Three Days of the Condor (1975) - full transcript
A mild mannered CIA researcher, paid to read books, returns from lunch to find all of his co-workers assassinated. "Condor" must find out who did this and get in from the cold before the hitmen get him.
So tell her what you got.
Male, Caucasian, mid-40s,
appears to have been shot.
- Where?
- In his room.
- Very funny, Harold.
- Okay, okay.
The wound is just below the heart.
- Was he shot once?
- Seems to have been, yeah.
First you said, "Appears
to have been shot..."
Mr. Turner.
Dr. Lappe, I'm sure he's gonna
be here any second now.
Really?
Mr. Turner's late again.
Just get back to work.
Come on. We can dope it out in
five minutes and get back to work.
If Joey were here, you
know what he would say...
Joey isn't the only
mind in this place.
Come on. What calibre slug?
- You're missing the point, Ray.
- What do you mean?
The machine will come
back with a "Rephrase"
or "Please express
in other words."
Well, so what do you
want to feed in?
Turner, Joseph. No middle initial.
You're 17 minutes late.
Make it 12, will you? I
was bucking headwinds.
Dr. Lappe, anything in
the early pouch for me?
- Dr. Lappe.
- Yes?
Is there anything...
Nothing in response
to your report.
And please have the book I
left on your desk analysed
and on the computer by 4:00.
Yes, sir.
Better get the tolmieas moved
closer to the light, Doctor.
You're getting a
blight on the leaf.
At ease, Sarge. At ease.
Going to rain today. 10:20.
- There's got to be more details.
- I only read two chapters.
- No other clues?
- Not so far.
What time did they find him?
Just the same afternoon,
just early evening.
They never said what the
calibre of the bullet was.
- Apparently a .38.
- There it is again, "apparently."
Well, it made an entry wound
characteristic of a .38,
but they couldn't recover
the slug itself.
Hey, we're getting somewhere.
You guys figure it out. I have
Far East journals to read.
Hey, was the slug smashed
against the wall?
No. As a matter of fact,
there was no exit wound.
We're not getting anywhere.
Finish the book, Harold.
- Hi. What we've got so far is...
- Ice.
Instead of lead. Ice.
The murderer pours water
into a .38 calibre mould
and freezes it and keeps
it solid until the crime.
- Great.
- Then he shoots the guy
with the ice bullet.
Cops show up in a
half an hour, and
there's just a few drops of water.
- No bullet, no ballistics.
- That's great.
- Hey.
- Yeah?
What is this?
Calligraphy's getting beautiful.
What is it?
That means heaven.
That's it? Nothing else?
Well, it can mean "the best."
"Tops" sometimes. Why?
I'm not sure.
We're going to Sam and
Mae's tonight, right?
Well, why don't you
talk to Sam about it?
About this? I did.
He says, "Well,
that's interesting,
but it's not my department."
Which means he doesn't
think there's
anything, just like Dr. Lappe.
- And you.
- Well, there's not much.
A mystery that's been translated?
A mystery that didn't sell
that's been translated into a
very odd assortment of languages.
Turkish, but not French, Arabic,
but not Russian or German.
Dutch.
- Spanish?
- Yes.
- Yes.
- Hey,
where'd you get that thing about
the ice? Dashiell Hammett?
Dick Tracy. Are you sure
about this ideogram?
Look at this face. Could I
be wrong about an ideogram?
It's a great face, but
it's never been to China.
Ray, when can I get
some computer time?
Dick Tracy?
He was a very
underrated detective.
There's some free time at 2:45.
Morning pick-up.
No, no, no, no. Stay on
schedule. I'll get it.
- Four pieces, right?
- Right.
- Hold it. Hold it.
- Five.
- Affirmative. Fiver.
- Where is Mr. Heidegger?
- He called in sick, Dr. Lappe.
- He's probably hung over again.
This is extraordinary. I was
just checking the files
and I came across this carbon copy
of an inquiry he sent to
Persian Gulf command.
He did that for me.
It never went through my office.
I asked him to do
some research for me.
I guess he didn't feel
it was that important.
I wish you people would
go through channels.
What's on your mind?
Okay.
This was in the pouch
from New York Centre.
HQ at Langley said there's nothing
from any other intelligence source
- to support your theory.
- Gentlemen.
Is this your idea of
working on that book?
I'll have it on the
computer by 4:00.
We have people to
service these machines.
These things are really pretty
simple. They just
look complicated.
Mr. Turner, I wonder if
you're entirely happy here.
- Within obvious limits, yes, sir.
- Obvious limits?
It bothers me that I can't
tell people what I do.
Why is it taking you so
long to accept that?
Well,
I actually trust a few
people. That's a problem.
Well, I believe it's your
turn to bring in lunch.
What time is it?
- 11:22.
- The rain's gonna stop by 11:30.
You can wait eight minutes.
Yes, yes.
Mr. Turner? Hey. Hey.
Damn it. It's not a proper exit.
He always goes out that way when
it rains. Saves him a block.
Personnel should
enter and exit the
premises by authorised means only.
Jimmy.
Hey, Shakespeare, how's it going?
Terrific.
I'm building up a great
collection of rejection slips.
Yeah, I know the feeling. I
always wanted to be Escoffier.
Well, maybe it's not too late.
You know, van Gogh was 30
- before he started to paint.
- No kidding?
There's no mayonnaise
on Dr. Lappe's.
On the other hand,
Mozart was three
when he started to play the piano,
and he was composing at six.
Fast starter. It's
probably better.
I don't know.
Van Gogh never sold
a painting in a
whole lifetime.
Mozart died a pauper.
Where am I, the New
York Public Library?
Hey, that's a very bright man.
It's very educational.
That's why I come in here.
You come in here to get sick,
just like everybody else.
Hey, come on.
Hey, no butter on Ray's sandwich.
You know, he gets very
panicky about butter.
Give it to Jennings in the back.
He'll sign for it. Just...
Edwina Rose...
Mrs. Russell, was the
Kirkus report in this...
Wait, wait, wait.
Would you move from
the window, please?
Pardon?
Would you move from
the window, please?
I won't scream.
I know.
A little breakdown in
the security there?
Well, what... What are you doing?
What...
Come on, now. Now, come on.
Harold.
For Christ's sake. What
the hell you doing, Mac?
Do your sleeping at
night, will you?
- This is the Major.
- This is Joe Turner. Listen...
- Identification.
- What?
Identification.
My name is Turner. I work
for you. Now listen...
- Identify yourself.
- I don't...
What is your designation?
Condor.
Section 9, department 17.
The section's been hit.
- What level?
- What level?
- Level of damage.
- Everybody.
Dr. Lappe, Janice, Ray,
Harold. Harold was in the...
Are you on a company line?
No, no. I'm in a phone booth. I'm
just a block away.
I'm in the street.
You're in violation of secure
communication procedures, Condor.
Listen, you son of a bitch. I'm
telling you, I came
back with lunch,
and it was raining,
and the whole house
was murdered. Everybody is dead.
Right. Has the incident
been discovered
by anyone outside the company?
I don't... I don't know.
I don't think so.
Are you damaged?
Damaged?
- No.
- Are you armed?
I don't... I have
Mrs... I don't...
I can't remember her code name.
Nightingale.
She was afraid of being raped. She
kept a gun. I've got the gun.
Identify the armament.
It's a .45 automatic. Will you
guys bring me in, please?
I'm not a field agent.
I just read books.
- Leave the area.
- All right. Well...
Well, do I come in
to headquarters now?
Negative. Find a secure location.
- Where?
- Avoid any place you're known.
Do not go home.
Surface again in two
hours, and call the Major.
That'll be 14:30, your time.
Wait a minute. All
right. 2:30, right?
Now, walk away from the
phone. Don't hang it up.
Don't...
This is the panic officer.
Section 9-17 may have been hit.
Activate following procedures.
NY 127, DC 469er.
Replay of the report
upcoming. Stand by.
Augie One to New York Centre.
This is New York Centre.
Go ahead, Augie One.
- Who am I talking to?
- Higgins, Deputy Director.
I'm holding the baby, go ahead.
Hit confirmed. Maximum as
reported. Six cold items.
- What was the quality of work?
- Clean, fast, first-rate.
Did you say six?
Excepting Condor, there
should be seven.
Repeat. Six. Here's a
rundown on those items.
Lappe, Chon, Russell,
Jennings, Martin, Mitchell.
All right, Augie One. Find seven.
Thank you.
Condor.
Researcher type who likes
to read comic strips.
Who is it?
Jesus.
Hey, you. You ring my buzzer?
- It was a mistake, buddy.
- Not you guys.
Hey. Hey.
Hey, who are you?
Hey, who the hell are you?
Augie Three here. We found
item seven, Ralph Heidegger.
He bought it at home.
Okay. Button it up, Augie.
I'll send you more janitors.
- Yes, sir.
- I need Langley right away.
Yes, sir.
Garber speaking.
This is Higgins,
Deputy Director, New
York. Let me have department 17.
Somebody took out one
of your sections.
- What?
- 9-17.
That's New York. Somebody
got mugged maybe.
They were hit.
They're bookworms,
for Christ's sake.
They got seven out of eight.
We're on the shuttle to
LaGuardia side. Thirty minutes.
You say one of my
people is still okay?
- Condor. You know him?
- No.
Is he okay enough to
say what happened?
They didn't touch him. He
was literally out to lunch.
- What does he say happened?
- He's not in yet.
First call was a
little wild, scared.
- Who's bringing him in?
- Higgins.
- Higgins.
- Transportation.
We're already booked
on the shuttle.
This is Wicks, OIC department 17.
I want a chopper on the pad,
fuelled for New York, now.
- Hey, Lois.
- They're waiting for you.
- What?
- Your two friends.
They said you'd be home early.
They just got here. Said
you gave them the keys.
Mr. Turner?
- This is the Major.
- This is Condor.
Stand by, Condor. I'm routing
you to New York Centre.
Condor 1-1, Mr. Higgins.
Hello, Condor.
Who is this?
Deputy Director Higgins,
New York Centre.
I'm controlling now,
Condor. Where are you?
How come I need a code
name and you don't?
Where are you, Turner?
Here.
You all right?
Are you insane? Everybody's dead.
Take it easy. Just take it easy,
and we'll bring you home.
