The Persuaders (1971) s01e14 Episode Script

Admit it, we're lost.
We are not lost.
I have a highly developed sense of direction.
You know, Daniel, homing pigeons have been known to ask the way from me.
Well, where are we? All right, where are we? Er Scotland! - I'm not even sure of that! Joe! Probably with the Hound of the Baskervilles.
Which way's north? Joe! Where are you? Could be in trouble.
Good boy, good boy.
Poor chap, he survived for a while, listen - "Can move only one arm, desperate pain, I'm dying.
"Anyone finding me, please burn formula, world not ready.
" It ends there.
Does that look like the formula? I wonder if that's him? Yes, it's him all right.
Name, Brian Wilks.
What's the date on the exit visa? He's been lying here 12 years.
I'm glad to see the press have given you credit for finding the wreck.
Excellent! Daniel, I have a feeling he sent us out there knowing we'd find it.
Well, not knowing hoping.
You know, all of these have been killed by a fella named General AJ Bulstrode.
I guess he hated animals.
You see, you were not the first to find that wreck.
About a year ago, an escaped convict hid out in that hollow.
He didn't report it? He couldn't.
We've only just recaptured him.
I interviewed him about a different matter.
He mentioned it and I put two and two together.
What do the two and two add up to? Brian Wilks was a widower.
One child, about 21 now.
Her whereabouts are unknown.
He was a brilliant scientist.
He made some remarkable strides in the field of synthetics.
Does anyone know why he vanished? Theories, rumours.
He was working on an invention of his own.
Nobody knows what.
His friends said he was worried and depressed.
He even expressed fears for his life.
- Have you really got the gout? - Of course I have.
So it's no joke? Far from it.
The merest touch is agony.
Mmm.
You mean, If I just touch it like that He could at least answer my question.
He just did.
Go on about Wilks, Judge.
I'm not gonna do anything, just go on about Wilks.
I'll just sit here.
A week before that last flight, he was seen in the company of a known Iron Curtain agent.
It was always presumed he defected.
Iron Curtain, is that right? And defected? Do you go along with that? Well, I like to keep an open mind.
All right, so much for history.
Would you mind telling us why you insisted on us keeping quiet about his note? And this, which I assume is the mystery formula.
I think that certain parties who've read this newspaper might become interested quite soon.
He's using us as bait, Brett.
Daniel in the lion's den again.
Might be interesting to get a line on who killed Wilks.
The crash killed him.
Oh, no.
There was an explosive device in the plane.
- Well, that's nice.
- You got a flat tyre, sir.
Well, that saves me calling in a second opinion.
This side, too.
- Would you believe it? - Taxi, sir? - Lucky you're here - Is this how you get business? Never fails! Get in, and no tricks.
I did warn him.
You how impetuous Americans are.
If this kidnap is in aid of ransom, we don't know a soul who'd pay anything to have us released.
If it isn't, then what is it in aid of? No comment.
- How are you feeling? - No comment.
Move! It's all right, Officer.
You should do something about these double-parked vehicles.
You can hardly cross the road in safety.
Excuse me.
Excuse me, would you move over? What do you think you're doing?! Help! Get out! - It's an emergency.
- Help! Help! Help! - Stop! - Hey! You'll have us in the curb.
- Who do you think you are? - A hijacker.
What are you talking about? A friend of mine's been kidnapped.
- I don't care.
I'll get fired.
- That's what rockets are for.
- What are you doing anyway? - I'm supposed to cruising at 5mph, handing out £5 to anyone with a Space Queen label in their window.
If I see one, I'll stop.
Would you please get off my rocket? I don't suppose you'd give me a lift home.
- No I would not.
- I thought not.
I don't blame you.
Oh, what is Space Queen anyway? A deodorant soap, try it.
I think you stink.
You don't mind if I sit up, do you? This is not a sightseeing tour.
Stay right where you are.
We're getting close, put your scarf over your eyes.
- Do it.
- OK.
We're nearly there.
We want the papers.
