The A-Team (1983) s03e24 Episode Script

Trouble Brewing

You sell out while you still have the chance.
[Cathy screaming.]
Whoa! ''You have just found the A-Team?'' Maybe we'll find out why a guy who makes beer is so interested in a health soda factory.
They don't deliver, they close down.
[grunts.]
lt's the ad campaign, Mr.
Webb.
lt's killing us.
Well, who's running it for them? (Drake) Templeton Peck.
Yes! Hi-Brite soda.
[guns firing.]
You guys are crazy.
Oh, he's an excellent judge of character, huh, Colonel? Let's go fishing.
l think we got a bite.
Where's the meat? Why don't we give him a taste of what he wants? (male narrator) In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit.
These men promptly escaped from a maximum-security stockade to the Los Angeles underground.
Today, still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune.
If you have a problem, if no one else can help and if you can find them maybe you can hire the A-Team.
[gun firing.]
There you are.
Thanks.
l'd get this oil changed.
Well, like l always say, healthy engine, healthy truck.
You ladies have a nice day now, hear? Thanks, Guss.
[engine starting.]
Quiet, huh? Just thinking about how much longer we can hold onto the plant.
l've been going through these books.
This is the third straight month sales have been off.
Maybe we should take Jason Webb up on his offer.
Give up? My little sister, the football player in high school give up? What happened to your fighting spirit? ln football, we had eleven players.
This team is just you and me, Maryann.
Well, you have a better way to go about it? l might.
Do you want to tell me about it? Whoa.
What's the matter? l don't know.
There's something wrong with the brakes! They're not holding! l don't think l can keep her on the road.
[tires skidding.]
Brace yourself! [crashing.]
[car door slamming.]
[panting.]
Cathy, are you okay? Yeah, l guess so.
The brake line's been cut.
Cut? Who could have.
l think Guss down at the gas station can give us that answer.
l'll give you one guess who must have paid him to do it.
[laughing.]
You ladies were lucky that you weren't killed.
Well, l hope we haven't disappointed your boss, Mr.
Webb.
Aw, now you aren't inferring that Mr.
Webb had something to do with this, are you? The brake line's been cut.
That line looks like it was cut to you? Well, if you ask me, it looks like it got broke when the truck turned over.
[chuckling.]
Just like a lady truck driver.
Can't hit the downshift on a little bitty incline.
[all laughing.]
You just tell your Webb that you're not gonna scare us into selling our plant.
Now you've been lucky so far.
Now you've been made a fair offer and l think you should take it.
[Cathy screaming.]
Whoa! Whoa! [all laughing.]
You two are not gonna walk away from another accident.
So l suggest that you sell out while you still have the chance.
These little ladies got themselves a mess to clean up.
Bye-bye! [car starting.]
l think l've got a way, Maryann, to get us some help.
You got to admit this is mighty suspicious, Cathy.
We just spent $200 on a one-way bus fare to get here just to have some Chinese guy tell us that we need another $200 to find the A-Team.
You analyze too much, Maryann.
Sometimes, you just got to go with the flow.
This is the one.
Now, we get the money here, then we wait for the phone call.
Give me your credit card.
My card? You're older than me.
You have a higher credit limit.
Oh, this is the most ridiculous thing.
Okay, social security number.
This A-Team can't be much if we only need $200.
[shushing.]
What do you say, B.
A.
? They check, Hannibal.
No connection with the law.
Good.
Let's go, Face.
Look at that! No money.
l told you this was gonna be a rip-off.
What's this? ''You have just found the A-Team''? Hello, l'm Hannibal Smith.
Hi, girls.
(Cathy) You see, it's really the natural spring water which makes our soda so good.
lt's from the runoff from the mountain that surrounds Sunset Valley where our wells are.
You figure it's the source of your water this character Webb is after? lt's hard to tell what he's after.
But what we do know is that he's trying to do everything he possibly can to put us out of business if we don't sell to him.
Well, Hannibal, breweries do use water.
We've been pretty successful for the four years we've been in business.
But with this guy sabotaging our trucks, our factory l don't know how much longer we can hold on.
