you don't mind, I think
I'll skip the coffee. I'm beat.
Sure, that's all right.
I could send Viv up with a cup.
- No, thanks.
- Okay.
When you're ready for
breakfast, you just holler.
That Viv ain't so bad in the kitchen.
(PANTING)
(CLATTERING)
VIVIAN: Hal! Hal, stop it!
Oh! You fool!
You stupid fool!
Not so stupid I couldn't
see you give him the big eye.
What are you trying to do?
Break my arm?
A few cans of beer and you're just...
ALAN: Everything all right down there?
Oh, you big ape!
It's nothing, Mr. Eaton.
I just dropped a tray.
How bout a can of beer, Eaton?
Well, how about it?
ALAN: No, thanks very much. Good night.
You drunken ox!
Do you want him to come
down here and see all this?
Big mouth. You always had a big mouth.
You lay another finger on me, Hal,
- and I'll...
- You'll what?
So help me, you really
will get a purple heart.
Mr. Eaton. Breakfast is ready.
- Good morning. Where's...
- He's sleeping it off.
He gets a few cans of beer in him,
watches a western on TV,
and thinks he's Bronco Billy.
Sit down. I'll have
your eggs in a jitty.
Well, thanks very much.
I generally just have a cigarette
and coffee in the morning.
This'll do fine.
It'll only take a second.
No, thanks very much. I wonder,
could I use your telephone?
Sure. It's in the hall.
You have your toast
and coffee while it's hot.
- I've got to go tidy up.
- Thank you.
Looking for something, Mrs. Loder?
I suppose you'll think I'm foolish but
I've always had a yen for an
attractive man in a uniform.
You wouldn't understand that.
- Or could you?
- I might.
But so might Mr. Loder.
Oh, that big ape.
The nearest he ever got
to a uniform was...
HAL: Was where, you two-bit tramp?
Go on, big mouth.
Tell him what you are.
- Tell him what you...
- Shut up.
You've got it all wrong. I was, oh!
- Oh!
- Drop it, Loder!
As she said, you've got the wrong idea.
- (PANTING)
- Go on, you big ape.
Tell him about your war record.
Tell him where you were on D-Day.
- Go on! Tell him!
- Let go! Let go! You're breaking my arm!
(PANTING)
You no-good tramp.
You're no good.
I never like to
outstay my welcome so...
(GRUNTING)
Get up, you ape!
Get up and show us how you
wiped out that bunch of Krauts.
Come on! Get up! Get up
and get yourself killed!
(GRUNTING)
Oh. (CACKLING)
(HAL GRUNTING)
VIVIAN: Get up, you big ape!
HAL: I can take that bum.
I could take him anytime.
VIVIAN: (SARCASTICALLY)
Sure you can. Sure you can!
Him and those five Krauts!
(VIVIAN LAUGHING)
Yes, I'll tell Mr. McGinn is
when he arrives.
Yes, I've got that. Thank you.
- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- Yes?
Miss Dennis told me you just got in.
- Is there anything you'd like to get together on?
- Yes, Barney. Come on in.
Lorraine, uh, I mean, Miss Dennis
said that you had a little
trouble getting a reservation.
Did you finally find a place to stay?
Yes. I did. Thanks.
Oh, do you have everything you want?
As a matter of fact, there's
something I'd like, Barney.
I've been studying this
Fred Fletcher survey.
It seems to me
we're a little lopsided here.
Lopsided, Mr. Eaton? How do you mean?
Well, these questions
are loaded questions, Barney.
Take this one, for instance.
"Do you think Governor Jones is
the best governor in office today?"
Now, you know as well as I how
few people could possibly know
every governor of every state,
or what kind of a job he's doing.
Most of the answers would be no.
And the polls show that the
people do not think Governor Jones
is the best man for the office.
Are we running
an honest survey or aren't we?
Of course, we are, Mr. Eaton.
The poll is only the first
phase in the overall plan.
And I, I'm sure Mr. McGinn is
will explain.
Yes. I'm sure he will.
You know, some of this stuff
on this survey is pretty sharp.
Much sharper than I give
McGinn is credit for being.
