"(indistinct chatter)" "MAN:" "The golden lions have been returned to the fount, where they will await the test of the new king of Bajan-Du." "Eminence, we shall set the alarm and arrange the guards." "Here, let me have them." "But if those lions are exact duplicate of the real ones... what purpose is served?" "They are exact duplicates, except for their weight." "The test for the new king is to place the lions in the center of the fount without disturbing the balance." "Should there be any imbalance on the platform, no matter where the would-be king stands, the blades would be instantly released." "And he'd be killed." "With the extra weight I have added to two of the lions, that would be inevitable." "MAN:" "What are you doing here?" "Someone has tampered with the golden fount." "The platform is not balanced properly." "The side closest to you is tilted downward." "Look." "Look closely." " (whoosh, thud) - (groans)" "Get rid of him." "I'll finish here." "(theme music plays)" "(Iow growl)" "(woman speaking indistinctly)" "PHELPS:" "They tell me the Arabian racing camel can reach speeds up to 40 miles an hour." "That's true, but only over short distances." "And even in the hottest deserts survive days without water?" "If you're really interested in these animals, uh, take a seat." "Number 74 has a good view." "(speaking indistinctly)" "(camels grunting)" "(beeping)" "MALE VOICE:" "Good morning, Jim." "The kingdom of Bajan-Du is on the verge of a political crisis." "The late king was an enlightened man determined to lead his people into the modern world." "His widow the queen was Lady Michelle Faulkner, a British subject." "Her son Prince Miklos was being educated in England." "He is the heir presumptive to the throne." "He will be the next king of Bajan-Du unless this man stops him." "He is Ki, the late king's brother." "He hates the West and flirts with Eastern alliances." "We have learned that Ki has devised a plan that will not only prevent the boy from becoming king but will cost young Miklos his life." "Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to block Ki's plan and give Prince Miklos his fair chance to claim the throne." "As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions." "This disc will self-destruct in five seconds." "Good luck, Jim." "(rapid beeping)" "(hissing)" "PHELPS:" "The key to the throne are these statues, the golden lions of Bajan-Du." "Actually, the whole thing is a puzzle, and the would-be king has to solve it or die trying." "That's a bit primitive." "Oh, the Bajan-Du culture goes back 3,000 years, and it's believed that in the ceremony of the golden lions, the gods will prevent a pretender from becoming king." "We found out that Mr. Ki has commissioned a set of fake statues and we think he may already have substituted it for the real golden lions." "Why would he do that?" "Well, the test of a king is to balance the lions on a floating platform in what the Bajan-Du people believe to be the Fountain of Life." "And the fake lions that Ki has commissioned are of different weights." "Some are heavier." "Meaning the prince won't have a chance of balancing the lions." "That's right, and we want to give him that chance back." "What kind of cover do we have?" "The queen is determined that her son will stay current with his English education, so she has requested a tutor from his school." "It's arranged that I'll take his place." "For the rest of you, this imminent coronation has attracted a lot of international interest, so the place will be full of Western journalists and diplomats and people concerned with security." "Ah, all right." "(typing)" "This is where the coronation will take place... the inner sanctum of the temple, and thanks to what Grant has just found out, those are the fake statues displayed there on top of the ceremonial fount." "So where are the real ones?" "Ah, that's what we have to find out." "The palace is certain to be heavily guarded." "Indeed it is, and we've got three days." "?" "?" "(indistinct chatter)" "?" "?" "(camera shutter snaps)" "(gong echoes)" "(indistinct voices echoing)" "?" "?" "(horse neighs)" "(horse snorts)" "(man speaks foreign language)" "Prince Miklos, well, I was about to come and greet you." "My father always told me a student should come to his teacher, no matter who the student was, and please, Mr. Donovan, call me Mike." "That's what I've become used to at school." "Well, all right, Mike, it's a pleasure to meet you." "This was my room when I was a very little boy." "Was it?" "My father used to come here and tell me stories, and we would look out onto the mountains." "You have my sympathy on the passing of your father." "My father was a wonderful man, a real king." "He cared about his people, and he knew what to do." "I don't know any of those things." "Well, he probably felt that way when he started." "He didn't go away to England." "He learned everything right here." "Here in your country." "It won't be if I can't pass the test of the lions." "(sighs)" "I understand how that can be challenging." "I understand how it can be frightening." "Are you any good at puzzles?" "Well, I have some experience in that area." "Then