Knight Rider (1982) s03e15 Episode Script
Buy Out
What are you doing here? Looking for proof that what happened | to that limousine wasn't an accident.
Analyze the composition | of this armor plate.
We buy one grade | of armor plate.
Well, someone ordered | a different grade.
We gotta find out who.
He's a cold-blooded killer, | Michael.
You promised these people | a demonstration.
Oh, l can handle it.
Knight Rider, | a shadowy flight into the dangerous world | of a man who does not exist.
Michael Knight, | a young loner on a crusade to champion | the cause of the innocent the helpless, the powerless in a world of criminals | who operate above the law.
This limousine has a modified | 450 horsepower turbocharged power plant high-speed | racing suspension all-terrain | puncture-proof tires, and l don't have to tell you gentlemen, | l think, how important that is in the areas of the world | today, where you all do business.
lnternational climate has never | been more hostile or threatening.
This obstacle course | simulates just about every conceivable | situation you might encounter.
Good.
Good.
All right, stand by.
Control rank.
Activate land mines.
Now, what you're seeing here, gentlemen, | is state-of-the-art maneuverability for tactical evasion.
Yes, you're right.
None of the other vehicles we've | seen so far are competitive.
And, of course, the LXAP does this | with no sacrifice in range or comfort.
Very impressive.
What is that? That's the | Armorbuilt UTC 1200.
lt's the ultimate | in urban terrorist control.
We use | the armament package in the next part of our | demonstration, gentlemen.
You about ready, Hank? We're up to speed.
Any time, Gene.
The XLAP's protection | package employs the cutting edge of | structural technology and material.
Steel-magnesium alloy forty-five millimeters thick, | case-hardened armor plates and flame-treated | bullet-proof glass throughout.
All right, | commence weapons assault.
And what's coming next, gentlemen, | will demonstrate beyond any doubt you're all making | the right choice.
Stand by, launch when ready.
l love the Big Apple, but it sure | feels good to be back on the road again.
I agree, Michael.
If I never see the Big Apple | again, it'll be too soon.
Those streets | have more potholes than Devon has neckties.
Did I hear my name mentioned? Yo, Devon! Good Morning.
There you are, Michael.
I understand things | in Manhattan went very well.
By the way, Michael ''By the way, Michael''? Why do l feel like | l'm being set up, here? Well, there is one thing | I'd like you to cover.
Because l am being set up.
Just a little detour, | that's all a minor course adjustment to Armorbuilt Carriage Works.
Mel Mitchell, one of the | employees, is expecting you and this is a matter that | may well merit our scrutiny.
Devon.
| Good luck, Michael.
''Merit our scrutiny''? Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Mel, could l have a word | with you, please? Well, it's not short | for Melvin, is it? Melanie.
| Michael.
Michael Knight.
Oh, from the Foundation.
Yes, | Devon told me all about you.
Yeah, | that's one of his bad habits.
You do all the armor plating | around here? Sure do.
Would you hand me | the number five file? lt's my department.
| Other file.
Got my degree | in structural engineering.
Found out l was a damn good | engineer, but a lousy desk jockey and here l am.
| Everybody always asks.
lt's easy to see why.
Someplace we can go and talk? Sure, just give me a minute.
The missile just penetrated the | limo door.
l couldn't believe it.
l still can't.
Wow.
l decided we've come too far to | have it taken away from us now.
That's when l called | Devon Miles.
Wait a minute, | you're losing me here.
Who's come too far, | and for what? Oh, l'm sorry.
l thought | Devon explained it to you.
Armorbuilt was filing | for bankruptcy.
Really hit us hard, all | the people who work here.
So, l came up with an idea, | an alternative: an employee buy-out.
l got you.
All the employees kick | in, re-negotiate with the creditors then you guys end up | owning the company.
Sounds like a plan.
lt was, | until the limo accident.
Cost the company a major sale.
We needed that | to finance the buy-out.
Mel do you think somebody | purposely caused the accident? All our vehicles | are designed to withstand twice the explosive force | used on the track.
What do you think? l think it may merit | our scrutiny.
Excuse me? l think we should | take another look.
Well, the group's getting together | at lunch today to discuss our options.
And l don't have any plans.
Do you mind if l join you? Please.
Okay.
We love you, Mel, but maybe you've already given us | all the help we can handle.
We know you meant well, but | frankly, if it wasn't for you we wouldn't be in this mess right | now, with our savings in jeopardy and our houses mortgaged.
That's right.
The buy-out's | finished, Mel, okay? Forget it.
From what Mel told me, you guys were | okay until you lost that foreign sale.
What if we get it back? lt's a long shot, | but we should try.
We all got into this buy-out | because we had something to gain something good.
We still do.
Look, we all want | to better our lives.
That hot car you were | talking about buying, Eddie you ready to give up on that? No way.
l got my eye on one | right now.
How about you, Hank? You and Alice ready to cancel that | second honeymoon you've been planning? Hey, after living with him for 20 | years, you really think she'll go? The way Mel described | your buy-out plan it sounds like the chance | of a lifetime to me.
You save your jobs here, you | buy into a piece of the company.
Come on, what about that? You guys ready to give up | without a fight? That's easy for you to say.
You got an idea? Yeah, somebody's got to turn that | foreign sale around before it's too late.
Okay, you got anyone | particular in mind? How about you, Michael? We have one problem: | we have no driver.
l mean, let's say we get those | buyers back for another demo who's going to give it to | them? Who's going to drive? That's right.
Who's going to be crazy | enough to go out on that track after what's | already happened? l might.
Well we're talking about | a high degree of skill here.
l mean, just because you talk | a good game it doesn't mean you can drive, | now, does it? Doesn't mean | l can't, either.
Try me.
Boy, that's typical.
Give a guy a hot-looking car, he | thinks he's the next Parnelli Jones.
l'll tell you what you want to take that freeway flyer | of yours out there right now make a fool out of yourself you be my guest, all right? Okay, let's look good, pal.
There's a lot riding | on this one.
