Original subtitles

Hmm.

Surprised?

You betcha.

In your telegram, you said Mrs. James Devereaux.

That's who I've been for the last 17 years.

You never told me.

You never asked.

Why are we whispering?

Shh. Come back over here.

Wait a minute. Hold it.

Boy, you look terrific.

So do you.

Except you got a little...

Gray over your ears.

It's the only difference.

Everything else works about the same.

It was six years ago.

That really was a voluptuous week, wasn't it?

Yeah. Aside from the good times,

you didn't give away much, though, did you?

Why did you drop us like that?

I turned around to wind my watch and turned back,

and you'd slipped out of L.A.

It was time to go home.

So why was I flown down here,

for sport or business?

No. For business. Strictly business.

Remember you told me

that if I ever had any real trouble...

Uh-huh. Well...

Oh, good god.

Oh.

Is he looking at me?

I think he was a little more interested in me.

Listen, I've made a reservation for you here

at the town house.

My telephone number is right there,

inside the cover.

Now, you call me tomorrow. All right?

The door was unlocked.

It still is, kid. Out.

Come on, Lew. Give me a break.

That's either an awful good guess,

or you're a cop.

Swimming's an O.K. Way to relax...

But I know a better way.

All right, that's enough.

Now, who the hell are you,

and how'd you know my name?

Don't you think I'm kind of sexy?

Yeah, I think you're kind of sexy,

but I'm not gonna spend the 200th anniversary

of this great and glorious country

of ours in the slammer.

Come on. Out.

I never had anyone turn me down before.

There's a first time for everything, kid.

I'm sorry about that.

No, you're not.

You're right. I'm not.

Now, come on. Out.

Grab the paint.

What the hell are you...

Listen, you keep your goddamn mouth shut, mister.

You want to make a statement?

Now, you listen.

I can fix it so you won't get no pleasure pissin'.

Nobody'll ever find a mark.

Really.

Now, let me see.

We got child molestation,

statu...

Oh, come on.

Statutory rape,

indecent exposure, resisting arrest,

carrying a concealed weapon.

I got a permit.

Not in Louisiana, you haven't.

Chief, this here is Harper.

Thank you, lieutenant. I know who he is.

And Harper thinks he is bright.

I'll take it from here.

Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Franks gets overenthusiastic now and again.

I just called you in for questioning.

What the hell does he do for a living?

Tell me something.

What do you private detectives get these days?

150 per.

A day?

And expenses.

Whew. That's a lot of money.

Not if you only work 4 days a year, it ain't.

What's the beef?

Well, the beef is that you were seen

in a state of undress in a motel room

with an underage girl.

Who did the seeing?

I did.

I guess a whole lot doesn't happen in this town

without you knowing about it.

Mister, you don't belch without me knowing about it.

She let herself in.

Hey, I may be horny, but I'm not stupid.

You down here working on a case?

Yeah.

Employed by who, and what for?

The what for is confidential.

The who is a Mrs. Devereaux.

Olivia Devereaux?

No. Iris.

Do you know her?

Yeah. Sure. Sure. Sure.

That family has a lot of pull around here.

Where do you know her from?

Ohh, confidential.

I'd sure like to know

what the hell she'd need a private peeper for.

Well, I can't say.

I mean, it's the ethics of the profession.

Feel left out?

One... I believe you about the girl,

at least for now.

Now, that doesn't mean

that I can't throw you in jail

and let you fight it out in court.

Now, you sense where I'm going?

I'm picking up signs.

2... I'm keeping your weapon.

It violates our local gun policy.

I don't want you shooting up the place.

OK.

3... don't give me any of that

west coast snot-ass bullshit.

Now, we may talk

a little different down here,

but...

We ain't stupid, either.

I hear what you're saying.

That's good. That's good.

And one more thing there, Harper.

If anything untoward should happen to Iris

or her daughter Schuyler,

I'd like to hear about it first.

I take a strong interest

in the welfare of those two, you hear?

Sure.

Hi. Lew Harper.

Mrs. James Devereaux is expecting me.

Yes. I'll tell Mrs. Devereaux you're here.

All I said was that the opening is a little flowery.

Well, damn it, at least give it a fair reading.

Why don't you indulge yourself in another drink?

It might help create the atmosphere for your...

Your artistry.

The one indulgence I have never had is privacy.

It just isn't very good, I'm afraid.

Mrs. Devereaux.

Yes.

There's a gentleman here to see you.

Thank you.

I don't know where to start.

Why don't you start where you stopped yesterday?

I'm frightened, Lew.

That's a good place.

Hey, you're not running off again, are you?

"Mr. James Devereaux."

"Dear Mr. Devereaux.

Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds."

"The deceived husband.

"So love's face may still seem love to you,

"though altered anew.

"Do you enjoy playing the cuckold,

"or are you unaware

of your wife's amorous activity?"

Well, it's an old portable

with a flaky "E."

Interesting style,

if I remember my high school lit class.

Mailed right here in Rivage.

Rivage.

Does your husband know about this?

No. He wasn't at home when the mail arrived.

You usually read his mail?

We read each other's mail.

What does he do for a living?

Writes unproduced plays.

Between drinks.

Where does all this come from?

Oh, this all belongs to his mother.

Olivia's family has owned Beau Rivage for 175 years.

The abolition of slavery was a mild agitation for them.

How did you slip in?

Oh, born into the lace.

Good blood, no money.

One becomes accustomed to style.

Is that the old lady, Olivia?

What's she doing out there,

changing the guard?

