All language subtitles for Murder,.She.Wrote.S12E14.Murder.Among.Friends.WEBRip.x264-ION10.

[Jessica] Tonight, on Murder, She Wrote.

Young people sitting around
all day long discussing their sexuality.

I know you’ve heard horror
stories about working in TV.

They’re gonna dump
some people in the cast.

Show biz!

You and Ricki are not going
to spoil my big chance.

Oh, what happened
to my MacGuffin?

Are we gonna be playing games
here, Mrs. Fletcher?

Now Ricki is not
the easiest person

in the world to deal with.

I decide who lives and dies
around here.

Do they give an Emmy for
outstanding wimp of the year?

No! This does not give you the
right to treat people like dirt!

I think Mr. Hitchcock
just gave me an idea.

[Ricki] Oh, the network’s
driving me crazy, Vince.

We’re the number one
series on TV.

And just to save a few pennies,
they’re bugging me to eliminate

some of the series regulars.
I told them, forget it.

So I shouldn’t start
looking for another job?

Oh.

Not to worry, honey.

[laughs] You’ve got no problem.

Not if you keep up
the good work.

[chuckles]

[camera clicking]

[bell rings]

[Jessica] Now the term "MacGuffin"

was coined
by Alfred Hitchcock.

The MacGuffin
can be secret plans,

the photographs,
the Maltese Falcon.

Whatever it is that everyone
else in the story is after.

Let’s see how Mr. Hitchcock
used the MacGuffin

in one of his most celebrated
films, Notorious,

that was written by Ben Hecht,

starring Cary Grant,
Ingrid Bergman,

-and Claude Rains.
-[Rosemary] Okay.

-[bell rings]
-That’ll complete this segment, Jessica.

Oh, what happened to
my MacGuffin?

We’ll have to matte in the clip
in post-production,

if we get it.

Look, Rosemary,
if we don’t get it,

I will have to re-write
this entire sequence.

Leo told me that
he had it cleared.

Promises, promises!

He probably got hung up
on the big show.

Listen, maybe I better
pop over and see him.

Okay. One cappuccino
and two lattes.

That dynamite blonde from
Copenhagen? You took her out?

And all evening long,
all I could think of was,

she’s got thick ankles.

Ah, you wouldn’t even mention
that if she was a guy.

If she was a guy, he wouldn’t
have gone out with her.

Ooh, who we slamming?

[Joy] Okay, everybody,
take a break.

Excuse me, have you seen
Leo Vardian around?

[stuttering] Oh, he was up in
the office a few minutes ago.

How is your PBS
lecture series going?

[laughs] Ask me tomorrow.

[laughs] I’m Gene Gains.

I took your writing class
at Manhattan University

-two years ago...
-Oh, I’m so sorry, Gene.

Oh, don’t feel bad.

Uh, people tend
not to remember me.

You gave me
a C-plus and told me

that my plot lines
were almost laughable.

-Did I say that?
-Oh, the best advice I ever got.

I decided to write
comedy instead.

[stuttering] I’m a staff
writer here on Buds.

Well, that’s wonderful.

Guess I was a better talent
scout than I realized.

Gene! Gene, do me a favor

and watch what I’m doing
in this scene.

I’m trying a new attitude
for my character.

Yeah. Yeah, sure, Carly.

So, what’s the mood around here
today? Leo breathing fire?

Oh, come on, Leo likes you...
you heard the rumor.

The six Buds are shortly
to be fewer.

Question being,
who gets the ax?

Hey, I work right near Ricki.

I’d know if anything
like that was going on.

So just chill.

[Flint] Oh, come on, Leo.
Fair is fair.

And I’m not just saying this
because he’s my son.

But Timothy did publicize your
show while he was in New York.

So, be a sport. Pick up
the tab for the limo--

He was back there
seeing some broad,

he only did
two interviews for us.

You paid for Vince’s limo
when he was in Chicago.

Don’t talk to me about Vince!

Timothy should have cleared it
with us before he left.

Read it, Leo!

"We’re here for you." Now you
and Ricki are always talkin’

about these kids being family,
so don’t throw them away.

Roy, I’m really late.

We’re talking
900 lousy bucks here!

Maybe it’s just me,
but I always feel one down

negotiating with
a man wearing a gun.

It goes with my day job.

[bell rings]

So are we okay here, Leo?

Have Timothy submit the bill.
We’ll pay 500.

Perry, 30 million people like
the show exactly the way it is,

and yes, I know the network
has fiscal approvals, but...

[Perry] Ricki,
just think about it.

Okay, okay. I’ll at least
think about it.

