Mission: Impossible (1988) s01e17 Episode Script
Reprisal
Laura Ann.
Jim.
Oh, I couldn't believe it when you called.
-It's been so long.
- Oh, much, much too long.
You look wonderful.
Uh, still soda with a dash of lime? (laughs): Yes.
Your memory is extraordinary.
It's one of the things I appreciated about you the most, was your great memory.
Oh, this is nice.
Peaceful.
Mmm.
Cheers.
Um, you said this was important.
Is it IMF business? This will be very important to the IMF and to me personally.
Imagine that, after all these years.
Yes, imagine, after all these years we haven't forgotten you.
And that's because I have an extraordinary memory myself.
(Gasping, glass shatters) (choking gasps) (theme music playing) Want to describe this item for me? Brass-plated E-flat major harmonica.
Initials J-R-B embossed on the left side? Close-- J-L-B.
I'd try the trunk in the corner.
I'll be in back if anybody knocks.
(Blipping) (beeping) (clicks, whirrs) MALE VOICE: Good morning, Jim.
I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.
On the 27th of last month, one of your former team members, Laura Ann Wilson, was viciously murdered.
What is most bizarre about the case is that your fingerprints were found at the scene.
We know you were in Thailand on the night of the 27th.
The local authorities, of course, are not privileged to the classified information of your whereabouts and consider you the key suspect.
(Rewinding) Your fingerprints were found at the scene.
We know you were in Thailand on the night of the 27th.
The local authorities, of course, are not privileged to the classified information of your whereabouts and consider you the key suspect.
However, through the intercession of the Secretary, they have agreed to keep the details confidential for one week and will not issue a warrant for your arrest.
Jim, someone has tried to frame you for this murder.
Your mission, which I feel you must accept, will be to find the person who is framing you and stop him.
As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.
This disc will self-destruct in five seconds.
Good luck, Jim.
(Rapid beeping) (hissing) Go ahead, sir.
Please understand my concern.
Russell Acker is our most dangerous patient.
He refuses any psychiatric therapy.
In all the years he's been here, he hasn't had a visitor nor requested one, until six days ago.
Six days ago, the 27th of last month.
That's right.
That's when he put your name on his visiting list.
Does that date have any significance? It's the 12th anniversary of the day the court declared Russell Acker criminally insane.
Talbot, would you take this gentleman to see Russell Acker? Ward J.
If you'll just, uh sign for your pass, sir.
Like to follow me? Thank you, Doctor.
(Man muttering softly) Jimbo, old friend.
You missed my anniversary.
I didn't know there was a cause for celebration.
Why not? It was your day of triumph.
Was it? (Acker laughs) You're too modest, Jimbo.
You're the one that laid charges against me.
You and your ladies! Like Laura Ann Wilson? Oh, yeah.
Yeah, sweet Laura Ann.
(laughing) I hear she met with a tragic death eh? I wonder how the others are doing.
Leave them out of it, Acker, it's me you're after.
(laughing) You can't possibly consider me a suspect in Laura Ann's murder.
I'm in a cell, in a maximum security institution.
(laughing) But if I were you, I'd warn the other ladies.
- Guard! Guard! -(running cup along bars) Guard! (Panting): This man's upsetting me.
He's upsetting me a great deal.
Sir.
Oh, Jimbo.
(Panting): You promise to stop upsetting me, and I'll make sure your name's on my visiting list-- yeah.
Yeah.
PHELPS: Russell Acker is a genius, make no mistake about that.
Yeah, my father recalls consulting with the man several times at the IM laboratories.
Yes, he was responsible for the genesis of a lot of the tools we currently use.
Including the latex mixture we're still using in our masks.
Acker could've duplicated Jim's fingerprints, left them on a glass at the scene of the murder.
How could someone go from being one of our most trusted consultants to a homicidal maniac? Russell Acker almost lost his life in a car accident.
He suffered a severe concussion, he was in a coma for over a week.
When he recovered, he was a different man.
He became prone to fits of rage and violence.
IMF was forced to let him go.
He opened his own research lab and became a very wealthy man.
He also started murdering women, and he used his genius there, too.
He taunted the police, and eventually, eight women were dead.
The Secretary felt we had an obligation to trap him.
I was assigned the mission and I picked a team, including three women, one of whom was Laura Ann Wilson.
But he's in a maximum security facility.
How could he possibly have murdered her? That's what we have to find out.
Nicholas will be working inside.
Yes, well, it's all been set up.
The State assessor will be arriving at the Bay City State Hospital tomorrow.
They're also do for a little maintenance on their electrical system.
I'll be at their service.
All right, now, we have to believe that Acker either murdered Laura Ann himself or had someone do it for him.
However he masterminded it, he had to have an accomplice, and that accomplice has to be one of these men.
These are the only five attendants who have access to Acker's cell.
