Knight Rider (1982) s01e15 Episode Script
Give Me Liberty... or Give Me Death
I gotta get some sleep.
| I'm running a race tomorrow.
What if I give you | a reason to stay up? KITT could win this race with | one booster tied behind his back.
Your job is not | to win the race.
- I believe we're being shot at, Michael.
| - Accidents are a part of any race.
Here's to good sportsmanship.
Our saboteur may be planning a few new | surprises for the last leg of the race.
Knight Rider, a shadowy flight | into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist.
Michael Knight, a young loner on a crusade to champion | the cause of the innocent, the helpless, | the powerless, in a world of criminals | who operate above the law.
Hi, Bonnie.
| Hear Devon's got us in a race.
I've augmented | KITT's scanning system with a special infrared | tracking scope.
Terrific.
Um, listen.
When you finish up work tonight, how | about you and I going out for a little dinner? I'd love to, Michael, but I'm | spending the night with KITT.
Oh, well, you two | have a real good time.
First I have to | recharge his components.
Then I have to convert the engine | to run on liquid hydrogen.
Then I have to flush his | systems and adjust his timing.
Recharge his components? | Flush his system? KITT, don't you dare take | advantage of her tonight.
I won't.
Would you get out of here, | you yo-yo? KITT, I hope you're not picking | up his warped sense of humor.
- I'm trying my best not to.
| - Good.
KITT! | Try a little harder.
That driver was very lucky | to walk away from the trial heat.
Devon, are you sure | it wasn't an accident? Michael, it looks like somebody's out | to sabotage the Alternative 2000 race.
Well, quarter million dollar purse | That could be an incentive.
Absolutely right, Michael.
| However, our goal is to ensure | that no further disruptions occur.
Therefore, you have joined the field | as my personal entry.
Yourjob is not | to win the race.
It is to find out | if indeed there is a saboteur.
And if there is, | to put him out of business.
Michael, I can serve you better | if I'm familiar with your strategy.
Good point, KITT.
Our game plan | is simple, yet complex.
We lay low.
We blend in with the | other racers on and off the course.
We observe, deduce and analyze.
In other words, | we're winging it, as usual.
You got it.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is | a great day for the auto industry the first international grand prix | to compare alternative energy sources.
Drivers from all over the world are here, and | you can positively feel the excitement mounting.
Not only are these cars | fuel efficient, but their performance reflects | state-of-the-art auto engineering.
Michael, I want you to meet | Dr.
Kempler.
Michael, it's nice | to meet you.
Dr.
Kempler, it's a pleasure.
I | promise you.
I'll do what I can to help.
Thank you.
I appreciate it.
I can't | tell you how important all of this is.
The entire credibility of alternative | energy research and development lies on this race.
- Oh, Devon, I still have to get your signature on the entry form.
| - Certainly.
Excuse me.
| Nice meeting you.
Nice meeting you too.
| Catch you later.
- Hi.
| - Nice car.
- You must be the late entry.
I'm Liberty Cox.
| - Michael Knight.
Will all drivers please | report to the main tent.
All drivers to the main tent.
| Thank you.
- I'll be your personal escort.
| - I can't think of a nicer way to start a race.
You know, you win, | uh, first prize for the, uh, wildest dashboard | on a car.
No kidding? | Where do I pick it up? I don't know.
| I'll find out and let you know.
Hello.
I'm driving for Devon | Miles.
You're Michael Knight.
Yes, sir.
| Ed Shaw, race coordinator.
Interesting car.
Yeah, well, | it's an interesting race.
Best of luck.
| Thank you.
Uh, where do you think you're | going? I beg your pardon? - This meeting's for drivers only.
| - Do you happen to know who I am? I sure do, lady.
| That's why you stay right out here.
Catch you later.
Now, remember, you'll be clocked at | each of the two overnight pit stops.
The first day, each car will be handicapped | according to his starting position and his own specifications.
Next two days will be a flat-out race | for the flags 2,000 miles overall.
Dr.
Kempler and I have designed | the course to challenge you.
Not each road is gonna be | in top-flight condition.
I know what's at stake, | but let's be careful out there.
In case you haven't noticed, we have | a new driver.
Meet Michael Knight.
That's it, gentlemen, ladies.
Uh, Ed, just a second.
Before you go, I would | like to introduce Clark Sellers, President of the Sellers | Cable Network.
If it weren't for his generous contribution, | you would be racing for a lot less than $200,000.
- Clark? | Yeah, about $195,000 less.
No, that isn't true.
The truth is | I consider that a bargain to get the exclusive worldwide | television rights to this race.
I think it's going to be an exciting | event, and the Sellers Cable Network is proud to be | broadcasting it.
Now, go out there | and show the world the future is alternative energy | and cable television.
That's all.
Hi, guys.
Good luck.
Hi.
I'm Michael Knight, | the new driver.
Before you go any further, | I think you should know I have no intention | of making friends.
I'm interested in two things finishing first | and doing so in one piece.
- So if you don't mind | - In that case, I'll see you at the finish line.
She wasn't your type anyway.
Who are you, anyway? | I told you already.
I'm Liberty I know.
Liberty Cox.
But I mean, what are | you doing trying to crash a drivers' meeting? Oh, I'm covering the race for | New Wheels magazine.
Ever read it? New Wheels? | Yeah, yeah, once or twice.
Actually, I really want to experience the | race.
I want to live it and breathe it You mean, like, gonzo | journalism in the flesh.
I guess you could say that.
Listen, if you like, I could run | the first leg of the race with you.
Oh, I'm sorry, | but I travel solo.
Hey, lovely lady.
How would you like to ride | in the lead car? No thanks, boys.
Come | on there, magazine lady.
You have absolutely no idea | what you're gonna be missing.
True.
It's true.
| Come on.
Would you believe their car is supposed | to run on moonshine? No kidding? Looks like they're halfway through | their fuel supply.
- Get out of the way, you fool.
| - Who are you calling a fool, schnitzel breath? That boy's driving illegally.
| I'm calling you a fool.