Talk to you later.

Maybe it’d work.

We’d save a truckload of money
each week.

Dropping two of our six cast
regulars is ridiculous!

It’s like trying to do
The Three Musketeers

with only one swordsman!

We’re gonna destroy
all the chemistry.

They’re not equally funny,
you know.

[sighs]

Take Vince, for instance,
he’s a lox.

[laughs] A lox who draws
27,000 fan letters per week.

Come on, Leo, you’re
supposed to be on my side.

Ricki, you gotta understand,

the network’s under
new management.

They’re under pressure to
tighten purse strings.

Well, maybe we could save
some money by firing you.

How come you talk nice to
everybody but me?

Because you’re my husband.

My all-trusting
pillar of strength.

Did I even ask you what time
you got home last night?

But you were thinking it.

So, just for the record,
I was right here,

burning the midnight oil,

-making us both richer.
-[phone rings]

This is Ricki.

[woman] Ricki, they need you
on the set now.

Yeah, uh,
I’ll be right there.

[sighs] Gotta go down
to the set.

Madame director doesn’t
understand some of the jokes.

Alex, she said
she worked late.

Uh, that’s a coincidence,
’cause so did I.

[Timothy] Dad, I wish you’d stay
out of these things, you know.

-I’ve got an agent.
-And who stays on top of him?

Look, Timmy, you’re the good cop
and I’m the bad cop.

When there’s unpleasant stuff
to be said, that’s my job.

Just like it’s always been.
Am I right?

Yeah, I guess. But I feel
kinda funny

taking any money for the limo.
It was totally personal stuff.

Don’t you get it? The more you
get the studio to spend on you,

the more they think
you’re worth it.

Leo’s always been
fair with me.

Hey, wake up! If the nasty
rumor I’ve been picking up

is true about their cutting
some of the Buds,

then we’d better be lookin’
for some leverage to use

on your so-called pal, Leo.

That is not my style.

Well, maybe it oughta be.

I’ve gotta get back to work.

Timmy.

Dad, don’t do anything that’s
gonna cause hard feelings. Okay?

Hey, I can be diplomatic.

You go be creative.

[bell rings]

[phone rings]

-[man] Hello?
-Records division, please.

One moment.

-[woman] Records.
-Yeah. Records?

This is lieutenant Flint.

Do we have a file on
a Leo Vardian?

That’s V as in vermin,

A as in armpit,
R as in rat.

-Leo! There you are!
-Ah, Jessica.

I was just coming over to see you.

Leo, I realize
how busy you’ve become,

graduating from our little
PBS show to running

a top-five network comedy
series, but--

I know, I’ve heard the clip
from Notorious fell out,

but we have permission to use
Strangers On A Train instead.

-I forgot to tell Rosie...
-Well, that’s fine.

I mean, Strangers On A Train
will work just as well.

Jessica, you’ve been
very patient

and I’ve been very distracted.
Is there anything else you need?

The PBS air date for this episode
is coming up very fast--

Don’t worry,
I’ll tell Rosie

to take whatever overtime
she needs to make the air date.

Dyan. I’ll come
and see you later.

-Dyan! You wanted to see me?
-Yeah! I have to talk to you!

-Show biz!
-[clicks tongue]

Uh, well, it’s not totally
official yet, Leo.

But I’ve been offered a starring
role in a feature film.

Rob Reiner’s directing.
Isn’t that incredible?

When’s all this happening?

Oh well,
that’s a teensy problem.

It starts shooting right
away. Two months in New Delhi--

you’re not going
anywhere, Dyan.

You’re under contract to us
for the run of the series.

But that’s four more years!

A year ago when nobody
ever heard of you,

you were thrilled
to sign up.

Look, Dyan, be patient,
there’ll be other features.

This show’s making you
a superstar.

Girls all over America are
copying your hairdo--

You and Ricki are not going
to spoil my big chance.

I’m just worried that you and
Ricki are gonna get caught.

And Leo can’t afford to blame
her, so that leaves you.

Leo is so desperate,
he’s capable of anything.

How’d I get tangled up
in this mess?

Look, I can’t afford
to offend Ricki.

Don’t you see?

That’s what she’s counting on.
She’s just using you...

I know, I know,
but what can I do, Carly?

You’re a real actress,

Shakespeare in the Park
and all that, but me,

I’m just a guy they found
posing for a jockey shorts ad.

If Ricki kicks me
off the show,

no one else’ll hire me
as an actor.

No, that’s not true.

You’re better than you give
yourself credit for.

-You think so?
-Mmm-hmm.

