The Fugitive (1963–1967): Season 2, Episode 8 - Dark Corner - full transcript

Oh, Mattie, there's no reason
for me to have hurt your father.

Oh, if... If Papa had
found out what you are,

a criminal, running
from the law...

You know, he may have
even mentioned it to me.

Then call the sheriff.

Now, don't be silly, why
would I do a thing like that?

I could have done
that the first night.

You just don't understand.

I like you.

I like you very much.

Ruth?



Mattie Braydon.

Honey, would you
get me the sheriff?

Starring David Janssen
as Dr. Richard Kimble,

an innocent victim
of blind justice.

Falsely convicted for
the murder of his wife,

reprieved by fate when
a train wreck freed him

en route to the death house.

Freed him to hide
in lonely desperation,

to change his identity,
to toil at many jobs...

Freed him to search
for a one-armed man

he saw leave the
scene of the crime.

Freed him to run before
the relentless pursuit

of the police lieutenant
obsessed with his capture.

The guest star
in tonight's story:



Tuesday Weld.

You travel at night
if you're on the run.

The dark is a shield
against curious eyes.

Against questions. Against talk.

Haunted by what lies behind.

As always, fearful
of what lies ahead.

Evening, Bud.

Won't take long.
How about some light?

All right, everybody out.

Bring your bags.

Hey, you! Hey!

You come with me.
You fellas stay here.

Heading toward
Sam Braydon's place.

Sam!

Sam Braydon!

Frank Grover. Would
you turn on the floods?

Sam. Are you deaf or somethin'?

Frank? What's the idea?

It's the middle of the night.

For dairy men.

Good evening, Clara.

Good evening, Mr. Grover.
Is something the matter?

Oh, been chasin' this fella...

What's goin' on?

I was just tryin' to
tell your fiancée.

Tried to take this fella off
the bus from Sioux Falls,

and he ran.

Seemed to be headin'
straight in this direction.

You folks heard anything?

Not a thing.

Maybe Mattie heard.

Where is she?

Well, I expect she's
down in the studio.

In the middle of the night?

Why not? She doesn't
have to do the milking.

Mattie. Mattie, are you there?

Let's have a light.

I must have dozed off, Papa.

Dear, the sheriff wants
to ask you something.

Evening, Mattie.

I followed this fella over here.
Thought you might've seen him.

Heard him.

No, nothing. I'm sorry.

I'm not.

It's worth the trip out
here just to see you.

Have you checked
the barn, sheriff?

Thank you, dear.

It's all right.

You can come out
now. They're gone.

You were here all the time.

All the time.

Why did you lie?

When did I lie?

You said you didn't see me.

I didn't.

I'm sorry.

Oh, I'm used to it.

Stay here. I'll be back.

Just disappeared.

Bob. Yeah? Oh.

Mr. Grover?

Mr. Grover? D...
Did you catch him?

Honey, tonight I couldn't
even catch a cold.

Uh, Marty, would you check
the other side of the barn?

Frank.

Well, I thought you'd
like to know, we got him.

Got who?

The fella you wanted.

He just stepped off the
bus and gave himself up.

This hoodlum stuck up a
liquor store in Sioux Falls.

Police got a tip
he was on the bus,

they called me and asked
me to take him home.

Then why'd you
chase the other one?

He ran.

But why?

That's somebody
else's headache, honey.

Does that mean you'll
stop looking for him?

I got the man they
asked me to get.

Why waste the
taxpayers' money, huh?

Did Charlie get
the prisoner? Yeah.

He's in the other car.

You still got lots
of night, Sam.

Just past 11.

Papa? Mattie.

I-I'm going back to the studio
for a minute. I won't be long.

You're not going to do
any more work tonight?

Oh, no, no. I just...

I just wanna turn out the lamp.

I wouldn't worry you.

Good night. Good night.

Where are you?

They've gone back to the house.

Trust me, please.

I'm... I'm Mattie Braydon.

Jim Russell. Jim.

Why did you help me?

Oh, you... You
were so frightened

and you've hurt your foot. I...

You knew I was hurt?

Yes. You can tell
a lot in the dark.

Just by the way someone walks.

The sheriff say
why he wanted me?

No.