You know, you're a little I'll see ya at the pit stop.
Could we have the racing cars | to the starting bridge.
All cars to the starting bridge, please.
Ladies and gentlemen, in car number | one, fueled by an alcohol-based mixture, Sonny and Lester Prince.
In car number two, | driving what might be the most advanced methane-powered | automobile in the world, from West Germany, | Helmut Gras.
In the third car, from Japan, | running on propane, Hito Osaka.
In the solar-powered vehicle, | we have Dorothy Ackridge.
- Next up, from the sheikdom of Kuwait | - Ready, KITT? Michael, you do realize this race is | academic, not to mention unnecessary.
- Why is that? | - The car of the future is already here me.
And finally, running on liquid | hydrogen, in the K-2000 Special, Michael Knight.
That's our | little secret, pal.
Let's do it! The starter is lining up the cars.
| Just look at those beauties the newest and fastest | alternative-energy cars in the world.
And remember | the challenge is to win the race using the least amount of fuel.
The drivers all seem to be okay.
| The cars are ready.
The starter raises the green flag.
And they're racing.
! Looks like these guys | are playing for keeps.
Michael, why do you have | my engine on half-throttle? We got to blend in, KITT.
| You know that.
Ah, yes.
Observe, deduce, analyze.
You got it.
We're under strict orders | not to strut our stuff.
Listen, check your data banks and give | me a rundown on the competition, will ya? As you wish, Michael.
| Beginning with the letter "A," there's Dorothy Ackridge, | the woman you attempted to pick up.
I was just trying to be friendly.
I've heard that before.
| She's the daughter of Henry Ackridge.
No kidding? | President of Ackridge Automotive.
Incorporated.
| Hmm.
Kinda makes you wonder why | she's driving a solar-powered car.
You got a reading on her | on the tracking scope? She's approximately half a mile | behind us.
I'll decrease speed.
I appreciate that, partner.
I know how tough | this is on your competitive sensibilities.
- KITT, what was that? | - I believe we're being shot at, Michael.
There's been another shot | behind us.
The solar car's been hit.
| Michael, she's skidding out of control.
She's okay.
Zoom in on her.
This is terrific.
This is better than | The French Connection, and it's for real.
Come on.
Take it easy.
You okay? | I think so.
I'll let you know | after I stop shaking.
Thank you.
The way I treated you | before, you're very kind.
You'd do the same for me.
Hang on.
| I want to take a look at that tire.
Ladies and gentlemen, | the cars are coming into view now.
Yes, here are the early finishers of the first | leg.
I see Michael Knight's K-2000 Special.
We're awaiting word now of | Dorothy Ackridge, Excuse me.
Whose car apparently | sustained a blowout.
There she is now, | and she seems to be all right.
I'm all right.
I'm really | more concerned about my car! Your crew's working on it.
They'll | have you back in the race tomorrow.
Don't worry about a thing.
As soon as she comes out, I want | some quotes to go with the footage.
Looks like a Fellini movie.
How's KITT holding up? | Like a champ.
You might check out | his grappling winch.
And while you're at it, check out this.
Hi, Liberty.
| Another interview.
Go for it.
Hi, guys.
We've reserved you a seat | right here.
I bet you did.
Come on, here.
| Oh, yeah.
Step right on in here.
Gonna fix you right up.
What you | want, darling? You want a beer? Ah, you have to be disappointed | with your time today.
Well, guys, I only worry | about one thing that's who crosses the finish line first.
Sure you'd have finished sooner if you | hadn't stopped to help poor Miss Ackridge.
- We know you would have never stopped to help her.
| - Accidents are a part of any race.
Question is | will it continue to happen? They will, the way he drives.
Well, here's to good sportsmanship.
That's what I figured.
Now, wait, wait, wait, wait.
| Let me ask you a question.
What is it with all these questions? | I thought you wanted to party.
Wrong.
| Wrong? Give you a little acupressure.
No, | no, no, no.
Listen.
Listen, you guys.
I would really love to stay.
| Really, I would.
But I think that you two | are so unbelievably sexy that I don't think I can control myself | much longer.
Wait, wait, wait.
Wait.
I haven't finished | your kidneys yet.
Boy, you got a way with women, | Sonny.
I got to hand it to you.
I told you she had | the hots for us.
Our mother raised an idiot, | and it ain't me.
That girl ain't got the hots for us, or | she wouldn't be going over there toward him.
Uh-huh.
It is cold out there! | Well, come on inside.
You know, you seem very calm for a man who may be | the next one to go.
What makes you think | there'll be a next one? Call it a journalistic hunch.
But there's someone who wants to win | this race by whatever means it takes.
Like, by eliminating | the competition.
I can't believe all this | is happening.
Two years of planning, coordinating, finding sponsors | for the cars, developing fuels Gordon, try to relax.
Take a deep breath.
| Have a drink.
We'll work it out.
| You're not in this alone, you know.
One way or another, your Alternative | 2000 will succeed.
Believe me.
Dr.
Kempler, could I see you | for a minute? Alone? Ed, you know I don't have any | secrets from Devon.
What is it? In that case, I think you | better come with me, both of you.
Looks like something's up.
You can go now.
She said she found this under the | bed when she was cleaning the room.
Uh, senora.
| Uno momento, por favor.
A collapsible Rexman.
A highly sophisticated | long-range sniper's rifle.
Not at all common.
| Snipers? Devon, do you think that this could be | the rifle that shot at Dorothy's car? Bonnie said the bullet | was a.
308 caliber, and the Rexman uses.
308s.
What's the meaning of this? - What are you doing in my room? | - I believe the question should be, "What is that doing | in your room?" Well, you can breathe | easy again.
The ordeal's over.
Naturally, my hunch | was right on target.
- Am I in the wrong room? | - No, no.
You're in the right room.
Anyway, um, as it turns out, it was the Arab; although, I | thought it might be the German.
Anyway, I guess the crisis is over.
They | did find the smoking gun in his room.
