The New Avengers (1976–1977): Season 2, Episode 3 - The New Avengers - full transcript

- May I change my pounds?
- Today only formalities, Steed.

- Freddy, how's business?
- Nothing's changed ...

... since we last saw each other.

I'm just on my way to the bar.

How about you joining me for a drink?
- Sorry, too busy.

Oh, come on Freddy.
It's nearly lunchtime.

- It's broad daylight outside.
- Also payday.

- Ah.
- Being paymaster to a team of informers.

We prefer to call them special operatives.

What you're like. They're still informers
and they get nervous.

Hence the drapes.



Look Steed.
The first one's due any moment.

If he hears anyone else around ...
- Yes, you'll scurry away. I understood.

Maybe see you later in the bar.
- Maybe.

Very nervous.

Yes.
Money has a cutting edge, doesn't it?

Have you seen Wallace?
- What?

Wallace. Graham Henry Wallace.
Our respected boss.

- His office?
- Not there.

It's funny how he always
seems to disappear on paydays.

I wish you would disappear too, McBain.

- You know how nervous I am ...
- All right, all right.

If you see Wallace, give me a call.

There you are.

First things first.



Wallace!

Freddie Mason. I was talking to him
just a few minutes ago.

Any idea who?

Well, Freddie was the informant's paymaster.

It could have been any one of them.

Ah, the one who to tell us about.

Terrible business.

Poor friend.

Tell you what?

The names of people
he was paying off today.

I have no idea.
- What?

But Freddie ran the informants.

- But surely it's your conception.
- Yes, but he was in charge.

He set it up.

We provided the money and he payed it out.

Anyway, there may be no connection.

He may have been simply mugged.

If they was, they didn't get away with much.

There's more than ten thousand box here.

We'll probably never know for sure.

We will know.

Yes, he was a good friend.

We'll keep checking and rechecking
what we do know.

Is it okay?

If Ritz, it is not.
But I prefer it this way.

No hotels, no passports, no checking up.

Until do.

Well?

You summoned me halfway across the world
and I'm here.

I'm here.
Because we worked together before.

And you paid well.

Don't you?
- Hmm.

The down payment?
- Hmm.

Who do you want me to kill?

John Steed.

That is not good.
There will be repercussions.

I know.
I know, but it has to be.

So you're involved in something?

Tell me about it.

Well.

I gathered together a band of informers.

And the department paid them.

They've had them all a small fortune
for passing on snippets of information ...

... which you or I could have got from
the foreign newspapers.

Well, that's what I did.

But there were no informers.

They were all me.
- And now you are blown?

Yeah.

Mason. The paymaster.
But he died before he could talk.

And they think that
he was in charge of the operation.

- Well, then your troubles are over.
- Oh, no.

My troubles are just beginning.
Mason and Steed were very good friends.

And he's not going to let it lie there.

He's going to dig and dig.

And keep on digging and I'm not
going to be safe until he's dead.

So be it.

But we must not rush this one Morris.

You must both of us think.

The death of Steed may only bring
more hounds snapping at your heels.

But do not worry my friend.

I am a superb killing machine.

And between us
we will find a way.

Mason didn't exactly keep strict records.

Deliberate policy.

Informers are vulnerable.

Did he have any unexpected visitors that day?

No, no.
Security is too strict.

Nobody unexpected.

Except Steed, of course.

Frame him?

Throw suspicion onto Steed.

Load the scales against him.
And then ...

I pop him off.

No.
Not with that.

I've got an idea in that direction too.

We are going to kill him
with extreme finesse.

Marion wishes to marry again.

Does she have your permission?

One rap for yes.

Two raps for no.

He's thinking about it.

We are waiting.

Waiting for your answer.

I'm sorry.

The contact is broken.

Well, don't look at me.

Please, leave now.
I'm very tired.

I must rest.

Thank you.
Thank you so very much.

Thank you.

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.

Good night.

Thank you.

Thank you Miss Stanton
Thank you for your efforts.

I'm sorry, there was no news for you, Mr. Turner.

We'll try again on thursday.
- Thank you.

- Goodbye.
- Thank you so much. Goodbye

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Excellent.
Hardly a bump.

