The Outer Limits (1963–1965): Season 1, Episode 2 - The Hundred Days of the Dragon - full transcript

There is nothing wrong
with your television set.

Do not attempt
to adjust the picture.

We are controlling
transmission.

If we wish
to make it louder,

we will bring up the volume.

If we wish
to make it softer,

we will tune it
to a whisper.

We will control
the horizontal.

We will control
the vertical.

We can roll the image,

make it flutter.



We can change the focus
to a soft blur

or sharpen it
to crystal clarity.

For the next hour,
sit quietly,

and we will control
all that you see and hear.

We repeat,

there is nothing wrong
with your television set.

You are about to participate
in a great adventure.

You are about to experience
the awe and mystery

which reaches from
the inner mind to...

Somewhere south
of the Mongolian border

and north of
the tropic of cancer,

in that part of the world
we call the orient,

a slumbering giant
has shaken itself

to wakefulness.



Passed over
in most histories

as a nation
forgotten by time,

its close-packed millions in
the short span of 20 years

have been stirred to a fury
by one man:

Li Chin Sung.

A benevolent despot
in his homeland,

Sung stands as
an irresponsible threat to peace

in the eyes
of the rest of the world.

William Lyons Selby,

candidate for the presidency
of the United States.

Predicted by every poll,
survey, and primary

to be a certain winner
in the forthcoming election.

Your excellency,

this is
major Ho Chi-Wong.

I am honored, excellency.

He has committed
to memory

every known detail
of Selby's life.

Physically, he fits
the candidate's size exactly.

The radial measurement
of the skull is identical.

The same is also true,
the neck, the biceps,

the forearm,
the chest, the waist,

etcetera, etcetera,
etcetera.

The weight and the height
are the same.

The eyes and hair,
to the naked eye, identical.

And, uh, the voice?

Selby, on tape:
But an America on guard,

An America that remains
the guide and bearer

for the steady march

towards peace
of all free people

cannot,
indeed, will not...

But an America on guard,

an America that remains
the guide and bearer

for the steady march towards
peace of all free people

cannot, indeed, will not...

And, uh,
fingerprints?

We have devised this cast
for that purpose.

In 1953, Selby was involved
in a minor hunting accident,

which resulted in the loss
of the third finger

of the left hand,
at the second joint.

Entirely healed.

Proceed.

The fluid
I'm about to inject

will, after a time lapse
of 40 to 70 seconds,

cause the cells
of the musculature,

fat, the cartilage,

dermis and epidermis
of the body,

to become malleable
in molecular arrangement

for a period of... 2 minutes.

During this time,

the outer covering
of the body

will become
entirely plastic.

This will allow us to change
the outer configuration

instantly and at our will.

And change back again,
if we so desire.

So!

Your excellency,

you're about to witness
the most unique achievement,

that has come
from years of research

and experimentation
in molecular plasticity.

Proceed.

My flight was late.

Does that
affect our plans?

Not at all.

We should be
in downtown Chicago

within 30 minutes.
Here's a report on Mr. Selby.

How current
is your intelligence?

He is under
constant surveillance,

and we have maintained
hour-by-hour log

of his activities
since his arrival.

Has there been any
change in his itinerary?

None. He arrived
on schedule this morning,

and he, uh, plans
to leave tomorrow evening.

You have done well.
I see no reason

why we should not
proceed as planned.

Thank you, excellency.

Exactly where
is the candidate

at this moment?

His speech at the stadium
is scheduled to end at 11:30.

He should be just reaching
his suite at the Carleton Plaza.

Happy to see you.

Very nice.

Yes, I'll be
glad to do it.

All right.
All right. Go on.

That's all right.
He'll talk to you later.

Hi, fella. How are you?
It's good to see you here.

I need to talk to you.
He'll be right back.

Here's the room, Bill.
Bill, it's over here.

Yes, my dear.

Yeah.

Well, what time
do we go on the air?

OK. I'll have him
at the station by 5:45.

Yes, without fail.

OK, Chuck.

All right, bye-bye.
See you then.

Whew.

That is an ugly
mob out there.

Yes, but it's
our ugly mob.

And most of them
are of voting age, dad.

Oh, uh, bill, I just
talked to Crowley

at station WAGB-TV,
New York.

And he's got you
all set up for

the open forum show,
2 weeks from Monday.