If I'm in the right room, | then you're in the wrong room.
L I thought I'd surprise you.
| I hope you don't mind.
Well, as a matter of fact, I do.
Well, I-I-I was just being | spontaneous.
I figured this gave me a good opportunity to find out | what makes a man like you tick.
Yeah, well, I don't think your | readers would be real interested in me.
I don't care about my readers.
| I find you very interesting.
Are you gonna stay mad | at me all night? No, I-I wasn't planning on it, but Liberty, I-I gotta get some | sleep.
I'm running a race tomorrow.
What if I give you | a good reason to stay up? Is that reason enough? No.
But it's a start.
This is an outrage.
I've never | seen that rifle before in my life.
You can't do this to me.
| I'm warning you.
If I'm jailed, my country | will lodge a formal protest.
Well, we can all finally breathe | a sigh of relief.
Hah! I hope so.
All this craziness is making me | a nervous wreck.
You can relax now, I think.
I feel certain the case is closed.
The police did the ballistics tests on | the rifle and the bullet, and they matched.
That still doesn't mean Hashi | pulled the trigger.
No, it doesn't.
Just because he was driving | doesn't mean he didn't either.
He could've left the road, | assembled the rifle, fired, and in the confusion, | got back into the race.
Remember, he comes from one of the major | petroleum exporting countries in the world.
Devon, it's | it's too perfect, you know? I think I should stay in the race | until we're sure all the shoes have dropped.
You sure it isn't | because you want to win? - Devon, don't you know me? | - Yes.
That's why I asked.
Michael.
| Morning.
It is a glorious morning | a double-header.
Not only do I get to be with you, but I | get to ride in this mysterious black beauty.
Listen, I've got everything arranged.
I've | got chicken and sandwiches, iced tea Liberty, I'm sorry.
You | can't ride with me.
What? It's not me.
It's my sponsor, Devon | Miles.
He's touchy about these things.
I don't believe you! | Hey! Didn't last night mean | anything to you? I don't beg rides, Michael Knight.
They beg me.
Liberty Come on, baby! Bonnie.
! I wanted to see if I could extend | the tracking scope's range.
Did you? No, but I see | you extended yours.
Ladies and gentlemen, | the cars are moving to the starting line for the second leg | of this historic race.
There's the green flag.
| And we have a start.
Busy morning? | You could say that.
Did Liberty Cox ever find out | what makes you tick? KITT, didn't anyone ever tell you | it's not polite to eavesdrop? I had no choice.
After all, | I was in surveillance mode.
Then you should've noticed | she left and I went to bed.
I've heard that one before.
KITT, let's run profiles on the | remaining drivers and key personnel.
Does the phrase "key personnel" | include Miss Liberty Cox? Yeah.
That's a good idea.
| Let's start with her.
Shall we begin with personal data | or criminal activities? "Criminal activities"? | Come on.
The lady may be many things, | but she's no criminal.
- Is she? | - You tell me.
June 1980.
Breaking and entering.
| Bailed out by her editor.
September 1980.
| Malicious mischief.
Bailed out by her publisher.
January 1981 ?? Leaves the wrong impression | on her mind ?? ?? On her mind ???? Hey.
| Do you want a little blast? It'll get your motor runnin', | that's for sure.
You know, it's guys like you that give | alternative fuel supply a bad name.
A bad name? Hell, lady, we love it.
| Why don't you lighten up a little bit? We don't know, | but we sure can go! Whoo! Let me out of the car! Looks like Liberty bit off | a little bit more than she can chew.
If you have any thoughts | of rescuing her, Michael, I'd advise you check | my schematic visuals.
In that case, buddy, | we better step on it.
My God! Whoo! I don't need | your charity, Michael.
Oh, my God! Devon, I need a coroner's van | and a wrecker here right away.
There's been another accident.
- Michael, that was no accident.
| - What are you talking about, KITT? My electronic sensors | picked up a detonation signal two milliseconds | before the explosion.
Is that all this is to you is | a hot picture and a cover story? Ladies and gentlemen, | we have a report of a possible accident to the number one car | driven by Sonny and Lester Prince.
Meanwhile What a disaster.
Look at it.
There isn't a sober | journalistic face to be seen.
There isn't one | scientific quarterly writer.
Whole thing has turned into a blood-and-guts | demolition derby.
It's a car crash carnival.
Well, Doctor, you aren't | thinking of canceling the race? I don't know | what else to do! Well, if you cancel now, | it'll be interpreted as as the failure | of alternative energy.
The entire concept will be | set back 10 years.
Gentlemen, may I make | a suggestion? Since our primary concern | is the safety of the drivers, why not let them decide? Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like | to thank you all for coming.
As you can well imagine, there's been a considerable | amount of concern over what's been happening, and there seems to be | a variety of opinion as to whether the race should be | allowed to continue or not.
Uh, Devon Miles | has come up with what I believe | to be the best solution.
Since it's really your race, and it's certainly | your lives, he felt that you should be | the ones to decide whether to continue or not.
So, I'm going to ask all of those who are | in favor of continuing the race to please raise your hands.
All right.
The race will continue on schedule.
All drivers report to the staging area | at 7:00 a.
m.
Sharp, and, uh, good luck.
We must talk.
Let me | grab a quick shower first.
Shaw, how can you act | like it's business as usual? You killed two people today.
Lower your voice.
| To hell with my voice.
! Look, I hired you to arrange | an accident or two.
A near miss.
Some excitement, so at | least I'd end up with a promotable show.
Not death.
Not murder.
You know what's wrong | with guys like you, Sellers? You want accidents, explosions, | chills and thrills so you can sell what would | have been a turkey and keep your little | cable network alive.
But you don't want any | of the responsibility.
What was that? Aah! Hey, Liberty! You home? The girl can't just disappear | from the face of the earth.
She won't just disappear.
They'll find her what's left of her | at the site of the next accident.
That's insane.
! | It's too risky.
Just shut up and listen.
They're | looking for a mystery saboteur, right? We'll give it to 'em | a dead one.
