The Wild Wild West (1965–1969): Season 1, Episode 17 - The Night the Dragon Screamed - full transcript

It's Johnny Sabatini.

Now you're going to tell
me that you're the Mr. X

that has, um, vital
information for me.

I'm not usually so
dramatic, Mr. West,

but it did serve to
get you down here.

Well, what does the "King of
the Rackets" want with me?

I want to have a private
little talk with you, West.

Private little talk,
uh, Sabatini-style.

Now we're alone.

Now I can tell you
why I got you here.

Because I need your help.



Sabatini, what makes you
think I'm gonna help you?

I'll think of a reason.

Because you see, Mr. West,

I'm dying.

Brandy, Mr. West?

France's best.

So why should I come
to you for help, eh?

That's easy.

You scratch my back,
and I'll scratch your back.

My back isn't itching, Sabatini.

I think maybe you
could develop an itch

for, uh, Harry Borman maybe?

All right, Sabatini, you
know I want Borman.

Are you telling me
you can arrange it?



Let's start with what I
want from you, okay?

Clarence, the box.

There's someone's
name and address

on this piece of paper

whose life could be in
danger when I bow out.

A woman?

You were always pretty good

at filling in the empty spaces.

And you want me to
protect her against who?

Let me tell it my way.

To begin with...

Clarence, what good is brandy

without a cigar?

All right, now,
Clarence, beat it.

To begin with,

I'd like you to go to a
place called Calliope.

Calliope, Missouri?

I thought maybe you heard of it.

You look up a man in Calliope

named Swanson,

and you give him this key.

He gives you back,
let's say, a gift.

Sabatini, why me?

Why not one of your own boys?

West, you and I have been

on opposite sides of
the fence a long time,

but you're the
only one I can trust.

That's more than I can say

for most of my
associates and friends.

A-all right, Sabatini,

now how does
Borman figure into this?

He's going to try to stop you.

And that's how I find him?

That's the only way.

Now, the woman,

she knows me as Mr. Caroline.

I'd like it kept that way.

This key, there's more to it

than just giving it to Swanson.

You'll find that...

The key...

Swanson...

The Madonna...

statue...

Look at it...

Look for...

You were right, Jim.

Sure enough, it's poisoned.

Why, there's enough
curare in there to kill a moose.

But, you know, I
can't understand,

who'd wanna murder a man
who was already so near death?

For openers, what about
someone who doesn't want Jim

to go to Calliope
to pick up that gift?

Calliope, Missouri,

where a half a million dollars
of army payroll was stolen

and never recovered.

And where a finance officer,

Captain Nolan,

who engineered the operation,

was murdered for
cheating on his own gang.

Rumor has it

that the loot is
still stashed away

somewhere in Calliope, right?

Right.

Half a million dollars.

That's quite a gift

to just hand over to
your lady friend. Ha-ha!

If that's what
Sabatini's gift is.

Yes, if.

And, uh, we won't
know anything about that

until you meet the,
uh, late Mr. Sabatini's

light of love, will we?

Sir, if you don't mind,

I'd like to go
directly to Calliope

and see what Swanson has to say.

All right.

Ned, uh, you've been
complaining for a long time

how dull life is in
the chemical section,

how would you, uh, like to
interview the young lady for us?

Why, sure, eh... Why not?

You know, Jim, I keep thinking,

we don't really know
what this Borman looks like

except that he had a leg injury.

Second, we... We've only
got Sabatini's word for it

that Borman will
show up in this at all.

That's true.

For some strange reason, sir,

I think he was
telling the truth.

All right.

Anything that might
lead us to Borman

is a chance worth taking.

I'm on my way to Calliope, sir.

Bon voyage, Jim.

I'll drop by and see

Sabatini's little lady
while you're gone.

I'll report to you there.

Yes, come in.

Keep a sharp eye
out here, Walters.

Oh, I'm sorry. Eh, my
name is Ned Brown.

I'm looking for a woman
named Sylvia, but I...

I'm Sylvia, Mr. Brown.

Oh, I'm afraid not.