That's election Eve.
Couldn't be better.

What about washburn?

Oh, he'll be on
a week earlier.

But don't worry
about him.

After your show,

they won't even
remember his name.

Oh, and if you still

have any doubts
about the outcome,

just take
a look at this.

I ran into an old
buddy from U.P.I.,

and he gave me
this copy.

It'll be in all
the morning editions.

A compilation
of every poll

and survey to date.

They all pick Selby,
by wide margins.

Let's take a look at that.

According to this, it's
all over but the voting.

Forget it.

The only polls that
ever elected anybody

were the ones
where they count ballots.

Ask Truman or Dewey.

No, greatest mistake
we could make

is to get overconfident.

Or overtired.

I want all of you
to get out of here

and let my father
get his rest.

Just one little
cup of coffee?

Nope. I'm going
to my room, too.

I promised
my hard-working husband

I'd call him,
and it's 12:30 already.

I'll talk to you
in the morning, Chuck.

You're doing
a wonderful job.

Look at the material
I have to work with.

Good night,
everybody.

Good night.
Good night.

Now, you get

a good night's
sleep, Bill.

I'll see you
in the morning.

Good night, dad.

Good night, dear.
Say hello to Bob for me.

I will. Sleep well.

Mobile operator, please.

Yes?

About 2 minutes.
I will remain here.

You are to call immediately
if there's any difficulty.

Now.

After the others had left,
I undressed and went to bed.

I couldn't go to sleep
right away,

so I decided to work
on tomorrow's speech.

Suddenly, my bedroom door
burst open,

and this wild man
came rushing at me,

shouting, "you'll
never be president!"

As he reached for my throat,

I managed to get
my foot on his chest

and pushed him away.

He was off balance
for a moment,

and I had time to reach
under my pillow for the gun.

When he came at me
again, I fired.

Had you ever
seen him before?

Never.

Dad, we must get
someone to guard you.

This could happen again.

Oh, I assure you,
it won't.

Bill, the police-beat
reporters

have been out there
for 20 minutes.

And now the wires
have men covering.

They want
to see you.

I'm not going
to see them, Phil.

I want you to go out

and play it down
as much as you can.

Anybody else
would be

grabbing for
headlines, Bill.

That's just what
I don't want.

If the American people

voted for me
out of sympathy,

because of what
happened here tonight,

I'd rather lose.
I mean it.

Is there anything
I can get you, dad?

Oh, thank you,
dear. No. No.

I'm all right.
I'm fine.

Thank god. We might
have lost you.

I didn't even know
you carried a gun.

Gentleman, I'm afraid our time

is running out.

Just one or 2 more
questions, please.

Mr. Scott?

Uh, Mr. Selby...

Through the miracle
of electronics,

a presidential candidate

can now see himself
as others see him.

What a sobering experience.

I'd like
your specific feelings

on this matter.

Gentlemen,
please understand.

Summitry does not
mean appeasement.

Nor is it a magic cure
for anything.

I simply feel that when
2 heads of state

meet in good faith
across a conference table,

they must at least gain

a better understanding
of each other,

and, quite possibly,

they could accomplish
something for peace.

Mr. Schumacher?

Mr. Selby,
it's been a long time

since we've had
an eligible bachelor

in the white house.

If you're elected,
is there any...

You know, by tomorrow
at this time,

we should have a pretty good
idea where we stand.

Well, I'll borrow
from Calvin Coolidge

to answer that.

"No comment!
And don't quote me!"

Tomorrow
at this time,

we're going
to be toasting

a new president,

and a new
vice president.

No question about that.

The question is, which 2 men
shall we be toasting?

Well, I give you
the winners:

"S" and "P."
Success and prosperity.

Thank you,
my dear.

You shall be amply rewarded
for your loyalty.

Bill, tomorrow, after you
finish casting your ballot,

why don't you
come on out to the farm?

We can spend
a nice, quiet day.

Maybe get in
a little hunting.

We can watch
the results later on TV.

It's a great idea.
I'll be there by noon.

But, dad,

you didn't touch
your zabaglione.

And I asked them
to serve it

especially for you.

Yes. Yes, I know.

But the women's vote
has a way of slipping

from a candidate
when the press

starts to call him,
um, chubby.

Oh.

Glad we came out
today, Bill.

