07x12 - The Minerva Tapes

[bunniefuu]

[car revving]

[dramatic music]

[pay coin jingling]

Operator, I want Quebec City.

The number is L-A-8476.

[phone ringing]

Hello. This is Minerva II.

I have a message.

Yeah, go ahead.

[music continues]

[music continues]

It could be he's calling.

[coin jingles]

Well, I...I didn't think

you'd be calling me, not after all this time.

Yes, sir, I understand.

I think he's just got the news.

[instrumental music]

Lucas..

What's the celebration?

They've given me an assignment.

No.

I may go to Pittsburg.

Right in the middle of a...power struggle

between the two factions in the operation there.

[Marie] 'Lucas.'

I never thought they'd activate me.

Not after all this time.

I...thought maybe a little paper work

now and then or a code or somethin' of that kind

but not active.

You haven't the strength.

I haven't the interest.

I don't care anymore about the politics.

Does that surprise you?

Hmm.. No.

You've been happy here, in this country.

It doesn't matter.

I'm just gonna go for a little walk.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[thudding]

Get an ambulance.

Lucas!

[groaning]

Lucas..

[instrumental music]

[male narrator] The FBI..

[theme music]

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott

William Reynolds.

With guest stars

Louis Jourdan

Donald Harron

Lynne Marta

and David Birney

as Michael Sander.

Tonight's episode

The Minerva Tapes.

[instrumental music]

Lucas Vale, an enemy sleeper agent

had long been known to the FBI.

From an intercepted message

they learned that he was now to be given an assignment

that could lead to the head of an important

section of the communist's espionage network.

A man known only to the bureau as Minerva.

Now, however, with Vale having suffered a heart attack

the opportunity of tracking him

through the assignment was lost.

And the fragmentary information

of the intercepted message, seemed only to lead

to one of the most complex cases

in the FBI's history.

Yes, I see.

When?

I'll let you know.

- Well.. - He's conscious.

But they don't know when he can be interviewed.

Atmospheric conditions caused

the gaps in the reception?

[Lewis] 'Umm-hmm.'

No possibility of getting

the middle part of the message?

Afraid not.

Minerva, how many times have we heard that recently?

And now Minerva Tapes.

Well, one thing seems clear.

A sleeper agent Vale

'a code expert'

'was ordered to report to someone named Damien.'

Help him gain the tapes

whatever they are

and decode them.

Then our two immediate problems

are Damien and the tapes.

What do you make of authority granted?

Well, it sounds as though someone was authorized

to go over someone's head. But who knows?

Hmm..

Well, as soon as you get to New York

go directly to the hospital.

I'll inform the office you're on the way.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[unlocking]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

They are not there, Michael.

The extent of the intrigue against me is now very clear.

There isn't any intrigue--

Whose instructions are you following?

No, no one, sir.

Uh, it's difficult for me to explain--

I should imagine. Try.

[sighing]

Look, I, uh, I..

I just thought that if I could get

to the Minerva Tapes that I'd be--

Oh, that's what they call them, is it?

Who...sir?

Very well, we'll see Damien.

I should imagine, he's still up.

[music continues]

[knocking on door]

[door closing]

Michael will be sent back at once.

A full report of his conduct will follow.

And an immediate investigation

and explanation will be demanded.

Would you mind telling me what has happened?

I found him searching my desk

for something he calls "The Minerva Tapes."

Henri

I don't pretend to understand

but would you mind a suggestion?

No.

It is difficult to believe that Michael would do

such a thing on his own initiative.

Uh, very difficult, indeed.

We know the network moves in many ways.

It is not so unusual for one of us to be tested

even the best of us.

I doubt, they'd want a man in charge here

who wouldn't mind stumbling over his subordinate

prying into his own desk.

Michael is finished here.

[instrumental music]

[door shutting]

Any lingering doubts I've had

about the necessity of making these tapes

disappeared with Michael's open insubordination.

Sooner or later, we all become expendable.

So that these tapes, the so-called Minerva Tapes

are my insurance policy.

I'll have outlined every detail I know

of the apparatus.

