The Prisoner (1967–1968): Season 1, Episode 12 - Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling - full transcript

With his mind transferred to another body, Number 6 wakes up in his London flat and can't convince his colleagues who he is. He takes off to Austria to find the one man who can help him, the person Number 2 wants him to find.

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Cipher, coding, optics, computers -
experts in every field,

yet we're still left with 36
badly-photographed colour shots.

Yet I'm sure the clue's there.
You've tried superimposing?

Yes, but the permutations
on 36 run into millions.

Coming to them fresh,
we may get a sudden flash.

That's Loch Ness?

Yes. We've pinpointed
the position exactly.

Not an inspired photographer,
however brilliant a scientist.

Extraordinary order of filming.

Loch Ness,
the Yorkshire Moors, Dartmouth,

the Eiffel Tower, Beachy Head...
What's number six?



Hopelessly overexposed.

- Is there a reason?
- There are nine very overexposed.

The rest are correctly exposed.

I hate to say this, Sir Charles,
but maybe there's no clue here.

- How do you work that out?
- Code-breaking's a finite problem.

We don't know there is a problem
here, or on what reasoning it's set.

We just haven't thought of it.
And I don't accept that we can't.

Do we know where Seltzman is?

(Thunder)

(Thunder continues)

(Helicopter)

Relax. Relax, old boy.

It won't be long now.

(Horn sounds)



Ah, Colonel! Had a good trip?

- Yes, thank you.
- Would you care for breakfast?

No, thanks. I'd like to know
my duties as soon as possible.

You've no idea why you're here?

I was sent by the highest authority.

Indeed. You should feel proud.

I'm gratified, certainly.

Now, if you'd be kind enough to
explain what I'm supposed to do...

What sort of opinion
would you form... of that fellow?

Anyone who spends his time
doing that must be rather stupid.

You couldn't be more wrong.
He's our most interesting citizen.

Particularly for you.

Why's that?

You'll find out.

Tell me... Have you heard
of Professor Seltzman?

Professor Jacob Seltzman?

I don't recall the name.
Should I?

No, in your line of business,
I suppose not.

Dr Seltzman is a great neurologist,
fascinated by thought transference.

I've seen it done - in India.

Where Seltzman studied
for many years.

The advanced yogi can live
in suspended animation for months,

his mind and body dissociated.

Seltzman took this discipline
several stages further.

With scientific aid,
he was able to transmit the psyche

of one person... into another.

The mind of one man into another?!
Impossible. I don't believe it.

Where is this Seltzman?

Nobody knows.

The only man who may, because
he had the last contact with him,

is, um... our friend.

You claim it's possible for me
to become you and you to become me?

- Not exactly, but near enough.
- I don't believe it.

Ten years ago, would you have
believed we could fly to the moon?

No, I suppose not.

But why the interest in Seltzman?

Colonel, you must be aware
that all major powers

hold in prison
one or two of each other's spies.

Yes.

Sometimes diplomatic swaps occur.

Imagine the power we'd have
if the spy we returned

had the mind of our choosing.

We could break the security
of any nation.

Let me show you one or two other
things that will interest you.

We call this our "amnesia" room.
We're rather proud of it.

With it, we can erase the memory
back to any point in time.

This man was very co-operative.
He told us everything in three days.

With hardly any persuasion.

Now we wipe out all unhappy
memories of the village

and put him back into circulation
to gather more information.

And this... is the Seltzman machine.

(Siren)

Let me give you a dummy run.

(Crackling and beeps)

(Beeps increase in pitch)

The device with which
Seltzman finally succeeded

in switching the minds of two people.

(Steady beeps)

Sleep well, my friend, and forget us.

Tomorrow you will
wake up a new man.

(Groans)

Hmm...

(Hums)

(Number Six's voice)
Hmm... Yes, not a bad day.

Let's see, it's... Oh, yes,
Janet's birthday present.

Hope she likes it. Can always
change it if she doesn't.

What's on for today? Let's see...

Er, car service, dentist...
No, we'll have to cancel that,

because Sir Charles' lunches,
they go on for ever.

But who can blame him?
He's the boss.

(Hums)

(Number Two) Seltzman machine...

