Moonfire (1970) - full transcript
Truckers battle a Nazi who has hidden out in Mexico. Subplot involves the disappearance of a reclusive billionaire.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Buenos dias.
MAN: Buenos noches.
-This will be a most
interesting day, Olivia.
-Si.
MAN (ON RADIO):
Prices from KSUN,
Arizona's sunshine station.
Federal police in
Mazatlan, Mexico
are all riled up investigating
another bus tour holdup.
A rash of robberies
in recent months
has caused many travelers
to cancel plans for trips
by automobile into
southern Mexico.
-Everywhere, Lazaro.
Everywhere.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
No cucarachas.
They attract animals.
Animals attract people.
-The police?
-No, the Federales.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-Jefe.
Senor Fuentes, your
woman, her brother
can steal the Federales
away from the ranch.
-For a time, Jesus.
For a time.
His greed keeps us safe,
and my money keeps him fat.
But even the district
captain's sword
is not sharp enough to cut off
the noses of the Federales.
No, say nothing.
I will handle Olivia.
Come on now.
Dig deep.
Dig deep.
And, Lazaro, don't forget--
paint over the car.
-Si, jefe.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Hey, Jesus!
Bring the Jeep.
The Jeep!
-Si, jefe.
-Oh, come on!
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-Hurry up!
Hurry up!
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-I think, Zaro, we should look
after this pilot very well.
Very well indeed.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Are we going to pick him up?
You said--
-That we would look after him.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[GASPING]
Let me go!
That's all you get!
-I'm young, and he's old.
I'm strong.
He's weak.
-You roach!
That's your bath for the month!
-Lazaro!
Go to the barn.
You will be more
comfortable there.
Are you all right?
-Yes.
-Pedro.
I told you not to
come in the daylight.
Now hurry.
What?
-Dinero.
-But you got your share
from the last job.
-I mean from this job.
-This job?
There is no job.
There won't be another
job for a week.
-And the Jeep?
-But that's no job.
Someone left it abandoned, and
we are going to dispose of it.
That's not the same as a job.
-It is now.
I need more money.
Protection's my business--
your protection.
The cost of living goes up,
and I have many mouths to feed.
-Oh, sure, your family.
I had almost forgotten
about your family
and those fine,
healthy children.
We do want them to stay healthy.
-I must get back home now.
-Remember now.
Only at night.
-Adios.
[MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]
MAN (ON RADIO): And
that was a favorite
with the truckers,
"Big Rig Man."
This is Roger Galloway.
Once again, we're
in the penthouse
offices of The Russell Company.
Mr. Larry Benjamin,
Chief Executive Officer,
has given this station an
exclusive interview in order
to clear up the
mystery surrounding
the much publicized
missile launch.
Mr. Benjamin, you say that the
Russell Company has absolutely
no comment on the reports
of a secret missile
having been launched from
the Russell test site?
-That's right.
We have no comment, except to
say, as one of the nation's
leading suppliers to
the aerospace industry,
we are restricted in
what we can reveal.
-But, Mr. Benjamin,
more than 100 people
have reported seeing a
launching, which must have
occurred some 15 or 20 miles
inside the Russell Ranch.
-People see flying saucers too.
I have no further comment.
MAN (ON RADIO): Thank
you, Mr. Benjamin.
While the Dow Jones Industrials
were off three points
for the second day
in a row, one company
is not too affected
by the market.
It's the giant corporation
belonging to billionaire Leslie
Russell, "Russell the
Recluse," many call him.
But no matter what nickname he
has, he's always in the news.
This time, however,
the Russell news
deals with reported radar
sightings of a rocket launch
and subsequent reports
of a secret satellite.
The Russell Company
has been known
to be planning a giant
private communications network
to rival the three
major networks.
If this is the case,
the latest rumor
just adds fuel to the fire.
You might say to the
Moonfire, as the project
is allegedly called.
This Moonfire project has been
under wraps for many months.
As usual, attempts by the news
media to reach Leslie Russell
are in vain, but Larry Benjamin,
Russell's top operations man,
has indicated there might
be a story later on.
However, he's given a terse
"no comment" at this time.
In London, Parliament voted--
WOMAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Long distance
for Ira Morris on line two.
Mr. Morris, long distance
on line two, please.
Long distance call
for Mr. Morris.
Mr. Ira Morris,
line two, please.
-All communication
with the various media
must be channelled through me.
All statements concerning
any activities of the Russell
Organization will be
issued by my division
and by me personally.
If the, um, pilot
contacts any of our plants
in Florida, Texas,
California, or Nevada,
the switchboard has instructions
to plug us in directly.
-Nothing's wrong.
Nothing ever goes wrong with
your electronics division,
does it, Larry?
[POPPING]
-Hello.
Do you speak English?
-Oh, si, senor.
Poquito.
-Good.
Where is the ranch?
The ranch?
Rancho.
Look, I need help.
A-- a-- telephone.
Car.
Automobile.
-Huh?
-Don't you speak
any English at all?
Where is the ranch?
-Oh!
Yes, sir.
But, look, my name
is not Pancho.
My name is Jesus.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-Might as well be
in the Stone Age.
Progress.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, friend.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
MAN (ON RADIO): Of course,
that's one of the top country
songs of all time, "El Paso," by
the one and only Marty Robbins.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[TELEPHONE RINGS]
-Look, Sam.
I'd like to steer
you right to a loan,
but I can't handle the
brokerage end anymore.
We have a man who really
knows his business.
-Oh, that's great.
-And with that new plan
Russell's putting in,
there will probably
be 10 trailer
loads moving out of Tucson.
Look, Sam, you ought
to move down here.
Alaska's OK for the Eskimos.
-He should be in Nogales
in an hour and a half.
Don't worry.
-Hello, Mr. Morris.
-Tom, I'd like you to meet an
old CB buddy of mine, Sam Blue.
Get him fixed up
with a good loan.
-What kind of rig you got?
-Hey, this man you
don't question.
He can rebuild a
triplex transmission
at midnight in January
in Alaska while adjusting
the clutch with his feet and
all the while in his sleep.
-Do you want to be my agent?
-The trick is not to have to
rebuild that transmission,
isn't it?
-Well, it happens.
-Look, Ira, you don't
have to sell me.
You know what these guys can do.
-Well, thanks for the
vote of confidence.
-Fill out one of these
spec sheets for our files.
I'll have Barry go out
and take a picture.
-I got to go.
How about supper, Sam?
-Fine.
-Take a what?
-A picture.
We have to keep a complete
file on every trucker we load.
We even check back and
see the thermostats.
That way we can adjust
the temperature--
-I get the picture.
I get the picture.
But I've been driving for
24 years and three months,
and I've got some
tricks of my own.
Let me show you.
Yeah.
$2,312.58 in bad checks,
all from truck brokers.
And that's just last year.
-Well, things are changing.
It's getting harder and
harder for these con artists
on the road to hang paper.
Now my operation is
3x in the Blue Book.
-And my operation on the
road carries a 4x rating.
We ought to get along.
[HORN HONKS]
-Why do you watch out,
you-- you midnight cowboy?
-I'm gonna knock your
knee caps off, man.
Richie!
How are you, baby?
-Long time no see, Robert.
Where you been hiding?
-I haven't been hiding, man.
Just doing my thing coming
down a concrete path.
-I thought maybe, maybe
Mr. Robert Morgan of Miami
might have got hitched
and settled down.
-Yeah, so I can, uh, be a
happily married man like you,
eh?
-Robert!
Well, well, how's the
furniture business, Robert?
-Well, I'm not
hauling furniture.
I haven't sold my
freight box yet.
But you can bet
when I do, I'm going
back to those pads and dollies.
-You used to be a moving man
a while back, didn't you?
-Yeah, and I was--
I was dumb enough
to get out of that business.
But at the same time,
you were smart enough
to open up this truck stop.
Yeah, four years.
That's the best
trucking there is.
-Your old buddy Sam really
doesn't seem to think so.
-Sam Blue?
Is he still hauling garbage?
-You know Sam, a produce
man through and through.
Hey, I just remembered.
Sam's here.
We're having supper together.
Why don't you join us?
-He's here, huh?
Well, I'd like to, Ira, but
I'm headed for Sheetsville.
Why don't you just
tell him I'm around.
-OK, Robert.
I'll do that.
-And you tell him my trailer's
light, but my eyes are heavy
and not to wake me until
I'm ready to split.
-All right.
-More coffee?
-No, thank you.
So my plane was destroyed.
-Your plane?
-Yes, I was on my
way to Guatemala.
I must have run out of fuel.
Stupid of me Nothing left.
-Except you, of course.
-I'm very tired.
