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• Plot Synopses

Noah Grafton................Cyril Delevanti
George W. Penfield..........Regis Toomey
Tippy Penfield..............Barbara Bouchet
Left-Handed Man.............Charles Dierkop
Angie.......................Judy Lang
Cabrillo....................Michael Barrier

I don't know where we're going but I do know we've got to get there fast!--Lee Crane

On a plane in flight, a man puts on a parachute, speaks briefly with an older man, and jumps. As the parachute unfurls, the older man turns with a satisfied expression.

At NIMR, Nelson drives to his home and is about to enter when a whispered voice calls to him from the bushes. The man identifies himself as Cabrillo from ONI, and after confirming that he is legitimate, Nelson asks him in; Cabrillo begs off, as he's been followed all day, and tells Nelson why he's there--"Penfield must be stopped!" More specifically, George W. Penfield must not be approved as the new US secretary of defense. He hands Nelson a matchbook, telling him that someone will come to his office the next day with an identical book and more information. He turns and leaves as Nelson goes through his door, but is almost immediately killed by the man who jumped from the plane--the Left-Handed Man. (Referred to as LHM from here on.)

A newspaper headline: "New Defense Chief on Tour: Penfield to tour Seaview." Crane takes Penfield for a demonstration flight on the flying sub; Penfield seems a bit nervous, and Crane clearly enjoys putting the sub through its paces, showing Penfield just what she is capable of.

Back on the Seaview, Sharkey asks Morton why Crane has taken "that guy" up for a ride in the Flying Sub. Morton informs him that "that guy" is George W. Penfield, one of the most important men in the country, the next US Secretary of Defense, and has as much right as anyone to be there. "Oh, sure!" says Sharkey, pretending he knew that all along.

Meanwhile at NIMR, an attractive young blonde woman is at the desk of Nelson's secretary, Angie. She says she wants to see Nelson and is told that he has cancelled all his appointments. She replies that that's okay--she doesn't have one anyway--and tosses Angie a matchbook. Angie compares it with the one given Nelson by Cabrillo, and the woman goes into Nelson's office. She identifies herself as Tippy Penfield, daughter of George W. Penfield himself, and when Nelson asks her what she wants of him, she tells him he must prevent her father from becoming Secretary of Defense. Nelson objects--he barely knows her father and what he does know is all good. She asks what he would do if he had proof that Penfield's appointment could cause a threat to the safety of the country; Nelson replies that of course he would ask to testify before the Senate to present such proof if he had it. Tippy asks him to go to Los Angeles with her--the proof is there, hidden in a travel agency.

Shortly thereafter, at that same travel agency, the LHM is ransacking the place, searching for something--something he is unable to find. He lights a flare and starts a fire. When Nelson and Tippy show up, he looks at them and smiles, then lifts his right arm, removes a false hand, and shoots at them with a poison dart. They separate and the dart hits the wall between them. Nelson advances on the man and they scuffle briefly; the LHM then pulls a display of travel folders over on Nelson and makes his escape through the rear of the agency. Tippy helps Nelson up, and he attempts to follow the LHM while Tippy takes a picture down from a wall and removes the film that was taped behind it.

Back at NIMR, Nelson and Tippy watch a tape, made secretly by Tippy, in which Penfield is seen meeting with the older man from the plane--it's Noah Grafton. Also on the tape is the LHM. Nelson wants to assign a guard to Tippy, fearing for her safety, but she says they'd never dare hurt her. As they continue to watch the film, Penfield and Grafton are seen examining a model of the Flying Sub. Nelson turns on the light; "Noah Grafton" he muses, "the most hated man in the country." "Why not?" says Tippy--he's never made any secret of his sympathy for the Iron Curtain countries. Now Nelson sees what she meant.

Meanwhile, on the Seaview, Penfield is entertaining the officers in the observation nose with a story about the current Secretary of State. Crane is called away and leaves the area.

