See You Down There

Infobox Television episode
Title = See You Down There
Series = Joe 90
Season = 1
Episode = 23
Airdate = March 2, 1969
Production = 28
Writer = Tony Barwick
Director = Leo Eaton
Episode list = List of "Joe 90" episodes
Prev = Child of the Sun God
Next = Lone-Handed 90

"See You Down There" is the 23rd episode of the Supermarionation television series "Joe 90". It was the 28th episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was March 2, 1969 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Tony Barwick and directed by Leo Eaton.

Synopsis

Ralph Clayton, the exploitative owner of Clayton Enterprises, is using legalised fraud to take over rival companies. Joe discovers that his next target is none other than Leto Machine Tools, manufacturers of special equipment often needed by WIN. Shane decides that it is time to confront Clayton's deception; however, in this unique situation, unorthodox methods will have to be used…

Plot

At his offices in London, Ralph Clayton, the exploitative head of Clayton Enterprises, dismisses Harris, the owner of Leto Machine Tools, whose company he is planning to take over. Later, Joe, wearing his special glasses, approaches the entrance to the building and sneaks past the doorman. Eavesdropping on a meeting between Clayton and his board members, Evans and Stewart, Joe discovers how the financial shark intends to absorb rival companies, including Leto Tools, through legalised fraud.

At WIN Headquarters, Joe presents his findings to Mac, Sam and Shane. Leto Tools manufactures specialised components often used by WIN and Shane decides that Clayton must be prevented from making another fraudulent takeover. Since the swindler is still inside the law, Shane concludes that unorthodox methods will have to be used.

Later that day, Clayton is puzzled when Mac enters his office and says that he is the new tea boy. When Clayton finishes his drink, Mac lies that the beverage contained a hallucinatory drug and that he will not receive an antidote until he cancels his next conquest. Clayton has Mac thrown out and Sam later expresses his doubts about threatening the businessman with a nonexistent drug. However, with Clayton's dishonesty and help from Joe 90, Shane is confident that entrepreneur will convince himself that he has been contaminated.

Early the next morning, Joe and Mac travel to Clayton's mansion in Mac's car. Joe has been given the brain pattern of an expert musician and unceremoniously rouses Clayton with a series of loud trumpet tunes. The furious businessman cannot believe that a boy could have such skill with an instrument but warns that he will notify the police if the incident is repeated. However, back at WIN Headquarters, Shane assures Mac that the authorities, who are also concerned about Clayton, will cooperate with their "investigation". Later that day, Shane visits Clayton Enterprises in exaggerated secret agent attire and says that he is the new tea boy. Clayton is incensed and yells at him to leave.

Joe and Mac return to Clayton's house before sunrise the next morning and fly their car over the gates that the businessman has had built as a security measure. Mac interferes with the doorbell circuitry and an alarmed Clayton wakes up to the sound of the Westminster chimes. Meanwhile, Joe, wearing his glasses, flies outside the bedroom windows in a jet pack. A bewildered Clayton believes that the boy was hovering of his own accord.

Clayton feels sure that the father and son are engineering hallucinations and confides in a sceptical Stewart and Evans. He has called the police to his offices, but despairs when Sam arrives in a dry suit, claiming to be from the River Police. In his irritation he fires his aide, Molineaux.

Later, Joe is given the brain pattern of a leading mimic. Impersonating Clayton, he phones Stewart to demand that he and Evans come to the businessman's house in fancy dress. Livid, Clayton accuses his board members of plotting with his WIN investigators. Stewart says that they have called a doctor and Shane arrives in a medical costume. Clayton demands that they all leave, but not before Shane menacingly suggests that he organise an appointment for early the next morning.

Unknown to Clayton, Shane leaves a jammer in the lounge during his visit. The following evening, while the businessman is calmly watching television, the programme is interrupted for a special bulletin. Clayton is dazed when Joe appears on air, speaking in his voice and educating viewers on how to legally trample over small business. That night, the shark suffers restless, disturbing dreams and is finally convinced that he has been drugged.

The next morning, Joe and Mac visit Clayton in normal dress with a set of documents. Clayton is eager to know the cost of the antidote but Mac says that the only payment required is a signature. Scanning the papers, Clayton is indignant that he would have to not only abandon his next takeover, but compensate all the people that he has cheated in the past. However, Joe advises Clayton to sign the documents in the voice of Molineaux and the shark gives in. He is even more puzzled when Mac presents a bag of jelly babies as the cure, reveals that there was no drug in the first place, and recommends that he mull over the events of the past few days.

Later, at the Enterprises, Molineaux has returned to his job and an enlightened Clayton promises him a pay rise. He then approaches Stewart and generously offers him a jelly baby. The businessmen have work to do, but from now on, it will be honest.

Cast

Regular voice cast

*Joe McClaine — Len Jones
*Professor Ian "Mac" McClaine — Rupert Davies
*Sam Loover — Keith Alexander
*Shane Weston — David Healy

Guest voice cast

In speaking order:

*Harris — Gary Files
*Ralph Clayton — Jeremy Wilkin
*Doorman — Keith Alexander
*Jim Molineaux — Gary Files
*Stewart — Keith Alexander
*TV Commentator (voice) — Keith Alexander

External links

* [http://www.fanderson.org.uk/epguides/joeeg3.html#Episode%20Twenty%20Eight Fanderson.org.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "See You Down There"]
* [http://www.bigrat.co.uk/episodes/episode_28.html Bigrat.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "See You Down There"]
* [http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Joe%2090%20Timeline.htm# Clivebanks.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide]