The Fugitive (1963) s01e17 Episode Script

Dr.
Richard Kimble.
death row, state prison.
Richard Kimble is innocent.
Proved guilty, what Richard Kimble could not prove was that moments before discovering his murdered wife's body, he saw a one-armed man running from the vicinity of his home.
Richard Kimble ponders his fate as he looks at the world for the last time and sees only darkness.
But in that darkness, fate moves its huge hand.
ANNOUNCER: Starring David Janssen as the fugitive.
Co-starring Robert Doyle John Anderson Russell Collins Judson Pratt.
ANNOUNCER: Hey! Charley! Stop him.
What he done? Charley, look what he done.
Bellows.
Ugh.
Hey! Hey, wh- Him.
Nebraska.
A world of wheat, dirt roads, all open to the sky.
But still, a silent sky.
Richard Kimble has found temporary refuge in the remote farming community of Black Moccasin.
And even here there are questions.
Hold it right there, mister.
What's your name? Rogers.
Ben Rogers.
Never seen him before.
Might be him.
"Him?" Can I ask what this is about? Double murder.
Other side of Black Moccasin Hill.
You think I-? That's not him, boys.
I've seen him in town.
Tad Crumers' new mechanic.
I'm, uh, taking this, uh, grinder in for repairs.
You men part of a posse? Just a little part.
We got an army, and Bellows is somewhere in the middle.
Bellows.
The one who did it.
Broad daylight, witnesses and all.
Well you can be moving on.
Thank you.
Bellows! We know you're in here.
We got a dozen guns staring at you.
You don't come on out we're gonna spread you all over this field.
Don't shoot! I'm coming out! Mm-hm.
Mm-hm.
Certainly.
Yes, sir.
Stole from them three years ago, and now comes back for more.
Milk of human kindness.
Look what it got them.
Yes, sir.
Right away.
Mm-hm.
When are you taking him to the county seat, deputy? Right away.
The sheriff wants us to- Oh, Charley.
Sorry, Charley.
Charley, it's just- Charley, what can we say? Your folks were the kindest people that lived on this green earth.
Thank you, Ed.
I appreciate that.
Now, now, take it easy, boys.
What do you mean, "Take it easy"? He'll get all he's got coming to him if he's guilty.
"If he's guilty?" I didn't do it, Charley.
Now, they were like folks to me.
May God strike me dead.
Yeah, well, that's just what I'd do, boy, if I could get in there at you.
Strike you dead.
Don't you look down, Bellows.
Look at me, that's right.
I wanna be there when they execute you, boy because I want you to remember me when everything starts getting black, and you try and scream.
All right, Charley.
All right.
You know what that means, boy? I know you had to get that out of your system.
Huh? I gonna be seeing you, boy, hear? All right.
Men the prosecutor wants you four witnesses down at the county seat tonight.
The grand jury's gonna disband tomorrow at noontime.
And he wants to rush through the indictment.
I don't know why I have to go.
Be kind of a fifth wheel.
Know what I mean? Cal, those are orders from the county sheriff.
Ed? Don't look at me.
When he stole my car, he broke the spring.
After what Charley's been through, I can't ask him to drive.
Your license's still suspended, ain't it, Benjy? You ought to know.
Cal? How much am I paid for mileage? How would I know? You have to take that up with the county.
And we all know what that can mean.
The county's shortchanged us before.
Payment in advance.
Nobody gets hurt, huh? Now, Shrader's right.
If they want us there tonight, they can pretty well get us there.
All right.
Tad Crumers keep the school bus up to his place.
Now, that's a good idea.
We'll get Tad to drive us there.
Yeah, that's what we can do.
Oh, Rogers.
Huh.
Rogers, I've just been on the phone with the deputy.
He wants to borrow the school bus.
Got to take that Bellows boy and those witnesses down to the county seat tonight.
I'd, uh, drive 'em myself, but the wife isn't feeling well, so, uh Mr.
Crumers, I've been on the road since 6 this morning.
Well, you're young, strong.
Ain't gonna hurt you.
I, uh- I did have some plans, uh, for this evening.
I realize, Mr.
Rogers, you've only been around these parts a few weeks.
So the Brights- rest their souls -probably didn't mean much to you.
I just thought, as a law-abiding citizen, you might be willing to help out.
Of course.
Good.
Now, you get her filled up, get a receipt, drive over to the sheriff substation.
They're waiting for you.
Tires all right? Yup.
Now, you- Getting Bellows and those witnesses down there, you mind what you're doing, now.
