09x06 - Tower of Terror

[bunniefuu]

[dramatic music]

[clock ticking]

Main floor's been evacuated, captain.

That's it.

Everybody out. Bring in the b*mb squads.

[whistles]

Move!

Now, you get out of here and leave me alone.

Riles, tell me the truth. Do you even know who that man is?

No comment. Not about nothin'.

You'd rather spend the rest of your life

with a death of hundreds of people in your conscience.

No, on yours, buddy, not on mine. On yours.

You stop him!

Mama, please!

It's my chance, mama. That's all.

It's my chance to show him.

I can't tell you, mama, but you're gonna see.

Everybody will, and nobody will ever laugh at me again, mama.

He wants his friend, Riles, flown safely to North Africa

otherwise the b*mb's already been set

and it goes off in less than 31 hours.

Only 22 minutes left. I had to split our crews.

There's just offices in here, huh?

What the devil sort of building is this?

Captain, I got a hunch, it's not much

but it's all we have to go on.

If I were you, I'd concentrate on that building.

What are you getting at?

Did you ever hear of a pyromaniac

who didn't come to his own fire?

[clock ticking]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI.."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr..

Also starring Philip Abbott..

...and Shelly Novack.

With guest stars, Victor French..

Richard O'Brien..

...and Mario Roccuzzo as Michael Staley.

Tonight's episode, "Tower Of Terror."

[instrumental music]

It's past 6 o'clock.

You buckin' for overtime or somethin'?

You should be hanging with those guys. They're still down there.

Sorry, it took a little longer than I figured.

Hah, you spent too much time on the 18th looking at them chicks.

- What? - What?

Come on, let's go.

I'll get that.

Hey, listen, I'm sorry if I kept you working late

but I can do all this now.

Yeah? You're sure it's alright?

Uh, take off. I'm not going any place tonight.

[chuckles] Thanks.

It's okay.

It's perfectly alright.

Anytime.

Hey, Staley, there's lots of good-looking chicks

in them offices.

Maybe if you polish up the windows real nice

one of 'em will notice ya.

[laughing]

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Yes, yes, yes. We'll take care.

Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Goodbye. Fine.

Hey, right on time. Thanks, you guys.

Oh, uh, uh, put that jacket in my locker for me, will you?

- See you in the morning. - Goodbye, Joe. Have fun.

Hey, you forgot to punch out.

You do it for me.

I'll stash this.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

It's locked again.

You think those engineers

had a space station in there.

[dramatic music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[sighs]

[music continues]

[clock ticking]

[music continues]

I'll be up on 18.

[clock ticking]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[clock ticking]

[instrumental music]

[male narrator] That same evening, an airmail special delivery letter

arrived at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC.

It was addressed to the director.

Inspector Lewis Erskine was summoned

to take immediate charge of the case.

He was first shown an enclosure which came with the letter.

It's a really complicated diagram.

According to the lab, whoever drew it knew what he was doing.

He said he included it in his letter

to prove he means business.

What does he want? Who is he?

Haven't got the slightest clue as to identification.

This has all been to the lab. Everything.

Canadian stamp?

Now, we don't know what town it came from.

The Canadian authorities are trying to help us with a trace.

Whoever said this said he would phone with further instructions

but roughly his demand is this.

Either we release his friend here from federal penitentiary

or that whole elaborate b*mb goes up.

Already been planted in a high-rise in a major city.

How do we know it's on our side of the border?

- We don't know it yet. - Who is this friend?

He's so anxious to spring from prison.

Vince Riles.

[Arthur] 'He got 10 years for robbing'

'a federal payroll in Chicago.'

'Remember, he tried to break out a couple of months ago?'

- k*lled a guard. - And he'll never get out now.

But he's our only lead to the identity

of who sent us that threat.

Lou, you've got 42 minutes to get to the airport.

Leave Chris here until you've talked to Riles.

I've already alerted the warden of his prison

that you're coming.

I don't know about the rest of it

but that wasn't done by any amateur.

Yeah.

You know what our b*mb expert say?

If this thing was put together

with the amount of expl*sives indicated

and placed in the right spot

'it could bring down the whole monument.'

You're crazy. Why ask me?

Some guy wants to get me out of this rat trap.

Why should I tell you who he is?

Because the lives of innocent people are at stake.

Oh, well, I've k*lled once already.

What's a few more lives?

Riles, when you made your prison break and m*rder*d the guard

it was sort of a spontaneous thing.

I mean, you thought you saw a chance

to jump on a laundry truck, and the guard--

Alright, what are you driving at?

It was a one man job.

There was no one waiting for you outside.

So what?

