The Mad Archiver
ARCHIVE INDEX » EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
BRUNETTES ARE IN
SCARECROW AND MRS KING, SEASON 2 EPISODE 6
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 11/12/1984
DIRECTED BY CHRISTIAN I. NYBY II
WRITTEN BY MARK LISSON AND BILL FROEHLICH
[On the lush grounds of a large mansion, there is much activity: people are carrying boxes, setting up displays, and moving with purpose from place to place. Arriving on the scene, Amanda King crosses by the pool and approaches a pretty blonde holding a clipboard.]
AMANDA: Gail?
GAIL: Amanda, oh, I am so glad you could make it! [They hug.]
AMANDA (surveying the scene): Oh, well, this is really something.
GAIL: Yeah, Mr. Sinclair has pulled some strings. Come on, I want to show you something.
AMANDA: Sure.
GAIL: What we'd like you to do is help with some of the practical demonstrations.
AMANDA: All right.
GAIL: And lookit here!
AMANDA: Oh, puppies! [They arrive at a small fenced-in area and kneel down. They coo over the puppies, which are adorable.]
GAIL: These little rascals here are our goal for this year. Last year, we raised enough money to train five guide dogs, and this year we hope to double that.
AMANDA (picks up a puppy): Oh my gosh, I had no idea they were that expensive.
GAIL: Yes, they are, but maybe someday they'll help a little boy or a little girl to see through them. Oh, aren't they terrific? [Gail gives the pup a friendly rub, and Amanda puts him back in the pen. Gail draws Amanda's attention to a man in a suit: he is wearing dark sunglasses and standing next to a guide dog.] Oh, and over here is Mr. Sinclair. He's the organizer and the sponsor for our group. He's been blind since he was a boy. But he's wonderful with the children, and - of course - that's why we're here.
AMANDA: Yeah.
GAIL: Come on over. I'll let you meet him.
AMANDA: Oh. [They walk across the lawn.]
GAIL (about the puppies): One of them got out. Kathy, could you get him? Ah, Mr. Sinclair, this is Mrs. King. She's one of our new volunteers.
AMANDA (shaking Mr. Sinclair's hand): How do you do, Mr. Sinclair? You're doing wonderful work here.
SINCLAIR: Oh, well, thank you. We're here for the children, Mrs. King.
AMANDA: Yes, well, I'm so glad that I can help out.
SINCLAIR: Their smiles will thank you.
[Not far away, two men are hiding in the bushes, taking pictures of Gail and Amanda. Man #1 is African American; Man #2 is Caucasian.]
MAN #1: Might as well take 'em both.
MAN #2: I get the brunette; you get the blonde.
MAN #1: Hey, no problem.
GAIL (to Amanda): Come on, I've got something else to show you. (to Mr. Sinclair) Excuse us.
AMANDA: Sure. Nice to meet you, Mr. Sinclair.
SINCLAIR: Nice to meet you. [Amanda and Gail walk off. Still watching the women, Man #1 and Man #2 exit their hiding place.]
* * *
[Later in the day, Gail and Amanda exit the building and proceed to the parking area.]
GAIL: Well, Amanda, I really appreciate your helping out. I mean, I know how busy you are.
AMANDA: Oh, I'm happy to help.
GAIL: Good. Well, then I guess I'll see you Wednesday?
AMANDA: Right.
GAIL: Say hi to your mother and your kids.
AMANDA: I will.
GAIL: Okay. Bye-bye.
AMANDA: Bye-bye. [Amanda and Gail get into their respective cars. As Amanda drives away, Man #1 and Man #2 enter the parking area.]
MAN #1 (seeing Amanda leave): We're gonna lose her.
MAN #2: We can at least get the blonde. I'm not facing Pierce empty-handed.
MAN #1: Her car's not going anywhere. [They walk a little further, and just as he predicted, Gail's car won't start.]
MAN #1: Piece of cake.
[While Man #1 lingers by a catering van, Man #2 approaches Gail's car.]
MAN #2: Hey, it sounds like you could use a hand. I'm sorta good around cars.
GAIL: Oh, thank you. It won't start. I don't know what's wrong.
MAN #2: Let's take a look. [He opens the car door and Gail gets out.]
GAIL: Oh, you know, I don't know anything about cars.
MAN #2: Well, it might be something very simple.
GAIL: Oh, well, I just had it tuned. I don't understand this.
MAN #2: Isn't that like every car? [They walk to the front of the car, and Man #2 opens the hood.]
GAIL: So--
MAN #2 (interrupting, studying the engine): Ooh. Say, I've got a tool chest in the side door of my van. Could you get it for me?
GAIL: Oh, sure, thank you. You know, this is very nice of you.
MAN #2: No problem.
GAIL (to herself as she's walking): I hate cars. [She walks over to the catering van and opens the side door. Man #1, hiding inside, grabs her and covers her face with a chloroformed cloth. Gail screams muffled screams and struggles, but Man #2 comes over to grab her as well.]
MAN #2: Got good spirit, huh?
MAN #1: I really like 'em that way.
MAN #2 (to Gail): Button it up, baby. [Gail falls, unconscious, and the men put her in the van. Man #1 gets in the driver's seat and starts the motor.]
MAN #1: Fifteen seconds, man. Hey we're getting better.
* * *
[Amanda's house. The boys are in the den helping Amanda put clothes into a laundry basket.]
AMANDA: Okay, come on, fellas.
DOTTY: What's going on? What are you doing with our laundry?
AMANDA: I'm taking it to work, Mother.
DOTTY: Our dirty laundry?
AMANDA: Yes, Mother. (to the boys) Did you get everything?
PHILLIP: Yeah, including Jamie's stinko shirt.
AMANDA: Oh, come on.
JAMIE (to Phillip): Cut it out.
AMANDA: Come on, come on. Go check your lunches, huh? Go on, run.
DOTTY (crosses her arms): I'm waiting.
AMANDA: For what?
DOTTY: For you to tell me why you're taking our laundry to work.
AMANDA: I don't know.
DOTTY (scoffs): Amanda, this film company you work for is *very* strange.
AMANDA: Mother, I'm sorry. All I know is they told me to bring my laundry to work.
DOTTY: But our machines work just fine. All you have to do--
AMANDA: I know.
DOTTY (suddenly excited): You're gonna do a commercial.
AMANDA: What?!
DOTTY: You know, those secret cameras? That's why they won't tell you. They want to catch you in the act with your detergent.
AMANDA: No, no, no... [Hearing Dotty's theory, the boys return.]
JAMIE: Are you really going to be on TV?
AMANDA: I'm not.
DOTTY: Just don't say that you like the product if you really don't. I mean, they really try to trick you.
PHILLIP: Mom, if we're going to be rich, can I have a new bike?
AMANDA: Sweetheart, I don't think we'll be rich--
JAMIE: And a jungle gym!
PHILLIP/JAMIE: PLEASE?!
AMANDA (to her mother): See what you started? [Amanda tries to usher the boys back to the business at hand.] Have you got everything? You got your lunch? You got your books? [One of the boys answers an affirmative. Amanda crosses the room with them and opens the patio door.]
AMANDA: All right. Now, be very careful. Don't walk through any vacant lots, and-- [The boys know what's coming, so they say it with her.]
