The Avengers (1961) s04e03 Episode Script

Emergency.
Which service do you require? Hello? Caller? Which service, please? - Where are you? - In the study.
A new gadget? For that parting shot.
Whichever way you aim it you hit the chandelier.
- Here's the file.
Shall I recap? - Do.
1st victim, Walter Carlson.
Found on the 5th.
Fractured skull.
Number 2 - Are you listening? - I'm all ears.
Andrew Denham, found on the 6th.
Fractured skull.
- And last night, Samuel Hammond.
- Fractured skull.
- Broken neck.
- My mistake.
Their holdings: Carlson was Commercial Imports, Denham, Automatic Industrials, and Hammond Electrical Industries.
- All up in the top bracket.
- Where the vultures gather.
Feeling? Few reach the top without enemies.
Revenge.
Hired killers don't use a battering ram.
This one was in a wild frenzy.
Any appointments yesterday? Hurachi at 2:30 today.
No other entries.
Dead end.
Correction: three dead ends.
The fourth? Hey, you! Where do you "10457.
" Got that figure, Jim? Yes.
How's the Hurachi deal? We're signing it this afternoon.
Hang on a minute.
Lambert here.
What? Well, why call me? You've got 12 men in security.
Don't bother me.
- Jim? - What's wrong? An intruder.
I want an estimated cost Jim, hold on.
What's going on? Bob, are you there? Are you all right? What do you want? Get back! Keep away! Bob, are you still there? What's happening up there? The witnesses' statements.
Less painful to have used the handle.
- They vary a little.
- What? Male.
Between 6'2" and 6'6".
Dark coat, hat, gloves and some say spectacles.
Ever been seen before? Odd.
In spite of the maze of corridors he knew exactly where to find Lambert.
- What did they hear? - Shots and a whip-like sound.
Whip-like? Extremely helpful.
And he was bullet-proof.
Didn't Hammond have an appointment today? At the Hurachi Corporation, an electronics firm.
So did he.
"Honourable sir, our representative, Tusamo "will be in London on the 12th.
" "Please telephone for an appointment.
Hurachi Corporation.
" He did call and made an appointment for 3.
Really? Hurachi.
I've heard of them.
They made a circuit to replace the transistor - and revolutionize electronics.
- I see.
Lambert wanted European concessions.
He's out of the race with a broken neck.
Just a minute.
The position He was hit from the front, without even a bruise.
Conclusion, honourable lady? - In-ku.
- In ku? It's a karate blow.
From an expert it breaks the neck like a twig.
- Many experts in this country? - Very few.
Barely a handful in Europe.
- State your business.
- I'm interested in karate.
Interest is for the on-looker.
Students are dedicated.
Nightly attendance.
We never tolerate absentees.
- I appreciate that.
- Then appreciate too, that karate, unlike judo, is not a sport.
It is a science, an aft, a discipline.
- Karate means - "Empty hand.
" The hands can become more deadly than any weapon.
The concentration of force and the development of courage.
Please.
Some can split a roof tile with one finger.
And Oyama, "The Tall Mountain", can shatter a door with one stroke.
It is difficult for a woman to compete.
Competition appeals to me.
Then I suggest perhaps fencing is more suitable.
I think not, Mr Here I am known as Sensai, "The Knowledgeable One.
" Oyuka, Mrs.
Peel is leaving now.
And Oyuka? "The Unmoveable One" is a 3rd dan at judo, a 1st at karate.
Few pass her if she did not wish it.
- And if I could? - I shouldn't try, Obaki.
"The Foolish One.
" But you'd be most welcome.
You attacked her as a woman, but she has the skill of a man.
A bad mistake, Oyuka.
Hurachi.
Good afternoon.
If you could come tomorrow at 3pm.
- Please, be seated? - Thank you.
Yes.
Very well.
Thank you.
Good bye.
I'm from Industrial Deployments.
I have an appointment.
- Tea, Mr.
Lambert? - I'm not Lambert.
- You're not? - He is regrettably indisposed.
You have a letter of authority? There.
Thank you.
Mr.
Lambert is indisposed.
Mr.
Steed is taking his place.
Send him in.
You may go in.
- We'll have the tea later, Miss - Smith.
Smith.
I am sorry about Mr.
Lambert.
You are from Industrial Deployments? You know our recent developments? A new circuit for the transistor.
I'm here to negotiate the rights.
This heralds a new age: computers like a cigarette box, pocket television, wrist watch radios.
- No worldwide patent? - Hardly necessary.
Manufacturing is complex and would cost 50 million.
10 years before we have competitor.
Concessions go to the highest bidder.
Admirably put.
Have you had any offers? We have saying: "In darkness ceiling is always higher.
" - Confucius? - Tusamo.
Such cannot be disclosed.
I'll have to get in touch with my board.
Our factories are smaller than yours.
We started with room like this.
Please, go on.
This was our first plant producing radios.
Extended in '58 thanks to record sales.
And over there? Research division, they manufacture record players.
Most successful highly profitable.
We grew and received many government contracts.
Excuse, please.
- Yes? - Your next appointment is here.
- In one moment.
- Very well.
You'll be hearing from me.
This way, please.
Thank you.
Good bye.
I am ready now.
How did you manage? As Tusamo would say, "We have a proverb: "'He who talks too much forgets his listener.
"' - Son of Confucius? - Steed.
- When do the karate boys meet? - Nightly.
- Is there a members list? - They have Japanese pseudonyms.
I can't wait to meet Oyama "The Tall Mountain.
" - What's special about him? - He has a hobby.
Archaeology, philately, knitting? Splitting doors.
This is interesting.
Carlson from Commercial Imports.
Denham, Automatic Industrials.
Hammond, Electric Industries and Lambert, Industrial Deployment.
One disappears and they replace him.
Not so easy.
Would need reorganization.
Tusamo is only 36 hours in London That leaves United Automation and Jephcott Products Limited.
Which do you prefer? Eenny meeny minny mo.
- What is the retail? - 4 pounds.
Terms are favourable with orders above a gross.
I'll have to see Mr.
Jephcott first.
- Will he be long? - I'll see.
- Mrs.
Peel? - Yes.
I understand you represent Whittle and Fendle's.
- We're opening a toy department.
- We've plenty of those.
We're the best in electronic toys.
We're very proud of him.
He comes when he's whistled.
- Really? - Have a try.
- I'm not a good whistler.
- Try one of these.
He's marvellous.
These are only a fraction of our business.
From tea pots to radars.
The latest advances are also quite inspiring.
I'll give you our catalogue.
I have an appointment.
It contains all the details.
I hope to see you again.
I'm very interested Now a demonstration of timashiwari by a student of whom I am proud.
A 5th dan at judo, a 4th dan at karate.
Oyama is an example of what dedication brings.
I give you, Oyama.
- Hello.
- Thanks for coming.
Not at all.
- A drink? - Daren't.
I'm seeing the minister, - which gives you 3 minutes.
- Time enough.
- Are you sure? - Positive.
- Tell me about United Automation.
- United Automation? They produce industrial and domestic appliances.
- Know who runs it? - Worked under him.
Dr.
Armstrong.
Why did he leave the ministry? You know our job.
He refused to tow the official line.
Wanted to be constructive, not destructive.
He wanted to build a machine to clear debris from radioactive areas.
Top brass said no to no avail.
He had an accident that put him in a wheelchair.
- And out of his job.
- With few tears.
Tell me more.
He was born with a slide rule in his mouth.
His first words: "pi r squared".
Between Lollabrigida and a calculator, he'd take the equation.
How do we find this human computer? It isn't easy.
He's buried himself in gadgetry.
We'll have to pull some strings.
Well, start pulling.
I'm so sorry.
That's your 3 minutes.
Well, Benson? - I've seen Tosamu again.
- Go on.
There are two offers yet.
Who's the other one? I couldn't quite hear.
- Isn't the girl cooperating? - It's not easy.
The names are in a confidential file.
I should be hearing from her.
- Call me at once.
Understand? - Yes.
And Jephcott? In a meeting till 6.
I didn't fancy such a wait.
- Coffee? - No thanks.
- What about United Automation? - I decided to go literary.
I'm playing a journalist writing about automation : "Will the machine supplant man?" - And will it? - Not if I can help it.
Admission by appointment only and don't forget your punch card.
Your what? - What's this for? - I'll soon know.
With pleasure.
Mr.
Steed? - Yes.
- Don't move.
My infirmity in no way impedes my activity.
- I'm Dr.
Armstrong.
- How do you do? This will have to be brief, but do sit down.
Thank you.
This is the age of the push button.
All this is automated.
Can't the appointment card be duplicated? It's recoded periodically.
- You have no staff? - For maintenance and sales.
As a journalist you realize we human beings are fallible and so often unreliable.
The machine is obedient and more competent.
- Machines can go wrong.
- Indeed.
Each circuit exists in triplicate to rectify failure automatically without risk of haemorrhage or surgery.
A perfect trouble free labour source at one's fingertips, as you can see.
Security.
Efficiency.
Air conditioned for comfort.
And relaxation.
That kind of music wasn't composed by a computer.
It will be in time.
Today we have machines that think.
I'll show you how a machine can think.
If you'll come over here, Mr.
Steed.
I hold in my hand a card which is programmed for complex equations.