Don't forget the mileage.
Get a receipt for the gas.
Ben Rogers, huh? All right.
Raise your right hand.
What for? Oh, when I spell you at the wheel, you're gonna have to guard the prisoner.
Well, Crumers didn't tell me I'd have to be sworn in.
Well, we have to keep it legal, Ben.
It's almost 7.
Come on, Rogers.
I swear to faithfully fulfill all duties as temporary aide to the deputy sheriff of this county.
Say "I swear.
" I swear.
You're now an officer of the law.
Come on, everybody.
Let's get started.
How about food? We ain't had dinner yet.
We'll stop along the way.
That boy live around here? Used to spend summers here.
Working for the Brights.
Stole $50 from them three years ago, then lit out.
Come back for more today.
Can I, uh have a cigarette? Sure.
Your folks, Charley I loved them.
Loved their money.
No.
That's not true.
I went a hundred miles out of my way to see 'em.
When I got there, there was nobody around.
When I went in the front door, I, uh- I got this feeling.
House was so quiet and there they were.
Made me sick.
Not so sick you couldn't run.
That's right, boy.
How come you didn't stop when he yelled at you? I was scared.
I knew I'd be blamed.
You were right.
Got your shirt, their blood on it.
I'm not denying it.
I- I bent over him, I listened for his heart.
Look, boys, uh, we'll have plenty of time to talk about this later.
It's not our job to question him.
Look, I think I got a right to question him.
Oh, yeah, Charley, sure.
Yeah, I guess you have.
How did my car get piled up in the ditch? I was stupid, crazy.
I- I just wanted to get away.
Why if you didn't kill them? And if you didn't kill 'em, who did, boy? I-I don't know.
The house is near the road.
Anybody could've walked in while you were out back.
Wasn't "anybody" they saw run.
It was you.
Wasn't "anybody" stole my car to make a getaway.
It was you.
Wasn't "anybody" washing the blood off, Bellows.
It was you.
None of you ever liked me.
All those summers, when I came back, I was always an outsider.
There was never anybody but them.
Now they're dead.
Somebody had better shut him up.
Bowers.
Yeah? The boy's just a suspect.
Technically, yes.
Legally.
They have no right to badger him.
Makes sense.
Look, fellas, he isn't even booked yet.
Let's cut out this cross-examination and leave that for the trial.
You're absolutely right, deputy.
Things must be done in a proper manner.
Don't worry, when we get through testifying, he'll hang.
In a proper manner.
Can't see with these lights on in here.
Watch him good now, Rogers.
We're all watching him good.
Thanks.
What for? For stopping them before.
You don't know how it feels.
Arrested, hated.
You didn't even do it.
You married? No.
No family either.
You from around here? Back East.
I was hitchhiking out to California.
Thought I might get a job at one of those aircraft plants.
You just happened to be going through here? I told you, I went out of my way to come here.
I wanted to tell 'em how sorry I was about- About that other time.
You think I'm lying too? I don't know.
Crumers' mechanic's getting pretty friendly with him, ain't he? Wouldn't be the first time Bellows has fooled somebody.
Like your daughter, huh? Shut up.
Must be about 8:30.
We'll stop and get us some food.
Oh, hi, Joe.
Hi, Stella.
I was just fixing to close up.
Hadn't been anybody in for hours, what with that storm brewing up.
Coffee still hot? Mm.
Steaming.
Why, evening, Mr.
Clement.
Hello, Stella.
Mr.
Shrader.
Good evening, Stella.
Hey, Stella, how about making us up some sandwiches? You know, about a dozen.
Ham, cheese, or whatever you got left over, huh? You better make up some hot coffee too, Stella.
Mm.
Charley.
Charley Bright.
Hi, Stella.
Well, hi yourself.
Golly, it's been a long time since I've seen you.
Why, I was just out in the garden the other day, and the Brights crossed my mind.
Now in walks Charley himself.
Well, I can see you're fine.
Hey, how's your folks? You know, one of these days, I'm gonna get your ma to let go of that recipe for her- Stella.
Ch- Oh, Charley, I- I'm sorry.
That's all right, Stella.
You didn't know.
At least we got the man who did it.
Which one? The younger one.
Well, talk.
Say something.
Or can you just make noises like an animal? I didn't do it, lady.
I didn't.
We're all witnesses.
He keeps saying he's innocent.
Must be something wrong with his mind.
Oh, don't say that, Mr.
Clement.
Might give him ideas.