What, are you heading at some kind of a deal here?

- No! I'm not. - Is that what you're doing?

Well, you listen to me, I don't help anybody.

Not you, not anybody.

So you better do what my b*mber friend says.

- And turn me loose. - I can't, and you know it.

But that's not what I'm getting at.

When you robbed a federal payroll

that was a solo job too.

Now, you're divorced, you have no family.

Never been part of a mob.

- You never have any visitors. - Alright. So what?

So now, all of a sudden you have such a good friend

in the outside that he'd k*ll a whole building full of people

just to get you free.

So he loves me.

Now, you get out of here and leave me alone.

Riles, tell me the truth.

Do you even know who that man is?

No comment. Not about nothin'.

You'd rather spend the rest of your life

with a death of hundreds of people on your conscience.

No, on yours, buddy, not on mine. On yours.

You stop it!

So you don't think Riles even knows?

Inspector, do you think there might be a clue in his file

as to someone who might make him talk?

Wait minute, there's a call coming in right now.

Hold on, okay?

Yes, this is Assistant Director Ward speaking.

Well, I was out of my office for a minute, sorry.

Yes, your letter was given to me last night.

If you could give me the first line of it

then I could be assured to whom I'm speaking.

Uh, i-it was something

like, uh, hundreds of people are gonna die

unless you release Vince Riles.

Alright.

Well, I'm glad you reached me personally.

Now, there are a couple of things

I'd like to explain to you

about the demands you made to the director in your letter.

Oh, no. Don't you give me any speech.

I'm the one who's in charge of this, you understand?

Now, I got a flight scheduled right here.

So you listen carefully..

Take it easy.

That's right.

I'm sorry, I didn't hear that.

What'd you.. What time?

Yes.

Yes.

[scoffs] Well, I'm sorry, before we do anything like that, we'd--

And don't you interrupt me.

Now, unless Vince Riles announces on radio and TV

that he's safe over there, that I saved him

the whole building is gonna go off.

You understand me? The whole building!

Hello? Hello?

[dramatic music]

We got part of it, sir. Payphone from area code 612.

That'd be, uh, Minneapolis Saint Paul.

Well..

He wants his friend, Riles, flown safely to North Africa

otherwise the b*mb's already been set

and it goes off in less than 31 hours.

[clock ticking]

[intense music]

[helicopter whirring]

Inspector, this is Captain Jenkins

Minneapolis police.

Captain Williams, Saint Paul police.

I don't what it's worth, but Riles' ex-wife

is the only lead we have at this point.

Riles still won't talk?

Has treasury been notified?

Yes, sir. We're maintaining a close liasion with them.

Good. Chris Daniels will be on the next flight from Washington.

I'll have someone pick him up.

The meeting is scheduled in my office in half hour.

[sighs]

Only 27 hours left.

One thing we got against this, inspector.

The number of buildings here in the twin cities

with at least 20 storeys, there are 12 of them.

[instrumental music]

[female #1] 'I'm checking. I'm sorry..'

'Yes.'

'Well, what's the.. Alright. Thank you.'

'Hello. Yes.'

'Hello.'

[women laughing]

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

[no audio]

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, Prager.

Hey, what are you doing up here, buddy, huh?

You're gonna have c*ck with the big shots?

No, no, I'm collecting bills.

Well, the company said I might find up you here.

Listen, I tried to phone you this morning, Morrie.

No, you didn't. Now, where's my money?

Listen, it's like I told you when I gave you the first two.

You're gonna get it, alright.

It just might be another week or so--

Look, I want it now!

Now, look, Staley, I got a chance

of being a powder boss again.

Now, there's a big construction job going on

but it's in Honolulu.

Now, I gotta pay for my own ticket in the morning.

That's great. That's great.

But if you could just wait a couple of more days, Morrie.

If you could just wait until after--

No!

Now, listen, Staley, when you first looked me up

and promised me that money to do all that work on the slide rule

and draw that fancy diagram for you

well, I thought you were just plain nuts.

I had money to throw away.

And the way I needed dough, well, who cared?

But I've been remembering, and I've seen where you work now.

In the old days, you couldn't even read a compass right.

Let alone fire a bazooka

because you're just too stupid!

So whatever you're doing with this expl*sive stuff

somebody's else is in it with you.

So somebody can pay me.

Morrie, look, I don't even get off work until 6 o'clock, see.

Listen, I'll give you till 9:00 tonight.

The mall entrance of the 700 Building, by the escalator.

Staley, you be there.

Sure, Morrie, sure.

I know how you need with all those kids.

I'll bring as much as I can, really, for old times' sake.

Five hundred dollars, Staley!

Now, I'm telling you, you better be there

and you better be there with all that money

or I got a cop friend that lives on my block.

And I just might tell him about all this, huh?

Oh, Georgie, you get down from there.

- Ooh, I'm sorry, inspector. - Oh.

- I'm so sorry. - It's alright. No, no.

Please don't bother, Mrs. Riles.

My goodness.

Her name is Morton now

and it changed legally back before last year.

Ms. Morton, we have to know who Riles' friends are

as I explained to your brother on the phone.

Oh, why, what happened?

- Tell me! - Now, now.

Vince is not in anymore trouble.

- How could he be? - Oh.

Don't you underestate my Vincy.

If the warden of that prison has a wife

he better lock her up.

- Irene? - Oh, but it's so ridiculous.

You said his friends.

Vincy never had any friends.

Well, acquaintances, partners from the past

any names you can remember?

Of course!

There was this redhead in St. Louis once.

He gave her my favorite necklace.

Oh, but that was 15 years ago.

And he bought me another one.

No, no, I mean recently.

Oh, but that's what I mean.

He ditched that redhead in two weeks.

That's the way he treated everybody, except me.

Was there anybody who stood up for..

My ex-husband, inspector

was a very big operator, didn't you know?

- As in double-cross.. - Ms. Morton..

A lot of people may die if we can't find the man

who planted a b*mb in a 20 storey building.

At the time of his trial, I didn't even stand by him.

How could I? My dear brother wouldn't let me.

He wouldn't even let me see Vince.

Oh, but wait a minute. Wait a minute!

There was this one character

that telephoned the house here several times about him.

- Who is that? - He wanted me to help Vincy.

- Give him messages. Oh, well.. - W-what kind of messages?

He was the only one in the whole world

who could save his old buddy.

I don't know.

When he wouldn't tell me what his name was

I just hung up on the creep.

Oh, look what I did.

Would you look at that? My goodness gracious.

Inspector, it's obvious she can't remember.

As a matter of fact, I don't think she even wants to.

She just never got over the guy.

Old buddy is an army expression.

Riles was a sergeant in Korea.

Oh, yeah. Vince wore every medal he could steal.

Just one of the ways he tried to impress my sister.

She might have photographs, scrapbooks.

They could remind her of some names.

Inspector, there's not one thing left in this house

to remind Irene of the past.

Well, you she how she is when you just talk about Riles.

I'm sorry.

I burned everything.

[male #1 on TV] 'Well, there's plane off our right wing.'

[male #2 on TV] 'It's got flame coming out of its tail.'

- 'Hey, that's a new one.' - 'What is it?'

[male #1 on TV] 'The fighters coming in.'

[g*n firing on TV]

[male #1 on TV] 'Fighters at 10 o'clock.'

[male #2 on TV] 'Take him up, Chuck.'

[g*n firing on TV]

[male #2 on TV] 'Good. Another one coming in at 2 o'clcok.'

[thud]

[male #2] 'Chuck, get that bird at 12 o'clock.'

Hello?

Who is it?

[clatter]

[screaming]

- Mother, it's alright! - Michael!

Where on earth have you been?

Mother, I just put some candy in your room. It's alright.

I came up the back way.

Snooping around? Trying to scare me to death?

Do you know it's half past 8:00?

And I'm supposed to have supper at 7:00 sharp.

You heard what the doctor said.

I'm sorry, mother.

What were you doing with my purse?

I bumped. I'll get it, mother. I'll get it.

Michael, have you been drinking?

Mom, I was just late getting off work, that's all.

- I'm sorry about your dinner. - Oh, you little brat.

Don't you lie to me.

Oh, it's no wonder I'm an invalid.

And you didn't even care enough to fix my TV.

Mama, listen to me.

I couldn't find your bank book, mama.

- It wasn't in your purse. - My what?

And your last social security check

that wasn't in your bureau, mama.

Why you little snoop!

Of course it wasn't.

I gave that check to Mr. Rendicott for the new sink.

You never fixed the old one, did you?

You couldn't even make it stop dripping.

Mama, mama, I need some more money, mama.

I gotta have it.

If I don't get it, everything will be ruined.

- Everything I've planned, mama. - Why?

Are you in trouble with some awful woman?

Is that why you've been neglecting me?

Mama, please!

It's my chance, mama. That's all.

It's my chance to show him.

I can't tell you, mama, but you're gonna see.

Everybody will.

And nobody will ever laugh at me again, mama.

- 'Cause I can do something. - Stop it! Stop that!

You have been drinking.

Mother, give me that wallet.

- No. No! - Give it to me.