AMANDA/PHILLIP/JAMIE: --stay on the sidewalk. [She kneels down for a goodbye kiss and the boys head out the door.]
AMANDA: Bye-bye. Study hard! Be good boys!
* * *
[IFF. The closet elevator doors open. Lee and Billy step into the hall.]
BILLY: It's just a simple courier assignment.
LEE: Yeah, a simple *mid-level* courier assignment. Amanda is not ready for that. [They round the corner and head toward the Bullpen.]
BILLY: All she has to do is exactly what she's told.
LEE: She *never* does exactly what she's told.
BILLY: She has good common sense.
LEE: Billy, she will be out there without any backup. She'll be totally alone.
BILLY: And *safe* within her own element. This courier must simply act like a housewife.
* * *
[Billy's office. Amanda is sitting in a chair holding her laundry and a box of detergent. Billy, Lee, and Francine are explaining the assignment.]
AMANDA: Just act like a housewife?
BILLY: That's right.
AMANDA: Well, I can do that. I do that every day.
FRANCINE: Just a simple, average, ordinary housewife.
LEE: But, Amanda, this is not what you're used to. You'll be alone. You see, we can't afford to arouse suspicions by having our backup agents spotted.
AMANDA: Is this dangerous?
BILLY: It's just a simple drop.
AMANDA: Yes, Sir. Sir, just exactly what is it that you want me to do?
FRANCINE: You're going to go to a Laundromat. You're going to wash your clothes. At some point, a man will come up and give you a sock
AMANDA: One sock?
FRANCINE: One sock.
AMANDA: Dirty or clean?
FRANCINE: It doesn't matter.
AMANDA: Yes, it does matter, because if it's a clean sock, it'll look suspicious if I wash it.
LEE: No, hold it, ho-- *don't* wash the sock. There's a microdot in it.
AMANDA (finally getting the picture): Oh...
FRANCINE: Just put it with your laundry, and then you'll bring it back here.
AMANDA: Right. Just go to the Laundromat, wash my clothes, get the sock -- another day on the job.
* * *
[In a harbor, a boat is docked near a pier. Man #1 is walking toward the boat with the man his colleague had spoken earlier of meeting. Pierce has a thin mustache and is balding. He wears a suit. He is looking at a picture of Amanda and Gail.]
PIERCE: Who is this other woman? This brunette?
MAN #1: Her name is Amanda King, and we know where she works. A documentary film company... [He pulls a small notebook from his pocket and checks.] IFF.
PIERCE: Then why are you here? Follow her. Bring her into the family.
MAN #1: Kurtz is already on it.
PIERCE: Good. [Pierce continues toward the boat, and Man #1 walks away.]
* * *
[At the Laundromat, Amanda is taking her clothes out of a dryer. A woman arrives and greets her.]
SARAH: Amanda.
AMANDA: Oh, hi, Sarah.
SARAH: What are you doing here? I guess your machines are on the blink, too, huh.
AMANDA: Yeah, well, I guess they are... [Amanda trails off, distracted by looking out the window.]
SARAH: You expecting someone?
AMANDA (quickly): No, I was just hoping that the parking meter hadn't run out.
SARAH (doesn't believe her): The parking meter.
AMANDA: Uh-huh... Yeah.
[Man #2 - Kurtz - pauses by the door and watches for a moment through the glass before slowly walking away. Man #1 is walking toward him. They move and speak very casually to blend in with the rest of the crowd, strolling and shopping.]
MAN #1: Any problems?
KURTZ: Just wait. [They linger near the Laundromat entrance.]
* * *
[IFF. Francine reads a new printout.]
FRANCINE: Billy, we got a problem here. Our drop man just activated a backup plan.
BILLY: What's going down?
FRANCINE: He's in a jam. He had to switch the contents of the drop that Amanda will be receiving.
LEE: A different microdot?
FRANCINE: That's right. Tripod has been blown.
LEE: Tripod. That's our three agents in Leningrad, right?
FRANCINE: Yes, and the new microdot contains the plans to get our guys out of Russia.
BILLY: The KGB must be after them.
FRANCINE: Well, we only have 48 hours to get our guys out of there, or they will be killed.
LEE: And that means they could be on to our drop man. And Amanda's "simple little assignment" could now get her killed. [With an accusing look at Billy, Lee stalks off. Billy and Francine look after him. Francine sighs.]
* * *
[Outside the Laundromat, Man #3, a small-framed man with receding dark hair, looks in somewhat nervously. Another man dressed mostly in black passes in front of him and enters the Laundromat. Sarah and Amanda are at a table folding laundry.]
SARAH: Your boys are growing so fast.
AMANDA: Yes. [Amanda sees that the drop man is standing at the door, and she tenses up a little. Sarah doesn't notice.]
SARAH: I guess Freddie is gonna be puny like his father.
AMANDA: Oh, gee, I- [She glances quickly at the man near the door.] I sure hope not. [Amanda turns and purposely spills her basket.] Oh, my gosh. [The drop man comes to help her pick up the clothes.] Gosh, how clumsy of me. Thank you so much. [He discreetly hands her the sock. He continues to look deadly serious.]
DROP MAN: It's not safe. [Amanda, still kneeling with sock in hand, looks at him.]
AMANDA (quietly): Then I guess I should fold my laundry at home?
DROP MAN: Good idea. [He stands and quickly leaves. Amanda stands, puts her basket back on the table, and works to collect her things.]
SARAH: Aren't you even gonna fold those? [Amanda puts the sock in her purse.]
AMANDA: No, I think I'll just fold my laundry at home. It's not safe here. [Amanda picks up her basket and hurries out, leaving Sarah looking quite puzzled.]
* * *
[Outside, Amanda glances to her right and sees Man #3 start toward her. She hurries the other way, toward the parking area. Not far away, Man #1 and Kurtz casually move after them. Looking back, Amanda sees Man #3 closing in behind her. She drops her detergent as she tries to run, but at the edge of the parking lot, he catches up and grabs her. She screams. Fortunately, Lee is arriving nearby. His tires squeal as the car screeches to a stop.]
LEE (through the window of his car): Hey! Hey, you! [Amanda is struggling with Man #3, who is trying to take her purse.]
AMANDA: No! No! No! [Man #3 succeeds in pulling the purse from Amanda. She falls back and winds up sitting on her laundry basket. The man runs off. Kurtz and Man #1 appear, and Lee shoves past them to get to Amanda.]
LEE: Get out of--
MAN #1: Hey, forget it, buddy. He's gone! [Man #1 helps Amanda to her feet. Kurtz rambles, explaining their presence.]
KURTZ: We were just trying to help the lady--
LEE (to Amanda): Are you all right?
AMANDA: I'm fine. Thank you very much. [Man #1 and Kurtz still stand on either side of Amanda. Seeing that Lee is not leaving, they slowly turn to go.]
LEE (dismissing them): I'll take it from here, thank you. Thank you very much.
AMANDA (holding her hip): Ow!
LEE: You're all right?
AMANDA: Yes.
LEE: What happened?
AMANDA: I don't know. He was just outside, waiting for me.
LEE (picks up the basket): At least he didn't get the laundry. [Amanda gasps and covers her face with her hands as she remembers.]
