Original subtitles

Most people in business have only overhead and taxes to keep them broke.

I've got to have a brother, too.

George, you don't understand.

Just take your moneylenders and get out of here. Go on, out.

Mr. Colton. You should know, a man who can't stay away from a floating crap

is a bad risk.

Not when he wins.

You should recognize a loser.

How much, Sam?

More than last time?

5 ,000? 6?

I needed 1 ,000 to get even. And when I borrowed more with the interest... Mr.

Colton, your brother owes me $48 ,000.

It was the interest, 20 % for 24 hours.

When I couldn't make it, it could pile enough for him.

Three weeks, I... Juicers.

I've heard how you operate.

Well, we run a legitimate business.

And you're not going to bankrupt it.

There are still laws.

No, George, don't do anything like that. Let go! Leave him alone, please!

George, tell him you didn't mean it! No, help him!

Please, don't!

Help him, please! His heart!

His heart!

Leave him!

No! No!

Well, Sam, as sole owner of the business now, your troubles are over.

Angie, he will move into the office. He's very good at books.

We want to keep you solvent, don't we? And alive.

You can put George's half in my name.

I'm buying into the business with $48 ,000.

The FBI.

A Gwen Martin Warner Brothers production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbliss Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott.

Stephen Brooks.

With guest stars Robert Duvall, Lynn McCarthy,

Will Kaluva, David Shiner.

Tonight's episode, The Scourge.

On June 21st, a body floating in the river.

was found by workers aboard a commercial barge.

Fingerprints obtained by the local police and sent to the FBI in

.C., identified the dead man as George Avery Colton, and further probing turned

up the name of John V. Albin, already the subject of a pending FBI

into interstate racketeering activities.

Samuel Colton claimed that his association with Albin was legitimate.

and denied knowledge of the cause of his brother's death.

What's this for? What are you putting this up for? We're going to show you how

the Cosa Nostra works.

Why? We want you to know just who your new partner is and where he gets his

orders. Oh, no, you're not going to tell me he's one of the big mob.

He'd like to be.

He's a candidate for membership.

Right now, you'd find his name somewhere down there.

Did you ever hear of Mark Vincent?

Vincent Savings and Loan? Right.

Plus the Vincent Brewery, two hotels, a printing company, five restaurants, a

laundry, an electronics firm, and a recording studio.

And he got them all from juicers like Johnny Albin.

Inspector. Let me try and explain this thing to you.

Mark Vincent is also one of the nine Mafia High Commissioners.

These men control 24 families like this.

in major cities from New York to California.

Each family is headed by a boss.

Next comes an underboss, and after that a counselor, who acts as liaison with

the other families.

Later on, down here come the regiments or units, headed by captains. The

captains have lieutenants, and then come the soldiers.

And we're back to Johnny Albin.

Long trip.

It's just the beginning.

First we have to nail him and then try to cut through this insulation to the

who gives the orders.

If we get Mark Vincent, we can shake the protection he gives the others. But we

need witnesses.

I don't know anything. I can't help you. Mr. Colton, Johnny Albin has given us

the break we need.

He's the crack in Vincent's armor.

Go on, get out.

I want a 24 -hour surveillance on this man.

I want to know everything he does, everywhere he goes, everyone he

Why, Albin?

Because he's due for formal initiation into La Cosa Nostra.

And that means he'll have to contact Mark Vincent.

He's the one we want.

Mr. Vincent?

Mr. Towner?

Mr. Towner, come in.

Mr. Hudson?

I must say, I didn't have any idea my demand to see someone of higher

would be heard clear up here.

You'd be surprised how the sound of money carries.

You were here at my request, Mr. Towner.

Oh? Yes, I have heard a lot about Towner Industries and the man who built it.

It takes guts. I like a fighter.

Even if you did make one mistake.

Never let controlling interest slip away, Mr. Towner.

Too hard to get back.

Hard, but not impossible.

I've been buying steadily for weeks.

8 ,500 more shares, that's all I need.

And 100 ,000 would go there, eh? Yes, it would.

The stock you own all seems to be held by banks for security.

I've borrowed against one block to buy another.

