The Fugitive (1963) s01e01 Episode Script

Dr.
Richard Kimble.
death row, state prison.
The irony: Richard Kimble is innocent.
Proved guilty, what Richard Kimble could not prove was that moments before discovering his murdered wife's body, he saw a one-armed man running from the vicinity of his home.
Richard Kimble ponders his fate as he looks at the world for the last time and sees only darkness.
But in that darkness, fate moves its huge hand.
ANNOUNCER: A QM production.
Starring David Janssen as The Fugitive.
With special guest stars Vera Miles, Brian Keith, Harry Townes.
Also starring Barry Morse as Lieutenant Gerard.
ANNOUNCER: Now six months a fugitive, this is Richard Kimble with a new identity and, for as long as it is safe, a new name: James Lincoln.
He thinks of the day when he might find the man with one arm, but now is now.
And this is how it is with him.
Another journey, another place.
Walk neither too fast, nor too slow.
Beware the eyes of strangers.
Keep moving.
The right one? Or will it be a mistake? Is this the trap where it will end? Safe, for now.
Another room.
Windows look out and look in.
Get busy.
Look closely.
They'll never stop looking.
He'll never stop.
Not Lieutenant Gerard.
Somewhere in here.
I'm sure of it.
What about Mexico? He's near enough.
No.
He'd be the yanqui, someone different.
Gerard, when are you due for a vacation? I'm not taking my vacation, captain.
Later.
I will later.
East.
South.
Midwest.
Every report verified.
But by the time you arrive One day, he'll be there.
Phil, from the very beginning, the arrest, all through the trial, the appeals, and the accident Why? What is it about Kimble? I enforce the law.
The law pronounced him guilty.
I enforce the law.
What are you trying to convince yourself of? I remember his defense.
A man with one arm, running from the direction of the house.
Phil, I- I'm beginning to think that you believe there was such a man.
No, I- I did everything I could to find him.
Meaning that he didn't exist, or that he escaped.
And if he did escape, the law made a mistake.
Captain, whether the law is right or wrong is not my concern.
Let others debate and conclude.
I obey.
And when I begin to question, doubt I can't permit it.
Others found him guilty.
Others were about to execute him.
I was merely an instrument of the law, and I am.
And Dr.
Kimble must be found.
Ready.
A job.
What will it be? Make no mistakes.
Be ready for the questions and hope there won't be too many.
Are you fast, Lincoln? I worked in Reno.
Well, you won't have to be fast tonight, but tomorrow's Saturday.
Bring your roller skates.
Take over.
It's all yours.
Seventy-five a week.
You'll find a vest at the other end of the bar.
Is it, uh, Jim? Yeah, Jim's fine.
Cleve Brown.
But we won't shake hands because I might fire you tomorrow.
The waitress is Evelyn, and the lady at the piano is Monica.
Introduce yourself.
Hi.
I'm Evelyn.
My name's Jim Lincoln.
Well, the boss said to say hello.
My name's Jim Lincoln.
Her name's Monica.
Monica Welles.
Plays beautifully, doesn't she? Mm-hm.
Lovely too, wouldn't you say? Wouldn't you say she was lovely? Very.
Well, now, how can you tell? You just glanced at her.
You gotta look at her, Jim.
Hey, Jim.
Scotch and soda.
Give her one too.
She isn't drinking.
Maybe she would if you bought it, huh? I'll pay for it.
She doesn't want a drink.
You have one.
I make it a rule never to, uh, drink when I'm working.
That's a real dandy rule.
Did you make that up all by yourself? Jim.
About now I usually have a so-called meal from our so-called kitchen.
Do you want something? No, thanks.
You know that fellow back there? No.
Why? He's working pretty hard to make trouble.
Jim, for the price of a drink, he can buy an audience.
On Monday morning he'll have to face whatever's bothering him, but this is Friday night.
Hey, what were you saying to him about me? What makes you think I was talkin' about you? I don't like you, Jim.
Wanna remember that? I don't like you at all.
See you again, sweetheart.
May I please have a drink? Anything.
Thank you.
Do you know that fellow? Oh, you tell me if it's none of my business.
You know, sometimes these, uh, worshipers- He does not worship me.
Thanks for trying to help.
Meaning it's none of my business.
Meaning it isn't fair to involve you.
One bourbon on the rocks.
No.
Please! No.
No! No! Please.
Please no police.
Have you got a car? Come on, we'll get a cab.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't mean to involve you.
Here.
Is everything all right, Miss Blaine? Oh- Oh, yes.
He's fine.
Good.
Uh Oh, that's all right.
I'll get my money tomorrow.
Oh, well, good night.