She has an iron clamp around this house.

Do you know that she keeps us

on allowances like adolescents?

If she ever got hold of that letter...

I can manage James. It's mama that scares me.

She'd make my life a nightmare.

Do you?

Do I what?

Enjoy connubial bliss

outside the bounds of holy matrimony?

That's an unusual question for you to ask.

That's my business.

The marriage hasn't worked for some years now.

Why don't you just break it off?

And do what?

And...

Where do you think this all came from?

It came from Pat Reavis.

Who is he?

He was the family chauffeur...

Until I fired him a few days ago.

That letter came in the mail the next morning.

Did you have a fling with him?

No, I did not have a fling with the family chauffeur.

What do you want me to do?

I want you to make him stop.

I do not want any more letters.

I don't know what to say.

I'll take a run at it.

Iris...

Why couldn't...

Thank you.

Where do I find this Reavis fellow?

I don't know where he lives.

He used to work for Kilbourne Oil.

Maybe he's gone back there.

You shouldn't have any trouble finding that place.

Oh, have you met my daughter?

Schuyler, this is Mr. Harper. He's, uh...

Exterminator. Dixie pest control.

How do you do, Mr. Harper?

Oh, sometimes I do better than others.

Well, I hope so.

Do we have a problem?

That's what I'm here to find out.

I generally start in the servants' quarters.

You know... the cook, the maid, the chauffeur.

Oh, yes, the chauffeur

used to live over the garage.

It's right around there.

Mm-hmm.

Exterminator?

Trust me.

Can I help you?

No, thanks, but I'll keep it in mind.

It's quite a zoo you got here.

Do you think you could introduce me

to the head keeper?

Hmph, right on. Come on.

Thanks for not saying anything to mother

about the town house.

How'd you know I'd even be there?

I heard her making a reservation.

You read your mama's mail, too?

Why did she book a room for you?

I'm up from New Orleans.

She didn't like the local.

Oh, come on.

No, no kidding. Pest control.

What are you really up here for?

Insurance.

What's Pat Reavis really like?

He was fun.

Mild psychopaths often are if you don't cross them.

Like I said, you're a pretty bright kid.

I guess I have my daddy's genes.

Grandmother?

Grandmother?

This is Mr. Harper.

He's here to check over the house for... Pests.

Schuyler, you may bring me a glass of Sherry.

Yes, grandmother.

Ma'am, you got a zebra Finch over there

with a discolored beak.

You ought to wash it off in vinegar.

Stems from a protein deficiency.

Uh... Mrs... uh...

James Devereaux

called our New Orleans representative,

and, uh...

Mr. Harper, that is quite enough of that.

You can tell Mr. Kilbourne

my answer is no...

And will remain so for as long as I live.

Well, uh, yes, ma'am, I'll be happy to.

Just tell me where I can find him.

Mr. Harper, I can do without the charades.

Mr. Kilbourne is forever trying these tiresome tactics,

and he's a rank amateur.

This is going to come

as something of a surprise, ma'am,

but I don't work for Mr. Kilbourne.

In fact, I don't even... I don't even know him.

I detest you big oil company "yes" men.

I'm not a yes company...

Quiet! You oil people have ruined our town,

destroyed our parish,

and I'll not allow you to populate my land.

Go... Now leave my property!

And tell your employer Jay hue Kilbourne

to go to hell!

Yes, ma'am.

I see what you mean.

She's a functioning ball-breaker.

Did you find anything?

Enough to get started.

Is that your friend from the French quarter?

Oh, that's Peter.

He's helping James with his creative endeavors.

O.K.

Uh...

Well, where were we?

I found that old portable with the flaky "e."

But I hope this guy Reavis can be pretty easily conned.

This ain't exactly what I'd call heavy ammunition.

Well, what else can you do?

I don't know.

Try to find him, hit him with this,

and hope it scares him off.

It ain't easy

standing around talking shop with you.

No. I'm finding it difficult

to adjust to the sight of you.

Were you angry

when I left Los Angeles so suddenly?

I'd have been angry

if it had never happened at all.

Iris, you are wearing my gardening hat again.

I would be so grateful,

so everlastingly grateful,

if in future you would ask my permission.

Yes, mother.

I could kill that bitch!

Hey, excuse me.

Can I talk to you a minute?

Sure.

I thought you might be interested

in taking a little ride...

You know, around the city.

I don't think I got the time.

Right up front,

I am required by law to advise you guys

that my hands are registered

in the state of California

as lethal weapons. You understand?

Oh, really? A black belt, huh?

You betcha.

Glo, show him yours.

Well, that's a different ball game.

I was just... I was just kidding.

I'm a brown belt, actually.

Where do you want me to sit?

You want front or back?

Back's fine.

Could you... could you slide over there, tiger?

Anything you say, buddy.

Hey, Harper, step lightly on over here.

Sure glad you could see fit to come visit us.

I wouldn't have missed this for the world.

Jay Hue Kilbourne here.

Always a pleasure to welcome newcomers

to our domain.

Uh, they're in training.

That one's ready.

I raised that little fella from a pup.

Matter of fact,

he favors a nephew of mine.

Boy's features aren't regular.

Sort of pinched

with strange little ears.

Damn near broke my sister's heart.

Oh. I can imagine.

You know anything about pit bulls,

Mr. Harper?

We got regular straight-up

teeth matches on weekends.

Lot of big money wagered.

And illegal as hell.

How do you tell the winner?

Like anything else. Only one sure way.

One of them's left alive.