Yes, well, we'd have to have some kind of collateral, too.

Mr. Vincent, I've mortgaged every single thing I can lay my hands on outside of

the company.

Now, personally, I haven't got...

I won't get you.

See me over this hump.

By next week, well, money will never be a problem anymore.

The government contract, eh?

We'll get the bid. We're bound to get it. Stock will jump out of sight.

My profit alone will buy back all my paper.

And if Washington turns you down?

I'd pay it back, however long it took.

I'm sorry.

I'll give you points. Any interest you want.

We're regulated, Mr. Turner. You wouldn't want me to break the law, would

You had all the information you needed before I came in here.

What do you want to do, see me crawl?

Mr. Turner, we have to... Is this what happens to a man when he gets all the

money in the world?

You get your kicks in some strange ways, Vincent.

Get out.

On my feet.

I don't crawl for you, for anyone.

Yes, sir.

Washington Gebhardt. Yes, sir.

Oh, by the way, Mr. Vincent, you have a meeting tonight at Felix's.

Hits. Hits are ordered from this office and nowhere else.

Alvin took matters into his own hands and killed George Colton.

He was sloppy.

Sloppy soldiers we don't need.

Does the sponsor have any defense for the candidate?

It was an accident, Mr. Vincent.

I mean, I mean, Colton died of a heart attack.

John Alvin for membership.

Denied.

Mr. Vincent, Johnny's been working for a membership for a very long time. A long

time. Now, he's kept himself clean. He's made some very good scores.

And he gives a respectable appearance.

I mean, he looks like a college graduate.

Now, what about another chance for him?

Another contract?

Because he's your cousin, Emil?

Because he's good, Mr. Vincent. Because accidents do happen.

Once more.

But if there's another accident, you pull the trigger.

Town industry.

Short to Albin, then burn it.

Be a nice one to own.

Good legitimate front.

No, I've changed my mind about that.

We'll use Turner to shake it down all the way.

I want this one bled and buried.

Tell Alvin Turner's got all his bets on a big government contract bid.

But he won't get it. That's the word around Washington. He won't know that

day or two.

The cash will be waiting at the Medford Hotel in a room registered to William

Clay.

Yes, Mr. Venter.

We're leaving.

There hasn't been time for the initiation yet.

63 -41 -76.

Subject proceeding south on Griffith.

Black limousine. License?

JL -2 -3 -7 -4 -9.

Good night, honey. Say your prayers. Coming up.

Speaking. Who's this?

Mr. Towne, this is William Clay.

You don't know me, but I'm from Vincent Savings and Loan.

And I happen to have access to all loan applications at Vincent's.

Yes?

Well, strictly off the record, I know where you can get the money.

Scoot to bed, honey.

You serious?

Absolutely.

Well, uh, how soon could this be arranged?

Well, if you want to meet me now, I'll be at the Medford Hotel across the

I'll be there, Mr. Clay.

And thank you. Thank you very much.

You're welcome, sir. You're very welcome.

41 to 76, we're turning off. Can you pick up subject proceeding west at

Street Bridge?

76, roger.

Subject in sight.

He's crossing the state line.

Good. I always like to see him operating within our jurisdiction.

Let's see what he's up to.

76 to Control.

Go ahead, 76.

Subject is stopped in front of the Medford Hotel.

Going inside.

Follow him. Get a room number if you can.

Come in, Mr. Towner.

Mr. Clay?

I hope we can make a deal.

How's this for a starter?

What's this going to cost me?

20 % for one week. 20%, Mr. Towner.

You can't raise enough collateral to buy gas to get home.

But the dice are already thrown, and by the time they've stopped rolling next

week, 20 ,000 will seem like peanuts to you.

I'll have to admit, your research is thorough.

Just one thing.

If something happens, I need an extension.

Sertano, I'm a gambler, too, but I like a sure thing.

I happen to know you're good for it.

Even if it takes ten years.

The room was reserved for a Mr.

William Clay, on the phone.

And shortly after that, a briefcase was delivered here for him.

And the messenger insisted on bringing it up himself.

Well, we argued a little.

But after he paid for the room, I let him in.

And this William Clay never showed up?

No, sir.

