The Invaders (1967–1968): Season 2, Episode 22 - The Vise - full transcript
David and Edgar intercept an alien data drop and recover the partially burned contents of a briefcase. A picture inside convinces them that Arnold Warren is an alien. Warren is seeking confirmation to a post supervising a space tracking project. He would be one of the few black men to hold such a high post. Standing between him and that goal is Jim Baxter, a Senate investigator who also happens to be black. Baxter's wife Celia wants black heroes for her son, so she's pressuring her husband to recommend Warren. Against that, David Vincent only has a wildly implausible story: that Warren is a man from outer space! Convincing Baxter to look further means appealing to his policeman's instincts.
(upbeat music playing)
(sighs)
Edgar, we don't even
know if this is a contact point.
Three Tuesdays in a row...
always between 6:30 and 7:00
and always the same alien
and I had him followed
by different guards.
What else could it be?
Maybe he just likes the service.
(music continues)
That's it.
Need some gas?
Be with you in a minute.
Interested in
some tires, mister?
No, I'd like to
see that briefcase.
(crashing and clattering)
(grunts)
Hold it!
(tires screech)
You all right?
Yeah.
The other one got away.
Anything worthwhile in there?
I don't know.
Most of it seems to be in code.
I've seen this one before.
Yeah, so have I...
on one of the TV newscasts.
He's been nominated to head up
some important
new tracking facility
specially geared for
the exploration of space.
Well, if that tracking facility
can help us get out into space,
it could help the
aliens coming in.
NARRATOR: Starring Roy
Thinnes as architect David Vincent.
The invaders...
alien beings from
a dying planet.
Their destination... the Earth.
Their purpose... to
make it their world.
David Vincent has seen them.
For him, it began one lost night
on a lonely country road
looking for a shortcut
that he never found.
It began with a
closed, deserted diner
and a man too long without sleep
to continue his journey.
(eerie whirring)
It began with the landing of
a craft from another galaxy.
(whirring intensifies)
Now David Vincent knows
that the invaders are here.
That they have taken human form.
Somehow, he must
convince a disbelieving world
that the nightmare
has already begun.
The guest stars
in tonight's story:
Raymond St. Jacques...
Janet MacLachlan...
Roscoe Lee Browne... Kent Smith.
NARRATOR: For two days a senate
subcommittee has been meeting
to consider the nomination of
a man named Arnold Warren
for an important post
in the international
space program.
David Vincent has
reason to believe
that Warren is an alien.
He has 24 hours to prove it.
DAVID: Mr. Baxter?
Yes.
David Vincent... I left
a note at your office.
Yes, I read it.
Why don't you call my secretary
and see if we can't set
something up for next week?
Your report on Warren
is due tomorrow.
That'll be all, gentlemen.
Thank you.
Not that way.
Why not?
That's David Vincent talking
to the committee investigator.
Five minutes is
all I'm asking for.
Mister Vincent, I have
a luncheon engagement.
I don't think you
could convince me
of anything in five minutes.
I can if you're
willing to listen.
Come with me.
Five minutes.
(chuckles dismissively)
Vincent, I've heard
some beauts in my time,
but you've got them all whipped.
(sighs)
"Arnold Andrew Warren,
born March 18, 1925."
You saw the birth certificate?
Baptismal, and I
spoke with his father.
He does have a father?
Maybe.
"Attended public schools."
I saw the diploma.
At his father's
place, I suppose.
At his father's place.
"Enlisted in the army in '43.
"Won the DSC with the
101st airborne on D-Day.
"After the war, he went to
work for Carter Electronics.
They went out of
business in '49."
It figures.
(knocking at door)
Jim, you in there?
Oh, yeah, honey.
Hi, Daddy.
Hi, champ. How are you?
I going to have lunch with you.
That's right. That's a deal.
Oh, uh... Mr. Vincent,
my wife Mrs. Baxter.
How do you do?
Mr. Vincent was just leaving.
Nice to have met you.
Nice to have met
you, Mr. Vincent.
Michael, don't mess
up Daddy's desk.
Apparently, you think
this Warren is really
something special.
I do.
Well, he, uh, he must have been
to have been awarded
the DSC with a unit
that wasn't integrated
until six or seven years later.
See you later.
Celia... Yes?
Do you remember when
the army was integrated?
'50, '51... somewhere in there.
What's the matter?
It's Warren.
He lied to me.
No, no...
I didn't say I got
it in the 101st.
I said I got it with the 101st.
That's a very subtle
distinction, Mr. Warren.
I'm not quite sure...
Now you're bound and
determined to ruin my image.
Well, here goes...
The plain truth.
I was a cook.
(laughs)
A cook?
Yes... assigned
to a field kitchen
in the area of the 101st.
Now, the Germans
overran our lines
and I found myself with
an M-1 instead of a spatula.
Now, I think those airborne
guys were more grateful
not having to eat my cooking
than they were
over anything else.
Anyway, that's where
the DSC came from.
(horn honking)
I hope that clears
everything up.
Yeah. Yeah, I think
we're on the beam again.
It must really get to you
having to hear out
someone like Vincent.
