- [first lines]
- Person on Tape: [voice on tape] Good morning, Mr. Phelps. The man you are looking at is General Ernesto Neyron. The former dictator of Suranaica who now lives in exile at his closely-guarded Miami estate. In order to finance a military coup which will return him to power, Neyron is about to conclude a deal with this man, Frank Layton, a top syndicate leader. In exchange for several million dollars, Neyron has agreed to legalize gambling in Suranaica and give all rights to the syndicate. Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to stop Neyron and the syndicate. As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Jim.
- General Ernesto Neyron: What is it?
- Dr. Brandt: Slightly rapid is all.
- General Ernesto Neyron: What do I have? What's wrong with me?
- Dr. Brandt: I doubt that it's anything serious, general.
- General Ernesto Neyron: What about my, uh, headache?I woke up cold and shivering. Then I felt hot.
- Dr. Brandt: Common cold could account for that.Was there anything else?Did you experience any other symptoms?
- General Ernesto Neyron: Yes. I had a little trouble with my hearing and with my eyes.
- Dr. Brandt: May be a recurrence of that tropical fever that you contracted about six years ago.Now, General, I want you to take two of these every four hours.
- General Ernesto Neyron: So, I don't need a specialist?
- Dr. Brandt: No. No.I'll drop by again tomorrow to see how you are.
- General Ernesto Neyron: Thank you, doctor.
- General Ernesto Neyron: Yes, that confirms my diagnosis. Van Delbert's syndrome. I don't think there's any need for further tests. Is something wrong?
- General Ernesto Neyron: What you just said, I knew you were going to say it.
- James Phelps: Well, then you mean Dr. Brandt also diagnosed Van Delbert's syndrome.
- General Ernesto Neyron: No, no, but I knew you were going to say it -- the exact words, even your voice.
- James Phelps: Precognition -- very common in these cases.
- General Ernesto Neyron: Precognition?
- James Phelps: Yes. The feeling that, uh... Well, that a doorbell is ringing before it actually rings, or seeing numbers on dice before they stop rolling, or seeing letters or pictures on various objects.
- General Ernesto Neyron: That's what happens, those kind of things. I see...
- James Phelps: But no hallucinations, no visions.
- General Ernesto Neyron: Visions? What kind of visions?
- James Phelps: Well, usually they take the form of very explicit visual phenomenon -- objects, forecasts, sometimes remarkably accurate. Now, I have a documented case of a woman who had a vision of her husband hurtling through space exactly half an hour before he committed suicide by jumping out of a window. However, general neyron, let me assure you there's no cause for alarm. The syndrome is rare, but it's not dangerous, nor is it extremely prolonged. Some of my patients wish they could keep the symptoms.
- General Ernesto Neyron: What?
- James Phelps: Mostly gamblers, of course. As I said, their predictions are uncommonly accurate. However, inevitably the symptoms pass within a week or two.
- General Ernesto Neyron: Well, I don't want them. Give me something.
- James Phelps: Isn't there something you can give me? Nothing specific. I think... That we'll just give you a tranquilizer.
- James Phelps: You understand he's not to be disturbed.
- Colonel Santagura: But the general is expecting someone.
- James Phelps: No. He must be left completely alone to rest.
- Colonel Santagura: But this is very important -- a business meeting. I'm sorry. It's vital.
- James Phelps: How soon?
- Colonel Santagura: In perhaps half an hour.
- James Phelps: All right, then make him comfortable and leave him. For that half-hour, he must rest undisturbed.
- Colonel Santagura: Yes, Doctor. Thank you.
- Frank Layton: This is all you were after? What's your game? Who are you? ... What's that?
- Arnold Grasnik: It's a warrant.
- Frank Layton: Well, read it.
- Arnold Grasnik: "For the purpose and pursuit of searching for and thereafter seizing as evidence all contracts, assignments, or other fiduciary papers of Charles Carson, also known as John Arlington Smith, or any agent or employee thereof."
- Frank Layton: I don't get it. This warrant's for Carson. It has nothing to do with us.
- Rollin Hand: Acting for Carson makes you an accessory. I suggest you surrender all your contracts with Carson.
- Frank Layton: What contracts?
- Rollin Hand: Now, look, we know Carson Is making a deal with General Neyron to take over Suranica.We also know you and the Syndicate are fronting for him.
- Frank Layton: Carson's got nothing to do with Suranica.
- Eddie: You're wrong, Frank. Neyron double-crossed us. he made a deal with Carson's man here. I found this. Here. Here's a contract Granting exclusive Development rights in Suranica to Carson. It's signed.
