What exactly did you see out there?
I told you, he was huge and wearing black leather and...
had some kind of weapon.
I think he wanted to hurt me.
This time of night in Central Park,
almost everyone wants to hurt you.
You said there's a group of people in this city
under attack by the government. Start there.
I worked at a lab assistant.
I'd sanitize equipment.
Prep samples.
I'd write reports.
That's how I got access to the files.
You ever heard of Operation Paperclip?
- No. - It was a postwar program
where the U. S. Used Nazi scientist
against the Russians during the Red Scare.
1952
They'd crossbreed contagions,
test them on patients.
Mix animal diseases with human ones.
They were looking for something that could be used as a weapon.
They hit on something good,
but it was too big to be airborne,
so they engineered it to thrive in mucous membranes.
And all of this happened on U. S. Soil?
Nearby soil. Plum Island.
Even if that's true,
it was in the '50s right after the war.
What does it have to do with now?
The Cold War is heating up.
A year ago, they started bringing out
some of the golden oldies and testing them again.
Testing? You mean on humans?
Drug addicts, prisoners, homeless people.
They get them to volunteer for money.
They were experimenting with ticks
as a delivery mechanism
to spread the diseases.
They think some of the ticks got loose
and spread the disease outside the island.
You know what I'm talking about, don't you?
Patients have been showing up with conditions
that should be rare, but...
now they're all over the place.
Some of them have weird skin rashes,
diarrhea, like from a parasite.
- They created it, all of it. - Honestly,
conspiracy theories are dangerous.
They absolutely hurt more than they help.
Medical misinformation, which doctors like me
call the fear of science,
actually causes more infections, a higher ratio of disease...
The people that created this were evil.
I think they made the disease as painful as possible,
and they specifically targeted the people they detest.
Why are you telling all this to me?
I read the article in The Native
about the infected deer on Fire Island
and how they were slaughtered.
And I suggest you look more closely
at some of the symptoms your patients have
and go to the press.
With what?
I don't have any proof of anything,
and proof is everything.
And a study could take years.
Figure it out, and fast.
My life is on the line.
The people behind this know that I know.
Remember Karen fucking Silkwood?
She's in a Texas cemetery now.
I just want to get out of here.
Please. Just let me go.
Help!
Episode Title: "Smoke Signals" Aired on: October 26, 2022.
No matches on any of the fingerprints.
None of them were in the database.
Missing persons?
Yeah, we're running missing persons right now.
So far, no one seems to link up.
Goddamn it, when are we gonna get some luck on this damn case?
Well, we may have some now, Chief.
I just need to get back to it.
This guy's got a hell of a story.
Might be relevant.
All right, keep me up to speed.
Sure.
You were telling me what this guy made you do.
He kept me in a fucking cage.
- He made me perform acts... - What kind of acts?
The kind I don't want people to know about.
Right.
Can you just tell me how you ended up at this guy's place?
Did he drag you off the street? Knock you on the head?
I answered a pay phone.
Outside a leather bar.
- Which bar? - The Ditch.
The guy was funny, made me laugh.
- Mm-hmm. - He told me where he lived.
So I decided, what the hell?
Wait, you agreed to meet this guy over a phone call?
I guarantee you, it's not the weirdest pickup
that's happened in this city.
Okay, can you just...
describe the guy who held you and where this took place?
Blondie's "Rapture" playing...
"Rapture" continues through speakers...
we can turn it down.
It's not about the music.
I'm gonna need you to ask your guests to leave.
So, you're admitting to me he was held in here.
He was in here, but he was not held.
- Do you see a lock? - Could've been one before.
There wasn't.
It was consensual.
It was a game.
He was into it.
I've never seen anyone more into it.
Could he have actually been frightened,
- and you misinterpreted? - No, not a chance.
He's not the first gentleman I've entertained down here.
And it won't be the last. I could offer you a session.
Don't be a smart-ass.
These are very serious accusations.
Then why aren't you locking me up?
You're not arresting me
because he won't press charges.
He won't press charges because there's nothing
that happened down here that both parties didn't want...
and enjoy.
So you see, you've ruined my evening
for no reason at all.
There were two very talented young photographers
who had their first gallery exhibition...
Something happened down here, and you are right,
he's not gonna press charges.
