The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977–1979): Season 2, Episode 16 - Sole Survivor - full transcript
Joe is in Hong Kong with Frank and his father to help a friend of his father with a man's defection. Joe's in an accident and when he wakes up he is told that he's been in a coma for a year. He is then approached by a government a...
They finally pulled it out
around 10:00.
There's still no
sign of Joe? Not yet.
Well, they haven't stopped
looking for the body, have they?
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
I just can't believe
he's gone.
Neither can I.
You see, you've been in
a coma for almost a year.
Where are my brother
and my father? Answer me!
Your father and your brother
are dead.
(SOBS)
We gotta get out of here.
Why don't we break
that jar over there
and use it to
cut the ropes?
You sure you're not
with the Feds?
MAN: Hold it!
NARRATOR:
Tonight on the Hardy Boys,
Sole Survivor.
(SIREN WAILING)
(HORN HONKING)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
(PANTING)
So young.
(BOTH SPEAKING CANTONESE)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
10 ccs epinephrine.
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
WOMAN: So young.
MAN: No,
he's still in a coma.
WOMAN: Do you think
he'll ever come out of it?
He's been under
a long time.
What about brain damage?
It's possible.
(ECG BEEPING)
(GASPS)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Excuse me.
Do you speak English?
Yes.
Could you tell me
what's going on around here?
Do you know your name?
Of course I know my name.
Well, what is it?
Pardon me?
Your name.
My name's Joe Hardy.
(CHUCKLING)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Good. Very good.
I'm surprised you can
even remember how to talk.
My name is Dr. Low.
Dr. Low, where am I?
Look, why don't you get
some rest and we'll talk later?
How long have I been here?
What day is it?
It's Wednesday.
Wednesday?
I've been here almost a week.
You see, you've been in
a coma for almost a year.
It's Wednesday,
January 17, 1979.
Hi.
Hi.
My name is Lida.
What are these things?
They're attached
to an EEG machine.
It records the electrical
impulses from the brain.
It will let us know
if there's any damage there.
There's that chance?
Whenever one's been
comatose for a long time,
there's always that chance.
Wonderful.
The sense of humor
is the first thing to go.
I'm sure
you'll be just fine.
Do you know where you are?
I'm at a hospital.
Do you know
where the hospital is?
I tried to find out,
but it's tough to get
a straight answer around here.
We're in Hong Kong.
What happened to me?
You were in an accident.
A bad accident.
Do you remember?
No, I...
I vaguely remember
an ambulance ride.
Before that,
you were in a rental car.
Doing some sightseeing.
Yes, well, the car
was struck by a truck.
It was pushed into the harbor.
A fisherman pulled you out.
How was I injured?
Broken ribs,
fractured skull.
You developed pneumonia
two weeks after arriving here.
Kind of glad
I missed all the fun.
Where are my brother
and my father?
Shall we start?
Did they go back to the States or
are they still here in Hong Kong?
Answer me.
Answer me!
Lie down.
They're okay,
aren't they?
Aren't they?
You have a lot of news
to catch up.
Where's my father
and my brother?
Your father and your brother
are dead.
They have been for 11 months.
(SOBS)
My God.
How did it happen?
I don't think we should talk about
it right now, until you regain your...
I want to know.
We don't really know.
They were involved
in something political.
We only know what we
read about in the newspapers.
Something to do with
the transfer of a defector.
I saved these
newspapers for you
and your letters
from people back home.
I liked them.
Your brother and your father,
they were here day and night
after you arrived.
They loved you very deeply.
(SNIFFLING)
Would you prefer to be alone?
Buzz if there's anything
that you need.
Anything at all.
(SIGHS)
You told him.
I couldn't avoid it.
He asked me point-blank.
It could be very dangerous
to overload him so quickly.
You must remember, an entire
year is missing from his life.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA
IN CANTONESE)
JOE: "Dear Joe.
"It's so hard writing
at a time like this.
"Ink on paper seems like such a cold
and impersonal kind of communication
"when there's so many
things I want to say.
"They tell us you're not
ready for visitors yet
"and you can't receive
any phone calls.
"So I guess
it will have to do.
"News of your accident and
your father and brother's tragedy
“"reached us on a rainy
Tuesday in River Heights.
"“The hardest, most depressing
day of my life.
"It's hard to conceive,
"but I know you must be feeling
even worse than anyone here.
"Just please accept
our deepest condolences,
“and know that we're
pulling for you all the way.
"“Try your best
to get well quickly,
"and know that your father and
brother are now in a better, easier place
"and would want you to carry on
with life just as soon as you can.
"Best wishes. Nancy Drew."
Reading your letters?
From everyone I know.
I just spoke with
Dr. Low about your EEG.
And? You have no
permanent brain damage.
Good.
Your Aunt Gertrude visited
about five months ago.
She wanted to take you
back with her.
Why didn't I go?
Your condition
was too delicate.
And Dr. Low is respected as
a neurosurgeon the world over.
You couldn't have been
in better hands.
When do I get out
of this thing?
When your muscle tone returns.
Don't forget, your body
was dormant for almost a year.
Is that why I feel so stiff?
I don't know what
I'm gonna do without them.
Where are they now?
