Original subtitles

HEY, JIM.

HEY, ERIC, HOW ARE YOU DOING?

THIS IS THE WOMAN I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT.

WOW.

SO YOU'RE THE ONE THAT CAN SING THE FEATHERS OFF A BIRD.

I'M... KATHY MEADOWS.

JIM COSECK.

HONEY, YOU CAN SMILE THE FEATHERS OFF A BIRD.

WELL, COMPARED TO HER VOICE

HER LOOKS ARE QUITE INCONSEQUENTIAL.

THIS I GOT TO HEAR.

YOU GOT YOUR BACKGROUND MIX?

YEAH, WHY DON'T YOU LACE IT UP.

KATHY, WHY DON'T YOU STEP OUT THERE

AND LET JIM HEAR WHAT YOU GOT.

AND IF EVERYTHING GOES FINE

WELL, WE'LL MAKE A CUT TOMORROW.

OKAY?

OKAY. I'LL TRY.

SHE'LL TRY.

YOU KNOW, JIMBO

SHE VERY WELL COULD BE THE LADY

TO PUT PHOENIX RECORDS ON THE MAP TO STAY.

UM, DON'T YOU GUYS NEED TO GET A LEVEL IN THERE?

NO. WE'LL CATCH IT AS WE GO ALONG.

YOU READY, HONEY?

( guitar riffs playing )

( disco beat joins in )

* EVERYBODY ISN'T THE SAME, BOY, BABY *

* EVERYBODY'S GOTTA ROLL *

* EVERYBODY'S IN THE SAME PLACE, BABY *

* EVERYBODY'S GOTTA GO *

* ALL I GOT TO SAY TO YOU *

* ALL I GOTTA SAY *

* IS OOH, BABY, JUST WANNA GET BESIDE YOU *

* AND NOT GET IN YOUR WAY *

* YEAH *

* EVERYBODY HASN'T THE SAME EDUCATION *

* AND EVERYBODY'S GOTTA KNOW *

* EVERYBODY IS IN THE SAME SITUATION *

* EVERYBODY'S MOVING SLOW *

* NOW ALL I GOT TO SAY TO YOU *

* ALL I GOTTA SAY *

* IS OOH, BABY, JUST WANNA GET BESIDE YOU *

* AND NOT GET IN YOUR WAY *

* IS OOH, BABY, JUST WANNA GET BESIDE YOU... *

JIM, CAN YOU PUT ON YOUR HEADSET SO WE CAN TALK?

NO PROBLEM.

REAL GOOD VOICE.

TOO BAD SHE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF SIGNING WITH YOUR COMPANY.

* IT'S FREE TILL NOW, FOR SOMEONE ELSE... *

( thunderclap )

* WONDER WOMAN *

* WONDER WOMAN *

* WONDER WOMAN *

* WONDER WOMAN *

* WONDER WOMAN *

* ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY TO YOU *

* ALL I GOT TO SAY *

* ALL I GOT TO SAY *

* IS, OOH, OOH, BABY *

* JUST WANT TO GET BESIDE YOU, NOT GET IN YOUR WAY *

* IS, OOH, OOH, BABY *

* JUST WANT TO GET BESIDE YOU, NOT GET IN YOUR WAY *

* GET ON YOUR FEET *

* EVERYBODY *

* EVERYBODY * * EVERY BLESSED SOUL *

AFTER ALL, $1 MILLION IS NOTHING COMPARED

TO WHAT YOU STAND TO MAKE OFF OF

FAREWELL TO THE MASTER.

BILLY DERO'S DISAPPEARANCE IS

THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED

AS FAR AS THE SALES OF HIS LAST ALBUM ARE CONCERNED.

RIGHT?

ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER.

I KNOW ALL OF THAT.

JUST $1 MILLION, MR. LANDAU

AND THE MASTER TAPE IS YOURS ONCE MORE.

I HAVEN'T GONE TO THE COPS, HAVE I?

I INTEND TO PAY.

WHEN?

I, I DON'T KNOW.

I'LL HAVE TO GET A LOAN FROM THE BANK.

MAYBE A WEEK FROM NOW.

MAKE IT TWO DAYS.

TWO DAYS? THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, MR. LANDAU.

20 YEARS AGO, PUTTING A MAN ON THE MOON

THAT WAS CONSIDERED IMPOSSIBLE.

DON'T SET YOUR SIGHTS SO LOW.

BE BOLD, IMAGINATIVE.

WE HAVE FAITH IN YOU.

IF YOU DON'T GET THE MONEY UP IN TWO DAYS

YOU DON'T GET BACK THE TAPES THAT YOU PAID $100,000 FOR.

AND THEN YOUR WHOLE COMPANY WILL GO DOWN THE TUBES...

WON'T IT?

* ...EVERY BLESSED SOUL *

* EVERYBODY, EVERY BLESSED SOUL *

* EVERYBODY, EVERY BLESSED SOUL *

* EVERYBODY, EVERY BLESSED SOUL *

* EVERYBODY, EVERY BLESSED SOUL... *

EXTORTION MAKES STRANGE BEDFELLOWS, STEVE.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE TRAIL WE PICKED UP

IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

IS GOING TO END UP IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

SO YOU THINK KOBLER'S EXTORTING PHOENIX RECORDS?

