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Paul explains how he met Brad Capo
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The plot:
At the US Embassy in Greece, Paul is shown photos of Brad Capo by American agents. He says that he met the man in Athens when a motorbike came out of an alley, and would have run into him had Capo, a stranger at the time, not knocked him out of harm's way.
Paul adds that Capo had reservations to go skiing near the Albanian border, and that Paul joined him there for a few days.
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Paul is told that he's wanted to work on a case in Albania
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The agents tell him that Capo is being held in Albania for espionage, and has written a letter to Paul, asking him to go there and act as his counsel.
They show him the letter, explaining that this is a common practice in Eastern Europe.
Paul says that he doesn't want to defend a guilty man, but is told categorically that Capo is in no way associated with US Intelligence.
Arrangements are made through the Swiss Embassy for Paul's travel to Albania, and he is briefed for the trip.
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Gradec stresses his loyalty
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On arrival in Tirana Paul presents his credentials to Colonel Zabian who tells him to report daily to his aide, and not to leave the city without written permission.
He also introduces Paul to the Albanian lawyer Peter Gradec who is to defend Capo. Gradec immediately points to his loyalty to the government, saying that he has been assigned the case only because of his fluency in English.
Colonel Zabian says that Paul is to be housed with an American host.
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Zabian says Capo will have a fair trial and be executed
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The man will also act as guide an interpreter, someone the colonel calls a refugee from American imperialism.
Paul says that he remembers the case of Sergeant Dave Corbett who defected when having to face a court martial for black marketeering.
The colonel calls this a distortion, and says that Paul is welcome to be on the case so that there will be no such distortions when Brad Capo is tried, convicted and executed. He then leaves the room to Corbett, Paul and Gradec.
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There is immediate hostility between Paul and Corbett
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Corbett says that he cleared Paul's luggage through customs, and has it in his car, then feeling that he needs to comment on the uncomfortable situation, adds that he doesn't like the setup any more than Paul does, and suggests that if Paul wants to change it, he should ask the authorities.
Paul counters by asking why Corbett doesn't tell them he doesn't like it himself. then intimates that Corbett wouldn't be allowed to, and with great irony, congratulates him on his escape from American imperialism.
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Gradec says he'd like to meet privately with Paul
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Outside, Gradec suggests getting together with Paul who wonders why, since the lawyer's message was clear when he noted why he is on the case.
Gradec replies that he is not brave, but is a good attorney who sometimes forgets he's not brave when trying a case.
Paul apologizes, and offers to meet the lawyer next day.
Gradec suggests that they meet alone at a café, and they part on amicable terms.
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Corbett introduces his wife
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Corbett drives Paul to the home he shares with his wife Linda who is listening to the American Armed Forces radio station when they come in.
After introducing his wife and showing Paul where his room is, Corbett looks crossly at Linda - who says that she was only listening to the music - and shuts off the radio.
She runs out of the room, shouting that she wants to hear music - and voices - in her own language.
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Paul tells Linda that Capo is not a spy
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When Paul goes into his room, Linda is there, offering to bring fresh water. Paul opens his suitcase, and takes out a photo. When Linda returns with the water, she asks if it's the spy he is defending.
“He's no spy,” Paul tells her, and asks her what she knows about the case. Linda says that police and soldiers are searching the building and area where Capo was arrested, adding that whatever information he had must have come from Lazlo Maymet. Paul recognizes the name, and looks through his notes.
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Linda supplies political information
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Maymet was a leader of the country's postwar revolution, now Under Secretary in Albania's Department of Defense. Paul says that if Capo is supposed to have bought secrets from Maymet, then the politician should be arrested too. Linda tells Paul that she overheard in one of her husband's phone calls that Maymet had been arrested, but the news wasn't released yet, then stops herself, and says that she shouldn't have said anything. “You never said it,” Paul replies. Linda says she's pleased to have talked to Paul, and is just leaving to start dinner when her husband calls her sharply.
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Gradec supplies more political background
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The next day Paul meets Gradec in an outdoor café, and asks him about Lazlo Maymet, hearing that, though a hero of the revolution, the man is sometimes in, sometimes out, but never holds a top position, possibly because he opposes Albania's close contact with China.