The Red Chinese returned
their bodies.
They were flown back
to the United States.
He should be regaining
his memory as the hours pass.
When can I speak
with him, Doctor?
Well, I think we should
wait a short while.
It would be stupid to
press things at this point.
He's coming along
just as we had hoped.
Prince Charles's wedding
to Princess Caroline
came as a complete
surprise to both their families
and to society columnists
the world over.
The couple plans to honeymoon
in the British West Indies
and to return
to London on the 23rd.
And that's the news
this Thursday,
January 18, 1979.
ANNOUNCER ON TV:
This newscast has been
a British Commonwealth
Broadcasting System presentation.
Charles and
Princess Caroline.
That's lovely.
You should leave.
They'll be back very soon.
I want to talk
with him today, Doctor.
It's too soon.
It's important, Doctor.
Well, tonight. After supper.
But only if I'm convinced
that he's ready.
Now, he may not remember
much anyway.
Why?
The medication.
Well, reduce the medication.
Yes, that would be best.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA
IN CANTONESE)
Who is she?
She's a nurse's aide.
She's not supposed to be
on this floor and she knows it.
United States president Jimmy
Carter left today for a journey to Uganda,
to meet with the new Ugandan
president, Uthu Mubaata.
Talks will center around the
reestablishment of diplomatic relations
following the overthrow of the tyrannical
regime of Idi Amin three months ago.
Carter, at a press conference
prior to departure,
said that he hoped that
the talks will be meaningful
and lead to a fruitful
and long-lasting relationship
between his government
and the new Uganda regime.
In other news,
the Soviet Union announced
that sales of the...
Oh, this one's nice.
Oh, that's pretty good.
Will you cut it out?
Would you like... You can spray
it on your own hand, you know?
And how much is this one?
WOMAN: This one, $3.
FRANK: This is... Is this American
dollars or Hong Kong dollars?
Hong Kong dollars.
How's this one?
Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe!
Cut it out!
Oh, come on. Let's not
get into a perfume war.
How much is this one?
$2.
This is $2?
Mmm, that's delicious.
I think
we'll take this one.
(EXCLAIMS)
Worm.
That'll be fine,
thank you.
(CRYING)
Good afternoon, Mr. Hardy.
Was your supper all right?
Yeah, it was fine.
Your EEG was nearly perfect.
Did Lida tell you?
By the way, there is a gentleman
outside who wants to see you.
Do you feel like
talking to him?
Who is he?
An American
from a federal agency.
Something about your father
and your brother.
Is he here?
Yes, in the hallway.
I'd very much like
to see him, thank you.
Mr. Abrams.
Hello.
Hi.
Mr. Peter Abrams, Joe Hardy.
Doctor, I...
I wonder if we could
be alone a few minutes.
Yes, of course.
Keep the conversation short.
Well, how are you feeling,
Joe?
I'm holding up.
He's in there
talking to him now.
Good.
We have a theory, Joe.
We have a theory that
the whole thing was a setup.
I mean
right from the very start.
That your contact here
in Hong Kong
had gone over
to the other side.
Alan Kline?
Mmm-hmm.
He was an old
friend of Dad's.
They went all the way back to
Air Force Intelligence in the 50s.
Well, old friendships don't mean
a lot in the spy business, Joe.
Yeah, I guess they don't.
Alexander Cartel was
another friend of my father's
who he had worked with.
He tried to kill him once.
It was in Acapulco,
wasn't it?
Yeah.
I want you to tell
me about it, Joe.
Everything you can remember.
If Kline did
change allegiances
and your father and
brother died because of it,
I want to track them down
and make them pay for it.
Um...
It all started
back in Bay Port.
Dad got a phone call.
JOE: It was Kline,
calling to tell him that Professor
Chaing Tse Lye had expressed interest
in defecting to the West.
Apparently,
he'd made a discovery,
something to do
with biological warfare.
He wanted to leave with his
papers before his superiors found out.
Anyway,
he requested that Dad
set up the defection
from the other end.
We arrived at the hotel in Hong
Kong with Alan Kline, our contact.
Kline started filling us in on
what the procedure would be.
ABRAMS: What was the procedure
supposed to be?
You know, that's something
I can't quite figure out.
But when I read
the newspaper,
it said
my brother and father
were killed in a boat
in Victoria Harbor.
Well, that's not the way
it was planned originally?
No. Chaing was supposed
to take a junk across
the Strait of Kowloon
by himself.
We were only to wait on the
pier at Point Queen Victoria.
There were big worries that an East
German group had heard about the defection
and would try to kidnap
Chaing when he arrived.
What day was that?
Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 25th,
at dawn.
Well, if Kline was
up to what [ think he was,
those changes
may have been made
to throw your father
and brother off-balance.
So you think Kline had
something to do with their death?
Well, the more that I hear about it,
the more that I think he might have.
You think he had something
to do with my accident, too?
Perhaps.
It may have been
another one of
Kline's little efforts to throw your
father and brother off-balance.
I mean, I...
I imagine
they were pretty distraught.
Yeah, they were.
Is there anything else
you can tell me, Joe?
(SIGHS)
Nothing that would help,
I'm afraid.
I want to thank you.