I'VE GOT A PRETTY GOOD HUNCH.

ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO, A POP MUSIC STAR NAMED BILLY DERO

SET SAIL FOR CATALINA AND WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

YEAH, I HEARD ABOUT THAT.

Well, apparently

PHOENIX RECORDS PAID

A SMALL FORTUNE TO ACQUIRE THE RIGHTS

TO THE LAST SONGS BILLY EVER RECORDED.

THEY WERE GOING TO COMPILE AND MARKET

A MEMORIAL ALBUM CALLED FAREWELL TO THE MASTER.

IT SEEMS I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT THAT, TOO.

WELL, JUDGING FROM THE BITS AND PIECES I'VE OVERHEARD

CHANCES ARE, THE MASTER TAPE FOR THAT ALBUM HAS BEEN STOLEN.

OH, AND BEING HELD FOR RANSOM BY KOBLER.

Right.

YOU SEE, WITHOUT THAT MASTER TAPE

PHOENIX CAN'T PRESS ANY DISKS.

ERIC LANDAU STANDS TO LOSE HIS COMPANY

IF HE DOESN'T GET THAT TAPE BACK.

WHICH MEANS HE'S MORE THAN WILLING

TO GO ALONG WITH KOBLER'S DEMANDS.

WELL, WELL, WELL, LOOKS LIKE

EVERYTHING WE'VE HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

HAS BEEN 100% CORRECT.

Let's just hope we can make it pay off.

WELL, I THINK A KOBLER EMPLOYEE JUST MADE CONTACT WITH ERIC.

I FULLY INTEND TO BE AROUND IF AND WHEN ERIC DROPS THE RANSOM.

WITH ANY LUCK, THIS WILL BE KOBLER'S LAST SCAM.

GOOD.

HEY, HOW YOU DOING?

WERE THE STRINGS I PULLED

TO GET YOU THAT AUDITION GOOD ENOUGH?

EVERYTHING'S JUST FINE.

KATHY MEADOWS STARTS CUTTING A DEMO TOMORROW.

I JUST CAN'T GET OVER THE FACT

THAT YOU CAN SING SO WELL.

WELL, THERE ARE QUITE A FEW THINGS

YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME, STEVE.

THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE.

WELL, ANYWAY.

THE L.A. FIELD OFFICE IS STILL TRYING

TO LOCATE KOBLER'S BASE OF OPERATIONS OUT THERE.

THEY'LL LET YOU KNOW IF THEY COME UP WITH ANYTHING.

WELL, JUST HOW MUCH TROUBLE IS THE SENATOR GIVING US?

MAYBE HE'S FORGOTTEN HOW MUCH TROUBLE

THOSE PHOTOGRAPHS CAN MAKE FOR HIM.

PERHAPS IF WE LEAKED ONE OF THEM TO THE PRESS.

NO, NOT THAT ONE.

WE DON'T WANT TO RUIN HIS CAREER

JUST GIVE IT A LITTLE JOLT.

YEAH, THAT ONE WILL DO. THAT'LL DO.

GET ON IT, GREG.

OKAY.

WELL, MARTIN.

WHAT DID MR. LANDAU HAVE TO SAY?

HE WANTED A WEEK TO GET THE MILLION TOGETHER.

OUT OF THE QUESTION.

THE LONGER THESE THINGS DRAG OUT

THE RISKIER THEY BECOME.

I KNOW.

I TOLD HIM TWO DAYS.

HE DIDN'T LIKE THAT AT ALL.

I WOULDN'T WANT HIM TO OVERREACT AND DO SOMETHING RASH.

HE PROBABLY NEEDS A REMINDER

THAT DOING THINGS MY WAY IS BEST FOR HIS HEALTH.

COULD YOU MEET WITH HIM AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON?

THERE'S A PRESS PARTY GOING ON, BUT... NO PROBLEM.

I LIKE CROWDS.

GO REMIND MR. LANDAU WHERE HIS PRIORITIES LIE

FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

TAKE THE TAPE WITH YOU.

JUST THE FIRST SONG.

YES, MA'AM.

HEY... JUST RELAX. SMILE.

AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS HONESTLY.

LOOK, REPORTERS RECOGNIZE A FLEDGLING SUPERSTAR

WHEN THEY SEE ONE.

OH, ERIC... WHEW!

JUST WAIT TILL YOU CUT YOUR FIRST ALBUM.

I'M TELLING YOU, YOU GOT A HECK OF A FUTURE

IN THIS BUSINESS.

YOU'RE DYNAMITE... KATHY.

THAT'S MY PERSONAL AS WELL AS MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION.

THAT'S JEFF AND BARBI GORDON, RIGHT?

THAT'S RIGHT.

UH, JEFF, BARBI.

I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO MEET KATHY MEADOWS.

NICE TO MEET YOU, KATHY.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

HI.

Barbi: ERIC SPEAKS VERY HIGHLY OF YOU.

ARE YOU TWO LEAVING?

OH, WE WERE JUST GETTING SOME FRESH AIR.

THAT ROOM UPSTAIRS WAS GETTING SO STUFFY

OUR THROATS WERE GETTING SCRATCHY.