[Ricki] Hi, Carly dear!

Vince, I wrote some new lines
for you that we need to go over.

Excuse us?

[sighs]

You know what black widow spiders
do with their discarded mates?

Yeah. They kill them.

Timmy, it really
is a phenomenon.

I mean, who would have thought
a group of 20-something

young people sitting around
all day long discussing their sexuality

would turn out to be
a top TV show?

Come on! There’s a whole lot
more to it than that.

There’s, you know,
the way we... and the whole...

Ugh, I guess
you’re right.

But that’s what 20-something
people really do!

Um, Jessica,
the hot word on the set is that

they’re gonna dump
some people in the cast.

Well, I heard that rumor, too.

What makes you think
you’re gonna be dumped?

Just something in my gut.

Listen, Timmy, I’ve watched
your growth as an actor

way back from the early days
at Manhattan University.

You have a natural talent,

and it doesn’t begin or end

with some television comedy,
believe me.

Thanks, Jessica.

I just... I just wish I could
convince my old man of that.

Hi, Mrs. Fletcher.

-Hello, Carly.
-Timmy, did you get the message?

We’ve got a 6:00 a.m. call.

On a Wednesday? To do what?

Ricki’s thrown out
the entire script.

We’ll be reading
a total rewrite.

[scoffs] See you in the morning.

All right, Perry,
I’ll give you one body.

We can reduce our deficits
by that much.

-I’ll kill off one Bud.
-Who will it be?

-Hmm?
-Which character?

Which one? That’ll be
my secret for now.

But don’t worry, babe, if I’m
gonna do this, I’ll do it right.

It’ll be the biggest stunt since
"Who Killed J.R.?" Trust me.

[sighs]

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

Do I get a vote?

Nope. I decide who lives
and dies around here.

We’ll distribute the new scripts
in the morning,

with the final scene missing.

Which I’ll write tonight

and put in here,
for safekeeping.

From everyone, including me?

Mmm-hmm.

[scoffs]

Our six little monsters,

plus their agents and their
managers and their families,

are all gonna be bugging me.

Tell them the truth for once.
That you don’t know.

That’s so embarrassing,
Ricki.

I am supposed to be
co-executive producer.

Then act like one! Field the
flak, don’t pass it on to me.

How about I pass
this on to you, instead?

[Ricki] Mmm!

Ooh! That’s not my good side.

[sighs] Why put your
little slave Alex

to all this trouble, hmm?

If you’d asked me directly,
I would have told you.

It has got to stop, Ricki,

before I become a laughingstock
in front of everyone.

Getting laughs is what
we’re paid for, love.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have
a very important scene to write.

[computer beeping]

Damn, this thing is slow
as molasses!

Doin’ okay, Leo?

Yeah. Terrific. But someone
else may not be.

I want you to take care of
the situation for me.

Keep closer tabs on
Ricki and Vince?

No, we already did that.
It doesn’t work!

What are you saying?

We’ve got to do more.

Make it go away!

Larry love, you promised

to deliver my new SX-1300
laptop two days ago.

I’m making do with this
ten-year-old clunker.

-You’ll get it. I promise.
-Mmm-hmm. Yeah, okay.

If this was wartime,

I could have you shot for
dereliction of duty.

-[laughing]
-You’ll get it today.

Okay. 5:00 today
the latest, hmm?

Want some, Jessica?

Oh. No, thanks.

Working on a series
just devours your life.

I am chained to this desk
from morning to night.

Well, I can imagine that
the rewards of a hit TV show

are commensurate
with its problems.

[laughing] That’s what I want
to talk to you about.

There are several characters
in your books

that I think could combine to
make a riveting TV show.

Would you be interested in
working with me on a new series?

[laughs] Ricki, I’ve been
through that--

I’ve noodled a few pages,

just to give you an idea
what I’m talking about.

-[knock on door]
-I think-- What?

I got the rewrite on the video
store scene, Ricki.

You said to bring it in soon as
I finish. Hi, Mrs. Fletcher.

Hi, Gene.
When does this, uh, episode tape?

Tomorrow night.
Lord willing.

Boy! I’m used to working to
deadlines, but, uh...

No. Not only isn’t this funny
enough or truthful enough,

but what’s this gobbledygook,

"angling at" this
and "angling at" that?

[stuttering] It’s just,
you know, camera directions.

Well, it’s not my style.

And all the scripts should read
as if I wrote every word, hmm?

Right.

[sighs] Now where were we,
Jessica?

Oh, yes. Why don’t you
look at this?