I know
these must be terribly,
terribly difficult days
for you.
Yeah, they are. I...
I just can't believe that
they're gone, you know...
It's been a year.
Well, you get some rest.
And I promise you that if Kline
had anything at all to do with this,
I'll get him.
I'll keep you informed.
Thanks.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA
IN CANTONESE)
I've got it.
The Hardys are to meet
him tomorrow at dawn,
Point Queen Victoria.
He's coming by boat.
You took a terrible risk,
moving so quickly.
He might have figured out
something was wrong.
We're lucky I took the risk.
We got less than
24 hours to prepare.
We're gonna get Chaing.
(SNIFFS)
Mmm, that's delicious.
I think
we'll take this one.
(EXCLAIMS)
Worm.
(SNIFFS)
They finally pulled it out
around 10:00.
The tide had moved it nearly an eighth
of a mile from the sight of the crash.
There's still no
sign of Joe? Not yet.
Well, they haven't stopped
looking for the body, have they?
There's nothing to be
done about it, Mr. Hardy.
The current drags
everything out to sea.
I'm sorry. In my opinion, we
should abandon the entire operation
while there's still
time to notify Chaing.
Oh, no, we can't do that.
These photographs just
came in from Langley.
Lida Manheim,
Kirin Kwo Low
and Hans Abrams.
They're all members of an
East German spy organization,
Swartzkreiz.
And they all came in
to Hong Kong last week.
Have you seen any of them?
No, I haven't.
Why? Is there reason to believe
they knew about the defection?
Not yet, but believe me,
there's nothing the East
Germans would rather do
than put their
hands on Chaing.
I don't think
we have to worry about that.
No one knows the details of
the defection except the four of us.
Three of us.
Well, memorize their faces
and keep your eyes peeled.
We will.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA
IN CANTONESE)
What are you...
Shh.
I know, I...
Shh.
I know
it's not a year later.
Do you speak English?
Shh.
JOE: Just tell me
what's going on here.
Do you know?
Who are these people?
Why did they set
this whole scam up?
Hans, Low.
What is this?
What are you doing here?
She told him.
No, I figured it out
for myself.
I can still
smell the perfume.
I spilled some on my clothes.
That wouldn't have lasted a year.
It's all right, my friend.
We've already gotten
what we need.
Now, move.
Who are you people, anyway?
What kind of a con is this?
I said, move.
It was all real easy
for you, wasn't it?
Congratulations.
Remember when we were
in Transylvania?
Uh-huh.
You know what Joe claimed?
What?
That when we arrested Stavlin
his reflection couldn't
be seen in the mirror,
as if he was
the real Count Dracula.
I rode him pretty badly
about that for three months.
Don't, Frank.
No two brothers could have
been closer than you and Joe were.
I guess we should
call Aunt Gertrude,
tell her
there's not much hope.
Yeah. I guess we'd better.
So you people
aren't with the Feds.
Couldn't you tell?
If we were the good guys,
we'd be wearing white hats.
My father and my brother
aren't dead.
No. No, they're not.
Not yet.
I trusted you.
You were supposed to trust me.
Hope they're paying
you a lot.
So typically American.
You all think that money is the
only reason anyone does anything.
No, I just hope
they're paying you a lot,
'cause you could make
a fortune in Hollywood.
You were really good.
You were really, really good.
You know, I would be
quiet if I were you, my friend.
You see, she's the only
reason you're still breathing.
How nice.
ABRAMS: In the alley.
Stop.
I'll go around
the other way.
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Come on, hurry. Up to
the roof, come on! Hurry up.
Where are they?
They must be
in the alley.
The roof.
Up there.
Go around
the other side.
For a minute there, I thought
we were crashing a wild party.
(METALLIC CLANKING)
(CLATTERING)
(BANGING)
Get down.
I know you're here.
(CRASHING)
ABRAMS: Hold it!
Let's go. Move. Move!
The place will be closed
for the weekend,
so have a good holiday.
Well? Did you get him?
Get in! We haven't much time.
Yes! I got him.
LOW: Go!
It would be nice if you'd
tell me what's going on here.
I mean, here I am in the
middle of this big thriller
and I don't even know
who these people are
or what they're
trying to do to you.
What they were trying to do was
convince me that it was a year later.
They wanted to get
some information out of me.
Information that would be absolutely
meaningless a year from now.
Oh.
So, they're spies.
Yeah, something like that.
So that makes
you a spy, too, huh?
Yeah, something like that.
(INAUDIBLE)
Dad?
Dad?
Yeah?
It's almost 4:45. Kline will
be here in a few minutes.
Oh. Yeah, right, Son.
Did you get any sleep?
I just can't believe
he's gone.
Neither can I.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Come in.
Hi.
How are you two
holding up?
Well, we're ready to do
what we came here to do.
Well, If you want to get
something to eat before we leave,
I suggest we get going.
I don't think either of us
feel like eating.
This isn't working.
I can't get these ropes.
Why don't we break
that jar over there
and use it to
cut the ropes?
You sure you're not
with the Feds?
I'm a student and, at this
moment, a very excited student.
You know, I haven't had
this much fun in years.
I'm glad
you're enjoying yourself.