What will you do?

I'll move on, I guess.

You know, you... You...

You could stay here. Uh...

No, thank you. I can't do that.

But... But you're hurt.
You couldn't go anywhere.

Well, that won't matter if the
sheriff stopped looking for me.

He has stopped looking
for me, hasn't he?

The sheriff is a
very stubborn man.

I'm afraid he'll keep looking.

The only place he
won't look is here.

Well, then...

I'll be down first
thing in the morning.

Just don't make any
noise and turn out the light.

I'm very glad you're here.

Good night.

Mr. Kealy?

Right on the button.
Stay where you are.

Albers Art Supplies.
What they call door-to-door.

Oh, thank you so much.

This clay is pretty heavy.
I could carry it in for you.

Oh, no, no. I wouldn't
dream of holding you up.

I'll get Papa or Bob.

Thank you anyway.

It's a pleasure. Prettiest
scenery within 200 miles.

Bye. Bye.

Jim?

Mr. Russell?

You're pretty convincing.

Now if we can just
convince your father.

That clay's not
too heavy, is it?

No, it's fine. Your
ankle's all right?

Oh, it's fine. Forget it.

Jim, is it wrong for me
to make up that story

for Papa?

Is it wrong to try
and help someone?

You're nice.

I don't think it's
the carburetor.

I'll bet it's the distributor.

Well, can you fix it?

No, it's out of my league, Sam

Yeah, it's the distributor.

Look, it's all worn down there.

Well, then we gotta get
somebody that can fix it.

What about Jerry in Sioux Falls?

Papa?

Mattie. Papa. Uh,
this is Mr. Russell.

He, uh, came with the clay.

You mean he came all
the way from Sioux Falls

just to bring that clay?

Oh, no, no. He's
going to sit for me.

Well, you see,

I asked Mr. Albers
to find somebody,

and he said he had this
friend who was sick, and...

But that'd mean he'd have
to come 40 miles each day.

Well, now, Mattie, just
for a few hours' work, th...

Well, I was hoping he'd stay.

He could work for you too.

For me? Papa,
we can't afford it.

I'll show you the bills.

She's right, honey.

Not with milk prices so low.

Please don't make me beg.

My hands are all I
have to work with.

Oh, Mattie... You can
get lost in the dark.

I couldn't pay you much.

I wouldn't want much.

Meals, fresh air,
till I get on my feet.

You know anything
about farm machinery?

A little.

All right, $30 a week and keep.

Back room in the studio's
got a basin and a cot.

Bob, get him some coveralls.

Oh. You're so good, Papa.

Now, Mr. Russell,

if you'll take the
clay... All right.

Oh, Clara, we're gonna make it.

Sure, Papa.

We always do.

When it's for her.

You know, it would have
taken me a solid week

to take that thing apart and
put it back together again?

Then we would've
had to call a mechanic.

Why does Sam keep you around?

Oh, he's one in a million.

Well, he took me in right
after my folks got killed

in an automobile crash.

He said, "till just
after the funeral,"

and that was 22 years ago.

Some men like to pick
their son-in-laws early.

Oh, Sam didn't
pick me. Clara did.

She looked up at me
one day and she said, uh,

"Let's get married."

I think she was about seven.

And she wasn't kiddin'.
We're gettin' hitched in July.

Jim?

Jim? Hello, Mattie.

Oh. Do you think we'll
be able to work today?

I think so.

Almost finished here.

Oh, good. I'm so glad.

Sam said that, uh, he's
glad Mattie found you.

He's hoping you're gonna
stay on for a little while.

I haven't had any
other offers this morning.

I'll go tell him
you got it fixed.

All right.

Hello.

I just talked to Mr. Albers.

He's, uh, never
heard of a Jim Russell.

You're gonna ask me to leave?

No, just the opposite.

I want you to stay.

If my sister Mattie wants
you here that much.

I got the feeling you didn't
like doing things for Mattie.

Oh, this is not for Mattie.

This is for me.

Did anyone ever tell
you you talk too much?

Well, I've been
admiring your work.

Thank you.

Can I smoke?

What? Can I smoke?

Oh, yes, of course.

You must like elephants.

I remember elephants.

