"I'm here for the special viewing." "Good morning, Mr. Phelps." "The woman you are looking at is Riva Santel, widow of the late president of San Cordova." "Riva has always been the actual power behind the throne." "And she arranged to make herself the focus of an intense personality cult." "The people of San Cordova have been systematically propagandized into revering her face and name." "In 72 hours, this man, Deputy Premiere Tomas Avilla, plans to announce free elections." "Before then, however, Riva intends to make a televised speech in which she will announce her takeover as dictator of San Cordova." "Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to stop the coup planned by Riva Santel, and to make possible free elections at San Cordova." "As always, if you or any of your IM Force should be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions." "This tape will self-destruct in ten seconds." "Good luck, Jim." "That's it." "Hold it." "Fine." "Her face is her fortune and her future." " Understand, Dr. Van Bergner?" " Perfectly." "How long will it take, doctor?" "With silicone injections here and here, then moulding by surgical laser beam, two hours." " Fast enough?" " Too fast." " Makeup kit?" " Enough for Mrs. Methuselah." "Willy." " Both rear doors." " Right." "How about the television setup, Barney?" "We'll be officially working for Trans-Americo Enterprises, Incorporate." " Have you got the letter, Rollin?" " Yes, I do, Jim." " Looks real." " The envelope is." "The letter's a forgery." "It's an excellent one." " It should convince her." " It will." "Riva Santel wants two things:" "Total power and eternal beauty." "We're going to offer her the chance to have both." "I merely want to make a farewell speech to the legislature as a last honour to my husband." "I cannot allow that." "You cannot allow it?" "By what right?" "As acting head of the government." "You forget, Seсor Avilla, that I was the government, not my husband." "I am the one the people will follow." "I am the one the people love." "Love?" "You mean fear." "You have tricked, cheated, lied to the people, or else imprisoned and killed those who opposed you." "Why do you think you're still free and alive?" "Because I have a use for you." "We could work together." "No." "I know what you really want." "To inflame the people." "To send them storming into the streets before free elections can be held." "I won't let you." "Not if I have to give my life to stop you." "I have instructions not to allow anyone into the presidential palace without a special pass." "Will you send this up, please?" "Yes, this is Arnoldo's handwriting." "Why would he plan something like that without letting one of us know?" "My husband was always capable of simpering little romantic gestures." "What does it matter why he did it?" "What could work into our plans better?" "Show them in, Raoul." " Seсora Santel." " Yes." "Frank Wendley, Trans-Americo Television." "This is Miss Carlton." "Candy Carlton." " How do you do?" " How do you do?" "This is..." "Was my husband's personal secretary, Raoul Lenz." " How do you do." " Seсor." "My husband's letter says nothing about the kind of programme he agreed to let you produce." "Well, it's to be a taped documentary for television to be shown worldwide." "Now, actually, it's a tour of the presidential palace with you as hostess and official guide." "Miss Carlton would be with you doing commentary." "She'll ask questions the audience would be interested in." "That sort of thing." "She's done this before at the White House," "Monaco and Windsor Castle." "It lends a certain intimacy to this sort of programme." "Of course, this was the thinking before your husband's sudden death." "Perhaps, now it would seem inappropriate." "Perhaps." "But still, as a tribute to my late husband..." "Of course, what better way to show the world what a wonderful man he was." "And to show how much San Cordova needs to continue his kind of leadership." "Exactly." "Raoul, you'll see to rooms for Mr. Wendley and Miss Carlton?" "Please." "Raoul." "Is there a new line here?" " No, no." " Are you sure?" "Yes." "Riva, you weren't listening to me." "I don't like it with Wendley and his cameras and equipment everywhere." "Now, everyone in the capital knows about this television documentary." "And you can be sure Avilla knows too." " Riva." " I heard you." "Then what are we going to do about it?" "Nothing." "I want Avilla to find out." "That is exactly why I agreed to this televised tour of the palace." "As long as he thinks this is just a documentary being done by Mr. Wendley, he will not suspect anything when we bring in our special crew to televise my speech to the people." "It's too harsh." "Take it down." "And soften it." "My apologies, seсora." "The lighting is not quite right." " Ed, I thought the lights were set." " I did