Randall Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969) s01e05 Episode Script

I asked you for the address on this piece of paper, Fernandez.
What is the address? Kempson Mr.
Bernard Kempson.
Twenty Twenty three, Tudor Close, Watford.
Would you read the address please, sir? "Mr.
Bernard Kempson, Thank you very much.
Jimmy, come on.
They're finishing, call the next act.
Thank you, thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Now for a feat of mind power that only the great Fernandez can do.
He will now prove that the power of the mind, is not only from one mind to another, but far greater.
I have here one six-shot revolver and one cartridge.
Blank, of course.
I'll hand the gun and cartridge to one member in the audience.
And if that person would kindly place the cartridge in the chamber of their choice, I'll take the gun and aim it at Fernandez.
Then Fernandez will show us on which chamber the gun will fire.
Would you load the gun please, madam? Thank you.
Thank you.
Are you ready? Yes, I am.
On which chamber will the gun fire? The gun will fire on three.
Get an ambulance.
He said he would kill me.
Who said? He said Have you got sixpence, love? Ta.
News desk? Barry Jones, please.
Oh, Barry, it's you.
It's Jeff Randall.
I've got a hot one, it just happened in the theatre.
They've been out for eight hours Yes, yes, I know the act.
How long? In the chest? Did he die immediately? No, he took about three minutes to die.
No, I was the last person to speak to him.
I'll let you know if I can use it.
No knowing where he is.
You'll just have to wait.
There's nothing I can do.
Jeff, let's get to his last words.
Yes.
"He said he would kill me.
" That's right.
No, he never got that far.
OK, Jeff.
Thanks for the tip.
I won't forget it.
As long as your accountant doesn't forget.
OK, Barry.
Look forward to the post.
Ciao.
- Did you get your blood money? - Nasty.
Well, what do expect, making money from a dead man? It's easier than from a live one.
Anyway, the rent's due.
We should have stayed in there as witnesses.
When you've got information about a murder inquiry, you give it to us.
- Papers.
- You know me, helpful.
That's the trouble, I do know you.
Flattery will get you everywhere.
- This is no joke.
- I know it isn't.
- If you just listen - No.
You listen.
Why do you think we're here? To help old ladies cross the street? The police force is understaffed and underpaid and we welcome help.
Thank goodness not all the public behave like you.
Why didn't you tell us about that? I'll tell you, cos you wanted the 10 pounds the paper paid for the story.
Well, I've come to you now.
Oh, no, you haven't.
We sent for you.
If you'd told us last night, we'd have made a quicker arrest.
- You've made an arrest? - We have.
- Frank Townsend, alias Abel.
- So what are you worried about? You should've stayed as a witness, but you wanted your blood money.
Let me tell you something.
I think you're wrong.
I saw Abel's face as Fernandez lay dying.
It wasn't the look of a murderer.
Get out of here.
Go back to your divorce cases before I charge you.
Jeff? He doesn't like you, you know? - The Inspector.
- The feeling's mutual.
- But he's right.
- So he's right.
I've got a living to make.
Expenses, rent and Jeannie depend on the business.
- I suppose so.
- Then what are you moaning for? After all, you're the first one to worry about Jeannie.
You wouldn't want anything to go wrong with her.
I know what I'm doing.
Anyway, I'll find out who killed Fernandez.
It certainly wasn't Abel.
- Where do we start? - Where it happened, the theatre.
Excuse me, young man.
But I talk to them, too.
All the time, especially the male.
- You mean you could talk to Marty? - Oh, so that's his name.
Hello, Marty.
Oh, what a nice boy you are.
You must eat up all your dinner, every bit of it.
What, another? You haven't given him a chance to get cold yet.
- Over there.
- I want to see the manager.
You'll have to take your turn.
Go and sit over there.
What's your line? I said, what's your line? This and that.
Which do you do best, "this" or "that"? You don't stand a chance, friend.
We've entertained royalty.
You're up against talent.
Talent! - You're auditioning? - A formality, friend.
This is a tough house.
If they don't like the acts, they shoot them.
And that's not all Who's first? It's a dead house.
A dead house! Take a card.
Tell him you know it, Jeff.
- I know it.
- You do, eh? Well, you show me.
Take a card.
Look at it.
Hello! He's cheating.
Four of hearts.
It's the four of hearts.
Next.
He's talking to you.
- What do you do? - Tell him you're a mind-reader.
I'm a mind-reader.
No, I'm not! Yes, you are, if you wanna find out who killed Fernandez.
- Well, are you or aren't you? - Yes, I'm a mind-reader.
Some sort of mind-reading act.
Come on, Jeff.
