MacGyver (1985–1992): Season 4, Episode 10 - Fraternity of Thieves - full transcript
Pete is conflicted when he discovers that the Phoenix Foundation employee selling classified information turns out to be his son.
Technology
has just about
taken over everything
in the world today.
But no matter how computerized
and mechanized things get,
people are still the
most important part
of any operation...
And the weakest link.
Dave Edwards was
a computer engineer
working for a company involved
with the Phoenix foundation
on a top-secret
government project.
When a routine
- security check showed - he
was spending a lot more money
Than his job paid,
it raised suspicions
that Edwards was smuggling
information from work.
I'd been following him
to find out who
he was selling to.
My high-living young protégé
Seems to have
grown a tail, harrill.
Do we burn the
drop, Mr. Sanborn?
No, no, no, no,
we've come too close.
With this delivery,
we'll have all the components
of the rains unit.
Tell kreese to send Edwards
to the secondary drop.
Then you dispose of
our unwanted guest.
♪ ♪
Hi. Would you like to dance?
Hi. Hi.
Kreese, use the
emergency signal.
We've got a crasher.
♪ ♪
Hello, David.
Papillon. What went wrong?
I saw the emergency signal.
You went wrong.
You were careless.
- The butterfly.
Give it to me... now.
Call the police.
Using a Brazilian
butterfly to pass secrets.
Whoever we're dealing with
sure has a flair
for the dramatic.
There it is.
Micro-transparency.
Even the lab didn't get
this till the second pass.
And what exactly did they find?
Well, let's take a look.
Oh, no.
What?
These are the schematics
For the rains satellite
linkage system.
But even these are useless
Without the schematics from
the other three companies.
Well, maybe they've
already got them.
You're right.
We've got to notify
colonel Collins right away.
Yeah, you know, I've
got some questions
I need answered
about this operation.
MacGyver, I know all
this secrecy bothers you,
but the military has
put this rains project...
- Pass, please?
- On a strictly need-to-know basis.
Well, I need to know
why some guy
was killed last night.
Oh, hi, dad.
Here's all that data you wanted.
I also made a pert chart
for scheduling deliveries.
Oh, great.
So, Michael, the old man got
you working weekends, huh?
I appreciate
Your giving up your Sunday.
Well, as long as I can catch
that laker-celtics
game this afternoon.
Well, I hope you haven't
bet too much on this one.
Me?
Never.
- Hey, see you around.
- Yeah.
It's good to see you
two getting along.
Yeah. Putting him to work here
Is the best thing I ever did.
We've seen more of
each other this year
than all the time
he was growing up.
Well, I guess what
they say is true.
It's never too late.
Excuse me, young man.
I'm in a hurry, mister.
Yes, but uh, didn't we
meet in Paris last winter?
I never travel
overseas before April.
Ah, but it doesn't
get warm until may.
You've kept up
with your homework.
Excellent.
Papillon.
I-I don't get it.
David said I was never
supposed to meet you.
Ah, I'm afraid I have
some rather sad
news for you, my boy.
David is dead.
I'm sorry to give you this news.
I know how close you two were.
I can't believe it.
He was like my big brother.
I know, I know.
We've been friends since school.
What happened?
Well, he got careless.
He stepped into a trap...
And got shot trying to escape.
Shot? By who?
FBI, CIA,
nsc, dxs... who knows?
It's all the same alphabet soup.
The really important
thing here is the operation.
You've got to run that now.
Me?
You want me to be in charge?
You don't even know me.
I know all about you, chas.
I know where you live.
I know where you work.
I even know who you sleep with.
And I have always known
that you'd be the one
to take Dave's place
should the occasion arrive.
And that time has come now.
I-I don't know if
I'm ready for all this.
Nobody was supposed to get hurt.
And no one else will.
All we need to
finish our mission
Is that final set of schematics.
By the way, when
you deliver them,
I'm going to see that
your share is doubled.
It's up to you now.
You're not going to
let us down, chas?
Somehow,
Edwards got the specs
of the satellite linkage
before it left teldar systems.
Now, our problem
is that we don't know
whether any other schematics
were stolen from Webber,
macroflex, or vectorcomp.
This is exactly
The kind of thing we
were trying to prevent.
This is a disaster.
The entire rains operation
could be compromised.
Just what is this operation?
The details are classified.
Strictly need-to-know.
Yeah, I've heard
that before, colonel,
and right now, I need to know.
The Phoenix foundation
was contracted to
assemble the rains unit
And maintain security.
Anything beyond that
doesn't concern you.
I think it does.
Somebody was killed last night.
- MacGyver...
- I mean it, Pete.
I got to know
whether this involves
Something I can sleep with.
What can't you "sleep
with," Mr. MacGyver?
Shady, hip-pocket
political scams, for one.
Rains is not in that category.
You can take my word for it.
Sorry.
Not good enough.
I'm out of here.
- He can't quit.
- Yes, he can.
Then replace him.
He's the
best man we have.
MacGyver! Hold it.
Okay.
You win.
Rains is an acronym
For remote air identification
neutralizing system.
It picks up enemy radar signals
and transmits the
frequency to a satellite,
Which sends out a wave
pattern that disrupts the signals.
Which makes
any plane virtually invisible.
Well, what kind of operation
is this gonna be used on?
In a minute.
Thornton, how many people
Have access to the
rains assembly room?
Only myself and the lab
chief have pass cards.
The magnetic combination
Is changed every
morning at random.