Doesn't make things
any easier, that's for sure.
Well, have a good lunch
and I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah... see you tomorrow.
Well, are you satisfied now?
No, I'm not.
I didn't mention Vincent.
They did.
Yes, I'd, uh... like to
call Syracuse, New York,
person to person, collect...
Mr. Edgar Scoville,
s-c-o-v-i-double l-e.
Yeah, well, I may have
shaken him up a bit,
but, uh, he's still handing
in the report tomorrow.
Mmm.
Well, I can ask him,
but I don't know
if he'll show up.
10:00?
All right.
Right.
I'll talk with you later.
So long.
(tires squealing)
You know, that boy
and his blanket...
He can't find it
and he won't go
to sleep without it.
You can go ahead and
look, but it's not in here.
That report will be ready
for tomorrow, won't it?
That's hard to say.
Maybe it will and
maybe it won't.
But I thought you'd finished it.
Heading up that tracking station
is a pretty important
post for a Negro, isn't it?
Oh, so that's it.
I just asked a question.
Just because he's Negro,
I'm not going to whitewash him.
"Whitewash"?!
Oh, please, don't
push me, Celia.
MICHAEL: Find my blanket yet?
Michael, who do you think
the best baseball
player in the world is?
Willie Mays.
And who's the
best football player?
Gale Sayers.
You go on in now.
I'll be along to tuck you in.
He needs heroes,
Jim... black ones.
Hey, Mike!
Who throws a football
better than anyone else?
Johnny Unitas.
Is this a game?
No, champ, not really.
Go to bed now.
Now, what was your point, Celia?
(doorbell rings)
Oh, hello, Vincent.
I'm sorry I can't let you in.
I'm trying to put
the kid to bed.
Did you at least ask him about
the 101st Airborne Division?
Oh, yes, I did, and he
answered satisfactorily.
Satisfactorily? What
does that mean?
It means I'm an
investigator, Vincent.
That's a fancy word for a cop.
And a cop moves
on facts, not hunches.
And he's supposed
to keep an open mind.
Aren't you?
Vincent, I don't
want any part of this.
Neither do I... I never
have... But I know they're here.
Just listen to me for
a minute, will you?
A friend of mine,
Edgar Scoville,
has a plant on River Road.
He's had his own men
investigating this case
for a long time.
He wants to meet with you.
Meet me in the south
parking lot at 10:00 tonight.
Good night, Vincent.
Please take the card.
Did Mr. Vincent leave?
Yeah.
I found it under the couch.
Here, give it to me.
I'll put it over him.
Love you.
Oh.
(chuckles)
Love you, too.
Dinner.
Where's Scoville?
In Syracuse.
Well, I thought you
wanted me to meet him.
No, I meant I wanted
you to talk to him.
Sit down.
Closed-circuit TV.
He uses it for inter-
plant conferences.
Evening, David... Mr. Baxter.
Mr. Scoville.
What convinced you to
come here, Mr. Baxter?
The trusting part of me says
I should keep an open mind.
The cynical part
says I should give you
enough rope to hang yourselves.
That's all, Mr. Baxter?
No, it's not.
Call it a cop's intuition...
call it what you want...
there's always been
something about Warren
that didn't quite jibe.
Something that wasn't... Human.
That's your term, not mine.
Not yet.
David's probably told
you that aliens don't bleed.
Two years ago, Warren
headed a construction project
in South America.
There was an
explosion on the job.
18 men were pretty badly cut up.
17 of them bled.
Warren became sort
of a legend down there.
The natives called him
"the man who couldn't bleed."
I did some checking
on the doctor who
treated him... Hold it.
Show me that picture again.
His hand.
His hand.
What are you talking about?
Look at the palm of my hand...
then his.
It's darker.
I never saw a black
man like that before.
Tomorrow he makes
a television address
in Baltimore, and then he says
he's going fishing
up at Beaver Kill.
So?
There's a regeneration
station there.
We've been trying to
pinpoint it for months.
We figure if he
doesn't show there,
he'll die.
Now, if there's a way
to postpone
tomorrow's hearing...
I can try.
And if we can find a
way to keep him here...
Oh, man.
If... if...
if I had a hundred legs,
I'd be the Rockettes.
All right. I'll see
what I can find out
from his so-called father.
We'll meet here
tomorrow afternoon.
No, you'd better not.
My wife Celia...
well, her brother was
killed seven months ago.
Vietnam war?
No.
The one in this country.
Last summer... Detroit.
Anyway, it's important to her
that we keep things moving.
If she were to find
out that I was trying
to stop Warren's appointment...
No problem. We'll arrange
to meet somewhere else.
I'll call you.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
See you.
Senator?
This is Jim Baxter.
I'm terribly sorry to have
to disturb you at this hour,
but I'm afraid there's
going to be a delay
on the Warren security report.
Oh, well, no. I don't want
to say how serious it is now
until I have time to
look into it tomorrow.
Oh, no, sir.
It's absolutely necessary.
I know what I said, Senator,
and I'm sorry to throw
a monkey wrench into it.
Oh, no, sir, I'll definitely
need the weekend.
Yes, sir. Well,
thank you, Senator.
Thank you very much.
Celia!
RADIO NEWSCASTER:
Meanwhile, in Vietnam,
VC guerrillas were
successfully driven back
from two villages yesterday
and U.S. Marines have moved in
to consolidate
their positions there.
American casualties
for the month
are down almost 50%.
A spokesman for the
Secretary of Defense...
Mr. Warren?
Yes, sir.
What can I do for you?
Bob Tobin, freelance writer.
I was thinking of doing
an article on your son.
I'd like to ask some questions.
Oh, sure.
Come right up, young man.
I'll be glad
to talk about Arnold
any day of the week.
NEWSCASTER: Bad news
again for Mr. And Mrs. Consumer.
Figures compiled by the
Department of Labor Statistics
reveal that the cost of living
index has risen another...
Can I get you a cup
of coffee or anything?
No, thank you.
Well, let me shut off
this contraption here...
so we can hear ourselves think.
Now... so you ask
me any old thing
you have a mind to.
Well, let's begin
with his childhood.
DAVID: What kind
of student was he?
Do you remember
what schools he went to?
Mr. Baxter, I understand
that it was you who requested
a delay of the hearings.
That's right.
Well, if there's anything I
can do to expedite matters,
I'd be happy to.
You see, I have a speaking
engagement this evening
and an appointment
with a very large... trout
for the weekend.
There's nothing you can do.
Mr. Baxter...
you know as well as I do
that delays feed rumors...
and rumors can cause
a great deal of trouble,
especially for a man like me.
You understand.
Like you?
No, I don't understand.
Well, I'm trying to say
as politely as I know how
that you're not being
very loyal to your race.
Which race is that?
Negro... or human?
I'm sorry, I couldn't help
you out anymore, son,
but it seems like
a lot of them dates
just gets all boggled
up in my head.
That's all right.
I understand quite well.
Looking for something?
This your car?
I rented it. Why?
We got a robbery report
a couple hours ago.
A car just like this.
Oh, yeah?
May we see your license, please?
Don't policemen usually
ask for the license separately?
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
Vincent got away!
The afternoon papers
say you might have found
something to disqualify Warren.
Is that true?
Maybe.
I don't know yet.
Can you tell me what it is?
Honey, it's a whole
bunch of things.
Little things, maybe.
But mainly, his
record doesn't verify.
One company that he worked for
they've gone out of business.
Another's been nationalized.
The church where
he was christened
all of their records
have been destroyed.
But most important...
it's his hands.
The color of the
skin of the palms...
The color of his skin!
What's wrong with
the color of his skin?
The color of the
skin of the palms...
Jim, what's wrong with you?
Well, there's nothing
wrong with me.
I'm trying to tell you...
You wouldn't be this hard on
a white man and you know it.
You started this song and
dance, now you finish it.
Well, it's true.
You're playing Whitey.
Trying to find some picky
little thing wrong with him
just so you can prove
you're better than he is.
Well, I am better.
I have to be better.
I have to be...
better than anyone else.
I don't even raise my voice
in a family argument, see?
Because I don't want them to say
we don't know how to
have a good family life.
I mow that stinking, lousy lawn
not once, but twice a week
because this house
is going to be neater,
more well kept, than any
other house on the block.
You want black heroes?
Fine.
I want them, too.
But they're going to be
real heroes... no flaws...
The absolute best.
So we've got to run faster
just to stay in the
same place, is that it?
Yes, I'm afraid that's it.
And you better get used to it.
(tires squealing)
(jukebox plays R&B music)
All right, baby, you
feel that way... bye.
(phone rings)
Hello?
Mrs. Baxter, this
is David Vincent.
I'm in a bar called Ollie's
at Fifth and Coolidge.
Tell your husband
I'm in trouble.
They have me pinned down
here but there's an alley out back.
I'm sorry, you've reached
the wrong number.
Hey, Casey... what's
going on up there?
Help you?
Change for the phone, please.
Right.
Cops... looking for
somebody, I guess.
Hey, mister.
Yeah.
Here's your change. Thank you.
I, uh...
don't make much money
off phone calls, friend.
Yeah, I'll have a beer.
He's not sure he's
going to make it.
He wants to come
up there right now.
Well, he's getting weaker.
That's why he wants
to cancel the speech.
Well, what do they say?
All right, we'll do it that way.
They're going to bring the
regeneration van to Baltimore.
Five minutes after the TV
show, you'll be as good as new.
I'll never make it.
Of course you can
always call them back
and tell them you don't
accept their decision.
I'll be fine... just fine.
(sewing machine whirs)
Do you have to run that thing?
No, only if you want Michael
to have some clothes to wear.
Vincent should've called by now.
Maybe he forgot.
No, he said he would call.
Celia?
Where's Michael?
Why? What's wrong?
He left the phone off the hook.
Michael Baxter!
You come here right now.
He's at the Harlands, Jim.
He can't hear you.
Well, Vincent
could've been trying
to reach me for hours.
Well, if it's important,
he'll call back.
"If it's important"?!
Jim, do you honestly
believe what Vincent says?
Celia...
I don't think you know
what you married...
I'm a cop.
