Original subtitles

Thank you.

Can you tell me which way did he head? I don't know, honey. Can you tell me if I

saw... Help me if I don't find him. I'll blow your pigeon brain head off.

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott.

William Reynolds.

With guest stars...

Robert F. Lyons, Leslie Charlson, Larry Gates,

Elliot Street, Tom Lowell.

Tonight's episode, The Loper Gambit.

It's really a problem, Kurt. I know I'm a long way from starving, but everything

is rolling, right, Kurt? I keep telling you, all my friends call me Tice.

What do they do that for? Because his name's Ticerman, Elgin. All right, then

it's Tice. Hey, I really like your place, Ronnie. Thank you, thank you.

I were to pick your brain... Don't you, Ginny?

Like this place?

It's groovy.

I told you Ronnie has good taste.

Taste, class, style, everything that costs.

Now, I figure a stockbroker like yourself... Oh, hey, Ronnie.

Listen, I just met this pretty young thing, and you want to talk business?

Selfish, friend, selfish.

I am tottering on the brink of financial disaster.

Oh, you've got to be kidding. With a place like this?

And what did you tell me about a trust your parents left you?

Oh, no, it's tied up till I'm 40.

Break the trust. It happens every day.

Oh, man, don't you think I've tried?

Don't you think that my creditors have tried?

Oh, no.

I'm a victim, right, Ring?

Right. A victim of the shrinking dollar. So I figure a stockbroker like

yourself, you could figure out some way to get me out of this bind.

Well, I guess I owe you guys for introducing me to Ginny, I mean.

No, hold on, hold on. You don't understand.

I don't have any cash.

None? Well, I got a few meager bucks to get by on. So borrow against the trust.

No, I already have to the hilt.

Well, I don't know what I can do for you, Ronnie. I mean, it takes cash to

into the market.

Oh, brilliant.

What else did they teach you at college?

I'm afraid that's the best I can do. I think you're stuck, Matt.

Oh, well, I guess I'll just have to rob a bank or something.

Hold up a liquor store. Maybe I'll just kidnap some rich kid.

Yeah, now that's an idea. Maybe I should just kidnap and make a bundle. They

make a bundle, right? And then I could buy that stock from you.

Hey, you guys don't mind if I take Jenny out to dinner, do you? No, serious,

Tice. Now, kidnappers do make it sometimes, right?

If anyone could pull it off, Ronnie could.

Kidnappers get caught.

That's because they don't plan right. I mean, they lack foresight.

Why, look at this crate here.

I mean, it's big enough to hold a man, right?

Plenty of air.

Sure, he could tag and gag a guy, put him in there, ship him off someplace,

a tag on it fragile, and think what some rich old man would pay to get his son

back. Oh, sure.

And whose old man did you have in mind?

Yours, Tice.

Okay, all right, all right, the gag's over.

I can take a joke as well as anyone, but... Now, come on. Quit the crying. I

mean it. This thing is loaded. Believe that.

Now, you just let this happen and everything's going to be okay, all

You got him?

Now, do you believe me?

I always did.

On the morning of October 13th, Edward Tyserman, a wealthy Fort Lauderdale

contractor, received a special delivery letter demanding $350 ,000 for the safe

return of his son Kirk.

Recalling that his son had planned a weekend of sailing in Miami, Tyserman

to contact him there.

When he was unsuccessful and realized he'd had no word from him since the

previous Friday, Tyserman decided to contact the FBI.

The whole idea seemed so outrageous, I couldn't believe it at first.

Kirk sailed in the regatta in Miami on Saturday, and that usually means some

extra celebrating.

Has he ever failed to show up for work before? It's been known to happen.

Kirk's kind of a fun -loving kid.

He's a bit irresponsible, I suppose.

He lives here with you, Mr. Tyson?

Yes, he moved back in after his mother died a few years ago.

Did he go to Miami alone?

As far as I know.

Does he have any personal enemies that you know of? Any business rivals?

Current? No, no.

If anything, he's a little on the gullible side.

Not very sophisticated.

Takes after his mother.

Like my wife always used to say, Tice doesn't have an enemy in the world.

Tice? A nickname from school. She picked up on it.

Inspector, that note was a little vague about what I was to do with the money.

They'll probably explain that when they call.

Can you raise this amount, Mr. Tyson?

Yes, yes, I'm sure I... It's... It's going to be all right,

isn't it?

We'll do everything we can.

That was a foolish question.

I don't really want an answer.

I...

I just want my son back.

All right, up and out.

It's all right, Ginny. I'll handle it.

Well, I'm just trying to help.

Oh, you just wait till I snap my fingers, sugar face.

Come on.

Can we move, Ronnie? I'm hungry.

Well, you're just drinking the beauty, Elgin. It's just food for the soul. Come

on, let's go.

No calories either.