WEREN'T THEY, JEFF?

OH, YEAH, A LITTLE.

THIS IS YOUR FIRST PRESS PARTY?

YES.

I GUESS I'M JUST GREEN ENOUGH

TO BE EXCITED ABOUT IT ALL.

OF COURSE.

AFTER A WHILE, THOUGH

THE CHARM OF THESE AFFAIRS WEARS THIN.

IF IT WEREN'T ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

FOR JEFF AND I TO MAKE

AN APPEARANCE NOW AND THEN

WE'D NEVER ATTEND THESE THINGS.

ISN'T THAT RIGHT, JEFF?

OH, YEAH.

THESE SO-CALLED SINGERS AND THEIR IMMORAL MUSIC.

THERE ARE DAYS I LOOK TO HEAVEN AND ASK

"WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK?"

DON'T I, JEFF?

YEAH, A COUPLE...

CALL ME OLD-FASHIONED, BUT WE WORK HARD...

( siren blaring )

( tires squeal )

( small explosion )

( small explosions )

( laughing wildly )

THAT'S "ANTIMATTER."

IT CERTAINLY IS.

( trilling )

( laughing )

KEEP IT DOWN, WILL YOU?

HI.

LISTEN, I'D LIKE FOR YOU

TO MEET KATHY MEADOWS.

KATHY, THIS IS ANTON.

HI. CHARMED.

AND KIM.

HI.

AND, OF COURSE, JERRY.

ENCHANTED.

AND, UH, YOU DO KNOW JEFF AND BARBI GORDON.

MM-HMM.

OH, I, I HAVE ALL OF YOUR RECORDS.

REALLY, I THINK YOUR MUSIC IS JUST WONDERFUL!

HAVE YOU GUYS EVER THOUGHT ABOUT

DOING MILK COMMERCIALS?

HONEY, EVERY TIME YOU SING, I JUST MELT.

( laughing )

( drumming on stairs )

Barbi: THAT'S JUST WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

THEY PROBABLY CALL THEMSELVES "ANTIMATTER"

BECAUSE IF THEY EVER CAME INTO CONTACT

WITH ANYTHING NORMAL OR DECENT, THEY'D BLOW UP.

OH, NOT THAT I MIND

YOU HANDLING THEM, ERIC, IT'S JUST THAT SOMETIMES

HE TENDS TO FOCUS ON THEM

TO THE EXCLUSION

OF HIS MORE MODERATE

ULTIMATELY MORE POPULAR ARTISTS.

EXCUSE ME, I HAVE SOME BUSINESS TO TAKE CARE OF.

KATHY, I'LL SEE YOU A LITTLE LATER, OKAY?

SURE.

WELL, I GUESS I'D BETTER BE GOING, TOO.

IT WAS NICE TO MEET YOU.

I'M SURE WE'LL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN SOON.

Both: NICE TO MEET YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

SHE'S A VERY ATTRACTIVE WOMAN, BARBIE.

LORD KNOWS WHAT KIND OF SONGS SHE DOES.

WHO CARES?

THIS IS YOUR OFFICE, MR. LANDAU.

PLEASE, COME IN.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK HERE?

MY SUPERIORS FEEL YOU NEED SOME ENCOURAGEMENT

WHEN IT COMES TO MEETING YOUR TWO-DAY DEADLINE.

RECOGNIZE THIS?

YEAH. IT'S A MASTER TAPE.

IN FACT, THIS ENVELOPE HOLDS THE FIRST SONG FROM THE MASTER.

NOW WATCH CAREFULLY.

GET THE PICTURE?

WE BURN A SONG A DAY TILL YOU HAND OVER THE MONEY.

IF YOU DON'T HURRY, YOU WON'T HAVE ENOUGH LEFT

FOR A MEMORIAL SINGLE.

GOOD DAY, MR. LANDAU.

ERIC!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

WELL, YOU LEFT SO QUICKLY, AND YOU SEEMED UPSET.

I WAS WORRIED.

SO I WENT TO YOUR OFFICE

AND I'M AFRAID I OVERHEARD.

THEN YOU KNOW EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING.

YOU'RE BEING BLACKMAILED, HUH?

THE PROPER TERM IS EXTORTED.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

PAY THE RANSOM.

I CAN GET A BANK LOAN

IF I PUT UP MY SHARES OF PHOENIX AS COLLATERAL.

IF WORD OF THAT EVER GETS OUT, INVESTORS WILL START DESERTING

LIKE RATS ABOARD THE S.S. POSEIDON.

I'M TAKING AN AWFUL BIG CHANCE.

I'M SORRY, ERIC.

I HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT, I REALLY DO.

YOU'RE A VERY, VERY SPECIAL PERSON, KATHY.

MAYBE WHEN ALL OF THIS IS OVER...

ERIC.

I LIKE YOU.

I REALLY DO.

BUT YOU, MY CAREER, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL BEEN KIND OF SUDDEN.

YOU UNDERSTAND, RIGHT?

NO.

THEN, WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

COME ON, LET'S GO DOWN TO THE PARTY.

STOP PLAYING AROUND WITH THOSE TAPES

AND TELL US WHY YOU BROUGHT US DOWN HERE AT THIS UNGODLY HOUR.