Papa used to take us
to the circus every year.

And he never had to worry
about us getting separated.

He could always find me
watching the elephants.

I was, uh, eight the last time.

Just before I fell.

You fell?

Uh. There's a ledge
out past the barn.

I'd rather not talk about that.

Of course.

Why does your
sister want me here?

Does she?

That's what she said.

Mm.

I should've known.

Any time I've ever
wanted anything

or liked somebody...

I like you,
Mr. Russell, very much.

You hardly know me.

I know that you're running

and you're scared.

And you have to depend on me.

Mattie, I'm sorry
to break this up.

Oh, we were just
finishing anyway.

Tractor's running
fine, real fine.

Good.

Uh, will you take a look
at the station wagon?

Sure. What's the trouble?

Well, there's something
wrong with the gear shift.

It, uh, keeps
slipping out of park.

It's been doing that for
about three weeks now.

All right, I'll
take a look at it,

then help Mattie with the clay.

That's all right,
Bob can help me.

Mattie, the herd has to be fed.

Oh, you can spare him
for a few minutes, Papa.

Well, no more than that.

Come on, Jim.

You haven't been near me.

It's been days.

Oh, Mattie.

Mattie, we can't.

You'd better
change your clothes.

Bob, what's wrong?
What have I done?

Nothing.

Nothing.

We just said that we would
stay away from each other,

that's all.

If you walk out that
door, I'll scream.

You wouldn't want to
explain that, would you?

Have you seen Bob? I need
him to help me with the feeding.

Uh, can I help?

What's the matter?

Nothing's the matter, Clara.

He's with Mattie, isn't he?

Clara!

No!

Clara!

Clara! No, no.

No, let her go.

Clara, wait! Let her go!

She had to find out!

Clara!

Wait! Listen to me.

Clara! Wait.

Clara!

Clara!

No! Let me go! Listen!

You've gotta listen
to me. Let me go.

Let me explain
to you. Let me go!

Clara!

Clara!

Call a doctor.

Go on, call a doctor,
and get some blankets.

She always gets what she wants.

Sorry to hear about it, Sam.

Something I can do?

Oh, no, thanks, Frank.

She twisted her back
some, but no fractures.

Doc says she can
come home tomorrow.

I always told her to stay
away from that ledge.

I... I was always
afraid she'd fall.

Can I go in and talk to her?

Oh, she's sleepin'.

Maybe you'd better go on in.

One of us ought to
be around, anyway.

You leaving?

I'm going into Sioux Falls,
pick up a hospital bed.

She'll need one
for a week or so.

And then I, uh, I wanna
stop in and see Mattie.

Hired man's the
only one with her.

Frank, thanks for
stoppin'. I appreciate it.

Bye.

I'll see you later, Sam.

Oh, Bob.

Did Sam get himself
a new hired man?

Mattie got him.

That's a real funny
thing, all right.

One minute a man disappears
in Sam's place, the next,

Sam's got himself
a new hired man.

What's wrong with that?

What with milk prices
bein' what they are,

Sam's had to scrape
the last four or five years.

That new hired man
must be workin' real cheap.

Would you know him
if you saw him again?

I'd know him.

Any place, any time.

Mattie.

Jim.

I called the hospital and
they wouldn't tell me anything.

Well, they never do.

But it's so hard
to wait like this,

and not know.

If anything ever
happened to her,

I don't know what I'd do.

You know, the...

The doctors used to tell me

that if I was ever unhappy
or lost or frightened

or upset about
anything, to work.

Please, please sit
for me this afternoon.

Just a while. I can't
work without you.

I don't think I'll have
the time, Mattie.

But we could get so
much accomplished.

I mean, with everyone
away, no interruptions.

With Clara in the hospital,

your father's gonna
need the wagon.

Yes. Yes, of course.

What are you doing,
Mattie? That's not a toy.

Mr. Russell, I am
not a child or a cripple

to be pushed into
some dark little corner,

just out of everyone's way.

Park, reverse,
neutral, drive, and low.

There.

Who taught you that?

Bob. I drive into town
with him sometimes.

It's the only way I
can feel I'm alive,

is to know things,
and touch them,

and reach out and
feel I'm part of the world.

You know what
it's like to be alone.

