Mission: Impossible (1988) s02e04 Episode Script

Command Performance

[ panting .]
[ shouts in distance .]
MAN: To the right! [ gasps .]
[ panting .]
[ man shouts .]
[ gunshots .]
Father! Please help me! - Father - My God, you've been shot.
The cross.
- Don't try to talk.
- [ coughs .]
David Let me get help.
[ door opens .]
Hm? Well Father Thomas Vallis.
[ clicks tongue .]
I should have known.
This fugitive belongs to me, priest.
This fugitive belongs to God now.
Where did he put the cross? He spoke to you before he died.
What did he say? He said God save our country from leaders like you.
Captain Braun, take this son of God to the Tower.
[ theme music playing .]
How's business? Eh, slow.
There's no romance left in the world anymore.
"This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, "May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
" [ laughs softly .]
Shakespeare would've died on this street corner, mister.
Try the daisies.
MALE VOICE: Good morning, Jim.
Defense Minister Ivan Savitch, operating without the consent of one of the few freely-elected prime ministers in the Baltic region, is responsible for the death and imprisonment of over 100 dissidents.
who has organized workers in general strikes, and openly attacks Savitch's ruthless policies.
Two days ago, a man broke in to the National Museum and stole the Cross of St.
Boniface.
Ivan Savitch is aware that the missing cross represents a thousand years of his country's history, but he wants the cross for other reasons.
He has learned that hidden inside this cross is information which proves the atrocities he has committed.
Savitch believes Father Vallis knows the whereabouts of the cross.
He's placed the priest in the country's most notorious prison, known as the Tower, where he has vowed to keep him until he talks or dies.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to rescue Father Thomas Vallis from the Tower prison and help him retrieve the Cross of St.
Boniface.
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.
PHELPS: The Cross of St.
Boniface.
NICHOLAS: The handiwork of a seventh-century artisan follower of the saint Boniface of Devonshire.
I'm impressed.
[ keyboarding .]
NICHOLAS: Ah, Dr.
Deven Kavalosky.
He is an authority on religious artifacts with the Vatican Museum.
Now, if I'm going to replace him, I'll have to do a lot more than just look like him.
Jim.
We intercepted this telegram last night.
It's Savitch's personal invitation to Dr.
Kavalosky.
- [ tapping keyboard .]
- Three days from now this circus will give a command performance for the prime minister.
Now, the circus itself, and the prime minister's presence, will be our best chance to smuggle Father Vallis out of the country.
Well, timing's gonna be critical for the whole operation.
Absolutely.
Savitch will close the borders, but he also has to appear at the command performance.
So we'll use that to our advantage.
[ tapping keyboard .]
The Tower.
It's the remnant of a 13th-century fortress moved to its present location and refitted and equipped with a wide range of security devices.
Grant.
When they moved the Tower, they numbered each block for reconstruction.
I've made up a computer grid of the correlating blocks and have pinpointed Father Vallis's location.
This thing is what's known as a disrupter.
It emits two high-energy patterns which converge, creating a single disrupting pattern that'll crumble the stone.
[ whirring .]
[ crackling .]
PHELPS: Three days till the command performance of the circus; three days to rescue Father Vallis, find the Cross of St.
Boniface, and leave Ivan Savitch [ keyboarding .]
one very unstable defense minister.
MAN: Get moving! We got a show to put on! Come on, people, let's hurry up! PHELPS: Excuse me, sir, would you be Mr.
Jules Ashton? Who wants to know? Buck Van Zandt, owner and operator of Buck Van Zandt's Travelling Museum of History.
ASHTON: I'm sorry, - but we don't do sideshows here.
- Oh-ho, we're a lot more - than a sideshow, mister.
- [ snaps fingers .]
Yes.
She's very beautiful.
But like I said, we don't do sideshows.
Well, now, you see, your defense minister, Savitch, he does like sideshows, I know that.
And I know he's gonna be here in a couple of days for that command performance.
Now, a happy Minister Savitch just might be inclined to overlook something like these.
Now, these are statements made to the press in other provinces by members of your troupe, [ chuckles .]