What is it? The fortress.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Spanish once rained here, sugar face.

It's a funny place for a fortress.

Well, whenever you're king of the mountain, there's usually someone

knock you off.

Even here.

Always nice to hear from a resident.

There you go, Tice. I could use some water.

Amen.

Right downstairs, folks.

all this, Ronnie?

Well, you thought I was being unfaithful to you, sugar face.

Ronnie planned everything like it was D -Day.

No, no, light your own.

She'll learn.

She'll have to. It's pitch black below.

All right, come on.

Step down.

There you go.

Get him some water over there.

Mi casa es su casa.

In there.

Can't he have this first?

Okay.

Tice, it won't be too long. Shut up.

A little encouragement never hurt anyone.

What did I have to do to you?

Nothing. You were just there when I needed you.

Hey, you're not going to leave me.

Just relax, Tice. You have Ginny here for a dinner. I mean, a man could do

worse.

Now, everything just the way I told you.

I love you.

Come on, Algie. We have a phone call to make.

Elgin, it's all going to work, isn't it?

Sure, everything works for Ronnie. He's got that touch.

You and me, we just hope it rubs off, huh?

Mr. Ticerman.

Yes? Do you have the money?

Yes. Where's my son?

Are you alone?

Yes. Why?

Well, I just hope you are, Mr. Ticerman, because if you've got the FBI holding

your hand, then your boy hasn't got a chance.

I thought about it, but decided to do it your way.

Well, you'll be glad.

Now, I'll tell you where to leave the money.

Now south of the public beach at Claude Road.

Take the old beach road.

Path the nursery to the end of the road.

You'll see an old brick entry gate with a large recess in it.

Put the money in there.

Unit 7 to 1.

Go ahead.

About a hundred yards east of Tyserman, there's a man on a motorcycle.

Stand by. 10 -4.

a leapfrog pattern.

You're going to run out of kerosene.

Oh, no, there's lots of everything.

Lights keep me from getting scared.

Why did you pick me?

I don't know.

Ronnie did all the planning.

And I suppose you're coming on to me the way you did. That was all part of the

plan, too, huh?

Yeah.

Things bring people together, the way it all works out.

I don't know. Who knows? Maybe someday.

I hope you like it.

You think Ronnie's going to let me go?

Tice, we're not going to hurt you.

Ronnie told me.

Well, suppose he told you that because he knew that's what you wanted to hear.

Did you ever think of that, Jenny?

I got the weekdays off because the shop's peak hours is on the weekends.

The motorcycle has less than 200 miles on it.

Yes, sir, that's right. It's a brand -new bike. The only reason I was out

is just to see how she handled it.

Does the name Tyserman mean anything to you?

Oh, heck, sure does. I mean, if it's the same guy, he's got his name on every

big construction job in Fort Lauderdale.

Now, you claim you just happened to see someone leave the bag at the gate.

Yes, sir, that's right, sir, right, sure.

After he left, you opened it?

Saw the money. And ran and ran.

Now, mind you, I ain't saying it. If I'd had a chance to think on it, I wouldn't

have called you and maybe turned it in.

I ran.

This story checks out. He lives here in Fort Lauderdale. He works at the pro

shop at the Del Rio Country Club. Mr. Testament is a charter member there.

Any previous arrests?

No. The police have received reports of his riding bikes in that area for the

last six months.

I don't think he's our man, Lou.

Here, this will narrow your waistline, broaden your actuarial profile.

You really think a recipe in a blender is going to make me in a diet, son?

You just think thin and drink that.

Ronnie, when do we pick up the money?

We don't, not this trip.

So what happens to it?

Well, I have to call Ticerman again.

Tell him he'll just have to get it back.

So, meanwhile, we just hang around here and drink skinny cocktails all day, huh?

Oh, look, Ticerman is a citizen. You know, like my old man was.

You know, curb your dog.

Shave on Sunday, measure your booze.

And when his son gets kidnapped, he calls the FBI.

You can't be sure of that.

No, I can't.

So what, are you just playing the odds?

Conventional people do conventional things.

The odds are that if we went to pick up that money, it'd be staked out and

they'd nail us.

So what's the point if we don't pick it up?

You worried?

You haven't fouled up yet.

Yeah, but you're thinking that maybe I will?

No. Would I be drinking this if I did?

You know, I finally figured you out. Oh, come on. I figured you out a long time

ago. The perennial college student just drifting from campus to campus.

Everything has to have some kind of rhyme or reason for you, doesn't it,

Tice reminds you of yourself.

Another rich man's kid.

But he follows all the rules.

To you, that's a trap. A trap you're trying very hard to avoid.

Elgin, your perception is as broad as your beam.

By locking Tice up, you're bearing your own subconscious fears.

If I want to be analyzed, I'll pay for it.