...finally succeeded
in switching the minds...

...switching the minds
of two people.

Relax.

I am not a number. I am a person.

(Thunder)

You're very aggressive.

(Siren)

You mustn't resist.

Take it easy. Take it easy.

It will all be one in the end.

Unlike me, many of you
have accepted your imprisonment

and will die here
like rotten cabbages.

I intend to discover who are the
prisoners, and who are the warders.

The thing to do now is keep calm.

Keep your head.

I won't be pushed, filed, stamped,
briefed, debriefed, or numbered!

Just bear in mind
your ultimate objective.

We want information.
Information!

Seltzman... Seltzman...

Proceed as our friend
would have done.

Relax. Good.

Now, go, boy, go!

This is the time.
Now. Move, or leave it.

Move, move, MOVE!

Seltzman!

(Doorbell)

His car... Is he back?

Is he with you?

Yes.

Darling?

(Doors open upstairs)

- Where is he?
- Janet...

however fantastic what I say
may sound, you must believe me.

Who are you? How do you know
my name? What are you doing here?

How did you get hold of his car?

Why... Why did you tell me
he was here?

Who are you?

A friend.

Then where is he?

Why did he leave without a word?

Leave? But he saw you -
he told me he saw you.

- Last night.
- I didn't see him last night.

- You dined after your fitting.
- What fitting?

Your dress for your birthday party.
He told me the colour - yellow silk.

Yellow silk? The only ye...

That was a year ago.

Yes, I... I took him
to the final fitting.

I haven't seen him since.

A year?!

A year!

What's happened?

You couldn't have seen him.
He couldn't have made that mistake.

No, but I could have.

- I must have got it wrong.
- Yes, you must have.

What are you doing here?
How did you get in, anyway?

Miss Portland...

You must be aware
of the sort of work he did.

Obviously, working for my father.

So it won't surprise you
to learn that...

It may not be possible for him
to contact you for a year.

Or even longer.

Thanks. That's a big help.

Miss Portland?
I may have a message for you soon.

When?

I'll bring it to your birthday party.

Father, I must speak with you.

It's not a very convenient time.
I hope this won't become a habit.

I'm sorry, but it is important.
And personal - do you mind?

Perhaps you'd be good enough
to give us a few minutes?

- Certainly, sir.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

Now, my dear.

You know where he is.

All along you've known,
and you let me go through hell!

He's on a mission.
He can't contact me.

I presume you mean your fiancee.

His house, his car -
he's lent them to a friend!

This friend, what sort of man is he?

Quite ordinary.
Is he unable to contact me?

I honestly don't know.

You didn't send him on a mission?

No. And I shouldn't
even tell you that.

Even you don't know
where he is?!

I have no idea.

But you must know someone who does.

Again, I can't help you.

It's awful! I don't know
if you're telling the truth or not!

- Get me Sir Charles!
- Who are you?!

What are you doing here?!

I said get me
Sir Charles Portland at once!

You're still as pompous as ever...
Danvers.

Where did you get my name?

Jonathan Peregrine Danvers.

Born in Bootle.
Took elocution lessons.

Came to London, joined the civil
service in 1 948 as a junior clerk.

Was moved to this department
three years later -

mainly at the request
of the typing pool.

Am I going to see Sir Charles? Well?

Or shall I go on?

I'm sure these gentlemen
would be intrigued

to hear of your little jaunt to Paris
in March, 1 958.

Let me see, what was her name...?

- What is your name?
- Code or real?

- Code.
- In France, Duval.

In Germany, Schmidt.
You would know me best as ZM73.

And your code number is PR1 2.

Do you want more?

Seltzman.

All right, thank you.

- Danvers, I must ask you to leave.
- Yes, sir.

- What do you know about Seltzman?
- He invented a device to put

one man's mind into
another man's head.

Sir Charles... At last!

I am ZM73.

You claim to be ZM73.

- I can prove it.
- Do so.

I could pitch this
on a very personal level.

Don't spare my feelings.
Speak freely.

Very well. I'll confine myself
to simple domestic details,

of no interest to anyone
except the family.

Details that could only be known
by us - would you accept that?

