The Avengers (1961) s02e23 Episode Script

Conspiracy of silence

1 (theme music playing) - (music playing) - (applause) (drumroll) (applause) (music continues) (man laughing) Man: It's like a lost and found.
That's what this place is.
Hey, you know what I feel like? A matchmaker.
(man laughs) That's good, that.
A matchmaker.
I booked fliers for Bangkok, snake acts into Madison Square Garden.
This is the first time I've found a man's brother-in-law for him.
(laughs) What next? (Italian accent) Who can tell? How many years since I saw you, Carlo, 16? - Salerno? - Ah, Salerno.
Very nice.
Man: Got a couple of glasses? Uh, cups I have, glasses, no.
I think a little drink is called for, eh? (both laugh) You'll get no opposition from me.
Hey, cheer up, Carlo.
You found your brother-in-law and lost your sense of humor.
He owes you money or something? We surprised him.
Well, he might try and look a bit more happy about it.
(Italian accent) I have an English wife.
How do I come to have an Italian brother-in-law? My mistake.
Look, I never saw you before in my life.
I'll tell you one word, just one word, and then you'll remember.
- Carlo: Go on.
- Omerta.
(echoing) Omerta.
Omerta.
Omerta.
That's all finished with.
It doesn't matter.
You took the oath.
It was 16 years ago.
I've never been back to Italy, not once.
It doesn't matter.
It's the highest card.
The only thing that can trump it - And what's that? - A death certificate.
What do I have to do? That's better.
Much better.
- This man - (paper rustles) Yes? Kill him.
- But how do I - No buts.
Just kill him.
(birds chirping) (dog barking) (gunshot fires) (bullet zings) (saw scraping) (chirping) The day somebody knocks, I'll have a heart attack.
- Mrs.
Bennett? - Yes? I'd like to see your husband.
Hmm, so would I.
Carlo is not here? No, he went to London last week.
He must have missed his connection back.
May I sit down? Oh, yes, by all means, but don't expect him to walk in.
I've been doing that for three days.
It doesn't do any good.
Carlo and I are old friends.
Oh, really? Where, in Italy? Yes, I've seen him a few times since I came to England.
Maybe you know where he's gone.
No, just business, he said.
That's all, business.
Like it was a men's club and all women were prohibited.
- Mrs.
Bennett? - Hmm? Your husband's in trouble.
A lot of trouble.
- Oh, how do you know? - Because I'm in it with him.
Well, what does that mean? Man: Certain people are after us.
- He told me.
- I see.
Well, he wanted to work with us, and I'm scared.
But why? I mean what can they do to you? Hand us over to the police.
Then what? We'll be deported, undesirable aliens.
- Back to Italy? - That's right.
But that would mean he'd be killed.
Exactly, now you know why I want to see him.
Together, we might be able to arrange something.
Alone, we're just firewood.
Are you sure you don't know where he is? No.
No, I told you, he went to London and since then I've heard nothing.
Not a phone call, not a postcard, nothing.
Will you tell me if you do hear anything from him? Yes, of course I will.
Wait a moment.
I mean, how will I get in touch with you? Oh, leave it to me.
I won't be far away.
Oh, fine.
(door closes) (chirps) (laughs) No, no, don't tell me.
High-wire? No? No, let's see, then.
Lions, tigers? No.
(sighs) No good, give in.
Actually, Mr.
James, I need your help.
That's what I'm here for 9:00 till 6:00, Monday through Friday.
I'm looking for an Italian.
He's a rather mild character, about your height and wears glasses.
(laughs) Oh, dear me.
You'll have to do better than that.
A lot of people come through that door.
A lot of them are Italian.
Well, maybe these will help.
They belong to him.
- A clown, eh? - Yes, that's why I came to you.
Don't they call this place "The Home of the Circus"? (laughs) Like a lot of other homes, lady, it's seen better days.
If I took them posters down, the walls would cave in.
(laughs) You know him? Yeah, I might.
He was supposed to kill an acquaintance of mine.
Sorry, lady.
You must have the wrong man.
I don't think so.