You think it's that easy? | You think the police are that stupid? I don't think we have | that many options.
Now, she already has a history | with the local law enforcement.
The police will come to the only conclusion | they can: She made a mistake setting a bomb.
No doubt about it, Michael.
| That is identical to the signal I monitored two milliseconds | before the Prince brothers were, uh What is the phrase? | Blown to smithereens.
Well, Michael, it seems | we found our saboteur.
Really? And who's she working for? Middle East? Detroit? The whole | thing doesn't track.
Give me a motive.
All right, Michael.
| I'll give you a motive.
And not one as byzantine | as ones we've considered.
Look.
At the start of this race, the only interested people | were idealists and dreamers.
But now, in light of the events | of the past few days, it's news.
Our Liberty has her camera bag | chock-full of negatives which could command a fortune from | magazines and newspapers all over the world.
It's too easy.
It's the | Hashi-with-the-rifle thing all over again.
I mean, her bed wasn't slept in.
| Why weren't her bags unpacked? Where'd she go? The racers are lining up.
Michael, if Liberty is | not in the wrong, our saboteur may be planning a few new | surprises for the last day of the race.
I think you'd better go.
| Why? So you can put an A.
P.
B.
Out | on Liberty after I leave? What would you do? Same thing.
Good luck.
Be careful, Michael.
Thanks, Bonnie.
All right.
| Okay? Now, don't make it | any harder.
Got her? | Yeah.
Oh, you've got | a lot of energy.
If I get some time, | I'll help you work it off.
Give me that bag.
Thanks.
I'm gonna set this | with a fuse.
Now tie her to the rock.
| All right.
When the dust settles, they'll | figure that she made a mistake, couldn't get out of | the blast area in time.
We'll have to hurry.
I told the | camera crew to get some run-bys, but they should be here | 10 minutes.
Twenty.
| I took care of that.
You took care of it? | Who the hell do you think you are? The new vice president | of Sellers Cable Network.
"Vice president"? Come on.
No, please? Ow! KITT, I know we have missed something.
Run the stats on the rest of the race the | racecourse Just give me everything you got.
Very well.
Help! KITT, I think you made a mistake.
| There's only been three accidents, not Michael, I was about to say that this is a | readout of all the S.
C.
N.
Camera positions.
Yeah, but this one, | this one and this one They all took place in the same | place the accidents happened.
You know, that's why I thought Wait a minute.
Give me an overlay of the | accident sites and leave up the camera positions.
Right away.
KITT, every accident has taken place | right in front of a camera crew.
Michael, the odds against a freak accident | being synchronistic with a random deployment | of cameras is I know what it is | It's way too coincidental.
Remember what Devon said about why | Liberty might have sabotaged the race? - To make her feel more valuable? | - Well, the same theory applies to cosponsor Clark Sellers.
Exploitive publicity.
Where's the nearest | camera position? We just passed it Apache Wash.
KITT, get me a readout | on that canyon.
With all your scanners, the visuals, the | chemical detectors Give me the works, buddy.
Michael, there's | an explosive charge there.
And a person too.
| What? Come on.
| Give me maximum enlargement.
KITT, it's Liberty! Michael, at the rate that fuse is burning, | we have less than 20 seconds to stop it.
Help! Oh! Help.
! Help me.
! KITT, I need some help! Michael, I'm monitoring the signal | from the S.
C.
N.
Cameras.
Yeah, it talks.
Yeah, I know.
| It's got monitors too, huh? Clark Sellers is there.
Liberty, I know | Sellers is in on it.
What? Shaw? You're telling me Shaw's | in on it too? Mm-hmm! All right, KITT.
Sellers and Shaw are | gonna take off the minute they see us.
Get me some overdrive, buddy! Huh? What? Michael, she would like you | to take the gag off.
Oh.
| I don't think so.
You know, this is the first | conversation I've ever had with you where I can get | a word in edgewise? All right, KITT.
We're gonna give Clark Sellers | a real big finish for his cameras.
The cars are coming into view, | and it looks like Helmut Gras.
No, wait a minute.
Another car is | coming, and his speed is off the scale.
! He's got the girl.
And the winner is Michael Knight.
| Coming in second is Helmut Gras.
And third, Hito Osaka.
Come on, come on! | Let's go! Wait a minute, ladies and gentlemen.
| The race is over, but there seems to be some kind | of a disturbance in the pit area.
Please don't panic.
| Please stay in your seats.
Michael, they're getting away.
Ouch! Mr.
Sellers? Say "Leavenworth.
" Ready? Okay, smile.
All right.
! Great.
! Just Let me turn this | just a little bit this way.
Okay.
| Okay.
Yeah.
That looks pretty good.
Okay.
Just one more.
| How about that? Okay? Ready.
| Ready? Say "cheese.
" Hello? Why, no.
It's Bonnie.
Oh, hi, Dr.
Kempler.
| What do you think, Devon? It goes against the grain to see | a man rewarded for insubordination.
Can you run that by me one more | time? I'm not sure I heard you right.
Okay, Devon, I'm sorry.
| I apologize for winning the race.
But how else was I supposed | to nail Sellers and Shaw? I have no intention of | discussing this case ever again.
Now, would you please tell me | what she's doing here? I'm here because I want to find | out what you told my editor.
I had the world's greatest | racing scoop.
Death, mayhem, | a talking car to the rescue.
I simply told him that we're | involved in a sensitive area here, and that publicity is something | we could well do without.
Explains why he killed my story.
- It's alive again.
| - What? Well, it seems that Hashi Al Qatar's | ambassador called the state department, and they agreed that | the disqualification was illegal.
Does that mean that the race | will have to be run all over again? Does that mean I'll have to | give back my trophy? - It looks like that.
| - Oh, what a shame! - Sic transit gloria mundi.
| - You took the words right out of my mouth.
Uh, hold on a minute.
| I'll ask him.
Um, Dr.
Kempler wants to know if | Michael's entering the race again.