That's what his lawyer will probably say, you know? "Temporarily insane.
" I think a trial's a waste of time with an animal like this.
That's right, Stella.
For an animal.
Mad dog.
And who ever heard of giving a mad dog a trial? Don't worry.
He'll get what he deserves.
Will he? I know what they mean by "circumstantial evidence.
" There'll be more than that when that trial opens.
Yeah, supposing he gets himself a good lawyer, you know, and tells him his story? You know, about the house being way back away from the road, and Benjy and me being back in the back there for over an hour.
And then he says somebody else could have got in there.
Charley, what's the matter with you? I'm getting a little worried, you know what I mean? I mean, nobody did see him do it, actually.
Ain't nobody in the world saw him.
You're starting to talk like he didn't do it.
I'm not saying that he didn't do it.
No, I'm not now.
I know that he did it.
What I'm saying is, I don't know what that jury is gonna think.
You know? Or what they're gonna say.
And you know what a lawyer could do to him.
Yeah.
Yeah, I see.
How much longer do you think it'll be? At this rate? Not till midnight.
You know this, uh- This may sound funny, but I'm looking forward to being in that jail.
Know what I mean? Hey, deputy, where did you get the firewater? Oh, I bought it back at the diner.
Drinking and driving's a serious offense.
Mind if I pass it around? All right.
Deputy, you're all right after all.
Doc told me last week he took a blood sample out of you, deputy.
Said it was half alcohol.
All right, you guys, take it easy on that jug.
We got a long way to go.
Bridge is out.
Well, let's take that road back by Fallbrook.
Never make it.
Not in the dark.
No, we'll head back to that motel we passed.
Start out again in the morning.
We'll get to the county seat by noon easy.
I'd have my way, he'd never get there.
Uh, Rogers, uh heh, you won't have any trouble with him now.
You've been doing a good job with him so far.
So I'll just, uh- Uh- I'll watch him for you.
Good.
You better get some rest.
You got a big day tomorrow.
Have I? Am I gonna see it? I don't think so.
I don't think I'm ever gonna see another morning.
All right now.
Shut up.
Why don't you all just shut up? I don't see anything so funny to be laughing at now.
Oh.
I'm sorry, Charley.
It's just some of the things that Benjy says.
Well, there better not be any one of you laughing on the witness stand, you know? You sleeping good, killer?! Listen to them.
I'm never gonna get to the county seat alive.
Get some sleep.
They hate me.
Yeah, I guess they do.
But they have respect for the law.
Quit the laughing now.
I'm gonna tell you all something else.
Now, if that jury comes in there tomorrow, and they say that that boy ain't guilty, I'm gonna shoot him down right in the courtroom.
Well, you'll have to beat me to it.
"Respect for the law?" You know what they're gonna put on my tombstone? "Here lies the blue-ribbon, first-prize sucker.
" What? Guy picked me up going all the way to Phoenix.
But no I got out hitchhiked a hundred miles out of my way to see 'em.
I had to.
Why? You know what they did when I stole that money from 'em three years ago? Nothing.
Not a thing.
They could have had the cops on me before I got out of the state.
You know how that made me feel? Like a bug.
Like a dirty little bug.
I had to tell 'em.
I had to tell 'em that they'd taught me the best lesson I ever had in my life.
And I was too late.
They died without ever knowing how much I loved them.
And whoever did it's still on the loose.
Oh, and I'd like to find him.
I'll be right back.
Charley, you got to remember that the suspect has got certain rights.
No- He's got certain constitutional rights- Oh, he ain't got any rights.
Right? Sure.
Every man's entitled to a fair trial.
Protect the rights of murderers? What about ours? Yeah, yeah.
Heh.
What about ours? Do us a favor, Bowers.
Save the county a little money and shoot him trying to escape.
Oh, now, now, Ed.
I don't like to listen to that kind of talk.
Hey, I got a idea.
How about it? He don't weigh too much.
Find a tree, just like those cowboys on TV.
Oh, no.
No.
You don't have a daughter, Cal.
You know that even now there are nights I stand outside her bedroom door with her crying? You know, I'm the one ought to do it because I got the right.
Bowers, the sheriff gave you the obligation of protecting that boy.
Seeing that nothing happens to him.
Now, listen- Wait.
Ain't you supposed to be in there watching him? He's handcuffed to the bed.
Bowers has the key.
Then what are you worrying about? So the four of you are gonna see that justice is done, is that it? Well, the people around here ought to be really proud of you.
