The Incredible Hulk (1978) s04e06 Episode Script

Mr.
La Fronte is nothing but a mercenary hired to destroy the creature.
Well, what makes you think that we would give you a license to kill the Hulk? For $1 million, I guarantee results.
Hey, what's going on? (SCIENTISTS EXCLAIMING) One thing they all agree on.
He is a killer.
I'm the man you're looking for.
But I want to see the creature.
Not the man.
(ROARS) Closer.
NARRATOR: Dr.
David Banner, physician, scientist.
Searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have.
Then, an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry.
And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.
(ROARS) The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
Mr.
McGee, don't make me angry.
You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit.
David Banner is believed to be dead.
And he must let the world think that he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
(ROARS) (BELL DINGS) (MACHINE WHIRRING) Alex, we have another report.
Yes, sir? Your thoughts? This Hulk thing must be commando-trained.
It would take a tank to do the damage indicated in those reports, sir.
Another genetic research lab.
This tends to confirm my theory about the creature.
Then we go for him? Just a question of settling on the bait.
I'll need to see the dossiers.
I took the liberty, sir.
Several good possibilities.
Schoengarth from Stanford.
Marks.
Von Glyttow.
Cabot.
Cabot I think I prefer her.
Is she the real thing, sir? You know what they call her.
The "Werewolf Doctor"? An unfortunate result of her work in cell metamorphosis.
She's controversial but legitimate.
She's also particularly grant-hungry.
I don't think she'll ask many questions.
Book us a flight to Chicago.
Yes, sir, I'll take care of it right now.
To you, sir.
An interesting project, and, I trust, very lucrative.
McGEE: What is this, some kind of a gag? I can assure you, Mr.
McGee, I'm not in the business of amusing people.
McGEE: What exactly is the nature of your business, Mr.
La Fronte? I find permanent solutions to my clients' problems.
Suppose you could be a little more specific? Southeast Asia, 1962.
Congo, '64, Angola, '77.
You're a mercenary.
Among other things.
What makes you think that you can capture the Hulk when everybody else has failed? I said nothing about capture.
Well, what makes you think that we would give you a license to kill the Hulk? This particular issue doesn't require a license.
I want a business agreement.
For $1 million, I guarantee results.
One million dollars? We could never afford a sum like that! Mark, it isn't a question of the money.
Oh, I know.
We don't want the creature killed, just captured.
That's exactly what I meant.
See, if you kill the creature, you also kill a man.
It's out of the question, Mr.
La Fronte.
I didn't know you were such humanitarians, gentlemen.
Thank you for your time.
Jack, I was only trying to get rid of him the easiest way.
He's a nut.
I don't think he's a nut, Mark.
(SIGHING) I do think he's dangerous.
Let's find out a little bit more about him.
Yeah, hello, this is David Bedford.
I was told to call back today about a job.
Uh-huh.
I have experience, both in hospitals and research labs.
I know the equipment.
Oh.
Well, look, to tell you the truth, I really need the work.
It doesn't have to be a technical job.
Anything Maintenance would be all right.
No, it's just that I would prefer working in a lab, because it's the kind of work I know.
Uh-huh.
Okay, fine, well, uh Thank you very much.
Yes.
Bye-bye.
HINES: Limelite Publications is always interested in a good story.
But frankly, I never put any stock in that Hulk business.
What do you have, Lubin? Research shows two things, Mr.
Hines.
One, readers believe that the Hulk exists.
And two, all our data indicates that the creature is for real.
So, Mr.
La Fronte's plan would certainly hurt the Register.
LA FRONTE: And double Limelite's circulation.
Worth a good deal more, I think, than $1 million.
But wouldn't it be better to catch the thing alive? A much more problematic and expensive task.
Also unnecessary.
Wouldn't a dead Bigfoot serve you as well as a live one? Lubin? Everything considered, he's right.
Well, of course, the problem is that we just can't afford the risk of the initial $180,000 to set this thing up.