Give 'em the patter.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to give a demonstration of mind-reading.
- Was he alone? - Yeah, there's no one with him.
- I've never seen one with no help.
- True, true.
- Perhaps you? - What's that? Would you take something out of your pocket, a letter, money, anything.
- It's a driving licence.
- A driving licence will do fine.
Open the licence and look at the number.
- Concentrate on the number.
- And the number is Double one, three, one, nine, three, six.
And the number is coming The number is double one, three, one, nine, three, six.
- And the name is Lang.
- Mr.
Lang.
Correct? - Yeah, that's good.
- Good! It's impossible.
- Let me give you another one.
- Hello! He's writing.
"5 pounds says he won't get this.
" Are you ready? I'm ready.
Concentrate on the board.
Er It's coming.
Yes And you'll lose your bet.
- What's your name.
- Jeff Randall.
- Jeff Randall.
- All right, Jeff.
Wait on the side.
Thank you.
- What do you think? - How does he do it! - He's the best I've ever seen.
- He's great.
- How did we do? - I impressed them, but - Your presentation needs improving.
- I will if I get the job.
That was a good demonstration.
- Thanks.
It gets better.
- Where were you working? Tell him you were studying in India.
Actually, I was studying in India.
- India? - Meditation, yoga You know.
Sure.
Got a light.
- The spot's yours if you want it.
- I want it.
- Start tonight? - Sure.
- Mark, draw up a contract.
- And the money? - Mr.
Lang, we've not mentioned money.
- Oh, well.
I was thinking of - Not enough.
- Not enough.
You really can read minds.
OK, double it.
Is it a deal? Deal.
I'll find you a dressing room.
Well, how much are we getting? How would I know? I'm not a mind-reader.
here to see a mind-reader.
He's murdered and you take his place.
- Could only happen in the movies! - What's happening? The police have Abel for murder and I don't think he did it.
- What makes you so sure? - You saw his reaction.
Was it that of a man who'd killed someone? He did look a bit shocked.
So that's why you're here! You think it's someone in the theatre.
It's got to be.
If Abel didn't do it, someone here must have.
Someone got to that gun and fixed it.
It's the only way.
And the only place they could have got to it.
- In this theatre? - Right.
Next thing is a motive.
Jeff, how are you going to get away with it? - Get away with what? - The mind-reading.
The mind, oh.
It's all fixed, you see.
The manager's in on it.
He's hired me to find the murderer.
- Yes, but - Don't worry, I'll explain later.
How much are we getting? - Pardon? - For the act? Well, I haven't fixed a fee yet.
Jeff Randall hasn't fixed a fee? It's a bit difficult at the moment.
Five minutes, Mr.
Randall.
They're a tough lot tonight.
Well, time to meet our public.
And on your dressing room hangs a star.
Be careful.
If you're right, there's a murderer here.
- I'm in no danger.
- How do you know? He might have a mission to wipe out all mind-readers! See you later, Jeannie.
Enjoy the show.
- I forgot, good luck.
- Thanks.
Three minutes, stand by on stage.
- What are you gonna say? - I've forgotten.
Come on, Marty.
And stay close.
I've got butterflies.
- Good luck, Mr.
Randall.
- Thanks.
I thought you were gonna stay close? - You're nervous! - Well, aren't you? I can hardly die a death, can I? Have you found anything yet? Fernandez and Abel were together for six years.
- I hope we find a lead soon.
- We might after your act.
How do you mean, after the act? Once they see you with no assistant they'll think you CAN read minds.
- Well? - The murderer will avoid you - Or what? - Kill you! Stand by.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have great pleasure in presenting the greatest mind-reader in the world, Jeff Randall.
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight you have heard our singers and laughed, we hope, with our comics.
But I'd like to turn to a more serious note - the mind, the power of the human mind.
Very good.
I want you to transmit your thought waves to me so that I may read them.
For this, I need your fullest concentration.
I need a volunteer.
Just one person, please.
You, sir? No, never mind.
You, madam.
Will you open your handbag? Take something out, anything you like.
Jeff, she won't open her hand.
You're not concentrating, madam.
Look at the object.
It's an earring, like the one you gave Jeannie, only this one's gold.
I think I've got it It's an earring gold and it has a pearl on the end.
Right? Would you hold it up and let everybody see it? Thank you.
Someone else? You, sir.
It's a letter.
Addressed to Mr.
John Turner, Barnes Road, Ealing.
Concentrate on what you have in your hand a letter and the address is Barnes Road, Ealing.
Thank you, sir.
'What's the date of the postmark?' 'The date is blurred, no.
'The date is the 29th, the postmark is blurred.