- Yes! | - No! Michael Knight, a lone crusader | in a dangerous world, the world of the Knight Rider.
| I'm running a race tomorrow.
What if I give you | a reason to stay up? KITT could win this race with | one booster tied behind his back.
Your job is not | to win the race.
- I believe we're being shot at, Michael.
| - Accidents are a part of any race.
Here's to good sportsmanship.
Our saboteur may be planning a few new | surprises for the last leg of the race.
Knight Rider, a shadowy flight | into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist.
Michael Knight, a young loner on a crusade to champion | the cause of the innocent, the helpless, | the powerless, in a world of criminals | who operate above the law.
Hi, Bonnie.
| Hear Devon's got us in a race.
I've augmented | KITT's scanning system with a special infrared | tracking scope.
Terrific.
Um, listen.
When you finish up work tonight, how | about you and I going out for a little dinner? I'd love to, Michael, but I'm | spending the night with KITT.
Oh, well, you two | have a real good time.
First I have to | recharge his components.
Then I have to convert the engine | to run on liquid hydrogen.
Then I have to flush his | systems and adjust his timing.
Recharge his components? | Flush his system? KITT, don't you dare take | advantage of her tonight.
I won't.
Would you get out of here, | you yo-yo? KITT, I hope you're not picking | up his warped sense of humor.
- I'm trying my best not to.
| - Good.
KITT! | Try a little harder.
That driver was very lucky | to walk away from the trial heat.
Devon, are you sure | it wasn't an accident? Michael, it looks like somebody's out | to sabotage the Alternative 2000 race.
Well, quarter million dollar purse | That could be an incentive.
Absolutely right, Michael.
| However, our goal is to ensure | that no further disruptions occur.
Therefore, you have joined the field | as my personal entry.
Yourjob is not | to win the race.
It is to find out | if indeed there is a saboteur.
And if there is, | to put him out of business.
Michael, I can serve you better | if I'm familiar with your strategy.
Good point, KITT.
Our game plan | is simple, yet complex.
We lay low.
We blend in with the | other racers on and off the course.
We observe, deduce and analyze.
In other words, | we're winging it, as usual.
You got it.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is | a great day for the auto industry the first international grand prix | to compare alternative energy sources.
Drivers from all over the world are here, and | you can positively feel the excitement mounting.
Not only are these cars | fuel efficient, but their performance reflects | state-of-the-art auto engineering.
Michael, I want you to meet | Dr.
Kempler.
Michael, it's nice | to meet you.
Dr.
Kempler, it's a pleasure.
I | promise you.
I'll do what I can to help.
Thank you.
I appreciate it.
I can't | tell you how important all of this is.
The entire credibility of alternative | energy research and development lies on this race.
- Oh, Devon, I still have to get your signature on the entry form.
| - Certainly.
Excuse me.
| Nice meeting you.
Nice meeting you too.
| Catch you later.
- Hi.
| - Nice car.
- You must be the late entry.
I'm Liberty Cox.
| - Michael Knight.
Will all drivers please | report to the main tent.
All drivers to the main tent.
| Thank you.
- I'll be your personal escort.
| - I can't think of a nicer way to start a race.
You know, you win, | uh, first prize for the, uh, wildest dashboard | on a car.
No kidding? | Where do I pick it up? I don't know.
| I'll find out and let you know.
Hello.
I'm driving for Devon | Miles.
You're Michael Knight.
Yes, sir.
| Ed Shaw, race coordinator.
Interesting car.
Yeah, well, | it's an interesting race.
Best of luck.
| Thank you.
Uh, where do you think you're | going? I beg your pardon? - This meeting's for drivers only.
| - Do you happen to know who I am? I sure do, lady.
| That's why you stay right out here.
Catch you later.
Now, remember, you'll be clocked at | each of the two overnight pit stops.
The first day, each car will be handicapped | according to his starting position and his own specifications.
Next two days will be a flat-out race | for the flags 2,000 miles overall.
Dr.
Kempler and I have designed | the course to challenge you.
Not each road is gonna be | in top-flight condition.
I know what's at stake, | but let's be careful out there.
In case you haven't noticed, we have | a new driver.
Meet Michael Knight.
That's it, gentlemen, ladies.
Uh, Ed, just a second.
Before you go, I would | like to introduce Clark Sellers, President of the Sellers | Cable Network.
If it weren't for his generous contribution, | you would be racing for a lot less than $200,000.
- Clark? | Yeah, about $195,000 less.
No, that isn't true.
The truth is | I consider that a bargain to get the exclusive worldwide | television rights to this race.
I think it's going to be an exciting | event, and the Sellers Cable Network is proud to be | broadcasting it.
Now, go out there | and show the world the future is alternative energy | and cable television.
That's all.
Hi, guys.
Good luck.
Hi.
I'm Michael Knight, | the new driver.
Before you go any further, | I think you should know I have no intention | of making friends.
I'm interested in two things finishing first | and doing so in one piece.
- So if you don't mind | - In that case, I'll see you at the finish line.
She wasn't your type anyway.
Who are you, anyway? | I told you already.
I'm Liberty I know.
Liberty Cox.
But I mean, what are | you doing trying to crash a drivers' meeting? Oh, I'm covering the race for | New Wheels magazine.
Ever read it? New Wheels? | Yeah, yeah, once or twice.
Actually, I really want to experience the | race.
I want to live it and breathe it You mean, like, gonzo | journalism in the flesh.
I guess you could say that.
Listen, if you like, I could run | the first leg of the race with you.
Oh, I'm sorry, | but I travel solo.
Hey, lovely lady.
How would you like to ride | in the lead car? No thanks, boys.
Come | on there, magazine lady.
You have absolutely no idea | what you're gonna be missing.
True.
It's true.
| Come on.
Would you believe their car is supposed | to run on moonshine? No kidding? Looks like they're halfway through | their fuel supply.
- Get out of the way, you fool.
| - Who are you calling a fool, schnitzel breath? That boy's driving illegally.
| I'm calling you a fool.
You know, you're a little I'll see ya at the pit stop.
