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02x02 - A Matter of State

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "The Amazing Spider-Man". Aired: September 14, 1977 – July 6, 1979.*
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The series yielded the first live-action depictions of Peter Parker's "spider-tracer" tracking/homing devices; they are prominently featured in several episodes throughout the series.

02x02 - A Matter of State

Post by bunniefuu »

[Music]

[Music]

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n [Music]

oh [Music]

Sally told me you were here there's something I got to tell you what's that I was pretty upset when you went to

The Slammer well how do you think I felt about it hey stop that I'm being

[Applause] serious yeah I know you

are and I do appreciate it

how did you know Mrs Gray wasn't guilty I don't really know uh you know I never

knew anyone who had absolutely no defense at all like that it's kind of hard to explain really

uh Rita look you know how I am about filing now I've got to find one here on a guy named Amos Dalton the file should

be about 11 years old will you find it for me sure thank

you where will you be when I find oh

[Applause] my 549 from Los

angel4 549 nonstop from Los Ang

[Music]

now

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

now from power now [Applause]

[Music] alive [Applause]

[Music]

[Music] are you all right sir State Department I've just been rocked I top secret

secure the terminal yes sir I'll help you to escap secure the terminal [Music]

now B room well hello Mr Jameson yeah I know where he is

I'll call him right away yes [Applause]

sir hello Peter Rita the airport's been

[Applause] quarantined I know you people got word

of the qu on the Press wire but this is not a crisis we have placed one terminal in quarantine because a passenger May

and underline may have come in contact with a communicable disease now this is just a precautionary measure to

determine if in fact there is any danger if anyone has been exposed or can you identify the disease and tell us the

flight's origin no I'm sorry well how long will the quarantine last I don't know how many people were on the

plane the health department officer in charge will be able to answer all of those questions just as soon as he

finishes his work oh Peter I'm sorry Julie how come you're only a clutch when I'm taking a picture if the whole

airport is quarantined why can't we go down and meet the passengers as they're released right why do we have to stay up here ladies and gentlemen I'm very sorry

for the inconvenience but we do not want to create a panic the situation will be resolved in a few minutes and I have to

ask you to please remain here you think we had the flag the first

time I've ever been locked in an airport before why didn't the guy give us more information the whole thing doesn't

wash got anything Julie nothing much place is crawling with security London is now in stages

at passengers prin has got to be behind the

Rope oh yes I realized that but that's Jim McAn of the FBI I know him he wants to talk to me okay Jim what's going on here Peter

you're supposed excuse me are you with the health department I don't believe we've met before comment well perhaps you could comment what is your name sir

Peter I said no comment all right let's go what was that Peter Parker reporter

from the bugle hey

Jim how' you get out there in a coach pulled by 12 mes

funny

isn't that Jim again why would the FBI be involved in a quarantine situation well maybe it isn't

maybe they're just passing [Music] through [Applause]

accident

[Music] [Applause]

huh you got it is that empty

yeah figures whoever put this one together is probably long gone by now well I'll open

the terminal and we'll keep some heavy Security on for a while in the area just in

case from london3 now London when you're not being

a clut you're really very nice when I'm not being a clut truth no I don't trust you hey that

hurts me it really does Peter I don't think that's at all

Fair since when have you ever been Fair well it'll be different from now

on see I I had to prove myself you know small town girl in the big city on trial

needing a job you understand I do and nothing has

changed look the jokes and the flip talk the competing I mean that's part of me

but not the most important part it's what I see and what I hear I'm not tough

really I'm not manipulating I'm not self-sufficient oh so actually you're just kind of a cream puff huh you've got

to believe me it matters I guess I I kind of need you to

like me I

do ladies and gentlemen may I have your attention [Applause]

please I have good news the incident is over and it was no crisis what do you

mean I mean the passenger we were worried about turn out to have a bad cold nothing serious again I'd like to

apologize for the inconvenience and thank you very much for your cooperation you believe him like I said

it doesn't wash you quarantine a whole airport because sure the guy has a cold okay I'll see you later

[Applause]

okay Jim come on how about telling me what's going on would you prefer no comment or

a lie the FBI doesn't get involved in a quarantine and that guy in there is no Health Department official now What's

happen you're wasting time Peter forget [Music]

it that's the girl who took the photograph of me stay with

her [Music]

[Applause] [Music]

my car's in the annex lot do you need to ride back to town no thanks my bike's there

too [Music]

[Music]

I'll jump out here see you [Music]

later all right follow [Music] [Applause]

her [Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Music]

down

[Music]

help

[Music]

hello [Music] sweet what happened that guy or whatever he

was tried to rob me I didn't temp to walk the streets here are you okay yeah well that don't stand there find

