Mission: Impossible (1988) s01e02 Episode Script

The System

(People chattering quietly) See? Just like I told you.
Every morning, 10:00, he takes a sauna.
They built it for him.
I'm glad to see a man take care of himself.
(Screaming) (screaming) (theme music playing) (crowd cheering) (whistles blow) Peanuts! Peanuts! Thank you.
The season's not starting so well for the visiting team.
It's how the season finishes that counts.
Some teams are front runners, others like to come from behind.
Maybe you should tell that to our quarterback.
Last locker, second from the top.
Peanuts! Peanuts! (Quiet beeping) (beeping) MALE VOICE: Good morning, Jim.
The man you are looking at is Bob Connors, a crime syndicate boss of the Eastern Seaboard.
Connors has managed to evade the law for over ten years.
However, a federal grand jury recently indicted Connors, and he's been on bail awaiting trial.
But in spite of police protection, the state's only witness has been murdered.
Only one other man knows enough to convict Connors.
But law enforcement agencies are convinced that man will never talk.
Frank Marley is Connors' protégé, and is being groomed to eventually succeed him as head of the syndicate.
Marley's current operation is running the syndicate's hotel casino in the Bahamas.
Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to ensure Connors' conviction and thereby deliver a body blow to the entire world of organized crime.
As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.
This disk will self-destruct in five seconds.
Good luck, Jim.
(Rapid beeping) (sizzling) PHELPS: Building plans show the counting room below ground level at the rear of the building.
No windows, one steel door, walls, floor and ceiling of reinforced concrete.
And a new security system.
As far as I've been able to establish, it's a very sophisticated, state-of-the-art installation.
I'm still working on a way to bypass it.
How about Casey's gambling habits? GRANT: According to the information I put into the computer, at Connors' stateside casino, she's lost over 50,000 there in the last three months.
Well, I guess I just have no self-control.
The other key to this will be the communications between Connors and Marley.
Well, since running the casino keeps Marley in the Bahamas and conditions of his bail prevent Connors from leaving the U.
S.
, they communicate only by phone.
Which we'll have to tap in on.
Yeah, but it'll be tricky intercepting all of those calls.
They use a Scrambler system.
That'll make it tough.
Well, Connors and Marley didn't get to the top of the garbage heap by accident.
This has been a blatant attempt to frame an innocent man.
My record is clean.
I'm an honest, tax-paying American citizen.
And I challenge anybody to prove otherwise.
They're clever, and they're cunning.
And if we make any slips, they'll be deadly.
(People chattering excitedly) We're on tonight, guys.
Oh.
(People groan) CROUPIER: Four.
Your point's four.
Let it ride? Come on, babies.
Come on.
Four.
Winner.
(Indistinct chatter) It's all a flick of the wrist and clean, clean living, guys.
- Whew! - Yeah.
(Chattering continues) (phone ringing) - Yeah? - Hot winner.
What table? Number seven.
(Computer beeps) (people chattering) (crowd gasps) Trouble? Yeah.
The big guy hitting numbers.
Come on, seven.
One more.
Come to daddy, huh? And that's a seven.
The gentleman is a winner again.
Seven, winner Good afternoon, Mr.
, um? Mason.
Vince Mason.
Get your bets on, pal; I'm running hot.
Uh, Mr.
Marley, our manager, would like a word with you.
Take a hike, buddy.
I'm making a I wouldn't want to disappoint our manager.
Don't worry about the chips, Mr.
Mason.
We'll take care of them.
CROUPIER: All right, next shooter.
Certainly don't look like a loser.
Well, I better be this afternoon.
Just be sure you wait till Max is in the clear.
I will.
The last guy that tried to switch on us is tying his shoelaces with his elbows.
Well, I never wear lace-up shoes.
I wouldn't do that if I were you, Mr.
Marley.
Oh, really? Why not? Because I've come a long way to sell you some very valuable information.
What were these, calling cards? I figured you'd listen seriously to a guy who risks his life just to talk with you.
Talk.
What I'm selling is strictly private.
Okay.
(Door opens, closes) (sighs) You have 60 seconds.
Talk.
I'm a hit man.
Last week, I was offered a contract.
You're the man I was hired to kill.
(laughs) I don't buy it.
I decided not to take the contract.
Because, the way I hear it, you're gonna be top man when Connors steps down-- or goes to prison.
So I figure I got a better future keeping you alive than making you dead.
You still haven't told me what you have to sell.
I'm selling the face of my replacement.
The man who's gonna make the hit.
I know who they've hired.