Could we have the racing cars | to the starting bridge.
All cars to the starting bridge, please.
Ladies and gentlemen, in car number | one, fueled by an alcohol-based mixture, Sonny and Lester Prince.
In car number two, | driving what might be the most advanced methane-powered | automobile in the world, from West Germany, | Helmut Gras.
In the third car, from Japan, | running on propane, Hito Osaka.
In the solar-powered vehicle, | we have Dorothy Ackridge.
- Next up, from the sheikdom of Kuwait | - Ready, KITT? Michael, you do realize this race is | academic, not to mention unnecessary.
- Why is that? | - The car of the future is already here me.
And finally, running on liquid | hydrogen, in the K-2000 Special, Michael Knight.
That's our | little secret, pal.
Let's do it! The starter is lining up the cars.
| Just look at those beauties the newest and fastest | alternative-energy cars in the world.
And remember | the challenge is to win the race using the least amount of fuel.
The drivers all seem to be okay.
| The cars are ready.
The starter raises the green flag.
And they're racing.
! Looks like these guys | are playing for keeps.
Michael, why do you have | my engine on half-throttle? We got to blend in, KITT.
| You know that.
Ah, yes.
Observe, deduce, analyze.
You got it.
We're under strict orders | not to strut our stuff.
Listen, check your data banks and give | me a rundown on the competition, will ya? As you wish, Michael.
| Beginning with the letter "A," there's Dorothy Ackridge, | the woman you attempted to pick up.
I was just trying to be friendly.
I've heard that before.
| She's the daughter of Henry Ackridge.
No kidding? | President of Ackridge Automotive.
Incorporated.
| Hmm.
Kinda makes you wonder why | she's driving a solar-powered car.
You got a reading on her | on the tracking scope? She's approximately half a mile | behind us.
I'll decrease speed.
I appreciate that, partner.
I know how tough | this is on your competitive sensibilities.
- KITT, what was that? | - I believe we're being shot at, Michael.
There's been another shot | behind us.
The solar car's been hit.
| Michael, she's skidding out of control.
She's okay.
Zoom in on her.
This is terrific.
This is better than | The French Connection, and it's for real.
Come on.
Take it easy.
You okay? | I think so.
I'll let you know | after I stop shaking.
Thank you.
The way I treated you | before, you're very kind.
You'd do the same for me.
Hang on.
| I want to take a look at that tire.
Ladies and gentlemen, | the cars are coming into view now.
Yes, here are the early finishers of the first | leg.
I see Michael Knight's K-2000 Special.
We're awaiting word now of | Dorothy Ackridge, Excuse me.
Whose car apparently | sustained a blowout.
There she is now, | and she seems to be all right.
I'm all right.
I'm really | more concerned about my car! Your crew's working on it.
They'll | have you back in the race tomorrow.
Don't worry about a thing.
As soon as she comes out, I want | some quotes to go with the footage.
Looks like a Fellini movie.
How's KITT holding up? | Like a champ.
You might check out | his grappling winch.
And while you're at it, check out this.
Hi, Liberty.
| Another interview.
Go for it.
Hi, guys.
We've reserved you a seat | right here.
I bet you did.
Come on, here.
| Oh, yeah.
Step right on in here.
Gonna fix you right up.
What you | want, darling? You want a beer? Ah, you have to be disappointed | with your time today.
Well, guys, I only worry | about one thing that's who crosses the finish line first.
Sure you'd have finished sooner if you | hadn't stopped to help poor Miss Ackridge.
- We know you would have never stopped to help her.
| - Accidents are a part of any race.
Question is | will it continue to happen? They will, the way he drives.
Well, here's to good sportsmanship.
That's what I figured.
Now, wait, wait, wait, wait.
| Let me ask you a question.
What is it with all these questions? | I thought you wanted to party.
Wrong.
| Wrong? Give you a little acupressure.
No, | no, no, no.
Listen.
Listen, you guys.
I would really love to stay.
| Really, I would.
But I think that you two | are so unbelievably sexy that I don't think I can control myself | much longer.
Wait, wait, wait.
Wait.
I haven't finished | your kidneys yet.
Boy, you got a way with women, | Sonny.
I got to hand it to you.
I told you she had | the hots for us.
Our mother raised an idiot, | and it ain't me.
That girl ain't got the hots for us, or | she wouldn't be going over there toward him.
Uh-huh.
It is cold out there! | Well, come on inside.
You know, you seem very calm for a man who may be | the next one to go.
What makes you think | there'll be a next one? Call it a journalistic hunch.
But there's someone who wants to win | this race by whatever means it takes.
Like, by eliminating | the competition.
I can't believe all this | is happening.
Two years of planning, coordinating, finding sponsors | for the cars, developing fuels Gordon, try to relax.
Take a deep breath.
| Have a drink.
We'll work it out.
| You're not in this alone, you know.
One way or another, your Alternative | 2000 will succeed.
Believe me.
Dr.
Kempler, could I see you | for a minute? Alone? Ed, you know I don't have any | secrets from Devon.
What is it? In that case, I think you | better come with me, both of you.
Looks like something's up.
You can go now.
She said she found this under the | bed when she was cleaning the room.
Uh, senora.
| Uno momento, por favor.
A collapsible Rexman.
A highly sophisticated | long-range sniper's rifle.
Not at all common.
| Snipers? Devon, do you think that this could be | the rifle that shot at Dorothy's car? Bonnie said the bullet | was a.
308 caliber, and the Rexman uses.
308s.
What's the meaning of this? - What are you doing in my room? | - I believe the question should be, "What is that doing | in your room?" Well, you can breathe | easy again.
The ordeal's over.
Naturally, my hunch | was right on target.
- Am I in the wrong room? | - No, no.
You're in the right room.
Anyway, um, as it turns out, it was the Arab; although, I | thought it might be the German.
Anyway, I guess the crisis is over.
They | did find the smoking gun in his room.
If I'm in the right room, | then you're in the wrong room.