How often is this
room swept for bugs?
Every morning.
And the rains
unit here is gonna be used
On a highly sensitive mission.
You two never heard
what I'm about to say.
Our intelligence suspects
A hostile country is building
a biochemical warfare factory.
The dxs wants
to use the rains unit
to get a recon jet
through their radar
and shoot some pictures
before Wednesday.
What happens on Wednesday?
We expose the plant
to the United Nations
security council,
which could save
thousands of people
From an agonizing death.
Now, is that nonpolitical
enough for you?
Dave Edwards dead.
I can't believe it.
Neither can I.
I don't care what papillon says.
I got into this to
pay off my condo,
not to get shot.
None of us did.
But we have to finish the job.
Finish the job?
We'll be lucky if the
job doesn't finish us.
If they found Dave,
they can find us.
Look, papillon put me in charge.
We start by
covering Dave's trail.
Dump everything that
could link him to us.
Right. That's a start.
So, how do we get
the satellite linkage
for rains out of teldar?
We don't have to.
The Phoenix
foundation has it now.
Isn't that right, Thornton?
You got it.
Ah. How's it going, Michael?
Hi.
Any luck?
Oh, I've been at it since
7:30 this morning.
This is all I got.
What is it?
It's what's left
Of teldar systems'
file on Dave Edwards.
I'd be willing to bet
someone got into their
mainframe, planted a virus,
And wiped out his whole history.
A virus?
When is somebody gonna
come up with a computer vaccine?
It's an epidemic.
We're all at the mercy
of these hackers.
Oh, these are no hackers, Pete.
This is professional sabotage.
Well, where do we go from here?
Edwards worked
at state university
Before he went over to teldar.
I have asked the registrar
to send over his file.
Okay.
Let me know what you find.
Seven... eight...
Nine...
Ten.
We got it all worked out.
Courtesy of papillon.
A few snapshots
of those satellite
linkage schematics,
and we'll all be set for life.
I can't just waltz
into the security lab.
I've already told you guys.
It takes a special pass card.
Show him, Simon.
Here. Move over.
Nine-volt battery.
Card with a blank
strip, and bingo.
You've got an instant copy of
any magnetic code you want.
I've already used it to
boost a couple credit cards.
Works like a charm.
I've already told you guys.
There are only two
in the entire building.
Now, how am I
supposed to get my hands
On a pass card to copy?
What are fathers for?
Oh, you're good.
Who is?
Well, whoever broke
into teldar's system
Must have hit Edwards'
university file, too.
Well, what's this?
It's the access
number to Edwards' personnel file.
The number keeps changing.
Are you telling me
We can't access any
information on Dave Edwards?
That's about it.
It's these computers,
I'm telling you.
Give me the good old days
when we still had paper, books.
That's a good idea, Pete.
Good one.
Yes, I'd like the number
for the state university
library, please.
Library!
Yeah, that was a good idea.
Stick with it.
Hey, dad?
You got a minute?
For you, I've got a minute.
Come on in.
Now, what's up?
Well, I wanted to get
your opinion on something.
Yeah? What's that?
Oh, wow.
Oh, that's beautiful.
Uh-huh.
Well, I've always been
partial to cashmere.
I know.
That's why I got
it in your size.
- What?
- Now, you remember you told me
Not to bet too much on
that Lakers-celtics game.
Well, as usual, I
didn't listen to you...
Michael...
But for once, I was right.
So, I decided to cut
you in on the winnings.
No, you're not giving me this.
Dad, please.
Let me do this for you.
Look, I can't even
consider taking that.
It's... it's too much.
Well, then consider it a payment
on that loan you
gave me in college.
That was not a debt.
A father is supposed
to educate his
children, all right?
I was happy to do that.
And aren't sons allowed
to show their appreciation?
Now, come on.
At least try it on.
Now, stop it. I don't know
what to do with you.
I don't know what to say.
Well, don't say anything
Until you see how
great it looks on you.
Well...
All right, just for a second.
Okay.
Oh, boy.
Oh.
Sure feels good.
- Uh-huh.
Well, I, uh...
I might as well see
what it looks like, hmm?
Oh, Michael!
It is
beautiful.
But it's too much.
Who says a guy can't
splurge on his dad
once in a while, huh?
I'll say this for you:
You're persistent.
You know, it's really great
having you work here.
I mean, even if it's only
passing in the hall, it's, uh...
It's nice to know you're around.
I feel the same way, too, dad.
We didn't really get to do
a lot of father-and-son stuff
At home, did we?
At home?
I was never at home.
Not enough to be a real father.
Or a husband, for that matter.
I guess I did screw it
up, being a father, but, uh,
maybe we could
make it as friends now.
What do you think?
I'd like that.
Me, too.
Well, what do you think?
Maybe I'll go out on the town.
Sweep a few
ladies off their feet.
I think you're dynamite.
Listen, I'd better get
back to the salt mines.
Hey, well, now, don't go.
Hey, time's money.
Kids.
Hi.
Find anything at the library?
Yeah, I think I got something.
You seen Michael?
Seen him?
Ah.
Cashmere.
He cleaned up at Sunday's game.
Decided to
share his wealth
with the old man.
Go on. Feel it.
Michael gave you this?
Yeah.
Really something, huh?
So, what did you
dig up at the library?
Well, I went through the old
yearbooks, and I found out
that Edwards set up the
campus computer club
back in '83.
I...
Ran a cross search...
With the members of the club
against the personnel files
of the four rains companies
and Phoenix.