Look,
if you push and I push,
we could work our way
over to that jar.
Now, get up, okay?
Okay.
Ready?
One, two, three.
Okay. Move.
(GRUNTS)
I'm gonna break this jar. It's
filled with nails, so watch out.
Okay.
I don't want one of those.
I see.
As you wish, Lida.
As you wish.
Now, remember,
everybody dies but Chaing.
We keep him alive
at all costs.
So, who are these people?
I'll tell you who
these people are.
These are the people who are
going to kill my brother and my father
unless I get out
of here quick.
(GRUNTS)
KIM: Terrific.
Clint Eastwood could probably
blast his way through here.
Clint Eastwood wouldn't
get himself locked in here.
Excuse me. See if you can find
something that we can wedge this door,
like a screwdriver, anything.
Okay.
There's nothing here.
Will this work?
It just might.
It could work like a wrench.
It's working.
Yeah.
KLINE: I hope nothing's
gone wrong at the other end.
FENTON: I do, too.
Chaing won't last two hours
if he's caught by his people.
FRANK: Should I see
if I can raise him?
KLINE: No, we're supposed to
wait and let him contact us.
(KIM GRUNTING)
Well, I'd loosened it
for you. Come on.
Yeah.
JOE: We've gotta
get to the cops.
Well, isn't there some unwritten spy
code that says you don't go to the cops?
Oh.
Doesn't anybody sleep
in Hong Kong?
Taxi. Taxi, hold it.
Taxi!
Thanks, buddy.
Let me try.
Okay.
Stop. Okay.
You can't be subtle
in Hong Kong. Let's go.
You're not coming?
No, Hans, I'm not.
Get in the driver's seat
and drive when we get Chaing.
CHAING: Shorty to Handlebar.
Shorty to Handlebar.
Do you read me, Handlebar?
Hello, Shorty.
This is Handlebar.
Do you read us?
Hello, good friend.
Is everything okay?
Yes, it is, Shorty. We're
ready and waiting for you.
How far out are you?
About half a mile.
You should be able to
see the boat.
We have yellow sails.
Yeah, we have you
in sight right now.
Hurry on in.
I'm anxious to talk to you.
Are your sons with you?
They're probably grown up
since [ last saw them.
Only one, Shorty.
Only one of them.
That's the junk.
I'm sure of it.
There are only three
in the reception party.
This is almost too simple.
Well, just wait
until they land.
(SHOUTS GREETING IN MANDARIN)
Fenton!
Professor Chaing,
you certainly look different
than you did
last time I saw you.
Not only are
these clothes different,
but I think I've aged
20 years in the last 10.
10 of them in
the last three hours.
Why, did you
run into trouble?
A patrol boat crossed
right in front of us.
Luckily it was so dark
they didn't see us.
I have a car waiting
and I think we should hurry.
Right.
This is Alan Kline
of the US government.
And, of course, you remember
my son, Frank, don't you?
Yes. It's been a
long time, Professor.
It certainly has. Why, you were
about this high when I saw you last.
And where is your other son?
Is it Joe?
Well, there's been a tragedy,
Professor. LOW: Hold it!
Please don't.
Abrams.
Yes.
Who are these people?
They're with the East Germans. Their
intelligence heard of your defection.
Get him.
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
What are you gonna
do with us?
What do you think
I'm gonna do with you?
You'll never
get away with it, Abrams.
You'll never leave
Hong Kong alive.
Oh, I think I will.
(SIRENS BLARING)
Hurry!
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Where are my brother
and my father?
Where?
Your brother and your father
are down there.
(LOW EXCLAIMING)
Joe!
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Joe, you're alive!
(LAUGHING)
FENTON: We thought you were
dead. FRANK: Where'd you come from?
I thought
you guys were dead.
Are you all right?
Are you hurt?
How do you feel?
A year older.
What?
I'll explain it to you later.
Come on.
And this is how
they did your newscasts.
They hid this machine
in the chest. Now watch.
Prince Charles's wedding
to Princess Caroline...
It's unbelievable. You know what
really got me were these letters.
I mean, the handwriting
was so perfect.
You can bet those people
did plenty of research
before they started
this operation.
I talked to Lieutenant Cho
Tse of the Hong Kong Police.
He told me they found out how
you were originally knocked out.
How?
Apparently, the steering wheel
of your rental car was painted
with some sort of chemical substance
that's absorbed through the skin.
Causes unconsciousness
a few minutes after contact.
So there never
actually was an accident.
I mean, I wasn't in
any kind of a river.
No, you simply blacked out,
that's all.
Is Chaing on his way
back to the States yet?
His plane took off for
Washington five minutes ago.
Hi, spy.
Hi, there. I didn't
get a chance to thank you.
Oh, I'm the one
who should be thanking you.
In fact, I was hoping I could
take you all out to dinner tonight.
JOE: Do you believe this?
We almost
get this girl killed
and she wants to take
us to dinner in return.
Well, actually, I was
hoping that you could tell me
how I could get into
this line of work full-time.
Pardon me?
Well, when I graduate
from Berkeley, of course.
Oh, no.
No, no, no.
This isn't the kind of
thing you should be doing.
I mean, this is
dangerous stuff here.