Excuse me, but, do you think you could please not smoke? [scoffs.]
Sorry, ladies.
Cathy and l are into health and that's really a habit you should try and stop.
Nicotine depletes your Vitamin C and it's not good at all for the nerves.
l don't inhale.
(Murdock) Colonel, she's got a point there.
With all the stress that we go through every day chasing cops, flipping vans, being the vanguards of justice and all that l mean, l think there might be something to this health and vitality stuff.
l mean, they give us vitamin pills at the V.
A.
all the time and we're just crazy about them.
You can say that again.
All of it? Ah, never mind, Murdock.
Now, can we get down to the problem at hand? Look, ladies, l think you should be aware of the fact that we are rather expensive.
Look, there's no problem.
We've got some money saved up and if we can get Hi-Brite back on its feet, we'll have plenty of cash.
Actually, l want to be honest with you.
l really had no input into hiring the four of you.
Cathy talked me into it.
l'm not exactly sure that-- Now look, if you're not sure you want to hire us-- You're hired, okay? My sister is just a little leery here.
Looks like Webb's got the whole town against us.
We can't go to the police, we've got no witnesses.
You guys have got to help us.
Well, ladies, in that case you've hired the A-Team.
(Face) Looks like the first thing we've got to do is get you back in business.
Face, we're gonna need some promotion here.
Well, promotion is my middle name.
Thanks.
l can see it now, the Templeton Peck Ad Agency.
Hannibal, l think l can get these machines in working order.
Good.
Murdock'll help you.
Murdock! Come on, Face, we've got work to do.
B.
A.
, it's you and me.
You love that.
l know you do.
And since l'm hanging around you, l might as well start with you.
Start what? l'm gonna get this team into shape.
We're gonna eat the right foods.
We're gonna drink the right liquids.
This team is going au naturale.
This is all natural, sucker.
And this is the little elixir of health and vitality that is gonna do it all.
Why don't you have a sip? Come on.
Suck on the essence of vitality.
(Murdock) Power your battery-- Cathy, l don't believe this.
These guys are nuts.
Listen to them.
A little eccentric, maybe.
They've got great references.
Well, let's see, running an eight hour shift, six days a week about 1 100 cases a week.
Of course, that figure will go up in a sales increase.
Hmm.
How's your credit rating? Not bad.
We own the building and we can use it as collateral.
Good.
How about going down to the bank and applying for a loan so we can have some working capital? Deducted from our bill, of course.
Do l detect a certain, shall we say, interest in a certain direction, Hannibal? Well, Face, l always like to make friends.
Colonel, l'd like to lodge a complaint.
B.
A.
tried to insert a can of Hi-Brite into my mouth.
Now, it didn't go in, but it hurt.
Captain, you said you were gonna get along with him this week.
Well, l'm trying to.
Would you like some trail mix? l got some nice sun-dried raisins here.
Thanks.
l'm really-- l'm really gonna get behind this health food stuff.
You know, once we get into production, maybe we'll find out why a guy who makes beer is so interested in a health soda factory.
Uh, you, would you like a nut? Boy, she's a real beauty, isn't she, B.
A.
? l mean, the cotton gin, the steam engine, they may all have been precursors to the industrial revolution, but nothing nothing can beat an MAKR 73 carbonated bottling machine with optional labeler.
(Cathy) Time for lunch, guys.
You'll love 'em.
Where's the meat? This sandwich's full of weeds.
Those are bean sprouts.
They're great in the fiber department.
l don't eat nothing l don't know.
Oh, where's your sense of adventure, B.
A.
? l mean, look at me.
l'm looking at these itty bitty black things l don't know what they are, but l'm gonna eat them anyway.
Some of them are even moving.
[giggling.]
You're funny.
Just got a call from Hannibal.
The office is all set.
And they're ready to go.
He wants you to get the machines running and they're gonna need all the soda you can turn out.
See, l told you it'd work, Maryann.
We're back in business.
(Face) That's right, seven delicious fruit flavors.
why don't l make it an even 60, huh? You'll thank me later.
Great.
Yeah.
Thanks for calling.
Yeah, Hi-Brite Soda.