Well, did you find a connection?
Yeah.
Five of the members
of the club work
For companies involved
with the rains components.
David Edwards was with teldar.
Alex Percy with Webber,
Charles Gordon at macroflex,
Simon Fletcher, vectorcomp.
Well, who's the fifth?
No.
No, not Michael.
It can't be.
MacGyver, there's
got to be some mistake.
He wouldn't be involved
in anything like this.
I'm his father!
He just gave me that jacket.
Was Mike ever
alone with this jacket?
So who is it, kid?
The Soviets?
A little glasnost gift
for your comrades?
Why, Michael, why?!
The price was right.
This isn't about money, is it?
Yes.
At first, anyway.
All I had to do was tell them
when the rains components
were being shipped to Phoenix.
So they'd know when the
designs were ready to be ripped off.
And delivered to whom?
To Dave Edwards.
Until your people killed him.
Michael, I was there.
If anyone shot him,
it was his contact.
Papillon woul...
Papillon?
That's
French for butterfly.
And that's what we found
on Dave Edwards.
All right, kid.
Who is this papillon?
I don't know.
I want some answers, now!
I told you I don't know.
I've never met him.
Will you let me handle this?!
Oh, sure, Thornton!
You've done one
hell of a job so far.
All right, will everybody
just settle down?!
Now papillon wants the plans
to the rains satellite linkage.
I say we give it to him.
In person.
You mean... use Michael
to draw him out in the open?
A trap.
And I'm the bait?
No way.
I really don't see that you
have much choice, son.
I can't do it.
Michael, you're the
only one who can do it.
And you will.
Because it's the only way
you're gonna avoid spending
the rest of your life in jail.
No! No, damn it!
No deals.
If Michael is going to
help us clean this up...
It's gonna be because he
wants to do the right thing.
And because he has to be
responsible for what he's done.
Michael...
When were you
supposed to deliver the film
To your contact?
Tonight.
At the health club.
All right.
Put a wire on him.
But he doesn't leave this
room until we leave for the drop.
Michael...
Maybe you did it for the money.
Maybe it was because
you wanted to hurt me.
But what I don't understand
is how you lost the ability
to know right from wrong.
Is there a right and a
wrong anymore, dad?
The world you operated in
Wasn't black and white.
You told me you
operated in the gray area
all your life.
I... what I did I
did within the law!
I did it for my country!
Come on, Pete.
Let's go.
You're late.
I'm here.
Excuse us.
Got the film?
I said I would, didn't I?
Great.
Papillon needs it by 2:00
or none of us will get paid.
He'll get it... as soon as
we renegotiate my cut.
What are you talking about?
This is a done deal.
That was before
I had to do Dave Edwards' job.
I'm in charge here.
Not anymore.
If you were, you'd
know this stuff is worth
ten or 20 times what
papillon is paying us.
Papillon is not
going to renegotiate.
He will if he
wants the schematics
for that satellite linkage.
Oh, man, I never
thought you'd be the one
to pull a stunt like this.
Hey... we're the ones
taking all the risks here.
We should be the
ones who clean up.
What if I cut you in?
Give you a share of my take?
Papillon never has to know.
He'd never buy it.
He doesn't have
a choice, does he?
It's supply and demand, babe.
We're the ones with the supply,
We're the ones who'll
make the demands.
Simple
free enterprise.
I don't know...
Look, I'll tell him.
Make the offer myself.
That way, there's
no heat on you.
When and where?
South wing of the
Regis shopping mall
Tomorrow at noon.
You tell papillon
not to be late.
Every one is a perfect specimen.
Aren't they lovely?
I wouldn't trade my
collection for a Picasso.
Now, when I put you in charge,
I expected you to control
your operatives, not
them to control you.
I never thought Michael
would turn on us like this.
He's holding the goods.
Well, if our young
friend insists,
We have no choice but to oblige.
Tell him
that I agree to this meeting
on his terms.
You can't be serious.
I have clients coming
at 2:00 to take delivery
On the schematics
of all four components.
Disappointing them could
be hazardous to my health.
So is walking into a trap.
Yes, and that's why you're
going to attend the meeting
In my place.
Young Thornton will
assume that he is papillon.
That way, we minimize the risks
and maximize the
likelihood of success.
And you, my boy...
Your loyalty is duly noted.
You're going to be rewarded.
Now Mr. Harrill will
go along with you.
When you obtain the film,
he'll bring both of you
Back here.
And I think you
should be moving now.
Hans, a moment, please.
Do you think it is a trap?
When our young
friends give you the film
I want you to use this on them.
It fires prussic acid.
It's a deadly gas.
One whiff and
they'll drop like flies.
Now by the time the
fuss is all sorted out,
you and harrill
will be on your way
back here with the microfilm.
Just remember...
Get it up, very close...
Have you any
idea what that is worth?
Don't touch it!
Mr. Sanborn, I'm sorry...
No matter.
But... since you seem
a little clumsy today,
I'll load this myself.
This is sodium thiosulphate.
The antidote.
Swallow it after
you fire the gas.
After all,
We wouldn't want you
dropping dead, would we?
Okay, hurry up.
We're
just about set to go.
Maintain your position.
Target should be
arriving in five minutes.
We'll send your boy out in two.
Understood.
It all started out so simple.
Nobody was supposed to get hurt.
It was cloak and dagger, a game.
It's just like dad used to play.
It was no game, Michael.