We take our lives in our hands
almost every day.
And the pay is terrible.
We work nights.
It's a dirty job.
I'd love to explain it
to you over dinner.
around 10:00.
There's still no
sign of Joe? Not yet.
Well, they haven't stopped
looking for the body, have they?
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
I just can't believe
he's gone.
Neither can I.
You see, you've been in
a coma for almost a year.
Where are my brother
and my father? Answer me!
Your father and your brother
are dead.
(SOBS)
We gotta get out of here.
Why don't we break
that jar over there
and use it to
cut the ropes?
You sure you're not
with the Feds?
MAN: Hold it!
NARRATOR:
Tonight on the Hardy Boys,
Sole Survivor.
(SIREN WAILING)
(HORN HONKING)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
(PANTING)
So young.
(BOTH SPEAKING CANTONESE)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
10 ccs epinephrine.
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
WOMAN: So young.
MAN: No,
he's still in a coma.
WOMAN: Do you think
he'll ever come out of it?
He's been under
a long time.
What about brain damage?
It's possible.
(ECG BEEPING)
(GASPS)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Excuse me.
Do you speak English?
Yes.
Could you tell me
what's going on around here?
Do you know your name?
Of course I know my name.
Well, what is it?
Pardon me?
Your name.
My name's Joe Hardy.
(CHUCKLING)
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Good. Very good.
I'm surprised you can
even remember how to talk.
My name is Dr. Low.
Dr. Low, where am I?
Look, why don't you get
some rest and we'll talk later?
How long have I been here?
What day is it?
It's Wednesday.
Wednesday?
I've been here almost a week.
You see, you've been in
a coma for almost a year.
It's Wednesday,
January 17, 1979.
Hi.
Hi.
My name is Lida.
What are these things?
They're attached
to an EEG machine.
It records the electrical
impulses from the brain.
It will let us know
if there's any damage there.
There's that chance?
Whenever one's been
comatose for a long time,
there's always that chance.
Wonderful.
The sense of humor
is the first thing to go.
I'm sure
you'll be just fine.
Do you know where you are?
I'm at a hospital.
Do you know
where the hospital is?
I tried to find out,
but it's tough to get
a straight answer around here.
We're in Hong Kong.
What happened to me?
You were in an accident.
A bad accident.
Do you remember?
No, I...
I vaguely remember
an ambulance ride.
Before that,
you were in a rental car.
Doing some sightseeing.
Yes, well, the car
was struck by a truck.
It was pushed into the harbor.
A fisherman pulled you out.
How was I injured?
Broken ribs,
fractured skull.
You developed pneumonia
two weeks after arriving here.
Kind of glad
I missed all the fun.
Where are my brother
and my father?
Shall we start?
Did they go back to the States or
are they still here in Hong Kong?
Answer me.
Answer me!
Lie down.
They're okay,
aren't they?
Aren't they?
You have a lot of news
to catch up.
Where's my father
and my brother?
Your father and your brother
are dead.
They have been for 11 months.
(SOBS)
My God.
How did it happen?
I don't think we should talk about
it right now, until you regain your...
I want to know.
We don't really know.
They were involved
in something political.
We only know what we
read about in the newspapers.
Something to do with
the transfer of a defector.
I saved these
newspapers for you
and your letters
from people back home.
I liked them.
Your brother and your father,
they were here day and night
after you arrived.
They loved you very deeply.
(SNIFFLING)
Would you prefer to be alone?
Buzz if there's anything
that you need.
Anything at all.
(SIGHS)
You told him.
I couldn't avoid it.
He asked me point-blank.
It could be very dangerous
to overload him so quickly.
You must remember, an entire
year is missing from his life.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA
IN CANTONESE)
JOE: "Dear Joe.
"It's so hard writing
at a time like this.
"Ink on paper seems like such a cold
and impersonal kind of communication
"when there's so many
things I want to say.
"They tell us you're not
ready for visitors yet
"and you can't receive
any phone calls.
"So I guess
it will have to do.
"News of your accident and
your father and brother's tragedy
“"reached us on a rainy
Tuesday in River Heights.
"“The hardest, most depressing
day of my life.
"It's hard to conceive,
"but I know you must be feeling
even worse than anyone here.
"Just please accept
our deepest condolences,
“and know that we're
pulling for you all the way.
"“Try your best
to get well quickly,
"and know that your father and
brother are now in a better, easier place
"and would want you to carry on
with life just as soon as you can.
"Best wishes. Nancy Drew."
Reading your letters?
From everyone I know.
I just spoke with
Dr. Low about your EEG.
And? You have no
permanent brain damage.
Good.
Your Aunt Gertrude visited
about five months ago.
She wanted to take you
back with her.
Why didn't I go?
Your condition
was too delicate.
And Dr. Low is respected as
a neurosurgeon the world over.
You couldn't have been
in better hands.
When do I get out
of this thing?
When your muscle tone returns.
Don't forget, your body
was dormant for almost a year.
Is that why I feel so stiff?
I don't know what
I'm gonna do without them.
Where are they now?
The Red Chinese returned
their bodies.
They were flown back
to the United States.
He should be regaining
his memory as the hours pass.
When can I speak
with him, Doctor?