Uh, data that would be disastrous to the network

were it exposed.

Meanwhile, I have seen that they know

of the existence of the tapes.

For the time being..

...I am safe.

But, in the event that anything happens to me..

...you, the authorities of the United States

will find this tape

hidden with the Minerva Tapes.

And...you'll appreciate

why I have added this, uh

little personal footnote.

[stop button clicking]

[instrumental music]

Mr. Vale, I'm Lewis Erskine with the FBI.

This is Mr. Colby.

You understand you have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say can be used against you.

'You have the right to an attorney, if you wish.'

All my life, I'd known

[deeply inhaling]

a sword would fall.

And now that it has, I'm almost relieved.

I'm just worried about

'what's gonna happen to my wife.'

Uh, there are no charges against your wife.

Oh..

Good, good. Thank you.

What do you want to know?

Where were you being sent?

Pittsburg, to meet Damien.

- Is he Minerva? - No.

He's second to Minerva.

Who's Minerva?

Nobody knows.

Does, uh, Damien, know you?

- Has he ever seen you? - No.

But, how are you gonna contact him?

I was to be met this afternoon at the railway depot..

...by a young man named

Michael Sander.

Does this Michael Sander know you?

'I don't think so.'

And how would you recognize each other?

They said I would know him.

I knew his father..

...the same brownish hair.

'I was to say'

'Hello, Michael,'

'I don't suppose you remember me.'

And he was to say..

No, it's been a long time, Mr. Vale.

And then I was to say

Yes.

Seventeen years.

'I'm sorry to hear about your father.'

What was the father's name?

Horus Sander.

And what were you to do for Damien?

To break the code

of the tapes.

He didn't say what else I was to do.

Alright, Mr. Vale. Thanks very much.

Tom, get me everything the bureau has on

Michael and Horus Sanders.

And, uh, alert Pittsburg office.

Okay.

I'm a foreign citizen..

...but I've saved a little money.

'Not much but...enough to take care of my wife.'

We...lived mainly by ourselves.

We sealed ourselves off from other people.

'Wasn't much of a life.'

The money is in...my name.

I'd like to know that, she will get it.

We'll see that she gets whatever assistance she needs.

[instrumental music]

[Carol] 'Dad!'

- 'Carol.' - Hi, dad.

'What on Earth are you doing here?'

Disaster, total disaster.

You're not gonna like this, dad

but, um, I left school.

I'm sorry about that senior year and everything

but I'm not sorry about any of the rest of it.

I'm not gonna say I am.

Except for the kids that got hurt maybe.

None of them badly but they could've been.

I was also incredibly stupid.

[sniveling] I didn't get any breakfast in the airport.

I didn't wanna stop and eat there with all my junk.

Uh, Carol, I know that--

We got thrown out.

That is, we didn't get thrown out yet

but we knew it'll only be a matter of time

so we had this meeting

and we decided that it'd be better if we left now

as a further protest because--

Protest? Against what?

Against the absolute refusal

of the board to change the curriculum.

There was this demonstration

and it could have been a perfectly, orderly thing.

But these kids came in..

Kids who have no part

and shouldn't have been there at all.

And they started throwing rocks.

You had a serious part in this?

Yes.

Were you one of the leaders?

Yes, I guess I was.

And some people were injured?

Well, none of them badly, it's just that

it-it should've been better planned.

It shouldn't have gotten out of control.

Oh, Carol, sit down.

Dad, please, at this moment

I'm, I'm not ready for one of your lectures.

Oh, I see, you just want me to listen and say nothing

simply accept.

That's exactly what I mean, dad.

Because you cannot possibly understand.

Because you have accepted, you've acquis est.

Acquis est?

[Carol] 'In the whole total establishment.'

Not that stupid word again!

You're a respected businessman.

[Henri] 'Not completely.'

You make a lot of money

'and you like making a lot of money.'

I don't like making money--

[Carol] 'You're good to your employees.'

- 'Paternal.' - Only to you.

You vote regularly and you give to charity.

- 'Vanity, vanity.' - You're a good man.

In the pattern.

Umm-um.