[Music]

you certainly I Know M I also know the other man in this picture s Le from the

state department what was he doing with McAn at the airp rep well how should I know

he didn't want to be identified but he was giving orders now why would the state

department and the FBI both be involved in a simple quarantine case have you tried the

health department mhm and they back up me but Rita has a friend she called at

the department and they have never heard of any quarantine it may be right there's much

to go on add the fact that Julie master camera was stolen and then thrown away after

the film was removed now somebody was very very anxious not to have their picture taken government people well I

don't know but clearly the government was involved I've got some connections to the state department I'll call them

see what I can find out now get out of [Applause]

here hey Pete

Doo F Julie and her editor doesn't know where she is

terrific so uh what about the quarantine at the airport that everybody's pretending didn't happen Mr Jameson is

letting me dig into it that's great that's not great well yeah it is but listen Pete he

has to pay you more money if you write the story and even if he pays you the string aray while you could get as much as yeah I I I know all that Rita but

but what listen you can always use some extra bread you borrowed 10 bucks from me yesterday and now that you're about

to get a double paycheck this week you are decidedly gloomy it's just that I'm worried about Julie words out that that

lady can take care of herself not against guys like the one that stole her camera okay we I'll to you later well

where you going in case Mr J wants to reach you I'm going to hang out at Julie's apartment in case she shows

up oh what you are the sly one I'll tell

you that Rita cut it out would you me listen Pete she works for the

competition that means you are supposed to compete with her you see not Aid and comfort her she's the enemy

remember just keep trying to find her [Music]

[Music] William I have the NATO defense

plant price $2 million of course I remember my original

proposal where money is involved I never forget I raised the price because the documents are more valuable than I

thought I don't like delays you're trying to

stall I get verification from your government arranged to have the money delivered by Tuesday you can make it any

sooner so much the better keep in touch with my

office Tuesday waiting around could be dangerous but we have no choice if we

want top price what's stand on the cover I developed it but it's new film it's

never been exposed there's nothing on it now wait a minute that's the film I took out of the

camera maybe she didn't take a picture May maybe she just I saw that woman take that picture now we are sitting ducks on

$2 million worth of NATO defense plans if anybody sees that photograph does the girl who took it know you what

difference do that make State Department people in the FBI know me what if they

see those pictures we can assume that this woman is a photographer for a metropolitan

newspaper find out who she is where she lives where she works I want the negatives and the prints that might have

been made from them the negatives and the prints no mistakes this time no

excuses [Applause] [Music]

right Rita call the state department get me Mike Callahan see if he can put me in touch with Arnold

Evans okay I'll try to reach him at uh

Mr Jameson when would you like to see Mr Evans why do you mean when I want to see

him as soon as possible walked into see you Mr Jameson

when your secretary said you were trying to reach me yes it was sit down what do you say to

that it's not very flattering don't hand me that fairy tale about the quarantine

at the airport I won't you're not going to convince me that you and McAn were prowling around the airport just because

some incoming passenger had a slight cold I wasn't born yesterday you know what do you mean I won't some enormously

valuable and embarrassing documents were stolen from a courier at the airport we closed things down as fast as we could

but we were too late they got away but you're right the quarantine was a cover story

my man Parker s it was that story well I thought he might that's why I'm here I do hope sir you're going to put a muzzle

on Mr Parker you're asking me to k*ll a page one story that's right

sounds like an attempt to cover up of some bureaucratic mess oh it's a mess and we do want to cover it up but it's

not bureaucracy this is National Security let's stand an excuse that's

right but this time it's more than just an excuse this time is a very real crisis

and we do need your cooperation all right you got it thank you please keep this discussion strictly

confidential we're contacting the police and other possibly involved persons they to keep hands off we can't risk anyone

but police and the FBI getting near this case I give you my word if we go

public your paper will get the beat all [Applause] [Music]

[Applause] [Music]

right [Music]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music] [Applause] [Music]

there's a guy coming into the building it's probably nothing no sign of the

girl what about the negative and prench over got them I'm going to B these and

then check around make sure there aren't any [Music]

[Music]

others

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[Applause]

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n [Music]

police [Music]

[Applause] [Music] [Applause]

