Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980): Season 5, Episode 12 - The Clock Struck Twelve - full transcript

A group of native Hawaiian separatists threaten to bomb public buildings if seven of their associates are not released from jail. McGarrett races the clock to find the bombs, and those responsible, before the deadline.

( upbeat surf theme playing)

( suspenseful theme playing)

MAN: I'm not arguing
the existence by state law

of blood alcohol tests.

Section 84799.3:

If the results of
the breath test

indicate that the
person is intoxicated,

the arrested person
shall be required

to submit to a chemical
test of his blood,

as provided in the
previously mentioned section...

(ticking) 84536.6,
paragraph 4. If it...



(ticking)

(ticking)

(ticking)

(ticking)

(ticking)

(ticking)

(ticking)

(ticking)

(ticking)

( ominous theme playing)

Boom.

McGARRETT: Well, there
it is, governor, as ordered.

Honolulu Judiciary
Building. Pau.

Finished, leveled, kaput.



Looks in good shape to me.

(ticking)

The only difference
between this dummy bomb

and the real thing is
that we used a penlight

set to go off at noon

instead of half a dozen
sticks of dynamite.

One of your men placed it here?

Yeah. One of our
plainclothes officers

with demolition training.

Crude, homemade, but efficient.

It could have put this
entire balcony area

right down there on the floor.

(ticking)

Now, this little baby could
have blasted these offices

into rubble, and undermined
the stairwell support.

All it takes to
know the vital parts

is a $1 blueprint
from city planning,

and anybody could get that.

Anyone can, Steve,
and someone just may,

if they haven't already.

Here.

Add this to your collection.

Another one?

That makes number five.

Same common stationery.

Same typewriter peculiarities.

"In the name of the people...

"This is your last warning.

"Free the seven.

"If you attempt to
prosecute them,

"we will destroy the courthouse.

Ua mau ke ea o
ka aina i ka pono."

"The life of the land

is perpetuated
in righteousness."

MANICOTE: Sounds
like a homegrown zealot.

JAMESON: Whatever. This
type is uniquely dangerous.

MANICOTE: He could be bluffing.

JAMESON: We
can't take that chance.

MANICOTE: What can we
do with so little time, governor?

This is, uh, Friday, and
the preliminary hearing

is set for 9 a.m. on Monday.

GOVERNOR: Well, the hearing must
proceed and it must proceed on schedule.

Steve, I want Five-0
to immediately set up

a maximum-security
system to protect this building.

McGARRETT: Governor,

buildings constructed
before the turn of the century

don't exactly lend themselves
to maximum security.

They have too many
entrances, exits, uh,

too many mazes of corridors.

Now, modern courthouses
are designed for security.

They have underground entrances

for defendants, witnesses,
and judges, but...

this old building is
virtually indefensible.

It has to be done, Steve.

Now, use as much H.P.D.
manpower as required,

but secure this building.

Yes, sir.

( suspenseful theme playing)

CROWD: Freedom for our seven.

Freedom for our seven.

WOMAN: Sign here, please.

We need all your signatures.

CROWD: Freedom for our seven.

Freedom for our seven.

Freedom for our seven.

Freedom for our seven.

Freedom for our seven.

Freedom for our seven.

Freedom for our seven.

It's the same
typewriter, all right.

Look at the light
indentation on all the A's.

M's splotched, bottom
of the Y broken off

to make it look like a V.

Same thing here. Look.

Look at the Y.

Yeah.

From the size and block,
it's got to be an old standard.

Underwood, I think.

Heh. Could go
back as far as 1930.

She regained
consciousness an hour ago.

Asked for you.

Mary Ann?

Hi, honey.

I'm Steve McGarrett.
You sent for me?

(panting)

My... baby.

(mouths) Go on.

Yeah, yeah.

Your baby is fine, just fine.

How long have I been here?

You've been here for four days.

I... I wanted to tell
you I... saw them.

You saw the men
who did this to you?

(crying)

They burned everything.

Now, you say that you saw them.

Did you know them?

Have you ever seen them before?

They were the ones
who l-left the notes

at the... The commune,

uh, telling us to get out.

Do you know their names?

It was horrible.

Like animals.

Mary Ann, their names.

Help me, please.

We've got to stop them

from ever doing
this to anyone again.

Two of th... Them
work at the gas station

up the road.

I know them.

(gasps)

Aiko and Billy Thomas.

Aiko and Billy Thomas.

Anyone else?

(exhales)

( melancholy theme playing)

Doc?