-We can go over it later.
-Ricki, I really don’t think--

I know! You’ve heard horror
stories about working in TV.

Not to worry. You’ll have
me to protect you!

[laughs]

Sally, get me Todd
in Telecine.

Okay, Ricki.

[police sirens wailing]

So, I understand that ex-jock
who plays the hunk on Buds,

Vince DeNisco,

got into a few scrapes
when he was a kid.

And you want me to pull
DeNisco’s jacket for you?

Leo’d be grateful.

Come on, Bower,
you used to be a cop.

All juvenile records
are sealed.

Yeah. But, Roy,
this is you and me.

I know what
the official line is...

Then you also know what
Internal Affairs could do to me

for using official files
for personal gain.

Now, why should I risk my badge
for you or for Leo?

Leo could be a good friend.

[laughing] I seriously
doubt that.

So, these are
the kinds of errands

you’re running these days?

You kept better company when
you were working vice.

Yeah, I gotta hustle.

But, you know, Roy, I don’t
have a big daddy like you

kicking over Hollywood
doors for me,

getting me cushy gigs.

Hey, pal, Timothy got where
he is today on his own talent.

Well, that’s what
I’m trying to do.

[door slams shut]

-[dialing tone]
-[phone rings]

-Ricki Vardian’s office.
-Yeah. Roy Flint for Ricki.

[Ricki] Hello?

-Hey, Ricki, how you doing?
-Swamped. What do you want?

So, are you knocking Timmy off
the show or what?

The network forbids me to say
anything at this point, Roy.

They think it’s good business to
keep everybody in the business

wondering and talking
about the show because...

Yadda-yadda-yadda-yadda.
I guess in order to get

a straight answer at this point,
you gotta be a safecracker!

[laughs] Don’t even think it, Roy.

How do you know
about my safe?

Don’t mess with us, Ricki.

"Watch out! This chick’s
into the three C’s."

[Dyan] the three C’s? Let me see,
character, commitment and...

communication.
None of which you’re interested in.

Uh, what is going on here?
Where’s the energy, huh?

Carly, you’re supposed to be
snide and sarcastic!

It’s dead!

Dy, those glasses belong on
your nose, not in your mouth.

In rehearsals?

Wear them, they help you get
into character!

Joy.

That is the sloppiest rehearsal
I’ve ever seen.

Well, it can’t be a reflection
on my directing

because you haven’t backed off
long enough to let me do any.

Better get started, baby,
because we tape tomorrow.

In case you forgot.

Oh, don’t put it
on me, Ricki.

You toss a whole new script at
us at dawn this morning,

with the final scene under
lock and key somewhere.

Those kids are scared stiff
that some of them are gonna be

filing for
unemployment next week.

Well, they might have you
for company, joyful.

This sounds like the kiss-off,
Ricki, am I right?

[sighs] I’ll always be
fond of you, Vince,

but maybe it’s better for
everybody if we just stop

our extracurricular
activities,

at least for now, hmm?

Whatever.
Does that mean...

Sh. Let’s not talk business

at an emotional moment
like this.

Vince.

Vince, did Ricki say anything
about who’s getting the ax?

No, Carly. She didn’t
say anything.

But after decades of
hard-boiled male detectives,

we then began to see the
emerging of female sleuths

created by such writers as
Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky,

Gillian Roberts, and, of course,
[chuckling] ...yours truly.

Okay. That’s a keeper.

-[bell rings]
-Let’s move in, boys.

-[chattering]
-[sighs]

-You got a minute, Jessica?
-Oh, of course, Tim, what’s up?

It’s my dad. I just got off
the phone with him.

He’s trying to dig up some dirt
to use on our producers...

In case they try
to fire you?

Yes! I told him to stop,
but he just won’t.

[stuttering] And I don’t know
what to do.

Tim, do you know what makes
Alfred Hitchcock movies so special?

’Cause they’re so scary?

[laughs] Well, that’s part of it.

They’re about ordinary people
trapped in terrible situations

who take charge of
their own lives.

I hear you. Okay.

I’m gonna handle this situation
myself, in a business-like way.

I’ll just make an appointment
to see Ricki after rehearsals

and just let her know
what my dad’s up to.

Good. Ricki is not the easiest person
in the world to deal with,

-but you’re up to it.
-Yeah.

[bell rings]

-Okay, Jessica. We’re ready to go.
-Good.

Can you just tell me
if Carly’s out?

You see, she’s got this offer
to be in the new Valerie Harper pilot.

Of course, she’d
much rather stay here,

but if she’s gonna be dropped
anyway, then...

What, is this your business?
Are you making it with her?

