08x26 - The Loper Gambit

[bunniefuu]

[dramatic music]

[tires screeching]

[tires screeching]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

[motorcycle revving]

[screams]

[tires screeching]

Now, you tell me which way did he head?

I don't know, Ronnie.

You tell me or so help me

if I don't find him, I'll blow your pigeon brain head off!

[theme music]

[Marvin Miller] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Robert F. Lyons..

Leslie Charleson..

Larry Gates..

Elliott Street..

Tom Lowell.

Tonight's episode, "The Loper Gambit."

[instrumental music]

[Ronald] 'It's really a problem, Kirk.'

'I know I'm a long way from starving'

but everything's ruined, right, Kirk?

Heh! I keep telling you, all my friends call me Tice.

What do they do that for?

Because his name's Ticerman, Elgin.

Alright, then, it's Tice. Now--

Hey, I really like your place, Ronnie.

Thank you. Thank you. Now, if I were to pick your brain--

- Don't you, Ginny? - 'What?'

- Like this place? - Oh, it's groovy.

I told you Ronnie has good taste.

Taste, class, style.

Everything that costs.

'Now, I figure, a stock broker like yourself..'

Oh, hey, Ronnie.

Listen, I just met this pretty young thing

and you wanna talk business?

Selfish, friend. Selfish.

I'm tottering on the brink of financial disaster.

Oh, you gotta be kidding. With a-a place like this?

And what did you tell me about a-a trust your parents left you?

Oh, no. It's tied up till I'm 40.

Break the trust. It happens every day.

Oh, man. Don't you think I've tried?

Don't you think that my creditors have tried?

Oh, no.

I'm a victim. Right, Ring?

Right. A victim of the shrinking dollar.

So, I figure, a stock broker like yourself

you could figure out some way to get me

out of this bind.

Well, I, I guess I owe you guys

for introducing me to Ginny, I mean.

Now, hold on, hold on.

You don't understand.

I don't have any cash.

What, none?

Well, I got a few meager bucks to get by on.

So borrow against the trust.

No, I already have to the hilt.

Well, I don't know what I can do for you, Ronnie.

I mean, it takes cash to get into the market.

Oh, brilliant!

Well, what else did they teach you at college?

[chuckles]

I'm afraid that's the best I can do.

I think you're stuck, man.

Oh, well, I guess, I'll just have to rob a bank

or somethin', or hold up a liquor store

or maybe I'll just kidnap some rich kid.

Yeah. Now, that's an idea.

Maybe I should just kidnap, and make a bundle.

They make a bundle, right?

Then I-I could buy that stock from you.

Hey, you guys don't mind if I take

Ginny out to dinner, do you?

No, serious, Tice.

Now, kidnappers do make it sometimes, right?

If anyone could pull it off, Ronnie could.

Kidnappers get caught.

Well, that's because they don't plan right.

I mean, they, they lack foresight.

Why, uh.. Well, look. Look at this crate here.

I mean, it's big enough to hold a man. Right?

Plenty of air.

Sure, you could tag and gag a guy, put him in there

ship him off some place.

Put a tag on it, fragile, and, uh, think what some rich old man

would pay to get his son back.

Oh, sure.

And, whose old man did you have in mind?

Yours, Tice.

[dramatic music]

[laughs]

Okay, alright, alright. The gag's over.

[chuckles]

[sighs]

Hey, look, now, I can take a joke

as well as anyone, but..

Now, come on, quit the tying.

I've had enough! I mean it!

This thing is loaded, believe that.

Now, you just let this happen.

Everything's gonna be okay, alright.

- You got him? - Yeah.

[intense music]

Now, do you believe me?

I always did.

[music continues]

[Marvin Miller] On the morning of October 13th

Edward Ticerman, a wealthy, Fort Lauderdale contractor

received a special delivery letter

demanding $350,000

for the safe return of his son, Kirk.

Recalling that his son had planned

a weekend of sailing in Miami

Ticerman tried to contact him there.

When he was unsuccessful and realized

he'd had no word from him since the previous Friday

Ticerman decided to contact the FBI.

The whole idea seems so outrageous.

I couldn't believe it at first.

Kirk sailed in the Regatta in Miami on Saturday

and that usually means some extra celebrating.

Has he ever failed to show up for work before?

It's been known to happen.

Kirk's kind of a fun-loving kid.

He, uh..

He's a bit irresponsible, I suppose.

He lives here with you, Mr. Ticerman?

Yes, he moved back in after his mother died

a few years ago.

Did he go to Miami alone?

Yeah, so far as I know.