For you, there's no risk whatsoever.
My account at the Eberli-Suisse Bank.
I will instruct my bankers to set aside $180,000 in trust, to match the money you put up.
If I do not deliver the Hulk, you will be fully repaid.
Do we have an arrangement? No problems with accounting.
We have a deal.
Thank you.
Mr.
La Fronte.
How're you gonna do it? For now, let us just say I've studied my objective well.
I know the Hulk's tendencies.
I plan to create the ideal environment for him.
And if he follows his usual patterns, he's mine.
LA FRONTE: Is our Cabot Foundation on schedule? ALEX: The equipment should start arriving today.
Have you checked the journals yet? All our publicity's out, sir.
Good, now let's see who bites.
Be careful.
Don't jar the circuitry.
WORKMAN: Yes, Dr.
Cabot, we've got it.
(SIGHING) So that's the DNA Transposer Yes.
That's it, my ungainly child, finally taking its first steps.
Oh, I've waited a long time.
Congratulations.
Well, they're not in order yet, but thanks.
You know, Mr.
La Fronte, I really must commend you on finding this lab.
Its facilities fit my needs to a T.
Well, I research my work carefully.
Oh, I'm still pinching myself.
It's like a dream! Especially for one who's been so consistently unfashionable in the scientific world.
The price of genius.
There's just one thing I'm curious about.
These people that are funding me I don't know them.
Businessmen, speculators.
They hope to make a killing off your research.
And what if I don't make sufficiently lucrative discoveries? Oh, don't worry about them.
They'll still get a good tax write-off.
LA FRONTE: What about references, Mr.
Bedford? Well, I've been out of the field for a while.
I could get them, but it might take some time.
Oh, that's all right.
Are you familiar with the Absolon DAVID: Yes, I've operated one.
Excellent.
Where was that? That would've been at my last job.
That was at the Cressler Institute.
Oh.
Is there someone at Cressler I could contact for a reference? Well, I wasn't there very long.
I doubt very much if they'd remember me.
You know, they had a fire there and all the records were destroyed.
Yes, I'd heard.
Well, that's not very important.
Your qualifications seem excellent, and frankly, we're in desperate need of personnel.
How soon could you be here? Two days.
Very good.
Looking forward to seeing you, Mr.
Bedford.
Thank you.
Bedford seems like a good possibility.
Yes.
Says he's been out of the field for some time, yet he's familiar with the most advanced equipment.
And no references.
Hmm.
The very question made him decidedly uncomfortable.
Activate the Paris computer.
Place him in the same category as the others.
(BELL DINGS) (MACHINE WHIRRING) (BELL DINGS) Well, several locations Bedford gave coincide with sightings of the creature.
And the dates are close, too.
That makes five good suspects now.
More than I anticipated, given the necessary background.
Has the special shipment arrived from Texas? This morning, sir.
ALEX: The target represents your estimate of the creature's height and mass.
ALEX: Excellent.
Well, sir, that should stop the Hulk.
DRIVER: Where are you headed? The new Cabot Foundation, near Clifton.
Going right by it.
Hop in.
This will be your room, Mr.
Bedford.
Thank you.
We eat three times a day.
The kitchen's open If you have any other needs, that's my department.
Any questions, sir? No, no.
You're more than efficient.
Sort of remind me of my old first sergeant.
It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
You hated him, I bet.
Well, something like that.
But I can't think of anybody I'd rather be in a jam with.
I hope we never find ourselves in a jam.
I hope you're comfortable, sir.
Thank you.
LA FRONTE: Since Mr.
Bedford is experienced with micromanipulators and DNA homogenizers, I thought he'd be of particular use to you, Doctor.
Yes.
Yes, indeed.
Where did you train? Well, mostly at the Culver Institute.
Oh, one of the long line of institutions that denied me a grant.
Don't worry, I won't hold it against you if you're good.
The lab's this way.
Well, Alex, what do you think of him? Well, he's as good a suspect as anyone we've hired so far, sir.