Someone, I don't know who, hired him.
At the last minute, he lost his nerve and ran away.
Look, lady, just who the hell are you? Why don't you go to the police? Because this man's in trouble.
And you'd like to keep it in the family, wouldn't you? Who'd want your friend killed anyway? Italians, that's all I know.
Why should I trust you? Because I came to you and not the police.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's true.
All right, then.
Gale: That's him? Name's Carlo Benetti.
Known as Bennett over here, but he's no killer.
This man's gentle.
The most violent thing in his life is laughter.
One day, he'll be an auguste.
Everyone says so.
It takes time, though.
- What's an auguste? - The tops.
The clown who's always wrong.
The big loser, they call them, but they always win in the end.
When did you last see Carlo? Last week.
His brother-in-law met him here.
- An Italian? - Yeah.
Carlo didn't seem happy about it.
Not happy at all.
Relatives putting a squeeze on him.
Something like that.
Yes, you were here? Yes, it was here in this office.
We all had a drink together.
Kept the bottle for my little girl.
She made this lampshade for me.
Oh, she's very clever with her fingers, this little Edith.
Were they speaking Italian or English? English.
Oh, there was the odd word of Italian.
I remember this other fellow said something.
"Omerta," that was it.
(chuckles) I used to speak a bit myself, you know.
(sings in Italian) Are you sure it was "omerta"? Yeah, more or less.
Mr.
James, where can I find Carlo? Well, it's only a small circus.
Things aren't easy these days.
Empty pockets Where? I'm looking it up for you.
(pages shuffle) Excuse me.
(door closes) You oversleep? Horse threw a shoe.
Well, how are you getting on? He's being very helpful.
It's your honest face.
He'd never have done that for me.
Does the word "omerta" mean anything to you? - Who mentioned that? - Carlo's brother-in-law.
They were in here together last week.
- It's an oath.
- Whose? - The Mafia.
- Mafia? Conspiracy of silence.
Talk and you die.
Keep quiet, we look after you.
That's the general trend of it.
The Mafia.
Interesting.
Dope pedaling.
It's the thing I told you about London, Montreal, New York.
Yeah.
Part of a $5 million network.
Now, I wonder what hold they've got over that clown.
Relations in Italy, that sort of thing.
Yeah.
So, Carlo had to become a gunman or else.
That's about it, yes.
I'll tell you what you have to do later.
First there's the matter of protecting my neck.
- Of course, that's incidental.
- Of course.
Fancy being fired out of a cannon? (music playing) (sighs) - Rickie? - (gasps) Oh, it's you.
- Any word from Carlo? - No.
- It's a week now.
- Yes, I know it is.
What's he think, we keep a candle burning in the window for him? (sighs) Who does he think he is? That clown grows too big for his baggy britches.
- Anything else? - Listen, Rickie Now, you listen.
Carlo's the big draw in this dump and don't you forget it.
Ha, if it wasn't for him, you'd be running some sort of a bingo parlor.
Who does he think I am, Dr.
Banana? You can stand a little charity.
Circuses don't run on charity.
Well, what am I supposed to do about it? - Get him back.
- Oh, don't you think that I want him back? Every time I come in here, it's a battlefield.
- (groans) - What's wrong with you? Maybe it's you.
And don't maul me.
All right, just let me deliver the message.
There's a female journalist coming to write about the circus.
- About us? - Why not? - Nothing.
- She'll be here for a few days.
I'm putting her in with you.
- Well, why me? - Because you're so sociable.
This is a double trailer.
There's only you in it.
Oh, thank you very much.
And what happens if Carlo comes back? We'll worry about that when it happens, shall we? Look, you've got no right to push me around Don't talk to me about right.
I own this trailer and everything in it.
Now, the birdcages are yours.
You drink out of my cups.
You eat off my plates.
- Remember that.
- (birds chirp) And if Carlo doesn't get back here before Saturday, you'll be in the street.
Understand? Yes.
When does she arrive? Sometime today.
What's her name? Gale.
Mrs.
Catherine Gale.
- (crumples) - (sobbing) Carlo.