Is there a bed?
-Oh, beds. [CHUCKLES] We have
more than a hundred beds here,
and our kitchen
can feed an army.
-Well, one bed would be enough.
Why so many?
Who comes here?
-All in good time, my friend.
All in good time.
Oh, by the way, we are 100 miles
from the nearest paved road.
And that little
dirt road that leads
to the ranch, that
is 40 miles long.
It belongs to me.
-What the hell's going on?
-Just taking out a little
insurance, my friend.
Sleep tight.
-Now wait a minute.
I've got something to tell you.
-I'm sure you have.
-Alone.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH].
Very well.
I'm listening.
Uh-huh.
Well, for a pilot, you seem to
know a lot about the operation
of the Russell Aircraft Company.
I hope what you have
told me is true.
-Just contact Benjamin.
-Oh, have no fear.
Now enjoy my hospitality.
You are free to walk around.
-There's just one other thing.
If you don't get me out
of here in four days,
you might as well forget it.
-Oh?
-Right after I landed, I set
the timer for self-destruction.
The bomb has a two-phase
magnesium charge.
After it explodes,
the magnesium will
burn for a solid two minutes.
-And so?
-Well, any pilot on that, uh,
Mexico City Los Angeles run
would see the light
from that magnesium
from 200 to 300 miles.
There's six flights a
night on that route.
It will just be
a matter of time.
-Before what?
-Before the authorities
start investigating.
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER): Western
Airlines paging Mr. Rod Sutton.
Mr. Rod Sutton to
the passenger service
counter for Western Airlines.
[TELEPHONE RINGS]
WOMAN: (IMPATIENTLY)
Just a minute, please.
[PHONE BUZZES]
-Yes?
Who is it?
-He won't give his name.
He'd rather talk to Mr. Russell.
He says it's
regarding Mr. Hawkins.
-Well, of course I
want to speak to him.
Yes?
Yes, what is it you want?
I'm Mr. Russell's
Chief Executive--
-Do not waste time talking.
Just do as I say.
-You deliver your picture.
Then we can talk.
-Follow my instructions exactly.
Come on.
FUENTES: Miss?
-Tucson Package Delivery.
Can you hold, please?
Can I help you?
-(INCREDULOUSLY) $2 million?
-Do you really care?
Listen carefully.
Don't make any mistakes.
I am sure that Mr. Russell will
appreciate your efficiency.
Now, I want, first of all,
you should go to your bank.
-Now look, Frank,
your job is security.
Make sure those armored
trucks aren't followed.
-But suppose this character
just drives off with the money
after it's loaded in the truck.
-That's why we send The Farmer.
-The Farmer?
How much do we tell
the truck driver?
-He'll know nothing
until they arrive
at wherever the
rendezvous takes place.
All he knows is top
priority aircraft parts.
-But won't he be
suspicious if he
doesn't even know
where he's headed?
-He's a truck driver.
Truck drivers don't
ask questions.
They're paid to
steer, load, unload,
and keep their mouths shut.
Now you find me the dumbest
looking truck driver you can,
and we're in business.
[PHONE BUZZES]
Pat.
-Larry, I think we ought to
find the smartest truck driver.
This isn't going to be an
ordinary trip, you know.
-He's right, Larry.
We can't take a chance.
-OK, OK.
Smart or dumb, I don't care.
Just get one.
Get him quickly.
Brief him.
Have him ready.
Now let's move.
-Well, what about The Farmer?
-You don't ever worry
about The Farmer.
He's been briefed, completely.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-OK, fun loving, hit the deck.
What did you do last
night, set a record?
You want to be a
moving man, so move!
-Peace, brother.
-Hey.
This is me, Sam Blue.
You need a job?
-What I need is
a few kind words.
-Does $0.75 a mile
sound kind enough?
-On the level?
-Yeah.
If you're interested,
shave close.
I'll fill you in over coffee.
If not--
-Got any razor blades?
-Well, Frank?
-Everything's set.
We made arrangements
with a produce trucker.
-Good.
When will he be able to load?
-Correction, they.
-What?
-His name is Blue-- Sam Blue.
He says he can't guarantee
delivery on a three-day trip
unless there are two trucks.
And if he doesn't know
where he's headed,
well, he'll need that
extra protection.
-Tell him it's OK.
Now all we have to do is find
out where our money's going.
-Oh, I see.
Two trucks?
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, very well.
Now, let me have the name
of your truck driver.
I will deal with him directly.
And remember, no
tricks, or your pilot
will be shipped to
you in two suitcases.
-You're gonna age
me fast, Uncle Sam.
-You aged me one night
in Montana, remember?
-Come on.
We've been all over that.
By the time I got
your fuel pump fixed,
the highway patrol had
shut down all the highways.
Cars, trucks, cranes,
planes-- everything
was stranded under a
beautiful blanket of snow.
-Yeah, and my blanket was
around you and that young girl
you found stranded.
I'm sure that had nothing to
do with you not returning it.
Oh, no.
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Paging Beacons driver Eldin
Klaussen to the
telephone, please.
Beacons driver Eldin Klaussen
to the phone, please.
-Hey, Judy, how
about some coffee?
-Make it two, will you?
You know her name already.
-Well, I just keep my eyes open.
-If she didn't have a tag,
you'd still know her name.
-Well, it pays to
keep alert, you know.
-On this trip it will.
I don't know where we're going
or what we'll bring back.
-So now what?
-Wait.
-For what?
-You're a trucker,
and you're asking me?
The same thing
that every trucker
spends half his life doing--
waiting for orders to roll.
-It's not always to kill
time in a truck stop.
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
A long-distance calls
for Sam Blue.
-Yes, yes.
Look, Kathleen, cut it out.
Your old man will be back
on his feet in no time.
Listen.
I'll call you again
before we get there, OK?
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Robert Morgan,
please report to
the message center.
-Hey, that's me.
Tell him to send it
in here, will you?
-Uh, this is from Sam Blue.
My sister's husband just
tangled with a train
at an unguarded river crossing.
Further instructions
are in my tractor.
We'll use our Morse
as a contact so I
can plan to meet you
wherever you are.
Regards, Sam.
-Hey, I was just beginning.
-Keep it hot.
I'll be back in a few days.
Anybody here?
Anybody here?
Friend or foe?
I hope you're friend.
-Follow me.
-Well, it's about time.
You're Robert Morgan.
-That's right.
Robert W. Morgan.
And you?
-Larry Benjamin, Chief Executive
Officer of The Russell Company.
Sam Blue told me about you.
You look younger than
I thought you were.
-I'm 28.
What's that got to do with it?
-Just wondering whether
you can handle the job.
-Well, I could handle
it a little better
if I knew what was happening.
But if you want
something hauled,
Morgan's your man, especially
with all this money involved.
$0.75 a mile.
That's a lot of lettuce.
Now you want to know whether
I can handle the job.
I've been a trucker for 10
years, five as a furniture man
and five as a freight hauler.
If it's stacks or
hangs, I can handle it.
-I believe you can.
Just in case, well, you've
met our insurance policy.
-Yeah.
He's a talkative cat.
He summed up his whole
life history in two words.
-He'll loosen up
if he likes you,
but he's not paid to like you.
-Looks like he was once
paid to be a truck driver.
-Yeah, he's done that,
among other things.
Pretty good at most
everything he does.
What he does for the
next three or four days
is very important to the
Russell organization.
-Well, I figured that.
Uh, what are you smuggling?
-We don't smuggle anything.
The Russell Company is
a legitimate company.
What we need is to have some
very valuable aircraft parts
hauled someplace
in utmost secrecy.
And they must arrive on
time, no matter what.
-I treat all my
shippers the same.
-The Farmer here can help
make your job a little easier.
Maybe I can give you a hand too.
-Hey, you don't have to do that.
-I know.
It's all right.
Just don't tell anybody.
You might spoil my image.
-Why don't you, uh,
just have them shipped
to one of your company planes?
-Because we don't know
where they're going.
You see, the buyer
is changing the route
and keeping the
affair top-secret
in order to avoid
a possible theft.
Even we don't know
where you're going.
-Well, that's great.
How do I find out?
-You keep in touch
with my office.
And you may be receiving
further instructions
from someone with
a German accent.
-[SPEAKING GERMAN]
-It's no time to get cute.
The less you know about
it, the better off you are.
You just stay in touch.
-What about my old
buddy Sam Blue?
This is his production.
I just inherited
the starring role.
-Eh, maybe you deserve it.
-Well, he's making me sweat.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Look, about your buddy--
I'll make sure he rejoins you,
no matter where you are.
-Oh, he'll make sure of that.
I know Sam.
