“A. B. and C.” is episode three of The Prisoner.
Again, the Number Two for this episode speaks to Number Six, though this is apparently the only time he doesn’t call himself ‘The new Number Two,’ leading to the belief this is the sequel to “The General”.
Number Two answers a phone. He’s being asked about Number Six and, by the sounds of it, being threatened if he doesn’t provide results. He picks up a smaller phone and calls Number Fourteen. The experiment must come forward. She wants a week as it hasn’t even been tested on animals. She’s told they don’t have a week.
An unconscious Number Two is taken to a lab where Number Two and Number Fourteen are. Number two tells her this had better work for her sake; if Number Six is damaged, he will hold her responsible. Even though he’s the one insisting it take place. Number Fourteen connects Number Six to equipment, and they can see what is in his mind – his resignation, over and over again – on a monitor. Number Fourteen has a new drug. They will give him three doses; four would kill him. Number Six’s eyes are open, seeing Number Fourteen. She closes them.
Number Fourteen asks Number Two what he wants. Number Two thinks Number Six was selling out; they want to know what and to who. There are three possible people: A, B and C. He will meet each one and they will find out what would have happened. All attend Madame Engadine’s parties. They have a film of the most recent one.
Number Six is at the party, and is chatting to the hostess. Number Two says to introduce A. They meet; it seems that they know each other and A defected about six years ago. Six and A are verbally sparring; A wants to know what he’s selling and what his price is. Six decides to leave, which annoys Number Two; Fourteen says he’s doing what he would have done. However, A takes him somewhere, but Six fights and knocks down A and his accomplice. And says ‘Be seeing you.’ Number Fourteen says they have to wait 24 hours before the next dose. Six wakes in his place and finds Number Fourteen outside, buying flowers. He also spots a needle mark on his wrist.
Six tries to confront Fourteen, because last week Fourteen was an old lady in a wheelchair, but she leaves. He then heads to see Number Two, sparring verbally again. And making sure that Two sees the needle mark; anyone with nothing to hide would have commented on it. Number Two suggests he gets it looked at. Six has a favourite doctor: Number Fourteen. After Number Six has gone. Number Two is called again and guarantees they will know what Number Six was doing in two days.
That night, Number Six drinks something left by a maid and collapses unconscious. He ends up back at the party. Number Two says to introduce B. She doesn’t appear; instead, she sends a message asking to meet in the arbour. Number Fourteen starts speaking to Number Six in his dream as B.
By the time of the third dose of the drug, Number Six has discovered what is going on and starts manipulating his dreams himself. Number Two is getting increasingly desperate to find out who Number Six was selling out to.