AMANDA (talking through her hands): Oh, my gosh, he got the sock!
LEE: What?
AMANDA: In my purse! [Lee is boggled at this revelation.]
LEE: My God. Why?
AMANDA: Your man inside said it wasn't safe. So, I thought that they would search the laundry for the sock, but they would never search my *purse* for the sock. Lee, who would put a sock in a purse? [Lee's hands fly to his temples in frustration.]
LEE: Well, that sock happens to represent the lives of three people! That's a vital code that we have to have. In 48 hours, three undercover agents will be caught and killed behind the Iron Curtain.
AMANDA: I'm sorry!
LEE: Sorry? I'M the one who is sorry! [Amanda looks at him, stunned and hurt by his anger. He picks up the laundry, shoves it at her, grabs her arm and pulls her toward the car.] Here! Now, come on. [Not liking his attitude, she shakes off his hand, turns and storms off the other way.]
AMANDA: I got my own car. [She walks off. Lee waits, looking after her.]
LEE: What? [Amanda returns and passes him, heading for his car. She doesn't look at him.]
AMANDA: He got my keys. [Lee turns and follows her to the car.]
* * *
[On board the boat, the Nightwing, Pierce, Kurtz, Man #1, and Man #3 are standing in a tastefully decorated cabin. Pierce is holding Amanda's purse by the strap, dangling it for display.]
PIERCE: This is it? A purse? We sell women, not luggage.
MAN #3: Yes, Sir, Mr. Pierce. But there were a whole lot of people around at the time, and if Kurtz and Dagget hadn't showed up when they did, some Good Samaritan woulda pounced on me. Now it just seems like a simple purse-snatching. [Despite his positive explanation, he projects an uneasy and uneducated manner.]
PIERCE (not satisfied): You don't understand. I need... [He gestures to the counter and the picture of Gail and Amanda talking to Mr. Sinclair.] ... this woman. The buyer has seen her picture.
DAGGET (Man #1): What about her? [Gail is unconscious on a nearby sofa.]
PIERCE: This luscious creature is only a blonde. [Pierce walks over and lifts Gail's head.] She will draw a decent dollar. But Mrs. King is a brunette, hmm? And brunettes... are in. Our client is looking for a cultured woman to add to his collection. Someone who can train the others. Now, I am not a flesh peddler. I deal in class.
KURTZ: What's the big deal about this Mrs. King? There's plenty of brunettes.
PIERCE: Suburban housewives appeal to the buyer's sense of humor. Mrs. King is worth more than five blondes. He wants *her.* [He punctuates the last word by slapping his hand on the picture.] Not just her purse. [He flings the purse at Man #3.] All of her. Do you understand?
MAN #3: Yes, Sir.
* * *
[Amanda's house. Amanda is on the phone in the kitchen.]
AMANDA: Yes, well, thank you very much for telling me. All right, thank you. Goodbye. [She hangs up.]
DOTTY: I have written down the numbers; I'm gonna cancel all your credit cards. I cannot *believe* this happened in broad daylight. We're just lucky you're all right. [She notices that Amanda is troubled.] Amanda, what's the matter?
AMANDA: Mother, that was the charity committee. Gail Taylor didn't get home, night before last.
DOTTY (truly stunned): What do they think happened?
AMANDA: They don't know what happened. Her car is still parked on the street.
DOTTY: Oh, Amanda, that's awful! Oh, it makes you so mad when things like that happen in your own neighborhood! Now, we're not gonna just stand here and allow it to happen. I'm going to call our councilman. What's his name?
AMANDA: Hogan. Councilman Hogan.
DOTTY (exiting): I've got his number. [Phillip and Jamie enter the room.]
PHILLIP: Hi, Mom!
AMANDA: Hi, fellas.
JAMIE: Mom? Do you think you're gonna do that commercial again?
AMANDA: I don't think so, Sweetheart. It just didn't work out so well.
JAMIE: I really wanted to see you on TV.
AMANDA: Yeah, well...
PHILLIP: Mom, can we go in the backyard and play football?
AMANDA: Sure you can go play football. Just don't talk to any strangers.
PHILLIP: In the backyard?
AMANDA: You're right. There shouldn't be any strangers in the backyard. If there are, you come right in and tell me. [Dotty returns.]
DOTTY: You won't believe this.
AMANDA: What?
DOTTY: I got a recording.
AMANDA: I believe it.
JAMIE: Mom, is Billy Bartlett okay?
AMANDA: Yeah, Billy's okay.
PHILLIP: Jamie, Billy can't catch.
JAMIE: Well, at least he's not a stranger.
AMANDA: That's right. Go on. [Off they go.]
DOTTY: You're not leaving?
AMANDA: Yeah, Mom, I'm gonna go over to the charity and see if I can fill in for Gail and try to find out what happened
DOTTY: All right, but be careful. [They hug.]
AMANDA: I will. I will. You watch out for the boys. [Amanda exits and Dotty determinedly picks up the phone.]
* * *
[Back at the mansion, Mr. Sinclair is walking across the busy yard with his dog. He stops where Amanda is standing at a table with some files.]
SINCLAIR: That lovely perfume must be Mrs. King.
AMANDA: Hello, Mr. Sinclair. Is there any word on Gail?
SINCLAIR: No. The police are doing all they can. Try not to worry.
AMANDA: Well, I just thought I'd come by and see if I could help out.
SINCLAIR: Well, I'm sure Mrs. Taylor would really appreciate that. And if there's anything you need, you just look for me, or any of these people can help you.
AMANDA: I will.
SINCLAIR: And, Mrs. King, the children thank you. (to the dog) Forward. Come on. [He walks away and Amanda is instantly joined by Lee, who is holding two large flower arrangements.]
LEE: Excuse me. Where would you like me to put these flowers?
AMANDA (whispers, surprised to see him): What are you doing here?
LEE: Amanda, I need you. We may have gotten a break on this case. One of our street sources seems to think the guy who attacked you the other day was a purse snatcher and not an agent. Now, I didn't get a good look at him. You did. I really need you to come down and look at some pictures. [Amanda looks around to see if anyone is listening. She takes the flowers from Lee and puts them on the table.]
AMANDA: Well, all right.
LEE: Good. Come on.
* * *
[IFF. Lee and Amanda are sitting at a table covered with mug shots of suspects. Lee shows some to Amanda, who shakes her head.]
AMANDA: Mm-mm.
LEE: How about this one?
AMANDA: Mm-mm. [She shows him the picture she's been holding.] I think this is him.
LEE: You're absolutely sure?
AMANDA: Well I'm not "absolutely" sure, but I'm... pretty sure. [Lee looks at the picture, which is indeed Man #3.]
LEE: Okay. Let's run a computer ID on him. [He walks off with the picture. Soon Francine and Lee are watching as a printout is produced.]
FRANCINE (reads): Oh, he's using a new name. Rollo.
LEE: What else?
FRANCINE: Petty criminal. Likes money. Doesn't care much how he gets it.
LEE: Yeah, into a little bit of everything, huh? [Francine tears off the printout.]
FRANCINE: Yeah, it looks that way. If the money is right, he'll do just about anything. [Amanda joins them.]