Michael, I always look good.
You'll get no argument | from me.
Let's do it.
What a set of wheels! That guy's a hotdog.
Who cares? He's the key to | keeping the buy-out alive.
He's good.
I think that got | their attention, Michael.
Okay, pal.
Now, lets go get the job.
That's nice.
l think we found our driver.
| You bet.
Well, if that's an offer, | l accept.
What a car.
l'll tell you what, Mel, you take | the driver, l'll take the car.
Say, how much this puppy | set me back? l'm sorry, but this ''puppy'' | is not for sale.
Look, l can't haggle with you | now, but when old Eddie Deskey makes up his mind | to get something l'll be coming to you again.
You see that car? l think this is gonna work.
| Right on.
l suppose the buy-out | is on now.
Lilah, not now.
l say we pack up, head for Europe now | and let them have the damn company.
Come on, what are you | l can't do that.
l mean, it took me years to pull that | money and get it out of the country.
And l got a bankruptcy set up, | l get into a buy-out instead.
Could lose everything.
| Now, you know that.
So, just don't push me, | all right? lf l don't push you, you'll | still be here six months from now.
Let me tell you something, | Gene l've been hanging around | this grease pit for two years.
l'm tired of playing | sales director and making believe l'm into | those over-priced toys of yours.
Boy, you could've fooled me, | Lilah.
l thought you handled it | pretty well especially when you heard about the | money and the villa in St.
Moritz.
A lot of men | have money, Gene.
Armorbuilt has proven | a perfect place to meet them.
Would it surprise you | that some of our clients have expressed more | than a casual interest? Get it together fast, | or l'm gone.
l'll handle it.
Just give me one extra day, | all right? You're out of days.
Twenty-four hours, Lilah.
| That's all l need.
And this Michael Knight, | hotshot his first test run | tomorrow will be his last.
l promise you.
Why are we going | to see these buyers before making certain what happened to the limousine | wasn't an accident? Well, because they're | checking out today.
lt's our only chance to convince | them to stick around for another demo.
What's our ETA? | Four minutes, 37 seconds.
You know, Michael, | while we have a few moments do you recall that fellow | who wanted to buy me? Sure.
| Did he make you an offer? No, Michael, we never | got to the bidding stage.
That's what I wanted | to talk to you about.
Me? KlTT, l can't put a price on you.
| l wouldn't even know where to begin.
Well, what if we were | in deep-snow country our adversaries | dynamited the road the explosion set off | a massive avalanche we're buried under tons of ice | and snow, we have no food you haven't slept in two days, | and- Can l have Mel with me? I want to know my worth.
What must I do to get | a serious answer out of you? Try being serious.
All right, Michael, you're | trapped in a burning building.
The flames are raging | all around you.
The smoke is so thick, | you can't see.
I am outside ready to | spring into action, and- KlTT.
KlTT.
KlTT.
KlTT not now.
| Maybe later, but not now.
There are the buyers, buddy.
Looks like | they're leaving right now.
Not a nanosecond too soon, | Michael.
KlTT let's micro jam | that trunk lock.
Excuse me, gentlemen you folks seem to be having | a problem here.
Well, we're on our way | to the airport.
The driver seems to have | trouble with the lock.
We may miss our flight.
Well, my name is Michael Knight.
| l know a little bit about locks.
Maybe l can fix it | for you.
But, before l do, l'd like to talk | to you gentlemen about limousines.
You see, you found the one you | wanted at Armorbuilt yesterday but someone didn't want you | to have it.
The vehicle was sabotaged.
Do you have any proof of this? | Not yet.
Mr.
Knight, if you have no proof, | l think we're all wasting our time.
l cannot help you.
| l'm sorry.
We're not just talking about | me here.
We're talking about | a lot of people.
Hard-working people, | expert technicians proud people who put their | life savings on the line to save their jobs | and their company.
lt turns out that your sale would have | put these people in the driver's seat.
All l'm asking is for you gentlemen | to give these people another chance.
Please.
We are due in Detroit tomorrow | for a competitor's demonstration.
lt's impossible.
ls it, Hans? l found Mr.
Knight's words | touching.
l'm surprised you didn't.
l have a business to run.
Yes, Hans, we know.
You see, Mr.
Knight, though my | colleague possesses great wealth he began with nothing.
He knows what it is like to | struggle, to sweat, to build a- Enough, please.
| No history tale.
All right, Mr.
Knight schedule your demonstration.
Terrific, | we'll be in touch.
Allow me.
You know, Michael, | it occurred to me that these low-profile | information-gathering missions are the ultimate test | of our abilities, aren't they? You better believe it, pal.
l got a feeling that checking | out this limo at Armorbuilt is going to be a very valuable | night's work.
I agree, | and keeping value in mind what if we're in the desert, | in a sand storm there's no water | for miles around and you're being chased by a band | of sword-waving camel drivers what would I be worth? l'd have to say priceless.
You know, lately, I get the feeling | you enjoy answering my questions without really answering them.
Am I right or am I wrong? | Yes.
All right, KlTT, | keep your scanner peeled.
How are you getting in? | l'm going to pick the lock.
That's illegal, Michael.
So is the way we parked.
I'll take care of | the silent alarm, Michael.
KlTT? | Yes, Michael? Looks like they've beaten us | to it, partner.
The door's gone.
What are you going to do now? Find it.
Do me a favor, will you, and | run a chemical scan of the area? Look for compounds left by | a warhead after it detonates.
I'm picking up | a high concentration in that area above you.
You want this one, partner? | Allow me.
Beautiful.
All right, KlTT analyze the composition | of this armor plate.
Compare it to | technical specifications.
The material in question | is of the proper thickness but has a highly porous | molecular structure.
I'm getting a density-hardness reading | barely one-fourth the grade specified.
Well, that sure explains | why the missile pierced it.
Michael, my scanners are indicating | someone else is on the premises.
Thanks.
Hey! What's going on here, Hank? l came back to check out the | limousine for tomorrow's demo and l found him | sneaking around.