But not because nothing happened here,
because he is worried about his reputation.
That's something you're familiar with, isn't it?
I'm happy to play this act
in front of your little buddy over there.
I know what you're into.
And I know what you know about pain.
Don't fuck with me...
Detective.
We're done here.
So he just denied everything and you believed it?
Yeah. He said it was consensual.
And the kid doesn't want to press charges.
That's a relief.
No paperwork for you.
Gino, the dungeon room does not match the room you were in.
Sam is not the guy.
Come here for a second.
I worked with an artist down at the paper
to come up with a sketch
based on what I could remember.
This could be something to go on.
I don't think it's enough to go on.
I don't think you were in your right state of mind
to remember anything about this guy's face.
Why are you shutting me down?
You're a cop. Protect and fucking serve.
All right, what do you want me to do?
Stop creating obstacles. Stop lying to me.
Oh, c-can you just not?
Oh, you... Your ex-wife came to me
with a box full of your secret gear.
- Can I just not what? - Okay,
Gino, yeah. I like to go to leather bars.
Okay? I used to go to leather bars!
Are you happy now?
But you felt you had to lie to me.
I had to lie to everybody about it.
Why?
I don't know.
There's nothing to be ashamed of.
Yeah. True.
But it's hotter when it feels like there is.
Oh, God.
By that logic,
murder should be a fucking blast.
Well, for somebody in this city, it is,
and they have to be stopped.
Look, Gino, I thought I was onto something
with this Stewart guy and the pay phone,
- but that... - I've spoken to a handful of people
who have all mentioned the pay phone.
Maybe that's the way that we catch this guy.
Great, but I am not a private detective,
and I have to answer to people.
Can you imagine everybody down at the precinct
laughing at me when I say
that I want to stake out a sex phone?
But-but isn't that what you want to do?
Even if it's...
wrong?
Even if it's... bad?
Even if you know you shouldn't?
Gino.
Doesn't it make you...
a little hard?
Sneaking off to a leather bar like that
without asking for permission?
You're not afraid of a little punishment, are you?
Got another cig?
My last one.
Buy you a drink?
I'm waiting for someone.
Hello?
¿Puedo hablar con Isabel it a?
Yeah, you have the wrong number.
Hello?
Why don't you tell me what you like to do?
Why don't you tell me what you're into?
Hey, buddy, this is for me, okay?
Do you like that idea?
Hello?
I'm into fucking
with faggots over the phone.
Hello?
You must be tired
standing there all this time.
Aren't your feet sore?
It's not been that long.
Hours, by my count.
So you're watching me, huh?
For a little while.
Wow. Now you have my attention.
Where do we go from here?
I guess that depends on
how far you're willing to go from here.
I will go wherever you want me to go.
I'm not talking about location.
I'm talking about intention.
So am I.
I'm going to give you an address.
Make it there in 20 minutes, and we'll see what you've got.
I don't know what you look like.
That's part of the fun.
You'll have to find me.
Louis' problem.
It was called... I kid you not...
A fistula.
That's not an ailment.
That's something you pay big bucks for.
But fear not,
a courageous surgeon agreed to operate,
after experimenting on 75 volunteers
- from the local jail. - Hey.
What do you got back there?
They gave up their lives...
What do you need?
Maybe you could use a little toke.
the surgeon came up with a medical implement
to cure Louis' fistula.
What's your name, anyhow?
I'm waiting for someone.
That's too bad.
And I would tuck that gun
more deeply into your waistband, friendo.
Not everybody in here is as nice to cops as I am.
All right.
I think you're expecting me.
I give off that vibe.
Weren't you the one I spoke to on the phone?
Hmm?
Well, I speak to a lot of people on the phone.
I am happy that you were one of them.
- Oh, yeah? - Mm-hmm.
Why don't you answer the question?
Don't you remember who you talk to on the phone?
I think we're compatible.
- Get your palms on the wall. - Yeah.
- Huh? - Yeah, uh-huh.
You always start off this way?
Yeah, you always walk around with one of these?
- Hmm? Huh? - What?
What's this? No one wants that.
Huh?
You never can be too careful these days, right?
Fuck.
All right.
Oh, God. Yeah.
Fuck.
Oh, yeah.
Fucking cats.