He'll wish he hadn't
missed this trip.
-Especially this part.
-OK.
The Farmer will take
care of all the expenses.
Get back to that truck stop.
There's A little
surprise waiting for you.
And, uh, good luck.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-You know, Lazaro, if you
only brushed your teeth,
take a bath, change
your clothes,
maybe-- maybe you'd find
a woman of your own.
-All I care about now
is we get this pilot.
-The pilot?
The pilot?
I thought you forgot
about the pilot.
-Never!
He's going to make
us rich, stupido.
Let's go.
[INTERPOSING VOICES SPEAKING
SPANISH]
-See?
I told you it would be
here waiting for us.
[HORN HONKS]
-Well, nice little toy.
Hey, man, jump off.
Go check in with,
uh, [INAUDIBLE]
while I load this, OK?
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-What the hell do you
think you're doing?
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-That's the third light
plane I've heard today.
-So?
-So you can't hide this ranch.
-They come from the
airport for hunters.
They go after the mountain
lion, not a pilot.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-You're not going to
get away with this.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-If you want to
listen for planes,
you have lots of time
now, Mr. Hawkins.
[LAUGHTER]
-Farmer, want to keep
an eye on things?
I got to send a
couple post cards.
-Right.
-Come on.
Come on.
-Do you want any ice cream?
-[INAUDIBLE] waiting?
-Yeah.
A little.
-OK, let's go.
-Come on.
Let's get him!
Get him!
-Get him!
[SIREN WAILING]
-OK, let's get the
hell out of here.
-Let's go.
-Yeah, split.
MAN: Cops.
Come on.
-Let's get out of here, man.
-They was about to make me mad.
Gee, man.
This thing looks
like it's brand-new.
You mean to tell me you
got this many miles on it?
-Over 200,000.
Just getting broken in good.
-Nice, man.
Nice.
You got some rig here.
-Wrong.
You got sum rig here.
You're driving it, remember?
-Say, what's this?
Shortwave radio?
-Yeah, I guess you haven't
been on the road for a while.
A lot of the guys have
them now, you know,
in case you get lonely or
we run across an accident.
-I'll make sure I call you
when I get a little lonely.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-You seem pretty certain we'll
follow your instructions.
How do you know
we haven't alerted
the highway patrol and the FBI?
-Don't play any
games, Mr. Benjamin.
You have more to lose than I do
if you notify the authorities.
Now, I'll call you
again in three hours.
[DIAL TONE]
-These clowns at the port
pull out their microscopes
and find so much as a fly
hanging on this air hose,
then they'll slap a fine on us
for breeding, um, insect life
without an ICC permit.
-Speaking of bugs.
-Trying to get it all ship-shape
before you get to the port, eh?
-Yeah, we, uh, keep these things
a lot cleaner than most people
keep their clothes.
Besides, I'm not
breaking any law,
and you're not a cop
in the first place.
-That's right.
I'm not a cop.
I'm better than a cop.
-Are you sure about that?
-Listen, boy.
Logs and licenses are
the responsibility
of the Corporation Commission.
-You're impressing
me a whole bunch.
-We're legal.
We ought to be.
I get stopped and
searched so much,
I got to take two
showers a day to get
your fingerprints off of me.
-You're using our highways.
-And who pays for them?
I paid more than 4,000 bucks
last year in highway taxes.
-Smile, buddy.
Next year you'll pay more.
-What about him?
[HORN HONKS]
-The beer belly
bureaucracy, highway robbery
with a five o'clock shadow.
-You better go easy about
that five o'clock shadow.
Could have been worse.
It could have been
a close shave.
-Yeah, I guess you're right.
But I get so sick and tired
of being searched illegally
and being called names by a
bunch of pigs that sweat beer
and being questioned
about my rights.
But you're not a trucker.
You wouldn't understand what
I'm talking about, would you?
-No, I don't know what
you're talking about.
-Say, officer, is this
the right road to El Paso?
-Yes, sir.
Just follow the
signs all the way
to where it rejoins
with the interstate.
You'll have smooth sailing
all the way into El Paso.
-Thanks.
Thanks a lot, officer.
-We're just here
to be helpful, sir.
Well, if it wasn't so
close to quitting time,
I'd, uh, check your
permits here and now.
But this is your lucky day.
I'm going to let you go.
But they'll catch
anything at the port.
-You mean in the
truck, don't you?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN (ON RADIO): There
is still no word
from the Mexican authorities
about the missing
American TV reporter.
A massive search in the
rugged terrain is under way.
It's believed that this
news man, Frank Kennedy, who
had only started working for the
TV station a few weeks before,
either disappeared in the
mountains near Durango
or is possibly a victim of the--
-Hey, listen, if you're the
only one who knows where we're
going, now why in the
hell can't you tell me?
Look, like I told
you before, I don't
dig all this mumbo-jumbo jazz.
-Are you a real truck driver?
-Yeah, now beat it.
I'm on the phone.
-Look, this stopping to
phone every 100 miles
puts a cramp in my style.
-Stick 'em up, mister.
-Why?
Look, just tell me
where I'm going.
Why do you wan hold me up?
-You're a truck driver, right?
Yeah.
I see.
-Truck drivers make a
of money, don't they?
-Sure there is.
-Well?
-Not this trip, cowboy.
El Paso truck terminal.
-You're not a real truck driver.
-Now what makes you say that?
No, some bandit's
trying to hold me up.
Well, he looks like Jesse James.
What makes you say that?
No, I'm talking to
some kid, that's all.
-You're not fat enough
to be a truck driver.
-El Paso, Texas.
About two hours.
Well, if you put it
on the bulletin board,
it will be there, right?
Right.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-El Paso truck terminal.
Wait.
MAN (ON RADIO): Temperatures
in the Lone Star State range
from 79 in Waco with
scattered thunderstorms
to a sizzling 105 in Del Rio.
El Paso has now had its 415th
consecutive day of sunshine.
This weather report has been
brought to you by the Alcazar
Restaurant in
Juarez, Mexico, where
only the hospitality is
better than the food.
Remember the Alcazar,
the house of [INAUDIBLE].
Ralph, your friendly maitre
d', will do his utmost
to make your visit to
Juarez a memorable one.
ROBERT (ON CB): Come in, Farmer.
Come in, Farmer.
-You lonely up there?
-No.
Curious.
Are you sure we got aircraft
parts on this trailer?
-You're flying, ain't you?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER): Any cattle
driver headed to Colorado City,
please report to the cashier.
-That's right, Ira.
Now when Sam gets
a hold of you, just
give him Mr. Benjamin's number.
Now they'll take
care of everything.
Well, now, I can't
tell you where.
As a matter of fact, I'm
waiting for a call from some cat
right now.
-All right, Robert,
but just watch out
for those senoritas
over in Juarez.
-Yeah, well, uh, don't
you sweat it, Ira.
With my luck, the last place
I'll be heading is Mexico.
OK.
Right.
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Attention, please.
Dick Durang, report
to a security
officer on the
second level, please.
Dick Durang from the security
officer on the second level.
-Exactly 7 kilometers south
of Chihuahua, there is a cafe.
Exactly 7 kilometers.
Cafe del Carmen.
The proprietor there
will have a map for you.
It is complete and accurate.
-Well, that'll be a change.
I'm getting kind of
tired of talking to you.
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Long-distance call
for Ira Morris.
-Sam!
Good to hear from you.
How's your brother-in-law?
Oh, no.
Some luck.
If you want to catch up
with your pal Morgan,
you'll have to contact,
uh, Mr. Benjamin
at Russell Aircraft
here in Tucson.
Benjamin, that's right.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Now you know why I
had to come along.
-How's that?
-Make sure you get to
Juarez without unloading.
-Huh.
-[SINGING IN SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[LAUGHING]
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SINGING IN SPANISH]
-[LAUGHING]
-Pedro!
-Forget about that.
Pack your bags now, everybody.
-Is this a trick?
A trick of Fuentes?
-No, no.
The Federales.
More than 100 troops are coming.
They're searching everyplace--
everyplace for a television man
who's missing near
here, a norte-americano.
No one can hide.
-We've got nothing to hide.
We have nothing to fear.
-You don't seem to understand
what my brother has said.
100 men!
They'll find the man, the Jeep.
-What man?
-You woman!
-Do you have no eyes?
It is just time.
Nobody-- nobody can
hide from the Federales.
-My sister's right.
I cannot be found here.
Pack quickly and go.
-What about Fuentes and
the rest of the men?
They're coming here soon.
-I still think it's a trick.
Besides, since when
do we take orders
from a woman and her brother?
We wait right here.
The Federales will come
with guns, not shovels.