[sobbing] Oh! No, no!

Don't do this to me!

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[screams]

[intense music]

Oh! Oh!

[instrumental music]

[clock ticking]

Creep?

You said he sounded like a creep?

That's right.

The only man in the world who could help you, he said.

Ha ha ha.

He told her he was an old buddy of yours.

Oh, yeah, he's probably the Green Hornet, the Superman.

You don't know who he is, do you?

Still no comment.

Riles!

He's threatening to blow up a building full of people.

Alright. Alright, so I don't know who your b*mber is.

Guessed it right the first time.

Thanks.

For what?

For what?

I mean, that gadget of his goes off, I get blamed, don't I?

You just confirmed, you're wasting

your time here, that's all.

Happens in 13 hours and 21 minutes.

Exactly at noon tomorrow.

Look..

These aren't complete, but they're copies

of ID photos and service records.

- Take a look. - For what, why?

Look, I've tried to think, I've tried to think.

I mean, that's what's so crazy about this.

I can't even guess who it might be.

Come on, that wasn't such a big outfit you were in.

Got smaller too.

Stupid as much of targets you ever saw.

Yeah, but which one of them would remember you?

Someone you helped maybe.

What do you think I got all those medals for?

I saved all their necks one time or another.

Nah! Nah, I can't even recognize their faces.

- Colton, O'Brian.. - What about him?

No, he wiped his own nose.

Sure no friend either.

I forgot about him.

He came from Minneapolis too.

You know, this guy could booby trap a safety pin?

Prager, Morrie Prager, that's his name.

It's the best demolitions man in career.

[indistinct radio chatter]

Thank you, goodnight.

[indistinct radio chatter]

You're gonna buy it, buddy?

What? Oh, no, no.

I was just looking for something, that's all.

My horses don't come in either.

I've been listening on the radio, and it wasn't there.

Say, you didn't happen to see anything on TV tonight

about Vince Riles, did you?

Should've been on my now.

Riles? He the pro hockey player?

No, no. He was a guy that..

Well, he did a favor for me once in the army.

Okay, general, closing time. Please.

I'm sorry. I guess I just..

It doesn't make any difference.

Not now.

[dramatic music]

[car horn blares]

[tires screech]

[music continues]

[bell rings]

- 'Who is it?' - It's alright.

We're with the FBI.

- You are? - Is this the Prager house?

- Of course. - Is Morrie Prager your father?

- Is he gonna be alright? - 'Just a moment.'

'Is your mother home?'

No. But a real policeman came to get her.

Only I know him. He lives just around the block.

Where is your father, honey?

Well, in the hospital I guess.

That's where my mother went to see him.

My dad was going to go to Honolulu tomorrow.

[dramatic music]

Dr. Collins, uh, these gentlemen are from the FBI.

We'd like to speak to Morrie Prager.

- Sorry, you can't. - Doctor, it's urgent.

- You're too late. - What happened?

He fell or was pushed from the the terrace

of the mall of the 700 Building.

But he's already under now, he's gone into surgery.

[instrumental music]

Ten hours left.

Doctor, when do you think we'll be able to talk to him?

I don't know.

We're not even sure that he'll make it.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

Quarter to 6:00.

That's still more than six hours, sir.

I'm relieved.

Lieutenant, what's the latest from building safety?

They've got every man out they could find, captain.

Give me the total.

Three of them, b*mb squad and the fire department.

Well, we've really only cleared four buildings

that's as of 5:30.

Mr. Daniels..

What's the word on Prager?

He's still alive, but that's it.

Captain, what about the county shift that goes off at noon?

Stop saying noon.

My deadline is 10 o'clock.

Deadline to do what?

If we don't come up with this b*mber

we'll have to start evacuating these buildings.

We're got six here. Two more in St. Paul.

Can you imagine what's gonna happen

if this hits the media, radio, television?

We'll start herding people into the streets.

By 12:00 noon, we could have a full scale panic.

[intense music]

I think he's coming out of it.

Prager.

Prager, can you hear me?

If you can, look at this.

Have you ever seen this before?

- Prager, did you draw this? - No.

Did you draw this?

[groaning]

Don't move your head, Mr. Prager.

Please don't move your head.

Prager..

...did you draw this diagram?

Staley.

That lousy little creep. Staley.

Who? What was the name?

Staley? Staley, Staley, Staley.

Oh, yeah, I remember him. Mickey Staley. Yeah.

Look, inspector, he wouldn't hurt anybody.

Couldn't do anything right.

I mean, he was, uh, he was like a gofer, you know

a rabbit, used to tag around after me, dig fox holes for me

shine my shoes..