I sorta get the impression that maybe you
had something to do with this, Barney.
Well, frankly, Mr. Eaton, I, I did.
Now look, Barney, if you and
I are gonna work together,
I need the advantage of your thinking.
Of course, if you don't feel
you can speak for yourself...
Oh, no. No. It isn't that, Mr. Eaton.
- It's just that I, well, I thought...
- What is it?
(SIGHING) Well, you,
you know Mr. McGinn is.
He has a rather strong way
about him and...
Yes. So I've observed.
Well, it's unfortunate that
you don't have the authority
that a man of your obvious
capabilities should have.
Well, that's, that's very
nice of you to say, Mr. Eaton.
Thank you very much.
Not at all.
I know a thorough job when I see one.
But it seems to me, Barney,
if we're selling soap chips,
we can defend claiming that
we have some magic ingredient
that no other brand has.
Or we can claim that four out of five
people smoke our brand of cigarettes.
But never admit that
we only polled five people
and polled those people
in our own office.
Or that we had to poll 500 people
to find even four that smoke
the brand of cigarettes at all.
Now, we can fool the people
by claiming that our product is
90% more effective, 90% stronger,
but never say more effective than what.
Or stronger than what.
Could be nothing.
Well, it's, uh, it's our job
to sell our product, Mr. Eaton.
We use the same techniques
24 hours a day.
The same techniques, the
same media, 24 hours a day.
Billboards, radio, television.
But it's not only what we're
selling that bothers me, Barney.
But who?
What's behind the billboard?
What's inside the package?
What's our batting average for honesty,
if we start packaging politicians.
After all, uh, almost any issue
calls for some speculation.
Oh, speculation on fact is one thing.
But if you were asked for an opinion
based upon assumptions
which are not fact,
that's quite a different thing.
- I'm sure my figures are correct.
- Barney, look.
We're professionals at this game.
We know that figures can be
made to prove almost anything.
You ask only farmers if
factory workers are overpaid.
And you ask the factory workers
if the farmers are getting too
much money for their product.
We'll never get honest answers
even with honest questions
if we poll a prejudiced
group of people.
If I'm gonna make
an analysis of this survey,
I'll need a population breakdown,
I'll need the master card index file
to find out if we're polling
a true cross section of all the people.
Well, I'll let you have
my worksheets if that...
Just the basic data, Barney.
That's all I need.
Who we're polling, and where.
And for that, I'll need
the master card file.
Well, Mr. McGinn is
keeps that in his office.
You'll have to ask him for that.
Well, how's it going?
What are you working on?
Mr. Eaton here was just going
over the Fletcher survey.
He wants to check the poll against
the master card index file.
Oh, now we don't wanna take
advantage of him, do we, Barney?
Suppose you leave all that
detail work to Barney here.
- Well, if I'm gonna earn my money around here...
- Let me worry about that.
Our deals calls for you
to act as a consultant.
You know, advice on
high-level strategy.
I'd feel much better
qualified to do that
if I could have a look at the
card index file because, uh,
I've been away for
quite a while, you know?
There have been some
significant changes in
population and income since then.
Forget it. Leave that to the drones.
Look, I hate to pull him away, but I'd like
to go over some things with Barney here.
Sure. Go ahead.
Miss Dennis, would you come
in here for a moment, please?
Thank you.
- Yes, Mr. Eaton?
- Sit down, Miss Dennis, please.
Are you familiar with the
Fletcher survey, Miss Dennis?
Well, just generally. I've
taken some dictation on it.
Well, I'm, uh, making an analysis
of the survey for Mr. McGinn is.
In order to make sure
that we're polling
a true cross section of the population
in that area, I would
like to check the list
of the people to be polled
by our field interviewers
against the master card files.
Would you get those for me, please?
Well, the master card files
are classified confidential.
They're kept locked in
Mr. McGinnis's office.
But Mr. Bond's made up a list of
people to be polled. He could tell you.
Well, you see, I don't want Mr. Bond
to misunderstand. You see, this...
Or you ask Mr. McGinn is.
He has the only key.
Yes. I could.
But I'd rather not.
