The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978): Season 3, Episode 6 - The Deadly Test - full transcript
Steve Austin is on reserve duty at Edwards Airforce base when an attempt is made on Prince Sakari of Kutan, who is studying to be a jet pilot there.
STEVE:
Flight 79, calling Edwards Air Base.
Our ETA is 45 minutes, over.
TOWER: Flight 79,
read you loud and clear, cowboy.
STEVE:
Cowboy.
Nobody calls me that but Joe Gordon.
TOWER: That's right, Steve.
How you doin'?
STEVE:
Fine, Joe and you?
TOWER: I'll be doing a lot better
once you get here...
and help out running this
International Pilot School.
STEVE: I hear you got every nationality
of pilot in the world at that school.
TOWER: Will you stop jawing,
cowboy and get down here to the rescue?
STEVE:
On my way, Joe.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(TELETYPE TAPPING)
WOMAN: All study teams report to the
communications room at 0800 hours.
All study teams report to the
communications room at 0800 hours.
WOMAN: Captain Segal,
report to operations.
(LOUNGE MUSIC)
(LOUNGE MUSIC)
I can't stand that kind of music.
Eh, it's all they had.
(PHONE RINGS)
Yeah.
WOMAN:
Dr. Winslow?
This is Winslow, put him on.
MAN: Dr. Winslow, and?
Yes, sir.
Are the plans moving on schedule?
Yeah, he'll be doin' a fly-by tomorrow.
Is there any chance for failure?
No, no. No danger of that.
It'll look just like an accident.
Are you sure?
Some of our people feel
your machine may not be fool proof.
Don't give me that!
I made the machine,
I know exactly what it can do.
Positive, Dr. Winslow?
That's right.
Are you sure?
That's right.
Positive?
I promise you,
Prince Sakari will die.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
FLIGHT COM:
It looks good at NASA One.
B- 52 >PILOT:
Roger.
BCS Arm switch is on.
FLIGHT COM:
Okay, Victor.
B-52 PILOT:
Landing Rocket Arm switch is on.
Here comes the throttle.
Circuit breakers in.
STEVE:
We have separation.
B-52 PILOT:
Inboard and outboards are on.
I'm comin' forward with the side stick.
FLIGHT COM:
Looks good.
PILOT:
Ah, Roger.
STEVE:
I've got a blowout in damper three.
SR-71 PILOT:
Get your pitch to zero.
STEVE:
Pitch is out. I can't hold altitude!
B-52 PILOT: Correction. Alpha Hold is off.
Threat selector is emergency.
STEVE: Flight Com. I can't hold it!
She's breaking up! She's breaking...
ANNOUNCER:
Steve Austin. Astronaut.
A man barely alive.
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.
We have the technology.
We have the capability
to make the world's first bionic man.
Steve Austin will be that man.
Better than he was before.
Better, stronger, faster.
(MAIN TITLE THEME)
(MILITARY MUSIC)
(PHONE RINGS)
MARGARET: Test Pilot School,
Commandant's office. May help you?
Yes, Mrs. Madden.
Well, why don't you let me see
if the Colonel's free?
Colonel Gordon?
Yo!
It's Mrs. Madden.
(SIGHS)
What is it this time?
She says she's heard that we have
a Chinese pilot being trained here.
She thinks he's a spy.
(SCOFFS)
Spies, ay?
Well, tell the old bat that
the only spying that Yang does...
is in the centerfold of
girlie magazines.
And if she calls again
this month, you tell her...
I've got the idea.
(PLANE FLYING OVER)
Spies. eh?
You still puffin' on these logs?
Hey, Cowboy!
Well, about time you got here.
Air Force Reserve to the rescue.
Yeah, sit down.
Sit down.
You up to a little
arm wrestle, cowboy?
Oh, no, come on,
I pass this time, partner.
You never passed before.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon,
I'll go easy on you.
All right.
And one, two, three.
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
Yeah!
That easy life is
makin' you marshmallow.
No, that lousy
cigar smoke of yours.
Just don't appreciate
good tobacco. You never did.
Well, listen.
You're supposed to be learnin'
how to run this place...
let's take a little look around,
whaddaya say?
All right.
A couple 0' new computers...
I guess the big change since
you were here last, Steve...
Any problems?
Oh, yeah,
the US. taxpayers.
Some people think we train
these guys to fly fighters.
They don't realize
they're pilots already...
and we train 'em at their own country's
expense to test planes, not to fight in 'em.
Some of 'em even go on
to become space cowboys.
Gonna be good public relations
having you in command while I'm gone.
You're impossible to work with!
Whoa, whoa!
Well, this is a major change
that I almost forgot to mention.
Steve, this is
Major Aram Sakari.
Major.
And Lieutenant Jan Simmons.
How do you do, sir?
STEVE: Lieutenant.
In case you hadn't noticed,
one of them's a woman.
First one in the program.
Fine engineer.
Thank you, sir.
GORDON:
She and Major Sakari are a study team.
You are Colonel Austin,
the astronaut?
STEVE: That's right.
Someday my people
will travel to the moon.
Probably quite a bit beyond.
Sakari is from Kutan.
Prince Sakari.
But as you can see...
in your country
I'm just one of the guys.
Now, you will please excuse us.
We were discussing the
variables in today's flight.
We were not discussing.