AMANDA: Excuse me. I don't suppose there's an address on that, is there?
FRANCINE: No.
LEE: Let's get an APB out on the description, try to track him down.
FRANCINE: Okay.
LEE: How much time left on Tripod?
FRANCINE: Thirty-four hours.
LEE: Let's get a move on it.
FRANCINE: All right.
AMANDA: Lee, what if the microdot fell out of the sock?
LEE: That would be great. It would be laying out in the street somewhere.
AMANDA: Or it could be in my laundry. I haven't put it away yet.
LEE: What about your mother and the kids?
AMANDA: At the movies.
LEE: Let's go.
* * *
[Lee holds the door as he and Amanda exit the Bullpen.]
AMANDA: Thank you.
LEE: Mm-hm. [They walk a few steps toward the elevator but Lee suddenly stops and sighs.]
AMANDA: What?
LEE: This is dumb.
AMANDA: What's dumb?
LEE: The microdot is not in your laundry.
AMANDA: Oh, we don't know that until we look.
LEE: Gut instinct. When you've been doing what I've been doing, after a number of years, you develop this kind of intuition.
AMANDA: Yes, like mothers' intuition, or women's intuition.
LEE (not liking those comparisons): Well, maybe "intuition" isn't quite the right word.
AMANDA (agreeably): Oh yes, that's a good word. [He smiles a little.]
LEE: What I'm trying to say is, Amanda... I have more experience than you, right?
AMANDA: Well, you have more experience in certain areas, and then, I have more experience in other areas.
LEE: I'm talking about being an agent.
AMANDA: Oh.
LEE: Yeah. I'm talking about years of training, honing my instincts.
AMANDA: Oh.
LEE: I'm talking about the fact that you're not picking up on what I'm saying to you.
AMANDA: What are you saying to me?
LEE: You should have never taken that courier assignment.
AMANDA: Mr. Melrose asked me to do it.
LEE: Yes, but if you were listening closely to me, I was asking you not to.
AMANDA: You were?
LEE: Yes. And that is the difference between a pro and a non-pro. Being able to pick up on the subtle nuances. In my estimation, that courier assignment should've been taken by somebody with a mid-level clearance. [With that, Lee walks off, leaving Amanda looking surprised and somewhat aggravated at his unfair assessment.]
* * *
[Later that evening, Lee is sitting on the sofa in Amanda's den with a pile of laundry in front of him. Frustrated he throws a rolled-up sock across the room. He snatches up another article of clothing to examine.]
LEE: All right, let's-- [He reads what the tee-shirt says and looks over at Amanda.] What is--? [He turns the shirt around so she can see. It says, "Hot Mama" across the front.] You don't really, *actually* wear this, do you? [Amanda is sitting in a chair with her hands clasped in her lap.]
AMANDA: Yes, Philip and Jamie gave it to me.
LEE: Oh, Philip and Jamie gave it to you, did they? Well... [He laughs mockingly, wads the shirt into a ball, and tosses it aside. He stands and paces.] Well, "Hot Mama." It seems that three of our best agents are in a great deal of trouble right now because we lost a vital microdot. And the only lead that we have to this vital microdot is with some damn purse-snatcher named Rollo. And here I am, sitting in YOUR den, going through YOUR laundry, and feeling VERY MUCH like an idiot right now. [Amanda looks down, saying nothing.] So... [Lee notices her quietness and realizes that he's being too hard on her. He tries to calm down.] So... uh... So, I'm very- very sorry, Amanda. I lost my temper again. I seem to be always saying things that, uh--
AMANDA: Well, sometimes that's when people are most honest.
LEE: Yeah, and the dumbest, so... [He trails off, looking over the pile of laundry. Amanda hesitates a moment, watching him. Her expression is serious.]
AMANDA: Lee, I think we should stop.
LEE: Yeah, there's no microdot in this laundry--
AMANDA: No, I don't mean that. I think we should stop working together. I don't think we should be partners anymore.
LEE: Whoa, whoa, whoa. We have *never* been partners.
AMANDA: Oh, yes, we have. We've been part--
LEE: I don't work with partners, Amanda, and you know it.
AMANDA: You're losing your temper again.
LEE (loudly): I am *not* losing my temper--
AMANDA: I know you think I really messed up this time... [Exasperated, Lee briefly shuts his eyes and turns his head.]
LEE (mostly to himself): Oh, Amanda, you make me crazy--
AMANDA: ... I know that you think that I'm right for The Agency...
LEE: Why are we having this discussion?
AMANDA: ... And I just want you to remember that I didn't ask to join The Agency. I mean, you got me into it in the first place.
LEE (defensive and angry): Well, I'm not holding you there, am I? [Amanda stares at him for a moment.]
AMANDA (quietly): No. [Again contrite, Lee looks down. He tries to continue lightly.]
LEE: Why are we talking? What are we talking about here?
AMANDA: My resignation. [Now Lee is the one looking back, saying nothing.] I think I should probably give it to Mr. Melrose. [He seems taken aback at her suggestion, but he maintains his slight frown, too proud to argue.]
LEE: Well, you do what you think is best for you. That's all. [She seems taken aback that he accepts her decision so easily, but she continues.]
AMANDA: Well... I will then, I guess. I'll turn in my resignation.
LEE: Well, fine.
AMANDA: Yeah. [Lee turns and walks out of the house. Amanda looks after him, stunned at this turn of events.]
LEE (outside, walking away): I don't believe this.
* * *
[Inside, Amanda goes into the kitchen. Thunder and lightning indicate that a storm is coming. Hearing something break outside, Amanda smiles a little and goes to look out the window. However, she sees only a flowerpot shattered on the patio. Walking back to the kitchen, she doesn't see that Rollo is right outside. She leans against the counter, hangs her head, and sighs.]
[Meanwhile, Lee is driving away. His expression is thoughtful, as if he knows there's something he must do. He turns the car around.]
[Amanda checks the dishwasher and starts to walk away, but thunder crashes again and the power suddenly goes out. She sees the patio doorknob turning: someone is trying to come in. She steps around the corner to hide. Rollo smashes a glass panel in the patio door, reaches in, and turns the knob, and he and Dagget step inside. Seeing them, Amanda flees to the front door, but Kurtz is waiting and he grabs her. He brings her back inside.]
KURTZ: Come on. Move it. Get in. Come on. [Dagget comes over to grab Amanda by the legs. Amanda screams. Suddenly, Lee charges in with his gun drawn.]
LEE: All right! Hold it! [Rollo, hidden behind the door, grabs Lee's gun and they struggle. Kurtz and Dagget let go of Amanda to help Rollo fight this new threat.]
DAGGET (to Amanda?): Get out of here.
ROLLO: You guys take care of the merchandise! I got him. [Rollo's claim proves false as Lee knocks him down, then jumps into the den and tackles Dagget and Kurtz, knocking both of them down. As Lee punches Kurtz, Amanda picks up a lamp and swings it at Dagget's head, but he ducks. When Dagget turns to help Kurtz, Amanda clobbers Dagget with the lamp. Meanwhile, Rollo has gotten up and pulled out a knife. Seeing this, Lee kicks the knife out of Rollo's hand and then stuns Rollo with a kick to the head before flipping him onto the sofa. While Lee is thus preoccupied, Dagget and Kurtz escape out the patio door. Lee reaches across the sofa - where Rollo now lies unconscious - and grabs hold of the lamp which the startled Amanda is about to smash into Rollo.]