A guy who's trying
to keep the lid on.
And that's all I'm doing now.
I'm a good cop, Celia.
Jim...
can I get you anything?
A sandwich and a
beer would do nicely.
Okay.
Jim, you know
what would be nice?
Maybe next weekend,
if we ask your mother
if she'll take Michael
for a few days,
then you and I could, uh...
I don't know, drive up
to see Esther and Sam.
Or if you want to, just
stay here by ourselves.
Oh, it seems like
a million years
since we've had any
time together, you know?
Jim?
Jim?
This is an emergency.
They're two doors down, friend,
so I think you better split.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Look...
I don't care much
what they want you for,
but I'm not going to have my
place busted on account of it.
What makes you
think they're after me?
Bartender's intuition.
I've got a sign says "we reserve
the right to refuse anybody."
You look like
anybody to me, so split.
All right, why don't you,
uh, call the station house,
tell them I'm here.
All I've got to do
is put my head out
the door and holler.
Why split the reward?
Look, I... I killed a cop.
Those guys outside
try to capture me
they'll take me to the
station house in pieces.
But if you call
the station house
and bring the
reporters down here,
I'll have a chance
to go to trial.
Is that straight?
About the reward?
It's straight. You'll
get your money.
Storeroom in the
back. Get moving.
Look, friend, don't tell me
you ain't looking for anybody.
There are two cops
in here right now.
Numbers 54 and 78.
But he said he killed a cop.
Out.
Search him.
Outside.
You got to advise
him on his rights.
It's our duty to inform you
that you have the
right to remain silent.
You're entitled to a lawyer.
Leave that man alone.
Stay out of this, mister.
Drop it.
You ain't no cops.
You're even wearing
phony badges.
You can split if
you want, friend.
Are you sure?
Everything is copacetic.
Hold it.
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(tires squealing)
Warren's giving his speech
in a few minutes.
Your husband should be
around here somewhere.
Will you be all right?
Lots of perspiration.
You sure you're not coming down
with the flu, Mr. Warren?
No, I'm just fine. Thank you.
All right. We're
about ready for you.
Why don't you come
over and get set.
Shh.
It's all right, honey.
Don't worry.
When you left,
I thought I'd die.
All right. Now get in the car.
I didn't know where to find you,
but I knew you'd
know where to find me.
I figured if we
could stop Warren
from getting to that
regeneration center...
(vehicle approaching)
15 minutes. Be ready.
Yes, sir.
The regeneration
center came to him.
Ten minutes after he steps
inside that truck over there,
he'll be as good as new.
How many people
came with the truck?
I've seen three,
plus whoever is
with him in the studio.
It won't be easy with
just the two of us.
Three of us.
Jim, please.
I've fought you so long on this,
let me help you now.
No, you're out of
it and that's final.
But the two of you
can't do it alone.
Then it won't get done.
David, you talk to him.
Tell him nothing
will happen to me.
I'm not going to lie to him.
We can handle it
ourselves, can't we?
I'm not going to
lie to you, either.
Well, now that you've
talked me into it,
there's just one thing.
Somebody's got to
tell me what to do.
WARREN: but surely
we all acknowledge
that any civilization
has its set of tribal laws
of taboos, if you will,
and once that point is admitted,
it becomes clear that our own
nation is not so far removed.
But we, too, are breaking
down our taboos, our tribal laws,
as we who are committed to
tracking through space do so...
Ready.
How much time will you need?
We'll need ten minutes
to take over the
regeneration van.
And I hope it's been
as educational for you
as it has been enjoyable for me.
Thank you.
And we fade.
Very good.
Thank you very much, Mr. Warren.
Come on, let's get out of here.
No, not yet.
There's a woman outside
wants to talk to you...
Syndicated columnist.
It'll only take a
few more minutes.
William, I don't think I
have a few more minutes.
Our people in the
van say you do.
What's wrong?
I've seen that woman before.
(slurring): Hey, baby...
Man, have you seen my car?
Red convertible...
dual carburetors?
MAN 1: No, I haven't seen it.
We're doing a little
repair work around here,
so if I was you,
I'd get out of here.
Go on, get out of here.
Now, wait, man,
take it easy. Wow.
I'm afraid that a long
interview at this time
would be out of the
question, Mrs. Harris.
After my confirmation
by the senate
I'd be only too happy to...
But so many of my
people are curious
about what you might
accomplish for them.
Mrs. Harris, don't
you mean our people?
Well, I meant my
readers, of course.
Of course, I realize
how busy you must be,
Mr. Warren, but...
And I appreciate your concern.
You have no idea of the
rigors of appearing in public,
testifying before a
senate committee,
being investigated by thorough,
conscientious, painstaking men
like your husband, Mrs. Baxter.
We're going to the
truck, Mr. Baxter.
I'd appreciate it if
you wouldn't follow.
Celia, get the car.
Jim...
you'll have to testify
and I'll call you
when I need you.
Do you really think
they're going to believe me?
Not a hundred percent, no.
What you and the technicians
say will go on record.
What they have to do now
is find a replacement
for Warren.