(knives thud) (thudding continues) Oh, come on, what's this? Everyone's supposed to be working right now.
Come on, get on with it.
Go on.
How are the bookings, Mr.
Gutman? Oh, I've seen better.
(laughing) Sure, but have you seen worse? I'll say, but it's all we've got.
Man: Hey, what's this? Mrs.
Gale said you're expecting her.
Gutman: Oh, that's right.
How do you do, Mrs.
Gale? Welcome to the circus.
Thank you.
It's nice of you to let me stay.
No trouble at all.
We could use a slice of free publicity.
- Ooh, and how.
- That's rather what I thought.
Pardon all this.
I feel rather like an American tourist.
Straight from the Eiffel Tower and ready for the room.
This is Leggo, one of our clowns.
- How do you do, Leggo? - Pleased to meet you, Mrs.
Gale.
Arturo up there.
- Hello.
- Gale: Hello.
That's Elizabeth and Collins and the three Nules.
They all sound like Italians.
Italians, yes, but Arturo's a company boy.
Terry you obviously know from the backstage.
Put Mrs.
Gale's things in Carlo's caravan, will you? - Terry: Aye, aye, boss.
- I've put you in with Mrs.
Bennett, one of the clowns' wives.
- She doesn't mind? - No, not at all.
Her husband's away.
- Sick? - No, business.
- He'll be back in a few days.
- I see.
All the same, traveling around like this must be very difficult, trying to keep everybody fit.
(laughs) There's never time to get to a doctor's.
Now, take Leggo there.
I thought he was going down with a bad knee, but he seems all right again now, thank goodness.
Ai! (laughing) I warn you, you're gonna get tired of me asking questions.
Well, I don't have much time to answer them.
You'd be surprised at the amount of paperwork it takes to keep this lot in business.
- Yes, I can imagine.
- I'll get someone to help you.
- Leggo.
- Catch! Ooh! When you've finished.
- (both laugh) - You were saying? Who knows most about circuses round here? There's only one person.
- Who is that? - The Professor.
The Professor? Yes, that's right.
Whatever it is, so long as it's circuses, he'll know about it.
Biggest, smallest, oldest, heaviest.
Just ask him.
- How do I find him? - Anyone will tell you.
Is this some kind of joke? - Not at all.
- All right, ask the Professor.
That's what I'll do.
Come on, I'll show you your quarters.
- Good-bye.
- See you around.
Bye.
Oh, don't take it out on me.
There's nothing I could do.
Nice cases.
She must be a successful journalist.
Hmm, one of my dreams Matching suitcases from jewelry box to trunk.
- Dreams.
- Yeah, see you around.
Yeah Oh, how's the job? Oh, not so bad.
You get a bit dirty at the end of the day.
- Otherwise okay.
- (laughs) - Oh.
- Thank you.
- Oh.
- Mrs.
Bennett? - Yes.
- I'm Catherine Gale.
- Hello.
- It's kind of you to take me in.
Well, I didn't have much choice, but I'll be very glad of the company.
I understand your husband's away for a while.
Yes, that's right.
Look, why don't you put some of your things over there? Thanks.
- Is this Carlo? - Yes, it is.
Has he always been with the other two? Since the war.
It helps, does it, working on a team? Yes, it helps.
How do they decide what sort of makeup they should use? Well, a clown's makeup's his copyright.
It's the only thing he can call his own.
You can steal his material, but not his makeup.
Once he settles on it, he keeps it.
It's his trademark.
That's interesting.
Where is he now? I don't know.
Mrs.
Gale, please make yourself at home, won't you? Did you want to see me? I'm sorry, who are you? I'm the Professor.
Oh, I had no idea.
If you want to know anything about the circus, ask me.
This circus, any circus.
Thank you, that'll be very helpful.
My family's been in this business since the 15th century.
Court jesters, that's what they were.
That's interesting.
Do you know why a lion trainer carries a chair? Well, to keep the lions at a distance.
Ah, but the lion doesn't know that the chair isn't part of the man.
When he snaps at the chair leg, he thinks he's going to wound him.