: And there's a couple in there by you, too.
And Minister Savitch just might interpret those as being, uh you know, disloyal.
Well I suppose a sideshow might add a certain quaint American quality to our circus.
And I'm sure we could find something for the lady to do.
Well, now, you see there, Cleo? This is my wife Cleo.
There's nothing in the world like just good old-fashioned co-operation.
I thank you very much, sir.
SAVITCH: Modern science is amazing, Father Vallis.
This drug bombards your brain's memory.
You can try, but you will not resist it.
Your own brain will betray you.
And it's very painful, Father.
So why not spare yourself the trouble and tell me where that cross is.
Never.
[ Vallis yells .]
[ groans in pain .]
[ yells .]
[ groans weakly .]
[ gasps .]
[ grunts .]
[ gasps .]
We've got the prime minister's schedule for the command performance.
He is traveling from the capitol by helicopter.
MAX: Well, looks like a modified version of the Jet Ranger I flew in 'Nam.
[ quietly .]
: All right.
I can get more photos if you need them.
PHELPS: No, that's fine.
Thank you, Shannon.
SHANNON: That looks like real gold.
PHELPS: Yeah.
It's an impregnated alloy, but I think it'd fool a metallurgist.
Well, I'm ready to meet Defense Minister Savitch.
SOLIDER: All clear.
I'm afraid, gentlemen, the only thing you're going to find is a leaky crankcase.
BRAUN: Sergeant, stop that man.
NICHOLAS: Is there a problem? I will see your papers.
Your sergeant just checked them.
Now I'll check them.
[ revs engine .]
[ both engines turn off .]
You scared of heights? Heights? Nah.
It's hitting the ground I ain't too thrilled about.
SAVITCH: I told you it would hurt, didn't I? - [ Vallis shudders .]
- Tell me, Father what did that man say to you before he died in your church? He said [ whispers .]
: "David.
" What else? You haven't told me everything.
He drew something on the altar floor.
What? He drew numbers.
One thousand seven hundred sixty-nine.
We've tapped into his subconscious, Minister Savitch.
It's impossible for him to lie.
I want more than fables! I want that damn cross! [ wind whistling .]
Ah, my deepest apology, Dr.
Kavalosky.
I've only just now learned of the manner in which you were detained.
[ clicks tongue .]
It seems, for the last four days, all of my attention has been focused on this missing relic.
Well, no apology is necessary.
But it puzzles me as to what help I could possibly be to you, sir.
You are the only man in the world who knows every detail concerning the Cross of St.
Boniface.
You know its history, as well as every mark and the dent made by the artisan who forged it.
I want the real cross.
If you are at my disposal, I don't have to worry about opportunistic forgers.
You want this cross back very badly.
Personally, it means nothing to me.
But my people live on symbols as much as they do on bread, so if I can restore their precious relic to them - [ door opens .]
- A very noble gesture.
Well Ah, I believe you've met Captain Braun.
NICHOLAS: Yes, our introduction was somewhat strained.
SAVITCH: Captain Braun can sometimes have the manners of a pit bull.
But he serves a vital purpose in my universe.
Ducit amor patriae.
Excuse me? Dr.
Deven Kavalosky, Associate Curator of the Vatican Museum, author of three books on the Roman Empire, and having a little trouble with some schoolboy Latin? It must be my jet lag.
Well, Captain Braun said his love of country guides him.
Well here's to the swift return of the cross.
Deo juvante.
It means with God's help.
[ wind whistling .]
I'm safe, Grant.
Climb when you're ready.
[ whirring .]
[ whirring stops .]
[ grunting .]
[ scraping .]
GRANT: Don't move, man.
I guess I put my foot in it.
Well, if you keep your weight on it you should be okay.
MAX: Explosives? Nope.
It's some kind of bear trap.
Oh, is that all? [ chuckles .]
You had me scared for a minute.
Will you just keep still? What if I did this thing quickly? Nobody's that quick.
No.
We're just gonna have to figure another way.
[ panting .]
[ groans .]