If we run away, they'll
suspect something.
If we stay, they'll
drink our tequila.
They go away happy.
-And the pilot, eh?
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN (ON RADIO): Still no
report from Leslie Russell's
headquarters in Tucson about
rumors of a one-man satellite
that was launched
some two days ago.
The pilot, Paul Hawkins, has
not reported to headquarters.
Russell's Chief Executive
Officer, Larry Benjamin,
has refused further comment.
-Hey, Farmer, do you read me?
-You lonely again?
-How many pesos for a dollar?
FARMER (ON CB): About
10 or 12, isn't it?
ROBERT (ON CB): Well,
that's pretty close.
How many boxes of lettuce
do we have on this trailer?
-Is this the $64,000 question?
-Well, you're getting warm.
How many boxes of lettuce
do we have on this trailer?
-550, just about.
-Try 548.
FARMER (ON CB): If you say so.
-Two of those boxes
have something
in them besides lettuce.
Boy, have I been stupid.
FARMER (ON CB): If you say so.
ROBERT (ON CB): Well, don't
break down, because if you do,
you'll find me in Tahiti.
FARMER (ON CB): That's right.
I would find you, no
matter where you were.
ROBERT (ON CB): Oh,
don't sweat it, man.
When we top this next hill,
the only place you'll find me
is in overdrive.
FARMER (ON CB):
Now you're cooking.
ROBERT (ON CB): Hey, Farmer?
FARMER (ON CB): Si, Roberto.
ROBERT (ON CB): How come
they call you The Farmer?
FARMER (ON CB): I don't know.
I guess it's because
I'm always dreaming
of owning a cattle ranch.
-Why do you want to
own a cattle ranch?
That's a lot of work.
-This is no picnic.
I don't want to work
the cattle ranch.
I just want to make sure some
steak's around when I retire.
ROBERT (ON CB): How do you
like your steak cooked?
-Oh, no.
Tucson, Arizona.
Si.
Si.
Hey, Farmer, how do you
say "collect" in Spanish?
-Collecto!
-Hey, man, don't
drink that water.
They plan to use it to
irrigate chili peppers.
-Wrong.
They already did.
-Hello.
Mr. Benjamin.
I can hardly hear you.
Yeah.
OK.
Farmer, phone.
FARMER: Yeah.
OK.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Hey, you blind wetback.
What's Mexican for grouchiness?
[HORN HONKS]
-Pilot to copilot.
Do you read me?
-I read you.
What's up?
-Me and this
beautiful engine are
having a big love affair, man.
We're really rolling.
-So what?
-So I'll see you in Durango.
-Right on.
-Are you sure, Lazaro?
LAZARO: Si.
Si.
You came back.
-Of course I come back.
Now, is everything in control?
-Pedro came to warn us.
-Three years we
live here in safety.
You!
You ruin a fortress
with one bullet.
-Jefe, the pilot-- maybe
someone else see the parachute.
-Where is our pilot?
-He's safe in the desert.
-In the de-- he's
supposed to be here.
Here!
Now what have you done with--
-Silencio!
Jefe, he will come back
when the money comes.
If the money no come,
the pilot, he no come.
-I see.
Very well.
We wait for the
truck with the money.
-That's a very good idea.
Jefe, we will all wait here.
-What road?
Which way do these
trucks come from?
-From the south.
From Mazatlan.
-Si.
No other way around, no?
-It is the only paved road.
You know yourself
from the knot it
is only sheep roads
and riverbeds.
-Have some tequila.
-No, no.
I am tired.
Now come, Olivia.
We go to bed.
The trucks will be
here in the morning.
-And the Federales?
-We send them into
the mountains.
I am still not suspected.
-Unless her brother
says something.
-He won't say nothing.
-For two caps of gold,
Pedro will sell his wife.
For one, he'll sell his sister.
-Come on, Olivia.
-I'll buy her.
-Salud.
-Salud.
Jefe.
[LAUGHTER]
[LAUGHTER]
-My pet.
-Si?
--[INAUDIBLE] is much closer
to Mazatlan than you think.
-This is the place all right.
That plane Sam took from
Boston transferred passengers
in Houston, so it's
about two hours late.
We might as well
get some sack time.
-You catch some.
I'll stay out here,
because you never
can tell when one of
them hungry rabbits
might get a sniff
of that lettuce.
-OK, but wake me up when
that glory-grabbing Eskimo
gets here.
You know, I should
hit him for a raise.
I do all the work.
He gets all the money.
No wonder they
call him Uncle Sam.
WOMAN (VOICEOVER):
(WHISPERING) Are you awake?
Are you awake?
ROBERT (VOICEOVER): When you get
there, uh, send me a postcard.
WOMAN (VOICEOVER): I don't
even have your address.
ROBERT (VOICEOVER):
Well, [INAUDIBLE].
WOMAN (VOICEOVER): Yeah,
it's-- it's just, uh--
FARMER: Wake up.
Let's go.
-OK, Sleeping Beauty.
Wake up.
Let's go.
-Oh, man, couldn't you have
given me a couple more minutes?
I was just walking to
Elizabeth Taylor's bedroom.
-Yeah, was she there?
-No.
Sam get here yet?
-Came and went.
-Came and went?
-You heard right.
He said he was sorry about
you doing this thing alone,
but he knew you could handle it.
-That's nice of him.
What else did he say?
-Nothing much.
Kind of grim.
I guess he's shook up
over his sister's husband
getting cut up on that railroad
crossing the other day.
-Bad?
-No more legs.
-Thanks, God.
-I think he just wanted to
drive by himself for a while.
I don't think it will
be too cool to mention
it when we catch him.
-Got you.
Thanks for filling me in.
-Hm.
They made better time
than I thought they would.
-Come in, Sam Blue.
Come in, Sam Blue.
Do you read me?
-Forget it.
We'll catch him.
-You're right.
This Ensenada Freeway
doesn't have any exits.
Idiot must think
he owns the road.
-Maybe he does.
ROBERT: Not my side he doesn't.
-How very stupid of me.
-You can say that again.
Look, mister, I'll
yank you out of here.
You can get pretty warm
sitting here all day.
-I would certainly
appreciate that.
FARMER: If you yank
him out of there,
you'll rip his gas tank out.
Why don't you use the lift?
ROBERT: Got you.
Good idea.
-OK, pal.
Stay seated.
-Can you turn me around?
I want to go the other way.
-What?
-Can you turn me around?
I want to go the other way.
-At your service.
-More than you know, my friend.
I appreciate that.
How much do I owe you?
-How far is it to Mazatlan?
-About 200 kilometers.
Aah!
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
-Aah!
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Well, well, a
flat tire no less.
Well, well, the Eskimo gets
harpooned in the desert.
Let the younger generation
give you a hand.
-Yeah.
I've been reminded
about how young
I used to be enough
times for one night.
Now I'm looking forward
to growing older.
-That makes two of us.
LAZARO: More.
More than two.
-Yes.
More than the two
of you. [SPEAKING
SPANISH] More than the--
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH].
How would you like to
lose this hand, amigo?
-El dinero.
El dinero.
-I would like very much for you
to show me the money, senors.
I'm not giddy like Fuentes.
You can unload it slowly.
Take your time.
-Sorry.
I can't do that.
-These guys don't look like
port of entry inspectors.
-They might as well be.
Go ahead.
Take a look at your money.
Wait.
I'll help you.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH].
-What happened?
-I figured the best way
to deliver our load was
in one lump sum, so
I froze it solid.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
Where's the money?
-It's no use.
It will take you half a
day to pry them loose.
And by that time,
the Army's going
to find this road
very interesting.
-No more trouble.
All I want is the money.
-Well, I think the ice will melt
faster when we get the pilot.
-Muy bien.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
Follow us.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-We don't have much time.
Let's go.
-The money stays here with me.
-We'll take the tractor.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-If we get out of
here all right,
I'll see to it that Russell
gives you men a healthy bonus.
-Man, just getting out of
here will be bonus enough.
-Well, in one hour, four
years' work and $50 million
in research is going
to blow sky high.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[GUNSHOT]
-Pow, pow, pow!
-Hey, Farmer, give
me a hand, eh?
-That kid's OK.
-[SCREAMING]
-Well, I'll meet you
in two hours at that
truck stop you
keep raving about.
-The steaks are on me.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
-Ladies and gentlemen,
it's none other
than Mr. Mysterious
himself, Leslie Russell.
Mr. Russell, would you care
to comment on your experiences
during the space journey?
-I have nothing to say now.
There'll be a press
conference later on.
-Would you at least
tell us a little bit--
-No, nothing at all.
Nothing.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
-Well, I'll be--
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Buenos dias.