Hee! I have fun, Mr. Harper.

Hell of a good time.

You see, I'm not like most folks

who get their kicks head-on.

I sort of slide in sideways, like.

As a matter of fact, in high school,

they used to call me the crab.

Oh.

Now you take the oil business...

My business.

It's never any fun

to drill straight down.

I'm a slant driller by instinct.

Are you slant drilling me?

Very perceptive.

You see those tidelands, Mr. Harper?

Yeah.

No. I mean right...

No, I saw them.

Well, they're oil rich,

and there's just no end to them.

Now a good portion of them I own,

but the biggest piece is right there,

and I don't have a thing to do with it,

but I aim to.

I sure enough aim to.

Guess who's...

Olivia Devereaux.

Outstanding.

$100 million in black gold

underneath that earth,

and you know what she wants to do

with that land, Mr. Harper?

She wants to turn it

into a goddamn sanctuary for birds.

I think that's kind of sweet.

Well, now look, I'm all for saving wildlife

like the next fella,

but we got to think about America's future.

Energy sources just aren't that easy

to come by.

Uh-huh. Did you come to that conclusion

out of patriotism or just greed?

Little of both, Mr. Harper,

like most men of wealth.

Now, I guess you know why I sent for you.

I have...

Not here, not here.

A little privacy, huh?

Just preliminaries.

Preliminaries, that's all.

Now tell me,

why do you think I sent for you?

Can't say that I know, captain,

but there are some people

who think that I work for you.

They've been reading my mind,

'cause that's just exactly

what I wanted you to do...

Work for me.

I don't think I could get used to it.

I think you'd learn to enjoy it.

I look at it this way, Mr. Harper...

Three people are involved...

Or should I say could be involved...

With the title to that land.

Uh, let's start with James.

It turns out,

through some incredible good fortune,

I've got a whole lot of embarrassing material

of the visual kind

that, uh, could be used

regarding James' unorthodox

sexual persuasions.

Now Iris is another story.

You're a nice-looking young man.

Oh, yeah.

And I hear tell that Iris...

Well, bless her heart,

she likes to play around a little.

You could be most helpful with her.

Mean a great deal to me, and to you, too.

Well, that still leaves Olivia, though, doesn't it?

That leaves Olivia.

But you got that figured out.

Can I go now?

Why, certainly.

Uh, Candy, Mr. Harper's anxious to leave now.

Well, what about my proposal?

I'll give it a lot of consideration.

And I'm sure we'll be hearing

from you soon, huh?

Jay hue.

Outstanding.

Hey!

Drinks for everybody.

Hey, where's the action around here?

Just kind of early, mister.

The place doesn't start jumping

until about 9:00, man.

Here.

Would you like to try a coon ass beer?

A coon ass? Sure.

You know a guy by the name of Pat Reavis?

Hmm. I might.

I understand he spends a lot of time here.

Is he a friend of yours or something, mister?

Eh, something. I'm supposed to meet him.

Yeah. Well, them guys are working

them rigs all day, man.

They usually come in here late.

Things really picks up, man.

Yeah. That's what Pat told me.

Yeah, man. Reavis really got himself

a hot little chick down there.

He told me that, too.

Uh, what's-her-face. The hot one?

Gretchen, man.

Greshen.

Not just the face. The body.

Greshen. Oh, you mean Gretchen.

That's what I said, yeah.

Mm. Mm-hmm.

How you like that coon ass beer, man?

Works.

I spotted your car.

You spotted my car?

Will it wash off? That's a rental.

Clown.

You're going to come with me, clown.

Yeah?

Who did I molest this time?

You'd better watch your mouth, mister.

You're going to push me too far.

You know what I think, Franks?

I think this is just another roust.

I got no time to dance with you.

You hold it right there, old horse.

Y'all better stop right about there, Harper.

Harper!

I got him, chief.

You know, she's a nice dancer,

but her likes to lead.

Listen, clown,

one of these days

you're going to be sunnyside up.

Lieutenant, get a fingerprint kit down here.

Yes, sir.

Louie, lève le drap.

How'd it go down?

Pretty ugly.

Crushed her head with that rake

and pushed her in.

Any suspects?

That's what I wanted to talk to you about.

Now, you've been around here all day...

Oh, come on now.

I'm not on that list.

No. Unless you give me a reason.

You ever hear of Reavis? Pat Reavis?

What, the chauffeur?

Uh-huh.

Yeah. Well, I was trying to track him down

when old Bullethead found me in a bar.

We think he's running. But tell me,

what's your interest in Reavis?

Let me talk to my client first.

No, no, no. Now, wait a minute.

Now, what do you think you are, a lawyer?

This is a homicide,

and I want to know about Reavis.

What's against him?

Well, for one thing, he was fired.

For another, we found his wallet on the lawn

between here and the house.

And for another, he disappeared.

That's all kind of convenient, isn't it?

No.

I would like to talk to my client first.

Sure, sure. That's your right.

She's by the little house at the pool.

Harper,

stick close by.

Don't be taking any trips.

O.K.

I never can get these things off.

Maybe you shouldn't try.

I'm sorry about Olivia.

Thank you.

Ha ha.

That's a joke.

God, I loathed that woman.

Broussard's starting to ask questions.

He wants to know what I know about Reavis.

Do you want me to tell him about the letter,

or do you want me to dance around him

and do some fancy footwork?

What do you want me to do?

What difference does it make?

Let's talk about something else.

What do you want me to do?

I want you to make it like it was six years ago.