MAX: Is there any way you can get to the spring mechanism? Even if I could, this thing's got a hair trigger, man.
The slightest move, and you'll lose your leg.
Listen you think you can take that backpack off without moving your foot? Yeah.
GRANT: Easy, easy.
Whew! GRANT: Ah All right.
That should do it.
MAX: All right.
I wonder whether I should do this fast or slow.
Fast.
I think.
Yeah, all right.
Give me your hand.
Now, whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa.
Tell me when.
When! [ Max laughs .]
[ Max grunts .]
Let's go.
SAVITCH: Somewhere between the National Museum and here, the criminal got rid of the Cross of St.
Boniface, and that priest, Father Vallis, helped him.
The Vatican won't be pleased that you've thrown him in prison.
Now, if your prime minister finds out The prime minister's a busy man.
I have absolutely no intention of giving him such information.
As for the Vatican, Father Vallis is a well-known political troublemaker.
News from the prison? We had another session this morning, sir.
It's still the same.
Damn him! Are you comfortable at your hotel, Dr.
Kavalosky? You have one of the best rooms.
I didn't know you were so concerned.
Who is the man who's left all the messages for you? The man who refers to himself only as Mr.
Zed.
This is an outrage.
What is the meaning of having your hired goon spy on me? I came here, at your request, to help you.
Captain Braun is simply looking after my welfare, as well as yours.
Who is this person? He's an American named Van Zandt.
He first contacted me in Rome.
Wanted me to appraise something he had.
The Cross of St.
Boniface? He refused to say what it was.
Where are these messages coming from? BRAUN: A telephone number recently assigned to the circus box office.
We have to pay this Mr.
Van Zandt a visit.
I had no idea it might be about the cross.
Of course you didn't.
Mr.
Van Zandt? Why, you can just call me Buck.
I Uh Well, what can I do for you, gentlemen? This is Ivan Savitch, Minister of Defense.
Oh, why do I get the feeling you gentlemen are not here for free passes to the circus? We were wondering if you heard back from Dr.
Kavalosky.
What do you mean? Is the doc in some kind of trouble? Well, now, that depends.
Both Dr.
Kavalosky and you may well be in a great deal of trouble.
Well, now, wait a minute, I don't like people coming in here and pushing me around I got a U.
S.
Passport.
That means nothing here.
If we want to put you in a prison cell, or feed you to the dogs, for that matter, your country of origin does not matter, I assure you.
SAVITCH: We're interested in the Cross of St.
Boniface.
Now, if Dr.
Kavalosky is helping you, then Well, I don't know anything about any cross of what what'd you say that was? St.
Boniface.
No, I don't know anything about that.
He was helping me identify an icon that I got in Athens.
- Right there.
- SHANNON: Buck, you in there? Oh, I'm sorry, I, uh, I didn't know you had company.
And who are you? PHELPS: Well, this is, uh, this is my wife, Cleo.
Oop! No doubt the most prized piece in your collection.
Ivan Savitch, madame.
You paying attention, Buck? This is how a gentleman treats a lady.
Yeah, I'll make a note of that.
Now, if you'll excuse us, we've got a show to get ready for.
You, come on! Minister Savitch will decide when he is finished.
If you're lying about this, you'll regret it.
I look forward to seeing you here in the circus.
The American knows more than he says.
Your professor from the Vatican, I haven't trusted him from the start.
You ask me, I think he's a liar.
Perhaps.
But you're in a position to monitor every move they make.
Besides, if that cowboy had the Cross of St.
Boniface, he would not still be here.
- Let me arrest him.
- No.
Why not let the American do our work for us? If he's after the cross, we'll know about it.
How can you be so sure? Instinct, Captain.
His wife will give us whatever information he may have.
I promise you.
MAX: How much further? According to the computer grid, the center of Father Vallis's cell is double-A, 8426.
[ groans .]
[ whirring .]
- Not bad.
- Mm-hmm! It's only a gram short of the weight of the real one, and it would take carbon 14 dating to find out this was not made in the seventh century.
[ hissing .]
Father Thomas Vallis.