' That's good.
He must really be able to read minds.
- Read minds! - How does he do it, then? He has a plant in the audience.
It's costing him a fortune.
He's done half the audience.
It's a good act, tell me how it's done! You'd never believe me.
Don't say you're a mind-reader! Strictly off the record, I'm working for the management.
It seems there's some doubt whether Abel did it.
- So they've not charged him.
- They haven't charged him? They want the woman who put the bullet in.
- So far, no luck.
- Nelson thinks she's involved? Fernandez and Abel had a regular routine.
Whenever they did the gun act, Abel stood on the right of the 7th row of the main aisle.
I see.
The woman could have known that.
I came here on a murder story and find the kid I was at school with is a mind-reader! If you crack this case, promise you'll let me have the story first and I'll keep out of the way and I won't tell Nelson where I got it.
You tell Nelson, you lose a source of information and I get three years! Only 15 minutes, girls.
Here he is.
Bye, Barry.
Lovely to see you.
You were great, Jeff.
Certainly fooled me.
How did you do it? Everyone wants to get into the act! Come on, I'll buy you a tea.
Hello, Mark.
Meet a friend of mine, Jean Hopkirk.
- How do you do? - Hello.
- Another drink? - No, I have to get back.
I won't be a second.
- You in the business? - No, just visiting.
- He's a talented fellow.
- Yes.
- Known him long? - Jeff, how long have I known you? Well, about 50 years! - You don't know Kim, do you, Jeff? - No.
Hello.
Kim does the girls' choreography.
If what I hear is true, you don't need to tell him anything.
It's fooled everyone.
There's always a trick.
Don't worry, I'll see it.
If you do, it's not me who'd be worried.
I love your act.
How do you do it? With mirrors! - Do I always go on after you? - Unless someone's sick.
- Excuse us.
- You saw Fernandez getting shot? Yes, it was terrible.
He was such a nice man.
A nice man?! That's what you think.
You should ask Gloria! - Gloria? - Gloria Marsh, the star of the show.
Mind-reader! # there's nothing that you can do Baby, I'm - Where've you been? - Dinner.
- Where's Jeannie? - I sent her home.
- You can't eat! - I know, but I can't break the habit, I like sitting at the table.
- Where'd you go? - The Savoy.
- And with whom did you dine? - The Prime minister.
I'm glad I didn't miss that number.
- You're the new act? - That's me.
Everyone says you're good.
- I was lucky.
- You must stay lucky.
I intend to.
No guns in the act.
That wasn't funny.
- You're not upsetting the staff? - Just a joke.
Perhaps a bad one.
Gloria's allowed to show a little temperament.
How well did Gloria know Fernandez? - Both were in the show.
- That's not it.
I know.
But I don't make trouble for anybody.
Not even Gloria.
Any news? Yes But what if they charge him? He's innocent.
I'm not so sure.
Neither am I.
Yes, I suppose you're right.
- No, I've never heard of Randall.
- And Hopkirk.
You've no idea who she was talking to? I've been everywhere.
Even a ghost can't be in two places.
We've got to find out more about Fernandez.
His boots.
Nice act, Mr.
Randall.
I watch 'em all.
I've never seen a better one than yours.
- Thanks, Snowy.
- Ever tried the winners? - You mean the ponies? - If you could pick them - I've tried.
It doesn't work.
- Pity.
Snowy, I found these in my dressing room.
Someone must have left them.
These must be Mr.
Fernandez's, or Abel's.
I'll put them in the storeroom.
Right.
This storeroom, could you put some of my things there? - Where is it? - Right underneath the stage.
- I'll put 'em down for you.
- I'll do that, thanks.
Come on, girls.
- Has anyone seen Jeff Randall? - He was in the cafe.
- Maybe he's too big for the finale.
- Come on, Mark.
Jeff? - He's not here.
- I can see that.
Find him.
I want to know why he wasn't in the finale.
What happened? I turned my back, next thing I knew the whole lot came down on me.
- Did you see who did it? - Not exactly.
Before I passed out, I thought I saw a women - her legs.
You've got a one-track mind.
- Did you find anything? - Yeah.
- These.
- What are they? Don't know.
Hey, Marty.
Look at this.
"Yesterday at Wandover Registry Office, "was Ronae the Magician's wedding.
"His bride, Gloria Thompson, is the girl who DJ's predict "will be a big hit with the release of her LP.
" - What date is that? - March, 1961.
And this came from Fernandez's trunk.
- So Ronae must be Fernandez.
- And Gloria Thompson's Gloria Marsh.
You're right.
That's Gloria Marsh all right.
"Gloria Thompson and Mr.