Well, Mr. McGinn is would understand.
Yes, I'm afraid he would.
That's why I don't want to ask him.
Miss Dennis, I would like to
see those card files
without asking Mr. McGinn is
or telling Mr. Bond just now.
- Mr. Eaton, you're asking...
- I'm asking you to help me.
Last night, I told you I was
going to take a chance on you.
I'm doing just that.
How should I know?
He may know more than we think he does.
In any case, we got to be sure.
I'll tell you one thing
I'm sure of. I don't like it.
I don't like it one bit.
And you stop him from poking his
nose into things around here.
That's your job.
Of course, Mr. McGinn is
I feel sure that Mr. Eaton is only
naturally curious about our projects.
Okay, you satisfy his curiosity!
But steer him clear
of the Fletcher project.
Of course, Mr. McGinn is.
I'll do my best.
Your best better be good enough.
Yes, sir.
So, if I'm going to find out
what's going on around here
and exactly what this Fletcher
campaign means and who's behind him,
I'm going to need some help.
Mr. Eaton, is that all
you want to find out?
- Is there anything else?
- I'm not sure.
But then I'm not sure
you're not just testing me.
Testing my loyalty to the team.
Mr. McGinn is did say
you were on his team.
So that's why you wouldn't talk.
You think that I'm with...
Sit down, Miss Dennis.
Do you know why I've come back?
I'll tell you why I'm back.
What I'm looking for.
This time there's something
I'm terribly sorry about.
I'm sorry to see
people's thinking polluted
by bought and paid for lies.
I'm also sorry to see
a decent, useful business
that Clark Baker and I
built from the ground up,
taken over to serve the interests
of well-heeled lobbyists
like this Fred Fletcher.
But most of all, I'm,
I'm sorry about Clark Baker.
You see, Miss Dennis,
if they can twist the
opinions of 100,000 people,
it's a lead pipe cinch they can twist the
facts about a simple hit and run accident.
- You think Mr. Baker was...
- I don't know what I think right now, Miss Dennis.
But I'm sure of one thing,
I'm going to find out.
Now are you on my team?
How do you know I'm not on theirs?
That's a chance I've got to take.
I'll get the key.
Oh, let me help you, Miss Dennis.
Thank you, Mr. Bond.
- Miss Dennis?
- Yes?
Thanks.
Miss Dennis?
Sometimes it...
Sometimes it seems as if you, you hardly
know my name or that I'm even here at all.
Oh, you must be joking, Mr. Bond.
Oh, I assure you, Miss Dennis,
I've never been more serious
about anything in my life.
Well, you can't possibly
be serious, Mr. Bond.
"Mr. Bond, Mr. Bond."
That's exactly what I mean.
I've got a first name. It's Barney.
Now, really, this is
hardly the time and I have...
Or the place, is it, Lorraine? Well...
When is the time?
I mean, what does it take?
Six feet tall? Good looks?
A war hero? Is that what...
Well, really, I don't know what you
mean but Mr. McGinn is is waiting.
Mr. McGinn is is waiting. Let him wait!
Listen, it's taken me a long time
to get the courage to say
this to you, Lorraine but...
Hey, what's going on out there?
(STAMMERING)
- Lorra... I mean, Miss Dennis, she dropped some letters...
- Yeah, yeah. Sure.
Well, bring 'em in here.
Put them down over there.
Sit down.
I want you to take a letter.
Fred Fletcher.
(ELECTRIC RAZOR BUZZING) - "Dear Fred."
Hey, can you hear me over this thing?
Oh, yes. Perfectly, Mr. McGinn is.
Okay.
"I've had sample conversations prepared
including your slant of questioning"
"of our opponent's church affiliations"
"and the relationship
with his secretary."
"I'll send these to our men in the
field the day before the poll."
- Did you get that?
- Oh, yes, Mr. McGinn is.
Huh. I always forget
those whiskers under my chin.
(ELECTRIC RAZOR BUZZING)
"We will also supply speakers
for the business groups"
"and garden clubs in that area
with the extra budget you okayed."
"The budget allows..."
Hey, what's the matter with you?