Now, here's how we'll do it.
Do you know the Ansonia Hotel?
- Broadway and 71st.
- Broadway and 73rd.
There's an alley behind the hotel.
One hour from now at exactly 1530,
I want you to enter that alley
from the 73rd Street side.
Will you be there?
The head of your department
just came here from DC.
He's gonna bring you home.
- I've never met him.
- Don't worry.
He's studying your photos now.
Turner?
Turner.
I don't know you, either.
We'll meet.
He'll be carrying a Wall Street
Journal in his left hand.
- There were two guys at my house.
- What were you doing there?
- You were told not to go there.
- I was homesick. Who were they?
They were ours.
What were they doing in my house?
I'm not going into any
alley with you or anybody,
and fuck The Wall Street Journal.
Turner, it's been a long, bad
day. You've been under...
You're damn right I've been under.
All right, Turner.
We'll bring along a familiar
face, somebody you know.
Who's left?
You got a friend in
statistics named Sam Barber.
Sam...
- You guys are something.
- Will he do?
Yes, Sam will do.
All right, Turner.
Stay well for 60 minutes,
and you're home.
- Can I ask a question?
- Sure.
What is happening?
I'll talk to you in 60 minutes.
You've got 55.
This is ridiculous.
You're not a field agent.
It's standard procedure.
To pick up a friend?
- What about you, Mr. Wicks?
- No, thanks.
Side arm?
I don't know. Have you got a .45?
You bet.
Here, let me help you with that.
How long have you known Condor?
Who, Joey? I knew him
before he was a bird even.
We went to CCNY. My wife Mae, too.
Yeah?
- She ever Condor's girl?
- Here you go, Mr. Wicks.
Hey, can you tell me anything
about what happened today?
- When?
- This morning.
All those murders.
What murders?
Sam?
Sam.
Here he is. Joe.
Hey, Sam,
where's that other...
What are you doing?
It's him. It's him.
Joe.
Katherine Hale. H-A-L-E.
08, 1156,
172, 208, 875.
Amount, $51.86.
Where's there enough
snow this early?
- Vermont, I hope.
- What's open now, Sugarbush?
No, I don't do downhill.
This is for cross-country.
Don't like the lift lines, huh?
474? Thank you.
Kathy.
Kathy. Where have you been?
Here, let me give you a hand.
- Wait a minute, I don't know...
- Don't do anything.
Be quiet. Get in the car. Don't
make a sound. Don't be dumb.
Come on. Hurry up.
Get in.
Listen, please don't hurt me.
Where do you live?
Where do you live?
- Brooklyn Heights.
- Alone?
I live with a friend.
You live alone. Come on, let's go.
Leave the stuff.
Hey, Kathy.
You should have said hello.
- Where is it?
- Here.
"Condor shot us both."
Evidently, that was the only
statement he could make
before they took him
into the operating room.
And the other man,
Barber, he's dead?
Before he hit the
ground, Mr. Atwood.
You should add that it
was a remarkable shot,
a half inch above his flak jacket.
- I thought this guy was...
- Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Was Condor qualified
with a handgun?
Two years military
service, Signal Corps.
Telephone lineman, long lines,
switchboard maintenance.
Six months overseas.
Separated 9/'61. Worked at Bell
Labs Communication Research.
College on the GI Bill.
The question was, Mr. Higgins,
is he qualified with a handgun?
No handgun, sir. M1
rifle and carbine.
Evidently, it was sheer luck.
Or else...
- Yes?
- Or else what, Mr. Higgins?
This Condor isn't the man
his file says he is.
Then where did he
learn evasive moves?
- He reads.
- He...
What the hell does that mean?
It means, sir, that
he reads everything.
- I don't understand.
- Yes. Very good.
- Has Operations got anything?
- Absolutely nothing, sir.
- Extraordinary.
- It was very well executed.
Which requires planning,
communications, tracks.
I'm not asking for footprints,
but a blade of grass, a broken
twig, something disturbed.
Yes, sir.
- Wicks seems to be all we've got.
- Where do we have him?
We don't.
They rushed him to Guvenor
Emergency before we got word.
Maybe we should leak the
name of the hospital,
try to get Condor
to make his move.
Of course, Len, don't expect too
many mistakes from this man.
After all, he does seem
rather more interesting
than just another of
our reader researchers.
For example, has he gone
into business for himself?
Was he turned around?
Does someone operate him?
Is he homosexual?
Broke? Vulnerable?
Could he be a soldier of fortune?
Did he arrange the hit?
Is that why he's still in flight?
Still, he may be an innocent.
But then, why didn't he come
in gently with Mr. Wicks?
- Tentrex Industries.
- It's a cover.
- For what?
- I work for the CIA.
Oh, Jesus.
Your assignment for today was
to go out and kidnap a girl.
Look it up. Look it up.
Tentrex Industries.
Then look up the number
for the CIA in New York.
You mean they're listed,
like my Aunt Gladys?
It's under "US Government
Agencies." Go on.
Is this what you do?
This photography?
Okay.
It's the same number.
You could have had the card made.
Yes, I could've made the card
in a machine, but I didn't.
You really get into it, don't you?
Sit down.
I told you I had a friend.
15.5, 34.
I dig 15.5, 34s.
What size are you?
What are you, a clown?
- I'm scared.
- So am I.
What are you scared for?
You've got the gun.
Yes.
Yeah, and it's not enough.
Listen.
I work for the CIA.
I am not a spy.
I just read books.
We read everything that's
published in the world.
And we... We feed the
plots, dirty tricks, codes
into a computer, and the computer
checks against actual CIA
plans and operations.
I look for leaks. I
look for new ideas.
We read adventures and
novels and journals.
I...
Who'd invent a job like that?
I... Listen.
- People are trying to kill me.
- Who?
I don't know, but
there's a reason.
There is a reason.
And I just need
some safe, quiet time to
pull things together.
- Here.
- Here.
That's only fair.
Where is the guy with the shirts?
He's at a ski place, in
the Green Mountains.
We just want to go
cross-country skiing
for a couple of weeks,
away from everything.
What time does the
news go on, 6:00?
6:00.
Forty minutes.
- Come here.
- No, please. Please don't.
Lie down.
Lie down. Against the wall.
Put this arm behind
you, and keep it there.
Now you listen to me. I am tired.
I've got to close my
eyes for a while.
I can't think straight.
If you try and move,
or climb off the bed,
I'll know it. I'll feel it,
and I promise you I'll hurt you.
Couldn't you let me
stay in the other room?
No.
I believe what you told me.
No, you don't.
I don't know if I do.
That includes Condor, of course.
Yes, I owe you Condor.
- Otherwise...
- Otherwise does not exist.
Will Condor take long?
- Do you want an estimate?
- There is a time factor.
Always with you people.
Condor is an amateur.
He's lost, unpredictable,
perhaps even sentimental.
He could fool a professional.
Not deliberately, but
precisely because he is lost.
He doesn't know what to do.
Unlike Wicks,
who has always been
entirely predictable.
The man Condor
killed in the alley.
Some friend of his.
- Close friend?
- I suppose so. Why?
It interests me.
What was his name?
I don't know. He was
nobody. He was...
Right.
What about Wicks?
You want the firm to question him?
They will, you know.
We don't want that.
Cost you nothing.
I was careless with Condor.
Wicks will be done for nothing.
What time is it? What time is it?
It's news time.
Get up.
Lonely pictures.
So?
You're funny.
You take pictures of empty streets
and trees with no leaves on them.
It's winter.
Not quite winter.
They look like
November.
Not autumn, not
winter. In-between.
I like them.
Thanks.
Eyewitness News continues
with an update from...
Sit down.
At the scene of the
Ansonia shootings.
The shootings behind
the Hotel Ansonia
remain a complete
mystery at this hour.
The victims' identities
have not yet been revealed.
Victims?
And according to a
police spokesman,
- drugs were not involved...
- Did he say victims?
Nor does it seem to
have been a robbery.
Lieutenant, can you tell us
anything about the
possible motive?
- Not at present.
- Have you identified the victims?
They were employees of a
large insurance company.
What?
They were making a routine
inspection for
possible violations.
And did the victims know their
assailant or assailants?
- Absolutely not.
- Excuse me.
Well, there you have it. One man
dead, one seriously wounded
in an alley on the west
side of Manhattan,
and the man with the
gun, still at large.
Stan Roberts, Eyewitness News,
- New York.
- Sam.
Jesus Christ.
Victims. What is he...
What happened in that alley?
- I didn't shoot him.
- You said you shot somebody.
But not Sam.
Nobody in that alley said
anything about the CIA.
But...
But they were there.
Wait a minute.
You're telling me...
They had to have been
to change that story.
Wait a minute. What did Higgins
say? What did Higgins say?
He said he wouldn't be there.
He said the section chief was
coming in, the section chief...
Wait a minute. He's...
Section chief would be
coming in from Washington.
He'd have to reach Sam. Sam
would have to call me.
Hello?
- I need your car.
- That's called grand theft.
You don't want to get in
trouble with the police.
This guy in Vermont, what's he
gonna do when you don't show up?
Probably call very soon now.
Call, or do I have to worry
about him showing up here?
You're not entitled to
personal questions.
That gun gives you the
right to rough me up,
it doesn't give you the
right to ask me...
Rough you up? Have
I roughed you up?
Yes. What are you
doing in my house?
Have I? Have I? Have I raped you?
The night is young.
You don't believe anything
I've said, do you?
I believe you're in
trouble, danger,
but I don't know what kind,
and I'm not sure how
much of it is made up,
real, but...
Doesn't make any difference.
Doesn't matter.
- Just wait a minute. Will you...
- Forget it.
I'm trying to understand
what you're saying to me.
What are you doing? Let me go.
You're hurting me. Wait a minute.
You bully.
Don't tie me up. Come on, please.
This is
unfair.
I know.
Hi, Joey. You're
early. Come on in.
Hey, is Janice working late?
So is Sam.
Hey, pour one for me,
too, will you, Joey?
It's their own fault if we're
zonked when they get here.
Hey, I've got it.
We'll give them an hour,
and if they're not here,
then it's you and me, babe,
just like old times.
Joey.
What is it?
- Hey, what is it, Joey? What?
- Mae.
- What's wrong?
