Laser Mission

May I introduce you to your Master of Ceremonies,

Ronald Sutherby.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Tonight is truly a marvelous occasion for we,

a select, privileged few,

to witness the unveiling of the most precious

and the largest diamond

to come from the continent of Africa.

Larger than the Hope, more spectacular than the Cullinan.

Measured at 526 carats.

It is a great pleasure to present to you,

the Verbig diamond.

And now what better way to mark this festive occasion

than to salute it with a bottle of champ...

Michael Gold.

American.

Are you here for pleasure or business, Mr. Gold?

A little of both, you might say.

What kind of business do you do?

People management and conduct behavior modification.

That sounds very interesting and dangerous work.

Let's put it this way, I'll always have a job.

Trouble is, are you always able to do the job?

You wouldn't happen to know

where I could get a good Cuban cigar, would you?

You Americans, with your sense of humor, it kills me.

Another time, another place.

Mind if I sit, Mr. Braun?

Oh no, no, sit.

It's a free country.

Actually, we have found it...

Who are you?

And how do you know me?

My name is Michael Gold.

I represent a group of concerned citizens

in the United States, sir.

Oh.

You're fond of birds.

Yes, yes, I have an affinity for them.

My daughter works...

What a strange approach.

What do you want, young man?

We want to help you.

We?

The Americans, you mean?

And how much are they willing to pay?

You want money?

Americans always seem to think that people want money.

There are other things.

Such as?

Freedom.

Ah, freedom.

Your people will keep me locked up for years.

And while they pick my brains, the Star War program grows,

and I will make my contribution to destroy mankind.

No thank you.

I want to build, not destroy.

You have special talents and abilities, sir.

Your research can't fall into the wrong hands.

It will not.

It will be all here.

Exactly, and we want to keep it there.

Are you acquainted with theoretical physics?

No, I specialized in recess and girls.

Ah, very funny.

But you see, I want to stop dreaming

about fire from heaven and melting men.

Lasers.

In America, you can write your own ticket.

I guarantee it.

Then I think we can talk.

I'll take your request back to my employers.

I'm sure they'll say yes.

Do not be too long, my boy.

Why?

Old age.

I expect your cooperation, Professor.

Nein! Nein!

So sorry to wake you like this, Mr. Gold.

You look a little nauseous.

No, I'm fine.

Fine?

You're in prison.

The people's court has found you guilty

of crimes against humanity.

I don't remember a trial.

You were asleep.

We whispered.

What charges?

Treason, espionage.

The death penalty.

Hanging?

Execution is at dawn tomorrow.

We will say goodbye then.

Unless.

Unless what?

No no, you're not the type.

Forget I mentioned it.

What's the offer?

Television.

A live appearance.

You tell the world you're a spy working for America.

I don't work for America.

No?

I work for money.

In a socialist state.

A present from the King of Belgium, 1907.

The blade needs sharpening.

Don't try to be funny to me, Mike.

I won't snivel in public.

Neither would I.

What'd you do to the professor?

You should only be concerned about tomorrow morning.

Rest well, Mr. Gold.

Haha, they're going to cut off your head manana.

Get back!

A complete and total failure!

You lost Braun.

You don't know where he is, you don't know who got him.

What didn't you do wrong?

I didn't get killed.

Hold it.

Just cut the dialogue, Gold.

You got lucky, especially considering that this is

the first assignment you had for this office.

You told me to contact Braun,

ask him his price to defect and report back.

I did my job.

Pay me and let me get the hell out of here.

Kiss my ass.

No!

You didn't tell me who he was or why he was so important!

You people blew this operation from the start!

Herr Braun is perhaps the world's leading expert

in laser weaponry,

and his presence in the Kavango means that the Soviet Block

is planning some sort of laser mission.

That could tip the balance of power

in the entire African continent.

Why didn't you tell me this before?

You still would've fucked it up.

You and me, anytime.

That's enough!

We didn't tell you, Michael, because you're a freelancer.

Freelancers have a nasty habit, changing sides.

I don't.

We don't know that.

He's right.

For all we know, you've already shopped Braun

to the highest bidder.

That didn't happen!

Prove it.

How?

Bring him back.

Are you insane?

That's a suicide mission.

I'm a wanted man in Kavango.

They want my head off!

They've got company.

Let's say I get him back.

What's in it for me?

I want more than just a boost in my CIA credit rating.

One million dollars. Too much.

Don't second guess me, dammit.

Anybody could have Braun now.

He's got a very dangerous mind.

We need him under our control or dead.

I like the old man.

You like a million dollars better.

Yeah, yeah, yeah,

and I'd like to be able to sleep nights

without worrying about some terrorist group

shooting airliners out of the sky with lasers.

I'm telling you, I want Braun on a plane to Washington

or I want him on a slab.

I'll do it.

But not for you.

And not for the money.

Come on, you're only in it for the money.

No, the old man wanted to go to America

and I gave him my word that he would.

You're just a government flunkie, Calloway.

I don't know why I expect you to understand.

Fair enough.

Contact his daughter, Alissa.

She's a doctor of veterinary medicine.

She's in Kuana.

And she's KGB.

You know, you guys really know how to win friends

and influence people.

Let's just see who gets to him first.

We're approaching the drop zone.

Standby.

Hit it!

Por favor

aquí.

Attention!

You men, what did you just see?

You fell out of the tree!

Wrong!