May we have your permission to take a look at 418?

Certainly, Inspector.

Same brand?

I have serology around this line with comparison on it.

There's no briefcase there, Inspector. Nothing.

Was the messenger carrying one when he left?

I didn't see him again.

We followed Albin outside, made sure 61 tailed him, and then I called you.

All right, dust this room, too. Get a hold of an audit, see if you can

what this messenger looked like.

Baby, we did it.

It took the broker an hour and a half, but we got the shares.

Controlling interest, Al?

Really? Of course, it's all on paper, and the paper's mortgaged.

But I got 51%. Well, I can tell you this much, Inspector.

The saliva comparison indicates that both of these cigarettes were smoked by

persons of the same blood type.

No identification can match any of the prints in 418 without its known

Keep digging. I want to know who that visitor was. Yes, sir.

He got a call from Washington, ain't he?

The contract awards are being announced early today.

What, do you want Johnny to negotiate with Towner?

Let's see if Towner can take a little stalking up.

As soon as it breaks in the papers.

Yes, what is it? Mr. Clay, sir.

Hello, Mr. Clay.

How are you?

The important question, Mr. Towner, is how are you?

You read about the... Yes.

As a matter of fact, I'm glad you called, Mr. Clay.

I think there's something we have to talk about.

It's a strange coincidence, Mr. Towner. That's exactly what I was thinking.

I'll give you an address. You can meet me there at 9 o 'clock.

Fine.

I've got a pencil.

48, come in.

48.

Subject at a department building, corner of Chase and Olive.

Cover inside.

Will do.

Next block, turn left.

Sorry we're late.

Get in.

I thought this was where you live.

Get in.

Now let's talk.

Isn't this a little melodramatic?

Not as melodramatic as $120 ,000 you owe me, Mr. Towner.

You said you'd give me an extension.

You've got to be reasonable about it, Mr. Clay.

Albin.

Where'd that money come from?

What's your very best guess, Mr. Towner?

Ever hear about our collection agency?

Mr. Alvin, working me over isn't going to get your money back any sooner.

What will?

Well, I need time.

I've got interest payments to make at the banks, too.

Look, there's got to be some way we can work this out.

What do you want?

Blood.

A lot of money.

That view.

Something's holding it between floors.

Wait, wait there.

You got a wife and daughter.

Think about them before you think about going to the police.

Hey, mister.

Are you all right?

Can I do anything for you?

Leave me alone.

You sure?

Leave me alone.

What is it, Al?

Cosa Nostra.

The money was theirs.

They did this to you?

I'll call the police. No.

Al, we've got to. Please don't call the police.

They threatened you and Kathy.

Oh, dear God.

Please don't call the police.

Please.

The agent established that Albin was still under surveillance and then

Towner. He just gave us the name, and his Navy prints matched the ones we

at the Medford Hotel. He was the visitor.

Gives Rack a victim.

Looks like it.

On a bigger scale than most.

Thought you might like to come along, give it another try.

Let's go.

Our identification and laboratory divisions have placed you in that hotel

And in the elevator where you were beaten.

If you put yourself in a position to be victimized by Johnny Albin, he's not

going to stop with one beating.

And I hope you understand that.

Your testimony could help us put him away.

And can you put away the whole course of Nostra too, Mr. Warren?

Piece by piece.

And what if one of those free pieces gets to my wife and my daughter?

Can you help them too?

Well, I have police protection.

Great.

We're limited to specific federal violations.

And none of them cover organized crime.

Not effectively until the early 1960s when Congress passed the anti

-racketeering laws.

And we've made progress since then.

We want you to help us make a little more.

No.

No.

I got myself into this mess.

I'll get myself out.

I've met the boys and they've made their point.

How many times do I have to tell you? I'm a coward.

I'm afraid to testify.

So is Albin's last victim.

Are you saying if he had, maybe this wouldn't be happening to me?

Maybe.

That's something to think about, isn't it?

The next man.

I wonder if he'll have a wife and daughter, too.

Because I can't help him.

I mean that. I can't help him.

All right, Mr. Towner. Thank you.

If you should change your mind, contact the local field office.

Alvin's gonna pick him clean and we can't stop it.