Oh, you saw our ad.
Yeah, oh, you'll love it.
lt's all natural.
l can promise delivery at your supermarkets by the end of the week.
Yes, we come in 16 ounce bottles also.
Uh-huh.
1 20 cases.
You got it.
(Maryann) Our tangerine lime is very refreshing.
No, we never use anything artificial.
lt's sort of kinda more of a fruit juice than an actual soft drink.
Right.
Very healthy for you.
Got lots of vitamin C.
Thirty-five cases? Great.
(Murdock) Would you put dirty oil in your engine? Of course not.
That's why we at Hi-Brite Soda guarantee that we use only virgin spring water along with that, you get high complex vitamin C, along with your bioflavonoids.
What about that grape? Lot of rutin in grape.
Makes your eyes real shiny.
Good.
Ten cases.
Fabulous.
Hi-Brite Soda? What can we do for you? Looks like Face's ad campaign is starting to pay off.
Yeah.
This keeps up, we'll get back in full production in a couple of days.
l'd like to see Webb's face when he finds out.
(Webb) What do you mean they're back in business? Yeah, l know l told you l shut them down.
Well, l don't know.
Okay, okay, we'll get on it.
[machines whirring.]
[bottles clinking.]
Hey! Hi-Brite just took out a bank loan to pay for the ad agency they hired.
How many cases did you see? At least 300, Mr.
Webb.
l got a call from this guy who works in one of the Farrell Supermarkets.
He says they're stocking Hi-Brite Soda in all their outlets.
They're expecting to deliver by the middle of the week.
They gotta get their trucks through first.
Yeah, that's right.
They got to get through first.
l want every road out of that factory watched round the clock.
You see one Hi-Brite truck on the road l want you to make sure it smashes into a wall.
l promise you, not one of them trucks is gonna get through.
They better not.
l don't care how many cases they got on order.
They don't deliver, they close down.
(Murdock) This is genius.
Pure genius! Thank you, Murdock.
No, l was referring to Hannibal's part.
What're you talking about? l'm the guy who figured out how to do this.
Want some trail mix? No, l don't.
Some nuts? Almonds? l don't want anything.
Calm your nerves.
My nerves are fine.
l'll be waiting for you.
Good.
l'll be here.
Great.
l'll be seeing you.
[engine starting.]
l'll be looking for you when you come back.
Boy, oh, boy! My first day on the job, you talk about luck.
Hi, l'm Happy Harrison.
Yeah.
l'll tell you, talk about lucky, l got the local run.
What'd you get? Yeah, l see your run takes you all the way up to Fresno, huh? Yeah.
You got the local? Yeah.
l can't say l'm not just a little disappointed! See, l know this great gal up there, l tell you.
Hey, wait a minute.
lf they think l'm taking this load 300 miles on short notice they're out of their ever loving minds! Well, l don't know about that.
See, l just-- You take it! What? You got orders, you're new.
Yeah.
You take the load.
Oh, l get it.
lt's kind of like job seniority.
No, it's called keeping your job.
Right.
[laughing.]
[engine starting.]
[engine starting.]
Let's go fishing.
[ The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be [ [ Ain't what she used to be, ain't what she used to be [ [ The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be [ [ Many long years ago [[ [braying.]
lt's about time! l was getting worried.
l mean, l've gone through a whole bag of trail mix.
Murdock, this calls for a celebration.
Why are you doing this to yourself? Aw, come on, you're not gonna start again.
Faceman, l'm only concerned about your cardiovascular system.
Do you realize you're taking into your lungs foul disgusting dead matter? Man, l've about had it with all this health stuff! Well, l find that offensive.
What? Nothing.
lt's just something that Custer said to the lndian.
Don't think about it.
Hey, Hannibal, l think we got a bite.
[groaning.]
[gun firing.]
You guys are crazy.
Oh, he's an excellent judge of character, huh, Colonel? The Hi-Brite Soda company is still in business and we're still making deliveries.
(Murdock) Colonel, may l? Gentlemen, it's quite obvious from the very sloppy handling of an operation as simple as running our truck off the road that you gentlemen are suffering from severe vitamin deficiencies.