Look, inspector, um..

I guess I did save his life once.

He froze under a motor fire.

Really bad, I mean, so bad, I had to throw him over

to my shoulder and carry him out of there.

Never saw anybody so scared.

[scoffs] You know, when we got back

I think he wanted to kiss me.

Me, and I just thought it was funny.

So, I shoved him out in front of the whole outfit.

Just the way he was, cryin' and shakin'.

They nearly laughed themselves to death.

[tires screeching]

[doorbell buzzes]

How do you do? We're with the FBI.

I'm Inspector Erskine. This is Special Agent Daniels.

Does Michael Staley live here?

I'm his mother.

Do you know where he is? It's urgent.

No, I don't. He didn't come home.

May we come in?

Oh, I knew something awful was going to happen.

What's he done?

Take it easy. We just want to find him, that's all.

I had to cook my own supper, my own breakfast.

Oh, I didn't sleep a wink.

He left last night?

Was he alone?

Well, of course.

My son is a good boy.

Inspector..

Is this a picture of your son?

Yes.

- That's Riles. - Mm-hmm.

Yes. Isn't that boy handsome? And brave too.

That was Michael's best friend once.

I don't know whatever happened to him

but I always used to tell Michael

if only he'd stand up straight like that.

Mrs. Staley, where might we look for Michael?

Well, you must have some idea. Does he have a job?

He certainly does, for 15 years, and never missed a single day.

Doing what, Mrs. Staley, and where?

Washing windows. Here in Minneapolis.

You know, on those great big high-rise buildings.

[siren wailing]

[tires screeching]

I got your message. I picked up Mr. Roberts.

- He's a foreman. - How many buildings?

Well, my washing outfit handles five of that size.

In this area, sir, Staley works them all, one time or another.

But only two are 20 storeys or more.

We're clearing this out now.

It narrows it down somewhat anyhow.

Still a lot of floor space.

Only 22 minutes left.

I had to split our crews.

There's just offices in here, huh?

What the devil sort of building is this?

Captain, I got a hunch, it's not much

but it's all we have to go on.

If I were you, I'd concentrate on that building.

What are you getting at?

Did you ever hear of a pyromaniac

who didn't come to his own fire?

Take a look. Where would he have a front row seat?

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

[clock ticking]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Jenkins? Daniels. We found him. He's up here.

Alright. Uh, switch all my men to this building.

I just hope you're not too late.

[music continues]

FBI, Staley.

[music continues]

[music continues]

No. No!

Main floor has been evacuated, captain.

That's it. Everybody out Bring in the b*mb squads!

[whistles]

Move!

Come on!

Move it! Only one minute.

Stay away.

Now, listen to me..

You don't need to do this.

Riles doesn't want you to help him.

He wants you to tell us where the b*mb is.

I don't believe you.

He says he's sorry.

He never realized..

Look...he said you're a great guy.

He said that?

A bigger man than he ever was.

I don't believe you.

Why would he say anything about me, huh?

I've never been anybody in my life.

I've never done anything in my life.

Not until right now.

Staley, where's the b*mb?

[music continues]

Stay away. I'll take you with me.

Just tell us where the b*mb is.

No. No way! I'm not gonna tell you.

[intense music]

Look, try to understand.

There are people in that building.

'People like you!'

'People who could be your friends.'

[music continues]

Staley!

Look at me.

It's too late.

I know you can't stop it.

It's too late!

[bell ringing]

There it is. There it is. Listen now!

Ow! Ow!

Listen now.

Listen! Please, listen! Please.

[bell dings]

[clock ticking]

Nothing happened.

No, I tested it. It works.

- It didn't. - It has to.

I know it does. It's dry down there.

It's dry in that chiller

and there's nothing drier than that place.

It's gonna go up. I know it will!

Jenkins, we've got him.

He says the b*mb's down in the chiller room.

[bell dings]

Daniels, we're all clear now.

[dramatic music]

They got it, inspector.

Mr. Staley's b*mb isn't ticking anymore.

[instrumental music]

- You okay, inspector? - I'm fine.

He's clean. He wasn't armed.

Oh, no, no, I-I don't like g*ns.

Inspector..

This is Michael Staley.

That him?

That little nothing.

Don't call me that. That's not true.

I would've shown all of you.

'See, there's this Sergeant Riles'

and he saved my life once, but everybody laughed.

Well, he's the one who needed me.

I was gonna show him.

[male narrator] Michael Staley was tried and found guilty in federal court

on charges of using the mail and telephone

to transmit a b*mb threat.

He also was convicted in state court

for attempted m*rder of Morrie Prager.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]