You always shoot first | and ask questions later? l got one you can answer: | what are you doing here? Looking for proof that what happened | to that limousine wasn't an accident.
What are you talking about? | That's ridiculous.
There was a thorough | investigation.
The armor plate in the door of | that limousine was so below spec you could use it | to wrap sandwiches.
That's a powerful accusation.
| Ease up, Gene.
He hasn't proved a thing.
| He's a driver he's got a gas tank for a brain, | and a tail pipe for a mouth.
That's right.
And l've been behind the wheel long | enough to know when l'm on the right track.
You trying to | say something? l just did.
You can't exist on a couple | of hours' sleep, Michael.
No choice, pal.
l gotta talk to Mel | about that armor plate.
We buy one grade | of armor plate from Blacksteel Fabricators.
We use it on | all our vehicles.
Well, someone ordered a different | grade.
We gotta find out who.
Maybe we're going too far with | all this.
Suppose it doesn't work? What if the buyers come back | and we still don't make the sale? Mel, we're turning this thing around | here.
l thought you'd be excited.
l am, Michael.
l don't mean to appear | ungrateful.
lt's just that l don't know.
lt's not that | l'm afraid for myself it's the others.
ln the beginning, when it looked | like we didn't have a chance l was the one | who kept it alive.
l built up their hopes.
| l feel responsible.
You did those people a favor.
| And, believe me, they know it.
What if it all | comes apart again? l'm here to make sure | that it doesn't.
Devon, what l need to know is, | who ordered that steel from Blacksteel Fabricators.
I'll put Bonnie on it right away.
| What will you be doing in the meantime? Well, l'll be demonstrating a | limousine for a group of buyers.
lf Armorbuilt makes the sale, the | employee buy-out's still alive.
I see.
You know, Michael, | I seem to recall asking you to evaluate the case | at Armorbuilt not take over the | employee's buy-out program.
Well, it's hard to do one without | getting involved in the other.
Oh, I had a suspicion that Mel | Mitchell might have that effect on you.
You know, Devon, it also occurred to me | that this might not be the first limousine to come off Hanson's assembly | line with inferior armor.
Are you thinking a review of his past | clients' well-being might be in order? That's exactly | what l'm thinking.
All right, | the run's set for 10:00.
Give me a complete structure | analysis of the limousine.
Start with the driver's door.
Hey, you got a minute | to do some negotiating? I certainly do, Eddie.
Son of a gun.
That's a great intercom | you got there.
Listen, you do some serious | thinking about what l said yesterday? Mr.
Knight l'm afraid we'll be starting a | little sooner than we had anticipated.
Sooner? The test was scheduled | for 10:00.
You promised these people | a demonstration.
Well, l know that, but l | wanted to walk the track first.
Are you saying you can't | handle it, Mr.
Knight? Oh, l can handle it.
Well, l'm a little gun-shy, | see 'cause my financing hinges on | this buy-out deal going through.
I understand, Eddie, but as | a very wise fellow once said.
: ''Bid now, | or forever hold your peace.
'' l'm used to dealing | face-to-face but, assuming that | this buy-out deal does work what would you say to- | KITT, you there? I'm right here, Michael.
KlTT, | they moved up the test time.
l'm just about | on the track now.
I'll accelerate | my computations.
KlTT, how's it coming? | I'm working on it, Michael.
Make it fast, buddy.
Prepare to launch.
Michael, my analysis indicates | the armor plate in the door is the same inferior grade | I tested last night.
You keep your scanner peeled | for a missile launch.
ETA to impact.
: 2.
3 seconds.
Can you override the guidance | system? Not enough time.
That's what l call tactical | maneuverability.
lncredible! lncredible, an incredible | evasive reaction.
Whoa, we cut that very close.
| I know, Michael.
We sure showed them | what this limousine can do.
lncredible performance.
Pretty close, huh? A most remarkable | demonstration, Mr.
Knight.
Thank you, sir.
| lt was.
And all your demonstrations seem | to have surprise endings these days.
You gentlemen ready | to do some business? Well, l suppose some | discussion will be in order.
Perhaps we should consider obtaining | one of these urban control vehicles along with the limousine.
| Good, but under the circumstances, maybe | we should discuss it in my office.
Excuse me, please.
You gentlemen are familiar with | the Armorbuilt ironclad guarantee l presume? Certainly, that's the | specification package we received.
Good.
And if l were you, l | would want to be dealing with the new people | who'll be backing it up.
New people? Yes, sir.
| You're looking at one of them.
Now, if you'll follow | me, please.
All right.
What l can do, is this Okay, big fellow, snap on | your intercom, and hear this.
All right, that was a pretty nifty | move you put on me before, and l- Would you explain what you're | implying by that, Eddie? You set me up! You got me to the | point of making an offer and then slammed the door on me! Now, l hope you don't pull | that again.
On the contrary, I am extremely | interested in what you have to say.
Well, all right.
Now we are | starting to talk business.
Michael, how'd it go? | Terrific.
Great, we can get it all | together now.
What are you trying to pull, | Knight? The buy-out's back on.
l can't wait to tell my fellow | stock-holders the good news.
Maybe you should hold off | on that one.
Those buyers didn't exactly | say 99%.
More like 49%.
They still want to check out | that one other company.
Then why'd you say that? To | put some pressure on Hanson.
See, l'm betting he's the one | who's been using low-grade armor to screw up your sales demonstrations.
| But why would he do that? To stop the buy-out, Mel.
| That's what happened, isn't it? You mean he killed one | of our drivers to stop it? Mel, he just tried it | out there again.
Now, if l'm right, l just forced him to | make another move, and when he does it believe me, we'll nail him.
That's it, Gene.
l've had it.
l'm | not having any more to do with this.
By tonight, neither am l.
| l've got it figured.
l know just | what l'm going to do.
l'm tired of hearing that.
| l'm tired of you.
Count me out.
Lilah, now, listen to me.
You gotta trust me.
We're | leaving for Switzerland tonight.