Why would anyone help a psychopath like that? NICHOLAS: The song of a cash register.
Acker's millions are supposed to be in a blind trust.
In the past few months, $300,000 have been transferred out.
The question is, who's collecting it? We have to find that out before Acker tries to kill again.
MAX: The other team members have they been warned? They will be, as soon as I can find them.
Have you completed your tour, Mr.
Ullman? Oh, almost everything.
I'd like to take a look at the surveillance system.
It's not very modern, I'm afraid.
We have applied for more state-of-the-art equipment.
Yes, I know.
It's all under consideration.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be here, would I? Now, are all the cells in the corridors monitored? Well, in the violent wards, yeah, but, uh, only about 60% of the others.
We need more.
Well, I'll be the judge of that now, won't I? I presume I have free reign throughout the facility.
Your badge gives you access to any section at any time.
Quite frankly, we'd appreciate any recommendation you make.
Thank you.
How long is he going to be around? He'll be in and out for a few days.
I met most of those state assessors when I worked in, uh, Sacramento last year.
I don't recognize this one.
He has all the necessary credentials.
(Keypad beeping) One moment, please.
(Trilling) (dialing) WOMAN (on phone): State Personnel division.
Ugh Look, I'm sorry; I must have dialed the wrong number.
State Personnel Division.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Yeah, I want to verify one of the inspectors.
What's the name, please? TALBOT: Ullman.
Roger Ullman.
Let me check that.
Yes, we have him currently assigned to the Bay City State Hospital.
Is he, uh, new with your department? Says here he came up from our Southern California division couple months ago.
(beep) Here's our boy.
You've got it, Grant.
All right, let's set up a tape on this guy, so we have a 24-hour record of him, huh? Are we into the full system down there? Yeah, it's pretty antiquated, though.
No computers, so we don't have any access to those files.
We've been working on the guards and the attendants, but we haven't come up with much.
Can Nicholas get into the personnel files? It's on his agenda.
(camera shutter clicks) (shutter clicks) -(piano plays upbeat tune) - And one, two, three, four.
Keep the line straight.
Good.
Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Stretch.
Good! Keep the spacing.
Okay, it's looking good.
I think there-- waist-high, girls.
One, two, three, four.
And one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Stretch.
Over.
Watch the spaces.
Keep in time.
Up- - Sharon? - SHARON: Yes? This section isn't working for me.
Take it from the bridge, and see if you can't work something else out with it, okay? Fine.
Okay, girls, quickly, back from the top.
Original places.
Sharon? SHARON: Yes? You work on that.
I'll be right back.
Okay, and five, six, seven Jim, it's been I God, I can't even remember how long.
Hong Kong, nine years ago, we put a very dangerous international drug dealer out of business.
Well, it's great to see you.
Yeah.
But I suspect that you didn't come for the memories.
No.
I'm afraid an old ghost has come back to haunt us, Lisa.
Russell Acker.
Acker? Mm-hmm.
They haven't released him? No, they haven't released him.
He's still three stories below ground in a maximum security cell, but he's operating again.
Oh, I'm afraid to ask.
What's he doing? He's murdered Laura Ann.
Oh, my God.
But how? We're still trying to figure that out.
He either had someone do the killing for him, or he's figured how to get in and out of the hospital where he's committed.
Lisa, you and Marilyn also testified against him, which puts both of you in danger.
I'll need two hours out tonight.
Enjoy your dinner.
Hmm.
(Electronic whine) Could I see Russell Acker? MAN: That's him in the middle.
Ah.
Hmm.
(laughing) (sighs) (groans) (door squeaks) (door squeaks) (rattling) (grunting with effort) Always a pleasure doing business with a dedicated public servant like you, Talbot.
Now give me the keys.
No, we got to talk first.
Not here.
Not now.
I'm gonna do what I have to do.
And you're gonna lie low till I get back.
I'm taking too many risks.
I want double what you're paying me.
This is all going to end soon, and they'll be a big payoff for you.
That's a promise.
Now, the keys? (Keys jingling) (engine starts) (gate clanks, whirrs open) Hi, Mom.
Rehearsal ran late.
Sorry.
Well, everything I've checked seems secure.
Did you find something? Nothing that's going to make anybody feel any better.
LISA: Okay, girls, good rehearsal.
That's enough for today.
See you all tomorrow, okay? (Indistinct conversation continues) The one we went to together last week.
- LISA: Good night, girls.
- GIRLS: Good night.
Have you been able to reach Marilyn yet? No, and I'm getting concerned.
She lives on a ranch in southern Oregon.
I've left several messages, but nothing.
Black, one sugar.
Thank you.
Well, it's good to know that some things don't change.
(Chuckles) Oh.
Lisa, I would feel a lot better if I could drive you to the airport tonight and put you on a plane for somewhere.
I don't like running, Jim.
I never have.
You don't have to run.
You go away a few days till we get this cleared up.