We drop it in, turn the knob The answer.
I'll trust you.
The machine could answer questions on finance, science, politics.
It could supplant the human brain.
On the record? I'm theorizing.
The problem is size.
Thanks to new circuit elements, it's only a matter Excuse me.
- I've got the information.
- Go on.
Industrial Deployments.
But their negotiator's dead.
- Somebody else turned up.
- Who? A man called Steed.
John Steed.
Is that him? Yes, he's the one who followed me in.
Leave this to me.
I'll be right with you.
- I hope this has been of interest.
- It has indeed.
Visitors never leave empty handed.
We hope to market these very shortly.
Solid ink.
Solid? The warmth of the hand electronically feeds carbon particles into the nib.
Emitted only on contact.
Cannot leak or dry out.
Refilled every 10 years.
Ink manufacturers will love you.
- You've been very informative.
- My pleasure.
- What was he doing here? - Snooping.
Why let him go? You were employed to take orders.
This chair, does not prevent me dealing with Mr.
Steed.
But we've someone else to deal with first.
Roger, prepare for target assignment.
As long as you can deliver tomorrow Fine.
Good bye.
He's slow.
That light went out ages ago.
- No other exit? - The warehouse, but his car's here.
How do you do? My casual air of elegance always betrays me.
I love you, Daddy.
- How do I turn it off? - You lay it down.
Looks like he's been hit by a truck.
This man is a karate expert.
Not expert enough.
Steed, look.
Big fellow! Came in here, exit Mr.
Jephcott, leaving the field clear for Armstrong.
- In a wheelchair.
- He could have hired someone.
Who could possibly crash in and kill Jephcott? Well I'm visiting the doctor again.
I made myself a bevy of skeleton keys.
- How's that? - Masterly? It's easy to get in, but not to get out.
So I've taken out insurance.
I'd like a policy.
One never knows.
One doesn't.
Get in touch with Mr.
Tusamo, Hurachi Corporation.
Here's his number.
What's Japanese for "Hyde Park?" - That's nice.
- From Dr.
Armstrong.
Do you have any idea what hotel he's at? No.
Say I'll give him an offer in the morning.
Dr.
Armstrong is very keen to get that concession, but not to make money.
Back by 11:30 or I've stayed for breakfast.
You don't eat breakfast.
Don't be nervous.
He's quite harmless until programmed.
Then only I can stop him.
He's a child really, but one day he'll have a brain more efficient than this computer.
He'll be solar powered and will withstand the blast of an atomic shell.
He has the accuracy of a guided missile, directed by a simple transmitter in the pen.
Thank you, Mr.
Tusamo.
Mr.
Steed will call you tomorrow.
I've got that.
11:30.
Right.
Good bye.
Now Steed's frequency is .
113.
There he is.
I hope that the pen is nestling comfortably in his breast pocket.
That's it.
Roger is tuned to the same frequency.
The concession is ours.
- It's hot in here.
- It's your nerves.
- It's over 70.
- Impossible.
Take a look.
Must be a faulty thermostat.
I'll ring maintenance.
It's come to report.
What's wrong? The thermostat was altered manually.
We have an intruder.
It's all over.
Count yourself fortunate.
The cybernaute was not programmed to kill.
Very decent of you.
That one looks almost human.
Put it away, Benson.
Man is so impulsive.
He cannot cope with crisis.
Today, one wrong decision, could bring complete destruction.
I suppose you have an answer.
There, the electronic brain.
Not this one.
I have the blueprint here.
A small computer built with these new circuit elements, incapable of a wrong decision.
What's the end product? The perfect politician? Exactly.
- Automated government.
- Electronic dictatorship.
It's the only solution.
I'd say that was up to the voters, they might disagree.
Once Hurachi delivers, an army of cybernautes is only a matter of time.
Doctor, look.
A friend of yours, Mr.
Steed? It's an opportunity to demonstrate my cybernautes.
What a charming young woman.
I'm sorry she won't be joining us.
The automated assassin was a stroke of genius.
Loyal, obedient and extremely efficient.
To what extent you'll be seeing any moment.
I wouldn't if I were you.
- So this is progress? - The ultimate human achievement.
Human! A cybernautic police state.
Push-button bobbies.
Automated martinis.
Remote controlled olives.
I'll stick to flesh and blood.
There's no escape, Steed! Mrs.
Peel, throw the pen away.
Mrs.
Peel, throw me the pen.
The pen! It's like a guided missile.
- Get rid of it.
- I will.
That won't help you.
This one has a brain.
Stop! Stop! Stop! "Moves in the dark.
Leaves no mark.
Hard as steel.
" Nine down.
Now what would that be? Cybernaute? I can't abide new-fangled things.