Oh, nothing. Nothing, Mr. McGinn is.
- Ah, it's getting late. Here, we'll finish in the morning.
- Thank you.
(DOOR OPENING)
(DOOR CLOSING)
Right, Hill yer.
Anything that could help.
- Hold on a minute.
- He doesn't know I've got it.
How much time have we got?
Well, I don't know. He's
getting ready to leave now.
I can get back in there and...
No, you've taken enough
of a chance already.
It shouldn't take me very long.
Where can I meet you later?
Well, there's a restaurant around
the corner on K Street, Otto's.
How about there?
Just a minute.
Oh, Hill yer?
I'll be at a restaurant called Otto's.
Do you know where it is?
Right. Well, uh,
I'll see you there. Goodbye.
That was Rodney Hill yer of The Post.
That should give me about, uh...
Well, I thought you were going home?
Well, I was just leaving.
- Good night.
- Good night, Miss Dennis.
- Good night, Mr. McGinn is.
- Good night.
Well, Alan, you look bushed.
- How about calling it a day?
- You know, I think I will.
You need a place to stay?
Can I drop you anyplace?
No, thanks very much, McGinn is,
I think the walk would do me good.
The Dupont Hotel confirmed my
reservations today. I'll be living there.
JIM: Fine, fine.
By the way, Alan, did you happen to
get through to Senator Walder today?
Yes, I did.
How did he sound? Do you think you
could bring him back in the fold?
There's a distinct possibility.
However, the Senator
did have some questions.
Don't we all?
Look, Alan, we both know that the Senator's
business doesn't mean any real coin.
It's a prestige account.
Wouldn't have to do anything
with his committee, would it?
Sure, it would. And I'm
the first one to admit it.
Public relations are not for
charity, but it does begin at home.
Let's face it, Alan.
Business is business.
You don't see any of those senators
working for nothing either.
And I'll tell you,
you bring Senator Walder back on the
team and I'll play ball with him.
I'll spend more money on
his account than it brings in.
I'll use the same interviewers
and the same field personnel that
we have on the various accounts
throughout his state.
And he won't have to worry
about begging for handouts
and contributions on
election day either.
And, he won't have to
depend on a bunch of
squirrely housewives
and high school volunteers
to pass out mimeographed
handbills on the street corners.
I'll punch every doorbell in his state,
and I'll furnish him with more
volunteers than he ever thought...
I bet you will too.
Well, listen to me.
Look who's telling you.
(CHUCKLING)
Let's leave the old boiler factory.
Tomorrow is another day.
Right.
And get yourself a good dinner.
Take in a show and relax.
You know, all work and no play.
Sure can't drop you anywhere?
No, thanks. I'd rather walk.
Good night, Alan.
(CAR ENGINE STARTING)
(ACCORDION MUSIC PLAYING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Sorry to be so long, but.
McGinn is was quite concerned
about Senator Walder.
What about the key?
I've got it.
McGinn is locked the office.
Can we get in?
- I have an office key.
- Oh, good.
WAITRESS: Would you like to order now?
Oh, thanks, we're waiting
for another party.
WAITRESS: Would you care for a drink?
Yes, I'd like an old fashioned.
Bring the lady a small glass of sherry.
- Be good for your nerves.
- WAITRESS: Certainly.
Alan, are you all right?
It's nothing...
I don't know what happened.
Maybe I should drink the sherry myself.
Mr. Eaton, are you sure...
I like it better the other way.
The other way?
You just called me Alan.
Alan, shouldn't you see a doctor?
I mean, these...
These symptoms?
They're war souvenirs.
They tell me it will go away...
if I take it easy
and avoid excessive strain.
Well, isn't there anything you can do?
What about the army doctors?
What I really had planned to do
was to let Clark run the business here
and I was gonna head for California,
and let the sun and the beach
cure what ails me.
That's what I planned to do.
Clark Baker is dead.
So, California and the army
doctors are gonna have to wait
until I find out why
Clark Baker is dead.
Couldn't we go the police?
With what? Suspicions?
We're gonna need proof.
Black and white proof,
of exactly what he's doing,
and for whom.