MAN: Buenos noches.
-This will be a most
interesting day, Olivia.
-Si.
MAN (ON RADIO):
Prices from KSUN,
Arizona's sunshine station.
Federal police in
Mazatlan, Mexico
are all riled up investigating
another bus tour holdup.
A rash of robberies
in recent months
has caused many travelers
to cancel plans for trips
by automobile into
southern Mexico.
-Everywhere, Lazaro.
Everywhere.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
No cucarachas.
They attract animals.
Animals attract people.
-The police?
-No, the Federales.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-Jefe.
Senor Fuentes, your
woman, her brother
can steal the Federales
away from the ranch.
-For a time, Jesus.
For a time.
His greed keeps us safe,
and my money keeps him fat.
But even the district
captain's sword
is not sharp enough to cut off
the noses of the Federales.
No, say nothing.
I will handle Olivia.
Come on now.
Dig deep.
Dig deep.
And, Lazaro, don't forget--
paint over the car.
-Si, jefe.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Hey, Jesus!
Bring the Jeep.
The Jeep!
-Si, jefe.
-Oh, come on!
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-Hurry up!
Hurry up!
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-I think, Zaro, we should look
after this pilot very well.
Very well indeed.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Are we going to pick him up?
You said--
-That we would look after him.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[GASPING]
Let me go!
That's all you get!
-I'm young, and he's old.
I'm strong.
He's weak.
-You roach!
That's your bath for the month!
-Lazaro!
Go to the barn.
You will be more
comfortable there.
Are you all right?
-Yes.
-Pedro.
I told you not to
come in the daylight.
Now hurry.
What?
-Dinero.
-But you got your share
from the last job.
-I mean from this job.
-This job?
There is no job.
There won't be another
job for a week.
-And the Jeep?
-But that's no job.
Someone left it abandoned, and
we are going to dispose of it.
That's not the same as a job.
-It is now.
I need more money.
Protection's my business--
your protection.
The cost of living goes up,
and I have many mouths to feed.
-Oh, sure, your family.
I had almost forgotten
about your family
and those fine,
healthy children.
We do want them to stay healthy.
-I must get back home now.
-Remember now.
Only at night.
-Adios.
[MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]
MAN (ON RADIO): And
that was a favorite
with the truckers,
"Big Rig Man."
This is Roger Galloway.
Once again, we're
in the penthouse
offices of The Russell Company.
Mr. Larry Benjamin,
Chief Executive Officer,
has given this station an
exclusive interview in order
to clear up the
mystery surrounding
the much publicized
missile launch.
Mr. Benjamin, you say that the
Russell Company has absolutely
no comment on the reports
of a secret missile
having been launched from
the Russell test site?
-That's right.
We have no comment, except to
say, as one of the nation's
leading suppliers to
the aerospace industry,
we are restricted in
what we can reveal.
-But, Mr. Benjamin,
more than 100 people
have reported seeing a
launching, which must have
occurred some 15 or 20 miles
inside the Russell Ranch.
-People see flying saucers too.
I have no further comment.
MAN (ON RADIO): Thank
you, Mr. Benjamin.
While the Dow Jones Industrials
were off three points
for the second day
in a row, one company
is not too affected
by the market.
It's the giant corporation
belonging to billionaire Leslie
Russell, "Russell the
Recluse," many call him.
But no matter what nickname he
has, he's always in the news.
This time, however,
the Russell news
deals with reported radar
sightings of a rocket launch
and subsequent reports
of a secret satellite.
The Russell Company
has been known
to be planning a giant
private communications network
to rival the three
major networks.
If this is the case,
the latest rumor
just adds fuel to the fire.
You might say to the
Moonfire, as the project
is allegedly called.
This Moonfire project has been
under wraps for many months.
As usual, attempts by the news
media to reach Leslie Russell
are in vain, but Larry Benjamin,
Russell's top operations man,
has indicated there might
be a story later on.
However, he's given a terse
"no comment" at this time.
In London, Parliament voted--
WOMAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Long distance
for Ira Morris on line two.
Mr. Morris, long distance
on line two, please.
Long distance call
for Mr. Morris.
Mr. Ira Morris,
line two, please.
-All communication
with the various media
must be channelled through me.
All statements concerning
any activities of the Russell
Organization will be
issued by my division
and by me personally.
If the, um, pilot
contacts any of our plants
in Florida, Texas,
California, or Nevada,
the switchboard has instructions
to plug us in directly.
-Nothing's wrong.
Nothing ever goes wrong with
your electronics division,
does it, Larry?
[POPPING]
-Hello.
Do you speak English?
-Oh, si, senor.
Poquito.
-Good.
Where is the ranch?
The ranch?
Rancho.
Look, I need help.
A-- a-- telephone.
Car.
Automobile.
-Huh?
-Don't you speak
any English at all?
Where is the ranch?
-Oh!
Yes, sir.
But, look, my name
is not Pancho.
My name is Jesus.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-Might as well be
in the Stone Age.
Progress.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, friend.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
MAN (ON RADIO): Of course,
that's one of the top country
songs of all time, "El Paso," by
the one and only Marty Robbins.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[TELEPHONE RINGS]
-Look, Sam.
I'd like to steer
you right to a loan,
but I can't handle the
brokerage end anymore.
We have a man who really
knows his business.
-Oh, that's great.
-And with that new plan
Russell's putting in,
there will probably
be 10 trailer
loads moving out of Tucson.
Look, Sam, you ought
to move down here.
Alaska's OK for the Eskimos.
-He should be in Nogales
in an hour and a half.
Don't worry.
-Hello, Mr. Morris.
-Tom, I'd like you to meet an
old CB buddy of mine, Sam Blue.
Get him fixed up
with a good loan.
-What kind of rig you got?
-Hey, this man you
don't question.
He can rebuild a
triplex transmission
at midnight in January
in Alaska while adjusting
the clutch with his feet and
all the while in his sleep.
-Do you want to be my agent?
-The trick is not to have to
rebuild that transmission,
isn't it?
-Well, it happens.
-Look, Ira, you don't
have to sell me.
You know what these guys can do.
-Well, thanks for the
vote of confidence.
-Fill out one of these
spec sheets for our files.
I'll have Barry go out
and take a picture.
-I got to go.
How about supper, Sam?
-Fine.
-Take a what?
-A picture.
We have to keep a complete
file on every trucker we load.
We even check back and
see the thermostats.
That way we can adjust
the temperature--
-I get the picture.
I get the picture.
But I've been driving for
24 years and three months,
and I've got some
tricks of my own.
Let me show you.
Yeah.
$2,312.58 in bad checks,
all from truck brokers.
And that's just last year.
-Well, things are changing.
It's getting harder and
harder for these con artists
on the road to hang paper.
Now my operation is
3x in the Blue Book.
-And my operation on the
road carries a 4x rating.
We ought to get along.
[HORN HONKS]
-Why do you watch out,
you-- you midnight cowboy?
-I'm gonna knock your
knee caps off, man.
Richie!
How are you, baby?
-Long time no see, Robert.
Where you been hiding?
-I haven't been hiding, man.
Just doing my thing coming
down a concrete path.
-I thought maybe, maybe
Mr. Robert Morgan of Miami
might have got hitched
and settled down.
-Yeah, so I can, uh, be a
happily married man like you,
eh?
-Robert!
Well, well, how's the
furniture business, Robert?
-Well, I'm not
hauling furniture.
I haven't sold my
freight box yet.
But you can bet
when I do, I'm going
back to those pads and dollies.
-You used to be a moving man
a while back, didn't you?
-Yeah, and I was--
I was dumb enough
to get out of that business.
But at the same time,
you were smart enough
to open up this truck stop.
Yeah, four years.
That's the best
trucking there is.
-Your old buddy Sam really
doesn't seem to think so.
-Sam Blue?
Is he still hauling garbage?
-You know Sam, a produce
man through and through.
Hey, I just remembered.
Sam's here.
We're having supper together.
Why don't you join us?
-He's here, huh?
Well, I'd like to, Ira, but
I'm headed for Sheetsville.
Why don't you just
tell him I'm around.
-OK, Robert.
I'll do that.
-And you tell him my trailer's
light, but my eyes are heavy
and not to wake me until
I'm ready to split.
-All right.
-More coffee?
-No, thank you.
So my plane was destroyed.
-Your plane?
-Yes, I was on my
way to Guatemala.
I must have run out of fuel.
Stupid of me Nothing left.
-Except you, of course.
-I'm very tired.
Is there a bed?
-Oh, beds. [CHUCKLES] We have
more than a hundred beds here,
and our kitchen
can feed an army.