All we have to do- | All you have to do.
Get it done, | and pick me up here.
lf you're not back in an hour, | l'm checking out of my penthouse and l'm heading | for the airport.
One hour.
You know something, that intercom | sure changes the sound of your voice.
You're getting off the track, | Eddie.
I believe you were about to | make me an offer I can't refuse.
Right.
What would you say to- Excuse me, there, buddy.
| Hi We were gonna Like, just now, | we were talking, you know and l'm not done talking yet! That fellow just refuses to give | up, Michael.
Not now.
Get me Devon.
He seems intent on acquiring | my services in perpetuity and KlTT.
| Well, I was just wondering if we were trapped | in the bowels of the earth just prior to | an underground nuclear test- We wouldn't have to worry, | all right? Now, please, get me Devon.
Michael, I was just about | to contact you.
Devon.
You got anything for me on | who ordered that low-grade steel? Yes, and thanks | to your suggestion we've also got some data on Mr.
Hanson | that you may find most enlightening.
Bonnie is on her way to meet you at | the semi, to give you the details.
Terrific.
You were right, Michael.
Every one of those | Blacksteel purchase orders- Was signed by Eugene Hanson.
Well, more than one of | Hanson's past clients didn't get the protection | they paid for.
l cross-checked a list | of Armorbuilt clients against global | assassination attempts- Don't tell me a lot of the targets were | killed in Armorbuilt limousines.
Too many for it to be | coincidental.
Devon checked his international | contacts, and word is Hanson's been taking massive | payoff from radical factions- To install low-grade armor in the vehicles | he supplies to the people on the hit list.
You got it.
He's on my list now.
He's a | cold-blooded killer, Michael.
''Be careful,'' l know.
With somebody like Hanson, | that may not be enough.
So, $25,000, Mel.
$25,000 for what? You're the sparkplug | behind this buy-out, right? You started it, you pull out, | it's over.
Why? | lt's none of your concern.
Running out of time, Mel.
| $50,000, final offer.
What's happening here? Money is not what this is all | about.
l want a ''yes'' or ''no.
'' Then it's ''no.
'' You can do a lot for your kid | with $50,000, Mel.
Or you can take out a loan | for his funeral.
Let me get this straight are you threatening my child? | l don't believe this.
Believe it, Mel.
Well, just the man | l've been looking for.
You took the words | right out of my mouth.
And that's not all | l'm going to say.
Slow.
Blowing me up in your garage won't | fall into your pattern of accidents.
Going to prison doesn't fall into | my pattern of living.
To your left.
Slow.
Now, open that door.
Take it easy.
Easy.
lt takes four minutes to heat, | dry, and seal the paint on a car.
Temperature in here should | cook you in about 30 seconds.
KlTT.
| I hear you, Michael.
l got problems.
Your comlink signal indicates you are | locked in a hermetically sealed chamber.
You have enough air | for over two hours.
Yeah, maybe, you're right, but l can | be burned to a crisp in 30 seconds.
Get in here.
| I'm on my way.
No! Stop it.
Stop it.
No.
KlTT, the generator, jam it.
Stand back from the door, Michael.
| It may blow while I micro jam.
Oh, dear.
Come on, buddy, | its getting hot in here.
Jamming.
Michael, are you all right? l'm still cooking in here.
| Can't you get this door open? No, I can't.
I'm immobile.
Melanie, the heat chamber.
| Open that door.
Not now.
Open the door, then | you have my permission to faint.
l'm glad you were around.
l'm afraid l wasn't | for a while.
Yeah.
You were here | when it counted.
l'll be back.
Are you injured, Michael? | No, l'm just a little tanned.
You seemed to be | up in the air over this.
It's no joking matter.
I | find this posture humiliating.
Thank you, Michael.
All right, let her rip.
All right, scan the area, | see if you can pick up Hanson.
There he is, Michael.
| West on Route 4.
The test track.
| All right, let's get him.
l got a little going-away | present for him.
l want to deliver it to him | in person.
You cut it pretty close.
l was two minutes away from | heading for the penthouse.
So be glad you didn't.
l brought along a little extra | pocket-money for our trip.
Unless that's your travel agent, | you've got some trouble coming.
He's supposed to be dead.
This time there won't be | any margin for error.
Michael, I'm sure you're aware | of the armament in that vehicle.
l am very aware.
You watch for | missiles, l'll cover the rest.
Michael, we're driving | right into his line of fire.
Hang in there.
He seems to be running, Michael.
| Don't be too sure of that.
Michael, those are | armor-piercing grenades.
I don't like surprises, | Michael.
Me, either.
What's he got left? Fifty-caliber machine guns and | over six tons of armor plate.
I'm sure you have a plan.
| l always have a plan.
He's disarmed, nothing left.
Come on out.
Hey, have l got | a truck for you.
lt's big, and it's gray, got these | nice little bars on the windows.
Oh, yeah, it's got some fancy | printing on the side that says: Department of Corrections.
| You'll love the view.
Keep an eye on him.
| Yes, Michael.
Oh, Michael, are you all | right? Yeah, l'm fine.
ln fact, l'll be going | home tonight.
He won't.
Well, l guess that ties | everything up, doesn't it? Not quite.
You know, l never did tell you how attractive you | are without that welding mask.
Don't make me blush.
l may not look it, but l am | the president of a company now.
Not until | the board of directors meet.
ln that case, l have a few | minutes.
Well, in that case Thank you.
lnternational Airport.
l have | to be there in 30 minutes.
Not likely, ma'am.
Will you settle | for Police Headquarters and maybe a little drive through | the park on the way there? l have $250,000 here.
l'm willing to pay half | for the airport trip.
Did you hear that, KlTT? Well, Michael, now we know | what you're worth.
Does she want to make me | an offer? Well, l do have another | $25,000 for your friend.
$25,000.
What do you say, | buddy? I find that offer | unacceptable.
I'd rather | the drive through the park.
You've offended him.
l guess you go directly | to jail.