Doesn't look that way.

Unless we can catch him at it.

Undercover man?

Yeah. Maybe he needs an accountant.

Rhodes.

Let's get him on it.

Mr. Davis, this is Inspector Erskine. Mr. Davis is the town's chief

I want to thank you for coming, Mr. Davis. Did Mr. Rhodes fill you in?

Yes. Yes, he did.

Now, no one questions what I do in the accounting department.

I could put you on inconspicuously as a clerk.

When would you like to start?

As soon as possible, sir.

Send him in.

Nice to see you, Mr. Towner.

Aren't you being a little careless meeting me out in the open like this?

You're going to be seeing me here often from now on, Al.

How does every day strike you?

Every... Facts of life.

You owe me $120 ,000.

In a week, it'll be $144 ,000.

It's reasonable I want to be around here to keep an eye on things, isn't it?

You have a vice president in charge of purchasing.

Get rid of him. I like the title.

I couldn't do a thing like that.

Maybe you ought to talk it over with your wife.

Glenn?

Are you all right?

Yes. There are two men here, but... Two men?

They haven't heard us. They... Oh, Al, what are they doing to you?

What kind of animals are they?

Bring in the

proposed.

What does the proposed think of these people gathered here?

They are good people.

I, John V. Albin, do solemnly swear... I, John V. Albin, do solemnly swear...

Allegiance to the code of La Cosa Nostra.

Allegiance to the code of La Cosa Nostra.

And that from this day forward... And from this day forward... La Cosa Nostra

will come before all else. La Cosa Nostra will come before all else.

Including wife, home, country, and religion.

Including wife, home, country, and religion.

And that in accepting the code, I will live by the gun.

And in accepting the code, I will live by the gun.

And I will die by the gun if I violate the code. And I will die by the gun if I

violate the code.

And burn as this paper.

And burn as this paper.

We represent La Cosa Nostra.

We represent La Cosa Nostra.

This family is La Cosa Nostra. This family is La Cosa Nostra.

This family is named La Cosa Nostra.

This family is named La Cosa Nostra.

A new member has been made.

Let the word spread.

So he will henceforth enjoy the respect that is due him.

Gentlemen.

A friend of ours.

Johnny, this is your godfather, Ed Julian.

He's vice president in charge of purchasing and replaced Jim Cochran.

The word is out he's been initiated, so he'll feel safer now.

I want a report on any purchase orders he puts through.

There is a problem, though. With data processing, a phony purchase order will

automatically paid by the time we see it.

It's still evidence.

Let us know if you turn up anything. I'll be there before you punch out.

Yes, sir.

I'm contacting the families in New York, Cleveland, Kansas City, Chicago,

Detroit, and San Francisco.

You can order the printing. Have them get the purchase orders out first.

Johnny already thought of it.

He got me one here from Towner. It's a written copy.

The initials will have to be forged.

Make it look like the purchase order was okayed by Cochran before Albin moved

in.

Yes?

Hey, Mark, it's good to hear from you. What's on your mind?

Need an out -of -town address there in Cleveland.

Dummy warehouse.

Sure, sure. I'll have a boy fix up for you right away.

You got a name for me?

We'll call this one Erie Tool and Dye Works, okay?

Okay.

If I can figure out what he's doing.

He's not just occupying that office for a salary.

And what if you did know?

Would it make any difference? Would you stop him?

Al, call the FBI.

Tell them you'll testify.

I'll do that. Oh, forget about Kathy and me for a minute.

Oh, honey, think what can happen to you if Albin does something fraudulent in

the company.

There are other stockholders...

Well, you'd be involved.

The SEC would bring charges.

Honey, you could go to jail.

Sometimes I think that'd be the easiest way.

We'd be all over then, wouldn't we?

Maybe then they'd leave us alone.

Purchase orders are signed with Cochran's initials.

They all predate Alvin's appearance on the scene.

Those are forgeries. They're not bad.

Here's some copies of Alvin's own initials made on some small orders sent

through during the normal course of things.

Good. I'll have document examination look these over.

And here are the invoices and accompanying letters. They all basically

same thing in different ways. We're holding the machinery you ordered in our

warehouse ready for immediate delivery upon...