YEAH, I MEAN, WHAT'S THE POINT

OF BEING YOUNG, FAMOUS, AND IMMENSELY TALENTED

IF YOU CAN'T SLEEP TILL 12:00 NOON?

CAN HE EVEN HEAR US?

I CAN HEAR YOU, I CAN HEAR YOU, I CAN HEAR YOU.

THEN WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT, ABOUT, ABOUT?

( song playing slowly, distorted )

WHAT IS THAT?

IT'S A TAKE FROM FAREWELL TO THE MASTER.

IT'S ONE THEY DECIDED NOT TO USE.

ERIC ASKED ME TO COME DOWN HERE AND REMIX IT FOR SOME REASON.

I GOT TO FOOLING AROUND A LITTLE, AND I CAME UP WITH THIS.

I REPEAT, WHAT IS IT?

IT'S, IT'S A 33 CUT PLAYED AT ABOUT HALF SPEED.

SO?

SO, SO LISTEN.

( high-pitched ): * SOMEONE GET ME OUT... *

NOW, I'LL SLOW IT DOWN EVEN MORE.

( music playing very slowly )

Man ( normal pitch ): * SOMEONE TAKE THE PENNIES OFF BILLY'S EYES... *

THAT'S BILLY'S VOICE.

* SOMEONE PRY THE COFFIN LID LOOSE *

* SOMEONE GET ME OUT, IT'S SO COLD AND SO DAMP *

* CAN'T ANYBODY HEAR ME AT ALL? *

THAT TRACK WAS CUT AT SO SLOW A SPEED

THAT WHEN THE RECORD'S PLAYED BACK AT 33 R.P.M.s

IT SOUNDS LIKE, JUST, YOU KNOW, SO MUCH BACKGROUND NOISE.

WHEN YOU SLOW IT DOWN, THOUGH, YOU GET THAT.

Dero: * SOMEONE TAKE THE PENNIES OFF BILLY'S EYES *

* SOMEONE PRY THE COFFIN LID LOOSE *

* SOMEONE GET ME OUT... *

OH, NO!

NO, I AIN'T GOING FOR THIS.

I MEAN, I WENT FOR IT WITH THE BEATLES

IN "REVOLUTION #9," PLAYING THAT BACKWARDS

BUT I AIN'T GOING TO GO FOR THIS.

SHUT UP, JERRY.

TURN ME ON, DEAD MAN.

TURN ME ON, DEAD MAN.

TURN ME ON, DEAD MAN.

A-HA.

OH, JERRY.

YOU THINK BILLY RECORDED THAT

BEFORE HE DISAPPEARED?

HE HAD TO; HE PRODUCED HIS OWN ALBUMS.

IT'S PART OF HIS CONTRACT.

YOU THINK BILLY IS STILL ALIVE?

YEAH, AND LIVING WITH PAUL McCARTNEY?

COME ON, JERRY, KNOCK IT OFF.

SUPPOSE HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO DISAPPEAR?

MAYBE HE PLANTED THOSE TRACKS AS, LIKE, CLUES.

MAYBE IT WAS JUST A TWISTED PUBLICITY GIMMICK.

AND YOU KNOW BILLY WOULD DO ANYTHING

TO GET A COUPLE OF LINES IN THE PAPER.

MAYBE. WORTH CHECKING OUT EITHER WAY.

KEEP PLAYING WITH THE DIALS.

SEE WHAT OTHER GOODIES YOU COME UP WITH.

HOW COME WE BECOME THE COLUMBOS ALL OF A SUDDEN?

BILLY DERO WAS THIS COMPANY'S BIGGEST ASSET.

AND WITHOUT HIM, PHOENIX COULD GO DOWN THE TUBES.

AND WITHOUT PHOENIX, THE THREE OF US

COULD, UH, GO DOWN THE TUBES.

OR DID YOU GUYS FORGET HOW ERIC PICKED US UP

WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD TAKE A CHANCE ON US?

( piano melody playing on tape )

Dero ( low-pitched ): * WHY COULDN'T SOMEBODY TELL ME... *

YES?

YES, I'VE GOT THE MONEY.

LOOK, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T BURN ANOTHER SONG.

RIGHT, 5:00 P.M.

MULHOLLAND AND SEPULVEDA IN SHERMAN WAY.

YES, I, I KNOW THE AREA.

I'LL BE THERE.

YES, ALONE.

FINE.

GOOD-BYE.

ALL SET.

HE'S GOT THE MONEY.

I HOPE WE CAN BELIEVE HIM.

Woman: YOU CAN.

I BROKE INTO HIS OFFICE

MADE A COPY OF THE BANK DRAFT.

HE DID IT, ALRIGHT.

GOT A PERSONAL LOAN

WITH HIS MAJORITY SHARE OF PHOENIX AS COLLATERAL.

YOU SHOW QUITE A TALENT FOR THEFT, MISS GORDON.

YOU MIGHT CONSIDER TAKING IT UP AS A PROFESSION.

ALL WE WANT IS OUR TEN PERCENT

FOR STEALING THAT TAPE.

FIVE PERCENT WAS THE AGREED-UPON PRICE.

UH, SHE'S RIGHT, BARBI.