You were dictating.
I think this is where
we came in, Steve.
Now I want to know why every time
l have something...
In my country,
women know their place.
You just look at me
with this blank stare.
She's the best engineer in the school,
he's the best pilot.
They'd make a great team
if they could just got along better.
Kutan's the richest country
in the world, but, you know...
the women gotta
walk behind the men?
Sounds like Lieutenant Simmons
has her work cut out for her.
Wait a minute,
wait a minute. Look at this.
What's the matter?
They park a 2,000 pound crate right here
behind my car and they just walk off?
I mean, they just walk off?
Where is it supposed to go?
Over there by the fence!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(WOOD CREAKING)
Wait a minute.
How did it get there?
Well, some guys came along
in a fork-lift, Joe, and they moved it.
It just took a little sweet talk,
you know?
Never mind.
What was that you were we talking
about inside about leaving?
Oh, I thought I told you.
No, what?
You used to run this place
better than anybody ever did.
So I'm goin' fishin' for awhile.
Fishin'?
Ten days.
But first I'm gonna show you
what's changed around here since last year.
You gotta be kiddin'.
You're gonna leave me
stuck with this?
I've been stuck here enough,
cowboy.
But I wanna go fishin' too sometimes!
I thought sure you're gonna
wreck that car back there.
Another coat of paint and
you wouldn't have made it.
And Colonel Austin
comes here once a year...
to serve his
Air Force Reserve duty.
And as you all know, he's somewhat
over-qualified to take my job.
(LAUGHTER)
However, since he is here
to be running things...
I thought I'd get
a little fishing done.
So, as of this moment...
you will take all of your wonderful
little problems directly to him.
Because I am on vacation.
Oh wait, there's one more thing.
Levy and Sakari.
That calibration fly-by schedule is wrong.
Senior officer always goes first,
so, Levy, you'll follow Sakari.
And that's at 0900, gents,
so you'd better get cuttin'.
Dismissed.
As you saw, Sakari and Levy
have bad blood between them...
so keep an eye on those two.
STEVE: Say no more, Joe.
I understand.
You sure there's no way
can reach you?
Nope.
I'm gonna be lost up in them hills.
Anyway, Steve,
it's just gonna be routine.
I mean pure routine, pal.
Want to try again, marshmallow arm?
Well, why not?
You ready?
Go.
(MILITARY DRUMS)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
What'd you have for breakfast
anyway, cowboy?
Roasted marshmallows.
Woo-hee.
Roasted marshmallows, my fanny.
(ENGINE STARTS)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(ENGINE REVS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Remember,
best flier always goes first.
This experiment tests the
accuracy of the plane's altimeter.
When the plane flies by the tower,
it activates the camera.
Like a photo-finish
at the horse races.
Then we compare the altitude
that the plane was reading...
with the altitude of
the calibrated camera.
Simple, but effective.
I guess you've done this
a million times before.
Never with better company.
Why, thank you, Colonel.
Hmm.
They're almost ready.
LEW (RADIO):
After you, Major Sakari.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
The next set of experiments,
we get to fly with them.
I guess that's as close
as I'll ever get.
Close to what?
To being an astronaut.
Silly dream.
Well, do you want to?
Yes... yes, I do.
I know why I call it a silly dream.
I guess just to hide my ambition.
I want to be an astronaut very much,
Colonel.
Steve.
SAKARI (RADIO): Edwards tower,
test flight 8-1-1-niner-1.
How do I read?
How do I read, Edwards?
Just fine, Major Sakari.
JAN:
Are you ready to take off?
Yes. I trust you have film in the camera.
I trust you have fuel in the plane.
Yes, lieutenant.
CONTROLLER:
8-1-1-niner, affirmative. You're clear to go.
Thank you, Edwards.
Now listen, never...
Never let that needle see red.
Right.
All right.
SAKARI:
Approaching for first fly-by.
Roger, Major.
First fly-by at 2-7-5-0 feet.
SAKARI:
Roger. Over.
How did I look?
JAN: You blinked your eyes.
Your turn, David.
First pass at 2-7-5-0 feet.
Roger. Be there in a second.
All right.
Give me some juice.
(DEVICE BEEPING)
Here comes the second jet.
I can't hold it. Losing all control.
The system's going haywire.
I can't hold them.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
LEW: I've lost control of the stick!
(ALARM SOUNDING)
I'm out.
Eject!
STEVE: Eject!
(ALARM SOUNDING)
(SIRENS WAILING)
Next time you won't be so lucky.
PILOT: LAX radio, World Way's Flight 101
listening one twenty-three point six.
CONTROLLER:
Roger 101. This is LAX
PILOT:
101 requests vector instructions.
Hold it.
The controls are jammed.
Losing altitude.
CONTROLLER:
Flight 101, this is LAX Do you read?
PILOT: Roger LAX We experienced
momentary loss of control.
All systems seem normal now.
Here's where Levy lost control.
STEVE: 200 yards past the tower.
Mm-hmm.
STEVE: Flight 101 was here.
Do you think there was a connection?
Flight 101 was 50 miles away.
What could have affected it,
and yet left Aram's plane alone?
SAKARI:
I was less than a mile away.
My plane surely would have
been disabled.
Or is it that you are trying to save the
Israeli's wings, Colonel Austin?
Aram!