Well, I hope if he's Negro,
that he can take it
because Jim Baxter
would make him
run through hoops
to prove himself.
Jim, good luck.
Thanks for everything.
Celia.
Good-bye, David.
NARRATOR: James A.
Baxter, special investigator
for a senate subcommittee,
a formidable ally
for David Vincent
who will join the battle
against an alien race...
the invader from the sky.
(sighs)
Edgar, we don't even
know if this is a contact point.
Three Tuesdays in a row...
always between 6:30 and 7:00
and always the same alien
and I had him followed
by different guards.
What else could it be?
Maybe he just likes the service.
(music continues)
That's it.
Need some gas?
Be with you in a minute.
Interested in
some tires, mister?
No, I'd like to
see that briefcase.
(crashing and clattering)
(grunts)
Hold it!
(tires screech)
You all right?
Yeah.
The other one got away.
Anything worthwhile in there?
I don't know.
Most of it seems to be in code.
I've seen this one before.
Yeah, so have I...
on one of the TV newscasts.
He's been nominated to head up
some important
new tracking facility
specially geared for
the exploration of space.
Well, if that tracking facility
can help us get out into space,
it could help the
aliens coming in.
NARRATOR: Starring Roy
Thinnes as architect David Vincent.
The invaders...
alien beings from
a dying planet.
Their destination... the Earth.
Their purpose... to
make it their world.
David Vincent has seen them.
For him, it began one lost night
on a lonely country road
looking for a shortcut
that he never found.
It began with a
closed, deserted diner
and a man too long without sleep
to continue his journey.
(eerie whirring)
It began with the landing of
a craft from another galaxy.
(whirring intensifies)
Now David Vincent knows
that the invaders are here.
That they have taken human form.
Somehow, he must
convince a disbelieving world
that the nightmare
has already begun.
The guest stars
in tonight's story:
Raymond St. Jacques...
Janet MacLachlan...
Roscoe Lee Browne... Kent Smith.
NARRATOR: For two days a senate
subcommittee has been meeting
to consider the nomination of
a man named Arnold Warren
for an important post
in the international
space program.
David Vincent has
reason to believe
that Warren is an alien.
He has 24 hours to prove it.
DAVID: Mr. Baxter?
Yes.
David Vincent... I left
a note at your office.
Yes, I read it.
Why don't you call my secretary
and see if we can't set
something up for next week?
Your report on Warren
is due tomorrow.
That'll be all, gentlemen.
Thank you.
Not that way.
Why not?
That's David Vincent talking
to the committee investigator.
Five minutes is
all I'm asking for.
Mister Vincent, I have
a luncheon engagement.
I don't think you
could convince me
of anything in five minutes.
I can if you're
willing to listen.
Come with me.
Five minutes.
(chuckles dismissively)
Vincent, I've heard
some beauts in my time,
but you've got them all whipped.
(sighs)
"Arnold Andrew Warren,
born March 18, 1925."
You saw the birth certificate?
Baptismal, and I
spoke with his father.
He does have a father?
Maybe.
"Attended public schools."
I saw the diploma.
At his father's
place, I suppose.
At his father's place.
"Enlisted in the army in '43.
"Won the DSC with the
101st airborne on D-Day.
"After the war, he went to
work for Carter Electronics.
They went out of
business in '49."
It figures.
(knocking at door)
Jim, you in there?
Oh, yeah, honey.
Hi, Daddy.
Hi, champ. How are you?
I going to have lunch with you.
That's right. That's a deal.
Oh, uh... Mr. Vincent,
my wife Mrs. Baxter.
How do you do?
Mr. Vincent was just leaving.
Nice to have met you.
Nice to have met
you, Mr. Vincent.
Michael, don't mess
up Daddy's desk.
Apparently, you think
this Warren is really
something special.
I do.
Well, he, uh, he must have been
to have been awarded
the DSC with a unit
that wasn't integrated
until six or seven years later.
See you later.
Celia... Yes?
Do you remember when
the army was integrated?
'50, '51... somewhere in there.
What's the matter?
It's Warren.
He lied to me.
No, no...
I didn't say I got
it in the 101st.
I said I got it with the 101st.
That's a very subtle
distinction, Mr. Warren.
I'm not quite sure...
Now you're bound and
determined to ruin my image.
Well, here goes...
The plain truth.
I was a cook.
(laughs)
A cook?
Yes... assigned
to a field kitchen
in the area of the 101st.
Now, the Germans
overran our lines
and I found myself with
an M-1 instead of a spatula.
Now, I think those airborne
guys were more grateful
not having to eat my cooking
than they were
over anything else.
Anyway, that's where
the DSC came from.
(horn honking)
I hope that clears
everything up.
Yeah. Yeah, I think
we're on the beam again.
It must really get to you
having to hear out
someone like Vincent.
Doesn't make things
any easier, that's for sure.
Well, have a good lunch
and I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah... see you tomorrow.
Well, are you satisfied now?
No, I'm not.
I didn't mention Vincent.
They did.
Yes, I'd, uh... like to
call Syracuse, New York,
person to person, collect...
Mr. Edgar Scoville,
s-c-o-v-i-double l-e.