- Mae.
How do you know
Sam's working late?
- What do you think he's doing?
- When did he call?
I don't know. 2:00 or 2:30.
What did he say? Exactly.
He didn't exactly. He
had the centre call.
- Who at the centre?
- I didn't recognise his voice.
It wasn't that lady
that usually...
Hello?
- What is it?
- Third damn time tonight.
Third time?
It's some creepy burglar
casing the joint.
Mae, I want you to
get out of here.
Well, I can't, Joey. I'm cooking.
Right now. Just do
what I tell you, Mae.
What about dinner?
Don't ask me. Go to
Bill and Eileen's.
- Stay there until I call.
- Joey, what's going on?
Please.
- Joey, you...
- Don't argue. Move. Move.
- Joey, this is crazy.
- Go upstairs and stay there.
Do what I'm telling you. I'll
call you. And stay there.
- Joey. Joey, you're scaring me.
- I'll call you.
- Do what I'm telling you, please.
- What about Sam?
Yours?
No.
Happy birthday to Grandpa
You're always pushing the buttons.
- Would you stop it, would you?
- That's nice.
Fifth floor, ladies' underwear.
Kids.
Probably the same everywhere.
This is the second floor.
I do it all the time.
- After you.
- No. Go ahead.
Okay.
Anybody here good
with a coat hanger?
What?
I locked my keys in my
car. I need to get in.
I'll give you some money,
couple of bucks, okay?
Anybody can get in the car?
Come on, you can't tell me you've
never busted into a car before.
Okay. I've busted a
car. But how much?
No, come on.
Five bucks. Five bucks if
you help me get in my car.
- Five bucks? Why not? Yeah.
- I don't have much time.
- Can you give me a break?
- Yeah.
Do you mind?
All right. Five bucks. Five bucks.
I'll be right back. Come on, man.
You can all come.
Have some fun.
Damn.
Wait a minute.
Give me the money.
Hey.
I want you to answer the phone.
I'm not going to answer the...
I'm not answering any phone.
Answer it. Answer it.
You answer this
phone. Tell him what
a brave son of a bitch you are.
Get in there and answer.
I want you to be casual and nice.
- Hello?
- Where the hell are you?
- Ben?
- Who do you think it is?
Ben.
You were supposed to
be up here by now.
- I know.
- You haven't even left yet.
I was held up.
Held up? That's no excuse.
Come on, what's going on, doesn't
this trip matter to you?
- It matters.
- Yeah, sure.
- No, it does.
- Come on. Come on.
This has happened over and over
again. The last
minute, some excuse.
No, this is different.
What's the hold up?
- The car.
- What about it?
Broke down.
What do you mean? What broke down?
- The generator went.
- Oh, Christ, the generator.
- That's going to take forever.
- Maybe not.
I tried to call you before, but...
The generator... It's... Look,
it's gonna take too long.
Why don't you just... Look,
forget about the car.
Just take the bus up first
thing in the morning.
I'll try.
Try?
What's... What the hell's going
on? Are you okay? What's...
No, I'm okay. I'm fine.
You don't sound so fine.
I wish you would understand.
I do. I do, I do. It's just...
God damn it, I'm just
disappointed, that's all.
I really...
I really wanted to be with you up
here, tonight, babe, you know?
I know.
- We'll have time.
- Yeah.
Look, get...
Get the very first bus out
in the morning, okay?
All right.
- Good night, sweetheart.
- Good night, babe.
Listen, I'll be going
in the morning.
Where?
Was it all right?
All right?
Outside, was it safe?
Wherever you went.
I'm not sure.
Oh, God.
I wish I knew more.
About you.
Yesterday.
Today.
I don't remember yesterday.
Today it rained.
Why did you have to
tie me up like that?
You thought I'd call the police.
I wouldn't have.
Why?
Sometimes I take a picture that
isn't like me, but I took
it, so it is like me.
It has to be.
I put those pictures away.
I'd like to see those pictures.
We don't know each
other that well.
Do you know anybody that well?
I don't think I want
to know you very well.
I don't think you're
gonna live much longer.
Well, I may surprise you.
Anyway, you're not
telling the truth.
- What do you mean?
- You'd rather be with somebody
who's not going to
live much longer,
at least somebody who
would be on his way.
- I'm not...
- You take pictures,
beautiful pictures,
but of empty streets
and trees with no
leaves, November.
Why haven't you asked
me to untie your hands?
How much do you want?
I just want to stop it.
For a few hours.
For the rest of the night.
And then I'll go.
Joe.
What was his name?
What is it Higgins said? Was it...
The head of your department
just came here from DC.
He's gonna bring you home.
I've never met him.
Anything in the early pouch?
Headquarters at Langley
says there's nothing
from any other intelligence
source to support your theory.
Headquarters at Langley
says there's nothing
from any other intelligence
source to support your theory.
Wicks.
- You didn't sleep well.
- You didn't?
No, you didn't.
You're up early.
Well, I had some thoughts.
I've got a plan.
I don't know if it'll
work or not, but...
I'll need your help.
Have I ever denied you anything?
Hey.
Well, when things quiet down,
you're really a very
sweet man to be with.
You had bad dreams.
Talked in your sleep.
What did I say?
Who's Janice?
Was she a volunteer
or a draftee like me?
She was a friend.
She's dead.
Do I have permission
to take a shower?
You don't have to help, you know.
No, no. I'll help.
You can always depend
on the old spy-fucker.
Okay.
- I'm sorry.
- No.
No, I didn't mean...
I didn't mean to say that.
I'm really sorry.
I'd like to help you.
- Eighteen, isn't that...
- Yes.
AID in ICU, 10-9-8.
Yeah?
Insured package for
Katherine Hale.
Could you leave it
out on the stoop?
Somebody's got to sign for it.
Well, she's... She's not here.
It's okay, you can sign.
Yeah?
Her name on top,
yours on the bottom.
All right.
- Wonderful.
- Government pens.
Look, I don't have another pen.
I'll get one.
Don't... Don't... No, no.
No, no. No.
Now listen. You're
okay. You're okay.
Now listen to me. You're okay.
Can you get dressed? You're okay.
Can you get dressed?
Please, hurry.
Stella Boutique.
Extension 1891, please.
Pardon me?
Is this 662-3799?
- Yes. Who's this?
- There's no extension 1891?
Are you kidding? We're lucky if
we have any phone service at all.
Sorry.
- Operator.
- Operator.
What's the area code
for Washington? DC.
That's 202.
Kathy.
6311.
CIA? Langley?
6311.
Extension 1891.
1891.
Let me speak to Mr. Wicks.
He's not here just now. May I
ask who's calling, please?
How do you feel? You okay?
What did you do to those people?
What people? I don't know
who they are any more.
I file a report, and a guy
in Washington reads it.
He's supposed to read it.
He's my section chief,
and he comes to New
York to shoot me.
- Did you know him?
- No.
Did you know the postman?
No, but the guy in Washington did.
Then you won't know
the next one, either.
I'm not gonna wait
for the next one.
- Has he gone double or dirty?
- I don't know, sir.
You think he's still
in New York City?
I wouldn't be.
Question. Is there an
intelligence network,
undetected by CIA, linking certain
Arabic-speaking countries
with Dutch and Spanish-speaking?
We're already visible. Let's
not become conspicuous.
If company agents aren't
enough, use freelance.
Use whatever it
requires, but end it.
Okay.
Let's get it over with, okay?
Kathy.
Thanks.
Applications here.
Okay.
See Mr. Addison. Turn right,
first door on your left.
Mr. Marcus.
- Mr. Addison?
- No.
He's in Clearance. You passed
it. It's on your left.
Sorry.
Thank you.
Yep. I didn't get the job.
Looks good,
but I have this friend,
and he asked me to
give you a message.
Quote, "Dear Mr. Higgins,
"this will introduce a friend
of mine, Sparrow Hawk.
"Please accompany her to the
Nassau Street exit of this place.
"Now."
Personally, I'd do it,
because he has this huge gun, and
he's looking at us right now.
I'll save this for you.
Shall we?
To your left, please.
Okay, sit up. Sit up.
All the way up. Back
up against the panel.
Take it easy. Take it
easy. I'm not armed.
They could be DFing us if
you have a transmitter
hidden somewhere on your
clothes. What's this?
DF, huh? You do read
everything, don't you?
This is no goddamn
book. Somebody or
something is rotten
in the company.
You never complained
till yesterday.
You didn't start killing
my friends till yesterday.
- Who's she?
- Who hit the Lit Society?
We had a big meeting about
that. Your name came up.
Five Continents
Imports. Ring a bell?
- Where'd you get that?
- The postman.
- Mailman?
- The one you sent.
You know, the one with
the uniform, cute
little leather pouch,
automatic gun.
We never use postmen.
Would you also happen
to be familiar
with a very tall gentleman,
about 6'4", blond hair,
strong like a farmer,
not American?
Accent. Country, near Germany.
Maybe Alsace-Lorraine?
- Yes?
- Was the letter delivered?
The return receipt
has not arrived.
You should've delivered
it yourself.
A more complicated package
had to be handled.
But I might have
underestimated this one.
I was told you never make
that kind of mistake.
- What will you do?
- Wait.
For what?
People who move leave word
of change-of-address.
- I wanna see that report, Turner.
- No, no, Higgins, come on.
- Do you know him?
- Professionally, yes.
- Professionally, he kills people.
- Yes.
Yes.
He works for the company?
He did once. He's
a contract agent.
- Contract agent.
- Freelance.
Where did you see him?
- It would help if I knew.
- Who would it help?
- Who'd hire him now?
- Anybody.
Terrific answer.
- I wouldn't accept it, either.
- What's his name?
When I knew him, Joubert.
Come on, Higgins. Who'd hire him?
You don't look up Joubert
in the Yellow Pages.
That's right.
It would have to be
somebody in the community.
- Community?
- Intelligence field.
Community. Jesus, you guys are
kind to yourselves. Community.
I want to see that report, Turner.
That report was sent to
headquarters and disappeared.
- Who read it?
- You mean besides Wicks?
You tell me.
I pick up traces of what I
think's an intelligence network
the company doesn't know about,
and I report it.
Now, why is that going to
make anybody mad, Higgins?
Unless it was the
company's network
and you didn't want it blown,
not even to your own guys.