You have someone who can cover the show for you.
It takes a lot of time to put a show like this together.
- I don't know - Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night.
I just don't know, Jim.
Well, maybe we can help you make your decision.
The theater's secure, except for the lock on the back door.
I found wax particles in it.
Someone's made a key recently.
Acker? Of course.
You have to see how vulnerable you are.
Lisa, please.
All right, Jim.
But only for a few days.
I have some business I can finish in Paris anyway.
Good.
That's fine.
Shannon will make the arrangements.
Nicholas, you'd better get back to the hospital.
Right.
Grant and I will see what we can do about tightening security around here.
(over phone): Hi.
This is Marilyn.
Please leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
- Thanks.
-(beep) WOMAN: This is Dr.
Nelson's office.
Just a reminder of your dental appointment For tomorrow afternoon at 2:00.
-(Beep) - This is your mother, Marilyn.
- Call.
-(beep) This is Jim Phelps.
It's imperative I talk to you.
I'll be with Lisa Casey until 8:00 or 9:00.
The number is 555-6262.
(Beep) Gotcha.
Thank you.
Well, your flight leaves for Paris at 6:00 tomorrow morning.
Oh, not a lot of time to pack.
(Phone ringing) Yes, he's here.
Hold on just a minute.
Jim.
Yeah.
ACKER: I'm at the St.
Mark Hotel, Jimbo.
It's Acker.
I know you've been looking for Marilyn.
Thought I'd help you out.
Marilyn's on her way here, Jimbo, and I'm going to kill her just for you.
PHELPS (over phone): Acker Acker.
He's at the St.
Mark Hotel.
Jim, it must be a trap.
Call the police.
He says he's going to kill Marilyn.
(Gentle jazz melody plays, guests conversing) Marilyn.
Jim, I'm so glad you're actually here.
I haven't seen you for nine years.
Two days ago, you call, tell me to drop out of sight and meet you here.
What's going on? It's just very important that you trust in me.
Actually, this is a matter of life and death.
Jim, you're scaring me.
Do you remember a man named Russell Acker? He's not someone you ever forget.
I'm so glad to hear you say that.
(Woman screaming) Somebody do something! (screams) - MAN: Right away! - WOMAN: Security! Get security! (Bystanders clamoring) - WOMAN: Security! -(woman screams) (grunting) it's all right.
Hang on.
This is good.
Okay okay You people want to step back? MAN: Thank you.
We'll get back to you.
That's him! That's the murderer! (Clamoring) (officer shouting) OFFICER: Go! Go! Hold it! Continuing with our late-breaking story from the downtown St.
Mark Hotel.
The woman who was murdered was checking in to the hotel when attacked.
Eyewitnesses to the brutal slaying have identified this man as the assailant.
Anyone having information on the subject is asked to contact the San Francis-- (TV shuts off) He's wearing a mask.
It makes sense.
He practically invented them.
But it's the voice, Nicholas-- the voice.
Jim, he's had 12 years to perfect it.
LISA: it's the perfect frame.
Who would believe that anyone could break themselves out of a maximum security mental institution, commit a murder, and then check themselves back in again? No one, unless we prove it.
Well, there's one way.
I'm his next victim.
Oh, no, you don't.
I failed Marilyn, and she's dead, and that's not going to happen to you.
I'm going to put you on a plane for Paris.
No, Jim.
Not while you're in trouble.
I'm supposed to be his next victim, and I'm going to make damn sure he knows where to find me.
Well, at last.
All my old friends are coming to see me.
There's nothing friendly about this, and we both know that.
I'm supposed to be your next victim.
Remember? Victim? Your buddy, Jimbo, has been spreading vicious rumors about me again.
You may be able to make Jim Phelps into a fugitive, but I want you to know something-- I'm not running.
Of course, I don't know what you're talking about, but it sounds very, uh courageous.
LISA: Courageous?! No.
It doesn't take courage to deal with a coward-- a man who seeks out women when they can't defend themselves.
But then, you never were much of a man, were you? And I want you to know something.
You are not running me out of this city.
I'm going to be here, ready for you, if you've got the guts.
I'll see you.
This is the surveillance tape we've been watching from Acker's cell.
It doesn't make for exciting viewing.
Acker eating, Acker sleeping.
And maybe Acker playing us at our own game.
He was an old IM man.
So you asked yourself what we'd do in his place.
Right.
Now, this is what the normal surveillance looks like.
Individual video tape images are made up of a series of pixels-- microscopic squares that reflect all degrees of light and shadow.
Now, a live image, like the one on the right, has almost 20% more resolution than a copy, or an overlay.
See how much darker the other one is? Acker could have reflected that image through a mirror.
Then he has a way of projecting a short loop of film that keeps repeating over and over? And what you're saying is that Acker wasn't in his cell when this was on the monitor.
GRANT: If I'm right, this is the projected image that lets Acker out.