He's a nice man.
Nice? Alex, you wouldn't be losing your objectivity on me, would you? No, sir.
Good.
We've been together a long time.
I'd hate to see it.
Careful about fraternizing with nice Mr.
Bedford.
You may have to shoot him.
So, David, you're not afraid that the Werewolf Doctor will lead you astray? I've read your work, and not superficially.
And I think it's very important.
Especially this.
Oh, you know about the transposer.
Well, it's not easy to disregard a prototype for initiating and controlling DNA transfer.
Very good! And its implications don't terrify you like so many of my colleagues? Cellular mutation? New life forms? I don't think that you are trying to create a monster, if that's what you mean.
No, if this transposer works, it could be a major breakthrough in the controlling of genetic disease.
Yes.
And that, David, is why I keep at it.
Despite the criticism.
And that, Doctor, is why I am here.
Despite the criticism.
And the danger.
Danger? You're beginning to sound like your friends at Culver.
I've taken all the recommended precautions.
I just meant that we're dealing with something so new, the precautions may not yet be established.
Agreed.
But I'll have to risk that.
And so will you, if you want to work with me.
Anytime you push ahead, the first moon shot, X-ray, vaccination, someone has to take the plunge, despite the potential dangers.
Care to join me? Well? The warning devices are all operational.
Also the trip flares.
Good.
But I want more lights as well.
Yes, sir.
What about your calculations? We can take the creature at any point in the compound, sir.
Excellent.
Well, what do you think, Alex? Have we got our man? Is he here? I don't know, sir.
I can feel it, Alex.
The quiet before the battle.
We've done everything our research has indicated.
Odds are, he's here.
(PIGEONS COOING) You understand the risk I'm taking? If anyone from the office saw me talking to you No one's gonna see you, Pauline.
This part of town isn't seedy enough for the Limelite crowd.
Okay, what have you got on this guy La Fronte? You were right, Jack.
He showed up.
And it's something big.
Now, Jack, I am not doing this for your good looks.
So, are you sure you got enough pull to get me onto the Register, with the raise? What about La Fronte? Hines just put him on Limelite's payroll, but real quiet.
Laundered money, lots of it.
The whole bit.
Do you know what's going on? Where's the money going? I don't know.
Jack, I already stuck my neck out far enough.
Now, what about the job? Tell you what you do, Pauline.
You stick around Limelite a little bit longer, find out where that money is going, we'll take care of you.
Jack.
We'll take good care of you.
Okay.
Here.
Try this.
It's exciting.
David, where would you like me to put this, sir? Careful.
Be very careful with that.
That's hydrofluoric acid.
Hydro what? Fluoric acid.
I'll take this end, you just hold onto that end, and we have a home for it right over there in the fume cabinet, okay? It's potent, huh? Potent? Oh, if you spilled any of this acid, within a matter of seconds you'd be unconscious.
After a minute, the fumes would completely destroy your lungs and the acid itself would burn a hole right through the floor.
(LAUGHING) This place is more dangerous than a minefield.
Not familiar with laboratories, huh? Minefields, yes.
Laboratories, no.
Well, let's hope the funding holds out, and then you'll have every opportunity of exploring the place.
Well, that'll be a change for me.
I never did get to spend too much time in one place.
Army moved you about a lot, huh? Yes, sir.
One army or another.
Have a family? No.
No, sir.
I, uh Well, I never wanted one.
Strange, I Right now, doesn't seem like such a bad thought.
(SIGHING) Dr.
Cabot Do you think she's really onto something? Oh, yes.
Her work is very important.
It could save countless lives.
That's another business I don't know very much about.
David, I wanted to ask you something, it's (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING) Yes, you You were saying? It's nothing, sir.
If you'll excuse me, I have things to attend to.
Doctor, the section cutting is well within our parameters.
Fine.
Now get the E.
Coli culture.
Mmm-hmm.
CABOT: Let's try some low-power exposure.
All right.
