Trial By Fire
FADE IN
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
The mid-1960s. A seedy hotel lobby in a bad neighborhood of Chicago,
Illinois. Police lieutenant PHILIP GERARD, possibly America's most
dedicated plainclothes detective, strides up to the front desk. The
DESK CLERK, sitting at the hotel switchboard, looks up from the magazine
he's reading.
DESK CLERK
(to Gerard)
You want something?
As Gerard shows his badge to the Desk Clerk, the switchboard BUZZES.
DESK CLERK
(answers the phone)
Edmund Hotel.
Gerard pulls out a copy of Richard Kimble's Wanted Poster (which he is
never without) and unfolds it while the Desk Clerk puts the call
through.
CUT TO:
INT. KIMBLE'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Upstairs in Room Twelve, RICHARD KIMBLE, perhaps America's most elusive
fugitive, stands at the sink, shaving. His phone RINGS. He looks at
it uneasily, wondering who might be calling, then slowly moves to it.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
At the front desk, Gerard shows the wanted poster to the Desk Clerk.
GERARD
Is this man staying here?
The Desk Clerk stares in disbelief and then turns to look at the
switchboard. Gerard realizes Kimble is upstairs right now, talking on
the phone.
GERARD
(urgently)
His room. Which one is it?
DESK CLERK
Uh... Twelve.
Gerard grabs the spare key to Room Twelve from a conveniently-placed
hook -- and rockets up the stairs.
CUT TO:
INT. KIMBLE'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Gun drawn, Gerard bursts into Kimble's room. Empty. Gerard sees the
sink, and the evidence that someone was just shaving. Gerard rushes
into the bathroom. Empty. He looks out an open window.
GERARD
Kimble!
In the alley below, Kimble stops, turns, and sees Gerard who aims his
gun right at him. Kimble wheels around and runs. Gerard FIRES a shot.
Has Kimble been hit?
WIPE TO:
THE MAIN TITLE SEQUENCE
We see the title, THE FUGITIVE, over an eerie silhouette of a man
running down a dark alley at night. The bottomlessly-deep voice of an
omniscient NARRATOR fills us in on all we need to know.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
The Fugitive... a QM Production...
We see Kimble's ruggedly handsome, sorrowful face.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... starring David Janssen as Dr. Richard
Kimble...
A blindfolded statue of Lady Justice holds aloft her set of scales.
A gray-haired Kimble stands in court.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... an innocent victim of blind justice ...
In Kimble's home, the dead body of Helen Kimble lies sprawled on the floor.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... falsely convicted for the murder of his
wife...
A moving train at night. Handcuffed together inside the train, Kimble
and Gerard pitch forward. The train lurches off the track.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... reprieved by Fate when a train wreck freed
him en route to the death house...
Kimble, battered and with his shirt torn, emerges from the wreck with
the handcuff around his wrist broken. He crouches behind a guard
rail.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... freed him to hide in lonely desperation...
A bottle of black hair dye. Kimble colors his hair black.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... to change his identity...
Kimble as a farmhand, a truck driver, a bartender.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
.... to toil at many jobs...
On the night of the murder, a gray-haired Kimble, at the wheel of his
car, nearly runs over a mysterious one-armed man, running from his home.
A shocked Kimble gets a brief look at the man's intense face in the
car's headlights.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... freed him to search for a one-armed man he
saw leave the scene of the crime...
Dark-haired, Kimble runs, pursued down a dark alley by a grim-faced Gerard.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... freed him to run before the relentless
pursuit of the police lieutenant obsessed with
his capture.
We see again the eerie silhouette of Kimble running down the dark alley.
WIPE TO:
A MONTAGE of this episode's guest stars.
ANNOUNCER (v.o.)
The guest stars in tonight's story: Charles
Aidman; Frank Aletter; Jacqueline Scott. Also
starring Barry Morse as Lt. Philip Gerard.
CUT TO:
THE TITLE CARD
Under the words TRIAL BY FIRE is the image of Kimble's silhouette
carrying a suitcase near a railroad crossing.
ANNOUNCER (v.o.)
Tonight's episode: Trial By Fire.
FADE OUT
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
FADE IN on Richard Kimble, newspaper in hand, as he walks down a
deserted street late one evening to a public pay phone. He enters the
booth, shuts the door, takes out a handful of change, deposits a coin,
and dials.
KIMBLE
Operator, I want to call Stafford, Indiana.
KL-52074, please.
As Kimble deposits six more coins for his long distance call, the
cavernously-deep voice of the omniscient narrator is heard.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
Occasionally, a fugitive must make contact with
reality to escape the loneliness of flight, to
preserve his sanity. For Richard Kimble,
contact with reality consists of an occasional
telephone conversation with his sister....
CUT TO:
INT. DONNA'S HOUSE - STAFFORD, INDIANA - NIGHT
DONNA KIMBLE TAFT, Kimble's younger, emotionally fragile sister, brushes
her hair as she crosses to the RINGING phone. Throughout the call, we
CUT BACK AND FORTH from Donna to Kimble.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... Tonight's call, however, could mean a great
deal more.
DONNA
(answers)
Hello?
KIMBLE
Hello, Donna.
DONNA
Oh, I've been praying you'd call. It's been
over two months this time.
KIMBLE
Well, what's wrong? Is Dad all right?
DONNA
Yeah, he's fine. He's a little slow but he's
fine. Listen, uh, something's come up.
KIMBLE
What?
DONNA
A witness. We've got a witness.
KIMBLE
I don't understand.
DONNA
Well, um, a man who says he saw that man, er,
the one-armed man.
KIMBLE
Go on.
DONNA
Well, um, we got a letter, I guess about a week
ago, from this man in Chicago. And he says that
he was here in Stafford that night. And he was,
uh, driving down your street when he, um...
Well, he says that he saw him.
KIMBLE
(sighs)
Donna, we've had so many crackpots.
DONNA
Yeah, I know. But this man's not a crackpot.
He's a, uh, captain in the army. Um, he's...
His name's Eckhardt. I, uh, well, I-I phoned a
private investigator in Chicago to check on him.
And, um, he-he checks.
KIMBLE
Why now, after so long?
DONNA
I don't know. Now, I think he's a little bit
sorry he said anything 'cuz he told this private
investigator, uh, Mr. Christopher, that, uh, he
doesn't want to testify. So, um, I mean, we
don't know what to do next and that's why I had
to talk to you.
KIMBLE
Where can I find this Christopher?
DONNA
Uh, it's 436 Mason Avenue in Chicago.
KIMBLE
I'll leave tonight.
DONNA
Are you all right?
KIMBLE
Yeah. Yeah, I'm all right. Say hello to Len,
kiss the kids for me.
(beat)
Thanks, Donna.
They hang up. Kimble leaves the phone booth not sure what to make of
the big news.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CITY HALL - STAFFORD - DAY
The next morning. A couple of people walk up the stone steps and enter
the building under a sign that reads: STAFFORD CITY HALL.
CUT TO:
INT. BURTON GREEN'S OFFICE - STAFFORD - DAY
Inside a private office, Donna confers with her attorney, BURTON GREEN,
an energetic, moustached man in his mid-thirties and an old family
friend of the Kimbles'.
DONNA
Why would Gerard phone me unless he somehow
found out about Dick's call last night?
BURTON GREEN
There could be a lot of reasons. But the next
time he calls, you know absolutely nothing about
anything.
DONNA
(sighs)
I don't know. Maybe I was wrong to tell Dick
about it. Now he's getting involved himself.
The risk might be too great.
BURTON GREEN
Well, if you ask me, he could probably use a
piece of good news.
DONNA
But what if Eckhardt doesn't testify and this
whole thing falls through?
BURTON GREEN
If it falls through, Dick is in no worse shape
than he is now.
DONNA
We'll... We'll have killed the only hope he's
had in two years. A terrible risk.
BURTON GREEN
Not much. As long as no one knows. But it is a
small town. A loose remark... I haven't even
told my secretary.
DONNA
Well, Len's out of town. I'll be careful with
the kids. Listen, you call me just as soon as
you hear anything.
BURTON GREEN
Of course.
Burt escorts Donna out of his office, past his secretary, and to the
door.
DONNA
(to the secretary)
Good-bye.
The secretary looks up at her and then over to the other side of the
room. Donna follows her gaze. So does Burt. Standing there, in his
typically stiff, arms-behind-the-back stance is the ominous figure of
Lieutenant Gerard. He nods politely to Burt who shows Donna out the
door. After she exits, Burt confronts Gerard.
BURTON GREEN
I didn't know you were waiting, Lieutenant.
GERARD
I was curious. You ordered a copy of the Kimble
transcript from the court clerk.
BURTON GREEN
It's a small town.
GERARD
You've been retained by the family?
BURTON GREEN
They haven't had any real counsel in almost two
years.
GERARD
I don't see why they'd need counsel now unless
they're... thinking about another appeal.
BURTON GREEN
(grins)
You're fishing, Lieutenant.
GERARD
Yes, I suppose I am. Besides, you know as well
as I do, there's no sense filing unless you've
got some sort of new evidence.
BURTON GREEN
And there couldn't be any new evidence could
there? I mean, after all, he is guilty.
Gerard heads for the door.
GERARD
Thank you.
Burt watches Gerard exit, then returns to his office.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Down the hall from Burton Green's office, a moody Gerard encounters
SGT. RAINEY, another plainclothes detective.
SGT. RAINEY
Lieutenant? Something wrong?
GERARD
I don't know. But it might be a good idea to
keep an eye on Burt Green. A lawyer
representing Kimble shouldn't be looking that
pleased with himself.
Sgt. Rainey nods. Gerard, deep in thought, walks off.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DAY
Skyscrapers tower over the Windy City.
CUT TO:
EXT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT HOUSE - CHICAGO - DAY
A cab pulls up to the curb. Kimble gets out and approaches the
building's front door as the cab drives off. A woman with a sack of
groceries rings a bell to be let in to the building. Kimble checks the
mailboxes for Eckhardt's name as a BUZZER sounds, unlocking the door
and allowing the woman to enter. Kimble finds Eckhardt's name: CAPT.
AND MRS. JAMES ECKHARDT in apartment 407. Kimble tries the front door
but it's now locked. He reaches over and presses the doorbell that the
woman had just pressed. After a moment, the BUZZER sounds and Kimble
slips into the building.
CUT TO:
INT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT - CHICAGO - DAY
A small but comfortable apartment. U.S. Army CAPTAIN JAMES ECKHARDT,
a thoughtful and conscientious gentleman with sad eyes, gets dressed as
he talks with his withdrawn teenaged son, J.J. ECKHARDT. J.J. sits on a
couch in the living room, reading a baseball magazine.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
J.J.? Don't you have a game this morning? I
thought you'd... gone out already.
J.J. ECKHARDT
They don't need me.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Weren't they expecting you?
J.J. ECKHARDT
Yeah, I guess so.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Why aren't you there?
J.J. ECKHARDT
(snaps at him)
Because, to tell you the truth...
The captain is surprised at the outburst.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(settles down)
... I'm just not a red hot ballplayer.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
You just gonna lie here and read about it?
J.J. ECKHARDT
Well, it's better than lousing up the family
image, isn't it?
The captain makes a tactical withdrawal to his bedroom to finish
dressing, leaving J.J. alone. A quiet KNOCK at the door. An annoyed
J.J. throws down his magazine, rises, and answers the door. It's
Kimble.
KIMBLE
I'd like to see Captain Eckhardt, please.
J.J. ECKHARDT
Are you a friend of his?
KIMBLE
Not exactly. Mr. Christopher has been talking
to him about me.
J.J. ECKHARDT
I don't know him. And my father's getting
dressed.
KIMBLE
Look, it's important to me. Can I wait?
Without a word, J.J. lets Kimble enter. Kimble stands around awkwardly
while J.J. sullenly returns to the couch and his magazine. Kimble
looks the apartment over and sees some of Eckhardt's personal
memorabilia: a slew of medals, awards, a class photo from a military
academy, a picture of Eckhardt in uniform, etc. J.J. watches Kimble.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(unenthusiastic, to Kimble)
My dad's a hero, you know that?
CAPT. ECKHARDT (o.s.)
Who's there, J.J.?
J.J. ECKHARDT
(to Capt. Eckhardt)
Somebody to see ya!
(to Kimble)
What'd you say your name was?
The captain enters, in civilian clothes (a natty suit and tie), and
recognizes Kimble immediately.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(to J.J.)
J.J. You have some schoolwork to do?
J.J. ECKHARDT
Like, "Get lost"?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(glancing at Kimble)
I think this gentleman would like to talk to me
in private.
J.J. stares at Kimble a moment, wondering what's going on. Finally, he
heads out of the room.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(exits)
I'll be in the kitchen.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
That, uh, detective, Christopher, didn't tell me
that you were planning to come here yourself.
It's kind of a surprise.
KIMBLE
You see, my family gets a lot of mail about me.
Some from cranks and some from people who just
want to feel important. And some from people
who'd like to help but can't.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Well, I'm sorry, Dr. Kimble, but I-I'm not
making this up.
KIMBLE
Why did you wait so long to tell anyone about
it?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
You look in the center drawer of that, uh, desk.
Under some papers, you'll find a magazine.
Kimble goes to the desk, opens the drawer, and pulls out the magazine.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Somewhere around the middle of it there's an
article about you.