Receipt of payment.

419 ,000.

8 ,000.

Here's one for 90 ,000.

That's better than half a million so far.

That's right.

Lieutenant's company's paid for all of it.

Lieutenant's aware of this yet.

Clearly bad management, that's all.

You didn't get rid of Cochran any too soon, you know that.

Jim Cochran's the best in the business.

Well, I'll see what I can do to pull you out.

You're all hard, Alvin.

You're just too good to me.

Funny.

What's funny?

Eighteen years ago, my five -year -old car sat in the street.

Because in the garage, my wife and I were working from morning till night.

Seven days a week, start this company.

We weren't afraid of anything then.

What happens?

You accumulate things, Al.

Children, experience, caution.

Cowardice.

Al, you aren't thinking about making some kind of a foolish move, are you?

A cautious, experienced coward like me, Johnny.

From what you tell me, I think he's cheating.

I think you'll go to the FBI.

They don't have anything.

They could drag you into court, subpoena me as a witness.

You how?

Because you told Tanner you were for Vincent's savings and all. I had to make

sound logical. It was a mistake.

You could swear the fifth.

Don't you know about the immunity clause?

All it does is guarantee that the testimony I give won't be used against

But you see, even if I take the fifth, they can still order me to talk.

If I do that...

I violate our code.

I'm a dead man.

If I don't, or if I lie, I go to jail.

Nice?

Hit him.

Me? You're the one who set it up for them to get me on that witness stand.

You see that they don't.

Tonight. Both signatures were made by the same man, but definitely not by

Cochran. No question of it.

What about the invoices and letters?

All made of the same paper stock as the phony purchase orders.

And it's different from the paper normally used by Towner. Canyon Paper

produced it. They distribute all over the United States.

Canyon?

It's on the list.

Owned by Mark Vincent.

Call the U .S. Attorney. Tell him to run away.

Warren Frowman, subpoena prevention.

In that order.

Will you have the inspector call me the minute you reach him?

Thank you.

He's tied up.

They'll have him call me back the minute he comes in.

Hey, where's Kathy? She's all right, dear. I put her to bed.

Honey, I think you ought to...

Put me through to the board. I'll talk to him now.

Hello?

Turner, Inspector Erskine.

Hello, Inspector.

I've changed my mind.

I've got to see you.

Good. Does Albin suspect what you're doing?

Well, I think maybe I gave him reason to.

Listen, maybe I'm imagining things, but a few minutes ago the phone rang.

And somebody was on the other end of the line, but they didn't answer.

They just hung up.

Listen to me, Mr. Towner. We're heading for your house now.

Turn all your outside lights on. Darken your house inside.

Lock all your doors and windows. Lock yourself and your family in a bathroom.

Let nobody in.

Nobody.

Come on, come on, in the back.

That's just a precaution, huh?

Could be all right in here.

Mr. Tyler, it's Inspector Erskine.

You can come out now.

Hello, sweetheart.

Are you all right?

That's good.

Here he comes.

They're bringing him in from the grand jury room. I knew they would.

Do something quick.

What am I paying you for?

You may approach the bench, Mr. Vincent, with your counsel.

Mr.

Vincent, this court respects your right to invoke the Fifth Amendment upon the

grounds that the testimony you give might tend to incriminate you.

On the other hand...

It is the citizen's duty to testify in official proceedings.

Mr. Vincent, it is the judgment of this court that you be returned to the grand

jury, and I hereby direct you to answer those questions which will be put to

you.

You will be immune from prosecution in any area in which your testimony might

tend to incriminate you.

No, you can't do this. I have my... I must warn you, sir, that your continued

refusal to testify as directed will place you in contempt of this court.

You're trapping me.

You can't do that. I have my rights. Take him away.

Mark Vincent's refusal to testify led to his subsequent imprisonment.

John B. Albin was tried and convicted on evidence gathered by the FBI and Albert

Towner's testimony.

In addition, six other members of the Cosa Nostra, operating the dummy

warehouses, were convicted.

All are currently serving sentences in federal penitentiaries at Leavenworth

Atlanta.

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