Where are they? I don't know what you're talking about.
Brett got down to the wreck before I did.
If there was any papers, he would have got them.
Why don't you talk to him? We hope to.
But he proved a little more elusive than you.
Well, just call him on the phone.
It might be as well to tell him about our plans for you.
- The number is 9 - We know.
Please.
Brett Sinclair.
- Your Lordship.
- 'Daniel? ' It's not Florence of Arabia, you 'Where are you? ' - Listen well, Lord Sinclair.
- 'I'm listening well.
' Well? You will hand over those papers at a given rendezvous in half an hour or your friend will be killed.
Kill him.
I do not think you can be serious, Lord Sinclair.
'Why not? ' If you kill him, where would it leave you? With one body, one murder charge and no papers.
'Are you ready to listen to my proposition? ' I'm listening.
I want my friend released and delivered to the Mandate club.
'I'm leaving now for the Chelsea police station.
'lf Daniel does not call me there within 20 minutes, 'I shall assume that he is dead.
' Then I'll give the papers to the police.
'Have you got that? ' - I hear what you're saying.
- 'Good.
' Oh, if you should kill him Please call me back, I'd like to send flowers.
- There you are, sir.
- Thank you.
- Ah! - Thanks a lot, Sir Galahad.
What's wrong? I got you out.
Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Impossible.
You do not have a heart.
You'd have looked really stupid if they'd killed me.
Dumb! I don't know.
I'd take more than that to make me look stupid.
- Hello? Who's sending telegraphs? - Why not open it and find out? I asked for that.
Not my birthday, by any chance? No, it's not.
Listen, "Lord Sinclair and Mr Wilde, "invited to call at Sir Hugo Chalmers' office, "British and Arabian Oil Corporation, "when they may hear something to their advantage.
" I wonder what that means.
It means that your friend is willing to talk in a more civilised way.
Note the word "Arabian".
Ah! Lord Sinclair.
Sir Hugo.
- Mr Wilde.
- It's a pleasure to meet you.
How civil of you to come so promptly.
We're very civil people.
Especially if people are civil to us.
- Do sit down.
- Thank you very much.
Er, we haven't met everybody.
I beg your pardon.
This is Mr Fawzi, he's the president of our Mid-East Corporation.
- Mr Fawzi.
- Mr Fawzi's in complete agreement with the proposition I'm about to put to you.
Let's hope we all agree.
I am absolutely positive that we shall.
We are inviting you to join the board of British and Arabian, at a salary of £50,000 a year each.
That is $120,000, Mr Wilde.
I know how much it is, Sir Hugo.
We shall continue to pay you this sum for a minimum of 20 years, whether you remain on the board or not.
That is a guarantee of $2,400,000, Mr Wilde.
Well, I'm beginning to think there's a lot of money in oil, Daniel.
A lot, Lord Sinclair.
And a lot of shareholders and workers to be protected.
Well, what do you say? Daniel knows more about the oil business than I do.
All I know is the price of petrol goes up weekly.
Knowledge is not important.
Then what is? What can we possibly do for you? You have kept discreetly quiet about one particular matter.
There can only be one reason for that.
And it seems to me that $5,000,000 between you, is a reasonable price for your cooperation.
My cue for asking, what exactly do you want us to do? You're in a high-price game, Sinclair.
There are others who wouldn't even start to bargain.
I should take the money and live to enjoy it.
Are you threatening us? I'm offering you a fortune, I don't need to use threats.
I'll give you 24 hours to decide.
All you have to do is return with Wilks' formula.
Sir Hugo, what exactly is Wilks' formula? - You don't know? - No, he doesn't know.
I'm not saying I don't know, but I'm not saying I do know.
All I'm asking you is to tell us.
It's a high-grade, synthetic motor fuel, that can be manufactured for next to nothing.
Well? We're not saying yes and we're not saying no.
But you got 24 hours to double it.
Come along, Your Lordship.
We'll let ourselves out.
It's remarkable how predictable they were.