You see, the Sylvia that I know,

eh, well, she
knows Mr. Caroline.

And, uh, he asked me to
come... You're from Mr. Caroline?

I knew there was something
special about today.

I felt it the first thing I
woke up this morning and...

I'm sorry. I'm
forgetting my manners.

Will you have a cup of tea?

Tea? Eh...

Oh, well, yes, of course.

That's just what I need.

How long have you, uh...?

How long have you
known Mr. Caroline?

Always.

My first happy memory
is of him and the way he...

I'm sorry. I really am
forgetting my manners.

How is Mr. Caroline?

I knew the last
time I spoke to him

he wasn't feeling very well.

He was everything that was...

kind and thoughtful
and generous.

It wasn't that he
just provided for me

or gave me this
lovely house to live in.

It was knowing
that he cared for me

as no one else ever did.

Even in death he
cared for you, Sylvia.

There is a very special
gift he left for you.

You look a might lost, stranger.

Nope, it's the journey's end.

That so?

Not many folk arrive in Calliope

saying things like that.

But it happens to
be the way I feel too.

Is this, uh, town
always so lively?

Like I said,

there ain't many
folk left in Calliope.

But they're quiet,
peace-loving folk.

Something or someone
you looking for in particular?

I'm looking for a
man named Swanson.

You'll find him at
the edge of town.

That little brick building.

Thank you, sheriff.

Though your heart be
heavy in your hour of trial,

it is not the end,

for she has gone on ahead

and lovingly awaits
you around the bend.

She?

He or she, as the case may be.

It's my way of
comforting the bereaved

who pass through the portals

of the Fabian
Swanson establishment.

Uh, Mr. Swanson, the reason...

Yes, I-I know, dear sir. I know.

And believe me,

in providing only the finest

can you be comforted
for him or her,

as the case may be.

Mr. Swanson...

Will you just caress
that quilted duvetyn?

Go ahead.

Feel the straight grain
of the Oregon hickory.

And grasp if you will

these genuine
simulated bronze handles.

Sometimes, I tell you,
I feel I could crawl in...

That's a very interesting key.

Where did you get it?

You tell me.

Sabatini?

I give you this key,

you tell me where to find...

Uh! Notice the... The...
The Oregon shell...

Still ain't got rid of
that old pine casket,

hey, Mr. Swanson?

Pine? It's the finest
Oregon hickory

and the highest-quality duvetyn.

I'm just spoofing you a
little bit, Mr. Swanson.

I just dropped by
to make certain

you were able to find your way.

Oh, no problem at all,

thanks to you, sheriff.

Well, that's what a
sheriff is for, ain't he?

To help out folks

and to keep law and order?

Now, you take your time, sir,

and, uh, think about which
one of these you want.

Here are the... The figures.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Swanson.

Funny, ain't it? Hardly
enough live people here,

let alone bodies to keep old
Swanson's mortuary going.

Except for those misguided folks

who come here searching
for Mr. Nolan's treasure,

which any fool knows
is just a heap of talk,

right, friend?

I wouldn't know anything
about that, sheriff.

About time to put on the
feedbag, Mr. Swanson.

What say we head for the hotel,

some dinner?

Oh, no, thank you,
sheriff. I've had a long ride.

I think I'll freshen up
and change clothes.

Yes, come in.

It's Clarence.

Did I do wrong
dropping by like this?

No, no, Clarence.

It's good of you to call on me.

Well, now that
Mr. Caroline is gone,

I just wanted to come by

and see that you were all right.

Clarence, you're very kind.

Well, I can't forget

when... When Mr. Caroline
was taken badly,

no matter how painful it was,

all he could talk
about was the gift

that he wanted you to have.

That's what's been
troubling me, Clarence.

He's given me so much already.

Is there something
I've forgotten?

You still remember
nothing of your early life?

Nothing before
the age of 6 or 7.

My memories start
here in this house

with Mr. Caroline so
kindly taking care of me.

Well, things will be happier

when you receive the gift

that Mr. Caroline
wanted you to have

from Calliope.

Calliope?

Calliope.

I've heard that name before.