LEE: No! Amanda! It's over... It's over. It's all over. Everything's fine. They're gone. [Lee and Amanda continue to hold onto the lamp with both hands. Amanda is petrified, reluctant to move at all.]
AMANDA (her voice is trembling): I've never been so scared in my life.
LEE: I know. [In a small gesture of comfort, Lee puts one hand over Amanda's as they still hold the lamp.]
AMANDA: I'm glad Mother and the boys weren't here. Why'd they come in my house?
LEE: I don't know -- but I'm gonna out. Believe me.
AMANDA: Who are they?
LEE: I don't know...
AMANDA: Why did you come back?
LEE: I... I didn't like the way our little disagreement ended. I drove by; I saw the van in the driveway. The front door was open...
AMANDA (quietly, guarded): It wasn't just a "little disagreement." You said that I should resign.
LEE: No, *you* said that you were going to resign--
AMANDA: You agreed with me.
LEE (frustrated, but not angry): Here we go again.
AMANDA: See, then you mean it, don't you.
LEE: No, I didn't totally mean it.
AMANDA: But you mean it a little.
LEE: Maybe a little...
AMANDA: See, you said it again. [She pulls the lamp away and turns to set it down.]
LEE (truly confused): Said what? I don't even know what I said anymore. [Amanda starts picking up some of the things that had been knocked over in the commotion. Dotty's voice can be heard as she and the boys are approaching the front door.]
DOTTY: Hurry up, boys. Amanda?
AMANDA (urgently): You've got to get him out of here.
LEE: Yeah.
JAMIE: It's dark out here!
LEE (to Rollo): Come on, friend.
DOTTY: Amanda? [Lee pulls Rollo up. Amanda opens the double side doors.]
AMANDA: You arrest him? Huh?
LEE: You bet. [He hauls Rollo out. Amanda closes the doors and hurries to meet her family.]
DOTTY (off-screen): Amanda? [Dotty and the boys appear at the still-open front door. Dotty gasps.] Honey, when we have a wind-storm like this... [Amanda runs over to kneel down and pulls both boys into her arms.] ...you've got to watch the front door. It can be very dangerous.
AMANDA (still hugging the boys): I know, I know...
PHILLIP: The lights are out.
AMANDA: I know it. How was the movie?
DOTTY: It was very gory.
PHILLIP: Talk about great. It was excellent!
JAMIE: Can I have a bullwhip?
DOTTY: No, not in this life, dear.
AMANDA: I tell you what, fellas. Why don't you grab your flashlights, go on upstairs, and get ready for bed, and I'll be up in a minute, okay? [The boys agree.] Okay, there you are. Go on now. [They head upstairs.] Be careful!
DOTTY: That is really something out there.
AMANDA: I know. It's quite a lightning storm, isn't it? [Dotty unzips her coat and takes it off. At this point, the lights come back on, and Dotty is stunned to see the open patio door, broken glass, and other mess in the floor by the kitchen.]
DOTTY: My gosh!
AMANDA: Yeah.
DOTTY: What happened?
AMANDA: Uh... well... You could say that the wind blew in the front door and blew out the back door and blew the room out.
DOTTY: Oh, Amanda, sweetie. [She gives Amanda a comforting hug.] You could've been hurt!
AMANDA: Well, it was--
DOTTY: Let me fix you a cup of tea and you can tell me all about it. [She looks at the mess again.] I don't believe this.
AMANDA (mostly to herself): Yeah, I know...
* * *
[The next day, outside a Georgetown restaurant, Kurtz and Dagget meet Mr. Pierce.]
PIERCE: Gentlemen. So good of you to meet me. [His words are cordial but his tone remains serious and threatening.] Let's talk. [The three start to walk. Pierce takes out a cigarette.] Rollo's getting caught has put a crimp in things.
DAGGET: He won't say anything.
PIERCE: You better be right, Dagget. For all your sakes. The price on the King woman has gone up, even higher than before. I talked to the buyer this morning, told him all about your little escapade last night. [He takes a moment to light his cigarette.] Mrs. King's spirited performance appeals to him. He feels that will make her an even better leader for his collection.
KURTZ: What do we do about this guy who keeps showing up?
PIERCE: Get rid of any inconveniences. No need to be polite... I *want* Amanda King. Now. [Pierce gets into a car and drives away.]
* * *
[IFF. Francine and Lee are walking down the hall, discussing what happened at Amanda's.]
FRANCINE: Well, I find that pretty hard to believe. I mean, I think you're just covering for her, myself.
LEE: What, Amanda? I'm telling you: she fought back. What'd you think she'd do?
FRANCINE: Faint! Sort of a suburban swoon.
LEE: Hardly. She was great. She even took one out with a lamp.
FRANCINE: A lamp? I would never use a lamp.
LEE: I know. We've gotta watch our nails...
FRANCINE: Hey, I've decked guys with a lot less.
LEE (false sympathy): Mm, first dates *are* rough.
FRANCINE (smiling): Well, they always come back for more. [Lee laughs a little and turns back to the matter at hand.]
LEE: Is this a great town, or what? I will bet that Rollo will be out by Saturday night.
FRANCINE: You know, I am going to really *enjoy* doing a number on him.
LEE: Yeah? Well, you're going to have to wait in line.
FRANCINE: Wait a minute. You've already had run-ins with him. I never have. That's why it should be me. Because that way he won't know what's coming.
LEE (not convinced): Francine--
FRANCINE: We don't have much time here, you know. We need results. I am a woman; Rollo is a man. Therefore I can--
LEE: --can back me up quite nicely. *If* you will remember Singapore in eighty-one.
FRANCINE: Oh, I *do* remember Singapore. *You* walked in right in the middle of my interrogation and you broke the whole mood. It took another 24 hours to break the subject.
LEE: Francine, he was not going to crack the way you were doing it.
FRANCINE: Well, we'll never know now, will we?
LEE: I'm not the one who's keeping track, am I.
FRANCINE: Ooh, you're not, but somebody better be keeping track, because do you remember Panama in eighty-two?
LEE: Mm-hmm.
FRANCINE: I cracked that sucker in no time.
LEE: Yes, you did. You were great. You were just fine, but that was a diplomatic courier. That was a whole different ballgame. [Billy has walked up and stands, watching them bicker.] Rollo is a scuzzball. He wouldn't understand a subtle threat or a delicate approach.
FRANCINE: You have no idea what kind of approach I'm going to use. Just because I'm a woman does not mean I will always be "subtle" and "delicate."
LEE: Okay, you are right. You are absolutely right.
FRANCINE: Oh?
LEE: Tell you what. We'll flip for it. [Lee takes a coin and flips it. Billy, who has just joined them, catches it.]
BILLY: What we need here is an executive decision.
* * *
[IFF. In the interrogation room, Billy's executive decision is clear as Francine paces, trying to menace Rollo. In more of a backup capacity, Lee is leaning on the wall behind them, by the door.]
ROLLO: I wanna know who you guys are, and where the hell I am.