And what really happened to Clark
Baker on Bethesda Road that night.
But where do we start?
Those master card files.
You see, McGinn is
can't sell any client
or the public with a guesswork
polling of a handful of people.
But, Alan, you can't question
a hundred million people.
No, that's true.
No one actually ever does.
But, who can you believe?
Well, we use the
US Department of Commerce,
Labor Department,
the Government Census Bureau,
every available source
of authentic information
are used to set up that
master card file.
Now, if McGinn is
has changed those cards,
I wanna find out exactly how
many people he's really polling,
and how he picked them,
and if they can speak for a
hundred and sixty million people.
And if we can get the master card files
and find that Mr. McGinn is
has changed them,
or isn't using them at all,
we've got the beginning of our proof.
Yeah.
But only the beginning.
Most people from Main Street
to Madison Avenue
prefer to go along with the majority.
Sponsors of television programs
will buy or drop a program
not because they went out
and rang 50 million doorbells,
but, because some paid poll
claim that 50 million people
did or did not see
that particular program.
But, Alan, doesn't that
give a few people
a frightening amount of power?
I mean, if you can make or
break a television program...
McGinn is may be juggling
statistics in order to
make or break handpicked
candidates for public office.
- Hello, Eaton, I'm sorry to keep you.
- Hello, Hill yer.
I'd like you to meet
Miss Lorraine Dennis.
She works for McGinn is.
Oh, how do you do?
That's all right. She's helping me.
- Sit down.
- Yeah.
Well, there's nothing on McGinn is.
No record of any kind that I can find.
Mmm-hmm.
Oh, what about Clark Baker's accident?
- Any new witnesses turn up?
- No.
Just the two who testified
for McGinn is at the inquest.
And they check out all right?
They checked out all right.
McGinn is spent the
rest of the night with them,
the whole night with them.
Played cards till four in the morning.
One of them took him home and
spent the rest of the night
up at his place, McGinn is' place.
They had breakfast together.
Look, their testimony placed McGinn is
right here in town all that night.
He can't have been
anywhere near the accident.
There's not much to go
on there, is there?
Well, I gotta get back
to the city desk,
I'm on tonight.
If I run into anything else,
I'll give you a ring.
Thanks, thanks very much.
It's been a pleasure. Good luck.
There must be something.
Alan, didn't Mr. Baker
write you anything
about McGinn is before it happened?
Not that I remember.
Of course, we weren't much for writing,
either one of us.
And letters from home and
writing paper were luxuries
that our Chinese hosts thought
we should be without.
Alan, isn't it possible
that it was an accident?
I mean, Mr. McGinn is...
Anything is possible, Lorraine.
It's, it's even possible
that I'm just looking for
skeletons in closets and under
beds that don't even exist.
It's even possible that.
Mr. McGinn is and the doctors
are correct.
I'm sorry.
You know, Lorraine,
you're not only very kind...
You're very lovely.
I thought you'd never notice.
Alan, aren't you taking
a terrible chance?
Well, I've got to.
I suppose if those two men were
with McGinn is all night...
Well, both of them weren't.
Mr. Hill yer said he only took
one of them home with him.
Oh.
Then, only one could swear that
McGinn is was in town all night.
Does it give his name?
Uh, yes. According to the testimony of.
Dr. Gregory Jessup at the inquest...
Gregory Jessup?
That's the man I met on the plane.
What's the name of the other witness?
A man named, Loder, Harold Loder.
Loder. Wait a minute.
Jessup to Loder
to McGinn is.
May I have that office key?
- Let me go with you.
- No, you'd better stay here.
The pieces of this puzzle are
beginning to fall into place.
I won't be long.
(COIN DINGING IN TELEPHONE)
(DOOR UNLOCKING)
Like a drink?
Yeah, I don't mind if I do.
You know, between my printing
press and Viv's signatures,
well, this is the best yet
if I say so myself.
Yeah? Let's see.
"Dear Senator..."
"As chairman and chartered member of
the Sons of the Patriotic Pioneers,"
"I wish to inform you that our
organization is 100% opposed to..."
Not bad, huh?
Did you get that "Sons of
Patriotic Pioneers"?