L I thought I'd surprise you.
| I hope you don't mind.
Well, as a matter of fact, I do.
Well, I-I-I was just being | spontaneous.
I figured this gave me a good opportunity to find out | what makes a man like you tick.
Yeah, well, I don't think your | readers would be real interested in me.
I don't care about my readers.
| I find you very interesting.
Are you gonna stay mad | at me all night? No, I-I wasn't planning on it, but Liberty, I-I gotta get some | sleep.
I'm running a race tomorrow.
What if I give you | a good reason to stay up? Is that reason enough? No.
But it's a start.
This is an outrage.
I've never | seen that rifle before in my life.
You can't do this to me.
| I'm warning you.
If I'm jailed, my country | will lodge a formal protest.
Well, we can all finally breathe | a sigh of relief.
Hah! I hope so.
All this craziness is making me | a nervous wreck.
You can relax now, I think.
I feel certain the case is closed.
The police did the ballistics tests on | the rifle and the bullet, and they matched.
That still doesn't mean Hashi | pulled the trigger.
No, it doesn't.
Just because he was driving | doesn't mean he didn't either.
He could've left the road, | assembled the rifle, fired, and in the confusion, | got back into the race.
Remember, he comes from one of the major | petroleum exporting countries in the world.
Devon, it's | it's too perfect, you know? I think I should stay in the race | until we're sure all the shoes have dropped.
You sure it isn't | because you want to win? - Devon, don't you know me? | - Yes.
That's why I asked.
Michael.
| Morning.
It is a glorious morning | a double-header.
Not only do I get to be with you, but I | get to ride in this mysterious black beauty.
Listen, I've got everything arranged.
I've | got chicken and sandwiches, iced tea Liberty, I'm sorry.
You | can't ride with me.
What? It's not me.
It's my sponsor, Devon | Miles.
He's touchy about these things.
I don't believe you! | Hey! Didn't last night mean | anything to you? I don't beg rides, Michael Knight.
They beg me.
Liberty Come on, baby! Bonnie.
! I wanted to see if I could extend | the tracking scope's range.
Did you? No, but I see | you extended yours.
Ladies and gentlemen, | the cars are moving to the starting line for the second leg | of this historic race.
There's the green flag.
| And we have a start.
Busy morning? | You could say that.
Did Liberty Cox ever find out | what makes you tick? KITT, didn't anyone ever tell you | it's not polite to eavesdrop? I had no choice.
After all, | I was in surveillance mode.
Then you should've noticed | she left and I went to bed.
I've heard that one before.
KITT, let's run profiles on the | remaining drivers and key personnel.
Does the phrase "key personnel" | include Miss Liberty Cox? Yeah.
That's a good idea.
| Let's start with her.
Shall we begin with personal data | or criminal activities? "Criminal activities"? | Come on.
The lady may be many things, | but she's no criminal.
- Is she? | - You tell me.
June 1980.
Breaking and entering.
| Bailed out by her editor.
September 1980.
| Malicious mischief.
Bailed out by her publisher.
January 1981 ?? Leaves the wrong impression | on her mind ?? ?? On her mind ???? Hey.
| Do you want a little blast? It'll get your motor runnin', | that's for sure.
You know, it's guys like you that give | alternative fuel supply a bad name.
A bad name? Hell, lady, we love it.
| Why don't you lighten up a little bit? We don't know, | but we sure can go! Whoo! Let me out of the car! Looks like Liberty bit off | a little bit more than she can chew.
If you have any thoughts | of rescuing her, Michael, I'd advise you check | my schematic visuals.
In that case, buddy, | we better step on it.
My God! Whoo! I don't need | your charity, Michael.
Oh, my God! Devon, I need a coroner's van | and a wrecker here right away.
There's been another accident.
- Michael, that was no accident.
| - What are you talking about, KITT? My electronic sensors | picked up a detonation signal two milliseconds | before the explosion.
Is that all this is to you is | a hot picture and a cover story? Ladies and gentlemen, | we have a report of a possible accident to the number one car | driven by Sonny and Lester Prince.
Meanwhile What a disaster.
Look at it.
There isn't a sober | journalistic face to be seen.
There isn't one | scientific quarterly writer.
Whole thing has turned into a blood-and-guts | demolition derby.
It's a car crash carnival.
Well, Doctor, you aren't | thinking of canceling the race? I don't know | what else to do! Well, if you cancel now, | it'll be interpreted as as the failure | of alternative energy.
The entire concept will be | set back 10 years.
Gentlemen, may I make | a suggestion? Since our primary concern | is the safety of the drivers, why not let them decide? Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like | to thank you all for coming.
As you can well imagine, there's been a considerable | amount of concern over what's been happening, and there seems to be | a variety of opinion as to whether the race should be | allowed to continue or not.
Uh, Devon Miles | has come up with what I believe | to be the best solution.
Since it's really your race, and it's certainly | your lives, he felt that you should be | the ones to decide whether to continue or not.
So, I'm going to ask all of those who are | in favor of continuing the race to please raise your hands.
All right.
The race will continue on schedule.
All drivers report to the staging area | at 7:00 a.
m.
Sharp, and, uh, good luck.
We must talk.
Let me | grab a quick shower first.
Shaw, how can you act | like it's business as usual? You killed two people today.
Lower your voice.
| To hell with my voice.
! Look, I hired you to arrange | an accident or two.
A near miss.
Some excitement, so at | least I'd end up with a promotable show.
Not death.
Not murder.
You know what's wrong | with guys like you, Sellers? You want accidents, explosions, | chills and thrills so you can sell what would | have been a turkey and keep your little | cable network alive.
But you don't want any | of the responsibility.
What was that? Aah! Hey, Liberty! You home? The girl can't just disappear | from the face of the earth.
She won't just disappear.
They'll find her what's left of her | at the site of the next accident.
That's insane.
! | It's too risky.
Just shut up and listen.
They're | looking for a mystery saboteur, right? We'll give it to 'em | a dead one.
You think it's that easy? | You think the police are that stupid? I don't think we have | that many options.