Does he have any personal enemies that you know of?

Any, uh, any business rivals?

Kirk? No, no.

If anything, he's a little on the gullible side.

Not very sophisticated.

Takes after his mother.

Like, my wife always used to say..

'"Tice doesn't have an enemy in the world."'

Tice?

Yeah, nickname from school.

She picked up on it.

Inspector, uh..

That note was a little vague

about what I was to do with the money.

They'll probably explain that when they'll call.

Can you raise this amount, Mr. Ticerman?

Yes, yes, I-I'm sure, I..

It's, uh..

It's gonna be alright, isn't it?

We'll do everything we can.

Ah!

I know that was a foolish question.

I don't really want an answer.

I, uh..

I just want my son back.

[intense music]

Alright, up and out.

That's alright, Ginny. I'll handle him.

Well, I'm just trying to help.

Well, you just wait till I snap my finger, sugar face.

Come on.

Can we move, Ronnie? I'm hungry.

Well, you just drink in the beauty, Elgin.

It's just food for the soul. Come on. Let's go.

No calories either.

[music continues]

- What is it? - It's a fortress.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Yeah, the Spanish once reigned here, sugar face.

It's a funny place for a fortress.

Well, whenever you're king of the mountain

there's usually someone waiting to knock you off.

Even here.

Well, it's nice to hear from our resident of Florida.

- There you go, Tice. - I could use some water.

Amen.

Okay, right downstairs, folks.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

When did you do all this, Ronnie?

When you thought I was being unfaithful to you, sugar face.

Ronnie planned everything like it was D-day.

No, no. Light your own, Ginny.

- She may not know how, Ronnie. - She'll learn. She'll have to.

It's pitch black below. Alright, come on.

Step down.

There you go.

[music continues]

[music continues]

This is spooky!

[music continues]

Get him some water, over there.

[sighs]

Mi casa es su casa.

In there.

Can't he have this first?

Okay.

[music continues]

- Tice, it won't be too long. - Shut up.

A little encouragement never hurt anyone.

What did I do to you?

Nothing.

You were just there when I needed you.

Hey, you're not gonna leave me?

Just relax, Tice.

You have Ginny here for a jailor.

I mean, a man could do worse.

Now, everything just the way I told you.

I love you.

[music continues]

Come on, Elgin, we have a phone call to make.

- I won't need this. - Elgin..

It's all gonna work, isn't it?

Sure, everything works for Ronnie.

He's got that touch.

You and me..

we just hope it rubs off, huh.

[Ronnie] 'Elgin!'

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

- Mr. Ticerman? - 'Yes.'

- Do you have the money? - Yes. Where's my son?

Are you alone?

Yes. Why?

Well, I just hope you are, Mr. Ticerman

because if you've got the FBI holding your hand

then your boy hasn't gotten a chance.

I thought about it.

But decided to do it your way.

Eh, well, you'll be glad.

Now, I'll tell you where to leave the money.

Two miles south of the public beach at Cove Grove.

Take the old beach road

pass the nursery to the end of the road.

You'll see an old brick entry gate

with a large recess in it.

Put the money in there.

- Unit Seven to One. - Go ahead.

About a hundred yards east of Ticerman

there's a man on a motorcycle.

- Stand by. - 10-4.

[intense music]

[music continues]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

Prepare to fall on leapfrog pattern.

[engine revving]

[tires screeching]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[screams]

[tires screeching]

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

[instrumental music]

You're gonna run out of kerosene.

Oh, no, there's lots of everything.

Lights keep me from getting scared.

Why did you pick me?

I don't know. Ronnie did all the planning.

And I suppose your coming on to me the way you did that was

uh, all part of the plan too, huh?

Yeah.

I liked that part of it.

Oh, really I did.

It's funny the way things bring people together

and the way it all works out.

And who knows maybe some day..

I hope you'll like it.

Y-you think Ronnie is gonna let me go?

Tice, we're not gonna hurt you.

Ronnie told me.

Well, suppose he told you that..

...because he knew that's what you wanted to hear.

'Did you ever think of that, Ginny?'

[sighs]

I-I got the weekdays off

because the shop's peak hours is on the weekends.

The motorcycle has less then 200 miles in it.

Yes, sir, that's right, it's, it's a brand new bike.

The only reason I was out there was just to see how she handled.

Does the name Ticerman mean anything to you?

Oh, heck, sure does. I-I mean, if it's the same guy.

He's got his name on every big construction job

in Fort Lauderdale.

Now, you claim you just happened to see

someone leave the bag at the gate.

