Benson (1979–1986): Season 1, Episode 21 - Power Play - full transcript

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(DOG BARKING)

Morning, Kraus.

I am not speaking
to you, Benson.

Better morning than I thought.

Why not?

How many times do I have to
tell you I am not speaking to you.

Well, at least tell me what
I did, so I can do it again.

My day off has
always been Saturday.

On next week's schedule
you changed it to Wednesday.

I told you about
that two weeks ago



and you said it was okay.

Oh.

In that case, I'm
still speaking to you.

Come on, Kraus. Hold
the grudge anyway.

Look, Benson, I got an A
on my floor plan of the house.

Beats a kick in the head.

My science teacher said it
was the best one anybody drew.

Oh, that's great, sugar.

Now we have to
look in every room

and think up ways to
save on heat and light.

Got any ideas?

Turn off everything and
go over to the neighbors'.

Oh, Benson.

Well, it's not my
assignment, it's yours.



How do you save
energy, Miss Kraus?

By letting me do all the work.

Well, I'm not learning
anything here.

I might as well get to school.

Governor, you have to support
construction of the Natosha River Facility.

I don't have to
support anything.

But the state needs the power.

I know.

But I've been studying
those environmental reports

and I'm very concerned about

what that generating
plant might do to the river.

Well, Governor, why did
you call a press conference

if you didn't know what
you were going to say?

He didn't call it. I did.

The public wants an answer now.

I'm only thinking of the people.

That's a first.

Oh, all right,
Taylor, all right.

I wish there were
some alternatives.

Since there isn't,

I'll support the
building of the plant.

Good. But I wouldn't

put it that way at
the press conference.

So you better sound
like you want it.

Well, I do want it.

I mean, I don't, but I do.

You can't argue with that.

Governor.

Are the reporters here? Yes.

Well, we better get started. No!

Is something wrong?
Are you all right?

Yes. No.

What's the matter, Marcy?

Well, I think you should...
You probably better get...

You're not gonna believe...
Why don't you just...

It must really be
something if she can't talk.

TAYLOR: Excuse us, stand aside.

We're coming through.

(BENSON EXCLAIMING)

What is this?

It looks like a
pile of dead fish.

Well, if they're not
dead, this stink'll kill them.

How did they get in here?

Well, how would I know?

They didn't have an appointment.

They didn't have
a shower, either.

Look at the size of this fish.

I caught one that big one time.

Governor! Oh, well,
maybe it wasn't that big.

Sir, I think you
should read this.

"Governor, the power plant
at Mirror Lake killed these fish.

"Do not allow it to
happen to Natosha River."

Signed, "El Gato."

El whatto?

El Gato!

He embarrasses
politicians and industries

into cleaning up the
oceans, the rivers and the air.

He hasn't done much
for the air in here.

Governor, what's
your reaction to this?

Uh, well, I think we
should open a window.

Uh, ladies and gentlemen,

I can assure you the
Governor has no reaction.

This does not alter
the Governor's decision.

Then you have decided?

Sir, why don't you give
us your decision now?

Uh, well, I... Sir, are you gonna
back the power plants or not?

Gentlemen, gentlemen, please.

Let's have a little
respect for the dead.

As is his custom,

the Governor will
make no announcement

until the next of
kin are notified.

Or, in this case,
the next of fin.

The deceased will
be buried at sea.

The services will be
conducted by Reverend Pike.

In lieu of flowers, the family
requests that you send bait.

Goodbye!

Thank you, Benson.

Well, Benson, let's
hear your explanation.

About what?

You're in charge of this house.

How did El Gato get in here?

I haven't the foggiest.

I'm still wondering
how you got in here.

Could we discuss
this somewhere else?

Marcy, call security and have
them look into this right away.

Oh, sir, not Bates.

He'll be trying to
question the fish.

Get rid of these fish, Benson.

I don't care what you do with
them, but get them out of here.

All right. All right.

I'll have them put in
the back seat of your car.

That El Gato.

After what he did
to the living room,

I'd like five minutes
alone with that man.

That'd sure teach him.

Look, Bates, I don't
care what it takes,

I want you to find this El
Gato and find him soon.

Don't worry about
it. I'll find him.

I know exactly where
he was early this morning.

Where? He was in a truck.

He was dumping industrial
sludge on the capitol steps.

Bates, are you following this guy to
catch him or to clean up after him?

What have you got on him so far?

Well, did you guys know
that El Gato means "The Cat"?

Yeah.

You know what "Bozo" means?

Don't you have
anything else on him?