Kimble finds the article. It's illustrated with a mug shot from his
wanted poster, a photo of Helen Kimble's dead body sprawled on the
floor, a picture of Gerard, and an artist's rendering of the one-armed
man. The headline reads: THE PUBLIC ASKS: IS KIMBLE STILL ALIVE?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I saw it for the first time in a barber shop a
week ago Saturday.
The doorbell BUZZES.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(rises)
That'd be my wife.
J.J., carrying a half-eaten apple, bursts in from the kitchen and runs
to answer the door.
J.J. ECKHARDT
I'll get it.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(upset to see him)
J.J.! Were you listening?
J.J. ECKHARDT
Well... I already knew. I heard you and Mom
talking about it.
KIMBLE
You didn't mention it to anyone, did you?
J.J. ECKHARDT
Oh, of course not.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
J.J., you understand that this has got to be
kept secret.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(snaps at him)
Give me credit for something, will ya?
Kimble senses the tension between father and son. MARION ECKHARDT, the
captain's tired-looking wife, enters with a bag of groceries.
MRS. ECKHARDT
I should never go shopping without you, Jim...
Mrs. Eckhardt catches sight of Kimble and freezes.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Marion, this is Dr. Kimble.
She's not too happy to see a wanted man in her apartment.
MRS. ECKHARDT
I know.
(to Kimble)
Taking a chance coming here like this, aren't
you? I mean...
Mrs. Eckhardt sees J.J.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(off J.J.)
It's all right. He knows.
J.J. takes the groceries from his mother and retreats to the kitchen.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(to Mrs. Eckhardt)
Dr. Kimble believes that I may have made all
this up.
KIMBLE
No, I just meant that after so long a time, I
didn't see how--
CAPT. ECKHARDT
My, uh, father lived in Stafford. I went there
because he suffered a stroke. He didn't
recognize me. Anyway, as I was leaving, I
turned the corner and I saw this man running
out of a house. There was another car ahead of
me, almost ran him down. He, uh, looked a lot
like that picture in the magazine. Including
the one arm missing.
KIMBLE
(sits, stunned)
You were behind my car?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I even got a pretty good look at you when you
stopped and went into the house.
KIMBLE
Why didn't you stop?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Oh, why should I? I didn't know there'd been a
murder.
KIMBLE
You must have read about it in the papers the
next morning.
J.J. returns from the kitchen and sits with his mother listening to the
captain talk with Kimble.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I had to catch a plane that night. The next
morning when the story must have come out, I...
I was in Europe with my wife and son. There
was nothing about it in the camp news or the
German papers. I didn't know there'd been a
murder until I saw that magazine last week.
You see, I'm here for separation. Disability
retirement.
Kimble doesn't look convinced.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
What's wrong, Dr. Kimble? You still don't
believe me.
A nervous Mrs. Eckhardt glances from her husband to Kimble.
KIMBLE
Well, it... It's hard to believe that you do
exist.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Well, it's... all true, believe me.
KIMBLE
You said you refuse to testify?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Oh, that's right, I-- But I'll sign a sworn
statement, anything.
KIMBLE
That's not good enough. We need you in court.
MRS. ECKHARDT
(to Capt. Eckhardt)
Jim. I must say something.
(to Kimble)
Last week, two days after my husband wrote that
letter to your sister, he was offered a job, a
good job, with one of the big electronics firms
on the coast.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Now, let me explain, Marion...
MRS. ECKHARDT
(to Kimble)
And now, with this hearing and trial and all
that... Well, they just won't wait for him.
He has to accept this week.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Now, isn't that for me to decide, Marion?
MRS. ECKHARDT
(to Kimble)
Dr. Kimble, my husband is forty-three years old,
a career officer, with citations any soldier
would be proud of. And now he's being retired.
Unfit for active duty -- that's how they worded
it.
KIMBLE
Something about a disability retirement?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(to Kimble)
Uh, it's my leg. Half a dozen operations and
all I've got to show for it is a lot of sick
leave.
MRS. ECKHARDT
(to Kimble)
My husband is a very unselfish man, Dr. Kimble.
He's waited a long time and I'm his wife and I
know what he's been through. I'm... I'm very
sorry.
Mrs. Eckhardt turns her back on Kimble and walks to the far side of the
room. Kimble faces the family with a mixture of anger and sorrow,
wanting to plead with them, but somehow controlling himself, choking
back his words.
KIMBLE
Well, I'm sorry, too.
(long pause)
I mean, I wish there were... were another way.
You see, this is the first chance I've seen to
go back, to start... I can't force you to
testify.
The captain lowers his head, unable to watch Kimble suffering like
this. Kimble reluctantly starts to leave.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Dr. Kimble.
Kimble stops.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(sighs)
Before... you were, uh, just a name, a picture
in a magazine. Well, it's different now. All
right, I'll... testify for you.
Mrs. Eckhardt walks out of the room. A grateful Kimble is floored.
FADE OUT
EXT. CITY HALL - STAFFORD - DAY
FADE IN on the ominous, imperious figure of Lt. Gerard striding out of
the building and into an unmarked police car awaiting him at the curb.
The car drives off.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE CAR - DAY
Sgt. Rainey, at the wheel, sits uncomfortably beside Gerard.
SGT. RAINEY
There wasn't time to check with you. Green
grabbed this plane just before it took off. I
had to decide right there and then. I guess I
blew it.
GERARD
That's right. He's in Chicago and we're here.
SGT. RAINEY
At least I scared some information out of his
secretary. He went to meet some guy named
Eckhardt.
GERARD
(sneers at Rainey)
And you were saving it. Where is he?
Rainey hands over a piece of paper. Gerard scans it and nods with grim
satisfaction before pocketing it.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CHICAGO - DAY
Skyscrapers tower over the City of Broad Shoulders.
CUT TO:
EXT. EDMUND HOTEL - CHICAGO - DAY
A cab -- marked ACE CAB CO. (Chicago's Finest) -- stops in front of a
seedy hotel in a seedy part of town. Burton Green, in the back seat,
pays the driver, gets out, crosses the street, and enters the hotel.
CUT TO:
INT. KIMBLE'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Kimble watches Burton Green from a window of his seedy little room. He
puts on his jacket and waits nervously by the door. A quiet KNOCK. A
tense Kimble opens the door and Burt hastily slips in. The two men
shake hands.
BURTON GREEN
Been a long time, Dick.
KIMBLE
Thanks for coming, Burt.
BURTON GREEN
(hands Kimble a paper)
I, uh, I need this authorization signed so I
can appear for you.
KIMBLE
Tell me now.
BURTON GREEN
(all smiles)
Positive. Double positive. I just spent three
hours with your Captain Eckhardt. We went over
everything twice, I even tried to trip him up.
You've got yourself a bona fide witness, Dick.
KIMBLE
What happens next?
BURTON GREEN
I pick up my things at Eckhardt's and, uh, catch
the next plane to Stafford. And, uh, I want you
to come back with me.