that's what you are to teach me." "Well, I have a lot of things I have to teach you." "Can't you see that's the only thing that really matters?" "And I'm awful at puzzles." "(indistinct chatter)" "The doctor has signed the death certificate, officially attributing the old priest's death to heart failure." "The others suspect nothing." "They believe the statues in the temple to be the real ones." "There is nothing that can stop me." "If the half-breed brat listens to his mother and does not take the test of the lions, we'll cast them both out of the country, and if he does, he'll simply die." "In either case, I will then step forward." "Miraculously, I will solve the puzzle and claim the throne." "If he does not take the test, the boy and his mother can still make appeals at international tribunal." "Then you, as future high priest of Bajan-Du, must make certain that they are dead before they cross the border." "(indistinct chatter)" "You look like a bona fide insurance man to me." "Your Majesty, come in." "Majesty is reserved for the king, Mr. Donovan." "At the present time, Bajan-Du has no king." "I've asked to meet you so that we can discuss my son's studies." "Well, thank you, I'm so glad you've come." "Uh, the school, of course, is very clear about the schedule of studies they want accomplished." "Yes, I'm sure they would have been." "But are there other things that the prince must concern himself with?" "I mean, do I discuss with him the challenge of the lions?" "No." "I am afraid you can't." "Those are matters of state." "Well, there's more to it than that." "His life could be at stake." "I never wanted it to come to this." "How are things in England now, Mr. Donovan?" "Well..." "(chuckles)" "It's pretty, it's spring." "The swans are nesting and the flowers are blooming and it's toward the end of the school term and the beginning of the cricket season." "And you miss England, don't you?" "(chuckles)" "Especially Dorset?" "How did you know we lived in Dorset?" "Isn't that where you grew up on your father's estate?" "It sounds so very far away." "In another lifetime." "I think I know why you've come." "You want me to talk to your son about going back to England." "About not undergoing the test to be king." "He'll trust you." "He's always had a great respect for his teachers and schools." "Why must he be king?" "We could live very nicely in England." "With the inheritance from his father, there's nothing he would ever want for." "No, nothing except to fulfill his father's dream;" "to do his father's work." "Damn his work." "It killed my husband." "(voice breaking):" "Must it now take my son, too?" "I'm sorry." "I shouldn't have burdened you." "(door closes)" "Nicholas is inside making his pitch." "Perfect." "Your interview with Ki is in an hour." "(shutter clicking)" "Very well, Mr. Crane, you are who you say you are." "What of it?" "Our company's covering the golden lions for a considerable sum, Your Excellency." "We're just a little nervous now with all the attention the coronation is attracting." "We are a very ancient nation, Mr. Crane, but when we choose to be, we are very modern... as in the security system protecting the lions." "Your Excellency, in my business you learn no system is perfect." "What are you telling me, Mr. Crane?" "We have information;" "before the coronation, someone will attempt to steal the golden lions." "And I would feel much better if I could see the security arrangements myself and be able to stay here through the coronation." "MIKLOS:" "I'd die for a hamburger." "PHELPS (chuckles):" "I don't think you'll find one here." "And anyway, young man, the subject is Sweden." "Now what are Sweden's main exports?" "Primarily steel, uh, machinery, electronics, some wood and paper products." "Very good." "And what's the amount of debt and the rate of interest that your government owes the government of Sweden?" "Well, until I'm king, I won't have to know that." "Well, that's the point." "Sooner or later, you will have to learn it." "I'll have advisors." "They'll know everything." "Oh, I see, so you'll be a symbol, and these advisers like your uncle will run the country for you?" "No, not him." "Mike, your father devoted his life to trying to bring Bajan-Du into the 20th century." "He sent you to school in England so that you could learn and see and understand what was needed." "No." "No, I don't want it." "Look at these people." "They want me to be their king." "But I could be killed trying to solve that puzzle." "It's not fair." "Mike, your father solved the puzzle." "Now, didn't he talk to you some about the statues?" "All he said was that the king of Bajan-Du walks with five golden lions:" "Truth, wisdom... humility, beauty and harmony." "I didn't understand." "And I asked him to tell me the real secret of the puzzle." "He said..." "Yeah, what did he say?" "He said it wasn't just a test to become a king, it was a step to become a man." "He said when the time came, I would be ready." "But I'm not ready." "And I miss him." "(men chanting softly)" "(chanting ceases)" "There are guards at every column, day and night." "Guards with spears." "Well, if this was the Middle