GRANT: Oh! MAX: You okay? GRANT: Yeah.
Just slipped.
Grant! [ yells .]
Now, that was close.
GRANT: I get the point.
[ imitating Savitch .]
: Captain Braun just do as I've ordered.
[ recorded .]
: Captain Braun just do as I've ordered.
This is Savitch.
Captain Braun, just do as I say.
[ recorded .]
: This is Savitch.
Captain Braun, just do as I say.
How can you predict his response? I can't.
But this intercept chip can.
I've recorded several answers.
It automatically selects the correct one.
What if he says something completely out of left field? Asks him to a soccer game? [ recorded .]
: I've got no time for socializing, Braun.
Just do as I say.
I'm all set.
Shall we go for a ride, Mrs.
Van Zandt? SAVITCH: Ah.
Mrs.
Van Zandt.
Good of you to come at such short notice.
SHANNON: What do you want? I want to be your friend.
Buy a dog.
You don't want me to be your enemy.
All I ask is a little understanding.
A little understanding? That's what they all want.
It's about that thing, isn't it? What thing? That relic.
That cross that Buck's been chasing.
Does he have it? No.
But he's close.
I can always tell when Buck's close to breaking a deal.
He loses all interest in me.
I find you very attractive, Mrs.
Van Zandt.
You have me at a disadvantage.
That's how I operate.
[ laughs quietly .]
SAVITCH: Tell me we were talking about your future.
Do I have one? That is up to you.
I want to know your husband's every move.
The phone calls he makes, meetings he arranges.
And when he finally gets his hands on that cross I want to be the next person who knows about it.
Anything else? On your own terms.
Is that it, Mrs.
Van Zandt? Double-A, 8426.
So he's behind that wall, huh? Might as well make ourselves comfortable.
Yeah, we could be here a while.
[ whirring .]
Only an expert would know it's a fraud.
Don't you think so, Dr.
Kavalosky? NICHOLAS: Yes.
Now, what about the information that Minister Savitch is so desperately seeking? It's on a computer chip hidden underneath this stone.
It's quite convincing.
Now, what actual information is on that chip? Well, let me put it this way when he finds out, you wouldn't want to be there.
That's very good.
Thank you.
I think it's time that I called Minister Savitch and set up the meeting for tonight.
BRAUN: This is most unusual.
Shall we go see the prisoner, Father Vallis, then? No! Not yet.
[ dialing phone .]
Minister Savitch.
SAVITCH'S VOICE: Yes? What is it? Captain Braun here, sir.
- It is this Dr.
Kavalosky.
- Captain Braun, will you just do as I've ordered? Or do I have to come up there myself? No, sir.
I will do it right away.
Where is it? Hm? Where is the cross? I don't have it.
I'm not in a playful mood.
He buried it.
The cross is buried in the gardens in People's Park.
Underneath the daffodils.
Why hasn't your husband dug it up yet? He was scared after your visit.
He wanted to lay low.
He's gonna get the cross after his circus performance tomorrow.
I would like to play with you some more, Mrs.
Van Zandt.
I'm sure you would be most enjoyable.
Captain Braun.
Blue Sector.
[ latch clicks .]
[ creaking .]
[ door creaking .]
[ door clanks shut .]
Another gangster to torture me? - [ gun pops .]
- Oh! Not quite, Father.
[ body thuds .]
Okay, guys, we're clear.
[ rattling, scraping .]
- Father, to the bed? - Yes.
You're gonna have to take off your cassock, put his uniform on.
Out of the way.
The microchip.
I want a printout of that in the morning.
The Cross of St.
Boniface.
VALLIS: Oh, my God.
Who are you people? We're the good guys.
Give me your hand, Father.
Believe me, if I knew who this David was, you people would be the first to know.
Father, it won't be long before Ivan Savitch figures out he's been had, and when he does, he'll come straight here.
NICHOLAS: What about that date, 1769.
Well, I've broken the numbers down, even ran them through the World War II enigma codes.
- Not a thing.
- MAX: We're getting close to showtime, Jim.
- And then our whole schedule - VALLIS: I won't leave without the cross.