Well, go on, my dear.

I'm sorry.

I saw something in my mind,

but it's gone now.

Clarence, do you
know where Calliope is?

Oh, yes, it's
downriver, not very far.

Would you take me there?

I, take you to Calliope?

Well, of course, I
could, but don't you...?

I have a feeling
it's very important.

It could bring
things back to me.

Please, Clarence.

Well, of course, if
that's what you want,

I'll take you there.

And, of course, there
was them two brothers

who came into town
a couple years back

to find Captain
Nolan's hidden treasure.

What was their names? You
remember, Mr. Farnsworth.

They bought enough supplies
in your store for ten men.

Kellum, I think.

Yeah, that's right.

I never saw two fellows
more bound and determined

to find a hidden
fortune somewhere here.

But they just disappeared
right into thin air.

You know, Calliope
has a lot more to offer

than a lot of half-baked
rumors about treasure.

Actually, we've got

a mighty fine little
town here, Mr., uh...?

Oh, West, sir.

Yes, there are quite
a few attractive things

about this town.

And, of course, it don't
show too much right now.

Not more than ten people

drift into the town
limits in a month.

Yes, but you mark my words.

One of these days,

Calliope's going to be known
as the jewel of the Midwest.

Why, when I was
in Denver last year,

I saw plans drawn up

to... To bring the
railroad through here

on its way to St. Louis.

Don't you worry, Snidley,

your hotel's gonna be full
of customers once again.

You don't have to tell me.

I got rooms upstairs

I ain't even so much
as opened the door to

for longer than I can remember.

Sheriff, I declare,
it's a positive disgrace

how dusty the streets
of Calliope have become.

Now, you promised
me on your honor

you would have them watered down

so a person didn't
come close to suffocating

every time she... Oh!

I declare, to goodness, I
didn't realize we had a guest.

Miss Nolan, this
here is Mr. West.

He's got business in our town.

Well, I declare,

it's been eons
since we had visitors

in our little town,

and a lot longer than that

since we had one
so good-looking.

Thank you.

You know, Mr. West,
it's things like tea, hm,

and our little gatherings
here every evening

to share a common repast

that bolsters the
spirits of we few

who still call
Calliope our home.

Of course, this was
once a magnificent town.

Dancing, excitement.

Oh, my. People used to come
from miles around just to...

Just to see where
your brother lifted

a neat half million dollars

from the United States Army.

Sheriff, I get the impression
that remark was uncalled for.

Are you putting
me down, Mr. West?

Yeah.

Well, heh, enjoyable as it is,

I have to get back to my duties,

sad though they may be.

You gotta tend to that
land office business

you're doing, Mr. Swanson?

The devil finds
work for idle hands.

I-I always say.

Evening, Miss Melanie.

He's a dear man,

but with that unfortunate
smell of formaldehyde

forever about him.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

You leaving so sudden, Mr. West?

We usually sit and have
a few friendly whiskeys

after dinner, Mr. West.

Well, I hate to miss it,

but I do have a
horse to bed down.

Gentlemen. Ma'am.

Oh, Mr. West?

I am embarrassed
to confess this,

but my harness traces
don't feel quite right,

and I was wondering,
would you be so kind?

Be a pleasure.

Mr. West, you really
make a lady feel like a lady.

I must say, Mr. West,

there are a few
folks in this town

who could stand a
few brush-up lessons

in manners and gentility.

Thank you.

Well, everything seems
to be all right, ma'am.

Mr. West, I've been thinking,

you must come visit me
at my home, Sans Souci.

It's just around the rise,
right outside of town.

I'd like to do that, ma'am.

Years back, you know,
on Sunday afternoon,

people used to just pour
in from all over the county,

just to be at Sans
Souci's garden parties.

I'd be honored,
ma'am. Good night.

Good night, Mr. West.

What is it, Jim?
Who were you after?

Whoever he is, he's gone.

Come on, Ned, there
are two in the alley.

Well, there were
two bodies here, Ned.

Ned, there goes our main lead.

He's now a customer
of his own establishment.

Swanson's dead?