No. No, she’s just a friend.

You know, a nice kid, I wanted
to help out if I could.

-Maybe if I explain to Ricki that--
-You wanna lose your head?

Just get back to your computer
and think up more jokes.

Thanks, Gene. It was
sweet of you to try.

What are you gonna do?

[sighs] Well, I’m a big girl.

I can take care of myself.

[stuttering] Milton, I know you’re trying

to make the best
deal possible,

but this is Rob Reiner.

Okay. Let me tell you the news,
all right.

It’s all over the studio,

they’re making changes
here in the cast.

Isn’t that totally perfect
timing for us?

That might explain
the threat of a lawsuit.

What? Who’s threatening
a lawsuit?

[Ricki] Mmm, thank you, dear.

That’s one of the best things
about working on this show,

free cappuccino.

You’re trying to kill
my movie deal with Rob Reiner,

-Aren’t you?
-Me? What are you talking about?

My agent told me that someone
is pulling strings.

They’re pouring on
legal pressure.

Oh, that’s Leo’s department,
sweetie.

He’s business.
I’m creative.

And I’m hurt that you think
I would ever do anything

to stand in the way of
what’s good for you.

So it’s Leo?

[sighs]

What am I supposed to say
when she catches up with me?

Take the rap.
Play the heavy.

That’s what I pay you for,

so people will hate you
instead of me.

-Uh-huh.
-Gary, love, wait up!

Punish me and not him, okay?

Please, don’t fire Vince
because you think that--

In case you forgot, missy,
I’m in charge here.

I’ll hire and fire
anyone I please.

This does not give you
the right to treat people like dirt!

That woman is a monster!

[door closing]

Uh, Ricki.

Would you believe?

Uh, I finally get
my new SX-1300,

and it doesn’t paginate
properly.

Oh, let me see it, sometimes if
you... if you futz with it.

Hope you didn’t come here
to find out

what the final scene
in the script is.

[laughs] Well, now that
you mention it...

[Leo] Looking for me, Jessica?

Leo?

[chuckles] What are you doing
sitting here in the dark?

-Thinking dark thoughts.
-About what?

Ricki and Leo.

Decided there’s no such thing.

Ricki’s for Ricki. Period.

Sounds to me as if you’re having
one of those days.

Too many of them.

Can’t go on fooling myself
anymore.

"Leo, I want a pre-nuptial
agreement,

but that doesn’t mean
I don’t love you."

"Sure, Ricki."

"Leo, work with me,

I’ll give you a big title but
it won’t mean anything."

"Sure, Ricki."

"We’re married, Leo,
we’re partners,

but I keep all kinds
of secrets from you."

"Sure, Ricki."

Do they give an Emmy for
outstanding wimp of the year?

I think you’re telling all this
to the wrong person.

You’re absolutely right.

I should be telling it
to Ricki.

And then a divorce lawyer.

Do you need anything?

[chuckling] It’ll keep.

Well, that’s the rest
of the audio.

One more session,
and we’ll be finished.

-Mmm-hmm.
-Another project?

I don’t think so, Rosie.

As a matter of fact, I’d like
to get it off my hands.

Ricki? Leo?

[gasps] Ricki!

[chattering]

Mrs. Fletcher.
I’m lieutenant Flint.

Oh, of course. Yes.
You’re Timothy’s father.

Lieutenant Caceras
over at Hollywood division

says that you’ve
gotten involved

with a couple of cases there,
is that right?

-Lieutenant Caceras and I are friends.
-I see.

Well, uh, would you mind
telling me

what you were doing in
Ricki’s office here tonight?

I was just returning
a treatment

that she wanted me to read.

I’m working on the lot.

Uh, lieutenant, did you
notice any signs

of forced entry
on that safe?

Nope. Nope.

Either the killer
knew the combination,

or more likely surprised Ricki
when the lid was open,

and Ricki got clobbered.
Excuse me.

Brand, I want you personally

to catalog the contents
of the safe.

Uh, you’re assuming that that is
the murder weapon, right?

One might assume.

Then you’re eliminating
robbery as a motive?

At least,
in the usual sense.

Are we gonna be playing games
here, Mrs. Fletcher?

[stuttering] What’s that supposed to mean,

"in the usual sense"?

Well, it’s just a guess.

I mean, it’s possible

that there was something
in that safe

that was worth killing for.

For instance?

Well, rumor has it that
the only copy of the scene

revealing who was going to be
fired from the show

was locked away
in Ricki’s safe.

But perhaps you already knew
that through Timothy.

