All language subtitles for The Drowning Pool (1975).1080p

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.