Now, somebody is lying, Higgins.
Come on.
Why is everybody so shy?
I'm not shy.
I don't know. That's
what worries me.
- I don't know.
- Ask Wicks.
Wicks died.
Someone yanked him off the life
support system at
Guvenor Hospital.
Get me in, Higgins.
What good would that do if you're
right, and they are inside?
What good would it
do to bring you in?
What am I supposed to do?
I'm sorry.
You're sorry?
You're sorry.
I get it.
I get it. You expect
me to draw fire,
like one of those
penny arcade bears
that parades back and forth,
waiting for somebody,
somebody very good, just
to take another shot.
And you're just gonna hang around
and pick him up before he
does it, or just after?
I'm gonna try and find
out what's going on.
I'm gonna cross-check
all those names.
- Nice talking to you, Higgins.
- Now wait a minute.
- Have a nice day.
- Where are you going?
Where will I find you?
I'll find you.
Do you trust him?
Trust.
Does he trust you?
He's in the suspicion business.
He can't trust anybody.
But they all are. How could
anybody sneak in and fool them?
Maybe nobody did.
Then...
Maybe there's another CIA
inside the CIA.
Hey, Sal.
The lights went off.
Come on over here.
The generator went off.
- It's a hotel room.
- What hotel?
There's no tag. It's Room
819, City of New York.
There's a code number
cut in the edge.
You in the trade?
- I read about it in a story.
- Was the story about locksmiths?
It's the lock
manufacturer's code. He
can give you the
name of the hotel.
Look, I don't want to read
about you in the paper, sonny.
Will you make the call?
Yes?
I'm doing a survey.
Do you believe the Condor is
really an endangered species?
- Your room number, please.
- 819.
- Hello?
- Yes.
- I just had an interesting call.
- Who is this?
In reference to an all but
extinct bird, the condor.
- Have you had such a call?
- You're a fool to call me here.
- You had no such call?
- No.
Must have been the
Audubon Society.
I assume they're still
located in New York City.
Langley Computer. State
your program at the tone.
G.
Carriage return.
TRS. Tone.
Symbol for number.
Computer is ready.
That number is 202-227-0098.
CNA, Mrs. Coleman speaking.
This is Harold Thomas,
Mrs. Coleman.
Customer service,
requesting a CNA on
202-227-0098.
One moment, please.
That would be a Mr.
Leonard Atwood.
365 Mackenzie Place,
Chevy Chase, Maryland.
All right.
Cross-check this tape against
Wicks and hold any intersects.
Hat size.
"Lucifer."
All right, run Lucifer.
Coming up.
I'll be damned. I'll be damned.
- This is the Major.
- Condor.
Find me Higgins.
Routing you, Condor. Stand by.
Hello, Condor.
- The Holiday Inn, 57th Street.
- Is that where you are now?
Room 819. If you
move it, you'll find
the Alsatian gentleman
we spoke of.
Where are you, Condor?
Where are you?
Quiet down.
Hey, Higgins?
Yeah, I'm right here.
Who is Leonard Atwood?
Where are you, Higgins?
Ain't we pals any more?
- Something?
- Major?
- Got him.
- Let me see that.
What's he doing in Brooklyn?
Condor.
- We can get a unit...
- Wait.
What's going on, Major?
Son of bitch wired
together 50 phones.
What?
Everybody in Brooklyn's
talking to each other.
I didn't know you smoked.
I quit three years ago.
- You're so pale.
- It's the light in here.
What are you gonna do there?
- See a guy.
- More secrets.
Like those pictures you hide.
Yes.
Someday, I'd like to
show them to you,
if you live through this.
You could drive me to Washington.
No, I couldn't.
You... You have a lot
of very fine qualities,
but...
What fine qualities?
You have good eyes.
Not kind, but they don't lie,
and they don't look away much,
and they don't miss anything.
I could use eyes like that.
But you're overdue in Vermont.
Is he a tough guy?
He's pretty tough.
What will he do?
Understand, probably.
Boy, that is tough.
Last call, track six,
Newark connection
passengers for Baltimore and
Washington DC, all aboard.
Kathy, I need time.
Eight hours or so, that's
all. Just till noon.
To do what I have to do.
Do you understand what I'm saying?
No.
Are you going right to Vermont?
Yes.
What I mean is don't call anyone.
Don't stop, please.
Don't tell anyone about...
- Jesus.
- What?
Jesus.
I didn't...
All aboard.
Hey.
You take care of yourself.
I'll do my best.
Do your best.
Why aren't you further
along, Mr. Higgins?
You mean with the company, sir?
You seem perfect for it.
Are you perfect for
it, Mr. Higgins?
I have tried to be, sir.
You were recruited out of school?
No, sir.
Company interviewed a
few of us in Korea.
You served with Colonel Donovan
in the OSS, didn't you, sir?
I sailed the Adriatic with
a movie star at the helm.
Doesn't seem like much of
a war now, but it was.
I go even further back than that.
Ten years after the Great
War, as we used to call it,
before we knew enough
to number them.
You miss that kind of action, sir?
No.
I miss that kind of clarity.
Yes?
Thank you.
He's being held at
New York Centre.
Mr. Higgins, you do understand
the company's position.
There's nothing in the way of
your doing this, is there?
What is this?
What's going on?
Who are you?
Who are you?
What are you doing here?
I'm Condor.
Sit down.
What do you do for a living?
- Don't be ridiculous.
- No.
What do you do exactly?
Deputy Director of Operations.
What section?
Middle East.
What are you working on?
What are you doing?
What's the secret worth murdering
everybody at the ALHS house?
- There's no secret.
- Wicks showed you my report.
What report? Yes.
It was your network I turned up.
Doing what?
What does Operations care about
a bunch of goddamn books?
A book in Dutch.
A book out of Venezuela.
- Mystery stories in Arabic.
- Wait.
What the hell is so
important about...
Oil fields.
Oil.
That's it, isn't it?
This whole damn thing
was about oil.
Wasn't it? Wasn't it?
Yes, it was.
Don't turn for a moment.
Put your thumb in
front of the hammer.
Release it slowly.
Set down the gun on the desk.
And don't move.
Back up.
You were quite good,
Condor, until this.
This move was predictable.
Hey.
What?
Did you touch anything
except the chair?
You're working for
the company again.
The desk?
The lamp?
Jesus. They took you back.
Just for this. For Atwood.
How... He's with the company. Why?
I don't interest myself in why.
I think more often
in terms of when,
sometimes where,
always how much.
I suspect he was about to
become an embarrassment,
as you are.
So you're not finished.
Pardon?
Oh, no. I have no arrangement
with the company concerning you.
They didn't know you'd be
here. I knew you'd be here.
But didn't you send the postman?
That was a business
arrangement with Atwood.
But you see...
Come on.
Come.
Tell me about the girl.
What about the girl?
She was chosen how?
By age?
Her car? Appearance?
At random.
Chance.
Really?
Can I drop you?
I'd like to go back to New York.
You have not much future there.
It would happen this way.
You may be walking.
Maybe the first sunny
day of the spring,
and a car will slow beside you,
and the door will open,
and someone you know,
maybe even trust,
will get out of the car.
And he will smile,
a becoming smile,
but he will leave open
the door of the car
and offer to give you a lift.
You seem to understand
it all so well.
What would you suggest?
Personally, I prefer Europe.
- Europe?
- Yes.
Well, the fact is, what I
do is not a bad occupation.
Someone is always willing to pay.
I would find it tiring.
Oh, no. It's quite restful.
It's almost peaceful.
No need to believe in
either side or any side.
There is no cause.
There's only yourself.
The belief is in
your own precision.
I was born in the
United States, Joubert.
I miss it when I'm away too long.
A pity.
I don't think so.
Is it any trouble to drop
me at the Union Station?
Oh, no.
It would be my pleasure.
For that day.
Higgins.
Turner. Why'd you call so late?
We were worried about you.
Likewise. The car for me?
Yeah, it's all right.
It's safe. You
have a few hours of debriefing.
- Hey, Higgins?
- Yeah?
Let's say for the
purposes of argument,
I had a .45 in one of my pockets.
And I wanted you to take a walk
with me. You'd do it, right?
Which way?
West.
Slowly.
Stay in front of me about
three or four steps.
Where are we going?
Wave them on ahead, Higgins.
Do we have plans to
invade the Middle East?
- Are you crazy?
- Am I?
- Look, Turner...
- Do we have plans?
No. Absolutely not.
We have games. That's all.
We play games. What if?
How many men? What would it take?
Is there a cheaper way
to destabilise a regime?
That's what we're paid to do.
Walk on.
Go on.
So Atwood just took the
games too seriously.
He was really going
to do it, wasn't he?
A renegade operation.
Atwood knew 54/12 would
never authorise it.
There was no way, not with
the heat on the company.
What if there hadn't
been any heat?
Supposing I hadn't stumbled on
their plan, say nobody had.
Different ballgame.
Fact is, there was nothing
wrong with the plan.
The plan was all right.
The plan would've worked.
Boy, what is it with you people?
Do you think not getting
caught on a lie
is the same thing as
telling the truth?
No. It's simple economics.
Today it's oil, right?
In 10 or 15 years, food,
plutonium, and maybe even sooner.
Now, what do you think the people
are going to want us to do then?
Ask them.
Not now. Then. Ask them
when they're running out.
Ask them when there's no heat in
their homes, and they're cold.
Ask them when their engines stop.
Ask them when people who've never
known hunger start going hungry.
You want to know something?
They won't want us
to ask them. They'll
just want us to get it for them.
Boy, have you found a home.
Seven people killed, Higgins.
- The company didn't order it.
- Atwood did.
Atwood did.
And who the hell is Atwood?
He's you. He's all you guys.
Seven people killed.
- And you play fucking games.
- Right.
And the other side does, too.
That's why we can't
let you stay outside.
Well, go on home, Higgins.
Go on. They've got it.
- What?
- You know where we are.
Just look around. They've got it.
That's where they ship from.
They've got all of it.
What? What did you do?
I told them a story.
You play games, I
told them a story.
You...
You poor, dumb son of a bitch.
You done more damage
than you know.
I hope so.
You're about to be
a very lonely man.
It didn't have to end this way.
Of course it did.
Hey, Turner.