FRANCINE: Shut your face, Bozo.
LEE: You better tell her what she wants to know, Rollo.
ROLLO: I am telling you, I do not know anything.
FRANCINE (with an impatient sigh): All right, Scuzzball. I'm gonna ask you one more time. Why were you after Amanda King? Now this is your second attack.
ROLLO: Okay. Okay, I'll tell you... I wanted to rob her. That's it. I just wanted to rob her.
FRANCINE: All right. Where did you put her purse?
ROLLO: How would I know that? I deal with a lot of purses.
FRANCINE: I'm not buying it, Rollo.
LEE: She's not buying it, Rollo.
FRANCINE (to Lee): Look, just give me five minutes alone with him. All I need is five minutes.
LEE: See, I don't know. I covered you last time. I just don't think I can go to bat for you again.
ROLLO: Who the hell are you guys any--
FRANCINE: Three minutes. All I need is three minutes, Lee. Please.
LEE: All right, maybe. *Maybe.* Only this time, I don't want to have to watch. I mean... (to Rollo) it was *brutal.* [Rollo looks at Francine and shifts nervously in his chair. Lee shudders a little, as if recalling the memory.]
ROLLO: Hey, uh... I got my rights. I want a lawyer.
LEE: Yeah. And I wanna be six-eight with a jump shot. Now, you just sit right where you are, okay? Don't you go anywhere. [Lee looks at Francine and nods toward the door. They step into the room on the other side of the two-way mirror. Billy is there.]
BILLY (about Rollo's story): Could be possible. Snatch her purse, get the address. Come back later and rip the house off.
LEE: It's possible.
BILLY: Do you buy it?
LEE/FRANCINE: No.
BILLY: Well, children, we only have 12 hours to get that microdot. Any suggestions?
LEE: I think we let him go.
BILLY (pleased): Take him down the back way.
[Francine and Lee exit to return to Rollo.]
* * *
[Out on the street, Rollo walks in his nervous, shifty fashion along the busy sidewalk. Despite repeatedly looking behind him, he doesn't notice Lee following him. When Rollo veers off into an alley, gunshots suddenly bounce off of the metal grate he just passed. Rollo ducks behind some crates for cover. With shots still ringing, Lee runs into the alley. He takes cover with Rollo and pulls out his gun.]
ROLLO: You don't gotta kill me, man! You don't gotta kill me!
LEE: What? I'm not the one who's shootin' at you, you jerk.
ROLLO: Well, who is then, if not you? [Another gunshot ricochets nearby.]
LEE: Take a guess! What did you think your buddies would do when they found out you were snitchin' on 'em? [Another shot seems even closer.]
ROLLO: Yeah, yeah, you could be right on that one. All right, listen. Listen. You- you protect me; I'll tell you what you want. You just gotta promise me protection right now.
LEE: Yeah. All right, we'll protect you. Why were you after Amanda King?
ROLLO (hesitantly): We weren't gonna hurt her, or anything, because we don't ever damage the merchandise...
LEE: "Merchandise"? That's the same thing you said in the house.
ROLLO: Nothing personal. It's just business, man.
LEE: And you were never after Amanda's purse. You weren't gonna rob her either. [Rollo shakes his head a little.] She's nothing but merchandise to you? What were you going to use her for, huh? What? [Lee's increasing anger makes Rollo timid, because Rollo knows he won't like the answer.]
ROLLO (stumbling over the words): W- w- we were gonna sell her. [At this, Lee is furious. He grabs Rollo by the front of his shirt and pushes him up a little.]
LEE: You what? (through gritted teeth) You were gonna sell Amanda? [Rollo nervously points as if to remind Lee that he promised protection.]
ROLLO: Down. [With Rollo's shirt still in his grip, Lee squats again.]
LEE: Yeah, get down. Now, where are these women? Where are these women you were gonna sell?
ROLLO: Okay, okay, okay! They're on a yacht. But don't ask me where, because I- I don't know. Every night they change the dock, and every night they change it to a different name. Don't ask me. I don't know.
LEE (satisfied with this confession): All right. Come on. [He pulls Rollo up again.]
ROLLO (panicking): No, down...
LEE: Come on! [They stand and he pulls Rollo out into the open.] Francine! [Francine comes running up, gun in hand. Rollo looks at Lee, astonished at being set up. They both keep Rollo covered.] Looks like we have a little change in plans.
ROLLO: What the hell--? You guys cheated.
LEE: That's right, Sherlock. (to Francine) They weren't after the microdot. They were after Amanda all along. There's this yacht. Wherever this yacht is, that's where the purse is and the microdot. You take Scuzzball here and put him on ice, then find that yacht. I'm going after Amanda.
FRANCINE: Got it. (to Rollo, who is still glaring at Lee) Come on. Come on!
* * *
[Back at the mansion, as a "practical demonstration," Amanda is leading a group of about ten blindfolded women through one of the rooms.]
AMANDA: All right, now we'll move relatively slowly, and there's not a lot of furniture in the room. I suggest you put your hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you. You see, without a cane or a guide dog, even walking through a room can be difficult for someone who's blind. [As she talks, she walks backward to keep a watch over the group as they follow her.] Ah, there is a piano right next to you, Ellen. [Amanda stops next to an opening that leads into a hall.] All right now, we'll stop here just for a moment, and please -- there you are -- now, just stop a moment... [As Amanda continues to address the group, on the other side of the wall behind her, Mr. Sinclair waits in the hall. He removes his dark glasses and then removes a pair of opaque contacts, revealing that he is not really blind.]
[Out on the lawn, Lee has arrived, looking for Amanda. Dagget, on one of the mansion's balconies, sees him.]
AMANDA (to the group): Now, we're almost finished. Just remember that the blind do face these problems every moment of every day. Now, I'll just check the hallway and make sure it's not too difficult for you to navigate. Just a moment. [She steps into the hall and is surprised to find herself face to face with Mr. Sinclair, who is looking back at her. Kurtz appears behind her, holding a pistol.] Mr. Sinclair, you can see.
SINCLAIR: Oh, Mrs. King, it's a miracle. [He grabs her arm, and he and Kurtz usher her out, leaving the blindfolded women waiting for their guide's return. Outside, the men lead Amanda to the catering van. Lee, still looking for Amanda, sees and hurries over. Following the van as it drives away, he runs up the slope next to the drive, and he jumps on to the roof of the van.]
DAGGET: What the hell is that? [With the van speeding along, he tries to shake off their unwanted passenger. He almost succeeds, but Lee hangs on and pulls out his gun. As Lee makes his way to the front, Dagget suddenly slams on the brakes, sending Lee tumbling off and crashing through a wooden fence. As he lies unconscious, Kurtz and Dagget get out of the vehicle and hurry over.]
DAGGET: All right, let's get him in the van. [They pick him up and walk away.]
* * *
[IFF. Francine enters the Bullpen. Billy is there.]
BILLY: Did you get any more information from Rollo?
FRANCINE: Uh... not much.
BILLY: You losing your touch, Francine?
FRANCINE: Can't get blood from a stone, Billy.
BILLY (very serious): Depends on how hard you squeeze. [Francine looks frustrated, as if he's expecting the impossible.] What *did* you get from him?