I've got a feeling
we're not going to have

too much time
for this sort of thing.

You're counting
chickens again.

You can't fool
the American people.

They know the right man
when they see him.

Hold it.

Hey, I think I smell
some nice tender grouse.

Hey, that's
the second time

in 20 years you hit
what you aimed at.

I've had
my fill of hunting.

Let's head back.

His slate has carried

in the South Dakota
districts,

all through
the entire farmlands.

Denver gives us Selby

and a plurality of...

Physician, keep
thyself awake.

Oh, thanks, Ann.

I guess I should be awake
when my father-in-law

officially makes it.

Western districts,
plus California.

An overriding result

that certainly can be called
a major victory.

Selby is way ahead.
Moving ahead in Iowa.

Moving ahead in,
uh, Kansas City...

What's the matter, Ted?

I just can't
get over that shot

you made
this afternoon.

Here's a bulletin
coming in.

Wait a minute,
this might be it!

Louis Price,

the governor's
press secretary,

is heading
for the microphone.

The governor
has asked me

to read this statement,

which he has sent
to Mr. Selby

in the form of a telegram.

"My warmest congratulations,

and best wishes
to William Lyons Selby."

Yahoo!

Dad!

All right, everyone!

Thank you, boys.
For all you did.

Now... now we've
won the battle.

Let's win the war! Huh?

I do solemnly swear that
I will faithfully execute

the office of president
of the United States.

And will, to the best
of my ability,

preserve, protect,
and defend

the constitution
of the United States.

Yes?

The vice president
would like to see you.

Show him in, please.

Bill, I hope you don't mind.
I wanted to...

Just a minute, Ted.

Let me get these
out of the way.

Farm subsidy bill,

social security...
Amendments.

With the congress
behind us,

we can get things done.

You are with me
in all this?

Yes, of course I am.

This is what
I don't understand.

My memo on
the summit meeting.

Something not clear?

You're going to meet
with Li Chin Sung?

He's arriving
day after tomorrow.

I think we both know
what he's after.

Yes.

I expect him to offer
to pull his troops

out of Ling valley.

Yes, on condition
that we do the same.

That is one of the things
we will talk about.

Do we pull out
if Sung does?

If he makes that concession
in the interests of peace,

we must do the same.

Bill, 6 months ago,

while we were
campaigning in Dallas,

you gave me
5 solid reasons

why American strength
in the orient

was as vital to our security
as our missile program.

You said we could never
negotiate peace from weakness.

Do you recall that?

Of course.

And now, you are considering
pulling our troops out

just because Sung says
he's going to?

I think it's a mistake to
talk about it, absolutely.

Ted...

I'm proud to have you
by my side.

You've got the guts to
say what's on your mind

if you feel
you're right.

I am right.

You're wrong.
You're too rigid.

You feel that to bend
is to break.

You equate change
with weakness.

But by changing policy
when change is in order,

we strengthen
our position,

not weaken it.

Is your mind made up?

Nothing is decided.

I haven't even met
the man, have I?

Well, Ted, I have
the press conference.

We'll talk another time.
Later on.

Ted?

Hi.

Can I get you
a glass of milk?

No.

You gonna be ruining
your health like this

while Teddy and I
are visiting mother?

Oh, this summit meeting
is like a knife.

I thought you believed
in summitry.

Of course I do.

I'm just not in favor of
giving away the Ling valley.

Well, suppose both sides
do pull out.

No armies, no wars.

Oh, Ann.

Look, if Sung pulls out,

he moves back
across the border...

500 miles.

If we pull out,
we come home...

5,000 miles.

And in a day or a week
or a month later,

Sung sweeps back
into the valley,

and there's nothing
to stop him.

Well, can you talk
to the military?

Well, that's just it.
I can't talk to anyone.

I'm the vice president.

Oh, I can discuss
foreign policy.

There are times when
I even help to shape it,

but I never,
never criticize it.

It's so frustrating.

Now I know why they call
the vice president

"the silent man."

And the day
after tomorrow,

I've gotta shake
Li Chin Sung's hand

and welcome him
to our country.

It's a privilege
to welcome you

to our country, sir.

I'm happy to meet you,
Mr. Pearson.

I want premier Sung
to meet all of you,

but he must be very tired
after his flight

halfway around the world.

Ted?