When it doesn't, he gives up.
Do you know how many trainers died of injuries last year? - No, I don't know.
- 22.
Really? Have you any money with you? Yes, a little.
Got a fiver, I'll tell you what you really want to know.
- Oh, what's that? - Where Carlo is.
Carlo? But I just came down here to take some pictures and to write an article.
Ah, then you won't want to know where he is, will you? No.
Okay, but if you should change your mind, just ask for the Professor.
(music playing) All right, hold it.
That's marvelous, thanks.
Now I'll let you get on with your own work, Martin.
Thanks.
(grunts) (clicks) Oops.
When's this article coming out, then? Oh, that I don't know.
It all depends when my editor sees fit.
Hold it, Professor.
(camera clicks) You look just like the Queen.
How about one down there? Could you do a careful.
Could you do an Eros thing for me? That's lovely.
Thanks.
Why did you pick on a small circus like us? The article's one of a series showing how the little men struggle against the moguls.
You know, the corner grocer against the supermarketeer.
- You with me? - Yes, I suppose so.
Gale: Now come forward, Professor.
Whee, gotcha.
We must go and see the lions, Mrs.
Gale.
- But we have to be there - What time's the No news there, Mrs.
Bennett? No.
No, and I'm worried.
- It isn't like Carlo.
- That was last week's fish.
Come on, tell me, where is he? But I've told you, I don't know where he is.
You must.
A man just doesn't vanish into thin air.
- Well, this one did.
- I don't believe you.
Why wouldn't I tell you if I knew where he was? And it's no good you trying to force it out of me, I told you, I don't know where he is.
Oh, leave me alone.
What's it got to do with you anyway? I have to find him! We are in business together.
Let go.
You're hurting my arm.
Ah! And I'll break it off.
Let me go! Oh, no! No! No! How many more times? I've told you I don't know where he is.
I don't know! (screams) I don't know! - I don't! I don't! - Let go of her! - Who is he, Rickie? - I don't know him.
- What do you want? - Why, I'm looking for Carlo.
No one knows where Carlo is, so you stay away from here.
If I see your nose round here again, I'll push it through your head, understand? - Yes, I understand.
- Go on, get out.
If you know what's good for you, you'll do as you're told.
(Rickie sobbing) All right, Rickie? Yes, yes, I'm all right, Terry.
Anytime.
I'll get the boys to look out for him.
(cracking) Glad you've got gloves on for that one.
Come on, we're not going to the pub today.
Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo.
Why do you keep running away? - We're nervous.
- What of? - Everything.
- Now, just keep still.
Can't you take your hands away from your face? Why not? Oh, come on, please.
The union won't allow it.
(all laugh) (horn honks) (Leggo laughs) Whoop.
- What's wrong with him? - Ah, he's in a bad mood.
- Did I do something wrong? - No, he's always like that.
He's patchy.
He'll get over it.
He's only been with us about eight years.
He's a beginner.
It's a good thing, is it, to work in a team? Oh, yes, but it takes a long time to work up an act.
Years.
- Can I have some more pictures? - Sure, help yourself.
(Rickie sighs) Rickie: You see everybody wipes their feet on him.
Hmm, you'd think he was a doormat.
You can hardly expect a clown to be a tough character.
Yes, but just because he's a clown doesn't mean to say that he can't be human.
Isn't he? Well, he's got so little ambition, sometimes I wonder.
Where would ambition take him? To a better circus.
You think he couldn't do better than this heap? Oh, he's so loyal, you know, he's sick.
A fatal dose of loyalty, that's what he's got.
Who does he owe his loyalty to? Oh, Gutman, the boss.
He gave Carlo his first job when he came over here.
Since then, he's been on Carlo's back like a hump.
Even now, Carlo's skulking around, hiding.
- (keys clacking) - Hiding? Well, I I don't know where he is, do I? No, I suppose not.
(sighs) He should be doing so well for himself.
Two years ago, he did a show on Boxing Day.
Do you remember how cold it was? Anyway, it was too cold for a decent house.