A small matter of murder,

and before he could tell
me what the key opens.

That leaves us with
Sabatini's girlfriend.

She's not what we expected, Jim.

She's a lovely young
girl of 18, and she's blind.

Well, what about
the Madonna statue?

It would seem a logical
place to look for a Madonna

would be in a church.

The local church
burned down years ago.

Which would leave the
cemetery. Might be on a headstone.

Why don't you try the cemetery?

I'm gonna take a ride
out to the Nolan home.

Mrs. Nolan should know
quite a bit about this old town.

Right.

I thought I heard a
ruckus going on here.

Who are you, if you
don't mind my asking?

Not at all.

My name is Tobias.

You don't say?

On the contrary, I do say, sir.

Eh, good evening to
you, sir, and, uh, sheriff.

Good evening.

What's his business here?

It's your town, sheriff.

Did you finish your
business with Mr. Swanson?

It was finished for me.

What exactly does that mean?

He's dead.

Hello?

Now it's the furniture.

It's this house...

There's a special smell.

It brings back
scattered memories,

but nothing makes sense.

But it's as if this
lovely, warm, old chair

were somehow a dear friend.

Yeah, well, Sylvia,
tell me about the chair.

Does it bring back any
particular memories?

Something.

I'm sure I've been in
this very room before.

I...

Yes?

Well, Sylvia, my dear, go on.

There's a room. I remember
a room in the other wing.

Something frightens me.

Oh, why, Mr. West,

what are you doing here?

Clarence, what
are you doing here

with this young lady, whom
I assume is, uh, Sylvia?

Mr. West, you're
Mr. Brown's associate.

That's right, Sylvia.

Clarence, what
are you doing here?

Well, I... I... I...

Like you, Mr. West,

I'm merely trying to help
her to find the present

that Mr. Caroline
wanted her to have.

The name Calliope sparked
something in her mind,

and she insisted on
coming to the town

and to this house.

Well, she's on her way
back to St. Louis now.

Back? Well, no.

Oh, I think so, sir.

I promised Mr. Caroline
that I would protect Sylvia,

and I don't believe
that Sylvia's safe here.

Back?

Back to St. Louis?

No, she isn't yet!

Why, Mr. West,

how kind of you to
respond to my invitation,

and so quickly.

I am honored. Won't you...?

S-Sylvia?

What happened?

Hello, pussycat.

By any chance, you haven't seen

the statue of a Madonna
around here, have you?

No, I'm sure you haven't.

A Madonna statue?

Aylmer E. Nolan.

Johnny Sabatini.

You sure he's in here?

I thought I saw a shadow.

Oh, I'm... I'm just sorry.

I... My goodness,

I don't know what
came over me. I...

Well, I do know
what came over me.

It was such a shock.

It's Sylvia, my...

My brother Captain
Nolan's little daughter.

All these years, I
thought you were dead.

You don't remember me
though, do you, darling?

I'm your Auntie Melanie.

No, I'm sorry, I don't.

So many things seem
to be coming back to me,

but it's all so confusing
and... frightening.

Oh, now, now, now,
now, don't you worry.

Don't you worry about a thing.

Oh, you were such a
dear, delightful little girl.

And all the fun we used to have.

Packing picnic baskets and...

And those times that
you used to stand up there

with your eyes as
wide as saucers

watching me pretty up for
some dance or something.

Oh, the lovely
times we had here.

The whole country,
everybody would come.

What made you
think she was dead?

Well, I...

Well, oh, my goodness, I...

I thought at least you'd
remember that, darling. I...

But I mean...

Her mother was
killed in the fire.

The fire.

That's what frightened me.

And something else.

A man's voice, angry and brutal.

My mother and me, we're
running to the church.

He's there, he's
pushing in the door,

demanding to know where
some hidden money is,

stolen money.

Oh, please go on, Sylvia.

He thinks we know something.

He says he's been
cheated out of his share.

Yes, I remember
now. It's the fire.

He burned down the church.

I feel the heat and the flames
and my mother screaming.

This man that you
were so afraid of,

do you remember
what he looked like

or what his name was?