I know how important that is to you, but our primary consideration is getting you out of here safely.
The dying man said "David" and wrote "17 Maybe it's not a date.
Sixty-nine, seventeen seventeenth The 17th Psalm in the Old Testament is called the Prayer of David.
Six and nine, the verses? VALLIS: "I invoke You, God, and You answer me; "turn Your ear to me and hear what I say, "display Your marvelous kindness, Savior of Fugitives.
"From those who revolt against You, guard me like the pupil of Your eye.
" PHELPS: "and hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the onslaught of the wicked.
" A block and a half away from my church there's a statue of an eagle.
In the shadow of its wings.
No sign of Captain Braun, sir.
Did you print out that information on the computer chip? On my way to get it now.
Then join me in the priest's cell.
Your first lesson in political science, Lieutenant.
Kill your enemy.
Captain Braun.
Blue Sector.
[ beeping .]
[ grunts .]
[ gasps .]
No! Captain Braun! Cheap trick.
The printout? Pages of a phone book.
So it's a fake.
Those circus people did this to me! I want the secret police.
I want the troops! I want that circus turned upside-down till that woman and her cowboy husband fall out! It'll have to wait, sir.
You're due at the command performance.
To hell with the command performance! I want those people dead! But the prime minister and the media are already there.
We can't go in there with force.
All right, but they must not escape.
I want every road to the border sealed off! This will be their final performance! [ enthusiastic shouts .]
Looks like we've got an interested audience.
Whenever you're ready.
Move! Move! Faster! Move through to the left! Faster! Move! Faster! The real Cross of St.
Boniface.
How are we doing on time? PHELPS: If that's any indication, not so good.
You get Shannon and the father ready.
I'll see if I can buy us some time.
SAVITCH: Take the positions.
Your Excellency, I apologize for not being here when you landed, but I was unavoidably detained.
What are all these soldiers doing here? Just the usual security precaution for your visit, sir.
? Me, me, la, la ? [ clears throat .]
? La ? [ coughing .]
Is that the way you fellas warm up over here? Yeah.
So, you know a better way? Well, these friends down in Kentucky who make this whiskey sure think so.
Give that a try that'll just warm your pipes right up.
Isn't that nice? Lost your voice! How in God's name can you lose your voice?! [ coughs, hoarsely .]
: I Well, not to worry, buckaroo.
I'd be honored to take over the reins for you.
You? What do you know about being a ringmaster? Oh, more than you can imagine, my friend.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, honored guests Welcome to the world-renowned, fun-packed, thrill-filled Ashton Circus! To open our show this afternoon, to open this wonderful command performance, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you an act that has played not only before the crowned heads of Europe, but before the fabled Sultans of Araby as well.
Please give a warm round of applause to those amazing trapeze artists, the Ashton Aerial Fantasy! [ band plays lively tune .]
[ audience gasps, shouts .]
I want every inch of the backstage covered, Muler.
[ indistinct chatter .]
[ women screaming .]
[ quietly .]
: Quickly! [ women screaming .]
[ applause .]
[ .]
They're here, Muler.
Close in and find them.
There's nothing wrong, I trust? I have everything under control, sir.
[ gun pops .]
[ applause .]
[ elephant trumpets .]
Muler how did you miss her? [ elephant trumpets .]
PHELPS: Honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, these are just some of the wonderful acts you'll be seeing this afternoon.
But right now, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the world-famous Ashton Clowns.
[ band playing lively music .]
[ car backfires .]
[ boinging .]
[ slide whistle plays .]
[ boinging .]
[ .]
[ boinging .]
[ slide whistle plays .]
[ .]
[ boinging .]
[ crowd cheering .]
[ slide whistle playing .]
CLOWN: Hey, now, where you going? SAVITCH: You fool! Out of the way! All right, your turn, Father.
Out of my way! [ .]
VALLIS: The Cross.
SAVITCH: Get away! Out of the way! Out of my way! SAVITCH: Halt! Stop him! Halt! Halt! I think that's one circus performance Minister Savitch will never forget.
[ theme music playing .]

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