I DECIDED FIVE PERCENT WASN'T ADEQUATE COMPENSATION

FOR THE RISKS WE'RE TAKING.

TEN PERCENT IS MORE LIKE IT.

I'D CERTAINLY HATE

TO DISCOURAGE THE POTENTIAL YOU SHOW, MISS GORDON.

SEVEN PERCENT.

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

WE'LL TAKE IT.

Jerry: AN ALBUM COVER.

SO WHAT?

SO, LOOK AT THE WAY BILLY'S FINGERS POINT.

Jerry: POINTING TO SANTA CLAUS, SO WHAT?

WHAT'S WRITTEN ABOVE THE SANTA CLAUS?

"WHAT'S MY MONIKER, VERONICA"?

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, WHAT'S A MONIKER?

A MONIKER'S '40s STREET SLANG FOR NAME.

COME ON, GUYS, YOU STILL DON'T GET IT?

GET WHAT?

"SANTA... MONICA."

OH, THAT'S TERRIBLE.

I MEAN, THAT IS REALLY TERRIBLE.

BILLY HAD A CABIN

IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS, DIDN'T HE?

YEAH, YEARS AGO

BUT, I MEAN, NOBODY'S BEEN THERE IN SO LONG

IT'S BOARDED UP.

YEAH, BUT WHAT BETTER PLACE

TO, LIKE, DISAPPEAR FOR A FEW WEEKS?

ERIC, I...

OH, ERIC...

THAT'S FOR THE BLACKMAILER, ISN'T IT?

I DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE, KATHY.

I WISH I DID.

ERIC...

WELL, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CHOICE, EITHER.

Eric: Right... 5:00 P.M.

Mulholland and Sepulveda, Sherman Oaks.

I know the area.

MAN, THIS PLACE LOOKS LIKE A TOMB.

SHALL WE TAKE A LOOK?

ALL IN FAVOR?

AYE. AYE. AYE.

( Dero humming )

* DADDY WAS A HANGMAN *

* MAMA JUST HUNG LOOSE *

* SHE CAME TO WATCH EXECUTIONS *

* GOT CAUGHT IN HIS LOVER'S NOOSE *

* THEY WERE MARRIED IN THE PRISON YARD *

* 'NEATH THE SHADOW OF A ROPE *

YOU SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH.

( chuckles )

WELL, WHAT Y'ALL DOING HERE, FELLAS?

HOWDY TO YOU.

IT'S, UH... IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.

WELL, I... IT'S BEEN GREAT TO SEE YOU.

YOU LITTLE TOAD

YOU'VE BEEN HIDING OUT HERE FOR SIX WEEKS?

WELL, I... I... I WAS PLANNING ON COMING OUT OF SECLUSION

REAL SOON, FELLAS.

LIKE AFTER YOUR MEMORIAL ALBUM

SOLD TRIPLE PLATINUM, HUH?

HECK, I NEVER COULD PUT ANYTHING OVER ON YOU GUYS, COULD I?

YOU FAKED YOUR OWN DEATH

JUST SO YOU COULD SELL SOME ALBUMS?

THINK FOR A SECOND, JER

THERE'S NOTHING QUITE SO SALABLE AS A DEAD ROCK STAR.

LITTLE BILLY HERE WOULD HAVE CLEANED UP ON ROYALTIES.

HE WOULD HAVE MADE MILLIONS OFF A LIE.

NOW, DON'T JUDGE ME TOO HARSHLY, FELLAS.

YOU AND I BOTH KNOW

MY CAREER WAS SLIPPING A LITTLE.

I FIGURED BEING DEAD WOULD LIVEN IT UP A LITTLE.

AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE

DUMB CLUES YOU PUT ON YOUR ALBUM

THAT CAUSED US TO COME HERE?

WELL, I... I JUST WANTED TO CREATE

A LITTLE GROUNDSWELL OF INTEREST AMONG THE FANS

SO WHEN I FINALLY DID COME BACK

IT WOULD BE DRAMATIC, YOU KNOW.

I MEAN, IF IT WORKED FOR THE BEATLES

HECK, IT'D PROBABLY WORK FOR ME.

I SUPPOSE YOU DIDN'T GIVE A THOUGHT AS TO

WHAT YOUR LITTLE STUNT MIGHT DO TO PHOENIX--

PUSHING A BORDERLINE COMPANY INTO BANKRUPTCY.

YOUR RESURRECTION'S GOING TO OCCUR

A LITTLE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

NOW, JUST HOLD ON A SECOND, FELLAS.

GIVE ME A COUPLE OF WEEKS, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

I MEAN, GIVE THEM TIME TO RELEASE THE ALBUM, FOR PETE'S SAKE!

NO WAY, DUDE. NO WAY, JOSE.

( siren blaring )

BILLY DERO.

IT'S A LONG STORY.

WHERE'S ERIC?

THAT'S ANOTHER LONG STORY.

I'LL EXPLAIN ON THE WAY TO SHERMAN OAKS.

YOU GUYS HAVE GOT TO HELP ME.

WE'VE GOT TO GET TO ERIC BEFORE HE BANKRUPTS HIMSELF

BY PAYING A RANSOM OF A MILLION DOLLARS

THAT HE DOESN'T NEED TO PAY.

AFTERNOON, MR. LANDAU.