KIMBLE
Now?
BURTON GREEN
Well, as an attorney, I'm also an officer of
the court and I am under an obligation to
advise you to turn yourself in. Besides, we've
got the wheels turning and I want you back
there.
KIMBLE
I thought it'd take months.
BURTON GREEN
No, as soon as I get off that plane I'm going
straight to my office and draw up a writ of
corum novis.
KIMBLE
Corum nova?
BURTON GREEN
Novis. It asks the court to hold a hearing
to test the new evidence. First thing in the
morning, I present the writ in the Superior
Court.
KIMBLE
Why the rush?
BURTON GREEN
Well, I promised Eckhardt I'd try to speed
things up. He may be able to get a delay on
that job he's been offered.
KIMBLE
I'd feel a lot better if he could.
BURTON GREEN
More important than that, you're entitled to
your freedom. The quicker, the better. We'll
get an immediate hearing, I'm sure of that.
And when the court hears what we've got, I'm
positive we'll get a new trial.
Kimble shakily crosses to the window and looks out.
KIMBLE
That's... That's all there is to it? Sounds so
simple.
BURTON GREEN
What's wrong, Dick?
KIMBLE
I don't know. You see, I've been looking for
that one-armed man for so long... Doesn't seem
real. Like he never existed.
BURTON GREEN
Eckhardt exists. He's all we need.
(off the paper)
Now, sign that and we'll-we'll get on our way.
Burt hands Kimble a pen and watches happily as he signs the paper and
hands it back. Kimble wants to say something but can't. Burt looks at
him quizzically.
KIMBLE
I can't go back with you, Burt. Not just now.
I hope you understand.
BURTON GREEN
(disappointed, but understands)
All right.
KIMBLE
Thanks.
BURTON GREEN
Either Donna or I'll be in touch with you here,
after the hearing. Meanwhile, you try to relax.
Burt exits while an overwhelmed Kimble stands at the window, fingering
the curtain and the windowshade. He lets go of the shade and it SNAPS
shut.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT HOUSE - DAY
Burton Green's cab stops on Eckhardt's street. Burt gets out and
crosses the street to Eckhardt's building, failing to notice Gerard
approaching the cab.
GERARD
Cab driver?
CAB DRIVER
(doing paperwork)
I'm sorry, I'm off-duty now.
Gerard glances at Lieutenant HORVATH, a uniformed Chicago policeman,
who joins Gerard at the cab. The Cab Driver realizes he's being
questioned by the police.
CAB DRIVER
(to Gerard)
On the other hand, what can I do for you?
GERARD
I want you to take us back to the exact spot
you picked up that last fare.
Burt, standing by the front door of the apartment house, looks around
just in time to see Gerard getting into the cab as it pulls away.
Momentarily stunned, he forgets he has to ring to enter the building
and pushes on the locked door. He frantically presses the door bell.
The BUZZER sounds and he rushes inside.
CUT TO:
INT. CAB - DAY
Gerard and Horvath sit in the back seat as the cab cruises along.
LT. HORVATH
(to Gerard)
You think this Eckhardt is mixed up in the
Kimble thing?
GERARD
I think he figures somewhere, no matter what he
claims.
(to the Cab Driver)
Can you get any more speed out of this?
LT. HORVATH
How can you be so sure that Green just came from
seeing Kimble?
GERARD
I'm not.
CUT TO:
INT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT - DAY
J.J., your typical 1960s American teenager, slouches in a chair with
his feet up on the desk, talking on the telephone.
J.J. ECKHARDT
Oh, so big deal, you lost...
J.J. ignores the urgent KNOCK at the door.
J.J. ECKHARDT
Aw, he's a lousy pitcher, that's all...
Captain Eckhardt limps across the room to answer the door.
J.J. ECKHARDT
Aw, that one time, he got lucky, are you
kidding?
Burton Green bursts in and rushes to the phone.
BURTON GREEN
(to Capt. Eckhardt)
I have to use your phone.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I'm glad you got back. Lieutenant Gerard was
here. I didn't tell him anything.
BURTON GREEN
(to J.J.)
I have to use the phone.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(to Burt)
Yeah, in a minute.
(into the phone)
Well, look what happ--
BURTON GREEN
We don't have a minute!
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Hang up, J.J.! This is important.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(into the phone)
I'll call you back.
Burt grabs the phone, hangs up, and dials the operator. A sulky J.J.
walks away, giving his father a dirty look.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(to Capt. Eckhardt)
Everything around here's important!
BURTON GREEN
(into the phone)
Operator...
CUT TO:
EXT. EDMUND HOTEL - DAY
Across the street from Kimble's hotel, the cab comes to a stop. Gerard
and Horvath get out and scan the area. The Cab Driver sits at the wheel.
GERARD
(to the cabdriver)
Are you sure this is the place he came out of?
CAB DRIVER
I guess so.
LT. HORVATH
Don't guess.
CAB DRIVER
Yeah, that's it.
LT. HORVATH
I better phone for more men.
GERARD
No. No time. Just keep an eye on the street.
Gerard crosses the street, heading for the hotel.
LT. HORVATH
(to the Cab Driver)
Pull up there and wait.
CUT TO:
INT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT - DAY
Captain Eckhardt looks on with concern at a frantic Burton Green on
the phone.
BURTON GREEN
No, no, Operator. I'm pretty sure it's on
Avondale Street.
(beat)
That's it... Thank you.
Burt hangs up and dials the number.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
Gerard strides up to the front desk. The DESK CLERK, sitting at the
hotel switchboard, looks up from the magazine he's reading.
DESK CLERK
(to Gerard)
You want something?
As Gerard shows his badge to the Desk Clerk, the switchboard BUZZES.
DESK CLERK
(answers the phone)
Edmund Hotel.
Gerard pulls out a copy of Kimble's Wanted Poster and unfolds it while
the Desk Clerk puts the call through.
CUT TO:
INT. KIMBLE'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Upstairs in Room Twelve, Kimble stands at the sink, shaving. His phone
RINGS. He looks at it uneasily, wondering who might call him, then
slowly moves toward it.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
At the front desk, Gerard shows the wanted poster to the Desk Clerk.
GERARD
Is this man staying here?
The Desk Clerk stares in disbelief and then turns to look at the
switchboard. Gerard realizes Kimble is upstairs right now, talking on
the phone.
GERARD
(urgently)
His room. Which one is it?
DESK CLERK
Uh... Twelve.
Gerard grabs the spare key to Room Twelve from a conveniently-placed
hook -- and rockets up the stairs.
CUT TO:
INT. KIMBLE'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Gun drawn, Gerard bursts into Kimble's room. Empty. Gerard sees the
sink and the evidence that someone just finished shaving. Gerard
rushes into the bathroom. Empty. He looks out an open window.
GERARD
Kimble!