Ages..." "This is a temple, Mr. Crane." "It's also an open-air market for thieves." "The guards could be gassed before they had a chance to cry out, the golden lions gone in less than a minute." "There are the golden lions." "Help yourself." "(beeps)" "(alarm walls)" "No one can approach the Fountain of Life without tripping the alarm." "A sonic network at floor level." "(beeps)" "(alarm ceases)" "I have the single master control." "I alone know the digital combination to turn it on or off." "I think my company will find this quite acceptable;" "the best of the Middle Ages and the modern world." "A room will be readied for you." "(men clamoring in distance)" "It's gonna be hot in the car." "Well, don't take any detours, huh?" "MAX:" "Very nice, Your Excellency." "Just hold that." " (camera shutter snaps)" " Thank you." "Beautiful, sir, beautiful." "Beautiful." "(camera shutter snaps)" "Enough." "Thank you, sir." "I'd like to thank you for granting me this interview, Your Excellency." "I was intrigued." "My late brother made the mistake of forging links with the West." "My views are common knowledge." "My series has nothing to do with politics." "I'm doing profiles on powerful, charismatic leaders such as yourself." "I'm only regent of Bajan-Du until a successor to the throne is chosen... hopefully, my nephew the crown prince." "Nevertheless, it was your voice that told the leaders of the West to back off." "My readers will find that exciting." "So do I." "I'd like to find out more about the man behind that voice." "I have already given you more time than my official duties will allow." "Why does it have to be official?" "I'm sure even a busy man like yourself must have some time to relax." "Yes, perhaps you're right." "Would you care to be my guest for dinner this evening?" "Would be an honor, Your Excellency." "?" "?" "Our car is just at the gate." "Thank you very much for your hospitality." "Until this evening." "Excuse me, Your Excellency." "Was that Cory Bennett?" "Yes." "She's a journalist." "Well, we've been running checks on the foreign press here for the coronation, and actually, her credentials don't add up." "(clank)" "Anybody see you?" "Just like the Phantom." "I'm going to have to work fast to pull this off." "Well, I have the material for the mask." "You bring the temple sketches?" "Yes, and found some information about a very tricky alarm system." "Are we being followed yet?" "How'd you ever guess?" "(camera shutter snaps)" "Mr. Jaru, I'm glad I found you." "I feel I have to talk to someone about what's just happened." "How may I help you?" "Well, the young Prince Miklos I think has come to trust me." "He's just given me a book." "It has something to do with golden lions." "He says his father presented it to him secretly just before he died." "Where is this book?" "In my chambers." "Show me." "This could be a matter with very serious consequences, Mr. Donovan." "I have it right here." "(hissing)" "You better get moving, Max." "Casey may have run out of time." "He'll sleep until we wake him, and then he won't remember anything." "Kl:" "Jaru?" "Why are you here?" "What is going on?" "I was just asking Mr. Jaru if we could have additional security in the gardens when I'm tutoring the prince." "The guards are there, Mr. Donovan." "I haven't seen them." "Rest assured, the prince is under constant observation." "You are in our country against my wishes." "Only because the boy's mother requested it." "Do not abuse your fragile privilege." "(indistinct conversations)" "Hey, sorry to hold up the party, but we had to do some fancy stepping with Mr. Ki." "MAX:" "You just made it in time." "I think his watchdog is going to get some pretty interesting photographs." "(camera shutter clicking)" "Casey, I've been talking with Jim." "When Ki sees these photographs, it will not only set up Jaru, but it will implicate you, too." "It could be dangerous tonight." "It's the only way to get Max into the temple." "Still sleeping like a baby." "Oh, good." "You know, your computer data could give our young prince the answers to the puzzle of the golden lions." "GRANT:" "The challenge of the five lions was devised over a thousand years ago." "In the ancient scrolls, the words for "puzzle"" "or "challenge" were almost interwoven." "The puzzle is the challenge of manhood." "To understand the balance of the five virtues, each of which is represented by a golden lion." "And the important word is balance." "For the man, or boy, who would be king is challenged to place the lions on the balance float in precisely the order of importance of the virtue it represents." "If he should choose the wrong order and upset the balance..." "Oh, pfft..." "the knives are released." "Unfortunately, there's still a help wanted sign on the king's door." "From what you've just told me, there is only one answer." "The virtues are of equal importance." "To be king, the boy has to place all five lions at the same time." "And when we plant this in Jaru's room, it should help give young Miklos a chance to try." "?" "?" "(beeping)" "(beeping)" "(beeping)" "?" "?" " All set?" " Let's go." "Your Excellency." "Precisely on time." "One of the few