No.2, anxious to get results, decides to experiment with a new drug to enter No.6's dreams and control them. The dreams are converted into electronic impulses and projected onto a screen. Number 2 believes that No 6 was about to sell out and this was probably why he resigned. Three people, designated by the letters "A", "B" and "C", have been identified as likely candidates No.6 could have sold his secrets to, had he not been abducted. The three will therefore be confronted with the prisoner in his dreams. The setting is that of one of Madame Engadine's parties in Paris,
parties that "A", "B", "C" and No.6 often attended. "A" is first introduced. He used to work with the prisoner but now works for the other side. No.6 treats him with disdain and is kidnapped but escapes after refusing to join "A". No.2 is disappointed but at least he knows it was not "A" that No.6 was likely to sell out to.
The day after, No.6 notices the mark of a hyperdermic needle on his wrist, then recognizes No.14 at the cafe. He talks of meeting her in his dreams, but is ridiculed. Going to the Green Dome he confronts No 2 and drops hints about the mark on his wrist and the link with No. 14. No. 2 is nervous but the experiments continue.
Back to the laboratory, an unconscious No.6 is confronted with "B", an old friend. In the dream, they dance, talk and No.2 gets impatient. As the drug starts to wear off, No.14 studies the possibilities of putting words into "B's" mouth. They make her ask No.6 why he resigned, adding that this is information she can trade for her life. Even his dream, No.6 realises that the real "B" wouldn't use emotional blackmail like this and walks away.
When he wakes up, No. 6 is now convinced that he's being manipulated and follows No. 14 up to the hidden laboratory. Breaking in through the ventilation system, he discovers the plot and substitutes plain water for the drug. He also tries to avoid his probably-drugged cocoa that night, drinking only tapwater. Unfortunately even that isn't exempt from tampering and he slumps unconscious to the ground. Cut to the laboratory. No. 6 is once more on the table and is about to be injected again, although neither No. 2 or No. 14 know that the drug has been replaced with water. Once more they tap into his dreams but this time he is able to resist and manipulates his own dream with an ending that leaves No. 2 completely defeated.
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Writer: Anthony Skene
Director: Pat Jackson
CAST LIST:
Colin Gordon (Number Two)
Katherine Kath (Engadine)
Sheila Allen (Number 14)
Peter Bowles ("A")
Georgina Cookson (Blonde Lady)
Annette Carrell ("B")
Lucille Soong (Flower Girl)
Bettine Le Beau (Maid)
Terry Yorke (Thug)
Peter Brayham (Thug)
Bill Cummings (Henchman)
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Trivia: Another episode with rather a lot of "mock" Village, although Frank Maher provides most of Number Six's back views courtesy of a series of pick-up shots filmed on a seperate visit to Portmeirion without the star. Even more of these shots are seen in the later "Hammer" episode.
Colin Gordon as Number Two will be seen again in "The General" playing the same role, although that episode was actually filmed prior to "A, B & C". This is the only episode to feature the laboratory, actually Number Two's office redressed, as indeed is the Control Room and the Labour Exchange as seen in various other episodes.
The red circular "memory" boxes which No. 2 carefully attaches to side of the dream manipulator were actually the protective plastic containers in which BASF recording tape was sold at the time.
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