Excuse me, lieutenant, we’ve
been checking like you asked.

Almost all the victim’s
co-workers were floating around the lot

at the time of the murder.

I got preliminary statements
from most of them,

including all the Buds,
except for Timothy.

He was with me.

Forgive me for saying this,
lieutenant,

but isn’t there a certain
conflict of interest

for you working this case?

Mrs. Fletcher, are we gonna
have a problem here?

-Because if we are...
-[Leo] I’m her husband,

-you’ve gotta let me in.
-[officer] Hey, hold on now!

Ricki...

I don’t believe this.

Leo...

I’m sorry, Leo.
I really am.

Now, look, I’ve gotta ask you
a couple of questions.

This is the pre-nuptial agreement
that you and Ricki signed.

What has that
got to do with--

According to which, you get
bupkis in the event of divorce.

You have any idea why
Ricki took it out of the safe tonight?

Maybe she was reminiscing.

Ricki had a big
sentimental streak.

Where were you about
an hour ago, Leo?

I was walking
around the lot.

I was getting some air,
waiting for Ricki to finish work.

Okay. Did Ricki carry
much life insurance?

Excuse me.
Uh, lieutenant...

I think this is
the famous scene

everyone’s been wondering
and worrying about.

What’s it say?

[Leo] "As they hear
the sound of footsteps

coming down the stairs,

from the front door of
the cafe, they all turn.

The camera is angling at
the paramedic as he enters.

The paramedic says,

’I’ve got some bad news,
there’s been an accident.’

The Buds
all hold their breath,

until the paramedic
drops the dreaded bomb.

’It is your friend Dyan,

I’m afraid
she may not make it.’

-Freeze on reactions and fade out."
-Dyan, I’m sorry.

-Ricki killed you?
-I’m the one.

[Leo] in light of what’s happened,
some changes are necessary.

This ending will not,
I repeat, not be used.

Gene will rewrite it
at once,

and none of the characters
will be eliminated.

[all cheering]

-If that’s all right with you, Dyan?
-Absolutely.

I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere
at a time like this,

-Except with my Buds.
-[laughter]

Besides, um, Rob Reiner
changed his mind,

and gave the part to
Meg Ryan.

Dyan? Are you okay?

Oh, yeah. Sure.
Everything’s terrific.

You should’ve
heard it inside.

All the pep-rally spirit
for the show.

I mean, Ricki’s dead.
Nobody really seems to care.

I mean, I know she was
a pill sometimes, but...

she was real good to me.

You know, Carly told me

that you were
her favorite character.

In fact, she patterned your
character after herself.

-Mmm-hmm. Yeah. Glasses and all.
-[laughs] Yes.

My eyesight’s 20-20,

but Ricki said I was funnier
with the glasses.

[sighs] Now, no more
Ricki in the office,

tapping out the jokes
on her new laptop.

Oh, Jessica, she just saw
the whole world from a different angle.

I mean, she saw
humor where...

A different angle.

Something wrong?

Excuse me, Dyan. I have
to get over to the office.

Did you forget something?

No, I think I just
remembered something.

Gene, I know you’re busy.

I’m never too busy
for you, Mrs. Fletcher.

Ah, is this
your new office?

Uh, just for today.

Leo wants me where he can
look over my shoulder

till these pages
are revised.

With Ricki gone, it looks like
Leo is gonna be leaning

much more heavily on me.

I’ve only got one question.

What did
the original scene say,

before you changed it?

[stuttering] I don’t know
what you’re talking about.

I know that the scene
the police found in the safe

wasn’t the version
that Ricki wrote.

She had criticized your use of
the camera direction,

"angling at" as not
being her style.

But it is yours, Gene.

It’s not what
you think, Mrs. Fletcher.

[stuttering]
I was working late,

and I came by Ricki’s office
and found her body.

And the safe was open, so I took
a peek inside and saw the scene.

And you saw that it wasn’t Dyan
who was being written out.

No. It was my friend Carly.

But with Ricki dead,
you figured, who would know,

so you rewrote the scene.

After all, Dyan wanted out
in the worst way,

everybody knew that.

So maybe I could do a favor
for her and for Carly.

I figured, what’s the harm?

The harm was that you were
tampering with evidence

at a crime scene.

Now, if that’s all you did.

[stuttering] I swear. I didn’t
touch anything else, lieutenant.

All right. We’ll leave it
at that, for now.

You’re free to go.

It’d be nice if you’d
share with me

your next
brainstorm, Mrs. Fletcher,

like in advance.

Are you saying that
you’re interested

in
my thoughts, lieutenant?