- Frank Layton: That's his signature, All right.
- Rollin Hand: I'll take it. It's evidence. You -- you're under arrest, And I can't touch you, I'm sorry to say.
- Frank Layton: Me? What about Neyron?
- Rollin Hand: Got no warrant for him, but with this, in a couple of days...
- Frank Layton: A couple of days? He'll be gone.Now he's got Negotiable Bonds in his safe -- money he took from me under false pretenses.
- Rollin Hand: I'm heartbroken.
- Frank Layton: Now listen, you I'm a citizen. I've got rights. I want those bonds back.You're the law. You get them.
- Rollin Hand: Frank Layton Hollering "Cop."
- Frank Layton: You get them.
- Rollin Hand: I will.
- James Phelps: This is the mansion that Neyron bought outside of Miami. Isolated... Regular guard patrols.
- Willy Armitage: There's no way we could break in?
- James Phelps: The only way you can get in there, Willie, is to have Neyron invite you in.
- Barney Collier: But Neyron is a gourmet, so we've arranged for a chef to quit.
- James Phelps: The recipes?
- Rollin Hand: His bouillabaisse is perfection, but after that...
- James Phelps: After that... It won't matter because the chef from the table noir will be preparing the rest of the meals for our own Jean Tibocou.
- Barney Collier: All I have to do is take the bows, man.
- James Phelps: The employment agency?
- Cinnamon Carter: It's the one Neyron always uses. The interview lists, the references, they're all set.
- Cinnamon Carter: Jim, What about Layton?
- James Phelps: Frank Layton operates out of a Miami Beach hotel secretly owned by the syndicate. Rollin, the problem will be getting away from him at exactly the right moment. Is the film ready of you as Frank Layton?
- Rollin Hand: It's all set in the machine.
- James Phelps: Very good, Rollin.
- General Ernesto Neyron: This is no Bouillabaisse! This is garbage! Take this away. No more applicants? Is that all? No more applicants were referred to by the agencies?
- Colonel Santagura: Just one more, but he insists on serving it himself.
- General Ernesto Neyron: That's all right. Bring them in.
- [speaking French]
- General Ernesto Neyron: Tete de Turbot, Steamed shallots... And something else. Kashmir saffron. Very good. Good.
- General Ernesto Neyron: Have you any references?... Excellent. You're hired.
- Barney Collier: [French Accent] Thank you, excellency. You will make accommodations for my staff?
- Colonel Santagura: There will be no need for that. We have servants.
- Barney Collier: I work only with my own staff. Naturally, if you do not wish to hire me under these conditions...
- General Ernesto Neyron: It's all right. Show them to the, uh, servants' quarters.
- Colonel Santagura: This way, please.
- Barney Collier: Something light -- A little bouillon? .
- General Ernesto Neyron: No, I'm all right.
- Barney Collier: Ah. And I would suggest a poulet aiguillette. His excellency, of course, Would prefer it sautéed before broiling.
- General Ernesto Neyron: Yes, but with champignon.
- General Ernesto Neyron: You must have heard.
- Barney Collier: No. Perhaps an echo from the outside. Now for the first course,I thought, uh, a bisque provençal.
- General Ernesto Neyron: What?
- Barney Collier: Bisque provençal - that would meet with your excellency's taste.
- [last lines]
- Frank Layton: I want those bonds.
- General Ernesto Neyron: I didn't double-cross you. I don't know any Carson. Believe me, Layton.
- Frank Layton: Open the safe.
- General Ernesto Neyron: No!
- Frank Layton: There's nothing in here. They're gone.
- James Phelps: And that's it Except for the projection. There's a concave mirror similar to this in Neyron's study. Barney?
- Barney Collier: Ready, Jim. The principle of what you're going to see Is parabolic displacement. A concave surface reflecting an image into space, much like the well-known oasis In a desert mirage. Ours is better-focused.
- General Ernesto Neyron: No! It is not enough! If the coup fails, you lose some money. I lose my life. I must have more men, more guns! I need at least one million dollars more!
- Frank Layton: All right. We'll up it a half a million, but that's it. Take it or leave it.
- Frank Layton: I'll have the papers drawn up. We'll sign the deal tonight.
- General Ernesto Neyron: And the money?
- Frank Layton: Tonight.
- General Ernesto Neyron: If this were Suranica, I'd have them added to the execution list.
- Hotel Manager: Mr. Cooper?
- James Phelps: Is everything ready?
- Hotel Manager: I've reserved the penthouse and the top floor. I assume that will be sufficient.