Be quiet, woman!
Levy's plane might just as well
have been yours.
And he was lucky to get out alive.
suggest you
remember that, Major.
(SCOFFS)
Nevertheless, I seem to be the only one
in the room with an explanation.
Perhaps you have another, Colonel?
No.
Not yet.
(ENGINE STARTS)
The report says it could have been caused
by an ultra-high energy coherent wave...
that's been converted into a steer-able
beam... now that's what the experts say.
It goes on to say in the sixties,
several private corporations...
were working along these lines,
but no weapons systems came out of it.
Too unreliable.
Problems of overloading.
The project was dropped.
The beam jams
the electronic parts?
Right.
An unreliable energy wave.
It's possible part of it could have
bounced off Levy's plane...
and been reflected back to the ground.
Maybe that's the problem
you had with your bionic eye.
Yeah.
I wonder what would've happened
if I'd taken the whole ray.
Still doesn't explain why somebody would
want to knock off one of our planes.
What do you think?
Is it a test?
It's not the plane they were after, Steve.
What?
Prince Aram Sakari has been under
our protection for the past two months.
Sakari?
As I understand it, Colonel Gordon changed
the schedule at the last minute.
Now if he hadn't,
Sakari would've been on this plane...
the second plane.
Then whoever's behind it has
access to our flight schedule.
Right.
Well, what do you think?
Who wants him dead?
Our theory is Kutan's
Prime Minister Chadal.
With the Prince out of the way...
he could take over the country easily
when the king dies.
Of course, we have no proof.
Well, there's only one way
to prove your theory.
You think he'll stand still for it?
Nope. But then I wasn't gonna
ask his permission.
(ENGINE STARTS)
SAKARI:
No! Levy's crash was only due to pilot error.
I will not allow you to
take my place in the air!
I came here to fly!
That's right, but not to die.
No one is trying to kill me.
My people, the entire country, would
be at the throat of whoever tried it.
But what if the murder was
planned as an accident?
Aram, who would benefit the most
by your death?
Chadal, our prime minister.
Okay.
Now we can't pinpoint what went wrong
in Levy's plane.
The analysts think that the stability system
may have been electronically jammed.
The only chance we have
of finding out is...
if I go up in your place and see
if it happens again.
Look, ask no one to
risk his life in my place!
I'm not gonna argue with you.
Now until further notice,
you're confined to your quarters...
and you're not to
mention this to anyone.
What?
That's all, Major.
(DOOR SLAMS)
MAN: You seem prone to mistakes,
Dr. Winslow.
Even if you had chosen
the correct plane...
the pilot was able to escape
with his life.
Now listen...
Don't raise your voice at me.
No one else in the world
would touch your project.
I suggest you remember that.
I will accept no more mistakes.
(HANGS UP)
You know, I don't think
Aram took it too well.
Oh, he'll get over it.
He always does.
About you taking his flights...
What about it?
I want to go with you.
No way.
Now look. I've beat my brains out
with Linear Control Systems...
and Analog and
Digital Computations...
and Aero elasticity and
Performance Data Reduction...
to make it as a
flight test engineer.
Furthermore...
if you don't take me along,
they'll say it's because I'm a woman...
that'll make you a sexist.
Well, we can't have that, can we?
Have you been checked out
in a glider spin yet?
No, but we could
do that tomorrow.
All right, what about tonight?
You busy?
No.
Well then I would suggest you brush up
on your egress procedures...
and then how about dinner?
That would be nice.
Oh, that's okay.
Oh, sorry.
Now you were saying
about Nebraska?
Oh, yes.
Well...
I was at the top of my class...
in chemistry and calculus and physics.
But all that meant in Grand Island,
Nebraska...
was that I would be a smart housewife.
And now?
I'm shooting for the stars.
An astronaut.
Mm-hmm.
That's a long haul.
JAN:
The voice of experience.
I know, believe me.
You wanted to know what it was like being
the only woman in a company of men?
Mm-hmm.
It's like being one of the guys.
One of the guys?
With none of the privileges.
And then there's always Aram
to put me back in my place.
A male chauvinist.
Oh, he's the worst.
Did you know that in Kutan,
the women...
Walk behind the men?
Right.
It's not funny, really.
Isn't that Levy?
Oh, yes, it's David.
Do you know it's a shame he's been kept
in the dark about the crash.
Excuse me a minute.
That stuff'll eat away your liver.
If I live long enough, Colonel.
Well, I've got some good news.
Looks like the stability system
went haywire.
The accident review board's gonna
lift your grounding next week.
And in the meantime?
Barrows and I fall behind
while Sakari and the others fly.
Well, I'm sorry.
Did it ever occur to you, Colonel, that my
crash might not have been an accident?
You should know, that before I came here,
I was flying patrols over the Sinai desert...
and I shot down Sakari's best friend.
"An eye for an eye,"
the Scripture says.
Why don't we talk about that when
your mind's not swimming in that drink.
The rumors are that it was sabotage,
Colonel Austin.
Against Sakari? I doubt that.
If his life was threatened...
the first thing you Americans would do
would be to ground him.
I was the intended victim, Colonel.
Let me tell you something, Levy.
You want to make it through
test pilot school...
you'd get your head out of the Sinai Desert,
you understand me?
Yes, sir.