In the alley below, Kimble stops, turns, and sees Gerard who aims his
gun right at him. Kimble wheels around and runs. Gerard FIRES a shot.
Kimble races out of the alley and disappears from view. Gerard climbs
out the window and on to the fire escape.
CUT TO:
EXT. EDMUND HOTEL - DAY
Lt. Horvath, out front, hears the shot and runs to the rear of the
hotel. Gerard climbs down the fire escape to the alley just as Lt.
Horvath, gun drawn, rounds the corner. Gerard races down the alley,
with Horvath right behind. The two policemen reach the street and scan
the area. Plenty of midday traffic -- but Kimble is nowhere in sight.
A disappointed Gerard holsters his gun and the two policemen walk back
to the hotel.
FADE OUT
EXT. CITY HALL - STAFFORD - DAY
FADE IN on a worker hosing down the front steps. We PAN UP to a window
on the second floor: Burton Green's office.
CUT TO:
INT. BURTON GREEN'S OFFICE - STAFFORD - DAY
The next morning, an exhausted Burton Green paces his office, dictating
to his secretary.
BURTON GREEN
(dictates)
According to the transcript, uh, Richard Kimble
saw a one-armed man running away from his
house...
NARRATOR (v.o.)
In Stafford, a man has worked through until
morning preparing to set in motion the
ponderous machinery of the law.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE CAR - CHICAGO - DAY
Lt. Horvath drives Gerard to the airport.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
In Chicago, another man continues the pursuit
begun so long ago.
LT. HORVATH
We'll be there in plenty of time. Your plane
doesn't leave for an hour.
GERARD
I've got a feeling he's still here in Chicago.
That lawyer came here to see him for a reason.
LT. HORVATH
Phil, I've had everyone alerted since last
night. Chicago's a little bigger than Stafford,
remember?
Gerard gives Horvath a dirty look. The police car phone RINGS.
Horvath picks up.
LT. HORVATH
(into phone)
Horvath... Yeah... This morning?... Okay,
I'll tell him.
Horvath hangs up.
LT. HORVATH
(to Gerard)
Your office called and left a message about
Kimble. Seems that Green has filed a writ
asking for a hearing for a new trial.
GERARD
They say on what grounds?
LT. HORVATH
Well, it seems they have a witness.
GERARD
(suddenly understands)
Named Eckhardt.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ILLINOIS STATE PRISON - DAY
The next day. A bleak, imposing structure built by the river.
CUT TO:
INT. ILLINOIS STATE PRISON - DAY
In the prison library, convict EDDIE BRAGG finishes reading a newspaper
and returns it to a rack. As he does, he looks at the front page.
It's The Star-Dispatch and the big headline reads: KIMBLE RE-TRIAL
HEARING TOMORROW over Kimble's mug shot and a picture of Captain
Eckhardt. Eddie Bragg checks to make sure the guard isn't looking,
then tears out the story and stuffs it in his pocket. After returning
the paper to the rack, Eddie Bragg approaches the guard.
EDDIE BRAGG
Johnson, I gotta see the warden.
The guard crosses his arms and nods as if to say, "Yeah, right."
EDDIE BRAGG
Come on now. It's important. I've got
something he'd love to hear about.
CUT TO:
INT. HEARING ROOM - STAFFORD - DAY
The big hearing is underway in an undistinguished hearing room. It's
nothing fancy: the JUDGE wears a regular suit and sits at an ordinary
table. Donna sits behind Burton Green. Gerard sits behind Les
Donaldson, the DEPUTY PROSECUTOR. The unflappable Captain Eckhardt is
on the stand finishing his testimony.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I, uh, can't remember exactly what I thought
when I saw that man running out of the house,
the one with the arm missing. I remember
thinking there might be trouble. But then the
other man, Kimble, stopped and went into the
house. All I knew was that I had to get to the
airport in order to make it back to Germany on
time.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
(rises)
You said your father lived on Oak Lane, Captain?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
That's right. In an apartment house.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
I see. Oak Lane is a through street. Now, if
you were headed north, why go to the next
street, Beacon?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I was parked at the end of the block as I
remember. I figured it was easier to turn
right and then turn right again instead of
making a U-turn. Besides, it would be against
the law, wouldn't it?
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Do you drink, Captain?
BURTON GREEN
(rises)
I object, your honor.
JUDGE
May I remind you this is only a hearing, Mr.
Green. If this line of questioning is
pertinent to the events of that night, then
proceed, Mr. Donaldson.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
(to the judge)
It is. Thank you, your honor.
Burt sits.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
(to Capt. Eckhardt)
Were you accustomed to drinking any form of
intoxicating beverage, Captain Eckhardt?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I used to take a drink before supper sometimes.
I still do.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Just one?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Maybe two.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Possibly three? Or more?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(firmly)
Not very likely.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
What about that night?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
That night?
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Captain, isn't it possible you'd had a few
drinks? You were in a hurry. As you rushed to
get to the airport, things got a little fuzzy.
You couldn't be certain exactly what you saw.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
That night, at the airport, I grabbed a
sandwich before I got on the plane. I'd missed
supper. I didn't have time to eat or take a
drink even if I'd wanted one.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
No further questions, your honor.
JUDGE
Anything more you'd like to add, Mr. Green?
BURTON GREEN
It's all been said and re-said, your honor.
As the judge readies his ruling, the DP sits back down and confers
quietly with Gerard.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Well, I couldn't shake him. Maybe his story's
legitimate.
GERARD
Maybe...
Meanwhile, Donna confers quietly with Burton Green.
DONNA
Can you tell how he'll decide?
BURTON GREEN
I'd almost bet on it.
A uniformed officer enters the room and whispers something in Gerard's
ear. Gerard rises and the two policemen exit.
CUT TO:
INT. OUTSIDE THE HEARING ROOM - DAY
The uniformed officer shuts the hearing room door as Gerard crosses to
a receptionist's desk to take a phone call.
GERARD
Hello? Long distance? Yes, this is Lieutenant
Gerard.... All right, put him on.
CUT TO:
INT. HEARING ROOM - DAY
The JUDGE taps his gavel lightly. Donna and Burton Green look at him
expectantly.
JUDGE
It is the opinion of this court that the
evidence presented by the witness would indeed
seem to merit a new trial. However, since the
defendant, Richard Kimble, is in contempt of the
laws of the court by remaining at large, no
definite ruling can now be made.
BURTON GREEN
(quietly, to Donna)
It's all right. It only means that Dick'll have
to come in before they'll order a new trial.
JUDGE
The attorney for the defendant is hereby
instructed that if the defendant surrenders
himself, a stay of execution will be granted by
the court and a ruling will be issued. Hearing
adjourned.
CUT TO:
INT. OUTSIDE THE HEARING ROOM - DAY
Burton Green, Donna, and several others exit from the room just as
Gerard finishes his phone call.