Well, I think we should
wait a short while.
It would be stupid to
press things at this point.
He's coming along
just as we had hoped.
Prince Charles's wedding
to Princess Caroline
came as a complete
surprise to both their families
and to society columnists
the world over.
The couple plans to honeymoon
in the British West Indies
and to return
to London on the 23rd.
And that's the news
this Thursday,
January 18, 1979.
ANNOUNCER ON TV:
This newscast has been
a British Commonwealth
Broadcasting System presentation.
Charles and
Princess Caroline.
That's lovely.
You should leave.
They'll be back very soon.
I want to talk
with him today, Doctor.
It's too soon.
It's important, Doctor.
Well, tonight. After supper.
But only if I'm convinced
that he's ready.
Now, he may not remember
much anyway.
Why?
The medication.
Well, reduce the medication.
Yes, that would be best.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA
IN CANTONESE)
Who is she?
She's a nurse's aide.
She's not supposed to be
on this floor and she knows it.
United States president Jimmy
Carter left today for a journey to Uganda,
to meet with the new Ugandan
president, Uthu Mubaata.
Talks will center around the
reestablishment of diplomatic relations
following the overthrow of the tyrannical
regime of Idi Amin three months ago.
Carter, at a press conference
prior to departure,
said that he hoped that
the talks will be meaningful
and lead to a fruitful
and long-lasting relationship
between his government
and the new Uganda regime.
In other news,
the Soviet Union announced
that sales of the...
Oh, this one's nice.
Oh, that's pretty good.
Will you cut it out?
Would you like... You can spray
it on your own hand, you know?
And how much is this one?
WOMAN: This one, $3.
FRANK: This is... Is this American
dollars or Hong Kong dollars?
Hong Kong dollars.
How's this one?
Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe!
Cut it out!
Oh, come on. Let's not
get into a perfume war.
How much is this one?
$2.
This is $2?
Mmm, that's delicious.
I think
we'll take this one.
(EXCLAIMS)
Worm.
That'll be fine,
thank you.
(CRYING)
Good afternoon, Mr. Hardy.
Was your supper all right?
Yeah, it was fine.
Your EEG was nearly perfect.
Did Lida tell you?
By the way, there is a gentleman
outside who wants to see you.
Do you feel like
talking to him?
Who is he?
An American
from a federal agency.
Something about your father
and your brother.
Is he here?
Yes, in the hallway.
I'd very much like
to see him, thank you.
Mr. Abrams.
Hello.
Hi.
Mr. Peter Abrams, Joe Hardy.
Doctor, I...
I wonder if we could
be alone a few minutes.
Yes, of course.
Keep the conversation short.
Well, how are you feeling,
Joe?
I'm holding up.
He's in there
talking to him now.
Good.
We have a theory, Joe.
We have a theory that
the whole thing was a setup.
I mean
right from the very start.
That your contact here
in Hong Kong
had gone over
to the other side.
Alan Kline?
Mmm-hmm.
He was an old
friend of Dad's.
They went all the way back to
Air Force Intelligence in the 50s.
Well, old friendships don't mean
a lot in the spy business, Joe.
Yeah, I guess they don't.
Alexander Cartel was
another friend of my father's
who he had worked with.
He tried to kill him once.
It was in Acapulco,
wasn't it?
Yeah.
I want you to tell
me about it, Joe.
Everything you can remember.
If Kline did
change allegiances
and your father and
brother died because of it,
I want to track them down
and make them pay for it.
Um...
It all started
back in Bay Port.
Dad got a phone call.
JOE: It was Kline,
calling to tell him that Professor
Chaing Tse Lye had expressed interest
in defecting to the West.
Apparently,
he'd made a discovery,
something to do
with biological warfare.
He wanted to leave with his
papers before his superiors found out.
Anyway,
he requested that Dad
set up the defection
from the other end.
We arrived at the hotel in Hong
Kong with Alan Kline, our contact.
Kline started filling us in on
what the procedure would be.
ABRAMS: What was the procedure
supposed to be?
You know, that's something
I can't quite figure out.
But when I read
the newspaper,
it said
my brother and father
were killed in a boat
in Victoria Harbor.
Well, that's not the way
it was planned originally?
No. Chaing was supposed
to take a junk across
the Strait of Kowloon
by himself.
We were only to wait on the
pier at Point Queen Victoria.
There were big worries that an East
German group had heard about the defection
and would try to kidnap
Chaing when he arrived.
What day was that?
Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 25th,
at dawn.
Well, if Kline was
up to what [ think he was,
those changes
may have been made
to throw your father
and brother off-balance.
So you think Kline had
something to do with their death?
Well, the more that I hear about it,
the more that I think he might have.
You think he had something
to do with my accident, too?
Perhaps.
It may have been
another one of
Kline's little efforts to throw your
father and brother off-balance.
I mean, I...
I imagine
they were pretty distraught.
Yeah, they were.
Is there anything else
you can tell me, Joe?
(SIGHS)
Nothing that would help,
I'm afraid.
I want to thank you.
I know
these must be terribly,
terribly difficult days
for you.
Yeah, they are. I...
I just can't believe that
they're gone, you know...
It's been a year.
Well, you get some rest.