Now, let's try moving the DNA from one sector to the next.
Uh-huh.
McGEE: Country A.
The military believes that El Presidente has too much power.
El Presidente suddenly dies in a boat accident.
Very convenient for the generals.
Here, the Gold Coast.
A tribal dispute is suddenly settled when one tribe decides to hold its council meeting over a truckload of dynamite.
We've got extortion, kidnapping, even assassination and revolution.
All of this is the work of La Fronte? So my sources believe.
Of course, it's pretty much cloak and dagger work, but it seems as reliable as anything else.
One thing they all agree on.
He is a killer.
Where do you think La Fronte is now? I'm working on that.
My last contact was with an arms dealer.
Black market.
It seems La Fronte made a purchase.
A bazooka.
A bazooka? (TELEPHONE RINGING) Now, what that Hello? McGee.
Yeah, right.
Good.
Oh Okay.
Thanks, Pauline.
You've got that job.
Well, that was Pauline over at Limelite.
Yeah? They have traced the money to a dummy lab.
It stands to follow.
If the money is there, so is La Fronte.
And I'd better be, too.
I'll handle things here.
Dr.
Cabot.
Phenomenal growth! Mmm-hmm.
And in just Compared to the original cell it's a giant.
Yeah.
Let's proceed to the next step immediately.
Well, don't you think we ought to try the process again, just to test our results? I'm more than satisfied with our results.
(SIGHS) Well, it's such a delicate procedure, and frankly, I'm very concerned.
Especially if we're gonna be using laboratory animals soon.
I mean, I am tired.
Exhausted.
How about yourself? We've been working all night long! Ha! The sun is up already.
You're right.
(EXHALING) Patience was never one of my virtues.
It's just that I've been in this game so long Seen funding disappear overnight Oh.
Especially when the work is controversial.
Uh-huh.
(CHUCKLING) Go get some rest.
Well, I would like to at least get cleaned up, and get a change of clothes.
I'm starting to feel like one of your cultures.
What about you? Aren't you gonna get some rest? Well, uh, I'll get some rest in just a moment.
I want to make a few more notes.
I see.
All right.
Well, good night.
I mean, good morning.
(CHUCKLING) Good morning.
(SIGHING) (MOTOR WHIRRING) (SIGHING) (MOTOR CONTINUES WHIRRING) (GASPING) (COUGHING) David (COUGHING) (GASPING) Doctor, you've got (COUGHING) (GASPING) (HULK GRUNTING) (CHOKING) (GRUNTING) (ALARM BLARING) (GRUNTING) (GROWLING) (ALARM CONTINUES BLARING) (HULK GRUNTING) Hey! CABOT: Alex, he saved my life! Alex, don't hurt him! He saved my life! What are you? Are you a man? ALEX: Wait! Alex! Shoot him! You saved that woman's life! Alex! Can you understand me? Alex! (GRUNTING) What's the matter with you? I don't know.
We'll discuss this later.
Help her, then meet me at the perimeter.
ALEX: There's no break in the perimeter.
He's still here somewhere.
Our man's one of us.
Check everyone's room and assemble the staff.
Yes, sir.
Alex, what happened? I thought I heard an explosion.
We've had a little trouble, ma'am, but it's nothing.
Could you please go to the conference room? Right away.
Thank you.
Mr.
Bedford? Mr.
Bedford? (SIGHING) Alex.
Yes? What is it? I'm sorry to bother you, sir.
We've had some trouble.
Could you come to the conference room? Yeah, sure.
Just give me a minute, will you? Thank you, sir.
That creature What could it have been? I don't know.
Aside from its shape and color, it seemed almost human.
Perhaps it's some kind of a transformation of a man.
Into that? Why not? You yourself have talked about lycanthropes and werewolves in your writings.
Yes, but that was as a metaphor for the changes cells make.
You're talking about a myth.
And where do myths come from? In Kenya there's a leopard society.
Sumatra, weretigers.
Europe, werewolves.
It's a universal idea.