Well, we know the
guy is harmless,

but we can't figure out exactly
what the man's trying to do.

If you read the paper every
once in a while, you'd know.

He's trying to save
the environment.

Oh, yeah.

You're the one with the
ecology bumper sticker

on the back of your car.

Which you drove
home last night at 6:45

and left again at
8:15 to go to a movie,

with some guy.

You've been following me?

You have no right
to invade my privacy.

Oh, that really stinks!

So did the movie.

Come on, Bates, what
are you following her for?

She had nothing to
do with any of this.

I didn't say she did.

I'm just checking
out some information

that El Gato might have
had some inside help.

So we're following all of you.

KRAUS: You are what?

Incidentally, what were
you doing in an apartment

on Edgemont Place
till 2:00 in the morning?

I was visiting a sick friend.

Oh, I believe it.

Anybody who'd stay up till
2:00 in the morning with Taylor

has gotta be sick.

And you.

Are you the blonde that
walks nude in the moonlight?

I have never been
nude in any light.

Oh, I'm sorry. Made a
mistake. It's the wrong case.

You were here all night.

But you.

You, stunt driver.

Lost my man making a
fancy U-turn on a bridge.

Where did you learn
how to drive like that?

I had a lot of practice
driving through Georgia.

Listen, Bates, what
I do when I walk out

of this office is my business,

so you keep your nose
in your own business,

or you're gonna find
yourself out of business.

This is my business.

So why is everybody
getting so upset?

I'm supposed to check for leaks.

Why don't you check
the back of your head?

(GASPS) Marcy.

Benson.

Bates wanted this list of everybody
who's made deliveries at the mansion

in the last couple of days.

Well, of course.
I'll add it to my list

of everyone who's been
in to see the Governor.

I don't know what he expects
to find out with these lists.

Does he really think
El Gato signed in?

And why is security
going around implying

that we know something about this
when we don't? You know what I'm saying?

Marcy, I'm not even
in the conversation.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I guess I'm a little wired

because of all this
cloak-and-dagger stuff.

It's got to the point
now where I go home

and I expect to find a man
waiting in my apartment.

Well, don't give up hope.

Sir, we all know
about the capitol steps.

We just got a tip that
El Gato has struck again,

here at the mansion.

Well, if he has,
it's news to me.

Ladies and gentlemen,

there is positively no way

that El Gato could've
gained access to the mansion.

Now, if you'll excuse us.

Well, if El Gato
hasn't been here,

how do you explain that?

We're having a rug shampooed?

"Governor,

"if you don't mind industrial
detergents in the state's rivers,

"then you shouldn't
mind them in your office."

Signed...

I can't quite make
it out. The ink ran.

Well, you can bet it
ain't Lawrence Welk.

(THUMPING)

Kraus?

Got you!

Be careful, my friend.

I deplore violence, but
you are forcing my hand.

Yeah, just as far as it'll go.

I warn you.

My hands are licensed
as deadly weapons.

I can kill you in
14 different ways.

And when I break your
thumb, you'll be down to 7.

(GROANING)

Would you mind
unhanding me? Dial 6.

All right. All right.

Bates, get over here.

I got El Gato in the kitchen.

Don't stop for donuts.

Sir, if you don't mind,

unfortunately I have trained
my body to inflict pain, not take it.

(GROANS)

What's the matter?

What's the matter? My
shoulder really smarts.

Well, then that's the
only smarts you got.

You can't change things
dumping garbage on the floor.

You're not making a point.
You're making a mess!

But that's the kind of stuff

that'll be dumped
into the river.

May I open my cape?

Hold it. Hold it.

I'd like to show you something.

You're in enough
trouble already.

Then I have nothing to lose.

Look at this.

Do you know what this is?

No, but if I were
you, I'd see a doctor.

This is industrial pollution.

This is one small sample
of what they're doing.

My friend, our planet is
dying and nobody cares.

The Governor cares.
A lot of people care.

If only I could get the
right people to listen.

I have a practical way to get
the energy without the pollution.

Here, look at this.

Official verification of
the geological survey.

Site study. Transmission data.

All proof that this can work.

But I can't get past the
politicians and the red tape.

That is why I have had to
assume the role of El Gato.

The Cat.

Who are you, anyway?

Let's just say that I am a person
in tune with the designs of nature.

A friend to all living things.

Is that what it says on
your driver's license?

I can't let the Governor
build that power plant.

BATES: Go around
and cover the side door.

Get over there.

All right, where is he? Who?

El Gato. You said he was here.