No matter how you
try to rationalize it,
you sold out your country,
And everything your
father believes in.
You hurt him.
How do you hurt a stranger?
Okay.
So Pete's not some kind of
Norman Rockwell super-dad.
And maybe he wasn't
there 24 hours a day
whenever you needed him.
But that doesn't mean
he didn't love you.
Better get out there, kid.
The moment this is
in papillon's hands,
We'll move in.
Scared?
A little.
You should be.
You just hand off the
film. Let us do the rest.
Got it.
You brought it?
Where's papillon?
Right over there.
With the newspaper.
That's papillon?
Find him.
Got him.
Oh, no!
He's got a gun. It's a set-up!
Get out of the way!
No, Michael!
Out of here! Move!
Dad!
Hey, Pete?
Pete, what happened?
Pete, what's the matter?
He's dead.
What?
You smell that?
Almonds.
Oh, my god.
Prussic gas, a poison.
Old kgb trick.
Smells like almonds.
Makes an assassination
look like a heart attack.
Call an ambulance.
There's no time.
What are you talking about?
Works too fast.
There's nothing we can do.
No, there's got to be.
Prussic gas is a
form of cyanide.
Sodium thiosulphate
will neutralize it.
Sure.
Where the hell are
you gonna find that
In the next two minutes?
Stay with him.
Medical emergency. I
need some photo fixer.
Get him up.
Come on, Pete. Drink.
Come on. Drink.
That tastes terrible!
Welcome back.
Michael! Where's Michael?
They got him, Pete.
Well, things didn't go
Exactly as planned, but we
can't argue with the results.
Excellent.
Oh, I trust Mr. Kreese took
his medicine as planned?
He did.
Good fellow.
He always did follow orders.
Papillon, what is this?
Figure it out, chas.
If he didn't need the other guy,
he certainly doesn't need us.
He's got what he wants.
For your sake, I hope so.
My customers should be
here in less than an hour.
Watch them
While I process the film.
Gentlemen... Take a seat.
You know, Pete, you really
should be taking it easy.
Yeah, sure.
Well, what about
our friend here?
Well,
there was no wallet
On the body, no ID at all.
Looks like cyanide poisoning.
Yeah? I thought he took a pill
before I went out.
Another kgb trick.
Probably was told it was
an antidote for prussic acid.
What's that?
"P. Sarpedon m"?
Code?
Well, sarpedon was a
warrior in ancient Troy.
Other than that, I...
Wait a minute.
Well, come on. Have
you got something?
Well, species of butterflies
Are named after characters
in Greek mythology.
"P" stands for papilio,
the genus, sarpedon,
is the species,
And "m" the gender, male.
This is a name tag to
a butterfly collection.
Listen, this papillon is
obviously into butterflies.
Maybe he's a collector.
I mean, it all fits.
So we know he likes butterflies.
So what? Where does that get us?
Well, butterfly collectors
subscribe to journals,
Lepidopterist
magazines, stuff like that.
Right! Have your people
trace the subscribers
to every butterfly
magazine they can find,
and then cross-reference that
with the dxs. Come on.
The film is genuine.
My clients will be very pleased.
Oh, there's some shovels
in the cellar. Go get them.
Got an address?
Good work.
They came up with
19 possible names.
One of 'em practically set
off all the bells and whistles.
Robert sanborn.
Sanborn?
Who's he?
He was a naval attaché
stationed in Europe.
Up until they
suspected him of selling
classified information
to the highest bidder.
Yeah, he resigned, but
they never proved a thing.
Well, where do we find him?
He has a country place
about 15 minutes out of town.
The federal boys are
working on the paperwork now.
Paperwork?
We need search warrants.
We can't make a move
without authorization.
Yes, we can.
We're talking
about my son's life.
I trusted you.
Oh, trust is such a
worthless commodity.
Now, security...
That's priceless.
And I've determined that
the best way to ensure mine
is for you two never
to be seen again.
Here they are.
Shall we take
a stroll in the woods?
After you.
Keep going, boys,
down there towards the lake.
We're not too late.
Yet.
Hold it.
Looks like they're
expecting company.
That's a chopper pad.
So now what?
I think we stand a
better chance if we can split 'em up.
Think you can make your
way through the woods
Without being spotted?
Yeah, sure.
Where are you gonna be?
I'm gonna try and
break up their party,
draw one of them down there.
Turn to our left there, boys.
Okay, that's far enough.
Now, boys, I have one
Last little chore for you.
Dig.
Dig!
Right on time.
Red light.
Something's wrong.
Better hang back a minute.
Where's he going?
Something's wrong.
Something must
have scared him off.
Take care of these two.
Forget the digging.
They'll never find you out here.
On your knees, both of you.
Please. Please don't.
Freeze! Drop it!
Now! Drop it!
Hey!
Give...
Oh! Aah!
Drop it! I said drop it now!
It's too hot for me.
We're out of here.
I think you just
missed your flight.
Pete...
You about ready to go?
Ready as I'll ever be, I guess.
Pete...
A parent can only take
so much responsibility.
I wish it was that simple.
I think we're all responsible.
And I think some of
us, maybe a lot of us,
have been sending
out the wrong signals.
I guess we'd better go.
Oh, yeah.
So did your lawyer
talk to the prosecutor?
Yeah. He said my cooperating
could help get me
a reduced sentence,
but I'm still gonna
have to serve time.
I'm scared, dad.
I know.
Me, too.
Michael, do you
remember what I said
about being friends?