I THINK WE CAN DISPOSE OF THIS BUSINESS

IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT TAPE'S THE REAL THING?

THOSE COULD BE THE GREATEST HITS

OF CONNIE FRANCIS FOR ALL I KNOW.

WELL, I WAS PREPARED FOR THAT QUESTION.

LET ME HOOK UP THE RECORDER.

( vehicle approaching )

BILLY.

HEY, MAN.

BILLY...

I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD.

I KNOW. THERE'S A LOT I HAVE TO EXPLAIN.

COME ON, LET'S GO!

COME ON!

GO, GO, GO!

MOVE IT!

( thunderclap )

IT'S WONDER WOMAN.

SHE'S FLYING.

YOU'RE OKAY NOW?

YEAH.

WHO... WHAT DID THAT TOAD BURGER DO TO ME?

Anton: HEY, KIM!

LISTEN, I WANT YOU TO STAY PUT RIGHT HERE.

SURE. PROMISE.

SCOUT'S HONOR.

HEY, KIM!

HOW YOU DOING?

KIM! MAN, THAT WAS EITHER THE BRAVEST

OR THE DUMBEST THING I EVER SEEN.

WELL, WAIT A MINUTE, I'M TAKING ODDS ON DUMB!

YOU LITTLE JERK, ARE YOU OKAY?

YOU TELL ME.

HEY, WHAT HAPPENED TO WONDER WOMAN?

Kim: I GUESS SHE LEFT.

LOW-PROFILE KIND OF LADY

BUT SHE'S DEFINITELY COOL.

OH, HEY, SPEAKING OF LADIES...

YEAH?

WHERE'S KATHY?

YEAH.

LAST TIME I SAW HER, SHE WAS OUTSIDE THE VAN.

YEAH. YOU GUYS LEFT HER BACK THERE.

( all clamoring )

WONDERFUL.

SIMPLY WONDERFUL.

NOT ONLY DID YOU BOTCH THE PICKUP

BUT NOW, WITH BILLY DERO MIRACULOUSLY ALIVE ONCE MORE

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS WORTH?

NOTHING.

ALL LANDAU HAS TO DO IS HAVE DERO RERECORD IT.

WE COULDN'T TRADE IT IN

FOR A CRUMMY JOHN TRAVOLTA POSTER.

NOT NECESSARILY.

THERE IS ONE WAY TO RESTORE THE VALUE OF THAT TAPE.

IT WAS WORTH SO MUCH BEFORE

BECAUSE IT WAS A MEMORIAL ALBUM, RIGHT?

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE IT A MEMORIAL ALBUM ALL OVER AGAIN.

Jeff: WAIT A MINUTE.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

YOU'RE SUGGESTING WE KILL HIM.

IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IN THIS BUSINESS, JEFFREY.

YOUR OPTION JUST DOESN'T GET PICKED UP.

Kobler: I LIKE IT.

IT'S SIMPLE, TO THE POINT.

IT MAY WORK.

ARE YOU JOKING?

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MURDER.

DON'T BE A FOOL, JEFFREY.

WE'RE IN THIS TOO DEEP.

WE HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE.

NO. LISTEN, THERE'S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY.

I MEAN, WHAT'S THE SENSE IN... IN KILLING HIM

JUST SO YOUR TAPE WILL BE WORTH SOMETHING?

WHY HOLD THE TAPE FOR RANSOM

WHEN YOU CAN HOLD BILLY FOR RANSOM?

NOW. THAT IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY GOOD IDEA, JEFF.

WITH BILLY AND THE TAPE IN OUR POSSESSION

WE'D HAVE PHOENIX COMPLETELY AT OUR MERCY.

YES. THAT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA.

AND, SINCE IT WAS YOUR CONCEPT

AND SINCE YOU TWO ARE THE ONLY ONES

WHO CAN GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO MR. DERO TO ABDUCT HIM

THE JOB IS YOURS.

COME ON.

THE FIELD OFFICE RAN A CHECK

ON THE CAR KOBLER'S MEN LEFT BEHIND.

I'M AFRAID THEY CAME UP WITH A BIG, FAT ZERO.

The car was stolen out of the garage

in Van Nuys two weeks ago.

OH, THAT DOES IT FOR US.

SHE'S PROBABLY HALFWAY TO MEXICO BY NOW.

I'M GOING TO STICK AROUND FOR A COUPLE DAYS TO MAKE SURE.

ANYWAY, I HAVE ANOTHER RECORD TO CUT

BEFORE I CAN BREAK MY TRIAL CONTRACT WITH PHOENIX.

Unless I care to blow my cover by being sued.

YOUR COVER STILL HOLDING UP WELL?

MAYBE A LITTLE TOO WELL.

I THINK THAT ERIC LANDAU

IS DEVELOPING AN UNEXPECTED INTERESTED IN ME.

IN KATHY MEADOWS, I SHOULD SAY.

COME ON, DIANA.

YOU'VE HANDLED SPIES, KIDNAPPERS AND ASSASSINS.

ONE AMOROUS RECORD PRODUCER SHOULDN'T BE TOO DIFFICULT.

I DON'T KNOW, STEVE.

WHEN I LEAVE, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TELL HIM WHO I AM.

