The Internecine Project (1974) Movie Script

1
I'll take my cue from the monitor John.
Camera one in on professor Elliot.
One minute... You have camera one.
Now let's see a close up of Arnold.
Camera one Arnold.
You now too camera two. Hold it back.
Get a shot of Mr. Drake.
Where the hell is this Robertson woman.
Is she coming John, or isn't she?
Well if she doesn't turn up, we'll have to press on.
On line now.
She's just arrived. Thank god for that.
Wheel her on.
Twenty seconds.
On you camera one. Standby to roll telecine.
Fifteen second studio.
Standby studio.
Mr. Robertson? I'm Arnold price Jones.
This is Justin Blake. Hello.
I'm terribly sorry about this. I was held up in traffic.
You really had us worried there for a moment.
Oh, this is professor Elliot.
I know.
Quiet studio.
Two..
One...
Right. Go ahead studio.
Roll telecine. Cue music.
Good evening.
The world this week takes a look at inflation.
Here this evening, to discuss this matter,
ls professor Robert Elliot.
Author and lawyer.
The senior elector on economic
studies at Harvard university,
and special adviser on financial affairs,
to the United States foreign relations committee.
And to pose the questions, Mr. Chester Drake,
financial correspondent to the London times.
And Ms. Jean Robertson.
Journalist, novelist.
Last years winner of the Kern award for journalism.
And currently the political correspondent
on the Washington daily news.
Well professor Elliot,
the constantly increasing spiral of wages and prices.
What can we do about it, can it be stopped?
I know in the United States last year,
the consumer prices rose a dramatic eight percent.
But then on the other hand, the overall prosperity
of the country increased just as dramatically.
And yet wages always seem to lag behind prices.
Yes, but they catch up just as rapidly.
The unions take care of that.
Surely professor, the only way to stop
the race between constants and wages.
Is to peg prices. To control cost of living.
Well in a free economy,
control is a dirty word, Mr. Drake.
I know that it's, uh...
Very tempting to produce rigid, controllable
prices and wages. But, at what level?
No one raises prices just to make...
- Oh, hello.
- I hope I'm not too early.
A bit, yes.
I'm sorry.
Oh, that's alright.
Gives us more time.
No, obviously if a manufacturer can
reduce his prices, he'll sell more.
And, have a bigger profit.
But, with the increased costs of, uh, overhead, labor...
Raw materials...
We're forced to meet these increases correspondingly.
Then, you are arguing a case
for neutral wages, professor?
No, no, not at all.
The more money the working population
earn, the greater their spending power.
Of course, as the world becomes smaller,
every country, particularly America...
The European community...
America has had to go elsewhere for its expenses.
Corruption, for instance...
The desire in question for the United States business...
Of the cold war. More than the U.N. Has ever done.
I imagine their doing business with Russia...
Mr. Baker, their tests are happening now.
Right.
Mr. Clark.
- Are you ready?
- Uh, yes we are, sir.
- Okay, let's see it then.
- Alright.
You alright, bill?
Here we go, then.
- What was the frequency?
- A hundred thousand.
Let me have your figures. I'll check them.
We'll do it again tomorrow.
Alright.
You keep talking about selling. I'm
talking about political pressure.
I still didn't think that's quite
the issue here, Ms. Robertson.
I'm talking about putting the squeeze on little countries
getting involved in their domestic politics.
I know that it's the nature of your...
Who, for instance, was really behind the military
overthrow of the government in Rico last month?
I assume the populace.
It prevented E.D.C.
From losing millions of dollars.
E.D.C.
Isn't your firm involved in E.D.C., old boy?
Involved?
They own us, old man.
Bought us out two years ago.
Well, then.
- Oh, take it easy!
- Sorry, sir.
Within the world markets, um, in order to...
Big corporations go to the under developed countries.
The developed countries, and exert whatever
influence is necessary, Ms. Robertson.
I am talking about...
I think we've gone far enough
on this point, Ms. Robertson.
- Call the embassy.
- Yes, sir. Lunch, Wednesday, 12:30.
Can I make that?
Yes, your meeting with international isn't until three.
Then, you have a trade reception at seven.
Uh huh, thank you.
Thank you very much, you two, for
using my show to pick a fight on.