Well, that still goes.
And friends stand
by each other...
Through everything.
I'm your friend.
Come on. Let's go, son.
has just about
taken over everything
in the world today.
But no matter how computerized
and mechanized things get,
people are still the
most important part
of any operation...
And the weakest link.
Dave Edwards was
a computer engineer
working for a company involved
with the Phoenix foundation
on a top-secret
government project.
When a routine
- security check showed - he
was spending a lot more money
Than his job paid,
it raised suspicions
that Edwards was smuggling
information from work.
I'd been following him
to find out who
he was selling to.
My high-living young protégé
Seems to have
grown a tail, harrill.
Do we burn the
drop, Mr. Sanborn?
No, no, no, no,
we've come too close.
With this delivery,
we'll have all the components
of the rains unit.
Tell kreese to send Edwards
to the secondary drop.
Then you dispose of
our unwanted guest.
♪ ♪
Hi. Would you like to dance?
Hi. Hi.
Kreese, use the
emergency signal.
We've got a crasher.
♪ ♪
Hello, David.
Papillon. What went wrong?
I saw the emergency signal.
You went wrong.
You were careless.
- The butterfly.
Give it to me... now.
Call the police.
Using a Brazilian
butterfly to pass secrets.
Whoever we're dealing with
sure has a flair
for the dramatic.
There it is.
Micro-transparency.
Even the lab didn't get
this till the second pass.
And what exactly did they find?
Well, let's take a look.
Oh, no.
What?
These are the schematics
For the rains satellite
linkage system.
But even these are useless
Without the schematics from
the other three companies.
Well, maybe they've
already got them.
You're right.
We've got to notify
colonel Collins right away.
Yeah, you know, I've
got some questions
I need answered
about this operation.
MacGyver, I know all
this secrecy bothers you,
but the military has
put this rains project...
- Pass, please?
- On a strictly need-to-know basis.
Well, I need to know
why some guy
was killed last night.
Oh, hi, dad.
Here's all that data you wanted.
I also made a pert chart
for scheduling deliveries.
Oh, great.
So, Michael, the old man got
you working weekends, huh?
I appreciate
Your giving up your Sunday.
Well, as long as I can catch
that laker-celtics
game this afternoon.
Well, I hope you haven't
bet too much on this one.
Me?
Never.
- Hey, see you around.
- Yeah.
It's good to see you
two getting along.
Yeah. Putting him to work here
Is the best thing I ever did.
We've seen more of
each other this year
than all the time
he was growing up.
Well, I guess what
they say is true.
It's never too late.
Excuse me, young man.
I'm in a hurry, mister.
Yes, but uh, didn't we
meet in Paris last winter?
I never travel
overseas before April.
Ah, but it doesn't
get warm until may.
You've kept up
with your homework.
Excellent.
Papillon.
I-I don't get it.
David said I was never
supposed to meet you.
Ah, I'm afraid I have
some rather sad
news for you, my boy.
David is dead.
I'm sorry to give you this news.
I know how close you two were.
I can't believe it.
He was like my big brother.
I know, I know.
We've been friends since school.
What happened?
Well, he got careless.
He stepped into a trap...
And got shot trying to escape.
Shot? By who?
FBI, CIA,
nsc, dxs... who knows?
It's all the same alphabet soup.
The really important
thing here is the operation.
You've got to run that now.
Me?
You want me to be in charge?
You don't even know me.
I know all about you, chas.
I know where you live.
I know where you work.
I even know who you sleep with.
And I have always known
that you'd be the one
to take Dave's place
should the occasion arrive.
And that time has come now.
I-I don't know if
I'm ready for all this.
Nobody was supposed to get hurt.
And no one else will.
All we need to
finish our mission
Is that final set of schematics.
By the way, when
you deliver them,
I'm going to see that
your share is doubled.
It's up to you now.
You're not going to
let us down, chas?
Somehow,
Edwards got the specs
of the satellite linkage
before it left teldar systems.
Now, our problem
is that we don't know
whether any other schematics
were stolen from Webber,
macroflex, or vectorcomp.
This is exactly
The kind of thing we
were trying to prevent.
This is a disaster.
The entire rains operation
could be compromised.
Just what is this operation?
The details are classified.
Strictly need-to-know.
Yeah, I've heard
that before, colonel,
and right now, I need to know.
The Phoenix foundation
was contracted to
assemble the rains unit
And maintain security.
Anything beyond that
doesn't concern you.
I think it does.
Somebody was killed last night.
- MacGyver...
- I mean it, Pete.
I got to know
whether this involves
Something I can sleep with.
What can't you "sleep
with," Mr. MacGyver?
Shady, hip-pocket
political scams, for one.
Rains is not in that category.
You can take my word for it.
Sorry.
Not good enough.
I'm out of here.
- He can't quit.
- Yes, he can.
Then replace him.
He's the
best man we have.
MacGyver! Hold it.
Okay.
You win.
Rains is an acronym
For remote air identification
neutralizing system.
It picks up enemy radar signals
and transmits the
frequency to a satellite,
Which sends out a wave
pattern that disrupts the signals.
Which makes
any plane virtually invisible.
Well, what kind of operation
is this gonna be used on?
In a minute.
Thornton, how many people
Have access to the
rains assembly room?
Only myself and the lab
chief have pass cards.
The magnetic combination
Is changed every
morning at random.
How often is this
room swept for bugs?
Every morning.
And the rains
unit here is gonna be used
On a highly sensitive mission.