-Well, one bed would be enough.
Why so many?
Who comes here?
-All in good time, my friend.
All in good time.
Oh, by the way, we are 100 miles
from the nearest paved road.
And that little
dirt road that leads
to the ranch, that
is 40 miles long.
It belongs to me.
-What the hell's going on?
-Just taking out a little
insurance, my friend.
Sleep tight.
-Now wait a minute.
I've got something to tell you.
-I'm sure you have.
-Alone.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH].
Very well.
I'm listening.
Uh-huh.
Well, for a pilot, you seem to
know a lot about the operation
of the Russell Aircraft Company.
I hope what you have
told me is true.
-Just contact Benjamin.
-Oh, have no fear.
Now enjoy my hospitality.
You are free to walk around.
-There's just one other thing.
If you don't get me out
of here in four days,
you might as well forget it.
-Oh?
-Right after I landed, I set
the timer for self-destruction.
The bomb has a two-phase
magnesium charge.
After it explodes,
the magnesium will
burn for a solid two minutes.
-And so?
-Well, any pilot on that, uh,
Mexico City Los Angeles run
would see the light
from that magnesium
from 200 to 300 miles.
There's six flights a
night on that route.
It will just be
a matter of time.
-Before what?
-Before the authorities
start investigating.
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER): Western
Airlines paging Mr. Rod Sutton.
Mr. Rod Sutton to
the passenger service
counter for Western Airlines.
[TELEPHONE RINGS]
WOMAN: (IMPATIENTLY)
Just a minute, please.
[PHONE BUZZES]
-Yes?
Who is it?
-He won't give his name.
He'd rather talk to Mr. Russell.
He says it's
regarding Mr. Hawkins.
-Well, of course I
want to speak to him.
Yes?
Yes, what is it you want?
I'm Mr. Russell's
Chief Executive--
-Do not waste time talking.
Just do as I say.
-You deliver your picture.
Then we can talk.
-Follow my instructions exactly.
Come on.
FUENTES: Miss?
-Tucson Package Delivery.
Can you hold, please?
Can I help you?
-(INCREDULOUSLY) $2 million?
-Do you really care?
Listen carefully.
Don't make any mistakes.
I am sure that Mr. Russell will
appreciate your efficiency.
Now, I want, first of all,
you should go to your bank.
-Now look, Frank,
your job is security.
Make sure those armored
trucks aren't followed.
-But suppose this character
just drives off with the money
after it's loaded in the truck.
-That's why we send The Farmer.
-The Farmer?
How much do we tell
the truck driver?
-He'll know nothing
until they arrive
at wherever the
rendezvous takes place.
All he knows is top
priority aircraft parts.
-But won't he be
suspicious if he
doesn't even know
where he's headed?
-He's a truck driver.
Truck drivers don't
ask questions.
They're paid to
steer, load, unload,
and keep their mouths shut.
Now you find me the dumbest
looking truck driver you can,
and we're in business.
[PHONE BUZZES]
Pat.
-Larry, I think we ought to
find the smartest truck driver.
This isn't going to be an
ordinary trip, you know.
-He's right, Larry.
We can't take a chance.
-OK, OK.
Smart or dumb, I don't care.
Just get one.
Get him quickly.
Brief him.
Have him ready.
Now let's move.
-Well, what about The Farmer?
-You don't ever worry
about The Farmer.
He's been briefed, completely.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-OK, fun loving, hit the deck.
What did you do last
night, set a record?
You want to be a
moving man, so move!
-Peace, brother.
-Hey.
This is me, Sam Blue.
You need a job?
-What I need is
a few kind words.
-Does $0.75 a mile
sound kind enough?
-On the level?
-Yeah.
If you're interested,
shave close.
I'll fill you in over coffee.
If not--
-Got any razor blades?
-Well, Frank?
-Everything's set.
We made arrangements
with a produce trucker.
-Good.
When will he be able to load?
-Correction, they.
-What?
-His name is Blue-- Sam Blue.
He says he can't guarantee
delivery on a three-day trip
unless there are two trucks.
And if he doesn't know
where he's headed,
well, he'll need that
extra protection.
-Tell him it's OK.
Now all we have to do is find
out where our money's going.
-Oh, I see.
Two trucks?
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, very well.
Now, let me have the name
of your truck driver.
I will deal with him directly.
And remember, no
tricks, or your pilot
will be shipped to
you in two suitcases.
-You're gonna age
me fast, Uncle Sam.
-You aged me one night
in Montana, remember?
-Come on.
We've been all over that.
By the time I got
your fuel pump fixed,
the highway patrol had
shut down all the highways.
Cars, trucks, cranes,
planes-- everything
was stranded under a
beautiful blanket of snow.
-Yeah, and my blanket was
around you and that young girl
you found stranded.
I'm sure that had nothing to
do with you not returning it.
Oh, no.
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Paging Beacons driver Eldin
Klaussen to the
telephone, please.
Beacons driver Eldin Klaussen
to the phone, please.
-Hey, Judy, how
about some coffee?
-Make it two, will you?
You know her name already.
-Well, I just keep my eyes open.
-If she didn't have a tag,
you'd still know her name.
-Well, it pays to
keep alert, you know.
-On this trip it will.
I don't know where we're going
or what we'll bring back.
-So now what?
-Wait.
-For what?
-You're a trucker,
and you're asking me?
The same thing
that every trucker
spends half his life doing--
waiting for orders to roll.
-It's not always to kill
time in a truck stop.
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
A long-distance calls
for Sam Blue.
-Yes, yes.
Look, Kathleen, cut it out.
Your old man will be back
on his feet in no time.
Listen.
I'll call you again
before we get there, OK?
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Robert Morgan,
please report to
the message center.
-Hey, that's me.
Tell him to send it
in here, will you?
-Uh, this is from Sam Blue.
My sister's husband just
tangled with a train
at an unguarded river crossing.
Further instructions
are in my tractor.
We'll use our Morse
as a contact so I
can plan to meet you
wherever you are.
Regards, Sam.
-Hey, I was just beginning.
-Keep it hot.
I'll be back in a few days.
Anybody here?
Anybody here?
Friend or foe?
I hope you're friend.
-Follow me.
-Well, it's about time.
You're Robert Morgan.
-That's right.
Robert W. Morgan.
And you?
-Larry Benjamin, Chief Executive
Officer of The Russell Company.
Sam Blue told me about you.
You look younger than
I thought you were.
-I'm 28.
What's that got to do with it?
-Just wondering whether
you can handle the job.
-Well, I could handle
it a little better
if I knew what was happening.
But if you want
something hauled,
Morgan's your man, especially
with all this money involved.
$0.75 a mile.
That's a lot of lettuce.
Now you want to know whether
I can handle the job.
I've been a trucker for 10
years, five as a furniture man
and five as a freight hauler.
If it's stacks or
hangs, I can handle it.
-I believe you can.
Just in case, well, you've
met our insurance policy.
-Yeah.
He's a talkative cat.
He summed up his whole
life history in two words.
-He'll loosen up
if he likes you,
but he's not paid to like you.
-Looks like he was once
paid to be a truck driver.
-Yeah, he's done that,
among other things.
Pretty good at most
everything he does.
What he does for the
next three or four days
is very important to the
Russell organization.
-Well, I figured that.
Uh, what are you smuggling?
-We don't smuggle anything.
The Russell Company is
a legitimate company.
What we need is to have some
very valuable aircraft parts
hauled someplace
in utmost secrecy.
And they must arrive on
time, no matter what.
-I treat all my
shippers the same.
-The Farmer here can help
make your job a little easier.
Maybe I can give you a hand too.
-Hey, you don't have to do that.
-I know.
It's all right.
Just don't tell anybody.
You might spoil my image.
-Why don't you, uh,
just have them shipped
to one of your company planes?
-Because we don't know
where they're going.
You see, the buyer
is changing the route
and keeping the
affair top-secret
in order to avoid
a possible theft.
Even we don't know
where you're going.
-Well, that's great.
How do I find out?
-You keep in touch
with my office.
And you may be receiving
further instructions
from someone with
a German accent.
-[SPEAKING GERMAN]
-It's no time to get cute.
The less you know about
it, the better off you are.
You just stay in touch.
-What about my old
buddy Sam Blue?
This is his production.
I just inherited
the starring role.
-Eh, maybe you deserve it.
-Well, he's making me sweat.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Look, about your buddy--
I'll make sure he rejoins you,
no matter where you are.
-Oh, he'll make sure of that.
I know Sam.
He'll wish he hadn't
missed this trip.
-Especially this part.
-OK.
The Farmer will take
care of all the expenses.
Get back to that truck stop.