Come in.
They can't see you.
(Chuckling) This is my last time out, partner.
Where's my money? Oh, I promise you a big payoff.
Today's your lucky day.
(intermittent beeping) (prolonged beep) (intermittent beeping) Jim I'm at one of the guard's place-- Talbot.
You better come over here right away.
PHELPS: A scrapbook-- all of his victims.
No wonder they put him away.
Yes, really sick.
Be careful.
ACKER (over speaker): Good morning, Jim.
I knew it would be you when your team would be the only ones Capable of finding my little hideaway.
Interesting scenario, wouldn't you say? Every single piece of evidence you need to prove your innocence is in this room, and there's one more piece of information in your computer, back at your apartment, if you get the chance to hear it.
(laughs) Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to survive this ordeal.
They're going to put you away for killing those girls just like they put me away.
They're gonna sentence you to hell.
(Acker chuckles) Such a pity we both know the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions, and, all the while, the evidence is here.
To coin a phrase, this room will self-destruct in five seconds.
- Out of here! -(Acker laughing) What did he mean about information on the computer? That's what I'm about to find out.
No, it's a trick, you can't trust him.
He has to kill Lisa to get at me.
Now, you and the others protect her.
I'll meet you at the theater as soon as I can.
All right.
(Remote beeps) (beep) I-I just don't like it.
Jim's taking too big a risk.
Yeah, but the logic's sound.
Now, Acker's intentions are clear-- he's out to frame Jim, not kill him.
We've just got to make sure we're one step ahead.
Up to it? Yes.
I helped put him away once before and I'll do it again.
ACKER (over speaker): Stalk the enemy on your terms.
That was your usual method.
PHELPS: Acker? ACKER: She's the last one, Jimbo.
Where are you? Kind of gives you the creeps, doesn't it? (Acker laughs) Over here.
Or over here.
Or am I right behind you, Jimbo? The great Jim Phelps.
How I love to watch you squirm.
(laughing) We did real good.
(laughing) -(sniffs) - Yeah.
(Acker laughs; Phelps groans, coughs) Oh, Jimbo.
(laughs) How careless.
Sodium diazonol-- a contact anesthetic.
You use it in your spray cans to knock people out, but you always forget who was responsible for discovering it.
We did good, huh? You'll be awake by the time the police get here.
(Grunting) (chuckles) Very nice, very nice.
ACKER'S VOICE: Very clumsy of you.
Oh, so very clumsy.
We did really good, didn't we? (Typing) (computer trilling) And now, Mr.
Phelps, I'm on my way to take care of Lisa.
Sodium diazonol.
Well, it's a good thing we didn't forget Grant found a way of neutralizing it.
Yeah, Acker thinks he has the upper hand.
That'll work in our favor.
Grant.
Right here, Jim.
Is Lisa all set? You better believe it.
Tell her to get ready for the great performance.
This is the one that counts.
That's Grant's signal.
(Door opens) Jim is that you? Jim? Yes and I have some good news about our friend Acker.
History repeats itself.
Well, how's that? A car accident.
They took him to the hospital and he was dead on arrival.
Lisa, it's all over.
Oh, Jim.
It's over for all of us.
What about the police? They found enough evidence in his car to clear me.
I'm a free man.
Oh, that's great, Jim.
Well, I think that this calls for a celebration.
Oh, well, later.
I think Lisa's kind of upset and I'm Why don't you go ahead and I'll call you tomorrow? Yeah, yeah, I'm not gonna argue with that.
Let's get out of here.
Yeah.
(Door opens) (door closes) Oh, Lisa.
Oh, my, my.
Jim, what makes a person like that? Well, who can say? I mean, Russell Acker was a genius.
He was driven by voices and urges that he could neither understand nor resist.
(Sighs) Jim, you really sound like you understand the man.
Yeah, perhaps we are sort of the same person.
Now, that's not as bizarre as it sounds.
I mean, psychiatrists say that genius and madness are opposite sides of the same coin.
Wouldn't you agree with that? I think it's about time we upstaged our Mr.
Acker.
(Over monitor): isn't there a touch of madness in all of us? - Set ready.
- Right.
PHELPS (over monitor): What is it they say? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Oh, Lisa, you always were my favorite.
I always save the best till the last.
(Grunting) ACKER: Phelps! (Grunts) I know it's you.
What? (Grunting) PHELPS (over P.
A.
): it's over, Acker.
We have all the proof we need.
Phelps.
Now you're a dead man, Phelps a dead man.
Where are you?! No.
(Groans) (gun trigger clicking) See, Acker? It's all done with mirrors.
Oh, Lisa, you always were my favorite.
I didn't kill those girls.
He did.
(laughing) (gasping) No he did.
(laughing) I'm not mad.
No, I didn't kill those girls.
He did.
(Panting): He did.
(Acker laughing) Will he ever come back? Not from where he's going.