(crying)

(sobbing)

All she wanted to do was
raise her baby in peace.

That's all she
wanted: a peaceful life.

(sobs)

Easy.

(sobbing)

Steve, that does it.

Mary Ann names the
sixth and seventh suspects

in a deathbed statement,

and that gives us
an airtight case.

McGARRETT: The charge against
you is no longer arson and rape.

It's murder.

Murder one.

That's what you're facing now.

Is that clear?

You got to prove it.

Oh, we'll prove it.

Your fingerprints were found
on beer cans at the scene.

Your shoes were
matched to footprints.

But the lock, the absolute lock:

two witnesses identified
you, and you, and you.

Another identified you,
and another identified you.

And a dying girl positively
identified you, Aiko,

and you, Thomas.

Now, we got enough
to put all of you away

for a long, long time.

Whoever did it, McGarrett,

we ain't sorry it happened.

These are our islands.

Dig, McGarrett? Ours.

Not theirs, those
long-haired freaks,

the damn hippie communes.

They want to turn Hawaii
into one big drug scene.

Nobody in his right mind
would condone the use of drugs,

or the ripping off of this land,

but the law does not permit
self-appointed vigilantes.

Nobody is above
the law, bruddah.

Nobody.

Okay.

You say you want
to help this land.

Tell me the name of the people

who are behind
these bomb threats.

My God, there's
been enough misery

and bloodshed already.

Don't compound it.

Don't allow some crackpot

to murder innocent
civil-service workers

in a hallway or an office,
or... Or on a coffee break.

Tell me their names.

Please, tell me their names.

All right, then let me
tell you something.

This attempt to
blackmail justice

is not gonna be allowed.

With your help or
without your help,

nobody... Nobody
is going to stop

due process of law here.

Now, you understand that?

You understand that?

No way.

And bet on it.

Bet on it.

PROTESTER: I say
justice for the seven.

Justice for the
saviors of Hawaii.

They're gonna be judged

before they even set
foot in that courtroom.

Look, all they're trying to do

is defend our land
from the freaks.

(crowd cheering)

PROTESTER: Okay, okay.

What we got to do

is show 'em that we
stand in back of them.

We got to let them know
that we stand right here.

I want to see a sea of bodies
out here Monday morning

that will cause the
biggest traffic jam

in the history of Hawaii.

We got to show them
the will of the people.

Passive resistance,
that's the way.

MAN: Yeah.

PROTESTER: We're
gonna fill up all the jails.

(crowd cheers)
PROTESTER: All right.

That's the way our
brothers gonna know

they don't stand alone.

(crowd cheers)

PROTESTER: Passive resistance.

Now, that's the way.

( tense theme playing)

Here.

Over here.

( ominous theme playing)

( suspenseful theme playing)

(engine starts)

All entrances to be sealed off,

except the main entrance
here on King Street.

McGARRETT: This
will be central control.

No one to be
cleared through here

without a personal search.

No one. Understand?

And, of course, a thorough
search of all packages,

briefcases, anything
hand-carried.

That's self-evident, gentlemen.

DANNO: Steve,
about sealing the doors.

You don't mean
just locked, do you?

It's not too hard to jimmy them.

McGARRETT: Yeah, and
anybody who's really serious

about getting in just
might, so steel bolts.

And on all the ground-level
windows as well. Okay?

Now, I want watch points,

here, here and here.

Eight-hour shifts,
around the clock.

Officers to be
supplied with riot guns

and radio communications
to central here and to Five-0.

DANNO: Steve, I'd
like to use guard dogs.

McGARRETT: Yeah,
that's a good idea.

From dawn till dusk
at all entrances.

Rough one, Steve.

Tie up a lot of manpower.

Anybody got a better way?

It's got to be done, Chin.

You've been out there.

Can't you feel
that it's in the air?

This town is ready to
explode, and that's the way

it's gonna be till
after this hearing.

( tense theme playing)

What's that for?

Well, you just never know

who you're gonna run into.

So you're all set?

Come on, let's go.

Where you boys off to?

Oh, got a bowling match, Pop.

Oop.

(engine starts)

See you later, Dad.

(engine revs)

( upbeat theme playing)

McGARRETT: Search
and identify will be the rule

for everyone entering
the courthouse, governor.

No one will be able to
penetrate our security

without proper credentials.

That's it?

Yes, sir, that's it.

Well, then, it's safe
to consider the building

impervious to attack.

Isn't that what you said, Steve?

No, sir. I said that
I've done all that I can.

Well, I'm not sure
what that means,

but, uh, I think
we'd better find out.