Yeah, well, I may have
shaken him up a bit,
but, uh, he's still handing
in the report tomorrow.
Mmm.
Well, I can ask him,
but I don't know
if he'll show up.
10:00?
All right.
Right.
I'll talk with you later.
So long.
(tires squealing)
You know, that boy
and his blanket...
He can't find it
and he won't go
to sleep without it.
You can go ahead and
look, but it's not in here.
That report will be ready
for tomorrow, won't it?
That's hard to say.
Maybe it will and
maybe it won't.
But I thought you'd finished it.
Heading up that tracking station
is a pretty important
post for a Negro, isn't it?
Oh, so that's it.
I just asked a question.
Just because he's Negro,
I'm not going to whitewash him.
"Whitewash"?!
Oh, please, don't
push me, Celia.
MICHAEL: Find my blanket yet?
Michael, who do you think
the best baseball
player in the world is?
Willie Mays.
And who's the
best football player?
Gale Sayers.
You go on in now.
I'll be along to tuck you in.
He needs heroes,
Jim... black ones.
Hey, Mike!
Who throws a football
better than anyone else?
Johnny Unitas.
Is this a game?
No, champ, not really.
Go to bed now.
Now, what was your point, Celia?
(doorbell rings)
Oh, hello, Vincent.
I'm sorry I can't let you in.
I'm trying to put
the kid to bed.
Did you at least ask him about
the 101st Airborne Division?
Oh, yes, I did, and he
answered satisfactorily.
Satisfactorily? What
does that mean?
It means I'm an
investigator, Vincent.
That's a fancy word for a cop.
And a cop moves
on facts, not hunches.
And he's supposed
to keep an open mind.
Aren't you?
Vincent, I don't
want any part of this.
Neither do I... I never
have... But I know they're here.
Just listen to me for
a minute, will you?
A friend of mine,
Edgar Scoville,
has a plant on River Road.
He's had his own men
investigating this case
for a long time.
He wants to meet with you.
Meet me in the south
parking lot at 10:00 tonight.
Good night, Vincent.
Please take the card.
Did Mr. Vincent leave?
Yeah.
I found it under the couch.
Here, give it to me.
I'll put it over him.
Love you.
Oh.
(chuckles)
Love you, too.
Dinner.
Where's Scoville?
In Syracuse.
Well, I thought you
wanted me to meet him.
No, I meant I wanted
you to talk to him.
Sit down.
Closed-circuit TV.
He uses it for inter-
plant conferences.
Evening, David... Mr. Baxter.
Mr. Scoville.
What convinced you to
come here, Mr. Baxter?
The trusting part of me says
I should keep an open mind.
The cynical part
says I should give you
enough rope to hang yourselves.
That's all, Mr. Baxter?
No, it's not.
Call it a cop's intuition...
call it what you want...
there's always been
something about Warren
that didn't quite jibe.
Something that wasn't... Human.
That's your term, not mine.
Not yet.
David's probably told
you that aliens don't bleed.
Two years ago, Warren
headed a construction project
in South America.
There was an
explosion on the job.
18 men were pretty badly cut up.
17 of them bled.
Warren became sort
of a legend down there.
The natives called him
"the man who couldn't bleed."
I did some checking
on the doctor who
treated him... Hold it.
Show me that picture again.
His hand.
His hand.
What are you talking about?
Look at the palm of my hand...
then his.
It's darker.
I never saw a black
man like that before.
Tomorrow he makes
a television address
in Baltimore, and then he says
he's going fishing
up at Beaver Kill.
So?
There's a regeneration
station there.
We've been trying to
pinpoint it for months.
We figure if he
doesn't show there,
he'll die.
Now, if there's a way
to postpone
tomorrow's hearing...
I can try.
And if we can find a
way to keep him here...
Oh, man.
If... if...
if I had a hundred legs,
I'd be the Rockettes.
All right. I'll see
what I can find out
from his so-called father.
We'll meet here
tomorrow afternoon.
No, you'd better not.
My wife Celia...
well, her brother was
killed seven months ago.
Vietnam war?
No.
The one in this country.
Last summer... Detroit.
Anyway, it's important to her
that we keep things moving.
If she were to find
out that I was trying
to stop Warren's appointment...
No problem. We'll arrange
to meet somewhere else.
I'll call you.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
See you.
Senator?
This is Jim Baxter.
I'm terribly sorry to have
to disturb you at this hour,
but I'm afraid there's
going to be a delay
on the Warren security report.
Oh, well, no. I don't want
to say how serious it is now
until I have time to
look into it tomorrow.
Oh, no, sir.
It's absolutely necessary.
I know what I said, Senator,
and I'm sorry to throw
a monkey wrench into it.
Oh, no, sir, I'll definitely
need the weekend.
Yes, sir. Well,
thank you, Senator.
Thank you very much.
Celia!
RADIO NEWSCASTER:
Meanwhile, in Vietnam,
VC guerrillas were
successfully driven back
from two villages yesterday
and U.S. Marines have moved in
to consolidate
their positions there.
American casualties
for the month
are down almost 50%.
A spokesman for the
Secretary of Defense...
Mr. Warren?