Who's "they"? I don't know.
They do their deals on the phone, they use a Scrambler.
Time's up.
I don't buy it.
No one would dare put out a contract on me.
-(Intercom buzzes) -That's where you're wrong, Mr.
Marley.
Dead wrong.
Sooner or later, you're gonna believe me.
(Clears throat) He lays one hand on me, and my price doubles.
Maybe even triples.
If you change your mind, you can get ahold of me at this number.
(Door opens, closes) (beeping) I'm an honest, tax-paying American citizen.
And I challenge anybody to prove otherwise.
(Imitating Connors): "I'm an honest "tax-paying American citizen.
And I challenge any" Max has just left Marley's office.
Well, we're all set.
If he makes the call.
(Dial tone humming) Here we go.
(Dialing) (line ringing) - WOMAN: Hello.
-It's Frank Marley.
I'm scrambling now.
(Rapid beeping) (imitating Connors): Frankie, how are you? (Chuckles): Fine.
Listen, I saw you coming out of court the other day.
I thought you looked great.
You think so? Thought I looked kind of funny.
You? Never.
You want to hear something funny, guy just walked into my office and told me there's a contract out on me.
You believe him? What do you mean, did I believe him? Should I? Hey, everybody knows you're like a son to me.
You think anyone would do that to you would have to answer to me first.
You know that.
Yeah, I know that.
Listen, Frank, I'm gonna be out of town the next couple days.
You won't be able to contact me.
Where you're going they don't have phones? I'm sending a guy name of Anderson.
He's an auditor.
A money man, you know? Let him see everything.
Don't hold anything back.
Bob, what's going on? (Snaps fingers) Don't get upset.
Everybody's being checked, Frankie.
You just happen to be first, that's all.
Listen, I gotta go.
You take care.
Bye.
(Dial tone hums) All right, let's see how Mr.
Marley likes that piece of news.
Who do I see about credit? I'm sorry, the casino doesn't extend credit.
Not even for special friends from the States? Friends of Mr.
Connors? Why don't you have a drink in the outdoor bar and I'll see if our manager Mr.
Marley can join you? All right.
(Clicking, lock clanks) (device beeping) (clicks) (whirring) I'm Frank Marley.
What a relief.
I was afraid you might be a little old man.
(Marley chuckles) I understand that you are a friend of Mr.
Connors.
I thought I knew all of the attractive friends of Mr.
Connors.
Well, maybe I'm a secret friend.
At least at his casino.
Does his secret friend have a name? Jackie.
(Chuckles) That's all, just Jackie? Well, it's more mysterious that way.
Well, it's Jackie Marshall, actually.
Well, mysterious Jackie Marshall, what are you doing here? It's very simple.
I'm here to kill you at the blackjack and roulette tables, that is.
Let me freshen your drink.
I'll have another one of these and a martini.
This is Frank Marley.
I want a credit check on a Jackie Marshall at the Stateside Casino.
No, no, do it now.
I'll wait.
Yeah, I'm here.
That's impressive.
Very impressive.
And then every time I lose the bet, I double the bet three times in a row.
(Chuckles) I'll have you know I've won thousands with this system.
I love system players.
If I'd known you had a system, I would've sent a car for you.
I'll show you.
Just okay some credit for me tonight and you'll see how well it works.
How much? $5,000.
All right, you're certainly worth $5,000.
Oh, I'm worth a lot more than that.
Maybe.
Give this to the cashier at the casino, and he will give you $5,000 in chips.
How can I ever thank you? Oh, we'll think of something.
(grunts) (unzips bag) (beeps) (beeping) (Beeps) Hey, Jim, I'm in position.
Fine, Grant.
The next money count is at (scoffs) Great.
I'll make myself comfortable here.
All right, Grant's in position, Max is lying low.
The next step is Casey's.
Six, hard six.
No deal for six.
(Indistinct conversations) - MAN: $45.
- CROUPIER: Bets, please.
Six, and the point is six.
Ball is in motion.
Place your bets, point is six.
Time to do the count, Mr.
Marley.
CROUPIER: No more bets, please.
(Beeping) (buzzes) (trilling) CROUPIER: No more bets, please, sir.
Easy come, easy go.
MARLEY: We're having a pretty good night.
PIT BOSS: Some of this belongs to your lady friend.
She's a good loser.
MARLEY: We're gonna find out how good.
As of now, her credit's finished.
Unless she wants to make some other arrangements.
(Machine shuffling) (beeping) We've got some high rollers on the blackjack table.
Get back to the floor as soon as you can -and keep an eye on them.