Your sense of timing always amazes me.

Oh! No kidding!

You're a name freak.

Don't spread that around!

You got any gs around here?

Any gs?

Um...

Jennifer!

That's a "J."

You sure?

Well...

Gretchen!

That's a "G."

G-r-e-t...

Wait! Which one's she?

Pink flower.

I better warn you, though.

She's a working girl.

That's going to cost you.

I hope so.

I just love her! Just love her!

You've got to be kidding me.

I mean, what's so sexy about names?

Well, probably nothing,

but it just happened that way.

It was Gertrude, Gloria, Ginger, and Gidget,

and they was all 10s.

And another one coming.

Oh, I hope so.

Come on, dude, what's your story?

Pat said that you was the best cu...

One of, uh...

He said you was one of the...

I guess he just wanted me to say hello.

Pat Reavis?

Yeah. One and the same.

He's one hell of a fella.

No, he's not.

He just kind of turns me on.

Pat never told me about you.

Yeah. Well, see, I'm new on the rig down there.

He was going to come up here and meet me

and was going to introduce us.

Look, I owe him...

Some money.

Well, then, he'll find you.

Why don't you take your shoes off

and relax?

I think it's kind of early to...

Are you afraid to take your clothes off

in front of women?

I don't know that I'm afraid...

Don't worry about it.

You'd be surprised at some of the thi...

Well, what's your thing? What are you into?

I'd just like to try a little conversation first.

Oh, sure.

You want to call me dirty names?

I didn't say that.

You want me to call you dirty names?

No. I didn't say that, either.

I don't know how people can dirty talk cold Turkey.

I mean, I... I got to get a kind of a run on it

or get some...

Foreplay here.

You know what I mean?

I'd better get a refill.

Hey, this, uh...

Good old Pat.

You seen him around lately?

Not since last weekend.

He's probably down at his place

in New Orleans.

Oh, boy. He just must be raking it in.

I didn't know he had a place down in New Orleans.

Well, it's not a palace exactly,

but it's in the quarter,

not too far from Jackson square.

How about if I gave you a dirty word...

And then you have to make up another one,

starting with the last letter

of the one I just gave you?

Wait a minute.

You're going to give me a dirty word

and then the last...

Hey, honey, that's awful complicated.

I don't think we're going to get much action

out of that.

Hey, so you're kind of rushing it.

Jackson square? Well, that's a ritzy place.

Uh, exactly, uh...

Exactly where does Pat live around there?

I was only there once.

It's near that cute little hotel

with the cornstalk fence.

Around in back.

A room right off the main drag.

Cool it, honey.

Thanks.

Uh.

Did you ring, Mr. Reavis?

Uh-huh.

I've had your laundry here for a week.

Will you pick it up?

Mm-hmm. Messages?

Your sister Elaine called,

but that was three days ago.

O.K.

Thanks.

Elaine called.

Qu'est-ce que tu fais, mon cher?

What is?

What you doing here?

What...

Am I doing here?

Well, I was walking down the street...

Qui est ce mec?

It beats the shit out of me.

O.K., O.K. Let's take it from the top again.

Now, what you doing here?

O.K., I'll give it to you straight.

I'm a burglar just like you.

I'll save you a lot of trouble.

Ain't nothing here.

S'il a trouvé quelque chose, il doit I'avoir sur lui.

Maybe he's telling the truth.

Let's take him with us.

Tie his hands and search him.

Oh, my.

It's not nice to look up ladies' dresses.

Well, everybody's got to look someplace.

No Reavis,

no account book. Just this guy.

Lew Harper, Los Angeles.

You're a long way from home, Lew.

I'm working my way down to Miami.

Uh-huh. Just what were you looking for in that place?

An honest buck.

Did you find anything?

Like what?

It was all junk in there.

Wouldn't even take it to a fence.

Like maybe an account book?

I don't follow account books very much.

You know, it's mostly appliances,

watches, jewelry, things like that.

How's that grab you?

Oh, well, I mean, that's...

That's a beaut.

Yeah, it's pretty nice, wouldn't you say?

What do you mean, nice?

That would set me up for life in palm beach.

Well, now, Lew, honey,

this wouldn't set you up for a week in Hoboken.

It's a fake.

Oh, no.

Yeah?

Allons faire un tour.

This has all been

an unfortunate mistake, Lew.

Can you just forget it ever happened?

Hey, what's to forget?

You wouldn't throw me over

for an old little account book, now,

would you, sugar?

Uh-uh.

Oh, honey, that's no fair. My hands are tied.

That's just to protect you from self-abuse.

You don't abuse yourself,

now, do you, sugar?

It would be such a waste.

Elaine Reavis, telephone.

Elaine Reavis, telephone.

No, honey, you see that won't work either.

I've got to stay away from my apartment

for a few days.

Listen, I always loved your place.

What's wrong with it now?

Yeah, that's the spirit.

O.K. I'll just pack my toothbrush,

and I'll see you after supper. Bye.

Hey, you got any food here?

I'm starving.

Just give me a minute to change.

I'll fix you something.

Let the cat in.

Yeah.

Aha.

A little bonus here.

Here we are.

Hands up against the fireplace.

Who do you work for?

I'm an exterminator.

Shit.

You don't have to count it.

There's $10,000 there.

Nice going, Elaine.

Who else did you bring back here?

I didn't know.

I didn't know!

Shut up.

What did you do this time, Pat?

Nothing.

Killed an old lady for hire, it looks like.

That's bullshit. I didn't, I swear.