How do you know they'll print it?
You can take a walk,
but how far if they
don't print it?
They'll print it.
How do you know?
Male, Caucasian, mid-40s,
appears to have been shot.
- Where?
- In his room.
- Very funny, Harold.
- Okay, okay.
The wound is just below the heart.
- Was he shot once?
- Seems to have been, yeah.
First you said, "Appears
to have been shot..."
Mr. Turner.
Dr. Lappe, I'm sure he's gonna
be here any second now.
Really?
Mr. Turner's late again.
Just get back to work.
Come on. We can dope it out in
five minutes and get back to work.
If Joey were here, you
know what he would say...
Joey isn't the only
mind in this place.
Come on. What calibre slug?
- You're missing the point, Ray.
- What do you mean?
The machine will come
back with a "Rephrase"
or "Please express
in other words."
Well, so what do you
want to feed in?
Turner, Joseph. No middle initial.
You're 17 minutes late.
Make it 12, will you? I
was bucking headwinds.
Dr. Lappe, anything in
the early pouch for me?
- Dr. Lappe.
- Yes?
Is there anything...
Nothing in response
to your report.
And please have the book I
left on your desk analysed
and on the computer by 4:00.
Yes, sir.
Better get the tolmieas moved
closer to the light, Doctor.
You're getting a
blight on the leaf.
At ease, Sarge. At ease.
Going to rain today. 10:20.
- There's got to be more details.
- I only read two chapters.
- No other clues?
- Not so far.
What time did they find him?
Just the same afternoon,
just early evening.
They never said what the
calibre of the bullet was.
- Apparently a .38.
- There it is again, "apparently."
Well, it made an entry wound
characteristic of a .38,
but they couldn't recover
the slug itself.
Hey, we're getting somewhere.
You guys figure it out. I have
Far East journals to read.
Hey, was the slug smashed
against the wall?
No. As a matter of fact,
there was no exit wound.
We're not getting anywhere.
Finish the book, Harold.
- Hi. What we've got so far is...
- Ice.
Instead of lead. Ice.
The murderer pours water
into a .38 calibre mould
and freezes it and keeps
it solid until the crime.
- Great.
- Then he shoots the guy
with the ice bullet.
Cops show up in a
half an hour, and
there's just a few drops of water.
- No bullet, no ballistics.
- That's great.
- Hey.
- Yeah?
What is this?
Calligraphy's getting beautiful.
What is it?
That means heaven.
That's it? Nothing else?
Well, it can mean "the best."
"Tops" sometimes. Why?
I'm not sure.
We're going to Sam and
Mae's tonight, right?
Well, why don't you
talk to Sam about it?
About this? I did.
He says, "Well,
that's interesting,
but it's not my department."
Which means he doesn't
think there's
anything, just like Dr. Lappe.
- And you.
- Well, there's not much.
A mystery that's been translated?
A mystery that didn't sell
that's been translated into a
very odd assortment of languages.
Turkish, but not French, Arabic,
but not Russian or German.
Dutch.
- Spanish?
- Yes.
- Yes.
- Hey,
where'd you get that thing about
the ice? Dashiell Hammett?
Dick Tracy. Are you sure
about this ideogram?
Look at this face. Could I
be wrong about an ideogram?
It's a great face, but
it's never been to China.
Ray, when can I get
some computer time?
Dick Tracy?
He was a very
underrated detective.
There's some free time at 2:45.
Morning pick-up.
No, no, no, no. Stay on
schedule. I'll get it.
- Four pieces, right?
- Right.
- Hold it. Hold it.
- Five.
- Affirmative. Fiver.
- Where is Mr. Heidegger?
- He called in sick, Dr. Lappe.
- He's probably hung over again.
This is extraordinary. I was
just checking the files
and I came across this carbon copy
of an inquiry he sent to
Persian Gulf command.
He did that for me.
It never went through my office.
I asked him to do
some research for me.
I guess he didn't feel
it was that important.
I wish you people would
go through channels.
What's on your mind?
Okay.
This was in the pouch
from New York Centre.
HQ at Langley said there's nothing
from any other intelligence source
- to support your theory.
- Gentlemen.
Is this your idea of
working on that book?
I'll have it on the
computer by 4:00.
We have people to
service these machines.
These things are really pretty
simple. They just
look complicated.
Mr. Turner, I wonder if
you're entirely happy here.
- Within obvious limits, yes, sir.
- Obvious limits?
It bothers me that I can't
tell people what I do.
Why is it taking you so
long to accept that?
Well,
I actually trust a few
people. That's a problem.
Well, I believe it's your
turn to bring in lunch.
What time is it?
- 11:22.
- The rain's gonna stop by 11:30.
You can wait eight minutes.
Yes, yes.
Mr. Turner? Hey. Hey.
Damn it. It's not a proper exit.
He always goes out that way when
it rains. Saves him a block.
Personnel should
enter and exit the
premises by authorised means only.
Jimmy.
Hey, Shakespeare, how's it going?
Terrific.
I'm building up a great
collection of rejection slips.
Yeah, I know the feeling. I
always wanted to be Escoffier.
Well, maybe it's not too late.
You know, van Gogh was 30
- before he started to paint.
- No kidding?
There's no mayonnaise
on Dr. Lappe's.
On the other hand,
Mozart was three
when he started to play the piano,
and he was composing at six.
Fast starter. It's
probably better.
I don't know.
Van Gogh never sold
a painting in a
whole lifetime.
Mozart died a pauper.
Where am I, the New
York Public Library?
Hey, that's a very bright man.
It's very educational.
That's why I come in here.
You come in here to get sick,
just like everybody else.
Hey, come on.
Hey, no butter on Ray's sandwich.
You know, he gets very
panicky about butter.
Give it to Jennings in the back.
He'll sign for it. Just...
Edwina Rose...
Mrs. Russell, was the
Kirkus report in this...
Wait, wait, wait.
Would you move from
the window, please?
Pardon?
Would you move from
the window, please?
I won't scream.
I know.
A little breakdown in
the security there?
Well, what... What are you doing?
What...
Come on, now. Now, come on.
Harold.
For Christ's sake. What
the hell you doing, Mac?
Do your sleeping at
night, will you?
- This is the Major.
- This is Joe Turner. Listen...
- Identification.
- What?
Identification.
My name is Turner. I work
for you. Now listen...
- Identify yourself.
- I don't...
What is your designation?
Condor.
Section 9, department 17.
The section's been hit.
- What level?
- What level?
- Level of damage.
- Everybody.
Dr. Lappe, Janice, Ray,
Harold. Harold was in the...
Are you on a company line?
No, no. I'm in a phone booth. I'm
just a block away.
I'm in the street.
You're in violation of secure
communication procedures, Condor.
Listen, you son of a bitch. I'm
telling you, I came
back with lunch,
and it was raining,
and the whole house
was murdered. Everybody is dead.
Right. Has the incident
been discovered
by anyone outside the company?
I don't... I don't know.
I don't think so.
Are you damaged?
Damaged?
- No.
- Are you armed?
I don't... I have
Mrs... I don't...
I can't remember her code name.
Nightingale.
She was afraid of being raped. She
kept a gun. I've got the gun.
Identify the armament.
It's a .45 automatic. Will you
guys bring me in, please?
I'm not a field agent.
I just read books.
- Leave the area.
- All right. Well...
Well, do I come in
to headquarters now?
Negative. Find a secure location.
- Where?
- Avoid any place you're known.
Do not go home.
Surface again in two
hours, and call the Major.
That'll be 14:30, your time.
Wait a minute. All
right. 2:30, right?
Now, walk away from the
phone. Don't hang it up.
Don't...
This is the panic officer.
Section 9-17 may have been hit.
Activate following procedures.
NY 127, DC 469er.
Replay of the report
upcoming. Stand by.
Augie One to New York Centre.
This is New York Centre.
Go ahead, Augie One.
- Who am I talking to?
- Higgins, Deputy Director.
I'm holding the baby, go ahead.
Hit confirmed. Maximum as
reported. Six cold items.
- What was the quality of work?
- Clean, fast, first-rate.
Did you say six?
Excepting Condor, there
should be seven.
Repeat. Six. Here's a
rundown on those items.
Lappe, Chon, Russell,
Jennings, Martin, Mitchell.
All right, Augie One. Find seven.
Thank you.
Condor.
Researcher type who likes
to read comic strips.
Who is it?
Jesus.
Hey, you. You ring my buzzer?
- It was a mistake, buddy.
- Not you guys.
Hey. Hey.
Hey, who are you?
Hey, who the hell are you?
Augie Three here. We found
item seven, Ralph Heidegger.
He bought it at home.
Okay. Button it up, Augie.
I'll send you more janitors.
- Yes, sir.
- I need Langley right away.
Yes, sir.
Garber speaking.
This is Higgins,
Deputy Director, New
York. Let me have department 17.
Somebody took out one
of your sections.
- What?
- 9-17.
That's New York. Somebody
got mugged maybe.
They were hit.
They're bookworms,
for Christ's sake.
They got seven out of eight.
We're on the shuttle to
LaGuardia side. Thirty minutes.
You say one of my
people is still okay?
- Condor. You know him?
- No.
Is he okay enough to
say what happened?
They didn't touch him. He
was literally out to lunch.
- What does he say happened?
- He's not in yet.
First call was a
little wild, scared.
- Who's bringing him in?
- Higgins.
- Higgins.
- Transportation.
We're already booked
on the shuttle.
This is Wicks, OIC department 17.
I want a chopper on the pad,
fuelled for New York, now.
- Hey, Lois.
- They're waiting for you.
- What?
- Your two friends.
They said you'd be home early.
They just got here. Said
you gave them the keys.
Mr. Turner?
- This is the Major.
- This is Condor.
Stand by, Condor. I'm routing
you to New York Centre.
Condor 1-1, Mr. Higgins.
Hello, Condor.
Who is this?
Deputy Director Higgins,
New York Centre.
I'm controlling now,
Condor. Where are you?
How come I need a code
name and you don't?
Where are you, Turner?
Here.
You all right?
Are you insane? Everybody's dead.
Take it easy. Just take it easy,
and we'll bring you home.
Now, here's how we'll do it.
Do you know the Ansonia Hotel?
- Broadway and 71st.