Please understand.

I understand.

Then... Then we can work later?

I have to finish with
this, uh, wagon, Mattie.

Oh.

Please be flattering
and hurry just a little.

Mattie?

Frank Grover.

You around?

Mr. Grover?

I'm in here, the studio.

Saw your Pa at the hospital.

How is Clara? Now, relax.

I-I can't get anything
on the phone.

She's fine. Just twisted
her back a little, that's all.

Oh. I thought you
coming out here meant...

I was just driving
by, thought I'd look in.

Your Pa said you
were here all alone

with just the hired
hand, huh? Yeah. He...

He has the wagon
out on the road.

Seems to be something
wrong with the gear shift.

I understand he's doing double
time for you and Sam both.

That him?

They say I've got him
pretty well. Do you like it?

Wouldn't say he'd
win any beauty prize.

No, I despise pretty men.

Gives me a chance.

Well, if... If you weren't
married, I'd grab you.

Well, I might let you,

but I've gotta hurry on
over to High Meadows.

Fellow got drunk and
kicked his wife around.

Didn't have any dog. Oh, ho, ho.

You'd better stay close
to home, with nobody here.

Thanks for stopping by.

How is she? How is she?

Not as bad as we thought.

Is Mattie in the studio?

I guess so. You come along.

Jim?

It's me.

I wanna ask you some questions.

Papa. I... I've been
so upset over Clara...

I wanna ask you some questions.

And I want you to
give me some answers.

How did...

How did Clara happen
to fall off the ledge?

I don't know, Papa.

Jim, Clara was talking to you.

She asked about Bob.

She wanted to know where he was.

Did you say?

She seemed to know.

He was here when I left.

Yes, he was helping
me with the clay.

She followed him down
here and she saw something.

What?

Nothing, There wasn't
anything to see, Papa!

What?

Papa, please don't tell Clara.

But he came at me.

He's been after
me and after me...

Jim. Jim.

Did you see anything?

I think you'd better ask Bob.

Mattie, get your sweater.

We're going into town.

Why?

Like Jim said, we're
gonna ask Bob.

Now go on.

It's my fault.
It's all my fault.

I should of done
what the doctors said.

Doctors?

They never could find any
real reason for her blindness.

They begged me to
take her down to Topeka,

to some kind of clinic.

But she wouldn't go.

And she carried on
and she cried, and...

Well, she didn't have
any hope anymore.

And so I gave in.

You'd better call the
hospital, get hold of Bob.

Tell him to meet me outside.

All right. How's
the station wagon?

It's fine. That's good.

The pickup's a
little low on gas.

Operator, could you get
me the General Hospital

in Sioux Falls, please?

All right, come on in.

Papa, I wish you
wouldn't do this to me.

If you knew how long he's
been after me. I can't tell Clara.

I wouldn't want
to hurt her, ever.

I know. You never
wanted to hurt her.

Even when you were 8 years old.

Even up on the ledge.
What do you mean?

You've lived
with this for years.

You say it didn't happen

when you know
that it has happened.

What are you talking about? I
was walking through the field.

I saw you. No.

You tried to push her over the
edge, and you lost your balance.

Oh. She told you that story!

She made up a story...
She never said a thing.

She never said a thing!

But it's time
something was said!

It's time it came out before
you hurt somebody else!

I can't carry it
anymore by myself!

Let them know what goes
on in that head of yours.

Let them know what you
see behind those empty eyes!

We're going into town,

we're gonna talk
to Bob... We're...

I've gotta close the garage.

No, i... If you try
Miss Braydon's room,

you might find him there.

Thank you.

Papa!

Papa! Where are you?

Papa!

What happened? I don't know!

Where is he? Is he all right?

Papa? Stand over here.

Papa! Papa. Is he all right?

Papa.

Oh, no.

That stupid gear
must have slipped.

Papa.

How could a thing
like that happen?

I don't know.

Well, why didn't he
check the gearshift first?

He was all I had.

Oh, Mattie.

Except you.

What about us, Bob?

He was such a good man.

A stupid accident and he's dead.

I'll need you now
more than ever before.

Clara's gonna need me too.

But you said she
wasn't badly hurt.