Good night.
When I asked you not to call the police, I had a very good reason.
That man is my husband.
Want to leave now, or you want to stick around and hear the story of my life? Here.
We live in Phoenix.
We lived in Phoenix.
About a month ago I, uh, couldn't stand it any longer, so I took Mark and came here and got a job doing the only thing I've ever really been trained for: playing the piano.
But not in a bar.
Well, what was it you couldn't stand? His suspicions.
I, uh- I wouldn't mind it if he had a reason to be jealous, but he was simply insanely suspicious.
When we were married, I was, um, considered the luckiest girl in Phoenix.
Ed was almost the- His name is Ed.
Almost the perfect husband.
He was a little jealous then, but I- I was 18.
I was flattered by it.
A month after he left for Korea I found out I was pregnant.
I was so happy, I ran three blocks in the rain to mail the letter.
When he wrote back, there was just a hint of an accusation.
But I answered, pretending not to notice, and he never wrote that way again.
He came home.
Day by day, he began to grow more and more suspicious.
Violent.
His face changed.
He doesn't look like the man I married.
And he won't let you go? No.
After a month of peace, he found me.
He walked into the bar, and he had a drink and left without saying a word, as you know.
Well, what does he want? To possess me.
To beat me.
And to teach my son how evil I am.
And you can't go to the police? I tried that.
He found out and found it very amusing.
You see, he owns 250,000 acres of Arizona.
He contributes to charity and belongs to all of the proper social organizations.
He has even been mentioned as a possible political candidate.
When he's not home, he's almost the perfect man.
Don't you have any, uh, friends or family in another state? Back East? He'd find us.
Mark.
What are you doing out of bed? I heard you talking.
Well, this is, uh, Mr.
Lincoln.
My son, Mark.
My name's Jim.
Uh, you know, you, uh, should be in bed.
We have a big day tomorrow.
Come on, let's go off to bed.
I'm sorry he wasn't a little more friendly.
Well, that's, uh I think he did- Did fine, under the circumstances.
Now, look, um, Monica, I don't know what I can do or- Oh, no, it's, uh- It's enough just to talk to you.
Well, then maybe I can see you tomorrow.
On Saturdays I, uh, usually take Mark to Wonderland.
Helps him think of other things.
Well, we'll make it noon at Wonderland.
Maybe we can all think of other things.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Good night.
Who is it? Ed Welles.
I'm not gonna talk about you hittin' me.
Then I won't talk about your hitting a woman.
She's my wife.
And that gives you certain rights.
You travel pretty light, don't you? Come into town and get yourself a little room.
Grab a job.
Thinkin' about stayin' long? I'd like to.
So you can make more trouble.
I didn't make it.
I walked into it.
You walked into me, bartender.
Yeah, I've already heard how important you are.
I had that custom-made for me.
Every bit of it handmade.
Here, look at it.
Go on, take it.
Look at that workmanship on it.
It's loaded.
I have to carry a lot of money sometimes.
More than is safe.
Mm.
Now, it's not gonna do you a bit of good tryin' to help her because Monica can go anywhere in this world.
She can go anywhere and I'm gonna find her.
Sooner or later, I'll be there, see? For another beating? Not as long as she behaves herself.
Well, you know what I mean.
Welles, stop torturing that woman and child.
Get yourself some help.
See a psychiatrist.
You just said the wrong thing.
You said exactly the wrong thing.
And you said it and I heard it, and there's nothin' left for you to do but get out of my sight, hear? About a million miles out.
I'm, uh, not very good at picking rides.
I, uh- I guess that was kid stuff to you, huh? Well, it was all right.
I'm probably pretty square about what kids like these days.
Uh, what do we do now? Another ride? Something to eat? Look, Mr.
Lincoln, I know you want to talk to my mom.
I'd like to go over to the Batter Up game.
All right.
We'll meet you there.
Your son went over to the Batter Up game.
I hope that's all right.
That's fine.
You know, I used to think I was pretty good with children.
I don't seem to be getting anywhere with him.
It isn't your fault.
He's afraid every man might be like his father.
Sometimes I think he sensed the truth about Ed before I did.
His father paid me a visit last night.
He must've followed us and then waited, and then followed me to my hotel.
Sum and substance of our meeting, uh, he threatened me if I didn't leave town.
So here I am.
Oh, Jim, this is going too far.
You repay- What we have to do is find an answer.
I've been trying.
He threatened you? Under the pretext of showing off his custom-made revolver.
Yes, he's showed it to me.
If he threatened you, why don't you go to the police? Jim.
What is it? I can't go to the police.
If you ask me, I can't tell you why.
I'm in no position to ask anything of you, except your help.