I thought that up by myself.
Ain't that a pip?
Now, this here's your baby.
"Committee for the Abolition
of Nuclear Warfare."
"Dr. Gregory Jessup,
Executive Chairman."
Even the signature is impressive.
Yeah, Viv sure knows her business.
Why, she could sign John Hancock
and fool the old boy himself.
Yeah? Well, before you go
pinning any medals on yourself,
remember you didn't do
so well with Alan Eaton.
Now, look, don't blame me.
Viv had her chance. Can I
help it if she mucked it?
If Eaton ever got a letter from
Baker, he had it somewhere.
You should have found it
if he'd stayed.
Why did he leave?
How should I know?
Just up an left.
Ask Viv, she'll tell ya.
This guy must be crazy.
If you ask me, I know
how to handle this guy...
I'm not asking you.
I'm telling you, if he's got that
letter, you'd better find it.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
Oh, it's you.
Hello, Harold. I thought, maybe...
Who were you expecting? Clark Baker?
Look, I tried to phone you.
I've got to talk to you.
Well, all right, tell me, spit it out.
Mr. Eaton, he was with Lorraine,
Miss Dennis, at Otto's.
So what?
So, the handsome cap is making
a pass, what's that to us?
A fellow met him there,
the nosy reporter at the inquest
that kept coming around here
asking questions when Mr. Baker...
She gave him a key,
I, I thought maybe...
She gave him a key?
Oh, she gave him a key, huh?
I wonder what for.
Let's leave Lorraine
out of this, McGinn is.
Oh, you were in there.
You heard?
Yes, I heard. I heard
you both loud and clear.
So, what?
So, Loder's got a pen pal club.
What's that prove?
Loder.
"Committee for the Abolition
of Nuclear Warfare."
"Dr. Gregory Jessup,
Executive Chairman."
Also, fellow traveler.
"Sons of the Patriotic Pioneers."
You know, Loder's right.
His wife's forgeries could fool
even old John Hancock himself.
I should know.
When did you get her to forge Clark
Baker's signature to that contract?
Before or after you killed him.
Go ahead, McGinn is.
Pick up the phone,
you threatened to before,
this time I'm calling your bluff.
Call the police.
Police, Mr. McGinn is?
What does he mean?
There's nobody out there.
Mr. Eaton claims he
overheard our conversation.
And he's making a lot of
accusations about your wife
and Clark Baker's accident.
Let me handle this.
Stay out of this. I'll handle it.
Now, look.
You're not in a position
to accuse anyone.
If you tell the police anything,
you know what I'll tell them?
I'll tell them you're off your rocker.
What kind of a chance do you think
a brainwashed psycho like you
would have of convincing
anybody of anything?
All right.
Let's put our cards on the table.
Sure, I'm not running any penny-ante
organization like you and Baker did.
Far from it.
I got clients.
Important clients.
And, they won't hold still
for any mental case
making a lot of careless accusations.
You don't hear the
clients holler, do you?
And they're the ones
that are paying the bills.
What do you want?
A cut of the take?
Look.
I'm reasonable.
I gave Clark Baker his chance
and I'm giving you yours right now.
Or what, McGinn is?
Do I go the same way
that Clark Baker did?
A faked hit-and-run accident?
Okay, wise guy. He tried his way.
Now, I'll try mine.
Would you want to order dinner now?
Oh, no, I was waiting. What time is it?
It's a quarter of ten.
I better see what's keeping him.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
(GRUNTING)
(PANTING)
Give him some of this.
- (GLASS SHATTERING)
- Why, you dirty...
Hey! That's enough.
Harold here believes in rather
primitive methods of persuasion,
but you leave us no alternative
if you don't cooperate.
Now, give us that letter.
Your boy is an amateur.
I've been worked over by professionals.
They call it "co-existence."
He needs some more persuasion, Harold.
Give it to him.
No. No!
What do you suggest we do?
Let him walk out of here
and straight to the police?
Well, you said yourself
he had no proof...
Sure I said.
But you hear what he said.
The guy's wise to the whole setup.