Western habits I admire." "Well, that's a start." "(knocking)" "Your Highness, uh..." "I'm sorry to disturb you at this time of the evening, Mr. Donovan." "I want to know if you've thought about, or even acted upon, what we discussed." "I have been charged with your son's education." "You mean to convince him to try to be king." "No, no." "A teacher's only job is to open new horizons of thought, so the student has the advantage of as much information as possible... thereby to make his own decisions." "Who are you?" "Well, you've seen my credentials." "Oh, yes, I have." "Very convincing." "But how many tutors would know where I grew up?" "And wouldn't be known by several teachers at the school in England I called today?" "(grunts)" "(clattering)" "Your Highness, whoever I am, you must believe I'm here to ensure your son's safety." "You've been sent here to protect him?" "In a way, yes." "And I'm sure you won't tell me by whom, or why." "I feel much better now, Mr. Donovan." "I'll say good night." "Good night." "(grunts)" "So if your late brother had failed the test of the lions, then you could have been king." "His ability to solve the puzzle did not make him a true ruler." "I proved that." "Power is for those with wit and courage to reach for it." "More wine, Miss Bennett?" "I should be taking notes." "I believe your memories of this evening will be more than sufficient reward." "?" "?" "?" "?" "?" "?" "(snaps)" "(hissing)" "Perhaps it's time to ask the most important questions, Miss Bennett." "Well, if they're not too personal." "Tell me did you really come here for a story?" "Or were you after something even more precious?" "(both chuckle)" "(alarm walls)" "(alarm wailing, guards clamoring)" "(alarm ceases)" "Thank God they didn't get the lions." "What triggered the alarm and who knocked out the guard?" "!" "Whatever it was, the alarm must have frightened them." "Did anyone see anything?" "Any of you?" "!" "?" "?" "?" "?" "?" "?" "(capsule snaps)" "Mr. Jaru, Mr. Jaru... someone's broken into the temple." "You have to see Mr. Ki immediately." "L-I don't understand." "Why am I here?" "Well, you know how Mr. Ki hates to be kept waiting." "Find Jaru and bring him to me." "JARU:" "I am here." "There is no need to look." "Seize him!" "No, no, I was with the American teacher..." "Silence!" "Bind him!" "You know my loyalty to you." "Now leave us." "I will call you if I need you." "This is yours." "It was found on the floor of the temple, left where you knocked the guard unconscious." "What guard?" "I wasn't in the temple." "And this." "It's a duplicate of the control system for the sonic alarm." "It was found in your chambers." "I have never seen it." "And you never saw the Americans in the marketplace?" "No." "Liar." "I have photographs of her giving you money." "And finally... a thread from your robe was found inside my safe." "Excellency, give me time to think, to explain." "No, Jaru," "I've seen through your betrayal." "I know what you've done." "There was no attempt at theft." "You actually switched the statues for the ceremony tomorrow." "Why?" "Why would I betray you?" "Because the Americans paid you to betray me and support the prince so he would pass the test." "Ah, but you failed, Jaru, you failed." "There's still time enough." "Time for me to put the false statues back in the temple." "No, no, it is all wrong." "And time to give you what you've earned." "(gasps)" "It's time for you to be getting ready." "It's a stupid way to treat a king." "What if I'm not smart enough?" "But you are." "My mother doesn't want me to do it." "She'd rather me leave before it begins." "Suppose someone gave you the answer to the puzzle, told you exactly how to place the five virtues?" "You mean cheat?" "But I'd always know that I'd cheated." "Would that make any difference if you turned out to be a good king?" "I don't think anything good can come out of cheating." "My father was right about that." "The hard part is, how do you value one of the virtues above the others?" "You just keep asking yourself that question and you'll find the answer." "(gong echoes)" "(men chanting softly)" "?" "?" "The five golden lions of Bajan-Du must be placed upon the sacred altar in order of their importance." "The level of the waters must not be disturbed." "If the gods can see the purity of your heart, then a new fearless king shall be recognized in our ancient land." "?" "?" "(men chanting softly)" "Truth... wisdom... humility... beauty... harmony." "They shouldn't be taken apart." "Equal." "No!" "It's done." "Kl:" "No!" "(beeps)" "(Iow rumbling)" "(crackling)" "(screams)" "They've destroyed the lions of Bajan-Du." "They've destroyed the lions." "The half-breed must die!" "(yells)" "MIKLOS:" "These are the symbols of our nation." "May they rest again and remain here in our temple until my reign has ended." "Lions!" "He has destroyed the lions of Bajan-Du!" "The foreign whelp must die!" "Seize him!" "He has destroyed the lions!" "(guards clamoring)" "I am the true ruler of Bajan-Du!" "He has betrayed you!" "He destroyed the lions." "Kill him!" "Move!" "They're false!" "No!" "(whoosh, thud)" "(grunts)" "?" "?" "(theme music playing)"