It's going to work.
- As long as no one finds out.

How could they?

Just you and me will know
the truth about Steed's death.

How could anyone possibly find out?

Death.

Death.

Murder.

John Steed.

Someone called ...

... John Steed

... is going to be murdered.

It came to me.

It came to me.
- Miss Stanton.

I can do it.

Sorry to disturb you,
Miss Stanton, but ...

... my hat.

I can do it.

I can actually do it.

Do what?

Murder.

Murder.

Purdey.
- Mr. Steed, is that you?

Mr. John Steed?

Yes, of course it is.

Handsome, sophisticated,
tall, immaculate.

I've looked over the house.

I'm afraid,
it does nothing for me.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

It is home.
- I'm speaking atmospherically, of course.

Oh, of course.

Perhaps, if you gave me
something to hold.

Something personal.

Your watch.

- Who is she?
- I don't know. She just come ...

- What's she want?
- I don't know.

It tells me nothing.

Not even the time?

Mr. Steed.
I'll come straight to the point.

- Oh, good.
- Do you believe?

Straight to the point?

In the occult, Mr. Steed.
Do you believe in the occult?

Oh, I see.

You are in danger, Mr. Steed.

Grave danger.

You're unconvinced.

Rightly so I suppose.

Unfortunately, the message I received
was far from clear.

Yes, that must happen quite often.

Well, thank you very much for coming.

And ...
if they do get in doubt again, Miss ..?

Stanton.
Victoria Stanton.

You are a skeptic.

Well, I don't entirely disbelieve in the
extra powers of the human mind, but ...

But you are a realist.

You are in danger, Mr. Steed.

I know, you both think I'm a crank.

- Oh, please.
- No, don't humor me.

It is after all the normal reaction.

I expected it, when I came here
of my own free will.

And I have no intention of asking a fee.

Whatever you might think.

What kind of danger?

I don't know.

Not yet anyway.

If I am a crank,
I'm not a very good one.

You will ...

... receive news from afar.

Steed.

Moscow?

That's a far.

Hello ...Hello?

Before you get converted,

I've had long distance phone calls before?

Yes, yes. I know, you have.
Who was it?

They rang off,
but were cut off.

You are going to see ...

... The Russian Ballet.
- Wrong.

- But you are.
- I'm not Miss Stanton.

Absolutely wrong.
I've got other plans.

I'd be very surprised if you did.
Steed doesn't like the ballet.

How many ballerinas?

Well, you may prove me wrong.

But I don't think so.

Thank you for listening to me anyway.

I see a car.

Your car ...

... immobilized.
- It certainly can.

Immobilize is right.

I'll leave my card with you, Mr. Steed.

She could have done it.

But when I came by the car
she was inside the house.

- Well, her accomplice then.
- Uh, mind telling me what's going on?

- Certainly, we don't know.
- Clairvoyance.

Oh, I see.

Yeah. Well, I see myself driving back
in a motor car back to hq.

I see Gambit buy me a drink at the bar.

Well, you are going to drive me back.
aren't you?

You here to see Wallace?
- I am.

Well, I'd like a word of him first.

Alone.
- Be my guest.

- Yes, what is it McBain?
- It's Steed.

He's outside.

But I ...
wanted you to look at this ...

... before you saw him.

Well.
What about it?

Moscow.
Called his house direct.

Control picked it up.

So?

And it's very ...

... irregular.

I wouldn't have thought so.

Anyway, there's no transcript.

No, sir.
Nothing was said.

They'd rang off.

Then why bother me?

It could have been a signal.

The conversation is suspicious.
Silence apparently is tantamount to treason.

I consider it my duty to bring it
to your attention.

Steed did after all visit Mason that day?

Without it appears very good reason.

All right.
Leave it with me.

Ask Steed to step in.

Ah, Steed.

How is the investigation progressing?

Nothing so far.

Gambit's checking Mason out,
but as expected nothing.

What's your problem?

I'm not sure,
but something's come up here.

- Hey?
- It may not even be connected,

... but a man called Petrovic
has been in touch.

- Ivan Petrovich?
- Yes.

He's one of their undersecretaries,
I believe.

Oh, he's a competent man.
Not entirely trustworthy.