Oh, we're old protagonists, aren't we?
- Yes.
- So, I gather. You coming upstairs for a drink?
You have a conference call with
Washington booked for eleven thirty, sir.
Well, there's your answer. I'm sorry.
- I quite understand. Goodbye.
- I'm so sorry, too.
- Goodbye and thank you.
- Bye bye.
Goodbye, thank you.
- Goodnight, professor.
- Goodnight.
- It was very nice.
- Jean.
Thank you.
You were coming on very strong to me in there.
Well, there was nothing personal. I was
just trying to get at the truth.
The truth?
That's what my paper prints, is the truth.
God, for five thousand years men and women all over the
world have been trying to discover what the truth is.
- Yes.
- You tell me your paper prints it?
Aw, come, it's my job.
- Your job?
- Yeah.
- Listen, you're a bright, beautiful lady...
- Really?
Why don't you find a job that suits your talents?
Well, like what?
Write a cookbook.
You chauvinist.
There's nothing that drives me up the wall
more than crusading, lady journalists.
Especially this one.
Car's just outside, professor.
Thank you, fella. Goodnight, Jean.
Um...
Robert?
Robert!
- What is it?
- Uh...
Well, could I, uh, have a lift?
Please?
You know, there is one thing I'll be
thankful for when women finally achieve
their equality. It'll give me a right
to punch you right in that nose.
- Can I get a lift?
- Get in.
Well.
What bring you to London?
You.
Me? C'mon.
Well, I'm serious. You're news.
That was no, uh...
Coincidence that you were at that
television interview, was it?
Oh, no, no. I used my charms.
Yes, I...
I remember your charms.
How long has it been?
Two years.
Two years.
It doesn't seem that long.
No, it doesn't, does it?
You've gone a long way.
I would like an interview with you.
Would you like to have dinner with me?
I'd love to have dinner with you.
I'll be staying at the Dorcester.
Uh, driver, would you drop the
lady at the Dorcester, please?
Yes, sir.
Well, I'll call you.
Good.
Goodnight.
Ciao.
Did you talk to Elliot? - What?
Elliot. Did you talk to him?
Well, of course I talked to Elliot.
- What'd you get out of him?
- Nothing.
Nothing?
Well, Charlie, he's just not a
very communicative kind of person.
And I want to know how.
- I'll try.
- Farnsworth is flying out there tomorrow.
- Who's coming in tomorrow?
- Hello?
Hello?
I can't hear a thing. Betty, would you hold that
for a minute. I just can't hear Washington...
I said, E.J. Farnsworth is coming in tomorrow.
E.J. Farnsworth.
Is coming to London?
Huh.
- The plot does thicken.
- Right.
Charlie, will you telex me everything you've
got on Farnsworth? The whole schmear?
- It's already on its way.
- Alright.
- Bye.
- Alright. Do what you can, will ya honey?
I'll try, Charlie.
Betty, get me everything you have
in the files on E.J. Farnsworth.
E.J. Farnsworth?
Oh, who's he?
Don't worry, there's no problem.
There's only one E.J. Farnsworth.
Excuse me, Mr. Farnsworth, can you fasten
your safety belt, we're about to land.
Oh, certainly, certainly. Thank you very much.
- I hope you enjoyed your trip, Mr. Farnsworth.
- Splendid, Margaret, splendid.
It was nice to have you on board, Mr. Farnsworth.
Well, thank you, Rogers. I'll be sure
to ask for you on the return trip.
Thank you. Goodbye, sir.
- Good morning, Mr. Farnsworth.
- Good morning, Christopher.
- Welcome to London.
- Thank you.
- Did you have a nice trip, sir?
- Splendid, splendid. Jolly good.
When I was a kid, they used to
say anybody can be president.
You know, I'm beginning to believe them.
Oh, say, Bob, Bob. Pardon me, excuse me just a minute.
- Hey, Bob Elliot. How are you?
- E.J.
It's really good to see you. You're looking wonderful.
Things are really piling up. I've got a lotto tell ya.
Say, uh, how about a game of golf? Tomorrow?
Sounds great, E.J.
- Mr. Elliot.
- Hi, Jean, how are you?
- And busy Mr. Farnsworth.