Maybe if we talked to Mr. Fletcher,
dropped the whole campaign.
McGINNIS: Sure, drop the whole
campaign, lose the election,
then explain to Fred Fletcher.
Huh.
What about Jessup and his people?
They're in this for high
stakes and for keeps.
Maybe, you feel like throwing a
couple of million bucks
out of the window
and take in a 4,000 mile
one-way trip, but I don't.
What about him?
Wouldn't work.
Another auto accident,
they'd know right away that...
Sure.
Another hit-and-run, maybe.
What about a suicide?
Suicide, that's it.
Everybody knows that
Eaton's punchy anyway.
Sure, he comes back he's all mixed up,
Baker's gone, he gets despondent and...
And, what?
It's simple.
He takes a nice long walk
down to the river.
- Gets to Memorial Bridge and...
- (SNAPPING FINGERS)
Jumps.
Yeah, we can have Viv
write us a suicide note.
We, we can't. We can't.
What do you mean, we can't?
We've gotta.
How were we supposed to know
that Eaton was gonna come
back here from the dead?
Do you think we can let him
walk out of here
with that letter and what
he knows now to the police?
Nah.
What those Chinese commies
didn't finish, we've got to.
- It's our neck or his.
- But, I tell you, we can't.
Lorraine, Miss Dennis,
she knows he's here,
- she's waiting for him at Otto's.
- Hold it.
He's right.
If she's in it with him, why,
we've gotta go pick her up, too.
Look, Barney.
If he comes to, don't let
him get out of that chair.
Understand? Come on, Harold.
And Barney?
Just remember that you're
in this as deep as we are.
All the way down the line.
ALAN: It won't work, Barney.
You know it won't work.
I'm sorry, Mr. Eaton. I really am.
Sorry for what, Barney?
Sorry about this?
Or you're sorry about Fred Fletcher,
and all those lies.
Or Dr. Jessup and treason?
Or maybe, you're sorry
about Clark Baker.
It's no use, Mr. Eaton.
I have no choice.
What's your hurry, little lady?
You're wrong, Barney.
It's not too late, not yet.
You don't understand, Mr. Eaton.
You don't know what it's like
for somebody like me.
(SOBBING) Sure, it's fine for you.
You're a big war hero.
You can get anything
or anybody you want.
You even got Lorraine.
- Lorraine?
- Yes, Lorraine.
Every day, watching her walk
in and out of the office.
You've seen the way she walks,
you think I'm blind?
With Clark Baker gone,
I might have had a chance,
but then you had to come back.
What chance have I got now?
Barney, you've got to listen to me.
What chance has Lorraine
got with McGinn is?
Why do you think they went to get her?
What do you think Loder will do to her?
I won't get Lorraine, Barney,
but neither will you.
McGinn is won't let you get her.
- Give me the gun.
- You're lying, you're lying.
He just wants to make sure
she won't talk, that's all.
The way he made sure with Clark Baker?
The way he's going
to make sure with me?
He wouldn't do a thing
like that to Lorraine.
- You can't stop him.
- Yes, I can. I can stop him.
He's gotta listen to me.
I know all about
Dr. Jessup and Mr. Fletcher.
I know how they killed Clark Baker.
I know too much.
That's why you've got to
give me the gun, Barney,
because you do know too much.
They won't stop with us.
You'll be next.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
ALAN: Let her go, Loder.
- Oh, Alan.
- Why, you dirty little...
Get the files, they're in there.
Look, Eaton, I didn't want
it to work out this way.
I gave Clark Baker every chance
in the world to see it our way,
and he wouldn't.
Don't call the cops.
What will that get you?
Another medal or something?
Look, there's millions
in this, I give you my word.
Your word?
I'm not going to call the police.
They're millions, all right, McGinn is.
Millions of people being lied to,
taken for suckers.
You know, it's a funny thing.
They have pure food and drug laws
to keep people from buying
poison to put in their stomachs.
And you're peddling poison
to put in their minds.
Call Senator Walder, Lorraine.
He's at the Wardman Park.
Look, I'll tell you what.
You come with us and I'll split
everything right down the middle.