- Broadway and 73rd.
There's an alley behind the hotel.
One hour from now at exactly 1530,
I want you to enter that alley
from the 73rd Street side.
Will you be there?
The head of your department
just came here from DC.
He's gonna bring you home.
- I've never met him.
- Don't worry.
He's studying your photos now.
Turner?
Turner.
I don't know you, either.
We'll meet.
He'll be carrying a Wall Street
Journal in his left hand.
- There were two guys at my house.
- What were you doing there?
- You were told not to go there.
- I was homesick. Who were they?
They were ours.
What were they doing in my house?
I'm not going into any
alley with you or anybody,
and fuck The Wall Street Journal.
Turner, it's been a long, bad
day. You've been under...
You're damn right I've been under.
All right, Turner.
We'll bring along a familiar
face, somebody you know.
Who's left?
You got a friend in
statistics named Sam Barber.
Sam...
- You guys are something.
- Will he do?
Yes, Sam will do.
All right, Turner.
Stay well for 60 minutes,
and you're home.
- Can I ask a question?
- Sure.
What is happening?
I'll talk to you in 60 minutes.
You've got 55.
This is ridiculous.
You're not a field agent.
It's standard procedure.
To pick up a friend?
- What about you, Mr. Wicks?
- No, thanks.
Side arm?
I don't know. Have you got a .45?
You bet.
Here, let me help you with that.
How long have you known Condor?
Who, Joey? I knew him
before he was a bird even.
We went to CCNY. My wife Mae, too.
Yeah?
- She ever Condor's girl?
- Here you go, Mr. Wicks.
Hey, can you tell me anything
about what happened today?
- When?
- This morning.
All those murders.
What murders?
Sam?
Sam.
Here he is. Joe.
Hey, Sam,
where's that other...
What are you doing?
It's him. It's him.
Joe.
Katherine Hale. H-A-L-E.
08, 1156,
172, 208, 875.
Amount, $51.86.
Where's there enough
snow this early?
- Vermont, I hope.
- What's open now, Sugarbush?
No, I don't do downhill.
This is for cross-country.
Don't like the lift lines, huh?
474? Thank you.
Kathy.
Kathy. Where have you been?
Here, let me give you a hand.
- Wait a minute, I don't know...
- Don't do anything.
Be quiet. Get in the car. Don't
make a sound. Don't be dumb.
Come on. Hurry up.
Get in.
Listen, please don't hurt me.
Where do you live?
Where do you live?
- Brooklyn Heights.
- Alone?
I live with a friend.
You live alone. Come on, let's go.
Leave the stuff.
Hey, Kathy.
You should have said hello.
- Where is it?
- Here.
"Condor shot us both."
Evidently, that was the only
statement he could make
before they took him
into the operating room.
And the other man,
Barber, he's dead?
Before he hit the
ground, Mr. Atwood.
You should add that it
was a remarkable shot,
a half inch above his flak jacket.
- I thought this guy was...
- Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Was Condor qualified
with a handgun?
Two years military
service, Signal Corps.
Telephone lineman, long lines,
switchboard maintenance.
Six months overseas.
Separated 9/'61. Worked at Bell
Labs Communication Research.
College on the GI Bill.
The question was, Mr. Higgins,
is he qualified with a handgun?
No handgun, sir. M1
rifle and carbine.
Evidently, it was sheer luck.
Or else...
- Yes?
- Or else what, Mr. Higgins?
This Condor isn't the man
his file says he is.
Then where did he
learn evasive moves?
- He reads.
- He...
What the hell does that mean?
It means, sir, that
he reads everything.
- I don't understand.
- Yes. Very good.
- Has Operations got anything?
- Absolutely nothing, sir.
- Extraordinary.
- It was very well executed.
Which requires planning,
communications, tracks.
I'm not asking for footprints,
but a blade of grass, a broken
twig, something disturbed.
Yes, sir.
- Wicks seems to be all we've got.
- Where do we have him?
We don't.
They rushed him to Guvenor
Emergency before we got word.
Maybe we should leak the
name of the hospital,
try to get Condor
to make his move.
Of course, Len, don't expect too
many mistakes from this man.
After all, he does seem
rather more interesting
than just another of
our reader researchers.
For example, has he gone
into business for himself?
Was he turned around?
Does someone operate him?
Is he homosexual?
Broke? Vulnerable?
Could he be a soldier of fortune?
Did he arrange the hit?
Is that why he's still in flight?
Still, he may be an innocent.
But then, why didn't he come
in gently with Mr. Wicks?
- Tentrex Industries.
- It's a cover.
- For what?
- I work for the CIA.
Oh, Jesus.
Your assignment for today was
to go out and kidnap a girl.
Look it up. Look it up.
Tentrex Industries.
Then look up the number
for the CIA in New York.
You mean they're listed,
like my Aunt Gladys?
It's under "US Government
Agencies." Go on.
Is this what you do?
This photography?
Okay.
It's the same number.
You could have had the card made.
Yes, I could've made the card
in a machine, but I didn't.
You really get into it, don't you?
Sit down.
I told you I had a friend.
15.5, 34.
I dig 15.5, 34s.
What size are you?
What are you, a clown?
- I'm scared.
- So am I.
What are you scared for?
You've got the gun.
Yes.
Yeah, and it's not enough.
Listen.
I work for the CIA.
I am not a spy.
I just read books.
We read everything that's
published in the world.
And we... We feed the
plots, dirty tricks, codes
into a computer, and the computer
checks against actual CIA
plans and operations.
I look for leaks. I
look for new ideas.
We read adventures and
novels and journals.
I...
Who'd invent a job like that?
I... Listen.
- People are trying to kill me.
- Who?
I don't know, but
there's a reason.
There is a reason.
And I just need
some safe, quiet time to
pull things together.
- Here.
- Here.
That's only fair.
Where is the guy with the shirts?
He's at a ski place, in
the Green Mountains.
We just want to go
cross-country skiing
for a couple of weeks,
away from everything.
What time does the
news go on, 6:00?
6:00.
Forty minutes.
- Come here.
- No, please. Please don't.
Lie down.
Lie down. Against the wall.
Put this arm behind
you, and keep it there.
Now you listen to me. I am tired.
I've got to close my
eyes for a while.
I can't think straight.
If you try and move,
or climb off the bed,
I'll know it. I'll feel it,
and I promise you I'll hurt you.
Couldn't you let me
stay in the other room?
No.
I believe what you told me.
No, you don't.
I don't know if I do.
That includes Condor, of course.
Yes, I owe you Condor.
- Otherwise...
- Otherwise does not exist.
Will Condor take long?
- Do you want an estimate?
- There is a time factor.
Always with you people.
Condor is an amateur.
He's lost, unpredictable,
perhaps even sentimental.
He could fool a professional.
Not deliberately, but
precisely because he is lost.
He doesn't know what to do.
Unlike Wicks,
who has always been
entirely predictable.
The man Condor
killed in the alley.
Some friend of his.
- Close friend?
- I suppose so. Why?
It interests me.
What was his name?
I don't know. He was
nobody. He was...
Right.
What about Wicks?
You want the firm to question him?
They will, you know.
We don't want that.
Cost you nothing.
I was careless with Condor.
Wicks will be done for nothing.
What time is it? What time is it?
It's news time.
Get up.
Lonely pictures.
So?
You're funny.
You take pictures of empty streets
and trees with no leaves on them.
It's winter.
Not quite winter.
They look like
November.
Not autumn, not
winter. In-between.
I like them.
Thanks.
Eyewitness News continues
with an update from...
Sit down.
At the scene of the
Ansonia shootings.
The shootings behind
the Hotel Ansonia
remain a complete
mystery at this hour.
The victims' identities
have not yet been revealed.
Victims?
And according to a
police spokesman,
- drugs were not involved...
- Did he say victims?
Nor does it seem to
have been a robbery.
Lieutenant, can you tell us
anything about the
possible motive?
- Not at present.
- Have you identified the victims?
They were employees of a
large insurance company.
What?
They were making a routine
inspection for
possible violations.
And did the victims know their
assailant or assailants?
- Absolutely not.
- Excuse me.
Well, there you have it. One man
dead, one seriously wounded
in an alley on the west
side of Manhattan,
and the man with the
gun, still at large.
Stan Roberts, Eyewitness News,
- New York.
- Sam.
Jesus Christ.
Victims. What is he...
What happened in that alley?
- I didn't shoot him.
- You said you shot somebody.
But not Sam.
Nobody in that alley said
anything about the CIA.
But...
But they were there.
Wait a minute.
You're telling me...
They had to have been
to change that story.
Wait a minute. What did Higgins
say? What did Higgins say?
He said he wouldn't be there.
He said the section chief was
coming in, the section chief...
Wait a minute. He's...
Section chief would be
coming in from Washington.
He'd have to reach Sam. Sam
would have to call me.
Hello?
- I need your car.
- That's called grand theft.
You don't want to get in
trouble with the police.
This guy in Vermont, what's he
gonna do when you don't show up?
Probably call very soon now.
Call, or do I have to worry
about him showing up here?
You're not entitled to
personal questions.
That gun gives you the
right to rough me up,
it doesn't give you the
right to ask me...
Rough you up? Have
I roughed you up?
Yes. What are you
doing in my house?
Have I? Have I? Have I raped you?
The night is young.
You don't believe anything
I've said, do you?
I believe you're in
trouble, danger,
but I don't know what kind,
and I'm not sure how
much of it is made up,
real, but...
Doesn't make any difference.
Doesn't matter.
- Just wait a minute. Will you...
- Forget it.
I'm trying to understand
what you're saying to me.
What are you doing? Let me go.
You're hurting me. Wait a minute.
You bully.
Don't tie me up. Come on, please.
This is
unfair.
I know.
Hi, Joey. You're
early. Come on in.
Hey, is Janice working late?
So is Sam.
Hey, pour one for me,
too, will you, Joey?
It's their own fault if we're
zonked when they get here.
Hey, I've got it.
We'll give them an hour,
and if they're not here,
then it's you and me, babe,
just like old times.
Joey.
What is it?
- Hey, what is it, Joey? What?
- Mae.
- What's wrong?
- Mae.
How do you know
Sam's working late?
- What do you think he's doing?
- When did he call?
I don't know. 2:00 or 2:30.