Michael? | Yes? That offer she made do you think she knows | I'm air-conditioned?
Analyze the composition | of this armor plate.
We buy one grade | of armor plate.
Well, someone ordered | a different grade.
We gotta find out who.
He's a cold-blooded killer, | Michael.
You promised these people | a demonstration.
Oh, l can handle it.
Knight Rider, | a shadowy flight into the dangerous world | of a man who does not exist.
Michael Knight, | a young loner on a crusade to champion | the cause of the innocent the helpless, the powerless in a world of criminals | who operate above the law.
This limousine has a modified | 450 horsepower turbocharged power plant high-speed | racing suspension all-terrain | puncture-proof tires, and l don't have to tell you gentlemen, | l think, how important that is in the areas of the world | today, where you all do business.
lnternational climate has never | been more hostile or threatening.
This obstacle course | simulates just about every conceivable | situation you might encounter.
Good.
Good.
All right, stand by.
Control rank.
Activate land mines.
Now, what you're seeing here, gentlemen, | is state-of-the-art maneuverability for tactical evasion.
Yes, you're right.
None of the other vehicles we've | seen so far are competitive.
And, of course, the LXAP does this | with no sacrifice in range or comfort.
Very impressive.
What is that? That's the | Armorbuilt UTC 1200.
lt's the ultimate | in urban terrorist control.
We use | the armament package in the next part of our | demonstration, gentlemen.
You about ready, Hank? We're up to speed.
Any time, Gene.
The XLAP's protection | package employs the cutting edge of | structural technology and material.
Steel-magnesium alloy forty-five millimeters thick, | case-hardened armor plates and flame-treated | bullet-proof glass throughout.
All right, | commence weapons assault.
And what's coming next, gentlemen, | will demonstrate beyond any doubt you're all making | the right choice.
Stand by, launch when ready.
l love the Big Apple, but it sure | feels good to be back on the road again.
I agree, Michael.
If I never see the Big Apple | again, it'll be too soon.
Those streets | have more potholes than Devon has neckties.
Did I hear my name mentioned? Yo, Devon! Good Morning.
There you are, Michael.
I understand things | in Manhattan went very well.
By the way, Michael ''By the way, Michael''? Why do l feel like | l'm being set up, here? Well, there is one thing | I'd like you to cover.
Because l am being set up.
Just a little detour, | that's all a minor course adjustment to Armorbuilt Carriage Works.
Mel Mitchell, one of the | employees, is expecting you and this is a matter that | may well merit our scrutiny.
Devon.
| Good luck, Michael.
''Merit our scrutiny''? Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Mel, could l have a word | with you, please? Well, it's not short | for Melvin, is it? Melanie.
| Michael.
Michael Knight.
Oh, from the Foundation.
Yes, | Devon told me all about you.
Yeah, | that's one of his bad habits.
You do all the armor plating | around here? Sure do.
Would you hand me | the number five file? lt's my department.
| Other file.
Got my degree | in structural engineering.
Found out l was a damn good | engineer, but a lousy desk jockey and here l am.
| Everybody always asks.
lt's easy to see why.
Someplace we can go and talk? Sure, just give me a minute.
The missile just penetrated the | limo door.
l couldn't believe it.
l still can't.
Wow.
l decided we've come too far to | have it taken away from us now.
That's when l called | Devon Miles.
Wait a minute, | you're losing me here.
Who's come too far, | and for what? Oh, l'm sorry.
l thought | Devon explained it to you.
Armorbuilt was filing | for bankruptcy.
Really hit us hard, all | the people who work here.
So, l came up with an idea, | an alternative: an employee buy-out.
l got you.
All the employees kick | in, re-negotiate with the creditors then you guys end up | owning the company.
Sounds like a plan.
lt was, | until the limo accident.
Cost the company a major sale.
We needed that | to finance the buy-out.
Mel do you think somebody | purposely caused the accident? All our vehicles | are designed to withstand twice the explosive force | used on the track.
What do you think? l think it may merit | our scrutiny.
Excuse me? l think we should | take another look.
Well, the group's getting together | at lunch today to discuss our options.
And l don't have any plans.
Do you mind if l join you? Please.
Okay.
We love you, Mel, but maybe you've already given us | all the help we can handle.
We know you meant well, but | frankly, if it wasn't for you we wouldn't be in this mess right | now, with our savings in jeopardy and our houses mortgaged.
That's right.
The buy-out's | finished, Mel, okay? Forget it.
From what Mel told me, you guys were | okay until you lost that foreign sale.
What if we get it back? lt's a long shot, | but we should try.
We all got into this buy-out | because we had something to gain something good.
We still do.
Look, we all want | to better our lives.
That hot car you were | talking about buying, Eddie you ready to give up on that? No way.
l got my eye on one | right now.
How about you, Hank? You and Alice ready to cancel that | second honeymoon you've been planning? Hey, after living with him for 20 | years, you really think she'll go? The way Mel described | your buy-out plan it sounds like the chance | of a lifetime to me.
You save your jobs here, you | buy into a piece of the company.
Come on, what about that? You guys ready to give up | without a fight? That's easy for you to say.
You got an idea? Yeah, somebody's got to turn that | foreign sale around before it's too late.
Okay, you got anyone | particular in mind? How about you, Michael? We have one problem: | we have no driver.
l mean, let's say we get those | buyers back for another demo who's going to give it to | them? Who's going to drive? That's right.
Who's going to be crazy | enough to go out on that track after what's | already happened? l might.
Well we're talking about | a high degree of skill here.
l mean, just because you talk | a good game it doesn't mean you can drive, | now, does it? Doesn't mean | l can't, either.
Try me.
Boy, that's typical.
Give a guy a hot-looking car, he | thinks he's the next Parnelli Jones.
l'll tell you what you want to take that freeway flyer | of yours out there right now make a fool out of yourself you be my guest, all right? Okay, let's look good, pal.
There's a lot riding | on this one.
Michael, I always look good.
You'll get no argument | from me.
Let's do it.