There were about six kids and a dog in.
But does Carlo skimp? No.
He does the whole act, the bag and the tricks.
Gets soaking wet.
He's had a cold ever since.
We live like Bedouins.
(sniffs) Oh, do you mind, love? Oh, I'm sorry.
They tell me Carlo's a riot in the ring and yet he's always sad outside.
Why is that? Mrs.
Gale, I'm going to let you into a big secret.
Clowns get tired.
After three shows, he comes back here, what do you expect him to do, dance? He has his supper, a glass of beer, and bed.
Reasonable? If he loves children so much, why has he never had any? (sighs) Well, would you like to bring up your kids in this horse manure and sawdust? Maybe not.
We had a baby.
A little boy.
He died.
You didn't want any more? Not if they die in a blizzard on Salisbury Plain.
Anyway, Carlo's scared of kids.
But he spends his whole life entertaining them.
That's why.
I don't follow.
In 1943, Carlo was in the Italian Air Force.
He was on a bombing mission.
There was a mistake, the navigator's fault.
- Come on, darling.
Pretty boy.
- (typewriter keys clacking) But, of course, Carlo holds himself responsible.
What happened? They dropped a bomb on a convent.
80 children were killed and some nuns.
(teakettle whistling) Oh.
(humming) - (music playing) - (audience laughing) (blowing horn off-key) (audience applauding) (Professor whistles) Funny, it's just as though he disappeared.
Steed: Haven't any of your other contacts seen him? - (phone ringing) - No, I asked around excuse me, Mr.
Steed.
"Billboard" office.
Yeah, he is.
It's for you.
Mrs.
Gale, our roving reporter.
This is your editor.
How are you? Good.
You've no idea how difficult it is to get through to a circus.
Yeah, I've spoken to everybody from the ringmaster downwards.
What? This is a terrible line.
It isn't at your end? Oh, good.
Well, what's the news? Mm, stick by.
He's bound to contact you again.
If not the opposition.
Uh-huh.
No, I'm with him now.
There's no news.
What? You're sending what? Oh, a photograph.
Good, well, I'll look out for it.
- Arturo.
- (pen scratching) Yeah, I'll ask about him.
Anything you're wanting, love? Oh, you'll have to wait for that.
Then I'll scrub your back for you, eh? - Who's Arturo? - He's another of Gutman's clowns.
A company boy.
He's all right, though.
Been around for years.
What sort of a gang is this? No news of Carlo, then? No news.
(man coughs) - (door opens) - Gale: Good evening? What do you want? I'm looking at your photos, aren't I? In the dark? Why are you so interested in photos and so reluctant to pose for them? It isn't modesty, surely? These photos go in all the magazines, don't they? Mm.
These magazines go all over the country, don't they? Yes, you wanted for something? Well, it's my missus.
I've been blistered once and that's me lot.
I promise you, your photo won't be published.
(paper thuds) Thanks.
Good night, missus.
Good night.
Hello.
Arturo's getting very friendly.
He just wanted to see his picture.
Mm, not bad.
You're good, you know that? - Thank you.
- Real good.
You still haven't taken me up on that £5.
No, I haven't, have I? Let it lie.
How well do you know Terry? Eh, so-so.
He hasn't been with us long.
Is it difficult to get a job like his? Not if you're around at the right time.
Well, have a look at this.
See the bandage? Nothing odd about that, Mrs.
Gale.
Accidents in the circus is like, uh, coffee breaks in an office.
Yes, I'm sure, but now take a look at this one, taken a day later.
Professor: Ah, the tattoo.
Gale: Now, obviously he was trying to hide it.
Now, why would he do that? Come on, Professor.
You're supposed to be my bible.
I don't know.
Everybody in the circus has got 'em.
Well, what would make you want to hide it? Who said he did? Well, why else would he cover it up? Perhaps it was sore.
The first few days can be very painful.
The first few days? It's red and sore from pricking the skin.
Maybe that's the answer.
The tattoo was a new one.
It was a bit of camouflage to help him get in the circus.
Could be.
Thank you for your help, Professor.