At NIMR, Angie brings Nelson a still photograph made from Tippy's film, and tells him that Crane is ready on the video phone. When he comes on the line, Nelson tells him he must find some excuse to keep Penfield out of the Flying Sub. Of course it's too late for that, and Crane tells him so. Nelson asks Crane about Penfield, and Crane tells him that Penfield is a great guy, and all the crew are quite impressed with him.Nelson then tells Crane not to let Penfield see any top security equipment that may be on the Seaview. When Crane asks why, Nelson says he will tell him when he can, and adds an order to maintain radio silence throughout the rest of Penfield's visit, then signs off. Crane looks confused--how will he pull this off without offending Penfield?

Afterward, Angie brings Nelson a note from ONI confirming Cabrillo's identity as an agent. He asks her to send a note to the US Senate asking to testify at Penfield's hearing. "Is that all?" she asks. "Isn't that enough?" laughs Nelson.

It doesn't take long before the whole country knows of Nelson's plans, as we see a newspaper headline reading "Nelson Denounces Penfield, Opposes President's Choice."

On the Seaview, Crane and Morton listen to a radio report describing Nelson's actions and saying that it's the first time the retired admiral has ever taken a political stance. Crane asks Morton if Penfield knows about this; Morton says no, since Crane had ordered him told that communications were out. It won't be long, however, since they are nearly back to Santa Barbara.

At NIMR, Nelson asks Angie if she has ever heard of Noah Grafton. She thinks for a moment, then says yes, isn't he the one who's always behind the Iron Curtain making fun of our country? Yes, says Nelson--the question is, how much of that is real and how much is a pose? Angie says she knows one thing for certain--he'll never win any popularity contests!

Back on the Seaview, which has reached Santa Barbara, Crane says goodbye to Penfield, apologizing for the news that greeted him on arrival. Penfield takes it in stride, saying "If you don't have the hide of a rhinoceros, you don't belong in politics!" Crane tells Morton to make sure Penfield isn't bothered by reporters on his way out.

In his office at NIMR, Nelson calls Grafton on the video phone; he asks if Grafton has heard of his plans, and of course Grafton has, calling his upcoming testimony a mistake he may "live to regret." When he asks whether Grafton has ever met Penfield personally, Grafton says no. As he cuts off the connection, Nelson looks at the photo of Grafton and Penfield together.

Night falls. The LHM, hiding in a parked car on the NIMR compound, exits and climbs up the fire escape to Nelson's office. He sees Angie typing, through the window, removes his false hand, and aims the dart gun at her. Fortunately, she sees him in a mirror, screams and ducks; having failed, he retreats quickly. Nelson runs out of his office, helps her up, calls security, and retrieves the dart.

As security drives up and enters the building, the LHM emerges from the bushes and steals their jeep. He drives off, followed by another security team. A short-lived chase follows, ended when he hides the jeep and then himself. The guards approach; he lifts his arm to fire, but they leave and consequently live.

Crane has arrived at Nelson's office. Nelson shows him the dart. Crane wants to know the connection between it and Nelson's plans to testify against Penfield. He asks if Nelson has enough evidence to convince the Senate; when Nelson replies that he has enough evidence to convince himself, Crane reminds him that if the Senate doesn't believe him, his career is over. "Don't you think I know that?" says Nelson, annoyed. Just then Nelson receives a call from a Lasher, from the White House switch board. He takes the call, an attempt to convince him not to testify, as the president feels very strongly about Penfield as a candidate. They have been receiving a number of anti-Nelson telegrams from the public. After the call ends, he tells Crane he'll be spending the night on board Seaview and wants maximum security. Crane leaves to take care of it.

As he packs his briefcase and leaves his office, asking Angie whether security has found the intruder--they have not--and saying that the two of them might as well go home, it's been a long day. "And not over yet," says Angie, pointing to Tippy Penfield waiting there. He sends Angie home.

After Angie leaves, Tippy walks over to Nelson and kisses him. Not that he's objecting, says Nelson, but what was that for? For doing what she asked, she says. Now she has one more thing to ask of him: call it off. She is afraid of what might happen to him--and to her. When he offers her protection she says she isn't even there of her own free will--but can tell him no more. She was only supposed to change his mind. She smiles and says "I guess I'm pretty much of a flop as a temptress." Nelson smiles and disagrees--she's very good at it--but nothing can change his mind.