But we want more than that, dad.

We cannot just settle.

You know, Carol, I wish you would settle

just for a moment.

Sit down.

Ah..

I supposed this is a good deal my fault.

Being your father is a difficult profession.

Oh, I'm sorry, daddy.

I didn't wanna hurt you.

That's the worst part of it.

Please don't be so nice about it.

Oh, I'll got to yelling...later.

[instrumental music]

There's a risk, of course.

Are you willing to accept Vale's statement that

neither Minerva or Damien know him?

I can't see why he'd lie to us about that, Art.

What about this man, Michael Sander?

He was a boy of eight at the time.

Oh, still, there's not much resemblance

between you and Vale.

Well, we're about the same height and build.

Beyond that, how much would he remember about somebody

he hadn't seen for 17 years?

You'll be under the closest scrutiny.

Point is, Art

if the tapes are worth this much to them

how much are they worth to us?

Alright, Lewis, I'll speak to the director.

[instrumental music]

Hey.

Pretty lady.

I've forgotten how nice you smell.

Hey..

Now, what is it? Huh?

[clearing throat]

- Nothing. - Nothing?

Alright, I know. I should have called.

You have every right to be angry.

Don't be ridiculous.

Now, that's the worst put down of all.

What, that I'm not angry?

I went out a few times, maybe more than a few times.

But there were no strings.

- Umm-hmm. - Umm-hmm yourself.

Last summer was good.

It was good.

Alright..

[sighing]

I'm a fool.

We had a good thing going and I blew it.

I didn't know, Marie.

It's just that when you care..

I mean, really care about somebody..

...you take that risk.

I'm sorry.

Mike..

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[Lewis] 'Hello, Michael.'

I don't suppose you remember me.

It's been a long time, Mr. Vale.

Yes, 17 years.

I was sorry to hear about your father.

- That-- - Oh, no, no, that's alright.

- No, please. - Well, thank you.

It's just over there.

What, uh, did you hear about, dad?

Uh, skiing accident, wasn't it?

In Tyrone.

It was the official explanation.

Actually, we both know he was shot.

[instrumental music]

You, uh, mind sitting

in the back, Mr. Vale?

[instrumental music]

Mr. Vale. I'm George Damien, Mr. Vale.

And this is Oscar Traub.

[car starting]

[car revving]

What were your instructions, Mr. Vale?

To report to you and follow orders.

Do you know of the Minerva Tapes?

[Lewis] 'I understood I'd be told what I needed to know.'

Cipher this.

"We are ordered..

"...to run test..

"..on Minerva.

"Hypothesis is..

"...he has..

"secreted tapes..

"...containing..

"...information..

"...entire network..

...operation."

Something..

Never mind.

You understand about Minerva, no judgment has been made.

Yes, uh, hypothesis.

'You'll be replacing Michael and he'll be relieved'

'as soon as this matter has been cleared up.'

Have any questions?

Is Minerva expecting me?

[George] 'Yes.'

Then, what about the tapes?

We'll go into that more thoroughly

after the interview.

[instrumental music]

Go on with Michael, Mr. Vale. I'll be with you in a moment.

[dramatic music]

I don't know.

Thing hit my nerve somewhere.

Whatever it is, you finally acquire an instinct.

Michael recognized him, he signaled us.

Michael thinks he recognized him.

The memory of an eight-year-old boy.

He knew the code!

It was absolutely necessary, he know it.

[chuckles] But that have to mean

that the code has been broken.

We follow that through it.

The fact remains, none of us know him.

I want a monitor around the clock.

Phone, messages, contacts..

However slight, you'll be personally responsible.

Alright.

[knocking on door]

[door opening]

[door shutting]

Henri, this is Lucas Vale.

Oh, hello, Mr. Vale.

- Very glad to meet you. - Thank you, sir.

I'm told you're from Paris originally.

[speaking in foreign language]

Oh, you're a friend of Michael's father?

Uh, not a friend, sir.

We worked together once.

Well, uh, Damien will see that you're

taken care of for the moment.

Oh, and, uh, later on, I'll want to discuss, uh

one of the codes...zebra.