- Don't mention it.
- (coughing) I'm not supposed to have these, you know? Bad for the wind.
I won't tell anyone.
(continues coughing) (overlapping animal noises) (metallic clank) - Oof! - Whoa.
- Are you are you following me? - Of course I am.
- Oh, why? - To make sure you get wherever you're going.
(sighs) Well well, I'm safe now.
Thank you very much.
You don't have to bother.
How do you know our friend won't come back? He won't because you scared him away.
- Well, if you say so.
- Oh, I do.
Thanks anyway.
Sorry.
- Good night.
- Good night.
(animal noises continue) (sighs) (both laugh) Carlo.
Oh! How are you, my love? I'm fine.
And how are you? Cold is about the same.
Oh, poor darling.
- Any news? - No, no more snoopers.
- Good.
Tell me, have you been to hospital today? - Mm-hmm.
- How's Leggo? - Oh, he's better.
Much better.
He's getting up tomorrow.
Crutches, everything.
And he's got his cartilage in a little jar in the locker.
- (both laugh) - He would.
He's also getting very inquisitive.
He wants to know about the houses, how you're getting on without him, and how much longer you want him to stay away.
I'd like an answer to that one, too.
What are we going to do, Rickie? It's your decision, Carlo.
I'm scared of hiding, the threats, of doing nothing.
I can't fight an organization like that.
- Even in England? - Anywhere.
The Mafia knows no boundaries.
There's one way out Do as they say.
This man Steed, I don't know him, but I hate him.
Don't you see? It's as if he were walking over our graves.
Either he dies or we do.
I'm sorry, darling.
I cannot shoot a man in cold blood.
Well, I could.
I could if it was my life, my family, and everything depended on it.
Oh, Carlo, scruples are fine in the right place, but ask yourself, are they being borne this year? What do you mean? But, darling, they know me.
What about the men that beat me up? It's not you they're after.
It's me.
Yes, but couldn't they get at you through me, force your hand? Oh, Carlo, you're such an ostrich, you know that? You bury your own little head and that's all you care about.
- That's not true.
- But they could take me any time they want.
If they did that, I would Oh, darling, do I have to die before you do something? Oh, please.
Wouldn't it be easier just to do what they asked us? Then maybe they'll Then maybe they'll leave us alone.
It is just possible.
It's got to be more than possible.
Carlo, look.
This envelope there are two tickets for Saturday night, the final performance.
Send them to Steed.
You've got his address.
He won't leave the circus alive.
If you won't do it, I will.
No, not you.
One of us must stay clean.
Oh.
(sobbing) The final performance, eh? (music playing) (ringing) - Mr.
Rant? - Rant: Yeah, that's me.
Could you copy this for me? (chuckles) - Gale: Does that mean yes or no? - Oh, it depends.
Of course, if it's beyond you, perhaps you can recommend another tattooist, someone you think might be able to help me.
That's a specialty of mine.
I done one like that only last week.
- Oh, really? - Oh, what's up? Well, I'm afraid if it's that common, it's no use.
Huh.
First job this year.
A, uh (blows) very expensive job, that.
Not one of your kiss-me-quick touches.
I'd like to see the original.
- You mean on the geezer's arm? - Yes.
I haven't got him tacked up in the back room, you know.
No samples? Perhaps you can tell me where I can find him.
All right.
(blows) Two generations of Rants worked in this book.
- Really? - Mm, yes.
Well, now, let me see what we've got here.
A pair of rampant lions I love you, Louise one inlaid lady on rocks.
Oh, here we are.
A 14-stroke bee, number four ink.
- Is that it? - The work order.
Mr.
Terry of Gutman's Circus.
(music playing) (tiger growls) (audience laughing) (music continues playing) Well, I've always fancied a girl with a caravan of her own.
What are you doing here? I've come to the circus.
Thanks very much for the tickets.
I didn't send you any tickets.
You didn't? Not two for the last performance? - No.
- Things are hotting up a bit, aren't they? - Did you get all the stuff I did send you? - I did, thank you.
I was right about Terry.