Gentlemen, cocktails
are being served

in the blue room,
if you'll join me.

We'll be with you shortly.

We're making
very good progress.

Within 3 weeks,
American troops

challenging you
to the south

will be withdrawn.

Excellent.

And, uh,
the missile bases?

I feel that
we should be patient

at least until
the fall.

Before we move in that area.

Mm-hmm.

Your judgment
is sound, Chi-Wong.

I leave that detail
in your hands.

Thank you, sir.

And now, we're ready
for the second phase.

Final preparations are
very nearly completed.

We should be able to make
all the other substitutions

within the next few weeks.

Roy Lindley,
Mercury Steel Corporation.

Webber Norton,
Secretary of Labor.

Gerald Fontaine,
New York Chronicle.

Herbert Mead, Broadcasting
Corporation of America.

And, uh, Whelan,
Rudolph, Clark, Warner.

And not a single shot
will have been fired.

An Archer
is known by his aim,

not by his arrows.

And what about
the Pearson substitution?

You will have your
new vice president

by morning.

Who's there?

It's us,
Bob and Carol.

Hey. Well, this is
a surprise. Come on in.

I hope you're not angry
at us for dropping in

without phoning first.
We won't stay long.

No. I'm delighted.

Whenever Ted and Ann
are away,

I begin to hear noises.
Can I get you some coffee?

Not a thing, Ted.
Thanks.

Well, uh...

There's something
we must talk to you about.

Well, come on.

It's dad.

Something...

Something seems
wrong with him.

A lot of
little things.

By themselves, none
of them amount to a thing.

But put together,

they give me
the strangest feeling.

Well, uh,
what kind of things?

For one thing,
Bill has always been

vitally interested
in my research.

He used
to mention it to me.

The Apollo project
I've been working on

always fascinated him,
yet it's been months

since he's even
mentioned the subject.

And personal things...

Tastes in food,

attitudes about people
we've known...

His attitude towards us.

It's tough to put into words,
but, for example,

Carol's dad always took
a proprietary interest

in our lives.

In a nice way, he sort
of tried to run things.

He meddled.

But it was a lovable kind
of meddling.

And now?

He's polite.

He remembers all
the right anniversaries

and birthdays.

But it's as if
he turned to stone.

Suddenly, I don't
love him anymore.

What was that?

What was it?
Did you see him?

Look, did he just
resemble you?

Or was he like
a mirror image?

Bob, I saw him.

It wasn't someone
who looked like me.

I tell you, it was me.
I was looking at me!

How is that possible?

I don't know.

You'd better tell
Frank Summers about this

first thing
in the morning.

Wait a minute.
Do me a favor.

Don't say anything
to Summers just yet.

Why not?

Think about it
a minute.

People don't
look identically

like other people unless
they're identical twins.

But what if...

What if a person were made
to look like someone else?

How? Plastic surgery?

The Russians have been
conducting experiments

in molecular rearrangement
in living organisms

for some time.

And they've been
very successful.

Just exactly what
does that mean?

I think I may have
the answer, Ted.

What time do you get
to the office?

Usually around 8:00.

Good. Come on, Carol.

I've got a day's work
ahead of me tonight.

Oh, Ted,
I don't think

that you ought
to stay here tonight.

Why don't you come
to our place?

Oh, I'll be
all right, Carol.

I don't think
he'll try it again.

I hope not.

Heh heh.
Thank you, dear.

"Report on molecular
rearrangement

of subcutaneous matter
on the rhesus monkey."

How's that for a title?

Here.

"A few seconds later,
I was able to manipulate

"and reshape the flesh
of the monkey.

"The speed with which the tissue
entered a plastic state

"seemed to be
in direct proportion

to the strength
of the serum."

Assuming the serum
has been developed

several steps further,

they, or someone,

would have the means
to completely reshape

the physical features
of anyone.

A man!

Perhaps Bill Selby.

Then it's possible
the assassination attempt

in Chicago was not
foiled by Selby.

It was planned
to appear that way.

Selby is dead, and the man
in the White House is... who?

Can you arrange to have
a dental appointment

placed on Selby's calendar?

Yes.

If the man
in the White House

is an impostor...

His teeth will
give him away.

Yes?

I'm just reminding you

of your dental
appointment tomorrow.

Cancel it.