Ronae today attended the inquest of Mr.
Milton.
"Mr.
Ronae was driving the car that struck Mr.
Milton on July 10th.
"Mr.
Ronae was cleared of blame "and a verdict of accidental death recorded.
" Well, he kept that quiet, same as the wedding.
It wasn't too difficult.
Look.
- Melbourne.
Australia.
- Let's see Gloria's legs.
Look, Marty, I'll handle this.
You see if you can find a lead.
- What was he doing? - What was who doing? I thought you were someone else.
What do you want? To apologise for what I said earlier.
I didn't know he was a close friend.
What's that supposed to mean? What are you worried about, Miss Marsh? Frightened I'll look into your mind? That's just for the public.
- You don't believe it? - I was married to a mind-reader.
- Who are you? - A mind-reader Mrs.
Ronae.
Why didn't you say Fernandez was your husband? - We were married in name only.
- But he was your husband.
I don't have to answer your questions.
You read minds - you know he wasn't a loving husband.
- Why didn't you divorce him? - He wouldn't let me.
He liked to make me suffer.
About a month after we married I found him with a chorus girl.
I broke that up, then a week after, there was another one.
I still don't get why you didn't divorce him? His act was never the best at the box office.
My records The royalties were good.
You paid the bills, you could divorce him.
- What did he have on you? - I wanted to be free.
I have a life to lead.
Right from the day of the - Car crash.
- I knew we'd be found out.
Who's we? If you don't talk, Abel will be convicted of murder.
Who killed Fernandez? Whoever killed him can't stop now.
- You could put him in prison.
- No, not me.
Oh, no Oh, no - So who killed her? - I don't know.
I turned my back again.
But you were right, she is I mean, she was in it up to her pretty little neck.
- Did you find out anything? - Not a whisper.
Do you think she was your pair of legs? I wish I knew.
Someone has two murders against them now.
She thought she was safe.
- How can you feel safe with a - A murderer.
But if that murderer was your lover, you'd feel safe then.
Fernandez wouldn't let her go.
She paid the bills but he wouldn't divorce her.
He must have had some hold over her.
- Something about the car crash? - I mentioned it, she didn't like it.
She'd been content to let things be, so she must have had a good reason for murder.
I think she wanted to marry someone else.
And they talked her into murder.
She could have done it.
I'm sure it was a woman who hit me.
You said she was on the phone.
And a woman put the bullet in Abel's gun.
- We're getting warm.
- Talking to yourself? If you don't mind, Mr.
Lang.
You say it's a crime of passion? It started that way with Fernandez.
He was killed so Gloria could be free.
Then I asked too many questions, if I got the answers, no Gloria AND prison.
The murderer has to make a decision.
Freedom or Gloria? He chose freedom.
Why didn't he kill you with Gloria? Time, Inspector.
He only had seconds to do it.
She was a witness or accessory, so she had to go.
I'm just a nosy parker.
Without Gloria, I'm stuck.
He's right.
He's working well.
Where are these cuttings? He's holding out.
Snowy told him he saw a woman leaving Gloria's room.
He didn't know her.
So he knocks on the door, goes inside and you're spark out, unconscious.
I'll go along with this, up to a point.
Then you're back to amateur status.
That's all now.
But don't leave the theatre.
Just one more thing How'd you do it? - Do what? - The mind-reading.
That's for real.
For instance, Snowy called you.
He told you when he saw the woman leaving the room, he opened the door and I was unconscious.
- So, what do we do now? - Your guess is as good as mine.
Let the police handle it? I like to finish what I start.
- Nobody's paying you.
- What I get for the act covers it.
I suppose you're right.
Look, I'm going to see Snowy.
Why don't you jump about and hope you land in the right place? - We know the murderer's in here.
- Right.
- Someone will see something soon.
- Meaning what? It's a small company, everyone knows everyone.
The killer's struck twice and he'll go on now.
- So everybody's in danger.
- Everybody.
We just need someone to see something they shouldn't and - You never saw her before? - Never.
But she knew her way about.
Walked in as bold as brass.
Did people get on with Gloria? She didn't have a lot to do with them.
She always seemed preoccupied somehow.
Talk to her and she'd walk right by.
- Any particular friends? - Not really.
What about Mark? Did he see much of her? No more than the others who worked with her.
How about the choreographer or Ken Woodville? She didn't like Ken Woodville.
They had rows about the sets.
Kim arranged all the routines, you know? They rehearsed most mornings together.
- Snowy, you forgot the sugar.
- Here you go.
- OK now? - Could do with a drop more milk.
Help yourself.
- What's going on? - Someone likes dropping things.