You mean you're actually keeping
Prince Sakari captive?
Yeah.
Can't risk him showing his
face here on the ground...
when he's supposed to be
up in the air.
Do you really think someone
sabotaged the plane?
Yeah.
It could happen again?
Look, Jan, you don't have to go
with me tomorrow.
I twisted your arm, remember?
Besides,
you'd just have to get another girl.
Although in these outfits, I don't think
anyone could tell the difference.
Well, I can.
Thank you.
Well, let's give it a try.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(CABLE CLINKS)
PILOT (RADIO):
You're on your own, Colonel.
Have a good flight and I'll see you
on the ground, sir.
And this is what we calla spin.
Better get used to it.
We do it tomorrow in a jet.
STEVE: Jan, as soon as I check in
with the tower and change...
I'll meet you...
(TIRES TOUCH DOWN)
for some final notes.
JAN: Right, Steve.
And then at 15,000 feet,
we begin our first spin.
Assuming a ten second recovery interval
you should finish at approx...
May buy you a soft drink,
Colonel?
Hey, I think it's about time we let a little air
outta this thing, before it explodes.
I know that rumors are flying
hot and heavy...
and I wish I could explain things,
but I can't.
But until I can, I expect both of you to behave
yourselves like officers and gentlemen.
And leave your politics at home.
Is the lecture over, Colonel?
Yes, it is.
Excuse me.
About that soft drink...
I want to apologize, Colonel Austin, for the
way I behaved in your office yesterday.
Well, what about
what just happened?
You are an American.
I can't expect you to understand.
You got some change?
Yes.
(CHUCKLES)
SAKARI: Typical American machine.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(MILITARY MUSIC)
Y'all ready?
This is just a stupid game.
Now don't leave the room, Major.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Now, Steve, we've monitored
every inch of that plane.
If anything's been tampered with,
we'll know about it.
OSCAR: And Jan,
at the first sign of trouble...
you and that lug in front of you
get out... and fast.
Roger, Oscar.
I'll do my best.
All right.
Let's go.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(EERIE MUSIC)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
CONTROLLER:
Everything looks peachy, four-three.
Come out to 15, 000 to begin your test.
Roger.
Ready for the spin, Jan?
Whenever you are.
Here we go.
(ALARM SOUNDING)
(LOUD BANG)
Steve, the stability systems
have gone crazy!
OS CAR: Get out!
Oscar, my eye...
Steve? What's happening?
OSCAR: Steve! Get out of there!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
It's a jam, Steve.
It had to be.
OSCAR: How's your eye?
Same as before, Oscar.
What's the matter with your eye,
Steve?
I'll explain it too you later.
All right. Halt.
All right.
Close that door.
Move!
All right, drive!
Come on, move!
(ENGINE STARTS)
Probably a mobile transmitter.
Seal off the base, Oscar.
We're gonna go down and take a look.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
What the heck is that Arab doing?
So it was Sakari that you were trying to kill.
Oscar, there's a soft drink truck
headed for the west gate!
Now listen to me, Steve,
let us take it from here.
Roger, Oscar.
We'll bring it in after this pass.
And I was so sure that
Sakari was after me.
Huh. Who are you? The King of Persia?
Levy. The man you almost killed
the first time.
Well, your friend's not gonna be so lucky.
(ALARM SOUNDING)
(ALARM SOUNDING)
Steve, get that plane on the ground!
(ALARM SOUNDING)
Jan. I can't see.
Read off the altimeter.
8,000.
9,000.
10,000.
JAN (RADIO).' 11,000.
Steve, do you hear me?
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Steve? Are you all right?
Well, I think so.
Oscar?
Thank, God.
Steve, get that plane on the ground.
OSCAR: Just get it out of the air.
Put it down anywhere.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(GUN FIRES)
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
I can see him, Oscar.
He's driving across the lake bed.
Don't take chances, Steve.
It's not worth it.
STEVE: I'm goin' after him.
I can't see a thing.
What are you talking about?
Stick around, you'll find out.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
What the...
You want me?
You got me.
(TIRES SCREECHING)
It's gonna blow!
Somebody's gonna die...
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
Winslow!
Shut up!
Where did he go?
Steve!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(DEVICE BUZZING)
Steve! It's David.
STEVE: Get him out of here!
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(SIRENS APPROACHING)
(SOFT MUSIC)
Goodbye, Colonel.
And thanks again.
Good luck, Major.
And David... what can I say?
Try I'm sorry.
I'll do the same.
You nearly gave your life for me,
twice.
I'll not forget that.
Thank you.
I think we both have learned.
I never thought I'd be sad to see the
world's biggest male chauvinist leave.
Can't you stay and finish school?
With my prime minister in jail,
my country needs me.
Perhaps next year... or the next.
SAKARI: And what about you,
Lieutenant Simmons?
Who will take my place as your pilot?
Well, if Oscar doesn't mind,
I could use a refresher course.
Say good-bye to Colonel Gordon for me.
Tell him I hope he caught as big
a fish as we did.
Was that Sakari?
Yup.
Doggonit, cowboy!
Year in, an' year out,
all lever get is routine.
You come down here for two weeks,
I go on a vacation... and what happens?
Everything!
You space cowboys
have all the fun.
C'mon. Jump in.
No sense wearin' out your feet.
Did you catch any fish?