What a set of wheels! That guy's a hotdog.
Who cares? He's the key to | keeping the buy-out alive.
He's good.
I think that got | their attention, Michael.
Okay, pal.
Now, lets go get the job.
That's nice.
l think we found our driver.
| You bet.
Well, if that's an offer, | l accept.
What a car.
l'll tell you what, Mel, you take | the driver, l'll take the car.
Say, how much this puppy | set me back? l'm sorry, but this ''puppy'' | is not for sale.
Look, l can't haggle with you | now, but when old Eddie Deskey makes up his mind | to get something l'll be coming to you again.
You see that car? l think this is gonna work.
| Right on.
l suppose the buy-out | is on now.
Lilah, not now.
l say we pack up, head for Europe now | and let them have the damn company.
Come on, what are you | l can't do that.
l mean, it took me years to pull that | money and get it out of the country.
And l got a bankruptcy set up, | l get into a buy-out instead.
Could lose everything.
| Now, you know that.
So, just don't push me, | all right? lf l don't push you, you'll | still be here six months from now.
Let me tell you something, | Gene l've been hanging around | this grease pit for two years.
l'm tired of playing | sales director and making believe l'm into | those over-priced toys of yours.
Boy, you could've fooled me, | Lilah.
l thought you handled it | pretty well especially when you heard about the | money and the villa in St.
Moritz.
A lot of men | have money, Gene.
Armorbuilt has proven | a perfect place to meet them.
Would it surprise you | that some of our clients have expressed more | than a casual interest? Get it together fast, | or l'm gone.
l'll handle it.
Just give me one extra day, | all right? You're out of days.
Twenty-four hours, Lilah.
| That's all l need.
And this Michael Knight, | hotshot his first test run | tomorrow will be his last.
l promise you.
Why are we going | to see these buyers before making certain what happened to the limousine | wasn't an accident? Well, because they're | checking out today.
lt's our only chance to convince | them to stick around for another demo.
What's our ETA? | Four minutes, 37 seconds.
You know, Michael, | while we have a few moments do you recall that fellow | who wanted to buy me? Sure.
| Did he make you an offer? No, Michael, we never | got to the bidding stage.
That's what I wanted | to talk to you about.
Me? KlTT, l can't put a price on you.
| l wouldn't even know where to begin.
Well, what if we were | in deep-snow country our adversaries | dynamited the road the explosion set off | a massive avalanche we're buried under tons of ice | and snow, we have no food you haven't slept in two days, | and- Can l have Mel with me? I want to know my worth.
What must I do to get | a serious answer out of you? Try being serious.
All right, Michael, you're | trapped in a burning building.
The flames are raging | all around you.
The smoke is so thick, | you can't see.
I am outside ready to | spring into action, and- KlTT.
KlTT.
KlTT.
KlTT not now.
| Maybe later, but not now.
There are the buyers, buddy.
Looks like | they're leaving right now.
Not a nanosecond too soon, | Michael.
KlTT let's micro jam | that trunk lock.
Excuse me, gentlemen you folks seem to be having | a problem here.
Well, we're on our way | to the airport.
The driver seems to have | trouble with the lock.
We may miss our flight.
Well, my name is Michael Knight.
| l know a little bit about locks.
Maybe l can fix it | for you.
But, before l do, l'd like to talk | to you gentlemen about limousines.
You see, you found the one you | wanted at Armorbuilt yesterday but someone didn't want you | to have it.
The vehicle was sabotaged.
Do you have any proof of this? | Not yet.
Mr.
Knight, if you have no proof, | l think we're all wasting our time.
l cannot help you.
| l'm sorry.
We're not just talking about | me here.
We're talking about | a lot of people.
Hard-working people, | expert technicians proud people who put their | life savings on the line to save their jobs | and their company.
lt turns out that your sale would have | put these people in the driver's seat.
All l'm asking is for you gentlemen | to give these people another chance.
Please.
We are due in Detroit tomorrow | for a competitor's demonstration.
lt's impossible.
ls it, Hans? l found Mr.
Knight's words | touching.
l'm surprised you didn't.
l have a business to run.
Yes, Hans, we know.
You see, Mr.
Knight, though my | colleague possesses great wealth he began with nothing.
He knows what it is like to | struggle, to sweat, to build a- Enough, please.
| No history tale.
All right, Mr.
Knight schedule your demonstration.
Terrific, | we'll be in touch.
Allow me.
You know, Michael, | it occurred to me that these low-profile | information-gathering missions are the ultimate test | of our abilities, aren't they? You better believe it, pal.
l got a feeling that checking | out this limo at Armorbuilt is going to be a very valuable | night's work.
I agree, | and keeping value in mind what if we're in the desert, | in a sand storm there's no water | for miles around and you're being chased by a band | of sword-waving camel drivers what would I be worth? l'd have to say priceless.
You know, lately, I get the feeling | you enjoy answering my questions without really answering them.
Am I right or am I wrong? | Yes.
All right, KlTT, | keep your scanner peeled.
How are you getting in? | l'm going to pick the lock.
That's illegal, Michael.
So is the way we parked.
I'll take care of | the silent alarm, Michael.
KlTT? | Yes, Michael? Looks like they've beaten us | to it, partner.
The door's gone.
What are you going to do now? Find it.
Do me a favor, will you, and | run a chemical scan of the area? Look for compounds left by | a warhead after it detonates.
I'm picking up | a high concentration in that area above you.
You want this one, partner? | Allow me.
Beautiful.
All right, KlTT analyze the composition | of this armor plate.
Compare it to | technical specifications.
The material in question | is of the proper thickness but has a highly porous | molecular structure.
I'm getting a density-hardness reading | barely one-fourth the grade specified.
Well, that sure explains | why the missile pierced it.
Michael, my scanners are indicating | someone else is on the premises.
Thanks.
Hey! What's going on here, Hank? l came back to check out the | limousine for tomorrow's demo and l found him | sneaking around.