He'll play both sides against the other
given the chance.

But as we know that it's an advantage.

His speciality ...

That sort of subtlety is beyond me,
I'm afraid.

But I would like his information collected.

By me?

Yes.
Today, if possible.

Are you free?

I can arrange to be.
Where do we meet?

He sent you a ticket.

The matinee.
Russian Ballet.

Hello, McBain.

Steed's car?

Parked where?

Thank you.

Steed.

John Steed.

Arranged ...

... meeting.

A trap.

- Here phone, sir.
- Thank you.

Hello.
- Steed?

Yes?
Is that Petrovic?

There's a message for you
in the directory.

The first section.

Meet at the complex.

The B Complex.

At dawn tomorrow.

MUST SEE YOU DAWN B COMPLEX.
GEORGE COWLEY

Must see you.

George.

George Cowley.

Murder!

Steed?

Hold it!

Right there.

McBain, what are you doing here?

I got a message.

Me too.

Message?

A note.

I wish, I kept it now.

- It's George Cowley, isn't it?
- Yes, of cards from accounts.

You were with him up there
when he ...

... fell?

Yes, I was.

Almost ...

I think one of us better get an ambulance.

MUST SEE YOU DAWN B. COMPLEX.
JOHN STEED

Purdey.

Allow me.

- Are you sure ...?
- Please.

I must have absolute silence
or it spoils the vibrations.

Your umbrella is talking to me.

I see a dark place.

The letter b.

B complex.

How'd you know?

You mean, I'm right?

I said how did you know?
- Mr. Steed.

What a relief.

I saw ...

... death.
- So did I.

- At the complex?
- An accountant. George Cowley.

Death at the complex.

The lady was emphatically
and categorically right.

Curiouser and curiouser.
- Don't understand. What else did you see?

Several things.

It was all very confused.

Like a dream.

But if you can tell me,
perhaps, I can make sense of it.

I saw a green box.

A broken green box.

There was a file, Miss Stanton.

I presume, this is it.

Yes, it could be.

Contained all your records, Steed.

And they've gone.

I was at hq and discovered the break-in.

It's incredible.

It's so incredible.

Maybe, maybe not.

But we've got to check you out.

Because you know too much for your own good.

I wouldn't have thought it possible that
it could work so perfectly.

Yes, complacency can be dangerous.
I appreciate that.

But you are a skilled exponent of your trade.

A true professional.

Steed is doomed without question.

McBain would arrest him already
if he had his way.

His suspicions are making our tasks
that much easier.

Steed doomed to a suicide
for a guilt that is mine.

And nobody can save him.
Because nobody knows.

Right. That's it Miss Stanton.
Thank you very much.

Now, can you tell me?

I hate to make these snap judgments.

- I will.
- Preliminary examinations put nothing.

ESP, telekinesis, precognition.

Telepathy.
What do we know about them?

Or psychic phenomena.

- You the expert are asking me.
- I'm pointing out that ...

... it's the blind.
Leading the blind.

Good or bad result proves
nothing either way.

Basically.
Because we know nothing.

Now, what's her rating?
Supernaturally speaking.

- I according to this 105.
- 105?

Psycho?

Not terrible.
Not even average.

Cowly had that note on him
at the time of his death.

- It's still circumstantial.
- How do you make that out?

Well, It doesn't have to be genuine,
does it?

I mean, the Steed is in capital letters.

It's not even a real signature.

Steed was at the B Complex at the time.

And you're prepared to testify
that he murdered Mason and Cowley.

- No, but ...
- As I said. Still circumstantial.

His car was parked outside the embassy.

At the time.

It's in the report.
- Look, McBain. I appreciate your concern.

I know that you're paid and trained
to suspect everybody,

... but we're talking about John Steed.

And what's his motive?

I'll find out.
Eventually.

Yes?

Who?

Wigmore?
Derek Wigmore.

Oh, yes.
Yes, of course.

Yes.
Have him wait, will you?

Derek Wigmore's in town.

You know anything about that?

Only that he flew in from Singapore last night.

Apparently, the powers that be
upstairs think there's been a breakdown.

On the financial side.

It's probably routine.

I suppose, he wants to check
his records with yours.