You two never heard
what I'm about to say.
Our intelligence suspects
A hostile country is building
a biochemical warfare factory.
The dxs wants
to use the rains unit
to get a recon jet
through their radar
and shoot some pictures
before Wednesday.
What happens on Wednesday?
We expose the plant
to the United Nations
security council,
which could save
thousands of people
From an agonizing death.
Now, is that nonpolitical
enough for you?
Dave Edwards dead.
I can't believe it.
Neither can I.
I don't care what papillon says.
I got into this to
pay off my condo,
not to get shot.
None of us did.
But we have to finish the job.
Finish the job?
We'll be lucky if the
job doesn't finish us.
If they found Dave,
they can find us.
Look, papillon put me in charge.
We start by
covering Dave's trail.
Dump everything that
could link him to us.
Right. That's a start.
So, how do we get
the satellite linkage
for rains out of teldar?
We don't have to.
The Phoenix
foundation has it now.
Isn't that right, Thornton?
You got it.
Ah. How's it going, Michael?
Hi.
Any luck?
Oh, I've been at it since
7:30 this morning.
This is all I got.
What is it?
It's what's left
Of teldar systems'
file on Dave Edwards.
I'd be willing to bet
someone got into their
mainframe, planted a virus,
And wiped out his whole history.
A virus?
When is somebody gonna
come up with a computer vaccine?
It's an epidemic.
We're all at the mercy
of these hackers.
Oh, these are no hackers, Pete.
This is professional sabotage.
Well, where do we go from here?
Edwards worked
at state university
Before he went over to teldar.
I have asked the registrar
to send over his file.
Okay.
Let me know what you find.
Seven... eight...
Nine...
Ten.
We got it all worked out.
Courtesy of papillon.
A few snapshots
of those satellite
linkage schematics,
and we'll all be set for life.
I can't just waltz
into the security lab.
I've already told you guys.
It takes a special pass card.
Show him, Simon.
Here. Move over.
Nine-volt battery.
Card with a blank
strip, and bingo.
You've got an instant copy of
any magnetic code you want.
I've already used it to
boost a couple credit cards.
Works like a charm.
I've already told you guys.
There are only two
in the entire building.
Now, how am I
supposed to get my hands
On a pass card to copy?
What are fathers for?
Oh, you're good.
Who is?
Well, whoever broke
into teldar's system
Must have hit Edwards'
university file, too.
Well, what's this?
It's the access
number to Edwards' personnel file.
The number keeps changing.
Are you telling me
We can't access any
information on Dave Edwards?
That's about it.
It's these computers,
I'm telling you.
Give me the good old days
when we still had paper, books.
That's a good idea, Pete.
Good one.
Yes, I'd like the number
for the state university
library, please.
Library!
Yeah, that was a good idea.
Stick with it.
Hey, dad?
You got a minute?
For you, I've got a minute.
Come on in.
Now, what's up?
Well, I wanted to get
your opinion on something.
Yeah? What's that?
Oh, wow.
Oh, that's beautiful.
Uh-huh.
Well, I've always been
partial to cashmere.
I know.
That's why I got
it in your size.
- What?
- Now, you remember you told me
Not to bet too much on
that Lakers-celtics game.
Well, as usual, I
didn't listen to you...
Michael...
But for once, I was right.
So, I decided to cut
you in on the winnings.
No, you're not giving me this.
Dad, please.
Let me do this for you.
Look, I can't even
consider taking that.
It's... it's too much.
Well, then consider it a payment
on that loan you
gave me in college.
That was not a debt.
A father is supposed
to educate his
children, all right?
I was happy to do that.
And aren't sons allowed
to show their appreciation?
Now, come on.
At least try it on.
Now, stop it. I don't know
what to do with you.
I don't know what to say.
Well, don't say anything
Until you see how
great it looks on you.
Well...
All right, just for a second.
Okay.
Oh, boy.
Oh.
Sure feels good.
- Uh-huh.
Well, I, uh...
I might as well see
what it looks like, hmm?
Oh, Michael!
It is
beautiful.
But it's too much.
Who says a guy can't
splurge on his dad
once in a while, huh?
I'll say this for you:
You're persistent.
You know, it's really great
having you work here.
I mean, even if it's only
passing in the hall, it's, uh...
It's nice to know you're around.
I feel the same way, too, dad.
We didn't really get to do
a lot of father-and-son stuff
At home, did we?
At home?
I was never at home.
Not enough to be a real father.
Or a husband, for that matter.
I guess I did screw it
up, being a father, but, uh,
maybe we could
make it as friends now.
What do you think?
I'd like that.
Me, too.
Well, what do you think?
Maybe I'll go out on the town.
Sweep a few
ladies off their feet.
I think you're dynamite.
Listen, I'd better get
back to the salt mines.
Hey, well, now, don't go.
Hey, time's money.
Kids.
Hi.
Find anything at the library?
Yeah, I think I got something.
You seen Michael?
Seen him?
Ah.
Cashmere.
He cleaned up at Sunday's game.
Decided to
share his wealth
with the old man.
Go on. Feel it.
Michael gave you this?
Yeah.
Really something, huh?
So, what did you
dig up at the library?
Well, I went through the old
yearbooks, and I found out
that Edwards set up the
campus computer club
back in '83.
I...
Ran a cross search...
With the members of the club
against the personnel files
of the four rains companies
and Phoenix.
Well, did you find a connection?
Yeah.
Five of the members
of the club work
For companies involved
with the rains components.