You always shoot first | and ask questions later? l got one you can answer: | what are you doing here? Looking for proof that what happened | to that limousine wasn't an accident.
What are you talking about? | That's ridiculous.
There was a thorough | investigation.
The armor plate in the door of | that limousine was so below spec you could use it | to wrap sandwiches.
That's a powerful accusation.
| Ease up, Gene.
He hasn't proved a thing.
| He's a driver he's got a gas tank for a brain, | and a tail pipe for a mouth.
That's right.
And l've been behind the wheel long | enough to know when l'm on the right track.
You trying to | say something? l just did.
You can't exist on a couple | of hours' sleep, Michael.
No choice, pal.
l gotta talk to Mel | about that armor plate.
We buy one grade | of armor plate from Blacksteel Fabricators.
We use it on | all our vehicles.
Well, someone ordered a different | grade.
We gotta find out who.
Maybe we're going too far with | all this.
Suppose it doesn't work? What if the buyers come back | and we still don't make the sale? Mel, we're turning this thing around | here.
l thought you'd be excited.
l am, Michael.
l don't mean to appear | ungrateful.
lt's just that l don't know.
lt's not that | l'm afraid for myself it's the others.
ln the beginning, when it looked | like we didn't have a chance l was the one | who kept it alive.
l built up their hopes.
| l feel responsible.
You did those people a favor.
| And, believe me, they know it.
What if it all | comes apart again? l'm here to make sure | that it doesn't.
Devon, what l need to know is, | who ordered that steel from Blacksteel Fabricators.
I'll put Bonnie on it right away.
| What will you be doing in the meantime? Well, l'll be demonstrating a | limousine for a group of buyers.
lf Armorbuilt makes the sale, the | employee buy-out's still alive.
I see.
You know, Michael, | I seem to recall asking you to evaluate the case | at Armorbuilt not take over the | employee's buy-out program.
Well, it's hard to do one without | getting involved in the other.
Oh, I had a suspicion that Mel | Mitchell might have that effect on you.
You know, Devon, it also occurred to me | that this might not be the first limousine to come off Hanson's assembly | line with inferior armor.
Are you thinking a review of his past | clients' well-being might be in order? That's exactly | what l'm thinking.
All right, | the run's set for 10:00.
Give me a complete structure | analysis of the limousine.
Start with the driver's door.
Hey, you got a minute | to do some negotiating? I certainly do, Eddie.
Son of a gun.
That's a great intercom | you got there.
Listen, you do some serious | thinking about what l said yesterday? Mr.
Knight l'm afraid we'll be starting a | little sooner than we had anticipated.
Sooner? The test was scheduled | for 10:00.
You promised these people | a demonstration.
Well, l know that, but l | wanted to walk the track first.
Are you saying you can't | handle it, Mr.
Knight? Oh, l can handle it.
Well, l'm a little gun-shy, | see 'cause my financing hinges on | this buy-out deal going through.
I understand, Eddie, but as | a very wise fellow once said.
: ''Bid now, | or forever hold your peace.
'' l'm used to dealing | face-to-face but, assuming that | this buy-out deal does work what would you say to- | KITT, you there? I'm right here, Michael.
KlTT, | they moved up the test time.
l'm just about | on the track now.
I'll accelerate | my computations.
KlTT, how's it coming? | I'm working on it, Michael.
Make it fast, buddy.
Prepare to launch.
Michael, my analysis indicates | the armor plate in the door is the same inferior grade | I tested last night.
You keep your scanner peeled | for a missile launch.
ETA to impact.
: 2.
3 seconds.
Can you override the guidance | system? Not enough time.
That's what l call tactical | maneuverability.
lncredible! lncredible, an incredible | evasive reaction.
Whoa, we cut that very close.
| I know, Michael.
We sure showed them | what this limousine can do.
lncredible performance.
Pretty close, huh? A most remarkable | demonstration, Mr.
Knight.
Thank you, sir.
| lt was.
And all your demonstrations seem | to have surprise endings these days.
You gentlemen ready | to do some business? Well, l suppose some | discussion will be in order.
Perhaps we should consider obtaining | one of these urban control vehicles along with the limousine.
| Good, but under the circumstances, maybe | we should discuss it in my office.
Excuse me, please.
You gentlemen are familiar with | the Armorbuilt ironclad guarantee l presume? Certainly, that's the | specification package we received.
Good.
And if l were you, l | would want to be dealing with the new people | who'll be backing it up.
New people? Yes, sir.
| You're looking at one of them.
Now, if you'll follow | me, please.
All right.
What l can do, is this Okay, big fellow, snap on | your intercom, and hear this.
All right, that was a pretty nifty | move you put on me before, and l- Would you explain what you're | implying by that, Eddie? You set me up! You got me to the | point of making an offer and then slammed the door on me! Now, l hope you don't pull | that again.
On the contrary, I am extremely | interested in what you have to say.
Well, all right.
Now we are | starting to talk business.
Michael, how'd it go? | Terrific.
Great, we can get it all | together now.
What are you trying to pull, | Knight? The buy-out's back on.
l can't wait to tell my fellow | stock-holders the good news.
Maybe you should hold off | on that one.
Those buyers didn't exactly | say 99%.
More like 49%.
They still want to check out | that one other company.
Then why'd you say that? To | put some pressure on Hanson.
See, l'm betting he's the one | who's been using low-grade armor to screw up your sales demonstrations.
| But why would he do that? To stop the buy-out, Mel.
| That's what happened, isn't it? You mean he killed one | of our drivers to stop it? Mel, he just tried it | out there again.
Now, if l'm right, l just forced him to | make another move, and when he does it believe me, we'll nail him.
That's it, Gene.
l've had it.
l'm | not having any more to do with this.
By tonight, neither am l.
| l've got it figured.
l know just | what l'm going to do.
l'm tired of hearing that.
| l'm tired of you.
Count me out.
Lilah, now, listen to me.
You gotta trust me.
We're | leaving for Switzerland tonight.
All we have to do- | All you have to do.