- You know Ms. Robertson?
Yes, yes indeed.
Yes, whenever I end up at one of these
receptions, you always seem to be there.
I'm beginning to think there are
two of you, Mr. Farnsworth.
There are really three of me, but who's counting?
One's enough.
Well, I wonder what could be
going on between the two of you?
You have a nasty, suspicious mind.
When the vice president of
international oil flies to London to
meet the adviser for the senate
committee, something's happening.
I was just speaking with an army general from red China.
I suppose that makes me a communist.
If there was something in it for you, Mr.
Farnsworth, I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
- Oh, c'mon, c'mon.
- Excuse me.
I'll get a drink.
Well, that was subtle, Jean.
I don't like him. I don't like what he stands for.
I thought you news persons were supposed to be objective.
I don't like what he does to people.
Let me freshen your drink.
You must know what you're doing.
Getting involved with people like that.
You used to be such a nice guy.
- Ah, shit.
- Well.
Your game's improving.
Say, uh...
You ever hear of a...
Senator McCauley?
Oh, hell.
If you keep your left arm a little stiffer, I think...
I spend a fortune taking lessons from
a pro here. I don't need advice from you.
What about him?
You're nearly on the green.
Senator McCauley, what about him?
You got a real friend there, boy, let me tell you.
I never met the man.
He's got ten thousand reasons for liking you.
In cash.
I think I'll, uh..
Use a number five.
You probably should try a seven. You'll
knock it all the way over the Greenway.
- Who's making this shot? You or me?
- Do it. Do it, then.
You should've used a seven E.J.
You know, we're working hard for you, boy.
How would you like to be chairman of the
president's economic advisory committee?
Huh?
You know, our friends upstairs have put
out a lot of effort to get you this job.
It's what we've both been looking
forward to for some time.
You know...
Power is no damn good unless it comes from the top.
Of course, there's a few loose
ends that have to be tidied up.
Skeletons in closets that have to be buried.
By the way, this uh...
Little network you've put together here
in Europe. Is it big? How big is it?
No, no, no it's small.
Four people.
Oh, well then everything can be taken care of, right?
Is it really necessary?
Bob.
I wouldn't want one guy walking around who
knows things about you he's not supposed to know.
Certainly not four.
E.J.
Now, I know just about everything
there is to know about you.
If I stood in your way, would you...
Kill me?
I wouldn't think twice about it.
Elliot?
Elliot.
- Elliot, is that you?
- You're late again, Alex.
- It's getting to be habit.
- Yeah, I-I'm sorry.
- It was the traffic.
- I chatted with you some time ago.
- What traffic?
- I couldn't get a cab.
You weren't followed were you?
- No, I don't think so. I...
- What?
No, I'm sure I wasn't followed.
Yes, well something important has come up.
Important?
Critical, perhaps, is a better word.
It seems your, uh...
Dramatic career is about to
come to an untimely end, Alex.
- What are you talking about?
- What does the British government do to...
Top foreign office officials who take
money from big corporations like E.D.C.?
Well, I...
- Well, nobody knows. Only you and me.
- No, there's one other person that knows now.
One other person? Who?
Well, at least they won't shoot you, will they?
What are you talking about?
Perhaps a few years in jail, maybe.
- Now, look, is this some kind of a joke?
- No, I'm not joking, Alex.
I'm in this just as deeply as you are.
Well, what the hell are you talking about?
You must have said something to someone about that three
million dollars you passed to
the military junta in Morocco.
No, I didn't!
I mean, that deal was well and truly covered. I...
Yes.
- I was most, I was most careful.
- Yes, that was well and truly covered up.
- You weren't careful enough, Alex.
- What do you mean?
You ever go to the...
Director's club?
- Well, yes, yes of course I did.
- You know a masseur there named Bert?
Yes, I know Bert.
Yes, so do I. I've used him occasionally for
information I need about the executives.
I pay him a few pounds.
Well, he wants more than a few
pounds for this information.
He wants ten thousand pounds, Alex.
Bert, ten thousand? That's ridiculous.
Yes, Bert. Do you have ten thousand pounds?
Well, yes I do.
No, I mean do you have ten thousand pounds for
this month, ten thousand pounds for next month?