You are not operating at your peak.
Therefore, l want you to listen and l want you to listen good.
Because, in order to complete this assignment, this is what you must do.
First of all, you must have a weapon.
Second of all, you must check chamber of said weapon for possible mechanical blockage.
[gun cocking.]
Thirdly, you must aim said weapon at approximately a 45 degree angle at the rear of said truck.
And then, you must fire.
Oh, that is the gas tank, you know.
Nice, Captain.
Now, you go back and you tell your boss if he's got problems with this to talk to me.
My name's Smith.
Now start walking.
Hey, big guy.
l have a question for you.
Don't you think that Faceman should've highlighted the name a bit more? l mean, it's missing something, don't you think? l think that the gold should have been radiating more outwards so that the flow catches the eye before the eye catches the hard copy.
What do you think, big guy? l think if you don't stop flapping your lips l'm gonna highlight your head black and blue! (Maryann) l've got to start to give you credit.
l mean, the campaign's working.
The way the orders are coming in, we're gonna have to put on another shift by the end of the week.
You guys are unreal.
l mean, is there anything you can't do? Ballet.
We stopped going to class.
l figure when Webb gets our message, he's gonna pay us a little visit.
And you're convinced there's something in Webb's office that's gonna tell us something.
Oh, yeah.
Face reported much too much security for just an ordinary office.
What, do you think they'll come here? The sucker better have health insurance if he do.
Oh, speaking of health l've drawn up that vitamin supplement program l'm gonna put you on.
Yeah, l know you're strong, l know you're strong but, you can't spend the rest of your days lifting automobiles over your head.
Now, what l suggest is a high-potency multi.
Something that's gonna cover all basic nine minerals and vitamins.
Give you calcium, magnesium-- Give me that, fool! [chuckling.]
Of course, on the other hand, a balanced diet cuts the need for vitamin supplements in half.
B.
A.
? ls Face all set? Yeah.
All ready and wired to go.
Good.
Now, all Webb needs is a personal invitation.
(Webb) What do you mean, it hasn't been delivered? l saw all my trucks go out this morning.
[phone ringing.]
Yes? lt didn't make the stop? l don't know what's going on.
Look, l'll get on it.
Don't worry.
First you three get my trucks blown up and now, my beers are not getting delivered.
What do l look like, some kind of jerk? You wind me up in circles and l turn around? Mr.
Webb, you better come quick.
They switched trucks.
That's what they meant when they said we'd be making their deliveries for them.
A-Team? They are those military guys wanted by the government.
Well, l don't care who they are! They use my drivers to deliver their soda they shoot up one of my trucks, they're ruining my business! lt's that ad campaign, Mr.
Webb.
lt's killing us.
Well, who's running it for them? A guy named Templeton Peck.
Find him! That's right.
That's right, l want three of those big billboards like you see on l-Five.
Exactly.
Now-- Let me get back to you on this.
[phone thudding.]
Hold all my calls, Miss Olsen.
[doorbell buzzing.]
So, you're Templeton Peck, huh? l've heard a lot about you.
You're the guy who runs the ad campaign for the Hi-Brite Soda company.
Yes, yes, indeed l do, and may l take a few minutes here to tell you that well, with my agency's help, we've managed to triple business in the local market here.
Yeah, you see, advertising, that's the secret.
All the quality beer in the world would just sit on the shelf if it wasn't for advertising.
You have to have a demand and demand, well, it doesn't just happen, you know it has to be created.
That's right you see, and that, my friend, is advertising.
[watch beeping.]
Yes, the right kind of advertising can make or break a company and that's what to expect from Templeton Peck.
Good.
You're hired.
Here's $10,000.
Gee, $10,000.
With money like this, we could we could probably set up some accounts and go national-- You don't understand, Mr.
Peck.
l want you to spend all that money on the Hi-Brite account.
The Hi-Brite account? l want you to put them out of business.
Yeah, but-- Look there's $10,000 here.
Mr.
Webb if you think l can be bribed to sabotage an ad campaign.
You got 24 hours.
lf l don't see some results you're going to a funeral.