(laughing) (theme music playing)
Jim.
Oh, I couldn't believe it when you called.
-It's been so long.
- Oh, much, much too long.
You look wonderful.
Uh, still soda with a dash of lime? (laughs): Yes.
Your memory is extraordinary.
It's one of the things I appreciated about you the most, was your great memory.
Oh, this is nice.
Peaceful.
Mmm.
Cheers.
Um, you said this was important.
Is it IMF business? This will be very important to the IMF and to me personally.
Imagine that, after all these years.
Yes, imagine, after all these years we haven't forgotten you.
And that's because I have an extraordinary memory myself.
(Gasping, glass shatters) (choking gasps) (theme music playing) Want to describe this item for me? Brass-plated E-flat major harmonica.
Initials J-R-B embossed on the left side? Close-- J-L-B.
I'd try the trunk in the corner.
I'll be in back if anybody knocks.
(Blipping) (beeping) (clicks, whirrs) MALE VOICE: Good morning, Jim.
I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.
On the 27th of last month, one of your former team members, Laura Ann Wilson, was viciously murdered.
What is most bizarre about the case is that your fingerprints were found at the scene.
We know you were in Thailand on the night of the 27th.
The local authorities, of course, are not privileged to the classified information of your whereabouts and consider you the key suspect.
(Rewinding) Your fingerprints were found at the scene.
We know you were in Thailand on the night of the 27th.
The local authorities, of course, are not privileged to the classified information of your whereabouts and consider you the key suspect.
However, through the intercession of the Secretary, they have agreed to keep the details confidential for one week and will not issue a warrant for your arrest.
Jim, someone has tried to frame you for this murder.
Your mission, which I feel you must accept, will be to find the person who is framing you and stop him.
As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.
This disc will self-destruct in five seconds.
Good luck, Jim.
(Rapid beeping) (hissing) Go ahead, sir.
Please understand my concern.
Russell Acker is our most dangerous patient.
He refuses any psychiatric therapy.
In all the years he's been here, he hasn't had a visitor nor requested one, until six days ago.
Six days ago, the 27th of last month.
That's right.
That's when he put your name on his visiting list.
Does that date have any significance? It's the 12th anniversary of the day the court declared Russell Acker criminally insane.
Talbot, would you take this gentleman to see Russell Acker? Ward J.
If you'll just, uh sign for your pass, sir.
Like to follow me? Thank you, Doctor.
(Man muttering softly) Jimbo, old friend.
You missed my anniversary.
I didn't know there was a cause for celebration.
Why not? It was your day of triumph.
Was it? (Acker laughs) You're too modest, Jimbo.
You're the one that laid charges against me.
You and your ladies! Like Laura Ann Wilson? Oh, yeah.
Yeah, sweet Laura Ann.
(laughing) I hear she met with a tragic death eh? I wonder how the others are doing.
Leave them out of it, Acker, it's me you're after.
(laughing) You can't possibly consider me a suspect in Laura Ann's murder.
I'm in a cell, in a maximum security institution.
(laughing) But if I were you, I'd warn the other ladies.
- Guard! Guard! -(running cup along bars) Guard! (Panting): This man's upsetting me.
He's upsetting me a great deal.
Sir.
Oh, Jimbo.
(Panting): You promise to stop upsetting me, and I'll make sure your name's on my visiting list-- yeah.
Yeah.
PHELPS: Russell Acker is a genius, make no mistake about that.
Yeah, my father recalls consulting with the man several times at the IM laboratories.
Yes, he was responsible for the genesis of a lot of the tools we currently use.
Including the latex mixture we're still using in our masks.
Acker could've duplicated Jim's fingerprints, left them on a glass at the scene of the murder.
How could someone go from being one of our most trusted consultants to a homicidal maniac? Russell Acker almost lost his life in a car accident.
He suffered a severe concussion, he was in a coma for over a week.
When he recovered, he was a different man.
He became prone to fits of rage and violence.
IMF was forced to let him go.
He opened his own research lab and became a very wealthy man.
He also started murdering women, and he used his genius there, too.
He taunted the police, and eventually, eight women were dead.
The Secretary felt we had an obligation to trap him.
I was assigned the mission and I picked a team, including three women, one of whom was Laura Ann Wilson.
But he's in a maximum security facility.
How could he possibly have murdered her? That's what we have to find out.
Nicholas will be working inside.
Yes, well, it's all been set up.
The State assessor will be arriving at the Bay City State Hospital tomorrow.
They're also do for a little maintenance on their electrical system.
I'll be at their service.
All right, now, we have to believe that Acker either murdered Laura Ann himself or had someone do it for him.
However he masterminded it, he had to have an accomplice, and that accomplice has to be one of these men.
These are the only five attendants who have access to Acker's cell.
Why would anyone help a psychopath like that? NICHOLAS: The song of a cash register.