Yes, I suppose.

You are a keen rosarian.

And you were pruning your bacaras
by the goldfish pool

when I asked permission
to marry your daughter.

You dropped your secateurs -
I never understood why.

It couldn't have been
that much of a surprise.

Next day you took me to lunch
at your club. We ate jugged hare -

I don't dispute your accuracy.
You're correct in every detail.

But all this could have been told
to you by the man you claim to be.

We're all aware of truth drugs and
other ways to extract information.

You could've learnt it
parrot-fashion.

Ask me details of anything
we did together.

The same problem applies.

I could never convince you, then!

Only enough to intrigue me,

to make sure you're watched
and followed wherever you go.

It's a waste of somebody's time.

- He'll be paid for it.
- Thank you.

Thank you very much!

(Number Six's voice)
Where is he?

Where is he?

Did he perfect
the reversion process?

If he didn't, it's a pity.

Before I know it,
I'll be inside for forgery.

Talking of forgery,
is my handwriting still the same?

Let's see. Let's try it.

(CHUCKLES) Rather interesting,
isn't it? That's something.

Well, let's be grateful
for small mercies.

Now... Money.

Unless the rats have been at it.

Good.

Still intact. Fresh as ever.

Splendid.

That should be... adequate.

(Jazz music)

Sure he's being followed?

A homing device is on his car.
Our man will be there by now.

(Pop music)

I didn't invite you.

I haven't taken it to heart.

Our friend lent me his card -
a year out of date.

- You've seen him?
- Not exactly.

Look, do you work for my father?
Did he send you here?

No, but I have no doubt
that he knows I'm here.

When I arrived,
they were playing a waltz -

the first I danced
with my dear love, in Kitzbuhel.

How do you know all this?

Where is he?

Please...

I have a message from him.

He left something with you
for safekeeping, in case of trouble.

A slip of paper.

Yes. Yes, I have it.

If you want to see him again,
will you get it?

I'll be in the arbour.

May I?

Excuse me.

Was she just trying
to get rid of me?

Will she come?

Will she have the receipt?

(Footsteps)

I'm sorry I was so long. Here it is.

Thank you.

Now what was the message?

Simply this.

Who else could have given you
that message?

Nobody but...

Couldn't you say...
"Nobody but you"?

I need your faith.

Nobody but... you.

I'm sorry, sir. Am I late or are
you possibly just a little early?

- In a hurry, put it that way.
- What can I do for you, sir?

I left some film - a roll
of colour you dispatched for me.

Er... Here's the receipt.

Thank you, sir...
Just over a year ago.

Yes. But you still have it,
presumably?

Certainly, sir. It just takes
that second or two longer.

Always the way when we're in
a hurry. I'll be as quick as I can.

Here we are, sir.
If you'll be kind enough to sign.

- That was quick.
- Well, there's only one, sir.

It's been signed for already.

Er, yes. A stupid clerical error.

A junior handed over your film
in mistake for this number.

Pure carelessness, confusing
the last figures 0-1 and 1 -0.

Needless to say,
he wasn't with us for long.

However, Mr Carmichael
returned your transparencies

the moment he discovered
our mistake.

- How good of Mr Carmichael.
- Kind of you to take it that way.

Alas, no business is free
from the occasional clerical error.

- Is there anything else, sir?
- Yes.

What is that, sir?

- Can I get a photograph taken?
- A photograph?

A passport photograph.

I'm afraid our photographer
is on holiday.

- He would be.
- As you say, sir.

I won't promise
a flattering study of you, sir,

but I think it'll be satisfactory
to the passport authorities.

- Thank you.
- Pleasure, sir. This way.

He has collected
the transparencies, sir.

That confirms my conviction.

They contain a clue,
and our bright boys missed it.

XB4. He's gone inside.

Now the curtains are being drawn.

Stay put until he leaves.

Miss out one, M.

(Recites alphabet)

M - Thirteen.
And N must be fourteen.

Sir, the curtains are being opened.

He's coming out and getting
into his Lotus.

Follow him.

Our route's definitely Dover.

Welcome to the village, sir.

Would you like to order?

(Homing device beeps)

I took some photographs.

Look... There's one.