Well, now, come to beautiful Tyler County, where they still hold lynchings, that it? Oh, shut up.
Well, why don't you climb down off your soapbox and just shut your mouth? Hey.
Now, look, if we are gonna do this thing together, what are we gonna do about him? Huh? Are you gonna help me? Rogers did a good job.
I'll take charge now.
Hey.
Hey, what were you talking about in there? I said we've got to get him out of here and get him to the sheriff.
You're right.
Get him to the sheriff first thing in the morning.
How come you're doing this for me? I've got my reasons.
You don't trust me.
I'm not sure I trust myself.
Come on.
Let us in, deputy.
Come on, Bowers.
We want him.
Now open the door.
Open the door, Bowers.
All right.
Well, we voted.
It's already decided.
He ain't here, Bowers.
Now, what did you do with him? Yeah, and what about that other guy? Drunken bum.
Telephone.
In the office.
Gotta call the sheriff.
Make a report.
Whoa, whoa.
It's no use.
I'm beat.
Well, it's a bad cut, but you won't bleed to death.
I told you, I can't make it.
They'll have found out by now.
Think about that.
Look, why go on with this, huh? I'm on a straight line right for the death house.
I thought you were innocent.
What difference does that make? You think it never happens? You think I'd be the first one? No, you wouldn't be the first one.
Mister, I don't understand you.
I mean, I don't get you.
You don't even know me.
What's it to you, all this? Let's just say Oh, forget it.
Come on, let's get going.
Yes? I'm sorry to bother you.
This man has been hurt.
May we come in, please? You better go round the back.
Well, come on in.
May I use your phone, please? Oh, sorry, mister.
Storm knocked it out.
How far is the next farm? Maybe the public one's working, Jeff.
Is there a public phone? It's about a hundred yards down the road, near the gas station.
Jeff it's the killer.
Him? What are you doing with him? Joe Bowers deputized me.
I'm bringing him in.
I want to call the sheriff.
Well, out.
You get him out of here.
This man has been hurt.
I don't care.
You get him out of here.
Cut his leg.
Been walking halfway across the county.
None of that.
He goes with you to the phone.
Don't move! Cuff his wrists together, and I'll tie him out in the barn.
I'll put him over there.
He won't give you any trouble.
Keep an eye on him.
I'll be back in a few minutes.
You have a car? Pickup.
How far is it to the county seat? Twenty-two miles.
The sheriff may want you to drive us in.
Cora I wouldn't sit so close.
Oh, Jeff.
For heaven's sake.
Rotten black-heart.
Jeff.
That fella treating you with kid gloves.
You ought to be hung.
Horsewhipped and then hung.
Jeff he's no older than Lonnie.
Cora what are you doing? What the good Lord would want me to do.
Meaning no blasphemy I say stay away from him.
His leg is hurt.
I've seen you two days and two nights without sleep on account of a sick heifer.
Jeff there's some bandaging in the first-aid kit out in the barn.
I asked for the bandaging.
All right.
You take one step back first.
Oh, Jeff.
He's handcuffed.
You want the bandaging or no? That's better.
All we know, he could have escaped from the state asylum.
Now, you don't take one step closer.
I didn't do it, ma'am.
They made a mistake.
I swear.
That's right, sheriff.
They were gonna hang him.
Your deputy was too drunk to stop them.
That isn't the way I heard it.
I'm sure they concocted a fine story.
That's beside the point.
He's here for you, waiting for a fair trial.
Where are you phoning from? I don't know, I lost my bearings.
Uh there's a gas pump.
A farmhouse.
And I'll give you the number of the phone.
We have a son.
Lonnie works in an office in Omaha.
He's just about your age.
Do you have any folks? Just my mother, ma'am.
I keep wondering- you know, my name's probably been in the papers all over if she's seen it how terrible she must feel.
Uh- They- They haven't even let me call her and tell her it's all a mistake.
Hm.
Least they could have done is let you call her.
Ma'am? Yes? Now, remember what your husband said.
Don't get too close to me.
B-but this, um handcuff's cutting my wrist.
What-? Could I just move my chair a little? That's starting to hurt again, huh? Yeah.
Yeah, it's- It's bleeding again, I think.
We better bathe it some more.
Now, you just grit your teeth, 'cause this might hurt a little bit.
How, uh-? How long has your son been gone? Oh.
Just about a year now.
A year.
Long time.
Must miss him a lot, huh? Sure do.
You know, if he's like you folks, he'd be a nice guy to know.