I'll keep an eye on that.
- Hmm?

Oh, Steed, yes.
Do that.

Hello?

Be ready for another assignment.

Yes

I'll be by later.

At your place, eight o'clock.

Derek. How are you?
This really is a surprise.

For all of us.

Yes, for all of us.

L

L

D

I

E

Die.

The last word was die.

- That's it. That was the message.
- Steed will die.

What does it mean?

- Does anyone know anybody called Steed?
- Not me.

- No.
- That will be all for tonight.

- We've only just got here.
- Miss Stanton, please.

I'm sorry.

But I have a headache.
I shall have to cancel this evening.

Perhaps if you rested.

I must insist.

Please accept my apologies.

Temperamental, isn't she?

She hasn't done it before.

We must do as Miss Stanton says
and leave her alone.

Yes, quite right.

- Good night Miss Stanton.
- Good night.

- I hope feel better soon.
- Good night Miss Stanton.

What was all that about?

It happened again.

This time you saw it.
- Oh, yes.

But i'm not fully convinced by
those little games.

Not everyone considers it's a game, Mr. Gambit.

True.

But there's a common scientific belief
that messages like that.

Subconsciously control.

Telepathic communication.
Call it what you like.

Why don't you just say that
I pushed the glass?

You?

I was trying to say could it be me.

Or not deliberately so,
but how could I know?

Miss Stanton.

Miss Stanton?

Killed.

He must be killed.

And quickly.

Here his address.

His address.

Steed will have done it.

Miss Stanton.

Can you hear me?

You'll have no difficulty recognizing him.

There's a scar through his eyebrow.

His hairs dark.

Is well built ...

... in his early fourties.

Steed.

I must talk to Steed.

Now.

We've got to stop him Purdey
Stop him before it's too late.

- But this is ridiculous.
- Is it?

Is it?

You know something's wrong.
You can't deny it.

I can see it in your attitude.

That's why I came here.

All right, to tell somebody
apart from Wallace about my suspicions.

We're talking about John Steed.

A legend in his own time.
I'm not arguing that.

But even legends can turn out to be false.

He's my friend.

Now, just what exactly is that
supposed to mean?

All right, we're going to see him now.

We're going facing
with your ridiculous accusations.

All right, if that's
what you want, we will.

Before he does something else.

You will kill a man, Mr. Steed.

Tonight.

Anybody we know?

He has dark hair.

Is well built.
And is in his early fourties.

Covers quite a wide range.
Does he have a name?

I'm sorry,
I can't help you there.

You said something about a scar.

- Yes, through an eyebrow.
- Like a boxer?

- I imagine so.
- Does that mean something?

I don't know.

But it rings a bell.

You're gonna regret this McBain.

Steed will deal with your
ridiculous suggestions one by one.

Calmly, coldly and clinically.

I wonder.

Hello Steed.

Wigmore. Derek Wigmore.
Is he still in the far east?

Did he?

When?

Yes, all right.
Where's he staying?

McBain.

Calmly, coldly and clinically.

- Where's he going?
- There's one way to find out.

- Follow him.
- Right.

You'll be wasting your time.

A man will die.

Derrick?

Derrick?

Steed ...

... doesn't balance.

Hold it.
Right there.

He's dead.

Get his gun.

- It was beautiful.
- I don't like it.

Don't like it?

Steed walked in. Walked into the room,
seconds after I killed the man.

What was he doing there?

Who knows, who cares?
It was perfect.

Perfect.

- Maybe he's on to something.
- So what? It's too late now.

May be Steed knew Wigmore.
- He did.

- Well, that's your answer.
- Yes, but what was he doing there?

I don't know.

Why don't you ask him?

Why did you go and see Wigmore?

It's a long story.
Let's just say that ...

I got a message to say that
he was in danger.

- A message, from whom?
- I really devout ...

... the source of my information.

- Then I advise you to start.
- I really take advice either.

It's all right, McBain.
Leave this to me.

You say he was dead,
when you got there.

- Steed had the gun in his hand.
- It was a classical frame up, McBain.

Even though you refused to accept it.

As a matter of fact
I have old guns.

I don't even have a gun
except for an old Colt 45.

And that's just for sentimental reasons.