The month after and the month after that?
Because that's the way it'll be, Alex.
I don't understand.
He has some tapes.
Tapes?
Well, that's impossible.
I never said anything to anyone.
- What's the matter with you?
- Hmm?
- What, are you sick?
- No, no I just don't feel very well.
Now, represents a threat to us, Alex.
A very dangerous situation.
Now, we have a great deal at stake here.
You realize that, don't you?
Well, yes, of course I realize that what you say is true.
- Something must be done about it.
- Well, of course it must, yes, yes.
- I'm talking about killing Bert, then.
- Hmm?
You ever killed a man, Alex?
What?
Have you...
Ever...
Killed a man before, Alex?
Well, no, of course I have not.
What do you mean?
Well, it looks like somebody
is going to have to be killed.
And, I'm afraid your the one
that's going to have to do it.
David, come in.
Hello Elliot.
How'd it go?
It took some doing to get her down to size.
But it does work?
It works.
This is a downside more lethal than a bomb.
What's its range?
Twenty feet.
Well, here are the specifications of the original model.
Right.
You switch it on here and this is a timing device.
You set it like an alarm clock.
Though, be careful how you handle it.
Right, there's no, uh...
- Markings or identification on it.
- No.
I assembled it myself.
You did very good, David.
Thank you.
I don't imagine you need that to kill rats with.
Oh no. Can I get you a drink?
Yes.
No, no, no, it's a...
Simple matter of bartering.
Boys in the middle east are screaming
for something they can trade for some oil.
That may be just the device to do it.
Scotch alright?
Yes, please.
I'll have your...
Fee sent to the...
- Usual address in Switzerland.
- Thank you.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Well, David do you have a minute? I would
like to talk to you about something.
Yeah, what?
I'm in a...
Perhaps, I should say, we are in a little trouble.
The little organization we've built together
over the past few years is about to crumble.
The little group.
People like yourselves, uh...
Have given us valuable information. I want to thank
you and do everything I that possibly can to
protect you.
There's a weak link in the organization,
and I'm afraid it's about to break.
A man...
Who I thought I could trust
because he has too much to lose
now knows everything there is to know about you, me...
The organization, E.D.C., the whole works.
Well, what does he want? Money?
No, if it were just money we could take care of that.
No, I'm afraid he's been...
Smitten by...
Moral conscience.
Do I know him?
I don't know. Alex Hellman.
No.
Or an office?
You see, that's why I thought I had it sewed up.
Well, now he's begun to drink.
He's sick, he's frightened. I'm afraid
he's going to blow the whole scene.
So...
I'm afraid we're going to have to get rid of him.
Of course, as we know, there's a morality of business.
Killing a man.
Something else.
But, there's no other way that I can think
of that you can stop a man from talking.
Permanently.
Don't you agree?
Well, if it'll make it easier for
you, you don't know the man.
And, the way I have it worked out,
you'll never have to meet him.
You're asking me to kill somebody.
Well, I have no other choice.
But, I thought there were people
you paid to do that kind of thing?
Yeah, well, that's the whole point. We can't
risk involving someone from the outside.
Now, I have a plan worked out here. All you have
to do is follow the instructions on this card.
Follow them implicitly and you'll be protected.
I promise you.
We'll stay in touch with a series of
phone calls on my private line here.
Elliot, don't ask me to do this.
I have no other choice, David.
You're the only one I can trust.
I'm a scientist.
My work is creative, not destructive.
Creative? What the hell do you call this little creation?
That's for defensive purposes. It's a deterrent.
That's what they said about the atomic bomb.
I don't want anything to do with this.
Well, I'm sorry to hear you say that, David.
What the hell do you think you're involved in here?
I mean, we have paid you quite
well for your services, I believe.
I've never heard you complain about that.
How are you living anyway, David?
Big house?
A couple of cars in the garage, lovely wife?
Children in expensive schools?
Mmm?
Time for you to pay up, David.
Nothing is for nothing.
Right.
Friday night.
That's this Friday night.
You'll have a key to his apartment and if you're
there exactly at seven-thirty, he won't be there.
I'll make sure of that.
Now, he's a diabetic...
And must take his regular dose of Insulin.
All you have to do...