Your own.
(Face) Hannibal, l don't like to complain but why is it that l'm always the one who has to stick his head inside the lion's mouth? (Hannibal) lt's your personality.
Personality.
Look, in 24 hours, l'm a dead man unless l can turn this Hi-Brite Soda ad campaign around cold.
Oh, yeah.
Webb's donation to the world of advertising.
Pays our fee.
Did you find anything? Oh, yeah, yeah.
The way this metal detector went off in Webb's office there's a safe in there somewhere.
Probably behind the screen in the corner.
There's only one way to find out.
Murdock go with Face.
[bell ringing.]
[camera clicks.]
[whispering.]
l love you, baby.
One chimpanzee, two chimpanzees, three chimpan-- What are you doing? l'm counting chimpanzees, do you mind? Three chimpanzee-- l thought it was one Mississippi, two-- No, that's when they're taking your pulse.
lt's chimpanzees when you take time exposures.
Five chimpanzees, six chimpanzees, ten chimpanzees.
Watch this.
lt's perfect.
l got faith in you, little brother.
[buzzing.]
[clicking.]
Voila.
Look.
They all have names of businesses in the Valley on them.
Yeah.
Right here, in the center, the Hi-Brite Soda factory.
Well, the Colonel ought to see this, look.
All of these checks have names that correspond to the businesses on this map.
Look's like Webb's trying to buy up the Valley.
Except this one here made out to the Palmdale Construction Company.
[alarm ringing.]
[gun firing.]
[tires screeching.]
lf only l'd had my extra stress vitamin B's l know l could've held them off a couple of hours.
Maybe, even a day or two.
lmportant thing is, we've got this check.
Yeah, l got a real queasy feeling in my stomach, Hannibal.
Webb knows about the break-in.
You're right.
lt's not part of the plan, Face.
Oh, Colonel, not a cigar.
The nicotine it depletes your vitamin C.
(Drake) lt had to be those guys that blew up your truck.
The A-Team.
l don't get it.
How did they know about the safe? You know, it's funny.
These guys showed up, just about the same time that the Roger sisters hired this Peck character and his campaign turned the whole thing around.
Do you think this Peck and those guys are connected? All l know is that his 24 hours are up.
We're supposed to meet him at his office, and l'll tell you this he better show us he put the brakes on the Hi-Brite ad campaign, or he's dead.
[crashing.]
l should've known l couldn't trust that guy! We'll find him, Mr.
Webb.
l think we just found him.
Our friend, Mr.
Peck, is gonna have a lot of questions to answer.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, our camera will reveal which of the soft drinks our subjects have chosen.
Will it be can A, can B, or can C? Yes, l see all three subjects have chosen can A.
And can A is.
Yes! Hi-Brite soda.
[all clapping.]
Well, l see our second group of taste testers have just arrived.
(Face) l'm sure everybody out there recognizes Mr.
Jason Webb, owner of Webb Beers.
Now Mr.
Webb, has graciously consented to be one of our sample taste testers.
Your clock has just wound down, buddy.
l don't think so.
Smile, you're on TV.
And now, Mr.
Webb, if you will kindly step over to the tasting table.
No, l've got to go.
[clearing throat.]
(Murdock) l sure am glad that construction companies aren't open on Saturdays.
l would've had to take them on single-handedly.
You couldn't take on a bunch of Girl Scouts single-handedly.
Niacin.
You're low on niacin.
You know why? Because you're grouchy, and depressed.
But l understand.
l understand.
Here here big guy.
You just take two of these after every meal and you're gonna be smiling, from ear to ear clicking your heels a three-quarter time.
Hey, guys.
Look what l found.
What is it? This is a lake shore condo development.
Look at these streets.
(Hannibal) Sutton, Verdugo those are the streets that run past the Hi-Brite Soda factory.
So where's the soda plant? l guess it was right about here.
Right in the middle of the lake, underwater.
Those dummies think they can use the springs under the Hi-Brite factory to form a man made lake and sell condos on the shore line.
No wonder they they bought all the property around the Hi-Brite plant.
Webb hasn't got the money to do a project this big.