GERARD
(into the phone)
That's very interesting, Warden. I'll tell the
Deputy Prosecutor and we'll fly up there tonight.
Yeah... And, uh, thank you.
Gerard hangs up and turns to find Donna and Burt nearby.
GERARD
(to Burt)
Ah, what was the verdict?
BURTON GREEN
As we expected. No ruling until he surrenders.
But we're not worried.
GERARD
Oh, no reason you should be, from what I've
heard. Excuse me.
Gerard, trying hard to suppress a slight smirk, turns and walks off.
Donna doesn't like the looks of that.
DONNA
Something's wrong.
BURTON GREEN
(nods)
I'd like to know who that phone call was from.
DONNA
(quietly)
How do we, um, contact Dick?
Burton Green takes her by the arm and leads her away.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CITY PARK - CHICAGO - DAY
Late that afternoon. A sign reads CERMAK PLAYGROUND - CHICAGO PARK
DISTRICT. Kids play. An old man fishes a newspaper out of a trash
barrel. A wary Kimble stands beneath a tree as Burton Green and Donna
approach. Burt hangs back a few feet to let brother and sister have a
rare moment alone. Donna takes Kimble's hand.
KIMBLE
You didn't have to come, Donna.
DONNA
I wanted to.
KIMBLE
Does Dad know yet?
DONNA
Oh... No. We've kept the papers from him so
far. I mean, the strain on his... his heart
and the... Not till everything's certain.
KIMBLE
You talk to the judge again, Burt?
Burt joins them at the tree.
BURTON GREEN
I made a plea about the special circumstances.
I even tried some legal maneuvering but it was
no go, Dick. You've got to come in if you want
another chance.
KIMBLE
Everything's riding on Eckhardt.
BURTON GREEN
He was solid as a rock in that courtroom this
morning.
KIMBLE
You're that sure, Burt?
BURTON GREEN
I am. But I'm not so sure about Donna.
DONNA
Well... Maybe it's just my imagination but, uh,
um, after the hearing, Lt. Gerard got this
phone call and, uh-- I don't know, it may not
have had anything to do with this, but, uh....
I-I just have a feeling.
BURTON GREEN
I checked all over about that phone call. I
couldn't find out anything.
DONNA
It may be nothing, but, uh...
KIMBLE
But what?
BURTON GREEN
I don't know. I mean, what could he have?
KIMBLE
I'd like a little more time, Burt. Tomorrow
morning?
BURTON GREEN
All right. I can understand that.
KIMBLE
With Gerard... Eckhardt come back to Chicago?
DONNA
Uh, he was on the same train as us.
BURTON GREEN
You want to name a time?
KIMBLE
(decisive)
Courthouse. Tomorrow, noon.
(beat)
Keep checking, will you, Burt?
DONNA
I'm sorry if I'm making [worse things worse?].
KIMBLE
It's all right. Gerard can do that to you.
Kimble watches as Burt leads Donna away.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ILLINOIS STATE PRISON - NIGHT
That evening. A foreboding establishing shot of the prison by night.
CUT TO:
INT. ILLINOIS STATE PRISON - NIGHT
Seated around a table in an interrogation room, Gerard and the Deputy
Prosecutor question the obnoxiously smug convict Eddie Bragg. A prison
guard stands nearby.
GERARD
How do we know you're not just making this up?
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
We've got to have something stronger than just
your word for it.
EDDIE BRAGG
Would a witness do it?
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Who?
EDDIE BRAGG
Bartender named Felix over on Third Avenue.
That's where I met the captain. And the
waitress saw us too.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Okay. We'll let you know.
The DP signals the guard to take Eddie Bragg away.
EDDIE BRAGG
No, wait a minute. I'm not offering this for
free.
GERARD
We'll talk to the warden and the parole board.
EDDIE BRAGG
You do that. 'Cuz I figure goin' on that stand
oughta be worth a big slice of my time.
The DP nods to the guard who escorts Eddie Bragg from the room.
GERARD
(off Bragg)
What he's going to say won't change Eckhardt's
testimony.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
But it changes our hero image. If I put that
convict on the stand, there's a very good chance
they won't buy one word the captain says.
GERARD
So, if Kimble turns himself in...?
The DP gives Gerard a look as if to say "You know damn well what will
happen." Gerard, more than a little disgusted at the thought of Kimble
giving himself up under these circumstances, rises, pushes his chair
under the table, and stalks off.
FADE OUT
EXT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT HOUSE - CHICAGO - DAY
FADE IN, early the next morning, as J.J. emerges from the building
carrying his baseball glove and cleats. Kimble hides in a doorway a
few doors down warily watching for any sign of the police.
KIMBLE
J.J.!
J.J. joins Kimble in the doorway.
J.J. ECKHARDT
What're you doing here?
KIMBLE
I want to see your father.
J.J. ECKHARDT
Well, he's eating breakfast. Go on up.
KIMBLE
(scans the area for police)
I'd rather he came down here.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(understandingly)
Sure.
J.J. runs back into the building to fetch his father.
CUT TO:
INT. CITY HALL - STAFFORD - DAY
Gerard and the DP walk down a hall making small talk when Burton Green
catches up with them for a confrontation.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
(to Gerard)
... court order situation is very complicated.
I don't know what can be done about it...
BURTON GREEN
Phil? Did you both get the messages I sent you
last night?
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Yes. Just a few minutes ago. He's due in at
noon today to surrender?
BURTON GREEN
That's what I wanted to talk to you about. If
you have anything new, I'd like to hear about
it.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
I guess you would. But we're under no
obligation to hand you our case. If we've got
something, you'll find out in court.
BURTON GREEN
That's the way it goes?
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
You know the law.
BURTON GREEN
And so do you. You know I can be back here in a
half an hour with an affidavit of discovery.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
I doubt if you can, Burt, but you can try if
you want to.
Gerard's moral streak gets the better of him.
GERARD
(to the DP)
Let him see it.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
(to Burton Green)
All right. The report's in my office. I'll meet
you there.
The DP, slightly annoyed at having to reveal their case, heads for his
office. Burton Green, slightly stunned at Gerard's fair play, stares
at Gerard.
BURTON GREEN
(to Gerard)
Thank you.
Gerard betrays no emotion and merely checks his watch.
GERARD
You're running short of time.
BURTON GREEN
(follows the DP)
I know.
Burt and Gerard go their separate ways.
CUT TO:
EXT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT HOUSE - CHICAGO - DAY
In an alley behind the building, J.J. looks on as Kimble and Captain
Eckhardt confer.
KIMBLE
I wanted to talk to you once more before I turn
myself in.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
What about?
KIMBLE
Anything. Everything... See, after I surrender,
that's it. After that, it's all you.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Uh, J.J., why don't you go upstairs and see if
your mother needs any errands to run?
J.J. ECKHARDT
No. I want to stay.