I'm sorry.
I can't accept it.

Secret service has
been at his side

from the day
he took office.

I'd know if he was
an impostor.

How?

He looks, he talks,
he acts exactly like Selby.

He has become Selby!

Well, assuming you're right,
where do we go from here?

The president
or whoever he is

is the most carefully
guarded man in the country.

How do we denounce him?

Before we attempt
anything like that,

is there some way to
prove that William Selby

is actually dead
beyond any doubt?

My next point.

Buried in a grave
in Chicago

is a man we believe
to be Selby.

If we can make casts
of that man's teeth

and match them against
old x-rays of Selby's,

we'll have that proof.

Marshall?

I'll leave tomorrow.

You'll leave tonight.

We haven't got
a moment to lose.

Who knows how many more
they plan to replace?

Or already have.

Yes?

Mr. Lee has arrived.

Send him in.

I want to outline the plan
one final time.

Do not fail again.

Pearson will be heading
for the Columbia hotel

to pick up
ambassador lacour

when you intercept him.

3 blocks from the hotel,
we will stop his car,

make the substitution.

I will then continue
in his place,

pick up the ambassador,

and bring him
to your reception.

You have
my anxious good wishes.

Thank you so very much
for the opportunity

of chatting,
Mr. President.

My door is always open
to men of sincerity

and goodwill.
Please come again soon.

Try to get me
the vice president.

No, of course I don't mind.

If buttering up lacour
will strengthen the alliance...

Good.

He's staying
at the Columbia.

I told him
around 8:00.

Mm-hmm.

He will talk
your ear off, you know.

Well, if an ear will help,
I'll be glad to give it.

Did your mother mind
keeping Teddy tonight?

Oh, you know how she feels
about having him stay over.

Hello?

Yes, Frank.

It's Summers.

He deserved
so much more than that.

Thanks.

Did Marshall get
the impressions?

There are
no impressions.

The body was cremated
on October 28th.

Oh, no.

Well, uh, I'd
better go. I'll...

I'll see you
at the reception.

That's him.

I hope you're not
too angry at me

for sending Ted
on a peace mission.

He is my right hand,
you know.

That's what
vice presidents are for.

May I have
the first dance

with the president's
daughter?

I wish your dear mother
were here tonight.

Dad...

Would you mind
if I sat down?

Why, of course not.

Is something wrong?

No, no, I'll be fine.

I know that I'm
a poor substitute

for Ted, but shall
we give it a try?

There is your Ted.

If you'll come this way,
Mr. ambassador.

Ah, Monsieur Lacour.
We are honored, sir.

A great many
of my friends

are most anxious
to meet you,

Mr. Ambassador.

Ted?

I want you to go over
and stay close

to Bob and Carol.

What's the matter?

Just go.

Everyone!

Please stop
where you are!

Please!

Come this way.

I want you all
to look toward that door.

Ladies and gentlemen,
you are witness

to the most monstrous act
of international espionage

in modern history.

Frank Summers!

A few nights ago,
an attempt was made

on my life.

It failed.

Tonight, a second
attempt was made.

It, too, failed,
thanks to Mr. Summers,

who's been at my side
since the first attempt.

But we have
uncovered something

far more treacherous than
just an attempt on my life.

Through a new and almost
incredible chemical process,

this enemy has succeeded
in altering the human face

as you can see.

This man is not Ted Pearson.
I am Ted Pearson.

Yet he is
the exact image of me.

But there is more.

Far more.

Frank,
take the President.

I accuse you of
the assassination

of William Lyons Selby,

and assuming his identity
for the purposes

of overthrowing
the United States government.

You're not the president
of the United States.

You're a murderer
and an impostor!

Bob Carter,
I'll need your help.

Put an end
to your treachery

here and now.

Sir, you're
the commander in chief now.

I can get S.A.C., Vanguard,
on the phone in seconds.

Just give the order.

There will be no order.

To Theodore Pearson,

not even so monstrous
a crime as the assassination

of William Lyons Selby
justifies an act of war.

Because there is no war
as we knew it,

only annihilation.

A great American
has been killed

in the service
of his country.

Now it is the job of those
who continue to serve

to carry on,
guarding our freedom

with dignity
and unrelenting vigilance.

We now return control of
your television set to you

until next week
at this same time,

when the control voice
will take you to...