- Yes, Mr.
Marley.
(Trilling) They're suckers, betting real big.
They're sore losers.
I don't want them to make a noise about it, understand? Yes, Mr.
Marley, I understand.
(Trilling) (beeping) (click) -(beep) - Jim, do you read? Yeah, we hear you.
I've recorded the room, and I'm tapping into their security monitor.
Ten seconds from now.
(Phone ringing) Chuck here.
Chuck, I left a small notebook down there.
Could you see if it's on your desk somewhere? Sure.
I'll take a look, sir.
Chuck, I think I must have left it somewhere else.
Thanks.
(beep) (beeping) (beep) (electronic tones) (electronic tones) (click) (gasps) Jim, do you read? I'm in deep trouble here.
I'm in trouble, man.
Let's move.
(Sighs) (beeping) Come on, Jim, this thing's getting awfully close.
PHELPS: We're at the casino main breaker now.
You know you're only going to have about five seconds before their emergency generator cuts in.
- That's going to have to do.
- Stand by.
(Murmuring) (whirring) (murmuring) Oh, man.
I told you I wasn't to be disturbed.
I thought maybe I'd change your mind.
Who the hell is he? He says his name is Anderson.
That's right-- Anderson.
You're expecting me.
I'm the auditor.
Auditor.
We're very happy with our own auditors.
Yes, well, Mr.
Connors thinks it's time we took a closer look at the Bahamas operation.
What's going on? All of a sudden the syndicate doesn't trust me.
Mr.
Marley, I'm operating under instructions-- Mr.
Connors' instructions.
They're very explicit.
Now if you've finished your rubdown, perhaps we could take a look at last night's cash count.
You can wait until I take a shower.
Now, what did you say was your count of last night's 10:00 bag? I make 198,006.
That's 25,000 more than you reported here.
What was going to happen to that 25,000? You've made a mistake.
Count again.
No mistake.
Wilson? Now, are you saying that somebody got in here and broke open the safe and put 25,000 more into the bag? I've been making this count for seven years.
Up until now Up till now nobody's checked it.
Nobody's had to.
Maybe that was their first mistake.
I don't like what you're saying.
Well, frankly I don't like what I'm seeing, but I suggest you find out what went wrong and fix it.
(Beeping) (sighs) Count it again.
Nicholas, I'll have the exact specifications in just a couple of minutes here.
MAX: I knew you'd get back to me.
It's no fun being on a hit list.
Forget the jokes.
I still don't buy your contract story.
You called me.
You're the one who wanted to talk.
You said you were approached by phone.
By who? I already told you, I don't know.
You know the name of the guy they sent to hit me.
This guy has a dozen names, but only one face, and I know it.
All right.
You watch my back.
This guy shows, you tell me.
You don't, and I'm not the only guy dead, you understand? Yeah.
Right.
I think you need a bit of a curl on the - Like that? - Perfect.
Yeah, not bad.
That's him.
A little more work on the eyes, huh? Hmm.
CROUPIER: Bets.
Place your bets.
DEALER: Ma'am, would you like another card? MAN: One moment please.
And four the hard way.
- WOMAN: House pays.
-(roulette wheel rattling) - CROUPIER: Place your bets.
- MAN 2: Seven red.
Seven red is the How's the system? Got a new one.
Guaranteed to beat the house.
All I need's a little capital.
MARLEY: No more credit.
Even for friends.
No credit.
Just a check for 2,500.
It's good.
Your man can call the bank.
All I, uh, want you to do is okay it.
It's the last time.
You're being very nice to the person who's about to beat the house.
CROUPIER: Coming out.
CROUPIER 2: New shooter.
Ma'am? CASHIER: $25,000? Is there some problem? You'll find Mr.
Marley's okayed it.
I can see that, ma'am.
But you'll excuse me.
A check of this size we always confirm with Mr.
Marley personally.
I'm sure you understand.
(Bars clang) Mr.
Marley.
Okay on three.
(Indistinct voices) My apologies, ma'am, for keeping you waiting.
Not at all.
It was worth waiting for.
Any more bettors? All right.
I'll join you.
Who's he? He works for me.
What he does is my business.
(Devices beep) You're on, Nicholas.
Wish me luck.
(Keypad beeping) (grunts) Wait out here.
They said they were gonna meet us there right now.
Good.
- Mr.
Marley.
- Evening.
(Line ringing) Pit two.
This is Marley.
- Yes, sir? - Take over for Carl.
I want to see him in my office.
Right away, Mr.
Marley.