Hello, operator.

Get me the Rivage police department.

Yeah. Name is Harper.

It's an emergency, and I'll wait.

I'm taking you in, Reavis.

I didn't do it, man. You hear me?

I didn't kill that old lady.

Uh-huh. How's a punk like you get $10,000?

Five-card draw, big time.

You never told me about that, Pat.

Hello. Give me Broussard.

He isn't? Who is this, Franks?

Well, listen, you think you can handle a message...

You punk! I'm always holding you together!

Oh, yeah. That's right.

With that big job of yours

and all that dough you rake in,

you're going to take care

of all of us, aren't ya?

No, I'll bring him in.

It'll take half the time.

You're a two-bit hustler. A stud.

Last time. I've had it with you.

Girls, girls, girls.

Hey, listen.

You may be some kind of hotshot policeman,

but I'm here to tell you

that you're out of your depth.

You're into something

that's way over your head.

You drive.

10 grand.

That's nickel and dime.

What were you doing at the Devereauxs' yesterday?

I wasn't there.

I was fired.

Reavis, I saw your car.

I didn't kill that old lady.

I didn't know about it

till I got back to town.

Oh, yeah? Why didn't you go see the police?

You kidding?

Me against the Devereauxs?

One guess who gets the shaft.

You still didn't answer my question.

Let me rephrase it.

What were you doing at the Devereauxs' yesterday?

Schuyler and me were getting it on.

So, what's the big deal?

The kid's got a crush on me.

That's why I was fired.

Oh, yeah? I thought it was because of the letter

that you wrote to Iris' husband.

What letter?

I don't write letters.

All I know is that they stuck it to me good.

I don't chase women, buddy.

They chase me.

Yeah, well, you've certainly got them running after you.

How do you do that? I mean, you got a special wrinkle?

Is it that your kinky pad of yours

with all those mirrors and everything?

Creep! Shut your stupid mouth!

Oh, wait a minute. I'm filled with admiration.

Some guys just look good in the locker room.

Let's cut the crap, O.K.?

What do you want from me?

Money?

There's plenty more of that coming,

and you could be in for a big piece.

Half?

Yeah...

If you get off my back.

Yeah, but then we'd have to be friendly,

go to the same restaurants and... nah.

What's the difference to you?

C... come on, man, move over.

Get on the shoulder.

What shoulder?

There's nothing but a swamp out there.

Didn't I tell you, big time?

It's not your territory.

We want Reavis.

He's my prisoner,

and I'm bringing him in with me.

You never got a message?

Mm-mmm. Nothing on the blotter

except a common drunk

and a Grand Theft Auto, that's all.

Maybe you called the wrong police department.

Well, if I did,

Franks was on the other end of that telephone.

Where is old Bullethead?

Well, I was told sick leave.

Something about a hunting accident.

Be out the rest of the week, at least.

Oh, at least.

I'll bet he's got a sling on his right arm, too.

What are you trying to say?

You making some kind of charge?

Who do you think would want to kill Reavis?

Oh, a lot of people.

Lot of people.

Olivia Devereaux was highly respected

in this community,

no matter what her family thought

about her.

She was the leader of a certain lifestyle,

a certain... Order

which a lot of folk around here

took comfort in.

So all those blue-haired ladies

from the bridge club just went down

and bumped off big bad Pat.

That's your privilege to think what you like.

Uh, look, Harper,

the Devereauxs have been through a lot.

I'd just as soon

put a lid on the whole thing.

I don't want Iris to get hurt...

Or Schuyler.

I'm just, uh, worried about my batting average.

What about it?

Well, first my client's mother-in-law gets it.

Then... her daughter's boyfriend.

Uh-uh.

Uh-uh.

You got it wrong.

Schuyler had nothing to do with Pat Reavis.

Oh, come on, Broussard,

you baby-sit that girl.

You telling me you don't know?

You know, for a fast 150 a day,

you sure do a lot of speculating.

The way you've been chasing after that teenybopper,

I think you want to ball her yourself.

One more of those,

and I'll knock you right through the wall.

You hear me?

Now, as far as I'm concerned,

this case is closed.

Who would want to do a thing like that?

I got no answers.

I believed you last time,

and look what it got Pat!

You're a cop, aren't you?

Well, second cousin. I'm a private.

Bastard!

I let you soft-soap me

into telling you where Pat lived,

and now he's dead!

You're a hell of a guy, you know that?

You betcha.

All I was trying to do was keep him alive.

So justice could triumph, no doubt.

Hey. I got no idea what justice is.

I am interested in truth, though.

Oh, that's a laugh.

All right, not the big philosophical stuff,

the everyday things like who, why, when, where.

I'll tell you what.

I'm interested in why Pat Reavis was killed,

and I'm interested in why I got roughed up

for something that was supposed to be hidden

in his place in the quarter.

An account book?

You want me to try to find out who killed him?

What good's that going to do him?

No good at all...

Except I think he'd understand.

What makes you so sure

that I have the account book?

Because it wasn't where it was supposed to be,

and I think you're the only person he trusts.

I don't know why I should help you.

I don't know why I should...

Even listen to you.

Hey, don't.

Got a beer?

Help yourself.

Thanks.

You got any idea what you got here?

He told me just to keep it for him,

not to look in it.

Well, let me tell you something.

Old Jay Hue Kilbourne

kicked back to a lot of lawmakers

to get those oil leases of his.

Whoo.

Oh, boy, could this make justice triumph.

Keep it for me, will you?

Help me out, O.K.?