Whadda you think,
marshmallow arm?
STEVE: Come on!
(END THEME MUSIC)
Flight 79, calling Edwards Air Base.
Our ETA is 45 minutes, over.
TOWER: Flight 79,
read you loud and clear, cowboy.
STEVE:
Cowboy.
Nobody calls me that but Joe Gordon.
TOWER: That's right, Steve.
How you doin'?
STEVE:
Fine, Joe and you?
TOWER: I'll be doing a lot better
once you get here...
and help out running this
International Pilot School.
STEVE: I hear you got every nationality
of pilot in the world at that school.
TOWER: Will you stop jawing,
cowboy and get down here to the rescue?
STEVE:
On my way, Joe.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(TELETYPE TAPPING)
WOMAN: All study teams report to the
communications room at 0800 hours.
All study teams report to the
communications room at 0800 hours.
WOMAN: Captain Segal,
report to operations.
(LOUNGE MUSIC)
(LOUNGE MUSIC)
I can't stand that kind of music.
Eh, it's all they had.
(PHONE RINGS)
Yeah.
WOMAN:
Dr. Winslow?
This is Winslow, put him on.
MAN: Dr. Winslow, and?
Yes, sir.
Are the plans moving on schedule?
Yeah, he'll be doin' a fly-by tomorrow.
Is there any chance for failure?
No, no. No danger of that.
It'll look just like an accident.
Are you sure?
Some of our people feel
your machine may not be fool proof.
Don't give me that!
I made the machine,
I know exactly what it can do.
Positive, Dr. Winslow?
That's right.
Are you sure?
That's right.
Positive?
I promise you,
Prince Sakari will die.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
FLIGHT COM:
It looks good at NASA One.
B- 52 >PILOT:
Roger.
BCS Arm switch is on.
FLIGHT COM:
Okay, Victor.
B-52 PILOT:
Landing Rocket Arm switch is on.
Here comes the throttle.
Circuit breakers in.
STEVE:
We have separation.
B-52 PILOT:
Inboard and outboards are on.
I'm comin' forward with the side stick.
FLIGHT COM:
Looks good.
PILOT:
Ah, Roger.
STEVE:
I've got a blowout in damper three.
SR-71 PILOT:
Get your pitch to zero.
STEVE:
Pitch is out. I can't hold altitude!
B-52 PILOT: Correction. Alpha Hold is off.
Threat selector is emergency.
STEVE: Flight Com. I can't hold it!
She's breaking up! She's breaking...
ANNOUNCER:
Steve Austin. Astronaut.
A man barely alive.
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.
We have the technology.
We have the capability
to make the world's first bionic man.
Steve Austin will be that man.
Better than he was before.
Better, stronger, faster.
(MAIN TITLE THEME)
(MILITARY MUSIC)
(PHONE RINGS)
MARGARET: Test Pilot School,
Commandant's office. May help you?
Yes, Mrs. Madden.
Well, why don't you let me see
if the Colonel's free?
Colonel Gordon?
Yo!
It's Mrs. Madden.
(SIGHS)
What is it this time?
She says she's heard that we have
a Chinese pilot being trained here.
She thinks he's a spy.
(SCOFFS)
Spies, ay?
Well, tell the old bat that
the only spying that Yang does...
is in the centerfold of
girlie magazines.
And if she calls again
this month, you tell her...
I've got the idea.
(PLANE FLYING OVER)
Spies. eh?
You still puffin' on these logs?
Hey, Cowboy!
Well, about time you got here.
Air Force Reserve to the rescue.
Yeah, sit down.
Sit down.
You up to a little
arm wrestle, cowboy?
Oh, no, come on,
I pass this time, partner.
You never passed before.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon,
I'll go easy on you.
All right.
And one, two, three.
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
Yeah!
That easy life is
makin' you marshmallow.
No, that lousy
cigar smoke of yours.
Just don't appreciate
good tobacco. You never did.
Well, listen.
You're supposed to be learnin'
how to run this place...
let's take a little look around,
whaddaya say?
All right.
A couple 0' new computers...
I guess the big change since
you were here last, Steve...
Any problems?
Oh, yeah,
the US. taxpayers.
Some people think we train
these guys to fly fighters.
They don't realize
they're pilots already...
and we train 'em at their own country's
expense to test planes, not to fight in 'em.
Some of 'em even go on
to become space cowboys.
Gonna be good public relations
having you in command while I'm gone.
You're impossible to work with!
Whoa, whoa!
Well, this is a major change
that I almost forgot to mention.
Steve, this is
Major Aram Sakari.
Major.
And Lieutenant Jan Simmons.
How do you do, sir?
STEVE: Lieutenant.
In case you hadn't noticed,
one of them's a woman.
First one in the program.
Fine engineer.
Thank you, sir.
GORDON:
She and Major Sakari are a study team.
You are Colonel Austin,
the astronaut?
STEVE: That's right.
Someday my people
will travel to the moon.
Probably quite a bit beyond.
Sakari is from Kutan.
Prince Sakari.
But as you can see...
in your country
I'm just one of the guys.
Now, you will please excuse us.
We were discussing the
variables in today's flight.
We were not discussing.
You were dictating.
I think this is where
we came in, Steve.
Now I want to know why every time
l have something...
In my country,
women know their place.