Yes, sir.
What can I do for you?
Bob Tobin, freelance writer.
I was thinking of doing
an article on your son.
I'd like to ask some questions.
Oh, sure.
Come right up, young man.
I'll be glad
to talk about Arnold
any day of the week.
NEWSCASTER: Bad news
again for Mr. And Mrs. Consumer.
Figures compiled by the
Department of Labor Statistics
reveal that the cost of living
index has risen another...
Can I get you a cup
of coffee or anything?
No, thank you.
Well, let me shut off
this contraption here...
so we can hear ourselves think.
Now... so you ask
me any old thing
you have a mind to.
Well, let's begin
with his childhood.
DAVID: What kind
of student was he?
Do you remember
what schools he went to?
Mr. Baxter, I understand
that it was you who requested
a delay of the hearings.
That's right.
Well, if there's anything I
can do to expedite matters,
I'd be happy to.
You see, I have a speaking
engagement this evening
and an appointment
with a very large... trout
for the weekend.
There's nothing you can do.
Mr. Baxter...
you know as well as I do
that delays feed rumors...
and rumors can cause
a great deal of trouble,
especially for a man like me.
You understand.
Like you?
No, I don't understand.
Well, I'm trying to say
as politely as I know how
that you're not being
very loyal to your race.
Which race is that?
Negro... or human?
I'm sorry, I couldn't help
you out anymore, son,
but it seems like
a lot of them dates
just gets all boggled
up in my head.
That's all right.
I understand quite well.
Looking for something?
This your car?
I rented it. Why?
We got a robbery report
a couple hours ago.
A car just like this.
Oh, yeah?
May we see your license, please?
Don't policemen usually
ask for the license separately?
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
Vincent got away!
The afternoon papers
say you might have found
something to disqualify Warren.
Is that true?
Maybe.
I don't know yet.
Can you tell me what it is?
Honey, it's a whole
bunch of things.
Little things, maybe.
But mainly, his
record doesn't verify.
One company that he worked for
they've gone out of business.
Another's been nationalized.
The church where
he was christened
all of their records
have been destroyed.
But most important...
it's his hands.
The color of the
skin of the palms...
The color of his skin!
What's wrong with
the color of his skin?
The color of the
skin of the palms...
Jim, what's wrong with you?
Well, there's nothing
wrong with me.
I'm trying to tell you...
You wouldn't be this hard on
a white man and you know it.
You started this song and
dance, now you finish it.
Well, it's true.
You're playing Whitey.
Trying to find some picky
little thing wrong with him
just so you can prove
you're better than he is.
Well, I am better.
I have to be better.
I have to be...
better than anyone else.
I don't even raise my voice
in a family argument, see?
Because I don't want them to say
we don't know how to
have a good family life.
I mow that stinking, lousy lawn
not once, but twice a week
because this house
is going to be neater,
more well kept, than any
other house on the block.
You want black heroes?
Fine.
I want them, too.
But they're going to be
real heroes... no flaws...
The absolute best.
So we've got to run faster
just to stay in the
same place, is that it?
Yes, I'm afraid that's it.
And you better get used to it.
(tires squealing)
(jukebox plays R&B music)
All right, baby, you
feel that way... bye.
(phone rings)
Hello?
Mrs. Baxter, this
is David Vincent.
I'm in a bar called Ollie's
at Fifth and Coolidge.
Tell your husband
I'm in trouble.
They have me pinned down
here but there's an alley out back.
I'm sorry, you've reached
the wrong number.
Hey, Casey... what's
going on up there?
Help you?
Change for the phone, please.
Right.
Cops... looking for
somebody, I guess.
Hey, mister.
Yeah.
Here's your change. Thank you.
I, uh...
don't make much money
off phone calls, friend.
Yeah, I'll have a beer.
He's not sure he's
going to make it.
He wants to come
up there right now.
Well, he's getting weaker.
That's why he wants
to cancel the speech.
Well, what do they say?
All right, we'll do it that way.
They're going to bring the
regeneration van to Baltimore.
Five minutes after the TV
show, you'll be as good as new.
I'll never make it.
Of course you can
always call them back
and tell them you don't
accept their decision.
I'll be fine... just fine.
(sewing machine whirs)
Do you have to run that thing?
No, only if you want Michael
to have some clothes to wear.
Vincent should've called by now.
Maybe he forgot.
No, he said he would call.
Celia?
Where's Michael?
Why? What's wrong?
He left the phone off the hook.
Michael Baxter!
You come here right now.
He's at the Harlands, Jim.
He can't hear you.
Well, Vincent
could've been trying
to reach me for hours.
Well, if it's important,
he'll call back.
"If it's important"?!
Jim, do you honestly
believe what Vincent says?
Celia...
I don't think you know
what you married...
I'm a cop.
A guy who's trying
to keep the lid on.
And that's all I'm doing now.
I'm a good cop, Celia.
Jim...
can I get you anything?
A sandwich and a
beer would do nicely.
Okay.
Jim, you know
what would be nice?
Maybe next weekend,
if we ask your mother
if she'll take Michael
for a few days,
then you and I could, uh...