Only the good ones.

-And you’ll be the judge?
-Who else? It’s my case.

-[phone rings]
-One moment, please.

Flint here.

Ricki and Leo
took out some life insurance...

-Yeah.
-...three months ago...

-Uh-huh.
-...for five million dollars.

Double indemnity in case
of a violent death.

Uh-huh. Thanks.

Leo and Ricki Vardian
just took out

five million dollar
life insurance policies

three months ago,
with the following clause,

"double indemnity in the event
of death by violent crime."

Ooh!

[chattering]

Hey, how you doing?

I heard you had a meeting with
Ricki last night, how’d it go?

Does it matter?

Where did you go
after you left her?

I went for a...

What, are you asking me
officially or something?

Just tell me where you were.

I was kind of upset
at the time,

you know, getting
the run-around and all.

So, I went for a run,
by myself, up around the reservoir.

If anyone asks,
you were with me,

at my place the whole time.

Look, dad, I--

Just do what I tell you.

[Leo] Alex!
Where you been?

I’ve been leaving messages
for you all night.

I turned off my machine last
night, and I slept like a baby.

You know what I’m thinking?

With everything that’s happened
here, I should get a promotion.

-A big one.
-What for?

Whoa, no details, Leo.
That’s the way you like it.

I’m thinking the title
of supervising producer

fits me pretty good.

Let me know how much it pays.

I’m just really scared.

Why? Are you afraid that
the police will focus

on Vince being thrown
over by Ricki?

No. I’m afraid for myself,
Jessica.

Everybody’s saying
that the murder weapon was Ricki’s Emmy,

and the police are gonna find
my fingerprints on it,

but I didn’t kill her.

Well, then you’ve got
nothing to worry about.

But I think you ought to tell
the lieutenant here.

Mrs. Fletcher, kids.

Uh, dad, I think Carly has
something to tell you.

The reason my fingerprints
are on Ricki’s Emmy was...

[Flint] I’m not really concerned
with that, Carly.

Our lab has just established

that the blunt object
that Ricki was killed with

was the laptop computer
on her desk.

Well, what are you getting at,
lieutenant?

[Flint] We’re here
because of something

sergeant Brand
picked up from Vince.

Now, Vince didn’t want to point
a finger, of course,

but last night, Vince was
comparing notes with someone,

and it came out that despite Leo
and Ricki Vardian’s assurances,

that all six of you Buds were
being paid exactly the same,

in fact, one of you...

Was being low-balled,
namely me.

Vince said you went ballistic
when he told you that,

and you took off
looking for Ricki.

Yeah. But I didn’t find her.
I swear I didn’t.

Dad?

Timmy,

the only prints found
on the laptop were the salesman’s

who delivered it yesterday,
Ricki’s and yours.

That’s from before...

Don’t say
anything else, Timmy.

-Officer] let’s go.
-You never listen to me, dad.

You have the right
to remain silent.

If you give up that right,
anything you say

can and will be used against
you in a court of law.

You have the right
to an attorney...

Flint] it’s just
for the record.

It’s a statement of how
you found the body.

I know it’s a bit
after the fact

now that we’ve
booked a suspect,

but, please just sign
at the bottom.

I stopped by to see Timmy
on the way in.

Yeah, I know.

Thanks.

I’m having a little difficulty
talking to him just now.

Under the circumstances,

I’ve decided to take
a back seat in the case.

Just handling the paperwork,

letting the captain
do the rest.

You know, I don’t believe
for one moment

that Timmy was capable
of murder.

Neither do I, as a father.

But as a cop,
I gotta admit, it adds up.

He had motive.

Apart from getting slightly
crazed about maybe being fired,

he then finds out that Ricki was
short-changing him all last year

and he had opportunity.

The laptop came in
brand-new and spotless

from the computer store

just a little while before
she got clobbered with it.

And his prints are the only
clear ones on it.

But he said that
he touched the computer

when he was in the office
earlier,

and he admits
that he came back,

but the door to
Ricki’s office was closed.

He knocked, there was
no answer, and so he left.

And you don’t believe him?

[sighs] What I’m beginning to
believe, Mrs. Fletcher,

is that it’s all my fault.

All these years,

maybe I pushed him
too hard to succeed.

Forgive me for saying this,

but a violent response to
feeling hurt or anger

is probably more
your way than Timothy’s.

Maybe he’s more like me
than I thought.

Lieutenant,

would you tell me
what happened that night

when you came to see Ricki
in her office?

Who says I did?

Well, Timothy told me
that you had

tried to fabricate
an alibi for him.