I'M AFRAID HE'S GOING TO FEEL REALLY USED-- MANIPULATED.

I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO HURT HIM THAT WAY.

I'M AFRAID WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT

COMES WITH THE TERRITORY, DIANA.

I KNOW.

IT'S PRETTY LOUSY TERRITORY, ISN'T IT?

I SUPPOSE THERE ARE BETTER ONES.

LISTEN, I'LL TALK TO YOU TOMORROW.

RIGHT.

BILLY, I'M WILLING TO FORGIVE AND FORGET.

SURE, YOU TRIED TO GYP THE COMPANY

OUT OF A HALF MILLION BUCKS.

OH, MAN. LOOK, MAN, YOU ALMOST BANKRUPTED US.

TOTALLY UNINTENTIONAL.

WHAT WE GOT TO DO NOW

IS HOW TO REVEAL YOUR APPEARANCE TO THE PUBLIC

SO THAT THE BOTH OF US DON'T GET ARRESTED

FOR FRAUDULENT ADVERTISING.

I DON'T SEE THAT AS ANY KIND OF A PROBLEM, MAN.

I MEAN, ALL WE HAVE TO DO

IS MARKET THE THING AS A RETURN APPEARANCE.

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS CALL IT

"RETURN OF THE MASTER."

HELL, THAT'S SIMPLE AS NAILS.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO REVEAL A RETURN

WHEN THE DISAPPEARANCE WAS A FAKE TO BEGIN WITH?

NO, WHAT WE GOT TO DO

IS WE GOT TO GO PUBLIC WITH THIS WHOLE SLEAZY STORY.

GO PUBLIC?

YOU GOING TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THIS?

NOW, I'M GOING TO LOOK LIKE A FOOL.

WELL, IF IT'S ANY CONSOLATION TO YOU, BILLY

I'M NOT GOING TO COME OUT LOOKING LIKE BOY WONDER MYSELF.

NOW, I WANT YOU TO GET INTO STUDIO B.

I WANT YOU TO RECUT THAT ALBUM ALL OVER AGAIN.

"ANTIMATTER" IS GOING TO BE YOUR ENGINEERS.

YOU DIG ME, COMPADRE?

YEAH, I GOT YOU.

YOU GOT IT.

* BABY, EVERYBODY'S GOT TO ROLL *

* EVERYBODY HERE IS IN THE SAME PLACE, BABY *

* EVERYBODY'S GOT TO GO. *

OKAY. THEY'LL BE RECORDING IN THERE.

WE'LL BRING HIM DOWN IN TEN MINUTES.

RIGHT.

BARBI, I'M SCARED.

WILL YOU STOP SNIVELING!

HERE'S YOUR MASK.

YOU SURE NOBODY'S GOING TO GET HURT?

THE FEEDBACK IS JUST GOING TO

DISTRACT THEM, JEFFREY.

NO ONE'S GOING TO GET KILLED.

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR EARPLUGS?

LET'S GO, THEN.

( playing soft rock piano solo )

( electronic whine begins )

( whining continues )

YOU HAVE MICE IN THE STUDIO HERE?

( whining )

FEEDBACK.

KIM?

PROBABLY.

FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT.

( resumes playing )

( whine intensifies )

IT'S COMING THROUGH THESE SPEAKERS.

YOU'LL HAVE TO TURN IT OFF IN THERE.

JERRY, SEE WHAT THAT NOISE IS

BEFORE IT DRIVES US CRAZY?

YOU GOT IT.

( whining )

( moaning )

( moaning continues )

OH, STOP THIS!

( feedback and shrieking )

OH! OH!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

* ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY TO YOU, ALL I GOT TO SAY... *

DERO: What are you doing?

Oh! No! What's going on here?

What are you doing?

( thunderclap )

What's going on here?

( groaning )

( feedback continues )

( feedback stops )

THEY'VE GOT BILLY.

Barbi: MARTY, WATCH OUT!

OH, NO!

HEY!

OH, WELL, IT'S A PLEASURE SEEING YOU AGAIN, TOO.

WHO WAS IN THE CAR WITH BILLY?

JEFF AND BARBI GORDON.

WHERE WERE THEY TAKING HIM?

THEIR HOUSE-- BEVERLY HILLS.

GOOD.

ONE MORE THING.

WHERE'S YOUR BOSS-- MISS KOBLER?

AN ESTATE IN MALIBU.

1619 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY.

OKAY, I WANT YOU GUYS TO CALL THE POLICE

AND HAVE THEM TAKE CARE OF OUR FRIEND HERE.

AND THEN, HAVE THEM PICK UP A WOMAN NAMED KOBLER

AT 1619 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY.

I'M GOING AFTER JEFF AND BARBI.

JEFF AND BARBI?

YOU MEAN IT WAS THE BOBBSEY TWINS THAT DID THIS TO US?

HEY! OOH! GUYS, DON'T... DON'T HURT ME.

I MEAN, YOU WANT MONEY, I GOT MONEY.

( groans )

FAME? I GOT THAT, TOO.

I MEAN, THERE MUST BE A WAY

WE CAN FIGURE OUT TO SHARE THIS.

ISN'T ANYBODY INTERESTED IN SHOW BUSINESS?

COME ON, GUYS, GIVE ME A BREAK.