He obviously said nothing.

It would have been very difficult.

It'll be under suspension, Steed ...

... while an investigation is made.

I'm aware of the usual procedure.

I'm sorry. It's no good.
Unless I'm in trance, I hear nothing.

Well, don't mind us.
You go right ahead in trance.

It isn't like that.

You've been right so far about most things.

Don't stop now.
- Gambit!

Did I miss something
or do you believe her now?

Purdey, it doesn't matter what I believe.
Steed is in trouble.

- It only seems to happen when I'm at home.
- Then I'll take you there.

Now, let's see
if you can make it work.

Trance Miss Stanton, trance.

We shall be able to put the finishing touches
to our plan anytime now.

Well, I'll be on call whenever you want me.

Steed under suspicion.

And McBain convinced of his guilt ...

... without even knowing the motive.

I'm sorry.

Nothing.

It just doesn't happen to order.

You're not laying down.
That's it.

Now, lay still, concentrate, relax.

Now, try.

Should stick.

You arrange it as I said.

A friend of mine.
Parr.

You pay into Steed's bank tonight.

The night safe.

The night safe.

Tonight.

Come again?

I don't know.
It never makes any sense.

I'm sorry.

The mood's gone.
I can hear nothing now.

Tell me about the night safe again.

- Tell you what?
- Anything, everything.

Steed's bank.

Someone was going to put some money in.
- Tonight?

Yes, I supposed so.

Not, I think so.

It wasn't clear.

Tonight.

House arrest.

Do not pass go.
Do not collect 100 pounds.

Eventually, I just have to do something
about our methods.

I could get out of here anytime.

Why didn't you?

What?

Ask for political asylum.

- Ask from whom?
- Well, Scotland.

You always liked it there.

It doesn't balance.

Of course it does.
It's only the way they do the maps.

It only looks as though it's going to fall over.

Do you know what you're talking about?

Steed, I haven't the faintest idea.

Except that I believe in you.

And I'm on your side.

Thank you Purdey.

Even if you did do it,
I still think you're innocent.

I appreciate that.

It's nice to know that
sometimes I'm trusted.

- Where are you going?
- I'm gonna break in ...

... to the pay master's office.

Is Parr going to confirm the cash delivery?

I told him not to bother.

The less contact the better.

What say we run over the whole plan again?

I feel we must.

The unconscious routine I've demonstrated.

The gun ...

... The Steed's.
A cult 45.

Hello?

It's Steed.

Doesn't sound like him.

They're going to kill him.

What again?

Listen, please listen.

With his own gun.
A cult 45.

Well, Steed's out, but his gun's here.

No, it's been taken.

Victoria, I'm sorry, you're wrong.
I know where it is.

It's missing and they'll use it.

Just a minute.

I'm on my way.

I think, all we need is to know
where Steed is.

It's funny.

Want me to call the office.

Wallace's here.

Oh, it's you McBain?

Yeah.

And when was that?

I see.

Yes, yes.
I'm on my way.

Steed.

Well, that should be all the proof you need.

Yes, I'm sorry.
You were right about him all along.

I should have arrested him then.

No, no. It's better if he takes the evidence
with him out of the office.

- Evidence?
- Wigmore came from Singapore to ...

... investigate missing finances.

Steed motive.

Somehow, I don't know how.

He was milking the books.
He murdered Wigmore to save himself.

- Obviously.
- We've got him.

The money, the murder.
Everything was to frame Steed.

- Yes, I suppose so.
- And then once pull of the trigger.

Purdey?

Purdey!

Purdey are you all right?

I become psychic.

He's not dead, is he?

Gambit you're not dead, are you?

Purdey, I'm very much alive.

Where?
Where are you?

Upstairs in the flat above.

It all makes sense now.
Miss Stanton's voices ...

... were piped.

If it makes sense then you know
they're going to kill Steed.

Cheer up.

Hello.
What brings you here ...

... premonition?

Wallace was arrested last night.
McBain's been apologizing to me ever since.

I gather he confessed to everything.
The whole story.

Well, what else can he do?

Wallace had his hand in the till for years.

What'll happen to him, Steed?

Don't look at me.

How would I know?

Subtitling by Ceok