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well [Applause]

officer I'm Julie Masters register I live here what's going on you had company while you're out ma'am this guy

a two- bit bird two bit is about all he could get in my apartment these creeps will grab anything they can sell to

offence you wouldn't believe what they'll [Applause]

steal Murphy this is her pad will you let her

in hi Julie afraid there's been an attempted burglary I know I saw your men outside I

don't think they got away with anything but you better take a look around sofa chair plant I could check

the cupboard and see if the pancake flower is still there horrific I've lived here 3 days and already I'm ripped

off what are you doing here I was just driving by what's happening some guy

just ripped off my plate you're kidding well did they take did they take a lot of stuff I don't

think so Julie do you think maybe I H oh

this is Peter Parker he works for the bugle we know each other Lieutenant uh

Murphy come

on is this walkie talkie you I never saw it before

unusual a cheap ripoff artist doesn't stay in touch with an outside man maybe

I just attract a better class of burglar excuse me what are these ashes here looks like burned

photograph or melted film I didn't burn anything did you have any pictures in

here that anybody might want destroyed I can't imagine what why would this guy take time to set

a fire are you sure there isn't something embarrassing or incriminating

mm- wait a minute this morning at the airport you were taking pictures have you developed them yet yes and made a

proof sheet but they weren't important or [Applause]

significant the negative in the sheet are gone I guess that's what's left were you

one of the reporters covering the airport quarantine yes uh I can say it's probably nothing

just some c gets a kick out of setting fires well no wait a minute Lieutenant

you said yourself that the use of a walkie-talkie is very unusual I mean there's more to it than that you see these pictures were taken at the airport

now Julie's camera was also stolen at the airport the FBI was involved and so was the state department don't you see

it all fits everything is connected to the airport on top of that Peter the airport is out of my jurisdiction I

don't know anything about it well yeah I know that but well I I just thought maybe you

could check it out I'll touch base with the detectives don't hold your breath Julie

you'll get this back after the try [Applause]

ciao did you notice something kind of strange about Martinez when I mentioned the airport yeah he really lost interest

no I don't think so I think he gained interest and was covering it up why I

don't know let's just say I've got a hunch and if I'm right you could be in L trouble

that's ridiculous look why did they steal your camera why did somebody break in here

way how did you know my camera was stolen you weren't with me a cop told me about it at the airport

yeah well it still doesn't mean I'm in danger Julie the man who stole your camera wasn't a thief he threw it away

what he wanted with film could be the police found the empty camera and

returned it to me okay then you just stay put until I figure this whole thing out now look Peter if you don't don't

let anybody in this apartment that you don't know nobody is going to hurt me you've been taking Panic pills you've

been taking stubborn pills goodbye Peter are you absolutely sure that there was nothing on that burned out film that

anybody else nothing shots of the airport manager the plane on the ground one of the guards who care about any of

that goodbye again

[Music]

Peter I tell you Carl guaranteed the film was burned are you afraid to please will

make Carl talk now the worst that can happen is

that he'll be sentenced to a few months in jail and after that well he'll collect a half a million dollars for

keeping his mouth shut it's a girl the girl who took the photograph of me she

saw me but she doesn't have the picture anymore she saw me she knew I was there

the authorities have a look at the mug books she'll find me and identify me she will not identify

[Applause] you

[Applause] [Music]

[Applause] [Music]

Co [Music]

who's [Applause] [Music]

there who's

there Lieutenant Martinez please I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm going to have

to keep an eye on Julie while I'm digging into this story the activities of arrival photographer are not my concern and they shouldn't be yours let

the register handle it I've got another assignment for you earlier today you agreed that I

should cover this story what happened to change your mind I followed through in the airport situation with my contacts

the authorities are handling the matter in the meantime you're going to cover the opening of the flower

show got to be [Applause] Ching yes telephone call for Peter since

when does he get calls on my phone oh that's all right I'll take it hello I just wanted to tell you that

I stopped taking stubborn pills Julie what's happened I think somebody tried to break in look don't take any chances

just call the police I have they're on their way I just wanted to

apologize oh uh uh they're here now everything is okay he all right take

[Applause] care another attempted break in

Julies now do you believe me or do you need an affidavit I don't care I want

you to get over to that flower show okay just as soon as I can but for now I'm going to Julie's just to make

sure everything's all right I don't pay you to go to

Julie I checked everything Julie no sign of a

Prowler I didn't just imagine somebody tried to break in here well I didn't think you would but uh whoever it was

had a chance to leave before I got here great what do I do now wait for him to come back well we're hoping he doesn't

but you can always call us back again the only thing is I I'm afraid I just can't stay here I

understand I'll take another look around outside before I leave you make sure you keep your door locked

thanks Murphy come

[Applause]

on city desk

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[Music]

please [Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

no no [Music]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music] are you all right I'm fine that TI is getting away can you stop him I could

but what if you have some friends who come in while I'm gone good point look I'm grateful I'm also kind of at a loss

for words I mean I know you're Spider-Man but being face to face sort of blows my mind just make sure that

after I'm gone all your windows are locked as well as your door I can't spend my whole life locked up in here

you don't stay in here you may not have much more life I can't even get in touch with anyone the phone is dead it'll be

fixed well thanks for what it's worth I'm too scared not to be [Music]

careful I did have her but you got away I don't pay you to call me with excuses

but I couldn't help it Spider-Man stopped me if you can't handle a job hire someone to help you but I want that

girl taken care of

okay who's there

Peter are you alone yeah I left the butler downstairs with my footman and

[Applause]

chauffeur want to know something I'm really glad to see you want to know something I'm glad to hear that but