'You're familiar with zebra?'

I've, uh...tried to keep up these past few years

even though, inactive, but, uh..

No, I'm afraid not, sir.

Well, one doesn't know them all.

Uh, Damien, uh, where are you putting him?

In my apartment building.

There's a room next to mine, until Michael goes.

Good.

[sighing]

Yes, it's a beautiful piece of furniture but it's, uh..

...it's too big, I don't have the room for it.

- Hello, Ms. Dulac. - Hello, Mr. Damien.

- This is Mr. Vale. - How do you do, Mr. Vale?

- How do you do? - Henri's daughter.

'Recently returned from school I've heard.'

It's nice meeting you.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[laughing]

- See, alright, yours. - Uh..

Oh, terrific.

- Oh, that-- - Well, you hit the can.

That's not too bad. Wait a minute, wait a minute.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

Oh..

This has gotta be the best shot--

- What're you doing? - You're not gonna believe.

What are you..

What is that?

- Eh.. - What do you call..

Cheating. Hah!

[both laughing]

- Come here. - That's what I call it.

[moaning]

Hey, um..

You know what I'm in the mood for?

- Hmm.. - Right now.

- Hmm. - Cold cracked crab.

And a chilled bottle of Chablis

and a great big gooky piece

of strawberry short cake.

[clearing throat]

Okay.

[clearing throat]

[clearing throat]

Don't, Carol.

"Don't."

Don't.

What is bugging you?

What?

Your father.

My father?

What about my father?

He's an agent.

"An agent."

Listen..

He's a Communist agent.

[laughing] Oh!

- Okay. - It's true.

Hmm. And how do you know?

Because I work for them.

Oh!

Come on, let's go.

Carol. Sit.

I know, I didn't believe it, either

until they..

...recruited me.

- Who recruited you? - Damien.

My..

...father was a member of the party

and, uh..

...that gave him a lever.

And at the time, it seemed like..

...the right thing to do.

You know, I'm all messed up.

[sighs]

You.. You're serious, aren't you?

I mean, you..

- You're not lying. - No.

Your father is head of the network here

and he's hanging on by his teeth.

Now, I don't know when or why

but he got..

...tired, disillusioned.

So, he made some tapes.

Names, dates, places, a way of

'protecting himself.'

'Or at least that what he thinks.'

And if they make a move against him

he'll turn the tapes over to the authorities.

'Blow the whistle on everyone.'

They're not..

...bad people, Carol.

They're just..

They're just frightened.

And they want the tapes.

- Damien? - 'Damien!'

And Vale.

He's here for a show down, Carol.

But he wants to try something else first.

He wants..

'...to talk to you.'

To me?

Will you, please?

[sighs]

It comes down to whether you want to

help us get the tapes or not.

[sighs] If I get these tapes

what guarantee do I have

that my father won't be hurt.

Why would we hurt him?

You make it sound so simple.

Like, all I have to do is get these tapes

and everything will be alright.

It is that simple.

The tapes are like a b*mb.

Defuse it and..

Would you do it?

For me.

[instrumental music]

I'll do it.

[door closes]

[music continues]

More coffee, dad?

No, thank you.

Carol.

Sit down.

You've been asking all the questions.

Let me ask you one.

Alright.

Have you been seeing Michael?

Yes, I have.

I have.

How do you feel about him?

[sighs] Well, I'm not, I'm not too sure, dad.

Um.. Why does it bother you?

I have the strangest feeling

that Michael is behind all the questions

you've been asking about me?

No!

No, it's just that we've been

out of touch.

Well, maybe we are out of touch.

Let us get away from here for a few days.

A holiday.

Would you like that?

I'd love it.

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

[knocking on door]

Mr. Dulac?

I thought you had gone by now.

As soon as Vale is trained to replace me, yes.

May I come in?

Of course.

[grunts]

[music continues]

[grunts]

Don't see my daughter again.

[door closes]

Hey!

Did you see a little girl run the lawn down there?

Tiny little, dark-haired girl?

Sorry.

[car door closes]

[music continues]

[Carol] 'Mr. Vale?'