Acker's millions are supposed to be in a blind trust.
In the past few months, $300,000 have been transferred out.
The question is, who's collecting it? We have to find that out before Acker tries to kill again.
MAX: The other team members have they been warned? They will be, as soon as I can find them.
Have you completed your tour, Mr.
Ullman? Oh, almost everything.
I'd like to take a look at the surveillance system.
It's not very modern, I'm afraid.
We have applied for more state-of-the-art equipment.
Yes, I know.
It's all under consideration.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be here, would I? Now, are all the cells in the corridors monitored? Well, in the violent wards, yeah, but, uh, only about 60% of the others.
We need more.
Well, I'll be the judge of that now, won't I? I presume I have free reign throughout the facility.
Your badge gives you access to any section at any time.
Quite frankly, we'd appreciate any recommendation you make.
Thank you.
How long is he going to be around? He'll be in and out for a few days.
I met most of those state assessors when I worked in, uh, Sacramento last year.
I don't recognize this one.
He has all the necessary credentials.
(Keypad beeping) One moment, please.
(Trilling) (dialing) WOMAN (on phone): State Personnel division.
Ugh Look, I'm sorry; I must have dialed the wrong number.
State Personnel Division.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Yeah, I want to verify one of the inspectors.
What's the name, please? TALBOT: Ullman.
Roger Ullman.
Let me check that.
Yes, we have him currently assigned to the Bay City State Hospital.
Is he, uh, new with your department? Says here he came up from our Southern California division couple months ago.
(beep) Here's our boy.
You've got it, Grant.
All right, let's set up a tape on this guy, so we have a 24-hour record of him, huh? Are we into the full system down there? Yeah, it's pretty antiquated, though.
No computers, so we don't have any access to those files.
We've been working on the guards and the attendants, but we haven't come up with much.
Can Nicholas get into the personnel files? It's on his agenda.
(camera shutter clicks) (shutter clicks) -(piano plays upbeat tune) - And one, two, three, four.
Keep the line straight.
Good.
Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Stretch.
Good! Keep the spacing.
Okay, it's looking good.
I think there-- waist-high, girls.
One, two, three, four.
And one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Stretch.
Over.
Watch the spaces.
Keep in time.
Up- - Sharon? - SHARON: Yes? This section isn't working for me.
Take it from the bridge, and see if you can't work something else out with it, okay? Fine.
Okay, girls, quickly, back from the top.
Original places.
Sharon? SHARON: Yes? You work on that.
I'll be right back.
Okay, and five, six, seven Jim, it's been I God, I can't even remember how long.
Hong Kong, nine years ago, we put a very dangerous international drug dealer out of business.
Well, it's great to see you.
Yeah.
But I suspect that you didn't come for the memories.
No.
I'm afraid an old ghost has come back to haunt us, Lisa.
Russell Acker.
Acker? Mm-hmm.
They haven't released him? No, they haven't released him.
He's still three stories below ground in a maximum security cell, but he's operating again.
Oh, I'm afraid to ask.
What's he doing? He's murdered Laura Ann.
Oh, my God.
But how? We're still trying to figure that out.
He either had someone do the killing for him, or he's figured how to get in and out of the hospital where he's committed.
Lisa, you and Marilyn also testified against him, which puts both of you in danger.
I'll need two hours out tonight.
Enjoy your dinner.
Hmm.
(Electronic whine) Could I see Russell Acker? MAN: That's him in the middle.
Ah.
Hmm.
(laughing) (sighs) (groans) (door squeaks) (door squeaks) (rattling) (grunting with effort) Always a pleasure doing business with a dedicated public servant like you, Talbot.
Now give me the keys.
No, we got to talk first.
Not here.
Not now.
I'm gonna do what I have to do.
And you're gonna lie low till I get back.
I'm taking too many risks.
I want double what you're paying me.
This is all going to end soon, and they'll be a big payoff for you.
That's a promise.
Now, the keys? (Keys jingling) (engine starts) (gate clanks, whirrs open) Hi, Mom.
Rehearsal ran late.
Sorry.
Well, everything I've checked seems secure.
Did you find something? Nothing that's going to make anybody feel any better.
LISA: Okay, girls, good rehearsal.
That's enough for today.
See you all tomorrow, okay? (Indistinct conversation continues) The one we went to together last week.
- LISA: Good night, girls.
- GIRLS: Good night.
Have you been able to reach Marilyn yet? No, and I'm getting concerned.
She lives on a ranch in southern Oregon.
I've left several messages, but nothing.
Black, one sugar.
Thank you.
Well, it's good to know that some things don't change.
(Chuckles) Oh.
Lisa, I would feel a lot better if I could drive you to the airport tonight and put you on a plane for somewhere.
I don't like running, Jim.
I never have.
You don't have to run.
You go away a few days till we get this cleared up.
You have someone who can cover the show for you.