- Is he still here?
- Yes. Herr Hellen, sir.

- Where is he now?
- In the barber's shop, I suppose.

(Homing device beeps)

(Speaks German)

The waiter at the cafe
said I could get a shave here.

Yes. That is correct.
Please, sit down.

Your English is very good.

We barbers get around -
in several big London stores.

Very bad air, usually downstairs,
so I come back to where I am born.

Herr Hellen, I'll come to the point.
I don't want a shave.

I want your help - desperately.

How, sir?

We have met before.
But you couldn't remember me,

because the first time we met...
I looked like this.

It is not possible.

You see, Professor Seltzman...
Your invention works - only too well.

I am a simple village barber.
Don't play tricks on an old man.

Believe me, you're
the last person I'd choose,

but somebody's played
a trick on me!

- Do you know that face?
- Of course. He was a friend.

But anyone with that photograph
could claim to be him.

- For what reason?
- Perhaps you will tell me.

I understand. Incognito until
I can prove that I am that man.

But anything I say
can be countered by you

by saying I've extracted
the information.

Yes, that is so.

Herr Professor, would you admit
that, as with fingerprints,

no two handwritings
could be the same?

- I would.
- Then the only way I can prove

I am that man depends
on whether you kept that letter

I sent you from London
when you were staying in Scotland.

If you really are
who you say you are,

you would not have expected me
to keep it, would you?

No.

- It's a hopeless situation.
- If I had kept it,

I would have been
very stupid. Silly.

You've made your point.

But you overlook one thing.

Sentimental people
are sometimes stupid.

Very stupid. Wait, please.

(Homing device beeps faster)

My poor, young friend.

But who...?

- I don't know.
- The motive is clear.

You will lead them to me,
that is what they hope.

Do you think your people
have done this to you?

- No. I'm sure.
- Then it must be your enemies.

My enemies, presumably,
having my other half?

Precisely. If you are taken
by the side that hasn't,

you must learn to accept yourself...
as you are.

(Fast beeps)

As both sides want my reversal
process, it will be a close race.

The reversal process exists?

In theory. But, put into practice,
it could be dangerous. Very.

Here comes the first
of our visitors.

- Is his face familiar?
- Potter! He mustn't take us.

Then hide behind this door.

- (Shop bell rings)
- Come in, come in.

Don't move, please, Professor.

(Gas hisses)

(Helicopter)

Ah, Herr Professor!
Welcome to our humble village.

Had a good trip?
Let me offer you some breakfast.

You have kidnapped me
for one reason. My answer is no!

(Chuckles)
You're livery this morning.

Surely we need not
prolong this interview.

Life hasn't taught you resignation.

Nor has it for many other scientists.

Rutherford, for example.

How he must regret
having split the atom.

Yes. Almost as bad as splitting
the identity of two human beings.

Unlike all the King's men,
you can put them together again.

- Don't rely on it.
- Why make this stand now?

After all,
you invented the wretched process.

Only people like you
have made it wretched.

Can you leave this poor young man
with his mind wrongly housed?

Surely you owe him
some responsibility?

I will do it -
on certain conditions.

I'm sure they'll be reasonable.

For once, I am dictating.

Heil.

I will do it. But alone.

Under this condition only.

- I accept.
- Very well.

I shall need time to prepare
myself. In twelve hours.

All cameras turn.

Make a note of everything he does.

(Beeps)

(Whirring)

(Beeps get faster)

(Crackles and beeps)

Emergency. Examination room.
Immediate treatment.

Emergency. Emergency.

(Sirens)

He must not die. I need him.

Colonel, your help
has been invaluable.

- I trust I've been of service.
- Yes. You'll be suitably rewarded.

Your helicopter is waiting for you.

You assured me that he was
in good health.

You must contact Number One
and tell him... I did my duty.

The Colonel!

The man who's flying out of here...

Is not who you thought.

I don't believe it. I watched.

- I saw everything.
- The good doctor's mind

now inhabits a body
perhaps not to his liking -

the Colonel's.

Dr Seltzman had progressed
more than anticipated.

He can, and did, change three
minds at the same time.

And he's now free to continue
his experiments in peace.