Yes, sir, that's right, sir. Right you are.

And after he left, you opened it, saw the money.

[male #1] 'And ran, and ran, and now mind ya..'

I ain't sayin' it, but if I had a chance to think on it

I, I-I would have called you and, and maybe turned it in.

But...I ran.

The story checks out, he lives here in Fort Lauderdale.

He, uh, works at the pro shop at the Del Rio country club.

Mr. Ticerman said he's a charter member there.

- Any previous arrest? - No.

The police have received reports of his riding bikes

in that area for the last six months.

I don't think he's our man, Lou.

[dramatic music]

Here, this will narrow your waist line

broaden your actuarial profile.

Do your really think a recipe and a blender is

gonna make million dollars, huh?

You just think that, and you drink that.

Ronnie, when do we pick up the money?

- Oh, we don't, not this trip. - So, what happens to it?

Well, I have to call Ticerman again.

Tell him he'll just have to get it back.

So, in the meanwhile, we just hang around here

and drink skinny c*ck all day, huh?

Now, look, Ticerman is a citizen.

You know, like my old man was.

You know, Cur breed dog, uh..

...shave on Sunday, measure your booze.

And when his son gets kidnapped

he calls the FBI.

- You can't be sure of that. - No, I can.

So, what, you-you're just playing the odds?

Conventional people do conventional things.

The odds are that if we went to pick up that money

we'd be staked out, and they'd nail us.

So, what's the point if we don't pick it up?

You're worried?

No, you haven't fouled up yet.

Yet? But you're thinking that maybe I will.

No. Would I be drinking this if I did?

You know, I finally figured you out.

Oh, come on, I figured you out a long time ago.

The perennial college student

just drifting from campus to campus.

Everything has to have some kind of rhyme or reason

for you, doesn't it, Elgin?

Tice reminds you of yourself.

Another rich man's kid.

But he follows all the rules, and he knew that's a trap.

A trap you're trying very hard to avoid.

Elgin, your perception is as broad as your brain.

By locking Tice up

you're burying your own subconscious fears.

If I wanna be analyzed, I'll pay for it.

Don't try to figure me out, Elgin, I'm one in a million.

You don't talk very much, do you?

It's gotten cooler out. Some really pretty clouds.

Not the storm clouds, uh..

Big white fluffy ones.

You've known Ronnie long?

No, I haven't know him very long.

I guess that's the way I am.

'The way they are.'

I know I just don't think about it very much.

- Are you dating anyone? - Is Ronnie good to you?

Yeah, most of the time.

Buys me stuffs.

Really nice stuffs.

Oh, he's sweet that way.

You know, like with Elgin.

'He supports Elgin when he's out of work.'

'Which is almost always.'

Ronnie really makes it easy to love him.

And he's smart. You wouldn't believe how smart he is.

None of the girls I knew ever loved me.

[sighs] I think that's the part that hurts the most.

Knowing I'll never have anyone love me the way you love Ronnie.

- Sure you will, Tice. - What? Dead?

There's nothing when you're dead except maybe in poetry.

Tice, you've gotta believe me. Ronnie isn't gonna k*ll you.

Suppose, Ginny, that something goes wrong

and Ronnie has to k*ll me. It could happen you know.

But if you would let me go..

You do wanna help me, don't you?

I, I can't, Tice, I just can't.

'I'm sorry.'

That's alright.

I suppose you think you're doing what you have to do.

[intense music]

I've decided to give you a second chance, Ticerman.

I did everything you told me.

[Ronnie] 'I warned you about bringing in the law.'

- I didn't bring in the law. - 'Okay.'

[Ronnie] 'Let's just consider the first drop a dry run.'

'Now, this time.'

This time? What about the money I left at the beach?

Well, I didn't pick it up, it might still be there.

You'll have to go and get it.

How do I know you haven't k*lled Kirk?

Uh, he's alive.

But how do I know?

[Ronnie] 'He's alive, because I say he's alive.'

You're gonna have to prove that.

This phone call is proof enough

anybody else demanding a ransom.

Alive.

Prove he's alive or no money.

[intense music]

Alright, I'm gonna give him his proof.

You get an early edition of tomorrow morning's paper.

- Ronnie? - Yeah.

You never said... about Tice, I mean.

How are you gonna keep him from talking when it's all over?

How do you think?

[instrumental music]

[birds chirping]

Okay, now, Tice..

This time take off your watch and hold it up

'next to the newspaper.'

[music continues]

Okay, give me the plastic bag.

No, no, no, drop it in.

Come on, drop it in.