David Edwards was with teldar.
Alex Percy with Webber,
Charles Gordon at macroflex,
Simon Fletcher, vectorcomp.
Well, who's the fifth?
No.
No, not Michael.
It can't be.
MacGyver, there's
got to be some mistake.
He wouldn't be involved
in anything like this.
I'm his father!
He just gave me that jacket.
Was Mike ever
alone with this jacket?
So who is it, kid?
The Soviets?
A little glasnost gift
for your comrades?
Why, Michael, why?!
The price was right.
This isn't about money, is it?
Yes.
At first, anyway.
All I had to do was tell them
when the rains components
were being shipped to Phoenix.
So they'd know when the
designs were ready to be ripped off.
And delivered to whom?
To Dave Edwards.
Until your people killed him.
Michael, I was there.
If anyone shot him,
it was his contact.
Papillon woul...
Papillon?
That's
French for butterfly.
And that's what we found
on Dave Edwards.
All right, kid.
Who is this papillon?
I don't know.
I want some answers, now!
I told you I don't know.
I've never met him.
Will you let me handle this?!
Oh, sure, Thornton!
You've done one
hell of a job so far.
All right, will everybody
just settle down?!
Now papillon wants the plans
to the rains satellite linkage.
I say we give it to him.
In person.
You mean... use Michael
to draw him out in the open?
A trap.
And I'm the bait?
No way.
I really don't see that you
have much choice, son.
I can't do it.
Michael, you're the
only one who can do it.
And you will.
Because it's the only way
you're gonna avoid spending
the rest of your life in jail.
No! No, damn it!
No deals.
If Michael is going to
help us clean this up...
It's gonna be because he
wants to do the right thing.
And because he has to be
responsible for what he's done.
Michael...
When were you
supposed to deliver the film
To your contact?
Tonight.
At the health club.
All right.
Put a wire on him.
But he doesn't leave this
room until we leave for the drop.
Michael...
Maybe you did it for the money.
Maybe it was because
you wanted to hurt me.
But what I don't understand
is how you lost the ability
to know right from wrong.
Is there a right and a
wrong anymore, dad?
The world you operated in
Wasn't black and white.
You told me you
operated in the gray area
all your life.
I... what I did I
did within the law!
I did it for my country!
Come on, Pete.
Let's go.
You're late.
I'm here.
Excuse us.
Got the film?
I said I would, didn't I?
Great.
Papillon needs it by 2:00
or none of us will get paid.
He'll get it... as soon as
we renegotiate my cut.
What are you talking about?
This is a done deal.
That was before
I had to do Dave Edwards' job.
I'm in charge here.
Not anymore.
If you were, you'd
know this stuff is worth
ten or 20 times what
papillon is paying us.
Papillon is not
going to renegotiate.
He will if he
wants the schematics
for that satellite linkage.
Oh, man, I never
thought you'd be the one
to pull a stunt like this.
Hey... we're the ones
taking all the risks here.
We should be the
ones who clean up.
What if I cut you in?
Give you a share of my take?
Papillon never has to know.
He'd never buy it.
He doesn't have
a choice, does he?
It's supply and demand, babe.
We're the ones with the supply,
We're the ones who'll
make the demands.
Simple
free enterprise.
I don't know...
Look, I'll tell him.
Make the offer myself.
That way, there's
no heat on you.
When and where?
South wing of the
Regis shopping mall
Tomorrow at noon.
You tell papillon
not to be late.
Every one is a perfect specimen.
Aren't they lovely?
I wouldn't trade my
collection for a Picasso.
Now, when I put you in charge,
I expected you to control
your operatives, not
them to control you.
I never thought Michael
would turn on us like this.
He's holding the goods.
Well, if our young
friend insists,
We have no choice but to oblige.
Tell him
that I agree to this meeting
on his terms.
You can't be serious.
I have clients coming
at 2:00 to take delivery
On the schematics
of all four components.
Disappointing them could
be hazardous to my health.
So is walking into a trap.
Yes, and that's why you're
going to attend the meeting
In my place.
Young Thornton will
assume that he is papillon.
That way, we minimize the risks
and maximize the
likelihood of success.
And you, my boy...
Your loyalty is duly noted.
You're going to be rewarded.
Now Mr. Harrill will
go along with you.
When you obtain the film,
he'll bring both of you
Back here.
And I think you
should be moving now.
Hans, a moment, please.
Do you think it is a trap?
When our young
friends give you the film
I want you to use this on them.
It fires prussic acid.
It's a deadly gas.
One whiff and
they'll drop like flies.
Now by the time the
fuss is all sorted out,
you and harrill
will be on your way
back here with the microfilm.
Just remember...
Get it up, very close...
Have you any
idea what that is worth?
Don't touch it!
Mr. Sanborn, I'm sorry...
No matter.
But... since you seem
a little clumsy today,
I'll load this myself.
This is sodium thiosulphate.
The antidote.
Swallow it after
you fire the gas.
After all,
We wouldn't want you
dropping dead, would we?
Okay, hurry up.
We're
just about set to go.
Maintain your position.
Target should be
arriving in five minutes.
We'll send your boy out in two.
Understood.
It all started out so simple.
Nobody was supposed to get hurt.
It was cloak and dagger, a game.
It's just like dad used to play.
It was no game, Michael.
No matter how you
try to rationalize it,
you sold out your country,
And everything your
father believes in.
You hurt him.
How do you hurt a stranger?