I mean afterwards.

When she's walking again?

With two good eyes?

What do I do then?
Where do I go?

Mattie, that's...

I love you, Bob.

Don't throw me away.

We'll talk about it later.

Not right now.

When?

Later. I don't know.

I've got to get to town.

I've got all those
arrangements to make.

When I get back,
we'll talk about it.

Jim?

You're working on the wagon.

We'll need it for the funeral.

Will you have it fixed?

If it needs fixing.

Of course it does.

Otherwise Papa
would still be here.

It was fixed.

It wasn't. It slipped.

You do believe it
slipped, don't you?

Jim?

Jim?

Jim?

Jim?

I'm in here.

You're wrong.

I loved him very much.

You weren't there.

You can't be sure
the gear didn't slip.

It was fine when I
finished working on it.

It could have gone bad.

It is possible.

Anything's possible.

What if I can't prove it?

Have you ever been
in a spot like that?

Hmm?

Besides, it is your
word against mine.

You don't think
they'll believe you?

I think Bob will.

Not if he thinks you
tricked the gears.

Mattie, I had no reason
to hurt your father.

If Papa found out about you.

You're a criminal.

He... He may have
even mentioned it to me.

Then call the sheriff.

Now, don't be silly, why
would I do a thing like that?

I could have done
that the first night.

You just don't
understand. I like you.

I like you very much.

Ruth?

Mattie Braydon.

Honey, would you
get me the sheriff?

Papa always worked so hard.

I shouldn't have told you.

I should have waited
till tomorrow at least.

No.

I'm all right.

Clara, there's
something else I...

About four months ago,

Mattie and I were
coming back from town...

I know. I've known all along.

You never said anything.

Sometimes, if you don't
put things into words,

you can pretend like
they never happened.

And besides you never took
her back into town after that.

You still want to marry me?

I've been going to marry
you since I was 7 years old.

I don't know that
I'd change now.

If I never loved you before...

Just so you love me now.

You sure she didn't
want me to call?

No, I asked. I told her you
were over to High Meadow,

and she said when you
got back to come on out.

All right. Let's go.

Mr. Grover?

It's us, Mattie.

Clara?

Why'd you think it
was Mr. Grover, Mattie?

Then she must have called him.

She was hoping the Sheriff'd
get here before I could talk to you.

Don't listen to him.

He'll lie.

He's a criminal.

Mr. Albers never
sent him out here.

Well, I know that. I've
already talked to Mr. Albers.

I worked on the station wagon.

I checked out the gears.
They work perfectly.

What are you talking
about? Th... They're broken.

They slipped.

They didn't slip.

They did slip.

I don't believe that.

I ca... I can't believe
Mattie would... I can't...

I can.

That day on the ledge,
when she slipped and fell...

she was trying to push me off.

No. You're lying.

Y-you're making up that story.

I know you hate me because
Papa's always liked me best.

But I'm the one that's blind.

Mattie, you had their eyes
and their hands and their lives.

It suited you fine.

No.

That sweet old man.

You killed him?

You killed him!

Who are you to talk, loverboy?

Clara, let me tell
you about loverboy.

Let me tell you what he did!

I know.

I've known all along, Mattie.

It should've been you!

It should've been you!

Mattie!

The light.

The light... The light hurts.

Turn off the lights.

It's what they call
hysterical blindness.

Poor Mattie.

Poor Mattie may
have to see again.

The sheriff.

Is she right? Are you
wanted for something?

Something I didn't do.

Go on out the back.

Mattie?

Come on in, sheriff.

She called and said there was
someone out here to pick up.

There is.

The judge won't
set a date for the trial

until after the psychiatrists

are through testing her.

You gonna stay on?

Uh, Sam always hoped we would.

Can you make it alone,
just the two of you?

We'll manage.

That's the last
thing she ever did.

It's the hired hand.

Nice guy.

He did an awful lot for us.

He left before
she could finish it.

It's a real good likeness.

Real good.

You never saw him.

No.

I guess maybe I never did.

Richard Kimble still
travels in the dark. Waiting.

Hoping for the day when
he can prove his innocence.

Until then it must
remain night for him.

Until then, Richard
Kimble must be what he is...

a fugitive.