There's A little
surprise waiting for you.
And, uh, good luck.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-You know, Lazaro, if you
only brushed your teeth,
take a bath, change
your clothes,
maybe-- maybe you'd find
a woman of your own.
-All I care about now
is we get this pilot.
-The pilot?
The pilot?
I thought you forgot
about the pilot.
-Never!
He's going to make
us rich, stupido.
Let's go.
[INTERPOSING VOICES SPEAKING
SPANISH]
-See?
I told you it would be
here waiting for us.
[HORN HONKS]
-Well, nice little toy.
Hey, man, jump off.
Go check in with,
uh, [INAUDIBLE]
while I load this, OK?
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-What the hell do you
think you're doing?
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-That's the third light
plane I've heard today.
-So?
-So you can't hide this ranch.
-They come from the
airport for hunters.
They go after the mountain
lion, not a pilot.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-You're not going to
get away with this.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-If you want to
listen for planes,
you have lots of time
now, Mr. Hawkins.
[LAUGHTER]
-Farmer, want to keep
an eye on things?
I got to send a
couple post cards.
-Right.
-Come on.
Come on.
-Do you want any ice cream?
-[INAUDIBLE] waiting?
-Yeah.
A little.
-OK, let's go.
-Come on.
Let's get him!
Get him!
-Get him!
[SIREN WAILING]
-OK, let's get the
hell out of here.
-Let's go.
-Yeah, split.
MAN: Cops.
Come on.
-Let's get out of here, man.
-They was about to make me mad.
Gee, man.
This thing looks
like it's brand-new.
You mean to tell me you
got this many miles on it?
-Over 200,000.
Just getting broken in good.
-Nice, man.
Nice.
You got some rig here.
-Wrong.
You got sum rig here.
You're driving it, remember?
-Say, what's this?
Shortwave radio?
-Yeah, I guess you haven't
been on the road for a while.
A lot of the guys have
them now, you know,
in case you get lonely or
we run across an accident.
-I'll make sure I call you
when I get a little lonely.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-You seem pretty certain we'll
follow your instructions.
How do you know
we haven't alerted
the highway patrol and the FBI?
-Don't play any
games, Mr. Benjamin.
You have more to lose than I do
if you notify the authorities.
Now, I'll call you
again in three hours.
[DIAL TONE]
-These clowns at the port
pull out their microscopes
and find so much as a fly
hanging on this air hose,
then they'll slap a fine on us
for breeding, um, insect life
without an ICC permit.
-Speaking of bugs.
-Trying to get it all ship-shape
before you get to the port, eh?
-Yeah, we, uh, keep these things
a lot cleaner than most people
keep their clothes.
Besides, I'm not
breaking any law,
and you're not a cop
in the first place.
-That's right.
I'm not a cop.
I'm better than a cop.
-Are you sure about that?
-Listen, boy.
Logs and licenses are
the responsibility
of the Corporation Commission.
-You're impressing
me a whole bunch.
-We're legal.
We ought to be.
I get stopped and
searched so much,
I got to take two
showers a day to get
your fingerprints off of me.
-You're using our highways.
-And who pays for them?
I paid more than 4,000 bucks
last year in highway taxes.
-Smile, buddy.
Next year you'll pay more.
-What about him?
[HORN HONKS]
-The beer belly
bureaucracy, highway robbery
with a five o'clock shadow.
-You better go easy about
that five o'clock shadow.
Could have been worse.
It could have been
a close shave.
-Yeah, I guess you're right.
But I get so sick and tired
of being searched illegally
and being called names by a
bunch of pigs that sweat beer
and being questioned
about my rights.
But you're not a trucker.
You wouldn't understand what
I'm talking about, would you?
-No, I don't know what
you're talking about.
-Say, officer, is this
the right road to El Paso?
-Yes, sir.
Just follow the
signs all the way
to where it rejoins
with the interstate.
You'll have smooth sailing
all the way into El Paso.
-Thanks.
Thanks a lot, officer.
-We're just here
to be helpful, sir.
Well, if it wasn't so
close to quitting time,
I'd, uh, check your
permits here and now.
But this is your lucky day.
I'm going to let you go.
But they'll catch
anything at the port.
-You mean in the
truck, don't you?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN (ON RADIO): There
is still no word
from the Mexican authorities
about the missing
American TV reporter.
A massive search in the
rugged terrain is under way.
It's believed that this
news man, Frank Kennedy, who
had only started working for the
TV station a few weeks before,
either disappeared in the
mountains near Durango
or is possibly a victim of the--
-Hey, listen, if you're the
only one who knows where we're
going, now why in the
hell can't you tell me?
Look, like I told
you before, I don't
dig all this mumbo-jumbo jazz.
-Are you a real truck driver?
-Yeah, now beat it.
I'm on the phone.
-Look, this stopping to
phone every 100 miles
puts a cramp in my style.
-Stick 'em up, mister.
-Why?
Look, just tell me
where I'm going.
Why do you wan hold me up?
-You're a truck driver, right?
Yeah.
I see.
-Truck drivers make a
of money, don't they?
-Sure there is.
-Well?
-Not this trip, cowboy.
El Paso truck terminal.
-You're not a real truck driver.
-Now what makes you say that?
No, some bandit's
trying to hold me up.
Well, he looks like Jesse James.
What makes you say that?
No, I'm talking to
some kid, that's all.
-You're not fat enough
to be a truck driver.
-El Paso, Texas.
About two hours.
Well, if you put it
on the bulletin board,
it will be there, right?
Right.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-El Paso truck terminal.
Wait.
MAN (ON RADIO): Temperatures
in the Lone Star State range
from 79 in Waco with
scattered thunderstorms
to a sizzling 105 in Del Rio.
El Paso has now had its 415th
consecutive day of sunshine.
This weather report has been
brought to you by the Alcazar
Restaurant in
Juarez, Mexico, where
only the hospitality is
better than the food.
Remember the Alcazar,
the house of [INAUDIBLE].
Ralph, your friendly maitre
d', will do his utmost
to make your visit to
Juarez a memorable one.
ROBERT (ON CB): Come in, Farmer.
Come in, Farmer.
-You lonely up there?
-No.
Curious.
Are you sure we got aircraft
parts on this trailer?
-You're flying, ain't you?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER): Any cattle
driver headed to Colorado City,
please report to the cashier.
-That's right, Ira.
Now when Sam gets
a hold of you, just
give him Mr. Benjamin's number.
Now they'll take
care of everything.
Well, now, I can't
tell you where.
As a matter of fact, I'm
waiting for a call from some cat
right now.
-All right, Robert,
but just watch out
for those senoritas
over in Juarez.
-Yeah, well, uh, don't
you sweat it, Ira.
With my luck, the last place
I'll be heading is Mexico.
OK.
Right.
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Attention, please.
Dick Durang, report
to a security
officer on the
second level, please.
Dick Durang from the security
officer on the second level.
-Exactly 7 kilometers south
of Chihuahua, there is a cafe.
Exactly 7 kilometers.
Cafe del Carmen.
The proprietor there
will have a map for you.
It is complete and accurate.
-Well, that'll be a change.
I'm getting kind of
tired of talking to you.
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
MAN (ON LOUDSPEAKER):
Long-distance call
for Ira Morris.
-Sam!
Good to hear from you.
How's your brother-in-law?
Oh, no.
Some luck.
If you want to catch up
with your pal Morgan,
you'll have to contact,
uh, Mr. Benjamin
at Russell Aircraft
here in Tucson.
Benjamin, that's right.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Now you know why I
had to come along.
-How's that?
-Make sure you get to
Juarez without unloading.
-Huh.
-[SINGING IN SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[LAUGHING]
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SINGING IN SPANISH]
-[LAUGHING]
-Pedro!
-Forget about that.
Pack your bags now, everybody.
-Is this a trick?
A trick of Fuentes?
-No, no.
The Federales.
More than 100 troops are coming.
They're searching everyplace--
everyplace for a television man
who's missing near
here, a norte-americano.
No one can hide.
-We've got nothing to hide.
We have nothing to fear.
-You don't seem to understand
what my brother has said.
100 men!
They'll find the man, the Jeep.
-What man?
-You woman!
-Do you have no eyes?
It is just time.
Nobody-- nobody can
hide from the Federales.
-My sister's right.
I cannot be found here.
Pack quickly and go.
-What about Fuentes and
the rest of the men?
They're coming here soon.
-I still think it's a trick.
Besides, since when
do we take orders
from a woman and her brother?
We wait right here.
The Federales will come
with guns, not shovels.
If we run away, they'll
suspect something.
If we stay, they'll
drink our tequila.
They go away happy.