How'd you like to help me

put on some suntan lotion?

Wouldn't help, honey.

You're going to be burned out

by the time you're 30.

I'm looking for your mama.

She's down at the bayou.

I thought private eyes only read mystery stories.

Who told you I was a private eye?

Mr. Harper.

Did you tell her?

I got pretty tired

of seeing you hanging around, Harper,

so Iris explained to me

about that stupid note the chauffeur wrote,

like it was something I give a damn about.

I told her to get you the hell out.

I'm sure she'll want to say goodbye.

Well... What do you know?

I think I've just been fired.

Oh, really? By whom?

The master of the house.

Well, that's nice.

That's the first positive action

he's taken in years.

He can't fire me.

I've ruined a perfectly good suit.

And I've run up 800 bucks in expenses.

You are incredible, Lew.

You have a problem.

You have no talent for surrender.

Yeah.

I guess I got this wild selfish streak in me.

I'm going to be sued

by that rent-a-car company, too,

you know.

Go away.

Why don't you learn to give up things gracefully?

I can't.

I know who wrote that letter.

Schuyler.

What makes you think that?

It's right out of her schoolbook.

Reavis was a functioning illiterate,

for Christ's sake. She had him sounding like

a 17th century Lyric poet.

You're lying. Why do you think she'd do that?

I don't think you know a lot

about your daughter, Iris.

What are you trying to do to me?

What is she trying to do to you?

Pat Reavis was killed.

The question is, who killed him and why?

Things are getting pretty ugly around here.

I don't much care for it,

but fired or not,

I'm going to stick it through to the end...

And people may not like everything I find.

You understand?

Doesn't really matter.

Oh!

Aah! Aah!

How was your vacation, Franks?

Christ!

I understand you had

an unfortunate hunting accident.

You know that you assaulted a police officer?

Not important.

I don't think Broussard likes you anymore.

Where's your mardi gras mask?

I don't know what you're talking about.

I ain't got no time to mess around.

Let's start from the top.

How much did Kilbourne pay you to kill Reavis?

You're not going to pull that trigger.

You big-city boys

are up to your ass in rules.

Oh, boy.

All right, I got two live ones in there.

Bull.

Bull what?

You got nothing in there.

One more to go.

Now, let's start from the top.

How much did Kilbourne pay you?

I don't have to say nothing.

I know my rights and the Miranda decision.

Two.

God damn.

God damn it, are you crazy?

Right. Want to play again?

Kilbourne always pays me a little something

whenever he needs a favor done.

How much did he pay you to kill Reavis?

No, I'll have my ass in a sling if...

Three.

You son of a bitch. $5,000!

God damn!

Why did he want him dead?

I don't know.

Four.

I tell you. I don't know.

I swear to the almighty, I don't know. Honest.

Come on, you Turkey.

Why did he want him dead?

'Cause he paid Reavis to kill old lady Devereaux?

I don't know. I don't know!

Five!

Oh, sweet, screaming Jesus, I don't know!

I swear to the almighty, I don't know!

I don't much care for it...

But I guess I got to believe you.

Christ.

Personally, I think you held up rather well.

It's O.K.

Good boy.

All I got to do is say the magic word,

and you're dog food.

Let him aboard, Candy!

Hello, Mr. Harper.

I been hoping to see you.

Some tub you got here, Jay hue.

Just one of my fun fleet.

Now, please don't think I'm inhospitable.

Nothing but vandals everywhere.

Those puppy dogs sure cut my insurance rates.

You come on inside.

I don't believe you've met my wife.

Can't say that I have.

Mavis, darling, this is Mr. Harper.

How do you do, Mr. Harper?

Some days I do better than other days.

Uh, Mavis, want to go for a walk?

How long a walk, darling?

Oh, I don't know, may-may. Average.

Just average.

It's a pleasure meeting you,

Mr. Harper.

Sweet child.

Uh, sit down, Mr. Harper.

One of my other passions.

Cooking.

This is shrimp étouffé.

Local favorite, but my version.

Uh, could I get you a drink?

Yeah. A little of that Glenlivet

might hit the spot.

Outstanding.

A man who knows his liquor.

Free pour.

I've got this bad old stomach,

and I can't touch a thing but cereals.

What do you do with all the food?

Dump it overboard, of course.

Fish seem to enjoy it immensely.

Want a taste?

Uh, not this trip, no.

Just as well.

It needs to... Set a bit.

Can the fish really tell?

Ha ha. I expect they can.

Now...

What can I do for you, Mr. Harper?

The Devereaux oil lease.

I'd like a pretty big chunk of that.

I'm sorry, Mr. Harper.

Along with my bad old stomach,

I'm... I'm having trouble with my hearing lately.

Uh-huh.

Well, Jay hue, we can be friends.

Reavis showed me the 10 grand you paid him

to kill old lady Devereaux.

I'm afraid Reavis is dead, Mr. Harper.

Yeah, that he is, that he is.

But Franks ain't.

And he told me about the 5 grand

you paid him to kill Reavis.

I mean, I think that's kind of neat.

There's not many people

who can afford to hire a killer

and then hire a cop to kill him.

I hate to be a spoilsport,

Mr. Harper...

You doing all that good figuring...

But I did not hire Reavis

to kill Olivia Devereaux.

He was in your employ.

You bought him when he was the Devereaux chauffeur.

He was my spy.

An industrial spy.

Happens all the time. Just good business.

When Reavis hit me

with that first installment of $10,000

to keep quiet about a murder

I had absolutely nothing to do with...