And I'm not talking about any lousy
20,000 or 30,000 a year salary either.
Your kind of public relations
are peanuts.
But with us, we turn the screws
on the United States Congress
and from there, it's just
a step to the White House.
With our people, we can't miss.
Can't you see that?
Yes, I can see all right.
I can see what you and your phony
front groups are manufacturing.
You're manufacturing fear in order to
sell your "Peace at Any Price" campaign.
And it's not gonna be
very difficult for the Senator
to find out just who was
paying the bills.
I'm beginning to see how big
the puppet is growing,
and who is pulling the strings.
Alan, Senator Walder is out,
they expect him back right away.
Leave word, will you?
Tell him to call me right away.
No deal, McGinn is.
Alan!
Keep away from me, twist,
or I'll rip his arm off.
Well, Captain Eaton.
You pilfered my files.
That's stealing. I'm surprised at you.
I ought a turn you over
to the authorities.
You leave me no choice.
I've got to get rid of you permanently.
- What about her?
- She goes too.
- Let's go.
- (GRUNTING)
No! You're not gonna hurt Lorraine.
- Why you little...
- Harold, stay back. I'm warning you.
I warn you, Hal, I'll shoot.
- I'll shoot!
- (GUNSHOT)
Why you stupid fool!
Yeah, he asked for it.
Come on, let's get out of here.
We gotta work fast.
Let's go, Eaton.
(ENGINE STARTING)
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
- (RINGING CONTINUING)
- (GROANING)
(GRUNTING)
WALDER: Hello.
Are you there, Alan?
Hello?
Hello, this is Senator Walder.
What's wrong, Alan?
Can you hear me?
Yes, yes. I hear you, go on.
They shot me.
McGinn is is taking them.
- Black convertible. Mark V.
- (WRITING)
Where is he taking them?
(WEAKLY) The river.
Memorial Bridge.
Hello? Hello?
(CLICKING)
We can't throw 'em both
from the bridge.
Of course not. Two suicides,
nobody'd buy that.
Look, we'll go out
Mount Vernon Highway,
I know a turn there where we can
drive this job right in the river.
Another accident?
- You think that...
- We gotta take a chance.
Look, he wanted to buy the car,
see, they had a few drinks,
he wanted to show her how
fast it'd go, missed the turn.
Think of something better?
Yes, sir, Senator. Got it.
Dispatcher, emergency procedure.
This is an A.P.B.
- (ENGINE STARTING)
- (HORN HONKING)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
(SIREN WAILING)
All cars, area Zone Four.
Intercept and apprehend
occupants of Mark V convertible.
(SIREN WAILING)
MAN: (OVER RADIO) All cars,
area Zone Four.
Intercept and apprehend
black Mark V convertible
heading west to Memorial
Bridge, all units.
Intercept the black Mark V convertible.
Heading west, Memorial Bridge.
First Clark... And now Barney.
You can't kill all of us.
- Listen to the loon. He's off his rocker!
- Alan!
What do you know? The punchy
captain passed out again.
(GUNSHOTS)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(SIRENS WAILING)
ALAN: Take care of her.
ALAN: This is for Clark Baker
and a lot of guys in Korea.
Here's my card.
- If there's anything further, you can contact my office.
- Yes, sir.
We both had enough of speeches,
Alan, so I won't start one now,
but I want you to know
how grateful I am,
not only for my committee,
but for all of us.
And you too, Miss Dennis.
When you feel up to it, Alan,
come on over.
- We'll be waiting.
- Thank you, sir.
Oh, my darling, I was so frightened.
- I thought you...
- I might have been.
I'm awfully glad
I took that chance on you.
- You sure you're all right, Captain Eaton?
- Yes, I'm all right.
We'll need your statement.
- Anytime tomorrow would be okay.
- All right.
Alan?
What are you gonna do now?
I mean, now that it's over,
will you go to California?
It's never over, Lorraine.
You know, he was right.
You can't fool all the people
all the time.
But nowadays, you don't
have to fool all the people.
Just enough to swing it for the
Fletchers and the, and the Jessups.
Let me keep that date
with the senator's committee.
And after that,
California can wait for the both of us.