-And the pilot, eh?
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN (ON RADIO): Still no
report from Leslie Russell's
headquarters in Tucson about
rumors of a one-man satellite
that was launched
some two days ago.
The pilot, Paul Hawkins, has
not reported to headquarters.
Russell's Chief Executive
Officer, Larry Benjamin,
has refused further comment.
-Hey, Farmer, do you read me?
-You lonely again?
-How many pesos for a dollar?
FARMER (ON CB): About
10 or 12, isn't it?
ROBERT (ON CB): Well,
that's pretty close.
How many boxes of lettuce
do we have on this trailer?
-Is this the $64,000 question?
-Well, you're getting warm.
How many boxes of lettuce
do we have on this trailer?
-550, just about.
-Try 548.
FARMER (ON CB): If you say so.
-Two of those boxes
have something
in them besides lettuce.
Boy, have I been stupid.
FARMER (ON CB): If you say so.
ROBERT (ON CB): Well, don't
break down, because if you do,
you'll find me in Tahiti.
FARMER (ON CB): That's right.
I would find you, no
matter where you were.
ROBERT (ON CB): Oh,
don't sweat it, man.
When we top this next hill,
the only place you'll find me
is in overdrive.
FARMER (ON CB):
Now you're cooking.
ROBERT (ON CB): Hey, Farmer?
FARMER (ON CB): Si, Roberto.
ROBERT (ON CB): How come
they call you The Farmer?
FARMER (ON CB): I don't know.
I guess it's because
I'm always dreaming
of owning a cattle ranch.
-Why do you want to
own a cattle ranch?
That's a lot of work.
-This is no picnic.
I don't want to work
the cattle ranch.
I just want to make sure some
steak's around when I retire.
ROBERT (ON CB): How do you
like your steak cooked?
-Oh, no.
Tucson, Arizona.
Si.
Si.
Hey, Farmer, how do you
say "collect" in Spanish?
-Collecto!
-Hey, man, don't
drink that water.
They plan to use it to
irrigate chili peppers.
-Wrong.
They already did.
-Hello.
Mr. Benjamin.
I can hardly hear you.
Yeah.
OK.
Farmer, phone.
FARMER: Yeah.
OK.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Hey, you blind wetback.
What's Mexican for grouchiness?
[HORN HONKS]
-Pilot to copilot.
Do you read me?
-I read you.
What's up?
-Me and this
beautiful engine are
having a big love affair, man.
We're really rolling.
-So what?
-So I'll see you in Durango.
-Right on.
-Are you sure, Lazaro?
LAZARO: Si.
Si.
You came back.
-Of course I come back.
Now, is everything in control?
-Pedro came to warn us.
-Three years we
live here in safety.
You!
You ruin a fortress
with one bullet.
-Jefe, the pilot-- maybe
someone else see the parachute.
-Where is our pilot?
-He's safe in the desert.
-In the de-- he's
supposed to be here.
Here!
Now what have you done with--
-Silencio!
Jefe, he will come back
when the money comes.
If the money no come,
the pilot, he no come.
-I see.
Very well.
We wait for the
truck with the money.
-That's a very good idea.
Jefe, we will all wait here.
-What road?
Which way do these
trucks come from?
-From the south.
From Mazatlan.
-Si.
No other way around, no?
-It is the only paved road.
You know yourself
from the knot it
is only sheep roads
and riverbeds.
-Have some tequila.
-No, no.
I am tired.
Now come, Olivia.
We go to bed.
The trucks will be
here in the morning.
-And the Federales?
-We send them into
the mountains.
I am still not suspected.
-Unless her brother
says something.
-He won't say nothing.
-For two caps of gold,
Pedro will sell his wife.
For one, he'll sell his sister.
-Come on, Olivia.
-I'll buy her.
-Salud.
-Salud.
Jefe.
[LAUGHTER]
[LAUGHTER]
-My pet.
-Si?
--[INAUDIBLE] is much closer
to Mazatlan than you think.
-This is the place all right.
That plane Sam took from
Boston transferred passengers
in Houston, so it's
about two hours late.
We might as well
get some sack time.
-You catch some.
I'll stay out here,
because you never
can tell when one of
them hungry rabbits
might get a sniff
of that lettuce.
-OK, but wake me up when
that glory-grabbing Eskimo
gets here.
You know, I should
hit him for a raise.
I do all the work.
He gets all the money.
No wonder they
call him Uncle Sam.
WOMAN (VOICEOVER):
(WHISPERING) Are you awake?
Are you awake?
ROBERT (VOICEOVER): When you get
there, uh, send me a postcard.
WOMAN (VOICEOVER): I don't
even have your address.
ROBERT (VOICEOVER):
Well, [INAUDIBLE].
WOMAN (VOICEOVER): Yeah,
it's-- it's just, uh--
FARMER: Wake up.
Let's go.
-OK, Sleeping Beauty.
Wake up.
Let's go.
-Oh, man, couldn't you have
given me a couple more minutes?
I was just walking to
Elizabeth Taylor's bedroom.
-Yeah, was she there?
-No.
Sam get here yet?
-Came and went.
-Came and went?
-You heard right.
He said he was sorry about
you doing this thing alone,
but he knew you could handle it.
-That's nice of him.
What else did he say?
-Nothing much.
Kind of grim.
I guess he's shook up
over his sister's husband
getting cut up on that railroad
crossing the other day.
-Bad?
-No more legs.
-Thanks, God.
-I think he just wanted to
drive by himself for a while.
I don't think it will
be too cool to mention
it when we catch him.
-Got you.
Thanks for filling me in.
-Hm.
They made better time
than I thought they would.
-Come in, Sam Blue.
Come in, Sam Blue.
Do you read me?
-Forget it.
We'll catch him.
-You're right.
This Ensenada Freeway
doesn't have any exits.
Idiot must think
he owns the road.
-Maybe he does.
ROBERT: Not my side he doesn't.
-How very stupid of me.
-You can say that again.
Look, mister, I'll
yank you out of here.
You can get pretty warm
sitting here all day.
-I would certainly
appreciate that.
FARMER: If you yank
him out of there,
you'll rip his gas tank out.
Why don't you use the lift?
ROBERT: Got you.
Good idea.
-OK, pal.
Stay seated.
-Can you turn me around?
I want to go the other way.
-What?
-Can you turn me around?
I want to go the other way.
-At your service.
-More than you know, my friend.
I appreciate that.
How much do I owe you?
-How far is it to Mazatlan?
-About 200 kilometers.
Aah!
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
-Aah!
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Well, well, a
flat tire no less.
Well, well, the Eskimo gets
harpooned in the desert.
Let the younger generation
give you a hand.
-Yeah.
I've been reminded
about how young
I used to be enough
times for one night.
Now I'm looking forward
to growing older.
-That makes two of us.
LAZARO: More.
More than two.
-Yes.
More than the two
of you. [SPEAKING
SPANISH] More than the--
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-[SPEAKING SPANISH].
How would you like to
lose this hand, amigo?
-El dinero.
El dinero.
-I would like very much for you
to show me the money, senors.
I'm not giddy like Fuentes.
You can unload it slowly.
Take your time.
-Sorry.
I can't do that.
-These guys don't look like
port of entry inspectors.
-They might as well be.
Go ahead.
Take a look at your money.
Wait.
I'll help you.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH].
-What happened?
-I figured the best way
to deliver our load was
in one lump sum, so
I froze it solid.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
Where's the money?
-It's no use.
It will take you half a
day to pry them loose.
And by that time,
the Army's going
to find this road
very interesting.
-No more trouble.
All I want is the money.
-Well, I think the ice will melt
faster when we get the pilot.
-Muy bien.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
Follow us.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-We don't have much time.
Let's go.
-The money stays here with me.
-We'll take the tractor.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
-If we get out of
here all right,
I'll see to it that Russell
gives you men a healthy bonus.
-Man, just getting out of
here will be bonus enough.
-Well, in one hour, four
years' work and $50 million
in research is going
to blow sky high.
-[SPEAKING SPANISH]
[GUNSHOT]
-Pow, pow, pow!
-Hey, Farmer, give
me a hand, eh?
-That kid's OK.
-[SCREAMING]
-Well, I'll meet you
in two hours at that
truck stop you
keep raving about.
-The steaks are on me.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
-Ladies and gentlemen,
it's none other
than Mr. Mysterious
himself, Leslie Russell.
Mr. Russell, would you care
to comment on your experiences
during the space journey?
-I have nothing to say now.
There'll be a press
conference later on.
-Would you at least
tell us a little bit--
-No, nothing at all.
Nothing.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
-Well, I'll be--
[MUSIC PLAYING]