Is find out where he keeps his Insulin...
And replace it with this.
What exactly is in this?
Ten times regular dose.
And that's it.
Well, David, if you can find an easier
way of doing it, please tell me now.
You know what?
You're quite good.
I mean for your age.
I do twenty push ups every morning.
By yourself?
Oh, must you go so soon, Arnold?
I'm afraid so darling. I have to catch a
nine-o-clock plane for Paris.
Oh, Paris! Take me with you.
I'd love to.
I'm afraid my wife wouldn't like it.
I tell you what, I'll bring you a very
nice little present back from Paris.
You're very kind.
And you are very pretty.
Call you as soon as I get back.
- Bye bye.
- Goodbye, darling.
Christine?
Yes?
Oh, Roberts, hello.
Well, I just about ran into your
lover on my way up the stairs.
Oh, but you know that's nothing.
- Uh huh.
- I have some tapes for you.
Good.
- And some film.
- Really?
Yep.
You ought to get a kick out of some of those shots.
You know that I don't go for that scene.
I know.
Well, there was this Japanese man,
went on and on about some new
phone system their developing. I
didn't understand a word of it.
- Here.
- Phone?
And then there was this German man with this
kind of German-Israeli merger, or something.
I really don't know. This is the film to go with it.
- Should be fun.
- Mm hmm.
And that's for the rent.
Oh, gee.
Thank you.
Now, listen Christine, I have a job for you Friday night.
Oh, but I thought we were having dinner Friday night?
Oh, I'm sorry. This thing came up. It's...
It's very important. I can make it up to you.
Yeah, right.
Now, what's that?
This is a radio transmitter.
You're a regular little C.L.A.
All on your own, aren't you?
Here's your instructions.
Now...
Pay very close attention.
- You want a drink?
- Oh, no, no thank you.
Now, you leave the apartment at seven fifteen.
But, before you go...
Call that number there.
Let it ring three times.
Then, hang up.
Can't I just call to say I'm leaving?
C'mon Christine, now three times. That's the game, huh?
Yeah, yeah alright. Three times.
Now, you arrive at the apartment at eight o'clock.
Eight o'clock exactly. Not before, not after.
Before you go up...
There's a phone booth in front.
Go into the phone booth, call that number again, let
it ring three times and hang up. Just as before.
- God, I'll never remember all this.
- Sure you will.
Who lives there anyway?
You don't really want to know that, do you?
No, not really.
The key will let you into the apartment indicated.
Now, as soon as you've entered...
You take the radio transmitter...
Now, you take the device and, uh...
Place it in some concealed spot
anywhere in the room. Under a...
Table, behind a chair. Anywhere. Just as long as its
pointed in this direction, toward the middle of the room.
Now, that's very important. You understand that?
Yes, I think so.
Now, just before you leave, you remove the tape,
switch it to one, and nothing will happen.
But, don't touch it.
Don't meddle with it. Just leave the room.
Go down to the phone booth, call me one more time
to let me know that you've finished the job.
Let it ring three times, then out
back to the apartment here. You
should be here by nine o'clock.
Call me just as soon as you arrive.
You expect me to remember all that?
Oh, well not right away, perhaps.
But, I'll be here til you do.
Even if it takes all night.
Now, let's start at the beginning.
What's the phone number?
No, no, no, don't look at it.
Seven, nine, four, four, two, four, o.
Very good.
I leave this apartment at seven-fifteen.
Before leaving, I phone that number three times.
I have to be there at eight o'clock.
Now, before going in, I go to the phone booth
and phone that number three times again, right?
- My, my this a surprise.
- Hello, Bert.
Well, a pleasure, sir. A real pleasure.
- May I come in?
- Please.
That would be good, huh.
Truly, sir.
Yes.
Mine do come in, actually. And some of me trophies.
I was in the east African rifles, you know.
Fifteen years.
Were you really?
- Yes.
- Fifteen years, good lord.
I was just about to make a pot of
tea, if you fancy some tea, sir?
Ah, no thank you, Bert. I really don't have the time.
Oh.
Whiskey? Fred, off, off you go. Better, better sit down.
Here we are, sir.
Or a nice glass of beer, if you fancy a beer, sir?