too, Mr. Wendley." "Well, they're not." "It's my fault, Frank." "Ed used me to set the lights and of course, our colouring is so very different." "I think we could correct that, however, with makeup." "For instance, if we used a lighter base, then we could use a dark shadow here and it would make a very clean chin line." "Well, this face is quite familiar in my country." "I have had no complaints until now." "Seсora Santel's features are more famous than our flag." "You're absolutely right, and we're not going to do anything to tamper with an image that is synonymous with San Cordova." "The lighting is wrong, seсora." "If you'll relax a moment, we'll fix it." "Ed?" "Seсora Santel, I do owe you an apology." "Call me Riva." "Even the children call me that." "Riva." "Then you do forgive me?" " It was foolish of me to even suggest..." " Please, do not apologise." "It is I who should apologise to you." "After all, this is your profession." "And I should accept your advice." "I have known so many fantastic people in the theatre and learned such marvellous tricks." "You have been in the theatre?" "I've been in the theatre for more than fift..." "I've been in the theatre most of my life." "Up until recently." "How about that Candy?" ""Just recently. "" "Been 30 years since she was on Broadway." "I'd say it was more like 40 years." "Ed, Jimmy." "I lowered the key." "That should do it." "Get out to the tape van and get ready to roll tape." " Right." " Now, Seсora Santel," "Candy, I think we're ready." "Now, in order to get a feeling of real spontaneity, a true documentary flavour," "I want to do this all without a rehearsal." "Whatever you don't like, we can snip out." "We have an old saying:" ""The cameraman taketh, and the tape editor taketh away. "" " Understand?" " Yes." "Yes." " You ready, Candy?" " Anytime." "You're sure?" "I want to get this all in one take." "You'll have to be on your feet clear through it." "I said I was ready, darling." "Now, on action, I want you and Candy to move to the table, and you're simply the charming hostess showing a guest her home." "Candy will ask you questions, you answer as you naturally would." "Ready?" " Ed?" " All set." "Roll tape." "All right, just be natural." "This is happy time." "And action." "Seсora Santel, I understand that your husband, your late husband, spent a great deal of time in this room." "And that he was very interested in the history of San Cordova." " Is that right?" " Yes." "He loved everything and anything that had to do with our great country." "Even as I do." "We spent many happy hours together here." "Am I correct in assuming that all these books are on San Cordova?" "Yes, every one of them." "We had a standing order with the book publishers, even in the United States." "Anything that was ever printed about our country was sent to us." "Why don't we take a book at random and share it with our television audience?" "I think the camera can come in close." "Cut it, cut it, cut it." "Cut." "What is it, Candy?" "It's nothing." "I just..." "I'm all right." " Is that stuff wearing off?" " I just felt dizzy all of a sudden." "I warned you to see that doctor before we came here." "I cabled him." "He should have been here by now." "Can we take a break so I can rest for a few minutes, just until Dr. Marsen arrives?" "Kill the lights, Ed." "Go up." "You are not going to finish?" "Oh, yes, yes." "We'll finish right after dinner." "That's all right, Ed." "You can start with a new tape right after dinner." "Whatever you say." " Terribly sorry about this." " Oh, it's perfectly all right." " Aren't you coming?" " Not just yet." "Dr. Marsen?" " You're expected?" " Yes." "I'll have to call." "Yes?" " Riva?" " Yes?" "Are you expecting a Dr. Marsen?" "Oh, that must be Candy's doctor." "With the show on my mind," "I completely forgot to tell you that he was coming." "Tell them to pass the doctor through." "You also forgot to mention that Miss Carlton was ill." "Oh, no, she's not ill really." "Just exhausted." "She's been working very hard lately." "Perhaps I should go up and see her." " No, no, no, I wouldn't do that." " But a doctor?" "A specialist." "In what?" "Rheumatism?" "Hardening of the arteries?" "Senility?" "Riva." "We happened to come across this book." "Quite fascinating, really." "Especially on page 370." "Quite an astounding photograph, is it not, Mr. Wendley?" "Don't you think so, Raoul?" "An American ambassador to San Cordova in 1914." "Neither fascinates nor astounds me." "His daughter." "The young girl." "Or should I say young lady." "Look at her more closely." "Miss Carlton." "It must be her grandmother." "Probably somebody Candy never mentioned." "No." "No, that is Miss Carlton herself." "Impossible. 