FRANCINE: Well, it's definitely some sort of a boat.
BILLY: I thought that had already been established.
FRANCINE: Well, first Rollo was calling it a yacht, and then, the more I kept questioning him, the more he kept calling it a ship.
BILLY: What's the name of the ship?
FRANCINE: Well, it still might be a yacht...
BILLY: Yacht, ship - what's its name?
FRANCINE: Last time Rollo saw it, it was called the Moonbeam, but the name changes all the time.
BILLY: Where was it last docked?
FRANCINE: At the eighty-ninth street pier -- but it's not there anymore. I already checked,
BILLY: Damn! Have Scarecrow or Amanda called in yet?
FRANCINE: No, and Scarecrow still won't answer his remote.
BILLY: Terrific.
FRANCINE: Any suggestions?
BILLY: We're chasing a boat that changes its location and its name as often as I change my socks.
FRANCINE (brightly): Hey, maybe we've got something there. How often is that?
BILLY (not at all amused): Not funny.
FRANCINE: Just a little levity--
BILLY: We've got three lives at stake here, Francine, and the clock is ticking.
FRANCINE (looks down): I'm *sorry.*
BILLY: Accepted. Listen, try to get something more from Rollo. A lot of lives depend on it, including Lee and Amanda's. Okay?
FRANCINE: Okay. [Francine turns to exit the Bullpen.]
* * *
[On the boat (yacht, ship, dinghy, whatever), the Nightwing, Sinclair and Pierce are back in the tastefully decorated cabin.]
PIERCE: You're a fool, Sinclair. The King woman is worth much too much to the buyer for you to risk the deal by having her for yourself. [Livid over these comments, Sinclair glares at Pierce, who coolly steps away.]
SINCLAIR: I don't plan on keeping her long. [He walks over so that he and Pierce are again face to face.] Besides. You seem to be forgetting something, Pierce. Your *only* job is to broker the deal with the prospective buyers. But it is *I* who run this little enterprise. And the last person who called me a fool... [He steps over to take something from a briefcase.] ...died. [He suddenly shoots Pierce with a dart.] Just like you're about to. [Kurtz, who had been standing in the doorway, steps over to grab hold of Pierce who is staring wide-eyed at Sinclair. He touches the dart sticking out of his chest.] Oh, don't worry, old friend. It's a fast-acting poison. I'm told the pain is... minimal. [In seconds, Pierce goes limp, lifeless. Sinclair speaks to Kurtz.] Dispose of Pierce. And show Amanda in. [As Kurtz drags Pierce's body out the door, Dagget arrives with Amanda.]
AMANDA (nervously, gesturing at Daggett): He- he said you were... gonna sell me, but that isn't true, is it?
SINCLAIR: Oh, it's quite true. I... [He steps over to her.] ...prefer to look at myself as someone who provides a delicate service for certain lonely but very wealthy men.
AMANDA: Oh, well, I-- [She stops both talking and smiling as Sinclair reaches out to touch her face.]
SINCLAIR: You have *very* delicate skin, Amanda. I won't be selling you right away. First... you and I will be together. Yes. (to Dagget) Uh, take her to her friend, but blindfold her first. I don't want her knowing her way around the ship. [As he's talking, Amanda glances over at a desk and sees her purse.] Just in case. [Dagget steers Amanda down the stairs.]
* * *
[IFF. Back in the interrogation room, Francine dismisses the MP.]
ROLLO: Come on! So, you gonna tell me what you're gonna do with me, or what? [Francine laughs flirtily.]
FRANCINE (suggestively): You got it all wrong, Rollo. It's what you want to do with me. [She sits on the table in front of him and makes a sound of approval as she studies him. Rollo frowns at her and shifts uncomfortably.] Do you dream, Rollo?
ROLLO: Doesn't everybody? What the hell's that got to do with anything? [Francine laughs her little laugh again.]
FRANCINE: Woo. Is it hot in here?
ROLLO: No. [Francine runs her hand over her neck.]
FRANCINE: Oh... Must be me, I guess. I'm just really hot. [Another smile.] Or could it be you? [Rollo looks somewhat stricken by her attention.]
ROLLO: Me?
FRANCINE: Yes.
ROLLO (dismissing the idea): I'm just sittin' here. [Francine continues to smile.]
FRANCINE: You know what? I *like* short men.
ROLLO: Listen, I don't know what you have in mind--
FRANCINE: You don't shave every day, do you.
ROLLO: Well, uh... I got a lot of things going on in my life lately. [Francine touches his chin.]
FRANCINE: Oh, that's rough. That is really good. You know, that gives you that kind of a... an *animal* look. That's good: I could get *real* used to that.
ROLLO: Lady, I don't know... [He looks over at her again.] I don't know where you're comin' from. I still don't know who you are. All I know is, you just want to chew my nose off, and then you, uh, try to trick me, and now you're comin' on... Well, I don't know how you're comin' on.
FRANCINE: I'm talking about the way you look.
ROLLO: I do look pretty rugged, huh.
FRANCINE: Oh, it's not *that.* [She steps over so that she's right next to him.] It's our bodies.
ROLLO: "Our bodies"?
FRANCINE: Mm-hm. The contours.
ROLLO: "Contours"?
FRANCINE: Mm. [She leans over, propping on the chair so that their faces are only inches apart.] We mesh *perfectly,* Rollo? [She leans in as if to kiss him. He leans back, nervously.]
ROLLO: Um, yeah, absolu-- [He looks around.] It's too bad we don't have a cot or something, huh. [She cradles his head with her hand and pulls him to her for a kiss.]
FRANCINE: I like it rough. [She gives him a deep, lingering kiss.] Hmm. Now, we've got a lot of things to talk about, don't we... And then we got a lot of things to do.
ROLLO: Yeah...
* * *
[On board the Nightwing, somewhere below deck, Dagget steers the blindfolded Amanda along a winding corridor.]
DAGGET: All right, step up... All right, step down. [They finally stop at a door. On the other side of the door, Lee's arms are shackled by the wrists to a pipe running over head. He is using the chains to try to pull the pipe loose, but he stops when he hears someone opening the door. Dagget pushes Amanda in and removes her blindfold.]
AMANDA: Lee. [Dagget steps back out. Amanda jumps to the door but it's shut tight.] Oh!
LEE: Amanda. It's no use.
AMANDA: Oh, Lee. Are you all right?
LEE: Am I all right? I'm chained to a pipe. Do I look all right?
AMANDA (about the situation they're in): I'm sorry.
LEE: No, it's okay, it's okay. [Amanda looks against the other wall.]
AMANDA: Gail? [Amanda steps over to Gail, who lies on a bare mattress, still unconscious.]
LEE: Yeah.
AMANDA: Gail?
LEE: Amanda, she's drugged. Look, if we don't get a move on it, you're going to be next.
AMANDA: Lee, they were after... after me all the time. They were never after the microdot. [Lee nods.] My purse is upstairs on the desk.
LEE: You saw it?
AMANDA: Yes, it's on the desk. I bet the sock's still in it. [Resolved, Lee looks up at the pipe he's chained to.]
LEE: Come on, we gotta move.
AMANDA: I'm gonna get you out of here. [She looks around for something to use.]