Tell you what.

You set up that security system.

You penetrate it.

You want...?

You want Five-0 to penetrate it?

That's right.

Sir, I think I've told you
that the police on duty there

have been ordered
by me to prevent

any unauthorized entry,
and I mean to prevent.

Well, I-I know it
could be dangerous,

but, uh, I think
it's got to be done.

And you want me to prove
that Five-0 is... Is fallible.

Yes. Better you to prove
it than a man with a bomb.

After all, there's
always the possibility

that at night, under
cover, somebody might.

Sure, somebody might.
Anything is possible.

Steve, if there is a flaw
in that security system,

plug it now.

Yes, sir.

(footsteps receding)

McGARRETT: It has
to happen right here,

at exactly 1:15 in the morning.

ELLSWORTH: 1:15.

Yeah. Think you can handle it?

No sweat. And come out alive?

The cost in machinery
is gonna be high enough.

You got it.

(pen clatters)

You know something?

I don't know who to root for.

(chuckles)

(tires squealing)

(brakes screech)

(barking)

( suspenseful theme playing)

(laughing)

ELLSWORTH: Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. I'm
in a phone booth.

Ha-ha! Oh!

Whoo-hoo!

(Ellsworth laughing)

ELLSWORTH: Whoopee! Whoo-hoo!

(Ellsworth laughing)

(Ellsworth laughing)

ELLSWORTH: Whoopee! Whoo-hoo!

Okay, Ben. Set your
first one down there.

I'll make my way
down to the basement.

Okay. Good luck.

ELLSWORTH: Whoo-hoo!

(Ellsworth laughing)

( suspenseful theme playing)

(door closes)

(footsteps receding)

(footsteps approaching)

( suspenseful theme playing)

(footsteps approaching)

So what was he, drunk?

Yeah, stoned to the eyeballs.

Creamed a traffic-control
box out front,

totaled the car,
never felt a thing.

He's okay?

Not a scratch, the
lucky dum-dum.

Well, it's time for another
check of the building.

Right. Basement or tower?

Uh, let's follow
my life pattern.

Start from the top,
work my way down.

(footsteps receding)

( dramatic theme playing)

(ticking)

McGARRETT (over
bullhorn): All right, gentlemen.

If we found one bomb,
there may be others.

Clear the building and
search it, inch by inch.

If you spot a
bomb, don't touch it.

I repeat, don't touch it.

Contact Chin by walkie-talkie.

Now, it's exactly 1:45.

We have six hours
and 15 minutes till 8:00,

so work carefully and steadily.

Go.

Danno got everything he needs?

He isn't sure what he needs yet.

Still checking it out.

Steve?

(ticking)

Tilt it up a little,
will you, Che?

Yeah.

Well, Danno?

Very professional.

(ticking)

Do you know what
ten sticks of dynamite

could do to this old building?

Like pulling the bottom
on a house of cards.

Whoever thought this out
must have the blueprints.

How could he have
gotten in and out

past our security lines?

Maybe he didn't.

This is a battery-operated
digital calendar clock.

Yeah, the date and the time.

DANNO: The Army has used them.

They can be set to go off as
much as a week in advance.

Whoever planted
this could have done it

before we set up our security.

Exactly.

What do you think, Danno?

Can we get this out
to the bomb van?

Uh-uh.

That wire around the brace

isn't baling wire,
it's insulated.

Secondary fuse wire?

Yeah. If it's got electrical
current going through it

and we cut it, this
baby will go right off.

Can you tell if it's
booby-trapped?

There's more than the
clock and the batteries

and the dynamite, Steve.

There's a kind
of box up in there.

See the spring?

Yeah. Could be a backup device.

I'm gonna need a galvanometer,
and a lot more tools.

Che, what about
watering it down?

Too risky.

Just might short out
and complete the circuit.

There's no way to take prints.

The slightest
movement could set it off.

Guy really figured it.

Set for 8:00, trial starts at 9.

That insulated wire looks new.

Duke, check with hardware
stores and other suppliers

for a recent purchase.

Same with the clock.

Che, hold this for
a second, will you?

Get a little closer.

There seems to be some
kind of an identifying number

or something on this dynamite.

Could be a serial
number or a code.

Bring it in a little closer.

Yeah.

Eight, six, Frank, nine, four.

Put it in the computer.

See who manufactured this stuff.

OFFICER: Police department.
Sergeant Maris speaking.

Abe.

Abe, now, listen to me.

You fink.

But I knew you'd crack.