He had a tattoo a couple of days before he joined the circus, so he's probably a phony.
A tattoo is like a passport around here.
How come you know so much about tattoos? I took it at school instead of needlework.
(laughs) Oh, hey, photos.
Listen, if someone comes in, who shall I say you are? You can exaggerate, say I'm an old friend.
Now, there you are.
That's the one you took of Carlo off the wall.
That's the one of Leggo that you took there.
Now, notice the resemblance? Have a look at the eyes.
Well? They seem glazed, but fishlike.
Contact lenses.
- You sure? - Absolutely.
That Carlo's pretty shortsighted.
In mufti, he always wears glasses.
He certainly wore glasses when he was doing that shooting.
Of course, that bottle I found in his drawer.
That was saline solution.
He probably uses it for slipping the contact lenses in and out.
Do you think Carlo and Leggo are one and the same person? - Could be.
- Well, now what? It's time to bring him out in the open.
Now, we got Carlo.
At least we know where he is.
He must be scared.
He'll be a lot more scared by the time I finish with him.
Is that a good idea? We've got to find his employers.
It's only through them that we can find the dope smugglers.
- Even so - This is no time for kid gloves.
You're not likely to get him to cooperate this way.
I'm not gonna stand around and appeal to his better nature.
No, I'm gonna threaten him.
Either he gives us that information or I'll have him deported.
By Monday, he'll be canning tomatoes in Naples.
You're fighting fire with fire.
He's scared.
It's the only language he knows.
You're wrong.
(inhales, blows raspberry) He's not scared? No, I mean the way you're playing it.
May I remind you, Mrs.
Gale, we are dealing with the Mafia and not the Boy Scouts? You offer him a satisfactory alternative to the Mafia and he'll help you.
(scoffs) You're an idealist.
And you're a cynic.
Oh, come on.
We've had this conversation before.
There's no time for it now.
Time is precious.
Here's my - Where are you going? - To the circus.
Don't forget, you're expected! I shall be delighted to oblige them.
(sighs) - Can I help? - Yes, you can.
- You are lost? - Not at all.
Nor are you, Carlo.
(music playing) And just as soon as the crowd is leaving, I'll creep up behind him and it'll all be over.
A shot, panic, and that's it.
Oh, at last.
He's here already.
But do you think you'll be able to go through with it? - Yes, I'm sure.
- Yes, but you didn't the last time.
Things were different then.
Look, I'll wait for you in the trailer.
Look, perhaps you can get Terry to stay with you.
Oh, but why? A little protection might be a good thing.
Well, it won't be necessary if you do your job.
Look, I already said I would, now don't keep on at me! All right.
Oh, Carlo, I'm sorry.
I'll see you later.
How's things? All right.
Rickie been to see Leggo yet? Yes, he's much better.
He's already starting to walk.
Oh, that's good, then, isn't it? He'll be back next week.
- Oh, that suits you? - More or less.
All right, so don't tell me.
I only work here.
(animal roaring) - Terry: What's the news? - Steed is back.
- Does Carlo know? - I just told him.
He going through with it? I think so.
He's scared I might harm his wife.
What do we do with him afterward? If he bungles his getaway and gets caught, then so much the better.
If not, we'll have to take care of him.
He's so scared that he shakes.
He can't wait to talk.
I'll see you after the show.
Yeah, see you around.
(audience laughing) (laughing) (whines) - (thuds) - (whistling) Are you ready? Steady, go.
One, two, three, four, five, six.
(audience laughing) Hai, hai, hai! (laughing) Are you ready? Go! (vocalizing) (blows) Good evening.
Mrs.
Bennett not in? No, she just popped out.
She'll be back in a minute.
- May I wait? - By all means.
I, uh I don't think we've met.
I'm a journalist doing a story on the circus.
Sounds interesting.
Do you specialize in circuses? No, it's the first one I've ever had anything to do with.
They are fascinating places, don't you think? What are you doing here? Come inside and I'll tell you.
I'm sorry you had to be involved.
- (door closes) - She doesn't know anything.
Less than an hour ago, she was in here talking to Steed.