You just look at me
with this blank stare.
She's the best engineer in the school,
he's the best pilot.
They'd make a great team
if they could just got along better.
Kutan's the richest country
in the world, but, you know...
the women gotta
walk behind the men?
Sounds like Lieutenant Simmons
has her work cut out for her.
Wait a minute,
wait a minute. Look at this.
What's the matter?
They park a 2,000 pound crate right here
behind my car and they just walk off?
I mean, they just walk off?
Where is it supposed to go?
Over there by the fence!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(WOOD CREAKING)
Wait a minute.
How did it get there?
Well, some guys came along
in a fork-lift, Joe, and they moved it.
It just took a little sweet talk,
you know?
Never mind.
What was that you were we talking
about inside about leaving?
Oh, I thought I told you.
No, what?
You used to run this place
better than anybody ever did.
So I'm goin' fishin' for awhile.
Fishin'?
Ten days.
But first I'm gonna show you
what's changed around here since last year.
You gotta be kiddin'.
You're gonna leave me
stuck with this?
I've been stuck here enough,
cowboy.
But I wanna go fishin' too sometimes!
I thought sure you're gonna
wreck that car back there.
Another coat of paint and
you wouldn't have made it.
And Colonel Austin
comes here once a year...
to serve his
Air Force Reserve duty.
And as you all know, he's somewhat
over-qualified to take my job.
(LAUGHTER)
However, since he is here
to be running things...
I thought I'd get
a little fishing done.
So, as of this moment...
you will take all of your wonderful
little problems directly to him.
Because I am on vacation.
Oh wait, there's one more thing.
Levy and Sakari.
That calibration fly-by schedule is wrong.
Senior officer always goes first,
so, Levy, you'll follow Sakari.
And that's at 0900, gents,
so you'd better get cuttin'.
Dismissed.
As you saw, Sakari and Levy
have bad blood between them...
so keep an eye on those two.
STEVE: Say no more, Joe.
I understand.
You sure there's no way
can reach you?
Nope.
I'm gonna be lost up in them hills.
Anyway, Steve,
it's just gonna be routine.
I mean pure routine, pal.
Want to try again, marshmallow arm?
Well, why not?
You ready?
Go.
(MILITARY DRUMS)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
What'd you have for breakfast
anyway, cowboy?
Roasted marshmallows.
Woo-hee.
Roasted marshmallows, my fanny.
(ENGINE STARTS)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(ENGINE REVS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Remember,
best flier always goes first.
This experiment tests the
accuracy of the plane's altimeter.
When the plane flies by the tower,
it activates the camera.
Like a photo-finish
at the horse races.
Then we compare the altitude
that the plane was reading...
with the altitude of
the calibrated camera.
Simple, but effective.
I guess you've done this
a million times before.
Never with better company.
Why, thank you, Colonel.
Hmm.
They're almost ready.
LEW (RADIO):
After you, Major Sakari.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
The next set of experiments,
we get to fly with them.
I guess that's as close
as I'll ever get.
Close to what?
To being an astronaut.
Silly dream.
Well, do you want to?
Yes... yes, I do.
I know why I call it a silly dream.
I guess just to hide my ambition.
I want to be an astronaut very much,
Colonel.
Steve.
SAKARI (RADIO): Edwards tower,
test flight 8-1-1-niner-1.
How do I read?
How do I read, Edwards?
Just fine, Major Sakari.
JAN:
Are you ready to take off?
Yes. I trust you have film in the camera.
I trust you have fuel in the plane.
Yes, lieutenant.
CONTROLLER:
8-1-1-niner, affirmative. You're clear to go.
Thank you, Edwards.
Now listen, never...
Never let that needle see red.
Right.
All right.
SAKARI:
Approaching for first fly-by.
Roger, Major.
First fly-by at 2-7-5-0 feet.
SAKARI:
Roger. Over.
How did I look?
JAN: You blinked your eyes.
Your turn, David.
First pass at 2-7-5-0 feet.
Roger. Be there in a second.
All right.
Give me some juice.
(DEVICE BEEPING)
Here comes the second jet.
I can't hold it. Losing all control.
The system's going haywire.
I can't hold them.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
LEW: I've lost control of the stick!
(ALARM SOUNDING)
I'm out.
Eject!
STEVE: Eject!
(ALARM SOUNDING)
(SIRENS WAILING)
Next time you won't be so lucky.
PILOT: LAX radio, World Way's Flight 101
listening one twenty-three point six.
CONTROLLER:
Roger 101. This is LAX
PILOT:
101 requests vector instructions.
Hold it.
The controls are jammed.
Losing altitude.
CONTROLLER:
Flight 101, this is LAX Do you read?
PILOT: Roger LAX We experienced
momentary loss of control.
All systems seem normal now.
Here's where Levy lost control.
STEVE: 200 yards past the tower.
Mm-hmm.
STEVE: Flight 101 was here.
Do you think there was a connection?
Flight 101 was 50 miles away.
What could have affected it,
and yet left Aram's plane alone?
SAKARI:
I was less than a mile away.
My plane surely would have
been disabled.
Or is it that you are trying to save the
Israeli's wings, Colonel Austin?
Aram!
Be quiet, woman!
Levy's plane might just as well
have been yours.
And he was lucky to get out alive.
suggest you
remember that, Major.