Hello?
Something is coming for you.
What did you say?
You have any idea why he didn't kill you?
He's a vet.
He stopped when he saw my tattoo
and thanked me for my service.
Look.
That's him.
Best as I can remember him.
Definitely not Big Daddy.
Two killers?
That we know of.
You think you can take some around?
I have a date at The Ascension Bar.
I can do that.
All right, well, just be careful.
If you're walking around asking about the Mai Tai Killer,
you could be next.
Who's the guy?
Theo Graves.
The photographer.
Please, just watch yourself.
His lover is, uh, is very powerful.
And, uh...
I've been hearing some dark shit about him.
It's not the first time I've scrubbed blood
off of this floor.
Just not usually this much.
What do your New Jersey benefactors
think about all this mess?
They like it when no one north of 14th
is talking about it.
Well... they are now.
Look, this place is gonna be packed again tonight.
There's no cowards when it comes to getting laid.
Have you seen him before?
This man kidnapped me. I think he's the killer.
Yeah. He was here the other night, I'm sure.
You can just feel the dark energy when he's around.
I thought it was 'cause maybe he was in Vietnam.
- Those guys are all fucked-up. - No, that's him.
He needs to be captured. I'm tired of waiting for help.
Please.
Just let me put some of these flyers up here.
This sketch needs to be seen on the evening news.
It needs to be on the cover of The Post like Son of Sam.
Okay.
Just... careful with the tape.
Can't have you tear the paint off my wall.
Can I help you?
I'm, uh, I'm just here for a drink.
Perhaps you're unfamiliar with The Ascension Bar.
We are a "members only" club.
To become a member, you must be out,
you must be employed, and you must never bore me.
Well, I'm out and I have a job.
Can't guarantee that last part, though.
My friend, who I'm meeting, can. He's a... he's a member.
What's his name, sweetheart?
- Theo Graves. - Oh!
Why didn't you say so?
Come on in. I'll get you a seat.
My name's Dunaway.
Uh, I was wondering,
have you seen this man in the club?
He looks like every other white boy to me.
- What did he do? - We think he's the Mai Tai Killer.
- I read about that in The Native. - I work there.
- Uh, do you mind if I posted some of these really quick? - No fucking way.
You'll have this place look like it's a bus station.
I'd rather die than surrender my style.
What about a big guy into leather?
Goes by the name Big Daddy?
- Have you seen him? - No.
But if you do... give him my address.
Oh, hello.
Hey, doll.
Your little friend is in there.
I'll take you to him.
Thank you.
- Hi. - Hi.
Two domestic beers, please.
Tonight we're drinking beer.
Why?
Because I want to feel what it feels like
to be the typical American man.
I would like to...
experience the liberation of banality.
Is that what you think of me?
- Why did you invite me here? - Whoa.
Don't you think the Budweiser's enough banality for the evening?
You have this boyfriend.
You hook up at parties and in the bars.
I mean, none of that's my scene, you know?
I don't want to get my hopes up for someone...
Thanks.
You trying to ask me to go steady?
Have you seen this man?
"Have you seen this man?"
"If so, pl..." Is that your number?
Yes. I know who this is.
He slithered in here last night.
Didn't get lucky, though.
And you didn't call the police?
Hello, 911.
This is The Brownstone.
There's a man trying to pick up another man.
Call Kojak and the Mod Squad.
I moved here when I was 13...
I was a runaway from Wyoming...
And between the hitchhiking and the Trailways,
men tried to murder me three times.
Another one tried an hour after I crossed the GW into Manhattan.
And over the years, I have lost friends and...
acquaintances and lovers
to men with knives and guns and fists
and broken bottles.
And if I had tried to find out what happened to all of them,
I wouldn't be here now. Would I?
I hate to ruin your night, but here's what happened to me.
The last time I was here,
I was drugged by a drink that you bought me,
kidnaped, tortured and I barely got out alive.
Mm.
I'm sorry that happened to you.
I didn't drug you.
This has nothing to do with me.
Keep telling yourself that.
It won't protect you or anyone else.
No. I'm sure I've never seen his face before.
Has your boyfriend seen him, maybe?
Maybe. I don't know. Why?
I don't know, I hear he's into some dark stuff.
Maybe they travel in similar circles.