On the Seaview Crane tells the crew about the needed security measures, adding that Nelson has good reason to believe that an attempt will be made on his life that night. If so, Nelson wants a prisoner, not a corpse.

That night, while Nelson sleeps in his cabin, the LHM boards Seaview and searches for him. As he makes his way through the ship, he's seen by Kowalski, who tackles him. Nelson hears the ruckus, takes out his gun, and goes to see what's going on. By the time he gets there, Kowalski and Sharkey are pulling the LHM to his feet. Nelson tells them to bring him to security--he's taking the LHM with him to Washington the next day, where he'll make an excellent exhibit.

At the airport, Crane sees Nelson and Kowalski, who is guarding the LHM, off. They're at a rear entry to avoid the press. He watches a driver take them to their plane, then leaves. On board, Nelson looks concerned--the plane is empty--but the pilot assures them that they are only taxiing to the main runway to pick up the other passengers. Nelson relaxes, until he realizes that they aren't taxiing after all--they're taking off! He is even angrier when Tippy comes out, acting as stewardess and apologizing, saying that she "had to do it," that the plane is owned by Grafton, and that her father will make sure that no one gets hurt. Nelson is not impressed.

Smiling, Crane enters Angie's office at NIMR and asks why she wanted to see him. Worried, she says that the airport reported that Nelson never boarded his flight. Crane says that's impossible, since he saw him off himself, but soon realizes that Nelson must have boarded another flight, and asks Angie to get him a list of all flights that left at around that time.

On Grafton's plane, Kowalski is eating the tray of food served by Tippy, but Nelson is not. She takes the trays, saying they will be landing soon.

Back at NIMR, Crane calls Chip, telling him to ready the Flying Sub. Angie brings him a list of flights, including Noah Grafton's private plane--Crane immediately realizes that must be the one.

The plane has landed, and Nelson, Kowalski and the LHM enter a sumptuously decorated room. Grafton turns to greet them, saying "Welcome to Grafton Hall."

The flying sub takes Crane, Morton, and Sharkey to Grafton's estate; when asked why, Crane says he has reason to believe that Nelson is being held there. If not, he's dead.

As Grafton talks to his "guests," Nelson is unconcerned, saying that surely his people will realize where he has been taken and come after him. Tippy breaks in, explaining why this isn't necessarily so, when Grafton cuts her off, saying rudely that he "can't abide a chattering woman." Nelson finishes his speech, and Penfield comes in. Tippy runs up and takes his arm, saying that they won't dare hurt anyone now. Grafton laughs and explains Penfield is wholly his creation, and comments on the irony of the nations most beloved citizen being controlled by the most despised man in the country. Penfield has helped Grafton achieve many of his goals, and will be even more helpful now that he's certain to become the new US Secretary of State--not that Nelson will be around to see it!

The flying sub prepares to land.

Grafton tells Nelson that Penfield thought that they could persuade Nelson not to testify by threatening his life. Grafton, of course, knew this was not so. He then explains his plan--he will tell anyone who investigates that Nelson accepted a ride in Grafton's private plane, and there was an unfortunate accident in the mountains, killing him. Nelson, of course, will be dead before ever boarding this plane. The LHM smiles and starts to remove his false hand.

Just then, Crane is led into the room by Grafton's guards. When Grafton sends them out to look for others, Crane tells them not to bother, he came alone; of course they go anyway. Nelson comments that this will be more work for the LHM; Grafton tells him not to worry, "he loves his work." As the LHM aims his arm, Morton, on a balcony, drops a smoke grenade. In the confusion, one guard shoots and hits Penfield. Tippy runs to him. A fight ensues, with Nelson following Grafton to the door when he tries to escape. The LHM shoots at Nelson, but hits Grafton by mistake.

On the Seaview, Crane, Morton, and Nelson read the paper--the headline reads "Nation Mourns Death of Patriot," a full page on the passing of Penfield. They discuss the event, Morton saying that Penfield didn't deserve such a send-off. Crane feels sorry for Tippy, who "seems like a good kid." Nelson comments on the irony of Grafton's death being bumped to page three by the death of his creation.