Carol?

- Are you alone? - Yes, look.

I made a very awkward attempt

getting information out of my father tonight--

- It's alright - It didn't work.

- And I'm very confused. - Alright..

Listen to me, Carol.

The situation has changed.

No matter what you do

I want you to stay in this house

until you hear from me.

Will you do that?

Yes, but..

[telephone ringing]

[ringing continues]

Hello?

Carol, listen, don't..

Don't say who this is

Uh..

Pretend that it's a girlfriend or something.

'Are, are you alone?'

[door closes]

Ah, no, no, Lois. But that's alright.

You know, sweetheart, I'm, uh..

...hurt pretty bad. Your..

Your father really did a job on me.

Oh, no.

[door opens]

Uh, yes, of course, I wanna see you.

But where?

'Alright.'

'There's a building at 828, Blake.'

And it's just off Elm.

I want you to go there and wait for me there.

I need to, to get out of here

in case your father comes back looking for me.

Now, I may be, I may be a while

but-but I want you to wait for me there.

Alright?

Ah..

Yeah, I've got ya, okay.

Right, okay.

Bye-bye.

Uh, daddy..

Uh, Mr. Vale's been waiting for you.

I didn't know where you were, so..

I guess you two wanna talk.

Goodnight, Mr. Vale.

Goodnight, dad.

Goodnight.

- Drink? - No, thank you.

Uh, about zebra, sir.

Yes?

I didn't want to mention it in Damien's presence.

- Yes? - 'There is no such code.'

Of course.

Only heads of missions and code experts know that.

And, uh, you didn't, uh

quite trust, uh, Damien?

Standing instructions.

He's not the head of a mission.

Do you feel you are walking

a...tightrope?

Yes.

[instrumental music]

[door closes]

[engine revving]

He said nothing of any value to us?

Nothing.

We're ready, now.

His daughter's at the safe house

by her own choice.

Minerva will be told his only chance

of ever seeing his daughter again

will be to hand over the tapes.

That will be your assignment.

You will convince him of the necessity

of giving them to you.

'As soon as he does'

'Traub will dispose of him.'

- And the girl? - An accident.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

They've got the girl at a safe house.

Probably to join Michael.

Well, we have 'em under surveillance.

Uh, last report, he hadn't left his apartment.

- He will. - And, uh..

Based on what we have so far

the attorney general has authorized warrants.

[door closes]

[music continues]

Where is Carol?

We want the tapes, Minerva.

'Or I'm afraid, you won't see her again.'

How do I know you are not bluffing?

You don't.

[music continues]

[male #1 on radio] 'PG-6.'

PG-6, go ahead.

[male #1] 'Subjects are making their move.'

'Heading east.'

If I give you the tapes

you will see that Carol is safe?

That's the deal.

What assurance have I?

None.

As simple as that?

I congratulate you

on your deceit.

Very well.

It's a ten-minute drive.

[tires screeching]

[music continues]

I didn't sleep a minute last night, Michael. What happened?

It'll all be over in a few minutes.

Get her inside, Michael.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[engine revving]

[male #2] 'PG-4.'

Four, go ahead.

Subjects have stopped at a building now.

At 828, Blake.

Just off Elm.

Ten-four.

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

[music continues]

Where is Carol?

- Carol? - Stay where you are.

Carol.

[g*nsh*t]

FBI. Hold it!

[g*nsh*t]

Hold it.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[siren wailing]

[door closes]

Come along, Carol.

I've always

dreaded that

someday it might

all come down on your head like this.

I'm sorry.

- I'll be alright. - Of course, you will.

But, Carol don't..

Don't make the mistakes I did.

It is too easy when you're very young to

get involved in the struggle against society.

The real battle

is in man's struggle

against himself.

You know what I mean.

- I think I do. - Hmm. Good.

Daddy.

[male narrator] Henri Dulac, George Damien

Michael Sander and their confederates

were convicted in Federal Court

of conspiracy to commit espionage.

Oscar Traub was convicted of assaulting

Federal officers

as well as conspiracy to commit espionage.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]

[music continues]