It takes a lot of time to put a show like this together.
- I don't know - Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night.
I just don't know, Jim.
Well, maybe we can help you make your decision.
The theater's secure, except for the lock on the back door.
I found wax particles in it.
Someone's made a key recently.
Acker? Of course.
You have to see how vulnerable you are.
Lisa, please.
All right, Jim.
But only for a few days.
I have some business I can finish in Paris anyway.
Good.
That's fine.
Shannon will make the arrangements.
Nicholas, you'd better get back to the hospital.
Right.
Grant and I will see what we can do about tightening security around here.
(over phone): Hi.
This is Marilyn.
Please leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
- Thanks.
-(beep) WOMAN: This is Dr.
Nelson's office.
Just a reminder of your dental appointment For tomorrow afternoon at 2:00.
-(Beep) - This is your mother, Marilyn.
- Call.
-(beep) This is Jim Phelps.
It's imperative I talk to you.
I'll be with Lisa Casey until 8:00 or 9:00.
The number is 555-6262.
(Beep) Gotcha.
Thank you.
Well, your flight leaves for Paris at 6:00 tomorrow morning.
Oh, not a lot of time to pack.
(Phone ringing) Yes, he's here.
Hold on just a minute.
Jim.
Yeah.
ACKER: I'm at the St.
Mark Hotel, Jimbo.
It's Acker.
I know you've been looking for Marilyn.
Thought I'd help you out.
Marilyn's on her way here, Jimbo, and I'm going to kill her just for you.
PHELPS (over phone): Acker Acker.
He's at the St.
Mark Hotel.
Jim, it must be a trap.
Call the police.
He says he's going to kill Marilyn.
(Gentle jazz melody plays, guests conversing) Marilyn.
Jim, I'm so glad you're actually here.
I haven't seen you for nine years.
Two days ago, you call, tell me to drop out of sight and meet you here.
What's going on? It's just very important that you trust in me.
Actually, this is a matter of life and death.
Jim, you're scaring me.
Do you remember a man named Russell Acker? He's not someone you ever forget.
I'm so glad to hear you say that.
(Woman screaming) Somebody do something! (screams) - MAN: Right away! - WOMAN: Security! Get security! (Bystanders clamoring) - WOMAN: Security! -(woman screams) (grunting) it's all right.
Hang on.
This is good.
Okay okay You people want to step back? MAN: Thank you.
We'll get back to you.
That's him! That's the murderer! (Clamoring) (officer shouting) OFFICER: Go! Go! Hold it! Continuing with our late-breaking story from the downtown St.
Mark Hotel.
The woman who was murdered was checking in to the hotel when attacked.
Eyewitnesses to the brutal slaying have identified this man as the assailant.
Anyone having information on the subject is asked to contact the San Francis-- (TV shuts off) He's wearing a mask.
It makes sense.
He practically invented them.
But it's the voice, Nicholas-- the voice.
Jim, he's had 12 years to perfect it.
LISA: it's the perfect frame.
Who would believe that anyone could break themselves out of a maximum security mental institution, commit a murder, and then check themselves back in again? No one, unless we prove it.
Well, there's one way.
I'm his next victim.
Oh, no, you don't.
I failed Marilyn, and she's dead, and that's not going to happen to you.
I'm going to put you on a plane for Paris.
No, Jim.
Not while you're in trouble.
I'm supposed to be his next victim, and I'm going to make damn sure he knows where to find me.
Well, at last.
All my old friends are coming to see me.
There's nothing friendly about this, and we both know that.
I'm supposed to be your next victim.
Remember? Victim? Your buddy, Jimbo, has been spreading vicious rumors about me again.
You may be able to make Jim Phelps into a fugitive, but I want you to know something-- I'm not running.
Of course, I don't know what you're talking about, but it sounds very, uh courageous.
LISA: Courageous?! No.
It doesn't take courage to deal with a coward-- a man who seeks out women when they can't defend themselves.
But then, you never were much of a man, were you? And I want you to know something.
You are not running me out of this city.
I'm going to be here, ready for you, if you've got the guts.
I'll see you.
This is the surveillance tape we've been watching from Acker's cell.
It doesn't make for exciting viewing.
Acker eating, Acker sleeping.
And maybe Acker playing us at our own game.
He was an old IM man.
So you asked yourself what we'd do in his place.
Right.
Now, this is what the normal surveillance looks like.
Individual video tape images are made up of a series of pixels-- microscopic squares that reflect all degrees of light and shadow.
Now, a live image, like the one on the right, has almost 20% more resolution than a copy, or an overlay.
See how much darker the other one is? Acker could have reflected that image through a mirror.
Then he has a way of projecting a short loop of film that keeps repeating over and over? And what you're saying is that Acker wasn't in his cell when this was on the monitor.
GRANT: If I'm right, this is the projected image that lets Acker out.
Come in.
They can't see you.