I don't know, drive up
to see Esther and Sam.
Or if you want to, just
stay here by ourselves.
Oh, it seems like
a million years
since we've had any
time together, you know?
Jim?
Jim?
This is an emergency.
They're two doors down, friend,
so I think you better split.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Look...
I don't care much
what they want you for,
but I'm not going to have my
place busted on account of it.
What makes you
think they're after me?
Bartender's intuition.
I've got a sign says "we reserve
the right to refuse anybody."
You look like
anybody to me, so split.
All right, why don't you,
uh, call the station house,
tell them I'm here.
All I've got to do
is put my head out
the door and holler.
Why split the reward?
Look, I... I killed a cop.
Those guys outside
try to capture me
they'll take me to the
station house in pieces.
But if you call
the station house
and bring the
reporters down here,
I'll have a chance
to go to trial.
Is that straight?
About the reward?
It's straight. You'll
get your money.
Storeroom in the
back. Get moving.
Look, friend, don't tell me
you ain't looking for anybody.
There are two cops
in here right now.
Numbers 54 and 78.
But he said he killed a cop.
Out.
Search him.
Outside.
You got to advise
him on his rights.
It's our duty to inform you
that you have the
right to remain silent.
You're entitled to a lawyer.
Leave that man alone.
Stay out of this, mister.
Drop it.
You ain't no cops.
You're even wearing
phony badges.
You can split if
you want, friend.
Are you sure?
Everything is copacetic.
Hold it.
(gunshot)
(gunshot)
(tires squealing)
Warren's giving his speech
in a few minutes.
Your husband should be
around here somewhere.
Will you be all right?
Lots of perspiration.
You sure you're not coming down
with the flu, Mr. Warren?
No, I'm just fine. Thank you.
All right. We're
about ready for you.
Why don't you come
over and get set.
Shh.
It's all right, honey.
Don't worry.
When you left,
I thought I'd die.
All right. Now get in the car.
I didn't know where to find you,
but I knew you'd
know where to find me.
I figured if we
could stop Warren
from getting to that
regeneration center...
(vehicle approaching)
15 minutes. Be ready.
Yes, sir.
The regeneration
center came to him.
Ten minutes after he steps
inside that truck over there,
he'll be as good as new.
How many people
came with the truck?
I've seen three,
plus whoever is
with him in the studio.
It won't be easy with
just the two of us.
Three of us.
Jim, please.
I've fought you so long on this,
let me help you now.
No, you're out of
it and that's final.
But the two of you
can't do it alone.
Then it won't get done.
David, you talk to him.
Tell him nothing
will happen to me.
I'm not going to lie to him.
We can handle it
ourselves, can't we?
I'm not going to
lie to you, either.
Well, now that you've
talked me into it,
there's just one thing.
Somebody's got to
tell me what to do.
WARREN: but surely
we all acknowledge
that any civilization
has its set of tribal laws
of taboos, if you will,
and once that point is admitted,
it becomes clear that our own
nation is not so far removed.
But we, too, are breaking
down our taboos, our tribal laws,
as we who are committed to
tracking through space do so...
Ready.
How much time will you need?
We'll need ten minutes
to take over the
regeneration van.
And I hope it's been
as educational for you
as it has been enjoyable for me.
Thank you.
And we fade.
Very good.
Thank you very much, Mr. Warren.
Come on, let's get out of here.
No, not yet.
There's a woman outside
wants to talk to you...
Syndicated columnist.
It'll only take a
few more minutes.
William, I don't think I
have a few more minutes.
Our people in the
van say you do.
What's wrong?
I've seen that woman before.
(slurring): Hey, baby...
Man, have you seen my car?
Red convertible...
dual carburetors?
MAN 1: No, I haven't seen it.
We're doing a little
repair work around here,
so if I was you,
I'd get out of here.
Go on, get out of here.
Now, wait, man,
take it easy. Wow.
I'm afraid that a long
interview at this time
would be out of the
question, Mrs. Harris.
After my confirmation
by the senate
I'd be only too happy to...
But so many of my
people are curious
about what you might
accomplish for them.
Mrs. Harris, don't
you mean our people?
Well, I meant my
readers, of course.
Of course, I realize
how busy you must be,
Mr. Warren, but...
And I appreciate your concern.
You have no idea of the
rigors of appearing in public,
testifying before a
senate committee,
being investigated by thorough,
conscientious, painstaking men
like your husband, Mrs. Baxter.
We're going to the
truck, Mr. Baxter.
I'd appreciate it if
you wouldn't follow.
Celia, get the car.
Jim...
you'll have to testify
and I'll call you
when I need you.
Do you really think
they're going to believe me?
Not a hundred percent, no.
What you and the technicians
say will go on record.
What they have to do now
is find a replacement
for Warren.
Well, I hope if he's Negro,
that he can take it
because Jim Baxter
would make him
run through hoops
to prove himself.
Jim, good luck.
Thanks for everything.
Celia.
Good-bye, David.
NARRATOR: James A.
Baxter, special investigator
for a senate subcommittee,
a formidable ally
for David Vincent
who will join the battle
against an alien race...
the invader from the sky.