That's just what I told you it would cost.
Ten million dollars.
Peanuts.
- Lord Sinclair? - Yes.
I'm Carla Wilks.
Well, please come in.
Thank you.
I've been expecting you, Miss Wilks.
Oh? - May I offer you a drink? - No, thank you, I don't drink.
- Then, make yourself comfortable.
- Right.
All this must have come as a bit of a shock to you.
In some ways, yes.
In others, a relief.
I never believed Daddy had defected, it wasn't like him.
Forgive me for asking, but do you have proof of your identity? No.
Should I have? - A driver's licence? - Sorry, I don't drive.
Oh, dear.
Don't worry.
If you had been a phoney, you would have come armed with 10-page dossier.
Why should anyone pretend to be me? You'd no idea that your father had papers that a lot of people want? No.
But I was only nine when he died.
Yes.
I'm having dinner with the man who was with me when I found the plane.
Would you like to join us? Yes, thank you.
Excuse me, but you don't happen to know Mr Wilde by sight do you? - He's right over there, Miss.
- Lovely.
Excuse me, are you Mr Daniel Wilde? No.
Ha ha! I'm Danny Wilde.
Well, hello! Er, sit down.
Forgive me, they told me at your hotel you might be here.
They did? I must tip the porter.
- What can I do for you? - I'm Carla Wilks.
Carla Wilks? I've been expecting you.
- Nuts.
- Thank you.
- Anything I can get you? - No, thank you.
I don't drink.
Goodbye, Eddie.
This must have come as a bit of a shock to you? Yes, it was.
But I always knew Daddy wasn't a traitor.
We found some photographs among your father's possessions.
- There was a picture of you.
- Yes? You were small and dark and here you are, big and blonde.
- I have a confession to make.
- Oh? - I am dark.
- Really? - I can prove it to you.
- Here? No.
My hairdresser I'll take your word for it.
Are you gonna be a surprise to the guy who found the plane with me.
Hi! Have I got a surprise! Meet Carla Wilks - What did you say? - Meet Carla Wilks.
- I said that.
- That's where I heard it, I guess.
- It's a small world! - Too many.
Yes, by one.
Will the real Carla Wilks please sit down.
What a good idea.
Allow me.
- I don't know who this impostor is.
- Carla Wilks.
Do you think you'll get away with this? She's certainly trying.
- Daniel.
- Yeah, what? We should have a Carla Wilks contest.
Right.
Is this some kind of joke? The next time I contact you, it'll be through my lawyer.
Outraged dignity, nice! You know, Daniel, the best form of defence is attack.
- Now then - Just a minute.
I want a word with her.
You wanna bet which one's the phoney? - I'd say it's even money.
- You would, huh? I have a feeling we haven't met the real Carla Wilks yet.
There's more? - Lord Sinclair, Mr Wilde? - In that order.
I was told I might find you here.
You don't know me.
He doesn't look like Carla Wilks.
Andreas Theopolos.
I was Brian Wilks' partner.
Open it.
Open it, Lord Sinclair.
Nothing secret about it at all.
Copy of a formal contract signed by Brian Wilks and myself for a consortium who are to produce his fuel on a worldwide scale.
Signed a few days before his death.
Still binding.
The evidence points to his desire to un-bind it.
He was trying to flee.
- He was a fool.
- Why offer so much money to a fool? I meant his mental state in those last few days.
Why? He claimed there had been attempts on his life, perhaps there had.
He wouldn't believe we could protect him so he ran.
Er, flew into a ravine.
It would never have happened had he stayed.
We'd have had a 24-hour guard on him.
You have heard of me? - Oh, yes.
- Who hasn't? Then you will know I'm an excessively wealthy man.
Come and see me tomorrow, forget Hugo Chalmer's offer.
It's nothing compared to what you'll make with me.
A moral point, what right have we to make anything out of something which is not ours? Frankly, I've never much worried over moral points.
Finders keepers, don't they say? We can do nothing without the permission of his daughter.