Let's go.

Hey, Ronnie, Ronnie, wait.

You're to smart to be doing all this.

There's better ways.

If you'll let me go, I promise

I'll not only keep quiet

I'll connect you with the right people.

Hmm, but why should I take a promise, Tice

when I've already got a guarantee.

[groaning]

[g*nsh*t]

Come on, why don't you try it again, Tice?

'What's wrong, you lose your nerve?'

[dramatic music]

What happened?

Don't worry, I didn't k*ll him.

Feel better?

Ronnie, what's going on?

What's going on, sugar face?

"Inhuman dearth of noble nature--"

Don't recite poetry. I mean it!

And don't you give me ultimatums!

Look, you don't have to jump on me.

I get scared and lonely down here.

Before you came, I was even thinking of swimming

to the next key.

And now your g*n and the newspaper.

How do you put up with me?

Now, you-you know, I say things sometimes that I don't mean.

Now, just, just a little longer.

Just a little longer, and everything

and every place that I ever promised, okay?

Forgive me.

[instrumental music]

Do you love me?

I guess I must.

Elgin, come on, let's go.

You really do love him, don't you?

Either that or I'm crazy.

And he sure knows his way around you.

'A little smile, and all the worries disappear.'

'Kiss makes everything better.'

Tice, why did he take those pictures?

To prove to my father that he really has me.

And the newspaper?

Me holding today's newspaper proves that I'm still alive.

Oh, why couldn't he just tell me that?

Because he knows you won't stick if you know everything.

Leaving me here to die or k*lling me.

Ronnie is no k*ller, now just stop saying that!

I don't wanna hear it! I don't wanna hear it!

[intense music]

[telephone buzzing]

Yes.

Oh, good. Put him on.

Hello, Lewis.

Uh, Ticerman received a photograph of his son

by a special delivery an hour ago.

Any idea when it was taken?

Yes, it's dated for us.

He's holding up the early edition of this morning's paper.

It was on the stands about 4 p.m. yesterday.

[Ward on speaker] 'Well, at least we know he was alive late yesterday.'

'That's some encouragement.' The picture any help?

Tom Colby, Mr. Ward.

It's an interior flash shot.

There were no latents on the photo.

Developed professionally?

No, sir, it was printed quickly, the borders are uneven.

We've just finished making the transparencies.

And Ticerman has all the money you recouped?

Yes, we've repacked it.

Alright, Lewis. Get back to me.

Well, there's no retouching.

Yeah, appears to be authentic.



It's less than 15 hours ago.

That stone work is pretty clear.

Looks like a medieval fortress.

I've seen that kind of stone work some place.

Can you remember where, Lee?

It's, uh, it's not in any one point, uh..

It's usually in the early Spanish construction

uh, at different points in Florida, uh..

Governments buildings, ruins and forts.

Are there many of them around?

Not so many that we can't check them all out.

Better get right on it.

I should have let you open the package, inspector

but I didn't connect it with the kidnapping.

The watch came special delivery?

Yes, it, uh, it arrived about

three hours after the first special delivery

and he also included another print

of the same picture with it.

- But no message? - Mmm-mm.

The, uh, watch was a gift, Mr. Ticerman?

Yes, his, uh..

...his mother gave it to him.

College graduation present.

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

Did you like the pictures?

I have your money, now tell me where to leave it

and get my son back to me.

Alright, listen, because I'm only gonna say it once.

North of Deerfield Beach, the Hillsboro Canal Road.

I know it.

'Exactly four miles'

from the intersection.

The old pier under the first arch

in the opening in two hours.

He has no choice, has he?

He has to k*ll my boy or live forever in fear

that Kirk will describe him to you.

He'll k*ll my boy, no matter what I do.

Or let him rot wherever he's holding him.

I want him caught, inspector.

Alright, we'll cover that up.

Yes.

When are you gonna k*ll him?

I'm not. You are.

Ronnie, I.. I don't think I could really.

Elgin, do you wanna spent the rest of your life

being a spectator?

I just can't do it. I just can't.

Oh, I worry about you, Elgin Ring.

I worry about your weight, your clothes.

I worry about your hang ups.

I thought you said that you wanted to be like me.

'You liked my style.'

You know that. But you never k*lled anybody.

Okay.

I'll break the ice, I'll k*ll him.

You can pick up the ransom.

You know, that's the difference between you and me, Elgin.

'I've always known that you couldn't do it'

'but you did know that I could.'

Ronnie..

...if I picked up the ransom, something could go wrong.

Do I have to do everything?