Don't try to figure me out, Elgin. I'm one in many.

much, do you?

It's gotten cooler out.

Some really pretty clouds.

Not the storm clouds, the big, white, fluffy ones.

You know Ronnie Long?

Never know any of them very long.

I guess it's the way I am, the way they are.

I don't know. I just don't think about it very much.

Are you dating anyone?

Is Ronnie good to you?

Buys me stuff.

Really nice stuff.

Well, he's sweet that way.

You know, like with Elgin? He supports Elgin when he's out of work.

Which is almost always.

Ronnie really makes it easy to love him.

And he's smart. You wouldn't believe how smart he is.

None of the girls I knew ever loved me.

I think that's the part that hurts the most.

I'll never have anyone love me the way you love Ronnie.

Sure you will, Tice.

What, dead?

There's nothing when you're dead.

Except maybe in poetry.

Tice, you've got to believe me.

Ronnie isn't going to kill you.

Suppose, Ginny, that something goes wrong and Ronnie has to kill me. It

happen, you know.

But if you were to let me go...

You do want to help me, don't you?

I can't, Tice. I just can't.

I'm sorry.

That's all right.

I suppose you think you're doing what you have to do.

I've decided to give you a second chance, Tyson.

I did everything you told me.

I warned you about bringing in the law.

I didn't bring in the law.

Okay.

Let's just consider the first drop a dry run.

Now, this time.

This time?

What about the money I left at the beach?

Well, I didn't pick it up. It must still be there. You'll have to go and get it.

How do I know you haven't killed Kirk?

He's alive.

But how do I know?

He's alive because I say he's alive.

You're going to have to prove that.

This phone call is proof enough. Anybody else demanding a ransom?

Alive.

Prove he's alive or no money.

I'm going to give him his proof.

You get an early edition of tomorrow morning's paper.

Ronnie?

Yeah? You never said.

About Tice, I mean.

How are you going to keep him from talking when it's all over?

How do you think?

Ty, it's this time. Take off your watch and hold it up next to the newspaper.

Here, give me that plastic bag.

No, no, no. Drop it in.

Come on, drop it in.

Hey, Ronnie, wait.

You're too smart to be doing all this.

There's better ways.

If you let me go, I promise I'll not only keep quiet, I'll connect you with

right people.

Well, why should I take a promise, Tice, when I've already got a guarantee?

Come on,

why don't you try it again, Tice?

What's wrong? Did you lose your nerve?

Feel better?

Ronnie, what's going on? What's going on, sugar face? The inhuman dearth of

noble nations. Don't recite poetry.

I mean it. And don't you give me ultimatums. Look, you don't have to jump

I get scared and lonely down here. Before you came, I was even thinking of

swimming to the next key. And now you're gone in a new sky.

I mean, how do you put up with me?

You know I say things sometimes that I don't mean.

Now, just a little longer. Just a little longer. And everything and every place

that I ever promised. It's okay.

Forgive me.

I guess I must.

Lucy, come on.

And he sure knows his way around you.

Little smile and all the worries disappear.

Kiss makes everything better.

Dice, why did he take those pictures?

To prove to my father that he really has me.

And the newspaper?

Me holding today's newspaper proves that I'm still alive.

Why couldn't he just tell me that?

Because he knows you won't stick if you know everything.

Leaving me here to die or killing me.

Ronnie is no killer, and I just stopped saying that. I don't want to hear...

A Tysherman received a photograph of his son by special delivery an hour ago.

Any idea when it was taken?

Yes, it's dated for us.

He's holding up the early edition of this morning's paper.

It was on the stands about 4 p .m. yesterday.

Well, at least we know he was alive late yesterday. That's some encouragement.

The picture any help?

Tom Colby, Mr. Ward.

It's an interior flash shot. There were no latents on the photo.

Developed professionally?

No, sir. It was printed quickly. The borders are uneven.

We've just finished making the transferences.

And Tyserman has all the money you recouped?

Yes, we've repacked it.

All right, Lewis.

Get back to me.

Well, there's no retouching.

It appears to be authentic.

624.

Less than 15 hours ago.

The stonework is very clear.

Looks like a medieval fortress.

I've seen that kind of stonework someplace.

Can you remember where, Lee?

It's not in any one place.

It's usually an early Spanish construction.

Different points in Florida.

Government buildings, ruins of forts.

Are there many of them around?

Not so many that we can't chuck them all out.

We'd better get right on it.

I should have let you open the package, Inspector, but I didn't connect it with

the kidnapping.

The watch came special delivery?

Yes, it arrived about...

Three hours after the first special delivery.

And he also included another print of the same picture with it.

But no message.

The watch was a gift, Mr. Tessman?

Yes, his mother gave it to him.

College graduation present.

Did you like the pictures?

I have your money. Now tell me where to leave it and get my son back to me.