- James Phelps: Mr. Smith will also require the next-to-the-top floor.
- Hotel Manager: Well, some of the suites on that floor are occupied, and of course there are advance reservations.
- James Phelps: This should cover any added expense.
- Hotel Manager: Yes, Sir. Amply.
- James Phelps: Please see that it's taken care of.
- Hotel Manager: I'll call the Bell Captain to see to your luggage.
- James Phelps: We'll use the rear entrance. Mr. Smith doesn't like crowds. See that this area is sealed off until Mr. Smith passes through.
- Hotel Manager: Yes, sir.
- James Phelps: I think you'll agree the price is eminently fair, gentlemen -- a million and a half over the asset value of the hotel. One thing I must warn you about. Once we set a price, it's firm. We never bargain.
- Frank Layton: Show Mister, uh...
- James Phelps: Cooper.
- Frank Layton: Show Mr. Cooper out.
- James Phelps: Wait a minute. I don't think you quite understand. My employer Mr. Smith would prefer to handle this matter simply, without the necessity of bringing, uh, Outside pressure to bear. I think if you'll reconsider, you will decide to cooperate, gentlemen. You have 24 hours.
- Hotel Manager: "1:12 P.M. -- Cable to Zurich. "Sell out Trans-European industries. Transfer funds to caribbean account."
- Eddie: Very slick.
- Frank Layton: I don't get it.
- Eddie: He's dumping his European Holdings, knocking the price down, then he's buying them back under a dummy corporation. It means he's transferring his Operations to the Caribbean.Those were the only calls?
- Frank Layton: How were those cables signed?
- Hotel Manager: Just "Smith." I wonder who he really is.
- Eddie: There's only one man in the country that could accomplish an international cartel maneuver like that with just a couple of cables -- Charles Carson.
- Hotel Manager: It's Smith!
- General Ernesto Neyron: That's no money.
- Frank Layton: It's the same thing -- negotiable bonds.
- General Ernesto Neyron: Yes, but I deal in cash, or there is no bargain.
- Frank Layton: All right, but I can't get it to you until after our banks open tomorrow.
- General Ernesto Neyron: [the General holds on to the envelope] After you bring the cash tomorrow.
- Rollin Hand: Cooper?
- James Phelps: Yes.
- Rollin Hand: Did you make the arrangements?
- James Phelps: Everything. I deposited all the money in a safe-deposit box in cash.It's a million more than Layton offered. There shouldn't be anymore problems
- Rollin Hand: The appointment?
- James Phelps: 11:00. I'll have the contract signed then.
- Rollin Hand: Layton?
- James Phelps: He thinks it's still the hotel you're after. He'll be surprised when he finds out what you're buying.
- Hotel Manager: If I could be of any...
- James Phelps: You have an off-season vacancy factor of approximately 18%.Is that correct?
- Hotel Manager: Yes, but...
- James Phelps: 3,500 maximum convention capacity, right?
- Hotel Manager: Yes.
- James Phelps: And a repeat-reservation ratio of approximately 35%?
- Hotel Manager: That sounds about right.
- James Phelps: When was your last state certification?
- Hotel Manager: I'm not exactly sure.
- James Phelps: It's listed on your insurance.
- Hotel Manager: Naturally.
- James Phelps: I want to examine your policies as soon as I'm finished talking to Mr. Layton. Where is his office?
- Hotel Manager: It's here, but he's not in.
- James Phelps: I'll wait.
- Colonel Santagura: Soldier! Is there a man stationed outside on the balcony?
- Guard in Kitchen: No, Colonel.
- Colonel Santagura: Why not? If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times, I want a man stationed on the balcony 24 hours a day. Understood?
- Guard in Kitchen: Yes, Colonel.
- Colonel Santagura: All right. Check the kitchen.
- Barney Collier: [french accent] Stop.
- Colonel Santagura: What is it?
- Barney Collier: Stand still, man. I have soufflé rising in there.
- Colonel Santagura: Your problems in the kitchen do not concern me.
- Barney Collier: Yes, they do.
- Barney Collier: That dish being specially prepared for General Neyron. Now, if you want responsibility for ruining it...
- Colonel Santagura: All right. We can check the kitchen later.
- Guard in Kitchen: Yes, sir.
- Colonel Santagura: We will inspect upstairs now.
- Frank Layton: I want those bonds, Neyron. Open the safe. I know you made a deal with Carson. Did you really think you were going to get away with double-crossing The syndicate? I'm taking those bonds back. Open the safe.
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