He is? Where?

Benson, you just
called me down here.

You said you had
him here in the kitchen.

Me? You sure it wasn't him?

No, you see, he probably
wants you down here,

so he can come in through the
front door. You know what I mean?

Yeah. Yeah.

Do not be alarmed, fair lady.

Allow me to introduce
myself. I am...

El Gato. How did you know?

Might be the outfit.

I didn't frighten you?

Well, if what they
say about you is true,

there's nothing
to be frightened of.

No? Some people say I'm crazy.

Well, you gotta admit, you've
done some pretty crazy things.

But from what I can tell,

you're a man who's willing to
stand up for what you believe in.

You see right
through me, don't you?

It's nice to know someone cares.

You're welcome.

Oh, if you're gonna
try to kiss me, forget it.

I saw this in a
Zorro movie once.

It won't work.

It worked.

Excuse me.

Benson, you're not
gonna believe it. This is...

We've met.

Listen, if I get you in
to see the Governor,

will you stop dropping your slimy
calling cards all over the mansion?

I'd be delighted. Okay.

You'll have to give
me your phone number

so when I get it set
up, I can reach you.

Oh, no, my friend.
I will contact you.

And perhaps we shall
meet again as well.

Right. Well, nice meeting
you. Keep up the good work.

I intend to.

You see, I am inspired by
all things of natural beauty.

Your eyes have the clarity and
sparkle of a mountain stream.

That is, before it's
been desecrated

by a sulphur processing plant.

Thank you, I think.

Would you get out of here?

I must go.

Will that chandelier hold me?

That's all right. I
don't mind walking.

Benson, I've never met

anyone like him
before in my life.

I had an uncle like
that once. Yeah?

Kept him out of the service.

Benson, this proposal's
very interesting,

but as for meeting with El
Gato, it's out of the question.

Why, sir? I can't.

You shouldn't. He has to.

He doesn't. Who asked you?

Benson, I can't allow myself

to be blackmailed
by a petty criminal.

Sir, I've met him. He's
not a petty criminal.

He's a little sloppy,
but he's not a criminal.

Well, Governor, I
guess now we know

who was giving El
Gato his inside help.

I had an idea it was you.

Too bad, Taylor. It's your first
idea in months and it's wrong.

Sir, I caught this guy
in the kitchen last night.

You had him and he escaped?

Taylor, would you sit down?

I'd rather not, sir.

Everything's still a
little damp in here.

The guy says he's got plans

that have been
tested and approved.

Why not give him a few minutes

and find out what
he's got to say?

All right, Benson. But
you've got to get him in here

before tomorrow's
press conference,

because I can't
put off any longer

taking a position
on this power plant.

Well, sir, I don't know if I
can get him in here that soon.

I mean, I don't know
where to find him.

Look under a rock.

I hope I'm doing
the right thing.

Oh, I'm sure you are.

Oh, good.

He's probably not gonna show.

No sense in both
of us staying up.

You're right. Go to bed.

I'm staying up
because I have to.

I don't even wanna know why you're
staying up to see a guy in a mask.

I'm just curious, that's all.

I mean, here is a man
who's role-playing openly.

Of course, psychologically,
we all wear masks.

We don't all wear capes.

Remind me when this is over
to have my head looked into.

I'm waiting up till
2:00 in the morning

to see some Twinkie
in a Halloween costume,

who thinks he's Mother Nature.

(THUMPING)

Is that you?

Ja, it's me!

What's it to you?

We were hoping you
were someone else.

Who?

Anyone else.

I was concerned
about Katie's fever

and I got up to check on her.

So how's she doing? Better.

But I think she should
stay home tomorrow.

Well, good night, Marcy.
Good night, Gretchen.

See you in the morning, Krausie.

Ach, don't remind me. I have
enough trouble sleeping as it is.

What a guy.

Forget it, Marcy.
He's not coming.

Yes, he is.

He meant every word he said.

I could tell by the
look on his face.

Yeah, he had a very honest
expression on his mask.

Oh, good.

Listen, I want you both to
keep your eyes open tonight.

One of my men spotted

somebody coming over the wall.

Hey, he'll probably come
through an upstairs window.

I'll go there, you take
the living room. Okay.

No, wait a minute!

I'm in charge here.

You take the living
room and I'll go upstairs.

All right.

(EXCLAIMS)

(CLATTERING)

Are you all right? Yes,
of course. It's nothing.

Look, there are security
people all over the place.

You didn't have to come
here. Why didn't you just call?