DON'T KILL ME NOW.

NOW, STAY CALM, BARBI.

WONDER WOMAN'S UNDOUBTEDLY COMING AFTER ME FIRST.

AND WE'LL BE OUT OF HERE IN THREE MINUTES FLAT.

NO.

NO. STAY WHERE YOU ARE.

WE'LL COME BY, PICK YOU UP.

WE'LL ALL BE ON THE PLANE TO RIO BY MIDNIGHT.

SHE WON'T.

IT'S ME SHE'S AFTER.

TRUST ME.

YOU SURE WONDER WOMAN IS ON HER WAY HERE?

OF COURSE NOT.

SHE'S ON HER WAY TO RESCUE BILLY DERO.

WHAT I'VE HEARD ABOUT HER

SHE VALUES HUMAN LIFE ABOVE ALL ELSE.

BY THE TIME SHE CAPTURES OUR ERSTWHILE CONSPIRATORS

WE'RE GOING TO BE LONG GONE.

LOOK, I WANT THIS PLACE TORN UP FAST.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A SMALL BONFIRE HERE SHORTLY.

All: ONE! ONE! ONE!

I LOCKED HIM IN THE TOOLSHED. WHAT NOW?

KOBLER'S PICKING US UP

AND GETTING US ALL OUT OF THIS MESS.

IF YOU HADN'T INSISTED UPON

KIDNAPPING BILLY, THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS EITHER THAT OR KILL HIM.

NEVER MIND.

IT'LL ALL BE OVER VERY SHORTLY NOW.

FREEZE.

CALL THE COPS.

Dero: HELP!

HELP! HELP!

SOMEBODY!

OVER HERE!

KOBLER LIED.

SHE'S COME FOR US FIRST.

ARNOLD, HERMAN, GET OUT HERE!

GET HER!

YOU GUYS REALLY DON'T WANT TO TRY THAT, DO YOU?

( grunts )

( screaming )

( yelling )

THOSE WEAK-KNEED EXCUSES FOR BODYGUARDS.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

TREADING WATER, MOSTLY.

WE BETTER GET OUT OF TOWN-- LET'S GO.

Dero: IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

PLEASE HELP ME!

HELLO, BILLY.

GOOD-BYE, BILLY.

HEY, DON'T I GET A KISS?

A SILVER BULLET OR SOMETHING?

( siren blaring )

I'M GOING AFTER JEFF AND BARBI!

HEY, WAIT A SECOND.

TA-DA!

TA-DUM!

( explosive bang, laughter )

( laughter )

TA-DA!

( laughs )

KATHY, UH...

JIM TELLS ME YOU'RE PLANNING TO LEAVE

AFTER YOU CUT THIS NEXT SONG.

THAT'S RIGHT.

MY TRIAL CONTRACT WILL BE OVER THEN

AND I HAVE TO LEAVE AND GO BACK EAST.

BUT WHY?

YOU'VE GOT A GREAT FUTURE IN THIS BUSINESS.

NOW THIS EXTORTION THING'S OVER, I...

WAS KIND OF HOPING THAT...

MAYBE WE COULD SEE MORE OF EACH OTHER.

ERIC...

I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO TELL YOU.

MY NAME IS NOT KATHY MEADOWS-- IT'S DIANA PRINCE--

AND I'M AN AGENT WITH THE I.A.D.C.

I CAME HERE AND POSED AS A SINGER

TO FIND AND CAPTURE ADELE KOBLER.

AND NOW THAT I'VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT

I HAVE TO LEAVE.

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?

I WAS UNDERCOVER.

I COULDN'T TELL YOU. I COULDN'T TELL ANYBODY.

RIGHT. SO I WAS JUST PART OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT?

THAT'S ALL I WAS TO YOU.

ERIC... IF I TRY TO TELL YOU DIFFERENTLY

YOU WON'T BELIEVE ME.

WELL, THAT'S RIGHT, LADY.

READY, KATHY?

SURE.

( music begins )

* TOTO, I GET THE FEELING WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE *

* THROUGH THE WIND AND STORM, WE FIND OURSELVES ALONE *

* AND, TOTO, I GET THE FEELING WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE *

* WE'RE ON A GOLDEN ROAD, IN A MOVING PICTURE SHOW *

* OH, DON'T IT FEEL LIKE PARADISE? *

* OH, HOW COULD SOMETHING BE SO NICE? *

* WELL, AT LEAST I GOT COMPANY *

* 'CAUSE, TOTO, IT'S YOU AND ME *

* AND HERE WE GO *

* TOTO, I GET THE FEELING WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE *

* BUT ALL I WANT TO KNOW, IS HOW DO WE GET HOME? *

* TOTO, WE FOUND OUR WAY INSIDE A BOOK OF DREAMS *

* OUR TIME IS ALMOST GONE, YET IT SEEMS IT'S JUST BEGUN *

* OH, DON'T IT FEEL LIKE PARADISE? *

* AND HOW... HOW COULD SOMETHING BE SO NICE? *

* AT LEAST I GOT COMPANY *

* TOTO, IT'S YOU AND ME, AND HERE WE GO... *

* WONDER WOMAN... WONDER WOMAN *

* WONDER WOMAN. *