Tried to implicate me in it...

Well...

Let's just say I...

Was not unhappy when he...

Met with that most unfortunate accident.

Mm-hmm.

I ran a check on you, Mr. Harper.

You are not stupid.

I have my moments.

You want to live, don't you...

To a ripe old age?

I'd hate to think

that I was making those social security payments

for nothing.

'Cause I hold all the aces.

I'm not so sure about that, Jay hue.

You're missing an account book.

Now, how the hell did you get that?

Just doing my job.

You got guts, Harper, coming in here like this.

Aw, not really, Jay hue.

So long as I stay alive and healthy,

it stays tucked away and out of sight.

$150,000, Harper.

Uh, 250,000. That's my last offer.

No deal.

Harper, you listening?

Nice talking to you, Jay hue.

Harper?

Hey, that's a quarter of a million dollars!

You crazy, boy?

Harper?

We got to stop meeting like this.

People will start talking.

He had Pat Reavis killed for that account book.

No kidding.

It won't take him much figuring

before he works out the rest of it.

Aha! The rest being

that you gave Reavis the account book to begin with.

And then what?

A little long-distance blackmail from Acapulco?

Harper, I have to get away from Jay hue.

He's crazy.

I mean...

I mean, he's really crazy.

I hadn't noticed.

Thanks for the tip. I'll be especially careful.

Harper, this isn't fun and games!

He'll do anything to get that book.

You got to take me with you.

No way. I gave up self-abuse...

In high school.

O.K., I deserve that.

I owe you one.

You pick the time and place,

but he'll hurt me.

I mean, he'll really hurt me this time.

Please.

Wait in my car.

I got to make a phone call.

Iris, you awake?

Who is this?

It's California.

I'm just checking in.

What do you want?

I just wanted to say,

I don't think Reavis killed the old lady.

Well, you're wrong.

Now, I don't care if that man is dead.

You find a way,

and you prove that he did it.

Are you on the bottle?

I'm telling you. Reavis isn't the guy.

Why don't you just drop it, Lew?

Just get off the case...

And leave me alone.

Hey, what the hell is happening out there?

Get out of here and get out of my life.

I don't want you rummaging around

in my closets anymore.

It's a juggling act just to make my life work.

Try to get some sleep, will you?

Lew...

Don't hang up.

Listen to me.

I... I can't...

Handle the responsibility.

Iris?

Now, listen, you turn on the television.

I'll be right over.

No, um...

Don't do that.

I'll mail you your money.

Just go away.

Iris?

Aah!

Aah!

Stop!

No!

Oh!

No. No!

Stop it!

Stop!

Stop it!

Stop it!

Outstanding.

You know, the patients used to pay a fortune for this,

Mr. Harper.

Sometimes, it would even restore their memory.

I don't know what you're talking about.

You're loony as a fruitcake,

you know that?

I'll make believe I didn't hear that.

Doctor.

Stop!

You'll kill him, you bas...

You can scream.

Scream all you like, darling.

This place has been out of business for years.

It's soundproof anyways.

You remember what I told you, Mr. Harper,

about my crablike ways?

Now, you can save yourself a whole lot of...

Unnecessary...

Excitement...

If you just tell me where that little book is.

Andy...

This man is sorely trying my Patience.

Maybe you need time to reflect on it, Mr. Harper.

It's going to be a long, hard night...

Cold...

wet...

nasty.

Mighty uncomfortable...

But we'll be back bright and early tomorrow.

By then I think you'll want to tell me

where that book is.

Now, don't you go away now.

Y'all take care.

You O.K.?

Ah!

Son of a bitch tried to kill me.

Well, he's coming back in the morning for seconds.

Could you get me out of this thing?

I can try.

Shit, I'm going to break my nails.

Harper, why don't you just give him

that stupid account book

so we can get the hell out of here?

Honey, there ain't no way

he's gonna let us out of here.

Jay hue!

Jay hue!

Jay hue!

Jay hue?

No. Easy, easy.

Easy!

Oh, no.

No!

Oh, my god!

Aah!

I don't know why

I ever married the crazy son of a bitch.

I was always afraid of him.

He's such a freak.

Him and his damn oil.

He never gave me anything...

But his crab.

Look at this. Look at this crab.

I don't have one real thing.

Not one real diamond.

Look at this, just rhinestones.

I got a whole drawerful of rhinestones.

Take off your clothes.

I don't think that's very funny.

I said, "take off your clothes!"

You mind telling me what you have in mind?

We're going to go right out through there.

Come on. Get on it, will you?

Harper, you sure you know what you're doing, honey?

Well, all we can do now is wait.

How did Jay hue wind up with a place like this anyway?

His sweet mama sent him here for the cure.

He didn't like the way he was treated,

so he bought it up and closed them down.

Is any of this going to work?

I don't know.

If it doesn't, we're in a lot of trouble.

It'll be a little while longer.

Can you hold on?

Yes...

I think.

God, I can't get a grip on the goddamn thing.

What do you mean?

Ah-huh.

Christ, we'll never get it open now.

What do we do now?

Probably have to go down

and see if I can get us a...

See if I can break out of this skylight.

Uhh! Open.

Try... try harder.

Ehh...

Harder!

It won't break.

The water's getting high!

I can't break it.

Give me that thing.

I'm going to see if I can clear the drain.

I'll break it.

Yes, I'll break it.

God, I'll break it!

I'll break it!

No.

No, no!

I dropped it.

No.

I dropped it.

I can't clear out that drain.