Why couldn't there be something behind it? I suppose it's possible.
We did see it.
We have to find that creature, and we have to study it.
Yes, we have to find it.
Excuse me.
Everyone's here, sir.
Good morning, everyone.
I'm sorry to bother you at this hour, but you probably heard the noise.
I'd like to put you at ease.
We had some vandals attempt to break into the lab early this morning.
There was some damage, but everything's under control.
Do you know who? What do the police say? I haven't notified them.
Nor do I intend to.
The last thing this project needs is controversy, publicity.
I urge you all to go about your duties as if nothing had happened.
We must all stand behind Dr.
Cabot.
Her work is very important.
Alex will continue to handle security.
Any errors he might have made I'm sure will not be repeated.
You have nothing to worry about.
That's all.
Thank you very much.
David.
David, a word with you? I was in the lab last night, continuing our work.
There was an accident.
What about the vandalism? Come to the lab.
David, if that creature I saw was a product of human metamorphosis, it could be a possible end to my research.
Now, this is something I want to pursue.
Dr.
Cabot, consider the original thrust of your work.
Cancer research, genetic disease Isn't that more important than this thing that you saw? But this could be important medically.
Think of the rate of metabolism needed for such a metamorphosis! That in itself could cure disease.
Aren't you making some jumps in logic? If there was such a massive cellular transformation, wouldn't it affect the neuron flow in the brain cells? Yes, probably.
And wouldn't a rational creature pick you up and simply take you out without destroying half the lab? But who can tell what its motivation was? Just for the sake of argument, let's say the key to the transformation is anger, or pain.
Consider the strength, the potential for violence.
Damn it! Why is it you see only the negative possibilities? I've had to contend with that kind of thinking all my life.
It's simply that I've been involved in research where those possibilities were not taken into account, and people were hurt.
(SIGHING) Well, David, this foundation is under my control, not yours.
As soon as this lab is repaired, I'm going ahead with this.
(SIGHING) DAVID: For argument's sake, let's say the key to the transformation is pain.
Consider the strength, the potential for violence That may be the key.
How? Consider the effects of adrenalin.
Increased strength, stamina.
Perhaps someone else was in the lab and Dr.
Cabot didn't know.
When the accident occurred, that person was also endangered.
And that's what triggered the Hulk.
It makes sense.
Where does that leave us? I'm not sure.
But if nothing else, you and I are old hands when it comes to How did he put it? Pain.
Anger.
(PHONE RINGING) ALEX: Cabot Foundation.
Dr.
Cabot, please.
I'm sorry, she's not available.
Oh, well, this is Jim Sheffield with National Lab Equipment.
There's been a mix-up with the supplies she ordered.
I can't send them till I talk to her.
Could you hold for a moment, please? Just a moment, I'll put you through.
Dr.
Cabot? Yes, Mr.
Sheffield for you on line two, please.
Thank you.
What was that call? It was for Dr.
Cabot.
Did you screen it? Yes, sir.
It's a Mr.
Sheffield, National Lab Equipment.
We've dealt with no such company.
Mr.
McGee, I can't believe that's true.
Well, Dr.
Cabot, what possible motive could I have in lying to you? Now, if you would like, I can put you in touch with my contact in the State Department.
CABO T: No, no, that's all right.
Thank you, Mr.
McGee.
What's wrong? That was a reporter.
He says this whole thing, the Foundation, the lab, is nothing but a set-up.
A trap.
And that my able administrator, Mr.
La Fronte, is nothing but a mercenary, hired to destroy the creature.
So that's it, then.
No, Alex, we're not finished yet.
We simply need to escalate, lure the objective into the open.
How? Time-honored technique, Alex.
Trial by ordeal.
And this time, I think we'll use fire.
You remember what we did at Buon Me Thuot? I think that'll do the job.
But, sir, those men were our enemies.
They were armed.
Well, this time it'll be less risky.
Get everyone together in the lab.
Sir, we can't just kill these people.
There won't be any witnesses.