And I promise you that if Kline
had anything at all to do with this,
I'll get him.
I'll keep you informed.
Thanks.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA
IN CANTONESE)
I've got it.
The Hardys are to meet
him tomorrow at dawn,
Point Queen Victoria.
He's coming by boat.
You took a terrible risk,
moving so quickly.
He might have figured out
something was wrong.
We're lucky I took the risk.
We got less than
24 hours to prepare.
We're gonna get Chaing.
(SNIFFS)
Mmm, that's delicious.
I think
we'll take this one.
(EXCLAIMS)
Worm.
(SNIFFS)
They finally pulled it out
around 10:00.
The tide had moved it nearly an eighth
of a mile from the sight of the crash.
There's still no
sign of Joe? Not yet.
Well, they haven't stopped
looking for the body, have they?
There's nothing to be
done about it, Mr. Hardy.
The current drags
everything out to sea.
I'm sorry. In my opinion, we
should abandon the entire operation
while there's still
time to notify Chaing.
Oh, no, we can't do that.
These photographs just
came in from Langley.
Lida Manheim,
Kirin Kwo Low
and Hans Abrams.
They're all members of an
East German spy organization,
Swartzkreiz.
And they all came in
to Hong Kong last week.
Have you seen any of them?
No, I haven't.
Why? Is there reason to believe
they knew about the defection?
Not yet, but believe me,
there's nothing the East
Germans would rather do
than put their
hands on Chaing.
I don't think
we have to worry about that.
No one knows the details of
the defection except the four of us.
Three of us.
Well, memorize their faces
and keep your eyes peeled.
We will.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA
IN CANTONESE)
What are you...
Shh.
I know, I...
Shh.
I know
it's not a year later.
Do you speak English?
Shh.
JOE: Just tell me
what's going on here.
Do you know?
Who are these people?
Why did they set
this whole scam up?
Hans, Low.
What is this?
What are you doing here?
She told him.
No, I figured it out
for myself.
I can still
smell the perfume.
I spilled some on my clothes.
That wouldn't have lasted a year.
It's all right, my friend.
We've already gotten
what we need.
Now, move.
Who are you people, anyway?
What kind of a con is this?
I said, move.
It was all real easy
for you, wasn't it?
Congratulations.
Remember when we were
in Transylvania?
Uh-huh.
You know what Joe claimed?
What?
That when we arrested Stavlin
his reflection couldn't
be seen in the mirror,
as if he was
the real Count Dracula.
I rode him pretty badly
about that for three months.
Don't, Frank.
No two brothers could have
been closer than you and Joe were.
I guess we should
call Aunt Gertrude,
tell her
there's not much hope.
Yeah. I guess we'd better.
So you people
aren't with the Feds.
Couldn't you tell?
If we were the good guys,
we'd be wearing white hats.
My father and my brother
aren't dead.
No. No, they're not.
Not yet.
I trusted you.
You were supposed to trust me.
Hope they're paying
you a lot.
So typically American.
You all think that money is the
only reason anyone does anything.
No, I just hope
they're paying you a lot,
'cause you could make
a fortune in Hollywood.
You were really good.
You were really, really good.
You know, I would be
quiet if I were you, my friend.
You see, she's the only
reason you're still breathing.
How nice.
ABRAMS: In the alley.
Stop.
I'll go around
the other way.
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Come on, hurry. Up to
the roof, come on! Hurry up.
Where are they?
They must be
in the alley.
The roof.
Up there.
Go around
the other side.
For a minute there, I thought
we were crashing a wild party.
(METALLIC CLANKING)
(CLATTERING)
(BANGING)
Get down.
I know you're here.
(CRASHING)
ABRAMS: Hold it!
Let's go. Move. Move!
The place will be closed
for the weekend,
so have a good holiday.
Well? Did you get him?
Get in! We haven't much time.
Yes! I got him.
LOW: Go!
It would be nice if you'd
tell me what's going on here.
I mean, here I am in the
middle of this big thriller
and I don't even know
who these people are
or what they're
trying to do to you.
What they were trying to do was
convince me that it was a year later.
They wanted to get
some information out of me.
Information that would be absolutely
meaningless a year from now.
Oh.
So, they're spies.
Yeah, something like that.
So that makes
you a spy, too, huh?
Yeah, something like that.
(INAUDIBLE)
Dad?
Dad?
Yeah?
It's almost 4:45. Kline will
be here in a few minutes.
Oh. Yeah, right, Son.
Did you get any sleep?
I just can't believe
he's gone.
Neither can I.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Come in.
Hi.
How are you two
holding up?
Well, we're ready to do
what we came here to do.
Well, If you want to get
something to eat before we leave,
I suggest we get going.
I don't think either of us
feel like eating.
This isn't working.
I can't get these ropes.
Why don't we break
that jar over there
and use it to
cut the ropes?
You sure you're not
with the Feds?
I'm a student and, at this
moment, a very excited student.
You know, I haven't had
this much fun in years.
I'm glad
you're enjoying yourself.
Look,
if you push and I push,
we could work our way
over to that jar.
Now, get up, okay?
Okay.
Ready?
One, two, three.
Okay. Move.