KIMBLE
(to Capt. Eckhardt)
Is there something you can't say?
The captain gives Kimble an odd look.
J.J. ECKHARDT
What's wrong, Dad?
KIMBLE
Look, if you have any doubts, please tell me.
Now.
J.J. ECKHARDT
You're not gonna pull out on the guy, are ya?
Capt. Eckhardt grows increasingly irritated.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Of course not.
KIMBLE
You see, my sister... feels there's something
wrong.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Well, what do you mean, wrong?
KIMBLE
She doesn't know exactly. It's just that...
well, she doesn't like the way Lt. Gerard is
acting.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(sharply)
Now, look, I gave you my word that I'd testify
for you, didn't I? It even cost me a good job.
KIMBLE
I'm sorry. I didn't know.
Captain Eckhardt regains his composure.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Well, forget it. I hadn't planned to tell you.
(to J.J.)
J.J., not a word to Mother. She doesn't know
yet.
J.J. nods.
KIMBLE
Well, uh... Bus'll be leaving pretty soon.
Thanks. Good-bye.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Good-bye.
Kimble trudges off down the alley, looking back at the Eckhardts.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY HALL - STAFFORD - DAY
People come and go on the front steps.
CUT TO:
INT. BURTON GREEN'S OFFICE - STAFFORD - DAY
Donna and Burton Green are in the middle of an argument.
BURTON GREEN
I know. But I can't do it. I just can't do it.
DONNA
But it's almost like he's just walking into a
trap.
BURTON GREEN
Maybe. But there's still the chance the jury
will believe Eckhardt.
DONNA
A chance? Burt, we're talking about Dick's life,
not some... lottery ticket!
BURTON GREEN
Donna, I told Dick I am not just a lawyer. I
am part of the legal machinery. I cannot help
him avoid arrest.
DONNA
At least tell me how I can get in touch with
him.
Reluctantly, Burt pulls out his notebook, opens it to a certain page,
and shows it to Donna. She grabs Burt's phone and dials.
CUT TO:
INT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT - CHICAGO - DAY
Mrs. Eckhardt, clearing the breakfast table, answers the RINGING phone.
MRS. ECKHARDT
Hello?
(beat)
Yes, I know who you are.
(beat)
Yes, he's with my husband now. They're
downstairs somewhere.
For the rest of the phone call, we CUT BACK AND FORTH between Mrs.
Eckhardt in Chicago and Donna in Stafford. Behind Donna stands Burt,
arms folded, staring out the window.
DONNA
Tell my brother not to come in. Uh, do you
understand? Tell him not to come.
MRS. ECKHARDT
Yes. Well, what is it?
DONNA
Does the name Eddie Bragg mean anything to you?
MRS. ECKHARDT
Well, I... No, I don't think so. Who is he?
DONNA
I-I think your husband probably knows. Just
tell my brother to stay there, all right, Mrs.
Eckhardt?
MRS. ECKHARDT
Yes. Yes, I'll do that.
Mrs. Eckhardt hangs up. Donna hangs up and looks at Burt who continues
to stare.
CUT TO:
INT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT - CHICAGO - DAY
Mrs. Eckhardt goes to the closet to fetch her coat just as J.J. and the
captain return.
MRS. ECKHARDT
I was just coming to get you.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
What for?
MRS. ECKHARDT
Well, they don't want Dr. Kimble to come now.
Where is he?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Well, he already left. What's the matter?
MRS. ECKHARDT
Well, I didn't understand. It was about some
man, uh, Eddie Bragg.
Captain Eckhardt turns pale and sinks into a chair. His wife and son
look at him, puzzled. The captain's eyes meet his wife's.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(to Mrs. Eckhardt)
It's that, uh, salesman.
Suddenly, she understands.
MRS. ECKHARDT
(upset)
Oh, Jim, what are we going to do?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Stop Kimble. We've got to stop him.
The captain rises at once and limps hurriedly out the door. A
mystified J.J. looks at his stunned mother.
J.J. ECKHARDT
(to Mrs. Eckhardt)
I don't get it.
(runs out the door)
Dad! Wait! I'm coming with you!
CUT TO:
EXT. SOUTH SIDE BUS TERMINAL - CHICAGO - DAY
From a garage at 419 & 433 S. Spring Street, the interstate bus
from Illinois to Indiana is just pulling out.
CUT TO:
INT. BUS - DAY
Kimble is aboard the crowded bus, bound for Stafford. An OVERWEIGHT
MAN reads a newspaper.
CUT TO:
EXT. ECKHARDT'S APARTMENT HOUSE - DAY
J.J. and the captain get into their car and drive off.
CUT TO:
INT. ECKHARDT'S CAR - DAY
The captain is at the wheel with J.J. beside him.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
He did say bus, didn't he?
J.J. ECKHARDT
Yeah. Dad, what's this all about?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(changing the subject)
We'll head for the South Side terminal.
They turn a corner.
CUT TO:
INT. BUS - EN ROUTE TO STAFFORD - DAY
The Overweight Man looks up from his newspaper with an odd expression
on his face and turns to stare at Kimble. Kimble's eyes meet his. The
Overweight Man keeps staring. Kimble nervously averts his gaze.
The Overweight Man looks down at his paper and we see the headline on
the front page of the Daily Chronicle: KIMBLE TO SURRENDER. A smaller
headline reads: Murder Suspect to Turn Self Over to District Attorney.
The story is illustrated with yet another reproduction of Kimble's mug
shot. The Overweight Man looks from the mug shot to Kimble, sitting a
few seats behind him. He can't believe he's on the same bus as Richard
Kimble.
Kimble looks up to see the Overweight Man staring at him. The
Overweight Man goes back to reading the paper. Kimble looks away,
certain that he's been recognized.
CUT TO:
EXT. SOUTH SIDE BUS TERMINAL - CHICAGO - DAY
Eckhardt's car pulls out of the station.
CUT TO:
INT. ECKHARDT'S CAR - DAY
The captain drives. J.J. sits beside him. Their mood is tense.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Where'd he say the bus leaves the highway?
J.J. ECKHARDT
Not until the 7-A junction, just outside of
Stafford. He thinks we'll have a tough time
catching it.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
We'd better get moving.
CUT TO:
INT. BURTON GREEN'S OFFICE - STAFFORD - DAY
Donna joins Burton Green at the window. They peer down at a small
crowd of police, journalists, and gawkers, congregating in front of the
city hall.
DONNA
They're gathering out there.
BURTON GREEN
I know.
DONNA
Shouldn't you tell them he isn't coming?
BURTON GREEN
We're not sure he isn't coming.
CUT TO:
EXT. JUNCTION 31 - DAY
Kimble's bus makes a turn at Junction 31 and keeps on going.