Let's go get your son.
Hey.
Well, you really belted that one, son.
Here you are.
What a marvelous strike that was.
Mom, strike is when you miss.
Yeah, Mom, what's the matter with you? What do you play, Mark, the infield? Second.
You know, I used to play a little ball.
Don't know how good I was.
My sister pitched.
I remember one game, a man came up and said, "What's the score?" I said, "It's 42 to nothing, but we ain't been up to bat yet.
" Here.
Well, that's yours, Mark.
You- You won it.
Kid stuff.
What do we do now? Well, what I can do and what I'd like to do are two different things, so I guess we'll just have to wait.
I don't know what for or how long, but we wait.
What are you talkin' about? Kid stuff.
Come on, let's get a hot dog.
Bartender.
Give me another.
Jim, let me have the usual.
Hey, bartender, give me another.
And the usual for me.
Sweetheart, that's a pretty tune.
I know it.
You're workin' hard, huh, Jim? I don't know as I could stand that: people yellin' at me all the time.
Of course, I had to put up with some of that when I was in the Army.
You ever in the service, Jim? Here's your drink.
Out in Korea, in combat, they used to have these loudspeakers.
He told me all about what was goin' on back here while we were fightin'.
He used to tell you? You have a nice time out there at Wonderland? I saw you.
You looked like you were enjoyin' yourselves.
The three of you made anice-lookin' family.
Welles, I'm not going to pretend to guess what made you this way.
But your suspicions about your wife are all wrong.
I got no suspicions.
Facts, Jim.
You make real good drinks.
I don't know, maybe it's just 'cause I'm in such a good mood, I wouldn't know the difference.
Don't you ever think of what you're doing to your boy? Now, let's not spoil everything with a lot of unpleasant talk.
Welles, see a doctor.
I'm in perfect health.
Now, you got no idea how good I can feel, Jim.
Well, good night, Jim.
Good night, sweetheart.
Oh, these desert winds.
Well, there's our cab.
The lady will leave now.
Uh, police officer.
See me about her fare.
Ask for Sergeant Burden.
We'd be obliged if you'd get in the automobile, Mr.
Lincoln.
That is your name.
James Lincoln? Yes.
Look, uh, do you mind telling me what- Detective Sergeant Burden.
Please, get in.
Uh, Detective Fairfield.
He's from Ohio.
Where are you from, Mr.
Lincoln? Uh, Rockford.
Illinois.
Care for a cigarette? Uh, no, thanks.
Look, could you tell me what this is about? Is this your first visit to Tucson, Mr.
Lincoln? You like it? I haven't seen much.
Heh.
But you've liked what you have.
How do you like your job, Lincoln? Well, he hasn't seen much of it, but he likes what he has.
Correct? You know, uh- It's funny, uh- Something funny? Oh, well, I guess I mean, uh, strange.
An average man, uh, if there is one, is walking home, and- And the police pick him up for questioning.
"What your name?" "Where'd you come from?" Et- Et cetera.
You know, he's scared.
Is that right? Well, I never knew that.
Did you know that, Fairfield? Now, why would the average man be scared of the police? Guilt.
I guess there isn't a man in the world who doesn't have something he wants to hide.
Even you two.
Now that remark was not calculated to gain favor with me.
Well, I'm sorry.
I guess these questions are just getting me a little nervous.
You know, sergeant, you are pushing me around.
Very gently, but pushing.
Put yourself in my place.
I'm a stranger in town.
No one to vouch for me.
No friend who's a lawyer.
I can't demand a thing.
I just have to sit here and take it.
I wish I could argue with you, but, you know, you're right.
And I wouldn't want you to think I was sadistic.
Fairfield, do you think we've been unkind? Maybe so, sergeant.
Well, it's some comfort to think we've saved you a walk on a chilly evening.
Your hotel.
Uh, well, I certainly appreciate it.
Not at all.
Good night, sergeant.
Good night.
Good night.
Uh, Mr.
Lincoln I honest-to-goodness don't know what's the matter with us.
That's all right, sergeant.
It's an easy mistake.
Of course, but we want to do the right thing.
We'll see you to your room.
Well, y- You don't really, uh, have to Mr.
Lincoln, we insist.
Well, now, Fairfield, wouldn't you say that it's about time he unpacked? Oh, maybe he did, found he didn't like it here and now he's getting ready to leave.
Well, I was born here.
I'll die here.
I like to keep Tucson clean as its air.
I welcome visitors.
Most of 'em.
Mr.
Lincoln, do you usually read every paper? Well, that's how I found the job.
We've had a complaint against you, Mr.
Lincoln.
Complaint? Mr.