They're not up there now.
Nobody up here, sir! - Did you recognise her, Randall? - I only got a glimpse.
I said it could have been a woman.
Must be fit to move around up there at that speed.
A dancer! - Snowy, what happened? - She hit me in the stomach.
- Which way did she go? - I'm not sure, maybe downstairs.
Don't let me turn my back this time.
He's not been dead long.
Like I said, Inspector.
Murder does snowball.
- Well, Doctor? - We can move her to hospital.
- But how is she? - Unconscious.
She'll be in shock when she comes round.
She can tell us who the murderer is.
- Can't you do anything? - Might she die? She has more chance of dying than living.
Get the ambulance men in, I want to speak to the doctor.
Now, Doctor OK, fellas.
- About time! Where've you been? - Resting.
- I've been on my feet all day.
- Great timing! Kay's going to the hospital.
Stay with her.
If she talks, I want to know what.
- All right, what about you? - I'm staying here.
Come on, Randall.
I need your help.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry about keeping you here, but as you know, another murder has been committed.
I know the killer is still here.
My men haven't let anyone out.
With the help of the innocent ones, and Mr.
Randall here, I hope to discover the identity of the murderer.
With the help of Mr.
Randall, because as you know, he has the gift of reading people's minds.
I want everyone on the stage in one hour.
- Is he here yet? - Yes, sir.
They're bringing him in now.
Right.
We are about to re-enact the last performance of Fernandez and Abel.
I'd like to know where each of you were at the time of the killing.
Townsend, or Abel if you prefer, you take up your position first.
Randall, as you're a mind-reader, you can be Fernandez.
- You always go to the 7th row, Abel? - Yes, sir.
Why do you suppose that is, Mr.
Fernandez? - Blast.
- Blast? Yeah, if you have a blank cartridge in a gun, they know it's relatively harmless and they can aim it at the object they're supposed to.
Abel was supposed to kill Fernandez.
So, with a blank cartridge, he aimed it at him.
I guess when they first tried this trick that sometimes cordite still reached Fernandez.
So they determined the seventh row was safe.
So we're back to the mysterious lady in the seventh row.
She put the real bullet in.
- But Abel gave her the cartridge? - Palming's not difficult.
Especially for someone in show business.
Give me the gun.
Two cartridges.
Right.
I give one to you.
You're Abel, you have the gun.
I retain one cartridge which, on the night, was live.
OK, you give me the gun with the chamber open.
And one cartridge.
I take it with the right hand.
I show you it between index finger and thumb.
I move the cartridge towards the chamber.
As I do so, my right hand is masked by my left.
As it's masked, I change the bullet.
Close the gun Give it back to you.
And I have the original cartridge in my hand.
If you're right, and I think that you are, then our woman in the audience and the one here are the same.
Mark.
Where were you when Fernandez was shot? - I was in the wings.
- Anyone with you? - No, I don't think so.
- Anyone see Mark there? He was there, I saw him from my office.
Go and stand where you were, Mark.
- You were in your office, Snowy? - That's right.
Back you go, then.
- Dancers, where were you? - In the dressing room.
All together? Yeah, changing for the next number.
- Back you go to the dressing rooms.
- Wait a minute.
The choreographer, Kim.
Where is he? - Have I been processed? - Processed? You're in hospital, Jeff.
I'll see you later, when you're alone, Jeff.
- Did they get Kim? - Yeah, they got him.
- You should rest.
- In a minute! - I've got to make the middays.
- He's only just conscious! - It's OK.
- How did you know it was Kim? I didn't.
It was just luck.
You can tell me.
I won't tell Nelson.
I've got nothing to tell you, Barry.
It was just luck! - How do you feel? - No better for seeing you.
- What happened? - Kim's locked up.
He made a full confession.
He and Gloria met three years ago, fell in love and wanted to marry.
But she said no because she was already married.
- Why didn't she get a divorce? - That's where there was a problem.
One night, they left the theatre in Melbourne.
Gloria had a few drinks.
She knocked over a man and killed him.
Fernandez saw a chance, said he was driving.
Went to court and got off.
So he had her where he wanted her for as long as he wanted her.
He had girlfriends and when he wanted money Gloria gave it to him.
So she told Kim the story, and he thought he'd take Fernandez's place.
- Is that the lot? - Just Kay the dancer.
She's gonna be all right.
That's the lot.
Good, I can make the middays after all.
I'll see you later, Jeff.
When you've had a rest.
- See me when you're fit.
- Certainly.
Bye.
Thank you.
- Join me? - What have you got? No thanks, Jeff.
I'm having lunch out.
At the Palace, I suppose.