There's too much suction.

Oh, let me get my breath.

I've got to try to turn off some water.

Give me a hand.

No. No! If I go down there, I'll... I'll...

Ah! I'll drown down there!

I'll die down there!

I'll die! I'll die!

I'm going down myself.

I don't...

Want to die in here!

Couldn't do it.

No.

Couldn't do it.

No.

We're... We're going to die.

Oh, mama...

What a dumb way to die.

Candy...

I forgot my Gelusel tablets.

Did you leave them in the car?

I could have.

I keep a spare

in the glove compartment anyways.

You want me to go fetch it?

Well...

Ah, to hell with it.

Oh...

God!

Oh!

Are you O.K.?

Boy, that's one I don't want to try again.

Let's get out of here

before Jay hue gets back.

I can't even get up.

I don't want you to.

I'm leaving you for Broussard this time,

you understand?

It'll never stick, Harper.

Watch him. I got to find a phone.

May-may...

Want to kiss and make up?

Ah!

What the hell did you...

He's right.

He would have gotten away with it.

Well, maybe you can plead self-defense...

Cry a lot.

Throw yourself on the mercy of the court.

He's dead.

Dead. He's...

Dead.

Oh, god.

When did it happen?

Uh, sometime last night.

What are you doing here in the first place?

I fired you. This is my house now.

And you get the hell out.

Don't waste your energy on form, pal.

You're in real trouble.

Trouble?

Everyone knows she was...

She was always fond of seconal and liquor.

This was no accident.

That's a logical assumption,

isn't it, Mr. Harper?

Beats me.

Who found her?

Schuyler found her this morning and called me.

Schuyler. Where is she?

They were quite fond of one another,

you know. Touching...

Get him the hell out of here!

Come on.

Come on!

What the hell am I doing with these?

She tell you about us?

She didn't have to.

God, what a mistake I made.

I should have taken her away from here a long time ago.

I didn't know what to do.

I didn't know where to go.

I was just a kid.

She was from the finest family.

17 years ago, things were a lot different.

I'm...

I'm so tired.

I'm so tired.

So goddamn tired.

Giving grandma's birds a holiday, huh?

Why not?

They can go anywhere they want now.

That's a bad move.

They won't make it out there.

Tough.

The old lady was a lot nicer to birds

than she was to people, huh?

That's right, California.

Schuyler, I got all the big stuff figured,

but it's tying up those tiny, little loose ends

that's driving me up the wall.

I mean, I know about you and Reavis.

I saw you skulking around in the bushes

out there and I saw his car.

So what?

You're right. Not relevant.

Well, what I was getting at...

You know, as bad a frame job as it was...

See? Loose end...

How did you manage to lift Reavis' wallet?

You're making it up anyway.

Use your imagination.

What do you mean? Wha...

While you were doing it with him?

Hey, that's pretty neat...

All that passion and light fingers

at the same time.

Ooh.

Oh, my goodness gracious.

Strong!

Ow!

I can't believe how strong you are.

It must come from all that swimming.

Ow.

Oh. Now, what did you hit

that sweet old lady so hard for?

You're not a messy kid normally, are you,

or did you just get carried away?

Let go of me.

Next thing... Iris.

I figured a while back that you wrote the letter,

but that was just the kickoff.

Wasn't it? What was the whole game plan?

Shut up.

Hey, you heard Iris and me

on the phone last night.

She was pretty low.

I know you heard us

because after she hung up,

there was a second click.

Click goes the phone.

You go to her room.

Wait a minute. Don't get me wrong.

I know you didn't shove those sleeping pills

down her throat,

but you sure fixed it

so she'd do the job for you, didn't you?

I don't have to listen to any of this!

Whoa! Another loose end.

What did you tell her, huh?

About all those kinky things you had going with Reavis?

Or maybe you described how you killed the old lady.

Or worse... Maybe you just told her

how miserable you were going to make

the rest of her life.

They really did a job on him!

Who, your dad?

I hated her! I hated both of those bitches!

And you got rid of both of them

so you could have daddy all to yourself, huh?

Like I said, you're a pretty bright kid.

But what are you going to do

with all that information?

Nobody's going to believe you.

Well...

That's a funny thing about the law, kid.

You know, most of the time,

they're not around when you need them,

but there is a first time for everything.

Ow!

Aah!

Oh, my god.

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

What are you doing?

I hate you!

No.

Why did you stir this up?

Why?

Tell me why!

Why? Why? Why? Why?

I'll kill you. I'll kill you!

You...

I named her.

I gave her that name.

She was so pretty.

I...

I wanted her to have...

Everything good in life.

Everything...

Good.

So that's your kid out there?

How are you going to handle that?

Boy, I wouldn't be in your shoes for anything.

Good luck.

Yeah.

Same to you.

Anybody home?

I'm out back!

Well, hello.

What brings you back?

Ah, I didn't want to leave without...

Pat wanted me to give you something.

Just before he died,

he said, uh, that he really dug you.

Pat socked a little away, you know,

and he wanted you to have all of it.

Here it is.

9,200 bucks.

And, you know, the usual message...

Don't spend it all in one spot.

I'll see you, Gretch.

What about the account book?

You want it or what?

Ah, forget it.

No, you take that goddamn account book

and you send it to the biggest newspaper

in New Orleans,

you got that? Ha ha.

That's outstanding.

Ha ha ha.

Hey!

I wish you'd stay a while.

Ah, Gretchen, I got a plane to catch.

Harper...

You're not such a tough guy.