Julie you TR some character came in through the window and grabbed me before I knew what was happening then

Spider-Man shows up out of nowhere and scares them off really yeah well the question is what do I do

now well what we've got to try to do is figure out who is trying to get to you and why I've

tried okay let's start with what we know now it figures that somebody wants a

picture that you took most likely from the airport you must have taken a picture of the man who's after you I

told you the only pictures I took at the airport were of the plane that was quarantine the airport

manager hey the guard what guard all right this sounds

crazy but when you shoved my arm I I took a picture of a guard and he didn't seem to want to have his picture taken

suppose he really wasn't a guard yeah yeah that could be but you don't

have the picture anymore do you remember what he looks like I think so well let's go back to the airport and look for

him if he was a phony he wouldn't still be at the airport probably not but we

could go down to the newspaper Morgan Buzz through some mug shots maybe you'll spot it okay now look if we don't get a

lead on this character you have got to hold up here if I wasn't so scared I'd argue with you I don't believe it for

once we [Music]

agree Julie

[Music]

wait [Music]

[Music]

a [Music]

[Music] lutena Martinez please this is an

emergency I told the police that Julie was kidnapped they say they've got to wait for the kidnappers to make a move I

don't know a ransom note or something that's it's customary procedure but this case is different government agencies

have been involved in a cover of right from the start now you've got enough muscle to get to the bottom of this you've got to help je I don't have that

much muscle Mr Jameson a girl's life is at stake the government has put on the

clamps I was approached by the state department and asked to keep this very quiet National Security the FBI is

carrying the ball they're looking out for government interest I'm looking out for Julie well obviously all the

agencies will try to help a kidnap victim yeah so long as it doesn't interfere with National Security if

you've got any information I'll pass it along to the FBI no I told the police everything I know then we

sing no wait there's there's one lead there's one lead that we haven't followed yet huh what's that the guy in

jail the guy who broke into Julie the police question him for hours they got

absolutely nothing on him that's right so why keep him there are you suggesting that any criminal refuses to talk should

be released from jail what if the bugle were to put up

his bail money that's ridiculous it's our only chance if he's out of jail I'll

follow him and maybe he'll lead me to Julie the bugle is not about to throw away $5,000 on some criminal who'll

undoubtedly jump bail he'll figure out he's being released so he can be followed he'll lose you and refuse to go

near any of his associates but Julie has been kidnapped she could be k*lled but call her paper

let them put up the bail and maybe get a beat on the story if the kidnappers are

captured I guess my better [Applause] judgment give me the accounting

[Applause] [Music]

department [Music]

now [Music]

[Applause] a

[Music]

[Applause]

[Applause]

72 very good news as you know I was unhappy about having to wait until

Tuesday I can deliver the papers this afternoon you have the money ready wonderful I'll see you in an

hour we're clearing out check the apartment make sure there's nothing there to connect it what about

her she could identify us the situation you'll have to correct

right

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

get [Music]

[Music]

[Applause] who's there car open

up

[Applause] how did you get out Bail you put it up

didn't you no you were set up set up by who were you followed no I was careful

of course you were followed why else would they let you out no chance I was real careful to see that nobody followed

me in fact I wore this nobody would know me I'm not even going to talk to you get rid of her we're clearing out fast

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

super

[Music] [Applause] [Music]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

video

[Applause] [Music] [Applause]

[Music] I'm telling you I I was careful that was

[Music]

me [Applause] [Music]

[Applause] operator this is office 7241 of the Empire State Building tell the police

there's a kidnapping in [Applause] progress thanks please get me loose

before any new new paper menro up I've got to get my camera hey what are you doing I need the

pictures okay here I'll take these off your

feet there you should be all right now wait finish up here come the Marines

you'll be all right hey hey why did you take those pictures I need them who's going to get

[Music] them [Music]

Sensational absolutely Sensational this is page one I don't know how you did it

well to tell you the truth Spider-Man took that picture and he gave it to me I don't care who took it as long as we can

use it that's a great job as a matter of fact if it hadn't been for Spider-Man well it doesn't really matter I'm only

interested in the end results on the other hand are you trying to tell me that you couldn't do your job of work

for Spider-Man's help why am I paying you for pictures Mr Jameson just like

the one you have right here in your hand right Pete

right man you left yourself wide open in there a few more seconds Jameson we figure out

some questions you might not want to answer like what oh I don't know would you like me to try and think of

some

[Music] no

[Music] [Applause]

[Music] [Applause] [Music]