Or a nice drop of scotch, sir?
Uh, no thank you, Bert. Not right now.
Well...
This is an honor, sir. A real honor.
Well, there's no need to tell you how much we...
Value the information that you've given us.
Thank you, sir.
Only too glad to be of service, sir.
And we appreciate that.
Oh, that reminds me...
I made some notes somewhere.
I overheard this conversation. Very
interesting, it was. Very interesting.
They were these two gents from this steel company.
Oh, no need to worry about that now, Bert.
Oh no, sir. No.
I believe in being thorough.
Ah, here we are.
It's all down here. Every detail
I think you'll be pleased with it, sir.
Oh, yes, yes. It's very efficient.
I like to be methodical, sir.
Well, now.
What can I do for you this time, sir?
Well, I have...
Quite a serious problem, Bert. I was hoping that...
Perhaps you would be able to help me solve it.
You can rely on me, sir. You know that.
It seems there's been a security leak.
Could effect the entire operation.
Well, that is serious.
Very serious.
There's a woman involved.
A woman?
- Yes, I thought I could trust her, but, uh...
- Oh.
So what if you made a mistake, sir?
If you forgive me saying so.
- They're not to be trusted, sir.
- This one is a, uh, a high class whore.
They're all whores, sir.
Well, I thought she'd be useful
to us for a while and she was.
But, now she seems to be playing
both sides of the fence, and...
- Typical.
- Yes.
Well.
Seems I made a...
A bad mistake.
Nothing we can't put right, sir.
What would you suggest we do?
Well, if you ask me...
I think we'd be better off without her, sir.
Uh...
- Could I have a drink now? Uh...
- A nice drop of scotch, sir?
Thank you.
Yes, women.
They're all the same.
Going about.
Showing themselves off.
They're unclean, sir. That's what they are. Unclean.
I hate them. Every one of them. I hate them.
Do you think that you could...
Take care of her for me?
I dare say so, sir.
Any particular plan in mind, sir?
Friday, uh...
Are you working Friday?
Til eight o'clock, sir.
Eight o'clock.
Yes, well...
I'll get a key for her apartment.
Oh, this has to be very carefully planned.
Now, I don't want you incriminated.
You're far to valuable to us for that.
Just you, sir?
No, I'll work something out and
get the details to you just as...
Soon as I can.
We can deal with it, sir.
Don't you worry.
Yes, thank you, Bert.
Bob?
I don't know. Four murders in one night doesn't seem
to be a very reasonable way to approach this thing.
- I mean, the police...
- There's not going to be four murders.
Two at the most.
Well, you just told me there was four people.
It's no longer your problem, E.J.
- Well, we gotta hell of a lot at stake here.
- I assume...
The responsibility, right?
And, uh...
- It won't be connected with us.
- No.
Okay, when? I mean...
When does this take place?
Friday night.
Then I better leave right away, tonight, for Washington.
Yes, I think you should.
- Well, I can't afford to hang around.
- No, you can't.
Well, of course I can't. You must understand that.
I do.
Well, you're going to be a very
important, powerful man, Bob.
One day you will have forgotten all about this.
Little unpleasantness, you know what I mean?
Seor.
Listen, that guy reminds me. Remember that, uh...
At that restaurant down on the beach in, uh...
- Uh, what the hell was the name of it?
- Club.
Yeah, it was kind of a club. Uh...
The El... El...
Topo. El topo?
Yeah! Yeah, we got smashed.
- It was something else, that day.
- Oh, yeah.
That...
Night, too, as I recall...
Ah, you like.
Mm hmm.
To Costa Del Sol.
To...
Happy memories.
I loved you. Did you know that?
Yeah, I know that.
Did you know you loved me?
Yeah, I know that, too.
Is that why you walked out on me?
Oh, Jean.
Yeah, maybe.
- Maybe.
- One.
Travels fast here alone.
I'm...
I'm sorry about that.
I mean...
I'm sorry.
Oh.
Maybe you were right, you certainly travel fast, right.
Up to the top.
No, no, no, it's the top. It's...
- Almost to the top, right?
- No, no.
Up there, right where all the power is.
Give me your hand.
That's where the power is.
It's a good thing they can't see you now.
Oh, that's whatever. You have the keys?