But it was really the other way
around, wasn’t it?

I was just tryin’
to protect us both.

But you’re right, I...
I did go back to the office,

to make one last plea for
Timothy’s job,

but Ricki, she...

Ricki was meaner
than a sewer rat.

And you argued.

Oh, yes, we argued. And I have
to admit, I got pretty angry,

to the point where I could’ve
gotten physical,

so I got out of there fast.

And she was alive
when I left.

I believe you.

And I also believe Timothy.

Don’t you think I want to?

[man] action, Mrs. Fletcher.

[Jessica] and in one of
Alfred Hitchcock’s

famous scenes from
Strangers On A Train,

the audience
witnesses a murder,

but in a most unusual way,

as it is reflected
in the lenses

of the victim’s eyeglasses
that have...

Cut! Cut! Stop tape.

-[bell rings]
-Anything wrong, Jess?

No. Forgive me,

but I think Mr. Hitchcock
just gave me an idea.

Come back to get your glasses?

Oh, no, and actually, um,
I’ve got mine.

At least I think
these are mine.

I know, they look the same,

[laughs] Except for
the magnifying power.

These are Ricki’s
prescription glasses.

Last night, after the murder,
I noticed Ricki’s glasses.

It wasn’t until later
that I realized

that they were not
prescription lenses.

These are yours.
20-20, plain glass.

You accidentally left them here
when you killed Ricki.

Ricki was my friend.

Why would I want to kill her?

Because you felt she was
out to ruin your career

by keeping you from leaving
the show to do that big movie.

Oh! That was all over
way before.

My agent phoned me that
Meg Ryan got the gig.

So, I had no reason to...

Dyan, I talked to
your agent.

What he told you that night was,
that it was Ricki,

not Leo, who was threatening
the movie company

with a huge breach-of-contract
suit if they hired you.

Oh, Milton’s getting it
all mixed up.

No, your agent
didn’t receive word

about the other actress being
signed until the next morning.

So when you killed Ricki,
you still thought you had the part,

if Ricki was out of the way.

Oh, okay, so maybe I’m a little
confused on the timing,

but that doesn’t mean
I did it.

Ricki and I probably got
the glasses mixed up on the set.

She brought them here
by mistake.

I was never here that night.

Then how do you explain

the question of Ricki’s
new laptop computer?

What does that
have to do with me?

I mean, I heard that that was
the murder weapon but...

She’d never used it until
the night of her murder,

but you told me the morning
after the murder.

Now, no more Ricki
in the office

tapping out the jokes
on her new laptop.

The salesman delivered
the laptop that evening.

The only way you could
have known it was here

was if you were here.

Give me those glasses!

Nice and easy, Dyan.

All right, I did it.

But Ricki deserved
what she got.

See, when you’re
an actress,

you constantly
hear a clock ticking.

Guys like Eastwood
and Jack Nicholson

get
to be stars forever.

But for an actress,
it’s like being a ballplayer.

When the legs go,
the career’s over.

But you’re only, what, 29?

[scoffs] That’s what I tell
People magazine.

Try 36.

When I got
this big movie offer,

I felt like it was
my last chance.

I couldn’t wait four years for
the series to end.

I told Ricki that.

I pleaded with her.

Ricki, please, just write me out
for a couple of months.

That’s all I need!

Sweetie, you signed a contract,
and I own you.

No!

Afterwards, I was sorry.

Ricki had done so much
for me in the past,

but this movie,
well, I thought I had it.

It was a part any actress
would...

Kill for.

[bell rings]

Rehearsal. Action!

But who sends a Valentine’s day
card without signing it?

A practical joker.

Or a mystery admirer.

[man] Or one of
your girlfriends

who hasn’t learned
to write her own name yet.

Well, there were three "x’s"
on the bottom of the card.

[Carly] Ah, you see?

I don’t know anybody
with a middle name.

Now!

[cheering]

[bell rings]

Oh, I, uh, thought
you might like to know,

I’m making my new year’s
resolutions a little early this year.

I decided to concentrate
on what I do best--

Being a good cop and to stop
being a bad stage-door mommy.

Ah, well, I guess that’s
the thing about kids, lieutenant.

You have to
let go sometime.

[cheering]

[Carly] Okay! Excuse me!
Excuse me, everybody.

[Vince] Silenzio, you guys,
Carly’s got a proclamation.

I think this is
for you to read, Timmy.

"Whereas, Jessica Fletcher

has proven herself
a friend extraordinaire,

be it herewith resolved that
she is officially designated

an honorary Bud."

[laughing] Oh!

[cheering]