Abe, I wasn't gonna
tell them my name.

David, you're not
telling anybody anything.

But you're wrong, Abe.

You're wrong.

You know what?

I can't trust you anymore...

so I'm not gonna let you
say anything to anybody.

( tense theme playing)

Steve, only two
manufacturers in the States

code their dynamite sticks:
one in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,

one in Camden, New Jersey.

Okay, check both these
manufacturers, Chin.

See if there's a recent
shipment to Honolulu.

Find out who purchased
it and in what quantity.

Send Ben in, will you?

There are 11
companies on the islands

who do demolition
and construction work.

There may be a hundred
who would have know-how

to make a bomb like that.

Okay, press on these
companies, Duke.

I want an inventory of
all their high explosives,

and a list of every
man who had access.

Ben, did you find
the hardware store?

I got three guys hustling,
but there are 22 stores,

some with three
and four branches.

What about the clock?

So far, four stores
don't carry it,

but I got a lot of
other stores to check,

none open this time of night.

Did you wake the owners?

Sure, when we can
track them down,

but it's slow going, Steve.

Okay. Get on it.

DANNO (on radio
): Che? Yeah, Dan.

They're secondary
fuse wires, all right.

I'm getting a strong reading.

What kind of a backup
device do you think it's got?

Could be a
release-of-pressure detonator.

CHE: Where?

Underneath, I think.

The pressure of the bomb
along the base keeping it cocked.

Can you tell for sure?

Well, I s... See a
heavy-duty spring

above the clock,

but to be sure, I'm gonna
need a piece of cardboard,

4 inches by 4 inches,
a quarter-inch thick,

a piece of wood, 6 inches long,

uh, quarter-inch
by quarter-inch.

Make sure the, uh... All
sides are sanded smooth.

Put a few drops of
lubricating oil on it,

and a small V-notch at one end.

Got it.

All inventories accounted
for, and that includes

the dynamite storage
for the city and county.

We got the manufacturer, Steve.

The Cramer
Explosives Corporation

in Camden, New Jersey.

They shipped 22
cases of dynamite

to Benton Construction
Company in Honolulu last month.

I thought you said that
all inventories checked out.

Does that include
the Benton company?

Yes.

Well, at least the
superintendent

told me they did.

Gentlemen, let's go
check the Benton company.

( suspenseful theme playing)

(tires squealing)

(ticking)

DANNO: All right, Che.

Got the cardboard.

I'm gonna slide it under
the base of the bomb.

As far as it can go.

Hitting something.

I think it must be
the trigger device.

(switch clicks faintly)

All right. I'm gonna
leave the cardboard in.

Try to jam the spring.

( tense theme playing)

(ticking)

Inching my way in, Che.

Easy.

Yeah.

Got it, Che.

Seems to be holding.

So far, so good.

Now I'll go after
the lead wires.

Open it. Open it. Yeah,
but you already asked me

if our inventory
has been checked.

It's the only place it
could have come from.

Those sticks were coded.

Yeah, but I went
over everything.

I checked the cases.
They haven't been touched.

Then you must have
missed something.

Steve?

The bottom of this looks
like it's been tampered with.

Open it.

Here.

Easy.

McGARRETT: Who else
has the key to this place?

SUPERINTENDENT: Only other person
beside myself is our demolition man.

What's his name?

Abraham Meleha.

Where is he?

Called in sick.

I mean, where does he live?

Uh, 3610 Harbor Avenue.

Ben, you stay here. Chin.

Abe.

Abe.

They found them.

(doors closing)

SAMUEL: They found them.

That's a bomb van down
there in front of the building.

It might be a precaution.

But those cops are
running into the building.

Why would they do that?

Maybe David was right.

Maybe we shouldn't have done it.

Hey, heh, you want to go home?

But, Abe, suppose
they disarm the bombs?

No way.

The way I rigged
it, hair-triggered?

Impossible.

But if, just if they do...

Abe, we left our
fingerprints all over them.

Oh, that's what
you're worried about?

All right.

They won't disarm them.

But you know something?

On the outside chance,

maybe I should
be ready for them.

SAMUEL: What are
you gonna do with that?

Huh?

Kill a couple of cops?

What's that gonna prove?

Bruddah,

we came here to blow
up that courthouse,

and that's what we're gonna do.

How?

Well, you said it yourself.

They just might
disarm that bomb.

Then what?

Here. Take a look yourself.

See there?

That's a demolition van
used to transport explosives

outside of the city proper.

But to transport,
you've got to load, right?