Who can't see me? Why?
Oh, the committee.
- Us.
- The-the committee? Uh...
- The present central advisory committee.
- Advisory committee. Right.
- Ah, good. I'm in.
- I'll get it.
Almost.
Why?
Why?
Why?
I mean, uh...
Ah, I took every aspirin.
Now.
Why was that?
Why? Because, they might realize that you're human.
You're a human being. They wouldn't like that part.
That's because I'm feeling...
Particularly human tonight.
Whaddya think?
I think you're beautiful.
You're really stoned.
Yes, but you do look beautiful.
You know something?
You're a bastard.
You're a real bastard.
The enclosed key will let you into the woman's apartment.
Phone me from the call box by the
apartment as soon as you arrive.
The girl will be alone.
I will arrange that.
And, in this cellophane packet,
is a tiny fragment of human skin.
Skin invariably collects beneath the nails
of a woman has been savagely attacked.
Place the skin under the finger nails.
This should keep the police pathologist busy for a time.
So, you see I am doing all I can to protect you.
With these instructions, you will find a key to
a left luggage locker at Marylebone station.
The number is on the key.
You go to Marylebone station
directly from your apartment.
Anything else I can get you before I go?
No.
Goodnight.
Goodnight, Ms. Robertson.
Yes, hello?
Oh, Robert.
I'd like to see you.
I'm right in the middle of something. L-live
gotta finish it by tomorrow. So, uh...
Please Robert, I want to talk to you.
Jean, listen, I-I'll call you in
the morning, huh? Goodnight.
David, David, dammit, where are you?
Jean.
I'm sorry, I had to. I...
Well, listen, I uh...
What the hell? I told you I was busy.
Well, you gonna...
- Slam the door, or what?
- No, no, no, no. Come on in. I'm sorry.
Are you expecting somebody? I mean, do you have a date?
No, I don't have a date. I'm simply working on my speech.
Now, what is it that can't wait til morning?
What am I?
Am I a one night stand?
Oh, Jean.
Sorry.
- Listen.
- Don't look at me.
- Listen.
- Please.
C'mon.
Listen, you gotta get the hell out of
here so I can get back to work. Hmm?
C'mon.
Your phone's ringing.
Yes.
It's David.
Where've you been?
I was seen.
Some woman. She saw me.
Well, you get home as quick as you can.
Call me when you get there.
I've put you in a terribly
embarrassing position. I'm sorry.
No, no, no, it was just an associate that uh...
Jean.
There's no need to explain. Really.
No explanation is necessary.
David.
Christina.
Thatta boy Bert.
Yes.
Elliot?
Alex, what's the matter?
Yes, well I can't got through with it.
What?
I can't go through with it. I'm... I just
can't go do it, that's all. You'll...
You'll-you'll just have to find someone else.
Where are you?
I'm, uh, I-I'm outside the club.
Um... now, look, you-you must try and understand it.
Alex, you're going to go through
with it just as we planned.
I-I don't care anymore, you see.
I mean, what happens to me, it, it...
I-I just cannot go through with it.
Alex, I'll tell you what's going to happen to you.
You're going to be finished, wiped out.
I thought I made that clear.
We've been through all of this before.
Uh, you wouldn't do that, would you? I, uh...
You-you wouldn't do that.
You just try me.
Now, you go 'round the back of the club.
You wait for him. He should be there any minute now.
You do what you have to do, and then you
call me five times, just as we planned.
I know all that. It's, it's...
Listen to me, goddammit!
Now, it's either you or him. Now, what's it going to be?
Huh? Alex? Alright?
Alright, Alex?
Alright!
Alex, goddammit.
C'mon, Alex.
Alex?
Alex?
Elliot.
Why the hell didn't you call me?
Yeah, I-I...
Uh, I-I-I was, I was going to call you. Um...
I-I meant, I meant to call you. It was just that I um...
I um...
What the hell's the matter with you? Are you drunk?
- I-I just don't feel...
- You're sick.
I just don't fell too grand, and I was, and I,
uh... it's the diabetes, you know. It's a...
- Well, maybe you better take your injection.
- No, I did, I did, it's um, I-I...
Before I...
Um...
I...
Well, how'd it go?