I mean, um, I wish- Wish I could have met him.
Well, Lonnie's a nice name.
You know, I-I don't think I ever heard that before.
My name's Paul.
No! Not a muscle, lady.
Or I'll kill you.
You ever butcher a pig? Sure you have.
Well, that's what it's gonna be like.
Just like that, unless you cut me loose.
Oh.
You hear me? You think I care about one more?! You killed 'em.
Decent people like that.
How could you kill 'em? Cora.
How could you kill 'em? Why? Why not? I was passing through, I needed money, they wouldn't give it to me.
Cora.
Don't move.
I'll get the cutters.
Please.
Oh, please.
Just don't move.
Lonnie.
Lonnie.
Well if I don't slit your throat you'll really have something to write him about, won't you? Yeah, he has a pickup.
He can drive us in.
No.
Wait there.
I already got the location from the phone company.
I'll be out.
And listen.
Yes? If you're trying to throw us off- Wasted enough time.
He'll be here.
I'll give you my word on it.
Now, stand over there.
Drop the cutters.
The gun.
Now, get over there with her.
Woods in back, how deep are they? Two miles.
Behind them? State highway.
Now, lady, I guess you know what this will do.
So you're gonna get me some food to take with me.
I will not.
I'll get the food.
Dump it in that towel.
Bread.
Now wrap it up.
Now get back.
Now, uh do me a favor.
Tell that knight on a white horse when he comes back: "So long, sucker.
" Can you remember that? "Sucker.
" It's all right, Cora.
It's all right.
It's all right.
Bellows! Then when- When Jeff cut him loose- he had to cut him loose he grabbed the shotgun.
Grabbed the food like a wolf.
Nothing we could do.
He admitted the killings? He bragged about 'em.
Headed for the state highway with my shotgun.
W- We didn't want him in here, sheriff.
I wanted to tie him up in the barn.
You may be right about Rogers.
Ten-to-1 they made some kind of deal.
You had no business swearing him in.
But I just took Tad Crumers' word for him.
Oh, I called Crumers.
He didn't know the first thing about Rogers.
So get on that phone down the road and call my office.
Yes, sir.
Give 'em a complete description.
I want it teletyped to state headquarters.
Find out if he's wanted for anything.
Yes, sir.
This Bellows, he was headed for the highway straight through the woods.
Thank you.
Tell the boys to split up in fours, fan out, and we'll surround the entire area.
Should have got the gun, Cora.
I could have got it first.
I could have stopped him.
Maybe not, Jeff.
Maybe you couldn't have.
Eddie take no chances.
If they don't surrender, shoot to kill.
Over.
Bellows! Now, you know who it is, Bellows! I'm coming for you! You should have taken a rifle! Only one more shot.
One shot's all I need.
You asked me why I tried to help you.
I had a reason.
Now, I've got a reason for bringing you in.
You're guilty.
Come on out, Bellows.
Not till I get you.
Now, that's it, Bellows.
You haven't got any more.
Come on out.
Hey, now, listen to me.
You haven't heard the whole story.
I listened to you enough.
Now, you saved me.
I'll never forget that.
But I'll spend the rest of my life paying you back.
The point is why? Now, why keep after me? Just 'cause they swore you in? You saw that deputy.
That drunk.
And all the others, they're all the same.
They're a bunch of stupid hicks.
You're not like that.
You're not one of them.
I mean, why you? Well, they're probably gonna get me anyway.
Why you?! Because if I'm not against you, I'm for you.
And if I'm for you, I'm lost.
First, you save him, now you try to kill him.
I'm sorry.
Sorry? You caught him.
Not a man here who wouldn't trade places with you.
Yeah.
Never know how close I came to having you arrested, Rogers.
I know how it must have looked, sheriff.
Uh- Excuse me, sir.
From state police headquarters on that query you sent them.
Thank you.
Just put it on the desk.
Even started checking to see if you had a record.
Yeah.
Uh- If you don't need me anymore, sheriff, uh I'll be going.
Rogers.
You ever thought about law enforcement? You know, I could use a good man and you're it as far as I'm concerned.
Took a lot of guts to do what you did.
You showed a lot of people around here the kind of respect they should have for the law.
Oh.
Well, I thank you, sheriff, uh- I'm honored.
But not interested, huh? No, sir.
Listen to this: "Information on Ben Rogers "not sufficiently detailed for identification.
Can you send fingerprints?" A walk toward the horizon.
A hope that it will lead to the man with one arm.
Only then will the search be over for the fugitive.