Edward Welles of Phoenix claims you're breaking up his marriage.
His marriage is already broken up.
I'm just trying to help his wife and boy.
They're afraid of him.
That's not the impression we got from Mr.
Welles.
Have you talked to Mrs.
Welles? We're not in the marriage- counseling business.
Nor are you.
unless that man is helped, you might pay a very high price to find out just how dangerous he really is.
Well, he claims Mr.
Welles is dangerous, Fairfield.
What do you got there? Hair dye.
You use this stuff? Uh, heh, yeah.
Last month I- I saw a little gray.
I- I thought it wouldn't exactly help in finding work.
Does a good job.
I don't see a single gray.
Maybe he worries a lot.
Could be diet.
I'd read where a man can get gray from certain foods.
Are you eating right, Mr.
Lincoln? I eat what I can afford.
I try not to worry.
Leave Tucson tonight.
What's the matter? We cost you a job in a wonderful city.
Aren't you gonna protest? I'm too tired.
Get some rest in another town, Mr.
Lincoln.
Wait for me.
What did the police want? He convinced them I was an outsider trying to break up his happy home.
Look, Monica, I've got to leave town.
But if you and Mark come with me you might be worse off.
I don't understand.
My picture's in every police station in the country.
Right now they might just be realizing who James Lincoln really is.
A convicted murderer.
I don't believe it.
I said, convicted.
I'm innocent.
Look, I'm I- I'm a doctor.
Pediatrician.
I was a doctor.
My wife couldn't have children.
She wouldn't adopt them.
We argued.
Too much, for too long.
One night I walked out.
I I got in the car.
I drove.
I parked and just stared at the river.
I remember a boy in a rowboat.
He didn't see me.
After a while, I cooled off and I drove home.
About a block from the house, I almost hit a man.
A man with one arm.
He was running.
I found my wife beaten to death.
Who? I don't know.
Had to- Had to be unmotivated.
A vagrant.
A prowler.
The police never That was over two years ago.
The trial was a nightmare.
The neighbors had heard our arguments.
My only hope was to find the man with one arm.
I was convicted.
I sat in prison for 18 months.
There were appeals.
They were taking me to be executed when the train derailed.
Ever since then, I've been running, hoping that someday I'd find the man with one arm with a face I can never forget.
I keep running, and they keep hunting.
One man in particular.
Lieutenant Philip Gerard.
Sometimes I feel like I've known him all my life.
Some nights I can't sleep.
I hear his footsteps on the stairs.
I see his face outside my door.
Gerard.
I don't want him to find you.
I'll pack.
Good evening.
Well, how are you, Mr.
Welles? I just wanted to drop by and say thanks.
I hope I'm not bein' premature, am I? Not at all.
I explained to him how we feel about the honored residents of our state.
And how'd he take it? Hotel clerk said he checked out half an hour ago.
Probably buying a bus ticket right now.
Well, I- I wish I could express my gratitude in some way.
We accept no bribery, sir.
I didn't mean that, sergeant.
Well, sir, heh, the sergeant likes to joke.
Ah.
Well, I best get back to my family.
Oh, Mr.
Welles, can we drive you? Oh, no.
Thanks.
No, I- I think I can handle this little thing all by myself.
Good night.
Good night, then.
I don't know.
Think you know this job and all of a sudden you don't.
Woman breaks up a fine home to play a piano in a saloon and take up with a man she's known only a few hours.
I feel sorry for the little boy.
One ticket to San Diego.
Thank you, ma'am.
What time's the next bus leave? Well, that would depend on where you wanted to go, now, wouldn't it? We don't care.
We just want the next bus.
It won't be long now.
Uh, here are your tickets.
Let's go.
You.
You seen a man with a woman and a boy? When? Just now.
Yes.
San Diego bus, outside.
Monica! I'm glad to see you, Markie.
I'm glad you're here.
See, this is what your mother is.
This is what she did to me when- When I was in the Army.
I don't believe you, Dad.
You did this.
Air Police! Halt! Monica, if I stay- They'll find you, and you'll never find him.
Well, you can go home now.
It's over.
Everything.
We won't forget.
That's what we're left with, remembering.
Look, maybe Goodbye.
Goodbye, son.
Mrs.
Welles.
I'm sorry about the circumstances.
Who are you? Mrs.
Welles, where did James Lincoln tell you he was going? You're Lieutenant Gerard.
The Tucson policemen- They recognized him.
Unfortunately, after the facts.
Well, he told you about me.
Excellent.
He thinks of me as much as I think of him.
He's innocent.
The law says guilty.
The law isn't perfect.
Wherever he is now, he knows I believe him.
I always will.