- Uh, so, so I was...
- You what?
He um...
Did you do it?
Yes, I did it.
Did it. But...
I, um...
I, uh...
I...
I-I-I-I hit him and...
It was easier than I expected it.
We...
We've done it, Elliot.
We've done it.
We've done it, you see. We've done it.
It's done, Elliot, we...
Why do you think I sent you there?
Well, I understand your problem, but there must
be somebody who can take over this assignment.
Well, there isn't.
Well, I can't get anyplace with Elliot.
What's the hang up, Jean? Personal?
Personal, yes! I mean, it is, it's personal.
You don't want to believe Elliot sold out.
Yes.
- Am I wrong, Jean?
- No.
You're right, as always.
- Are you going to do your job?
- Yes.
- Tell Elliot he's on borrowed time.
- Whatever you say.
I'm sure it's something you'll be able to live with.
Yes, well, for eight hundred pounds, I certainly hope so.
It has an abstract quality which is
most original. Don't you find so?
Yes, it's quite interesting.
This just arrived by special delivery, professor.
- What is it?
- I have no idea.
Thank you.
- Here you are.
- Thank you, sir.
I-I'll take these bags down now, professor.
We are having an exhibition of Maritzberg in January.
I'm sure you'd be interested.
Thank you. I'll make a point of that.
- Well, good day to you, sir.
- Good day.
Your plane is at two o'clock which means you
must leave not later than twelve forty-five.
Twelve forty-five.
Oh, madam.
Ah, Ms. Johnson.
- Professor at home?
- Yes, he's in the study.
Well?
Hello, Jean.
You made it.
It just came over the telex. A special statement from
the P.R. Office of the white house. Congratulations.
Well, thank you.
I think that calls for a drink.
I got a two o'clock plane to catch. That
means I have to leave at one o'clock.
Okay.
You'll make it. You always do.
- Brandy alright?
- Fine.
Oh.
I am sorry about last night. Uh, I
realize I couldn't have been more wrong.
Oh no.
No, the only thing that you're
involved with is yourself..
To yourself. To your work.
I'll drink to that.
Well, when are you coming back to Washington?
Hmm?
They've really got ya, haven't they?
They've got their man right up there where it counts.
E.D.C. And Farnsworth can run the
government any way they want because...
Good old professor Elliot is right
in there next to the president.
I hope they're paying you a lot of money.
Yes, they are.
Oh.
Jean, there are a hell of a lot of things
in this world that need to be done.
And, to do them, the right man has to be
in the right place at the right time.
Are you the right man?
Yes.
You know, it's usual in a civilized society
to wait until your elected to a post.
Not smash your way through whether you're wanted or not.
That's why they...
The whole world is falling around all about us because
we're waiting for the right man to be elected.
That's called democracy. Don't you remember?
Yes, the whole world is governed by a
bunch of democratically elected amateurs.
There's no time for that anymore, Jean.
Or a little fascism can go a long way.
You don't seem to understand that
there are things that I believe in.
I believe in very deeply.
I'm not about to wait around for a
bunch of half-assed politicians
to screw things up when I know that I
can do a hell of a lot better job.
And that's not vanity or conceit
or a damn thing. That's...
- Pure honest conviction.
- The end justifies the means.
You know there's...
There's a lot of us poor, down-trodden
peasants who don't happen to agree with you.
That's why you're peasants.
This particular peasant doesn't intend to stay down.
Oh well, Jean, you're stuck in time.
That kind of an argument went out with
the cold war and flower children.
Well, there's something else. You know...
I've been digging up a lot of
stuff, and the more I kept digging
the more I kept finding out that you were involved.
I'm gonna write about it, Robert.
I'm gonna write about it.
I'm gonna throw the mud against the wall
and some of it is going to stick to you.
Well, write it then, Jean.
I damn well will.
I have never, ever really trusted you, Elliot.
And, it would be reasonable, therefore, to
suppose that should I die an unnatural death
you and your organization are likely to be responsible.
I've been working for some months
on a highly toxic substance.
Under a war office contract.
The poison is long lasting and will penetrate the skin.
The pages of this notebook are
completely saturated in this poison.
And, by the time you've read this far...
You have about five minutes...
Left to live.