LEE: Now, wait-- now, Amanda. [She still searches the room.]
AMANDA: Yes?
LEE: Amanda... Amanda, I have got a plan. [He finally has her attention.]
AMANDA: What is it?
LEE: Look, I've worked this pipe loose from the joint just a little bit. With some more weight, I think we can disconnect it. Grab that towel, wrap it around the pipe. Go on. [She does as he says, grabbing each end of the towel.]
AMANDA: Yes?
LEE: All right, now. Let's pull down.
AMANDA: Drop our weight?
LEE: Yes. All right? Now. [Lee pulls. Amanda hangs from the pipe.] It's going. It's going... Look, Amanda.
AMANDA: Yes?
LEE: Remember what we were talking about before? [Amanda is somewhat distracted by the task at hand, as they both continue to pull on the pipe.]
AMANDA: Yeah.
LEE: Maybe it's a good idea that you do leave The Agency.
AMANDA: Oh, no, I don't think so.
LEE: Look, if you weren't working for The Agency, you wouldn't be in a mess like this.
AMANDA: Yeah... but I wouldn't have you to save me either, then, would I? [They continue to strain, pulling on the pipe.] One more pull!
DAGGET (from outside the room): What's going on in there?
LEE: Now! [The pipe breaks free, and as Dagget enters, he is hit in the face with a burst of steam. He screams in pain and ducks back into the corridor. Lee slides his chains off the pipe and follows Dagget. As they struggle, Dagget's gun fires, the shot hits an electric panel box. Lee knocks Dagget out and pulls Amanda toward the exit.]
LEE: Come on! Now, Amanda, I was unconscious when they brought me down here. You've got to show me the way out.
AMANDA: It's all right. I know the way. There's a step up, a step down, a few steps forward. Just follow me. [She leads the way.]
LEE: All right.
AMANDA: There's a step up, now. Don't miss it. [He stumbles into the step and yelps in pain.] I think you found it.
LEE (pained): Yeah.
AMANDA: There's a step down. Be very careful. Follow me, now. We're gonna go up, soon. [She proceeds up the stairs, which lead to the room where she had earlier left Sinclair, and she grabs her purse from the desk.]
AMANDA (looking in her purse): Okay. There's the sock. [She hands it to Lee, which he inspects.]
LEE: Let's see. There. Here it is. [He pulls the microdot off and gives it to Amanda.] All right, now you put that someplace where it'll be safe.
AMANDA: Right. [She looks down and takes the locket she's wearing on her necklace.]
LEE: Good.
AMANDA: Close to my heart.
LEE: Yeah. [She puts the microdot inside.] Nice touch. Now, let's see if I can find some keys and get these things off. [He rifles through compartments of the desk.] Aha. [His success is short lived as he sees that the ring he's found contains dozens of keys.]
AMANDA: Oh, that's a lot of keys.
LEE: Forget it. [He slams the keys down.] Come on. Let's find a radio.
AMANDA: Right.
LEE: I wonder where Sinclair is.
* * *
[Amanda and Lee exit the cabin and cautiously make their way along the exterior walkway. Suddenly Kurtz swings an axe that strikes the ladder next to them. As he jumps down to their level and advances, they retreat, with Lee sending Amanda to call for help.]
LEE: Go on, get! Call Billy! Frequency zero-one. Use code 1-X-Y-2!
[As Lee holds off the axe-wielding Kurtz, Amanda slips away and finds a radio. She adjusts the controls and speaks into the handset.]
AMANDA: Hello? This is 1-X-Y-2. Come in, please... [She waits.] This is 1-X-Y-2; please come in.
BILLY'S VOICE: Melrose here.
AMANDA: Sir. It's Amanda. I have the microdot, Sir.
BILLY: Amanda, where are you?
AMANDA: On a boat.
BILLY: What's the name of the boat?
AMANDA: Nightwing. But I don't know where we're docked.
BILLY: Okay, that's enough information. We're on our way.
AMANDA: Yes, Sir!
[At IFF, Billy mobilizes the team.]
BILLY: Francine.
FRANCINE: Yeah?
BILLY: The name of the boat is the Nightwing. Have it tracked down through the harbor masters, and get Kaylin and Mellor to help you.
FRANCINE: Right on it.
[Back on the boat, having gotten the upper hand and knocked out Kurtz, Lee finds Amanda.]
LEE: Did you get a hold of Billy?
AMANDA: Yes, he's on the way. [Sinclair appears at the cabin door with a gun drawn.]
SINCLAIR: Too bad you'll both be dead, and I'll be long-- [Amanda suddenly smacks the gun out of his hand with her purse. He escapes out the door, but Lee chases after him and quickly catches up. They exchange a few punches before Lee clasps his chain with both hands and strikes Sinclair, knocking him out.]
LEE (about his shackles): Kinda came in handy.
AMANDA: Yeah.
* * *
[Later, the authorities are on the scene. Gail is wheeled out on a stretcher to receive medical attention. Lee is using a key to remove his shackles, and Francine and Billy stand nearby with Amanda, who is trying to get her locket open.]
AMANDA: I'm sorry. This has never happened before. Must be all the moisture in the air or something... It's got a little clasp. It's jammed...
BILLY: We don't have much time, Amanda--
FRANCINE (to Amanda, about the tools of the man helping Lee): Oh, you can use these.
AMANDA: No, no, that's all right. Here it is. There's your microdot, Sir. [Amanda places the microdot in Billy's hand. He and Francine hurry off to access the dot's contents.] Be careful! Be careful, Sir... It's tiny... [When Lee's chains removed, he and Amanda are left standing by themselves. Rubbing his newly-freed wrists, Lee gives a sigh of relief.]
LEE: It's good to get those manacles off... Yeah, well. Looks like everything turned out okay, huh?
AMANDA: I guess.
LEE: Yeah... [There's a brief and slightly awkward moment of silence.] Uh... Look, Amanda--
AMANDA: You know, I'm, uh, very proud of my job and... and I've been doing a lot of thinking... And I really don't think that it was my fault that microdot got stolen. [She doesn't sound accusing or argumentative; she's just setting the record straight. Lee, however, needs no convincing.]
LEE: No, no you're right--
AMANDA (nodding): I- I- I know I'm right.
LEE: You're right. And you know that part about your, uh...
AMANDA: Yeah, my... my resignation.
LEE: Yeah. That part.
AMANDA: Yeah.
LEE: Amanda, I think... I think you ought to give it a little more thought.
AMANDA: I think you're right. I think maybe I didn't know what it was you were really saying...
LEE (laughs a little, relieved): Yeah, that was probably it. And I really didn't understand what you were saying...
AMANDA: Yeah..
LEE: So, uh...
AMANDA: The only trouble is, I already-- [He produces an envelope. He opens it and unfolds the contents.]
LEE: I... happened to intercept this this morning. It says...
AMANDA: I know...
LEE (reads): "I, Amanda King, hereby resign."
AMANDA: What should we do with it?
LEE: Well... [He refolds the paper and puts it back in the envelope.] How about... the circular file? [He wads it up and tosses it neatly into a garbage can several feet away. He offers his hand to Amanda.] Partner.[She takes his hand and shakes it, their delighted expressions indicating that both are extremely pleased with the arrangement.]
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