Gradec says that many people idolize Maymet, and others just agree with him, so Paul surmises that the government is afraid of him, and therefore plans to prove he gave military secrets to the Americans in order to silence him permanently.
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Brad Capo is dragged from a van to the Ministry
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Just then, there is a commotion with sirens and government vehicles. Two men are pulled out of a van by soldiers, and rushed into an official building. One is Brad Capo, looking as if he's been beaten.
When Paul returns to the Corbetts around 1 am, the radio is playing, and turning it off,he accidentally wakes Linda who is sleeping on the sofa since Paul is using her room. He asks her why she doesn't go back to the US, and she answers that the Albanians won't let her leave.
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Linda says she knows a route out of Albania
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Linda then asks Paul if he'd take her out of the country, but he says he wishes he could, but wouldn't be able to if the Albanians forbid it. She tells him that she knows a way of going by sea to Italy, but just hasn't the courage to try. Before going to his room, Paul tells Linda again how sorry he is that he can't help her.
The following day Paul is allowed to visit Brad Capo in his cell. They exchange greetings, and Paul asks Capo what happened.
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Capo removes a bug from under the table
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Their conversation is being recorded, and Brad places his wristwatch over the bug under a table to drown out their voices, so he can speak to Paul without being overheard.
Capo's first words in private are to tell Paul to get out of Albania that very night. Paul says that he doesn't want to leave Capo with the unfair trial and sentence that can be expected.
When Paul asks if Capo knows that he's being used to discredit a member of the regime, the prisoner says he's aware of the Maymet situation.
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Capo admits to being a spy for the US
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But Capo then drops a bombshell when he admits to being guilty of the espionage charges against him, a member of the US Intelligence team.
Paul points out that the men at the American Embassy said Capo wasn't, but the self-proclaimed spy says it needed to be kept a secret before Paul's arrival in Tirana, and that even his wife and children don't know. He declares that there is nothing Paul can do to save him, and Paul responds that there must be some way to get him out of the prison. Capo repeats that it's hopeless.
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Capo says to find the microfilm and disappear
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“Then, why did you send for me?” Paul asks. Capo explains that the reason was that they needed a courier to get out some microfilm of the documents and plans he got from Maymet, adding that, lacking intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Chinese are building sites in Albania to launch nuclear weapons. Capo gives Paul the complex directions for finding the microfilm inside a small steel cap. Paul says that he has questions about all this, but Capo tells him to disappear as soon as he has the microfilm, and not risk using his passport. Before he can say more, they are interrupted and Paul is ordered to leave.
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Linda explains the route out of Albania
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With the idea of following Capo's instructions, Paul gets help from Linda who gives him a map with the places marked to get him out of the country by the route she knows. But he needs a car to take them the long distance involved.
Hearing Corbett at the door, they disperse, and Paul turns on the radio playing music on the American station. Corbett tells him to shut it off or change the station, but Paul insists that he wants to keep this one on to keep in touch with what's going on in America.
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Corbett moves to shut the radio off
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“I don't,” replies Corbett, reaching for the radio, but Paul stops him, asking, “why not? Because you'll choke in guilt?” Corbett tells him to let go, and not try and start something with him.
The tension is broken by the phone ringing, and Paul shuts off the radio, mumbling about the call possibly being from Corbett's leader.
It is indeed Colonel Zabian asking him to come in, and Corbett is heard saying that he anticipates that the assignment may keep him out all night.
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Linda begs her husband not to leave
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Linda appeals to her husband not to go, saying that she is sick, and he's known that since this morning.
Paul suggests Corbett leaves his car so that he can take her to a doctor if necessary, and before hanging up, Corbett tells Colonel Zabian that he's having car trouble, and needs to be picked up.
He leaves again, and after telling Linda to get her things together, Paul consults the map and then goes out. observing a man who's been shadowing him since his arrival in the country.
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Paul corners the man who's been following him
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Trapped by Paul in a alley, the man identifies himself as George Kerpantos, an agent of the US government. He says that Brad Capo arranged the chance meeting in Athens with Paul by hiring a trick cyclist, and that Capo is an agent working for China and Albania. The plan is not to try Capo for espionage, but rather prominent lawyer Paul Bryan, and then trade him for one of their own spies who was arrested in New York. Paul gets into Kerpantos' car, and they drive away to talk in private. Colonel Zabian is meanwhile outlining the plan to follow Paul's journey to the sea at checkpoints along the road.