CUT TO:
INT. KIMBLE'S BUS - EN ROUTE TO STAFFORD - DAY
The Overweight Man folds up his paper, rises, and crosses to a nervous
Kimble. The large man bends over and whispers to him.
OVERWEIGHT MAN
I recognized ya.
KIMBLE
What?
OVERWEIGHT MAN
If it was me, I'd never turn myself in. I
don't care who my witness was. Just thought
you'd like to know.
The Overweight Man returns to his seat. Kimble cautiously looks around
to see if anyone has overheard. As the Overweight Man sits, he and
Kimble exchange glances. Kimble's not sure what to make of this
little encounter.
CUT TO:
EXT. JUNCTION 31 - DAY
Eckhardt's car makes the turn at Junction 31 and keeps on going.
CUT TO:
INT. ECKHARDT'S CAR - EN ROUTE TO STAFFORD - DAY
The captain suddenly decides to talk. J.J. listens intently.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
You wanna know about Eddie Bragg. All right,
J.J., I'll tell ya. You start with a lot of
pain. I mean, real pain. First time, in a
field hospital, you're screaming, begging for
them to stop it. And they stop it. Then the
pain comes back and they stop it again. Later,
an operation. Another operation. Every time,
the pain. And every time, they stop it. One
day, you get a different kind of pain. Only
this time, you stop it yourself. Understand,
son. I was hooked.
J.J. ECKHARDT
You?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Eddie Bragg is a pusher. A dope pusher in
Chicago. I stopped there on my way back to
Stafford, two years ago. Three days before that
Kimble thing. Made a contact with him. Bought
some morphine. A week's supply. Thought I'd
kicked the habit. I had this... one relapse.
I haven't touched it since. That's the truth.
But if they've got Bragg, they'll say I was on
narcotics that night. And I was just dreaming.
Seeing things...
J.J. lowers his head. The captain glances at him.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY HALL - STAFFORD - DAY
Gerard, in his patented arms-behind-the-back pose, stands with the
Deputy Prosecutor on the stone steps of City Hall waiting for Kimble
to show.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
Looks like they must have gotten through to
Kimble.
Gerard studies the faces of Burton Green and Donna as they emerge from
the building behind him.
GERARD
I doubt it. Green doesn't look that confident.
We PULL BACK from Gerard to reveal the ever-increasing mob of
photographers, journalists, police officers, and onlookers, etc.,
crowding the steps. Donna and Burt look especially worried. Gerard
checks his watch. It's just past noon.
GERARD
He ought to be here by now.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
There's the interstate bus.
Gerard sees it. Donna and Burt see it. Everyone sees it. The tension
mounts. The police have to hold back the media vultures as the bus
rolls to a stop at the curb. Gerard tries to show no emotion. The bus
door swings open. A woman with a suitcase climbs out. Gerard almost
allows himself a grin. Burt looks on intently. Donna even more so.
The next one off the bus is the Overweight Man. The bus door SLAMS shut
behind him. He smiles a quietly triumphant smile at the waiting crowd
who simply stare at him. The bus pulls away from the curb. No Kimble.
The Overweight Man waves at the crowd with his finger, adjusts his hat,
and walks off happily.
Gerard looks down, disappointed. Donna and Burt are slightly relieved.
The rest of the crowd looks around, wondering if Kimble might be
arriving by some other form of transportation.
CUT TO:
EXT. JUST OUTSIDE OF STAFFORD - DAY
Eckhardt's car, parked by the side of the road. J.J. stands apart from
his father with his arms folded, looking away. An angry Kimble,
leaning against a tree, tries to control his emotions as he listens to
the captain explain.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I never saw Bragg again. I... I put it out of
my mind. I know saying I'm sorry isn't going
to help.
KIMBLE
Why did you even start, knowing what you did?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Well, the odds against it coming out were so
great.
KIMBLE
Well, you could've told me, let me decide.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
Look, I'm still willing to go on the stand.
Even with Bragg, they might believe me.
KIMBLE
And if they don't?
Kimble turns away from the captain. J.J. crosses to Kimble and grabs
his arm, ready to stick up for his father.
J.J. ECKHARDT
Look, my Dad stuck his neck out for you. He
tried. They could have found out about him.
But he tried. And he's still ready to go
through with it. What do you call that?
Kimble exchanges glances with the captain and nods in agreement.
Kimble's anger fades.
KIMBLE
You're right, J.J. Come on, let's get out of
here.
Kimble puts a hand on J.J.'s shoulder and the two of them cross to
Eckhardt's car. The captain gives his son a thoughtful look before
limping after them.
FADE OUT
EXT. CITY HALL - STAFFORD - DAY
FADE IN on the front steps where the crowd has thinned out considerably.
Only a few people remain, among them Burton Green and Donna. The Deputy
Prosecutor turns to Gerard, still in his rigid, arms-behind-the-back
posture.
DEPUTY PROSECUTOR
(to Gerard)
Well, I've got better things to do than stand
out here like a fool. Kimble isn't gonna show.
DONNA
Thank God.
Burton Green and Donna walk off.
BURTON GREEN
(to Donna)
Come on, I'll drive you home.
As Donna and Burt reach the sidewalk, Eckhardt's car pulls up to the
curb. J.J. and the captain get out and confer with them.
BURTON GREEN
(to Capt. Eckhardt)
You reached him?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
(nods sadly)
Oh, the trouble I've caused everyone. I--
DONNA
Don't apologize. I know how hard it must have
been for you to tell Dick.
CAPT. ECKHARDT
I think he understood.
BURTON GREEN
Did your son know?
CAPT. ECKHARDT
No. I figured he wasn't old enough. But I was
wrong.
(puts a hand on J.J.'s shoulder)
He's bigger than I thought.
J.J. and the captain, each seeing the other in a new light, return to
the car. Donna sees that Gerard is the only person still waiting for
Kimble. Keeping his arms behind his back, Gerard joins Donna and Burt
on the sidewalk.
BURTON GREEN
(grins at Gerard)
Lieutenant? How do you feel about Kimble now?
Even though there won't be a trial, the captain
did see the one-armed man.
GERARD
(contemptuous)
Take the word of a junkie? You're not serious.
Gerard walks off. A shocked Donna and Burt watch him go.
DONNA
He can't really believe that about Captain
Eckhardt.
BURTON GREEN
He has to.
Donna gives Burt a look as he stares thoughtfully at Gerard.
CUT TO:
EXT. ANOTHER BUS - FAR FROM STAFFORD - DAY
That afternoon. The bus roars down a country road.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
A witness has seen the one-armed man....
CUT TO:
INT. BUS - DAY
Kimble sits inside, just another passenger. He smokes a cigarette and
stares off into space, lost in thought.
NARRATOR (v.o.)
... Richard Kimble has had confirmed what he
had almost begun to doubt himself. And a
phantom seen by two men can be seen again.
FADE OUT
Last revised: 13 April 2001