Elg, think about all that money you're gonna have.

It's not worth it.

It isn't? You're broke.

Impoverish, destitute and desperate.

- But I'm a free soul. - With a bottomless gut.

Have you checked out the price of freedom lately?

Or the price of next year's tuition?

'Elgin, you can't spend the rest of your life'

'being a college student.'

Hey, Ronnie, why don't we just take off somewhere?

- We got a full tank. - It's not my style.

Come on, Ronnie, let's drop this project, forget it, huh?

"Forget it, huh?" Like the 2200 you owe me.

Which is petty cash, when we split that ransom.

Split? You mean fifty-fifty?

Surprise, right down the middle.

- What about Ginny? - I'll take care of her.

You can study me clear to eternity.

But you'll never get a clean carbon copy

without the brother dude, Elgin.

What do you want me to do first?

First, you steal a car.

[boat engine revving]

- Where did you go? - For a walk.

You've been doing that a lot lately.

Every time you leave, I wonder if you'll come back.

I saw Ronnie's boat just now.

Did he tell you how he's gonna do it?

No, he wouldn't.

He's too smart to tell you.

He's probably got the money, and he's coming to pick me up.

- He'll let you go, Tice-- - No, he won't!

He will, Tice, he will!

Ginny, please.

Listen, if there is the slightest doubt in your mind

that he'll let me go..

You can make sure.

You'll have the money, you'll all be free.

And you can be sure he won't k*ll me.

All you have to do is get me out.

I'll, I'll get lost in the jungle.

Ah! I can't go anywhere, there's no telephones around.

'Please, Ginny!'

What can I do, Tice? I don't have the key.

Get that torch on the floor.

You mean this one?

'That's it.'

Now bring it over here, and put it on the table.

First, light a match.

I don't know, Tice, Ronnie's gonna be here.

'Please, just try!'

[dramatic music]

Hold it to the nozzle

and turn the nod counter-clockwise.

Okay, you got it.

Bring it up, bring it up.

That's fine.

Alright.

Now bring it over, and put it on the lock.

[music continues]

[music continues]

I think it's working.

[clanks]

[music continues]

Ah! Oh!

Use this.

Hurry, he's probably coming up the beach.

- Come with me. - Don't mix me up.

- What will he do to you? - I don't know.

Just because I let you out doesn't mean

I don't love Ronnie. Go!

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

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[music continues]

Florida license plate 6-8-9-8-8-9-8.

Subject proceeding on Hillsboro Canal Road.

[dramatic music]

Just got it, inspector.

Car is registered to a Ronald Loper.

'25-16, Marina Palm drive.'

I'll get some agents over there right away.



[music continues]

[music continues]

He's just approaching the Marina intersection, inspector.

Just took it.



Inspector, Loper owns a power boat.

I've had the Marina checked, the boat is not on its slip.

You have that list handy.

[Lee] Places where that stone work is found.

Looking at it now, inspector.

Wasn't there a small deserted key?

Yes, it's between, uh, Elliott Key and Old Rhodes Key.

Very small island about two hours up by boat.

[Lee on radio] 'Oceanographers think that the, uh, three keys'

'were all connected when the Spaniards built the fortress.'

Uh, Lee, I'd like you to arrange for a helicopter.



[intense music]

Now, you tell me which way did he go?

I don't know, Ronnie.

You tell me or so help me, if I don't find him

I'll blow your pigeon brain head off.

I don't know, I stayed down below.

Ronnie, don't k*ll him!

Please, don't k*ll him.

[music continues]

[Tom] 'Yeah, that looks like it.'

[music continues]

[helicopter whirring]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

[intense music]

[music continues]

[g*nsh*t]

[music continues]

Well, that's all, Tice.

FBI, Loper.

[g*nsh*t]

[music continues]

Throw down the g*n.

- Don't please. Please, don't. - On your feet.

Put your hands on your head.

Let's get out of here.

[dramatic music]

[Lewis on radio] 'Kirk Ticerman is safe.'

Alright, inspector, we'll move in now.

Elgin Ring, FBI. You're under arrest.

[instrumental music]

It's good to see you again, dad.

[laughs] It's wonderful, Tice.

I kept imagining what this moment would be like.

Not really ever believing it would happen.

Your son handled himself very well, Mr. Ticerman.

That's nice to hear.

How can I ever thank you?

[Marvin Miller] Ronald Loper, Elgin Ring and Virginia Wyatt

were tried and convicted in Federal Court of extortion.

The United States attorney declined prosecution

of the motorcyclist.

[theme music]

[music continues]