(Sighs) (knock on door) Come in.
Is anything wrong, Mr.
Marley? No, no, no, no.
Come on in, Carl.
Come on in.
Just need a favor from you, that's all.
I want to use those hands of yours.
My hands, sir? Come on, Carl, you know what I mean.
Uh, I wouldn't like to do anything wrong, sir.
I could get myself into trouble.
I could lose my license.
It wouldn't be the first time, would it? You could also lose your job.
You like your job, Carl? What exactly is it you want me to do? I have a friend-- a lady.
There she is.
I want her to win $25,000.
Mr.
Marley, 25,000 There'll be a bonus in it for you, Carl, and you get to keep your job and your license.
You better get back to work now.
That's all, Carl.
(Door closes) (sighs) (keypad beeping) (door buzzes) (lock clicks) Count's right on this time, Mr.
Marley.
Really pays to have an auditor around, doesn't it? You always go that way? Why shouldn't I? Well, someone could be studying your habits.
Let's go this way.
(Engine starts) Casey's about to become a very wealthy woman.
This dealer's gonna cooperate? Don't think he's got much of a choice.
Three.
No more bets.
IS 5,000 the limit? Yes, ma'am.
I like going the limit.
Blackjack.
Lucky lady.
Yeah.
This stuff is starting to make me really nervous.
Better nervous than dead.
(Gunfire) (gunfire) You're right.
They're trying to hit me.
Next time, I may not be around.
Well, there's not gonna be a next time.
Just get out of here.
I'll cover you.
You got it.
-(Device beeps) - Hey, Grant, those bullet hits worked just fine.
What's going on? We're talking about you, Mr.
Marley.
Well, you can do it someplace else.
How much was the check you cashed for his lady friend? What the hell are you talking about? It had your okay on it, Mr.
Marley.
I even double-checked it with you on the floor.
I never okayed a check for 25,000! Then you had your dealer feed her another 25,000 from the blackjack table.
You're crazy.
I didn't do any of this.
It was right here in your office, Mr.
Marley.
You said I'd lose my job if I All right.
All right.
Somebody is trying to set me up.
And I'm gonna find out who it is.
(Door opens, closes) Gentlemen.
You may be in the clear, Wilson, and maybe not, but I think it's time you figured out which side you're on.
Excuse me.
I need to talk to you.
CROUPIER: Place your bets.
Place your bets.
- What are you doing? - Shut up! All right, now, I'm being set up, and you're part of it.
I was only trying to beat the casino.
I don't buy it.
Now, I want to know who and why.
Talk, or I'm gonna rearrange your face.
All right.
It was Connors.
You're lying.
I was sent to frame you so that Connors could justify it to the syndicate when Mason hit you.
Mason just saved my life.
It was all part of the setup.
Why? Connors is my friend.
Friendship only goes so far.
Why do you think he told you you couldn't reach him for a few days? He's at home.
It's because you're the only man alive that can testify against him.
And now you're a dead man.
Not yet, sweetheart.
Not yet.
This is Frank Marley.
Give me Bob Connors, fast.
(Phone ringing) Hello.
Hello, Bob.
It's your old buddy Frank Marley.
You know, the friend you set up.
Frank, are you crazy? This line could be tapped.
Call me on the Scrambler.
And give your boys time to hit me? I don't think so.
Hit? (laughs) What are you talking about? I don't understand.
Why, Bob? You were like a father to me.
You could've trusted me.
I do trust you, Frankie.
I do trust you.
Call me on the Scrambler and tell me what's happened.
(Chuckles): What happened, huh? At your trial, I'll tell you what happened.
In front of a judge, I'll tell you what happened.
Do you underst it's okay, Mr.
Connors.
He won't be giving you any more trouble.
What? Who is this? (Grunts) Relax, buddy.
He can't go far.
(Lock clicks) What's going on, Mr.
Anderson? Uh, no, it's all right, Chuck.
(Keypad beeping) Frank.
Come on, we can negotiate this.
You know, you and Bob Connors (over intercom): are old friends.
Give me the federal prosecutor in Camden, New Jersey.
Tell him Frank Marley wants to talk to him.
You tell Connors that I'll see him in court next week.
Yeah, this is Marley.
I want to testify against Bob Connors.
Yeah, that's right, that's right.
You heard me.
I want protection, I want indemnity from prosecution.
If you're willing to make that deal, and I think you will be, I'll be in the protective custody of the Bahamian police.
(Alarm ringing) (sirens wailing) It seems, at long last, Bob Connors will have his day in court.
(Theme music playing)
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