(Chuckling) This is my last time out, partner.
Where's my money? Oh, I promise you a big payoff.
Today's your lucky day.
(intermittent beeping) (prolonged beep) (intermittent beeping) Jim I'm at one of the guard's place-- Talbot.
You better come over here right away.
PHELPS: A scrapbook-- all of his victims.
No wonder they put him away.
Yes, really sick.
Be careful.
ACKER (over speaker): Good morning, Jim.
I knew it would be you when your team would be the only ones Capable of finding my little hideaway.
Interesting scenario, wouldn't you say? Every single piece of evidence you need to prove your innocence is in this room, and there's one more piece of information in your computer, back at your apartment, if you get the chance to hear it.
(laughs) Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to survive this ordeal.
They're going to put you away for killing those girls just like they put me away.
They're gonna sentence you to hell.
(Acker chuckles) Such a pity we both know the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions, and, all the while, the evidence is here.
To coin a phrase, this room will self-destruct in five seconds.
- Out of here! -(Acker laughing) What did he mean about information on the computer? That's what I'm about to find out.
No, it's a trick, you can't trust him.
He has to kill Lisa to get at me.
Now, you and the others protect her.
I'll meet you at the theater as soon as I can.
All right.
(Remote beeps) (beep) I-I just don't like it.
Jim's taking too big a risk.
Yeah, but the logic's sound.
Now, Acker's intentions are clear-- he's out to frame Jim, not kill him.
We've just got to make sure we're one step ahead.
Up to it? Yes.
I helped put him away once before and I'll do it again.
ACKER (over speaker): Stalk the enemy on your terms.
That was your usual method.
PHELPS: Acker? ACKER: She's the last one, Jimbo.
Where are you? Kind of gives you the creeps, doesn't it? (Acker laughs) Over here.
Or over here.
Or am I right behind you, Jimbo? The great Jim Phelps.
How I love to watch you squirm.
(laughing) We did real good.
(laughing) -(sniffs) - Yeah.
(Acker laughs; Phelps groans, coughs) Oh, Jimbo.
(laughs) How careless.
Sodium diazonol-- a contact anesthetic.
You use it in your spray cans to knock people out, but you always forget who was responsible for discovering it.
We did good, huh? You'll be awake by the time the police get here.
(Grunting) (chuckles) Very nice, very nice.
ACKER'S VOICE: Very clumsy of you.
Oh, so very clumsy.
We did really good, didn't we? (Typing) (computer trilling) And now, Mr.
Phelps, I'm on my way to take care of Lisa.
Sodium diazonol.
Well, it's a good thing we didn't forget Grant found a way of neutralizing it.
Yeah, Acker thinks he has the upper hand.
That'll work in our favor.
Grant.
Right here, Jim.
Is Lisa all set? You better believe it.
Tell her to get ready for the great performance.
This is the one that counts.
That's Grant's signal.
(Door opens) Jim is that you? Jim? Yes and I have some good news about our friend Acker.
History repeats itself.
Well, how's that? A car accident.
They took him to the hospital and he was dead on arrival.
Lisa, it's all over.
Oh, Jim.
It's over for all of us.
What about the police? They found enough evidence in his car to clear me.
I'm a free man.
Oh, that's great, Jim.
Well, I think that this calls for a celebration.
Oh, well, later.
I think Lisa's kind of upset and I'm Why don't you go ahead and I'll call you tomorrow? Yeah, yeah, I'm not gonna argue with that.
Let's get out of here.
Yeah.
(Door opens) (door closes) Oh, Lisa.
Oh, my, my.
Jim, what makes a person like that? Well, who can say? I mean, Russell Acker was a genius.
He was driven by voices and urges that he could neither understand nor resist.
(Sighs) Jim, you really sound like you understand the man.
Yeah, perhaps we are sort of the same person.
Now, that's not as bizarre as it sounds.
I mean, psychiatrists say that genius and madness are opposite sides of the same coin.
Wouldn't you agree with that? I think it's about time we upstaged our Mr.
Acker.
(Over monitor): isn't there a touch of madness in all of us? - Set ready.
- Right.
PHELPS (over monitor): What is it they say? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Oh, Lisa, you always were my favorite.
I always save the best till the last.
(Grunting) ACKER: Phelps! (Grunts) I know it's you.
What? (Grunting) PHELPS (over P.
A.
): it's over, Acker.
We have all the proof we need.
Phelps.
Now you're a dead man, Phelps a dead man.
Where are you?! No.
(Groans) (gun trigger clicking) See, Acker? It's all done with mirrors.
Oh, Lisa, you always were my favorite.
I didn't kill those girls.
He did.
(laughing) (gasping) No he did.
(laughing) I'm not mad.
No, I didn't kill those girls.
He did.
(Panting): He did.
(Acker laughing) Will he ever come back? Not from where he's going.
(laughing) (theme music playing)