There'd have to be a backer or a money man.
Look at this, Colonel.
Here are the loan papers for the construction of the condo and guess who's loaning them the money.
The Valley View Bank.
That's the same bank that loaned the money to the-- To the girls.
(Barrington) Ladies.
How can l help you? We just stopped by, Mr.
Barrington, to repay our loan.
Business has been so good we can afford to repay our loan early.
l see.
Well, l'm afraid there's a slight problem here.
lt seems you just defaulted on your loan.
Hannibal, you should've seen the look on Webb's face.
l don't think the man likes soda.
Where are the girls? l sent them down to the bank to see Mr.
Barrington.
Barrington.
There's no need to build up interest.
Barrington is the guy who's behind all this.
(Barrington) This whole matter could have resolved itself had you ladies not been so obstinate as to hire the A-Team.
You mean, we just let you take over the plant and force us into selling.
There's no way you're gonna get away with this.
Oh, no? There are certain loose ends that need to be tied but we can take care of that.
[phone ringing.]
Yes.
Well, where? All right, l'll handle it.
That was Marlowe at the construction site.
Someone broke into his trailer.
They found the loan papers.
The A-Team.
They're probably on their way over here right now.
Then l think we should prepare a proper welcome for them then.
Miss Reynolds, if a Mr.
Smith calls, tell him we've gone to the brewery.
Barrington left word he could be found at Webb's Brewery.
Left word? Yeah.
And his secretary said that he saw him take Maryann and Cathy with him.
Why do l get the feeling l'm one of the six hundred riding into the valley of death? Barrington and the others are going to be waiting for us.
l feel an anxiety attack coming on.
This is a very stressful situation lt's time for my B-1 2 anyway.
You want one? No.
Oh, what are we going to do? Since Barrington is so anxious to take over a soda pop plant why don't we give him a taste of what he wants? All seven flavors? Why not? [whirring.]
[drilling.]
[hissing.]
When all this unpleasantness is over l don't want any of them found, understand? Don't worry, they won't be.
You guys all right up there? [car approaching.]
They're coming! [brakes squeal.]
l see you were expecting us.
Well, l like to be ready for any contingency.
You've caused me a great deal of trouble.
We have, haven't we? And you know what? You haven't seen anything yet? Kill them! Wait a minute.
Where's the skinny guy with the baseball hat? l was waiting for you to ask.
Murdock! Seven all-natural flavors.
[hissing.]
The A-Team's way of saying don't fool with Mother Nature.
[guns firing.]
[guns firing.]
[gun firing.]
[tires screeching.]
[grunting.]
lt's all right, ladies, it's all right.
Oh, thank you.
[sighing.]
[thudding.]
l love it when a plan comes together.
Well, with Webb and Barrington out of the way you shouldn't have any trouble marketing your soda.
Now that business is over, let's get down to basics, like a candlelight dinner, a little cognac? l know this terrific Hungarian restaurant.
Well, do they have a gypsy violinist? Of course they do.
[clearing throat.]
Well, l have to admit, l was wrong about you, Smith.
The A-Team definitely know what they're doing.
l'm sorry l ever doubted you.
l hope you can accept my apologies.
l'll look forward to it.
Sometimes there's a method in our madness.
Speaking of madness.
Excuse me, ladies.
Gentlemen, l have put down on paper a vitamin and diet supplement program which l believe to the very best of my ability, compliments your personal metabolic and caloric needs to sustain health and vitality.
Face, for you, iron.
A lot of iron.
Colonel, you have the gray matter.
Fortified with trace elements and minerals, sir.
Thanks, Murdock.
And B.
A.
we know you've got the bulk, baby.
We all know that.
You're strong.
But, what you lack is endurance.
Now, l've worked out a program here that's going to keep your muscles at peak proficiency.
Thank you.
And l got something special for you.
This is my B.
A.
all-purpose multi body-building tablet.
Take it, and you'll be a new man.
Will this make me as strong as you? Yeah.
Swallow it and see.
[Murdock mimicking B.
A.
.]
Hey, sucker.
You're dead meat.
Understand?
Previous EpisodeNext Episode