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Kerpantos advises Paul to get the microfilm
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Kerpantos tells Paul that he should go to the Swiss Embassy tomorrow, but Paul says that Capo told him to leave tonight, and to pick up the microfilm first. Though Paul now feels certain that the documents can only be junk, Kerpantos says they may be worth picking up because they'll also represent the evidence used to convict Maymet, and the Albanian authorities don't expect Paul to get away with them.
Kerpantos says Paul should transfer the microfilm to him, as he can easily cross the border and guarantee delivery to the Americans.
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Kerpantos shows Paul his finding device
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He adds that the Albanians will be expecting Paul to pick up the documents, but Kerpantos would be arrested, were he to attempt retrieving them.
When he asks Paul about the escape plan, Paul says that everything has been provided for him, now aware that Linda has been setting him up.
Kerpantos gives Paul instructions for transferring the microfilm, listens to the escape plan, and studies the map to see how he can help.
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The Colonel follows Paul's progress
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Linda is upset when Paul gets back later than expected, and as soon as they leave in her husband's car, Corbett reports it to Colonel Zabian and a Chinese general as they follow Paul's progress to pick up the microfilm and escape.
Some while after passing their first check point, Paul consults his map, and diverges from the assigned route to one given by Kerpantos. Linda notices the detour with great anxiety, and calls out to her husband who has been hiding in the back of the car.
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Corbett was hiding in the back seat
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He had gotten in the car while Paul was picking up the microfilm, and acknowledges that Paul is on to their plan. “Make him turn back,” Linda pleads, but he is aware that, at the speed Paul is driving on a dangerous road, they'd all be killed if he tried something.
Then Corbett adds, “I'm not sure I want him to turn back.” She tries to stop Paul herself, and screams, “I'm sick! What are you trying to do to me?” They swerve dangerously, but Corbett eventually manages to subdue his wife.
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Corbet says he would do anything but kill for his wife
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Paul wonders why Linda is so determined, and her husband says that she's a dope addict whose supply has been cut off until the operation is successful. She denies this, and says that her husband is the addict, but Corbett shows Paul her arm.
“I knew you would do something like this,” she says miserably, but Corbett replies, “I didn't even know I would do it myself. I love you, Linda. Enough to steal for you, enough to follow you here, just because they promised to keep you well supplied. But I don't love you enough to kill for you.”
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Linda becomes desperate
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Linda moans in pain, and says she knows that her husband has a gun he could use, but Corbett says that he's sick himself, sick of what the Albanians are doing to her and what she's doing to herself.
Back in his office Colonel Zabian takes note that Paul hasn't yet passed the second check point, and in the car, Linda is raving in pain, trying to get them to stop at a doctor's office, saying that no one had ever made her go so long without a fix. She says she only needs enough to get through the night, and will start fresh in the morning.
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Paul suggests tying Linda's hands
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Corbett encourages his wife to think about how wonderful it will be when she is well again - like when they were first married, but Linda opens the door, and tries to throw herself out, her husband just managing to grab her as the car veers dangerously. Paul suggests that Linda's hands should be tied at this point, and Corbett asks Paul if he knows where he's going. Paul tells him that he only has a rough idea, and that he's supposed to steal a boat and sail to Corfu. Corbett replies that it's only three kilometres, and asks, if he helps Paul to get the boat, what kind of sentence could he expect in an American court.
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They try to make a getaway
boat manages to leave shore
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“It will be rough,” Paul tells him, but adds that his help tonight and the reasons he left will be taken into consideration. Corbett then asks if Paul would consider defending a defector, and Paul replies, “why not? I almost defended an Albanian agent.”
Noting that they still haven't passed the check point, Colonel Zabian puts out a general alarm for the Corbett car
When they get to the sea, Paul opens the hood of the car to get a lead to start the boat, and tells Corbett to take his wife on board.
He's still trying to get it started when the police arrive, and begin shooting at the three. During the gun fight Corbett manages to hold them off just long enough for Paul to get the boat started, but Linda is shot dead and they make their getaway for Greece in a halo of bullets.
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