Get it done, | and pick me up here.
lf you're not back in an hour, | l'm checking out of my penthouse and l'm heading | for the airport.
One hour.
You know something, that intercom | sure changes the sound of your voice.
You're getting off the track, | Eddie.
I believe you were about to | make me an offer I can't refuse.
Right.
What would you say to- Excuse me, there, buddy.
| Hi We were gonna Like, just now, | we were talking, you know and l'm not done talking yet! That fellow just refuses to give | up, Michael.
Not now.
Get me Devon.
He seems intent on acquiring | my services in perpetuity and KlTT.
| Well, I was just wondering if we were trapped | in the bowels of the earth just prior to | an underground nuclear test- We wouldn't have to worry, | all right? Now, please, get me Devon.
Michael, I was just about | to contact you.
Devon.
You got anything for me on | who ordered that low-grade steel? Yes, and thanks | to your suggestion we've also got some data on Mr.
Hanson | that you may find most enlightening.
Bonnie is on her way to meet you at | the semi, to give you the details.
Terrific.
You were right, Michael.
Every one of those | Blacksteel purchase orders- Was signed by Eugene Hanson.
Well, more than one of | Hanson's past clients didn't get the protection | they paid for.
l cross-checked a list | of Armorbuilt clients against global | assassination attempts- Don't tell me a lot of the targets were | killed in Armorbuilt limousines.
Too many for it to be | coincidental.
Devon checked his international | contacts, and word is Hanson's been taking massive | payoff from radical factions- To install low-grade armor in the vehicles | he supplies to the people on the hit list.
You got it.
He's on my list now.
He's a | cold-blooded killer, Michael.
''Be careful,'' l know.
With somebody like Hanson, | that may not be enough.
So, $25,000, Mel.
$25,000 for what? You're the sparkplug | behind this buy-out, right? You started it, you pull out, | it's over.
Why? | lt's none of your concern.
Running out of time, Mel.
| $50,000, final offer.
What's happening here? Money is not what this is all | about.
l want a ''yes'' or ''no.
'' Then it's ''no.
'' You can do a lot for your kid | with $50,000, Mel.
Or you can take out a loan | for his funeral.
Let me get this straight are you threatening my child? | l don't believe this.
Believe it, Mel.
Well, just the man | l've been looking for.
You took the words | right out of my mouth.
And that's not all | l'm going to say.
Slow.
Blowing me up in your garage won't | fall into your pattern of accidents.
Going to prison doesn't fall into | my pattern of living.
To your left.
Slow.
Now, open that door.
Take it easy.
Easy.
lt takes four minutes to heat, | dry, and seal the paint on a car.
Temperature in here should | cook you in about 30 seconds.
KlTT.
| I hear you, Michael.
l got problems.
Your comlink signal indicates you are | locked in a hermetically sealed chamber.
You have enough air | for over two hours.
Yeah, maybe, you're right, but l can | be burned to a crisp in 30 seconds.
Get in here.
| I'm on my way.
No! Stop it.
Stop it.
No.
KlTT, the generator, jam it.
Stand back from the door, Michael.
| It may blow while I micro jam.
Oh, dear.
Come on, buddy, | its getting hot in here.
Jamming.
Michael, are you all right? l'm still cooking in here.
| Can't you get this door open? No, I can't.
I'm immobile.
Melanie, the heat chamber.
| Open that door.
Not now.
Open the door, then | you have my permission to faint.
l'm glad you were around.
l'm afraid l wasn't | for a while.
Yeah.
You were here | when it counted.
l'll be back.
Are you injured, Michael? | No, l'm just a little tanned.
You seemed to be | up in the air over this.
It's no joking matter.
I | find this posture humiliating.
Thank you, Michael.
All right, let her rip.
All right, scan the area, | see if you can pick up Hanson.
There he is, Michael.
| West on Route 4.
The test track.
| All right, let's get him.
l got a little going-away | present for him.
l want to deliver it to him | in person.
You cut it pretty close.
l was two minutes away from | heading for the penthouse.
So be glad you didn't.
l brought along a little extra | pocket-money for our trip.
Unless that's your travel agent, | you've got some trouble coming.
He's supposed to be dead.
This time there won't be | any margin for error.
Michael, I'm sure you're aware | of the armament in that vehicle.
l am very aware.
You watch for | missiles, l'll cover the rest.
Michael, we're driving | right into his line of fire.
Hang in there.
He seems to be running, Michael.
| Don't be too sure of that.
Michael, those are | armor-piercing grenades.
I don't like surprises, | Michael.
Me, either.
What's he got left? Fifty-caliber machine guns and | over six tons of armor plate.
I'm sure you have a plan.
| l always have a plan.
He's disarmed, nothing left.
Come on out.
Hey, have l got | a truck for you.
lt's big, and it's gray, got these | nice little bars on the windows.
Oh, yeah, it's got some fancy | printing on the side that says: Department of Corrections.
| You'll love the view.
Keep an eye on him.
| Yes, Michael.
Oh, Michael, are you all | right? Yeah, l'm fine.
ln fact, l'll be going | home tonight.
He won't.
Well, l guess that ties | everything up, doesn't it? Not quite.
You know, l never did tell you how attractive you | are without that welding mask.
Don't make me blush.
l may not look it, but l am | the president of a company now.
Not until | the board of directors meet.
ln that case, l have a few | minutes.
Well, in that case Thank you.
lnternational Airport.
l have | to be there in 30 minutes.
Not likely, ma'am.
Will you settle | for Police Headquarters and maybe a little drive through | the park on the way there? l have $250,000 here.
l'm willing to pay half | for the airport trip.
Did you hear that, KlTT? Well, Michael, now we know | what you're worth.
Does she want to make me | an offer? Well, l do have another | $25,000 for your friend.
$25,000.
What do you say, | buddy? I find that offer | unacceptable.
I'd rather | the drive through the park.
You've offended him.
l guess you go directly | to jail.
Michael? | Yes? That offer she made do you think she knows | I'm air-conditioned?