Now, she already has a history | with the local law enforcement.
The police will come to the only conclusion | they can: She made a mistake setting a bomb.
No doubt about it, Michael.
| That is identical to the signal I monitored two milliseconds | before the Prince brothers were, uh What is the phrase? | Blown to smithereens.
Well, Michael, it seems | we found our saboteur.
Really? And who's she working for? Middle East? Detroit? The whole | thing doesn't track.
Give me a motive.
All right, Michael.
| I'll give you a motive.
And not one as byzantine | as ones we've considered.
Look.
At the start of this race, the only interested people | were idealists and dreamers.
But now, in light of the events | of the past few days, it's news.
Our Liberty has her camera bag | chock-full of negatives which could command a fortune from | magazines and newspapers all over the world.
It's too easy.
It's the | Hashi-with-the-rifle thing all over again.
I mean, her bed wasn't slept in.
| Why weren't her bags unpacked? Where'd she go? The racers are lining up.
Michael, if Liberty is | not in the wrong, our saboteur may be planning a few new | surprises for the last day of the race.
I think you'd better go.
| Why? So you can put an A.
P.
B.
Out | on Liberty after I leave? What would you do? Same thing.
Good luck.
Be careful, Michael.
Thanks, Bonnie.
All right.
| Okay? Now, don't make it | any harder.
Got her? | Yeah.
Oh, you've got | a lot of energy.
If I get some time, | I'll help you work it off.
Give me that bag.
Thanks.
I'm gonna set this | with a fuse.
Now tie her to the rock.
| All right.
When the dust settles, they'll | figure that she made a mistake, couldn't get out of | the blast area in time.
We'll have to hurry.
I told the | camera crew to get some run-bys, but they should be here | 10 minutes.
Twenty.
| I took care of that.
You took care of it? | Who the hell do you think you are? The new vice president | of Sellers Cable Network.
"Vice president"? Come on.
No, please? Ow! KITT, I know we have missed something.
Run the stats on the rest of the race the | racecourse Just give me everything you got.
Very well.
Help! KITT, I think you made a mistake.
| There's only been three accidents, not Michael, I was about to say that this is a | readout of all the S.
C.
N.
Camera positions.
Yeah, but this one, | this one and this one They all took place in the same | place the accidents happened.
You know, that's why I thought Wait a minute.
Give me an overlay of the | accident sites and leave up the camera positions.
Right away.
KITT, every accident has taken place | right in front of a camera crew.
Michael, the odds against a freak accident | being synchronistic with a random deployment | of cameras is I know what it is | It's way too coincidental.
Remember what Devon said about why | Liberty might have sabotaged the race? - To make her feel more valuable? | - Well, the same theory applies to cosponsor Clark Sellers.
Exploitive publicity.
Where's the nearest | camera position? We just passed it Apache Wash.
KITT, get me a readout | on that canyon.
With all your scanners, the visuals, the | chemical detectors Give me the works, buddy.
Michael, there's | an explosive charge there.
And a person too.
| What? Come on.
| Give me maximum enlargement.
KITT, it's Liberty! Michael, at the rate that fuse is burning, | we have less than 20 seconds to stop it.
Help! Oh! Help.
! Help me.
! KITT, I need some help! Michael, I'm monitoring the signal | from the S.
C.
N.
Cameras.
Yeah, it talks.
Yeah, I know.
| It's got monitors too, huh? Clark Sellers is there.
Liberty, I know | Sellers is in on it.
What? Shaw? You're telling me Shaw's | in on it too? Mm-hmm! All right, KITT.
Sellers and Shaw are | gonna take off the minute they see us.
Get me some overdrive, buddy! Huh? What? Michael, she would like you | to take the gag off.
Oh.
| I don't think so.
You know, this is the first | conversation I've ever had with you where I can get | a word in edgewise? All right, KITT.
We're gonna give Clark Sellers | a real big finish for his cameras.
The cars are coming into view, | and it looks like Helmut Gras.
No, wait a minute.
Another car is | coming, and his speed is off the scale.
! He's got the girl.
And the winner is Michael Knight.
| Coming in second is Helmut Gras.
And third, Hito Osaka.
Come on, come on! | Let's go! Wait a minute, ladies and gentlemen.
| The race is over, but there seems to be some kind | of a disturbance in the pit area.
Please don't panic.
| Please stay in your seats.
Michael, they're getting away.
Ouch! Mr.
Sellers? Say "Leavenworth.
" Ready? Okay, smile.
All right.
! Great.
! Just Let me turn this | just a little bit this way.
Okay.
| Okay.
Yeah.
That looks pretty good.
Okay.
Just one more.
| How about that? Okay? Ready.
| Ready? Say "cheese.
" Hello? Why, no.
It's Bonnie.
Oh, hi, Dr.
Kempler.
| What do you think, Devon? It goes against the grain to see | a man rewarded for insubordination.
Can you run that by me one more | time? I'm not sure I heard you right.
Okay, Devon, I'm sorry.
| I apologize for winning the race.
But how else was I supposed | to nail Sellers and Shaw? I have no intention of | discussing this case ever again.
Now, would you please tell me | what she's doing here? I'm here because I want to find | out what you told my editor.
I had the world's greatest | racing scoop.
Death, mayhem, | a talking car to the rescue.
I simply told him that we're | involved in a sensitive area here, and that publicity is something | we could well do without.
Explains why he killed my story.
- It's alive again.
| - What? Well, it seems that Hashi Al Qatar's | ambassador called the state department, and they agreed that | the disqualification was illegal.
Does that mean that the race | will have to be run all over again? Does that mean I'll have to | give back my trophy? - It looks like that.
| - Oh, what a shame! - Sic transit gloria mundi.
| - You took the words right out of my mouth.
Uh, hold on a minute.
| I'll ask him.
Um, Dr.
Kempler wants to know if | Michael's entering the race again.
- Yes! | - No! Michael Knight, a lone crusader | in a dangerous world, the world of the Knight Rider.