Steed? Oh, you mean the man with the bowler? - What is it you want? - To see that your husband carries out his promise.
Carlo doesn't always do what he says.
- You should know that.
- He meant it this time.
I'm glad.
So, perhaps you won't mind if I stay to make sure.
We'll just sit here quietly and wait, shall we? Good evening.
We meet again.
You didn't bring your gun with you, or do you keep that just for - Who are you? - Arturo.
Where's Carlo now? He's waiting for you in the ring.
(laughing) Shouldn't you be with Carlo to see that nothing goes wrong? He'll manage.
Maybe you're underestimating this, um What did you say his name was? Steed, and if you were a journalist, you'd remember names.
You will hear just two shots.
- Why two? - One for Steed and one for Carlo.
Carlo? Why Carlo? He's doing what you wanted him to do, isn't he? Carlo shoots Steed and Terry shoots Carlo with Steed's gun.
What could be simpler? Maybe something will go wrong.
Nothing will go wrong.
Terry will see to that.
- Terry? - Oh, didn't you know? He's my number two.
But but that fight! The time he nearly threw you out! Convincing, wasn't it? He gets quite carried away.
Ah.
If I hadn't caught it, I'd have killed you.
(ashtray clatters) Yes, I can believe you.
- Oh! - That's better.
Look, I'd better go and warn Carlo You stay there.
Steed knows all about Terry.
(horse whinnies faintly) (tiger growling) Carlo? (glass shatters) (tiger roaring) (horse whinnies) - Carlo? - Mr.
Steed.
Steed: I've come prepared this time.
So I see.
Why the change of heart, then, Carlo? I thought that you were gonna throw 'em up.
You know, fight 'em.
(tiger roaring) The rain.
Lions hate rain.
Best lion tamer I ever knew wouldn't go out if it was raining.
- Had it in his contract.
- You didn't answer my question.
You cannot walk away from the Mafia, Mr.
Steed.
It's not a social club.
I know that, and the lots of junkies in America, they know it, too.
What is it, "merchants of slow death" they're called? Sorry, there is nothing I can do.
But you can, you know, if you wanted to.
I'll help you.
Now, what's their Well, their code of Carlo: I'm a member.
I joined when I was a kid.
It's too late now.
Much too late, Mr.
Steed.
Drop your gun.
(gun clatters) - Steed: Well, the gang's all here.
- Terry: That's right.
Didn't know that, did you, Carlo? Fancied trying to brainwash poor Carlo.
It's like he says, they won't let you walk away.
I think you're underestimating him.
Do you? Remember Rickie? - Rickie? - Sica's with her now, waiting.
Better get on with it, Carlo.
He's got a gun.
Why doesn't he do it? Ask him if he wants to see his wife again.
What's gonna happen to him afterwards? You gonna allow him to walk around knowing what he does? Terry: Come on, Carlo.
Get on with it! See, Mr.
Steed? We've got him well-trained.
Just like a monkey.
(two gunshots echo) - (Rickie screams) - Two shots, what did I say? No, it's my fault! I made him do it.
He didn't want to.
Two shots, didn't I tell you? - Now tell me how many more.
- None at all.
Just put that gun on the table and I'll walk out.
You need never see me again.
- But I want to.
- You do? - In the dark.
- Ha, you have a sense of humor.
That's good, but it'll take more than that to stop Terry.
Now, shut up.
If you speak or shout, you'll die even sooner.
(knocking on door) What a terrible atmosphere in here.
Why don't you open the windows? Sica, the dope peddler.
Where he comes from, nobody knows.
Where he goes to Let me go.
I'm Mrs.
Bennett.
I must find Carlo.
He's waiting in the caravan for the police.
You haven't got much time.
What happened? He turned out proper trumps, old Carlo.
He shot Terry instead of me.
But there were two shots.
That was Terry nose-diving into the dust.
Are you shaking? I'm not surprised if I am.
Did you think I'd been killed? Yes, I did for a while.
Well, I'm moved.
You really thought you'd lost me.
Disappointment, isn't it? (theme music playing)
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