(SCOFFS)
Nevertheless, I seem to be the only one
in the room with an explanation.
Perhaps you have another, Colonel?
No.
Not yet.
(ENGINE STARTS)
The report says it could have been caused
by an ultra-high energy coherent wave...
that's been converted into a steer-able
beam... now that's what the experts say.
It goes on to say in the sixties,
several private corporations...
were working along these lines,
but no weapons systems came out of it.
Too unreliable.
Problems of overloading.
The project was dropped.
The beam jams
the electronic parts?
Right.
An unreliable energy wave.
It's possible part of it could have
bounced off Levy's plane...
and been reflected back to the ground.
Maybe that's the problem
you had with your bionic eye.
Yeah.
I wonder what would've happened
if I'd taken the whole ray.
Still doesn't explain why somebody would
want to knock off one of our planes.
What do you think?
Is it a test?
It's not the plane they were after, Steve.
What?
Prince Aram Sakari has been under
our protection for the past two months.
Sakari?
As I understand it, Colonel Gordon changed
the schedule at the last minute.
Now if he hadn't,
Sakari would've been on this plane...
the second plane.
Then whoever's behind it has
access to our flight schedule.
Right.
Well, what do you think?
Who wants him dead?
Our theory is Kutan's
Prime Minister Chadal.
With the Prince out of the way...
he could take over the country easily
when the king dies.
Of course, we have no proof.
Well, there's only one way
to prove your theory.
You think he'll stand still for it?
Nope. But then I wasn't gonna
ask his permission.
(ENGINE STARTS)
SAKARI:
No! Levy's crash was only due to pilot error.
I will not allow you to
take my place in the air!
I came here to fly!
That's right, but not to die.
No one is trying to kill me.
My people, the entire country, would
be at the throat of whoever tried it.
But what if the murder was
planned as an accident?
Aram, who would benefit the most
by your death?
Chadal, our prime minister.
Okay.
Now we can't pinpoint what went wrong
in Levy's plane.
The analysts think that the stability system
may have been electronically jammed.
The only chance we have
of finding out is...
if I go up in your place and see
if it happens again.
Look, ask no one to
risk his life in my place!
I'm not gonna argue with you.
Now until further notice,
you're confined to your quarters...
and you're not to
mention this to anyone.
What?
That's all, Major.
(DOOR SLAMS)
MAN: You seem prone to mistakes,
Dr. Winslow.
Even if you had chosen
the correct plane...
the pilot was able to escape
with his life.
Now listen...
Don't raise your voice at me.
No one else in the world
would touch your project.
I suggest you remember that.
I will accept no more mistakes.
(HANGS UP)
You know, I don't think
Aram took it too well.
Oh, he'll get over it.
He always does.
About you taking his flights...
What about it?
I want to go with you.
No way.
Now look. I've beat my brains out
with Linear Control Systems...
and Analog and
Digital Computations...
and Aero elasticity and
Performance Data Reduction...
to make it as a
flight test engineer.
Furthermore...
if you don't take me along,
they'll say it's because I'm a woman...
that'll make you a sexist.
Well, we can't have that, can we?
Have you been checked out
in a glider spin yet?
No, but we could
do that tomorrow.
All right, what about tonight?
You busy?
No.
Well then I would suggest you brush up
on your egress procedures...
and then how about dinner?
That would be nice.
Oh, that's okay.
Oh, sorry.
Now you were saying
about Nebraska?
Oh, yes.
Well...
I was at the top of my class...
in chemistry and calculus and physics.
But all that meant in Grand Island,
Nebraska...
was that I would be a smart housewife.
And now?
I'm shooting for the stars.
An astronaut.
Mm-hmm.
That's a long haul.
JAN:
The voice of experience.
I know, believe me.
You wanted to know what it was like being
the only woman in a company of men?
Mm-hmm.
It's like being one of the guys.
One of the guys?
With none of the privileges.
And then there's always Aram
to put me back in my place.
A male chauvinist.
Oh, he's the worst.
Did you know that in Kutan,
the women...
Walk behind the men?
Right.
It's not funny, really.
Isn't that Levy?
Oh, yes, it's David.
Do you know it's a shame he's been kept
in the dark about the crash.
Excuse me a minute.
That stuff'll eat away your liver.
If I live long enough, Colonel.
Well, I've got some good news.
Looks like the stability system
went haywire.
The accident review board's gonna
lift your grounding next week.
And in the meantime?
Barrows and I fall behind
while Sakari and the others fly.
Well, I'm sorry.
Did it ever occur to you, Colonel, that my
crash might not have been an accident?
You should know, that before I came here,
I was flying patrols over the Sinai desert...
and I shot down Sakari's best friend.
"An eye for an eye,"
the Scripture says.
Why don't we talk about that when
your mind's not swimming in that drink.
The rumors are that it was sabotage,
Colonel Austin.
Against Sakari? I doubt that.
If his life was threatened...
the first thing you Americans would do
would be to ground him.
I was the intended victim, Colonel.
Let me tell you something, Levy.
You want to make it through
test pilot school...
you'd get your head out of the Sinai Desert,
you understand me?
Yes, sir.
You mean you're actually keeping
Prince Sakari captive?
Yeah.
Can't risk him showing his
face here on the ground...
when he's supposed to be
up in the air.