That means those
hotshot demolition guys

are gonna have to
go through that door

carrying live bombs.

And one shot... One
shot, and the cops

and the courthouse, everything,

they go up together. Ha-ha-ha.

What about us?

I can't miss.

They'll be carrying those
babies slow and easy.

Abraham. Huh?

What about us?

Cops will be swarming
all over that place

before we hit the street.

What's the matter, bruddah?

You want to live forever?

I thought you were with me.

( tense theme playing)

Ua mau ke ea o
ka aina i ka pono.

Hey, I thought you were with me.

We swore we were
gonna stop that trial.

And if we don't stop them,

they're gonna hang
our blood brothers,

and this is what you want?

I want out.

I'm leaving.

I'm putting distance between me,

this island, and you.

Go. Get out. Heh-heh.

Get out.

Out.

( tense theme playing)

(gun cocks)

(ticking)

Okay, now going
for the clock wires.

(ticking stops)

(sighs)

Okay, Che.

It's over.

(sighs)

Tom?

(sighs)

Tom, wait here, will you?

Che's got a couple of
boys on the way down

to take care of this.

Brace yourself, Danny.

What?

We've just found another one.

( dramatic theme playing)

(ticking)

(sirens wailing)

(ticking)

(sighs)

Tired.

My hands are cramping.

Take a rest, Danny.
When you're tired,

that's the time to
be extra careful.

Don't take any chances.

Better safe than sorry, huh?

(sirens wailing)

Get the back.

Abraham Meleha live
here? Yeah, but he not home.

Five-0. I'm sorry. We're gonna
have to look through your home.

Chin, go ahead.
Hey, hey, hey. Whoa!

What is this? Are you
Abraham's parents?

Yeah. Yeah. What is this?

Where is your son now?

He's not home. What do you want?

You must have some
idea of where he went.

He called in sick at work.

No, we don't know.

He's 34 years old.

He don't tell us where he go.

Does he have a workshop?

Yes, but... Where is it?

Listen, you just can't... I
don't have time to argue.

Hey. Hey, wait just a minute.

Listen here, you
can't do that to us.

MRS. MELEHA: Where are you
going? Who do you think you are?

What's he done?
What's Abraham done?

He may have set some bombs
in the courthouse building.

What? Bombs?

I need the key.
KAUA: No. What for?

Open it, or I'll break it open.

(box thumps)

(metal clanks)

Mr. Policeman, you're mistaken.
Abraham don't make no bombs.

(grunting)

(grunts)

(panting)

Who did this to you?

Abraham, my own brother.

Where is he?

I don't know.

I don't know.

But listen, he took the rifle.

You got to find
him and stop him,

'cause man, I'm
telling you, he is crazy.

Thanks.

You better untie his hands.

KAUA: No way, David.

Chin, let me have that.

Central, this is
McGarrett. Red alert.

CENTRAL: Yes, sir.

I want the police chopper
ready immediately.

I'm on my way.
CENTRAL: Ten-four.

Benny, get Duke in Control.

Tell him I want
every vantage point

around the judiciary
building checked.

Rooftops, trees,
towers, anything.

We're looking for
the man with a rifle.

( suspenseful theme playing)

(engine starts)

(tires screeching)

(ticking)

Can't get it.

Keeps slipping.

Danny, I'll come
in. You're too tired.

No, I've got it.

Okay.

Going for the spring.

( tense theme playing)

(sighs)

Wood's holding.

Going for the wires.

(sighs)

Amen.

( dramatic theme playing)

( suspenseful theme playing)

DANNO: Okay, Ed.

Get them out of here.

McGarrett to Williams.

McGarrett to Williams. Code red.

Williams. Come in, Steve.

McGARRETT: Danno,
how are you doing?

Done. Bombs are
defused. Both of them.

Well done, Danno. Well done.

Where are you right now?

On our way out to the bomb van.

No, no. Listen. You are not,

repeat, you are not
to take the bombs

out of the building
till you hear from me.

No time to explain.

Those bombs are
not to be exposed.

Don't even go near the
doorway. That's an order.

DANNO: Hold it!

David, take it back.

Take it back inside, quick.

(inaudible dialogue)

(helicopter whirring)

Abraham Meleha, this is Five-0.

Drop your weapon
and put your hands up.

The bombs have been defused.

They're not coming
out of the building.

You don't have a chance.

Drop your weapon now.

(gunshot)

(gunshot)

(gunfire)

Okay, Danno.

You can take the bombs out now.

( somber theme playing)

( upbeat surf theme playing)