Sam's never killed anyone.
Did you know he likes to tie men up and torture them?
- Who brought Big Daddy to you to photograph? - Sam did,
but Big Daddy's dead.
- Uh, no, he's not. - Yes, Adam, he is.
Because Sam told you so?
Can you honestly trust him, Theo?
When Sam and I first met,
he wasn't like he is now.
When you get away with everything for so long,
you start to lose the difference between right and wrong.
Big Daddy is alive.
I've seen him. He's out there.
And Sam knows something about it.
Then I'm gonna find him.
If he is alive.
Uh, we didn't order those.
Complements of the man at the bar.
It's locked.
We're locked in! Help! Help!
- Why would someone do that? - He's gone.
Well, he has to still be in here.
The door's locked from the outside.
What?
So, you want my permission to secretly draw samples
- from patients at this facility? - Only specific patients.
Gay men who present with the symptoms I described.
Ms. Wells, there is a strict procedure
before any of this can be authorized.
There's the IRB,
the-the consort statement for randomized trials,
a full departmental review.
All of which could take months or more.
Well, this is not the Tuskegee Institute.
We-we-we don't experiment on patients in secret.
No, I-I can't sanction what you're asking for.
I'm sorry. If it got out, it would mean my job.
Isn't that a small price to pay for saving lives?
Well, that-that's an assumption without any evidence.
I'm trying to get the evidence.
Well, then use the proper channels, Ms. Wells.
That's why they're there.
Whitely?
You got anyone else on call, I'd bring them in.
- We got a lot more coming. - What the hell happened?
Fire at one of the gay bars.
Maybe arson. Place was packed.
We got four dead already.
It's me.
I need you to prep 15 blood kits as fast as you can.
It was the killer. The Mai Tai Killer.
The guy who gave us the drinks at the bar.
Who else would do something like this?
Adam, half the people in this city
would love to burn down a gay bar.
Not me. Where else would I go get a drink?
Are you okay?
Sounds like smoke inhalation.
All right, just lie down so I can check your breathing.
- No, I don't need... - Adam, just let him.
- Get off of me! I'm fine! - Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey.
Get your hands off me!
- Adam, would you relax? - We need to do something, Theo.
This man's suffering from respiratory distress.
Come on, let's get him on this bed.
- Let me go! - Adam. Hey. Adam, relax.
You're acting like a fucking lunatic.
Theo, you need to find Gino Barelli.
He's a reporter for The Native.
Tell him what happened.
It was the Mai Tai Killer at the bar.
- Gino Barelli. - Okay.
The fire is coming.
Can I use this?
Thank you.
Hi, Gino Barelli?
What is this?
- Why do they have you tied up? - He's here, the Mai Tai Killer.
He was at the bar.
He sent us mai tais. He's here. You need to find him.
Have you seen him? He came in with the others.
He's very, very tall.
- You couldn't miss him. - Uh, I think he was in 11.
Where's the guy that was just in here?
I don't know. He left.
- You just let him walk out? - He had first-degree burns
on his forearms and some smoke inhalation.
He was fine.
- Fuck! - When'd he leave?
Maybe five minutes ago, but I didn't sign him out.
Gino, Gino. What are we doing?
Let's just split up.
I'll go this way, you go that way.
Come on.
You ever died before?
Then you don't know how it feels.
I thought I did, but...
now I do.
I saw him,
the one who burned us.
He's coming for us all.
Not just the boys, all of us.
All of us.
Adam?
Jesus, you were in the fire.
Why are you tied up?
Long story.
What are you doing here?
You don't work here.
I'm doing research.
I need to draw your blood.
You look good. You've got that glow thing.
Do you have one of those, um...
pictures?
An ultrasound? No.
But everything's okay?
Yeah.
I feel good about what we did.
Me, too.
This is very important.
It's related to what you've been going through.
- How much longer? - Just two more vials.
I don't like hospitals. The floors are always dirty.
It's just a few more minutes. I'm trying to help you.
What are you doing? No, no. You really should get some rest.
I just took eight vials of blood.
- No. - Please!
Hey.
Hey! Hey!
I would never spill the blood of another vet,
but this is different.
You'll just freeze to death.
It's a peaceful way to go.
No! No!
No!
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org