Nothing. Ex...

Except he dragged his foot.

Oh, it's clear to me now.

I remember that awful
scraping noise he made

when he dragged his foot.

He dragged his foot?

Harry Borman.

Please don't let
her out of your sight.

Mr. West is right.

I remember that name.

The man who dragged his
foot, it was Harry Borman.

Was it, child?

Jim, Captain Nolan and Johnny
Sabatini are one and the same.

There's a crest of his face
on the crypt in the mausoleum.

Harry Borman was the one
who was after the money?

Is that what you mean?

It's dark, so it must be night.

I can see my mother now.

There used to be a
picture of us in this room.

I'm asking her to play
the harpsichord for me

before she puts me to bed.

She's frightened.

Mother's frightened.

What frightened her, darling?

Borman.

She's crying.

I can hear his voice.

It's about the money.

He's threatening us.

We're running upstairs...

to hide in this room.

Go on, child, about the money.

Did you know where it was?

I can't think.

All I remember is somehow

we escaped through
the yard to the church.

I hear my mother screaming.

I'm running through
the night and the weeds.

And the branches hurt.

Keep talking, child,
it'll do you good.

Why'd you go to the church?

I'm frightened.

Try, child.

What was there?
What was hidden there?

The money maybe? I don't know.

All I remember is that
dragging foot following.

But, first...

a passage of some kind.

A tunnel.

Darkness.

Sylvia?

Sylvia?

It's your Auntie Melanie.

Sylvia?

Honey, where are you?

Sylvia?

Sylvia?

Honey, if you hear me, plea...

Sylvia?

No one wants to harm you, honey.

Quiet. It's me. It's all right.

Harry Borman, he's after me.

It's Harry Borman.

Come on, I know
where you can be safe.

Mr. West, where are we?

We're in the Nolan Mausoleum.

Mausoleum.

Yes, of course, the mausoleum.

Think back, Sylvia.

Has there ever been
a statue in here?

A Madonna.

Madonna, where?

There's a tall
man with gray hair.

He's telling me about
the Madonna statue.

He's showing me.

What does it look like?

The Madonna, can't you see it?

The statue, it was right here.

What was that?

Thanks for finding
it for me, Mr. West.

Harry Borman.

Quite right. Harry Borman.

Harry, I want to see it...

now.

Laura Samples,

my dear good friend.

Efficient, dependable,
but somewhat greedy.

Now would you kindly
get away from that crypt?

I wouldn't do that, Mr. West.

And don't you make
no funny move neither.

So the whole town's in
on it except for Swanson.

Think of it as a
corporation, Mr. West.

And before we take care of you,

I want you and Captain
Nolan's lovely little daughter

to share in my happiness.

Joe, Carson, give me a hand.

Hurry.

All right, go!

Nothing.

That's right, Borman.

You didn't find it before,
and you won't find it now.

Watch your step, little lady.

Underfoot.

That's it.

There you are.

For Sylvia.

Eh...

Would you read it to me, please?

Yes, certainly.

"To all whom it may concern,

"here, before God,

"let it be known, the
attached document

"hereby entitles
Miss Sylvia Nolan

"to her rightful heritage

"as owner of all
Nolan properties

"in and about
Calliope, Missouri,

"including the Nolan home

"and the extensive
acreage on file

"with the territorial
governor's office,

"east and south of the town,

"as indicated on the documents.

"By orders of Captain
Aylmer E. Nolan."

This is what he
wanted her to have, Jim.

Well, that's it, huh, Ned?

That's it, Jim.

I pulled your chestnuts
out of the fire for you,

covered myself
with a little glory,

and rescued a little lady
from a fate worse than, well...

Ha-ha-ha! By the
way, how is Sylvia?

Uh, she's fine now,
thanks to Sabatini's gift.

Back to Washington, huh, Ned?

Nope. I'm off on a
well-deserved vacation.

London, Paris, or Rome?

I'm gonna make a
big dream come true.

And you know what
my big dream is?

I'm gonna spend a
vacation all alone...

on a desert island.

Jim, see you.

Good luck.