Don't worry, Alex.
That isn't what I meant.
I've thought it out carefully, Alex.
There are no problems.
Oh, but, sir Get them! Sir, I can't take part in killing innocent people.
I've known you for a long time, Alex.
You've never had such qualms before.
But, sir, I've I've come to know these people.
Maybe I'm losing my nerve.
Maybe I'm getting old I'm giving you an order, Alex! I can't obey that order.
Alex, we are operational.
You know what disobeying a direct order means? How can I be sure that this McGee is telling the truth? And how can you afford to ignore him? David, have you any idea what this grant means to me? To my work? Dr.
Cabot, I've heard about this McGee.
He's no crank, and I think you ought to listen to him.
All right, I'll close down the lab until I can verify McGee's story.
I'll tell La Fronte now.
You can't just tell a killer you're backing out! Now, just suppose this entire project is a trap.
A very expensive trap.
La Fronte isn't gonna let you or anybody else stand in his way.
What do you suggest I do? The police.
And I don't think we can risk using the telephone.
I think you ought to go there yourself, get them back as soon as possible.
Come with me.
No, I can't.
I don't think I should.
I'll I'll stay here and try to keep La Fronte from becoming suspicious.
Noble, noble fellow.
But your gesture won't be necessary.
Mr.
La Fronte, what on earth are you doing? Alex, over there.
A little research of my own, Doctor.
This is Mr.
La Fronte.
We have an emergency.
Would the entire staff please assemble in the Transposer lab.
Everyone to the Transposer lab.
(GROANS) LA FRONTE: Careful! Don't make any trouble.
This will all be over very soon.
Hey, what's going on? (SCIENTISTS EXCLAIMING) He's got a gun! LA FRONTE: All right.
We're all here.
What is this? He's gonna set fire to the lab.
Just stay where you are! I got 32 rounds in this clip and I can fire 10 a second.
Mr.
La Fronte Careful, Bedford.
You know I'm not afraid to use this.
Please, I've got to talk with you.
That's close enough.
I'm the man you're looking for.
(CHUCKLING) You are a noble fellow.
It's the truth.
Perhaps.
But I want to see the creature, not the man.
Do it! But I can't just transform.
I'm afraid you'll have to.
It doesn't work like that.
So I guessed.
Allow me then to give you a helping hand.
Back up! MAN 1: What's he doing? MAN 2: Watch it, that's a firebomb! WOMAN: Please let us go! (ALARM BLARING) MAN 2: Watch it, he's got another one! (SCREAMING) (ALL SCREAMING) (PANICKED CHATTERING) MAN 3: Look out! No, no! Stop! Stop! Listen to me! Tear that thing off the wall! Try to batter that door down! Why? He's got a gun out there, in an open field.
Better we face him in an open field than this fire! Come on, get moving! (DAVID SCREAMING) (PEOPLE COUGHING) (ROARS) (ROARING) (ROARS) LA FRONTE: Closer.
(GROWLS) (ROARS) (GROANS) (CABOT CHOKING) David! MAN: Someone's still in there.
MAN 4: It's Dr.
Cabot.
It's a furnace in there! MAN 4: Someone's gotta help her! (HULK GRUNTING) David! (GASPING) (ROARS) (ALL COUGHING) (ALL COUGHING) I want to thank you very much for bringing me my things.
It wasn't easy.
The lab's been swarming with police since they arrested La Fronte.
Oh, I should have been more careful from the beginning.
Five years to build a transposer, and what have I got to show for it? Oh, Doctor, you are a survivor.
I'm sure you'll get it rebuilt.
I suppose you're right.
Tomorrow I'll pick myself up and apply for another grant.
David, your leaving like this, avoiding the police, McGee It's a personal matter.
And, Doctor, I do need your help, as far as McGee is concerned.
Don't worry.
David That creature could be very important to my work.
Do you know anything about it? I'd like to help you.
I can't.
All right.
Good luck.
Thank you.
Goodbye.