Do you really think someone
sabotaged the plane?
Yeah.
It could happen again?
Look, Jan, you don't have to go
with me tomorrow.
I twisted your arm, remember?
Besides,
you'd just have to get another girl.
Although in these outfits, I don't think
anyone could tell the difference.
Well, I can.
Thank you.
Well, let's give it a try.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(CABLE CLINKS)
PILOT (RADIO):
You're on your own, Colonel.
Have a good flight and I'll see you
on the ground, sir.
And this is what we calla spin.
Better get used to it.
We do it tomorrow in a jet.
STEVE: Jan, as soon as I check in
with the tower and change...
I'll meet you...
(TIRES TOUCH DOWN)
for some final notes.
JAN: Right, Steve.
And then at 15,000 feet,
we begin our first spin.
Assuming a ten second recovery interval
you should finish at approx...
May buy you a soft drink,
Colonel?
Hey, I think it's about time we let a little air
outta this thing, before it explodes.
I know that rumors are flying
hot and heavy...
and I wish I could explain things,
but I can't.
But until I can, I expect both of you to behave
yourselves like officers and gentlemen.
And leave your politics at home.
Is the lecture over, Colonel?
Yes, it is.
Excuse me.
About that soft drink...
I want to apologize, Colonel Austin, for the
way I behaved in your office yesterday.
Well, what about
what just happened?
You are an American.
I can't expect you to understand.
You got some change?
Yes.
(CHUCKLES)
SAKARI: Typical American machine.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(MILITARY MUSIC)
Y'all ready?
This is just a stupid game.
Now don't leave the room, Major.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Now, Steve, we've monitored
every inch of that plane.
If anything's been tampered with,
we'll know about it.
OSCAR: And Jan,
at the first sign of trouble...
you and that lug in front of you
get out... and fast.
Roger, Oscar.
I'll do my best.
All right.
Let's go.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(EERIE MUSIC)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
CONTROLLER:
Everything looks peachy, four-three.
Come out to 15, 000 to begin your test.
Roger.
Ready for the spin, Jan?
Whenever you are.
Here we go.
(ALARM SOUNDING)
(LOUD BANG)
Steve, the stability systems
have gone crazy!
OS CAR: Get out!
Oscar, my eye...
Steve? What's happening?
OSCAR: Steve! Get out of there!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
It's a jam, Steve.
It had to be.
OSCAR: How's your eye?
Same as before, Oscar.
What's the matter with your eye,
Steve?
I'll explain it too you later.
All right. Halt.
All right.
Close that door.
Move!
All right, drive!
Come on, move!
(ENGINE STARTS)
Probably a mobile transmitter.
Seal off the base, Oscar.
We're gonna go down and take a look.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
What the heck is that Arab doing?
So it was Sakari that you were trying to kill.
Oscar, there's a soft drink truck
headed for the west gate!
Now listen to me, Steve,
let us take it from here.
Roger, Oscar.
We'll bring it in after this pass.
And I was so sure that
Sakari was after me.
Huh. Who are you? The King of Persia?
Levy. The man you almost killed
the first time.
Well, your friend's not gonna be so lucky.
(ALARM SOUNDING)
(ALARM SOUNDING)
Steve, get that plane on the ground!
(ALARM SOUNDING)
Jan. I can't see.
Read off the altimeter.
8,000.
9,000.
10,000.
JAN (RADIO).' 11,000.
Steve, do you hear me?
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Steve? Are you all right?
Well, I think so.
Oscar?
Thank, God.
Steve, get that plane on the ground.
OSCAR: Just get it out of the air.
Put it down anywhere.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(GUN FIRES)
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
I can see him, Oscar.
He's driving across the lake bed.
Don't take chances, Steve.
It's not worth it.
STEVE: I'm goin' after him.
I can't see a thing.
What are you talking about?
Stick around, you'll find out.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
What the...
You want me?
You got me.
(TIRES SCREECHING)
It's gonna blow!
Somebody's gonna die...
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
Winslow!
Shut up!
Where did he go?
Steve!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(DEVICE BUZZING)
Steve! It's David.
STEVE: Get him out of here!
(DEVICE WHIRRING)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(SIRENS APPROACHING)
(SOFT MUSIC)
Goodbye, Colonel.
And thanks again.
Good luck, Major.
And David... what can I say?
Try I'm sorry.
I'll do the same.
You nearly gave your life for me,
twice.
I'll not forget that.
Thank you.
I think we both have learned.
I never thought I'd be sad to see the
world's biggest male chauvinist leave.
Can't you stay and finish school?
With my prime minister in jail,
my country needs me.
Perhaps next year... or the next.
SAKARI: And what about you,
Lieutenant Simmons?
Who will take my place as your pilot?
Well, if Oscar doesn't mind,
I could use a refresher course.
Say good-bye to Colonel Gordon for me.
Tell him I hope he caught as big
a fish as we did.
Was that Sakari?
Yup.
Doggonit, cowboy!
Year in, an' year out,
all lever get is routine.
You come down here for two weeks,
I go on a vacation... and what happens?
Everything!
You space cowboys
have all the fun.
C'mon. Jump in.
No sense wearin' out your feet.
Did you catch any fish?
Whadda you think,
marshmallow arm?
STEVE: Come on!
(END THEME MUSIC)