What did he say? Exactly.
He didn't exactly. He
had the centre call.
- Who at the centre?
- I didn't recognise his voice.
It wasn't that lady
that usually...
Hello?
- What is it?
- Third damn time tonight.
Third time?
It's some creepy burglar
casing the joint.
Mae, I want you to
get out of here.
Well, I can't, Joey. I'm cooking.
Right now. Just do
what I tell you, Mae.
What about dinner?
Don't ask me. Go to
Bill and Eileen's.
- Stay there until I call.
- Joey, what's going on?
Please.
- Joey, you...
- Don't argue. Move. Move.
- Joey, this is crazy.
- Go upstairs and stay there.
Do what I'm telling you. I'll
call you. And stay there.
- Joey. Joey, you're scaring me.
- I'll call you.
- Do what I'm telling you, please.
- What about Sam?
Yours?
No.
Happy birthday to Grandpa
You're always pushing the buttons.
- Would you stop it, would you?
- That's nice.
Fifth floor, ladies' underwear.
Kids.
Probably the same everywhere.
This is the second floor.
I do it all the time.
- After you.
- No. Go ahead.
Okay.
Anybody here good
with a coat hanger?
What?
I locked my keys in my
car. I need to get in.
I'll give you some money,
couple of bucks, okay?
Anybody can get in the car?
Come on, you can't tell me you've
never busted into a car before.
Okay. I've busted a
car. But how much?
No, come on.
Five bucks. Five bucks if
you help me get in my car.
- Five bucks? Why not? Yeah.
- I don't have much time.
- Can you give me a break?
- Yeah.
Do you mind?
All right. Five bucks. Five bucks.
I'll be right back. Come on, man.
You can all come.
Have some fun.
Damn.
Wait a minute.
Give me the money.
Hey.
I want you to answer the phone.
I'm not going to answer the...
I'm not answering any phone.
Answer it. Answer it.
You answer this
phone. Tell him what
a brave son of a bitch you are.
Get in there and answer.
I want you to be casual and nice.
- Hello?
- Where the hell are you?
- Ben?
- Who do you think it is?
Ben.
You were supposed to
be up here by now.
- I know.
- You haven't even left yet.
I was held up.
Held up? That's no excuse.
Come on, what's going on, doesn't
this trip matter to you?
- It matters.
- Yeah, sure.
- No, it does.
- Come on. Come on.
This has happened over and over
again. The last
minute, some excuse.
No, this is different.
What's the hold up?
- The car.
- What about it?
Broke down.
What do you mean? What broke down?
- The generator went.
- Oh, Christ, the generator.
- That's going to take forever.
- Maybe not.
I tried to call you before, but...
The generator... It's... Look,
it's gonna take too long.
Why don't you just... Look,
forget about the car.
Just take the bus up first
thing in the morning.
I'll try.
Try?
What's... What the hell's going
on? Are you okay? What's...
No, I'm okay. I'm fine.
You don't sound so fine.
I wish you would understand.
I do. I do, I do. It's just...
God damn it, I'm just
disappointed, that's all.
I really...
I really wanted to be with you up
here, tonight, babe, you know?
I know.
- We'll have time.
- Yeah.
Look, get...
Get the very first bus out
in the morning, okay?
All right.
- Good night, sweetheart.
- Good night, babe.
Listen, I'll be going
in the morning.
Where?
Was it all right?
All right?
Outside, was it safe?
Wherever you went.
I'm not sure.
Oh, God.
I wish I knew more.
About you.
Yesterday.
Today.
I don't remember yesterday.
Today it rained.
Why did you have to
tie me up like that?
You thought I'd call the police.
I wouldn't have.
Why?
Sometimes I take a picture that
isn't like me, but I took
it, so it is like me.
It has to be.
I put those pictures away.
I'd like to see those pictures.
We don't know each
other that well.
Do you know anybody that well?
I don't think I want
to know you very well.
I don't think you're
gonna live much longer.
Well, I may surprise you.
Anyway, you're not
telling the truth.
- What do you mean?
- You'd rather be with somebody
who's not going to
live much longer,
at least somebody who
would be on his way.
- I'm not...
- You take pictures,
beautiful pictures,
but of empty streets
and trees with no
leaves, November.
Why haven't you asked
me to untie your hands?
How much do you want?
I just want to stop it.
For a few hours.
For the rest of the night.
And then I'll go.
Joe.
What was his name?
What is it Higgins said? Was it...
The head of your department
just came here from DC.
He's gonna bring you home.
I've never met him.
Anything in the early pouch?
Headquarters at Langley
says there's nothing
from any other intelligence
source to support your theory.
Headquarters at Langley
says there's nothing
from any other intelligence
source to support your theory.
Wicks.
- You didn't sleep well.
- You didn't?
No, you didn't.
You're up early.
Well, I had some thoughts.
I've got a plan.
I don't know if it'll
work or not, but...
I'll need your help.
Have I ever denied you anything?
Hey.
Well, when things quiet down,
you're really a very
sweet man to be with.
You had bad dreams.
Talked in your sleep.
What did I say?
Who's Janice?
Was she a volunteer
or a draftee like me?
She was a friend.
She's dead.
Do I have permission
to take a shower?
You don't have to help, you know.
No, no. I'll help.
You can always depend
on the old spy-fucker.
Okay.
- I'm sorry.
- No.
No, I didn't mean...
I didn't mean to say that.
I'm really sorry.
I'd like to help you.
- Eighteen, isn't that...
- Yes.
AID in ICU, 10-9-8.
Yeah?
Insured package for
Katherine Hale.
Could you leave it
out on the stoop?
Somebody's got to sign for it.
Well, she's... She's not here.
It's okay, you can sign.
Yeah?
Her name on top,
yours on the bottom.
All right.
- Wonderful.
- Government pens.
Look, I don't have another pen.
I'll get one.
Don't... Don't... No, no.
No, no. No.
Now listen. You're
okay. You're okay.
Now listen to me. You're okay.
Can you get dressed? You're okay.
Can you get dressed?
Please, hurry.
Stella Boutique.
Extension 1891, please.
Pardon me?
Is this 662-3799?
- Yes. Who's this?
- There's no extension 1891?
Are you kidding? We're lucky if
we have any phone service at all.
Sorry.
- Operator.
- Operator.
What's the area code
for Washington? DC.
That's 202.
Kathy.
6311.
CIA? Langley?
6311.
Extension 1891.
1891.
Let me speak to Mr. Wicks.
He's not here just now. May I
ask who's calling, please?
How do you feel? You okay?
What did you do to those people?
What people? I don't know
who they are any more.
I file a report, and a guy
in Washington reads it.
He's supposed to read it.
He's my section chief,
and he comes to New
York to shoot me.
- Did you know him?
- No.
Did you know the postman?
No, but the guy in Washington did.
Then you won't know
the next one, either.
I'm not gonna wait
for the next one.
- Has he gone double or dirty?
- I don't know, sir.
You think he's still
in New York City?
I wouldn't be.
Question. Is there an
intelligence network,
undetected by CIA, linking certain
Arabic-speaking countries
with Dutch and Spanish-speaking?
We're already visible. Let's
not become conspicuous.
If company agents aren't
enough, use freelance.
Use whatever it
requires, but end it.
Okay.
Let's get it over with, okay?
Kathy.
Thanks.
Applications here.
Okay.
See Mr. Addison. Turn right,
first door on your left.
Mr. Marcus.
- Mr. Addison?
- No.
He's in Clearance. You passed
it. It's on your left.
Sorry.
Thank you.
Yep. I didn't get the job.
Looks good,
but I have this friend,
and he asked me to
give you a message.
Quote, "Dear Mr. Higgins,
"this will introduce a friend
of mine, Sparrow Hawk.
"Please accompany her to the
Nassau Street exit of this place.
"Now."
Personally, I'd do it,
because he has this huge gun, and
he's looking at us right now.
I'll save this for you.
Shall we?
To your left, please.
Okay, sit up. Sit up.
All the way up. Back
up against the panel.
Take it easy. Take it
easy. I'm not armed.
They could be DFing us if
you have a transmitter
hidden somewhere on your
clothes. What's this?
DF, huh? You do read
everything, don't you?
This is no goddamn
book. Somebody or
something is rotten
in the company.
You never complained
till yesterday.
You didn't start killing
my friends till yesterday.
- Who's she?
- Who hit the Lit Society?
We had a big meeting about
that. Your name came up.
Five Continents
Imports. Ring a bell?
- Where'd you get that?
- The postman.
- Mailman?
- The one you sent.
You know, the one with
the uniform, cute
little leather pouch,
automatic gun.
We never use postmen.
Would you also happen
to be familiar
with a very tall gentleman,
about 6'4", blond hair,
strong like a farmer,
not American?
Accent. Country, near Germany.
Maybe Alsace-Lorraine?
- Yes?
- Was the letter delivered?
The return receipt
has not arrived.
You should've delivered
it yourself.
A more complicated package
had to be handled.
But I might have
underestimated this one.
I was told you never make
that kind of mistake.
- What will you do?
- Wait.
For what?
People who move leave word
of change-of-address.
- I wanna see that report, Turner.
- No, no, Higgins, come on.
- Do you know him?
- Professionally, yes.
- Professionally, he kills people.
- Yes.
Yes.
He works for the company?
He did once. He's
a contract agent.
- Contract agent.
- Freelance.
Where did you see him?
- It would help if I knew.
- Who would it help?
- Who'd hire him now?
- Anybody.
Terrific answer.
- I wouldn't accept it, either.
- What's his name?
When I knew him, Joubert.
Come on, Higgins. Who'd hire him?
You don't look up Joubert
in the Yellow Pages.
That's right.
It would have to be
somebody in the community.
- Community?
- Intelligence field.
Community. Jesus, you guys are
kind to yourselves. Community.
I want to see that report, Turner.
That report was sent to
headquarters and disappeared.
- Who read it?
- You mean besides Wicks?
You tell me.
I pick up traces of what I
think's an intelligence network
the company doesn't know about,
and I report it.
Now, why is that going to
make anybody mad, Higgins?
Unless it was the
company's network
and you didn't want it blown,
not even to your own guys.
Now, somebody is lying, Higgins.
Come on.
Why is everybody so shy?
I'm not shy.