I thought of that, but
I didn't have a dime.

I left my change
in my other cape.

You got a nice sense of humor.

Of course, then, how seriously
can you take yourself in that outfit?

Too flashy?

No, I love it.

You know, I'd like to figure
out what you're really like.

Now, I know you have some pretty
strong feelings about some things,

but I get the feeling that there's
something sort of gentle inside you.

Something caring
and... and loving.

Can't leave you two
alone for a minute!

I found him.

Yeah, he's right
under your nose!

Listen, you got your
meeting with the Governor.

But it has to be tomorrow
morning at 10:00.

Good. I won't be there.

What do you mean, you won't
be there? You've got to be there.

Don't worry, a
well-qualified spokesman

will appear on my behalf.

Thank you.

(GROANS) Easy.

My shoulder's still a
little sore from last night.

Sorry about that.

Marcy, we've known each
other only a short while.

But you are as beautiful to me

as the things that I love best.

Things that are fresh and
green and leafy and unspoiled.

If I were a chef's
salad, I'd be flattered.

(CLATTERING)

Was he worth waiting up for?

Yeah, well...

I still can't help wondering
what he'd look like

without that silly costume.

Naked.

I don't want to take up
any more of your time,

but there is one last thing
that El Gato wanted you to see.

Now, of course, this is
only a preliminary report,

but as you can see here,
a power plant of this type

would meet the state's
projected energy needs

without the risks of the
proposed plant at Natosha River.

Well, that's very
impressive, isn't it?

Yeah. Kept me awake.

Sorry.

I'll give you a hand, if you
promise not to step on it.

Sir, a plan of this type was
considered a long time ago

and rejected
because of the cost.

Oh, I'm sorry. I
thought I covered that.

You did. In great detail.

Well, then, fine. Fine.

Uh, the point is
that in 10 years time

this will be the least
expensive plant in the state.

I hope your plant
works better than you do.

Governor, nobody is thinking
about 10 years from now.

The taxpayers are concerned about
what it's going to cost them today.

Taylor, I happen to believe
it's worth every extra penny,

if 10 years from now
some father can take his kid

out on that river
and go fishing.

Hear, hear.

Did we meet before?

No, never.

Mr. Ludwig,

I want you to know
you can be assured

that your plan will be
given every consideration.

Thank you, Governor.
Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank
you all very much.

Thank you.

I didn't bring an
overcoat, did I?

No, no. I didn't think I had.

If you're going to
be seeing El Gato,

would you tell him
that Marcy said hello?

Is there anything else
you'd like me to tell him?

Tell him I'm in the book.

Uh, well, thank you.
Thank you very much.

The, uh, Governor
seems like a man

who's concerned about
preserving the earth.

Yeah, well, he
thinks of it as home.

I know where we met.

It was last night in
the kitchen. El Gato.

Oh, no.

You must have me mixed
up with someone else.

Yeah, maybe.

(GROANS)

But I don't think so.

Oh, hi, Mr. Ludwig.
Why aren't you in school?

Why aren't you in school?

When Monica was
through with her cold,

she gave it to me.

You two know each other?

Mr. Ludwig is my
science teacher.

Oh, yeah, the one who had you
draw the floor plans of the house.

Uh, yes, she did a really good
job. She's very good at science.

Right now I'm working on
a cure for the common cold.

What's that? Fudge
ripple ice cream.

Well, Benson, goodbye. Goodbye.

Sorry about your shoulder.

Oh, that's all right. I... I'm
gonna put my arm in a sling.

You bring any more
fish back here, El Gato,

and that's not the only thing
that's gonna be in a sling.

Right.

Benson, I can't believe
you met this El Gato twice

and you still don't
know what he looks like.

Every time I went
to look in his face,

I saw the back of Marcy's head.

I think you're
exaggerating, Benson.

Oh, come on, Marcy,

you've always been a
sucker for anything in a cape.

Benson, that man is
right off a cereal box.

I mean, the mask, the
running around, the cape.

It's all so childish,
so foolish,

so fascinating.

You wouldn't think so if
you had to clean up after him.

Maybe you're right.

I still think he's
kind of special.

I mean, most of the
men I meet are like, um...

Ludwig?

Exactly.

Well, one thing's for sure.

He's no match for the
mysterious El Gato.

Come on, Benson.

Hasn't there ever been a
mysterious woman in your life?

Well, yeah, there was, once.

So what happened?

Well, when I stopped putting
teeth under my pillow at night,

she stopped coming.

NARRATOR: Benson is videotaped

before a studio audience.