Okay.
So Pete's not some kind of
Norman Rockwell super-dad.
And maybe he wasn't
there 24 hours a day
whenever you needed him.
But that doesn't mean
he didn't love you.
Better get out there, kid.
The moment this is
in papillon's hands,
We'll move in.
Scared?
A little.
You should be.
You just hand off the
film. Let us do the rest.
Got it.
You brought it?
Where's papillon?
Right over there.
With the newspaper.
That's papillon?
Find him.
Got him.
Oh, no!
He's got a gun. It's a set-up!
Get out of the way!
No, Michael!
Out of here! Move!
Dad!
Hey, Pete?
Pete, what happened?
Pete, what's the matter?
He's dead.
What?
You smell that?
Almonds.
Oh, my god.
Prussic gas, a poison.
Old kgb trick.
Smells like almonds.
Makes an assassination
look like a heart attack.
Call an ambulance.
There's no time.
What are you talking about?
Works too fast.
There's nothing we can do.
No, there's got to be.
Prussic gas is a
form of cyanide.
Sodium thiosulphate
will neutralize it.
Sure.
Where the hell are
you gonna find that
In the next two minutes?
Stay with him.
Medical emergency. I
need some photo fixer.
Get him up.
Come on, Pete. Drink.
Come on. Drink.
That tastes terrible!
Welcome back.
Michael! Where's Michael?
They got him, Pete.
Well, things didn't go
Exactly as planned, but we
can't argue with the results.
Excellent.
Oh, I trust Mr. Kreese took
his medicine as planned?
He did.
Good fellow.
He always did follow orders.
Papillon, what is this?
Figure it out, chas.
If he didn't need the other guy,
he certainly doesn't need us.
He's got what he wants.
For your sake, I hope so.
My customers should be
here in less than an hour.
Watch them
While I process the film.
Gentlemen... Take a seat.
You know, Pete, you really
should be taking it easy.
Yeah, sure.
Well, what about
our friend here?
Well,
there was no wallet
On the body, no ID at all.
Looks like cyanide poisoning.
Yeah? I thought he took a pill
before I went out.
Another kgb trick.
Probably was told it was
an antidote for prussic acid.
What's that?
"P. Sarpedon m"?
Code?
Well, sarpedon was a
warrior in ancient Troy.
Other than that, I...
Wait a minute.
Well, come on. Have
you got something?
Well, species of butterflies
Are named after characters
in Greek mythology.
"P" stands for papilio,
the genus, sarpedon,
is the species,
And "m" the gender, male.
This is a name tag to
a butterfly collection.
Listen, this papillon is
obviously into butterflies.
Maybe he's a collector.
I mean, it all fits.
So we know he likes butterflies.
So what? Where does that get us?
Well, butterfly collectors
subscribe to journals,
Lepidopterist
magazines, stuff like that.
Right! Have your people
trace the subscribers
to every butterfly
magazine they can find,
and then cross-reference that
with the dxs. Come on.
The film is genuine.
My clients will be very pleased.
Oh, there's some shovels
in the cellar. Go get them.
Got an address?
Good work.
They came up with
19 possible names.
One of 'em practically set
off all the bells and whistles.
Robert sanborn.
Sanborn?
Who's he?
He was a naval attaché
stationed in Europe.
Up until they
suspected him of selling
classified information
to the highest bidder.
Yeah, he resigned, but
they never proved a thing.
Well, where do we find him?
He has a country place
about 15 minutes out of town.
The federal boys are
working on the paperwork now.
Paperwork?
We need search warrants.
We can't make a move
without authorization.
Yes, we can.
We're talking
about my son's life.
I trusted you.
Oh, trust is such a
worthless commodity.
Now, security...
That's priceless.
And I've determined that
the best way to ensure mine
is for you two never
to be seen again.
Here they are.
Shall we take
a stroll in the woods?
After you.
Keep going, boys,
down there towards the lake.
We're not too late.
Yet.
Hold it.
Looks like they're
expecting company.
That's a chopper pad.
So now what?
I think we stand a
better chance if we can split 'em up.
Think you can make your
way through the woods
Without being spotted?
Yeah, sure.
Where are you gonna be?
I'm gonna try and
break up their party,
draw one of them down there.
Turn to our left there, boys.
Okay, that's far enough.
Now, boys, I have one
Last little chore for you.
Dig.
Dig!
Right on time.
Red light.
Something's wrong.
Better hang back a minute.
Where's he going?
Something's wrong.
Something must
have scared him off.
Take care of these two.
Forget the digging.
They'll never find you out here.
On your knees, both of you.
Please. Please don't.
Freeze! Drop it!
Now! Drop it!
Hey!
Give...
Oh! Aah!
Drop it! I said drop it now!
It's too hot for me.
We're out of here.
I think you just
missed your flight.
Pete...
You about ready to go?
Ready as I'll ever be, I guess.
Pete...
A parent can only take
so much responsibility.
I wish it was that simple.
I think we're all responsible.
And I think some of
us, maybe a lot of us,
have been sending
out the wrong signals.
I guess we'd better go.
Oh, yeah.
So did your lawyer
talk to the prosecutor?
Yeah. He said my cooperating
could help get me
a reduced sentence,
but I'm still gonna
have to serve time.
I'm scared, dad.
I know.
Me, too.
Michael, do you
remember what I said
about being friends?
Well, that still goes.
And friends stand
by each other...
Through everything.
I'm your friend.
Come on. Let's go, son.