I don't know. That's
what worries me.
- I don't know.
- Ask Wicks.
Wicks died.
Someone yanked him off the life
support system at
Guvenor Hospital.
Get me in, Higgins.
What good would that do if you're
right, and they are inside?
What good would it
do to bring you in?
What am I supposed to do?
I'm sorry.
You're sorry?
You're sorry.
I get it.
I get it. You expect
me to draw fire,
like one of those
penny arcade bears
that parades back and forth,
waiting for somebody,
somebody very good, just
to take another shot.
And you're just gonna hang around
and pick him up before he
does it, or just after?
I'm gonna try and find
out what's going on.
I'm gonna cross-check
all those names.
- Nice talking to you, Higgins.
- Now wait a minute.
- Have a nice day.
- Where are you going?
Where will I find you?
I'll find you.
Do you trust him?
Trust.
Does he trust you?
He's in the suspicion business.
He can't trust anybody.
But they all are. How could
anybody sneak in and fool them?
Maybe nobody did.
Then...
Maybe there's another CIA
inside the CIA.
Hey, Sal.
The lights went off.
Come on over here.
The generator went off.
- It's a hotel room.
- What hotel?
There's no tag. It's Room
819, City of New York.
There's a code number
cut in the edge.
You in the trade?
- I read about it in a story.
- Was the story about locksmiths?
It's the lock
manufacturer's code. He
can give you the
name of the hotel.
Look, I don't want to read
about you in the paper, sonny.
Will you make the call?
Yes?
I'm doing a survey.
Do you believe the Condor is
really an endangered species?
- Your room number, please.
- 819.
- Hello?
- Yes.
- I just had an interesting call.
- Who is this?
In reference to an all but
extinct bird, the condor.
- Have you had such a call?
- You're a fool to call me here.
- You had no such call?
- No.
Must have been the
Audubon Society.
I assume they're still
located in New York City.
Langley Computer. State
your program at the tone.
G.
Carriage return.
TRS. Tone.
Symbol for number.
Computer is ready.
That number is 202-227-0098.
CNA, Mrs. Coleman speaking.
This is Harold Thomas,
Mrs. Coleman.
Customer service,
requesting a CNA on
202-227-0098.
One moment, please.
That would be a Mr.
Leonard Atwood.
365 Mackenzie Place,
Chevy Chase, Maryland.
All right.
Cross-check this tape against
Wicks and hold any intersects.
Hat size.
"Lucifer."
All right, run Lucifer.
Coming up.
I'll be damned. I'll be damned.
- This is the Major.
- Condor.
Find me Higgins.
Routing you, Condor. Stand by.
Hello, Condor.
- The Holiday Inn, 57th Street.
- Is that where you are now?
Room 819. If you
move it, you'll find
the Alsatian gentleman
we spoke of.
Where are you, Condor?
Where are you?
Quiet down.
Hey, Higgins?
Yeah, I'm right here.
Who is Leonard Atwood?
Where are you, Higgins?
Ain't we pals any more?
- Something?
- Major?
- Got him.
- Let me see that.
What's he doing in Brooklyn?
Condor.
- We can get a unit...
- Wait.
What's going on, Major?
Son of bitch wired
together 50 phones.
What?
Everybody in Brooklyn's
talking to each other.
I didn't know you smoked.
I quit three years ago.
- You're so pale.
- It's the light in here.
What are you gonna do there?
- See a guy.
- More secrets.
Like those pictures you hide.
Yes.
Someday, I'd like to
show them to you,
if you live through this.
You could drive me to Washington.
No, I couldn't.
You... You have a lot
of very fine qualities,
but...
What fine qualities?
You have good eyes.
Not kind, but they don't lie,
and they don't look away much,
and they don't miss anything.
I could use eyes like that.
But you're overdue in Vermont.
Is he a tough guy?
He's pretty tough.
What will he do?
Understand, probably.
Boy, that is tough.
Last call, track six,
Newark connection
passengers for Baltimore and
Washington DC, all aboard.
Kathy, I need time.
Eight hours or so, that's
all. Just till noon.
To do what I have to do.
Do you understand what I'm saying?
No.
Are you going right to Vermont?
Yes.
What I mean is don't call anyone.
Don't stop, please.
Don't tell anyone about...
- Jesus.
- What?
Jesus.
I didn't...
All aboard.
Hey.
You take care of yourself.
I'll do my best.
Do your best.
Why aren't you further
along, Mr. Higgins?
You mean with the company, sir?
You seem perfect for it.
Are you perfect for
it, Mr. Higgins?
I have tried to be, sir.
You were recruited out of school?
No, sir.
Company interviewed a
few of us in Korea.
You served with Colonel Donovan
in the OSS, didn't you, sir?
I sailed the Adriatic with
a movie star at the helm.
Doesn't seem like much of
a war now, but it was.
I go even further back than that.
Ten years after the Great
War, as we used to call it,
before we knew enough
to number them.
You miss that kind of action, sir?
No.
I miss that kind of clarity.
Yes?
Thank you.
He's being held at
New York Centre.
Mr. Higgins, you do understand
the company's position.
There's nothing in the way of
your doing this, is there?
What is this?
What's going on?
Who are you?
Who are you?
What are you doing here?
I'm Condor.
Sit down.
What do you do for a living?
- Don't be ridiculous.
- No.
What do you do exactly?
Deputy Director of Operations.
What section?
Middle East.
What are you working on?
What are you doing?
What's the secret worth murdering
everybody at the ALHS house?
- There's no secret.
- Wicks showed you my report.
What report? Yes.
It was your network I turned up.
Doing what?
What does Operations care about
a bunch of goddamn books?
A book in Dutch.
A book out of Venezuela.
- Mystery stories in Arabic.
- Wait.
What the hell is so
important about...
Oil fields.
Oil.
That's it, isn't it?
This whole damn thing
was about oil.
Wasn't it? Wasn't it?
Yes, it was.
Don't turn for a moment.
Put your thumb in
front of the hammer.
Release it slowly.
Set down the gun on the desk.
And don't move.
Back up.
You were quite good,
Condor, until this.
This move was predictable.
Hey.
What?
Did you touch anything
except the chair?
You're working for
the company again.
The desk?
The lamp?
Jesus. They took you back.
Just for this. For Atwood.
How... He's with the company. Why?
I don't interest myself in why.
I think more often
in terms of when,
sometimes where,
always how much.
I suspect he was about to
become an embarrassment,
as you are.
So you're not finished.
Pardon?
Oh, no. I have no arrangement
with the company concerning you.
They didn't know you'd be
here. I knew you'd be here.
But didn't you send the postman?
That was a business
arrangement with Atwood.
But you see...
Come on.
Come.
Tell me about the girl.
What about the girl?
She was chosen how?
By age?
Her car? Appearance?
At random.
Chance.
Really?
Can I drop you?
I'd like to go back to New York.
You have not much future there.
It would happen this way.
You may be walking.
Maybe the first sunny
day of the spring,
and a car will slow beside you,
and the door will open,
and someone you know,
maybe even trust,
will get out of the car.
And he will smile,
a becoming smile,
but he will leave open
the door of the car
and offer to give you a lift.
You seem to understand
it all so well.
What would you suggest?
Personally, I prefer Europe.
- Europe?
- Yes.
Well, the fact is, what I
do is not a bad occupation.
Someone is always willing to pay.
I would find it tiring.
Oh, no. It's quite restful.
It's almost peaceful.
No need to believe in
either side or any side.
There is no cause.
There's only yourself.
The belief is in
your own precision.
I was born in the
United States, Joubert.
I miss it when I'm away too long.
A pity.
I don't think so.
Is it any trouble to drop
me at the Union Station?
Oh, no.
It would be my pleasure.
For that day.
Higgins.
Turner. Why'd you call so late?
We were worried about you.
Likewise. The car for me?
Yeah, it's all right.
It's safe. You
have a few hours of debriefing.
- Hey, Higgins?
- Yeah?
Let's say for the
purposes of argument,
I had a .45 in one of my pockets.
And I wanted you to take a walk
with me. You'd do it, right?
Which way?
West.
Slowly.
Stay in front of me about
three or four steps.
Where are we going?
Wave them on ahead, Higgins.
Do we have plans to
invade the Middle East?
- Are you crazy?
- Am I?
- Look, Turner...
- Do we have plans?
No. Absolutely not.
We have games. That's all.
We play games. What if?
How many men? What would it take?
Is there a cheaper way
to destabilise a regime?
That's what we're paid to do.
Walk on.
Go on.
So Atwood just took the
games too seriously.
He was really going
to do it, wasn't he?
A renegade operation.
Atwood knew 54/12 would
never authorise it.
There was no way, not with
the heat on the company.
What if there hadn't
been any heat?
Supposing I hadn't stumbled on
their plan, say nobody had.
Different ballgame.
Fact is, there was nothing
wrong with the plan.
The plan was all right.
The plan would've worked.
Boy, what is it with you people?
Do you think not getting
caught on a lie
is the same thing as
telling the truth?
No. It's simple economics.
Today it's oil, right?
In 10 or 15 years, food,
plutonium, and maybe even sooner.
Now, what do you think the people
are going to want us to do then?
Ask them.
Not now. Then. Ask them
when they're running out.
Ask them when there's no heat in
their homes, and they're cold.
Ask them when their engines stop.
Ask them when people who've never
known hunger start going hungry.
You want to know something?
They won't want us
to ask them. They'll
just want us to get it for them.
Boy, have you found a home.
Seven people killed, Higgins.
- The company didn't order it.
- Atwood did.
Atwood did.
And who the hell is Atwood?
He's you. He's all you guys.
Seven people killed.
- And you play fucking games.
- Right.
And the other side does, too.
That's why we can't
let you stay outside.
Well, go on home, Higgins.
Go on. They've got it.
- What?
- You know where we are.
Just look around. They've got it.
That's where they ship from.
They've got all of it.
What? What did you do?
I told them a story.
You play games, I
told them a story.
You...
You poor, dumb son of a bitch.
You done more damage
than you know.
I hope so.
You're about to be
a very lonely man.
It didn't have to end this way.
Of course it did.
Hey, Turner.
How do you know they'll print it?
You can take a walk,
but how far if they
don't print it?
They'll print it.
How do you know?