1914?" "That makes her over..." "Over 70." "Over 70, Mr. Wendley?" "That must be Dr. Marsen." "I'm sorry I'm late." "My flight was delayed." "Just as long as you're here." "She's waiting in her room." "Dr. Marsen?" "Who is it?" "Dr. Marsen." "Dr. Marsen?" " Yes." " Your patient is expecting you." "I saw her, Raoul saw her." "Only age could do that to a person." " Candy Carlton is an old woman." " Does she look old to you?" "I just left her two minutes ago in the room." " She certainly doesn't look old to me." " Prove it." "What proof would you like?" " How was it done?" " But, Seсora Santel, you can see for yourself that Candy hasn't changed." "She was tired, but a little makeup..." "How, Mr. Wendley?" "If she does not tell me her secret, I will cancel the documentary." "It's true." "I'm as old as you saw me a few minutes ago." " You can't be in your 70s." " Late 60s." "Dr. Marsen is a genius." "A most amazing face-lift." "Not a face-lift." "A face-set." "You see, I merely set the face with a series of silicone injections." "Quite painless." "That combined with my secret use of a surgical laser produces these results." "There are no scars, no unnatural tissue, nothing." "And with Dr. Marsen's new hormonal serum, you stay 30 until you're a hundred." "Unless, of course, you should accidentally drop your spare bottle of serum as Candy did." " How long does the operation take?" " Two hours." " When can you be ready for me?" " Riva, you can't be serious." "Seсora Santel, why?" "My face is on the coins of this country." "Let's say, I want to save my country the expense of new coins, simply because this face has become obsolete." "I'm willing to pay whatever your fee is." "Well, I could take off ten years in the process." "I wouldn't suggest taking off any more than that." "When, doctor?" "Tomorrow, at noon." "If that's all right with you." "My assistant couldn't arrive before tomorrow morning." "But your speech to the country." "The telecast is tomorrow." "Speech?" "A eulogy to my husband, and my farewell to the people." "It was something I promised him just before he died." "This speech, when are you to make it?" "Tomorrow night at 6:00." "Well, then I can operate by 12 and you should be fine by 6." "No, everything depends on your speech." "You can do this any time." "You're right." "Next week." "Impossible." "I leave for the States tomorrow night." "I have an operation to perform the following day, and I'm booked solid for the rest of the year." "A year?" "Couldn't Riva's speech be taped ahead of time?" "Sure, we could tape it tomorrow morning." "No, no." "I will tape my speech." "But our own technicians will handle it." "We operate tomorrow." "I don't know, I was thinking of something a little larger." "A little more..." "A little more impressive." "This is identical to the presidential limousine." "Except, naturally, for the crests, the licence plate and the colour." "Now, what could be more impressive than that?" "Barricades will be thrown up at each end of the Reforma." "Demonstrations will erupt here in the plaza, at the university and along the left bank." "But the demonstrations must look spontaneous." "Now, you understand that, Colonel Diaz." "Of course." "The leaders are completely trustworthy and they have precise instructions." "They will move the moment your speech ends." "And the army?" "All outgoing communications will be cut immediately after the speech." "Now, that will be the signal for the first and the third regiments to seal off the capital." "What about the second division here?" "Colonel Rjoas." "He will stand aside." "If he is promised command of the army." "Promise him that." "Raoul, you are certain about the arrangements for the broadcast?" "Everything is set." "The transmission lines will be in our control." "And everything will be cut off, but your speech from the studio here." "But if Avilla finds out you're planning the speech, he will try to stop you." "That's a chance we'll have to take." "Am I sharp?" " As a razor." " Hit the zoom." " Zoom checks." " Good." "Now, check out the tape video level." " Who else was in here with you?" " No one." "You were warned that there are certain restricted areas." "What were you doing in here?" "I had to check the electrostatic cathode overflow from the scan condensers." " You see, it could interfere with..." " What are you talking about?" "I'm sorry." "I realise it's a bit technical." "If you have some time, I can explain..." "No, no." " You're finished?" " Oh, yes, I'm all done." "Are we on time?" "Right to the second, so far." "You understand I will have first to inspect the equipment and facilities before I operate." "It's all been arranged for." "Audio." " Madam Santel is on her way." " Push that spot over here." " Over here?" " Yes, that's fine." "Hold it." "Hold it steady." " What's the reading?" " Jim, that's it." "The contents of your speech must be kept an absolute secret until the proper time." "Raoul will have the only tape we make." "And he will release it to the