It is her inheritance.
Have you found her? I will see you tomorrow, gentlemen.
Good evening.
If we're not careful, we'll end up the richest stiffs in town.
Daniel, a call to the Judge is indicated.
Visitor.
Visotees! I was under the impression this was your pad.
Yes, I was rather under that Stand quite still, please.
If you will kindly tell me where the formula is, it will save us making a mess, Lord Sinclair.
Formula? I think he should contact the British Authorities.
We handed everything to them.
Yet you still waste time talking to Hugo Chalmers and Andreas Theopolos.
We'll talk to anybody.
Alex.
- Not very polite.
- Alex.
Do you think I'd have hidden it where a ham-fisted oaf like that could find it? I think you might.
On the assumption that all British aristocrats are mentally deficient? No.
On the assumption that you are expecting a more business-like proposition than this.
You know, playing one capitalist against another.
You have a very devious mind.
I must congratulate you.
You have played the power game very cleverly.
Since we are talking business, how much are you offering? To you nothing.
Why should I pay you for something to which to have no right? That's the worst offer we've had all day.
Mr Wilks' wishes were that my people should have the formula.
He was disgusted with your society and intended leaving the country.
Now, er, congratulations.
That is original.
Behind the books - smart.
Do not try to follow me.
My friend will remain outside until I have left your territorial waters.
- Safe in your embassy.
- He thinks of everything.
As a professional, I have to.
Console yourselves, I may have saved your lives.
You're in deep water, too deep for amateurs.
Forgive my friend.
These Americans never know when they're beaten.
You are a sensible man, my friend there does not miss.
- I can see that.
- I must apologise for the mess.
Oh, please.
Put it down as an un-diplomatic incident.
- You British are such good losers.
- Aren't we.
Remember, I'm only carrying out Mr Wilks' wishes.
Now, let's have a look at you.
Are you crazy? First you hide it where any dumb-dumb can find it Yes, it wasn't a good place.
Then you hand it over just like that.
Then I hit you and saved your life.
- And where's that formula going? - I could make one of six guesses.
- You let it go just like that.
- Just like that.
If I hadn't hit you, you wouldn't know I'd made a phoney formula.
I've no idea what they'll make of it, but it won't be high-grade fuel.
All right, where is it? - I can't tell you.
- What?! If they kidnap you again, they may try torture and I think you'd break.
Nobody's gonna kidnap me, there'll be no torture and I'm not gonna break! And keep out of dark alleys.
After a day like today, what could happen? Miss? No! No! NO! Out! - Are you all right? - Yes, I think so.
I'll take you upstairs.
What's your name? Carla Carla Wilks.
Isn't everybody?! Drink that.
Did you get a look at them? Same guys that kidnapped me.
- How are you feeling? - All right, just a bit groggy.
Where are you staying? I haven't arranged anywhere.
I only came in from Paris an hour ago.
Well, that settles it.
You stay in my guest room.
I'll show you the way.
Where are your things? At the terminal.
Gently.
Call me if there's anything you need.
Hello! Rifling handbags again, Daniel? I think we've got the right one.
Now the action will start.
Thank you, my dear.
I've no doubt you are indeed who you say you are.
Of course I am.
I don't understand why anyone should pretend to be me.
There are a lot of people interested in your father's invention.
Do you know where he was going when he crashed? He left me a letter.
He said people would believe he'd defected.
But it wasn't political.
He felt that what he'd discovered shouldn't belong to any one business, it should belong to the world.
Noble if naive.
I don't think so.
What's your interest in all this? I simply want to see justice done however late.
You see, the crash that killed your father wasn't an accident.
It was murder.
Do you know who was responsible? The field is wide open.
The orders could have been from Hugo Chalmers.
Then there's that group who tried to abduct you.
We don't know who they work for.
Another possibility is Andrea Theopolos.
- Mean something to you? - An old man in a wheelchair Yes, my father used to see a lot of him.
Well, that old man in a wheelchair, is willing to make you one of the richest women in the world.