(GRUNTS)
I'm gonna break this jar. It's
filled with nails, so watch out.
Okay.
I don't want one of those.
I see.
As you wish, Lida.
As you wish.
Now, remember,
everybody dies but Chaing.
We keep him alive
at all costs.
So, who are these people?
I'll tell you who
these people are.
These are the people who are
going to kill my brother and my father
unless I get out
of here quick.
(GRUNTS)
KIM: Terrific.
Clint Eastwood could probably
blast his way through here.
Clint Eastwood wouldn't
get himself locked in here.
Excuse me. See if you can find
something that we can wedge this door,
like a screwdriver, anything.
Okay.
There's nothing here.
Will this work?
It just might.
It could work like a wrench.
It's working.
Yeah.
KLINE: I hope nothing's
gone wrong at the other end.
FENTON: I do, too.
Chaing won't last two hours
if he's caught by his people.
FRANK: Should I see
if I can raise him?
KLINE: No, we're supposed to
wait and let him contact us.
(KIM GRUNTING)
Well, I'd loosened it
for you. Come on.
Yeah.
JOE: We've gotta
get to the cops.
Well, isn't there some unwritten spy
code that says you don't go to the cops?
Oh.
Doesn't anybody sleep
in Hong Kong?
Taxi. Taxi, hold it.
Taxi!
Thanks, buddy.
Let me try.
Okay.
Stop. Okay.
You can't be subtle
in Hong Kong. Let's go.
You're not coming?
No, Hans, I'm not.
Get in the driver's seat
and drive when we get Chaing.
CHAING: Shorty to Handlebar.
Shorty to Handlebar.
Do you read me, Handlebar?
Hello, Shorty.
This is Handlebar.
Do you read us?
Hello, good friend.
Is everything okay?
Yes, it is, Shorty. We're
ready and waiting for you.
How far out are you?
About half a mile.
You should be able to
see the boat.
We have yellow sails.
Yeah, we have you
in sight right now.
Hurry on in.
I'm anxious to talk to you.
Are your sons with you?
They're probably grown up
since [ last saw them.
Only one, Shorty.
Only one of them.
That's the junk.
I'm sure of it.
There are only three
in the reception party.
This is almost too simple.
Well, just wait
until they land.
(SHOUTS GREETING IN MANDARIN)
Fenton!
Professor Chaing,
you certainly look different
than you did
last time I saw you.
Not only are
these clothes different,
but I think I've aged
20 years in the last 10.
10 of them in
the last three hours.
Why, did you
run into trouble?
A patrol boat crossed
right in front of us.
Luckily it was so dark
they didn't see us.
I have a car waiting
and I think we should hurry.
Right.
This is Alan Kline
of the US government.
And, of course, you remember
my son, Frank, don't you?
Yes. It's been a
long time, Professor.
It certainly has. Why, you were
about this high when I saw you last.
And where is your other son?
Is it Joe?
Well, there's been a tragedy,
Professor. LOW: Hold it!
Please don't.
Abrams.
Yes.
Who are these people?
They're with the East Germans. Their
intelligence heard of your defection.
Get him.
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
What are you gonna
do with us?
What do you think
I'm gonna do with you?
You'll never
get away with it, Abrams.
You'll never leave
Hong Kong alive.
Oh, I think I will.
(SIRENS BLARING)
Hurry!
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Where are my brother
and my father?
Where?
Your brother and your father
are down there.
(LOW EXCLAIMING)
Joe!
(SPEAKING CANTONESE)
Joe, you're alive!
(LAUGHING)
FENTON: We thought you were
dead. FRANK: Where'd you come from?
I thought
you guys were dead.
Are you all right?
Are you hurt?
How do you feel?
A year older.
What?
I'll explain it to you later.
Come on.
And this is how
they did your newscasts.
They hid this machine
in the chest. Now watch.
Prince Charles's wedding
to Princess Caroline...
It's unbelievable. You know what
really got me were these letters.
I mean, the handwriting
was so perfect.
You can bet those people
did plenty of research
before they started
this operation.
I talked to Lieutenant Cho
Tse of the Hong Kong Police.
He told me they found out how
you were originally knocked out.
How?
Apparently, the steering wheel
of your rental car was painted
with some sort of chemical substance
that's absorbed through the skin.
Causes unconsciousness
a few minutes after contact.
So there never
actually was an accident.
I mean, I wasn't in
any kind of a river.
No, you simply blacked out,
that's all.
Is Chaing on his way
back to the States yet?
His plane took off for
Washington five minutes ago.
Hi, spy.
Hi, there. I didn't
get a chance to thank you.
Oh, I'm the one
who should be thanking you.
In fact, I was hoping I could
take you all out to dinner tonight.
JOE: Do you believe this?
We almost
get this girl killed
and she wants to take
us to dinner in return.
Well, actually, I was
hoping that you could tell me
how I could get into
this line of work full-time.
Pardon me?
Well, when I graduate
from Berkeley, of course.
Oh, no.
No, no, no.
This isn't the kind of
thing you should be doing.
I mean, this is
dangerous stuff here.
We take our lives in our hands
almost every day.
And the pay is terrible.
We work nights.
It's a dirty job.
I'd love to explain it
to you over dinner.