station." "Only if I cannot appear there in person." "The crew will know." "Colonel Diaz will see that they speak to no one." " Yes, there." "Madam is very patient." " Is the tape ready?" "Test the zoom lens." " Is madam about ready?" " In a moment." " What went wrong?" " Somebody must have pulled the plug." "Seсora Santel, the camera is ready." "Just a moment." "Move that microphone up." "That's it." "All right, now tilt it forward." " Ready on the tape?" " Ready." "Hold it." "Hold it steady." "Yes, that's it." "Stand by." "Ready?" "Roll tape." "Roll tape." "My beloved citizens of San Cordova." "It is with heavy heart that I appear before you today on this, my first public appearance since the death of your president, my dear husband." "Well, this is it." "For a private operating room, it is well-equipped." " Quite adequate, yeah?" " Good." "She insisted that it be done here in the presidential palace." "And after the operation, she will be taken to her own room?" " Yes." " When will she be ready?" "Soon as she finishes taping her speech." "But now, to avoid revolution in our beloved country," "I, Riva Santel, with your prayers to guide me, will assume the burden of ruling San Cordova until such time as it is safe again to hold free elections." "When that time comes, you can be assured that I will retire from all public life, and follow what I know are the wishes of my late great husband." "Retire to a quiet retreat, and there find happiness knowing that I have done the best for my people." "Cut." "Thank you, Madam Santel." "You are all finished now." "You may leave." "I'll take that tape." "Dr. Grovney, it's good to see you." "Seсora Santel, Dr. Grovney." "Well, shall we forego the formalities?" " Two hours, you said." " Yes, two hours." "In two hours, I will be ten years younger." "My beloved citizens of San Cordova." "It is with heavy heart that I appear before you today on this, my first public appearance since the death of your president, my dear husband." "For 16 years, my husband served this great nation." "I, Riva Santel, with your prayers to guide me, will assume the burden of ruling San Cordova until such time as it is safe again to hold free elections." "I, Riva Santel, with your prayers to guide me..." "Hair should be fine." "But now, I, Riva Santel, with your prayers to guide me..." "Why is she still unconscious?" "It's over two hours now." "Nothing serious." "She'll have to remain absolutely quiet for a longer period than we anticipated." " My associate must leave." " But you will stay." "Yes." "Yes, of course." "You understand?" "You will tell Seсor Avilla that I expect him and his cabinet at the palace no later than 6:00." "Very good." "Complications." "A reaction to the anaesthesia." "Then you must put on the tape." "Everything depends on her speech now." "Give the signal." "I will see that the tape of her speech gets to the station." "Raoul, Raoul." "It can't be that late." "No, no, it can't be." "Raoul, Raoul." "I'm here, Riva." "Raoul, Raoul." "Unless she's quiet, I will not be responsible." "It's all right, Riva." "We're running the taped speech." "Everything will be all right." "You can watch the telecast here if it'll ease your mind." "Yes, please." "These bandages?" "When can I take them off, doctor?" "There's no real hurry now, is there?" "I'd prefer you keep them on for a while." "This programme will be interrupted for a political broadcast." "Seсora Santel wishes to leave the country quietly with no formality." " Seсora Santel?" " Yes." "I must verify, you understand." "Of course." "Oh, and one more detail." "Would you please telephone the office of the deputy premiere, and tell him that Seсora Santel has crossed the border safely?" "Yes, sir." "But I do not understand." "I am here at the palace waiting." "Yes." "Yes, thank you." "That was the head of our border security." "He received a phone call from one of our guards." "My beloved citizens of San Cordova." "It is with heavy heart I appear here before you today on this, my first public appearance since the death of your beloved president, my dear husband." "For 16 years, he served this great nation." "For 16 years, I worked hand in hand with him to bring stability to San Cordova." "But now, I, Riva Santel, with your prayers to guide me, shall retire from all public life." "No, no." "I did not say that." "And follow what I know are the wishes of my late husband." "Retire to a quiet retreat, and there find happiness, knowing I have done what is best for my people." " Riva, be careful." " Do something." " Riva." " Get this off." "Come along, gentlemen." "Come on." "No." "No, no." "Look what they've done." "Guards, guards." "Guards, guards." " Avilla, you did this to me." " Who is that woman?" "You know who I am." "I'm Riva." "Riva Santel." "Guards, take this demented lady out of here." "You can't do this to me."