All right, listen, because I'm only going to say it once.

North of Deerfield Beach, the Hillsboro Canal Road.

I know it.

Exactly four miles from the intersection.

The old pier under the first arch in the opening in two hours.

He has no choice, has he?

He has to kill my boy or live forever in fear that Kirk will describe him to

you.

He'll kill my boy no matter what I do.

Or let him rot wherever he's holding him.

I want him caught, Inspector.

All right, we'll cover the drop.

Yes.

When are you going to kill him?

I'm not.

You are.

Ronnie, I don't think I could, really.

Elgin, do you want to spend the rest of your life being a spectator?

I just can't do it. I just can't.

Oh, I worry about you, Elgin Ring. I worry about your weight, your clothes. I

worry about your hang -ups.

I thought you said that you wanted to be like me. You liked my style.

You know that.

But you never killed anybody.

Okay.

I'll break the ice. I'll kill him.

You can pick up the ransom.

You know, that's the difference between you and me, Elgin. I've always known

that you couldn't do it, but you didn't know that I could.

Ronnie, if I pick up the ransom, something could go wrong.

Do I have to do everything?

Elgin, think about all that money you're going to have.

It's not worth it.

It isn't?

You're broke.

Impoverished, destitute, and desperate.

But I'm a free soul.

With a bottomless gut.

Have you checked out the price of freedom lately?

Or the price of next year's tuition?

Elgin, you can't spend the rest of your life being a college student.

Hey, Ronnie, why don't we just take off somewhere?

We got a full tank.

It's not my style.

Come on, Ronnie, let's drop this project. Forget it, huh?

Forget it, huh? Like the 2200 you owe me?

Which is petty cash when we split that ransom.

Split? You mean 50 -50? Surprise right down the middle.

What about Jenny? I'll take care of her.

You can study me clear to eternity, but you'll never get a clean carbon copy

without the bread to do it, Elgin.

What do you want me to do first?

First, you steal a car.

Where'd you go?

For a walk.

You've been doing that a lot lately.

Every time you leave, I wonder if he'll come back.

I saw Ronnie's boat just now.

Did he tell you how he's going to do it?

No, he wouldn't.

He's too smart to tell you.

He's probably got the money and he's going to pick me up.

He'll let you go, Ty. No, he won't. He will, Ty. He will.

Ginny, please.

Listen, if there is the slightest doubt in your mind that he'll let me go, you

can make sure.

You'll have the money. You'll all be free.

And you can be sure he won't kill me.

All you have to do is get me out.

I'll get lost in the jungle.

I can't go anywhere. There's no telephones around.

Please, Ginny.

What can I do, Tice? I don't have the key.

Get that torch on the floor.

You mean this one?

That's it.

Now bring it over here and put it on the table.

First light a match.

Look, Tice, Ronnie's going to be here.

Please, just try.

Hold it to the nozzle and turn the knob counterclockwise.

Put it on the lock.

I think it's working.

Use this.

Hurry, he's probably coming up the beach.

Come with me.

Don't mix me up.

What'll he do to you?

I don't know.

Just because I let you out doesn't mean I don't love Ronnie. Go!

Florida license plate 68 -988 -98.

Subject proceeding on Hillsborough Canal Road.

Just got it, Inspector.

Car's registered to a Ronald Loper.

2560 Marina Palm Drive.

I'll get some agents over there right away.

10 -4.

He's just approaching the marina intersection, Inspector.

Just took it.

10 -4.

Inspector, Loper owns a powerboat. I've had the marina checked. The boat's not

in a slip.

Do you have that list handy?

Places where that stonework is found.

Looking at it now, Inspector.

Wasn't there a small, deserted key?

Yes.

It's between, uh, Elliott Key and Old Rhodes Key. It's a very small island,

about two hours out by boat.

Oceanographers think that the, uh, three keys are all connected with the

Spaniards built in 40.

Uh, Lee, I'd like you to arrange for a helicopter.

10 -4.

Now, can you tell me which way did he head? I don't know, honey. Can you tell

me, or, uh, help me, if I don't find him, I'll blow your pigeon brain head

I don't know. I stayed down below.

Yeah, that looks like it.

Thank you.

Well, that's all, Tice.

FBI, Loper.

Throw down a gun.

Don't, please. Please don't. On your feet.

Let's get out of here.

Kirk Tyson is safe.

All right, Inspector, we'll move in now.

Elgin Ring, FBI. You're under arrest.

It's good to see you again, Dad.

It's wonderful, Tice.

I kept imagining what this moment would be like.

Not really ever believing it would happen.

Your son handled himself very well, Mr. Tyson.

That's nice to hear.

How can I ever thank you?

Ronald Gloper, Elgin Ring, and Virginia Wyatt were tried and convicted in

federal court of extortion.

The United States attorney declined prosecution of the motorcyclist.