I don't understand.
He'll explain it to you.
I've arranged to meet him this morning.
We'd better go.
Judge.
- You'll let me know what happens? - Yes, of course.
Where's Danny? Trying to get a lead on the house he was taken to.
I don't think he has much hope.
All we have is the general direction the taxi was heading for.
Just keep going straight.
The contract gives you It will amount to an immense fortune.
When your father's discovery is manufactured, there will be a revolution.
Oil and its by-products will become as outdated as the use of leeches in medicine.
And that's a good thing? Of course.
Oil wells are running dry.
This will be a tremendous benefit to humanity.
It's what your father would have wanted.
Then why did he want to rescind the contract? That's a good question.
Do you have a good answer? I can only guess.
He was a very disturbed man.
Idealism and panic do tend to make for muddled thinking.
Now, if you will sign the contract, we will make an initial payment of $12,000,000 in advance of royalties.
That's the best offer we've heard today.
You can't go in there! He'll see me, like it or not! An unexpected surprise, Sir Hugo.
- Thank you, Miss Jones.
- Thank you.
You're just in time to witness the signing of our contract.
Miss Wilks, I must beg you not to.
I'm speaking not only for my own sake, but for the sake of The sake of humanity? Whomever you sign with, you'll be fantastically rich, but to do business with this consortia would be a disaster.
- For whom? - For the world.
For the whole world.
The oil business employs millions of people, millions.
You'd be depriving them of their livelihood.
You'd wreck the economy of a number of countries.
Sentimental nonsense.
With us there would be no such danger.
We would guarantee to release the process over a period of from 20 to 50 years.
You are living in a dream.
Since the industrial revolution people have cried out against progress.
The world can only benefit from this.
You would bury this for a hundred years to safeguard your interests.
It wouldn't be the first time a discovery was buried by big business.
I think it's your move, Carla.
I'm sorry, I don't know what to do.
Before you decide anything, there's one thing you ought to know.
Your father was trying to get out of his contract with this man.
She knows that.
Does she know that you sabotaged his plane and killed him? If you wish to do business with your father's murderer you must go ahead.
It's up to you.
There's nothing more I can say.
True or false, it's a good exit line.
Lies, of course.
Your father was my friend.
You must believe that, Carla.
It doesn't matter much either way.
I shall sign nothing for the moment.
What? - I'm sorry, but I must have time.
- Time?! I've waited long enough already.
Then a day or so should make no difference.
Nice yacht.
Yours? Yours.
If you can make her see sense.
It must be Christmas.
Everyone wants to give me things.
Good day, sir.
Stop! Turn left.
I think I'd like to go out for a walk.
Just to clear my head.
I don't think that's such a good idea.
Why not? Look.
He's been there for the last hour.
Because of me? It's possible.
Well, they've tried money, now they may use something less subtle.
Oh, I don't know what to do.
Wait a minute.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- What's your name? - Deborah.
My name's Danny.
Were you here yesterday about this time? Yes, I come here every day.
It's a short cut from school.
Did you do that railing with your ruler? Yes.
But the people in the houses and the dogs hate it.
- Do you want me to do it? - Yeah.
Keep the change Woof! Deborah, get 'em going.
Brett Sinclair? Danny! You've found it! Where is it? Mm-hm.
Corner house, Vicarage Way, yeah.
Iron gates, got it.
The house is empty but this is the place I was held.
I know it.
- I'll get there as fast as I can.
- OK.
Carla, I don't want you to answer the phone or open the door.
You understand? I'll be back soon.
Shh.
Shh.
Don't hurt me.
There's no money in the house.
- What's your name? - David Piper.
- You own this house? - Yes.
What is it you want? Who brought me here? I don't know what you're talking about.
I've been away for three days.
I don't know about people bringing you here.
- Did you leave the keys with anyone? - No.
Look - I think you're - Shh.
Don't move or I'll break your neck.
Hold it.
I don't think we need bother with any explanations, Mr Wilde.